ABSTRACT
The IC50 of a beta-secretase (BACE-1) lead compound was improved â¼200-fold from 11 µM to 55 nM through the addition of a single methyl group. Computational chemistry, small molecule NMR, and protein crystallography capabilities were used to compare the solution conformation of the ligand under varying pH conditions to its conformation when bound in the active site. Chemical modification then explored available binding pockets adjacent to the ligand. A strategically placed methyl group not only maintained the required pKa of the piperidine nitrogen and filled a small hydrophobic pocket, but more importantly, stabilized the conformation best suited for optimized binding to the receptor.
Subject(s)
Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases/antagonists & inhibitors , Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases/antagonists & inhibitors , Hydantoins/chemistry , Hydantoins/pharmacology , Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases/metabolism , Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases/metabolism , Crystallography, X-Ray , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans , Hydantoins/chemical synthesis , Methylation , Models, Molecular , Molecular Structure , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
A 1,6-naphthyridine inhibitor of HIV-1 integrase has been discovered with excellent inhibitory activity in cells, good pharmacokinetics, and an excellent ability to inhibit virus with mutant enzyme.
