[Novel hybrid inhibitors of the phage T7 RNA polymerase: synthesis, docking and screening in vitro].

A number of new hybrid heteroaromatic compounds, consisting of tricyclic fragments (acridone, thioxanthone and phenazine) and bicyclic fragments (benzimidazole, benzothiazole and benzoxazole) were synthesized using the method, developed by the authors. As a result of screening against the transcription model system of the phage T7 DNA-dependent RNA polymerase three effective inhibitors of the RNA syntheses with the IC50 value of 8.9, 5.7 and 19.8 microM were detected. To cast light on the mode of interaction between the synthesized compounds and the target, the molecular docking was applied to the model pocket of the phage T7 RNA polymerase transcription complex. It was established that these ligands form networks of H-bonds with residues of the pocket conservative amino acids and pi-interaction with the Mg2+ ion. A planar geometry of the hybrid molecules, realized due to the intramolecular H-bonds, proved to be an important structural feature, which correlates with an efficacious inhibitory activity.

[Design of transcription inhibitors on the basis of n-arylamides of 9-methyl- and 9-methoxyphenazine-1-carboxylic acids].

A convenient method of synthesis was developed and two series of N-arylamides of 9-methyl- and 9-methoxyphenazine-1-carboxylic acids were obtained. By the molecular docking method the mode of the synthesized compounds interaction with catalytic pocket of the RNA polymerase T7 transcription complex was simulated. Key ligand-receptor intermolecular contacts were identified. They are realized by various types of non-covalent interactions with line of conservative amino acid residues involved in recognition of incoming nucleotide, catalytic act of RNA synthesis as well as in stabilizing the RNA-DNA hybrid at early steps of transcription. In silico data indicate sufficient affinity of ligands for the receptor and allow to predict their ability to inhibit the functioning of RNA polymerase T7 transcription complex that is consistent with preliminary experimental results. Initial testing in a model RNA polymerase T7 transcription system demonstrates significant inhibition of in vitro RNA synthesis by investigated compounds at a concentration of 25 microg/ml (approximately 80 microM).

[New amides of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid: antimicrobial activity and structure-activity relationship].

Complex investigation of new phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA-1) phenylamides allowed to reveal their ability for substantial growth retardation of three gram-positive bacterial strains--Micrococcus sp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Staphylococcus aureus. The strong inhibitory activity of PCA-1 derivatives towards the RNA synthesis in in vitro T7-RNA-polymerase transcription system was also shown, and this property depended on concentration and structure of the tested compounds. The methods of computer modeling outlined the possible mechanism of RNA synthesis inhibition by PCA-1 amides: this process is arisen due to formation of stable complex of substances with enzyme at the position of substrate (rNTP) binding site. The revealed accordance of suppressor PCA-1 amides action in the enzymatic transcription system with antibacterial activity of these agents allows assuming that DNA-dependent RNA polymerase might be one of the cellular targets for tested bacteria. Such an approach permits to propose the use of such in vitro transcription model system to reveal biologically active substances among newly synthesized compounds, having close action mechanism.