Triazole inhibitors of Cryptosporidium parvum inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase

J Med Chem. 2009 Aug 13;52(15):4623-30. doi: 10.1021/jm900410u.

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is an important human pathogen and potential bioterrorism agent. This protozoan parasite cannot salvage guanine or guanosine and therefore relies on inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) for biosynthesis of guanine nucleotides and hence for survival. Because C. parvum IMPDH is highly divergent from the host counterpart, selective inhibitors could potentially be used to treat cryptosporidiosis with minimal effects on its mammalian host. A series of 1,2,3-triazole containing ether CpIMPDH inhibitors are described. A structure-activity relationship study revealed that a small alkyl group on the alpha-position of the ether was required, with the (R)-enantiomer significantly more active than the (S)-enantiomer. Electron-withdrawing groups in the 3- and/or 4-positions of the pendent phenyl ring were best, and conversion of the quinoline containing inhibitors to quinoline-N-oxides retained inhibitory activity both in the presence and absence of bovine serum albumin. The 1,2,3-triazole CpIMPDH inhibitors provide new tools for elucidating the role of IMPDH in C. parvum and may serve as potential therapeutics for treating cryptosporidiosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology
  • Cryptosporidiosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptosporidium parvum / drug effects*
  • Cryptosporidium parvum / enzymology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • IMP Dehydrogenase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Triazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Triazoles / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Triazoles
  • IMP Dehydrogenase