Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling of 1-benzyl-1H-imidazoles as selective inhibitors of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2)

J Med Chem. 2010 Feb 25;53(4):1712-25. doi: 10.1021/jm901356d.

Abstract

Reducing aldosterone action is beneficial in various major diseases such as heart failure. Currently, this is achieved with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, however, aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) inhibitors may offer a promising alternative. In this study, we used three-dimensional modeling of CYP11B2 to model the binding modes of the natural substrate 18-hydroxycorticosterone and the recently published CYP11B2 inhibitor R-fadrozole as a rational guide to design 44 structurally simple and achiral 1-benzyl-1H-imidazoles. Their syntheses, in vitro inhibitor potencies, and in silico docking are described. Some promising CYP11B2 inhibitors were identified, with our novel lead MOERAS115 (4-((5-phenyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzonitrile) displaying an IC(50) for CYP11B2 of 1.7 nM, and a CYP11B2 (versus CYP11B1) selectivity of 16.5, comparable to R-fadrozole (IC(50) for CYP11B2 6.0 nM, selectivity 19.8). Molecular docking of the inhibitors in the models enabled us to generate posthoc hypotheses on their binding modes, providing a valuable basis for future studies and further design of CYP11B2 inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 18-Hydroxycorticosterone / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Benzyl Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Benzyl Compounds / pharmacology
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / chemistry
  • Fadrozole / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Binding
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • 4-((5-phenyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzonitrile
  • Benzyl Compounds
  • Imidazoles
  • 18-Hydroxycorticosterone
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2
  • Fadrozole