4-Iminooxazolidin-2-one as a Bioisostere of the Cyanohydrin Moiety: Inhibitors of Enterovirus 71 3C Protease

J Med Chem. 2018 Nov 21;61(22):10333-10339. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01335. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Abstract

A recently reported potent inhibitor of enterovirus 71 3C protease, ( R)-1, was found to have stability and potential toxicity issues due to the presence of a cyanohydrin moiety. Modifying the labile cyanohydrin moiety, by serendipity, led to the discovery of 4-iminooxazolidin-2-one-based inhibitors 4e and 4g with potent inhibitory activity and significantly improved stability. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies of 4e also demonstrated high plasma exposure and moderate half-life. These compounds have shown potential of becoming anti-EV71 drug candidates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3C Viral Proteases
  • Animals
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / chemistry
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Enterovirus A, Human / enzymology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Nitriles / chemistry*
  • Oxazoles / chemistry*
  • Oxazoles / metabolism
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Viral Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Nitriles
  • Oxazoles
  • Viral Proteins
  • cyanohydrin
  • oxazolidine
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • 3C Viral Proteases