Combinatorial lead optimization of [1, 2]-diamines based on ethambutol as potential antituberculosis preclinical candidates

RE Lee, M Protopopova, E Crooks… - Journal of …, 2003 - ACS Publications
RE Lee, M Protopopova, E Crooks, RA Slayden, M Terrot, CE Barry
Journal of combinatorial chemistry, 2003ACS Publications
Despite relatively modest potency, ethambutol (EMB,(S, S)-[N, N-di-2-amino-1-butanol]
ethylenediamine) is a mainstay of contemporary chemotherapy for the treatment of
tuberculosis. We have developed a solid-phase synthesis of 1, 2-diamine analogues of EMB
using a novel acylation− reduction sequence that is compatible with high-throughput 96-well
format chemistry. Using this procedure, we have synthesized 63 238 diamine analogues in
pools of 10 that are suitable for testing. MIC and a target-based reporter assay were used to …
Despite relatively modest potency, ethambutol (EMB, (S,S)-[N,N-di-2-amino-1-butanol]ethylenediamine) is a mainstay of contemporary chemotherapy for the treatment of tuberculosis. We have developed a solid-phase synthesis of 1,2-diamine analogues of EMB using a novel acylation−reduction sequence that is compatible with high-throughput 96-well format chemistry. Using this procedure, we have synthesized 63 238 diamine analogues in pools of 10 that are suitable for testing. MIC and a target-based reporter assay were used to direct deconvolution of 2796 individual compounds from these mixtures, and the 69 most potent molecules were resynthesized in milligram quantities for hit confirmation. Purification of these individual active diamine analogues allowed the identification of 26 compounds with activity equal to or greater than EMB. Amines which occurred most frequently in active compounds included many with large hydrophobic moieties, suggesting that optimization was perhaps selecting for the isoprenoid binding site of the arabinosyltransferase target of EMB. N-Geranyl-N‘-(2-adamantyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (109), the most active of these diamines, displayed a 14−35-fold improvement in activity in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as compared to EMB.
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