Histone3-lysine79 (H3K79) methyltransferase DOT1L has been found to be a drug target for acute leukemia with MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) gene translocations. A total of 55 adenosine-containing compounds were designed and synthesized, among which several potent DOT1L inhibitors were identified with Ki values as low as 0.5 nM. These compounds also show high selectivity (>4,500-fold) over three other histone methyltransferases. Structure activity relationships (SAR) of these compounds for their inhibitory activities against DOT1L are discussed. Potent DOT1L inhibitors exhibit selective activity against the proliferation of MLL-translocated leukemia cell lines MV4;11 and THP1 with EC50 values of 4–11 μM. Isothermal titration calorimetry studies showed two representative inhibitors bind with a high affinity to the DOT1L:nucleosome complex, and only compete with the enzyme cofactor SAM (S-adenosyl-L-methionine), but not the substrate nucleosome.
1-Deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) in the non-mevalonate isoprene biosynthesis pathway is a target for developing antimalarial drugs. Fosmidomycin, a potent DXR inhibitor, showed safety as well as efficacy against P. falciparum malaria in clinical trials. Based on our previous quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) and crystallographic studies, several novel pyridine-containing fosmidomycin derivatives were designed, synthesized and found to be highly potent inhibitors of P. falciparum DXR (PfDXR) having Ki values of 1.9 – 13 nM, with the best one being ~11× more active than fosmidomycin. These compounds also potently block the proliferation of multi-drug resistant P. falciparum with EC50 values as low as 170 nM. A 2.3 Å crystal structure of PfDXR in complex with one of the inhibitors is reported, showing the flexible loop of the protein undergoes conformational changes upon ligand binding and a hydrogen bond and favorable hydrophobic interactions between the pyridine group and PfDXR account for the enhanced activity.
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