Discovery of novel DAPY-IAS hybrid derivatives as potential HIV-1 inhibitors using molecular hybridization based on crystallographic overlays

Abstract

Crystallographic overlap studies and pharmacophoric analysis indicated that diarylpyrimidine (DAPY)-based HIV-1 NNRTIs showed a similar binding mode and pharmacophoric features as indolylarylsulfones (IASs), another class of potent NNRTIs. Thus, a novel series of DAPY-IAS hybrid derivatives were identified as newer NNRTIs using structure-based molecular hybridization. Some target compounds exhibited moderate activities against HIV-1 IIIB strain, among which the two most potent inhibitors possessed EC₅₀ values of 1.48μM and 1.61μM, respectively. They were much potent than the reference drug ddI (EC₅₀=76.0μM) and comparable to 3TC (EC₅₀=2.54μM). Compound 7a also exhibited the favorable selectivity index (SI=80). Preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs), structure-cytotoxicity relationships, molecular modeling studies, and in silico calculation of physicochemical properties of these new inhibitors were also discussed.

Keywords: Crystallographic overlays; DAPY-IAS hybrids; Drug design; HIV-1 inhibitors; Molecular modeling; SARs.