Identification of Novel Coumestan Derivatives as Polyketide Synthase 13 Inhibitors against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

J Med Chem. 2018 Feb 8;61(3):791-803. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01319. Epub 2018 Jan 29.

Abstract

Inhibition of the mycolic acid pathway has proven a viable strategy in antitubercular drug discovery. The AccA3/AccD4/FadD32/Pks13 complex of Mycobacterium tuberculosis constitutes an essential biosynthetic mechanism for mycolic acids. Small molecules targeting the thioesterase domain of Pks13 have been reported, including a benzofuran-based compound whose X-ray cocrystal structure has been very recently solved. Its initial inactivity in a serum inhibition titration (SIT) assay led us to further probe other structurally related benzofurans with the aim to improve their potency and bioavailability. Herein, we report our preliminary structure-activity relationship studies around this scaffold, highlighting a natural product-inspired cyclization strategy to form coumestans that are shown to be active in SIT. Whole genome deep sequencing of the coumestan-resistant mutants confirmed a single nucleotide polymorphism in the pks13 gene responsible for the resistance phenotype, demonstrating the druggability of this target for the development of new antitubercular agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Coumarins / chemistry*
  • Coumarins / pharmacology*
  • Coumarins / toxicity
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / toxicity
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects*
  • Polyketide Synthases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Coumarins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Polyketide Synthases
  • coumestan