Download MendeleyBarbituric Acid Derivatives as Covalent Inhibitors of Leishmania braziliensis Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase.
Froes, T.Q., Alegbejo Price, T.O., Fleck Godoi, B., Vaidergorn, M.M., Dos Santos, T., Leite, P.I.P., Silva, D.G., Dias da Purificacao, A., Loch, L., Schenkman, S., Kratz, J.M., da Silva Emery, F., Nonato, M.C.(2025) J Med Chem
- PubMed: 40658390
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00462
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9CB8, 9N67, 9N68, 9N6O, 9N6Q - PubMed Abstract:
Covalent drug design applied to parasite proteins enables selective therapies by targeting nucleophilic residues of macromolecules. We present the first covalent inhibitors of Leishmania braziliensis dihydroorotate dehydrogenase ( Lb DHODH), a key enzyme in pyrimidine biosynthesis with a reactive cysteine (Cys 131 ) in its active site. From barbituric acid derivatives, we discovered 2i as a Lb DHODH inhibitor with leishmanicidal activity, exhibiting an IC 5 0 of 0.5 ± 0.1 μM, a K inact /K I of 767 M -1 s -1 , no inhibition of the human ortholog, and an EC 5 0 of 11 ± 5 μM in L. braziliensis promastigotes, with no cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells and good passive permeability. X-ray crystallography confirms covalent bond formation with Cys 131 and reveals active-site rearrangements. These findings support the proposed covalent inhibition mechanism and provide structural insights for further optimization. Our study validates Lb DHODH as a promising target for leishmaniasis therapy and highlights the potential of covalent inhibition in antiparasitic drug discovery.
- Center for the Research and Advancement in Fragments and molecular Targets (CRAFT), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil.
Organizational Affiliation:
