We recently described a novel series of CA(1)A(2)X peptidomimetics as farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs). These compounds possess an N-(4-piperidinyl)benzamide scaffold mimicking A(1)A(2) residue. Extensive exploration of structure-activity relationships revealed that replacement of cysteine by substituted benzylimidazoles provided nanomolar FTIs with in vitro activities (18e, IC50 = 4.60 nM on isolated enzyme, EC50 = 20.0 nM for growth inhibition on a tumor cell line). The molecular docking of 18e and 19e in the active site of the enzyme provided details of key interactions with the protein and showed that the methionine or phenylalanine residue fits into the aryl binding site.
Novel N-(4-Piperidinyl)benzamide Antimalarials with Mammalian Protein Farnesyltransferase Inhibitory Activity
Protein farnesyltransferase of Plasmodium falciparum is a potential target in the treatment of malaria for which increased drug resistance is observed. The design, synthesis and evaluation of a series of N-(4-piperidinyl)benzamides is reported. The most potent compounds showed in vitro activity against the parasite at submicromolar concentrations.