Direct, late-stage mono-N-arylation of pentamidine : method development, mechanistic insights, and expedient access to novel antiparastitics against diamidine-resistant parasites
Abstract
A selective mono-N-arylation strategy of amidines under Chan-Lam conditions is described. During the reaction optimization phase, the isolation of a mononuclear Cu(II) complex provided unique mechanistic insight into the operation of Chan-Lam mono-N-arylation. The scope of the process is demonstrated, and then applied to access the first mono-N-arylated analogues of pentamidine. Sub-micromolar activity against kinetoplastid parasites was observed for several analogues with no cross-resistance in pentamidine and diminazene-resistant trypanosome strains and against Leishmania mexicana. A fluorescent mono-N-arylated pentamidine analogue revealed rapid cellular uptake, accumulating in parasite nuclei and the kinetoplasts. The DNA binding capability of the mono-N-arylated pentamidine series was confirmed by UV-melt measurements using AT-rich DNA. This work highlights the potential to use Chan-Lam mono-N-arylation to develop therapeutic leads against diamidine-resistant trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.
Citation
Robertson , J , Ungogo , M , Aldfer , M , de Koning , H , Lemgruber , L , McWhinnie , F , Bode , B , Jones , K , Watson , A J B & Burley , G 2021 , ' Direct, late-stage mono- N -arylation of pentamidine : method development, mechanistic insights, and expedient access to novel antiparastitics against diamidine-resistant parasites ' , ChemMedChem , vol. Early View . https://doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.202100509
Publication
ChemMedChem
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1860-7179Type
Journal article
Description
J.R. and G.A.B. thank GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for an industrial CASE studentship. MMA is supported by a studentship from the government of Libya, and MAU by a studentship from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Abuja, Nigeria.Collections
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