Synthesis and in vitro/in vivo Evaluation of the Antitrypanosomal Activity of 3-Bromoacivicin, a Potent CTP Synthetase Inhibitor

Conti, P., Pinto, A., Wong, P.E., Major, L.L., Tamborini, L., Iannuzzi, M.C., De Micheli, C., Barrett, M.P. and Smith, T.K. (2010) Synthesis and in vitro/in vivo Evaluation of the Antitrypanosomal Activity of 3-Bromoacivicin, a Potent CTP Synthetase Inhibitor. ChemMedChem, 6(2), pp. 329-333. (doi: 10.1002/cmdc.201000417)

Abstract

The first convenient synthesis of enantiomerically pure (alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-bromo-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl acetic acid (3-bromoacivicin) is described. We demonstrate that 3-bromoacivicin is a CTP synthetase inhibitor three times as potent as its 3-chloro analogue, the natural antibiotic acivicin. Because CTP synthetase was suggested to be a potential drug target in African trypanosomes, the in vitro/in vivo antitrypanosomal activity of 3-bromoacivicin was assessed in comparison with acivicin. Beyond expectation, we observed a 12-fold enhancement in the in vitro antitrypanosomal activity, while toxicity against mammalian cells remained unaffected. Despite its good in vitro activity and selectivity, 3-bromoacivicin proved to be trypano-static and failed to completely eradicate the infection when tested in vivo at its maximum tolerable dose

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wong, Dr Pui Ee and Barrett, Professor Michael
• Authors: Conti, P., Pinto, A., Wong, P.E., Major, L.L., Tamborini, L., Iannuzzi, M.C., De Micheli, C., Barrett, M.P., and Smith, T.K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: ChemMedChem
• ISSN: 1860-7179