Optimizing small molecule inhibitors of calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 to prevent infection by Toxoplasma gondii

J Med Chem. 2013 Mar 7. [Epub ahead of print]

Optimizing small molecule inhibitors of calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 to prevent infection by Toxoplasma gondii

Lourido S, Zhang C, Lopez M, Tang K, Barks J, Wang Q, Wildman SA, Shokat K, Sibley LD.

Toxoplasma gondii is sensitive to bulky pyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidine (PP) inhibitors due to the presence of a Gly gatekeeper in the essential calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1). Here we synthesized a number of new derivatives of 3-methyl-benzyl-PP (3-MB-PP, or 1). The potency of PP analogs in inhibiting CDPK1 enzyme activity in vitro (low nM IC50 values) and blocking parasite growth in host cell monolayers in vitro (low μM EC50 values) were highly correlated and occurred in a CDPK1-specific manner. Chemical modification of the PP scaffold to increase half-life in the presence of microsomes in vitro led to identification of compounds with enhanced stability while retaining activity. Several of these more potent compounds were able to prevent lethal infection with T. gondii in the mouse model. Collectively the strategies outlined here provide a route for development of more effective compounds for treatment of toxoplasmosis, and perhaps related parasitic diseases.

 PMID: 23470217 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]