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3-(4-Aroyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-N-hydroxy-2-propenamides as a New Class of Synthetic Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors. 3. Discovery of Novel Lead Compounds through Structure-Based Drug Design and Docking Studies

Ragno R., Mai A., Massa S., Cerbara I., Valente S., Bottoni P., Scatena R., Jesacher F., Loidl P., Brosch G., Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2004


Abstract:

Aroyl-pyrrole-hydroxy-amides (APHAs) are a new class of synthetic HDAC inhibitors recently described by us. Through three different docking procedures we designed, synthesized, and tested two new isomers of APHA lead compound 3-(4-benzoyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-N-hydroxy-2-propenamide (1), compounds 3 and 4, characterized by different insertions of benzoyl and propenoylhydroxamate groups onto the pyrrole ring. Biological activities of 3 and 4 were predicted by computational tools up to 617-fold more potent than that of 1 against HDAC1; thus, 3 and 4 were synthesized and tested against both mouse HDAC1 and maize HD2 enzymes. Predictions of biological affinities (K i values) of 3 and 4, performed by a VALIDATE model (applied on either SAD or automatic DOCK or Autodock results) and by the Autodock internal scoring function, were in good agreement with experimental activities. Ligand/receptor positive interactions made by 3 and 4 into the catalytic pocket, in addition to those showed by 1, could at least in part account for their higher HDAC1 inhibitory activities. In particular, in mouse HDAC1 inhibitory assay 3 and 4 were 19- and 6-times more potent than 1, respectively, and 3 and 4 antimaize HD2 activities were 16- and 76-times higher than that of 1, 4 being as potent as SAHA in this assay. Compound 4, tested as antiproliferative and cytodifferentiating agent on MEL cells, showed dose-dependent growth inhibition and hemoglobin accumulation effects.


Link to the article:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm031036f