Probing the S2′ subsite of the anthrax toxin lethal factor using novel N-alkylated hydroxamates

Elbek K. Kurbanov, Ting Lan Chiu, Jonathan Solberg, Subhashree Francis, Kimberly M. Maize, Jenna Fernandez, Rodney L. Johnson, Jon E. Hawkinson, Michael A. Walters, Barry C. Finzel, Elizabeth Ambrose Amin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The lethal factor (LF) enzyme secreted by Bacillus anthracis is a zinc hydrolase that is chiefly responsible for anthrax-related cell death. Although many studies of the design of small molecule LF inhibitors have been conducted, no LF inhibitor is yet available as a therapeutic agent. Inhibitors with considerable chemical diversity have been developed and investigated; however, the LF S2′ subsite has not yet been systematically explored as a potential target for lead optimization. Here we present synthesis, experimental evaluation, modeling, and structural biology for a novel series of sulfonamide hydroxamate LF inhibitor analogues specifically designed to extend into, and probe chemical preferences of, this S2′ subsite. We discovered that this region accommodates a wide variety of chemical functionalities and that a broad selection of ligand structural modifications directed to this area can be incorporated without significant deleterious alterations in biological activity. We also identified key residues in this subsite that can potentially be targeted to improve inhibitor binding.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8723-8733
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of medicinal chemistry
Volume58
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 12 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 American Chemical Society.

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