Selective inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase by high-energy intermediate and transition-state analogues

Two series of compounds were designed to mimic the transition state and high-energy intermediates (HEI) of the enzymatic reaction of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH). Sulfoxide analogues (7-11) were designed to mimic the transition state during the oxidation of the substrate to 3-keto-6-phosphogluconate, an enzyme-bound intermediate of the enzyme. Hydroxamate and amide derivatives of d-erythronic acid were designed to mimic the 1,2-cis-enediol HEI of the 6PGDH reaction. These two series of compounds were assayed as competitive inhibitors of the Trypanosoma brucei and sheep liver enzymes, and their selectivity value (ratio sheep/parasite) was calculated. The sulfoxide transition-state analogues showed weak and selective inhibition of the T. brucei enzyme. The hydroxamic derivatives showed potent and selective inhibition of the T. brucei 6PGDH with a Ki in the nanomolar range.