Substituted benzyl-pyrimidines targeting thymidine monophosphate kinase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: synthesis and in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity.

Unité de Chimie Organique, CNRS, URA2128, Département Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France.

A series of N(1)-(4-substituted-benzyl)-pyrimidines were synthesized as potential inhibitors of thymidine monophosphate kinase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TMPKmt). Key SAR parameters included the chain length substitution in para position of the benzyl ring, the functional group terminating the alkyl chain, and the substituent on the C-5 pyrimidine ring. Synthesized molecules were assayed against both recombinant enzyme and mycobacteria cultures. The most potent compounds have K(i) values in the micromolar range and an MIC(50) of 50microg/mL against Mycobacterium bovis. These results will guide the design of a new generation of lead compounds.

PMID: 18467107 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]