Antibacterial Spiropyrimidinetriones with N-Linked Azole Substituents on a Benzisoxazole Scaffold Targeting DNA Gyrase

J Med Chem. 2020 Oct 22;63(20):11882-11901. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01100. Epub 2020 Oct 2.

Abstract

Herein, we report spiropyrimidinetriones (SPTs) incorporating N-linked azole substituents on a benzisoxazole scaffold with improved Gram-positive antibacterial activity relative to previously described analogues. SPTs have an unusual spirocyclic architecture and represent a new antibacterial class of bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV inhibitors. They are not cross-resistant to fluoroquinolones and other DNA gyrase/topoisomerase IV inhibitors used clinically. The activity of the SPTs was assessed for DNA gyrase inhibition, and the antibacterial activity across Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens with N-linked 1,2,4-triazoles substituted on the 5-position provides the most worthwhile profile. Directed nucleophilic and electrophilic chemistry was developed to vary this 5-position with carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen substituents and explore structure-activity relationships including those around a target binding model. Compounds with favorable pharmacokinetic parameters were identified, and two compounds demonstrated cidality in a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus infection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Azoles / chemistry
  • Azoles / pharmacology
  • DNA Gyrase / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Isoxazoles / chemistry
  • Isoxazoles / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pyrimidinones / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrimidinones / chemistry
  • Pyrimidinones / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spiro Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Spiro Compounds / chemistry
  • Spiro Compounds / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / metabolism
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azoles
  • Isoxazoles
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Spiro Compounds
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
  • DNA Gyrase