Molecular recognition of protein-ligand complexes : applications to drug design

N-[4-[2-(2-amino-3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethyl ]-benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid (LY231514) is a novel pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based antifolate currently undergoing extensive Phase II clinical trials. Previous studies have established that LY231514 and its synthetic gamma-polyglutamates (glu3 and glu5) exert potent inhibition against thymidylate synthase (TS). We now report that LY231514 and its polyglutamates also markedly inhibit other key folate-requiring enzymes, including dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT). For example, the Ki values of the pentaglutamate of LY231514 are 1.3, 7.2, and 65 nM for inhibition against TS, DHFR, and GARFT, respectively. In contrast, although a similar high level of inhibitory potency was observed for the parent monoglutamate against DHFR (7.0 nM), the inhibition constants (Ki) for the parent monoglutamate are significantly weaker for TS (109 nM) and GARFT (9,300 nM). The effects of LY231514 and its polyglutamates on aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, and 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase were also evaluated. The end product reversal studies conducted in human cell lines further support the concept that multiple enzyme-inhibitory mechanisms are involved in cytotoxicity. The reversal pattern of LY231514 suggests that although TS may be a major site of action for LY231514 at concentrations near the IC50, higher concentrations can lead to inhibition of DHFR and/or other enzymes along the purine de novo pathway. Studies with mutant cell lines demonstrated that LY231514 requires polyglutamation and transport via the reduced folate carrier for cytotoxic potency. Therefore, our data suggest that LY231514 is a novel classical antifolate, the antitumor activity of which may result from simultaneous and multiple inhibition of several key folate-requiring enzymes via its polyglutamated metabolites.

https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/57/6/1116.full.pdf

LY231514, a pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based antifolate that inhibits multiple folate-requiring enzymes

A new folate antimetabolite, 5,10-dideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate is a potent inhibitor of de novo purine synthesis.

Pemetrexed is a new-generation antifolate, approved for the treatment of mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer, currently being evaluated for the treatment of a variety of other solid tumors. This review traces the history of antifolates that led to the development of pemetrexed and describes the unique properties of this agent that distinguish it from other antifolates. These include (a) its very rapid conversion to active polyglutamate derivatives in cells that build to high levels and are retained for long intervals to achieve prolonged and potent inhibition of its major target enzyme thymidylate synthase, (b) its high affinity for three folate transporters, and (c) its marked sensitivity to the level of physiologic folates in cells. The latter results in the unique and paradoxical finding that when transport mediated by the major folate transporter (the reduced folate carrier) is impaired, pemetrexed activity is preserved. This is due to concurrent contraction of competing cellular physiologic folates and utilization of a novel second transport carrier for which pemetrexed has high affinity, recently identified as the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). Laboratory studies are reviewed that raise the possibility of new approaches to the use of folic acid supplementation in clinical regimens with pemetrexed.

/pdf/pemetrexed-biochemical-and-cellular-pharmacology-mechanisms-1gqv31ksmg.pdf

Pemetrexed: biochemical and cellular pharmacology, mechanisms, and clinical applications

The role of multidrug resistance efflux transporters in antifolate resistance and folate homeostasis.

Total syntheses from pyridine precursors of 5,10-dideazaaminopterin (1) and 5,10-dideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroaminopterin (2) are described. These compounds exhibit significant in vivo activity against L1210 leukemia that is comparable to that observed with methotrexate.

Synthesis of the antileukemic agents 5,10-dideazaaminopterin and 5,10-dideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroaminopterin.

Uber den Ester (V) erhalt man die Verbindungen (VI), von denen die Diamine in vivo ausgezeichnet gegen L1 210-Leukamie wirksam sind.

P. J. Harrington

Papers

Synthesis of the antileukemic agents 5,10-dideazaaminopterin and 5,10-dideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroaminopterin.

Synthesis of the antileukemic agents 5,10‐dideazaaminopterin and 5,10‐dideaza‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydroaminopterin