Discovery of benzylisothioureas as potent divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) inhibitors.

Inhibition of intestinal brush border DMT1 offers a novel therapeutic approach to the prevention and treatment of disorders of iron overload. Several series of diaryl and tricyclic benzylisothiourea compounds as novel and potent DMT1 inhibitors were discovered from the original hit compound 1. These compounds demonstrated in vitro potency against DMT1, desirable cell permeability properties and a dose-dependent inhibition of iron uptake in an acute rat model of iron hyperabsorption.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of substituted pyrazoles as blockers of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1).

Three distinct series of substituted pyrazole blockers of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) were elaborated from the high-throughput screening pyrazolone hit 1. Preliminary hit-to-lead efforts revealed a preference for electron-withdrawing substituents in the 4-amido-5-hydroxypyrazole series 6a-l. In turn, this preference was more pronounced in a series of 4-aryl-5-hydroxypyrazoles 8a-j.