Modified 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-based dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors as potential drug scaffolds against Bacillus anthracis.

The current Letter describes the synthesis and biological evaluation of dihydrophthalazine-appended 2,4-diaminopyrimidine (DAP) inhibitors (1) oxidized at the methylene bridge linking the DAP ring to the central aromatic ring and (2) modified at the central ring ether groups. Structures 4a-b incorporating an oxidized methylene bridge showed a decrease in activity, while slightly larger alkyl groups (CH2CH3 vs CH3) on the central ring oxygen atoms (R(2) and R(3)) had a minimal impact on the inhibition. Comparison of the potency data for previously reported RAB1 and BN-53 with the most potent of the new derivatives (19 b and 20a-b) showed similar values for inhibition of cellular growth and direct enzymatic inhibition (MICs 0.5-2 μg/mL). Compounds 29-34 with larger ester and ether groups containing substituted aromatic rings at R(3) exhibited slightly reduced activity (MICs 2-16 μg/mL). One explanation for this attenuated activity could be encroachment of the extended R(3) into the neighboring NADPH co-factor. These results indicate that modest additions to the central ring oxygen atoms are well tolerated, while larger modifications have the potential to act as dual-site inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).