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The development of methods that allow detection of ligand-target engagement in cells is an important challenge in chemical biology and drug discovery. Here, we present a Golgi recruitment (G-REC) assay in which the ligand binding to the target protein can be visualized as Golgi-localized fluorescence signals. We show that the G-REC assay is applicable to the detection of various ligand-target interactions, ligand affinity comparison among distinct protein isoforms, and the monitoring of unmodified drug-target engagement in cells.

Incorporation of halogen atoms to drug molecule has been shown to improve its properties such as enhanced in membrane permeability and increased hydrophobic interactions to its target. To investigate the effect of halogen substitutions on the antibacterial activity of trimethoprim (TMP), we synthesized a series of halogen substituted TMP and tested for their antibacterial activities against global predominant methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Structure-activity relationship analysis suggested a trend in potency that correlated with the ability of the halogen atom to facilitate in hydrophobic interaction to saDHFR. The most potent derivative, iodinated trimethoprim (TMP-I), inhibited pathogenic bacterial growth with MIC as low as 1.25 μg/mL while the clinically used TMP derivative, diaveridine, showed resistance. Similar to TMP, synergistic studies indicated that TMP-I functioned synergistically with sulfamethoxazole. The simplicity in the synthesis from an inexpensive starting material, vanillin, highlighted the potential of TMP-I as antibacterial agent for MRSA infections., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Present work describes the in vitro antibacterial evaluation of some new amino acid conjugated antimicrobial drugs. Structural modification was attempted on the three existing antimicrobial pharmaceuticals namely trimethoprim, metronidazole, isoniazid. Twenty one compounds from seven series of conjugates of these drugs were synthesized by coupling with some selected Boc-protected amino acids. The effect of structural features and lipophilicity on the antibacterial activity was investigated. The synthesized compounds were evaluated against five standard American type culture collection (ATCC) i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi strains of bacteria. Our results identified a close relationship between the lipophilicity and the activity. Triazine skeleton proved beneficial for the increase in hydrophobicity and potency. Compounds with greater hydrophobicity have shown excellent activities against Gram-negative strains of bacteria than Gram-positive. 4-amino unsubstituted trimethoprim-triazine derivative 7b have shown superior activity with MIC = 3.4 μM (2 μg/mL) for S. aureus and 1.1 μM (0.66 μg/mL) for E. coli. The synthesized compounds were also evaluated for their urease inhibition study. Microbial urease from Bacillus pasteurii was chosen for this study. Triazine derivative 7a showed excellent inhibition with IC 50  = 6.23 ± 0.09 μM. Docking studies on the crystal structure of B. pasteurii urease (PDB ID 4UBP) were carried out., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

We report the evaluation of two alternative chemical dimerizer approaches aimed at increasing the sensitivity of MASPIT, a three-hybrid system that enables small-molecule target protein profiling in intact human cells. To circumvent the potential limitations related to the binding of methotrexate (MTX) to endogenous human dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), we explored trimethoprim (TMP) as an alternative prokaryote-specific DHFR ligand. MASPIT evaluation of TMP fusion compounds with tamoxifen, reversine, and simvastatin as model baits, resulted in dose-response curves shifted towards lower EC50 values than those of their MTX congeners. Furthermore, a scalable azido-TMP reagent was synthesized that displayed a similar improvement in sensitivity, possibly owing to increased membrane permeability relative to the MTX anchor. Applying the SNAP-tag approach to introduce a covalent bond into the system, on the other hand, produced an inferior readout than in the MTX- or TMP-tag based assay., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Recent advances in microbial genomics, synthetic organic chemistry and X-ray crystallography provided opportunities to identify novel antibacterial targets for the development of new classes of antibiotics and to design more potent antimicrobial compounds derived from existing antibiotics in clinical use for decades. The antimetabolites, sulfa drugs and trimethoprim (TMP)-like agents, are inhibitors of three families of enzymes. One family belongs to the carbonic anhydrases, which catalyze a simple but physiologically relevant reaction in all life kingdoms, carbon dioxide hydration to bicarbonate and protons. The other two enzyme families are involved in the synthesis of tetrahydrofolate (THF), i.e. dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) and dihydrofolate reductase. The antibacterial agents belonging to the THF and DHPS inhibitors were developed decades ago and present significant bacterial resistance problems. However, the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance both to sulfa drugs and TMP-like inhibitors were understood in detail only recently, when several X-ray crystal structures of such enzymes in complex with their inhibitors were reported. Here, we revue the state of the art in the field of antibacterials based on inhibitors of these three enzyme families.

New Co(II) complexes with drugs such as trimethoprim (TMP), cimetidine (CTD), niacinamide (NAM) and ofloxacin (OFL) as ligands were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by analytical analysis, various spectral techniques such as FT-IR, UV-Vis, magnetic measurements and molar conductivity. The magnetic susceptibility results coupled with the electronic spectra suggested a tetrahedral geometry for the complexes. The coordination mode of trimethoprim ligand and geometry of the complex were confirmed by single crystal X-ray studies. In this complex the metal ion possesses a tetrahedral geometry with two nitrogen atom from two TMP ligands and two chloride ions coordinated to it. The catalytic activity of the complexes in aryl-aryl coupling reaction was screened and the results indicated that among the four complexes [Co(OFL)Cl(H2O)] exhibited excellent catalytic activity., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Chemical tags can be used to selectively label proteins with fluorophores that have high photon outputs. By permitting straightforward single molecule (SM) detection and imaging with organic fluorophores, chemical tags have the potential to advance SM imaging as a routine experimental tool for studying biological mechanism. However, there has been little characterization of the photophysical consequences of using chemical tags with organic fluorophores. Here, we examine the effect the covalent trimethoprim chemical tag (A-TMP-tag) has on the SM imaging performance of the fluorophores, Atto655 and Alexa647, by evaluating the photophysical properties of these fluorophores and their A-TMP-tag conjugates. We measure SM photon flux, survival lifetime, and total photon output under conditions that mimic the live cell environment and demonstrate that the A-TMP-tag complements the advantageous SM imaging properties of Atto655 and Alexa647. We also measure the ensemble properties of quantum yield and photostability lifetime, revealing a correlation between SM and ensemble properties. Taken together, these findings establish a systematic method for evaluating the impact chemical tags have on fluorophores for SM imaging and demonstrate that the A-TMP-tag with Atto655 and Alexa647 are promising reagents for biological imaging., (Copyright © 2014 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Over the past decade, chemical tags have been developed to complement the use of fluorescent proteins in live-cell imaging. Chemical tags retain the specificity of protein labeling achieved with fluorescent proteins through genetic encoding, but provide smaller, more robust tags and modular use of organic fluorophores with high photon output and tailored functionalities. The trimethoprim-based chemical tag (TMP-tag) was initially developed based on the high affinity interaction between E. coli dihydrofolate reductase and the antibiotic trimethoprim and was subsequently rendered covalent and fluorogenic via proximity-induced protein labeling reactions. To date, the TMP-tag is one of the few chemical tags that enable intracellular protein labeling and high-resolution live-cell imaging. Here we describe the general design, chemical synthesis, and application of TMP-tag for live-cell imaging. Alternate protocols for synthesizing and using the covalent and the fluorogenic TMP-tags are also included., (© 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)

Complexes of trimethoprim (TMP), with Cu(II), Zn(II), Pt(II), Ru(III) and Fe(III) have been synthesized. Then, these complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques involving UV-vis, IR, mass and (1)H NMR. CHN elemental analysis, electrochemical and thermal behavior of complexes have also been investigated. The electrochemical properties of all complexes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using glassy carbon electrode. The biological activity of the complexes has been evaluated by examining their ability to bind to calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) with UV spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. UV studies of the interaction of the complexes with DNA have shown that these compounds can bind to CT DNA. The binding constants of the complexes with CT DNA have also been calculated. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes in the presence of CT DNA have shown that the complexes can bind to CT DNA by both the intercalative and the electrostatic binding mode. The antimicrobial activity of these complexes has been evaluated against three Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria. Antifungal activity against two different fungi has been evaluated and compared with the reference drug TMP. Almost all types of complexes show excellent activity against all type of bacteria and fungi. The morphology of the CT DNA, TMP, metal ions and metal complexes has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To get the SEM images, the interaction of compounds with CT DNA has been studied by means of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at CT DNA modified pencil graphite electrode (PGE). The decrease in intensity of the guanine oxidation signals has been used as an indicator for the interaction mechanism., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR) study has been carried out on the Escherichia coli DHFR inhibitors 2,4-diamino-5-(substituted-benzyl)pyrimidine derivatives to understand the structural features responsible for the improved potency. To construct highly predictive 3D-QSAR models, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) methods were used. The predicted models show statistically significant cross-validated and non-cross-validated correlation coefficient of r2 CV and r2 nCV, respectively. The final 3D-QSAR models were validated using structurally diverse test set compounds. Analysis of the contour maps generated from CoMFA and CoMSIA methods reveals that the substitution of electronegative groups at the first and second position along with electropositive group at the third position of R2 substitution significantly increases the potency of the derivatives. The results obtained from the CoMFA and CoMSIA study delineate the substituents on the trimethoprim analogues responsible for the enhanced potency and also provide valuable directions for the design of new trimethoprim analogues with improved affinity., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

One micrometre silica particles, derivatized with C18, were electrokinetically packed into a 75-microm-i.d. capillary. The resulting column was evaluated for the separation of trimethoprim (TMP) and its impurities using pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC), starting from a capillary liquid chromatographic (CLC) separation. These samples require gradient elution when separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), but with the new columns isocratic elution suffices for their separation by CLC or pCEC. Only 70,000 theoretical plates/m for impurity C were achieved using CLC mode at relative low pressure (78 bar) although very small particles were utilized. When a voltage above 2 kV (50 V/cm) was applied, unknown peaks appeared, which was assumed due to an electrophoretic effect with the unknown peaks resolving as a result of the applied voltage. In order to minimize these unfavorable contributions, only a low voltage was applied, still leading to higher separation performances and shorter separation times than in CLC. The optimal analyzing conditions in pCEC included a pressure of 78 bar, an applied voltage of 1 kV, and a mobile phase consisting of 80 mM sodium perchlorate (pH 3.1)/methanol (60/40, v/v). These conditions were used to separate and quantify four major impurities in TMP within 22 min. The obtained calibration curves were linear (r>0.9980) in concentration ranges between 0.005 and 0.1 mg/mL for impurities A and C; 0.02 and 0.10 mg/mL for impurity F; and 0.01 and 0.10 mg/mL for impurity H. The detection limits (S/N=3) for impurities A, C, F, and H were 0.52, 0.84, 3.18, and 2.41 microg/mL, respectively. The calibration curves were successfully applied to analyze spiked bulk samples, with mean recoveries ranging from 92% to 110%. The developed method can therefore be considered simple, rapid, and repeatable.

The resistance to pyrimethamine (PYR) of Plasmodium falciparum arising from mutation at position 108 of dihydrofolate reductase (pfDHFR) from serine to asparagine (S108N) is due to steric interaction between the bulky side chain of N108 and Cl atom of the 5-p-Cl aryl group of PYR, which consequently resulted in the reduction in binding affinity between the enzyme and inhibitor. Molecular modeling suggested that the flexible antifolate, such as trimethoprim (TMP) derivatives, could avoid this steric constraint and should be considered as new, potentially effective compounds. The hydrophobic interaction between the side chain of inhibitor and the active site of the enzyme around position 108 was enhanced by the introduction of a longer and more hydrophobic side chain on TMP's 5-benzyl moiety. The prepared compounds, especially those bearing aromatic substituents, exhibited better binding affinities to both wild type and mutant enzymes than the parent compound. Binding affinities of these compounds correlated well with their antimalarial activities against both wild type and resistant parasites. Molecular modeling of the binding of such compounds with pfDHFR also supported the experimental data and clearly showed that aromatic substituents play an important role in enhancing binding affinity. In addition, some compounds with 6-alkyl substituents showed relatively less decrease in binding constants with the mutant enzymes and relatively good antimalarial activities against the parasites bearing the mutant enzymes.

Conformationally restricted analogues of the antibacterial agent trimethoprim (TMP) were designed to mimic the conformation of drug observed in its complex with bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). This conformation of TMP was achieved by linking the 4-amino function to the methylene group by one- and two-carbon bridges. A pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, a dihydro analogue, and a tetrahydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of DHFR. One analogue showed activity equivalent to that of TMP against DHFR from three species of bacteria. An X-ray crystal structure of this inhibitor bound to Escherichia coli DHFR was determined to evaluate the structural consequences of the conformational restriction.

New derivatives of 3-amino-1,2,6-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide have been synthesized and their antibacterial, antifungal and DHFR inhibitory activities evaluated. Their chemical structures have been established by means of analytical and NMR spectroscopic data. Among the compounds studied, the 4,4-dibromo derivative 11 showed fungistatic activity against C. albicans.

A new route to 5-(p-hydroxybenzyl)pyrimidines has been developed which utilizes phenolic Mannich bases plus pyrimidines containing at least two activating groups. The products can be alkylated on the phenolic oxygen or on the pyrimidine N-1 atom, depending on conditions. This method has been used to prepare trimethoprim, a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, starting from 2,4-diaminopyrimidine and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol.

A group of trimethoprim (TMP) analogues containing 3,5-dialkyl(or halo)-4-alkoxy, -hydroxy, or -amino substitution were analyzed in terms of their inhibitory activities against four dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) isozymes. Although selectivities were lower than with TMP, the activities against vertebrate DHFR were usually at least 2 orders of magnitude less than against enzymes from microbial sources. However, the profiles of activity were remarkably similar for rat, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Plasmodium berghei enzymes in all three series, although somewhat different for Escherichia coli DHFR, leading to the conclusion that the hydrophobic pockets are similar for the first three isozymes. Optimal substitution was reached with 3,5-di-n-propyl or 3-ethyl-5-n-propyl groups. Branching of chains at the alpha-carbon, which resulted in increased substituent thickness, was detrimental to E. coli DHFR inhibition in particular. MR is an inadequate parameter for use in correlating such substituent effects. Conformational changes of the more bulky inhibitors can be invoked to explain some differences in inhibitory pattern. Although log P explains simple substituent effects with the vertebrate DHFRs very well, it is insufficient in the more complex cases described here, where shape is clearly involved as well. Solvent-accessible surface areas were measured for TMP in E. coli and chicken DHFRs, where the coordinates are now known. The environment is more hydrophobic in the latter case; this can also be postulated for rat DHFR, which has a very similar activity profile. As with the mammalian isozymes, N. gonorrhoeae DHFR contains an active site phenylalanine replacing Leu-28 of E. coli DHFR, thus creating a more hydrophobic pocket. A similar replacement may also occur in the P.berghei isozyme. Selectivity for bacterial DHFR is dependent on the nature of the 4-substituent, being low for polar 4-hydroxy compounds but high for polar 4-amino analogues, possibly as a result of solvation differences. With complex substituents, the environment of each atom in the active site must be taken into account to adequately explain structure-activity relationships.

A consideration of the detailed structural information available from X-ray crystallographic and NMR studies on complexes of dihydrofolate reductase with inhibitors has led to the design of trimethoprim analogues with improved binding properties. Computer graphic techniques have been used to predict which substituent groups were required at the 3'-O position of brodimoprim (2,4-diamino-5-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-bromobenzyl)pyrimidine) to make additional interactions with the enzyme. NMR spectroscopy provided a convenient method of assessing if the analogues were binding in the predicted manner. On the basis of this approach, the C4,C6-dicarboxylic acid analogue IX was designed to interact with Arg-57 and His-28 in the enzyme, and this analogue was found to bind 3 orders of magnitude more tightly than the parent brodimoprim.

The preparation of a wide variety of 6-substituted trimethoprim analogues was readily accomplished by the reaction of 2,4-diamino-6-substituted-pyrimidines with 2,6-dimethoxy-4-[(N,N-dimethylamino)methyl]phenol at 120--160 degrees C. The less reactive 2,6-dialkyl-4-[(N,N-dimethylamino)methyl]phenols reacted successfully with 2,4-diamino-6-(alkylthio)pyrimidines to give 5-(substituted benzyl)pyrimidines. The phenolic groups of the products were alkylated in high yield when a nonreactive 6-substituent was present in the pyrimidine ring. 6-(Alkylthio) groups were easily removed with Raney nickel. Trimethoprim was thus obtained in high yield from its 6-(methylthio) counterpart. The 6-substituted trimethoprim analogues all had low activity as inhibitors of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase and as antibacterial agents.

Lipophilic analogues of trimethoprim (1) bearing 3,5-dialkyl-4-hydroxy substituents in the benzene ring are much more active in vitro against Neisseria gonorrhoeae than is 1. The 3,5-diisopropyl-4-hydroxy derivative (2) was selected as a candidate for clinical evaluation as an antigonococcal agent, and as part of the preliminary evaluation it was submitted to extended pharmacokinetic and metabolism studies in dogs. Although the compound was not extensively conjugated by metabolic enzymes, one of the methyl groups was metabolized to produce a 3-isopropyl-4-hydroxy-5-(alpha-carboxyethyl)benzyl derivative (43), which was rapidly excreted. Related analogues were likewise extensively metabolized.

A new route to 2,4-diamino-5-(4-hydroxybenzyl)pyrimidines has been developed that involves the condensation of 2,4-diamino-5-(hydroxymethyl)pyrimidine with phenols in acidic medium. The use of phenol and its 2,6-dialkyl derivatives produces 5-(4-hydroxybenzyl)pyrimidines exclusively. However, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol produces a mixture of 5-(3-hydroxy-2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)- and 5-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidines. The phenolic condensation has been used to prepare a series of alkyl-substituted 5-(4-hydroxybenzyl)- and 5-(4-alkoxybenzyl)pyrimidines. The use of 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene in place of a phenol produces 2,4-diamino-5-(2,3,4-trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine, a trimethoprim isomer with low antibacterial activity. The use of molecular models of several of the new ortho-substituted derivatives in the active site of dihydrofolate reductase has provided a rational explanation for their activities relative to trimethoprim.

Electrophilic substitution of 2,4-diaminopyridine by 2,6-disubstituted -4-[(N,N-dimethylamino)methyl]phenols and by halogens (bromine and fluorine) produces 3-benzyl and 3-halo derivatives, plus a small amount of disubstitution at the 3,5 positions. Treatment of a 2,4-diamino-3-halopyridine with phenolic Mannich bases gives 5- and N-benzylation. 2,4-Diamino-3-bromo-5-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)pyridine was methylated on the phenolic group in good yield and dehalogenated to produce 3-deazatrimethoprim [2,4-diamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)pyridine]. This compound is about 300-fold less active as an inhibitor of Eschericia coli dihydrofolate reductase than is trimethoprim. 2,6-Diaminopyridine is very readily dibenzylated at the 3,5 positions as well as on an amino group, by a phenolic Mannich base; use of a fourfold excess of the pyridine provided a 3-benzylated 2,6-diaminopyridine in 50% yield; this was inactive as an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase at 10(-4) M. 2-Amino- and 4-aminopyridines do not produce C-benzylated products under the conditions reported here.