Inhibitors of the fungal cell wall. Synthesis of 4-aryl-4-N-arylamine-1-butenes and related compounds with inhibitory activities on beta(1-3) glucan and chitin synthases

Bioorg Med Chem. 2000 Apr;8(4):691-8. doi: 10.1016/s0968-0896(00)00003-1.

Abstract

As part of our project devoted to the search for antifungal agents, which act via a selective mode of action, we synthesized a series of new 4-aryl- or 4-alkyl-N-arylamine-1-butenes and transformed some of them into 2-substituted 4-methyl-tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines by using a novel three-step synthesis. Results obtained in agar dilution assays have shown that 4-aryl homoallylamines not possessing halogen in their structures, tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines, display a range of antifungal properties in particular against Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum canis. Regarding the mode of action, all active compounds showed in vitro inhibitory activities against beta(1-3) glucan-synthase and mainly against chitin-synthase. These enzymes catalyze the synthesis of beta(1-3) glucan and chitin, respectively, major polymers of the fungal cell wall. Since fungal but not mammalian cells are encased in a cell wall, its inhibition may represent a useful mode of action for these antifungal compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allylamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Allylamine / chemical synthesis
  • Allylamine / chemistry
  • Allylamine / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Wall / drug effects*
  • Cell Wall / enzymology
  • Chitin Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Epidermophyton / drug effects
  • Epidermophyton / enzymology
  • Glycogen Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Microsporum / drug effects
  • Microsporum / enzymology
  • Spectrum Analysis

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Allylamine
  • Glycogen Synthase
  • Chitin Synthase