Molecular mechanism of thymidylate synthase-catalyzed reaction and interaction of the enzyme with 2- and/or 4-substituted analogues of dUMP and 5-fluoro-dUMP

Acta Biochim Pol. 1996;43(1):133-42.

Abstract

Thymidylate synthase is a target enzyme in anticancer, antiviral, antifungal and antiprotozoan chemotherapy. With two dUMP analogues, 5-fluoro-dUMP (FdUMP) and 5-(trifluoromethyl)-dUMP (CF3dUMP), strong thymidylate synthase inhibitors and active forms of drugs, the inhibition mechanism is based on the reaction mechanism. Recent comparative studies of new dUMP analogues, containing more than one substituent in the pyrimidine ring, showed that substitution of the pyrimidine ring C(4) = O group in FdUMP by either C(4) = N-OH group (in N4-hydroxy-FdCMP) or C(4) = S group (in 4-thio-FdUMP) preserves high inhibitory potency of the drug but may alter its specificity for thymidylate synthases from various sources, which differ in sensitivity to slow-binding inhibition by FdUMP. Informations suggesting mechanisms responsible for the foregoing have been reviewed, including results of molecular modeling studies suggesting interaction of the pyrimidine C(4) = O group, or its modification, with the N5,10-methylene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides / chemical synthesis*
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides / chemistry*
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides / metabolism
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides / pharmacology
  • Drug Design
  • Fluorodeoxyuridylate / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Molecular Structure
  • Thymidine Kinase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Thymidine Kinase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides
  • Fluorodeoxyuridylate
  • 2'-deoxyuridylic acid
  • Thymidine Kinase