A fragment based approach to the development of novel antibacterial agents inspired by the natural product simocyclinone D8

Austin, Michael (2015) A fragment based approach to the development of novel antibacterial agents inspired by the natural product simocyclinone D8. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Preview

PDF Download (16MB) | Preview

Abstract

The novel mechanism of simocyclinone D8 (SD8) against DNA gyrase has inspired medicinal
chemists for over a decade. The search for antibiotics with new mechanisms of action has never
been more important with ever increasing prevalence of resistance. This project had three
objectives. Firstly to contribute towards the total synthesis of SD8, by exploring chlorination
reactions of dihydroxycoumarins and their corresponding starting reagents. Additionally, there was
a need to establish a viable route towards the complex polyketide scaffold. Secondly, to generate
a library of coumarins and screen for a low molecular weight fragment that could be taken forward
as a lead compound. Thirdly, inspired by the bi-functional mode of action of SD8, the project sought
to design and synthesise a coumarin-quinolone hybrid via a fragment-based approach.
Herein we exploit ortho and para directing effects of phenolic OH groups to selectively chlorinate
starting materials. However, we show chlorination of reagents prior to forming a coumarin is not a
viable synthetic strategy. This is due to the reduced nucleophilicity imparted by the halogen on
adjacent atoms. Consequently, this abrogates any ring closure reaction.
We illustrate that a previously established Diels-Alder route can furnish a novel isomerised
pericyclic adduct. This provides a good starting point for reaction optimisation and the onward
enantioselective synthesis of the complex polyketide scaffold.
Lastly, 27 different coumarin fragments were synthesised and assessed for biological activity. We
illustrate that simple coumarins lack inhibition in supercoiling assays against DNA gyrase.
Furthermore, when ciprofloxacin is attached to a linker there is an attenuation of activity. Strikingly,
when a simple coumarin is joined to ciprofloxacin, via a linker there is a restoration of activity. We
show DNA gyrase inhibition is via cleavage stabilisation. Moreover, we demonstrate activity is
related to the coumarin structure and not the presence of an aromatic ring.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Pharmacy
Depositing User:	Jackie Webb
Date Deposited:	06 Jun 2016 14:59
Last Modified:	06 Jun 2016 14:59
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/59225
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item