Design, synthesis and biological of novel uncharged bifunctional hybrid reactivators for organophosphorous nerve agent-inhibited human acetylcholinesterase

Abstract

Remediation of both acute and chronic intoxications by organophosphorus nerve agents, both chemical warfare agents and pesticides, continues to be a challenge of paramount importance. These manmade poisons act as covalent and irreversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, a key enzyme mostly located in the nervous system, through phosphylation of its active site. The phosphylated active site residues do not undergo spontaneous hydrolysis. However, hydrolysis can be achieved through the use of strong nucleophiles (also called acetylcholinesterase reactivators) able to enter the buried active site of the protein. Our research is based on the rational design of hybrid structures containing two key elements: a neutral reactivator to restore the enzyme activity, and a peripheral site ligand giving selectivity by targeted binding to a site at the entrance of the enzyme active site gorge. Nine novel reactivators based on acridine, quinoline and original oxoassoanine analogues were synthesised, evaluated and are herein described. Delightfully, most of these hybrids proved to be equally or more potent than the drugs currently in use. Outstandingly, we have discovered the first broad-spectrum reactivator that outperformed all known reactivators (standard and lead compounds) for both chemical warfare agent and pesticide intoxications.

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ORCID for Richard Brown: orcid.org/0000-0003-0156-7087

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