title: Design, synthesis, and structure--activity relationship studies for a new imidazole series of J774 macrophage specific acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors.
abstract: Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is the primary enzyme involved in intracellular cholesterol esterification. Arterial wall infiltration by macrophages and subsequent uncontrolled esterification of cholesterol leading to foam cell formation is believed to be an important process which leads to the development of fatty streaks. Inhibitors of the ACAT enzyme may retard this atherogenic process. We have recently discovered a series of imidazoles which are potent in vitro ACAT inhibitors in the J774 macrophage cell culture assay. This paper will describe the design, synthesis, and structure--activity relationship for this very potent series of compounds.
authors.affiliation: DuPont Merck Research Laboratories, DuPont Experimental Station, Wilmington, Delaware 19880-0353, USA.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Maduskuie
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Billheimer
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cromley
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Germain
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gillies
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Higley
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pennev
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Shimshick
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D015195:Drug Design; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology*; D051379:Mice; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D007527:Isoenzymes; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase