title: 4-Oxo-beta-lactams (azetidine-2,4-diones) are potent and selective inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase.
abstract: Human leukocyte elastase (HLE) is a serine protease stored in and secreted from neutrophils that plays a determinant role in the pathogenesis of several lung diseases. 4-Oxo-beta-lactams, previously reported as acylating agents of porcine pancreatic elastase, were found to be selective and potent inhibitors of HLE. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that inhibitory activity is very sensitive to the nature of C-3 substituents, with small alkyl substituents such as a gem-diethyl group improving the inhibitory potency when compared to gem-methyl benzyl or ethyl benzyl counterparts. 4-Oxo-beta-lactams containing a heteroarylthiomethyl group on the para position of an N(1)-aryl moiety afforded highly potent and selective inhibition of HLE, even at a very low inhibitor to enzyme ratio, as shown by the k(on) value of 3.24 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) for 6f. The corresponding ortho isomers were 40- to 90-fold less potent.
authors.affiliation: iMed.UL, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jalmira
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mulchande
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gouveia
authors.forename: Rita C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Guedes
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iley
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moreira
mesh_terms: D015195:Drug Design; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D047090:beta-Lactams; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase