title: Synthesis and biological testing of N-aminoimidazole-based p38alpha MAP kinase inhibitors.
abstract: The p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase alpha plays a central role in the regulation of cellular responses such as differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation. Inhibition of p38 results in decreased synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. To date, diverse p38alpha inhibitors are in phase II clinical trials for numerous cytokine-dependent diseases. 2-Sulfanylimidazole derivatives offer advantages over the prototype inhibitor SB 203580, including fewer cytochrome P450 interactions and better kinetic properties. The aim of this study was to develop novel 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted pyridinylimidazoles with acyl residues at the imidazole N1 position that can interact with the kinase's hydrophobic region II (HR II) or sugar pocket (SP) to improve both selectivity and activity. The substitution pattern was optimized by variation of the acyl moiety at the N1 position of the N-aminoimidazole core. Acylation of the amino function was used for optimization and led to potent p38alpha MAPK inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bracht
authors.forename: Dominik R J
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schattel
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Stefan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Laufer
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001665:Binding Sites; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D048308:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007093:Imidazoles; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D048308:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14; C093642:SB 203580