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YopH plays a relevant role in three pathogenic species of Yersinia. Due to its importance in the prevention of the inflammatory response of the host, this enzyme has become a valid target for the identification and development of new inhibitors. In this work, an in-house library of 283 synthetic compounds was assayed against recombinant YopH from Yersinia enterocolitica. From these, four chalcone derivatives and one sulfonamide were identified for the first time as competitive inhibitors of YopH with binding affinity in the low micromolar range. Molecular modeling investigations indicated that the new inhibitors showed similar binding modes, establishing polar and hydrophobic contacts with key residues of the YopH binding site., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.8 million people die from TB and 10 million new cases are recorded each year. Recently, a new series of naphthylchalcones has been identified as inhibitors of Mtb protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). In this work, 100 chalcones were designed, synthesized, and investigated for their inhibitory properties against MtbPtps. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) were developed, leading to the discovery of new potent inhibitors with IC(50) values in the low-micromolar range. Kinetic studies revealed competitive inhibition and high selectivity toward the Mtb enzymes. Molecular modeling investigations were carried out with the aim of revealing the most relevant structural requirements underlying the binding affinity and selectivity of this series of inhibitors as potential anti-TB drugs.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, and it is estimated that one-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Among a series of tested compounds, we have recently identified five synthetic chalcones which inhibit the activity of M. tuberculosis protein tyrosine phosphatase A (PtpA), an enzyme associated with M. tuberculosis infectivity. Kinetic studies demonstrated that these compounds are reversible competitive inhibitors. In this work we also carried out the analysis of the molecular recognition of these inhibitors on their macromolecular target, PtpA, through molecular modeling. We observed that the predominant determinants responsible for the inhibitory activity of the chalcones are the positions of the two methoxyl groups at the A-ring, that establish hydrogen bonds with the amino acid residues Arg17, His49, and Thr12 in the active site of PtpA, and the substitution of the phenyl ring for a 2-naphthyl group as B-ring, that undergoes pi stacking hydrophobic interaction with the Trp48 residue from PtpA. Interestingly, reduction of mycobacterial survival in human macrophages upon inhibitor treatment suggests their potential use as novel therapeutics. The biological activity, synthetic versatility, and low cost are clear advantages of this new class of potential tuberculostatic agents.