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Fragment‐based discovery of flexible inhibitor targeting wild‐type acetohydroxyacid synthase and P197L mutant
Author(s) -
Qu RenYu,
Yang JingFang,
Chen Qiong,
Niu CongWei,
Xi Zhen,
Yang WenChao,
Yang GuangFu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.5739
Subject(s) - pharmacophore , mutant , weed , virtual screening , drug discovery , chemistry , wild type , biochemistry , biology , botany , gene
BACKGROUND Intensifying weed resistance has challenged the use of existing acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS)‐inhibiting herbicides. Hence, there is currently an urgent requirement for the discovery of a new AHAS inhibitor to effectively control AHAS herbicide‐resistant weed species produced by target mutation. RESULTS To combat weed resistance caused by AHAS with P197L mutation, we built a structure library consisting of pyrimidinyl‐salicylic acid derivatives. Using the pharmacophore‐linked fragment virtual screening (PFVS) approach, hit compound 8 bearing 6‐phenoxymethyl substituent was identified as a potential AHAS inhibitor with antiresistance effect. Subsequently, derivatives of compound 8 were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activities. The study of the enzyme‐based structure–activity relationship and structure−resistance relationship studies led to the discovery of a qualified candidate, 28 . This compound not only significantly inhibited the activity of wild‐type Arabidopsis thaliana ( At ) AHAS and P197L mutant, but also exhibited good antiresistance properties (RF = 0.79). Notably, compared with bispyribac at 37.5–150 g of active ingredient per hectare (g a.i. ha –1 ), compound 27 exhibited higher growth inhibition against both sensitive and resistant Descurainia sophia , CONCLUSION The title compounds have great potential to be developed as new leads to effectively control herbicide‐resistant weeds comprising AHAS with P197L mutation. Also, our study provided a positive case for discovering novel, potent and antiresistance inhibitors using a fragment‐based drug design approach.