Optimizing Natural Products by Biosynthetic Engineering: Discovery of Nonquinone Hsp90 Inhibitors.
Zhang, M.Q., Gaisser, S., Nur-E-Alam, M., Sheehan, L.S., Vousden, W.A., Gaitatzis, N., Peck, G., Coates, N.J., Moss, S.J., Radzom, M., Foster, T.A., Sheridan, R.M., Gregory, M.A., Roe, S.M., Prodromou, C., Pearl, L.H., Boyd, S.M., Wilkinson, B., Martin, C.J.(2008) J Med Chem 51: 5494
- PubMed: 18800759 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jm8006068
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2VW5 - PubMed Abstract: 
A biosynthetic medicinal chemistry approach was applied to the optimization of the natural product Hsp90 inhibitor macbecin. By genetic engineering, mutants have been created to produce novel macbecin analogues including a nonquinone compound (5) that has significantly improved binding affinity to Hsp90 (Kd 3 nM vs 240 nM for macbecin) and reduced toxicity (MTD > or = 250 mg/kg). Structural flexibility may contribute to the preorganization of 5 to exist in solution in the Hsp90-bound conformation.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Biotica Technology Limited, Chesterford Research Park, Nr. Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1XL, United Kingdom.