Herein we report a microscale parallel synthetic approach allowing for rapid access to libraries of N‐acylated aminotriazoles and screening of their inhibitory activity against factor XIIa (FXIIa) and thrombin, which are targets for antithrombotic drugs. This approach, in combination with post‐screening structure optimization, yielded a potent 7 nM inhibitor of FXIIa and a 25 nM thrombin inhibitor; both compounds showed no inhibition of the other tested serine proteases. Selected N‐acylated aminotriazoles exhibited anticoagulant properties in vitro influencing the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway, but not extrinsic coagulation. Mechanistic studies of FXIIa inhibition suggested that synthesized N‐acylated aminotriazoles are covalent inhibitors of FXIIa. These synthesized compounds may serve as a promising starting point for the development of novel antithrombotic drugs.

New antithrombotic drugs are needed to combat thrombosis, a dangerous pathology that causes myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. In this respect, thrombin (FIIa) represents an important drug target. We herein report the synthesis and biological activity of a series of 1H-pyrazol-5-amine-based thrombin inhibitors with a serine-trapping mechanism of action. Among synthesized compounds, flexible acylated 1H-pyrazol-5-amines 24e, 34a, and 34b were identified as potent 16–80 nM thrombin inhibitors, which showed practically no off-targeting effect against other physiologically relevant serine proteases. To prove that synthesized compounds are covalent thrombin inhibitors, the most potent derivative 24e (FIIa IC50 = 16 nM) was studied in a mass-shift assay, where it has been shown that 24e transfers its acyl moiety (pivaloyl) to the catalytic Ser195 of thrombin. Performed herein docking studies also confirmed the covalent mechanism of thrombin inhibition by synthesized compounds. Acylated aminopyrazoles found during this study showed only limited effects on plasma coagulation in activated partial thrombin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) in vitro assays. However, such thrombin inhibitors are expected to have virtually no effect on bleeding time and can be used as a starting point for developing a safer alternative to traditional non-covalent anticoagulants.

To counteract thrombosis, new safe and efficient antithrombotics are required. We herein report the design, synthesis, and biological activity of a series of amide-functionalized acylated 1,2,4-triazol-5-amines as selective inhibitors of blood coagulation factor XIIa and thrombin. The introduction of an amide moiety into the main scaffold of 3-aryl aminotriazoles added certain three-dimensional properties to synthesized compounds and allowed them to reach binding sites in FXIIa and thrombin previously unaddressed by non-functionalized 1,2,4-triazol-5-amines. Among synthesized compounds, one quinoxaline-derived aminotriazole bearing N-butylamide moiety inhibited FXIIa with the IC50 value of 28 nM, whereas the N-phenylamide-derived aminotriazole inhibited thrombin with the IC50 value of 41 nM. Performed mass-shift experiments and molecular modeling studies proved the covalent mechanism of FXIIa and thrombin inhibition by synthesized compounds. In plasma coagulation tests, developed aminotriazoles showed anticoagulant properties mainly affecting the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway, activation of which is associated with thrombosis but is negligible for hemostasis.

When covalently incorporating ligands capable of forming chiral metal complexes into a DNA oligonucleotide duplex, an enantiospecific formation of metal‐mediated base pairs is possible. We have been investigating the chirality of the silver‐mediated base pair P−AgI−P (P, 1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline) depending on the number of consecutive P : P pairs within a series of duplexes. Towards this end, both enantiomers of the nucleoside analogue 3‐(1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthrolin‐1‐yl)propane‐1,2‐diol comprising an acyclic backbone were introduced into DNA duplexes, resulting in diastereomeric metal‐mediated base pairs. The same chiral‐at‐metal complex is formed inside the duplex for up to five neighbouring P−AgI−P pairs, irrespective of whether (S)‐P or (R)‐P is used. With six silver‐mediated base pairs, the chirality of the metal complex is inverted for (S)‐P but not for (R)‐P. This indicates an intricate balance of what determines the configuration of the metal complex, the intrinsically preferred metal‐centred chirality or the DNA helical chirality.

In this study, the combination of speciation analysis and native mass spectrometry is presented as a powerful tool to gain new insight into the diverse interactions of environmentally relevant organotin...