Peroxynitrite reacts with 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-guanosine to yield a novel compound identified as 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-guanidino-4-nitroimidazole (6). This characterization was achieved using a combination of UV/vis spectroscopy and ESI-MS. Additionally, 1-(beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-guanidino-4-nitroimidazole (6a) was synthesized by an independent route, characterized by UV/vis spectroscopy, ESI-MS, and (1)H- and (13)C NMR, and shown to be identical to deacetylated 6. This product is extremely stable in aqueous solution at both pH extremes and is formed in significant yields. These characteristics suggest that this lesion may be useful as a specific biomarker of peroxynitrite-induced DNA damage. We also observed formation of 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-8-nitroguanosine (2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-8-NO(2)()Guo), 2-amino-5-[(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)amino]-4H-imidazol-4-one (2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-Iz), and the peroxynitrite-induced oxidation products of 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-8-oxoGuo. The formation of 6 and 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-8-NO(2)()Guo was rationalized by a mechanism invoking formation of the guanine radical.

A novel nitration product, formed during the reaction of peroxynitrite with 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanosine, has been characterized using a combination of UV/vis, CD, and NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. This compound has been identified as N-nitro-N'-[1-(2,3, 5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-2, 4-dioxoimidazolidin-5-ylidene]guanidine (IV). Upon base hydrolysis, IV releases nitroguanidine (IVa) and an intermediate, 1-(2,3, 5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-iminoimidazolidine -2, 4-dione (IVb). This intermediate is ultimately hydrolyzed to the stable 3-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)oxaluric acid (IVc). IV can be reduced by sodium borohydride to a pair of stable diastereomers (IV(red)()). The formation of this product is rationalized in terms of initial oxidation of 2',3', 5'-tri-O-acetyl-7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanosine to a quinonoid diimine intermediate, 3. Nucleophilic attack at C5 of 3 by peroxynitrite leads to formation of a C5-oxyl radical species, 5, which then undergoes a series of rearrangements to yield an ylidene radical, 7. Combination of this radical species with nitrogen dioxide results in the formation of product IV.

Drug resistance and a dire lack of transmission-blocking antimalarials hamper malaria elimination. Here, we present the pantothenamide MMV693183 as a first-in-class acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) inhibitor to enter preclinical development. Our studies demonstrated attractive drug-like properties and in vivo efficacy in a humanized mouse model of Plasmodium falciparum infection. The compound showed exceptional in vitro activity against P. falciparum and P. vivax clinical isolates, and potently blocked P. falciparum transmission to Anopheles mosquitoes. Genetic and biochemical studies identified ACS as the target of the MMV693183-derived antimetabolite, CoA-MMV693183. MMV693183 was well adsorbed after oral administration in mice, rats and dogs. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling predicted that a single 30 mg oral dose is sufficient to cure a malaria infection in humans. In conclusion, the ACS-targeting compound MMV693183 represents a promising addition to the portfolio of antimalarials in (pre)clinical development with a novel mode of action for the treatment of malaria and blocking transmission.