Design and synthesis of aromatic inhibitors of anthranilate synthase

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/b510633h

Anthranilate synthase catalyses the conversion of chorismate to anthranilate, a key step in tryptophan biosynthesis. A series of 3-(1-carboxy-ethoxy) benzoic acids were synthesised as chorismate analogues, with varying functionality at C-4, the position of the departing hydroxyl group in chorismate. Most of the compounds were moderate inhibitors of anthranilate synthase, with inhibition constants between 20-30 μM. The exception was 3-(1-carboxy-ethoxy) benzoic acid, (C-4 = H), for which K₁ = 2.4 μM. These results suggest that a hydrogen bonding interaction with the active site general acid (Glu309) is less important than previously assumed for inhibition of the enzyme by these aromatic chorismate analogues. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2005.