Beside reversible butyrylcholinesterse inhibitors (BChEIs), a plethora of covalent ones, typically pseudo-irreversible carbamates, have been reported in literature. For the latter, however, in most cases the proper confirmation of their covalent mode of action is lacking. Additionally, the available reports on the structure-activity relationships of the O-arylcarbamate warhead are incomplete. Therefore, a follow-up on a series of pseudo-irreversible covalent carbamate human butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors (hBChEIs) and the structure-activity relationships of the N-dialkyl O-arylcarbamate warhead is presented. The covalent mechanism of binding was tested by IC50 time-dependency profiles, and sequentially and increasingly confirmed by kinetic analysis, whole protein LC-MS, and crystallographic evidence. The computational studies provided valuable insights into the steric constraints and identified problematic, bulky carbamate warheads that could not reach and carbamoylate the catalytic Ser198. QM calculations lent further evidence that the steric effects seemed to be a key factor in determining the covalent binding behaviour of these carbamate ChEIs and their duration of action. Furthermore, the introduction of a clickable terminal alkyne moiety into one of the carbamate N-substituents and in situ derivatization with an azide-containing fluorophore enabled fluorescent labelling of plasma hBChE. This proof-of-concept study highlighted the potential of this novel approach and these compounds to be further developed as clickable molecular probes for investigating tissue localization and activity of ChEs
Alongside reversible butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors, a plethora of covalent butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors have been reported in the literature, typically pseudo-irreversible carbamates. For these latter, however, most cases lack full confirmation of their covalent mode of action. Additionally, the available reports regarding the structure-activity relationships of the O-arylcarbamate warhead are incomplete. Therefore, a follow-up on a series of pseudo-irreversible covalent carbamate human butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors and the structure-activity relationships of the N-dialkyl O-arylcarbamate warhead are presented in this study. The covalent mechanism of binding was tested by IC(50) time-dependency profiles, and sequentially and increasingly confirmed by kinetic analysis, whole protein LC-MS, and crystallographic analysis. Computational studies provided valuable insights into steric constraints and identified problematic, bulky carbamate warheads that cannot reach and carbamoylate the catalytic Ser198. Quantum mechanical calculations provided further evidence that steric effects appear to be a key factor in determining the covalent binding behaviour of these carbamate cholinesterase inhibitors and their duration of action. Additionally, the introduction of a clickable terminal alkyne moiety into one of the carbamate N-substituents and in situ derivatisation with azide-containing fluorophore enabled fluorescent labelling of plasma human butyrylcholinesterase. This proof-of-concept study highlights the potential of this novel approach and for these compounds to be further developed as clickable molecular probes for investigating tissue localisation and activity of cholinesterases.
