Total Synthesis of Two Novel Subpicomolar Sarco/Endoplasmatic Reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase Inhibitors Designed by an Analysis of the Binding Site of Thapsigargin

Abstract

Analysis of molecular interaction fields based on the published crystal structure of thapsigargin bound to the sarco/endoplasmatic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and analysis of the volume and shape of the ligand binding site and of the SERCA-thapsigargin interactions have enabled design of two new compounds inhibiting SERCA in the subpicomolar range. The two inhibitors were synthesized using (S)-carvone as starting material and found to be 3 and 10 times more potent than thapsigargin.