Discovery and Characterization of Fluorine-Substituted Diarylpyrimidine Derivatives as Novel HIV-1 NNRTIs with Highly Improved Resistance Profiles and Low Activity for the hERG Ion Channel

Abstract

Our previous efforts have led to the development of two potent NNRTIs, K-5a2 and 25a, exhibiting effective anti-HIV-1 potency and resistance profiles compared with etravirine. However, both inhibitors suffered from potent hERG inhibition and short half-life. In this article, with K-5a2 and etravirine as leads, series of novel fluorine-substituted diarylpyrimidine derivatives were designed via molecular hybridization and bioisosterism strategies. The results indicated <b>24b</b> was the most active inhibitor, exhibiting broad-spectrum activity (EC₅₀ = 3.60-21.5 nM) against resistant strains, significantly lower cytotoxicity (CC₅₀= 155 μM), and reduced hERG inhibition (IC₅₀ > 30 μM). Crystallographic studies confirmed the binding of <b>24b</b> and the role of the fluorine atom, as well as optimal contacts of a nitrile group with the main-chain carbonyl group of H235. Furthermore, <b>24b</b> showed longer half-life and favorable safety properties. All the results demonstrated that <b>24b</b> has significant promise in circumventing drug resistance as an anti-HIV-1 candidate.