Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1372292 | Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters | 2013 | 8 Pages |
Glucokinase activators are a class of experimental agents under investigation as a therapy for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. An X-ray crystal structure of a modestly potent agent revealed the potential to substitute the common heterocyclic amide donor–acceptor motif for a pyridone moiety. We have successfully demonstrated that both pyridone and pyrimidone heterocycles can be used as a potent donor–acceptor substituent. Several sub-micromolar analogs that possess the desired partial activator profile were synthesized and characterized. Unfortunately, the most potent activators suffered from sub-optimal pharmacokinetic properties. Nonetheless, these donor–acceptor motifs may find utility in other glucokinase activator series or beyond.
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