Rational design of a novel, potent, and orally bioavailable cyclohexylamine DPP-4 inhibitor by application of molecular modeling and X-ray crystallography of sitagliptin

Molecular modeling was used to design a rigid analog of sitagliptin 1. The X-ray crystal structure of sitagliptin bound to DPP-4 suggested that the central β-amino butyl amide moiety could be replaced with a cyclohexylamine group. This was confirmed by structural analysis and the resulting analog 2a was synthesized and found to be a potent DPP-4 inhibitor (IC50 = 21 nM) with excellent in vivo activity and pharmacokinetic profile.

Graphical abstractMolecular modeling was used to design a rigid analog of sitagliptin 1. The X-ray crystal structure of sitagliptin bound to DPP-4 suggested that the central β-amino butyl amide moiety could be replaced with a cyclohexylamine group. This was confirmed by structural analysis and the resulting analog 2a was synthesized and found to be a potent DPP-4 inhibitor (IC50 = 21 nM) with excellent in vivo activity and pharmacokinetic profile.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide