Structure–Activity Relationships of Antiplasmodial Pantothenamide Analogues Reveal a New Way by Which Triazoles Mimic Amide Bonds

Pantothenamides are potent growth inhibitors of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Their clinical use is, however, hindered due to the ubiquitous presence of pantetheinases in human serum, which rapidly degrade pantothenamides into pantothenate and the corresponding amine. We previously reported that replacement of the labile amide bond with a triazole ring not only imparts stability toward pantetheinases, but also improves activity against P. falciparum. A small library of new triazole derivatives was synthesized, and their use in establishing structure–activity relationships relevant to antiplasmodial activity of this family of compounds is discussed herein. Overall it was observed that 1,4-substitution on the triazole ring and use of an unbranched, one-carbon linker between the pantoyl group and the triazole are optimal for inhibition of intraerythrocytic P. falciparum growth. Our results imply that the triazole ring may mimic the amide bond with an orientation different from what was previously suggested for this amide bioisostere.