Identification of CYP 2A6 inhibitors in an effort to mitigate the harmful effects of the phytochemical nicotine

In this study, our goal was to study the inhibition of nicotine metabolism by P450 2A6, as a means for reduction in tobacco use and consequently the prevention of smoking-related cancers. Nicotine, a phytochemical, is an addictive stimulant, responsible for the tobacco-dependence in smokers. Many of the other phytochemicals in tobacco, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitrosamines, and aromatic amines, are potent systemic carcinogens. Tobacco smoking causes about one of every five deaths in the United States annually. Nicotine plasma concentration is maintained by the smokers' smoking behavior within a small range. Nicotine is metabolized by cytochrome P450s 2A6 and 2A13 to cotinine. This metabolism causes a decrease in nicotine plasma levels, which in turn leads to increased tobacco smoking, and increased exposure to the tobacco carcinogens.

The pyridine compounds with an imidazole or propargyl ether containing substituent on position 3 were found to be promising lead compounds for further development. Hydrogen-bonding interactions were determined to be crucial for effective binding of these molecules within the P450 2A6 active site.

Using the phytochemical nicotine as a lead structure, and taking its interactions with the P450 2A6 binding pocket into consideration, new pyridine derivatives were designed and synthesized as potential selective mechanism-based inhibitors for this enzyme.

The design and synthesis of two series of novel pyridine-based compounds, with varying substituents and substitution locations on the pyridine ring, as well as their inhibitory activities on cytochrome P450 2A6 and their interactions with its active site are discussed here. Substitutions at position 3 of the pyridine ring with an imidazole or propargyl ether containing group showed the most optimal interactions with the P4502A6 active site.