Design and synthesis of novel benzofurans as a new class of antifungal agents targeting fungal N-myristoyltransferase. Part 1

Potent and selective Candida albicans N-myristoyltransferase (CaNmt) inhibitors have been identified through optimization of a lead compound 1 discovered by random screening. The inhibitor design is based on the crystal structure of the CaNmt complex with compound (S)-3 and structure–activity relationships (SARs) have been clarified. Modification of the C-4 side chain of 1 has led to the discovery of a potent and selective CaNmt inhibitor 11 (RO-09-4609), which exhibits antifungal activity against C. albicans in vitro.