Through the use of empirical and computational methods, phosphinate-based i
nhibitors of MMP-1 and MMP-13 that bind into the S-2 pocket of these enzyme
s were designed. The synthesis and testing of 2 suggested that binding was
occurring as hypothesized. Structure determination of a co-crystal of 2 bou
nd to the catalytic domain of MMP-1 confirmed the binding mode. Substituent
s binding into S-2, S-1', S-2' and S-3', were optimized yielding compounds
with low double-digit nM IC50's against these enzymes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc
ience Ltd. All rights reserved.