Phototriggerable peptidomimetics for the inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ribonucleotide reductase by targeting protein-protein binding.

Incorporation of an artificial amino acid 2 with a stilbene chromophore into peptidomimetics with three to nine amino acids yields phototriggerable candidates for inhibition of the binding between the R1 and R2 subunits of the M. tuberculosis ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). Interstrand hydrogen bond probability was used as a guideline for predicting conformational preferences of the photoisomers. Binding of these inhibitors has been rationalized by docking studies with the R1 unit. Significant differences in binding of the photoisomers were observed. For the shorter peptidomimetics, stronger binding of the Z isomer might indicate hydrophobic interactions between the stilbene chromophore and the binding site.