Improving QSAR models for the biological activity of HIV Reverse Transcriptase inhibitors: Aspects of outlier detection and uninformative variable elimination.

The goal of this study is to derive a methodology for modeling the biological activity of non-nucleoside HIV Reverse Transcriptase (RT) inhibitors. The difficulties that were encountered during the modeling attempts are discussed, together with their origin and solutions. With the selected multivariate techniques: robust principal component analysis, partial least squares, robust partial least squares and uninformative variable elimination partial least squares, it is possible to explore and to model the contaminated data satisfactory. It is shown that these techniques are versatile and valuable tools in modeling and exploring biochemical data.

Classification and regression trees--studies of HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

In this paper, the application of Classification And Regression Trees (CART) is presented for the analysis of biological activity of Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs). The data consist of the biological activities, expressed as pIC50, of 208 NNRTIs against wild-type HIV virus (HIV-1) and four mutant strains (181C, 103N, 100I, 188L) and the computed interaction energies with the Reverse Transcriptase (RT) binding pocket. CART explains the observed biological activity of NNRTIs in terms of interactions with individual amino acids in the RT binding pocket, i.e., the original data variables.

Inhibition and substrate recognition--a computational approach applied to HIV protease.

We have developed a computational approach in which an inhibitor's strength is determined from its interaction energy with a limited set of amino acid residues of the inhibited protein. We applied this method to HIV protease. The method uses a consensus structure built from X-ray crystallographic data. All inhibitors are docked into the consensus structure. Given that not every ligand-protein interaction causes inhibition, we implemented a genetic algorithm to determine the relevant set of residues. The algorithm optimizes the q2 between the sum of interaction energies and the observed inhibition constants. The best possible predictive model resulting has a q2 of 0.63. External validation by examining the predictivity for compounds not used in derivation of the model leads to a prediction accuracy between 0.9 and 1.5 log10 unit. Out of 198 residues in the whole protein, the best internally predictive model defines a subset of 20 residues and the best externally predictive model one of 9 residues. These residues are distributed over the subsites of the enzyme. This approach provides insight in which interactions are important for inhibiting HIV protease and it allows for quantitative prediction of inhibitor strength.

Evolution of anti-HIV drug candidates. Part 2: Diaryltriazine (DATA) analogues.

A synthesis program directed toward improving the stability of imidoyl thiourea based non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) led to the discovery of diaryltriazines (DATAs), a new class of potent NNRTIs. The synthesis and anti-HIV structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of a series of DATA derivatives are described.

Evolution of anti-HIV drug candidates. Part 3: Diarylpyrimidine (DAPY) analogues.

The synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activity of a series of diarylpyrimidines (DAPYs) are described. Several members of this novel class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are extremely potent against both wild-type and a panel of clinically significant single- and double-mutant strains of HIV-1.

Cytochrome P450 database.

This paper describes a specialized database dedicated exclusively to the cytochrome P450 superfamily. The system provides the impression of superfamily's nomenclature and describes structure and function of different P450 enzymes. Information on P450-catalyzed reactions, substrate preferences, peculiarities of induction and inhibition is available through the database management system. Also the source genes and appropriate translated proteins can be retrieved together with corresponding literature references. Developed programming solution provides the flexible interface for browsing, searching, grouping and reporting the information. Local version of database manager and required data files are distributed on a compact disk. Besides, there is a network version of the software available on Internet. The network version implies the original mechanism, which is useful for the permanent online extension of the data scope.

Cytochromes P450 in fungi.

The article gives an overview on the history of the discovery of P450 cytochromes and on their occurrence in nature, especially on their interactions with metabolic pathways in fungi. The significance of the P450 cytochromes in the ergosterol synthesis as well as in the inhibitory mechanisms caused by imidazole and triazole antimycotics is described in detail.

Amino acid substitutions in the cytochrome P-450 lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51A1) from azole-resistant Candida albicans clinical isolates contribute to resistance to azole antifungal agents.

The cytochrome P-450 lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51A1) of yeasts is involved in an important step in the biosynthesis of ergosterol. Since CYP51A1 is the target of azole antifungal agents, this enzyme is potentially prone to alterations leading to resistance to these agents. Among them, a decrease in the affinity of CYP51A1 for these agents is possible. We showed in a group of Candida albicans isolates from AIDS patients that multidrug efflux transporters were playing an important role in the resistance of C. albicans to azole antifungal agents, but without excluding the involvement of other factors (D. Sanglard, K. Kuchler, F. Ischer, J.-L. Pagani, M. Monod, and J. Bille, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 39:2378-2386, 1995). We therefore analyzed in closer detail changes in the affinity of CYP51A1 for azole antifungal agents. A strategy consisting of functional expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae of the C. albicans CYP51A1 genes of sequential clinical isolates from patients was designed. This selection, which was coupled with a test of susceptibility to the azole derivatives fluconazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole, enabled the detection of mutations in different cloned CYP51A1 genes, whose products are potentially affected in their affinity for azole derivatives. This selection enabled the detection of five different mutations in the cloned CYP51A1 genes which correlated with the occurrence of azole resistance in clinical C. albicans isolates. These mutations were as follows: replacement of the glycine at position 129 with alanine (G129A), Y132H, S405F, G464S, and R467K. While the S405F mutation was found as a single amino acid substitution in a CYP51A1 gene from an azole-resistant yeast, other mutations were found simultaneously in individual CYP51A1 genes, i.e., R467K with G464S, S405F with Y132H, G129A with G464S, and R467K with G464S and Y132H. Site-directed mutagenesis of a wild-type CYP51A1 gene was performed to estimate the effect of each of these mutations on resistance to azole derivatives. Each single mutation, with the exception of G129A, had a measurable effect on the affinity of the target enzyme for specific azole derivatives. We speculate that these specific mutations could combine with the effect of multidrug efflux transporters in the clinical isolates and contribute to different patterns and stepwise increases in resistance to azole derivatives.

Crystal structures of 8-Cl and 9-Cl TIBO complexed with wild-type HIV-1 RT and 8-Cl TIBO complexed with the Tyr181Cys HIV-1 RT drug-resistant mutant.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) is an important target for chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of AIDS; the TIBO compounds are potent non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 RT (NNRTIs). Crystal structures of HIV-1 RT complexed with 8-Cl TIBO (R86183, IC50 = 4.6 nM) and 9-Cl TIBO (R82913, IC50 = 33 nM) have been determined at 3.0 A resolution. Mutant HIV-1 RT, containing Cys in place of Tyr at position 181 (Tyrl81Cys), is highly resistant to many NNRTIs and HIV-1 variants containing this mutation have been selected in both cell culture and clinical trials. We also report the crystal structure of Tyrl81Cys HIV-1 RT in complex with 8-Cl TIBO (IC50 = 130 nM) determined at 3.2 A resolution. Averaging of the electron density maps computed for different HIV-1 RT/NNRTI complexes and from diffraction datasets obtained using a synchrotron source from frozen (-165 degrees C) and cooled (-10 degrees C) crystals of the same complex was employed to improve the quality of electron density maps and to reduce model bias. The overall locations and conformations of the bound inhibitors in the complexes containing wild-type HIV-1 RT and the two TIBO inhibitors are very similar, as are the overall shapes and volumes of the non-nucleoside inhibitor-binding pocket (NNIBP). The major differences between the two wild-type HIV-1 RT/TIBO complexes occur in the vicinity of the TIBO chlorine substituents and involve the polypeptide segments around the beta5-beta6 connecting loop (residues 95 to 105) and the beta13-beta14 hairpin (residues 235 and 236). In all known structures of HIV-1 RT/NNRTI complexes, including these two, the position of the beta12-beta13 hairpin or the "primer grip" is significantly displaced relative to the position in the structure of HIV-1 RT complexed with a double-stranded DNA and in unliganded HIV-1 RT structures. Since the primer grip helps to position the template-primer, this displacement suggests that binding of NNRTIs would affect the relative positions of the primer terminus and the polymerase active site. This could explain biochemical data showing that NNRTI binding to HIV-1 RT reduces efficiency of the chemical step of DNA polymerization, but does not prevent binding of either dNTPs or DNA. When the structure of the Tyr181Cys mutant HIV-1 RT in complex with 8-Cl TIBO is compared with the corresponding structure containing wild-type HIV-1 RT, the overall conformations of Tyr181Cys and wild-type HIV-1 RT and of the 8-Cl TIBO inhibitors are very similar. Some positional changes in the polypeptide backbone of the beta6-beta10-beta9 sheet containing residue 181 are observed when the Tyr181Cys and wild-type complexes are compared, particularlty near residue Val179 of beta9. In the p51 subunit, the Cys181 side-chain is oriented in a similar direction to the Tyr181 side-chain in the wild-type complex. However, the electron density corresponding to the sulfur of the Cys181 side-chain in the p66 subunit is very weak, indicating that the thiol group is disordered, presumably because there is no significant interaction with either 8-Cl TIBO or nearby amino acid residues. In the mutant complex, there are slight rearrangements of the side-chains of other amino acid residues in the NNIBP and of the flexible dimethylallyl group of 8-Cl TIBO; these conformational changes could potentially compensate for the interactions that were lost when the relatively large tyrosine at position 181 was replaced by a less bulky cysteine residue. In the corresponding wild-type complex, Tyr181 iin the p66 subunit has significant interactions with the bound inhibitor and the position of the Tyr181 side-chain is well defined in both subunits. Apparently the Tyr181 --> Cys mutation eliminates favorable contacts of the aromatic ring of the tyrosine and the bou

Bioactivation of S-(2,2-dihalo-1,1-difluoroethyl)-L-cysteines and S-(trihalovinyl)-L-cysteines by cysteine S-conjugate beta-lyase: indications for formation of both thionoacylating species and thiiranes as reactive intermediates.

The covalent binding of reactive intermediates, formed by beta-elimination of cysteine S-conjugates of halogenated alkenes, to nucleophiles was studied using 19F-NMR and GC-MS analysis. beta-Elimination reactions were performed using rat renal cytosol and a beta-lyase model system, consisting of pyridoxal and copper(II) ion. S-(1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoroethyl)-L-cysteine (TFE-Cys) was mainly converted to products derived from difluorothionoacetyl fluoride, namely, difluorothionoacetic acid, difluoroacetic acid, and N-difluorothionoacetylated TFE-Cys. In the presence of o-phenylenediamine (OPD), as a bifunctional nucleophilic trapping agent, the major product formed was 2-(difluoromethyl)benzimidazole. This product results from initial reaction of difluorothionoacetyl fluoride with one of the amino groups of OPD, followed by a condensation reaction between the thionoacyl group and the adjacent amino group of OPD. In incubations with S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluorofluoroethyl)-L-cysteine (CTFE-Cys) and S-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluorofluoroethyl)-L-cysteine (DCDFE-Cys), formation of thionoacylated cysteine S-conjugates was also observed by GC-MS analysis, indicating formation of the corresponding thionoacyl fluorides. However, according to 19F-NMR analysis, chlorofluorothionoacyl fluoride-derived products accounted for only 10% of the CTFE-Cys converted. In the presence of OPD, next to the corresponding 2-(dihalomethyl)benzimidazoles, 2-mercaptoquinoxaline was identified as the main product in incubations with CTFE-Cys. When chlorofluorothionoacylating species were generated from the unsaturated S-(2-chloro-1,2-difluorovinyl)-L-cysteine (CDFV-Cys), 2-(chlorofluoromethyl)benzimidazole and 2-mercaptoquinoxaline were also found as OPD adducts. However, with CDFV-Cys the ratio of 2-(chlorofluoromethyl) benzimidazole to 2-mercaptoquinoxaline was 12-fold higher than in the case of CTFE-Cys. These results suggest an important second mechanism of formation of 2-mercaptoquinoxaline with CTFE-Cys. The formation of 2-mercaptoquinoxaline could also be explained by reaction of OPD with 2,3,3-trifluorothiirane as a second reactive intermediate for CTFE-Cys. Comparable results were obtained when comparing OPD adducts from DCDFE-Cys and TCV-Cys. Both DCDFE-Cys and TCV-Cys form dichlorothionoacylating species. However, DCDFE-Cys forms 21-fold more 2-mercaptoquinoxaline than TCV-Cys, which may be explained by its capacity to form 3-chloro-2,2-difluorothiirane next to dichlorothionoacyl fluoride. In order to explain the apparent differences in the preference of thiols to form different reactive intermediates, free enthalpies of formation (delta 1G) of thiolate anions and their possible rearrangement products, thionoacyl fluorides and thiiranes, derived from TFE-Cys, CTFE-Cys, and DCDFE-Cys, were calculated by ab initio calculations. For TFE-thiolate, formation of difluorothionoacetyl fluoride is energetically favored over formation of the thiirane. In contrast, the thiirane pathway is favored over the thionoacyl fluoride pathway for CTFE- and DCDFE-thiolates. The results of these quantum chemical calculations appear to be consistent with the experimental data.

P450 superfamily: update on new sequences, gene mapping, accession numbers and nomenclature.

We provide here a list of 481 P450 genes and 22 pseudogenes, plus all accession numbers that have been reported as of October 18, 1995. These genes have been described in 85 eukaryote (including vertebrates, invertebrates, fungi, and plants) and 20 prokaryote species. Of 74 gene families so far described, 14 families exist in all mammals examined to date. These 14 families comprise 26 mammalian subfamilies, of which 20 and 15 have been mapped in the human genome and the mouse genome, respectively. Each subfamily usually represents a cluster of tightly linked genes widely scattered throughout the genome, but there are exceptions. Interestingly, the CYP51 family has been found in mammals, filamentous fungi and yeast, and plants-attesting to the fact that this P450 gene family is very ancient. One functional CYP51 gene and two processed pseudogenes, which are the first examples of intronless pseudogenes within the P450 superfamily, have been mapped to three different human chromosomes. This revision supersedes the four previous updates in which a nomenclature system, based on divergent evolution of the superfamily, has been described. For the gene, we recommend that the italicized root symbol "CYP' for human ("Cyp' for mouse and Drosophila), representing "cytochrome P450', be followed by an Arabic number denoting the family, a letter designating the subfamily (when two or more exist), and an Arabic numeral representing the individual gene within the subfamily. A hyphen is no longer recommended in mouse gene nomenclature. "P' ("ps' in mouse and Drosophila) after the gene number denotes a pseudogene; "X' after the gene number means its use has been discontinued. If a gene is the sole member of a family, the subfamily letter and gene number would be helpful but need not be included. The human nomenclature system should be used for all species other than mouse and Drosophila. The cDNAs, mRNAs and enzymes in all species (including mouse) should include all capital letters, and without italics or hyphens. This nomenclature system is similar to that proposed in our previous updates.

The alpha and omega of G-protein coupled receptors: a novel method for classification. Part 1.

In this paper, a novel method is presented for classification of 113 neurotransmitter and opioid receptors that is based on the counting of amino acid residues. With the use of sequence alignment, ten conserved key residues were identified: alpha (the first Met residue of the sequence), Asn in the tentative first transmembrane domain (TM1), Asp (TM2), Cys (top of TM3), Arg (bottom of TM3), Trp (TM4), Cys (in the loop between TM4 and TM5), Pro (TM5), Pro (TM6), Pro (TM7) and omega (the last residue of the sequence). The number of residues between these key residues is unique for each receptor or receptor subtype and is used for classification. The number of residues between two key residues defines a segment. The sum of the segments before or after a key residue is defined as a partition. In total, 73 possible classification schemes were found using two or three segments, partitions or a combination of segments and partitions. The surprising and striking results is that each of the sequences examined can be characterized by a code consisting of two or three figures. Each figure represents a number of amino acid residues.

Molecular modeling studies of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase nonnucleoside inhibitors: total energy of complexation as a predictor of drug placement and activity.

Computer modeling studies have been carried out on three nonnucleoside inhibitors complexed with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT), using crystal coordinate data from a subset of the protein surrounding the binding pocket region. Results from the minimizations of solvated complexes of 2-cyclopropyl-4-methyl-5,11-dihydro-5H-dipyrido[3,2-b :2',3'-e][1,4] diazepin-6-one (nevirapine), alpha-anilino-2, 6-dibromophenylacetamide (alpha-APA), and 8-chloro-tetrahydro-imidazo(4,5,1-jk)(1,4)-benzodiazepin-2(1H)-thi one (TIBO) show that all three inhibitors maintain a very similar conformational shape, roughly overlay each other in the binding pocket, and appear to function as pi-electron donors to aromatic side-chain residues surrounding the pocket. However, side-chain residues adapt to each bound inhibitor in a highly specific manner, closing down around the surface of the drug to make tight van der Waals contacts. Consequently, the results from the calculated minimizations reveal that only when the inhibitors are modeled in a site constructed from coordinate data obtained from their particular RT complex can the calculated binding energies be relied upon to predict the correct orientation of the drug in the pocket. In the correct site, these binding energies correlate with EC50 values determined for all three inhibitors in our laboratory. Analysis of the components of the binding energy reveals that, for all three inhibitors, solvation of the drug is endothermic, but solvation of the protein is exothermic, and the sum favors complex formation. In general, the protein is energetically more stable and the drug less stable in their complexes as compared to the reactant conformations. For all three inhibitors, interaction with the protein in the complex is highly favorable. Interactions of the inhibitors with individual residues correlate with crystallographic and site-specific mutational data. pi-Stacking interactions are important in binding and correlate with drug HOMO RHF/6-31G* energies. Modeling results are discussed with respect to the mechanism of complex formation and the design of nonnucleoside inhibitors that will be more effective against mutants of HIV-1 RT that are resistant to the currently available drugs.

A molecular model for the interaction between vorozole and other non-steroidal inhibitors and human cytochrome P450 19 (P450 aromatase).

In a previous study (Vanden Bossche et al., Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 30 (1994) 43) the interaction between (+)-S-vorozole and the I-helix of cytochrome P450 19 (P450 aromatase) has been reported. In the present study we extended the "I-helix model" by incorporating the C-terminus of P450 aromatase. The crystal structures of P450 101 (P450 cam), 102 (P450 BM-3) and 108 (P450 terp) reveal that the C-terminus is structurally conserved and forms part of their respective substrate binding pocket. Furthermore, the present study is extended to the interaction between P450 aromatase and its natural substrate androstenedione and the non-steroidal inhibitors (-)-R-vorozole, (-)-S-fadrozole, R-liarozole and (-)-R-aminoglutethimide. It is found that (+)-S-vorozole, (-)-S-fadrozole and R-liarozole bind in a comparable way to P450 aromatase and interact with both the I-helix (Glu302 and Asp309) and C-terminus (Ser478 and His480). The weak activity of (-)-R-aminoglutethimide might be attributed to a lack of interaction with the C-terminus.

Structure of HIV-1 RT/TIBO R 86183 complex reveals similarity in the binding of diverse nonnucleoside inhibitors.

We report the structure of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) complexed with the nonnucleoside inhibitor TIBO R 86183 at 3.0 A resolution. Comparing this structure with those of complexes of HIV-1 RT/alpha-APA R 95845 and HIV-1 RT/nevirapine provides a basis for understanding the nature of nonnucleoside inhibitor binding, the structure of the binding site and the interactions between the bound inhibitors and surrounding amino acid residues as well as for understanding mechanisms of inhibition by and resistance to nonnucleoside inhibitors. All three inhibitors considered assume a similar butterfly-like shape and bind to HIV-1 RT in a very similar way. Important differences occur in the conformation of amino acid residues that form the binding pocket.

P450 inhibitors of use in medical treatment: focus on mechanisms of action.

A number of cytochrome P450s are targets for compounds that are clinically used or under clinical evaluation for treatment of patients with mycotic infections, such as dermatophytosis, superficial and systemic candidiasis, cryptococcosis and aspergillosis, with skin diseases, such as psoriasis or ichthyosis, and other retinoid-sensitive malignancies, e.g., neuro-ectodermal glioma. Some of the P450 inhibitors are candidates for the treatment of hirsutism or prostate cancer, others are potent inhibitors of the P450 isomerase involved in the synthesis of thromboxane A2, a potent platelet aggregation inducer and vasoconstrictor.

Aromatase inhibitors--mechanisms for non-steroidal inhibitors.

The conversion of androgens to estrogens occurs in a variety of cells and tissues, such as ovarian granulosa and testicular cells, placenta, adipose tissue, and various sites of the brain. The extragonadal synthesis of estrogens has great pathophysiological importance. Estrogens produced by, for example, adipose tissue have a role in the pathogenesis of certain forms of breast cancer and endometrial adenocarcinoma. The biosynthesis of estrogens is catalyzed by the aromatase, an enzyme localized in the endoplasmic reticulum that consists of two components: a cytochrome P450 (P450 Arom, P450 19 product of the CYP19 gene) and the NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase. The alignment of the amino acid sequences of human P450 19 with other mammalian P450s shows little sequence similarity, which indicates not only that P450 19 is a unique form of the P450 superfamily but also that the aromatase may be a good target for the development of selective P450 inhibitors. Aminoglutethimide (AG) is the pioneer drug of the reversible competitive nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. Since AG is a nonspecific aromatase inhibitor and presents some problems with tolerability, a number of structural analogues have been synthesized. For example, rogletimide is slightly less potent than AG but has the advantage of not inhibiting the cholesterol side-chain cleavage and is devoid of sedative action. Elongation of the ethyl substituent of AG and rogletimide leads to an increase in aromatase inhibition. Further studies led to the discovery of a new generation of much more potent aromatase inhibitors. An example is fadrozole. However, although fadrozole is a poor inhibitor of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage, it suppresses aldosterone release by ACTH-stimulated human adrenocortical cells. More selective aromatase inhibitors are the triazole derivatives. Examples are CGS 20267, CGS 47645, R 76 713, and ICI D1033. R 76 713's aromatase inhibitory effect is largely due to its (+)-S-enantiomer, vorozole. Computer modeling studies of the interaction of vorozole with part of the "I-helix" of P450 19 suggest that the chlorine-substituted phenyl ring of vorozole interacts with the gamma-carbonyl group of Glu-302. Thr-310, which corresponds to the highly conserved Thr-252 in P450 101, interacts with vorozole's triazole ring, and the 1-methyl-benzotriazole moiety binds near Asp-309.

Molecular pharmacology of vitamin E: structural aspects of antioxidant activity.

In this review, the involvement of vitamin E in free radical physiology and antioxidant mechanisms is discussed. Moreover, structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on vitamin E analogues are presented. A molecular explanation for the antioxidant activity often is based on molecular parameters, such as Hammett sigma and Brown sigma +. These parameters correlate with the activity. Using semiempirical calculations, we have found other molecular parameters related to electron distribution and structure (such as the difference in heat of formation between the compound and its radical or the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital, HOMO) which correlate with the antioxidant action of vitamin E and its derivatives.

Generalized cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation and oxygenation reactions in aromatic substrates with activated N-H, O-H, C-H, or S-H substituents.

1. The general mechanism of metabolic oxidation of substrates by cytochromes P450 (P450s) appears to consist of sequential one-electron oxidation steps rather than of a single concerted transfer of activated oxygen species from P450 to substrates. 2. In case of the acetanilides paracetamol (PAR), phenacetin (PHEN), and 4-chloro-acetanilide (4-CLAA), the first one-electron oxidation step consists of a hydrogen abstraction from the acetylamino nitrogen and/or from the other side-chain substituent on the aromatic ring. The substrate radicals thus formed delocalize their spin and the respective reactive centres of the substrate radical recombine with a P450 iron-bound hydroxyl radical to either yield oxygenated metabolites, or undergo a second hydrogen abstraction forming dehydrogenated products. By this mechanism, the formation of all known oxidative metabolites of PAR, PHEN, and 4-ClAA can be explained. Furthermore, this mechanism is consistent with all available experimental data on [18O]PAR/PHEN, [2H]PAR, and [14C]PHEN. 3. The oxidative metabolic reactions proposed for the acetanilides PAR, PHEN, and 4-ClAA are used to generalize P450-mediated oxidations of these and other acetanilides, such as analogues of PAR and 2-N-acetyl-aminofluorene. 4. A further generalization of the hydrogen abstraction, spin delocalization, radical recombination concept is derived for other aromatic substrates with abstractable hydrogen atoms, notably those with activated N-H, O-H, C-H, or S-H bonds directly attached to the aromatic nucleus.