Structure-activity of sulfones and sulfonamides on dihydropteroate synthetase from Neisseria meingitidis

The molecular interaction of various sulfones and sulfonamides with partially purified dihydropteroate synthetase from Neisseria meningitidis M-166 has been examined. The mode of action of the sulfones was similar to that of the sulfonamides. Both groups of drugs were competitive inhibitors of dihydropteroate synthetase with respect to p-aminobenzoate in a partially purified enzyme preparation. 4,4'-Diaminodiphenylsulfone was three times more effective than sulfadiazine and nine times more effective than sulfanilamide as a competitive inhibitor of dihydropteroate synthetase. The inhibitory activity of 4-amino-4'-acetamidodiphenylsulfone and 4-amino-4'-formamidodiphenylsulfone in this system eliminated their prior conversion to 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone as a requirement for activity.