Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a range of sulfonated derivatives of 4-hydroxybenzyl imidazole as highly potent inhibitors of rat testicular 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P-45017α)

We report the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a range of 4-sulfonated derivatives of 4-hydroxybenzyl imidazole which has been targetted against the two components of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P-450(17 alpha)), namely, 17 alpha-hydroxylase (17 alpha-OHase) and 17,20-lyase (lyase). The results from the biochemical testing suggest that the compounds synthesised are highly potent inhibitors possessing excellent selectivity towards the lyase component. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.