Drug-drug conjugates of MEK and Akt inhibitors for RAS-mutant cancers.

Controlling RAS mutant cancer progression remains a significant challenge in developing anticancer drugs. Whereas Ras G12C-covalent binders have received clinical approval, the emergence of further mutations, along with the activation of Ras-related proteins and signals, has led to resistance to Ras binders. To discover novel compounds to overcome this bottleneck, we focused on the concurrent and sustained blocking of two major signaling pathways downstream of Ras. To this end, we synthesized 25 drug-drug conjugates (DDCs) by combining the MEK inhibitor trametinib with Akt inhibitors using seven types of linkers with structural diversity. The DDCs were evaluated for their cell permeability/accumulation and ability to inhibit proliferation in RAS-mutant cell lines. A representative DDC was further evaluated for its effects on signaling proteins, induction of apoptosis-related proteins, and the stability of hepatic metabolic enzymes. These in vitro studies identified a series of DDCs, especially those containing a furan-based linker, with promising properties as agents for treating RAS-mutant cancers. Additionally, in vivo experiments in mice using the two selected DDCs revealed prolonged half-lives and anticancer efficacies comparable to those of trametinib. The PK profiles of trametinib and the Akt inhibitor were unified through the DDC formation. The DDCs developed in this study have potential as drug candidates for the broad inhibition of RAS-mutant cancers.

Carbocationoids, a concept for controlling highly reactive cationic species.

Carbocations, which are positively charged highly electrophilic intermediates, are efficacious for the direct alkylation of low-reactive nucleophiles. The utilization of carbocations in SN1 reactions relies on the activation of their precursors in the presence of a nucleophile. However, undesirable interactions between the nucleophile and the leaving group activator limit the scope of acceptable nucleophiles. Here we report a strategy to conduct SN1 reactions involving unstable carbocations in an alternative stepwise procedure, which was demonstrated by the benzylation of various neutral nucleophiles. In the first step, carbocations were accumulated in a nucleophile-free solution in the form of carbocationoids utilizing the coordinative stabilization of triazinediones. Subsequently, the addition of these solutions in the second step enabled room-temperature alkylation without the need for acidic additives. This methodology overcomes the inherent challenges of carbocations in SN1 reactions.

Tethered Indoxyl-Glucuronides for Enzymatically Triggered Cross-Linking.

Indoxyl-glucuronides, upon treatment with ß-glucuronidase under physiological conditions, are well known to afford the corresponding indigoid dye via oxidative dimerization. Here, seven indoxyl-glucuronide target compounds have been prepared along with 22 intermediates. Of the target compounds, four contain a conjugatable handle (azido-PEG, hydroxy-PEG, or BCN) attached to the indoxyl moiety, while three are isomers that include a PEG-ethynyl group at the 5-, 6-, or 7-position. All seven target compounds have been examined in indigoid-forming reactions upon treatment with ß-glucuronidase from two different sources and rat liver tritosomes. Taken together, the results suggest the utility of tethered indoxyl-glucuronides for use in bioconjugation chemistry with a chromogenic readout under physiological conditions.

Synthesis and characterization of tetraphenylammonium salts.

The phenyl (Ph) group is a representative substituent in the field of organic chemistry as benzene (the parent molecule) is of fundamental importance. Simple Ph-substituted compounds of common chemical elements are well known. However, extensive structural characterization of tetraphenylammonium (Ph4N+) salts has not been reported. Herein, the synthesis of Ph4N+ salts and their characterization data including the 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and the single-crystal X-ray structure have been presented. An intermolecular radical coupling reaction between an aryl radical and a triarylammoniumyl radical cation was conducted to synthesize the target moieties. The Ph4N+ salts described herein are the simplest tetraarylammonium (Ar4N+) salts known. The results reported herein can potentially help access the otherwise inaccessible non-bridged Ar4N+ salts, a new class of rigid and sterically hindered organic cations.

Isolation of phenolic acids and tannin acids from Mangifera indica L. kernels as inhibitors of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) kernels are usually discarded as waste, but they contain many pharmacological properties and bioactivities. In this study, we isolated antiobesity agents from mango kernels that inhibit intracellular lipid formation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Two phenolic acids, ethyl gallate and ethyl digallate, and 2 tannin acids, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-ß-d-glucose (PGG) and 3-O-digalloyl-1,2,4,6-tetra-O-ß-d-glucose (HGG), were identified from mango kernels and were found to be suppressed lipid accumulation as evidenced by Oil Red O staining. Furthermore, ethyl digallate, PGG, and HGG significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as C/EBPα and PPARγ. However, ethyl gallate did not affect the expression of these transcription factors. Our findings reveal the presence of antiobesity compounds in mango kernels, implying its therapeutic role against obesity.

Synthesis of N-Aminated Salts of Aliphatic tert-Amines, (Trialkyl)amidines, and (Pentaalkyl)guanidines by Electrophilic Amination in an Ethereal Solvent.

The electrophilic amination of nitrogen-based nucleophiles, including strong organic bases, was conducted in an Et2O solvent using O-(mesitylenesulfonyl)hydroxylamine. Aliphatic tert-amines and N,N,N'-(trialkyl)amidines rapidly formed precipitates of the corresponding aminated salts in high yields. The amination of the highly basic and sterically hindered N,N,N',N',N″-(pentaalkyl)guanidines was achieved under modified conditions, although the yields were moderate because of a competing side reaction caused by the acid-base equilibrium.

A versatile iodo(III)etherification of terminal ethynylsilanes using BF3-OiPr2 and alkyl benzyl ethers.

A series of (E)-α-silyl-ß-alkoxyvinyl-λ3-iodanes was synthesized from iodosylbenzene, BF3-ether complexes, and terminal ethynylsilanes. The combined use of BF3-OiPr2 and benzyl ethers of primary alcohols (ROBn) allows the chemoselective transfer of primary alkoxy groups (RO) onto the ß-position of the terminal ethynylsilanes.

Development of a triazinedione-based dehydrative condensing reagent containing 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine as an acyl transfer catalyst.

A new triazinedione-based reagent, (N,N'-dialkyl)triazinedione-4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (ATD-DMAP) was developed for the operationally simple dehydrative condensation of carboxylic acids. This reagent comprises an ATD core and DMAP as the leaving group, which is liberated into the reaction system to accelerate acyl transfer reactions. Upon adding ATD-DMAP to a mixture of carboxylic acids and alcohols in the presence of an amine base, the corresponding esters were formed rapidly at room temperature. Moreover, dehydrative condensation between carboxylic acids and amines using ATD-DMAP proceeded in high yield.

Bacteriochlorin-bis(spermine) conjugate affords an effective photodynamic action to eradicate microorganisms.

A novel bacteriochlorin bearing two spermine units (BCS) was synthesized from 3,13-dibromo-8,8,18,18-tetramethylbacteriochlorin (BC-Br 3,13 ). The synthesis involved the Suzuki coupling of BC-Br 3,13 to obtain a bacteriochlorin-dibenzaldehyde (BCA), which was subjected to reductive amination with spermine. The resulting bacteriochlorin BCS presents a strong near-infrared absorption band at 747 nm, emits at 750 nm with fluorescence quantum yield of 0.14, and generates singlet molecular oxygen, O2 (1 Δg ), with a quantum yield of 0.27. Photokilling capacities mediated by BCS were evaluated in microbial cells. The viability of Staphylococcus aureus decreased 7 logs when cells were incubated with 1 µM BCS and irradiated for 15 minutes. Comparable photocytotoxic effect was obtained with Escherichia coli, when cells were treated for 30 minutes with visible light. BCS was also an effective photosensitizer to inactivate Candida albicans. In addition, this bacteriochlorin was able to eradicate bacteria at short incubation times. The structure of BCS contains eight basic amino groups that, when protonated in water, increase the binding to the cell envelope. In summary, the readily accessible bacteriochlorin BCS was highly effective at low concentrations as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial photosensitizer.

Development of Triazinone-Based Condensing Reagents for Amide Formation.

Novel triazinone-based condensing reagents have been developed. The palladium-catalyzed O-N allylic rearrangement of 2-(allyloxy)-4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine and subsequent regioselective substitution using alcohols and an amine afforded chlorotriazinones, which can be readily converted using N-methylmorpholine into the corresponding condensing reagents. The condensation of carboxylic acids and amines using these reagents proceeded to afford the desired amides in good yields. In comparison with 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride, the newly synthesized triazinone-based condensing reagents exhibited higher reactivity.

Substitution of the Dimethylamino Group in Gramines and One-Pot Cyclization to Tetrahydro-ß-carbolines Using a Triazine-Based Activating Agent.

A new method for the substitution of 3-[(dimethylamino)methyl]indoles (gramines) with malonate-based nucleophiles was developed using 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine (CDMT) as the activating agent for the dimethylamino group. The reaction was completed in 1.5-6 h at room temperature in the presence of a tert-amine base and lithium salt. CDMT afforded superior results to methyl iodide, a common activating agent for the dimethylamino group in Mannich bases, particularly in the reactions of 1-substituted gramines. The reactivity of the possible intermediates, bis(indol-3-ylmethyl)dimethylammonium salts, was examined to obtain mechanistic insights on the reaction. This substitution method with CDMT enabled the sequential transformation of gramines: substitution with ( N-alkylidene)aminomalonates followed by the Pictet-Spengler reaction under acidic conditions afforded 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-ß-carboline derivatives in one pot.

Development of a Storable Triazinone-Based Reagent for O- p-Methoxybenzylation under Mild Heating Conditions.

A new triazinone-based reagent for O- p-methoxybenzylation has been developed. In spite of its stability in solid form, this reagent converts a free alcohol into the corresponding p-methoxybenzyl ether with mild heating (50-60 °C) in a solution. High functional group tolerance can be achieved because the reaction does not require the addition of an acidic or basic activator.

Cooperation of the Neutral and the Cationic Leaving Group Pathways in Acid-Catalyzed O-Benzylation of TriBOT.

The reaction profile of acid-catalyzed O-benzylation with 2,4,6-tris(benzyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TriBOT) was analyzed to study the reaction kinetics. The first-order kinetic constant for the formation of benzyl cation species from N-protonated TriBOT (neutral leaving group pathway) was estimated and compared with that of the model compound for TriBOT. Since rapid consumption of TriBOT in the late stage could not be explained solely by this pathway, cooperation of another reaction mechanism, the cationic leaving group pathway, was proposed to rationalize the rate acceleration.

Triazine-Based Cationic Leaving Group: Synergistic Driving Forces for Rapid Formation of Carbocation Species.

A new triazine-based cationic leaving group has been developed for the acid-catalyzed alkylation of O- and C-nucleophiles. There are two synergistic driving forces, namely, stable C═O bond formation and charge-charge repulsive effects, involved in the rapid generation of the carbocation species in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (∼200 mol %). Considerable rate acceleration of benzylation, allylation, and p-nitrobenzylation was observed as compared to the reactions with less than 100 mol % of the acid catalyst. The triazine-based leaving group showed superior p-nitrobenzylation yield and stability in comparison to common leaving groups, trichloroacetimidate and bromide. A plausible reaction mechanism (the cationic leaving group pathway) was proposed on the basis of mechanistic and kinetic studies, NMR experiments, and calculations.

Study of O-Allylation Using Triazine-Based Reagents.

Acid-catalyzed allylating reagent 2,4,6-tris(allyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TriAT-allyl) and its substituted derivatives have been developed. The reaction of acid-, and alkali-labile alcohols with these reagents in the presence of a catalytic amount of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) afforded the corresponding allyl ethers in good yields. Reactions using these reagents with an unsymmetrically-substituted regioisometric allyl group suggested that a single isometric allylic cation species would be involved.

Advanced maritime adaptation in the western Pacific coastal region extends back to 35,000-30,000 years before present.

Maritime adaptation was one of the essential factors that enabled modern humans to disperse all over the world. However, geographic distribution of early maritime technology during the Late Pleistocene remains unclear. At this time, the Indonesian Archipelago and eastern New Guinea stand as the sole, well-recognized area for secure Pleistocene evidence of repeated ocean crossings and advanced fishing technology. The incomplete archeological records also make it difficult to know whether modern humans could sustain their life on a resource-poor, small oceanic island for extended periods with Paleolithic technology. We here report evidence from a limestone cave site on Okinawa Island, Japan, of successive occupation that extends back to 35,000-30,000 y ago. Well-stratified strata at the Sakitari Cave site yielded a rich assemblage of seashell artifacts, including formally shaped tools, beads, and the world's oldest fishhooks. These are accompanied by seasonally exploited food residue. The persistent occupation on this relatively small, geographically isolated island, as well as the appearance of Paleolithic sites on nearby islands by 30,000 y ago, suggest wider distribution of successful maritime adaptations than previously recognized, spanning the lower to midlatitude areas in the western Pacific coastal region.

Study of the Reactivities of Acid-Catalyzed O-Benzylating Reagents Based on Structural Isomers of 1,3,5-Triazine.

We have demonstrated O-benzylating abilities of both 4,6-bis(benzyloxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2(1H)-one (DiBOT) and 6-(benzyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (MonoBOT), which have been previously suggested as reaction intermediates of the acid-catalyzed benzylation of 2,4,6-tris(benzyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TriBOT). We studied the effect on the reactivity of acid-catalyzed O-benzylation caused by the isomeric core triazine structures in these compounds by carrying out a kinetic study and estimating relative basicities using model compounds. Since MonoBOT showed superior reactivity, 1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione is a promising core structure for acid-catalyzed alkylating reagents.

A novel acid-catalyzed O-benzylating reagent with the smallest unit of imidate structure.

Formal trimerization of the smallest unit of benzyl imidate leads to 2,4,6-tris(benzyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TriBOT), which can be used as an acid-catalyzed O-benzylating reagent. The reaction of various functionalized alcohols with 0.4 equiv of TriBOT in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid afforded the benzyl ethers in good yields. TriBOT is an inexpensive stable crystalline solid with high atom economy.

One-pot preparation of Oxazol-5(4H)-ones from amino acids in aqueous solvents.

A method for one-pot synthesis of oxazol-5(4H)-ones has been developed using 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride (DMT-MM), which is available for the activation of carboxylic acids in an aqueous solvent. The oxazolones were prepared by the N-acylation of amino acids with carboxylic acids and the subsequent cyclodehydration of the resulting N-acylamino acids by the addition of N,N-diethylaniline. Since both these reactions proceed effectively with the same coupling reagent, DMT-MM, in aqueous solvents, the procedure is simplified and becomes easy to perform. In addition, 5-(triazinyloxy)oxazole derivatives have been synthesized by controlling the basicity of the reaction system.