Allylic Carbocyclic Inhibitors Covalently Bind Glycoside Hydrolases.

Allylic cyclitols were investigated as covalent inhibitors of glycoside hydrolases by chemical, enzymatic, proteomic, and computational methods. This approach was inspired by the C7 cyclitol natural product streptol glucoside, which features a potential carbohydrate leaving group in the 4-position (carbohydrate numbering). To test this hypothesis, carbocyclic inhibitors with leaving groups in the 4- and 6- positions were prepared. The results of enzyme kinetics analyses demonstrated that dinitrophenyl ethers covalently inhibit α-glucosidases of the GH13 family without reactivation. The labeled enzyme was studied by proteomics, and the active site residue Asp214 was identified as modified. Additionally, computational studies, including enzyme homology modeling and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, further delineate the electronic and structural requirements for activity. This study demonstrates that previously unexplored 4- and 6-positions can be exploited for successful inhibitor design.

Discovery of an Oral, Beyond-Rule-of-Five Mcl-1 Protein-Protein Interaction Modulator with the Potential of Treating Hematological Malignancies.

Avoidance of apoptosis is critical for the development and sustained growth of tumors. The pro-survival protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) is an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins which is overexpressed in many cancers. Upregulation of Mcl-1 in human cancers is associated with high tumor grade, poor survival, and resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, pharmacological inhibition of Mcl-1 is regarded as an attractive approach to treating relapsed or refractory malignancies. Herein, we disclose the design, synthesis, optimization, and early preclinical evaluation of a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of Mcl-1. Our exploratory design tactics focused on structural modifications which improve the potency and physicochemical properties of the inhibitor while minimizing the risk of functional cardiotoxicity. Despite being in the "non-Lipinski" beyond-Rule-of-Five property space, the developed compound benefits from exquisite oral bioavailability in vivo and induces potent pharmacodynamic inhibition of Mcl-1 in a mouse xenograft model.

Modulating physicochemical properties of tetrahydropyridine-2-amine BACE1 inhibitors with electron-withdrawing groups: A systematic study.

A common challenge for medicinal chemists is to reduce the pKa of strongly basic groups' conjugate acids into a range that preserves the desired effects, usually potency and/or solubility, but avoids undesired effects like high volume of distribution (Vd), limited membrane permeation, and off-target binding to, notably, the hERG channel and monoamine receptors. We faced this challenge with a 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-2-amine scaffold harboring an amidine, a key structural component of potential inhibitors of BACE1, the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of Aß species that make up amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. In our endeavor to balance potency with desirable properties to achieve brain penetration, we introduced a diverse set of groups in beta position of the amidine that modulate logD, PSA and pKa. Given the synthetic challenge to prepare these highly functionalized warheads, we first developed a design flow including predicted physicochemical parameters which allowed us to select only the most promising candidates for synthesis. For this we evaluated a set of commercial packages to predict physicochemical properties, which can guide medicinal chemists in their endeavors to modulate pKa values of amidine and amine bases.

Leaf nodule endosymbiotic Burkholderia confer targeted allelopathy to their Psychotria hosts.

After a century of investigations, the function of the obligate betaproteobacterial endosymbionts accommodated in leaf nodules of tropical Rubiaceae remained enigmatic. We report that the α-D-glucose analogue (+)-streptol, systemically supplied by mature Ca. Burkholderia kirkii nodules to their Psychotria hosts, exhibits potent and selective root growth inhibiting activity. We provide compelling evidence that (+)-streptol specifically affects meristematic root cells transitioning to anisotropic elongation by disrupting cell wall organization in a mechanism of action that is distinct from canonical cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors. We observed no inhibitory or cytotoxic effects on organisms other than seed plants, further suggesting (+)-streptol as a bona fide allelochemical. We propose that the suppression of growth of plant competitors is a major driver of the formation and maintenance of the Psychotria-Burkholderia association. In addition to potential agricultural applications as a herbicidal agent, (+)-streptol might also prove useful to dissect plant cell and organ growth processes.

Small-molecule BACE1 inhibitors: a patent literature review (2011 to 2020).

INTRODUCTION: Inhibition of ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) has been extensively pursued as potential disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinical failures with BACE inhibitors have progressively raised the bar forever cleaner candidates with reduced cardiovascular liability, toxicity risk, and increased selectivity over cathepsin D (CatD) and BACE2. AREAS COVERED: This review provides an overview of patented BACE1 inhibitors between 2011 and 2020 per pharmaceutical company or research group and highlights the progress that was made in dialing out toxicity liabilities. EXPERT OPINION: Despite an increasingly crowded IP situation, significant progress was made using highly complex chemistry in avoiding toxicity liabilities, with BACE1/BACE2 selectivity being the most remarkable achievement. However, clinical trial data suggest on-target toxicity is likely a contributing factor, which implies the only potential future of BACE1 inhibitors lies in careful titration of highly selective compounds in early populations where the amyloid burden is still minimal as prophylactic therapy, or as an affordable oral maintenance therapy following amyloid-clearing therapies.

New evolutions in the BACE1 inhibitor field from 2014 to 2018.

ß-Site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) inhibitors offer the potential of disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since 2014, major breakthroughs have appeared in the field of BACE1 inhibitors. This review provides an overview of amidine-based BACE1 inhibitors between 2014 and 2018. Herein are summarized i) the structure-activity relationship, ii) the physiological results and iii) the potential risks from a lack of selectivity. This review also summarizes clinical scope, results and outlook of the compounds that have been or are currently under development in clinical trials.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of the Novel Growth Inhibitor Streptol Glucoside, Isolated from an Obligate Plant Symbiont.

The plant Psychotria kirkii hosts an obligatory bacterial symbiont, Candidatus Burkholderia kirkii, in nodules on their leaves. Recently, a glucosylated derivative of (+)-streptol, (+)-streptol glucoside, was isolated from the nodulated leaves and was found to possess a plant growth inhibitory activity. To establish a structure-activity relationship study, a convergent strategy was developed to obtain several pseudosugars from a single synthetic precursor. Furthermore, the glucosylation of streptol was investigated in detail and conditions affording specifically the α or ß glucosidic anomer were identified. Although (+)-streptol was the most active compound, its concentration in P. kirkii plant leaves extract was approximately ten-fold lower than that of (+)-streptol glucoside. These results provide compelling evidence that the glucosylation of (+)-streptol protects the plant host against the growth inhibitory effect of the compound, which might constitute a molecular cornerstone for this successful plant-bacteria symbiosis.

Cross-Coupling of Amides with Alkylboranes via Nickel-Catalyzed C-N Bond Cleavage.

A protocol for the nickel-catalyzed alkylation of amides was established. The use of alkylboranes as nucleophilic partners allowed the use of mild reaction conditions and compatibility of various functional groups with respect to both coupling partners. The catalytic alkylation proceeded selectively at the amides in the presence of other functional groups as well as other carboxylic acid derived moieties.

Multiple Hydrogen-Bond Activation in Asymmetric Brønsted Acid Catalysis.

An efficient protocol for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral tetrahydroquinolines bearing multiple stereogenic centers by means of asymmetric Brønsted acid catalysis was developed. A chiral 1,1'-spirobiindane-7,7'-diol (SPINOL)-based N-triflylphosphoramide (NTPA) proved to be an effective Brønsted acid catalyst for the in situ generation of aza-ortho-quinone methides (aza-o-QMs) and their subsequent cycloaddition reaction with unactivated alkenes to provide the products with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. In addition, DFT calculations provided insight into the activation mode and nature of the interactions between the N-triflylphosphoramide catalyst and the generated aza-o-QMs.

Prophage-triggered membrane vesicle formation through peptidoglycan damage in Bacillus subtilis.

Bacteria release membrane vesicles (MVs) that play important roles in various biological processes. However, the mechanisms of MV formation in Gram-positive bacteria are unclear, as these cells possess a single cytoplasmic membrane that is surrounded by a thick cell wall. Here we use live cell imaging and electron cryo-tomography to describe a mechanism for MV formation in Bacillus subtilis. We show that the expression of a prophage-encoded endolysin in a sub-population of cells generates holes in the peptidoglycan cell wall. Through these openings, cytoplasmic membrane material protrudes into the extracellular space and is released as MVs. Due to the loss of membrane integrity, the induced cells eventually die. The vesicle-producing cells induce MV formation in neighboring cells by the enzymatic action of the released endolysin. Our results support the idea that endolysins may be important for MV formation in bacteria, and this mechanism may potentially be useful for the production of MVs for applications in biomedicine and nanotechnology.It is unclear how Gram-positive bacteria, with a thick cell wall, can release membrane vesicles. Here, Toyofuku et al. show that a prophage-encoded endolysin can generate holes in the cell wall through which cytoplasmic membrane material protrudes and is released as vesicles.

Lewis Acid Assisted Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Aryl Methyl Ethers by C-O Bond-Cleaving Alkylation: Prevention of Undesired ß-Hydride Elimination.

In the presence of trialkylaluminum reagents, diverse aryl methyl ethers can be transformed into valuable products by C-O bond-cleaving alkylation, for the first time without the limiting ß-hydride elimination. This new nickel-catalyzed dealkoxylative alkylation method enables powerful orthogonal synthetic strategies for the transformation of a variety of naturally occurring and easily accessible anisole derivatives. The directing and/or activating properties of aromatic methoxy groups are utilized first, before they are replaced by alkyl chains in a subsequent coupling process.

Asymmetric Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Synthesis of Triarylmethanes-Construction of Communesin and Spiroindoline Scaffolds.

Aza-ortho-quinone methides allow the straightforward asymmetric synthesis of natural-product-inspired indole scaffolds possessing a quaternary stereocenter. Our approach provides access to diverse communesin and spiroindoline derivatives with high enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. Predictable substitution patterns are found to be the key to our regiodivergent protocols.

Ortho-quinone methides as reactive intermediates in asymmetric brønsted Acid catalyzed cycloadditions with unactivated alkenes by exclusive activation of the electrophile.

An efficient method for the highly enantioselective synthesis of chiral chromanes bearing multiple stereogenic centers was developed. A chiral BINOL-based N-triflylphosphoramide proved to be an effective catalyst for the in situ generation of ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) and their subsequent cycloaddition reaction with unactivated alkenes provided chromanes with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

Nickel catalyzed dealkoxylative C(sp2)-C(sp3) cross coupling reactions--stereospecific synthesis of allylsilanes from enol ethers.

The application of cyclic and acyclic enol ethers as electrophiles in cross coupling reactions offers new possibilities for the preparation of functional compounds. A novel nickel catalyzed dealkoxylative cross coupling reaction allows access to structurally diverse allylsilanes and alcohol derivatives with high stereospecificity and in good yields under mild reaction conditions directly from the corresponding enol ethers.

Enantio- and diastereoselective access to distant stereocenters embedded within tetrahydroxanthenes: utilizing ortho-quinone methides as reactive intermediates in asymmetric Brønsted acid catalysis.

A protocol for the highly enantioselective synthesis of 9-substituted tetrahydroxanthenones by means of asymmetric Brønsted acid catalysis has been developed. A chiral binol-based N-triflyphosphoramide was found to promote the in situ generation of ortho-quinone methides and their subsequent reaction with 1,3-cyclohexanedione to provide the desired products with excellent enantioselectivities. In addition, a highly enantio- and diastereoselective Brønsted acid catalyzed desymmetrization of 5-monosubstituted 1,3-dicarbonyl substrates with ortho-quinone methides gives rise to valuable tetrahydroxanthenes containing two distant stereocenters.

Metal-catalyzed dealkoxylative C(aryl)-C(sp3) cross-coupling-replacement of aromatic methoxy groups of aryl ethers by employing a functionalized nucleophile.

The direct replacement of aromatic methoxy groups with activated carbon nucleophiles would give rise to novel synthetic pathways for targeted and diversity-oriented syntheses. We demonstrate here that this transformation can be achieved in a one-step reaction involving a bifunctional organolithium nucleophile in combination with a CAr OMe bond-cleaving nickel catalyst. The resulting products are stable, α-CH active, and suitable for various further modifications.

Shedding light on Brønsted acid catalysis--a photocyclization-reduction reaction for the asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines from aminochalcones in batch and flow.

A new asymmetric photocyclization-reduction cascade employing readily available aminochalcones has been developed. The reaction sequence has been achieved by unifying photochemistry and asymmetric Brønsted acid catalysis and involves photocyclization followed by Brønsted acid catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation in batch and flow.

Shedding light on organocatalysis-light-assisted asymmetric ion-pair catalysis for the enantioselective hydrogenation of pyrylium ions.

A new light-driven asymmetric ion-pair catalysis procedure for the metal-free enantioselective hydrogenation of in situ generated pyrylium ions from readily available chalcones was developed (see scheme). The photo-assisted Brønsted acid catalyzed procedure has broad scope and allows, for the first time, access to valuable 4H-chromenes in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.