Structural Characterization of 5-Substituted Pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine Antifolate Inhibitors in Complex with Human Serine Hydroxymethyl Transferase 2.

We previously discovered first-in-class multitargeted 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine antifolates that inhibit serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2), resulting in potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacies. In this report, we present crystallographic structures for SHMT2 in complex with an expanded series of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine compounds with variations in bridge length (3-5 carbons) and the side chain aromatic ring (phenyl, thiophene, fluorine-substituted phenyl, and thiophene). We evaluated structural features of the inhibitor-SHMT2 complexes and correlations to inhibitor potencies (i.e., Kis), highlighting conserved polar contacts and identifying 5-carbon bridge lengths as key determinants of inhibitor potency. Based on the analysis of SHMT2 structural data, we investigated the impact of mutation of Tyr105 in SHMT2 kinetic analysis and studies with HCT116 cells with inducible expression of wild-type and Y105F SHMT2. Increased enzyme inhibition potency by the pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors with Phe105 SHMT2 accompanied an increased growth inhibition of Phe105-expressing HCT116 cells compared to wild-type SHMT2. Pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors with polyglutamate modifications were evaluated for potencies against SHMT2. We determined the crystal structures of SHMT2 in complex with our lead antifolate AGF347 lacking L-glutamate, or as a diglutamate and triglutamate, for comparison with parent AGF347. These data provide the first insights into the influence of antifolate polyglutamylation on SHMT2:inhibitor interactions. Collectively, our results provide new insights into the critical structural determinants of SHMT2 binding by pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors as novel antitumor agents, as well as the first structural characterization of human SHMT2 in complex with polyglutamates of an SHMT2-targeted antifolate.

Zn-regulated GTPase metalloprotein activator 1 modulates vertebrate zinc homeostasis.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient and cofactor for up to 10% of proteins in living organisms. During Zn limitation, specialized enzymes called metallochaperones are predicted to allocate Zn to specific metalloproteins. This function has been putatively assigned to G3E GTPase COG0523 proteins, yet no Zn metallochaperone has been experimentally identified in any organism. Here, we functionally characterize a family of COG0523 proteins that is conserved across vertebrates. We identify Zn metalloprotease methionine aminopeptidase 1 (METAP1) as a COG0523 client, leading to the redesignation of this group of COG0523 proteins as the Zn-regulated GTPase metalloprotein activator (ZNG1) family. Using biochemical, structural, genetic, and pharmacological approaches across evolutionarily divergent models, including zebrafish and mice, we demonstrate a critical role for ZNG1 proteins in regulating cellular Zn homeostasis. Collectively, these data reveal the existence of a family of Zn metallochaperones and assign ZNG1 an important role for intracellular Zn trafficking.

Synthesis of relaxin-2 and insulin-like peptide 5 enabled by novel tethering and traceless chemical excision.

This report presents an entirely chemical, general strategy for the synthesis of relaxin-2 and insulin-like peptide 5. Historically, these two peptides have represented two of the more synthetically challenging members of the insulin superfamily. The key synthetic steps involve two sequential oxime ligations to covalently link the individual A-chain and B-chain, followed by disulfide bond formation under aqueous, redox conditions. This is followed by two chemical reactions that employ diketopiperazine cyclization-mediated cleavage and ester hydrolysis to liberate the connecting peptide and the heterodimeric product. This approach avoids the conventional iodine-mediated disulfide bond formation and enzyme-assisted proteolysis to generate biologically active two-chain peptides. This novel synthetic strategy is ideally suited for peptides such as relaxin and insulin-like peptide 5 as they possess methionine and tryptophan that are labile under strong oxidative conditions. Additionally, these peptides possess multiple arginine and lysine residues that preclude the use of trypsin-like enzymes to obtain biologically active hormones. This synthetic methodology is conceivably applicable to other two-chain peptides that contain multiple disulfide bonds. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Biomimetic Synthesis of Insulin Enabled by Oxime Ligation and Traceless "C-Peptide" Chemical Excision.

For decades, insulin has represented a preeminent synthetic target. Recently introduced "biomimetic" strategies based on convertible single-chain precursors require incorporation of a chemical linker or a unique proteolytic site, which limits their practicality. In this approach the A- and B-chains are linked by two sequential oxime ligations followed by disulfide bond formation under redox conditions and linker excision by diketopiperazine (DKP) formation and ester hydrolysis, yielding native two-chain insulin. The method is expected to be applicable to any member of the insulin superfamily.

Inhibition of Alzheimer's amyloid-ß peptide aggregation and its disruption by a conformationally restricted α/ß hybrid peptide.

Insertion of an anthranilic acid in an amyloidogenic peptide sequence generates a novel conformationally restricted α/ß-hybrid peptide that inhibits amyloid formation of Aß(1-40) and disrupts preformed fibrillar aggregates in vitro. Such ß-sheet breaker hybrid peptides (BSBHps) may be useful for designing novel physiologically important compounds relevant to diverse amyloidoses and for studying the process of aggregation.

Ethyl 2-cyano-2-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyloxyimino)acetate (o-NosylOXY): a recyclable coupling reagent for racemization-free synthesis of peptide, amide, hydroxamate, and ester.

Ubiquitousness of amide and ester functionality makes coupling reactions extremely important. Although numerous coupling reagents are available, methods of preparation of the common and efficient reagents are cumbersome. Those reagents generate a substantial amount of chemical waste and lack recyclability. Ethyl 2-cyano-2-(2-nitrobenzenesulfonyloxyimino)acetate (o-NosylOXY), the first member of a new generation of coupling reagents, produces byproducts that can be easily recovered and reused for the synthesis of the same reagent, making the method more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The synthesis of amides, hydroxamates, peptides, and esters using this reagent is described. The synthesis of the difficult sequences, for example, the islet amyloid polypeptide (22-27) fragment (with a C-terminal Gly, H-Asn-Phe-Gly-Ala-Ile-Leu-Gly-NH2) and acyl carrier protein (65-74) fragment (H-Val-Gln-Ala-Ala-Ile-Asp-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Gly-OH), following the solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) protocol and Amyloid ß (39-42) peptide (Boc-Val-Val-IIe-Ala-OMe), following solution-phase strategy is demonstrated. Remarkable improvement is noticed with respect to reaction time, yield, and retention of stereochemistry. A mechanistic investigation and recyclability are also described.

Ethyl 2-cyano-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonyloxyimino)acetate-mediated Lossen rearrangement: single-pot racemization-free synthesis of hydroxamic acids and ureas from carboxylic acids.

Ethyl 2-cyano-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonyloxyimino)acetate (4-NBsOXY) mediated Lossen rearrangement and its application for the synthesis of ureas is demonstrated. Required hydroxamic acids for the Lossen rearrangements were synthesized from carboxylic acids using the same reagent. Finally, reaction of an amine with the produced isocyanate resulted in urea. Good yields without racemization were achieved under milder and simpler reaction conditions. Reactions are compatible with common N-protecting groups, such as Boc, Fmoc, Cbz, and benzyl, as well as various OH protecting groups, such as (t)Bu and Bzl. Conversion from carboxylic acid to urea is achieved in one pot. Most importantly, byproducts Oxyma [ethyl 2-cyano-2-(hydroxyimino)acetate] and 4-nitrobenzenesulfonic acid can be recovered easily and can be recycled to prepare the reagent. Thus, the method is environmentally friendly and cost-effective.