Structure-activity studies of PTPRD phosphatase inhibitors identify a 7-cyclopentymethoxy illudalic acid analog candidate for development.

Interest in development of potent, selective inhibitors of the phosphatase from the receptor type protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPRD as antiaddiction agents is supported by human genetics, mouse models and studies of our lead compound PTPRD phosphatase inhibitor, 7-butoxy illudalic acid analog 1 (7-BIA). We now report structure-activity relationships for almost 70 7-BIA-related compounds and results that nominate a 7- cyclopentyl methoxy analog as a candidate for further development. While efforts to design 7-BIA analogs with substitutions for other parts failed to yield potent inhibitors of PTPRD's phosphatase, ten 7-position substituted analogs displayed greater potency at PTPRD than 7-BIA. Several were more selective for PTPRD vs the receptor type protein tyrosine phosphatases S, F and J or the nonreceptor type protein tyrosine phosphatase N1 (PTPRS, PTPRF, PTPRJ or PTPN1/PTP1B), phosphatases at which 7-BIA displays activity. In silico studies aided design of novel analogs. A 7-position cyclopentyl methoxy substituted 7-BIA analog termed NHB1109 displayed 600-700 nM potencies in inhibiting PTPRD and PTPRS, improved selectivity vs PTPRS, PTPRF, PTPRJ or PTPN1/PTP1B phosphatases, no substantial potency at other protein tyrosine phosphatases screened, no significant potency at any of the targets of clinically-useful drugs identified in EUROFINS screens and significant oral bioavailability. Oral doses up to 200 mg/kg were well tolerated by mice, though higher doses resulted in reduced weight and apparent ileus without clear organ histopathology. NHB1109 provides a good candidate to advance to in vivo studies in addiction paradigms and toward human use to reduce reward from addictive substances.

Facile Synthesis of 2H-Benzo[h]Chromenes via an Arylamine-Catalyzed Mannich Cyclization Cascade Reaction.

A simple arylamine-catalyzed Mannich-cyclization cascade reaction was developed for facile synthesis of substituted 2H-benzo[h]chromenes. The notable feature of the process included the efficient generation of ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) catalyzed by a simple aniline. The mild reaction conditions allowed for a broad spectrum of 1- and 2-naphthols and trans-cinnamaldehydes to engage in the cascade sequence with high efficiency.

Design, synthesis, molecular modeling, and biological evaluation of acrylamide derivatives as potent inhibitors of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a viable target for the development of therapeutics to treat cancer and immunological diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis and multiple sclerosis (MS). Herein, a series of acrylamide-based novel DHODH inhibitors as potential RA treatment agents were designed and synthesized. 2-Acrylamidobenzoic acid analog 11 was identified as the lead compound for structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. The replacement of the phenyl group with naphthyl moieties improved inhibitory activity significantly to double-digit nanomolar range. Further structure optimization revealed that an acrylamide with small hydrophobic groups (Me, Cl or Br) at the 2-position was preferred. Moreover, adding a fluoro atom at the 5-position of the benzoic acid enhanced the potency. The optimization efforts led to potent compounds 42 and 53‒55 with IC50 values of 41, 44, 32, and 42 nmol/L, respectively. The most potent compound 54 also displayed favorable pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles and encouraging in vivo anti-arthritic effects in a dose-dependent manner.

Structural Optimization and Structure-Activity Relationship of 4-Thiazolidinone Derivatives as Novel Inhibitors of Human Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase.

Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH), one of the attractive targets for the development of immunosuppressive drugs, is also a potential target of anticancer drugs and anti-leukemic drugs. The development of promising hDHODH inhibitors is in high demand. Based on the unique binding mode of our previous reported 4-thiazolidinone derivatives, via molecular docking method, three new series 4-thiazolidinone derivatives were designed and synthesized as hDHODH inhibitors. The preliminary structure-activity relationship was investigated. Compound 9 of biphenyl series and compound 37 of amide series displayed IC50 values of 1.32 µM and 1.45 µM, respectively. This research will provide valuable reference for the research of new structures of hDHODH inhibitors.

Catalyst-free synthesis of thiazolidines via sequential hydrolysis/rearrangement reactions of 5-arylidenethiazolidin-4-ones at room temperature.

A catalyst-free sequential reaction involving hydrolysis and intramolecular aza-Michael addition was developed for synthesizing functionalized thiazolidines from 5-arylidenethiazolidin-4-ones at room temperature. A series of thiazolidine-5-carboxylic acids were prepared in good to excellent yields (up to 97% yield) and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr). This methodology was applicable to the construction of derivatives of thiacloprid and flutianil with good yields.

Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and binding mode analysis of 4-thiazolidinone derivatives as novel inhibitors of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase.

A series of 4-thiazolidinone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as novel human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH) inhibitors. Compounds 26 and 31 displayed IC50 values of 1.75 and 1.12 µM, respectively. The structure-activity relationship was summarized. Further binding mode analysis revealed that compound 31 could form a hydrogen bond with Tyr38 and a water-mediated hydrogen bond with Ala55, which may be necessary for maintaining the bioactivities of the compounds in this series. Further structural optimization of the para- or meta-position of the phenyl group at R will lead to the identification of more potent hDHODH inhibitors.