Purine containing carbonucleoside phosphonate analogues as novel chemotype for Plasmodium falciparum Inhibition.

The nucleotidase ISN1 is a potential therapeutic target of the purine salvage pathway of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We identified PfISN1 ligands by in silico screening of a small library of nucleos(t)ide analogues and by thermal shift assays. Starting from a racemic cyclopentyl carbocyclic phosphonate scaffold, we explored the diversity on the nucleobase moiety and also proposed a convenient synthetic pathway to access the pure enantiomers of our initial hit (compound (±)-2). 2,6-Disubstituted purine containing derivatives such as compounds 1, (±)-7e and ß-L-(+)-2 showed the most potent inhibition of the parasite in vitro, with low micromolar IC50 values. These results are remarkable considering the anionic nature of nucleotide analogues, which are known to lack activity in cell culture experiments due to their scarce capacity to cross cell membranes. For the first time, we report the antimalarial activity of a carbocyclic methylphosphonate nucleoside with an L-like configuration.

Second-Generation CD73 Inhibitors Based on a 4,6-Biaryl-2-thiopyridine Scaffold.

Various series of 4,6-biaryl-2-thiopyridine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as potential ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) inhibitors. Two synthetic routes were explored and the coupling of 4,6-disubstituted 3-cyano-2-chloro-pyridines with selected thiols allowed us to explore the structural diversity. Somehow divergent results were obtained in biological assays on CD73 inhibition using either the purified recombinant protein or cell-based assays, highlighting the difficulty to target protein-protein interface on proteins existing as soluble and membrane-bound forms. Among the 18 new derivatives obtained, three derivatives incorporating morpholino substituents on the 4,6-biaryl-2-thiopyridine core were shown to be able to reverse the adenosine-mediated immune suppression on human T cells. The higher blockade efficiency was observed for 2-((3-cyano-4,6-bis(4-morpholinophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)thio)-N-(isoxazol-3-yl)acetamide (with total reversion at 100 µM) and methyl 2-((3-cyano-4,6-bis(4-morpholinophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)thio)acetate (with partial reversion at 10 µM). Thus, this series of compounds illustrates a new chemotype of CD73 allosteric inhibitors.

Discovery of an L-like Configuration for 3'-Fluoro-5'-norcarbonucleoside Phosphonates as Potent Anti-HIV Agents.

Recently, we reported the racemic synthesis of 3'-fluoro-5'-norcarbocyclic nucleoside phosphonates bearing adenine as the heterocyclic base. For this study, to evaluate the antiviral activity of each enantiomer, we synthesized both enantiomers, as well as their corresponding bis(POM) prodrugs. Anti-HIV-1 evaluation against the LAI strain and clinically NRTI-resistant HIV-1 strains are presented. The activities against these different strains show that the activities of bis(POM) prodrug (-)-9 are equivalent or even superior to those of (R)-PMPA.

4-Substituted-1,2,3-triazolo nucleotide analogues as CD73 inhibitors, their synthesis, in vitro screening, kinetic and in silico studies.

Three series of nucleotide analogues were synthesized and evaluated as potential CD73 inhibitors. Nucleobase replacement consisted in connecting the appropriate aromatic or purine residues through a triazole moiety that is generated from 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The first series is related to 4-substituted-1,2,3-triazolo-ß-hydroxyphosphonate ribonucleosides. Additional analogues were also obtained, in which the phosphonate group was replaced by a bisphosphonate pattern (P-C-P-C, series 2) or the ribose moiety was removed leading to acyclic derivatives (series 3). The ß-hydroxyphosphonylphosphonate ribonucleosides (series 2) were found to be potent inhibitors of CD73 using both purified recombinant protein and cell-based assays. Two compounds (2a and 2b) that contained a bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl or a naphthyl substituents proved to be the most potent inhibitors, with IC50 values of 4.8 ± 0.8 µM and 0.86 ± 0.2 µM, compared to the standard AOPCP (IC50 value of 3.8 ± 0.9 µM), and were able to reverse the adenosine-mediated immune suppression on human T cells. This series of compounds illustrates a new type of CD73 inhibitors.

2-(Substituted amino)-8-azachromones from 4,6-Diaryl-2-pyridones: A Synthetic Strategy toward Compounds of Broad Structural Diversity.

3-Acetoacetyl-4,6-diaryl-2-pyridones are synthesized in three steps from chalcones and then condense with carbon disulfide to afford 8-azachromones containing a methylthio group at C2. This leaving group offers an entry point for the insertion of more complex moieties via nucleophilic substitution. For this purpose, N-nucleophiles are explored according to their positions in the Mayr's nucleophilicity scale (N parameter), and three main classes are distinguished depending on whether the substitution takes place from their neutral forms, from their deprotonated anionic forms, or under nucleophilic catalysis. A broad range of primary and secondary amines may be inserted by this method, including enantiomerically pure amino acids, enabling us to explore structural diversity.

Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of 3'-Fluoro-5'-norcarbocyclic Nucleoside Phosphonates Bearing Uracil and Cytosine as Potential Antiviral Agents.

Carbocyclic nucleoside analogues are an essential class of antiviral agents and are commonly used in the treatment of viral diseases (hepatitis B, AIDS). Recently, we reported the racemic synthesis and the anti-human immunodeficiency virus activities (HIV) of 3'-fluoro-5'-norcarbocyclic nucleoside phosphonates bearing purines as heterocyclic base. Based on these results, the corresponding racemic norcarbocyclic nucleoside phosphonates bearing pyrimidine bases were synthesized. The prepared compounds were evaluated against HIV, but none of them showed marked antiviral activity compared to their purine counterparts.

Synthesis of Substituted 5'-Aminoadenosine Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Inhibitory Potential toward CD73.

Derivatives of 5'-aminoadenosine containing methyl carboxylate, methyl phosphonate, gem-bisphosphonate, bis(methylphosphonate), and α-carboxylmethylphosphonate or phosphonoacetate moieties were synthesized from key intermediate 5'-aminonucleoside. These nucleotide analogues were envisaged as 5'-mono- or diphosphate nucleoside mimics. All compounds were evaluated for CD73 inhibition in a cell-based assay (MDA-MB-231) and toward the purified recombinant protein. Most of them failed to reach significant inhibition of AMP hydrolysis by CD73 at 100 µm. Among the new compounds, the most interesting candidates, 5 (5'-deoxy-5'-N-phosphonomethyladenosine) and 7 (5'-deoxy-5'-N-(ethoxyphosphorylacetate)adenosine), inhibited recombinant CD73 by 36 and 46 % and cellular CD73 by 61 and 45 % at 100 µm, respectively. Molecular modeling partially explains this lack of activity, as the initially predicted docking scores had been encouraging, especially for compound 9.

Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of 3'-Fluoro-4'-modified-5'-norcarbocyclic Nucleoside Phosphonates.

The synthesis and anti-HIV evaluation of hitherto unknown 3'-fluoro-5'-norcarbocyclic nucleoside phosphonates bearing adenine with modifications at the 4' position (ethynyl, vinyl, ethyl, hydroxymethyl) is described. One of the synthesized compounds was found to be an inhibitor of HIV-1 replication, but with moderate efficiency relative to (R)-9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine ((R)-PMPA, tenofovir), with no concomitant cytotoxicity.

Synthesis of 3'-halo-5'-norcarbocyclic nucleoside phosphonates as potent anti-HIV agents.

The synthesis and the antiviral evaluation of 3'-halo (iodo and fluoro) 5'-norcarbocyclic nucleoside phosphonates is described. No antiviral activity was observed against Zika virus, Dengue virus 2, HSV-1, HSV-2 and Chikungunya virus. In contrast, some of the synthesized compounds are potent inhibitors of the replication of HIV-1, comparatively to (R)-PMPA, with no concomitant cytotoxicity.

Synthesis of {[5-(adenin-9-yl)-2-furyl]methoxy}methyl phosphonic acid and evaluations against human adenylate kinases.

AMP mimics constitute an important class of therapeutic derivatives to treat diseases where the pool of ATP is involved. A new phosphonate derivative of 9-(5-hydroxymethylfuran-2-yl)adenine was synthesized in a multi-step sequence from commercially available adenosine. Its ability to behave as a substrate of human adenylate kinases 1 and 2 was assessed. The phosphonate was shown to be a moderate but selective substrate of the mitochondrial human AK2, better than well-known antiviral acyclic phosphonates 9-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA, Adefovir) and (R)-9-(2-phosphonomethoxypropyl)adenine (PMPA, Tenofovir). Putative binding mode within adenylate kinase NMP site revealed by molecular docking in comparison to AMP native substrate allowed to illustrate this selective behavior.

Synthesis of the natural enantiomer of neplanocin B.

(-)-Neplanocin B, the natural isomer of a component of the neplanocin family was diasteroselectively synthesized from 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-1,4-ribonolactone. However, when evaluated against several DNA and RNA viruses in cell culture experiments, it did not show any antiviral activity.

Characterization of a self-assembled monolayer based on a calix[4]crown-5 derivate: fabrication of a chemical sensor sensitive to calcium.

The synthesis and self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation of a calix[4]crown-5 derivative are reported. Several techniques, including electrochemistry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and contact angle measurements have been applied to characterise the monolayer film designed for chemical sensor applications. The recognition properties of this SAM for metal cations has been investigated using impedance spectroscopy (IS) showing an electrochemical response proportional to calcium ion concentration in the range from 10(-7) M to 10(-2) M. This response is related to microscopic changes at the gold surface induced by selective binding by the immobilised calixarene.

First enantioselective synthesis of (-)-neplanocin B.

(-)-Neplanocin B, the natural isomer of a component of the neplanocin family was enantioselectively synthesized.

Chemoenzymatic taxanes approach using both enantiomers of the same building block. 2. Taxol CD ring unit.

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective synthesis of the Taxol CD ring unit has been achieved starting from an enantiopure building block, the enantiomer of those previously utilized in the synthesis of the A ring unit. The key features of the present synthesis are astute use of both enantiomers of the same building block and complete control in the construction of five consecutive chiral centers.

First enantioselective synthesis and absolute stereochemistry assignment of new monocyclic sesquiterpenes from Artemisia chamaemelifolia.

We herein report the first enantioselective synthesis of two new monocyclic sesquiterpenes from Artemisia chamaemelifolia starting from an enantiopure building block. The key feature of the present approach is to allow complete control of all the stereogenic centers present in the natural products and to elucidate their absolute stereochemistry, which to date is unknown.