Stereocontrolled synthesis of 5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane derivatives as conformationally "frozen" analogues of L-glutamic acid.

Several strategies aimed to "freeze" natural amino acids into more constrained analogues have been developed with the aim of enhancing in vitro potency/selectivity and, more in general, drugability properties. The case of L-glutamic acid (L-Glu, 1) is of particular importance since it is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and plays a critical role in a wide range of disorders like schizophrenia, depression, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and in the identification of new potent and selective ligands of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs). To this aim, bicycle compound Ib was designed and synthesised from D-serine as novel [2.3]-spiro analogue of L-Glu. This frozen amino acid derivative was designed to further limit the rotation around the C3-C4 bond present in the azetidine derivative Ia by incorporating an appropriate spiro moiety. The cyclopropyl moiety was introduced by a diastereoselective rhodium catalyzed cyclopropanation reaction.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Nitric Oxide-Donor Largazole Prodrugs.

The marine natural product Largazole is the most potent Class I HDAC inhibitor identified to date. Since its discovery, many research groups have been attracted by the structural complexity and the peculiar anticancer activity, due to its capability to discriminate between tumor cells and normal cells. Herein, we discuss the synthesis and the in vitro biological profile of hybrid analogues of Largazole, as dual HDAC inhibitor and nitric oxide (NO) donors, potentially useful as anticancer agents. In particular, the metabolic stability of the modified thioester moiety of Largazole, bearing the NO-donor function/s, the in vitro release of NO, and the antiproliferative activity in tumor cell lines are presented.

Dopamine D3 receptor antagonists: the quest for a potentially selective PET ligand. Part one: lead identification.

The synthesis and SAR of a new series of potent and selective dopamine D(3) receptor antagonists is reported.

1,2,4-triazol-3-yl-thiopropyl-tetrahydrobenzazepines: a series of potent and selective dopamine D(3) receptor antagonists.

The discovery of new highly potent and selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonists has recently permitted characterization of the role of the dopamine D3 receptor in a wide range of preclinical animal models. A novel series of 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl-thiopropyl-tetrahydrobenzazepines demonstrating a high level of D3 affinity and selectivity with an excellent pharmacokinetic profile is reported here. In particular, the pyrazolyl derivative 35 showed good oral bioavailability and brain penetration associated with high potency and selectivity in vitro. In vivo characterization of 35 confirmed that this compound blocks the expression of nicotine- and cocaine-conditioned place preference in the rat, prevents nicotine-triggered reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behavior in the rat, reduces oral operant alcohol self-administration in the mouse, increases extracellular levels of acetylcholine in the rat medial prefrontal cortex, and potentiates the amplitude of the relative cerebral blood volume response to d-amphetamine in a regionally specific manner in the rat brain.

Novel stereocontrolled addition of allylmetal reagents to alpha-imino esters: efficient synthesis of chiral tetrahydroquinoline derivatives.

To prepare in multigram scale new antagonists of the glycine binding site associated to the NMDA receptor, an efficient distereoselective route was set up. The addition of suitable allyltin reagents to chiral N-aryl alpha-imino esters (R-(+)-tert-butyl lactate used as chiral auxiliary), gave the corresponding alpha amino acid-type derivative in high chemical yield and optical purity. This allylation reaction represents a novel example of efficient long-range stereodifferentiation process. In the last part of the synthesis, a regioselective Heck-type cyclization reaction enabled preparation of the target tetrasubstituted exocycle and trisubtituted endocycle double bond derivatives.

Synthesis and pharmacological characterisation of 2,4-dicarboxy-pyrroles as selective non-competitive mGluR1 antagonists.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are an unusual family of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), and are characterised by a large extracellular N-terminal domain that contains the glutamate binding site. We have identified a new class of non-competitive metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) antagonists, 2,4-dicarboxy-pyrroles which are endowed with nanomolar potency. They interact within the 7 transmembrane (7TM) domain of the receptor and show antinociceptive properties when tested in a number of different animal models.