Characterization of PF-4708671, a novel and highly specific inhibitor of p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K1).

S6K1 (p70 ribosomal S6 kinase 1) is activated by insulin and growth factors via the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling pathways. S6K1 regulates numerous processes, such as protein synthesis, growth, proliferation and longevity, and its inhibition has been proposed as a strategy for the treatment of cancer and insulin resistance. In the present paper we describe a novel cell-permeable inhibitor of S6K1, PF-4708671, which specifically inhibits the S6K1 isoform with a Ki of 20 nM and IC50 of 160 nM. PF-4708671 prevents the S6K1-mediated phosphorylation of S6 protein in response to IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), while having no effect upon the PMA-induced phosphorylation of substrates of the highly related RSK (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase) and MSK (mitogen- and stress-activated kinase) kinases. PF-4708671 was also found to induce phosphorylation of the T-loop and hydrophobic motif of S6K1, an effect that is dependent upon mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1). PF-4708671 is the first S6K1-specific inhibitor to be reported and will be a useful tool for delineating S6K1-specific roles downstream of mTOR.

Trifluoromethylpyrimidine-based inhibitors of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2): structure-activity relationships and strategies for the elimination of reactive metabolite formation.

The synthesis and SAR for a series of diaminopyrimidines as PYK2 inhibitors are described. Using a combination of library and traditional medicinal chemistry techniques, a FAK-selective chemical series was transformed into compounds possessing good PYK2 potency and 10- to 20-fold selectivity against FAK. Subsequent studies found that the majority of the compounds were positive in a reactive metabolite assay, an indicator for potential toxicological liabilities. Based on the proposed mechanism for bioactivation, as well as a combination of structure-based drug design and traditional medicinal chemistry techniques, a follow-up series of PYK2 inhibitors was identified that maintained PYK2 potency, FAK selectivity and HLM stability, yet were negative in the RM assay.

Synthesis of aryl ethers via a sulfonyl transfer reaction.

A general synthesis of aryl ethers from primary and secondary alcohols and aryl mesylates is presented. The reaction proceeds via a sulfonyl-transfer mechanism. In this paper, we compare the sulfonyl transfer reaction to Mitsunobu ether formation. The reaction can be employed in a multistep synthesis where the aryl mesylate is used as a phenol protecting group and then as an activating group for ether formation. This protecting/activating group strategy is demonstrated using raloxifene as the target.

Synthesis of sapphyrins, heterosapphyrins, and carbasapphyrins by a "4 + 1" approach.

Sapphyrins are an important group of expanded porphyrins that show valuable anion binding characteristics. In this study, a "4 + 1" route to sapphyrin systems has been developed. Reaction of dialdehydes with a known tetrapyrrole intermediate 11b incorporating a bipyrrolic subunit afforded a wide range of sapphyrin-type products. The best conditions for these reactions involved carrying out the condensation of the dialdehydes with the tetrapyrrole in TFA-dichloromethane, followed by oxidation with dilute aqueous solutions of ferric chloride. A pyrrole dialdehyde reacted under these conditions to give sapphyrin in 50% yield, while furan and thiophene dialdehydes afforded the corresponding oxa- and thiasapphyrins in 66-90% yield. Pyrrole dialdehydes with fused phenanthrene or acenaphthylene rings also reacted with 11b to give the related phenanthro- and acenaphthosapphyrins in excellent yields. As was the case for acenaphthoporphyrins, the acenaphthosapphyrin gave longer wavelength absorptions than the corresponding phenanthrene fused structure, although the differences were not as marked as those seen in the porphyrin series. Reaction of 11b with 1,3-diformylindene gave a benzocarbasapphyrin in 38% yield, while a triformyl cyclopentadiene reacted with the tetrapyrrole to give a carbasapphyrin aldehyde in 7-12% yield. The free base carbasapphyrins were unstable but the monoprotonated hydrochloride salts could easily be isolated and characterized. Carbasapphyrins retain a strong diatropic ring current due to the presence of 22pi electron delocalization pathways. In the presence of trifluoroacetic acid, C-protonated dications are generated. Condensation of 1,3-azulenedicarbaldehyde with 11b gave an azulisapphyrin dihydrochloride salt in 35% yield, and this also showed a strong diatropic ring current. Addition of base gave the unstable free base form, while pyrrolidine formed an unstable adduct that showed an intense Soret band at 480 nm. These results demonstrate that many of the themes observed for modified porphyrins and carbaporphyrins also apply to the sapphyrin series, although in some cases reduced stability hampers these investigations.

Achieving selectivity between highly homologous tyrosine kinases: a novel selective erbB2 inhibitor.

The discovery of small molecule kinase inhibitors for use as drugs is a promising approach for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, but the discovery of highly specific agents is challenging because over 850 kinases are expressed in mammalian cells. Systematic modification of the 4-anilino functionality of a selective quinazoline inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase can invert selectivity to favor inhibition of the highly homologous erbB2 tyrosine kinase. The selectivity pattern was demonstrated in assays of recombinant kinases and recapitulated in measures of kinase activity in intact cells. The most potent and selective erbB2 inhibitor of the analog series has anti-proliferative activity against an erbB2-overexpressing cell line that was lacking in the original EGFR-selective compound. Subtle changes to the molecular structure of ATP-competitive small molecule inhibitors of tyrosine kinases can yield dramatic changes in potency and selectivity. These results suggest that the discovery of highly selective small molecule inhibitors of very homologous kinases is achievable.