Preliminary biological evaluations of new thalidomide analogues for multiple sclerosis application.

The present work deals with the synthesis of a new series of thalidomide derivatives for therapeutic applications. These compounds were evaluated in vitro on a human endothelial cell line EA.hy926 for their antiproliferative potential and in vivo on an experimental animal multiple sclerosis model called EAE as angiogenesis inhibitors. The preliminary results obtained on EAE assays seem to validate that anti-angiogenesis compounds could be promising tools for the treatment of MS.

Synthetic route to dinuclear platinum(II) complexes [{trans-PtCl(NH3)2}2(mu-L)]2+ (L = aliphatic or heterocyclic diamine) as potential antitumor agents, exploiting the mutual activation of hydroxido ligands and ammonium groups.

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of potentially antitumor-active dinuclear platinum complexes of the general formula [{trans-PtCl(NH3)2}2(mu-L)]((n+2)+) (L = aliphatic or heterocyclic diamine; n = charge of L) is presented. The procedure is based on the mutual in situ activation of trans-[PtCl(OH)(NH3)2] and the linker L in the form of a diammonium salt. This synthetic pathway yielded the Farrell compound [{trans-PtCl(NH3)2}2{mu-NH2(CH2)6NH2}]Cl2 (BBR3005) in quantitative yield. Using the same procedure, we prepared the new pyrazolate-bridged compound [{trans-PtCl(NH3)2}2(mu-pz)]Cl, determined its X-ray structure, and tested its cytotoxicity against three wild-type and one cisplatin-resistant cell lines.

A fluorine scan of a tubulin polymerization inhibitor isocombretastatin A-4: Design, synthesis, molecular modelling, and biological evaluation.

A novel series of tubulin polymerization inhibitors, based on fluorinated derivatives of isocombretastatin A-4 was synthesized with the goal of evaluating the effect of these compounds on the proliferative activity. The introduction of fluorine atom was performed on the phenyl ring or at the linker between the two aromatic rings. The modification of isoCA-4 by introduction of difluoromethoxy group at the para-position (3i) and substitution of the two protons of the linker by two fluorine atoms (3m), produced the most active compounds in the series, with IC50 values of 0.15-2.2 nM (3i) and 0.1-2 nM (3m) respectively, against a panel of six cancer cell lines. Compounds 3i and 3m had greater antiproliferative activity in comparison with references CA-4 or isoCA-4, the presence of fluorine group leads to a significant enhancement of the antiproliferative activity. Molecular docking studies indicated that compounds 3i and 3m occupy the colchicine binding site of tubulin. Evaluation of cytotoxicity in Human noncancer cells indicated that the compounds 3i and 3m were practically ineffective in quiescent peripheral blood lymphocytes, and may have a selective antiproliferative activity against cancer cells. Analyses of cell cycle distribution, and morphological microtubules organization showed that compound 3m induced G2/M phase arrest and, dramatically disrupted the microtubule network.

Rational design, structure, and biological evaluation of cyclic peptides mimicking the vascular endothelial growth factor.

Angiogenesis is the development of a novel vascular network from a pre-existing structure. Blocking angiogenesis is an attractive strategy to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis formation. Based on structural and mutagenesis data, we have developed novel cyclic peptides that mimic, simultaneously, two regions of the VEGF crucial for the interaction with the VEGF receptors. The peptides, displaying the best affinity for VEGF receptor 1 on a competition assay, inhibited endothelial cell transduction pathway, migration, and capillary-like tubes formation. The specificity of these peptides for VEGF receptors was demonstrated by microscopy using a fluorescent peptide derivative. The resolution of the structure of some cyclic peptides by NMR and molecular modeling has allowed the identification of various factors accounting for their inhibitory activity. Taken together, these results validate the selection of these two regions as targets to develop molecules able to disturb the development of cancer and angiogenesis-associated diseases.

Design, synthesis and anticancer properties of IsoCombretaQuinolines as potent tubulin assembly inhibitors.

The synthesis and evaluation of a new series of IsoCombretaQuinolines (IsoCoQuines) 2 with a 2-substituted-quinoline in place of the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl ring present in isoCA-4 and CA-4 are described. Most of these compounds displayed a potent cytotoxic activity (IC50 < 10 nM) against a panel of five human cancer cell lines and inhibited tubulin assembly at a micromolar level. The most potent analogue 2b, having a 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl as B-ring, led to cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. Docking studies indicate that 2b showed a binding mode comparable to those previously observed with quinazoline analogous (IsoCoQ) and with isoCA-4 at the colchicine binding site of tubulin.

Helical structure determined by NMR of the HIV-1 (345-392)Gag sequence, surrounding p2: implications for particle assembly and RNA packaging.

Gag protein oligomerization, an essential step during virus assembly, results in budding of spherical virus particles. This process is critically dependent on the spacer p2, located between the capsid and the nucleocapsid proteins. P2 contributes also, in association with NCp7, to specific recognition of the HIV-1 packaging signal resulting in viral genome encapsidation. There is no structural information about the 20 last amino acids of the C-terminal part of capsid (CA[CTD]) and p2, in the molecular mechanism of Gag assembly. In this study the structure of a peptide encompassing the 14 residues of p2 with the upstream 21 residues and the downstream 13 residues was determined by (1)H NMR in 30% trifluoroethanol (TFE). The main structural motif is a well-defined amphipathic alpha-helix including p2, the seven last residues of the CA(CTD), and the two first residues of NCp7. Peptides containing the p2 domain have a strong tendency to aggregate in solution, as shown by gel filtration analyses in pure H(2)O. To take into account the aggregation phenomena, models of dimer and trimer formed through hydrophobic or hydrophilic interfaces were constructed by molecular dynamic simulations. Gel shift experiments demonstrate that the presence of at least p2 and the 13 first residues of NCp7 is required for RNA binding. A computer-generated model of the Gag polyprotein segment (282-434)Gag interacting with the packaging element SL3 is proposed, illustrating the importance of p2 and NCp7 in genomic encapsidation.

A novel short peptide is a specific inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase.

The retroviral encoded protein integrase (IN) is required for the insertion of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral DNA into the host genome. In spite of the crucial role played by IN in the retroviral life cycle, which makes this enzyme an attractive target for the development of new anti-AIDS agents, very few inhibitors have been described and none seems to have a potential use in anti-HIV therapy. To obtain potent and specific IN inhibitors, we used the two-hybrid system to isolate short peptides. Using HIV-1 IN as a bait and a yeast genomic library as the source of inhibitory peptides (prey), we isolated a 33-mer peptide (I33) that bound tightly to the enzyme. I33 inhibited both in vitro IN activities, i.e. 3' end processing and strand transfer. Further analysis led us to select a shorter peptide, EBR28, corresponding to the N-terminal region of I33. Truncated variants showed that EBR28 interacted with the catalytic domain of IN interfering with the binding of the DNA substrate. Alanine single substitution of each EBR28 residue (alanine scanning) allowed the identification of essential amino acids involved in the inhibition. The EBR28 NMR structure shows that this peptide adopts an alpha-helical conformation with amphipathic properties. Additionally, EBR28 showed a significant antiviral effect when assayed on HIV-1 infected human cells. Thus, this potentially important short lead peptide may not only be helpful to design new anti-HIV agents, but also could prove very useful in further studies of the structural and functional characteristics of HIV-1 IN.

Antiangiogenic-Like Properties of Fermented Extracts of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants.

The three ayurvedic medicinal plants, Withania somnifera, Emblica officinalis, and Bacopa monnieri, were extracted by high-pressure static extraction using the Zippertex(®) technology. The extracts were mixed to reach quantifiable amounts of active compounds identified by high-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis. The mixture of extracts was incubated with resting cells of the fungus Beauveria bassiana ATCC 7159. The fermentation promoted the fluidization of the starting dense mixture, while HPLC monitoring evidenced the disappearance of glucogallin from E. officinalis extract and the concomitant increase in gallic acid content. Topical exposure of the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) to the nonfermented extract led to the extensive necrosis and destruction of the treated membrane. However, the fermented extract was shown to be free of any toxicity. Furthermore, compared with the untreated CAM, the fermented sample reduced CAM vascularization, suggesting its antiangiogenic potency. The innocuity of the fermented extract was demonstrated using the in vivo LD50 test, the morphological examination of internal organs of treated rats, as well as the evaluation of blood biomarkers of liver damage (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase). The fermented extract was developed as a nutraceutical antiangiogenic treatment of age-related macular degeneration and commercialized in an oral form named Ethnodyne-Visio™.

Structure-activity relationships of small phosphopeptides, inhibitors of Grb2 SH2 domain, and their prodrugs.

To develop potential antitumor agents directed toward HER2/ErbB2 overexpression in cancer, we have designed inhibitors of the recognition between the phosphotyrosine of the receptor and the SH2 domain of the adaptor protein Grb2. In the first part of the paper, we report the synthesis of mimetics of the constrained (alpha-Me)phosphotyrosine residue such as (alpha-Me)-4-phosphonomethylphenylalanine (-CH2PO3H2), (alpha-Me) 4-phosphonodifluoromethylphenylalanine (-CF2PO3H2), and (alpha-Me)-4-phosphonophenylalanine (-PO3H2). The incorporation of these residues in the mAZ-pTyr-Xaa-Asn-NH2 series provided compounds with very high affinity for the Grb2 SH2 domain, in the 10(-8)-10(-9) range of Kd values. These compounds behave as potent antagonists of the Grb2-Shc interaction. Our results highlight the importance of the doubly negative charge borne by the pY + 1 amino acid in accordance with the interactions observed in the complex crystallized between mAZ-pTyr-(alphaMe)pTyr-Asn-NH2 and the Grb2 SH2 domain. mAZ-pTyr-(alphaMe)pTyr-Asn-NH2 was derivatized as the S-acetyl thioester (SATE) of the phosphotyrosine residues, and its surrogates provided prodrugs with very potent antiproliferative activity on cells overexpressing HER2/ErbB2, with ED50 values amounting to 0.1 microM. Finally a new prodrug is put forth under the form of a monobenzyl ester of phosphate group that is as active as and much easier to synthesize than SATE prodrugs. These compounds show promising activity for further testing on in vivo models.

First total synthesis and stereochemical revision of laxaphycin B and its extension to lyngbyacyclamide A.

The first total synthesis of laxaphycin B was accomplished through stepwise automated Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS), leading to the structural revision of its stereochemistry especially with regard to the configuration of one of the two 3-hydroxyleucines of this cyclic dodecapeptide of marine origin. The analogous Lyngbyacyclamide A was obtained by an extension of this synthesis.

Design, synthesis and anticancer properties of 5-arylbenzoxepins as conformationally restricted isocombretastatin A-4 analogs.

A series of novel benzoxepins 6 was designed and prepared as rigid-isoCA-4 analogs according to a convergent strategy using the coupling of N-tosylhydrazones with aryl iodides under palladium catalysis. The most potent compound 6b, having the greatest resemblance to CA-4 and isoCA-4 displayed antiproliferative activity at nanomolar concentrations against various cancer cell lines and inhibited tubulin assembly at a micromolar range. In addition, benzoxepin 6b led to the arrest of HCT116, K562, H1299 and MDA-MB231 cancer cell lines in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and strongly induced apoptosis at low concentrations. Docking studies demonstrated that benzoxepin 6b adopt an orientation similar to that of isoCA-4 at the colchicine binding site on ß-tubulin.

Synthesis of aryl phosphates based on pyrimidine and triazine scaffolds.

The syntheses of the triazinyl-based bis-aryl phosphates 2 and 3, and of the aminopyrimidyl-based aryl phosphate 4 are described. Each compound contains a diaryl ether-phosphate structural motif. The synthetic route to bis-aryl phosphates 2 and 3 consisted in two nucleophilic substitution reactions with amines from cyanuric chloride, followed by a Suzuki coupling with the resulting 2,4-diamino-6-chloro-1,3,5-triazine derivative 12 to introduce the diaryl ether functionality. Aryl phosphate 4 was obtained via condensation of aryl guanidine 34 with aryloxyphenyl butenone 31. These de novo-designed aryl phosphates were evaluated as potential inhibitors of the Grb2-SH2 domain using an ELISA assay. The water-soluble sodium salt 26 of 3 gave an IC(50) value in the high micromolar range. Molecular modeling studies were subsequently performed upon modifying the 1,3,5-trisubstituted triazine scaffold of 3. Non-phosphate derivatives encompassing cyclopropane, pyrrole, keto-acid, and IZD fragments were thus step-wise designed and their Grb2-SH2 complexes were modeled by molecular dynamics. Some derivatives gave rise to an enriched pattern of H-bonds and cation-pi interactions with Grb2-SH2.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of the first podophyllotoxin analogues as potential vascular-disrupting agents.

We designed and synthesized two novel series of azapodophyllotoxin analogues as potential antivascular agents. A linker was inserted between the trimethoxyphenyl ring E and the tetracyclic ABCD moiety of the 4-aza-1,2-didehydropodophyllotoxins. In the first series, the linker enables free rotation between the two moieties; in the second series, conformational restriction of the E nucleus was considered. We have identified several new compounds with inhibitory activity toward tubulin polymerization similar to that of CA-4 and colchicine, while displaying low cytotoxic activity against normal and/or cancer cells. An aminologue and a methylenic analogue were shown to disrupt endothelial cell cords on Matrigel at subtoxic concentrations, and an original assay of drug washout allowed us to demonstrate the rapid reversibility of this effect. These two new analogues are promising leads for the development of vascular-disrupting agents in the podophyllotoxin series.

Biochemical and structural analysis of the binding determinants of a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor peptidic antagonist.

Cyclic peptide antagonist c[YYDEGLEE]-NH(2), which disrupts the interaction between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs), represents a promising tool in the fight against cancer and age-related macular degeneration. Furthermore, coupled to a cyclen derivative, this ligand could be used as a medicinal imaging agent. Nevertheless, before generating such molecular probes, some preliminary studies need to be undertaken in order to define the more suitable positions for introduction of the cyclen macrocycle. Through an Ala-scan study on this peptide, we identified its binding motif, and an NMR study highlights its binding sites on the VEGFR-1D2 Ig-like domain. Guided by the structural relationship results deduced from the effect of the peptides on endothelial cells, new peptides were synthesized and grafted on beads. Used in a pull-down assay, these new peptides trap the VEGFRs, thus confirming that the identified amino acid positions are suitable for further derivatization.