Synthesis and SAR of 5-aryl-furan-2-carboxamide derivatives as potent urotensin-II receptor antagonists.

The synthesis and biological evaluation as potential urotensin-II receptor antagonists of a series of 5-arylfuran-2-carboxamide derivatives 1, bearing a 4-(3-chloro-4-(piperidin-4-yloxy)benzyl)piperazin-1-yl group, are described. The results of a systematic SAR investigation of furan-2-carboxamides with C-5 aryl groups possessing a variety of aryl ring substituents led to identification of the 3,4-difluorophenyl analog 1y as a highly potent UT antagonist with an IC50 value of 6 nM. In addition, this substance was found to display high metabolic stability, and low hERG inhibition and cytotoxicity, and to have an acceptable PK profile.

Identification of N-(5-(phenoxymethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)acetamide derivatives as novel protein tyrosine phosphatase epsilon inhibitors exhibiting anti-osteoclastic activity.

Cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase epsilon (cyt-PTPε) plays a central role in controlling differentiation and function of osteoclasts, whose overactivation causes osteoporosis. Based on our previous study reporting a number of cyt-PTPε inhibitory chemical compounds, we carried out a further and extended analysis of our compounds to examine their effects on cyt-PTPε-mediated dephosphorylation and on osteoclast organization and differentiation. Among five compounds showing target selectivity to cyt-PTPε over three other phosphatases in vitro, two compounds exhibited an inhibitory effect against the dephosphorylation of cellular Src protein, the cyt-PTPε substrate. Moreover, these two compounds caused destabilization of the podosome structure that is necessary for the bone-resorbing activity of osteoclasts, and also attenuated cellular differentiation of monocytes into osteoclasts, without affecting cell viability. Therefore, these findings not only verified anti-osteoclastic effects of our cyt-PTPε inhibitory compounds, but also showed that cyt-PTPε expressed in osteoclasts could be a putative therapeutic target worth considering.

Benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide derivatives as potent urotensin-II receptor antagonists.

Members of a series of benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide derivatives, possessing an N-(1-(3-bromo-4-(piperidin-4-yloxy)benzyl)piperidin-4-yl) group, were synthesized and evaluated as urotensin-II receptor antagonists. The results show that these substances have potent UT binding affinities. Observations made in a systematic SAR investigation of the effects of a variety of substituents (R(1) and R(2)) at the 5- and 6-positions in the benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide moiety on UT binding affinities led to identification of the 5-cyano analog 7f as a highly potent UT antagonist with an IC50 value of 25nM. Despite having a good metabolic stability, 7f is a potent inhibitor of CYP isozyme and displays an unsuitable PK profile.

Synthesis and SAR of thieno[3,2-b]pyridinyl urea derivatives as urotensin-II receptor antagonists.

The preparation and SAR profile of thieno[3,2-b]pyridinyl urea derivatives as novel and potent urotensin-II receptor antagonists are described. An activity optimization study, probing the effects of substituents on thieno[3,2-b]pyridinyl core and benzyl group of the piperidinyl moiety, led to the identification of p-fluorobenzyl substituted thieno[3,2-b]pyridinyl urea 6n as a highly potent UT antagonist with an IC50 value of 13nM. Although 6n displays good metabolic stability and low hERG binding activity, it has an unacceptable oral bioavailability.

5-AIQ inhibits H2O2-induced apoptosis through reactive oxygen species scavenging and Akt/GSK-3ß signaling pathway in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

Poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a nuclear enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks and plays an important role in the tissue injury associated with ischemia and reperfusion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of 5-aminoisoquinolinone (5-AIQ), a PARP inhibitor, against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. 5-AIQ pretreatment significantly protected against H2O2-induced cell death, as determined by the XTT assay, cell counting, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, and Western blot analysis of apoptosis-related proteins such as caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2. Upregulation of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase accompanied the protective effect of 5-AIQ on H2O2-induced cell death. Our data also showed that 5-AIQ pretreatment protected H9c2 cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis by triggering activation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß), and that the protective effect of 5-AIQ was diminished by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 at a concentration that effectively abolished 5-AIQ-induced Akt and GSK-3ß activation. In addition, inhibiting the Akt/GSK-3ß pathway by LY294002 significantly attenuated the 5-AIQ-mediated decrease in cleaved caspase-3 and Bax activation and H9c2 cell apoptosis induction. Taken together, these results demonstrate that 5-AIQ prevents H2O2-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species production, regulating apoptosis-related proteins, and activating the Akt/GSK-3ß pathway.

Synthesis and SAR study of pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-7(6H)-one derivatives as melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH-R1) antagonists.

The discovery and optimization of novel pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-7(6H)-one MCH-R1 antagonists are described. A systematic SAR study probing the effects of aryl-, benzyl- and arylthio-substituents at the 2-position of the pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-7(6H)-ones led to identification of the 2-[(4-fluorophenyl)thio] derivative 7b as a highly potent MCH-R1 antagonist. This compound also has favorable pharmacokinetic properties along with a high metabolic stability and a minimal impact on CYP isoforms and hERG.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of naphtho[1,2-b]furan-2-carboxamide derivatives as melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists.

The discovery that novel naphtho[1,2-b]furan-2-carboxamides containing linked piperidinylphenylacetamide groups serve as melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH-R1) antagonists is described. An extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, probing members of this family that contain a variety of aryl and heteroaryl groups at C-5 of the naphtho[1,2-b]furan-2-carboxamide skeleton and having different chain linker lengths, led to the identification of the 5-(4-pyridinyl) substituted analog 10b as a highly potent MCH-R1 antagonist with an IC50 value of 3 nM. This substance also displays good metabolic stability and it does not significantly inhibit cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. However, 10b has unacceptable oral bioavailability.

Integrative genome-scale metabolic analysis of Vibrio vulnificus for drug targeting and discovery.

Although the genomes of many microbial pathogens have been studied to help identify effective drug targets and novel drugs, such efforts have not yet reached full fruition. In this study, we report a systems biological approach that efficiently utilizes genomic information for drug targeting and discovery, and apply this approach to the opportunistic pathogen Vibrio vulnificus CMCP6. First, we partially re-sequenced and fully re-annotated the V. vulnificus CMCP6 genome, and accordingly reconstructed its genome-scale metabolic network, VvuMBEL943. The validated network model was employed to systematically predict drug targets using the concept of metabolite essentiality, along with additional filtering criteria. Target genes encoding enzymes that interact with the five essential metabolites finally selected were experimentally validated. These five essential metabolites are critical to the survival of the cell, and hence were used to guide the cost-effective selection of chemical analogs, which were then screened for antimicrobial activity in a whole-cell assay. This approach is expected to help fill the existing gap between genomics and drug discovery.

4-arylphthalazin-1(2H)-one derivatives as potent antagonists of the melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH-R1).

A novel series of 4-arylphthalazin-1(2H)-one linked to arylpiperidines were synthesized and evaluated as MCH-R1 antagonists. The results of an extensive SAR study probing the effects of substituents on the 4-arylphthalazin-1(2H)-one C-4 aryl group led to the identification of the 4-(3,4-difluorophenyl) derivative as a highly potent MCH-R1 inhibitor with an IC(50)=1nM. However, further investigations showed that this substance has unacceptable pharmacokinetic properties including a high clearance and volume of distribution.

Synthesis and SAR investigations of novel 2-arylbenzimidazole derivatives as melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH-R1) antagonists.

Compounds containing 2-arybenzimidazole ring systems linked to arylpiperidines were synthesized and evaluated as MCH-R1 antagonists. The results of structure-activity relationship studies led to the identification of compound 4c as a potent MCH-R1 antagonist (IC(50)=1 nM). This compound also has good metabolic stability, and favorable pharmacokinetic and brain penetration properties. However 4c was found to be potent inhibitor of the hERG potassium channel.

A novel imidazo[1,5-b]isoquinolinone derivative, U63A05, inhibits Syk activation in mast cells to suppress IgE-mediated anaphylaxis in mice.

Mast cells play a pivotal role in IgE-mediated allergic responses. Development of specific inhibitors against FcεRI-associated proximal signaling molecules in mast cells may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for allergic diseases. We examined whether a novel synthetic compound, 3-butyl-1-chloro-8-(2-methoxycarbonyl)phenyl-5H-imidazo[1,5-b]isoquinolin-10-one (U63A05), could suppress antigen-stimulated degranulation and cytokine secretion in mast cells and IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. U63A05 reversibly and dose-dependently inhibited degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) stimulated by antigen (IC(50) values for RBL-2H3 and BMMCs were 4.1 and 4.8 µM, respectively). The secretion of inflammatory cytokines was also suppressed in antigen-stimulated mast cells. However, degranulation by thapsigargin, a typical calcium inducer, was not inhibited by U63A05. U63A05 exerts its inhibitory effect, to the same extent as in degranulation, on the activating phosphorylation of Syk and downstream signaling molecules, including LAT and SLP-76. Further downstream, the activating phosphorylations of Akt, Erk1/2, p38, and JNK were also inhibited. Finally, antigen-stimulated PCA was dose-dependently suppressed in mice (ED(50), 26.3 mg/kg). Taken together, the results suggest that U63A05 suppresses the activation of mast cells and the mast cell-mediated allergic response through the inhibition of Syk activation in mast cells.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-substituted-benzofuran-2-carboxylic esters as a novel class of ischemic cell death inhibitors.

A series of 3-substituted-benzofuran-2-carboxylic esters was synthesized and evaluated for biological activity as ischemic cell death inhibitors in H9c2 cells and rat primary cardiac myocytes under conditions of oxygen and glucose deprivation. The introduction of a sulfur atom at the three-position substituent of the benzofuran ring markedly improved ischemic cell death inhibitory potency. In particular, 3-[2-(4-nitro-phenylsulfanyl)-acetylamino]-benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ester (10) (EC(50)=0.532 µM, cell death=6.18%) and 4-chloro-3-[3-(pyridin-2-ylsulfanyl)-propionylamino]-benzofuran-2-carboxylic ester (18) (EC(50)=0.557 µM, cell death=7.02%) were shown to be the most potent in this series of benzofuran analogs.

KR-39038, a Novel GRK5 Inhibitor, Attenuates Cardiac Hypertrophy and Improves Cardiac Function in Heart Failure.

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) has been considered as a potential target for the treatment of heart failure as it has been reported to be an important regulator of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. To discover novel scaffolds that selectively inhibit GRK5, we have identified a novel small molecule inhibitor of GRK5, KR-39038 [7-((3-((4-((3-aminopropyl)amino)butyl)amino)propyl) amino)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-fluoroquinazolin-4(3H)-one]. KR-39038 exhibited potent inhibitory activity (IC50 value=0.02 µM) against GRK5 and significantly inhibited angiotensin II-induced cellular hypertrophy and HDAC5 phosphorylation in neonatal cardiomyocytes. In the pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy mouse model, the daily oral administration of KR-39038 (30 mg/kg) for 14 days showed a 43% reduction in the left ventricular weight. Besides, KR-39038 treatment (10 and 30 mg/kg/ day, p.o.) showed significant preservation of cardiac function and attenuation of myocardial remodeling in a rat model of chronic heart failure following coronary artery ligation. These results suggest that potent GRK5 inhibitor could effectively attenuate both cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in experimental heart failure, and KR-39038 may be useful as an effective GRK5 inhibitor for pharmaceutical applications.

A novel and orally active poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, KR-33889 [2-[methoxycarbonyl(4-methoxyphenyl) methylsulfanyl]-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide], attenuates injury in in vitro model of cell death and in vivo model of cardiac ischemia.

Blocking of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 has been expected to protect the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury. We have recently identified a novel and orally active PARP-1 inhibitor, KR-33889 [2-[methoxycarbonyl(4-methoxyphenyl)-methylsulfanyl]-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide], and its major metabolite, KR-34285 [2-[carboxy(4-methoxyphenyl)methylsulfanyl]-1H-benzimidazole-4-carboxylic acid amide]. KR-33889 potently inhibited PARP-1 activity with an IC(50) value of 0.52 +/- 0.10 microM. In H9c2 myocardial cells, KR-33889 (0.03-30 microM) showed a resistance to hydrogen peroxide (2 mM)-mediated oxidative insult and significantly attenuated activation of intracellular PARP-1. In anesthetized rats subjected to 30 min of coronary occlusion and 3 h of reperfusion, KR-33889 (0.3-3 mg/kg i.v.) dose-dependently reduced myocardial infarct size. KR-34285, a major metabolite of KR-33889, exerted similar patterns to the parent compound with equi- or weaker potency in the same studies described above. In separate experiments for the therapeutic time window study, KR-33889 (3 mg/kg i.v.) given at preischemia, at reperfusion or in both, in rat models also significantly reduced the myocardial infarction compared with their respective vehicle-treated group. Furthermore, the oral administration of KR-33889 (1-10 mg/kg p.o.) at 1 h before occlusion significantly reduced myocardial injury. The ability of KR-33889 to inhibit PARP in the rat model of ischemic heart was confirmed by immunohistochemical detection of poly(ADP-ribose) activation. These results indicate that the novel PARP inhibitor KR-33889 exerts its cardioprotective effect in in vitro and in vivo studies of myocardial ischemia via potent PARP inhibition and also suggest that KR-33889 could be an attractive therapeutic candidate with oral activity for several cardiovascular disorders, including myocardial infarction.

(2-Aryl-5-methylimidazol-4-ylcarbonyl)guanidines and (2-aryl-5-methyloxazol-4-ylcarbonyl)guanidines as NHE-1 inhibitors.

A series of (2-aryl-5-methylimidazol-4-ylcarbonyl)guanidines and (2-aryl-5-methyloxazol-4-ylcarbonyl)guanidines were synthesized and evaluated as NHE-1 inhibitors. The structure-activity relationships well matched those of furan derivatives, which were previously investigated. The (2,5-disubstituted)phenyl compounds showed better activities than the other analogues in both imidazole and oxazole compounds. Especially, 2-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)imidazole 52, and 2-(2-methoxy-5-chlorophenyl)imidazole 54 compounds exhibited potent cardioprotective efficacy both in vitro and in vivo as well as high NHE-1 inhibitory activities.

KR-31831, benzopyran derivative, inhibits VEGF-induced angiogenesis of HUVECs through suppressing KDR expression.

Angiogenesis is important in the development and progression of cancer, therefore the therapeutic approach based on anti-angiogenesis may represent a promising therapeutic option. KR-31831 is a novel anti-ischemic agent. Previously, we reported the anti-angiogenic activity of KR-31831. In the present study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-angiogenic activity of KR-31831. We show that KR-31831 inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation and tube formation via release of intracellular Ca2+ and phosphorylation of extra-cellular regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk 1/2) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, the expression of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2, known as Flk-1 or KDR) was reduced by the treatment of KR-31831. These results suggest that KR-31831 may have inhibitory effects on tumor angiogenesis through down-regulation of KDR expression.

KR-31762, a novel KATP channel opener, exerts cardioprotective effects by opening SarcKATP channels in rat models of ischemia/reperfusion-induced heart injury.

The cardioprotective effects of KR-31762, a newly synthesized K+(ATP) opener, were evaluated in rat models of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) heart injury. In isolated rat hearts subjected to 30-min global ischemia followed by 30-min reperfusion, KR-31762 (3 and 10 microM) significantly increased the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and double product (heart rate x LVDP) after 30-min reperfusion in a concentration-dependent manner, while decreasing the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). KR-31762 also significantly increased the time to contracture (TTC) during ischemic period (20.0, 22.4 and 26.4 min for control, 3 and 10 microM, respectively), while decreasing the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from the heart during 30 min reperfusion (30.4, 14.3 and 19.7 U/g heart weight, respectively). All these parameters except LDH release were reversed by glyburide (1 microM), a nonselective blocker of K+(ATP) channel, but not by 5-hydroxydecanoate, a selective blocker of mitoK+(ATP) channel. In anesthetized rats subjected to 45-min occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 90-min reperfusion, KR-31762 significantly decreased the infarct size (60.8, 40.5 and 37.8% for control, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg, iv, respectively). KR-31762 slightly relaxed the isolated rat aorta precontracted with methoxamine (IC(50): 23.5 microM). These results suggest that KR-31762 exerts potent cardioprotective effects through the opening of sarcolemmal K(ATP) channel in rat hearts with the minimal vasorelaxant effects.

Pharmacodynamic characteristics and cardioprotective effects of new NHE1 inhibitors.

Inhibitors of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) 1 have been shown to exert protective effects on various myocardial injuries. In this study, we characterized the pharmacodynamic properties of new guanidine NHE1 inhibitors (cariporide, sabiporide, KR-32511, KR-32570, and KR-33028) to analyze their myocardial protective effects. Although NHE1 is the major NHE isoform in cardiomyocytes, IC(50)values of these chemicals tested in rat cardiomyocytes were significantly different from those in PS120/hNHE1 cells where human NHE1 is heterologously expressed. In rat cardiomyocytes, KR-32570 and KR-33028 exhibited the highest potencies and their IC(50)values were 7+/-2 nM and 9+/-3 nM, respectively. The IC(50)values of all the chemicals tested on rat submandibular gland NHE2 were in the micromolar range, and they showed no inhibitory effects on hNHE3 and epithelial Na(+) channels up to 30 microM, suggesting a high selectivity toward NHE1. Sabiporide and KR-32570 exhibited slow dissociation kinetics with NHE1 inhibition persisting even after rinsing-out. When the cytoprotective effects of chemicals against hypoxic damage of rat cardiomyocytes were examined, the order of potency was KR-32570>or=KR-33028>sabiporide>cariporide>KR-32511. This order was exactly the same as that for the NHE1 inhibition in rat cardiomyocytes and did not correlate with any other properties, including the slow dissociation kinetics. Taken together, these results suggest that KR-32570 and KR-33028 are potent candidates for cardioprotective agents, and that the IC(50) in the target organ is the most critical factor governing the cytoprotective effects of NHE1 inhibitors.

Effects of KR-33028, a novel Na+/H+ exchanger-1 inhibitor, on ischemia and reperfusion-induced myocardial infarction in rats and dogs.

The present study was performed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of KR-33028, a novel Na+/H+ exchanger subtype 1 (NHE-1) inhibitor, in rat and dog models of coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. In anesthetized rats subjected to a 45-min coronary occlusion and a 90-min reperfusion, KR-33028 at 5 min before occlusion (i.v. bolus) dose-dependently reduced myocardial infarct size from 58.0% to 46.6%, 40.3%, 39.7%, 33.1%, and 27.8% for 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg respectively (P < 0.05). In anesthetized beagle dogs that underwent a 1.0-h occlusion followed by a 3.0-h reperfusion, KR-33028 (3 mg/kg, i.v. bolus) markedly decreased infarct size from 45.6% in vehicle-treated group to 16.4% (P < 0.05), and reduced the reperfusion-induced release in creatine kinase myocardial band isoenzyme (MB), lactate dehydrogenase, troponin-I, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. In separate experiments to assess the effects of timing of treatment, KR-33028 (1 mg/kg, i.v. bolus) given 10 min before or at reperfusion in rat models also significantly reduced the myocardial infarct size (46.3% and 44.1% respectively) compared with vehicle-treated group. In all studies, KR-33028 caused no significant changes in any hemodynamic profiles. In an isolated rat heart model of hypothermic cardioplegia, KR-33028 (30 mum), which was added to the heart preservation solution (histidin-tryptophan-ketoglutarate) during hypothermic cardioplegic arrest, significantly improved the recovery of left ventricular developed pressure, heart rate and dP/dt(max) after reperfusion. Taken together, these results indicate that KR-33028 significantly reduced the myocardial infarction induced by ischemia and reperfusion in rats and dogs, without affecting hemodynamic profiles.

Cardioprotective effects of BMS-180448, a prototype mitoK(ATP) channel opener, and the role of salvage kinases, in the rat model of global ischemia and reperfusion heart injury.

To investigate the involvement of reperfusion-induced salvage kinases (RISK) as possible signaling molecules for the cardioprotective effects of BMS-180448, a prototype mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ (mitoK(ATP)) channel opener, we measured its cardioprotective effects in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) heart injury, together with western blotting analysis of five different signaling proteins. In isolated rat hearts subjected to 30-min global ischemia followed by 30-min reperfusion, BMS-180448 (1, 3 and 10 microM) significantly increased reperfusion left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and 30-min reperfusion double product (heart rate x LVDP) in a concentration-dependent manner, while decreasing left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) throughout reperfusion period in a concentration-dependent manner. SDS-PAGE/western blotting analysis of left ventricle reperfused for 30 min revealed that BMS-180448 significantly decreased phospho-GSK3beta at high concentration, whereas it tended to increase slightly phospho-eNOS and phospho-p70S6K with concentration. However, BMS-180448 had no effect on phospho-Akt and phospho-Bad. These results suggest that the cardioprotective effects of BMS-180448 against I/R heart injury may result from direct activation of mitoK(ATP) channel in cardiomyocytes, with the minimal role of RISK pathway in the activation of this channel and the cardioprotective effects of BMS-180448.