Discovery of a Potent Chloroacetamide GPX4 Inhibitor with Bioavailability to Enable Target Engagement in Mice, a Potential Tool Compound for Inducing Ferroptosis In Vivo.

Compounds that inhibit glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) hold promise as cancer therapeutics in their ability to induce a form of nonapoptotic cell death called ferroptosis. Our research identified 24, a structural analog of the potent GPX4 inhibitor RSL3, that has much better plasma stability (t1/2 > 5 h in mouse plasma). The bioavailability of 24 provided efficacious plasma drug concentrations with IP dosing, thus enabling in vivo studies to assess tolerability and efficacy. An efficacy study in mouse using a GPX4-sensitive tumor model found that doses of 24 up to 50 mg/kg were tolerated for 20 days but had no effect on tumor growth, although partial target engagement was observed in tumor homogenate.

Total Synthesis of Sanctolide A and Formal Synthesis of (2S)-Sanctolide A.

Two synthetic strategies employing phosphate tether-mediated one-pot sequential protocols for the total synthesis of the polyketide nonribosomal peptide macrolide, sanctolide A, and the formal synthesis of the (2S)-epimer of sanctolide A are reported. In this work, a phosphate tether-mediated one-pot sequential ring-closing metathesis/cross metathesis/substrate-controlled "H2"/tether removal approach was developed to accomplish the total synthesis of the natural product sanctolide A.

Tetracycline-inactivating enzymes from environmental, human commensal, and pathogenic bacteria cause broad-spectrum tetracycline resistance.

Tetracycline resistance by antibiotic inactivation was first identified in commensal organisms but has since been reported in environmental and pathogenic microbes. Here, we identify and characterize an expanded pool of tet(X)-like genes in environmental and human commensal metagenomes via inactivation by antibiotic selection of metagenomic libraries. These genes formed two distinct clades according to habitat of origin, and resistance phenotypes were similarly correlated. Each gene isolated from the human gut encodes resistance to all tetracyclines tested, including eravacycline and omadacycline. We report a biochemical and structural characterization of one enzyme, Tet(X7). Further, we identify Tet(X7) in a clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate and demonstrate its contribution to tetracycline resistance. Lastly, we show anhydrotetracycline and semi-synthetic analogues inhibit Tet(X7) to prevent enzymatic tetracycline degradation and increase tetracycline efficacy against strains expressing tet(X7). This work improves our understanding of resistance by tetracycline-inactivation and provides the foundation for an inhibition-based strategy for countering resistance.

Semisynthetic Analogues of Anhydrotetracycline as Inhibitors of Tetracycline Destructase Enzymes.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of semisynthetic anhydrotetracycline analogues as small molecule inhibitors of tetracycline-inactivating enzymes are reported. Inhibitor potency was found to vary as a function of enzyme (major) and substrate-inhibitor pair (minor), and anhydrotetracycline analogue stability to enzymatic and nonenzymatic degradation in solution contributes to their ability to rescue tetracycline activity in whole cell Escherichia coli expressing tetracycline destructase enzymes. Taken collectively, these results provide the framework for the rational design of next-generation inhibitor libraries en route to a viable and proactive adjuvant approach to combat the enzymatic degradation of tetracycline antibiotics.

Tetracycline-Inactivating Enzymes.

Tetracyclines have been foundational antibacterial agents for more than 70 years. Renewed interest in tetracycline antibiotics is being driven by advancements in tetracycline synthesis and strategic scaffold modifications designed to overcome established clinical resistance mechanisms including efflux and ribosome protection. Emerging new resistance mechanisms, including enzymatic antibiotic inactivation, threaten recent progress on bringing these next-generation tetracyclines to the clinic. Here we review the current state of knowledge on the structure, mechanism, and inhibition of tetracycline-inactivating enzymes.

P-Stereogenic Bicyclo[4.3.1]phosphite Boranes: Synthesis and Utility of Tunable P-Tether Systems for the Desymmetrization of C2-Symmetric 1,3-anti-Diols.

The development of P-stereogenic bicyclo[4.3.1]phosphite borane tether systems for the desymmetrization of C2-symmetric dienediols is reported. This report highlights preliminary studies including tether installation and removal as well as chemoselective functionalization of the exocyclic olefin via diimide reduction or cross-metathesis. Most notably, a divergent oxidation strategy allows for the transformation of the bicyclic phosphite borane complexes to the corresponding phosphate or thiophosphate systems, highlighting the electronic attenuation of this P-tether system.

P-Tether-Mediated, Iterative SN2'-Cuprate Alkylation Strategy to Skipped Polyol Stereotetrads: Utility of an Oxidative "Function Switch" with Phosphite-Borane Tethers.

The development of a P-tether-mediated, iterative SN2'-cuprate alkylation protocol for the formation of 1,3-skipped polyol stereotetrads is reported. This two-directional synthetic strategy builds molecular complexity from simple, readily prepared C2-symmetric dienediols and unites the chemistry of both temporary phosphite-borane tethers and temporary phosphate tethers-through an oxidative "function switch" of the P-tether itself-to generate intermediates that were previously inaccessible via either method alone.

Phosphate Tether-Mediated Ring-Closing Metathesis for the Generation of P-Stereogenic, Z-Configured Bicyclo[7.3.1]- and Bicyclo[8.3.1]phosphates.

A phosphate tether-mediated ring-closing metathesis (RCM) study to the synthesis of Z-configured, P-stereogenic bicyclo[7.3.1]- and bicyclo[8.3.1]phosphates is reported. Investigations suggest that C3-substitution, olefin substitution, and proximity of the forming olefin to the bridgehead carbon of the bicyclic affect the efficiency and stereochemical outcome of the RCM event. This study demonstrates the utility of phosphate tether-mediated desymmetrization of C2-symmetric, 1,3-anti-diol-containing dienes in the generation of macrocyclic phosphates with potential synthetic and biological utility.

Phosphate Tether-Mediated Ring-Closing Metathesis for the Generation of Medium to Large, P-Stereogenic Bicyclo[n.3.1]phosphates.

A phosphate tether-mediated ring-closing metathesis study towards the synthesis of P-stereogenic bicyclo[6.3.1]-, bicyclo[7.3.1]-, and bicyclo[8.3.1]phosphates is reported. This study demonstrates expanded utility of phosphate tether-mediated desymmetrization of C2-symmetric, 1,3-anti-diol dienes in generating complex medium to large, P-stereogenic bicyclo[n.3.1]phosphates..

Phosphate tethers in natural product synthesis.

Recent advances in phosphate tether-mediated natural product synthesis are reviewed. Synthetic approaches toward dolabelide C, (-)-salicylihalimide A, (-)-tetrahydrolipstatin, and (+)-strictifolione are included. In addition, current efforts in method development are briefly reviewed, including a detailed study on the effect of stereochemical complexity on the phosphate-mediated, diastereoselective ring-closing metathesis reaction and recent advances in multi-reaction, one-pot sequential processes mediated by the phosphate tether. Overall, this review seeks to highlight the utility of phosphate triesters to serve as multifunctional tethers with protecting group and latent leaving group characteristics and the ability to orchestrate multiple, orthogonal reaction pathways to allow for the facile synthesis of complex, bioactive small molecules and their analogs.

Phosphate-tether-mediated ring-closing metathesis for the preparation of complex 1,3-anti-diol-containing subunits.

An array of examples of diastereoselective, phosphate-tether-mediated ring-closing metathesis reactions, which highlight the importance of product ring size and substrate stereochemical compatibility, as well as complexity, is reported. Studies focus primarily on the formation of bicyclo[n.3.1]phosphates, involving the coupling of C2-symmetric dienediol subunits with a variety of simple, as well as complex, alcohol partners.