Synthesis of Truncated Carbocyclic Nucleosides Using 5'-Deoxy-5'-Heteroarylsulfonylnucleosides.

This article describes the detailed protocol for the synthesis of "truncated" carbocyclic nucleosides with a cyclopentene core and without a 4'-hydroxymethyl group. The synthesis was performed using 5'-deoxy-5'-heteroarylsulfonylnucleosides, which were prepared by the 5'-O-mesylation of the appropriately protected nucleosides, followed by a nucleophilic substitution with heteroarylthiols and the oxidation of the resulting 5'-S-heteroaryl-5'-thionucleosides. The treatment of the 5'-deoxy-5'-heteroarylsulfonylnucleosides with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene affords the truncated carbocyclic nucleosides, presumably via a domino reaction involving the α-deprotonation of the heteroarylsulfone, elimination of the nucleobase, formation of an α,ß-unsaturated sulfone, Michael addition of the nucleobase to the α,ß-unsaturated sulfone, and an intramolecular Julia-Kocienski reaction. This protocol would be useful for the short-step synthesis of biologically active carbocyclic nucleosides. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of 5'-deoxy-5'-heteroarylsulfonylnucleosides Basic Protocol 2: Synthesis of truncated carbocyclic nucleosides.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 2'-deoxy-6'-substituted carbocyclic nucleosides.

A series of 2'-deoxy carbocyclic nucleosides characterized by various 6'-substitutions were synthesized and evaluated for their antiviral activities against three viruses, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, and influenza virus. The in vitro antiviral assays indicated that these nucleosides only showed inhibitory activities against HBV, and the substituted groups at the 6' position significantly affected the activity. Among them, the guanosine analog 2b bearing a 6'-α-hydroxyl methyl group was the most potent compound with an EC50 value of 80 nM. The present study provided useful information for the discovery of antiviral carbocyclic nucleosides.

Genome mining integrating semi-rational protein engineering and nanoreactor design: roadmap for a robust biocatalyst for industrial resolution of Vince lactam.

Biomanufacturing of chemicals using biocatalysts is an attractive strategy for the production of valuable pharmaceuticals since it is usually more economical and has a much-reduced environmental impact. However, there are often challenges such as their thermal instability that should be overcome before a newly discovered enzyme is eventually translated into industrial processes. In this work, we describe a roadmap for the development of a robust catalyst for industrial resolution of Vince lactam, a key intermediate for the synthesis of carbocyclic-nucleoside-related pharmaceuticals. By a genome mining strategy, a new (+)-γ-lactamase (MiteL) from Microbacterium testaceum was successfully discovered and biochemically characterized. In vitro studies showed that the enzyme exhibited high activity but poor enantioselectivity (E = 6.3 ± 0.2) toward racemic Vince lactam, and thus, it is not suitable for industrial applications. Based on structural modeling and docking studies, a semi-rational engineering strategy combined with an efficient screening method was then applied to improve the enantioselectivity of MiteL. Several mutants with significant shifting stereoselectivity toward (-)-γ-lactam were obtained by site-saturation mutagenesis. Synergy effects led to the final mutant F14D/Q114R/M117L, which enabled efficient acquisition of (-)-γ-lactam with a high E value (> 200). The mutant was biochemically characterized, and the docking studies suggested a plausible mechanism for its improved selectivity. Finally, a sunflower-like nanoreactor was successfully constructed to improve the mutant's robustness via protein supramolecular self-assembly. Thus, the synergism between semi-rational protein engineering and self-assembling immobilization enabled construction of a nanoreactor with superior properties, which can be used for resolution of Vince lactam in large scale.

Synthesis of 1,1,2-trisubstituted cyclopropane nucleosides in enantiomerically pure forms.

Due to the unique rigid and small steric feature of cyclopropane, cyclopropane nucleosides (CPNs) in which the ribose (deoxyribose) of nucleosides are replaced by a hydroxy-substituted cyclopropane, are of great biological interest. Novel 1,1,2-trisubstituted cyclopropane nucleosides were synthesized in enantiomerically pure forms as potential antiviral agents. In the synthesis, two cyclopropane tosylates, which were prepared from chiral cyclopropane lactones previously reported by us, were used effectively as common intermediates for the CPNs. These CPNs are also potentially useful as nucleoside units to incorporate into oligonucleotides in nucleic acids chemotherapy studies.

Novel triazine-based pyrimidines suppress glomerular mesangial cells proliferation and matrix protein accumulation through a ROS-dependent mechanism in the diabetic milieu.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes worldwide. It is depicted as the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Oxidative stress plays a key role in hyperglycemia-induced DN. The preparation and characterization of novel mono-, di-, and trisubstituted-s-triazines endowed with uracil and/or thymine are described in this paper. The synthesis of the title compounds was realized through selective nucleophilic substitution reactions of cyanuric chloride with the corresponding hydrazide nucleobases. In this study, we assessed the effects of these derivatives on the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Our results show that trisubstituted-s-triazines endowed with acylhydrazides attenuate high-glucose induced glomerular mesangial cells proliferation and matrix protein accumulation in vitro. Notably, these derivatives also display anti-oxidative properties. This suggests that the novel trisubstituted-s-triazine derivatives provide renal protection through a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent mechanism. Our data provide evidence that these derivatives may serve as potential therapeutic candidates in the treatment of DN.

Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of cyclopentyl nucleoside phosphonates.

The synthesis of both 2'-hydroxy-3'-deoxy and 2'-deoxy-3'-hydroxy cyclopentyl nucleoside phosphonates with the natural nucleobases adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine from a single precursor has been performed. The guanine containing analogues showed antiviral activity. Especially the 3'-deoxy congener 23 was active, displaying an EC50 of 5.35 µM against TK+ VZV strain and an EC50 of 8.83 µM against TK- VZV strain, besides lacking cytotoxicity. However, the application of phosphonodiamidate prodrug strategy did not lead to a boost in antiviral activity.

Evaluation of the antiprotozoan properties of 5'-norcarbocyclic pyrimidine nucleosides.

Carbocyclic nucleoside analogues have a distinguished history as anti-infectious agents, including key antiviral agents. Toxicity was initially a concern but this was reduced by the introduction of 5'-nor variants. Here, we report the result of our preliminary screening of a series of 5'-norcarbocyclic uridine analogues against protozoan parasites, specifically the major pathogens Leishmania mexicana and Trypanosoma brucei. The series displayed antiparasite activity in the low to mid-micromolar range and establishes a preliminary structure-activity relationship, with the 4',N3-di-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-substituted analogues showing the most prominent activity. Utilizing an array of specially adapted cell lines, it was established that this series of analogues likely act through a common target. Moreover, the strong correlation between the trypanocidal and anti-leishmanial activities indicates that this mechanism is likely shared between the two species. EC50 values were unaffected by the disabling of pyrimidine biosynthesis in T. brucei, showing that these uridine analogues do not act directly on the enzymes of pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism. The lack of cross-resistance with 5-fluorouracil, also establishes that the carbocyclic analogues are not imported through the known uracil transporters, thus offering forth new insights for this class of nucleosides. The lack of cross-resistance with current trypanocides makes this compound class interesting for further exploration.

A novel entecavir analogue constructing with a spiro[2.4]heptane core structure in the aglycon moiety: Its synthesis and evaluation for anti-hepatitis B virus activity.

Synthesis of a novel 2'-deoxy-guanine carbocyclic nucleoside 4 constructed with spiro[2.4]heptane core structure in the aglycon moiety was carried out. Radical-mediated 5-exo-dig mode cyclization and following cyclopropanation proceeded efficiently to furnish the spiro alcohol 10. Subsequent Mitsunobu-type glycosylation between 13 and 14, deoxygenation of the 2'-hydroxyl group of 16 and deprotection of 17 gave the title compound 4. Compound 4 demonstrated moderate anti-HBV activity (EC50 value of 0.12 ± 0.02 µM) and no cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells was observed up to 100 µM.

Synthesis and anticancer activities of novel 8-azapurine carbocyclic nucleoside hydrazones.

A series of novel 8-azapurine carbocyclic nucleoside hydrazones were synthesized through a useful procedure starting from amino alcohol and pyrimido dichloride. All the products were characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and HRMS spectral analysis and the stereochemical structure of key intermediate was also confirmed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction crystallographic analysis. Moreover, the anticancer activities were evaluated in vitro against human liver cancer Huh-7 cell line and human breast cancer A549 cell line.

Synthesis of novel 4'α-trifluoromethyl-2'ß-C-methyl-carbodine analogs as anti-hepatitis C virus agents.

Novel 4 'α-trifluoromethyl-2 'ß-methyl carbocyclic nucleoside analogs have been prepared and evaluated for inhibition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA replication in cell cultures. Construction of cyclopentene intermediate 10a was achieved via sequential Johnson-Claisen orthoester rearrangement and ring-closing metathesis starting from the α-trifluoromethyl-α,ß-unsaturated ester 5. Stereoselective dihydroxylation and desilylation yielded the target carbodine analogs. The synthesized nucleoside analogs mentioned above (18 and 19) were assayed for their ability to inhibit HCV RNA replication in a subgenomic replicon Huh7 cell line (LucNeo#2). However, the synthesized nucleosides showed neither significant antiviral activity nor toxicity up to 50 µM.

Transport mechanisms of a novel antileukemic and antiviral compound 9-norbornyl-6-chloropurine.

6-Chloropurines substituted at the position 9 with variously modified bicyclic skeletons represent promising antiviral and anticancer agents. This work aimed to investigate the transport mechanisms of 9-[(1R*,2R*,4S*)-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-6-chloro-9H-purine (9-norbornyl-6-chloropurine, NCP) and their relationship to the metabolism and biological activity of the compound. Transport experiments were conducted in CCRF-CEM cells using radiolabeled compound ([(3)H]NCP). The pattern of the intracellular uptake of [(3)H]NCP in CCRF-CEM cells pointed to a combination of passive and facilitated diffusion as prevailing transport mechanisms. NCP intracellular metabolism was found to enhance its uptake by modifying NCP concentration gradient. The transport kinetics reached steady state under the conditions of MRP and MDR proteins blockade, indicating that NCP is a substrate for these efflux pumps. Their inhibition also increased the cytotoxicity of NCP. Our findings suggest that the novel nucleoside analog NCP has potential to become a new orally available antileukemic agent due to its rapid membrane permeation.

Synthesis and antiretroviral activity of novel 4'-fluoro-5'-deoxyphosphonic acid carbocyclic nucleoside analogs.

Novel 5'-deoxycarbocyclic purine phosphonic acid analogs with the 4'-electropositive moiety, fluorine were designed, and synthesized from glyceraldehyde. The cyclopentenol intermediate, 9, was successfully synthesized by the ring-closing metathesis of divinyl 8. The condensation reaction of cyclopentanol 15 with purine bases under Mitsunobu conditions successfully afforded the desired phosphonate analogs. The synthesized nucleoside phosphonic acid analogs, 19, 22, 26, and 29, were subjected to antiviral screening against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1. Guanine phosphonic acid analog 29 showed significant anti-HIV activity (EC50 = 10.3 µM).

9-Norbornyl-6-chloropurine is a novel antileukemic compound interacting with cellular GSH.

AIM: 6-Chloropurines substituted at position 9 with bicyclic skeletons represent promising chemotherapeutic agents. We explored the metabolism and membrane transport of 9-norbornyl-6-chloropurine (NCP) aiming to understand its mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The metabolism of NCP was studied in vitro in whole cells (CCRF-CEM), cellular extracts, subcellular fractions and purified enzymes. Transport experiments were conducted in Caco-2 cell monolayers. RESULTS: Three metabolites were identified, a glutathione conjugate (NCP-GS), NCP-cysteinylglycine and NCP-cysteine. Both glutathione-S-transferase inhibition and glutathione (GSH) depletion prevented metabolite formation and increased the cytotoxicity of NCP. Transepithelial transport (Caco-2) indicated good permeability, with Papp (12.6±0.3) ×10(-5) cm/s. Importantly, the drug induced glutathione depletion in treated cells and affected the activity of several GSH-dependent enzymes. CONCLUSION: The novel nucleoside analog NCP represents a promising orally available antileukemic agent, acting through lowering of GSH levels in tumor cells.