Affinity purification of human alpha galactosidase utilizing a novel small molecule biomimetic of alpha-D-galactose.

Alpha galactosidase (a-Gal) is an acidic hydrolase that plays a critical role in hydrolyzing the terminal alpha-galactoyl moiety from glycolipids and glycoproteins. There are over a hundred mutations reported for the GLA gene that encodes a-Gal that result in reduced protein synthesis, protein instability, and reduction in function. The deficiencies of a-Gal can cause Fabry disease, a rare lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by the failure to catabolize alpha-d-galactoyl glycolipid moieties. The current standard of care for Fabry disease is enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) where the purified recombinant form of human a-Gal is given to patients. The manufacture of a-Gal is currently performed utilizing traditional large-scale chromatography processes. Developing an affinity resin for the purification of a-Gal would reduce the complexity of the manufacturing process, reduce costs, and potentially produce a higher quality a-Gal. After the evaluation of many small molecules, a commercially available small molecule biomimetic, N-5-Carboxypentyl-1-deoxygalactonojirimycin (N5C-DGJ), was utilized for the development of a novel small molecule biomimetic affinity resin for a-Gal. Affinity purified a-Gal demonstrated a purity greater than 90%, exhibited expected thermal stability and specific activity. Complementing this affinity purification is the development of an elution buffer system that confers an increased thermal stability to a-Gal. The N5C-DGJ affinity resin tolerated sodium hydroxide sanitization with no loss of binding capacity, making it amenable to large scale purification processes and potential use in manufacturing. This novel method for purifying the challenging a-Gal enzyme can be extended to other enzyme replacement therapies.

Synthesis and Therapeutic Applications of Iminosugars in Cystic Fibrosis.

Iminosugars are sugar analogues endowed with a high pharmacological potential. The wide range of biological activities exhibited by these glycomimetics associated with their excellent drug profile make them attractive therapeutic candidates for several medical interventions. The ability of iminosugars to act as inhibitors or enhancers of carbohydrate-processing enzymes suggests their potential use as therapeutics for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). Herein we review the most relevant advances in the field, paying attention to both the chemical synthesis of the iminosugars and their biological evaluations, resulting from in vitro and in vivo assays. Starting from the example of the marketed drug NBDNJ (N-butyl deoxynojirimycin), a variety of iminosugars have exhibited the capacity to rescue the trafficking of F508del-CFTR (deletion of F508 residue in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator), either alone or in combination with other correctors. Interesting results have also been obtained when iminosugars were considered as anti-inflammatory agents in CF lung disease. The data herein reported demonstrate that iminosugars hold considerable potential to be applied for both therapeutic purposes.

Mechanistic Insights into the Chaperoning of Human Lysosomal-Galactosidase Activity: Highly Functionalized Aminocyclopentanes and C-5a-Substituted Derivatives of 4-epi-Isofagomine.

Glycosidase inhibitors have shown great potential as pharmacological chaperones for lysosomal storage diseases. In light of this, a series of new cyclopentanoid ß-galactosidase inhibitors were prepared and their inhibitory and pharmacological chaperoning activities determined and compared with those of lipophilic analogs of the potent ß-d-galactosidase inhibitor 4-epi-isofagomine. Structure-activity relationships were investigated by X-ray crystallography as well as by alterations in the cyclopentane moiety such as deoxygenation and replacement by fluorine of a "strategic" hydroxyl group. New compounds have revealed highly promising activities with a range of ß-galactosidase-compromised human cell lines and may serve as leads towards new pharmacological chaperones for GM1-gangliosidosis and Morquio B disease.

Imino- and Azasugar Protonation Inside Human Acid ß-Glucosidase, the Enzyme that is Defective in Gaucher Disease.

Gaucher disease is caused by mutations in human acid ß-glucosidase or glucocerebrosidase (GCase), the enzyme responsible for hydrolysis of glucosyl ceramide in the lysosomes. Imino- and azasugars such as 1-deoxynojirimycin and isofagomine are strong inhibitors of the enzyme and are of interest in pharmacological chaperone therapy of the disease. Despite several crystal structures of the enzyme with the imino- and azasugars bound in the active site having been resolved, the actual acid-base chemistry of the binding is not known. In this study we show, using photoinduced electron transfer (PET), that 1-deoxynojirimycin and isofagomine derivatives are protonated by human acid ß-glucosidase when bound, even if they are completely unprotonated outside the enzyme. While isofagomine derivative protonation to some degree was foreshadowed by earlier crystal structures, 1-deoxynojirimycin derivatives were not believed to act as basic amines in the enzyme.

Selective Targeting of the Interconversion between Glucosylceramide and Ceramide by Scaffold Tailoring of Iminosugar Inhibitors.

A series of simple C-alkyl pyrrolidines already known as cytotoxic inhibitors of ceramide glucosylation in melanoma cells can be converted into their corresponding 6-membered analogues by means of a simple ring expansion. This study illustrated how an isomerisation from iminosugar pyrrolidine toward piperidine could invert their targeting from glucosylceramide (GlcCer) formation toward GlcCer hydrolysis. Thus, we found that the 5-membered ring derivatives did not inhibit the hydrolysis reaction of GlcCer catalysed by lysosomal ß-glucocerebrosidase (GBA). On the other hand, the ring-expanded C-alkyl piperidine isomers, non-cytotoxic and inactive regarding ceramide glucosylation, revealed to be potent inhibitors of GBA. A molecular docking study showed that the positions of the piperidine ring of the compound 6b and its analogous 2-O-heptyl DIX 8 were similar to that of isofagomine. Furthermore, compound 6b promoted mutant GBA enhancements over 3-fold equivalent to that of the related O-Hept DIX 8 belonging to one of the most potent iminosugar-based pharmacological chaperone series reported to date.

4-epi-Isofagomine derivatives as pharmacological chaperones for the treatment of lysosomal diseases linked to ß-galactosidase mutations: Improved synthesis and biological investigations.

(5aR)-5a-C-pentyl-4-epi-isofagomine 1 is a powerful inhibitor of lysosomal ß-galactosidase and a remarkable chaperone for mutations associated with GM1-gangliosidosis and Morquio disease type B. We report herein an improved synthesis of this compound and analogs (5a-C-methyl, pentyl, nonyl and phenylethyl derivatives), and a crystal structure of a synthetic intermediate that confirms its configuration resulting from the addition of a Grignard reagent. These compounds were evaluated as glycosidase inhibitors and their potential as chaperones for mutant lysosomal galactosidases determined. Based on these results and on docking studies, the 5-C-pentyl derivative 1 was selected as the optimal structure for further investigations: this compound induces the maturation of mutated ß-galactosidase in fibroblasts of a GM1-gangliosidosis patient and promote the decrease of keratan sulfate and oligosaccharide load in patient cells. Compound 1 is clearly capable of restoring ß-galactosidase activity and of promoting maturation of the protein, which should result in significant clinical benefit. These properties strongly support the development of compound 1 for the treatment of GM1-gangliosidosis and Morquio disease type B patients harboring ß-galactosidase mutations sensitive to pharmacological chaperoning.

Synthesis of C-5a-chain extended derivatives of 4-epi-isofagomine: Powerful ß-galactosidase inhibitors and low concentration activators of GM1-gangliosidosis-related human lysosomal ß-galactosidase.

From an easily available partially protected formal derivative of 1-deoxymannojirimycin, by hydroxymethyl chain-branching and further elaboration, lipophilic analogs of the powerful ß-d-galactosidase inhibitor 4-epi-isofagomine have become available. New compounds exhibit improved inhibitory activities comparable to benchmark compound NOEV (N-octyl-epi-valienamine) and may serve as leads towards improved and more selective pharmacological chaperones for GM1-gangliosidosis.

Evaluation of fluoropyruvate as nucleophile in reactions catalysed by N-acetyl neuraminic acid lyase variants: scope, limitations and stereoselectivity.

The catalysis of reactions involving fluoropyruvate as donor by N-acetyl neuraminic acid lyase (NAL) variants was investigated. Under kinetic control, the wild-type enzyme catalysed the reaction between fluoropyruvate and N-acetyl mannosamine to give a 90 : 10 ratio of the (3R,4R)- and (3S,4R)-configured products; after extended reaction times, equilibration occurred to give a 30 : 70 mixture of these products. The efficiency and stereoselectivity of reactions of a range of substrates catalysed by the E192N, E192N/T167V/S208V and E192N/T167G NAL variants were also studied. Using fluoropyruvate and (2R,3S)- or (2S,3R)-2,3-dihydroxy-4-oxo-N,N-dipropylbutanamide as substrates, it was possible to obtain three of the four possible diastereomeric products; for each product, the ratio of anomeric and pyranose/furanose forms was determined. The crystal structure of S. aureus NAL in complex with fluoropyruvate was determined, assisting rationalisation of the stereochemical outcome of C-C bond formation.

Synthesis and evaluation of N-alkylated analogues of aza-galacto-fagomine - potential pharmacological chaperones for Krabbe disease.

Seven novel alkylated or acylated analogues of hexahydropyridazine aza-galacto-fagomine (AGF) was prepared and studied as glycosidase inhibitors with the aim of increasing inhibitory potency and selectivity. The enzyme galactocerebrosidase, implicated in Krabbe disease, was found to be potently inhibited by n-butyl N2-alkylated AGF.

A fluorescence study of isofagomine protonation in ß-glucosidase.

N-(10-Chloro-9-anthracenemethyl)isofagomine 5 and N-(10-chloro-9-anthracenemethyl)-1-deoxynojirimycin 6 were prepared, and their inhibition of almond ß-glucosidase was measured. The isofagomine derivative 5 was found to be a potent inhibitor, while the 1-deoxynojirimycin derivative 6 displayed no inhibition at the concentrations investigated. Fluorescence spectroscopy of 5 with almond ß-glucosidase at different pH values showed that the inhibitor nitrogen is not protonated when bound to the enzyme. Analysis of pH inhibition data confirmed that 5 binds as the amine to the enzyme's unprotonated dicarboxylate form. This is a radically different binding mode than has been observed with isofagomine and other iminosugars in the literature.

γ-Aminoalcohol rearrangement applied to pentahydroxylated azepanes provides pyrrolidines epimeric to homoDMDP.

A series of pentahydroxylated pyrrolidines, displaying five contiguous stereogenic centres and epimeric to α-glucosidase inhibitor homoDMDP, have been synthesized. The key step involves a γ-aminoalcohol rearrangement applied to polyhydroxylated azepanes. These five-membered iminosugars demonstrate micromolar inhibition of glycosidases.

Asymmetric syntheses of (-)-3-epi-Fagomine, (2R,3S,4R)-dihydroxypipecolic acid, and several polyhydroxylated homopipecolic acids.

A range of enantiopure polyhydroxylated piperidines, including (2R,3S,4R)-dihydroxypipecolic acid, (-)-3-epi-fagomine, (2S,3S,4R)-dihydroxyhomopipecolic acid, (2S,3R,4R)-dihydroxyhomopipecolic acid, and two trihydroxy-substituted homopipecolic acids, have been prepared using diastereoselective olefinic oxidations of a range of enantiopure tetrahydropyridines as the key step. The requisite substrates were readily prepared from tert-butyl sorbate using our diastereoselective hydroamination or aminohydroxylation protocols followed by ring-closing metathesis. After diastereoselective olefinic oxidation of the resultant enantiopure tetrahydropyridines and deprotection, enantiopure polyhydroxylated piperidines were isolated as single diastereoisomers (>99:1 dr) in good overall yield.

Synthesis of isofagomine-pyrrolidine hybrid sugars and analogues of (-)-steviamine and (+)-hyacinthacine C5 using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions.

Highly regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions between d-arabinose-derived nitrones and d-mannitol-derived trans-olefins have been utilized to synthesize isofagomine-pyrrolidine hybrid sugars, hydroxymethylated analogues of (-)-steviamine and analogues of (+)-hyacinthacine C5. All of the new compounds were subsequently tested against several commercially available glycosidases, and some of them showed good and selective glycosidase inhibition.

Concise synthesis of C-1-cyano-iminosugars via a new Staudinger/aza Wittig/Strecker multicomponent reaction strategy.

A new Staudinger/aza Wittig/Strecker multicomponent reaction sequence to C-1-cyano iminoalditols has been developed. When applied to 5-azidodeoxy-d-xylose and -d-glucose as substrates the method leads smoothly in good yield and with excellent stereoselectivity to respectively, 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-d-idurono nitrile and 2,6-didesoxy-2,6-imino-d-glycero-d-ido-heptononitrile.

Docking and SAR studies of calystegines: binding orientation and influence on pharmacological chaperone effects for Gaucher's disease.

We report on the identification of the required configuration and binding orientation of nor-tropane alkaloid calystegines against ß-glucocerebrosidase. Calystegine B2 is a potent competitive inhibitor of human lysosomal ß-glucocerebrosidase with Ki value of 3.3 µM. A molecular docking study revealed that calystegine B2 had a favorable van der Waals interactions (Phe128, Trp179, and Phe246) and the hydrogen bonding (Glu235, Glu340, Asp127, Trp179, Asn234, Trp381 and Asn396) was similar to that of isofagomine. All calystegine isomers bound into the same active site as calystegine B2 and the essential hydrogen bonds formed to Asp127, Glu235 and Glu340 were maintained. However, their binding orientations were obviously different. Calystegine A3 bound to ß-glucocerebrosidase with the same orientations as calystegine B2 (Type 1), while calystegine B3 and B4 had different binding orientations (Type 2). It is noteworthy that Type 1 orientated calystegines B2 and A3 effectively stabilized ß-glucocerebrosidase, and consequently increased intracellular ß-glucocerebrosidase activities in N370S fibroblasts, while Type 2 orientated calystegines B3 and B4 could not keep the enzyme activity. These results clearly indicate that the binding orientations of calystegines are changed by the configuration of the hydroxyl groups on the nor-tropane ring and the suitable binding orientation is a requirement for achieving a strong affinity to ß-glucocerebrosidase.

Chemical synthetic biology.

Although both the most popular form of synthetic biology (SB) and chemical synthetic biology (CSB) share the biotechnologically useful aim of making new forms of life, SB does so by using genetic manipulation of extant microorganism, while CSB utilises classic chemical procedures in order to obtain biological structures which are non-existent in nature. The main query concerning CSB is the philosophical question: why did nature do this, and not that? The idea then is to synthesise alternative structures in order to understand why nature operated in such a particular way. We briefly present here some various examples of CSB, including those cases of nucleic acids synthesised with pyranose instead of ribose, and proteins with a reduced alphabet of amino acids; also we report the developing research on the "never born proteins" (NBP) and "never born RNA" (NBRNA), up to the minimal cell project, where the issue is the preparation of semi-synthetic cells that can perform the basic functions of biological cells.

Combined inhibitor free-energy landscape and structural analysis reports on the mannosidase conformational coordinate.

Mannosidases catalyze the hydrolysis of a diverse range of polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, and the various sequence-based mannosidase families have evolved ingenious strategies to overcome the stereoelectronic challenges of mannoside chemistry. Using a combination of computational chemistry, inhibitor design and synthesis, and X-ray crystallography of inhibitor/enzyme complexes, it is demonstrated that mannoimidazole-type inhibitors are energetically poised to report faithfully on mannosidase transition-state conformation, and provide direct evidence for the conformational itinerary used by diverse mannosidases, including ß-mannanases from families GH26 and GH113. Isofagomine-type inhibitors are poor mimics of transition-state conformation, owing to the high energy barriers that must be crossed to attain mechanistically relevant conformations, however, these sugar-shaped heterocycles allow the acquisition of ternary complexes that span the active site, thus providing valuable insight into active-site residues involved in substrate recognition.

Bicyclic derivatives of L-idonojirimycin as pharmacological chaperones for neuronopathic forms of Gaucher disease.

New human ß-glucocerebrosidase (GCase) ligands with rigid 1,6-anhydro-ß-L-idonojirimycin cores have been designed with the aid of molecular modeling. Efficient pharmacological chaperones for the L444P (trafficking-incompetent) mutant GCase enzyme associated with type 2 and 3 Gaucher disease (GD) were identified.

N-O bond as a glycosidic-bond surrogate: synthetic studies toward polyhydroxylated N-alkoxypiperidines.

A series of novel polyhydroxylated N-alkoxypiperidines has been synthesized by ring-closing double reductive amination (DRA) of highly functionalized 1,5-dialdehydes with various hydroxylamines. The required saccharide-based dialdehydes were prepared efficiently from sodium cyclopentadienylide in seven steps. A two-step protocol has been developed for the DRA; it led, after deprotection, to isofagomine, 3-deoxyisofagomine, and numerous other N-alkoxy analogues. The barrier to inversion in these polyhydroxylated N-alkoxypiperidine derivatives was found by variable-temperature NMR methods to be approximately 15 kcal mol(-1). With the exception of N-hydroxyisofagomine itself, none of the compounds prepared showed significant inhibitory activity against sweet almond ß-glucosidase.

Applications and limitations of the I2-mediated carbamate annulation for the synthesis of piperidines: five- versus six-membered ring formation.

A protecting-group-free synthetic strategy for the synthesis of piperidines has been explored. Key in the synthesis is an I2-mediated carbamate annulation, which allows for the cyclization of hydroxy-substituted alkenylamines into piperidines, pyrrolidines, and furans. In this work, four chiral scaffolds were compared and contrasted, and it was observed that with both d-galactose and 2-deoxy-d-galactose as starting materials, the transformations into the piperidines 1-deoxygalactonorjirimycin (DGJ) and 4-epi-fagomine, respectively, could be achieved in few steps and good overall yields. When d-glucose was used as a starting material, only the furan product was formed, whereas the use of 2-deoxy-d-glucose resulted in reduced chemo- and stereoselectivity and the formation of four products. A mechanistic explanation for the formation of each annulation product could be provided, which has improved our understanding of the scope and limitations of the carbamate annulation for piperidine synthesis.