Design, synthesis, and conformational analysis of a novel macrocyclic HIV-protease inhibitor.

Design modifications to the lead HIV-PR inhibitor 1 (MDL 73,669, Ki = 5 nM) have been postulated based on a computational model of the 1/HIV-PR complex. A novel macrocyclic inhibitor 8 (MDL 104,168) wherein the P1 and P3 side chains of the original acyclic inhibitor have been joined retains good biological activity (Ki = 20 nM). NMR analysis of the precursor alcohol (S)-7 shows the conformation of the cyclic region to be very similar to that observed in the enzyme-bound 8 as determined by the computational model. Consistency of the computational model with NMR data and in vacuo molecular dynamics simulations provide the basis for postulating further modifications of the cyclic inhibitor expected to optimize its interactions with HIV-PR.

Inhibition of human neutrophil elastase. 4. Design, synthesis, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and structure-activity relationships for a series of P2-modified, orally active peptidyl pentafluoroethyl ketones.

A series of P2-modified, orally active peptidic inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) are reported. These pentafluoroethyl ketone-based inhibitors were designed using pentafluoroethyl ketone 1 as a model. Rational structural modifications were made at the P3, P2, and activating group (AG) portions of 1 based on structure-activity relationships (SAR) developed from in vitro (measured Ki) data and information provided by modeling studies that docked inhibitor 1 into the active site of HNE. The modeling-based design was corroborated with X-ray crystallographic analysis of the complex between 1 and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and subsequently the complex between 1 and HNE.

Identification in man of urinary metabolites of a new bronchodilator, MDL 257, using triple stage quadrupole mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry.

The structure elucidation of drug metabolites directly from urine by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for a new bronchodilator is described. When urine samples from human subjects dosed with 400 mg of MDL 257 were examined by MS/MS, three major urinary metabolites previously characterized in animal studies were confirmed and two previously unsuspected metabolites were identified. Using the operational modes of a triple stage quadrupole mass spectrometer, it is possible both to detect and to identify possible metabolites. Since the pure drug and its metabolites often contain common structural daughter ions, the parent spectra of these common daughter ions should contain some or all of the molecular ions of possible metabolites. Daughter spectra of these suspected molecular ions were obtained and the resulting daughter spectra were interpreted for structural information of suspected metabolites. This study confirms the utility of MS/MS to do rapid metabolic profiling and identification directly from complex samples such as urine, with minimal time for sample preparation and analysis. This technique can provide unique and complimentary data when combined with the more classical approaches such as HPLC profiling, isolation, and off-line spectroscopy.

Conformationally restricted leukotriene receptor antagonists: [(octahydro-2-oxo-7-tetradecylidene-2H-1-benzopyran-8-yl)thio]ace tic acids.

[(Octahydro-2-oxo-7-tetradecylidene-2H-1-benzopyran-8-yl)thio]acet ic acid (MDL 43,291) is a novel leukotriene (LT) receptor antagonist. It is a competitive antagonist of LTD4 (pA2 = 6.7) and LTE4 (pA2 = 6.7) and an apparent noncompetitive inhibitor of LTC4 ('pseudo' pA2 = 6.8) in the longitudinal muscle of the guinea pig ileum. At concentrations that effectively antagonize peptidoleukotriene-induced contractions, MDL 43,291 does not antagonize histamine, carbachol or substance P. In vivo, 10-30 mg/kg MDL 43,291, given intravenously, effectively inhibits increases in insufflation pressure induced by 100 ng/kg i.v. LTD4. This compound is a prototype of a novel class of leukotriene receptor antagonists that may be useful in the treatment of bronchial asthma and related disorders.