Synthesis and evaluation of multisubstrate inhibitors of an oncogene-encoded tyrosine-specific protein kinase. 2.

Tyrosine-specific protein kinases that transfer the terminal phosphate from ATP to protein acceptors are associated with certain transforming viruses and cell surface growth factor receptors. Here we describe the synthesis and testing of potential multisubstrate inhibitors of this class of enzymes. The inhibitors were prepared by covalent attachment of the terminal phosphate of ATP or its tetraphosphate analogue to tyrosine mimics. Testing against p60v-abl, the tyrosine kinase from the Abelson murine leukemia virus, showed that the series of inhibitors was moderately potent (IC50 values as low as 13 microM). However, structural modification of the tyrosine mimic, including replacement with a serine-like moiety, had little effect on potency. It is therefore concluded that the ATP moiety is largely responsible for binding and that the enzyme requires additional structural features for recognition of the tyrosine-containing substrate.

5,6-Diaryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles: a new class of immunoregulatory antiinflammatory agents.

A series of substituted 5,6-diaryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles were synthesized and evaluated in the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis and mouse oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity assays to determine the potential of these compounds for use as immunoregulatory antiinflammatory agents. This class of compounds was derived by combining salient structural features of the antiinflammatory agent flumizole and the immunoregulatory drug levamisole. Unlike the latter two, a number of compounds in the target series were found to possess the desired combination of activities. Exploration of structure-activity relationships in the adjuvant-induced arthritic rat assay revealed that optimal potency was exhibited by symmetrically substituted 5,6-diaryl compounds having one of the following alkyl heteroatom or halogen functions at the para position: methoxy, ethoxy, methylthio, N-ethyl-N-methylamino, fluoro, or chloro. Scrambling of these two substituent classes to yield the asymmetrically substituted 5,6-diaryl compounds resulted in potent activity only with the 5-alkyl heteroatom, 6-halo-substituted regioisomers. However in the oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity assay, no consistent relationship of variation in activity with structural change was apparent. The initial target compound 5,6-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole (1) was compared with its progenitors in additional models of inflammation and immunoregulation.

New leukotriene B4 receptor antagonist: leucettamine A and related imidazole alkaloids from the marine sponge Leucetta microraphis.

Three new imidazole alkaloids, leucettamines A [1] and B [2] and leucettamidine [3], have been isolated from the Palauan sponge Leucetta microraphis. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectral analyses. Leucettamine A showed potent leukotriene B4 receptor binding activity (K(i) = 1.3 microM), while leucettamine B was essentially inactive (K(i) = 100 microM) and leucettamidine showed significant activity (K(i) = 5.3 microM). With leucettamine A identified as a pure LTB4 receptor antagonist, a new structure lead is presented to inflammation therapy.

Conioidines A and B, novel DNA-interacting pyrrolidines from Chamaesaracha conioides.

Two novel pyrrolidine compounds, conioidines A [1] and B [2], have been isolated from the Texas plant, Chamaesaracha conioides (Solanaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and hydrolysis studies. Both natural products, like doxorubicin, showed DNA-specific KB cell cytotoxicity. Dose-response data indicated a Kd value of 2.8 microM for binding of conioidine A [1] to calf thymus DNA.