Peptidomimetic inhibitors of herpes simplex virus ribonucleotide reductase with improved in vivo antiviral activity.

We have been investigating the potential of a new class of antiviral compounds. These peptidomimetic derivatives prevent association of the two subunits of herpes simplex virus (HSV) ribonucleotide reductase (RR), an enzyme necessary for efficient replication of viral DNA. The compounds disclosed in this paper build on our previously published work. Structure-activity studies reveal beneficial modifications that result in improved antiviral potency in cell culture in a murine ocular model of HSV-induced keratitis. These modifications include a stereochemically defined (2,6-dimethylcyclohexyl)amino N-terminus, two ketomethylene amide bond isosteres, and a (1-ethylneopentyl)amino C-terminus. These three modifications led to the preparation of BILD 1351, our most potent antiherpetic agent containing a ureido N-terminus. Incorporation of the C-terminal modification into our inhibitor series based on a (phenylpropionyl)valine N-terminus provided BILD 1357, a significantly more potent antiviral compound than our previously published best compound, BILD 1263.

2',6'-Dimethylphenoxyacetyl: a new achiral high affinity P(3)-P(2) ligand for peptidomimetic-based HIV protease inhibitors.

Starting from palinavir (1), our lead HIV protease inhibitor, we have discovered a new series of truncated analogues in which the P(3)-P(2) quinaldic-valine portion of 1 was replaced by 2', 6'-dimethylphenoxyacetyl. With EC(50)'s in the 1-2 nM range, some of these compounds are among the most potent inhibitors of HIV replication in vitro, reported to date. One of the most promising members in this series (compound 27, BILA 2185 BS) exhibited a favorable overall pharmacokinetic profile, with 61% apparent oral bioavailability in rat. X-ray crystal structures and molecular modeling were used to rationalize the high potency resulting from incorporation of this structurally simple, achiral ligand into the P(3)-P(2) position of hydroxyethylamine-based HIV protease inhibitors.

Peptidomimetic inhibitors of the human cytomegalovirus protease.

The development of peptidomimetic inhibitors of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protease showing sub-micromolar potency in an enzymatic assay is described. Selective substitution of the amino acid residues of these inhibitors led to the identification of tripeptide inhibitors showing improvements in inhibitor potency of 27-fold relative to inhibitor 39 based upon the natural tetrapeptide sequence. Small side chains at P1 were well tolerated by this enzyme, a fact consistent with previous observations. The S2 binding pocket of HCMV protease was very permissive, tolerating lipophilic and basic residues. The substitutions tried at P3 indicated that a small increase in inhibitor potency could be realized by the substitution of a tert-leucine residue for valine. Substitutions of the N-terminal capping group did not significantly affect inhibitor potency. Pentafluoroethyl ketones, alpha,alpha-difluoro-beta-keto amides, phosphonates and alpha-keto amides were all effective substitutions for the activated carbonyl component and gave inhibitors which were selective for HCMV protease. A slight increase in potency was observed by lengthening the P1' residue of the alpha-keto amide series of inhibitors. This position also tolerated a variety of groups making this a potential site for future modifications which could modulate the physicochemical properties of these molecules.

Diastereoselective synthesis of 2,3,5-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans via cyclofunctionalization reactions. Evidence of stereoelectronic effects.

The work described herein considers the impact of stereoelectronic effects and allylic 1,3-strain in controlling the cyclofunctionalization reaction when a hydroxyl group is at the allylic position. The stereoelectronic arguments are supported by independent iodocyclization reactions performed using two secondary alcohols. The transition-state pathways involved in these reactions are established through a comparison of relative reaction rates. A bi-directional approach is used to demonstrate the potential of the iodocyclization reaction to differentiate a terminus in molecules with a pseudo C(2) axis of symmetry, showing that two-directional synthesis can be used to differentiate between alternative transition-state pathways.

Prevalence of occupational asthma and immunologic sensitization to guar gum among employees at a carpet-manufacturing plant.

Guar gum is a high-molecular-weight agent that can cause occupational rhinitis and asthma. We surveyed the employees at a carpet-manufacturing plant in which guar gum is used to adhere the dye to the fiber; 162/177 of the employees (92%) participated in the first part of the survey that included a questionnaire and skin prick tests with common allergens and guar gum (1 mg/ml). IgE and IgG antibodies to guar gum were also measured in those subjects (133/162 or 82%) who agreed to blood tests. Thirty-seven subjects (23%) had a history suggestive of occupational asthma and 59 (36%), of occupational rhinitis. Eight subjects (5%) demonstrated immediate skin reactivity to guar gum. Eleven subjects (8.3%) had serum IgE antibodies to guar gum. All subjects, except one subject who had a history suggestive of occupational asthma (n = 37) or positive skin tests (n = 4), participated in the second part of the study. A methacholine-inhalation test was performed during a workshift or in the 3 to 4 hours after the workshift. Five subjects had a concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 of less than 16 mg/ml (significant bronchial hyperresponsiveness) and positive skin reactions to guar gum. Four of these subjects underwent specific inhalation challenges. The remaining subject had a history of severe bronchospastic reaction on exposure to guar gum, and his FEV1 of 1.6 L made specific challenges impossible. Two subjects had typical isolated immediate reactions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Active site-directed inhibitors of Rhodococcus 20 S proteasome. Kinetics and mechanism.

We have studied the mechanism of inhibition of the recombinant Rhodococcus proteasome by four different chemical classes of active site-directed small molecule inhibitors. Clasto-lactacystin beta-lactone is a time-dependent inhibitor of the Rhodococcus proteasome's ability to hydrolyze Suc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-AMC, a substrate for this proteasome's single type of active site, and proceeds with a kinact/[I] of 1,700 M-1 s-1. Using peptide mapping of tryptic digests, LC/MS, and amino acid sequence analysis, we have established that the Ogamma of the hydroxyl group on the N-terminal threonine of the beta-subunit is the sole modification made by the beta-lactone. Active site titrations of the Rhodococcus proteasome with reversible peptide aldehydes show the expected stoichiometry of one inhibitor molecule per beta-subunit. Prior modification with beta-lactone completely abrogates the binding of peptidyl boronic acid inhibitors, suggesting that these inhibitors also inactivate the enzyme by reacting with the Ogamma moiety on Thr1. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of peptidyl vinyl sulfone-modified intact Rhodococcus proteasome beta-subunit and its tryptic peptides suggests that the peptidyl vinyl sulfone modifies a residue in the N-terminal 20 amino acids. This modification is also blocked by prior treatment with beta-lactone.

Purification, characterization, and localization of subunit interaction area of recombinant mouse ribonucleotide reductase R1 subunit.

Mammalian ribonucleotide reductase is a heterotetramer formed by the two non-identical homodimers proteins R1 and R2. We have succeeded in expressing the 90-kDa mouse R1 protein in Escherichia coli in an active, soluble form using the T7 RNA polymerase pET vector system. To avoid inclusion bodies, the bacteria were grown at 15 degrees C with minimal concentration of the inducer isopropyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside. After a rapid purification procedure, approximately 20 mg of pure R1 protein were obtained per liter of bacterial culture. The concentrated R1 protein solution had a pinkish red color. Spectroscopy in combination with iron and labile sulfur analyses demonstrated that the color originated from an iron-sulfur complex. However, all attempts to demonstrate a function of this complex have been inconclusive. A comparison of the recombinant R1 protein with the corresponding protein purified from calf thymus showed no evidence for glycosylation. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated an alpha-helical content of 50%. A flexible COOH-terminal tail of 7 residues in the R2 protein was earlier shown to be essential for binding to the R1 protein. Using a peptide protection assay and photoaffinity labeling, we now show that the R2 protein tail interacts with a region close to the carboxyl terminus of the R1 protein.