The R882H DNMT3A hot spot mutation stabilizes the formation of large DNMT3A oligomers with low DNA methyltransferase activity.

DNMT3A (DNA methyltransferase 3A) is a de novo DNA methyltransferase responsible for establishing CpG methylation patterns within the genome. DNMT3A activity is essential for normal development, and its dysfunction has been linked to developmental disorders and cancer. DNMT3A is frequently mutated in myeloid malignancies with the majority of mutations occurring at Arg-882, where R882H mutations are most frequent. The R882H mutation causes a reduction in DNA methyltransferase activity and hypomethylation at differentially-methylated regions within the genome, ultimately preventing hematopoietic stem cell differentiation and leading to leukemogenesis. Although the means by which the R882H DNMT3A mutation reduces enzymatic activity has been the subject of several studies, the precise mechanism by which this occurs has been elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that in the context of the full-length DNMT3A protein, the R882H mutation stabilizes the formation of large oligomeric DNMT3A species to reduce the overall DNA methyltransferase activity of the mutant protein as well as the WT-R882H complex in a dominant-negative manner. This shift in the DNMT3A oligomeric equilibrium and the resulting reduced enzymatic activity can be partially rescued in the presence of oligomer-disrupting DNMT3L, as well as DNMT3A point mutations along the oligomer-forming interface of the catalytic domain. In addition to modulating the oligomeric state of DNMT3A, the R882H mutation also leads to a DNA-binding defect, which may further reduce enzymatic activity. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the observed loss of DNMT3A activity associated with the R882H hot spot mutation in cancer.

Silica-Supported Oligomeric Benzyl Phosphate (Si-OBP) and Triazole Phosphate (Si-OTP) Alkylating Reagents.

The syntheses of silica-supported oligomeric benzyl phosphates (Si-OBP(n)) and triazole phosphates (Si-OTP(n)) using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) for use as efficient alkylating reagents is reported. Ease of synthesis and grafting onto the surface of norbornenyl-tagged (Nb-tagged) silica particles has been demonstrated for benzyl phosphate and triazole phosphate monomers. It is shown that these silica polymer hybrid reagents, Si-OBP(n) and Si-OTP(n), can be used to carry out alkylation reactions with an array of different nucleophiles to afford the corresponding benzylated and (triazolyl)methylated products in good yield and high purity.

Exploring chemical diversity via a modular reaction pairing strategy.

The efficient synthesis of an 80-member library of unique benzoxathiazocine 1,1-dioxides by a microwave-assisted, intermolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S(N)Ar) diversification pathway is reported. Eight benzofused sultam cores were generated by means of a sulfonylation/S(N)Ar/Mitsunobu reaction pairing protocol, and subsequently diversified by intermolecular S(N)Ar with ten chiral, non-racemic amine/amino alcohol building blocks. Computational analyses were employed to explore and evaluate the chemical diversity of the library.

Reagent based DOS: a "Click, Click, Cyclize" strategy to probe chemical space.

The synthesis of small organic molecules as probes for discovering new therapeutic agents has been an important aspect of chemical-biology. Herein we report a reagent-based, diversity-oriented synthetic (DOS) strategy to probe chemical and biological space via a "Click, Click, Cyclize" protocol. In this DOS approach, three sulfonamide linchpins underwent cyclization protocols with a variety of reagents to yield a collection of structurally diverse S-heterocycles. In silico analysis is utilized to evaluate the diversity of the compound collection against chemical space (PC analysis), shape space (PMI) and polar surface area (PSA) calculations.

S(N)Ar-based, facile synthesis of a library of benzothiaoxazepine-1,1'-dioxides.

The construction of a library of benzothiaoxazepine-1,1'-dioxides utilizing a one-pot, S(N)Ar diversification-ODCT(50) scavenging protocol is reported. This protocol combines microwave irradiation to facilitate the reaction, in conjunction with a soluble ROMP-derived scavenger (ODCT) to afford the desired products in good overall purity. Utilizing this protocol, a 78-member library was successfully synthesized and submitted for biological evaluation.

Discovery of 2,6-Dimethylpiperazines as Allosteric Inhibitors of CPS1.

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) is a potential synthetic lethal target in LKB1-deficient nonsmall cell lung cancer, where its overexpression supports the production of pyrimidine synthesis. In other cancer types, CPS1 overexpression and activity may prevent the accumulation of toxic levels of intratumoral ammonia to support tumor growth. Herein we report the discovery of a novel series of potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors of CPS1. Piperazine 2 was initially identified as a promising CPS1 inhibitor through a high-throughput screening effort. Subsequent structure-activity relationship optimization and structure-based drug design led to the discovery of piperazine H3B-616 (25), a potent allosteric inhibitor of CPS1 (IC50 = 66 nM).

Small Molecule Inhibition of CPS1 Activity through an Allosteric Pocket.

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) catalyzes the first step in the ammonia-detoxifying urea cycle, converting ammonia to carbamoyl phosphate under physiologic conditions. In cancer, CPS1 overexpression supports pyrimidine synthesis to promote tumor growth in some cancer types, while in others CPS1 activity prevents the buildup of toxic levels of intratumoral ammonia to allow for sustained tumor growth. Targeted CPS1 inhibitors may, therefore, provide a therapeutic benefit for cancer patients with tumors overexpressing CPS1. Herein, we describe the discovery of small-molecule CPS1 inhibitors that bind to a previously unknown allosteric pocket to block ATP hydrolysis in the first step of carbamoyl phosphate synthesis. CPS1 inhibitors are active in cellular assays, blocking both urea synthesis and CPS1 support of the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway, while having no activity against CPS2. These newly discovered CPS1 inhibitors are a first step toward providing researchers with valuable tools for probing CPS1 cancer biology.

One-pot, three-component, domino Heck-aza-Michael approach to libraries of functionalized 1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-acetic acids.

A sequential three-component synthesis of functionalized benzisothiazoline-3-acetic acid 1,1-dioxides utilizing a domino Heck-aza-Michael pathway is reported. This one-pot procedure rapidly assembles functionalized benzylsulfonamides, which undergo a palladium-catalyzed, domino, Heck-aza-Michael transformation in an experimentally straightforward manner. This attractive protocol has been utilized to synthesize three combinatorial sublibraries (I-III) comprising a total of 95 compounds in high purities (> or =95% for 75 compounds), yield and quantities.

Metathesis Cascade Strategies (ROM-RCM-CM): A DOS approach to Skeletally Diverse Sultams.

The development of a ring-opening metathesis/ring-closing metathesis/cross metathesis (ROM-RCM-CM) cascade strategy to the synthesis of a diverse collection of bi- and tricyclic sultams is reported. In this study, functionalized sultam scaffolds derived from intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reactions undergo metathesis cascades to yield a collection tricyclic sultams. Additional appendage based diversity was achieved by utilizing a variety of CM partners.

α-Haloarylsulfonamides: Multiple Cyclization Pathways to Skeletally Diverse Benzofused Sultams.

The development of new methods to skeletally diverse sultams based on a central α-halo benzene sulfonamide building block is reported. Several salient features of this building block are utilized in multiple reaction pathways, including the Heck reaction, C- and O-arylation, Sonogashira-Pauson-Khand, Sonogashira-intramolecular hydroamination, lithiative cyclization and domino aza-Michael Heck for the generation of 5-, 6- and 7-membered benzofused bicyclic and tricyclic sultams.

Microwave-assisted sequential one-pot protocol to benzothiadiazin-3-one-1,1-dioxides via a copper-catalyzed N-arylation strategy.

A microwave-assisted, sequential, one-pot protocol has been developed for the synthesis of a variety of benzothiadiazin-3-one-1,1-dioxides. This protocol utilizes a copper-catalyzed N-arylation of α-bromo-benzenesulfonamides with a number of amines to generate the corresponding 2-aminobenzenesulfonamides, which undergo cyclization to the desired sultams using carbonyl diimidazole (CDI). A range of conditions was evaluated for the key C-N bond formation step with tolerance toward functionalized amines.

High-load, oligomeric dichlorotriazine: a versatile ROMP-derived reagent and scavenger.

A new high-load, soluble oligomeric dichlorotriazine (ODCT) reagent derived from ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is reported as an effective coupling reagent, scavenger of nucleophilic species, and activator of DMSO for the classic Swern oxidations. Two variants of this reagent (2G)ODCT 4 and (1G)ODCT 16, possessing theoretical loads of 5.3 and 7.3 mmol/g, respectively, have been synthesized. Preparation was accomplished via simple synthetic protocols affording free flowing powders, amenable for large-scale production. Removal of the spent oligomeric reagent was achieved via either precipitation of the spent reagent or simple filtration utilizing a silica SPE, followed by solvent removal, to deliver products in excellent yield and purity. In addition, the corresponding norbornenyl monomer 3 was successfully demonstrated in a couple-ROMP-filter protocol utilizing in situ polymerization, achieving comparable results versus the corresponding oligomeric variant.

High-load, oligomeric monoamine hydrochloride: Facile generation via ROM polymerization and application as an electrophile scavenger.

A new high-load, oligomeric monoamine hydrochloride (OMAm*HCl) derived from ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene methylamine is reported. This oligomeric amine has been shown to be an effective scavenger of acid chlorides, sulfonyl chlorides and isocyanates. The reagent can be synthesized in a straightforward protocol from the Diels-Alder reaction of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) 1 with allylamine (neat), formation of the corresponding ammonium salt and subsequent ROM polymerization to afford the desired oligomeric ammonium salts.

Domino Heck-Aza-Michael Reactions: A One-Pot, Sequential Three-Component Approach to 1,1-Dioxido-1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-acetic Acid.

The development of a new method for the synthesis of 1,1-dioxido-1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-acetic acid by a domino process is reported whereby a classical Heck reaction is coupled to an intramolecular aza-Michael reaction. Ultimately, this method has been expanded to a one-pot, sequential three-component protocol to generate diverse benzofused γ-sultams from a range of commercially available α-bromobenzenesulfonyl chlorides, amines and Michael acceptors.

Synthesis of High-Load, Hybrid Silica-Immobilized Heterocyclic Benzyl Phosphate (Si-OHBP) and Triazolyl Phosphate (Si-OHTP) Alkylating Reagents.

The development of new ROMP-derived silica-immobilized heterocyclic phosphate reagents and their application in purification-free protocols is reported. Grafting of norbornenyl norbornenyl-functionalized (Nb-tagged) silica particles with functionalized Nb-tagged heterocyclic phosphate monomers efficiently yield high-load, hybrid silica-immobilized oligomeric heterobenzyl phosphates (Si-OHBP) and heterotriazolyl phosphates (Si-OHTP) as efficient alkylation agents. Applications of these reagents for the diversification of N-, O-, and S-nucleophilic species, for efficient heterobenzylation and hetero(triazolyl)methylation have been validated.

Catalytic phosphorylation using a bifunctional imidazole derived nucleophilic catalyst.

A bifunctional catalyst containing a polyether backbone and a nucleophilic imidazole moiety has been prepared that demonstrates cooperative catalysis in the presence of added group 1 and 2 salts for the phosphorylation of alcohols.

Facile (triazolyl)methylation of MACOS-derived benzofused sultams utilizing ROMP-derived OTP reagents.

A combination of MACOS scale-out and ROMP-derived oligomeric triazole phosphates (OTP(n)) have been successfully utilized for the preparation of a 106-member library of triazole containing benzothiaoxazepine-1,1-dioxides. This report demonstrates the utilization of a suite of soluble OTP(n) reagents for facile (triazolyl)methylation of 10 MACOS-derived sultam scaffolds in purification-free process for parallel synthesis of small molecule collections for HTS.

High-load, hybrid Si-ROMP reagents.

The combination of norbornenyl-tagged (Nb-tagged) silica particles and functionalized Nb-tagged monomers for the generation of hybrid Si-ROMP reagents and scavengers is reported. Specifically Si-ROMP-derived bis-acid chloride, dichlorotriazine, and triphenylphosphine scavenger/reagents have been grafted from the surface of silica particles utilizing surface-initiated, ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). These hybrid polymeric materials combine the physical properties of current immobilized silica reagents and represent a key advancement in load by merging the inherent tunable properties of the ROMP-derived oligomers with silica supports for application in a parallel synthesis.

Accessing Stereochemically Rich Sultams via Microwave-Assisted, Continuous Flow Organic Synthesis (MACOS) Scale-out.

The generation of stereochemically-rich benzothiaoxazepine-1,1'-dioxides for enrichment of high-throughput screening collections is reported. Utilizing a microwave-assisted, continuous flow organic synthesis platform (MACOS), scale-out of core benzothiaoxazepine-1,1'-dioxide scaffolds has been achieved on multi-gram scale using an epoxide opening/S(N)Ar cyclization protocol. Diversification of these sultam scaffolds was attained via a microwave-assisted intermolecular S(N)Ar reaction with a variety of amines. Overall, a facile, 2-step protocol generated a collection of benzothiaoxazepine-1,1'-dioxides possessing stereochemical complexity in rapid fashion, where all 8 stereoisomers were accessed from commercially available starting materials.