µ-Oxo-Hypervalent-Iodine-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H Amination for Synthesis of Benzolactam Derivatives.

Benzolactams have unique biological activity and high utility in the synthesis of valuable compounds with direct applicability to oxindole alkaloids and antibacterial agents. Despite recent advances in organic chemistry and the growing number of reported methods for synthesizing benzolactams, their preparation still requires a multistep process. C-H amination reactions can convert aromatic C(sp2)-H bonds directly to C(sp2)-N bonds, and this direct approach to C-N bond formation offers effective access to benzolactams. Hypervalent iodine reagents are promising tools for achieving oxidative C-H amination. Motivated by our ongoing research efforts toward the development of useful hypervalent-iodine-mediated oxidative transformations, we herein describe an effective intramolecular oxidative C-H amination reaction based on µ-oxo hypervalent iodine catalysis for the synthesis of benzolactams bearing various functional groups.

Controlling Intramolecular Interactions in the Design of Selective, High-Affinity Ligands for the CREBBP Bromodomain.

CREBBP (CBP/KAT3A) and its paralogue EP300 (KAT3B) are lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) that are essential for human development. They each comprise 10 domains through which they interact with >400 proteins, making them important transcriptional co-activators and key nodes in the human protein-protein interactome. The bromodomains of CREBBP and EP300 enable the binding of acetylated lysine residues from histones and a number of other important proteins, including p53, p73, E2F, and GATA1. Here, we report a work to develop a high-affinity, small-molecule ligand for the CREBBP and EP300 bromodomains [(-)-OXFBD05] that shows >100-fold selectivity over a representative member of the BET bromodomains, BRD4(1). Cellular studies using this ligand demonstrate that the inhibition of the CREBBP/EP300 bromodomain in HCT116 colon cancer cells results in lowered levels of c-Myc and a reduction in H3K18 and H3K27 acetylation. In hypoxia (<0.1% O2), the inhibition of the CREBBP/EP300 bromodomain results in the enhanced stabilization of HIF-1α.

Novel pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-3,11-dione (PBD) derivatives as selective HDAC6 inhibitors to suppress tumor metastasis and invasion in vitro and in vivo.

Selective inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) has been emerged as a promising approach to cancer treatment. As a pivotal strategy for drug discovery,molecular hybridization was introduced in this study and a series of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4] benzodiazepine-3,11-diones (PBDs) based hydroxamic acids was rationally designed and synthesizedas novel selective HDAC6 inhibitors. Preliminary in vitro enzyme inhibition assay and structure-activity relationship (SAR) discussion confirmed our design strategy and met the expectation. Several of the compounds showed high potent against HDAC6 enzyme in vitro, and compound A7 with a long aliphatic linker was revealed to have the similar activity as the positive control tubastatin A. Further in vitro characterization of A7 demonstrates the metastasis inhibitory potency in MDA-MB-231 cell line and western blotting showed that A7 could induce the upregulation of Ac-α-tubulin, but not induce the excessive acetylation of histone H3, which indicated that the compound had HDAC6 targeting effect in MDA-MB-231 cells. In vivo study revealed that compound A7 has satisfactory inhibitory effects onliver and lung metastasis of breast cancer in mice. Molecular docking released that A7 could fit well with the receptor and interact with some key residues, which lays a foundation for further structural modifications to elucidate the interaction mode between compounds and target protein. This pharmacological investigation workflow provided a reasonable and reference methodto examine the pharmacological effects of inhibiting HDAC6 with a single molecule, either in vitro or in vivo. All of these results suggested that A7 is a promising lead compound that could lead to the further development of novel selective HDAC6 inhibitors for the treatment of tumor metastasis.

A First-in-Class, Highly Selective and Cell-Active Allosteric Inhibitor of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 6.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) catalyzes monomethylation and asymmetric dimethylation of arginine residues in various proteins, plays important roles in biological processes, and is associated with multiple cancers. To date, a highly selective PRMT6 inhibitor has not been reported. Here we report the discovery and characterization of a first-in-class, highly selective allosteric inhibitor of PRMT6, (R)-2 (SGC6870). (R)-2 is a potent PRMT6 inhibitor (IC50 = 77 ± 6 nM) with outstanding selectivity for PRMT6 over a broad panel of other methyltransferases and nonepigenetic targets. Notably, the crystal structure of the PRMT6-(R)-2 complex and kinetic studies revealed (R)-2 binds a unique, induced allosteric pocket. Additionally, (R)-2 engages PRMT6 and potently inhibits its methyltransferase activity in cells. Moreover, (R)-2's enantiomer, (S)-2 (SGC6870N), is inactive against PRMT6 and can be utilized as a negative control. Collectively, (R)-2 is a well-characterized PRMT6 chemical probe and a valuable tool for further investigating PRMT6 functions in health and disease.

Dibenzodiazepinone-type muscarinic receptor antagonists conjugated to basic peptides: Impact of the linker moiety and unnatural amino acids on M2R selectivity.

The family of human muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (MRs) is characterized by a high sequence homology among the five subtypes (M1R-M5R), being the reason for a lack of subtype selective MR ligands. In continuation of our work on dualsteric dibenzodiazepinone-type M2R antagonists, a series of M2R ligands containing a dibenzodiazepinone pharmacophore linked to small basic peptides was synthesized (64 compounds). The linker moiety was varied with respect to length, number of basic nitrogens (0-2) and flexibility. Besides proteinogenic basic amino acids (Lys, Arg), shorter homologues of Lys and Arg, containing three and two methylene groups, respectively, as well as D-configured amino acids were incorporated. The type of linker had a marked impact on M2R affinity and also effected M2R selectivity. In contrast, the structure of the basic peptide rather determined M2R selectivity than M2R affinity. For example, the most M2R selective compound (UR-CG188, 89) with picomolar M2R affinity (pKi 9.60), exhibited a higher M2R selectivity (ratio of Ki M1R/M2R/M3R/M4R/M5R: 110:1:5200:55:2300) compared to the vast majority of reported M2R preferring MR ligands. For selected ligands, M2R antagonism was confirmed in a M2R miniG protein recruitment assay.

Discovery of a series of benzopyrimidodiazepinone TNK2 inhibitors via scaffold morphing.

The protein kinase TNK2 (ACK1) is an emerging drug target for a variety of indications, in particular for cancer where it plays a key role transmitting cell survival, growth and proliferative signals via modification of multiple downstream effectors by unique tyrosine phosphorylation events. Scaffold morphing based on our previous TNK2 inhibitor XMD8-87 identified urea 17 from which we developed the potent and selective compound 32. A co-crystal structure was obtained showing 32 interacting primarily with the main chain atoms of an alanine residue of the hinge region. Additional H-bonds exist between the urea NHs and the Thr205 and Asp270 residues.

Selective Fragments for the CREBBP Bromodomain Identified from an Encoded Self-assembly Chemical Library.

DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DECLs) are collections of chemical moieties individually coupled to distinctive DNA barcodes. Compounds can be displayed either at the end of a single DNA strand (i. e., single-pharmacophore libraries) or at the extremities of two complementary DNA strands (i. e., dual-pharmacophore libraries). In this work, we describe the use of a dual-pharmacophore encoded self-assembly chemical (ESAC) library for the affinity maturation of a known 4,5-dihydrobenzodiazepinone ring (THBD) acetyl-lysine (KAc) mimic for the cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CREBBP or CBP) bromodomain. The new pair of fragments discovered from library selection showed a sub-micromolar affinity for the CREBBP bromodomain in fluorescence polarization and ELISA assays, and selectivity against BRD4(1).

Discovery of novel PTHR1 antagonists: Design, synthesis, and structure activity relationships.

The discovery and optimization of a novel series of PTHR1 antagonists are described. Starting from known PTHR1 antagonists, we identified more potent 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one derivatives by means of a scaffold-hopping approach. The representative compound 23 (DS08210767) exhibited nanomolar-level PTHR1 antagonist activity and potential oral bioavailability in a pharmacokinetic study.

Development of Potent Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Useful for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain.

The unique role of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in terminating endocannabinoid (EC) signaling supports its relevance as a therapeutic target. Inhibition of EC metabolizing enzymes elicits indirect agonism of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) and therapeutic efficacy devoid of psychotropic effects. Based on our previous ligands, and aiming at the discovery of new selective FAAH inhibitors, we developed a series of 12 new compounds characterized by functionalized tricyclic scaffolds. All the developed compounds display negligible activity on monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and CBRs. The most potent FAAH inhibitors of the newly developed series, 6-oxo-5,6-dihydro-4H-benzo[f]pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]diazepin-9-yl-6-phenylhexylcarbamate (5 h) and 4-oxo-5,6-dihydro-4H-benzo[f]pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]diazepin-9-yl-(6-phenylhexyl)carbamate (5 i) (nanomolar FAAH inhibitors, the latter of which also shows micromolar affinity at the CB1 R), were selected for further studies. Results of cell-based studies on a neuroblastoma cell line (IMR32) demonstrated 5 h, 5 i, and our reference compound 3 ([3-(3-carbamoylpyrrol-1-yl)phenyl] N-(5-phenylpentyl)carbamate) to lack any cytotoxic effect, while all three showed the ability to decrease oxidative stress by reducing the expression of the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-κB. Encouraged by these data, these compounds were studied in vivo and were dosed orally in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. At 10 mg kg-1 all the compounds were able to relieve the hypersensitivity induced by oxaliplatin.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzo[b]furo[3,4-e][1,4]diazepin-1-one derivatives as anti-cancer agents.

A new series of novel Podophyllotoxin-like benzo[b]furo[3,4-e][1,4]diazepin-1-ones possessing structural elements of 4-aza-2,3-didehydropodophyllotoxins with central diazepine ring was designed and synthesized as anti-cancer agents. In initial assessment, the cytotoxic activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated against three cancer cell lines including MCF-7, PC3 and B16-F10 employing the MTT assay. Some of compounds (12h, 13a, 13c and 14b) showed significant cytotoxic activity. So, we investigated the cytotoxicity of compounds 12h, 13a, 13c and 14b, along with podophyllotoxin as the reference drug in different cancer cell lines including A549, A2780, DU145, HeLa, and normal Huvec cell line. Among these four compounds, 13c showed promising antiproliferative activity against all cancer cells stronger than the other compounds and comparable to reference drug podophyllotoxin in some cancer cells. All these four compounds did not show significant cytotoxicity on normal Huvec cell line. The flow cytometry analysis of the MCF-7, PC3 and A2780 human cancer cell lines treated with 13c showed that 13c, induced apoptosis in the MCF-7, PC3 and A2780 human cancer cell lines, which is in good agreement to its cytotoxic activity as well. Compound 13c did not show significant influence on tubulin assembly and exert its cytotoxic effects via induction of apoptosis and has potent and selective cytotoxic effects in cancer cells.

Novel (S)-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydropyrazino[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-6,12(2H,11H)-dione derivatives: Selective inhibition of MV-4-11 biphenotypic B myelomonocytic leukemia cells' growth is accompanied by reactive oxygen species overproduction and apoptosis.

A series of optically pure (R)- and (S)-1,3,4,12a-tetrahydropyrazino[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-6,12(2H,11H)-dione derivatives was designed and synthesized as novel anthramycin analogues in a three-step, one-pot procedure, and tested for their antiproliferative activity on nine following cell lines: MV-4-11, UMUC-3, MDA-MB-231, MCF7, LoVo, HT-29, A-549, A2780 and BALB/3T3. The key structural features responsible for exhibition of cytotoxic effect were determined: the (S)-configuration of chiral center and the presence of hydrophobic 4-biphenyl substituent in the side chain. Introduction of bromine atom into the 8 position (8g) or substitution of dilactam ring with benzyl group (8m) further improved the activity and selectivity of investigated compounds. Among others, compound 8g exhibited selective cytotoxic effect against MV-4-11 (IC50 = 8.7 µM) and HT-29 (IC50 = 17.8 µM) cell lines, while 8m showed noticeable anticancer activity against MV-4-11 (IC50 = 10.8 µM) and LoVo (IC50 = 11.0 µM) cell lines. The cell cycle arrest in G1/S checkpoint and apoptosis associated with overproduction of reactive oxygen species was also observed for 8e and 8m.

Biosynthesis of the Klebsiella oxytoca Pathogenicity Factor Tilivalline: Heterologous Expression, in Vitro Biosynthesis, and Inhibitor Development.

Tilvalline is a pyrrolo[4,2]benzodiazepine derivative produced by the pathobiont Klebsiella oxytoca and is the causative toxin in antibiotic associated hemorrhagic colitis (AAHC). Heterologous expression of the tilivalline biosynthetic gene cluster along with in vitro reconstitution of the respective NRPS (NpsA, ThdA, NpsB) was employed to reveal a nonenzymatic indole incorporation via a spontaneous Friedel-Crafts-like alkylation reaction. Furthermore, the heterologous system was used to generate novel tilivalline derivatives by supplementation of respective anthranilate and indole precursors. Finally, it could be shown that salicylic and acetylsalicylic acid inhibit the biosynthesis of tilivalline in K. oxytoca liquid culture, presumably by blocking the peptidyl carrier protein ThdA, pointing toward a potential application in combination therapy to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of AAHC.

Synthesis and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of [3H]LRRK2-IN-1 as a Novel Radioligand for LRRK2.

PURPOSE: LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) has recently been proven to be a promising drug target for Parkinson's disease (PD) due to an apparent enhanced activity caused by mutations associated with familial PD. To date, there have been no reports in which a LRRK2 inhibitor has been radiolabeled and used for in in vitro or in vivo studies of LRRK2. In the present study, we radiolabeled the LRRK2 ligand, LRRK-IN-1, for the purposes of performing in vitro (IC50, K d , B max, autoradiography) and in vivo (biodistribution, and blocking experiments) evaluations in rodents and human striatum tissues. PROCEDURES: [3H]LRRK2-IN-1 was prepared with high radiochemical purity (>99 %) and a specific activity of 41 Ci/mmol via tritium/hydrogen (T/H) exchange using Crabtree's catalyst. For IC50, K d , and B max determination, LRRK2-IN-1 was used as a competing drug for nonspecific binding assessment. The specific binding of the tracer was further evaluated via an in vivo blocking study in mice with a potent LRRK2 inhibitor, Pf-06447475. RESULTS: In vitro binding studies demonstrated a saturable binding site for [3H]LRRK2-IN-1 in rat kidney, rat brain striatum and human brain striatum with K d of 26 ± 3 and 43 ± 8, 48 ± 2 nM, respectively. In rat, the density of LRRK2 binding sites (B max) was higher in kidney (6.4 ± 0.04 pmol/mg) than in brain (2.5 ± 0.03 pmol/mg), however, in human brain striatum, the B max was 0.73 ± 0.01 pmol/mg protein. Autoradiography imaging in striatum of rat and human brain tissues gave results consistent with binding studies. In in vivo biodistribution and blocking studies in mice, co-administration with Pf-06447475 (10 mg/kg) reduced the uptake of [3H]LRRK2-IN-1 (%ID/g) by 50-60% in the kidney or brain. CONCLUSION: The high LRRK2 brain density observed in our study suggests the feasibility for positron emission tomography imaging of LRRK2 (a potential target) with radioligands of higher affinity and specificity.

Fluorination of an antiepileptic drug: A self supporting transporter by oxygen enrichment mechanism.

Drug therapy of seizures involves producing high levels of antiepileptic drugs in the blood. Drug must enter the brain by crossing from the blood into the brain tissue, called a transvascular route (TVR). Even before the drug can reach the brain tissue, factors such as systemic toxicity, macrophage phagocytises and reduction in oxygen content limit the success of this TVR. Encapsulating the drug within a nano scale delivering system, synthesising drugs with low molecular weight are the best mechanisms to deliver the drug to the brain. But through this article, we have explored a possibility of attaching a molecule 4-(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid (TFMBA), that possess more number of fluorine atom, to benzodiazepine (BDZ) resulting in an ionic salt (S)-(+)-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine5,11(10H,11aH)-dione with 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid. By this way, reducing the toxicity of BDZ than the conventional anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), increasing the solubility, reducing the melting point, enriching the TVR with excess oxygen content with the support of fluorine. With all these important prerequisites fulfilled, the drug along with the attached molecule is expected to travel more comfortably through the TVR without any external support than any other conventional AEDs. FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HRMS spectroscopy, HRTEM and In vitro cytotoxicity analysis supports this study.

Chemoselective Alkylation for Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of 1,3,4-Benzotriazepin-2-ones and Pyrrolo[1,2][1,3,4]benzotriazepin-6-ones, Potential Turn Surrogates.

1,3,4-Benzotriazepin-2-ones garner interest for medicinal applications, in part due to their relationship with benzodiazepinones. Ten 1,3,4-benzotriazepin-2-ones 6 and 19 and six pyrrolo[1,2][1,3,4]benzotriazepin-6-ones 7 and 23 were prepared in four to seven steps and 4-60% overall yields by a divergent strategy from methyl anthranilate employing chemoselective alkylations of common linear and cyclic precursors to diversify three triazepinone ring positions (N1, N3, and C5). X-ray crystallography demonstrated that benzotriazepinone 19g may serve as a γ-turn mimic.

γ-Turn Mimicry with Benzodiazepinones and Pyrrolobenzodiazepinones Synthesized from a Common Amino Ketone Intermediate.

To investigate diazepinone analogues as γ-turn mimics, seven 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones 6 and fourteen pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-ones 4 and 5 were synthesized from 1-(2-aminophenyl)pent-4-en-1-one (7). Acylation of aniline 7 with N-Boc-amino acids, olefin oxidation, Boc removal, and intramolecular Paal-Knorr condensation gave 4 and 5. Alternatively, Boc removal prior to oxidation gave benzodiazepinones 6, which were converted to 4 by ozonolysis and cyclization. Comparison of dihedral angle values for the amino acid component from X-ray analyses of 4g, 5f, and 6f and related diazepinones has catalogued the manner by which ring substituents affect the component's ability to mimic the central residues of γ-turns.

Synthesis, Chiral Separation, Absolute Configuration Assignment, and Biological Activity of Enantiomers of Retro-1 as Potent Inhibitors of Shiga Toxin.

The Shiga toxin (Stx) family is composed of related protein toxins produced by the bacteria Shigella dysenteriae and certain pathogenic strains of E. coli. No effective therapies for Stx intoxication have been developed yet. However, inhibitors that act on the intracellular trafficking of these toxins may provide new options for the development of therapeutic strategies. This study reports the synthesis, chromatographic separation, and pharmacological evaluation of the two enantiomers of Retro-1, a compound active against Stx and other such protein toxins. Retro-1 works by inhibiting retrograde transport of these toxins inside cells. In vitro experiments proved that the configuration of the stereocenter at position 5 is not crucial for the activity of this compound. X-ray diffraction data revealed (S)-Retro-1 to be slightly more active than (R)-Retro-1.

M2 Subtype preferring dibenzodiazepinone-type muscarinic receptor ligands: Effect of chemical homo-dimerization on orthosteric (and allosteric?) binding.

A series of new dibenzodiazepinone-type muscarinic receptor ligands, including two homo-dimeric compounds, was prepared. Sixteen representative compounds were characterized in equilibrium binding studies with [(3)H]N-methylscopolamine ([(3)H]NMS) at the muscarinic receptor subtype M2, and seven selected compounds were additionally investigated at M1, M3, M4 and M5 with respect to receptor subtype selectivity. The side chain of the known M2 preferring muscarinic receptor antagonist DIBA was widely varied with respect to chain length and type of the basic group (amine, imidazole, guanidine and piperazine). Most of the structural changes were well tolerated with respect to muscarinic receptor binding, determined by displacement of [(3)H]NMS. Compounds investigated at all subtypes shared a similar selectivity profile, which can be summarized as M2>M1≈M4>M3≈M5 (46, 50, 57, 62-64) and M2>M1≈M4>M3>M5 (1, 58). The homo-dimeric dibenzodiazepinone derivatives UNSW-MK250 (63) and UNSW-MK262 (64) exhibited the highest M2 receptor affinities (pIC50=9.0 and 9.2, respectively). At the M2 receptor a steep curve slope of -2 was found for the dimeric ligand 63, which cannot be described according to the law of mass action, suggesting a more complex mechanism of binding. In addition to equilibrium binding studies, for selected ligands, we determined pEC50,diss, an estimate of affinity to the allosteric site of M2 receptors occupied with [(3)H]NMS. Compounds 58 and 62-64 were capable of retarding [(3)H]NMS dissociation by a factor >10 (Emax,diss >92%), with highest potency (pEC50,diss=5.56) residing in the dimeric compound 64. As the monomeric counterpart of 64 was 100 times less potent (62: pEC50,diss=3.59), these data suggest that chemical dimerization of dibenzodiazepinone-type M receptor ligands can enhance allosteric binding.

Reversal of diastereoselectivity in the synthesis of peptidomimetic 3-carboxamide-1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones.

Enantiopure 3-carboxamide-1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones were synthesized via the Ugi reaction followed by the Staudinger/aza-Wittig or reduction reactions in only two steps. A complete reversal of diastereoselectivity was achieved depending on the cyclization methodology employed. The different orientation of the C3 substituent in our 3-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones with respect to the most studied 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones makes them complementary in the development of new drugs because the primary source of binding selectivity of 1,4-benzodiazepines is the selective recognition of ligand conformations by the receptor.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of combretabenzodiazepines: a novel class of anti-tubulin agents.

In the present manuscript, starting from the 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one nucleus, a privileged structure in medicinal chemistry, we have synthesized a novel class of cis-locked combretastatins named combreatabenzodiazepines. They show similar cytotoxic and antitubulin activity compared to combretastatin A-4 in neuroblastoma cells, showing a better pharmacokinetic profile. This class of compounds has therefore the potential for further development as antitubulin agents.