Targeting SUMOylation dependency in human cancer stem cells through a unique SAE2 motif revealed by chemical genomics.

Natural products (NPs) encompass a rich source of bioactive chemical entities. Here, we used human cancer stem cells (CSCs) in a chemical genomics campaign with NP chemical space to interrogate extracts from diverse strains of actinomycete for anti-cancer properties. We identified a compound (McM25044) capable of selectively inhibiting human CSC function versus normal stem cell counterparts. Biochemical and molecular studies revealed that McM025044 exerts inhibition on human CSCs through the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) cascade, found to be hyperactive in a variety of human cancers. McM025044 impedes the SUMOylation pathway via direct targeting of the SAE1/2 complex. Treatment of patient-derived CSCs resulted in reduced levels of SUMOylated proteins and suppression of progenitor and stem cell capacity measured in vitro and in vivo. Our study overcomes a barrier in chemically inhibiting oncogenic SUMOylation activity and uncovers a unique role for SAE2 in the biology of human cancers.

Bismuth(iii)-catalyzed regioselective alkylation of tetrahydroquinolines and indolines towards the synthesis of bioactive core-biaryl oxindoles and CYP19 inhibitors.

Bismuth(iii)-catalyzed regioselective functionalization at the C-6 position of tetrahydroquinolines and the C-5 position of indolines has been demonstrated. For the first time, one pot symmetrical and unsymmetrical arylation of isatins with tetrahydroquinolines was accomplished giving a completely new product skeleton in good to excellent yields. Most importantly, this protocol leads to the formation of a highly strained quaternary carbon stereogenic center, which is a challenging task. Benzhydryl and 1-phenylethyl trichloroacetimidates have been used as the alkylating partners to functionalize the C-6 and C-5 positions of tetrahydroquinolines and indolines, respectively. The scope of the developed methodology has been extended for the synthesis of the bioactive CYP19-inhibitor and its analogue.

Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Malonate Addition onto 3-Hydroxy-2-oxindoles: Mechanistic Consideration and Synthetic Approaches to the Pyrroloindoline Alkaloids.

Metal triflate-catalyzed reactions of 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles with a variety of malonates have been developed under mild conditions. The reaction afford a variety of 2-oxindoles sharing a C-3 quaternary center at the pseudobenzylic position in an operationally simple procedure. Control experiments using enantioenriched 3-hydroxy/methoxy 2-oxindoles (91% ee) afforded a malonate addition product in racemic form, clearly suggesting that the reaction proceeds through an in situ generated 2 H-indol-2-one intermediate (4a). Synthetic potential of this methodology has been shown by approaching the cyclotryptamine alkaloids linked with the aryl group at the pseudobenzylic position.

Cu(ii)-tBu-PHOX catalyzed enantioselective malonate addition onto 3-hydroxy 2-oxindoles: application in the synthesis of dimeric pyrroloindoline alkaloids.

An efficient Cu(ii)-PHOX-catalyzed malonate addition onto 3-hydroxy 3-indolyl-2-oxindoles is envisioned to afford excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) in high chemical yields. Detailed characterization techniques including X-ray, NMR, CV and EPR experiments suggest that a Cu(ii)-complex is involved as an active species in this process. Applying this strategy, an advanced intermediate of cyclotryptamine alkaloids has been synthesized in few steps for a general approach to bis-cyclotryptamine alkaloids.

FeCl3-Catalyzed Allylation Reactions onto 3-Hydroxy-2-oxindoles: Formal Total Syntheses of Bis-cyclotryptamine Alkaloids, (±)-Chimonanthine, and (±)-Folicanthine.

An FeCl3-catalyzed efficient strategy for the allylation reactions of 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles with allyltrimethylsilane has been developed. The reaction affords a variety of 2-oxindoles having quaternary center at the pseudobenzylic position in an operationally simple and inexpensive procedure. Control experiments using enantioenriched 3-hydroxy-2-oxindole show that the reaction proceeds through in situ generated 2H-indol-2-one (8). The methodology presents an efficient and concise access to the pyrroloindoline alkaloids (±)-deoxyeseroline (1a), (±)-esermethole (1b), (±)-physostigmine (1c), (±)-phenserine (1d), and (±)-physovenine (1e). Eventually, we extrapolated the scope of this methodology to the formal total syntheses of dimeric cyclotyrptamine alkaloids (±)-chimonanthine (3a), (±)-folicanthine (3c), and (±)-calycanthine (4).

Highly chemoselective synthesis of dimeric 2-oxindoles with a C-3/C-5' linkage via Friedel-Crafts alkylations of 2-oxindoles with 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles.

Simple and convenient Lewis acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylations of 2-oxindoles as electron rich aromatics with 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles as electron deficient partners have been developed. The reaction afforded a variety of dimeric 2-oxindoles with a C-3/C-5' linkage having an all-carbon quaternary center at the pseudobenzylic position in high yields.

Friedel-Crafts alkylations of electron-rich aromatics with 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles: scope and limitations.

A Lewis acid-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of electron rich aromatics with 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles 5 was developed. The reaction is believed to proceed through the 2H-indol-2-one ring system 9, which eventually reacts with various electron-rich aromatics to afford a variety of 2-oxindoles with an all-carbon quaternary center at the pseudobenzylic position (4, 8, 13, and 16) in high yields. The methodology provides an expeditious route to the tetracyclic core (3) of diazonamide (1), and azonazine (2) as well as the tricyclic core of asperazine (6a), idiospermuline (6b), and calycosidine (6c) viz. C(3a)-arylpyrroloindolines 7 having an all-carbon quaternary center on further synthetic elaboration.

Acid-catalyzed reactions of 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles with electron-rich substrates: synthesis of 2-oxindoles with all-carbon quaternary center.

A Lewis acid catalyzed reaction of in situ generated 2H-indol-2-one () with various 2π and other electron-rich substrates has been developed. A variety of electron-rich substrates such as allyl/methallyltrimethylsilane, phenylacetylene, styrenes, acetophenone, and indoles have been used. The methodology provides a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 2-oxindoles with an all-carbon quaternary center at the pseudobenzylic position.

Lewis acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylations of 3-hydroxy-2-oxindole: an efficient approach to the core structure of azonazine.

A Lewis acid catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction of electron rich aromatics with 3-alkyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindole (5) has been developed. The methodology provides a straightforward access to the core of azonazine (2) sharing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter at the tetracyclic ring junction.