Discovery of N-(1-Acryloylazetidin-3-yl)-2-(1H-indol-1-yl)acetamides as Covalent Inhibitors of KRASG12C.

KRAS regulates many cellular processes including proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Point mutants of KRAS have long been known to be molecular drivers of cancer. KRAS p.G12C, which occurs in approximately 14% of lung adenocarcinomas, 3-5% of colorectal cancers, and low levels in other solid tumors, represents an attractive therapeutic target for covalent inhibitors. Herein, we disclose the discovery of a class of novel, potent, and selective covalent inhibitors of KRASG12C identified through a custom library synthesis and screening platform called Chemotype Evolution and structure-based design. Identification of a hidden surface groove bordered by H95/Y96/Q99 side chains was key to the optimization of this class of molecules. Best-in-series exemplars exhibit a rapid covalent reaction with cysteine 12 of GDP-KRASG12C with submicromolar inhibition of downstream signaling in a KRASG12C-specific manner.

Ternatin and improved synthetic variants kill cancer cells by targeting the elongation factor-1A ternary complex.

Cyclic peptide natural products have evolved to exploit diverse protein targets, many of which control essential cellular processes. Inspired by a series of cyclic peptides with partially elucidated structures, we designed synthetic variants of ternatin, a cytotoxic and anti-adipogenic natural product whose molecular mode of action was unknown. The new ternatin variants are cytotoxic toward cancer cells, with up to 500-fold greater potency than ternatin itself. Using a ternatin photo-affinity probe, we identify the translation elongation factor-1A ternary complex (eEF1A·GTP·aminoacyl-tRNA) as a specific target and demonstrate competitive binding by the unrelated natural products, didemnin and cytotrienin. Mutations in domain III of eEF1A prevent ternatin binding and confer resistance to its cytotoxic effects, implicating the adjacent hydrophobic surface as a functional hot spot for eEF1A modulation. We conclude that the eukaryotic elongation factor-1A and its ternary complex with GTP and aminoacyl-tRNA are common targets for the evolution of cytotoxic natural products.

Gold(I)-catalyzed enantioselective polycyclization reactions.

A series of enantioselective polycyclization reactions, catalyzed by a cationic bisphosphine gold complexes, are described. The polycyclization reactions, which employ an alkyne as an initiating group, begin with a gold-promoted 6-exo-dig cyclization and can be terminated with a variety of nucleophiles including carboxylic acids, phenols, sulfonamides, and electron-rich aryl groups. This method allows for the preparation of up to four bonds in a single operation with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

Au(I)-catalyzed ring expanding cycloisomerizations: total synthesis of ventricosene.

The gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enynes containing an embedded cyclopropane unit leads selectively to the formation of ring systems containing the cyclopropylmethyl cation. A subsequent Wagner-Merwein shift provides diastereomerically pure fused cyclobutanes. The utility of this methodology for the rapid assembly of polycyclic ring systems is illustrated by the total synthesis of the angular triquinane ventricosene.

3,4-Dihydro-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazine derivatives as 5-HT6 receptor antagonists.

A series of novel 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazine derivatives has been designed and synthesized as 5-HT(6) receptor antagonists. Many of the compounds displayed subnanomolar affinities for the 5-HT(6) receptor and good brain penetration in rats. The relationship of structure and lipophilicity to hERG inhibition of this series of compounds is discussed.