Azepanone-based inhibitors of human and rat cathepsin K.

The synthesis, in vitro activities, and pharmacokinetics of a series of azepanone-based inhibitors of the cysteine protease cathepsin K (EC 3.4.22.38) are described. These compounds show improved configurational stability of the C-4 diastereomeric center relative to the previously published five- and six-membered ring ketone-based inhibitor series. Studies in this series have led to the identification of 20, a potent, selective inhibitor of human cathepsin K (K(i) = 0.16 nM) as well as 24, a potent inhibitor of both human (K(i) = 0.0048 nM) and rat (K(i,app) = 4.8 nM) cathepsin K. Small-molecule X-ray crystallographic analysis of 20 established the C-4 S stereochemistry as being critical for potent inhibition and that unbound 20 adopted the expected equatorial conformation for the C-4 substituent. Molecular modeling studies predicted the higher energy axial orientation at C-4 of 20 when bound within the active site of cathepsin K, a feature subsequently confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Pharmacokinetic studies in the rat show 20 to be 42% orally bioavailable. Comparison of the transport of the cyclic and acyclic analogues through CaCo-2 cells suggests that oral bioavailability of the acyclic derivatives is limited by a P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux mechanism. It is concluded that the introduction of a conformational constraint has served the dual purpose of increasing inhibitor potency by locking in a bioactive conformation as well as locking out available conformations which may serve as substrates for enzyme systems that limit oral bioavailability.

Synthetic analogues of SB-219383. Novel C-glycosyl peptides as inhibitors of tyrosyl tRNA synthetase.

Novel inhibitors of bacterial tyrosyl tRNA synthetase have been synthesised in which the cyclic hydroxylamine moiety of SB-219383 is replaced by C-pyranosyl derivatives. Potent and selective inhibition of bacterial tyrosyl tRNA synthetase was obtained.

Potent and selective nonpeptide inhibitors of caspases 3 and 7 inhibit apoptosis and maintain cell functionality.

Caspases have been strongly implicated to play an essential role in apoptosis. A critical question regarding the role(s) of these proteases is whether selective inhibition of an effector caspase(s) will prevent cell death. We have identified potent and selective non-peptide inhibitors of the effector caspases 3 and 7. The inhibition of apoptosis and maintenance of cell functionality with a caspase 3/7-selective inhibitor is demonstrated for the first time, and suggests that targeting these two caspases alone is sufficient for blocking apoptosis. Furthermore, an x-ray co-crystal structure of the complex between recombinant human caspase 3 and an isatin sulfonamide inhibitor has been solved to 2.8-A resolution. In contrast to previously reported peptide-based caspase inhibitors, the isatin sulfonamides derive their selectivity for caspases 3 and 7 by interacting primarily with the S(2) subsite, and do not bind in the caspase primary aspartic acid binding pocket (S(1)). These inhibitors blocked apoptosis in murine bone marrow neutrophils and human chondrocytes. Furthermore, in camptothecin-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, cell functionality as measured by type II collagen promoter activity is maintained, an activity considered essential for cartilage homeostasis. These data suggest that inhibiting chondrocyte cell death with a caspase 3/7-selective inhibitor may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis, or other disease states characterized by excessive apoptosis.

Apakaochtodenes A and B: two tetrahalogenated monoterpenes from the red marine alga Portieria hornemannii.

The structure of apakaochtodene A, the minor isomer of two tetrahalogenated ochtodene monoterpenes, isolated from the red marine alga Portieria hornemannii (Lyngbye) Silva has been identified as 6(S)-bromo-1,4(S),8(R)-trichloro-2(Z)-ochtodene (1) by NMR spectral and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Its geometrical isomer, apakaochtodene B (2), which could not be separated from 1 and thus characterized as a 95:5 mixture of 2:1 had (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral characteristics similar to previously known ochtodene (3) and the related tetrahalogenated monoterpene 4.

Non-thiazolidinedione antihyperglycaemic agents. Part 3: The effects of stereochemistry on the potency of alpha-methoxy-beta-phenylpropanoic acids.

Rhizopus delemar lipase catalysed ester hydrolysis of the alpha-methoxy-beta-phenylpropanoate 1 affords the (R)-(+) and (S)-(-) isomers in > 84% enantiomeric excess. Absolute stereochemistry was determined by a single crystal X-ray analysis of a related synthetic analogue. The activity of these two enantiomers on glucose transport in vitro and as anti-diabetic agents in vivo is reported and their unexpected equivalence attributed to an enzyme-mediated stereospecific isomerisation of the (R)-(+) isomer. Binding studies using recombinant human PPARgamma (peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor gamma), now established as a molecular target for this compound class, indicate a 20-fold higher binding affinity for the (S) antipode relative to the (R) antipode.

Orally bioavailable nonpeptide vitronectin receptor antagonists with efficacy in an osteoporosis model.

A new series of potent nonpeptide vitronectin receptor antagonists, based on a novel carbocyclic Gly-Asp mimetic, has been discovered. A representative of this series, SB 265123 (4), has 100% oral bioavailability in rats, and is orally active in vivo in the ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis.

Conformational preferences in a benzodiazepine series of potent nonpeptide fibrinogen receptor antagonists.

Previously, we reported the direct design of highly potent nonpeptide 3-oxo-1,4-benzodiazepine fibrinogen receptor antagonists from a constrained, RGD-containing cyclic semipeptide. The critical features incorporated into the design of these nonpeptides were the exocyclic amide at the 8-position which overlaid the Arg carbonyl, the phenyl ring which maintained an extended Gly conformation, and the diazepine ring which mimicked the gamma-turn at Asp. In this paper, we investigate conformational preferences of the 8-substituted benzodiazepine analogues by examining structural modifications to both the exocyclic amide and the seven-membered diazepine ring and by studying the conformation of the benzodiazepine ring using molecular modeling, X-ray crystallography, and NMR. We found that the directionality of the amide at the 8-position had little effect on activity and the (E)-olefin analogue retained significant potency, indicating that the trans orientation of the amide, and not the carbonyl or NH groups, made the largest contribution to the observed activity. For the diazepine ring, with the exception of the closely analogous 3-oxo-2-benzazepine ring system described previously, all of the modifications led to a significant reduction in activity compared to the potent 3-oxo-1, 4-benzodiazepine parent ring system, implicating this particular type of ring system as a desirable structural feature for high potency. Energy minimizations of a number of the modified analogues revealed that none could adopt the same low-energy conformation as the one shared by the active (S)-isomer of the 3-oxo-1, 4-benzodiazepines and 3-oxo-2-benzazepines. The overall data suggest that the features contributing to the observed high potency in this series are the orientation of the 3-4 amide and the conformational constraint imposed by the seven-membered ring, both of which position the key acidic and basic groups in the proper spatial relationship.

ATP-Citrate lyase as a target for hypolipidemic intervention. 2. Synthesis and evaluation of (3R,5S)-omega-substituted-3-carboxy-3, 5-dihydroxyalkanoic acids and their gamma-lactone prodrugs as inhibitors of the enzyme in vitro and in vivo.

A series of (3R,5S)-omega-substituted-3-carboxy-3, 5-dihydroxyalkanoic acids have been synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the recombinant human form of ATP-citrate lyase. The best of these have Ki's in the 200-1000 nM range. As the corresponding thermodynamically favored gamma-lactone prodrugs, a number of compounds are able to inhibit cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis in HepG2 cells and reduce plasma triglyceride levels in vivo. The best of these, compound 77, is able to induce clear hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridaemic responses when administered orally to rat and dog. These results provide evidence to support the hypothesis that compounds which inhibit ATP-citrate lyase have the potential to be a novel class of hypolipidemic agent, which possess combined hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities.

1,4-Cyclohexanecarboxylates: potent and selective inhibitors of phosophodiesterase 4 for the treatment of asthma.

Evaluation of a variety of PDE4 inhibitors in a series of cellular and in vivo assays suggested a strategy to improve the therapeutic index of PDE4 inhibitors by increasing their selectivity for the ability to inhibit PDE4 catalytic activity versus the ability to compete for high affinity [3H]rolipram-binding sites in the central nervous system. Use of this strategy led ultimately to the identification of cis-4-cyano-4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxyl ic acid (1, SB 207499, Ariflo), a potent second-generation inhibitor of PDE4 with a decreased potential for side effects versus the archetypic first generation inhibitor, (R)-rolipram.

Two new nitrogenous sesquiterpenes from the sponge Axinyssa aplysinoides.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract of the Palauan sponge Axinyssa aplysinoides yielded two novel alkaloids, 1 and 2. The structure of 2-(formylamino)trachyopsane (1) was determined by X-ray analysis; and the structure of N-phenethyl-N'-2-trachyopsanylurea (2), by interpretation of the spectral data.

(Trimethylsilyl)phosphine as a Versatile Reagent for Syntheses of New 4-Sila- and 4-Phosphaphosphorinanes.

(Trimethylsilyl)phosphine (Me(3)SiPH(2)) undergoes radical P-H bond addition to vinylphosphines and -silanes to form new 4-phospha- and 4-silaphosphorinanes [vinyl reagent]: [PhP(CH=CH(2))(2)], PhP(C(2)H(4))(2)PSiMe(3) diastereomers (9A/9B); [Et(2)NP(CH=CH(2))(2)], Et(2)NP(C(2)H(4))(2)PSiMe(3) (11); [Me(2)Si(CH=CH(2))(2)], Me(2)Si(C(2)H(4))(2)PSiMe(3) (14); [Si(CH=CH(2))(4)], (CH=CH(2))(2)Si(C(2)H(4))(2)PSiMe(3) (16) and [Me(3)SiP(C(2)H(4))(2)](2)Si (17). Reactions are accompanied by formation of only small quantities of the Markovnikov addition product phospholanes. Methanolysis of the new silylphosphines yields PhP(C(2)H(4))(2)PH diastereomers (10A/10B), Me(2)Si(C(2)H(4))PH (15), (CH=CH(2))(2)Si(C(2)H(4))(2)PH (18), and [HP(C(2)H(4))(2)](2)Si (19). Stepwise methanolysis of 11 yields the phosphorinanes Et(2)NP(C(2)H(4))(2)PH (12) and MeOP(C(2)H(4))(2)PH (13). Oxidation of 15 and 14 with O(2) or O(2)/H(2)O, respectively, yields the phosphine oxide Me(2)Si(C(2)H(4))(2)P(O)H (20) and the phosphinic acid Me(2)Si(C(2)H(4))(2)P(O)OH (21). New compounds were characterized by spectral ((31)P, (1)H, and (13)C NMR, IR, and MS) data. 21 was further characterized by a single-crystal X-ray analysis: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.416(2) Å, b = 6.817(1) Å, c = 14.237(3) Å, beta = 106.32(2) degrees, Z = 4, V = 970.3(3) Å(3). The ring of 21 adopts a chair conformation with the P=O bond in an equatorial position. From spectral data, tentative isomeric and conformational structural assignments are made for the new phosphorinanes in solution.

Daleformis, a new phytoalexin from the roots fo Dalea filiciformis: an inhibitor of endothelin converting enzyme.

As part of a search for novel inhibitors of endothelin converting enzyme (ECE), the MeOH-CH2Cl2 extract of the roots of Dalea filiciformis was shown to be active. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract yielded a novel phytoalexin, daleformis (1), whose structure was determined by interpretation of spectral data and X-ray analysis. Daleformis (1) inhibited ECE with an IC50 of 9 microM.

Design of a potent and orally active nonpeptide platelet fibrinogen receptor (GPIIb/IIIa) antagonist.

The direct design of the potent nonpeptide platelet fibrinogen receptor (GPIIb/IIIa) antagonist, 8-[[[4- (aminoiminomethyl)phenyl]amino]carbonyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-oxo- 4- (2-phenylethyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-acetic acid, (3) (SB 207448), based on the structure and conformation of the potent and highly constrained cyclic peptide antagonist SK&F 107260 (2), has been reported [Ku et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 8861]. While 3 displayed in vivo activity in the conscious dog following intravenous administration, it was not active following intraduodenal administration; activity was measured with an ex vivo platelet aggregation assay. The secondary amide in 3 was N-methylated in the expectation of increased absorption and bioavailability. The resulting tertiary amide, 4 (SB 208651), also showed high binding affinity for human GPIIb/IIIa and potent antiaggregatory activity in human platelet-rich plasma. Most importantly, 4 was active in vivo following intravenous and intraduodenal administration. Comparison of the iv and id inhibition curves suggests an apparent bioavailability of approximately 10%. Thus, 4 represents the first orally active compound in this series of potent, nonpeptide fibrinogen receptor antagonists.

(E)-3-[[[[6-(2-carboxyethenyl)-5-[[8-(4- methoxyphenyl)octyl]oxy]-2-pyridinyl]-methyl]thio]methyl]benzoic acid and related compounds: high affinity leukotriene B4 receptor antagonists.

(E)-3-[[[[6-(2-Carboxyethenyl)-5-[[8-(4- methoxyphenyl)octyl]oxy]-2-pyridinyl]methyl]thio]methyl]benzoic acid (11, SB 201993) is a novel, potent LTB4 receptor antagonist. Compound 11 arose from a structure-activity study of a series of trisubstituted pyridines that demonstrated LTB4 receptor antagonist activity. The placement of an additional methylene unit in the sulfur containing chain linking the pyridine and benzoic acid moieties of lead compound 8 (K(i) = 80 nM) resulted in a greater than 10-fold increase in receptor affinity. Additionally, in this new series of compounds, the oxidation state of the sulfur was found to be critical to the activity, i.e., the sulfoxide and sulfone showed substantially lower affinity for the LTB4 receptor. Compound 11 competitively inhibits the binding of [3H]LTB4 to LTB4 receptors on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with a Ki of 7.1 nM and blocks both the LTB4-induced calcium mobilization and the LTB4-induced degranulation responses in these cells with IC50 values of 131 and 271 nM, respectively. Compound 11 demonstrated oral LTB4 antagonist activity as well as topical antiinflammatory activity in the mouse.

The inophyllums, novel inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase isolated from the Malaysian tree, Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.

As part of a search for novel inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the acetone extract of the giant African snail, Achatina fulica, was shown to be active. Fractionation of the extract yielded inophyllums A, B, C, and E and calophyllolide (1a, 2a, 3a, 3b, and 6), previously isolated from Calophyllum inophyllum Linn., a known source of nutrition for A. fulica. From a methanol/methylene chloride extract of C. inophyllum, the same natural products in considerably greater yield were isolated in addition to a novel enantiomer of soulattrolide (4), inophyllum P (2b), and two other novel compounds, inophyllums G-1 (7) and G-2 (8). The absolute stereochemistry of inophyllum A (1a) was determined to be 10(R), 11(S), 12(S) from a single-crystal X-ray analysis of its 4-bromobenzoate derivative, and the relative stereochemistries of the other inophyllums isolated from C. inophyllum were established by a comparison of their 1H NMR NOE values and coupling constants to those of inophyllum A (1a). Inophyllums B and P (2a and 2b) inhibited HIV reverse transcriptase with IC50 values of 38 and 130 nM, respectively, and both were active against HIV-1 in cell culture (IC50 of 1.4 and 1.6 microM). Closely related inophyllums A, C, D, and E, including calophyllic acids, were significantly less active or totally inactive, indicating certain structural requirements in the chromanol ring. Altogether, 11 compounds of the inophyllum class were isolated from C. inophyllum and are described together with the SAR of these novel anti-HIV compounds.

Peptide-urea interactions as observed in diketopiperazine-urea cocrystal.

In order to develop a more complete understanding of urea induced protein denaturation we have investigated the crystal structure of urea with the cyclic dipeptide diketopiperazine. This structure, determined to an R factor of 8.1%, shows extensive hydrogen bonding between urea and the peptide groups of diketopiperazine. These studies support a model where hydrogen bonding plays an important contribution in urea-induced protein denaturation. In the companion paper we present thermodynamic data for urea-peptide interactions in aqueous solution that further support this model.

Unusual zwitterion of D,L-beta-carboxyaspartic acid: pKa and X-ray crystallographic measurements.

An investigation of the acidic properties and molecular structure of the new natural amino acid beta-carboxyaspartic acid (Asa) is described. The four pKas of Asa were determined by using a microtitration technique and are 0.8 +/- 0.2, 2.5 +/- 0.1, 4.7 +/- 0.1, and 10.9 +/- 0.1. The three pKas of 5-hydantoinmalonic acid were similarly measured and are 1.85 +/- 0.05, 4.63 +/- 0.05, and 10.20 +/- 0.05. 5-Hydantoinmalonic acid was used as a model for Asa with peptide bonds. Asa crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with four molecules per unit cell of dimensions a = 13.112 (3) A, b = 8.207 (3) A, and c = 7.292 (2) A and beta = 108.03 (2) degrees. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to final values for the discrepancy indices of R = 0.029 and wR = 0.036. The two molecules of Asa are linked by a very strong hydrogen bond between one of the beta-carboxyls and the alpha-carboxyl group of an adjacent molecule. Analysis of the pKa data indicates that the predominate zwitterion in solution results from ionization of a beta-carboxyl group. The X-ray data indicate that in the solid state the negative charge of the zwitterion is distributed approximately equally between one of the beta-carboxyls and the alpha-carboxyl group.