Glutamyl-gamma-boronate inhibitors of bacterial Glu-tRNA(Gln) amidotransferase.

Analogues of glutamyl-gamma-boronate (1) were synthesized as mechanism-based inhibitors of bacterial Glu-tRNA(Gln) amidotransferase (Glu-AdT) and were designed to engage a putative catalytic serine nucleophile required for the glutaminase activity of the enzyme. Although 1 provides potent enzyme inhibition, structure-activity studies revealed a narrow range of tolerated chemical changes that maintained activity. Nonetheless, growth inhibition of organisms that require Glu-AdT by the most potent enzyme inhibitors appears to validate mechanism-based inhibitor design of Glu-AdT as an approach to antimicrobial development.

Presenilin-1 and -2 are molecular targets for gamma-secretase inhibitors.

Presenilins are integral membrane protein involved in the production of amyloid beta-protein. Mutations of the presenilin-1 and -2 gene are associated with familial Alzheimer's disease and are thought to alter gamma-secretase cleavage of the beta-amyloid precursor protein, leading to increased production of longer and more amyloidogenic forms of A beta, the 4-kDa beta-peptide. Here, we show that radiolabeled gamma-secretase inhibitors bind to mammalian cell membranes, and a benzophenone analog specifically photocross-links three major membrane polypeptides. A positive correlation is observed among these compounds for inhibition of cellular A beta formation, inhibition of membrane binding and cross-linking. Immunological techniques establish N- and C-terminal fragments of presenilin-1 as specifically cross-linked polypeptides. Furthermore, binding of gamma-secretase inhibitors to embryonic membranes derived from presenilin-1 knockout embryos is reduced in a gene dose-dependent manner. In addition, C-terminal fragments of presenilin-2 are specifically cross-linked. Taken together, these results indicate that potent and selective gamma-secretase inhibitors block A beta formation by binding to presenilin-1 and -2.

Disubstituted indazoles as potent antagonists of the integrin alpha(v)beta(3).

A new series of indazole-containing alpha(v)beta(3) integrin antagonists is described. Starting with lead compound 18a, variations in a number of structural features were explored with respect to inhibition of the binding of beta(3)-transfected 293 cells to fibrinogen and to selectivity for alpha(v)beta(3) over GPIIbIIIa, another RGD-binding integrin. Indazoles attached to a 2-aminopyridine or 2-aminoimidazole by a propylene linker at the indazole 1-position and to a diaminopropionate derivative via a 5-carboxylate amide provided the best potency with moderate selectivity. Several differences in the SAR of the diaminopropionate moiety were observed between this series and a series of isoxazoline-based selective GPIIbIIIa antagonists. Compound 34a (SM256) was a potent antagonist of alpha(v)beta(3) (IC(50) 2.3 nM) with 9-fold selectivity over GPIIbIIIa.

Recombinant plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 protects platelets against the inhibitory effects of plasmin.

Plasmin-induced degradation of platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), the von Willebrand factor (vWF) receptor, has been implicated as a mechanism contributing to the development of platelet dysfunction following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The goal of this study was to assess whether biologically active recombinant plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (rPAI-1), could antagonize the inhibitory effects of plasmin on GPIb. GPIb function, as evaluated by measuring vWF-dependent, ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination in human platelet rich plasma (PRP) was significantly impaired following incubation with plasmin (60 +/- 14% inhibition, p < 0.01). Inclusion of rPAI-1 (10 micrograms/ml) in the PRP antagonized this plasmin effect, restoring agglutination to 92 +/- 8% of the control value (p < 0.01). The effect of rPAI-1 on the enzymatic activity of plasmin was further evaluated in an amidolytic assay with the plasmin substrate S2251 where an apparent second order rate constant of plasmin inhibition by rPAI-1 of 9.4 x 10(4) M-1 S-1 was determined. Our results suggest that rPAI-1, by inhibiting both tissue plasminogen activator-induced plasmin generation and plasmin activity directly, may have clinical value for improving platelet function during and after CPB.