6-Azaspiro[2.5]octanes as small molecule agonists of the human glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor.

Activation of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor stimulates insulin release, lowers plasma glucose levels, delays gastric emptying, increases satiety, suppresses food intake, and affords weight loss in humans. These beneficial attributes have made peptide-based agonists valuable tools for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. However, efficient, and consistent delivery of peptide agents generally requires subcutaneous injection, which can reduce patient utilization. Traditional orally absorbed small molecules for this target may offer improved patient compliance as well as the opportunity for co-formulation with other oral therapeutics. Herein, we describe an SAR investigation leading to small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonists that represent a series that parallels the recently reported clinical candidate danuglipron. In the event, identification of a benzyloxypyrimidine lead, using a sensitized high-throughput GLP-1 agonist assay, was followed by optimization of the SAR using substituent modifications analogous to those discovered in the danuglipron series. A new series of 6-azaspiro[2.5]octane molecules was optimized into potent GLP-1 agonists. Information gleaned from cryogenic electron microscope structures was used to rationalize the SAR of the optimized compounds.

A battery of baseline toxicity bioassays directed evaluation of plastic leachates-Towards the establishment of bioanalytical monitoring tools for plastics.

There are increasing concerns regarding the ecological risks of plastics to the natural environment, especially the potential effects of plastic leachates on organisms, which contain various toxic components. However, appropriate methods to assess the overall environmental risks of plastics are limited. In this study, five different plastic products (three conventional and two biodegradable plastics) were immersed in simulated freshwater, and their toxicity was assessed using a battery of bioassays. We evaluated the effects of plastic leachates effects on organisms from four trophic levels of species (nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegans; algae, Scenedesmus obliquus; daphnids, Daphnia magna; and fish, Danio rerio) by measuring their acute and chronic toxicity. Our results indicated that all plastic leachates exhibited poor acute and chronic toxicity to the organisms. The acute toxicity of conventional plastic leachates with EC20 values <1.6 g plastic/L was higher than that of the biodegradable polydioxanone (PPDO) leachate (EC20: 16.2-796.1 g plastic/L); however, the toxicity of PPDO-octane (EC20: 0.04-1.9 g plastic/L) was similar to that of polyethylene or polystyrene (excluding toxicity in D. magna). Similarly, the leachates of the three conventional plastics and PPDO-octane had obvious inhibitory effects on the growth of C. elegans at exposure concentrations higher than 0.01 g plastic/L; however, the toxicity of the PPDO leachates was at least an order of magnitude lower. Therefore, the environmental related concentration of the plastic leachates did not have significant toxic effects. Considering that a single bioassay does not provide comprehensive information on biological implications, this study provided a new integrated and efficient method for the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of plastic leachates. Moreover, the toxicity sensitivity of different organisms varied following exposure to different plastics, thus demonstrating that multiple organisms from different trophic levels should be included in the ERA for plastics.

Structural Characterization of Diazabicyclooctane ß-Lactam "Enhancers" in Complex with Penicillin-Binding Proteins PBP2 and PBP3 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens pose a significant public health threat. A major mechanism of resistance expressed by MDR pathogens is ß-lactamase-mediated degradation of ß-lactam antibiotics. The diazabicyclooctane (DBO) compounds zidebactam and WCK 5153, recognized as ß-lactam "enhancers" due to inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2), are also class A and C ß-lactamase inhibitors. To structurally probe their mode of PBP2 inhibition as well as investigate why P. aeruginosa PBP2 is less susceptible to inhibition by ß-lactam antibiotics compared to the Escherichia coli PBP2, we determined the crystal structure of P. aeruginosa PBP2 in complex with WCK 5153. WCK 5153 forms an inhibitory covalent bond with the catalytic S327 of PBP2. The structure suggests a significant role for the diacylhydrazide moiety of WCK 5153 in interacting with the aspartate in the S-X-N/D PBP motif. Modeling of zidebactam in the active site of PBP2 reveals a similar binding mode. Both DBOs increase the melting temperature of PBP2, affirming their stabilizing interactions. To aid in the design of DBOs that can inhibit multiple PBPs, the ability of three DBOs to interact with P. aeruginosa PBP3 was explored crystallographically. Even though the DBOs show covalent binding to PBP3, they destabilized PBP3. Overall, the studies provide insights into zidebactam and WCK 5153 inhibition of PBP2 compared to their inhibition of PBP3 and the evolutionarily related KPC-2 ß-lactamase. These molecular insights into the dual-target DBOs advance our knowledge regarding further DBO optimization efforts to develop novel potent ß-lactamase-resistant, non-ß-lactam PBP inhibitors.IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance is a significant clinical problem. Developing novel antibiotics that overcome known resistance mechanisms is highly desired. Diazabicyclooctane inhibitors such as zidebactam possess this potential as they readily inactivate penicillin-binding proteins, yet cannot be degraded by ß-lactamases. In this study, we characterized the inhibition by diazabicyclooctanes of penicillin-binding proteins PBP2 and PBP3 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa using protein crystallography and biophysical analyses. These structures and analyses help define the antibiotic properties of these inhibitors, explain the decreased susceptibility of P. aeruginosa PBP2 to be inhibited by ß-lactam antibiotics, and provide insights that could be used for further antibiotic development.

2-((1-Phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)-2-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one derivatives: Simplification and modification of aconitine scaffold for the discovery of novel anticancer agents.

The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a promising target for cancer therapy. Natural product aconitine is a potential Hsp90 inhibitor reported in our previous work. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of 2-((1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)-2-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one derivatives as potent Hsp90 inhibitors by simplifying and modifying aconitine scaffold. Among these compounds, 14t exhibited an excellent antiproliferative activity against LoVo cells with an IC50 value of 0.02 µM and a significant Hsp90α inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 0.71 nM. Molecular docking studies provided a rational binding model of 14t in complex with Hsp90α. The following cell cycle and apoptosis assays revealed that compound 14t could arrest cell cycle at G1/S phase and induce cell apoptosis via up-regulation of bax and cleaved-caspase 3 protein expressions while inhibiting the expressions of bcl-2. Moreover, 14t could inhibit cell migration in LoVo and SW620 cell lines. Consistent with in vitro results, 14t significantly repressed tumor growth in the SW620 xenograft mouse model.

Discovery of ANT3310, a Novel Broad-Spectrum Serine ß-Lactamase Inhibitor of the Diazabicyclooctane Class, Which Strongly Potentiates Meropenem Activity against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales and Acinetobacter baumannii.

The diazabicyclooctanes (DBOs) are a class of serine ß-lactamase (SBL) inhibitors that use a strained urea moiety as the warhead to react with the active serine residue in the active site of SBLs. The first in-class drug, avibactam, as well as several other recently approved DBOs (e.g., relebactam) or those in clinical development (e.g., nacubactam and zidebactam) potentiate activity of ß-lactam antibiotics, to various extents, against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) carrying class A, C, and D SBLs; however, none of these are able to rescue the activity of ß-lactam antibiotics against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), a WHO "critical priority pathogen" producing class D OXA-type SBLs. Herein, we describe the chemical optimization and resulting structure-activity relationship, leading to the discovery of a novel DBO, ANT3310, which uniquely has a fluorine atom replacing the carboxamide and stands apart from the current DBOs in restoring carbapenem activity against OXA-CRAB as well as SBL-carrying CRE pathogens.

Agallolides A-M, including two rearranged ent-atisanes featuring a bicyclo[3.2.1]octane motif, from the Chinese Excoecaria agallocha.

Thirteen new diterpenoid compounds, named agallolides A-M (1-13), including ten ent-atisanes, were isolated from the stems and twigs of the Chinese semi-mangrove plant, Excoecaria agallocha. Most notably, agallolides A (1) and B (2) are two rearranged ent-atisanes featuring a unique 6/6/5/7 tetracyclic carbon skeleton. Agallolides C-J (3-10) are ent-atisanes, among which agallolide C (3) represents the first example of 3,4-seco-17-nor-ent-atisane. Agallolides K (11) and L (12) are two ent-isopimaranes, whereas agallolide M (13) is a rare 3,4-seco-ent-trachylobane. The structures of these diterpenoid compounds were established by HR-ESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR investigations. The absolute configurations of agallolide A (1) and agallolides I-K (9-11) were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses with Cu Kα radiation. The plausible biogenetic pathways for agallolides A (1), B (2), and I (9) were proposed. Agallolides I (9) and J (10) exhibited NF-κB inhibitory activity with inhibition rates of 23.4% and 19.4%, respectively, at the concentration of 100.0 µM.

Synthesis of 2-Thio-Substituted 1,6-Diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane Derivatives, Potent ß-Lactamase Inhibitors.

Approval of avibactam by the FDA has led to the recognition of 1,6-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (DBO) derivatives as attractive compounds for ß-lactamase inhibition. We achieved a concise and collective synthesis of 2-thio-substituted DBO derivatives. The synthesis involves diastereoselective photo-induced Barton decarboxylative thiolation, which can be applied to large-scale synthesis. The DBO analogues exhibited strong inhibitory activities against serine ß-lactamases and acceptable solution stabilities for clinical development.

In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of ß-Lactams in Combination with the Novel ß-Lactam Enhancers Zidebactam and WCK 5153 against Multidrug-Resistant Metallo-ß-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Zidebactam and WCK 5153 are novel bicyclo-acyl hydrazide (BCH) agents that have previously been shown to act as ß-lactam enhancer (BLE) antibiotics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii The objectives of this work were to identify the molecular targets of these BCHs in Klebsiella pneumoniae and to investigate their potential BLE activity for cefepime and aztreonam against metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL)-producing strains in vitro and in vivo Penicillin binding protein (PBP) binding profiles were determined by Bocillin FL assay, and 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) were determined using ImageQuant TL software. MICs and kill kinetics for zidebactam, WCK 5153, and cefepime or aztreonam, alone and in combination, were determined against clinical K. pneumoniae isolates producing MBLs VIM-1 or NDM-1 (plus ESBLs and class C ß-lactamases) to assess the in vitro enhancer effect of BCH compounds in conjunction with ß-lactams. Additionally, murine systemic and thigh infection studies were conducted to evaluate BLE effects in vivo Zidebactam and WCK 5153 showed specific, high PBP2 affinity in K. pneumoniae The MICs of BLEs were >64 µg/ml for all MBL-producing strains. Time-kill studies showed that a combination of these BLEs with either cefepime or aztreonam provided 1 to >3 log10 kill against MBL-producing K. pneumoniae strains. Furthermore, the bactericidal synergy observed for these BLE-ß-lactam combinations translated well into in vivo efficacy even in the absence of MBL inhibition by BLEs, a characteristic feature of the ß-lactam enhancer mechanism of action. Zidebactam and WCK 5153 are potent PBP2 inhibitors and display in vitro and in vivo BLE effects against multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae clinical isolates producing MBLs.

Strategic Approaches to Overcome Resistance against Gram-Negative Pathogens Using ß-Lactamase Inhibitors and ß-Lactam Enhancers: Activity of Three Novel Diazabicyclooctanes WCK 5153, Zidebactam (WCK 5107), and WCK 4234.

Limited treatment options exist to combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria possessing broad-spectrum ß-lactamases. The design of novel ß-lactamase inhibitors is of paramount importance. Here, three novel diazabicyclooctanes (DBOs), WCK 5153, zidebactam (WCK 5107), and WCK 4234 (compounds 1-3, respectively), were synthesized and biochemically characterized against clinically important bacteria. Compound 3 inhibited class A, C, and D ß-lactamases with unprecedented k2/ K values against OXA carbapenemases. Compounds 1 and 2 acylated class A and C ß-lactamses rapidly but not the tested OXAs. Compounds 1-3 formed highly stable acyl-complexes as demonstrated by mass spectrometry. Crystallography revealed that 1-3 complexed with KPC-2 adopted a "chair conformation" with the sulfate occupying the carboxylate binding region. The cefepime-2 and meropenem-3 combinations were effective in murine peritonitis and neutropenic lung infection models caused by MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Compounds 1-3 are novel ß-lactamase inhibitors that demonstate potent cross-class inhibition, and clinical studies targeting MDR infections are warranted.

Design and synthesis of a novel series of 4-heteroarylamino-1'-azaspiro[oxazole-5,3'-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes as α7 nicotinic receptor agonists 2. Development of 4-heteroaryl SAR.

Quinuclidine-containing spirooxazolines, as described in the previous report in this series, were demonstrated to have utility as α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) partial agonists. In this work, the SAR of this chemotype was expanded to include an array of diazine heterocyclic substitutions. Many of the heterocyclic analogs were potent partial agonists of the α7 receptor, selective against other nicotinic receptors and the serotinergic 5HT3A receptor. (1'S,3'R,4'S)-N-(6-phenylpyrimidin-4-yl)-4H-1'-azaspiro[oxazole-5,3'-bicyclo[2.2.2]octan]-2-amine, a potent and selective α7 nAChR partial agonist, was demonstrated to improve cognition in the mouse novel object recognition (NOR) model of episodic memory.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of novel 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives as potent antimicrobial agents.

A series of new quaternary 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for activity against several strains of both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and one strain of fungus under different inoculum size. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against six species of microorganisms were tested. Results show a clear structure-activity relationship between alkyl chain length of substitutions of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane tertiary amine sites and antimicrobial activity. In the case of compounds 4a-4k, MIC was found to decrease with the increase of the alkyl chain length from ethyl to dodecyl and then to increase at higher chain length (n > 14). The MIC values were found to be low for the compounds 4f and 4g with alkyl chains ranging from 10 to 12 carbons in length (1.6 µg/ml) and were comparable to the reference drug Ciprofloxacin. Also, time-kill assay was performed to examine the bactericidal kinetics. Results indicated that 4f and 4g had rapid killing effects against Staphylococcus aureus, and eliminated 100% of the initial inoculum of bacteria in 2.5 h at the concentration of 10 µg/ml. In addition, compound 4g eliminate more than 99.9% of the initial inoculum of Ps. aeruginosa after 2.5 h of interaction but the activity of compound 4f against this species seems to be weak. Thus, 4g had strong bactericidal activity and could rapidly kill Gram positive S. aureus, as well as Gram negative Ps. aeruginosa at low and high inoculum size.

Activation of the mitochondrial signaling pathway in response to organic solvent stress in yeast.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have demonstrated that organic solvent stress activated the pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) pathway, which involves the transcription factors Pdr1p and Pdr3p. Pdr1p and Pdr3p are functionally homologous in multidrug resistance, although Pdr3p has been reported to have some distinct functions. Here, we analyzed the functions of Pdr1p and Pdr3p during the cellular response to isooctane, as a representative of organic solvents, and observed the differential functions of Pdr1p and Pdr3p. In response to organic solvent stress, only Pdr3p contributed to the regulation of downstream genes of the PDR pathway, while Pdr1p had a rather inhibitory role on transcriptional induction through competition with Pdr3p for binding to their recognition sequence, pleiotropic drug response element. Our results demonstrated that organic solvent stress was likely to damage mitochondria, causing generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial fragmentation, and to activate retrograde signaling pathway via Pdr3p to upregulate PDR5 expression. Therefore, the unique function of Pdr3p in organic solvent stress distinguishes this pathway from the multidrug response.

Spiro-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives as paclitaxel mimetics. Synthesis and toxicity evaluation in breast cancer cell lines.

Paclitaxel is one of the most important anti-cancer agents introduced during the last 20 years. However, the use of paclitaxel is limited by undesirable side effects as well as the development of drug resistance. Here, we report a synthetic strategy towards spiro-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives, which includes double Michael addition and ring-closing metathesis as key synthetic steps. This strategy was used to synthesize a series of spiro-bicyclic compounds designed to be paclitaxel mimetics, which were evaluated in human breast-derived cell lines. One of these paclitaxel mimetics showed toxicity, although at higher concentrations than paclitaxel itself. In addition, two other spiro-bicyclic compounds, lacking the paclitaxel side chain, showed toxicity.

Effects of octane derivatives on activity of the volume-regulated anion channel in rat pancreatic ß-cells.

BACKGROUND: Saturated free fatty acids (FFAs) have a dual action on pancreatic ß-cells, consisting of an initial enhancement and subsequent suppression of glucose-induced electrical activity and insulin release. These stimulatory and inhibitory effects have been attributed, at least in part, to the activation and inhibition, respectively, of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) by FFAs. Both effects were independent of their metabolism. We have now investigated the effects of related aliphatic compounds in order to further define the determinants of FFA interaction with VRAC. METHODS: ß-Cell VRAC and electrical activity were measured by conventional whole-cell and perforated patch recording, respectively. Cell volume was measured using a video-imaging technique. RESULTS: In common with octanoic acid, addition of methyl octanoate or n-octanol resulted in a rapid, pronounced and reversible inhibition of VRAC activity. Addition of n-octane had no significant effect on VRAC activity. n-Octanol had a biphasic effect on ß-cell membrane potential, namely a small transient depolarization followed by a marked hyperpolarization. n-Octanol was also found to prevent regulatory volume decrease in cells exposed to a hypotonic medium, consistent with VRAC inhibition. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that methyl octanoate and n-octanol can mimic the effects of FFAs on the pancreatic ß-cell via modulation of VRAC activity. The structural requirements for this effect appear to be a medium or long chain aliphatic compound containing at least one oxygen atom.

Design and synthesis of novel opioid ligands with an azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane skeleton and their pharmacologies.

A novel opioid ligand possessing a stable and cyclic imine 16 and its derivatives with an azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane skeleton were synthesized. The imine 16 showed higher affinity for the µ receptor than compound 21 with an oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane skeleton. Azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivative 18d with a cyclopropylmethyl group on the 8-nitrogen showed the highest affinity for the µ receptor among the synthesized derivatives.

Further structure-activity relationship studies on 8-substituted-3-[2-(diarylmethoxyethylidenyl)]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives at monoamine transporters.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 8-substituted-3-[2-(diarylmethoxyethylidenyl)]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives were investigated at the dopamine transporter (DAT), the serotonin transporter (SERT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET). The rigid ethylidenyl-8-azabicyclic[3.2.1]octane skeleton imparted modestly stereoselective binding and uptake inhibition at the DAT. Additional structure-activity studies provided a transporter affinity profile that was reminiscent of the structure-activity of GBR 12909. From these studies, the 8-cyclopropylmethyl group has been identified as a unique moiety that imparts high SERT/DAT selectivity. In this study the 8-cyclopropylmethyl derivative 22e (DAT K(i) of 4.0 nM) was among the most potent compounds of the series at the DAT and was the most DAT selective ligand of the series (SERT/DAT: 1060). Similarly, the 8-chlorobenzyl derivative 22g (DAT K(i) of 3.9 nM) was found to be highly selective for the DAT over the NET (NET/DAT: 1358).

Current trends in ß-lactam based ß-lactamases inhibitors.

The introduction of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections either by killing or blocking their growth has been accompanied by the development of resistance mechanism that allows the bacteria to survive and proliferate. In particular the successive series of ß-lactams have selected several generations of ß-lactamases including ESBLs, AmpC ß-lactamases, KPC carbapenamases in Enterobacteriaceae, the metallo ß-lactamases VIMs and IMPs, and very recently the threatening NDM-1 that confers resistance to virtually any clinically used antibiotic. The increasing use of carbapenems due to the spread of resistance to other existing antibacterial agents has facilitated the spread of resistance, especially in Acinetobacter spp. due to OXA- and metallo-carbapenemases. The pharmaceutical industry, that abandoned this field at the end of the nineties, is now trying to recover by developing some novel ß-lactam antibiotics and novel ß-lactamase-inhibitors, the latter to be used in combination with new as well as seasoned ß-lactam antibiotics. This article provides a survey of patent and scientific literature for ß-lactamase inhibitors discovered in the period 2006-2010.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking studies of octane-carboxamide based renin inhibitors with extended segments toward S3' site of renin.

Eighteen octane-carboxamide based renin inhibitors with extended segments for mimicking P3' unit of angiotensinogen have been synthesized. The biological evaluation identified novel renin inhibitors with more potent activity than aliskiren. Molecular docking studies showed that the extended amide-tails matched the P3' position of angiotensinogen and exerted interactions with the S3' site of renin. An unexpected π-π stacking interaction was observed during docking study for compound 9r, which could be a reasonable explanation for the outstanding potency of this compound. Further study is in progress to reveal a feasibility for developing novel renin inhibitors based on the possible non-classical interactions between the ligands and the new subsite of renin.

Enzymatic enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids using novel lipase preparations modified by combination of immobilization and fish oil treatment.

Novel modification methods for lipase biocatalysts effective in hydrolysis of fish oil for enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were described. Based on conventional immobilization in single aqueous medium, immobilization of lipase in two phase medium composed of buffer and octane was employed. Furthermore, immobilization (in single aqueous or in two phase medium) coupled to fish oil treatment was integrated. Among these, lipase immobilized in two phase medium coupled to fish oil treatment (IMLAOF) had advantages over other modified lipases in initial reaction rate and hydrolysis degree. The hydrolysis degree increased from 12% with the free lipase to 40% with IMLAOF. Strong polar and hydrophobic solvents had negative impact on immobilization-fish oil treatment lipases, while low polar solvents were helpful to maintain the modification effect of immobilization-fish oil treatment. After five cycles of usage, the immobilization-fish oil treatment lipases still maintained more than 80% of relative hydrolysis degree.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of azobicyclo[3.3.0] octane derivatives as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

A series of novel azobicyclo[3.3.0]octane derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The effort resulted in the discovery of inhibitor 2a, which exhibited excellent efficacies in an oral glucose tolerance test. Introduction of methyl group (2j) could prolong the inhibition of serum DPP-4 activity.