Successful Identification of a Novel Therapeutic Compound for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Screening of ADAM9 Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: MHC-class I-related chain A (MICA) functions as a ligand for natural killer group D, an activating receptor on natural killer (NK) cells, and its expression correlates with the carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although membranous MICA (mMICA) activates NK cells, soluble forms of MICA (sMICA), shed by cleaving enzymes, such as A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 9, suppress NK cells. Therefore, the prevention of MICA shedding through the inhibition of ADAM9 has the potential to activate cancer immunity. Although we have discovered several ADAM inhibitors, many did not sufficiently activate NK cells without being cytotoxic, and, thus, new ADAM9 inhibitor candidates are needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To identify possible compounds for drug development, chemical library screening (a total of 741 compounds) was conducted using a fluorescence assay. Compounds with reduced fluorescence intensity were used as hit compounds in a subsequent analysis. Their impact on sMICA and mMICA in HCC cell lines was assessed using ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. The cytotoxicity of NK cells was also evaluated by co-culturing NK cells with HCC cells. RESULTS: CCL347, a symmetrical compound with five benzene rings, was identified as a hit compound. CCL347 significantly reduced sMICA levels in the culture medium supernatant with negligible cytotoxicity. Although mMICA was also reduced, CCL347 successfully enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity in co-cultures of NK cells and HCC cells. CONCLUSION: CCL347 has potential as a novel therapeutic drug for HCC.

Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts-Type Reaction of 2-Vinylindoles to N-Boc Imines Using a Chiral Imidazolidine-Containing NCN-Pincer Pd Catalyst.

A chiral imidazolidine-containing NCN-pincer Pd-OTf complex (NCN-Pd cat) promoted the asymmetric nucleophilic addition of unprotected 2-vinylindoles to N-Boc imines in a Friedel-Crafts-type manner. The chiral (2-vinyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methanamine products become nice platforms for constructing multiple ring systems.

Development of a novel light-up probe for detection of G-quadruplexes in stress granules.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) regulate various biological processes in cells. However, cellular imaging of dynamically forming G4s in biomolecular condensates using small molecules has been poorly investigated. Herein, we present a fluorescent light-up probe with the ability to selectively stabilize G4s and enhance fluorescence upon G4 binding. The foci of the probe were mainly observed in the nucleoli. These were co-localized with anti-fibrillarin antibodies and anti-G4 antibodies (BG4). Moreover, we tested detection of G4 in stress granules using the developed probe. Stress granules were induced through treatment with not only thapsigargin, but also known G4 ligands (pyridostatin, RHPS4, and BRACO-19). In the stress granules, co-localization between the probe, BG4, and stress granule markers (TIA1 and G3BP1) was detected. We present a practical light-up probe for G4s in stress granules, providing potential targets for G4 ligands.

Intermolecular Catalytic Asymmetric Iodoetherification of Unfunctionalized Alkenes.

A newly prepared trinuclear Zn3-(R,S,S)-aminoiminobinaphthoxide complex (triZn-II) catalyzed the first general intermolecular asymmetric iodoetherification of unfunctionalized alkenes. Using triZn-II, the iodoetherification reaction of unfunctionalized alkenes with o-nitrophenols proceeded smoothly to give the products with up to 92.5:7.5 er, and diene substrates were converted to the products with up to 99:1 er with the formation of a meso-isomer (dl/meso = 78/22). The chiral iodoethers gave a new platform for the synthesis of chiral morpholines.

Enantio- and diastereoselective double Mannich reaction of malononitrile with N-Boc imines using quinine-derived bifunctional organoiodine catalyst.

A chiral quinine-derived organic base catalyst with halogen bond donor functionality was used to catalyze the asymmetric double Mannich reaction of malononitrile with N-Boc and N-Cbz imines to afford 1,3-diamines in excellent yields with high enantio- and diastereoselectivities. With 2.2 equiv. of a single imine electrophile, symmetrical 1,3-diamines were obtained, whereas, with two different imine partners, unsymmetrically substituted 1,3-diamine was obtained. The monohydration of the double Mannich product was also achieved.

A Hypervalent Cyclic Dibenzoiodolium Salt as a Halogen-Bond-Donor Catalyst for the [4+2] Cycloaddition of 2-Alkenylindoles.

A stable, hypervalent cyclic dibenzoiodolium salt acted as a strong halogen bonding (XB)-donor catalyst for [4+2] cycloaddition of 2-alkenylindoles, and not as an oxidizing agent. The cross-[4+2] cycloaddition of 2-vinylindoles with 2-alkenylindoles was catalyzed smoothly by the hypervalent cyclic dibenzoiodolium triflate catalyst to give the tetrahydrocarbazoles in up to 99 % yield with 17 : 1 diastereoselectivity. The hypervalent cyclic dibenzoiodolium salt was also applicable to the Povarov reaction of 2-vinylindole with N-p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) imine to give the indolyl-tetrahydroquinoline in 83 % yield.

Chiral C2-Symmetric Aminomethylbinaphthol as Synergistic Catalyst for Asymmetric Epoxidation of Alkylidenemalononitriles: Easy Access to Chiral Spirooxindoles.

Chiral C2-symmetric 3,3'-bis((R,R)-2-naphthylethylaminomethyl)-(R)-binaphthol (AMB4) functions as an efficient organocatalyst for the asymmetric epoxidation of various alkylidenemalononitriles. The spiro-epoxyoxindole products obtained from isatilidenemalononitriles were easily transformed to the corresponding chiral dihydroquinoxalinyl spirooxindoles.

Catalytic Asymmetric Iodoesterification of Simple Alkenes.

Catalytic asymmetric iodoesterification of simple alkenes was achieved using a dinuclear zinc-3,3'-(R,S,S)-bis(aminoimino)binaphthoxide (di-Zn) complex. For iodoesterification using p-methoxybenzoic acid, the N-iodonaphthalenimide (NIN)-I2 system was effective for producing iodoesters in a highly enantioselective manner. The synthetic utility of chiral iodo-p-methoxybenzoates was also demonstrated. The quartet of metal ionic bond, hydrogen bond, halogen bond, and π-π stacking is harmonized on the single reaction sphere of di-Zn catalyst for enabling the highly enantioselective catalytic asymmetric iodoesterification of simple alkenes for the first time.

Catalytic Asymmetric Aza-Friedel-Crafts-Type Reaction of Indoles with Isatin-Derived N-Cbz-Ketimines Using a Chiral Bis(Imidazolidine)-Containing NCN-Pincer Palladium Catalyst.

A chiral bis(imidazolidine)-containing NCN-pincer palladium complex (tBu-PhBidine-Pd-OTf) was an efficient catalyst for the aza-Friedel-Crafts-type reaction of 1H-indoles with isatin-derived N-Cbz-ketimines to give chiral 3-aminobisindole compounds having differently oxidized indole units with high enantioselectivities.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Bis(indolyl)methanes Using a Ts-PyBidine-Nickel Complex.

A chiral tosyl-substituted bis(imidazolidine)pyridine Ts-PyBidine-nickel complex was an efficient catalyst for Friedel-Crafts reaction of indoles with methylene indolinones to give bisindolylmethane compounds having differently oxidized indole units with high enantioselectivities. Alkylation of the products proceeded smoothly in a highly diastereoselective manner, providing an all-carbon quaternary carbon center without significant loss of enantiomeric excess.

Chiral Benzazaborole-Catalyzed Regioselective Sulfonylation of Unprotected Carbohydrate Derivatives.

Chiral benzazaborole-catalyzed regioselective sulfonylations of unprotected carbohydrate derivatives have been developed. This methodology enables direct regioselective functionalization of the secondary OH group in carbohydrate in the presence of the primary OH group. By using the chiral organoboron catalysis, kinetic resolution of the carbohydrate derivatives was also achieved.

Catalysis Based on C-I⋠⋠⋠π Halogen Bonds: Electrophilic Activation of 2-Alkenylindoles by Cationic Halogen-Bond Donors for [4+2] Cycloadditions.

Homo- and cross-[4+2] cycloadditions of 2-alkenylindoles, catalyzed by cationic halogen-bond donors, were developed. Under mild reaction conditions, 3-indolyl-substituted tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields. Experimental and quantum calculation studies revealed that the electrophilic activation of 2-alkenylindoles was achieved by C-I⋅⋅⋅π halogen bonds.

Disulfide-Catalyzed Iodination of Electron-Rich Aromatic Compounds.

Herein, a disulfide-catalyzed electrophilic iodination of aromatic compounds using 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DIH) has been developed. The disulfide activates DIH as a Lewis base to promote the iodination reaction in acetonitrile under mild conditions. This system is applicable to a wide range of electron-rich aromatic compounds, including acetanilide, anisole, imidazole, and pyrazole derivatives.

Chiral benzazaboroles as catalysts for enantioselective sulfonylation of cis-1,2-diols.

A newly developed benzazaborole smoothly catalyzed the enantioselective sulfonylation of cis-1,2-diols. Using a chiral benzazaborole/NMI co-catalyst system, various sulfonate esters were prepared in high yields with good enantioselectivities.

Association of Halogen Bonding and Hydrogen Bonding in Metal Acetate-Catalyzed Asymmetric Halolactonization.

Cooperative activation using halogen bonding and hydrogen bonding works in metal-catalyzed asymmetric halolactonization. The Zn3(OAc)4-3,3'-bis(aminoimino)binaphthoxide (tri-Zn) complex catalyzes both asymmetric iodolactonization and bromolactonization. Carboxylic acid substrates are converted to zinc carboxylates on the tri-Zn complex, and the N-halosuccinimide (N-bromosuccinimide [NBS] or N-iodosuccinimide [NIS]) is activated by hydrogen bonding with the diamine unit of chiral ligand. Halolactonization is significantly enhanced by the addition of catalytic I2. Density functional theory calculations revealed that a catalytic amount of I2 mediates the alkene portion of the substrates and NIS to realize highly enantioselective iodolactonization. The tri-Zn catalyst activates both sides of the carboxylic acid and alkene moiety, so that asymmetric five-membered iodolactonization of prochiral diallyl acetic acids proceeded to afford the chiral γ-butyrolactones. In the total description of the catalytic cycle, iodolactonization using the NIS-I2 complex proceeds with the regeneration of I2, which enables the catalytic use of I2. The actual iodination reagent is I2 and not NIS.

A chiral organic base catalyst with halogen-bonding-donor functionality: asymmetric Mannich reactions of malononitrile with N-Boc aldimines and ketimines.

A chiral organic base catalyst with halogen-bonding-donor functionality has been developed. This quinidine-derived acid/base catalyst smoothly promoted the asymmetric Mannich reaction of malononitrile and various N-Boc imines with up to 98% ee. The cooperative interaction with both substrates was responsible for the high activity that allowed a reduction of the catalyst amount to 0.5 mol%.

Dinuclear PhosphoiminoBINOL-Pd Container for Malononitrile: Catalytic Asymmetric Double Mannich Reaction for Chiral 1,3-Diamine Synthesis.

A phosphoiminoBINOL ligand was designed to form a dinuclear metal complex that could hold a malononitrile molecule. The dinuclear bis(phosphoimino)binaphthoxy-Pd2(OAc)2 complex catalyzed a double Mannich reaction of N-Boc-imines with malononitrile to give chiral 1,3-diamines with high enantioselectivity. The rational asymmetric catalyst, which smoothly introduces the first coupling product to the second coupling reaction while avoiding the reverse reaction, facilitates the over-reaction into a productive reaction process.

Anti-cancer Effects of MW-03, a Novel Indole Compound, by Inducing 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase and Cellular Growth Inhibition in the LS174T Human Colon Cancer Cell Line.

Increases in the expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are widely known to be involved in aberrant growth in the early stage of colon cancer development. We herein demonstrated that the novel indole compound MW-03 reduced PGE2-induced cAMP formation by catalization to an inactive metabolite by inducing 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. MW-03 also inhibited colon cancer cell growth by arresting the cell cycle at the S phase. Although the target of MW-03 for cell cycle inhibition has not yet been identified, these dual anti-cancer effects of MW-03 itself and/or its leading compound(s) on colon cancer cells may reduce colon cancer development and, thus, have potential as a novel treatment for the early stage of this disease.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral 2-Vinylindole Scaffolds by Friedel-Crafts Reaction.

A chiral bis(imidazolidine)pyridine (PyBidine)-Ni(OTf)2 complex smoothly catalyzed an asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction of 2-vinylindoles with nitroalkenes to give chiral indoles in a highly enantioselective manner while maintaining the 2-vinyl functionality. The chiral 2-vinylindoles offer unique chiral scaffolds for diverse transformations.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3-Indolyl Methanamines Using Unprotected Indoles and N-Boc Imines under Basic Conditions.

A chiral imidazolidine-containing NCN/Pd-OTf catalyst (C4) promoted the nucleophilic addition of unprotected indoles to N-Boc imines. Using sulfinyl amines as the N-Boc imine precursors, the combined use of C4 with K2 CO3 activated the NH indoles to give chiral 3-indolyl methanamines with up to 98 % ee. Compared with conventional acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reactions, this reaction proceeds under mildly basic conditions and is advantageous for the use of acid-sensitive substrates.