Discovery and hit-to-lead optimization of novel allosteric glucokinase activators.

We report on a hit generation and hit-to-lead program of a novel class of glucokinase activators (GKAs). Hit compounds, activators at low glucose concentration only were identified by vHTS. Scaffold modification reliably afforded activators also at high substrate level. Potency was increased by introduction of a hydrogen bond acceptor as proposed by molecular docking. Replacement of the initial alkylene linkers with a rigid 1,2-phenylene motif followed by further studies eventually furnished a series of potent lead compounds exhibiting steep SAR.

Thienopyrimidines as ß3-adrenoceptor agonists: hit-to-lead optimization.

Resulting from a vHTS based on a pharmacophore alignment on known ß3-adrenoceptor ligands, an aryloxypropanolamine scaffold comprising a thienopyrimidine moiety was further optimized as a human ß3-AR agonist, yielding a lead compound with an excellent cellular activity of EC(50)=20 pM, selectivity over hß1- and hß2-adrenoceptors and a promising safety profile.

A vHTS approach for the identification of beta-adrenoceptor ligands.

Using a vHTS based on a pharmacophore alignment on known beta3-adrenoceptor ligands, a set of intriguing beta-adrenoceptor ligands was identified, optimization of which resulted in a selective and potent human beta2-AR antagonist.

Proteasome inhibition by peptide-semicarbazones.

Peptide-semicarbazones derived from Z-Trp-Trp-Phe-aldehyde inhibit the chymotryptic activity of the human proteasome at nanomolar concentrations, but are less active in a NFkappaB reporter gene assay. Cyclic semicarbazones, in contrast, combine a strong inhibitory effect on the enzyme with an inhibition of NFkappaB signaling in the nanomolar range. In addition, a practical synthesis for scale-up of such compounds was developed.