Incorporation of vinylogous scaffolds in the C-terminal tripeptide of substance P.

Glycine-9 and leucine-10 of substance P (SP) are critical for (NK)-1 receptor recognition and agonist activity. Propsi(Z)-CH=CH(CH3)-CONH)Leu (or Met) and Propsi((E)-CH=CH(CH3)-CONH)Leu (or Met) have been introduced in the sequence of SP, in order to restrict the conformational flexibility of the C-terminal tripeptide, Gly-Leu-Met-NH2, of SP. Propsi((Z)-CH=C(CH2CH(CH3)2)-CONH)Met-NH2, with an isobutyl substituent to mimic the Leu side-chain, was also incorporated in place of the C-terminal tripeptide. The substituted-SP analogs were tested for their affinity to human NK-1 receptor specific binding sites (NK-1M and NK-1m) and their potency to stimulate adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C in Chinese Hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the human NK-1 receptor. The most potent SP analogs [Pro9psi((Z)CH=C(CH3)CONH)Leu10]SP and [Pro9psi ((E)CH=C(CH3)CONH)Leu10]SP, are about 100-fold less potent than SP on both binding sites and second messenger pathways. These vinylogous (Z)- or (E)-CH=C(CH3)- or (Z)-CH=C(CH2CH(CH3)2) moieties hamper the correct positioning of the C-terminal tripeptide of SP within both the NK-1M- and NK-1m-specific binding sites. The origin of these lower potencies is related either to an incorrect peptidic backbone conformation and/or an unfavorable receptor interaction of the methyl or isobutyl group.

A model for double asymmetric induction in the stereocontrolled reduction of glycosyl alpha-ketoesters with oxazaborolidines.

Experimental diastereoselectivities for the stereocontrolled reduction of glycosyl alpha-ketoesters into the corresponding alpha-hydroxyesters have recently been reported with unexpected results. The process is catalyzed by a chiral oxazaborolidine derivative (the so-called CBS catalyst) and represents the key step in the synthesis of glycosyl alpha-amino acids synthons, a class of compounds that allow preparation of natural glycopeptides analogues exhibiting potential therapeutic relevance. Good to very good diastereomeric excesses have been obtained for a series of reactions with different glucidic derivatives, but surprisingly, the major product obtained does not correspond to that predicted by using Corey's model. In the present work, we carry out a theoretical investigation of these reactions at the density functional level. Separated effects from the catalyst and from the glucidic derivative have been computed to rationalize the observed diastereoselectivities and the double asymmetric induction.

Investigation of new potent KDO-8-phosphate synthetase inhibitors.

A total synthesis of (Z,E)-D-Glucophosphoenolpyruvate and its carboxylic ester derivatives is described in four or five steps from 2,3:5,6-Di-O-isopropylidene-4-O-t-butydimethylsilyl-D-glucose.