Structure-activity relationships of the potent combined endothelin-A/endothelin-B receptor antagonist Ac-DDip16-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp21: development of endothelin-B receptor selective antagonists.

The endothelins (ETs) are a family of bicyclic 21-amino acid-containing peptides that are highly potent and prolonged vasoconstrictors. The discovery of potent ET antagonists will facilitate the understanding of the physiological and/or pathophysiological role of ET. Structure-activity studies have revealed the importance of the C-terminal hexapeptide (residues 16-21) of ET (His16-Leu17-Asp18-Ile19-Ile20-Trp21) to the development of potent antagonists at both receptor subtypes (ETA and ETB). In particular, it has been shown that Ac-DDip16-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp21 (Dip = 3,3-diphenylalanine) has low nanomolar affinity for the two endothelin receptor subtypes and is a functional antagonist of ET activity, both in vitro and in vivo at both receptors. Herein, we will describe the structure-activity relationships of Ac-DDip16-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp21 (PD 142893) with a particular emphasis on modifications that lead to enhanced receptor affinity and/or individual receptor subtype selectivity. In particular, we will demonstrate how we utilized PD 142893 to develop ETB receptor selective ligands and the pharmacological differences that exist between species ETB receptors with respect to their affinity for C-terminal hexapeptide antagonists.

Design and synthesis of renin inhibitors: incorporation of transition-state isostere side chains that span from the S1 to the S3 binding pockets and examination of P3-modified renin inhibitors.

A series of renin inhibitors were designed to examine the topography of the contiguous binding pocket of renin that is normally occupied by the P1 and P3 side chains. Molecular modeling suggested that extending the P1 hydrophobic side chain into the adjacent hydrophobic S3 enzyme pocket was feasible. Novel transition state isosteres with modified P1-->P3 side chains were synthesized and provided enhanced binding affinity when incorporated into renin inhibitors in which the P3 Phe was substituted by Gly. In a complementary approach, the binding affinities of a variety of P3-P4-modified peptidomimetic renin inhibitors that lacked substantial hydrophobic side chains at these sites were measured.

Analyses of ligand binding in five endothiapepsin crystal complexes and their use in the design and evaluation of novel renin inhibitors.

Five renin inhibitors were cocrystallized with endothiapepsin, a fungal enzyme homologous to renin. Crystal structures of inhibitor-bound complexes have provided invaluable insight regarding the three-dimensional structure of the aspartic proteinase family of enzymes, as well as the steric and polar interactions that occur between the proteins and the bound ligands. Beyond this, subtleties of binding have been revealed, including multiple subsite binding modes and subsite interdependencies. This information has been applied in the design of novel potent renin inhibitors and in the understanding of structure-activity relationships and enzyme selectivities.

Renin inhibitors containing alpha-heteroatom amino acids as P2 residues.

A series of renin inhibitors having alpha-heteroatom amino acids as P2 substitutions has been prepared. Examples where the heteroatom is oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen are described. Many of the compounds exhibit subnanomolar potency when tested in vitro against monkey renin. When selected compounds were tested orally in conscious, salt-depleted, normotensive, Cynomolgus monkeys, low to moderate blood pressure lowering was observed. At an oral dose of 30 mg/kg, compound 53a lowered blood pressure by a maximum of 18 mmHg at 2.5 h post-dose.

Design and synthesis of potent, selective, and orally active fluorine-containing renin inhibitors.

A series of primate renin inhibitors containing difluorocarbinol and difluoroketone groups at the P1-P1' position have been synthesized and studied both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of monkey renin and the closely related aspartic proteinase, cathepsin D (bovine), as a measure of enzyme selectivity. Interestingly, the difluoroketone derivatives showed greatly reduced selectivity compared with the corresponding alcohols. However, selectivity could be enhanced by judicious choice of other substituents. Sites influencing selectivity, included not only P2, which is well-known to strongly affect selectivity, but also the P4, P1-P1', and P2' sites. These results make possible the design of inhibitors with a greater selectivity for either renin versus cathepsin D. In vivo several of the compounds in the difluoroketone series have shown good oral activity in the salt depleted normotensive cynomolgus monkey model.

Renin inhibitors containing esters at the P2-position. Oral activity in a derivative of methyl aminomalonate.

A series of renin inhibitors containing ester side chains at the P2 subsite are potent inhibitors of primate renin. Derivatives containing the diol isostere (ACDMH) at P1-P1' were the most potent inhibitors. Moderate selectivity for renin was observed relative to the closely related aspartic proteinase cathepsin D. The prototype compound, 4 (PD 132002), inhibited pepsin only weakly. In both high-renin normotensive and high-renin renal hypertensive monkeys, 4 produced substantial reductions in blood pressure after oral administration of 30 mg/kg. The maximum drop in blood pressure observed (24 +/- 4 mmHg) in the renal hypertensive monkey model was comparable to the drop produced by an intravenous infusion of saralasin at a maximally effective dose. Both the magnitude and duration of the oral antihypertensive effect of 4 is greater than that produced by enalkiren, CGP-38560, or CP-80794 by direct comparison in the same hypertensive monkey model. The malonate ester derivatives were prepared as ca. 65:35 mixtures of epimers. The kinetics of epimerization of 4 were investigated in detail, and it was shown to equilibrate rapidly at physiological pH (t1/2 less than 2 min). Fractional crystallization was employed to obtain the individual diastereomers in greater than 98% purity, which were indistinguishable in terms of their activity in vitro or in vivo, presumably due to rapid epimerization under the testing conditions.

New inhibitors of human renin that contain novel replacements at the P2 site.

A series of renin inhibitors with novel modifications at the P2 site has been prepared. Structure-activity relationships reveal that for a particular P2 fragment the in vitro potency is highly dependent on the nature of the P2' portion in addition to the P1-P1' group. The length of the P2 side chain and choice of epsilon-N P2 substitution have been found to be important for in vitro potency although the degree of unsaturation in the P2 side chain is not particularly significant. Molecular modeling studies have shown that it is possible for the P2 side chain to interact unfavorably with the P2' binding site. It has been possible to control the specificity for renin over cathepsin D by correct modification at the P2' and P1-P1' sites. Variations at the P4 site have been utilized to lower the log P values of these renin inhibitors while maintaining high potency. Compound 42, which exhibited an IC50 of 3.70 nM, log P of 2.3, and showed high specificity for renin, was selected for further studies. It was found to be very stable under neutral, acidic, and basic conditions. In simulated intestinal juice, compound 42 had a half-life of 37 min while it was virtually unaffected by simulated gastric juice after 4 h. Compound 42 produced a significant hypotensive response upon intravenous administration to the salt-depleted normotensive cynomolgus monkey.

Renin inhibitors containing isosteric replacements of the amide bond connecting the P3 and P2 sites.

Renin inhibitors having 13 different isosteres connecting the P3 and P2 positions have been prepared. Synthetic routes and in vitro activity exhibited by these compounds are discussed. The two most potent compounds, 47 and 48, contained the hydroxyethylene isostere, psi [CHOHCH2], and had IC50 values of 61 and 22 nM, respectively.

Psi [CH2NH] backbone-modified peptides: first unequivocal observation of a C7 structure in a linear peptide.

We have elucidated the X-ray diffraction structures of the psi[CH2NH] backbone-modified analogs of Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 and t-Boc-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (N alpha-protected derivatives of the tripeptide amide representing the C-terminal tail of oxytocin) with the "reduced peptide bond" located at the Pro-Leu sequence. The comparative results of these pseudopeptides show that conformational properties are similar (i.e., C7 structure at the Pro), whereas the unmodified peptides diverge substantially (i.e., t-Boc-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 and H-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 each show type-II beta-bend at the Leu-Gly; and Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 shows an open folded structure). The results for t-Boc-Pro psi[CH2NH]Leu-Gly-NH2 represent the first unequivocal proof for the existence of a C7 structure in a linear peptide.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of potent new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors containing saturated bicyclic amino acids.

The synthesis of a series of novel, potent angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors containing saturated bicyclic amino acids in place of proline is described. Octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid, octahydroisoindole-1-carboxylic acid, and octahydro-3-oxoisoindole-1-carboxylic acid can replace proline in both sulfhydryl and non-sulfhydryl ACE inhibitors to give compounds equipotent to captopril and enalapril both in vitro and in vivo. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. Compound 11a (CI-907, indolapril) has advanced to clinical evaluation.

Modified di- and tripeptides of the C-terminal portion of oxytocin and vasopressin as possible cognition activation agents.

A number of peptides and modified peptides were synthesized and studied for their ability to reverse electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in rodents. A few of these peptides were selected for secondary evaluation in tests of short-term memory in rats and aged rhesus monkeys. A number of the peptides and modified peptides were active in the amnesia reversal test. In selected secondary tests, however, the chosen compounds failed to show significant activity in enhancing memory. New methods for preparing methyleneamino and methyleneoxy isosteres of peptides are reported. Other modified peptides also included methylenethio, methylenesulfonyl, and ethylene isosteres in place of the normal peptide amide bond.

Anti-writhing activity of some peptides related to neurotensin and tuftsin.

Several small peptides related to neurotensin (NT) and tuftsin were synthesized and tested for analgesic activity against acetic acid induced writhing in mice. None of the peptides approached the activity shown by NT or NT hexapeptide. Tuftsin itself was found to be weakly active. An isosteric dipeptide related to a cobra venom peptide was found to have considerable anti-writhing activity at a high intracerebroventricular dose.

Semisynthetic penicillins and cephalosporins containing the substituted 6-vinyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo- and 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid side chains. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships.

A series of penicillins and cephalosporins containing the substituted 6-vinyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo- and 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid side chains has been prepared and compared to piperacillin and cefoperazone. The compounds show good activity when tested in vitro against an array of Gram-negative bacteria. In vitro activity was also demonstrated against several species of Gram-positive bacteria. Two compounds, 14 and 21, show good in vivo activity when tested against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Structure-activity relationships in a series of anti-inflammatory N-arylanthranilic acids.

A large series of N-arylanthranilic acids has been prepared. Many of these compounds show high anti-inflammatory activity as measured by the anti-UV-erythema test. From this series have come the clinically useful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, flufenamic acid (Arlef), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), and the latest and most potent agent, N-(2,6-dichloro-m-tolyl)anthranilic acid (meclofenamic acid, Meclomen = the sodium salt). The structure-activity relationships of this series is discussed and a graphical representation is presented which allows the prediction of activity of new agents.

CI-867, a new broad-spectrum semisynthetic penicillin.

The synthesis and antimicrobial activity of a new semisynthetic penicillin are described. Both in vitro and in vivo, the compound shows promising antibacterial activity when compared with piperacillin and ticarcillin. High activity is shown against Pseudomonas and other Gram-negative bacteria.

Antiinflammatory activity of isomeric phenylnaphthaleneacetic acids.

The isomeric phenylnaphthaleneacetic acids were prepared and tested for antiinflammatory activity by the anti-UV-erythema method. High potency was exhibited by 4- and 5-phenyl-1-naphthaleneacetic acid and 5- and 6-phenyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid. The results are discussed in terms of a hypothetical receptor site.