Chemical and biochemical issues related to X-ray crystallography of the ligand-binding domain of estrogen receptor alpha.

Careful attention to technical issues preceded successful crystallography of the ligand-binding domain of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) complexed with CP-336156, a nonsteroidal estrogen agonist/antagonist. An affinity column based on immobilized estradiol was prepared according to the scheme of Greene et al. (Greene, G. L., Nolan, C., Engler, J. P., and Jensen, E. V. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77, 5115-5119). It was shown by X-ray crystallography that the major and less polar isomer of the affinity column precursor was 17alpha-((S)-2',3'-epoxyprop-1'-yl)estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17beta-diol. This diastereomer was coupled to Thiopropyl Sepharose, with coupling monitored by observing loss of the phenolic absorption band of estradiol from the reaction supernatant, and gave an affinity matrix containing about 9 micromol of estradiol per milliliter of wet gel. Recombinant ERalpha ligand binding domain was selectively removed from E. coli cell lysate by binding to the column and was partly S-carboxymethylated by treatment with iodoacetic acid while bound to the column as described by previous workers. After being eluted from the column as a complex with drug, the receptor fragment was shown by mass spectrometry to be a mixture of differently modified forms. It was further S-carboxymethylated in solution, after which anion-exchange chromatography was used to isolate protein in which two of the four cysteine residues were S-carboxymethylated. This material, which afforded diffraction-quality crystals, was subjected to digestion with trypsin and peptide mapping analysis by HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry. For this experiment, the two previously unmodified cysteines were alkylated with 4-vinylpyridine to allow definitive identification. It was shown that Cys-417 and Cys-530 were S-carboxymethylated in the crystallized protein, while Cys-381 and Cys-447 remained unmodified. Close attention to such technical issues may be important in structural studies of other nuclear receptors, a very important class of potential drug targets.

An approach to the skeleton of the securinega alkaloids. The total synthesis of (+/-)-securinine.

[structure: see text]. The concise total synthesis of securinine in nine steps from readily available starting materials is described. Key steps of the synthesis include an addition of a silyloxyfuran to an in situ generated iminium ion and a novel ring closing metathesis reaction.

(3R,4S)-3-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl]chroman-4,7-diol: a conformationally restricted analogue of the NR2B subtype-selective NMDA antagonist (1S,2S)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)- 1-propanol.

(1S,2S)-1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)-1-propanol (CP-101,606, 1) is a recently described antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors containing the NR2B subunit. In the present study, the optimal orientation of compounds of this structural type for their receptor was explored. Tethering of the pendent methyl group of 1 to the phenolic aromatic ring via an oxygen atom prevents rotation about the central portion of the molecule. Several of the new chromanol compounds have high affinity for the racemic [3H]CP-101,606 binding site on the NMDA receptor and protect against glutamate toxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons. The new ring caused a change in the stereochemical preference of the receptor-cis (erythro) compounds had better affinity for the receptor than the trans isomers. Computational studies suggest that steric interactions between the pendent methyl group and the phenol ring in the acyclic series determine which structures can best fit the receptor. The chromanol analogue, (3R,4S)-3-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-1- yl]chroman-4,7-diol (12a, CP-283,097), was found to possess potency and selectivity comparable to CP-101,606. Thus 12a is a new tool to explore the function of the NR2B-containing NMDA receptors.

Glucose transport-enhancing and hypoglycemic activity of 2-methyl-2-phenoxy-3-phenylpropanoic acids.

A series of 2-phenoxy-3-phenylpropanoic acids has been prepared which contains many potent hypoglycemic agents as demonstrated by assessing glucose lowering in ob/ob mice. Some compounds (32, 33, 59) normalize plasma glucose in this diabetic model at doses of approximately 1 mg/kg. The mechanism of action of these drugs may involve enhanced glucose transport, especially in fat cells, but the compounds do not stimulate GLUT4 translocation and do not increase the levels of GLUT1 or GLUT4 in vivo. Thus, these compounds may enhance the intrinsic activity of the glucose transporter GLUT1 or GLUT4. Some compounds also modestly decrease hepatocyte gluconeogenesis in vitro, but this is not likely to be a major contributor to the hypoglycemic effect observed in vivo. Likewise, a modest decrease in food consumption observed with some of these compounds was shown by a pair-feeding experiment not to be the primary cause of the hypoglycemia observed.

Design of novel cholecystokinin-B receptor ligands based on the 'double-ring system' approach.

A structurally novel series of cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor ligands has been designed and synthesized based on the 'double ring system' theory of receptor recognition. Compounds 2b-cis and 2g-cis from this 1-amino-2-benzyltetralin series show modest CCK-B receptor affinity, with IC50 values of 48.5 nM and 39.0 nM, respectively. The results are discussed in the context of ongoing efforts to identify the CCK-B receptor binding site for nonpeptide ligands.

(1S,2S)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)-1-propanol: a potent new neuroprotectant which blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate responses.

(1S,2S)-1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)-1-propanol (20, CP-101,606) has been identified as a potent and selective N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist through a structure activity relation (SAR) program based on ifenprodil, a known antihypertensive agent with NMDA antagonist activity. Sites on the threo-ifenprodil skeleton explored in this report include the pendent methyl group (H, methyl, and ethyl nearly equipotent; propyl much weaker), the spacer group connecting the C-4 phenyl group to the piperidine ring (an alternating potency pattern with 0 and 2 carbon atoms yielding the greatest potency), and simple phenyl substitution (little effect). While potent NMDA antagonists were obtained with a two atom spacer, this arrangement also increased alpha 1 adrenergic affinity. Introduction of a hydroxyl group into the C-4 position on these piperidine ring resulted in substantial reduction in alpha 1 adrenergic affinity. The combination of these observations was instrumental in the discovery of 20. This compound potently protects cultured hippocampal neurons from glutamate toxicity (IC50 = 10 nM) while possessing little of the undesired alpha 1 adrenergic affinity (IC50 approximately 20 microM) of ifenprodil. Furthermore, 20 appears to lack the psychomotor stimulant effects of nonselective competitive and channel-blocking NMDA antagonists. Thus, 20 shows great promise as a neuroprotective agent and may lack the side effects of compounds currently in clinical trials.

5-Phenyl-3-ureidobenzazepin-2-ones as cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonists.

A series of 5-phenyl-3-ureidobenzazepin-2-one cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor antagonists was synthesized using Beckmann ring expansion of a suitable 4-phenyl-1-tetralone as a key step. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed the importance of the 5-phenyl group for potent and selective CCK-B affinity. Addition of an 8-methyl substituent and resolution provided the potent (CCK-B IC50 = 0.48 nM) CCK-B antagonist 4. The role of the 5-phenyl group as part of a "privileged structure" for high-affinity receptor antagonism is discussed.

Discovery of CP-96,345 and its characterization in disease models involving substance P.

Studies with CP-96,345, a potent, selective, orally active, nonpeptide NK1 receptor antagonist, have provided considerable insight into SP pharmacology. Rather than being a primary neurotransmitter, SP prolongs the nociception produced by other neurotransmitters. By controlling endothelial permeability, SP plays a major role in inflammation and inflammatory aspects of asthma, possibly by regulating the access of neutrophils to an inflammatory site. These results indicate potential therapeutic applications for SP antagonists in the treatment of chronic pain, inflammation, and inflammatory aspects of asthma, and signal a new era in the clinical management of these important diseases.

The discovery of (2S,3S)-cis-2-(diphenylmethyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-1- azabicyclo[2.2.2]-octan-3-amine as a novel, nonpeptide substance P antagonisst.

We describe the structure-activity relationship development of a series of quinuclidines which culminated in the first potent, selective, nonpeptide substance P (SP) antagonist, (2S,3S)-cis-2-(diphenylmethyl)-N-[(2-methoxy-phenyl)methyl]-1- azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-amine, 3 (CP-96,345). Compound 3 is a potent displacer of [3H]SP binding in human IM-9 cells and blocks SP-induced and capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation, as well as SP-induced salivation in the rat in vivo. This compound may both help to further our understanding of the interactions of small molecules with peptide receptors and serve to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a SP antagonist.

Hydantoin bioisosteres. In vivo active spiro hydroxy acetic acid aldose reductase inhibitors.

The hypothesis that clinical side effects of the aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) sorbinil were related to its hydantoin ring led to a bioisosteric analysis and replacement of the hydantoin by a spiro hydroxy acetic acid moiety as in 40. These hydroxy acids, compared to hydantoins, showed a similar potency increase on chroman 2-methyl substitution, a similar orthogonal relationship of acidic to aromatic moieties, and similar ARI enantioselectivity. In this series the six-membered spiro hydroxy acetic acid anion array is a bioisostere for a spiro hydantoin anion and leads to ARIs with excellent in vivo activity. In vitro and in vivo activity was improved over 40 by chroman cis 2-methylation as in 4 and by aromatic 6,7-halogen substitution. Compounds with the best acute in vivo activity in rats were compared for chronic in vivo activity. The highest tissue levels and best chronic in vivo activities were found in the racemic 6,7-dichloro and 6-fluoro-7-chloro analogues 18 and 23. ARI activity was enantioselective for 58 and 60, the 2R,4R-enantiomers of 18 and 23. 7-Chloro-6-fluoro-cis-4-hydroxy-2(R)-methyl-chroman-4-acetic acid (60) was selected for phase 1 clinical trials and did not exhibit sorbinil-like hypersensitivity side effects.

CP-82,009, a potent polyether anticoccidial related to septamycin and produced by Actinomadura sp.

A new polyether antibiotic CP-82,009 (C49H84O17) was isolated by solvent extraction from the fermentation broth of Actinomadura sp. (ATCC 53676). Following purification by column chromatography and crystallization, the structure of CP-82,009 was elucidated by spectroscopic (NMR and MS) methods. The absolute stereochemistry was determined by a single crystal X-ray analysis of the corresponding rubidium salt. CP-82,009 is among the most potent anticoccidial agents known, effectively controlling the Eimeria species that are the major causative agents of chicken coccidiosis at doses of 5 mg/kg or less in feed. It is also active in vitro against certain Gram-positive bacteria, as well as the spirochete, Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae.

The structures of atpenins A4, A5 and B, new antifungal antibiotics produced by Penicillium sp.

The structures of atpenins A4, A5 and B, new antifungal antibiotics produced by Penicillium sp., have been deduced to be I, II and III, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic and 1H and 13C NMR spectral data. The molecular structure of atpenin A4 with absolute configurations was finally confirmed to be 2'S,4'S,5'S-5,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-5'-chloro-2',4'- dimethyl-1'-oxoheptyl-2-hydroxypyridine (I') by the single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. The absolute configurations of atpenins A5 and B were also expected to be 2'S,4'S,5'R-II (II') and 2'S,4'R-III (III'), respectively.

CP-82,996, a novel diglycoside polyether antibiotic related to monensin and produced by Actinomadura sp.

A new polyether antibiotic CP-82,996 (C50H86O16) was isolated by solvent extraction from the fermentation broth of Actinomadura sp. (ATCC 53764). Following purification by silica gel column chromatography and crystallization, the structure of CP-82,996 was determined by a single crystal X-ray analysis. The structure is closely related to monensin, but is unique in that it contains two sugar groups, whereas monensin has none. The 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts and assignments for CP-82,996 were elucidated, and they were compared with those determined previously for monensin. CP-82,996 is active against certain Gram-positive bacteria, and is a very potent anticoccidial agent. It effectively controlled chicken coccidiosis caused by several Eimeria species at 5-10 ppm in feed, and is 10-20 times more potent than monensin.

CP-60,993, a new dianemycin-like ionophore produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus ATCC 39305: fermentation, isolation and characterization.

CP-60,993, 19-epi-dianemycin, is a novel polycyclic ether antibiotic produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus ATCC 39305. Fermentation recovery, purification and crystallization were achieved using standard procedures. CP-60,993 was characterized as a monocarboxylic acid. Elemental analysis suggested a molecular formula of C47H78O14 for the free acid and C47H77O14 Na for the sodium salt. Crystalline from CP-60,993 sodium salt shows the following properties: m.p. 193-205 degrees C, E1%(1 cm) = 157 at 232 nm, [alpha]25 degrees C(D) + 11.0 (c 1, methanol). The structure, determined by MS, PMR and CMR, differs from dianemycin only in the stereochemistry at position 19. This was confirmed by X-ray crystallography carried out on the rubidium salt of CP-60,993. It exhibited activity in vitro against Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria, efficacy against Eimeria coccidia in vivo in poultry, and stimulation in vitro of rumen propionic acid production.

CP-84,657, a potent polyether anticoccidial related to portmicin and produced by Actinomadura sp.

A new polyether antibiotic CP-84,657 (C45H78O14) was isolated by solvent extraction from the fermentation broth of Actinomadura sp. (ATCC 53708). Following purification by column chromatography and crystallization, the structure of CP-84,657 was elucidated by spectroscopic (NMR and MS) methods. The absolute stereochemistry was determined by a single crystal X-ray analysis of the corresponding rubidium salt. CP-84,657 is among the most potent anticoccidal agents known, effectively controlling the Eimeria species that are the major causative agents of chicken coccidiosis at doses of 5 mg/kg or less in feed. It is also active in vitro against certain Gram-positive bacteria, as well as the spirochete, Treponema hyodysenteriae.

Carolinoside: a phytosteroidal glycoside from Solanum carolinense.

The glycoside of a new class of phytosteroids has been isolated from Solanum carolinense. The steroidal aglycone (carolinone) is alkylated at C-3 and is identified as C-[(2,4,5-trideoxy-3-keto-4,5-dehydro)-pentulopyranosyl]-(5----3)- (13,14- seco-14 beta,17 alpha-dihydroxy) estrogen. The hydrolytic labile glycosyl moiety is identified as O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) (1----1)-[L-(2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl)- arabinopyranose]. The linkage of this disaccharide in the steroidal glycoside (carolinoside) is shown to be O-(alpha-pentulopyranosyl)- (1----4)-O-(beta-L-arabinopyranosyl)-(1----1)-D-glucopyranose. Carolinoside occurs at concentrations of 10(-7)-10(-6) M in leaf tissue and was shown to be the host plant specific feeding induction factor for Manduca sexta.