A comparative study of the binding properties, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitory activity and glucose-lowering efficacy of the DPP-4 inhibitors alogliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, sitagliptin and vildagliptin in mice.

AIMS: Since 2006, DPP-4 inhibitors have become established therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Despite sharing a common mechanism of action, considerable chemical diversity exists amongst members of the DPP-4 inhibitor class, raising the question as to whether structural differences may result in differentiated enzyme inhibition and antihyperglycaemic activity. METHODS: We have compared the binding properties of the most commonly used inhibitors and have investigated the relationship between their inhibitory potency at the level of the enzyme and their acute glucose-lowering efficacy. RESULTS: Firstly, using a combination of published crystal structures and in-house data, we demonstrated that the binding site utilized by all of the DPP-4 inhibitors assessed was the same as that used by neuropeptide Y, supporting the hypothesis that DPP-4 inhibitors are able to competitively inhibit endogenous substrates for the enzyme. Secondly, we ascertained that the enzymatic cleft of DPP-4 is a relatively large cavity which displays conformational flexibility to accommodate structurally diverse inhibitor molecules. Finally, we found that for all inhibitors, irrespective of their chemical structure, the inhibition of plasma DPP-4 enzyme activity correlates directly with acute plasma glucose lowering in mice. CONCLUSION: The common binding site utilized by different DPP-4 inhibitors enables similar competitive inhibition of the cleavage of the endogenous DPP-4 substrates. Furthermore, despite chemical diversity and a range of binding potencies observed amongst the DPP-4 inhibitors, a direct relationship between enzyme inhibition in the plasma and glucose lowering is evident in mice for each member of the classes studied.

The design and synthesis of potent, selective benzodiazepine sulfonamide bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) agonists with an increased barrier of atropisomerization.

Bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) is an orphan G-protein coupled receptor expressed primarily in the hypothalamus which plays a role in the onset of both diabetes and obesity. We report herein our progress made towards identifying a potent, selective bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonist related to the previously described MK-7725(1) Chobanian et al. (2012) that would prevent atropisomerization through the increase of steric bulk at the C-2 position. This would thereby make clinical development of this class of compounds more cost effective by inhibiting racemization which can occur over long periods of time at room/elevated temperature.

Discovery of MK-7725, A Potent, Selective Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3 Agonist for the Treatment of Obesity.

Extensive structure-activity relationship studies of a series derived from atropisomer 1, a previously described chiral benzodiazepine sulfonamide series, led to a potent, brain penetrant and selective compound with excellent preclinical pharmacokinetic across species. We also describe the utilization of a high throughput mouse pharmacodynamic assay which allowed for expedient assessment of pharmacokinetic and brain distribution.

Pyridinesulfonylureas and pyridinesulfonamides as selective bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonists.

Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) is an orphan G-protein coupled receptor belonging to the subfamily of bombesin-like receptors. BRS-3 is implicated in the development of obesity and diabetes. We report here small-molecule agonists that are based on a 4-(alkylamino)pyridine-3-sulfonamide core. We describe the discovery of 2a, which has mid-nanomolar potency, selectivity for human BRS-3 versus the other bombesin-like receptors, and good bioavailability.

Discovery of MK-5046, a Potent, Selective Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3 Agonist for the Treatment of Obesity.

We report the development and characterization of compound 22 (MK-5046), a potent, selective small molecule agonist of BRS-3 (bombesin receptor subtype-3). In pharmacological testing using diet-induced obese mice, compound 22 caused mechanism-based, dose-dependent reductions in food intake and body weight.

Discovery of benzodiazepine sulfonamide-based bombesin receptor subtype 3 agonists and their unusual chirality.

We report herein the discovery of benzodiazepine sulfonamide-based bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) agonists and their unusual chirality. Starting from a high-throughput screening lead, we prepared a series of BRS-3 agonists with improved potency and pharmacokinetic properties, of which compound 8a caused mechanism-based, dose-dependent food intake reduction and body weight loss after oral dosing in diet-induced obese mice. This effort also led to the discovery of a novel family of chiral molecules originated from the conformationally constrained seven-membered diazepine ring.

Antiobesity effect of MK-5046, a novel bombesin receptor subtype-3 agonist.

Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor implicated in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Here, we report the biologic effects of a highly optimized BRS-3 agonist, (2S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-[4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]-3-(4-{[1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopropyl]methyl}-1H-imidazol-2-yl)propan-2-ol (MK-5046). Single oral doses of MK-5046 inhibited 2-h and overnight food intake and increased fasting metabolic rate in wild-type but not Brs3 knockout mice. Upon dosing for 14 days, MK-5046 at 25 mg · kg(-1) · day(-1) reduced body weight of diet-induced obese mouse by 9% compared with vehicle-dosed controls. In mice, 50% brain receptor occupancy was achieved at a plasma concentration of 0.34 ± 0.23 µM. With chronic dosing, effects on metabolic rate, rather than food intake, seem to be the predominant mechanism for weight reduction by MK-5046. The compound also effectively reduced body weight in rats and caused modest increases in body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. These latter effects on temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure were transient in nature and desensitized with continued dosing. MK-5046 is the first BRS-3 agonist with properties suitable for use in larger mammals. In dogs, MK-5046 treatment produced statistically significant and persistent weight loss, which was initially accompanied by increases in body temperature and heart rate that abated with continued dosing. Our results demonstrate antiobesity efficacy for MK-5046 in rodents and dogs and further support BRS-3 agonism as a new approach to the treatment of obesity.

Synthesis of 7-benzyl-5-(piperidin-1-yl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-pyrazolo[3,4-c][2,7]naphthyridin-1-ylamine and its analogs as bombesin receptor subtype-3 agonists.

The original structure of a high-throughput screening hit obtained from an external vendor was revised based on multiple NMR studies. The active compound was re-synthesized via a novel route and its structure and biological activity as a BRS-3 agonist were unambiguously confirmed. Multi-gram quantities of the hit were prepared for pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies. The synthetic strategy allowed for the preparation of multiple analogs for SAR exploration.

Synthesis and SAR of derivatives based on 2-biarylethylimidazole as bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonists for the treatment of obesity.

This Letter describes a series of potent and selective BRS-3 agonists containing a biarylethylimidazole pharmacophore. Extensive SAR studies were carried out with different aryl substitutions. This work led to the identification of a compound 2-{2-[4-(pyridin-2-yl)phenyl]ethyl}-5-(2,2-dimethylbutyl)-1H-imidazole 9 with excellent binding affinity (IC(50)=18 nM, hBRS-3) and functional agonist activity (EC(50)=47 nM, 99% activation). After oral administration, compound 9 had sufficient exposure in diet induced obese mice to demonstrate efficacy in lowering food intake and body weight via BRS-3 activation.

Synthesis and SAR of heterocyclic carboxylic acid isosteres based on 2-biarylethylimidazole as bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonists for the treatment of obesity.

SAR around non-peptidic potent bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonist lead 2 is presented. Attempts to replace the carboxylic acid with heterocyclic isosteres to improve oral bioavailability and brain penetration are described.

Discovery of substituted biphenyl imidazoles as potent, bioavailable bombesin receptor subtype-3 agonists.

We report SAR studies on a novel non-peptidic bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonist lead series derived from high-throughput screening hit RY-337. This effort led to the discovery of compound 22e with significantly improved potency at both rodent and human BRS-3.

Regulation of energy homeostasis by bombesin receptor subtype-3: selective receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity.

Bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) is a G protein coupled receptor whose natural ligand is unknown. We developed potent, selective agonist (Bag-1, Bag-2) and antagonist (Bantag-1) ligands to explore BRS-3 function. BRS-3-binding sites were identified in the hypothalamus, caudal brainstem, and several midbrain nuclei that harbor monoaminergic cell bodies. Antagonist administration increased food intake and body weight, whereas agonists increased metabolic rate and reduced food intake and body weight. Prolonged high levels of receptor occupancy increased weight loss, suggesting a lack of tachyphylaxis. BRS-3 agonist effectiveness was absent in Brs3(-/Y) (BRS-3 null) mice but was maintained in Npy(-/-)Agrp(-/-), Mc4r(-/-), Cnr1(-/-), and Lepr(db/db) mice. In addition, Brs3(-/Y) mice lost weight upon treatment with either a MC4R agonist or a CB1R inverse agonist. These results demonstrate that BRS-3 has a role in energy homeostasis that complements several well-known pathways and that BRS-3 agonists represent a potential approach to the treatment of obesity.

New fungal metabolite geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitors with antifungal activity.

Geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I) catalyzes the post-translational transfer of lyophilic diterpenoid geranylgeranyl to the cysteine residue of proteins terminating with a CaaX motif such as Rho1p and Cdc42p. It has been shown that GGTase I activity is essential for viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and hence its inhibition is a potential antifungal target. From natural product screening, a number of azaphilones including one novel analog were isolated as broad-spectrum inhibitors of GGTase I. Isolation, structure elucidation, GGTase I inhibitory activities and antifungal activities of these compounds are described.

Novel ketal ligands for the glucocorticoid receptor: in vitro and in vivo activity.

A novel series of selective ligands for the human glucocorticoid receptor is described. Structure-activity studies focused on variation of B-ring size, ketal ring size, and ketal substitution. These analogs were found to be potent and selective ligands for GR and have partial agonist profiles in functional assays for transactivation (TAT, GS) and transrepression (IL-6). Of these compounds, 27, 28, and 35 were evaluated further in a mouse LPS-induced TNF-alpha secretion model. Compound 28 had an ED(50) of 14.1 mg/kg compared with 0.5 mg/kg for prednisolone in the same assay.

Novel heterocyclic glucocorticoids: in vitro profile and in vivo efficacy.

A series of novel ligands for the glucocorticoid receptor containing two heterocycles were synthesized. These compounds were investigated for a dissociative profile using transrepression and transactivation assays. Several compounds were tested in vivo and showed the ability to reduce inflammation in a mouse.

Synthesis of analogs of (1,4)-3- and 5-imino oxazepane, thiazepane, and diazepane as inhibitors of nitric oxide synthases.

A series of 3- and 5-imino analogs from oxazepane, thiazepane, and diazepane was prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of human nitric oxide synthesis (NOS). The most potent iNOS inhibitor was the thiazepane analog 25 (IC(50) = 0.19 microM).

Citrafungins A and B, two new fungal metabolite inhibitors of GGTase I with antifungal activity.

[structure: see text] Screening of natural products extracts led to the discovery of citrafungins A and B, two new fungal metabolites of the alkylcitrate family that are inhibitors of GGTase I of various pathogenic fungal species with IC(50) values of 2.5-15 microM. These compounds exhibited antifungal activities with MIC values of 0.40-55 microM. The isolation, structure elucidation, relative and absolute stereochemistry, and biological activities of citrafungins are described.