Identification of an Antagonist Targeting G Protein and ß-Arrestin Signaling Pathways of 5-HT7R.

In consideration of the limited number of FDA-approved drugs for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), significant efforts have been devoted to identifying novel drug candidates. Among these, 5-HT7R modulators have garnered considerable attention due to their potential in alleviating autism-like behaviors in ASD animal models. In this study, we designed and synthesized biphenyl-3-ylmethylpyrrolidines 3 and biphenyl-3-yl-dihydroimidazoles 4 as 5-HT7R modulators. Through extensive biological tests of 3 and 4 in G protein and ß-arrestin signaling pathways of 5-HT7R, it was determined that 2-(2'-methoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole 4h acted as a 5-HT7R antagonist in both signaling pathways. In in vivo study with Shank3-/- transgenic (TG) mice, the self-grooming behavior test was performed with 4h, resulting in a significant reduction in the duration of self-grooming. In addition, an immunohistochemical experiment with 4h restored reduced neurogenesis in Shank3-/- TG mice, which is confirmed by the quantification of doublecortin (DCX) positive neurons, suggesting the promising therapeutic potential of 4h.

Discovery of thiophen-2-ylmethylene bis-dimedone derivatives as novel WRN inhibitors for treating cancers with microsatellite instability.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a hypermutable condition caused by DNA mismatch repair system defects, contributing to the development of various cancer types. Recent research has identified Werner syndrome ATP-dependent helicase (WRN) as a promising synthetic lethal target for MSI cancers. Herein, we report the first discovery of thiophen-2-ylmethylene bis-dimedone derivatives as novel WRN inhibitors for MSI cancer therapy. Initial computational analysis and biological evaluation identified a new scaffold for a WRN inhibitor. Subsequent SAR study led to the discovery of a highly potent WRN inhibitor. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the optimal compound induced DNA damage and apoptotic cell death in MSI cancer cells by inhibiting WRN. This study provides a new pharmacophore for WRN inhibitors, emphasizing their therapeutic potential for MSI cancers.

Photocatalytic Alkyl Addition to Access Quaternary Alkynyl α-Amino Esters.

A regioselective alkylation of ß,γ-alkynyl-α-imino esters by visible-light photocatalysis has been developed. This method enables 1,2-addition of methyl, primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl radicals to the conjugated imines under mild conditions to produce a variety of quaternary alkynyl α-amino acid and cyclic amino acid motifs. Alkyl radicals are generated from alkyl bis(catecholato)silicates with an organic photocatalyst. This process is effective under an air atmosphere, providing operational benefits compared to conventional alkylation using organometallic reagents.

Serotonin Receptors as Therapeutic Targets for Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by repetitive and stereotyped behaviors as well as difficulties with social interaction and communication. According to reports for prevalence rates of ASD, approximately 1~2% of children worldwide have been diagnosed with ASD. Although there are a couple of FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved drugs for ASD treatment such as aripiprazole and risperidone, they are efficient for alleviating aggression, hyperactivity, and self-injury but not the core symptoms. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) as a neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in the early neurodevelopmental stage. In particular, 5-HT has been known to regulate a variety of neurobiological processes including neurite outgrowth, dendritic spine morphology, shaping neuronal circuits, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. Given the roles of serotonergic systems, the 5-HT receptors (5-HTRs) become emerging as potential therapeutic targets in the ASD. In this review, we will focus on the recent development of small molecule modulators of 5-HTRs as therapeutic targets for the ASD treatment.

Central Administration of Ampelopsin A Isolated from Vitis vinifera Ameliorates Cognitive and Memory Function in a Scopolamine-Induced Dementia Model.

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive degeneration of the function of the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system and the decline of cognition and memory abilities. The dysfunctions of the cognitive and memory battery are closely related to inhibitions of neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and brain-derived cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) to associate with the cholinergic system and long-term potentiation. Vitis vinifera, the common grapevine, is viewed as the important dietary source of stilbenoids, particularly the widely-studied monomeric resveratrol to be used as a natural compound with wide-ranging therapeutic benefits on neurodegenerative diseases. Here we found that ampelopsin A is a major compound in V. vinifera and it has neuroprotective effects on experimental animals. Bath application of ampelopsin A (10 ng/µL) restores the long-term potentiation (LTP) impairment induced by scopolamine (100 µM) in hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses. Based on these results, we administered the ampelopsin A (10 ng/µL, three times a week) into the third ventricle of the brain in C57BL/6 mice for a month. Chronic administration of ampelopsin A into the brain ameliorated cognitive memory-behaviors in mice given scopolamine (0.8 mg/kg, i.p.). Studies of mice's hippocampi showed that the response of ampelopsin A was responsible for the restoration of the cholinergic deficits and molecular signal cascades via BDNF/CREB pathways. In conclusion, the central administration of ampelopsin A contributes to increasing neurocognitive and neuroprotective effects on intrinsic neuronal excitability and behaviors, partly through elevated BDNF/CREB-related signaling.

Ligand-Controlled Direct Hydroformylation of Trisubstituted Olefins.

The direct hydroformylation of trisubstituted olefins has been achieved with a combination of a Rh(I) catalyst and a π-acceptor phosphorus (briphos) ligand. A sterically bulky briphos ligand with a large cone angle that forms a 1:1 complex with Rh(I) is found to be reactive for the hydroformylation of trisubstituted olefins. The aldehyde products were obtained with high diastereoselectivity (>99:1) and regioselectivity (49%-81%).

Carbene-Catalyzed Enantioselective Decarboxylative Annulations to Access Dihydrobenzoxazinones and Quinolones.

A direct decarboxylative strategy for the generation of aza-o-quinone methides (aza-o-QMs) by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis has been discovered and explored. This process requires no stoichiometric additives in contrast with current approaches. Aza-o-QMs react with trifluoromethyl ketones through a formal [4+2] manifold to access highly enantioenriched dihydrobenzoxazin-4-one products, which can be converted to dihydroquinolones through an interesting stereoretentive aza-Petasis-Ferrier rearrangement sequence. Complementary dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT) studies provided an accurate prediction of the reaction enantioselectivity and lend further insight to the origins of stereocontrol. Additionally, a computed potential energy surface around the major transition structure suggests a concerted asynchronous mechanism for the formal annulation.

Synthesis of α-(4-Oxazolyl)amino Esters via Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Tandem Reaction.

A one-step, Brønsted acid catalyzed tandem reaction for the synthesis of α-(4-oxazolyl)amino esters was developed. 4-Nitrobenzenesulfonic acid was found to be an efficient catalyst for the coupling of ethyl 2-oxobut-3-ynoates with amides to provide various α-(4-oxazolyl)amino esters. The experimental and X-ray crystallographic data suggest that a series of bond-forming reactions including imine formation, intermolecular Michael addition, and intramolecular Michael addition are involved to generate both the oxazole and amino acid functionalities.

An Enantioselective Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling Catalysis Approach to Substituted Tetrahydropyrans.

An enantioselective cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction to access tetrahydropyrans has been developed. This process combines in situ Lewis acid activation of a nucleophile in concert with the oxidative formation of a transient oxocarbenium electrophile, leading to a productive and highly enantioselective CDC. These advances represent one of the first successful applications of CDC for the enantioselective couplings of unfunctionalized ethers. This system provides efficient access to valuable tetrahydropyran motifs found in many natural products and bioactive small molecules.

Chiral Bicyclic Bridgehead Phosphoramidite (Briphos) Ligands for Asymmetric Rhodium-Catalyzed 1,2- and 1,4-Addition.

A complementary solution for Rh-catalyzed enantioselective 1,2- and 1,4-arylation with two structurally related chiral ligands is reported. A chiral bicyclic bridgehead phosphoramidite (briphos) ligand derived from 1-aminoindane was efficient for the 1,2-arylation of N-sulfonyl imines, while that derived from 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine was efficient for 1,4-arylation of α,ß-unsaturated cyclic ketones. For α,ß-unsaturated N-tosyl ketimines, the briphos derived from 1-aminoindane was found to selectively provide γ,γ-diaryl N-tosyl enamines with high yields and stereoselectivities.

Palladium-Catalyzed Dehydrative Cross-Coupling of Allylic Alcohols and N-Heterocycles Promoted by a Bicyclic Bridgehead Phosphoramidite Ligand and an Acid Additive.

A mild and efficient dehydrative cross-coupling reaction between allylic alcohols and N-heterocycles using palladium catalysis is reported. A bicyclic bridgehead phosphoramidite (briphos) ligand together with Pd(dba)2 is a highly efficient catalyst, and an acid additive involved in the rate-determining step promotes the catalytic cycle. The coupling reaction of allylic alcohols with N-heterocycles including imidazoles, benzimidazoles, and triazole proceeds under mild reaction conditions with high yields using Pd/briphos and pentafluorophenol.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,4-Addition of α,ß-Unsaturated Imino Esters Using Chiral Bicyclic Bridgehead Phosphoramidite Ligands.

A chiral bicyclic bridgehead phosphoramidite (briphos) prepared from 1-aminoindane is a highly efficient and selective ligand for rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to α,ß-unsaturated N,N-dimethyl-sulfamoyl imino esters at ambient temperature. This transformation provides a new class of chiral (Z)-γ,γ-diaryl-α,ß-dehydroamino esters with excellent yield and enantioselectivity.

Bicyclic bridgehead phosphoramidite (briphos) ligands with tunable π-acceptor ability and catalytic activity in the rhodium-catalyzed conjugate additions.

A new type of bicyclic bridgehead phosphoramidites (briphos) is reported, where the geometrical constraints significantly enhance the π-acceptor ability compared with its monocyclic analogs. The briphos is shown to be highly efficient and tunable for Rh(I)-catalyzed conjugate additions of aryl boronic acids to α,ß-unsaturated ketones and N-tosyl ketimines.

2,2'-Dihydroxybenzil: a stereodynamic probe for primary amines controlled by steric strain.

A rational approach for generating 1,1'-binaphthalene-like axial chirality of a small organic receptor, 2,2'-dihydroxybenzil is presented. The receptor combines with 2 equiv of monodentate primary amines to form a diimine, of which axial chirality is controlled by steric strain with moderate (1.4:1) to good (4.7:1) stereoselectivity. The observed circular dichroism (CD) spectra have been closely simulated by TD-DFT computations and can be used for determining the absolute chirality and enantiomeric excess of primary amines.