Development of substituted benzimidazoles as inhibitors of human aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A isoenzymes.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A (ALDH1A) isoforms may be a useful target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and other solid tumor cancers. However, as different cancers express different ALDH1A isoforms, isoform selective inhibitors may have a limited therapeutic scope. Furthermore, resistance to an ALDH1A isoform selective inhibitor could arise via induction of expression of other ALDH1A isoforms. As such, we have focused on the development of pan-ALDH1A inhibitors, rather than on ALDH1A isoform selective compounds. Herein, we report the development of a new group of pan-ALDH1A inhibitors to assess whether broad spectrum ALDH1A inhibition is an effective adjunct to chemotherapy in HGSOC. Optimization of the CM10 scaffold, aided by ALDH1A1 crystal structures, led to improved biochemical potencies, improved cellular efficacy as demonstrated by reduction in ALDEFLUOR signal in HGSOC cells, and substantial improvements in liver microsomal stability. Based on this work we identified two compounds 17 and 25 suitable for future in vivo proof of concept experiments.

Development of 2,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one inhibitors of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A (ALDH1A) as potential adjuncts to ovarian cancer chemotherapy.

There is strong evidence that inhibition of one or more Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1A (ALDH1A) isoforms may be beneficial in chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer and other tumor types. While many previous efforts have focused on development of ALDH1A1 selective inhibitors, the most deadly ovarian cancer subtype, high-grade serous (HGSOC), exhibits elevated expression of ALDH1A3. Herein, we report continued development of pan-ALDH1A inhibitors to assess whether broad spectrum ALDH1A inhibition is an effective adjunct to chemotherapy in this critical tumor subtype. Optimization of the CM39 scaffold, aided by metabolite ID and several new ALDH1A1 crystal structures, led to improved biochemical potencies, improved cellular ALDH inhibition in HGSOC cell lines, and substantial improvements in microsomal stability culminating in orally bioavailable compounds. We demonstrate that two compounds 68 and 69 are able to synergize with chemotherapy in a resistant cell line and patient-derived HGSOC tumor spheroids, indicating their suitability for future in vivo proof of concept experiments.

Heart Failure-Related Hyperphosphorylation in the Cardiac Troponin I C Terminus Has Divergent Effects on Cardiac Function In Vivo.

BACKGROUND: In human heart failure, Ser199 (equivalent to Ser200 in mouse) of cTnI (cardiac troponin I) is significantly hyperphosphorylated, and in vitro studies suggest that it enhances myofilament calcium sensitivity and alters calpain-mediated cTnI proteolysis. However, how its hyperphosphorylation affects cardiac function in vivo remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: To address the question, 2 transgenic mouse models were generated: a phospho-mimetic cTnIS200D and a phospho-silenced cTnIS200A, each driven by the cardiomyocyte-specific α-myosin heavy chain promoter. Cardiac structure assessed by echocardiography and histology was normal in both transgenic models compared with littermate controls (n=5). Baseline in vivo hemodynamics and isolated muscle studies showed that cTnIS200D significantly prolonged relaxation and lowered left ventricular peak filling rate, whereas ejection fraction and force development were normal (n=5). However, with increased heart rate or ß-adrenergic stimulation, cTnIS200D mice had less enhanced ejection fraction or force development versus controls, whereas relaxation improved similarly to controls (n=5). By contrast, cTnIS200A was functionally normal both at baseline and under the physiological stresses. To test whether either mutation impacted cardiac response to ischemic stress, isolated hearts were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion. cTnIS200D were protected, recovering 88±8% of contractile function versus 35±15% in littermate controls and 28±8% in cTnIS200A (n=5). This was associated with less cTnI proteolysis in cTnIS200D hearts. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperphosphorylation of this serine in cTnI C terminus impacts heart function by depressing diastolic function at baseline and limiting systolic reserve under physiological stresses. However, paradoxically, it preserves heart function after ischemia/reperfusion injury, potentially by decreasing proteolysis of cTnI.

"Catch-and-release" of HNO with pyrazolones.

A new and versatile class of HNO donors, the (hydroxylamino)pyrazolone (HAPY) series of HNO donors utilizing pyrazolone (PY) leaving groups, is described. HNO, the smallest N-based aldehyde equivalent, is used as a reagent along with a variety of PY compounds to synthesize the desired HAPY donors in what can be considered an N-selective HNO-aldol reaction in up to quantitative yields. The bimolecular rate constant of HNO with PY in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer at 37 °C can reach 8 × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). In (1)H NMR experiments, the HAPY compounds generate HNO quantitatively (trapped as a phosphine aza-ylide) with half-lives spanning 3 orders of magnitude (minutes to days) under physiologically relevant conditions. B3LYP/6-31G* calculations confirm the energetically favorable reactions between HNO and the PY enol and enolate, whereas HNO release is expected to occur through the oxyanion (OHN-PY) of each HAPY compound. HNO has been shown to provide functional support to failing hearts.

Curtailing the hydroxylaminobarbituric acid-hydantoin rearrangement to favor HNO generation.

Due to its inherent reactivity, HNO must be generated in situ through the use of donor compounds. One of the primary strategies for the development of new HNO donors has been modifying hydroxylamines with good leaving groups. A recent example of this strategy is the (hydroxylamino)barbituric acid (HABA) class of HNO donors. In this case, however, an undesired intramolecular rearrangement pathway to the corresponding hydantoin derivative competes with HNO formation, particularly in the absence of chemical traps for HNO. This competitive non-HNO-producing pathway has restricted the development of the HABA class to examples with fast HNO release profiles at physiological pH and temperature (t(1/2) < 1 min). Herein, the factors that favor the rearrangement pathway have been examined and two independent strategies that protect against rearrangement to favor HNO generation have been developed. The timecourse and stoichiometry for the in vitro conversion of these compounds to HNO (trapped as a phosphine aza-ylide) and the corresponding barbituric acid (BA) byproduct have been determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy under physiologically relevant conditions. These results confirm the successful extension of the HABA class of pure HNO donors with half-lives at pH 7.4, 37 °C ranging from 19 to 107 min.

Synthesis and reactivity of new aminophenolate complexes of nickel.

New well-defined, paramagnetic nickel complexes have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complexes were found to be active for the cross-coupling of alkyl electrophiles (especially ethyl 2-bromobutyrate) with alkyl Grignard reagents. The ligand architecture in these new complexes could potentially be rendered chiral, opening up future possibilities for performing asymmetric cross-coupling reactions.