A critical and cell-autonomous role for MeCP2 in synaptic scaling up.

Rett syndrome (Rett) is the leading genetic cause of mental retardation in females. Most cases of Rett are caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene coding for the transcriptional regulator methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), but despite much effort, it remains unclear how a loss of MeCP2 function generates the neurological deficits of Rett. Here we show that MeCP2 plays an essential and cell-autonomous role in homeostatic synaptic scaling up in response to reduced firing or reduced sensory drive in rat visual cortical pyramidal neurons. We found that acute RNAi knockdown of MeCP2 blocked synaptic scaling within targeted neocortical pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, MeCP2 knockdown decreased excitatory synapse number without affecting basal mEPSC amplitude or AMPAR accumulation at spared synapses, demonstrating that MeCP2 acts cell-autonomously to maintain both excitatory synapse number and synaptic scaling in individual neocortical neurons. Finally, we used a mouse model of Rett to show that MeCP2 loss prevents homeostatic synaptic scaling up in response to visual deprivation in vivo, demonstrating for the first time that MeCP2 loss disrupts homeostatic plasticity within the intact developing neocortex. Our results establish MeCP2 as a critical mediator of synaptic scaling and raise the possibility that some of the neurological defects of Rett arise from a disruption of homeostatic plasticity.

Genetic Encoding of bicyclononynes and trans-cyclooctenes for site-specific protein labeling in vitro and in live mammalian cells via rapid fluorogenic Diels-Alder reactions.

Rapid, site-specific labeling of proteins with diverse probes remains an outstanding challenge for chemical biologists. Enzyme-mediated labeling approaches may be rapid but use protein or peptide fusions that introduce perturbations into the protein under study and may limit the sites that can be labeled, while many "bioorthogonal" reactions for which a component can be genetically encoded are too slow to effect quantitative site-specific labeling of proteins on a time scale that is useful for studying many biological processes. We report a fluorogenic reaction between bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN) and tetrazines that is 3-7 orders of magnitude faster than many bioorthogonal reactions. Unlike the reactions of strained alkenes, including trans-cyclooctenes and norbornenes, with tetrazines, the BCN-tetrazine reaction gives a single product of defined stereochemistry. We have discovered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pairs for the efficient site-specific incorporation of a BCN-containing amino acid, 1, and a trans-cyclooctene-containing amino acid 2 (which also reacts extremely rapidly with tetrazines) into proteins expressed in Escherichia coli and mammalian cells. We demonstrate the rapid fluorogenic labeling of proteins containing 1 and 2 in vitro, in E. coli , and in live mammalian cells. These approaches may be extended to site-specific protein labeling in animals, and we anticipate that they will have a broad impact on labeling and imaging studies.

Genetically encoded tetrazine amino acid directs rapid site-specific in vivo bioorthogonal ligation with trans-cyclooctenes.

Bioorthogonal ligation methods with improved reaction rates and less obtrusive components are needed for site-specifically labeling proteins without catalysts. Currently no general method exists for in vivo site-specific labeling of proteins that combines fast reaction rate with stable, nontoxic, and chemoselective reagents. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a tetrazine-containing amino acid, 1, that is stable inside living cells. We have site-specifically genetically encoded this unique amino acid in response to an amber codon allowing a single 1 to be placed at any location in a protein. We have demonstrated that protein containing 1 can be ligated to a conformationally strained trans-cyclooctene in vitro and in vivo with reaction rates significantly faster than most commonly used labeling methods.

Design and synthesis of highly reactive dienophiles for the tetrazine-trans-cyclooctene ligation.

Computation was used to design a trans-cyclooctene derivative that displays enhanced reactivity in the tetrazine-trans-cycloctene ligation. The optimized derivative is an (E)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-ene with a cis-ring fusion, in which the eight-membered ring is forced to adopt a highly strained 'half-chair' conformation. Toward 3,6-dipyridyl-s-tetrazine in MeOH at 25 °C, the strained derivative is 19 and 27 times more reactive than the parent trans-cyclooctene and 4E-cyclooct-4-enol, respectively. Toward 3,6-diphenyl-s-tetrazine in MeOH at 25 °C, the strained derivative is 160 times more reactive than the parent trans-cyclooctene.

Potent ketoamide inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease derived from quaternized P1 groups.

Blood borne hepatitis C infections are the primary cause for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV NS3 protease, a pivotal enzyme in the replication cycle of HCV virus has been the primary target for development of new drug candidates. Boceprevir and telaprevir are two novel ketoamide derived inhibitors that are currently undergoing phase-III clinical trials. These inhibitors include ketoamide functionality as serine trap and have an acidic alpha-ketoamide center that undergoes epimerization under physiological conditions. Our initial attempts to arrest this epimerization by introducing quaternary amino acids at P(1) had resulted in significantly diminished activity. In this manuscript we describe alpha quaternized P(1) group that result in potent inhibitors in the enzyme assay and demonstrate cellular activity comparable to boceprevir.

Discovery of potent sulfonamide P4-capped ketoamide second generation inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS3 serine protease with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles in preclinical species.

Hepatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the liver, usually producing swelling and, in many cases, permanent damage to liver tissues. Viral hepatitis C (HCV), a small (+)-RNA virus, infects chronically 3% of the world's population. Boceprevir, SCH 503034, (1) our first generation HCV inhibitor, has already established proof-of- concept and is currently in late stage (phase III) clinical trials. In view of the positive data from our first generation compound, further work aimed at optimizing its overall profile was undertaken. Herein, we report that extension of our earlier inhibitor to the P(4) pocket by introducing a new sulfonamide moiety and optimization of the P1/P(1)' capping led to the discovery of a novel series of inhibitors of the HCV NS3 serine protease. Optimization of the P(1) residue significantly improved potency and selectivity. The combination of optimal moieties led to the discovery of compound 47 which, in addition to being a potent inhibitor of HCV subgenomic RNA replication, was also found to have good PK profile in rat, dog and monkey.

Tetrazine ligation: fast bioconjugation based on inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reactivity.

Described is a bioorthogonal reaction that proceeds with unusually fast reaction rates without need for catalysis: the cycloaddition of s-tetrazine and trans-cyclooctene derivatives. The reactions tolerate a broad range of functionality and proceed in high yield in organic solvents, water, cell media, or cell lysate. The rate of the ligation between trans-cyclooctene and 3,6-di-(2-pyridyl)-s-tetrazine is very rapid (k2 2000 M-1 s-1). This fast reactivity enables protein modification at low concentration.

Application of ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of macrocyclic peptidomimetics as inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease.

An efficient synthetic approach for the preparation of macrocyclic peptidomimetics for inhibition of HCV NS3 is presented. The macrocyclic core is built using ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of a tripeptidic diene. The presented approach allows the introduction of heteroatoms in strategic places along the macrocyclic ring. The methyl ester moiety in the RCM products was synthetically manipulated to install a keto-amide moiety via a Passerini reaction.

Tetrazine-trans-cyclooctene ligation for the rapid construction of 18F labeled probes.

A radiolabeling method for bioconjugation based on the Diels-Alder reaction between 3,6-diaryl-s-tetrazines and an (18)F-labeled trans-cyclooctene is described. The reaction proceeds with exceptionally fast rates, making it an effective conjugation method within seconds at low micromolar concentrations.

Cyclic sulfones as novel P3-caps for hepatitis C virus NS3/4A (HCV NS3/4A) protease inhibitors: synthesis and evaluation of inhibitors with improved potency and pharmacokinetic profiles.

HCV infection affects more than 170 million people worldwide and many of those patients will reach the end stage complications of the disease which include hepatocarcinoma and liver failure. The success rate for treatment of patients infected with genotype-1 is about 40%. Therefore, novel treatments are needed to combat the infection. The HCV NS3 protease inhibitor Boceprevir (1) was reported by our research group and efforts continue for the discovery of more potent compounds with improved pharmacokinetic profiles. A new series of HCV NS3 protease inhibitors having a cyclic sulfone P3-cap have been discovered. Compounds 43 and 44 showed K(i)* values in the single-digit nM range and their cellular potency was improved by 10-fold compared to 1. The pharmacokinetic profiles of 43 and 44 in rats and monkeys were also improved to achieve higher plasma levels after oral administration.

Discovery of Narlaprevir (SCH 900518): A Potent, Second Generation HCV NS3 Serine Protease Inhibitor.

Boceprevir (SCH 503034), 1, a novel HCV NS3 serine protease inhibitor discovered in our laboratories, is currently undergoing phase III clinical trials. Detailed investigations toward a second generation protease inhibitor culminated in the discovery of narlaprevir (SCH 900518), 37, with improved potency (∼10-fold over 1), pharmacokinetic profile and physicochemical characteristics, currently in phase II human trials. Exploration of synthetic sequence for preparation of 37 resulted in a route that required no silica gel purification for the entire synthesis.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of oxygen-containing macrocyclic peptidomimetics as inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease.

HCV infection is considered a silent epidemic because most people infected do not develop acute symptoms. Instead, the disease progresses to a chronic state leading to cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Novel therapies are needed to combat this major health threat. The HCV NS3 serine protease has been the target of continuous investigation because of its pivotal role in viral replication. Herein, we present the P1-P3 macrocyclization approach followed for identification of HCV NS3 inhibitors as potential backup candidates to our first generation drug candidate, Sch 503034 (1). Different P1-P3 linkers were investigated to identify novel macrocyclic scaffolds. SAR exploration of P3-caps in the macrocyclic cores allowed the identification of l-serine derived macrocycle 32 (Ki* = 3 nM, EC90 = 30 nM) and allo-threonine derived macrocycle 36 (Ki* = 3 nM, EC90 = 30 nM) as potent HCV NS3 protease inhibitors.

Second-generation highly potent and selective inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus NS3 serine protease.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease. The moderate efficacy along with side effects of the current pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy underscores the need for more effective and safer new treatment. In an effort to improve upon our current clinical candidate, Boceprevir (SCH 503034), extensive SAR studies were performed on the P3 capping moieties. This led to the discovery of tert-leucinol derived cyclic imides as a potent series of novel P3 capping groups. Thus, the introduction of these imide caps improved the cell-based replicon EC(90) by more than 10-fold. A number of imides with various substitutions, ring sizes, bicyclic systems, and heterocyclic rings were explored. The 4,4-dimethyl substituted glutarimide emerged as the best cap as exemplified in compound 21 (K(i)* = 4 nM, EC(90) = 40 nM). Systematic optimization of different positions (P', P3, and P1) of the inhibitor resulted in the identification of the lead compound 46, which had an excellent potency (K(i)* = 4 nM, EC(90) = 30 nM) and good pharmacokinetic profile (22% and 35% bioavailability in rats and dogs, respectively). X-ray structure of inhibitor 46 bound to the enzyme revealed that there was an additional hydrogen bonding interaction between one of the imide carbonyls and Cys159.

Discovery and structure-activity relationship of P1-P3 ketoamide derived macrocyclic inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS3 protease.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the major cause of chronic liver disease, leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Although combination therapy of interferon-alpha and ribavirin is reasonably successful in treating majority of genotypes, its efficacy against the predominant genotype (genotype 1) is moderate at best, with only about 40% of the patients showing sustained virological response. Herein, the SAR leading to the discovery of a series of ketoamide derived P(1)-P(3) macrocyclic inhibitors that are more potent than the first generation clinical candidate, boceprevir (1, Sch 503034), is discussed. The optimization of these macrocyclic inhibitors identified a P(3) imide capped analogue 52 that was 20 times more potent than 1 and demonstrated good oral pharmacokinetics in rats. X-ray structure of 52 bound to NS3 protease and biological data are also discussed.