Structure-based design and synthesis of novel macrocyclic pyrazolo[1,5-a] [1,3,5]triazine compounds as potent inhibitors of protein kinase CK2 and their anticancer activities.

A series of macrocyclic derivatives has been designed and synthesized based on the X-ray co-crystal structures of pyrazolo[1,5-a] [1,3,5]triazines with corn CK2 (cCK2) protein. Bioassays demonstrated that these macrocyclic pyrazolo[1,5-a] [1,3,5]triazine compounds are potent CK2 inhibitors with K(i) around 1.0 nM and strongly inhibit cancer cell growth with IC(50) as low as approximately 100 nM.

Structure-based design, synthesis, and study of potent inhibitors of beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III as potential antimicrobial agents.

Fatty acid biosynthesis is essential for bacterial survival. Components of this biosynthetic pathway have been identified as attractive targets for the development of new antibacterial agents. FabH, beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase III, is a particularly attractive target, since it is central to the initiation of fatty acid biosynthesis and is highly conserved among Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Small molecules that inhibit FabH enzymatic activity have the potential to be candidates within a novel class of selective, nontoxic, broad-spectrum antibacterials. Using crystallographic structural information on these highly conserved active sites and structure based drug design principles, a benzoylaminobenzoic acid series of compounds was developed as potent inhibitors of FabH. This inhibitor class demonstrates strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and selected Gram-negative organisms.

Identification of (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-((1S)-1-[[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)- 3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl]-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- 3-isoquinolinecarboxamide as a novel potent and selective opioid kappa receptor antagonist.

(3R)-7-Hydroxy-N-((1S)-1-[[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl]-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic) was identified as a potent and selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on JDTic analogues revealed that the 3R,4R stereochemistry of the 3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine core structure, the 3R attachment of the 7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline group, and the 1S configuration of the 2-methylpropyl (isopropyl) group were all important to its kappa potency and selectivity. The results suggest that, like other kappa opioid antagonists such as nor-BNI and GNTI, JDTic requires a second basic amino group to express potent and selective kappa antagonist activity in the [(35)S]GTPgammaS functional assay. However, unlike previously reported kappa antagonists, JDTic also requires a second phenol group in rigid proximity to this second basic amino group. The potent and selective kappa antagonist properties of JDTic can be rationalized using the "message-address" concept wherein the (3R,4R)-3,4-dimethyl-4-(hydroxyphenyl)piperidinyl group represents the message, and the basic amino and phenol group in the N substituent constitutes the address. It is interesting to note the structural commonality (an amino and phenol groups) in both the message and address components of JDTic. The unique structural features of JDTic will make this compound highly useful in further characterization of the kappa receptor.

Structure-based design, synthesis, and study of pyrazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine derivatives as potent inhibitors of protein kinase CK2.

The structure-based design, synthesis, and anticancer activity of novel inhibitors of protein kinase CK2 are described. Using pyrazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine as the core scaffold, a structure-guided series of modifications provided pM inhibitors with microM-level cytotoxic activity in cell-based assays with prostate and colon cancer cell lines.