Synthesis of allyl 6-O-(3-deoxy-alpha- and -beta-D-manno-oct-2- ulopyranosylonic acid)-(1----6)-2-deoxy-2-[(3R)-3-hydroxytetradecanamido]- beta-D-glucopyranoside 4-phosphate and of the copolymer of the alpha anomer with acrylamide.

The title disaccharides were synthesized by mercuric cyanide-catalyzed condensation of methyl (4,5,7,8-tetra-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-oct-2-ulopyranosyl bromide)onate and allyl 2-[(3R)-3-acetoxy-tetradecanamido]-3-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranoside, followed by phosphorylation of the alcoholic function of the amino sugar. The phosphorylated anomers were separated by chromatography and deprotected by conventional methods. Polymeric material was obtained by copolymerisation, catalyzed by peroxosulphate and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, of the alpha anomer with acrylamide; it contained ca. one disaccharide unit for 18 acrylamide residues.     

Comparison of [(3)H]-(2S,4R)-4-methylglutamate and [(3)H]D-aspartate as ligands for binding and autoradiographic analyses of glutamate transporters

While studies with [(3)H]D-aspartate ([(3)H]d-Asp) illustrate specific interactions with excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), new insights into the pharmacological characteristics and localization of specific EAAT subtypes depend upon the availability of novel ligands. One such ligand is [(3)H]-(2S,4R)-4-methylglutamate ([(3)H]4MG) which labels astrocytic EAATs in homogenate binding studies. This study examined the utility of [(3)H]4MG for binding and autoradiography in coronal sections of rat brain. Binding of [(3)H]4MG was optimal in 5mM HEPES buffer containing 96 mM NaCl, pH 7.5. Specific binding of [(3)H]4MG exhibited two components, but was to a single site when glutamate receptor (GluR) sites were masked with kainate (KA; 1 microM): t(1/2) approximately 5 min, K(d) 250 nM and B(max) 5.4 pmol/mg protein. Pharmacological studies revealed that [(3)H]4MG, unlike [(3)H]d-Asp, labeled both EAAT and ionotropic GluR sites. Further studies employed 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline (30 microM) to block GluR sites, but selective EAAT ligands displayed lower potency than expected for binding to transporters relative to drugs possessing mixed transporter/receptor activities. Autoradiography in conjunction with densitometry with [(3)H]4MG and [(3)H]d-Asp revealed wide, but discrete distributions in forebrain; significant differences in binding levels were found in hippocampus, nucleus accumbens and cortical sub-areas. Although EAAT1 and EAAT2 components were detectable using 3-methylglutamate and serine-O-sulphate, respectively, the majority of [(3)H]4MG binding was to KA-related sites. Overall, in tissue sections [(3)H]4MG proved unsuitable for studying the autoradiographic localization of EAATs apparently due to its inability to selectively discriminate Na(+)-dependent binding to Glu transporters.     

Identification of 4-[1-[3-chloro-4-[N'-(5-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)ureido]phenylacetyl]-(4S)-fluoro-(2S)-pyrrolidinylmethoxy]benzoic acid as a potent, orally active VLA-4 antagonist

Optimization of benzoic acid derivatives by introducing substituents into the diphenyl urea moiety led to the identification of compound 20l as a potent VLA-4 antagonist. Compound 20l inhibited eosinophil infiltration into bronchial alveolar lavage fluid in a murine asthma model by oral dosing and its efficacy was comparable to anti-mouse alpha4 antibody (R1-2). Furthermore, this compound significantly blocked bronchial hyper-responsiveness in the model.     

Identification of trans-4-[1-[[7-fluoro-2-(1-methyl-3-indolyl)-6-benzoxazolyl]acetyl]-(4S)-fluoro-(2S)-pyrrolidinylmethoxy]cyclohexanecarboxylic acid as a potent, orally active VLA-4 antagonist

For the purpose of obtaining orally potent VLA-4 inhibitors, we have carried out structural modification of the (N'-phenylureido)phenyl group in compound 1, where the group was found to be attributed to poor pharmacokinetic profile in our previous research. Through modification, we have identified several compounds with both potent in vitro activity and improved oral exposure. In particular, compound 7e with 7-fluoro-2-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1,3-benzoxazolyl group as a novel replacement of the (N'-phenylureido)phenyl group significantly inhibited eosinophil infiltration into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 15mg/kg in an Ascaris-antigen-induced murine bronchial inflammatory model, and its efficacy was comparable to that of the anti-mouse α(4) antibody (R1-2).     

Discovery and activity of (1R,4S,6R)-N-[(1R)-2-[4-cyclohexyl-4-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]carbonyl]-1-piperidinyl]-1-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-2-oxoethyl]-2-methyl-2-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-6-carboxamide (3, RY764), a potent and selective melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonist

A novel isoquinuclidine containing selective melanocortin subtype-4 receptor small molecule agonist, 3 (RY764), is reported. Its in vivo characterization revealed mechanism-based food intake reduction and erectile activity augmentation in rodents.     

Discovery of a factor Xa inhibitor (3R,4R)-1-(2,2-difluoro-ethyl)-pyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid 3-[(5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-amide] 4-{[2-fluoro-4-(2-oxo-2H-pyridin-1-yl)-phenyl]-amide} as a clinical candidate

A series of (3R,4R)-pyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid amides was investigated with respect to their factor Xa inhibitory activity, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, and ex vivo antithrombotic activity. The clinical candidate from this series, R1663, exhibits excellent selectivity against a panel of serine proteases and good pharmacokinetic properties in rats and monkeys. A Phase I clinical study with R1663 has been finalized.     

Biosynthesis of lipid A in Escherichia coli: identification of UDP-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-alpha-D-glucosamine as a precursor of UDP-N2,O3-bis[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-alpha-D-glucosamine

The lipid A disaccharide of the Escherichia coli envelope is synthesized from the two fatty acylated glucosamine derivatives UDP-N2,O3-bis[(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-alpha-D- glucosamine (UDP-2,3-diacyl-GlcN) and N2,O3-bis[(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-alpha-D-glucosamine 1-phosphate (2,3-diacyl-GlcN-1-P) [Ray, B. L., Painter, G., & Raetz, C. R. H. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 4852-4859]. We have previously shown that UDP-2,3-diacyl-GlcN is generated in extracts of E. coli by fatty acylation of UDP-GlcNAc, giving UDP-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-GlcNAc as the first intermediate, which is rapidly converted to UDP-2,3-diacyl-GlcN [Anderson, M. S., Bulawa, C. E., & Raetz, C. R. H. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 15536-15541; Anderson, M. S., & Raetz, C. R. H. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 5159-5169]. We now demonstrate a novel enzyme in the cytoplasmic fraction of E. coli, capable of deacetylating UDP-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-GlcNAc to form UDP-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]glucosamine. The covalent structure of the previously undescribed UDP-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl] glucosamine intermediate was established by 1H NMR spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. This material can be made to accumulate in E. coli extracts upon incubation of UDP-3-O-[(R)-3- hydroxymyristoyl]-GlcNAc in the absence of the fatty acyl donor [(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-acyl carrier protein. However, addition of the isolated deacetylation product [UDP-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl] glucosamine] back to membrane-free extracts of E. coli in the presence of [(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-acyl carrier protein results in rapid conversion of this compound into the more hydrophobic products UDP-2,3-diacyl-GlcN, 2,3-diacyl-GlcN-1-P, and O-[2-amino-2-deoxy-N2,O3- bis[(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-(1----6)-2-amino- 2-deoxy-N2,O3-bis[(R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-alpha-D- glucopyranose 1-phosphate (tetra-acyldisaccharide-1-P), demonstrating its competency as a precursor. In vitro incubations using [acetyl-3H]UDP-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-GlcNAc confirmed release of the acetyl moiety in this system as acetate, not as some other acetyl derivative. The deacetylation reaction was inhibited by 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide, while the subsequent N-acylation reaction was not. Our observations provide strong evidence that UDP-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl]glucosamine is a true intermediate in the biosynthesis of UDP-2,3-diacyl-GlcN and lipid A.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N-[(1S,2S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(3-cyanophenyl)-1-methylpropyl]-2-methyl-2-aminopropanamide as human cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) inverse agonists

Obesity is a chronic medical condition that is affecting large population throughout the world. CB1 as a target for treatment of obesity has been under intensive studies. Taranabant was discovered and then developed by Merck as the 1st generation CB1R inverse agonist. Reported here is part of our effort on the 2nd generation of CB1R inverse agonist from the acyclic amide scaffold. We replaced the oxygen linker in taranabant with nitrogen and prepared a series of amino heterocyclic analogs through a divergent synthesis. Although in general, the amine linker gave reduced binding affinity, potent and selective CB1R inverse agonist was identified from the amino heterocycle series. Molecular modeling was applied to study the binding of the amino heterocycle series at CB1 binding site. The in vitro metabolism of representative members was studied and only trace glucuronidation was found. Thus, it suggests that the right hand side of the molecule may not be the appropriate site for glucuronidation.     

Diaryldimethylpiperazine ligands with mu- and delta-opioid receptor affinity: Synthesis of (+)-4-[(alphaR)-alpha-(4-allyl-(2S,5S)-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-(3-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-N-phenylbenzamide and (-)-4-[(alphaR)-alpha-(2S,5S)-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-(3-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-N-phenylbenzamide

We have explored the synthesis of compounds that have good affinity for both mu- and delta-opioid receptors from the (alphaR,2S,5S) class of diaryldimethylpiperazines. These non-selective compounds were related to opioids that have been found to interact selectively with mu- or delta-opioid receptors as agonists or antagonists. In our initial survey, we found two compounds, (+)-4-[(alphaR)-alpha-(4-allyl-(2S,5S)-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-(3-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-N-phenylbenzamide (14) and its N-H relative, (-)-4-[(alphaR)-alpha-(2S,5S)-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-(3-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-N-phenylbenzamide (15), that interacted with delta-receptors with good affinity, and, as we hoped, with much higher affinity at mu-receptors than SNC80. The relative configuration of the benzylic position in (+)-4-[(alphaR)-alpha-(4-allyl-(2S,5S)-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-(3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-benzyl alcohol (10) was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis of a crystal that was an unresolved twin. The absolute stereochemistry of that benzylic stereogenic center was unequivocally derived by the X-ray crystallographic analysis from the two other centers of asymmetry in the molecule that were known. Those were established from the synthesis via a dipeptide cyclo-L-Ala-L-Ala in which the absolute stereochemistry was established.     

Discovery of (2S)-N-[(1R)-2-[4-cyclohexyl-4-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]carbonyl]-1-piperidinyl]-1-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-2-oxoethyl]-4-methyl-2-piperazinecarboxamide (MB243), a potent and selective melanocortin subtype-4 receptor agonist

We report the discovery and optimization of substituted 2-piperazinecarboxamides as potent and selective agonists of the melanocortin subtype-4 receptor. Further in vivo development of lead agonist, MB243, is disclosed.     

Structure of the O-polysaccharide of Escherichia coli O150 containing 2-acetamido-4-O-[(S)-1-carboxyethyl]-2-deoxy-d-glucose

An acidic O-polysaccharide was obtained by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli O150 and studied by sugar and methylation analyses, triflic acid solvolysis, Smith degradation, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, including 2D ROESY, (1)H,(13)C HSQC, HMQC-TOCSY, and HMBC experiments. The polysaccharide was found to contain a regioisomer of N-acetylisomuramic acid, 2-acetamido-4-O-[(S)-1-carboxyethyl]-2-deoxy-d-glucose [d-GlcNAc4(Slac)]. The structure of its hexasaccharide repeating unit was established.     

Synthesis of [(2S,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidin-2-yl]-5-methylfuran-4-carboxylic acid derivatives: new leads as selective beta-galactosidase inhibitors

The preparation of [(2S,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidin-2-yl]furan derivatives in a stereoselective route starting from D-glucose and ethyl acetoacetate is presented. Ethyl ester (6), N,N-diethylamide (7) and N-isopropylamide (8) have been tested towards 25 glycosidases. Ester (6) is a selective inhibitor of beta-galactosidases. The new compounds represent a new type of imino-C-nucleoside analogues.     

Synthesis and evaluation of [(1R)-1-amino-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)ethyl]cyclohexanes and 4-[(1R)-1-amino-2-(2,5-difluorophenyl)ethyl]piperidines as DPP-4 inhibitors

A series of 4-amino cyclohexanes and 4-substituted piperidines were prepared and evaluated for inhibition of DPP-4. Analog 20q displayed both good DPP-4 potency and selectivity against other proteases, while derivative 20k displayed long half life and modest oral bioavailability in rat. The most potent analog, 3-(5-aminocarbonylpyridyl piperidine 53j, displayed excellent DPP-4 activity with good selectivity versus other proline enzymes.     

Short and efficient synthesis of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-tetrahydroxyazepanes via the Henry reaction

The Henry reaction with the easily available alpha-d-xylo-pentodialdose afforded a diastereomeric mixture of nitroaldoses with the alpha-d-gluco- and beta-l-ido-configuration, respectively, in good yield. When n-BuLi was used as the base, the reaction afforded the alpha-d-gluco-nitroaldose as the only product. The reduction of the nitro group in the alpha-d-gluco- and beta-l-ido-nitroaldoses, removal of the protecting groups and intramolecular reductive cyclo-amination afforded the corresponding (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S) tetrahydroxyazepanes.     

Synthesis of (+)-(2R,3S,4R)-2,3,4-trihydroxycyclohexanone from D-glucose

We have described the synthesis of (+)-(2R,3S,4R)-2,3,4-trihydroxycyclohexanone by the reduction of a keto-conduritol derivative, the latter being prepared in five steps from (-)-(2S,3R,4S,5S)-2,3,4-tribenzyloxy-5-hydroxycyclohexanone, which is in turn readily synthesized from D-glucose.     

(3R)-4-[(3R)-3-Amino-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoyl]-3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1,4-diazepan-2-one, a selective dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Replacement of the triazolopiperazine ring of sitagliptin (DPP-4 IC(50)=18nM) with 3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1,4-diazepan-2-one gave dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor 1 which is potent (DPP-4 IC(50)=2.6nM), selective, and efficacious in an oral glucose tolerance test in mice. It was selected for extensive preclinical development as a potential back-up candidate to sitagliptin.     

Neuroprotective Activity of (+)-(S)-2-[(1S,5R)-(3,7-Dioxo-2,4,6,8-Tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-yl)]-4-methylthiobutanoic acid

A study of the neurotropic, neuroprotective, and antioxidant action of the enantiomers and racemate of 2-[(3,7-dioxo-2,4,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-yl)]-4-methylthiobutanoic acid synthesized in a stereoselective reaction of (R)-, (S)-, or (R,S)-N-carbamoylmethionine with 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidine-2-one showed that only (+)-(S)-2-[(1S,5R)-(3,7-dioxo-2,4,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-yl)]-4-methylthiobutanoic acid had neuroprotective properties. X-ray structure analysis showed that the predominating racemate of glycolurils is crystallized from aqueous solutions as a conglomerate. Antioxidant activity was not detected.