Synthesis of 3′-Deoxy-3′-[4-(pyrimidin-1-yl)methyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]thymidine via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition

Abstract

The synthesis of new 3′-deoxy-3′-[4-(pyrimidin-1-yl)methyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]thymidine 6a–f, from 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5′-O-monomethoxytrityl-thymidine is described. The key step is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between the azido group of the protected AZT 3 and N-1-propargylpyrimidine derivatives 2a–f. All new derivatives 6a–f were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against the replication of HIV-1 (IIIB), HIV-2 (ROD). No marked activity was found.     

Novel spiropiperidine-based stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 inhibitors: Identification of 1′-{6-[5-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]pyridazin-3-yl}-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3,4-dihydrospiro[chromene-2,4′-piperidine]

Cyclization of the benzoylpiperidine in lead compound 2 generated a series of novel and highly potent spiropiperidine-based stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)-1 inhibitors. Among them, 1′-{6-[5-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]pyridazin-3-yl}-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3,4-dihydrospiro[chromene-2,4′-piperidine] (19) demonstrated the most powerful inhibitory activity against SCD-1, not only in vitro but also in vivo (C57BL/6 J mice). With regard to the pharmacological evaluation, 19 showed powerful reduction of the desaturation index in the plasma of C57BL/6 J mice on a non-fat diet after a 7-day oral administration (q.d.) without causing notable abnormalities in the eyes or skin up to the highest dose (3 mg/kg) in our preliminary analysis.     

Synthesis of [1-[2′,5′-bis-O-(t-Butyldimethylsilyl)-β- L-ribofuranosyl] thymine]-3′-spiro-5″-(4″-amino-1″,2″-oxathiole-2″,2″-dioxide) (L-TSAO-T)

Abstract

Derivatives of TSAO-T based upon pentofuranose sugars with the L-configuration have been prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of HIV-1 induced cytopathicity.     

Synthesis of 3′-Deoxy-3′ and 5′-Deoxy-5′-[4-(Purin-9-yl/Pyrimidin-1-yl) methyl-1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl]thymidine via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition

Abstract

Synthesis of new 3′-deoxy-3′ and 5′-deoxy-5′-[(4-(purin-9-yl/pyrimidin-1-yl)methyl-1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl]thymidine 8a-g 10a-g from 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5′-O-monomethoxytrityl-thymidine and 5′-azido-5′deoxythymidine respectively are described. The key step is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between the azido group and N-9/N-1-propargylpurine/pyrimidine derivatives.     

Design and synthesis of a novel series of (1′S,2R,4′S)-3H-4′-azaspiro[benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]oxazole-2,2′-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes] with high affinity for the α7 neuronal nicotinic receptor

We describe an efficient and convergent synthesis of a series of (1′S,2R,4′S)-3H-4′-azaspiro[benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]oxazole-2,2′-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes] displaying potency for the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and good selectivity vs. the related 5-HT_3A receptor.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 2′H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,3′-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine]-1′,5′-dione derivatives as Mnk inhibitors

Post-translational modulation of eIF4E through phosphorylation by Mnks is highly integral to the pathogenesis of different cancers. Therefore, inhibition of Mnks offers a strategy for cancer treatment. Herein, a series of 2′H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,3′-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine]-1′,5′-dione derivatives is presented as Mnk inhibitors. Some of them showed sub-micromolar to low nanomolar inhibitory activities against Mnk1/2 with a high level of selectivity for both kinases over CDKs. Biochemical assays revealed that compounds 4c and 4t are non-ATP-competitive inhibitors of Mnks. Lead compound 4t demonstrated a high selectivity for Mnk1/2 over a selection of 51 kinases, and displayed anti-proliferative activities against a panel of cancer cell lines. However, this compound in combination with our in-house CDK4/6 inhibitor 83 did not show a synergistic effect in A2780 ovarian cancer cells, suggesting that caution be exercised in the selection of an agent to be combined with an Mnk inhibitor.     

Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of (2′S)-[2′-2H]-2′-Deoxyribonucleosides from the Corresponding Ribonucleosides

Abstract

The four (2′S)-[2′-²H]-2′-deoxynucleosides (>90 atom % ²H), were synthesized from the corresponding ribonucleosides involving six steps of reactions, i.e., oxidation of their 2′-hydroxyl group, stereoselective reductive deuteration of the resulting 2′-ketonucleoside intermediates with NaB²H₄ in EtOH-H₂O or EtOH, triflation, bromination with LiBr, highly stereoselective Bu₃SnH-Et₃B reduction of the resulting bromide, and, finally, unmasking.     

Synthesis and preclinical characterization of 1-(6′-deoxy-6′-[18F]fluoro-β-d-allofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (β-6′-[18F]FAZAL) as a positron emission tomography radiotracer to assess tumor hypoxia

Positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18 (¹⁸F)-labeled 2-nitroimidazole radiotracers has proven useful for assessment of tumor oxygenation. However, the passive diffusion-driven cellular uptake of currently available radiotracers results in slow kinetics and low tumor-to-background ratios. With the aim to develop a compound that is actively transported into cells, 1-(6′-deoxy-6′-[¹⁸F]fluoro-β-d-allofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (β-[¹⁸F]1), a putative nucleoside transporter substrate, was synthetized by nucleophilic [¹⁸F]fluoride substitution of an acetyl protected labeling precursor with a tosylate leaving group (β-6) in a final radiochemical yield of 12 ± 8% (n = 10, based on [¹⁸F]fluoride starting activity) in a total synthesis time of 60 min with a specific activity at end of synthesis of 218 ± 58 GBq/μmol (n = 10). Both radiolabeling precursor β-6 and unlabeled reference compound β-1 were prepared in multistep syntheses starting from 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose. In vitro experiments demonstrated an interaction of β-1 with SLC29A1 and SLC28A1/2/3 nucleoside transporter as well as hypoxia specific retention of β-[¹⁸F]1 in tumor cell lines. In biodistribution studies in healthy mice β-[¹⁸F]1 showed homogenous tissue distribution and excellent metabolic stability, which was unaffected by tissue oxygenation. PET studies in tumor bearing mice showed tumor-to-muscle ratios of 2.13 ± 0.22 (n = 4) at 2 h after administration of β-[¹⁸F]1. In ex vivo autoradiography experiments β-[¹⁸F]1 distribution closely matched staining with the hypoxia marker pimonidazole. In conclusion, β-[¹⁸F]1 shows potential as PET hypoxia radiotracer which merits further investigation.     

RNA Modified Uridines VI: Conformations of 3-[3-(S)-Amino-3-Carboxypropyl]Uridine (acp3U) from tRNA and 1-Methyl-3-[3-(S)-Amino-3-Carboxypropyl]Pseudouridine (m1acp3Ψ) from rRNA

Abstract

The conformation of chemically synthesized acp³U is 60& 3′-endo, gauche⁺, whereas that of m¹acp³Ψ is 60& 2′-endo, gauche⁺. We conclude that the difference in conformation probably imparts important local structures to their respective tRNA and rRNA.     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of 3′-[4-fluoroaryl-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]-3′-deoxythymidine analogs and their phosphoramidates

Abstract

A series of novel 4-chlorophenyl N-alkyl phosphoramidates of 3′-[4-fluoroaryl-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]-3′-deoxythymidines (20–49) was synthesized by means of phosphorylation of 3′-[4-aryl-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]-3′-deoxythymidines (7–11) with 4-chlorophenyl phosphoroditriazolide (14), followed by a reaction with the appropriate amine. The synthesized compounds 7–11 and 20–49 were evaluated along with four known anticancer compounds for their cytotoxic activity in human cancer cell lines: cervical (HeLa), nasopharyngeal (KB), breast (MCF-7), osteosarcoma (143B) (only selected compounds 20, 24, 28, 32–36, 38, 40, 46) and normal human dermal fibroblast cell line (HDF) using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Among 3′-[4-aryl-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]-3′-deoxythymidines (7–11) the highest activity in all the investigated cancer cells was displayed by 3′-[4-(3-fluorophenyl)-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]-3′-deoxythymidine (9) (IC₅₀ in the range of 2.58–3.61?μM) and its activity was higher than that of cytarabine. Among phosphoramidates 20–49 the highest activity was demonstrated by N-n-propyl phosphoramidate of 3′-[4-(3-fluorophenyl)-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]-3′-deoxythymidine (35) in all the cancer cells (IC₅₀ in the range of 0.97–1.94?μM). Also N-ethyl phosphoramidate of 3′-[4-(3-fluorophenyl)-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]-3′-deoxythymidine (33) exhibited good activity in all the used cell lines (IC₅₀ in the range of 4.79–4.96?μM).     

Synthesis and radiopharmacological investigation of 3-[4′-[18F]fluorobenzylidene]indolin-2-one as possible tyrosine kinase inhibitor

The radiosynthesis and radiopharmacological evaluation of 3-[4′-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzylidene]indolin-2-one, a derivative of tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU5416, is described. The radiosynthesis was accomplished by Knoevenagel condensation of 4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzaldehyde with oxindole in a remotely controlled synthesis module. The reaction conditions were optimized through screening the influence of different bases on the radiochemical yield. The radiotracer was obtained after a two-step labelling procedure in 4% decay-corrected radiochemical yield at a specific activity of 48–61 GBq/μmol within 90 min. The radiochemical purity after semi-preparative HPLC purification exceeded 98%.The biodistribution was studied in Wistar rats. After distribution the radiotracer was rapidly accumulated in the adrenals, liver and kidneys, however, it was cleared from these and the most other organs. Only the adipose tissue remained the activity over 60 min. Unexpected high transient uptake was observed in the brain, pancreas, heart and lung. The fast clearance of 3-[4′-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzylidene]indolin-2-one was caused by excretion, approximately one half each was renal and biliary excreted and the other part cleared by metabolic processes. In arterial blood plasma two more polar metabolites were found by radio-HPLC. After 20 min post-injection, only 12% of intact radiotracer has been detected. Consequently, in small animal PET studies with FaDu tumour bearing mice no specific uptake in the tumours could be observed.     

Propyl-2-(8-(3,4-Difluorobenzyl)-2′,5′-Dioxo-8-Azaspiro[Bicyclo[3.2.1] Octane-3,4′-Imidazolidine]-1′-yl) Acetate Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukemia Cells through Mitochondrial Pathway following Cell Cycle Arrest

Background

Due to the functional defects in apoptosis signaling molecules or deficient activation of apoptosis pathways, leukemia has become an aggressive disease with poor prognosis. Although the majority of leukemia patients initially respond to chemotherapy, relapse is still the leading cause of death. Hence targeting apoptosis pathway would be a promising strategy for the improved treatment of leukemia. Hydantoin derivatives possess a wide range of important biological and pharmacological properties including anticancer properties. Here we investigated the antileukemic activity and mechanism of action of one of the potent azaspiro hydantoin derivative, (ASHD).

Materials and Methods

To investigate the antileukemic efficacy of ASHD, we have used MTT assay, cell cycle analysis by FACS, tritiated thymidine incorporation assay, Annexin V staining, JC1 staining and western blot analysis.

Results

Results showed that ASHD was approximately 3-fold more potent than the parent compounds in inducing cytotoxicity. Tritiated thymidine assay in conjunction with cell cycle analysis suggests that ASHD inhibited the growth of leukemic cells. The limited effect of ASHD on cell viability of normal cells indicated that it may be specifically directed to cancer cells. Translocation of phosphatidyl serine, activation of caspase 3, caspase 9, PARP, alteration in the ratio of BCL2/BAD protein expression as well as the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential suggests activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

Conclusion

These results could facilitate the future development of novel hydantoin derivatives as chemotherapeutic agents for leukemia.     

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of 3′-Deoxy-3′-(4-Substituted-Triazol-1-YL)-5-Methyluridine

An efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of a small library of 3′-deoxy-3′-(4-substituted-triazol-1-yl)-5-methyluridine using Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen–Sharpless–Meldal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5-methyluridine with different alkynes under optimized condition in an overall yields of 76%–92%. Here, the azido precursor compound, i.e., 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5-methyluridine was chemoenzymatically synthesized from D-xylose in good yield. Some of the alkynes used in cycloaddition reaction were synthesized by the reaction of hydroxycoumarins or naphthols with propargyl bromide in acetone using K₂CO₃in excellent yields. All synthesized compounds were unambiguously identified on the basis of their spectral (IR, ¹H-, ¹³C NMR spectra, and high-resolution mass spectra) data analysis.     

Studies on Nucleosides: Part XXVIII1. Synthesis of 4-Amino (or Hydroxy)-6-Methylthio-1-(3′-Deoxy-β- D-ribofuranosyl)-1-H-pyrazolo[3, 4-d]Pyrimidines

Abstract

4-Amino-6-methylthio-1-(3′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-1H-pyrazolo-[3, 4-d]pyrimidine (11) and 6-methylthio-4(5H)-oxo-1-(3′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidine (12) have been synthesized from 1, 2-di-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-3-deoxyribofuranose (5) and 4, 6-bis (methylthio)-1H-pyrazolo-[3, 4-d]pyrimidine (6). in a convergent fashion. Structural proofs are based on MS, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analyses.     

Synthesis of Cytidylyl(3′→5′)cytidylyl(3′→5′)-(2′)3′-O-[Lα-alanyl]adenosine

Abstract

A new synthesis of protected C-C-A-[L^α-Ala] 14 is reported using a new set of complementary groups such as 2-phenylsulfonylethoxycarbonyl (PSEC) for the protection of exocyclic amino functions, o-chlorophenyl (o-CIPh) for the internucleotide phosphotriester, 3-methoxy-1,5-dicarbomethoxypentan-3-yl (MDMP) and the 4-monomethoxytrityl (MMTr) for the protection of the ã-amino fuction of the amino acid. 14 could be deprotected in two steps by treatments with 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidinium oximate under a dry condition and then by neat trifluoroacetic acid. Treatment with neat trifluoroacetic acid produced a stable salt: [C-C-A-Ala-N^ãH₃+ CF₃CO₂-] and did not promote any internucleotide phosphate migration or degradation of the oligomeric molecule. This salt was considerably more stable than C-C-A-Ala conjugate with a free ã-amino group, and, therefore, it could be easily purified on a silica gel column and was isolated in 82 % yield. This strategy should be useful for the synthesis of longer oligonucleotide-aminoacyl conjugate.     

Synthesis of novel spiro[pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidinones and spiro[benzo[4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,3′-indoline]-2′,4(3H)-diones and their evaluation for anticancer activity

An efficient and novel method for the preparation of spiro[pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin]-7′(1′H)-ones by the condensation of 4-amino-1-methyl-3-propylpyrazole-5-carboxamide with ketones under mild conditions using catalytic InCl₃ was reported. This method has been extended for the synthesis of novel spiro[benzo[4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,3′-indoline]-2′,4(3H)-dione which are having potential applications in medicinal chemistry. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferative properties in vitro against cancer cell lines and several compounds were found to be active. Further in vitro studies revealed that inhibition of sirtuins could be the possible mechanism of action of these molecules.     

Decarboxylative metabolism of [1′-14C]indole-3-acetic acid by tomato pericarp discs during ripening

The rate of decarboxylation of [1′-¹⁴C]indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) infiltrated into tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) pericarp discs was much more rapid in green than in breaker and pink tissues. Studies were carried out in order to determine whether the decarboxylative catabolism occurring in the green pericarp discs was associated with ripening or was a consequence of wound-induced peroxidase activity and/or ethylene production. After a 2-h lag, the decarboxylative capacity of the green pericarp discs increased exponentially during a 24-h incubation period. This increase was accompanied by increases in IAA-oxidase activity in cell-free preparations from the intercellular space and cut surface of the discs. Although higher IAA-oxidase activity was detected in extracts from the tissue residue, which comprises mainly intracellular peroxidases, this activity did not increase during the 24-h incubation period. Analysis of the cell-free preparations by isoelectric focusing revealed the major component in all samples was a highly anionic peroxidase (pI=3.5) the levels of which did not increase during incubation. However, the intercellular and cut-surface preparations contained additional anionic and cationic peroxidases which increased in parallel with the increases in both the IAA-oxidase activity of the preparations and the decarboxylative capacity of the green pericarp discs from which they were derived. Treatment of green discs with the ethylene-biosynthesis inhibitors aminooxyacetic acid and CoCl₂, inhibited the development of an enhanced capacity to decarboxylate [1′-¹⁴C]IAA but the inhibition was not counteracted by exogenous ethylene. Another ethylene-biosynthesis inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinyl glycine, also reduced ethylene levels but did not affect IAA decarboxylation, indicating that the decarboxylation was not a consequence of wound-induced ethylene production. The data obtained thus demonstrate that the enhanced capacity to decarboxylate [1′-¹⁴C]IAA that develops in green tomato pericarp discs following excision is not associated with ripening but instead is attributable to a wound-induced increase in anionic and cationic peroxidase activity in the intercellular fluid and at the cut surface of the excised tissues.     

3′-Deoxy-3′-[18F]-Fluorothymidine PET Imaging Reflects PI3K-mTOR-Mediated Pro-Survival Response to Targeted Therapy in Colorectal Cancer

Biomarkers that predict response to targeted therapy in oncology are an essential component of personalized medicine. In preclinical treatment response studies that featured models of wild-type KRAS or mutant BRAF colorectal cancer treated with either cetuximab or vemurafenib, respectively, we illustrate that [¹⁸F]-FLT PET, a non-invasive molecular imaging readout of thymidine salvage, closely reflects pro-survival responses to targeted therapy that are mediated by PI3K-mTOR activity. Activation of pro-survival mechanisms forms the basis of numerous modes of resistance. Therefore, we conclude that [¹⁸F]-FLT PET may serve a novel and potentially critical role to predict tumors that exhibit molecular features that tend to reflect recalcitrance to MAPK-targeted therapy. Though these studies focused on colorectal cancer, we envision that the results may be applicable to other solid tumors as well.