p38MAP kinase inhibitors. Part 1: design and development of a new class of potent and highly selective inhibitors based on 3,4-dihydropyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidone scaffold

A new class of p38 antagonists based on 3,4-dihydropyrido[3,2,-d]pyrimidine scaffold has been developed. These inhibitors exhibit unprecedented selectivity towards p38 over other very closely related kinases. Compounds 25, 33, and 34 were identified as benchmark analogues for follow-up studies. They show good potency for enzyme inhibition and excellent functional activity.     

p38 MAP kinase inhibitors. Part 3: SAR on 3,4-dihydropyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2-ones and 3,4-dihydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-2-ones

p38 inhibitors based on 3,4-dihydropyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2-one and 3,4-dihydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one platforms were synthesized and preliminary SAR explored. Among the pyrimido-pyrimidones the emergence of two sub-types of analogs-C7-amino-pyrimidines such as 24 and C7-amino-piperidines such as 42-characterized with good p38 inhibition and better off-target profiles in terms of ion channel activities was significant. Representative compound 54 in the pyrido-pyrimidone class was found to be equipotent with corresponding analog in the quinazolinone series.     

p38 MAP kinase inhibitors. Part 6: 2-arylpyridazin-3-ones as templates for inhibitor design

p38 inhibitors based on 3,4-dihydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidazin-2-one template were synthesized and their SAR explored. Benchmark compounds 30, 35, and 36 were found to be potent against the enzyme. Crystal structure of p38 in complex with 30 indicated a key pi-stacking interaction with the pendant tyrosine residue-35 in the glycine-rich loop.     

Pyrazoloheteroaryls: novel p38alpha MAP kinase inhibiting scaffolds with oral activity

A test library with three novel p38alpha inhibitory scaffolds and a narrow set of substituents was prepared. Appropriate combination of substituent and scaffold generated potent p38alpha inhibitors, for example, pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine 9, pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine 18a and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine 23b with potent in vivo activity upon oral administration in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis.     

The synthesis and vasopressin (AVP) antagonist activity of a novel series of N-aroyl-2,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4-d]thieno[3,2-b]azepines

Synthesis and SAR of N-[4-[(4,5-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-d]thieno[3,2-b]azepin-6(2H)-y l)carbonyl]phenyl]benzamides as arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptor antagonists are discussed. Potent orally active AVP receptor antagonists are produced when the benzamide moiety contains a phenyl group at the 2-position. Similar analogues of 4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5H-thieno[3,2-b]azepine and VPA-985 are reported.     

Synthesis of a potent 5'-methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine (MTAN) inhibitor

MTAN has been known to occur in a variety of bacterial cell types. Due to the evolution of bacterial strains which are resistant to some of the most powerful antibiotics there has been a renewed interest in the development of novel anti-microbial agents. Presented herein is a synthesis of a potent MTAN inhibitor, namely 2-amino-4-[5-(4-amino-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidin-2-ylmethylsulfanyl]-butyric acid (1).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrido[3',2':4,5]furo[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives as novel PI3 kinase p110alpha inhibitors

4-Morpholin-4-ylpyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine 2a was discovered in our chemical library as a novel p110alpha inhibitor with an IC(50) of 1.4 microM. By structural modification of 2a, the 2-aryl-4-morpholinopyrido[3',2':4,5]furo[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivative 10e was discovered as a p110alpha inhibitor with approximately 400-fold greater potency than 2a. Evaluation of isoform selectivity showed that 10e is a potent inhibitor of p110beta. Furthermore, 10e showed anti-proliferative activity in various cell lines, including multi-drug resistant MCF7/ADR-res cells, and was effective against HeLa human cervical tumor xenografts in nude mice.     

Nucleosides 137. Synthetic Modifications at the 2′Position of Pyrrolo[3,2-D]Pyrimidine and Thieno[3,2-D]Pyrimidine C-Nucleosides,Synthesis of “2′-Deoxy-9-Deazzadenosine” and of “9-Deaza ARA-A”

Abstract

The syntheses and preliminary biological evaluation of several novel pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine and thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine C-nucleosides incorporating the arabinofuranosyl or 2′-deoxyribofuranosyl sugar moiety are described. The 2′-deoxy thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine C-nucleosides (15 and 16) were obtained from 7-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-oxo-3H-thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine (3) and its 4-SMe derivative 8. “2”-Deoxy-9-deazaadenosine (31), “9-Deaza ara-A” (38) and the 2′-substituted arabinosyl pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine C-nucleosides (42 - 44) were synthesized from 4-amino-7-(2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-trityl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine (21)     

Action of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives on American Leishmania spp. promastigotes

The capacity of 54 different pyrazolo-(3,4-d)- or -(4,3-d)-pyrimidine derivatives to inhibit American Leishmania promastigote multiplication was evaluated. Among pyrazolo-(3,4-d)-pyrimidines, eight derivatives showed leishmanistatic activity, 4-aminopyrazolo-(3,4-d)-pyrimidine (APP) being the most active, about eight-fold more than 4-hydroxy-pyrazolo-(3,4-d)-pyrimidine (HPP). 7-Hydroxy-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo-(4,3-d)-pyrimidine (FoB) was as active as 7-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo-(4,3-d)-pyrimidine (FoA), a situation different to that found for pyrazolo-(3,4-d)-pyrimidines. Furthermore, different chemical modifications in formycin structure did not modify inhibitory effects. It can be concluded that regarding American Leishmania the chemical analogy to hypoxanthine or inosine of pyrazolo-(3,4-d)- and pyrazolo-(4,3-d)-pyrimidine, respectively, is not absolutely critical, as different modifications on the heterocyclic ring did not abolish the inhibitory activity of these compounds.     

p38 kinase-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor is required for dedifferentiation of renal epithelial cells after oxidant injury

Renal proximal tubular cell (RPTC) dedifferentiation is thought to be a prerequisite for regenerative proliferation and migration after renal injury. However, the specific mediators and the mechanisms that regulate RPTC dedifferentiation have not been elucidated. Because epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor activity is required for recovery from acute renal failure, we examined the role of the EGF receptor in dedifferentiation and the mechanisms of EGF receptor transactivation in primary cultures of RPTCs after oxidant injury. Exposure of confluent RPTCs to H2O2 resulted in 40% cell death, and surviving RPTCs acquired a dedifferentiated phenotype (e.g. elongated morphology and vimetin expression). The EGF receptor, p38, Src, and MKK3 were activated after oxidant injury and inhibition of the EGF receptor or p38 with specific inhibitors (AG1478 and SB203580, respectively) blocked RPTC dedifferentiation. Treatment with SB203580 or adenoviral overexpression of dominant negative p38alpha or its upstream activator, MKK3, inhibited EGF receptor phosphorylation induced by oxidant injury, whereas AG1478 had no effect on p38 phosphorylation. Inhibition of Src with 4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidine (PP1) blocked MKK3 and p38 activation, and inhibition of MKK3 blocked p38 activation. In addition, inactivation of Src, MKK3, p38, or the EGF receptor blocked tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-catenin, a key signaling intermediate that is involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and vimentin expression. These results reveal that p38 mediates EGF receptor activation after oxidant injury; that Src activates MMK3, which, in turn, activates p38; and that the EGF receptor signaling pathway plays a critical role in RPTC dedifferentiation.     

Biological action of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives against Trypanosoma cruzi. Studies in vitro and in vivo

The capacity of 54 different pyrazolo(3,4-d) or (4,3-d)pyrimidine derivatives to inhibit Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote and trypomastigote multiplication, and for some of them its chemotherapeutic activity, was evaluated. Six pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidines showed inhibitory activity against epimastigote forms, 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine being the most active, 5-fold more so than 4-hydroxypyrazolo(3,4-d)-pyrimidine. Neither compound was active against freshly isolated trypomastigotes, suggesting biochemical differences between culture and bloodstream forms of T. cruzi. On both epimastigote and trypomastigote forms, 7-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo-(4,3-d)pyrimidine (FoA) was about 2-fold more active than 7-hydroxy-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo-(4,3-d)pyrimidine (FoB); however, when tested on T. cruzi-infected mice, only FoB exhibited significant chemotherapeutic activity. Previous results suggest that, except for FoB and FoA: (a) pyrazolopyrimidine insensitivity is trypomastigote-specific and (b) drug-insensitivity is lost when trypomastigotes transform into epimastigotes and vice versa.     

Action of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives on Trypanosoma rangeli culture forms

The capacity of 54 different pyrazolo(3,4-d)- or pyrazolo(4,3-d)pyrimidine derivatives to inhibit the multiplication of Trypanosoma rangeli culture forms was evaluated. Among pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidines, 14 derivatives showed trypanostatic activity, 4-aminopyrazolo-(3,4-d)pyrimidine (APP) being the most active, with 4-hydroxypyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine (HPP) lacking trypanostatic activity. 7-Hydroxy-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo(4,3-d)pyrimidine (FoB) was as active as 7-amino-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo(4,3-d)pyrimidine (FoA), both compounds being five-fold less inhibitory than APP. It can be concluded that, regarding T. rangeli, the chemical analogy to hypoxanthine or inosine of pyrazolo(3,4-d)- and pyrazolo(4,3-d)pyrimidine, respectively, is not absolutely critical, as different modifications on the heterocyclic ring did not abolish the inhibitory activity of these compounds.     

A convenient synthesis of 6-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one and related 4,6-disubstituted pyrazolopyrimidine nucleosides

The glycosylation of 4,6-dichloropyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine and 4-chloro-6-methylthiopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine via the corresponding trimethylsilyl intermediate and tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranose in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate as a catalyst, gave selective glycosylation at N1 as the only nucleoside product. The intermediates 4,6-dichloro-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidine 7 and 4-chloro-6-methylthio-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidine 13 gave new and convenient synthetic routes to the inosine analog 1, the guanosine analog 2, the adenosine analog 3, and the isoguanosine analog 16. Glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl derivative of 6-chloropyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4-one unexpectedly gave the N2-glycosyl isomer 20 as the major product. A number of new 4,6-disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleosides were prepared from these glycosyl intermediates.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-morpholino-2-phenylquinazolines and related derivatives as novel PI3 kinase p110alpha inhibitors

A series of 4-morpholino-2-phenylquinazolines and related derivatives were prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of PI3 kinase p110alpha. In this series, the thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivative 15e showed the strongest inhibitory activity against p110alpha, with an IC(50) value of 2.0 nM, and inhibited proliferation of A375 melanoma cells with an IC(50) value of 0.58 microM. Moreover, 15e was found to be selective for p110alpha over other PI3K isoforms and protein kinases, making it the first example of a selective PI3K p110alpha inhibitor.     

Metabolism of pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidines in Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania donovani. Allopurinol, oxipurinol, and 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine.

Leishmania donovani and Leishmania braziliensis grown in culture formed millimolar concentrations of allopurinol ribonucleoside 5'-monophosphate from [6-14C]allopurinol. In addition, allopurinol 1-ribonucleoside, oxipurinol riboside 5'-monophosphate, and three new metabolites of allopurinol, namely, 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine ribonucleoside 5'-monophosphate and the corresponding di- and triphosphates (1-ribosyl 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine 5'-diphosphate and 1-ribosyl 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine 5'-triphosphate) were identified in the parasitic cells. They were formed via a unique amination reaction from 1-ribosyl allopurinol 5'-phosphate, analogous to the conversion of IMP to AMP. [6-14C]Allopurinol was incorporated into RNA of L. donovani in the form of 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine. Adenine reversed the growth inhibition of allopurinol and prevented its metabolism to all of the ribonucleotide metabolites. L. donovani was 2- to 4-fold more active in its metabolism of allopurinol to ribonucleotides than L. braziliensis. 4-Aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine inhibited cell growth and resulted in high intracellular levels of 1-ribosyl allopurinol 5'-phosphate and smaller amounts of the 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine ribonucleotides. The metabolism of allopurinol to 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine ribonucleotides and its resultant cytotoxicity occurs in these parasitic protozoans, but not in mammalian cells.     

USE OF THE SODIUM SALT GLYCOSYLATION HETBOD IN NUCLEOSIDE SYNTHESIS

Abstract

A general and stereospecific method has been developed for the direct preparation of βD-ribofuranosyl, βD-arabinofuranosyl and 2-deoxy-βD-erythro-pentofuranosyl derivatives of a number of nitrogen heterocycles. The azoles thus far employed include appropriately substituted pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, indole, imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine, pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, pyrro10[3,2-c]pyridine, pyrrolo[4,2-c]pyrimidine, purine, pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine and pyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidine. This simple high-yield methodology provided a facile route to the large-scale preparation of biologically significant nucleo-sides, such as 2′-deoxyribavirin, 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine, tuber-cidin, Z'-deoxytubercidin, =sangivarnycin, 2′-deoxytoyocamycin, cade-guomycin, 2′-deoxycadeguomycin, G-cadeguomycin, kanagawamicin, 2′-deoxy-3-deazaguanosine, sG, brunfelsarnidine ribonucleoside and 2′-deoxyribofuranosyl derivative of the antibiotic SF-2140. This procedure appears to be considerably superior to the previously reported glycosylation methods.     

New pyrrolopyrimidin-6-yl benzenesulfonamides: potent A2B adenosine receptor antagonists

A new series of 4-(1,3-dialkyl-2,4-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-6-yl)benzenesulfonamides has been identified as potent A2B adenosine receptor antagonists. The products have been evaluated for their binding affinities for the human A2B, A1 and A3 adenosine receptors. 6-(4-{[4-(4-Bromobenzyl)piperazin-1-yl]sulfonyl}phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H,5H)-dione (16) showed a high affinity for the A2B adenosine receptor (IC50=1 nM) and selectivity (A1: 183x; A3: 12660x). Synthesis and SAR of this novel class of compounds showing improved absorption properties is presented herein.     

The effect of hypocholesterolemic drug treatment on adrenocortical cell function

The role of exogenous lipoprotein cholesterol versus endogenous cholesteryl esters as substrates in adrenal steroidogenesis was studied in isolated rat adrenal cells. Hypocholesterolemic drugs were used in rats to depress the plasma cholesterol concentration and the adrenal cholesterol concentration. Adrenal cortical cells were prepared in the usual way. The steroidogenic response to ACTH in normal adrenal cells and in cells which have been cholesterol-depleted was studied. Normal adrenal cells responded specifically over a 6 h incubation period to low doses of ACTH (half-maximal response equivalent to 40 microunits ACTH). These normal cells exhibited no altered response over a 3 h period to ACTH in the presence of serum or serum lipoproteins. The hypocholesterolemic drugs, 4-aminopyrazolo-[3,4-d]-pyrimidine, hexestrol and 17 alpha-ethinyl estradiol were used to lower plasma cholesterol, and after 1 day of 4-aminopyrazolo-[3,4-d]-pyrimidine and 5 days of hexestrol or 17 alpha-ethinyl estradiol treatment the plasma total cholesterol concentrations were similar. After 3 days of 4-aminopyrazolo-[3,4-d]-pyrimidine treatment the adrenal total cholesterol content was lower than after 1 day of this treatment, or 5 days of hexestrol treatment or 5 days of 17 alpha-ethinyl extradiol treatment. Lipoproteins had no significant effect on ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis in cells isolated from rats treated for 1 day with 4-aminopyrazolo-[3,4-d]-pyrimidine, or for 5 days with hexestrol or 17 alpha-ethinyl estradiol. However, lipoproteins did stimulate steroidogenesis in cells from rats treated for 3 days with 4-aminopyrazolo-[3,4-d]-pyrimidine. The results show that normal adrenal cells contain a reserve of intracellular cholesterol so that the supply of endogenous cholesterol for steroidogenesis does not limit the response to ACTH and exogenous lipoproteins have no effect on steroidogenesis. However, if the cells are severely depleted of cholesterol then exogenous lipoproteins must be added for maximal steroidogenesis to occur.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 2,6-diamino-9-benzyl-9-deazapurine and related compounds

Treatment of 6-bromomethyl- or 6-dibromomethyl-5-nitropyrimidine-2,4-diamine with KCN gave the same product--(2,6-diamino-5-nitropyrimidinyl)acetonitrile. Benzylation of the nitrile took place on the alpha-carbon to the cyano group preferentially affording the corresponding mono- and dibenzyl derivative, whose reductive cyclization resulted in 7-benzyl-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine and 7,7-dibenzyl-7H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4,6-triamine, respectively. Suitability of the protection of N(2) and N(4) atoms with benzyl, acetyl, or benzoyl groups was also investigated. The in vitro evaluation of cell growth inhibition on CCRF-CEM, HL-60, HeLa S3, and L1210 cell lines showed significant activity in 8 new compounds. The most potent compounds were the above mentioned 6-dibromomethyl derivative (IC(50)=0.54, 1.7, 5.0, and 1.9 molL(-1)) and 7,N(2),N(4)-tribenzyl-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine (IC(50)=1.9, 2.7, 7.3, and 1.0 molL(-1)).