Synthesis,Molecular Conformation and Activity Against Herpes Simplex Virus of (E)-5-(2-Bromovinyl)-2′-Deoxycytidine Analogs

Analogs of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2 ′-deoxycytidine (BrVdCyd) (1) by substitution at N⁴ were synthesized to impart resistance against deamination. The anti-HSV-1 activity and solution conformation of these analogs were determined. N⁴-Acetyl-BrVdCyd (2) was a potent inhibitor of HSV-1 replication whereas N⁴-propanoyl-BrVdCyd (3) had good activity and N⁴-Butanoyl-BrVdCyd (4) had only low activity against HSV-1 replication. N⁴-Methyl-BrVdCyd (5) was devoid of activity against HSV-1.     

Harnessing Candida tenuis and Pichia stipitis in whole-cell bioreductions of o-chloroacetophenone: Stereoselectivity,cell activity,in situ substrate supply and product removal

Generally, recombinant and native microorganisms can be employed as whole-cell catalysts. The application of native hosts, however, shortens the process development time by avoiding multiple steps of strain construction. Herein, we studied the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of o-chloroacetophenone by isolated xylose reductases and their native hosts Candida tenuis and Pichia stipitis. The natural hosts were benchmarked against Escherichia coli strains co-expressing xylose reductase and a dehydrogenase for co-enzyme recycling. Xylose-grown cells of C. tenuis and P. stipitis displayed specific o-chloroacetophenone reductase activities of 366 and 90 U g_CDW^–1, respectively, in the cell-free extracts. Fresh biomass was employed in batch reductions of 100 mM o-chloroacetophenone using glucose as co-substrate. Reaction stops at a product concentration of about 15 mM, which suggests sensitivity of the catalyst towards the formed product. In situ substrate supply and product removal by the addition of 40% hexane increased catalyst stability. Optimisation of the aqueous phase led to a (S)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethanol concentration of 71 mM (ee > 99.9%) obtained with 44 g_CDW L^–1 of C. tenuis. The final difference in productivities between native C. tenuis and recombinant E. coli was < 1.7-fold. The optically pure product is a required key intermediate in the synthesis of a new class of chemotherapeutic substances (polo-like kinase 1 inhibitors).     

CALB-catalyzed kinetic resolution of (RS)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropyl azolides: kinetic and thermodynamic analysis

Abstract

Zofenopril as an ACE inhibitor expired recently was found to have a favourable safety profile in comparison with other ACE inhibitors in treating high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and acute myocardial infarction. It can be synthesised from the key building blocks of (S)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropanoic acid and (4S)-phenylthio-L-proline. In this report, an efficient hydrolytic resolution via Candida antarctic lipase B (CALB) for preparing the former block in isopropyl ether (IPE) containing (RS)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropyl pyrazolide (1) and water was developed. Quantitative improvements of the enzyme activity and enantioselectivity in terms of k_2SK_mS^?1?=?5.726?L h^?1 g^?1 and E?=?217 at 45?°C were found from the kinetic analysis. Insights into the CALB performance via thermodynamic analysis were then addressed and compared with those by using (RS)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropyl 1,2,4-triazolide (2) as the substrate. A putative thermodynamic model was moreover hypothesised for elucidating the more enthalpy reduction of 68.92-70.86?kJ mol^?1 from the acyl part of (S)-1 and (S)-2 as well as that of 23.69-25.63?kJ mol^?1 from the triad imidazolium to Ser105 and leaving 1,2,4-triazole moiety of (R)-2 and (S)-2 on stabilising the corresponding transition states.     

Synthesis of pro-apoptotic indapamide derivatives as anticancer agents

Abstract

4-Chloro-3-({[(substitutedamino)carbonothioyl]amino}sulfonyl)-N-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-yl)benzamide (1–20) and 4-chloro-3-({[3-(substituted)-4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidine-2-ylidene]amino}sulfonyl)-N-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-yl)benzamide derivatives (21–31) were synthesized from 4-chloro-N-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydroindol-1-yl)-3-sulfamoylbenzamide (indapamide). 4-Chloro-3-({[(4-chlorophenyl) amino) carbonothioyl]amino}sulfonyl)-N-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-yl)benzamide 12 demonstrated the highest proapoptotic activity among all synthesized compounds on melanoma cell lines MDA–MB-435 with 3.7% growth inhibition at the concentration of 10?µM. Compound 12 (SGK 266) was evaluated in vitro using the MTT colorimetric method against melanoma cancer cell line MDA–MB435 growth inhibition for different doses and exhibited anticancer activity with IC₅₀ values of 85–95?µM against melanoma cancer cell line MDA–MB435. In addition, this compound was investigated as inhibitors of four physiologically relevant human carbonic anhydrase isoforms, hCA I, II, IX and XII. The compund inhibited these enzymes with IC₅₀ values ranging between 0.72 and 1.60?µM.     

Synergistic Effect of 5-Nitro-2′-deoxyuridine with Ganciclovir Against Human Cytomegalovirus In Vitro

Abstract

In this paper we describe a practical synthesis of 5-nitro-2′-deoxyuridine (4) and 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-nitrouracil (11). These compounds were then evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV, strain AD169) in MRC-5 cells using a plaque reduction assay. Compound 11 was unable to inhibit the growth of HCMV at the highest concentration tested (100 μg/mL). However, compound 4 (5-NO₂-dU) exhibited marginal activity against HCMV in vitro in a dose-dependent manner with a 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 1 to 5 μg/mL. Combinations of 5-NO₂-dU with ganciclovir synergistically inhibited HCMV induced cell killing in culture.     

Highly selective biotransformation of (+)-(1S)- and (−)-(1R)-camphorquinone by Aspergillus wentii

Abstract

To clarify the structures of biotransformation products and metabolic pathways, the biotransformation of monoterpenoids, (+)- and (?)-camphorquinone (1a and b), has been investigated using Aspergillus wentii as a biocatalyst. Compound 1a was converted to (?)-(2S)-exo-hydroxycamphor (2a), (?)-(2S)-endo-hydroxycamphor (3a), (?)-(3S)-exo-hydroxycamphor (4a), (?)-(3S)-endo-hydroxycamphor (5a), and (+)-camphoric acid (6a). Compound 1b was converted to (+)-(2R)-exo-hydroxycamphor (2b), (+)-(2R)-endo-hydroxycamphor (3b), (+)-(3R)-exo-hydroxycamphor (4b), (+)-(3R)-endo-hydroxycamphor (5b), and (?)-camphoric acid (6b). Compound 1a mainly produced 2a (65.0%) with stereoselectivity, whereas 1b afforded 3b (84.3%) with high stereoselectivity. These structures were confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and ¹³C NMR spectral data. The products illustrate the marked ability of A. wentii for enzymatic oxidation and ketone reduction.     

Bio-catalytic asymmetric synthesis of β-adrenergic receptor blocker precursor: (R)-2-bromo-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)ethanol

Abstract

Aromatic α-halohydrins, particularly 2-haloethanols as significant precursor of drugs, can easily be converted to chiral β-adrenergic receptor blockers. Eight strains of Lactobacillus curvatus were tested as biocatalysts for asymmetric reduction of 2-bromo-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)ethanone 1 to 2-bromo-1- (naphthalen-2-yl) ethanol 2. The parameters of the bioreduction were optimized using L. curvatus N4, the best biocatalyst found. As a result, (R)-2-bromo-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)ethanol 2, which can be β-adrenergic receptor blocker precursor, was produced for the first time in high yield and enantiomerically pure form using biocatalysts. Moreover, the gram scale synthesis was performed and 7.54?g of (R)-2 was synthesized as enantiopure form (enantiomeric excess >99%) in 48?h. The important advantages of this process are that it produces of (R)-2 for the first time in enantiopure form, in excellent yield and under environmentally friendly and moderate reaction conditions. This system is of the potential to be applied at a commercial scale.     

Purification and characterization of a mesophilic organic solvent tolerant lipase produced by Acinetobacter sp. K5b4

The extracellular lipase produced by Acinetobacter sp. K5b4 was purified to homogeneity using ultrafiltration (cutoff 30?KDa) followed by gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-50. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity with an apparent molecular mass of 133?KDa by SDS-PAGE. This purification resulted on 10.24 fold with 18.3% recovery. The K_m and V_max of purified enzyme when using pNPL hydrolysis were 4.0?mM and 73.53?nmol/ml/min, respectively. The pure enzyme was greatly stimulated in the presence of 20, 40 and 60% (v/v) methanol, DMSO and acetone whereas, ethanol, acetonitrile and propanol decreased the enzyme activity. Maximum enzyme activity was achieved at pH 7.0 and incubation temperature of 27?°C. The enzyme was stable within a pH range of 6.5 to 7 at 27?°C for 1?h. The enzyme activity was enhanced up to 36% by KCl, BaCl₂, MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ while obviously inhibited (10–20%) by CoCl₂, ZnCl₂, MnCl₂ and CuCl₂. No inhibitory effects were observed with 1.0 and 5.0?mM of 2-mercaptoethanol and EDTA. Similarly, SDS at 1.0?mM does not affect the enzyme activity while high reduction (80%) was observed at 5.0?mM SDS concentration. The enzyme was active against p-nitrophenyl esters of C8, C12 and C16 with highest preference to the medium carbon chain p-nitrophenyl caprylate (C8). The fact that the enzyme displays distinct stability in the presence of methanol, DMSO and acetone suggests that this lipase is suitable as biocatalyst in organic synthesis where such hydrophilic organic solvents are used as a reaction media.     

Improved production of (R)-2-octanol via asymmetric reduction of 2-octanone with Oenococcus oeni CECT4730 in a biphasic system

Abstract

Oenococcus oeni CECT4730, which catalyses the asymmetric reduction of 2-octanone to (R)-2-octanol with high enantioselectivity, was further studied to exploit its potential for production of (R)-2-octanol in an aqueous/organic solvent biphasic system. Variables such as the volume ratio of aqueous to organic phase (V_a/V_o), buffer pH, reaction temperature, shaking speed, co-substrates and the ratio of biocatalyst to substrate were examined with respect to the molar conversion, the initial reaction rate and the product enantiomeric excess (e.e.). Under the optimized conditions (V_a/V_o=1:1 (v/v), buffer pH=8.0, reaction temperature=30°C, shaking speed=150 rev/min, ratio of glucose to biomass=5.4:l (w/w), ratio of biocatalyst to substrate=0.51:l (g/mol)), the highest space time yield of (R)-2-octanol, 24 mmol L^?1 per h, and >98% product e.e. were obtained at a substrate concentration close to 1.0 mol L^?1 after 24 h reduction.     

Synthesis of Six-Membered Nucleoside Analogs. Part 1: Pyrimidine Nucleosides Based on the 1,3-Dioxane Ring System

Abstract

The synthesis of pyrimidine nucleosides, cis-N-1-[(2-hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl]uracil (4) cis-N-1-[(2-hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl]thymine (5) and cis-N-1-[(2-hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl]cytosine (6) and their corresponding trans isomers is described. Compound 4 showed modest, selective activity against human immunodeficiency virus in acutely infected primary human lymphocytes.     

Novel depsides as potential anti-inflammatory agents with potent inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli-induced interleukin-8 production

Sixteen novel depsides were synthesized for the first time. Their chemical structures were clearly determined by ¹H NMR, ESI mass spectra, and elemental analyses. All the compounds were assayed for antibacterial activities against three Gram-positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, and Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 9790) and three Gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 13525, and Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047) by the MTT method. Compound 2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)phenyl 5-bromonicotinate (5) exhibited significant antibacterial activities against E. coli ATCC 35218 with an MIC of 0.78 μg/mL, which was superior to the positive control kanamycin B. In addition, compound 5 showed potent inhibitory activity against E. coli-induced interleukin-8 production.     

New antihyperglycemic, α-glucosidase inhibitory,and cytotoxic derivatives of benzimidazoles

Glycosidases play an important role in a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions, and have become potential targets for the discovery and development of agents useful for the treatment of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, influenza, and even AIDS. In this study, several benzimidazole derivatives were prepared from o-phenylenediamine and aromatic and heteroaromatic carboxaldehydes in very good yields, using PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ as the most efficient catalyst. Synthesized compounds were assayed for their activity on yeast and rat intestinal α-glucosidase inhibition and cytotoxic activity against colon carcinoma cell line HT-29. Compound 3e exhibited 95.6% and 75.3% inhibition of yeast and rat intestinal α-glucosidase enzyme, while showing 74.8% cytotoxic activity against the HT-29 cell line at primary screening concentrations of 2.1?mM for yeast and rat intestinal α-glucosidase enzyme and 0.2?mM for cytotoxic activity against the HT-29 cell line, respectively. Compound 3c displayed 76% and 34.4% inhibition of yeast and rat intestinal α-glucosidase enzyme, and 80.4% cytotoxic activity against the HT-29 cell line at similar primary screening concentrations. The IC₅₀ value for the most potent intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitor compound 3e was found to be 99.4?μM. The IC₅₀ values for the most active cytotoxic compounds 3c and 3e were 82?μM and 98.8?μM, respectively. Both compounds displayed significant antihyperglycemic activity in starch-induced postprandial hyperglycemia in rats. This is the first report assigning yeast and rat intestinal α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, cytotoxic activity against the HT-29 cell line, and antihyperglycemic activity to benzimidazole compounds 3c and 3e.     

Synthesis,DNA Binding,and Oxidative Cleavage Studies of Fe(II) and Co(III) Complexes Containing Bioactive Ligands

The two complexes containing bioactive ligands of the type and [Fe(L)] (PF₆)₂ (1) (where L = [1-{[2-{[2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylidine]amino}phenyl)imino] methyl}naphthalene-2-ol]) and [Co(L₁L₂)] (PF₆)₃ (2) (where L₁L₂ = mixed ligand of 2-seleno-4-methylquinoline and 1,10-phenanthroline in the ratio 1:2, respectively) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The DNA binding property of the complexes with calf thymus DNA has been investigated using absorption spectra, viscosity measurements, and thermal denaturation experiments. Intrinsic binding constant K_b has been estimated at room temperature. The absorption spectral studies indicate that the complexes intercalate between the base pairs of the CT-DNA tightly with intrinsic DNA binding constant of 2.8 × 10⁵ M^?1 for (1) and 4.8 × 10⁵ M^?1 for (2) in 5 mM Tris-HCl/50 mM NaCl buffer at pH 7.2, respectively. The oxidative cleavage activity of (1) and (2) were studied by using gel electrophoresis and the results show that complexes have potent nuclease activity.     

VEGFR-2 inhibitors and apoptosis inducers: synthesis and molecular design of new benzo[g]quinazolin bearing benzenesulfonamide moiety

Two series of novel 4-(2-(2-(2-(substituted) hydrazinyl)-2-oxoethylthio)-4-oxobenzo[g]quinazolin-3(4H)-yl) benzenesulfonamide 5–17 and 4-(2-(2-(substituted-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-oxoethylthio)-4-oxobenzo[g]quinazolin-3(4H)-yl) benzenesulfonamide 18–24 were synthesised from the starting material 4-(2-(2-hydrazinyl-2-oxoethylthio)-4-oxobenzo[g]quinazolin-3(4H)-yl) benzenesulfonamide 5, to be evaluated for their inhibitory activity towards VEGFR-2. The target compounds 5–24, were screened for their cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and the percentage inhibition against VEGFR-2. Compounds 9, 20, 22 and 23, showed excellent VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ ranging from 0.64 to 1.04?µm. Being the most potent, compound 9 was evaluated for its apoptotic inducer effect by studying the effect on caspase-3, it was found to increase its level. Compound 9 boosted the level of Bax and reduced the level of BCl2, compared to the control. Cell cycle analysis was conducted, compound 9 showed cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Moreover, mild cytotoxic effect (IC₅₀?=?29.41?µm, respectively) in normal breast cells MCF-12?A, was observed when treated with the same compound. Finally, a molecular docking study was performed to investigate the possible binding interaction inside the active site of the VEGFR-2 enzyme.     

Ethenesulfonyl fluoride derivatives as telomerase inhibitors: structure-based design,SAR, and anticancer evaluation in vitro

Based on our previous docking model, in order to carry out more rational drug design, totally 82 vinyl sulfonyl fluorides, including some 2-(hetero)arylethenesulfonyl fluorides and 1,3-dienylsulfonyl fluorides derivatives as potential human telomerase inhibitors were designed and synthesised. The in vitro anticancer activity assay showed that compound 57 (1E,3E)-4-(4-((E)-2-(fluorosulfonyl)vinyl)phenyl)buta-1,3-diene-1-sulfonyl fluoride exhibited high activity against A375 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with IC₅₀ 1.58 and 3.22?µM, but it manifested obvious un-toxic effect against GES-1 and L-02 with IC₅₀ with IC₅₀ values less than 2.00?mM. By the modified TRAP assay, some compounds including 57 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against telomerase with IC₅₀ values of 0.71–0.97?µM.     

Lipoxygenase inhibiting and antioxidant iridoids from Buddleja crispa

Phytochemical investigations on the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the whole plant of Buddleja crispa led to the isolation of the iridoids 1–7. Compound 2 displayed significant inhibitory potential against enzyme lipoxygenase in a concentration-dependant fashion with IC₅₀ value of 39.7 ± 0.02μM, along with DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ value 0.638 mM.     

Production of (R)-3-quinuclidinol by a whole-cell biocatalyst with high efficiency

Optically pure (R)-3-quinuclidinol [(R)-3-Qui] is widely used as a chiral building block for producing various antimuscarinic agents. An asymmetric bioreduction approach using 3-quinuclidinone reductases is an effective way to produce (R)-3-Qui. In this study, a biocatalyst for producing (R)-3-Qui was developed by using Escherichia coli that coexpressed Kaistia granuli (KgQR) and mutant glucose dehydrogenase (GDH). KgQR catalyses the synthesis of (R)-3-Qui through the efficient reduction of 3-quinuclidinone. The specific activity of recombinant KgQR was 254?U/mg, and the Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) for 3-quinuclidinone was 0.51?mM. The thermal stability of KgQR was relatively high compared with ArQR. Approximately 73% of the residual activity remained after incubation in 0.2 M potassium phosphate buffer (KPB) (pH 7.0) for 8?h at 30?°C. In addition, 80% residual activity remained for the double-mutant GDH (Q252L and E170K) after incubation in a buffer (pH 7.0) for 8?h at 30 and 40?°C. 3-Quinuclidinone (242?g/L) can be reduced to (R)-3-Qui in 3?h by coexpressing KgQR and mutant GDH in E. coli. The conversion rate reached 80.6?g/L/h, which is the highest reported to date. The results demonstrates that this whole-cell biocatalyst will have a great potential in industrial manufacturing.     

Synthesis of 2-Bromomethyl-3-Hydroxy-2-Hydroxymethyl-Propyl Pyrimidine and Theophylline Nucleosides Under Microwave Irradiation. Evaluation of Their Activity Against Hepatitis B Virus

Alkylation of 2-methylthiopyrimidin-4(1H)-one (1a) and its 5(6)-alkyl derivatives 1b–d as well as theophylline (7) with 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-diacetoxypropane (2) under microwave irradia-tion gave the corresponding acyclonucleosides 1-[(3-acetoxy-2-acetoxymethyl-2-bromomethyl)prop-1-yl]-2-methyl-thio pyrmidin-4(1H)-ones 3a–d and 7-[(3-acetoxy-2-acetoxymethyl-2-bromomethyl)prop-1-yl]theophylline (8), which upon further irradiation gave the double-headed acyclonucleosides 1,1 ′-[(2,2-diacetoxymethyl)-1,3-propylidene]-bis[(2-(methylthio)-pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones] 4a–c, and 7,7 ′-[(2,2-diacetoxymethyl)-1,3-propylidene]-bis(theophylline) (9). The deacetylated derivatives were obtained by the action of sodium methoxide. The activity of deacetylated nucleosides against Hepatitis B virus was evaluated. Compound 5b showed moderate inhibition activity against HBV with mild cytotoxicity.     

Tyrosinase inhibitory components from Aloe vera and their antiviral activity

A new compound, 9-dihydroxyl-2'-O-(Z)-cinnamoyl-7-methoxy-aloesin (1), and eight known compounds (2–9) were isolated from Aloe vera. Their structures were elucidated using 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectra. Compound 9 exhibited reversible competitive inhibitory activity against the enzyme tyrosinase, with an IC₅₀ value of 9.8?±?0.9?µM. A molecular simulation revealed that compound 9 interacts via hydrogen bonding with residues His244, Thr261, and Val283 of tyrosinase. Additionally, compounds 3 and 7 were shown by half-leaf assays to exhibit inhibitory activity towards Pepper mild mottle virus.     

Synthesis,Conformational Analysis,and Biological Activity of a Rigid Carbocyclic Analogue of 2′-Deoxy Aristeromycin Built on a Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane Template

Abstract

A new chiral synthesis of the pseudosugar synthon (1R,2S,4R,5S)-1-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2-tert-butyloxy-4-hydroxybicyclo[3.1.0]hexane (12) is reported. This compound was used as a template for the construction of carbocyclic nucleoside 4, a conformationally rigid analogue of 2′-deoxyaristeromycin. The X-ray structure and ¹H NMR analysis confirmed the exclusive North [2′-exo (₂E)] conformation of 4 which is vastly different from that of other non-rigid carbocyclic nucleosides. Compound 4 showed good in vitro antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus and EBV with minimal cytotoxicity.