AMPA receptor agonists: Resolution,configurational assignment,and pharmacology of (+)-(S)- and (-)-(R)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-pyridyl)-isoxazol-4-yl]-propionic acid (2-Py-AMPA)

We have previously shown that whereas (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (APPA) shows the characteristics of a partial agonist at (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, (S)-APPA is a full AMPA receptor agonist and (R)-APPA a weak competitive AMPA receptor antagonist. This observation led us to introduce the new pharmacological concept, functional partial agonism. Recently we have shown that the 2-pyridyl analogue of APPA, (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-pyridyl)isoxazol-4-yl]propionic acid (2-Py-AMPA), is a potent and apparently full AMPA receptor agonist, and this compound has now been resolved into (+)- and (-)-2-Py-AMPA (ee ≥ 99.0%) by chiral HPLC using a Chirobiotic T column. The absolute stereochemistry of the enantiomers of APPA has previously been established by X-ray analysis, and on the basis of comparative studies of the circular dichroism spectra of the enantiomers of APPA and 2-Py-AMPA, (+)- and (-)-2-Py-AMPA were assigned the (S)- and (R)-configuration, respectively. In a series of receptor binding studies, neither enantiomer of 2-Py-AMPA showed detectable affinity for kainic acid receptor sites or different sites at the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor complex. (+)-(S)-2-Py-AMPA was an effective inhibitor of [³H]AMPA binding (IC⁵⁰ = 0.19 ± 0.06 μM) and a potent AMPA receptor agonist in the rat cortical wedge preparation (EC₅₀ = 4.5 ± 0.3 μM) comparable with AMPA (IC₅₀ = 0.040 ± 0.01 μM; EC₅₀ = 3.5 ± 0.2 μM), but much more potent than (+)-(S)-APPA (IC₅₀ = 5.5 ± 2.2 μM; EC₅₀ = 230 ± 12 μM). Like (-)-(R)-APPA (IC₅₀ > 100 μM), (-)-(R)-2-Py-AMPA (IC₅₀ > 100 μM) did not significantly affect [³H]AMPA binding, and both compounds were week AMPA receptor antagonists (K_i = 270 ± 50 and 290 ± 20 μM, respectively). Chirality 9:274–280, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Syntheses, biological evaluation and QSAR study on antitumor activity of 1,5-N,N'-disubstituted-2-(substituted benzenesulphonyl) glutamamides

We have reported [unpublished data] the synthesis and QSAR of 5-substituted-2-(substituted benzenesulphonyl) glutamines which have shown the importance of steric factor on the aliphatic chain. N-Phthalyl isoglutamine, having the substitution at position 1 of the glutamic acid moiety, is the metabolite of recently approved thalidomide for different types of tumors by US FDA. Based on these, 36 new 1,5-N,N'-disubstituted-2-(substituted benzenesulphonyl) glutamamides were synthesized, as tools for further elucidation of the structural requirements for antitumor activity. All the synthesized compounds were tested for antitumor activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice using tumor weight as inhibitory parameter. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies of these analogues revealed that the electron donating groups on the phenyl ring are found to be mandatory for the activity which was also proved by the negative coefficient of indicator parameter I(3,) for NO(2) group on the phenyl ring. Molecular volume (MV) and steric factor at R(5) position also plays a role in ligand-receptor interactions.     

Potent vasodilator responses to human urotensin-II in human pulmonary and abdominal resistance arteries

The peptide human urotensin-II (hUT-II) and its receptor have recently been cloned. The vascular function of this peptide in humans, however, has yet to be determined. Vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses to hUT-II were investigated in human small muscular pulmonary arteries [approximately 70 microm internal diameter (ID)] and human abdominal resistance arteries (approximately 200 microm ID). Vasodilator responses were investigated in endothelin-1 (3 nM) precontracted vessels and, in the small pulmonary vessels, compared with the known vasodilators adrenomedullin, sodium nitroprusside, and acetylcholine. In human small pulmonary arteries, hUT-II did not induce vasoconstriction but was a potent vasodilator [-log M concentration causing 50% of the maximum vasodilator effect (pIC(50)) 10.4 +/- 0.5; percentage of reduction in tone (E(max)) 81 +/- 8% (vs. 23 +/- 11% in time controls), n = 5]. The order of potency for vasodilation was human urotensin-II = adrenomedullin (pIC(50) 10.1 +/- 0.4, n = 6) > sodium nitroprusside (pIC(50) 7.4 +/- 0.2, n = 6) = acetylcholine (pIC(50) 6.8 +/- 0.3, n = 6). In human abdominal arteries, hUT-II did not induce vasoconstriction but was a potent vasodilator [pIC(50) 10.3 +/- 0.7; E(max) 96 +/- 8% (vs. 43 +/- 16% in time controls), n = 4]. This is the first report that hUT-II is a potent vasodilator but not a vasoconstrictor of human small pulmonary arteries and systemic resistance arteries.     

2 D - QSAR studies on CYP26A1 inhibitory activity of 1-[benzofuran-2-yl-(4-alkyl/aryl-phenyl)-methyl]- 1 H-triazoles

The Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) study is performed over a set of 15, 4-alkyl/aryl-substituted 1- [benzofuran-2-yl-phenylmethyl]-1 H-triazoles derivatives. This study is based on the application of physicochemical parameters in QSAR. The parameters include (MR (molar refractivity), MW (molecular weight), Pc (parachor), St (surface tension), D (density), Ir (index of refraction) and log P (partition coefficient). The parameters describing physiochemical properties are used as independent variables and the biological activity (IC(50)) is considered as dependent variable in multiple regression analysis. Different models were generated with high co-efficient of determination (R(2)). The 2D-QSAR study identified compounds capable of inhibiting the metabolic breakdown of the retinoid (trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)) involved in the activation of specific nuclear Retinoic acid receptors (RARs). This study identifies R115866 as a potential inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) mediated metabolism with increased RA levels for retinoid actions.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation and 3D-QSAR studies of 3-keto salicylic acid chalcones and related amides as novel HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

HIV-1 integrase is one of the three most important enzymes required for viral replication and is therefore an attractive target for anti retroviral therapy. We herein report the design and synthesis of 3-keto salicylic acid chalcone derivatives as novel HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. The most active compound, 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-[3-(2,3,6-trichlorophenyl)acryloyl]benzoic acid (25) was selectively active against integrase strand transfer, with an IC(50) of 3.7 μM. While most of the compounds exhibited strand transfer selectivity, a few were nonselective, such as 5-bromo-3-[3-(4-bromophenyl)acryloyl]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (15), which was active against both 3'-processing and strand transfer with IC(50) values of 11±4 and 5±2 μM, respectively. The compounds also inhibited HIV replication with potencies comparable with their integrase inhibitory potencies. Thus, 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-[3-(2,3,6-trichlorophenyl)acryloyl]benzoic acid (25) and 5-bromo-3-[3-(4-bromophenyl)acryloyl]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (15) inhibited HIV-1 replication with EC(50) values of 7.3 and 8.7 μM, respectively. A PHASE pharmacophore hypothesis was developed and validated by 3D-QSAR, which gave a predictive r(2) of 0.57 for an external test set of ten compounds. Phamacophore derived molecular alignments were used for CoMFA and CoMSIA 3D-QSAR modeling. CoMSIA afforded the best model with q(2) and r(2) values of 0.54 and 0.94, respectively. This model predicted all the ten compounds of the test set within 0.56 log units of the actual pIC(50) values; and can be used to guide the rational design of more potent novel 3-keto salicylic acid integrase inhibitors.     

Flunitrazepam binding sites in rat diaphragm. Receptors for direct neuromuscular effects of benzodiazepines?

The evidence for direct muscle relaxant effects of benzodiazepines is controversial. We now show that a crude membrane preparation of rat diaphragm possesses binding sites for [3H]flunitrazepam (FNZ). Scatchard analysis gave a binding site density of 1689 +/- 143 fmol/mg protein (Kd = 25.6 +/- 2.6 nM). These sites are of the "peripheral" type since clonazepam fails to displace [3H]FNZ as effectively as R05-4864 (IC50 values: 7.5 x 10(-6) M and 8 x 10(-9) M, respectively). Diazepam is almost as effective as R05-4864 and potently displaces [3H]FNZ binding (IC50 = 3 x 10(-8) M). We propose that the previously described effects of diazepam on rat diaphragm are mediated through high-affinity binding sites.     

CI-906 and CI-907: new orally active nonsulfhydryl angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

CI-906, [3S-[2[R*(R*)]], 3R*]-2-[2-[[1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl]-amino]-1-oxopropyl] 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid, monohydrochloride, and CI-907, [2S-[1[R*(R*)]], 2 alpha, 3a beta, 7a 7a beta]-1-[2-[[1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl]amino] 1-oxopropyl]octahydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid, monohydrochloride, are two new nonsulfhydryl-type angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Monoester (prodrug) and diacid forms produced concentration-related ACE inhibition in guinea pig serum (IC50 for CI-906 = 8.3 X 10(-9) M, diacid = 2.8 X 10(-9) M; CI-907 = 1.0 X 10(-7) M, diacid = 2.6 X 10(-9) M). In isolated rabbit aortic rings and in in vivo rat and dog autonomic studies, both compounds were highly specific in suppressing the contractile or pressor responses to angiotensin I. In two-kidney, one-clip Goldblatt (renin-dependent) hypertensive rats there was a good correlation between the inhibition of vascular converting enzyme and blood pressure lowering and a poor correlation between blood pressure lowering and plasma and brain converting enzyme inhibition. Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and central nervous system performance evaluations showed no side effects or gross toxicity. The preclinical profile shows CI-906 and CI-907 to be specific, potent, orally active ACE inhibitors. They are expected to have therapeutic utility in hypertension and in any other condition where converting enzyme inhibition would be useful.     

Characteristics of androgen binding in rat adrenal tissue using [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881) as tracer

A high level of binding of [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881 = 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methyl-estra-4, 9, 11-trien-3-one) was found in cytosol prepared from adrenals of castrated male rats. Binding of [3H]R1881 was of high affinity (DK = 6.2 nM) and highly specific for androgens. The [3H]R1881 complex migrates at 7-9S on sucrose gradients in low ionic strength buffer and at 4-5S in buffer containing 0.4M KC1. All binding studies have been performed in parallel with rat ventral prostate and adrenal cytosol. The present data suggest the presence of an androgen binding component in rat adrenal tissue.     

Pharmacologic antagonism of thromboxane A2 receptors by trimetoquinol analogs in vitro and in vivo.

Although (-)-(S)-trimetoquinol [1-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)- 6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline; TMQ] is recognized as a potent bronchodilator, (+)-(R)-TMQ is a selective antagonist of human platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion induced by thromboxane A2 (TXA2) agonists. To confirm the pharmacological actions of TMQ analogs, the interaction of the drugs with TXA2 receptors was examined in human platelets and in a mouse sudden death model. The inhibitory potencies of TMQ analogs (pIC50 values) for displacement of [3H]SQ 29,548 binding to platelets showed excellent correlation with the respective pIC50 (-log IC50) values for U46619-induced aggregation (r = 0.99, P less than 0.01) and serotonin secretion (r = 0.99, P less than 0.01) in human platelet-rich plasma and for whole blood aggregation (r = 0.99, P less than 0.01). In each system, the rank order of inhibitory potencies was rac-iodoTMQ greater than or equal to (+)-(R)-TMQ greater than rac-TMQ much greater than (-)-(S)-TMQ. Antithrombotic effects of TMQ analogs were evaluated in a mouse sudden death model. In vivo antithrombotic potencies of these compounds were consistent with the in vitro potencies as TXA2 receptor antagonists in platelet systems. Administration of rac-iodoTMQ, (+)-(R)-TMQ and rac-TMQ 15 min before the injection of U46619 (800 micrograms/kg, iv) protected mice against U46619-induced sudden death. On the other hand, (-)-(S)-TMQ did not protect animals against death. Protection of U46619-induced cardiopulmonary thrombosis by TMQ analogs was seen at doses of 3-100 mg/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Novel parathyroid hormone (PTH) antagonists that bind to the juxtamembrane portion of the PTH/PTH-related protein receptor

Current antagonists for the parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein (PTHrP) receptor (PTHR) are N-terminally truncated or N-terminally modified analogs of PTH(1-34) or PTHrP(1-34) and are thought to bind predominantly to the N-terminal extracellular (N) domain of the receptor. We hypothesized that ligands that bind only to PTHR region comprised of the extracellular loops and seven transmembrane helices (the juxtamembrane or J domain) could also antagonize the PTHR. To test this, we started with the J domain-selective agonists [Gln(10),Ala(12),Har(11),Trp(14),Arg(19) (M)]PTH(1-21), [M]PTH(1-15), and [M]PTH(1-14), and introduced substitutions at positions 1-3 that were predicted to dissociate PTHR binding and cAMP signaling activities. Strong dissociation was observed with the tri-residue sequence diethylglycine (Deg)(1)-para-benzoyl-l-phenylalanine (Bpa)(2)-Deg(3). In HKRK-B7 cells, which express the cloned human PTHR, [Deg(1,3),Bpa(2),M]PTH(1-21), [Deg(1,3),Bpa(2),M]PTH(1-15), and [Deg(1,3),Bpa(2),M]PTH(1-14) fully inhibited (IC(50)s = 100-700 nm) the binding of (125)I-[alpha-aminoisobutyric acid(1,3),M]PTH(1-15) and were severely defective for stimulating cAMP accumulation. In ROS 17/2.8 cells, which express the native rat PTHR, [Deg(1,3),Bpa(2),M]PTH(1-21) and [Deg(1,3),Bpa(2),M]PTH(1-15) antagonized the cAMP-agonist action of PTH(1-34), as did PTHrP(5-36) (IC(50)s = 0.7 microm, 2.6 microm, and 36 nm, respectively). In COS-7 cells expressing PTHR-delNt, which lacks the N domain of the receptor, [Deg(1,3),Bpa(2), M]PTH(1-21) and [Deg(1,3),Bpa(2),M]PTH(1-15) inhibited the agonist actions of [alpha-aminoisobutyric acid(1,3)]PTH(1-34) and [M]PTH(1-14) (IC(50)s approximately 1 microm), whereas PTHrP(5-36) failed to inhibit. [Deg(1,3),Bpa(2),M]PTH(1-14) inhibited the constitutive cAMP-signaling activity of PTHR-tether-PTH(1-9), in which the PTH(1-9) sequence is covalently linked to the PTHR J domain, as well as that of PTHR(cam)H223R. Thus, the J-domain-selective N-terminal PTH fragment analogs can function as antagonists as well as inverse agonists for the PTHR. The new ligands described should be useful for further studies of the ligand binding and activation mechanisms that operate in the critical PTHR J domain.     

cis-Dichloroplatinum(II) complexes tethered to 9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamides: synthesis and action in resistant cell lines in vitro.

A series of intercalator-tethered platinum(II) complexes PtLCl(2) have been prepared where L are the diamine ligands N-[2-[(aminoethyl)amino]ethyl]-9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamide, N-[3-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]propyl]-9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamide, N-[4-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]butyl]-9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamide and N-[5-[(aminoethyl)amino]pentyl]-9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamide and N-[6-[(aminoethyl)amino]hexyl]-9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamide. The activity of the complexes was assessed in the CH-1, CH-1cisR, 41M, 41McisR and SKOV-3 cell lines. The compounds with the shorter linker chain lengths are generally the most active against these cell lines and are much more toxic than Pt(en)C1(2). For example, for the n=2 compound the IC(50) values are 0.017 microM (CH-1), 1.7 microM (41M), 1.4 microM (SKOV-3) and the resistance ratios are 51 (CH-1cisR) and 1.6 (41McisR). For the untethered analogue Pt(en)C1(2) the IC(50) values are 2.5 microM (CH-1), 2.9 microM (41M), 45 microM (SKOV-3) and the resistance ratios are 2.8 (CH-1cisR) and 4.1 (41McisR). The very large differential in IC(50) values between the CH-1 and CH-1cisR pair of cell lines for the 9-aminoacridine-4-carboxamide tethered platinum complexes indicates that repair of platinum-induced DNA damage may be a major determinant of the activity of these compounds.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-[2-(phenylthiomethyl)-1H-benzo[d] imidazol-1-yl)acetohydrazide derivatives as antitumor agents

A novel class of acetylhydrazone derivatives (5a-x) containing 2-(phenylthiomethyl)-1H-benzo-[d]-imidazole moieties are synthesizer, and their antitumor activities against A549, HCT116, HepG2, PC-9, and A375 were determined by the MTT assay. Among them are N-(2,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-2-(2-(phenylthiomethyl)-1H-benzo[d]-imidazol-1-yl)acetohydrazide (5a) and N-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-benzylidene)-2-(2-(phenylthiomethyl)-1H-benzo[d]-imidazol-1-yl)acetohydrazide (5d) which displayed excellent cancer inhibitory activity against the tested cancer cells (IC(50) 4-17 μM), compared with 5-FU and SU11248. The others have moderate to weak inhibitory activity against the tested cancer cell lines.     

Classification of kinin receptors

This minireview is divided into three parts: the first part refers to the characterization and classification of kinin receptors using agonists and antagonists in isolated tissues (classical pharmacology). Two kinin receptors have been considered on the basis of their distinct pharmacology, namely the B1 receptor of the rabbit aorta (rank order of potency of agonists: LysdesArg9BK > desArg9BK > or = LysBK > BK; apparent affinities of antagonists Lys[Leu8]desArg9BK (pIC50 8.4) > [Leu8]desArg9BK (pIC50 7.4) > HOE 140, a B2 receptor antagonist, pIC50<5.0), and the B2 receptor of the rabbit jugular vein (potency of agonists: LysBK = BK > LysdesArg9BK = desArg9BK and HOE 140 (pIC50 9.0) > Lys[Leu8]desArg9BK, pIC50<5.0). The second part describes species-related B1 receptor subtypes, demonstrated by different pharmacological profiles of agonists and antagonists: human, rabbit and pig subtypes (LysdesArg9BK > desArg9BK and Lys[Leu8]desArg9BK > [Leu8]desArg9BK) and dog, rat, mouse and hamster B1 receptors (desArg9BK = LysdesArg9BK and [Leus]desArg9BK = Lys[Leu8]desArg9BK). Affinities of agonists and antagonists in some species (man, rabbit, pig) are significantly increased (at least 10-fold) by the presence of a Lys at their N-terminus. The last part describes species-related B2 receptor subtypes supported by results obtained with non-peptide receptor agonists (FR 190997) and antagonists (FR 173657). While BK acts as a full agonist in man, rabbit and pig, FR 190997 behaves as a full agonist on human, as partial agonist on rabbit, and as pure antagonist on pig B2 receptors. Various hypotheses are considered to interpret these findings.     

Interaction of the nicotinic agonist (R,S)-3-pyridyl-1-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)-azetidine (MPA) with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes expressed in cell lines and rat cortex

The interaction of the nicotinic agonist (R,S)-3-pyridyl-1-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)-azetidine (MPA) with different nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes was studied in cell lines and rat cortex. MPA showed an affinity (Ki = 1.21 nM) which was higher than anatoxin-a > (−)-nicotine > (+)-[R]nornicotine > (−)-[S]nornicotine > and (+)-nicotine, but lower than cytisine (Ki = 0.46 nM) in competing for (−)-[³H]nicotine binding in M10 cells, which stably express the recombinant ₄β₂ nAChR subtype. A one-binding site model was observed in all competing experiments between (−)-[³H]nicotine binding and each of the agonists studied in M10 cells. MPA showed a 13-fold higher affinity for (−)-[³H]nicotine binding sites compared to the [³H]epibatidine binding sites in rat cortical membranes. In human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, which predominantly express the ₃ nAChR subunit mRNA, MPA displaced [³H]epibatidine binding from a single population of the binding sites with an affinity in the same nM range as that observed MPA in displacing [³H]epibatidine binding in rat cortical membranes. Chronic treatment of M10 cells with MPA significantly up-regulated the number of (−)-[³H]nicotine binding sites in a concentration dependent manner. Thus MPA appears to have higher affinity to 4-subunit containing receptor subtype than ₃-subunit containing receptor subtype of nAChRs. Furthermore MPA binds to ₄β₂ receptor subtype with higher affinity than (−)-nicotine and behaves, opposite to cytisine, as a full agonist in up-regulating the number of nAChRs. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking of N-{3-[3-(9-methyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-acryloyl]-phenyl}-benzamide/amide derivatives as xanthine oxidase and tyrosinase inhibitors

Claisen-Schmidt condensation of 3-formyl-9-methylcarbazole with various amides of 3-aminoacetophenone afforded N-{3-[3-(9-methyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-acryloyl]-phenyl}-benzamide/amide derivatives. All compounds were investigated for their in vitro xanthine oxidase (XO), tyrosinase and melanin production inhibitory activity. Most of the target compounds had more potent XO inhibitory activity than the standard drug (IC(50)=4.3-5.6μM). Interestingly, compound 7q bearing cyclopropyl ring was found to be the most potent inhibitor of XO (IC(50)=4.3μM). Molecular modelling study gave an insight into its binding modes with XO. Compounds 7a, 7d, 7e, 7g, and 7k were found to be potent inhibitors of tyrosinase (IC(50)=14.01-17.52μM). These results suggest the possible use of these compounds for the design and development of novel XO and tyrosinase inhibitors.     

Manganese(II) complex of 6,7-dicycanodipyridoquinoxaline with antitumor activities: synthesis,crystal structure and binding with DNA

A new Mn(II) complex with the planar ligand 6,7-dicycanodipyrido[2,2-D:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (L) [MnL(NO(3))(H(2)O)(3)]NO(3).CH(3)OH (1) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG-DTA and molar conductance. Its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction, crystal data: yellow, triclinic, space group P1;, Z=2, a=7.3743(8) A, b=11.2487(15) A, c=14.1655(15) A, alpha=79.412(2) degrees, beta=83.208(2) degrees, gamma=80.466(2) degrees. The Mn atom was hexa-coordinated to form a distorted octahedral geometry by two nitrogen atoms of L and four oxygen atoms of three H(2)O and NO(3)(-) in the complex. The binding mode of the complex with calf thymus DNA has also been investigated with spectrophotometric methods, viscosity and thermal denaturation measurements. The experimental results indicate that the complex intercalated into DNA base pairs via the ligand L. The intrinsic binding constant K(b) values for 1 (5.00 x 10(5) M(-1)) and L (1.65 x 10(5) M(-1)) were determined by absorption titration and calculated with the model of McGhee and Von Hippel. Biological tests against four different cell lines (HL-60, KB, Hela and BGC-823) in vitro showed that the complex had significant antitumor properties since the 50% inhibition concentrations (IC(50)) of the complex were within a microM range similar to those of antitumor drug 5-fluorouracil.     

Structural requirements of pyrimidine, thienopyridine and ureido thiophene carboxamide-based inhibitors of the checkpoint kinase 1: QSAR, docking, molecular dynamics analysis

Our focus of current research is directed toward clarification of novel inhibitors (pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine (PP), thienopyridines (TP) and 2-ureido thiophene carboxamide (UTC) derivatives) targeting Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK(1)), which is an oncology target of significant current interest. Our computational approaches include: (i) QSAR analysis was carried out on the computed steric/electrostatic/hydrophobic/hydrogen bond donor/hydrogen bond acceptor interactions with the pseudoreceptor surface, which yielded predictive models capable of explaining much of the variance of inhibitors. The resultant optimum QSAR/CoMFA models exhibited (N(training) = 51, N(test) = 16, R(cv) (2) = 0.47, R(pred) (2) = 0.7) for PP, (N(training) = 45, N(test) = 9, R(cv) (2) = 0.52, R(pred) (2) = 0.75) for TP and (N(training) = 58, N(test) = 15, R(cv) (2) = 0.67, R(pred) (2) = 0.88) for UTC. (ii) Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations experiments of the inhibitors into the binding site of CHK(1) aided the interpretation of the QSAR models and demonstrated the binding modes in the aspects of inhibitor's conformation, subsite interaction, and hydrogen bonding interactions, which indicated that a set of critical residues (Cys87, Glu91, Glu85, Ser147, Asp148, Glu17, Leu84 and Asn135) played a key role in the drug-target interactions. The obtained results in the present work will be fruitful for the design of new potent and selective inhibitors of CHK(1).