2-Phenyl and 2-heterocyclic-4-(3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridines as inhibitors of TGF-β1 and activin A signalling

Novel inhibitors of TGF-β1 and activin A signalling based on a 2-aryl-4-(3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridine pharmacophore have been synthesised. Compounds containing phenyl or aromatic nitrogen heterocycle substituents inhibited both types of signalling with HEK-293T cells in culture, with a selectivity preference for TGF-β1. Synthetic compounds containing pyridin-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl or 1H-imidazoyl-1-yl substituents exhibited structural and functional attributes suitable for further investigation related to the development of more potent TGF-β inhibitors.     

(S)-3-(4-(2-(5-Methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl)ethoxy)phenyl)-2-(piperazin-1-yl)propanoic acid compounds: Synthesis and biological evaluation of dual PPARα/γ agonists

A series of novel, potent PPARα/γ dual agonists were synthesized and appraised. The most potent analogue, compound 2b demonstrated EC₅₀ value of 0.012 ± 0.002 and 0.032 ± 0.01 μM, respectively, for hPPARα and hPPARγ in transactivation assay. Additionally, compound 2b demonstrated good glucose and lipid lowering effect in genetic diabetic (db/db) mice.     

Discovery of (3S,4S)-3-methyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-hydroxyprop-2-yl)phenyl)pyrrolidines as novel RORγt inverse agonists

A novel series of cis-3,4-diphenylpyrrolidines were designed as RORγt inverse agonists based on the binding conformation of previously reported bicyclic sulfonamide 1. Preliminary synthesis and structure–activity relationship (SAR) study established (3S,4S)-3-methyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-hydroxyprop-2-yl)phenyl)pyrrolidine as the most effective scaffold. Subsequent SAR optimization led to identification of a piperidinyl carboxamide 31, which was potent against RORγt (EC₅₀ of 61 nM in an inverse agonist assay), selective relative to RORα, RORβ, LXRα and LXRβ, and stable in human and mouse liver microsomes. Furthermore, compound 31 exhibited considerably lower PXR Y_max (46%) and emerged as a promising lead. The binding mode of the diphenylpyrrolidine series was established with an X-ray co-crystal structure of 10A/RORγt.     

秦艽1-羟基-2-甲基-2-(E)-丁烯基-4-焦磷酸还原酶基因(GmHDR)的克隆和表达分析

龙胆苦苷(gentiopicroside)等裂环烯醚萜苷类化合物是中药秦艽中主要的有效成分,属于萜类化合物的衍生物,1-羟基-2-甲基-2-(E)-丁烯基-4-焦磷酸还原酶(1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl-4-diphosphate reductase,HDR)是植物萜类物质合成的关键酶之一。该研究在实验室高通量测序的基础上,采用RT-PCR方法克隆了秦艽HDR基因(即Gm HDR基因),利用生物信息学的方法分析了Gm HDR编码氨基酸序列的理化性质、信号肽、转运肽、亚细胞定位、保守结构域和高级结构等特征,并采用实时定量PCR分析了HDR的表达模式。结果表明:秦艽Gm HDR基因包含一个完整的长1 392 bp的ORF框,编码463个氨基酸;Gm HDR与萝芙木、艾菊等植物HDR蛋白具有很高的一致性(≥84%),无跨膜结构域,有叶绿体转运肽等结构,主要定位于叶绿体中。实时定量PCR结果显示,Gm HDR基因在秦艽的花中进行表达量高,在叶、茎和根等部位表达较低。Gm HDR在序列上与其他植物的HDR蛋白序列特征上存在很大的相似性;Gm HDR基因主要在秦艽花中表达,可能主要参与花中萜类物质的合成。该研究结果可为今后研究秦艽环烯醚萜类化合物的生物合成机制提供依据。     

Synthesis and screening of (E)-1-(β-D-galactopyranosyl)-4-(aryl)but-3-ene-2-one against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A series of galactose-derived aryl enones were synthesised and screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv. Preliminary results were promising with MIC values in the range 1.56-12.5 μg/mL.     

Identification of biaryl sulfone derivatives as antagonists of the histamine H₃ receptor: discovery of (R)-1-(2-(4'-(3-methoxypropylsulfonyl)biphenyl-4-yl)ethyl)-2-methylpyrrolidine (APD916)

The design of a new clinical candidate histamine-H(3) receptor antagonist for the potential treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is described. Phenethyl-R-2-methylpyrrolidine containing biphenylsulfonamide compounds were modified by replacement of the sulfonamide linkage with a sulfone. One compound from this series, 2j (APD916) increased wakefulness in rodents as measured by polysomnography with a duration of effect consistent with its pharmacokinetic properties. The identification of a suitable salt form of 2j allowed it to be selected for further development.     

Enantioselective enzymatic acetylation of racemic [4-[4α,6β (E)]]-6-[4,4-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,3-butadienyl]-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one

Summary A chiral compound [4R-[4,6ß(E)]]-6-[4,4-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,3-butadienyl]-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one (R-(+)-1) was prepared by the lipase-catalysed stereoselective acetylation of racemic 1 in an organic solvent. Chiral R-(+)-1 is a hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor and a potential anticholesterol drug candidate. Among various lipases evaluated, lipase PS-30 from Pseudomonas species efficiently catalysed acetylation of the undesired enantiomer of racemic 1 to yield the S-(–)-acetylated product 2 and unreacted desired R-(+)-1. A reaction yield of 48 mol% and an optical purity of 98% were obtained for R-(+)-1 when the reaction was conducted in toluence as solvent in the presence of isopropenyl acetate as acyl donor. Lipase PS-30 was immobilized on Accurel polypropylene (PP) and the immobilized enzyme was reused (five cycles) in the acetylation reaction without loss of enzyme activity, productivity, or optical purity of the R-(+)-1. The enzymatic acetylation process was scaled-up to 501 and a 640-l volume (preparative batches) at a substrate concentration of 4 g/l. R-(+)–1 was recovered from the preparative batches in 68–71% recovery yield with 98.5% gas chromatography homogeneity index and 98.5% optical purity. The S-(–) acetate 2 produced by the acetylation reaction was enzymatically hydrolysed by lipase PS-30 in a biphasic system to prepare the corresponding S-(–)-1.Correspondence to: R. N. Patel     

The synthesis of O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→4)-N-acetylnormuramoyl-l-α-aminobutanoyl-d-isoglutamine

Benzyl 2-acetamido-3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl)- α-d-glucopyranoside (4) was obtained in high yield on using the silver triflate method in the absence of base. Compound 4 was converted in six steps into benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-benzyl-3-O-(carboxymethyl)-2-deoxy-α-d- glucopyranoside, which was coupled with the benzyl ester of l-α-aminobutanoyl-d-isoglutamine and the product hydrogenolyzed to afford the title compound. O-Benzylation of benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside with benzyl bromide and barium hydroxide in N,N-dimethylformamide is strongly exhanced by sonication of the reaction mixture.     

Synthese von O-(3-desoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosylonsäure)-(2→4)-O-(3-desoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosylonsäure)- (2→6)-O-(2-amino-2-desoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→6)-2-amino-2-desoxy-d-glucopyranose

Benzyl-3-O-benzyl-2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-6-O-[2-benzyloxycarbonyl-amino-2-deoxy-3,4-O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)- β-d-glucopyranosyl]-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside was coupled with methyl (4,5,7,8-tetra-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosyl bromide)onate (13) to yield the α-glycosidically linked trisaccharide. After deacetylation and selective introduction of a second 7′,8′-O-tetraisopropyldisiloxane group, a further glycosidation reaction with 13 led regioselectively to the tetrasaccharide benzyl O-[methyl (4,5,7,8-tetra-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosyl)onate]-(2→4)-O-{methyl [3-deoxy-7,8-O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosyl]-onate}-(2→6)-O- [2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-deoxy-3,4-O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]- (1→6)-3-O-benzyl-2-benzyloxycarbonyl-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside. A series of deblocking steps gave O-(3-deoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosylonic acid)-(2→4)-O-(3-deoxy-α-d-manno-2-octulopyranosylonic acid)- (2→6)-O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→6)-2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranose which was identical with a tetrasaccharide that had been isolated by hydrazinolysis of the lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella minnesota R 595. Hence, synthetic proof is provided for the linkages in this part of the inner core region of lipopolysaccharides.     

Synthesis of (±)-Methyl 5-(1′,2′-Epoxy-2′,6′-dimethylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl-(2Z,4E)-2,4-pentadienoate

The effect of tripropyltin chloride (TPT) on transport systems in E. coli was investigated. The inhibition on uptakes of ¹⁴C-l-leucine, l-proline, adenine and methyl-(α-d-gluco)pyrano-side (α-methylglucoside) by TPT was examined. The active uptake of l-leucine which utilized ATP molecule as an energy source was 100% inhibited at the concentration of 10 µg/ml TPT. On the other hand, the uptake of l-proline which was generated by an “energied” membrane state of the cells was inhibited only 40% at the same concentration of TPT. α-Methylglucoside uptake was scarcely inhibited. Adenine uptake was intensely inhibited at 20 µg/ml TPT. The effect of the delayed addition of TPT on transport systems was also examined. l-Leucine incorporated into cells was completely released from cells by TPT. Leucine binding protein (LBP) was prepared from E. coli cells and the effect of TPT on LBP activity was examined. TPT scarcely inhibited LBP activity.     

A Convenient Synthesis of A Novel Nucleoside Analogue: 4-(δ-Diformyl-methyl)-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-2-pyrimidinone

Abstract

The nucleoside analogue 4-(δ-diformyl-methyl)-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-2-pyrimidinone (5) was prepared from the corresponding 4-methyl pyrimidinone nucleoside by means of the Vilsmeier reaction. The unprotected nucleoside can be phosphorylated directly with phosphorus oxychloride in triethyl phosphate.     

Synthesis of 7-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl)- and 7-(4-acetoxytetrahydropyran-2-yl)-ε-rhodomycinone and 7-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-ε-pyrromycinone

The ¹³C.n.m.r spectra of water-soluble and -insoluble glucans synthesized by enzymes isolated from six strains of Streptococcus mutans are interpreted. The glucans are shown to be composed primarily of α(1→3)- and α-(1→6)-linked glucosyl residues, and the relative abundance of each linkage is estimated from peak areas. Treatment of water-insoluble glucans with dextranase is found to result in water-soluble and -insoluble products, the former enriched in α-(1→6)-linkages and the latter in α-(1→3)-linkages. The structural conclusions arrived at by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy are consistent with data from methylation analysis and ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,cytotoxicity and DNA-binding properties of Pd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 4′-(4-(2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy)phenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine

Pd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes (1–3) based on 4′-(4-(2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy)phenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine were synthesized and characterized by UV, IR, NMR, EPR, HRMS, elemental analyses, and molar conductivity measurements. The cytotoxicity of these complexes against HL-60, BGC-823, KB, Bel-7402, A549, Hela, K562 and MCF-7 cell lines in vitro was measured by MTT method. The DNA binding property of the complexes was evaluated by UV, fluorescence, CD spectroscopies and thermal denaturation. The cytotoxicity of complexes 1 and 3 against all the tested cell lines is better than that of cisplatin. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit 7- and 4-folds higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin against Bel-7402 cell line. Complex 3 displays the highest cytotoxicity against all the cell lines tested, and shows 7-, 14-, 8-, 11- and 8-folds higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin against Bel-7402, A549, Hela, K562 and MCF-7 cell lines. The complexes bind to DNA via intercalation mode and complex 3 stabilizes the G-quadruplex. The results reveal that all the complexes display high cytotoxicity against all the tested cancer cell lines, and complex 3 is selective for G-quadruplex over duplex DNA.     

Synthesis of p-trifluoroacetamidophenyl O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-D-mannopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside

The role of exposed tyrosine side-chains in enzyme-catalysed reactions has been studied for porcine-pancreatic alpha-amylase, sweet-potato beta-amylase, and Aspergillus niger glucamylase using N-acetylimidazole as the specific protein reagent. The changes in activity binding affinity (Δk_?1/k₊₁), and kinetic parameters (K_m,k₂) due to acetylation of the phenolic hydroxyl groups have been determined. Acetylation of each enzyme occurred by an “apparent” first-order reaction with a rate constant of 0.72–1.4 x 10^?1min^?1. Acetylation increased the apparent K_m (soluble starch as the substrate) for each enzyme (appreciably for alpha-amylase and glucamylase), whereas k² remained unchanged. Similarly, for each enzyme, the binding affinity for immobilised cyclohexa-amylose decreased appreciably, whereas the catalytic activity was reduced only to a small degree (and remained unchanged for beta-amylase). It is concluded that the tyrosine groups located in the active centre of each enzyme have a substrate-binding function.     

Synthesis of 1-(4-Keto-2, 3-O-isopropylidene-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl) uracil

Abstract

Synthesis of 1-(2, 3, 4-tri-0-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl) uracil (3), 1-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyl) uracil (4), 1-(2, 3-0-isopropylidene-α-L-rhamnosyl) uracil (5), and 1-(2, 3-0-isopropylidene-4-keto-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl) uracil (6) are reported. Oxidation of (5) to (6) was effected using pyridinium chlorochromate in presence of molecular sieves.     

Ab Initio studies of receptor interactions with AMPA ((S)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl) propionic acid ) and Kainic acid (2S-(2α,3β,4β))-2-carboxy-4-(1-methylethenyl)-3-pyrrolidineacetic acid

The optimum geometries and binding energies of the complexes formed by AMPA and Kainic acid, as well as their anions with tyrosine, proline and some tripeptides are investigated with quantum chemical calculations (HF/6-31G**). It was found that receptors featuring the Tyr-Ala-Pro sequence exhibit stronger binding energies to the substrates than the Tyr-Ser-Pro and Tyr-Ser-Ser. As expected, the anions are more bound than the neutral species. This work can lead to investigations on the effect of AMPA receptors mutations on the brain functions, possibly related to criminal tendencies.     

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.     

(S)-1-(Pent-4′-enoyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-azetidin-2-one derivatives as inhibitors of human fatty acid amide hydrolase (hFAAH): synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular modelling

Abstract

A series of lipophilic ester derivatives (2a–g) of (S)-1-(pent-4′-enoyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-azetidin-2-one has been synthesised in three steps from (S)-4-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-azetidin-2-one and evaluated as novel, reversible, β-lactamic inhibitors of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes (human fatty acid amide hydrolase (hFAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (hMAGL)). The compounds showed IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range and selectivity for hFAAH versus hMAGL. The unexpected 1000-fold decrease in activity of 2a comparatively to the known regioisomeric structure 1a (i.e. lipophilic chains placed on N₁ and C₃ positions of the β-lactam core) could be explained on the basis of docking studies into a revisited model of hFAAH active site, considering one or two water molecules in interaction with the catalytic triad.