Design and synthesis of simplified taxol analogs based on the T-Taxol bioactive conformation

A series of compounds designed to adopt a conformation similar to the tubulin-binding T-Taxol conformation of the anticancer drug paclitaxel has been synthesized. Both the internally bridged analogs 37-39, 41 and the open-chain analogs 27-29 and 43 were prepared. The bridged analogs 37-39 and 41 were synthesized by Grubbs' metatheses of compounds 30-32 and 33, which, in turn, were prepared by coupling β-lactams 24-26 with alcohols 22 and 23. Both the bridged and the open-chain analogs showed moderate to good cytotoxicity.     

Side chain SAR of bicyclic β-lactamase inhibitors (BLIs). 2. N-Alkylated and open chain analogs of MK-8712

The bridged monobactam β-lactamase inhibitor MK-8712 (1) effectively inhibits class C β-lactamases. Side chain N-alkylated and ring-opened analogs of 1 were prepared and evaluated for combination with imipenem to overcome class C β-lactamase mediated resistance. Although some analogs were more potent inhibitors of AmpC, none exhibited better synergy with imipenem than 1.     

Semi-synthetic salinomycin analogs exert cytotoxic activity against human colorectal cancer stem cells

Salinomycin, a polyether antibiotic, is a well-known inhibitor of human cancer stem cells. Chemical modification of the allylic C20 hydroxyl of salinomycin has enabled access to synthetic analogs that display increased cytotoxic activity compared to the native structure. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of a cohort of C20-O-acyl analogs of salinomycin on human colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro. Two human colorectal cancer cell lines (SW480 and SW620) were exposed to three C20-O-acylated analogs and salinomycin. The impact of salinomycin and its analogs on tumor cell number, migration, cell death, and cancer stem cell specifity was analyzed. Exposure of human colorectal cancer cells to the C20-O-acylated analogs of salinomycin resulted in reduced tumor cell number and impaired tumor cell migration at lower concentrations than salinomycin. When used at higher (micromolar) concentrations, these effects were accompanied by induction of apoptotic cell death. Salinomycin analogs further expose improved activity against cancer stem cells compared to salinomycin.     

Human β-Defensin 4 with Non-Native Disulfide Bridges Exhibit Antimicrobial Activity

Human defensins play multiple roles in innate immunity including direct antimicrobial killing and immunomodulatory activity. They have three disulfide bridges which contribute to the stability of three anti-parallel β-strands. The exact role of disulfide bridges and canonical β-structure in the antimicrobial action is not yet fully understood. In this study, we have explored the antimicrobial activity of human β-defensin 4 (HBD4) analogs that differ in the number and connectivity of disulfide bridges. The cysteine framework was similar to the disulfide bridges present in μ-conotoxins, an unrelated class of peptide toxins. All the analogs possessed enhanced antimicrobial potency as compared to native HBD4. Among the analogs, the single disulfide bridged peptide showed maximum potency. However, there were no marked differences in the secondary structure of the analogs. Subtle variations were observed in the localization and membrane interaction of the analogs with bacteria and Candida albicans, suggesting a role for disulfide bridges in modulating their antimicrobial action. All analogs accumulated in the cytosol where they can bind to anionic molecules such as nucleic acids which would affect several cellular processes leading to cell death. Our study strongly suggests that native disulfide bridges or the canonical β-strands in defensins have not evolved for maximal activity but they play important roles in determining their antimicrobial potency.     

Bridged androstenediol analogs as ER-beta selective SERMs

A series of bridged androstenediol derivatives was prepared. The bridged compounds exhibited reduced ER-beta selectivity relative to uncyclized analogs.     

Preparation and characterization of N-(3-pyridinyl) spirocyclic diamines as ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Several N-pyridin-3-yl spirobicyclic diamines, designed as conformationally restricted analogs of tebanicline (ABT-594), were synthesized as novel ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). The spirocyclic compounds exhibited weaker binding affinity, than other constrained analogs in accord with a pharmacophore model. Nevertheless, some (1a, 1b) possessed (partial) agonist potencies comparable to nicotine at the α4β2 subtype, but with greatly improved selectivity relative to the α3β4* nAChR.     

Nuclease resistance and RNase H sensitivity of oligonucleotides bridged by oligomethylenediol and oligoethylene glycol linkers

The properties of new chimeric oligodeoxynucleotides made of short sequences (tetramers, pentamers, octamers, and decamers) bridged by hexamethylenediol and hexaethylene glycol linkers have been investigated. These chimeric oligonucleotides showed an improved resistance toward snake venom 3'-phosphodiesterase, with an increased stability when a terminal 3'-3'-internucleotide phosphodiester bond is present. It also has been demonstrated that the hybrid complexes formed by bridged oligonucleotides and a complementary 20-mer RNA are able to elicit the activity of ribonuclease H (RNase H) from Escherichia coli. The substrate properties of chimeric oligonucleotides depend on the length of the oligonucleotide fragments bridged by linkers. Introduction of a nonnucleotide spacer into the native oligonucleotide only slightly hampers the extent of the RNA hydrolysis in the hybrid complexes, whereas a modification of the site of reaction is observed as a possible consequence of the steric disturbance due to the aliphatic linkers. Hence, these new chimeric oligonucleotides, namely, short oligonucleotide fragments bridged by nonnucleotide linkers, demonstrate a favorable combination of exonuclease resistance and high substrate activity toward RNase H. As a consequence, these chimeric oligonucleotides could be proposed as new, promising analogs to be used in the antisense strategy.     

Synthesis of fluorescent nucleoside analogs as probes for 2′-deoxyribonucleoside kinases

We are reporting on the synthesis of fluorescent nucleoside analogs with modified sugar moieties (e.g., sugars other than ribose and 2′-deoxyribose). Four novel derivatives of the fluorescent thymidine analog 6-methyl-3-(β-D-2′-deoxyribofuranosyl) furano-[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one were synthesized via Sonogashira reaction and subsequent copper-catalyzed cycloaddition. These compounds represent promising tools for studying nucleoside metabolism inside living cells, as well as for screening directed evolution libraries of 2′-deoxyribonucleoside kinases with new and improved activity for the corresponding nucleoside analogs.     

Development of Novel Bridged and Caged Nucleoside Analogs as Biochemical Tools

Abstract

New classes of closely biomimetic, anti conformation restricted, transglycosidic spiro, bridged, and caged pyrimidine nucleoside analogs are being developed. Progress towards accessing members of the new caged 2′-deoxyuridine mimic class is related.     

New β-lactam – Tetramic acid hybrids show promising antibacterial activities

β-Lactams are the most important class of antibiotics, for which the emergence of resistance threatens their utility. As such, we explored the extent to which the tetramic acid motif, frequently found in naturally occurring antibiotics, can be used to generate novel β-lactam antibiotics with improved antibacterial activity. We synthesized new ampicillin – tetramic acid, cephalosporin – tetramic acid, and cephamycin – tetramic acid analogs and evaluated their activities against problematic Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Amongst the analogs, a 7-aminocephalosporanic acid analog, 3397, and a 7-amino-3-vinyl cephalosporanic acid, 3436, showed potent activities against S. aureus NRS 70 (MRSA) with MICs of 6.25?μg/mL and 3.13?μg/mL respectively. These new analogs were ≥16-fold more potent than cefaclor and cephalexin. Additionally, a Δ² cephamycin – tetramic acid analog 3474 which contained a basic guanidinium substituent at the 5-position of the tetramic acid core displayed potent activity against several clinical strains of K. pneumoniae and E. coli.     

Design,synthesis, and DNA interaction studies of furo-imidazo[3.3.3]propellane derivatives: Potential anticancer agents

A large number of natural products containing the propellane scaffold have been reported to exhibit cytotoxicity against several cancers; however, their mechanism of action is still unknown. Anticancer drugs targeting DNA are mainly composed of small planar molecule/s that can interact with the DNA helix, causing DNA malfunction and cell death. The aim of this study was to design and synthesize propellane derivatives that can act as DNA intercalators and/or groove binders. The unique structure of the propellane derivatives and their ability to display planar ligands with numerous possible geometries, renders them potential starting points to design new drugs targeting DNA in cancer cells. New substituted furo-imidazo[3.3.3]propellanes were synthesized via the reaction of substituted alkenylidene-hydrazinecarbothioamides with 2-(1,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-2-ylidene)propanedinitrile in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. The structures of the products were confirmed by a combination of elemental analysis, NMR, ESI-MS, IR and single crystal X-ray analysis. Interestingly, 5c, 5d and 5f showed an ability to interact with Calf Thymus DNA (CT-DNA). Their DNA-binding mode was investigated using a combination of absorption spectroscopy, DNA melting, viscosity, CD spectroscopy measurements, as well as competitive binding studies with several dyes. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated against the NCI-60 panel of cancer cell lines. 5c, 5d and 5f exhibited similar anti-proliferative activity against the A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line. Further mechanistic studies revealed their ability to induce DNA damage in the A549 cell line, as well as apoptosis, evidenced by elevated Annexin V expression, enhanced caspase 3/7 activation and PARP cleavage. In this study, we present the potential for designing novel propellanes to provoke cytotoxic activity, likely through DNA binding-induced DNA damage and apoptosis.     

Structure–activity relationships in aminosterol antibiotics: The effect of stereochemistry at the 7-OH group

Squalamine and three aminosterol analogs have been shown to inhibit bacterial cell growth and induce lysis of large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles. The analogs differ in the identity of the polyamine attached at C3 of the sterol, and the stereochemistry of a hydroxyl substituent at C7. Analogs with a tetraammonium spermine polyamine are somewhat more active than analogs with a shorter trisammonium spermidine polyamine, and analogs with an axial (α) hydroxyl substituent at C7 are more active than analogs with the corresponding equatorial (β) hydroxyl group. There is some variability noted; the 7β-OH spermine analog is the most active compound against Escherichia coli, but the least effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Lytic activity correlates well with antimicrobial activity of the compounds, but the lytic activity varies with the phospholipid composition of the vesicles.     

Phosphorothioate analogs of sn-2 radyl lysophosphatidic acid (LPA): Metabolically stabilized LPA receptor agonists

We describe an efficient synthesis of metabolically stabilized sn-2 radyl phosphorothioate analogs of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), and the determination of the agonist activity of each analog for the six LPA receptors (LPA_1–6) using a recently developed TGFα shedding assay. In general, the sn-2 radyl OMPT analogs showed similar agonist activities to the previous 1-oleoyl-2-O-methyl-glycerophosphothioate (sn-1 OMPT) analogs for LPA_1–6 receptors. In most cases, the sn-2 radyl-OMPT analogs were more potent agonists than LPA itself. Most importantly, sn-2 alkyl OMPT analogs were very potent LPA₅ and LPA₆ agonists. The availability of sn-2 radyl OPMT analogs further refines the structure–activity relationships for ligand–receptor interactions for this class of GPCRs.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel 4″-O-(1-aralkyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-methyl-carbamoyl) azithromycin analogs

Three novel structural series of 4″-O-(1-aralkyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-methyl-carbamoyl) azithromycin analogs were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity. All the target compounds exhibited excellent activity against erythromycin-susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes, and significantly improved activity against three phenotypes of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae compared with clarithromycin and azithromycin. Among the three series of azithromycin analogs, the novel series of 11,4″-disubstituted azithromycin analogs 9a–k exhibited the most effective and balanced activity against susceptible and resistant bacteria. Among them, compound 9j showed the most potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 (0.008 µg/mL) and Streptococcus pyogenes R2 (1 µg/mL). Besides, all the 11,4″-disubstituted azithromycin analogs 9a–k except 9f shared the identical activity with the MIC value <0.002 µg/mL against Streptococcus pyogenes S2. Furthermore, compounds 9g, 9h, 9j and 9k displayed significantly improved activity compared with the references against all the three phenotypes of resistant S. pneumoniae. Particularly, compound 9k was the most effective (0.06, 0.03 and 0.125 µg/mL) against all the erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae expressing the erm gene, the mef gene and the erm and mef genes, exhibiting 2133, 133 and 2048-fold more potent activity than azithromycin, respectively.     

Optimization of physicochemical properties and safety profile of novel bacterial topoisomerase type II inhibitors (NBTIs) with activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Type II bacterial topoisomerases are well validated targets for antimicrobial chemotherapy. Novel bacterial type II topoisomerase inhibitors (NBTIs) of these targets are of interest for the development of new antibacterial agents that are not impacted by target-mediated cross-resistance with fluoroquinolones. We now disclose the optimization of a class of NBTIs towards Gram-negative pathogens, especially against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Physicochemical properties (pK_a and log D) were optimized for activity against P. aeruginosa and for reduced inhibition of the hERG channel. The optimized analogs 9g and 9i displayed potent antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, and a significantly improved hERG profile over previously reported analogs. Compound 9g showed an improved QT profile in in vivo models and lower clearance in rat over earlier compounds. The compounds show promise for the development of new antimicrobial agents against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives as anti-inflammatory agents

Rapid and efficient synthesis of a phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole library enabled cost-effective biological testing of a range of novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with potential for improved drug efficacy and toxicity profiles. Anti-inflammatory activities of the phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole analogs synthesized in this report were assessed using the xylene-induced ear edema model in mice. At least four analogs, 2a, 2b, 2c, and 4a, showed more potent effects than the reference anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac at the same dose of 25 mg/kg. To explore relationships between the structural properties of phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole analogs and their anti-inflammatory activities in xylene-induced ear edema, comparative molecular field analysis was performed, and pharmacophores showing good anti-inflammatory activities were identified based on an analysis of contour maps obtained from comparative molecular field analysis. The anti-inflammatory effect on the molecular level was tested by the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced COX-2 using Western blots. Because the addition of the analog 2c caused the expression change of TNF-α induced COX-2, the molecular binding mode between 2c and COX-2 was elucidated using in silico docking.     

Synthesis of analogs of the Gwt1 inhibitor manogepix (APX001A) and in vitro evaluation against Cryptococcus spp

Fosmanogepix (APX001) is a first-in-class prodrug molecule that is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for invasive fungal infections. The active moiety manogepix (APX001A) inhibits the novel fungal protein Gwt1. Gwt1 catalyzes an early step in the GPI anchor biosynthesis pathway. Here we describe the synthesis and evaluation of 292 new and 24 previously described analogs that were synthesized using a series of advanced intermediates to allow for rapid analoging. Several compounds demonstrated significantly (8- to 32-fold) improved antifungal activity against both Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii as compared to manogepix. Further in vitro characterization identified three analogs with a similar preliminary safety and in vitro profile to manogepix and superior activity against Cryptococcus spp.     

Discovery of novel N-acylsulfonamide analogs as potent and selective EP3 receptor antagonists

A series of novel N-acylsulfonamide analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their binding affinity and antagonist activity for the EP3 receptor subtype. Representative compounds were also evaluated for their inhibitory effect on PGE₂-induced uterine contraction in pregnant rats. Among those tested, a series of N-acylbenzenesulfonamide analogs were found to be more potent than the corresponding carboxylic acid analogs in both the in vitro and in vivo evaluations. The structure activity relationships (SAR) are also discussed.     

Decreased thermal stability of collagens containing analogs of proline or lysine

Fibroblasts were incubated with analogs of proline or lysine and the thermal stability of procollagen molecules containing the analogs was investigated using pepsin digestion at different temperatures as an enzymatic probe of conformation. The procollagens containing either 4-cis-hydroxy-l-proline, 3,4-dehydroproline, or 4,5-trans-dehydrolysine were less stable than normal procollagen and these abnormal collagens were largely in a non-triplehelical conformation within the cells at 37 °C. These results support the idea that procollagen molecules which are not in a triple-helical conformation are not secreted at a normal rate. Procollagens containing both 4,5-trans-dehydrolysine and a proline analog were much less stable than molecules containing a single type of analog. This result suggests that simultaneous administration of both types of analogs may have a greater effect on collagen accumulation in whole-animal experiments than administration of a single analog.     

Observations concerning light promoted electronic delocalization in covalently linked transition metal complexes

The emission spectral band shapes of several polypyridine-ligand (PP) bridged bis-ruthenium(II) complexes imply that Ru(II)/Ru(III) electronic coupling is weaker in their lowest energy metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states than in their corresponding mixed valence ground states. In general, the amplitudes of the vibronic contributions to emission band shapes decrease markedly with the excited state-ground state energy differences, and it is expected that complexes with degenerate, or mixed valence excited states will have very weak vibronic side bands if configurational mixing of the degenerate MLCT excited states is substantial. However, the bimetallic PP-bridged ruthenium complexes emit at significantly lower energy than their monometallic analogs, but the vibronic contributions to their 77 K emission spectra are very similar to those of their monometallic complexes analogs. This indicates that the mixed valence excited states of the bimetallic complexes are electronically localized.