Stereochemical studies on the novel monoamine oxidase B substrates (1R,6S)- and (1S,6R)-3-methyl-6-phenyl-3-aza-bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane

Previous studies have established the unexpected monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) substrate properties of racemic 3-methyl-6-phenyl-3-aza-bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane, the 3,4-cyclopropyl analog of the achiral proneurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The two stereocenters present in this compound provide an opportunity to examine the enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity of the MAO-B-catalyzed ring alpha-carbon oxidation of cyclic tertiary amines to give the corresponding conjugated iminiumyl metabolites. This paper reports the results of such stereochemical studies using expressed human MAO-B as the catalyst.     

Synthesis,and anticonvulsant activity of new amides derived from 3-methyl- or 3-ethyl-3-methyl-2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetic acids

This paper describes the synthesis of the library of 22 new 3-methyl- and 3-ethyl-3-methyl-2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetamides as potential anticonvulsant agents. The maximal electroshock (MES) and the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) seizure models were used for screening all the compounds. The 6 Hz model of pharmacoresistant limbic seizures was applied for studying selected derivatives. Six amides were chosen for pharmacological characterization of their antinociceptive activity in the formalin model of tonic pain as well as local anesthetic activity was assessed in mice. The pharmacological data indicate on the broad spectra of activity across the preclinical seizure models. Compounds 10 (ED₅₀ = 32.08 mg/kg, MES test) and 9 (ED₅₀ = 40.34 mg/kg, scPTZ test) demonstrated the highest potency. These compounds displayed considerably better safety profiles than clinically relevant antiepileptic drugs phenytoin, ethosuximide, or valproic acid. Several molecules showed antinociceptive and local anesthetic properties. The in vitro radioligand binding studies demonstrated that the influence on the sodium and calcium channels may be one of the essential mechanisms of action.     

New halogenated 3-phenylcoumarins as potent and selective MAO-B inhibitors

With the aim to find out the structural features for the MAO inhibitory activity and selectivity, in the present communication we report the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a new series of bromo-6-methyl-3-phenylcoumarin derivatives (with bromo atom in both different benzene rings of the skeleton) with and without different number of methoxy substituent at the 3-phenyl ring. The methoxy substituents were introduced, in this new scaffold, in the meta and/or para positions of the 3-phenyl ring. The synthesized compounds 3–7 were evaluated as MAO-A and B inhibitors using R-(?)-deprenyl (selegiline) and iproniazide as reference inhibitors, showing, most of them, MAO-B inhibitory activities in the low nanomolar range. Compounds 4 (IC₅₀ = 11.05 nM), 5 (IC₅₀ = 3.23 nM) and 6 (IC₅₀ = 7.12 nM) show higher activity than selegiline (IC₅₀ = 19.60 nM) and higher MAO-B selectivity, with more than 9050-fold, 30,960-fold and 14,045-fold inhibition levels, with respect to the MAO-A isoform.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-methyl-3-phenylcoumarins as potent and selective MAO-B inhibitors

A series of 6-methyl-3-phenylcoumarins 3-6 were synthesized and evaluated as monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) inhibitors. A comparative study between the three possible mono methoxy 3-phenyl derivatives and the p-hydroxy analogue is reported. The synthesis of these new resveratrol-coumarin hybrids was carried out by a Perkin reaction between the 5-methylsalicylaldehyde and the corresponding phenylacetic acids. The p-methoxy substituted compound 3 was hydrolyzed to 6 by a traditional reaction with hydriodic acid. The prepared compounds show high selectivity to the MAO-B isoenzyme, some of them with IC₅₀ values in the low nanomolar range. Compound 4, with the methoxy group in meta position, is the most active of this series, with an IC₅₀ against MAO-B of 0.80 nM, and is several times more potent and MAO-B selective than the R-(?)-deprenyl (reference compound).     

Deuterium isotope effects for the oxidation of 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrrolinyl analogues by monoamine oxidase B

The parkinsonian inducing agent, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), is a cyclic tertiary allylamine exhibiting good monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) substrate properties. MAO-B catalyzes the ring alpha-carbon 2-electron bioactivation of MPTP to yield the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridinium species (MPDP(+)). The corresponding 5-membered ring MPTP analogue, 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrroline, also undergoes MAO-B-catalyzed oxidation to give the 2-electron oxidation product, 1-methyl-3-phenylpyrrole. Here we report the kinetic deuterium isotope effects on V(max) and V(max)/K(m) for the steady-state oxidation of 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrroline and 1-methyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-pyrroline by baboon liver MAO-B, using the corresponding pyrroline-2,2,4,5,5-d(5) analogues as the deuterated substrates. The apparent isotope effects for the two substrates were 4.29 and 3.98 on V(max), while the isotope effects on V(max)/K(m) were found to be 5.71 and 3.37, respectively. The values reported for the oxidation of MPTP by bovine liver MAO-B with MPTP-6,6-d(2), as deuterated substrate, are (D)(V(max))=3.55; (D)(V(max)/K(m))=8.01. We conclude that the mechanism of the MAO-B-catalyzed oxidation of pyrrolinyl substrates is similar to that of the tetrahydropyridinyl substrates and that a carbon-hydrogen bond cleavage step is, at least partially, rate determining.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3,6-diamino-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives as protein kinase inhibitors

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a number of differently substituted 3,6-diamino-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives are reported. From the inhibition results on a selection of disease-relevant protein kinases [IC₅₀ (μM) DYRK1A = 11; CDK5 = 0.41; GSK-3 = 1.5] we have observed that 3,6-diamino-4-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carbonitrile (4) constitutes a potential new and simple lead compound in the search of drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B by N-methyl-2-phenylmaleimides

Based on a recent report that 1-methyl-3-phenylpyrrolyl analogues are moderately potent reversible inhibitors of the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), a series of structurally related N-methyl-2-phenylmaleimidyl analogues has been prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of MAO-B. In general, the maleimides were more potent competitive inhibitors than the corresponding pyrrolyl analogues. N-Methyl-2-phenylmaleimide was found to be the most potent inhibitor with an enzyme–inhibitor dissociation constant (K_i value) of 3.49 μM, approximately 30-fold more potent than 1-methyl-3-phenylpyrrole (K_i = 118 μM). This difference in activities may be dependent upon the ability of the maleimidyl heterocyclic system to act as a hydrogen bond acceptor. This is in correspondence with literature reports which suggest that hydrogen bond formation is involved in stabilizing inhibitor–MAO-B complexes. Also reported here is a brief kinetic study of the hydrolysis of the N-methyl-2-phenylmaleimidyl analogues in aqueous solution. The findings of the inhibition studies are discussed with reference to the rate and extent of hydrolysis.     

New hybrid molecules with anticonvulsant and antinociceptive activity derived from 3-methyl- or 3,3-dimethyl-1-[1-oxo-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)propan-2-yl]pyrrolidine-2,5-diones

The purpose of this study was to synthetize the focused library of 34 new piperazinamides of 3-methyl- and 3,3-dimethyl-(2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propanoic or butanoic acids as potential new hybrid anticonvulsants. These hybrid molecules join the chemical fragments of well-known antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) such as ethosuximide, levetiracetam, and lacosamide. Compounds 5–38 were prepared in a coupling reaction of the 3-methyl- or 3,3-dimethyl-2-(2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propanoic (1, 2) or butanoic acids (3, 4) with the appropriately substituted secondary amines in the presence of the N,N-carbonyldiimidazole reagent. The initial anticonvulsant screening was performed in mice (ip) using the ‘classical’ maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) tests as well as in the six-Hertz (6 Hz) model of pharmacoresistant limbic seizures. The acute neurological toxicity was determined applying the chimney test. The broad spectra of activity across the preclinical seizure models in mice ip displayed compounds 7, 15, and 36. The most favorable anticonvulsant properties demonstrated 15 (ED₅₀ MES = 74.8 mg/kg, ED₅₀ scPTZ = 51.6 mg/kg, ED₅₀ 6 Hz = 16.8 mg/kg) which showed TD₅₀ = 213.3 mg/kg in the chimney test that yielded satisfying protective indexes (PI MES = 2.85, PI scPTZ = 4.13, PI 6 Hz = 12.70) at time point of 0.5 h. As a result, compound 15 displayed comparable or better safety profile than clinically relevant AEDs: ethosuximide, lacosamide or valproic acid. In the in vitro assays compound 15 was observed as relatively effective binder to the neuronal voltage-sensitive sodium and L-type calcium channels. Beyond the anticonvulsant properties, 6 compounds diminished the pain responses in the formalin model of tonic pain in mice.     

Pyrrolidinyl phenylurea derivatives as novel CCR3 antagonists

Optimization starting with our lead compound 1 (IC₅₀ = 4.9 nM) led to the identification of pyrrolidinyl phenylurea derivatives. Further modification toward improvement of the bioavailability provided (R)-1-(1-((6-fluoronaphthalen-2-yl)methyl)pyrrolidin-3-yl)-3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl)urea 32 (IC₅₀ = 1.7 nM), a potent and orally active CCR3 antagonist.     

Production of 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol in engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum

The pentanol isomers 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol represent commercially interesting alcohols due to their potential application as biofuels. For a sustainable microbial production of these compounds, Corynebacterium glutamicum was engineered for producing 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol via the Ehrlich pathway from 2-keto-3-methylvalerate and 2-ketoisocaproate, respectively. In addition to an already available 2-ketoisocaproate producer, a 2-keto-3-methylvalerate accumulating C. glutamicum strain was also constructed. For this purpose, we reduced the activity of the branched-chain amino acid transaminase in an available C. glutamicum l-isoleucine producer (K2P55) via a start codon exchange in the ilvE gene enabling accumulation of up to 3.67 g/l 2-keto-3-methylvalerate. Subsequently, nine strains expressing different gene combinations for three 2-keto acid decarboxylases and three alcohol dehydrogenases were constructed and characterized. The best strains accumulated 0.37 g/l 2-methyl-1-butanol and 2.76 g/l 3-methyl-1-butanol in defined medium within 48 h under oxygen deprivation conditions, making these strains ideal candidates for additional strain and process optimization.     

Neurotoxicity studies with the monoamine oxidase B substrate 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrroline

The neurotoxic properties of the parkinsonian inducing agent 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) are dependent on its metabolic activation in a reaction catalyzed by centrally located monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). This reaction ultimately leads to the permanently charged 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium species MPP(+), a 4-electron oxidation product of MPTP and a potent mitochondrial toxin. The corresponding 5-membered analogue, 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrroline, is also a selective MAO-B substrate. Unlike MPTP, the MAO-B-catalyzed oxidation of 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrroline is a 2-electron process that leads to the neutral 1-methyl-3-phenylpyrrole. MPP(+) is thought to exert its toxic effects only after accumulating in the mitochondria, a process driven by the transmembrane electrochemical gradient. Since this energy-dependent accumulation of MPP(+) relies upon its permanent charge, 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrrolines and their pyrrolyl oxidation products should not be neurotoxic. We have tested this hypothesis by examining the neurotoxic potential of 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrroline and 1-methyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-pyrroline in the C57BL/6 mouse model. These pyrrolines did not deplete striatal dopamine while analogous treatment with MPTP resulted in 65-73% depletion. Kinetic studies revealed that both 1-methyl-3-phenyl-3-pyrroline and its pyrrolyl oxidation product were present in the brain in relatively high concentrations. Unlike MPP(+), however, 1-methyl-3-phenylpyrrole was cleared from the brain quickly. These results suggest that the brain MAO-B-catalyzed oxidation of xenobiotic amines is not, in itself, sufficient to account for the neurodegenerative properties of a compound like MPTP. The rapid clearance of 1-methyl-3-phenylpyrroles from the brain may contribute to their lack of neurotoxicity.     

Design,synthesis and anti-P. falciparum activity of pyrazolopyridine–sulfonamide derivatives

Ten 1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives connected by a linker group to benzenesulfonamide moieties with different substituents in the 4-position were synthesized and assayed against Plasmodium falciparum. These ten compounds exhibited activity in vitro against the chloroquine-resistant clone W2 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.46 to 9.30 μM. The most active derivatives with substituent R₂ = Cl or CH₃ at the benzenesulfonamide moiety exhibited the lowest IC₅₀. Compounds with an R₁ = CO₂Et substituent at the 5-position of the 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine ring presented lower activity than those with a CN substituent. The 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine system appears to be promising for further studies as an antimalarial for overcoming the burden of resistance in P. falciparum.     

1,3-Dialkyl-substituted tetrahydropyrimido[1,2-f]purine-2,4-diones as multiple target drugs for the potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Adenosine receptors and monoamine oxidases are drug targets for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. In the present study we prepared a library of 55 mostly novel tetrahydropyrimido[2,1-f]purinediones with various substituents in the 1- and 3-position (1,3-dimethyl, 1,3-diethyl, 1,3-dipropyl, 1-methyl-3-propargyl) and broad variation in the 9-position. A synthetic strategy to obtain 3-propargyl-substituted tetrahydropyrimido[2,1-f]purinedione derivatives was developed. The new compounds were evaluated for their interaction with all four adenosine receptor subtypes and for their ability to inhibit monoamine oxidases (MAO). Introduction of mono- or di-chloro-substituted phenyl, benzyl or phenethyl residues at N9 of the 1,3-dimethyl series led to the discovery of a novel class of potent MAO-B inhibitors, the most potent compound being 9-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1,3-dimethyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrimido[1,2-f]purine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (21g, IC₅₀ human MAO-B: 0.0629 μM), which displayed high selectivity versus the other investigated targets. Potent dually active A₁/A_2A adenosine receptor antagonists were identified, for example, 9-benzyl-1-methyl-3-propargyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrimido[1,2-f]purine-2,4(1H,3H)dione (19f, K_i, human receptors, A₁: 0.249 μM, A_2A: 0.253 μM). Several compounds showed triple-target inhibition, the best compound being 9-(2-methoxybenzyl)-1-methyl-3-(prop-2-ynyl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro pyrimido [1,2-f]purine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (19g, K_i A₁: 0.605 μM, K_i A_2A: 0.417 μM, IC₅₀ MAO-B: 1.80 μM). Compounds inhibiting several different targets involved in neurodegeneration may exhibit additive or even synergistic effects in vivo.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and docking analysis of 3-methyl-1-phenylchromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones as potential cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors

As a part of our continued efforts to discover new COX inhibitors, a series of 3-methyl-1-phenylchromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro COX inhibitory potential. Within this series, seven compounds (3a–d, 3h, 3k and 3q) were identified as potential and selective COX-2 inhibitors (COX-2 IC₅₀’s in 1.79–4.35 μM range; COX-2 selectivity index (SI) = 6.8–16.7 range). Compound 3b emerged as most potent (COX-2 IC₅₀ = 1.79 μM; COX-1 IC₅₀ >30 μM) and selective COX-2 inhibitor (SI >16.7). Further, compound 3b displayed superior anti-inflammatory activity (59.86% inhibition of edema at 5 h) in comparison to celecoxib (51.44% inhibition of edema at 5 h) in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. Structure–activity relationship studies suggested that N-phenyl ring substituted with p-CF₃ substituent (3b, 3k and 3q) leads to more selective inhibition of COX-2. To corroborate obtained experimental biological data, molecular docking study was carried out which revealed that compound 3b showed stronger binding interaction with COX-2 as compared to COX-1.     

Identification of 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-derived ureas as potent inhibitors of human nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)

Potent nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors containing 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-derived ureas were identified using structure-based design techniques. The new compounds displayed improved aqueous solubilities, determined using a high-throughput solubility assessment, relative to previously disclosed urea and amide-containing NAMPT inhibitors. An optimized 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-derived compound exhibited potent anti-NAMPT activity (18; BC NAMPT IC₅₀ = 11 nM; PC-3 antiproliferative IC₅₀ = 36 nM), satisfactory mouse PK properties, and was efficacious in a PC-3 mouse xenograft model. The crystal structure of another optimized compound (29; NAMPT IC₅₀ = 10 nM; A2780 antiproliferative IC₅₀ = 7 nM) in complex with the NAMPT protein was also determined.     

Discovery of 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yloxy-benzamides as selective antagonists of the kappa opioid receptor. Part 1

Initial high throughput screening efforts identified highly potent and selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist 3 (κ IC₅₀ = 77 nM; μ:κ and δ:κ IC₅₀ ratios >400) which lacked CNS exposure in vivo. Modification of this scaffold resulted in development of a series of 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yloxy-benzamides showing potent and selectivity κ antagonism as well as good brain exposure. Analog 6c (κ IC₅₀ = 20 nM; μ:κ = 36, δ:κ = 415) was also shown to reverse κ-agonist induced rat diuresis in vivo.     

Design,synthesis, and in vitro hMAO-B inhibitory evaluation of some 1-methyl-3,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles

A series of 1-methyl-3,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles (3a–k and 4a–u) were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their inhibitory efficacy towards the two hMAO isoforms. Most of the derivatives were found to be potent and selective hMAO-B inhibitors. In particular, derivative 3g showed greater hMAO-B affinity than selective inhibitor selegiline coupled with high selectivity index (SI = 145). The most selective hMAO-B inhibitor was the 3-methyl analogue 3f with an SI higher than 909.     

α-Tetralone derivatives as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase

In the present study, a series of fifteen α-tetralone (3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one) derivatives were synthesised and evaluated as inhibitors of recombinant human monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B. The α-tetralone derivatives examined are structurally related to a series of chromone (1-benzopyran-4-one) derivatives which has previously been shown to act as MAO-B inhibitors. The results document that the α-tetralones are highly potent MAO-B inhibitors with all compounds exhibiting IC₅₀ values in the nanomolar range (<78 nM). Although most compounds are selective inhibitors of MAO-B, the α-tetralones are also potent MAO-A inhibitors with ten compounds exhibiting IC₅₀ values in the nanomolar range (<792 nM). The most potent MAO-B inhibitor, 6-(3-iodobenzyloxy)-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one, exhibits an IC₅₀ value of 4.5 nM with a 287-fold selectivity for MAO-B over the MAO-A isoform, while the most potent MAO-A inhibitor, 6-(3-cyanobenzyloxy)-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one, exhibits an IC₅₀ value of 24 nM with a 3.25-fold selectivity for MAO-A. Analyses of the structure–activity relationships for MAO inhibition show that substitution on the C6 position of the α-tetralone moiety is a requirement for MAO-A and MAO-B inhibition, and that a benzyloxy substituent on this position is more favourable for MAO-A inhibition than phenylethoxy and phenylpropoxy substitution. For MAO-B inhibition, alkyl and halogen substituents on the meta and para positions of the benzyloxy ring enhance inhibitory potency. It may be concluded that α-tetralone derivatives are promising leads for design of therapies for Parkinson’s disease and depression.     

Inhibition of serine and proline racemases by substrate-product analogues

d-Amino acids can play important roles as specific biosynthetic building blocks required by organisms or act as regulatory molecules. Consequently, amino acid racemases that catalyze the formation of d-amino acids are potential therapeutic targets. Serine racemase catalyzes the reversible formation of d-serine (a modulator of neurotransmission) from l-serine, while proline racemase (an essential enzymatic and mitogenic protein in trypanosomes) catalyzes the reversible conversion of l-proline to d-proline. We show the substrate-product analogue α-(hydroxymethyl)serine is a modest, linear mixed-type inhibitor of serine racemase from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (K_i = 167 ± 21 mM, K_i′ = 661 ± 81 mM, cf. K_m = 19 ± 2 mM). The bicyclic substrate-product analogue of proline, 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-7-ium-1-carboxylate is a weak inhibitor of proline racemase from Clostridium sticklandii, giving only 29% inhibition at 142.5 mM. However, the more flexible bicyclic substrate-product analogue tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolizine-7a(5H)-carboxylate is a noncompetitive inhibitor of proline racemase from C. sticklandii (K_i = 111 ± 15 mM, cf. K_m = 5.7 ± 0.5 mM). These results suggest that substrate-product analogue inhibitors of racemases may only be effective when the active site is capacious and/or plastic, or when the inhibitor is sufficiently flexible.     

3-Aryl-3-arylmethoxyazetidines. A new class of high affinity ligands for monoamine transporters

A series of 3-aryl-3-arylmethoxy-azetidines were synthesized and evaluated for binding affinities at dopamine and serotonin transporters. The 3-aryl-3-arylmethoxyazetidines were generally SERT selective with the dichloro substituted congener 7c (K_i = 1.0 nM) and the tetrachloro substituted derivative 7i (K_i = 1.3 nM) possessing low nanomolar affinity for the SERT. The 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl-3-phenylmethoxyazetidine (7g) exhibited moderate affinity at both DAT and SERT transporters and suggests that substitution of the aryl rings can be used to tune the mononamine transporter affinity.