Discovery of 2-arylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines containing 8-oxa-3-azabi-cyclo[3.2.1]octane in the 4-position as potent inhibitors of mTOR with selectivity over PI3K

2-Aryl-4-morpholinothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines are known PI3K inhibitors. This class of compounds also potently inhibited the homologous enzyme mTOR. Replacement of the morpholine group in these compounds with an 8-oxa-3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane group led to mTOR inhibitors with selectivity over PI3K. Optimization of the 2-aryl substituent led to the discovery of 2-(4-ureidophenyl)-thienopyrimidines as highly potent (IC₅₀ <1 nM) mTOR inhibitors with excellent selectivity (up to >1000-fold) over PI3K and good potency in a cellular proliferation assay (IC₅₀ <50 nM).     

2-Arylureidophenyl-4-(3-oxa-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl)triazines as highly potent and selective ATP competitive mTOR inhibitors: Optimization of human microsomal stability

Isosteric replacement of one of the 3,5-ethylene-bridged morpholines in 2-arylureidophenyl-4,6-di(3-oxa-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl)triazines led to significant improvements in human microsomal stability. 3-R-Me-morpholine and tetrahydropyran were identified as preferred isosteres for the bridged morpholine. Combination of tetrahydropyran substitution with an N-Me-piperazinophenylureido group led to 27, that selectively suppressed mTOR biomarkers in vivo and possessed excellent efficacy in a murine xenograft model.     

Synthesis and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding affinities of 2- and 3-isoxazolyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes

A series of epiboxidine homologues, 2- and 3-isoxazole substituted 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives was synthesized and evaluated as potential ligands for neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in [(3)H]cytisine labeled rat brain. The 2beta-isoxazolyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane 9b (K(i)=3 nM) was the most potent compound of the series with a binding affinity twice that of nicotine. The 3beta-isoxazolyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane 15b (K(i)=148 nM) exhibited moderate affinity while the corresponding 2alpha- and 3alpha-isomers exhibited micromolar binding affinity.     

Further structure-activity relationship studies on 8-substituted-3-[2-(diarylmethoxyethylidenyl)]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives at monoamine transporters

The synthesis and structure–activity relationships of 8-substituted-3-[2-(diarylmethoxyethylidenyl)]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives were investigated at the dopamine transporter (DAT), the serotonin transporter (SERT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET). The rigid ethylidenyl-8-azabicyclic[3.2.1]octane skeleton imparted modestly stereoselective binding and uptake inhibition at the DAT. Additional structure–activity studies provided a transporter affinity profile that was reminiscent of the structure–activity of GBR 12909. From these studies, the 8-cyclopropylmethyl group has been identified as a unique moiety that imparts high SERT/DAT selectivity. In this study the 8-cyclopropylmethyl derivative 22e (DAT K_i of 4.0 nM) was among the most potent compounds of the series at the DAT and was the most DAT selective ligand of the series (SERT/DAT: 1060). Similarly, the 8-chlorobenzyl derivative 22g (DAT K_i of 3.9 nM) was found to be highly selective for the DAT over the NET (NET/DAT: 1358).     

The discovery of tropane derivatives as nociceptin receptor ligands for the management of cough and anxiety

The discovery of 1 as a high-affinity ligand for the nociceptin receptor has led to the synthesis of a series of tropane (8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane) derivatives as optimized ligands. These compounds exhibit high affinity for the nociceptin receptor, moderate to excellent selectivity over the opioid μ receptor, and behave as full agonists. In this Letter, we present the synthesis and highlight the structure–activity relationship of tropane derivatives culminating in the identification of 24 and 32 as potent and orally active antitussive and anxiolytic agents. The in vitro and in vivo activities, pharmacokinetic profile, and the hPXR activity, which predicts the potential 3A4 induction in human, are disclosed.     

Evaluation of a 3-amino-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane replacement in the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc

The bicyclic 5-amino-3-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes were shown to be effective replacements for the 3-amino-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane found in the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc.     

Tropane alkaloid metabolism by Pseudomonas AT3 cell cultures: Interchange between the nortropine and norpseudotropine catabolic pathways

Selected strains of Pseudomonas bacteria can degrade tropane alkaloids to obtain both nitrogen and carbon for growth. In order to probe the mechanisms of the catabolic enzymes involved, the metabolic process responsible for the opening of the 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol ring of nortropane alkaloids has been explored. It is found that the bacteria contain considerable flexibility in their enzyme complement and can convert (3-endo)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol) (nortropine (2) to (3-exo)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ol) (norpseudotropine). Both of these compounds can serve as substrates for the catalytic cascade. In order to establish the proportionation between direct and indirect pathways, metabolism has been probed by competitive substrate availability and by incorporation of stable heavy labels into substrate pools. The results indicate that, while norpseudotropine is almost entirely metabolized directly, nortropine is partitioned c. 4:1 between direct and indirect catabolism.     

Synthesis and structural determination of stereoisomers of muscarinic ligands of the (3-propylthio-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1-azabicycloalkane type

Methods for the synthesis of each of the four stereoisomers of 6-(3-propylthio-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ( 10, 11, 12 , and 13 ) and 3-(3-propylthio-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ( 18, 19, 20 , and 21 ), and the two stereoisomers of 3-(3-propylthio-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane ( 27 and 28 ) were developed. The relative configuration of the compounds was determined on the basis of previously described ¹H NOE experiments, and the absolute configuration of 6-(3-propylthio-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes ( 10, 11, 12 , and 13 ) and 3-(3-propylthio-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane ( 27 and 28 ) was determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Optical purity was determined by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using chiral selectors as trimethyl-β-cyclodextrin and heparin dissolved in the running buffer. All the 3-(3-propylthio-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1-azabicycles had low nanomolar affinity for muscarinic receptors as determined by displacement of radiolabelled oxotremorine-M (³H-Oxo-M) and pirenzepine (³H-Pz) from cortical rat brain homogenates. The binding assay discriminated between diastereomers, but only a minor degree of enantioselectivity was observed in the binding assays. Chirality 9:739–749, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Synthesis of dopamine transporter selective 3-diarylmethoxymethyl-8-arylalkyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives

A series of diarylmethoxymethyltropane-GBR hybrid analogues with all three possible stereochemical orientations at C3 were synthesized and evaluated at dopamine and serotonin transporters. The 3alpha derivatives were found to be the most potent compounds with the 3alpha-di(4-fluorophenyl)methoxymethyl-8-(3-phenylpropyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane 15b (Ki = 5 nM) being the most potent compound of the series. The corresponding 3-di(4-fluorophenyl)-methoxymethyl-8-(3-phenylpropyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene 12b (Ki = 12 nM) was slightly less potent than the 3alpha-analogue, while the 3beta-di(4-fluorophenyl)methoxymethyl-8-(3-phenylpropyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane 23b (Ki = 78 nM) exhibited only modest affinity for the dopamine transporter. Only the 3alpha-analogue 15b (SERT/DAT = 48) exhibited higher SERT/DAT selectivity than GBR 12909. These results indicate that the dopamine transporter can tolerate some variability in proximity of the benzhydryl ether to the basic nitrogen atom of the tropane without loss in potency. In addition, the structure-activity data for these tropane-GBR 12909 hybrid analogues support previous findings that the stereochemical and conformational effects imparted by unsaturation at C3 are important for dopamine transporter selectivity over the serotonin transporter.     

The discovery of novel 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl) propanamides as vasopressin V1A receptor antagonists

The discovery of a novel series of 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl) propanamide antagonists of the vasopressin V_1A receptor is disclosed. Compounds 47 and 48 were found to be high affinity, selective vasopressin V_1A antagonists.     

Synthesis and binding studies of some epibatidine analogues

A series of epibatidine analogues and their positional isomers bearing an 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety is described. Some of the compounds, especially those containing 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene moiety show high affinity for the nicotinic cholinergic receptor.     

2,3-disubstituted 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes as novel dopamine transporter inhibitors

A series of cis and trans 3beta-aryl-2-carbomethoxy-6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes, with different substitution at the para-position of the aryl group, were synthesized and examined for reuptake inhibition at the dopamine transporter (DAT). The potency for inhibition of DA reuptake was compared with that of cocaine to determine the significance of the replacement of the 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (tropane nucleus), displayed in cocaine, for the 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (normorphan framework). This bicyclic core structure constitutes a novel chemical scaffold in DAT inhibitor design, which may provide new insights into the 3D structure of the DAT and its interaction with cocaine and DA. Among these compounds, the trans-amine series 8 were the most potent ligands at the DAT. In particular, the normorphan analogue 8c (bearing a p-chloro substituent at the beta-aryl group, IC(50)=452 nM) displayed a potency that is in the same range as cocaine (IC(50)=459 nM) itself.     

Synthesis and monoamine transporter affinity of 3beta-(4-(2-pyrrolyl)phenyl)-8-azabicycl

3Beta-(5-indolyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes display potent binding affinity for both the dopamine and serotonin transporters, while certain 3beta-(4-(2-pyrrolyl)phenyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes selectively bind to the serotonin transporter.     

Discovery of (3-endo)-3-(2-cyano-2,2-diphenylethyl)-8,8-dimethyl-8-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1]octane bromide as an efficacious inhaled muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist for the treatment of COPD

Design and syntheses of a novel series of muscarinic antagonists are reported. These efforts have culminated in the discovery of (3-endo)-3-(2-cyano-2,2-diphenylethyl)-8,8-dimethyl-8-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1]octane bromide (4a) as a potent and pan-active muscarinic antagonist as well as a functionally active compound in a murine model of bronchoconstriction. The compound has also displayed pharmacokinetic characteristics suitable for inhaled delivery.     

Asperidines A–C,pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives from the soil-derived fungus Aspergillus sclerotiorum PSU-RSPG178

One new pyrrolidine derivative, asperidine A (1), and two new piperidine derivatives, asperidines B (2) and C (3), were isolated from the soil-derived fungus Aspergillus sclerotiorum PSU-RSPG178 together with two known alkaloids. Compound 3 possessed an unprecedented 7-oxa-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton with four chiral centers. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic evidence. The absolute configurations of compounds 2 and 3 were established using Mosher’s method and further confirmed for compound 3 by X-ray crystallographic data. Compound 2 dose-dependently inhibited the CFTR-mediated chloride secretion in T84 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 0.96?μM whereas 3 displayed the same activity with the IC₅₀ value of 58.62?μM. Compounds 2 and 3 also significantly reduced intracellular ROS under both normal and H₂O₂-treated conditions compared with their respective controls in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells. In addition, compound 3 was inactive against noncancerous Vero cells whereas compound 2 was considered to be inactive with the IC₅₀ value of >10?μM.     

Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors from a series of 2-amino-4-methylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives

Inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway by PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors provides a promising new approach to the treatment of cancers. In this Letter, we identified structurally novel and potent PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors from a series of 2-amino-4-methylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives. Their synthesis and structure–activity relationships are reported.     

Combination of 2-methoxy-3-phenylsulfonylaminobenzamide and 2-aminobenzothiazole to discover novel anticancer agents

The fragment of 2-substituted-3-sulfonylaminobenzamide has been proposed to replace the fragment of 2-substituted-3-sulfonylaminopyridine in PI3K and mTOR dual inhibitors to design novel anticancer agents based on bioisostere. The combination of the fragment of 2-substituted-3-sulfonylaminobenzamide with the fragment of 2-aminobenzothiazole or 2-aminothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine, or 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine produced the novel structures of anticancer agents. As a result, nineteen target compounds were synthesized and characterized. Their antiproliferative activities in vitro were evaluated via MTT assay against four human cancer cell lines including HCT-116, A549, MCF-7 and U-87 MG. The SAR of target compounds was preliminarily discussed. Compound 1g with potent antiproliferative activity was examined for its effect on the AKT and p-AKT⁴⁷³. The anticancer effect of 1g was evaluated in established nude mice HCT-116 xenograft model. The results suggested that compound 1g can block PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and significantly inhibit tumor growth. These findings strongly support our assumption that the fragment of benzamide can replace the pyridine ring in some PI3K and mTOR dual inhibitor to design novel anticancer agents.     

3D-QSAR study of 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1] octane analogs antagonists of cholinergic receptor

3D-QSAR models of Comparative of Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and Comparative of Molecular Similarities Indices Analysis (CoMSIA) of 20 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1] octane (potent muscarinic receptor blocker) was performed. These benztropine analogs were optimized using ligand based alignment method. The conventional ligand-based 3D-QSAR studies were performed based on the low energy conformations employing database alignment rule. The ligand-based model gave q² value 0.819 and 0.810 and r² value 0.991 and 0.988 for CoMFA and CoMSIA, respectively, and the predictive ability of the model was validated. Results indicate that the CoMFA and CoMSIA models could be reliable model which may be used in the design of novel muscarinic antagonists as leads.     

1-Phenyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ethers: a novel series of neurokinin (NK1) antagonists

1-Phenyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ethers are NK(1) receptor antagonists. Substitution at the 6-exo-position led to high affinity NK(1) antagonists with a prolonged duration of action in vivo. Incorporation of an alpha-methyl substituent in the pendent benzyl ether side chain gave compounds with increased selectivity over the hERG channel.     

Neolignans from Aniba ferrea

The trunk wood of the Amazonian Aniba ferra Kubitzki contains, besides three benzyl benzoates (1a, b, c) and dillapiol (2), four hydrobenzofuranoid and two bicyclo [3.2.1] octanoid neolignans. The former comprise two representatives (3a, b) of the novel ferrearin- (3a-allyl-2- aryl-7a-hydroxy-3-methyl-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-7-oxobenzofuran type, and two further representatives (4a, b) of the known porosin-(3a-allyl-2-aryl-5-methoxy-3a,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran) type. The latter comprises a new representative (5a) of the known canellin- (1-allyl-6-aryl-7-methylbicyclo [3.2.1] octane) type, and the methyl ether (6a) of a known guianin- (1-allyl-6-aryl-7-methyl-4-oxobicyclo [3.2.1] oct-2-en) type neolignan.