Differential inhibition of AE1 and AE2 anion exchangers by oxonol dyes and by novel polyaminosterol analogs of the shark antibiotic squalamine.

Oxonol and polyaminosterol drugs were examined as inhibitors of recombinant mouse AE1 and AE2 anion exchangers expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and were compared as inhibitors of AE1-mediated anion flux in red cells and in HL-60 cells that express AE2. The oxonols WW-781, diBA(5)C4, and diBA(3)C4 inhibited HL-60 cell Cl-/Cl- exchange with IC50 values from 1 to 7 microM, 100-1000 times less potent than their IC50 values for red cell Cl-/anion exchange. In Xenopus oocytes, diBA(5)C4 inhibited AE1-mediated Cl- efflux several hundred times more potently than that mediated by AE2. Several novel squalamine-related polyaminosterols were also evaluated as anion exchange inhibitors. In contrast to diBA(5)C4, polyaminosterol 1361 inhibited oocyte-expressed AE2 8-fold more potently than AE1 (IC50 0.6 versus 5.2 microM). The 3-fold less potent desulfo-analog, 1360, showed similar preference for AE2. It was found that 1361 also partially inhibited Cl- efflux from red cells, whereas neither polyaminosterol inhibited Cl efflux from HL60 cells. Thus, the oxonol diBA(5)C4 is >100-fold more potent as an inhibitor of AE1 than of AE2, whereas the polyaminosterols 1360 and 1361 are 8-fold more potent as inhibitors of AE2 than of AE1. Assay conditions and cell type influenced IC50 values for both classes of compounds.     

Nonsteroidal compounds designed to mimic potent steroid sulfatase inhibitors

Chemical synthesis and enzyme inhibition results are reported for a series of nonsteroidal sulfatase inhibitors, 1-(p-sulfamoyloxyphenyl)-5-(p-t-butylbenzyl)-5-alkanols and the lower active phenolic analogues. These compounds conserve some structural elements from the previously reported potent steroidal inhibitor 3-O-sulfamate-17alpha-(p-t-butylbenzyl)-17beta-hydroxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-triene, while the C18-methyl group and the hydrocarbon backbone represented by the steroid rings B, C, and D were replaced with a free conformational chain. Using estrone sulfate (100 microM) as substrate and homogenate of transfected HEK-293 cells as source of steroid sulfatase activity, the IC(50) values of the best inhibitors, the undecanol derivatives, were 0.4+/-0.1 and >300 nM, respectively, in the sulfamate and phenolic series. Although these sulfamoylated nonsteroidal inhibitors appear a bit less active than their steroidal analogues, they are however more potent than known inhibitors estrone-3-O-sulfamate and p-(O-sulfamoyl)-N-tetradecanoyl tyramine. The optimal side-chain length for the inhibition of steroid sulfatase activity was found to be six carbons, which corresponds to the number of carbons that mimic the B, C and D steroid rings, between C6 and C17. Furthermore, compounds with only the t-butylbenzyl group or the alkyl chain of six carbons are less potent inhibitors compared to the one that include both of these hydrophobic substituents. Such results suggest that compound from this later category better mimic the steroidal inhibitor.     

Calystegine B3 as a specific inhibitor for cytoplasmic alpha-mannosidase, Man2C1

Cytoplasmic α-mannosidase (Man2C1) has been implicated in non-lysosomal catabolism of free oligosaccharides derived from N-linked glycans accumulated in the cytosol. Suppression of Man2C1 expression reportedly induces apoptosis in various cell lines, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Development of a specific inhibitor for Man2C1 is critical to understanding its biological significance. In this study, we identified a plant-derived alkaloid, calystegine B(3), as a potent specific inhibitor for Man2C1 activity. Biochemical enzyme assay revealed that calystegine B(3) was a highly specific inhibitor for Man2C1 among various α-mannosidases prepared from rat liver. Consistent with this in vitro result, an in vivo experiment also showed that treatment of mammalian-derived cultured cells with this compound resulted in drastic change in both structure and quantity of free oligosaccharides in the cytosol, whereas no apparent change was seen in cell-surface oligosaccharides. Calystegine B(3) could thus serve as a potent tool for the development of a highly specific in vivo inhibitor for Man2C1.     

Selected chromone derivatives as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase

A previous study has shown that a series of C6-benzyloxy substituted chromones exhibit high binding affinities for human monoamine oxidase (MAO) B. In an attempt to discover additional chromones with potent and selective MAO-B inhibitory potencies and to further examine the structure-activity relationships of MAO-B inhibition by chromones, the series was expanded with homologues containing polar functional groups on C3 of the chromone ring. The results demonstrate that 6-[(3-bromobenzyl)oxy]chromones containing acidic and aldehydic functional groups on C3 act as potent reversible MAO-B inhibitors with IC(50) values of 2.8 and 3.7nM, respectively. Interestingly, a 2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzopyran-4-one derivative as well as open-ring 2-acetylphenol analogues of the chromones also were potent MAO-B inhibitors with IC(50) values ranging from 4 to 11nM. Chromone derivatives containing the benzyloxy substituent on C5 of the chromone ring, however, exhibit MAO-B inhibition potencies that are several orders of magnitude weaker. High potency inhibitors of MAO-B may find application in the therapy of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.     

Calphostin C (UCN-1028C), a novel microbial compound, is a highly potent and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C

Calphostin C (UCN-1028C), a newly isolated compound from Cladosporium cladosporioides, is a potent and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, because it was 1000 times more inhibitory to protein kinase C (IC50, 0.05 microM) than other protein kinases such as cAMP-dependent protein kinase and tyrosine-specific protein kinase (IC50, greater than 50 microM). Calphostin C did not inhibit calcium activated neutral protease (calpain)-digested protein kinase C, indicating that it interacts with the regulatory domain of protein kinase C. In addition this compound showed inhibitory effects on the binding of [3H]PDBu to protein kinase C. The potent cytotoxic activity and antitumor activity of calphostin C might be due to the inhibition of protein kinase C, and thus it may be potentially useful for the therapeutic application.     

Quinolines as extremely potent and selective PDE5 inhibitors as potential agents for treatment of erectile dysfunction

In a continuing effort to discover novel chemotypes as potent and selective PDE5 inhibitors for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction (ED), we have found that 4-benzylaminoquinoline derivatives are very potent and selective PDE5 inhibitors. Some compounds in this series had PDE5 IC(50)'s as low as 50 pM. While an electron withdrawing group at the C6-position of the quinoline substantially improved PDE5 potency, an ethyl group at the C8-position not only improved the PDE5 potency but also the isozyme selectivity. Substitutents at the C3-position can incorporate a variety of different groups. The synthesis and primary structure-activity relationship of this new series of potent PDE5 inhibitors are described.     

Trace elements incorporated into the culture medium of Mycobacterium tuberculosis promote the presence of tuberculoprotein C in the preparation of purified protein derivatives

Two purified protein derivatives (PPDs) were prepared from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, H37Ra. One of the PPDs was prepared from the culture filtrate of organisms grown on Proskauer-Beck medium to which trace elements had been added. The other PPD was prepared from the culture filtrate of organisms grown on the same medium but without trace elements, and was used as the control. Comparative skin reactions in sensitized rabbits showed that the PPD prepared from organisms grown in the presence of trace elements was less potent than the control. Since it has long been recognized that of the many tuberculoproteins present in PPD, the C protein (a 44 to 66 kDa protein) was always the least potent fraction when tested in equivalent concentrations in both serological and skin test assays, the possibility existed that the PPD obtained from organisms grown in trace element medium had more of the C protein complex than the control. Comparative studies of these two PPDs in terms of their chemical composition, skin test responses, and electrophoretic profiles obtained by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis provide support for this assumption.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of salvinorin A analogues: effect of configuration at C(2) and substitution at C(18)

kappa-opioid receptor ligands have raised interest for their apparent effects on mood. The potent and selective kappa-agonist salvinorin A has short-lasting (15min) depressive-like effects in rats in behavioral models used to study mood disorders. Two series of salvinorin derivatives modified at C(2) and C(18), respectively, were synthesized and their kappa-opioid receptor affinities, potencies, and efficacies were evaluated using in vitro receptor binding and biochemical functional assays. Modification at C(2) yielded potent kappa-agonists that are predicted to have improved metabolic stability (14a, 15a) or increased water solubility (10b). Our preliminary SAR study at C(18) suggested that this part of the molecule interacts with a tight lipophilic pocket of the kappa-receptor.     

The effect of new potent selective inhibitors of protein kinase C on the neutrophil respiratory burst

New potent inhibitors of protein kinase C were found to inhibit protein kinase C isolated from rat brain and human neutrophils, with a large degree of selectivity over cAMP-dependent kinase and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase. These novel compounds were potent inhibitors of the fluoride, diC8- and formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-mediated respiratory bursts in intact neutrophils. The opsonized zymosan-stimulated burst was only marginally affected by the compounds. These results differ from those obtained in studies with H7 and CI, (which are less potent and less specific protein kinase C inhibitors) and are consistent with the hypothesis that protein kinase C has a role in the transduction mechanism for the neutrophil oxidative burst stimulated with fluoride, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and diC8.     

Primary structure and functional characterization of rat C5a: an anaphylatoxin with unusually high potency.

The anaphylatoxin C5a is a pro-inflammatory factor generated from C5 during complement activation. C5a derived from rat C5 exhibits significantly greater potency compared to C5a from other species. Rat C5a was 25-fold more potent than human C5a for eliciting spasmogenic contraction of guinea pig ileum. Proteolytic removal of the C-terminal arginine of C5a (C5adesArg) reduced spasmogenic potency of rat C5a by only 4-fold compared to a 3,000-fold reduction for human C5adesArg. In addition, rat C5adesArg was 50-fold more potent than human C5adesArg in a guinea pig vascular permeability (in vivo) assay and as a chemotactic factor for human neutrophils. C5a and C5adesArg were purified from zymosan-activated rat serum. Rat C5a, like human C5a, is glycosylated but contains 77 amino acid residues instead of the 74 residues of human C5a. Comparison of the primary structures of rat and human C5a indicated differences at 30 positions including an insert of 3 residues (LLH) in the rat molecule between residue positions 3 and 4 in human C5a. Insertion of residues LLH between Gln-3 and Lys-4 in a recombinant human C5a molecule using site-directed mutagenesis failed to enhance potency. Synthetic C-terminal analogues of rat C5a proved to be measurably more potent than the corresponding human C5a analogues (Ember JA et al., 1993, Protein Sci 2(Suppl 1):159 [Abstr]). We conclude that multiple sequence differences in the C-terminal effector portion and/or elsewhere in rat C5a, but not the LLH insert, account for the significant enhancement in potency of rat C5a over C5a from other species.     

Identification and characterization of the interactive proteins with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2α

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-2α (CTLA-2α) is a potent inhibitor of cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases. Recombinant CTLA-2α is known to be a potent, competitive inhibitor of cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases. In this study, cathepsin L, cathepsin C, and tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-related protein 1 (TINAGL1) were identified as novel interactive proteins of CTLA-2α by the yeast two-hybrid screening system. The direct interactions and co-localization of these proteins with CTLA-2α were confirmed using co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The disulfide-bonded CTLA-2α/cathepsin L complex was isolated from mouse tissue. CTLA-2α was found to be specific and consistently expressed on the maternal side of the mouse placenta. Double immunofluorescence analysis showed that CTLA-2α was co-localized with cathepsin L, cathepsin C, and TINAGL1 in placenta. A simple cell-based fluorescence assay revealed that CTLA-2α exhibited inhibitory activity toward cathepsin C in live cells, which indicated that CTLA-2α is a novel endogenous inhibitor of cathepsin C.     

Evaluation of inhibitors of eicosanoid synthesis in leukocytes: possible pitfall of using the calcium ionophore A23187 to stimulate 5' lipoxygenase

The effect on arachidonate metabolism of two compounds (BW755C and benoxaprofen) which have been reported to inhibit 5' lipoxygenase in leukocytes has been evaluated in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187 and serum-treated zymosan (STZ). The syntheses of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) from endogenous substrate were determined by specific radioimmunoassays as indicators of 5' lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase activity in the PMN respectively. Benoxaprofen inhibited the synthesis of leukotriene B4 by human PMN stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187, but it was approximately 5 times less potent than BW755C. However, benoxaprofen (IC50 1.6 X 10(-4)M) was approximately 100 times less potent than BW755C (IC50 1.7 X 10(-6)M) at inhibiting leukotriene B4 synthesis induced by serum-treated zymosan. Both drugs inhibited thromboxane synthesis by leukocytes stimulated with A23187 or serum-treated zymosan at similar concentrations (approximately 5 X 10(-6)M). The data obtained using STZ as stimulus are consistent with previous in vivo studies and indicate that benoxaprofen is a relatively selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase. However, this selectivity was far less apparent when A23187 was used as a stimulus to release the eicosanoids which suggests that this inhibition could be via an indirect mechanism and therefore A23187 should be used with caution as a stimulus of 5' lipoxygenase for evaluating inhibitors of eicosanoid synthesis.     

4-pregnene-3-one-20 beta-carboxaldehyde: a potent inhibitor of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase and of 5 alpha-reductase.

The pregnene derivative, 4-pregnene-3-one-20 beta-carboxaldehyde (22-A) was evaluated as an inhibitor of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase in rat testicular microsomes and of 5 alpha-reductase in human prostatic homogenates. The effect of the compound in vivo was studied in adult male rats. The 22-A demonstrated potent and competitive inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase with Ki values 8.48 and 0.41 microM, respectively, significantly below the Km values for these two enzymes (33.75 and 4.55 microM). This compound also showed potent inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase with a Ki value of 15.6 nM (Km for this enzyme is 50 nM). By comparison, ketoconazole, a currently studied 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase inhibitor for the treatment of prostatic cancer, showed less potent inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase (Ki 39.5 microM) and C17,20-lyase (Ki 3.6 microM) and did not inhibit 5 alpha-reductase. Progesterone which has been reported to inhibit the 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase, did not significantly reduce the production of testosterone by rat testes in vitro in comparison to controls, while the same concentration of 22-A demonstrated a 42% reduction of testosterone biosynthesis. When the adult male rats were injected s.c. with 22-A at 50 mg/day/kg for a 2 week period, the testosterone concentrations in the rat sera were significantly lower than control values (P less than 0.05), whereas serum corticosterone levels did not change. These results suggest that 22-A is a selective potent inhibitor for 17 alpha-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase, but is more potent for the C17,20-lyase. The compound also inhibits 5 alpha-reductase, and therefore may reduce biosynthesis of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone effectively. Thus, 22-A may be useful in the treatment of problems associated with the androgen excess and prostatic cancer.     

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase by C5-substituted phthalimide analogues

Literature reports that isatin as well as C5- and C6-substituted isatin analogues are reversible inhibitors of human monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B. In general, C5- and C6-substitution of isatin leads to enhanced binding affinity to both MAO isozymes compared to isatin and in most instances result in selective binding to the MAO-B isoform. Crystallographic and modeling studies suggest that the isatin ring binds to the substrate cavities of MAO-A and -B and is stabilized by hydrogen bond interactions between the NH and the C2 carbonyl oxygen of the dioxoindolyl moiety and water molecules present in the substrate cavities of MAO-A and -B. Based on these observations and the close structural resemblances between isatin and its phthalimide isomer, a series of phthalimide analogues were synthesized and evaluated as MAO inhibitors. While phthalimide and N-aryl-substituted phthalimides were found to be weak MAO inhibitors, phthalimide homologues containing C5 substituents were potent reversible inhibitors of recombinant human MAO-B with IC(50) values ranging from 0.007 to 2.5 μM and moderately potent reversible inhibitors of recombinant human MAO-A with IC(50) values ranging from 0.22 to 9.0 μM. By employing molecular docking the importance of hydrogen bonding between the active sites of MAO-A and -B and the phthalimide inhibitors are highlighted.     

Molecular Evolution of Broadly Neutralizing Llama Antibodies to the CD4-Binding Site of HIV-1

To date, no immunization of humans or animals has elicited broadly neutralizing sera able to prevent HIV-1 transmission; however, elicitation of broad and potent heavy chain only antibodies (HCAb) has previously been reported in llamas. In this study, the anti-HIV immune responses in immunized llamas were studied via deep sequencing analysis using broadly neutralizing monoclonal HCAbs as a guides. Distinct neutralizing antibody lineages were identified in each animal, including two defined by novel antibodies (as variable regions called VHH) identified by robotic screening of over 6000 clones. The combined application of five VHH against viruses from clades A, B, C and CRF_AG resulted in neutralization as potent as any of the VHH individually and a predicted 100% coverage with a median IC50 of 0.17 µg/ml for the panel of 60 viruses tested. Molecular analysis of the VHH repertoires of two sets of immunized animals showed that each neutralizing lineage was only observed following immunization, demonstrating that they were elicited de novo. Our results show that immunization can induce potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies in llamas with features similar to human antibodies and provide a framework to analyze the effectiveness of immunization protocols.     

Genetic deficiency of acylation stimulating protein (ASP(C3ades-Arg)) does not cause hyperapobetalipoproteinemia in mice.

The acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is a 76-amino acid peptide that has been proposed as a potent mediator of triglyceride synthesis and, when functionally impaired, as a major cause of hyperapobetalipoproteinemia (HyperapoB). Purification and sequence analysis of ASP from human sera have revealed that ASP is identical to the complement C3-derived activation peptide C3ades-Arg. Because C3 is the precursor for C3ades-Arg and therefore ASP, a deficiency in C3 would be predicted to result in a phenotype characteristic of HyperapoB. To test this hypothesis in vivo, the current study was undertaken in which ASP(C3ades-Arg)-deficient mice were used as a model system. No significant differences were found in the triglyceride, cholesterol, or free fatty acid concentrations in the plasma of fasted normal and ASP(C3ades-Arg)-deficient animals. In addition, plasma lipoprotein analyses indicated that the very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations as well as the apolipoprotein B-48 and B-100 levels were not significantly different in the plasma of ASP(C3ades-Arg)-deficient and wild type mice. Furthermore, when challenged with an oral fat load, the ASP(C3ades-Arg)-deficient mice showed no impaired ability to clear triglycerides and free fatty acids from their circulation when compared with their wild-type littermates. Collectively, these results indicate that ASP(C3ades-Arg) deficiency does not cause HyperapoB in mice and that the physiological importance of impaired ASP(C3ades-Arg) function as a cause of hyperapobetalipoproteinemia needs to be reevaluated.     

Protective effects of dietary cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

We recently reported that feeding cyanidin 3-O-beta-d-glucoside (C3G), a typical anthocyanin pigment, lowered the serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) concentration and increased the oxidation resistance of the serum to lipid peroxidation in rats. These results suggest that C3G acts as a potent antioxidant in vivo when acute oxidative stress is encountered. In the present study, we evaluated whether feeding C3G suppresses oxidative injury to the liver caused by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), which was used as a model for oxidative stress. Rats were fed a diet containing C3G (2 g/kg diet) for 14 days and then subjected to hepatic I/R. I/R treatment elevated the liver TBARS concentration and the serum activities of marker enzymes (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase) for liver injury and lowered the liver reduced glutathione concentration. Feeding C3G significantly suppressed these changes caused by hepatic I/R. Although the liver ascorbic acid concentration was also lowered by hepatic I/R, feeding C3G restored this concentration more quickly compared to the control rats. These results indicate that orally administered C3G suppresses I/R-induced oxidative damage and suggest that C3G functions as a potent antioxidant in vivo under oxidative stress.     

Establishment of a tumor-specific immunotherapy model utilizing TNP-reactive helper T cell activity and its application to the autochthonous tumor system

Preinduction of potent hapten-reactive helper T cell activity and subsequent immunization with hapten-coupled syngeneic tumor cells result in enhanced induction of tumor-specific immunity through T-T cell collaboration between anti-hapten helper T cells and tumor-specific effector T cells. On the basis of this augmenting mechanism, a tumor-specific immunotherapy protocol was established in which a growing tumor regresses by utilizing a potent trinitrophenyl (TNP)-helper T cell activity. C3H/He mice were allowed to generate the amplified (more potent) TNP-helper T cell activity by skin painting with trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) after pretreatment with cyclophosphamide. Five weeks later, the mice were inoculated intradermally with syngeneic transplantable X5563 tumor cells. When TNCB was injected into X5563 tumor mass, an appreciable number of growing tumors, in the only group of C3H/He mice in which the amplified TNP-helper T cell activity had been generated were observed to regress (regressor mice). These regressor mice were shown to have acquired tumor-specific T cell-mediated immunity. Such immunity was more potent than that acquired in mice whose tumor was simply removed by surgical resection. These results indicate that in situ TNP haptenation of the tumor cells in TNP-primed mice can induce the enhanced tumor-specific immunity leading to the regression of a growing tumor. Most importantly, the present study further investigates the applicability of this TNP immunotherapy protocol to an autochthonous tumor system. The results demonstrate that an appreciable percent of growing methylcholanthrene-induced autochthonous tumors regressed by the above TNP immunotherapy protocol. Thus, the present model provides an effective maneuver for tumor-specific immunotherapy in syngeneic transplantable as well as autochthonous tumor systems.     

Amber force field implementation, molecular modelling study, synthesis and MMP-1/MMP-2 inhibition profile of (R)- and (S)-N-hydroxy-2-(N-isopropoxybiphenyl-4-ylsulfonamido)-3-methylbutanamides

Ab initio calculations (B3LYP/Lanl2DZ level of theory) were performed in this study to determine all the structural and catalytic zinc parameters required in order to study MMPs and their complexes with hydroxamate inhibitors by means of the AMBER force field. The parameters thus obtained were used in order to study the docking of some known MMPi (Batimastat, CGS 27023A and Prinomastat) and our previously described inhibitor a which had shown an inhibitory activity for MMP-1, and -2, with the aim of explaining the different selectivity. On this basis the two enantiomers (R)-b and (S)-b were designed and synthesized, as more potent MMP-2 inhibitors than our previously described inhibitor a. Between these two enantiomers the eutomer (R)-b proved to be 24.7 times and 15.3 times more potent than CGS 27023A and the parent compound a on MMP-2, maintaining a higher index of MMP-2/MMP-1 selectivity compared with CGS 27023A and the more potent inhibitor Prinomastat. The hydroxamate (R)-b can be considered as a progenitor of a new class of biphenylsulfonamido-based inhibitors that differ from compound a in the presence of an alkyl side chain on the C alpha atom, and show different potency and selectivity profiles on the two MMPs considered.     

5-(3-Bromophenyl)-7-(6-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-3-yl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ylamine: structure-activity relationships of 7-substituted heteroaryl analogs as non-nucleoside adenosine kinase inhibitors

4-Amino-5,7-disubstituted pyridopyrimidines are potent, non-nucleoside inhibitors of adenosine kinase (AK). We recently identified a potent, orally efficacious analog, 4 containing a 7-pyridylmorpholine substituted ring system as the key structural element of this template. In this report, we disclose the pharmacologic effects of five- and six-membered heterocyclic ring replacements for the pyridine ring in 4. These replacements were found to have interesting effects on in vivo efficacy and genotoxicity as well as in vitro potency. We discovered that the nitrogen in the heterocyclic ring at C(7) is important for the modulation of mutagenic side effects (Ames assay).