Modulation of the immune response to tumors by a novel synthetic compound, (4R)-3-benzoyl-N-[(1R)-1-phenylethyl]-4-thiazolidinecarboxamide (RS-0481)

Summary RS-0481, (4R)-3-benzoyl-N-[(1R)-phenylethyl]-4-thiazolidinecarboxamide, is a compound that can re-establish the function of certain lymphoid cell populations impaired by the presence of a growing tumor in an animal. The compound markedly augmented the tumorspecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes,Tdth (delayed-type hypersensitivity T cells), and the nonspecific lymphokine-activated-killer-cell-like cell responses. It also enhanced the tumor-inhibitory effect of macrophages in tumor-bearing mice, but not in normal mice, indicating that it enhances the antitumor immune responses. Lymphocytes from RS-0481-treated tumor-bearing mice released significantly higher amounts of macrophage-activating factor(s) (MAF) and interleukin-2(IL-2)-like factors in culture compared with lymphocytes from untreated animals. Also, sera from treated tumor bearers showed elevated colony-stimulating factor (CSF) activity. Although the compound did not influence the factor-producing activity in mice without tumor, it enhanced the responsiveness of their bone marrow cells, T cells, and macrophages to CSF, IL-2, and MAF. It seems therefore possible that the compound enhances the responsiveness of immunocompetent cells to cytokines, resulting in a marked augmentation of antitumor T cell responses in tumor-bearing mice. Consistently it inhibited the development of lymph node metastasis of transplanted X5563 plasmacytoma, and we showed that T cells play a decisive role in this inhibition. The compound also counteracted the development of suppressor T cell activity in the spleen of tumor-bearing mice.     

Discovery of a factor Xa inhibitor (3R,4R)-1-(2,2-difluoro-ethyl)-pyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid 3-[(5-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-amide] 4-{[2-fluoro-4-(2-oxo-2H-pyridin-1-yl)-phenyl]-amide} as a clinical candidate

A series of (3R,4R)-pyrrolidine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid amides was investigated with respect to their factor Xa inhibitory activity, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, and ex vivo antithrombotic activity. The clinical candidate from this series, R1663, exhibits excellent selectivity against a panel of serine proteases and good pharmacokinetic properties in rats and monkeys. A Phase I clinical study with R1663 has been finalized.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 4-(5-dimethylamino-naphthalene-1-sulfon-amido)-3-(4-iodophenyl)butanoic acid as a novel molecular probe for apoptosis imaging

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many disorders, thus the detection of apoptotic cells can provide the physician with important information to further therapeutic strategies and would substantially advance patient care. A small molecule, 4-(5-dimethylamino-naphthalene-1-sulfonamido)-3-(4-iodo-phenyl)butanoic acid (DNSBA), was designed as a novel probe for imaging apoptosis and synthesized with good yield. The biological characterization demonstrated that DNSBA can be used to specifically and selectively detect apoptotic cancer cells at all stages. DNSBA is also designed as a potential SPECT and PET probe when labeled with radioiodine (I-123, -124, and -131).     

A new synthesis of the ORL-1 antagonist 1-[(3R,4R)-1-cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidinyl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (J-113397) and activity in a calcium mobilization assay

A new chiral synthesis of the ORL-1 antagonist 1-[(3R,4R)-1-cyclooctylmethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-piperidinyl]-3-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (2, J-113397) was developed. J-113397 has a K(e)=0.85nM in an ORL-1 calcium mobilization assay and is 89-, 887-, and 227-fold selective for the ORL-1 receptor relative to the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors.     

Determination of D-amino acids labeled with fluorescent chiral reagents, R(-)- and S(+)-4-(3-isothiocyanatopyrrolidin-1-yl)-7-(N, N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazoles, in biological and food samples by liquid chromatography

D-Amino acids in food and biological samples labeled with R(-)- and S(+)-4-(3-isothiocyanatopyrrolidin-1-yl)-7-(N, N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazoles (DBD-PyNCS) were separated by reversed-phase chromatography and detected fluorometrically at 550 nm (excitation at 460 nm). DL-Amino acids were efficiently labeled at 55 degrees C for 20 min in basic medium. The resulting thiocarbamoyl-amino acids were resolved by an isocratic elution using water:30% methanol in acetonitrile (72:28) containing 0.1% trifluoracetic acid as mobile phase for hydrophilic amino acids and gradient elutions using sodium acetate buffer (pH 5. 2)/acetonitrile as gradient solvent mixture for hydrophobic amino acids, respectively. The detection limits (S/N = 3) of DL-amino acids tested were in the range of 0.16-0.75 pmol. The proposed method was applied to determine the D-amino acid(s) in milk, cream, fermented dairy products (yogurt and yakult), tomato products (juice, puree, and catchup), fermented beverages (beer and red wine), and human urine. The existence of D-amino acid(s) was demonstrated in all the samples tested. Furthermore, the identification of the D-amino acid(s) was performed using both isomers of DBD-PyNCS and by on-line HPLC-electrospray ionization-MS.     

Discovery of a novel,CNS penetrant M4 PAM chemotype based on a 6-fluoro-4-(piperidin-1-yl)quinoline-3-carbonitrile core

This Letter details the discovery and subsequent optimization of a novel M₄ PAM scaffold based on an 6-fluoro-4-(piperidin-1-yl)quinoline-3-carbonitrile core, which represents a distinct departure from the classical M₄ PAM chemotypes. Optimized compounds in this series demonstrated improved M₄ PAM potency on both human and rat M₄ (4 to 5-fold relative to HTS hit), and displayed attractive physicochemical and DMPK profiles, including good CNS penetration (rat brain:plasma K_p = 5.3, K_p,uu = 2.4; MDCK-MDR1 (P-gp) ER = 1.1).     

D-2 receptor-mediated inhibition by a substituted quinolinone derivative, 7-[3-(4-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)piperazinyl)propoxy]-2(1H)-quinolinone (OPC-4392), of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area

A microiontophoretic study was performed to investigate the effects of a newly synthesized quinolinone derivative, 7-[3-(4-(2,3-dimethylphenyl) piperazinyl) propoxy] 2-(1H)-quinolinone (OPC-4392), on neuronal activities of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate. The VTA neurons, which were identified by antidromic stimulation of the nucleus accumbens (Acc), were classified into type I and type II neurons according to the responses to Acc stimulation: type I neurons had a long spike latency of over 7 msec (9.63 +/- 0.25 msec), and the type II, a short latency of less than 7 msec (2.98 +/- 0.27 msec) upon Acc stimulation. In all of 11 type I neurons, iontophoretically applied OPC-4392 and dopamine inhibited the antidromic spikes elicited by Acc stimulation. This inhibition was antagonized by simultaneous application of domperidone (dopamine D-2 antagonist). However, in 16 out of 19 type II neurons the antidromic spikes were not affected by either OPC-4392 or dopamine. When the effects of iontophoretically applied OPC-4392 and dopamine on spontaneous firings were tested in 32 VTA neurons identified by Acc stimulation (including type I and type II neurons), there was a relationship between the effects of these two drugs. These results suggest that OPC-4392 acts on dopamine D-2 receptors of the dopaminergic neurons in the VTA, thereby inhibiting neuronal activity.     

The identification of (3R,4S)-5-fluoro-5-deoxy-D-ribulose-1-phosphate as an intermediate in fluorometabolite biosynthesis in Streptomyces cattleya

(3R,4S)-5-Fluoro-5-deoxy-D-ribulose-1-phosphate (5-FDRulP) has been identified as the third fluorinated intermediate on the biosynthetic pathway to fluoroacetate and 4-fluorothreonine in Streptomyces cattleya. 5-FDRulP is generated after formation of 5'-fluoro-5'-deoxyadenosine (5'-FDA) and then phosphorolysis of 5'-FDA to 5-fluoro-5-deoxy-D-ribose-1-phosphate (5-FDRP) by the action of a purine nucleoside phosphorylase. An isomerase mediates the conversion of 5-FDRP to 5-FDRulP. The identity of the (3R,4S) diastereoisomer of 5-FDRulP was established by comparative (19)F{(1)H} NMR studies whereby 5-FDRulP that accumulated in a cell free extract of S. cattleya, was treated with a phytase to generate the non-phosphorylated sugar, 5-fluoro-5-deoxy-D-ribulose (5-FDRul). This S. cattleya product was compared to the product of an in-vitro biotransformation where separately 5-fluoro-5-deoxy-D-ribose and 5-fluoro-5-deoxy-D-xylose were converted to 5-fluoro-5-deoxy-D-ribulose and 5-fluoro-5-deoxy-D-xylulose respectively by the action of glucose isomerase. It was demonstrated that 5-fluoro-5-deoxy-D-ribose gave the identical diastereoisomer to that observed from 5-FDRulP.     

Synthesis of (E)-9-(1-pyrenyl)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal, a fluorescent probe of the (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal with retained biological properties

(E)-9-(1-pyrenyl)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal (FHNE), a fluorescent probe of (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal (HNE) is synthesised in seven steps and in 35% overall yield, starting from commercially available 1-pyrencarboxyaldehyde. When incubated with cultured HeLa cells this fluorescent probe penetrates cells and particularly concentrates in the region surrounding the nucleus. As the parent compound, HNE it is able to induce the activation of heat shock factor (HSF) and it is able to induce the binding of HSF to heat shock element (HSE).     

Discovery and preclinical profile of teneligliptin (3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine): A highly potent,selective, long-lasting and orally active dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibition is suitable mechanism for once daily oral dosing regimen because of its low risk of hypoglycemia. We explored linked bicyclic heteroarylpiperazines substituted at the γ-position of the proline structure in the course of the investigation of l-prolylthiazolidines. The efforts led to the discovery of a highly potent, selective, long-lasting and orally active DPP-4 inhibitor, 3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine (8g), which has a unique structure characterized by five consecutive rings. An X-ray co-crystal structure of 8g in DPP-4 demonstrated that the key interaction between the phenyl ring on the pyrazole and the S₂ extensive subsite of DPP-4 not only boosted potency, but also increased selectivity. Compound 8g, at 0.03 mg/kg or higher doses, significantly inhibited the increase of plasma glucose levels after an oral glucose load in Zucker fatty rats. Compound 8g (teneligliptin) has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Japan.     

Inhibition of human pyridoxal kinase by 2-acetyl-4-((1R,2S,3R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole (THI)

Abstract

2-Acetyl-4-((1R,2S,3R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole (THI) is observed as a minor contaminant in caramel food colourings (E?150c). Feeding experiments with rodents have revealed a significant lymphopenic effect that has been linked to the presence of THI in these food colourings. Pyridoxal kinase inhibition by THI has been suggested, but not demonstrated, as a mode of action as it leads to lowered levels of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, which are known to cause lymphopenia. Recently, THI was also shown to inhibit sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase causing comparable immunosuppressive effects and derivatives of THI are being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in humans. Interestingly, sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase activity depends on pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, which in turn is provided by pyridoxal kinase. This report shows that THI does inhibit pyridoxal kinase with competitive and mixed-type non-competitive behaviour towards its two substrates, pyridoxal and ATP, respectively. The corresponding inhibition constants are in the low millimolar range.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-[1-(2-[(18)F]fluoro-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline for positron emission tomography imaging of the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 in brain

The purpose of this study was to synthesize 6-[1-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline ([¹⁸F]FPTQ, [¹⁸F]7a) and to evaluate its potential as a positron emission tomography ligand for imaging metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1) in the rat brain. Compound [¹⁸F]7a was synthesized by [¹⁸F]fluorination of 6-[1-(2-bromo-3-pyridyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]quinoline (7b) with potassium [¹⁸F]fluoride. At the end of synthesis, 1280-1830 MBq (n = 8) of [¹⁸F]7a was obtained with >98% radiochemical purity and 118-237 GBq/??mol specific activity using 3300-4000 MBq of [¹⁸F]F⁻. In vitro autoradiography showed that [¹⁸F]7a had high specific binding with mGluR1 in the rat brain. Biodistribution study using a dissection method and small-animal PET showed that [¹⁸F]7a had high uptake in the rat brain. The uptake of radioactivity in the cerebellum was reduced by unlabeled 7a and mGluR1-selective ligand JNJ-16259685 (2), indicating that [¹⁸F]7a had in vivo specific binding with mGluR1. Because of a low amount of radiolabeled metabolite present in the brain, [¹⁸F]7a may have a limiting potential for the in vivo imaging of mGluR1 by PET.     

Molecular basis of the interaction of novel tributyltin(IV) 2/4-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]benzoates endowed with an improved cytotoxic profile: Synthesis, structure, biological efficacy and QSAR studies

A series of tributyltin(IV) complexes based on 2/4-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]benzoate ligands was synthesized, wherein the position of the carboxylate and aryl substituents (methyl, tert-butyl and hydroxyl) varies. The complexes, Bu₃SnL^1-4H (1-4), have been structurally characterized by elemental analysis and IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹⁹Sn) and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. All have a tetrahedral geometry in solution and a trigonal bipyramidal geometry in the solid-state, except for Bu₃SnL⁴H (4) that was ascertained to have tetrahedral coordination by X-ray crystallography. Cytotoxicity studies were carried out on human tumor cell lines A498 (renal cancer), EVSA-T (mammary cancer), H226 (non-small-cell lung cancer), IGROV (ovarian cancer), M19 MEL (melanoma), MCF-7 (mammary cancer) and WIDR (colon cancer). Compared to cisplatin, test compounds 1-4 had remarkably good activity, despite the presence of substantial steric bulk due to Sn-Bu ligands. The quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies for the cytotoxicity of organotin(IV) benzoates, along with some reference drug molecules, is also discussed against a panel of human tumor cell lines. Molecular structures of the tributyltin(IV) complexes (1-4) were fully optimized using the PM6 semi-empirical method and docking studies performed with key enzymes associated with the propagation of cancer, namely ribonucleotide reductase, thymidylate synthase, thymidylate phosphorylase and topoisomerase II. The theoretical results are discussed in relation to the mechanistic role of the cytotoxic active test compounds (1-4).     

Synthesis,structure elucidation and in vitro anticancer activities of novel derivatives of diethyl (2E)-2-[(2E)-(1-arylimidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazono]succinate and ethyl (4-oxo-8-aryl-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)acetate

The worked out and optimized synthesis routes and remarkable antitumour activities in vitro of novel polynitrogenated derivatives of diethyl (2E)-2-[(2E)-(1-arylimidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazono]succinate (7–10) and ethyl (4-oxo-8-aryl-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)acetate (11–16) are presented. Small molecules based on the privileged 7,8-dihydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-4(6H)-one scaffold (11–16) were obtained with fairly modest to good overall yields by very facile addition reactions of the nucleophilic centred 1-aryl-2-hydrazonoimidazolidine hydroiodides to diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DEAD) in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) and a subsequent cyclocondensation of the putative intermediate chain hydrazones. Heterobicyclic products 12 and 14–16 could also be prepared in high overall yields by an effective intramolecular cyclocondensation of the isolated stable and antiproliferative active heterocyclic hydrazones, namely, diethyl (2E)-2-[(2E)-(1-arylimidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazono]succinates (7–10), performed in refluxing DMF. These intermediates are the first products to be formed in the result of an addition of the nucleophilic reactants, namely, 1-aryl-2-hydrazonoimidazolidines of the 1–6 type, bearing the basic nitrogen atom of the hydrazono moiety (N–NH₂), to the carbon–carbon triple bond of the highly electrophilic alkyne, that is, DEAD. Molecular structures of the synthesized compounds (7–16) in the DMSO-d₆ solutions were verified by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral data. These were finally confirmed based on the advanced 2D HMBC and HMQC NMR experiments, which were performed for the two representatives (8 and 11) of the two synthesized sets of the bioactive substances. Among the majority of antiproliferative active molecules, the disclosed herein ethyl [4-oxo-8-(3-chlorophenyl)-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl]acetate (14) is proposed as a promising lead structure for the design of novel highly selective antitumour agents because of the distinctly marked lower cytotoxicity towards the primary cell line of normal HSF cells and several-fold higher against cancer cells used. A double fluorochrome mix-staining was performed in order to find out about the possible mode of action by which this novel small heterobicycle reveals remarkable antiproliferative effects in vitro. Taking into account the obtained double staining results, this small molecule was identified as capable of inducing significantly higher levels of necrotic cells in human cancer cell lines (T47D and HeLa) than in normal HSF cells. Furthermore, its cytotoxicity against cells was found to be connected to the predominant induction of necrosis over apoptosis.     

Interaction of the brain-specific protein p42IP4/centaurin-alpha1 with the peptidase nardilysin is regulated by the cognate ligands of p42IP4, PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, with stereospecificity

The brain-specific protein p42IP4, also called centaurin-alpha1, specifically binds phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4]. Here, we investigate the interaction of p42IP4/centaurin-alpha1 with nardilysin (NRDc), a member of the M16 family of zinc metalloendopeptidases. Members of this peptidase family exhibit enzymatic activity and also act as receptors for other proteins. We found that p42IP4/centaurin-alpha1 binds specifically to NRDc from rat brain. We further detected that centaurin-alpha2, a protein that is highly homologous to p42IP4/centaurin-alpha1 and expressed ubiquitously, also binds to NRDc. In vivo interaction was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation of p42IP4/centaurin-alpha1 with NRDc from rat brain. The acidic domain of NRDc (NRDc-AD), which does not participate in catalysis, is sufficient for the protein interaction with p42IP4. Interestingly, preincubation of p42IP4 with its cognate ligands D-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and the lipid diC8PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 negatively modulates the interaction between the two proteins. D-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and diC8PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 suppress the interaction with virtually identical concentration dependencies. This inhibition is highly ligand specific. The enantiomer L-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 is not effective. Similarly, the phosphoinositides diC8PtdIns(3,4)P2, diC8PtdIns(3,5)P2 and diC8PtdIns(4,5)P2 all have no influence on the interaction. Further experiments revealed that endogenous p42IP4 from rat brain binds to glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-NRDc-AD. The proteins dissociate from each other when incubated with D-Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, but not with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3]. In summary, we demonstrate that p42IP4 binds to NRDc via the NRDc-AD, and that this interaction is controlled by the cognate cellular ligands of p42IP4/centaurin-alpha1. Thus, specific ligands of p42IP4 can modulate the recruitment of proteins, which are docked to p42IP4, to specific cellular compartments.     

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors. Metal Complexes of 5-(2-Chlorophenyl)-1, 3, 4-Thiadiazole-2-Sulfonamide with Topical Intraocular Pressure Lowering Properties: The Influence of Metal Ions Upon the Pharmacological Activity

Metal complexes of a sulfonamide possessing strong carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitory properties, 5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide (chlorazolamide) have been obtained from the sodium salt of the sulfonamide and the following metal ions: Mg(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Be(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), AI(III), Fe(III) and La(III). The original sulfonamide and its complexes were assayed for the in vitro inhibition of three CA isozymes, CA I, II, and IV, some of which play a critical role in ocular fluid secretion. All these compounds (the sulfonamide and its metal complexes) behaved as powerful inhibitors against the three investigated isozymes. The parent sulfonamide possessed an extremely weak topical pressure lowering effect when administered as a 1-2% suspension into the rabbit eye, but some of its metal complexes, such as the Mg(II), Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) derivatives, lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in experimental animals very well. Ex vivo data showed a 99.5-99.9% CA II inhibition in ocular fluids and tissues of rabbits treated with these agents, proving that the observed IOP lowering is due to CA inhibition. The influence of the different metal ions upon the efficiency of the obtained complexes as pressure lowering drugs are discussed, leading to the possibility of designing more selective; potent pharmacological agents from this class