Small molecule biaryl FSH receptor agonists. Part 2: Lead optimization via parallel synthesis

Potent small molecule biaryl diketopiperazine FSH receptor agonists such as 10c (EC(50)=13 nM) and 11f (EC(50)=1.2 nM) were discovered through the design, synthesis and evaluation of three biaryl diketopiperazine optimization libraries with over 300 compounds. These libraries were prepared via solid-phase parallel synthesis using a cyclization-release method.     

(4-Piperidinylphenyl)aminoethyl amides as a novel class of non-covalent cathepsin K inhibitors

A series of (4-piperidinylphenyl)aminoethyl amides based on dipeptide anilines were synthesized and tested against cathepsin K, cathepsin L and cathepsin B. These new non-covalent inhibitors exhibited single-digit nM inhibition of the cysteine proteases. Compounds 3 and 7 demonstrated potency in both mouse and human osteoclast resorption assays.     

Benzimidazolone p38 inhibitors

The synthesis and in vitro p38 alpha activity of a novel series of benzimidazolone inhibitors is described. The p38 alpha SAR is consistent with a mode of binding wherein the benzimidazolone carbonyl serves as the H-bond acceptor to Met109 of p38 alpha in a manner analogous to the pyridine nitrogen of prototypical pyridylimidazole p38 inhibitors. Potent p38 alpha activity comparable to that of several previously reported p38 inhibitors is observed for this novel chemotype.     

Modeling the binding affinities of beta-secretase inhibitors: application to subsite specificity

A new linear binding affinity model has been developed for hydroxyethylene based inhibitors of beta-secretase (BACE). This model is an improvement over a previously published model, and has been applied to a series of analogs not included in the training set. The linear model has been used to study subsite specificity for the P(2) through P(2)' positions, and to evaluate a small number of C-terminal analogs. The predicted rankings are in good agreement with experiment and support using this model for structure-based design of BACE inhibitors.     

Gene therapy for lysosomal storage diseases: the lessons and promise of animal models

There are more than 40 different forms of inherited lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) known to occur in humans and the aggregate incidence has been estimated to approach 1 in 7000 live births. Most LSDs are associated with high morbidity and mortality and represent a significant burden on patients, their families, and health care providers. Except for symptomatic therapies, many LSDs remain untreatable, and gene therapy is among the only viable treatment options potentially available. Therapies for some LSDs do exist, or are under evaluation, including heterologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT), enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), and substrate reduction therapy (SRT), but these treatment options are associated with significant concerns, including high morbidity and mortality (BMT), limited positive outcomes (BMT), incomplete response to therapy (BMT, ERT, and SRT), life-long therapy (ERT, SRT), and cost (BMT, ERT, SRT). Gene therapy represents a potential alternative therapy, albeit a therapy with its own attendant concerns. Animal models of LSDs play a critical role in evaluating the efficacy and safety of therapy for many of these conditions. Naturally occurring animal homologs of LSDs have been described in the mouse, rat, dog, cat, guinea pig, emu, quail, goat, cattle, sheep, and pig. In this review we discuss those animal models that have been used in gene therapy experiments and those with promise for future evaluations.     

Expanded CAG repeats activate the DNA damage checkpoint pathway

Trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) are sequences whose expansion causes several genetic diseases and chromosome breakage. We report a novel finding that expanded CAG repeats activate the DNA damage response. Mutations in yeast MEC1, RAD9, or RAD53 genes result in increased rates of fragility of a CAG repeat tract while single or double deletions of RAD17 or RAD24 have only a modest effect on TNR fragility, indicating that signaling down the Rad9 pathway and not the Rad17-Rad24 pathway plays a major role in sensing and repairing CAG-tract breaks. Deletion of CHK1 had no effect on CAG fragility, suggesting that a Chk1-mediated G2 arrest is not required for TNR repair. Absence of Mec1, Ddc2, Rad17, Rad24, or Rad53 also gives rise to increased frequency of CAG repeat contractions, indicating that components of the checkpoint machinery play an active role in the maintenance of both chromosomal integrity and repeat stability at expanded CAG sequences.     

Effects of TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, IL-beta and IL-6 alone or in combination, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor on cyclooxygenase expression, prostaglandin E2 production and bone resorption in mouse calvarial bone cells

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tyrosine kinase, which are involved in the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in mouse calvarial osteoblasts, are stimulated by cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and/or interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-1beta and IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, TNF-alpha, enhances COX-2 mRNA levels in calvarial osteoblasts. Simultaneous treatment with IL-6 and IL-1beta and TNF-alpha resulted in enhanced COX-2 mRNA levels accompanied by the cooperative stimulation of PGE(2) biosynthesis compared to cells treated with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha or IL-6 alone. In contrast, the presence of TGF-beta reduced COX-2 mRNA level, PGE(2) biosynthesis and bone resorption induced by IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 or a combination thereof. However, neither IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 nor a combination of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 enhanced COX-1 mRNA levels in calvarial osteoblasts. A novel Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Herbimycin A (HERB), reduced COX-2 mRNA levels as well as PGE(2) production induced by IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IL-6 or a combination of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, whereas COX-1 mRNA levels remained unaffected. Finally, HERB was found to inhibit in vitro bone resorption. These results indicate that the cooperative effects of IL-beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 on PGE(2) production are due to the enhanced expression of the COX-2 gene and that tyrosine kinase(s) are involved in COX-2 signal transduction in mouse calvarial osteoblasts. Thus, the Src family of kinase inhibitors may be useful in treating diseases associated with elevated bone loss.     

Fermentation of a milk-soymilk and Lycium chinense Miller mixture using a new isolate of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU101 and Bifidobacterium longum

A milk–soymilk mixture was fermented using Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU101 and Bifidobacterium longum BCRC11847 at different inoculum ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 2:1, and 5:1). When the inoculum ratio was 1:2, the cell numbers of both strains were balanced after 12 h of cultivation. The pH and titratable acidity were very similar at the various inoculum ratios of cultivation. The milk–soymilk mixture was supplemented with 5, 10, 15, and 20% Lycium chinense Miller juice and fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU101 and B. longum BCRC11847. Sensory evaluation results showed that supplementation with 5% Lycium chinense Miller juice improved the acceptability of the fermented milk–soymilk. The fermented beverage was stored at 4°C for 14 days; variations in pH and titratable acidity were slight. The cell numbers of L. paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU101 and B. longum BCRC11847 in the fermented beverage were maintained at 1.2×10⁹ CFU/ml and 6.3×10⁸ CFU/ml, respectively, after 14 days of storage.     

Movement of entomopathogenic nematodes in soils of Fragaria spp

The mobility of three entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae UK and All Strain, and S. glaseri (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) was observed in strawberry fields in Vancouver, WA. Nematodes were sprinkled over the soil surface using a mason jar. Soil and soil-moisture content, soil composition, soil pH and conductivity was reported over the evaluation period. 12 cm deep soil samples were taken after surface application at 9 and 25 days, 7, 26 and 45 and 6, 22, 37 and 50 days at the three different test sites within the surface application site and at 5 cm distance. Soil samples taken were divided into three layers (0-4, 5-8 and 9-12 cm) and exposed once to five Galleria larvae in the laboratory to evaluate nematode presence and movement. Results after surface application demonstrated more vertical movement of S. glaseri into deeper soil layers in comparison to both S. carpocapsae strains.