Antiviral activity of UIC-PI, a novel inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitor UIC-PI (1) was developed via structure-based design and incorporated a novel bis-tetrahydrofuran (bis-THF) ligand in the (R)-(hydroxyethyl)sulfonamide based isostere. The EC(50) and EC(90) of the compound in acutely-infected H9 cells were <1 and approximately 1 nM, respectively. In chronically infected H9/HIV-1(IIIB) cells, the EC(50) and EC(90) were 20 and 50 nM, respectively. In parallel studies comparing UIC-PI and saquinavir in H9/HIV-1(IIIB) cells, viral p24 levels in culture supernatants were an order of magnitude lower with UIC-PI than with saquinavir.

A potent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease inhibitor, UIC-94003 (TMC-126), and selection of a novel (A28S) mutation in the protease active site

We identified UIC-94003, a nonpeptidic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor (PI), containing 3(R),3a(S),6a(R)-bis-tetrahydrofuranyl urethane (bis-THF) and a sulfonamide isostere, which is extremely potent against a wide spectrum of HIV (50% inhibitory concentration, 0.0003 to 0.0005 microM). UIC-94003 was also potent against multi-PI-resistant HIV-1 strains isolated from patients who had no response to any existing antiviral regimens after having received a variety of antiviral agents (50% inhibitory concentration, 0.0005 to 0.0055 microM). Upon selection of HIV-1 in the presence of UIC-94003, mutants carrying a novel active-site mutation, A28S, in the presence of L10F, M46I, I50V, A71V, and N88D appeared. Modeling analysis revealed that the close contact of UIC-94003 with the main chains of the protease active-site amino acids (Asp29 and Asp30) differed from that of other PIs and may be important for its potency and wide-spectrum activity against a variety of drug-resistant HIV-1 variants. Thus, introduction of inhibitor interactions with the main chains of key amino acids and seeking a unique inhibitor-enzyme contact profile should provide a framework for developing novel PIs for treating patients harboring multi-PI-resistant HIV-1.

Induced liver tumour further support to a genetic marker with its high correlation with chorioallantoic membrane phenotypes in selected layer lines

The conventional chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) phenotype assay was conducted using 11-day-old embryonatic eggs of white Leghorn strains, each inoculated with 0.2 ml of subgroup A Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and subgroup C RSV separately containing 10(3)pfu ml(-1). Eggs were further incubated for hatching. Harvesting of CAMs for counting of pocks and monitoring chicks for liver tumour (LT) mortality during 4 weeks of post-hatching period were followed. The conversely associated phenotype (CAP) incidence i.e. CAM(+) LT(-) and CAM(-) LT(+) was observed in all three lines for both subgroup A and C virus infection. The LT deaths of chicks in all strains occurred within 21 days post-hatch irrespective of virus subgroups. The regression analysis of %LT death (transformed data) distributed within pock count range (PCR) basis was performed. The regression coefficients (b(i)'s) were found to be non-significant, indicating that %LT death did not correlate with number of particles that entered the cells because the chicks that had at least 25 pock counts in CAMs died with few exceptions. This study upheld the view that the CAM phenotypes (S and R) under the control of a pair of alleles, a(s) and a(r) at the tva locus and c(s) and c(r) at the tvc locus as reported extensively. Because of a high correlation coefficients between CAM and LT phenotypes [S and LT(+)] in respect of subgroup A (r = 0.72) and subgroup C (r = 0.81) infection, it is obvious that one could postulate a pleiotropic control of the two traits by the tva and tvc genes, respectively. Indeed fitting a 4-allele model in both tva and tvc locus, suggesting that CAPs are the indicator for nullifying the conventional 2-allele model proposed for the induced tumour expression phenotypes by leukosis sarcoma viruses.

Stereoselective Synthesis of the C11-N26 Fragment of Griseoviridin

The C₁₁-N₂₆ fragment of griseoviridin has been prepared enantioselectively. The 1,3-syn diol synthon was derived from lipase-catalyzed selective acylation of(±)-1-(benzyloxy)pent-4-en-2-ol. The conjugated (E,E)-dienylmethyl azide functionality was installed by a Pd-catalyzed allylic azidation reaction.

MULTICOMPONENT REACTIONS: SYNTHESIS OF SPIROCYCLIC TETRAHYDROPYRAN DERIVATIVES BY PRINS CYCLIZATION

Substituted spirocyclic tetrahydropyranyl mesylates and tosylates have been synthesized in good yields using a Prins-type cyclization of various cyclic ketones, a homoallylic alcohol and either methanesulfonic or p-toluenesulfonic acid under non-aqueous conditions. The mesylates thus produced could then be transformed into the corresponding Boc-protected amines using an efficient two step procedure.

Total synthesis of microtubule-stabilizing agent (-)-laulimalide

An enantioselective first total synthesis of laulimalide (1) is described. Laulimalide, a remarkably potent antitumor macrolide, has been isolated from the Indonesian sponge Hyattella sp. and the Okinawan sponge Fasciospongia rimosa. Laulimalide represents a new class of antitumor agents with significant clinical potential. The synthesis is convergent and involved the assembly of C(3)-C(16) segment 4 and C(17)-C(28) segment 5 by Julia olefination. The sensitive C(2)-C(3) cis-olefin functionality was installed by Yamaguchi macrolactonization of a hydroxy alkynic acid followed by hydrogenation of the resulting alkynoic lactone over Lindlar's catalyst. Initial attempts of intramolecular Still's variant of Horner-Emmons olefination between the C(19)-phosphonocetate and C(3)-aldehyde provided a 1:2 mixture of cis- and trans-macrolactones. The trans-isomer was photoisomerized to a mixture of cis- and trans-isomers. The other key steps involved ring-closing olefin metathesis to construct both dihydropyran units, stereoselective anomeric alkylation to functionalize the dihydropyran ring, stereoselective reduction of the resulting alkynyl ketone to set the C(20)-hydroxyl stereochemistry, and a novel Julia olefination protocol for the installation of the C(13)-exo-methylene unit. The sensitive epoxide at C(16)-C(17) was introduced in a highly stereoselective manner by Sharpless epoxidation at the final stage of the synthesis.

TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF GINKGOLIDE A

Ginkgolide A (1) has been synthesized from the trilactone 3 and also from ginkgolide B (2).

Targeting Plasmodium ligands on mosquito salivary glands and midgut with a phage display peptide library

Despite vast efforts and expenditures in the past few decades, malaria continues to kill millions of persons every year, and new approaches for disease control are urgently needed. To complete its life cycle in the mosquito, Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, has to traverse the epithelia of the midgut and salivary glands. Although strong circumstantial evidence indicates that parasite interactions with the two organs are specific, hardly any information is available about the interacting molecules. By use of a phage display library, we identified a 12-aa peptide--salivary gland and midgut peptide 1 (SM1)--that binds to the distal lobes of the salivary gland and to the luminal side of the midgut epithelium, but not to the midgut surface facing the hemolymph or to ovaries. The coincidence of the tissues with which parasites and the SM1 peptide interact suggested that the parasite and peptide recognize the same surface ligand. In support of this hypothesis, the SM1 peptide strongly inhibited Plasmodium invasion of salivary gland and midgut epithelia. These experiments suggest a new strategy for the genetic manipulation of mosquito vectorial capacity.

Structure-based design of non-peptide HIV protease inhibitors

A number of structurally novel P2-ligands have been designed and synthesized. Incorporation of these ligands in the (R)-(hydroxyethyl)sulfonamide isostere provided a series of potent non-peptidyl HIV protease inhibitors.

Asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder route to quaternary carbon centers: synthesis of (-)-malyngolide

Conformationally constrained chiral bis(oxazoline)-metal complex catalyzed asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reactions of Danishefsky's diene and a variety of α-keto esters constructed quaternary carbon centers enantioselectively. The reaction was utilized in the synthesis of (-)-malyngolide.

Purification and characterization of fibroin from the tropical Saturniid silkworm, Antheraea mylitta

The fibroin protein isolated from the posterior silkgland of the tropical Saturniid silkworm Antheraea mylitta, was solubilized in lithium dodecyl sulfate and purified by gel filtration. The major fraction from gel filtration was analyzed by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing and reducing conditions. One major protein band of ca 395 kDa was obtained under non-reducing conditions and a doublet band of approximately 197 kDa under reducing conditions. The appearance of a single spot in two-dimensional electrophoresis confirmed the purity of the protein indicating that it may be a homodimeric protein of two similar sized polypeptides. Amino acid composition analysis showed that, like other Saturniid fibroins, it is rich in glycine, alanine and serine amino acids. N-terminal amino acid sequence shows significant homology with other Antheraea species. The enzymatic deglycosylation analysis indicates that the fibroin protein is glycosylated and the oligosaccharides are O-linked to the protein backbone by N-acetylgalactoseamine moiety which conforms to a Core 1 mucin-type glycosylation pattern.

Structure-based design: potent inhibitors of human brain memapsin 2 (beta-secretase)

Memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) is one of two proteases that cleave the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) to produce the 40-42 residue amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) in the human brain, a key event in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. On the basis of the X-ray crystal structure of our lead inhibitor (2, OM99-2 with eight residues) bound to memapsin, we have reduced the molecular weight and designed potent memapsin inhibitors. Structure-based design and preliminary structure-activity studies have been presented.

Subsite specificity of memapsin 2 (beta-secretase): implications for inhibitor design

Memapsin 2 is the protease known as beta-secretase whose action on beta-amyloid precursor protein leads to the production of the beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide. Since the accumulation of Abeta in the brain is a key event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, memapsin 2 is an important target for the design of inhibitory drugs. Here we describe the residue preference for the subsites of memapsin 2. The relative k(cat)/K(M) values of residues in each of the eight subsites were determined by the relative initial cleavage rates of substrate mixtures as quantified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. We found that each subsite can accommodate multiple residues. The S(1) subsite is the most stringent, preferring residues in the order of Leu > Phe > Met > Tyr. The preferences of other subsites are the following: S(2), Asp > Asn > Met; S(3), Ile > Val > Leu; S(4), Glu > Gln > Asp; S(1)', Met > Glu > Gln > Ala; S(2)', Val > Ile > Ala; S(3)', Leu > Trp > Ala; S(4)', Asp > Glu > Trp. In general, S subsites are more specific than the S' subsites. A peptide comprising the eight most favored residues (Glu-Ile-Asp-Leu-Met-Val-Leu-Asp) was found to be hydrolyzed with the highest k(cat)/K(M) value so far observed for memapsin 2. Residue preferences at four subsites were also studied by binding of memapsin 2 to a combinatorial inhibitor library. From 10 tight binding inhibitors, the consensus preferences were as follows: S(2), Asp and Glu; S(3), Leu and Ile; S(2)', Val; and S(3)', Glu and Gln. An inhibitor, OM00-3, Glu-Leu-Asp-LeuAla-Val-Glu-Phe (where the asterisk represents the hydroxyethylene tansition-state isostere), designed from the consensus residues, was found to be the most potent inhibitor of memapsin 2 so far reported (K(i) of 3.1 x 10(-10) M). A molecular model of OM00-3 binding to memapsin 2 revealed critical improvement of the interactions between inhibitor side chains with enzyme over a previous inhibitor, OM99-2 [Ghosh, A. K., et al. (2000) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 14, 3522-3523].

Stereoselective synthesis of pseudopeptide microbial agent AI-77-B

[structure: see text]. An efficient and highly stereoselective synthesis of the gastroprotective natural product AI-77-B is described. The stereocenters of the hydroxy amino acid moiety were generated by an ester-derived titanium-enolate-mediated syn-aldol reaction, a Curtius rearrangement, and application of Dondoni's aldehyde homologation. Condensation with the dihydroisocoumarin fragment and subsequent deprotecting transformations furnished optically active AI-77-B.

Small quartz silica spheres induced disorder in octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) liquid crystals: a thermal study

A photopyroelectric technique has been applied to the study of specific heat and thermal conductivity of homeotropically aligned mixtures of small quartz spheres (aerosil) and octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) with concentration 0</=rho(s)</=0.04 g/cm(3). Thermal conductivity data show that, even at these very low concentrations, an annealing of the disorder introduced by the aerosil takes place on cooling at the smectic-A-nematic (Sm-A-N) phase transition and not only at the nematic-isotropic (N-I) one. This means that there is some elastic strain in the nematic phase of the sample which is not quenched. Accordingly the suppression of the N-I transition temperature as a function of rho(s) does not fit a random field with a random dilution model that accounts for random quenched disorder only. High resolution specific heat measurements at the A-N and N-I transition show the effect of the aerosil is not the same. While in the first case its peak is suppressed with increasing concentration, in the second case there are some indications that outside the two-phase coexistence region it is enhanced. The effect of surface-induced alignment is also discussed to explain some discrepancies between our data and the ones reported in literature. It is concluded that the amount of disorder in the sample does not depend on rho(s) only, but also on other variables such as external fields. Finally, a relaxation phenomenon in the aerosil network that partially compensate the disordering effect of the particles is suggested to explain the concentration dependence of the transition temperatures.

A macrolactonization-based strategy to obtain microtuble-stabilizing agent (-)-laulimalide

An alternative synthesis of anti-tumor macrolide (-)-laulimalide is described. The synthesis was achieved utilizing Yamaguchi macrolactonization as the key step. The sensitive C2-C3 cis-olefin functionality has been installed by a macrolactonization of hydroxy alkynic acid and subsequent hydrogenation over Lindlar's catalyst.

Differential expression of the fibroin gene in developmental stages of silkworm, Antheraea mylitta (Saturniidae)

Fibroin gene expression during the larval developmental stages of the Saturniid silkworm, Antheraea mylitta, was analyzed. Northern blot analysis of larval silk gland total RNA using the fibroin gene as a probe showed that fibroin is expressed in the intermoult stages and repressed during the moulting stages. Abundance of fibroin transcripts gradually increased from the third to fifth intermoult stage, reaching a peak in the fifth intermoult. Transcripts declined during the early spinning stage. Western blot analysis of fibroin protein production with anti-fibroin antibody confirmed the differential fibroin expression, in accordance with fibroin mRNA synthesis. Dot blot hybridization of genomic DNA isolated from each larval developmental stage with the labelled fibroin gene showed that at the genomic level, the relative concentration of the fibroin gene was constant throughout the developmental stages. Our data confirm that fibroin gene expression in A. mylitta, like in B. mori, is transcriptionally controlled and shows differential temporal variations.

INTRAMOLECULAR AND INTERMOLECULAR HYDROXYL REACTIVITY DIFFERENCES IN GINKGOLIDES A, B AND C AND THEIR CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS

An investigation of the chemistry of ginkgolides A, B and C (1) has revealed an unusual interaction between the hydroxyl groups at C(1) and C(10) which activates their deprotonation to give 2 and provides a method for the interconversion of 1C and 1B. The ginkgolide 7-enol system 7 is more stable than the corresponding 7-keto form 6, which is easily made by selective Jones oxidation of ginkgolide C.

The Isoxazoline Route to α-Methylene Lactones

A new route to α-methylene lactones, important structural subunits of many natural products, has been developed using the nitrile oxide derived from 2-nitroethanol.