Remarkable potential of the α-aminophosphonate/phosphinate structural motif in medicinal chemistry

Structure-guided, single-point modifications in the phosphinic dipeptide structure yield highly potent and selective inhibitors of neutral aminopeptidases

Seven crystal structures of alanyl aminopeptidase from Neisseria meningitides (the etiological agent of meningitis, NmAPN) complexed with organophosphorus compounds were resolved to determine the optimal inhibitor-enzyme interactions. The enantiomeric phosphonic acid analogs of Leu and hPhe, which correspond to the P1 amino acid residues of well-processed substrates, were used to assess the impact of the absolute configuration and the stereospecific hydrogen bond network formed between the aminophosphonate polar head and the active site residues on the binding affinity. For the hPhe analog, an imperfect stereochemical complementarity could be overcome by incorporating an appropriate P1 side chain. The constitution of P1'-extended structures was rationally designed and the lead, phosphinic dipeptide hPhePψ[CH2]Phe, was modified in a single position. Introducing a heteroatom/heteroatom-based fragment to either the P1 or P1' residue required new synthetic pathways. The compounds in the refined structure were low nanomolar and subnanomolar inhibitors of N. meningitides, porcine and human APNs, and the reference leucine aminopeptidase (LAP). The unnatural phosphinic dipeptide analogs exhibited a high affinity for monozinc APNs associated with a reasonable selectivity versus dizinc LAP. Another set of crystal structures containing the NmAPN dipeptide ligand were used to verify and to confirm the predicted binding modes; furthermore, novel contacts, which were promising for inhibitor development, were identified, including a π-π stacking interaction between a pyridine ring and Tyr372.

Determination of absolute configuration of the phosphonic acid moiety of fosfazinomycins

Fosfazinomycins A and B produced by Streptomyces lavendofoliae share the same phosphonate moiety with one chiral centre of unknown configuration which was determined by synthesising both enantiomers of 2-hydroxy-2-phosphonoacetic acid methyl ester. A chiral cyclic phosphite was reacted with methyl glyoxylate in a Pudovik reaction to give a pair of diastereomeric α-hydroxyphosphonates, which were separated by HPLC. The configurations at C-2 were assigned on the basis of single crystal X-ray structure analysis. Deprotection of these diastereomers furnished the enantiomeric α-hydroxyphosphonic acids, of which the (S)-configured had the same sign of optical rotation as the phosphonic acid moiety of the two fosfazinomycins.

Synthesis and evaluation of phosphorus containing, specific CDK9/CycT1 inhibitors

Although there is a significant effort in the design of a selective CDK9/CycT1 inhibitor, no compound has been proven to be a specific inhibitor of this kinase so far. The aim of this research was to develop novel and selective phosphorus containing CDK9/CycT1 inhibitors. Molecules bearing phosphonamidate, phosphonate, and phosphinate moieties were synthesized. Prepared compounds were evaluated in an enzymatic CDK9/CycT1 assay. The most potent molecules were tested in cell-based toxicity and HIV proliferation assays. Selectivity of shortlisted compounds against CDKs and other kinases was tested. The best compound was shown to be a highly specific, ATP-competitive inhibitor of CDK9/CycT1 with antiviral activity.

Synthesis of fluorescent (benzyloxycarbonylamino)(aryl)methylphosphonates

The synthesis of a library of structurally variable aromatic esters of (benzyloxycarbonylamino)(aryl)methylphosphonic acids is described by means of the Oleksyszyn reaction. The library was enlarged by the application of a Suzuki–Miayra approach and by preparation of mixed esters.

α-Aminophosphonates as novel anti-leishmanial chemotypes: synthesis, biological evaluation, and CoMFA studies

α-Aminophosphonates have been identified as novel anti-leishmanial chemotypes against theL. donovanipromastigote with low μM range activity.

Catalyst-free three-component reaction to synthesize chiral α-amino phosphine oxides

A novel method for high diastereoselective syntheses of chiral α-aminophosphine oxides by a three-component reaction involve a metal-free system was performed.

Asymmetric homoenolate additions to acyl phosphonates through rational design of a tailored N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst

A highly selective NHC-catalyzed synthesis of γ-butyrolactones from the fusion of enals and α-ketophosphonates has been developed. Computational modeling of competing transition states guided a rational design strategy to achieve enhanced levels of enantioselectivity with a new tailored C1-symmetric biaryl-saturated imidazolium-derived NHC catalyst.

Synthesis and antitumor activities of novel rhein α-aminophosphonates conjugates

Several rhein α-aminophosphonates conjugates (5a-5q) were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against HepG-2, CNE, Spca-2, Hela and Hct-116 cell lines. Some compounds showed relatively high cytotoxicity. Especially, compound 5i exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity against Hct-116 cells (IC50 was 5.32 μM). All the synthesized compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity against HUVEC cells. The mechanism of compound 5i was preliminarily investigated by Hoechst 33258 staining, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential staining and flow cytometry, which indicated that the compound 5i induced apoptosis in Hct-116 cancer cells. Cell cycle analysis showed that these compound 5i mainly arrested Hct-116 cells in G1 stage. The effects of 5i on the activation of caspases expression indicated that 5i might induce apoptosis via the membrane death receptor pathways. In addition, the binding properties of a model analog 5i to DNA were investigated by methods (UV-vis, fluorescence, CD spectroscopy and FRET-melting) in compare with that of rhein. Results indicated that 5i showed moderate ability to interact ct-DNA.

Charge density distribution of 3-(1-aminoethylidene)-2-methoxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-2λ(5)-benzo[e][1,2]oxaphosphinin-4-one

A combined experimental and theoretical study of one oxaphosphinane derivative was made on the basis of a topological analysis of its electron density distributions. The electron density was determined from a high-resolution X-ray diffraction data set measured with synchrotron radiation at 100 K, whereas theoretical calculations were performed using density functional theory (DFT) methods at the B3LYP\6-311++G(3df,3pd) level of approximation. The charge-density distribution and analysis of topological properties revealed that the P-O bond is of the transit closed-shell type. The crystal structure possesses one intra- and several intermolecular hydrogen bonds. They were characterized quantitatively by topological properties using Bader's Atoms in Molecules theory. All hydrogen bonds were classified as weak. Further analysis of the experimental electron density by the source function allowed the intramolecular hydrogen bond to be characterized as an isolated hydrogen bond, in contrast to the resonance-assisted hydrogen bond in related molecules, such as chromone derivatives.

Synthesis and antifungal properties of (4-tolyloxy)-pyrimidyl-α-aminophosphonates chitosan derivatives

A novel class of α-aminophosphonate chitosan derivatives was investigated. These chitosan derivatives consist of (4-tolyloxy)-pyrimidyl-dimethyl-α-amino-phosphonate chitosan (α-ATPMCS) and (4-tolyloxy)-pyrimidyl-diethyl-α-aminophosphonate chitosan (α-ATPECS). Their structures were well defined. Antifungal activity of them against some crop-threatening pathogenic fungi was tested in vitro. The derivatives were found to have a broad-spectrum antifungal activity that was obviously enhanced compared with chitosan. At 250 mg/L, both α-ATPMCS and α-ATPECS even inhibited growth of Phomopsis asparagi (Sacc.) (P. asparagi) and Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) at 100%, which was even stronger than polyoxin whose antifungal index was 37.2% and 32.1%, respectively. Additionally, the initial mechanism of the chitosan derivatives in F. oxysporum model was studied. It was found that the derivatives may have an effect on membrane permeability of the fungi. The results demonstrated the derivatives may serve as attractive candidates in crop protection.

Vibrational characterization and adsorption mode on SERS-active surfaces of guanidino-(bromophenyl)methylphosphonic acid

This work presents adsorption geometry of [N-butyl-guanidino-(4-bromophenyl)methyl] phosphonic acid (4-BrPhG(n-But)P) on different SERS-active substrates (colloidal and specifically prepared Ag and Au roughened substrates). The adsorption mode is deduced from the SERS selection rules and several characteristic bands of the 4-BrPhG(n-But)P molecular fragments. The SERS spectra are compared to the experimental FT-Raman spectrum. In addition, the vibrational wavenumbers and PED's obtained for 4-BrPhG(n-But)P by using density functional theory methods with B3LYP/6-311++G(**) level of theory and PCM model is briefly presented.

Inhibitors of cathepsin G: a patent review (2005 to present)

INTRODUCTION

Cathepsin G (CatG) is a neutral proteinase originating from human neutrophils. It displays a unique dual specificity (trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like); thus, its enzymatic activity is difficult to control. CatG is involved in the pathophysiology of several serious human diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis and other conditions clinically manifested by excessive inflammatory reactions. For mentioned reasons, CatG was considered as good molecular target for the development of novel drugs. However, none of them have yet entered the market as novel therapeutic agents.

AREAS COVERED

This article presents an in-depth and detailed analysis of the therapeutic potential of CatG inhibitors based on a review of patent applications and academic publishing disclosed in patents and patent applications (1991 - 2012), with several exceptions for inhibitors retrieved from academic articles.

EXPERT OPINION

Among the discussed inhibitors of CatG, examples corresponding to derivatives of β-ketophosphonic acids, aminoalkylphosphonic esters and boswellic acids (BAs) could be regarded as the most promising. The most promising one seems to be analogues of compounds of Nature's origin (peptidic and BA derivates). Nevertheless, nothing is currently known about the clinical disposition of any of the CatG inhibitors discovered so far. This latter point suggests that there is still a lot of work to do in the design of stable, pharmacologically active compounds able to specifically regulate the in vivo activity of cathepsin G.

Redox-neutral α-C-H bond functionalization of secondary amines with concurrent C-P bond formation/N-alkylation

Redox-neutral formation of C-P bonds in the α-position of amines was achieved via a process that features a combination of an oxidative α-C-H bond functionalization and a reductive N-alkylation. Benzoic acid functions as an efficient catalyst in this three-component reaction of cyclic secondary amines, aldehydes and phosphine oxides to provide rapid access to α-amino phosphine oxides not easily accessible by classic Kabachnik-Fields reactions.

Hydrophosphonylation of nanoparticle Schiff bases as a mean for preparation of aminophosphonate-functionalized nanoparticles

The development of nanotechnology is responsible for an increase in the achievements in medical diagnostics and in the preparation of new therapeutic vehicles. In particular, magnetic nanoparticles with a modified surface are a very attractive alternative to deliver therapeutic agents. We describe the modification of the surface of the iron oxide nanoparticles with aminophosphonic acids by applying the classic hydrophosphonylation approach.