Application of the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction for the modification of phenylalanine peptides

Synthesis and Evaluation of Diguanosine Cap Analogs Modified at the C8-Position by Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling: Discovery of 7-Methylguanosine-Based Molecular Rotors

Chemical modifications of the mRNA cap structure can enhance the stability, translational properties, and half-life of mRNAs, thereby altering the therapeutic properties of synthetic mRNA. However, cap structure modification is challenging because of the instability of the 5'-5'-triphosphate bridge and N7-methylguanosine. The Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction between boronic acid and halogen compound is a mild, convenient, and potentially applicable approach for modifying biomolecules. Herein, we describe two methods to synthesize C8-modified cap structures using the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Both methods employed phosphorimidazolide chemistry to form the 5',5'-triphosphate bridge. However, in the first method, the introduction of the modification via the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction at the C8 position occurs postsynthetically, at the dinucleotide level, whereas in the second method, the modification was introduced at the level of the nucleoside 5'-monophosphate, and later, the triphosphate bridge was formed. Both methods were successfully applied to incorporate six different groups (methyl, cyclopropyl, phenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and 1-pyrene) into either the m⁷G or G moieties of the cap structure. Aromatic substituents at the C8-position of guanosine form a push-pull system that exhibits environment-sensitive fluorescence. We demonstrated that this phenomenon can be harnessed to study the interaction with cap-binding proteins, e.g., eIF4E, DcpS, Nudt16, and snurportin.

Facile synthesis of a novel genetically encodable fluorescent α-amino acid emitting greenish blue light

We report the facile synthesis and characterization of a novel fluorescent α-amino acid 4-phenanthracen-9-yl-l-phenylalanine (Phen-AA) (5) that emits greenish blue light in the visible region. This genetically encodable l-α-amino acid has excellent photostability with a 75% quantum yield. It readily gets into human cells, being clearly imaged upon 405 nm laser excitation. The synthetic procedure is resistant to racemization and only involves three simple steps which use mild conditions and generate the Phen-AA in reasonably good yield. It may find broad applications in research, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Intracellular Catalysis with Selected Metal Complexes and Metallic Nanoparticles: Advances toward the Development of Catalytic Metallodrugs

Platinum-containing drugs (e.g., cisplatin) are among the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agents. Their tremendous success has spurred research and development of other metal-based drugs, with notable achievements. Generally, the vast majority of metal-based drug candidates in clinical and developmental stages are stoichiometric agents, i.e., each metal complex reacts only once with their biological target. Additionally, many of these metal complexes are involved in side reactions, which not only reduce the effective amount of the drug but may also cause toxicity. On a separate note, transition metal complexes and nanoparticles have a well-established history of being potent catalysts for selective molecular transformations, with examples such as the Mo- and Ru-based catalysts for metathesis reactions (Nobel Prize in 2005) or palladium catalysts for C-C bond forming reactions such as Heck, Negishi, or Suzuki reactions (Nobel Prize in 2010). Also, notably, no direct biological equivalent of these transformations exists in a biological environment such as bacteria or mammalian cells. It is, therefore, only logical that recent interest has focused on developing transition-metal based catalytic systems that are capable of performing transformations inside cells, with the aim of inducing medicinally relevant cellular changes. Because unlike in stoichiometric reactions, a catalytically active compound may turn over many substrate molecules, only very small amounts of such a catalytic metallodrug are required to achieve a desired pharmacologic effect, and therefore, toxicity and side reactions are reduced. Furthermore, performing catalytic reactions in biological systems also opens the door for new methodologies to study the behavior of biomolecules in their natural state, e.g., via in situ labeling or by increasing/depleting their concentration at will. There is, of course, an art to the choice of catalysts and reactions which have to be compatible with biological conditions, namely an aqueous, oxygen-containing environment. In this review, we aim to describe new developments that bring together the far-distant worlds of transition-metal based catalysis and metal-based drugs, in what is termed "catalytic metallodrugs". Here we will focus on transformations that have been performed on small biomolecules (such as shifting equilibria like in the NAD⁺/NADH or GSH/GSSG couples), on non-natural molecules such as dyes for imaging purposes, or on biomacromolecules such as proteins. Neither reactions involving release (e.g., CO) or transformation of small molecules (e.g., ¹O₂ production), degradation of biomolecules such as proteins, RNA or DNA nor light-induced medicinal chemistry (e.g., photodynamic therapy) are covered, even if metal complexes are centrally involved in those. In each section, we describe the (inorganic) chemistry involved, as well as selected examples of biological applications in the hope that this snapshot of a new but quickly developing field will indeed inspire novel research and unprecedented interactions across disciplinary boundaries.

Diversity-oriented synthesis of medicinally important 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Tic) derivatives and higher analogs

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Tic) is a constrained analog of phenylalanine (Phe). The Tic unit has been identified as a core structural element present in several peptide-based drugs and forms an integral part of various biologically active compounds. This report covers the biological significance of the Tic core and provides a detailed account of various synthetic approaches available for the construction of Tic derivatives. Along with the traditional methods such as the Pictet-Spengler and Bischler-Nepieralski reactions, we cover various recent approaches such as enyne metathesis, [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition and the Diels-Alder reaction to generate Tic derivatives. In addition, syntheses of higher analogs of Tic are also discussed.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of benzoisothiazolones as selective inhibitors of PHOSPHO1

We report the discovery and characterization of a series of benzoisothiazolone inhibitors of PHOSPHO1, a newly identified soluble phosphatase implicated in skeletal mineralization and soft tissue ossification abnormalities. High-throughput screening (HTS) of a small molecule library led to the identification of benzoisothiazolones as potent and selective inhibitors of PHOSPHO1. Critical structural requirements for activity were determined, and the compounds were subsequently derivatized and measured for in vitro activity and ADME parameters including metabolic stability and permeability. On the basis of its overall profile the benzoisothiazolone analogue 2q was selected as MLPCN probe ML086.

Development of small molecules to target the IgE:FcεRI protein-protein interaction in allergies

The protein-protein interaction (PPI) between IgE and its high-affinity receptor (FcεRI) is a key component of the allergic response. Inhibiting the IgE:FcεRI PPI is an attractive strategy for therapeutic intervention and the development of allergy treatments. This PPI has been validated as a viable target by the monoclonal anti-IgE antibody omalizumab (Xolair(®)), which has demonstrated clinical efficacy when prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe asthma and hay fever, but small molecules would be a more convenient form of treatment. Cyclic peptides, small proteins and a natural product have all been developed to target the IgE:FcεRI PPI, and these will be discussed in this review. Targeting the IgE:FcεRI complex with small molecules presents various challenges, some of which are inherent in all PPI targets but some of which are unique to this system, which presents great opportunities for the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of allergies.

Highly stereoselective modifications of peptides via Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation of internal peptide amide enolates

Pd-catalyzed allylations are excellent tools for stereoselective peptide modifications, showing several advantages compared to normal alkylations. Reactions of internal peptide amide enolates with Pd-allyl complexes proceed not only with high yields of up to 86%, they show also high regio- and diastereoselectivities (88-99%), giving rise to the trans-configured products. Therefore, this protocol is a powerful synthetic tool for the synthesis of natural product and drug molecules.

Arylation of Phe and Tyr side chains of unprotected peptides by a Suzuki-Miyaura reaction in water

An efficient arylation in water of tyrosine and phenylalanine side chains from unprotected iodopeptides is accomplished by using Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling processes. The method is compatible with the hydrophilic and thermolabile nature of biologically active peptides. Also of interest, the arylated tyrosine peptides can be accessed in one-pot mode starting from native peptides.

Effectiveness of the suzuki-miyaura cross-coupling reaction for solid-phase peptide modification

The Suzuki-Miyaura (SM) cross-coupling reaction has recently become one of the most efficient methods for C-C bond construction opening a wide range of opportunities in organic synthesis. This study focused on the evaluation of the use of the SM reaction to modify peptides using a solid-phase synthesis approach, an avenue that was still not investigated intensively. We used as a peptide model [Ala (1,2,3), Leu (8)]Enk linked to a polystyrene support on which it was previously assembled. The aromatic residues Tyr (4) and Phe (7) of [Ala (1,2,3), Leu (8)]Enk were respectively substituted with p-iodo-Phe, and an SM-related strategy was developed. Results indicated that the reaction conditions involving K 3PO 4 or Na 2CO 3 (base), DMF (solvent), Pd(PPh 3) 4 (catalyst), and temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 degrees C during 20 h were found as optimal. Finally applying those optimal conditions, a series of [Ala (1,2,3), Leu (8)]Enk analogs modified at Tyr (4) or Phe (7) positions was synthesized using diverse boronic acid derivatives.

Efficient Enantioselective Synthesis of Condensed and Aromatic-Ring-Substituted Tyrosine Derivatives

An efficient access to both condensed and conjugated tyrosine analogues of high enantiomeric purity is described. Novel ring-substituted tyrosines were synthesized by Suzuki cross couplings of appropriately protected l-3-iodotyrosine with a series of activated and deactivated boronic acid derivatives to achieve the target compounds in high yields. d- and l-4-hydroxy-1-naphthylalanines were readily prepared from the corresponding alpha-enamide in two different approaches, by asymmetric hydrogenation as well as by unselective hydrogenation and enzymatic resolution of the racemic mixture.

Synthesis and modification of dibenzylglycine derivatives via the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction

The objective of this paper is to describe in details of various available methods to prepare C(alpha,alpha)-dibenzylglycine (Dbzg) and then include our work involving the synthesis of side chain Dbzg derivatives. alpha,alpha-Disubstituted amino acids (alpha,alphaAAs) are important members in the family of modified amino acids. Replacement of the alpha-hydrogens of glycine 1 by alkyl groups leads to alpha,alphaAAs. The steric hindrance of the quaternary centre of Aib 2 combined with the helix-forming capacity has attracted the attention of structural biologists and protein crystallographers. Dbzg 3 is a special structural variant of Aib. The presence of two benzyl groups at C(alpha)-position not only impart rigidity to the peptide backbone in which it is incorporated, but also acts as a useful vehicle for studying pi-pi interactions. Although several C(alpha,alpha)-disubstituted glycines such as C(alpha,alpha)-diethyl glycine (Deg), C(alpha,alpha)-dipropyl glycine (Dpg) etc. have been studied in detail, not much has been known about Dbzg because of limited availability of synthetic procedures. Various Dbzg derivatives 19a-f have been prepared using ethyl isocyanoacetate 14 as a glycine equivalent (eq.). A useful and simple methodology has been developed using the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction for the modification of Dbzg derivatives 17d, 19d, 22. Using this 'Building Block Approach' (Accounts of Chemical Research 36, 2003, 342) one can generate a variety of Dbzg derivatives 20a-f and 23a-e, which may find useful applications in combinatorial synthesis and QSAR studies.