Aminolactam, N-Aminoimidazolone, and N-Aminoimdazolidinone Peptide Mimics

N-Amino-imidazol-2-one (Nai) Residues as Tools for Peptide Mimicry: Synthesis, Conformational Analysis and Biomedical Applications

N-Amino-imidazol-2-one (Nai) residues are tools for studying peptide-backbone and side-chain conformation and function. Recent methods for substituted Nai residue synthesis, conformational analysis by X-ray crystallography and computation, and biomedical applications are reviewed, demonstrating the utility of this constrained residue to favor biologically active turn conformers with defined χ-dihedral angle orientations.

1 Introduction

2 Synthetic Methods

3 Conformational Analysis

4 Biomedical Applications

5 Conclusions

Constrained Dipeptide Surrogates: 5- and 7-Hydroxy Indolizidin-2-one Amino Acid Synthesis from Iodolactonization of Dehydro-2,8-diamino Azelates

The constrained dipeptide surrogates 5- and 7-hydroxy indolizidin-2-one N-(Boc)amino acids have been synthesized from L-serine as a chiral educt. A linear precursor ∆⁴-unsaturated (2S,8S)-2,8-bis[N-(Boc)amino]azelic acid was prepared in five steps from L-serine. Although epoxidation and dihydroxylation pathways gave mixtures of hydroxy indolizidin-2-one diastereomers, iodolactonization of the ∆⁴-azelate stereoselectively delivered a lactone iodide from which separable (5S)- and (7S)-hydroxy indolizidin-2-one N-(Boc)amino esters were synthesized by sequences featuring intramolecular iodide displacement and lactam formation. X-ray analysis of the (7S)-hydroxy indolizidin-2-one N-(Boc)amino ester indicated that the backbone dihedral angles embedded in the bicyclic ring system resembled those of the central residues of an ideal type II’ β-turn indicating the potential for peptide mimicry.

5-Substituted N-Aminoimidazolone Peptide Mimic Synthesis by Organocatalyzed Reactions of Azopeptides and Use in the Analysis of Biologically Active Backbone and Side-Chain Topology

Fifteen N-aminoimidazolone (Nai) dipeptides having a variety of 5-position side-chain groups were synthesized by regioselective proline-catalyzed reactions of azopeptide and aldehyde components followed by acid-mediated dehydration of an aza-aspartate semialdehyde intermediate. The introduction of 5-aryl-Nai dipeptides into cluster of differentiation 36 receptor (CD36) peptide ligands has provided insight into the conformation responsible for binding affinity and anti-inflammatory activity.

Interleukin-1 Receptor Modulation Using β-Substituted α-Amino-γ-Lactam Peptides From Solid-Phase Synthesis and Diversification

As a key cytokine mediator of inflammation, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) binds to the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) and activates various downstream signaling mediators, including NF-κB, which is required for immune vigilance and cellular protection. Toward the development of IL-1-targeting therapeutics which exhibit functional selectivity, the all-D-amino acid peptide 1 (101.10, H-D-Arg-D-Tyr-D-Thr-D-Val-D-Glu-D-Leu-D-Ala-NH₂) was conceived as an allosteric IL-1R modulator that conserves NF-κB signaling while inhibiting other IL-1-activated pathways. Employing β-hydroxy-α-amino-γ-lactam (Hgl) stereoisomers to study the conformation about the Thr³ residue in 1, [(3R,4S)-Hgl³]-1 (2b), among all possible diastereomers, was found to exhibit identical in vitro and in vivo activity as the parent peptide and superior activity to the α-amino-γ-lactam (Agl) counterpart. Noting the relevance of the β-hydroxyl substituent and configuration for the activity of (3R,4S)-2b, fifteen different β-substituted-Agl³ analogs of 1 (e.g., 2c-q) have now been synthesized by a combination of solution- and solid-phase methods employing N-Fmoc-β-substituted-Agl³-Val-OH dipeptide building blocks. Introduction of a β-azido-Agl³ residue into the resin bound peptide and subsequent reduction and CuAAC chemistry gave access to a series of amine and triazole derivatives (e.g., 2h-q). β-Substituted-[Agl³]-1 analogs 2c-q exhibited generally similar circular dichroism (CD) spectra as that of Hgl analog 2b in water, presenting curve shapes indicative of β-turn structures. The relevance of the β-substituent was indicated in rodent models of preterm labor and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), in which certain analogs inhibited preterm birth and vaso-obliteration, respectively, with activity similar to 1 and 2b. The β-substituted-[Agl³]-1 analogs exhibited functional selectivity on IL-1-induced signaling pathways. The described solid-phase method has provided discerning probes for exploring peptide structure-activity relationships and valuable leads for developing prototypes to treat inflammatory events leading to prematurity and retinopathy of prematurity, which are leading causes of infant morbidity and blindness respectively.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of N-Aminoimidazolidin-2-one-Containing Angiotensin-(1-7) Peptidomimetics

N-Aminoimidazolidin-2-one (Aid)-containing peptides with a constrained backbone present a novel class of peptidomimetics for drug discovery. The introduction of Aid residues into peptide sequences has been achieved by intramolecular Mitsunobu cyclization of a serine side chain onto the α-NH of an aza-glycine residue. The effectiveness of this new strategy was demonstrated by synthesizing six Aid-containing analogues of angiotensin-(1-7) on solid support. The Aid analogues of angiotensin-(1-7) exhibited increased peptidase stability against human ACE and DPP3 and improved anti-inflammation and antiproliferation activity.

Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched 4,5-disubstituted N-aminoimidazol-2-one (Nai) peptide turn mimics

N-Aminoimidazolone (Nai) peptide mimics were synthesized with minimal epimerization by base-promoted 5-endo-dig cyclization of aza-propargylglycine dipeptide acids and hydrazides followed by olefin migration. 5-Position functionalization using Mannich amino methylation and Vilsmeier–Haack formylation has given access to a set of restrained side chain analogs of Asp, Dab, and Hse residues for mimicry of turn form and function.

Synthesis of Functionalized 6,5- and 7,5-Azabicycloalkane Amino Acids by Metathesis Reactions

Azabicyclo[4.3.0]- and [5.3.0]alkanone amino acid derivatives were easily prepared by submitting the same starting dipeptide to a direct ring-closing enyne metathesis or an ethylene-mediated cross-enyne metathesis/ring-closing metathesis, respectively. The reactivity of the newly synthesized 6,5- and 7,5-fused bicyclic scaffolds was then investigated to obtain variously functionalized derivatives with potential applications in the field of peptides/peptidomimetics.

Probing Anti-inflammatory Properties Independent of NF-κB Through Conformational Constraint of Peptide-Based Interleukin-1 Receptor Biased Ligands

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) binds to the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) and is a key cytokine mediator of inflammasome activation. IL-1β signaling leads to parturition in preterm birth (PTB) and contributes to the retinal vaso-obliteration characteristic of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) of premature infants. Therapeutics targeting IL-1β and IL-1R are approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis; however, all are large proteins with clinical limitations including immunosuppression, due in part to inhibition of NF-κB signaling, which is required for immuno-vigilance and cytoprotection. The all-D-amino acid peptide 1 (101.10, H-d-Arg-d-Tyr-d-Thr-d-Val-d-Glu-d-Leu-d-Ala-NH₂) is an allosteric IL-1R modulator, which exhibits functional selectivity and conserves NF-κB signaling while inhibiting other IL-1-activated pathways. Peptide 1 has proven effective in experimental models of PTB and OIR. Seeking understanding of the structural requirements for the activity and biased signaling of 1, a panel of twelve derivatives was synthesized employing the various stereochemical isomers of α-amino-γ-lactam (Agl) and α-amino-β-hydroxy-γ-lactam (Hgl) residues to constrain the D-Thr-D-Val dipeptide residue. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, the peptide conformation in solution was observed to be contingent on Agl, Hgl, and Val stereochemistry. Moreover, the lactam mimic structure and configuration influenced biased IL-1 signaling in an in vitro panel of cellular assays as well as in vivo activity in murine models of PTB and OIR. Remarkably, all Agl and Hgl analogs of peptide 1 did not inhibit NF-κB signaling but blocked other pathways, such as JNK and ROCK2 phosphorylation contingent on structure and configuration. Efficacy in preventing preterm labor correlated with a capacity to block IL-1β-induced IL-1β synthesis. Furthermore, the importance of inhibition of JNK and ROCK2 phosphorylation for enhanced activity was highlighted for prevention of vaso-obliteration in the OIR model. Taken together, lactam mimic structure and stereochemistry strongly influenced conformation and biased signaling. Selective modulation of IL-1 signaling was proven to be particularly beneficial for curbing inflammation in models of preterm labor and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). A class of biased ligands has been created with potential to serve as selective probes for studying IL-1 signaling in disease. Moreover, the small peptide mimic prototypes are promising leads for developing immunomodulatory therapies with easier administration and maintenance of beneficial effects of NF-κB signaling.

Diversity-Oriented Syntheses of β-Substituted α-Amino γ-Lactam Peptide Mimics with Constrained Backbone and Side Chain Residues

α- N-(Fmoc)Amino-γ-lactam dipeptides with a variety of β-substituents were synthesized stereoselectively with minimal β-elimination by routes employing, respectively, Mitsunobu chemistry and cyclic sulfamidate nucleophilic ring opening from trans- and cis-β-hydroxy-α-amino-γ-lactam precursors. This diversity-oriented method provides stereochemically pure dipeptide mimics bearing Cys, Ser, Thr, Dap, Dab, His, and other amino acid residues with constrained backbone and side chain conformations.

Peptidomimetic Synthesis by Way of Diastereoselective Iodoacetoxylation and Transannular Amidation of 7-9-Membered Lactams

Azacyclo- and azabicycloalkanone peptidomimetics were synthesized regio- and diastereoselectively by iodoacetoxylation and transannular amidation reactions on unsaturated lactam precursors contingent on ring size, olefin position, solvent, and hypervalent iodine(III) reagent. 4-Iodopyrrolizidinone 1, 7-iodoindolizidinone 2, and 4-iodo-5-acetoxylactams (e.g., 6 and 7) were made stereospecifically from 7-9-membered olefins 16, iodine, and hypervalent iodine(III) in acetonitrile or toluene, respectively. X-ray crystallography demonstrated potential for mimicry of natural peptide turn side chain and backbone conformations.