The effects of boron containing peptides on L1210 lymphoid leukemia metabolism

Boronated dipeptide borotrimethylglycylphenylalanine as a potential boron carrier in boron neutron capture therapy for malignant brain tumors

Takagaki, M., Ono, K., Masunaga, S-I., Kinashi, Y., Oda, Y., Miyatake, S-I., Hashimoto, N., Powell, W., Sood, A. and Spielvogel, B. F. Boronated Dipeptide Borotrimethylglycylphenylalanine as a Potential Boron Carrier in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Malignant Brain Tumors. Radiat. Res. 156, 118-122 (2001).A boronated dipeptide, borotrimethylglycylphenylalanine (BGPA), was synthesized as a possible boron carrier for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for malignant brain tumors. In vitro, at equal concentrations of (10)B in the extracellular medium, BGPA had the same effect in BNCT as p-boronophenylalanine (BPA). Boron analysis was carried out using prompt gamma-ray spectrometry and track-etch autoradiography. The tumor:blood and tumor:normal brain (10)B concentration ratios were 8.9 +/- 2.1 and 3.0 +/- 1.2, respectively, in rats bearing intracranial C6 gliosarcomas using alpha-particle track autoradiography. The IC(50), i.e. the dose capable of inhibiting the growth of C6 gliosarcoma cells by 50% after 3 days of incubation, was 5.9 x 10(-3) M BGPA, which is similar to that of 6.4 x 10(-3) M for BPA. The amide bond of BGPA is free from enzymatic attack, since it is protected from hydrolysis by the presence of a boron atom at the alpha-carbon position of glycine. These results suggest promise for the use of this agent for BNCT of malignant brain tumors. Further preclinical studies of BGPA are warranted, since BGPA has advantages over both BPA and BSH.

Syntheses of the first amine-dicarboxyboranes and their bis(methylester) and bis(N-ethylamide) derivatives

Amine-bis(N-ethylcarbamoyl)boranes [A.BH(CONHEt)(2), 3; A = trimethylamine (Me(3)N, a), quinuclidine (Q, b), pyridine (py, f), 4-picoline (pic, g)] have been prepared after deprotonation of [amine-bis(C-hydroxy-N-ethylimidate)hydroboron(2+)] cations (2), which were formed by the hydrolysis of [amine-bis(ethylnitrilium)hydroboron(2+)]tetrafluoroborates (1). Numerous representatives of 3 [A = diethylamine (Et(2)NH, c), piperidine (pip, d), pyrrolidine (pyrr, e), 4-aminopyridine (4-NH(2)-py, h), 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP, i), imidazole (Him, j), 1-methylimidazole (Mim, k)] have been prepared by base exchange reactions from 3a. 3a-e are extremely stable in aqueous media, either acidic or alkaline, probably because of the considerable steric hindrance of possible reaction centers. However, they were transformed into amine-dicarboxyboranes [A.BH(COOH)(2), 4a-e] in acidic medium under vigorous conditions (100-130 degrees C). This transformation was accompanied by significant decomposition, probably owing to the protonation on the N atom, resulting in the rupture of the B-N bond. As an exception, 4b, where N atom in a rigid bicycle is not prone to attacks, could be isolated in very good yield. On the other hand, amine-bis(N-ethylcarbamoyl)boranes containing amines with sp(2)-hybridized N atoms (3f-k) undergo complete decomposition under similar conditions probably because of the increased hydridic character of the hydrogen adjacent to boron. Base exchange reactions starting from 4b resulted in the ammonium salts of 4c-e, h, i of composition [A.BH(COOH)(COO(-))][AH(+)], which in turn could be transformed into the diacids 4, except 4h, by protonation. As salt formation indicates, the 4 compounds are stronger acids as univalent acids than the corresponding A.BH(2)(COOH) complexes. 4a-e, i were readily esterified into amine-bis(methoxycarbonyl)boranes (5a-e, i) in methanol, employing a catalytic amount of HBr. 5a-e, i are stable in alkaline medium but are readily hydrolyzed in acidic medium. Hydrolysis of [amine-bis(C-methoxy-N-ethylimidate)hydroboron(2+)] cations did not give the corresponding bisesters 5 in alkaline, neutral, or acidic medium.

Substituted 4-hydroxyproline di- and tri-peptides as cytotoxic agents

4-Hydroxyproline di- and tri-peptides and N-cbz-hydroxypropyl- glycinamides were observed to be potent cytotoxic agents against the growth of suspended single cells, L-1210, Tmolt3, and HeLa-S3. The agents were not as potent against the growth of cultured solid tumor cells. Selected derivatives were investigated for their mode of action in Tmolt3 leukemia cells. The compounds selectively inhibited DNA synthesis at 50 and 100 microM. The target site of action of the agents appeared to be the purine de novo pathway with marked inhibition of the activities of the two regulatory enzymes of the pathway, i.e. PRPP amido-transferase and IMP dehydrogenase. d[NTP] pools were reduced by the agents consistent with their overall reduction of DNA synthesis. Other marginally inhibited targets of the agents were r-RNA polymerase and TMP-kinase activities. The DNA molecule itself did not appear to be a target of these agents.

The disposition, tissue distribution, and cellular transport of N-[[(trimethylamino)boryl]carbonyl]-L-phenylalanine methyl ester in CF1 mice

The disposition and tissue distribution of 14C-labeled N-[[(trimethylamino)boryl]carbonyl]-L-phenylalanine methyl esther (1) determined in CF1 mice following i.v., p.o., and i.p. administration. Compound 1 was found to undergo rapid and extensive metabolism, and the majority of the radioactivity was found in the skin and carcass regardless of the route of administration. Approximately 55% of the radioactivity was recovered in urine and feces after 78 h; however, excretion via these routes was not complete. Degradation of compound 1 occurred at the amide bond at low pH (0.8) but at the ester bond a physiological pH. This difference in degradation was reflected in elevation of the blood radioactivity levels after p.o. administration compared to i.p. and i.v. administration.