Regiochemistry in Stille couplings of 2,6-dihalopurines

Discovery of 2,6-Dihalopurines as Stomata Opening Inhibitors: Implication of an LRX-Mediated H+-ATPase Phosphorylation Pathway

Stomata are pores in the leaf epidermis of plants and their opening and closing regulate gas exchange and water transpiration. Stomatal movements play key roles in both plant growth and stress responses. In recent years, small molecules regulating stomatal movements have been used as a powerful tool in mechanistic studies, as well as key players for agricultural applications. Therefore, the development of new molecules regulating stomatal movement and the elucidation of their mechanisms have attracted much attention. We herein describe the discovery of 2,6-dihalopurines, AUs, as a new stomatal opening inhibitor, and their mechanistic study. Based on biological assays, AUs may involve in the pathway related with plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase phosphorylation. In addition, we identified leucine-rich repeat extensin proteins (LRXs), LRX3, LRX4 and LRX5 as well as RALF, as target protein candidates of AUs by affinity based pull down assay and molecular dynamics simulation. The mechanism of stomatal movement related with the LRXs-RALF is an unexplored pathway, and therefore further studies may lead to the discovery of new signaling pathways and regulatory factors in the stomatal movement.

Highly fluorescent purine-containing conjugated copolymers with tailored optoelectronic properties

Conjugated copolymers containing electron donor and acceptor units in their main chain have emerged as promising materials for organic electronic devices due to their tunable optoelectronic properties.

Nucleophilic Arylation of Halopurines Facilitated by Brønsted Acid in Fluoroalcohol

Various aryl-substituted purine derivatives were synthesized through the direct arylation of halopurines with aromatic compounds, facilitated by the combination of triflic acid and fluoroalcohol. This metal-free method is complementary to conventional coupling reactions using metal catalysts and reagents for the syntheses of aryl-substituted purine analogues.

Synthesis of Main Chain Purine-Based Copolymers and Effects of Monomer Design on Thermal and Optical Properties

The ability to incorporate diverse monomeric building blocks enables the development of advanced polymeric materials possessing a wide range of properties that suits them for myriad applications. Herein, that synthetic toolbox is expanded through the first report of purine-based copolymers in which purines are incorporated directly into the polymer main chain. Stille cross-coupling of dibromopurine monomers with benzodithiophene (BDT) comonomers is used to generate these "poly(purine)s", and variations in the substitution pattern of the purine monomer and BDT side-chains provides insight into the role of monomer design on their resultant thermal and photophysical properties. Specifically, thermal analyses show that poly(purine)s exhibit high thermal stability and high glass transition temperatures depending on the BDT side-chain substituents and substitution pattern of the purine-derived comonomer. Furthermore, optical properties measured via UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies show dependence on monomer substitution pattern. These findings demonstrate the viability of synthesizing poly(purine)s via metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and highlight the potential to tailor poly(purine) properties via simple alterations of comonomers.

Synthetic Routes to N-9 Alkylated 8-Oxoguanines; Weak Inhibitors of the Human DNA Glycosylase OGG1

The human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase OGG1 is involved in base excision repair (BER), one of several DNA repair mechanisms that may counteract the effects of chemo- and radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. We envisage that potent inhibitors of OGG1 may be found among the 9-alkyl-8-oxoguanines. Thus we explored synthetic routes to 8-oxoguanines and examined these as OGG1 inhibitors. The best reaction sequence started from 6-chloroguanine and involved N-9 alkylation, C-8 bromination, and finally simultaneous hydrolysis of both halides. Bromination before N-alkylation should only be considered when the N-substituent is not compatible with bromination conditions. The 8-oxoguanines were found to be weak inhibitors of OGG1. 6-Chloro-8-oxopurines, byproducts in the hydrolysis of 2,6-halopurines, turned out to be slightly better inhibitors than the corresponding 8-oxoguanines.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of metabolites of 2-n-butyl-9-methyl-8-[1,2,3]triazol-2-yl-9H-purin-6-ylamine (ST1535), a potent antagonist of the A2A adenosine receptor for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

The synthesis and preliminary in vitro evaluation of five metabolites of the A2A antagonist ST1535 (1) are reported. The metabolites, originating in vivo from enzymatic oxidation of the 2-butyl group of the parent compound, were synthesized from 6-chloro-2-iodo-9-methyl-9H-purine (2) by selective C-C bond formation via halogen/magnesium exchange reaction and/or palladium-catalyzed reactions. The metabolites behaved in vitro as antagonist ligands of cloned human A2A receptor with affinities (Ki 7.5-53 nM) comparable to that of compound 1 (Ki 10.7 nM), thus showing that the long duration of action of 1 could be in part due to its metabolites. General behavior after oral administration in mice was also analyzed.

Evaluation of adenine as scaffold for the development of novel P2X3 receptor antagonists

Ligands that selectively block P2X3 receptors localized on nociceptive sensory fibres may be useful for the treatment of chronic pain conditions including neuropathic pain, migraine, and inflammatory pain. With the aim at exploring the suitability of adenine moiety as a scaffold for the development of antagonists of this receptor, a series of 9-benzyl-2-aminoadenine derivatives were designed and synthesized. These new compounds were functionally evaluated at rat or human P2X3 receptors expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and on native P2X3 receptors from mouse trigeminal ganglion sensory neurons using patch clamp recording under voltage clamp configuration. The new molecules behaved as P2X3 antagonists, as they rapidly and reversibly inhibited (IC50 in the low micromolar range) the membrane currents induced via P2X3 receptor activation by the full agonist α,β-methyleneATP. Introduction of a small lipophilic methyl substituent at the 6-amino group enhanced the activity, in comparison to the corresponding unsubstituted derivative, resulting in the 9-(5-iodo-2-isopropyl-4-methoxybenzyl)-N(6)-methyl-9H-purine-2,6-diamine (24), which appears to be a good antagonist on recombinant and native P2X3 receptors with IC50 = 1.74 ± 0.21 μM.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2',4'- and 3',4'-bridged nucleoside analogues

Most nucleosides in solution typically exist in equilibrium between two major sugar pucker forms, N-type and S-type, but bridged nucleosides can be locked into one of these conformations depending on their specific structure. While many groups have researched these bridged nucleosides for the purpose of determining their binding affinity for antisense applications, we opted to look into the potential for biological activity within these conformationally-locked structures. A small library of 2',4'- and 3',4'-bridged nucleoside analogues was synthesized, including a novel 3',4'-carbocyclic bridged system. The synthesized compounds were tested for antibacterial, antitumor, and antiviral activities, leading to the identification of nucleosides possessing such biological activities. To the best of our knowledge, these biologically active compounds represent the first example of 2',4'-bridged nucleosides to demonstrate such properties. The most potent compound, nucleoside 33, exhibited significant antiviral activity against pseudoviruses SF162 (IC(50)=7.0 μM) and HxB2 (IC(50)=2.4 μM). These findings render bridged nucleosides as credible leads for drug discovery in the anti-HIV area of research.

Expeditious synthesis and biological evaluation of new C-6 1,2,3-triazole adenosine derivatives A1 receptor antagonists or agonists

The synthesis of new C-6 1,2,3-triazole adenosine derivatives via microwave assisted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as key step is described. The binding on membranes of cells that over express A(1) adenosine receptors (A(1)AR) was also evaluated. Among them, four compounds increased cAMP production, in a dose-dependent manner acting as antagonists of the A(1)AR, while two compounds act as agonists.

2,6,9-Trisubstituted purine derivatives as protein A mimetics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases

A series of 9-substituted and 2,9-disubstituted 6-(3-aminophenylamino) purines were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to mimic protein A binding to human IgG antibody. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) demonstrates that the 6-(3-aminoanilinyl) purine component was essential for activity. Purine 14 demonstrated significant activity, compared to protein A. These compounds may prove useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Selective Amidation of 2,6-Dihalogenopurines: Application to the Synthesis of New 2,6,9-Trisubstituted Purines

We report herein the palladium(0)/Xantphos-catalyzed cross-coupling of various amides with 2,6-dihalogenopurines, with substituent-dependent regioselectivity. Furthermore, subjecting the same 2,6-dihalogenopurines to SNAr conditions with amide/NaH in DMF leads to inverted regioselectivity albeit in lower yield. These methodologies allow the two-step synthesis of new 2,6,9-trisubstituted purines from readily available 2,6-dihalogenopurines.

Development of a One-Pot Asymmetric Azaelectrocyclization Protocol: Synthesis of Chiral 2,4-Disubstituted 1,2,5,6-Tetrahydropyridines

[reaction: see text] A one-pot procedure for tetracyclic chiral aminoacetals, the useful precursors for substituted piperidine synthesis, has been established via Stille-Migita coupling, 6pi-azaelectrocyclization, and aminoacetal formation from readily prepared vinylstannanes, vinyliodides, and cis-aminoindanol derivatives. Based on the method, chiral 2,4-disubstituted 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridines, bearing a variety of aromatic substituents at the C-2 position, have been prepared.

2,6-disubstituted and 2,6,8-trisubstituted purines as adenosine receptor antagonists

Purines have long been exploited as adenosine receptor antagonists. The substitution pattern about the purine ring has been well investigated, and certain criteria have become almost a prerequisite for good affinity at the adenosine A(1) receptor. The adaptation of the pharmacophore and the initial series of pyrimidines developed in an earlier publication resulted in a series of purines with an entirely new substitution pattern. One compound in particular, 8-cyclopentyl-2,6-diphenylpurine (31, LUF 5962) has been shown to be very promising with an affinity of 0.29 nM at the human adenosine A(1) receptor.

Synthesis of 2-alkoxy-8-hydroxyadenylpeptides: towards synthetic epitope-based vaccines

The preparation of three different 2-alkoxy-8-hydroxyadenylpeptide conjugates has been accomplished by solid-phase synthesis combined with 'on-resin' Cu(I) catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition. The immunogenicity of the compounds has been evaluated in IL-12 production and antigen presentation assays.

New Purines with Antiplatelet Activity

Four purine-2,6-diamines, 4a, b, 5a, b, nineteen N-(purin-2-yl)benzenecarboxamides 6a-q, 7b, and one N-(purin-2-yl)-2-furanecarboxamide 8 were prepared for the first time and tested for their inhibition of blood platelet aggregation. Six compounds, 6a, b, h, m, o, p, inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by collagen with IC(50 )values between 3 and 10 micromol/L in the Born test. ADP, PAF, and adrenaline were used as specific aggregation inducers to examine the mechanism of the anti-aggregating activity. An astonishing pattern of activities in the nanomolar, with 6m, 7b, 8 and even subnanomolar range, with 6b, was observed. Compound 6b inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by ADP with an IC(50) = 0.45 nM (6m: 3.5 nM; 8: 30 nM). Compound 7b showed an antagonism against the inducer adrenaline with an IC(50) = 1.8 nM (6o: 20 nM; 8: 30 nM). The strongest antagonism against PAF was observed with 7b showing an IC(50) = 1 nM (6b: 35 nM; 8: 74 nM).

Synthesis of 6-Amino-, 6-Methyl- and 6-Aryl-2-(hydroxymethyl)purine Bases and Nucleosides

An efficient methodology of the synthesis of 6-substituted 2-(hydroxymethyl)purine derivatives (bases and nucleosides) was developed. Regioselective Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 6-chloro-2-iodopurines with [(benzoyloxy)methyl]zinc iodide gave 2-[(benzoyloxy)-methyl]-6-chloropurines that were converted to 2-(hydroxymethyl)adenines by reactions with ammonia and to 6-methyl- or 6-aryl-2-(hydroxymethyl)purines by cross-coupling reactions with trimethylaluminium or arylboronic acids followed by deprotection. The title 6-substituted 2-(hydroxymethyl)purine bases and nucleosides did not exhibit significant cytostatic or anti-HCV activity.

Selective anti-tubercular purines: Synthesis and chemotherapeutic properties of 6-aryl- and 6-heteroaryl-9-benzylpurines

6-Aryl- and 6-heteroaryl-9-benzylpurines have been synthesized employing palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions in the step forming the C-C or C-N bond between the aryl- or heteroaryl and the purine. The compounds were screened for activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as representative Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, and for cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells. Several potent antimycobacterials were identified. These compounds probably act by a novel and selective mechanism; they exhibit low toxicity toward other bacteria as well as mammalian cells.

Synthesis, biological activity, and SAR of antimycobacterial 9-aryl-, 9-arylsulfonyl-, and 9-benzyl-6-(2-furyl)purines

9-Aryl-, 9-arylsulfonyl- and 9-benzyl-6-(2-furyl)purines were synthesized by N-alkylation or N-arylation of the purine followed by Stille coupling to introduce the furyl substituent in the 6-position and the compounds screened for activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The 9-aryl- and 9-sulfonylarylpurines exhibited weak activity toward the bacteria, but 9-benzylpurines were good inhibitors especially those carrying electron-donating substituents on the phenyl ring. A chlorine atom in the purine 2-position further enhanced activity. The high antimycobacterial activity (MIC 0.39 microg/mL against M. tuberculosis), low toxicity against mammalian cells and activity inside macrophages found for 2-chloro-6-(2-furyl)-9-(4-methoxyphenylmethyl)-9H-purine makes this compound a highly interesting potential antituberculosis drug.

6-Substituted Purines as Inhibitors of 15-Lipoxygenase; a Structure-Activity Study

15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) has been implicated in oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), a process believed to be important for the development of atherosclerosis, as well as other pathogenic conditions. Potent and selective inhibitors of 15-LO may have a drug potential. In this study, purines with a variety of substituents have been examined as inhibitors of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) from soybeans. Several 6-substitued purines where the purine ring and a phenyl ring in the substituent were separated by a "spacer" were synthesized and their ability to inhibit the enzyme was explored. Sepa ration of the purine and the phenyl rings with none, one or two sp3-carbons resulted in essentially inactive compounds, trans-styrylpurines and phenylethynylpurines, on the other hand, they exhibited activity close to the well-known 15-LO inhibitor quercetin. High activity was also found when the "spacer" was a trans-cyclopropyl ring. The shape of the spacer was important; a corresponding cis-cyclopropylpurine exhibited much less affinity for the enzyme. Only minor differences in inhibitory activity against 15-LO were found regardless of whether an N-substituent was situated on N-9 or N-7, even when the N-substituent was relatively large. Also, a variety of substituents in the purine 2- and 8-position were well tolerated.

Synthesis of 2-Substituted 6-(Hydroxymethyl)purine Bases and Nucleosides

A facile and efficient methodology of the synthesis of 6-(hydroxymethyl)purine derivatives (bases and nucleosides) was developed based on Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 6-halopurines or N-protected 2-amino-6-halopurines with (benzoyloxymethyl)zinc iodide followed by deprotection. Regioselective hydroxymethylations of 2,6-dihalopurines were also studied and used for the synthesis of 2-chloro-6-(hydroxymethyl)- or 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)purines. The 6-(hydroxymethyl)purine ribonucleoside 5f exerted high cytostatic effect and moderate inhibition of adenosine deaminase, while all the other derivatives were much less effective or entirely inactive.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 6-substituted purine and 9-beta-d-ribofuranosyl purine analogues

6-Substituted purine and 9-beta-d-ribofuranosyl purine analogues were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated. CD Spectra and thermal melting studies showed that compounds 8, 9, 10 could interact with RNA and DNA in solution. Compound 8 and 10 may bind with RNA single strand and interfere the formation of RNA duplex. Among of these compounds, compound 8 showed middle inhibition on the growth of HeLa cells (70.21%) and HL-60 cells (70.85%) at 10 microM. Comparing to the structures of these synthetic compounds, it may indicate that the sugar moiety and the 6-amino side chain of nucleoside 8 play an important role in the biological activities.

An efficient synthesis of 2-substituted 6-methylpurine bases and nucleosides by Fe- or Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 2,6-dichloropurines

Fe-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 9-substituted or protected 2,6-dichloropurines with 1 equiv of methylmagnesium chloride gave regioselectively 2-chloro-6-methylpurines in good yields. The same reactions with 3 equiv of methylmagnesium chloride or Pd-catalyzed reactions with trimethylaluminum afforded 2,6-dimethylpurines. The 2-chloro-6-methylpurines underwent another coupling with phenylboronic acid to give 6-methyl-2-phenylpurines. All reactions were perfomed for Bn- and THP-protected purine bases as well as for acyl-protected ribosides and 2-deoxyribosides. After deprotection, free purine bases and nucleosides were obtained.

N-Phenyl-N-purin-6-yl ureas: the design and synthesis of p38alpha MAP kinase inhibitors

The design, synthesis and SAR of a series of 2,6,9-trisubstituted purine inhibitors of p38alpha kinase is reported. Synthetic routes were devised to allow for array synthesis in which all three points of diversity could be facilely explored. The binding of this novel series to p38alpha kinase, which was predicted to have several key interactions in common with SB-203580, was confirmed by X-ray crystallography of 19 (p38 IC(50)=82 nM).

Cytotoxic activity of 6-alkynyl- and 6-alkenylpurines

6-Alkynyl- and 6-alkenylpurines have been screened for cytotoxic activity against a human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line; K-562 cells using a [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation assay. Most alkynes displayed cytotoxicity comparable to, or better than, the known anticancer drugs 6-mercaptopurine and fludarabine. The 6-alkenylpurines, which are promising plant growth stimulators and 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors, exhibited only low toxicity.