Solution-phase synthesis of a 1,5-dialkylamino-2,4-dinitrobenzene library and the identification of novel antibacterial compounds from this library

Substituent diversity-directed synthesis of indole derivatives

This paper reports a versatile, good-yielding, solution-phase method that is a substituent diversity-directed synthesis of 1H-indoles (6-13, 17-20) and 1-hydroxyindoles (14, 15) starting from commercially available 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The synthetic products possessed the maximum six diversity points.

Identification of SARS-COV spike protein-derived and HLA-A2-restricted human CTL epitopes by using a new muramyl dipeptidederivative adjuvant

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) spread during the winter of 2003, and attempts have been made to develop vaccines against SARS corona virus (SARS-CoV). The present study provides a strategy to rapidly identify SARS-CoV-derived antigenic peptides recognized by HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Forty-three candidate peptides having HLA-A2-binding motifs were selected in silico and HLA-A2/Db chimeric MHC class I-transgenic mice were immunized with these peptides and a new derivative of muramyl dipeptide that can induce upregulation of HLA-DR, CD80, CD86, and CD40 in human CD14+ antigen presenting cells, was administered as an adjuvant. Six HLAA2-restricted mouse CTL epitopes were identified, including two new epitopes which have never been reported before. One of the novel peptides was naturally processed and successfully induced HLAA2-restricted specific CTLs in both HLA transgenic mice and healthy donors. The method was useful, convenient and efficient for rapid identification of CTL epitopes derived from SARS-CoV proteins and will be possibly applicable for other pathogens to develop a peptide-based vaccine.

meso-Tetra(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin as an efficient platform for combinatorial synthesis and the selection of new photodynamic therapeutics using a cancer cell line

The four para fluoro groups on 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-porphyrin (TPPF20) are known to react with a variety of nucleophiles, but the reaction conditions for this substitution reaction depend on the nature of the nucleophiles, e.g. primary amines versus thiols. Glycosylated derivatives of this core porphyrin have been shown to be effective photodynamic agents in the induction of necrosis or apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. The present report demonstrates that TPPF20 can be used as a core platform to efficiently generate a variety of solution-phase combinatorial libraries. The focused combinatorial libraries have substituents that are chosen from a set of motifs known to bind biopolymers such as DNA, be taken up by cancer cells, or to render the compounds amphipathic. Incubation of a breast cancer cell line with these solution-phase libraries, followed by cell lyses and extraction, affords a selection assay. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry of the extracts allows identification of the molecules taken up by the cells. Cell binding assays of the winning compounds synthesized directly indicate that both glycosylation and amphipathicity are key properties since neither tetraglycosylated porphyrins nor those with four polar groups are selected to the same extent. In addition, photodynamic efficacy was evaluated.

Combining the rapid MTT formazan exocytosis assay and the MC65 protection assay led to the discovery of carbazole analogs as small molecule inhibitors of Abeta oligomer-induced cytotoxicity

The discovery of small molecule inhibitors of cytotoxicity induced by amyloid-beta (Abeta) oligomers, either applied extracellularly or accumulated intraneuronally, is an important goal of drug development for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but has been limited by the lack of efficient screening methods. Here we describe our approach using two cell-based methods. The first method takes advantage of the unique ability of extracellularly applied Abeta oligomers to rapidly induce the exocytosis of formazan formed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). We employed a short protocol to quantify this toxicity, and quickly identified two novel inhibitors, code-named CP2 and A5, from two compound libraries. A second independent screen of the same libraries using our previously published MC65 protection assay, which identifies inhibitors of toxicity related to intracellular Abeta oligomers, also selected the same two leads, suggesting that both assays select for the same anti-Abeta oligomer properties displayed by these compounds. We further demonstrated that A5 attenuated the progressive aggregation of existing Abeta oligomers, reduced the level of intracellular Abeta oligomers, and prevented the Abeta oligomer-induced death of primary cortical neurons, effects similar to those demonstrated by CP2. Our results suggest that, when combined, the two methods would generate fewer false results and give a high likelihood of identifying leads that show promises in ameliorating Abeta oligomer-induced toxicities within both intraneuronal and extracellular sites. Both assays are simple, suitable for rapid screening of a large number of medicinal libraries, and amenable for automation.

Synthesis of a phenyl thio-β-d-galactopyranoside library from 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene: discovery of efficient and selective monosaccharide inhibitors of galectin-7

The galectins are a family of [small beta]-galactoside-binding proteins that have been implicated in cancer and inflammation processes. Herein, we report the synthesis of a library of 28 compounds that was tested for binding to galectins-1, -3, -7, -8N and -9N. An aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction between 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and a galacto thiol gave 5-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside. This versatile intermediate was then modified in a two dimensional manner: either by further substitution of the second fluoride by amines or thiols, or by reduction of the nitro groups and acylation of the resulting amines, or both. Deacetylation then gave a library of aromatic beta-galactosides that showed variable inhibitory activity against the different galectins, as shown by screening with a fluorescence-polarisation assay. Particularly efficient inhibitors were found against galectin-7, while less impressive enhancements of inhibitor affinity over methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside were found for galectin-1, -3, -8N and -9N. The best inhibitors against galectin-7 showed significantly higher affinity (K(d) as low as 140 microM) than both beta-methyl galactoside (K(d) 4.8 mM) and the unsubstituted beta-phenyl thiogalactoside (non-inhibitory). The best inhibitors against galectin-7 were poor against the other galectins and thus have potential as structurally simple and selective tools for dissecting biological functions of galectin-7.

Combinatorial chemistry in anti-infectives research

The ever-increasing resistance to current anti-infective drugs has become a major concern to the medical community. As a result, research efforts have been stepped up with the ultimate goal to provide new, more effective and safer antimicrobial treatments that will overcome the resistance problem. In this context, advances in molecular biology, automation and combinatorial chemistry will play a crucial role in the timely introduction of these products onto the market. How the application of combinatorial techniques can impact anti-infectives research will be reviewed using illustrative examples.