Solution-phase synthesis of a tricyclic pyrrole-2-carboxamide discovery library applying a stetter-Paal-Knorr reaction sequence

Facile Syntheses and Molecular-Docking of Novel Substituted 3,4-Dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide/carbohydrazide Analogues with Antimicrobial and Antifungal Properties

The article describes the use of facile one-pot, high-yielding reactions to synthesize substituted 3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides 3a–m and carbohydrazide analogues 5a–l as potential antifungal and antimicrobial agents. The structural identity and purity of the synthesized compounds were assigned based on appropriate spectroscopic techniques. Synthesized compounds were assessed in vitro for antifungal and antibacterial activity. The compounds 5h, 5i and 5j were found to be the most potent against Aspergillusfumigatus, with MIC values of 0.039 mg/mL. The compound 5f bearing a 2, 6-dichloro group on the phenyl ring was found to be the most active broad spectrum antibacterial agent with a MIC value of 0.039 mg/mL. The mode of action of the most promising antifungal compounds (one representative from each series; 3j and 5h) was established by their molecular docking with the active site of sterol 14α-demethylase. Molecular docking studies revealed a highly spontaneous binding ability of the tested compounds in the access channel away from catalytic heme iron of the enzyme, which suggested that the tested compounds inhibit this enzyme and would avoid heme iron-related deleterious side effects observed with many existing antifungal compounds.

Microwave assisted aminocatalyzed [3 + 2] annulation between α-iminonitriles and succinaldehyde: synthesis of pyrrole-3-methanols and related polycyclic ring systems

A quick and highly efficient method for the synthesis of substituted pyrrole-3-methanols from α-iminonitriles and succinaldehyde under microwave irradiation is reported with good to high yields (up to 75%).

Chemical methodology as a source of small-molecule checkpoint inhibitors and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) modulators

Unique chemical methodology enables the synthesis of innovative and diverse scaffolds and chemotypes and allows access to previously unexplored "chemical space." Compound collections based on such new synthetic methods can provide small-molecule probes of proteins and/or pathways whose functions are not fully understood. We describe the identification, characterization, and evolution of two such probes. In one example, a pathway-based screen for DNA damage checkpoint inhibitors identified a compound, MARPIN (ATM and ATR pathway inhibitor) that sensitizes p53-deficient cells to DNA-damaging agents. Modification of the small molecule and generation of an immobilized probe were used to selectively bind putative protein target(s) responsible for the observed activity. The second example describes a focused library approach that relied on tandem multicomponent reaction methodologies to afford a series of modulators of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) molecular chaperone. The synthesis of libraries based on the structure of MAL3-101 generated a collection of chemotypes, each modulating Hsp70 function, but exhibiting divergent pharmacological activities. For example, probes that compromise the replication of a disease-associated polyomavirus were identified. These projects highlight the importance of chemical methodology development as a source of small-molecule probes and as a drug discovery starting point.

Diverging DOS strategy using an allene-containing tryptophan scaffold and a library design that maximizes biologically relevant chemical space while minimizing the number of compounds

A diverging diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) strategy using an allene-containing tryptophan as a key starting material was investigated. An allene-yne substituted derivative of tryptophan 12 gave indolylmethylazabicyclooctadiene 17 when subjected to a microwave-assisted allenic [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. This same tryptophan-derived precursor afforded an indolylmethyldihydrocyclopentapyridinone 14 when subjected to a rhodium(I)-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation reaction and an indolylmethylpyrrolidinocyclopentenones 16 when reacted with molybdenum hexacarbonyl. Construction of allenic tetrahydro-β-carboline scaffolds via a Pictet-Spengler reaction and subsequent silver(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization afforded tetrahydroindolizinoindoles (21). Attachment of allene and alkyne groups to the tetrahydro-β-carboline, followed by a microwave-assisted allenic [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, provided tetrahydrocyclobutaindoloquinolizinones 24 and the tetrahydrocyclopentenone indolizinoindolone 26 when reacted with molybdenum hexacarbonyl. These six scaffolds were used as templates for the construction of a virtual library of 11 748 compounds employing 44 indoles, 12 aldehydes, and 51 alkynes. Diversity analyses using a combination of cell-based chemistry space computations using BCUT (Burden (B) CAS (C) Pearlman at the University of Texas (UT)) metrics and Tanimoto coefficient (Tc) similarity calculations using two-dimensional (2D) fingerprints showed that the compounds in the virtual library occupied new chemical space when compared to the 327,000 compounds in the molecular libraries small molecule repository (MLSMR). A subset of fifty-three compounds was identified from the virtual library using the DVS package of Sybyl 8.0; this subset represents the most diverse compounds within the chemical space defined by these compounds and will be synthesized and screened for biological activity.

Design and synthesis of a library of tetracyclic hydroazulenoisoindoles

Forty-four tetracyclic hydroazulenoisoindoles were synthesized via a tandem cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement, followed by a Diels-Alder sequence from easily available five-membered cyclic cross-conjugated trienones. These trienones were obtained from two different routes depending upon whether R(1) and R(2) are alkyl or amino acid derived functional groups, via a rhodium(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization reaction. To increase diversity, four maleimides and two 1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-diones were used as dienophiles in the Diels-Alder step. Several Diels-Alder adducts were further reacted under palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation conditions, leading to a diastereoselective reduction of the trisubstituted double bond. This library has demonstrated rapid access to a variety of structurally complex natural product-like compounds via stereochemical diversity and building block diversity approaches.

Toward a molecular understanding of the interaction of dual specificity phosphatases with substrates: insights from structure-based modeling and high throughput screening

Dual-specificity phosphatases (DSPs) are important, but poorly understood, cell signaling enzymes that remove phosphate groups from tyrosine and serine/threonine residues on their substrate. Deregulation of DSPs has been implicated in cancer, obesity, diabetes, inflammation, and Alzheimer's disease. Due to their biological and biomedical significance, DSPs have increasingly become the subject of drug discovery high-throughput screening (HTS) and focused compound library development efforts. Progress in identifying selective and potent DSP inhibitors has, however, been restricted by the lack of sufficient structural data on inhibitor-bound DSPs. The shallow, almost flat, substrate binding sites in DSPs have been a major factor in hampering the rational design and the experimental development of active site inhibitors. Recent experimental and virtual HTS studies, as well as advances in molecular modeling, provide new insights into the potential mechanisms for substrate recognition and binding by this important class of enzymes. We present herein an overview of the progress, along with a brief description of applications to two types of DSPs: Cdc25 and MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP) family members. In particular, we focus on combined computational and experimental efforts for designing Cdc25B and MKP-1 inhibitors and understanding their mechanisms of interactions with their target proteins. These studies emphasize the utility of developing computational models and methods that meet the two major challenges currently faced in structure-based in silico design of lead compounds: the conformational flexibility of the target protein and the entropic contribution to the selection and stabilization of particular bound conformers.

Skeletal and Appendage Diversity as Design Elements in the Synthesis of a Discovery Library of Nonaromatic Polycyclic 5-Iminooxazolidin-2-ones, Hydantoins, and Acylureas

Amino acid-derived cross-conjugated trienes were used as a starting point for the synthesis of a discovery library of over 200 polycyclic 5-iminooxazolidin-2-ones, hydantoins, and acylureas. The main feature of this library synthesis is a triple branching strategy which provides efficient access to five skeletally diverse scaffolds. In addition, four sets of building blocks were applied in both a front end and a back end diversification strategy. Multiple fused rings were obtained by cyclization of diamides with phosgene and stereoselective Diels-Alder reactions with maleimides. The 5-iminooxazolidin-2-one scaffold was rearranged into the isomeric hydantoin scaffold through a sequence of ring opening and ring closing reactions.

Diverging Rh(I)-catalyzed carbocylization strategy to prepare a library of unique cyclic ethers

A library of 90 carboxamide-containing oxepines and pyrans was synthesized. A dual-branching strategy was used where a common intermediate, an allenyl-hydroxy ester, was either allylated or propargylated then subjected to rhodium(I)-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction conditions to afford an oxepine- or triene-containing pyran, respectively. The oxepines were selectively reduced to afford two functionally unique scaffolds using complementary hydrogenation conditions. Diversification of the oxepines and pyrans involved conversion of the methyl carboxylate group to a carboxamide via either a microwave-assisted amidation using polymer-bound carbodiimide (DCC) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) or a NaCN-catalyzed aminolysis. The scope of a rarely used carbonyl-yne reaction was expanded to the preparation of 10 new allenyl-hydroxy esters using microwave irradiation. Finally, a cell-based diversity analysis using BCUT (Burden (B) CAS (C) Pearlman at the University of Texas (UT)) metrics calculations and two-dimensional fingerprint similarity approaches shows that when compared to the 100,000 Pittsburgh Molecular Library Screening Center (PMLSC) compound database and PubChem the new compound library occupies a unique chemical space.

Design and Synthesis of a 3,4-Dehydroproline Amide Discovery Library

The synthesis of a discovery library of 80 3,4-dehydroproline amides was achieved in a four-step reaction sequence from easily accessible 3-aminoallene-3-carboxylate methyl esters. Diversification of these proline mimics was introduced at five different sites: the substituents at the 3-pyrroline unit (R1, R2, R3), at the nitrogen (R4), and the C-terminus (R5). The 3-pyrroline scaffold was synthesized in excellent yields by a silver-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of aminoallenes, followed by N-functionalization reactions. Maximum diversity was introduced in the final step of the reaction sequence by taking advantage of the carboxylic acid handle of the 3-pyrroline subunit. Amide coupling reactions using polystyrene-carbodiimide (PS-carbodiimide) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) under microwave irradiation led to 3,4-dehydroproline amides that were obtained in purities greater than 85% by LC/MS/ESLD after scavenging the excess HOBt on a silica-bound carbonate SPE cartridge.

Structurally unique inhibitors of human mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 identified in a pyrrole carboxamide library

Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) is a tyrosine phosphatase superfamily member that dephosphorylates and inactivates cardinal mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) substrates, such as p38, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Although these MAPK substrates regulate many essential cellular processes associated with human diseases, few pharmacological inhibitors have been described. The lack of readily available selective MKP-1 inhibitors has severely limited interrogation of its biological role and was one rationale for using a recently described tricyclic pyrrole-2-carboxamide library in our screening efforts. In this report we demonstrate the pharmacological richness of the pyrrole carboxamide library by the finding that 10 of 172 members inhibited human MKP-1. Two of the pyrrole carboxamides, PSI2106 and MDF2085, were especially notable in vitro inhibitors of recombinant human MKP-1 enzyme activity with IC(50) values of 8.0 +/- 0.9 and 8.3 +/- 0.8 microM, respectively. Both showed some selectivity for MKP-1 over the closely related phosphatases MKP-3, Cdc25B, VHR, and PTP1B. Computational examination of the surface properties near the catalytic site revealed that the phosphatases studied differ significantly in their electrostatic potential at the substrate binding site. The compounds inhibited MKP-1 reversibly but displayed mixed kinetics. Phosphatase inhibition was retained in the presence of physiologically relevant concentrations of glutathione. Molecular docking studies suggested that PSI2106 may interact with His(229) and Phe(299) on MKP-1. These results reveal the power of using a small focused library for identifying pharmacological probes.