Novel, Achiral 1,3,4-Benzotriazepine Analogues of 1,4-Benzodiazepine-Based CCK2 Antagonists That Display High Selectivity over CCK1 Receptors

Urotensin II Receptor Modulation with 1,3,4-Benzotriazepin-2-one Tetrapeptide Mimics

Urotensin II receptor (UT) modulators that differentiate the effects of the endogenous cyclic peptide ligands urotensin II (UII) and urotensin II-related peptide (URP) offer potential for dissecting their respective biological roles in disease etiology. Selective modulators of hUII and URP activities were obtained using 1,3,4-benzotriazepin-2-one mimics of a purported bioactive γ-turn conformation about the Bip-Lys-Tyr tripeptide sequence of urocontrin ([Bip4]URP). Considering an active β-turn conformer about the shared Phe-Trp-Lys-Tyr sequence of UII and URP, 8-substituted 1,3,4-benzotriazepin-2-ones were designed to mimic the Phe-Bip-Lys-Tyr tetrapeptide sequence of urocontrin, synthesized, and examined for biological activity. Subtle 5- and 8-position modifications resulted in biased signaling and selective modulation of hUII- or URP-induced vasoconstriction. For example, p-hydroxyphenethyl analogs 17b-d were strong Gα13 and βarr1 activators devoid of Gαq-mediated signaling. Tertiary amides 15d and 17d negatively modulated hUII-induced vasoconstriction without affecting URP-mediated responses. Benzotriazepinone carboxamides proved to be exceptional tools for elucidating the pharmacological complexity of UT.

Synthesis of 4-Aryl-1,3,4-benzotriazepinones from Isatoic Anhydrides and Hydrazonyl Chlorides

An efficient synthesis of 4-aryl-1,3,4-benzotriazepinones from readily available isatoic anhydrides and hydrazonyl chlorides was developed. In this facile protocol, a series of functionalized 1,3,4-benzotriazepinones were conveniently obtained with broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance.

A convenient stereoselective access to novel 1,2,4-triazepan-3-ones/thiones via reduction or reductive alkylation of 7-membered cyclic semicarbazones and thiosemicarbazones

Stereoselective syntheses of 1-unsubstituted and 1-alkylsubstituted 1,2,4-triazepane-3-thiones/ones based on reduction or reductive alkylation of 2,4,5,6-tetrahydro-3H-1,2,4-triazepine-3-thiones/ones are reported.

Advances in 1,3,5-triazepines chemistry

This study reported the chemistry of 1,3,5-triazepines. Heterocyclic 1,3,5-triazepines are mono and fused cycles.

Advances in 1,2,4-triazepines chemistry

This review reports the chemistry of 1,2,4-triazepines. Heterocyclic 1,2,4-triazepines are mono and fused cycles.

Targeting bromodomains: epigenetic readers of lysine acetylation

Lysine acetylation is a key mechanism that regulates chromatin structure; aberrant acetylation levels have been linked to the development of several diseases. Acetyl-lysine modifications create docking sites for bromodomains, which are small interaction modules found on diverse proteins, some of which have a key role in the acetylation-dependent assembly of transcriptional regulator complexes. These complexes can then initiate transcriptional programmes that result in phenotypic changes. The recent discovery of potent and highly specific inhibitors for the BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) family of bromodomains has stimulated intensive research activity in diverse therapeutic areas, particularly in oncology, where BET proteins regulate the expression of key oncogenes and anti-apoptotic proteins. In addition, targeting BET bromodomains could hold potential for the treatment of inflammation and viral infection. Here, we highlight recent progress in the development of bromodomain inhibitors, and their potential applications in drug discovery.

Design and synthesis of pyrrolotriazepine derivatives: an experimental and computational study

The pyrrole derivatives having carbonyl groups at the C-2 position were converted to N-propargyl pyrroles. The reaction of those compounds with hydrazine monohydrate resulted in the formation of 5H-pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,2,5]triazepine derivatives. The synthesis of these compounds was accomplished in three steps starting from pyrrole. On the other hand, attempted cyclization of a pyrrole ester substituted with a propargyl group at the nitrogen atom gave, unexpectedly, the six-membered cyclization product, 2-amino-3-methylpyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-1(2H)-one as the major product. The expected cyclization product with a seven-membered ring, 4-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,2,5]triazepin-1-one was formed as the minor product and was converted quantitatively to the major product. The formation mechanism of the products was investigated, and the results obtained were also supported by theoretical calculations.

Synthesis of new 1,3,4-benzotriazepin-5-one derivatives and their biological evaluation as antitumor agents

New derivatives of 1,3,4-benzotriazepin-5-one were designed and synthesized as structural analogues to the antitumor agents devazepide and asperlicin. An efficient and novel approach to the synthesis of 2-amino-1,3,4-benzotriazepin-5-one 2 was developed and its structure was confirmed. The newly synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro antitumor activity on 60 different cell lines. Compounds 8 and 9 displayed the most potent antitumor activity against several cell lines specifically ovarian cancer, renal cancer and prostate cancer, while compounds 5, 10 and 12 showed significant activities against UO-31 renal cancer cell line.

Benzodiazepines and benzotriazepines as protein interaction inhibitors targeting bromodomains of the BET family

Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs with anxiolytic, sedative, skeletal muscle relaxant and amnestic properties. Recently triazolo-benzodiazepines have been also described as potent and highly selective protein interaction inhibitors of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins, a family of transcriptional co-regulators that play a key role in cancer cell survival and proliferation, but the requirements for high affinity interaction of this compound class with bromodomains has not been described. Here we provide insight into the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and selectivity of this versatile scaffold. In addition, using high resolution crystal structures we compared the binding mode of a series of benzodiazepine (BzD) and related triazolo-benzotriazepines (BzT) derivatives including clinically approved drugs such as alprazolam and midazolam. Our analysis revealed the importance of the 1-methyl triazolo ring system for BET binding and suggests modifications for the development of further high affinity bromodomain inhibitors.

1,4-Benzodiazepin-2-ones in medicinal chemistry

1,4-Benzodiazepin-2-ones have applications in many areas of medicinal chemistry that are not restricted to 'classical' CNS treatments such as sedatives, epilepsy and muscle relaxants. We will describe selected examples of 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones in other areas of medicinal chemistry including uses as G-protein-coupled receptor antagonists, enzyme inhibitors and anticancer agents. Examples from our group will mainly show the use of palladacycle complexes of 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones as anticancer agents.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of new 1,5-dialkyl-1,5-benzodiazepines as cholecystokinin-2 receptor antagonists

This article deals with the synthesis and the activities of some 1,5-dialkyl-3-arylureido-1,5-benzodiazepin-2,4-diones which were prepared as potential CCK2 antagonists, with the intention to find a possible follow up of our lead compound GV150013, showing an improved pharmacokinetic profile. The phenyl ring at N-5 was replaced with more hydrophilic substituents, like alkyl groups bearing basic functions. In some cases, the resolution of the racemic key intermediates 3-amino-benzodiazepines was also accomplished. Among the compounds synthesized and characterised so far in this class, the 5-morpholinoethyl derivative 54, was selected as potential follow up of GV150013 and submitted for further evaluation.

Research Spotlight: Microwave chemistry enabling the synthesis of biologically relevant amines

Microwave-mediated chemistry, involving the reduction of nitroarenes with molybdenum hexacarbonyl as a stoichiometric reducing agent, has been employed in the synthesis of a range of anilines. Many of these reactions exhibit high levels of chemoselectivity, tolerating unsaturation, steric hindrance and halide substituents (I, Br, Cl or F), although the latter, under certain circumstances, can be displaced in concomitant SNAr/reduction processes. The reduction chemistry has been combined with palladium-catalyzed coupling and also used in the synthesis of important intermediates to kinase inhibitors or molecules with submicromolar antitrypanosomal activity. In selected cases, microwave-mediated routes have been compared with thermal (traditional oil bath) and flow reactor-mediated chemistries.

Optimization of 1,3,4-benzotriazepine-based CCK(2) antagonists to obtain potent, orally active inhibitors of gastrin-mediated gastric acid secretion

Starting from a novel, achiral 1,3,4-benzotriazepine-based CCK2 receptor antagonist, a process of optimization has afforded further compounds of this type that maintain the nanomolar affinity for recombinant, human CCK2 receptors and high selectivity over CCK1 receptors observed in the initial lead but display more potent inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in vivo. Moreover, this has largely been achieved without altering their potency at wild-type canine and rat receptors, as judged by their displacement of [125I]-BH-CCK-8S in a radioligand binding assay and by their activity in an isolated, perfused rat stomach bioassay, respectively. 2-(5-Cyclohexyl-1-(2-cyclopentyl-2-oxo-ethyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-1,3,4-benzotriazepin-3-yl)-N-(3-(5-oxo-2,5-dihydro- [1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-phenyl)-acetamide (47) was identified as the most effective compound stemming from this approach, proving to be a potent inhibitor of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in rats and dogs by intravenous bolus as well as by enteral administration.