Efficient Stereoselective Synthesis of (2S,3S,4S)-3,4-Dihydroxyglutamic Acid

Discovery, Characterization, and Structure-Based Optimization of Small-Molecule In Vitro and In Vivo Probes for Human DNA Polymerase Theta

Human DNA polymerase theta (Polθ), which is essential for microhomology-mediated DNA double strand break repair, has been proposed as an attractive target for the treatment of BRCA deficient and other DNA repair pathway defective cancers. As previously reported, we recently identified the first selective small molecule Polθ in vitro probe, 22 (ART558), which recapitulates the phenotype of Polθ loss, and in vivo probe, 43 (ART812), which is efficacious in a model of PARP inhibitor resistant TNBC in vivo. Here we describe the discovery, biochemical and biophysical characterization of these probes including small molecule ligand co-crystal structures with Polθ. The crystallographic data provides a basis for understanding the unique mechanism of inhibition of these compounds which is dependent on stabilization of a "closed" enzyme conformation. Additionally, the structural biology platform provided a basis for rational optimization based primarily on reduced ligand conformational flexibility.

Synthesis of nonracemic hydroxyglutamic acids

Glutamic acid is involved in several cellular processes though its role as the neurotransmitter is best recognized. For detailed studies of interactions with receptors a number of structural analogues of glutamic acid are required to map their active sides. This review article summarizes syntheses of nonracemic hydroxyglutamic acid analogues equipped with functional groups capable for the formation of additional hydrogen bonds, both as donors and acceptors. The majority of synthetic strategies starts from natural products and relies on application of chirons having the required configuration at the carbon atom bonded to nitrogen (e.g., serine, glutamic and pyroglutamic acids, proline and 4-hydroxyproline). Since various hydroxyglutamic acids were identified as components of complex natural products, syntheses of orthogonally protected derivatives of hydroxyglutamic acids are also covered.