Phosphorylation of a constrained azacyclic FTY720 analog enhances anti-leukemic activity without inducing S1P receptor activation

The frequency of poor outcomes in relapsed leukemia patients underscores the need for novel therapeutic approaches. The FDA-approved immunosuppressant FTY720 limits leukemia progression by activating protein phosphatase 2A and restricting nutrient access. Unfortunately, FTY720 cannot be re-purposed for use in cancer patients due to on-target toxicity associated with S1P receptor activation at the elevated, anti-neoplastic dose. Here we show that the constrained azacyclic FTY720 analog SH-RF-177 lacks S1P receptor activity but maintains anti-leukemic activity in vitro and in vivo. SH-RF-177 was not only more potent than FTY720, but killed via a distinct mechanism. Phosphorylation is dispensable for FTY720’s anti-leukemic actions. However, chemical biology and genetic approaches demonstrated that the sphingosine kinase 2- (SPHK2) mediated phosphorylation of SH-RF-177 led to engagement of a pro-apoptotic target and increased potency. The cytotoxicity of membrane-permeant FTY720 phosphonate esters suggests that the enhanced potency of SH-RF-177 stems from its more efficient phosphorylation. The tight inverse correlation between SH-RF-177 IC₅₀ and SPHK2 mRNA expression suggests a useful biomarker for SH-RF-177 sensitivity. In summary, these studies indicate that FTY720 analogs that are efficiently phosphorylated but fail to activate S1P receptors may be superior anti-leukemic agents compared to compounds that avoid cardiotoxicity by eliminating phosphorylation.

Total synthesis of bafilomycin A(1) relying on iterative 1,2-induction in acyclic precursors

The macrolide bafilomycin A(1) was synthesized starting from D-valine and D-mannitol as chiral progenitors of propionate units. Acyclic subunits corresponding to different parts of the molecule were constructed based on an iterative 1,2-asymmetric induction protocol as a distinctive feature of the synthesis. The assembly of two segments encompassing the entire carbon framework of the macrolide was achieved by using a Stille coupling. The resulting seco-ester was further manipulated to provide crystalline bafilomycin A(1) via a conventional carbodiimide-mediated Keck-type macrolactonization.

A comparative docking study and the design of potentially selective MMP inhibitors

As part of a program aimed at the design and synthesis of constrained MMP inhibitors, a survey of the reported X-ray and NMR structures of MMP/inhibitor complexes was performed, revealing mutations of key amino acids at different subsites between MMPs. A comparative study of fully automated docking programs AutoDock and DOCK in closely approximating the X-ray crystal structures of ten selected MMP inhibitors was performed. AutoDock proved to be highly reliable, efficient and predictive for a set of inhibitors with less than six atom types.

Design and synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors guided by molecular modeling. Picking the S(1) pocket using conformationally constrained inhibitors

Conformationally constrained MMP inhibitors based on a D-proline scaffold were designed using AutoDock as a modeling program. Thus a family of D-proline hydroxamic acids, having differentiated functionality at the site of binding to the S(1) pocket, was synthesized. Biological evaluation showed low nanomolar activity and modest selectivity toward different MMP subclasses, delineating the importance of binding to the S(1) pocket for both activity and selectivity.

N-Aryl sulfonyl homocysteine hydroxamate inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases: further probing of the S(1), S(1)', and S(2)' pockets

A series of N-arylsulfonyl S-alkyl homocysteine hydroxamic acids were synthesized with variations in three subsites corresponding to P(1), P(1)', and P(2)'. Enzyme assays with a variety of MMPs revealed activity at the low nanomolar level.

Catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to cycloalkenones

Nitroalkanes add to cyclic and acyclic enones in an enantioselective manner in the presence of catalytic quantities of L-proline and trans-2,5-dimethylpiperazine as excess additive.

Asymmetric synthesis of functionalized carbocycles and heterocycles

Anions of 1-halo-4-hexenyl phosphonamides derived from chiral, enantiopure C2 symmetrical 1,2-diamino cyclohexane react at the gamma-position in conjugate addition reactions with alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds such as cyclopentenone, 4-(H)-furanone, pyrroline-2-one, and cinnamates to give functionalized adducts. Addition to imines is also possible. The adducts can be transformed into enantiopure or enriched carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds bearing useable functionality.

Design and synthesis of functionalized glycomers as non-peptidic ligands for SH2 binding and as inhibitors of A-431 human epidermoid and HT-29 colon carcinoma cell lines

A set of O-substituted aryl beta-D-glucopyranosides were prepared and found to have inhibitory activity on the growth of two carcinoma cell lines.

Pyrrolidine as a cogwheel-like scaffold for the deployment of diverse functionality through cycloaddition reactions of metallo-1,3-dipoles in aqueous media

The reaction of glycinatocopper complexes with cinnamaldehydes under mildy basic aqueous conditions, affords polysubstituted prolines, which can be systematically modified in a number of chemoselective transformations.

Design and synthesis of mimics of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine as potential inhibitors of erythromycin methyltransferases

A series of indanotriazine C-ribosides were prepared as SAH mimics, and tested for their ability to inhibit erythromycin resistance methylases Erm AM and Erm C'. A carbocyclic analogue derived from quinic acid was also synthesized and tested.

Exploring the chiral space within the active site of alpha-thrombin with a constrained mimic of D-Phe-Pro-Arg--design, synthesis, inhibitory activity, and X-ray structure of an enzyme-inhibitor complex

An indolizidinone motif with strategically placed substitutents was designed and synthesized as a constrained mimic of D-Phe-Pro-Arg. Low nanomolar inhibition of alpha-thrombin validates the design elements in this inhibitor which also exhibits a 20-fold selectivity for thrombin versus trypsin. An X-ray crystal structure of the inhibitor with alpha-thrombin shows the expected interactions with key amino acids within the active site and some notable changes in positions.

An Enzyme-Bound Bisubstrate Hybrid Inhibitor of Adenylosuccinate Synthetase

Two relatively weak herbicides, hydantocidin phosphate and hadacidin were linked by a C(3) chain to afford a potent inhibitor (the 2S hybrid is shown) of the enzyme adenylosuccinate synthetase. The crystal structures of the bisubstrate-enzyme complexes were determined.

Synthesis of a phostone glycomimetic of the endothelin converting enzyme inhibitor phosphoramidon

The phostone analog of phosphoramidon, an inhibitor of endothelin converting enzyme, was synthesized from L-rhamnose. Coupling of the cyclic phosphonic acid with the dipeptide H-Leu-Trp-OMe gave, after deprotection and purification by reverse-phase HPLC, the desired phostone which exhibited an IC50 of 5.05+/-2.7 microM.

Picking the S1, S1' and S2' pockets of matrix metalloproteinases. A niche for potent acyclic sulfonamide inhibitors

A series of acyclic hydroxamic acids harboring strategically placed alpha-arylsulfonamido and thioether groups was synthesized and found to be potent inhibitors of various MMPs. An unprecedented cleavage of t-butyl hydroxamates to hydroxamic acids was found.

Asymmetric synthesis of L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid and 3-substituted congeners--conformationally constrained analogs of phenylalanine, naphthylalanine, and leucine

Enantiopure L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, the (3R)-phenyl, (3R)-naphthyl and (3S)-isopropyl analogs were prepared based on a zinc-mediated asymmetric addition of allylic halides to the camphor sultam derivative of glyoxylic acid O-benzyl oxime.

Synthesis of a versatile peptidomimetic scaffold

The need to replace natural amino acids in peptides with nonproteinogenic counterparts in order to obtain drug-like target molecules has stimulated a great deal of innovation on several fronts (1-3). One of the more exciting areas of research in drug design has been the synthesis of so-called secondary structure peptidomimetic molecules that are expected to have the same therapeutic effects as natural peptide counterparts, with the added advantage of metabolic stability (4,5). Of particular interest to us has been the replacement of a dipeptide motif in a given natural substrate with a constrained or rigidified counterpart that stimulates β-turn formation (6,7). In particular, we have been investigating the generation of a general synthetic pathway towards a variety of substituted peptidomimetic core structures. Various appendages could then be attached to these central core units either by standard iterative conditions or, more preferably, by using combinatorial techniques. This chapter will describe the preparation of one such novel peptidomimetic nucleus and its elaboration to a fully extended β-turn peptidomimetic.

Exploration of beta-turn scaffolding motifs as components of sialyl Le(X) mimetics and their relevance to P-selectin

Monocyclic and bicyclic lactam units representing beta-turn surrogates were incorporated into a sialyl Le(X) structure by replacement of the natural sugar components. Low micromolar activity was found in a new P-selectin binding assay.

Probing the importance of spacial and conformational domains in captopril analogs for angiotensin converting enzyme activity

A new synthesis of 4,5-methano-L-prolines and the enzymatic activity of the corresponding N-(3-mercapto-2-R-methyl-propionyl) analogs as inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme are described.

Synthesis of diaminodideoxyalditol analogs of cisplatin as antitumor agents

Acyclic vicinal polyol complexes related to cisplatin were synthesized from D-mannitol by stereocontrolled manipulation of the hydroxy groups. Controlled cleavage of a 3,4-diazido hexitol gave the corresponding D-threitol and D-xylitol analogs, which were converted to their diamino platinum complexes. The antitumor activity of these compounds is reported.