2‐Carbaborane‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐indoles—Synthesis via McMurry Reaction and Cyclooxygenase (COX) Inhibition Activity

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors have been the focus of medicinal chemistry efforts for years, and many compounds that exhibit high selectivity and affinity have been developed. As carbaboranes represent interesting pharmacophores as phenyl mimetics in drug development, this paper presents the synthesis of carbaboranyl derivatives of COX‐2‐selective 2,3‐disubstituted indoles. Despite the lability of carbaboranes under reducing conditions, 2‐carbaborane‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐indoles could be synthesized by McMurry cyclization of the corresponding amides. Whereas the meta‐carbaboranyl‐substituted derivatives lacked COX inhibitory activity, an ortho‐carbaboranyl analogue was active, but showed a selectivity shift toward COX‐1.     

Development and Characterization of New Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of the West Nile Virus NS2B–NS3 Protease

A series of new substrate analogue inhibitors of the WNV NS2B–NS3 protease containing decarboxylated arginine mimetics at the P1 position was developed. Among the various analogues, trans‐(4‐guanidino)cyclohexylmethylamide (GCMA) was identified as the most suitable P1 residue. In combination with dichloro‐substituted phenylacetyl groups at the P4 position, three inhibitors with inhibition constants of <0.2 μM were obtained. These GCMA inhibitors have a better selectivity profile than the previously described agmatine analogues, and possess negligible affinity for the trypsin‐like serine proteases thrombin, factor Xa, and matriptase. A crystal structure in complex with the WNV protease was determined for one of the most potent inhibitors, 3,4‐dichlorophenylacetyl‐Lys‐Lys‐GCMA (K_i=0.13 μM ). The inhibitor adopts a horseshoe‐like conformation, most likely due to a hydrophobic contact between the P4 phenyl ring and the P1 cyclohexyl group, which is further stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the P1 guanidino group and the P4 carbonyl oxygen atom. These inhibitors are stable, readily accessible, and have a noncovalent binding mode. Therefore, they may serve as suitable lead structures for further development.     

高镁(钙)质胶磷矿选矿工艺及药剂研究现状

针对高镁(钙)质胶磷矿品位低、难选的特点,结合其性质,总结了适合镁(钙)质胶磷矿选矿的单一反浮选、焙烧-消化工艺技术,以及单一反浮选药剂捕收剂、抑制剂等的种类和研究应用现状,为高镁(钙)质胶磷矿的富集提供参考。     

Discovery and biological activity of 6BrCaQ as an inhibitor of the Hsp90 protein folding machinery

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a significant target in the development of rational cancer therapy, due to its role at the crossroads of multiple signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation and viability. Here, a novel series of Hsp90 inhibitors containing a quinolein‐2‐one scaffold was synthesized and evaluated in cell proliferation assays. Results from these structure–activity relationships studies enabled identification of the simplified 3‐aminoquinolein‐2‐one analogue 2 b (6BrCaQ), which manifests micromolar activity against a panel of cancer cell lines. The molecular signature of Hsp90 inhibition was assessed by depletion of standard known Hsp90 client proteins. Finally, processing and activation of caspases 7, 8, and 9, and the subsequent cleavage of PARP by 6BrCaQ, suggest stimulation of apoptosis through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.     

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by thiosemicarbazones, hydrazones and dithiocarbazates derived from hydroxy-substituted benzaldehydes

Nonpurine xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibitors represent important alternatives to the purine analogue allopurinol, which is still the most widely used drug in the treatment of conditions associated with elevated uric acid levels in the blood. By condensing mono‐, di‐ and trihydroxybenzaldehydes with aromatic thiosemicarbazides, aryl hydrazides and dithiocarbazates, three series of structurally related Schiff bases were synthesised, characterised and tested for XOR inhibitory activity. Hydroxy substitution in the para‐position of the benzaldehyde component was found to confer high inhibitory activities. Acyl hydrazones were generally less potent than thiocarbonyl‐containing Schiff bases. Within the thiosemicarbazone series, chloro and cyano substituents in the para‐position of the thiosemicarbazide unit increased activities further, up to potencies approximately four‐times higher than that of the benchmark allopurinol, as measured under the same assay conditions. In order to illustrate the potential of the Schiff bases to bind directly to the molybdenum centre in the active site of the enzyme, a representative example (H₂L) of each inhibitor series was co‐ordinated to a cis‐dioxomolybdenum(VI) unit, and the resulting complexes, [MoO₂(L)MeOH], were structurally characterised. Subsequent steady‐state kinetic investigations, however, indicated mixed‐type inhibition, similar to that observed for inhibitors known to bind within the substrate access channel of the enzyme, remote from the Mo centre. Enzyme co‐crystallisation studies are thus required to determine the exact binding mode. Finally, the coordination of representative inhibitors to copper(II) gave rise to significantly decreased IC₅₀ values, revealing an additive effect that merits further investigation.     

Discovery, structure-activity relationship studies, and crystal structure of nonpeptide inhibitors bound to the Shank3 PDZ domain

Shank is the central scaffolding protein of the postsynaptic density (PSD) protein complex found in cells of the central nervous system. Cellular studies indicate a prominent role of the protein in the organization of the PSD, in the development of neuronal morphology, in neuronal signaling, and in synaptic plasticity, thus linking Shank functions to the molecular basis of learning and memory. Mutations in the Shank gene have been found in several neuronal disorders including mental retardation, typical autism, and Asperger syndrome. Shank is linked to the PSD complex via its PDZ domain that binds to the C‐terminus of guanylate‐kinase‐associated protein (GKAP). Here, small‐molecule inhibitors of Shank3 PDZ domain are developed. A fluorescence polarization assay based on an identified high‐affinity peptide is established, and tetrahydroquinoline carboxylates are identified as inhibitors of this protein–protein interaction. Chemical synthesis via a hetero‐Diels–Alder strategy is employed for hit optimization, and structure–activity relationship studies are performed. Best hits possess K_i values in the 10 μM range, and binding to the PDZ domain is confirmed by ¹H,¹⁵N HSQC NMR experiments. One of the hits crystallizes with the Shank3 PDZ domain. The structure, analyzed at a resolution of 1.85 Å, reveals details of the binding mode. Finally, binding to PDZ domains of PSD‐95, syntrophin, and DVL3 was studied using ¹H,¹⁵N HSQC NMR spectroscopy.     

New cis-configured aziridine-2-carboxylates as aspartic acid protease inhibitors

A series of 52 cis‐configured 1‐alkyl‐3‐phenylaziridine‐2‐carboxylates were synthesized as new pseudo‐irreversible inhibitors of Candida albicans secreted aspartic acid protease 1 (SAP1), SAP2, SAP3, and SAP8. Some of the compounds, which were obtained as diastereomers with S,S‐ and R,R‐configured aziridine rings by Cromwell synthesis of racemic (2R,3S+2S,3R)‐dibromophenylpropionic acid ester with amines, followed by ester hydrolysis and coupling to hydrophobic amino acid esters, were separated by preparative HPLC. The absolute configuration of the aziridine ring was assigned by a combination of experimental circular dichroism (CD) investigations and quantum chemical CD calculations. In agreement with previous docking studies, the diastereomers all exhibit similar activity. The compounds were found to be more active against the related mammalian enzyme cathepsin D, presumably due to productive interactions of the N‐alkyl substituent with the highly lipophilic S2 pocket. The most active inhibitors ( 5 , 9 , 10 , 21 , and 28 ), characterized by benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl, tert‐butyl, or 1,4‐dimethylpentyl moieties at the aziridine nitrogen atom, exhibit k_2nd values between 500 and 900×10³ M ^?1 min^?1 and K_i values near or below 1 μM for cathepsin D.     

N-[2-Methyl-5-(triazol-1-yl)phenyl]pyrimidin-2-amine as a scaffold for the synthesis of inhibitors of Bcr-Abl

N‐[2‐Methyl‐5‐(triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]pyrimidin‐2‐amine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their potential use as inhibitors of Bcr‐Abl. The design is based on the bioisosterism between the 1,2,3‐triazole ring and the amide group. The synthesis involves a copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) as the key step, with the exclusive production of anti‐(1,4)‐triazole derivatives. One of the compounds obtained shows general activity similar to that of imatinib; in particular, it was observed to be more effective in decreasing the fundamental function of cdc25A phosphatases in the K‐562 cell line.