Selective monocationic inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Binding mode insights from molecular dynamics simulations

The reduction of pathophysiologic levels of nitric oxide through inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) has the potential to be therapeutically beneficial in various neurodegenerative diseases. We have developed a series of pyrrolidine-based nNOS inhibitors that exhibit excellent potencies and isoform selectivities (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 5437). However, there are still important challenges, such as how to decrease the multiple positive charges derived from basic amino groups, which contribute to poor bioavailability, without losing potency and/or selectivity. Here we present an interdisciplinary study combining molecular docking, crystallography, molecular dynamics simulations, synthesis, and enzymology to explore potential pharmacophoric features of nNOS inhibitors and to design potent and selective monocationic nNOS inhibitors. The simulation results indicate that different hydrogen bond patterns, electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and a water molecule bridge are key factors for stabilizing ligands and controlling ligand orientation. We find that a heteroatom in the aromatic head or linker chain of the ligand provides additional stability and blocks the substrate binding pocket. Finally, the computational insights are experimentally validated with double-headed pyridine analogues. The compounds reported here are among the most potent and selective monocationic pyrrolidine-based nNOS inhibitors reported to date, and 10 shows improved membrane permeability.     

A new and more practical approach to the synthesis of the precursor of SC-84536, a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor

SC-84536, a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), is targeted for the treatment of osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain and asthma. This report describes our effort toward developing an alternative synthetic route for preparation of SC-84536. In the process, we also developed a new and simple method for the preparation of phthalimide 6, a potentially useful synthon.     

A new approach to the synthesis of the carbon framework of SC-84536, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor

SC-84536, a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is targeted for the treatment of osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, and asthma. The initial technology for constructing this molecule was acceptable only for the preparation of small quantities of material, but was not practical for larger scale work. This Letter describes our effort toward developing an alternative synthetic route for the carbon framework of SC-84536.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of pyridyl substituted benzoxazepinones as potent and selective inhibitors of aldosterone synthase

Exorbitant aldosterone is closely associated with various severe diseases, including congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease. As aldosterone synthase is the pivotal enzyme in aldosterone biosynthesis, its inhibition constitutes a promising treatment for these diseases. Via a structure-based approach, a series of pyridyl substituted 3,4-dihydrobenzo[f][1,4]oxazepin-5(2H)-ones were designed as inhibitors of aldosterone synthase. Six compounds (5j, 5l, 5m 5w, 5x and 5y) distinguished themselves with potent inhibition (IC₅₀ <100 nmol/L) and high selectivity over homogenous 11β-hydroxylase. As the most promising compound, 5x exhibited an IC₅₀ of 12 nmol/L and an excellent selectivity factor (SF) of 157, which are both superior to those of the reference fadrazole (IC₅₀ = 21 nmol/L, SF = 7). Importantly, 5x showed no inhibition against steroidogenic CYP17, CYP19 and a panel of hepatic CYP enzymes indicating an outstanding safety profile. As it manifested satisfactory pharmacokinetic properties in rats, compound 5x was considered as a drug candidate for further development.     

Studies on the chemistry of thienoannelated O,N‐ and S,N‐containing heterocycles. 25. Synthesis of new imidazolyl and pyrazolyl derivatives of thiophene as inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase

Some novel imidazolyl and pyrazolyl thiophene derivatives were synthesized. Different substituted N‐containing heterocycles were chosen with the aim of enhancing the activity or selectivity of the products towards inhibition of one of the three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase. One series of substances was prepared by substitution reactions of 3‐bromo‐2‐nitrothiophene with various heterocycles. In the other series introduction of a second heterocyclic substituent to pyrazolylthiophene compounds was attempted.     

Sequence‐related amplified polymorphism,an effective molecular approach for studying genetic variation in Fasciola spp. of human and animal health significance

In the present study, a recently described molecular approach, namely sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), which preferentially amplifies ORFs, was evaluated for the studies of genetic variation among Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica and the “intermediate” Fasciola from different host species and geographical locations in mainland China. Five SRAP primer combinations were used to amplify 120 Fasciola samples after ten SRAP primer combinations were evaluated. The number of fragments amplified from Fasciola samples using each primer combination ranged from 12 to 20, with an average of 15 polymorphic bands per primer pair. Fifty‐nine main polymorphic bands were observed, ranging in size from 100 to 2000 bp, and SRAP bands specific to F. hepatica or F. gigantica were observed. SRAP fragments common to F. hepatica and the “intermediate” Fasciola, or common to F. gigantica and the “intermediate” Fasciola were identified, excised and confirmed by PCR amplification of genomic DNA using primers designed based on sequences of these SRAP fragments. Based on SRAP profiles, unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic averages clustering algorithm categorized all of the examined representative Fasciola samples into three groups, representing the F. hepatica, the “intermediate” Fasciola, or the F. gigantica. These results demonstrated the usefulness of the SRAP technique for revealing genetic variability between F. hepatica, F. gigantica and the “intermediate” Fasciola, and also provided genomic evidence for the existence of the “intermediate” Fasciola between F. hepatica and F. gigantica. This technique provides an alternative and a useful tool for the genetic characterization and studies of genetic variability in parasites.     

Adventures in Carbohydrate Chemistry: New Synthetic Technologies, Chemical Synthesis, Molecular Design, and Chemical Biology A list of abbreviations can be found at the end of this article. Telemachos Charalambous was an inspiring teacher at the Pancyprian Gymnasium, Nicosia, Cyprus

The field of carbohydrate chemistry has occupied the minds and hearts of many scientists for over a hundred years and, as we enter the twenty-first century, it continues to be both vigorous and challenging. Among the most exciting aspects of organic chemistry in the last few decades has been the interplay between the specialized subdisciplines of carbohydrate chemistry and total synthesis, each enabling and advancing the other in new directions and towards greater heights. In this review article we highlight our own adventures at the interface of these disciplines, which were driven for the most part by objectives in chemical synthesis and chemical biology. Specifically, we describe our interests and efforts to utilize carbohydrates as starting materials for total synthesis, to invent and develop new synthetic technologies for carbohydrate synthesis, to construct complex oligosaccharides in solution or on solid support, and to utilize carbohydrate templates as scaffolds for peptide mimetics and for molecular diversity construction. Finally, applications of the developed synthetic strategies and enabling technologies towards the solution of biologically significant problems are discussed.