Design and Synthesis of 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors

Based on the substrate specificity for 5-lipoxygenase and the known stereochemical course of the reaction, a hypothetical model of the enzyme active site was developed and used to design 2 types of selective inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. Both inhibitor types used aromatic rings in place of ( Z )-olefins of the substrate and were designed to mimic the nonpolar end of arachidonic acid. One inhibitor type used a carboxylic-acid interaction with the O-binding centre of the enzyme in analogy with known cyclooxygenase inhibitors, whereas a second type employed a hydroxylamine function to interact with a presumed tyrosine or cysteinyl radical predicted to be in the enzyme active site. Selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors were 7-(hexyloxy) naphthalene-2-acetic acid ( 1 ) and N -methyl;- N (7-propoxynaphthalene-2-ethyl)hydroxylamine ( 2 ). Structure-activity relationships for both types of inhibitors are discussed.     

Synthesis of phenylacetylene containing 1,2,3-triazole group

Bromination of (E)-1-[4-(2-carboxy-vinyl)phenyl]-[1,2,3]triazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, which was synthesized in 90% yield by a Huisgen-type [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction between 3-(4-azidophenyl) acrylic acid and ethyl propiolate, in CHCl₃ followed by a debrominative decarboxylation reaction with Et₃N in DMF under microwave irradiation condition afforded stereoselective (Z)-1-(4-(2-bromovinyl)phenyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester in 94% yield. Treatment of (Z)-1-(4-(2-bromovinyl)phenyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester with EtONa in DMF afforded 1-(4-ethynylphenyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester in a yield of 90%.     

Preparation and antiplatelet activity of glycidic acid derivatives

Arylalkanoic acid derivatives exhibit a variety of biological effects. In the current publication some of new glycidic acid derivatives were prepared via the Darzens condensation. The synthetic approach, analytical and spectroscopic data of all newly synthesized compounds are presented. The prepared compounds were evaluated as potential inhibitors of arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and their activity was compared with that of acetylsalicylic acid as the standard. (±)-Ethyl 3-{4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}-3-methyl-cis-oxirane-2-carboxylate (IC₅₀ = 0.07 mmol L⁻¹) and (±)-3-{4-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}-3-methyl-cis-oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (IC₅₀ = 0.06 mmol L⁻¹) showed the highest antiplatelet activity against arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation comparable with the standard. Structure-activity relationships between the chemical structure, lipophilicity, and the antiplatelet activity of the evaluated compounds are discussed.     

Synthesis and antioxidant assay of new nicotinonitrile analogues clubbed thiazole,pyrazole and/or pyridine ring systems

A series of novel nicotinonitrile derivatives were synthesized by hybridization with thiazole, pyrazole, and pyridine ring systems using 4-aminobenzohydrazide as link-bridge. The synthetic strategy of nicotinonitrile-thiazole analogues involves cyclization of the precursor N-phenyl thiosemicarbazide derivative 4 with chloroacetic acid and phenacyl bromide. The reaction of hydrazide 3 with acetylacetone and/or ethyl acetoacetate was applied as a synthetic route for accessing 2-((4-(pyrazole-1-carbonyl)phenyl)amino)-nicotinonitrile derivatives 9–10 . The 2-((4-(4-thiazolylidene-pyrazole-1-carbonyl)-phenyl)amino)nicotinonitriles 14–15 were obtained via a nucleophilic addition of pyrazolone 10 to phenyl isothiocyanate followed by cyclization with chloroacetone, phenacyl chloride, and/or ethyl bromoacetate. The 6-amino-4-aryl-3,5-dicyano-2-oxo-1-(4-substitutedbenzamido)-pyridines 19 were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation N′-(2-cyanoacetyl)-benzohydrazide derivative 16 with substituted benzaldehydes followed by heating with malononitrile. All synthesized products were evaluated for their antioxidant potentialities using of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation delcolorization assay. The nicotinonitrile-thiazole hybrid 6b was found the most promising antioxidant agent with inhibition activity 86.27%.     

Organic Base‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Isomerizations of 4‐Hydroxy‐4‐phenyl‐but‐2‐ynoic Acid Methyl Ester to (E)‐ and (Z)‐4‐Oxo‐4‐phenyl‐but‐2‐enoic Acid Methyl Esters

We have developed a 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO)‐catalyzed isomerization of 4‐hydroxy‐4‐phenyl‐but‐2‐ynoic acid methyl ester to (E)‐4‐oxo‐4‐phenyl‐but‐2‐enoic acid methyl ester and an N,N‐diisopropylethylamine‐catalyzed isomerization of the same substrate to (Z)‐4‐oxo‐4‐phenyl‐but‐2‐enoic acid methyl ester.     

Synthesis and reactions of 2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furo[3,2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>]pyridine

(E)-3-{5-[3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furan-2-yl}propenoic acid (I) was prepared from 5-[3-(tri-fluoromethyl)phenyl]furan-2-carbaldehyde under the Doebner’s conditions. The obtained acid was converted to the corresponding azide II, which was cyclized by heating in diphenyl ether to 2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridin-4-one (III). This compound was aromatized with phosphorus oxychloride to chloroderivative IV which was reduced with H₂NNH₂-Pd/C to the title compound V. 2-[3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furo[3,2-c]pyridin-5-oxide (VI) was synthesized by reaction of V with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in dichloromethane. On treatment of VI with benzoyl chloride and potassium cyanide (Reissert-Henze reaction), corresponding 2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furo[3,2-c]pyridine-1-carbonitrile (VII) resulted. 5-Amino-2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furo[3,2-c]pyridin-5-ium-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (VIII) was prepared by direct N-amination of the title compound V with 1-[(aminooxy)sulfonyl]-4-methylbenzene in dichloromethane. Then, VIII was transformed to a non-isolated zwitterionic N-imid IX which afforded the corresponding furo[3,2-c]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine carboxylic acid esters X, XI by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions with dimethyl but-2-ynedionate (DBD) or ethyl propiolate. The structures of all compounds were confirmed by their IR and NMR spectra. Presented at the 1st International Conference “Applied Natural Sciences” on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the University of St. Cyril and Methodius, Trnava, 7–9 November 2007.     

Synthesis of phenyl azides bearing (E)-2-halovinyl group

A series of phenyl azides bearing (E)-2-halovinyl groups were synthesized in high yields by treatment of (E)-3-(4-azidophenyl)- and (E)-3-(2-azidophenyl)acrylic acid with N-halosuccinimide in the presence of LiOAc. (E)-4-(2-bromovinyl) phenyl azide, one of the synthesized intermediates, was selected to transform to a diverse range of phenyl-1, 2, 3-triazoles bearing (E)-4-(2-bromovinyl) groups by Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction.     

Novel Synthesis of Agaritine,a 4-Hydrazinobenzyl-Alcohol Derivative Occurring in Agaricaceae

The 4-hydrazinobenzyl alcohol ( 3 was prepared (58%)) by diiobutylaluminiumhydride reduction of methyl 4-hydrazinobenzoate ( 4 ), whereas LiA1H₄ or LiBh₄ reduction of 4 proceeded further to yield (via intermediate 3 ) (4-tolyl)hydrazine ( 5 ). The alcohol 3 was stable under O₂-free conditions and exhibited no tendency to eliminate H₂O, neither thermally nor with H⁺ catalysis. Oxidation of 3 with SeO₂ yielded 4-(hydroxymethyl)benzine-diazonium ion ( 8 ), identified by its azo coupling product 9 with 2-naphthol. Condensation of 3 with 1-benzyl 5-Hydrogen N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-glutamate ( 10 ) in presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide afforded 81% of N²-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L- glutamic acid 1-(benzyl-ester) 5-{2-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]hydrazide} ( 11 ) which upon controlled hydrogenolysis (quinoline-sulfur-poisoned Pd/C catalyst) gave 82% of L-Glutamic acid 5-{2-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl] hydrazide} ( 1 ), i. e. agaritine, a metabolite of Agaricus bisporus. Without poisoning of the catalyst, hydrogenolysis of ( 11 ) yielded L-glutamic acid 5-[2-(4-tolyl)hydrazide] ( 12 ).     

Synthesis of N‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐4(1H)‐quinolinone

2‐[(Disubstituted‐methylene)‐hydrazino] benzoic acid phenacylesters 2a‐2d , prepared from anthranilic acid phenacylester 1 , were unsuccesfully tried as starting materials for the synthesis of N‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐4(1H)‐quinolinone 8 . The desired compound 8 was prepared by cyclization of N‐acetyl as well as N‐benzoyl‐hydrazinobenzoic acid phenacylester 6a or 6b in polyphosphoric acid to afford N‐acylamino‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐4(1H)‐quinolinone 7a or 7b , respectively. Surprisingly, the acyl group was resistant to attack by both hydrochloric acid as well as sodium hydroxide solution. It could be removed by boiling the compounds 7a or 7b respectively in 50% sulphuric acid to afford the the target compound 8 .     

A sensitive and high‐throughput LC‐MS/MS method for inhibition assay of seven major cytochrome P450s in human liver microsomes using an in vitro cocktail of probe substrates

A sensitive and high‐throughput LC‐MS/MS method was established and validated for the simultaneous quantification of seven probe substrate‐derived metabolites (cocktail assay) for assessing the in vitro inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in pooled human liver microsomes. The metabolites acetaminophen (CYP1A2), hydroxy‐bupropion (CYP2B6), n‐desethyl‐amodiaquine (CYP2C8), 4′‐hydroxy‐diclofenac (CYP2C9), 4′‐hydroxy‐mephenytoin (CYP2C19), dextrorphan (CYP2D6) and 1′‐hydroxy‐midazolam (CYP3A4/5), together with the internal standard verapamil, were eluted on an Agilent 1200 series liquid chromatograph in <7 min. All metabolites were detected by an Agilent 6410B tandem mass spectrometer. The concentration of each probe substrate was selected by substrate inhibition assay that reduced potential substrate interactions. CYP inhibition of seven well‐known inhibitors was confirmed by comparing a single probe substrate assay with cocktail assay. The IC₅₀ values of these inhibitors determined on this cocktail assay were highly correlated (R² > 0.99 for each individual probe substrate) with those on single assay. The method was selective and showed good accuracy (85.89–113.35%) and between‐day (RSD <13.95%) and within‐day (RSD <9.90%) precision. The sample incubation extracts were stable at 25 °C for 48 h and after three freeze–thaw cycles. This seven‐CYP inhibition cocktail assay significantly increased the efficiency of accurately assessing compounds’ potential inhibition of the seven major CYPs in drug development settings. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facile addition of methyl lithium to a 4-vinylpyridine system

The rapid addition of methyl lithium to the 4-vinylpyridine system present in 4-{2,6-dihydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-octyl)phenyl}-2-methyl-4-(4-pyridyl)but-3-en-2-ol ( 2 ) is reported. The α and β-4-{2,6-dihydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-octyl)phenyl}-2,3-dimethyl-4-(4-pyridyl)butan-2-ols 4 and 5 formed, are cyclised by heating with 5N hydrochloric acid to trans and cis-3,4-dihydro-5-hydroxy-7-(3-methyl-2-octyl)-4-(4-pyridyl)-2,2,3-trimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran 6 and 7 respectively.     

Mechanism of (Salen)manganese(III)‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Aryl Phenyl Sulfides with Sodium Hypochlorite

The oxidation of 4‐substituted phenyl phenyl sulfides was carried out with several oxo(salen)manganese(V) complexes in MeCN/H₂O 9 : 1. The kinetic data show that the reaction is first‐order each in the oxidant and sulfide. Electron‐attracting substituents in the sulfides and electron‐releasing substituents in salen of the oxo(salen)manganese(V) complexes reduce the rate of oxidation. A Hammett analysis of the rate constants for the oxidation of 4‐substituted phenyl phenyl sulfides gives a negative ρ value (ρ=?2.16) indicating an electron‐deficient transition state. The log k₂ values observed in the oxidation of each 4‐substituted phenyl phenyl sulfide by substituted oxo(salen)manganese(V) complexes also correlate with Hammett σ constants, giving a positive ρ value. The substituent‐, acid‐, and solvent‐effect studies indicate direct O‐atom transfer from the oxidant to the substrate in the rate‐determining step.     

Generation of antiserum to Irgarol 1051 and development of a sensitive enzyme immunoassay using a new heterologous hapten derivative

A polyclonal antiserum to Irgarol 1051 was developed in sheep and used to construct an enzyme immunoassay method for the measurement of the antifouling compound in river and seawater samples. The antiserum was generated by a hapten derivative, 2-(tert-butylamino)-4-(cyclopropylamino)-6-(thiopropionic acid)-1,3,5-triazine, coupled to a mixture of keyhole limpet hemocyanin and bovine serum albumin, and the competitive enzyme immunoassay was constructed using a plate-coating antigen made of a heterologous new hapten derivative, 2-(tert-butylamino)-4-(cyclopropylamino)-6-(phenoxybenzoic acid)-1,3,5-triazine, linked to gelatine. The assay showed a sensitivity of about 5 ng L^–1 in river and seawater matrices with reasonable specificity with respect to commonly used triazines such as atrazine (3%), simazine (>0.1%) and desethylatrazine (>0.01%). However, high cross-reactivity levels were found with ametryn (56%) and prometryn (60%). Tests on the effects of organic solvents on assay performance indicated a high tolerance to methanol but much less so to acetonitrile. The assay was found to be highly reproducible and robust owing to the stability of the sheep antibody and the highly optimised competitive assay reagents which included the use of the new triazine-O-phenoxybenzoic acid derivative.     

Synthesis of 2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furo[3,2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>]pyridine derivatives

2-[3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridin-4-one (I) was prepared by a three-step synthesis. Its reaction with phosphorus sulfide rendered thione II which was methylated to 2-[3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-methylsulfanylfuro[3,2-c]pyridine (III). 5-Methyl-2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridin-4-one (IV) was obtained by the reaction of I with methyl iodide in PTC conditions. The chlorine atom in derivate V was replaced with heterocyclic secondary amines via nucleophilic substitution and 4-substituted furopyridines VIa and VIb were thus prepared. 2-[3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furo[3,2-c]pyridine-4-carboxylic acid (VII) was obtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding carbonitrile Va.     

On‐plate enzyme and inhibition assay of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase using thin‐layer chromatography

We performed on‐plate enzyme and inhibition assays of glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase using thin‐layer chromatography. The assays were accomplished based on different retardation factors of the substrates, enzyme, and products. All the necessary steps were integrated on‐plate in one developing process, including substrate/enzyme mixing, reaction starting, and quenching as well as product separation. In order to quantitatively measure the enzyme reaction, the developed plate was then densitometrically evaluated to determine the peak area of the product. Rapid and high‐throughput assays were achieved by loading different substrate spots and/or enzyme (and inhibition) spots in different tracks on the plate. The on‐plate enzyme assay could be finished in a developing time of only 4 min, with good track‐to‐track and plate‐to‐plate repeatability. Moreover, we determined the K_m values of the enzyme reaction and K_i values of the inhibition (Pb²⁺ Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ as inhibitors), as well as the corresponding kinetics using the on‐plate assay. Taken together, our method expanded the application of thin‐layer chromatography in enzyme assays, and it could be potentially used in research fields for rapid and quantitative measurement of enzyme activity and inhibition.     

N-(4-Nitrophenyl)oxamic Acid and Related N-Acylanilines Are Non-competitive Inhibitors of vibrio cholerae sialidase but do not inhibit trypanosoma cruzi or trypanosoma brucei trans-sialidases

N-(4-Nitrophenyl)oxamic acid 1 , N-(2-fluoro-4-nitrophenyl)oxamic acid 7 , N-(4-nitrophenyl)-trifluoroacetamide 3 , and N-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)trifluoroacetamide 9 are non-competitive inhibitors of Vibrio cholerae sialidase with K_i-values ranging from 2.66 to 5.18 · 10^?4 M . These compounds, and the N-acetylneuraminic-acid analogues 11–13 do not inhibit the sialidase and trans-sialidase activities from Trypanosoma cruzi; nor does N-(4-nitrophenyl)oxamic acid ( 1 ) inhibit the corresponding enzyme activities from T. brucei.     

Combined Chemical and Enzymatic Synthesis of a Disialylated Tetrasaccharide Analogous to M and N Bloodgroup Determinants of Glycophorin a

Abstract

Reaction of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyraaosyl bromide (1) with phenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4,6-O-(4-methoxy-benzylidene)-α-D-galactopyranoside (3) mediated by mercuric salts, followed by removal of the 4-methoxybenzylidene group and O-deacylation afforded phenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-p-D-galactopyranosyl-α-D-galactopyranoside (6). Compound 6 was used as a substrate for the selective introduction of two neuraminic acid residues with partially purified sialyltrans-ferase preparations. First, disaccharide 6 was treated with CMP-[¹⁴c]-NeuAc as donor substrate and CMP-NeuAc: Gal-p(l-3)-GalNac-a(2-3)sialyltransferase from human placenta to afford trisaccharide 7 (yield 85X), sialylated at C-3 of the galactose residue. Treatment of 7 with CMP-[³H]-NeuAc and a micro-somal fraction from regenerating rat liver, containing the CMP-NeuAc: NeuAc-a(2-3)-Gal-p(l-3)GalNAc-α(2-6) sialyltrans-ferase activity, gave the disialylated tetrasaccharide 8 in 10X yield.     

Synthesis,characterization and α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition studies of novel vanadyl chalcone complexes

A series of chalcone ligands and their corresponding vanadyl complexes of composition [VO (L^I–IV)₂(H₂O)₂]SO₄ (where L^I = 1,3‐Diphenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one, L^II = 3‐(2‐Hydroxy‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone, L^III = 3‐(3‐Nitro‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone, L^IV = 3‐(4‐Methoxy‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone) have been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic (Fourier‐transform infrared, electrospray ionization mass, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer) and physico‐analytic techniques. Antidiabetic activities of synthesized complexes along with chalcones were evaluated by performing in vitro and in silico α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition studies. The obtained results displayed moderate to significant inhibition activity against both the enzymes by vanadyl chalcone complexes. The most potent complexes were further investigated for the enzyme kinetic studies and displayed the mixed inhibition for both the enzymes. Further, antioxidant activity of vanadyl chalcone complexes was evaluated for their efficiency to release oxidative stress using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl‐hydrate assay, and two complexes (Complexes 2 and 4 ) have demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activity. All the complexes were found to possess promising antidiabetic and antioxidant potential.     

Substituted Aryl Benzylamines as Potent and Selective Inhibitors of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 3

17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17β-HSD3) is expressed at high levels in testes and seminal vesicles; it is also present in prostate tissue and involved in gonadal and non-gonadal testosterone biosynthesis. The enzyme is membrane-bound, and a crystal structure is not yet available. Selective aryl benzylamine-based inhibitors were designed and synthesised as potential agents for prostate cancer therapeutics through structure-based design, using a previously built homology model with docking studies. Potent, selective, low nanomolar IC₅₀ 17β-HSD3 inhibitors were discovered using N-(2-([2-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenylamino]methyl)phenyl)acetamide (1). The most potent compounds have IC₅₀ values of approximately 75 nM. Compound 29, N-[2-(1-Acetylpiperidin-4-ylamino)benzyl]-N-[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]acetamide, has an IC₅₀ of 76 nM, while compound 30, N-(2-(1-[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-phenylamino]ethyl)phenyl)acetamide, has an IC₅₀ of 74 nM. Racemic C-allyl derivative 26 (IC₅₀ of 520 nM) was easily formed from 1 in good yield and, to determine binding directionality, its enantiomers were separated by chiral chromatography. Absolute configuration was determined using single crystal X-ray crystallography. Only the S-(+)-enantiomer (32) was active with an IC₅₀ of 370 nM. Binding directionality was predictable through our in silico docking studies, giving confidence to our model. Importantly, all novel inhibitors are selective over the type 2 isozyme of 17β-HSD2 and show <20% inhibition when tested at 10 µM. Lead compounds from this series are worthy of further optimisation and development as inhibitors of testosterone production by 17β-HSD3 and as inhibitors of prostate cancer cell growth.     

5-Deaza-7-desmethylene analogues of 5,10-methylene-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid and related compounds: Synthesis and in vitro biological activity

1-[4-(tert-Butyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]-3-pyrrolidinone and 1-[3-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]-4-piperidinone were condensed with ethyl cyanoacetate or malononitrile to form ylidene derivatives, which were then subjected sequentially to (i) catalytic or chemical reduction, (ii) condensation with guanidine, and (iii) gentle tri-fluoroacetic acid treatment to obtain 3-(2,4-diamino-6(5H)-oxopyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(4-carboxyphenyl)pyrrolidine ( 27 ), 4-(2,4-diamino-6(5H)-oxopyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(carboxyphenyl)piperidine ( 35 ), and 3-(2,4,6-triaminopyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(carboxyphenyl)pyrrolidine ( 40 ). Condensation of 27, 35 , and 40 with diethyl or di-tert-butyl L-glutamate followed by removal of the ester groups yielded N-[4-[3-(2,4-diamino-6(5H)-oxopyrimidin-5-yl)pyr-rolidino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid ( 13 ), N-[4-[4-(2,4-diamino-6-(5H)-oxopyrimidin-5-yl)piperidino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid ( 14 ), and N-[4-[3-(2,4,6-triaminopyrimidin-5-yl)pyrrolidino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid ( 15 ). Compounds 13 and 14 may be viewed as 5-deaza-7-desmethylene analogues of 5,10-methylene-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic and 5,10-ethylene-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid, respectively. Compounds 13 and 15 were good substrates for mouse liver folylpolyglutamate synthetase, with K_m values of 20 and 18 μM and a relative first-order rate constant V_max/K_m of 2.2 (aminopterin = 1.0). In contrast, 14 was a very poor substrate, with a K_m of 490 μM and a relative V_max/K_m of 0.052. As expected from its structure, 15 was a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor. However its potency was unexceptional (IC₅₀ = 1.2 μM). Compounds 13 and 14 were inactive at concentrations of up to 100 μM, and likewise showed no activity against thymidylate synthase or glycinamide ribotide formyltransferase, two other key enzymes of folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism. Compound 15 was moderately active as an inhibitor of the growth of cultured tumor cells (SCC25 human squamous cell carcinoma), with an IC₅₀ of 0.37 μM (72 hour exposure). By comparison the IC₅₀ of aminopterin was 0.0069 μM. Thus, even though 15 is a good folylpolyglutamate synthetase substrate, the deep-seated skeletal changes embodied in this structure are unfavorable for DHFR binding and may also be unfavorable for transport into cells.