Design,Synthesis and SAR Studies of Novel and Potent Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP‐4) is a clinically validated target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To discover novel and potent DPP‐4 inhibitors, three series of compounds were designed and synthesized in this study based on our previously identified novel scaffold of 2‐phenyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[f]chromen‐3‐amine. Among the designed compounds, 41d‐1 was the most potent one with an IC₅₀ value of 16.00 nM. Besides, 41d‐1 (5 mg/kg) displayed a moderate glucose tolerance capability in ICR mice. Structure‐activity‐relationship (SAR) studies were discussed in detail, which is constructive for our further optimization.     

Concise and Efficient Synthesis of Highly Potent and Selective Dipeptidyl Peptidase II Inhibitors

Highly potent and selective DPP II inhibitors N′‐(4‐Chlorobenzyl)‐N′‐methyl‐4‐oxo‐4‐(1‐piperidinyl)‐1,3‐(S)‐butane‐diamine dihydrochloride 1 and N′‐(4‐chlorobenzyl)‐4‐oxo‐4‐(1‐piperidinyl)‐1,3‐(S)‐butanediamine dihydrochloride 2 have been efficiently synthesized starting from L‐glutamine. A short and high yielding route with simple isolation techniques has been disclosed.     

3-Oxodapagliflozin as a Potent and Highly Selective SGLT2 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Structural modifications of 3-OH in the glucose moiety of dapagliflozin（1）, an approved potent sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2（SGLT2） inhibitor, led to 3-oxodapagliflozin（16）, a highly potent and more selective SGLT2 inhibitor[IC50（hSGLT1）/IC50（hSGLT2）=2851 for compound 16 vs. 843 for compound 1]. 3-Oxodapagliflozin（16） exhibited in vitro（IC50=1.0nmol/L against hSGLT2 for compound 16 vs. 1.3 nmol/L for compound 1） and in vivo activities comparable to those of dapagliflozin（1）. The bioactivities of 3-oxodapagliflozin （16） warrant its further evaluation as a promising SGLT2 inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.     

Structure Activity Relationship Studies around DB18, a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of CLK Kinases

Three series of our lead CLK1 inhibitor DB18 have been designed, synthetized and tested against CLKs and DYRK1A kinases. Their cytotoxicity was subsequently measured on seven representative cancer cell lines. Guided by docking experiments, we focused on the less constrained part of the scaffold, and showed that drastically different substituents can be tolerated here. This work ended with the discovery of another promising derivative 12g, with IC₅₀ = 0.004 µM in the inhibition of HsCLK1 and IC₅₀ = 3.94 µM for the inhibition of HsDYRK1A. The SAR results are discussed in the light of extensive molecular modeling analyses. Finally, a kinome scan (463 human kinases) confirmed the outstanding selectivity of our lead compound DB18, suggesting that this scaffold is of prominent interest for selective CLK inhibitors. Altogether, these results pave the way for the development of inhibitors with novel selectivities in this family of kinases.     

Chemoproteomics‐Enabled Discovery of a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of the DNA Repair Protein MGMT

We present a novel chemical scaffold for cysteine‐reactive covalent inhibitors. Chloromethyl triazoles (CMTs) are readily accessed in only two chemical steps, thus enabling the rapid optimization of the pharmacological properties of these inhibitors. We demonstrate the tunability of the CMTs towards a specific biological target by synthesizing AA‐CW236 as the first potent non‐pseudosubstrate inhibitor of the O⁶‐alkylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), a protein of major clinical significance for the treatment of several severe cancer forms. Using quantitative proteomics profiling techniques, we show that AA‐CW236 exhibits a high degree of selectivity towards MGMT. Finally, we validate the effectiveness of our MGMT inhibitor in combination with the DNA alkylating drug temozolomide in breast and colon cancer cells by fluorescence imaging and a cell‐viability assay. Our results may open a new avenue towards the development of a clinically approved MGMT inhibitor.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Compounds as Potent Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitors

A series of new 2-cyanopyrrolidine derivatives with constrained imidazolidin ring were synthesized, Their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and/or mass spectrometry, and their activities were evaluated in vitro. They were proven to possess submicromolar inhibitory activities against dipeptidyl peptidase IV.     

Serendipitous Discovery of a Potent Influenza Virus A Neuraminidase Inhibitor

We have previously reported a potent neuraminidase inhibitor that comprises a carbocyclic analogue of zanamivir in which the hydrophilic glycerol side chain is replaced by the hydrophobic 3‐pentyloxy group of oseltamivir. This hybrid inhibitor showed excellent inhibitory properties in the neuraminidase inhibition assay (K_i=0.46 nM ; K_{i (zanamivir)}=0.16 nM ) and in the viral replication inhibition assay in cell culture at 10^?8 M . As part of this lead optimization, we now report a novel spirolactam that shows comparable inhibitory activity in the cell culture assay to that of our lead compound at 10^?7 M . The compound was discovered serendipitously during the attempted synthesis of the isothiourea derivative of the original candidate. The X‐ray crystal structure of the spirolactam in complex with the N8 subtype neuraminidase offers insight into the mode of inhibition.     

A Helquat-like Compound as a Potent Inhibitor of Flaviviral and Coronaviral Polymerases

Positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+RNA) viruses have proven to be important pathogens that are able to threaten and deeply damage modern societies, as illustrated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, compounds active against most or many +RNA viruses are urgently needed. Here, we present PR673, a helquat-like compound that is able to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 and tick-borne encephalitis virus in cell culture. Using in vitro polymerase assays, we demonstrate that PR673 inhibits RNA synthesis by viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps). Our results illustrate that the development of broad-spectrum non-nucleoside inhibitors of RdRps is feasible.     

Photoactivatable Prodrugs of Highly Potent Duocarmycin Analogues for a Selective Cancer Therapy

A main problem of common cancer chemotherapy is the occurrence of severe side effects caused by insufficient selectivity of the applied drugs. A possible concept to overcome this limitation is light‐driven prodrug monotherapy. The synthesis as well as photochemical and biological evaluation of new photoactivatable prodrugs is described. Best results were obtained with prodrug (S,S)‐ 7 a . The photochemical labile protecting groups in (S,S)‐ 7 a can easily be removed by irradiation with UV‐A light in 30 min with a power of only 2 J cm^?2. The determination of the in vitro cytotoxicity by using an HTCFA‐test reveals a QIC₅₀ value of 8200 and the prodrug is more than two million times less cytotoxic than the corresponding seco‐drug (?)‐(S,S)‐ 5 with an IC₅₀ value of about 110 fM . The big therapeutic window makes (S,S)‐ 7 a very suitable for its use in selective cancer therapy.     

通过FGF401的构效关系研究发现一种新颖的FGFR4选择性抑制剂

设计并合成了一系列FGF401类似物以研究其FGFR4抑制、抗肿瘤活性及其构效关系.研究发现了N-(5-氰基-4-(2-甲氧基乙基氨基)吡啶-2-基)-7-甲酰基-6-(N-甲基四氢吡喃-4-甲酰胺)甲基-1,2,3,4-四氢-1,8-萘啶-1-甲酰胺(8ac)不仅在酶和细胞学水平上对FGFR4具有强效的的抑制活性,并表现出了出色的选择性.其活性及选择性优于阳性对照FGF401,并且在HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma)动物移植瘤模型中显著抑制肿瘤生长,还引起了肿瘤萎缩.     

Targeting the Dark Lipid Kinase PIP4K2C with a Potent and Selective Binder and Degrader

Phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate 4-kinase, type II, gamma (PIP4K2C) remains a poorly understood lipid kinase with minimal enzymatic activity but potential scaffolding roles in immune modulation and autophagy-dependent catabolism. Achieving potent and selective agents for PIP4K2C while sparing other lipid and non-lipid kinases has been challenging. Here, we report the discovery of the highly potent PIP4K2C binder TMX-4102, which shows exclusive binding selectivity for PIP4K2C. Furthermore, we elaborated the PIP4K2C binder into TMX-4153, a bivalent degrader capable of rapidly and selectively degrading endogenous PIP4K2C. Collectively, our work demonstrates that PIP4K2C is a tractable and degradable target, and that TMX-4102 and TMX-4153 are useful leads to further interrogate the biological roles and therapeutic potential of PIP4K2C.     

Linagliptin,a Selective Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor,Reduces Physical and Behavioral Effects of Morphine Withdrawal

(1) Background: Recent data indicate that receptors for GLP-1 peptide are involved in the activity of the mesolimbic system. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of the selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, linagliptin, on morphine dependence in mice. (2) Methods: Morphine dependence in mice was obtained by administration of increasing doses of morphine for eight consecutive days, twice a day. On the 9th day of the experiment, the naloxone-induced (2 mg/kg, ip) morphine withdrawal signs (jumping) were assessed. Moreover, behavioral effects of short-term (60 h after morphine discontinuation) and long-term (14 days after morphine discontinuation) morphine withdrawal were observed. In terms of behavioral effects, the depressive effect in the forced swim test and anxiety in the elevated plus maze test were investigated. Locomotor activity of mice was also studied. (3) Results: The administration of linagliptin (10 and 20 mg/kg, ip) for 8 consecutive days before morphine injections significantly diminished the number of naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal signs (jumping) in mice. In addition, the cessation of morphine administration induced depressive behavior in mice which were observed during short- and long-term morphine withdrawal. Linagliptin administered during morphine withdrawal significantly reduced the depressive behavior in studied mice. Furthermore, the short-term morphine withdrawal evoked anxiety which also was reduced by linagliptin in mice. (4) Conclusions: The present study reveals that GLP-1 receptors are involved in morphine dependence. What is more, linagliptin might be a valuable drug in attenuating the physical symptoms of morphine dependence. It might be also a useful drug in reducing emotional disturbances which may develop during the morphine withdrawal period.     

Synthesis and Resolution of ATPO,a Potent and Selective Ampa Receptor Antagonist

Abstract

The excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors mediate one of the major signaling systems in the central nervous system, and they are thought to be implicated in some neurodege-nerative disorders, e.g. Alzheimer's disease and stroke. It is of key importance to design selective ligands for every group of EAA receptors. The AMPA receptors are one such group of EAA receptors. (RS)-ATPO is a potent antagonist at the AMPA receptors, but it has hitherto been pharmacologically characterized only as the racemate.[1, 2]