Potent platelet-derived growth factor-beta receptor (PDGF-betaR) inhibitors: Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7-[3-(cyclohexylmethyl)ureido]-3-{1-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl}quinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives

We found previously that 7-[3-(cyclohexylmethyl)ureido]-3-{1-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl}quinoxalin-2(1H)-one (7d-6) has considerable potency as a PDGF inhibitor. This compound showed potent inhibitory activity in a PDGF-induced CPA (Cell Proliferation Assay) and APA (Auto-Phosphorylation Assay) (IC50 = 0.05 micromol/l in CPA, 0.03 micromol/l in APA). Therefore, we tried to develop a novel and effective PDGF-betaR inhibitor by optimizing a series of its derivatives. We found that trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)-catalyzed coupling of pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines with quinoxalin-2-ones proceeded efficiently under mild oxidation condition with manganese(IV) oxide (MnO2) in situ, so this method was applied to prepare a series of derivatives. Results of in vitro screening of newly synthesized derivatives identified compound 7d-9 as having potent (IC50 = 0.014 micromol/l in CPA, 0.007 micromol/l in APA) and selective [IC50 values against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2, kinase domain region, KDR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-Met (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) and insulin growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR)/IC50 against PDGFR were each >1000] inhibitory activity. Moreover, in this series of derivatives, 7b-2 showed potent inhibitory activity toward both PDGF- and VEGF-induced signaling (PDGFR: IC50 = 0.004 micromol/l in CPA, 0.0008 micromol/l in APA, KDR: IC50 = 0.008 micromol/l in APA). Herein we report a new and convenient synthetic method for this series of derivatives and its SAR study.     

Molecular Recognition by Cyclophane/Guanidinium Supramolecular Receptor Embedded at the Air-Water Interface

In order to develop a supramolecular receptor through a self-assembling process, a site-specific host and an inclusion-type host were mixed as a Langmuir monolayer, and guest binding and pressure-induced fluorescence emission were investigated. A guanidinium amphiphile and several cyclophanes carrying hydrophobic moieties were used as the host molecules; molecular recognition of an aqueous fluorescent guest, 6-p-toluidino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid (TNS) by binary mixed receptor monolayers was evaluated by a surface pressure-molecular area (π-A) isotherm and a surface fluorescence measurement. An apparent increase in fluorescence intensity was observed when the mixed monolayers of the guanidinium and cyclophane amphiphiles were compressed on an aqueous TNS solution. In contrast, single-component monolayers of the guanidinium or the cyclophane did not show a significant increase in fluorescence emission. In the mixed monolayers, the guest TNS would be bound to the interface by strong electrostatic interaction with the guanidinium, and inclusion of the formed complex probably suppresses the quenching effect in polar medium and/or self-quenching. Experiments with various mixing ratios of these components suggest selective formation of an equimolar cooperative receptor of the guanidinium and the cyclophane. Investigation of the cyclophane structures by fluorescence emission and a competitive binding experiment with another guest were also carried out.