Structure-activity relationships of GHRP-6 azapeptide ligands of the CD36 scavenger receptor by solid-phase submonomer azapeptide synthesis

The cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) class B scavenger receptor binds a variety of biologically endogenous ligands in addition to synthetic peptides (i.e., growth hormone-releasing peptides, GHRPs), which modulate biological function related to anti-angiogenic and anti-atherosclerotic activities. Affinity labeling had previously shown that GHRP-6 analogues such as hexarelin, [2-Me-W(2)]GHRP-6 (1), bind to the lysine-rich domain of the CD36 receptor. Moreover, the azapeptide analogue [aza-F(4)]GHRP-6, 2, exhibited a characteristic β-turn conformation as described by CD and NMR spectroscopy and a slightly higher CD36 binding affinity relative to hexarelin (1.34 and 2.37 μM, respectively), suggesting receptor binding was mediated by the conformation and the aromatic residues of these peptide sequences. Ligand-receptor binding interactions were thus explored using azapeptides to examine influences of side-chain diversity and backbone conformation. In particular, considering that aromatic cation interactions may contribute to binding affinity, we have explored the potential of introducing salt bridges to furnish GHRP-6 azapeptide ligands of the CD36 receptor. Fifteen aza-glutamic acid analogues related to 2 were prepared by submonomer solid-phase synthesis. The azapeptide side chains were installed by novel approaches featuring alkylation of resin-bound semicarbazone with Michael acceptors and activated allylic acetates in the presence of phosphazene base (BTPP). Moreover, certain Michael adducts underwent intramolecular cyclization during semicarbazone deprotection, leading to novel pyrrazoline and aza-pyroglutamate N-terminal residues. Structural studies indicated that contingent on sequence the [aza-Glu]GHRP-6 analogues exhibited CD spectra characteristic of random coil, polyproline type II and β-turn secondary structures in aqueous media. In covalent competition binding studies with the GHRP-6 prototype hexarelin bearing a radiotracer, certain [aza-Glu]GHRP-6 azapeptides retained relatively high (2-27 μM) affinity for the CD36 scavenger receptor.     

Mimics of peptide turn backbone and side-chain geometry by a general approach for modifying azabicyclo[5.3.0]alkanone amino acids

Peptide mimics with constrained backbone and side-chain geometry are important tools for studying structure activity relationships of biologically active candidates. A general method for creating β-turn mimics possessing side-chain diversity has been developed featuring diastereoselective S(N)1 displacements of an iodide precursor. In particular, 6-iodo-pyrroloazepin-2-one amino ester 10 has served as a common precursor in reactions with a variety of alcohol, phenol, nitrate, and azide nucleophiles to provide an array of constrained peptide mimics.     

Conjugated 4-methoxybipyrrole thiophene azomethines: synthesis, opto-electronic properties, and crystallographic characterization

In the search of functional materials with improved electrochromic properties, thiophenes and asymmetric bipyrroles have been conjugated with azomethine units. 4-Methoxy-2,2'-bipyrroles 3-6 were first synthesized by a general route from 4-hydroxyproline and converted subsequently to dialdehydes 8-15, which underwent condensations with different aminothiophenes to provide azomethine conjugates 14-18 and 20-22. The crystallization and X-ray analysis of 20 showed the heterocycles and azomethine bonds were all co-planar with the heterocycles adopting an anti-parallel arrangement. These configurations result in extended conjugation and enhanced opto-electronic properties of the azomethines. Oxidation potential (E(pa)) was tailored by modification of the substitution pattern of the terminal thiophenes and central pyrroles of the azomethines. The combined low E(pa) and extended azomethine degree of conjugation resulted in stark color transitions occurring between their neutral and oxidized states. Reversible color formation was induced both electrochemically and by doping/de-doping with trifluoroacetic acid/triethylamine.     

N-Amino-imidazolin-2-one Peptide Mimic Synthesis and Conformational Analysis

Base-promoted 5-exo-dig cyclizations of aza-propargylglycinamides provided N-amino-imidazolin-2-one peptide mimics, which exhibited turn geometry in X-ray crystallographic and NMR spectroscopic analyses. Sonogashira coupling prior to cyclization afforded N-amino-imidazolin-2-ones with diverse 4-position aromatic substituents with potential to serve as Phe and Trp mimics.     

Aza-amino acid scan for rapid identification of secondary structure based on the application of N-Boc-aza(1)-dipeptides in peptide synthesis

Azapeptides, peptide analogues in which the alpha-carbon of one or more of the amino acid residues is replaced with a nitrogen atom, exhibit propensity for adopting beta-turn conformations. A general protocol for the synthesis of azapeptides without racemization on solid phase has now been developed by introducing the aza-amino acid residue as an N-Boc-aza(1)-dipeptide. This approach has been validated by the synthesis of six N-Boc-aza(1)-dipeptides and their subsequent introduction into analogues of the C-terminal peptide fragment of the human calcitonin gene-related peptide (hCGRP). By performing an aza-amino acid scan of such antagonist peptides, a set of aza-hCGRP analogues was synthesized to examine the relationship between turn secondary structure and biological activity.     

An effective new synthesis of 4-aminopyrrole-2-carboxylates

[reaction: see text] A series of 4-amino-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid benzyl esters has been synthesized in 61-84% yields on treatment of N-PhF-4-oxoproline benzyl ester and its 3-alkyl-substituted derivatives with different primary and secondary amines and a catalytic amount of TsOH in THF. 4-Hydroxy-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid benzyl esters were prepared in 59 and 70% yields by treatment of N-PhF-4-oxoproline benzyl esters with ammonium hydroxide in THF.     

1,3,5-Tri- and 1,3,4,5-tetra-substituted 1,4-diazepin-2-one solid-phase synthesis

Solid-phase syntheses of 1,3,5-tri-substituted and 1,3,4,5-tetra-substituted 1,4-diazepin-2-ones 15-18 have been accomplished by employing inexpensive commercially available alpha- and beta-amino acids on Wang resin. Reductive amination of the imine formed by condensation of Wang aldehyde resin respectively with beta-alaninate 2 and beta-homophenylalaninate 3, followed by aminoacylation with a set of alpha-N-Boc amino acids (Phe epsilon-( Z)-Lys, and Leu) gave tertiary amide resins 7 and 8. Exposure of resins 7 and 8 to an excess of vinyl magnesium bromide in the presence of copper cyanide gave the corresponding gamma,delta-unsaturated ketone resins 9 and 10 by way of a cascade addition. Diazepinones were made by Boc deprotection and intramolecular reductive amination. To diversify the heterocycle, N-alkylation was performed using a series of alkyl halides. Alternatively, diazepinones 15e-g were obtained from treatment of methyl beta-alaninate resins 4 and 20 under similar copper-catalyzed cascade conditions to afford the gamma,delta-unsaturated ketone 21, which was acylated using alpha-N-Fmoc-amino acids (Phe, Trp, gamma-(t-Bu)-Glu). Formation of diazepinones 15 followed a similar protocol, after Fmoc removal with piperidine. Cleavage of the heterocycles with TFA/TES 95:5 gave the N1-p-hydroxybenzyl diazepinones 15-18 in overall isolated yields from 6 to 24% after purification in purities ranging from 81 to 100% according to LCMS analysis.     

Serine as chiral educt for the practical synthesis of enantiopure N-protected beta-hydroxyvaline

N-tert-Butyloxycarbonyl- and N-benzenesulfonyl-beta-hydroxyvalines 1a and 1b were, respectively, synthesized in enantiomerically pure form by a two-step protocol from their enantiomeric N-protected serine methyl esters 2a and 2b. The addition of CH(3)MgBr to 2a and 2b provided diols 3a and 3b, respectively as major products in 83% and 81% yields. Selective oxidation of diols 3a and 3b was performed using a TEMPO, NaClO(2), NaOCl cocktail in 96% and 93% respective yields. This two-step process effectively furnished multigram amounts of enantiopure N-Boc-beta-hydroxyvaline 1a.