Synthetic Route to a Benzooxazole Derivative with Heparanase Inhibitory Activity

The synthesis of a benzooxazol-5-yl acetic acid derivative (9) with strong heparanase and angiogenesis inhibitory activity, and thus possible commercial interest, is described in detail.     

Cellular Fucosylation Inhibitors Based on Fluorinated Fucose-1-phosphates**

Fucosylation of glycans impacts a myriad of physiological and pathological processes. Inhibition of fucose expression emerges as a potential therapeutic avenue for example in cancer, inflammation, and infection. In this study, we found that protected 2-fluorofucose 1-phosphate efficiently inhibits cellular fucosylation with a four to seven times higher potency than known inhibitor 2FF, independently of the anomeric stereochemistry. Nucleotide sugar analysis revealed that both the α- and β-GDP-2FF anomers are formed inside the cell. In conclusion, we developed A2FF1P and B2FF1P as potent new tools for studying the role of fucosylation in health and disease and they are potential therapeutic candidates.     

Determination of MLN0128, an investigational antineoplastic agent,in human plasma by LC–MS/MS

MLN0128, an mTOR kinase inhibitor, is currently undergoing clinical investigation for treatment of a variety of cancers. To support this work, an LC–MS/MS method has been developed for the determination of MLN0128 in human plasma. A structural analog STK040263 was used as the internal standard. Both MLN0128 and the IS were first extracted from plasma using methyl tert ‐butyl ether; then separated on a Waters XTerra® MS C₁₈ column using a mobile phase consisting of methanol–acetonitrile–10.0 mm ammonium formate (34:6:60, v /v/v) at a flow rate of 0.300 mL min⁻¹. Quantitation of MLN0128 was done by positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in multiple‐reaction‐monitoring mode. This method has a total run time of <4 min with the retention times of 1.95 and 2.94 min for the IS and MLN0128, respectively. The method has been validated per the US Food and Drug Administration guidance for bioanalytical method validation. It has a calibration range of 0.100–50.0 ng mL⁻¹ in human plasma with a correlation coefficient > 0.999. The overall assay accuracy and precision were ≤ ± 4 and ≤8%, respectively. The IS normalized recovery of MLN0128 was 98–100%. The stability studies showed that MLN0128 was stable under all tested conditions. The method developed may be useful for clinical studies of MLN0128.     

Sensitive and specific LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method for determination of ZYDPLA1, a novel long‐acting dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor in rat plasma: An application for toxicokinetic study in rats

A rapid and highly specific assay was developed and validated for the estimation of ZYDPLA1 in rat plasma using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with positive electrospray ionization. Method validation comprised of parameters such as specificity, matrix effect, precision, accuracy, recovery, stability, etc. The assay procedure involved a simple protein precipitation of ZYDPLA1 and alprazolam (internal standard) from rat plasma using acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved with a gradient mobile phase comprising: (A) 0.2% ammonia in purified water; (B) 0.1% formic acid in isopropyl alcohol/methanol (1: 1 v /v); and (C) acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1 mL/min on an ACE‐5, C18 (4.6 × 50 mm) column with a run time of 5.5 min. The quantitation of ZYDPLA1 was achieved by the summation of four multiple reaction mode transitions (m/z 399.7 → 383.0, 399.7 → 276.10, 399.7 → 153.20 and 399.7 → 127.20), while that of the internal standard was by a single multiple reaction mode transition (m/z 309.10 → 281.00). The lower limit of quantitation achieved was 0.01 μg/mL and the method showed linearity from 0.01 to 25 μg/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision (%CV) of the quality control samples was within 8.81% and accuracy was ±10% of nominal values. This novel method was applied for evaluation of toxicokinetics of ZYDLA1 in rats.     

Short Synthesis of COX-2 Inhibitor Inotilone

An efficient three-step synthesis of COX-2 inhibitor inotilone from acetaldoxime is described. The structure of inotilone was elucidated via an aldol reaction between 5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. This approach describes a convenient pathway to 5-alkyl-3-furanones through isoxazole chemistry.     

A Convenient One-Pot Synthesis of Symmetric Secondary and Tertiary Vicinal Diamines

A convenient one-pot synthesis of symmetric vicinal diamines utilizing sodium borohydride/trifluoroacetic acid reduction methodology is described .     

Facile Synthesis of bis‐α‐Aminoalkylphosphinates

Herein we report a facile synthesis of esters of bis‐α‐aminoalkylphosphinic acids obtained by an addition of Cbz‐protected phosphinic analogues of amino acid methyl esters to an appropriate imine in refluxing benzene. Complete deprotection of the esters could be achieved in one step by the action of 30% HBr in acetic acid.     

Mapping the Active Site of the Bacterial Enzyme LpxC Using Novel Carbohydrate‐Based Hydroxamic Acid Inhibitors*

LpxC (UDP‐3‐O‐(R‐3‐hydroxymyristoyl)‐GlcNAc deacetylase), an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of lipid A, is crucial for the growth of Gram‐negative bacteria. This enzyme has accordingly been identified as a potential target for the development of novel antibiotics against Gram‐negative bacteria. The carbohydrate‐derived hydroxamic acid 1 (1,5‐anhydro‐2‐C‐(carboxymethyl N‐hydroxyamide)‐2‐deoxy‐3‐O‐myristoyl‐ D‐glucitol) was previously shown to exhibit a wide spectrum of inhibitory activity against LpxC enzymes. Here we describe the preparation of seven analogs of 1 and their enzymatic evaluation. Two of the hydroxyl groups (OH‐3 and 6) of the GlcNAc residue were found to be involved in the binding interaction, and there is an important hydrophobic interaction in the vicinity O‐3 position with the enzyme that recognizes aromatic as well as aliphatic substituents.     

Targeting the Substrate Binding Site of E. coli Nitrile Reductase QueF by Modeling,Substrate and Enzyme Engineering

Nitrile reductase QueF catalyzes the reduction of 2‐amino‐5‐cyanopyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐one (preQ₀) to 2‐amino‐5‐aminomethylpyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐one (preQ₁) in the biosynthetic pathway of the hypermodified nucleoside queuosine. It is the only enzyme known to catalyze a reduction of a nitrile to its corresponding primary amine and could therefore expand the toolbox of biocatalytic reactions of nitriles. To evaluate this new oxidoreductase for application in biocatalytic reactions, investigation of its substrate scope is prerequisite. We report here an investigation of the active site binding properties and the substrate scope of nitrile reductase QueF from Escherichia coli. Screenings with simple nitrile structures revealed high substrate specificity. Consequently, binding interactions of the substrate to the active site were identified based on a new homology model of E. coli QueF and modeled complex structures of the natural and non‐natural substrates. Various structural analogues of the natural substrate preQ₀ were synthesized and screened with wild‐type QueF from E. coli and several active site mutants. Two amino acid residues Cys190 and Asp197 were shown to play an essential role in the catalytic mechanism. Three non‐natural substrates were identified and compared to the natural substrate regarding their specific activities by using wild‐type and mutant nitrile reductase.