Stereoselective synthesis of 1,6-diazecanes by a tandem aza-Prins type dimerization and cyclization process.

We report the stereocontrolled synthesis of 1,6-diazecanes via a tandem aza-Prins type reaction of N-acyliminium ions with allylsilanes. It involves an aza-Prins type dimerization and cyclization in a single-step operation. This reaction represents the first example of 10-membered N-heterocycle synthesis using an aza-Prins reaction. Also, the interesting formation of an unusual tetracyclic compound through further cyclization of 1,6-diazecane and bicyclic compounds by the intramolecular cyclization of linear allylsilane are described. This tandem aza-Prins protocol provides a new synthetic strategy for the direct synthesis of medium-sized nitrogen heterocycles.

Modulation of SETDB1 activity by APQ ameliorates heterochromatin condensation, motor function, and neuropathology in a Huntington's disease mouse model.

The present study describes evaluation of epigenetic regulation by a small molecule as the therapeutic potential for treatment of Huntington's disease (HD). We identified 5-allyloxy-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinoline (APQ) as a novel SETDB1/ESET inhibitor using a combined in silico and in vitro cell based screening system. APQ reduced SETDB1 activity and H3K9me3 levels in a HD cell line model. In particular, not only APQ reduced H3K9me3 levels in the striatum but it also improved motor function and neuropathological symptoms such as neuronal size and activity in HD transgenic (YAC128) mice with minimal toxicity. Using H3K9me3-ChIP and genome-wide sequencing, we also confirmed that APQ modulates H3K9me3-landscaped epigenomes in YAC128 mice. These data provide that APQ, a novel small molecule SETDB1 inhibitor, coordinates H3K9me-dependent heterochromatin remodelling and can be an epigenetic drug for treating HD, leading with hope in clinical trials of HD.

Construction of 8-Azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes via Sequential DDQ-Mediated Oxidative Mannich Reactions of N-Aryl Pyrrolidines.

A concise synthesis of 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes via sequential oxidative Mannich reactions is described. This approach involves an intermolecular oxidative Mannich coupling reaction between N-aryl pyrrolidines with TMS enol ether and a subsequent intramolecular oxidative Mannich cyclization of the corresponding silyl enol ether. DDQ is used as a key oxidant for both reactions.

Identification of Optically Active Pyrimidine Derivatives as Selective 5-HT2C Modulators.

A series of pyrimidine derivatives 4a-i were synthesized and evaluated for their binding affinities towards 5-HT2C receptors. With regard to designed molecules 4a-i, the influence of the size of alkyl ether and the absolute configuration of a stereogenic center on the 5-HT2C binding affinity and selectivity was studied. The most promising diasteromeric mixtures 4d and 4e were selected in the initial radioligand binding assay and they were further synthesized as optically active forms starting from optically active alcohols 5d and 5e, prepared by an enzymatic kinetic resolution. Pyrimidine analogue (R,R)-4e displayed an excellent 5-HT2C binding affinity with good selectivity values against a broad range of other 5-HT receptor subtypes.

A Potential PET Radiotracer for the 5-HT2C Receptor: Synthesis and in Vivo Evaluation of 4-(3-[18F]fluorophenethoxy)pyrimidine.

The serotonin 2C receptor subtype (5-HT2C) is an excitatory 5-HT receptor widely distributed throughout the central nervous system. As the 5-HT2C receptor displays multiple actions on various neurotransmitter systems including glutamate, dopamine, epinephrine, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), abnormalities of the 5-HT2C receptor are associated with psychiatric diseases such as depression, schizophrenia, drug abuse, and anxiety. Up to date, three kinds of 5-HT2C PET radiotracers such as [11C]N-methylated arylazepine (1), [11C]WAY-163909 (2), and [18F]fluorophenylcyclopropane (3) have been developed, but they may not be suitable for in vivo 5-HT2C imaging study due to their modest specific binding. Herein, the synthesis and in vivo evaluation of 4-(3-[18F]fluorophenethoxy)pyrimidine [18F]4 as a potential PET radiotracer for the 5-HT2C receptor is described. [18F]4 was synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution of diaryliodonium precursor 17a with a 7.8 ± 2.7% (n = 6, decay corrected) radiochemical yield and over 99% radiochemical purity, showing an 89 ± 14 GBq/µmol specific radioactivity. The in vivo PET imaging studies of [18F]4 with or without lorcaserin, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved selective 5-HT2C agonist, demonstrated that [18F]4 exhibits a high level of specific binding to 5-HT2C receptors in the rat brain.

Identification of the first in silico-designed TREK1 antagonists that block channel currents dose dependently.

TREK1 (Twik-RElated Potassium (K+ ) channel 1), although a well-characterized target for several neuropsychiatric disorders, underwent very few explorations for prototypic inhibitors. This study aimed to find diverse chemotypes by an in silico means. Homology-built TREK1 on docking with high-affinity quaternary ammonium compounds (QAs) corroborated the previous findings by recreating the binding mode with proximally positioned key residues: Thr157, Thr266, Ile182, Leu189, and Leu304. Physical interactions between TREK1 and known antagonists were modeled to compensate the lack of ligand-bound protein crystal structures. A common feature hypothesis (Hypo1) was deduced from the chemical features of six active compounds. Validated Hypo1 and the most potent compound in the data set were employed as pharmacophore- and similarity-based virtual screening queries, respectively. Thirty-three hit compounds were tested for their ability to block TREK1 currents in HEK-293-transfected cells using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Eleven candidates displayed dose-dependent inhibition of channel currents; among these, NC30 possessing a 4-((1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-1-yl)methyl)piperidin-4-ol heterocyclic core was the most potent one with an IC50 of 4.7 µm. These results form a rational basis to design future drugs, and this is the first report of novel TREK1 antagonists delineated by a synergistic application of structure- and ligand-based approaches.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of picolinamides and thiazole-2-carboxamides as mGluR5 (metabotropic glutamate receptor 5) antagonists.

We described here the synthesis and biological evaluation of picolinamides and thiazole-2-carboxamides as potential mGluR5 antagonists. We found that a series of thiazole derivatives 6 showed better inhibitory activity against mGluR5. Compounds 6bc and 6bj have been identified as potent antagonists (IC50=274 and 159nM) showing excellent in vitro stability profile. Molecular docking study using the crystal structure of mGluR5 revealed that our compounds 6bc and 6bj fit the allosteric binding site of mavoglurant well.

Novel Scaffold Identification of mGlu1 Receptor Negative Allosteric Modulators Using a Hierarchical Virtual Screening Approach.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) is considered as an attractive drug target for neuropathic pain treatments. The hierarchical virtual screening approach for identifying novel scaffolds of mGluR1 allosteric modulators was performed using a homology model built with the dopamine D3 crystal structure as template. The mGluR1 mutagenesis data, conserved amino acid sequences across class A and class C GPCRs, and previously reported multiple sequence alignments of class C GPCRs to the rhodopsin template, were employed for the sequence alignment to overcome difficulties of model generation with low sequence identity of mGluR1 and dopamine D3. The structures refined by molecular dynamics simulations were employed for docking of Asinex commercial libraries after hierarchical virtual screening with pharmacophore and naïve Bayesian models. Five of 35 compounds experimentally evaluated using a calcium mobilization assay exhibited micromolar activities (IC50) with chemotype novelty that demonstrated the validity of our methods. A hierarchical structure and ligand-based virtual screening approach with homology model of class C GPCR based on dopamine D3 class A GPCR structure was successfully performed and applied to discover novel negative mGluR1 allosteric modulators.

Crystal structure of (E)-5,5-dimethyl-2-[3-(4-nitro-phen-yl)allyl-idene]cyclo-hexane-1,3-dione.

In the title compound, C17H17NO4, the cylohexane-1,3-dione ring adopts an envelope conformation with the dimethyl-subsituted C atom as the flap. Its mean plane is inclined to the benzene ring by 7.99 (19)°. The mol-ecule has a trans conformation about the bridging C=C bonds of the ally-idene chain. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers. The dimers are linked by further C-H.·O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets lying parallel to (10-1).

Discovery and biological evaluation of tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]pyridine derivatives as selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonists for the potential treatment of neuropathic pain.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) has been a prime target for drug discovery due to its heavy involvement in various brain disorders. Recent studies suggested that mGluR1 is associated with chronic pain and can serve as a promising target for the treatment of neuropathic pain. In an effort to develop a novel mGluR1 antagonist, we designed and synthesized a library of compounds with tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]pyridine scaffold. Among these compounds, compound 9b and 10b showed excellent antagonistic activity in vitro and demonstrated pain-suppressing activity in animal models of pain. Both compounds were orally active, and compound 9b exhibited a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rats. We believe that these compounds can provide a promising lead compound that is suitable for the potential treatment of neuropathic pain.

Synthesis of the Tricyclic Ring Structure of Daphnanes via Intramolecular [4 + 3] Cycloaddition/SmI2-Pinacol Coupling.

A synthetic approach toward the tricyclic 5,7,6-membered ring structure of daphnane-family natural products is described. An intramolecular [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction of furan with an oxypentadienyl cation constructed the oxa-bridged bicyclic structure in a stereoselective fashion. Structural analysis revealed that the desired exo isomer was predominantly acquired through epimerization. Finally, formation of the five-membered ring was achieved through SmI2-mediated pinacol coupling.

Tubulin inhibitor identification by bioactive conformation alignment pharmacophore-guided virtual screening.

Microtubules are important cellular component that are critical for proper cellular function. Microtubules are synthesized by polymerization of αß tubulin heterodimers called protofilaments. Microtubule dynamics facilitate proper cell division during mitosis. Disruption of microtubule dynamics by small-molecule agents inhibits mitosis, resulting in apoptotic cell death and preventing cell cycle progression. To identify a novel small molecule that binds the αß tubulin interface to affect microtubule dynamics, we developed a bioactive conformation alignment pharmacophore (BCAP) model to screen tubulin inhibitors from a huge database. The application of BCAP model generated based on the known αß-tubulin interface binders enabled us to identify several small-molecules that cause apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. Virtual screening combined with an in vitro assay yielded 15 cytotoxic molecules. In particular, ethyl 2-(4-(5-methyl-3-nitro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)butanamido)-4-phenylthiophene-3-carboxylate (H05) inhibited tubulin polymerization with an IC50 of 17.6 µm concentration. The virtual screening results suggest that the application of an unbiased BCAP pharmacophore greatly eliminates unlikely compounds from a huge database and maximizes screening success. From the limited compounds tested in the tubulin polymerization inhibitor (TPI) assay, compound H05 was discovered as a tubulin inhibitor. This compound requires further structure activity optimization to identify additional potent inhibitors from the same class of molecules.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of aryl isoxazole derivatives as metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonists: a potential treatment for neuropathic pain.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter and known to activate the metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors in the brain. Among these glutamate receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) has been implicated in various brain disorders including anxiety, schizophrenia and chronic pain. Several studies demonstrated that the blockade of mGluR1 signaling reduced pain responses in animal models, suggesting that mGluR1 is a promising target for the treatment of neuropathic pain. In this study, we have developed mGluR1 antagonists with an aryl isoxazole scaffold, and identify several compounds that are orally active in vivo. We believe that these compounds can serve as a useful tool for the investigation of the role of mGluR1 and a promising lead for the potential treatment of neuropathic pain.

Crystal structure of (E)-N-[(E)-3-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)allyl-idene]naphthalen-1-amine.

In the title compound, C20H17NO, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the 4-meth-oxy-phenyl ring and the naphthalene ring is 69.50 (7)°. The meth-oxy group is almost coplanar with the benzene ring to which it is connected [Cb-Cb-Om-Cm torsion angle of -7.9 (2)°; b = benzene and m = meth-oxy] and the imine group displays a C-C-N=C torsion angle is -57.2 (2)°. The imine (C=N) group has an E conformation. In the crystal, weak π-π inter-actions between the benzene rings [centroid-centroid distance = 3.7781 (10) Å] are observed.

Facile diverted synthesis of pyrrolidinyl triazoles using organotrifluoroborate: discovery of potential mPTP blockers.

This article describes the rapid and diversified synthesis of pyrrolidinyl triazoles for the discovery of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) blockers. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of ethynyl trifluoroborate with azidopyrrolidine produced a key intermediate, triazolyl trifluoroborate 4, which subsequently underwent a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction to afford a series of 1,4-disubstituted triazoles 2. Subsequent biological evaluation of these derivatives indicated 2ag and 2aj as the most potent mPTP blockers exhibiting excellent cytochrome P450 (CYP) stability when compared to the previously reported oxime analogue 1. The present work clearly demonstrates that a 1,2,3-triazole can be used as a stable oxime surrogate. Furthermore, it suggests that late-stage diversification through coupling reactions of organotrifluoroborates is suitable for the rapid discovery of biologically active molecules.

Efficient synthesis of mibefradil analogues: an insight into in vitro stability.

This article describes the synthesis and biological evaluation of a chemical library of mibefradil analogues to investigate the effect of structural modification on in vitro stability. The construction of the dihydrobenzopyran structure in mibefradil derivatives 2 was achieved through two efficient approaches based on a diastereoselective intermolecular Reformatsky reaction and an intramolecular carbonyl-ene cyclization. In particular, the second strategy through the intramolecular carbonyl-ene reaction led to the formation of a key intermediate 3 in a short and highly stereoselective way, which has allowed for practical and convenient preparation of analogues 2. Using this protocol, we could obtain 22 new mibefradil analogues 2, which were biologically tested for in vitro efficacies against T-type calcium channels and metabolic stabilities. Among the synthesized compounds, we found that analogue 2aa containing a dihydrobenzopyran ring and a secondary amine linker showed high % remaining activities of the tested CYP enzymes retaining the excellent T-type calcium channel blocking activity. These findings indicated that the structural modification of 1 was effective for improving in vitro stability, i.e., reducing CYP inhibition and metabolic degradation.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-substituted quinoline 6-carboxamides as potential mGluR1 antagonists for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

A series of 2-amino and 2-methoxy quinoline-6-carboxamide derivatives have been synthesized and their metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1) antagonistic activities were evaluated in a functional cell-based assay. The compound 13c showed the highest potency with IC50 value of 2.16 µM against mGluR1. Finally, in vivo evaluation of 13c in the rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model exhibited weak analgesic effects with regard to both mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia.

(E)-2,2'-[3-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)prop-2-ene-1,1-di-yl]bis-(3-hy-droxy-5,5-di-methyl-cyclo-hex-2-en-1-one).

The title compound, C25H29ClO4, adopts a trans conformation about the C=C double bond and the di-methyl-cyclo-hexenone rings both show an envelope conformation with the dimethyl-substituted C atom as the flap. In the mol-ecule, the hy-droxy and carbonyl groups form two intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds typical for xanthene derivatives. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into chains running parallel to the a-axis direction.

9-[(E)-2-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)ethen-yl]-3,3,6,6-tetra-methyl-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-octa-hydro-1H-xanthene-1,8-dione.

In the title compound, C25H27ClO3, each of the cyclo-hexenone rings adopts an envelope conformation, whereas the six-membered pyran ring adopts a flattened boat conformation, with the O and methine C atoms deviating from the plane of the other four atoms. The C=C double bond is in the trans conformation. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into chains running parallel to the b axis.

(E)-N-(3,3-Di-phenyl-allyl-idene)naph-thal-en-1-amine.

The title compound, C25H19N, adopts an E conformation about the C=N bond. The naphthalene ring system and the phenyl rings form dihedral angles 38.1 (1), 46.9 (8) and 48.5 (1)°, respectively, with the mean plane of the central enimino fragment. The crystal packing exhibits no directional close contacts.