Investigating the Structure-Activity Relationship of the Insecticidal Natural Product Rocaglamide.

The natural product Rocaglamide (1), isolated from the tree Aglaia elliptifolia, is a compelling but also challenging lead structure for crop protection. In laboratory assays, the natural product shows highly interesting insecticidal activity against chewing pests and beetles, but also phytotoxicity on some crop plants. Multi-step syntheses with control of stereochemistry were required to probe the structure-activity relationship (SAR), and seek simplified analogues. After a significant research effort, just two areas of the molecule were identified which allow modification whilst maintaining activity, as will be highlighted in this paper.

Human HDAC isoform selectivity achieved via exploitation of the acetate release channel with structurally unique small molecule inhibitors.

Herein we report the discovery of a family of novel yet simple, amino-acid derived class I HDAC inhibitors that demonstrate isoform selectivity via access to the internal acetate release channel. Isoform selectivity criteria is discussed on the basis of X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling of these novel inhibitors bound to HDAC8, potentially revealing insights into the mechanism of enzymatic function through novel structural features revealed at the atomic level.

Identification of orally available naphthyridine protein kinase D inhibitors.

A novel 2,6-naphthyridine was identified by high throughput screen (HTS) as a dual protein kinase C/D (PKC/PKD) inhibitor. PKD inhibition in the heart was proposed as a potential antihypertrophic mechanism with application as a heart failure therapy. As PKC was previously identified as the immediate upstream activator of PKD, PKD vs PKC selectivity was essential to understand the effect of PKD inhibition in models of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. The present study describes the modification of the HTS hit to a series of prototype pan-PKD inhibitors with routine 1000-fold PKD vs PKC selectivity. Example compounds inhibited PKD activity in vitro, in cells, and in vivo following oral administration. Their effects on heart morphology and function are discussed herein.

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of tubulin polymerisation promoters. Part 1: pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazines.

BACKGROUND: The excellent fungicidal activity of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines suggested the search for further analogues with improved properties. RESULTS: A series of novel trisubstituted pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazines has been designed and prepared as 6,6-biheterocyclic analogues of related 5,6-bicyclic [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. Their fungicidal activity was evaluated against the plant pathogens Puccinia recondita Rob. ex Desm. f. sp. tritici (Eriks.) CO Johnston (wheat brown rust), Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) Schroter (Septoria tritici Rob., leaf spot of wheat) and Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr (Pyricularia oryzae Cav., rice blast). Structure-activity relationship studies revealed the advantage of a fluoro substituent in position 6 and of a secondary amine in position 8. CONCLUSION: 8-Amino-7-aryl-6-halogen-substituted pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazines have been prepared as 6,6-biheterocyclic analogues of similarly substituted triazolopyrimidine fungicides. A concise four-step synthesis route has been worked out to prepare these novel compounds from commercially available starting materials. [(R)-(1,2-Dimethylpropyl)]-[6-fluoro-7-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-8-yl]amine showed excellent activity against three economically important phytopathogens.

A short and efficient preparation of methyl-[1,2,4]oxadiazolium derivatives with plant-inducing activity.

We have developed a concise and efficient synthetic method leading to a structurally diverse array of salicylic acid and oxadiazolium derivatives, starting from commercially available halogenated phenols.