Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Novel sn-1 Heterocyclic DAG-Lactones as PKC Activators.

DAG-lactones represent useful templates for the design of potent and selective C1 domain ligands for PKC isozymes. The ester moiety at the sn-1 position, a common feature in this template, is relevant for C1 domain interactions, but it represents a labile group susceptible to endogenous esterases. An interesting challenge involves replacing the ester group of these ligands while still maintaining biological activity. Here, we present the synthesis and functional characterization of novel diacylglycerol-lactones containing heterocyclic ring substituents at the sn-1 position. Our results showed that the new compound 10B12, a DAG-lactone with an isoxazole ring, binds PKCα and PKCε with nanomolar affinity. Remarkably, 10B12 displays preferential selectivity for PKCε translocation in cells and induces a PKCε-dependent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton into peripheral ruffles in lung cancer cells. We conclude that introducing a stable isoxazole ring as an ester surrogate in DAG-lactones emerges as a novel structural approach to achieve PKC isozyme selectivity.

Development of an Improved Guanidine-Based Rac1 Inhibitor with in†vivo Activity against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

The Rho GTPase Rac1 is involved in the control of cytoskeleton reorganization and other fundamental cellular functions. Aberrant activity of Rac1 and its regulators is common in human cancer. In particular, deregulated expression/activity of Rac GEFs, responsible for Rac1 activation, has been associated to a metastatic phenotype and drug resistance. Thus, the development of novel Rac1-GEF interaction inhibitors is a promising strategy for finding new preclinical candidates. Here, we studied structure-activity relationships within a new family of N,N'-disubstituted guanidine as Rac1 inhibitors. We found that compound 1D-142, presents superior antiproliferative activity in human cancer cell lines and higher potency as Rac1-GEF interaction inhibitor in vitro than parental compounds. In addition, 1D-142 reduces Rac1-mediated TNFα-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation during cell proliferation and migration in NSCLC. Notably, 1D-142 allowed us to show for the first time the application of a Rac1 inhibitor in a lung cancer animal model.

Proapoptotic and antiinvasive activity of Rac1 small molecule inhibitors on malignant glioma cells.

Malignant gliomas are characterized by an intrinsic ability to invade diffusely throughout the normal brain tissue. This feature contributes mainly to the failure of existing therapies. Deregulation of small GTPases signaling, in particular Rac1 activity, plays a key role in the invasive phenotype of gliomas. Here we report the effect of ZINC69391, a specific Rac1 inhibitor developed by our group, on human glioma cell lines LN229 and U-87 MG. ZINC69391 is able to interfere with the interaction of Rac1 with Dock180, a relevant Rac1 activator in glioma invasion, and to reduce Rac1-GTP levels. The kinase Pak1, a downstream effector of Dock180-Rac1 signaling, was also downregulated upon ZINC69391 treatment. ZINC69391 reduced cell proliferation, arrested cells in G1 phase, and triggered apoptosis in glioma cells. Importantly, ZINC69391 dramatically affected cell migration and invasion in vitro, interfering with actin cytoskeleton dynamics. We also evaluated the effect of analog 1A-116, a compound derived from ZINC69391 structure. 1A-116 showed an improved antiproliferative and antiinvasive activity on glioma cells. These findings encourage further preclinical testing in clinically relevant animal models.

Synthesis of arabinofuranose branched galactofuran tetrasaccharides, constituents of mycobacterial arabinogalactan.

Mycolyl-arabinogalactan (mAG) complex is a major component of the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis disease. Due to the essentiality of the cell wall for mycobacterium viability, knowledge of the biosynthesis of the arabinogalactan is crucial for the development of new therapeutic agents. In this context, we have synthesized two new branched arabinogalactafuranose tetrasaccharides, decenyl ß-D-Galf-(1→5)-ß-D-Galf-(1→6)[α-D-Araf(1→5)]-ß-D-Galf (1) and decenyl ß-D-Galf-(1→6)-[α-D-Araf-(1→5)]-ß-D-Galf-(1→5)-ß-D-Galf (2), as interesting tools for arabinofuranosyl transferase studies. The aldonolactone strategy for the introduction of the internal d-Galf was employed, allowing the construction of oligosaccharides from the non-reducing to the reducing end. Moreover, a one-pot procedure was developed for the synthesis of trisaccharide lactone 21, precursor of 2, which involved a glycosylation-deprotection-glycosylation sequence, through the use of TMSOTf as catalyst of the trichloroacetimidate method as well as promoter of TBDMS deprotection.

Synthesis of a tetrasaccharide fragment of mycobacterial arabinogalactan.

The arabinogalactan of mycobacteria contains both monosaccharides in the furanose ring form, which are absent in mammals. We report here the first synthesis of the tetrasaccharide fragment alpha-D-Araf-(1-->5)-beta-D-Galf-(1-->5)-beta-D-Galf-(1-->6)-D-Galf, conveniently derivatized for further elongation. The strategy relied on the use of suitably substituted D-galactono-1,4-lactones as precursors for the galactofuranose units. Reduction of lactone tetrasaccharide 9 with disiamylborane afforded the tetrasaccharide synthon 1. The tetrasaccharide contains the linker unit of the arabinan to the galactan.

Synthesis of alpha-D-Gal f-(1-->2)-D-galactitol and alpha-D-Gal f-(1-->2)[beta-D-Gal f-(1-->3)]-D-galactitol, oligosaccharide derivatives from Bacteroides cellulosolvens glycoproteins.

The synthesis of alpha-D-galactofuranosyl-(1-->2)-D-galactitol, which has been isolated by reductive beta-elimination from glycoproteins of Bacteroides cellulosolvens and Clostridium thermocellum, is described. The approach of selective glycosylation of an aldono-1,4-lactone by the trichloroacetimidate method was employed. The synthesis of alpha-D-Gal f-(1-->2)[beta-D-Gal f-(1-->3)]-D-Galol, that contains Gal f units in both anomeric configurations, is also reported. These are the first synthetic oligosaccharides with alpha-D-Gal f, previously found in natural products.

Syntheses of beta-d-Galf-(1-->6)-beta-d-Galf-(1-->5)-d-Galf and beta-d-Galf-(1-->5)-beta-d-Galf-(1-->6)-d-Galf, trisaccharide units in the galactan of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The galactofuran is a crucial constituent of the cell wall of mycobacteria. An efficient synthesis of the two trisaccharide units of the galactan is described. The strategy relies on the use of substituted d-galactono-1,4-lactones as precursors for the internal and the reducing galactofuranoses. Dec-9-enyl beta-d-Galf-(1-->6)-beta-d-Galf-(1-->5)-beta-d-Galf (2) and dec-9-enyl beta-d-Galf-(1-->5)-beta-d-Galf-(1-->6)-beta-d-Galf (9) so far reported as convenient substrates for the galactofuranosyl transferase, and possibly useful for immunological studies, were obtained by the trichloroacetimidate method of glycosylation.

Synthesis of alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galf-(1-->3)-D-man, a terminal trisaccharide of Leishmania type-2 glycoinositolphospholipids.

The synthesis of alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galf-(1-->3)-D-Man, present in the type-2 glycoinositolphospholipids and in the core of the lipophosphoglycan of Leishmania, is described. The glycosyl aldonolactone approach, followed by reduction of the lactone with diisoamylborane, was utilized for the introduction of the internal galactofuranosyl unit and the trichloroacetimidate method for the O-glycosidation reaction. A high-yield synthesis of the beta-D-Galf-(1-3)-D-Man unit, also present in the lipopeptidophosphoglycan of Trypanosoma cruzi, is reported.