Correction: New fluorinated fructose analogs as selective probes of the hexose transporter protein GLUT5.

Correction for 'New fluorinated fructose analogs as selective probes of the hexose transporter protein GLUT5' by Olivier-Mohamad Soueidan, et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015, 13, 6511-6521.

New fluorinated fructose analogs as selective probes of the hexose transporter protein GLUT5.

Facilitated hexose transporters (GLUTs) mediate the transport of hexoses and other substrates across the membranes of numerous cell types, and while some are expressed ubiquitously (e.g., GLUT1), others are more tissue specific (e.g., GLUT5). These properties have been exploited for the imaging of cancer cells by the use of hexose based probes, including fluorinated hexose derivatives for use with positron emission tomography (PET). However, design of new probes has been hampered by a limited understanding of how GLUT transporters interact with their substrates at the molecular level. Two fluorinated fructose surrogates designed for uptake by the GLUT5 transporter are described here: 3-deoxy-3-fluoro-D-fructose (3-FDF) and 1-deoxy-1-fluoro-2,5-anhydromannitol (1-FDAM). Synthesis (both cold and radiolabeled) and in vitro analysis of their transport characteristics in two breast cancer cell lines (EMT-6 and MCF-7) expressing GLUT5 are detailed. Both analogues are readily taken up into both cancer cell lines, with uptake mediated primarily by GLUT5. They also have low IC50 values, indicating a high affinity for the transporter, suggesting that the uptake of these probes would be unaffected by endogenously circulating fructose. Selective uptake by GLUT5 was also demonstrated in Xenopus oocytes. Finally, these results are the first demonstration that a hexose existing predominantly in the pyranose ring structure (3-FDF) is transported by GLUT5, strongly suggesting that this transporter can handle both furanose and pyranose forms of fructose.

Erratum: Automated synthesis and dosimetry of 6-deoxy-6-[(18)F]fluoro-D-fructose (6-[(18)F]FDF): a radiotracer for imaging of GLUT5 in breast cancer.

6-Deoxy-6-[(18)F]fluoro-D-fructose (6-[(18)F]FDF) is a promising PET radiotracer for imaging GLUT5 in breast cancer. The present work describes GMP synthesis of 6-[(18)F]FDF in an automated synthesis unit (ASU) and dosimetry calculations to determine radiation doses in humans. GMP synthesis and dosimetry calculations are important prerequisites for first-in-human clinical studies of 6-[(18)F]FDF. The radiochemical synthesis of 6-[(18)F]FDF was optimized and adapted to an automated synthesis process using a Tracerlab FXFN ASU (GE Healthcare). Starting from 30 GBq of cyclotron-produced n.c.a. [(18)F]fluoride, 2.9 ± 0.1 GBq of 6-[(18)F]FDF could be prepared within 50 min including HPLC purification resulting in an overall decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 14 ± 3% (n = 11). Radiochemical purity exceeded 95%, and the specific activity was greater than 5.1 GBq/µmol. Sprague-Dawley rats were used for biodistribution experiments, and dynamic and static small animal PET experiments. Biodistribution studies served as basis for allometric extrapolation to the standard man anatomic model and normal organ-absorbed dose calculations using OLINDA/EXM software. The calculated human effective dose for 6-[(18)F]FDF was 0.0089 mSv/MBq. Highest organ doses with a dose equivalent of 0.0315 mSv/MBq in a humans were found in bone. Injection of 370 MBq (10 mCi) of 6-[(18)F]FDF results in an effective whole body radiation dose of 3.3 mSv in humans, a value comparable to that of other (18)F-labeled PET radiopharmaceuticals. The optimized automated synthesis under GMP conditions, the good radiochemical yield and the favorable human radiation dosimetry estimates support application of 6-[(18)F]FDF in clinical trials for molecular imaging of GLUT5 in breast cancer patients.[This corrects the article on p. 248 in vol. 4.].

Nazarov reactions of vinyl cyclopropylamines: an approach to the imino-Nazarov problem.

Dichlorocyclopropanation of 2-amino-1,3-dienes affords 1-alkenyl-1-amino-2,2-dichlorocyclopropanes which undergo silver-assisted 2-π electrocyclic opening to furnish 3-aminopentadienyl cations. Nazarov-type cyclization of these intermediates leads to cyclopentenone iminium salts, which provide allylic amines upon reduction. This process, the imino version of the traditional Nazarov reaction, can also be combined with an interrupted Nazarov domino process to give polycyclic amines.

Radiopharmacological evaluation of 6-deoxy-6-[18F]fluoro-D-fructose as a radiotracer for PET imaging of GLUT5 in breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Several clinical studies have shown low or no expression of GLUT1 in breast cancer patients, which may account for the low clinical specificity and sensitivity of 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) used in positron emission tomography (PET). Therefore, it has been proposed that other tumor characteristics such as the high expression of GLUT2 and GLUT5 in many breast tumors could be used to develop alternative strategies to detect breast cancer. Here we have studied the in vitro and in vivo radiopharmacological profile of 6-deoxy-6-[(18)F]fluoro-D-fructose (6-[(18)F]FDF) as a potential PET radiotracer to image GLUT5 expression in breast cancers. METHODS: Uptake of 6-[(18)F]FDF was studied in murine EMT-6 and human MCF-7 breast cancer cells over 60 min and compared to [(18)F]FDG. Biodistribution of 6-[(18)F]FDF was determined in BALB/c mice. Tumor uptake was studied with dynamic small animal PET in EMT-6 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice and human xenograft MCF-7 tumor-bearing NIH-III mice in comparison to [(18)F]FDG. 6-[(18)F]FDF metabolism was investigated in mouse blood and urine. RESULTS: 6-[(18)F]FDF is taken up by EMT-6 and MCF-7 breast tumor cells independent of extracellular glucose levels but dependent on the extracellular concentration of fructose. After 60 min, 30±4% (n=9) and 12±1% (n=7) ID/mg protein 6-[(18)F]FDF was found in EMT-6 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-d-fructose had a 10-fold higher potency than fructose to inhibit 6-[(18)F]FDF uptake into EMT-6 cells. Biodistribution in normal mice revealed radioactivity uptake in bone and brain. Radioactivity was accumulated in EMT-6 tumors reaching 3.65±0.30% ID/g (n=3) at 5 min post injection and decreasing to 1.75±0.03% ID/g (n=3) at 120 min post injection. Dynamic small animal PET showed significantly lower radioactivity uptake after 15 min post injection in MCF-7 tumors [standard uptake value (SUV)=0.76±0.05; n=3] compared to EMT-6 tumors (SUV=1.23±0.09; n=3). Interestingly, [(18)F]FDG uptake was significantly different in MCF-7 tumors (SUV(15 min) 0.74±0.12 to SUV(120 min) 0.80±0.15; n=3) versus EMT-6 tumors (SUV(15 min) 1.01±0.33 to SUV(120 min) 1.80±0.25; n=3). 6-[(18)F]FDF was shown to be a substrate for recombinant human ketohexokinase, and it was metabolized rapidly in vivo. CONCLUSION: Based on the GLUT5 specific transport and phosphorylation by ketohexokinase, 6-[(18)F]FDF may represent a novel radiotracer for PET imaging of GLUT5 and ketohexokinase-expressing tumors.

Interrupting the Nazarov reaction: domino and cascade processes utilizing cyclopentenyl cations.

The Nazarov reaction entails the electrocyclic closure of a conjugated pentadienyl cation to furnish a cyclopentenyl cation. In its conventional protocol, this intermediate is allowed to undergo elimination through loss of an adjacent proton, providing cyclopentenone products. This feature article describes a relatively new class of domino and cascade processes in which the mechanistic course of the Nazarov reaction is diverted at the point of the cyclopentenyl cation intermediate, collectively referred to as "interrupted Nazarov reactions." A variety of intra- or intermolecular nucleophiles, including silyl hydrides, alkenes, arenes, amines, halides, oxygen nucleophiles and azides, can capture the cation at one terminus, resulting in interesting polycyclic structures. 1,3-Dienes also trap the cyclopentenyl cation, but in this case via concerted [4 + 3]-cycloaddition to give keto-bridged cyclooctenes. An alternative method for generating the pentadienyl cyclization precursor from dichlorocyclopropanes rather than cross-conjugated dienones is also discussed, along with some novel trapping processes.

Synthesis and characterization of 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-D-fructose as a potential compound for imaging breast cancer with PET.

FDG-based imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) has been widely used in the detection of cancer, but has not reached its full potential. In breast cancer, the glucose/fructose transporter GLUT2 and the fructose transporter GLUT5 are known to be overexpressed in transformed tissues, implicating that a fructose-based analogue would be a useful target for the improved imaging of breast cancer. We have successfully synthesized the fluorinated fructose compound, 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-D-fructose (6FDF) and examined its potential for transport and accumulation in breast cancer cells. Expression analysis of GLUT isoforms was performed on two GLUT5 expressing breast cancer cell lines using western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Uptake and inhibition studies were undertaken using [14C]-labelled hexoses. Transport inhibition studies showed dose dependent inhibition of fructose transport in both cell lines by the newly synthesized 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-D-fructose (6FDF). Also, near linear uptake over time of [14C]-labelled 6FDF was observed in both cell lines. It appears that 6FDF may have great promise for use in in vivo PET imaging of breast cancer. Ongoing work will confirm the efficacy of this compound in imaging in mouse models.

Ring expansion of lactones and lactams via propiolate 1-carbon intercalation.

Readily available five- and six-membered lactones and N-sulfonyllactams undergo efficient addition of t-butyl propiolate, and the resulting adducts undergo cycloisomerization to six- and seven-membered cyclic ethers or amines in the presence of pyridinium acetate. The ring expansion process occurs in generally good yields and is proposed to involve a nucleophilic catalysis mechanism.

Interrupted nazarov reactions using dichlorocyclopropanes: a novel mode of arene trapping.

2-Siloxy-2-alkenyl-1,1-dichlorocyclopropanes with aryl-terminated side chains undergo silver-assisted electrocyclic opening/Nazarov cyclization. The resulting 2-siloxycyclopentenyl cations are intercepted by the pendant arenes to furnish tricyclic adducts in moderate to good yields. In cases where the arene trap was tethered through the cyclopropane unit, a new mode of trapping occurred to generate unique bridged carbon frameworks.

A new approach to the nazarov reaction via sequential electrocyclic ring opening and ring closure.

Regioselective dichlorocyclopropanation of 2-silyloxydienes furnishes vinylcyclopropanol silyl ethers in good yield. Treatment with silver(I) at room temperature effects disrotatory electrocyclic opening to a 2-chloro-3-silyloxypentadienyl cation, which then undergoes conrotatory (Nazarov) electrocyclization to provide chlorocyclopentenones. This two-step sequence offers a convenient and mild alternative to the standard Nazarov cyclization protocol via a formal 4+1 construction and furnishes products containing useful halogen functionality. In one case possessing a pendant phenyl group, interrupted Nazarov reaction to give a benzohydrindenone was observed.

Cyclopropyl alkynes as mechanistic probes to distinguish between vinyl radical and ionic intermediates.

[reaction: see text] The reactions of (trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl)ethyne, 1a, (trans,trans-2-methoxy-3-phenylcyclopropyl)ethyne, 1b, and (trans,trans-2-methoxy-1-methyl-3-phenylcyclopropyl)ethyne, 1c, with either aqueous sulfuric acid or tris(trimethylsilyl)silane (or tributyltin hydride) and AIBN have been investigated. Protonation and addition of the silyl (or stannyl) radical occurred at the terminal position of the alkyne giving an alpha-cyclopropyl-substituted vinyl cation or radical, respectively. Under both reaction conditions, 1a yielded products derived from ring opening toward the phenyl substituent. Alkynes 1b and 1c, however, gave different products depending on whether radical or cationic conditions were used. When radical conditions were employed, products derived from regioselective ring opening toward the phenyl substituent were obtained. In contrast, when cationic conditions were employed, products derived from selective ring opening toward the methoxy substituent were isolated. The corresponding alpha-cyclopropyl-substituted vinyllithium derivatives were also synthesized and were found to be stable toward rearrangement. An estimate of the rate constants for ring opening of the alpha-cyclopropylvinyl cations was also made: values of 10(10)-10(12) s(-1) were found for the vinyl cations derived from protonation of the terminal carbon of alkynes 1a-c. Based on these results, cyclopropyl alkynes 1a-c can be classified as hypersensitive mechanistic probes for the detection of vinyl radical or cationic intermediates generated adjacent to the cyclopropyl ring and, in the case of 1b and 1c, the distinction between a radical or cationic intermediate is possible.