Novel erythromycin derivatives with aryl groups tethered to the C-6 position are potent protein synthesis inhibitors and active against multidrug-resistant respiratory pathogens.

A novel series of erythromycin derivatives has been discovered with potent activity against key respiratory pathogens, including those resistant to erythromycin. These compounds are characterized by having an aryl group tethered to the C-6 position of the erythronolide skeleton. Extensive structural modification of the C-6 moiety led to the discovery of several promising compounds with potent activity against both mef- and erm-mediated resistant Streptoccoccus pneumoniae. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the new macrolides are potent protein synthesis inhibitors, which interact with methylated ribosomes isolated from resistant organisms. In experimental animal models, these compounds exhibited excellent in vivo efficacy and balanced pharmacokinetic profiles.

Comparison of the antiviral activity of hydrophobic amino acid phosphoramidate monoesters of 2'3'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA) and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT).

A series of hydrophobic, water soluble and non-toxic amino acid phosphoramidate monoesters of dideoxyadenosine (ddA) and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine were shown to inhibit the replication of HIV-1 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from two donors. The tryptophan methyl ester phosphoramidates of AZT and ddA were equally potent (EC50S = 0.3-0.4 microM), while the phenyl methyl ester of ddA was 40- to 100- fold more potent than the AZT derivatives. The alaninyl methyl ester of AZT was found to be 70- fold more potent than the ddA derivative. The methyl amide derivatives were found to be 5-20 fold less active than the methyl esters for the ddA series, while for AZT the derivatives were found to be of similar potency or 60- to 166- fold more potent than the methylesters.

Amino acid phosphoramidate monoesters of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine: relationship between antiviral potency and intracellular metabolism.

A series of phosphoramidate monoesters of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) bearing aliphatic amino acid methyl esters (3a, 3c, 4a, 4c, 5-7) and methyl amides (3b, 3d, 4b, 4d) was prepared and evaluated for anti-HIV-1 activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These compounds, which showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations of 100 microM, were effective at inhibiting HIV-1 replication at concentrations of 0.08-30 microM. Since the D-phenylalanine and D-tryptophan derivatives exhibited equivalent or enhanced antiviral activity compared to their L-counterparts, there appears to be no specific stereochemical requirement for the amino acid side chain. In addition, except for the D-phenylalanine derivatives, the methyl amides had greater antiviral activity than the corresponding methyl esters. On the basis of the observed antiviral activity of AZT phosphoramidate monoesters 3a and 4a in PBMCs and CEM cells, the mechanism of action of these two compounds was investigated. AZT-MP and substantial amounts of either phosphoramidate were detected in PBMCs and CEM cells treated with either 3a or 4a. Biological mechanistic studies demonstrated that 3a and 4a affect viral replication at a stage after virus entry and preceding viral DNA integration. Quantitation of the intracellular levels of AZT-TP in PBMCs and CEM cells treated with 3a and 4a in the presence and absence of exogenous thymidine correlated the intracellular levels of AZT-TP to the antiviral activity and suggested that AZT-TP was responsible for the activity observed. In addition, the reduced toxicity of 3a and 4a toward CEM cells relative to AZT correlated with reduced levels of total phosphorylated AZT and not AZT-TP. Stable carbamate analogues of 3a and 4a were prepared and shown to inhibit the production of AZT-MP from cell-free extracts of CEM cells, further suggesting that a phosphoramidate hydrolase may be responsible for intracellular P-N bond cleavage. Taken together, these results suggest that the biological activity and intracellular metabolism of nucleoside phosphoramidate monoesters are distinct from that of phosphoramidate diesters.

Synthesis, in vitro anti-breast cancer activity, and intracellular decomposition of amino acid methyl ester and alkyl amide phosphoramidate monoesters of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT).

We report the synthesis and anticancer activity of a series of AZT phosphoramidate monoesters containing amino acid methyl ester (3a-11a) and N-alkyl amide (3b-11b, 9c-9f) moieties. The aromatic amino acid methyl esters were found to be more cytotoxic than the aliphatic analogues toward MCF-7 cells (human pleural effusion breast adenocarcinoma cell line). A marked stereochemical preference for the L-amino acid stereochemistry was also observed in MCF-7 cells. There was no consistent enhancement of cytotoxicity of the methyl amides over the corresponding methyl esters. AZT and the two AZT aromatic amino acid methyl ester phosphoramidates 8a and 9a were found to be more cytotoxic toward MCF-7 cells than to CEM cells (human T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia). The selective cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cells may be associated with greater intracellular levels of phosphoramidate monoester and/or phosphorylated AZT.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel 6-O-substituted erythromycin A derivatives.

A series of novel 6-O-substituted erythromycin A derivatives has been synthesized. Good in vitro antibacterial activity has been demonstrated for analogues incorporating a variety of structural features. The methodology disclosed is expected to find application in the design of future macrolide antibiotics that target the prevalent bacterial resistance problem.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of amino acid carbamate derivatives of AZT.

Lipophilic amino acid methyl ester and methyl amide carbamates of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) were synthesized and their anti-HIV-1 activity in PBMCs was determined. The methyl amides were more potent (EC50s = 1.8-4.0 microM) than the methyl esters (EC50s = 2.0-20 microM). Carbamate hydrolysis by cell lysates and liberation of AZT was not observed for representative methyl ester or methyl amide AZT carbamates. No evidence of direct inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase or integrase was observed.

Antiviral nucleoside drug delivery via amino acid phosphoramidates.

Stable and water soluble amino acid phosphomonoester amidates of AZT were synthesized and shown to have potent anti-HIV-1 activity. Intracellular and cell extract metabolism studies revealed that these compounds are likely to be enzymatically converted to the corresponding monophosphates. In addition, we have shown that the half life and tissue distribution of a phosphoramidate of AZT is 5 and 10-fold greater, respectively, than AZT.

Anhydrolide macrolides. 1. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 2,3-anhydro-6-O-methyl 11,12-carbamate erythromycin A analogues.

A series of 3-descladinosyl-2,3-anhydro-6-O-methylerythromycin A 11, 12-carbamate analogues have been synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. These compounds were found to be potent antibacterial agents against Gram-positive organisms in vitro, many having MIC values below 1 microg/mL for the macrolide-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as improved activity compared to erythromycin A against the inducibly MLS (macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B)-resistant organisms. Structure-activity studies revealed that arylalkyl carbamates with two and four carbon atoms between the aromatic moiety and carbamate nitrogen have the best in vitro activity. All of the C-10 epi analogues evaluated were found to have substantially less activity than the corresponding natural C-10 isomer. Several analogues demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity against the constitutively resistant S.aureus A-5278, S. pneumoniae5979, and S.pyogenes 930. However, despite potent in vitro activity, these analogues showed only moderate in vivo activity in mouse protection studies.

Anhydrolide macrolides. 2. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 2,3-anhydro-6-O-methyl 11,12-carbazate erythromycin A analogues.

A series of 3-descladinosyl-2,3-anhydro-6-O-methylerythromycin A 11, 12-cyclic carbazate analogues was prepared and evaluated for antibacterial activity. These 2,3-anhydro macrolides were found to be potent antibacterial agents in vitro against macrolide-susceptible organisms including Staphylococcus aureus 6538P, Streptococcus pyogenes EES61, and Streptococcuspneumoniae ATCC6303. These compounds were also very active against some organisms that show macrolide resistance (S. aureus A5177, S. pyogenes PIU2584, and S. pneumoniae 5649). The compounds generally showed poor activity against organisms with constitutive MLS resistance. Selected compounds were evaluated in vivo in mouse protection studies. Although most of the compounds tested in vivo showed poor efficacy, two compounds, 38 and 57, were more active than clarithromycin against S. pneumoniae ATCC6303.

3-Keto-11,12-carbazate derivatives of 6-O-methylerythromycin A synthesis and in vitro activity.

The 11,12-cyclic carbazate of 3-keto-6-O-methylerythromycin A (4) was prepared. This compound shows in vitro antibacterial activity comparable to erythromycin A (1) against erythromycin-susceptible organisms and increased activity against some erythromycin-resistant organisms. Using 4 as a lead, a series of analogues was prepared by acylation or alkylation of the carbazate nitrogen. Several of the N-alkylated derivatives showed dramatically improved antibacterial activity against both susceptible and resistant organisms as compared to erythromycin A.

Analysis of positions of substitution of O-carboxymethyl groups in partially O-carboxymethylated cellulose by the reductive-cleavage method.

A method is described for the analysis of positions of substitution of O-carboxylated groups in commercial samples of O-carboxymethylcellulose. Sequential permethylation of the polymer and reductive cleavage gives eight products, which are analyzed as their O-acetyl derivatives by gas-liquid chromatography.

Synthesis and mass spectra of 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O -(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-D-glucitol and the positional isomers of 4- O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-O-methyl-D-glucitol and 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol .

Reductive cleavage of fully methylated, partially O-carboxymethylated cellulose had previously been shown to produce 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-, -2-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-3,6-di-O-methyl-, -3-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2,6-di-O-methyl-, -6-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2,3-di-O-methyl-, -2,3-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-O-methyl-, -2,6-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-3-O-methyl-, -3,6-di-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2-O-methyl-, and -2,3,6-tri-O-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-D-glucitol. Described herein is the independent synthesis of these derivatives, except for the first, which had been reported. In addition, their 1H-n.m.r. spectra, chemical-ionization (NH3) mass spectra, and electronionization mass spectra are tabulated.