New inhibitors of human renin that contain novel replacements at the P2 site.

A series of renin inhibitors with novel modifications at the P2 site has been prepared. Structure-activity relationships reveal that for a particular P2 fragment the in vitro potency is highly dependent on the nature of the P2' portion in addition to the P1-P1' group. The length of the P2 side chain and choice of epsilon-N P2 substitution have been found to be important for in vitro potency although the degree of unsaturation in the P2 side chain is not particularly significant. Molecular modeling studies have shown that it is possible for the P2 side chain to interact unfavorably with the P2' binding site. It has been possible to control the specificity for renin over cathepsin D by correct modification at the P2' and P1-P1' sites. Variations at the P4 site have been utilized to lower the log P values of these renin inhibitors while maintaining high potency. Compound 42, which exhibited an IC50 of 3.70 nM, log P of 2.3, and showed high specificity for renin, was selected for further studies. It was found to be very stable under neutral, acidic, and basic conditions. In simulated intestinal juice, compound 42 had a half-life of 37 min while it was virtually unaffected by simulated gastric juice after 4 h. Compound 42 produced a significant hypotensive response upon intravenous administration to the salt-depleted normotensive cynomolgus monkey.

Structure-activity relationships for enhancement of adenosine A1 receptor binding by 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes.

The structural requirements for stimulation of adenosine A1 agonist binding by 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes and related compounds were investigated. Slowing of the dissociation of [3H]N6cyclohexyladenosine binding was used as a specific measure of the allosteric effects of these compounds. The thiophene ring could be replaced with benzene but not with several nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The 2-amino group was required, and at least one hydrogen on the amino group appeared to be necessary for activity. The keto carbonyl was also essential. Alkyl substitution at the 4-position of the thiophene ring increased activity, whereas 5-position substitution appeared to have little effect. Activity was also increased by various substitutions on the phenyl ring, with 3-(trifluoromethyl) showing optimal activity. The phenyl ring could be replaced with cyclohexyl without major loss of activity. 1-Aminofluoren-9-one, a conformationally locked derivative, was active. Based in part in the latter observation, the active conformation is proposed to have an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the amino nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen. Because the 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes showed competitive adenosine antagonism as well as allosteric enhancement, their affinities as competitive inhibitors of [3H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine binding to A1 receptors were also assessed. Structure-activity relationships for competitive antagonism were distinct from those for allosteric enhancement, with ratios between the two activities varying by more than 1000-fold. Of the analogs tested, (2-amino-4,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methanone (PD 81,723) had the most favorable ratio of enhancement to antagonism.

Renin inhibitors containing isosteric replacements of the amide bond connecting the P3 and P2 sites.

Renin inhibitors having 13 different isosteres connecting the P3 and P2 positions have been prepared. Synthetic routes and in vitro activity exhibited by these compounds are discussed. The two most potent compounds, 47 and 48, contained the hydroxyethylene isostere, psi [CHOHCH2], and had IC50 values of 61 and 22 nM, respectively.

Modified di- and tripeptides of the C-terminal portion of oxytocin and vasopressin as possible cognition activation agents.

A number of peptides and modified peptides were synthesized and studied for their ability to reverse electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in rodents. A few of these peptides were selected for secondary evaluation in tests of short-term memory in rats and aged rhesus monkeys. A number of the peptides and modified peptides were active in the amnesia reversal test. In selected secondary tests, however, the chosen compounds failed to show significant activity in enhancing memory. New methods for preparing methyleneamino and methyleneoxy isosteres of peptides are reported. Other modified peptides also included methylenethio, methylenesulfonyl, and ethylene isosteres in place of the normal peptide amide bond.

Synthesis and biological activity of modified peptide inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme.

A series of non-sulfhydryl modified dipeptides related to CI-906, CI-907, and enalapril was prepared in which various isosteric moieties (O, S, SO, SO2) have been substituted for the amino group and in which the proline residue has been replaced with various hydrophobic amino acids. The compounds were evaluated in vitro for inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme and in vivo for antihypertensive activity. Compound 7c, the most potent member of this series, had an in vitro IC50 of 1.4 X 10(-8) M and showed modest oral antihypertensive activity at 30 mg/kg in conscious, two kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertensive rats. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Preparation and characterization of antibodies with specificity for the amino-terminal tetrapeptide sequence of the platelet-derived connective tissue activating peptide-III.

Antisera selectively reactive with the N-terminal tetrapeptide sequence of the platelet-derived connective tissue activating peptide-III mitogen were prepared and characterized. Solid phase synthesized Z-Asn-Leu-Ala-Lys(Z)-OH tetrapeptide representing the N-terminus of the mitogen was used as an immunogen after carbodiimide mediated coupling to methylated bovine serum albumin carrier and subsequent removal of Z groups. Anti-tetrapeptide sera demonstrated cross-reactivity to the mitogen but not beta-thromboglobulin, fibroblast growth factor, or epidermal growth factor, and a limited cross-reactivity to parathyroid hormone. The studies indicate that the N-terminal sequence of the mitogen is accessible for binding with antibody and the antitetrapeptide sera provide a reagent for the selective measurement of biologically active mitogen in the presence of structurally similar beta-thrombo-globulin. In addition, computer analysis of amino acid sequences revealed that few proteins contain the Asn-Leu-Ala-Lys sequence and of those that do, many are retroviral proteins or transforming polyproteins.

Synthesis and antiallergy activity of 10-oxo-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines and 10-oxo-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,4-d]pyrimidines.

Synthesis and antiallergy activity of 10-oxo-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines (2 and 3) and 10-oxo-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,4-d]pyrimidines (4 and 5) are described. The activity, shown by these compounds in the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test, is compared to the PCA data previously reported for a series of 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines. 10-Oxo-N-1H-tetrazol-5-yl-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,4-d]pyri midine (2b), 10-oxo-7-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,4-d]py rimidine (4e), and 3,10-dihydro-10-oxo-7-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3, 4-d] pyrimidine (7e) gave a 100% inhibition in the rat PCA test at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The activity displayed by these compounds is comparable to that of the most active compounds in the 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine series.

Novel synthesis of (S)-1-[5-(benzoylamino)-1,4-dioxo-6-phenylhexyl]-L-proline and analogues: potent angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

A new approach was developed for the synthesis of (S)-1-[5-(benzoylamino)-1,4-dioxo-6-phenylhexyl]-L-proline (1) and 23 analogues. The delta-(acylamino)-gamma-keto acid intermediates were obtained by a modified Dakin--West reaction using 3-carbomethoxypropionyl chloride. Acylation of L-proline and recrystallization of the mixture of diastereomers gave the optically pure title compound in three reaction steps. The in vitro angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of 1 was confirmed. Some of the novel analogues (6, 11, 13, and 17) were also found to be potent inhibitors of ACE in vitro with an IC50 of 1.4-8.8 x 10(-9) M (IC50 for captopril = 0.9 x 10(-8) M). In vivo these compounds (6, 11, 17, and 18) were much less active than captopril, especially by the oral route. Against angiotensin I (AI) challenge in normotensive conscious rats, 1 and 6 produced less than 50% inhibition at 30 mg/kg po but 57 to 82% inhibition at 3 mg/kg iv. Inhibition by both routes lasted less than 1 h. In renal hypertensive rats, 1 and 15 of its analogues failed to produce significant blood pressure lowering effects, in contrast to the marked effects of captopril. Near maximum inhibition of AI was achieved by continuous intravenous infusions of 1 and 20, suggesting that limited oral activity may by due to degradation and/or clearance.

Synthesis and antiallergy activity of 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines.

A series of 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines with substitutions in the 2, 3, and 7 positions was prepared. The compounds were evaluated in the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test for antiallergy activity. Several compounds had potent oral activity and were found to be superior to disodium cromoglycate and doxantrazole. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Synthesis and biological activity of peptide antagonists of luliberin (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone).

A series of des-His2 octa- and nonapeptide analogues of luliberin (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) with modifications in the 1 and 6 positions, and in some instances the 10 position, has been prepared. Some of these analogues are potent inhibitors of luliberin in vitro and in vivo. The use of ultraviolet absorption measurements for evaluating peptides containing tyrosine and tryptophan is described. An efficient synthesis of O-methyl-d-tyrosine is reported.