Perfluorinated hydroxamic acids are potent and selective inhibitors of HDAC-like enzymes from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A series of perfluorinated SAHA (PFSAHA) was prepared and profiled against a panel of human and bacterial members of the Histone deacetylase (HDAC) family. Some of the active substances show nanomolar inhibitory activity and several hundred fold selectivity for the HDAC like enzyme PA3774 from P. aeruginosa. The extraordinary selectivity against human HDACs results from the distinct oligomeric state of PA3774 which consists of two head-to-head dimers. The binding pocket is defined by the surface of both opposite monomers confining the access of ligands to the active site. In addition, the aromatic cap group of PFSAHA undergoes an edge-to-face aromatic interaction with phenylalanine from the opposite monomer.

Potent and Selective Non-hydroxamate Histone Deacetylase†8 Inhibitors.

Specific inhibition of histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) has been suggested as a promising option for the treatment of neuroblastoma and T-cell malignancies. A novel class of highly potent and selective HDAC8 inhibitors with a pyrimido[1,2-c][1,3]benzothiazin-6-imine scaffold was studied that is completely different from the traditional concept of HDAC inhibitors comprising a zinc binding group (ZBG), in most cases a hydroxamate group, a spacer, and a capping group that may interact with the surface of the target protein. Although lacking a ZBG, some of the new compounds were shown to have outstanding potency against HDAC8 in the single-digit nanomolar range. The pyrimido[1,2-c][1,3]benzothiazin-6-imines also inhibited the growth of solid and hematological tumor cells. The small size and beneficial physicochemical properties of the novel HDAC inhibitor class underline the high degree of drug likeness. This and the broad structure-activity relationship suggest great potential for the further development of compounds with the pyrimido[1,2-c][1,3]benzothiazin-6-imine scaffold into innovative and highly effective therapeutic drugs against cancer.

Coupled reactions on bioparticles: Stereoselective reduction with cofactor regeneration on PhaC inclusion bodies.

Chiral alcohols are important building blocks for specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The production of chiral alcohols from ketones can be carried out stereo selectively with alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs). To establish a process for cost-effective enzyme immobilization on solid phase for application in ketone reduction, we used an established enzyme pair consisting of ADH from Rhodococcus erythropolis and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) from Candida boidinii for NADH cofactor regeneration and co-immobilized them on modified poly-p-hydroxybutyrate synthase (PhaC)-inclusion bodies that were recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli cells. After separate production of genetically engineered and recombinantly produced enzymes and particles, cell lysates were combined and enzymes endowed with a Kcoil were captured on the surface of the Ecoil presenting particles due to coiled-coil interaction. Enzyme-loaded particles could be easily purified by centrifugation. Total conversion of 4'-chloroacetophenone to (S)-4-chloro-α-methylbenzyl alcohol could be accomplished using enzyme-loaded particles, catalytic amounts of NAD(+) and formate as substrates for FDH. Chiral GC-MS analysis revealed that immobilized ADH retained enantioselectivity with 99 % enantiomeric excess. In conclusion, this strategy may become a cost-effective alternative to coupled reactions using purified enzymes.

Functionalized tetrahydrofurans from alkenols and olefins/alkynes via aerobic oxidation-radical addition cascades.

Aerobic oxidation of alkyl- and phenyl-substituted 4-pentenols (bishomoallyl alcohols), catalyzed by cobalt(II) complexes in solutions of γ-terpinene or cyclohexa-1,4-diene, stereoselectively gave tetrahydrofurylmethyl radicals. Cyclized radicals were trapped with monosubstituted olefins (e.g., acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate), (E)- and (Z)-1,2-diacceptor-substituted olefins (e.g., dimethyl fumarate, fumarodinitrile, N-phenyl maleic imide), and ester-substituted alkynes (e.g., ethyl propynoate). Oxidation-addition cascades thus furnished side-chain-substituted (CN, CO(2)R, COR, or SO(2)R) di- and trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans in stereoselective reactions (2,3-trans, 2,4-cis, and 2,5-trans). A diastereomerically pure bistetrahydrofuran was prepared in a cascade consisting of two aerobic oxidations, one alkyne addition, and one final H-atom transfer.