Antiviral activity of 4-benzyl pyridinone derivatives as HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

In this overview, the antiviral properties of the Curie-pyridinone compounds, a new class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) developed as anti-HIV agents, are described. These compounds are hybrids between hydroxyethoxymethyl-phenylthiothymine (HEPT) and Merck pyridinones. Several structure-activity relationships (SAR) studies between HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and the Curie-pyridinones are described. The Curie-pyridinones are potent inhibitors of both HIV-1 replication in cell culture and of HIV-1 RT activity in vitro. They are specific to HIV-1 and do not inhibit the replication of HIV-2. The mechanism of inhibition is non-competitive with respect to the natural substrate dGTP. For these reasons, the Curie-pyridinones can be considered as non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 RT. Moreover, they have the unusual ability to reach the reverse transcription complex inside the extracellular virions and may therefore be useful as retrovirucides. This might lead to the design and synthesis of new drugs able to interact with the retroviral enzyme inside the viral core.

3D-QSAR CoMFA on cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.

Several series of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors previously prepared in our laboratory were compared using 3D-QSAR (CDK1) and docking (CDK2) techniques. Evaluation of our own library of 93 purine derivatives served to establish the model which was validated by evaluation of an external library of 71 compounds. The best predictions were obtained with the CoMFA standard model (q(2) = 0.68, r(2) = 0.90) and with the CoMSIA combined steric, electrostatic, and lipophilic fields (q(2) = 0.74, r(2) = 0.90). The CDK1 3D-QSAR model was then superimposed to the ATP/CDK2 binding site, giving direct contour maps of the different fields. Although too few compounds were evaluated on CDK5 to derive a 3D-QSAR model, some interesting SARs have been deduced. Comparison of the results obtained from both methods helped with understanding the specific activity of some compounds and designing new specific CDK inhibitors.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 4-benzyl pyridinone derivatives as potent and selective non-nucleoside human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Several 4-benzyl analogues of 5-ethyl-6-methyl-4-(phenylthio)pyridin-2(1H)-ones were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-HIV-l activities. Key transformations include metalation at the 4-C-position of 5-ethyl-2-methoxy-6-methyl-3-pivaloylaminopyridine (5) and its coupling with benzyl bromide or benzaldehyde derivatives. Biological studies revealed that some of the new 4-benzylpyridinones show potent HIV-1 specific reverse transcriptase inhibitory properties. Compounds 14, 19, and 27, which inhibit the replication of HIV-1 in CEM-SS cells, with IC(50) values ranging from 0.2 to 6 nM are the most active compounds in this series. Biochemical studies showed that compound 27 strongly inhibited the activity of a recombinant HIV-1 RT. Moreover, the infectivity of isolated HIV-1 particles was severely decreased after exposure to compound 27. Although cross resistance is frequently observed between non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, compound 27 was capable of inhibiting a virus resistant to nevirapine with an IC(50) of 40 nM.

Synthesis and evaluation of "AZT-HEPT", "AZT-pyridinone", and "ddC-HEPT" conjugates as inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase.

To test the concept that HIV reverse transcriptase could be effectively inhibited by "mixed site inhibitors", a series of seven conjugates containing both a nucleoside analogue component (AZT 1, ddC 2) and a nonnucleoside type inhibitor (HEPT analogue 12, pyridinone 27) were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to block HIV replication. The (N-3 and C-5)AZT-HEPT conjugates 15, 22, and 23 displayed 2-5 microM anti-HIV activity, but they had no effect on the replication of HIV-2 or the HIV-1 strain with the Y181C mutation. The (C-5)AZT-pyridinone conjugates 34-37 were found to be inactive. In marked contrast, the ddC-HEPT molecule 26 displayed the same potency (EC(50) = 0.45 microM) against HIV-1 (wild type and the Y181C nevirapine-resistant strain) and HIV-2 in cell culture. No synergistic effect was observed for these bis-substrate inhibitors, suggesting that the two individual inhibitor components in these molecules do not bind simultaneously in their respective sites. Interestingly, however, the results indicate that the AZT-HEPT conjugates and the ddC-HEPT derivative 26 inhibit reverse transcriptase (RT) in an opposite manner. One explanation for this difference is that the former compounds interact preferentially with the hydrophobic pocket in RT, whereas 26 (after supposed triphosphorylation) inhibits RT through binding in the catalytic site.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition by new C-2 alkynylated purine derivatives and molecular structure of a CDK2-inhibitor complex.

A new series of 2,6,9-trisubstituted purines, characterized by the presence of a common alkynyl substituent at C-2 and a range of different anilino/benzylamino groups at C-6, were synthesized. These compounds were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit cyclin-dependent kinase activity (CDK1-cyclin B) in vitro. Compounds 4e (N-6-p-Cl-benzylamino derivative) and 5e (N-6-m-Cl-anilino derivative) exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity with an IC(50) of 60 nM. The structure of compound 4b (N-6-p-methoxybenzylamino derivative) in complex with human CDK2 was determined by X-ray crystallography, revealing the molecular basis of inhibition by this molecule. Subsequent molecular modeling studies allowed us to rationalize the SAR observed for these compounds.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel 2,6,9-trisubstituted purines acting as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.

Novel C-2, C-6, N-9 trisubstituted purines derived from the olomoucine/roscovitine lead structure were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit starfish oocyte CDK1/cyclin B, neuronal CDK5/p35 and erk1 kinases in purified extracts. Structure activity relationship studies showed that increased steric bulk at N-9 reduces the inhibitory potential whereas substitution of the aminoethanol C-2 side chain by various groups of different size (methyl, propyl, butyl, phenyl, benzyl) only slightly decreases the activity when compared to (R)-roscovitine. Optimal inhibitory activity against CDK5, CDK1 and CDK2, with IC50 values of 0.16, 0.45 and 0.65 microM, respectively, was obtained with compound 21 containing a (2R)-pyrrolidin-2-yl-methanol substituent at the C-2 and a 3-iodobenzylamino group at the C-6 of the purine. Compound 21 proved cytotoxic against human tumor HeLa cells (LD50-6.7 microM versus 42.7 microM for olomoucine, 24-h contact). Furthermore, unlike olomoucine, compound 21 was effective upon short exposure (LD50= 25.3 microM, 2-h contact). The available data suggest that the affinity for CDKs and the cytotoxic potential of the drugs are inter-related. However, no straightforward cell cycle phase specificity of the cytotoxic response to 21 was observed in synchronized HeLa cells. With the noticeable exception of pronounced lengthening of the S-phase transit by 21 applied during early-S in synchronized HeLa cells, and in striking contrast with earlier reports on studies using plant or echinoderm cells. olomoucilnc and compound 21 were unable to reversibly arrest cell cycle progression in asynchronous growing HeLa cells. Some irreversible hlock in GI and G2 phase occurred at high olomoucine concentration, correlated with induced cell death. Moreover, chmronic exposure to lethal doses of compound 21 resulted in massive nuclear fragmentation, evocative of mitotic catastrophe with minour amounts of apoptosis only. It was also found that olomoucine and compound 21 reversibly block the intracellular uptake of nuicleosides with high efficiency.

Effect of nucleoside analogs and non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase on cell-free virions.

Reverse transcription takes place in the cytoplasm of infected cells, although it has been demonstrated that retroviruses can also initiate reverse transcription prior to infection of target cells. In addition to partial reverse transcripts, full-length proviral molecules have been detected in the plasma and seminal fluid of HIV-1 seropositive patients. Intravirion endogenous reverse transcription appears to be directly correlated with an increased level of infectivity. Therefore, the ability of an inhibitor to reach and inhibit the replication complex in the core of the free-virion may constitute an important part of its capacity to suppress viral infection. In this work we tested the ability of some reverse transcriptase inhibitors to decrease viral infectivity in pretreated highly purified virions. Our results showed that Curie pyridinone [Dollé et al. (1995), J Med Chem 38: 4,679-4,686], a non nucleoside RT inhibitor, strongly inhibited the infectivity of extracellular HIV-1 particles. Other non nucleoside inhibitors (TIBO R82913, HEPT, nevirapine) tested in these conditions were unable to do so. Our data indicate that the effect of Curie pyridinone on intact virions may be related to its capacity to tightly bind the target RT. This approach may lead to the design and synthesis of new drugs able to interact with the retroviral enzyme inside the viral core.

Synthesis of C2 alkynylated purines, a new family of potent inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases.

The synthesis of a new family of inhibitors of the cell cycle regulating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK's) is reported. These compounds, related to the purines olomoucine and roscovitine, are characterised by the presence of alkynylated side chains at C2. They inhibit CDK's with IC50's in the 200 nM range.

Synthesis of new (+-)-3,5-dihydroxypentyl nucleoside analogues from 1-amino-5-(benzyloxy)pentan-3-ol and their antiviral evaluation.

The synthesis and antiviral evaluation of a series of (+-)-3,5- dihydroxypentyl nucleoside analogues related to acyclic nucleoside antiviral agents are reported. All purine and pyrimidine nucleoside analogues described in this paper have been obtained from 1-amino-5-(benzyloxy)pentan-3-ol. A synthesis of this amine is reported from 1-(benzyloxy)but-3-ene after epoxidation and regiospecific diethylaluminum chloride catalyzed opening of the epoxide by trimethylsilyl cyanide. The compounds were tested in vitro in infected MRC5 and CEM cells. None of the compounds exhibited antiviral activity against HSV-1, HCMV, and HIV-1 with the exception of the guanine derivative 7, which inhibited the cytopathic effect of HSV-1 by 50% at 12.5 micrograms/mL.

(+/-)-2-Amino-3,4-dihydro-7-[2,3-dihydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1- cyclopentyl]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones: new carbocyclic analogues of 7-deazaguanosine with antiviral activity.

5-Allyl-2-amino-4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine (3) was chlorinated and ozonized to yield (2-amino-4,6-dichloro-pyrimidin-5-yl)acetaldehyde (5). Acetalization of 5 with ethanol afforded a new pyrimidine intermediate 6 which can lead to 2-amino-3,4-dihydro-7-alkyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones and therefore to carbocyclic analogues of 7-deazaguanosine. The 7-substituent was a cyclopentyl analogue of the arabinofuranosyl moiety in 10a, lyxofuranosyl moiety in 10b, and ribofuranosyl moiety in 10c. Compounds 10a and 10b exhibited selective inhibitory activities against the multiplication of HSV1 and HSV2 in cell culture. Repeated administration of compound 10a at 10mg/kg ip to mice infected with HSV2 increased the number of survivors and lengthened significantly the mean survival time.

Characterization of a non-histone chromosomal protein which stimulates RNA polymerase II.

A non-histone chromosomal protein was extracted and purified 177-fold from rat liver nuclei which stimulated RNA synthesis in vitro catalyzed by wheat germ RNA polymerase II with either liver chromatin, or native or denaturated calf thymus DNA as template. The stimulatory non-histone chromosomal protein fraction was characterized as having a molecular weight of 66 000 and a pI = 8.2--9.0. No activity was found with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and liver chromatin. The binding of the stimulatory non-histone chromosomal protein occurred exclusively with the chromatin template and not with RNA polymerase II as assessed by its interference with actinomycin D but not with alpha-amanitin, respectively.

Inhibition of tRNA methylation in vitro and in whole cells by an oncostatic S-adenosyl-homocysteine (SAH) analogue: 5'-deoxy 5'-S-isobutyl adenosine (SIBA).

A high increase in the amount of methylated tRNA bases was found in vivo in Rous sarcoma virus infected and transformed chick embryo fibroblasts in comparison with normal cells, tRNA methylases extracted from transformed cells showed also higher activity in vitro with a heterologous substrate. 5'-deoxy-5'-S-isobutyl adenosine, (a structural analogue of S-adenosyl-L homocysteine), which inhibits virus-induced cell transformation, inhibits also the increase of incorporation of labelled methyl groups into tRNA in infected and transformed cells. When normal cells are grown in the presence of this inhibitor, undermethylated tRNAs are obtained. The effect of the drug is different in normal, infected and transformed cells. The methylation of the different bases is inhibited in vitro and in vivo to various extent. The effect of this substance on tRNA methylation may be the cause of its inhibitory effect on cell transformation.

Inhibition of the phosphorylation of non-histone chromosomal proteins of rat liver by cordycepin and cordycepin triphosphate.

The effects of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) and cordycepin triphosphate on phosphorylation of non-histone chromosomal proteins were assessed in isolated hepatic nuclei in vitro. Cordycepin and cordycepin triphosphate competitively inhibited phosphorylation of urea-soluble nuclear proteins with a Ki of 1.2 X 10(-3) and 8 X 10(-5) M, respectively. Isoelectric focusing of urea-soluble proteins indicated that inhibition occurred predominantly in nuclear proteins with isoelectric points of pH 4 to 7. Quaternary aminoethyl-Sephadex chromatography of extracts of nuclei incubated with cordycepin and cordycepin triphosphate also showed inhibition of phosphorylation of non-histone chromosomal proteins with similar isoelectric points, although greater resolution of proteins with isoelectric points of pH 6 to 7 was achieved. RNA polymerase I and II were not affected by cordycepin and cordycepin triphosphate after quaternary aminoethyl-Sephadex chromatography of nuclear extracts incubated with either agent. However, RNA polymerase I and II in isolated nuclei were competitively inhibited by cordycepin triphosphate but not by cordycepin. These results suggest that cordycepin triphosphate, and perhaps cordycepin too, may affect transcription via interference with the phosphorylation of non-histone chromosomal proteins.

[New syntheses of S-adenosylhomocysteine and S-adenosylmethionine analogs]. / Nouvelles synthèse d'analogues de la S-adénosyl homocystéine et de la S-adénosyl-méthionine

With the aim of studying analogues of S adenosyl homocysteine and S adenosyl methionine as potential inhibitors of methyl-transferases, we describe the syntheses of such analogues, in which either the amino-acid chain is replaced by various aliphatic radicals of the N 6 amino group of adenine is substituted.