The synthesis of indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives with a guanidine group: highly selective cytotoxic agents.

The synthesis of indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives containing guanidine, amino acid or guanylamino acid substituents as well as their in vitro evaluation for the cytotoxic and antifungal activity are reported. The influence of the guanidine group on the selective cytotoxic and hemolytic properties of indolo[2,3-b]quinoline was investigated. Most of the compounds displayed a high cytotoxic activity in vitro and two of the most promising compounds (3 and 12) exhibited a high selectivity between normal and cancer cell-lines.

N-terminal guanidinylation of the cyclic 1,4-ureido-deltorphin analogues: the synthesis, receptor binding studies, and resistance to proteolytic digestion.

The synthesis of a series of N-guanidinylated cyclic ureidopeptides, analogues of 1,4-ureido-deltorphin/dermorphine tetrapeptide is described. The δ- and μ-opioid receptor affinity of new guanidinylated analogues and their non-guanidinylated precursors was determined by the displacement radioligand binding experiments. Our results indicate that the guanidinylation of cyclic 1,4-ureidodeltorphin peptide analogues does not exhibit a uniform influence on the opioid receptor binding properties, similarly as reported earlier for some linear peptides.

Synthesis, physicochemical and biological evaluation of technetium-99m labeled lapatinib as a novel potential tumor imaging agent of Her-2 positive breast cancer.

Tumors that are Her-2-positive tend to grow and spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer. Overexpression of Her-2 can be a predictive biomarker for stratification of patients for therapy with Herceptin (containing humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab) or Tykerb (containing lapatinib di-p-toluenesulfonate) drug. Usually, Her-2 status is determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) as well as fluorescent or chromogenic in situ hybridisation (FISH or CISH) analysis of biopsy material.

99mTc-labeled vasopressin peptide as a radiopharmaceutical for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) diagnosis.

The 99mTc-labeled conjugates of the vasopressin (AVP) peptide and of its analogue d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et2)-Ile4-Eda9]AVP (AVP(an)) have been synthesized using the technetium complexes with tetradentate tripodal chelator (the tris(2-mercaptoethyl)amine (NS3)) and the monodentate isocyanide ligand (CN-peptide). The conjugates exhibit high stability in the presence of 100 times the molar excess of standard amino acids cysteine or histidine and also satisfactory stability in human serum. The 99mTc(NS3)(CN-AVP) and 99mTc(NS3)(CN-AVP(an)) ability of binding to small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line H69 was studied in vitro.

Antinociceptive effect of D-Lys(2), Dab(4)N-(ureidoethyl)amide, a new cyclic 1-4 dermorphin/deltorphin analog.

Background: A preliminary evaluation of antinociceptive activity of a new cyclic dermorphin/deltorphin tetrapeptide analog restricted via a urea bridge and containing C-terminal ureidoethylamid {[H-Tyr-d-Lys(&(1))-Phe-Dab(&(2))-CH2CH2NHCONH2][&(1)CO&(2)]} (cUP-1) revealed a significant and long-lasting increase of pain threshold to thermal stimulation after systemic application. The current studies were aimed at further evaluation of cUP-1 activity in animal models of somatic and visceral pain. The influence of cUP-1 on motor functions was also investigated.

Synthesis, biological activity and resistance to proteolytic digestion of new cyclic dermorphin/deltorphin analogues.

A series of novel cyclic ureidopeptides, analogues of dermorphine/deltorphine tetrapeptide, were synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis and/or in solution. The antinociceptive activity of N-substituted amides 1-10 was evaluated using hot-plate and tail-flick tests. Analogue 1 showed significant, stronger than morphine, antinociceptive effect after systemic applications.

Physicochemical characteristics of sunitinib malate and its process-related impurities.

In this article, details of crystal and molecular structures of sunitinib malate (SUM), an anticancer therapeutic, and its key synthetic intermediate are presented. Both these compounds were also characterized spectroscopically and thermally. SUM crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1) space group with two molecules in the asymmetric part of the unit cell, whereas the intermediate crystallises in the triclinic P-1 space group with four independent molecules in the asymmetric unit.

Oxytocin and vasopressin agonists and antagonists as research tools and potential therapeutics.

We recently reviewed the status of peptide and nonpeptide agonists and antagonists for the V(1a), V(1b) and V(2) receptors for arginine vasopressin (AVP) and the oxytocin receptor for oxytocin (OT). In the present review, we update the status of peptides and nonpeptides as: (i) research tools and (ii) therapeutic agents. We also present our recent findings on the design of fluorescent ligands for V(1b) receptor localisation and for OT receptor dimerisation.

A study on the stereochemical purity of trandolapril and octahydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid by HPLC method.

HPLC conditions for the identification of stereoisomers and stereochemical purity of the key intermediate in Trandolapril synthesis, octahydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid, and final drug were elaborated. The chemical and stereochemical purity of synthetic Trandolapril was proved to be as high as 99.3-99.

Characterization of a novel, linear radioiodinated vasopressin antagonist: an excellent radioligand for vasopressin V1a receptors.

We report on the pharmacological properties of a potent and selective linear vasopressin (AVP) V1a receptor antagonist HO-Phenylacetyl1-D-Tyr(Me)2-Phe3-Gln4-Asn5-Arg6-Pro7-Arg8-NH2 (HO-LVA). Iodinated on the phenolic substituent at position 1, [125I]-HO-LVA displayed the highest affinity for rat liver V1a receptors (8 pM) ever reported. Furthermore, affinities of HO-LVA and I-HO-LVA for V1b, V2 and oxytocin (OT) receptors was 400- to 1,000-fold lower than for V1a receptors, rendering it a highly selective ligand.

An exploration of the effects of L- and D-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid substitutions at positions 2, 3 and 7 in cyclic and linear antagonists of vasopressin and oxytocin and at position 3 in arginine vasopressin.

We have investigated the effects of mono-substitutions with the conformationally restricted amino acid, 1,2,3,4 tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Tic) at position 3 in arginine vasopressin (AVP), at positions 2, 3 and 7 in potent non-selective cyclic AVP V2/V1a antagonists, in potent and selective cyclic and linear AVP V1a antagonists, in a potent and selective oxytocin antagonist and in a new potent linear oxytocin antagonist Phaa-D-Tyr(Me)-Ile-Val-Asn-Orn-Pro-Orn-NH2 (10). We report here the solid-phase synthesis of peptide 10 together with the following Tic-substituted peptides: 1. [Tic3]AVP: 2.

Advances in the design of selective antagonists, potential tocolytics, and radioiodinated ligands for oxytocin receptors.

Despite intensive efforts over three decades in many laboratories, attempts to design peptide antagonists of oxytocin (OT) which are more selective for OT uterine receptors than for vasopressin (AVP), vasopressor V1a receptors, have met with only limited success. We will review the current status of the field and report on studies in our laboratories which have led to the design of highly potent non-selective and selective OT antagonists. Virtually all are more potent (2-6 fold) and a number are more selective (10-12 fold) than Atosiban, currently in clinical trial as a tocolytic agent.

Novel approach to the design of synthetic radioiodinated linear V1A receptor antagonists of vasopressin.

We report the solid phase synthesis of six analogs of the potent and selective linear AVP vasopressor (V1a receptor) antagonist: Phaa1-D-Tyr(Et)2-Phe3-Gln4-Asn5-Lys6-Pro7-Arg-NH(8)2(A) (where Phaa = phenylacetyl) in which the Phaa1 residue is replaced by hydroxyphenylacetyl (HO-Phaa), hydroxyphenylpropionyl (HO-Phpa) and phenylpropionyl (Phpa) and the D-Tyr(Et)2 and Lys6 residues by D-Tyr(Me)2 and Arg6 substituents. The phenolic-containing peptides were synthesized to test the feasibility of using this approach for the design of high affinity selective ligands for AVP V1a receptors. The following analogs of A were synthesized: 11 [(HO)Phaa1]; 2.

Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of potent and selective antagonists of the vasopressor (V1-receptor) response to arginine-vasopressin.

We report the solid-phase synthesis of eight position-9-modified analogues of the potent V1-receptor antagonist of arginine-vasopressin, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid),2-O-methyltyrosine]arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP) (1-8) and five position-9-modified analogues of the closely related beta,beta-dimethyl less potent V1 antagonist, [1-deaminopenicillamine,2-O-methyltyrosine]arginine-vasopressin (dPTyr(Me)AVP) (9-13). In d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP the C-terminal Gly-NH2 was replaced by (1) ethylenediamine (Eda), (2) methylamine (NHMe), (3) Ala-NH2, (4) Val-NH2, (5) Arg-NH2, (6) Thr-NH2, (7) Gly-Eda, (8) Gly-N-butylamide (Gly-NH-Bu); in dPTyr(Me)AVP the C-terminal Gly-NH2 was replaced by (9) Ala-NH2, (10) Val-NH2, (11) Thr-NH2, (12) Arg-NH2, and (13) Tyr-NH2. All 13 analogues were tested for agonistic and antagonistic activities in in vivo rat vasopressor (V1-receptor) and rat antidiuretic (V2-receptor) assays.

Solid-phase synthesis of 16 potent (selective and nonselective) in vivo antagonists of oxytocin.

We describe the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 16 new in vivo antagonists of oxytocin. These are based on modifications of three peptides: A, B, and C. A is our previously reported potent and selective antagonist of the vasopressor (V1 receptor) responses to arginine-vasopressin (AVP)/weak oxytocin antagonist, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid), 2-O-methyltyrosine]arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVP.

2-O-alkyltyrosine derivatives of 1-deamino-arginine-vasopressin: highly specific and potent antidiuretic agonists.

We report the solid-phase synthesis of eight 2-O-alkyltyrosine analogues of 1-deamino-arginine-vasopressin (dAVP) with enhanced antidiuretic agonistic specificity. These peptides are as follows: 1-deamino[2-O-methyltyrosine]-arginine-vasopressin (dTyr(Me)AVP), 1-deamino[2-O-ethyltyrosine]arginine-vasopressin (dTyr(Et)AVP), 1-deamino[2-O-methyltyrosine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin (dTyr(Me)DAVP), 1-deamino[2-O-ethyltyrosine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin (dTyr(Et)DAVP), 1-deamino[2-O-methyltyrosine,4-valine]arginine-vasopressin (dTyr(Me)VAVP), 1-deamino[2-O-ethyltyrosine,4-valine]arginine-vasopressin (dTyr(Et)VAVP), 1-deamino[2-O-methyltyrosine,4-valine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin (dTyr(Me)VDAVP), and 1-deamino[2-O-ethyltyrosine,4-valine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin (dTyr(Et)VDAVP). All analogues were tested for antidiuretic, antivasopressor, and antioxytocic activities.

[4-(0-methyl)-L-threonine] -oxytocin. Synthesis and uterotonic activity.

[4-(0-methyl)-L-threonine]-oxytocin, a new analogue of neurohypophyseal hormone oxytocin, was synthesized. Its uretonic activity was found to be 150 I. U.

125I-labelled d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH2(9)]OVT: a selective oxytocin receptor ligand.

An oxytocic antagonist, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid,2-O-methyltyrosine,4-threonine, 8-ornithine,9-tyrosylamide]vasotocin (d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2, Thr4,Tyr-NH2(9)]OVT [corrected], was monoiodinated at the phenyl moiety of the tyrosylamide residue at position 9. 125I-labelling was performed with 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3 alpha,6 alpha-diphenyl-glycoluril. Iodination resulted in an increased affinity for rat uterine oxytocin receptors.

Potent V2 vasopressin antagonists with structural changes at their C-terminals.

A variety of structural changes were made in the C-terminals of four potent antidiuretic (V2) antagonists. The parent analogs were all derivatives of [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin, d(CH2)5AVP, namely d(CH2)5[D-Phe2,Ile4]AVP, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Ile4]AVP, d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2, Val4]AVP and d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2,Ile4]AVP. A number of amino acid amides were substituted for the C-terminal 9-glycinamide without reducing their V2-antagonistic potencies in rats.

C-terminal deletions in agonistic and antagonistic analogues of vasopressin that improve their specificities for antidiuretic (V2) and vasopressor (V1) receptors.

We report the solid-phase synthesis of 12 desGly and 12 desGly(NH2) analogues of arginine-vasopressin (AVP), two highly selective antidiuretic (V2) agonists, four vasopressor (V1) antagonists, and five V2/V1 antagonists. The parent AVP agonists are (1) AVP, (2) 1-deamino[8-D-arginine]vasopressin (dDAVP), and (3) its 4-valine analogue, dVDAVP. The parent V1 antagonists are (4) [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid)] arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5AVP), (5) d(CH2)5VDAVP, (6) [1-deaminopenicillamine,4-valine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin (dPVDAVP), and (7) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)]AVP.

Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 18 potent O-alkyltyrosine-substituted antagonists of the vasopressor responses to arginine-vasopressin.

Using the Merrifield solid-phase method, we have synthesized 18 new 2-O-alkyltyrosine-substituted analogues (where alkyl = methyl and ethyl) of the arginine-vasopressin (AVP) vasopressor antagonists [1-deaminopenicillamine]-arginine-vasopressin (dPAVP), [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-diethylpropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin (dEt2AVP), and [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5AVP) and of their 8-D-arginine (d(R2)DAVP) analogues, their 4-valine (dR2VAVP) analogues, and their 4-valine,8-D-arginine (d(R2)VDAVP) analogues [where R = CH3 or C2H5 and 2R = (CH2)5]. These analogues were tested for agonistic and antagonistic activities in in vivo rat vasopressor and rat antidiuretic and in vitro rat uterus assay systems. Although many exhibit very low antidiuretic activities, none of the new analogues antagonize antidiuretic responses to AVP.

Design and synthesis of potent in vivo antagonists of oxytocin.

We have previously shown that the substitution of 8-ornithine and 2-O-methyltyrosine alone and in combination in [1-deaminopenicillamine] oxytocin (dPOT) brought about enhancements in antagonistic potencies to responses to oxytocin in vivo. To explore the effects of these substitutions in analogs of dPOT containing larger alkyl substitutents on the beta carbon at position 1 and on the tyrosine residue at position two, the following six analogs were synthesized: [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-diethylpropionic acid), 8-ornithine] vasotocin (1, dEt2OVT); (1-beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid), 8-ornithine] vasotocin (2, d(CH2)5OVT): [1-beta-mercapto-beta, beta-diethylpropionic acid), 2-O-methyltyrosine, 8-ornithine]vasotocin [3, dEt2 Tyr(Me)OVT]; [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-diethylpropionic acid), 2-O-ethyltyrosine, 8-ornithine]vasotocin [4, dEt2 Tyr(Et)OVT]; [1-beta-mercapto-beta', beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid), 2-O-methyltyrosine, 8-ornithine]vasotocin [5, d(CH2)5 Tyr(me)OVT]: [1-beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid), 2-O-methyltyrosine, 8-ornithine]vasotocin [6,d(CH2)5 Tyr(Et)OVT]. The required protected intermediates were synthesized by a combination of solid-phase synthesis and by individual 8 + 1 couplings in solution.

The design of effective in vivo antagonists of rat uterus and milk ejection responses to oxytocin.

Several new synthetic analogs of the oxytocin antagonist [1-deaminopenicillamine]oxytocin have been prepared and tested for their abilities to inhibit responses to oxytocin by the isolated rat uterus in the absence and presence of Mg++, by the rat uterus in situ, and by the rat mammary gland in situ. Substituting 2-O-methyltyrosine in [1-deaminopenicillamine]oxytocin strikingly enhances antagonism of all uterin responses, and [1-deaminopenicillamine, 2-O-methyltyrosine]oxytocin and its 4-threonine analog are also potent inhibitors of the milk ejection response. Substituting 2-phenylalanine in [1-deaminopenicillamine]oxytocin also enhances antagonistic activities in all uterine assays, but [1-deaminopenicillamine, 2-phenylalanine]oxytocin retains agonistic activity on milk ejection assays.

Design of potent antagonists of the vasopressor response to arginine-vasopressin.

As part of a program in which we are attempting to design and synthesize antagonists of the vasopressor response to arginine-vasopressin (AVP), [1-deaminopenicillamine]arginine-vasopressin (dPAVP), [2-O-methyl)tyrosine]-arginine-vasopressin [Tyr(Me)AVP], and [1-deaminopenicillamine,2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]arginine-vasopressin [dPTyr(Me)AVP] were synthesized by the solid-phase method and assayed for vasopressor, antidiuretic, and oxytocic activities. Tyr(Me)AVP has a vasopressor potency of 9.7 +/- 0.