Influence of stereochemistry on the activity of rapadocin, an isoform-specific inhibitor of the nucleoside transporter ENT1.

Rapadocin is a novel rapamycin-inspired polyketide-tetrapeptide hybrid macrocycle that possesses highly potent and isoform-specific inhibitory activity against the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1). Rapadocin contains an epimerizable chiral center in phenylglycine and an olefin group, and can thus exist as a mixture of four stereoisomers. Herein, we report the first total synthesis of the four stereoisomers of rapadocin using two different synthetic strategies and the assignment of their structures.

Rapamycin-inspired macrocycles with new target specificity.

Rapamycin and FK506 are macrocyclic natural products with an extraordinary mode of action, in which they form binary complexes with FK506-binding protein (FKBP) through a shared FKBP-binding domain before forming ternary complexes with their respective targets, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and calcineurin, respectively. Inspired by this, we sought to build a rapamycin-like macromolecule library to target new cellular proteins by replacing the effector domain of rapamycin with a combinatorial library of oligopeptides. We developed a robust macrocyclization method using ring-closing metathesis and synthesized a 45,000-compound library of hybrid macrocycles (named rapafucins) using optimized FKBP-binding domains.

Discovery of APD334: Design of a Clinical Stage Functional Antagonist of the Sphingosine-1-phosphate-1 Receptor.

APD334 was discovered as part of our internal effort to identify potent, centrally available, functional antagonists of the S1P1 receptor for use as next generation therapeutics for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases. APD334 is a potent functional antagonist of S1P1 and has a favorable PK/PD profile, producing robust lymphocyte lowering at relatively low plasma concentrations in several preclinical species. This new agent was efficacious in a mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS and a rat collagen induced arthritis (CIA) model and was found to have appreciable central exposure.

Fused tricyclic indoles as S1P₁ agonists with robust efficacy in animal models of autoimmune disease.

Two series of fused tricyclic indoles were identified as potent and selective S1P(1) agonists. In vivo these agonists produced a significant reduction in circulating lymphocytes which translated into robust efficacy in several rodent models of autoimmune disease. Importantly, these agonists were devoid of any activity at the S1P(3) receptor in vitro, and correspondingly did not produce S1P(3) mediated bradycardia in telemeterized rat.

Identification of fused bicyclic heterocycles as potent and selective 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists for the treatment of insomnia.

A series of fused bicyclic heterocycles was identified as potent and selective 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists. Optimization of the series resulted in compounds that had improved PK properties, favorable CNS partitioning, good pharmacokinetic properties, and significant improvements on deep sleep (delta power) and sleep consolidation.

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of phenethylpiperazine amides: selective 5-hydroxytryptamine(2A) receptor antagonists for the treatment of insomnia.

Recent developments in sleep research suggest that antagonism of the serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor may improve sleep maintenance insomnia. We herein report the discovery of a series of potent and selective serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists based on a phenethylpiperazine amide core structure. When tested in a rat sleep pharmacology model, these compounds increased both sleep consolidation and deep sleep.

Discovery and structure-activity relationship of 3-methoxy-N-(3-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-4-(2-morpholinoethoxy)phenyl)benzamide (APD791): a highly selective 5-hydroxytryptamine2A receptor inverse agonist for the treatment of arterial thrombosis.

Serotonin, which is stored in platelets and is released during thrombosis, activates platelets via the 5-HT(2A) receptor. 5-HT(2A) receptor inverse agonists thus represent a potential new class of antithrombotic agents. Our medicinal program began with known compounds that displayed binding affinity for the recombinant 5-HT(2A) receptor, but which had poor activity when tested in human plasma platelet inhibition assays.

First-in-class pan caspase inhibitor developed for the treatment of liver disease.

A series of oxamyl dipeptides were optimized for pan caspase inhibition, anti-apoptotic cellular activity and in vivo efficacy. This structure-activity relationship study focused on the P4 oxamides and warhead moieties. Primarily on the basis of in vitro data, inhibitors were selected for study in a murine model of alpha-Fas-induced liver injury.

Structure-activity relationships within a series of caspase inhibitors. Part 2: Heterocyclic warheads.

Various heterocyclic hetero-methyl ketones of the 1-naphthyloxyacetyl-Val-Asp backbone have been prepared. A study of their structure-activity relationship (SAR) related to caspase-1, -3, -6, and -8 is reported. Their efficacy in a cellular model of cell death is also discussed.

Oxamyl dipeptide caspase inhibitors developed for the treatment of stroke.

Structural modifications were made to a previously described acyl dipeptide caspase inhibitor, leading to the oxamyl dipeptide series. Subsequent SAR studies directed toward the warhead, P2, and P4 regions of this novel peptidomimetic are described herein.

Structure-activity relationships within a series of caspase inhibitors: effect of leaving group modifications.

Various aryloxy methyl ketones of the 1-naphthyloxyacetyl-Val-Asp backbone have been prepared. A systematic study of their structure-activity relationship (SAR) related to caspases 1, 3, 6, and 8 is reported. Highly potent irreversible broad-spectrum caspase inhibitors have been identified.

Acyl dipeptides as reversible caspase inhibitors. Part 2: further optimization.

A new structural class of broad spectrum caspase inhibitors was optimized for its activity against caspases 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8. The most potent compound had low nanomolar broad spectrum activity, in particular, single digit nanomolar inhibitory activity against caspase 8.