Discovery of Benzodiazepine-Based Inhibitors of the E2 Enzyme UBCH10 from a Cell-Based p21 Degradation Screen.

p21 (p21) is a universal cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor that halts cell proliferation and tumor growth by multiple mechanisms. The expression of p21 is often downregulated in cancer cells as a result of the loss of function of transcriptional activators, such as p53, or the increased degradation rate of the protein. To identify small molecules that block the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of p21 as a future avenue for cancer drug discovery, we have screened a compound library using a cell-based reporter assay of p21 degradation.

Identification and optimization of molecular glue compounds that inhibit a noncovalent E2 enzyme-ubiquitin complex.

Pharmacological control of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is of intense interest in drug discovery. Here, we report the development of chemical inhibitors of the ubiquitin-conjugating (E2) enzyme CDC34A (also known as UBE2R1), which donates activated ubiquitin to the cullin-RING ligase (CRL) family of ubiquitin ligase (E3) enzymes. A FRET-based interaction assay was used to screen for novel compounds that stabilize the noncovalent complex between CDC34A and ubiquitin, and thereby inhibit the CDC34A catalytic cycle.

Discovery of Potent, Orally Bioavailable Inhibitors of Human Cytomegalovirus.

A high-throughput screen based on a viral replication assay was used to identify inhibitors of the human cytomegalovirus. Using this approach, hit compound 1 was identified as a 4 μM inhibitor of HCMV that was specific and selective over other herpes viruses. Time of addition studies indicated compound 1 exerted its antiviral effect early in the viral life cycle.

Hepatitis C virus NS5A replication complex inhibitors: the discovery of daclatasvir.

The biphenyl derivatives 2 and 3 are prototypes of a novel class of NS5A replication complex inhibitors that demonstrate high inhibitory potency toward a panel of clinically relevant HCV strains encompassing genotypes 1-6. However, these compounds exhibit poor systemic exposure in rat pharmacokinetic studies after oral dosing. The structure-activity relationship investigations that improved the exposure properties of the parent bis-phenylimidazole chemotype, culminating in the identification of the highly potent NS5A replication complex inhibitor daclatasvir (33) are described.

Identification of potent and orally bioavailable nucleotide competing reverse transcriptase inhibitors: in vitro and in vivo optimization of a series of benzofurano[3,2-d]pyrimidin-2-one derived inhibitors.

Recently, a new class of HIV reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT) inhibitors has been reported. The novel mechanism of inhibition by this class involves competitive binding to the active site of the RT enzyme and has been termed Nucleotide-Competing Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NcRTIs). In this publication we describe the optimization of a novel benzofurano[3,2-d]pyrimidin-2-one series of NcRTIs.

Nucleotide competing reverse transcriptase inhibitors: discovery of a series of non-basic benzofurano[3,2-d]pyrimidin-2-one derived inhibitors.

A HTS screen led to the identification of a benzofurano[3,2-d]pyrimidin-2-one core structure which upon further optimization resulted in 1 as a potent HIV-1 nucleotide competing reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NcRTI). Investigation of the SAR at N-1 allowed significant improvements in potency and when combined with the incorporation of heterocycles at C-8 resulted in potent analogues not requiring a basic amine to achieve antiviral activity. Additional modifications at N-1 resulted in 33 which demonstrated excellent antiviral potency and improved physicochemical properties.

Identification of benzofurano[3,2-d]pyrimidin-2-ones, a new series of HIV-1 nucleotide-competing reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Screening of our sample collection led to the identification of a set of benzofurano[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2-one hits acting as nucleotide-competing HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitiors (NcRTI). Significant improvement in antiviral potency was achieved when substituents were introduced at positions N1, C4, C7 and C8 on the benzofuranopyrimidone scaffold. The series was optimized from low micromolar enzymatic activity against HIV-1 RT and no antiviral activity to low nanomolar antiviral potency.

Combined directed ortho and remote metalation-Suzuki cross-coupling strategies. Efficient synthesis of heteroaryl-fused benzopyranones from biaryl O-carbamates.

A concise synthesis of heteroaryl dibenzopyranones 9a,b, 10a,b, 11a-c, and 12a-c has been achieved by the LDA-induced migration of heterobiaryl O-carbamates 18, 21, 25, and 30 which, in turn, were prepared in good yield using a combined directed ortho lithiation (DoM)-transition-metal-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling strategy. An efficient and general route to a wide variety of heterocycles including coumestans 19a,c and the previously unknown isothiocoumestan ring system 22b has been thereby achieved.

Combined directed remote metalation-transition metal catalyzed cross coupling strategies: the total synthesis of the aglycones of the gilvocarcins V, M, and E and arnottin I.

A key directed remote metalation (DreM)-carbamoyl migration strategy was applied in an efficient synthesis of the naturally occurring 6H-naphtho[1,2-b]benzopyran-6-one defucogilvocarcin V (1a, Scheme 11). The required biarylcarbamate 33d was best prepared by a high yielding Suzuki coupling reaction of 31a with the differentially protected trioxygenated naphthalene coupling partner 32d which was synthesized using a selective acylation of a juglone derivative. In the late stages of the synthesis, the triflate 39 served as the common intermediate to install the required C-8 vinyl group of 1a (Stille coupling) as well as the required substituents for the preparation of defucogilvocarcins M (1b) and E (1c).

Synthesis of a tripeptide derivative containing the gln-arg hydroxyethylene dipeptide isostere.

[structure: see text] The protected hydroxyethylene dipeptide isostere of Gln-Arg and the tripeptide derivative 1 were synthesized as components of potential peptidase inhibitors.

2-arylaminothiazoles as high-affinity corticotropin-releasing factor 1 receptor (CRF1R) antagonists: synthesis, binding studies and behavioral efficacy.

2-arylamino-4-trifluoromethyl-5-aminomethylthiazoles represent a novel series of high-affinity corticotropin releasing factor-1 receptor (CRF(1)R) antagonists that are prepared in three steps in good overall yields. Herein, we report binding SAR as well as anxiolytic activity of an exemplary compound (7a, K(i)=8.6 nM) in a mouse canopy model.