Overcoming mutagenicity and ion channel activity: optimization of selective spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Development of a series of highly kinome-selective spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitors with favorable druglike properties is described. Early leads were discovered through X-ray crystallographic analysis, and a systematic survey of cores within a selected chemical space focused on ligand binding efficiency. Attenuation of hERG ion channel activity inherent within the initial chemotype was guided through modulation of physicochemical properties including log D, PSA, and pKa.

An intramolecular inverse electron demand Diels-Alder approach to annulated α-carbolines.

Intramolecular inverse electron demand cycloadditions of isatin-derived 1,2,4-triazines with acetylenic dienophiles tethered by amidations or transesterifications proceed in excellent yields to produce lactam- or lactone-fused α-carbolines. Beginning with various isatins and alkynyl dienophiles, a pilot-scale library of eighty-eight α-carbolines was prepared by using this robust methodology for biological evaluation.

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-1,5-naphthyridines and related heterocyclic scaffolds: Exploration of suitable chemistry for library development.

The chemistry of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,5-naphthyridines and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,2-b]azepines has been explored with the goal of discovering reactions at N1 suitable for library development. Epoxide openings, palladium-catalyzed N-arylations, DEPBT-promoted acylations, and urea formation through the reaction with isocyanates were all successful. The epoxide opening chemistry using homochiral epichlorohydrin, with epoxide reclosure and a second nucleophilic opening led to the preparation of a small 24-membered library.

Use of transcriptional synergy to augment sensitivity of a splicing reporter assay.

A primary limitation in the development and use of screens to identify factors that regulate mammalian pre-mRNA splicing has been the development of sensitive reporter assays. Alternative splicing typically involves relatively small (< 10-fold) changes in isoform ratios. Therefore, reporter constructs designed to allow direct analysis of isoform expression historically have at most a 10-fold window of discrimination between a positive signal and background.

Intramolecular inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reactions of imidazoles with 1,2,4-triazines: a new route to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,5-naphthyridines and related heterocycles.

The intramolecular inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction between imidazoles and 1,2,4-triazines linked by a trimethylene tether from the imidazole N1 position to the triazine C3 proceed in excellent yields to produce 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,5-naphthyridines. The reaction proceeds by a cycloaddition with subsequent loss of nitrogen, followed by a presumed stepwise loss of a nitrile. The analogous intramolecular cycloadditions employing a tetramethylene tether also proceeded to give 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,2-b]azepines in acceptable yields.