Discovery of Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors Disrupting the PCSK9-LDLR Interaction.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) has been identified as a reliable therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery heart diseases since the monoclonal antibodies of PCSK9 have launched. Disrupting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between PCSK9 and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) has been considered as a promising approach for developing PCSK9 inhibitors. However, PPIs have been traditionally considered difficult to target by small molecules since the PPI surface is usually large, flat, featureless, and without a "pocket" or "groove" for ligand binding.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Arylglycine Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed α-Arylation of a Chiral Nickel(II) Glycinate.

A practical and efficient stereoselective synthesis of arylglycine derivatives was realized via palladium-catalyzed α-arylation of a chiral nickel(II) glycinate complex with aryl bromides. The structurally diverse arylglycine products were obtained in excellent isolated yields and with good diastereoselectivity. A simple acidic hydrolysis furnished optically pure arylglycines in high yield, and the chiral ligand (S)-BPB could be efficiently recovered and reused.