Structure-Based Design and Optimization of Methionine Adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) Inhibitors with High Selectivity, Brain Penetration, and In Vivo Efficacy.

Synthetic lethality has recently emerged as a new approach for the treatment of mutated genes that were previously considered undruggable. Targeting methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) in cancers with deletion of the methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) gene leads to synthetic lethality and thus has attracted significant interest in the field of precise anticancer drug development. Herein, we report the discovery of a series of novel MAT2A inhibitors featuring a pyrazolo[3,4-]quinolin-4-one skeleton based on structure-based drug design.

An update on the discovery and development of reversible covalent inhibitors.

Small molecule drugs that covalently bind irreversibly to their target proteins have several advantages over conventional reversible inhibitors. They include increased duration of action, less-frequent drug dosing, reduced pharmacokinetic sensitivity, and the potential to target intractable shallow binding sites. Despite these advantages, the key challenges of irreversible covalent drugs are their potential for off-target toxicities and immunogenicity risks.

Copper(II)-Mediated ortho-Selective C(sp)-H Tandem Alkynylation/Annulation and ortho-Hydroxylation of Anilides with 2-Aminophenyl-1H-pyrazole as a Directing Group.

2-Aminophenyl-1H-pyrazole has been identified as a viable directing group to promote copper(II)-mediated ortho-selective sp C-H bond tandem alkynylation/annulation of anilides with terminal alkynes to offer arylmethylene isoindolinones. Meanwhile, copper(II)-mediated ortho-selective sp C-H hydroxylation of anilides has also been optimized as the major reaction pathway by using Cu(OAc) as the promoter and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine as an organic base. Recovery of the directing group was achieved by hydrazinolysis for arylmethylene isoindolinones and basic hydrolysis for the hydroxylation products.

Rh(iii)-Catalyzed ortho-C-H alkynylation of N-phenoxyacetamides with hypervalent iodine-alkyne reagents at room temperature.

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H alkynylation of substituted N-phenoxyacetamides has been developed with the aid of hypervalent iodine-alkyne reagents. Complementary to the Sonogashira coupling reaction, this protocol provides an efficient and straightforward method to access aryl alkynes at room temperature. The multifunctional directing group is preserved which can be further employed for ortho-directed functionalizations to obtain additional new complex products.

Palladium-Catalyzed Direct C(sp)-H ortho-Arylation of Anilides Using 2-Aminophenylpyrazole as the Directing Group.

Palladium-catalyzed ortho-arylation of anilides was achieved using 2-aminophenyl-1H-pyrazole (2-APP) as a new directing group. Using Pd(OAc) as the catalyst and AgO as the promoter, mono- and diarylation of anilides were realized in up to 89% isolated yield. Further manipulation of the arylation product may be accomplished by a 2-step sequence involving an acidic hydrolysis of the methylated amide.

A bioinspired and biocompatible ortho-sulfiliminyl phenol synthesis.

Synthetic methods inspired by Nature often offer unique advantages including mild conditions and biocompatibility with aqueous media. Inspired by an ergothioneine biosynthesis protein EgtB, a mononuclear non-haem iron enzyme capable of catalysing the C-S bond formation and sulfoxidation, herein, we discovered a mild and metal-free C-H sulfenylation/intramolecular rearrangement cascade reaction employing an internally oxidizing O-N bond as a directing group. Our strategy accommodates a variety of oxyamines with good site selectivity and intrinsic oxidative properties.

A redox-neutral catechol synthesis.

Ubiquitous tyrosinase catalyses the aerobic oxidation of phenols to catechols through the binuclear copper centres. Here, inspired by the Fischer indole synthesis, we report an iridium-catalysed tyrosinase-like approach to catechols, employing an oxyacetamide-directed C-H hydroxylation on phenols. This method achieves one-step, redox-neutral synthesis of catechols with diverse substituent groups under mild conditions.

2-Aminophenyl-1H-pyrazole as a Removable Directing Group for Copper-Mediated C-H Amidation and Sulfonamidation.

2-Aminophenyl-1H-pyrazole was discovered as a removable bidentate directing group for copper-mediated aerobic oxidative C(sp(2)-H) bond amidation and sulfonamidation. When Cu(OAc)2 was employed as the copper source and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine as an organic base, the reaction, optimally carried out overnight in DMSO at 80 °C in open air, produced a variety of amides and sulfonamides in moderate to excellent yields. This directing group has proven to be particularly efficient in C-H sulfonamidation.

AlMe(3)-promoted formation of amides from acids and amines.

In the presence of AlMe(3), amines can be directly coupled with acids through dimethylaluminum amide intermediates to form the corresponding amides. A wide range of amines and acids including less nucleophilic amines, bulky amines, unprotected secondary amino acids, and acids with poor solubility were coupled smoothly to give the desired products in 55-98% yields.

Smoothened antagonists for hair inhibition.

A series of aminomethylpyrazoles were prepared and evaluated using cell-based Smoothened beta-lactamase reporter assay and Smoothened binding assay. Potent Smoothened antagonists 10k and 10l were found to inhibit hair growth in vivo in the C3H/HeN mouse hair growth model. The more selective compound 10l was tested negative in the 3T3 NRU assay, indicating a low risk for causing photo-irritation and was efficacious using the C3H/HeN mouse hair growth model although it was slightly less efficacious than that of the reference compound eflornithine (7).

Selective MMP13 inhibitors.

Pharmacology of MMP13 and MMP13 selective inhibitors is reviewed.

Thyroid receptor agonists for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

A thyroid hormone receptor beta subtype-selective thyromimetic 5 was found to be efficacious in both mouse and monkey hair growth models after topical applications. It penetrates the skin according to the test in human cadaver skin mounted onto Franz diffusion chambers. The serum drug level of 5 is below the limit of quantification during tests in the bald stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides).

Rational design and synthesis of 4-((1R,2R)-2-hydroxycyclohexyl)-2(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile (PF-998425), a novel, nonsteroidal androgen receptor antagonist devoid of phototoxicity for dermatological indications.

4-((1 R,2 R)-2-Hydroxycyclohexyl)-2(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile [PF-0998425, (-)- 6a] is a novel, nonsteroidal androgen receptor antagonist for sebum control and treatment of androgenetic alopecia. It is potent, selective, and active in vivo. The compound is rapidly metabolized systemically, thereby reducing the risk of unwanted systemic side effects due to its primary pharmacology.

A synthesis of N-bridged 5,6-bicylic pyridines via a mild cyclodehydration using the burgess reagent and discovery of a novel carbamylsulfonylation reaction.

Cyclodehydration using the Burgess reagent provided a novel approach toward the synthesis of N-bridged 5,6-bicylic pyridines including pyrolo-, imidazo-, and triazolopyridines under mild and neutral conditions. The methodology tolerates acid-sensitive functional groups. A novel addition product was observed between the resulting pyrrolo- or imidazopyridine and an additional equivalent of the Burgess reagent, producing the corresponding sulfonylcarbamate adduct.

Quinazolinones and pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-ones as orally active and specific matrix metalloproteinase-13 inhibitors for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Quinazolinones 8 and pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-ones 9 as orally active and specific matrix metalloproteinase-13 inhibitors were discovered for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Starting from a high-through-put screening (HTS) hit thizolopyrimidin-dione 7, we obtained two chemotypes, 8 and 9, using computer-aided drug design (CADD) and methodical structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. They occupy the unique S 1'-specificity pocket and do not bind to the Zn(2+) ion.

(1R,2S)-4-(2-cyano-cyclohexyl-oxy)-2-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile, a potent androgen receptor antagonist for stimulating hair growth and reducing sebum production.

Synthesis, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetic profiles of (1R, 2S)-4-(2-cyano-cyclohexyl-oxy)-2-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile are reported. This compound demonstrated remarkable potency for stimulating hair growth in a male C3H mouse model as well as reducing sebum production in the male Syrian hamster ear model.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of amino-pyridines as androgen receptor antagonists for stimulating hair growth and reducing sebum production.

A series of amino-pyridines were synthesized and evaluated for androgen antagonist activities. Among these compounds, (R)-(+)-6-[methyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amino]-4-trifluoromethyl-nicotinonitrile was the most active example of this class. This compound displayed potent androgen receptor antagonist activity as well as favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics for a potential topical agent.

A practical Buchwald-Hartwig amination of 2-bromopyridines with volatile amines.

A practical Buchwald-Hartwig amination of 2-bromopyridines with volatile amines is developed in sealed tubes. The method provides an expedient entry to a variety of secondary and tertiary aminopyridines that are otherwise not readily synthesized.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 2-amino-3-heteroaryl-quinoxalines as non-peptide, small-molecule antagonists for interleukin-8 receptor.

Interleukin-8 modulation is implicated in many inflammatory and cancer diseases. Starting from a mass-screening hit, the synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 2-amino-3-heteroarylquinoxalines as non-peptide, small molecule interleukine-8 receptor antagonists have been developed. The optimized derivatives, PD 0210293 (13y) and PD 0220245 (13r), show inhibition of both IL-8 receptor binding and IL-8-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis.

A concise synthesis of all four possible benzo[4,5]furopyridines via palladium-mediated reactions.

[reaction: see text] By taking advantage of the alpha- and gamma-activation of chloropyridines as well as palladium-mediated reactions, all four possible benzo[4,5]furopyridine tricyclic heterocycles, benzo[4,5]furo[2,3-b]pyridine, benzo[4,5]furo[2,3-c]pyridine, benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-c]pyridine, and benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-b]pyridine, are efficiently synthesized from 2-chloro-3-iodopyridine, 3-chloro-4-stannylpyridine, 4-chloro-3-iodopyridine, and 2-chloro-3-hydroxypyridine, respectively.