Publications by authors named "Joel K. Kawakami"

We report that hirsutinolide series, 6, 7, 10, 11, 20, and 22, and the semisynthetic analogues, 30, 31, 33, and 36, inhibit constitutively active signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 and malignant glioma phenotype. A position 13 lipophilic ester group is required for activity. Molecular modeling and nuclear magnetic resonance structural analyses reveal direct hirsutinolide:Stat3 binding.

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We investigated the use of infrared vibrational frequency of ligands as a potential novel molecular descriptor in three different molecular target and chemical series. The vibrational energy of a ligand was approximated from the sum of infrared (IR) absorptions of each functional group within a molecule and normalized by its molecular weight (MDIR). Calculations were performed on a set of 4-aminoquinazolines with similar docking scores for the VEGFR2/KDR receptor.

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A series of arylphthalazine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as antagonists of VEGF receptor II (VEGFR-2). IM-094482 57, which was prepared in two steps from commercially available starting materials, was found to be a potent inhibitor of VEGFR-2 in enzymatic, cellular and mitogenic assays (comparable activity to ZD-6474). Additionally, 57 inhibited the related receptor, VEGF receptor I (VEGFR-1), and showed excellent exposure when dosed orally to female CD-1 mice.

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Cross-conjugated alkylidene prostaglandins have been shown to be potent cytostatic agents that exert their action through a unique and unusual mechanism. Compounds in this class also inhibit viral replication and have a role in osteogenesis and adipogenesis; consequently, they are of considerable current interest as pharmaceutical lead compounds. The purpose of our research was to define an efficent protocol for the assembly of the C-10 trifluoromethyl prostanoid mentioned in the title.

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