Oligonucleotide-Mediated Genome Editing Provides Precision and Function to Engineered Nucleases and Antibiotics in Plants.

Here, we report a form of oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis for precision genome editing in plants that uses single-stranded oligonucleotides (ssODNs) to precisely and efficiently generate genome edits at DNA strand lesions made by DNA double strand break reagents. Employing a transgene model in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we obtained a high frequency of precise targeted genome edits when ssODNs were introduced into protoplasts that were pretreated with the glycopeptide antibiotic phleomycin, a nonspecific DNA double strand breaker. Simultaneous delivery of ssODN and a site-specific DNA double strand breaker, either transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) or clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9), resulted in a much greater targeted genome-editing frequency compared with treatment with DNA double strand-breaking reagents alone.

Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis for precision gene editing.

Differences in gene sequences, many of which are single nucleotide polymorphisms, underlie some of the most important traits in plants. With humanity facing significant challenges to increase global agricultural productivity, there is an urgent need to accelerate the development of these traits in plants. oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis (ODM), one of the many tools of Cibus' Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS(™) ) technology, offers a rapid, precise and non-transgenic breeding alternative for trait improvement in agriculture to address this urgent need.

Novel Series of Dihydropyridinone P2X7 Receptor Antagonists.

Identification of singleton P2X7 inhibitor 1 from HTS gave a pharmacophore that eventually turned into potential clinical candidates 17 and 19. During development, a number of issues were successfully addressed, such as metabolic stability, plasma stability, GSH adduct formation, and aniline mutagenicity. Thus, careful modification of the molecule, such as conversion of the 1,4-dihydropyridinone to the 1,2-dihydropyridinone system, proper substitution at C-5″, and in some cases addition of fluorine atoms to the aniline ring allowed for the identification of a novel class of potent P2X7 inhibitors suitable for evaluating the role of P2X7 in inflammatory, immune, neurologic, or musculoskeletal disorders.

Highly potent, non-basic 5-HT6 ligands. Site mutagenesis evidence for a second binding mode at 5-HT6 for antagonism.

A series of 5-HT(6) ligands derived from (R)-1-(amino)methyl-6-(phenyl)sulfonyltetralin was prepared that yielded several non-basic analogs having sub-nanomolar affinity. Ligand structure-activity relationships, receptor point mutation studies, and molecular modeling of these novel ligands all combined to reveal a new alternative binding mode to 5-HT(6) for antagonism.

Lactams as EP4 prostanoid receptor agonists. 3. Discovery of N-ethylbenzoic acid 2-pyrrolidinones as subtype selective agents.

Two distinct synthetic schemes were applied to access heteroatom-containing alpha-chain lactams or lactams terminated as aryl acids. The latter lactams were devised using a pharmacophore for EP(4) receptor activity. gamma-Lactams were characterized for their prostanoid EP receptor affinities and EP(4) activity and found to be selective for the EP(2) and EP(4) receptors or selective for the EP(4) subtype.

Rational design of 6-methylsulfonylindoles as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.

The introduction of 3-arylmethyl, 3-aryloxy and 3-arylthio moieties into a 6-methylsulfonylindole framework using rational drug design led to potent, selective COX-2 inhibitors having efficacy in a rat carrageenan air pouch model. Incorporation of a conformationally more rigid 3-aroyloxy substituent onto the 6-methylsulfonylindole scaffold led to selective, but considerably less potent COX-2 inhibitors. Variation of the hydrophilicity and size of the indole 2-substituent of 3-arylthio-6-methylsulfonylindole inhibitors led to modulation of the COX-2 human whole blood (HWB) potency and selectivity.

Design and synthesis of orally active inhibitors of TNF synthesis as anti-rheumatoid arthritis drugs.

A novel series of TNF inhibitors was identified based on the screening of existing MMP inhibitor libraries. Further SAR optimization led to the discovery of a novel lead compound. Its synthesis, efficacy in experimental animal models, and pharmacokinetic data are discussed.

Amino acid derived sulfonamide hydroxamates as inhibitors of procollagen C-proteinase. Part 2: Solid-phase optimization of side chains.

Optimization of the amino acid side chain and the N-alkyl group of the sulfonamide of amino acid derived sulfonamide hydroxamates is discussed. The solid-phase synthesis of these potent inhibitors of procollagen C-proteinase (PCP) is presented. In addition, novel carboxylic acid sulfonamides were discovered to be PCP inhibitors.