Symmetrical Phosphinic Acids: Synthesis and Esterification Optimization toward Potential HIV Prodrugs.

A highly efficient method to synthesize diverse symmetrical phosphinic acids with the potential to act as pivotal candidates in the design of HIV-1 protease inhibitors has been developed. Such compounds have been designed based on the enzyme-substrate specificity, and their elongated analogues are expected to demonstrate significant inhibition against the HIV-1 protease with IC values in the low nanomolar range. Moreover, a highly efficient esterification protocol with carbohydrates and flavonoids has been devised to address the inherent absorption challenges associated with phosphinic-based drugs.

GLP-1 Receptor Signaling Has Different Effects on the Perikarya and Axons of the Hypophysiotropic Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Synthesizing Neurons in Male Mice.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is involved in the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis. As GLP-1 has similar effects on the energy homeostasis as the hypophysiotropic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) neurons that regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, we raised the possibility that the TRH neurons are involved in the mediation of the effects of GLP-1. Therefore, the relationship and interaction of the GLP-1 system and the TRH neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were studied.

Novel glycosyl prodrug of RXP03 as MMP-11 prodrug: design, synthesis and virtual screening.

Like most phosphinic acids, the potent and selective RXP03 inhibitor of different MMPs exhibited moderate absorption and low bioavailability, which impaired its use. In an unprecedented attempt, we present an interesting synthetic approach to a new class of phosphinate prodrug, glycosyl ester of RXP03, to provide a potentially improved blood-brain barrier (BBB) behavior compared to the former lead compound RXP03. To validate this speculation, a predictive study for permeability enhancer of glycosyl ester of RXP03 showed encouraging insights to improve drug delivery across biological barriers.

Design, Synthesis, and Study of a Novel - Hybrid () as an Antihypertensive Agent.

In drug discovery, molecular modification over the lead molecule is often crucial for the development of a drug. Herein, we report the molecular hybridization design of a novel - hybrid linking the parent compound, phosphinic peptide , with a proline analogue. The presented synthetic route is straightforward and produces the desired product in moderate yield.

Unprecedented Convergent Synthesis of Sugar-Functionalization of Phosphinic Acids under Metal-Free Conditions.

A novel TEA-catalyzed sugar-esterification of phosphinic acids was used as a general and efficient approach for the synthesis of a variety of phosphinates without any transition metal. The high efficiency of the current methodology and a convenient experimental procedure compensate for the moderate yields obtained. Another advantage is that the reaction tolerates different substituents attached to the phosphinic acids and the sugar moieties alongside the ease of isolation of the product.

A Glial-Neuronal Circuit in the Median Eminence Regulates Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone-Release via the Endocannabinoid System.

Based on the type-I cannabinoid receptor (CB1) content of hypophysiotropic axons and the involvement of tanycytes in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, we hypothesized that endocannabinoids are involved in the tanycyte-induced regulation of TRH release in the median eminence (ME). We demonstrated that CB1-immunoreactive TRH axons were associated to DAGLα-immunoreactive tanycyte processes in the external zone of ME and showed that endocannabinoids tonically inhibit the TRH release in this tissue. We showed that glutamate depolarizes the tanycytes, increases their intracellular Ca level and the 2-AG level of the ME via AMPA and kainite receptors and glutamate transport.

Phosphinic acids: current status and potential for drug discovery.

Phosphinic acid derivatives exhibit diverse biological activities and a high degree of structural diversity, rendering them a versatile tool in the development of new medicinal agents. Pronounced recent progress, coupled with previous research findings, highlights the impact of this moiety in medicinal chemistry. Here, we highlight the most important breakthroughs made with phosphinates with a range of pharmacological activities against many diseases, including anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer, antiparasitic, antihepatitis, antiproliferative, anti-influenza, anti-HIV, antimalarial, and antimicrobial agents.

Functional examination of novel kisspeptin phosphinic peptides.

Kisspeptins acting on their cognate G protein-coupled receptor, kisspeptin receptor, play important roles in the suppression of cancer cell metastasis and regulation of the reproductive system, and therefore are important for therapeutic intervention. All native functional human kisspeptins (kisspeptin-54, kisspsptin-14 and kisspeptin-13) share the 10 amino acids of kisspeptin-10 at their C-terminus (45-54). However, they are inactivated rapidly by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through the cleavage of the peptide bond between glycine51 and leucine52, which limits their clinical applications.

Pyroglutamyl peptidase II inhibition enhances the analeptic effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in the rat medial septum.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; pGlu-His-Pro-NH(2)) has multiple, but transient, homeostatic functions in the brain. It is hydrolyzed in vitro by pyroglutamyl peptidase II (PPII), a narrow specificity ectoenzyme with a preferential localization in the brain, but evidence that PPII controls TRH communication in the brain in vivo is scarce. We therefore studied in male Wistar rats the distribution of PPII mRNA in the septum and the consequence of PPII inhibition on the analeptic effect of TRH injected into the medial septum.

Conformational and solvation studies via computer simulation of the novel large scale diastereoselectively synthesized phosphinic MMP inhibitor RXP03 diluted in selected solvents.

Structure-activity relationship studies, regarding the influence of side chains of phosphinic pseudotripeptidic inhibitors on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), provided potent and selective inhibitors for this family of structurally and functionally related proteases. Among them, phosphinic pseudopeptide CbzPhepsi[P(O)(OH)CH(2)] phenylpropyl TrpNH(2), known as RXP03, has been extensively used for in vivo and in vitro studies so far. The large quantities of RXP03 required for in vivo studies, as well as the necessity for diastereoisomeric purity, motivated us to further explore and develop an efficient synthetic methodology, which allows separation of the four diastereoisomers of RXP03 based on the astonishing observed differences in solubility of the four isomers in various solvents.

Synthesis of the phosphinic analogue of thyrotropin releasing hormone.

The synthesis of the phosphinic analogue of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) GlpPsi[P(O)(OH)]HisProNH2, where the scissile peptide bond of TRH has been replaced by the hydrolytically stable phosphinic bond, has been achieved by a multistep synthetic strategy, providing thus one of the most potent synthetic inhibitors of pyroglutamyl peptidase II (PPII) reported to date (170 nM). The key synthetic step, an Ugi-type condensation reaction, produced directly the suitably protected for solid-phase peptide synthesis pseudodipeptidic block FmocGlu(OMe)Psi[P(O)(OH)]His(Tr)OH. Formation of the pyroglutamic ring was performed on solid phase, providing thus a general method for synthesizing pyroglutamyl phosphinic peptides on solid phase.

Anterior pituitary pyroglutamyl peptidase II activity controls TRH-induced prolactin release.

Ecto-peptidases modulate the action of peptides in the extracellular space. The relationship between peptide receptor and ecto-peptidase localization, and the physiological role of peptidases is poorly understood. Current evidence suggests that pyroglutamyl peptidase II (PPII) inactivates neuronally released thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).

Development of potent and selective phosphinic peptide inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a recently identified human homologue of angiotensin-converting enzyme, is a zinc metallocarboxypeptidase which may play a unique role in cardiovascular and renal function. Here we report the discovery of potent and selective inhibitors of ACE2, which have been identified by evaluating a series of phosphinic di- and tripeptides of the general formula: Z-Xaa(PO 2-CH 2)YaaOH and Ac-Zaa-Xaa(PO 2-CH 2)YaaOH. The most potent inhibitor in this series is a tripeptide that displays a K i value of 0.

A versatile annulation protocol toward novel constrained phosphinic peptidomimetics.

The development of a novel 3-center 2-component annulation reaction between alpha,omega-carbamoylaldehydes and suitably monoalkylated phosphinic acids is reported. Depending on the starting alpha,omega-carbamoylaldehyde, diverse phosphinic scaffolds varying in the size of their rigidity element, the nature and stereochemistry of substituents, and the participation of heteroatoms in the azacyclic ring system can be obtained in one synthetic step and in high yield. In addition, this methodology allows the synthesis of Fmoc-protected constrained aminophosphinic acids that can be easily converted to suitable pseudodipeptide building blocks compatible with the requirements of peptide synthesis on the solid phase.

Chemoselective protection of solid-phase compatible Fmoc-phosphinic building blocks.

An efficient four-step synthetic strategy able to fully discriminate hydroxyphosphinyl and carboxylic groups of Fmoc-phosphinic building blocks and related analogues has been developed. The proposed method applies selective acidic removal of the phenacyl (Pac) group from the hydroxyphosphinyl functionality and protection by the 1-adamantyl (Ad) group. Reductive removal of the Pac group from the carboxylic functionality leads to Fmoc-protected phosphinic pseudodipeptidic units suitable for phosphinic peptide and library development using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS).

Matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP-11; stromelysin-3) and synthetic inhibitors.

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-11, or Stromelysin 3, is a particular member of MMP family, a group of zinc-dependent endopeptidases involved in matrix degradation and tissue remodeling. Despite intense efforts since its first characterization 15 years ago, its role and target substrates in different diseases remain largely unknown. While mice with MMP-11 deficiency display no particular phenotype, analysis of different tumorigenesis models with these mice lead to the conclusion that MMP-11 promotes tumor development.

Active methylene phosphinic peptides: a new diversification approach.

[reaction: see text] Simple, rapid, and efficient methods for P(1)' diversification of phosphinic peptides have been developed, employing alkylation and Knoevenagel-type condensation reactions with active methylene phosphinic scaffolds, thus leading to a wide variety of diversified phosphinic and dehydrophosphinic peptides.

Shortcut to fmoc-protected phosphinic pseudodipeptidic blocks.

A three-component condensation reaction of Fmoc-carbamate, aldehydes, and alkylphosphinic acids provides a new, direct, and efficient method for synthesizing Fmoc-protected phosphinic pseudodipeptidic blocks, directly usable for solid-phase peptide synthesis. [reaction: see text]

Dosing and scheduling influence the antitumor efficacy of a phosphinic peptide inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases.

The in vivo disposition and antitumor efficacy of a newly developed phosphinic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (RXP03) were examined. RXP03 potently inhibits MMP-11, MMP-8 and MMP-13, but not MMP-1 and MMP-7. Twenty-four hours after i.

Evaluation of P1'-diversified phosphinic peptides leads to the development of highly selective inhibitors of MMP-11.

Phosphinic peptides were previously reported to be potent inhibitors of several matrixins (MMPs). To identify more selective inhibitors of MMP-11, a matrixin overexpressed in breast cancer, a series of phosphinic pseudopeptides bearing a variety of P(1)'-side chains has been synthesized, by parallel diversification of a phosphinic template. The potencies of these compounds were evaluated against a set of seven MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-13, and MMP-14).