10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.07.065
The research focuses on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new Ras CAAX mimetics. These compounds were designed by replacing cysteine in the Ras protein's C-terminal CAAX tetrapeptide with 2-hydroxymethylbenzodioxane or 2-aminomethylbenzodioxane, and using pluri-substituted biphenyl systems as internal spacers and AA dipeptide bioisosteres. The resultant compounds were linked to the methyl ester of L-methionine, glycine, or L-leucine by an amide bond. The synthesized compounds were tested for their antiproliferative effects on human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and their ability to inhibit Ras prenylation. The most potent compound was found to be the methionine derivative with a methyleneoxy linker between benzodioxane and 2-methylbiphenyl, which demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity and direct interference with Ras prenylation. The study highlights the importance of the linker between the dioxane and biphenyl core and the o-substitution on the biphenyl core for the observed biological activities.