10.1021/jm010801s
The research focuses on the development of novel non-covalent cathepsin K inhibitors, specifically arylaminoethyl amides, which are selective and potent. The study synthesized and evaluated a series of NR-benzyloxycarbonyl- and NR-acyl-L-leucine(2-phenylaminoethyl)amide derivatives for their inhibitory activity against cathepsins K, L, and S in both rabbit and human systems. The lead structure, NR-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-leucine(2-phenylaminoethyl)amide (1a), was optimized by investigating the effects of various substituents on the anilinophenyl ring, leading to the discovery of highly potent inhibitors like 4b, 4e, and 4g with IC50 values below 0.006 μM. The experiments involved the decarboxylative ring opening of oxazolidin-2-one with an aromatic amine to synthesize 2-aminoethylanilines, followed by coupling with Z-Leu-OSu to form NR-Z-protected amides. Further optimization was achieved through catalytic hydrogenation and coupling with various carboxylic acids. The inhibitory activities were assessed using fluorescence assays, and the selectivity and potency of the compounds were determined. Kinetic studies, including determination of equilibrium constants and Lineweaver-Burk analysis, confirmed the competitive and reversible nature of the inhibitors. Noncovalent binding was further supported by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The research concluded with the identification of a new class of potent and selective cathepsin K inhibitors that do not rely on covalent interaction with the cysteine residue at the active site.
10.1021/ja312092x
The research investigates the mediation of nitrite reduction by a water-soluble ferriheme model, FeIII(TPPS), which facilitates oxygen atom transfer from inorganic nitrite to various substrates, including a water-soluble phosphine (tppts), dimethyl sulfide, and biological thiols like cysteine and glutathione. The study explores the formation of reactive intermediates like sulfenic acids and nitrosyl complexes, and the subsequent redox transformations leading to the formation of N2O and NO. The experiments involve the use of optical absorbance measurements, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and amperometric analysis to monitor reaction progress, identify products, and quantify the concentrations of reactive species. The research also employs DFT calculations to understand the effects of proximal ligands on the Fe?NO bond and the lability of nitric oxide from ferrous heme nitrosyls.
10.1021/jo010860d
This study presents an asymmetric synthetic approach for the production of enantiomerically pure 3-phenylaziridine-2-carboxylate 7, a key intermediate for the synthesis of α-phenyl-substituted cysteine, tryptophan, and serine derivatives. These novel amino acids are of great interest as they have the potential to enhance the bioactivity and selectivity of peptides by constraining their side chain conformations. The synthesis involves the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of trans-benzylcinnamate 1 to generate (2R,3S)-diol 2, which is then transformed through a series of reactions involving cyclic sulfite 3, cyclic sulfate 4, and azido alcohols 5 and 6 to ultimately afford the desired aziridine 7. Further reactions with nucleophiles such as 4-methoxybenzyl mercaptan, indole, and acetic acid form the target amino acid derivatives. The chemicals used in the study serve as starting materials, reagents, and solvents in the various synthetic steps, each playing a crucial role in the formation of intermediates and final products.
10.1124/jpet.120.000266
The research aims to investigate the mechanism by which a novel chemical compound, SF-3-030, selectively targets and inhibits the proliferation of melanoma cells with constitutively active ERK1/2 signaling, such as those harboring the BRAF V600E mutation. The study reveals that SF-3-030 interacts with ERK2, forming a covalent adduct on cysteine 252, which is near the docking site for substrate recruitment. This interaction leads to rapid changes in immediate early gene levels, particularly those containing the DEF motif, and induces an oxidative stress response, which is associated with the inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation. The research concludes that SF-3-030's mechanism of action is ROS-dependent but independent of NRF2, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for melanoma treatment. Key chemicals used in the study include SF-3-030, ERK2, and various ROS inhibitors such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), sodium pyruvate, and mannitol.
10.1246/bcsj.54.1844
The study investigates the synthesis of oxazolidines, thiazolidines, and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]oxazole (or thiazole)-1,3-diones from β-hydroxy- or β-mercapto-α-amino acid esters. Aromatic aldehydes such as benzaldehyde, p-anisaldehyde, p-chlorobenzaldehyde, and p-nitrobenzaldehyde are used to react with amino acid ethyl esters like L-serine, 3-phenyl-DL-serine, L-threonine, or L-cysteine to form oxazolidines or thiazolidines. These compounds can then be converted into oxazoles and thiazoles through dehydrogenation using N-bromosuccinimide. Acetylation of oxazolidines and thiazolidines leads to N-acetylderivatives, which can undergo cyclization in the presence of anhydrous ZnCl? to form the tetrahydro-pyrrolo[1,2-c]oxazole (or thiazole)-1,3-diones. The study also explores the interaction of oxazolidines and thiazolidines with p-nitrobenzaldehyde and piperidine to form Mannich bases. The IR spectra of the synthesized compounds are analyzed, showing characteristic shifts and absorptions related to functional groups such as the ester group and the oxazole or thiazole ring.
10.1016/S0968-0896(02)00127-X
The research focuses on the synthesis and evaluation of cysteinyl-flavan-3-ol conjugates derived from grape procyanidins. These new antioxidant compounds were prepared by depolymerizing grape polymeric flavanols in the presence of cysteine and were assessed for their antiradical/antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. The reactants included grape polymeric flavanols, cysteine, and other reagents necessary for the depolymerization process and subsequent purification. The analyses used to characterize and evaluate the compounds comprised cation-exchange chromatography, preparative reversed-phase chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and theoretical calculations of bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs). The experiments also involved the DPPH assay to measure the free radical scavenging activity and an MTT assay to evaluate the antiproliferative activity on human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. The results indicated that the new cysteinyl derivatives showed improved antioxidant efficiency and antiproliferative effects compared to the underivatised (-)-epicatechin.
10.1007/s00044-010-9364-8
This research presents the synthesis and evaluation of novel prodrugs of naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), aimed at enhancing its pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic properties while reducing gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. The study involved the reaction of naproxen with thionyl chloride to form an acid chloride, which was then reacted with glucose to produce glucosyl naproxen. This was followed by acetylation and reaction with various amino acids to yield the prodrugs. The synthesized prodrugs were evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities and assessed for GI toxicity. The results indicated that the prodrugs maintained the therapeutic activities of naproxen while significantly reducing GI irritation. Key chemicals used in the synthesis process included naproxen, thionyl chloride, glucose, pyridine, acetic anhydride, and different amino acids such as glycine, valine, alanine, cysteine, and others. The synthesized compounds were characterized using IR, NMR, and MS spectral methods. The study concluded that these novel prodrugs could be potentially useful naproxen derivatives for oral administration due to their stability in aqueous solutions, retention of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, and notably reduced GI irritation.
10.1021/jm0612158
The study investigates the development of a new series of spirodiketopiperazine derivatives for their cytotoxic potential against various human tumor cell lines. The researchers synthesized these compounds by condensing the 3-amino-3(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,3-dihydrothieno[2,3-b]naphtho-4,9-dione system with various amino acids, followed by intramolecular lactamization. The study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of these derivatives against MCF-7 human breast carcinoma and SW 620 human colon carcinoma cell lines, revealing that certain isomers derived from Proline (Pro), Cysteine (Cys), and Methionine (Met) exhibited cytotoxic potency comparable to or greater than that of doxorubicin. The study also explored the topoisomerase II inhibition activity and DNA-binding properties of these compounds. The results suggest that these derivatives could potentially circumvent multiple-drug resistance mechanisms and have significant cytotoxic effects on various tumor cell lines, including those resistant to doxorubicin and cisplatin.