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Supplementary Figures 1-4, Methods from Halogenated Benzimidazole Carboxamides Target Integrin α4β1 on T-Cell and B-Cell Lymphomas

Integrin α4β1 is an attractive but poorly understood target for selective diagnosis and treatment of T-cell and B-cell lymphomas. This report focuses on the rapid microwave preparation, structure-activity relationships, and biological evaluation of medicinally pertinent benzimidazole heterocycles as integrin α4β1 antagonists. We documented tumor uptake of derivatives labeled with 125I in xenograft murine models of B-cell lymphoma. Molecular homology models of integrin α4β1 predicted that docked halobenzimidazole carboxamides have the halogen atom in a suitable orientation for halogen-hydrogen bonding. The high-affinity halogenated ligands identified offer attractive tools for medicinal and biological use, including fluoro and iodo derivatives with potential radiodiagnostic (18F) or radiotherapeutic (131I) applications, or chloro and bromo analogues that could provide structural insights into integrin-ligand interactions through photoaffinity, cross-linking/mass spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallographic studies. Cancer Res; 70(13); 5448–56. ©2010 AACR.

Herein, we report a new approach to synthesize a series of 1,2,4-[e]-benzotriazine and cinnoline derivatives from 3-substituted isoindolin-1-one. All the reported products are obtained through an economical two-step synthetic procedure resulting in fair-to-high yields. Cinnolines (a) and 1,2,4-[e]-benzotriazines (b) result from an intramolecular cyclization of the corresponding 3-substituted isoindolin-1-ones, which, in turn, are prepared by an addition reaction from 2-cyanobenzaldehyde and 2-(2-nitrophenyl) acetonitrile (a) or 2-nitroaniline derivatives (b). A proposed mechanism for this transformation is presented.

Herein, we report a new approach to synthesize a series of 1,2,4-[

Background and Aims: The increased frequency of urinary tract infections in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and the cross-reactivity between the lipoyl domains (LD) of human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (hPDC-E2) and Escherichia coli PDC-E2 (ePDC-E2) have long suggested a role of E. coli in causality of PBC. This issue, however, has remained speculative. We hypothesized that by generating specific constructs of human and E. coli PDC-E2, we would be able to assess the specificity of autoantibody responses and define whether exposure to E. coli in susceptible hosts is the basis for the antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) response. Approach and Results: Importantly, the reactivity of hPDC-E2 LD (hPDC-E2LD) affinity-purified antibodies against hPDC-E2LD could only be removed by prior absorption with hPDC-E2LD and not ePDC-E2, suggesting the presence of unique human PDC-E2 epitopes distinct from E. coli PDC-E2. To identify the autoepitope(s) present in hPDC-E2LD, a more detailed study using a variety of PDC-E2 constructs was tested, including the effect of lipoic acid (LA) on ePDC-E2 conformation and AMA recognition. Individual recombinant ePDCE2 LD domains LD1, LD2 and LD3 did not react with either AMA or antibodies to LA (anti-LA), but in contrast, anti-LA was readily reactive against purified recombinant LD1, LD2, and LD3 expressed in tandem (LP); such reactivity increased when LP was precultured with LA. Moreover, when the three LD (LD1, LD2, LD3) domains were expressed in tandem in pET28a or when LD1 was expressed in another plasmid pGEX, they were lipoylated and reactive to PBC sera. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data are consistent with an exposure to E. coli that elicits specific antibody to ePDC-E2 resulting in determinant spreading and the classic autoantibody to hPDC-E2LD. We argue this is the first step to development of human PBC.

Pendrin is a transmembrane chloride/anion antiporter that is strongly upregulated in the airways in rhinoviral infection, asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis. Based on its role in the regulation of airway surface liquid depth, pendrin inhibitors have potential indications for treatment of inflammatory airways diseases. Here, a completely regioselective route to tetrahydro-pyrazolopyridine pendrin inhibitors based on 1,3-diketone and substituted hydrazine condensation was been developed. Structure-activity relationships at the tetra hydropyridyl nitrogen were investigated using a focused library, establishing the privileged nature of N-phenyl ureas and improving inhibitor potency by greater than 2-fold.

The Davis-Beirut reaction provides access to 2H-indazoles from aromatic nitro compounds. However, N-aryl targets have been traditionally challenging to access due to competitive alternate reaction pathways. Previously, the key nitroso imine intermediate was generated under alkaline conditions, but as reported here, the photochemistry of o-nitrobenzyl alcohols empowered Bronsted acid catalyzed conditions for accessing N-aryl targets. Anilines and alkyl amines give different outcomes under optimized conditions; the proposed mechanism was studied using quantum chemical calculations.

o-Nitrosobenzaldehyde is a reactive intermediate useful in the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles. Previous strategies for using o-nitrosobenzaldehyde involve its isolation via chromatography and/or formation under harsh conditions. Herein, this intermediate was photochemically generated in situ from o-nitrobenzyl alcohols in a mild, efficient manner for the construction of 1,2-dihydro-3 H-indazol-3-ones using an aqueous solvent at room temperature. This convenient reaction offers several advantages over reported methods. The commercially available photoreactor employed 3 × 18 W bulbs outputting broad emission above 365 nm.

We previously identified a spiro [piperidine-4,1-pyrido [3,4-b]indole] class of co-potentiators that function in synergy with existing CFTR potentiators such as VX-770 or GLGP1837 to restore channel activity of a defined subset of minimal function cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutants. Here, structure-activity studies were conducted to improve their potency over the previously identified compound, 20 (originally termed CP-A01). Targeted synthesis of 37 spiro [piperidine-4,1-pyrido [3,4-b]indoles] was generally accomplished using versatile two or three step reaction protocols with each step having high efficiency. Structure-activity relationship studies established that analog 2i, with 6′-methoxyindole and 2,4,5-trifluorobenzyl substituents, had the greatest potency for activation of N1303K-CFTR, with EC50 ∼600 nM representing an ∼17-fold improvement over the original compound identified in a small molecule screen.

Background Current modulator therapies for some cystic fibrosis-causing CFTR mutants, including N1303K, have limited efficacy. We provide evidence here to support combination potentiator (co-potentiator) therapy for mutant CFTRs that are poorly responsive to single potentiators. Methods Functional synergy screens done on N1303K and W1282X CFTR, in which small molecules were tested with VX-770, identified arylsulfonamide-pyrrolopyridine, phenoxy-benzimidazole and flavone co-potentiators. Results A previously identified arylsulfonamide-pyrrolopyridine co-potentiator (ASP-11) added with VX-770 increased N1303K-CFTR current 7-fold more than VX-770 alone. ASP-11 increased by ~65% of the current of G551D-CFTR compared to VX-770, was additive with VX-770 on F508del-CFTR, and activated wild-type CFTR in the absence of a cAMP agonist. ASP-11 efficacy with VX-770 was demonstrated in primary CF human airway cell cultures having N1303K, W1282X and G551D CFTR mutations. Structure-activity studies on 11 synthesized ASP-11 analogs produced compounds with EC 50 down to 0.5 μM. Conclusions These studies support combination potentiator therapy for CF caused by some CFTR mutations that are not effectively treated by single potentiators.

Peptidomimetics are a privileged class of pharmacophores that exhibit improved physicochemical and biological properties. Solid-phase synthesis is a powerful tool for gaining rapid access to libraries of molecules from small molecules to biopolymers and also is widely used for the synthesis of peptidomimetics. Small molecules including heterocycles serve as a core for hundreds of drugs, including peptidomimetic molecules. This review covers solid-phase synthesis strategies for peptidomimetics molecules based on heterocycles.

Photoswitches capable of accessing two geometric states are highly desirable, especially if their design is modular and incorporates a pharmacophore tethering site. We describe a redox isomerization strategy for synthesizing p-formylazobenzenes from p-nitrobenzyl alcohol. The resulting azo-aldehydes can be readily converted to photoswitchable compounds with excellent photophysical properties using simple hydrazide click chemistry. As a proof of principle, we synthesized a photoswitchable surfactant enabling the photocontrol of an emulsion with exceptionally high spatiotemporal precision.

Indazoles are an important class of nitrogen heterocycles because of their excellent performance in biologically relevant applications, such as in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry. In these applications, convenient synthesis using commercially available and diverse building blocks is highly desirable. Within this broad class, 2H-indazoles are relatively underexploited when compared to 1H-indazole, perhaps because of regioselectivity issues associated with the synthesis of 2H-indazoles. This Account describes our unfolding of the synthetic utility of the Davis–Beirut reaction (DBR) for the construction of 2H-indazoles and their derivatives; parallel unfoldings of mechanistic models for these interrelated N–N bond forming reactions are also summarized. The Davis–Beirut reaction is a robust method that exploits the diverse chemistries of a key nitroso imine or nitroso benzaldehyde intermediate generated in situ under redox neutral conditions. The resulting N–N bond-forming heterocyclization between nucleophilic and electrophilic nitrogens can be leveraged for the synthesis of multiple classes of indazoles and their derivatives, such as simple or fused indazolones, thiazolo-indazoles, 3-alkoxy-2H-indazoles, 2H-indazole N-oxides, and 2H-indazoles with various substitutions on the ring system or the nitrogens. These diverse products can all be synthesized under alkaline conditions and the various strategies for accessing these heterocycles are discussed. Alternatively, we have also developed methods involving mild photochemical conditions for the nitrobenzyl → aci-nitro → nitroso imine sequence. Solvent consideration is especially important for modulating the chemistry of the reactive intermediates in these reactions; the presence of water is critically important in some cases, but water’s beneficial effect has a ceiling because of the alternative reaction pathways it enables. Fused 2H-indazoles readily undergo ring opening reactions to give indazolones when treated with nucleophiles or electrophiles. Furthermore, palladium-catalyzed cross coupling, the Sonagashira reaction, EDC amide coupling, 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with nitrile oxides, copper-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloadditions (click reaction), as well as copper-free click reactions, can all be used late-stage to modify 2H-indazoles and indazolones. The continued development and applications of the Davis–Beirut reaction has provided many insights for taming the reactivity of highly reactive nitro and nitroso groups, which still has a plethora of underexplored chemistries and challenges. For example, there is currently a limited number of nonfused 2H-indazole examples containing an aryl substitution at nitrogen. This is caused by relatively slow N–N bond formation between N-aryl imine and nitroso reactants, which allows water to add to the key nitroso imine intermediate causing imine bond cleavage to be a competitive reaction pathway rather than proceeding through the desired N–N bond-forming heterocyclization.

The Davis−Beirut reaction provides access to2H-indazoles from aromatic nitro compounds. However, N-aryl targets have been traditionally challenging to access due to competitive alternate reaction pathways. Previously, the key nitroso imine intermediate was generated under alkaline conditions, but as reported here, the photochemistry of o-nitrobenzyl alcohols empowered Brønsted acid catalyzed conditions for accessing N-aryl targets. Anilines and alkyl amines give different outcomes under optimized conditions; the proposed mechanism was studied using quantum chemical calculations.

Chemotherapy has been shown to be effective in reducing the progression and development of cancer in metastatic patients. However, drug selectivity is still a major issue for most chemotherapeutics. In this study, we synthesized four novel heterocyclic compounds having similarity in structure with quinone systems whereby nitrogen atoms replace the oxygen atoms. The anticancer activity of these compounds (DIQ3-6) was tested against HCT116 human colon cancer cells. We showed that all four heterocycles caused significant reduction in colon cancer cell viability at doses as low as 4 μM, a concentration that was not cytotoxic to normal human FHs74Int intestinal cell lines. Interestingly, these heterocycles inhibited colon sphere formation in 3D cultures at first generation (G1), mainly because of inhibition of proliferation as evidenced by Ki67 staining. Thus, DIQ3 causes sufficient eradication of the self-renewal ability of the highly resistant cancer stem cells. This study represents the first documentation of the activity of these novel heterocyclic compounds, particularly compound DIQ3, and their potential therapeutic use in targeting colon cancer self-renewal capacity. Our findings provide the basis for proposing these nontoxic and stable compounds for additional testing against cancer.

A Davis–Beirut reaction inspired nitroso Diels–Alder protocol is reported. The starting material for the procedure is a nitrophenyl moiety with the para position appropriately substituted with a 2°-amine (see 5) or 2°-alcohol (see 6). Deprotonation at the benzylic position followed by concomitant oxidation of the benzylic position and reduction of the nitro moiety delivers a nitrosophenyl intermediate, which subsequently undergoes a nitroso Diels–Alder reaction. This one-pot procedure delivers aryldihydro-1,2-oxazines in moderate yields.

Two operationally simple one-pot protocols have been developed for the synthesis of amino-functionalized benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1–a]isoquinolines and isoquinolino[3,4–b]quinoxalines. Optimization data and substrate scope for these atom-economical transformations, which engage commercially available o-phenylenediamines and o-cyanobenzalde-hydes, are discussed.

5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) remains the standard chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer, but drug resistance and unpredictable cardiotoxicity limit its effectiveness. The high recurrence rates and common resistance are thought to be due to a population of self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this study, we synthesized four novel heterocyclic compounds that are similar in structure with quinones and tested their anticancer activity against HCT116 human colon cancer cells in 2D monolayer and 3D sphere cultures. In 2D, all compounds caused significant inhibition of colon cancer cell viability at concentrations non-cytotoxic to normal human FHs74Int intestinal cell lines. In 3D cultures, these heterocycles eradicated the self-renewal ability of the highly resistant cancer stem cells and inhibited colon sphere formation in first generation (G1), as well as subsequent generations. This study represents the first documentation of the activity of these novel heterocyclic compounds, particularly compound 6a, abbreviated as DIQ-3, which we propose to be an effective treatment strategy to prevent colon cancer recurrence by targeting colorectal CSCs. Our findings provide the basis for suggesting these non-toxic and stable compounds for additional testing against cancer. Citation Format: Alissar Monzer, Nayri Jabotian, Jie S. Zhu, Mark J. Kurth, Wassim Abou Kheir, Makhlouf Haddadin, Hala Gali-Muhtasib. A novel Diiminoquinone targets colorectal cancer stem cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4797.

A heterocycle-to-heterocycle strategy is presented for the preparation of highly fluorescent and solvatochromic dibenzonaphthyridinones (DBNs) via methodology that leads to the formation of a tertiary, spiro-fused carbon center. A linear correlation between the results of photophysical experiments and time dependent density functional theory calculations was observed for the λ(max) of excitation for DBNs with varying electronic character.

A concise, one-step route to indazolones from primary alkyl amines and o-nitrobenzyl alcohols is reported. The key step in this readily scalable indazolone forming process involves base-mediated in situ o-nitrobenzyl alcohol → o-nitrosobenzaldehyde conversion. Although this functional group interconversion is known to be useful for 2 H-indazole synthesis, its reactivity was modulated for indazolone formation.

The discovery of a new variation on the Davis–Beirut reaction is described in which an atypical heterocyclic framework (the anthranil or benzo[c]isoxazole framework) is formed as the result of diversion of a key reactive intermediate away from its usual reactivity – a potentially general approach to reaction design and development. Experimental and computational support for the proposed mechanism and origins of altered reactivity are described.

A transition metal-free, one-pot protocol has been developed for the synthesis of 11H-indolo[3,2-c]isoquinolin-5-amines via the atom economical annulation of ethyl (2-cyanophenyl)carbamates and 2-cyanobenzyl bromides. This method proceeds via sequential N-alkylation and base-promoted cyclization. Optimization data, substrate scope, mechanistic insights, and photoluminescence properties are discussed.

An applied computational chemistry laboratory exercise is described in which students use modern quantum chemical calculations of chemical shifts to assign the structure of a recently isolated natural product. A pre/post assessment was used to measure student learning gains and verify that students demonstrated proficiency of key learning objectives.

The discovery of a new variation on the Davis–Beirut reaction is described in which an atypical heterocyclic framework (the anthranil or benzo[c]isoxazole framework) is formed as the result of diversion of a key reactive intermediate away from its expected reactivity—a potentially general approach to reaction design and development. Experimental and computational support for the proposed mechanism and origins of altered reactivity are described.

We previously identified phenylquinoxalinone CFTRact-J027 (4) as a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activator with an EC50 of ∼200 nM and demonstrated its therapeutic efficacy in mouse models of constipation. Here, structure v–activity studies were done on 36 synthesized phenylquinoxalinone analogs to identify compounds with improved potency and altered metabolic stability. Synthesis of the phenylquinoxalinone core was generally accomplished by condensation of 1,2-phenylenediamines with substituted phenyloxoacetates. Structure–activity studies established, among other features, the privileged nature of a properly positioned nitro moiety on the 3-aryl group. Synthesized analogs showed improved CFTR activation potency compared to 4 with EC50 down to 21 nM and with greater metabolic stability. CFTR activators have potential therapeutic indications in constipation, dry eye, cholestatic liver diseases, and inflammatory lung disorders.

A variety of quinoline-4-amines were synthesized from substituted 3-(2-nitrophenyl)isoxazoles utilizing Zn0 or Fe0 dust and HOAc via a reductive heterocyclization process. The starting isoxazoles were synthesized from readily available starting materials. A brief survey of functional groups tolerated in this reductive heterocyclization was performed and several 10-amino-3,4-dihydrobenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridin-1(2H)-one and 9-amino-3,4-dihydroacridin-1(2H)-one examples were synthesized.

Organic chemistry problems that interrelate and integrate synthesis with spectroscopy are presented. These synthesis–spectroscopy roadmap (SSR) problems uniquely engage second-year undergraduate organic chemistry students in the personal discovery of organic chemistry. SSR problems counter the memorize-or-bust strategy that many students tend to employ in the study of organic chemistry with an instructional strategy that fosters “seeing” connections, “hearing” what a problem has to say, and “feeling” the exhilaration that comes with discovery.

Conformationally constrained bithiazoles were previously found to have improved efficacy over nonconstrained bithiazoles for correction of defective cellular processing of the ΔF508 mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. In this study, two sets of constrained bithiazoles were designed, synthesized, and tested in vitro using ΔF508-CFTR expressing epithelial cells. The SAR data demonstrated that modulating the constraining ring size between 7- versus 8-membered in these constrained bithiazole correctors did not significantly enhance their potency (IC50), but strongly affected maximum efficacy (Vmax), with constrained bithiazoles 9e and 10c increasing Vmax by 1.5-fold compared to benchmark bithiazole corr4a. The data suggest that the 7- and 8-membered constrained ring bithiazoles are similar in their ability to accommodate the requisite geometric constraints during protein binding.

The most common cystic fibrosis mutation, ΔF508 in nucleotide binding domain 1 (NBD1), impairs cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-coupled domain folding, plasma membrane expression, function and stability. VX-809, a promising investigational corrector of ΔF508-CFTR misprocessing, has limited clinical benefit and an incompletely understood mechanism, hampering drug development. Given the effect of second-site suppressor mutations, robust ΔF508-CFTR correction most likely requires stabilization of NBD1 energetics and the interface between membrane-spanning domains (MSDs) and NBD1, which are both established primary conformational defects. Here we elucidate the molecular targets of available correctors: class I stabilizes the NBD1-MSD1 and NBD1-MSD2 interfaces, and class II targets NBD2. Only chemical chaperones, surrogates of class III correctors, stabilize human ΔF508-NBD1. Although VX-809 can correct missense mutations primarily destabilizing the NBD1-MSD1/2 interface, functional plasma membrane expression of ΔF508-CFTR also requires compounds that counteract the NBD1 and NBD2 stability defects in cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells and intestinal organoids. Thus, the combination of structure-guided correctors represents an effective approach for cystic fibrosis therapy.

We previously reported benzopyrimido-pyrrolo-oxazinedione (BPO) inhibitors of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel and showed their efficacy in a model of polycystic kidney disease. Here, we separated the enantiomers of lead compound BPO-27, (1), which contains a single chiral center, and determined their absolute configuration, activity and metabolic stability. Following separation by chiral supercritical fluid chromatography, the R enantiomer, as determined by x-ray crystallography, inhibited CFTR chloride conductance with IC50 ~ 4 nM, while S enantiomer was inactive. In vitro metabolic stability in hepatic microsomes showed both enantiomers as stable, with

Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) directed against the lipoyl domain of the E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDC-E2) are detected in 95% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and are present before the onset of clinical disease. The recent demonstration that AMAs recognize xenobiotic modified PDC-E2 with higher titers than native PDC-E2 raises the possibility that the earliest events involved in loss of tolerance are related to xenobiotic modification. We hypothesized that reactivity to such xenobiotics would be predominantly immunoglobulin M (IgM) and using sera from a large cohort of PBC patients and controls (n = 516), we examined in detail sera reactivity against either 6,8-bis(acetylthio) octanoic acid (SAc)-conjugated bovine serum albumin (BSA), recombinant PDC-E2 (rPDC-E2) or BSA alone. Further, we also defined the relative specificity to the SAc moiety using inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); SAc conjugate and rPDC-E2-specific affinity-purified antibodies were also examined for antigen specificity, isotype, and crossreactivity. Reactivity to SAc conjugates is predominantly IgM; such reactivity reflects a footprint of previous xenobiotic exposure. Indeed, this observation is supported by both direct binding, crossreactivity, and inhibition studies. In both early and late-stage PBC, the predominant Ig isotype to SAc is IgM, with titers higher with advanced stage disease. We also note that there was a higher level of IgM reactivity to SAc than to rPDC-E2 in early-stage versus late-stage PBC. Interestingly, this finding is particularly significant in light of the structural similarity between SAc and the reduced form of lipoic acid, a step which is similar to the normal physiological oxidation of lipoic acid. Conclusion: Specific modifications of the disulfide bond within the lipoic-acid-conjugated PDC-E2 moiety, i.e., by an electrophilic agent renders PDC-E2 immunogenic in a genetically susceptible host. (HEPATOLOGY 2013)

Increased concentrations of secreted phospholipase A2 type IIA (sPLA2-IIA), have been found in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It has been shown that sPLA2-IIA specifically binds to integrin αvβ3, and initiates a signaling pathway that leads to cell proliferation and inflammation. Therefore, the interaction between integrin and sPLA2-IIA could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of proliferation or inflammation-related diseases. Two one-bead-one-compound peptide libraries were co nstructed and screened, and seven target hits were identified. Herein we report the identification, synthesis, and biological testing of two pyrazolylthiazole-tethered peptide hits and their analogs. Biological assays showed that these compounds were able to suppress the sPLA2-IIA-integrin interaction and sPLA2-IIA-induced migration of monocytic cells and that the blockade of the sPLA2-IIA-integrin binding was specific to sPLA2-IIA and not to the integrin.

A variety of N-aryl β-nitroenamines were effectively transformed into 3-nitroindoles in good yields and with complete regioselectivity via a rapid microwave (μW) assisted intramolecular arene-alkene coupling reaction. This report further demonstrates the versatility of this method by constructing 3-carboalkoxy- and 3-cyanoindoles. Optimization data, substrate scope, and applications are discussed.

Two operationally simple one-pot protocols have been developed for the synthesis of amino-functionalized benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and isoquinolino[3,4-b]quinoxalines. Optimization data and substrate scope for these atom-economical transformations, which engage commercially available o-phenylenediamines and o-cyanobenzaldehydes, are discussed.

A heterocycle-to-heterocycle strategy is presented for the preparation of highly fluorescent and solvatochromic dibenzonaphthyridinones (DBNs) via methodology that leads to the formation of a tertiary, spiro-fused carbon center. A linear correlation between the results of photophysical experiments and time dependent density functional theory calculations was observed for the λmax of excitation for DBNs with varying electronic character.

Transition metal-free and operationally simple one-pot protocol for the synthesis of the title compounds is developed starting from readily available ethyl (2-cyanophenyl)carbamates and 2-cyanobenzyl bromides.

The serologic hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the presence of antimitochondrial autoantibodies (AMAs) directed against the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2). The PBC-related autoepitope of PDC-E2 contains lipoic acid, and previous work has demonstrated that mimics of lipoic acid following immunization of mice lead to a PBC-like disease. Furthermore, approximately one-third of patients who have ingested excessive amounts of acetaminophen (paracetamol) develop AMA of the same specificity as patients with PBC. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) data indicates that acetaminophen metabolites are particularly immunoreactive with AMA, and we submit that in genetically susceptible hosts, electrophilic modification of lipoic acid in PDC-E2 by acetaminophen or similar drugs can facilitate a loss of tolerance and lead to the development of PBC.

Copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) chemistry is reported for the construction of previously unknown 5-(1 H -1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-4,5′-bithiazoles from 2-bromo-1-(thiazol-5-yl)ethanones. These novel triazolobithiazoles are shown to have cystic fibrosis (CF) corrector activity and, compared to the benchmark bithiazole CF corrector corr- 4a , improved log P values (4.5 vs 5.96).

A novel, easy method for the syntheses of richly diversified 2H-indazoles and indazolones, called the Davis-Beirut reaction, and other recent 2H-indazole synthetic routes are briefly reviewed. An update on the biological activity of indazoles is also surveyed.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel. The most common CF-causing mutation, ΔF508-CFTR, produces CFTR loss-of-function by impairing its cellular targeting to the plasma membrane and its chloride channel gating. We recently identified, cyanoquinolines with both corrector (“Co”; normalizing ΔF508-CFTR targeting) and potentiator (“Po”; normalizing ΔF508-CFTR channel gating) activities. Here, we synthesized and characterized twenty-four targeted cyanoquinoline analogues to elucidate the conformational requirements for corrector and potentiator activities. Compounds with potentiator-only, corrector-only and dual potentiator-corrector activities were found. Molecular modeling studies (conformational search ⇒ force-field lowest energy assessment ⇒ geometry optimization] suggest that (1) a flexible tether and (2) a relatively short bridge between the cyanoquinoline and aryl amide moieties are important cyanoquinoline-based CoPo features. Further, these CoPo’s should adopt two distinct π-stacking conformations to elicit corrector and potentiator activities.

We previously reported the identification and structure-activity analysis of bithiazole-based correctors of defective cellular processing of the cystic fibrosis-causing CFTR mutant, ΔF508-CFTR. Here, we report the synthesis and uptake of a functional, fluorescently labeled bithiazole corrector. Following synthesis and functional analysis of four bithiazole-fluorophore conjugates, we found that 5, a bithazole-based BODIPY conjugate, had low micromolar potency for correction of defective δF508-CFTR cellular misprocessing, with comparable efficacy to benchmark corrector corr-4a. Intravenous administration of 5 to mice established its stability in extrahepatic tissues for tens of minutes. By fluorescence imaging of whole-body frozen slices, fluorescent corrector 5 was visualized strongly in gastrointestinal organs, with less in lung and liver. Our results provide proof-of-concept for mapping the biodistribution of a ΔF508-CFTR corrector by fluorophore labeling and fluorescence imaging of whole-body slices.

Our laboratory has hypothesized that xenobiotic modification of the native lipoyl moiety of the major mitochondrial autoantigen, the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), may lead to loss of self-tolerance in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This thesis is based on the finding of readily detectable levels of immunoreactivity of PBC sera against extensive panels of protein microarrays containing mimics of the inner lipoyl domain of PDC-E2 and subsequent quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs). Importantly, we have demonstrated that murine immunization with one such mimic, 2-octynoic acid coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), induces anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) and cholangitis. Based upon these data, we have focused on covalent modifications of the lipoic acid disulfide ring and subsequent analysis of such xenobiotics coupled to a 15mer of PDC-E2 for immunoreactivity against a broad panel of sera from patients with PBC and controls. Our results demonstrate that AMA-positive PBC sera demonstrate marked reactivity against 6,8-bis(acetylthio)octanoic acid, implying that chemical modification of the lipoyl ring, i.e. disruption of the S-S disulfide, renders lipoic acid to its reduced form that will promote xenobiotic modification. This observation is particularly significant in light of the function of the lipoyl moiety in electron transport of which the catalytic disulfide constantly opens and closes and, thus, raises the intriguing thesis that common electrophilic agents, i.e. acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may lead to xenobiotic modification in genetically susceptible individuals that results in the generation of AMAs and ultimately clinical PBC.

Three different types of isoxazoline-containing polycyclic heterocycles are prepared from the corresponding oxime precursors (syntheses described).

An efficient synthesis of spiro-fused macrolactams by a multicomponent macrocyclization reaction (MCMR) is reported. The use of highly reactive, transient intermediates in this MCMR permits short reaction times, even at high dilution. The methods employed for this MCMR were first developed as a four-component strategy for the synthesis of β-ketoamide isoxazolines and a new macrocyclization reaction is reported.

A course entitled “Careers in Chemistry” has been developed and implemented in the chemistry curriculum. This seminar-style class exposes students to a full spectrum of career options available to chemists by hosting outside speakers. The workings and logistics of this course and its positive impact on students are described. Survey results suggest that implementation of a similar course or seminar series at other institutions may be beneficial in exposing students to career options in chemistry.

We previously reported the discovery of pyrimido-pyrrolo-quinoxalinedione (PPQ) inhibitors of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel and showed their efficacy in an organ culture model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) (Tradtrantip et al., J. Med. Chem. 52, 6447–6455, 2009). Here, we report related benzopyrimido-pyrrolo-oxazinedione (BPO) CFTR inhibitors. To establish structure-activity relationships and select lead compound(s) with improved potency, metabolic stability and aqueous solubility compared to the most potent prior compound 8 (PPQ-102, IC50 ~ 90 nM), we synthesized 16 PPQ analogs and 11 BPO analogs. The analogs were efficiently synthesized in 5–6 steps and 11–61 % overall yield. Modification of 8 by bromine substitution at the 5-position of the furan ring, replacement of the secondary amine with an ether bridge, and carboxylation, gave 6-(5-bromofuran-2-yl)-7,9-dimethyl-8,10-dioxo-11-phenyl-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[b]pyrimido [4',5':3,4]pyrrolo [1,2-d][1,4]oxazine-2-carboxylic acid 42 (BPO-27), which fully inhibited CFTR with IC50 ~ 8 nM, and, compared to 8, had >10-fold greater metabolic stability and much greater polarity / aqueous solubility. In an embryonic kidney culture model of PKD 42 prevented cyst growth with IC50 ~ 100 nM. Benzopyrimido-pyrrolo-oxazinediones such as 42 are potential development candidates for anti-secretory therapy of PKD.

A number of novel benzo-1,3-dioxolo-, benzothiazolo-, pyrido-, and quinolino-fused 5H-benzo[d]pyrazolo[5,1-b][1,3]-oxazines and 1H-pyrazoles were synthesized utilizing an easy and effective N,N-bond forming heterocyclization reaction. In so doing, the substrate scope of this heterocyclization reaction, which starts with o-nitroheterocyclic aldehydes, was expanded to provide several unique heterocyclic compounds for biological screening. This work further demonstrates the versatility of this simple, base-mediated, one-pot heterocyclization method in the construction of novel heterocycles.

The synthesis of glycosylated Fmoc amino acids by reaction of mono- and disaccharide peracetates with Fmoc amino acids having free carboxyl groups was rapidly promoted by Lewis acids (SnCl(4), BF(3)·Et(2)O) under microwave irradiation. The products are useful building blocks for the synthesis of glycopeptides.