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Hypoxia, conditions of reduced oxygen, occur in a wide variety of biological contexts, including solid tumours and bacterial biofilms, which are relevant to human health. Consequently, the development of chemical tools to study hypoxia is vital. Here we report a hypoxia-activated small molecule-mediated gene expression system using a bioreductive prodrug of the inducer isopropyl 1-thio-β-D-galactopyranoside (IPTG). As a proof-of-concept we have placed the production of a green fluorescent protein under the control of hypoxia. Our system has the potential to be extended to regulate the production any given protein of choice.

Lysosomal sequestration of anti-cancer compounds reduces drug availability at intracellular target sites, thereby limiting drug-sensitivity and inducing chemoresistance. For hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sorafenib (SF) is the first line systemic treatment, as well as a simultaneous activator of autophagy-induced drug resistance. The purpose of this study is to elucidate how combination therapy with the FDA-approved photosensitizer verteporfin (VP) can potentiate the antitumor effect of SF, overcoming its acquired resistance mechanisms. HCC cell lines and patient-derived in vitro and in vivo preclinical models were used to identify the molecular mechanism of action of VP alone and in combination with SF. We demonstrate that SF is lysosomotropic and increases the total number of lysosomes in HCC cells and patient-derived xenograft model. Contrary to the effect on lysosomal stability by SF, VP is not only sequestered in lysosomes, but induces lysosomal pH alkalinization, lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and tumor-selective proteotoxicity. In combination, VP-induced LMP potentiates the antitumor effect of SF, further decreasing tumor proliferation and progression in HCC cell lines and patient-derived samples in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that combination of lysosome-targeting compounds, such as VP, in combination with already approved chemotherapeutic agents could open a new avenue to overcome chemo-insensitivity caused by passive lysosomal sequestration of anti-cancer drugs in the context of HCC.

β-(2-Pyridyl) ketones are a unique class of heterocycles with valuable physicochemical properties and emerging relevance as pharmacophores. Herein we report a one-step process for the preparation of various substituted β-(2-pyridyl) ketones from the common starting material, 2,6-lutidine. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of this building block by synthesizing of a small set of antimalarial natural products.

Although most acute skin wounds heal rapidly, non-healing skin ulcers represent an increasing and substantial unmet medical need that urgently requires effective therapeutics. Keratinocytes resurface wounds to re-establish the epidermal barrier by transitioning to an activated, migratory state, but this ability is lost in dysfunctional chronic wounds. Small-molecule regulators of keratinocyte plasticity with the potential to reverse keratinocyte malfunction in situ could offer a novel therapeutic approach in skin wound healing. Utilizing high-throughput phenotypic screening of primary keratinocytes, we identify such small molecules, including bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein family inhibitors (BETi). BETi induce a sustained activated, migratory state in keratinocytes in vitro, increase activation markers in human epidermis ex vivo and enhance skin wound healing in vivo. Our findings suggest potential clinical utility of BETi in promoting keratinocyte re-epithelialization of skin wounds. Importantly, this novel property of BETi is exclusively observed after transient low-dose exposure, revealing new potential for this compound class.

Selective and specific inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum lysyl-tRNA synthetase represent promising therapeutic antimalarial avenues. Cladosporin was identified as a potent P. falciparum lysyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor, with an activity against parasite lysyl-tRNA synthetase >100-fold more potent than that of the activity registered against the human enzyme. Despite its compelling activity, cladosporin exhibits poor oral bioavailability; a critical requirement for antimalarial drugs. Thus, the quest to develop metabolically stable cladosporin-derived analogues, while retaining similar selectivity and potency to that of the natural compound, has begun. Chemogenomic profiling of a designed library allowed an entirely innovative structure-activity relationship study to be initiated; this shed light on structural evidence of a privileged scaffold with a unique activity against tRNA synthetases.

Diels-Alder reactions have emerged as highly powerful transformations for the generation of structurally complex polycyclic scaffolds essentially due to their associated rapidity and atom-economy. Since its discovery in 1928, a better understanding of steric and electronic effects have allowed the development of many different versions including intra-molecular [4+2] cycloadditions, hetero-Diels-Alder reactions, and catalytic asymmetric variants, among others. In this chapter, we will give an overview on the application of Diels-Alder reactions in Medicinal Chemistry.

The multilineage differentiation capacity of mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cells offers a testing platform for small molecules that mediate mammalian lineage determination and cellular specialization. Here we report the identification of two small molecules which drives mouse 129 ES cell differentiation to skeletal muscle with high efficiency without any genetic modification. Mouse embryoid bodies (EBs) were used to screen a library of 1,000 small molecules to identify compounds capable of inducing high levels of Pax3 mRNA. Stimulation of EBs with SMIs (skeletal muscle inducer, SMI1 and SMI2) from the screen resulted in a high percentage of intensively twitching skeletal muscle fibers 3 weeks after induction. Gene expression profiling studies that were carried out for mode of actions analysis showed that SMIs activated genes regulated by the Wnt pathway and inhibited expression of Smad2/3 and Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) target genes. A combination of three small molecules known to modulate these three pathways acted similarly to the SMIs found here, driving ES cells from 129 as well as Balb/c and C57Bl/6 to skeletal muscle. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the SMI drives ES cells to skeletal muscle via concerted activation of the Wnt pathway, and inhibition of Smad2/3 signaling and Shh pathways. This provides important developmental biological information about skeletal muscle differentiation from embryonic stem cells and may lead to the development of new therapeutics for muscle disease.

Oral and intestinal mucositis is a debilitating side effect of radiation treatment. A mouse model of radiation-induced mucositis leads to weight loss and tissue damage, reflecting the human ailment as it responds to keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), the standard-of-care treatment. Cultured intestinal crypt organoids allowed the development of an assay monitoring the effect of treatments of intestinal epithelium to radiation-induced damage. This in vitro assay resembles the mouse model as KGF and roof plate-specific spondin-1 (RSPO1) enhanced crypt organoid recovery following radiation. Screening identified compounds that increased the survival of organoids postradiation. Testing of these compounds revealed that the organoids changed their responses over time. Unbiased transcriptome analysis was performed on crypt organoid cultures at various time points in culture to investigate this adaptive behavior. A number of genes and pathways were found to be modulated over time, providing a rationale for the altered sensitivity of the organoid cultures. This report describes an in vitro assay that reflects aspects of human disease. The assay was used to identify bioactive compounds, which served as probes to interrogate the biology of crypt organoids over prolonged culture. The pathways that are changing over time may offer potential targets for treatment of mucositis.

Purpose : Radioresistance of cancer cells remains a fundamental barrier for maximum effi cient radiotherapy. Tumor heterogeneity and the existence of distinct cell subpopulations exhibiting diff erent genotypes and biological behaviors raise diffi culties to eradicate all tumorigenic cells. Recent evidence indicates that a distinct population of tumor cells, called cancer stem cells (CSC), is involved in tumor initiation and recurrence and is a putative cause of tumor radioresistance. There is an urgent need to identify the intrinsic molecular mechanisms regulating the generation and maintenance of resistance to radiotherapy, especially within the CSC subset. The chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been found to be a prognostic marker in various types of cancer, being involved in chemotaxis, stemness and drug resistance. The interaction of CXCR4 with its ligand, the chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12 (CXCL12), plays an important role in modulating the tumor microenvironment, angiogenesis and CSC niche. Moreover, the therapeutic inhibition of the CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling pathway is sensitizing the malignant cells to conventional anti-cancer therapy. Content : Within this review we are summarizing the role of the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in the modulation of CSC properties, the regulation of the tumor microenvironment in response to irradiation, therapy resistance and tumor relapse. Conclusion : In light of recent fi ndings, the inhibition of the CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling pathway is a promising therapeutic option to refi ne radiotherapy.

Diels-Alder reactions have emerged as highly powerful transformations for the generation of structurally complex polycyclic scaffolds essentially due to their associated rapidity and atom-economy. Since its discovery in 1928, a better understanding of steric and electronic effects have allowed the development of many different versions including intra-molecular [4+2] cycloadditions, hetero-Diels-Alder reactions, and catalytic asymmetric variants, among others. In this chapter, we will give an overview on the application of Diels-Alder reactions in Medicinal Chemistry.

A small series of 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3,6-dimethyl­isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one analogues of the immunosuppressant, mycophenolate mofelite (MMF), has been identified during a screening campaign as possible mediators to prevent mucositis. Herein, we present a general seven-step approach for the preparation of small molecule mycophenolate mofelite analogues, which are readily available for further biological evaluation in our mucositis model.

Osteoarthritis and Kartogenin Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive breakdown of articular cartilage and affects over 25 million people in the United States. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which reside in healthy and diseased joints, are multipotent adult stem cells that are able to differentiate into a variety of cell types. Johnson et al. (p. 717 , published online 5 April) identified a small molecule, kartogenin, which was able to induce MSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes in vitro. When administered locally, kartogenin was efficacious in two animal models of osteoarthritis.

Nature is a pretty unselective "chemist" when it comes to making the highly cytotoxic amphidinolide macrolides of the B/G/H series. To date, 16 different such compounds have been isolated, all of which could now be approached by a highly convergent and largely catalysis-based route (see figure). This notion is exemplified by the total synthesis of five prototype members of this family.Dinoflagellates of the genus Amphidinium produce a "library" of closely related secondary metabolites of mixed polyketide origin, which are extremely scarce but highly promising owing to the exceptional cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines. Because of the dense array of sensitive functionalities on their largely conserved macrocyclic frame, however, these amphidinolides of the B, D, G and H types elapsed many previous attempts at their synthesis. Described herein is a robust, convergent and hence general blueprint which allowed not only to conquest five prototype members of these series, but also holds the promise of making "non-natural" analogues available by diverted total synthesis. This notion transpires for a synthesis-driven structure revision of amphidinolide H2. The successful route hinges upon a highly productive Stille-Migita cross-coupling reaction at the congested and chemically labile 1,3-diene site present in all such targets, which required the development of a modified chloride- and fluoride-free protocol. The macrocyclic ring could be formed with high efficiency and selectivity by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) engaging a vinyl epoxide unit as one of the reaction partners. Because of the sensitivity of the targets to oxidizing and reducing conditions as well as to pH changes, the proper adjustment of the protecting group pattern for the peripheral -OH functions also constitutes a critical aspect, which has to converge to silyl groups only once the diene is in place. Tris(dimethylamino)sulfonium difluorotrimethylsilicate (TASF) turned out to be a sufficiently mild fluoride source to allow for the final deprotection without damaging the precious macrolides.

At low temperature and in the presence of an acid catalyst, SO2 adds to 1,3-dienes equilibrating with the corresponding 3,6-dihydro-1,2-oxathiin-2-oxides (sultines). These compounds are unstable above -60 °C and equilibrate with the more stable 2,5-dihydrothiophene 1,1-dioxides (sulfolenes). The hetero-Diels-Alder additions of SO2 are suprafacial and follow the Alder endo rule. The sultines derived from 1-oxy-substituted and 1,3-dioxy-disubstituted 1,3-dienes cannot be observed at -100 °C but are believed to be formed faster than the corresponding sulfolenes. In the presence of acid catalysts, the 6-oxy-substituted sultines equilibrate with zwitterionic species that react with electron-rich alkenes such as enoxysilanes and allylsilanes, generating β,γ-unsaturated silyl sulfinates that can be desilylated and desulfinylated to generate polypropionate fragments containing up to three contiguous stereogenic centers and an (E)-alkene unit. Alternatively, the silyl sulfinates can be reacted with electrophiles to generate polyfunctional sulfones (one-pot, four-component synthesis of sulfones), or oxidized into sulfonyl chlorides and reacted with amines, then realizing a one-pot, four-component synthesis of polyfunctional sulfonamides. Using enantiomerically enriched dienes such as 1-[(R)- or 1-(S)-phenylethyloxy]-2-methyl-(E,E)-penta-1,3-dien-3-yl isobutyrate, derived from inexpensive (R)- or (S)-1-phenylethanol, enantiomerically enriched stereotriads are obtained in one-pot operations. The latter are ready for further chain elongation. This has permitted the development of expeditious total asymmetric syntheses of important natural products of biological interest such as the baconipyrones, rifamycin S, and apoptolidin A.

In previous papers (Synthesis 2002, 232 and J. Org. Chem. 2004, 69, 6413), we have shown that the hetero-Diels–Alder addition of sulfur dioxide to 1-oxy or 1,3-dioxy-1,3-dienes generates zwitterions that add to enoxysilanes or allylsilanes giving silyl sulfinates that can be converted in the same pot into polyfunctional sulfones, sulfonamides or sulfonic esters. We are presenting further applications of this method, including the synthesis of new medium-size heterocyclic systems of the type tetrahydro-2H-thiocines and hexahydro-1,2-thiazonine.

In the presence of a Lewis or protic acid at low temperature, electron-rich dienes add to sulfur dioxide and carbon nucleophiles generating silyl sulfinates. The latter can be transformed into valuable polyketide precursors.

Efficient methods for the stereoselective synthesis of polyfunctional (E)- and (Z)-alkenes and conjugated (E,E)- and (E,Z)-dienones are presented. They rely upon one-pot, four-component processes that condense 1-oxy-1,3-dienes, silyl enol ethers, SO2, and carbon electrophiles. [structure: see text]

The ene reaction of sulfur dioxide with enoxysilanes or with allylsilanes generates silyl sulfinates that can be brominated (Br(2) or NBS) or chlorinated (NCS or Cl(2)) to produce the corresponding sulfonyl halides. They react with primary and secondary amines or alcohols to give the corresponding sulfonamides and sulfonic esters, respectively. The hetero-Diels-Alder addition of sulfur dioxide to 1-oxy- or 1,3-dioxy-1,3-dienes generates zwitterions that add to enoxysilanes or allylsilanes giving silyl sulfinates that can be converted in situ into polyfunctional sulfonamides or sulfonic esters. This realizes quick access to libraries of complicated sulfonamides and sulfonic esters applying one-pot, three- and four-component methods.

Small molecules do the job: Somatic cells are reprogrammed into iPS cells upon ectopic expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc. Application of a cell-based, high-throughput chemical screen led to the identification of Src family kinase (SFK) inhibitors as chemical replacements for retroviral Sox2 delivery. These compounds are used to study the mechanisms underlying direct reprogramming and may ultimately help to bring iPS cell technology one step closer to clinical application., National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant HD 045022), National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 5 R37A084198)

A small series of 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3,6-dimethyl­isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one analogues of the immunosuppressant, mycophenolate mofelite (MMF), has been identified during a screening campaign as possible mediators to prevent mucositis. Herein, we present a general seven-step approach for the preparation of small molecule mycophenolate mofelite analogues, which are readily available for further biological evaluation in our mucositis model.

Stem Cell Expansion The ability to expand hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) during ex-vivo culture has been an important goal for over 20 years. Using a high-throughput chemical screen, Boitano et al. (p. 1345 , published online 5 August; see the Perspective by Sauvageau and Humphries ) found that a purine derivative, StemRegenin1 (SR1), promoted the expansion of human HSCs. Treatment of HSCs with SR1 (which blocked the activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor) led to the expansion of CD34 + cells and a 12 to 17-fold increase in the number of HSCs that engraft immune deficient mice.

Silyl enol ethers of esters, ketones, as well as allylstannane and allylsilanes react with sulfur dioxide activated with t-BuMe2SiOSO2CF3 to give silyl sulfinates that can be reacted in the same pot with a variety of electrophiles generating the corresponding polyfunctional sulfones. The silyl sulfinate intermediates are formed via ene-reactions following probably concerted mechanisms.

Ectopic expression of defined transcription factors can reprogram somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, but the utility of iPS cells is hampered by the use of viral delivery systems. Small molecules offer an alternative to replace virally transduced transcription factors with chemical signaling cues responsible for reprogramming. In this report we describe a small-molecule screening platform applied to identify compounds that functionally replace the reprogramming factor Klf4. A series of small-molecule scaffolds were identified that activate Nanog expression in mouse fibroblasts transduced with a subset of reprogramming factors lacking Klf4. Application of one such molecule, kenpaullone, in lieu of Klf4 gave rise to iPS cells that are indistinguishable from murine embryonic stem cells. This experimental platform can be used to screen large chemical libraries in search of novel compounds to replace the reprogramming factors that induce pluripotency. Ultimately, such compounds may provide mechanistic insight into the reprogramming process.

At low temperature and in the presence of an acid catalyst, SO2 adds to 1,3-dienes equilibrating with the corresponding 3,6-dihydro-1,2-oxathiin-2-oxides (sultines). These compounds are unstable above -60 degrees C and equilibrate with the more stable 2,5-dihydrothiophene 1,1-dioxides (sulfolenes). The hetero-Diels-Alder additions of SO2 are suprafacial and follow the Alder endo rule. The sultines derived from 1-oxy-substituted and 1,3-dioxy-disubstituted 1,3-dienes cannot be observed at -100 degrees C but are believed to be formed faster than the corresponding sulfolenes. In the presence of acid catalysts, the 6-oxy-substituted sultines equilibrate with zwitterionic species that react with electron-rich alkenes such as enoxysilanes and allylsilanes, generating beta,gamma-unsaturated silyl sulfinates that can be desilylated and desulfinylated to generate polypropionate fragments containing up to three contiguous stereogenic centers and an (E)-alkene unit. Alternatively, the silyl sulfinates can be reacted with electrophiles to generate polyfunctional sulfones (one-pot, four-component synthesis of sulfones), or oxidized into sulfonyl chlorides and reacted with amines, then realizing a one-pot, four-component synthesis of polyfunctional sulfonamides. Using enantiomerically enriched dienes such as 1-[(R)- or 1-(S)-phenylethyloxyl-2-methyl-(E,E)-penta-1,3-dien-3-yl isobutyrate, derived from inexpensive (R)- or (S)-1-phenylethanol, enantiomerically enriched stereotriads are obtained in one-pot operations. The latter are ready for further chain elongation. This has permitted the development of expeditious total asymmetric syntheses of important natural products of biological interest such as the baconipyrones, rifamycin S, and apoptolidin A.

The combination of catalytic amounts of [Pd(PPh3)4], copper thiophene-2-carboxylate (CuTC) and [Ph2PO2][NBu4] allowed a series of exigent Stille–Migita reactions to be performed with high yields; as the protocol is fluoride free, a variety of O-silyl and C-silyl groups remained intact.

Simple 1,3-dienes undergo highly stereoselective hetero-Diels-Alder additions with SO2 at low temperature giving sultines. These reactions that are faster than the more exothermic cheletropic additions of SO2-producing sulfolenes. This has led to the invention of a new C-C bond-forming reaction combining electron-rich dienes and alkenes with SO2. The reaction cascade has been exploited to develop combinatorial, one-pot, four-component syntheses of polyfunctional sulfones, sulfonamides, and sulfonic esters. It also allows us to generate, in one-pot operations, enantiomerically enriched polypropionate fragments containing up to three contiguous stereogenic centers and a (E)-alkene unit. These fragments can be used directly in further C-C bond-forming reactions, such as cross-aldol condensations, thus permitting the expeditious construction of complicated natural products of biological interest (e.g., Baconipyrones, Rifamycin S, Apoptolidinone) and analogues. New ene reactions of SO2 have also been discovered; they open new avenues to organic synthesis.

Simple 1, 3-dienes undergo highly stereoselective hetero-Diels–Alder additions with SO2 at low temperature giving sultines. These reactions that are faster than the more exothermic cheletropic additions of SO2-producing sulfolenes. This has led to the invention of a new C–C bond-forming reaction combining electron-rich dienes and alkenes with SO2. The reaction cascade has been exploited to develop combinatorial, one-pot, four-component syntheses of polyfunctional sulfones, sulfonamides, and sulfonic esters. It also allows us to generate, in one-pot operations, enantiomerically enriched polypropionate fragments containing up to three contiguous stereogenic centers and a (E)-alkene unit. These fragments can be used directly in further C–C bond-forming reactions, such as cross-aldol condensations, thus permitting the expeditious construction of complicated natural products of biological interest (e.g., Baconipyrones, Rifamycin S, Apoptolidinone) and analogues. New ene reactions of SO2 have also been discovered ; they open new avenues to organic synthesis.

Efficient methods for the stereoselective synthesis of polyfunctional (E)- and (Z)-alkenes and conjugated (E,E)- and (E,Z)-dienones are presented. They rely upon one-pot, four-component processes that condense 1-oxy-1,3-dienes, silyl enol ethers, SO2, and carbon electrophiles. [structure: see text]

Silyl enol ethers of esters, ketones, as well as allylstannane and allylsilanes react with sulfur dioxide activated with t-BuMe2SiOSO2CF3 to give silyl sulfinates that can be reacted in the same pot with a variety of electrophiles generating the corresponding polyfunctional sulfones. The silyl sulfinate intermediates are formed via ene-reactions following probably concerted mechanisms.

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathbway controls many important biological processes. R-Spondin (RSPO) proteins are a family of secreted molecules that strongly potentiate Wnt/β-catenin signaling, however, the molecular mechanism of RSPO action is not yet fully understood. We performed an unbiased siRNA screen to identify molecules specifically required for RSPO, but not Wnt, induced β-catenin signaling. From this screen, we identified LGR4, then an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), as the cognate receptor of RSPO. Depletion of LGR4 completely abolished RSPO-induced β-catenin signaling. The loss of LGR4 could be compensated by overexpression of LGR5, suggesting that LGR4 and LGR5 are functional homologs. We further demonstrated that RSPO binds to the extracellular domain of LGR4 and LGR5, and that overexpression of LGR4 strongly sensitizes cells to RSPO-activated β-catenin signaling. Supporting the physiological significance of RSPO-LGR4 interaction, Lgr4-/- crypt cultures failed to grow in RSPO-containing intestinal crypt culture medium. No coupling between LGR4 and heterotrimeric G proteins could be detected in RSPO-treated cells, suggesting that LGR4 mediates RSPO signaling through a novel mechanism. Identification of LGR4 and its relative LGR5, an adult stem cell marker, as the receptors of RSPO will facilitate the further characterization of these receptor/ligand pairs in regenerative medicine applications.

Tumor progenitor cells represent a population of drug-resistant cells that can survive conventional chemotherapy and lead to tumor relapse. However, little is known of the role of tumor progenitors in prostate cancer metastasis. The studies reported herein show that the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis, a key regulator of tumor dissemination, plays a role in the maintenance of prostate cancer stem-like cells. The CXCL4/CXCR12 pathway is activated in the CD44(+)/CD133(+) prostate progenitor population and affects differentiation potential, cell adhesion, clonal growth and tumorigenicity. Furthermore, prostate tumor xenograft studies in mice showed that a combination of the CXCR4 receptor antagonist AMD3100, which targets prostate cancer stem-like cells, and the conventional chemotherapeutic drug Taxotere, which targets the bulk tumor, is significantly more effective in eradicating tumors as compared to monotherapy.

Highly cytotoxic amphidinolide macrolides have been prepared in a highly convergent and largely catalysis-based route. In their Full Paper on page 3983 ff., and two subsequent papers, A. Furstner et al. describe the total synthesis and biological evaluation of amphidinolide B1, B4, G1, H1, H2, V, X, and Y, as well as several analogues.