Alpha rules: A thiourea acts as an efficient organocatalyst for the glycosylation of protected galactals to form oligosaccharides containing a 2‐deoxymonosaccharide moiety (see scheme). The reaction ...is highly stereoselective for α‐linkages and proceeds by way of a syn‐addition mechanism.
PROTACs have recently emerged as a novel paradigm in drug discovery. They can hijack existing biological machinery to selectively degrade proteins of interest, in a catalytic fashion. Here we ...describe the design, optimisation and biological activity of a set of novel PROTACs targeting the Janus kinase family (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2) of proximal membrane-bound proteins. The JAK family proteins display membrane localisation by virtue of their association with cytoplasmic tails of cytokine receptors, and there are no reports of a successful PROTAC strategy being deployed against this class of proteins. JAK PROTACs from two distinct JAK chemotypes were designed, optimising the physicochemical properties for each template to enhance cell permeation. These PROTACs are capable of inducing JAK1 and JAK2 degradation, demonstrating an extension of the PROTAC methodology to an unprecedented class of protein targets. A number of known ligase binders were explored, and it was found that PROTACs bearing an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) ligand induced significantly more JAK degradation over Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and Cereblon (CRBN) PROTACs. In addition, the mechanism of action of the JAK PROTACs was elucidated, and it was confirmed that JAK degradation was both IAP- and proteasome-dependent.
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are a family of heterobifunctional molecules that are now realizing their promise as a therapeutic strategy for targeted protein degradation. However, one ...limitation of existing designs is the lack of cell-selective targeting of the protein degrading payload. This manuscript reports a cell-targeted approach to degrade receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) in HER2+ cell lines. An antibody-PROTAC conjugate is prepared containing a protease-cleavable linkage between the antibody and the corresponding degrader. Potent RIPK2 degradation is observed in HER2+ cell lines, whereas an equivalent anti-IL4 antibody-PROTAC conjugate shows no degradation at therapeutically relevant concentrations. No RIPK2 degradation was observed in HER2– cell lines for both bioconjugates. This work demonstrates the potential for the cell-selective delivery of PROTAC scaffolds by engaging with signature extracellular proteins expressed on the surface of particular cell types.
A practical approach has been developed to convert glucals and rhamnals into disaccharides or glycoconjugates with high α‐selectivity and yields (77–97 %) using a trans‐fused cyclic 3,4‐O‐disiloxane ...protecting group and TsOH⋅H2O (1 mol %) as a catalyst. Control of the anomeric selectivity arises from conformational locking of the intermediate oxacarbenium cation. Glucals outperform rhamnals because the C6 side‐chain conformation augments the selectivity.
Locked in: Glucals and rhamnals are converted into disaccharides or glycoconjugates with high α‐selectivity and yields using p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH⋅H2O) as a catalyst. The glycosylation stereoselectivity arises from conformational locking of the intermediate oxacarbenium cation by a 3,4‐O‐disiloxane protecting group. Glucals outperform rhamnals because the C6 side‐chain conformation further augments the selectivity.
The use of a bifunctional cinchona/thiourea organocatalyst for the direct and α-stereoselective glycosylation of 2-nitrogalactals is demonstrated for the first time. The conditions are mild, ...practical, and applicable to a wide range of glycoside acceptors with products being isolated in good to excellent yields. The method is exemplified in the synthesis of mucin type Core 6 and 7 glycopeptides.
An electrochemical method for the green and practical synthesis of a broad range of substituted isoxazoline cores is presented. Both aryl and more challenging alkyl aldoximes are converted to the ...desired isoxazoline in an electrochemically enabled regio‐ and diastereoselective reaction with electron‐deficient alkenes. Additionally, in‐situ reaction monitoring methods compatible with electrochemistry equipment have been developed in order to probe the reaction pathway. Supporting analyses from kinetic (time‐course) modelling and density functional theory support a stepwise, radical‐mediated mechanism, and discounts hypothesised involvement of closed shell 3+2 cycloaddition pathways.
Isoxazolines without the 3+2: An electrochemical method for the synthesis of isoxazoline cores is presented. Both aryl and more challenging alkyl aldoximes are converted to the desired isoxazoline through an electrochemically enabled regio‐ and diastereoselective reaction with electron‐deficient alkenes. Supporting analyses from kinetic (time‐course) modelling and density functional theory support a stepwise, radical‐mediated mechanism, and discount hypothesised involvement of closed‐shell 3+2 cycloaddition pathways.
The discovery of new methods for the synthesis of classes of potentially bioactive molecules remains an important goal for synthetic chemists. Vinylsulfonium salts have been used for the synthesis of ...a wide variety of small heterocyclic motifs; however, further developments to this important class of reagents has been focused on reaction with new substrates rather than development of new vinylsulfonium salts. We herein report the synthesis of a range of α-substituted vinylsulfonium tetraphenylborates (10 examples) in a 3 step procedure from commercially available styrenes. The important role of the tetraphenylborate counterion on the stability and accessibility of the vinylsulfonium salts is also detailed. The α-substituted vinylsulfonium tetraphenylborates gave good to excellent yields in the epoxyannulation of β-amino ketones (15 examples) and the cyclopropanation of allylic amines (4 examples). Hydrogenation of an epoxyannulation product proceeded with good diastereoselectivity.
The Janus family of tyrosine kinases (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2) play an essential role in the receptor signaling of cytokines that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of severe asthma, and ...there is emerging interest in the development of small-molecule-inhaled JAK inhibitors as treatments. Here, we describe the optimization of a quinazoline series of JAK inhibitors and the results of mouse lung pharmacokinetic (PK) studies where only low concentrations of parent compound were observed. Subsequent investigations revealed that the low exposure was due to metabolism by aldehyde oxidase (AO), so we sought to identify quinazolines that were not metabolized by AO. We found that specific substituents at the quinazoline 2-position prevented AO metabolism and this was rationalized through computational docking studies in the AO binding site, but they compromised kinome selectivity. Results presented here highlight that AO metabolism is a potential issue in the lung.
The androgen receptor (AR) is central to prostate cancer pathogenesis and has been extensively validated as a drug target. However, small-molecule anti-androgen therapies remain limited due to ...resistance and will eventually fail to suppress tumor growth, resulting in progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain (NTD) is crucial for AR transactivation and has been investigated as a suitable target in the presence of ligand binding domain mutations. A screening campaign identified biaryl isoxazole compound 7 as a weak inhibitor of the AR NTD. A library of biaryl analogues were synthesized, and their biological activities were assessed in a VCaP cell-based luciferase reporter gene assay. A structure–activity relationship (SAR) study revealed that indazole analogue 16 exhibited increased potency and favorable physicochemical properties with a benchmarked pharmacokinetic profile, providing a suitable starting point for further optimization of 16 as a CRPC therapeutic in the presence of AR mutations.
Induction of IFNα in the upper airways via activation of TLR7 represents a novel immunomodulatory approach to the treatment of allergic asthma. Exploration of 8-oxoadenine derivatives bearing ...saturated oxygen or nitrogen heterocycles in the N-9 substituent has revealed a remarkable selective enhancement in IFNα inducing potency in the nitrogen series. Further potency enhancement was achieved with the novel (S)-pentyloxy substitution at C-2 leading to the selection of GSK2245035 (32) as an intranasal development candidate. In human cell cultures, compound 32 resulted in suppression of Th2 cytokine responses to allergens, while in vivo intranasal administration at very low doses led to local upregulation of TLR7-mediated cytokines (IP-10). Target engagement was confirmed in humans following single intranasal doses of 32 of ≥20 ng, and reproducible pharmacological response was demonstrated following repeat intranasal dosing at weekly intervals.
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