Solution conformational analysis of amphiphilic helical,synthetic analogs of the lipopeptaibol trichogin GAIV

The step-by-step synthesis by solution methods of the [Ser^2,5,6,9, Leu-OMe¹¹] analog of trichogin GA IV is described. The four Ser residues have been incorporated into the sequence as replacements of the naturally occurring Gly residues to increase the amphiphilicity of the 3D-structure of the lipopeptaibol. A detailed solution conformational analysis has been performed on this undecapeptide and its prototypical [Leu-OMe¹¹] trichogin GA IV analog using FTIR absorption and CD spectroscopies, and two-dimensional NMR under a variety of experimental conditions, including a membrane-mimetic environment. Both peptides adopt a mixed 3₁₀/α-helical structure, which in the micellar system was found to be less flexible for the Ser-containing analog. For both analogs permeability measurements revealed membrane-modifying properties comparable to those of the natural lipopeptaibol.     

(αMe)Aun: a highly lipophilic,chiral, Cα‐tetrasubstituted α‐amino acid. Incorporation into model peptides and preferred conformation

Abstract: Using a chemo‐enzymatic approach we prepared the highly lipophilic, chiral, C^α‐methylated α‐amino acid (αMe)Aun. Two series of terminally protected model peptides containing either d ‐(αMe)Aun in combination with Aib or l ‐(αMe)Aun in combination with Gly were synthesized using solution methods and fully characterized. A detailed solution conformational analysis, based on FT‐IR absorption, ¹H NMR and CD techniques, allowed us to determine the preferred conformation of this amino acid and the relationship between chirality at its α‐carbon atom and screw sense of the helix that is formed. The results obtained strongly support the view that d ‐(αMe)Aun favors the formation of the left‐handed 3₁₀‐helical conformation.     

Synthesis of [14C]‐l‐tryptophan and [14C]‐5′‐hydroxy‐l‐tryptophan labeled in the carboxyl group

The synthesis of selectively ¹⁴C‐labeled l ‐tryptophan and its derivative 5‐hydroxy‐l ‐tryptophan using chemical and multienzymatic methods is reported. The mixture containing [1‐¹⁴C[‐dl ‐alanine, indole or 5‐hydroxyindole has been converted to [1‐¹⁴C]‐l ‐tryptophan or 5′‐hydroxy‐[1‐¹⁴C]‐l ‐tryptophan, respectively, in a one‐pot multienzymatic reaction using four enzymes: d ‐amino acid oxidase, catalase, glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase and tryptophanase. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simple convenient synthesis of l‐[4‐13C]glutamine

l ‐[4‐¹³C]Glutamine was synthesized from sodium [2‐¹³C]acetate in 12 steps and 18% overall yield. A Wittig reaction of (R)‐benzyl 4‐formyl‐2,2‐dimethyloxazolidine‐3‐carboxylate and ethyl 2‐(triphenylphosphoranylidene)[2‐¹³C]acetate prepared from d ‐serine and sodium [2‐¹³C]acetate, respectively, gave (4S)‐4‐(2‐ethoxycarbonyl[2‐¹³C]vinyl)‐2,2‐dimethyloxazolidine‐3‐carboxylic acid α,β‐isopropylidene group, oxidation of the resulting hydroxyl group to a carboxyl group and transamidation of the ester moiety gave l ‐N‐Cbz‐[4‐¹³C]glutamine (Cbz = benzyloxycarbonyl). Finally, removal of the Cbz group gave l ‐[4‐¹³C]glutamine. l ‐[4‐¹³C]Glutamine can be prepared in fewer steps and higher yield by this method compared with previously reported methods.     

A novel method for stereospecific fluorination at the 2′‐arabino‐position of pyrimidine nucleoside: synthesis of [18F]‐FMAU

Direct fluorination of a pyrimidine nucleoside at the 2′‐arabino‐position has been deemed to be extremely difficult, if not impossible. The conventional synthesis of 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoro‐5‐methy‐1‐β‐D ‐arabinofuranosyluracil (FMAU) and its 5‐substituted analogs involves stereospecific fluorination of the 1,3,5‐tri‐O‐benzoyl‐α‐D ‐ribofuranose‐2‐sulfonate ester followed by bromination at the C₁‐postion, and then coupling with pyrimidine‐bis‐trimethylsilyl ether. Several radiolabeled nucleoside analogs, including [¹⁸F]FMAU, and other 5‐substituted analogs, were developed according to this methodology. However, routine production of these compounds using this multi‐step process is inconvenient and limits their clinical application. We developed a novel precursor and method for direct fluorination of preformed nucleoside analogs at the 2′‐arabino position, exemplified via radiosynthesis of [¹⁸F]FMAU. The 2′‐methylsulfonyl‐3′,5′‐O‐tetrahydropyranyl‐N³‐Boc‐5‐methyl‐1‐β‐D ‐ribofuranosiluracil was synthesized in multiple steps. Radiofluorination of this precursor with K¹⁸F/kryptofix produced 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐3′,5′‐O‐tetrahydropyranyl‐N³‐Boc‐5‐methyl‐1‐β‐D ‐arabinofuranosiluracil. Acid hydrolysis followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography purification produced the desired [¹⁸F]FMAU. The average radiochemical yield was 2.0% (decay corrected, n=6), from the end of bombardment. Radiochemical purity was >99%, and specific activity was >1800 mCi/µmol. Synthesis time was 95–100 min from the end of bombardment. This direct fluorination is a novel method for synthesis of [¹⁸F]FMAU, and the method should be suitable for production of other 5‐substituted pyrimidine analogs, including [¹⁸F]FEAU, [¹⁸F]FIAU, [¹⁸F]FFAU, [¹⁸F]FCAU, and [¹⁸F]FBAU. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fast and efficient peptide bond formation using bis‐[α,α‐bis(trifluoromethyl)‐benzyloxy]diphenylsulfur. Part I

Abstract: This study towards the development of sulfurane‐based coupling agents shows that bis‐[α,α‐bis(trifluoromethyl)‐benzyloxy]diphenylsulfur (BTBDS) can facilitate rapid amide bond formation between N^α‐urethane‐protected l ‐amino acids and l ‐phenylalanine ethyl ester in the absence of an external base. The corresponding dipeptide esters were obtained in excellent yields and with no detectable racemization, as judged by analysis of the formed dipeptides by chiral‐phase HPLC. In addition, BTBDS‐mediated condensation of benzoyl‐l ‐phenylalanine with l ‐phenylalanine ethyl ester was also investigated. The results indicate that sulfuranes can be useful for application in racemization‐sensitive systems, such as segment condensation.     

Structure,biological activity and membrane partitioning of analogs of the isoprenylated a‐factor mating peptide of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract: Previous biochemical investigations on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae a ‐factor indicated that this lipopeptide pheromone [YIIKGVFWDPAC(farnesyl)OMe] might adopt a type II β‐turn at positions 4 and 5 of the peptide sequence. To test this hypothesis, we synthesized five analogs of a ‐factor, in which residues at positions 4 and 5 were replaced with: l ‐Pro⁴(I); d ‐Pro⁴(II); l ‐Pro⁴‐d ‐Ala⁵(III); d ‐Pro⁴‐l ‐Ala⁵(IV); or Nle⁴(V). Analogs were purified to > 99% homogeneity as evidenced by HPLC and TLC and were characterized by mass spectrometry and amino acid analysis. Using a growth arrest assay the conformationally restricted a ‐factor analogs I and III were found to be almost 50‐fold more active than the diastereometric homologs II and IV and were equally active to wild‐type a ‐factor. Replacement of Lys⁴ with the isosteric Nle⁴ almost abolished the activity of the pheromone. Thus, the incorporation of residues that promote a type II β‐turn compensated for the loss of the favorable contribution of the Lys⁴ side chain to pheromone activity. CD spectra on these peptides suggested that they were essentially disordered in both TFE/H₂O and in the presence of DMPC vesicles. There was no correlation between CD peak shape and biological activity. Using fluorescence spectroscopy we measured the interaction of lipid vesicles with these position 4 and 5 analogs as well as with three a ‐factor analogs with a modified farnesyl group. The results indicated that modifications of both the peptide sequence and the lipid moiety affect partitioning into lipid, and that no correlation existed between the propensity of a pheromone to partition into the lipid and its biological activity.     

[125I], [127I]‐and [14C]‐Labelling of the GLP‐1‐(7‐37) derivative NN2211

Arg³⁴Lys²⁶(N^ε‐(γ‐L ‐glutamyl(N^α‐palmitoyl)))‐GLP‐1(7‐37) (NN2211) is currently in development as a diabetes type 2 drug. The fatty acid attached to the GLP‐1(7‐37) ensures a long and controlled duration of action. The synthesis of [¹²⁵I]NN2211, [¹²⁷I]NN2211 and [¹⁴C]NN2211 used for preclinical ADME studies are described. NN2211 was iodinated using the lactoperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide method, and [¹⁴C]NN2211 was synthesized in 4 steps by two routes both starting from an α‐protected [U‐¹⁴C]glutamic acid. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Importance of the C‐terminal phenylalanine of gastrin for binding to the human CCK2 receptor

Abstract: The importance of the C‐terminal Phe of gastrin and structural requirements at position 17 for binding to the human CCK₂ receptor were assessed using analogs of [Leu¹⁵]G(11?17). The following peptides were synthesized, Ac[Leu¹⁵]G(11?17), Ac[Leu¹⁵]G(11?16)NH₂, [Leu¹⁵]G(11?17), [Leu¹⁵,Ala¹⁷]G(11?17), [Leu¹⁵,Abu¹⁷]G(11?17), [Leu¹⁵,Val¹⁷]G(11?17), [Leu¹⁵,Leu¹⁷]G(11?17), [Leu¹⁵,Cha¹⁷]G(11?17), [Leu¹⁵,Trp¹⁷]G(11?17), [Leu¹⁵,Tic¹⁷]G(11?17), [Leu¹⁵, d ‐Phe¹⁷]G(11?17) and [Leu¹⁵,p‐X‐Phe¹⁷]G(11?17), where X = F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CH₃, NH₂ and NO_2. Competition binding experiments with [³H]CCK‐8 were performed using human CCK₂ receptors stably expressed in CHO cells. Phe¹⁷ was shown to be important for binding. A hydrophobic side‐chain larger than Leu is required at position 17 but aromaticity does not appear to be essential. Constraint of the aromatic side‐chain either in the g(+) or g(–) conformation, as in the case of Tic, results in a significant decrease in affinity. In addition, the peptide conformation induced by incorporation of d ‐Phe decreases binding. The size and electron withdrawing/donating properties of the para substituent are not important for interaction with the receptor. The current study shows that the use of des‐Phe analogs of gastrin is not a viable strategy for development of antagonists for the human CCK₂ receptor.     

Radiosynthesis of 1′‐[18F]fluoroethyl‐β‐D‐lactose ([18F]‐FEL) for early detection of pancreatic carcinomas with PET

Introduction: The hepatocellular carcinoma–intestine–pancreas and pancreatitis‐associated proteins, also known as lactose‐binding protein, is upregulated in peritumoral pancreatic tissue. Previously, we reported ethyl‐ β ‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1,4′)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐ β ‐D ‐glucopyranoside (Et‐[¹⁸F]‐FDL), a radiofluorinated lactose analog for positron emission tomography (PET) of small pancreatic carcinomas in mice. However, synthesis of the precursor for Et‐[¹⁸F]‐FDL involves 11 steps, which is quite lengthy, and produces overall low yields. Here, we report on synthesis and radiolabeling of another analog of lactose, the 1′‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl‐ β ‐D ‐lactose for PET imaging of pancreatic carcinomas. Methods: Two precursor compounds, 1′‐bromoethyl‐2′,3′,6′,2,3,4,6‐hepta‐O‐acetyl‐ β ‐D ‐lactose 4, and 1′‐p‐toluenesulfonylethyl‐2′,3′,6′,2,3,4,6‐hepta‐O‐acetyl‐ β ‐D ‐lactose 5, were synthesized in two and three steps, respectively; then, cold fluorination and radiofluorination of these precursors were performed. The reaction mixture was passed through a silica gel Sep‐pack cartridge, eluted with EtOAc, and the 1′‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl‐2′,3′,6′,2,3,4,6‐hepta‐O‐acetyl‐ β ‐D ‐lactose ([¹⁸F]‐6) purified by HPLC. After hydrolysis of the protecting groups, the 1′‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl‐ β ‐D ‐lactose [¹⁸F]‐7 was neutralized, diluted with saline, filtered through a sterile Millipore filter, and analyzed by radio‐TLC. Results: The average decay‐corrected radiochemical yield was 9% (n = 7) with>99% radiochemical purity and specific activity of 55.5 GBq/ µ mol. Conclusion : A new analog of lactose, 1′‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl‐ β ‐D ‐lactose, has been synthesized in good yields, with high purity and high specific activity suitable for PET imaging of early pancreatic carcinomas. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel endomorphin‐2 analogs with μ‐opioid receptor antagonist activity

Abstract: A series of position 4‐substituted endomorphin‐2 (Tyr‐Pro‐Phe‐Phe‐NH₂) analogs containing 3‐(1‐naphthyl)‐alanine (1‐Nal) or 3‐(2‐naphthyl)‐alanine (2‐Nal) in l ‐ or d ‐configuration, was synthesized. The opioid activity profiles of these peptides were determined in the μ‐opioid receptor representative binding assay and in the Guinea‐Pig Ileum assay/Mouse Vas Deferens assay (GPI/MVD) bioassays in vitro, as well as in the mouse hot‐plate test of analgesia in vivo. In the binding assay the affinity of all new analogs for the μ‐opioid receptor was reduced compared with endomorphin‐2. The two most potent analogs were [d ‐1‐Nal⁴]‐ and [d ‐2‐Nal⁴]endomorphin‐2, with IC₅₀ values 14 ± 1.25 and 19 ± 2.1 nm , respectively, compared with 1.9 ± 0.21 nm for endomorphin‐2. In the GPI assay these analogs were found to be weak antagonists and they were inactive in the MVD assay. The in vitro GPI assay results were in agreement with those obtained in the in vivo hot‐plate test. Antinociception induced by endomorphin‐2 was reversed by concomitant intracerebroventricula (i.c.v.) administration of [d ‐1‐Nal⁴]‐ and [d ‐2‐Nal⁴]‐endomorphin‐2, indicating that these analogs were μ‐opioid antagonists. Their antagonist activity was compared with that of naloxone. At a dose 5 μg per animal naloxone almost completely inhibited antinociceptive action of endomorphin‐2, while [d ‐1‐Nal⁴]endomorphin‐2 in about 46%.     

Synthesis of [3α‐3H] 17α‐Hydroxy pregnenolone and [3α‐3H] Pregnenolone

For the first time, [3α‐³H] 17α‐hydroxy pregnenolone (1) was synthesized through a multiple step sequence. The presence of [3β‐³H] isomer in RP‐HPLC purified product was identified by tritium NMR. The [3β‐³H] isomer was then separated from [3α‐³H] 17α‐hydroxy pregnenolone with chiralPAK AD‐H column. [3α‐³H] pregnenolone (2) was synthesized from commercial available 5‐pregnen‐3,20‐dione in one step with an improved procedure.     

An asymmetric synthesis of l‐[3‐13C]alanine

l ‐[3‐¹³C]Alanine was synthesized from [¹³C]methyl iodide by using Dellaria's oxazinone, prepared from phenyl[2‐¹³C]bromoacetate and (S)‐2‐phenylglycinol, as a chiral glycine equivalent. Alkylation of the oxazinone with [¹³C]methyl iodide was achieved with high diastereoselectivity. Hydrolysis and removal of the chiral auxiliary of the alkylated oxazinone gave l ‐[3‐¹³C]alanine. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The synthesis of isotopically labeled (+)‐2‐aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane‐2,6‐carboxylic acid and its 2‐oxa‐ and 2‐thia‐analogs

As part of a program aimed at the design of conformationally constrained analogs of glutamic acid, (+)‐2‐aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane‐2,6‐carboxylic acid ( 1 ), identified as a highly potent, selective, group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist has been synthesized and studied clinically. Heterocyclic analogs of 1 were subsequently synthesized in which the C‐2 methylene has been replaced by an oxygen atom ( 2 ) or a sulfur atom ( 3 ). C‐14 labeled isotopomers of 1 , 2 and 3 have been synthesized to facilitate pre‐clinical ADME studies. A tritium labeled isotopomer of 1 was also synthesized for use in in vitro experiments. A stable labeled isotopomer of rac‐1 was prepared for use as an internal standard for bioanalytical assays. The key step in each of these syntheses was the reaction of chiral ketone 4 , 5 or 6 with K¹⁴CN/(NH₄)₂CO₃ using the Bucherer–Berg protocol. In the preparation of the stable labeled isotopomer, rac‐4 ‐[¹³ C ₂] was prepared in two steps from ethyl bromoacetate‐[UL‐¹³C₂]; subsequent reaction of rac‐4 ‐[¹³ C ₂] with K¹³CN/¹⁵NH₄Cl/Na₂CO₃, followed by hydrolysis of the hydantoin yielded rac‐1 ‐[¹³ C ₃,¹⁵ N ]. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Potent Opioid Peptide Agonists Containing 4′‐[N‐((4′‐phenyl)‐phenethyl)carboxamido]phenylalanine (Bcp) in Place of Tyr

Analogues of the opioid peptides H‐Tyr‐c[d ‐Cys‐Gly‐Phe(pNO₂)‐d ‐Cys]NH₂ (non‐selective), H‐Tyr‐d ‐Arg‐Phe‐Lys‐NH₂ (μ‐selective) and dynorphin A(1‐11)‐NH₂ (κ‐selective) containing 4′‐[N‐((4′‐phenyl)‐phenethyl)carboxamido]phenylanine (Bcp) in place of Tyr¹ were synthesized. All three Bcp¹‐opioid peptides retained high μ opioid receptor binding affinity, but showed very significant differences in the opioid receptor selectivity profiles as compared with the corresponding Tyr¹‐containing parent peptides. The cyclic peptide H‐Bcp‐c[d ‐Cys‐Gly‐Phe(pNO₂)‐d ‐Cys]NH₂ turned out to be an extraordinarily potent, μ‐selective opioid agonist, whereas the Bcp¹‐analogue of dynorphin A(1‐11)‐NH₂ displayed partial agonism at the μ receptor. The obtained results suggest that the large biphenylethyl substituent contained in these compounds may engage in a hydrophobic interaction with a receptor subsite and thereby may play a role in the ligand’s ability to induce a specific receptor conformation or to bind to a distinct receptor conformation in a situation of conformational receptor heterogeneity.     

Design and synthesis of enantiopure 18F‐labelled [18F]trifluoromethyltryptophan from 2‐halotryptophan derivatives via copper(I)‐mediated [18F]trifluoromethylation and evaluation of its in vitro characterization for the serotonergic system imaging

We synthesized [¹⁸F]trifluoromethyl‐l ‐tryptophan ([¹⁸F]CF₃‐l ‐Trp) using Cu(I)‐mediated [¹⁸F]trifluoromethylation to image serotonergic system. Radiochemical yield was 6 ± 1.5% (n = 9), and radiochemical purity was over 99%. The molar activity was 0.44 to 0.76 GBq/μmol. [¹⁸F]CF₃‐l ‐Trp was stable for up to 6 hours in mouse and human sera at 37°C. Protein‐binding was 0.26 ± 0.03% and 0.34 ± 0.02% in human and mouse serum at 60 minutes, respectively. In conclusion, enantiopure [¹⁸F]CF₃‐l ‐Trp was synthesized as a feasible imaging agent for the serotonergic system.     

Synthesis of [14C]‐ and [35S]‐labelled PI‐88 for pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies

PI‐88, uniformly labelled with [¹⁴C] was prepared by incorporating D ‐[¹⁴C]glucose into the fermentation of Pichia (Hansenula) holstii NRRL Y‐2448 under controlled conditions to produce [¹⁴C]‐labelled extracellular phosphomannan. Subsequent acid catalyzed hydrolysis gave the [¹⁴C]‐labelled oligosaccharide phosphate fraction which was sulfonated with excess sulfur trioxide pyridine complex to give [¹⁴C]PI‐88. [³⁵S]‐labelled PI‐88 was similarly prepared by the sulfonation of unlabelled oligosaccharide phosphate fraction with [³⁵S] sulfur trioxide pyridine complex. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐(2‐chloro‐5‐methylthiophenyl)‐N′‐(3‐methylthiophenyl)‐N′‐[11C]methylguanidine [11C]CNS 5161, a candidate PET tracer for functional imaging of NMDA receptors

N‐methyl‐D ‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a key role in excitatory neurotransmission and are linked to a variety of acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases including epilepsy, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and drug abuse. N‐(2‐chloro‐5‐methylthiophenyl)‐N′‐(3‐methylthiophenyl)‐N′‐methylguanidine (CNS 5161) is a high affinity ligand (Ki=1.87±0.25 nM) for the NMDA PCP site, which potentially can be used for functional imaging of this receptor. Herein we report the synthesis of the corresponding positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [¹¹C]CNS 5161 by means of [¹¹C]methylation of the desmethyl guanidine precursor. [¹¹C]CNS 5161 was synthesized with a decay corrected radiochemical yield of 10% within 45 min after end of bombardment (EOB). The final product was prepared in a sterile saline solution suitable for clinical studies with a radiochemical purity of >96% and a specific activity of 41 GBq/mmol at time of injection. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and purification of [2‐13C]‐5‐fluorouracil

[2‐¹³C]‐5‐Fluoropyrimidine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione ([2‐¹³C]‐5‐fluorouracil or [2‐¹³C]‐5‐FU) is a potential diagnostic agent for measuring 5‐FU‐induced toxicity in cancer patients. It was prepared and purified with isotopic and chemical purity of>99% on a multigram scale in a two‐step synthesis from [¹³C]‐urea. Preparative separation of [2‐¹³C]‐FU and [2‐¹³C]‐uracil was carried out by automated medium pressure silica gel column chromatography. The method is applicable to a broader range of 5‐FU isotopic analogs derived from labeled uracil. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new approach for 11C–C bond formation: Synthesis of 17α‐(3′‐[11C]prop‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)‐3‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol

A new approach for ¹¹C–C bond formation via a Sonogashira‐like cross‐coupling reaction of terminal alkynes with [¹¹C]methyl iodide was exemplified by the synthesis of 17α‐(3′‐[¹¹C]prop‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)‐3‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol. The LC‐purified title compound was obtained in decay‐corrected radiochemical yields of 27–47% (n=8) based on [¹¹C]methyl iodide within 21–27 min after EOB. In a typical synthesis starting from 9.6 GBq [¹¹C]methyl iodide, 1.87 GBq of 17α‐(3′‐[¹¹C]prop‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)‐3‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol was synthesized in radiochemical purity >99%. The specific radioactivity ranged between 10 and 19 GBq/µmol, and the labeling position was verified by ¹³C‐NMR analysis of the corresponding ¹³C‐labeled compound. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.