13C‐ and 14C‐labelling of N‐[1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl‐methyleneamino] guanidinium acetate

N‐[1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl‐¹³C₄‐methyleneamino]guanidinium acetate has been synthesized by a four‐step procedure. This involved reduction of the Weinreb amide N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐dimethyloxybutane‐1,4‐diamide‐1,2,3,4‐¹³C₄ by Dibal‐H to give the corresponding unstable dialdehyde which is reacted in situ with 4‐chloroaniline to form 1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrrole‐¹³C₄. This pyrrole analogue underwent a Vilsmeyer acylation with POCl₃/DMF followed by final reaction with aminoguanidine bicarbonate to produce the desired labelled compound with 99% atom ¹³C. By using DMF [α‐¹⁴C] a radio‐labelled analogue was synthesized with a specific activity of 60 mCi/mmol. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of [1, 6-cyclo(Acetyl-1-L-glutamic acid, 2-D-phenylalanine, 3-D-tryptophan, 6-D-lysine)] luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on poly-N-acrylylpyrrolidine resin

The protected peptide, Ac-Glu(OBu^t)-D-Phe-D-Trp-Ser(Bu^t)-Tyr(Bu^t)-D-Lys(Z)-Leu-Arg(Tos)-Pro-Gly-NH₂ was synthesized in a stepwise manner on a resin of poly-N-acrylylpyrrolidine using both acid cleavable N^α-tert.-butyloxy-carbonyl and base cleavable N^α-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl protecting groups. After cleavage by ammonolysis in methanol, the tert.-butyl and benzyloxy-carbonyl side-chain protecting groups were cleaved with CF₃-CO₂H-thioanisole and the 1–6 amide ring formed by cyclization with diphenylphosphorylazide, after which the remaining tosyl protecting group was cleaved in HF-anisole. [1,6-Cyclo (Ac-Glu¹, D-Phe², D-Trp³, D-Lys⁶] LH-RH exhibited less than 10% of the antiovulatory potency of [D<Glu¹, D-Phe², D-Trp^3,6] LH-RH, a potent linear antagonist.     

Chiral recognition in dipeptides containing 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid or α-aminoisobutyric acid: NMR studies in solution

Protected dipeptides containing 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (Ac₃c) or α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues at the C-terminus and Phe, Val or Ala residues at the N-terminus displayed different proton NMR spectra for the pure enantiomers and the racemic mixtures in deuterochloroform (CDCl₃) solution. An unequal mixture of enantiomers showed two sets of resonances (NMR nonequivalence), one corresponding to major and the other to minor enantiomer. The NMR nonequivalence was originated by the presence of the C-terminal Ac₃c or Aib residues, which have been known for their unique spatial preferences in avoiding an extended (C₅) conformation. When a C₅ conformation favoring residue such as glycine was incorporated in place of Ac₃c or Aib, negligible NMR nonequivalence was observed. The magnitude of the NMR nonequivalence depended on the side chain as well as on the protecting groups at N-terminus α-amino acid. For the same peptide, the magnitude of nonequivalence increased with increasing solution concentration and/or with decreasing the solution temperature. The NMR nonequivalence disappeared in polar solvent-like deuterated dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO-d₆). A preference for hetero-chiral recognition leading to dimeric association under fast exchange conditions had been invoked to explain the observed phenomenon. The dipeptides thus prepared could well serve as ‘model peptides’ for the evaluation of any preparative methods.     

The synthesis of deuterium‐labeled spermine,N1‐acetyl‐spermine and N1‐acetylspermidine

The synthesis of deuterium‐labeled spermine, N¹‐acetylspermine and N¹‐acetylspermidine is reported. 1,1,3,3‐²H₄‐N¹‐Acetylspermine hydrochloride, 1,1,3,3‐²H₄‐N¹‐acetylspermidine hydrochloride and 1,1,3,3,10,10,12,12‐²H₈‐spermine dihydrochloride were obtained in seven, four and three steps, respectively. All the syntheses were carried out by simple protection and deprotection steps from commonly used selective protecting reagents. These deuterium‐labeled compounds can be used as mechanistic probes of polyamine oxidizing enzymes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of an analogue of α-MSH-(1–10)-decapeptide as a substrate for enzymatic Nα-acetylation

The synthesis of a stable substrate for enzymatic N^α-acetylation is described. To this end an analogue of α-MSH-(1–10)-decapeptide with norleucine instead of methionine at position 4 is prepared. t-Butylation of an intermediate Z-Tyr-OMe leads only to about 75% conversion in a few hours' reaction time, and cannot be carried to completion. The [Nle⁴]-decapeptide is as good a substrate for enzymatic N^α-acetylation as the original decapeptide containing methionine.     

Flavin-containing monooxygenase 1-catalysed N,N-dimethylamphetamine N-oxidation

N,N-dimethylamphetamine (DMA) is a methamphetamine analogue known to be a weaker central nervous system stimulant than methamphetamine. Although a major metabolite of DMA is known to be DMA N-oxide (DMANO), which may be catalysed by flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO), the specific enzyme(s) involved in this biotransformation has not been identified. In this study, the specific enzyme(s) involved with DMA N-oxidation was characterized by several assays. When DMA was incubated with different human recombinant drug-metabolizing enzymes, including FMOs and cytochrome P450s (CYPs), the formation of DMANO by FMO1 was the most predominant. The Michaelis–Menten kinetic constants for DMA N-oxidation by FMO1 were: K_m of 44.5 μM, V_max of 7.59 nmol min^?1 mg^?1 protein, and intrinsic clearance of 171 μl min^?1 mg^?1 protein, which was about twelve-fold higher than that by FMO3. Imipramine, an FMO1-specific inhibitor, selectively inhibited DMA N-oxidation. The resulting data showed that DMA N-oxidation is mainly mediated by FMO1.     

Conformational versatility of the Nα-acylated tripeptide amide tail of oxytocin

The synthesis, physical and analytical characterization, and crystal-state structural analysis by X-ray diffraction of three analogues of the N^α-acylated tripeptide amide tail of oxytocin, each containing a cyclic C^{α, α-} disubstituted glycine at position 2, have been performed. The peptides arc Boc-L-Pro-Ac₃c-Gly-NH₂, Z-L-Pro-Ac₅c-Gly-NH₂ and Z-L-Pro-Ac₅c-Gly-NH₂. While the former is folded in a type-II β-turn conformation at the -L-Pro-Ac₃c- sequence, the two latter tripeptides form two consecutive (type-II, type-I′) β-turns. The Ac₅c- and Ac₆c-tripeptides are the first examples of such a highly folded structural combination in a position-2 analogue of the N^α-acylated -L-Pro-L-Leu-GIy-NH² sequence.     

Cholecystokinic activity of Nα-hydroxysulfonyl-[Nle28,31]CCK26-33 analogues modified at the C-terminal residue

Three new analogues of Nα-hydroxysulfonyl-[Nle^28,31]CCK_26-33 are reported in which the C-terminal l -Phe³³ residue has been replaced by l -Leu, d -Phe or N-methyl-l -Phe. Biological evaluation in a series of binding and bioassays demonstrates that both l -stereochemistry and an aromatic side chain at position-33 are essential for full agonist activity. While the l -Leu³³ and d -Phe³³ analogues had reduced potencies in stimulating contraction of the guinea pig ileum or gall bladder, the d -Phe³³ analogue was fourfold selective for the ileum. This latter analogue also exhibited apparent partial agonism in the rat pancreatic amylase release assay. The N-methyl-l -Phe³³ analogue was almost equipotent to the parent analogue in all bioassays, suggesting that this modification might be useful for introducing enzymatic stability in CCK analogues.     

Synthesis of O-phosphonotyrosyl peptides

A general method for the synthesis of O-phosphonotyrosyl peptides using solid phase methodology is described. Protected O-phosphonotyrosine derivatives with the general structure Boc-Tyr(R₂PO₃)-OH (R = methyl, ethyl or benzyl) were prepared as potential synthons for the introduction of O-phosphonotyrosine residues into peptide sequences. Using ³¹P n.m.r. spectroscopy, the alkyl phosphate protecting groups (R = methyl or ethyl) were shown to be stable to the coupling, deprotection and neutralization cycles of the Merrifield method of solid phase peptide synthesis. Facile removal of the methyl phosphate protecting groups from the O-phosphonotyrosyl peptide analogue Ac-Tyr(Me₂PO₃)-NHMe was demonstrated using 45% HBr/acetic acid. The O-phosphonotyrosyl heptapeptide H-Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-PTyr-Leu-Gly-OH was subsequently prepared using solid phase methodology via incorporation of N²-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-O-dimethylphosphonotyrosine.     

A concise methodology for the stereoselective synthesis of O-glycosylated amino acid building blocks: complete 1HNMR assignments and their application in solid-phase glycopeptide synthesis

A facile strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of suitably protected O-glycosylated amino acid building blocks, namely, N^α-Fmoc-Ser-[Ac₄-β-d -Gal-(1-3)-Ac₂α or β-d -GalN₃]-OPfp and N^α-Fmoc-Thr-[Ac₄-β-d -Gal-(1-3)-Ac₂-α or β-d -GalN₃]-OPfp is described. What is new and novel in this report is that Koenigs-Knorr type glycosylation of an aglycon serine/threonine derivative (i.e. N^α-Fmoc-Ser-OPfp or N^α-Fmoc-Thr-OPfp) with protected β-d -Gal(1-3)-d -GalN₃ synthon mediated by silver salts resulted in only α-and/or β-isomers in excellent yields under two different reaction conditions. The subtle differences in stereoselectivity were demonstrated clearly when glycosylation was carried out using only AgClO₄ at -40°C which afforded α-isomer in a quantitative yield (α:β= 5:1). On the other hand, the β-isomer was formed exclusively when the reaction was performed in the presence of Ag₂CO₃AgClO₄ at room temperature. A complete assignment of ¹H resonances to individual sugar ring protons and the characteristic anomeric α-1H and β-1H in Ac₄Galβ(1-3)Ac₂GalN₃α and/or β linked to Ser/Thr building blocks was accomplished unequivocally by two-dimensional double-quantum filtered correlated spectroscopy and nuclear Overhauser enhancement and exchange spectroscopy NMR experiments. An unambiguous structural characterization and documentation of chemical shifts, including the coupling constants for all the protons of the aforementioned a- and p-isomers of the O-glycosylated amino acid building blocks carrying protected β-d -Gal(1-3)-d -GalN₃, could serve as a template in elucidating the three-dimensional structure of glycoproteins. The synthetic utility of the building blocks and versatility of the strategy was exemplified in the construction of human salivary mucin (MUC7)-derived, O-linked glycopeptides with varied degrees of glycosylation by solid-phase Fmoc chemistry. Fmoc/tert-butyl-based protecting groups were used for the peptidic     

Syntheses of two isotopically labeled CB1 receptor antagonists

Synthesis of deuterium‐labeled CB₁ receptor antagonist 2‐d₉ was accomplished in three steps by alkylation of 2‐nitrophenylacetonitrile with cyclopentyl‐d₉ bromide, reductive cyclization of the resulting secondary nitrile into the 3‐cyclopentyl indole‐d₉ and its N‐sulfonylation with corresponding p‐amidosulfonyl chloride. Another, structurally related, CB₁ receptor antagonist 1 was radiolabeled with carbon‐14 by oxidative cleavage of 3‐cyclopentyl indole followed by the ring closure of o‐acyl substituted N‐formylaniline with potassium cyanide‐[¹⁴C], in situ reduction‐elimination of the intermediate amino alcohol, and N‐sulfonylation of the resulting 3‐cyclopentyl indole‐2‐[¹⁴C].     

Solid-phase total synthesis of polymyxin B1

Abstract: The total solid-phase synthesis of polymyxin B1 (PMB1) has been achieved in 20% yield using the orthogonal protecting group N-1-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohexylidene)ethyl-(Dde). This report demonstrates that a complex peptide macrocycle can be synthesized in high yields using solid-phase synthesis. According to MS and HPLC, the synthetic peptide was identical to the naturally occurring antibiotic.     

Distribution and Elimination of the Glycosidase Inhibitors 1-Deoxymannojirimycin and N-Methyl-1-Deoxynojirimycin in the Rat in Vivo

We studied the pharmacokinetics of two synthetic derivatives of 1-deoxynojirimycin in the rat after intravenous administration. The mannosidase IA/B inhibitor 1-deoxymannojirimycin and the glucosidase inhibitor N-methyl- 1-deoxynojirimycin exhibited minimal plasma protein binding and showed a rapid biphasic plasma disappearance, with an initial t _1/2 of 3.0 and 4.5 min, respectively, and a terminal t _1/2 of 51 and 32 min, respectively. For both compounds renal excretion is the major route of elimination. After 120 min, 52% of the dose of 1-deoxymannojirimycin and 80% of the dose of N-methyl- 1-deoxymannojirimycin was recovered unchanged from the urine, whereas only 4.9 and 0.2%, respectively, of the dose was excreted in bile. Urinary clearance of 1-deoxymannojirimycin was similar to the glomerular filtration rate. In contrast, urinary clearance of N-methyl- 1-deoxynojirimycin was two to three times higher than the glomerular filtration rate, indicating active tubular secretion. Ligation of the renal vessels decreased the total-body clearance of 1-deoxymannojirimycin and N-methyl- 1-deoxynojirimycin 18- and 24-fold, respectively. Neither alkalinization of the urine by infusion of bicarbonate solutions nor forced diuresis altered the renal excretion rate of these compounds, implying the absence of tubular reabsorption. At 120 min, the amounts of 1-deoxymannojirimycin in liver and kidney were 2.1 and 1.1% of the dose, respectively, while small intestine, stomach, and heart contained only 0.9, 0.6 and 0.1%. Less than 1% of the dose of N-methyl-1-deoxynojirimycin was found in the collected organs 2 hr after injection. At the same time point, the kidney/plasma concentration ratio of N-methyl- 1-deoxynojirimycin was 10-fold higher than in other tissues, whereas for 1-deoxymannojirimycin it was only 2- to 3-fold higher in kidney, indicating a more persistent general tissue retention of 1-deoxymannojirimycin.     

Toxicity assessment of fumonisins using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassay

The Fusarium mycotoxins fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) (1) and B₂ (FB₂) (2), their hydrolysed analogues HFB₁ (3) and HFB₂ (4) and the recently discovered fumonisin derivatives N-palmitoyl-HFB₁ (5) and N-carboxymethyl-FB₁ (6) were compared for their toxicity in a short term bioassay using brine shrimp (Artemia salina). The brine shrimp were hatched in artificial sea water and exposed to the fumonisins in microwell plates with a mortality endpoint after 48 hours. LC₅₀ values were calculated after Probit transformation of the resulting data. Of the substances tested, fumonisin B₁ emerged to be the most toxic whereas its N-carboxymethyl analogue was 100-fold less effective. The hydrolysed fumonisins showed a four- to sixfold reduced toxicity compared to FB₁. N-Palmitoyl-HFB₁ had a higher LC₅₀ value than its precursor HFB₁. The brine shrimp assay proved to be a convenient and rapid system for toxicity assessment of this group of mycotoxins.     

Preparation and properties of Nα-Bpoc-amino acid pentafluorophenyl esters

The preparation and properties are reported of several N^x-Bpoc -amino acid pentafluorophenyl esters, including those bearing tert-butyl-, allyl- and trityl-based protecting groups. These derivatives have been used in the solid-phase peptide synthesis of sevral short peptides.     

Synthesis and biological activity of [L-hydroxyproline]3-tuftsin analogue and its α- or β-O-D-glucosylated derivatives

Syntheses are described of the Hyp³-tuftsin analogue and of its derivatives α- or β-O-glycosylated at the side chain function of the hydroxyproline residue. The carbohydrate-free tetrapeptide was prepared by reacting Z-Thr-Lys(Z)-OH with H-Hyp-Arg(NO₂)-OBzl by the mixed anhydride procedure. In the synthesis of the α-glycosylated analogue the O-glycosyl amino acid was incorporated by reacting Boc-(Glcα+β)Hyp-OH with H-Arg(NO₂)-OBzl through the same procedure. The α-glucosylated dipeptide was isolated from the diastereomeric mixture, selectively deblocked, and acylated with Z-Thr-Lys(Z)-OH by the mixed anhydride procedure. In the preparation of the β-glucosylated analogue the BOP procedure was used for reacting Boc-[Glc(Ac)₄β]Hyp-OH with H-Arg(NO)₂-OBzl was well as for the final coupling to tetrapeptide. Removal of protecting groups from crude tetrapeptides was achieved by catalytic hydrogenation. Deacetylation of the sugar moiety of the β-glucosylated tetrapeptide was achieved by treatment with sodium methoxide in methanol. The synthetic compounds were isolated by ion exchange chromatography, and characterized by elemental analysis, amino acid analysis, optical rotation and proton NMR. Their capacity to evoke the release of interleukin 1 from mouse peritoneal macrophages and to modulate immunogenic activity of antigen-fed cells was evaluated, in comparison with tuftsin and rigin. All of the analogues were found to possess tuftsin-like activity.     

Synthesis and Authentication of Iodoazidophenpyramine,a Photoaffinity Reporter Ligand Previously used for Histamine H1-Receptor Labelling

The synthesis is described of aminophenpyramine ( 7 ) (N-{5-[2-(4-aminophenyl)ethananmido]pentanyl}-N′-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-methyl-N′-(2-pyridinyl)-1,2-ethandiamine), its monoiodo- and diiodo-derivatives ( 8 and 9 ), and iodoazidophenpyramine ( 1 ). The last compound is synthesised by two different routes to confirm the identity of the [¹²⁵I]iodinated ligand previously made only in solution and used for characterisation of the histamine H₁-receptor protein. The procedures employ the novel intermediates 4-amino-3-iodo-phenylacetic acid ( 11 ) and 4-azido-3-iodo-phenylacetic acid ( 13 ). They have general applicability to the synthesis of non-radioactive iodinated photoaffinity receptor ligands which may be required for chemical authentication of the corresponding radiolabelled compounds.     

D1 dopamine receptor binding in mood disorders measured by positron emission tomography

D₁ dopamine receptor binding in mood disorders was studied by positron emission tomography (PET) using¹¹C-SCH23390. Ten patients with bipolar mood disorders and 21 normal controls were studied in the drug-free state. The patients were in euthymic (N=6), depressed (N=3) and manic (N=1) states. Regional radioactivity in the brain was followed for 40 min by PET. A two-compartment model was used to obtain the binding potential (k₃/k₄) for the striatum and frontal cortex. The binding potentials for the frontal cortex for the patients were significantly lower than those for normal controls, whereas those for striatum were not significantly different. These findings suggest that D₁ dopamine receptors in the frontal cortex may be in a different state in patients with bipolar mood disorders.Preliminary results of this study were presented at the 17th Congress of Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum, Kyoto International Conference Hall, Kyoto, Japan, September 10–14, 1990     

Synthesis of an 18F‐labelled high affinity β1‐adrenoceptor PET radioligand based on ICI 89,406

To date, some non‐selective β‐adrenoceptor (β‐AR) positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands are in clinical use, but no PET radioligand for the selective imaging of cardiac β₁‐ARs is clinically available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a potential high‐affinity PET radioligand for the β₁‐subtype of ARs. Here, the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of (S)‐ and (R)‐N‐[2‐[3‐(2‐cyano‐phenoxy)‐2‐hydroxy‐propylamino]‐ethyl]‐N′‐[4‐(2‐fluoro‐ethoxy)‐phenyl]‐urea ( 8a–b ), derivatives of the well‐characterized β₁‐AR selective antagonist, ICI 89,406, are described. The (S)‐isomer 8a shows both higher β₁‐AR selectivity and β₁‐AR affinity than the (R)‐enantiomer 8b (selectivity: 40 800 vs 1580; affinity: K_I1=0.049 nM vs K_I1=0.297 nM). Therefore, the ¹⁸F‐labelled analogue 8e of compound 8a was synthesized. While the direct nucleophilic ¹⁸F‐fluorination of the tosylate precursor 8d produced 8e in low radiochemical yields (?2.9% decay‐corrected) and specific activities (?3.5 GBq/µmol at the end of synthesis (EOS), n=9) the alternative two‐step synthesis of 8e from ethylene glycol di‐p‐tosylate 9 , [¹⁸F]fluoride ion and phenol precursor 8f gave satisfying results (16.4±3.2% radiochemical yield (decay‐corrected), 99.7±0.5% radiochemical purity, 40±8 GBq/µmol specific activity at the EOS within 174±3 min from the end of bombardment (EOB) (n=5)). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystal structures of a nonapeptide helix containing α, α-di-n-butylglycine (Dbg), Boc-G1y-Dbg-Ala-Val-Ala-Leu-Aib-Val-Leu-OMe

Two crystal structures of a nonapeptide (anhydrous and hydrated) containing the amino acid residue α,α-di-n-butylglycyl, reveal a mixed 3₁₀-α-helical conformation. Residues 1-7 adopt φ, ψ values in the helical region, with Val(8) being appreciably distorted. The Dbg residue has φ, ψ values of -40, -37° and -46, -407° in the two crystals with the two butyl side chains mostly extended in each. Peptide molecules in the crystals pack into helical columns. The crystal parameters are: C₅₀ H₉₁ N₉ O₁₂, space group P2₁, with a= 9.789(1)Å;, b= 20.240(2) Å. c= 15.998(3) Å. β= 103.97(1): Z= 2, R=10.3% for 1945 data observed < 3σ(F) and C₅₀H₉₁N₉O₁₂· 3H₂O, space group P2₁ with a= 9.747(3)Å, b= 21.002(8) Å, c= 15.885(6) Å, β= 102.22(3). Z= 2. R=13.6% for 2535 data observed < 3σ(F) The observation of a helical conformation at Dbg suggests that the higher homologs in the α,α-dialkylated glycine series also have a tendency to stabilize peptide helices. © Munksgaard 1996.