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Reverse cholesterol transport promoted by HDL-apoA-I is an important mechanism of protection against atherosclerosis. We have previously identified apoA-I mimetic peptides by synthesizing analogs of the 22 amino acid apoA-I consensus sequence (apoA-Icons) containing non-natural aliphatic amino acids. Here we examined the effect of different aliphatic non-natural amino acids on the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of apoA-I mimetic peptides. These novel apoA-I mimetics, with long hydrocarbon chain (C5–8) amino acids incorporated in the amphipathic α helix of the apoA-Icons, have the following properties: (i) they stimulate in vitro cholesterol efflux from macrophages via ABCA1; (ii) they associate with HDL and cause formation of pre-β HDL particles when incubated with human and mouse plasma; (iii) they associate with HDL and induce pre-β HDL formation in vivo, with a corresponding increase in ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux capacity ex vivo; (iv) at high dose they associate with VLDL and induce hypertriglyceridemia in mice. These results suggest our peptide design confers activities that are potentially anti-atherogenic. However a dosing regimen which maximizes their therapeutic properties while minimizing adverse effects needs to be established.

New enantiomerically pure 1,3-bis(2’-oxazolinyl)ferrocenes have been synthesized in good yields starting from 1,3-ferrocene dicarboxylic acid. Moreover, the possibility of performing a regioselective lithiation in position 2 of the disubstituted cyclopentadienyl ring of these compounds has been demonstrated.

We report a new series of inhibitors for hepatitis C virus NS5B RNA polymerase containing a constrained pentacyclic scaffold. Our SAR studies led to the identification of hexahydroindolo[2,1-a]pyrrolo[3,2-d][2]benzazepines exposing basic groups. The compounds displayed a high activity in the enzyme assay and displayed good activity in the cell-based (replicon) assay in the presence of serum proteins.

A nitrogen-containing superbase such as TMG was found to be an effective catalyst for the reaction between N-diphenylphosphinoyl imines and nitroalkanes. Exploiting a protocol that avoids the use of any solvent also during workup procedure, we synthesized a series of beta-nitroamines in excellent yields and high diastereomeric ratios. These results, combined with the capability of the indium in conjunction with Zn as the stoichiometric reducing agent to perform in aqueous medium reduction of the nitro group under mild reaction conditions, led us to devise a three-step, one-pot synthesis of a range of 1,2-diamines, making use of environmentally friendly procedures in the various steps.

Enantiomerically pure 2-hydroxyalkyl, 2-aminoalkyl and 2-iminoalkyl ferrocenyl p-tolylsulfides are easily prepared in good yields and with complete diastereocontrol from (S)-(2-p- tolylthio)ferrocencarboxyaldehyde. This aldehyde provides also an easy access to the first enantiomerically pure planar chiral ferrocenyl cyanohydrin. The absolute configuration of the new stereocenters has been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis.