Search

IMP dehydrogenase, the key enzyme in de novo synthesis of purine nucleotides, is an important therapeutic target. Three inhibitors of IMP dehydrogenase reached the market; ribavirin (Rebetol) a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, which in combination with interferon-alpha is now used for treatment of hepatitis C virus infections, mizoribine (Bredinin) and mycophenolic mofetil (CellCept) have been introduced as immunosuppressants. Numerous novel inhibitors are under development. This review describes recent progress in the development of new drugs based on inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase.

Crystallographic and spectroscopic studies have been undertaken to characterize the binding behavior of the non-native substrate nicotine in the active site of the monooxygenase hemoprotein cytochrome P450cam. Despite the existence of a theoretical model that is consistent with the observed distribution of monooxygenation products, the crystal structure of the complex indicates that the primary binding mode of nicotine is unproductive. The structure is confirmed by spectral data that indicate direct coordination of substrate pyridine nitrogen with the heme iron. This would be the proper structure for evaluating binding affinity and inhibition. Reduction of the heme from Fe(III) to Fe(II) and introduction of carbon monoxide into crystals of the nicotine-P450cam complex, to simulate molecular oxygen binding, produces reorientation of the nicotine. This orientation is the appropriate one for predicting regioselectivity and the kinetic features of substrate oxidation. While it is not clear that such complicated behavior will be exhibited for other enzyme-substrate interactions, it is clear that a single crystal structure for a given substrate-enzyme interaction may not provide a good description of the binding mode responsible for product formation.

Oncolytic C-nucleosides, tiazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide) and benzamide riboside (3-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzamide) are converted in cell into active metabolites thiazole-4-carboxamide- and benzamide adenine dinucleotide, TAD and BAD, respectively. TAD and BAD as NAD analogues were found to bind at the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (cofactor NAD) site of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), an important target in cancer treatment. The synthesis and evaluation of anticancer activity of a number of C-nucleosides related to tiazofurin and nicotinamide riboside then followed and are reviewed herein. Interestingly, pyridine C-nucleosides (such as C-nicotinamide riboside) are not metabolized into the corresponding NAD analogues in cell. Their conversion by chemical methods is described. As dinucleotides these compounds show inhibition of IMPDH in low micromolar level. Also, the synthesis of BAD in metabolically stable bis(phosphonate) form is discussed indicating the usefulness of such preformed inhibitors in drug development. Among tiazofurin analogues, Franchetti and Grifantini found, that the replacement of the sulfur by oxygen (as in oxazafurin) but not the removal of nitrogen (tiophenfurin) of the thiazole ring resulted in inactive compounds. The anti cancer activity of their synthetic dinucleotide analogues indicate that inactive compounds are not only poorly metabolized in cell but also are weak inhibitors of IMPDH as dinucleotides.

This study examines the ability of P450cam to catalyze the formation of 2-ethylhexanoic acid from 2-ethylhexanol relative to its activity on the natural substrate camphor. As is the case for camphor, the P450cam exhibits stereoselectivity for binding (R)- and (S)-2-ethylhexanol. Kinetic studies indicate (R)-2-ethylhexanoic acid is produced 3.5 times as fast as the (S)-enantiomer. In a racemic mixture of 2-ethylhexanol, P450cam produces 50% more (R)-2-ethylhexanoic acid than (S)-2-ethylhexanoic acid. The reason for stereoselective 2-ethylhexanoic acid production is seen in regioselectivity assays, where (R)-2-ethylhexanoic acid comprises 50% of total products while (S)-2-ethylhexanoic acid comprises only 13%. (R)- and (S)-2-ethylhexanol exhibit similar characteristics with respect to the amount of oxygen and reducing equivalents consumed, however, with (S)-2-ethylhexanol turnover producing more water than the (R)-enantiomer. Crystallographic studies of P450cam with (R)- or (S)-2-ethylhexanoic acid suggest ...

Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH, E.C. 1.1.1.205) is recognized as an important target for both antileukemic and immunosuppressive therapy. IMPDH catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of inosine 5' monophosphate (IMP) to xanthosine 5' monophosphate. Several classes of IMPDH inhibitors are now in use or under development. These include agents that bind at either the substrate site (e.g. ribavirin and mizoribine) or at the NAD site. (mycophenolic acid and thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide). All suffer from some degree of toxicity and/or susceptibility to metabolic inactivation. The finding that IMPDH exists as two isoforms, one of which (type II) is induced in tumor cells, has led to the search for potentially more effective isoform-specific agents. Recently, a number of crystal structures of IMPDH have become available. These include structures of the human type II, hamster, Tritrichomonas foetus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Borrelia burgdorferi enzymes. Each structure crystallizes as a tetramer of al P barrels, with the active site located partly at the monomer-monomer interface. The substrate and cofactor bind in a continuous cleft on the C-terminal face of each barrel. The IMP base is well positioned to stack against the NAD nicotinamide ring to facilitate hydride transfer. The active site cleft is further bounded by a highly flexible flap and loop. These structures reveal enzyme-ligand interactions which suggest strategies for the design of improved inhibitors.

Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) controls a key metabolic step in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. This step is the NAD-dependent oxidation of inosine 5′ monophosphate (IMP) to xanthosine 5′ monophosphate, the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of the guanine nucleotides. Two isoforms of IMPDH have been identified, one of which (type II) is significantly up- regulated in neoplastic and differentiating cells. As such, it has been identified as a major target in antitumor and immunosuppressive drug design. We present here the 2.9-Å structure of a ternary complex of the human type II isoform of IMPDH. The complex contains the substrate analogue 6-chloropurine riboside 5′-monophosphate (6-Cl-IMP) and the NAD analogue selenazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide, the selenium derivative of the active metabolite of the antitumor drug tiazofurin. The enzyme forms a homotetramer, with the dinucleotide binding at the monomer–monomer interface. The 6 chloro-substituted purine base is dehalogenated, forming a covalent adduct at C6 with Cys-331. The dinucleotide selenazole base is stacked against the 6-Cl-IMP purine ring in an orientation consistent with the B-side stereochemistry of hydride transfer seen with NAD. The adenosine end of the ligand interacts with residues not conserved between the type I and type II isoforms, suggesting strategies for the design of isoform-specific agents.

The synthesis of 5-β-D-ribofuranosylselenophene-3-carboxamide (selenophenfurin) is reported. Selenophenfurin was found active as cytotoxic agent and as inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor.

The synthesis and biological activity of selenophenfurin (5-beta-D-ribofuranosylselenophene-3-carboxamide, 1), the selenophene analogue of selenazofurin, are described. Glycosylation of ethyl selenophene-3-carboxylate (6) under stannic chloride-catalyzed conditions gave 2- and 5-glycosylated regioisomers, as a mixture of alpha- and beta-anomers, and the beta-2,5-diglycosylated derivative. Deprotected ethyl 5-beta-D-ribofuranosylselenophene-3-carboxylate (12 beta) was converted into selenophenfurin by ammonolysis. The structure of 12 beta was determined by 1H- and 13C-NMR, crystallographic, and computational studies. Selenophenfurin proved to be antiproliferative against a number of leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor cell lines at concentrations similar to those of selenazofurin but was more potent than the thiophene and thiazole analogues thiophenfurin and tiazofurin. Incubation of K562 cells with selenophenfurin resulted in inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH) (76%) and an increase in IMP pools (14.5-fold) with a concurrent decrease in GTP levels (58%). The results obtained confirm the hypothesis that the presence of heteroatoms such as S or Se in the heterocycle in position 2 with respect to the glycosidic bond is essential for both cytotoxicity and IMP dehydrogenase inhibitory activity in this type of C-nucleosides.

beta-Methylene-BAD (8), a nonhydrolyzable analogue of benzamide adenine dinucleotide (BAD), was synthesized as potential inhibitor of human inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). Treatment of 2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine 5'-methylenebisphosphonate (15) with DCC afforded P1,P4-bis(2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine) 5'-P1,P2:P3,P4-dimethylenetetrakisphosphonate (17). This compound was further converted with DCC to an active intermediate 18 which upon reaction with 3-(2',3'-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)benzamide (19) gave, after hydrolysis and deisopropylidenation, the desired beta-methylene-BAD (8) in 95% yield. In a similar manner, treatment of 18 with 2',3'-O-isopropylidenetiazofurin (21) followed by hydrolysis and deprotection afforded beta-methylene-TAD (5) in 91% yield. Compound 8 (IC50 = 0.665 microM) was found to be a 6-8 times less potent inhibitor of IMPDH than 5 (IC50 = 0.107 microM) and was almost equally potent against IMPDH type I and type II. Although TAD and beta-methylene-TAD were bound by LADH with the same affinity, the binding affinity of 8 toward LADH (Ki = 333 microM) was found to be 50-fold lower than that of the parent pyrophosphate 7 (Ki = 6.3 microM).

carboxylate (6) or ethyl 34hiophencarboxylate (18) with 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-~-ribofuranose gave 2- and 5-glycosylated regioisomers, as a mixture of a- and 8-anomers, and the 8-2,5diglycosylated derivatives. Deprotection of ethyl 5-(2,3,5-tri-0-acetyl-B-~-ribofuranosyl)furan3-carboxylate (98) and ethyl 5-(2,3,5-tri-0-acetyl-~-~-ribofuranosyl)t~ophene-3-carboxyla~ (20,8) with sodium ethoxide afforded ethyl 5-~-~-ribofuranosylfuran-3-carboxylate (128) and ethyl 5-~-~-ribofuranosylthiophene-3-carboxylate (238) which were converted into 5-,8-D-ribofuranosylfuran-3-carboxamide (furanfurin, 4) and 5-~-~-ribofuranosylthiophene-3-carboxamide (thiophenfurin, 5) by reaction with ammonium hydroxide. The anomeric configuration and the site of glycosylation were established by lH-NMR and proton-proton nuclear Overhauser effect difference spectroscopy. The structure of compound 238 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Thiophenfurin was found to be cytotoxic in vitro toward murine lymphocytic leukemia P388 and L1210, human myelogenous leukemia K562, human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60, human colon adenocarcinoma LoVo, and B16 melanoma at concentrations similar to that of tiazofurin. In the same test furanfurin proved to be inactive. Thiophenfurin was found active in vivo in BDzFl mice inoculated with L1210 cells with a % T/C of 168 at 25 mgkg. K562 cells incubation with thiophenfurin resulted in inhibition of inosine monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase (63%) and an increase in IMP pools (&fold) with a concurrent decrease in GTP levels (42%). Incubation of adenosine-labeled K562 cells with tiazofurin, thiophenfurin, and furanfurin resulted in a 2-fold higher NAD analogue formulation by thiophenfurin than by tiazofurin. Furanfurin was converted to the NAD analogue with only 10% efficiency. The results obtained support the hypothesis that the presence of S in the heterocycle in position 2 with respect to the glycosidic bond is essential for the cytotoxicity and IMP dehydrogenase activity of tiazofurin, while the N atom is not. Tiazofurin (2-~-~-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide, NSC-286193, 1) and selenazofurin (2-p-D-ribofuranosylselenazole-4-carboxamide, NSC-340847,2) are two widely studied C-nucleosides endowed with several biological effects. These include effective antitumor activity both in vitro and in ~ivol~-~ and the ability to induce differentiation in neoplastic cells,2 to inhibit the G protein-mediated cellular signaling me~hanism,~ and to downregulate oncogene a~tivity.~ The biological effects of these nucleosides, which are structurally related to riba~irin,~ appear to be due to inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), which induces the shutdown of guanine nucleotide ~ynthesis.~~,~~~ ,~ In sensitive cells, tiazo- and selenazofurin are converted into analogues of the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). These NAD analogues, called TAD (thiazole-4-carboxamide

The syntheses and antitumor activity of 2-β-D-ribofuranosylfuran-4-carboxamide (furanfurin) and 2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiophene-4-carboxamide (thiophenfurin) are reported. The X-ray structure of ethyl 2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiophene-4-carboxylate, precursor of thiophenfurin, is also presented. Only thiophenfurin showed activity as an antitumor agent both in vitro and in vivo.

Three analogues of thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD) (1-3) containing a fluorine atom at the C2' of the adenine nucleoside (in the ribo and arabino configuration) and at the C3' (in the ribo configuration) were synthesized in high yield from the corresponding 5'-monophosphates of 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroadenosine (9), 9-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-adenine (17), and 3'-deoxy-3'-fluoroadenosine (14), respectively. Pure 2',3'-O-isopropylidene-tiazofurin 5'-phosphorimidazolide (8) was obtained by phosphorylation of the protected tiazofurin followed by treatment with carbonyldiimidazole and HPLC purification. Reaction of 8 with 9 in DMF-d7 (monitored by 1H and 31P NMR) afforded the desired dinucleotide 12, which after deisopropylidenation gave 1 in 82% yield. Small amounts of symmetrical dinucleotides AppA (10, 7.2%) and TRppTR (11, 8.0%) were also isolated during HPLC purification of the major product 12. In a similar manner, compounds 2 and 3 were obtained by coupling of 8 with 14 and 17 in 80% and 76% yield, respectively. All newly prepared fluoro-substituted compounds as well as beta-CF2-TAD, earlier synthesized by us, showed good inhibitory activity against inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase type II, the isozyme which is predominant in neoplastic cells. Binding of 1 (Kis = 0.5 microM), 2 (Kis = 0.7 microM), and 3 (Kis = 2.9 microM) was comparable to that of TAD (Ki = 0.2 microM). The difluoromethylene bisphosphonate analogue, beta-CF2-TAD (Ki = 0.17 microM), was found to be equally effective as the best cofactor-type inhibitor, beta-CH2-TAD (Ki = 0.11 microM). Interestingly, the level of inhibition of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase by these compounds was found to be much lower (0.1 mM for 1 and 2 and no inhibition up to 10 mM for 3). These findings show that inhibition of tumor-induced inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase type II is selective and may be of therapeutic interest.

CNAD (5-beta-D-ribofuranosylnicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an isosteric and isomeric analogue of NAD, in which the nicotinamide ring is linked to the sugar via a C-glycosyl (C5-C1') bond. CNAD acts as a general dehydrogenase inhibitor but shows unusual specificity and affinity for liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, EC 1.1.1.1). The pattern of inhibition is congruent to 4 nM, with NAD as the variable substrate. These values are 3-5 orders of magnitude smaller than those obtained for CNAD in other dehydrogenases and are comparable to values observed for the tightest binding ADH inhibitors known. The specificity and affinity of CNAD for ADH are likely due to coordination of the zinc cation at the ADH catalytic site by the CNAD pyridine nitrogen. This is supported by kinetic and computational studies of ADH-CNAD complexes. These results are compared with those for a related analogue, CPAD. In this analogue, displacement of the pyridine nitrogen to the opposite side of the ring removes the specificity for ADH.

Thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD) is the active anabolite of the antitumor drug tiazofurin. Beta-methylene TAD (beta-TAD) is a phosphodiesterase-resistant analogue of TAD, active in tiazofurin-resistant cells. Beta-methylene SAD (beta-SAD) is the active selenium derivative of beta-TAD. Both agents are analogues of the cofactor NAD and are capable of acting as general dehydrogenase inhibitors. Crystal structures of beta-TAD and beta-SAD bound to horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH) are presented at 2.9 and 2.7 A, respectively. Both complexes crystallize in the orthorhombic space group C222(1) and are isomorphous to apo-LADH. Complexes containing beta-TAD and beta-SAD were refined to crystallographic R values of 15% and 16%, respectively, for reflections between 8 A and the minimum d spacing. Conformations of both inhibitors are similar. beta-TAD and beta-SAD bind to the "open" form of LADH in the normal cofactor-binding cleft between the coenzyme and catalytic domains of each monomer. Binding at the adenosine end of each inhibitor resembles that of NAD. However, the positions of the thiazole and selenazole heterocycles are displaced away from the catalytic Zn cation by approximately 4 A. Close intramolecular S-O and Se-O contacts observed in the parent nucleoside analogues are maintained in both LADH-bound beta-TAD and beta-SAD, respectively. These conformational constraints may influence the binding specificity of the inhibitors.

Psicoplanocin A (4a) and psico-cyclopentenylcytosine (4b) represent the first two known examples of carbocyclic ketohexose nucleosides. These two stable compound combine structural features of two known classes of natural products: neplanocin A and the ketohexose nucleosides psicofuranine (1a) and decoynine (2). Both compounds were synthesized in racemic form from (±)-cyclopentenone 5, which in turn was available from D-ribonolactone. Construction of the surrogate glycon moiety commenced with the attachment of a protected hydroxymethyl fragment onto the ketone carbonyl of 5 via nucleophilic addition of [(benzoyloxy)methyl]lithium to give intermediate 7

A search of the Cambridge Structural Database (1991, version 4.5) was performed to investigate nonbonded intramolecular 1,4 S...O close contacts of the kind seen in the thiazole nucleoside tiazofurin and other classes of compounds. The search yielded 362 structures with 1,4 S...O connectivity. S...O distances in 70% of these structures were less than the sum of the sulfur and oxygen van der Waals radii. Findings indicate that 1,4 S...O close contacts are common and so probably result from intramolecular interactions rather than from external crystal packing forces. A structure containing a sulfur atom in a conjugated ring system is more likely to exhibit 1,4 S...O close contacts than a structure containing a sulfur atom in an unconjugated and/or acyclic environment. Sulfur-nitrogen contacts were also investigated and were found to show similar properties. These results are consistent with findings from previous quantum-chemical-based studies performed on model fragments [Burling & Goldstein (1992). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114, 2313-2320].

Isotiazofurin (C9H12N2O5S, NSC363223) is a thiazole nucleoside analogue of the antitumour agent tiazofurin. The conformation of this analogue has been studied using a variety of experimental and computational techniques. The crystal and molecular structure of isotiazofurin has been determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques and refined to a conventional R value of 0.030 for all data. Conformational features conserved in other thiazole nucleoside structures are also observed in the solid-state structure of isotiazofurin. The C-glycosidic torsion angle remains in the anti conformation and the carboxamide amino group remains cis-planar to the ring nitrogen. Ab initio calculations at the RHF/321G*@321G* level and natural bond orbital analysis of the results suggest that the carboxamide cis-planar conformation observed in the solid state is maintained in solution. However, semiempirical calculations suggest that a syn conformation about the C-glycosidic bond is energetically favored. This is supported by 1H nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) studies. Analyses of NOE results using both slow- and rapid-exchange models indicate a preference for the syn conformation in solution. Thus, the anti conformation observed in the crystal structures of isotiazofurin is not maintained by isotiazofurin in solution.

Two isosteric analogues of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, C-NAD (11) and C-PAD (12), in which the nicotinamide riboside portion is replaced by a C-nucleoside, were synthesized from 5-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)nicotinamide (7) and 6-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)picolinamide (8), respectively. Nucleoside 7 was prepared from the 2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-(tetrahydropyranyl)-D-ribonolactone (13) and 3-cyano-5-lithiopyridine as reported earlier. Nucleoside 8 was obtained by conversion of the bromo function of the 6-(2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-D-altro-pentitol-1-yl)-2-bromopyrid ine (14) into a carboxamido group followed by mesylation of the anomeric hydroxyl group to give derivative 18. Treatment of 18 with CF3COOH/CHCl3 caused deisopropylidenation with simultaneous cyclization into the desired 6-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)picolinamide (8). NAD analogues, C-NAD (11) and C-PAD (12), were synthesized by imidazole-catalyzed coupling of the corresponding 5'-monophosphates of 7 and 8 with the adenosine-5'-monophosphate. Dinucleotide 11 was found to inhibit the proliferation of L1210 cells (IC50 = 7 microM) and to be a good competitive inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH, ID50 = 20 microM) as well as bovine glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, Ki = 15 microM). Interestingly, C-NAD (11) caused extremely potent noncompetitive inhibition of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, Ki = 1.1 nM), whereas C-PAD (12) was found to be a much less potent competitive inhibitor (Ki = 20 microM) of ADH.

2-β- d -Ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamide, an imidazole analogue of the antitumor agent tiazofurin, was synthesized and evaluated for the growth inhibitory activity of human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells.

The syntheses and antitumor activity of 2-β-D-ribofuranosylfuran-4-carboxamide (furanfurin) and 2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiophene-4-carboxamide (thiophenfurin) are reported. The X-ray structure of ethyl 2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiophene-4-carboxylate, precursor of thiophenfurin, is also presented. Only thiophenfurin showed activity as an antitumor agent both in vitro and in vivo.

Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH, E.C. 1.1.1.205) is recognized as an important target for both antileukemic and immunosuppressive therapy. IMPDH catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of inosine 5 monophosphate (IMP) to xanthosine 5 monophosphate. Several classes of IMPDH inhibitors are now in use or under development. These include agents that bind at either the substrate site (e.g. ribavirin and mizoribine) or at the NAD site (mycophenolic acid and thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide). All suffer from some degree of toxicity and/or susceptibility to metabolic inactivation. The finding that IMPDH exists as two isoforms, one of which (type II) is induced in tumor cells, has led to the search for potentially more effective isoform-specific agents. Recently, a number of crystal structures of IMPDH have become available. These include structures of the human type II, hamster, Tritrichomonas foetus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Borrelia burgdorferi enzymes. Each structure crystallizes as a tetramer of a/b barrels, with the active site located partly at the monomer-monomer interface. The substrate and cofactor bind in a continuous cleft on the C-terminal face of each barrel. The IMP base is well positioned to stack against the NAD nicotinamide ring to facilitate hydride transfer. The active site cleft is further bounded by a highly flexible flap and loop. These structures reveal enzyme-ligand interactions which suggest strategies for the design of improved inhibitors.

The syntheses of furanthiofurin [5β-d-(4‘-thioribofuranosyl)furan-3-carboxamide, 1] and thiophenthiofurin [5β-d-(4‘-thioribofuranosyl)thiophene-3-carboxamide, 2], two C-thioribonucleoside analogues of tiazofurin, are described. Direct trifluoroacetic acid-catalyzed C-glycosylation of ethyl furan-3-carboxylate with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-4-thio-d-ribofuranose gave 2- and 5-glycosylated regioisomers, as a mixture of α and β anomers. Ethyl 5-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl)-β-d-(4‘-thioribofuranosyl)furan-3-carboxylate (6β) was debenzylated and then converted into the corresponding amide (furanthiofurin) by reaction with ammonium hydroxide. A similar C-glycosylation of ethyl thiophene-3-carboxylate with 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-4-thio-d-ribofuranose catalyzed by stannic chloride afforded an anomeric mixture of 2- and 5-glycosylated regioisomers. Deacetylation of ethyl 5-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl)-β-d-(4‘-thioribofuranosyl)thiophene-3-carboxylate (13β) with methanolic ammonia and treatment of the ethyl ester with ammonium...

Computational studies have been performed to investigate the origin and magnitude of a biologically important nonbonded interaction: the sulfur-oxygen and selenium-oxygen interaction observed in the thiazole and selenazole nucleosides. Crystallographic studies of the antitumor agents tiazofurin and selenazofurin and their analogues have demonstrated close contacts between the thiazole sulfur or selenazole selenium and the furanose oxygen. Crystallographic evidence that these contacts result from a true intramolecular interaction is reviewed

Neplanocin F (2), a minor constituent of the family of neplanocin antibiotics, was synthesized as a racemate in 12 steps from cyclopentenone derivatives, which in turn was available from D-ribonolactone

Among inducers of myeloid differentiation for leukemic cells, tiazofurin is of special interest because its mechanism of action is known; it inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase and thus decreases the guanine nucleotide pool. Reported here are three aspects of tiazofurin induction of myeloid differentiation in HL60 human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. First, inductive efficacy was evaluated for analogues ara-tiazofurin, xylo-tiazofurin, and selenazofurin, for dinucleotide anabolites thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD) and selenazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (SAD), and for a phosphodiesterase-resistant TAD analogue, beta-methylene TAD. The results showed that the parent compounds are more effective inducers than the dinucleotide derivatives and that the selenazole analogues are more effective inducers than the thiazole compounds. Second, HL60 cell induction by tiazofurin was shown to be synergistic with that produced by the antiviral agent ribavirin. Finally, tiazofurin was found to induce expression of a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C- sensitive Fc gamma-receptor III (FcRIII) on HL60 cells, a feature consistent with neutrophilic, but not monocytic, differentiation.

2',3'-Dideoxytiazofurin [2-(2',3'-dideoxy-beta-D-glycero-pentafuranosyl)thiazole-4- carboxamide]hemihydrate (1), C9H12N2O3S.1/2H2O, Mr = 237.3, monoclinic, C2, a = 23.141 (2), b = 5.912 (1), c = 8.252 (1) A, beta = 90.71 (1) degrees, V = 1128.9 (4) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.396 g cm-3, Cu K alpha, lambda = 1.54178 A, mu = 25.0 cm-1, F(000) = 500, T = 295 K, R = 0.0319 for all 1316 unique reflections. 2',3'-Didehydro-2',3'-dideoxytiazofurin [2-(2',3'-dideoxy-beta-D-glyceropent-2-enofuranosyl)thiazole -4-carboxamide] (2), C9H10N2O3S, Mr = 226.3, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 22.172 (2), b = 8.019 (1), c = 5.991 (1) A, V = 1065.2 (4) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.411 g cm-3, Cu K alpha, lambda = 1.54178 A, mu = 25.9 cm-1, F(000) = 472, T = 295 K, R = 0.0344 for all 957 unique reflections. Both structures show a close contact between the thiazole S and the pentose O(1') atoms. S...O(1') distances are 2.834 (2) A in (1) and 2.835 (1) A in (2), resulting from C-glycosidic torsion angles of 14.1 (2) and 5.2 (3) degrees respectively. This unusual feature is conserved in the crystal structures of other thiazole nucleosides [Goldstein, Mao & Marquez (1988). J. Med. Chem. 31, 1026-1031].

The phosphonium compounds, [(Z) and (Z/E)-(1-bromo-1-penten-5-yl)]triphenylphosphonium iodides (yield, 65–70%) and the corresponding bromine-82-labeled analogues have been prepared as potential myocardial imaging agents. The 2/1 isomer composition of the Z/E mixture has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. The radiobrominated (Z)-isomer and (Z/E)-mixture both show high heart uptake and high heart/blood ratios in rats. These data suggest that the bromine-75 and bromine-76-labeled agents could be good candidates for myocardial imaging using positron emission computed tomography.

Thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD) is the active anabolite of the new antitumor agent tiazofurin (NSC 286193). TAD is an analogue of NAD in which the nicotinamide ring has been replaced by a thiazole-4-carboxamide heterocycle. TAD putatively acts by inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPd). In this study it is shown that TAD is a competitive inhibitor, with respect to NAD, of mammalian glutamate, alcohol, lactate, and malate dehydrogenases. TAD binds to these enzymes with 1-2 orders of magnitude less affinity than it binds to IMPd. Computer modeling studies suggest that dehydrogenase binding by TAD occurs at the regular cofactor site, the thiazole-4-carboxamide group mimicking the steric and hydrogen-bonding properties of the nicotinamide ring. Noncompetitive kinetics of TAD inhibition of the target enzyme IMPd are potentially due to a reverse order of addition of substrate and cofactor from that observed in the dehydrogenases studied here. The weaker binding of TAD to these dehydrogenases may be due to their inability to preserve a close sulfur-oxygen contact in the bound inhibitor.

The crystal structure of NAD + -dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Bacillus stearother- mophilus strain LLD-R (htADH) was determined using X-ray diffraction data at a resolution of 2.35 A. The structure of homotetrameric htADH is highly homologous to those of bacterial and archaeal homotetrameric alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) and also to the mammalian dimeric ADHs. There is one catalytic zinc atom and one structural zinc atom per enzyme subunit. The enzyme was crystallized as a binary complex lacking the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ) cofactor but including a zinc- coordinated substrate analogue trifluoroethanol. The binary complex structure is in an open conformation similar to ADH structures without the bound cofactor. Features important for the thermostability of htADH are suggested by a comparison with a homologous mesophilic enzyme (55% identity), NAD + -dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. To gain insight into the conformational change triggered by NAD + binding, amide hydrogen-deuterium exchange of htADH, in the presence and absence of NAD + , was studied by HPLC-coupled electrospray mass spectrometry. When the deuteron incorporation of the protein-derived peptides was analyzed, it was found that 9 of 21 peptides show some decrease in the level of deuteron incorporation upon NAD + binding, and another 4 peptides display slower exchange rates. With one exception (peptide number 8), none of the peptides that are altered by bound NAD + are in contact with the alcohol-substrate-binding pocket. Furthermore, peptides 5 and 8, which are located outside the NAD + -binding pocket, are notable by displaying changes upon NAD + binding. This suggests that the transition from the open to the closed conformation caused by cofactor binding has some long- range effects on the protein structure and dynamics.

Oncolytic C-nucleosides, tiazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide) and benzamide riboside (3-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzamide) are converted in cell into active metabolites thiazole-4-carboxamide- and benzamide adenine dinucleotide, TAD and BAD, respectively. TAD and BAD as NAD analogues were found to bind at the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (cofactor NAD) site of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), an important target in cancer treatment. The synthesis and evaluation of anticancer activity of a number of C-nucleosides related to tiazofurin and nicotinamide riboside then followed and are reviewed herein. Interestingly, pyridine C-nucleosides (such as C-nicotinamide riboside) are not metabolized into the corresponding NAD analogues in cell. Their conversion by chemical methods is described. As dinucleotides these compounds show inhibition of IMPDH in low micromolar level. Also, the synthesis of BAD in metabolically stable bis(phosphonate) form is discussed indicating the usefulness of such preformed inhibitors in drug development. Among tiazofurin analogues, Franchetti and Grifantini found, that the replacement of the sulfur by oxygen (as in oxazafurin) but not the removal of nitrogen (tiophenfurin) of the thiazole ring resulted in inactive compounds. The anti cancer activity of their synthetic dinucleotide analogues indicate that inactive compounds are not only poorly metabolized in cell but also are weak inhibitors of IMPDH as dinucleotides.

Three factors are of primary importance with respect to designing efficient P450 biocatalysts. (1) The substrate must be oxidized at a significant rate. (2) The regioselectivity must heavily favor the desired product. (3) The enzyme must use the majority of the reducing equivalents from NADH or NADPH to produce product. The reaction we chose to study was oxidation of 2-ethylhexanol to 2-ethylhexanoic acid by P450cam. We examined four active site mutations: F87W, Y96W, T185F, and L244A. The mutations were chosen to improve 2-ethyhexanoic acid production by decreasing active site volume, increasing active site hydrophobicity, and improving stereoselectivity. The F87W and Y96W mutations improved regioselectivity, giving almost exclusively the desired product. The T185F mutation improved coupling of NADH to product formation. The L244A mutation altered the stereoselectivity of 2-ethylhexanoic acid production. These results indicate that active site mutations of P450cam can alter catalysis of 2-ethylhexanol.

Novel mycophenolic adenine dinucleotide (MAD) analogues have been prepared as potential inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). MAD analogues resemble nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide binding at the cofactor binding domain of IMPDH; however, they cannot participate in hydride transfer and therefore inhibit the enzyme. The methylenebis(phosphonate) analogues C2-MAD and C4-MAD were obtained by coupling 2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine 5'-methylenebis(phosphonate) (22) with mycophenolic alcohols 20 and 21 in the presence of diisopropylcarbodiimide followed by deprotection. C2-MAD was also prepared by coupling of mycophenolic methylenebis(phosphonate) derivative 30 with 2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine. Compound 30 was conveniently synthesized by the treatment of benzyl-protected mycophenolic alcohol 27 with a commercially available methylenebis(phosphonic dichloride) under Yoshikawa's reaction conditions. C2-MAD and C4-MAD were found to inhibit the growth of K562 cells (IC(50) = 0.7 microM and IC(50) = 0.1 microM, respectively) as potently as mycophenolic acid (IC(50) = 0.3 microM). In addition, C2-MAD and C4-MAD triggered vigorous differentiation of K562 cells an order of magnitude more potently than tiazofurin, and MAD analogues were resistant to glucuronidation in vitro. These results show that C2-MAD and C4-MAD may be of therapeutic interest in the treatment of human leukemias.

2-β- d -Ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamide, an imidazole analogue of the antitumor agent tiazofurin, was synthesized and evaluated for the growth inhibitory activity of human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells.

The syntheses of furanthiofurin [5beta-D-(4'-thioribofuranosyl)furan-3-carboxamide, 1] and thiophenthiofurin [5beta-D-(4'-thioribofuranosyl)thiophene-3-carboxamide, 2], two C-thioribonucleoside analogues of tiazofurin, are described. Direct trifluoroacetic acid-catalyzed C-glycosylation of ethyl furan-3-carboxylate with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-4-thio-D-ribofuranose gave 2- and 5-glycosylated regioisomers, as a mixture of alpha and beta anomers. Ethyl 5-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl)-beta-D-(4'-thioribofuranosyl)furan-3-carboxylate (6beta) was debenzylated and then converted into the corresponding amide (furanthiofurin) by reaction with ammonium hydroxide. A similar C-glycosylation of ethyl thiophene-3-carboxylate with 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-4-thio-D-ribofuranose catalyzed by stannic chloride afforded an anomeric mixture of 2- and 5-glycosylated regioisomers. Deacetylation of ethyl 5-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl)-beta-D-(4'-thioribofuranosyl)thiophene-3-carboxylate (13beta) with methanolic ammonia and treatment of the ethyl ester with ammonium hydroxide gave thiophenthiofurin. The glycosylation site and anomeric configuration were established by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Thiophenthiofurin was found to be cytotoxic in vitro toward human myelogenous leukemia K562, albeit 39-fold less than thiophenfurin, while furanthiofurin proved to be inactive. K562 cells incubated with thiophenthiofurin resulted in inhibition of inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) and an increase in IMP pools with a concurrent decrease in GTP levels. From computational studies it was deduced that, among the C-nucleoside analogues of tiazofurin, activity requires an electrophilic sulfur adjacent to the C-glycosidic bond and an energetically favorable conformer around chi = 0 degrees. Among these, the more constrained (least flexible) compounds (tiazofurin and thiophenfurin) are more active than the less constrained thiophenthiofurin. Those compounds which contain a nucleophilic oxygen in place of the thiazole or thiophene (oxazofurin, furanfurin, and furanthiofurin) show the least activity.