Search

Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) inhibitors have been explored in recent years as an alternative therapeutic option to mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists to reduce elevated aldosterone levels, which are associated with deleterious effects on various organ systems including the heart, vasculature, kidney, and central nervous system (CNS). A benzamide pyridine hit derived from a focused screen was successfully developed into a series of potent and selective 3-pyridyl isoindolin-1-ones CYP11B2 inhibitors. Our systematic structure-activity relationship study enabled us to identify unique structural features that result in high selectivity against the closely homologous cortisol synthase (CYP11B1). We evaluated advanced lead molecules, exemplified by compound 52, in an in vivo cynomolgus monkey acute adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge model and demonstrated a superior 100-fold in vivo selectivity against CYP11B1.

A series of cyclopenta[c]pyridine aldosterone synthase (AS) inhibitors were conveniently accessed using batch or continuous flow Kondrat'eva reactions. Preparation of the analogous cyclohexa[c]pyridines led to the identification of a potent and more selective AS inhibitor. The structure-activity-relationship (SAR) in this new series was rationalized using binding mode models in the crystal structure of AS.

Inappropriately high levels of aldosterone are associated with many serious medical conditions, including renal and cardiac failure. A focused screen hit has been optimized into a potent and selective aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) inhibitor with in vitro activity against rat, mouse, human, and cynomolgus monkey enzymes, showing a selectivity factor of 160 against cytochrome CYP11B1 in the last species. The novel tetrahydroisoquinoline compound (+)-(R)-6 selectively reduced aldosterone plasma levels in vivo in a dose-dependent manner in db/db mice and cynomolgus monkeys. The selectivity against CYP11B1 as predicted by cellular inhibition data and free plasma fraction translated well to Synacthen challenged cynomolgus monkeys up to a dose of 0.1 mg kg(-1). This compound, displaying good in vivo potency and selectivity in mice and monkeys, is ideally suited to perform mechanistic studies in relevant rodent models and to provide the information necessary for translation to non-human primates and ultimately to man.

Medicinal chemistry has been transformed by major technological and conceptual innovations over the last three decades: structural biology and bioinformatics, structure and property based molecular design, the concepts of multidimensional optimization (MDO), in silico and experimental high-throughput molecular property analysis. The novel technologies advanced gradually and in synergy with biology and Roche has been at the forefront. Applications in drug discovery programs towards new medicines in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are highlighted to show impact and advancement: the early discovery of endothelin antagonists for endothelial dysfunction (Bosentan), 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11?-HSD1) inhibitors for dysregulated cellular glucocorticoid tonus (type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome) and non-covalent hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) inhibitors to study the scope of direct inhibition of lipolysis in the conceptual frame of lipotoxicity and type 2 diabetes.

An X-ray-guided design approach led to the identification of a novel, balanced class of alpha-ethoxy-phenylpropionic acid-derived dual PPARalpha/gamma agonists. The series shows a wide range of PPARalpha/gamma ratios within a rather narrow structural space. Advanced compounds possess favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic profiles and show a high efficacy in T2D and dyslipidemia animal models.

Design, synthesis, and SAR of novel alpha-alkoxy-beta-arylpropionic acids as potent and balanced PPARalphagamma coagonists are described. One representative thereof, Aleglitazar ((S)-2Aa), was chosen for clinical development. Its X-ray structure in complex with both receptors as well as its high efficacy in animal models of T2D and dyslipidemia are also presented.

A new class of nonpeptidic inhibitors of the malarial aspartic protease plasmepsin II (PMII) with up to single-digit micromolar activities (IC50 values) was developed by structure-based de novo design. The active-site matrix used in the design was based on an X-ray crystal structure of PMII, onto which the major conformational changes seen in the structure of renin upon complexation of 4-arylpiperidines-including the unlocking of a new hydrophobic (flap) pocket - were modeled. The sequence identity of 35% between mature renin and PMII had prompted us to hypothesize that an induced-fit adaptation around the active site as observed in renin might also be effective in PMII. The new inhibitors contain a central 11-azatricyclo[6.2.1.0(2.7)]undeca-2(7),3,5-triene core, which, in protonated form, undergoes ionic H-bonding with the two catalytic Asp residues at the active site of PMII (Figs. 1 and 2). This tricyclic scaffold is readily prepared by a Diels-Alder reaction between an activated pyrrole and a benzyne species generated in situ (Scheme 1). Two substituents with naphthyl or 1,3-benzothiazole moieties are attached to the central core (Schemes 1-4) for accommodation in the hydrophobic flap and S1/S3 (or S2', depending on the optical antipode of the inhibitor) pockets at the active site of the enzyme. The most-potent inhibitors (+/-)-19a -19c (IC50 3-5 mum) and (+/-)-23b (2 mum) ( Table) bear an additional Cl-atom on the 1,3-benzothiazole moiety to fully fill the rear of the flap pocket. Optimization of the linker between the tricyclic scaffold and the 1,3-benzothiazole moiety, based on detailed conformational analysis (Figs. 3 and 4), led to a further small increase in inhibitory strength. The new compounds were also tested against other aspartic proteases. They were found to be quite selective against renin, while the selectivity against cathepsin D and E, two other human aspartic proteases, is rather poor (Table). The detailed SARs established in this investigation provide a valuable basis for the design of the next generations of more-potent and -selective PMII inhibitors with potential application in a new antimalarial therapy.

Plasmepsin II (PMII), a malarial aspartic protease involved in the catabolism of hemoglobin in parasites of the genus Plasmodium, and renin, a human aspartic protease, share 35% sequence identity in their mature chains. Structures of 4-arylpiperidine inhibitors complexed to human renin were reported by Roche recently. The major conformational changes, compared to a structure of renin, with a peptidomimetic inhibitor were identified and subsequently modeled in a structure of PMII (Fig. 1). This distorted structure of PMII served as active-site model for a novel class of PMII inhibitors, according to a structure-based de novo design approach (Fig. 2). These newly designed inhibitors feature a rigid 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane scaffold, which, in its protonated form, is assumed to undergo ionic H-bonding with the two catalytic Asp residues at the active site of PMII. Two substituents depart from the scaffold for occupancy of either the S1/S3 or S2′-pocket and the hydrophobic flap pocket, newly created by the conformational changes in PMII. The inhibitors synthesized starting from N-Boc-protected 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (6; Schemes 1–5) displayed up to single-digit micromolar activity (IC50 values) toward PMII and good selectivity towards renin. The clear structureactivity relationship (SAR; Table) provides strong validation of the proposed conformational changes in PMII and the occupancy of the resulting hydrophobic flap pocket by our new inhibitors.

The identification, synthesis and activity of a novel class of piperidine renin inhibitors is presented. The most active compounds show activities in the picomolar range and are among the most potent renin inhibitors ever identified.

During a half-day symposium, the topic 'Channels and Transporters' was covered with five lectures, including a presentation on 'Introduction and Basics of Channels and Transporters' by Beat Ernst, lectures on structure, function and physiology of channels and transporters ('The Structural Basis for Ion Conduction and Gating in Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels' by Raimund Dutzler and 'Uptake and Efflux Transporters for Endogenous Substances and for Drugs' by Dietrich Keppler), and a case study lecture on 'Avosentan' by Werner Neidhart. The program was completed by Matthias Hediger who introduced to the audience the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR)-TransCure in his lecture entitled 'From Transport Physiology to Identification of Therapeutic Targets'.

Imaging technologies have experienced rapid progress and are currently used widely both in medical diagnostics and in research. Imaging beyond X-ray and standard MRI became established in recent years. The extended set of imaging methodologies available allows methods to be selected according to the actual needs or even the combination of different imaging principles to obtain further improved read-outs. The symposium consisted of four overview lectures. Three speakers from academia and one speaker from industry described different techniques, recent developments and future needs from various perspectives in the lectures entitled: Non-Invasive Imaging in Biomedical Research: Annotating Structure with Molecular Information; Molecular Imaging with PET Tracers and Animal PET Scanners; Nuclear (PET- and SPECT-) Imaging Agents from Research to Approval (Perspectives from a Pharma Company Working on in vivo Diagnostics); Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain Imaging.

Partial agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), also termed selective PPARgamma modulators, are expected to uncouple insulin sensitization from triglyceride (TG) storage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These agents shall thus avoid adverse effects, such as body weight gain, exerted by full agonists such as thiazolidinediones. In this context, we describe the identification and characterization of the isoquinoline derivative PA-082, a prototype of a novel class of non-thiazolidinedione partial PPARgamma ligands. In a cocrystal with PPARgamma it was bound within the ligand-binding pocket without direct contact to helix 12. The compound displayed partial agonism in biochemical and cell-based transactivation assays and caused preferential recruitment of PPARgamma-coactivator-1alpha (PGC1alpha) to the receptor, a feature shared with other selective PPARgamma modulators. It antagonized rosiglitazone-driven transactivation and TG accumulation during de novo adipogenic differentiation of murine C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells. The latter effect was mimicked by overexpression of wild-type PGC1alpha but not its LXXLL-deficient mutant. Despite failing to promote TG loading, PA-082 induced mRNAs of genes encoding components of insulin signaling and adipogenic differentiation pathways. It potentiated glucose uptake and inhibited the negative cross-talk of TNFalpha on protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation in mature adipocytes and HepG2 human hepatoma cells. PGC1alpha is a key regulator of energy expenditure and down-regulated in diabetics. We thus propose that selective recruitment of PGC1alpha to favorable PPARgamma-target genes provides a possible molecular mechanism whereby partial PPARgamma agonists dissociate TG accumulation from insulin signaling.

Piperidine renin inhibitors with heterocyclic core modifications or hydrophilic attachments show improved physical properties (lower lipophilicity, improved solubility). Tetrahydroquinoline derivative rac-30 with a molecular weight of 517 and a log D(pH 7.4) of 1.9 displays potent and long lasting blood pressure lowering effects after oral administration to sodium depleted conscious marmosets.

Synthesis of Diastereo- and Enantioselectively Deuterated β,e-, β,β-, β,γ- and γ,γ-Carotenes We describe the synthesis of (1′R, 6′S)-[16′, 16′, 16′-2H3]-β, ecarotene, (1R, 1′R)-[16, 16, 16, 16′, 16′, 16′-2H6]-β, β-carotene, (1′R, 6′S)-[16′, 16′, 16′-2H3]-γ, γ-carotene and (1R, 1′R, 6S, 6′S)-[16, 16, 16, 16′, 16′, 16′-2H6]-γ, γ-carotene by a multistep degradation of (4R, 5S, 10S)-[18, 18, 18-2H3]-didehydroabietane to optically active deuterated β-, e- and γ-C11-endgroups and subsequent building up according to schemes and C11 C14; C14+C12+C14C40. NMR.- and chiroptical data allow the identification of the geminal methyl groups in all these compounds. The optical activity of all-(E)-[2H6]-β,β-carotene, which is solely due to the isotopically different substituent not directly attached to the chiral centres, is demonstrated by a significant CD.-effect at low temperature. Therefore, if an enzymatic cyclization of [17, 17, 17, 17′, 17′, 17′-2H6]lycopine can be achieved, the steric course of the cyclization step would be derivable from NMR.- and CD.-spectra with very small samples of the isolated cyclic carotenes. A general scheme for the possible course of the cyclization steps is presented.

A chemical modification approach was used in this study to identify the active site serine residue of human pancreatic lipase. Purified human pancreatic lipase was covalently modified by incubation with [3H], [14C] tetrahydrolipstatin (THL), a potent inhibitor of pancreatic lipase. The radiolabeled lipase was digested with thermolysin, and the peptides were separated by HPLC. A single THL-peptide-adduct was obtained which was identical to that obtained earlier from porcine pancreatic lipase. This pentapeptide with the sequence VIGHS is covalently bound to a THL molecule via the side chain hydroxyl group of the serine unit corresponding to Ser-152 of the lipase. The selective cleavage of the THL-serine bond by mild acid treatment resulted in the formation of the delta-lactone Ro 40-4441 in high yield and clearly proves that THL is attached via an ester bond and with retention of stereochemistry at all chiral centers to the side chain hydroxyl group of Ser-152 of the lipase. The results obtained for human pancreatic lipase corroborate the inhibition mechanism of THL found on the porcine enzyme, and are in full agreement with the identification of the Ser-152 ... His-263 ... Asp-176 catalytic triad in the X-ray structure of human pancreatic lipase.

The title compound (3) has been prepared from dehydroabietic acid (1) in 21 steps and its low temperature c.d. spectra have been found to correspond to those for zeaxanthin (4) but with reduced intensities; possible interpretations of the observed c.d. spectrum are discussed.