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Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of cancer that results from errors in chromosome segregation during mitosis. Targeting of CIN-associated vulnerabilities is an emerging therapeutic strategy in drug development. KIF18A, a mitotic kinesin, has been shown to play a role in maintaining bipolar spindle integrity and promotes viability of CIN cancer cells. To explore the potential of KIF18A, a series of inhibitors was identified. Optimization of an initial hit led to the discovery of analogues that could be used as chemical probes to interrogate the role of KIF18A inhibition. Compounds

A novel series of hydrozamate-based inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases containing benzimidazole and imidazole heterocyles as amide bond isosteres have been prepared. Potent inhibition (in the low nanomolar range) and selectivity (> 100-fold) can be attained with inhibitors containing only one amide bond. X-ray crystal structures of matrilysin (MMP-7) with two different inhibitors bound confirm that imidazole is an excellent amide bond isostere.

Two diastereomers of a macrocyclic hydroxyamide (norstatine-based) peptide, having an 18-membered ring system, have been synthesized as HIV protease inhibitors. The (R)-diastereomer (IC50 19 nM) was ∼17-fold weaker than an acyclic analog, but had comparable or better antiviral activity, suggesting improved cell penetration properties and/or resistance to cellular enzymes for the macrocyclic inhibitor.

The mechanisms for the reaction of allyltributylstannane with a number of fragmentation probes, alpha-substituted acetophenones, were studied. All reactions were shown to proceed through free radical chain sequences since they could be initiated by AIBN and inhibited by m-dinitrobenzene (DNB). alpha-Halo- and alpha-(benzoyloxy)acetophenones (I and II, PhCOCR(1)R(2)X; X = F, Cl, Br, OCOPh; R(1), R(2) = H, Me) yielded the allylation products, PhCOCR(1)R(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2)), through a chain sequence involving as the propagation step: an electron transfer from Bu(3)Sn(*) to I and II, fragmentation of the ketyl anion PhCOCR(1)R(2)X(*)(-), and addition of PhCOCR(1)R(2)(*) to allyltributylstannane. The reactions of alpha-(arylsulfonyl)acetophenones (IIIa-c, PhCOCR(1)R(2)Y, Y = SO(2)Tol-p), however, gave a nearly 1:1 mixture of allyl tosyl sulfone and the corresponding ketone, PhCOCHR(1)R(2). The (1)H and (13)C NMR of the reaction mixture between allyltributylstannane and alpha-(p-methylbenzenesulfonyl)isobutyrophenone substantiated the intermediacy of the tin enolate PhC(OSnBu(3))=CMe(2). These results suggested that a radical addition elimination mechanism was involved in the reactions of IIIa-c with allylstannane. The reaction of alpha-phenylthioacetophenone (IV, PhCOCH(2)SPh) gave both the electron transfer and the addition elimination products (PhCOCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2), PhCOCH(3)), indicating that both pathways were involved in the formation of the products.

Conformationally-constrained macrocyclic peptide-based hydroxyethylamines, with 17- to 19-membered ring systems, have been designed and synthesized as HIV protease inhibitors. Structure-activity relationships were consistent with molecular modeling studies, and certain cyclic inhibitors were developed with HIV protease IC50 values of ∼1 nM, and antiviral activities (HIV-1/RF infected MT-2 cells) of EC50 4–8 nM.

A novel series of hydrozamate-based inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases containing benzimidazole and imidazole heterocyles as amide bond isosteres have been prepared. Potent inhibition (in the low nanomolar range) and selectivity (> 100-fold) can be attained with inhibitors containing only one amide bond. X-ray crystal structures of matrilysin (MMP-7) with two different inhibitors bound confirm that imidazole is an excellent amide bond isostere.

A novel series of TNF inhibitors was identified based on the screening of existing MMP inhibitor libraries. Further SAR optimization led to the discovery of a novel lead compound. Its synthesis, efficacy in experimental animal models, and pharmacokinetic data are discussed.

We demonstrate the direct involvement of increased collagenase activity in the cleavage of type II collagen in osteoarthritic human femoral condylar cartilage by developing and using antibodies reactive to carboxy-terminal (COL2-3/4C(short)) and amino-terminal (COL2-1/4N1) neoepitopes general ed by cleavage of native human type II collagen by collagenase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 (collagenase-1), MMP-8 (collagenase-2), and MMP-13 (collagenase-3). A secondary cleavage followed the initial cleavage produced by these recombinant collagenases. This generated neoepitope COL2-1/4N2. There was significantly more COL2-3/4C(short) neoepitope in osteoarthritis (OA) compared to adult nonarthritic cartilages as determined by immunoassay of cartilage extracts. A synthetic preferential inhibitor of MMP-13 significantly reduced the unstimulated release in culture of neoepitope COL2-3/4C(short) from human osteoarthritic cartilage explants. These data suggest that collagenase(s) produced by chondrocytes is (are) involved in the cleavage and denaturation of type II collagen in articular cartilage, that this is increased in OA, and that MMP-13 may play a significant role in this process.

Objective To examine whether type II collagen cleavage by collagenase and loss of proteoglycan are excessive in human osteoarthritic (OA) articular cartilage compared with nonarthritic articular cartilage, and whether this can be inhibited by a selective synthetic inhibitor that spares collagenase 1 (matrix metalloproteinase 1 [MMP-1]). Methods Articular cartilage samples were obtained during surgery from 11 patients with OA and at autopsy from 5 adults without arthritis. The articular cartilage samples were cultured in serum-free medium. A collagenase-generated neoepitope, which reflects cleavage of type II collagen, and proteoglycan glycosaminoglycan (GAG), which predominantly reflects aggrecan release, were assayed in culture media. In addition, cultures were performed using either of 2 synthetic MMP inhibitors, both of which inhibited collagenase 2 (MMP-8) and collagenase 3 (MMP-13), but one of which spared collagenase 1. Cultures were also biolabeled with 3H-proline in the presence and absence of these inhibitors to measure collagen synthesis (as tritiated hydroxyproline) and incorporation in articular cartilage. Results As a group, cleavage of type II collagen by collagenase was significantly increased in OA cartilage samples. In contrast, proteoglycan (GAG) release was not increased. This release of a collagenase-generated epitope was inhibited by both MMP inhibitors in 2 of 5 nonarthritic samples and in 9 of 11 OA cartilage samples. The inhibitor that spared collagenase 1 was generally more effective and inhibited release from 4 of 5 nonarthritic cartilage samples and the same OA cartilage samples. Group analyses revealed that the inhibition of collagenase neoepitope release by both inhibitors was significant in the OA patient cartilage, but not in the nonarthritic cartilage. Proteoglycan loss was unaffected by either inhibitor. Newly synthesized collagen (predominantly, type II) exhibited increased incorporation in OA cartilage, but only in the presence of the inhibitor that arrested collagenase 1 activity. Conclusion These results further indicate that the digestion of type II collagen by collagenase is selectively increased in OA cartilage, and that this can be inhibited in the majority of cases by a synthetic inhibitor that can inhibit collagenases 2 and 3, but not collagenase 1. The results also suggest that in OA, newly synthesized collagen is digested, but in a different manner than that of resident molecules. Proteoglycan release was not increased in OA cartilage and was unaffected by these inhibitors. Inhibitors of this kind may be of value in preventing damage to type II collagen in human arthritic articular cartilage.