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Inspired by the antiviral activity of known pyrazole-based HIV inhibitors, we screened our in-house library of pyrazole-based compounds to evaluate their in cellulo activity against HIV-1 replication. Two hits with very similar structures appeared from single and multiple-round infection assays to be non-toxic and active in a dose-dependent manner. Chemical expansion of their series allowed an in-depth and consistent structure–activity-relationship study (SAR) to be built. Further ADME evaluation led to the selection of 4-amino-3-cyano-1-(2-benzyloxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate with an advantageous pharmacokinetic profile. Finally, examination of its mode of action revealed that this compound does not belong to the three main classes of anti-HIV drugs, a feature of prime interest in the context of viral resistance.

An unprecedented catalytic reductive cleavage of aromatic and heteroaromatic methyl ester functions was successfully achieved with a cheap, nontoxic, and air-stable Cu(OAc)2 catalyst. This reaction is fast, features good functional group tolerance, does not require inert atmosphere or anhydrous solvent, and can be scaled up to 1 g. Moreover, carboxylic acids and t-butyl esters also reacted smoothly under these conditions.

Multifunctionalized 2-imino-3-(pyrazol-4-yl)thiazolidin-4-ones and 2-arylimino-3-(pyrazol-4-yl)thiazolidin-4-ones were prepared according to an efficient four-step procedure. The key step of the synthetic pathway involved the cyclization of 2-chloro-N-(pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide intermediate using KSCN or aryl isothiocyanate, respectively. The structure of the title compounds was confirmed on the basis of NMR data and 15N-labeling.

We reported an oligosaccharide diphosphodolichol (DLO) diphosphatase (DLODP) that generates dolichyl-phosphate and oligosaccharyl phosphates (OSPs) from DLO in vitro. This enzyme could underlie cytoplasmic OSP generation and promote dolichyl-phosphate recycling from truncated endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-generated DLO intermediates. However, during subcellular fractionation, DLODP distribution is closer to that of a Golgi apparatus (GA) marker than those of ER markers. Here, we examined the effect of brefeldin A (BFA), which fuses the GA with the ER on OSP metabolism. In order to increase the steady state level of truncated DLO while allowing formation of mature DLO (Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol), dolichyl-P-mannose Man7GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol mannosyltransferase was partially downregulated in HepG2 cells. We show that BFA provokes GA endomannosidase trimming of Glc3Man9GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol to yield a Man8GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol structure that does not give rise to cytoplasmic Man8GlcNAc2-P. BFA also strikingly increased OSP derived from mature DLO within the endomembrane system without affecting levels of Man7GlcNAc2-PP-dolichol or cytoplasmic Man7GlcNAc2-P. The BFA-provoked increase in endomembrane-situated OSP is sensitive to nocodazole, and BFA causes partial redistribution of DLODP activity from GA- to ER-containing regions of density gradients. These findings are consistent with BFA-provoked microtubule-dependent GA-to-ER transport of a previously reported DLODP that acts to generate a novel endomembrane-situated OSP population.

Oligosaccharyl phosphates (OSPs) are hydrolyzed from oligosaccharide-diphosphodolichol (DLO) during protein N-glycosylation by an uncharacterized process. An OSP-generating activity has been reported in vitro, and here we asked if its biochemical characteristics are compatible with a role in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-situated DLO regulation. We demonstrate a Co(2+)-dependent DLO diphosphatase (DLODP) activity that splits DLO into dolichyl phosphate and OSP. DLODP has a pH optimum of 5.5 and is inhibited by vanadate but not by NaF. Polyprenyl diphosphates inhibit [(3)H]OSP release from [(3)H]DLO, the length of their alkyl chains correlating positively with inhibition potency. The diphosphodiester GlcNAc2-PP-solanesol is hydrolyzed to yield GlcNAc2-P and inhibits [(3)H]OSP release from [(3)H]DLO more effectively than the diphosphomonoester solanesyl diphosphate. During subcellular fractionation of liver homogenates, DLODP codistributes with microsomal markers, and density gradient centrifugation revealed that the distribution of DLODP is closer to that of Golgi apparatus-situated UDP-galactose glycoprotein galactosyltransferase than those of dolichyl-P-dependent glycosyltransferases required for DLO biosynthesis in the ER. Therefore, a DLODP activity showing selectivity toward lipophilic diphosphodiesters such as DLO, and possessing properties distinct from other lipid phosphatases, is identified. Separate subcellular locations for DLODP action and DLO biosynthesis may be required to prevent uncontrolled DLO destruction.

Unprecedented CuI/CuII-assisted tandem catalysis allowing an Ullmann/Chan–Evans–Lam sequence was achieved. This three-component, one-pot reaction triggered by a change in the oxidation state of the metal leads to the selective N1,N3-diarylation of 3-aminopyrazole. This new method should be a valuable tool for small-molecule drug discovery that requires suitable regio- and/or chemoselective strategies for the N-arylation of nitrogen-containing heterocycles.

The synthesis of 4-amino-3-cyano-N-arylpyrazoles A based on a Thorpe-Ziegler cyclization as the key step has been achieved using microwave activation. Via a new diversity-oriented synthetic pathway, these highly functionalized building blocks allowed the access to various heteroaromatic scaffolds such as pyrazolo-pyridines B, pyrazolo-pyrimidines C and pyrazolo-oxadiazoles D. Interestingly, these platforms contain three to four reactive sites that could be used for post-functionalization in order to further increase the molecular diversity.

International audience; Citronellyl- and solanesyl-based dolichol linked oligosaccharide (DLO) analogs were synthesized and tested along with undecaprenyl compounds for their ability to inhibit the release of [(3)H]OSP from [(3)H]DLO by mammalian liver DLO diphosphatase activity. Solanesyl (C45) and undecaprenyl (C55) compounds were 50-500 fold more potent than their citronellyl (C10)-based counterparts, indicating that the alkyl chain length is important for activity. The relative potency of the compounds within the citronellyl series was different to that of the solanesyl series with citronellyl diphosphate being 2 and 3 fold more potent than citronellyl-PP-GlcNAc2 and citronellyl-PP-GlcNAc, respectively; whereas solanesyl-PP-GlcNAc and solanesyl-PP-GlcNAc2 were 4 and 8 fold more potent, respectively, than solanesyl diphosphate. Undecaprenyl-PP-GlcNAc and bacterial Lipid II were 8 fold more potent than undecaprenyl diphosphate at inhibiting the DLODP assay. Therefore, at least for the more hydrophobic compounds, diphosphodiesters are more potent inhibitors of the DLODP assay than diphosphomonoesters. These results suggest that DLO rather than dolichyl diphosphate might be a preferred substrate for the DLODP activity.

Regioselective Cu-catalyzed Ullmann-type N-arylation of 3-aminopyrazoles (I) with aryl iodides and the Chan—Evans-type coupling of 3-amino-1-aryl-pyrazole (IIIb) with arylboronic acids proceed with good to excellent yields.

Two new series of C-nucleosidic ATP mimics have been synthesized using an efficient and versatile synthetic pathway. These compounds were designed as FGFR3 inhibitors using purine as a central scaffold. The two substituents, a polyhydroxylated ribose mimic and a lipophilic moiety, were linked either in position 2 or 6 of the purine ring in order to explore any possible binding mode. All the compounds were able to inhibit FGFR3 kinase activity at a concentration of 50 μM. Unexpectedly, the best inhibitor was found to be one of the synthetic intermediates 13 bearing an iodine atom in position 2. Docking studies have confirmed its location in the ATP binding site and revealed halogen bonding among key interactions.

International audience; The FemX(Wv) aminoacyl transferase of Weissella viridescens initiates the synthesis of the side chain of peptidoglycan precursors by transferring l-Ala from Ala-tRNA(Ala) to UDP-MurNAc-pentadepsipeptide. FemX(Wv) is an attractive target for the development of novel antibiotics, since the side chain is essential for the last cross-linking step of peptidoglycan synthesis. Here, we show that FemX(Wv) is highly specific for incorporation of l-Ala in vivo based on extensive analysis of the structure of peptidoglycan. Comparison of various natural and in vitro-transcribed tRNAs indicated that the specificity of FemX(Wv) depends mainly upon the sequence of the tRNA although additional specificity determinants may include post-transcriptional modifications and recognition of the esterified amino acid. Site-directed mutagenesis identified cytosines in the G1-C72 and G2-C71 base pairs of the acceptor stem as critical for FemX(Wv) activity in agreement with modeling of tRNA(Ala) in the catalytic cavity of the enzyme. In contrast, semi-synthesis of Ala-tRNA(Ala) harboring nucleotide substitutions in the G3-U70 wobble base pair showed that this main identity determinant of alanyl-tRNA synthetase is non-essential for FemX(Wv). The different modes of recognition of the acceptor stem indicate that specific inhibition of FemX(Wv) could be achieved by targeting the distal portion of tRNA(Ala) for the design of substrate analogues.

Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most frequent form of dwarfism and is caused by gain-of-function mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3-encoding (FGFR3-encoding) gene. Although potential therapeutic strategies for ACH, which aim to reduce excessive FGFR3 activation, have emerged over many years, the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) to counteract FGFR3 hyperactivity has yet to be evaluated. Here, we have reported that the pan-FGFR TKI, NVP-BGJ398, reduces FGFR3 phosphorylation and corrects the abnormal femoral growth plate and calvaria in organ cultures from embryos of the Fgfr3Y367C/+ mouse model of ACH. Moreover, we demonstrated that a low dose of NVP-BGJ398, injected subcutaneously, was able to penetrate into the growth plate of Fgfr3Y367C/+ mice and modify its organization. Improvements to the axial and appendicular skeletons were noticeable after 10 days of treatment and were more extensive after 15 days of treatment that started from postnatal day 1. Low-dose NVP-BGJ398 treatment reduced intervertebral disc defects of lumbar vertebrae, loss of synchondroses, and foramen-magnum shape anomalies. NVP-BGJ398 inhibited FGFR3 downstream signaling pathways, including MAPK, SOX9, STAT1, and PLCγ, in the growth plates of Fgfr3Y367C/+ mice and in cultured chondrocyte models of ACH. Together, our data demonstrate that NVP-BGJ398 corrects pathological hallmarks of ACH and support TKIs as a potential therapeutic approach for ACH.

Starting from variously substituted aryl amines a two-step approach to compounds (V) is developed.

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play an important role in signal transduction pathways, and in particular, FGFR3 is one of the four RTKs related to the fibroblast growth factor family. This paper describes the synthesis of C-nucleosidic ATP mimics, as potential FGFR3 inhibitors, by nucleophilic epoxide ring-opening followed by in situ O-heterocyclization of 1,2:5,6-dianhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-D-mannitol or L-iditol. Cesium carbonate [Cs2CO3] was found to be the best catalyst for the reaction of purine derivatives with these bis-epoxides. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)

The synthesis of four UDP-GalNAc analogues ( 1 – 4 ) is described. The 3-, 4- and 6-deoxygenated analogues 1 – 3 were obtained by way of a divergent strategy starting from a 3,6-di- O -pivaloyl GlcNAc derivative as a common precursor. Analogue 4 bearing a N -trifluoroacetamido group was prepared from the trifluoromethylated oxazoline 24 as key intermediate. These compounds were designed to probe the substrate specificity of polypeptide-α-GalNAc transferases.

The synthesis of 2′- O ,3′- O bicyclic adenosine derivatives is presented as the first examples of a new family of 13-membered ring bicyclic nucleoside analogues. Cyclisation was achieved through ring closing metathesis (RCM) on a diene intermediate using Grubbs’ catalyst. The Z and E isomers were purified and characterised.

Tyrosine kinases are a wide family of targets with strong pharmacological relevance. These proteins undergo large-scale conformational motions able to inactivate them. By the end of one of these structural processes, a new cavity is opened allowing the access to a specific type of inhibitors, called type II. The kinase domain of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) falls into this family of kinases. We describe here, for the first time, its inactivation process through target molecular dynamics. The transient cavity, at the crossroad between the DFGout and Cα helix out inactivation is herein explored. Molecular docking calculations of known ligands demonstrated that type II inhibitors are able to interact with this metastable transient conformation of FGFR3 kinase. Besides, supplemental computations were conducted and clearly show that type II inhibitors drive the kinase inactivation process through specific stabilization with the DFG triad. This induced-fit effect of type II ligands toward FGFR3 might be extrapolated to other kinase systems and provides meaningful structural information for future drug developments.

Derivatives of α- and β- d -glucosamine-1-phosphate and of α- d -galactosamine-1-phosphate, as well as free β- d -glucosamine-1-phosphate, were prepared stereoselectively and in high yield by way of the opening of the 1,2-oxazoline derived from the corresponding 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trifluoroacetamido-α- d -hexopyranosyl bromide with dibenzyl phosphate.

Chantier qualité GA; Activating germline fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) mutations cause achondroplasia (ACH), the most common form of human dwarfism and a spectrum of skeletal dysplasias. FGFR3 is a tyrosine kinase receptor and constitutive FGFR3 activation impairs endochondral ossification and triggers severe disorganization of the cartilage with shortening of long bones. To decipher the role of FGFR3 in endochondral ossification, we analyzed the impact of a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), A31, on both human and mouse mutant FGFR3-expressing cells and on the skeleton of Fgfr3Y367C/+ dwarf mice. We found that A31 inhibited constitutive FGFR3 phosphorylation and restored the size of embryonic dwarf femurs using an ex vivo culture system. The increase in length of the treated mutant femurs was 2.6 times more than for the wild-type. Premature cell cycle exit and defective chondrocyte differentiation were observed in the Fgfr3Y367C/+ growth plate. A31 restored normal expression of cell cycle regulators (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, KI67, cyclin D1 and p57) and allowed pre-hypertrophic chondrocytes to properly differentiate into hypertrophic chondocytes. Our data reveal a specific role for FGFR3 in the cell cycle and chondrocyte differentiation and support the development of TKIs for the treatment of FGFR3-related chondrodysplasias.

Two new small libraries with 2- and 6-substituted purine as central scaffold are prepared starting from the known building blocks (I) and (II).

Derivatives of α- and β- d -glucosamine-1-phosphate and of α- d -galactosamine-1-phosphate, as well as free β- d -glucosamine-1-phosphate, were prepared stereoselectively and in high yield by way of the opening of the 1,2-oxazoline derived from the corresponding 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trifluoroacetamido-α- d -hexopyranosyl bromide with dibenzyl phosphate.

A library of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines was designed as inhibitors of FGFR3 tyrosine kinase allowing possible interactions with an unexploited region of the ATP binding-site. This library was built-up with an efficient step of click-chemistry giving easy access to triazole-based compounds bearing a large panel of substituents. Among the 27 analogues synthesized, more than half exhibited 55-89% inhibition of in vitro FGFR3 kinase activity at 2 microM and one (19g) was able to inhibit auto-phosphorylation of mutant FGFR3-K650M in transfected HEK cells.

The substrate scope of three mutants of phenylalanine dehydrogenase as biocatalysts for the transformation of a series of 2-oxo acids, structurally related to phenylpyruvic acid, to the analogous alpha-amino acids, non-natural analogues of phenylalanine, has been investigated. The mutant enzymes are more tolerant than the wild type enzyme of the non-natural substrates, especially those with substituents at the 4-position on the phenyl ring. Excellent enantiocontrol resulted in all cases.

A series of three O-methylated UDP-GalNAc analogues have been synthesised using a divergent strategy from a 3,6-di-O-pivaloyl GlcNAc derivative. The biological activity of these probes toward polypeptide-alpha-GalNAc-transferase T1 has been investigated. This study shows that this glycosyltransferase exhibits a very high substrate specificity.