Development of chiral fluorinated alkyl derivatives of emixustat as drug candidates for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.

The discovery of how a photon is converted into a chemical signal is one of the most important achievements in the field of vision. A key molecule in this process is the visual chromophore retinal. Several eye diseases are attributed to the abnormal metabolism of retinal in the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium. Also, the accumulation of two toxic retinal derivatives, N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine and the retinal dimer, can damage the retina leading to blindness. RPE65 (Retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein) is one of the central enzymes that regulates the metabolism of retinal and the formation of its toxic metabolites. Its inhibition might decrease the rate of the retinas degeneration by limiting the amount of retinal and its toxic byproducts. Two RPE65 inhibitors, (R)-emixustat and (R)-MB001, were recently developed for this purpose

An Expedient Synthesis of CMF-019: (S)-5-Methyl-3-{1-(pentan-3-yl)-2- (thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxamido}hexanoic Acid, a Potent Apelin Receptor (APJ) Agonist.

BACKGROUND: Apelin receptor (APJ) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activated by the endogenous peptide apelin. The apelin-APJ system has emerged as an important regulator of cardiovascular homeostasis. Recently, a potent benzimidazole-derived apelin peptidomimetic, CMF-019, was patented but without a comprehensive description of its synthesis and a complete spectroscopic characterization of the intermediates. OBJECTIVE: Here, a detailed preparation of CMF-019 through a modified and improved synthetic pathway is described. METHOD: In particular, the benzimidazole ring in 7 was tailored by the condensation of methyl 3- amino-4-(pentan-3-ylamino)benzoate (4) with (thiophene-2-yl)acetimidate salt 6. Saponification of 7 and the subsequent condensation of the free acid 8 with the corresponding enantiopure β-amino acid methyl ester generated methyl (S)-5-methyl-3-{1-(pentan-3-yl)-2-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-1Hbenzo[ d]imidazole-5-carboxamido}hexanoate (9). Hydrolysis of the latter with KOH in THF/water, followed by HPLC-purification, afforded the desired product, CMF-019 (potassium salt) 10. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: The approach reported herein enables preparation of 10 at a total yield of 12% over seven linear steps. Additionally, it does not require applying expensive designated microwave reactors and high-pressure hydrogenators. Thus, the elaborate synthesis provides a latent availability of potent agonist 10 for further exploring the physiologically essential apelin-APJ system

Rational Alteration of Pharmacokinetics of Chiral Fluorinated and Deuterated Derivatives of Emixustat for Retinal Therapy.

Recycling of all-trans-retinal to 11-cis-retinal through the visual cycle is a fundamental metabolic pathway in the eye. A potent retinoid isomerase (RPE65) inhibitor, (R)-emixustat, has been developed and tested in several clinical trials; however, it has not received regulatory approval for use in any specific retinopathy. Rapid clearance of this drug presents challenges to maintaining concentrations in eyes within a therapeutic window. To address this pharmacokinetic inadequacy, we rationally designed and synthesized a series of emixustat derivatives with strategically placed fluorine and deuterium atoms to slow down the key metabolic transformations known for emixustat. Crystal structures and quantum chemical analysis of RPE65 in complex with the most potent emixustat derivatives revealed the structural and electronic bases for how fluoro substituents can be favorably accommodated within the active site pocket of RPE65. We found a close (∼3.0 Å) F-π interaction that is predicted to contribute ∼2.4 kcal/mol to the overall binding energy

Diels–alder/thiol–olefin co-oxygenation approach to antimalarials incorporating the 2,3-dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane pharmacophore

Abstract—A Diels–Alder/thiol–olefin co-oxygenation approach to the synthesis of novel bicyclic endoperoxides 17a–22b is reported. Some of these endoperoxides (e.g., 17b, 19b, 22a and 22b) have potent nanomolar in vitro antimalarial activity equivalent to that of the synthetic antimalarial agent arteflene. Iron(II)-mediated degradation of sulfone-endoperoxide 19b and spin-trapping with TEMPO provide a spin-trapped adduct 25 indicative of the formation of a secondary carbon centered radical species 24. Reactive C-radical intermediates of this type may be involved in the expression of the antimalarial effect of these bicyclic endoperoxides

Freshwater DOM quantity and quality from a two-component model of UV absorbance

We present a model that considers UV-absorbing dissolved organic matter (DOM) to consist of two components (A and B), each with a distinct and constant spectrum. Component A absorbs UV light strongly, and is therefore presumed to possess aromatic chromophores and hydrophobic character, whereas B absorbs weakly and can be assumed hydrophilic. We parameterised the model with dissolved organic carbon concentrations, [DOC], and corresponding UV spectra for c. 1700 filtered surface water samples from North America and the United Kingdom, by optimising extinction coefficients for A and B, together with a small constant concentration of non-absorbing DOM (0.80 mg DOC L-1). Good unbiased predictions of [DOC] from absorbance data at 270 and 350 nm were obtained (r2=0.98), the sum of squared residuals in [DOC] being reduced by 66% compared to a regression model fitted to absorbance at 270 nm alone. The parameterised model can use measured optical absorbance values at any pair of suitable wavelengths to calculate both [DOC] and the relative amounts of A and B in a water sample, i.e. measures of quantity and quality. Blind prediction of [DOC] was satisfactory for 9 of 11 independent data sets (181 of 213 individual samples)

Neuroligin-2-derived peptide-covered polyamidoamine-based (PAMAM) dendrimers enhance pancreatic β-cells' proliferation and functions.

Pancreatic β-cell membranes and presynaptic areas of neurons contain analogous protein complexes that control the secretion of bioactive molecules. These complexes include the neuroligins (NLs) and their binding partners, the neurexins (NXs). It has been recently reported that both insulin secretion and the proliferation rates of β-cells increase when cells are co-cultured with full-length NL-2 clusters. The pharmacological use of full-length protein is always problematic due to its unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties. Thus, NL-2-derived short peptide was conjugated to the surface of polyamidoamine-based (PAMAM) dendrimers. This nanoscale composite improved β-cell functions in terms of the rate of proliferation, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), and functional maturation. This functionalized dendrimer also protected β-cells under cellular stress conditions. In addition, various novel peptidomimetic scaffolds of NL-2-derived peptide were designed, synthesized, and conjugated to the surface of PAMAM in order to increase the biostability of the conjugates. However, after being covered by peptidomimetics, PAMAM dendrimers were inactive. Thus, the original peptide-based PAMAM dendrimer is a leading compound for continued research that might provide a unique starting point for designing an innovative class of antidiabetic therapeutics that possess a unique mode of action