Constrained peptidomimetics reveal detailed geometric requirements of covalent prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitors.

Prolyl oligopeptidases cleave peptides on the carboxy side of internal proline residues and their inhibition has potential in the treatment of human brain disorders. Using our docking program fitted, we have designed a series of constrained covalent inhibitors, built from a series of bicyclic scaffolds, to study the optimal shape required for these small molecules. These structures bear nitrile functional groups that we predicted to covalently bind to the catalytic serine of the enzyme. Synthesis and biological assays using human brain-derived astrocytic cells and endothelial cells and human fibroblasts revealed that these compounds act as selective inhibitors of prolyl oligopeptidase activity compared to prolyl-dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activity, are able to penetrate the cells and inhibit intracellular activities in intact living cells. This integrated computational and experimental study shed light on the binding mode of inhibitors in the enzyme active site and will guide the design of future drug-like molecules

Anomeric Spiro-Annulated Glycopyranosides: An Overview of Synthetic Methodologies and Biological Applications

International audienceOrganic chemistry developed a series of synthetic strategies toward spiro-annulated carbohydrates as potential pharmaceutical drugs or developed new organic synthetic methodologies. The present chapter gives a general overview of the spiro-annulation of carbohydrates at the anomeric position. The main synthetic strategies can be summarized in five paths. Intramolecular cyclizations can be performed through two short tethers with their reactive ends generating th