2-substituted Analogues Research Articles

Synthesis and comparative bioefficacy of N-(1-phenethyl-4-piperidinyl)propionanilide (fentanyl) and its 1-substituted analogs in Swiss albino mice

Fentanyl [N-(1-phenethyl-4-piperidinyl)propionanilide] is a popular narcotic analgesic agent that is clinically used worldwide. However, fentanyl and its several analogs have caused abuse and fatalities in humans due to overdosing and narrow therapeutic index. The present study reports the synthesis and comparative bioefficacy of fentanyl and its four analogs, viz., N-(1-propyl-4-piperidinyl)propionanilide (1), N-(1-(2-phenoxyethyl)-4-piperidinyl)propionanilide (2), N-(1-(3-phenoxypropyl)-4-piperidinyl)propionanilide (3) and N-(1-(2-cyanoethyl)-4-piperidinyl)propionanilide (4), where the phenethyl chain of fentanyl was replaced by different functional groups, viz., alkyl, ethereal, and nitrile moieties. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the compounds was determined by three different routes and all the analogs were found to be safer than fentanyl. Observational assessment on spontaneous activities of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and autonomic nervous system revealed that all the analogs were similar to fentanyl. Further, the neurotoxic effects of all the analogs were reversed by naloxone hydrochloride (opioid antagonist), confirming that their effects were mediated through opioid receptors. Antinociceptive activity was displayed by all the compounds and their median effective dose (ED50) and analgesic potency ratio were more or less similar to fentanyl. The lowest ED50 (23.7) and the highest potency ratio (1.18) was observed in the case of 2. However, the maximum therapeutic index was afforded by 4. The study indicates the promising role of some new opioid analgesics.

Relationships between DFT/RRKM Branching Ratios of the Complementary Fragment Ions [C5H5O]+ and [M – C5H5O]+ and Relative Abundances in the EI Mass Spectrum of N-(2-Furylmethyl)aniline

The energy-dependent branching ratios of the complementary fragment ions [C(5)H(5)O](+) and [HC(6)H(4)NH](+) ([M - C(5)H(5)O](+)), originating from the N-(2-furylmethyl)aniline molecular ion, [HC(6)H(4)NH-C(5)H(5)O](+•), were obtained from Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) rate calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) energy profiles. The UB3LYP/6-311G+(3df,2p)//UB3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory was used to model the competitive reaction mechanisms by which the molecular ion can be fragmented. Initially, eight pairs of products were taken into account, corresponding to the combination of two isomeric structures for each fragment ion and the concomitant radicals, which can be formed by direct dissociations or through some isomerization-fragmentation pathways. A great deal of the obtained pathways was discarded by looking over the kinetic barrier heights and the individual RRKM rate coefficients calculated for all the steps. This way, the potential energy profiles were simplified to only three reaction channels, two pathways to [C(5)H(5)O](+) and one to [M - C(5)H(5)O](+). The pre-equilibrium and steady-state approximations were then applied to different regions of the remaining potential energy profiles, allowing the branching ratios of the complementary fragment ions to be easily calculated and discriminated among the three rival processes. According to these results, the major fragment ion in the ion source is [C(5)H(5)O](+), which is produced as a mixture of two structures, the furfuryl and pyrylium cations, one formed by a direct C-N bond cleavage and the other through an isomerization-fragmentation channel. In turn, the direct fragmentation is the only mechanism to produce [M - C(5)H(5)O](+). To confront these results with the available experimental information, the model was broadened out to the 4-substituted analogues [4-R-C(6)H(4)NH-C(5)H(5)O](+•) in which R = F, Br, Cl, CH(3), and OCH(3), finding excellent correlations of the calculated branching ratios and the relative abundances in the electron ionization mass spectra.

Affinity and activity profiling of unichiral 8-substituted 1,4-benzodioxane analogues of WB4101 reveals a potent and selective α1B-adrenoceptor antagonist

Unichiral 8-substituted analogues of 2-[(2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)ethyl)aminomethyl]-1,4-benzodioxane (WB4101) were synthesized and tested for binding affinity at cloned human α1a-, α1b-and α1d-adrenoreceptor (α1a-, α1b-and α1d-AR) and at native rat 5-HT1A receptor and for antagonist affinity at α1A-, α1B-and α1D-AR and at α2A/D-AR. Among the selected 8-substituents, namely fluorine, chlorine, methoxyl and hydroxyl, only the last caused significant decrease of α1 binding affinity in comparison with the lead compound. Functional tests on the S isomers confirmed the detrimental effect of OH positioned in proximity to benzodioxane O(1). For the other three substituents (F, Cl, OMe), the α1A and the α1D antagonist affinities were generally lower than the α1a and α1d binding affinities, but not the α1B antagonist affinity, which was similar and sensibly higher compared to α1b binding affinity in the case of F and OMe respectively. This trend confers significant α1B-AR selectivity, in particular, to the 8-methoxy analogue of (S)-WB4101, a new potent (pA2 9.58) α1B-AR antagonist. The S enantiomers of all the tested compounds were proved to act as α1-AR inverse agonists in a vascular model.

Comparative molecular similarity indices analysis of some 1-substituted imidazole analogs as Candida albicans P450-demethylase inhibitors

A three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship of 66 structurally and functionally diverse series of 1-substituted imidazoles with antifungal activity was studied using the CoMSIA method. The compounds were divided into a training set of 56 molecules and a test set of 10 molecules. The optimum CoMSIA model obtained for the training set were all statistically significant with cross-validated coefficients (q 2) of 0.725 and conventional coefficients (r ncv 2 ) of 0.998. The predictive ability of CoMSIA was determined using a test set of ten imidazole derivatives. CoMSIA model (Model 1) obtained from steric, electrostatic, and H-bond acceptor fields were found to have best predictivity with a predictive correlation coefficient (r pred 2 ) of 0.60. Based upon the information derived from CoMSIA, it is evident that steric, electrostatic, and hydrogen bond acceptor groups may be important for the design of more potent imidazole analogs as potent Candida P450DM inhibitors.

Integrative Gene Expression Profiling Reveals G6PD-Mediated Resistance to RNA-Directed Nucleoside Analogues in B-Cell Neoplasms

The nucleoside analogues 8-amino-adenosine and 8-chloro-adenosine have been investigated in the context of B-lineage lymphoid malignancies by our laboratories due to the selective cytotoxicity they exhibit toward multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cell lines and primary cells. Encouraging pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of 8-chloro-adenosine being documented in an ongoing Phase I trial in CLL provide additional impetus for the study of these promising drugs. In order to foster a deeper understanding of the commonalities between their mechanisms of action and gain insight into specific patient cohorts positioned to achieve maximal benefit from treatment, we devised a novel two-tiered chemoinformatic screen to identify molecular determinants of responsiveness to these compounds. This screen entailed: 1) the elucidation of gene expression patterns highly associated with the anti-tumor activity of 8-chloro-adenosine in the NCI-60 cell line panel, 2) characterization of altered transcript abundances between paired MM and MCL cell lines exhibiting differential susceptibility to 8-amino-adenosine, and 3) integration of the resulting datasets. This approach generated a signature of seven unique genes including G6PD which encodes the rate-determining enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Bioinformatic analysis of primary cell gene expression data demonstrated that G6PD is frequently overexpressed in MM and CLL, highlighting the potential clinical implications of this finding. Utilizing the paired sensitive and resistant MM and MCL cell lines as a model system, we go on to demonstrate through loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies that elevated G6PD expression is necessary to maintain resistance to 8-amino- and 8-chloro-adenosine but insufficient to induce de novo resistance in sensitive cells. Taken together, these results indicate that G6PD activity antagonizes the cytotoxicity of 8-substituted adenosine analogues and suggests that administration of these agents to patients with B-cell malignancies exhibiting normal levels of G6PD expression may be particularly efficacious.

Abstract 3822: A tumor-targeted 5-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolate is a selective substrate for folate receptor ≤ and potent inhibitor of 5-amino-4-carboxamide formyltransferase in de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis

Abstract Clinically used antifolates are transported into cells by three major systems including the reduced folate carrier (RFC), folate receptor (FR)α, and proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). RFC is ubiquitiously expressed in normal tissues, however, expression of FRα and PCFT is more limited. FRα and PCFT are expressed in human tumors, suggesting their potentials for tumor targeting with cytotoxic antifolates selective for these systems. We previously identified 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine benozyl antifolates characterized by 3 (AG17) and 4 (AG23) carbons in the bridge region with potent antiproliferative activities toward human tumor cells. AG17 and AG23 were selectively transported by FRα over RFC and inhibited de novo purine biosynthesis at α-glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase). We synthesized the corresponding 5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine benzoyl antifolates with 2 to 6 bridge carbons and tested growth inhibition of Chinese hamster ovary sublines that express human FRα (RT16), PCFT (R2/PCFT4), or RFC (PC43-10). Studies were extended to include KB human tumor cells expressing all three transporters. The 5-substituted analog (AG127) with a 4 carbon bridge was the most active of the series and inhibited proliferation of FRα-expressing RT16 (IC50 = 3.1 nM) and KB (IC50 = 1.9 nM) cells. Inhibitory effects of AG127 toward RFC-expressing PC43-10 and PCFT-expressing R2/PCFT4 cells were substantially reduced (IC50s of 54 and 733 nM, respectively), establishing FRα selectivity. In KB cells, AG17, AG23 and AG127 bound to FRα with high affinity. The antiproliferative effects of both 5- and 6-substituted analogs (AG127 and AG17/AG23, respectively) were protected by excess adenosine but not thymidine at drug concentrations up to 1 μM. Whereas 5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide (AICA) completely protected KB cells from the effects of AG17/AG23, establishing GARFTase inhibition, AICA protection was incomplete for AG127. This suggests that AG127 inhibits AICA ribonucleotide formyltransferase (AICARFTase), the 2nd folate-dependent step in de novo purine biosynthesis, as its primary target. Consistent with targeting AICARFTase, using an in situ GARFTase assay in intact KB cells, inhibition by AG127 was modest and far less than for AG17 and AG23. Treatment of KB cells with AG127 resulted in time- and dose-dependent accumulation of the AICARFTase substrate ZMP (AICA ribonucleotide), confirming AICARFTase inhibition. ZMP accumulation was accompanied by activation of AMPK and inhibition of mTOR downstream targets. AG127 is a prototype of an entirely new generation of tumor-targeted antifolates with solid tumor selectivity over chemotherapy drugs currently available. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3822. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3822

2',6'-dimethylphenylalanine: a useful aromatic amino Acid surrogate for tyr or phe residue in opioid peptides.

Two aromatic amino acids, Tyr1 and Phe3 or Phe4, are important structural elements in opioid peptides because they interact with opioid receptors. The usefulness of an artificial amino acid residue 2′,6′-dimethylphenylalanine (Dmp) was investigated as an aromatic amino acid surrogate for several opioid peptides, including enkephalin, dermorphin, deltorphin, endomorphin, dynorphin A, and nociceptin peptides. In most peptides, substitutions of Phe3 by a Dmp residue produced analogs with improved receptor-binding affinity and selectivity, while the same substitution of Phe4 induced markedly reduced receptor affinity and selectivity. Interestingly, replacement of Tyr1 by Dmp produced analogs with unexpectedly high affinity or produced only a slight drop in receptor affinity and bioactivity for most peptides. Thus, Dmp is also a useful surrogate for the N-terminal Tyr residue in opioid peptides despite the lack of a phenolic hydroxyl group, which is considered necessary for opioid activity. The Dmp1-substituted analogs are superior to 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt)1-substituted analogs for high receptor selectivity since the latter generally have poor receptor selectivity. Thus, Dmp is very useful as an aromatic amino acid surrogate in opioid peptides and may be useful for developing other novel peptide mimetics with high receptor specificity.

Lactam analogues of galiellalactone

A synthetic route to lactam analogues of the fungal STAT3 inhibitor galiellalactone is presented. The synthesis involves a one-pot tosylamide amide coupling/intramolecular Michael addition and an introduction of an α,β-unsaturation, regioselectively directed by the tosyl functionality. An iodolactonization of the octahydroindolizine 9 and a re-opening of the lactone were employed for introducing an iodo substituent, facilitating the preparation of 8-substituted analogues (e.g., 4) using a Suzuki cross-coupling.

Synthesis and Evaluation of 6‐Aza‐2′‐deoxyuridine Monophosphate Analogs as Inhibitors of Thymidylate Synthases, and as Substrates or Inhibitors of Thymidine Monophosphate Kinase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A series of 5-substituted analogs of 6-aza-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate, 6-aza-dUMP, has been synthesized and evaluated as potential inhibitors of the two mycobacterial thymidylate synthases (i.e., a flavin-dependent thymidylate synthase, ThyX, and a classical thymidylate synthase, ThyA). Replacement of C(6) of the natural substrate dUMP by a N-atom in 6-aza-dUMP 1a led to a derivative with weak ThyX inhibitory activity (33% inhibition at 50 μM). Introduction of alkyl and aryl groups at C(5) of 1a resulted in complete loss of inhibitory activity, whereas the attachment of a 3-(octanamido)prop-1-ynyl side chain in derivative 3 retained the weak level of mycobacterial ThyX inhibition (40% inhibition at 50 μM). None of the synthesized derivatives displayed any significant inhibitory activity against mycobacterial ThyA. The compounds have also been evaluated as potential inhibitors of mycobacterial thymidine monophosphate kinase (TMPKmt). None of the derivatives showed any significant TMPKmt inhibition. However, replacement of C(6) of the natural substrate (dTMP) by a N-atom furnished 6-aza-dTMP (1b), which still was recognized as a substrate by TMPKmt.

Inhibitory Effect of 4-Aryl 2-Substituted Aniline-thiazole Analogs on Growth of Human Prostate Cancer LNCap Cells

E-mail: nskang@cnu.ac.kr Received August 30, 2011, Accepted November 7, 2011Androgen receptor (AR) is ligand-inducible nuclear hormone receptor which has been focused on keymolecular target in growth and progression of prostate cancer. We synthesized a series of 4-aryl 2-substitutedaniline-thiazole analogs and evaluated their anti-cancer activity in AR-dependent human prostate cancerLNCap cells. Among them, the compound 6 inhibited the tumor growth in LNCap-inoculated xenograft model.Key Words : Androgen receptor, Antagonist, LNCap cell, Prostate cancerIntroductionAndrogen receptor (AR) is androgen inducible nuclearhormone receptor and a key molecular target in growth andprogression of prostate cancer, even at the castration-resistant status.

Convenient method for the functionalization of the 4- and 6-positions of the androgen skeleton.

The preparation and reactivity of steroidal vinyldiazo compounds is reported, providing a convenient, substituent tolerant, chemo- and stereoselective entry into 4- and 6-substituted androgen analogues from a common precursor. Under dirhodium catalysis, O-H insertion occurs at the carbenoid site, leading to 4-substituted steroids, but under silver catalysis, O-H insertion occurs at the vinylogous position, leading to 6-substituted steroids.

Antitumour imidazotetrazines. Synthesis and chemistry of 4-oxo-3,4-dihydroimidazo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazine-8-carboxamide (nor-temozolomide): an intermediate for the preparation of the antitumour drug temozolomide and analogues, avoiding the use of isocyanates

An efficient synthesis of 4-oxo-3,4-dihydroimidazo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazine-8-carboxamide (nor-temozolomide) and in situ generation of the anion of nor-temozolomide from an N-3-hydroxymethyl derivative of temozolomide are reported. Alkylation of the anion of nor-temozolomide with methyl iodide gave a new route to temozolomide avoiding the use of methyl isocyanate. A series of new 3-substituted analogues of temozolomide were also prepared by electrophilic substitution of the nor-temozolomide anion but this approach is so far restricted to certain electrophiles.

3-Substituted Pyrazole Analogs of the Cannabinoid Type 1 (CB1) Receptor Antagonist Rimonabant: Cannabinoid Agonist-Like Effects in Mice via Non-CB1, Non-CB2 Mechanism

The prototypic cannabinoid type 1 (CB₁) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, rimonabant, is comprised of a pyrazole core surrounded by a carboxyamide with terminal piperidine group (3-substituent), a 2,4-dichlorophenyl group (1-substituent), a 4-chlorophenyl group (5-substituent), and a methyl group (4-substituent). Previous structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis has suggested that the 3-position may be involved in receptor recognition and agonist activity. The goal of the present study was to develop CB₁-selective compounds and explore further the SAR of 3-substitution on the rimonabant template. 3-Substituted analogs with benzyl and alkyl amino, dihydrooxazole, and oxazole moieties were synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Several notable patterns emerged. First, most of the analogs exhibited CB₁ selectivity, with many lacking affinity for the CB₂ receptor. Affinity tended to be better when [³H]5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4-methyl-N-(piperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR141716), rather than [³H](-)-cis-3-[2-hydroxy-4(1,1-dimethyl-heptyl)phenyl]-trans-4-(3-hydroxy-propyl)cyclohexanol (CP55,940), was used as the binding radioligand. Second, many of the analogs produced an agonist-like profile of effects in mice (i.e., suppression of activity, antinociception, hypothermia, and immobility); however, their potencies were not well correlated with their CB₁ binding affinities. Further assessment of selected analogs showed that none were effective antagonists of the effects of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol in mice, their agonist-like effects were not blocked by rimonabant, they were active in vivo in CB₁⁻/⁻ mice, and they failed to stimulate guanosine-5'-O-(3-[³⁵S]thio)-triphosphate binding. Several analogs were inverse agonists in the latter assay. Together, these results suggest that this series of 3-substituted pyrazole analogs represent a novel class of CB₁-selective cannabinoids that produce agonist-like effects in mice through a non-CB₁, non-CB₂ mechanism.

Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of amiloride analogs as inhibitors of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)

A known side-activity of the oral potassium-sparing diuretic drug amiloride is inhibition of the enzyme urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA, K(i)=7 μM), a promising anticancer target. Several studies have demonstrated significant antitumor/metastasis properties for amiloride in animal cancer models and it would appear that these arise, at least in part, through inhibition of uPA. Selective optimization of amiloride's structure for more potent inhibition of uPA and loss of diuretic effects would thus appear as an attractive strategy towards novel anticancer agents. The following report is a preliminary structure-activity exploration of amiloride analogs as inhibitors of uPA. A key finding was that the well-studied 5-substituted analogs ethylisopropyl amiloride (EIPA) and hexamethylene amiloride (HMA) are approximately twofold more potent than amiloride as uPA inhibitors.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 8-substituted and deglucuronidated scutellarin and baicalin analogues as antioxidant responsive element activators

Flavonoids are important bioactive dietary compounds, which are proved to be antioxidant responsive element (ARE) activators to defend against electrophilic toxicants and oxidative stress. The activators induce ARE gene transcription through Nrf2 factor, a major transcriptional stimulator of cytoprotective genes, relieved from a Keap1 complex. In this report, based on the structures of two flavonoids, scutellarin and baicalin, which are extracted from two common Chinese plants Dengzhanhua (Erigeron breviscapus (vant) Hand-Mazz) and Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georigi), respectively, we synthesized several 8-substituted and deglucuronidated analogues and identified the ARE activation effects of these flavonoids. We found that the Baicalin, deglucurnonidated Baicalin and diaza cyclopenta derivative were more active. Their dose-dependent upregulation activities of ARE and NQO1 and induction effects of Nrf2 were testified. The results presented that these three analogues had good upregulation effects on ARE, and they could be potentially utilized in relieving oxidative stress, upon further neuroprotective tests.

Synthesis of 2-substituted 17β-hydroxy/17-methylene estratrienes and their in vitro cytotoxicity in human cancer cell cultures

Synthesis of various types of 2-(alkylaminomethyl) and 2-(aroyl) 17β-estradiol analogs are reported. The synthesis of similar types of 2-substituted 17-methylene estratriene analogs was also achieved. Synthesis of chalcone derivatives of 17β-estradiol and 17-methylene estratriene were also realized. All these 2-substituted estratrienes were tested for their antiproliferative activity by using four different cell lines from colon, lung, glioma and breast cancers. Among the various 2-substituted estratrienes, the compounds 10d, 14a– h and 17e were found to have in vitro antiproliferative activity comparable to that of parent analogs 1– 4. Comparison of the SAR pattern of these 2-susbtituted estratriene derivatives confirmed that relatively, 17-methylene estratrienes are more active than that of 17β-estradiol analogs.

Synthesis and use of borane and platinum(II) complexes of 3-diphenylphosphino-1- phenylphospholane (LuPhos)

3-Diphenylphosphinoyl-1-phenylphospholane 1-oxide (2) obtained by the Michael addition of diphenylphosphine oxide to the double-bond of 1-phenyl-2-phospholene 1-oxide (1) was subjected to double deoxygenation to afford the corresponding bisphosphine (3, LuPhos) that was converted to bis(phosphine borane) 4 and to cis chelate platinum(II) complex 6. A mixed phosphine oxide–phosphine borane 5 was also prepared. Stereostructures of the bidentate P-ligand 3 and the ring platinum(II) complex (6) were evaluated by quantum chemical calculations. Complex 6 used as a catalyst showed modest activity, but unusual regioselectivity in the hydroformylation of styrene and its 4-substituted analogues. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:730–736, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20741

Novel approach towards 2-substituted aminobenzimidazoles on imidazolium ion tag under focused microwave irradiation

We have developed an efficient, parallel synthesis of 2-substituted aminobenzimidazoles via intramolecular ring closing reactions of imidazolium ion tag immobilized o-phenylenediamine with various isothiocyanates. The methodology is based on the attachment of 4-fluoro-3-nitro benzoic acid into the imidazolium ion tag, which enables the S NAr reactions with different amines followed by neutral reduction to furnish o-phenylenediamines under microwave irradiation. The substituted isothiocyanates are reacted with o-phenylenediamines to form monothiourea, which is further activated by methyl iodide to undergo desulfurization in one pot manner. The ionic liquid bound 2-substituted aminobenzimidazoles were finally cleaved from the support with sodium methoxide to generate target compounds in good yields and high purities with two points of structural diversity. This synthetic protocol has promising features of extremely short reaction time, operational simplicity, good yields, as well as widespread applications, leading to a facile and straightforward admittance to structurally diverse 2-substituted aminobenzimidazole analogues with potential bioactivities.

Rational design of protein stability: effect of (2S,4R)-4-fluoroproline on the stability and folding pathway of ubiquitin.

BackgroundMany strategies have been employed to increase the conformational stability of proteins. The use of 4-substituted proline analogs capable to induce pre-organization in target proteins is an attractive tool to deliver an additional conformational stability without perturbing the overall protein structure. Both, peptides and proteins containing 4-fluorinated proline derivatives can be stabilized by forcing the pyrrolidine ring in its favored puckering conformation. The fluorinated pyrrolidine rings of proline can preferably stabilize either a Cγ-exo or a Cγ-endo ring pucker in dependence of proline chirality (4R/4S) in a complex protein structure. To examine whether this rational strategy can be generally used for protein stabilization, we have chosen human ubiquitin as a model protein which contains three proline residues displaying Cγ-exo puckering.Methodology/Principal FindingsWhile (2S,4R)-4-fluoroproline ((4R)-FPro) containing ubiquitinin can be expressed in related auxotrophic Escherichia coli strain, all attempts to incorporate (2S,4S)-4-fluoroproline ((4S)-FPro) failed. Our results indicate that (4R)-FPro is favoring the Cγ-exo conformation present in the wild type structure and stabilizes the protein structure due to a pre-organization effect. This was confirmed by thermal and guanidinium chloride-induced denaturation profile analyses, where we observed an increase in stability of −4.71 kJ·mol−1 in the case of (4R)-FPro containing ubiquitin ((4R)-FPro-ub) compared to wild type ubiquitin (wt-ub). Expectedly, activity assays revealed that (4R)-FPro-ub retained the full biological activity compared to wt-ub.Conclusions/SignificanceThe results fully confirm the general applicability of incorporating fluoroproline derivatives for improving protein stability. In general, a rational design strategy that enforces the natural occurring proline puckering conformation can be used to stabilize the desired target protein.

Improper Hydrogen Bonded Cyclohexane C–Hax···Yax Contacts: Theoretical Predictions and Experimental Evidence from 1H NMR Spectroscopy of Suitable Axial Cyclohexane Models

C-H(ax)···Y(ax) contacts are a textbook prototype of steric hindrance in organic chemistry. The nature of these contacts is investigated in this work. MP2/6-31+G(d,p) calculations predicted the presence of improper hydrogen bonded C-H(ax)···Y(ax) contacts of different strength in substituted cyclohexane rings. To support the theoretical predictions with experimental evidence, several synthetic 2-substituted adamantane analogues (1-24) with suitable improper H-bonded C-H(ax)···Y(ax) contacts of different strength were used as models of a substituted cyclohexane ring. The (1)H NMR signal separation, Δδ(γ-CH(2)), within the cyclohexane ring γ-CH(2)s is raised when the MP2/6-31+G(d,p) calculated parameters, reflecting the strength of the H-bonded C-H(ax)···Y(ax) contact, are increased. In molecules with enhanced improper H-bonded contacts C-H(ax)···Y(ax), like those having sterically crowded contacts (Y(ax) = t-Bu) or contacts including considerable electrostatic attractions (Y(ax) = O-C or O═C) the calculated DFT steric energies of the γ-axial hydrogens are considerably reduced reflecting their electron cloud compression. The results suggest that the proton H(ax) electron cloud compression, caused by the C-H(ax)···Y(ax) contacts, and the resulting increase in Δδ(γ-CH(2)) value can be effected not just from van der Waals spheres compression, but more generally from electrostatic attraction forces and van der Waals repulsion, both of which are improper H-bonding components.