Analogues of AVP modified in the N -terminal part of the molecule with Pip isomers: TFA-catalysed peptide bond hydrolysis

Rational design, efficient syntheses and biological evaluation of N,N'-symmetrically bis-substituted butylimidazole analogs as a new class of potent Angiotensin II receptor blockers

A series of symmetrically bis-substituted imidazole analogs bearing at the N-1 and N-3 two biphenyl moieties ortho substituted either with tetrazole or carboxylate functional groups was designed based on docking studies and utilizing for the first time an extra hydrophobic binding cleft of AT1 receptor. The synthesized analogs were evaluated for their in vitro antagonistic activities (pA2 values) and binding affinities (-logIC50 values) to the Angiotensin II AT1 receptor. Among them, the potassium (-logIC50 = 9.04) and the sodium (-logIC50 = 8.54) salts of 4-butyl-N,N'-bis{[2'-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl}imidazolium bromide (12a and 12b, respectively) as well as its free acid 11 (-logIC50 = 9.46) and the 4-butyl-2-hydroxymethyl-N,N'-bis{[2'-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl}imidazolium bromide (14) (-logIC50 = 8.37, pA2 = 8.58) showed high binding affinity to the AT1 receptor and high antagonistic activity (potency). The potency was similar or even superior to that of Losartan (-logIC50 = 8.25, pA2 = 8.25). On the contrary, 2-butyl-N,N'-bis{[2'-[2H-tetrazol-5-yl)]biphenyl-4-yl]methyl}imidazolium bromide (27) (-logIC50 = 5.77) and 2-butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-N,N'-bis{[2'-[2H-tetrazol-5-yl)]biphenyl-4-yl]methyl}imidazolium bromide (30) (-logIC50 = 6.38) displayed very low binding affinity indicating that the orientation of the n-butyl group is of primary importance. Docking studies of the representative highly active 12b clearly showed that this molecule has an extra hydrophobic binding feature compared to prototype drug Losartan and it fits to the extra hydrophobic cavity. These results may contribute to the discovery and development of a new class of biologically active molecules through bis-alkylation of the imidazole ring by a convenient and cost effective synthetic strategy.

The discovery of new potent non-peptide Angiotensin II AT1 receptor blockers: a concise synthesis, molecular docking studies and biological evaluation of N-substituted 5-butylimidazole derivatives

A convenient and facile synthesis, in silico docking studies and in vitro biological evaluation of N-substituted 5-butylimidazole derivatives as potent Angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor type 1 (AT1) blockers (ARBs) has been reported in the current study. Our efforts have been directed towards the development of an efficient synthetic route allowing the facile introduction of substituents on the imidazole ring. In particular, a series of imidazole based compounds bearing the biphenyl moiety at the N - 1 position, a halogen atom at the C-4 and polar substituents such as hydroxymethyl, aldo or carboxy group at the C-2 position were designed and synthesized. These compounds were evaluated for binding to human AT1 receptor and for ANG II antagonism in vitro on isolated rat uterus. Among them, 5-butyl-1-[[2'-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]imidazole-2-carboxylic acid (30) exhibited higher binding affinity compared to the other analogues tested (-log IC(50) = 8.46). The latter analogue was also found to be the most active in the rat uterotonic test (pA(2) = 7.83). Importantly, the binding affinity was higher to that of losartan (-log IC(50) = 8.25) indicating the importance of carboxy group at the C-2 position. Experimental findings are in good agreement with docking studies, which were undertaken in order to investigate ligand/AT1 receptor interactions.

Recycling the versatile Pipecolic linker

The Pipecolic linker is a new highly versatile handle which immobilizes on solid support through a carboxylic acid function a wide range of amines, alcohols, and hydrazines. The anchoring step on pipecolic resin is very easy and efficient, and compounds are released with high purities upon acidic treatment. During this treatment, an oxazolonium intermediate is hydrolyzed, yielding the cleavage of ester or amide bond and the release of free carboxylic acid of the starting linker. In this study, we report the possibility of recycling the pipecolic resin after the use of several trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) cleavage cocktails. We demonstrate that it can be reused up to five times without significant loading decrease.

A new highly versatile handle for chemistry on a solid support: the pipecolic linker

The design, synthesis, and potential application of the pipecolic linker is presented. This new versatile handle can immobilize primary, secondary, and aromatic amines, as well as alcohols, phenols, and hydrazides, on a solid support. Compared with other linkers, the anchoring step is easy and efficient. The release of final products from the resin proceeds upon acidic treatment with high purities. The pipecolic linker offers the promise of being using in peptide chemistry to produce peptides modified at the N and C terminus, peptidomimetics, as well as small organic molecules.