Novel ligands specific for mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors: 6-arylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepine derivatives. Synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and molecular modeling studies

Synthesis, Biological and Computational Evaluation of Novel 2,3-dihydro-2-aryl-4-(4- isobutylphenyl)-1,5-benzothiazepine Derivatives as Anticancer and Anti-EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Agents

BACKGROUND

Despite the availability of a variety of chemotherapeutic agents, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide because of the problems with existing chemotherapeutic agents like objectionable side effects, lack of selectivity, and resistance. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of novel anticancer agents with high usefulness, fewer side effects, devoid of resistance and superior selectivity.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to synthesize a series of novel 1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives and evaluate their anticancer activity employing biological and computational methods.

METHODS

Twenty new benzothiazepines (BT1-BT20) were prepared by condensing different 1-(4- isobutylphenyl)ethanone chalcones with 2-amiothiophenol and evaluated for their anticancer activity by MTT assay against three cell lines including HT-29 (colon cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and DU-145 (prostate cancer). These compounds were also tested for their inhibitory action against EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) tyrosine kinase enzyme by taking into account of their excellent action against colon and breast cancer cell lines. Further, the structural features responsible for the activity were identified by Pharmacophorebased modelling using Schrodinger's PHASETM software.

RESULTS

Among the 20 benzothiazepine derivatives, three compounds viz., BT18, BT19 and BT20 exhibited promising activity against the cell lines tested and the activity of BT20 was more than the standard methotrexate. Again the above three compounds showed excellent inhibitory activity with the percentage inhibition of 64.5, 57.3 and 55.8 respectively against EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) tyrosine kinase. PHASE identified a five-point AHHRR model for the proposed activity and the computational studies provided insights into the structural requirements for the anticancer activity and the results were consistent with the observed in vitro activity data.

CONCLUSION

These novel benzothiazepines will be useful as lead molecules for the further development of new cancer therapies against colon and breast cancers.

The Ligands of Translocator Protein: Design and Biological Properties

In 2020, it is already 43 years since Braestrup and Squires discovered 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), known until 2006 as "peripheral benzodiazepine receptor". During this time, the functions of this receptor, which is located on the outer membrane of mitochondria, were studied in detail. One of the key functions of TSPO is the transfer of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is the limiting stage in the synthesis of neurosteroids. TSPO is also involved in the transport of porphyrins, mitochondrial respiration, the opening of mitochondrial pores, apoptosis and cell proliferation. This review presents current information on the structure of TSPO, the mechanism of its participation in neurosteroidogenesis, as well as endogenous and synthetic TSPO ligands. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of approaches to the design of synthetic ligands and their neuropsychotropic activity in vitro and in vivo. The presented review demonstrates the promise of constructing new neuropsychotropic drugs in the series of TSPO ligands.

Tertiary amides with a five-membered heteroaromatic ring as new probes for the translocator protein

In this study novel ligands of the translocator protein (TSPO), characterized by a five-membered aromatic heterocycle (i.e. oxazole, isoxazole, oxadiazole), a phenyl ring, and an amide side chain of carboxy or acetic type, were designed using a previously reported pharmacophore/topological model. Most of compounds showed significant TSPO binding affinity (K(i) values in the nanomolar/submicromolar range), the highest being displayed by oxazolacetamides 6. A number of compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit the proliferation/viability of human glioblastoma cell line U87MG. The dose-time dependent cell response to treatment with 6d demonstrated the specificity of the observed effect. The ability of 6d to induce mitochondrial membrane dissipation (ΔΨm) substantiates the intracellular pro-apoptotic mechanism activated by ligand binding to TSPO.

Modulation of constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) by 6-arylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepine derivatives, ligands of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR)

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) regulate xenobiotic sensing and metabolism through interactions with multiple exogenous and endogenous chemicals. Compounds that activate CAR are often ligands of PXR; attention is therefore given to discovery of new, receptor-specific chemical entities that may be exploited for therapeutic and basic research purposes. Recently, ligands of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), PK11195 and FGIN-1-27, were shown to modulate both CAR and PXR. PBR is a mitochondrial transport protein responsible for multiple regulatory functions, including heme biosynthesis, a major component in cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. To investigate possible new roles for PBR involvement in metabolic regulation, expression of the CAR and PXR target genes, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4, was measured in human hepatocytes following treatment with a targeted PBR ligand set. Luciferase reporter assays with transiently expressed wild-type CAR (CAR1), splice variant CAR3, or PXR in HuH-7 cells were used to further study activation of these receptors. Four structurally related PBR ligands (benzothiazepines) differentially modulate CAR1, CAR3 and PXR activity. Benzothiazepine NF49 is an agonist ligand of CAR3, a partial agonist of PXR, exhibits greater inverse agonist activity on CAR1 than does PK11195, and is a new tool for studying these closely related nuclear receptors.

Non-nucleoside inhibitors of human adenosine kinase: synthesis, molecular modeling, and biological studies

Adenosine kinase (AK) catalyzes the phosphorylation of adenosine (Ado) to AMP by means of a kinetic mechanism in which the two substrates Ado and ATP bind the enzyme in a binary and/or ternary complex, with distinct protein conformations. Most of the described inhibitors have Ado-like structural motifs and are nonselective, and some of them (e.g., the tubercidine-like ligands) are characterized by a toxic profile. We have cloned and expressed human AK (hAK) and searched for novel non-substrate-like inhibitors. Our efforts to widen the structural diversity of AK inhibitors led to the identification of novel non-nucleoside, noncompetitive allosteric modulators characterized by a unique molecular scaffold. Among the pyrrolobenzoxa(thia)zepinones (4a-qq) developed, 4a was identified as a non-nucleoside prototype hAK inhibitor. 4a has proapoptotic efficacy, slight inhibition of short-term RNA synthesis, and cytostatic activity on tumor cell lines while showing low cytotoxicity and no significant adverse effects on short-term DNA synthesis in cells.

Pyrrolo[1,5]benzoxa(thia)zepines as a new class of potent apoptotic agents. Biological studies and identification of an intracellular location of their drug target

We have recently developed five novel pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepines as proapoptotic agents. Their JNK-dependent induction of apoptosis in tumor cells suggested their potential as novel anticancer agents. The core structure of the apoptotic agent 6 was investigated, and the SARs were expanded with the design and synthesis of several analogues. To define the apoptotic mechanism of the new compounds and the localization of their drug target, two analogues of 6 were designed and synthesized to delineate events leading to JNK activation. The cell-penetrating compound 16 induced apoptosis in tumor cells, while its nonpenetrating analogue, 17, was incapable of inducing apoptosis or activating JNK. Plasma membrane permeabilization of tumor cells resulted in 17-induced JNK activation, suggesting that the pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepine molecular target is intracellular. Interestingly, compound 6 displayed cytotoxic activity against a panel of human tumor cell lines but demonstrated negligible toxicity in vivo with no effect on the animals' hematology parameters.

GABAA/central benzodiazepine receptor and peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands as inducers of phenobarbital-inducible CYP2B and CYP3A

A sequence critical for phenobarbital (PB) induction, the PB response unit (PBRU), situated upstream of the rat CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 genes, includes two nuclear receptor binding sites, NR1 and NR2. When NR1 and NR2 are mutated PB responsiveness is abolished. While no nuclear receptor for which PB is an agonist ligand has yet been identified, PB is a ligand of GABA(A) receptors and it can displace [(3)H] 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (PK 11195) from its binding site on the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). We assessed CYP2B levels in primary rat hepatocytes following treatment with 10 ligands of either or both of these receptors. All compounds tested were found to be CYP2B1/CYP2B2 inducers and most were CYP3A inducers. Five had not previously been described as CYP2B1/CYP2B2 inducers: bicuculline, flunitrazepam, 4'-chlorodiazepam (Ro5-4864), N,N-dihexyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)indole-3-acetamide (FGIN 1-27) and 7-(dimethylcarbamoyloxy)-6-phenylpyrrolo-[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepine (DCPPBT). Reporter gene analysis demonstrated that CYP2B induction by these agents and other PBR or GABA(A) receptor ligands is mediated through the PBRU and the NR1/NR2 sites, suggesting a molecular mechanism similar to that for PB induction. The potencies for PBRU-dependent induction by 11 ligands of PBR or the GABA(A) receptor was evaluated. FGIN-127, DCPPBT and PK 11195 exhibited EC(50) values for PBRU-dependent transcription activation about three orders of magnitude higher than the reported affinities of the PBR for these agents, arguing against the involvement of the PBR in PB induction. However the EC(50) values found for the agents tested encourage further investigation on the possible involvement of the GABA(A) receptor in PB induction.

Synthesis of new molecular probes for investigation of steroid biosynthesis induced by selective interaction with peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors (PBR)

In the present study, we have synthesized and tested novel pyridopyrrolo- and pyrrolobenzoxazepine derivatives, as novel and selective peripheral type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) ligands, and their ability to modulate steroid biosynthesis has been investigated. A subset of new ligands bind the PBR (rat brain and testis) with picomolar affinity, representing the most potent ligands that have been identified to date, and elicited effects on endogenous rate of steroidogenesis in MA10 Leydig cells, having similar potency and effect as PK11195. Several compounds, differently substituted at C-7, were used as molecular yardsticks to probe the spatial dimension of the lipophilic pocket L4 in the receptor binding site.

A key role for the mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor in cellular photosensitisation with delta-aminolaevulinic acid

The aim of this study was to determine the part played by the mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor in cellular photosensitisation with the protoporphyrin IX precursor, delta-aminolaevulinic acid. Evaluation of the delta-aminolaevulinic acid-concentration dependence and kinetics of fluorescent protoporphyrin IX accumulation in monolayers of rat AR4 2J pancreatoma cells established a basis for assessing pharmacological modulation of the biosynthetic pathways for protoporphyrin IX production and photocytotoxicity. Iron chelation enhanced the accumulation of photo-active protoporphyrin IX whereas 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxam ide (PK11195), dipyridamole, or 7-(dimethylcarbamoloxy)-6-phenylpyrrolo-[2,1-d]benzothiazepi ne (DPB), competitive ligands of the mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor, all diminished protoporphyrin IX accumulation, as did acifluorfen, a mitochondrial protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor. In addition to protoporphyrin IX (Em(max): 630 nm), delta-aminolaevulinic acid-treated cells also generated a fluorophore of Em(max) 580 nm; this compound was identified as Zn-protoporphyrin IX. Mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor ligands increased the formation of the zinc porphyrin whilst decreasing that of protoporphyrin IX. The involvement of the mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor in the translocation of porphyrins and the formation of Zn-protoporphyrin IX have wide implications for the use of delta-aminolaevulinic acid in photodynamic therapy.

Pyrrolobenzoxazepinone derivatives as non-nucleoside HIV-1 RT inhibitors: further structure-activity relationship studies and identification of more potent broad-spectrum HIV-1 RT inhibitors with antiviral activity

Pyrrolobenzoxazepinone (PBO) derivatives represent a new class of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors (NNRTs) whose prototype is (+/-)-6-ethyl-6-phenylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzoxazepin-7(6H)- one (6). Docking studies based on the three-dimensional structure of RT prompted the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel derivatives and analogues of 6 featuring a meta-substituted phenyl or a 2-thienyl ring at C-6 and a pyridine system in place of the fused-benzene ring to yield pyrrolopyridooxazepinones (PPOs). Compared with the lead 6 and nevirapine, several of the synthesized compounds (PBOs 13a-d and PPOs 13i-k) displayed higher inhibitory activity against wild-type RT and clinically relevant mutant RTs containing the single amino acid substitutions L100I, K103N, V106A, Y181I, and Y188L. The most potent inhibitors were further evaluated for in vitro antiviral activity on lymphocytes and monocyte-macrophages, for cytotoxicity on a panel of cell lines, and for potential synergistic antiviral activity with AZT. Pharmacokinetic studies performed on 13b, 13c, and 13i showed that these compounds achieve high concentrations in the brain. The results of the biological and pharmacokinetic experiments suggest a potential clinical utility of analogues such as 13b-d, 13i, and 13j, in combination with nucleoside RT inhibitors, against strains of HIV-1 bearing those mutations that confer resistance to known NNRTI.

Synthesis, biological activity, and SARs of pyrrolobenzoxazepine derivatives, a new class of specific "peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptor ligands

The "peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) has been reported to play a role in many biological processes. We have synthesized and tested a novel series of PBR ligands based on a pyrrolobenzoxazepine skeleton, in order to provide new receptor ligands. Several of these new compounds proved to be high affinity and selective ligands for PBR, and benzoxazepines 17f and 17j were found to be the most potent ligands for this receptor to have been identified to date. The SAR and the molecular modeling studies detailed herein delineated a number of structural features required for improving affinity. Some of the ligands were employed as "molecular yardsticks" to probe the spatial dimensions of the lipophilic pockets L1 and L3 in the PBR cleft and to determine the effect of occupation of L1 and L3 with respect to affinity, while other C-7 modified analogues provided information specifically on the hydrogen bonding with a putative receptor site H1. The new pyrrolobenzoxazepines were tested in rat cortex, a tissue expressing high density of mitochondrial PBR, and exhibited IC50 and Ki values in the low nanomolar or subnanomolar range, as measured by the displacement of [3H]PK 11195 binding. A subset of the highest affinity ligands was also found to have high affinities for [3H]PK 11195 and [3H]Ro 5-4864 binding in rat adrenal mitochondria. All the ligands in this subset are stimulators of steroidogenesis having similar potency and extent of stimulation as PK 11195 and Ro 5-4864 of steroidogenesis in the mouse Y-1 adrenocortical cell line.

Cardiovascular characterization of pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepine derivatives binding selectively to the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR): from dual PBR affinity and calcium antagonist activity to novel and selective calcium entry blockers

The synthesis and cardiovascular characterization of a series of novel pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]-benzothiazepine derivatives (54-68) are described. Selective peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) ligands, such as PK 11195 and Ro 5-4864, have recently been found to possess low but significant inhibitory activity of L-type calcium channels, and this property is implicated in the cardiovascular effects observed with these compounds. In functional studies both PK 11195 (1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxa mide) and Ro 5-4864 (4'-chlorodiazepam) did not display selectivity between cardiac and vascular tissue. Therefore, several 7-(acyloxy)-6-arylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepines, potent and selective peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligands recently developed by us (3, 7-20), were subjected to calcium channel receptor binding assay. Some of these compounds showed an unexpected potency in displacing the binding of [3H]nitrendipine from L-type calcium channels, much higher than that reported for PK 11195 and Ro 5-4864 and equal to or higher than that of reference calcium antagonists such as verapamil and (+)-cis-diltiazem. Specifically, in rat cortex homogenate, our prototypic PBR ligand 7-acetoxy-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepine (3) showed an IC50 equal to 0.13 nM for inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding. Furthermore, in functional studies this compound displayed a clear-cut selectivity for cardiac over vascular tissue. Comparison of calcium antagonist activity on guinea pig aorta strips with the negative inotropic activity, determined by using isolated guinea pig left atria, revealed that 3 displayed higher selectivity than the reference (+)-cis-diltiazem. Thus, the pyrrolobenzothiazepine 3 might represent a new tool for characterizing the relationship between the PBR and cardiac function. Furthermore, we have also investigated the structural dependence of binding to PBR and L-type calcium channels, and this study allowed us to identify a new class of potent calcium channel blockers selective for cardiac over vascular tissue, with no affinity for PBR. A number of structure-activity relationship trends have been identified, and a possible explanation is advanced in order to account for the observed differences in selectivity. Three structural features, namely, (i) the saturation of the C(6)-C(7) double bond, with a consequent higher molecular flexibility, (ii) the presence of a substituent in the benzofused ring, and (iii) a basic side chain at C-10 of the pyrrolobenzothiazepine ring system, were found to be responsible for potent L-type calcium channel antagonism and clear-cut selectivity for cardiac over vascular tissue. Among the synthesized compounds the pyrrolobenzothiazepine 62 was found to be the most promising selective calcium channel blocker. Additionally, the molecular structure determination of the key intermediate 48 by X-ray diffraction, molecular modeling, and NMR analysis is reported.

Pyrrolobenzothiazepinones and pyrrolobenzoxazepinones: novel and specific non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors with antiviral activity

Two novel classes of pyrrolobenzothiazepinones and pyrrolobenzoxazepinones were investigated as potential anti-AIDS drugs. These compounds were found to inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme in vitro and to prevent HIV-1 cytopathogenicity in T4 lymphocytes, without appreciable activity on HIV-2 cytopathic effects, and against HBV as well as calfthymus DNA alpha-polymerase. Their potency is influenced by substituents at position 6 and on the fused aromatic ring. Specifically, small lipophilic substituents at C-6 were preferred, whereas substitutions on the benzo-fused ring were found to be detrimental to activity, with respect to the unsubstituted compounds. Modification of the pie-system at C-6 is well tolerated, although the replacement of the benzo-fused with a [2,3]naphtho-fused ring leads to a less active compound. Maximum potency and specificity is achieved with a phenyl and an ethyl group at position 6 of the pyrrolobenzoxazepinone system. In the enzymatic assay the oxazepinone derivative (+/-)-6-ethyl-6-phenylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5] benzoxazepin-7(6H)-one 16e (IC50 = 0.25 microM) was found to be more potent than nevirapine (IC50 = 0.5 microM), tested in the same experimental conditions using rC.dG as a template-primer. In cell culture assay benzoxazepine 16e was active against HIV-1, both wild type and AZT-sensitive, and HIV-1 (IIIB) strains, but not against HIV-2. In enzyme assay although 16e inhibited HIV-1 RT, it was inactive against the nevirapine-resistant recombinant RT Y181C at 50 microM. Molecular modeling studies suggest that these derivatives present a 3D pharmacophoric arrangement similar to that of other non-nucleoside inhibitors such as nevirapine.