Rapid preparation of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 inhibitor monastrol using controlled microwave-assisted synthesis

Kinesin-5 Eg5 is essential for spindle assembly and chromosome alignment of mouse spermatocytes

Background

Microtubule organization is essential for bipolar spindle assembly and chromosome segregation, which contribute to genome stability. Kinesin-5 Eg5 is known to be a crucial regulator in centrosome separation and spindle assembly in mammalian somatic cells, however, the functions and mechanisms of Eg5 in male meiotic cell division remain largely unknown.

Results

In this study, we have found that Eg5 proteins are expressed in mouse spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. After Eg5 inhibition by specific inhibitors Monastrol, STLC and Dimethylenastron, the meiotic spindles of dividing spermatocytes show spindle collapse and the defects in bipolar spindle formation. We demonstrate that Eg5 regulates spindle bipolarity and the maintenance of meiotic spindles in meiosis. Eg5 inhibition leads to monopolar spindles, spindle abnormalities and chromosome misalignment in cultured GC-2 spd cells. Furthermore, Eg5 inhibition results in the decrease of the spermatids and the abnormalities in mature sperms.

Conclusions

Our results have revealed an important role of kinesin-5 Eg5 in male meiosis and the maintenance of male fertility. We demonstrate that Eg5 is crucial for bipolar spindle assembly and chromosome alignment in dividing spermatocytes. Our data provide insights into the functions of Eg5 in meiotic spindle assembly of dividing spermatocytes.

Coumarin heterocyclic derivatives: chemical synthesis and biological activity

This review highlights the broad range of science that has arisen from the synthesis of coumarin-linked and fused heterocycle derivatives. Specific topics include their synthesis and biological activity.

Positive allosteric modulation of the GHB high-affinity binding site by the GABAA receptor modulator monastrol and the flavonoid catechin

γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a metabolite of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and a proposed neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. We recently identified α4βδ GABAA receptors as possible high-affinity GHB targets. GABAA receptors are highly sensitive to allosteric modulation. Thus to investigate whether GHB high-affinity binding sites are also sensitive to allosteric modulation, we screened both known GABAA receptor ligands and a library of natural compounds in the rat cortical membrane GHB specific high-affinity [3H]NCS-382 binding assay. Two hits were identified: Monastrol, a positive allosteric modulator of GABA function at δ-containing GABAA receptors, and the naturally occurring flavonoid catechin. These compounds increased [3H]NCS-382 binding to 185-272% in high micromolar concentrations. Monastrol and (+)-catechin significantly reduced [3H]NCS-382 dissociation rates and induced conformational changes in the binding site, demonstrating a positive allosteric modulation of radioligand binding. Surprisingly, binding of [3H]GHB and the GHB high-affinity site-specific radioligands [125I]BnOPh-GHB and [3H]HOCPCA was either decreased or only weakly increased, indicating that the observed modulation was critically probe-dependent. Both monastrol and (+)-catechin were agonists at recombinant α4β3δ receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. When monastrol and GHB were co-applied no changes were seen compared to the individual responses. In summary, we have identified the compounds monastrol and catechin as the first allosteric modulators of GHB high-affinity binding sites. Despite their relatively weak affinity, these compounds may aid in further characterization of the GHB high-affinity sites that are likely to represent certain GABAA receptors.

Raman spectroscopy as a tool for monitoring mesoscale continuous-flow organic synthesis: Equipment interface and assessment in four medicinally-relevant reactions

An apparatus is reported for real-time Raman monitoring of reactions performed using continuous-flow processing. Its capability is assessed by studying four reactions, all involving formation of products bearing α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties; synthesis of 3-acetylcoumarin, Knoevenagel and Claisen–Schmidt condensations, and a Biginelli reaction. In each case it is possible to monitor the reactions and also in one case, by means of a calibration curve, determine product conversion from Raman spectral data as corroborated by data obtained using NMR spectroscopy.

Advances in the discovery of kinesin spindle protein (Eg5) inhibitors as antitumor agents

Cancer is considered as one of the most serious health problems. Despite the presence of many effective chemotherapeutic agents, their severe side effects together with the appearance of mutant tumors limit the use of these drugs and increase the need for new anticancer agents. Eg5 represents an attractive target for medicinal chemists since Eg5 is overexpressed in many proliferative tissues while almost no Eg5 is detected in nonproliferative tissues. Many Eg5 inhibitors displayed potent anticancer activity against some of the mutant tumors with limited side effects. The present review provides an overview about the progress in the discovery of Eg5 inhibitors especially from 2009 to 2012 as well as the clinical trials conducted on some of these inhibitors.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF n-BUTYL 4-(3,4-DIMETHOXYPHENYL)-6-METHYL-2-THIOXO-1,2,3,4 TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINE-5-CARBOXYLATE NANOCRYSTALLINE PARTICLES BY WATER/OIL MICROEMULSION METHOD

Various pyrimidine derivatives are well known for their different pharmaceutical applications. The n-butyl 4-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4 tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (n-butyl THPM) was synthesized by using n-butylacetoacetate. The n-butyl acetoacetate was obtained by transesterification of ethyl acetoacetate with n-butyl alcohol using Biginelli condensation. The synthesized powder was used to obtain the nanoparticles of n-butyl THPM by using water/oil microemulsion technique. The average particle size was calculated from the powder XRD pattern by applying Scherrer's formula. The nanoparticles of n-butyl THPM were observed by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The diameter of the nanoparticles varied from 15 nm to 65 nm. The nanoparticles were also characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy, TG–DTA–DSC and mass spectroscopy. The n-butyl THPM nanoparticles were stable up to 280°C. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of decomposition were obtained by applying Coats and Redfern relation to the thermogram. The dielectric study was carried out in the frequency range of 50 Hz to 5 MHz. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ac conductivity decreased as the frequency of applied field increased.

Irreversible Nek2 kinase inhibitors with cellular activity

A structure-based approach was used to design irreversible, cysteine-targeted inhibitors of the human centrosomal kinase, Nek2. Potent inhibition of Nek2 kinase activity in biochemical and cell-based assays required a noncatalytic cysteine residue (Cys22), located near the glycine-rich loop in a subset of human kinases. Elaboration of an oxindole scaffold led to our most selective compound, oxindole propynamide 16 (JH295). Propynamide 16 irreversibly inhibited cellular Nek2 without affecting the mitotic kinases, Cdk1, Aurora B, or Plk1. Moreover, 16 did not perturb bipolar spindle assembly or the spindle assembly checkpoint. To our knowledge, 16 is the first small molecule shown to inactivate Nek2 kinase activity in cells.

Ammonium Trifluoroacetate-Mediated Synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones

A simple and economic synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones using ammonium trifluoroacetate as catalyst and as solid support is accomplished. Easy workup procedure for the synthesis of title compounds is well arrived at and is well documented.

Automated generation of a dihydropyrimidine compound library using microwave-assisted processing

Here we report the generation of a small focused library of 12 diversely functionalized dihydropyrimidine (DHPM) derivatives via one-pot three-component Biginelli cyclocondensation of beta-ketoesters, aldehydes and (thio)ureas. By applying controlled microwave heating under sealed vessel conditions using a fully automated microwave instrument including a gripper and liquid handler, the sequential synthesis of DHPMs can be performed in a shorter reaction time (10-20 min per one DHPM derivative) compared to conventional heating methods, which normally require several hours of reflux heating. The solid products either crystallize directly upon cooling or can be precipitated upon addition of water, requiring only filtration for isolation. In this way, the DHPM derivatives are obtained in high purity and no further purification by recrystallization or chromatography is necessary. This can be ascribed to the microwave heating technology where less side-product formation is often seen. The preparation of this 12-membered DHPM library can be carried out within approximately 9 h.