Ana T. Carmona

Glycosidase Inhibitors as Potential HIV Entry Inhibitors

A few alpha-L-fucosidase inhibitors and alpha-D-glucosidase inhibitors have shown in vitro anti-HIV activities, that have been attributed to their ability to inhibit HIV entry. The mechanism of action of inhibitors such as 1-deoxynojirimycin (1) is not clearly established. One possible hypothesis is that the glycosidase inhibition affects the final conformation of the glycoproteins involved in the virus/cell recognition and fusion phenomena. This hypothesis is presented critically and the mechanisms of some glycoprotein biosynthesis are out-lined. Up to now, very few glycosidase inhibitors have been assayed for their potential as HIV entry inhibitors. Further assaying should be done and larger collections of glycosidase inhibitors should be prepared. To help investigations in that perspective, the inhibitory activities of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-L-fucosidase inhibitors have been summarized.

Synthesis of novel pyrrolidine 3,4-diol derivatives as inhibitors of α-L-fucosidases

The stereoselective synthesis of new 3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine derivatives starting from D-mannose, D-ribose and L-fucose is presented. Two synthetic strategies employing organometallic addition to hemiacetalic sugars followed by selective nucleophilic displacement or conjugate addition of ammonia to conjugate aldonic esters as key steps, are used. The new compounds were assayed for their inhibitory activity towards 13 commercially available glycosidases. Compounds that share the absolute configuration at C(2,3,4,5) of L-fucopyranosides and incorporate aromatic moieties are potent and selective inhibitors of alpha-L-fucosidases in the nM range.

Allenyl sulfones and allenyl sulfides in the synthesis of 3-pyrrolines. A novel nucleophilic [3 + 2] cycloaddition on allenyl sulfones giving rearranged cycloadducts.

Efficient methodologies for the synthesis of regioisomeric 3-pyrrolines by reaction of electron-deficient imines and sulfur-containing allenyl derivatives are presented. Lithiated thioallenes give 2-aryl-3-phenylsulfonyl-3-pyrrolines, whereas allenyl sulfones furnish the isomeric 2-aryl-4-phenylsulfonyl-3-pyrrolines through migration of the sulfonyl group that catalyzes the nucleophilic [3 + 2] cycloaddition.

Rearrangement reactions in the fluorination of 3-deoxy-3-C-methyl-3-nitro-hexopyranosides (and hexo-1-thiopyranosides) of the d- and l-series by the DAST reagent

Abstract Fluorination of diverse 3-deoxy-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-hexopyranosides and hexo-1-thiopyranosides of the d - and l -series by the DAST reagent was studied in order to establish, on this 3-branched-chain sugar domain, the influence of the stereochemical relationship of the substituents at positions 1 and 2, as well as the protection of the HO-4, on the kinds of rearrangement reaction promoted by this fluorinating agent. Three classes of pyranosidic substrate were employed: ( a ) 1,2- trans configured, irrespective of whether HO-4 is protected or not; ( b ) 4- O -protected 1,2- cis configured; and ( c ) 4- O -unprotected 1,2- cis configured. They were prepared starting from simple glycosides through routes involving a Baer reaction and subsequent transformations by known methodology. All the substrates of class a essayed underwent, on treatment with DAST at room or higher temperatures, a rearrangement involving a 1,2-shift to give both the anomeric 2-inverted pyranosyl fluorides (or, for the 1-thioglycosides, only the α fluoride). Substrates of class b led, through a mechanism similar to that proposed for transformations of related substrates, to ring-contracted 2,5-anhydro-1-fluoro-1- O -methyl- (or 1-deoxy-1-phenylthio-)hexitol derivatives (sometimes as 1-epimers), which are precursors of 2,5-anhydro- aldehydo -sugars. Substrates of class c led to 4,5-anhydro-1-fluoro-1- O -methylalditol derivatives in all cases, together with a ring-contracted 5-fluoro-hexofuranoside in only one case; a rationalisation for their formation is proposed.

Three dimensional structure of a bacterial α-l-fucosidase with a 5-membered iminocyclitol inhibitor

Fucosidases, enzymes that cleave fucose from the non-reducing end of a glycan, represent promising medicinal targets reflecting their roles in cancer metastasis, inflammation, host-parasite interactions and the lysosomal storage disorder fucosidosis. The X-ray crystal structures of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron GH29 α-l-fucosidase (BtFuc2970) in a new crystal form (at a resolution of 1.59Å) and liganded with a 5-membered iminocyclitol inhibitor (1.73Å) are reported herein. The 5-membered iminocyclitol binds in a (3)E conformation, mimicking the proposed (3)H4 half chair transition-state of the enzyme catalysed reaction, and its Ki for BtFuc2970 was determined as 2μM. Structural analysis of fucosidase inhibition through 5-membered iminocyclitols will aid in the rational design of more potent fucosidase inhibitors for treatment of a range of medical conditions.

Stereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S,4R,5S)-5-methylpyrrolidine-3,4-diol derivatives that are highly selective α-L-fucosidase inhibitors

N-Phenylaminomethyl benzimidazolyl moieties attached at C-2 of (2S,3S,4R,5S)-5-methylpyrrolidine-3,4-diol increase the potency and selectivity of the inhibitory activity of these systems towards alpha-L-fucosidases.

Synthesis and inhibitory activities of novel C-3 substituted azafagomines: a new type of selective inhibitors of α-L-fucosidases.

The synthesis of a novel aminomethyl C-3 substituted L-fuco-azafagomine and of its C-6 epimer from D-lyxose is reported. The key step of the synthesis is the introduction of the biimino (-NH-NH-) moiety by reductive hydrazination of a 1-deoxy-ketohexose with tert-butyl carbazate. The 3-aminomethyl-azafagomine derivatives were used as lead compounds in the generation of libraries of novel types of derivatives by attaching different hydrophobic groups on the aminomethyl substituent through amide linkages. These polyhydroxylated hexahydropyridazines can be viewed as a new type of diaza-C-glycoside analogues having a biimino (-NH-NH-) moiety. The conformational analysis and the glycosidase inhibitory properties of all the new C-3 substituted azafagomines synthesized are also reported. Those having L-fuco configuration have shown a selective inhibition of α-L-fucosidases.

Exploiting the ring strain in bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane systems for the stereoselective preparation of highly functionalized cyclopentene, dihydrofuran, pyrroline, and pyrrolidine scaffolds.

The high strain of bicyclic systems drives retro-condensation reactions on bridgehead substituted bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes giving rise to orthogonally functionalized cyclopentene, 2,5-dihydrofuran, and 3-pyrroline scaffolds. Retro-Dieckman reactions were easily carried out on 3-tosyl-(7-carba/7-oxa/7-aza)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-ones. Retro-aldol reactions of N-Boc-3-tosyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-ol and functionalized N-Boc-3-tosyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ols yield functionalized pyrrolidine scaffolds stereoselectively. The same reaction does not work with corresponding norbornene and 7-oxanorbornene derivatives.

Branched-chain fluoro nitro d- and l-sugars from glucose

Abstract Mixed crystals of methyl 3-deoxy-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-α- d - and β- l -glucopyranosides (1:1), easily available from d -glucose by means of the Baer reaction, were completely characterised by X-ray diffraction analysis. These diastereomeric components, separation of which could be achieved through their 4,6- O -benzylidene derivatives, were selectively fluorinated at position 6 by treatment with DAST and stereoselectively transformed into phenyl 3-deoxy-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-1-thio-β- d -glucopyranoside and phenyl 3-deoxy-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-1-thio-β- l -glucopyranoside, respectively. Fluorination with DAST of each pure enantiomer afforded, depending on the conditions, the corresponding enantiomeric phenyl 3,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-1-thio-β- d - and β- l -glucopyranosides or the respective rearranged 2,3,6-trideoxy-6-fluoro-3- C -methyl-3-nitro-2-phenylthio-α- d - and α- l -mannopyranosyl fluorides. This route constitutes a simple method for obtaining fair-to-good yields of 6-fluorinated branched-chain d - and l -sugar derivatives, potentially useful as glycosyl donors, starting from d -glucose.

Strain-promoted retro-Dieckmann-type condensation on [2.2.2]- and [2.2.1]bicyclic systems: a fragmentation reaction for the preparation of functionalized heterocycles and carbocycles

The fragmentation reaction of differently functionalized [2.2.2]- and [2.2.1]bicyclic systems that leads to substituted five membered heterocycles and five/six membered carbocycles is broadly studied. This reaction is carried out through a retro-Dieckmann-type condensation on strained [2.2.1]bicyclic β-ketosulfones and their counterparts β-ketoesters under very mild catalytic acid or basic conditions and short reaction times. The same reaction is also achieved on [2.2.2]bicyclic β-ketosulfones requiring harsher reaction conditions.