Cindy Kan

The practical synthesis of a novel and highly potent analogue of bryostatin.

Macrocycle 1 is a new highly potent analogue of bryostatin 1, a promising anti-cancer agent currently in human clinical trials. In vitro, 1 displays picomolar affinity for PKC and exhibits over 100-fold greater potency than bryostatin 1 when tested against various human cancer cell lines. Macrocycle 1 can be generated in clinically required amounts by chemical synthesis in only 19 steps (LLS) and represents a new clinical lead for the treatment of cancer.

Addressing Mechanistic Issues in the Coupling of Isonitriles and Carboxylic Acids : Potential Routes to Peptidic Constructs

Mechanistic issues surrounding the two component coupling (2CC) reaction of carboxylic acids with isonitriles have been investigated. Experimental details suggest the formimidate carboxylate mixed anhydride intermediate exists in both interdictable and noninterdictable form. Furthermore, the 2CC reaction has been applied to the synthesis of a tripeptide featuring two formyl functional groups.

Toward Homogeneous Erythropoietin: Chemical Synthesis of the Ala1−Gly28 Glycopeptide Domain by “Alanine” Ligation

The Ala(1)-Gly(28) glycopeptide fragment (28) of EPO was prepared by chemical synthesis as a single glycoform. Key steps in the synthesis include attachment of a complex dodecasaccharide (7) to a seven amino acid peptide via Lansbury aspartylation, native chemical ligation to join peptide 19 with the glycopeptide domain 18, and a selective desulfurization at the ligation site to reveal the natural Ala(19). This glycopeptide fragment (28) contains both the requisite N-linked dodecasaccharide and a C-terminal (alpha)thioester handle, the latter feature permitting direct coupling with a glycopeptide fragment bearing N-terminal Cys(29) without further functionalization.

Inspirations from nature. New reactions, new therapeutic leads, and new drug delivery systems

Studies in our laboratory focus on problems in chemistry (new reactions and synthesis), biology (novel modes of action), and medicine (new therapeutic leads and drug delivery systems). These interconnected and often synergistic activities are inspired by an interest in novel structures, frequently from nature, that possess unique modes of action and significant clinical potential. Described herein are some examples of recent work from our laboratory that have led to new transition metal-catalyzed reactions, a new and remarkably potent therapeutic lead, and new drug delivery systems that are in clinical trials.

Gateway synthesis of daphnane congeners and their protein kinase C affinities and cell-growth activities

The daphnane diterpene orthoesters constitute a structurally fascinating family of natural products that exhibit a remarkable range of potent biological activities. Although partial activity information is available for some natural daphnanes, little information exists for non-natural congeners or on how changes in structure affect mode of action, function, potency or selectivity. A gateway strategy designed to provide general synthetic access to natural and non-natural daphnanes is described and utilized in the synthesis of two novel members of this class. In this study, a commercially available tartrate derivative was elaborated through a key late-stage diversification intermediate into B-ring yuanhuapin analogues to initiate exploration of the structure-function relationships of this class. Protein kinase C was identified as a cellular target for these agents, and their activity against human lung and leukaemia cell lines was evaluated. The natural product and a novel non-natural analogue exhibited significant potency, but the epimeric epoxide was essentially inactive.The daphnane diterpene orthoesters constitute a structurally fascinating family of natural products that exhibit a remarkable range of potent biological activities. While partial activity information is available for some natural daphnanes, little information exists for non-natural congeners or how changes in structure affect mode of action, function, potency or selectivity. A gateway strategy designed to provide general synthetic access to natural and non-natural daphnanes is described and utilized in the synthesis of two novel members of this class. In this study, a commercially available tartrate derivative was elaborated through a key late stage diversification intermediate into B-ring yuanhuapin analogs to initiate exploration of the structure-function relationships of this class. PKC was identified as a cellular target for these agents, and their activity against human lung and leukemia cell lines was evaluated. The natural product and a novel non-natural analog exhibited significant potency while the epimeric epoxide was essentially inactive.