David Hesk

Pharmacological Characterization of Sch527123, a Potent Allosteric CXCR1/CXCR2 Antagonist

In neutrophils, growth-related protein-α (CXCL1) and interleukin-8 (CXCL8), are potent chemoattractants (Cytokine 14:27–36, 2001; Biochemistry 42:2874–2886, 2003) and can stimulate myeloperoxidase release via activation of the G protein-coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. The role of CXCR1 and CXCR2 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory responses has encouraged the development of small molecule antagonists for these receptors. The data presented herein describe the pharmacology of 2-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-{2-[[(R)-1-(5-methyl-furan-2-yl)-propyl]amino]-3,4-dioxo-cyclobut-1-enylamino}-benzamide (Sch527123), a novel antagonist of both CXCR1 and CXCR2. Sch527123 inhibited chemokine binding to (and activation of) these receptors in an insurmountable manner and, as such, is categorized as an allosteric antagonist. Sch527123 inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis and myeloperoxidase release in response to CXCL1 and CXCL8 but had no effect on the response of these cells to C5a or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. The pharmacological specificity of Sch527123 was confirmed by testing in a diversity profile against a panel of enzymes, channels, and receptors. To measure compound affinity, we characterized [3H]Sch527123 in both equilibrium and nonequilibrium binding analyses. Sch527123 binding to CXCR1 and CXCR2 was both saturable and reversible. Although Sch527123 bound to CXCR1 with good affinity (Kd = 3.9 ± 0.3 nM), the compound is CXCR2-selective (Kd = 0.049 ± 0.004 nM). Taken together, our data show that Sch527123 represents a novel, potent, and specific CXCR2 antagonist with potential therapeutic utility in a variety of inflammatory conditions.

SCH529074, a Small Molecule Activator of Mutant p53, Which Binds p53 DNA Binding Domain (DBD), Restores Growth-suppressive Function to Mutant p53 and Interrupts HDM2-mediated Ubiquitination of Wild Type p53

Abrogation of p53 function occurs in almost all human cancers, with more than 50% of cancers harboring inactivating mutations in p53 itself. Mutation of p53 is indicative of highly aggressive cancers and poor prognosis. The vast majority of mutations in p53 occur in its core DNA binding domain (DBD) and result in inactivation of p53 by reducing its thermodynamic stability at physiological temperature. Here, we report a small molecule, SCH529074, that binds specifically to the p53 DBD in a saturable manner with an affinity of 1–2 μm. Binding restores wild type function to many oncogenic mutant forms of p53. This small molecule reactivates mutant p53 by acting as a chaperone, in a manner similar to that previously reported for the peptide CDB3. Binding of SCH529074 to the p53 DBD is specifically displaced by an oligonucleotide with a sequence derived from the p53-response element. In addition to reactivating mutant p53, SCH529074 binding inhibits ubiquitination of p53 by HDM2. We have also developed a novel variant of p53 by changing a single amino acid in the core domain of p53 (N268R), which abolishes binding of SCH529074. This amino acid change also inhibits HDM2-mediated ubiquitination of p53. Our novel findings indicate that through its interaction with p53 DBD, SCH529074 restores DNA binding activity to mutant p53 and inhibits HDM2-mediated ubiquitination.

Iron-catalysed tritiation of pharmaceuticals.

A thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a drug in animal models is a critical component of drug discovery and development. Such studies are performed in vivo and in vitro at various stages of the development process—ranging from preclinical absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) studies to late-stage human clinical trials—to elucidate a drug molecule’s metabolic profile and to assess its toxicity. Radiolabelled compounds, typically those that contain 14C or 3H isotopes, are one of the most powerful and widely deployed diagnostics for these studies. The introduction of radiolabels using synthetic chemistry enables the direct tracing of the drug molecule without substantially altering its structure or function. The ubiquity of C–H bonds in drugs and the relative ease and low cost associated with tritium (3H) make it an ideal radioisotope with which to conduct ADME studies early in the drug development process. Here we describe an iron-catalysed method for the direct 3H labelling of pharmaceuticals by hydrogen isotope exchange, using tritium gas as the source of the radioisotope. The site selectivity of the iron catalyst is orthogonal to currently used iridium catalysts and allows isotopic labelling of complementary positions in drug molecules, providing a new diagnostic tool in drug development.

Preclinical Characterization of 18F-MK-6240, a Promising PET Tracer for In Vivo Quantification of Human Neurofibrillary Tangles

A PET tracer is desired to help guide the discovery and development of disease-modifying therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases characterized by neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), the predominant tau pathology in Alzheimer disease (AD). We describe the preclinical characterization of the NFT PET tracer 18F-MK-6240. Methods: In vitro binding studies were conducted with 3H-MK-6240 in tissue slices and homogenates from cognitively normal and AD human brain donors to evaluate tracer affinity and selectivity for NFTs. Immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated tau was performed on human brain slices for comparison with 3H-MK-6240 binding patterns on adjacent brain slices. PET studies were performed with 18F-MK-6240 in monkeys to evaluate tracer kinetics and distribution in the brain. 18F-MK-6240 monkey PET studies were conducted after dosing with unlabeled MK-6240 to evaluate tracer binding selectivity in vivo. Results: The 3H-MK-6240 binding pattern was consistent with the distribution of phosphorylated tau in human AD brain slices. 3H-MK-6240 bound with high affinity to human AD brain cortex homogenates containing abundant NFTs but bound poorly to amyloid plaque–rich, NFT-poor AD brain homogenates. 3H-MK-6240 showed no displaceable binding in the subcortical regions of human AD brain slices and in the hippocampus/entorhinal cortex of non-AD human brain homogenates. In monkey PET studies, 18F-MK-6240 displayed rapid and homogeneous distribution in the brain. The 18F-MK-6240 volume of distribution stabilized rapidly, indicating favorable tracer kinetics. No displaceable binding was observed in self-block studies in rhesus monkeys, which do not natively express NFTs. Moderate defluorination was observed as skull uptake. Conclusion: 18F-MK-6240 is a promising PET tracer for the in vivo quantification of NFTs in AD patients.

Discovery of 6-(Fluoro-18F)-3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-1-yl)isoquinolin-5-amine ([18F]-MK-6240): A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging Agent for Quantification of Neurofibrillary Tangles (NFTs)

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) made up of aggregated tau protein have been identified as the pathologic hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimers disease. In vivo detection of NFTs using PET imaging represents a unique opportunity to develop a pharmacodynamic tool to accelerate the discovery of new disease modifying therapeutics targeting tau pathology. Herein, we present the discovery of 6-(fluoro-(18)F)-3-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-1-yl)isoquinolin-5-amine, 6 ([(18)F]-MK-6240), as a novel PET tracer for detecting NFTs. 6 exhibits high specificity and selectivity for binding to NFTs, with suitable physicochemical properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics.

Photoredox-catalyzed deuteration and tritiation of pharmaceutical compounds

Lighting the way to drug labeling It is important during drug development to study how candidate compounds get absorbed and broken down biologically. One common technique for tracking a drugs fate is to label its molecular framework with heavier isotopes of hydrogen (either deuterium or tritium). Loh et al. developed a light-promoted protocol to install these labels on alkyl carbons adjacent to nitrogen. The technique relies on incorporation of the heavy isotope into a thiol from a convenient heavy water source through acid-base chemistry. Next, a photoredox catalyst strips a hydrogen atom equivalent from the carbon, and the thiol engages in radical chemistry to transfer the deuterium or tritium in its place. Science, this issue p. 1182 A light-promoted atom transfer protocol uses heavy water to isotopically label alkyl sites for drug metabolism studies. Deuterium- and tritium-labeled pharmaceutical compounds are pivotal diagnostic tools in drug discovery research, providing vital information about the biological fate of drugs and drug metabolites. Herein we demonstrate that a photoredox-mediated hydrogen atom transfer protocol can efficiently and selectively install deuterium (D) and tritium (T) at α-amino sp3 carbon-hydrogen bonds in a single step, using isotopically labeled water (D2O or T2O) as the source of hydrogen isotope. In this context, we also report a convenient synthesis of T2O from T2, providing access to high-specific-activity T2O. This protocol has been successfully applied to the high incorporation of deuterium and tritium in 18 drug molecules, which meet the requirements for use in ligand-binding assays and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies.

Characterization of peripheral human cannabinoid receptor (hCB2) expression and pharmacology using a novel radioligand, [35S]Sch225336.

Studies to characterize the endogenous expression and pharmacology of peripheral human cannabinoid receptor (hCB2) have been hampered by the dearth of authentic anti-hCB2 antibodies and the lack of radioligands with CB2 selectivity. We recently described a novel CB2 inverse agonist, N-[1(S)-[4-[[4-methoxy-2-[(4methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl] phenyl]sulfonyl] phenyl]ethyl]methane-sulfonamide (Sch225336), that binds hCB2 with high affinity and excellent selectivity versus hCB1. The precursor primary amine of Sch225336 was prepared and reacted directly with [35S]mesyl chloride (synthesized from commercially obtained [35S]methane sulfonic acid) to generate [35S]Sch225336. [35S]Sch225336 has high specific activity (>1400 Ci/mmol) and affinity for hCB2 (65 pm). Using [35S]Sch225336, we assayed hemopoietic cells and cell lines to quantitate the expression and pharmacology of hCB2. Lastly, we used [35S]Sch225336 for detailed autoradiographic analysis of CB2 in lymphoid tissues. Based on these data, we conclude that [35S]Sch225336 represents a unique radioligand for the study of CB2 endogenously expressed in blood cells and tissues.

In vitro pharmacological characterization of vorapaxar, a novel platelet thrombin receptor antagonist

Vorapaxar is a novel protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) antagonist recently approved for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction or with peripheral arterial disease. The present study provides a comprehensive in vitro pharmacological characterization of vorapaxar interaction with the PAR1 receptor on human platelets. Similar studies were performed with a metabolite of vorapaxar (M20). Vorapaxar and M20 were competitive PAR1 antagonists that demonstrated concentration-dependent, saturable, specific, and slowly reversible binding to the receptor present on intact human platelets. The affinities of vorapaxar and M20 for the PAR1 receptor were in the low nanomolar range, as determined by saturation-, kinetic- and competitive binding studies. The calculated Kd and Ki values for vorapaxar increased in the presence of plasma, indicating a decrease in the free fraction available for binding to the PAR1 receptor on human platelets. Vorapaxar was also evaluated in functional assays using thrombin or a PAR1 agonist peptide (SFLLRN). Vorapaxar and M20 completely blocked thrombin-stimulated PAR1/β-arrestin association in recombinant cells and abolished thrombin-stimulated calcium influx in washed human platelets and vascular smooth muscle cells. Moreover, vorapaxar and M20 inhibited PAR1 agonist peptide-mediated platelet aggregation in human platelet rich plasma with a steep concentration response relationship. Vorapaxar exhibited high selectivity for inhibition of PAR1 over other platelet GPCRs. In conclusion, vorapaxar is a potent PAR1 antagonist exhibiting saturable, reversible, selective binding with slow off-rate kinetics and effectively inhibits thrombins PAR1-mediated actions on human platelets.

Discovery of an irreversible HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor

The discovery of lead compound 2e was described. Its covalent binding to HCV NS5B polymerase enzyme was investigated by X-ray analysis. The results of distribution, metabolism and pharmacokinetics were reported. Compound 2e was demonstrated to be potent (replicon GT-1b EC50 = 0.003 μM), highly selective, and safe in in vitro and in vivo assays.

A General Strategy for Site-Selective Incorporation of Deuterium and Tritium into Pyridines, Diazines, and Pharmaceuticals

Methods to incorporate deuterium and tritium atoms into organic molecules are valuable for medicinal chemistry. The prevalence of pyridines and diazines in pharmaceuticals means that new ways to label these heterocycles will present opportunities in drug design and facilitate absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) studies. A broadly applicable protocol is presented wherein pyridines, diazines, and pharmaceuticals are converted into heterocyclic phosphonium salts and then isotopically labeled. The isotopes are incorporated in high yields and, in general, with exclusive regioselectivity.