David Robert Bolin

Promiscuous and allele-specific anchors in HLA-DR-binding peptides

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are highly polymorphic membrane glycoproteins that bind peptide fragments of proteins and display them for recognition by CD4+ T cells. To understand the effect of human MHC class II polymorphism on peptide-MHC interaction, we have isolated M13 phage from a large M13 peptide display library by selection with DRB1*0401 and DRB1*1101 molecules, as recently described for DRB1*0101. Sequence analysis of the peptide-encoding region of DR-bound phage led to the identification of position-specific anchor residues, defining motifs for peptide binding to DR molecules. The three DR motifs share two anchor residues at relative positions 1 and 4, while allele-specific anchor residues have been identified at position 6. These results provide a biophysical basis for both the promiscuity and the specificity of peptide recognition by DR molecules.

Peptidomimetic compounds that inhibit antigen presentation by autoimmune disease-associated class II major histocompatibility molecules

We have identified a heptapeptide with high affinity to rheumatoid arthritis–associated class II major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules. Using a model of its interaction with the class II binding site, a variety of mimetic substitutions were introduced into the peptide. Several unnatural amino acids and dipeptide mimetics were found to be appropriate substituents and could be combined into compounds with binding affinities comparable to that of the original peptide. Compounds were designed that were several hundred-fold to more than a thousand-fold more potent than the original peptide in inhibiting T-cell responses to processed protein antigens presented by the target MHC molecules. Peptidomimetic compounds of this type could find therapeutic use as MHC-selective antagonists of antigen presentation in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Discovery of Orally Active Carboxylic Acid Derivatives of 2-Phenyl-5-trifluoromethyloxazole-4-carboxamide as Potent Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase-1 Inhibitors for the Potential Treatment of Obesity and Diabetes

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1 (DGAT-1) is the enzyme that catalyzes the final and committed step of triglyceride formation, namely, the acylation of diacylglycerol with acyl coenzyme A. DGAT-1 deficient mice demonstrate resistance to weight gain on high fat diet, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced liver triglyceride content. Inhibition of DGAT-1 thus represents a potential novel approach for the treatment of obesity, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. In this communication, we report the identification of the lead structure 6 and our lead optimization efforts culminating in the discovery of potent, selective, and orally efficacious carboxylic acid derivatives of 2-phenyl-5-trifluoromethyloxazole-4-carboxamides. In particular, compound 29 (DGAT-1 enzyme assay, IC(50) = 57 nM; CHO-K1 cell triglyceride formation assay, EC(50) = 0.5 μM) demonstrated dose dependent inhibition of weight gain in diet induced obese (DIO) rats (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg, p.o., qd) during a 21-day efficacy study. Furthermore, compound 29 demonstrated improved glucose tolerance determined by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Synthesis of 1,2,5‐Thiadiazolidin‐3‐one 1,1‐Dioxide Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Affinity for MHC Class‐II Proteins

1,2,5-Thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1-dioxide derivatives (±)-1a – d and (±)-2 were designed by molecular modeling as MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class-II inhibitors. They were prepared from the unsymmetrically N,N′-disubstituted acyclic sulfamides (±)-4a – d (Scheme 1) and (±)-11 (Scheme 2). These N-alkyl-N′-arylsulfamide precursors were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of either a sulfamoyl-chloride or a N-sulfamoyloxazolidinone. Extension of base-induced cyclization methods from aliphatic to aromatic sulfamides gave access to the desired target molecules. The N-alkyl-1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1-dioxide derivatives (±)-3a – c were also prepared by the oxazolidinone route (Scheme 4) for coupling to a tetrapeptide fragment. The X-ray crystal structure of 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1-dioxide (±)-21a was solved, and the directionality of the H-bond donor (N−H) and acceptor (SO2) groups of the cyclic scaffold determined (Figs. 1 and 2). The pKa value of the N−H group in (±)-21a was determined by 1H-NMR titration as 11.9 (Fig. 3). Compounds (±)-1a – d were shown to inhibit competition peptide binding to HLA-DR4 molecules in the single-digit millimolar concentration range.

Antiflammin-2 (HDMNKVLDL) does not inhibit phospholipase A2 activities

A basic nonapeptide P2 (antiflammin-2, HDMNKVLDL) which is identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence (residues 246–254) of lipocortin I, has been described to have antiinflammatory activity in a rat paw edema model (Nature 335: 726–730 [1988]). P2 (0.05 μM) was also reported to inhibit porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The effect of synthetic P2 (98% pure) on PLA2 was evaluated in two assay systems. Using porcine pancreatic PLA2 and phosphatidylcholine/deoxycholate mixed micellar substrate, P2 (0.005–50 μM) had no effect on PLA2 activity, even in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol to prevent peptide oxidation. In another assay, using human synovial fluid PLA2 as the enzyme and [14C]-oleate-labelledE. coli substrate, P2 (0.005–50 μM) had no significant effect on PLA2 activity. A reported PLA2 inhibitor, manoalide, was a potent inhibitor of PLA2 in both assay systems. On the basis of these results, we conclude that P2 is devoid of PLA2 inhibitory activity.

Binding affinity independent contribution of peptide length to the stability of peptide-HLA-DR complexes in live antigen presenting cells

The effect of peptide length on the stability of peptide-HLR-DR1 (DR1) complexes was analyzed using two peptide series of increasing length, each containing a 7mer core with five DR1-binding anchors, extended stepwise with Ala residues at the N- and C-terminus, respectively. The Ala extensions, although did not affect binding affinity, significantly increased the half lives of peptide-DR1 complexes (from 1.5 h up to 10 h) in live antigen presenting cells (APC). Flanking residues from position -2 to 0 and 8 to 11 were involved in the affinity-independent increase of complex stability. The shortest (8mer and 9mer) peptides, with in vivo half lives of <2.5 h, were unable to form stable complexes with DR1 in presence of HLA-DM (DM) molecules, and were poor competitors of antigen presentation. Longer peptides were resistant to DM-mediated unloading, and were efficient competitors of antigen presentation. Thus, DM appears to limit short peptides in establishing biologically relevant DR occupancy, despite their high binding affinity. In APC, stable complexes can form only with high affinity peptides of >9 residues, and the longevity of complexes seems to depend on full of occupation of the binding site.

Discovery and optimization of 2-phenyloxazole derivatives as diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1 inhibitors.

In a discovery effort to find safe and effective DGAT-1 inhibitors, we have identified 2-phenyloxazole 4-carboxamide 1 as a conformationally constrained analog of a hydrazide hit, which was previously identified from high-throughput screening. Further optimization of this series has led to chemically more stable 2-phenyloxazole-based DGAT-1 inhibitor 25 with improved solubility, cell-based activity, and pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 25 also demonstrated in vivo efficacy in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) rat model.

Design and synthesis of 2-N-substituted indazolone derivatives as non-carboxylic acid glycogen synthase activators

Glycogen synthase (GS) catalyzes the transfer of glucose residues from UDP-glucose to a glycogen polymer chain, a critical step for glucose storage. Patients with type 2 diabetes normally exhibit low glycogen levels and decreased muscle glucose uptake is the major defect in whole body glucose disposal. Therefore, activating GS may provide a potential approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In order to identify non-carboxylic acids GS activators, we designed and synthesized a series of 2-N-alkyl- and 2-N-aryl-indazolone derivatives and studied their activity in activating human GS.

Fragment-Based Drug Design of Novel Pyranopyridones as Cell Active and Orally Bioavailable Tankyrase Inhibitors

Tankyrase activity has been linked to the regulation of intracellular axin levels, which have been shown to be crucial for the Wnt pathway. Deregulated Wnt signaling is important for the genesis of many diseases including cancer. We describe herein the discovery and development of a new series of tankyrase inhibitors. These pyranopyridones are highly active in various cell-based assays. A fragment/structure based optimization strategy led to a compound with good pharmacokinetic properties that is suitable for in vivo studies and further development.

Discovery of 1-arylcarbonyl-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline derivatives as glutamine fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) inhibitors

Through high throughput screening and subsequent hit identification and optimization, we synthesized a series of 1-arylcarbonyl-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline derivatives as the first reported potent and reversible GFAT inhibitors. SAR studies of this class of compounds indicated significant impact on GFAT inhibition potency by substitutions on the A-ring and C-ring. The ketone group was found to be necessary for high potency. Compound 28 (RO0509347) demonstrated potent GFAT inhibition (IC(50)=1μM) with a desirable pharmacokinetic profile in rats, and showed significant efficacy in reducing the glucose excursion in an OGTT test in ob/ob mice.