Derek Dunn

Subsite requirements for peptide aldehyde inhibitors of human calpain I

Abstract Dipeptide and tripeptide aldehydes have been evaluated as inhibitors of human calpain I. Dipeptide aldehydes are generally equipotent with tripeptide aldehydes. Calpain I possesses a rather stringent requirement for Leu at P2, but accepts a variety of capping groups and amino acids at P1 and P3. Several new peptide aldehydes that are more potent than previously reported calpain I inhibitors have been identified.

P'-extended α-ketoamide inhibitors of proteasome

Abstract A series of potent P′-extended α-ketoamide inhibitors of chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasome is described.

Identification of pyridazin-3-one derivatives as potent, selective histamine H3 receptor inverse agonists with robust wake activity

H(3)R structure-activity relationships on a novel class of pyridazin-3-one H(3)R antagonists/inverse agonists are disclosed. Modifications of the pyridazinone core, central phenyl ring and linker led to the identification of molecules with excellent target potency, selectivity and pharmacokinetic properties. Compounds 13 and 21 displayed potent functional H(3)R antagonism in vivo in the rat dipsogenia model and demonstrated robust wake activity in the rat EEG/EMG model.

Novel poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitors.

Synthesis and activity of a series of 3-aroyl-derived analogs of novel pyrrolocarbazole 1 as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) inhibitors are disclosed.

1-Thia-4,7-diaza-spiro[4.4]nonane-3,6-dione: A Structural Motif for 5-hydroxytryptamine 6 Receptor Antagonism

A series of potent 5‐hydroxytryptamine 6 (5‐HT6) receptor antagonists based on 1‐thia‐4,7‐diaza‐spiro[4.4]nonane‐3,6‐dione motif has been disclosed. Enantiomers of potent racemate compound 8a (Ki = 26 nm) displayed difference in activity (Ki of 15 nm versus 855 nm) signaling the influence of the stereochemistry of the chiral center on potency. In addition, the potent enantiomer displayed significant selectivity in biological activities over several related family members.

Optimization of a novel kinase inhibitor scaffold for the dual inhibition of JAK2 and FAK kinases.

The elaboration of a novel scaffold for the inhibition of JAK2 and FAK kinases was targeted in order to provide a dual inhibitor that could target divergent pathways for tumor cell progression.

P2-proline-derived inhibitors of calpain I.

The syntheses and biological activities of a series of calpain I inhibitors, derived from D- and L-Pro, are described.

Serendipitous discovery of a prodrug of a PARP-1 inhibitor.

During SAR development of previously reported pyrrolocarbazole 1, a potent PARP‐1 inhibitor, compound 14, was discovered serendipitously to be a prodrug of compound 1.

4,5-Dihydropyridazin-3-one derivatives as histamine H3 receptor inverse agonists

H(3)R structure-activity relationships for a new class of 4,5-dihydropyridazin-3-one H(3)R antagonists/inverse agonists are disclosed. Modification of the 4,5-dihydropyridazinone moiety to block in vivo metabolism identified 4,4-dimethyl-6-{4-[3-((R)-2-methyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propoxy]-phenyl}-4,5-dihydro-2H-pyridazin-3-one 22 as a lead candidate demonstrating potent in vivo functional H(3)R antagonism in the rat dipsogenia model and robust wake promoting activity in the rat EEG/EMG model.

Wake-promoting agents: Search for next generation modafinil: Part I

In search of a next generation molecule to the novel wake promoting agent modafinil, a series of bi-phenyl derived wakefulness enhancing agents (in rat) was developed. From this work, compound 17 has been selected for additional studies.