Helene Perrier

The discovery of rofecoxib, [MK 966, VIOXX®, 4-(4′-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-phenyl-2(5H)-furanone], an orally active cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor

The development of a COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib (MK 966, Vioxx) is described. It is essentially equipotent to indomethacin both in vitro and in vivo but without the ulcerogenic side effect due to COX-1 inhibition.

5-lipoxygenase-activating protein is an arachidonate binding protein.

5‐Lipoxygenase‐activating protein (FLAP) is an 18‐kDa integral membrane protein which is essential for cellular leukotriene (LT) synthesis, and is the target of LT biosynthesis inhibitors. However, the mechanism by which FLAP activates 5‐LO has not been determined. We have expressed high levels of human FLAP in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus, and used this system to demonstrate that FLAP specifically binds [125I]L‐739,059, a novel photoaffinity analog of arachidonic acid. This binding is inhibited by both arachidonic acid and MK‐886, an LT biosynthesis inhibitor which specifically interacts with FLAP. These studies suggest that FLAP may activate 5‐LO by specifically binding arachidonic acid and transferring this substrate to the enzyme.

The discovery of a new structural class of potent orally active leukotriene D4 antagonists

Abstract A new, potent, orally active leukotriene D 4 receptor antagonist has been discovered. The structure -activity relationship leading to L-695,499 is described.

Substituted furans as inhibitors of the PDE4 enzyme

The synthesis and in vitro activity of a series of substituted furans as a novel structural class of PDE4 inhibitors is described. Comparison of emetic threshold with known PDE4 inhibitors is presented.

Structural requirements for the binding of fatty acids to 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein

5-Lipoxygenase-activating protein is required for cellular leukotriene synthesis and is the target of the leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors MK-886 (3-[1-(p-chlorophenyl)-5-isopropyl-3-tert-butylthio-1H- indol-2-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid) and MK-591 (3-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-(t-butylthio)-5-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy)-indol-2-yl] - 2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid). Recent studies demonstrate that 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein binds arachidonic acid and stimulates the utilization of this substrate by 5-lipoxygenase. The present study utilizes a radioligand binding assay to assess the affinity of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein for arachidonic acid and the specificity of the fatty acid binding site on 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein. Our findings demonstrate that the presence of a free carboxyl group on fatty acids or leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors which interact with 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein is not required for specific binding to the protein. However, the degree of saturation significantly affects the affinity of fatty acids for 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein.

Solid phase parallel synthesis of highly substituted thiophene derivatives and identification of novel phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors

Abstract A versatile protocol for solid phase synthesis of highly substituted thiophene derivatives and their activity against the PDE-4 enzyme are discussed. This protocol employs 3-hydroxymethylthiophene-2-boronic acid (5) as the scaffold and sequential palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reactions as the CC bond forming step. This methodology allows convenient modification of the thiophene core from three directions, giving rise to structurally diverse derivatives with overall high chemical purity and yield. A novel series of potent PDE-4 inhibitors have been identified from these compounds.

Synthesis of a radioactive photoaffinity arachidonic acid analog

Abstract A novel photoaffinity probe based on arachidonic acid was synthesized by coupling 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid and 2-azido-5-iodobenzoic acid. The key epoxide required for the formation of 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid was obtained using a new mild and safe method.

Substituted 2,2-bisaryl-bicycloheptanes as novel and potent inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase activating protein.

The discovery and SAR of a novel series of substituted 2,2-bisaryl-bicycloheptane inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) are herein described. SAR studies have shown that 2,5-substitution on the exo-aryl group is optimal for potency. The most potent compounds in this series have an ortho-nitrogen aryl linked with a methyleneoxy as the 5-substituent and a polar group such as a urethane as the 2-substituent. One of the most potent compounds identified is the 5-benzothiazolymethoxy-2-pyridinylcarbamate derivative 2 (FLAP IC(50)=2.8 nM) which blocks 89% of ragweed induced urinary LTE(4) production in dogs (at an I.V. dose of 2.5 microg/kg/min). This compound inhibits calcium ionophore stimulated LTB(4) production in both human polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and human whole blood (IC(50)=2.0 and 33 nM, respectively).

Synthesis and preparation of an affinity chromatography column for the purification of cytosolic phospholipase A2

Abstract An affinity column has been developed to provide a single step purification of the human recombinant baculovirus overexpressed cPLA 2 . The affinity matrix is based on the chemical structure of a potent inhibitor of cPLA 2 .

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 8-biarylquinolines: a novel class of PDE4 inhibitors.

The structure-activity relationship of a novel series of 8-biarylquinolines acting as type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitors is described herein. Prototypical compounds from this series are potent and non-selective inhibitors of the four distinct PDE4 (IC(50)<10 nM) isozymes (A-D). In a human whole blood in vitro assay, they inhibit (IC(50)<0.5 microM) the LPS-induced release of the cytokine TNF-alpha. Optimized inhibitors were evaluated in vivo for efficacy in an ovalbumin-induced bronchoconstriction model in conscious guinea pigs. Their propensity to produce an emetic response was evaluated by performing pharmacokinetic studies in squirrel monkeys. This work has led to the identification of several compounds with excellent in vitro and in vivo profiles, including a good therapeutic window of efficacy over emesis.