1,721,038 research outputs found
From polypharmacology to target specificity: the case of PARP inhibitors.
No full textPoly(ADP-ribose)polymerases (PARPs) catalyze a post-transcriptional modification of proteins, consisting in the attachment of mono, oligo or poly ADP-ribose units from NAD+ to specific polar residues of target proteins. The scientific interest in members of this superfamily of enzymes is continuously growing since they have been implicated in a range of diseases including stroke, cardiac ischemia, cancer, inflammation and diabetes. Despite some inhibitors of PARP-1, the founder member of the superfamily, have advanced in clinical trials for cancer therapy, and other members of PARPs have recently been proposed as interesting drug targets, challenges exist in understanding the polypharmacology of current PARP inhibitors as well as developing highly selective chemical tools to unravel specific functions of each member of the superfamily. Beginning with an overview on the molecular aspects that affect polypharmacology, in this article we discuss how these may have an impact on PARP research and drug discovery. Then, we review the most selective PARP inhibitors hitherto reported in literature, giving an update on the molecular aspects at the basis of selective PARP inhibitor design. Finally, some outlooks on current issues and future directions in this field of research are also provided
Human P2Y(1) receptor: Molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis as tools to identify agonist and antagonist recognition sites
No full textThe molecular basis for recognition by human P2Y(1) receptors of the novel, competitive antagonist 2'-deoxy-N-6-methyladenosine 3',5'-bisphosphate (MRS 2179) was probed using site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modeling. The potency of this antagonist was measured in mutant receptors in which key residues in the transmembrane helical domains (TMs) 3, 5, 6, and 7 were replaced by Ala or other amino acids. The capacity of MRS 2179 to block stimulation of phospholipase C promoted by 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-diphosphate (2-MeSADP) was lost in P2Y(1) receptors having F226A, K280A, or Q307A mutations, indicating that these residues are critical for the binding of the antagonist molecule. Mutation of the residues His132, Thr222, and Tyr136 had an intermediate effect on the capacity of MRS 2179 to block the P2Y(1) receptor. These positions therefore appear to have a modulatory role in recognition of this antagonist. F131A, H277A, T221A, R310K, or S317A mutant receptors exhibited an apparent affinity for PARS 2179 that was similar to that observed with the wild-type receptor. Thus, Phe131, Thr221, His277, and Ser317 are not essential for antagonist recognition. A computer-generated model of the human P2Y(1) receptor was built and analyzed to help interpret these results. The model was derived through primary sequence comparison, secondary structure prediction, and three-dimensional homology building, using rhodopsin as a template, and was consistent with data obtained from mutagenesis studies. We have introduced a "cross-docking" procedure to obtain energetically refined 3D structures of the Ligand-receptor complexes. Cross-docking simulates the reorganization of the native receptor structure induced by a ligand. A putative nucleotide binding site was localized and used to predict which residues are likely to be in proximity to agonists and antagonists. According to our model TM6 and TM7 are close to the adenine ring, TM3 and TM6 are close to the ribose moiety, and TM3, TM6, and TM7 are near the triphosphate chain
Recent advances in urea- and thiourea-containing compounds: focus on innovative approaches in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis
No full textUrea and thiourea represent privileged structures in medicinal chemistry. Indeed, these moieties constitute a common framework of a variety of drugs and bioactive compounds endowed with a broad range of therapeutic and pharmacological properties. Herein, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art of urea and thiourea-containing pharmaceuticals. We also review the diverse approaches pursued for (thio)urea bioisosteric replacements in medicinal chemistry applications. Finally, representative examples of recent advances in the synthesis of urea- and thiourea-based compounds by enabling chemical tools are discussed
Molecular determinats for metabotropic glutamate receptor activation and blockade. Molecular dynamics and electrostatic potential analysis studies
No full textInhibitory Effects of 1-Deazaadenosine Analogues on HIV Replication and Adenosine Deaminase
No full textA series of 2′,3′-dideoxy-N6-(cyclo)alkyl-1-deazaadenosine derivatives were synthesized starting from 2,6-dichloro-1-deazapurine (9). The new nucleosides proved to be good inhibitors of HIV-1 replication, the most active being the 2′,3′-dideoxy-2-chloro-N6-cycloctyl-1-deazaadenosine (14h, ED50 = 0.4 μ)
Heterocycles as Companions on Route to Drug Discovery
No full textA review discusses the importance of heterocycles in the discovery of new drugs. The development of synthetic methodologies for the preparation of 2-substituted aziridinyl derivs. and their application to the synthesis of compds. of biol. interest is discussed, and the synthesis of new PARP inhibitors, neuroprotective agents endowed with enhanced potency and selectivity is described
Derived chromatographic indexes as effective tools to study the self-aggregation process of bile acids.
No full textAdenosine deaminase inhibitors: synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2-hydroxy-3-nonyl derivatives of azoles.
No full textA series of erythro-1-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)azole derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitory activity, in order to introduce simplifications in the ADA inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA, 1a). The synthesis of most of the reported compounds was achieved by reaction of 2-bromo-3-nonanone with the suitable azole followed by reduction of the carbonyl group to give a diastereoisomeric mixture of N-substituted (2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)azoles. Separation
of diastereoisomers was achieved by HPLC or by preparative TLC plates. The results of the enzymatic test indicate that the nitrogen in the 3-position, and secondly, the nitrogen in the 5-position are very important for the interaction of the azole ring with the inhibitory site on the enzyme. In fact, the pyrazole and the 2-substituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives (10 and 15, respectively) are nearly inactive, whereas the erythro-1-(2- hydroxy-3-nonyl)-1,2,4-triazole (18e) was the most potent ADA inhibitor in the series with Ki = 0.3 microM
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