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N D Jones

Publications and source records attributed to N D Jones.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A family of arginal thrombin inhibitors related to efegatran.

Three new tripeptide arginal thrombin inhibitors were shown to have potent anticoagulant and antithrombotic activity: D-MePhg-Pro-Arg-H (LY287045), D-1-Tiq-Pro-Arg-H (LY294291), and D-MePhe-Pro-Arg-H (Efegatran). Efegatran and the related arginals differ mechanistically from old and from new anticoagulant agents. As illustrated with x-ray diffraction analysis of crystals of the LY294291 complex with human thrombin, the family of arginals binds thrombin with the P3, P2, and P1 residues interacting with the putative S3, S2, and S1 fibrinogen-binding sites. A hemi-acetal bond at Ser 195 was shown to contribute to the tight-binding reversible competitive thrombin inhibition properties observed with the arginal family. Tight-binding Kass values from thrombin inhibition studies correlated with thrombin clottin inhibition potency. The thrombin time (TT) assay was prolonged twofold with 33 nM Efegatran, which demonstrated an apparent Kass value of 0.8 x 10(8) L/mol (for comparison, 17 nM hirudin was required to prolong the TT assay two-fold). There are empirical anticoagulant selectivity differences between Efegatran and hirudin, manifested by large activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)/TT effect ratios (30 to 55) found with the arginals, as compared to the small aPTT/TT effect ratio (2 to 3) found with hirudin. The underlying anticoagulant mechanism differences between the arginals and hirudin appear to be confined to the aPTT pathway and, therefore, might involve different effects toward thrombin feedback activation of factor VIII. The arginals did not substantially inhibit other coagulation factor serine proteases. Antithrombotic effects of Efegatran and the arginal family occur at low infusion doses in dogs and appear to correlate with effects on TT without requiring perturbation of the aPTT. Selectivity properties regarding the fibrinolytic enzymes were shown to be important for successful use of the arginals in vivo as adjunctive agents during tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) thrombolysis. The data suggest that LY287045, LY294291, and Efegatran should be expected to be useful as antithrombotic adjuncts to thrombolytic therapy with t-PA, urokinase, or streptokinase and should be expected to spare endogenous fibrinolysis. Efegatran has been evaluated in phase I clinical studies and is currently under clinical investigation in phase II protocols as a new cardiovascular anticoagulant.

Animals↗

Structure-based design of the first potent and selective inhibitor of human non-pancreatic secretory phospholipase A2.

A lead compound obtained from a high volume human non-pancreatic secretory phospholipase A2 (hnps-PLA2) screen has been developed into a potent inhibitor using detailed structural knowledge of inhibitor binding to the enzyme active site. Four crystal structures of hnps-PLA2 complexed with a series of increasingly potent indole inhibitors were determined and used as the structural basis for both understanding this binding and providing valuable insights for further development. The application of structure-based drug design has made possible improvements in the binding of this screening lead to the enzyme by nearly three orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the optimized structure (LY311727) displayed 1,500-fold selectivity when assayed against porcine pancreatic s-PLA2.

Animals↗

The N-terminal end of the CH2 domain of chimeric human IgG1 anti-HLA-DR is necessary for C1q, Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RIII binding.

We have found that amino acid residues necessary for C1q and Fc gamma R binding of human IgG1 are located in the N-terminal region of the CH2 domain, residues 231-238, using a matched set of engineered antibodies based on the anti-HLA-DR antibody L243. Changing the leucine 235 in the CH2 region of IgG3 and IgG4 to glutamic acid was already known to abolish Fc gamma RI binding. We have confirmed this for IgG1 and also found a concomitant abolition of human complement lysis with retention of Fc gamma RIII-mediated function. Changing the glycine at 237 to alanine of IgG1 also abolished Fc gamma RI binding and reduced human complement lysis and Fc gamma RIII-mediated function. Exchanging the whole region 233-236 with the sequence found in human IgG2, abolished Fc gamma RI binding and human complement lysis and reduced Fc gamma RIII-mediated function of IgG1. In contrast, a change in the previously described C1q-binding motif, from lysine at 320 to alanine, had no effect on IgG1-mediated complement lysis.

Amino Acids↗

NMDA antagonist activity of (+/-)-(2SR,4RS)-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)piperidine-2-carboxylic acid resides with the (-)-2R,4S-isomer.

The tetrazole-substituted amino acid (+/-)-(2SR,4RS)-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-ylmethyl)pip eri dine-2-carboxylic acid (LY233053, (+/-)-1) was resolved into its constituent enantiomers by treatment of a key intermediate in the synthesis of the racemic amino acid, ethyl (+/-)-cis-4-(cyanomethyl)-N-allylpiperidine-2-carboxylate, with either 2S,3S- or 2R,3R-di-p-toluoyltartaric acid. These resolved amines were then converted as for the racemate to the amino acids (-)-1 and (+)-1. The activity of this potent and selective NMDA antagonist was found to reside with the (-)-isomer of 1 (LY235723). X-ray crystallographic analysis of the 2S,3S-di-p-toluoyltartaric acid salt of ethyl cis-4-(cyanomethyl)-N-allylpiperidine-2-carboxylate showed that the resolved amine, and thus (-)-1, possessed the 2R,4S absolute stereochemistry. Affinity for the NMDA receptor was determined using the specific radioligand [3H]-(2SR,4RS)-4-(phosphonomethyl)piperidine-2-carboxylic acid ([3H]CGS 19755; IC50 = 67 +/- 6 nM), and selective NMDA antagonist activity was determined using a cortical slice preparation (IC50 versus 40 microM NMDA = 1.9 +/- 0.24 microM). This compound also demonstrated potent NMDA antagonist activity in vivo following systemic administration through its ability to block NMDA-induced convulsions in neonatal rats, NMDA-induced lethality in mice, and NMDA-induced striatal neuronal degeneration in rats.

Animals↗

Synthesis and pharmacology of a series of 3- and 4-(phosphonoalkyl)pyridine- and -piperidine-2-carboxylic acids. Potent N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists.

We recently prepared a series of 3- and 4-(phosphonoalkyl)pyridine- and -piperidine-2-carboxylic acids as antagonists of neurotransmission at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) preferring receptors. NMDA antagonists may prove to be useful therapeutic agents, for instance, as anticonvulsants, in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and in the prevention of neuronal damage that occurs during cerebral ischemia. The compounds prepared were evaluated for their ability to displace [3H]CPP binding (an assay shown to be selective for compounds that bind at the NMDA receptor) and for their ability to block NMDA-induced lethality in mice (an assay that is also specific for competitive and noncompetitive NMDA antagonists). Two of the compounds, cis-4-(phosphonomethyl)piperidine-2-carboxylic acid (11a) and cis-4-(3-phosphonoprop-1-yl)piperidine-2-carboxylic acid (11c) proved to be potent NMDA antagonists. 11a and 11c displaced [3H]CPP binding with IC50's of 95 and 120 nM, respectively, and both protected mice from NMDA-induced lethality, with MEDs (minimum effective dose, the dose at which three of the five animals tested survived) of 10 and 40 mg/kg ip, respectively. The rest of the compounds prepared were weakly active or inactive in these assays. The pattern of activity observed for this series parallels that observed for the acyclic series of omega-phosphono-alpha-amino acids, where AP5 and AP7 possessed NMDA antagonist activity while AP6 and AP8 were inactive. Reduction of conformational mobility by incorporation of the piperidine ring led to enhanced potency relative to the acyclic analogues.

Animals↗

Molecular structure of fluoxetine hydrochloride, a highly selective serotonin-uptake inhibitor.

Fluoxetine, a selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake, is clinically useful in treating depression and may be useful for management of a variety of other psychiatric and metabolic derangements. Using X-ray crystallography, we have determined the three-dimensional structure of fluoxetine hydrochloride. A total of 2394 unique reflections were measured, and full-matrix least-squares refinement of all non-hydrogen coordinates and thermal parameters gave a final discrepancy index of 0.074 for 1759 observed reflections. In the solid state, the planes defined by the two aromatic rings are skewed, precluding the possibility of intramolecular ring-ring interactions. The methylene units of the methylpropanamine moiety adopt the anticipated conformational relationships to minimize torsional strain. An exact antiperiplanar relationship exists between N11 and C3; the N11-C1-C2-C3 dihedral angle is -180 degrees. The C1-C2-C3-O4 dihedral angle is 60.6 degrees, indicating that the propanamine side-chain folds toward the phenoxy moiety rather than adopting a fully extended conformation. This folded three-dimensional relationship may be necessary for high-affinity interaction with the serotonin-uptake carrier and confers considerable structural homology between this portion of fluoxetine and the phenylcyclohexylamine substructure of sertraline and EXP-561. However, the nature of substituents on the phenoxy portion of fluoxetine is also critical in determining potency and selectivity in this series of compounds.

Animals↗

Synthesis and analgesic properties of N-substituted trans-4a-aryldecahydroisoquinolines.

A representative series of N-substituted derivatives of the morphine-based trans-4a-aryldecahydroisoquinoline were synthesized and evaluated for opioid analgesic activities. Compounds with potent analgesic activity and high affinities for the mu and kappa opioid receptors were discovered. The effect of varying the N-substituent in the trans-4a-aryldecahydroisoquinoline paralleled, to a certain extent, previous findings with other morphine part structures. Replacement of the N-methyl with a phenethyl group significantly increased analgesic potency. The N-cyclopropylmethyl analogue was found in rodents to have mixed agonist-antagonist properties; however, its antagonist activity was far weaker than those reported for the N-(cyclopropylmethyl)morphinan and -benzomorphan derivatives. Resolution of the stereoisomers and determination of their absolute configuration by X-ray crystallography showed that the opioid receptor effects were predominantly found with the 4aR,8aR isomer, the same relative absolute configuration of morphine. Unexpectedly, the 4aR,8aR N-cyclopropylmethyl analogue (compound 30), which in rodents had mixed agonist-antagonist properties similar to those of pentazocine, was found in rhesus monkeys to behave as a full morphine-like agonist.

Analgesics↗

Structure elucidation of A58365A and A58365B, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors produced by Streptomyces chromofuscus.

A58365A and A58365B, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces chromofuscus NRRL 15098, are homologous compounds of molecular formulas C12H13NO6 and C13H15NO6. The molecular similarities of the two inhibitors were established by comparison of their 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and UV spectra. Catalytic hydrogenation of A58365A led to a tetrahydro-deoxy derivative, C12H17NO5; extensive 1H NMR decoupling studies at 360 MHz allowed all the non-exchangeable protons of the derivative to be connected in a continuous substructure. This fragment was combined with information from other spectroscopic methods to suggest the structures for A58365A (1) and A58365B (2); the conclusions were confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of A58365A-dimethyl ester.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Molecular structure of the dihydropyridazinone cardiotonic 1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-pyridazinyl)- 2H-indol-2-one, a potent inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.

The cardiotonic 1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-(1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-6-oxo-3- pyridazinyl)-2H-indol-2-one (1, LY195115) is a potent, competitive inhibitor (Ki = 80 nM) of sarcoplasmic reticulum derived phosphodiesterase (SR-PDE). Moreover, the compound is a potent positive inotrope both in vitro and in vivo. To assist further cardiotonic drug-design studies, we have mapped the three-dimensional structure of 1 using X-ray crystallography. From a global viewpoint, this drug was essentially planar, but two small regions of nonplanarity were apparent. These involved the geminal methyl substituents in the indol-2-one moiety and the C5' methylene unit of the dihydropyridazinone ring. Because of our previous studies involving the bipyridine cardiotonics amrinone and milrinone, the conformational relationship between the plane of the phenyl ring and the horizontal symmetry plane defined by N2', C3', and C4' of 1 was of particular interest. The C6-C5-C3'-C4' dihedral angle was -2.7 degrees, whereas the C6-C5-C3'-N2' dihedral angle was 174.6 degrees. Therefore the two rings maintain a high degree of coplanarity. Compound 4, the congener of 1 possessing a completely unsaturated pyridazinone ring was also studied. In terms of inotropic activity, this compound, devoid of any puckering in the pyridazinone moiety, was equipotent with 1. Methyl substitution at the 4-position of the dihydropyridazinone and pyridazinone rings provided disparate results. Compound 2, the 4-methyl analogue of 1, was 2-fold more potent than 1, and the methyl substituent probably caused only minor perturbations in overall molecular topology. However 5, the 4-methyl analogue of the pyridazinone 4, was 4.4-fold less active than 4, perhaps as a result of methyl-induced molecular nonplanarity.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Bipyridine cardiotonics: the three-dimensional structures of amrinone and milrinone.

The cardiotonic drug milrinone (1,6-dihydro-2-methyl-6-oxo-[3,4'-bipyridine]-5-carbonitrile) is superior to its analogue amrinone (5-amino-[3,4'-bipyridin]-6(1H)-one) by virtue of its greater potency and reduced side effect profile. We confirmed initial reports on the potencies of milrinone and amrinone and found that after intravenous administration to phenobarbital anesthetized dogs, the drugs had cumulative inotropic ED50's of 37 and 1891 micrograms/kg, respectively; relative effects on heart rate and blood pressure were comparable. There are two structural differences between amrinone and milrinone: (1) milrinone has a pyridone 2-methyl substituent and (2) the pyridone 5-amino substituent of amrinone is replaced with a nitrile in milrinone. We confirmed structure-activity studies that indicated that the 2-methyl substituent appears to be primarily responsible for the dramatic difference in the potencies of amrinone and milrinone. A plausible explanation for the effect of the methyl substituent is an altered molecular topology resulting from its steric interaction with the 3',5'-hydrogen atoms. Consequently, we probed the three-dimensional structures of these two compounds by X-ray crystallography. The dihedral angle between the planes formed by the two aromatic rings of amrinone was 1.3 degrees. In marked contrast, the corresponding angle for milrinone was 52.2 degrees. Moreover, 1H NMR studies revealed conformational differences in solution. Whereas the 2-methyl substituent undoubtedly produces some electronic and hydrophobic perturbations in the bipyridine cardiotonic series, the most significant effect, from a global viewpoint, is the altered molecular topology.

Aminopyridines↗

Synthesis and dopaminergic activity of (R)- and (S)-4-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan.

A synthetic precursor to a potent dopaminergic agonist, (RS)-4-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)indan, has been resolved by classical recrystallization procedures, and the absolute configurations of the enantiomers have been established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The enantiomers were converted by literature procedures into (R)- and (S)-1. (R)-1 was approximately 100 times as potent as (S)-1 in an assay for dopamine agonist effect in the isolated cat atrium.

Animals↗

The structure of A201A, a novel nucleoside antibiotic.

The structure of the novel nucleoside antibiotic A201A has been determined by a combination of chemical and spectroscopic methods. It is composed of 6-dimethylaminopurine, 3-amino-3-deoxyribose, p-hydroxy-alpha-methylcinnamic acid, a novel unsaturated hexofuranose and 3,4-di-O-methylrhamnose. Structures have also been assigned to several related minor factors simultaneously isolated from the fermentation broth. These unique nucleosides have very interesting similarities and differences in structure with the known antibiotics puromycin and hygromycin A.

Aminoglycosides↗

The discovery, fermentation, isolation, and structure of antibiotic A33853 and its tetraacetyl derivative.

The structure of antibiotic A33853, isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp., NRRL 12068, is reported. The structure was deduced from an X-ray crystallographic study of its tetraacetyl derivative. Tetraacetyl A33853 is unique because it contains an anhydride moiety, an unexpected product from the reaction of A33853 with acetic anhydride and pyridine.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Simian varicella infection in the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops).

A severe and highly fatal disease occurred in African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). The disease was marked by an extensive maculo-vesicular rash. In fatal cases, multifocal necrosis and hemorrhage were found characteristically in many organs and tissues. New cases of the disease occurred over a 39-day period. Nine of 49 exposed African green monkeys were affected and five of the nine died. Four cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) and 31 stumptailed monkeys (Macaca arctoides) which were exposed were not affected. Delta Herposvirus was isolated from affected African green monkeys. Stumptailed monkeys housed in association with the African green monkeys, as well as those housed elsewhere, had significant serum concentrations of neutralizing antibodies to this agent.

Animals↗

Resolution and absolute configuration of an ergoline-related dopamine agonist, trans-4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9-Octahydro-5-propyl-1H(or 2H)-pyrazolo[3,4-g]quinoline.

The title compound (+/-)-5 (R = Pro) (LY141865) has been resolved into a (-) isomer and a (+) isomer as the D- and L-tartrate salts, respectively. Biological studies have shown that dopamine agonist activity is a property of only the (-) isomer. Crystallographic analysis has proven that the absolute configuration of the active (-) isomer is the same as that of the natural ergolines.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Effects of conformationally restricted 4-piperazinyl-10H-thienobenzodiazepine neuroleptics on central dopaminergic and cholinergic systems.

The levels of antidopaminergic and anticholinergic activities of neuroleptics, 4-piperazinyl-10H-thienobenzodiazepines, are modulated by imposing steric impedence to the piperazine ring. The optimum situation in favor of the anticholinergic action is reached in compound 5, 2,3-dimethyl-7-fluoro-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-10H-thieno[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepine, where a maximum activity (equivalent to hyoscine), as measured by the [3H]QNB receptor binding assay, is obtained. The structure-activity relationships found highlight the importance of certain spatial dispositions of the distal piperazine nitrogen (electron lone pair) with respect to the tricyclic system. The evidence for molecular topography of these compounds is presented from X-ray, NMR, and other physical data. The conformational aspects for correspondence to the relevant receptors are discussed.

Animals↗