Les récepteurs du neuropeptide FF (NPFF) et GPR54 font partie d’une sous-famille de récepteurs couplés aux protéines G (RCPG) de neuropeptides, qui présentent dans la partie C-terminale une même séquence Arg-Phe-NH2. Ce motif dipeptidique a servi initialement à concevoir des ligands nanomolaires des R-NPFF. Cette même approche a été reprise pour développer des ligands agonistes de GPR54 en optimisant la partie N-terminale du dipeptide (synthèse de dérivés de N-(4-phénylacétylen) phénylcarbonyl Arg-Trp-NH2 par une réaction de Sonogashira sur support solide). Plusieurs composés peptidomimétiques de la séquence Arg-Phe ont aussi été synthétisés (gemdiaminals, pipérazinones, imidazole 4-carboxamides, indole-2-carboxamides). Certains d’entre eux ont montré une affinité comparable à celle de leurs analogues en série dipeptides. Un dérivé de 2-N-acylamino-3-cyanopyridine a été identifié comme hit, puis optimisé par les chercheurs des laboratoires Takeda. Ce composé se lie puissamment et sélectivement à GPR54 (Ki~5nM). Cependant le mode d’interaction de cette pyridine polyfonctionnelle n’est pas connu, et a nécessité la mise au point de nouvelles approches faisant appel aux réactions pallado-catalysées(Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira, Buchwald-Hartwig). L’analyse RSA conduit à l’hypothèse d’un mode d’interaction complexe mettant en jeu un système électronique particulier incluant un cortège de liaisons hydrogène intramoléculaires impliquant l’azote sp2 de la pyridine, les deux groupements accepteurs-donneurs de liaison hydrogène en position 2 et 6 et le groupe cyano en position 3. La stratégie méthodologique développée dans le cadre du projet pharmacochimique a pu être appliquée avec succès pour la première synthèse connue à ce jour d’une pyridine pentasubstituée portant cinq aromatiques différents, et nécessitant un contrôle régiosélectif et séquentiel de cinq réactions de Suzuki-Miyaura. Cette approche est modulable et pourra être appliquée à la synthèse de nouvelles pyridines polysubstituées/fonctionnalisées pour la synthèse de nouveaux pharmacophores. / Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptors and GPR54 belong to a sub-class of G protein coupled receptors (GPCR’s) of neuropeptides containing in their C-terminal part the same dipeptidic Arg-Phe-NH2 fragment. This motif served initially for designing nanomolar ligands of NPFF-R. A similar approach was also used in this work for developing agonists dipeptides acting at GPR54, after structural optimization of the dipeptide N-acyl part (solid phase synthesis of N-(4-phenylacetylen)phenylcarbonyl Arg-Trp-NH2 by Sonogashira reaction). Several series of Arg-Phe peptidomimetics were also synthesized (gem-diaminals, piperazinones, imidazol-4-carboxamides, indol-2-carboxamides). Some of them presented affinity profiles similar to those obtained with the corresponding N-acyl RFamides. A non peptidic compound deriving from 2-N-acylamino-3-cyanopyridine was recently identified as a hit, which was further optimized by Takeda laboratories. This compound binds potently to GPR54 (Ki~5nM). However the mode of interaction of this polyfunctional pyridine within the active site of GPR54 is poorly understood. We investigated more structural analogues by means of palladocatalyzed reactions (Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira, Buchwald-Hartwig). SAR analysis highlighted a complex mode of interaction of this series of compounds, involving a set of intramolecular hydrogen bond acceptor-donor systems between pyridine sp2 nitrogen, and the two fragments on position 2 and 6 of the pyridine. In addition the cyano group may be also involved as inducer of a specific electronic current along the main core of the molecule. The strategy developed for the design and synthesis of novel ligands deriving from pyridine could also be applied with success for the first synthesis known to date of a pentasubstituted pyridine bearing five different aromatic rings by means of a five Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. This approach is versatile and will be applied in the future for providing novel polysubstituted/functionalized pyridinecompounds as novel pharmacological agents.

L'intérêt croissant de la communauté scientifique pour le noyau 1,2,4-triazole nous a amené à développer une nouvelle synthèse de cet hétérocycle substitué sur les positions 3, 4 et 5 par des acides aminés. L'étape clé de la synthèse est une étape de couplage-cyclisation utilisant du benzoate d'argent. Nous avons prouvé qu'il est possible d'utiliser des α-aminoacides comme produit de départ.L'étude cette réaction a montré qu'elle n'induit pas d'épimérisation sur les atomes de carbones en α des positions 3, 4 et 5 du noyau triazole et que le traitement optimisé permet d'éliminer les sels métalliques jusqu'à des concentrations très basses. L'optimisation du traitement nous a également permis d'améliorer les rendements et d'effectuer une monté en échelle de la synthèse. Nous avons alors utilisé cette plateforme hétérocyclique pour étudier l'affinité d'analogues rigidifiés de deux neuropeptides envers leurs cibles respectives : le récepteur cholécystokinine 2 et le récepteur µ-opioïde. Ce travail nous a permis d'obtenir plusieurs ligands ayant une activité submicromolaire pour ces récepteurs. Nous pensons qu'une optimisation des propriétés de ces composés peut être d'un grand intérêt clinique et que l'approche suivie pour leur mise au point peut s'appliquer à d'autres RCPGs. / The growing interest of the scientific community for the 1,2,4-triazole heterocycle led us to develop a new synthesis of this ring trisubstituted in positions 3, 4, and 5 by amino acids. The key step is a coupling-cyclisation step using silver benzoate for which we proved that α-aminoacid can be used as starting material.The study of this reaction showed that it does not induce epimerization on carbon atom in α of the position 3, 4 or 5 on the triazole ring. The optimized work up has been shown to limit metal residual traces at a very low concentration. This optimization allowed us to increase yields and to scale-up reaction. We used this scaffold to study affinity of neuropeptides rigidified analogs to their respective targets: cholecystokinin 2 and µ opioid receptors. This work led us to submicromolar affinity compounds for these receptors. We think that an optimization of these compounds can be of great clinical interest and that our strategy for the discovery of new ligands can be applied to several other GPCRs.

The intrinsic plasticity of biological systems provides opportunities for rational design of selective and potent ligands. Increasingly, computational methods are being applied to predict biomolecular flexibility. However, the motions involved in these processes can be large and occur on time scales generally difficult to achieve with standard simulation methods. In order to overcome the intrinsic limitations of classical molecular dynamics, this Ph.D. project focuses on the application of advanced sampling computational techniques to capture the plasticity of diverse biological systems. The first of these applications involved the evaluation of the secondary structure of the N-terminal portion of p53 and its inverse, reverse and retro-inverso sequences by using replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations in implicit solvent. In this study, we also evaluated the effects of reversal of sequence and stereochemistry in mimicking an inhibitory pharmacophoric conformation. The results showed how the ability to mimic the parent peptide is severely compromised by backbone orientation (for D-amino acids) and side-chain orientation (for reversed sequences). Moreover, the structural information obtained from simulations showed good agreement with NMR and circular dichroism studies, confirming the validity of the combination of replica exchange molecular dynamics with the ff99SB force field and Generalized Born solvent model for computational modelling of D-peptide conformations.In a second work, we explored conformations of the DFG motif of the p38α mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. To achieve this, we employed an advanced sampling simulation method that has been developed in-house, called swarm-enhanced sampling molecular dynamics (sesMD). In contrast to multiple independent MD simulations, swarm-coupled sesMD trajectories were able to sample a wide range of DFG conformations, some of which map onto existing crystal structures. Simulated structures intermediate between DFG-in and DFG-out conformations were predicted to have druggable pockets of interest for structure-based ligand design. Overall, sesMD shows promise as a useful tool for enhanced sampling of complex conformational landscapes. Finally, we used microsecond MD simulations to evaluate the molecular plasticity of R-spondins, a class of proteins involved in the activation of the Wnt pathway. The unbound R-spondin 1 is characterised by a closed conformation, while, when complexed to proteins LGR and RNF43/ZNRF3, assumes an open and more extended arrangement. This is true also for R-spondin 2, in both its unbound or bound forms. From our simulation, we find that the closed R-spondin 1 conformation is stable, whilst, R-spondin 1 and 2 from their open conformation explore several intermediate structures. In addition, we evaluated the druggability of a potential binding site located at the interface between the second and the third β-hairpin moiety of the first furin domain. The computational screening with small molecular fragments provided interesting insights about the druggability and the pharmacophoric features of the potential binding pockets identified, outlining promising future perspectives of structure-based design of Wnt pathway inhibitors.

La fluorooléfine (CF=CH), motif isostère et isoélectronique de la liaison amide, peut être utilisé comme mime efficace de la liaison peptidique. De plus, ce motif confère une meilleure résistance à la dégradation enzymatique comparé à la liaison peptidique. Cette thèse s’inscrit dans notre programme de développement de nouvelles méthodologies d’accès aux fluoropseudopeptides. Dans une première partie, nous appliquons diverses stratégies originales du laboratoire vers la synthèse d’un analogue du neuropeptide 26RFa. Dans une seconde partie est présentée une stratégie générale vers l’accès à des pseudopeptides possédant un motif proline, un acide aminé extrêmement important. Ainsi, la synthèse asymétrique d’analogues fluorés de dipeptide incluant l’unité proline (AA-[(Z) ou (E)CF=C]-Pro), de conformation cisoïde ou transoïde, a été développée. Enfin, nous avons étendu cette méthodologie à la synthèse d’un analogue de l’Enalapril®, molécule biologiquement active. / The Fluoroolefin moiety (CF=CH) can be used as an effective peptide bond mimic due to isoelectronic and isosteric properties. Moreover, this moiety provides better resistance to enzymatic degradation compared to native peptide bond. This thesis is part of our program aiming at developing new methodologies towards fluoropseudopeptides. In a first part, we apply various innovative strategies from the laboratory to the synthesis of an analog of neuropeptide 26RFa. In the second part is presented an overall strategy towards fluorinated pseudopeptide including a proline residue, an amino acid extremely important. Thus, the asymmetric synthesis of fluorinated dipeptide analogues AA-[(Z) or (E) CF=C]-Pro, under cisoid or transoid conformation, has been developed. Finally, we extend this methodology to the synthesis of an analogue of biologically active Enalapril®.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(薬科学) / 甲第18929号 / 薬科博第43号 / 新制||薬||5(附属図書館) / 31880 / 京都大学大学院薬学研究科医薬創成情報科学専攻 / (主査)教授 大野 浩章, 教授 高須 清誠, 教授 竹本 佳司 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM

This work presents the application of spiroligomers as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions. After the discovery of an acyl-transfer coupling reaction by Dr. Zachary Brown, a previous graduate student of Schafmeister group, the synthesis of highly functionalized spiroligomers that mimic the helical domain of p53 was undertaken before each molecule was tested for binding to HDM2, a natural binding partner of p53. A library of molecules was synthesized on solid support that altered the stereochemistry along the spiroligomer as well as the presented functional groups. It was determined that spiroligomers enter human liver cancer cells through passive diffusion and induces a biological response in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. The synthesis of additional spiroligomer analogues achieved low micromolar to high nanomolar range activity during screening in direct and competitive binding assays. In parallel to the project above, a series of spiroligomers that mimic the side chains of the leucine zipper region of Max were synthesized in an effort to disrupt the interaction of the protein with c-Myc. The series of compounds contained various stereocenter combinations and different functional groups as before but were made in solution before testing for inhibition. Initial binding assays resulted in low micromolar activity, however, secondary assays (ELISA and cellular assays) did not confirm the inhibitory effect of spiroligomers on the c-Myc/Max heterodimer. In summary, this work illustrates that spiroligomers are capable mimics of helical peptides and can induce a biological response. / Chemistry

This thesis entitled “Investigating the Intercarbonyl X···C′ (X = O/S/N) Interactions in Short Peptides and Peptidomimetics. Evidence of Charge→π* Interactions. Synthesis and Characterization of Thioimidate Isostere Containing Peptidomimetics” is divided into two chapters. First chapter is further subdivided into four sections where investigation of the nature of intercarbonyl X···C′ (X = O/S/N) interactions in short peptides and peptidomimetics has been described. The second chapter also has been subdivided into three parts where the syntheses and characterization of thioimidate (1,3-thiazine) and imidate (1,3-oxazine) isostere containing peptidomimetics have been discussed. Chapter 1: Section A: Revisiting the earlier models for the intercarbonyl O···C′ interactions The proximity between carbonyls is ubiquitous in crystals. Here we review the key reports that have assigned an n→π* nature to interactions between carbonyl oxygen (O) atoms and adjacent carbonyl carbon (C′) atoms (O···C′). Based on earlier hypotheses (by Burgi-Dunitz) that suggest that “the minimum energy trajectory of a nitrogen nucleophile adding to the C′ of carbonyl is at N···C′ distances of ≤ 3.2 Å and along N···C′=O angles of 109±10o”, the optimum trajectory for addition of an O to an adjacent C′ has also been assigned to be the same (O···C′ distance ≤ 3.2 Å and O···C′=O angle is 109±10o). Additionally, all O and C′ atoms within these boundary conditions in crystal structures were assigned a status of interacting and those outside of the same as non-interacting. Based on quantum mechanical models for electronic orbitals that contain the valence electrons of such proximal O and C′ atoms – derived through NBO (Natural Bond Order) calculations (on crystal structures) – it has been proposed that the filled non-bonding lone pair orbital of the O (donor) overlaps with the empty π* orbital of the carbonyl C′ (acceptor), in these O···C′ interactions. Hence, these have been termed as n→π* interactions. Using DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations energies for these interactions have been predicted to range from 0.5 to 5.0 kcal mol-1, which are similar to those for other strong non-covalent interactions such as H-bonding, weak cation-π, etc. This n→π* interaction model is assumed to prevail between adjacent carbonyls (Oi-1···C′i) at Xaa-Pro dipeptide motifs and to be exclusively responsible for the changes in equilibrium constant values (Kc/t) for the trans to cis isomerisation reaction at Xaa-Pro peptide bond in chosen analogue molecules. Based on this assumption, these Kc/t values have been used as direct experimental equivalents for the energies of these n→π* interactions. Simultaneous to such review of literature, this chapter highlights several anomalies in this n→π* model for the intercarbonyl O···C′ interactions. We discuss the alternate models that also exist for the O···C′ proximities and show that several features – such as improved pyramidalization at the acceptor carbonyl; decrease in Kc/t values at Xaa-Pro peptide bonds; and small changes in 13C NMR chemical shift values for the acceptor carbonyls; etc. – that accompany the shortening of O···C′ distance, can be explained without invoking the n→π* interaction model. Moreover, we discuss key observations such as the presence of near-symmetric antiparallel short contacts between carbonyl groups (C=O) in crystal structures, which cannot be explained by the quantum mechanical n→π* model for the O···C′ interactions. Chapter 1: Section B: Spectroscopic and kinetic investigations into the nature of X···C′ (X = O/S) interactions in N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) In this section the key interactions involving the adjacent carbonyls in model N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) (which are signalling molecules in quorum sensing) in solution, their electronic nature and their influence on solvolysis of the lactone ring have been investigated. Earlier, in the crystal structures of two sterically encumbered synthetic AHL analogues N-trimethyl acetyl homoserine lactone and N-tribromoacetyl homosrine lactone the presence of an n→π* orbital overlap type interaction between Oacyl and C′lact had been suggested. Based primarily on this, the operation of similar OacylC′lact interaction was proposed in all AHLs in their solution conformations as well. More intriguingly, the interaction was hypothesized to decrease the rates of lactone hydrolysis, rendering AHLs with longer biological half-life. This is contrary to physical organic understanding of nucleophilic catalysis of addition to carbonyls. Here we synthesize a variety of AHLs and analyze their NMR and FT-IR data in solution. The spectral data reveal that the role of the N-acyl group in AHLs is to withdraw eˉs from lactone C=O inductively and to improve electronic shielding at C′lact. Lack of appreciable changes in C=O stretching frequencies of lactone and 13C NMR chemical shift values of C′lact indicate the absence of electronic perturbation of the π* of the lactone. Similar non-variance of spectral bands with improvement in nucleophilicity of the N-acyl group indicates the absence of any evidence for n→π* nature for the O···C′ interactions (between the lone pair of eˉs from Oacyl to π* at C′lact). Further the spectroscopic data indicate that any change in charge at the acyl O is felt by C′lact and this weak interaction releases energy in the order of ≤ 0.05 kcal mol-1. The combined influence of the electron withdrawing N-acyl group and the weak Oacyl···C′lact interaction in AHLs is that, increasing the charge at Oacyl increases the rate of solvolysis of lactone. Analysis of the conformation of the lactone ring in the LuxR receptor-bound and unbound crystal structure forms reveals the flattening of the puckered ring in the LuxR bound state – facilitated by several interactions with the receptor. Conserved interactions between LuxR and AHLs lock the N-acyl carbonyl motif such that they are orthogonal to the lactone carbonyl and intramolecular interaction between Oacyl and C′lact is precluded. We propose the design of flat cyclic analogues of γ-butyrolactone bearing electron withdrawing side chains as potential molecules for taking advantage of bacterial quorum sensing in environmental applications and biotechnology. Chapter 1: Section C: Spectroscopic investigation into the nature of intercarbonyl X•••C′ (X = O/S/N) interactions: Carbamyl-cisPro model systems In this section we investigate the nature of intercarbonyl X···C′ interactions in carbamyl-Pro model systems using spectroscopic methods like FT-IR and 1D NMR. Further we derive the enthalpic and entropic contributions towards the free energy for trans to cis isomerization (Kc/t) at these model carbamyl-Pro systems. Our results reveal that changes in Kc/t values cannot always be used as proof for the presence or absence of electronic interactions, and hence to unambiguously suggest the nature of these interactions. Cis/trans isomerism exists at Xaa-Pro amide and carbamate motifs, and it was proposed that in acyl-Pro systems the O···C′ interactions are responsible for the stability of either cis or trans depending upon their direction of operation (Forward direction: O of Xaa is the donor of electrons to π* at C′ of Pro; Reverse direction: O of Pro is the donor of electrons to π* at C′ of Xaa). Investigation of the carbamyl-Pro systems can shed further light on this hypothesis. Hence we undertook the first spectroscopic and Van’t Hoff analysis of homologous carbamyl-Pro model systems. The Kc/t of the homologous series surprisingly increased with increase in the bulk at R (R varies from Me to tBu). The spectroscopic data revealed the presence of charge→σ* interactions at carbamyl groups. This interaction locks the carbamyl motif in the s-transoid conformation, along the C′-O σ-bond. Such conformational lock is observed to be greater in carbamyl groups where R has at least one Cα-H bond. Interestingly, we observe the absence of X···C′ electronic interactions that may selectively stabilize the cisPro conformer in these molecules. Van’t Hoff analyses on the other hand showed that as the number of Me substituents in R increases (R = Me to iPr), there is a favorable increase in entropy ( So) associated with the transPro to cisPro conformational isomerism. As a result, the population of the cisPro conformer improves significantly as the steric bulk at R increases. We note that the enthalpy of cisPro is however relatively small and remains unfavourable as R-bulk increases (Me to iPr). These data reveal the influence of electrostatic interactions between charged groups, on the change in entropy associated with cis/trans isomerism at carbamayl-Pro motifs. This not only opposes the n→π* model, but also provides an example for the important point that changes in Kc/t can/should not be taken as direct evidences of any single electronic interaction. Importantly, this study provides another example where electronic interactions between charged, polarized carbonyl motif rather than nonbonding lone pair eˉs of carbonyl motifs influence cis/trans isomerism at Xaa-Pro systems. Chapter 1: Section D: Investigation of the stereoelectronic nature of the X···C′ (X = O/S) contacts In this section we provide experimental evidence for the existence of inverse correlation between the charge on the O nucleophile and the O···C′ distances. We show that O and C′ atoms (of adjacent carbonyls), which are separated at distances > 3.20 Å in carefully chosen analogues, come together to σ-bonding distances when the charge on O is increased to -1. Additionally, the influence of backbone steric factors on these charge→π* interactions is investigated. A partial covalent nature was proposed for the O···C′ interactions. Our study showed that the shortest intercarbonyl O···C′ distances between the O of 1°, 2° and 3° amide carbonyls and proximal C′ in molecules found in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) (v5.36, November 2014) show an inverse linear correlation with the partial negative charge (δ‾) on the amide carbonyl O rendered by natural amide carbonyl polarization. These data suggest the interaction of charge on the nucleophilic O with π* of the acceptor carbonyl. Further on increasing the charge on nucleophilic carbonyl O to -1 in the model compound, we achieved the formation of σ-bond through non-native (natively disallowed) Oi‾¹→C′i-1 interaction. Here we provide the first experimental evidences that suggest the interaction between charge of O and π* at adjacent C′ (the charge→π* interaction) and the latent covalent nature of the O···C′ interactions. This charge→π* model explains the origins of variations in O···C′ distances (3.20 Å–1.43 Å) in proteins and complexes that occur to suit biological functions; and the mutual interactions between antiparallel carbonyls. Further the effect of 3 key steric factors – namely the allowed τ (N-Cα-C′) angle, entropy and allowed (ϕ,ψ) angles – on the non-native Oi→C′i-1 interactions were investigated in the model compounds. Our kinetic data revealed that, the allowed τ angles have the greatest influence on charge→π* interaction, followed by entropy. Importantly the allowed (ϕ,ψ) torsional angles for residues, that govern protein folding pathways, have little influence on the O···C′ electronic interactions. Chapter 2: Section A: Design and synthesis of novel 1,3-Thiazine containing peptidomimetics This section describes the first synthesis of peptidomimetics containing the 1,3-thiazine isostere (thioimidate isostere for the peptide bond), at the C-terminus and also at the middle of the peptide. The synthesis of the 6-membered heterocycles – 1,3-oxazine (Oxa) – have earlier been reported. Oxa motifs constrain preceding amino acid backbones into natively disallowed conformations. Here we present the first synthesis of peptidomimetics containing the 1,3-thiazine (Thi) (the thioimidate analogue of Oxa) motif, by the treatment of N-(3-hydroxypropyl)thioamides with MsCl/Et3N, which leads to intramolecular S-alkylation / cyclization. When placed at the C-terminus of acyl-Pro motifs the Thi group selectively improves the stability of the rare s-cis conformation of the acyl-Pro peptide bond. Further this method has been used to synthesize peptidomimetics in which an endogenous peptide bond is replaced with the Thi isostere. These Thi analogues are shown to be stable to standard conditions of peptide coupling and N- and C- terminus protection, deprotection and can be extended selectively at their N- or C- termini. Chapter 2: Section B: Epimerization in 1,3-Thiazine containing peptidomimetics The epimerization in 1,3-thiazine containing peptidomimetics and its mechanism has been described in this section. Further the aggregation behaviour of these thiazines, in solution and crystal structures, has been studied. It has been well-documented that epimerization (Racemization) occurs at the chiral centers at the C(2) exo methine of 1,3-thiazolines and 1,3-thiazoles. Similar epimerizations in 1,3-thiazines have however not been explored. Here we report our observation of epimerization in chiral aminoacid (non Pro) containing 1,3-thiazine peptidomimetics. Our studies revealed that, the epimerization happens at C2 positions of chiral (non-Pro) amino acids-derived 1,3-thiazine containing peptiomimetics. And NH of chiral (non-Pro) amino acid fused to Thi ring at C2 position is necessary for the epimerization. Further we investigated the Boc-Xaa*-Thi analogues in solution, which showed two resonances for the carbamate N-H (HN) and the H of Xaa*, irrespective of the side chain in Xaa, in CDCl3 a weakly polar solvent. The integral ratios of the major : minor peak increased with increase in concentration for Boc-Val*-Thi, indicating the formation of H-bonded aggregates. Even in the polar aprotic (DMSO-d6) and polar protic (D2O) solvents the two sets of resonances were observed for Boc-Val*-Thi in 1H NMR. But when the thioimidate N is protonated (N of Thi is no longer a H-bond acceptor), showed only a single set of resonances. Formation of intermolecular H-bonds involving N of Thi in solution is thus evident in the aggregates. This is further suggested by the crystal structures obtained for the peptide mimetics Boc-Val*-Thi, Boc-Leu*-Thi and Boc-Phe*-Thi in which the racemic pair, instead of one enantiomer of it, are present in the unit cell and are locked in a pair of intermolecular 10 membered H-bonding interactions between NThi and HLeu* similar to an antiparallel β-sheet. A mechanism for racemization is proposed, where this strong H-bond assists enamination/racemization process. Chapter 2: Section C: Influence of a disallowed conformation of Aib on the structure of a 310-helical fold In this section, the effect of the presence of a disallowed conformation of Aib at the C-terminus of a 310-helical peptide, on the structure and fold of the rest of the peptide body has been studied in solution. We constrain the C-terminal Aib in the Aib-rich octapeptide (N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-Leu1-Aib2-Ala3-Leu4-Aib5-Ala6-Phe7-Aib8-CO2Me (1), which adopts a complete 310-helical conformation throughout the peptide body in the crystal structure and in solution) in one of its disallowed conformations using a method earlier developed in our group. This involves the synthetic modification of the C-terminal ester (Aib8-CO2Me) in 1 to an Oxa (Aib*8-Oxa) in 2 and the study of its effect on the peptide body. Analyses of the solution FT-IR, CD, ¹H, 2D (TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC and ROESY) and solvent polarity dependent NMR data reveal that 2 adopts a 310-helical conformation similar to that of 1. The C-terminal CO2Me → Oxa (E → O) modified Aib*8-Oxa motif is constrained in a unique conformation where the two Cβ atoms of Aib*8 are staggered with respect to the Aib*8 C=O and are both interacting with the two Hβ of Phe7. Here the Aib* backbone is constrained by a 5-membered ring NOxa∙∙∙HAib* H-bond, in a C5i structure. Solvent polarity dependent ¹H NMR data indicate the formation and persistence of C5i H-bond at the Aib*8-Oxa motif in 2. Analyses of the ROESY, solvent polarity dependent ¹H NMR and CD spectra reveal that four crucial changes in ROESY cross peaks occur at the Phe7-Aib*8 motif of 2, compared to that in 1. From these spectroscopic data it has been confirmed that there is no change in the structure of 2 from Leu1 to Ala6. Whatever the crucial changes happened are at Phe7-Aib*8 motif of 2. Hence our study showed that the significant structural consequences of this disallowed conformation of Aib* are primarily observed to occur in the residue in its immediate vicinity, rather than in the whole peptide body. Presence of a disallowed fold at a residue need not result in disruption of the structure, or the overall fold, in the rest of the peptide body.

Conformationally constrained bicyclic amino acids are invaluable in the synthesis of natural products and peptidomimetics. Aeruginosins contain novel bicyclic amino acid, 2--‐carboxy--‐6--‐hydroxyl octahydrindole (Choi) as the core structure. Aeruginosins are tetra peptide serine protease inhibitors isolated from marine sponges and cyanobacterial water blooms. Rigid bicyclic amino acid(Choi)is an essential core structure, which strongly influences biological activity of aeruginosin family members. Aeruginosins showed promising inhibitory activity against thrombin, trypsin, and factor VIIa. Thrombin and factor VIIa play a major role in blood clotting cascade; excessive coagulation leads to thrombosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Several research groups have reported a number of synthetic aeruginosin analogs. In this thesis, some of the synthetic methodologies of bicyclic amino acid core of aeruginosins are presented. Importance of bicyclic amino acids in peptidomimetic synthesis and drug designing is presented. Mainly, syntheses of ring oxygenated Choi analogs starting from glucose and mannose are presented.

<p>Peptide secondary structure mimetics are important tools in medicinal chemistry, as they provide analogues of endogeneous peptides with new physicochemical and pharmacological properties. The <i>β</i>-hairpin motif has been shown to be involved in numerous physiological processes, among others in regulation of eucariotic gene transcription. This thesis addresses the design, synthesis and conformational analysis of photoswitchable <i>β</i>-hairpin mimetics.</p><p>The developmental work included the establishment of an improved procedure for cross coupling of aryl halides with terminal alkynes. Microwave mediated Sonogashira couplings in closed vessels were optimized under homogeneous and solid-phase conditions furnishing excellent yields for a large variety of substrates within 5 – 25 minutes. In addition, microwave heating was shown not to have any non-conventional effect on the reaction rate.</p><p>Furthermore, the most important factors affecting <i>β</i>-hairpin stability were evaluated. Studies of tetrapeptide and decapeptide analogues revealed the essential role of the <i>β</i>-turn in initiation of hairpin folding. Moreover, hydrogen bonding was shown to be the main interchain stabilizing force, whereas hydrophobic interactions were found to be relatively weak. Nevertheless, hydrophobic packing appears to provide an important contribution to the thermodynamic stability of <i>β</i>-hairpins.</p><p>Photoswitchable peptidomimetics were prepared by incorporation of various stilbene moieties into tetra- and decapeptides. Synthesis, photochemical isomerisation and spectroscopic conformational analysis of the compounds were performed.</p>

<p>Important information on the bioactive conformation of biologically active peptides may be obtained by studies of rigid peptides or well-defined secondary structure mimetics incorporated into pseudopeptides. The structural requirements for the interaction of angiotensin II (Ang II, Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) with its AT₁ and AT₂ receptors were the subject of this study.</p><p>The main objectives of this work were to synthesize secondary structure mimetics and incorporate these into Ang II. Ang II has been suggested to adopt a turn conformation around Tyr⁴ when interacting with its AT₁ receptor. Therefore, two <i>γ</i>- and one <i>β</i>-turn mimetic scaffolds based on the benzodiazepine structure were synthesized and decorated with side chains. The scaffolds replaced the turn region around Tyr⁴. Most of the pseudopeptides obtained after incorporation into Ang II exhibited high AT₂/AT₁ selectivity and nanomolar affinity to the AT₂ receptor. One pseudopeptide encompassing a <i>β</i>-turn mimetic also displayed AT₁ receptor affinity.</p><p>We hypothesized that the position of the guanidino group of the arginine residue and the N-terminal end, in relation to the tyrosine side chain, was critical for AT₂ receptor affinity. Conformational evaluation of the pseudopeptides revealed that in all the compounds with AT₂ receptor affinity the arginine side chain and the N-terminal end could reach common regions, not accessible to the inactive compound. It is proposed that Ang II has a more extended bioactive conformation when binding to the AT₂ receptor than when binding to the AT₁ receptor.</p><p>Furthermore, in a Gly scan of Ang II only replacement of the arginine residue reduced the affinity for the AT₂ receptor considerably. Some N-terminal modified Ang II analogues were also synthesized and it was concluded that truncated Ang II analogues interact with the AT₂ receptor differently than Ang II.</p><p>Three of the synthesized pseudopeptides were evaluated in AT₂ receptor functional assays and were found to act as agonists.</p>