There is an unmet medical need for the efficient treatment of neuropathic pain, a condition that affects approximately 10% of the population worldwide. Current therapies need to be improved due to the associated side effects and lack of response in many patients. Moreover, neuropathic pain causes great suffering to patients and puts an economical burden on society. The work presented in this thesis addresses SP1-7, (Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-OH), a major metabolite of the pronociceptive neuropeptide Substance P (SP). SP is released in the spinal cord following a noxious stimulus and binds to the NK1 receptor. In contrast to SP, the degradation fragment SP1-7 is antinociceptive through binding to specific binding sites distinct from the NK1 receptor. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the impact of SP1-7 on neuropathic pain. To understand how SP1-7 exerts its effect, a series of N-truncated forms of the heptapeptide were biologically evaluated. A set of small high-affinity ligands was evaluated in animal models of neuropathic pain. To confirm a clinical relevance the levels of SP1-7 in human neuropathic pain were assessed incerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from neuropathic pain patients. The results showed that SP1-7 could alleviate thermal as well as mechanical hypersensitivity in three different animal models of neuropathic pain. C-terminal amidation was connected with increased efficacy. N-terminal truncation of SP1-7 indicated a necessity of five amino acids in order to retain biological effect. One small high-affinity ligand showed a significant anti-allodynic effect. CSF levels of SP1-7 in neuropathic pain patients were lower compared to controls. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the formation of SP1-7 may be attenuated in neuropathic pain. C-terminal amidation and a majority of its amino acids are necessary for stability and permeability. Clearly, SP1-7 and SP1-7 mimetics with high affinity to the SP1-7 binding site ameliorate neuropathic pain-like behaviors in animal models of neuropathic pain. Overall, the findings presented in this thesis contribute to new knowledge regarding the role of SP1-7 and related analogues and fragments in neuropathic pain. In a future perspective, this could be essential for the development of efficient strategies for managing patients with neuropathic pain.

Biologically active peptides are important for many physiological functions in the human body and therefore serve as interesting starting points in drug discovery processes. In this work the neuropeptide substance P 1–7 (SP1–7, H-Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-OH), which has been demonstrated to reduce neuropathic pain and attenuate opioid withdrawal symptoms in animal models, has been addressed in a medicinal chemistry program with the overall aim of transforming this bioactive peptide into more drug-like compounds. Specific binding sites for this neuropeptide have been detected in the brain and the spinal cord. Interestingly, the smaller neuropeptide endomorphin-2 (EM-2, H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2) also interacts with these binding sites, although 10-fold less efficient. In this work the structure–activity relationship of SP1–7 and EM-2, regarding their affinity to the SP1–7 binding site was elucidated using alanine scans, truncation, and terminal modifications. The C-terminal part of both peptides, and especially the C-terminal phenylalanine, was crucial for binding affinity. Moreover, the C-terminal functional group should preferably be a primary amide. The truncation studies finally resulted in the remarkable discovery of H-Phe-Phe-NH2 as an equally good binder as the heptapeptide SP1–7. This dipeptide amide served as a lead compound for further studies. In order to improve the drug-like properties and to find a plausible bioactive conformation, a set of rigidified and methylated dipeptides of different stereochemistry, and analogs with reduced peptide character, were synthesized and evaluated regarding binding, metabolic stability and absorption. Small SP1–7 analogs with retained affinity and substantially improved permeability and metabolic stability were identified. Beside peptide chemistry the synthetic work included the development of a fast and convenient microwave-assisted protocol for direct arylation of imidazoles. Furthermore, microwave-assisted aminocarbonylation using Mo(CO)6 as a solid carbon monoxide source was investigated in the synthesis of MAP amides and for coupling of imidazoles with amino acids. In a future perspective the present findings, together with the fact that some of the SP1–7 analogs discovered herein have been shown to reproduce the biological effects of SP1-7 in animal studies related to neuropathic pain and opioid dependence, can ultimately have an impact on drug discovery in these two areas.

La thrombose est le plus important processus pathologique sous-jacent à de nombreuses maladies cardiovasculaires, qui sont responsables d’une mortalité élevée dans le monde entier. Dans cette thèse, la conception assistée par ordinateur de nouveaux agents antithrombotiques capables d’inhiber deux types de récepteurs situés à la surface des plaquettes a été appliquée. Le premier - αIIbβ3 - est responsable de l’interaction des plaquettes activées avec le fibrinogène pour former des caillots, tandis que le second – le thromboxane A2 – est responsable de l’activation des plaquettes par l’un des agonistes excrétés par les plaquettes activées. Afin d’atteindre cet objectif, différents types de modèles ont été développés en utilisant les informations expérimentales disponibles et la structure des complexes protéine-ligand, comprenant des modèles QSAR, des pharmacophores 3D basés sur la structure de la protéine ou du ligand, des pharmacophores 2D, des modèles basés sur la forme et sur le champ moléculaire. L’ensemble des modèles développés ont été utilisés en criblage virtuel. Cette étude a abouti sur la suggestion de nouveaux antagonistes potentiels des récepteurs αIIbβ3 et thromboxane A2. Les antagonistes de αIIbβ3 suggérés pouvant se lier soit à la forme ouverte soit à la forme fermée du récepteur ont été synthétisés et testés expérimentalement. L’expérience montre qu’ils font preuve d’une forte activité; de plus, certains des composés conçus théoriquement sont plus efficaces que le Tirofiban, qui est un médicament commercialisé. Les antagonistes recommandés du récepteur thromboxane A2 ont déjà été synthétisés mais les tests biologiques n’ont pas encore été complétés. / Thrombosis is the most important pathological process underlying many cardiovascular diseases, which are responsible for high mortality worldwide. In this theses the computer-aided design of new anti-thrombotic agents able to inhibit two types of receptors located on the surface of the platelets has been applied. The first one - αIIbβ3 - is responsible for the interaction of activated platelets with fibrinogen to form clots, whereas the second one - thromboxane A2 - is responsible for platelet activation by one of agonists excreted by activated platelets. To achieve this, different types of models have been developed using experimentally available information and structure of protein-ligand complexes. This concerns: QSAR models, structure-based and ligand-based 3D pharmacophore models, 2D pharmacophore models, shape-based and molecular field-based models. The ensemble of the developed models were used in virtual screening. This study resulted in suggestion of new potential antagonists of αIIbβ3 and thromboxane A2 receptors. Suggested antagonists of αIIbβ3 able to bind either open or closed form of the receptor have been synthesized and tested experimentally. Experiments show that they display high activity; moreover some of theoretically designed compounds are more efficient than Tirofiban – the commercialized drug molecule. The recommended antagonists of thromboxane A2 receptor have been already synthesized but biological tests have not been completed yet.

Submitted by Biblioteca da Faculdade de Farmácia (bff@ndc.uff.br) on 2018-03-12T17:36:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PEDRO HENRIQUE RODRIGUES DE ALENCAR AZEVEDO.pdf: 15048741 bytes, checksum: a121d29e5dc4898c7b8e4a85def01e12 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-12T17:36:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PEDRO HENRIQUE RODRIGUES DE ALENCAR AZEVEDO.pdf: 15048741 bytes, checksum: a121d29e5dc4898c7b8e4a85def01e12 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As calicreínas teciduais humanas (KLKs) compreendem uma família de 15 enzimas serina proteases (KLKs 1-15) amplamente encontradas nos tecidos humanos. Em diversas patologias como a dermatite atópica, psoríase, síndrome de Netherton, câncer de ovário, mama e testículos, as KLKs encontram-se em concentrações elevadas. Por exemplo, as KLKs 5 e 7 estão mais abundantemente expressadas na pele, na qual estão envolvidas com o processo de descamação da mesma, e também presentes em alguns tipos de carcinomas. Dessa forma, as KLKs 5 e 7 são consideradas importantes alvos terapêuticos para o tratamento de doenças onde elas encontram-se superexpressadas, enfatizando a existência de somente um fármaco comercialmente disponível como inibidor de KLK. Nesse contexto, o trabalho descreve a síntese de 3 séries de compostos peptideomiméticos, incorporando o cerne estatina e diferentes resíduos de aminoácidos, planejados como candidatos a inibidores das enzimas serina proteases do KLKs 5 e 7. Os compostos finais foram obtidos utilizando uma rota sintética eficiente tendo como reação-chave a formação da ligação peptídica entre o cerne estatina e cloridratos de aminoésteres, previamente sintetizados. Os compostos sintetizados foram identificados por técnicas de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear, Infravermelho e Espectrometria de massas de alta resolução e os produtos finais serão avaliados em testes in vitro de inibição das enzimas KLKs / Human tissue kallikreins (KLKs) comprise a family of 15 serine protease enzymes (KLKs 1-15) widely found in human tissues. In several pathologies such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, Netherton syndrome, ovarian, breast and testis cancer, KLKs are in high concentrations. For example, KLKs 5 and 7 are more abundantly expressed in the skin, in which they are involved in the desquamation process, and also present in some types of carcinomas. Thus, KLKs 5 and 7 are considered important therapeutic targets for the treatment of diseases where they are over expressed, emphasizing the existence of only one commercially available drug as a KLK inhibitor. In this context, the work describes the synthesis of three series of peptideomimetic compounds incorporating the statin core and different amino acid residues, designed as candidates for inhibitors of the serine protease enzymes of KLKs 5 and 7. The final compounds were obtained using an efficient synthetic route based on the reaction of formation of the peptide bond between the statin core and previously synthesized amino acid hydrochlorides. The synthesized compounds were identified by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Infrared and High Resolution Mass Spectrometry techniques and the final products will be evaluated in in vitro inhibition assays of the KLKs enzymes

Peptídeos são biomoléculas que apresentam extensa variedade estrutural e funcional, atuando em diversos processos biológicos relevantes. Estas moléculas são amplamente utilizadas na terapêutica, constituindo, atualmente, um campo investigativo bastante promissor para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos, especialmente no desenvolvimento de vacinas sintéticas. Os avanços científicos relacionados às técnicas de identificação, análise e purificação tem estimulado diversas pesquisas na busca por fármacos baseados em peptídeos, os quais podem ser obtidos a partir de fontes naturais ou por métodos químicos (em solução ou em fase sólida), enzimático ou combinação de ambos (semi-síntese) e via tecnologia do DNA recombinante. Entretanto, devido às limitações próprias dos peptídeos naturais, tais como, suscetibilidade proteolítica, toxicidade e baixa biodisponibilidade, torna-se necessária a síntese de peptídeos modificados. Como a função biológica de um peptídeo é definida por sua conformação estrutural, a inserção de modificação em uma estrutura peptídica deve ser capaz de manter ou estabilizar esta conformação estrutural. O desenvolvimento de novas e eficientes rotas de síntese de peptídeos modificados torna-se necessário para superar as limitações relacionadas à suscetibilidade proteolítica, toxicidade e baixa biodisponibilidade, afim de contribuir para novas estratégias terapêuticas, em especial no desenvolvimento de vacinas. Desta forma, a inserção de grupo 1,2,3-triazol tem fornecido propriedades físicoquímicas desejáveis no desenvolvimento de fármacos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um método de síntese de peptídeos contendo grupo 1,2,3-triazol 1,4- dissubstituído, como o peptídeo 1, o qual é constituído por dezesseis resíduos de treonina e um grupo 1,2,3-triazol 1-4-dissubstituído entre os resíduos Thr8 e Thr9 (NH2-(Thr)7-Thr-(ciclo 1,2,3-triazol 1,4-dissubstituído)-Thr-(Thr)7-OH). Adicionalmente, devido à semelhança com mucinas de T. cruzi, as quais apresentam rica composição em resíduos de treonina, 1 poderá ser empregado na preparação de peptideomiméticos destas mucinas e no desenvolvimento de vacinas relacionadas à processos infecciosos causados por T. cruzi. A preparação de 1 envolveu uma associação entre síntese de peptídeo em fase sólida e reações de ciclo-adição azido-alcino 1,3 dipolar catalisada por cobre (I) (CuAAC). Inicialmente, o método utilizado foi padronizado a partir da síntese do modelo dipeptídeo de treonina (8), cuja ligação peptídica foi substituída pelo grupo 1,2,3-triazol 1,4- dissubstituído (NHFmoc-Thr-(ciclo 1,2,3-triazol 1,4 dissubstituído)-Thr-OH). A estratégia via CuAAC conduziu à obtenção do dipeptídeo modificado em excelente rendimento (98%) e permitiu estabelecer as condições a serem empregadas na obtenção do peptídeo mais complexo de cadeia longa 1. A reação de CuAAC gerou o peptídeo 1 com rendimento bruto satisfatório (70%). A obtenção de 1 foi confirmada pela análise de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de próton (RMN 1H), a qual permitiu identificar a presença do grupo 1,2,3-triazol 1,4-dissubstituído. Adicionalmente, análises posteriores por espectrometria de massas (ESI-MS) sugerem a obtenção do peptídeo 1. / Peptides are biomolecules which present great structural and functional variety, acting in several biological processes. These molecules are widely used in therapeutics, and recently represent a very promising field for development of novel drugs, specially on synthetic vaccines. Scientific advances related to identification techniques, analysis and purification stimulate researches in attempt to produce peptides-based drugs, which can be extracted from natural sources or chemically synthesized (in liquid or solid phase), enzymatic process or both (semi-synthesis) and recombinant DNA technology. However, due to limitations concerning natural peptides, such as, proteolytic liability, toxicity and low bioavailability, becomes necessary the synthesis of modified peptides. Being biological function of a peptide defined by its structural conformation, adding a modification in a peptide structure must be able to maintain or stabilize it. The development of novel and efficient synthetic route of modified peptides is necessary to overcome the limitations related to proteolytic liability, toxicity and low bioavailability, to contribute with novel therapeutic strategies, mostly development of vaccines. So, adding a 1,2,3-triazole group can afford desirable chemical-physical properties in drug discovery. The objective was develop a method to synthesize peptides containing 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole group, such as peptide 1, which is constituted by sixteen threonine residues and one 1,4 disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole group (NH2-(Thr)7-Thr-(1,4- disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole cycle)-Thr-(Thr)7-OH). Moreover, due to the similarity with T. cruzi mucins that present great composition of threonine, 1 can be employed in development of vaccines related to infectious processes caused by T. cruzi. The preparation of 1 envolved an association between the solid-phase synthesis of peptide and reactions of copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Initially, the method was standardized from synthesis of threonine dipeptide (8), whose peptide bond was replaced by 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole group (NHFmoc-Thr-(1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole cycle)-Thr-OH). The strategy via CuAAC gave the modified dipeptide in good yield (98%) and allowed to establish the conditions to prepare the more complex peptide with long chain 1. The CuAAC reaction gave the peptide 1 with good yield (70%). Compound 1 was confirmed by NMR proton analysis which showed the presence of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole group. Additionally, further analysis of mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) suggest the achievement of peptide 1.

Le travail décrit dans ce manuscrit est consacré à la synthèse et à la caractérisation structurale d'une nouvelle famille de γ-amino acides hétérocycliques contraints, les ATCs (acides 4-Amino-(méthyl)-1,3-Thiazole-5-Carboxyliques). Ces monomères sont construits autour d'un noyau thiazole inséré entre les carbones Cα-Cβ permettant de limiter la valeur de l'angle dièdre ζ à 0°. La présence de deux points de substitution, sur le carbone γ asymétrique et en position 2 du noyau aromatique, autorise une large diversification structurale des ATCs. Des séries d'oligomères, i.e. dimères, tétramères et hexamères solubles dans les solvants organiques halogénés, dans les alcools et dans l'eau ont été synthétisées par couplages peptidiques. La conformation adoptée par ces séquences a été déterminée en solution par RMN 1D et 2D associées à des techniques de modélisation sous contraintes RMN. Nous avons montré que les oligomères d'ATCs s'arrangeaient en hélices 39 droites, présentant un pas de 11,8 Å. La conformation hélicoïdale est stabilisée par un réseau de liaisons hydrogène de type CO(i)…NH(i+2) s'établissant tout au long de la séquence, faisant entrer les oligomères d'ATCs dans le monde des foldamères. Des mesures de dichroïsme circulaire ont permis d'apprécier la stabilité conformationnelle des édifices et l'analyse à l'état solide par diffraction des rayons X a confirmé l'arrangement observé par RMN. Dans une seconde partie nous avons étudié le rôle structurant d'un motif ATC placé au sein d'une petite séquence peptidique. Nous montrons au travers d'expériences RMN et de calculs théoriques que la configuration du monomère d'ATC conditionne la conformation de peptides hybrides αγαα en solution. En termes d'application nous décrivons l'utilisation du motif ATC comme mime de coude pour concevoir un analogue fonctionnel de la gramicidine S, un cyclodécapeptide symétrique antibactérien. La dernière partie de ce travail concerne nos efforts pour développer, à partir des connaissances acquises quant à la structure tridimensionnelle des oligomères d'ATCs, des inhibiteurs de l'interaction protéine-protéine STAT6-NCoA-1. / The work described herein is devoted to the synthesis and the structural characterization of a new family of heterocyclic constrained γ-amino acids, named ATCs (4-Amino-(methyl)-1,3-Thiazole-5-Carboxylic acids). These building-blocks are built around a thiazole ring inserted between the Cα-Cβ carbons allowing the limitation of the ζ dihedral angle value to 0°. The presence of two diversification points both on the γ asymmetric carbon and on the position 2 of the aromatic ring, allows a large structural diversification of the ATCs. Series of oligomers consisting in dimers, tetramers and hexamers soluble in halogenated solvents, alcools and water have been synthesized according to peptide chemistry. The conformations of the sequences have been studied by various NMR experiments associated to modelling studies led under NMR constraints. The ATC oligomers adopt a right 39 helical shape, owning a pitch of 11.8 Å which has been confirmed by crystallography. The helix is stabilized by a conserved hydrogen bond pattern between CO(i)…NH(i+2) occurring all along the sequence axis. Circular dichroism measures have been done to check the conformational stability of the architectures. In the second part of the manuscript, we demonstrate by NMR and theoretical computing that when included in a short peptide sequence, ATCs could act as turns. The derived application consists in optimizing the biological behaviour of the ATC moiety as a turn mimetic thanks to the design and the antibacterial evaluation of a gramicidin S analogue. Based on our knowledge about the three-dimensional structure of ATC oligomers, the last part of this work deals with our efforts to develop inhibitors of protein-protein interaction STAT6-NCoA-1.

<p dir="ltr">Ebola virus is an enveloped filamentous shaped RNA virus which causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Multiple outbreaks of different strains of ebolavirus have been reported in the past years with limited therapeutics available for treatment. Despite some advances in treatment, there remains a lack of knowledge about the mechanisms of ebolavirus replication in host cells.</p><p dir="ltr">Ebolavirus encodes for seven structural proteins with matrix protein (VP40) being the most abundantly expressed viral protein. VP40 is essential for viral assembly and budding as expression of VP40 alone is sufficient for formation of virus-like particles (VLPs). VP40 also disassembles during viral entry to help in viral and host cell membrane fusion. Oligomerization of VP40 has been reported to decrease viral replication and transcription. VP40 can perform these diverse functions by virtue of changes in conformation and oligomerization state. VP40 predominantly exists as a dimer through hydrophobic interactions between the alpha helices of the two protomers. Furthermore, VP40 oligomerizes into a hexamer which serves as the structural unit for cylindrical matrix layer formation. VP40 also forms a ring-shaped octamer for regulation of viral transcription. The different oligomeric forms of VP40 exist in an equilibrium for successful viral infection. However, the exact mechanism of formation, stability, and energetics of conversion between these oligomeric forms is unknown.</p><p dir="ltr">In this study, we performed biophysical analysis on the dimerization interface and identified keystone interactions which when abrogated lead to complete disruption of dimer interface. In addition, peptidomimetics approach was used to design and synthesize a library of compounds to probe the dimerization interface. The compounds were screened using thermal shift assay and then compared using MST and ITC studies. We identified that a peptide mimicking the alpha helical region stabilized by a p-xylene di-cysteine staple was able to bind to VP40 dimer. We also determined that this peptide binds near the dimer interface and was able to slightly shift equilibrium of VP40 dimer towards monomer formation.</p><p dir="ltr">Overall, this report sheds light on critical interactions required for VP40 dimer formation and stability and introduces use of peptidomimetics to probe for VP40 dimerization interface to understand energetics of oligomerization equilibrium, thereby increasing our knowledge about disease mechanism and paving way for development of therapeutics.</p>

The phosphorylation-dependent PPIase (peptidyl prolyl isomerase), Pin1 (Protein interacting with NIMA#1), has been found to regulate cell cycle through a simple conformational change, the cis-trans isomerization of phospho-Ser/Thr-Pro amide bonds. A variety of key cell cycle regulatory phosphoproteins, including Cdc25 phosphatase,Cdc27, p53 oncogene, c-Myc oncogene, Wee1 kinase, Myt1 kinase, and NIMA kinas, have been confirmed as substrates of Pin1. Pin1 was also observed to be overexpressed in a variety of cancer cell lines, and the inhibitors of Pin1 showed antiproliferative activities towards these cancer cells. These results implied that Pin1 might serve as a potential anti-cancer drug target. Besides, Pin1 has an important neuroprotective function and represents a potential new therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease. In order to understand the interaction between Pin1 and Cdc25c and the role of Pin1 in the mechanism for the regulation of mitosis, two amide isosteres, Ser-Ψ[(Z)CH=C]-Pro-OH and Ser-Ψ[(E)CH=C]-Pro-OH were incorporated into two peptidomimetics derived from human Cdc25c. Phosphorylation of these two peptidomimetics by the incubation with Cdc2 was studied using LC-MS/MS technique. It was found that Cdc2 kinase was conformationally specific to its Cdc25c substrate. Only the trans conformer of Cdc25c at its Ser168-Pro position can be recognized and phosphorylated by Cdc2 kinase, thereby creating the binding site for Pin1. In an effort to improve the cell permeability of the charged inhibitors of Pin1, bisPOM (pivaloyloxymethyl) prodrug moiety was introduced to mask the phosphate group of Fmoc-pSer-Ψ[(Z)CH=C]-Pro-(2)-N-(3)-ethylaminoindole, which is one inhibitor of Pin1. Fmoc-pSer-Ψ[(Z)CH=C]-Pro-(2)-N-(3)-ethylaminoindole and its bisPOM prodrug were synthesized efficiently starting with Boc-Ser-Ψ[(Z)CH=C]-Pro-OH in 24% and 12% yields respectively. The charged inhibitor showed a moderate inhibition towards Pin1 (IC50 = 28.3 μM). Its antiproliferative activity towards A2780 ovarian cancer cells (IC50 = 46.2 μM) was significantly improved by its bisPOM prodrug (IC50 = 26.9 μM), which is comparable to the IC50 of the charged inhibitor towards Pin1 enzymatic activity. These results not only established the bisPOM strategy as an efficient prodrug choice for Pin1 inhibitors, but also added additional evidence for Pin1 as a potential anticancer drug target. / Ph. D.

This thesis entitled “Design and Access to Disallowed and Unusual Conformers of Peptides in Crystals and in Solution: Structural Consequences of the Imidate and Thioimidate Isosteres for the Peptide bond” is divided into eight chapters. Imidate Modification The range of disallowed dihedral angles for residues in peptides is governed by their local steric and electrostatic clashes. Rare tolerances of violations in these angles are attributed to distortions in both local and global bond characteristics of the peptides. Discerning the origins of such disallowed angles and the consequent distortions in body of the peptides is essential, for a complete understanding of the protein fold, to improve the crystal database for validation of rare but acceptable residue conformations and for validation and improvement of theoretical models that evaluate the interactions that define the Ramachandran space. Unlike for the ordered secondary structures such as β-sheets α-helices and β-turns currently there are no models for residues constrained in disallowed folds. We reasoned that residues may be stabilized in disallowed folds in peptides if a neighbouring group and The range of disallowed dihedral angles ( , ψ) for residues in peptides is governed by their hence its local unfavorable clashes can be selectively modified to a motif that favors such space Steric clashes of the type H•••Xi±n involving the backbone amide hydrogen (H) contribute to ~60% of disallowed ,ψspace. Conversion of an amide to an imidate (A→I) will remove the corresponding H and hence the steric clashes related to it in peptides. Importantly, this will introduce an H-bond acceptor N (of imidate) in place of an H-bond donor NH (of amide), which will allow formation of unusual H-bonding interactions between the imidate N and the neighbouring Hs and hence constrain residues in otherwise inaccessible dihedral angles. The conversion of A→I is challenging owing to difficulties in selective synthesis, stability and purification of the imidate motif. We address all these concerns by the selective conversion of a backbone amide in peptides to the relatively stable cyclic 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazine imidate isostere, by an intra¬molecular nucleophilic cyclo-O-alkylation reaction. Chapter 1:SectionB: Autocyclo-O-Alkylation of N-(3-Bromopropyl)amides into 2-Alkyl-5,6-Dihydro-4H-1,3-Oxazinehydrobromides We are describing the reactivity of N-(3-bromopropyl)amides that are precursors for 2-peptide-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazine. The starting materials, 3-bromopropylamides, were synthesized in good yields by coupling the corresponding carboxylic acids and anhydrides with 3-bromopropylaminehydrobromide using standard mixed anhydride peptide coupling protocol. N-(3-bromopropyl)-acylamides are unstable during the isolation. Time-dependent 1H NMR of all the acetamides revealed that they underwent clean auto-cyclization to form the corresponding 2-alkyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazine hydrobromides following first order rate. The salts were easily isolated in high purity by trituration of the mixtures with ether. The t1/2 of autocycliation of decreased upon increase in electron density on the R-carbon. Notably, the tert-butyl substituent cyclized significantly faster than acetamide which have enolizable hydrogens at the R-carbon. Thus, the cyclization rate is affected predominantly by the inductive effect of the R-carbon substituents. The formamide remained stable and unchanged due to the poor electron-donating ability of hydrogen. Chapter 1: Section C: Intramolecular Hydrogen Bond Assistance Improves Autocyclization in N-(3-Bromopropyl)amides The autocyclisation do not go to 100% completion. This is because the released hydrobromic acid quenches the nucleophilicity of amide carbonyl oxygen. In order to scavenge hydro bromic acid, we used 1 equivalent of DIEA base is acting only acid scavenger which conformed by unaffecting the reaction rate upon increasing equivalents of DIEA. We found that autocyclisation of N-(3-bromopropyl)amides rates in peptides involved in intramolecular backbone H-bonding interactions improve the autocyclization rates significantly than unstructured (random coil) peptides. Even with in the ordered structures the rate depends on the proximity of H-bonding distances as well as the H-bond acceptor strength. Half-life of autocyclisation in various peptide secondary structures are determined from time variant 1H NMR studies performed at 60 mM peptide concentration in CDCl3 at 32 oC. Chapter 2: Section A: Synthesis and Isolation of 5,6 Dihydro-4H-1,3-Oxazine Containing Peptidomimetics We have introduced 5,6-Dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazine as the imidate isostere at C-terminus of a number of peptides through NaH (base) mediated intramolecular cyclo-O-alkylation of N-(3-bromopropyl)amides. The amide to imidate (A→I) modification reaction is faster (1-5.5 h), Exhibiting no electronic and structural effects under these conditions. The side product NaBr can be easily separated by filtration through celite. No side products were observed and there is no need of further purification to get pure 1,3-oxazines in quantitative yields in all the peptidomimetics. Using this synthetic protocol we have synthesised a variety of 1,3-oxazine containing peptide analogues including aliphatic, branched aliphatic, polar side chains and larger peptides. We show that the retention of configuration at Cαof peptides during the base mediated cyclo-O-alkylation reaction. that the C5i.structures are more populated at Aib due to operation of The Thorpe-Ingold effect. The strength of hydrogen bonding interaction in C5i structure is similar to those of the highly buried backbone hydrogen bonding interaction found in the middle of a model 310-helical peptide as indicated by DMSO titration experiments. Chapter 3: Section A: Consequences of "Disallowed" Conformations on Constrained β-Turn Peptides Here we are describe the consequence of disallowed conformations the on a C-terminus of a type-II β-turn. We choose stereochemically constrained Type-II β-turn Pro-Aib dipeptide analogue which is the ideal model to mirror the structural effects of introducing the A→I modification at the C-terminus. The imidate containing peptidomimetic crystallised in dichloromethane and hexane mixture. Analysis of crystal structure revealed that Aib NH is involved in 3-centered H-bonding interactions with the N of oxazine and N of proline. This constrains Aib in a conformation that is natively disallowed to it. The (, ) angles of Aib residue fall in the (180,0) region which is strictly disallowed for natural peptides due to steric clashes involving the back bone amide N-H. More importantly there are two C•••O interactions which are accomidated in the crystal structures. Both oxygen‟s were place in staggered orientation of the Pro oxygen (OPro) between the two β-CH3 groups of Aib, which is again strictly disallowed in natural peptides due to strong C•••Oi-1 hard sphere clashes. However no vdW space violations are observed between these atoms. Chapter 3: Section B: Conformational Effects of “Disallowed Aib on a 310-Helical peptide In order to investigate the origins and consequences of “disallowed” conformations on a folded helical peptide body, the conformationally stable peptide sequence Boc-Leu1-Aib2-Ala3-Leu4-Aib5-Ala6-Phe7-Aib8-OMe (310-helix-OMe)was chosen which is known to adopt 310-helix in crystal structure. Analyses of the ROESY spectra, DMSO titration experiments, and CD spectra of 310-helix-OMe and its Oxa analogue reveal that their solution conformations are identical to those of the crystal structure of 310-helix-OMeSix sequential i+3→i intramolecular backbone H-bonds stabilize the 310-helical peptide fold in both peptides in solvents of varying polarity. The N-terminal and central segments of the helical molecules are quite structurally rigid and are not deformed. The presence of the disallowed Aib*8 residue in Oxa analogue has a clear conformational effect mainly on the residue Phe7. It looks like the Phe7 amide H is involved in shielding, the Aib*8 amide H through a bifurcated hydrogen bonding interactions with the nitrogen of oxazine and carbonyl oxygen of Ala6 residue. Maximum structural distortion effect on the registers closest to the putative imidate bond. Our results show that “disallowed folds need not denature order in the peptide fold”. Chapter 4: Synthetic Methods for Introducing the A → I Modification anywhere along the Peptide Chain Here we describe the incorporation of imidate isostere in the middle of any peptide sequence. In Oxa selectivity is towards 5-exo-cyclo-O-alkylation in 1 : 4. In Thi it is towards 6-exo-cyclo-S-alkylation in 3 : 1 ratio. This is because of better nucleophile of sulphur (S). We saw that Thi is stable to peptide coupling, N-and C-terminus protection, deprotection conditions and can be easily incorporated in middle of peptide. Chapter 5: Section A: Cis-trans Isomerism in the X-Pro Peptide Bond In tertiary amides like X-Pro peptides having high propensity to access cis conformations due to similar environment in both cis and trans around the Cof X. X-Pro peptide bonds, constrained in s-cis conformations are prevalently found in the turn regions of peptides with the residue „X‟ in the i+1position and Pro at the i+2position of the β¬turn. These types of turns are termed as the type VI β-turns. For better understanding of the molecular recognition at specific cis X-Pro peptide bonds in biological events, the structure and dynamics of various constrained cis X-Pro peptide bond analogues with varying steric and electronic perturbations have been studied. Many models have been developed for stabilizing cis conformer by perturbation of molecular recognition surface of proline by employing steric and electronic interaction. In biological functions proline molecular recognition surface and cis X-Pro peptide bond more important. There is need of novel method for stabilizing X-Pro peptide bond in cis conformer without modifying the pyrolidine ring in proline. Chapter 5: Section B: Biasing the cis/trans Equilibrium in X Pro Peptides using Reverse ni → ni-1 * Interactions Here we present our findings that peptidomimetics containing the 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3¬oxazine (Oxa) and 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine (Thi) functional groups at the C-terminus of Pro selectively and remotely stabilize the s-cis rotamers of the preceding pyrrolyl (Xaa-Pro) 3° amide bonds, while conserving these recognition elements. The cis/trans equilibrium of Xaa-Pro peptide bonds is shifted significantly in favor of the satirically disfavored cis isomers in these peptidomimetics (upto ~90%). We also provide evidence for the influence of an unusual n→ πi-1 * interaction in the cis, and the n)(n repulsion in the trans, conformers of these molecules to beat the origin of such the origin of such cis stabilization. Chapter 6: Steric Interactions in the cis Piv-Pro Peptide Bond The inaccessibility of cis Piv-Pro rotamer in any peptide is believed to be because the steric clashes between substituents on CX and CPro are unavoidable in this conformer. Here we access the cisPiv-Pro conformer in crystal structure of Piv-Pro-Aib-OMe and that it is sufficiently flexible to undergo bond distortions and avoid all steric clashes between substituents on CPiv and CPro . It is however the unavoidable distortions in the dihedral angle of the Prothe cisPiv-Proconformer. The cisPiv -Pro conformer is indeed accessible, if such distortions are accommodated in the peptide. Chapter 7: Steric and Electronic Interactions in the cis Isomer of Piv-Pro Peptide Bond in Solution We have studied the electronic and steric interactions and the conformational equilibrium in two sets of homologous peptides, X-Pro-Aib-OMe (which contain Aib) and X-Pro-NH-Me, where X is acetyl, propionyl, isobutyryl and pivaloyl, in solvents of varying polarities consisting of carbontetrachloride, chloroform or dimethylsulfoxide, by means of their 1H and 13C-NMR, and FT-IR spectra. Formation of n * interactions between the carbonyls that flank the Aib residue, influences the alleviation of steric interactions that are believed to preclude access to the cis conformer of the Piv-Pro peptide bond. The cis Piv-Pro conformer is observable in the Aib containing peptides, at ambient conditions by FT-IR and at temperatures as low as 273 K by NMR. We estimate that the steric interactions contribute < 0.5 kcal/mol to the conformational free energy of X-Pro peptide bond isomerism, irrespective of the steric bulk on the acyl (X) group. The relative strengths of intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions involving the X-Pro peptide motif in different conformers of these peptides influence their relative conformational stabilities. Chapter 8: Remote Effect of Oxa and Thi Functional Groups on cis-trans Isomerism at X-Pro Peptide Bonds The C5a interaction at Pro residue occurs in the transition states for the intramolecular acid catalysis of cis → trans isomerization in peptidyl prolyl isomerases (PPIs) and enables the decrease in transition energy barrier for the isomerization process. We show that the NPro….HAib interactions in C5a structures can be remotely effected in order to control in equilibrium constant values of the cis/trans isomerism (Kc/t) in X-Pro¬Aib-Oxa and Thi containing peptides. By this method we observed improvement in Kc/t values from 0.18 in esters to 0.56 in Thi and 0.66 in Oxa containing peptides. Analyses of the ROESY spectra, DMSO titration experiments, variable temperature experiments and FT-IR spectra of R-CO-Pro-Aib-Oxa (R = Me, Et, iPr) and its Thi analogues reveals that both interactions (C5a and C5i) are persistent in cis and trans conformers of this peptidomimetics. (for structural formula pl. see the abstract.)

Chapter 1 gives background information on proteases and discusses the concept of protease inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for humans. It introduces the key concept that conformation defines biological activity. It also outlines how proteases almost universally bind their substrate/inhibitors in an extended β-strand conformation. The use of calpain as a prototype protease for the testing of β-strand mimics synthesised later in the thesis is also discussed. Chapter 2 describes how molecular modeling was used to rationalise the structure based activity relationships (SAR) of known calpain inhibitors. Molecular modeling was then used to successfully design a number of acyclic β-strand mimics. The synthesis and testing of eight such inhibitors is described. The most potent β-strand mimic prepared was 2.13. This was determined to have an IC₅₀ of 30 nM against calpain II. Chapter 3 outlines the history and application of ring closing metathesis (RCM) to the synthesis of cyclic compounds. The attempted synthesis of an eight membered cyclic nitrogen to nitrogen conformationally constrained dipeptide is described. The synthesis of a conformationally constrained β-amino acid calpain inhibitor (3.73) is also described. A novel calpain inhibitor motif was designed in Chapter 4. On the basis of this an in-silico combinatorial library of two hundred and eighty eight possible β-strand templates was prepared. Conformational analysis of this library was performed and from this a number of excellent β-strand templates were identified and selected for synthesis. The preparation of ten β-strand templates is described. New microwave irradiation methodology was developed to achieve this. vii The formation of a six-membered catalyst deactivating chelate is also proposed to explain why some dienes fail to undergo RCM. Two methods to circumvent the formation of such a chelate are outlined. The addition of Lewis acid chloro-dicyclohexyl borane to the RCM reaction mixture and chain length alteration are investigated. Chapter 5 describes the design of macrocyclic β-strand mimics using induced fit molecular modelling. The physicochemical properties of these were calculated in-silico. From this analysis a number of Tyr-XX-Gly based and Tyr-XX-Cys based macrocyclic calpain inhibitors were selected for synthesis. The preparation and testing of these are described. In the Tyr-XX-Gly macrocyclic system a number of variables were investigated and numerous SAR implications concluded. Aldehyde 5.14 was identified as the best electrophilic warhead macrocyclic calpain inhibitor with an IC₅₀ against calpain II of 27 nM. The best non-electrophilic warhead macrocycle (5.13) had an IC₅₀ against calpain II of 704 nM. Chapter 6 describes synthetic optimisation for the preparation of calpain inhibitors 2.13, 5.14 and 5.17. Multi-gram quantities of each were prepared. Aldehydes 2.13 and 5.14 were evaluated as anti-cataract agents using in-vivo cataract sheep model. Both of these β-strand mimics were demonstrated to retard cataract development. Macrocycle 5.14 was found to be the most effective, decreasing the rate of cataract development between forty four and forty nine per cent relative to control. Chapter 7 outlines the attempted development of RCM methodology for the chiral synthesis of α-α disubstituted amino acid lactams. In addition, methodology for the stereoselective incorporation of a C-N constrained β-amino acid carbocycle into a peptide or peptidomimetic is described.