Lipids havepreviously been considered primarily as building blocks of the cell membrane, but are now also recognized as important cell signaling molecules. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a glycerophospholipid consisting of a phosphate head group, a linker region, and a lipophilic tail. LPA has earlier been shown to exert a diversity of cellular effects such as aggregation, apoptosis, contraction, migration, and proliferation. The effects of LPA are elicited by activation of its cognate G protein-coupled receptors LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3. In the present study we have used cultures of human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and erythroleukemia cells (HEL), and isolated human platelets to characterize physiological effects of LPA compared with adrenaline and noradrenaline as well as structure-activity relationships of LPA. SMCs were isolated from biopsies of human myometrium obtained at cesarean sections. We show that cultured myometrial SMCs express multiple LPA and α2-adrenergic receptor subtypes. Treatment of SMCs with LPA and noradrenaline resulted in increases in proliferation. However, LPA elicits a much more pronounced stimulatory effect than noradrenaline. The ability to increase calcium might be one explanation why LPA is more effective. Further studies indicated that several pathways mediate the growth stimulatory effect of LPA where transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptors through matrix metalloproteinases as well as calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases appears to be important. LPA enantiomers and LPA analogues were synthesized and characterized due to their capacity to increase calcium in HEL cells. Our study is the first to show that both natural (R) and unnatural (S) LPA enantiomers are capable of stimulating cells, suggesting LPA receptors are not stereoselective. Moreover, we have synthesized a LPA analogue with higher maximal effect than LPA by reducing the hydrocarbon chain length. In platelets we demonstrated that LPA is a weak calciumelevating compound which failed to stimulate aggregation. However, in combination with adrenaline, another weak platelet agonist, a complete aggregatory response was obtained in blood from some healthy individuals. These results are important since platelet activation is a key step in distinguishing normal from pathological hemostasis. Since LPA is present at high concentrations in atherosclerotic lesions, the synergistic effect of LPA and adrenaline might be a new risk factor for arterial thrombosis. / On the day of the public defence the status of the article IV was: Submitted for publication.

Infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to inflammation of the liver, i.e. hepatitis. The acute infection often progresses to a chronic phase during which the liver function is gradually impaired. Approximately 20% of these chronic cases develop liver cirrhosis, with an ensuing increased risk of liver cancer. Global estimates of the total number of chronic cases range from 123–170 million. Yet, neither specific anti-HCV drugs nor vaccines are available. When drugs become available for daily clinical use, rapid development of drug-resistant strains is expected, making resistance an important issue. One of the most studied targets for specific anti-HCV drugs is the NS3 protease. The main objectives of the work presented in this thesis were to design and synthesise peptidomimetic inhibitors of this enzyme, and to establish the structure–activity relationships (SARs) regarding the inhibition of the wild type as well as of the known resistant variants A156T and D168V. Substituted prolines are common P2 residues in HCV NS3 protease inhibitors. To decrease the peptide character of the inhibitors, the non-coded phenylglycine was evaluated as a proline replacement in combination with known and novel P3 and P1 residues and P2 substituents. The results confirmed that phenylglycine is a promising P2 scaffold, with a possible π-stacking interaction with histidine 57 of the active site. However, to benefit from its full potential, additional optimisation is required. A 2(1H)-pyrazinone-based scaffold was introduced as P3 residue. Utilising the scope of the method developed for the pyrazinone scaffold synthesis, the phenylglycine side-chain was transferred to the scaffold. In combination with an aromatic P1 building-block, this design yielded achiral, peptidomimetic inhibitors, three times more potent than the tripeptide lead. The SARs for the inhibition of the resistant variants A156T and D168V were investigated for compounds based on either P2 proline or phenyl­glycine. It was concluded that the vulnerability of the inhibitors to alterations in the enzyme depends on the P2 and the P1 residue, not only on the P2 as previously suggested. These results provide important information for the design of a new generation of inhibitors with improved properties.

This thesis focuses on the design and synthesis of inhibitors targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease; enzymes that have been identified as potential drug targets for the treatment of tuberculosis and hepatitis C, respectively. Small peptides have been recognized as inhibitors of these enzymes. However, the use of peptides as drugs is limited due to their unfavorable properties. These can be circumvented by the development of less peptidic molecules, often referred to as peptidomimetics. When this work was initiated, only a few inhibitors targeting M. tuberculosis RNR had been identified, whereas the HCV NS3 protease was an established drug target. Therefore, early peptidomimetic design strategies were applied to inhibitors of RNR while the NS3 protease inhibitors were subjected to modifications in a later stage of development. It has previously been shown that peptides derived from the C-terminus of the small subunit of M. tuberculosis RNR can compete for binding to the large subunit, and thus inhibit enzyme activity. To investigate the structural requirements of these inhibitors, different series of peptides were evaluated. First, peptides from an N-terminal truncation, an alanine scan and a designed library were synthesized and evaluated to examine the importance of the individual amino acid residues. Then, a set of N-terminally Fmoc-protected peptides was evaluated, and it was found that the N-terminal group improved the affinity of the peptides even when the length of the compounds was reduced. Furthermore, potential inhibitors of less peptidic character were generated by the introduction of a benzodiazepine-based scaffold. To further reduce the peptidic character and investigate the binding properties of HCV NS3 protease inhibitors, a series of tripeptides incorporating a β-amino acid was synthesized. Inhibition was evaluated and docking studies were performed to understand how the structural changes affected inhibitory potency. The results illustrated the importance of preserving the hydrogen bonding network and retaining electrostatic interactions in the oxyanion hole between inhibitor and protein.

β-lactam antibiotics have long been a reliable course of treatment for bacterial infections. However, with recent increases in resistance and rising populations of immunocompromised patients new β-lactams have been synthesized and tested. The Turos laboratory has recently discovered novel β-lactams that have a mode of action distinct from penicillin and other β-lactam antibiotics as cell lysis is not observed. In the current investigations, these compounds are shown to also have antifungal properties. The rising incidence and prevalence of invasive fungal infections has become an increasing concern. The most common fungal pathogens involved in these infections are species in the genus Candida. In this study antifungal activity is observed for a wide range of N-methylthio β-lactams against C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. keyfr, C. glabrata, C. lusitinae, C. utilis, and C. parapsilosis. The structure-activity relationship based on studies of β−lactam derivatives leaving different substituents at various positions on the lactam ring are investigated, and the minimum inhibitory concentration values determined using standard methods. In studies towards understanding the mode of action, the products of the interaction between the drug and fungal cells in a suspension were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The mode of action of these new lactams seems to be similar to that observed in bacteria, involving transfer of the methylthio group to a cellular thiol.

5-nitrofuraldehido darinių antimikrobinio aktyvumo tyrimas, toksiškumo, farmakokinetinių savybių ir struktūros aktyvumo ryšio įvertinimas. K. Gaivelytės magistro baigiamasis darbas. Moksliniai vadovai: dr. V. Petrikaitė, dr. J. Šarlauskas, prof. habil. dr. A. Pavilonis; Kauno medicinos universiteto, Farmacijos fakulteto, Vaistų chemijos katedra. Kaunas, 2010. Darbo tikslas – įvertinti 5-nitrofuraldehido darinių struktūros įtaką jų antimikrobiniam aktyvumui ir parinkti perspektyviausius antimikrobinius junginius tolimesniems tyrimams. Tyrimo metodai. Junginių antimikrobinio aktyvumo prognozė atlikta panaudojant PASS programą. Antimikrobinis aktyvumas ištirtas in vitro serijinio skiedimo standžioje terpėje metodu. Junginių farmakokinetinių savybių ir toksiškumo prognozė atlikta, panaudojant ADME/Tox Boxes programą. Tyrimo rezultatai. PASS programa antibakterinį ir priešgrybelinį aktyvumą prognozavo visiems tiriamiems junginiams. Atlikus tyrimus in vitro, nustatyta, kad junginių aktyvumas prieš įvairius mikroorganizmus skyrėsi, nitrofurano fragmento neturintys junginiai buvo visai neaktyvūs. Nitrofurano bisdariniai yra gana aktyvūs prieš visas bakterijas (MSK = 0,5 100 μg/ml), išskyrus P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae ir P. mirabilis. Bisjunginys BIC-34, turintis butilo fragmentą, buvo aktyviausias prieš S. aureus, E. faecalis ir B. subtilis, o piridino liekaną turintis bisjunginys BIC 67 – prieš K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis (MSK = 50 μg/ml). Gali būti, kad šio... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Analysis of 5-nitrofuraldehyde derivatives antimicrobial activity, evaluation of toxicity, pharmacokinetic properties and structure – activity relationship. K. Gaivelytė Master Thesis. Scientific supervisors: Dr. V. Petrikaitė, Dr. J. Šarlauskas, Prof. Habil. Dr. A. Pavilonis; Kaunas University of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry. Kaunas, 2010. The Aim of the Research – to evaluate the influence of the structure of 5-nitrofuraldehyde derivatives and identify the most promising compounds for the further research. Methods. Prognosis of antimicrobial activity of all compounds was carried out by using PASS software. Antimicrobial activity was tested in vitro by using a serial dilution in agar technique. Pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity were predicted by using ADME/Tox Boxes program. Results. PASS program predicted antibacterial and antifungal activity for all tested compounds. The results of experiments in vitro showed that activity against various microorganisms was different; compounds without nitrofuran fragment were not active. Biscompouds were active enough against all bacteria (MIC = 0,5-100 μg/ml), except P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis. Biscompoud possessing butyl fragment in its structure was the most active against S. aureus, E. faecalis and B. subtilis and biscompound BIC-67 with the moiety of pyridine was the most active against K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis (MIC = 50 μg/ml). It could be that the... [to full text]

Individuals with high levels of plasma triglycerides are at high risk to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD), currently one of the major causes of death worldwide. Recent epidemiological studies show that loss-of-function mutations in the APOC3 gene lower plasma triglyceride levels and reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease. The APOC3 gene encodes for apolipoprotein (APO) C3, known as an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. Similarly, a common gain-of-function mutation in the LPL gene is associated with reduced risk for CVD. LPL is central for the metabolism of lipids in blood. The enzyme acts at the endothelial surface of the capillary bed where it hydrolyzes triglycerides in circulating triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) and thereby allows uptake of fatty acids in adjacent tissues. LPL activity has to be rapidly modulated to adapt to the metabolic demands of different tissues. The current view is that LPL is constitutively expressed and that the rapid modulation of the enzymatic activity occurs by some different controller proteins. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is one of the main candidates for control of LPL activity. ANGPTL4 causes irreversible inactivation through dissociation of the active LPL dimer to inactive monomers. Other proteins that have effects on LPL activity are the APOCs which are surface components of the substrate TRLs. APOC2 is a well-known LPL co-factor, whereas APOC1 and APOC3 independently inhibit LPL activity. Given the important role of LPL for triglyceride homeostasis in blood, the aim of this thesis was to find small molecules that could increase LPL activity and serve as lead compounds in future drug discovery efforts. Another aim was to investigate the molecular mechanisms for how APOC1 and APOC3 inhibit LPL activity. Using a small molecule screening library we have identified small molecules that can protect LPL from inactivation by ANGPTL4 during incubations in vitro. Following a structure-activity relationship study we have synthesized lead compounds that more efficiently protect LPL from inactivation by ANGPTL4 in vitro and also have dramatic triglyceride-lowering properties in vivo. In a separate study we show that low concentrations of fatty acids possess the ability to prevent inactivation of LPL by ANGPTL4 under in vitro conditions. With regard to APOC1 and APOC3 we demonstrate that when bound to TRLs, these apolipoproteins prevent binding of LPL to the lipid/water interface. This results in decreased lipolysis and in an increased susceptibility of LPL to inactivation by ANGPTL4. We demonstrate that hydrophobic amino acid residues that are centrally located in the APOC3 molecule are critical for attachment of this protein to lipid emulsion particles and consequently for inhibition of LPL activity. In summary, this work has identified a lead compound that protects LPL from inactivation by ANGPTL4 in vitro and lowers triglycerides in vivo. In addition, we propose a molecular mechanism for inhibition of LPL activity by APOC1 and APOC3.

Since the first approved hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease inhibitors in 2011, numerous direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have reached late stages of clinical trials. Today, several combination therapies, based on different DAAs, with or without the need of pegylated interferon-α injection, are available for chronic HCV infections. The chemical foundation of the approved and late-stage HCV NS3 protease inhibitors is markedly similar. This could partly explain the cross-resistance that have emerged under the pressure of NS3 protease inhibitors. The first-generation NS3 protease inhibitors were developed to efficiently inhibit genotype 1 of the virus and were less potent against other genotypes. The main focus in this thesis was to design and synthesize a new class of 2(1H)-pyrazinone based HCV NS3 protease inhibitors, structurally dissimilar to the inhibitors evaluated in clinical trials or approved, potentially with a unique resistance profile and with a broad genotypic coverage. Successive modifications were performed around the pyrazinone core structure to clarify the structure-activity relationship; a P3 urea capping group was found valuable for inhibitory potency, as were elongated R6 residues possibly directed towards the S2 pocket. Dissimilar to previously developed inhibitors, the P1’ aryl acyl sulfonamide was not essential for inhibition as shown by equally good inhibitory potency for P1’ truncated inhibitors. In vitro pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluations disclosed a marked influence from the R6 moiety on the overall drug-properties and biochemical evaluation of the inhibitors against drug resistant enzyme variants showed retained inhibitory potency as compared to the wild-type enzyme. Initial evaluation against genotype 3a displayed micro-molar potencies. Lead optimization, with respect to improved PK properties, were also performed on an advanced class of HCV NS3 protease inhibitors, containing a P2 quinazoline substituent in combination with a macro-cyclic proline urea scaffold with nano-molar cell based activities. Moreover, an efficient Pd-catalyzed C-N urea arylation protocol, enabling high yielding introductions of advanced urea substituents to the C3 position of the pyrazinone, and a Pd-catalyzed carbonylation procedure, to obtain acyl sulfinamides, were developed. These methods can be generally applicable in the synthesis of bioactive compounds containing peptidomimetic scaffolds and carboxylic acid bioisosteres.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 7 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.