Derivatives of pyridinones were found to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) activity and prevent the spread of HIV-1 infection in cell culture without an appreciable effect on other retroviral or cellular polymerases. 3-{[(4,7-Dimethyl-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)methyljamino}-5-ethyl-6methylpyridin-2(LH)-one (L-697,639) and 3-{[(4,7-dichloro-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl)methylJamino}-5-ethyl--methylpyridin-2(IH)-one (L-697,661) Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) causes progressive destruction of the immune system, which ultimately results in AIDS. An essential step in the life cycle of HIV-1 is reverse transcription of the viral RNA genome to produce a double-stranded DNA copy. This process is mediated by the virally encoded reverse transcriptase (RT). Thus, RT is a potential therapeutic target and, indeed, nucleoside analog inhibitors of RT, such as 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) and dideoxyinosine (ddI), are clinically effective drugs for treating HIV-1 infection (1, 2). However, their effectiveness is limited by toxicities, which may reflect inhibition of cellular polymerases and/or alteration of nucleoside pools, given that the nucleoside analogs are phosphorylated (in competition with natural nucleosides) to their active form by cellular kinases (3, 4). The emergence of AZT-resistant virus (5) further emphasizes the need to develop selective RT inhibitors that can be used either alone or in combination with nucleoside analogs. The development of specific RT inhibitors is the subject ofthis communication. (L-697,661) were synthesized by alkylation of 3-amino-5-ethyl-6-methylpyridin-2(1H)-one with either N-hydroxymethylphthalimide or the appropriate 2-halomethylbenzoxazole. Requisite aminopyridinone was obtained from condensation of 3-formyl-2-pentanone with nitroacetamide followed by catalytic reduction.Synthesis of ethylene derivative 5-ethyl-6-methyl-3-(2-phthalimidoethyl)pyridin-2(1H)-one (L-693,593) began with the condensation of 3-formyl-2-pentanone and cyanoacetamide to give 3-cyano-5-ethyl-6-methylpyridin-2(1H)-one. Reaction of this cyanopyridinone with POCl3 followed by methanolysis and reduction with diisobutylaluminum hydride led to 5-ethyl-2-methoxy-6-methylpyridine-3-carboxaldehyde. The aldehyde function was treated with trimethylsilyl cyanide, and the resulting cyanohydrin was reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to the amino alcohol. After conversion of the amino group to phthalimide, demethylation ofthe 2-methoxy group and alcohol dehydration was accomplished in one step by heating with pyridine hydrochloride. Catalytic reduction of the olefin formed yielded ethylene analog L-693,593. The structures of all pyridinones synthesized are consistent with their NMR spectra, and all compounds gave an acceptable combustion analysis (within 0.4%).H1V-1 RT Assays. rC-dG.

The physiologic role of several transglutaminases could be more precisely defined with the development of specific inhibitors for these enzymes. In addition, specific plasma transglutaminase (fXIIIa) inhibitors may have therapeutic utility in the treatment of thrombosis. For these purposes, the inactivation of fXIIIa and human erythrocyte transglutaminase (HET) by 2-[(2-oxopropyl)thio]imidazolium derivatives, which comprise a novel class of transglutaminase inactivators, was studied. As a specific example, 1,3,4,5-tetramethyl-2-[(2-oxopropyl)thio]imidazolium chloride (III) inactivated fXIIIa with an apparent second-order rate constant (specificity constant of inactivation) of 6.3 x 10(4) M-1 s-1, corresponding to a rate 4 x 10(7) times greater than its reaction rate with glutathione (GSH). The mechanism of fXIIIa inactivation by this class of compounds was investigated utilizing two [14C]-isotopic regioisomers of 1,3-dimethyl-2-[(2-oxopropyl)thio]imidazolium iodide (II). Structural analyses demonstrated that acetonylation of the active site cysteinyl residue of fXIIIa occurred along with the stoichiometric release of the complementary fragment of the inactivator as the corresponding thione. Kinetic analysis of the inactivation of fXIIIa by nonquarternary analogs of II and III indicated the formation of a reversible complex between the inactivator and fXIIIa prior to irreversible modification of the enzyme. At 1 mM, III displayed no detectable levels of inhibition or inactivation with several serine proteases and thiol reagent-sensitive enzymes. 2-[(2-Oxopropyl)thio]imidazolium derivatives and the related molecule 2-(1-acetonylthio)-5-methylthiazolo-[2,3]-1,3,4-thiadiazo lium perchlorate (I), when present at the time of clot formation at 1-10 microM, enhanced the rates of tissue plasminogen activator catalyzed clot lysis in vitro. These inactivators prevented the fXIIIa-catalyzed covalent incorporation of alpha 2-antiplasmin into the alpha chain of fibrin and the formation of high molecular weight fibrin alpha chain polymers, providing the basis for the observed enhancements in clot lysis rates.

Two classes of 5-substituted benzimidazoles were identified as potent antagonists of the NR2B subtype of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Selected compounds show very good selectivity versus the NR2A, NR2C, and NR2D subtypes of the NMDA receptor as well as versus hERG-channel activity and alpha(1)-adrenergic binding. Benzimidazole 37a shows excellent activity in the carrageenan-induced mechanical hyperalgesia assay in rats as well as good pharmacokinetic behavior in dogs.

The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 5 (L-738, 167), a potent, selective non-peptide fibrinogen receptor antagonist is reported. Compound 5 inhibited the aggregation of human gel-filtered platelets with an IC50 value of 8 nM and was found to be > 33000-fold less effective at inhibiting the attachment of human endothelial cells to fibrinogen, fibronectin, and vitronectin than it was at inhibiting platelet aggregation. Ex vivo platelet aggregation was inhibited by > 85% 24 h after the oral administration of 5 to dogs at 100 micrograms/kg. The extended pharmacodynamic profile exhibited by 5 appears to be a consequence of its high-affinity binding to GPIIb/IIIa on circulating platelets and suggests that 5 is suitable for once-a-day dosing.

The discovery of a novel series of NR2B subtype selective N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists is reported. Initial optimization of a high-throughput screening lead afforded an aminopyridine derivative 13 with significant NR2B antagonist potency but limited selectivity over hERG-channel and other off-target activities. Further structure-activity studies on the aminoheterocycle moiety and optimization of the carbamate led to the highly potent 2-aminopyrimidine derivative 20j with a significantly improved off-target activity profile and oral bioavailability in multiple species coupled with good brain penetration. Compound 20j demonstrated efficacy in in vivo rodent models of antinociception, allodynia, and Parkinson's disease.