Development of a second generation of inhibitors of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 expression bearing the gamma-hydroxybutenolide scaffold

Bioorg Med Chem. 2008 Oct 1;16(19):9056-64. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.08.001. Epub 2008 Aug 6.

Abstract

Petrosaspongiolide M (PM), a marine sesterterpene metabolite bearing the gamma-hydroxybutenolide scaffold and displaying a potent inhibitory activity toward PLA(2) enzyme, was selected by us as an attractive target in order to explore its mechanism of action at molecular level. In the course of our investigations we decided to synthetically modify the parent compound to clarify the structural determinants responsible for the activity; in fact, very recently, our research group reported the synthesis and the pharmacological properties of a first collection of PM analogues generated by Ludi approach. The synthesized compounds showed a poor or moderate activity toward PLA(2) enzymes, nevertheless we discovered a potent and selective modulator of the expression of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES-1), an enzyme highly involved in the inflammatory response, which represents an interesting target for the development of a new class of anti-inflammatory agents. In this paper we report the synthesis of a further collection of nine analogues, having the same scaffold of PM, the gamma-hydroxybutenolide, and bearing, as side chain, more complex aromatic portions, in substitution of the sesterterpene moiety. Their pharmacological behavior against PLA(2) enzymes as well as to modulate the expression of inducible cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and mPGES-1 enzymes is also described.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-Butyrolactone / chemistry
  • 4-Butyrolactone / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / chemistry
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microsomes / drug effects*
  • Microsomes / enzymology
  • Phospholipases A2 / chemistry
  • Phospholipases A2 / metabolism
  • Prostaglandin Antagonists / chemical synthesis
  • Prostaglandin Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Prostaglandin Antagonists
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Phospholipases A2
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases
  • Ptges protein, mouse
  • 4-Butyrolactone