Solution-phase synthesis of pyrrole-imidazole polyamides

J Am Chem Soc. 2009 May 27;131(20):7175-81. doi: 10.1021/ja901307m.

Abstract

Pyrrole-imidazole polyamides are DNA-binding molecules that are programmable for a large repertoire of DNA sequences. Typical syntheses of this class of heterocyclic oligomers rely on solid-phase methods. Solid-phase methodologies offer rapid assembly on a micromole scale sufficient for biophysical characterizations and cell culture studies. In order to produce gram-scale quantities necessary for efficacy studies in animals, polyamides must be readily synthesized in solution. An 8-ring hairpin polyamide 1, which targets the DNA sequence 5'-WGWWCW-3', was chosen for our synthesis studies as this oligomer exhibits androgen receptor antagonism in cell culture models of prostate cancer. A convergent solution-phase synthesis of 1 from a small set of commercially available building blocks is presented which highlights principles for preparing gram quantities of pyrrole-imidazole oligomers with minimal chromatography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nylons / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrroles / chemical synthesis*
  • Solutions / chemistry
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Imidazoles
  • Nylons
  • Pyrroles
  • Solutions