Synthesis of vitamin D3 derivatives with nitrogen-linked substituents at A-ring C-2 and evaluation of their vitamin D receptor-mediated transcriptional activity

Org Biomol Chem. 2012 Oct 14;10(38):7826-39. doi: 10.1039/c2ob26017d.

Abstract

Binding of a series of novel 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-VD(3)) derivatives, having a nitrogen-linked substituent at the 2α- or 2β-position of the A-ring (2-N-substituted compounds), with the vitamin D receptor (VDR) was investigated by means of computational docking studies. Selected compounds were synthesized by coupling A-ring synthons and/or with CD-ring-bearing bromomethylene under Trost's conditions. The 2α- and 2β-stereoisomers of the A-ring synthons were synthesized from l-serine () as a single chiral source by installing vinyl and propargyl groups at opposite ends of the molecule. The activity of the obtained compounds was evaluated by means of a luciferase-based VDR transcriptional activity assay in NIH3T3 cells. Relatively small substituents incorporating a hydrogen-bonding donor, i.e., NHAc and NHMs, were effective for eliciting VDR transcriptional activity, and 2β-NHMs-1,25-VD(3) () showed the highest activity, being more potent than 1,25-VD(3). Derivatives with bulky substituents were inactive. These new insights into the structure-activity relationships of 1,25-VD(3) derivatives may be helpful in separating the various biological activities of 1,25-VD(3) and in generating novel therapeutic drug candidates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cholecalciferol / analogs & derivatives
  • Cholecalciferol / chemical synthesis*
  • Cholecalciferol / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nitrogen / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / chemistry
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Nitrogen