Biology-oriented synthesis of a natural-product inspired oxepane collection yields a small-molecule activator of the Wnt-pathway

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Apr 26;108(17):6805-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1015269108. Epub 2011 Mar 17.

Abstract

In Biology Oriented Synthesis the scaffolds of biologically relevant compound classes inspire the synthesis of focused compound collections enriched in bioactivity. This criterion is met by the structurally complex scaffolds of natural products (NPs) selected in evolution. The synthesis of NP-inspired compound collections approaching the complexity of NPs calls for the development of efficient synthetic methods. We have developed a one pot 4-7 step synthesis of mono-, bi-, and tricyclic oxepanes that resemble the core scaffolds of numerous NPs with diverse bioactivities. This sequence entails a ring-closing ene-yne metathesis reaction as key step and makes productive use of polymer-immobilized scavenger reagents. Biological profiling of a corresponding focused compound collection in a reporter gene assay monitoring for Wnt-signaling modulation revealed active Wntepanes. This unique class of small-molecule activators of the Wnt pathway modulates the van-Gogh-like receptor proteins (Vangl), which were previously identified in noncanonical Wnt signaling, and acts in synergy with the canonical activator protein (Wnt-3a).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Heterocyclic Compounds* / chemical synthesis
  • Heterocyclic Compounds* / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • Wnt3 Protein
  • Wnt3A Protein

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • WNT3A protein, human
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Wnt3 Protein
  • Wnt3A Protein