New Ras CAAX mimetics: design, synthesis, antiproliferative activity, and RAS prenylation inhibition

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2009 Sep 15;19(18):5500-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.07.065. Epub 2009 Jul 17.

Abstract

Mimetics of the C-terminal CAAX tetrapeptide of Ras protein were designed replacing cysteine (C) by 2-hydroxymethylbenzodioxane or 2-aminomethylbenzodioxane, respectively etherified and amidified with 2'-methyl or 2'-methoxy substituted 2-carboxy-4-hydroxybiphenyl and 2,4-dicarboxybiphenyl. These pluri-substituted biphenyl systems, used as internal spacer and AA dipeptide bioisoster, were linked to the methyl ester of l-methionine, glycine or l-leucine by an amide bond. The resultant twelve pairs of stereoisomers at the dioxane C-2 were tested for antiproliferative effect finding the maximum activity for derivatives with methyleneoxy linker between benzodioxane and 2'-methylbiphenyl. Of these compounds, the one with terminal methionine and S configuration proved a good Ras prenylation inhibitor in a cell-based assay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aorta / cytology
  • Biomimetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Prenylation / drug effects*
  • ras Proteins / chemistry*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • ras Proteins