-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Bryostatin is a unique lead in the development of potentially transformative therapies for cancer, Alzheimer's disease and the eradication of HIV/AIDS. However, the clinical use of bryostatin has been hampered by its limited supply, difficulties in accessing clinically relevant derivatives, and side effects. Here, we address these problems through the step-economical syntheses of seven members of a new family of designed bryostatin analogues using a highly convergent Prins-macrocyclization strategy. We also demonstrate for the first time that such analogues effectively induce latent HIV activation in vitro with potencies similar to or better than bryostatin. Significantly, these analogues are up to 1,000-fold more potent in inducing latent HIV expression than prostratin, the current clinical candidate for latent virus induction. This study provides the first demonstration that designed, synthetically accessible bryostatin analogues could serve as superior candidates for the eradication of HIV/AIDS through induction of latent viral reservoirs in conjunction with current antiretroviral therapy.
Nature Chemistry 07/2012; 4(9):705-10. · 20.52 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Bryostatin 1 is a naturally occurring complex macrolide with potent anti-neoplastic activity. However, its extremely low natural occurrence has impeded clinical advancement. We developed a strategy directed at the design of simplified and synthetically more accessible bryostatin analogs. Our lead analog, "picolog", can be step-economically produced. Picolog, compared to bryostatin, exhibited superior growth inhibition of MYC-induced lymphoma in vitro. A key mechanism of picolog's (and bryostatin's) activity is activation of PKC. A novel nano-immunoassay (NIA) revealed that picolog treatment increased phospho-MEK2 in the PKC pathway. Moreover, the inhibition of PKC abrogated picolog's activity. Finally, picolog was highly potent at 100 micrograms/kg and well tolerated at doses ranging from 100 micrograms/kg to 1 milligram/kg in vivo for the treatment of our aggressive model of MYC-induced lymphoma. We provide the first in vivo validation that the bryostatin analog, picolog, is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Oncotarget 02/2012; 3(1):58-66. · 4.78 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Modern methods for the identification of therapeutic leads include chemical or virtual screening of compound libraries. Nature's library represents a vast and diverse source of leads, often exhibiting exquisite biological activities. However, the advancement of natural product leads into the clinic is often impeded by their scarcity, complexity, and nonoptimal properties or efficacy as well as the challenges associated with their synthesis or modification. Function-oriented synthesis represents a strategy to address these issues through the design of simpler and therefore synthetically more accessible analogs that incorporate the activity-determining features of the natural product leads. This study illustrates the application of this strategy to the design and synthesis of functional analogs of the bryostatin marine natural products. It is specifically directed at exploring the activity-determining role of bryostatin A-ring functionality on PKC affinity and selectivity. The resultant functional analogs, which were prepared by a flexible, modular synthetic strategy, exhibit excellent affinity to PKC and differential isoform selectivity. These and related studies provide the basic information needed for the design of simplified and thus synthetically more accessible functional analogs that target PKC isoforms, major targets of therapeutic interest.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 03/2011; 108(17):6721-6. · 9.68 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The step-economical synthesis of a new class of bryostatin analogues that contain the complete oxycarbocyclic core ring system of the bryostatin natural products is reported. These agents are convergently assembled via a highly efficient, functional-group-tolerant, and stereoselective Prins-driven macrocyclization. These tetrahydropyranyl B-ring analogues are among our most potent and efficacious analogues to date, exhibiting nanomolar and picomolar activities in protein kinase C affinity assays as well as in cellular antiproliferation assays.
Journal of the American Chemical Society 06/2008; 130(21):6658-9. · 9.91 Impact Factor
