This report describes the design and synthesis of a series of a V b 3 integrin-directed monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric cyclo [Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys] dendrimers using "click chemistry". It was found that the unprotected N-e-azido derivative of cyclo[Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys] underwent a highly chemoselective conjugation to amino acid-based dendrimers bearing terminal alkynes using a microwave-assisted Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The a V b 3 binding characteristics of the dendrimers were determined in vitro and their in vivo a V b 3 targeting properties were assessed in nude mice with subcutaneously growing human SK-RC-52 tumors. The multivalent RGD-dendrimers were found to have enhanced affinity toward the a V b 3 integrin receptor as compared to the monomeric derivative as determined in an in vitro binding assay. In case of the DOTA-conjugated 111 In-labeled RGD-dendrimers, it was found that the radiolabeled multimeric dendrimers showed specifically enhanced uptake in a V b 3 integrin expressing tumors in vivo. These studies showed that the tetrameric RGD-dendrimer had better tumor targeting properties than its dimeric and monomeric congeners.

Multivalent dendrimeric peptides were synthesized via a microwave-assisted Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azido peptides and dendrimeric alkynes in yields ranging from 46 to 96%.

Rhomboid proteases are evolutionary conserved intramembrane serine proteases. Because of their emerging role in many important biological pathways, rhomboids are potential drug targets. Unfortunately, few chemical tools are available for their study. Here, we describe a mass spectrometry-based assay to measure rhomboid substrate cleavage and inhibition. We have identified isocoumarin inhibitors and developed activity-based probes for rhomboid proteases. The probes can distinguish between active and inactive rhomboids due to covalent, reversible binding of the active-site serine and stable modification of a histidine residue. Finally, the structure of an isocoumarin-based inhibitor with Escherichia coli rhomboid GlpG uncovers an unusual mode of binding at the active site and suggests that the interactions between the 3-substituent on the isocoumarin inhibitor and hydrophobic residues on the protease reflect S′ subsite binding. Overall, these probes represent valuable tools for rhomboid study, and the structural insights may facilitate future inhibitor design.MALDI screening | covalent inhibition | regulated intramembrane proteolysis P roteolysis controls many important biological processes, such as apoptosis, antigen presentation, and blood coagulation. Selective digestion of protein substrates is possible by a combination of tight posttranslational control of protease activity (1) and the protease's substrate specificity, which generally is governed by the primary sequence around the scissile bond (2). The use of inhibitors and activity-based probes (ABPs) has led to a tremendous gain in understanding the roles of proteases within physiological and pathological processes (3). ABPs are small molecules that bind only to active enzymes, but not to zymogen or inhibitor-bound forms (4). ABPs generally consist of a detection tag, a spacer, and a "warhead." The warhead covalently binds to the target enzyme(s) and often is derived from a mechanism-based inhibitor. In the past, ABPs were used to study the activation, localization, and function of soluble proteases in a variety of organisms and disease models (5).Most proteases are soluble and surrounded by an aqueous environment. However, several families of intramembrane proteases exist (6-8): the metalloprotease family M50 (site-2 protease), the aspartic protease family A22 (signal peptide peptidase and γ-secretase), and the serine protease family S54 [rhomboid; numbering according to the MEROPS database (9)]. Rhomboid was discovered in 2001 as a protease in the EGF receptor signaling pathway in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster (10). Interestingly, rhomboid genes occur in all kingdoms of nature and are found in most sequenced organisms (11,12). Rhomboids appear to have a wide range of physiological functions, including bacterial protein export (13) and invasion by apicomplexan parasites (14,15), but the roles of many rhomboids remain to be discovered.Rhomboids catalyze peptide bond hydrolysis using a catalytic dyad formed by a serine residue in transmembrane domain...

The concept of proteasome inhibition ranks among the latest achievements in the treatment of blood cancer and represents a promising strategy for modulating autoimmune diseases. In this study, we describe peptidic sulfonyl fluoride inhibitors that selectively block the catalytic β5 subunit of the immunoproteasome by inducing only marginal cytotoxic effects. Structural and mass spectrometric analyses revealed a novel reaction mechanism involving polarity inversion and irreversible crosslinking of the proteasomal active site. We thus identified the sulfonyl fluoride headgroup for the development and optimization of immunoproteasome selective compounds and their possible application in autoimmune disorders.

A facile and high‐yielding synthesis of multivalent 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazole‐linked glycodendrimers is described. Azido carbohydrates are linked by a CuI‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction to dendritic acetylenes using microwave irradiation. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)

A new class of potent proteasome inhibitors is described, of which the members contain an amino acid inspired sulfonyl fluoride as the electrophilic trap. In total, 24 peptido sulfonyl fluoride inhibitors have been designed and synthesized, which were inspired by the backbone sequences of the proteasome inhibitors bortezomib, epoxomicin, and Cbz-Leu(3)-aldehyde. Nine of them were very potent proteasome inhibitors, the best of which had an IC(50) of 7 nM. A number of the peptido sulfonyl fluoride inhibitors were found to be highly selective for the β5 proteasome subunit.

A very efficient method for the synthesis of b-aminoethanesulfonyl chlorides is described. These aliphatic functionalized sulfonyl chlorides are accessible starting from a variety of protected amino acids, including those having functionalized side chains.

[reaction: see text] A highly efficient coupling of protected beta-substituted aminoethane sulfonyl azides with thio acids is reported. In the case of peptide thio acids, this method encompasses a new chemoselective ligation method. Furthermore, the resulting alpha-amino acyl sulfonamides can be alkylated with suitable electrophiles to obtain densely functionalized sulfonamide scaffolds.