A two-step catalytic amide-to-ester transformation of primary amides under mild reaction conditions has been developed. A tert-butyl nicotinate (tBu nic) directing group is easily introduced onto primary amides via Pd-catalyzed amidation with tert-butyl 2-chloronicotinate. A weak base (Cs 2 CO 3 or K 2 CO 3 ) at 40−50 °C can be used provided that 1,1′-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ferrocene is selected as ligand. The tBu nic activated amides subsequently allow Zn(OAc) 2 -catalyzed nonsolvolytic alcoholysis in tBuOAc at 40−60 °C under neutral reaction conditions. The activation mechanism is biomimetic: the C3-ester substituent of the pyridine in the directing group populates the trans-conformer suitable for Zn-chelation, CO amide −Zn− N directing group , and Zn-coordinated alcohol is additionally activated as a nucleophile by hydrogen bonding with the acetate ligand of the catalyst. Additionally, the acetate ligand assists in intramolecular O-to-N proton transfer. The chemoselectivity versus other functional groups and compatibility with challenging reaction partners, such as peptides, sugars, and sterols, illustrates the synthetic applicability of this two-step amide cleavage method. The tBu nic amides do not require purification before cleavage. Preliminary experiments also indicate that other weak nucleophiles can be used such as (hetero)arylamines (transamidation) as exemplified by 8-aminoquinoline.

The melanocortin receptors (MC1R–MC5R) belong to class A G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are known to have receptor-specific roles in normal and diseased states. Selectivity for MC4R is of particular interest due to its involvement in various metabolic disorders, including obesity, feeding regulation, and sexual dysfunctions. To further improve the potency and selectivity of MC4R (ant)­agonist peptide ligands, we designed and synthesized a series of cyclic peptides based on the recent crystal structure of MC4R in complex with the well-characterized antagonist SHU-9119 (Ac-Nle4-c­[Asp5-His6-DNal­(2′)7-Arg8-Trp9-Lys10]-NH2). These analogues were pharmacologically characterized in vitro, giving key insights into exploiting binding site subpockets to deliver more selective ligands. More specifically, the side chains of the Nle4, DNal(2′)7, and Trp9 residues in SHU-9119, as well as the amide linkage between the Asp5 and Lys10 side chains, were found to represent structural features engaging a hMC4R/hMC3R selectivity switch.

A chemoselective and catalytic transamidation for peptide synthesis is described. Transamidation under Zn catalysis is chemoselectively achieved by amino acid amide/peptidic amide derivatization with a tert-butyl nicotinate (tBu-nic) directing group. The directing group could be easily introduced on protected amino acid amides via Pd-catalyzed amidation with tert-butyl 2-chloronicotinate (tBu-nicCl). Under standard peptide coupling/deprotection conditions, the tBu-nic-equipped amino acid amides proved to be fully inert, allowing them to be easily built-in in complex molecules. The disclosed method was evaluated in the synthesis of diverse dipeptides, in dipeptide segment coupling, in side-chain modification of a solid-supported tetra-/pentapeptide, and in the macrocyclization of a heptapeptide.

The construction of peptidic amide bonds has become a daily laboratory practice by virtue of well-established ‘coupling reagents’. Nonetheless, inherent limitations connected to these classical coupling methods in terms of waste, safety and expense have yet to be conquered. Research efforts have been devoted to synthetic methods able to surpass these limitations. This short review focuses on the advances made in these ‘non-classical’ methods for amide bond formation with a specific application in peptide chemistry. It consists of two main sections: (i) novel carboxylic activation reagents, and (ii) carboxylic acid and amine surrogates.1 Introduction2 Alternative Carboxylic acid Activation Reagents3 Carboxylic Acid and Amine Surrogates4 Conclusion and Perspectives

Analysis of the de novo assembled genome of Mammaliicoccus sciuri IMDO-S72 revealed the genetically encoded machinery behind its earlier reported antibacterial phenotype and gave further insight into the repertoire of putative virulence factors of this recently reclassified species. A plasmid-encoded biosynthetic gene cluster was held responsible for the antimicrobial activity of M. sciuri IMDO-S72, comprising genes involved in thiopeptide production. The compound encoded by this gene cluster was structurally identified as micrococcin P1. Further examination of its genome highlighted the ubiquitous presence of innate virulence factors mainly involved in surface colonization. Determinants contributing to aggressive virulence were generally absent, with exception of a plasmid-associated ica cluster. The native antibiotic resistance genes sal (A) and mecA were detected within the genome, amongst others, but were not consistently linked with a resistant phenotype. While mobile genetic elements were identified within the genome, such as an untypeable SCC element, they proved to be generally free of virulence- and antibiotic-related genes. These results further suggest a commensal lifestyle of M. sciuri and indicate the association of antibiotic resistance determinants with mobile genetic elements, as an important factor in conferring antibiotic resistance, in addition to their unilateral annotation. Importance Mammaliicoccus sciuri has been put forward as an important carrier of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, which can be transmitted to clinically important staphylococcal species such as Staphylococcus aureus . As a common inhabitant of mammal skin, this species is believed to have a predominant commensal lifestyle although it has been reported as an opportunistic pathogen in some cases. This study provides an extensive genome-wide description of its putative virulence potential taking into consideration the genomic context in which these genes appear, an aspect that is often overlooked during virulence analysis. Additional genome and biochemical analysis linked M. sciuri with the production of micrococcin P1, gaining further insight to which extent these biosynthetic gene cluster are distributed amongst different related species. The frequent plasmid-associated character hints that these traits can be horizontally transferred and might confer a competitive advantage to its recipient within its ecological niche.

A 3-step methodology for the synthesis of 1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one dipeptidomimetics has been elaborated via an Ugi-4CR followed by a S-trityl deprotection and an intramolecular Cu(i)-catalyzed Ullmann condensation with moderate to good yields. In silico and NMR conformational studies showed that the lowest energy conformers stabilize γ- and β-turn structures.

Apelin is an endogenous peptide that is involved in many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and cancer, which has made it an attractive target for drug discovery. Herein, we explore the penultimate and final sequence positions of [Pyr1]-apelin-13 (Ape13) via C-terminal N α-alkylated amide bonds and the introduction of positive charges, potentially targeting the allosteric sodium pocket, by assessing the binding affinity and signaling profiles at the apelin receptor (APJ). Synthetic analogues modified within this segment of Ape13 showed high affinity (K i 0.12–0.17 nM vs Ape13 K i 0.7 nM), potent Gαi1 activation (EC50 Gαi1 0.4–0.9 nM vs Ape13 EC50 1.1 nM), partial agonist behavior disfavoring β-arrestin 2 recruitment for positively charged ligands (e.g., 49 (SBL-AP-058), EC50 β-arr2 275 nM, E max 54%) and high plasma stability for N-alkyl ligands (t 1/2 > 7 h vs Ape13 t 1/2 0.5 h). Combining the benefits of the N α-alkylated amide bond with the guanidino substitution in a constrained ligand led to 63 (SBL-AP-049), which displayed increased plasma stability (t 1/2 5.3 h) and strong reduction of β-arrestin 2 signaling with partial maximal efficacy (EC50 β-arr 864 nM, E max 48%), significantly reducing the hypotensive effect in vivo.

In this study, affinities and activities of derivatized analogues of Dmt-dermorphin[1–4] (i.e. Dmt-D-Ala-Phe-GlyNH2, Dmt = 2′,6′-dimethyl-(S)-tyrosine) for the μ opioid receptor (MOP) and δ opioid receptor (DOP) were evaluated using radioligand binding studies, functional cell-based assays and isolated organ bath experiments. By means of solid-phase or solution-phase Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings, various substituted regioisomers of the phenylalanine moiety in position 3 of the sequence were prepared. An 18-membered library of opioid tetrapeptides was generated via screening of the chemical space around the Phe3 side chain. These substitutions modulated bioactivity, receptor subtype selectivity and highly effective ligands with subnanomolar binding affinities, contributed to higher functional activities and potent analgesic actions. In search of selective peptidic ligands, we show here that the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction is a versatile and robust tool which could also be deployed elsewhere.