A protocol for the synthesis of alkyl-modified guanidines based on the use of the corresponding precursors is presented.
The guanidine group is one of the most important pharmacophoric groups in medicinal chemistry. The only amino acid carrying a guanidine group is arginine. In this article, an easy method for the modification of the guanidine group in peptidic ligands is provided, with an example of RGD-binding integrin ligands. It was recently demonstrated that the distinct modification of the guanidine group in these ligands allows for the selective modulation of the subtype (e.g., between the subtypes αv and α5). Moreover, a formerly unknown strategy for the functionalization via the guanidine group was demonstrated, and the synthetic approach is reviewed in this document. The modifications described here involve terminally (Nω) alkylated and acetylated guanidine groups. For the synthesis, tailor-made precursor molecules are synthesized, which are then subjected to a reaction with an orthogonally deprotected amine to transfer the pre-modified guanidine group. For the synthesis of alkylated guanidines, precursors based on N,N′-Di-Boc-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamidine are used to synthesize acylated compounds, the precursor of choice being a correspondingly acylated derivative of N-Boc-S-methylisothiourea, which can be obtained in one- and two-step reactions.
Among the most abundant pharmacophoric groups in natural ligands is the guanidine group, which is involved in multiple interactions1,2. For example, it serves as a potential four-fold hydrogen donor in hydrogen bond interactions and is involved in electrostatic interactions, such as salt bridges or cation-π interactions. In medicinal chemistry, this group is often found in drugs and drug candidates4, although very often as guanidine mimetics5,6. The reason for the development of guanidine mimetics is the removal of the ubiquitous, positively charged guanidine group, as well as the adjustment of the lipophilicity of the ligand. In peptidic ligands, the only guanidine group-containing amino acid is arginine, which is therefore often found in the bioactive region of peptidic ligands.
A very prominent example for an arginine-containing ligand family is the subfamily of the RGD-binding integrins. In general, integrins are a class of cell adhesion receptors, which take over important functions in all higher organisms. Some of these functions involve cell adhesion, migration, and cell survival. Thus, they are also involved in pathological indications, such as cancer and fibrosis. Integrins are transmembrane heterodimeric proteins consisting of an α- and a β-subunit that form 24 currently known integrin subtypes; 8 of them recognize the tripeptide sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (=RGD) in their ligands7. The binding region is located at the interface between these two subtypes in the extracellular part, the so-called integrin head group8. RGD is recognized by two common interactions: the metal-ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) region, which is located in the beta subunit and which binds the carboxylic acid in the ligands (side chain of Asp); and the guanidine group in the ligands, which is located in the alpha subunit. Most of the integrin subtypes are promiscuous and share at least a part of their natural extracellular matrix (ECM) ligands9. Thus, for the development of artificial integrin ligands, the major focus is, besides a high binding affinity, the subtype selectivity. Recently, we were able to unveil a key element for the generation of subtype-selective ligands: the guanidine group. Through distinct modifications, biselective ligands for the αv- and α5-containing integrin subtypes can be turned into selective compounds by simple modifications on the guanidine group, which can then discriminate the different α-subunits10.
In the pocket of αv, the guanidine group interacts side-on via a bidentate salt bridge with Asp21811,12. This interaction can also be observed in α5β1 (here, with Asp227 in α5), but additionally, an end-on interaction of the guanidine group with a Gln residue (Gln221) is observed there13. Thus, we modified the guanidine group in two opposite ways: in one case, by blocking the side-on interaction with the methylation of the Nδ of the guanidine group, and in the other case, with the methylation of the guanidine Nω, blocking the end-on interaction. Surprisingly, this small modification led to a complete selectivity shift in the ligands. In addition to the alkylation, a new functionalization method was introduced in this publication. The classical functionalization method for this type of pentapeptidic ligand is through the side-chain conjugation of an amino acid not involved in binding (e.g., K in c(RGDfK))14,15. Here, we show that functionalization is also possible by modifying the guanidine — which is crucial for binding — with an acyl or alkylated linker. The positive charge that is essential for binding is retained, and models suggest that the long chain points out of the binding pocket, thus providing an ideal possibility for the attachment of further linkers and labeling units (e.g., a fluorescent label or a chelator for molecular imaging).
In this work, we concentrate on the preparative steps for the modification of the guanidine group in arginine-containing ligands. This involves the synthesis of Nω-methylated species, as well as guanidines with longer linker units. The different modifications comprise acyl and alkyl groups.
Note: All reagents and solvents were obtained from commercial suppliers and were used without further purification.
Caution: Please consult all relevant material safety data sheets (MSDS) before use. Please use all appropriate safety equipment when performing chemical syntheses (e.g., fume hood, safety glasses, gloves, lab coat, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes).
1. Synthesis of the Guanidinylation Precursors
2. Synthesis of Cyclic Peptide Precursors
3. Guanidinylation and Deprotection in Solution
4. Analytical Data and Parameters for Purification
The cyclic peptide precursor was synthesized as a linear peptide, cyclized, and orthogonally Dde-deprotected. After the precipitation, the purity of the compound was analyzed with HPLC-MS (Figure 1). To monitor the progress of the reaction, an HPLC analysis was performed after the 2-h reaction time (Figure 2).
For larger residues on the guanidine group, the reaction time of 2 h is often not enough. In this case, the reaction was continued and monitored with LC-MS. After the reaction and final deprotection, the compounds were purified using semipreparative HPLC equipment (yields typically in the low-mg range). The final compounds were analyzed with HPLC-MS to evaluate the purity (see Figure 3).
A small amount was weighed into a microcentrifuge tube and diluted with DMSO to obtain a stem solution for the biological evaluation of the compound in an ELISA-like, solid-phase binding assay. The results are depicted in Figure 4. The standard molecule Cilengitide (unmodified guanidine group) is included as a reference. All compounds possess a relative high affinity for the integrin subtype αvβ3 and high selectivity against α5β1.
Figure 1: HPLC-MS spectrum (gradient: 10-90% acetonitrile (ACN) in a biphasic solvent system with H2O and ACN) of the orthogonally Dde-deprotected derivative c(OrnGD(OtBu)f(NMe)V) (calculated mass: 602.34 g/mol), as obtained after the cyclization of the linear peptide, subsequent Dde-deprotection, and precipitation. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2: HPLC-MS spectrum (gradient: 10-90% ACN in a biphasic solvent system with H2O and ACN) of the reaction mixture after the guanidinylation reaction of the orthogonally deprotected cyclic peptide and the methylated precursor for guanidinylation. Besides the product peak (Rt = 7.50 min, calculated mass = 858.49 g/mol), only the excess of guanidinylation precursor (Rt = 6.38 min) and the base DIPEA (Rt = 0.90 min) can be observed. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3: HPLC-MS spectrum (gradient: 10-90% ACN in a biphasic solvent system with H2O and ACN) of the crude compound 2 (Rt = 3.69 min, calculated mass = 603.32 g/mol) after the deprotection of the acid labile side chains prior to the semipreparative purification. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 4: Functionalization of guanidines in solution and biological evaluation. Compound 1, with an unaltered guanidine group, is Cilengitide. The modifications addressed in this manuscript are the methylated (2), functionalized (here, acetyl amino hexane; 3), and acetylated (4) derivatives. The binding affinity was determined in a solid-phase binding assay using isolated proteins18. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
The precursor for guanidinylation is an orthogonally deprotected cyclic peptide derivative, (c(OrnD(OtBu)Gf(NMe)V)), which is synthesized by a standard Fmoc protocol of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). Ornithin was used as the orthogonally protected derivative, (Fmoc-Orn(Dde)-OH), which can be deprotected with hydrazine in DMF after the cyclization of the peptide scaffold. The peptide precursor is purified by the precipitation of the compound and by the subsequent lyophilization.
Alkylated precursors for the guanidinylation can be obtained in good yields in a one-step reaction starting from the commercially available substance N,N′-di-Boc-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamidine through an alkylation reaction under Mitsunobu conditions (PPh3, DIAD, THF)19,10. With this reaction, a huge variety of precursors is accessible from the corresponding alcohols. The guanidinylation reaction with the alkylated precursors yields the defined product in a clean reaction. If complete conversion of the reactant is not observed after 2 h, the reaction should be continued. Under the conditions given in the protocol, only minor side products formed; however, higher amounts of impurities cannot be excluded for all, especially differently protected, substrates carrying larger moieties.
If using guanidine-functionalized peptides (longer linkers), the Dde protecting group on the terminal amine of the linker is removed and can be conjugated by amide coupling to a corresponding acid. The deprotection of Dde is performed in a solution of 2% hydrazine in DMF and yields the orthogonally deprotected peptide, which should be purified (e.g., semipreparative HPLC) before further use. In this case, a simple acetylation reaction was performed in situ.
If using acetylated guanidines, a different precursor strategy should be applied. Starting from S-methylisothiourea, a two-step reaction sequence is required20. First, a mono Boc protection of S-methylisothiourea must be performed21 before acetylation with an acid of choice (here, acetic acid). The guanidinylation reaction is a very clean and fast reaction, the final compound is obtained after the final deprotection of acid labile side chain protecting groups.
As already stated in the introduction, this method allows for the modification and functionalization of any peptidic guanidine group. We demonstrated this technique on integrin ligands, which allow, in this case, tuning of the subtype selectivity of the ligands. The unmodified integrin antagonist Cilengitide is biselective for the αvβ3/α5β1 subtypes. Through the methylation of the terminal Nω of the guanidine group, an αvβ3-selective ligand is yielded. This blocks an important end-on interaction that is uniquely observed in α5β1, thus inactivating the ligand for this integrin. The main interaction with the binding site of the αvβ3 subtype is an end-on interaction that is not disturbed by this interaction10.
By modifying the ligand with longer linker units ("functionalization"), two goals can be reached in one go: selectivity is generated through breaking the end-on interaction with the α5β1 subtype and, on the other side, the linker points out of the binding pocket, allowing for conjugation to large entities (e.g., chelators or fluorescent dyes for imaging techniques)10.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
T.G.K. acknowledges the International Graduate School for Science and Engineering (IGGSE) of the Technische Universität München for their financial support. H.K. acknowledges the Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) for their support.
N,N′-Di-Boc-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamidine, 98% | Sigma Aldrich | 434167 ALDRICH | |
Triphenylphosphine, 99% | Sigma Aldrich | T84409 SIGMA-ALDRICH | |
Tetrahydrofuran, >99.5% | Carl Roth | 4745 | |
Tetrahydrofuran anhydrous, 99.8% | Carl Roth | 5182 | |
Methanol anhydrous, 99.8% | Sigma Aldrich | 322415 SIGMA-ALDRICH | |
Diisopropyl azodicarboxylate, 98% | Sigma Aldrich | 225541 ALDRICH | |
Dichlormethan, for synthesis, 99.5% | Carl Roth | 8424 | |
Silica gel for flash chromtaography | Sigma Aldrich | 60738 SIGMA-ALDRICH | |
n-Pentane, 99% | Carl Roth | 8720 | |
n-Hexane, 99% | Carl Roth | CP47 | |
Ethylacetate, 99.5% | Carl Roth | 7338 | |
Aminohexanol, 95% | Sigma Aldrich | A56353 ALDRICH | |
S-Methylisothiourea hemisulfate, 98% | Sigma Aldrich | M84445 ALDRICH | |
Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate, 99% | Sigma Aldrich | 205249 ALDRICH | |
N,N-Dimethylformamid, 99.8% | Carl Roth | A529 | |
N,N-Diisopropylethylamin, 99.5% | Carl Roth | 2474 | |
Acetic anhydrid, 99% | Carl Roth | 4483 | |
Chlortrityl resin | Carbolution | CC11006 | |
Fmoc-Gly-OH, 98% | Carbolution | CC05014 | |
Piperidin, 99% | Sigma Aldrich | 104094 SIGMA-ALDRICH | |
Fmoc-Orn(Dde)-OH | Iris-Biotech | FAA1502 | |
HATU, 99% | Carbolution | CC01011 | |
HOAt, 99% | Carbolution | CC01004 | |
Fmoc-Val-OH | Carbolution | CC05028 | |
2-Nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride, 97% | Sigma Aldrich | N11507 ALDRICH | |
2,4,6-Collidine, 99% | Sigma Aldrich | 27690 SIGMA-ALDRICH | |
Mercaptoethanol, 99% | Sigma Aldrich | M6250 ALDRICH | |
Diazabicycloundecen, 98% | Sigma Aldrich | 139009 ALDRICH | |
Fmoc-D-Phe-OH, 98% | Sigma Aldrich | 47378 ALDRICH | |
Fmoc-Asp(OtBu)-OH, 98% | Carbolution | CC05008 | |
Hexafluoroisopropanol | Carbolution | CC03056 | |
Diphenylphosphoryl azide, 97% | Sigma Aldrich | 178756 ALDRICH | |
TFA, 99.9% | Carl Roth | P088 | |
Triisopropylsilan, 98% | Sigma Aldrich | 233781 ALDRICH | |
Acetonitrile, HPLC grade | Carl Roth | HN44 |