Total Synthesis and Anti-Cancer Activity of All Known Communesin Alkaloids and Related Derivatives

J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Sep 11;141(36):14411-14420. doi: 10.1021/jacs.9b07397. Epub 2019 Aug 30.

Abstract

A unified enantioselective total synthesis and anticancer evaluation of all known epoxide-containing communesin alkaloids and related derivatives is described. Our synthesis is predicated on the convergent and modular diazene-directed assembly of two complex fragments to secure the critical C3a-C3a' linkage followed by a guided biomimetic aminal reorganization to deliver the heptacyclic core of these alkaloids. Concise enantioselective syntheses of the fragments were devised, with highlights including the application of a rationally designed sulfinamide chiral auxiliary, an efficient calcium trifluoromethanesulfonate promoted intramolecular amination, and a diastereoselective epoxidation that simultaneously converts the new chiral auxiliary to a versatile amine protective group. The modularity of our convergent approach enabled the rapid synthesis of all epoxide-containing members of the communesin family from a single heterodimeric intermediate, including the first total synthesis of communesins C-E, and G-I, and facilitated our stereochemical revision of (-)-communesin I, the most recently isolated communesin alkaloid. Furthermore, the generality of our biogenetically inspired heterodimer rearrangement was demonstrated in a guided synthesis of a communesin derivative with an unnatural topology. Finally, we report the first comparative analysis of the anticancer activities of all naturally occurring communesin alkaloids A-I and eight complex derivatives against five human cancer cell lines. From these data, we have identified (-)-communesin B as the most potent natural communesin and discovered that derivatives with N8'-sulfonamide substitution exhibit up to a 10-fold increase in potency over the natural alkaloids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemical synthesis
  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / chemical synthesis
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings
  • communesin B