Methods for stimulation of synthesis of synaptophysin in the central nervous system

Abstract

A method of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin comprises administering to a patient with a neurological disease or a patient at risk of developing a neurological disease an effective quantity of a purine derivative or analogue, a tetrahydroindolone derivative or analogue, or a pyrimidine derivative or analogue. If the compound is a purine derivative, the purine moiety can be guanine or hypoxanthine. The neurological disease can be a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease or a neurodevelopmental disorder such as Down's syndrome. Typically, the compound can pass through the blood-brain barrier. The purine moiety can be hypoxanthine or guanine. A particularly preferred purine derivative is N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is directed to methods for stimulation of synaptophysin synthesis and/or secretion in patients with neurological diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Down's syndrome, particularly with purine derivatives or analogues, tetrahydroindolone derivatives or analogues, or pyrimidine derivatives or analogues.

[0003] Pharmaceutical agents that increase synaptophysin synthesis and/or secretion, decrease its metabolism, increase its release or improve its effectiveness may be of benefit in reversing the course of neurological diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, and improve function in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Down's syndrome.

[0004] One of the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is loss of presynaptic markers such as synaptophysin. Synaptophysin decreases in neurodegenerative disorders along with a decline in neurotransmission. Synaptophysin (i) is a synaptic vesicle-associated integral membrane protein (Mw˜38 Kd), (ii) acts as a specific marker for the presynaptic terminal, and (iii) is involved in neuronal transmission (R. H. Scheller, “Membrane Trafficking in the Presynaptic Nerve Terminal,” Neuron 14: 893-897 (1995)). A combination of neurotrophic factors is most effective in providing optimal trophic support for compromised neuron functions, including neurotransmission (Rathbone M P, et al. “AIT-082 as a potential neuroprotective and regenerative agent in stroke and central nervous system injury”. Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs. 8:1255-12652, 1999). Multiple neurotrophic factors may synergistically regulate synaptophysin levels in a manner that can lead to increased neurotransmission and improved neuronal function.

[0005] Therefore, there exists a need for methods that can stimulate the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin in patients with neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Down's syndrome, in order to preserve, restore or improve neuronal transmission capability in such patients. Preferably, these methods should be able to be combined with methods that enable active compounds to bypass the blood-brain barrier, making combined therapy more efficient. These methods should also be suitable for use with compounds or pharmaceutical compositions that can stimulate nerve growth or regeneration in patients with neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Down's syndrome, thus reversing the course of the disease.

SUMMARY

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a method of stimulating the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin comprising administering to a patient with a neurological disease or a patient at risk of developing a neurological disease an effective quantity of a compound comprising: (1) a moiety A selected from the group consisting of a purine moiety, a purine analogue, a tetrahydroindolone moiety, a tetrahydroindolone analogue, a pyrimidine moiety, and a pyrimidine analogue; (2) a hydrocarbyl moiety L of 1 to 6 carbon atoms that is linked to the moiety A and that can be cyclic, with the hydrocarbyl moiety being optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkylamino, lower alkylthio, and oxo; and (3) a moiety B that is linked to the moiety L though a carbonyl group wherein B is —OZ or N(Y1)—D, where Z is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl; D is a moiety that promotes absorption of the compound; and Y1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms, which can be N, O, or S.

[0007] The purine moiety can be selected from the group consisting of hypoxanthine and guanine, as well as other purine moieties. A number of purine derivatives suitable for use in methods according to the present invention are disclosed. A particularly preferred purine derivative is N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide. Preferably, the compound is capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier.

[0008] The neurological disease can be a neurodegenerative disease, such as, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alternatively, the neurological disease can be a neurodevelopmental disorder such as, but not limited to, Down's syndrome.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following invention will become better understood with reference to the specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a photograph of the transferred proteins of a gel electrophoresis of proteins (Western immunoblot) from PC12 cells in culture treated with NGF, bFGF, or the bifunctional purine derivative N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide (also known as AIT-082) probed with anti-synaptophysin antibody with immunodetection by an enzymatic color method; and

[0011] FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the intensity of the bands of a Western immunoblot, similar to FIG. 1, as determined by densitometry scanning.

DESCRIPTION

[0012] We have discovered that the bifunctional purine derivative N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide (also known as AIT-082 and leteprinim potassium), which bypasses the blood-brain barrier and is transported into brain by a nonsaturable mechanism, can act to increase the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin. This property of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin, therefore, should also be possessed by other purine derivatives and analogues, tetrahydroindolone derivatives and analogues, and pyrimidine derivatives and analogues, as discussed below.

[0013] Typically, a compound useful in a method of the present invention is capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier.

[0014] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is a method of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin comprising administering to a patient with a neurological disease or a patient at risk of developing a neurological disease an effective amount of a compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin, the compound comprising: (1) a moiety A selected from the group consisting of a purine moiety, a purine analogue, a tetrahydroindolone moiety, a tetrahydroindolone analogue, a pyrimidine moiety, and a pyrimidine analogue; (2) a hydrocarbyl moiety L of 1 to 6 carbon atoms that is linked to the moiety A and that can be cyclic, with the hydrocarbyl moiety being optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkylamino, lower alkylthio, and oxo; and (3) a moiety B that is linked to the moiety L though a carbonyl group wherein B is —OZ or N(Y1)—D, where Z is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl; D is a moiety that promotes absorption of the compound; and Y1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms, which can be N, O, or S.

[0015] The neurological disease can be a neurodegenerative disease, such as, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alternatively, the neurological disease can be a neurodevelopmental disorder such as, but not limited to, Down's syndrome. Although the methods of the present application are of particular applicability toward AD, they are not limited to that disease.

[0016] Typically, a compound useful in a method of the present invention is capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier.

[0017] In one preferred embodiment of methods according to the present invention, the moiety A is a purine moiety.

[0018] In one alternative, A is a substituted or unsubstituted hypoxanthine moiety. Typically, in this alternative, L has the structure —(CH2)n— where n is an integer from 1 to 6.

[0019] The compound having the activity of either inhibiting the formation of Aβ or stimulating the formation of sAPPα can be a compound of formula (I) 1

[0020] where n is an integer from 1 to 6 and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl or is a salt or prodrug ester of a compound of formula (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl. Typically, the compound is a compound of formula (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl. Typically, R is hydrogen, and the compound is N-4-[[3-(6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)-1-oxopropyl]amino]benzoic acid, designated AIT-082. Alternatively, R is ethyl, and the compound is N-4-[[3-(6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl) -1-oxopropyl]amino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

[0021] When the purine moiety is hypoxanthine, a preferred purine derivative is a compound of formula (I) 2

[0022] wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 or of a salt or prodrug ester of formula (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6. Typically, the purine derivative is a compound of formula (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6. Preferably, n is 2 and the compound is N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide, also known as AIT-082. The activity of this compound is described further in the Example.

[0023] Alternatively, the purine derivative can be a 9-substituted hypoxanthine derivative of formula (II) 3

[0024] wherein n is a integer from 1 to 6, R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, COOH, and COOW1, where W1 is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, amino, and lower alkylamino, and R2 is selected from the group consisting of H and OH.

[0025] In this alternative, for one particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is H and R2 is OH and the purine derivative is N-(2-(5-hydroxyindol-3-yl))ethyl-3-(6-oxohydropurine-9-yl) propanamide. In this alternative, for another particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is H and R2 is H and the purine derivative is N-(2-indol-3-yl)ethyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide. In this alternative, for still another particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is COOH, and R2 is OH and the purine derivative is N-(1-carboxyl-(2-(5-hydroxyindol-3-yl))ethyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide.

[0026] As another alternative, the purine derivative can be a 9-substituted hypoxanthine derivative of formula (III) 4

[0027] wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6, R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, COOH, and COOW1, wherein W1 is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, amino, and lower alkylamino, R2 is selected from the group consisting of H and OH, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of H and OH.

[0028] In this alternative, for one particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is H, R2 is H, and R3 is OH, and the purine derivative is N-(2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl))ethyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide. In this alternative, for another particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is H, R2 is OH, and R3 is OH, and the purine derivative is N-(2-hydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl))ethyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide. In this alternative, for still another particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is COOH, R2 is H, and R3 is OH, and the purine derivative is N-(1-carboxyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl))ethyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide.

[0029] When the purine moiety is guanine, one preferred purine derivative is a 9-substituted guanine derivative of formula (IV) 5

[0030] wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6, R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, COOH, and COOW1, or W1 is lower alkyl, amino, or lower alkylamino, and R2 is selected from the group consisting of H and OH.

[0031] In this alternative, for one particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is H, and R2 is OH, and the purine derivative is N-(2-(5-hydroxindol-3-yl))ethyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide. In this alternative, for another particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is H, and R2 is H and the purine derivative is N-(2-(2-indol-3-yl)ethyl))-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl))propanamide. In this alternative, for still another particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is COOH, and R2 is OH, and the purine derivative is N-(1-carboxyl)-(2-(5-hydroxyindol-3-yl))ethyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide.

[0032] Alternatively, the purine derivative can be a 9-substituted guanine derivative of formula (V) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6. 6

[0033] In this alternative, for one particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2 and the compound is N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide.

[0034] Alternatively, the purine derivative can be a 9-substituted guanine derivative of formula (VI) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6. 7

[0035] In this alternative, for one particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2 and the compound is 3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurine-9-yl)propanoric acid.

[0036] Alternatively, the purine derivative can be a 9-substituted guanine derivative of formula (VII) wherein n is an in integer from 1 to 6, p is an integer from 1 to 6, and q is an integer from 1 to 3. 8

[0037] In this alternative, for one particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, p is 2, and q is 1, and the purine derivative is N-[2-[[2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-oxoethyl]amino]ethyl]propanamide.

[0038] Alternatively, the purine derivative can be a 9-substituted guanine derivative of formula (VIII) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, COOH, and COOW1, where W1 is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, amino, and lower alkylamino, R2 is selected from the group consisting of H and OH, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of H and OH. 9

[0039] In this alternative, for one particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is H, R2 is H, and R3 is OH, and the purine derivative is N-(2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide. In this alternative, for another particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is H, R2 is OH, and R3 is OH, and the purine derivative is N-(2-hydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl)-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide. In this alternative, for still another particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, R1 is COOH, R2 is H, and R3 is H and the compound is N-(1-carboxyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl)-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide.

[0040] Alternatively, the purine derivative can be a 9-substituted guanine derivative of formula (IX) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 and p is an integer from 1 to 3. 10

[0041] In this alternative, for one particularly preferred purine derivative, n is 2, p is 1, and the compound is the 1-(dimethylamino)-2-propyl ester of N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide.

[0042] Other bifunctional hypoxanthine derivatives suitable for use in methods according to the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,432 to Glasky, incorporated herein by this reference. Other bifunctional guanine derivatives suitable for use in methods according to the present invention are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/419,153, by Glasky et al., incorporated herein by this reference.

[0043] More generally, purine-based compounds suitable for use in methods according to the present invention are compounds in which A is a substituted or unsubstituted 9-atom bicyclic moiety in which the 5-membered ring has 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, the bicyclic moiety having the structure of formula (X) 11

[0044] where:

[0045] (1) if the bond between N1 and the bond between C5 is a single bond, then the bond between C6 and R6 is a double bond, R6 is O or S, and R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or heteroaralkyl;

[0046] (2) if the bond between N1 and C6 is a double bond, then the bond between C6 and R6 is a single bond, R1 is not present, and R6 is hydrogen, halo, amino, OQ1, SQ1, NHNH2, NHOQ1, NQ1Q2, or NHQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q1 and Q2 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0047] (3) if the bond between C2 and N3 is a single bond, then the bond between C2 and R2 is a double bond, R2 is O or S, and R3 is hydrogen or alkyl;

[0048] (4) if the bond between C2 and N3 is a double bond, then the bond between C2 is a single bond, R3 is not present, and R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaralkyl, halo, amino, OQ1, SQ1, NHNH2, NHOQ1, NQ1Q2, or NHQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q1 and Q2 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0049] (5) A7 and A8 are C or N;

[0050] (a) if A7 and A8 are both C and the bond between A7 and A8 is a single bond, then the bond between A8 and R8 is two single bonds to two hydrogen atoms or is a double bond in which R8 is O or S and R7 is two hydrogen atoms;

[0051] (b) if A7 and A8 are both C and the bond between A7 and A8 is a double bond, then R7 is hydrogen, the bond between A8 and R8 is a single bond and R8 is hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or heteroaralkenyl;

[0052] (c) if A7 and A8 are both N, then the bond between A7 and A8 is a double bond, and R7 and R8 are not present;

[0053] (d) if A7 is C and A8 is N, then the bond between A7 and A8 is a double bond, R7 is hydrogen, and R8 is not present;

[0054] (e) if A7 is N, A8 is C, and the bond between A7 and A8 is a double bond, then R7 is not present, the bond between A8 is a single bond, and R8 is hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or heteroaralkenyl;

[0055] (f) if A7 is N, A8 is C, and the bond between A7 and A8 is a single bond, then R7 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl, the bond between A8 and R8 is a double bond, and R8 is O or S; and

[0056] (6) N9 is bonded to L; with the proviso that A does not have the structure of an unsubstituted guanine or hypoxanthine.

[0057] The purine moiety can be a purine moiety of formula (XI) 12

[0058] in which:

[0059] (1) R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, and heteroaralkyl; and

[0060] (2) R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaralkyl, halo, OQ1, SQ1, NHNH2, NHOQ1, NQ1Q2, or NHQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q1 and Q2 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, arylkoxycarbonyl, heteroarylokoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroarylkylaminocarbonyl in which the alkyl portions could be cyclic and can contain from one to three heteroatoms which could be N, O, or S, with the proviso that both R1 and R2 are not hydrogen and that R1 is not hydrogen when R2 is amino.

[0061] The purine moiety of formula (XI) is a hypoxanthine or a guanine derivative but excludes unsubstituted hypoxanthine, in which R1 and R2 are hydrogen, and unsubstituted guanine, in which R1 is hydrogen and R2 is amino.

[0062] In one particularly preferred embodiment, R1 is butyl and R2 is hydrogen.

[0063] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is benzyl and R2 is hydrogen.

[0064] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is dimethylaminoethyl and R2 is hydrogen.

[0065] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is cyclopentyl and R2 is hydrogen.

[0066] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is cyclohexylmethyl and R2 is hydrogen.

[0067] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is cyclopropylmethyl and R2 is hydrogen.

[0068] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is hydrogen and R2 is phenyl.

[0069] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is hydrogen and R2 is trifluoromethyl.

[0070] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is hydrogen and R2 is butyl.

[0071] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is butyl and R2 is butyl.

[0072] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is hydrogen and R2 is methyl.

[0073] In another preferred embodiment, R1 is hydrogen and R2 is phenylamino.

[0074] Alternatively, the purine moiety can be a purine moiety of Formula (XII) 13

[0075] in which:

[0076] (1) R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, amino, oQ3, SQ3, NHNH2, NHOQ3, NQ3Q4, or NHQ3, where Q3 and Q4 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, and heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q3 and Q4 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y3 where Y3 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S; and

[0077] (2) R6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, amino, OQ5, SQ5, NHNH2, NHOQ5, NQ5Q6, or NHQ6, where Q5 and Q6 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, and heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q5 and Q6 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6- membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, arylkoxycarbonyl, heteroarylkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S.

[0078] In one preferred example of this embodiment, R2 is hydrogen and R6 is —NH2 or —N(CH3)2.

[0079] In another preferred example of this embodiment, R2 is hydrogen and R6 is Cl.

[0080] In yet another preferred example of this embodiment, R2 is —NH2 and R6 is Cl.

[0081] In another alternative, the purine moiety is the purine moiety of Formula (XIII) 14

[0082] in which:

[0083] (1) R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or heteroaralkyl; and

[0084] (2) R2 is O or S.

[0085] Preferably, in this embodiment, R1 is hydrogen and R2 is O or S.

[0086] Particularly preferred purine-based compounds for use in methods according to the present invention include: (1) 4-[3-(1-benzyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (2) 4-[3-(1-butyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (3) 4-[3-(1-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (4) 4-[3-(1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (5) 4-[3-(2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (6) 4-[3-(6-methoxypurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (7) 4-[3-(6-methylaminopurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (8) 4-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (9) 4-[2-(6-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (10) 4-[2-(2-butyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (11) 4-[2-(6-oxo-2-phenyl-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; (12) 4-{[3-(6-chloropurin-9-yl) propionyl]methylamino}benzoic acid methyl ester; (13) 3-(1-benzyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)-N-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propyl]propionamide; (14) 3-(1-benzyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)-N-{2-[2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetylamino]ethyl}propionamide; (15) N-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propyl]-3-(6-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropurin-9-yl) propionamide; and (16) 3-(1-benzyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)-N-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)propionamide.

[0087] In another alternative of methods according to the present invention, the compound is a tetrahydroindolone derivative or analogue where A is a 9-atom bicyclic moiety in which the 5-membered ring has one to three nitrogen atoms, the bicyclic moiety having the structure of formula (XIV) 15

[0088] where:

[0089] (1) N1 is bonded to L;

[0090] (2) A2 and A3 are C or N;

[0091] (a) If A2 and A3 are both C and the bond between A2 and A3 is a single bond, then the bond between A2 and R2 is two single bonds, two hydrogen atoms or is a double bond in which R2 is O or S and R3 is two hydrogen atoms;

[0092] (b) If A2 and A3 are both C and the bond between A2 and A3 is a double bond, then R3 is hydrogen, the bond between A2 and R2 is a single bond and R2 is hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or heteroaralkenyl;

[0093] (c) If A2 and A3 are both N, then the bond between A2 and A3 is a double bond and R2 and R3 are not present;

[0094] (d) If A2 is N and A3 is C, then the bond between A2 and A3 is a double bond, R2 is not present, and R3 is hydrogen;

[0095] (e) If A2 is C, A3 is N, and the bond between A2 and A3 is a double bond, then R3 is not present, the bond between A2 and R2 is a single bond, and R2 is hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or heteroaralkenyl;

[0096] (f) If A2 is C, A3 is N, and the bond between A2 and A3 is a single bond, then R3 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkenyl, the bond between A2 and R2 is a double bond, and A2 is O or S;

[0097] (3) R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, NH2, NHQ1, NQ1Q2, OH, OQ1, or SQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q1 and Q2 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom, which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0098] (4) R5′ is hydrogen unless R5 is alkyl, in which case R5 is hydrogen or the same alkyl as R5;

[0099] (5) R5 and R5′ can be taken together as a double bond to C5, and can be O, S, NQ3, or C which can be substituted with one or two groups R5, where Q3 is alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, or heteroaroyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0100] (6) R6 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, NH2, NHQ4, NQ4Q5, OH, OQ4, or SQ4, where Q4 and Q5 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q4 and Q5 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom, which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0101] (7) R6′ is hydrogen unless R6 is alkyl, in which case R6′ is hydrogen or the same alkyl as R6;

[0102] (8) R6 and R6′ can be taken together as a double bond to C6 and can be O, S, NQ6, or C which can be substituted with one or two groups R5, and where Q6 is alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S; and

[0103] (9) R7 is hydrogen unless R5 is alkyl and R5′ is hydrogen, in which case R7 is the same alkyl as R5.

[0104] Typically, A is a tetrahydroindolone moiety. More typically, the tetrahydroindolone moiety is a tetrahydroindolone moiety of formula (XV) 16

[0105] in which:

[0106] (1) R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, NH2, NH1, NQ1Q2, OH, OQ1, or SQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, or heteroaroyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from one to three heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0107] (2) R5′ is hydrogen;

[0108] (3) R6 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, NH2, NHW1, NQ1Q2, OH, OQ1, or SQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, or heteroaroyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from one to three heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S and where W1 is alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from one to three heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0109] (4) R6′ is hydrogen; and

[0110] (5) R7 is hydrogen.

[0111] Typically, R5, R5′, R6, R6′, and R7 are all hydrogen.

[0112] When A is a tetrahydroindolone moiety, preferred compounds are 4-[3-(4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindolon-1-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester and 4-[3-(4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindolon-1-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid.

[0113] In another alternative, the compound is a pyrimidine derivative or pyrimidine analogue. In this alternative, A is is an amino-substituted 6-membered heterocyclic moiety of formula (XVI) 17

[0114] where:

[0115] (1) if the bond between N1 and the bond between C6 is a single bond, then the bond between C6 and R6 is a double bond, R6 is O or S, and R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or heteroaralkyl;

[0116] (2) if the bond between N1 and C6 is a double bond, then the bond between C6 and R6 is a single bond, R1 is not present, and R6 is hydrogen, halo, amino, OH, OQ1, SQ1, NHNH2, NQ1Q2, or NHQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q1 and Q2 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0117] (3) if the bond between C2 and N3 is a single bond, then the bond between C2 and R2 is a double bond, R2 is O or S, and R3 is hydrogen or alkyl;

[0118] (4) if the bond between C2 and N3 is a double bond, then the bond between C2 and R2 is a single bond, R3 is not present, and R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaralkyl, halo, amino, OH, OQ1, SQ1, NHNH2, NHOQ1, NQ1Q2, or NHQ1, where Q1 and Q2 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaroyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, or heteroaralkylsulfonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q1 and Q2 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y3, where Y3 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S;

[0119] (5) R4 is hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, or heteroarylaminocarbonyl;

[0120] (6) A5 is carbon or nitrogen;

[0121] (7) if A5 is nitrogen, then R5 is not present;

[0122] (8) if A5 is carbon, then R5 is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, alkoxy, halo, nitro, aryl, cyano, alkenyl, or alkaryl;

[0123] (9) if R5 and R6 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S; and

[0124] (10) N4 is bonded to L.

[0125] Typically, A5 is carbon and the 6-membered heterocyclic moiety is a pyrimidine moiety.

[0126] When A is a pyrimidine moiety, in one alternative, R2 is O and R3 is hydrogen. In this alternative, the pyrimidine moiety can be cytosine, thymine, uracil, 3-methyluracil, 3-methylthymine, 4-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-hydroxyuracil, 5-carboxymethyluracil, or 5-hydroxymethyluracil.

[0127] In another alternative, R2 is S and R3 is hydrogen. In this alternative, the pyrimidine moiety can be 2-thiouracil, 5-methylamino-2-thiouracil, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, or 2-thiocytosine.

[0128] In still another alternative, R2 is amino and the bond between C2 and N3 is a double bond. In this alternative, the pyrimidine moiety can be 2-aminopyrimidinone or 2-amino-4-chloropyrimidine.

[0129] In still another alternative, R2 is hydrogen and the bond between C2 and N3 is a double bond. In this alternative, the pyrimidine moiety can be 4-chloropyrimidine, 5-amino-4-chloropyrimidine, 4-chloro-5-methylpyrimidine, 4-chloro-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine, or 4-chloro-5-carboxymethylpyrimidine.

[0130] In still another alternative, R1 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, R5 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, and R6 is O. In this alternative, the pyrimidine moiety can be pyrimidinone.

[0131] Particularly preferred pyrimidine compounds include: 4-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; 4-[3-(5-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; 4-[3-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; 4-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid; 4-[3-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid; 4-[3-(5-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid; 3-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; 3-[3-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; 3-[3-(5-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester; 3-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropyrimid=in-4-yamino) propionylamino]benzoic acid; 3-[3-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid; and 3-[3-(5-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid.

[0132] In accordance with the present invention, and as used herein, the following terms, when appearing alone or as part of a moiety including other atoms or groups, are defined with the following meanings, unless explicitly stated otherwise. In addition, all groups described herein can be optionally substituted unless such substitution is excluded. The term “alkyl,” as used herein at all occurrences, refers to saturated aliphatic groups including straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic groups, all of which can be optionally substituted. Preferred alkyl groups contain 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Suitable alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, and the like, and can be optionally substituted. The term “alkenyl,” as used herein at all occurrences, refers to unsaturated groups which contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond and includes straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic groups, all of which can be optionally substituted. Preferable alkenyl groups have 2 to 10 carbon atoms. The term “alkoxy” refers to the ether —O—alkyl, where alkyl is defined as as above. The term “aryl” refers to aromatic groups which have at least one ring having a conjugated π-electron system and includes carbocyclic aryl and biaryl, both of which may be optionally substituted. Preferred aryl groups have 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The term “aralkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted with an aryl group. Suitable aralkyl groups include benzyl and the like; these groups can be optionally substituted. The term “aralkenyl” refers to an alkenyl group substituted with an aryl group. The term “heteroaryl” refers to carbon-containing 5-14 membered cyclic unsaturated radicals containing one, two, three, or four O, N, or S heteroatoms and having 6, 10, or 14 π-electrons delocalized in one or more rings, e.g., pyridine, oxazole, indole, thiazole, isoxazole, pyrazole, pyrrole, each of which can be optionally substituted as discussed above. The term “sulfonyl” refers to the group —S(O2)—. The term “alkanoyl” refers to the group —C(O)Rg, where Rg is alkyl. The term “aroyl” refers to the group —C(O)Rg, where Rg is aryl. Similar compound radicals involving a carbonyl group and other groups are defined by analogy. The term “aminocarbonyl” refers to the group —NHC(O)—. The term “oxycarbonyl” refers to the group —OC(O)—. The term “heteroaralkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted with a heteroaryl group. Similarly, the term “heteroaralkenyl” refers to an alkenyl group substituted with a heteroaryl group. As used herein, the term “lower,” in reference to an alkyl or the alkyl portion of an another group including alkyl, is defined as a group containing one to six carbon atoms. The term “optionally substituted” refers to one or more substituents that can be lower alkyl, aryl, amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, aryloxy, lower alkylamino, arylamino, lower alkylthio, arylthio, or oxo, in some cases, other groups can be included, such as cyano, acetoxy, or halo. The term “halo” refers generally to fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo; more typically, “halo” refers to chloro.

[0133] As indicated above, the linker L is a hydrocarbyl moiety of 1 to 6 carbon atoms that can be cyclic, with the hydrocarbyl moiety being optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkylamino, lower alkylthio, and oxo. Preferably, the linker L has the structure —(CH2)n— wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6. As detailed below, for most preferred embodiments of compounds useful in methods according to the present invention, a preferred linker has n equal to 2 or 3.

[0134] The moiety B is either: (i)—OZ, where Z is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl; or (ii) N(Y1)—D, where D is a moiety that promotes absorption of the compound, and Y1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, which, when taken with D, can form a cyclic 5- or 6-membered saturated ring which can contain one other heteroatom which can be O, N, or S, of which N can be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S. Typically, Y1 is hydrogen. Where the moiety B is —OZ, the moiety B is a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid or ester. Typically, where B is a carboxylic acid ester, the moiety Z is a lower alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, butyl, propyl, or isopropyl.

[0135] In one alternative, the moiety D, as described above, is a moiety having at least one polar, charged, or hydrogen-bond-forming group to improve the metabolic and bioavailability properties of the compound. The moiety D can be, but is not limited to, a moiety with physiological or biological activity such as nootropic activity. In one alternative, the moiety D can be a moiety containing at least one carboxyl, carboxamide, carboxyl ester, or carbonyl function. In another alternative, the moiety D can be a moiety containing at least one hydroxyl, primary amino, secondary amino, tertiary amino, sulfhydryl, or sulfonamidyl function. The moiety D can be cyclic or acyclic. Preferred examples of the moiety D are described below.

[0136] When the moiety D is a cyclic or acyclic moiety containing at least one carbonyl, carboxamide, carboxyl ester, or carbonyl function, in one preferred example, D is a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester with the structure 18

[0137] wherein p is an integer from 1 to 6 and W1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl. Typically, if W1 is lower alkyl, it is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or isobutyl. Typically, p is 3. Typically, W1 is hydrogen or ethyl.

[0138] In another preferred example, D and Y1 are taken together to form a piperazine derivative as described in D. Manetti et al., “Molecular Simplification of 1,4-Diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-9-ones Gives Piperazine Derivatives That Maintain High Nootropic Activity,” J. Med. Chem. 43: 4499-4507 (“Manetti et al. (2000)”). B is an analogue of structure 19

[0139] wherein Q1 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, butyl, or propyl, Q2 is hydrogen or methyl, where, if Q2 is methyl, it can be located at either of the two possible positions in the piperazine ring.

[0140] In another preferred example, D has the structure 20

[0141] where one of Z1 and Z2 is hydrogen, and the other of Z1 and Z2 is —COOH or —COOW1, wherein W1 is alkyl. Typically, W1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and isobutyl. Either of Z1 or Z2 can be hydrogen. When Z1 is hydrogen and Z2 is —COOH, the moiety B is p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). When Z1 is —COOH and Z2 is hydrogen, the moiety B is m-aminobenzoic acid (MABA). When Z1 is hydrogen and Z2 is —COOW1, the moiety B is an ester of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). When Z1 is —COOW1 and Z2 is hydrogen, the moiety B is an ester of m-aminobenzoic acid (MABA). Typically, these esters are ethyl esters.

[0142] When the moiety D is a moiety that contains at least one hydroxyl, primary amino, secondary amino, tertiary amino, sulfhydryl, or sufonamidyl function, in one preferred example, D is a phenylsulfonamidyl moiety of structure 21

[0143] wherein p is an integer from 0 to 6. Typically, p is 2.

[0144] In another preferred example, D is an alkylpyridyl moiety of structure 22

[0145] wherein p is an integer from 1 to 6. Typically, p is 1.

[0146] In another preferred example, D is a dialkylaminoalkyl moiety of the structure 23

[0147] wherein p is an integer from 1 to 6 and Q7 and Q8 are alkyl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkanoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, or heteroaroyl in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S, and when Q7 and Q8 are present together and are alkyl, they can be taken together to form a 5 or 6 member ring which may contain 1 other heteroatom which can be N, O, or S, of which the N may be further substituted with Y2, where Y2 is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms which can be N, O, or S.

[0148] Where Q7 and Q8 can be taken together to form a five or six member ring, the ring is typically pyrrolidine, piperidine, or morpholine. The pyrrolidine ring can be optionally substituted with oxo. The piperidine ring can be optionally substituted with methyl or ethyl. Typically, p is 2 or 3.

[0149] In another preferred example, D is an alkylpyrrolidine moiety of the structure 24

[0150] wherein p is an integer from 1 to 6 and W1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, and propyl. Typically, W1 is methyl. Typically, p is 2.

[0151] Preferably, a compound useful in methods according to the present invention has a log P of from about 1 to about 4 in order to optimize bioavailability and CNS penetration of the compound.

[0152] Exemplary studies and treatments were performed as discussed below using various dosages and routes of administration of selected exemplary purine derivatives representative of compositions that are effective with the methods of the present invention. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not specifically limited to the particular compositions, dosages or routes of administration detailed below.

[0153] Depending upon the particular needs of the individual subject involved, the compositions used in the present invention may be administered in various doses to provide effective treatment concentrations based upon the teachings of the present invention. What constitutes an effective amount of the selected composition will vary based upon such factors including the activity of the selected purine derivative, the physiological characteristics of the subject, the extent and nature of the subject's disease or condition and the method of administration. Exemplary treatment concentrations which have proven effective in modifying neural activity range from less than 1 μM to concentrations of 500 mM or more. Generally, initial doses will be modified to determine the optimum dosage for treatment of the particular mammalian subject. The compositions may be administered using a number of different routes including orally, topically, transdermally, intraperitoneal injection or intravenous injection directly into the bloodstream. Of course, effective amounts of the purine derivatives may also be administered through injection into the cerebrospinal fluid or infusion directly into the brain, if desired.

[0154] The methods of the present invention may be effected using compounds administered to a mammalian subject either alone or in combination as a pharmaceutical formulation. Further, the compounds may be combined with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and carrier materials such as inert solid diluents, aqueous solutions or non-toxic organic solvents. If desired, these pharmaceutical formulations may also contain preservatives and stabilizing agents and the like, as well as minor amounts of auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, as well as pH buffering agents and the like which enhance the effectiveness of the active ingredient. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can be chosen from those generally known in the art, including, but not limited to, human serum albumin, ion exchangers, dextrose, alumina, lecithin, buffer substances such as phosphate, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and salts or electrolytes such as protamine sulfate, sodium chloride, or potassium chloride. Other carriers can be used.

[0155] Liquid compositions can also contain liquid phases either in addition to or to the exclusion of water. Examples of such additional liquid phases are glycerin, vegetable oils such as cottonseed oil, organic esters such as ethyl oleate, and water-oil emulsions.

[0156] The compositions can be made into aerosol formations (i.e., they can be “nebulized”) to be administered via inhalation. Aerosol formulations can be placed into pressurized acceptable propellants, such as dichloromethane, propane, or nitrogen. Other suitable propellants are known in the art.

[0157] Formulations suitable for parenteral administration, such as, for example, by intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, and subcutaneous routes, include aqueous and non-aqueous, isotonic sterile injection solutions. These can contain antioxidants, buffers, preservatives, bacteriostatic agents, and solutes that render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the particular recipient. Alternatively, these formulations can be aqueous or non-aqueous sterile suspensions that can include suspending agents, thickening agents, solubilizers, stabilizers, and preservatives. Compositions suitable for use in methods according to the present invention can be administered, for example, by intravenous infusion, orally, topically, intraperitoneally, intravesically, or intrathecally. Formulations of compounds suitable for use in methods according to the present invention can be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose sealed containers, in physical forms such as ampules or vials.

[0158] The invention is illustrated by the following Examples. These Examples are presented for illustration only and are not intended to limit the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Effect of Administration of the Bifunctional Purine Derivative N-4-Carboxyphenyl-3-(6-Oxohydropurin-9-yl) Propanamide on the Levels of Synaptophysin

[0159] Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a severe loss of presynaptic cholinergic neurons and decreased levels of acetylcholine and choline acetyltransferase in the cortex (1). Inhibition of cholinergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) of patients with AD correlated with deterioration in scores on dementia rating scales. Currently, cholinesterase inhibition is the most widely studied and developed approach for treating symptoms of AD. Because anticholinesterase drugs such as tacrine, donepezil, and rivastigmine only moderately improve symptoms in AD, an alternative cholinergic approach that is not entirely based on cholinesterase inhibition but that improves other known biochemical abnormalities associated with the disease should be tried.

[0160] One of the major neurochemical changes in AD is the cortical extracellular and vascular deposition of the amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ) which is derived from a large glycosylated membrane-bound beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) (2). A constitutively expressed putative α-secretase enzyme bisects the Aβ domain within APP to release carboxyl-truncated soluble derivatives (sAPP) in conditioned media of cells (2). In addition, there is a loss of presynaptic markers such as synaptophysin in AD. Synaptophysin: (i) is a synaptic vesicle-associated integral membrane protein (Mw of about 38 kDa); (ii) acts as a specific marker for presynaptic terminal; and (iii) is involved in neuronal transmission (3). The goal of the work reported in this Example is to determine whether the drug AIT-082 can regulate the levels of presynaptic proteins.

[0161] AIT-082 is currently being investigated in clinical trials for the treatment of AD. It has been shown that AIT-082 can induce the expression of at least three neurotrophins: nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (4). A combination of factors has been most effective in producing optimal trophic support for compromised neuron functions (4). However, the effects of AIT-082 and trophic factors on the regulation of presynaptic proteins have not been clearly explored. It is reasonable to hypothesize that multiple trophic factors may synergistically regulate the levels of synaptophysin in a way that can lead to increased neurotransmission. In the results reported in this Example, the level of synaptophysin in PC12 cells that were treated with NGF or AIT-082 was investigated and a differential effect of these agents on the levels of synaptophysin was observed.

[0162] Experimental Procedures

[0163] Materials.

[0164] AIT-082 was obtained from NeoTherapeutics (Irvine, Calif.). Nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were procured from Life Technologies (Gaithersburg, Md.). Other chemicals were of high purity and purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.).

[0165] Treatment of Cells and Preparation of Cell Extract.

[0166] PC12 cells were first grown to 70-80% confluence in the regular medium. A day prior to the experiment, PC12 cells were subcultured uniformly onto the plate with minimum cellular aggregation/clumping to approximately 1×106 cells per 60-mm plate. The PC12 cells were then subjected to treatments with either AIT-082, NGF, bFGF or a combination as previously described (5). AIT-082 was added into separate plates at 11 different doses: 0, 5, 20, 30, 50, 100, 300 ng/ml and also 1, 3, 10, 30, 100 μg/ml. For comparative purposes, cultures were treated with NGF at 10 and 50 ng/ml, and bFGF was used at 50 ng/ml. Additional cultures contained both AIT-082 (300 ng/ml) and either NGF (50 ng/ml) or bFGF (50 ng/ml). These different agents were prepared in the same culture medium and added to the respective plate. Following incubation for 48 hours, the conditioned medium from each plate was collected.

[0167] PAGE and Western Immunoblotting.

[0168] Total proteins from the conditioned media were analyzed on a 12% polyacrylamide gel containing SDS (SDS-PAGE), and western blot analysis was performed in the Mini-PROTEAN II system of Bio-Rad as described previously (7). Levels of synaptophysin in the conditioned medium and the cell lysates (intracellular) were analyzed using an anti-synaptophysin antibody (Boehringer Mannheim). A biotinylated secondary antibody, horse anti-mouse (Boehringer Mannheim), was also used. The detection system was based on the avidin-biotinylated-complex (Vector labs, Burlingame, Calif.) and enzymatic color reactions.

[0169] Results

[0170] Levels of Synaptophysin after Treatment with NGF, bFGF or AIT-082.

[0171] Synaptophysin protein was analyzed as an index of synaptic numbers and density and indirectly neuronal transmission (8). In the western immunoblot of conditioned media, synaptophysin was detected as 38-40 kDa protein bands (FIG. 1). Thus synaptophysin seemed to be a secretory protein in PC12 cells. When PC12 cells were treated with either NGF or bFGF, the level of synaptophysin was significantly reduced (˜30-40%) in the conditioned medium from the control (FIG. 1, lanes 2-4 vs. lane 1). This is evident when samples were analyzed after 12, 24 and 48 hours of drug treatment under the condition when an equal amount of protein was separated by SDS-PAGE. Thus the treatment of PC12 cells with NGF resulted in a drastic reduction in synaptophysin levels. In contrast, when PC12 cells were treated with AIT-082, the amount of synaptophysin was increased in the conditioned medium from the control sample in a dose-dependent manner from 5-30 ng/ml dose level (FIG. 1, lanes 5-8 vs. lane 1). However, though at higher doses of AIT-082 the increase was not sustained to the same extent, the level of synaptophysin was still greater than the control. Thus the treatment of PC12 cells with AIT-082 resulted in a substantial increase in synaptophysin, with the highest level of synaptophysin seen with 30 ng/ml of AIT-082 (FIG. 2).

[0172] Discussion

[0173] Neurotransmitters are released from synaptic nerve terminals by exocytosis of synaptic vesicles, which are organelles situated at the distal terminus of the presynaptic neuron. The exocytotic process involves vesicle docking at the plasma membrane, priming, and fusion (3, 9,10). The fusion complex consists of several proteins such as syntaxins and SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa). Other proteins such as synaptotagmin and rSec8 have regulatory roles in the synaptic vesicle pathway. Synaptophysin is used as a specific protein marker for presynaptic terminal. SNAP-25 and syntaxins are plasmalemmal proteins, whereas synaptophysin, a synaptic vesicle-associated protein, is a vesicular protein (3). The level of synaptophysin protein was analyzed as an index of synaptic numbers and density and indirectly neuronal transmission. Using the PC12 cultures, the results of this Example show that the levels of synaptophysin was increased in conditioned media and that there was also a significant increase in the intracellular levels of synaptophysin in AIT-082-treated cultures as compared with the control.

[0174] Three reasons for the reduction in the level of synaptophysin observed with NGF treatment are proposed. First, the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin may be reduced during synaptogenesis or neurite formation with NGF treatment through yet unknown mechanisms. Second, the synthesis rate of the protein may be unchanged, but synaptophysin may undergo posttranslational modifications so that it is inaccessible to antibody detection. Third, synaptophysin may be complexed with some other synaptic vesicle proteins, and this interaction may make synaptophysin unreactive to the antibody. For example, a recent report suggests a complex formation between synaptophysin and synaptobrevin, which is a hallmark of synaptic vesicle formation (8).

[0175] Unlike that of NGF, the effect of AIT-082 on synaptophysin is different, and the following mechanisms are proposed to explain the effects of AIT-082 treatment in PC12 cells. First, there may be an overall increase in biogenesis (transcription) of synaptophysin message during drug treatment. How this may happen selectively without a change in other synaptic proteins remains to be investigated. An increase in RNA synthesis is suggested by an intracellular accumulation of the protein and its subsequent release into the medium. Second, drug treatment may alter the posttranslational modification of this integral membrane protein to an extent that results in an increased immunoreactivity in the Western blot, without actually increasing its level. This can be verified by using different antibodies and treating the samples with various agents before running the gel. Third, synaptophysin may be complexed with other proteins inside the cell, but is released as a consequence of drug treatment and is thus available for its detection. If that is the case, there should be greater formation of different intermediate complexes such as 7s and 12s as proposed by Scheller (3). These protein complexes are involved in the final release of neurotransmitters. It will be interesting to detect and characterize such complexes of synaptophysin with other protein markers.

[0176] The interaction of amyloid precurser protein (APP) and synaptic vesicle protein is interesting. It is shown that APP is present in presynaptic clathrin-coated vesicles purified from bovine brain, along with the recycling synaptic vesicle integral membrane proteins such as synaptophysin and synaptotagmin (7). Although APP is endocytosed together with recycling synaptic vesicle membrane proteins, it is subsequently sorted out from synaptic vesicles for retrograde transport to neuronal soma (7). These cell culture experiments provide a compelling reason to analyze the levels of presynaptic proteins in CSF samples from AD patients who are treated with the drug. These findings have broad implications for AD. For example, the immunoreactivity of the synaptophysin protein correlated with the density of synaptic terminal; these results indicate that treatment with AIT-082 could enhance neurotransmifter release at the presynaptic terminal, which may be involved in the improvement of the cognitive impairment seen in AD subjects.

REFERENCES

[0177] The following references are referred to in Example 1:

[0178] 1. R. Becker et al., “Alzheimer's Disease: Molecular Biology to Therapy” (Birkhauser, Boston, 1996).

[0179] 2. D. J. Selkoe, “Alzheimer's Disease: Genotypes, Phenotype, and Treatment.” Science 275: 630-631 (1997).

[0180] 3. R. H. Scheller, “Membrane Trafficking in the Presynaptic Nerve Terminal,” Neuron 14: 893-897 (1995).

[0181] 4. M. P. Rathbone et al., “AIT-082 as a Potential Neuroprotective and Regenerative Agent in Stroke and Central Nervous System Injury,” Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs 8: 1255-1262 (1999).

[0182] 5. D. K. Lahiri et al., “Tacrine Alters the Processing of Beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein in Different Cell Lines,” J. Neurosci. Res. 37: 777-787 (1994).

[0183] 6. D. K. Lahiri & M. R. Farlow, “Differential Effect of Tacrine and Physostigmine on the Secretion of the Beta-Amyloid Precursor Protein in Cell Lines,” J. Mol. Neurosci. 7: 41-49 (1996).

[0184] 7. N. R. Marquez-Sterling et al., “Trafficking of Cell Surface-Amyloid Precursor Protein: Evidence that a Sorting Intermediate Participates in Synaptic Vesicle Recycling,” J. Neurosci. 17: 140-151 (1997).

[0185] 8. A. Becher et al., “The Synaptophysin-Synaptobrevin Complex: A Hallmark of Synaptic Vessel Maturation,” J. Neurosci. 19: 1922-1931.

[0186] 9. Y. Kee et al., “Distinct Domains of Synaxin Are Required for Synaptic Vesicle Fusion Complex Formation and Dissociation,” Neuron 14: 991-998 (1995).

[0187] 10. J. Pevsner et al., “Specificity and Regulation of a Synaptic Vesicle Docking Complex,” Neuron 13: 353-361 (1994).

EXAMPLE 2

Time Course of Synaptophysin Accumulation in the Extracellular Fluid After Administration of AIT-082 to PCI2 Cells

[0188] To determine the time course of synaptophysin accumulation in the extracellular fluid after administration of AIT-082 or NGF to PC12 cells, an experiment similar to the experiment of Example 1 was carried out using multiple time points. Five to six million PC12 cells were treated in RPMI 1640 and 0.5% FBS with doses of AIT-082 (10 nM-100 μM). NGF treatment resulted in sympathetic neuronal phenotypes in PC12 cells and cotreatment with AIT-082 enhanced NGF-mediated differentiation. Levels of synaptophysin in samples from conditioned media and cell lysates were measured by Western immunoblotting with anti-synaptophysin antibodies. When PC12 cells were treated with AIT-082 for 6, 12, 24, 48, or 72 hours, the levels of synaptophysin was significantly increased in the conditioned medium from the control at each time point studied. There was a significant increase in intracellular levels of synaptophysin. These results suggest that AIT-082 treatment enhances the neurotransmitter release at the presynaptic terminal, which may improve memory.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0189] The present invention provides new methods for treating patients with a neurological disease or at risk for a neurological disease. The neurological disease to be treated or prevented can be a neurodegenerative disease, such as, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alternatively, the neurological disease can be a neurodevelopmental disorder such as, but not limited to, Down's syndrome.

[0190] The present invention provides methods for increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin unlike direct administration of NGF. These methods can be combined with other treatments such as anticholinesterase treatments.

[0191] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail, with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions and embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope of the invention is determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin comprising administering to a patient with a neurological disease or a patient at risk of developing a neurological disease an effective amount of a compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin, the compound comprising: (1) a moiety A selected from the group consisting of a purine moiety, a purine analogue, a tetrahydroindolone moiety, a tetrahydroindolone analogue, a pyrimidine moiety, and a pyrimidine analogue; (2) a hydrocarbyl moiety L of 1 to 6 carbon atoms that is linked to the moiety A and that can be cyclic, with the hydrocarbyl moiety being optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, amino, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkylamino, lower alkylthio, and oxo; and (3) a moiety B that is linked to the moiety L wherein B is —OZ or N(Y1)—D, where Z is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl; D is a moiety that promotes absorption of the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin; and Y1 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, alkanoyl, aroyl, heteroaroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaralkanoyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aralkylsulfonyl, heteroaralkylsulfonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, heteroarylaminocarbonyl, aralkylaminocarbonyl, or heteroaralkylaminocarbonyl, in which the alkyl portions can be cyclic and can contain from 1 to 3 heteroatoms, which can be N, O, or S.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin passes through the blood-brain barrier.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein A is a purine moiety.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein A is a substituted or unsubstituted hypoxanthine moiety.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein L has the structure —(CH2)n—CONH— where n is an integer from 1 to 6.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (I)

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6 and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein R is hydrogen.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein n is 2 and the compound is N-4-[[3-(1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-purin-9-yl)-1-oxopropyl]amino]benzoic acid.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein R is ethyl.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein n is 2 and the compound is N-4-[[3-(1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-purin-9-yl)-1-oxopropyl]amino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

12. The method of claim 5 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (II)

13. The method of claim 12 wherein n is 2.

14. The method of claim 5 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (III)

15. The method of claim 14 wherein n is 2.

16. The method of claim 3 wherein A is a substituted or unsubstituted guanine moiety.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein L has the structure —(CH2)n—CONH— wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (IV)

19. The method of claim 18 wherein n is 2, R1 is H, and R2 is OH, and the compound is N-(2-(5-hydroxyindol-3-yl)) ethyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein n is 2, R1 is H, and R2 is H, and the compound is N-(2-(2-indol-3-yl)ethyl))-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein n is 2, R1 is COOH, and R2 is OH, and the compound is N-(1-carboxyl-(2-(5-hydroxyindol-3-yl)ethyl)-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (V)

23. The method of claim 22 wherein n is 2, R is hydrogen, and the compound is N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein n is 2, R is ethyl, and the compound is N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanamide ethyl ester.

25. The method of claim 17 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (VI)

26. The method of claim 25 wherein n is 2, R is hydrogen, and the compound is 3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanoic acid.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein n is 2, R is ethyl, and the compound is 3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl)propanoic acid ethyl ester.

28. The method of claim 17 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (VII)

29. The method of claim 28 wherein n is 2, p is 2, and q is 1, and the compound is N-[2-[[2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-oxoethyl]amino]ethyl]propanamide.

30. The method of claim 17 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (VIII)

31. The method of claim 30 wherein n is 2, R1 is H, R2 is H, and R3 is OH, and the compound is N-(2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein n is 2, R1 is H, R2 is OH, and R3 is OH, and the compound is N-(2-hydroxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl)-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein n is 2, R1 is COOH, R2 is H, and R3 is H, and the compound is N-(1-carboxyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl)-3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide.

34. The method of claim 16 wherein the compound having the activity of increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of synaptophysin is a compound of formula (IX)

35. The method of claim 34 wherein n is 2, p is 1, and the compound is N-4-[[3-(2-amino-6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) 1-oxopropyl]amino]benzoic acid 1-(dimethylamino)-2-propyl ester.

36. The method of claim 1 wherein A is a substituted or unsubstituted 9-atom bicyclic moiety in which the 5-membered ring has 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, the bicyclic moiety having the structure of formula (X)

37. The method of claim 3 wherein the purine moiety is a purine moiety of formula (XI)

38. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is butyl and R2 is hydrogen.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is benzyl and R2 is hydrogen.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is dimethylaminoethyl and R2 is hydrogen.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is cyclopentyl and R2 is hydrogen.

42. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is cyclohexylmethyl and R2 is hydrogen.

43. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is cyclopropylmethyl and R2 is hydrogen.

44. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is hydrogen and R2 is phenyl.

45. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is hydrogen and R2 is butyl.

46. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is butyl and R2 is butyl.

47. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is hydrogen and R2 is methyl.

48. The method of claim 37 wherein R1 is hydrogen and R2 is phenylamino.

49. The method of claim 3 wherein the purine moiety is a purine moiety of Formula (XII)

50. The method of claim 49 wherein R2 is hydrogen and R6 is amino.

51. The method of claim 49 wherein R6 is chloro.

52. The method of claim 49 wherein R6 is phenylamino.

53. The method of claim 49 wherein R2 is amino and R6 is chloro.

54. The method of claim 3 wherein the purine moiety is the purine moiety of Formula (XIII)

55. The method of claim 54 wherein R1 is hydrogen.

56. The method of claim 54 wherein R2 is O.

57. The method of claim 54 wherein R2 is S.

58. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(1-benzyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

59. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(1-butyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

60. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(1-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

61 The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(1-2-dimethylaminoethyl)-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

62. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

63. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(6-methoxypurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

64. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(6-dimethylaminopurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

65. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

66. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[2-(6-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropurin-9-yl)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

67. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[2-(2-butyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

68. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-[2-(6-oxo-2-phenyl-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

69. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 4-{[3-(6-chloropurin-9-yl)propionyl]methylamino}benzoic acid methyl ester.

70. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 3-(1-benzyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl) -N-[3-(2-oxopyrrolid in-1-yl)propyl]propanamide.

71. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 3-(1-benzyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl) -N-{2-[2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetylamino]ethyl}propanamide.

72. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is N-[3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)propyl]-3-(6-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropurin-9-yl)propanamide.

73. The method of claim 3 wherein the compound is 3-(1-benzyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl) -N-(3-morpholin-4-yl)propyl propionamide.

74. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound is a tetrahydroindolone derivative or analogue where A is a 9-atom bicyclic moiety in which the 5-membered ring has one to three nitrogen atoms, the bicyclic moiety of Formula (XIV)

75. The method of claim 74 wherein A is a tetrahydroindolone moiety.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein the tetrahydroindolone moiety is a tetrahydroindolone moiety of Formula (XV)

77. The method of claim 76 wherein R5, R5′, R6, R6′, and R7 are all hydrogen.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindolon-1-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

79. The method of claim 77 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindolon-1-yl) propionylamino]benzoic acid.

80. The method of claim 1 wherein A is an amino-substituted 6-membered heterocyclic moiety of formula (XVI)

81. The method of claim 80 wherein A5 is carbon and the 6-membered heterocyclic moiety is a pyrimidine moiety.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein R2 is O and R3 is hydrogen.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein the pyrimidine moiety is selected from the group consisting of cytosine, thymine, uracil, 3-methyluracil, 3-methylthymine, 4-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-hydroxyuracil, 5-carboxymethyluracil, and 5-hydroxymethyluracil.

84. The method of claim 81 wherein R2 is S and R3 is hydrogen.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the pyrimidine moiety is selected from the group consisting of 2-thiouracil, 5-methylamino-2-thiouracil, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, and 2-thiocytosine.

86. The method of claim 81 wherein R2 is amino and the bond between C2 and N3 is a double bond.

87. The method of claim 86 wherein the pyrimidine moiety is selected from the group consisting of 2-aminopyrimidinone and 2-amino-4-chloropyrimidine.

88. The method of claim 81 wherein R2 is hydrogen and the bond between C2 and N3 is a double bond.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein the pyrimidine moiety is selected from the group consisting of 4-chloropyrimidine, 5-amino-4-chloropyrimidine, 4-chloro-5-methylpyrimidine, 4-chloro-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine, and 4-chloro-5-carboxymethylpyrimidine.

90. The method of claim 81 wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, R5 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, and R6 is O.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein the pyrimidine moiety is pyrimidinone.

92. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropyrimidin4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

93. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(5-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

94. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

95. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid.

96. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid.

97. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 4-[3-(5-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid.

98. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 3-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

99. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 3-[3-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

100. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 3-[3-(5-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid ethyl ester.

101. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 3-[3-(2-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid.

102. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 3-[3-(6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid.

103. The method of claim 81 wherein the compound is 3-[3-(5-amino-6-chloropyrimidin-4-ylamino)propionylamino]benzoic acid.

104. The method of claim 1 wherein L has the structure —(CH2)n— wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6.

105. The method of claim 104 wherein n is 2.

106. The method of claim 104 wherein n is 3.

107. The method of claim 1 wherein the moiety B is —OZ.

108. The method of claim 107 wherein Z is hydrogen.

109. The method of claim 107 wherein Z is alkyl.

110. The method of claim 109 wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, butyl, propyl, and isopropyl.

111. The method of claim 1 wherein B is —N(Y1)—D.

112. The method of claim 111 wherein Y1 is hydrogen.

113. The method of claim 111 wherein Y1 is lower alkyl.

114. The method of claim 113 wherein Y1 is methyl.

115. The method of claim 111 wherein D is a moiety having at least one polar, charged, or hydrogen-bond-forming group to increase the water-solubility of the compound.

116. The method of claim 115 wherein D is a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester with the structure

117. The method of claim 116 wherein W1 is hydrogen.

118. The method of claim 116 wherein W1 is ethyl.

119. The method of claim 115 wherein D and Y1 are taken together to form a piperazine derivative of the structure

120. The method of claim 115 wherein D has the structure

121. The method of claim 120 wherein W1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and isobutyl.

122. The method of claim 115 wherein D is a phenylsulfonamidyl moiety of the structure

123. The method of claim 115 wherein D is an alkylpyridyl moiety of the structure

124. The method of claim 114 wherein D is an dialkylaminoalkyl moiety of the structure

125. The method of claim 124 wherein Q7 and Q8 are each alkyl.

126. The method of claim 125 wherein Q7 and Q8 are each selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and isobutyl.

127. The method of claim 126 wherein Q7 and Q8 are taken together to form a 5- or 6-membered optionally substituted ring.

128. The method of claim 127 wherein the ring is a morpholinyl ring.

129. The method of claim 127 wherein the ring is a pyrrolidinyl ring that is optionally substituted with oxo.

130. The method of claim 126 wherein the ring is a piperidinyl ring that is optionally substituted with methyl or ethyl.

131. The method of claim 115 wherein D is an alkylpyrrolidinyl moiety of the structure

132. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound has a log P of from about 1 to about 4.

133. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurological disease is a neurodegenerative disease.

134. The method of claim 133 wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease.

135. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurological disease is a neurodevelopmental disorder.

136. The method of claim 135 wherein the neurodevelopmental disorder is Down's syndrome.