KS-501

Calmodulin plays an important role in cellular proliferation as part of a signal transduction pathway activated by phospholipase C. Drugs that block the ability of calmodulin to bind to and activate its target enzymes inhibit the growth of a wide variety of malignant cells. To identify more potent and selective inhibitors of this potential target for new drug development, we studied two recently synthesized compounds, KS-501 and KS-502, for their activity against calmodulin-sensitive enzymes and for their ability to block the growth of parental and multidrug-resistant leukemic cells. KS-501 and KS-502 inhibited the activation of a calmodulin-sensitive cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. The mechanism of enzyme inhibition was through interfering with calmodulin activation rather than through a direct effect on the enzyme. KS-501 was more potent than KS-502 and was studied in greater detail. This compound inhibited the activation of calmodulin kinase I and II, but had less effect against cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-sensitive kinase. KS-501 was also more effective than KS-502 in inhibiting the growth of sensitive L1210 leukemic lymphocytes. Both compounds were less effective inhibitors of multidrug-resistant L1210 leukemia than of the parental line. These studies identify a new class of calmodulin inhibitor, with selectivity for calmodulin-dependent kinases over cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Since the total synthesis of the KS-compounds has been accomplished, it should now be possible to develop derivatives with greater activity and selectivity.

The total syntheses of the title compounds are described.The key step involves the coupling of the anhydrofuranose I (as well as its enantiomer) with salicylate derivative II under the influence of K₂CO₃.Both the epoxidation of anhydrohexenofuranose and the glycosylation of II appear to be stereoselective.