Squalene analogs containing isopropylidene mimics as potential inhibitors of pig liver squalene epoxidase and oxidosqualene cyclase

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Abstract
Several squalene analogues containing 1,1-dihaloalkene, acetylene, allene, diene, and cyclopropane functionalities were synthesized and evaluated as potentail inhibitors of pig liver squalene epoxidase and oxidosqualene cyclase. Both monofunctionalized and bisfunctionalized analogues were prepared. Poor inhibition of squalene epoxidase and oxidosqualene cyclase was found for most compounds (IC50 .mchgt. 400 .mu.M), with the exception of the monofunctionalized alkynol (IC50 = 300 .mu.M). This alkynol showed mixed-function inhibition with KI = 0.95 mM. Oxidation of the alcohol to the alkynone resulted in loss of epoxidase activity, indicating that the hydroxyl group is necessary for inhibition and that the alkynol is not a proinhibitor. Molecular mechanics calculations indicated that a good inhibitor should possess hydrophobic substituents on an unpolarized, unsaturated system; additionally, the presence of a pro-C-3 hydroxyl group can confer inhibitory potency.

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