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Patent 2221684 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2221684
(54) English Title: NOVEL CATHEPSIN AND METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR INHIBITION THEREOF
(54) French Title: NOUVELLE CATHEPSINE ET PROCEDES ET COMPOSITIONS D'INHIBITION DE CATHEPSINE
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • C12N 15/57 (2006.01)
  • A61K 31/195 (2006.01)
  • A61K 31/40 (2006.01)
  • A61K 38/05 (2006.01)
  • C07H 21/00 (2006.01)
  • C07K 5/06 (2006.01)
  • C07K 5/065 (2006.01)
  • C07K 5/072 (2006.01)
  • C12N 9/64 (2006.01)
  • C12Q 1/37 (2006.01)
  • A61K 38/00 (2006.01)
  • C12Q 1/68 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • TUNG, JAY S. (United States of America)
  • SINHA, SUKANTO (United States of America)
  • MCCONLOGUE, LISA (United States of America)
  • TATSUNO, GWEN (United States of America)
  • ANDERSON, JOHN (United States of America)
  • SEMKO, CHRISTOPHER M. F. (United States of America)
  • CHRYSLER, SUSANNA (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • ATHENA NEUROSCIENCES, INC. (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • ATHENA NEUROSCIENCES, INC. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: TORYS LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 1996-04-26
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 1996-12-12
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US1996/006211
(87) International Publication Number: WO1996/039194
(85) National Entry: 1997-11-20

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
08/467,607 United States of America 1995-06-06
08/469,362 United States of America 1995-06-06

Abstracts

English Abstract




Methods for inhibiting the secretion of .beta.-amyloid peptide (.beta.AP) from
cells comprise administering to the cells certain compounds
which inhibit the activity of an approximately 31 kD protease involved in
.beta.AP secretion. The 31 kD protease has been designated Cathepsin
Y. Screening methods for .beta.AP inhibitors rely on determining the activity
of test compounds in the presence of Cathepsin Y and a suitable
peptide substrate. This invention is also directed to a nucleic acid sequence
that encodes Cathepsin Y and the expression and isolation of
Cathepsin Y.


French Abstract

Cette invention concerne des procédés d'inhibition de la sécrétion de peptide beta -amyloïde ( beta AP) par des cellules, lesquels procédés consistent à administrer aux cellules certains composés qui inhibent l'activité d'une protéase d'approximativement 31 kD impliquée dans la sécrétion de beta AP. Cette protéase de 31 kD a été désignée sous le nom de Cathepsine Y. Cette invention concerne également des procédés de criblage d'inhibiteurs de beta AP, qui consistent à déterminer l'activité de composés tests en présence de la Cathepsine Y et d'un substrat peptidique adéquat. Cette invention concerne enfin une séquence d'acide nucléique codant la Cathepsine Y, ainsi que l'expression et l'isolation de la Cathepsine Y.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


71
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of inhibiting .beta.-amyloid peptide production in cells
producing .beta.-amyloid peptide, comprising administering to such cells an
inhibitory amount of a compound of formula I:


Image I

wherein:
R is selected from the group consisting hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to
6 carbon atoms, and where R and R2 are joined to form a ring structure of
from 4 to 10 carbon atoms,
R' is selected from the group consisting hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to
6 carbon atoms and where R' and R3 are joined to form a ring structure of
from 4 to 10 carbon atoms,
R1 is selected from the group consisting of
alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with from 1 to 5
substituents selected from the group consisting of (a) aryl of from 6 to 10
carbon atoms, (b) aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3
substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo and
amino, (c) cycloalkyl of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and (d) heterocycles of
from 3 to 14 carbon atoms having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the
group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur
wherein said substituted alkyl group is optionally further substituted
with from 1 to 2 hydroxyl groups,
alkenyl of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with from 1 to
4 substituents selected from the group consisting of (a) aryl of from 6 to 10
carbon atoms, (b) aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3

72
substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo and
amino, (c) cycloalkyl of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and (d) heterocycles of
from 3 to 14 carbon atoms having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the
group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur,
aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms,
aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3
substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo and
amino,
fluorenyl,
heterocycles of from 3 to 14 carbon atoms having from 1 to 3
heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and
sulfur;
R2 and R3 are independently D- or L-amino acid side chains of at
least 2 carbon atoms with the proviso that said amino acid side chains do not
include the proline side chain;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of
-C(O)CH=N=N,
-CH2OH,
-C=NOH, and
-C(O)R5 where R5 is hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 2 halo groups, alkoxy
of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, -NR6R7 where R6 and R7 are independently
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, and -N(CH3)OCH3;
X is selected from the group consisting of -O-, -NR9-, and -S- where
R9 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms and aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms;

73
Y is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)- and -C(S)-;
m is equal to zero or one; and
n is equal to zero to two,
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof
with the proviso that when R1 is 1-naphthyl, R2 is -CH(CH3)2 (L-
isomer), R3 is -CH2~ (L-isomer), Y is -C(O)-, m is zero and n is one, then
R4 is not -N(CH3)OCH3, with the further proviso that when R1 is
diphenylmethyl, R2 is p-(benzyloxy)benzyl (L-isomer), Y is -C(O)-, and m
and n are zero, then R4 is not -N(CH3)OCH3, and with still the further
proviso that when R1 is (1,2-diphenyl)ethenyl, Y is -C(O)-, R2 is -CH2~ (L-
isomer), and m and n are zero, the R4 is not -N(CH3))OCH3.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein R1 is alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon
atoms substituted with from 1 to 5 substituents selected from the group
consisting of aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein R1 is selected from the group
consisting of benzyl, trityl, diphenylmethyl, 4-phenylbutyl, 2-phenylethyl,
naphthyl, and pyridyl.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein R2 is selected from the group
consisting of the d- and l-isomers of valine, leucine, phenylalanine,
tryptophan and isoleucine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein R3 is selected from the group
consisting of the d- and l-isomers of valine, leucine, phenylalanine,
tryptophan and isoleucine.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein R4 is selected from the group
consisting of -C(O)CH=N=N or-C(O)H.

74
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image



8. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image




9. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image




10. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is





Image




11. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is




Image



12. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image



13. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is

76



Image




14. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is




Image




15. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is




Image

77
16. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image



17. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image



18. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image

78
19. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image



20. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is



Image



21. A method of inhibiting the deposition of amyloid plaque in a
mammal, comprising administering to such mammal an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I as defined in claim 1

22. A method of preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) in
a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an
effective amount of a compound of Formula I as defined in claim 1.

23. A method for screening test compounds for the ability to inhibit
the release of .beta.-amyloid peptide (.beta.AP) from cells, said method comprising:


79

exposing an oligopeptide to Cathepsin Y under conditions wherein the
Cathepsin Y will cleave a carboxy terminal amino acid of the oligopeptide;
and
detecting such cleavage in the presence of the test compound, wherein
absence of cleavage indicates that the test compound inhibits the production
of .beta.AP.

24. A method as in claim 23, wherein the oligopeptide cleavage is
detected by reaction of o-pthalaldehyde with a free amino terminus released
by the cleavage in the presence of .beta.-mercaptoethanol at elevated pH.

25. An isolated and purified polypeptide having an enzyme activity
which is the same as that possessed by the polypeptide of FIG. 4.

26. The isolated and purified polypeptide of Claim 25, having the
amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 4.

27. An isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence which sequence
encodes for Cathepsin Y.

28. An isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence capable of
hybridizing to Cathepsin Y which sequence is selected from the group
consisting of:
a) a nucleic acid sequence substantially homologous to the
sequence of FIG. 4, wherein T can also be U,
b) a nucleic acid sequence substantially complementary to
the sequence of FIG. 4, wherein T can be U, and
c) fragments of the sequence of FIG. 4 that are at least 12
bases in length and that do not hybridize to the nucleic
acid of sequences encoding cathepsin genes other than


Cathepsin Y but which will selectively hybridize to
mammalian DNA encoding Cathepsin Y.

29. A method for expressing Cathepsin Y which method comprises
a) transfecting a host cell with a nucleic acid sequence
which sequence encodes for Cathepsin Y,
b) culturing the transfected cell under conditions which
express Cathepsin Y, and
c) recovering Cathepsin Y from the cell culture.

30. A method of detecting the expression of Cathepsin Y comprising
a) isolating RNA from a mammalian tissue or cell,
b) hybridizing to the isolated RNA a labelled nucleic acid
sequence capable of hybridizing to Cathepsin Y which
sequence is selected from the group consisting of
i) a nucleic acid sequence substantially
homologous to the sequence of FIG. 4,
wherein T can also be U,
ii) a nucleic acid sequence substantially
complementary to the sequence of FIG. 4,
wherein T can be U, and
iii) fragments of the nucleic acid sequence of FIG.
4 that are at least 12 bases in length and that do
not hybridize to the nucleic acid of sequences
encoding cathepsin genes other than Cathepsin
Y but which will selectively hybridize to
mammalian DNA encoding Cathepsin Y, and
c) determining whether the labelled nucleic acid sequence
binds to the isolated RNA.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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NC)VEL CAl~;~lN AND l~OETE3tODS
AND C03!IPOSll~IONS I~OR INHIBlTION ll~JKEOF

S BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates ~PnP~lly to methods and conlposiLions for
inhibiting ,B-amyloid peptide (,~AP) production in cells. In particular, this
invention relates to compounds which are capable of inhibiting the int~cç~ r
10 prodllcticn of ,~AP, and the use of such compounds in methods for inhibiting
,~AP production.
This invention also relates to an i~ol~d novel protein, C~thepsin y,
which is a novel carboxypeptidase involved in the generation of ~BAP. Methods
for isolation of this protein are provided. DNA isolates coding for Cathepsin Y
15 a~d methodc of obL~ .g such DNA are provided, to~gether with e~ s~ion
~y~ ls for recombinant production of Cathepsin Y useful in therapeutic or
nostic compositions.

State of the Art
~l~hPimer7s Disease (AD) is a de~generative brain disorder ch~ tp~i7pli
clini~lly by progressive loss of memory, cognition, reasoning, judgment and
emotional stability that gradually leads to profound mental deterioration and,
lfim~tPly, death. AD is a very common cause of progressive mental failure
(~ernPnti~) in aged hum~n~ and is believed to re~lesellt the fourth most common
25 mt~ l cause of death in the United States. AD has been observed in races
and ethnic groups worldwide and ~rese..t~ a major present and future public
health problem. The disease is ~;u~ tly es~im~tPd to affect about two to three
~ million individuals in the United States alone. AD is at present incurable. No
l~r~ that effectively ~ .lt~ AD or reverses its ~y.nplu,.,s and course is
~ 30 cull~ntly known.

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The brains of individuals with AD exhibit characteristic lesions termed
senile (or amyloid) plaques, amyloid angiopathy (amyloid deposits in blood
vessels) and neurofibrillary tangles. Large numbers of these lesions,
particularly amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, are generally found in5 several areas of the human brain i~ ol~nt for memory and cognitive function
in patients with AD. Smaller numbers of these lesions in a more restricted
anatomical distribution are also found in the brains of most aged hum~nc who
do not have clinical AD. Amyloid plaques and amyloid angiopathy also
characterize the brains of individuals with Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome) and
10 Hereditary Cerebral Hemorrhage with Amyloidosis of the Dutch-Type
(HCHWA-D). At present, a definitive diagnosis of AD usually requires
observing the aforementioned lesions in the brain tissue of patients who have
died with the disease or, rarely,- in small biopsied samples of brain tissue taken
during an invasive neuro-surgical procedure.
The principal ~hemic~l con.~titl~ent of the amyloid plaques and vascular
amyloid deposits (amyloid angiopathy) char~cteri~tic of AD and the other
disorders mentioned above is an a~l~imately 4.2 kilodalton (kD) protein of
about 39-43 amino acids ~e~ign~t~ the ~-amyloid peptide (,l~AP) or sometim~,s
A,~, A,~P or ,B/A4. ,BAP is a fragment of a large membrane-sp~nning
glycopro~ , referred to herein as the ,~-amyloid precursor protein (APP),
comprising approximately 39-43 amino acid recidues. This protein fragment
was first purified, and a partial amino acid sequence was reported in, Glenner
and Wong, Bioc~em. Biophys. Res. Commun. 120:885-890 (1984). The
isolation procedure and the sequence data for the first 28 amino acids are
described in U.S. Patent No. 4,666,829.
,~AP is further characterized by its relative mobility in SDS-
polyacrylarnide gel electrophoresis or high p~lrollllallce liquid chrolllalography
(HPLC). ,~3AP can occur in a fil~m~ntous polymeric form which exhibits the
Congo-red and thioflavin-S dye-binding ch~r~cteri~tics of amyloid. ~AP can
also occur in a non-fil~m~ntous form ("preamyloid" or "amorphous" or
"diffuse" deposits) in tissue, in which form no ~ t~t~hle birefringent st~ining

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by Congo red occurs. A portion of this protein in the insoluble form obtained
from meningeal blood vessels is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,666,829.
APP is normally produced by cells in many tissues of various ~nim~
inclu-linf~ hllm~nc APP is encoded by a gene on the long arm of human
5 chromosome 21. Knowledge of the structure of the gene encoding APP has
in~ tffl that ,~AP arises as a peptide fr~gm~nt from cleavage of APP by at
least one heretofore unidPntifi~d protease. This cleavage appears to occur in
the lysosomes. The precise biochemical pathway by which the ,~AP fr~m~nt is
cleaved from the APP and subsequently deposited as amyloid plaques is still
10 under investigation.
Several lines of evidence indicate that ~r~g,~ssi~e cerebral deposition of
~BAP plays a sçmin~l role in the pathogenesis of AD and can precede cognitive
symptoms by years or llec~-les (for a review, see Selkoe, (1991) Neuron 6:487).
Recently, it has been shown that ,BAP is released from neural cells grown in
15 culture as well as into cerebral spinal fluid of both normal individuals and AD
p:~ti~ntc
Certain inherit~rl mutations which occur in the APP gene are also known
to cause AD and AD-related conditions. For example, mis-sense DNA
mutations at amino acid 717 of the 770-amino acid isoform of APP can be
20 found in ~ffecte~ members but no~ in lln~ffect~ members of several f~,mi1i~c
with a genetif~lly determined (f~mili~l) form of AD (Goate et al., Nature
349:704-706 (1991); Chartier Harlan et al., Nature 353:844-846 (1991); and
Murrell et al., (1991) Science 254:97-99). A double mutation çh~ngin~
lysine595-methionine596 to asparagine595-leucine596 (with reference to the 695-
25 arr~ino acid isoform of APP) found in a Swedish family was r~o.~d in 1992~[ullan et al., (1992) Nature Genet 1:345-347) and is referred to as the
Swedish variant or mutation.
Genetic linkage analyses have demonstr~tP~ that these mut~tionC, as well
as certain other mllt~tionC in the APP gene, are the specific molecular cause of30 AD in the affected members of such f~mili~o.s In addition, a mut~tion at amino
acid 693 of the 770-amino acid isoform of APP has been i(lçntifi~d as the cause




,

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of the ,BAP deposition disease, HCHWA-D, and a change from alanine to
glycine at amino acid 692 appears to cause a phenotype that resembles AD in
some p~tientc but HCHWA-D in others. See, Younkin, et al., Science
259:5 14-5 16 (1993).
Despite the l~rog~ss which has been made in understanding underlying
mP~h~nicmc of AD and other,~AP-related ~licP~ces~ there remains a need to
develop compositions and methods for tre~tment of the disease(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed, in part, to methods for inhibiting ,B-amyloid
peptide production in cells producing ~B-amyloid peptide. Specifically, the
methorl$ of this invention are directed, in part, to the discovery that specificcompounds, as defined below, are effective in inhibiting ,5-amyloid peptide
production in cells tA~,essing ,B-amyloid peptide. Reç~-se ~B-amyloid peptide
production is ~soc;~tP~ with deposition of amyloid plaques in m~mm~lc and
~l7heimPr's disease in humans, the compounds described herein are also useful
in inhibiting deposition of such plaques and in treating ~l7hpimpr~s disease.
This invention is further directed, in part, to the icl~ntific~tion of a novel
protease, Cathepsin Y, and to nucleic acids which encode this protease. This
invention is also directed to methotlc for the recombinant ~A~ression of
Calh~sin Y.
Accordingly, in one of its method aspects, this invention is directed to a
method of inhibiting ~B-amyloid peptide production in cells producing ,B-amyloidpeptide, comprising ~lminictering to such cells an inhibitory amount of a
co~ ol,nd of formula I:
R2 O R3
RI (X) m - Y - NR1H-- CNR' 1H-- R4
wherein:
R is selected from the group concicting hydrogen, allyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, and where R and R2 are joined to form a ring structure of from 4

CA 02221684 1997-ll-20
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to 10 carbon atoms,
R' is s~le~t~l from the group consisting hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms and where R' and R3 are joined to form a ring structure of from 4
to 10 carbon atoms,
S R' is sele~ted from the group con~i~ting of
alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with from 1 to S
substituent.c selPct~d from the group con~i~ting of (a) aryl of from 6 to 10
carbon atoms, (b) aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3
substituent.~ sçlçcted from the group consisting of alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo and amino, (c)
cycloalkyl of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and (d) heterocycles of from 3 to 14
carbon atoms having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms .s~l~c.t~i from the group
con.~ ting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur
wherein said subsLituled alkyl group is optionally further substituted with
from 1 to 2 hydroxyl groups,
alkenyl of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with from 1 to 4
substituent~ sPle~t~l from the group CO~ ting of (a) aryl of from 6 to 10
carbon atoms, (b) aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3
substitl~ent.c s~lected from the group consisting of alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbonatoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo and amino, (c)
cycloalkyl of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and (d) heterocycles of from 3 to 14
carbon atoms having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms .selected from the group
con~ ting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur,
aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms,
aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms sub~ u~ed with 1 to 3
substituent~ st~lP~t~d from the group con~i~ting of alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo and amino,
nu~ yl~

CA 02221684 1997-11-20
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heterocycles of from 3 to 14 carbon atoms having from 1 to 3
ht;Leroato,.ls sele~ted from the group con~ tin~ of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur;R2 and R3 are indeFendently D- or L-amino acid side chains of at least 2
carbon atoms with the proviso that said amino acid side chains do not include
the proline side chain;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of
-C(O)CH =N=N,
-CH20H,
-C=NOH, and
-C(o)R5 where R5 is hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 2 halo groups, alkoxy of
from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, -NR6R7 where R6 and R7 are indepenclently selected
from the group conci.ctin~ of hydrogen and alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
and -N(CH3)0CH3;
X is s~lect~ from the group consisting of -O-, -NR9-, and -S- where R9
is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms and aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms;
Y is select~l from the group consisting of -C(O)- and -C(S)-;
m is equal to zero or one; and
n is equal to zero to two,
. or pharm~-.eutic~lly acceptable salts thereof
with the proviso that when R' is l-naphthyl, R2 is -CH(CH3)2 (L-
isomer), R3 is -CH2~ (L-isomer), Y is -C(O)-, m is zero and n is one, then R4
is not -N(CH3)0CH3, with the further proviso that when Rl is diphenylmethyl,
R2 is p-(benzyloxy)benzyl (L-isomer), Y is -C(O)-, and m and n are zero, then
R4 is not -N(CH3)0CH3, and with still the further proviso that when R' is (1,2-
diphenyl)ethenyl, Y is -C(O)-, R2 is -CH2~ (L-isomer), and m and n are zero,
the R4 is not -N(CH3)0CH3.
In another of its method ~pect~, this invention is directed to a method
of inhibiting the deposition of amyloid plaque in a .. ~.. ~l, compri~ing

CA 02221684 1997-11-20
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arlmini~t~ring to such a m~mm~l an effective amount of a compound of formula
r above.
In still another of its method aspects, this invention is directed to a
method of preventing, treating or inhibiting the onset of ~l7heimer'5 disease
S (AD) in a m~mm~l which comprises ~lmini~t.Qrin~ to such a m~mm~l an
effective amount of a compound of formula I above.
P.'~f~l~d compounds for use in the mçthorl~ described herein include,
by way of example, the following compounds as defined by formula II below,
including all isomers thereof, wherein the amino acid side chain for R2 and R3
0 is inrli~ted beneath the R2 and R3 substitllp-nt

R2 o R3
11
Rl (X) m--~l--NHCH CNH CH --R4 II


R' X m Y R2 nR3 R4
20~-cHr o 1-c(o)- -CH(CH3)2 1-cHr~ -C(O)CH=N=N
(valine) (phenylalanine)
~-CH2- 0 1-C(O)- -CH2CH(CH3)2 1 -CH2~ -C(O)CH=N=N
(leucine) (phenylalanine)
(0rCH- - O-C(O)- -CH2~ 0-- -C(O)H
(phenylalan~ne)
~-(CHJ4 - O-C(O)- -CH2~ 0-- -C(O)H
'Y
(03-C- - O-C(O)- -CH2~ 0 -- -C(O)H
(phenylalanine)
25(o2cH- - o-c(o)- -CH2CH2~ 0-- -C(O)H
alanine)
~CH=C(O - O -C(O)- -CH2~ 0 -- -C(O)H
(phenylalaninc)
(orCH- - O-C(O)- -CH2-(3-indolyl) 0 -- -C(O)H
(t,~t"'
~-CHr O 1-C(O)- -CH2~ 1-CH(CH3)2 -C(O)H
(phenylalanine) (valine)
30~-cHr o 1-c(o~ -CH(CH3)2 1-CH2CH(CH3)2-C(O)H
(valine) (leucine)

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In one of its product aspects, this invention is directed to an isolated
and purified polypeptide having the enzymatic activity of Cathepsin Y
~ protein.
In another of its product aspects, this invention is directed to a
S purified and i.col~ted nucleic acid sequence which sequence encodes for
C~ y.
In still another of its product ~CpectC, this invention is directed to a
purified and isolated nucleic acid sequence capable of hyb~i-li7ing to
Cathepsin Y comprising:
a) a nucleic acid sequence substantially homologous to the
nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 4, wherein T can also be U,
b) a nucleic acid sequence substantially complementary to the
sequence of FIG. 4, wherein T can also be U, or
c) fr~gmPntc of the nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 4, wherein T
can also be U or nucleic acid sequences complementary to
the sequence in PIG. 4, that are at least 12 bases in length
and that do not hybridize to the nucleic acid sequences
encoding Cathepsin genes other than Cathepsin Y but which
will selectively hybridize DNA encoding Cathepsin Y.
In another of its method aspects, this invention is directed to a
method for eA~lessiilg Cathepsin Y which method comprises transfecting a
host cell with a nucleic acid sequence which sequence encodes for
C~thP.psin Y, cult~ring the transfected cell under conditions which express
25 C~th~.pcin Y and recovering Cathepsin Y from the cell culture.
In another of its method aspects, this invention is directed t~ a
method of detecting the eA~ s~ion of ~thppsin Y comprising
a) icol~ting RNA from a m~mm~ n tissue or cell,
b) hybri~li7ing to the isolated RNA a l~hPllP{l nucleic acid sequence
30 capable of hyhri~ ing to t~thPE~cin Y compricing

I CA 02221684 1997-11-20
-~CT~ q~/0621L
IPEA,'.~ 3 3 J~
_




i) a nucleic acid sequence substantially homologous to the
nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 4, wherein T can also be U,
ii) nucleic acid sequences substantially complementary to the
sequence of FIG. 4, wherein T can also be U, or
iii) fr~m~nt~ of the nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 4, wherein T
can also be U or nucleic acid sequences
comp'- -nt~ry to the sequence in FIG. 4, that are at
least 12 bases in length and that do not hybridize to
nucleic acid sequences of other c~thPps;n genes but
which will selectively hybridize to m~mm~ n DNA
encoding C~th~cin y
c) dct~ g whether the labelled nucleic acid sequence binds to the
isolated RNA.

BRIEF DESCR~ION OF THE DRAWING
FIGs. 1 and 2 illll$tr~te reaction 5rh~omes used to prepare some of the
cornpounds described herein.
FIGs. 3A-3C illllstr~fe typical pl~rifi~ti~n profiles, analyzed by
Western bloffing, of C~ Y.
FIGs. 4A-E depicts the an~ino acid (SEQ ID NO:3) and DNA
sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) of human C~thPE~sin Y.
FIG. 5 shows the restriction map of plasmid poCK751.
FIG. 6 shows the restriction map of plasrnid poCKcatY.
FIG. 7 illllsfr~t~s a standard OPA curve for fluorescence with
~5 varying concentrations of valine.

DESCRUPq~O N OF I~IE P~UEFFRRF.~ E~BO Dr~DErrrS
This invention is directed, in part, to the inhibition of ,B-amyloid
peptide production in cells producing ,B-amyloid peptide by a~mini~tering
specific compounds to the cells which inhibition can be employed to retard
deposition of amyloid plaques and to treat Al7heim~r's disease in m~m m~l~


~S~EET'

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This invention is also directed in part to the identification of a novel
protein, Cathepsin Y, and to nucleic acids which encode this protein. This
invention is also directed to methods for the recombinant e~ ssion of
Cathepsin Y.
S However, prior to discussing this invention in further detail, the
following terrns will first be defined:

Definitions
The following terms and phrases set forth in the specification and
claims are defined as follows.
The term ",B-amyloid peptide (,BAP)" as used herein refers to an
approximately 4.2 kD protein which, in the brains of subjects suffering
from AD, Down's Syndrome, HCHWA-D and some normal aged subjects,
forms a subunit of the amyloid fil~mentc compri~ing the senile (amyloid)
plaques and the amyloid deposits in small cerebral and meningeal blood
vessels (amyloid angiopathy). ~3AP can occur in a filamentous polymeric
form (in this form, it exhibits the Congo-red and thioflavin-S dye-binding
char~ct~ri~ti--s of amyloid). ~AP can also occur in a non-fil~mentous form
("preamyloid" or "amorphous" or "diffuse" deposits) in tissue, in which
form no detect~hle birefringent st~ining by Congo red occurs. A portion of
this protein in the insoluble form obtained from meningeal blood vessels-is
described in U.S. Patent No. 4,666,829, the full disclosure of which is
~ncorporated herein by reference.
",~AP" as used herein specifiç~lly refers to an approximately 39-43
arnino acid peptide that is subst~nti~lly homologous ~o the form of the
peptide produced by the method described in the '829 patent, but which can
a]so be found in soluble form in the eYtr~ r fluid (conditioned
nn eAinm) of cultured cells grown in vitro and in body fluids of hllm~nc and
other ..,~..""~1~, in~lu-ling both normal individuals and individuals suffering
30 from ,~AP-related cc-n~ition~ Thus"~AP also refers to related ~BAP
sequences that result from mutations in the ,~AP region of the normal gene.

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In whatever form"BAP is an approximately 39-43 amino acid fragment of a
large membrane-sp~nning glycoprotein, referred to as the ~-amyloid
precursor protein (APP), encoded by a-gene on the long arm of human
chromosome 21. ,BAP is further char~t~n7~ by its relative mobility in
5 SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or in high ~lrol"lallce liquid
chromatography. The 43-amino ~AP acid sequence (SEQ ID No. 1) is:
11
Asp Ala Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His Gln
21
Lys Leu Val Phe Phe Ala Glu Asp Val Gly Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala
31 41
Ile Ile Gly Leu Met Val Gly Gly Val Val Ile Ala Thr

,~AP also refers to sequences that are substantially homologous to this
43-amino acid sequence.
The term ",B-amyloid precursor protein" (APP) as used herein is
defined as a polypeptide that is encoded by a gene of the same name
localized in humans on the long arm of chromosome 21 which includes
,~AP within the carboxyl one-third of its length. APP is a glycosylated,
single-membrane-sp~nning protein eA~ressed in a wide variety of cells in
many m~mm~ n tissues. Examples of specific isotypes of APP which are
cullc;nLly known to exist in hllm~n~ are the 695-amino acid polypeptide
described by Kang et al., Nature 325:733-736 (1987) which is deci~n~t~
as the "normal" APP; the 751-amino acid polypeptide clesçrihed by Ponte et
al., Nature 331:525-527 and Tanzi et al., Nature 331:528-530 (1988); and
the 770-amino acid polypeptide described by Kitaguchi et al., Nature
331:530-532 (1988). Examples of specific variants of APP include point
mut~tioll~ which can differ in both position and phenotype (for review of
known variant mutations see Hardy, Nature Genet. 1:233-234 (1992)).

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The term ",~AP-related conditions" as used herein is defined as
inclll(ling ~17hPimer's disease (which includes f~mili~ heimpr~s
disease), Down's Syndrome, HCHWA-D, and advanced aging of the brain.
The terms "conditioned culture mP~illm" and "culture meAillm~ as
5 used herein refer to the aqueous extracellular fluid which surrounds cells
grown in tissue culture (in vitro) and which cont~in~, among other
conctituents, proteins and peptides secreted by the cells.
The term "body fluid" as used herein refers to those fluids of a
m~mm~ n host which may contain measurable amounts of ,~AP and ,BAP
10 fragments, specifically including blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine,
and peritoneal fluid. The term "blood" refers to whole blood, as well as
blood plasma and serum.
The term "Swedish mutation" refers to a mutation in the human gene
encoding APP which results in an inherited, f~mili~l form of ~l~heimer's
disease. The mutation occurs at LYS59s-MET596 of the normal APP gene,
where a substitution to ASN59s-LEU596 occurs. It has been found that
human cell lines transfected with this mutation will overproduce ,~AP,
secl~Ling the ,~AP into the conditioned culture mPAillm.
The term "heterocycles conL~ining from 3 to 14 carbon atoms and 1
20 to 3 hetereoatoms sPlectPcl from the group con~i~ting of nitrogen, oxygen
and sulfur" refers to saturated and unsaturated heterocyclic groups having
the requisite number of carbon atoms and heteroatoms. Suitable
heterocyclic groups include, by way of example, furazanyl, furyl,
imiti~701idinyl, imi~l~701yl, imidazolinyl, indolyl, isoLhiazolyl, isoxazolyl,
25 morpholinyl (e.g. morpholino), oxazolyl, pipe~zinyl (e.g. l-~ 7h~yl),
piperidyl (e.g. l-piperidyl, piperidino), pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyr~701i~ yl,
pyra_olinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl (e.g.
l-pyrrolidinyl), pyrrolinyl, pyrrolyl, quinoxalinyl, thi~ 7olyl, thiazolyl,
thienyl, thiomorpholinyl (e.g. thiomorpholino), triazolyl, and x~nth~nilyl.
30 These heterocyclic groups can be ~lbslilu~ed or unsubstitut~P~. Where the
heterocyclic group is subs~ trcl~ the substih~ent~ are SPl~ctP~d from alkyl of

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from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aryl of
from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and
halo.
Preferred heterocycles include well known cyclic aromatic groups
5 cc,.,~;.-ing heteroatoms within the cyclic structure. Such groups include, by
way of eY~mple, furyl, imi~ olyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl,
pyrimidinyl, thiazolyl, and triazolyl.
The term "alkyl" refers to straight and branched chain alkyl groups
such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl,
10 iso-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, 2-methylpentyl, and the like; whereas the term
"alkoxy" refers to -0-alkyl substit~lentc.
The term "aryl" re~ers to aromatic substituent~ comprising carbon
and hydrogen such as phenyl, naphthyl and the like whereas the term
aryloxy refers to -0-aryl substituents where aryl is as defined above.
The term "halo" or "halogen" refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine
and iodine and preferably fluorine and chlorine.
The term "pharm~reutir~lly acceptable salts" refers to the non-toxic
alkali metal, ~lk~line earth metal, and ammonium salts commonly used in
the pharm~reutir~l industry inrllllling the sodium, potassium9 lithium,
20 c~lçium, m~gn~ci-lm, barium, ammonium, and protamine zinc salts, which
are pr~aled by methods well known in the art. The term also in~lucles
non-toxic acid addition salts, which are generally prepared by reacting the
compounds of this invention with a suitable organic or inorganic acid.
Re~resen~;,l;~le salts include the hydrochloride, hydlobru.l.ide, sulfate,
25 bi~l~lf~t~, acetate, oxalate, valerate, oleate, laurate, borate, ben7o~te~
lactate, phosphate, tosylate, ~itrate, m~lr~tP, rL~ e, succin~tr~ tartrate,
and napsylate salts, and the like. The particular salt employed is not
critical.
The term "DNA" refers to deoxyribonucleic acid. The term "RNA"
30 refers to ribonucleic acid.

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14
Naturally occurring amino acid residues in peptides described herein
are abbreviated as recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical
Nom~nrl~tl-re Commi~cion as follows: Phenyl~l~nine is Phe or F; Leucine
is Leu or L; Isoleucine is Ile or I; Methionine is Met or M; Norleucine is
S Nle; Valine is Val or V; Serine is Ser or S; Proline is Pro or P; Threonine
is Thr or T; Alanine is Ala or A; Tyrosine is Tyr or Y; ~ictillinP is His or
H; Glut~minto is Gln or Q; Asparagine is Asn or N; Lysine is Lys or K;
Aspartic Acid is Asp or D; Glutamic Acid is Glu or E; Cysteine is Cys or
C; Tryptophan is Trp or W; Arginine is Arg or R; and Glycine is Gly
10 orG.
Naturally occurring nucleosides in nucleic acids described herein are
abbreviated as recommend~d by the IUPAC-IUB Biological Nom~ncl~tllre
Commi~sion as follows: Adenosine is A; Gu~no~ine is G; Cytidine is C;
Thymidine is T and Uridine is U. The abbreviation where the nucleotides
15 are either Cytidine or Thymidine (Uridine) is Y; Adenosine or Guanosine is
R; Adçno~ine. or Thymidine (Uridine) is W; Adenosine or Cytidine is M;
and Guanosine or Thymidine (Uridine) is K.
The term "Cathepsin Y" as used herein is defined as a polypeptide
that is encoded by a gene of the same name. Cathepsin Y is a
20 carboxypeptidase having a molecular weight of appro~im~tely 31 kD.
C~theFsin Y is able to cleave carboxy-terminal amino acids, with particular
activity against aliphatic carboxy-terminal amino acids. Preferably,
C~theF~in Y is a polypeptide having a qualitative biological activity in
common with the Cathepsin Y of FIG. 4 and which is greater than about
25 70% homologous, more preferably greater than 85% homologous and most
preferably greater than 90% homologous with the Cathepsin Y sequence of
FIG. 4. It is contempiated that the ~th~p~in Y of the present invention
may be subs~ t;~lly homologous to the sequence of Fig. 4., typically being
greater than 90% homologous, preferably greater than 95% homologous
30 and som~time greater than 99% homologous provided that the Cathepsin Y
retains at least a portion of biological activity of the Cathepsin Y of Fig. 4.

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Included within the scope of term "Cathepsin Y" as that term is used
herein are proteins having the amino acid sequence as set forth in FIG. 4,
deglycosylated or unglycosylated derivatives of the sequence in FIG. 4, and
homologous genP~tP~ variants and derivatives of ~thPpsin Y, provided
S that the morlific~tions do not destroy the biological activity in common with
the Cathepsin Y of FIG. 4.
"Homologous" is defined as the percc--Ldge of residues in the
c~n~ te sequence that are illentie~l with the residues in the disclosed
sequence after ~ ning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necesc~ry, to
10 achieve the maximum percent homology. A nucleic acid sequence is
subsf~nti~lly homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of the disclosed
sequence, where it is greater than 80% homologous, preferably greater than
90% homologous and most preferably greater than 95% homologous.
"Complement~ry" is defined as the ability of a nucleic acid sequence
15 to hybridize to a disclosed nucleic acid sequence. A nucleic acid sequence
is "subss~nti~lly complementary" to the ~ lose~l nucleic acid sequence if the
sequence is able to hybridize to greater than 80% of the reci(llles, ~ligning
the sequences and introducing gaps if n~ce~-y to achieve maximum
complemPnt~nty. Preferably, a subst~nti~lly co,l,plcmentary sequence is
20 greater than 90%, most preferably it is greater than 95% complement~ry.
C~thPp~in Y biological activity is defined as the sequential removal
of the carboxy-tel-llinal amino acids from a peptide without endopeptidase
activity, one amino acid at a time.
The ~m "~'arlS.f~.'~iO~n" refers t.c introduciP.g DNA ir.to ~.
25 organism or host cell so that the DNA is replicable, either as an
Pytr~hromosomal elPment or by chromosomal integration.
The term "transfection" refers to the introduction of DNA into a host
cell. It is contemplated that coding sequences may be c~lcssed in
r~l~i cells. Numerous mPtho-is of transfection are known to the
30 o~lina liy skilled artisan, for example CaPO4 and elecL-u~oldtion.

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16
Amyloid Production Suppressors
This invention is based, in part, on the discovery of compounds that
have been found to inhibit ~-amyloid (,BAP) secretion in cells. This
invention provides methods for inhibiting ~AP secretion in cells, inhibiting
S the deposition of plaque and treating ~l7h~imer~s rii~e~ce.
In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of inhibiting
~-amyloid production in cells producing ~AP, comprising ~iminictering to
such cells an inhibitory amount of a compound of formula I:

R2 - O R3
Rl (X) n,_Y_NR1H--CNR' 1H--R4

or pharm~e~ltit~lly acceptable salts thereof.
In formula I, R is hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or
can be joined with R2 to form a ring structure of from 4 to 10 carbon atoms
and R' is hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or can be joined
with R3 to form a ring structure of from 4 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferably,
R and R' in formula I are hydrogen.
R' can be alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with from 1
to S substit~ ntc s~lect~ from the group concicting of aryl of from 6 to 10
carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3
substituents sele~ted from the group consisting of alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo
and amino, cycloalkyl of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and heterocycles of
from 3 to 14 carbon atoms having from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from
the group concicting of nil.ugen, oxygen and sulfur wherein said substituted
alkyl group is optionally further substituted with from 1 to 2 hydroxyl
groups,
aL~enyl of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with from 1 to 4
substituentc st-l~octed from the group concisting of aryl of from 6 to 10

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carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3
snhstit~lents sPlpct~rl from the group conci~ting of alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo
5 and amino, cycloalkyl of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and heterocycles of
from 3 to 14 carbon atoms having from 1 to 3 h~Lel~aton,s selected from
the group con~i~tin~ of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur,
aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms,
aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3
10 substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, hydroxy, cyano, halo
and amino,
fluorenyl, and
heterocycles of from 3 to 14 carbon atoms having from 1 to 3
hele~oal~.,.s sele~t~d from the group conci~tin~ of ni~n~ge.~, oxygen and
sulfur.
Preferred values ~or Rl include benzyl, trityl, diphenylmethyl, 4-
phenylbutyl, 2-phenylethyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, fluorenyl"~ntl~ ilyl, and
20 the like.
R2 and R3 are independently side chains of a D- or L- amino acid
having at least 2 carbon atoms with the proviso that R2 and R3 are not
proline. Such side chains refer to the R8 substituent found on naturally
occurring and synthetic amino acids of the formula H2NCHR8COOH. Side
25 chains of n~t~ lly occ~-rring amino acids include, by way of example only,
those where R8 is the L-isomer of (CH3)2C~I- (valine), (CH3)2CHCH2-
(leucine), CH3CH2CH(CH3)- (isoleucine), ~CH2- (phenyl~l~nine), (3-
indolyl)-CH2- (tryptophan), CH3SCH2CH2- (methionine), CH3CH(OH)-
e), p-HO-~-CH2- (tyrosine), H2NC(O)CH2- (~p~ inP),
30 H2NC(O)CH2CH2- (~ t~mine), HOC(O)CH2- (aspartic acid),
HOC(O)CH2CH2- (~ t~mic acid), H2NCH2CH2CH2CH2- (lysine),

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18
H2NC(NH)NHCH2CH2CH2- (arginine), 4-imidazolyl-CH2- (hi.~ti~linP) and
the like.
Side chains of synthetic amino acids include the D-isomer of the
above noted naturally occurring amino acids as well as those where R8 is
5 selected from the group consi~ting of alkyl of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms
(where the alkyl group does not occur in naturally occurring amino acids),
cycloalkyl of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms substituted with from 1 to 2 substit~lent~ selected from
the group conci~ting of
aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms,
aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with from 1 to 3
substituents selectt-d from the group concicting of alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10
carbon atoms, and aryloxy of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and
heteroaryl of from 3 to 14 carbon atoms having from 1 to 3
heteroatoms sele~t~i from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and
sulfur (where the substituted alkyl group does not occur in n~tnr~lly
occ~ ng amino acids).
Preferred amino acid side chains include the D- and L-isomers of
20 valine, leucine, phenyl~l~nine, tryptophan and isoleucine.
R4 can be -C(O)CH=N=N, -CH20H, -C=NOH, and -C(o)R5
where R5 is hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, haloalkyl of from
1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 2 halo groups, alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, -NR6R7 where R6 and R7 are indepPn~lpntly select~l from the group
25 C~ n~i~tin~ of hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aryl of from
6 to 10 carbon atoms, and -N(CH3)0CH3. Preferably, R4 is -CH=N=N or
-C(O)H.
X can be -O-, -NR9- or -S- where R9 is selected from the group
conci~tin~ of hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aryl of from
30 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferably X is -O-.
Y can be -C(O)- or -C(S)- and is pfere~ably -C(O)-.

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m is an integer equal to zero or one and n is an integer equal to zero
to two. Preferably, n is an integer equal to zero or one.

III. Synthesis of ~-Amyloid S~ 501~
S Generally, the compounds of the invention are synthesi7P~I using
standard techniques and reagents. The linkages between the various groups
in these co1-1pounds comprise, for example, a carbon atom linked to a
nitrogen atom of an amide, a l-hio~mi~e, a carb~m~tP, a thioca.l,a1"ate, a
urea, a thiourea, etc. The methods and reagents for forming such bonds
lO are well known and readily available. See, e.g., March, Advanced Organic
Chemistry, 4th Ed. (Wiley 1992), Larock, Comprehensive Organic
Transformations (VCH 1989); and Furniss, et al. and Furniss, Vogel's
Textbook of-Practical Or~anic Chemistry 5th ed. (Longman 1989), each of
which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, any functional
15 groups present may require prote~;Lion and d~1-~tecLion at dir~.ent points
in the synthesis of the compounds of the invention. Such techniques are
well known (see, e.g., Green and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic
Chemistry (Wiley 1992), also incorporated herein by reference).
The synthesis of the compounds of this invention can start with, for
20 .oy~mple, an amino acid (in the case where n is 0), a dipeptide (in the case
where n is 1) or a tripeptide (in the case where n is 2).
Reaction Scheme l below illustrates one eY~mple of the synthesis of
compounds wherein n is 1, Y = -C(0)- and R4 is -C(O)H which employs
as starting m~t~n~l a dipeptide structure. It is understood, however, that,
25 for con.~ounds where n is 0 or 2, similar syntheses can be used with the
- exception that either an amino acid is employed as the starting m~t~ l (for
n equal to 0) or a tripeptide is employed for n equal to 2.
As shown in Reaction Scheme l, dipeptide 1 is reacted with at least
- a stoi~iliometric amount of Rl(X)mC(O)Z, where Rl, X and m are defined
30 as above and Z is suitable leaving group such as a halo group under
con~litions suitable to form dipeptide 2 terminally N-capped with the

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Rl(X)mC(O)- substituent. Alternatively, R'(X)mC(S)Z substituents can be
used to prepare compounds where Y is -C(S)-.
Depending upon the reaction conditions employed, it may be
nece ~l y or desirable to protect the carboxyl group of dipeptide 1 with a
5 conventional removable blocking group such as conversion to as an alkyl or
aryl ester. Likewise, any reactive substituen~c found on the amino acid side
chains R2 and R3 of dipeptide 1 will require blocking and subsequent
deblocking with a conventional removable blocking group.
The reaction is conducted in the presence of a suitable inert diluent
10 typically in the presence of a base to scavenge any acid generated during
the reaction, particularly if Z is halo. Suitable inert diluents include, by
way of example, methylene chloride, chloroform, toluene, pyridine, etc.
Suitable bases include triethylamine, diethylisopropylamine, pyridine, and
the like. The reaction is typically cond~lct~ci at from about 0~C to about
25~C and is typically complete in from about 1 to about 12 hours. The
resultin~ dipeptide 2 can be recovered by conventional means such as
till~tinn~ cl~ lla~ography, filtration, etc. or alternatively is converted to
aldehyde compound 3 without recovery and/or purification.
Dipeptide 2 is then reduced to provide the desired aldehyde 3 via
conventional methods such as those described in March or Larock, supra.
Such m~thorl~ include, for example, direct reduction of the carboxyl group
of dipeptide 2 to alcohol 4, by, e.g., reaction of the acid with di-(iso-
butyl)~luminumhydride (DIBALH) (see, e.g., J. Gen. Chem. USSR
34:1021(1964)),ordi-(N-methylpi~ yl)aluminumhydride (see,e.g.,
J. Org. Chem. 49:2279 (1984)) followed by partial reoxidation to the
aldehyde. See, e.g., Luly, et al., Journal of Organic Chemistry,
S2(8): 1487 et seq. (1987).
Alh."ali~rely, the aldehyde may be formed via the acid chloride
using, e.g., thionyl chloride, followed by reduction using, for ex~mple,
hydr.~n and a p~ lium catalyst, tri-(t-butoxy)lithium aluminum hydride,
sodium borohydride (alone or with pyridine or ç~millm chloride).

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Preferably, however, the carboxyl group of dipeptide 2 is first
converted to the co~ onding N,O-dimethylhydroxamide 5 which is then
reduced by, for example, lithium aluminum hydride to provide for
aldehyde 3. The N,O-dimethylhydroY~mit~e 5 is formed, for example, by
S reaction of dipeptide 2 with at least a stoichiometric amount of
ben;~otliazol-l-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium heY~fl~1orophosphate
(BOP) and 4-methyl morpholine in an inert diluent at a le,l.~eldl.lre of from
about 10~C to about 40~C for a period sl~fficiçnt to form the activated
ester. Suitable inert diluents include, by way of example, N,N-dimethyl-
10 form~mi~e, pyridine, etc. The product is preferably not recovered butrather the reaction solution is used to convert the activated ester to the
N,O-dimethylhydroxylamide 5.
The activated ester is converted tO the N,O-dimethylhydroxylamide
5 by reaction with at least a stoichiometric amount of N,O-
15 dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride at a ~e...pt;ldtllre of from about 10~Cto about 40~C for a period sllfflcient to form the desired N,O-
dimethylhydroxylamide 5. The resl-lting product can be recovered by
conventional methods such as chlor-atogld~hy, ~ till~tic)n~ filtration, etc.
or, al~l,~ ely, used directly in the next step of the synthesis which
20 converts the N,O-dimethylhydroxylamide 5 to aldehyde 3 by conventional
reduction using a suitable re~u~ing agent such as lithium aluminum
hydride.

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ReAction 1

R O R3

~ CH N ~ ~ C
11
R2 R O

Rl(x)mc(o)z

o R O R3
Il l 11 1
R (X)mC N ~ C ~ C ~ N ~ CH ", OH
11
R R O
2 . ~

O R ~ R3 CH3
ll l ll
( ) m ~ CH~ C ~ N ~ CH ~ C~NOCH3
11
R2 R O
~ 5

O R O R3

R (X)mC~ N ~ fH' C ~ N ~ ~ CH''
R2 R
4 ~
O R O R3
Il l 11 1
R (X)mC N ~ CH~ C ~ N ~ CH ~ c,H

R2 R O




In the case of amino acids, the conversion of commercially available
N-pçolecled amino acids (n = O) to the col~es~nding N-plotec~d N',O-

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dimethylhydroxylamide and subsequent reduction to aldehyde 3 follows the
procedure set forth above. The first step in this process is illustrated in
FIG. 1 and involves conversion of N~ LecL~d amino acid 6 to the
col,e.,~onding N~ tected N',O-dimethylhydroxylamide 7. Preferably, the
S N-plotecLillg group on such amino acids is of the formula R~(X)mC(O)- such
that, upon reduction, the r~snltin~ compounds are of formula I above and,
in the case of FIG. 1 is illustrated as ~CH2OC(O)-. Alternatively, however,
the N-lJr~te~ g group can be removed by conventional methods and the
res-llting free amine N',O-dimethylhydroxylamide 8 can be reacted with
Rl(X)mC(O)Z and subsequently reduced to provide for compounds of
formula I above (not shown).
The free amine N',O-dimethylhydroxylamide 8 obtained by
deprotecting the N-plute;led N',O-dimethylhydroxyl~mi~ies can also be
used to form compounds of formula I where n = 1 as also illustrated in
FIG. 1. Spe~ific~lly, in this figure, the free amine 8 is coupled to the free
acid of amino acid 9 having a R'(X)"~C(O)- [e.g., ~CH2OC(O)-] group
~tt~l'.h~?d to form dimer 10 which, upon subsequent conventional reduction
with, for ~Y~mpl~, lithium aluminum hydride (LAH) forms aldehyde 11.
Conversion of the aldehydes 3 and 11 to the col~es~ol-ding oximes
or the coll~s~onding diazoketones can be accomplished using chemi~try
known per se in the art. For example, oxime formation is accomplished
via reaction of aldehydes 3 and 11 with hydroxylamine whereas
diazoketones were ~ aled using the procedure reported by Shaw (Green,
George D.J., Shaw, Elliot (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 1923-1928.
Compounds 2 and 6 can be readily converted via art recQgni7~i
~n~tho~l~ to provide for R5 = alkoxy of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and R5 =
NR6R~ where R6 and R7 are independen~ly hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms or aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Likewise, compounds
2 and 6 can be readily converted to ketones (R5 = alkyl of from 1 to 6
carbon atoms) via methods known per se in the art.
-


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24

The starting materials employed in Reaction Scheme 1 are known in
the art. For example, dipeptides 1 may be purchased commercially (e.g.,
from R~rhem Bioscience, Inc., Phil~-lçlphia, PA) or synthtoci7Yl from
standard procedures, such as those described in Syn~hetic Peptides: A
5 User's Guide, Grant, Ed. (Freeman, 1992), Solid Phc.~se Peptide Synthesis:
A Practical Approach, Atherton, et al., Eds. (Oxford 1989) or Synthesis of
Opt.cally Active ~-Amino Acids, Williams (Pergammon 1989). Generally,
dipeptides are synthesi7ed from amino acids which themselves are
commercially available (e.g., from Bachem or Aldrich, Milwaukee, WI)
10 by, for example, the methods described above or by using known methods
such as the Strecker method (see, e.g., March, or Williams, supra).
Typically, the coupling of the amino acids to form dipeptide 1
requires the blocking of the ~x-amino moiety of the N-terminal amino acid,
and any other potentially reactive groups present on the side chain, from
15 reaction with the activated carboxyl group of the C-terminal amino acid.
Conventional N-terminal amino pl.tectillg groups include, by way of
example, t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) or benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz).
Similarly, reagents of the formula R'(X)mC(O)Z are also known per
se in the art and some of these materials are also commercially available.
20 For example, benzoyl chloride (R' = -~, m= 0, Y = -C(O)- and Z--Cl),
phenyl chloroformate (Rl = ~, X = O, m = 1, Y = -C(O)- and Z = Cl),
benzyl chlolofoill,a~e (R' = ~, X = O, m = 1, Y = -C(O)- and Z = Cl),
diphenyl acetyl chlori~le (Rl = (O2CH-, m = 0, Y = -C(O)- and Z = Cl)
are all commercially available reagents as are phenyl chlorothionoformate
25 (Rl = ~, m = 1, X = O, Y = -C(S)- and Z = Cl) and phenyl chlorodi-
thioformate (Rl = ~, m = 1, X = S, Y = -C(S)- and Z = Cl).

IV. Pharmaceutical Formulations
When employed as pharm~reutic~ the compounds of formula I
30 above are usually ~lmini~trred in the forrn of pharm~reutir~l col"positions.
These co"lpounds can be ~-lmini~tered by a variety of routes including oral,

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rectal, tr~ncdprmal7 subcut~nçous, intravenous, intramuscular, and
intranasal. These compounds are effective as both injectable and oral
compositions. Such compositions are prepared in a manner well known in
the pharm~eutic~l art and comprise at least one active compound.
S This invention also includes pharm~euf~ co,n~o~itions which
contain, as the active ingr_dient, one or more of the compounds of formula
I above ~csoci~ted with pharm~ceutic~lly acceptable carriers. In making
the compositions of this invention, the active ingredient is usually mixed
with an excipient, diluted by an excipient or Pnclosed within such a carrier
which can be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper or other container.
When the excipient serves as a diluent, it can be a solid, semi-solid, or
liquid m~teri~l, which acts as a vehicle, carrier or medium for the active
ingredient. Thus, the compositions can be in the form of tablets, pills,
powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions,
solutions, syrups, aerosols (as a solid or in a liquid medium), ointments
co.~ in;.-g, for eY~mple, up to 10% by weight of the active compound, soft
and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injectable solutions, and
sterile packaged powders.
In plcp~ing a formulation, it may be nPcPsC~ry to mill the active
compound to provide the a~,ropliate particle size prior to combining with
the other ingrecli~ontc. If the active compound is substantially insoluble, it
oldi-lalily is milled to a particle size of less than 200 mesh. If the active
compound is subst~nti~1ly water soluble, the particle size is normally
adjusted by milling to provide a subst~nti~lly uniform distribution in the
formulation, e.g. about 40 mesh.
Some examples of suitable excipients include lactose, dextrose,
sucrose, sorbitol, ...~mitol, starches, gum acacia, ç~lçium phosphate,
in~t~s, ~g~ nth, gelatin, ~ ~1cium silicate, microcrystalline cç11ll1Ose,
polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, and methyl cellulose. The
30 formulations can ~ itio~11y inclucle: lubnc~ting agents such as talc,
m~gn~ ,L~dte, and min~r~l oil; wetting agents; emulsifying and

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s~spen~ing agents; preserving agents such as methyl- and propylhydroxy-
bP-n7o~t~s; sweetening agents; and flavoring agents. The compositions of
the invention can be formulated so as to provide quick, s--~t~inçd or
delayed release of the active ingredient after ~lmini~tration to the patient
S by employing procedures known in the art.
The compositions are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form,
each dosage containing from about S to about 100 mg, more usually about
10 to about 30 mg, of the active ingredient. The term "unit dosage forms"
refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human
10 subjects and other m~mm~l~, each unit cont~ining a predetermined quantity
of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in
~o-i~tinn with a suitable pharm~elltic~l excipient.
The active compound is effective over a wide dosage range and is
generally ~imini~t~red in a pharm~-~e~-ti~lly effective amount. It, will be
15 understood, however, that the amount of the compound actually
~rlmini~tered will be determined by a physician, in the light of the relevant
circum~t~nces, inclurling the condition to be treated, the chosen route of
~lmini~tration~ the actual compound ~rlnnini~ttored7 the age, weight, and
response of the individual patient, the severity of the patient's symptoms,
20 and the like.
For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active
ingredient is mixed with a pharm~eutic~l excipient to form a solid
u,.l.~llation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a
compound of the present invention. When referring to these
25 ~lt;ru~...ulation co...~o~ilions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active
ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the
composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective unit dosage
forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid ~lcÇol-~ulation is then
subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above cont~ining
30 from, for example, 0.1 to about S00 mg of the active ingredient of the
present invention.

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The tablets or pills of the present invention may be coated or
otherwise compounded to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of
prolonged action. For example, the tablet or pill can comprise an inner
dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an
S envelope over the former. The two col~lponents can se~ t~d by enteric
layer which serves to resist ~ integration in the stomach and permit the
inner co---ponent to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in
release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or
co~tings~ such materials including a number of polymeric acids and
~ ulc;s of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol,
and cellulose acetate.
The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present
invention may be incorporated for ~lmini~tration orally or by injection
include aqueous solutions suitably flavored syrups, aqueous or oil
s-lspen~ions, and flavored emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil,
sesame oil, coconut oil, or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar
pharm~ceutit~l vehicles.
Compositions for inh~l~ti~n or in~ffl~tiQn include solutions and
sl-spencions in pharm~re~tic~lly acceptable, aqueous or organic solvents, or
mixtures thereof, and powders. The liquid or solid compositions may
contain suitable pharm~e-ltic~lly acceptable excipients as described supra.
Preferably the co,-,posilions are ~(lmini~t~red by the oral or nasal
re~ildlc,ly route for local or systemic effect. Compositions in preferably
pharm~euti~lly acceptable solvents may be nebulized by use of inert
gases. Nebulized solutions may be breathed directly from the nebulizing
device or the nebulizing device may be ~tt~ PA to a face masks tent, or
inL~ ~",illent positive pressure breathing m~rhine. Solution, suspen~ion, or
puwde~ compositions may be ~imini~tPred, preferably orally or nasally,
- from devices which deliver the formulation in an app,ol"iate manner.
The following formulation ex~mples illustr~te the pharm~e~ti~l
col..po~;l;ons of the present invention.

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28
Formulation Example 1
Hard gelatin capsules colltainillg the following ingredients may be
prepared as follows:
Quantity
In~redient (m~/capsule)
Active Ingredient 3 o . o
Starch 305 0
M~gn~ium stearate 5 . 0
The above ingredients are mixed and filled into hard gelatin
capsules in 340 mg quantities.

Formulation Example 2
A tablet form may be pr~a c;d using the ingredients below:
Quantity
In~redient (m~/tablet)
Active Ingredient 2 5 . o
Cellulose, microcrystalline 200.0
Colloidal silicon dioxidelo. o
Stearic acid 5 . o

The co-llpollents are blended and co",p.~ ssed to form tablets, each
weighing 240 mg.

Formulation Example 3
A dry powder inhaler formulation may be prepared cont~ining the
following col"pol~ents:
Tn~redient Wei~ht %
Active Ingredient 5
T ~rtose 9 5

The active mixture is mixed with the lactose and the mixture is
added to a dry powder inh~ling appliance.

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29
Formulation Example 4
Tablets, each cont~ining 30 mg of active ingredient, may be
p~ d as follows:
Quantity
Ingredient (mg/tablet)
Active Ingredient 30.0 mg
Starch 45.0 mg
Microcrystalline cPll--lose 35.0 mg
Polyvinylpyrrolidone
(as 109~o solution in water)4.0 mg
Sodium carboxymethyl starch 4.5 mg
M~nPsillm stearate 0.5 mg
Talc 1.0 mg
Total 120 mg
The active ingredient, starch and cellulose are pass_d through a No.
20 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution of polyvinyl-
pyrrolidone is mixed with the result~nt powders, which are then passed
through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced are dried at 50~
to 60~C and passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The sodium
carboxymethyl starch, m~gnP~ium stearate, and talc, previously passed
through a No. 30 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which,
after mixing, are co~"pl~ssed on a tablet m~hine to yield tablets each
weighing 150 mg.

Formulation Example 5
Capsules, each cont~ining 40 mg of mP~iic~ment may be made as
follows:
Quantity
~ Tn~redient (m~/capsule)
Active Ingredient4 o . o mg
Starch lo9. 0 mg
M~ .... s~ t~ l . o mg

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Total 150. o mg
The active ingredient, starch and m~gnçcillm stearate are blended,
passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hard gelatin
5 c~ps~ s in 150 mg quantities.

Formulation Example 6
Suppositolies, each cont~ining 25 mg of active ingredient may be
10 made as follows:

Ingredient Amount
Active Ingredient 25 mg
Saturated fatty acid glycerides to 2, ooO mg

The active ingredient is passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve
and suspended in the saturated fatty acid glycerides previously melted using
20 the minimum heat n~e~,y. The Illi~UlC; iS then poured into a
suppository mold of nominal 2.0 g capacity and allowed to cool.

Formulation Example 7
S~lspen~ions, each cont~ining 50 mg of meAi~m~ont per 5.0 ml dose
may be made as follows:
Tn~redient Amount
Active Ingredient 50. 0 mg
Xanthan gum 4 . 0 mg
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (l l %)
Microcrystalline cellulose (89%)so. o mg
Sucrose 1. 7s g
Sodium b~-n70~t~ 10 . o mg
Flavor and Color q.v.
Purified water to 5. o ml

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The medic~m~nt sucrose and xanthan gum are blended, passed
through a No. l0 mesh U.S. sieve, and then mixed with a previously made
solution of the microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl
cellulose in water. The sodium ben7o~tç, flavor, and color are dilutcd with
5 some of the water and added with stirring. Sufficient water is then added to
produce the required volume.

Formulation Example 8
Capsules cont~ining l~ mg of me~iic~m~nt may be made as follows:
Quantity
Ingredient (mg/capsule)
Active Ingredient 15 . o mg
Microcrystalline Cellulose 135. 0 mg
Starch 4 07 . 0 mg
~gnç~illm stearate 3 . o m~
Total 4 2 5 . o mg
The active ingredient, c~ lcse, starch, and In~gn~sillm stearate are
blended, passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hard
gelatin capsules in 560 mg q~l~ntiti~S.

Formulation Example 9
An intravenous formulation may be ~lc~ d as follows:
Tn.~redient Ouantity
Active Ingredient 2 5 o . o mg
Isotonic saline 1000 ml

Formulation Example l0
A topical formulation may be prepared as follows:

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In~redient Quantity
Active Ingredient l-lo g
Emulsifying Wax 3 o g
Liquid Paraffin 20 g
White Soft Paraffinto 100 g

The white soft paraffin is heated until molten. The liquid paraffin
10 and emulsifying wax are incorporated and stirred until dissolved. The
active ingredient is added and stirring is continued until dispersed. The
Lul~ is then cooled until solid.
Another prcr~,led formulation employed in the methods of the
present invention employs transdermal delivery devices ("patches"). Such
15 transdermal patches may be used to provide continuous or discontinuous
infusion of the compounds of the present invention in controlled amounts.
The construction and use of transdermal patches for the delivery of
pharrn~eutical agents is well known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Patent
5,023,252, issued June 11, 1991, herein incol~ol~led by reference in its
20 entirety. Such patches may be constructed for continuous, pulsatile, or on
dern~nd delivery of pharm~reutical agents.
Frequently, it will be desirable or necess~ry to introduce the
pharm~ce~lti-~l composition to the brain, either directly or indirectly.
Direct techniques usually involve pl~cemPnt of a drug delivery catheter into
25 the host's ventricular system to bypass the blood-brain barrier. One such
implantable delivery system used for the transport of biological factors to
spe~ific anatomical regions of the body is described in U.S. Patent
5,011,472 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Indirect techniques, which are generally plerelled, usually involve
30 form~ tin~ the compositions to provide for drug l~tPnti~tion by the
conversion of hydrophilic drugs into lipid-soluble drugs. T ~tPnti~tion is
~en~r~lly achieved through blocking of the hydroxy, carbonyl, sulfate, and
primary amine groups present on the drug to render the drug more lipid

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soluble and ~mPn~hle to transportation across the blood-brain barrier.
Alternatively, the delivery of hydrophilic drugs may be çnh~nce~l by
intra-arterial infusion of hypertonic solutions which can tr~n~i-ont1y open the
blood-brain barrier.


. Cathepsin Y Compositions
Cathepsin Y is a novel carboxypeptidase having a molecular weight
10 of a~lo~cimately 31 kD and the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID
No. 3. Cathepsin Y is involved in the release of ~BAP from ,~AP-producing
cells. The ~AP production inhibition provided by the compounds of
formula I described above a~peal~ to at least partially occur through
inhibition of Cathepsin Y. Cathepsin Y is able to cleave a wide variety of
15 carboxy-terminal amino acids, with particular activity against aliphatic
carboxy-Lell.linal amino acids. The ability of C~thPpsin Y to cleave the
t~l,linal amino acid is strongly affected by the nature of the amino acid
residue located two positions away from the terminal amino acid being
cleaved. Such specificity is ch~raçtPristic of the papain super family of
20 cysteine p.uteases.
Cathepsin Y according to the present invention can be obtained from
both natural and synthetic sources. Natural ~thPpsin Y may be i~ol~t~i
and purified from a variety of n ~mm~ n cellular sources, inclu-ling
human 293 cells, human HS683 cells, human brain etc. Cells from these
25 sources may be collected and disrupted to produce a lysate. ~Plllll~r and
other debris from the reslllting lysate may be sel)~dtt d, for example, by
centrifugation, and the reslllting s~ell~a~nt subjected to a series of
conventional pllrific~tion steps. Specific methods for isolating and at least
- partially l~u~irying ~thepsin Y from natural sources are set forth in detail
30 in the FYrerimPnt~l section hereinafter. C~thepsin Y compositions of the
present invention will be at least partially purified, typically being at least

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34
10% by weight (w/w) pure and being free from cont~min~nts and
substances which would interfere with the enzymatic activity. Usually the
C~thPpcin Y coln~o~ilions will be at least 25% w/w pure, more usually
being at least 50% w/w pure, and preferably being at least 75% w/w pure,
5 or higher. In many cases it will be desirable to obtain subst~nti~lly pure
(homogeneous) colllpo~ilions of the C~thçpcin Y of the present invention,
typically being greater than 90% w/w pure, preferably being greater than
95% w/w pure and sometimes being 99% w/w pure or higher.
Compositions having such high purity can be obtained using conventional
10 protein purification techniques in conjunction with assays for the desired
Cathepsin Y activity, as described in the Experimental section hereinafter.
Synthetic preparation of the Cathepsin Y colllposi~ions may be based
on either the cDNA sequence (SEQ.ID No. 2) or the amino acid sequence
(SEQ.ID No. 3) of the native Cathep~in Y. C~thepcin Y from other
15 m~mm~lc, as well as allelic forms of Cathepsin Y, may be idçntified using
degener~t~ oligonucleotide probes to screen suitable human and non-human
libraries. Suitable libraries are available from a number of sources. cDNA
libraries may be screened by a variety of conventional techniques to
identify cDNAs which encode Cathepsin Y of the present invention. Such
20 techniques include direct hybri~li7~tic-n, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-
amplified hybri~li7~tion~ the use of anti-c~th~qpcin Y antibodies, and the
like. The id.ontific~tion of other C~thçpcin Y cDNA sequences can be
confirmed by introducing the identified DNA inserts into an a~lupliate
pl~cmi~ vector for ~,.p-ession in an a~,~,iate host, with the rçslllting
25 recombinant c;~ession vector being mapped by restriction enzyme
cleavage and Southern blotting. Internally concict~nt clones may then be
sequ~n~ed, with an internally concict~nt sequence being confirmed for
Cathepsin Y.
Purified C~thepcin Y co~ o~ilions of the present invention may be
30 n~tllr~l, i.e., including the entire Cathepsin Y enzyme or fr~gmPntc thereof
icol~tf~A from the natural source, as described above, or may be synthetic,

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~35
i.e., including the entire protein or fragment or analog thereof, prepared by
the techniques described below. In the case of both the natural and
synthetic Cathepsin Y, the fr~mçntc and analogs will preferably retain at
least a portion of the native biological activity, i.e., usually ret~ining at
5 least the native proteolytic activity.
Synthetic polypeptides r~lçsçnting intact Cathepsin Y or
biologically active fr~mentc or analogs thereof may be ~ cd by either
of two general approaches. First, polypeptides may be syntheci7~d using
conventional solid-phase methods employing automated, commercial
10 systems. The second and generally preferred method for syntheci7in~
Cathepsin Y polypeptides according to the present invention involves the
ression in cultured cells of recombinant DNA molecules encoding for
the cAplession of all or a portion of the Cathepsin Y protein. The
recombinant DNA molecule may incoIporate either a natural or synthetic
15 gene, with natural genes and cDNA being obtainable as described above.
Synthetic polynucleotides may be prepared using solid phase techniques and
auLol,lated commercial synthPci7Prs. Double-stranded fragments may then
be obtained either by syntheci7ing the complement~ry strand and ~nne~lin~
the strands together under a~l,r~liate conditions, or by adding the
20 complern~ont~ry strand using DNA polymerase with an a~r~liate primer
sequence.
Natural or synthetic DNA fr~gmentc encoding the desired Cathepsin
Y protein, fr~m~nt, or analog thereof will be incorporated in the DNA
construct capable of introduction to and eApression in an in vitro cell
25 culture. Usually, the DNA constructs will be suitable for replication in a
llni~ r host, such as yeast or bart~ri~ Alternatively, the DNA
constructs may be suitable for introduction into and integr~tion within
,,,~,,,,,,~li~n cells, preferably human cells, by a variety of now well known
techniques. The eA~lession of the C~thepsin Y protein from such
30 constructs will be pc~rul~-ed under con~litions wl-~.ein the Cathepsin Y is
~A~r~ss~d It is understood that such conditiûns will depend on the vector

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36
and the host cell used and can be determined by a person skilled in the art
in light of the circumstances.
The nucleic acid may be directly labelled with any detectable label
known the art, includin~ radioactive nuclides such as 32p, 3H and 24S,
5 fluol~,scent ,I-alkt;l~ such as fluorescein, Texas Red, AMCA blue, lucifer
yellow, rhodamine and the like or any cyanin dye which is cletect~hle with
visible light. The nucleic acid may be directly labelled using methods such
as PCR, random priming, end labelling, nick translation and the like.
Alternatively, nucleic acids may be indirectly labelled by incorporating a
10 nucleotide covalently linked to a hapten or other molecule such as biotin or
digoxigenin (Boehringer l~nnhPim, rn~ n~r~olis, IN) and l~elrol,lling a
sandwich hybridization with a labelled antibody or other molecule directed
to that hapten. For example, where biotin is incorporated into the nucleic
acid avidin conjugated so a detactable label can be used.
The isolated and purified Cathepsin Y polypeptides of the present
invention may be utilized as proteases in a variety of biological and
chPmic~l systems. Additionally, the Cathepsin Y polypeptides may be used
in sclce-~ g assays for identifying test compounds which have ,BAP
inhibition activity. It is further contemplated that Cathepsin Y can be used
20 ~ nosti~ y to evaluate a patient's risk for AD based on the presence and
amount of this enzyme present in the patient's body fluid.
The isolated and purified nucleic acids substantially homologous to
the sequence of FIG. 4, nucleic acids substantially complementary to the
sequence of FIG. 4 and fr~p:mentc of the sequence of FIG. 4 can be used to
25 probe spe~ifi~lly for the presence of Cathepsin Y RNA or DNA in tissues
or cloned libraries. The purified nucleic acids can be used to identify those
tissues or cells which express RNA encoding for C~thep~in Y. The ~l~r~,llcd
size of the nucleic acid fr~mPntc of FIG. 4 is at least 12 base pairs,
preferably the fr~mPnts are at least 20 base pairs, more preferably of the
30 fr~gmPnt~ are at least 50 base pairs. The nucleic acid may be RNA or DNA.

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VI. Screening Assays for ~AP Inhibition Activity
Cathepsin Y can be used in quantitative assays for the identification
of compounds having ,BAP-production inhibition activity based on inhibition
of the carboxypeptidase activity of the Cathepsin Y. Such assays are
5 ~lrull"ed by observing the ability of Cathepsin Y to cleave the carboxy-
b~rminal residue on a suitable oligopeptide substrate. Test compounds
which are able to inhibit such carboxypeptidase activity are considered
~ill iitizitoS for further testing to determine their ,~AP-production inhibitionactivity. Those test compounds which are unable to inhibit the
10 carboxypeptidase activity are considered less likely candidates for further
testing. An exemplary assay for ~AP-production inhibition activity using
Cathepsin Y is described in detail in the Experimental section below.
The following synthetic and biological examples are offered to
illustrate this invention and are not to be construed in any way as limiting
15 tlhe scope of this invention. Unless otherwise stated, all ~ lpe,dtures are in
degrees Celsius. Also, in these examples, unless otherwise defined below,
the abbreviations employed have their generally accepted m~ ining
BOP Reagent = benzotriazol-l-yloxy-
tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium
h- xziflllorophosphate
bp = base pairs
CBZ = carbobenzyloxy
D~ = dithiothreitol
DMF = N,N-dimethylform imide
DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide
dNlP = deoxynucleoside triphosphate
DPDS = dipyridykli~ulfide
EDTA = ethylene riizimine tetraacetic acid
g = gram
HPLC = high pelro,lllance liquid chromatography
LAH = lithium aluminum hydride
M = molar
MES buffer = 2-[N-morpholino]eth,ineslllfonic acid
mg = mi~ rr,im
mL = millilit~r
mM = millimolar
mmol = millimol

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38

~M = micromolar
N = Normal
ng = nanogram
pM = picomolar
psi = pounds per square inch
PVDF = polyvinylidene difluoride
RGW = reagent grade water
rpm = rotations per minute
~,g = mi~l~gld,-,
,uL = microliters
,uM = micromolar
293 cells were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection
A Tr~ ~--15T 1 C7'2~
J I -JJ -
293 751 SWE cells were obtained from K293 cells (human kidney cell line)
stably transfected with the APP751 CDNA having the Swedish mutation.
Brij 35 was obtained from Boehringer ~nnheim.

EXAMPLES
The syntheses outlined in General Procedures A-D are illustrated in
25 FIG. 1 and depicts the synthesis of N-substituted dipeptide aldehydes.

General Procedure A -- Synthesis of carbobenzyloxy (CBZ) prote~te-l
amino N,O-Dimethylhydroxyamides, 7 (20 mmole
- scale)
The N,O-dimethylhydroxyamides illustrated in FIG. 1 were
synthP~i7PA on a 20 mmol scale according to the following general
procedure. The CBZ protected amino acid 6 (20 mmol), BOP Reagent (30
mmol) and 4-methyl morpholine (100 mmol) were added to 100 mL of DMF
35 and all were stirred under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 1 hour at ambient
L~ .dLule. At this time N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (24
mmol) was added and all were stirred for an additional 12 hours at ambient
t~ ~ldlul~,. The reaction was poured into water (200 mL) then extracted
with ethyl acetate (3 X 200 mL). The combined organic layers were washed
40 with SdlUldtPd aqueous citric acid (2 X 200 mL), saturated aqueous sodium

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:39
bic~l,onate (2 X 200 mL), and brine (1 X 300 mL). The organic layer was
dried using MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated to yield the desired CBZ
p~vte~;led N,O-dimethylhydroxylamide 7. When n.~cç~ r the product was
cl...,.ll~lographed using 50% ethyl acetate/hçx~n.os Purified yields were
5 typically 70%-85%.

General Procedure B -- Synthesis of amino-N,O-Dimethylhy~l~v~y~mides 8
The removal of the CBZ protecting group on the CBZ ploLe.;~ed N,O-
dimethylhydroxylamide 7 was done on a 15 mmol scale according to the
following general procedure to provide for the title compound. The CBZ
protected amino acid (15 mmol) was sll~pen~ed in ethanol (20 mL) in a parr
bottle. To this was added 10 weight percent of p~ iium on activated
15 carbon (10% palladium). This mixture was subjected to 50 psi of hydrogen
for 3 hours on a parr shaker. The solution was then deg~se~l, filtered
through a pad of celite, then concentrated to afford the desired amino N,O-
dimethylhydroxyamide 8 (yields typically 60%-68%). This isolated m~t~
was used without further purification.

General Procedure C -- Synthesis of CBZ ~ led ~ epti~ N,O-
Dimethylhydroxyamides 10
This coupling was done on a 15 mmol scale according to the
25 following general procedure to provide for the title co",~ound. The CBZ
protected amino acid 9 (15 mmol), BOP Reagent (22.5 mmol) and 4-methyl
morpholine (75 mmol) were added to 75 mL of DMF and all was stirred
under an atmo~hcr~ of nillogen for 1 hour at ambient temperature. At this
time, the N,O-dimethylhydroxylamide 8 (15 mmol) was added and all was
30 stirred for an additional 12 hours at ambient t~ el~lu~e. The reaction was
poured into water (150 mL) then extracted with ethyl acetate (3 X 150 mL).
The organic layers were combined and washed with .5~t~ ted aqueous citric
acid (2 X 150 mL), s~tllr~t~l aqueous sodium bic~lonate (2 X 200 mL),

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and brine (1 X 225 mL). The organic layer was dried using MgSO4,
filtered, and concentrated to yield the desired CBZ protected dipeptide N,O-
dimethylhydroxyamide 10. When necessary, the crude product was
cl,lu,,,atogl~hed using 50% ethyl acetate/hçx~nes Purified yields were
5 typically 67%-81% .

General Procedure D - Synthesis of CBZ protected dipeptide
aldehydes 11
The reduction of N,O-dimethylhydroxyamide 10 was done on a 10
mmol scale according to the following general procedure to provide for the
title compound. The N,O-Dimethylhydroxyamide 10 (10 mmol) was
suspended in diethyl ether (65 mL) and cooled to 0~C under an atmosphere
of nitrogen. To this vigorously stirred solution was added LAH (40-75
15 mmol), and the suspension was stirred for 1 hour at 0~C, then 1 hour at
ambient L~lllp~ldture. The reaction was q~lenched with 10% aqueous citric
acid (30 mL) and stirred for an additional 30 minutes. This was washed
with diethyl ether (3 X 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed
with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (1 X 50 mL), water (1 X 50 mL),
20 brine (1 X 50 mL), dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated to yield
crude aldehyde. Chromatography with 50% ethyl acetate/hexanes yielded
the desired purified aldehyde 11. Purified yields were typically 45%-75%.
The syntheses outlined in General Procedures E-G are illllstr~tPd in
FIG. 2 and depicts the syntheses of N-substituted amino acid aldehydes.

General Procedure E -- Synthesis of carbobenzyloxy (CBZ) protected
amino N,O-Dimethylhydroxyamides 12 (+50
mmol scale)
The N,O-dimethylhydroxyamides synthto~i7ed on a +50 mmol scale
were ~,~ared according to the following general procedure to provide for
the title compound. The CBZ protec~d amino acid 6 (50 mmol) was added
to a 2:1 methylene chloride/tetrahydlurul~ul solution (500 mL) and all was

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41

cooled to -20~C under an atmosphere of nillogen. N-methylpiperidine (52.5
mmol) was added followed by the dropwise addition of methylchlol~foll,late
(52.5 mmol). After 10 minutes, a solution of N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine
(75 mmol, fre~b~l with 75 mmol of N-methylpiperidine~ in methylene
5 chloride (50 mL) was added dropwise at a rate to m~int~in the internal
~Ill~ldture of the reaction at -20~C. After the addition was complete, the
reaction was allowed to warm to ambient IPIIIPe.,lillle and stirred for 3
hours. The reaction was washed with 0.2N HCl (3 X 125 mL), 0.2N
NaHCO3 (1 X 125 mL), water (1 X 125 mL), dried over MgSO4, filtered
10 and concentrated to yield the desired CBZ protected N,O-dimethyl-
hydroxylamide 12 (yields were typically 80%-90%). This m~t~ri~l was very
pure and was used without further purification.

~eneral Procedure F -- Synthesis of amino-N,O-Dimethylhy~l~.,A~mides 13
The removal of the CBZ protecting group was done on a 15 mmol
scale according to the following general procedure to provide for the title
compound. The CBZ ~ te~;led amino acid 12 (15 mmol) was su~pendçd in
ethanol (20 mL) in a parr bottle. To this was added 10 weight percent of
20 p~ m on activated carbon (10% palladium). This mixture was subjected
to 50 psi of hydrogen for 3 hours on a parr shaker. The solution was then
rlçg~, filtered through a pad of celite, then con~çntrated to afford the
desired the desired amino N,O-dimethylhydroxyamide 13 (yields were typically
~0-68%). This isolated m~t~ri~l was used without further pllrifit~ti~,m

General Procedure G -- Synthesis of amino s~ lell N,O-
Di[nethylhyd,~.A~mides 15
This coupling was done on a 2.6 mmol scale according to the
30 following general procedure to provide for the title cû.l.~ou--d. The
carboxylic acid 14 (2.9 mmoles) BOP Reagent (2.9 mmol) and 4-methyl
morpholine (10.4 mmol) were added to 35 mL of DMF and all was stirred
under an atmosphere of niLluge.l for 1 hour at ambient l~...pe,dLur~. At this

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42
time the N,O-dimethylhydroxylamide 9, (2.6 mmol) dissolved in methylene
chloride (5 mL) was added and all was stirred under nitrogen for 12 hours at
ambient L~,-,peldture. The reaction was poured into water (50 mL) then
PYtr~rted with ethyl acetate (3 X 50 mL). The organic layers were combined
and washed with saturated 0.2N aqueous HCl (2 X 100 mL), saturated
aqueous sodium bicarbonate (1 X 200 mL), and brine (1 X 200 mL). The
organic layer was dried using MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated to yield the
desired N-substituted N,O dimethylhydroxyamide 15. When nloces~ry, the
crude product was chromatographed using 50% ethyl acetate/he~nes.
Purified yields were typically 60%-90%.

General Procedure H -- Synthesis of amino cllhstitl~terl aldehydes 16
The reduction of the N,O-dimethylhydroxyamide was done on a 0.5
mmol scale according to the following general procedure to provide for the
title compound. N,O-Dimethylhydroxyamide 1~ (0.5 mmol) was suspended
in tetra-hydrofuran (30 mL) and cooled to 0~C under an atmosphere of
nitrogen. To this vigorously stirred solution, LAH (1.3 mmol) was added
portion wise over a 30 minute period. Diethyl ether (60 mL) was then added
followed by ice-cold 10% aqueous citric acid (80 mmol). After 30 minutes
of vigorous stirring the reaction mixture was extracted with diethyl ether (5
X 20 mL). The combined organic portions were washed with saturated
aqueous sodium bicarbonate (1 X 50 mL), water (1 X 50 mL), brine (1 X 50
mL), dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated to yield crude aldehyde.
Chlu,.,atography with 50% ethyl acetate/hPY~es yielded the desired purified
aldehyde 16. Purified yields were typically 31~o-65%.

General Procedure I -- Preparation of Di~7O'-Ptones
Dia_oketones were prepared according to the procedure set forth by
Green et al., J. Biol. Chem., "Peptidyl Diazomethyl Ketones are Specific
Inactivators of Thiol Proteinases", 256(4):1923-1928 (1981). Spe~ifi~lly,

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43
diazometh~nP was freshly plt;;palcd by the slow portion wise addition of 1-
methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosog~ni-line (17 mmol) into a solution of diethyl ether
(50 mL) that contains a 40% aqueous KOH (15 mL) at 5~C. After allowing
the solution to stand for 10 minuteS the diethyl ether was ~ nt~l off and
5 dried over KOH pellets. The pr~tecLed amino acid or dipeptide (5.0 mmol)
and N-methyl morpholine (5.0 mmol) were added to THF (25 mL) and all
was cooled to -10~C. Isobutylchlorofo,l"ate (5.0 mmol) was added dropwise
and the solution was stirred for an additional S minutes. The reaction was
filtered then added dropwise to the freshly prepared solution of diazomethane
10 (as abos~e). All were allowed to sit undisturbed for 1 hour at 0~C then
overnight at room Lcll~e-ature. The diethyl ether was washed with water (3
X 40 mL) then brine (40 mL), dried over MgSO4 and concentrated to yield
the desired diazoketone.- Yields were typically between 55-72%.

15 General Procedure J -- Preparation of AlcohoLc
C-terminal alcohols were prepared from the colles~onding C-terminal
aldehydes by conventional re~lctio~ with LAH. For ex~mplP, the aldehyde
is combined with LAH (about 4 equivalents) in THF at approximately 0~C.
20 Diethyl ether is then added followed by ice-cold 10% aqueous citric acid.
After 30 minutes of vigorous stirring the reaction mixture is extracted with
diethyl ether. The combined organic portions are washed with saturated
aqueous sodium bicarbonate, water, brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered, and
conce~.t~ ed to yield crude alcohol. Chrol-latography with 50% ethyl
25 acetate/hf y~nes yields the desired purified alcohol.

Gene~l Procedure K -- Preparation of Esters
C-lelll-inal esters were prepared from the colle~onding C-terminal
30 carboxyl groups via conventional esterific~ticn conditions.

~enP~l Procedure L -~ lion of Ami~Pc

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C-terminal amides were p~ dlc;d from the coll~onding C-terminal
carboxyl groups or C-terminal esters via conventional ~mi(l~tiQn conditions.
For example, the N-protected amino acid (20 mmol), BOP Reagent (30
mmol) and 4-methyl morpholine (100 mmol) are added to 100 mL of DMF
5 and all was stirred under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 1 hour at ambient
tell,pe~dtulc. At this time, 1 equivalent of amine (e.g., ethyl methylamine)
is added to the reaction mixture and stirred at ambient ~en~yeldture until
reaction completion (e.g., 12 hours).

10 Examples 1-80 -- Synthes~ of C o m pounds of For m ula I
Following General Procedures A-L, the Compounds 1-75 (Ex. 1-75)
as found in Table I below were yl~;yared. Additionally, Compounds 76-80
(Ex. 76-80) found in Table II were purchased from commercial vendors.

CA 02221684 1997-11-20
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Z ~ O

~_~ -- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


V
' ' ' ' ' V V
o 82 < O V
~, ~
O O C O C o -- -- o


X ~ ~ ~ U


~ ~ o o o o o 6 o o o o
y V, ~ V ~ V ~

~ -- o o C C o C o -- -- C
O ~ o o




SUBSTlllJTE SHEEl- (RUI F 26)

CA 022216X4 1997-11-20
W O 96/39194 PCTrUS96/06211
46

K O ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~-- X 0~ _ -- C~l ~1
-




~ 8 -- c ~


E J _ _ _ ' ' .l ' ' ' ' _


5 _ _ - 5 5 = _ _
O O O O O C -- O -- C O O O O
~ V C_) V C~ Z--V o ~ V ~) V V
~ _


q V q V ~ ~~-- -- V --~


S o _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _


~ - ~ U ~ - - - - = -
V -- V V ~ ~)V ~_) y V


O O O O O O OO O O O O
~,) V y ~_) V V ~ V ~V C_)

~: o _ _ _ _ o oo O O

X ~ O O O O . .~ ~ ~ O O


S ~ , ~C C -- .~ V V


SUBSTITU~E SHEET (Rl~E 26)

CA 02221684 1997-11-20
W O 96139194 PCT~US96/06211
47

C ~ ~r: ~ ~ ~ ~ C ~ ~ ~


X ~ - - ' ~ 2 ~ ~ ~ ' ~
._


._



U U C, Z O Z ~ ~ -- O o _ U _ =
C,) C,~ C") ~ y


~S~ S ~ V V V V q S S ~
V y Y

~-- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ o


~ U - U _ _ 5 = e u


~ ~ ~ ~
Y ~ o y y y V - y V

X O O O O O O O O O O




SUBSTITUTE SHEET ~R~H E 26)

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48


X o ~t V~ ~ ~ C
Z

A~


O ~ --

Z _~
Z _ _!r _ _ _ _ O
_ _ Z ~~ Z ~ O
~ ~ O ~ O ~ O O ~ O
y ~ ) y y' y




~ _ _ _ _ O O O ~ ~ ~




~_ ~ O O O O O O OO O

~ _ _ _ _ O -- O ~ ~ ~
X O O O O ~ O


C~ S -- -- S ~ S


SUE~STITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

CA 02221684 1997-ll-20
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49


~c o e~ x a~ O --


. 7 ' ~ ' 7 : 7


I ~ ~ 7


= _ _ S 5 S ~ 5
Z ;~ ~Z ;,) ~_; Z~ Z~ Z_~ Z~
O ' O ' O O O O


~ 3 ! 7~ 77 7 1 7
~,~

- O O -- -- o o O O O




:'~ ~ ~ ~ O O O O ~ O

~: O o -- _ o O O O O
X ' ' O O




SUBST~TlJTE SHFET ~RUl E 26~

CA 02221684 1997-ll-20
W 0 96/39194 PCTtUS96tO6211
, ~0


K O ~ ~ U~ '~


-- , t

.8 ~


~y o o o o -- o -- -- o C -- o
o C ~ ~ ~ ~


~ ~ , . j j . . i i


~ o o o o o oo o o


S ~, ~, q ~, " q ~ q~


o o o o 6 ~ o o
~ o y ~) y ~ y Y

~ o o o o o oo o o
X



U~ U
~U~IIIJlt~tt ~UL~g~.

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~ Z 'D

~.
_ ~ , 5
t ._

~ E _ ~ ~ ~ ' ~ ~ ~


~ = = _ =_'_ O _

~ _ _ _




o o o o o o o o


U U ~ ,c ~J ~ . -- U



~ ~ UU ~, U U V

~ ~ o o o o o o o o
X


~O U K K
X O~ X C~ ~ ~ ~ ;,~

CA 02221684 1997-11-20
WO 96/39194 PCT~US96/06211
52

X o C _
U~ Z t~

C , , -


o _l .



C~: ~ -- O O
o




~: o o o


S~4 --


o


~ O o o
X




SUBSr~TUTE SH~T ~

CA 02221684 1997-11-20
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53



T~


IIIL~ r~ 'c ~0.




C~N--P~ }Il' 1




7S

N ~



~ ~ ~ F 76


SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26~

CA 02221684 1997-11-20
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TARr.~ II ~n-.~;.,....l


C~ wu~i r~vlc No.


3--~ _;~ N ~ F

~ T7




0 ~LU rU_ F




~_oJJ~N~l~N~F 79


~0


0--O~N~N~F 80
o

CA 02221684 1997-11-20
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General Procedure J -- Cellullar Screen for the Detection of Inhibitors of
,B-Amyloid Pro~ ctiQr~
Compounds of this invention were assayed for their ability to inhibit
,~-amyloid production in a cell line poc~Pc~ing the Swedish mutation (293 751
SWE cells). This screening assay employed 293 751 SWE cells which were
derived from K293 cells (human kidney cell line) which were stably
transfected with the gene for amyloid pl~cul~or protein 751 (APP751)
con~ g the double mutation Lys65~Met652 to Asn65~Leu652 (APP751
numbering) in the manner describe~d by Sch~nk et al., Tnt~n~tinnal Patent
Application Publication No. 94/10569, nMethods and Compositions for the
Detection of Soluble ,~-Amyloid Peptide", published 11 May 1994 and Citron,
et al., Nature, ~:672-674 (1992) the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety. This mutation is commonly called the
Swedish mutation and the cells, deci~n~t~d as "293 751 SWE", were plated
in Corning 96-well plates at 1.5-2.5 x 104 cells per well in Dulbecco's
minim~l e~enti~l media plus 10% fetal bovine serum. Cell number is
illlp~ t in order to achieve ~-amyloid ELISA results within the linear
range of the assay (--0.2 to 2.5 ng per mL).
Following overnight incubation at 37~C in an incubator equilibrated
with 10% carbon dioxide, media were removed and replaced with 200 ~L of
a peptide, dipeptide or tripeptide described herein (drug) cont~ining media
per well for a two hour ~e~ rnt period and cells were incub~te~ as
above. Drug stocks were pr~,d in 100% dimethylsulfoxide such that at
the final drug conrentr~tion used in the tre~tmrnt, the concentration of
dimethylsulfoxide did not exceed 0.5% and, in fact, usually equaled 0.1%.
At the end of the prell~e~l~"rnt period, the media were again removed
and replaced with fresh drug cont~ining media as above and cells were
incub~led for an additional two hours. After tre~tmrnt~ plates were
~ 30 ce"t,iÇuged in a Reckm~n GPR centrigfuge at 1200 rpm for five minlltes at
room t~l"~; dture to pellet cellular debris from the cont1itiollpd media. From
each well, 100 ~L of conditioned media or ap~.~-iate dilutions thereof were

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56

transferred into an ELISA plate precoated with antibody 266 against amino
acids 13-28 of ,B-amyloid peptide as described by Schenk, et al. in
International Patent Application Publication No. 94/10569 supra. and stored
at 4~C overnight. An ELISA assay employing labelled antibody 6C6 against
5 amino acids 1-16 of ,B-amyloid peptide was run the next day to measure the
amount of ,B-amyloid peptide produced.
Cytotoxic effects of the cGIl~pounds were measured by a mo~lific~tion
of the method of Hansen, et al., J. Immun. Meth., 119:203-210 (1989)
which is incol~oldLed herein by reference in its entirety. To the cells
rçm~ining in the tissue culture plate was added 25 ~L of a 3,(4,5-
dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) stock solution
(S mg/mL) to a final concentration of 1 mg/mL. Cells were incub~ted at
37~C for one hour, and cellular activity was stopped by the addition of an
equal volume of MTT lysis buffer (20% w/v sodium dodecylsulfate in 50%
dimethylform~mide, pH 4.7). Complete extraction was achieved by
overnight ~h~king at room ~el~peldture. The difference in the OD562"", and
the OD65,h" was measured in a Molecular Device's UVnux microplate reader
as an indicator of the cellular viability.
The results of the ~-amyloid peptide ELISA were fit to a standard
curve and ~r.,i,sed as ng/mL ~-amyloid peptide. In order to normalize for
~;y~OtOAiCity~ these results were divided by the Ml~ results and e,~pr~ssed as
a percentage of the results from a drug free control. All results are the mean
and standard deviation of at least six replicate assays.
The test co---pounds were assayed for ~-amyloid peptide production
inhibition activity in cells using this assay. The results of this assay
demon~trate that, among others, the compounds of FY~mples 1-80 each were
able to reduce ,~-amyloid peptide production as colupared to control.
Moreover, these compounds did not have a ~ignifi~nt cytotoxic effect on the
293 751 S W E cells.
Thus, the colllpounds of this invention are useful for re~ucing

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,B-amyloid peptide production in cells and, accordingly, would be useful in
treating humans in vivo for AD.

Summary of CaLh~in Y (31kD) Purification and Characterization
The strong inhibition of ,~AP release observed with the peptide (and
non-peptide) aldehydes suggested the existence of a specific protease which is
the ~arget for these inhibitors. In order to isolate such an enzyme, an affinitymatrix was constructed using a modified version of the prototype aldehyde
inhibitor. The col..poulld NH2-Val-Phe-semicarbazone was synthPci~P~A, then
coupled to an epoxy Sepharose'lD matrix as described below, following which
the semic~rbazone functionality was chemi~lly converted to the aldehyde.
The binding of an active protease to the aldehyde column involves the
equilibrium formation of a reversible covalent bond, between the active site
cysteine residue of the protease with the aldehyde or other equivalent
functionality. Elution of the protease in this case was achieved by using
DPDS, which forms a ~ fide linkage with the active site cysteine, and thus
displaces the enzyme from the column. Recovery of enzymatic activity
following elution is achieved by inrub~ting in an excess of redu~ing agents
such as ,~-mercaptoeth~nol or dithiothreitol.
The i(l~ntific~tion of ~hepsin Y was f~cilit~tPcl by the serendipitous
observation that a polyclonal antibody to human Cathepsin B ("anti-cat B")
recognized an a~ro,~imately 31 kD band as the most strongly reactive band
recognized on a Western blot of fractions eluted from the aldehyde affinity
matrix. Figures 3A - 3C show a typical pllrific~tion profile, analyzed by
both Western blotting with the anti-cat B as well as protein st~ining of the
purified fractions. The Western blot of fractions from the affinity matrix
(FIG. 3A) shows that the anti-cat B antibody reacts strongly with three major
bands in the soluble cell extract ("load"), of which the middle band
(a~r~kimately 31 kD),binds most strongly to the matrix, being e~Pnti~lly
yu~ ely ~eplP-teA in the flow through ("FT"). Elution with the DPDS
results in the recovery of both the 31 ldD band as well as the partly bound

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lower MW (cellular Cathepsin B). The 31 kD band is then purified away
from the cont~min~fing Cathepsin B using a concanavalin A column, which
results in the selective binding and subsequent elution of the 31 kD protein
band (FIG. 3B). Analysis of the fractions eluted from the concanavalin A
column by Coomassie blue revealed a single protein band co-migrating
exactly with the Western blot reactivity (FIG. 3C).

Preparation of ValPhe-aldehyde affinity matrix
3.2 gm of Epoxy Sepharosea9 (Pharmacia) was swelled in 50 mL of
reagent grade ~lictille~ water (RGW) for at least 20 minutes at room
~"")eldture, and washed on a coarse Buchner filter funnel with one liter of
RGW. At no stage in any of the washes was the resin cake allowed to go to
complete dryness. 4.2 mL of 0.2 M sodium borate, pH 9.5, was added to
1.05 mL of 25 mg/mL valylphenylalanylcPnni~.lJazol-e (ValPheSC), and the
washed Epoxy Se~harose was added to the resulting solution. The
snsp~ncion was inc~b~tP~I with rotation at 37 C for 24-26 hours. The
Se~ha~.se was se~limPnted by centrifugation at 550 rpm in a GSR rotor for 5
.-.;.-.,l~s, then resuspended in 40 mL of 1.0 M ethanolamine, pH 8.2, and
inl~u~tPIl as before overnight (16-18 hours). The coupled Sepharose
(ValPheSC-S~hal~,se) was washed on a coarse RuchnPr filter funnel with
350 mL of 33% DMSO, then with 350 mL of RGW. The semicarbazone
was converted to the colle~ol~ding aldehyde by incub~tion in 80 mL of
meth~nol:acetic acid:formaldehyde (5:1:1) at room te"lpc;ldture, with
rotation, overnight. The S~haluse was sçAimPntçd by centrifugation as
above, and incubated with fresh meth~nol:acetic acid:formaldehyde as above,
for 10 hours. The ValPhe-Sepharose was washed as above with 600 mL of
RGW, and stored at 4 C as a 50% slurr,v in 0.05% sodium azide.

Pl~a,alion of Cathel; sin Y
All operations, unless noted, were pe,~l,lled at 4 C or on ice.
Frozen, pelleted wild-type derived 293 cells were thawed and rçsn~pPn-lP~ in

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~ 59
S volumes of MES buffer (20 mM MES, 2 mM EDTA, 0.1% Brij 35, pH
6.0). The sUsp~rtcinn was homogenized for 30 secondc using either a
Brinkm~n PT 1200 or a Tissue Tearor 985-370. The homogenate was
cenll;ruged at 15,000 rpm (31,000 x g) for 20 minutes. The supernate was
collected, received 5 mM DTT, and was applied to a ValPhe column
cont~ining the ValPhe aldehyde prepared as above. The column was pre-
equilibrated with MES buffer cont~inin~ 0.1 M NaCl. Typically, 20 mL of
293 cell ~upc. IlAtf' was applied to a 1.0 mL column, although over 60 mL of
le per mL of column can be applied without saturation of the column.
The column was washed with one bed volume of 0.1 M NaCl in MES
buffer, then with 10 bed volumes of 0.2 mL NaCl in MES buffer, followed
by 10 more bed volumes of O. l M NaCl-MES buffer. The column received
0.75 volumes of 2 mM dipyridyl-licl~lfide (DPDS) in 20 mM sodium acetate,
pH 4.5, and was plugged and stored overnight. The column then received
1.25 volumes of the DPDS solution; the fraction collected at this point
contained the bulk of the eluted C~th~.cin Y and B. The column was eluted
with at least 3 more volumes of DPDS solution, followed by 5 volumes of 6
M urea. Fractions of one column volume were collected.
The peak of the DPDS eluted mattori~l received 0.1 M NaCl, 1 mM
MnCl2, and 1 mM CaCl2, and was applied to a 1.0 mL column of
~onc~n~valin A-agarose equilibrated with wash buffer (0.1 M NaCl, 50 mM
MES, 1 mM MnCl2, 1 mM CaCl2, pH 6.0). After the starting m~teri~1 had
been applied, the column was washed with 5 mL of wash buffer, followed
by 1 mL of 0.1 M m~nnose in the same buffer; this was the first eluted
fraction (El). Bound m~t~ l was eluted with 0.5 M a-methyl
mann~yld"oside in wash buffer, in portions of 0.8 mL (E2), 1.2 mL (E3),
and 4-5 portions of 1.0 mL (E4-E9). Cathepsin Y was eluted as a broad
peak bt;lw~n 0.8 and 6 mL of elution buffer.

r~.7~",~lic Activity

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Purified 31 kD protease (Cathepsin Y) was without effect on various
APP prep~r~tions, including purified recombinant APP constructs as well as
membrane-bound full-length APP. No ~i~nific~nt activity was seen also with
known synthetic substrates commonly used for assaying Cathepsin B, L or S.
5 These results suggested that Cathepsin Y does not have the standard
endopeptidic activity associated with such proteases. In an effort to identify
whether the enzyme has other proteolytic activity, a number of randomly
st~lect~ synthetic oligopeptides were inC~lb~t~3 with purified ~th~in Y at
pH 5.5 or 4.5. Specifically, purified Cathepsin Y was incu~t~d with the
s~lected synthetic oligopeptides (50 ~g/mL) at either pH 4.5 or pH 5.5, for 1
hour at 37~C. Samples were quenched by the addition of trifluoroacetic acid
to 1% final concentration, then analyzed by reverse phase HPLC on a Vydac
C18 column, using a gradient of increasing acetonitrile in 0.1%
trifluoroacetic acid. Individual pt~ks (parent and new product(s)) were
15 collected, then analyzed by acid hydrolysis folowed by amino-acid analysis.
The results are sl~mm~ri7~1 below:
Parent Sequence Product(s)
LFYDQSPTATI (SEQ ID NO:5) LFYDQSPTAT (aa 1-10 of SEQ ID NO:5)
LFYDQSPTA (aa 1-9 of SEQ ID NO:5)
LFYDQSPT (aa 1-8 of SEQ ID NO:5)
YKRDMVGGWIA YKRDMVGGVVI (aa 1-11 of SEQ ID
(SEQ ID NO:6) NO:6)
YKRDMVGGVV (aa 1-10 of SEQ ID
NO:6)
EGYYGNYGV (amino acids 1-9 EGYYGNYGV (aa 1-9 of SEQ ID
of SEQ ID NO: 7) NO:7)
EGYYGNYGVYA EGYYGNYGVY (aa 1-10 of SEQ ID
(SEQ IDNO:7) NO:7)
EGYYGNYGV (aa 1-9 of SEQ ID NO:7)
FFDEPNPGVTIY (SEQ ID NO:8) FFDEPNPGVT (aa 1-10 of SEQ ID NO:8)


-
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[The above peptides, as well as other peptides recited herein, are listed,
per convention, from amino terminus to the carboxyl terminus.]

The results from a number of such experim~-nt~ (all not shown) suggest
that the only proteolytic activity of Cathepsin Y is a sequential removal of thecarboxy t~ ,inal amino-acids which is direct evidence for carboxypeptidase
activity. No evidence of any endopeptidase or aminopeptidase activity was seen
with any of these substrates. These data strongly suggest that the predolllinantproteolytic activity manifested by Cathepsin Y is carboxypeptidase activity.
The quantitative analysis of carboxypeptidase activity of Cathepsin Y is
based on the ~l~tçctinn of the new free amino-terminus generated on cleavage of a
s~lPctçd substrate. This is accomplished by reacting with the reagent o-
ph~h~ ehyde in an ~lk~line solution in the presence of 2-me,~loell.~llol
~Simons, et al., JACS, 98:7098-7099, (1976)). The peptide, EGYYGNYGV (aa
1-9 of SEQ ID NO:7), was synthe~i7çd acetylated on its amino-terminus so that
on cleavage by C~thepsin Y, the only free amino-terminus will be present in the
reaction mixture will be that of ~he valine residue, cleaved off by the
carboxy~tidase activity of the protease.
A standard curve was constructed by incub~ting varying concPntr~tions of
valine (0-20 ~M) in 0.25 M sodium borate, pH 10, cont~ining 0.05% 2-
r~p~oeth~nol and 60 ,ug/mL o-phth~ çhyde~ in individual wells of a 96 well
microtiter plate. The res~ltin~ fluorescçnre is read in a plate reading Cytofluor
(ex 340, em 460 nm). There is a linear increase in the signal pl~o-lional to theamount of free valine present (FIG. 7).
In order to determine the pH optimum of the enzyme, reaction mixtures
were set up with enzyme and substrate (0.2 mg/mL) in a total reaction volume of
0.1 mL) in individual wells of 96-well microtiter plates, in 20 mM sodium
acetate buffers at different pHs, with 0.1 % 2-mercaptoethanol present. Control
wells were set iclçntit~.~lly except for the presence of enzyme. At various time-
points after il~cub~;on at room le~ tlJre~ the reactions were quçnched by the
ad~li*~n of an equal volume of 0.45 M sodium borate, pH 10, with 0.25 mg/mL
-

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62
o-phth~ dehyde~ and the fluorçscçnce measured. In the absence of added
enzyme, no m~cllr~hle fluorescçnce is gen~-~ted above background, even with
extended incubations. In the presence of enzyme, there is a time-dependent
increase in fluorçscçnce. Based on this analysis, the pH optimum for
5 carboxypeptidase activity was determined to be about 4.5, with the activity
dropping off at both lower and higher pHs.
Using this assay at pH 4.5, the ability of a number of compounds to
inhibit the activity of Cathepsin Y was tested, by adding the desired concentration
of the inhibitor in the incubation mixture along with enzyme and substrate, and
10 m~o~cllring the decrease in fluorescence (if any) relative to enzyme control. Each
of the compounds of Examples 3, 4, 7, 15, 24, 45, 47, 59, 64 and 75 tested in
this analysis indicated inhibition of Cathepsin Y activity.

Protein Sequence Analysis
Direct sequencing of the 31 kD protein band following electroblotting
onto PVDF membranes revealed the following sequence (SEQ ID No. 4):
(S) L P K S W (G,D) (N,V) R N V D G (V,N) N Y A S I (R,T)
}2ecidues in parenthesPs are uncertain amino acid ~ccignm~ntc. However,
this limited amino-terminal sequence information showed clear homology to a
20 known cysteine protease, rat C~thPpsin C, which suggested that this new enzyme
may belong to the papain superfamily of cysteine proteases, which also includes
the c~thepsinc B, L and S. Therefore, degenerate oligonucleotide primers were
decign~d using known conserved sequences in the cysteine proteases and from the
newly discovered amino-terminal sequence, in order to use PCR to clone out the
25 new enzyme.

Cathepsin Y Cloning
To obtain an initial DNA clone of this protease, degenerate PCR was
pt roll-.ed using degenerate oligonucleotides encoding the amino acids of this
30 newly discovered amino-terminal sequence and en~ in~ oligonu~leQtide
sequences conserved in the cystein proteases of the papain family. cDNA was

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63
made from RNA of human HS683 (human glioma cell line: ATCC #HTB138)
cells using the Perkin Elmer GeneAmp RNA PCR kit as described by the
~ manufacturer and denatured in a boiling water bath. The PCR reaction contained
1 ~g of poly A+ RNA, lx Perkins-Elmer-Cetus PCR buffer 1, 25 pM of each of
oligonucleotides "Acys5" and "I Mer5"
Acys5 (SEQ ID NO:9) =
TG.TAC.CCG.GGC.(AGC)(TC)A.(AG)CA.IGA.(AT)CC.G
çnco~ing amino acids CGSC(YW) (SEQ ID NO: 10)
I Mer5 (SEQ ID NO: 11) =
C.GTA.GGA.TCC.CTI.CCX.AA(GA).AGC.TGG
encoding amino acids (S)LPKSW (SEQ ID NO:12)
50 ~M each dNTP, and 0.5 units Taq polymerase in the 25 ~L total volume.
The PCR reaction was subjected to 30 cycles each con~i~tin~ of 95~C for 45
seconds, 45~C for 1.5 minutes, a slow 1 minute rise in le~ dl~lre up to 70~C,
and 70~C for 30 seconds followed by 8 minutes at 72~C. Acrylamide gel
electrophoresis displayed multiple PCR products so the entire PCR redction was
subcloned and mllltiple clones sequenced. One out of 82 clones eY~minPA,
hCatZ.82 (nucleotides 299-366 of SEQ ID NO:2) enco~lecl the amino acids of this
newly discovered amino-terminal sequence.
A larger DNA clone of C~th~psin Y was obtained by degenerate PCR
using sequence from hCatZ.82 (nucleoti~es 299-366 of SEQ ID NO:2) and
conserved sequences of the cystein proteases of the papain family. PCR
oligonucleotides used were
1683 (nucleotides 298-319 of SEQ ID NO:2) =
5' . .TGG.GAC.TGG.CGC.AAT.GTG.GAT.G. . .3' and
L~#4 (also called Bcys2) (SEQ ID NO:13) =
5'. .GAC.TGA.ATT.CTT.NAC.NAG.CCA.GTA. . .3'.
The con-iition~ for cDNA synthesis and PCR were as described above except that
the ~nn~lin,~ e-~dture was increased to 50~C and the 70~C ~Yt~n~ion
incllb~tis~n was for 45 secQrl~1s The PCR reaction yielded a single 528 bp band

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64
which was subcloned and sequenced, and the sequence of the resl-lting clone
(CatZ(+)3) (nucleotides 299-867 of SEQ ID NO:2) is in~ic~t~d in FIG. 4.
To obtain further 5' sequence, PCR reactions were performed on phage
from a HeLa cell cDNA library (in lambda zap 2 vector from Stratagene). 5 ~L
5 of phage at lx101~ phage/mL were boiled for 2 ...in-~les and placed on ice. Hot
Start PCR was ~lrolllled according to the manufacturer (Perkin Elmer/Cetus )
using oligonucleotide
RACE31-NC (SEQ ID NO:20) = CAG GAG GGT GGA GGG CCA CGC TCC
CT
10 and an oligonucleotide corresponding to the lambda vector (788-1)
788-1 (SEQ ID NO: 14) = GGAAACAGCTATGACCATGAT
under the following conditions; 50 pM RACE31-NC oligonucleotide (SEQ ID
NO:20), 25 pM of 788-1 oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:14), lx PCR buffer II,
100 ~M dNTPs, 2.5 mM MgCl2, and 1.25 units of Taq polymerase in a reaction
volume of 50 ~LL. The reaction was heated to 80~C for 10 minutes and then
subjected to 30 cycles of 94~C for 1 minute, 55~C for 45 seconds, a 1 minute
ramp up to 72~C and 1 minute at 72~C, followed by a final single extension at
72~C for 8 minlltes A second nested Hot Start PCR reaction was done under
the same con-~ition~ on 1 ~L of the PCR products using 25 pM of an
20 oligonucleotide col,cs~onding to the lambda vector (872)
872 (SEQ ID NO:15) = CCC.TCA.CTA.AAG.GGA.ACA
and 50 pM oligonucleotide NestR31-nc (reverse complement of nucleotides 385-
411 of SEQ ID NO:2)). Southern analysis on the PCR products with
oligonucleotide 1705 (nucleotides 301-366 of SEQ ID NO:2) as a probe displayed
25 reactive products and PCR products of the a~lup~iate size. These were
subcloned and clones containing a diagnostic ApaI site (shown at nucleotides 380-
385 of SEQ ID NO:2) of FIG. 4 were sequenced and the sequence of clone cat Y
P3-25 (nucleotides 202-411 of SEQ ID NO:2) is shown on FIG. 4.
In order to obtain additional 3' and 5' sequence of this clone, 3' and 5'
30 RACE PCR techniques were used (Frohman et al., (1988), PNAS USA
85:8998-9002.)

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For 3' RACE reactions cDNA was synthçci7Fd from polyA+ RNA from
human HS683 cells (Frohman et al., (1988) PNAS USA 85:8998-9002) using the
cDNA synthesis conditions in Clontech 5'AmpliFINDER ~RACE kit protocol
with the following mo-lifica~ions: 2 ~g of RNA was used in 100 ~L volume and
S the adaptor primer described below was used to prime synthesis. The adapter
primers were a mo-~ific~tion of that described by Frohman, et.al., (1988), PNAS
USA 85:8998-9002.
dTI7 + adapter for first strand synthesis:
primer - 1576 (Sl~Q ID NO: 16) =
5'-GGA CTC GAG TCG ACT CTA GAG CGT 1~ ~T Tl~
TIT TTT TT-3'

Adapter (XhoI-SalI-XbaI):
primer -1577 (SEQ ID NO:17) =
5'-GAC TCG AGT CGA CTC TAG AGC GT -3'

Hot Start PCR was performed using the adapter primer 1577 and intern~
primer Nestr31-c (FIG. 4) (nucleotides 343-366 of SEQ ID NO:2) at an
~nnP~ling tenlpFidture of 55~C. Hot Start conditions were mor1ifi~tions of
Perkin-Elmer AmpliWax~ protocol. Final concçnt~tions of all reagents, after
combining both layers: Lower mix is 1.25X PCR buffer (lOX PCR buffer II
rPerldn Elmer Cetus, Norwalk, Cl~ is 500 mM KCl, 100 mM Tris-HCl pH8.3),
2 mM MgCl2 (Perkin Elmer Cetus), 200 ~LM dNTP (Perkin Elmer Cetus), 1 ~M
each primer in total volume of 12.5 ~LL. Upper mix is 1.25X PCR buffer, 1.25U
AmpliTaq0 DNA Polymerase (Perlcin Elmer Cetus), 1 ,uL template DNA in 37.5
~L total volume. Ampliwax'U PCR Gem 50 (Perkin Elmer Cetus) is addcd to the
lower mix which is brought to 80~C for S ,llir,~ ,s, then held at 25~C until theaddition of the upper mix. PCR conditions included initial d~n~t~ tion at 95~C
~ for 2 ~ s followed by 30 cycles of 94~C for 45 seconds, 55~C for 45
sFxonds, 72~C for 2 I"il~lulFs, and then a final single extension at 72~C for 8
Illillul~S.

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Southern blot analysis of RACE reactions using radiolabelled
oligonucleotide 1758 (nucleotides 553-577 of SEQ ID NO:2) (FIG. 4) as probe
showed bands at approximately 800 and 1100 bp. These bands were gel-isolated
and cloned into pT7Blue (Novagen, La Jolla, CA). Novablue cells (Novagen,
5 I~Jolla, CA) were transformed and colonies positive for Cathepsin Y sequence
by PCR analysis were sequenced. The larger fragment proved to contadin the
stop codon and polyA tail, and its sequence is shown on FIG. 4 (in~ t~l in
Figure 4 by "3'RACE") (nucleotides 343 to 1558 of SEQ ID NO:2).
All 5'RACE reactions were done from S'RACE-ReadyTM human liver
10 cDNA (Clontech). The cDNA is generated by random-priming and is provided
with an anchor sequence ligated to the amino terminus.

CLONTECH Anchor region (SEQ ID NO: 18):
3 ' -NH3-GGAGACTTCCAAGGTCTTAGCTATCACTTAAGCAC-P-5 '
Anchor primers:
pnmer - 1821 (SEQ ID NO:l9) =
5 '-CTGGTTCGGCCCACCTCTGAAGGTTCCAGAATCGATAG-3 '

primer - 1823 (nucleotides 14-38 of SEQ ID NO: 19) =
5 ' - CCTCTGAAGGTTCCAGAATCGATAG-3 '

To obtain a clone encoding region 1 (FIG. 4) (nucleotides 175-411 of
SEQ ID NO:2), PCR was done under the above Hot Start conditions with
oligonucleotides NestR31-nc (FIG. 4) (reverse complement of nucleotides
385-411 of SEQ ID NO:2) to 1821 (SEQ ID NO:19) using 65~C ,tnne~ling
p~ e. PCR conditions inçluded initial denaluldlion at 94~C for 2
...;t.l~f s; then 35 cycles of 94~C for 45 seconds, 60~C for 45 seconds, 72~C
for 2 .--;nl~f~ S and then a final extension at 72~C for 8 ...in~ 5,
A Southern blot was probed with 32P-kinased oligonucleotide 1810
(FIG. 4). DNA of cul-esponding size was gel-i~ol,tt~d and cloned directly

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67
into pT7Blue. Novablue cells (Novagen, LaJolla, CA) were transformed and
colonies positive for Cathepsin Y sequence by PCR analysis with the largest
inserts were sequçnce~l One clone of 63 screened contained the sequence
idPntifi~l as region 1 (nucleotides 175-411 of SEQ ID NO:2).
To obtain a clone encoding region 2 (nucleotides 133-270 of SEQ ID
NO:2), primary PCR was done using the above Hot Start conditions (with
the subsitution of 7-deaza-GTP:GTP at a ratio of 3: 1 instead of standard
GTP in the dNTP mix) with oligonucleotides 1685 (FIG. 4) (nucleotides 316-
348 of SEQ ID NO:2) and 1821 (SEQ ID NO:l9), annealing at 60~C. PCR
conditions included initial denaturation at 95~C for 2 minutes, followed by
35 cycles of 95~C for 45 seconds, 60~C for 45 seconds, 72~C for 1.5
minutes, and then a single final extension at 72~C for 8 minlltçs PCR
products run on a 2% agarose gel showed a smear of DNA. DNA greater
than 200 bp in size was isolated and purified using GenecleanTM (Bio 101,
Madison, WI). This DNA was used as a template for nested PCR using
oligonucleotides 1810 (FIG. 4) (nucleotides 243-270 of SEQ ID NO:2) and
:L823 (nucleotides 14-38 of SEQ ID NO: 19) under the above Hot Start
conditons with the addition of 1 ,uL of single-strand binding protein (USB) in
the lower layer along with the template DNA and Hot Start ~ ature of
5~5~C rather than 80~C. The primers were added to the upper mix, and PCR
proceeded with ~nnP~ling a~ 60~C. A Southern blot of the PCR product was
probed with 32P-kin~cPd oligonucleotide 1846 (FIG. 4) (nucleotides 175-204
of SEQ ID NO:2) and a~r~liate sized DNA was isolated from the gel,
l;gated into pT7Blue, and transformed into SURE cells (Stratagene, La Jolla
CA). 7 colonies were positive for C~th~E?sin Y sequence by PCR analysis
out of 27 screened. The one clone sequenced contained the sequence
idçntifi~d as region 2 (~IG. 4) (nucleotides 133-270 of SEQ ID NO:2).
To obtain a clone encoding region 3, primary PCR was done and
~ >lale for secondary PCR was ~f~aled as for region 2 (nucleotides 133-
270 of SEQ ID NO.2), but using oligonucleotide NestR31-nc (FIG. 4)
(reverse complement of nucleotides 385-411 of SEQ ID NO:2) instead of

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68
1685 (nucleotides 316-348 of SEQ ID NO:2). Secondary PCR was done
using oligon-lcle~tides Kyl (FIG. 4) (nucleotides 140-159 of SEQ ID NO:2)
and 1823 (nucleotides 14-38 of SEQ ID NO: 19) under standard Hot Start
conditions but with the addition of 1 ~LL of single-strand binding protein in
S the lower layer along with the DNA template, then a Hot Start temperature
of 100~C for one minute. Deep Vent DNA Polymerase (NEB) was used for
PCR which allowed denaturation at 100~C, instead of 94-95~C. For Vent
PCR, Perkin-Elmer PCR buffer and MgCl2 were replaced by NEB 10X Vent
polymerase buffer (100 mM KCl, 200 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.8, 100 mM
NH,]2SO4, 20 mM MgS04, 1.0% Triton X100) at the a~p.opliate
concentrations. Deep VentR'19 DNA Polymerase (NEB) was used at 2U per
50 ~L reaction. ~nn~ling was done at 60~C. The PCR product was blunt
ended with Klenow, digested with EcoRI and gel purified. Fr~gml~.nt~ of
100-150 bp and 150-200 bp were isolated separately and ligated into
15 ~QRI/E~cQRV digested pBR322. SURE cells were then transformed and
colonies positive for Cathepsin Y sequence by PCR analysis with the largest
inserts were sequenced yielding clones cont~ining the sequence in-lic~ted as
region 3 in FIG. 4 (nucleotides 0-159 of SEQ ID NO:2).
Northern analysis under stringent conditions show that in various
20 tissue and cell sources a single sized mRNA species of approximately 1600
bp encodes Cathepsin Y. Thus even though some sequences in FIG. 4 are
from differing sources (Hs683 and liver) it is thought that the sequence of
C~thtop~in Y is not cignific~ntly dirr~,ent among those sources. The above
techniques have been used to identify additional independçntly derived clones
25 from various sources that verify the validity and contiguity of the sequence
shown in FIG. 4. The size encoded by the sequence in FIG. 4 is s~-fficient
to encode the entire mRNA, and the open reading frame in-lic~t~l starts with
a signal peptide as would be expected for a cystein protease of the papain
family. This intlic~t~s that this is the entire encoding region of C~thep~in y.
- Cathepsin Y Expression

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69
The BamHI fragment cont~ining the entire coding region of the
hep~in Y was blunt ended and cloned into the vector poCK751 cut with
~I and ~peI (blunt ended) (FIG. 5) so that the ,BAPP sequences were
removed and repl~r-e~l with those of Cathepsin Y to form the plasmid poCK
5 catY (FIG. 6).
Transfection of this resu1ting plasmid using the Boheringer ~nnh,o.im
DOTAP transfection kit into human 293 kidney cells resulted in the
e~ion of active C~thepsin Y protein. This intli~tPs that this clone
encodes the entire coding region of C~thepsin Y, and that active Cathepsin Y
10 protein can be generated from this clone.
Varying amounts of Cathepsin Y cDNA in the poCK expression
vector were transfected transiently into 293 cells, in 6 well plates.
Transfection was carried out using DOTAP (Boehringer l~nnheim), using
protocols suggested by the manufacturer. 48-72 hours following
t:r~n.cfiection, the cells were washed with cold PBS, then lysed in 1 mL of 20
mM MES, pH 6, 0.1% Brij-35, 2 mM EDTA. l0 ~L aliquots of the lysate
(following centrifugation to remove cell debris) were electrophoresed using
SDS-PAGE, followed by transfer of the proteins onto a PVDF membrane.
The membrane was probed with the anti-cathepsin B antibody for Western
20 blot analysis. A dose-dependent increase in the ~31 kDa immunoreactive
Cathepsin Y band was seen as a result of transient e,~lc;ssion of the
Cathepsin Y cDNA.
300 ~LL of the lysates were then absorbed with 20 ~L of the Val-
Phe-aldehyde affinity matrix. This resulted in complete loss of the--31
25 kDa immunoreactive ~thçp~in Y band from the cleared lysates, in~lic~tin~
that the o~,e.c~ ssed protein is active and compet~nt to bind to the inhibitor
affinity matrix. Elution of the matrix with DPDS showed that there was a
I~NA dose-depçndçnt increase in C~thçpsin Y carboxypeptidase activity in
the transfection studies. The increase in e*~,es~ion directly correlated with
30 the arnount of cDNA transfected into the cells.

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These data confirm that w~lession of the cDNA clone for Cathepsin
Y results in overt:A~lession of enzym~ti~lly active Cathepsin Y, migrating
on SDS-PAGE at ~ 31 kDa, and able to bind and elute from the inhibitor
affinity matrix.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail for
~ul~oses of clarity of underst~n~ling, it will be obvious that certain
modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

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Administrative Status

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Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(86) PCT Filing Date 1996-04-26
(87) PCT Publication Date 1996-12-12
(85) National Entry 1997-11-20
Dead Application 2004-04-26

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2003-04-28 FAILURE TO REQUEST EXAMINATION
2003-04-28 FAILURE TO PAY APPLICATION MAINTENANCE FEE

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $300.00 1997-11-20
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 1998-04-27 $100.00 1998-04-20
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 1998-06-08
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 1998-06-08
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 1999-04-26 $100.00 1999-04-19
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2000-04-26 $100.00 2000-04-26
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2001-04-26 $150.00 2001-04-06
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2002-04-26 $150.00 2002-04-26
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
ATHENA NEUROSCIENCES, INC.
Past Owners on Record
ANDERSON, JOHN
CHRYSLER, SUSANNA
MCCONLOGUE, LISA
SEMKO, CHRISTOPHER M. F.
SINHA, SUKANTO
TATSUNO, GWEN
TUNG, JAY S.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Description 1997-11-20 70 2,811
Claims 1997-11-20 10 235
Drawings 1997-11-20 10 210
Cover Page 1998-02-27 1 46
Abstract 1997-11-20 1 45
Fees 1998-04-20 1 43
Assignment 1997-11-20 3 121
PCT 1997-11-20 11 461
Correspondence 1998-02-17 1 33
Assignment 1998-06-08 8 405
Correspondence 2000-11-01 2 67
Correspondence 2000-11-28 1 1
Correspondence 2000-11-28 1 2
Fees 2001-04-06 1 32
Fees 2000-04-26 1 36
Fees 2002-04-26 1 31
Fees 1999-04-19 1 35