Synthesis of (+/-)-madindolines and chemical models. Studies of chemical reactivity.

[reaction: see text] The madindolines are believed to inhibit cytokine signaling through the gp130 receptor. Model compounds of madindolines were synthesized and tested for thiol reactivity. The heterocyclic moiety of madindoline was shown to form thiol adducts via the Savige-Fontana reaction. The enedione moiety was found to be unreactive toward simple thiols unless the quaternary center was removed. Using the powerful Moore reaction, we have synthesized (+/-)-madindoline A and B in 11 steps.