Patent Publication Number: US-7223745-B2

Title: Proteasome inhibitors and methods of using the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/495,364, filed Aug. 14, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to boronic acid and boronic ester compounds useful as proteasome inhibitors and modulation of apoptosis. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The proteasome, (also refered to as multicatalytic protease (MCP), multicatalytic proteinase, multicatalytic proteinase complex, multicatalytic endopeptidase complex, 20S, 26S, or ingensin) is a large, multiprotein complex present in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of all eukaryotic cells. It is a highly conserved cellular structure that is responsible for the ATP-dependent proteolysis of most cellular proteins (Tanaka,  Biochem Biophy. Res. Commun.,  1998, 247, 537). The 26S proteasome consists of a 20S core catalytic complex that is capped at each end by a 19S regulatory subunit. The archaebacterial 20S proteasome contains fourteen copies of two distinct types of subunits, α and β, which form a cylindrical structure consisting of four stacked rings. The top and bottom rings contain seven α-subunits each, while the inner rings contain seven β-subunits. The more complex eukaryotic 20S proteasome is composed of about 15 distinct 20–30 kDa subunits and is characterized by three major activities with respect to peptide substrates. For example, the proteasome displays tryptic-, chymotryptic-, and peptidylglutamyl peptide-hydrolytic activities (Rivett,  Biochem. J.,  1993, 291, 1 and Orlowski,  Biochemisty,  1990, 29, 10289). Further, the proteasome has a unique active site mechanism which is believed to utilize a threonine residue as the catalytic nucleophile (Seemuller, et al.,  Science,  1995, 268, 579). 
     The 26S proteasome is able to degrade proteins that have been marked by the addition of ubiquitin molecules. Typically, ubiquitin is attached to the ε-amino groups of lysines in a multistep process utilizing ATP and E1 (ubiquitin activating) and E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating) enzymes. Multi-ubiquitinated substrate proteins are recognized by the 26S proteasome and are degraded. The multi-ubiquitin chains are generally released from the complex and ubiquitin is recycled (Goldberg, et al.,  Nature,  1992, 357, 375). 
     Numerous regulatory proteins are substrates for ubiquitin dependent proteolysis. Many of these proteins function as regulators of physiological as well as pathophysiological cellular processes. Alterations in proteasome activity have been implicated in a number of pathologies including neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson&#39;s disease, Alzheimer&#39;s disease, as well as occlusion/ischaemia reperfusion injuries, and aging of the central nervous system. 
     The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway also plays a role in neoplastic growth. The regulated degradation of proteins such as cyclins, CDK2 inhibitors, and tumor suppressors is believed to be important in cell cycle progression and mitosis. A known substrate of the proteasome is the tumor suppressor p53 which is involved in several cellular processes (see, e.g., Ko, L.  J. Genes Dev.,  1996, 10, 1054). Tumor suppressor p53 has been shown to induce apoptosis in several haematopoietic cell lines (Oren, M.,  Semin. Cancer Biol.,  1994, 5, 221). Induction of p53 leads to cell growth arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle as well as cell death by apoptosis. Tumor suppressor p53 degradation is known to be carried out via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and disrupting p53 degradation by inhibition of the proteasome is a possible mode of inducing apoptosis. 
     The proteasome is also required for activation of the transcription factor NF-κB by degradation of its inhibitory protein, IκB (Palombella, et al.,  Cell,  1994, 78, 773). NF-κB has a role in maintaining cell viability through the transcription of inhibitors of apoptosis. Blockade of NF-κB activity has been demonstrated to make cells more susceptible to apoptosis. 
     Several inhibitors of the proteolytic activity of the proteasome have been reported. See, for example, Kisselev, et al.,  Chemistry  &amp;  Biology,  2001, 8, 739. Lactacystin is a  Streptomyces  metabolite that specifically inhibits the proteolytic activity of the proteasome complex (Fenteany, et al.,  Science,  1995, 268, 726). This molecule is capable of inhibiting the proliferation of several cell types (Fenteany, et al.,  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,  1994, 91, 3358). It has been shown that lactacystin binds irreversibly, through its β-lactone moiety, to a threonine residue located at the amino terminus of the β-subunit of the proteasome. 
     Peptide aldehydes have been reported to inhibit the chymotrypsin-like activity associated with the proteasome (Vinitsky, et al.,  Biochemistry,  1992, 31, 9421; Tsubuki, et al.,  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.,  1993, 196, 1195; and Rock, et al.,  Cell,  1994, 78, 761). Dipeptidyl aldehyde inhibitors that have IC 50  values in the 10–100 nM range in vitro (Iqbal, M., et al.,  J. Med.Chem.  1995, 38, 2276) have also been reported. A series of similarly potent in vitro inhibitors from α.-ketocarbonyl and boronic ester derived dipeptides has also been reported (Iqbal, et al.,  Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.  1996, 6, 287, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,614,649; 5,830,870; 5,990,083; 6,096,778; 6,310,057; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2001/0012854, and WO 99/30707). 
     N-terminal peptidyl boronic ester and acid compounds have been reported previously (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,499,082 and 4,537,773; WO 91/13904; Kettner, et al.,  J. Biol. Chem.,  1984, 259, 15106). These compounds are reported to be inhibitors of certain proteolytic enzymes. N-terminal tri-peptide boronic ester and acid compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells (U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,948). A broad class of N-terminal tri-peptide boronic ester and acid compounds and analogs thereof has been shown to inhibit renin (U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,841). 
     Various inhibitors of the peptidase activities of the proteasome have also been reported. See, e.g., Dick, et al.,  Biochemistry,  1991, 30, 2725; Goldberg, et al.,  Nature,  1992, 357, 375; Goldberg,  Eur. J. Biochem.,  1992, 203, 9; Orlowski,  Biochemistry,  1990, 29, 10289; Rivett, et al.,  Archs. Biochem. Biophys.,  1989, 218, 1; Rivett, et al.,  J. Biol. Chem.,  1989, 264, 12215; Tanaka, et al.,  New Biol.,  1992, 4, 1; Murakami, et al.,  Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA,  1986, 83, 7588; Li et al.,  Biochemistry,  1991, 30, 9709; Goldberg,  Eur. J. Biochem.,  1992, 203, 9; and Aoyagi, et al.,  Proteases and Biological Control , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1975), pp. 429–454. 
     Stein et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/212,909, filed Mar. 15, 1994, report peptide aldehydes useful for reducing in an animal both the rate of loss of muscle mass and the rate of intracellular protein breakdown. The compounds are also said to reduce the rate of degradation of p53 protein in an animal. Palombella, et al., WO 95/25533, report the use of peptide aldehydes to reduce the cellular content and activity of NF-κB in an animal by contacting cells of the animal with a peptide aldehyde inhibitor of proteasome function or ubiquitin conjugation. Goldberg and Rock, WO 94/17816, report the use of proteasome inhibitors to inhibit MHC-I antigen presentation. Stein, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,617 report peptidyl aldehyde compounds as proteasome inhibitors useful for reducing the rate of degradation of protein in an animal. Inhibition of the 26S and 20S proteasome by indanone derivatives and a method for inhibiting cell proliferation using indanone derivatives are reported by Lum et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,487. Alpha-ketoamide compounds useful for treating disorders mediated by 20S proteasome in mammals are reported in Wang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,150. France, et al., WO 00/64863, report the use of 2,4-diamino-3-hydroxycarboxylic acid derivatives as proteasome inhibitors. Carboxylic acid derivatives as proteasome inhibitors are reported by Yamaguchi et al., EP 1166781. Ditzel, et al., EP 0 995 757 report bivalent inhibitors of the proteasome. 2-Aminobenzylstatine derivatives that inhibit non-covalently the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome have been reported by Garcia-Echeverria, et al.,  Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.,  2001, 11, 1317. 
     Some further proteasome inhibitors can contain boron moieties. For example, Drexler et al., WO 00/64467, report a method of selectively inducing apoptosis in activated endothelial cells or leukemic cells having a high expression level of c-myc by using tetrapeptidic boronate containing proteasome inhibitors. Furet et al., WO 02/096933 report 2-[[N-(2-amino-3-(heteroaryl or aryl)propionyl)aminoacyl]amino]-alkylboronic acids and esters for the therapeutic treatment of proliferative diseases in warm-blooded animals. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,083,903; 6,297,217; 5,780454; 6,066,730; 6,297,217; 6,548,668; U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2002/0173488; and WO 96/13266 report boronic ester and acid compounds and a method for reducing the rate of degradation of proteins. A method for inhibiting viral replication using certain boronic acids and esters is also reported in U.S. Pat. No. 6,465,433 and WO 01/02424. Pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of boronic acids and novel boronic acid anhydrides and boronate ester compounds are reported by Plamondon, et al., U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2002/0188100. A series of di- and tripeptidyl boronic acids are shown to be inhibitors of 20S and 26S proteasome in Gardner, et al.,  Biochem. J.,  2000, 346, 447. 
     Other boron-containing peptidyl and related compounds are reported in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,250,720; 5,242,904; 5,187,157; 5,159,060; 5,106,948; 4,963,655; 4,499,082; and WO 89/09225, WO/98/17679, WO 98/22496, WO 00/66557, WO 02/059130, WO 03/15706, WO 96/12499, WO 95/20603, WO 95/09838, WO 94/25051, WO 94/25049, WO 94/04653, WO 02/08187, EP 632026, and EP 354522. 
     A great interest exists, as evidenced by the above references, in drugs which can modulate proteasome activity. For example, molecules capable of inhibiting proteasome activity can arrest or delay cancer progression by interfering with the ordered degradation of cell cycle proteins or tumor suppressors. Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for new and/or improved inhibitors of proteasome. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to novel boronic acid and boronic ester compounds useful as proteasome inhibitors and modulation of apoptosis. The subject invention also comprises methods for inhibition of multicatalytic protease (“MCP”) associated with certain disorders, including the treatment of muscle wasting disorders. 
     In one embodiment are provided compounds having Formula (I): 
                         
wherein constituent members are defined infra, as well as preferred constituent members.
 
     In another embodiment the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     In another embodiment the present invention provides a method of inhibiting activity of proteasome comprising contacting a compound of Formula (I) with said proteasome. 
     In another embodiment the present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering to a mammal having or predisposed to said cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I). 
     In another embodiment the present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering to a mammal having or predisposed to said cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I), and wherein said cancer is selected from skin, prostate, colorectal, pancreas, kidney, ovary, mammary, liver, tongue, lung, and smooth muscle tissue. 
     In another embodiment the present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering to a mammal having or predisposed to said cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I), and wherein said cancer is selected from leukemia, lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, and multiple myeloma. 
     In another embodiment the present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering to a mammal having or predisposed to said cancer a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) in combination with one or more antitumor or anticancer agent and/or radiotherapy. 
     In another embodiment the present invention provides a method of inhibiting activity of transcription factor NF-κB comprising contacting IκB, the inhibitor of transcription factor NF-κB, with a compound of Formula (I). 
     These and other features of the compounds will be set forth in expanded form as the disclosure continues. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides, inter alia, compounds that can inhibit proteasome activity and can be used for the treatment of diseases or disorders related to proteasome activity. Compounds of the invention include compounds of Formula (I): 
                         
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomeric or tautomeric forms thereof, wherein:
     R 1  is C 1 –C 4  alkyl;   Y is or H, CN, NO 2 , or a guanidino protecting group;   Z is —CN, —C(═O)OR 5 , phthalimido, —NHSO 2 R 6 , or —NR 3 R 4 ;   R 3  is H or C 1 –C 4  alkyl;   R 4  is selected from the group aryl-SO 2 —, aryl-C(═O)—, aralkyl-C(═O)—, alkyl-C(═O)—, aryl-OC(═O)—, aralkyl-OC(═O)—, alkyl-OC(═O)—, aryl-NHC(═O)—, and alkyl-NHC(═O)—; wherein aryl or aralkyl is optionally substituted by one or more methyl or methoxy groups;   R 5  is H, C 1 –C 6  alkyl, C 2 –C 6  alkenyl, C 2 –C 6  alkynyl, wherein R 5  is optionally substituted by one or more halo, C 1 –C 4  alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;   R 6  is C 1 –C 8  alkyl, C 2 –C 8  alkenyl, C 2 –C 8  alkynyl, wherein R 6  is optionally substituted by one or more halo, C 1 –C 4  alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;   Q is selected from B(OR 9 ) 2 , pinanediol boronic ester, pinacol boronic ester, 1,2-ethanediol boronic ester, 1,3-propanediol boronic ester, 1,2-propanediol boronic ester, 2,3-butanediol boronic ester, 1,1,2,2-tetramethylethanediol boronic ester, 1,2-diisopropylethanediol boronic ester, 5,6-decanediol boronic ester, 1,2-dicyclohexylethanediol boronic ester, bicyclohexyl-1,1′-diol boronic ester, and 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediol boronic ester;   R 9  is H, C 1 –C 4  alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, or aralkyl;   m is 2, 3, or 4; and   n is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14.   
     In some embodiments R 1  is ethyl, propyl, or butyl. 
     In some embodiments R 1  is 2-propyl. 
     In some embodiments Q is pinanediol boronic ester. 
     In some embodiments Q is bicyclohexyl-1,1′-diol boronic ester. 
     In some embodiments Q is B(OH) 2 . 
     In some embodiments Z is phthalimido, NHR 4 , or CN. 
     In some embodiments n is 8, 9, 10, or 11. 
     In some embodiments m is 3. 
     In some embodiments n is 8, 9, 10, or 11; and m is 3. 
     In some embodiments the present invention provides compounds Formula (I): 
                         
or pharmaceutically acceptable salys, stereoisomeric or tautomeric forms thereof, wherein:
     R 1  is 2-propyl;   Y is —NO 2 ;   Z is —CN, —C(═O)OR 5 , phthalimido, —NHSO 2 R 6 , or —NHR 4 ;   R 4  is selected from the group aryl-SO 2 —, alkyl-SO 2 —, aryl-C(═O)—, aralkyl-C(═O)—, alkyl-C(═O)—, aryl-OC(═O)—, aralkyl-OC(═O)—, alkyl-OC(═O)—, aryl-NHC(═O)—, and alkyl-NHC(═O)—; wherein said aryl or aralkyl is optionally substituted by one or more methyl or methoxy groups;   R 5  is H or C 1 –C 6  alkyl, wherein said alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more halo, aryl, or heteroaryl;   R 6  is C 1 –C 6  alkyl, wherein said alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more halo, aryl, or heteroaryl;   Q is selected from B(OR 9 ) 2 , pinanediol boronic ester, pinacol boronic ester, 1,2-ethanediol boronic ester, 1,3-propanediol boronic ester, 1,2-propanediol boronic ester, 2,3-butanediol boronic ester, 1,1,2,2-tetramethylethanediol boronic ester, 1,2-diisopropylethanediol boronic ester, 5,6-decanediol boronic ester, 1,2-dicyclohexylethanediol boronic ester, bicyclohexyl-1,1′-diol boronic ester, and 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediol boronic ester;   R 9  is H or C 1 –C 4  alkyl;   m is 3; and   n is 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11.   
     In some embodiments the present invention provides compounds of Formula (I-s): 
                         
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomeric or tautomeric forms thereof, wherein:
     R 1  is C 1 –C 4  alkyl;   Y is CN or NO 2 ;   Z is —CN, —C(═O)OR 5 , phthalimido, —NHSO 2 R 6 , or —NR 3 R 4 ;   R 3  is H or C 1 –C 4  alkyl;   R 4  is selected from the group aryl-SO 2 —, alkyl-SO 2 —, aryl-C(═O)—, aralkyl-C(═O)—, alkyl-C(═O)—, aryl-OC(═O)—, aralkyl-OC(═O)—, alkyl-OC(═O)—, aryl-NHC(═O)—, and alkyl-NHC(═O)—; wherein said aryl or aralkyl is optionally substituted by one or more methyl or methoxy groups;   R 5  is H, C 1 –C 6  alkyl, C 2 –C 6  alkenyl, C 2 –C 6  alkynyl, wherein R 5  is optionally substituted by one or more halo, C 1 –C 4  alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;   R 6  is C 1 –C 8  alkyl, C 2 –C 8  alkenyl, C 2 –C 8  alkynyl, wherein R 6  is optionally substituted by one or more halo, C 1 –C 4  alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl;   Q is selected from B(OR 9 ) 2 , pinanediol boronic ester, 1,2-dicyclohexylethanediol boronic ester, and bicyclohexyl-1,1′-diol boronic ester;   R 9  is H or C 1 –C 4  alkyl;   m is 2, 3, or 4; and   n is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14.   
     In some embodiments the present invention provides compounds of Formula (I-s): 
                         
or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof.
 
     In yet further embodiments the present invention provides compounds of Formula (I-s) selected from: Example 10, Example 11, Example 12, Example 13, Example 14, Example 15, Example 16, Example 17, Example 18, Example 19, Example 20, Example 21, Example 22, Example 23, and Example 24; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or free base form thereof. 
     It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. 
     As used herein, the phrase “boronic acid” refers to a compound containing a B(OH) 2  moiety. In some embodiments, boronic acid compounds can form oligomeric anhydrides by dehydration of the boronic moiety. For example, Snyder, et al.,  J. Am. Chem. Soc.,  1958, 80, 3611 report oligomeric arylboronic acids. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, “boronic acid”, or a chemical Formula containing a —B(OH) 2  moiety, is intended to encompass free boronic acids, oligomeric anhydrides, including but not limited to, dimers, trimers, tetramers, and mixtures thereof. 
     As used herein, “boronic acid anhydride” or “boronic anhydride” refers to a compound formed by the combination of two or more molecules of a boronic acid compound of Formula (I), with loss of one or more water molecules from the boronic acid moieties. When contacted with water, the boronic acid anhydride compound can be hydrated to release free boronic acid compound. In some embodiments, the boronic acid anhydride structure can contain two, three, four, or more boronic acid units and can have a cyclic or linear configuration. In some embodiments, the boronic acid anhydride compound exists substantially in a single oligomeric form; however, boronic acid anhydrides also encompass mixtures of different oligomeric boronic acid anhydride as well as free boronic acids. 
     Non-limiting examples of boronic acid anhydrides of the invention include compounds of Formula (II) and (III) where G is a moiety of Formula (IV) and t is 0 to 10 or 1, 2, 3, or 4. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     In some embodiments, at least about 80% of boronic acid present in a boronic acid anhydride compound exists in a single oligomeric anhydride form. In further embodiments, at least about 85, about 90, about 95, or about 99% of the boronic acid present in the boronic acid anhydride exists in a single oligomeric anhydride form. In some embodiments, the boronic acid anhydride compound consists essentially of a single oligomeric boronic acid anhydride. In yet further embodiments, the boronic acid anhydride compound consists of a single oligomeric boronic acid anhydride. In further embodiments, the boronic acid anhydride compound contains a boroxine for Formula (III), wherein t is 1. 
     Boronic acid anhydride compounds can be prepared from the corresponding boronic acid compound by exposure to dehydrating conditions, including, for example, crystallization, lyophilization, exposure to heat, and/or exposure to a drying agent. Some suitable crystallization solvents include ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, hexanes, ether, benzene, acetonitrile, ethanol, and mixtures thereof. 
     As used herein, the phrase “boronic ester” or boronic acid ester” refers to an ester derivative of a boronic acid compound. 
     As used herein, “cyclic boronic ester” is intended to mean a stable cyclic boronic moiety of general formula —B(OR)(OR) wherein the two R substituents taken together contain from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and optionally, a heteroatom which can be N, S, or O. Cyclic boronic esters are well known in the art. Examples of cyclic boronic ester include, but are not limited to, pinanediol boronic ester, pinacol boronic ester, 1,2-ethanediol boronic ester, 1,3-propanediol boronic ester, 1,2-propanediol boronic ester, 2,3-butanediol boronic ester, 1,1,2,2-tetramethylethanediol boronic ester, 1,2-diisopropylethanediol boronic ester, 5,6-decanediol boronic ester, 1,2-dicyclohexylethanediol boronic ester, bicyclohexyl-1,1′-diol, diethanolamine boronic ester, and 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediol boronic ester. 
     As used herein, the term “alkyl” or “alkylene” is meant to refer to a saturated hydrocarbon group which is straight-chained or branched. Example alkyl groups include methyl (Me), ethyl (Et), propyl (e.g., n-propyl and isopropyl), butyl (e.g., n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl), pentyl (e.g., n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl) and the like. An alkyl group can contain from 1 to about 20, from 2 to about 20, from 1 to about 10, from 1 to about 8, from 1 to about 6, from 1 to about 4, or from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. 
     As used herein, “alkenyl” refers to an alkyl group having one or more double carbon-carbon bonds. Example alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, butadienyl, pentadienyl, hexadienyl, and the like. 
     As used herein, “alkynyl” refers to an alkyl group having one or more triple carbon-carbon bonds. Example alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, and the like. 
     As used herein, “haloalkyl” refers to an alkyl group having one or more halogen substituents. Example haloalkyl groups include CF 3 , C 2 F 5 , CHF 2 , CCl 3 , CHCl 2 , C 2 Cl 5 , and the like. An alkyl group in which all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with halogen atoms can be referred to as “perhaloalkyl.” Examples perhaloalkyl groups include CF 3  and C 2 F 5 . 
     As used herein, “carbocyclyl” groups are saturated (i.e., containing no double or triple bonds) or unsaturated (i.e., containing one or more double or triple bonds) cyclic hydrocarbon moieties. Carbocyclyl groups can be mono- or polycyclic. Example carbocyclyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentenyl, 1, 3-cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, norbornyl, norpinyl, norcarnyl, adamantyl, phenyl, and the like. Carbocyclyl groups can be aromatic (e.g., “aryl”) or non-aromatic (e.g., “cycloalkyl”). In some embodiments, carbocyclyl groups can have from 3 to about 20, 3 to about 10, or 3 to about 7 carbon atoms. 
     As used herein, “aryl” refers to aromatic carbocyclyl groups including monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as, for example, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, and the like. In some embodiments, aryl groups have from 6 to about 18 carbon atoms. 
     As used herein, “cycloalkyl” refers to non-aromatic carbocyclyl groups including cyclized alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups. Cycloalkyl group can include bi- or poly-cyclic ring systems. Example cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl, cycloheptatrienyl, norbornyl, norpinyl, norcarnyl, adamantyl, and the like. Also included in the definition of cycloalkyl are moieties that have one or more aromatic rings fused (i.e., having a bond in common with) to the cycloalkyl ring, for example, benzo derivatives of cyclopentane (indanyl), cyclohexane (tetrahydronaphthyl), and the like. 
     As used herein, “heterocarbocyclyl” groups can be saturated or unsaturated carbocyclyl groups wherein one or more of the ring-forming carbon atoms of the carbocyclyl group is replaced by a heteroatom such as O, S, or N. Heterocarbocyclyl groups can be aromatic (e.g., “heteroaryl”) or non-aromatic (e.g., “heterocycloalkyl”). Heterocarbocyclyl groups can correspond to hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated heteroaryl groups. Heterocarbocyclyl groups can contain, in addition to at least one heteroatom, from about 1 to about 20, about 2 to about 10, or about 2 to about 7 carbon atoms and can be attached through a carbon atom or heteroatom. Further, heterocarbocyclyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted. Examples of heterocarbocyclyl groups include morpholino, thiomorpholino, piperazinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuryl, 1,3-benzodioxole, benzo-1,4-dioxane, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, and the like. 
     As used herein, “heteroaryl” groups are aromatic heterocarbocyclyl groups and include monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have at least one heteroatom ring member such as sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen. Heteroaryl groups include, without limitation, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, furyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, indolyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, benzthiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl indazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzothienyl, purinyl, carbazolyl, benzimidazolyl, and the like. In some embodiments, heteroaryl groups can have from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and in further embodiments from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, heteroaryl groups have 1 to about 4, 1 to about 3, or 1 to 2 heteroatoms. 
     As used herein, “heterocycloalkyl” refers to a non-aromatic heterocarbocyclyl group including cyclized alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups where one or more of the ring-forming carbon atoms is replaced by a heteroatom such as an O, N, or S atom. Also included in the definition of heterocycloalkyl are moieties that have one or more aromatic rings fused (i.e., having a bond in common with) to the nonaromatic heterocyclic ring, for example phthalimidyl, naphthalimidyl pyromellitic diimidyl, phthalanyl, and benzo derivatives of saturated heterocycles such as indolene and isoindolene groups. 
     As used herein, “halo” or “halogen” includes fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo. 
     As used herein, “alkoxy” refers to an —O-alkyl group. Example alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy (e.g., n-propoxy and isopropoxy), t-butoxy, and the like. 
     As used herein, “thioalkoxy” refers to an alkoxy group in which the O atom is replaced by an S atom. 
     As used herein, “aryloxy” refers to an —O-aryl group. An example aryloxy group is phenoxy. 
     As used herein, “aralkyl” refers to an alkyl moiety substituted by an aryl group. Example aralkyl groups include benzyl and naphthylmethyl groups. In some embodiments, arylalkyl groups have from 7 to 11 carbon atoms. 
     As used herein, “amino” refers to an NH 2  group. “Alkylamino” refers to an amino group substituted by an alkyl group and “dialkylamino” refers to an amino group substituted by two alkyl groups. On the contrary, “aminoalkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted by an amino group. 
     As used herein, “cycloalkylalkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted by a cycloalkyl group. 
     As used herein, the phrase “protecting group” refers to a chemical functional group that can be selectively appended to and removed from functionalities, such as hydroxyl groups, amino groups, and carboxyl groups. Protecting groups are usually introduced into a chemical compound to render such functionality inert to chemical reaction conditions to which the compound is exposed. Any of a variety of protecting groups can be employed with the present invention. A protecting group of an amino moiety can be referred to as an “amino protecting group” and a protecting group of a guanidino moiety can be referred to as a “guanidino protecting group.” Amino and guanidino protecting groups can have the formulas aryl-SO 2 —, alkyl-SO 2 —, aryl-C(═O)—, aralkyl-C(═O)—, alkyl-C(═O)—, aryl-OC(═O)—, aralkyl-OC(═O)—, alkyl-OC(═O)—, aryl-NHC(═O)—, alkyl-NHC(═O)—, and the like, wherein said alkyl, aryl and aralkyl groups may be substituted or unsubstituted. Example amino and guanidino protecting groups can also include t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC), fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), and a phthalimido group. Other protecting groups include the following moieties: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Further representative protecting groups can be found in T. W. Green and P. G. M. Wuts,  Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis,  3rd. Ed., Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc., New York (1999), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     As used herein, “substituted” indicates that at least one hydrogen atom of a chemical group is replaced by a non-hydrogen moiety. Example substituents include F, Cl, Br, I, C 1 –C 6  alkyl, C 1 –C 6  alkenyl, C 1 –C 6 , alkynyl, haloalkyl, NR E R F , N 3 , NO 2 , CN, CNO, CNS, C(═O)OR E , R E CO, R E C(═O)O, R E CONR E , R E R F NCO, ureido, OR E , SR E , SO 2 -alkyl, SO 2 -aryl, and SO 2 —NR E R F , wherein R E  and R F  are each, independently, H or C 1 –C 6  alkyl Alternatively, R E  and R F  may be combined, with the nitrogen to which they are attached, to form a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring, for example pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, and N-methylpiperazinyl. When a chemical group herein is “substituted” it may have up to the full valance of substitution, provided the resulting compound is a stable compound or stable structure; for example, a methyl group may be substituted by 1, 2, or 3 substituents, a methylene group may be substituted by 1 or 2 substituents, a phenyl group may be substituted by 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 substituents, and the like. 
     As used herein “stable compound” or “stable structure” refers to a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and preferably capable of formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent. The present invention is directed only to stable compounds. 
     The compounds described herein can be asymmetric (e.g., having one or more stereocenters). All stereoisomers, such as enantiomers and diastereomers, are intended unless otherwise indicated. Compounds of the present invention that contain asymmetrically substituted carbon atoms can be isolated in optically active or racemic forms. Methods on how to prepare optically active forms from optically active starting materials are known in the art, such as by resolution of racemic mixtures or by stereoselective synthesis. 
     Compounds of the invention can also include tautomeric forms, such as keto-enol tautomers. Tautomeric forms can be in equilibrium or sterically locked into one form by appropriate substitution. 
     Compounds of the invention can also include all isotopes of atoms occurring in the intermediates or final compounds. Isotopes include those atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. For example, isotopes of hydrogen include tritium and deuterium. 
     The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” is employed herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. 
     The present invention also includes pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds described herein. As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified by converting an existing acid or base moiety to its salt form. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as carboxylic acids; and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present invention include the conventional non-toxic salts or the quaternary ammonium salts of the parent compound formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric, nitric and the like; and the salts prepared from organic acids such as acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, stearic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic, sulfanilic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, isethionic, and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present invention can be synthesized from the parent compound which contains a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two; generally, nonaqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile are preferred. Lists of suitable salts are found in Remington&#39;s Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 1418, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Synthesis 
     Compounds of the invention, including salts and solvates thereof, can be prepared using known organic synthesis techniques and can be synthesized according to any of numerous possible synthetic routes. 
     The reactions for preparing compounds of the invention can be carried out in suitable solvents which can be readily selected by one of skill in the art of organic synthesis. Suitable solvents can be substantially nonreactive with the starting materials (reactants), the intermediates, or products at the temperatures at which the reactions are carried out, i.e., temperatures which can range from the solvent&#39;s freezing temperature to the solvent&#39;s boiling temperature. A given reaction can be carried out in one solvent or a mixture of more than one solvent. Depending on the particular reaction step, suitable solvents for a particular reaction step can be selected. 
     Preparation of compounds of the invention can involve the protection and deprotection of various chemical groups. The need for protection and deprotection, and the selection of appropriate protecting groups can be readily determined by one skilled in the art. The chemistry of protecting groups can be found, for example, in T. W. Green and P. G. M. Wuts,  Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis,  3rd. Ed., Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc., New York (1999), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Compounds of the invention can be prepared by the sequential coupling of three fragment components (F1, F2, and F3). 
     F1 Fragment 
     Synthesis of compounds of the invention can involve a boron-containing fragment (F1) having a structure indicated by Formula (A). 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The boronic ester moiety of F1 can include, for example, a diol ester such as is indicated by the loop connecting oxygen atoms in Formula (A). 
     Stereochemistry at the carbon atom alpha to the boron atom in Formula (A) can be controlled using an asymmetric boronic ester group in the preparation of F1. For example, pinanediol esters of boronic acid can facilitate the preparation of stereochemically pure, or substantially stereochemically pure, F1 fragment. As an example, the F1 fragment can be prepared by reacting a compound of Formula (B) (showing a pinanediol boronic ester obtained from (+)-pinanediol) with a strong base (e.g., lithium diisopropylamide or lithium dicyclohexylamide) in the presence of an excess of dichloromethane or dibromomethane, followed by addition of a Lewis acid, (e.g., ZnCl 2 , ZnBr 2 , or FeCl 3 ) to yield a compound of Formula (C) (where L is halo) having a newly introduced stereocenter at the carbon alpha to the boron. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The compound of Formula (B) can also be prepared according to a two step procedure involving reaction of a trialkoxyborane, preferably triisopropoxyborane, with (1S, 2S, 3R, 5S)-(+) pinanediol, to give a mono-alkoxy [(1S, 2S, 3R, 5S)-(+) pinanediol] borane intermediate wherein two of the alkoxy groups of the trialkoxy borane have been replaced by (1S, 2S, 3R, 5S)-(+) pinanediol. This mixed pinanediol alkoxy borane, upon reaction with the appropriate organometallic derivative, e.g. the Grignard reagent R 1 CH 2 MgBr or the alkyl lithium R 1 CH 2 Li, gives compound (B) in good yields and purities. The process starting from triisopropoxyborane to give the intermediate mixed pinanediol isopropoxy borane (F) and the compounds of formula (B) is depicted in the following scheme below. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The compound of Formula (C) can, in turn, be reacted with an alkali amide (e.g., lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, and potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide) or other nucleophile that effectively inverts the newly formed stereocenter (such as by an SN2 type mechanism) and introduces an amine group (NR 2 ) in place of the halo group (e.g., chloro), forming a compound of Formula (D) (where R can be, e.g., alkyl, Si(alkyl) 3 , aryl, or aralkyl). 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The compound of Formula (D) can be further reacted with an agent capable of converting the NR 2  group to NH 2 , or salt thereof, to form an F1 fragment substantially capable of coupling with a further fragment through the amine. A suitable agent for converting the NR 2  group to NH 2  can be a protic acid such as HCl such as when R is a silyl group (e.g., trimethylsilyl). 
     F2 Fragment 
     The mid-section of compounds of the present invention can be represented by fragment F2 which couples to fragment F1 by peptide bond formation for form an F2-F1 intermediate. Methods for coupling compounds through peptide bonds, or amide bonds, are well known in the art and described, for example, in  The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis, Biology , Vol. I., eds. Gross, et al., Academic Press, 1979. An example F2 fragment is provided in Formula (E) (Pg is an amino protecting group, Y and m are defined herein). Additionally, protection of the amino group of amino acids using Boc or other amino protecting groups is well known in the art. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Compounds of Formula (E) are amino acids or amino acid derivatives available commercially or prepared by routine methods known to one skilled in the art. 
     F3 Fragments 
     A further fragment (F3) can be coupled to the F2 fragment of the F2-F1 intermediate by peptide bond formation. Methods for coupling compounds through peptide bonds, or amide bonds, are well known in the art and described, for example, in  The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis, Biology , Vol. I., eds. Gross, et al., Academic Press, 1979. An example F2 fragment is provided in Formula (F) (R 2  is H, and Z and n are defined herein) 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Other coupling means are known in the art and are also suitable. F3 fragments can be obtained from commercial sources or made by methods known to one skilled in the art. 
     Reactions can be monitored according to any suitable method known in the art. For example, product formation can be monitored by spectroscopic means, such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (e.g.,  1 H or  13 C) infrared spectroscopy, spectrophotometry (e.g., UV-visible), or mass spectrometry, or by chromatography such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or thin layer chromatography. 
     Compounds of the invention can be prepared according to methods for preparing aminoboronic acids, esters thereof, and related compounds described in the art, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,537,773 and 5,614,649, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Compounds of the invention containing boronic esters, such as pinanediol esters, can be hydrolyzed by any suitable means to prepare corresponding boronic acid (—B(OH) 2 ) derivatives. Hydrolysis conditions can include contacting a boronic ester with excess acid, such as a protic acid like HCl. 
     Conversely, boronic acids can be esterified by contacting the acid compound (—B(OH) 2 ) with an alcohol such as a diol for sufficient time to produce the corresponding ester. The esterification reaction can be acid or base catalyzed. 
     The invention will be described in greater detail by way of specific examples. The following examples are offered for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of noncritical parameters which can be changed or modified to yield essentially the same results. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1  
     Synthesis of (1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutylamine hydrochloride salt 
     Step 1: 2-(2-Methylpropyl)-(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborole 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     A mixture of (+)-pinanediol (23.9 g, 0.140 mol) and 2-methylpropylboronic acid (15 g, 0.147 mol) in diethyl ether (300 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 24 h. The mixture was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and purified by column chromatography (Silica gel 230–400 mesh), eluting with hexane:ethyl acetate 90:10 mixture. The product was obtained as a clear oil (32.6 g, 94% yield). 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 4.28 (1H, dd, J=8.8 Hz, 2.0); 2.30 (1H, m); 2.18 (1H, m); 1.96 (1H, t, J=5.3); 1.86 (1H, m); 1.78 (1H, set, J=6.8); 1.68 (1H, m); 1.30 (3H, s); 1.25 (3H, s); 1.01 (1H, d); 0.9 (6H, d, J=6.6 ); 0.81 (3H,s); 0.69 (2H, m). 
     Step 2: 2-[(1S)-1-Chloro-3-methylbutyl]-(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborole 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     A solution of lithium diisopropylamide was prepared by addition of 10.0 M butyl lithium solution in hexane (25.4 ml, 0.254 mol) to a solution of diisopropylamine (35.7 ml, 0.254 mol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (60 ml), at −50 ° C., and allowing the temperature to rise to −30 ° C. This solution was transferred via canula into a solution of 2-(2-methylpropyl)-(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborole of Step 1 (50 g, 0.212 mol) and CH 2 Cl 2  (50 ml, 0.848 mol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (700 ml), while keeping the temperature below −70° C. A 1.0 M solution of dry zinc chloride in diethyl ether (339 ml, 0.339 mol) was then added over a 30 minute period while keeping the internal temperature below −70° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 3 hours, then allowed to warm to room temperature. After removal of the solvents by rotary evaporation the residue was partitioned between petroleum ether (1000 ml) and a 10% aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (800 ml). The aqueous layer was further extracted with petroleum ether (300 ml). The combined organic phases were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The product was obtained as a brown oil (59.0 g, 98% yield) containing about 9% mol/mol of starting material ( 1 H-NMR), and was used in the subsequent step without further purification. 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 4.43 (1H, dd, J=8.8, 1.8); 3.59 (1H, m); 2.33 (1H, m); 2.21 (1H, m); 2.01 (1H, m); 1.88 (1H, m); 1.84–1.55 (5H, m); 1.34 (3H, s); 1.26 (3H, s); 1.09 (1H, , J=10.1); 0.9 (3H, d, J=6.8); 0.87 (3H, d, J=6.4); 0.82 (3H, s). 
     Step 3: N,N-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutylamine 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     A 1.0 M solution of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in tetrahydrofuran (189 ml, 0.189 mol) was added, over 30 minutes, to a solution of crude 2-[(1S)-1-chloro-3-methylbutyl]-(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborole of Step 2 (59.0 g, 91% purity, 0.189 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (580 ml) while cooling at −78 ° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to slowly warm to room temperature overnight. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation and the residue taken up with dry hexane (800 ml). The resulting suspension was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, then the solid was removed by filtration on a celite cake, which was washed with dry hexane (3×100 ml). The filtrate was concentrated giving a satisfactorily pure product as a brown oil (79 g) in practically quantitative yield. The product was used for the subsequent step without further purification. 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 4.33 (1H, dd, J=1.5 Hz, 8.6); 2.58 (1H, m); 2.29 (1H, m); 2.18 (1H, m); 1.95 (1H, t, J=5.9); 1.85 (1H, m); 1.9–1.55 (3H, m); 1.31 (3H, s); 1.24 (3H, s); 1.17 (1H, m); 1.01 (1H, d, J=10.6); 0.85 (3H, d, J=6.6), 0.83 (3H, d, J=6.6); 0.80 (18H, s). 
     Step 4: (1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-Hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutylamine hydrochloride salt 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     To a solution of crude N,N-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutylamine of Step 3 (79 g, 0.193 mol) in a mixture of dioxane (100 ml) and diethyl ether (200 ml), a 4 N solution of hydrogen chloride in dioxane (193 ml, 0.772 mol) was added, while cooling at 0° C. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 4 hours and concentrated. The residue was taken up with anhydrous hexane (500 ml) and a 2 M solution of hydrogen chloride in diethyl ether (48 ml, 0.096 mol) was added. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour, then concentrated. The residue was taken up with anhydrous hexane and the resulting suspension was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solid was collected by filtration and dried under vacuum affording 38.1 g of product (66% yield). A second crop (4.13 g, 7% yield) was obtained from the mother liquors. 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 7.85 (3H, br); 4.45 (1H, dd, J=9.2 Hz); 2.78 (1H, m); 2.34 (1H, m); 2.21 (1H, m); 2.01 (1H, t, J=5.3); 1.89 (1H, m); 1.82–1.65 (2H, m); 1.49 (1H, m); 1.38 (3H, s); 1.27 (3H, s); 1.12 (1H, d, J=1.12); 0.87 (6H, d, J=6.6); 0.83 (3H, s). 
     Example 2  
     Carbamic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]-. 
                         
Method A: HOAt/HATU
 
     To a solution of BocNH(NO 2 )ArgOH (15.7 g, 49.3 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (100 ml), HATU (O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate; 18.7 g, 49.3 mmol) and HOAt (1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole; 6.71 g, 49.3 mmol) were added. The mixture was cooled to 0° C. and N-methylmorpholine was added (13.6 ml, 0.123 mol). After 10 minutes (1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutylamine hydrochloride salt of Example 1 (12.4 g, 41.1 mmol) was added. The cooling bath was removed and the mixture was stirred at r.t. for 4.5 hours. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (800 ml), washed with a 2% solution of citric acid (2×150 ml), 2% solution of NaHCO 3  (2×150 ml) and 2% solution of NaCl (2×150 ml). The aqueous phases were further extracted with ethyl acetate (150 ml). The combined organic phases were dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The resulting oily residue was redissolved in ethyl acetate (500 ml) and the solution was washed with cold water (200 ml). The aqueous phases were further extracted with ethyl acetate (500 ml). The combined organic phases were dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in diethyl ether (100 ml) an the solution was slowly added to hexane (600 ml) while stirring. The white solid was collected by filtration (43.4 g) and purified by column chromatography eluting initially with 50:50 hexane:ethyl acetate mixture and then with ethyl acetate. The fractions containing the product were concentrated, the residue was dissolved in diethyl ether (100 ml) and the resulting solution was slowly added to hexane (600 ml) while stirring. The white solid was collected by filtration (15.2 g, 66% yield). 
     Method B: IBCF 
     To a suspension of BocNH(NO 2 )ArgOH (5.82 g, 18.2 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (100 ml) N-methylmorpholine (2.0 ml, 18.2 mmol) was added. The mixture was cooled to −15° C. then isobutyl chloroformate was added (2.37 ml, 18.2 mmol). The mixture was stirred at −15° C. for 10 minutes then (1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutylamine hydrochloride salt obtained as in Example 1 was added (5.0 g, 16.6 mmol), immediately followed by further N-methylmorpholine (2.0 ml, 18.2 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours at −15° C., then allowed to warm to room temperature and partitioned between ethyl acetate (150 ml), water (150 ml) and 0.1N hydrochloric acid (10 ml). The organic phase was washed with a saturated solution of NaHCO 3 , dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and concentrated. The oily residue (9.25 g) was purified by crystallization from ethyl acetate affording three crops of satisfactorily pure product (5.03 g, 54% yield). 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 8.80 (1H, br); 8.50 (1H, br), 7.87 (2H, br);7.01 (1H, d, J=7.9), 4.07 (1H, dd, J=7.9); 4.0 (1H, m); 3.12 (2H, m); 2.55 (1H, m); 2.2 (1H,m); 2.01 (1H, m); 1.83 (1H, t, J=5.1); 1.78 (1H, m); 1.74–1.44 (7H, m); 1.38 (9H, s); 1.33 (1H, d, J=10.3); 1.24 (5H, s); 1.22 (3H, s); 0.84 (6H, d, J=6.6); 0.81 (3H, s) 
     Example 3  
     (2S)-2-Amino-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]pentanamide, N-[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]; hydrochloride salt 
                         
Method A
 
     A 4 N solution of hydrogen chloride in dioxane (15 ml) was added to a solution of carbamic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]- of Example 2, (4.04 g, 7.06 mmol) in a mixture of dioxane (40 ml) and diethyl ether (7 ml), while cooling at 0° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for further 4 hours. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation, the residue was treated with diethyl ether (50 ml) and the mixture was stirred at r.t. for three days. The resulting solid was collected by filtration affording 3.18 g of pure product (90% yield) 
     Method B 
     Carbamic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]- of Example 2, (3 g, 5.3 mmol) was dissolved in Et 2 O (40 mL) and a solution of about 10% HCl in Et 2 O (20 mL) was added dropwise at 0° C. under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and to stir for further 5 hours. 
     The solvent was decanted and the residue, washed twice with Et 2 O (20 mL), was dried in vacuo to give the title compound as a white powder (2.43 g, yield 91%). 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 8.56 (2H, br); 8.22 (3H, br);7.97 (2H, br); 4.28 (1H, dd, J=8.6 Hz, 2.01); 3.77 (1H, m); 3.04 (1H, m); 2.28 (1H, m); 2.11 (2H, m), 1.92 (1H, t, J=5.5); 1.83 (1H, m); 1.79–1.59 (4H, m); 1.59–1.37 (3H, m); 1.31 (4H, s); 1.24 (3H, s); 1.19 (1H, d, J=10.4); 0.88 (3H, d, J=6.0); 0.86 (3H, d, J=6.0); 0.81 (3H, s). 
     Example 4  
     Boronic acid, [(1R)-1-[[(2S)-2-amino-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]-1-oxopentyl]amino]-3-methylbutyl], hydrochloride salt 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Carbamic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]- of Example 2, (3.1 g, 5.48 mmol) was carefully dissolved, under nitrogen at 0° C., in 20 mL of HCl 37%; the resultant mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and to stir overnight. The reaction mixture was washed with Et 2 O until complete removal of pinanediol; the aqueous solution was concentrated to dryness and dried in vacuo to afford 1.82 grams (4.93 mmol, yield 90%) of the title compound, used without further purification.  1 H—NMR: (DMSO+D 2 O+TFA): 3.78(m, 1H); 3.19(m, 2H); 3.09(m, 1H); 1.71(m, 2H); 1.70–1.48(m, 3H); 1.49–1.23(m, 2H); 0.89(d, J=5.8 Hz, 3H); 0.88(d, J=5.8 Hz, 3H). 
     Example 5 
     10-(1,3-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-decanoic acid 
                         
Step 1: 2-Undec-10-enyl-1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydroisoindole
 
     To a mixture of 10-undecen-1-ol (4.23 g, 24.8 mmol), phthalimide (3.65 g, 24.8 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (6.51 g, 24.8 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (30 ml), a solution of DEAD (3.9 ml, 24.8 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) was slowly added while keeping the temperature below 8–10° C. After 2 hours further DEAD (1.0 ml, 6.37 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (1.3 g, 4.96 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue was triturated with diethyl ether (50 ml). The solid was removed by filtration and washed with diethyl ether (2×50 ml). The combined filtrates were concentrated and the residue was triturated with hexane (50 ml) at 40° C. The resulting solid was removed by filtration and washed with hexane (2×50 ml). The combined filtrates were concentrated and the residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with 10:2 hexane:ethyl acetate mixture. The product was obtained as a low-melting white solid (4.9 g, 66% yield). M.p. 25–30° C.  1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 7.83 (4H, m); 5.76 (1H, m); 4.96 (1H, dq, J=17.2, 1.6 Hz); 4.90 (1H, ddt, J=10.2, 2.2, 1.1); 3.54 (2H, t, J=7.1), 1.97 (2H, q, J=6.7); 1.56 (2H, m); 1.35–1.15 (14H, m). 
     Step 2: 10-(1,3-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-decanoic acid. 
     A solution of 2-undec-10-enyl-1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydroisoindole (2 g, 6.68 mmol) of Step 1 and Aliquat® 336 (0.2 g) in a mixture of hexane (20 ml) and acetic acid (6 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of potassium permanganate (2.76 g, 20 mmol) in water (28 ml) while cooling at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 7 hours, then an aqueous solution of sodium bisulfite was added until disappearance of the purple colour. The mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography eluting with 2:1 hexane:ethyl acetate mixture. The product was obtained as a white solid (1.29 g, 61% yield). M.p. 58–60° C. 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) 11.95 (1H, br); 7.85 (4H, m); 3.55 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz); 2.17 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz); 1.7–1.4 (4H, m); 1.22 (10H, m). 
     Example 6 
     6-(Ethylsulfonylamino)hexanoic acid 
     A solution of ethanesulfonyl chloride (3.9 ml, 41.1 mmol) in dioxane (10 ml) was added to a solution of 6-aminohexanoic acid (2 g, 15.2 mmol) in 1N NaOH (56 ml) and dioxane (10 ml), while stirring at 0–5° C. The pH of the reaction mixture was adjusted to 8–9 by addition of 25% sodium hydroxide solution. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 30 minutes. Further 25% NaOH solution was added to adjust the pH to about 11. After 3.5 h 1N hydrochloric acid (15 ml) and ethyl acetate (60 ml) were added. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was triturated with a mixture of diethyl ether (5 ml) and hexane (15 ml). The solid was collected by filtration and dried affording 1.3 g of the title compound (40% yield).  1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 11.9 (1H, s); 6.97 (1H, t, J=5.7 Hz); 2.97 (2H, q, J=7.1); 2.88 (2H, q, J=6.6); 2.2 (2H, t, J=7.3); 1.47 (4H, m); 1.29 (2H, m); 1.18 (3H, t, J=7.3). 
     Example 7 
     8-(Ethylsulfonylamino)octanoic acid 
     A solution of ethanesulfonyl chloride (1.5 ml, 15.7 mmol) in dioxane (5 ml) was added to a solution of 8-aminooctanoic acid (1 g, 6.28 mmol) in 1N NaOH (22 ml) and dioxane (5 ml), while stirring at 0–5° C. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 3.5 minutes. During this period, at 1 hour intervals, the pH was adjusted to 7–8 by addition of 25% NaOH solution. The reaction mixture was washed with diethyl ether (30 ml). The pH was adjusted to 1–2 by addition of 1N HCl and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (70 ml). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was triturated with a mixture of diethyl ether. The solid was collected by filtration and dried under vacuum affording 600 mg of the title compound (38% yield).  1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 11.9 (1H, s); 6.96 (1H, t, J=6 Hz); 2.96 (2H, q, J=7.1); 2.88 (2H, q, J=6.6); 2.2 (2H, t, J=7.3); 1.45 (4H, m); 1.26 (6H, m); 1.18 (3H, t, J=7.3). 
     Example 10 
     10-(1,3-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-decanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]-; 
                         
Coupling by IBCF Method
 
     To a solution of 10-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-decanoic acid (353 mg, 1.11 mmol), prepared according to Example 5 in anhydrous dichloromethane (10 ml), N-methylmorpholine was added (122 μl, 1.11 mmol). The mixture was cooled to −15° C., then isobutyl chloroformate (144 μl, 1.11 mmol) was slowly added. After 15 minutes (2S)-2-amino-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]pentanamide, N-[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]-hydrochloride salt of Example 3 (508 mg, 1.01 mmol) and further N-methylmorpholine (122 μl, 1.11 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at −15–10° C. for 4 h, then concentrated to small volume and partitioned between ethyl acetate (20 ml) and water (10 ml). The aqueous phase was further extracted with ethyl acetate (10 ml). The combined organic phases were dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was taken up with ethyl acetate (3 ml) and the solution was dropwise added to hexane (120 ml) while stirring at room temperature. The solid was collected by decantation and dried under vacuum (730 mg, 94%). 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 8.81 (1H, d, J=2.7 Hz); 8.52 (1H, br); 7.98 (1H, d, J=8.05); 7.88 (2H, br); 7.85 (4H, m); 4.34 (1H, m); 4.06 (1H, dd, J=7.1); 3.56 (2H, t, J=7.14); 3.14 (2H,m); 2.55 (1H, m); 2.19 (1H, m); 2.10 (2H, t, J=7.14); 2.0 (1H, m); 1.82 (1H, t, J=5.7); 1.78 (1H, m); 1.73–1.35 (10H, m); 1.31 (1H, d, J=9.9); 1.24 (19H, m); 0.84 (9H, m); 0.79 (3H, s). 
     Example 11 
     12-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonylamino]dodecanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]earbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]- 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 10 above from 12-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-dodecanoic acid and the product of Example 3, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data: 
       1 H NMR (DMSO-d6) 8.81 (1H, d, J=2.4); 8.52 (1H, br); 7.98 (1H, d, J=8.05); 7.85 (2H,v. br); 6.73 (1H, t, J=5.3); 4.33 (1H, m); 4.07 (1H, d, J=8.4); 3.14 (2H, m); 2.88 (2H, q, J=6.6); 2.56 (1H, m); 2.19 (1H, m); 2.10 (2H, t, J=7.1); 2.01 (1H, m); 1.83 (1H, t, J=5.7); 1.78 (1H, m); 1.73–1.41 (8H, m); 1.36 (9H, s); 1.33–1.15 (25H, m); 0.84 (6H, d, J=6.5); 0.80 (3H, s). 
     Example 12 
     4-(methoxycarbonyl)heptanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 10 above from octanedioic acid monomethyl ester and the product of Example 3, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data: 
       1 H —NMR (DMSO-d6): 8.80 (1H, br s); 8.51 (1H, br); 7.98 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz); 8.3–7.5 (2H, br); 4.32 (1H, m); 4.06 (1H, br d, J=8.4); 3.12 (2H, m); 2.55 (1H, m); 2.26 (2H, t, J=7.3); 2.18 (1H, m); 2.09 (2H, t, J=7.1); 2.01 (1H, m); 1.85–1.2 (19H, m); 1.23 (3H, s); 1.21 (3H, s); 0.83 (6H, d, J=6.6); 0.79 (3H, s). 
     Example 13 
     11-Cyanoundecanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]-. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     PS-Carbodiimide (N-cyclohexylcarbodiimide-N′-propyloxymethyl polystyrene, 769 mg, 1 mmol, loading 1.31 mmol/g) and HOAt (1-Hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole, 115 mg, 0.85 mmol) were added to a solution of 11-Cyanoundecanoic acid (115 mg, 0.54 mmol) in dichloromethane (DCM) (9 mL). After stirring for 10 minutes (2S)-2-amino-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]pentanamide, N-[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]-, hydrochloride salt of Example 3 (251 mg, 0.50 mmol) and DIPEA (0.128 ml, 0.75 mmol) were added. The suspension was shaken overnight at room temperature and then the PS-Carbodiimide was filtered off and washed several times with DCM (4×6 mL). The organic phase was passed through a VARIAN CHEM ELUT cartridge for liquid-liquid extraction pre-conditioned with saturated aqueous NaHCO 3  and finally washed with DCM (15 mL). The solvent was evaporated and the crude reaction was purified with normal-phase ISOLUTE SPE-SI column (DCM 9, MeOH 1) to afford 200 mg of the desired compound (yield 61%). NMR (CDCl 3 ): 7.53 (s, br, 2H); 7.36 (d, br, J=4.7 Hz, 1H); 6.88 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H); 4.46 (m, 1H); 4.15 (dd, J=8.5, 1.9 Hz, 1H); 3.19 (m, 2H); 2.93 (m, 1H); 2.23 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H); 2.21 (m, 1H); 2.09 (t, J=7.5, 2H); 2.04 (m, 1H); 1.88 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H); 1.77 (m, 1H); 1.69 (m, 1H); 1.64–1.43 (m, 9H); 1.40–1.26 (m, 4H); 1.26 (s, 3H); 1.24–1.12 (m, 16H); 0.80 (d, J=6.6, 3H); 0.79 (d, J=6.6, 3H); 0.73 (s, 3H). LC-MS 659.7, MH+. ESI POS; AQA; spray 4 kV/skimmer: 20V/probe 250° C. 
     Example 14 
     9–Cyanononamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 13 above from 9-Cyano-nonanoic acid and the product of Example 3, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data: MS: MH+632.5 
     Example 15  
     6-(Acetylamino)hexanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 13 above from 6-acetylamino-hexanoic acid and the product of Example 3, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data: MS: [MH]+622.3 
     Example 16 
     12-(1,3-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-dodecanamide, N-t(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 13 above from 11-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-undecanoic acid and the product of Example 3, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data: MS: [MH]+794.42 
     Example 17 
     6-(Ethanesulfonylamino)hexanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     To a solution of 6-(ethylsulfonylamino)hexanoic acid (90 mg, 0.40 mmol, 1.2 eq.), of Example 6, in dry DMF (10 ml) TBTU ((N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)uronium tetrafluoroborate; 130 mg, 0.40 mmol, 1.2 eq.) was added. The mixture was cooled to 0°–5° C. with an ice bath and NMM (0.12 ml, 1.08 mmol, 2.7 eq.) was added. After a few minutes (2S)-2-amino-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]-amino]pentanamide, N-[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]-hydrochloride salt (170 mg, 0.33 mmol, 1 eq.), of Example 3, was added. The mixture was stirred at r.t. for 2 h, poured in water (150 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×50 ml). The organic layer was washed with a solution of citric acid 2% (20 ml), sodium bicarbonate 2% (20 ml), and NaCl 2% (20 ml), dried over sodium sulfate anhydrous and evaporated at reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, eluent ethyl acetate) to give 30 mg of amorphous solid (13% yield). 
     Analytical Data:  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 8.83 (1H, d, J=2.7 Hz); 8.51 (1H, br); 8.00 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz); 8.3–7.5 (2H, br); 6.94 (1H, t, J=5.8): 4.32 (1H, m); 4.06 (1H, dd, J=1.8, 8.6); 3.13 (2H, m); 2.95 (2H, q, J=7.3); 2.87 (2H, q, J=6.7); 2.55 (1H, m); 2.19 (1H, m); 2.10 (2H, t, J=7.5); 2.00 (1H, m); 1.85–1.1 (17H, m); 1.24 (3H, s); 1.21 (3H, s); 1.16 (3H, t, J=7.5); 0.83 (6H, d, J=6.6); 0.79 (3H, s). 
     Example 18 
     6-Benzenesulfonylaminohexanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 17 above from 8-phenylsulfonylamino-hexanoic acid and the product of Example 3, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data:  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 8.83 (1H, d, J=2.8 Hz); 8.51 (1H, br); 7.97 (1H, d, J=7.8 Hz); 8.2–7.6 (2H, br); 7.77 (2H, m); 7.65–7.5 (4H, m); 4.31 (1H, m); 4.05 (1H, dd, J=1.8, 8.6); 3.12 (2H, m); 2.69 (2H, q, J=7.0); 2.54 (1H, m); 2.20 (1H, m); 2.05 (2H, t, J=7.5); 2.01 (1H, m); 1.85–1.1 (21H, m); 1.22 (3H, s); 1.21 (3H, s); 0.82 (6H, d, J=6.6); 0.79 (3H, s). 
     Example 19 
     8-(Ethanesulfonylamino)octanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 17 above from 8-ethanesulfonylamino-octanoic acid (Example 7) and the product of Example 3, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data:  1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 8.81 (1H, br s); 8.51 (1H, br); 7.98 (1H, d, J=7.8 Hz); 8.3–7.5 (2H, br); 6.93 (1H, t, J=5.7): 4.32 (1H, m); 4.06 (1H, dd, J=1.8, 8.6); 3.13 (2H, m); 2.95 (2H, q, J=7.3); 2.87 (2H, q, J=6.7); 2.55 (1H, m); 2.19 (1H, m); 2.10 (2H, t, J=7.0); 2.00 (1H, m); 1.85–1.1 (17H, m); 1.23 (3H, s); 1.21 (3H, s); 1.16 (3H, t, J=7.3); 0.83 (6H, d, J=6.6); 0.79 (3H, s). 
     Example 20  
     Boronic acid, [(1R)-1-[[(2S)-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]-2-[(11-Cianoundecanoyl)amino]-1-oxopentyl]amino]-3-methylbutyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     To a solution of DMAP (4-Dimethylaminopyridine, 22.7 mg, 0.185 mmol) and 11-Cyanoundecanoic acid (97.2 mg, 0.46 mmol) in dichloromethane (5.2 ml), PS-HOBT (1-Hydroxybenzotriazole-6-sulfonamidomethyl polystyrene, 277 mg, 0.31 mmol, loading 1.12 mmol/g) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes, then a solution of diisopropylcarbodiimide (0.218 ml, 1.39 mmol) in DCM (dichloromethane, 0.6 ml) was added. The suspension was shaken for 4 hours at room temperature and then the resin was filtered under nitrogen and washed several times with DMF (3×5 ml), DCM (3×5 ml), DMF (3×5 ml) and THF (3×5 ml). The well dried resin was suspended in a solution of [(1R)-1-[[(2S)-2-amino-5-[[imino(nitroamino)-methyl]amino]-1-oxopentyl]amino]-3-methylbutyl]-boronic acid hydrochloride salt of Example 4 (55.2 mg, 0.15 mmol) and DIPEA (N,N-diisopropylethylamine, 0.051 ml, 0.293 mmol) in DCM (4 ml) and DMF (0.6 ml). The reaction mixture was shaken overnight at room temperature. The resin was filtered off and washed with DMF (10 ml) and DCM (2 ml) and the solvent was concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by elution on a ISOLUTE SPE-DIOL cartridge, using DCM/Methanol mixtures from 95/5 to 50/50. The fractions containing the product were collected and concentrated. The final purification was performed by elution on a 2 g ISOLUTE SPE-SI normal phase cartridge using DCM/Methanol mixtures from 100/0 to 50/50 (25 mg, 35% yield). 
     Analytical Data: MS: [M−18]H+508.5 
     Example 21  
     Boronic acid, [(1R)-1-[[(2S)-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]-2-[(9-Cyanononanoyl)amino]-1-oxopentyl]amino]-3-methylbutyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 20 above from 11-Cyano-nonanoic acid and the product of Example 4, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data: MS: [M−18]H+480.1 
     Example 22  
     Boronic acid, [(1R)-1-[[(2S)-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]-2-[[7-(methoxycarbonyl)heptanoyl]amino]-1-oxopentyl]amino]-3-methylbutyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     A mixture of 4-(methoxycarbonyl)heptanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]-, prepared by the method of Example 12, (300 mg, 0.47 mmol), 2-methylpropylboronic acid (96 mg, 0.94 mmol) and 4N hydrogen chloride dioxane solution (120 μl) in a 40:60 heterogeneous mixture of methanol:hexane (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Hexane (5 ml) was added, the mixture was stirred for a while, then the hexane layer was removed. Fresh hexane (5 ml), 4N hydrogen chloride dioxane solution (120 μl) and 2-methylpropylboronic acid (96 mg, 0.94 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The hexane layer was removed and the methanol phase was washed with hexane (2×5 ml). The residue obtained upon concentration of the methanol phase was purified by silica gel column chromatography eluting with a 40:40:20 acetone:methanol:hexane mixture. The product was redissolved in ethyl acetate (200 ml) and the organic phase was washed with water (2×10 ml), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in the minimum amount of methanol, the solution was filtered through a cotton plug and concentrated. The residue was triturated with diethyl ether. The solid was collected by decantation, then triturated with ethyl acetate (15 ml). The solid was collected by decantation and dried under vacuum affording the product as a white solid (30 mg, 13% yield). 
     Analytical Data:  1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 ): 8.60 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz); 8.50 (1H, br); 8.06 (1H, d, J=7.9); 7.92 (2H, br); 4.36 (1H, m); 3.58 (3H, s); 3.13 (2H, m); 2.55 (1H, m); 2.28 (2H, t, J=7.5); 2.12 (2H, m); 1.69 (1H, m); 1.49 (7H, m); 1.24(7H, m); 0.81 (6H, m). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 El. Anal. 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Calculated: 
                 C 47.82% 
                 H 7.83% 
                 N 16.73% 
               
               
                   
                 Found 
                 C 48.13% 
                 H 7.50% 
                 N 16.34% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Example 23  
     Boronic acid, [(1R)-1-[[(2S)-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]-2-[(10-(1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-2H-isoindol-2-yl)-1-oxodecyl]-)amino]-1-oxopentyl]amino]-3-methylbutyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     The title compound was prepared according to the procedure for Example 22 above from the product of Example 10, using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. Analytical Data:  1 H —NMR (MeOH-d 4 ): 7.82 (4H, m); 4.52 (1H, m); 3.66 (2H, t, J=7.3); 3.27 (2H, m); 2.75 (1H, m); 2.24 (2H, t, J=7.3 Hz); 1.9–1.2 (20H, m); 0.91 (6H, d, J=6.6). 
     Example 24  
     Boronic acid, [(1R)-1-[[(2S)-5-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]-2-[[6-(acetylamino)hexanoyl]amino]-1-oxopentyl]amino]-3-methylbutyl] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     6-(Acetylamino)hexanamide, N-[(1S)-1-[[[(1R)-1-[(3aS,4S,6S,7aR)-hexahydro-3a,5,5-trimethyl-4,6-methano-1,3,2-benzodioxaborol-2-yl]-3-methylbutyl]amino]-carbonyl]-4-[[imino(nitroamino)methyl]amino]butyl]-, of Example 15 (48 mg, 0.077 mmol), was dissolved in Et 2 O (2 ml) and HCl 37% (1 ml) was added carefully at 0° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and to shake overnight. The mixture was concentrated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in MeOH (1 ml) and eluted through an ISOLUTE PSA cartridge with MeOH (10 ml). The solvent was evaporated and the crude product was purified eluting through a 500 mg ISOLUTE SPE-SI cartridge using DCM/Methanol mixtures from 90/10 to 50/50 to afford the title compound (19.4 mg, 52% yield). 
     Analytical Data: MS: [M−18]H+470.2 
     Utility  
     Compound Activity 
     The present compounds can inhibit proteasome activity. Table F-1 below provides data related to several example compounds of the invention with respect to, for example, ability to inhibit proteasome activity. 
     Methods and Compositions 
     Compounds of the present invention can inhibit the activity of proteasome leading to the inhibition or blocking of a variety of intracellular functions with which the proteasome is directly or indirectly associated. For example, proteasome inhibitors can modulate, such as induce, apoptosis in a cell. In some embodiments, the compounds herein can kill tumor cells by induction of apoptosis. Thus, the present compounds can be used to treat cancer, tumors or other proliferative disorders. 
     In further embodiments, inhibition of proteasome function by compounds of the invention can inhibit the activation or processing of transcription factor NF-κB. This protein plays a role in the regulation of genes involved in the immune and inflammatory responses as well as in cell viability. Inhibition of proteasome function can also inhibit the ubiquitination/proteolysis pathway. This pathway catalyzes, inter alia, selective degradation of highly abnormal proteins and short-lived regulatory proteins. In some embodiments, compounds of the invention can prevent the degradation of p53 which is typically degraded by the ubiquitin-dependent pathway. The ubiquitination/proteolysis pathway also is involved in the processing of internalized cellular or viral antigens into antigenic peptides that bind to MHC-I molecules. Thus, the compounds of the invention can be used to reduce the activity of the cytosolic ATP-ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system in a number of cell types. 
     Accordingly, the usefulness of such compounds can include therapeutics, such as the treatment of various diseases or disorders associated with proteasome. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, or composition thereof, to a mammal, such as a human having a disease or disorder associated with proteasome. The phrase “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount sufficient to prevent, alleviate, or ameliorate any phenomenon, such as a cause or symptom, known in the art to be associated with the disease or disorder. 
     Treatable diseases or disorders (abnormal physical conditions) can be associated with either normal or abnormal activities of proteasome, such as the regulation of apoptosis. Numerous diseases or disorders that are associated with proteasome, or that are desirably treated by induction of apoptosis, are known and include, for example, various cancers and tumors including those associated with skin, prostate, colorectal, pancreas, kidney, ovary, mammary, liver, tongue, lung, and smooth muscle tissues. Preferred tumors that can be treated with proteasome inhibitors include, but are not limited to hematological tumors, such as, for example, leukemias, lymphomas, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, multiple myeloma, as well as solid tumors such as, for example, colorectal, mammary, prostate, lung, and pancreas tumors. In order to elicit therapeutic effects, the proteasome inhibitors can be administered to patients as single agents or in combination with one or more antitumor or anticancer agent and/or radiotherapy. Examples of other anti-tumor or anti-cancer agents which can be advantageously administered concomitantly with a proteasome inhibitor include but are not limited to, adriamycin, daunomycin, methotrexate, vincristin, 6-mercaptopurine, cytosine arabinoside, cyclophosphamide, 5-FU, hexamethylmelamine, carboplatin, cisplatin, idarubycin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, topotecan, irinotecam, gemcitabine, L-PAM, BCNU and VP-16. Methods for determining apoptosis in vitro are well known in the art and kits are available commercially. See for example the Apo-ONE™ Homogeneous Caspase-3/7 Assay from Promega Corporation, Madison Wis., USA (Technical Bulletin No.295, revised February 2002, Promega Corporation). 
     Further diseases or disorders associated with the proteasome include accelerated or enhanced proteolysis that occurs in atrophying muscles, such as is often associated with activation of a nonlysomal ATP-requiring process involving ubiquitin. Accelerated or enhanced proteolysis can be the result of any of numerous causes including sepsis, burns, trauma, cancer, infection, neurodegenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophy, acidosis, or spinal/nerve injuries, corticosteroid use, fever, stress, and starvation. Compounds of the invention can be tested for inhibition of muscle wastage by any various procedures known in the art such as by measuring urinary excretion of modified amino acid 3-methylhistidine (see, e.g., Young, et al.,  Federation Proc.,  1978, 37, 229). 
     Compounds of the present invention can be further used to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with activity of NF-κB including for example, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and inflammatory disorders resulting from, for example, transplantation rejection, arthritis, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, restenosis, and autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, a process that prevents activation of NF-κB in patients suffering from such a disease would be therapeutically beneficial. Inhibition of the NF-κB activity can be measured by using a DNA binding assay such a described in Palombella, et al.,  Cell,  1994, 78, 773. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art can readily identify individuals who are prone to or suspected of suffering from such diseases or disorders using standard diagnostic techniques. 
     Example A 
     Assay for Chymotrypsin-like Activity of 20S Human Erythrocyte Proteasome (HEP) 
     Proteasome chymotrypsin-like activity of compounds of the invention was assayed according to the following procedure. 
     In 96-well microtiter plates, 20S Human Erythrocyte Proteasome (HEP), purchased from Immatics Biotechnologies Inc., Tubingen, Germany was plated at 0.2 μg/mL (about 0.6 nM catalytic sites) in 0.04% SDS 20 mM Tris buffer. A fluorimetric substrate Suc-LLVY-AMC (succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin), purchased from Sigma Inc., St. Louis, Mo., USA was added to a final concentration of 100 μM from a stock solution of 10 mM in dimethylsulfoxide. Reaction volumes were 100 μl per well. After incubation for various periods of time at 37° C., the concentration of free AMC (aminomethylcoumarin) was determined on a Perkin Elmer HTS 7000 Plus microplate reader, excitation 370 nM and emission 465 nM. Proteasome activity was determined under conditions in which substrate hydrolysis increased linearly with time and the change in fluorescence signal was proportional to the concentration of free AMC. 
     Example B 
     Assay for Activity of α-Chymotrypsin 
     In 96-well microtiter plates bovine α-chymotrypsin, purchased from Sigma Inc., was plated at 10 ng/mL (about 2 pM catalytic sites) in 0.5 M NaCl 50 mM Hepes buffer. A fluorimetric substrate Suc-AAPF-AMC (succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin), purchased from Sigma Inc., St. Louis, Mo., USA was added to a final concentration of 25 μM from a stock solution of 10 mM in dimethylsulfoxide. Reaction volumes were 100 μl per well. After incubation for various periods of time at room temperature, the concentration of free AMC was determined on a Perkin Elmer HTS 7000 Plus microplate reader, excitation 370 nM and emission 465 nM. α-Chymotrypsin activity was determined under conditions in which substrate hydrolysis increased linearly with time and the change in fluorescence signal was proportional to the concentration of free AMC. 
     Example C 
     Determination of IC 50  Values for HEP and α-Chymotrypsin Inhibitors 
     IC 50  values are typically defined as the concentration of a compound necessary to produce 50% inhibition of the enzyme&#39;s activity. IC 50  values are useful indicators of the activity of a compound for its designated use. The proteasome inhibitors of the invention can be considered active if they have IC 50  values of less than about 1 micromolar for inhibition of human erythrocyte proteasome (HEP). In some embodiments, the inhibitors show some specificity for HEP and the ratio of the IC 50  for inhibition of bovine α-chymotrypsin versus the IC 50  for inhibition of HEP, i.e, IC 50  (α-Chymotripsin)/IC 50  (HEP), is greater then about 100. 
     Inhibition of the chymotrypsin-like activity of HEP and of bovine α-chymotrypsin was determined by incubating the enzyme with various concentrations of putative inhibitors for 15 minutes at 37° C. (or room temperature for α-chymotrypsin) prior to the addition of substrate. Each experimental condition was evaluated in triplicate, and replicate experiments were performed for the inhibitors described herein. 
     Compounds of the present invention are considered active in the above identified assay if their IC 50  values for inhibition of HEP are less than 1000 nanoMolar. Preferably compounds of the present invention will have IC 50  values for inhibition of HEP less than 100 nanoMolar. More preferably compounds of the present invention will have IC 50  values for inhibition of HEP less than 10 nanoMolar. Compounds of the present invention have demonstrated, in the above identified assay, IC 50  values for inhibition of HEP less than 1000 nanoMolar. 
     Example D 
     Cellular Assay for Chymotrypsin-like activity of Proteasome in Molt-4 Cell Line 
     The chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasome in Molt-4 cells (human leukemia) was assayed according to the following procedure. A brief description of the method was published previously (Harding et al.,  J. Immunol.,  1995, 155, 1767). 
     Molt-4 cells were washed and resuspended in HEPES-buffered Saline (5.4 mM KCl, 120 mM NaCl, 25 mM Glucose, 1.5 mM MgSO 4 , 1 mM Na pyruvate, 20 mM Hepes) and plated in 96-well microtiter white plates to a final concentration of 6×10 6  cells/mL. Then various 5× proteasome inhibitor concentrations (or diluted DMSO for controls), prepared from 250×DMSO solutions by diluting 50-fold using HEPES-buffered saline, were added to the plate to a final 1× concentration. After 15 minutes incubation at 37° C., a fluorimetric cell permeable substrate (MeOSuc-FLF-AFC) (methoxysuccinyl-Phe-Leu-Phe-7-amido-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin) purchased from Enzyme Systems Products, catalogue number AFC-88, was added to each well at a final concentration of 25 μM from a stock solution of 20 mM in DMSO. Reaction volumes were 100 μl per well. 
     The concentration of free AFC was monitored every 1.5 min for 30 min (22 cycles) on a Polastar Optima, BMG Labtechnologies microplate reader, using an excitation wavelength of 390 nm and emission wavelength of 520 nm. Proteasome activity was determined under conditions in which substrate hydrolysis increased linearly with time and the change in fluorescent signal was proportional to the concentration of free AFC. 
     Example E 
     Determination of EC 50  values for proteasome inhibitors in MOLT-4 Cell Line 
     EC 50  values are typically defined as the concentration of a compound required to produce an inhibition of the enzyme&#39;s activity halfway between the minimum and the maximum response (0% and 85–90% respectively for this assay). EC 50  values are useful indicators of the activity of a compound for its designated use. The compounds of the invention can be considered active if they have an EC 50  of less than about 10 micromolar. 
     Inhibition of chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasome in Molt-4 cells was determined by incubating cells with various concentrations of putative inhibitors for 15 minutes at 37° C. prior to the addition of substrate. Each experimental condition was evaluated in triplicate, and replicate experiments were performed for the inhibitors described herein. 
     Compounds of the present invention are considered active in the above identified assay if their EC 50  values for proteasome inhibition in MOLT-4 are less than 10 microMolar. Preferably compounds of the present invention will have EC 50  values for proteasome inhibition in MOLT-4 less than 2 microMolar. More preferably compounds of the present invention will have EC 50  values for proteasome inhibition in MOLT-4 less than 200 nanomolar. Compounds of the present invention have demonstrated, in the above identified assay, EC 50  values for proteasome inhibition in MOLT-4 cells of less than 10 microMolar. 
     Example F 
     Assay for Trypsin-like Activity of the Proteasome 
     The trypsin-like activity of human proteasome can be assayed as described above with the following modifications. Reactions can be carried out in Tris-glycerol buffer (pH 9.5) supplemented with 1 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, and the substrate can be a fluorogenic substrate such as benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Arg-AMC (100 μM). 
     After incubation for various periods of time at 37° C., the concentration of free AMC can be determined on a Fluoroskan II spectrofluorimeter with an excitation filter of 390 nm and an emission filter of 460 nm. Protease activity can be determined under conditions in which substrate hydrolysis increases linearly with time and the change in fluorescence is proportional to the concentration of free AMC. 
     Example G 
     In vivo Inhibition of Cellular Muscle Breakdown 
     The effect of inhibitors on the unweighting atrophy of the soleus muscle in juvenile rats can be determined by, for example, the procedures described in Tischler,  Metabolism,  1990, 39, 756. For example, juvenile female Sprague-Dawley rats (80–90 g) can be tail-cast, hind limb suspended as described in Jaspers, et al.,  J. Appl. Physiol.,  1984, 57, 1472. The animal&#39;s hind limbs can be elevated above the floor of the cage with each animal housed individually. Animals can have free access to food and water, and can be weighed at the time of suspension and at time of termination. During the suspension period the animals can be checked daily to ensure that their toes are not touching the floor of the cage, and that there is no swelling of the tail due to the cast. 
     Experimental Design—Part 1 
     Each experiment can begin with the suspension of 20 rats which are randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each. Group A can be suspended for 2 days, providing baseline data to approximate the soleus muscle size in other animals suspended for longer times. Average body weights for the groups at the outset of the study can be compared and used as a correction factor for body size differences. Group B can be a second control group which has the soleus of one limb treated with an aqueous solution of mersalyl after two days of unweighting, to demonstrate the ability to slow muscle atrophy during unweighting, for each group of animals. At 2 days after unweighting commences, an aqueous solution of mersalyl (200 nM; 4 .mu.l/100 g initial body wt) can be injected into one soleus. The contralateral muscle can be injected with a similar volume of 0.9% saline (“Vehicle”). The animals can be maintained under Innovar-vet (10 μl/100 g body wt) tranquilization during the in situ injection procedure. After the injections, the animals can be suspended for an additional 24 hours and the soleus can be removed. Groups C and D for each experiment can be used for testing each of two different embodiments of the disclosed compounds. Animals can be treated as in group B, except that 1 mM proteasome inhibitor, contained in dimethysulfoxide (DMSO), can be injected into the soleus of one leg and DMSO only into the contralateral soleus. Thus each experiment consists of two control groups and the testing of proteasome inhibitors of the invention. The completion of five such experiments with different pairs of inhibitors provides for an “n” value of 10 for testing each inhibitor and each can be tested in two different shipments of animals. 
     Processing of the Soleus Muscle—Part 1 
     After the animal is sacrificed, the soleus can be excised, trimmed of fat and connective tissue, and carefully weighed. The muscle can then homogenized in 10% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and the precipitated protein pelleted by centrifugation. The pellet can then be washed once with 10% TCA and once with ethanol:ether (1:1). The final pellet can be solubilized in 4 ml of 1N sodium hydroxide. The sample can be then analyzed for protein content by the biuret procedure, using albumin as a standard. 
     Data Analysis—Part 1 
     The effect of inhibitors on total muscle protein content can be examined primarily by paired comparison with the untreated contralateral muscle. The ratio of contents can be calculated and then analyzed statistically by analysis of variance (“ANOVA”). The left leg can always be the treated leg so that the protein content ratios can be compared to the non-treated control animals as well. In this way, a significant difference can be shown by comparing the protein content of the two legs, as well as the relative effectiveness of the tested inhibitors. A paired student test can also be performed for the effect of each separate treatment. The non-treated control data also provide an estimate of protein content of day 2. This allows approximation of the protein changes over the 24 hours of treatment for each of the Groups B, C, and D. 
     Experimental Design—Part 2 
     Each experiment can consist of 10 animals with groups of 5 animals being tested with one of the inhibitors for its effect on protein synthesis. Control animals are not needed for this aspect of the study as the contralateral DMSO-treated muscle serves as the paired control for the inhibitor-treated muscle. Each group can be injected as described for groups C and D in part 1. Twenty-four hours after the in situ treatment the fractional rate of protein synthesis can be analyzed in both soleus muscles. Each muscle can be injected with a 0.9% saline solution (3.5 μl/100 g final body wt) containing  3 H-phenylalanine (50 mM; 1 μCi/ m l). Fifteen minutes later the middle two-thirds of the muscle can be excised and the muscle can be processed as described below. 
     Processing of the Soleus Muscle—Part 2 
     The muscle can be first washed for 10 minutes in 0.84% saline containing 0.5 mM cycloheximide, to terminate protein synthesis, and 20 mM cycloleucine, to trap phenylalanine in the cell. The muscle can then be homogenized in 2.5 mL of ice-cold 2% perchloric acid. The precipitated protein can be pelleted by centrifugation. One aliquot of the supernatant can be taken for liquid scintillation counting and another aliquot can be processed for conversion of phenylalanine to phenethylamine to determine the soluble phenylalanine concentration fluorometrically. See, e.g., Garlick, et al.,  Biochem. J.,  1980, 192, 719. These values can provide the intracellular specific activity. The specific activity of phenylalanine in the muscle protein can be determined after hydrolyzing the protein by heating in 6N HCl. The amino acids released can be solubilized in buffer. One aliquot can be taken for scintillation counting and another for analysis of phenylalanine as for the supernatant fraction. The fractional rate of protein synthesis can be calculated as: protein specific activity/intracellular specific activity.times.time. 
     Data Analysis—Part 2 
     Analyses of protein synthesis can be on a paired basis for each inhibitor. Student paired t test comparisons of the contralateral muscles can determine whether there is any effect of the inhibitor on protein synthesis. Protein breakdown can be calculated approximately as the fractional rate of protein synthesis (from part 2) plus the fractional rate of protein accretion (from part 1), where protein loss yields a negative value for protein accretion. 
     Qualitatively the ability of inhibitors to slow protein loss without affecting protein synthesis indicates a slowing of protein degradation. 
     Example H 
     In vivo Investigation of Anti-Tumor Activity 
     Materials 
     The proteasome inhibitors used for in vivo studies can be formulated in an appropriate medium for intravenous (iv) or oral (po) administration. For example, for the iv administration the compounds can be administered dissolved in 0.9% NaCl, or in mixtures of 0.9% NaCl, solutol HS15 and dimethylsulfoxide, for example in the ratio 87:10:3 (v:v:v), respectively. 
     Cell Lines 
     The following human and murine tumor cell lines of different histological origine can be used to test the antitumor activity of the compounds of the invention: H460 (human, lung), A2780 (human, ovary), PC-3 (human, prostate), LoVo (human, colon), HCT116 (human, colon), BXPC3 (human, pancreatic), PANC-1 (human, pancreatic), MX-1 (human, mammary), MOLT (human, leukemia), multiple myeloma (human, myeloma), YC8 (murine, lymphoma), L1210 (murine, leukemia), 3LL (murine, lung). 
     Animal Species 
     5–6 weeks immunocompetent or immunodeprived mice are purchased from commercial sources, for example from Harlan (Correzzana, Mi Italy). CD1 nu/nu mice are maintained under sterile conditions; sterilized cages, bedding, food and acidified water are used. 
     Tumor Cell Implantation and Growth 
     Solid tumor models of different hystotype (lung, ovary, breast, prostate, pancreatic, colon) can be transplanted subcutaneously (sc.) into the axillary region of immunocompetent mice (murine models) or in immunodeprived mice (human models). Human tumor cell lines, originally obtained from ATCC, can be adapted to grow “in vivo” as solid tumor from “in vitro culture”. 
     Hematological human or murine tumor models can be transplanted into different sites (iv, ip , ic or sc) in immunocompetent mice (murine tumors) or in immunodeprived mice (human leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma models), according to their highest tumor take. 
     Drug Treatment 
     Mice bearing solid (staged) or hematological tumors are randomized in experimental groups (10 mice/group). For solid tumors, an average tumor weight of 80–100 mg for each group is considered to start the treatment; mice with the smallest and largest tumors are discarded. 
     Experimental groups are randomly assigned to the drug treatment and to the control group. Animals can be treated iv or orally, depending on the oral bioavailability with the compounds following different treatment schedules: iv weekly or twice weekly, or by daily oral administration. 
     On solid tumor models, drug treatment can begin when the tumor size ranges between 80–100 mg after tumor transplantation (Day 0). 
     The compounds can be administered in a volume of 10 mL/Kg body weight/mouse in the appropriate solvent. 
     Parameters of Antitumor Activity 
     The following parameters can be assessed for the evaluation of the antitumor activity:
     growth of primary solid tumor; in each mouse is monitored by caliper measurement twice weekly;   survival time of treated mice as compared to control mice   twice weekly body weight evaluation of individual mice.   

     The tumor growth inhibition, TWI% (percentage of primary tumor growth inhibition in comparison with vehicle treated control groups) or the Relative tumor growth inhibition, RTWI% in case of staged tumors, is evaluated one week after the last drug treatment and the Tumor weight (TW) can be calculated as follows:
 
TW=½ab 2 
 
where a and b are long and short diameters of the tumor mass in mm.
 
     The antitumor activity can be determined as tumor weight inhibition (TWI %), which is calculated according to the formula: 
     
       
         
           
             
               TWI 
               ⁢ 
               
                   
               
               ⁢ 
               % 
             
             = 
             
               100 
               - 
               
                 
                   
                     mean 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     TW 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     treated 
                   
                   
                     mean 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     TW 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     controls 
                   
                 
                 × 
                 100 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     The RTWI% (relative percentage of primary tumor growth inhibition in comparison with vehicle treated control groups) is evaluated one week after the last drug treatment, according to the following formula: 
     
       
         
           
             
               RTWI 
               ⁢ 
               
                   
               
               ⁢ 
               % 
             
             = 
             
               100 
               - 
               
                 
                   
                     mean 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     RV 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     of 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     treated 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     mice 
                   
                   
                     mean 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     RV 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     of 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     controls 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     mice 
                   
                 
                 × 
                 100 
               
             
           
         
       
       
         
           where 
         
       
       
         
           
             RV 
             = 
             
               
                 Vt 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                     
                 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     tumor 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     weight 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     on 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     day 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     t 
                   
                   ) 
                 
               
               
                 Vo 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                     
                 
                 ( 
                 
                   intitial 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   tumor 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   weight 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   at 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   the 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   outset 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   of 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   treatment 
                 
                 ) 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     The Percent of Tumor Regression can be calculated as regressions in terms of relative tumor weight, determined as tumor weight at given day divided by initial tumor weight at the outset the experiment. 
     On haematological tumour models the antitumor activity can be determined as percentage increase of the median survival time of mice expressed as the ratio (T/C%) of the median survival time of the treated group (T) to that of the control group (C). Animals which are tumour-free at the end of the experiment (60 days after transplantation) are excluded from the calculation and considered as long term survivors (LTS). 
     Evaluation of Toxicity in Tumor Bearing Mice 
     Toxicity can be evaluated daily on the basis of the gross autopsy findings and the weight loss. Mice are considered to have died of toxicity when death occurs before the death of vehicle treated control animals, or when significant body weight loss (&gt;20%), and/or spleen and liver size reduction are observed. 
     The BWC% (Body weight change %) is assessed as follow: 100−(mean body weight of mice at given day/mean body weight at start of treatment)×100. This value is determined one week after the last treatment with the test compound. 
     Example K 
     In vitro Viability of Cells 
     The IC 50  values measuring in vitro viability of cells in the presence of test compounds can be determined according to the following procedure. Cells can be seeded in 96-well plates at varying densities and then assayed using the Calcein-AM viability assay after 24 hours to determine the optimal final density for each cell type. Cells can then be seeded in 96-well plates at the determined density in 100 μL of an appropriate cell media known to one skilled in the art. 
     Serial dilutions of test compounds can be made so that the concentrations are twice the desired concentration to be evaluated. When 100 μL of the dilution is then added to the cells plated in 100 μL of media, a final concentration of, for example, 0, 11.7, 46.9, 187.5, 375, and 750 nM can be obtained. Compounds can be added to the plates three to four hours after seeding the cells, then the plates can be incubated at 37° C. for the desired time point (e.g., one, two, or three days). 
     Calcein-AM viability assays can be conducted at the desired time points as follows. Media can be aspirated using a manifold and metal plate to leave approximately 50 μL/well. The wells can be washed three times with 200 μL DPBS, aspirating each time with the manifold to leave 50 μL/well. A 8 μM solution of Calcein-AM in DPBS can be prepared and 150 μL can be added to each well. The plates can then be incubated at 37° C. for 30 minutes. After incubation, calcein can be aspirated with the manifold and cells can be washed with 200 μL DPBS as before. After final aspiration, fluorescence can be measured using a Cytofluor 2300 fluorescence plate reader. Negative controls can contain media and no cells, and experiments can be conducted in triplicate. 
     Example L 
     Kinetic Experiments in vitro 
     Compounds of the invention can be tested for proteasorne inhibitory activity using a protocol described in Rock, et al.,  Cell,  1994, 78, 761. According to this procedure, dissociation constants (K i ) for the equilibrium established when proteasome and test compound interact to form a complex. The reactions can be carried out using SDS-activated 20S proteasome from rabbit muscle, and the proteasome substrate can be Suc-LLVY-AMC. 
     Example M 
     Inhibition of Activation of NF-κB 
     Compounds of the invention can be tested for inhibiting the activity of NF-κB by carrying out the assay described in Palombella, et al.,  Cell,  1994, 78, 773). For example, MG63 osteocarcinoma cells can be stimulated by treatment with TNF-α for designated times. Whole cell extracts can be prepared and analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using the PRDII probe from the human IFN-β gene promoter. 
     Example N 
     Compound Activity  
     Using the assays of Example C and Example E above the following Table F-1 demonstrates the utility of compounds of the invention for proteasome inhibition. In the following Tables, for the inhibition of HEP, Example C, compounds of the present invention with a “+” are less than 1000 nanoMolar; compounds of the present invention with a “++” are less than 100 nanoMolar; and compounds of the present invention with a “+++” are less than 10 nanoMolar in IC 50  for HEP inhibition. In the following Tables, for the inhibition of MOLT4, Example E, compounds of the present invention with a “+” are less than 10000 nanoMolar; compounds of the present invention with a “++” are less than 2000 nanoMolar; and compounds of the present invention with a “+++” are less than 200 nanoMolar in EC 50  for HEP inhibition. Where “&gt;+” occurs activity was greater than the limits of the assay. Where no IC 50  value or EC 50  value is represented, data has yet to be determined. 
                             TABLE F-1               Example #   HEP (IC 50 )   MOLT4 (EC 50 )                                            10   +++   +++       11   +++   +++       12   +++   ++       13   +++   +++       14   +++   +++       15   ++       16   +++   +++       17   ++   &gt;+       18   +++   ++       19   +++   +++       20   +++   +       21   +++   &gt;+       22   +++   &gt;+       23   +++   +++       24   +++   &gt;+                    
Pharmaceutical Formulations and Dosage Forms
 
     When employed as pharmaceuticals, the compounds of Formula (I) can be administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. These compositions can be administered by a variety of routes including oral, rectal, transdermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, and intranasal, and can be prepared in a manner well known in the pharmaceutical art. 
     This invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions which contain, as the active ingredient, one or more of the compounds of Formula (I) above in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. In making the compositions of the invention, the active ingredient is typically mixed with an excipient, diluted by an excipient or enclosed within such a carrier in the form of, for example, a capsule, sachet, paper, or other container. When the excipient serves as a diluent, it can be a solid, semi-solid, or liquid material, 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 containing, for example, up to 10% by weight of the active compound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injectable solutions, and sterile packaged powders. 
     In preparing a formulation, the active compound can be milled to provide the appropriate particle size prior to combining with the other ingredients. If the active compound is substantially insoluble, it can be milled to a particle size of less than 200 mesh. If the active compound is substantially water soluble, the particle size can be adjusted by milling to provide a substantially uniform distribution in the formulation, e.g. about 40 mesh. 
     Some examples of suitable excipients include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, water, syrup, and methyl cellulose. The formulations can additionally include: lubricating agents such as talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil; wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preserving agents such as methyl- and propylhydroxy-benzoates; sweetening agents; and flavoring agents. The compositions of the invention can be formulated so as to provide quick, sustained or delayed release of the active ingredient after administration to the patient by employing procedures known in the art. 
     The compositions can be formulated in a unit dosage form, each dosage containing from about 5 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 subjects and other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with a suitable pharmaceutical excipient. 
     The active compound can be effective over a wide dosage range and is generally administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount. It will be understood, however, that the amount of the compound actually administered will usually be determined by a physician, according to the relevant circumstances, including the condition to be treated, the chosen route of administration, the actual compound administered, the age, weight, and response of the individual patient, the severity of the patient&#39;s symptoms, and the like. 
     For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical excipient to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of a compound of the present invention. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, the active ingredient is typically dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition can be readily subdivided into equally effective unit dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above containing from, for example, 0.1 to about 500 mg of the active ingredient of the present invention. 
     The tablets or pills of the present invention can 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 envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permit the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric acids and mixtures of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol, and cellulose acetate. 
     The liquid forms in which the compounds and compositions of the present invention can be incorporated for administration orally or by injection include aqueous solutions, suitably flavored syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavored emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. 
     Compositions for inhalation or insufflation include solutions and suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable, aqueous or organic solvents, or mixtures thereof, and powders. The liquid or solid compositions may contain suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients as described supra. In some embodiments, the compositions are administered by the oral or nasal respiratory route for local or systemic effect. Compositions in can be nebulized by use of inert gases. Nebulized solutions may be breathed directly from the nebulizing device or the nebulizing device can be attached to a face masks tent, or intermittent positive pressure breathing machine. Solution, suspension, or powder compositions can be administered orally or nasally from devices which deliver the formulation in an appropriate manner. 
     The amount of compound or composition administered to a patient will vary depending upon what is being administered, the purpose of the administration, such as prophylaxis or therapy, the state of the patient, the manner of administration, and the like. In therapeutic applications, compositions can be administered to a patient already suffering from a disease in an amount sufficient to cure or at least partially arrest the symptoms of the disease and its complications. An amount adequate to accomplish this is referred to as “therapeutically effective amount.” Effective doses will depend on the disease condition being treated as well as by the judgement of the attending clinician depending upon factors such as the severity of the disease, the age, weight and general condition of the patient, and the like. 
     The compositions administered to a patient can be in the form of pharmaceutical compositions described above. These compositions can be sterilized by conventional sterilization techniques, or may be sterile filtered. Aqueous solutions can be packaged for use as is, or lyophilized, the lyophilized preparation being combined with a sterile aqueous carrier prior to administration. The pH of the compound preparations typically will be between 3 and 11, more preferably from 5 to 9 and most preferably from 7 to 8. It will be understood that use of certain of the foregoing excipients, carriers, or stabilizers will result in the formation of pharmaceutical salts. 
     The therapeutic dosage of the compounds of the present invention can vary according to, for example, the particular use for which the treatment is made, the manner of administration of the compound, the health and condition of the patient, and the judgment of the prescribing physician. The proportion or concentration of a compound of the invention in a pharmaceutical composition can vary depending upon a number of factors including dosage, chemical characteristics (e.g., hydrophobicity), and the route of administration. For example, the compounds of the invention can be provided in an aqueous physiological buffer solution containing about 0.1 to about 10% w/v of the compound for parenteral adminstration. Some typical dose ranges are from about 1 μg/kg to about 1 g/kg of body weight per day. In some embodiments, the dose range is from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day. The dosage is likely to depend on such variables as the type and extent of progression of the disease or disorder, the overall health status of the particular patient, the relative biological efficacy of the compound selected, formulation of the excipient, and its route of administration. Effective doses can be extrapolated from dose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test systems. 
     The present invention also includes pharmaceutical kits useful, for example, in the treatment or prevention of inflammatory diseases, which comprise one or more containers containing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I). Such kits can further include, if desired, one or more of various conventional pharmaceutical kit components, such as, for example, containers with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, additional containers, etc., as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Instructions, either as inserts or as labels, indicating quantities of the components to be administered, guidelines for administration, and/or guidelines for mixing the components, can also be included in the kit. 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.