A Tri‐copper(II) Complex Displaying DNA‐Cleaving Properties and Antiproliferative Activity against Cancer Cells

A new disubstituted terpyridine ligand and the corresponding tri‐copper(II) complex have been prepared and characterised. The binding affinity and binding mode of this tri‐copper complex (as well as the previously reported mono‐ and di‐copper analogues) towards duplex DNA were determined by using UV/Vis spectroscopic titrations and fluorescent indicator displacement (FID) assays. These studies showed the three complexes to bind moderately (in the order of 10⁴ M ^?1) to duplex DNA (ct‐DNA and a 26‐mer sequence). Furthermore, the number of copper centres and the nature of the substituents were found to play a significant role in defining the binding mode (intercalative or groove binding). The nuclease potential of the three complexes was investigated by using circular plasmid DNA as a substrate and analysing the products by agarose‐gel electrophoresis. The cleaving activity was found to be dependent on the number of copper centres present (cleaving potency was in the order: tri‐copper>di‐copper>mono‐copper). Interestingly, the tri‐copper complex was able to cleave DNA without the need of external co‐reductants. As this complex displayed the most promising nuclease properties, cell‐based studies were carried out to establish if there was a direct link between DNA cleavage and cellular toxicity. The tri‐copper complex displayed high cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines. Of particular interest was that it displayed high cytotoxicity against the cisplatin‐resistant MOLT‐4 leukaemia cell line. Cellular uptake studies showed that the tri‐copper complex was able to enter the cell and more importantly localise in the nucleus. Immunoblotting analysis (used to monitor changes in protein levels related to the DNA damage response pathway) and DNA‐flow cytometric studies suggested that this tri‐copper(II) complex is able to induce cellular DNA damage.     

Directional Shuttling of a Stimuli‐Responsive Cone‐Like Macrocycle on a Single‐State Symmetric Dumbbell Axle

Rotaxane‐based molecular shuttles are often operated using low‐symmetry axles and changing the states of the binding stations. A molecular shuttle capable of directional shuttling of an acid‐responsive cone‐like macrocycle on a single‐state symmetric dumbbell axle is now presented. The axle contains three binding stations: one symmetric di(quaternary ammonium) station and two nonsymmetric phenyl triazole stations arranged in opposite orientations. Upon addition of an acid, the protonated macrocycle shuttles from the di(quaternary ammonium) station to the phenyl triazole binding station closer to its butyl groups. This directional shuttling presumably originates from charge repulsion and an orientational binding preference between the cone‐like cavity and the nonsymmetric phenyl triazole station. This mechanism for achieving directional shuttling by manipulating only the wheels instead of the tracks is new for artificial molecular machines.     

Photophysical and Duplex‐DNA‐Binding Properties of Distamycin Dimers Based on 4,4′‐ and 2,2′‐Dialkoxyazobenzenes as the Core

Distamycin‐based tetrapeptide ( 1 ) was covalently tethered to both ends of the central dihydroxyazobenzene moiety at either the 2,2′ or 4,4′ positions. This afforded two isomeric, distamycin–azobenzene–distamycin systems, 2 (para) and 3 (ortho), both of them being photoisomerizable. Illumination of these conjugates in solution at approximately 360 nm induced photoisomerization and the time course of the process was followed by UV/Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The kinetics of the thermal reversion at various temperatures of cis to trans isomers of the conjugates obtained after photoillumination were also examined. This afforded the respective thermal‐activation parameters. Both the molecular architecture and the location of the substituent around the core azobenzene determined the rate and activation‐energy barrier for the cis‐to‐trans back‐isomerization of these conjugates in solution. Duplex–DNA binding of the conjugates and the changes in DNA‐binding efficiency upon photoisomerization was also examined by CD spectroscopy, thermal denaturation studies, and a Hoechst displacement assay. The conjugate 2 showed higher DNA‐binding affinity and a greater change in the DNA‐binding efficiency upon photoisomerization compared with its 2,2′‐disubstituted counterpart. The experimental findings were substantiated by using molecular‐docking studies involving each conjugate with a model duplex d[(GC(AT)₁₀CG)]₂ DNA molecule.     

Heteroaryl substituted ansa‐titanocene anti‐cancer drugs derived from fulvenes and titanium dichloride

Starting from 2‐furylfulvene (1a) , 2‐thiophenylfulvene (1b) , and 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolylfulvene (1c), [1,2‐di(cyclopentadienyl)‐1,2‐di‐(2‐furyl)ethanediyl] titanium dichloride (2a) , [1,2‐di(cyclopentadienyl)‐1,2‐di‐(2‐thiophenyl)ethanediyl] titanium dichloride (2b) , and [1,2‐di(cyclopentadienyl)‐1,2‐bis‐(1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolyl)ethanediyl] titanium dichloride (2c) were synthesized. When titanocenes (2a–c) were tested against pig kidney carcinoma cells (LLC‐PK), inhibitory concentrations (50%) of 4.5 × 10^?4 M , 2.9 × 10^?4 M and 2.0 × 10^?4 M respectively were observed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Copper(I)‐Mediated Denitrogenative Macrocyclization for the Synthesis of Cyclic α3β‐Tetrapeptide Analogues

A copper(I)‐mediated denitrogenative reaction has been successfully developed for the preparation of cyclic tetrapeptides. The key reactive intermediate, ketenimine, triggers intramolecular cyclization through attack of the terminal amine group to generate an internal β‐amino acid with an amidine linkage. The chemistry developed herein provides a new synthetic route for the preparation of cyclic α₃β‐tetrapeptide analogues that contain important biological properties and results in rich structural information being obtained for conformational studies. With the success of this copper(I)‐catalyzed macrocyclization, two histone deacetylase inhibitor analogues consisting of the cyclic α₃β‐tetrapeptide framework have been successfully synthesized.     

Di‐Channel Polyfluorene Containing Spiro‐Bridged Oxadiazole Branches

Summary: A p–n di‐channel copolymer based on polyfluorene (PF) has been designed and prepared. Branches containing oxadiazole units are attached to the PF backbone through the spiro‐structure and act as channels to improve the electron affinity; these branches form a steric ‘di‐channel’ framework with the polymer backbone. The polymer possesses excellent thermal stability. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level of the polymer is significantly altered in comparison with poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐2,7‐diyl).

Schematic of the di‐channel polyfluorene synthesized here and the mechanism of energy transfer through the structure.     

NMR Structure of a Triangulenium‐Based Long‐Lived Fluorescence Probe Bound to a G‐Quadruplex

An NMR structural study of the interaction between a small‐molecule optical probe (DAOTA‐M2) and a G‐quadruplex from the promoter region of the c‐myc oncogene revealed that they interact at 1:2 binding stoichiometry. NMR‐restrained structural calculations show that binding of DAOTA‐M2 occurs mainly through π–π stacking between the polyaromatic core of the ligand and guanine residues of the outer G‐quartets. Interestingly, the binding affinities of DAOTA‐M2 differ by a factor of two for the outer G‐quartets of the unimolecular parallel G‐quadruplex under study. Unrestrained MD calculations indicate that DAOTA‐M2 displays significant dynamic behavior when stacked on a G‐quartet plane. These studies provide molecular guidelines for the design of triangulenium derivatives that can be used as optical probes for G‐quadruplexes.     

Highly Efficient Cyclic Dinucleotide Based Artificial Metalloribozymes for Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Reactions in Water

The diverse secondary structures of nucleic acids are emerging as attractive chiral scaffolds to construct artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) for enantioselective catalysis. DNA‐based ArMs containing duplex and G‐quadruplex scaffolds have been widely investigated, yet RNA‐based ArMs are scarce. Here we report that a cyclic dinucleotide of c‐di‐AMP and Cu²⁺ ions assemble into an artificial metalloribozyme (c‐di‐AMP?Cu²⁺) that enables catalysis of enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reactions in aqueous media with high reactivity and excellent enantioselectivity of up to 97 % ee. The assembly of c‐di‐AMP?Cu²⁺ gives rise to a 20‐fold rate acceleration compared to Cu²⁺ ions. Based on various biophysical techniques and density function theory (DFT) calculations, a fine coordination structure of c‐di‐AMP?Cu²⁺ metalloribozyme is suggested in which two c‐di‐AMP form a dimer scaffold and the Cu²⁺ ion is located in the center of an adenine‐adenine plane through binding to two N7 nitrogen atoms and one phosphate oxygen atom.     

Antitumour activity of synthetic curcuminoid analogues (1,7‐diaryl‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐diones) and their copper complexes

Four new curcuminoid analogues, 1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione, 1a ; 1,7‐di(2‐furyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione, 1b ; 1,7‐di(2‐naphthyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione, 1c ; 1,7‐bis(2‐chlorophenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione, 1d ; and their copper(II) complexes of ML₂ stoichiometry were synthesized and characterized by UV, IR, ¹H NMR, ESR and mass spectral data. The compounds were investigated for their possible cytotoxic and antitumour activities. It was found that copper chelates are remarkably active compared with free curcuminoid analogues. All the compounds were found to be cytotoxic towards Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and cultured L929 (lung fibroblast cells). In the case of culture studies, concentrations needed for 50% cell death were around 5 µg/ml for copper complexes and 10 µg/ml for curcuminoid analogues. Copper complex of 1a with hydroxyl group in the phenyl ring was found to be most active towards L929cells (1 µg/ml produced 43.3 ± 1.3% cell death). Compound 1b , which possesses a furyl ring system, was found to show least activity towards increase in life span of tumour‐bearing mice (increase in life span 39.31%). Copper chelates of all curcuminoid analogues showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001) of solid tumour volume in mice. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Conformational Studies of a Hybrid Cyclic Peptide Based on cis‐β‐Furanoid Sugar Amino Acid (FSAA) and Ornithine

The conformational control of a 14‐helix nucleating template, cis‐β‐furanoid sugar amino acid (FSAA), over a flexible δ‐amino acid, ornithine is studied in a FSAA‐ornithine cyclic tetrapeptide. Extensive NMR and MD studies reveal that the cyclic peptide adopts a three‐dimentional bowl‐shape cavity, which promotes six‐ and seven‐membered intra‐ and inter‐residue H‐bonding, in polar and non‐polar solvents, respectively.     

A novel planar D‐A alternating copolymer with D‐A integrated structures exhibiting H‐aggregate behaviors for polymer solar cells

With the D‐A integrated structure concept, a new donor–acceptor (D‐A) copolymer poly{(N‐dodecyl‐carbazole[3,4‐c:5,6‐c]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole‐alt‐4,8‐di(2‐ethylhexy‐loxyl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene)} has been designed and synthesized using a novel architecture N‐dodecyl‐carbazole[3,4‐c:5,6‐c]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole, and di(2‐ethylhexy‐loxyl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene) as the basic building blocks. The copolymer has a low‐lying highest occupied molecular orbital energy level of ?5.41 eV and a broaden absorption matching well with the main solar photon flux. Note that an H‐aggregation beneficial for charge transportation and collection is formed in the macromolecules film, which implies that the planar D‐A integrated structure favors the strong intermolecular interaction to render molecules aggregated via face‐to‐face self‐assembly. The aggregation becomes larger scale after thermal annealing. Additionally, obvious intramolecular charge transfer and energy transfer have occurred in created D‐A integration. Without any treatment, the resulting polymer achieved a efficiency of 2.0% and relatively high open‐circuit voltage (V_oc) value of 0.77 V when blended with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester in a typical bulk heterojunction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Conformational Analysis of 1,2‐Di‐O‐Octanoyl‐Ethylene‐Glycerol During Aggregation

Conformational analysis of 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol during aggregation by 600 MHz ¹H NMR is described. In monomeric states, 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol exists in 75% anti‐conformer and 25% gauche‐conformer. The first critical micelle concentration of 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol is calculated to be 4.5 mM. In micellar states, 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol exists in 25% anti‐conformer and 75%) gauche‐conformer. When the concentration is greater than 10 mM, 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol probably aggregates to become the larger micelle, micelle II. In the second micellar state, 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoylethylene‐glycerol only exists in gauche‐conformer.     

Highly Active Bidirectional Electron Transfer by a Self‐Assembled Electroactive Reduced‐Graphene‐Oxide‐Hybridized Biofilm

Low extracellular electron transfer performance is often a bottleneck in developing high‐performance bioelectrochemical systems. Herein, we show that the self‐assembly of graphene oxide and Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 formed an electroactive, reduced‐graphene‐oxide‐hybridized, three‐dimensional macroporous biofilm, which enabled highly efficient bidirectional electron transfers between Shewanella and electrodes owing to high biomass incorporation and enhanced direct contact‐based extracellular electron transfer. This 3D electroactive biofilm delivered a 25‐fold increase in the outward current (oxidation current, electron flux from bacteria to electrodes) and 74‐fold increase in the inward current (reduction current, electron flux from electrodes to bacteria) over that of the naturally occurring biofilms.     

The tetrapeptide Z‐Leu‐Aib‐Pro‐Val‐OBg monohydrate

The intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding pattern of Z‐Leu‐Aib‐Pro‐Val‐OBg monohydrate [(N‐benzhydryl­amino)­carbonyl­methyl N‐benzyl­oxy­carbonyl‐α‐amino­isobutyryl­prolyl­valinate monohydrate], C₄₃H₅₅N₅O₈·H₂O, is unusual for a tetrapeptide because, in addition to a 14 hydrogen bond, a second hydrogen bond of the type 15 is formed. This folding reflects the intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding pattern that this amino acid sequence adopts in the naturally occurring peptaibol alamethicin.     

Packing Studies on Poly(di‐n‐alkylsilylenemethylene)s

The packing of poly(di‐n‐alkylsilylenemethylene) (PDASMs) chains was studied by using X‐ray, electron diffraction, and molecular modeling methods. X‐ray and electron diffraction measurements revealed unit cells in which the PDASMs were efficiently packed. The PDASM with the longer alkyl side chains, such as poly(di‐n‐propylsilylenemethylene) (PDPrSM), showed packing with the alkyl side chains interlocked with each other like cross‐shaped gears in the two‐dimensional monoclinic unit cell. The PDASM with the shorter ethyl substituent, poly(di‐n‐ethylsilylenemethylene) (PDESM), showed a lack of ability to interlock its side chains due to the short length of the alkyl groups. In these studies, we found that the length of the alkyl side chains could change the packing arrangement of PDASMs from monoclinic to orthorhombic to hexagonal with only short‐range order as the alkyl side chain length decreases at room temperature.

The ab projection of a 4 × 4 chain array of poly(di‐n‐propylsilylenemethylene) (PDPSM) in the monoclinic unit cell.     

Synthesis of trans‐disubstituted cyclam ligands appended with two 6‐hydroxymethylpyridin‐2‐ylmethyl sidearms: Crystal structures of the 1,8‐dimethyl‐4,ll‐di(6‐hydroxymethylpyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)cylam ligand and its Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes

Two new trans‐disubstituted cyclam ligands; 1,8‐di(6‐hydroxymethylpyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1,4,8,11‐tetra‐azacyclotetradecane ( 5 ) and 1,8‐dimethyl‐4, 11‐di(6‐hydroxymethylpyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1,4,8,11 ‐tetraaza‐cyclotetradecane ( 6 ); have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of ligand 6 and its Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes have been determined. Crystal data are given for 6 , space group, P2₁/c, a = 11.095 (6) Å, b = 9.467 (5) Å, c = 13.283 (8) Å; β = 106.95 (5)°, Z = 2, R = 0.0715; for [Ni 6 ](C10₄)₂, space group P2₁/c, a = 9.4848 (14) Å, b = 33.941(6) Å, c = 9.793(2) A, β = 95.264(14)°, Z = 4, R = 0.0567; for [Co 6 ](C10₄)₂, space group, P2₁/c, a = 9.440 (6) Å, b = 33.848 (13) Å, c = 9.820 (3) Å, β = 95.16(3)°, Z = 4, R = 0.0718. In both complexes, the metal atoms are six‐coordinate with only one of the pendants interacting with the central metal atom and the other pendant remaining uncoordinated.     

Synthesis of P‐Unsymmetrically Substituted Derivatives of NAPHOS

2, 2′‐Bromomethyl‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl reacted with di‐tert‐butylphosphine to form (R, S)‐4, 4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4, 5‐dihydro‐3Hdinaphtho[2, 1‐c:1′, 2′‐e] phosphepinium bromide 5a . The di‐iso‐propyl‐ ( 5b) and the phenyl‐ethyl ( 5c ) analogue of compound 5a were prepared by similar routes. Treatment of 5a with potassium diphenylphosphide, KPPh₂, afforded the corresponding bis‐phosphine, 2‐di‐tert‐butylphosphino‐methyl‐2′‐diphenylphosphino‐methyl‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl 6 . An attempt at the synthesis of the first example of a bis‐phosphonite ligand with a 2, 2′‐dimethyl‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl backbone unexpectedly led, in the first step, to 2, 2′‐bis[diethylamino‐methoxy‐phosphino]‐1, 1′‐binaphthyl 9 . X‐ray crystal structure analyses were carried out for the phosphepinium bromides 5a and 5c , and for the bis‐phosphines 6 and 9 . In compounds 5a and 5c the interplanar angle between the two parts of the binaphthyl group is 65.8° and 64.5°, respectively, as reflected in the conformation of the seven‐membered ring. In 5a the bromide and methanol residues are hydrogen‐bonded to form Br^— (···HOCH₃)₂ units. In 6 the binaphthyl interplanar angle is 86.1°; the two halves of the molecule show appreciably different conformations of the ring substituents, as do those of 9 (binaphthyl angle 78.6°).     

Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Galactosaminogalactans Featuring α‐Galactose, α‐Galactosamine and α‐N‐Acetyl Galactosamine Linkages

Galactosaminogalactan (GAG) is a prominent cell wall component of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. GAG is a heteropolysaccharide composed of α‐1,4‐linked galactose, galactosamine and N‐acetylgalactosamine residues. To enable biochemical studies, a library of GAG‐fragments was constructed featuring specimens containing α‐galactose‐, α‐galactosamine and α‐N‐acetyl galactosamine linkages. Key features of the synthetic strategy include the use of di‐tert‐butylsilylidene directed α‐galactosylation methodology and regioselective benzoylation reactions using benzoyl‐hydroxybenzotriazole (Bz‐OBt). Structural analysis of the Gal, GalN and GalNAc oligomers by a combination of NMR and MD approaches revealed that the oligomers adopt an elongated, almost straight, structure, stabilized by inter‐residue H‐bonds, one of which is a non‐conventional C?H???O hydrogen bond between H5 of the residue (i+1) and O3 of the residue (i). The structures position the C‐2 substituents almost perpendicular to the oligosaccharide main chain axis, pointing to the bulk solvent and available for interactions with antibodies or other binding partners.     

Anion‐Binding Catalysis by Electron‐Deficient Pyridinium Cations

A new activation principle in organocatalysis is presented: halide binding through Coulombic interactions. This mode of catalysis was realized by using 3,5‐di(carbomethoxy)pyridinium ions that carry an additional electron‐withdrawing substituent on the nitrogen atom, for example, pentafluorobenzyl or cyanomethyl. For the N‐pentafluorobenzyl derivative, Coulombic interaction with the pyridinium moiety is complemented in the solid state by anion–π interactions with the perfluorophenyl ring. Bromide and chloride are bound by these cations in a 1:1 stoichiometry. Catalysis of the C? C coupling between 1‐chloroisochroman (and related electrophiles) with silyl ketene acetals occurs at ?78 °C and at low catalyst loading (2 mol %).     

Chemical Protein Synthesis Enabled Mechanistic Studies on the Molecular Recognition of K27‐linked Ubiquitin Chains

New synthetic strategies that exploited the strengths of both chemoselective ligation and recombinant protein expression were developed to prepare K27 di‐ubiquitins (diUb), which enabled mechanistic studies on the molecular recognition of K27‐linked Ubs by single‐molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and X‐ray crystallography. The results revealed that free K27 diUb adopted a compact conformation, whereas upon binding to UCHL3, K27 diUb was remodeled to an open conformation. The K27 isopeptide bond remained rigidly buried inside the diUb moiety during binding, an interesting unique structural feature that may explain the distinctive biological function of K27 Ub chains.