Synthesis of 3,7-disubstituted imipramines by palladium-catalysed amination/cyclisation and evaluation of their inhibition of monoamine transporters

We describe a novel approach for the synthesis of a series of 3,7-difunctionalised symmetric and unsymmetrical analogues of the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) imipramine, which uses a key palladium-catalysed amination/cyclisation of an ester-functionalised dibromide. Of the ester, methyl, hydroxymethyl and methoxymethyl disubstituted compounds prepared, 3,7-dimethyl-imipramine was found to be the most potent against the human serotonin transporter (hSERT). The inhibitory potency of 3,7-dimethyl imipramine was found to be at least as high as the parent imipramine. This novel TCA also exhibits an increased selectivity (relative to imipramine) in binding to hSERT versus the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET). Even higher selectivity could be obtained with 3,7-dihydroxymethyl imipramine, which was found to be 167-fold more selective for hSERT over hNET, representative of a 120-fold gain in selectivity relative to the parent imipramine. These results further validate our previous model for the binding of imipramine and high-affinity analogues of imipramine to the central binding site of hSERT.     

Stimuli-responsive polyguanidino-oxanorbornene membrane transporters as multicomponent sensors in complex matrices

We introduce guanidinium-containing synthetic polymers based on polyguanidino-oxanorbornenes (PGONs) as anion transporters in lipid bilayers that can be activated and inactivated by chemical stimulation. According to fluorogenic anion export experiments with vesicles, PGON transporters are most active in neutral bilayers near their phase transition, with EC50's in the nanomolar range. Six times higher effective transporter concentrations were measured with aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate than with 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, demonstrating the importance of anion binding for transport and excluding nonspecific efflux. Negative surface potentials efficiently annihilate transport activity, while inside-negative membrane potentials slightly increase it. These trends demonstrate the functional importance of counterions to hinder the binding of hydrophilic counterions and to minimize the global positive charge of the transporter-counterion complexes. Strong, nonlinear increases in activity with polymer length reveal a significant polymer effect. Overall, the characteristics of PGONs do not match those of similar systems (for example, polyarginine) and hint toward an interesting mode of action, clearly different from nonspecific leakage caused by detergents. The activity of PGONs increases in the presence of amphiphilic anions such as pyrenebutyrate (EC50 = 70 microM), while several other amphiphilic anions tested were inactive. PGONs are efficiently inactivated by numerous hydrophilic anions including ATP (IC 50 = 150 microM), ADP (IC50 = 460 microM), heparin (IC50 = 1.0 microM), phytate (IC50 = 0.4 microM), and CB hydrazide (IC50 = 26 microM). The compatibility of this broad responsiveness with multicomponent sensing in complex matrices is discussed and illustrated with lactate sensing in sour milk. The PGON lactate sensor operates together with lactate oxidase as a specific signal generator and CB hydrazide as an amplifier for covalent capture of the pyruvate product as CB hydrazone (IC50 = 1.5 microM).     

Combinatorial synthesis of benztropine libraries and their evaluation as monoamine transporter inhibitors

A combinatorial synthesis of benztropine analogues is presented. Radical azidonation of 3-benzyloxy-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-8-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 3 to 3-(1-azidobenzyloxy)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-8-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 4 was used as a key step in the synthesis. This step was optimized by adding 10% DMF to the reaction. Reaction of 4 with phenyl magnesium bromide followed by Boc removal and N-methylation gave benztropine 1. Reaction of five-component Grignard reagents with 4 was used to create a two-dimensional library of 25 N-normethylbenztropine analogues. Further reaction of this library with five alkyl bromides was carried out to create a three-dimensional library containing 125 compounds. Screening of the libraries towards binding and inhibition of uptake of the human dopamine (hDAT), serotonin (hSERT) and norepinephrine transporters (hNET) was carried out. None of the synthesized compounds were found to be stronger than benztropine, and none were selective for inhibition of binding over monoamine uptake.     

Binding of serotonin to the human serotonin transporter. Molecular modeling and experimental validation

Molecular modeling and structure-activity relationship studies were performed to propose a model for binding of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) to the human serotonin transporter (hSERT). Homology models were constructed using the crystal structure of a bacterial homologue, the leucine transporter from Aquifex aeolicus, as the template and three slightly different sequence alignments. Induced fit docking of 5-HT into hSERT homology models resulted in two different binding modes. Both show a salt bridge between Asp98 and the charged primary amine of 5-HT, and both have the 5-HT C6 position of the indole ring pointing toward Ala173. The difference between the two orientations of 5-HT is an enantiofacial discrimination of the indole ring, resulting in the 5-hydroxyl group of 5-HT being vicinal to either Ser438/Thr439 or Ala169/Ile172/Ala173. To assess the binding experimentally, binding affinities for 5-HT and 17 analogues toward wild type and 13 single point mutants of hSERT were measured using an approach termed paired mutant-ligand analogue complementation (PaMLAC). The proposed ligand-protein interaction was systematically examined by disrupting it through site-directed mutagenesis and re-establishing another interaction via a ligand analogue matching the mutated residue, thereby minimizing the risk of identifying indirect effects. The interactions between Asp98 and the primary amine of 5-HT and the interaction between the C6-position of 5-HT and hSERT position 173 was confirmed using PaMLAC. The measured binding affinities of various mutants and 5-HT analogues allowed for a distinction between the two proposed binding modes of 5-HT and biochemically support the model for 5-HT binding in hSERT where the 5-hydroxyl group is in close proximity to Thr439.     

Effects of quercetin on mushroom tyrosinase and B16-F10 melanoma cells

In searching for tyrosinase inhibitors from plants using L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) as a substrate, quercetin was found to be partially oxidized to the corresponding o-quinone under catalysis by mushroom tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1). Simultaneously, L-DOPA was also oxidized to dopaquinone and both o-quinones were further oxidized, respectively. The remaining quercetin partially formed adducts with dopaquinone through a Michael type addition. In general, flavonols form adducts with dopaquinone as long as their 3-hydroxyl group is free. Quercetin enhanced melanin production per cell in cultured murine B16-F10 melanoma cells, but this effect may be due in part to melanocytotoxicity. The concentration leading to 50% viable cells lost was established as 20 microM and almost complete lethality was observed at 80 microM.     

Flow-through chemiluminescence sensor using immobilized histamine oxidase from Arthrobacter crystallopoietes KAIT-B-007 and peroxidase for selective determination of histamine.

A flow sensor with immobilized oxidases is proposed for the determination of histamine in fish meat. Chemiluminometric measurement of histamine was based on the luminol reaction with hydrogen peroxide produced by immobilized histamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.-.) and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7.) within a flow cell. Histamine oxidase was found in cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes KAIT-B-007 isolated from soil. The oxidase and peroxidase were coimmobilized covalently on tresylated hydrophilic vinyl polymer beads and packed into transparent PTFE; the tubing was used as the flow cell. One assay for histamine was done at intervals of 2 min without carryover. The calibration curve for histamine was linear from 0.1 microM to 50 microM. The response was reproducible within 1.25% of the relative standard deviation for 115-replicate injections of 50 microM histamine. The sensor system was applied to the determination of histamine in fish meat extracts.     

Antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity study of the flavonol glycosides from Bauhinia galpinii

The antioxidant activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions obtained from the leaves of Bauhinia galpinii was evaluated in terms of capacity to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. The crude extract and the more polar solvent fractions (ethyl acetate and butanol) showed considerable antioxidant activity. The antioxidant potential of the extracts, expressed as EC50, ranged between 28.85 +/- 1.28 microg mL(-1)and 118.16 +/- 6.41 microg mL(-1). L-Ascorbic acid was used as a standard (EC50 = 19.79 +/- 0.14 microM). Bioassay guided fractionation of the two active solvent fractions led to the isolation of three flavonoid glycosides, identified as: quercetin-3-O-galactopyranoside (1), myricetin-3-O-galactopyranoside (2), and 2'-O-rhamnosylvitexin (3). These compounds are reported for the first time from this species. The structures of the compounds were determined on the basis of spectral studies (1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS). Their antioxidant potential was evaluated using a DPPH spectrophotometric assay. Compound 2 had higher and 3 had lower antioxidant activity than L-ascorbic acid. No cytotoxic effects were displayed by compounds 1 and 3, but compound 2 was cytotoxic to Vero cells (LC50 = 74.68 microg mL(-1)) and bovine dermis cells (LC50 = 30.69 microg mL(-1)).     

Ianthesine E, a new bromotyrosine-derived metabolite from the Great Barrier Reef sponge Pseudoceratina sp

The new compound ianthesine E (1) was isolated from the Great Barrier Reef marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp. along with the known metabolites 11-hydroxyaerothionin (2), aerothionin (3) and 11,19-dideoxyfistularin 3 (4). Structures were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The compounds were tested for inhibition of [(3)H] DPCPX binding to adenosine A(1) receptors in a whole cell binding assay. At 100 microM, aerothionin was the most potent, inhibiting 67% of binding, followed by ianthesine E and 11-hydroxyaerothionin which inhibited 61% of binding, and 11,19-dideoxyfistularin which initiated 51% of binding Ianthesine E (EC(50) 60 microM), aerothionin (EC(50) 42 microM) and 11,19-dideoxyfistularin-3 (EC(50) 2.6 microM) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against the HeLa cell line.     

Sub-10 nm hexagonal lanthanide-doped NaLuF4 upconversion nanocrystals for sensitive bioimaging in vivo

By thermal decomposition in the presence only of oleylamine, sub-10 nm hexagonal NaLuF(4)-based nanocrystals codoped with Gd(3+), Yb(3+), and Er(3+) (or Tm(3+)) have been successfully synthesized. Sub-10 nm β-NaLuF(4): 24 mol % Gd(3+), 20 mol % Yb(3+), 1 mol % Tm(3+) nanocrystals display bright upconversion luminescence (UCL) with a quantum yield of 0.47 ± 0.06% under continuous-wave excitation at 980 nm. Furthermore, through the use of β-NaLuF(4):Gd(3+),Yb(3+),Tm(3+) nanocrystals as a luminescent label, the detection limit of <50 nanocrystal-labeled cells was achieved for whole-body photoluminescent imaging of a small animal (mouse), and high-contrast UCL imaging of a whole-body black mouse with a penetration depth of ~2 cm was achieved.     

5-Aminolaevulinic acid methyl ester transport on amino acid carriers in a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line

The transport mechanisms of 5-aminolevulinic acid methyl ester (5-ALA-ME) have been studied in a human adenocarcinoma cell line (WiDr) by means of 14[C]-labeled 5-ALA-ME. The transport was found to be partly Na+ dependent, while the extracellular Cl- concentration did not affect the uptake. The transport of 5-ALA-ME into WiDr cells was dependent on the incubation temperature and was found to be completely blocked by the inhibitors of energy metabolism, 2-deoxyglucose and sodium azide. WiDr cells were treated with 10 mM of 14 different amino acids and the substrate specificity of the 5-ALA-ME transporter(s) was analyzed by treating the cells with 23 microM or 1 mM 14[C]-labeled 5-ALA-ME. The transport of 5-ALA-ME was found to be inhibited to the highest extent, i.e. about 60%, by the nonpolar amino acids L-alanine, L-methionine, L-tryptophan and glycine. The uptake of 5-ALA-ME followed an exponential decay with increasing concentration of glycine, reaching a maximum inhibition of uptake of 5-ALA-ME of 55%. Sarcosine, a specific inhibitor of system Gly, did not significantly inhibit 5-ALA-ME transport. In contrast to transport of 5-ALA, 5-ALA-ME does not seem to be taken up by system BETA transporters. In conclusion, the cellular uptake of 5-ALA-ME into WiDr cells seems to be due to active transport mechanisms, involving transporters of nonpolar amino acids.     

Synthesis and biological activities of conformationally restricted cyclopentenyl-glutamate analogues.

An efficient method for preparing conformationally restricted cyclopentenyl-glutamate analogues in a regioselective and diastereoselective manner has been developed using a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of dehydroamino acids. Methods for preparing optically active versions of these compounds have also been devised. Of these compounds, (S)-2 is an agonist at the mGlu5 (EC(50) 18 microM) and mGlu2 (EC(50) 45 microM) receptors.     

The first fluorescent diboronic acid sensor specific for hepatocellular carcinoma cells expressing sialyl Lewis X

Carbohydrate antigens with subterminal fucosylation have been implicated in the development and progression of several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fluorescent sensors targeting fucosylated carbohydrate antigens could potentially be used for diagnostic and other applications. We have designed and synthesized a series of 26 diboronic acid compounds as potential fluorescent sensors for such carbohydrates. Among these compounds, 7q was able to fluorescently label cells expressing high levels of sLex (HEPG2) within a concentration range of 0.5 to 10 microM. This compound (7q) did not label cells expressing Lewis Y (HEP3B), nor cells without fucosylated antigens (COS7). This represents the first example of a fluorescent compound labeling cells based on cell surface carbohydrate structures.     

Probing key coordination interactions: configurationally restricted metal activated CXCR4 antagonists

The syntheses of configurationally restricted mono- and bis-macrocyclic copper(II) perchlorate complexes (copper(II) 5-benzyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[10.2.2]hexadecane and dicopper(II) 5,5'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]-bis(1,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[10.2.2]hexadecane)) are reported and the X-ray structure of the copper(II) mono-macrocyclic complex has been determined. EXAFS studies on the bis-macrocyclic species in aqueous solution show that the copper coordination spheres are essentially identical to the solid state structure, and do not vary in the presence of 20 equivalents of sodium acetate per metal centre. DFT calculations were carried out at the BP86/TZP level to determine the nature of potential binding interactions with CXCR4 aspartate residues. The alkylated single macrocyclic compound was modelled with an acetate included to represent the aspartate residue, demonstrating that the predicted macrocycle configuration has the lowest energy and the acetate interaction is effectively monodentate giving a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry at the copper centre. In vitro anti-HIV infection assays show that the configurationally restricted dicopper(II) complex is more active (average EC(50) = 0.026 microM against HIV-1) than the non-constrained dicopper(II) 1,1'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]-bis(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) (average EC(50) = 0.047 microM against HIV-1) although it is an order of magnitude less active than the configurationally restricted dizinc(II) complex.     

Cytotoxic kurubasch aldehyde from Trichilia emetica

Kurubasch aldehyde, a sesquiterpenoid with an hydroxylated humulene skeleton, was isolated as free alcohol from Trichilia emetica Vahl. (Meliaceae), belonging to the order Sapindales. Related substances have been previously found in plants as esters of aromatic acids, and these plants were species belonging to the distant order Apiales. This is the first report of humulenes found in the genus Trichilia and only the second of humulenes in the order Sapindales. The aldehyde is a modest inhibitor of the growth of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 76 microM) and slow-proliferating breast cancer cells MCF7 (78 microM), but a potent inhibitor of proliferation of S180 cancer cells (IC50 7.4 microM).     

Surface modulation of magnetic nanocrystals in the development of highly efficient magnetic resonance probes for intracellular labeling

High-quality biocompatible magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanocrystals were developed through a ligand exchange process of hydrophobically capped nanocrystals with hydrophilic molecules. By simple modulation of the nanocrystal surface ligand charge properties, we have been able to prepare magnetic nanocrystals with excellent intracellular labeling capabilities that efficiently label a variety of cell types without the need for additional transport facilitating agents. The excellent intracellular labeling capability of the newly developed cationic WSIO has further led to successful MRI monitoring of the migration of neural stem cells in rat spinal cord. The magnetic nanocrystals developed here have great potential in applications for labeling of various cell types and also the monitoring of cell-based medical treatments and cancer metastasis.     

Evodiamine functions as an agonist for the vanilloid receptor TRPV1

Evodiamine, a quinozole alkaloid constituent of Evodia rutaecarpa, has been reported previously to induce several responses comparable to capsaicin in animal systems. Here, we characterize evodiamine as an agonist for rat TRPV1 expressed heterologously in CHO cells. Evodiamine bound to rat TRPV1 with a Ki of 5.95 +/- 0.87 microM, as measured by inhibition of [3H] RTX binding (capsaicin, Ki = 1.8 +/- 0.3 microM). Evodiamine was a full agonist for induction of 45Ca2+ uptake, with an EC50 of 856 +/- 43 nM (capsaicin, EC50 = 45 +/- 4 nM) and was competitively antagonized by capsazepine, as revealed by a Schild plot. The pattern of cellular response, as determined by calcium imaging, was similar to that with capsaicin and yielded an EC(50) of 1.03 +/- 0.21 [micro sign]M. Molecular modeling suggested a consistent pattern of overlap between evodiamine and TRPV1 agonists. We conclude that evodiamine represents a novel class of agonists for rat TRPV1, albeit 3-19-fold less potent than capsaicin, and thus represents a new potential class of lead molecules for drug development.     

Synthesis of novel L-N-MCd4T as a potent anti-HIV agent

L-N-MCd4T (1) has been synthesized as a potent anti-HIV agent starting from (R)-epichlorohydrin using tandem alkylation, chemoselective reduction of ester in the presence of lactone functional group, RCM reaction and Mitsunobu reaction as key steps and was found to be a very potent anti-HIV-1 (EC50 = 6.76 microg mL(-1)) agent without cytotoxicity up to 100 microg mL(-1), indicating that the anti-HIV-1 activity found is similar to that of ddI (EC50 = 4.95 microg mL(-1)), which is used clinically for the treatment of AIDS patients.