Discovery of Potent and Exquisitely Selective Inhibitors of Kinase CK1 with Tunable Isoform Selectivity

Casein kinases 1 (CK1) are key signaling molecules that have emerged recently as attractive therapeutic targets in particular for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Herein, we report the identification of a new class of potent and highly selective inhibitors of CK1α, δ and ϵ. Based on their optimal in vitro and in vivo profiles and their exclusive selectivity, MU1250, MU1500 and MU1742 were selected as quality chemical probes for those CK1 isoforms. At proper concentrations, MU1250 and MU1500 allow for specific targeting of CK1δ or dual inhibition of CK1δ/ϵ in cells. The compound MU1742 also efficiently inhibits CK1α and, to our knowledge, represents the first potent and highly selective inhibitor of this enzyme. In addition, we demonstrate that the central 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-imidazole pharmacophore can be used as the basis of highly selective inhibitors of other therapeutically relevant protein kinases, e.g. p38α, as exemplified by the compound MU1299.     

Ionic Nickel Embedded in Ceria with High Specific CO2 Methanation Activity

CO₂ hydrogenation to methane is gaining increasing interest as one of the most promising ways to store intermittent renewable energy in the form of chemical fuels. Ni particles supported on CeO₂ represent a highly efficient, stable and inexpensive catalyst for this reaction. Herein, Ni-doped CeO₂ nanoparticles were tested for CO₂ methanation showing an extremely high Ni mass-specific activity and CH₄ selectivity. Operando characterization reveals that this performance is tightly associated with ionic Νi and Ce³⁺ surface sites, while formation of metallic Ni does not seem to considerably promote the reaction. Theoretical calculations confirmed the stability of interstitial ionic Ni sites on ceria surfaces and highlighted the role of Ce-O frustrated Lewis pair (FLP), Ni-O classical Lewis pair (CLP) and Ni-Ce pair sites to the activation of H₂ and CO₂ molecules. To a large extent, the theoretical predictions were validated by in situ spectroscopy under H₂ and CO₂ : H₂ gaseous environments.     

Structural analogues of quinoline alkaloids: Straightforward route to [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-c]quinolines with antibacterial properties

Compounds bearing [1,3]dioxolo-quinoline scaffolds have been found in quinoline-based natural products; the only exception is the [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-c]quinoline moiety with a rare occurrence in both natural and synthetic derivatives. In this article, we report the preparation of diversely substituted and functionalized [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-c]quinolines using [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-c]quinoline-4-carbaldehyde (DQC) as the common intermediate. DQC was synthesized on a large scale from anthranilic acid and chloroacetone as the starting materials, with the rearrangement of acetonyl-anthranilate as the key step. The developed method allows for the simple preparation of [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-c]quinolines with various C2 substituents on the quinoline scaffold. Additionally, the synthetic route was successfully applied to the preparation of 3-hydroxyquinoline-4(1H)-ones. The target compounds were tested against representative Gram-positive/negative bacteria, and two derivatives exhibited submicromolar minimum inhibitory concentrations against Micrococcus luteus.     

N‐Arylation of Diketopyrrolopyrroles with Aryl Triflates

A new methodology for the double N‐arylation of diketopyrrolopyrroles with aryl triflates has been developed. It is now possible to prepare diketopyrrolopyrroles bearing N‐substituents derived from naphthalene, anthracene and coumarin in two steps from commercially available phenols. This represents the first time arenes lacking strong electron‐withdrawing groups were inserted onto lactamic nitrogen atoms via arylation. The ability to incorporate heretofore unprecedented substituents translates to increased modulation of the resulting photophysical properties such as switching‐on/off solvatofluorochromism. TD‐DFT calculations have been performed to explore the nature of the relevant excited states. This new synthetic method made it possible to elucidate the influence of such substituents on the absorption and emission properties of tetraaryl substituted diketopyrrolopyrroles.     

Potassium Poly(Heptazine Imide): Transition Metal‐Free Solid‐State Triplet Sensitizer in Cascade Energy Transfer and [3+2]‐cycloadditions

Polymeric carbon nitride materials have been used in numerous light‐to‐energy conversion applications ranging from photocatalysis to optoelectronics. For a new application and modelling, we first refined the crystal structure of potassium poly(heptazine imide) (K‐PHI)—a benchmark carbon nitride material in photocatalysis—by means of X‐ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Using the crystal structure of K‐PHI, periodic DFT calculations were performed to calculate the density‐of‐states (DOS) and localize intra band states (IBS). IBS were found to be responsible for the enhanced K‐PHI absorption in the near IR region, to serve as electron traps, and to be useful in energy transfer reactions. Once excited with visible light, carbon nitrides, in addition to the direct recombination, can also undergo singlet–triplet intersystem crossing. We utilized the K‐PHI centered triplet excited states to trigger a cascade of energy transfer reactions and, in turn, to sensitize, for example, singlet oxygen (¹O₂) as a starting point to synthesis up to 25 different N‐rich heterocycles.     

Anodic polarization of nanocrystalline titanium

TiO₂ nanotubes are extensively investigated because of their unique properties and wide range of applications, e.g., in biomedicine. They are used as coatings on titanium implant materials accelerating osteoblast (bone cell) adhesion and improving osteointegration. Owing to its high mechanical properties, nanocrystalline titanium is likely to replace the widely used titanium alloys, which contains harmful ions such as V and Al. The performance properties of nanocrystalline titanium can be modified by subjecting it to various surface treatments tailored to the demands of a given application. The aim of this study is to determine whether the grain refinement of the titanium substrate has an influence on the formation of TiO₂ nanotubes. The TiO₂ nanotubes were fabricated by anodic polarization of micro- and nanotitanium at a constant voltage of 10, 15, and 20 V for 2 h in an electrolyte containing fluoride ions. The nanocrystalline bulk titanium (grade 2) with grain size of about 90 nm and high density of dislocations was obtained using hydrostatic extrusion. Commercially available coarse-grained titanium with grain size of 20 μm was used as a reference sample. The microstructure of the fabricated nanotubular layers was revealed using scanning electron microscopy and focus ion beam microscopy. Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to determine the chemical composition of the fabricated layers. The results indicate that grain refinement influences the morphology of TiO₂ nanotubes while their chemistry remains unchanged.     

The RING Domain of the Scaffold Protein Ste5 Adopts a Molten Globular Character with High Thermal and Chemical Stability

Ste5 is a scaffold protein that controls the pheromone response of the MAP‐kinase cascade in yeast cells. Upon pheromone stimulation, Ste5 (through its RING‐H2 domain) interacts with the β and γ subunits of an activated heterodimeric G protein and promotes activation of the MAP‐kinase cascade. With structural and biophysical studies, we show that the Ste5 RING‐H2 domain exists as a molten globule under native buffer conditions, in yeast extracts, and even in denaturing conditions containing urea (7 M ). Furthermore, it exhibits high thermal stability in native conditions. Binding of the Ste5 RING‐H2 domain to the physiological Gβ/γ (Ste4/Ste18) ligand is accompanied by a conformational transition into a better folded, more globular structure. This study reveals novel insights into the folding mechanism and recruitment of binding partners by the Ste5 RING‐H2 domain. We speculate that many RING domains may share a similar mechanism of substrate recognition and molten‐globule‐like character.     

Interpretation of analysis of variance models using principal component analysis to assess the effect of a maternal anticancer treatment on the mineralization of rat bones

The goal of the present study is to assess the effects of anticancer treatment with cyclophosphamide and cytarabine during pregnancy on the mineralization of mandible bones in 7-, 14- and 28-day-old rats. Each bone sample was described by its X-ray fluorescence spectrum characterizing the mineral composition. The data collected are multivariate in nature and their structure is difficult to visualize and interpret directly. Therefore, methods like analysis of variance–principal component analysis (ANOVA–PCA) and ANOVA–simultaneous component analysis (ASCA), which are suitable for the analysis of highly correlated spectral data and are able to incorporate information about the underlined experimental design, are greatly valued. In this study, the ASCA methodology adapted for unbalanced data was used to investigate the impact of the anticancer drug treatment during pregnancy on the mineralization of the mandible bones of newborn rats and to examine any changes in the mineralization of the bones over time.The results showed that treatment with cyclophosphamide and cytarabine during pregnancy induces a decrease in the K and Zn levels in the mandible bones of newborns. This suppresses the development of mandible bones in rats in the early stages (up to 14 days) of formation. An interesting observation was that the levels of essential minerals like K, Mg, Na and Ca vary considerably in the different regions of the mandible bones.     

Influence of PEG‐ran‐PPG Surfactant on Vapour Phase Polymerised PEDOT Thin Films

The oxidant, Fe(III) tosylate, was used in the vapour phase polymerisation (VPP) of PEDOT. The amphiphilic co‐polymer poly(ethylene glycol‐ran‐propylene glycol) was added and its influence examined. Both the PEDOT conductivity and optical contrast range increased with the inclusion of the co‐polymer, with the maximum being recorded at 4 wt.‐%. Loadings higher than this resulted in a systematic decrease in both conductivity and optical contrast. Evidence indicates that in addition to the beneficial anti‐crystallisation effect to the oxidant layer, the co‐polymer also reduces the effective reactivity of the oxidant, as demonstrated by slower polymerisation rates. Confirmation of the change in polymerisation rate was obtained using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The slower polymerisation rate results in higher conductivity and optical contrast; however, XPS data confirmed that the co‐polymer remained within the PEDOT film post‐washing and this result explains why the performance decreases at high surfactant loadings.