Versatile Near-Infrared Super-Resolution Imaging of Amyloid Fibrils with the Fluorogenic Probe CRANAD-2

CRANAD-2 is a fluorogenic curcumin derivative used for near-infrared detection and imaging in vivo of amyloid aggregates, which are involved in neurodegenerative diseases. We explore the performance of CRANAD-2 in two super-resolution imaging techniques, namely stimulated emission depletion (STED) and single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), with markedly different fluorophore requirements. By conveniently adapting the concentration of CRANAD-2, which transiently binds to amyloid fibrils, we show that it performs well in both techniques, achieving a resolution in the range of 45–55 nm. Correlation of SMLM with atomic force microscopy (AFM) validates the resolution of fine features in the reconstructed super-resolved image. The good performance and versatility of CRANAD-2 provides a powerful tool for near-infrared nanoscopic imaging of amyloids in vitro and in vivo.     

Intramolecular photocycloaddition of β-stilbazoles tethered by silyl chains

Intramolecular (2+2) photocycloaddition of β-stilbazoles tethered by silyl chains took place with high efficiency. Complexation with dicarboxylic acid or catechol further enhanced both the efficiency and stereoselectivity.     

Synthesis of β-phenyl-δ,ε-unsaturated amino acids and stereoselective introduction of side chain groups into [4,3,0]-bicyclic β-turn dipeptides

(2S,3S)- and (2R,3R)-2-amino-3-phenyl-5-hexenoic acids have been synthesized in large scale by using Ni(II)-complexes as a template. The amino acids were used in the synthesis of [4,3,0]-bicyclic β-turn mimetics by a convergent methodology. The unique advantage of this strategy is the convenience of introducing side chain groups with predetermined chiralities on both the five- and six-membered heterocyclic rings.     

Spectral Properties of Thioflavin T and Its Complexes with Amyloid Fibrils

Comparative analysis of the absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence excitation spectra of thioflavin T (ThT) in various solvents and in the composition of amyloid fibrils has shown that ThT, when excited in the region of the long-wavelength absorption band, fluoresces in the spectral region with a maximum at 478–484 nm. The appearance in aqueous and alcohol solutions of a fluorescence band with a maximum near 440 nm has been attributed to the presence in the composition of the ThT preparations of an impurity with an absorption band in the 340–350-nm range. The literature data showing that in glycerol ThT has a wide fluorescence spectrum with two maxima are due to the artifact connected with the use of a high concentration of the dye. It has been suggested that the cause of the low quantum yield of ThT aqueous and alcohol solutions is the breakage of the system of conjugated bonds due to the reorientation of the benzothiozole and benzaminic rings of ThT in the excited state with respect to one another. The main factor determining the high quantum yield of fluorescence of ThT incorporated in fibrils is the steric restriction of the rotation of the rings about one another under these conditions. The suggestions made have been verified by the quantum-chemical calculation of the ThT molecule geometry in the ground and excited states.     

A new approach towards peptidosulfonamides: synthesis of potential inhibitors of bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis enzymes MurD and MurE

Peptidosulfonamides are an emerging group of peptidomimetics with a variety of applications in medicinal chemistry. We present a novel approach to the synthesis of peptidosulfonamides, and apply it to a series of new potential inhibitors of the bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis enzymes MurD and MurE. The synthesis was conducted via N-phthalimido β-aminoethanesulfonyl chlorides, which are new building blocks for the synthesis of peptidosulfonamides. In the most crucial step, sulfonic acids or their sodium salts were converted into the corresponding sulfonyl chlorides using an excess of either SOCl₂ or SOCl₂/DMF, and then coupled to the C-protected amino acid. None of the compounds significantly inhibited MurD, however, some inhibited MurE; one had an IC₅₀ below 200 μM, which constitutes a promising starting point for further development. Molecular modelling simulations were performed on two analogues to investigate the absence of inhibitory activity of the sulfonamide compounds on MurD.     

Ethyl-4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate (ETFAA), a powerful building block for enantiopure chirons in trifluoromethyl-β-amino acid series

Herein are studied new transformations of ethyl-4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate (ETFAA), giving access to a series of enantiopure chirons bearing both a trifluoromethyl group and an amino moiety. The key intermediate is obtained optically pure by a resolution procedure.     

Cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (CTAOH) as a general, ecofriendly catalyst for the formation of carbon-carbon bond through nitroalkanes

Nitroalkanes have been found to give good yields in Michael and nitroaldol (Henry) reactions by the use of a catalytic amount (10 mol%) of CTAOH, at room temperature and under solvent free conditions and in very short reaction times. The methods do not need a large excess of the nitroalkanes and show good chemoselectivity toward further functionalities.     

Ionic liquid-regulated sulfamic acid: chemoselective catalyst for the transesterification of β-ketoesters

1-Propyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C₃MIm]Cl) ionic liquid and sulfamic acid (NH₂SO₃H), as a synergetic catalytic medium, were used for the transesterification of acetoacetate with alcohols of different structures. It shows the good ability for the chemoselective transesterificatin of β-ketoesters and maintains its catalytic activity in the reuse.     

Free radical-mediated vinyl amination: a mild, general pyrrolidinyl enamine synthesis

The complete scope of free radical-mediated vinyl amination is described, using 5-exo-trig cyclizations of vinyl radicals to the nitrogen of azomethines. The focus is primarily on N,N-dialkyl enamines since their nucleophilicity renders them the most challenging enamines to synthesize using redox conditions. These studies establish several encouraging precedents for the broader application of this strategy.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 6-oxa-nor-tropane glycomimetics as glycosidase inhibitors

The preparation of polyhydroxylated 6-oxa-nor-tropane glycomimetics structurally related to the glycosidase inhibitor family of the calystegines is reported. The synthetic strategy involves the furanose→piperidine rearrangement of 5-deoxy-5-ureido-l-idose precursors, followed by intramolecular glycosylation involving the primary hydroxyl group. Inversion of the configuration at C-3 in the resulting 6-oxa-(+)-calystegine B₂ analogue allows accessing the elusive 3-epi-6-oxa-(+)-calystegine B₂ skeleton. Acid-catalyzed opening of the nor-tropane bicycle was observed, however, which could be avoided by careful neutralization of the reaction mixture. The inhibition results suggest that (+)-calystegine B₂ derivatives and the corresponding C-3 epimers can be seen as glucomimetics and galactomimetics, respectively, pointing to a 1-azasugar mode of action for this family of alkaloids.