An amyloid-like fibril-forming supramolecular cross-β-structure of a model peptide: a crystallographic insight

The peptide Boc-Val-Phe-OMe 1 bearing sequence similarity with the central hydrophobic cluster (CHC) of Alzheimer's Aβ(18-19) peptide self-assembles to produce amyloid-like straight unbranched fibrils as examined by atomic force microscopy and Congo red assay. Single crystal X-ray diffraction offers the atomic level structure of the supramolecular parallel β-sheet aggregation and antiparallel separation between layers (cross-β-structure).     

Precision studies in supramolecular chemistry: a 1H NMR study of hydroxymethoxyacetophenone/β-cyclodextrin complexes

The association constants for the interactions of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-6-methoxyacetophenone, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone with β-cyclodextrin in water were measured by (1)H NMR and by isothermal titration calorimetry. Very good agreement was obtained between the different methods. The errors associated with the NMR method for measuring mM binding affinities were estimated to be 10-30%, and by isothermal titration calorimetry, 10-20%. Rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy studies show that the solution phase host-guest complexes formed by β-cyclodextrin with these hydroxymethoxyacetophenone derivatives are not structurally well defined but that the hydroxymethoxyacetophenone derivatives are mostly associated with the narrow primary hydroxyl rim.     

Molecular recognition of diketide substrates by a β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase domain within a bimodular polyketide synthase

Background: Modular polyketide synthases (PKSs) are large multifunctional proteins that catalyze the biosynthesis of structurally complex bioactive products. The modular organization of PKSs has allowed the application of a combinatorial approach to the synthesis of novel polyketides via the manipulation of these biocatalysts at the genetic level. The inherent specificity of PKSs for their natural substrates, however, may place limits on the spectrum of molecular diversity that can be achieved in polyketide products. With the aim of further understanding PKS specificity, as a route to exploiting PKSs in combinatorial synthesis, we chose to examine the substrate specificity of a single intact domain within a bimodular PKS to investigate its capacity to utilize unnatural substrates.Results: We used a blocked mutant of a bimodular PKS in which formation of the triketide product could occur only via uptake and processing of a synthetic diketide intermediate. By introducing systematic changes in the native diketide structure, by means of the synthesis of unnatural diketide analogs, we have shown that the ketosynthase domain of module 2 (KS2 domain) in 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS) tolerates a broad range of variations in substrate structure, but it strongly discriminates against some others.Conclusions: Defining the boundaries of substrate recognition within PKS domains is crucial to the rationally engineered biosynthesis of novel polyketide products, many of which could be prepared only with great difficulty, if at all, by direct chemical synthesis or semi-synthesis. Our results suggest that the KS2 domain of DEBS1 has a relatively relaxed specificity that can be exploited for the design and synthesis of medicinally important polyketide products.     

β-Cyclodextrin/protein conjugates as a innovative drug systems: synthesis and MS investigation

The design of proteins whose structure and function can be manipulated by binding with specific ligands such as cyclodextrins, has been of great interest in the field of protein engineering and also could be used as drug delivery systems in targeted cancer therapy (Loftsson and Duchêne, Int. J. Pharm. 329:1–11, 1; Loftsson et al., Expert. Opin. Drug Deliv. 2:335–351, 2). CD/proteins conjugates are synthesized using original high temperature method in which mono-6-O-formyl-β-CD reacts with two proteins: basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor and lysozyme. The proposed synthesis method has a high reproducibility which makes it useful for pharmaceutical purposes. That method allows to obtain the conjugate without losing protein’s biological and enzymatic activity which will used in the reaction, and without violating the chemical structure of cyclodextrin molecules.     

Evaluation of pH-sensitive poly(β-amino ester)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) and its usefulness as a pH-sensor and protein carrier

In this study, some possible biomedical applications of a pH-sensitive and amphiphilic copolymer as a pH sensor and protein delivery system are reported. PAE-g-PEG was used as a pH-sensitive polymer that can exhibit a sharp pH-dependent transition. Various fluorescent dyes including pyrene and RITC can be used to label the pH-sensitive polymer PAE-g-PEG, which was evaluated for protein encapsulation. pH-sensing was possible by observing excimer formation of the labeled pyrene via pH-dependent expansion of the polymeric chain. Also, it was confirmed that FITC-BSA could be entrapped in RITC-labeled pH-sensitive micelles of PAE-g-PEG by FRET. As a result, PAE-g-PEG can be a pH sensor and carrier for protein delivery.     

Unravelling the interaction between α-cyclodextrin with the thaumatin protein and a peptide mimic

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are responsible for signal transduction; through these transmembrane proteins, our senses are evoked: sight, smell and taste. Thaumatin is a natural sweet-tasting protein that is 100,000 times sweeter than sucrose but its use in food products has been hampered due to a liquorice aftertaste. Thaumatin has been shown to bind to a class C GPCR and the active binding site of the thaumatin protein is known. Here, we report on the binding of a well-known food grade host: α-cyclodextrin to thaumatin. We show through a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments that α-cyclodextrin binds to aromatic residues on thaumatin with K_a = 8.5 ± 2.4 M ^? 1. We also synthesise a heptapeptide KTGDRGF that mimics the active binding site of thaumatin and show that α-cyclodextrin binds to the C-terminal solvent accessible phenylalanine residue of this peptide with K_a = 8.8 ± 3.1 M ^? 1. This indicates that α-cyclodextrin may interact with the active binding site on thaumatin, suggesting that α-cyclodextrin could be used to modify the interaction of thaumatin with GPCRs and hence its sweet-taste profile.     

Synthesis of a conjugate of 3´-sialyllactoside with recombinant flagellin as a carrier protein and assessment of its immunological activity in comparison with that of a similar hemocyanin-based conjugate

In the framework of a project directed to the design of synthetic cancer vaccines based on carbohydrate chains of tumor-associated gangliosides, a new prototype cancer vaccine, a polyvalent carbohydrate-protein conjugate 1 with ～11 3´-sialyllactoside ligands conjugated to one molecule of recombinant flagellin was synthesized. Dendritic cell vaccines were designed using the conjugate 1 and a neoglycoconjugate 2 consisting of ～400 3´-sialyllactose residues linked to hemocyanin from a snail Megathura crenulata (KLH). Comparative ELISA study was conducted to assess the induction of carbohydrate-specific immunoglobulins IgM and IgG after immunization of mice with conjugates 1 and 2 and dendritic cells loaded with 1 and 2. Synthetic polyacrylamide carrier conjugated to 3´-sialyllactose ligands and B16F0 melanoma cells were used as coating antigens.     

Reactive supramolecular assemblies of mucopolysaccharide,polypyrrole and protein as controllable biocomposites for a new generation of ‘intelligent biomaterials’

A method for the simple synthesis of supramolecular composites of polypyrrole, complex mucopolysaccharides and protein is described. These materials have interesting hydrogel-like properties such as high water content and biocompatibility. In addition they are capable of trapping protein in their structure during synthesis and releasing this protein in response to electrical stimuli. The materials are also electroconductive and electroactive. The improved mechanical properties of polypyrrole films over hydrogels and the facile control of their properties by the application of small electrical potentials make them interesting candidates for the design and synthesis of a new generation of ‘smarter’ biomaterials.     

Synthesis of potent inhibitors of β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III as potential antimicrobial agents

Mycobacterium tuberculosis FabH, an essential enzyme in the mycolic acid biosynthetic pathway, is an attractive target for novel anti-tubercolosis agents. Structure-based design and synthesis of 1-(4-carboxybutyl)-4-(4-(substituted benzyloxy)phenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid derivatives 7a-h, a subset of eight potential FabH inhibitors, is described in this paper. The Vilsmeier-Haack reaction was employed as a key step. The structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were identified by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, ESI-MS and HRMS. The alamarBlue? microassay was employed to evaluate the compounds 7a-h against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H??Rv. The results demonstrate that the compound 7d possesses good in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H??Rv (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration value [MIC], 12.5 μg/mL).These compounds may prove useful in the discovery and development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs.     

Thermodynamics of protonation of AMP,ADP, and ATP from 50 to 125°C

The interaction of adenosine 5-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine 5-diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) ions with protons in aqueous solution has been studied calorimetrically from 50 to 125°C and 1.52 MPa. At each temperature, the reaction of acidic AMP with tetramethylammonium hydroxide was combined with the heat of ionization for water to obtain the enthalpy of protonation of AMP, while the reactions of HCl with deprotonated tetramethylammonium salts of ADP and ATP were used to obtain the enthalpies of protonation of ADP and ATP. Equilibrium constant K, enthalpy change H^o, entropy change S^o, and heat capacity change C _p ^o values were calculated for the stepwise protonation reactions as a function of temperature. The reactions involving the first protonation of AMP, ADP, and ATP and the third protonation of ADP and ATP were endothermic over the temperature range studied, while that involving the second protonation is exothermic for AMP and ADP, but is exothermic below 100°C and endothermic at 125°C in the case of ATP. Consequently, log K values for the first and third protonation reactions (phosphate groups) increase while those for the second protonation reaction (N₁-adenine) decrease in the cases of AMP and ADP and go through a minimum in the case of ATP as temperature increases. The H^o values for all protonation reactions increase with temperature. The magnitude and the trend for the H^o, S^o, and C _p ^o values with temperature are discussed in terms of solvent-solute interactions. The magnitude of the C _p ^o values for the second protonation is consistent with little interaction between the phosphate ion and the protonated N₁ site of the adenine moiety in AMP, but indicates moderate interaction between these groups in ADP, and strong interaction in ATP.     

C-H activation by a mononuclear manganese(III) hydroxide complex: synthesis and characterization of a manganese-lipoxygenase mimic?

Lipoxygenases are mononuclear non-heme metalloenzymes that regio- and stereospecifically convert 1,4-pentadiene subunit-containing fatty acids into alkyl peroxides. The rate-determining step is generally accepted to be hydrogen atom abstraction from the pentadiene subunit of the substrate by an active metal(III)-hydroxide species to give a metal(II)-water species and an organic radical. All known plant and animal lipoxygenases contain iron as the active metal; recently, however, manganese was found to be the active metal in a fungal lipoxygenase. Reported here are the synthesis and characterization of a mononuclear Mn(III) complex, [Mn(III)(PY5)(OH)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) (PY5 = 2,6-bis(bis(2-pyridyl)methoxymethane)pyridine), that reacts with hydrocarbon substrates in a manner most consistent with hydrogen atom abstraction and provides chemical precedence for the proposed reaction mechanism. The neutral penta-pyridyl ligation of PY5 endows a strong Lewis acidic character to the metal center allowing the Mn(III) compound to perform this oxidation chemistry. Thermodynamic analysis of [Mn(III)(PY5)(OH)](2+) and the reduced product, [Mn(II)(PY5)(H(2)O)](2+), estimates the strength of the O-H bond in the metal-bound water in the Mn(II) complex to be 82 (+/-2) kcal mol(-)(1), slightly less than that of the O-H bond in the related reduced iron complex, [Fe(II)(PY5)(MeOH)](2+). [Mn(III)(PY5)(OH)](2+) reacts with hydrocarbon substrates at rates comparable to those of the analogous [Fe(III)(PY5)(OMe)](2+) at 323 K. The crystal structure of [Mn(III)(PY5)(OH)](2+) displays Jahn-Teller distortions that are absent in [Mn(II)(PY5)(H(2)O)](2+), notably a compression along the Mn(III)-OH axis. Consequently, a large internal structural reorganization is anticipated for hydrogen atom transfer, which may be correlated to the lessened dependence of the rate of substrate oxidation on the substrate bond dissociation energy as compared to other metal complexes. The results presented here suggest that manganese is a viable metal for lipoxygenase activity and that, with similar coordination spheres, iron and manganese can oxidize substrates through a similar mechanism.     

Carbon nanotubes reinforced with natural/synthetic polymers to mimic the extracellular matrices of bone – a review

The persistent failure of conventional materials used in manufacturing orthopedic implants was due to the deficiency or poor integrations of implant materials to the juxtaposed bone and stress-strain imbalances between the interfaces of tissues and implant materials. Therefore, the fabrication of a suitable bioactive scaffold for bone tissue engineering is considered a vital requisite to mimic the extracellular bone matrix. Numerous researches were reported concerning the fabrication of a suitable bioactive scaffold to improve cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation so far. However, for the past two decades, the research on carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced composites employed in the biomedical field is increasing day-by-day because of its outstanding properties. Moreover, it is essential to choose a biocompatible polymer with greater affinity to act as an extracellular matrix as well as to attract CNTs and in facilitating the homogeneous distribution of CNTs in aqueous and organic solvents. The development of CNTs-based composites in bone tissue engineering is presented in this review based on the last 10 years of research. The detailed information about the structural-functions and defects of bone, and the importance of CNTs-functionalized natural and synthetic polymers, and their potential activity in bone regenerations and bone replacements have been reviewed.     

Forces mediating protein–protein interactions: a computational study of p53 “approaching” MDM2

The protein MDM2 forms a complex with the tumor suppressing protein p53 and targets it for proteolysis in order to down-regulate p53 in normal cells. Inhibition of this interaction is of therapeutic importance. Molecular dynamics simulations of the association between p53 and MDM2 have revealed mutual modulation of the two surfaces. Analysis of the simulations of the two species approaching each other in solution shows how long range electrostatics steers these two proteins together. The net electrostatics is controlled largely by a few cationic residues that surround the MDM2 binding site. There is an overall separation in electrostatics of MDM2 and p53 that are mutually complementary and drive association. Upon close approach, there is significant energetic strain as the charges are occluded from water (desolvated). However, the complexation is driven by packing interactions that lead to highly favorable van der Waals interactions. Although the complementarity of the electrostatics of the two surfaces is essential for the two partners to form a complex, steric collisions of Y100 and short ranged van der Waals interactions of F19, W23, L26 of p53 determine the final steps of native complex formation. The electrostatics seem to be evolutionarily conserved, including variations in both partners.     

Syntheses of supramolecular CuCN complexes by decomposing CuSCN: a general route to CuCN coordination polymers?

The solvothermal reaction of CuSCN with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) yielded a coordination polymer, which was characterized to be a complex of CuCN and 1,2-bis(diphenylthiophosphinyl)ethane (dppeS2): [(CuCN)2(dppeS2)]n (1). The identification of complex 1 reveals that CuSCN was decomposed and the sulfur was transferred to dppe, and represents a new example of the transformation of inorganic sulfur to organic sulfur. The weak coordination interactions between CuCN and dppeS2 indicate that dppeS2 may be substituted by ligands with strong coordination ability. The ligand 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tpt) was chosen as a substitute ligand. Three novel CuCN coordination polymers of tpt were synthesized and characterized: [Cu2(CN)2(tpt)]n (2) with a 3-D (10,3)-a network, [Cu2(CN)2(tpt)]n (3) and [Cu2(SCN)(CN)(tpt)]n (4) both with a 2-D (6,3) network, and only complex 2 can be obtained from CuCN directly. Interestingly, compounds 2 and 3 are genuine high-dimensional supramolecular isomers. During the syntheses of 2-4, single crystals of dppeS2 were isolated, which indicates it was substituted by tpt ligand and also confirmed the transformation of sulfur from CuSCN to dppe. The transformation of sulfur can be observed only when the temperature is relative high (>160 degrees C). At 140 degrees C, complex 5 containing only CuSCN was attained and no dppeS2 has been monitored in the resulting filtrate.     

Preparation of polyprenol/poly (β-amino ester)/galactose targeted micelle carrier for enhancing cancer therapy

Lacking of substantial physiological activity and low utilization remains a problem for most conventional drug carriers. Polyprenol with beneficial medical effects and high availability could be an ideal candidate for solving this issue. Here, Ginkgo biloba leaves polyprenol (GBP)-based derivative was prepared by Michael addition reaction of poly (β-amino esters) (PBAE) with GBP and galactose (Gal). The intervention of poly (β-amino ester) and galactose promoted GBP-PBAE-Gal to depict as micellar carrier, enhancing the loading of hydrophobic DOX and the sensitivity to the specific tumor microenvironment, with the largest DOX loading of 28.62 ± 1.49 % and the efficient DOX release rate of 90.30 %. In the meantime, GBP-PBAE-Gal exhibited enhanced colloidal stability at 640-folds of dilution and in the presence of serum and realized the possibility of long-term storage at room temperature. Additionally, GBP-PBAE-Gal was safe for human red blood cells and human normal liver cells HL-7702. When applied for DOX delivery to HepG2 cells, GBP-PBAE-Gal increased the targeting of DOX to intensify its inhibition on HepG2 cells. Compared to free DOX, the DOX loaded into GBP-PBAE-Gal presented stronger anticancer activity, with IC₅₀ of 0.56 μg/mL at 72 h. Besides, the anticancer mechanism study revealed that GBP-PBAE-Gal arrested the cell cycle in HepG2 cells, suggesting the potential of GBP-based carrier for intensive treatment. This research evidenced the feasibility and high availability of the GBP to use as a drug carrier, providing a novel candidate for drug delivery systems.     

Electronic structure and absorption spectra of supramolecular complexes of a fullerene crown ether with a π-extended TTF derivative

The present work is a theoretical investigation on supramolecular complexes of a fullerene crown ether (A and B isomers) with a derivative of π-extended tetrathiafulvalene (T). The geometry and the electronic structure of seven different conformers of the complex of dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether of fullero-N-methylpyrrolidine with a N-benzyl-N-(4-{[9,10-bis(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-9,10-dihydroanthracen-2-yl]ethynyl}benzyl)ammonium cation were determined. We calculated the complexation energies and the absorption spectra, i.e., the lowest 50 excited electronic states of the complexes have been determined at the ground state optimum geometry. All calculations were carried out employing the density functional theory (DFT) and the time-dependent DFT, using the B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, ωB97X-D, and M06-2X functionals in conjunction with the 6-31G(d,p) basis set. Various types of van der Waals interactions are observed in the complexes. Conformer complexation energies (CE) range from 2.54 to 2.14 eV in the gas phase and from 1.75 to 1.34 eV in CHCl(3) solvent at the ωB97X-D/6-31G(d,p)//M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. There are three major features at about 390, 330, and 290 nm in the calculated absorption spectra of all the conformers. The major peaks correspond to T→T, T→T/F (electron density in both T and the fullerene F of B) and to T→F transitions, depending on the particular conformer. Other charge transfer T→F transitions are observed close to the T→T transition, indicating the possibility of photoinduced electron transfer in all these complexes.     

The first synthesis of a water-soluble α-cyclodextrin/C60 supramolecular complex using anionic C60 as a building block

A novel supramolecular inclusion complex of α-CD/C₆₀ was synthesized using anionic C₆₀. The reaction progress was monitored in situ by visible and near-IR spectroscopy. The obtained complex was characterized by UV-vis, ¹³C NMR, MALDI-TOF, and cyclic voltammetry. The induction and dispersion forces are considered to be the major driving forces for the formation of a resulting α-CD/ inclusion complex.