Mitochondrial targeting of radioprotectants using peptidyl conjugates

Ionizing radiation activates a mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase, leading to inhibition of the respiratory chain, generation of excess superoxide, peroxynitrite production and nitrosative damage. We have measured the radioprotective effects of a nitric oxide synthase antagonist (AMT) versus a free radical scavenger (4-amino-TEMPO) using electrochemical detection of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. To enhance their efficacy, we have conjugated these compounds to peptides and peptide isosteres--derived from the antibiotic gramicidin S--that target the mitochondria. The targeting ability of these peptidyl conjugates was measured using quantitative mass spectrometry.     

Chemical synthesis and biological evaluation of gallidermin-siderophore conjugates

The lantibiotic gallidermin was modified at lysine residues by regioselective attachment of derivatives of pyochelin, agrobactin and desferrioxamine B with the objective of having siderophore receptors of Gram-negative bacteria transport the antibiotic-iron chelator conjugate through the outer membrane. All of the conjugates retained activity against the Gram-positive indicator strain, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris HP. However, testing of the conjugates against several Gram-negative strains yielded unexpected results. Bacteria treated with 100 μM of the conjugates complexed with Fe(3+) grew better than bacteria grown in iron-free media but worse than bacteria grown in the same media supplemented with 10 μM FeCl(3). Although these findings indicate that the conjugates are unable to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria, they indicate penetration of the outer membrane and provide structure-activity information for design of other lantibiotic conjugates. The synthetic strategy is applicable for linking biomarkers or fluorescence probes to gallidermin for studies on its localization and mode of action. As there are many lantibiotics that operate with unknown mechanisms of action, this chemical approach provides a means to modify such peptides with biomarkers for biological investigations.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel neamine-nucleoside conjugates potentially targeting to RNAs

Eighteen novel neamine-nucleoside conjugates with ethylenediamine-lysine or ethylenediamine-arginine as the linker were synthesized and their potential binding to A site of 16S RNA and TAR RNA was evaluated using SPR (surface plasmon resonance). Compared with neamine, compounds 10i and 10q show 6.3 and 4.8 times potential in binding to A site of 16S RNA and eight and six times potential in binding to TAR RNA, respectively. According to the data of SPR, it indicates that amino acid residue and nucleobase moieties of the designed neamine-nucleosides conjugates exhibit the important contributions for the binding to A site of 16S RNA and TAR RNA. The molecular docking study on the interaction between the ligands and A site of 16S RNA is in agreement with the experimental data. The novel type of modification may provide a promising way for the development of neamine derivatives effectively targeting to RNAs.     

Optimizing saccharide-directed molecular delivery to biological receptors: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of glycodendrimer-cyclodextrin conjugates

Dendritic beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD) derivatives bearing multivalent mannosyl ligands have been prepared and assessed for their binding efficiency toward the tetrameric plant lectin concanavalin A (Con A) and a mammalian mannose/fucose specific cell surface receptor from macrophages. The synthetic strategy exploits the reactivity between isothiocyanate and amine functionalities for the high-yielding assembly via thioureido links of the various building blocks, including host, spacer, branching, and carbohydrate ligand elements. The methodology has been applied to the preparation of a series of betaCD-polymannoside scaffolds differing in the ligand valency and geometry. This series allowed us to explore: (i) The effects of the glycodendritic architecture on the binding efficiency; (ii) the mutual influence between the cyclodextrin core and the glycodendritic moieties on the molecular inclusion and lectin-binding properties; and (iii) the consequence of inclusion complex formation, using the anticancer drug docetaxel (Taxotère) as a target guest, on biological recognition. Our results confirm the high drug solubilization capability of this new type of betaCD-dendrimer construct and indicate that subtle changes in the architecture of the conjugate may have important consequences on receptor affinity. Interestingly, the host-guest interaction can be monitored to build up supramolecular dynamic glycoclusters with increased lectin affinity. Alternatively, the information obtained from the structure-lectin-binding avidity-inclusion capability studies has been put forward in the design of very efficient molecular transporters for docetaxel based on glycodendritic CD dimers.     

Epicatechin B-ring conjugates: first enantioselective synthesis and evidence for their occurrence in human biological fluids

Herein, the first enantioselective total synthesis of a number of biologically relevant (-)-epicatechin conjugates is described. The success of this synthesis relied on (i) optimized conditions for the stereospecific cyclization step leading to the catechin C ring; on (ii) efficient conjugation reactions; and on (iii) optimized deprotection sequences. These standard compounds have been subsequently used to elucidate for the first time the pattern of (-)-epicatechin conjugates present in four different human biological fluids following (-)-epicatechin absorption.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of p-nitrophenol and its conjugates in biological samples

p-Nitrophenol (pNP) and its conjugated metabolites, generated in a perfused rat liver preparation, are readily separated and quantitated in serum perfusate and bile samples using a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Serum perfusate samples can be analyzed following protein precipitation with acetonitrile: following protein precipitation with 1.5 M perchloric acid (1 part to 2 parts serum) there was degradation of pNP sulfate to pNP when samples were stored at room temperature. pNP can also be analyzed in blood perfusate samples following extraction with a number of organic solvents including ethyl acetate or isobutanol-methylene chloride (4:1, v/v). Rat liver perfusions at a constant input concentration of 40 microM demonstrated a high hepatic extraction ratio of pNP (mean of 0.90) due to the formation of the sulfate and glucuronide conjugates; no pNP glucoside was detected in perfusate or bile samples.     

Electron-rich tetrathiafulvalene-triarylamine conjugates: synthesis and redox properties

By combining tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs) and triarylamines, four TTF-triarylamine conjugates bridged by an annulated pyrrole ring were designed and synthesized by an N-arylation reaction. Electrochemical and photophysical investigations suggest that these novel conjugates possess very strong electron-donating ability with very high HOMO energy levels of around -4.70 eV; the HOMOs are mainly located on the TTF moiety. We observed significant electronic coupling between the TTF moieties and the triarylamine groups. However, no evidence for such electronic communication between end-capping TTF units (conjugates 5 and 7) or between two terminal triarylamine groups (conjugate 9) could be found. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements together with PM3-optimized geometries suggest that conjugates 5 and 7, which adopt three-dimensional propeller-shaped structures, may easily pack and crystallize in the solid state because of the large rigid planar blades consisting of TTF and one of the phenyl rings of the triarylamine moiety. However, conjugate 9, with two bulky end-capping triarylamine groups, forms an amorphous material with a glass transition at 74.5 degrees C.     

Inhibition and anti-inhibition effects of electron scavengers in hydrocarbons revisited

Positronium formation experiments inn-hexane were performed with C₂H₅Br and CCl₄ as inhibitors and others (decalin, tetralin, benzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene) as anti-inhibitors. Although the results can be interpreted in terms of the anti-recombination and anti-inhibition, it is necessary to consider further some new aspects of intra-spur reactions such as shallow tapping of e⁺ and secondary reactions of Ps. The data thus interpreted correlate excellently with the data of radiation chemistry.     

双喹啉-多胺缀合物的合成及生物活性测定

为了获得具有高活性的神经元保护药物,以1,3-丙二胺、1,4-丁二胺、1,6-己二胺等为原料,合成了4个新的双喹啉-多胺缀合物;利用核磁共振谱、质谱和元素分析确认了目标化合物的结构,同时评价了它们对神经元细胞的保护作用.结果表明,4个目标化合物对神经元细胞的保护作用均较差,说明多胺链并不能增强喹啉对神经元细胞的保护作用.     

Solid-phase synthesis of acridine-peptide conjugates and their analysis by tandem mass spectrometry

[reaction--see text] A novel and high-yielding synthesis of 9-anilinoacridine-4-carboxylic acid is reported. This acid has been used in the solid-phase synthesis of a small combinatorial library of acridine-peptide conjugates. Tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS) can be used for structure determination of these compounds at a sensitivity of approximately 10 pmol. This work makes possible the generation of acridine-peptide libraries for the discovery of structure-specific nucleic acid ligands via affinity chromatography selection with mass spectrometric detection.     

Protein-assisted one-pot synthesis and biofunctionalization of spherical gold nanoparticles for selective targeting of cancer cells

All bound up: A small variant of protein?A was used as a biotemplate for the synthesis and biofunctionalization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). These functionalized AuNPs were able to bind to antibodies (green blocks, trastuzumab; TZ) with a defined orientation, thus showing promise as bio-nanoparticle systems suitable for selective cell labeling by membrane-receptor-specific recognition.     

Expeditious synthesis of porphyrin-cobaltacarborane conjugates

Two porphyrin-cobaltacarborane conjugates and were prepared in high yields via a nucleophilic ring-opening reaction of . These novel boron-rich and fluorescent compounds have potential application as boron delivery agents for the boron neutron capture therapy of tumors.     

新型手性单胺氧化酶选择性抑制剂的设计、合成与生物活性研究

本文以取代的手性苯乙胺为原料,设计合成了4种新型叔胺盐酸盐化合物.通过NMR,IR和MS等表征方法对所合成目标产物的结构进行确定.在生物活性方面,首先通过CCK-8法测定4种化合物对正常细胞增殖的影响,实验结果表明:部分化合物对小鼠成纤维细胞L929表现出一定的细胞毒性.酶的选择性实验说明R构型影响小分子对单胺氧化酶(MAO)的选择性抑制活性,另一方面取代基的给电子能力也会对酶的活性有影响.     

Design, synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of brain targeting L-ascorbic acid prodrugs of ibuprofen

L-Ascorbic acid（AA,vitamin C） exhibits a high concentration in the brain.The transportation of AA in brain is mainly mediated by the glucose transporter 1（GLUT₁） and the Na⁺-dependent vitamin C transporter SVCT₂.While L-ascorbic acid C6-O conjugation has been investigated as a tool to enhance brain drug delivery,C5-O conjugation and C5-O & C6-O conjugation as brain targeting tools have not been reported.In this letter,ibuprofen was linked directly to C5-O,C6-O and C5-O & C6-O positions of L-ascorbic acid with eater bonds,providing prodrug 1,2 and 3,respectively,to improve their targeting abilities in the brain.Prodrug 1,2 and 3 were synthesized in facile ways with good yields.And the preliminary evaluation in vivo illustrated that prodrug 2 had a better targeting ability than prodrug 1. Moreover,prodrug 3,whose C5-O & C6-O positions were both modified,had good targeting ability for brain which will provide an important evidence for our further study on C5-0- & C6-0- di-derivatives of L-ascorbic acid.     

The synthesis and properties of oligoribonucleotide-spermine conjugates

Polyamines stabilise nucleic acids against chemical and enzymatic degradation, facilitate the formation of secondary and tertiary structures and enhance cellular uptake. Therefore methods for the syntheses of polyamine-nucleic acid conjugates are of interest. A route for the syntheses of RNA-spermine conjugates has been developed. The polyamine was introduced to the C-5 position of uridine via an ethyl tether and the molecule elaborated into a synthon suitable for oligoribonucleotide assembly. The resultant oligomers were components of the hairpin ribozyme. Characterisation of the spermine-conjugated catalytic RNA revealed that attachment of the polyamine was well tolerated in three of four positions, namely U41, U37 and U34, suggesting that conjugation to C-5 brings about minimal structural perturbation.     

Ferrocene-peptido conjugates: from synthesis to sensory applications

The field of chemical and biological sensing is increasingly dependent on the availability of new functional materials that enhance the ability of the system to respond to chemical interactions. Organometallic bioconjugates derived from amino acids, peptides, proteins, peptide nucleic acids, and dendrimers have had a profound effect in this area and have endowed modern sensory systems with a superior performance. Owing to their fairly high stability, solubility in various solvents, and excellent redox properties, ferrocene and ferrocenyl conjugates have emerged as one of the most important classes of materials that enable direct observation of molecular interactions and as electron mediators. The low potential, reversible redox behavior of the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple is a unique property that finds widespread application in the design of sensory platforms. Currently, there is significant drive to exploit new organometallic systems, in which the presence of ferrocene acting as a redox center is critical and allows the design of highly sensitive electrochemical sensors for the sensing and recognition of a vast array of analytes.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of indole derivatives as novel inhibitors targeting B-Raf kinase

A series of novel indole derivatives were designed and synthesized and their inhibitory activity against B-Raf and HepG2 cell were also described. Among them, compounds 7a and 7b exhibited excellent potency, which showed the potential for further research as lead compounds.     

Novel purine conjugates with N-heterocycles: synthesis and anti-influenza activity

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - A number of novel amides were synthesized by coupling of 6-[(9H-purin-6-yl)amino]hexanoic acid to heterocyclic amines. The antiviral activity of the obtained...