The conformational preferences of γ-lactam and its role in constraining peptide structure

Summary The conformational constraints imposed by -lactams in peptides have been studied using valence force field energy calculations and flexible geometry maps. It has been found that while cyclisation restrains the of the lactam, non-bonded interactions contribute to the constraints on of the lactam. The -lactam also affects the (,) of the residue after it in a peptide sequence. For an l-lactam, the ring geometry restricts to about-120°, and has two minima, the lowest energy around-140° and a higher minimum (5 kcal/mol higher) at 60°, making an l--lactam more favourably accommodated in a near extended conformation than in position 2 of a type II -turn. The energy of the +60° minimum can be lowered substantially until it is more favoured than the-140° minimum by progressive substitution of bulkier groups on the amide N of the l--lactam. The (,) maps of the residue succeeding a -lactam show subtle differences from those of standard N-methylated residues. The dependence of the constraints on the chirality of -lactams and N-substituted -lactams, in terms of the formation of secondary structures like -turns is discussed and the comparison of the theoretical conformations with experimental results is highlighted.     

Effect of Cyclodextrins on the Chemical Stability of ST1435, a Contraceptive Steroid Progestin, in Aqueous Solution

The influence of cyclodextrins (CDs) on the chemical stability of the contraceptive steroid progestin, ST1435, in aqueous solution has been studied using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. The effects of CD structure, temperature, and CD concentration on the rate of degradation were investigated. It was found that the drug degraded to different extents following a pseudo-first order reaction mechanism. The presence of the host molecules affected the degradation rate as a result of complexation which might result in protection of the labile moiety of the drug molecule against degradation. Hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD) and hydroxyethyl--cyclodextrin (HE--CD) retarded the degradation in contrast to -cyclodextrin (-CD) which accelerated the steroid degradation. The stabilizing action of HP--CD is larger than that of HE--CD. The degradation rate increased upon increasing temperature and the Arrhenius equation is valid. Lineweaver-Burk equation analysis indicated that the steroid included inside the CD cavity degraded three times more slowly than did the free ST1435 in solution. This equation further supported the formation of a 1 : 1 inclusion complex between ST1435 and HP--CD with a stability constant of 934.5 M-1 at 65°C.     

Influence of cyclodextrins on nitrosation of drugs

The World Health Organization issued a nitrosation procedure (NAP Test) which allows to carry out nitrosation under standard conditions. It has proved that the in vitro reaction rates of the fast nitrosatable drugs piperazine, cimetidine and ethambutol are not influenced by -, - and -cyclodextrin. On the contrary, -, -cyclodextrin and heptakis-2,6-di-O-methyl--cyclodextrin enhance the nitrosation of the slower nitrosatable 1-ephedrine and fencamfamine significantly. This possible reaction must be considered if nitrosatable drugs are formulated with cyclodextrins to be administered to human beings.     

Silver ion spray reagent for the discrimination of β- and ε-end groups in carotenoids on thin-layer chromatograms

Summary Thin-layer chromatograms of pure carotenoids and natural carotenoid mixtures were dried and sprayed with saturated methanolic silver nitrate solution. Those carotenoids containing -end groups showed a marked bathchromic colour change for each such end group. Thus, -carotene, -cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin gave a clear red colour while -carotene, -cryptoxanthin and lutein gave deep organge spots after such treatment. Taraxanthin and antheraxanthin could be similarly distinguished. The method was not applicable to paper chromatography.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the hydrolysis of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) by a cellulase complex

TheSomogyi-Nelson colorimetric method is applied in a new manner more suitable for evaluating the kinetics of the enzyme hydrolysis of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) catalyzed by the cellulase complex. By means of selective inhibition of a chosen enzyme from the cellulase complex it became possible to trace the effect of the other enzymes included in its composition.

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Kinetik und Mechanismus der Hydrolyse von Natriumcarboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) durch einen Cellulase-Komplex

Zusammenfassung Die kolorimetrische Methode nachSomogyi undNelson wird nach einem neuen Verfahren zur Verfolgung der Kinetik der hydrolytischen Spaltung von Natriumcarboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC), katalysiert durch den Cellulase-Komplex, angewandt. Durch selektive Inhibierung eines bestimmten Enzyms des Cellulase-Komplexes kann man die Wirkung der anderen zu seiner gesamten Zusammensetzung gehörenden Enzyme verfolgen.

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Symbols Used E enzyme (E—cellulase;E—exo-cellobiohydrolase;E—-glucosidase) - [E] _w weight concentration of enzymeE - S substrate (Na-CMC—sodium carboxymethylcellulose) - [S]₀ weight concentration of substrateS - I inhibitor (I—lactose;I—calcium chloride;I—condurrite-B-epoxide) - P product (P—oligosaccharides;P—cellobiose;P—D-glucose) - P end product (K , K , K ) - DP degree of polymerization - DS degree of substitution - ES enzyme-substrate complex (E S, E S, E S) - EP enzyme-product complex (E P, E P) - EI enzyme-inhibitor complex (E I, E I, E I) - M _s molecular mass of substrateS - K _s substrate constant (K _s , K _s , K _s ) - K _I inhibitor constant (K _I , K _I , K _I ) - K _m Michaelis-Menten constant - k ₊₁,k ₊₂ (k ₊₂ ,k ₊₂ ,k ₊₂ ) forward rate constants - k _–1 reverse rate constant - ₀ initial rate of reaction - V maximal reaction rate - A change in absorbance - molar absorption coefficient - wavelength Herrn Prof. Dr.Hans Tuppy zum 60. Geburtstag herzlichst gewidmet.     

The μ-and δ-opioid pharmacophore conformations of cyclic β-casomorphin analogues indicate docking of the Phe3 residue to different domains of the opioid receptors

Summary Cyclic -casomorphin analogues with a d-configured amino acid residue in position 2, such as Tyr-c[-Xaa-Phe-Pro-Gly-] and Tyr-c[-Xaa-Phe-d-Pro-Gly-] (Xaa=d-A₂bu, d-Orn, d-Lys) were found to bind to the -opioid receptor as well as to the -opioid receptor, whereas the corresponding l-Xaa² derivatives are nearly inactive at both. Low-energy conformers of both active and nearly inactive derivatives have been determined in a systematic conformational search or by molecular dynamics simulations using the TRIPOS force field. The obatained conformations were compared with regard to a model for -selective opiates developed by Brandt et al. [Drug Des. Discov., 10 (1993) 257]. Superpositions as well as electrostatic, lipophilic and hydrogen bonding similarities with the -opioid receptor pharmacophore conformation of t-Hpp-JOM-13 proposed by Mosberg et al. [J. Med. Chem., 37 (1994) 4371, 4384] were used to establish the probable -pharmacophoric cyclic -casomorphin conformations. These conformations were also compared with a -opioid agonist (SNC 80) and the highly potent antagonist naltrindole. These investigations led to a prediction of the -and -pharmacophore structures for the cyclic -casomorphins. Interestingly, for the inactive compounds such conformations could not be detected. The comparison between the -and -pharmacophore conformations of the cyclic -casomorphins demonstrates not only differences in spatial orientation of both aromatic groups, but also in the backbone conformations of the ring part. In particular, the differences in ² and ² (70°,-80°; 165°,55°) cause a completely different spatial arrangement of the cyclized peptide rings when all compounds are matched with regard to maximal spatial overlap of the tyrosine residue. Assuming that both the -and -pharmacophore conformations bind with the tyrosine residue in a similar orientation at the same transmembrane domain X of their receptors, the side chain of Phe³ as a second binding site has to dock with different domains.This paper is based on a presentation given at the 14th Molecular Graphics and Modelling Society Conference, held in Cairns, Australia, August 27–September 1, 1995.     

Reaction of dibenzylphosphine oxide with α,β-unsaturated O-methyloximes

The reaction of dibenzylphosphine oxide with O-methyloximes of some ,-unsaturated ketones results in the phosphorylation at the -carbon atom to form methoxyiminophosphine oxides, whereas the reaction of dibenzylphosphine oxide with O-methyloximes of ,-unsaturated aldehydes affords aminodihydrophosphole oxides.     

“Blue silver”: transformation of clusters and metal coagulation

The formation and transformations of blue silver ( _max 700 nm) during -irradiation of a weakly alkaline (pH 9) aqueous solution containing AgClO₄, polyacrylic acid (PAA), and isopropanol were studied. We believe that blue silver is a linear silver cluster stabilized on a polymeric molecule. During radiation-chemical reduction the cluster is transformed into new clusters ( _max = 365 and 460 nm). When all of the Ag⁺ ions present in the solution have been reduced, clusters coalesce and a new phase,i.e., colloidal silver particles, forms. The mechanism of the radiation-chemical transformations is discussed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 35–37, January, 1995.     

Conformational Heterogeneity of a Tripeptide in the Solid State and in Solution: Characterization of a γ-Turn Containing Incipient Hairpin in Solution

A terminally blocked tripeptide Boc--Ala-Aib--Ala-OMe 1 with noncoded amino acids forms a novel type of hairpin structure containing a -turn instead of a conventional -turn in the central loop region in solution. This new type structural motif was characterized by NMR and restraint molecular dynamics simulation study. In the solid state peptide 1 adopts an extended backbone conformation and self-assembles to form supramolecular -sheet.     

Enantiomer separations with chromatographic supports based on β-cyclodextrin polymers immobilized on porous silica. Role of the polymer structure in separating ability

Summary Two -cyclodextrin (-CD)-containing polymers have been prepared either by condensation of -CD molecules with a bifunctional reagent or by grafting a -CD derivative on to a linear polymer (polyvinylimidazole). HPLC stationary phases were obtained by adsorption of the -CD polymers on to silica. The ability of these chromatographic supports to resolve racemic mixtures of organic compounds such as amino acid derivatives, phenylhydantoins, barbiturates, and hydroxycoumarin derivatives has been investigated. Results were found to depend on the chemical structure of the -CD polymers     

Studies of solvent effects

The effect of water on the conformational preferences of acetylcholine has been studied within the discrete, the continuum and the combined discrete-continuum models described in parts I and II of this series. All the models lead to the conclusion that the trans-gauche form which is, following refined quantum-mechanical computations, the intrinsically preferred one and the one observed in the crystal of acetylcholine and of a number of analogues should remain also the preferred conformation in water. This result agrees with NMR studies. The results of the empirical discrete model used here compare favorably to those obtained by an ab initio super-molecule treatment. The continuum model utilized here represents a net improvement above such models utilized in other works.     

Interaction of fluoroalkyl-containing β-diketones with amines

The composition of products of the interaction of asymmetric fluoroalkyl-containing -diketones with amines was studied. Mixtures of regioisomeric -aminovinylketones and products of cleavage and secondary condensation are formed, depending on the temperature, the solvent, the nature of the fluorinated and nonfluorinated substituents in the -diketone, and the basicity of the amine. The major product is a -aminovinylketone in which the NH₂ group is removed from the fluoroalkyl substituent. No -aminovinylimines, products of condensation involving two electrophilic centers, were observed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2278–2284, September, 1996.     

Reduction of photohemolytic activity of benoxaprofen byβ-cyclodextrin complexations

Inclusion complexations of benoxaprofen (BXP) with-cyclodextrin (-CyD) and heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)--CyD (DM--CyD) were studied by the solubility method and CD and¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Both -CyDs decelerated the photodecarboxylation of BXP, and suppressed the BXP-photosensitized hemolysis, where the inhibitory effect of DM--CyD was larger than that of -CyD. This order was well correlated with the magnitude of the stability constants of BXP--CyD complexes. The peroxidation of lipid components in erythrocyte ghosts induced by BXP was also suppressed particularly by DM--CyD. The protective effect of -CyDs on the BXP-induced photohemolysis seems to be due to the suppression in the photochemical reactions of BXP yielding toxic transient species, together with the inhibition in attacks of the transient species to the membrane, through inclusion complexation.     

Trans-cis Photoisomerization of 1-Methyl-4-(4′-hydroxystyryl)pyridinium in inclusion complexes ofβ-cyclodextrin and its derivatives

The effects of -cyclodextrin (-CyD), heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)--cyclodextrin (DMCyD) and heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)--cyclodextrin (TMCyD) ontrans-cis photoisomerization of 1-ethyl-4-(4-hydroxystyryl)pyridinium (POH) have been studied in aqueous solutions. The ratio of [cis]/[trans] for POH in the photostationary state at pH 8.54 was remarkably reduced by the presence of CyD or DMCyD. The reduction of the [cis]/[trans] ratio in the photostationary state was explained in terms of the shift of the equilibrium of POH ₊ ^trans PO _trans + H^– toward PO _trans formation. The binding constants of CyD and DMCyD for PO _trans were 2.00- and 1.36-fold larger than those for POH ₊ ^trans , respectively. The binding constants of TMCyD for both species are much smaller than those of CyD and DMCyD. This result indicates that PO _trans , which has a betain structure, forms stable complexes with CyD and DMCyD with its hydrophobic parts inside and the charged parts outside the CyD cavities.     

Recent progress in tartaric acid‐modified Raney nickel system for enantio‐differentiating hydrogenation

Tartaric acidmodified Raney nickel (TAMRNi) is an enantiodifferentiating catalyst for hydrogenation of ketones. The stereochemical models explaining the enantiodifferentiation of ketoester and 2alkanone were unified as an extended stereochemical model by the experimental supports. Based on this new model, a working hypothesis to improve the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the ketoester/TAMRNi system was developed, and the ee was improved to 96%. By further fine tuning of this system, almost perfect enantiodifferentiation resulting in over 98% ee was achieved.     

In vitro nitrosation of ephedrine in the presence of cyclodextrins

-, and -cyclodextrin and heptakis-2,6-di-O-methyl--cyclodextrin enhance the nitrosation rate of l-ephedrine if the nitrosation assay procedure (NAP test) is applied. During this reaction with -cyclodextrin a solid inclusion compound of -cyclodextrin andN-nitrosoephedrine precipitates. Solubilities and stabilities of inclusion compounds of the cyclodextrins with ephedrine and nitrosoephedrine, respectively, explain especially the catalytic effects of some cyclodextrins on ephedrine.Part of the PhD thesis of V. Wedelich, Freie Universität Berlin, 1985.     

Formulation and Preliminary in vivo Testing of Rufloxacin-Cyclodextrin Ophthalmic Solutions

Aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of somecyclodextrins (CDs) on the solubility and ocular bioavailability of rufloxacin base (RUF), with theultimate goal of developing an ophthalmic formulation. Phase solubility studies of RUF inpH 7.4 buffer were carried out in the presence of -cyclodextrin (-CD),hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD) and -cyclodextrin(-CD). The effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on RUF solubility was evaluated after heating the solutionscontaining HP--CD at 120 °C.A significant enhancement of RUF solubility was achieved by associatingthe drug with CDs, particularly HP--CD. This CD formed with RUF a less stablecomplex than that formed by -CD, but did not suffer the solubility limitations ofthe parent CD, and showed a higher solubilizing capacity than -CD. Addition of 0.25%(w/v) HPMC to solutions containing HP--CD increased the solubilizing effect of this CD,thus allowing reduction of the amount necessary for solubilization of 0.3% (w/v) RUF.Preliminary pharmacokinetic data in rabbits indicated that theocular bioavailability of 0.3% (w/v) RUF solubilized by HP--CD was higher when compared witha 0.3% (w/v) RUF suspension used as reference.     

Solubility Study of Nimodipine Inclusion Complexation with α- and β-Cyclodextrin and some Substituted Cyclodextrins

The solubility of nimodipine was measured in aqueous solutions of the following cyclodextrins: -cyclodextrin (-CD), hydroxypropyl--CD (HP--CD), -cyclodextrin (-CD), random substituted methyl--CD (M--CD), three hydroxypropyl--CDs (HP--CD) with mutually different average degree of substitution, and hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD). From the determined linear solubility diagrams the values of the binding constant K₁₁ of the inclusion complexes of nimodipine with the respective CDs were evaluated. The -CDs efficiently solubilized sparingly soluble nimodipine, the highest value of K₁₁ was found for M--CD (1680 M^-1), followed by -CD (550 M^-1) and HP--CDs, where the higher degree of substitution lowered K₁₁. Only slight solubilization of nimodipine was observed in the solutions of the -CDs and HP--CD.     

Solid-Phase Extraction and Spectrophotometric Determination of Trace Amounts of Mercury in Natural Samples

A sensitive and selective solid phase spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of inorganic mercury is described. Hg²⁺ was sorbed on a silica gel-packed column as an Hg²⁺–N,N-bis(2-mercaptophenyl)ethanediamide (H₂L) complex. The Hg²⁺ complex was eluted from the column using 7mL of acetone. Various parameters including pH, column flow rate, and ligand concentration were optimized. The complex was found to obey Beers law from 2.3 to 73.7µgmL^–1 within the optimum range when the preconcentration factor was two. The effective molar absorption coefficient at 523nm was 1.17×10³Lmol^–1cm^–1 at 523nm. The concentration limits in Beers law dropped from 0.09 to 2.95µgmL^–1 within the optimum range when the preconcentration factor was 50. The relative standard deviation at a concentration level of 5µgmL^–1 Hg²⁺ (9 repetitive determinations) was 1.6%. The detection limits are 0.34µgmL^–1 and 0.015µgmL^–1 when the preconcentration factors are 2 and 50, respectively. The method has been used for routine determination of trace levels of Hg²⁺ in natural waters. The potential application of this method for the removal of Hg²⁺ from natural samples (sea water and lake water) spiked with 100ngmL^–1 of Hg²⁺ was studied. In order to validate the proposed method, LGC 6156 (harbour sediment – extractable metals) was analysed by this method. The results proved that excellent extraction of Hg²⁺ from both natural water samples was obtained by solid phase extraction using N,N-bis(2-mercaptophenyl) ethanediamide.     

Enhanced dissolution and oral bioavailability of α-tocopheryl esters by dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin complexation

Inclusion complexation of heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)--cyclodextrin (DM--CyD) with -tocopheryl acetate and -tocopheryl nicotinate in aqueous solution was studied by the solubility method. The aqueous solubilities of the esters were about 10⁵ times increased by DM--CyD complexation. The phase-solubility diagram of the tocopheryl ester-DM--CyD systems showed a typicalA _p type, and the stability constants (K) of high-order complexes were estimated by analyzing the upward curvature of the diagrams. The solid complex of -tocopheryl nicotinate with DM--CyD in a molar ratio of 12 was prepared by the kneading method. The dissolution rate of the solid complex was much greater than that of the drug itself, and the rapidly dissolving form of -tocopheryl nicotinate, as an example, showed a markedly increased bioavailability (about 70-fold) after oral administration to fasted dogs.