1-(Fluoroalkylidene)-1,1-bisphosphonic acids are potent and selective inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of Toxoplasma gondii farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase

α-Fluorinated-1,1-bisphosphonic acids derived from fatty acids were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated against Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, and against Toxoplasma gondii, the agent responsible for toxoplasmosis, and also towards the target parasitic enzymes farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase of T. cruzi (TcFPPS) and T. gondii (TgFPPS). Interestingly, 1-fluorononylidene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid (compound 43) proved to be an extremely potent inhibitor of the enzymatic activity of TgFPPS at the low nanomolar range, exhibiting an IC(50) of 30 nM. This compound was two-fold more potent than risedronate (IC(50) = 74 nM) that was taken as a positive control. This enzymatic activity was associated with a strong cell growth inhibition against tachyzoites of T. gondii, with an IC(50) value of 2.7 μM.     

Real Time Anti-<em>Toxoplasma gondii </em>Activity of an Active Fraction of <em>Eurycoma longifolia</em> Root Studied by <em>in Situ</em> Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy

The inhibitory effect of active fractions of Eurycoma longifolia (E. longifolia) root, namely TAF355 and TAF401, were evaluated against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). In our previous study, we demonstrated that T. gondii was susceptible to TAF355 and TAF401 with IC₅₀ values of 1.125 μg/mL and 1.375 μg/mL, respectively. Transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations were used to study the in situ antiparasitic activity at the IC₅₀ value. Clindamycin was used as positive control. SEM examination revealed cell wall alterations with formation of invaginations followed by completely collapsed cells compared to the normal T. gondii cells in response to the fractions. The main abnormality noted via TEM study was decreased cytoplasmic volume, leaving a state of structural disorganization within the cell cytoplasm and destruction of its organelles as early as 12 h of treatment, which indicated of rapid antiparasitic activity of the E. longifolia fractions. The significant antiparasitic activity shown by the TAF355 and TAF401 active fractions of E. longifolia suggests their potential as new anti-T. gondii agent candidates.      

Studying the cell biology of apicomplexan parasites using fluorescent proteins.

The ability to transfect Apicomplexan parasites has revolutionized the study of this important group of pathogens. The function of specific genes can be explored by disruption of the locus or more subtly by introduction of altered or tagged versions. Using the transgenic reporter gene green fluorescent protein (GFP), cell biological processes can now be studied in living parasites and in real time. We review recent advances made using GFP-based experiments in the understanding of protein trafficking, organelle biogenesis, and cell division in Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. A technical section provides a collection of basic experimental protocols for fluorescent protein expression in T. gondii. The combination of the in vivo marker GFP with an increasingly diverse genetic toolbox for T. gondii opens many exciting experimental opportunities, and emerging applications of GFP in genetic and pharmacological screens are discussed.     

Inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase: Design,synthesis and antimicrobial activities of 2,4-diamino-6-methyl-5-ethynylpyrimidines

Novel 2,4-diamino-6-methyl-5-ethynylpyrimidines were prepared via palladium catalyzed coupling of 2,4-diamino-5-iodo-6-methyl-pyrimidine with terminal acetylenes. The compounds were inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase and showed in vitro activity against several species of opportunistic fungi and the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii.     

Total syntheses of fully lipidated glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors of Toxoplasma gondii

Modular syntheses of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors of Toxoplasma gondii using a highly convergent strategy are reported.     

Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis Using a Synthetic Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Glycan

Around 2 billion people worldwide are infected with the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii which induces a variety of medical conditions. For example, primary infection during pregnancy can result in fetal death or mental retardation of the child. Diagnosis of acute infections in pregnant women is challenging but crucially important as the drugs used to treat T. gondii infections are potentially harmful to the unborn child. Better, faster, more reliable, and cheaper means of diagnosis by using defined antigens for accurate serological tests are highly desirable. Synthetic pathogen‐specific glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) glycan antigens are diagnostic markers and have been used to distinguish between toxoplasmosis disease states using human sera.     

A General Method for Synthesis of GPI Anchors Illustrated by the Total Synthesis of the Low-Molecular-Weight Antigen from Toxoplasma gondii

Building blocks: A new, general synthetic strategy, which allows the construction of branched glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs), enables the synthesis of parasitic glycolipid 1 from Toxoplasma gondii. In addition, the structure is further confirmed by recognition of monoclonal antibodies.     

Interrelations between the parasitophorous vacuole of Toxoplasma gondii and host cell organelles.

Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is capable of actively penetrating and multiplying in any nucleated cell of warm-blooded animals. Its survival strategies include escape from fusion of the parasitophorous vacuole with host cell lysosomes and rearrangement of host cell organelles in relation to the parasitophorous vacuole. In this article we report the rearrangement of host cell organelles and elements of the cytoskeleton of LLCMK2 cells, a lineage derived from green monkey kidney epithelial cells, in response to infection by T. gondii tachyzoites. Transmission electron microscopy made on flat embedded monolayers cut horizontally to the apical side of the cells or field emission scanning electron microscopy of monolayers scraped with scotch tape before sputtering showed that association of mitochondria to the vacuole is much less frequent than previously described. On the other hand, all parasitophorous vacuoles were surrounded by elements of the endoplasmic reticulum. These data were complemented by observations by laser scanning microscopy using fluorescent probes from mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and reinforced by three-dimensional reconstruction from serial sections observed by transmission electron microscopy and labeling of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum by fluorescent probes.     

Methyltriskaidecazirconates, molecular forms of zirconia

Repeated methanolysis of [Zr(3)O](OPr(n)(10) followed by extraction and crystallization from toluene yields material that is X-ray crystallographically indistinguishable from the compound previously formulated as [Zr(13)O(8)](OMe)(36). Elemental analysis and (1)H solution NMR spectroscopy strongly suggest that this material is a mixture of methyltriskaidecazirconates (MTZ) [Zr(13)O(8)](OMe)(x)(OH)(36)(-)(x), x(av) approximately 20, that readily cocrystallize from hydrocarbon solution. These species have the metal-oxygen framework structure reported for [Zr(13)O(8)](OMe)(36), where the 13 zirconium and 32 bridging oxygen atoms comprise a fragment of the fluorite structure adopted by ZrO(2) at elevated temperatures. Ethanolysis of [Zr(3)O](OPr(n)(10) yields its ethyl analogue, [Zr(3)O](OEt)(10). Both trizirconates display temperature-dependent (1)H solution NMR spectra that are interpreted mechanistically in terms of rearrangement mechanisms involving trigonal twists at the octahedral zirconium centers.     

A molecular dynamics study of the correlations between solvent-accessible surface, molecular volume, and folding state

We analyzed the correlations between molecular volume, solvent-accessible surface, and folding state (secondary structure content) for unfolded conformers of alpha (holo- and apomyoglobin) and beta (retinal-binding protein) proteins and a small water-soluble alanine-rich alpha-helical peptide. Conformers with different degrees of folding were obtained using molecular dynamics at constant temperature and pressure with implicit solvent (dielectric constant adjustment) for all four systems and with explicit solvent for the single helix peptide. Our results support the view that unfolded conformations are not necessary extended, that volume variation is not a good indication of folding state and that the simple model of water penetrating the interior of the protein does not explain the increase in volume upon unfolding.     

Structure and chemistry of apicidins, a class of novel cyclic tetrapeptides without a terminal alpha-keto epoxide as inhibitors of histone deacetylase with potent antiprotozoal activities

Apicidins are a class of cyclic tetrapeptides that do not contain the classical electrophilic alpha-keto epoxide yet are potent (nM) inhibitors of histone deacetylase and antiprotozoal agents. These compounds showed broad-spectrum activities against the apicomplexan family of protozoa including Plasmodium sp (malarial parasite), Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium sp., and Eimeria sp. These cyclic peptides contain a beta-turn amino acid (R)-Pip or (R)-Pro, (S)-N-methoxy Trp, (S)-Ile, or (S)-Val, and either (S)-2-amino-8-oxodecanoic acid or a modified (S)-2-amino-8-oxodecanoic acid. The isolation and structure elucidation of new apicidins from two Fusarium species, temperature-dependent NMR studies of apicidin, NMR and molecular modeling based conformation of the 12-membered macrocyclic ring, and selected chemical modifications of apicidin have been detailed in this paper. The cyclic nature of the peptide, the C-8 keto group, and the tryptophan are all critical for the biological activity.     

7‐Methyl Trimethoprim Analogues as Inhibitors of the Folate Metabolizing Enzymes

A series of 5‐(1‐phenylethyl)pyrimidines 2–10 (Table I) were designed and synthesized as potent and selective inhibitors of Pneumocystis carinii (P. carinii), Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) dihydrofolate reductases (DHFR). The structure of 2–10 incorporates a 7‐methyl group to increase the potency of monocyclic trimethoprim (TMP). The target compounds were synthesized by an acid catalyzed condensation of ethyl cyanoacetate and appropriately substituted benzaldehydes followed by a Michael addition using methyl copper‐lithium. The resulting adduct was cyclocondensed with guanidine to afford 2,6‐diamino‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐(1‐phenylethyl)pyrimidines 2–7 . Both amino moieties of 2–4 were protected with pivaloyl groups and their 4‐hydroxy group chlorinated with phosphorus oxychloride. The resulting intermediates were subjected to hydrogenation and deprotection to afford 8–10 . Compound 7 was a good inhibitor of DHFR, however the other compounds were poor inhibitors of P. carinii, T. gondii and M. avium DHFR.     

Fulleropyrrolidine end-capped molecular wires for molecular electronics--synthesis, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical characterization

In continuation of previous studies showing promising metal-molecule contact properties a variety of C(60) end-capped "molecular wires" for molecular electronics were prepared by variants of the Prato 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. Either benzene or fluorene was chosen as the central wire, and synthetic protocols for derivatives terminated with one or two fullero[c]pyrrolidine "electrode anchoring" groups were developed. An aryl-substituted aziridine could in some cases be employed directly as the azomethine ylide precursor for the Prato reaction without the need of having an electron-withdrawing ester group present. The effect of extending the π-system of the central wire from 1,4-phenylenediamine to 2,7-fluorenediamine was investigated by absorption, fluorescence, and electrochemical methods. The central wire and the C(60) end-groups were found not to electronically communicate in the ground state. However, the fluorescence of C(60) was quenched by charge transfer from the wire to C(60). Quantum chemical calculations predict and explain the collapse of coherent electronic transmission through one of the fulleropyrrolidine-terminated molecular wires.     

Theoretical investigation of the molecular structure,vibrational spectra,and molecular docking of tramadol using density functional theory

The optimized molecular structures, harmonic vibrational wavenumbers, and the corresponding vibrational assignments of (1S,2S)-tramadol and (1R,2R)-tramadol are computationally examined using the B3LYP density functional theory method together with the standard 6–311++G(d,p) and def2-TVZP basis sets. The optimized structures show that phenolic rings of both 1R,2R and 1S,2S tramadol adopt planar geometry, which are slightly distorted due to the substitution at the meta-position; and the six-membered cyclohexane adopts a slightly distorted chair conformation. The 1S,2S enantiomer is energetically more favorable than 1R,2R with the energy differences of 1.32 and 1.03 kcal/mol obtained at B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) and B3LYP/Def2-TVZP levels, respectively. The analysis of the binding pocket in the silico molecular docking with the m-opioid receptor shows that it originated two clusters with the 1S,2S enantiomer and one cluster with the 1R,2R enantiomer of tramadol. The results point to a more stable complex of the m-opioid receptor with the 1R,2R enantiomer of tramadol.     

Prediction of molecular properties including symmetry from quantum-based molecular structural formulas, VIF

Structurally covariant valency interaction formulas, VIF, gain chemical significance by comparison with resonance structures and natural bond orbital, NBO, bonding schemes and at the same time allow for additional prediction such as symmetry of ring systems and destabilization of electron pairs with respect to reference energy of -1/2 Eh. Comparisons are based on three chemical interpretations of Sinano?lu's theory of structural covariance: (1) sets of structurally covariant quantum structural formulas, VIF, are interpreted as the same quantum operator represented in linearly related basis frames; (2) structurally covariant VIF pictures are interpreted as sets of molecular species with similar energy; and (3) the same VIF picture can be interpreted as different quantum operators, one-electron density or Hamiltonian; for example. According to these three interpretations, bond pair, lone pair, and free radical electrons understood in terms of a localized orbital representation are recognized as having energies above, below, or equal to a predetermined reference, frequently-1/2 Eh. The probable position of electron pairs and radical electrons is predicted. The selectivity of concerted ring closures in allyl anion and cation is described. Symmetries of conjugated ring systems are predicted according to their numbers of pi-electrons and spin-multiplicity. The pi-distortivity of benzene is predicted.The 3c/2e- H-bridging bonds in diborane are derived in a natural way according to the notion that the bridging bonds will have delocalizing interactions between them consistent with results of the NBO method. Key chemical bonding motifs are described using VIF. These include 2c/1e-, 2c/2e-, 2c/3e-, 3c/2e-, 3c/3e-,3c/4e-, 4n antiaromatic, and 4n+2 aromatic bonding systems. Some common organic functional groups are represented as VIF pictures and because these pictures can be interpreted simultaneously as one-electron density and Hamiltonian operators, the valence shell electron pair repulsion method is applied toward understanding the energies of valence NBOs with respect to the reference energy of -1/2Eh.     

Synthesis and chemical characterisation of target identification reagents based on an inhibitor of human cell invasion by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii

The use of phenotype-based screens as an approach for identifying novel small molecule tools is reliant on successful protein target identification strategies. Here we report on the synthesis and chemical characterisation of a novel reagent for protein target identification based on a small molecule inhibitor of human cell invasion by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. A detailed (1)H NMR study and biological testing confirmed that incorporation of an amino-containing functional group into the aryl ring of this inhibitor was possible without loss of biological activity. Interesting chemical reactivity differences were identified resulting from incorporation of the new substituent. The amine functionality was then used to prepare a biotinylated reagent that is central to our current protein target identification studies with this inhibitor.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of phenylamides of magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium--from molecular to polymeric structures

Several preparative procedures for the synthesis of the THF complexes of the alkaline earth metal bis(phenylamides) of Mg (1), Ca (2), Sr (3), and Ba (4) are presented such as metalation of aniline with strontium and barium, metathesis reactions of MI2 with KN(H)Ph, and metalation of aniline with arylcalcium compounds or dialkylmagnesium. The THF content of these compounds is rather low and an increasing aggregation is observed with the size of the metal atom. Thus, tetrameric [(THF)2Ca{mu-N(H)Ph}2]4 (2) and polymeric [(THF)2Sr{mu-N(H)Ph}2]infinity and {[(THF)2Ba{mu-N(H)Ph}2]2[(THF)Ba{mu-N(H)Ph}2]2}infinity show six-coordinate metal atoms with increasing interactions to the pi systems of the phenyl groups with increasing the radius of the alkaline earth metal atom.     

Symmetry, delocalization, and molecular conductance

Molecules bonded between two metal contacts form the simplest possible molecular devices. Coupled by the molecule, the left and right contact-based states form symmetric and antisymmetric pairs near the Fermi level. We relate the size of the resulting energy splitting DeltaE to the symmetry and degree of delocalization of the coupling molecular orbital. Qualitative trends in molecular conductances are then estimated from the variations in DeltaE. We examine benzenedithiol and other molecules of interest in transport.