Synthesis of conformationally-constrained thio(seleno)hydantoins and α-triazolyl lactones from d-arabinose as potential glycosidase inhibitors

We have explored the rich structural diversity provided by an α-azido ester derived from d-arabinose as the source of sugar templates with reduced conformational flexibility. Using transient α-thioureido(selenoureido) esters we have prepared spiranic thio(seleno)hydantoins at the C-3 position of the sugar moiety. In this context, the first example of a stable spiranic α-lactam (or aziridinone) was isolated as a by-product in the hydrogenolysis of the starting α-azido ester. Furthermore, using copper(I)-catalyzed azido–alkyne cycloaddition (click chemistry), we have accessed bicyclic cis-fused α-triazolyl lactones fixed in the furanose form. Spiranic thiohydantoins turned out to be moderate, though selective, inhibitors of glycosidases, whereas their selenium isosters behaved as good free radical scavengers.     

Study on the capacity of mesoporous alumina with different pore sizes absorb silane inhibitors

By modifying and optimizing the procedures, which were well described and understood for the synthesis of macroporous alumina, mesoporous alumina–based film has been successfully prepared, In this paper, the orderly mesoporous Al₂O₃ thin film was prepared by electrochemical workstation, and via supported N‐octyltriethoxysilane (NOS) coupling agent, corrosion inhibitors be loaded into the different pore sizes of mesoporous alumina films. The physicochemical properties of this thin inhibitors carrier film were characterized. Corrosion resistance of mesoporous alumina and honeycomb ceramic macroporous alumina were compared; the conclusion shows that mesoporous alumina film can be used as good corrosion inhibitors carrier and bring out a high‐efficiency inhibition result. Simultaneously, by compared with corrosion inhibition of different pore sizes (20‐50 nm) mesoporous alumina who absorbed NOS, and a general relationship between the different mesoporous alumina pore sizes and the adsorption capacity of NOS was obtained.     

Trichostatin A-mediated upregulation of p21(WAF1) contributes to osteoclast apoptosis

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs), a new class of anti-cancer agents, have been reported to suppress formation of osteoclast precursors and their fusion into multinucleated cells. However, little is known about the effect of HDIs on mature osteoclasts, which may have significance for their therapeutic use. Here, we demonstrate a novel action of HDIs on osteoclast apoptosis. Primary multinucleated mature osteoclasts were prepared from mouse bone marrow cells. Treatment of osteoclasts with the HDI trichostatin A (TSA) caused apoptosis, as confirmed by annexin V staining and caspase activation. TSA caused the upregulation of p21WAF1 in osteoclasts. To understand the role of p21(WAF1) upregulation in TSA-treated osteoclasts, shRNA against p21(WAF1)-containing lentivirus was introduced into osteoclasts. The suppression of p21(WAF1) decreased TSA-directed osteoclast apoptosis. Collectively, our results provide evidence that TSA causes osteoclast apoptosis, which involves, in part, TSA-induced upregulation of p21(WAF1), and strongly supports HDIs as potential therapeutic agents for excessive bone resorption.     

Synthesis,Characterization and NO Synthase Inhibition Testing of 2‐Aryl‐5‐aroyl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidinium Chlorides

Aryl methyl ketones can be easily converted to 1‐aryl‐2‐dimethylaminomethylpropenones that are known as interesting lead structures for drug development. By reaction of these enone Mannich bases with benzamidines, a series of new 2‐aryl‐5‐aroyl‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydopyrimidines were synthesized. These structures were characterized according to their lipophilicity. Thirty five tetrahydropyrimidines were evaluated as nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors in usual screening assays. Some interesting members of this class of compounds were forwarded to more detailed tests determining mechanism of inhibition and inhibition of NADH consumption. The investigated structures showed modest activity of NOS inhibition. However, some new tetrahydropyrimidines bearing extended aromatic substituents such as the naphthyloyl or biphenyloyl residue displayed some activity of neuronal NOS and endothelial NOS inhibition but without selectivity for an isoform and should be of interest for further modifications.     

Structure-activity relationships of 2-aminothiazole derivatives as inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been divided into two major sub-enzymes, i.e. inducible NOS (iNOS) and constitutive NOS (cNOS). Although nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role as host defense mediator, excessive production of NO by iNOS has been involved in the pathology of many inflammatory diseases. Recently, we reported that the 2-imino-1,3-oxazolidine (1a) weakly inhibits iNOS and that introduction of an alkyl moiety on the oxazolidine ring of 1a enhances the inhibitory activity and selectivity for iNOS. In our search for better iNOS inhibitors, we focused our efforts on the 2-aminothiazole scaffold 3 as it possesses a ring similar to that of 1a. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory activity of a series of 2-aminothiazole derivatives against both iNOS and neuronal NOS (nNOS). Our results show that introduction of appropriately-sized substituents at the 4- and 5-position of the 2-aminothiazole ring improves the inhibitory activity and selectivity for iNOS. We also found that the selectivity of 5a [5-(1-methyl)ethyl-4-methylthiazol-2-ylamine] and 5b [5-(1,1-dimethyl)ethyl-4-methylthiazol-2-ylamine] for iNOS was similar to that of oxazolidine derivative 1b (4-methyl-5-propyl-2-imino-1,3-oxazolidine) and much higher than that of L-NAME. However, we could not enhance the inhibitory activity against iNOS by introducing an alkyl substituent into the 2-aminothiazole ring as we could in the case of oxazolidine one. On the other hand, introduction of bulky or hydrophilic substituent at any position of the 2-aminothiazole ring remarkably decreased or even abolished the inhibitory activity against NOS.     

Synthesis and evaluation of calystegine B2 analogues as glycosidase inhibitors.

A practical synthesis of polyhydroxylated 6-oxa-nor-tropanes incorporating the essential structural features of calystegine B(2) from 5-deoxy-5-thioureido and 5-ureido-L-idofuranose precursors is presented. The methodology relies on the ability of pseudoamide-type nitrogen atoms (thiourea, urea, and carbamate) to undergo nucleophilic addition to the masked aldehyde group of the monosaccharide. The generated hemiaminal functionality may further undergo in situ intramolecular glycosidation to give the bicyclic aminoacetal compounds, the whole process being favored by the anomeric effect. A series of derivatives bearing different substituents at nitrogen has been prepared and screened against several glycosidases in comparison with xylonojirimycin-type piperidine analogues. Interestingly, strong and highly specific inhibition of bovine liver beta-glucosidase was observed for 6-oxacalystegine B(2) analogues incorporating aromatic pseudoaglyconic groups. On the basis of these data, a 1-azasugar inhibition mode is proposed for this family of glycomimetics.     

N-1 and C-2 substituted tryptophans as potential inhibitors of sickle cell hemoglobin gelation

A series of N-1 or C-2 phenylalkyl substituted tryptophans and C-1 phenylalkyl substituted 3,4-dihydro-β-carbolines were prepared from the apropriate aniline, 1b or 1e , or tryptophan, 8 or 11 , by ring closure methods. None of the compounds prepared were more potent than 5-bromotryptophan (11) as inhibitors of sickle cell hemoglobin gelation.     

Rapid analysis of genetically modified organisms by in-house developed capillary electrophoresis chip and laser-induced fluorescence system

A microfabricated, inexpensive, reusable glass capillary electrophoresis chip and a laser-induced fluorescence system were developed in-house for the rapid DNA-based analysis of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The 35S promoter sequence of cauliflower mosaic virus and the terminator of the nopaline synthase (NOS) gene from Agrobacterium tumefaciens were both detected since they are present in most genetically modified organisms. The detection of genetically modified soybean in the presence of unaltered soybean was chosen as a model. Lectin, a plant-specific gene, was also detected for confirmation of the integrity of extracted DNA. The chip was composed of two glass plates, each 25 x 76 mm, thermally bonded together to form a closed structure. Photomasks with cross-topology were prepared rapidly by using polymeric material instead of chrome plates. The widths of the injection and separation channels were 30 and 70 microm, respectively, the effective separation length 4.5 cm. The glass slide was etched to a depth of 30 microm for both the injection and separation channel. The cost of the chip was less than 1 $ and required 2 days for photomask preparation and microfabrication. The separation and detection of polymerase chain reaction-amplified NOS, 35S, and lectin sequences (180, 195, and 181 bp, respectively) was completed in less than 60 s. As low as 0.1% GMO content was detectable by the proposed system after 35 and 40 amplification cycles for 35S and NOS, respectively, using 25 ng of extracted DNA as starting material. This corresponds to only 20 genome copies of genetically modified soybean.     

Synthesis of Stable Dolichylphosphomannose Analogues

Four oleyl or dolichyl thiophosphate esters 16, 17, 21 , and 22 , analogues of Dol‐P‐Man possessing C(1)? S and/or P? S bonds, were synthesized as potential inhibitors of mannosyl transferases operating in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The β‐mannosyl derivatives were prepared by a Mitsunobu reaction of 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐α‐D ‐mannopyranose ( 1 ) with the thiophosphate 2 that provided O‐ and S‐glycosides with good‐to‐excellent diastereoselectivity. A second route to β‐mannosyl derivatives is based on the phosphitylation of the β‐D ‐mannopyranosyl thiol 3 with the phosphoramidites 4a and 4b . Oxidation of the intermediate oleyl thiophosphite with t‐BuOOH led to mono‐ and dithiophosphates. The thiophospholipids 16, 21 , and 22 were inactive as inhibitors of the Man₆(GlcNAc)₂‐PP‐Dol glycolipid elongation.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the enantiomerically pure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline moiety of the antithrombotic (21R)- and (21S)-argatroban

The synthetic antithrombotic argatroban is a dipeptide between the nonproteogenic (2R,4R)-4-methyl-2-piperidine carboxylic acid and l-arginine, in turn bonded to a 3-methyltetrahydroquinoline sulfonyl group; the drug is usually prepared and administered as a mixture of C-21-diastereoisomers. By means of a biocatalytic transformation enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-synthons, suitable for the synthesis of separate (21R)- and (21S)- argatroban, were obtained.     

Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection to screen nitric oxide synthases inhibitors

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors are potential drug candidates due to the critical role of an excessive production of nitric oxide in a range of diseases. At present, the radiometric detection of l ‐[³H]‐citrulline produced from l ‐[³H]‐arginine during the enzymatic reaction is one of the most accepted methods to assess the in vitro activity of NOS inhibitors. Here we report a fast, easy, and cheap reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection, based on the precolumn derivatization of l ‐citrulline with o‐phthaldialdehyde/N‐acetyl cysteine, for the in vitro screening of NOS inhibitors. To evaluate enzyme inhibition by the developed method, N‐[3‐(aminomethyl)benzyl]acetamidine, a potent and selective inhibitor of inducible NOS, was used as a test compound. The half maximal inhibitory concentration obtained was comparable to that derived by the well‐established radiometric assay.     

Luminescent ruthenium(II)- and rhenium(I)-diimine wires bind nitric oxide synthase

Ru(II)- and Re(I)-diimine wires bind to the oxygenase domain of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOSoxy). In the ruthenium wires, [Ru(L)2L']2+, L' is a perfluorinated biphenyl bridge connecting 4,4'-dimethylbipyridine to a bulky hydrophobic group (adamantane, 1), a heme ligand (imidazole, 2), or F (3). 2 binds in the active site of the murine iNOSoxy truncation mutants Delta65 and Delta114, as demonstrated by a shift in the heme Soret from 422 to 426 nm. 1 and 3 also bind Delta65 and Delta114, as evidenced by biphasic luminescence decay kinetics. However, the heme absorption spectrum is not altered in the presence of 1 or 3, and Ru-wire binding is not affected by the presence of tetrahydrobiopterin or arginine. These data suggest that 1 and 3 may instead bind to the distal side of the enzyme at the hydrophobic surface patch thought to interact with the NOS reductase module. Complexes with properties similar to those of the Ru-diimine wires may provide an effective means of NOS inhibition by preventing electron transfer from the reductase module to the oxygenase domain. Rhenium-diimine wires, [Re(CO)3L1L1']+, where L1 is 4,7-dimethylphenanthroline and L1' is a perfluorinated biphenyl bridge connecting a rhenium-ligated imidazole to a distal imidazole (F8bp-im) (4) or F (F9bp) (5), also form complexes with Delta114. Binding of 4 shifts the Delta114 heme Soret to 426 nm, demonstrating that the terminal imidazole ligates the heme iron. Steady-state luminescence measurements establish that the 4:Delta114 dissociation constant is 100 +/- 80 nM. Re-wire 5 binds Delta114 with a K(d) of 5 +/- 2 microM, causing partial displacement of water from the heme iron. Our finding that both 4 and 5 bind in the NOS active site suggests novel designs for NOS inhibitors. Importantly, we have demonstrated the power of time-resolved FET measurements in the characterization of small molecule:protein interactions that otherwise would be difficult to observe.     

Oxidative cleavage of 3β-acetoxy-21-oxolup-18-en-28-oic acid by ruthenium tetroxide

3β-Acetoxy-21-oxolup-18-en-28-oic acid was used as a starting compound for oxidative cleavage by ruthenium tetroxide generated in situ from ruthenium dioxide by sodium metaperiodate in a biphasic system. Tricyclic and tetracyclic acids of baccharane type were prepared by this reaction, and their structures were confirmed using spectral data. These acids were further used for synthesis of appropriate methyl and acetoxymethyl esters. All prepared compounds were tested on cytotoxic activity against CEM tumor cell line, and several compounds showed activity in low micromolar concentrations.     

Design and synthesis of C5 methylated L-arginine analogues as active site probes for nitric oxide synthase

The role of nitric oxide (NO) as a biological signaling molecule is well established. NO is produced by the nitric oxide synthases (NOSs, EC 1.14.13.39), a class of heme proteins capable of converting l-arginine to NO and l-citrulline. Despite the large body of knowledge associated with the NOSs, mechanistic details relating to the unique oxidative chemistry performed by these enzymes remain to be fully elucidated. Furthermore, a number of disease states are associated with either the over- or underproduction of NO, making the NOS pathway an attractive target for the development of therapeutics. For these reasons, molecular tools capable of providing mechanistic insights into the production of NO and/or the inhibition of the NOSs remain of interest. We report here the stereospecific synthesis and testing of a number of new l-arginine analogues bearing a minimal substitution, methylation at position 5 of the amino acid side chain (such analogues have not been previously reported). The synthetic approach employed a modified photolysis procedure whereby irradiation of the appropriate diacylperoxide precursors at 254 nm gave access to the required unnatural amino acids in good yields. A heme domain construct of the inducible NOS isoform (iNOSheme) was used to assess the binding of each compound to the enzyme active site. The compounds were also investigated as either inhibitors of, or alternate substrates for, the inducible NOS isoform. The results obtained provide new insight into the steric and stereochemical tolerance of the enzyme active site. These findings also further support the role of a conserved active site water molecule previously proposed to be necessary for NOS catalysis.     

Rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-thia and 21-oxaporphyrins

The hexa-coordinated rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-thiaporphyrin 1 and 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-oxaporphyrin 2 have been synthesized by thermal reaction of corresponding free base porphyrin with Re(2)(CO)(10). The compounds 1 and 2 are characterized by HR-MS mass, (1)H, and (13)C NMR, FTIR, UV-vis, and electrochemical techniques and the structures are determined by X-ray single crystal analysis. The X-ray analysis revealed different coordination behavior of Re(CO)(3) with 21-thiaporphyrin and 21-oxaporphyrin. Interestingly, the Re(CO)(3) coordinates to two of the three inner nitrogens and one sulfur instead of three inner nitrogens as generally expected to produce unique compound 1 whereas it coordinates to three inner nitrogens but not with furan oxygen to form compound 2. The 21-thiaporphyrin ring is more distorted in compound 1 compared to 21-oxaporphyrin ring in compound 2 on complexation with Re(CO)(3). The presence of three carbonyl groups in compounds 1 and 2 are verified by (13)C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of compounds 1 and 2 showed ill-defined Q-bands along with broad Soret band and the extinction coefficients are much lower than their corresponding free base porphyrins. The compounds 1 and 2 showed two reversible porphyrin ring based reductions supporting their electron deficient nature. The compound 1 is very stable under protonation conditions, and the protonation occurs at the uncoordinated pyrrole ring whereas the compound 2 undergoes decomplexation under same conditions. Furthermore, compound 1 showed the fluxional behavior in coordination mode of binding in solution.     

Multi-component assembly of the bicyclic core associated with the tRNA synthetase inhibitors SB-203207 and SB-203208. Application to the synthesis of biologically active analogues

The ketone (+/-)-5, which embodies the bicyclic core associated with the title tRNA synthetase inhibitors 1 and 2, has been prepared via a three-component coupling reaction involving 2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-2-enone (15), methylamine (6) and propiolamide (10); straightforward elaboration of the readily derived acetates (-)-21 and (+)-21 has provided the biologically active analogues 23 and 24, respectively, of the title compounds.     

Determination of thiophanate methyl and carbendazim residues in vegetable samples using microwave-assisted extraction

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was carried out for the determination of the fungicides thiophanate methyl [1.2-alpha-(3-methoxycarbonyl-2-thioureido)benzene] and carbendazim (methyl benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamate) in vegetable samples. Two vegetable samples, cabbage and tomatoes, were fortified with the two pesticides and subjected to MAE followed by cleanup to remove co-extractives prior to analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using the selected microwave exposure time and power setting, the recoveries of carbendazim ranged from 69 to 75%. But thiophanate methyl could not be recovered as the parent compound. It was converted and recovered as carbendazim. The conversion was quantitative as confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS).