Structural Characterization of a Macrocyclic Peptide Modulator of the PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Axis

The clinical success of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint targeting antibodies in cancer is followed by efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors with better penetration into solid tumors and more favorable pharmacokinetics. Here we report the crystal structure of a macrocyclic peptide inhibitor (peptide 104) in complex with PD-L1. Our structure shows no indication of an unusual bifurcated binding mode demonstrated earlier for another peptide of the same family (peptide 101). The binding mode relies on extensive hydrophobic interactions at the center of the binding surface and an electrostatic patch at the side. An interesting sulfur/π interaction supports the macrocycle-receptor binding. Overall, our results allow a better understanding of forces guiding macrocycle affinity for PD-L1, providing a rationale for future structure-based inhibitor design and rational optimization.     

Heterotelechelic poly(oxazolidine-acetals) and their functionalization

Telechelic poly(1,3-oxazolidine-acetal)s with -CH₂OH and -CHO groups were synthesized by polycondensation of the 2-amino-2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediol ( 1 ) (TRIS) with terephthaldehyde ( 2 ). The degree of polymerization (DP) was controlled by the ratio of 1 to 2 at the given reaction time. Characterization was achieved by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The distribution of oxazolidine-acetal units in the polymer chain has been performed using ESI-MS. The activities of telechelic poly(oxazolidine-acetal) were determined in reaction oxidation (4-chloroperbenzoic acid), reduction (CH₃MgCl) and nucleophilic substitution (acylation, alkylation).     

Antiviral Effect of Nonfunctionalized Gold Nanoparticles against Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1) and Possible Contribution of Near-Field Interaction Mechanism

The antiviral activity of nonfunctionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) against herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) in vitro was revealed in this study. We found that AuNPs are capable of reducing the cytopathic effect (CPE) of HSV-1 in Vero cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner when used in pretreatment mode. The demonstrated antiviral activity was within the nontoxic concentration range of AuNPs. Interestingly, we noted that nanoparticles with smaller sizes reduced the CPE of HSV-1 more effectively than larger ones. The observed phenomenon can be tentatively explained by the near-field action of nanoparticles at the virus envelope. These results show that AuNPs can be considered as potential candidates for the treatment of HSV-1 infections.     

Ab initio study of cationic polymeric membranes in water and methanol

The work is devoted to a computational study of three types of cationic polymeric membranes in Li⁺-ionic form, in water and methanol environments, at various solvation levels. The studied membranes Nafion, IonClad, and M3 possess the perfluorinated backbone; however, various side chains were terminated with the functional groups of distinctly different ionic strength. The paper discusses the structural features of the membrane-solvent clusters as well as an influence of the side chain nature on the dissociation of the functional groups and the binding energy of the solvent molecules. Additionally, the paper compares the obtained results for Li⁺-Nafion membrane in water with the results published earlier for H⁺ and Na⁺ forms.     

Regioselective alkylation reactions of 2,4-diphenyl-3H-1-benzazepine give either 3-alkyl-3H-1-benzazepines or 1-alkyl-1H-1-benzazepines

2,4-Diphenyl-3H-1-benzazepine is deprotonated with either LDA or KHMDS. The resulting anion is alkylated with alkyl halides or MeOTs, giving either products of alkylation at C3, or at N, or a mixture of both. The regioselectivity depends on the base, presence of the complexing agent HMPA, and the leaving group of the alkylating agent. Using MeI as alkylating agent gives exclusively the C3-methylated product, while using MeOTs gives exclusively the N-methylated product. The N-alkylated products show evidence of stereodynamic behavior in their NMR spectra.     

Study on the Chemistry and Structure of (Na(1−x)Bix)(Nb(1−y)Mny)O3 Ceramics by XPS, AES and EPMA

The (Na_1–xBi_x)(Mn_yNb_1–y)O₃ ceramics are new compounds, obtained for the first time, on the base of sodium niobate with substitution of bismuth manganite. It was shown that the solubility limit for Mn ions in sodium niobate lattice does not exceed 1% at. Therefore, the co-doping with Bi ions was proposed to increase this limit. Bismuth ions are expected to replace Na ions and to ensure charge compensation in the formed compound, thus enhancing possibility of accumulation of the Mn ions in solution without losing the appropriate electrical and optical properties. To study the morphology of produced ceramic four methods of sample characterization were used: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).     

The role of amine in the mechanism of pentathiepin (polysulfur) antitumor agents

A computational and experimental study is presented, which provides the first evidence that amine has an opportunity to engage in bonding with pentathiepin to promote its decomposition. The study provides mechanistic insight into the process that gives rise to pentathiepin biological activity. Primary or secondary amine will allow for an intramolecular addition to the pentathiepin ring at the nearest sulfur (S1). In contrast, tertiary amine adds reversibly to S1, because nitrogen cannot lose its positive charge by deprotonation. This precludes the amine promotion step. An energetically low-lying process is characterized, corresponding to S3-loss triggered by nucleophilic activation with a primary or secondary amine. Pentathiepin desulfurization via S3-unit transfer is supported by a trapping study with norbornene. That the amine may confer an enhanced reactivity in the natural products varacin, 1, and lissoclinotoxin A, 2, adds to the understanding of the pathway for pentathiepin activation and may provide new design concepts that have potential applications for this class of biocides.     

Vibrational spectra and chemical quantum calculations for 2-adamantylamino-5-nitropyridine crystals--a novel material for laser Raman converters

Polycrystalline infrared and polarized FT-Raman spectra have been measured for 2-adamantylamino-5-nitropyridine, a novel organic material for laser Raman converters. The assignment of IR and Raman bands is given on the basis of DFT calculations. The spectroscopic studies have not indicated the presence of any significant intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure of this compound. The lines observed in the stimulated Raman spectrum of this crystal are assigned to the respective molecular vibrations.