Functional analysis of repositioned anilide derivatives as anticancer compounds

Off the different types cancers 40% of the population have been observed to be affected by leukemia. Contemporary therapeutics is focusing on generation of new synthetic analogues that can exert maximum positive physiological effect with minimum dosage and negligible deleterious side effects. New generation pharmacists are focusing on such promising effects of Imatinib (a potential anti-cancer drug molecule), Dasatinib, Pelitinib and Nilotinib. The present research study focuses on novel synthesized anilides derivative against BCR-ABL kinase as potential anti-leukemic agent. Validation of the compounds by molecular docking with specific BCR-ABL kinase confirmed their activity. Toxicity prediction of these compounds helped to identify sustainability as therapeutic molecules. The IC₅₀ values were calculated (211 ug, 175 ug, 272ug for compounds A, B, C resp.) and the mode of cell death was gauged by DNA laddering assay. The cells were observed to be induced for programmed cell death. By validating and in-vivo testing of three synthesized compounds, the compound B was observed to be more stable thermodynamically with a potentially vital active site and appears to be a promising anti-leukemic factor. The present research thus lays a preliminary platform in world of pharmaceutics, where these new analogues appear to be efficient, target specific and less toxic molecules.     

Time-resolved particle image velocimetry analysis and computational modeling of transient optically induced electrothermal micro vortex

Trapping, sorting, transportation, and manipulation of synthetic microparticles and biological cells enable investigations in their behavior and properties. Microfluidic techniques like rapid electrokinetic patterning (REP) provide a non-invasive means to probe into the nature of these micro and nanoparticles. The opto-electrically induced nature of a REP micro vortex allows tuning of the trap characteristics in real-time. In this work, we studied the effects of transient optical heating on the induced electrothermal vortex using micro-particle image velocimetry (μ-PIV) and computational modeling. A near infra-red (980 nm) laser beam was focused on a colloidal suspension of 1 μm polystyrene beads sandwiched between two parallel-plate electrodes. The electrodes were subjected to an AC current. The laser spot was scanned back-and-forth in a line, at different frequencies, to create the transient vortex. This phenomenon was also studied with a computational model made using COMSOL Multiphysics. We visualize fluid flow in custom-shaped REP traps by superposing multiple axisymmetric (spot) vortices and discuss the limitations of using superposition in dynamically changing traps.     

A PVC-based pentathia-15-crown-5 membrane potentiometric sensor for mercury(II)

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)-based membrane of pentathia-15-crown-5 exhibits good potentiometric response for Hg²⁺ over a wide concentration range (2.51 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.00 × 10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³) with a slope of 32.1 mV per decade of Hg²⁺ concentration. The response time of the sensor is as fast as 20 s. The electrode has been used for a period of six weeks and exhibits fairly good discriminating ability towards Hg²⁺ in comparison to alkali, alkaline and some heavy metal ions. The electrode can be used in the pH range from 2.7 to 5.0.     

Dispersion of normal modes in cis 1,4 polybutadiene

Among the synthetic polymers of commercial potential, poly-butadiene is an important rubbery material and it encompasses the bulk elastomers in use. To the best of our knowledge, a complete normal coordinate analysis with full phonon dispersion curves for cis 1,4 polybutadiene (CPBD) have not been reported so far. In the present communication, we report a complete normal coordinate analysis with full dispersion curves, density-of-states and calculation of heat capacity. The normal coordinate analysis has been carried out using the Urey-Bradley force field and the Wilson's GF matrix method as modified by Higgs. A comparison has been made with trans 1,4 polybutadiene (TPBD). The prominent features of the dispersion curves like crossing over and regions of zero-slope away from the zone centre are discussed. To check the validity of the force field used and the assignments, normal mode calculations are also performed for unsaturated C-deuterated and fully deuterated CPBD.     

Cytoprotective Mechanisms of DJ-1: Implications in Cardiac Pathophysiology

DJ-1 was originally identified as an oncogene product while mutations of the gene encoding DJ-1/PARK7 were later associated with a recessive form of Parkinson’s disease. Its ubiquitous expression and diversity of function suggest that DJ-1 is also involved in mechanisms outside the central nervous system. In the last decade, the contribution of DJ-1 to the protection from ischemia-reperfusion injury has been recognized and its involvement in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease is attracting increasing attention. This review describes the current and gaps in our knowledge of DJ-1, focusing on its role in regulating cardiovascular function. In parallel, we present original data showing an association between increased DJ-1 expression and antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory markers following cardiac and vascular surgical procedures. Future studies should address DJ-1’s role as a plausible novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease.     

Computational Design of Novel Allosteric Inhibitors for Plasmodium falciparum DegP

The serine protease, DegP exhibits proteolytic and chaperone activities, essential for cellular protein quality control and normal cell development in eukaryotes. The P. falciparum DegP is essential for the parasite survival and required to combat the oscillating thermal stress conditions during the infection, protein quality checks and protein homeostasis in the extra-cytoplasmic compartments, thereby establishing it as a potential target for drug development against malaria. Previous studies have shown that diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) and the peptide SPMFKGV inhibit E. coli DegP protease activity. To identify novel potential inhibitors specific to PfDegP allosteric and the catalytic binding sites, we performed a high throughput in silico screening using Malaria Box, Pathogen Box, Maybridge library, ChEMBL library and the library of FDA approved compounds. The screening helped identify five best binders that showed high affinity to PfDegP allosteric (T0873, T2823, T2801, {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"RJC02337","term_id":"1480409465","term_text":"RJC02337"}}RJC02337, CD00811) and the catalytic binding site (T0078L, T1524, T2328, BTB11534 and 552691). Further, molecular dynamics simulation analysis revealed {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"RJC02337","term_id":"1480409465","term_text":"RJC02337"}}RJC02337, BTB11534 as the best hits forming a stable complex. WaterMap and electrostatic complementarity were used to evaluate the novel bio-isosteric chemotypes of {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"RJC02337","term_id":"1480409465","term_text":"RJC02337"}}RJC02337, that led to the identification of 231 chemotypes that exhibited better binding affinity. Further analysis of the top 5 chemotypes, based on better binding affinity, revealed that the addition of electron donors like nitrogen and sulphur to the side chains of butanoate group are more favoured than the backbone of butanoate group. In a nutshell, the present study helps identify novel, potent and Plasmodium specific inhibitors, using high throughput in silico screening and bio-isosteric replacement, which may be experimentally validated.     

Leveraging an enzyme/artificial substrate system to enhance cellular persulfides and mitigate neuroinflammation

Persulfides and polysulfides, collectively known as the sulfane sulfur pool along with hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), play a central role in cellular physiology and disease. Exogenously enhancing these species in cells is an emerging therapeutic paradigm for mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation that are associated with several diseases. In this study, we present a unique approach of using the cell''s own enzyme machinery coupled with an array of artificial substrates to enhance the cellular sulfane sulfur pool. We report the synthesis and validation of artificial/unnatural substrates specific for 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), an important enzyme that contributes to sulfur trafficking in cells. We demonstrate that these artificial substrates generate persulfides in vitro as well as mediate sulfur transfer to low molecular weight thiols and to cysteine-containing proteins. A nearly 100-fold difference in the rates of H₂S production for the various substrates is observed supporting the tunability of persulfide generation by the 3-MST enzyme/artificial substrate system. Next, we show that the substrate 1a permeates cells and is selectively turned over by 3-MST to generate 3-MST-persulfide, which protects against reactive oxygen species-induced lethality. Lastly, in a mouse model, 1a is found to significantly mitigate neuroinflammation in the brain tissue. Together, the approach that we have developed allows for the on-demand generation of persulfides in vitro and in vivo using a range of shelf-stable, artificial substrates of 3-MST, while opening up possibilities of harnessing these molecules for therapeutic applications.

A persulfide/hydrogen sulfide generation strategy through artificial substrates for 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST) is reported, which enhances cellular persulfides, attenuates reactive oxygen species (ROS), and alleviates inflammation.     

Melt-polymerizable bisimido-bisphthalonitriles containing silicon,fluoro, and ether groups: Synthesis,characterization, and NMR study

Various melt-polymerizable bisimido-bisphthalonitrile polymer precursors were synthesized by the reaction of 4-aminophthalonitrile (4-APN) with bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) dimethylsilane dianhydride (SIDA), 4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic anhydride (6FDA), bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)ether dianhydride (ODPA), and 3,3′, 4,4′-tetracarboxylichenzophen+ne dianhydride (BTDA) in an aprotic solvent. The synthesized monomers showed crystalline melting at 269 and 271°C. Elemental analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and mass spectral studies were carried out to characterize the synthesized monomers. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the synthesized monomers showed their thermal stability at 410–400°C. A detailed study and NMR investigation of the first step of condensation reaction was carried out and indicated the formation of a transient charge transfer complex. Thermal cyclization of the formed intermediate, however, gave the required monomers. A preliminary study demonstrated that melt-polymerization of the synthesized monomers gave thermallystable, tough polymers.     

An integrated process for purification of lysozyme, ovalbumin, and ovomucoid from hen egg white

This article describes an integrated process for simultaneous purification of lysozyme, ovalbumin, and ovomucoid from hen egg white. The crude egg white extract was passed through a cation exchanger Streamline trade mark SP and the bound lysozyme was eluted with 5% ammonium carbonate, pH 9.0, containing 1 M NaCl after elution of avidin. This partially purified lysozyme was further purified 639-fold on dye-linked cellulose beads. Ovalbumin and ovomucoid did not bind to Streamline SP. Ovalbumin could be precipitated from this unbound fraction by 5% trichloroacetic acid, and ovomucoid was removed from the supernatant by precipitation with ethanol. The yields of lysozyme, ovomucoid, and ovalbumin were 77, 94, and 98%, respectively. All the purified proteins showed single bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All the steps are easily scalable, and the process described here can be used for large-scale simultaneous purification of these proteins in the pure form.     

Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, 1‐phenylethanol to acetophenone and fluorene to fluorenol catalysed by iron (II) complexes supported by pincer‐type ligands: Studies on rapid degradation of organic dyes

Hexacoordinated non‐heme iron complexes [Fe^II(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ) and [Fe^II(L²)₂](PF₆)₂ ( 2 ) have been synthesized using ligands L¹ = (E)‐2‐chloro‐6‐(2‐(pyridin‐2ylmethylene) hydrazinyl)pyridine and L² = (E)‐2‐chloro‐6‐(2‐(1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl) pyridine]. These complexes are highly active non‐heme iron catalysts to catalyze the C (sp³)?H bonds of alkanes. These iron complexes have been characterized using ESI?MS analysis and molecular structures were determined by X‐ray crystallography. ESI ? MS analysis also helped to understand the generation of intermediate species like Fe^III?OOH and Fe^IV=O. DFT and TD?DFT calculations revealed that the oxidation reactions were performed through high‐valent iron center and a probable reaction mechanism was proposed. These complexes were also utilized for the degradation of orange II and methylene blue dyes.