Novel protein kinase D inhibitors cause potent arrest in prostate cancer cell growth and motility

Background  

Protein kinase D (PKD) has been implicated in a wide range of cellular processes and pathological conditions including cancer. However, targeting PKD therapeutically and dissecting PKD-mediated cellular responses remains difficult due to lack of a potent and selective inhibitor. Previously, we identified a novel pan-PKD inhibitor, CID755673, with potency in the upper nanomolar range and high selectivity for PKD. In an effort to further enhance its selectivity and potency for potential in vivo application, small molecule analogs of CID755673 were generated by modifying both the core structure and side-chains.     

On the isothermal closed space sublimation growth of CdSe using a mixed source for selenium

The use of a selenium–tellurium (SeTe) mixed source in the isothermal close space sublimation growth of CdSe epilayers is considered. The epitaxial growth was performed in flowing helium by sequential exposures of the substrate to vapors of the mixed SeTe source and elemental cadmium at temperatures within 350–410 °C. In spite of the mixed source (proposed to decrease the partial pressure of Se), tellurium incorporation was small and CdSe_xTe_(1−x) (x∼0.98) epilayers were obtained. X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping shows the existence of hexagonal inclusions mainly on the (1 1 1) facets of the cubic phase. Material deposition on areas of the graphite crucible exposed to the sources, contamination of the Cd source and large growth rates suggest the existence of a selenium transport process via graphite. This transport might be the result of the combination of selenium deposition on graphite with a subsequent activated desorption of selenium under cadmium exposure. It affects Cd source purity and growth kinetic bringing on a modification of the usual atomic layer deposition regimen; however, a reproducible growth rate of the epilayers was obtained.     

Organic mass spectrometry and control of fragmentation using a fast flow glow discharge ion source

Representative organic vapors have been introduced into the flowing afterglow of a low power (<5 W) dc-glow discharge, coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. When a positive bias was applied to the ion sampling orifice, the very surprising result was that molecular mass spectra were obtained with a high sensitivity. When a negative bias was applied to the ion sampling orifice, fragmentation of the analyte was observed with an increase in the extent of ion dissociation as the voltage was increased. The breakdown pattern is compound-specific and would be useful in confirming the identity of an unknown sample. When combined with chromatographic separation, the FFGD-MS technique could be used for chemical speciation studies at the sub-picogram level.     

Characterization of a novel water-soluble 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide in solution and in self-assembled zirconium phosphonate thin films

The properties of N,N'-bis(2-phosphonoethyl)-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PPDI), a water-soluble perylene dye, have been studied in solution and in thin films. Absorption spectra showed that PPDI exists in the monomeric form in water/ethanol (1:1) and water/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (3:7) mixtures, but forms dimers in water and higher aggregates in ethanol. The PPDI monomer is highly fluorescent, in contrast to the dimers and aggregates, which are nonfluorescent. The monomer/dimer equilibrium was conveniently followed in a water/ethanol (7:3) mixture by varying the dye concentration. An equilibrium constant of K = 1.25 x 10(5) M(-1) was estimated for the dimerization process in this solvent mixture. The addition of cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a cationic surfactant, to aqueous solutions of PPDI resulted in the dissociation of the dimers, showing that the dye was incorporated into the micellar phase. Self-assembled thin films of PPDI were grown on both silica gel particles and flat surfaces, using zirconium phosphonate chemistry. The growth of multilayered films on flat surfaces was monitored by ellipsometry (silicon substrates) and UV/Vis spectroscopy (quartz slides), and was linear with the number of deposition cycles. No fluorescence was detected from the PPDI films, and the absorption spectra of the films were quite similar to the spectrum of the compound in ethanol, indicating that the dye molecules were stacked in the films. Mixed monolayers containing PPDI and N,N'-bis(2-phosphonoethyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimide (PNDI) on quartz were also prepared. Monolayers obtained by codeposition from solutions containing both PPDI and PNDI were richer in PPDI, even when the solution contained a large excess of the naphthalene derivative, showing that pi-stacking of PPDI is an important driving force in the formation of the films.     

Electrode independent chemoresistive response for cobalt phthalocyanine in the space charge limited conductivity regime

The electrical properties of 50 nm thick metallophthalocyanine films, prepared by organic molecular beam epitaxy (OMBE) on interdigitated electrodes, were studied with DC current-voltage measurements and impedance spectroscopy. The transition from Ohmic behavior at low voltages to space-charge-limited conductivity (SCLC) at higher voltages depends on the metal electrode (Pt, Pd, and Au), but does not correlate with the work function of the electrode. Impedance spectroscopy studies show the coexistence of low- and high-frequency traps in the thin film devices, and the contribution of low-frequency traps associated with Ohmic behavior diminishes at higher bias. Although device resistances are strongly influenced by the electrode material, and vary by a factor of over 300, the relative chemical sensor responses on exposure to dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), methanol, water, or toluene vapors are similar for CoPc on Pt, Pd, and Au electrodes when these devices are operated in the SCLC regime at room temperature. When the devices are operated at voltages where the low-frequency interfacial traps are filled, the sensor response to analyte becomes uniform and reliable regardless of the specific interfacial electrode contact.     

Palladium-catalyzed dehydrative allylation of hypophosphorous acid with allylic alcohols

A novel palladium-catalyzed allylation of H3PO2 with allylic alcohols is described. The phosphorus-carbon bond-forming reaction produces allylic-H-phosphinic acids and water, in the absence of additives. Primary H-phosphinic acids are obtained in excellent yields, whereas secondary H-phosphinic acids react sluggishly. A reusable polymer-supported catalyst is also described. The reaction provides an environmentally sound approach to H-phosphinic acids.     

Classification of communication signals of the little brown bat

Little brown bats, Myotis lucifugus, are known for their ability to echolocate and utilize their echolocation system to navigate, and locate and identify prey. Their echolocation signals have been characterized in detail but their communication signals are less well understood despite their widespread use during social interactions. The goal of this study was to develop an automatic classification algorithm for characterizing the communication signals of little brown bats. Sound recordings were made overnight on five individual male bats (housed separately from a large group of captive bats) for 7 nights, using a bat detector and a digital recorder. The spectral and temporal characteristics of recorded sounds were first analyzed and classified by visual observation of a call's temporal pattern and spectral composition. Sounds were later classified using an automatic classification scheme based on multivariate statistical parameters in MATLAB. Human- and machine-based analysis revealed five discrete classes of bat's communication signals: downward frequency-modulated calls, steep frequency-modulated calls, constant frequency calls, broadband noise bursts, and broadband click trains.     

Synthesis of a new chiral cyclic aminal derived from rac-1,2-propanediamine

The cyclic aminal 4,9-dimethyl-1,3,6,8-tetraazatricyclo[4.4.1.1^3,8]dodecane 4c was synthesized by the reaction of commercial rac-1,2-propanediamine with paraformaldehyde in an aqueous solution. ¹H NMR analysis clearly revealed that the compound is chiral and racemic with an axis of chirality. To our knowledge, this is the first example of an azaadamantane derivative having axial chirality. This aminal was used in a Mannich type reaction with p-chlorophenol yielding 2,2′-[(4-methylimidazolidine-1,3-diyl)dimethanediyl]bis(4-chlorophenol) 7 as a racemic mixture. The crystal structure of 7 was determined by single X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Two New Layered Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Zinc Phosphites Templated by Cyclam: Zn(HPO3)2·0.5(C10H28N4) and Zn2(HPO3)3·0.5(C10H28N4)

Abstract  

Using 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) as a template, two new layered zincophosphites, Zn(HPO₃)₂·0.5(C₁₀H₂₈N₄) (1) and Zn₂(HPO₃)₃·0.5(C₁₀H₂₈N₄) (2), were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The two new compounds crystallize in the triclinic system with the space group P − 1 and the cell parameters: a = 8.3130 ?, b = 8.7289 ?, c = 9.0055 ?, α = 106.90(1), β = 95.56(1), γ = 105.30(1), V = 592.31 ?³, Z = 2 for 1 and a = 9.0406 ?, b = 9.4234 ?, c = 9.4519 ?, α = 91.19(1), β = 100.73(1), γ = 106.85(1), V = 754.82 ?³, Z = 2 for 2. Both structures are described in terms of phosphometallic slabs hosting the cyclam cation.     

Crystal Structure and Quantum Chemical Ab Initio Calculations of Ibotenic Acid,an Excitatory Amino Acid Receptor Agonist

Ibotenic acid, a constituent of Amanita muscaria, is a potent NMDA receptor agonist. The structure of the ibotenic acid zwitterion monohydrate in the crystalline state has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure has two ibotenic acid monohydrate formula units in the asymmetric unit and features an extensive hydrogen bond network. The ibotenic acid zwitter-ions in the crystalline state are compared to the in vacuo structure calculated by quantum chemical ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31+G* level and the effects of the hydrogen bond network on the structures in the solid state are discussed. The calculated potential energy curve with respect to side-chain orientation displays a single energy minimum. The conformations corresponding to the solid-state conformations are calculated to be ca. 2 kcal/mol higher in energy than the minimum-energy conformation in vacuo.