Elucidating drug-metalloprotein interactions with tris(pyrazolyl)borate model complexes

The tetrahedral zinc complex [(Tp(Me,Ph))ZnOH] (Tp(Me,Ph) = hydrotris(5,3-methylphenylpyrazolyl)borate) was combined with acetohydroxamic acid, 3-mercapto-2-butanone, N-(methyl)mercaptoacetamide, beta-mercaptoethanol, 3-mercapto-2-propanol, and 3-mercapto-2-butanol to generate the complexes [(Tp(Me,Ph))Zn(ZBG)] (ZBG = zinc-binding group). These complexes were prepared to determine the mode of binding for three different types of thiol-derived matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors. The solid-state structures of all six metal complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. The structures reveal that while beta-mercaptoketones and beta-mercaptoamides bind the zinc ion in a bidentate fashion, the three beta-mercaptoalcohol compounds only demonstrate monodentate coordination via the sulfur atom. Prior to this work, no experimental data were available for the binding conformation of these types of inhibitors to the zinc active site of MMPs. The results of these model studies reveal different binding modes for these ZBGs and are useful for explaining the results of inhibition assays and in second-generation drug design. This work demonstrates the utility of model complexes as a tool for revealing drug-metalloprotein interactions.     

Electrophile-induced domino cyclization reaction for the synthesis of 2,2a,10,11-tetrahydrofuro[2′,4′:4,6]pyrano[2,3-b]quinolines

A new and efficient synthesis of furo[2′,4′:4,6]pyrano[2,3-b]quinolines, via a domino cyclization approach, has been achieved by iodine and mercuric oxide-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of 3-homoallyl-2-quinolones in acetic acid.     

Metal complexes of the trans-influencing ligand thiomaltol

The wide use of the ligand 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone (maltol) in bioinorganic chemistry has prompted an effort to further exploit this ligand class by achieving an efficient, one-step synthesis of the chelator 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-thiopyrone (thiomaltol). Complexes of thiomaltol with nickel(II) and iron(III) have been prepared and studied by using UV-visible spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. In addition, both complexes as well as the free thiomaltol ligand have been structurally characterized by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The ligand is found to exert a strong trans influence on the structure of the complexes in the solid state with the nickel(II) and iron(III) complexes demonstrating a cis and fac geometry, respectively. The compounds described here should significantly expand the scope and utility of O,S-donor ligands derived from maltol and related precursors.     

Calibration of laser-ablation ICP-MS. Can we use synthetic standards with pneumatic nebulization?

An approach for the determination of trace element concentrations in high purity metals, using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) with a laser-ablation system for direct solid sample introduction after calibration with nebulized liquid standards was made. Due to the inherent differences in the rate of sample introduction with laser-ablation and pneumatic nebulization, a matrix element must be used as an internal standard. This is problematical for elements that have no isotope with a relative abundance of less than 0.1 %, since the ion signals would be too high for direct measurement, and reduction of the ablation rate would compromise the sensitivity for trace elements. Due to the high stability of ICP-unit and mass filter of the instrument used, it was found that the tail of a mass-peak of the matrix element could be used as an internal standard. Therefore, a position at –0.5 amu from the matrix-isotope (e.g. ^62.5Cu in copper samples) was used for internal standardization. The standard deviation of this signal in a period of 2.5 h was 3.6% RSD with no notable drift when the laser ablation was used for sample introduction. The calibration of the matrix-element by nebulizing liquid standards showed that the ion signal measured on the peak-tail is directly proportional to the element concentration in the ICP. This indicates that the peak shape is not only stable, but also independent of the peak height. The advantages of this method lie in the easy preparation of calibration standards for quantitative measurements with a laser-ablation system and access to homogeneous standards for materials, that are difficult to homogenize in the solid state. The calibration of the traces is performed relatively to a fixed concentration of the matrix element. Calibrations were carried out for trace concentrations in high purity copper and good recoveries were obtained for high-purity reference standards. Received: 23 February 1998 / Revised: 20 July 1998 / Accepted: 25 July 1998     

Novel poly(ethylene glycol) monomers bearing diverse functional groups

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) mono methacrylate ester (MAPEG) has been used, through a variety of reactions, to form several novel monomers, bearing both a polymerizable handle and various functional groups. These new compounds may be conjugated to biomolecules via amine, acid, or thiol moieties or they may form dendrimers via the epoxide. In addition, polymerization of these monomers may result in functionalized nanoparticles and microparticles or coatings, thus altering the acid‐base or electrochemical properties of surfaces and particles. Full synthetic considerations, including interesting intermediates, are reported. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Mononuclear hydridocarbonyl ruthenium complexes incorporating N2O2 bis-chelating ligands

The reactions of [RuH(CO)Cl(PPh₃)₃] with N,N^′-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine (H₂bsh) and N,N^′-bis(salicylidine)-p-phenylene diammine (H₂bsp) in presence of KOH in methanol led in the formation of neutral mononuclear complexes with the formulations [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(L)] (LHbsh or Hbsp). These present the first examples where the ligands H₂bsh or H₂bsp provide only two of its available donor sites for interaction with the metal centre. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FAB-MS, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR and electronic spectral studies. Molecular structure of the representative complex [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(Hbsh)] have been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Exploring peptide‐functionalized alginate scaffolds for engineering cardiac tissue from human embryonic stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes in serum‐free medium

Engineering human cardiac tissue is a promising solution for myocardial repair of injured hearts and for drug screening. Herein, we examined the capability of chemically defined alginate scaffolds to promote cardiac tissue regeneration from human embryonic stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hESC‐CMs) in serum‐free, chemically defined medium. The cells were single seeded or coseeded with human dermal fibroblasts (HFs) in macroporous scaffolds made from pristine alginate or alginate modified with arginine‐glycine‐aspartate (RGD) peptide and heparin‐binding peptide (HBP). Our results show that the addition of fibroblasts to the 3‐D culture is indispensable for the formation of functional cardiac tissues and that the presence of RGD/HBP attached to the alginate matrix further improves its functionality. The engineered tissue displayed the typical fiber morphology with massive striation. An increase in contraction amplitude and calcium transients with time, together with a decrease in excitation threshold, indicated advancement toward tissue maturation. Our results thus point to the importance of co‐cultivating fibroblasts with hESCs‐CMs in chemically defined peptide‐functionalized alginate scaffolds and culture medium for regenerating functional cardiac tissue in vitro.     

Development of CE methods to analyze potential components of the angiogenic glycoprotein vascular endothelial growth factor 165

The vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF₁₆₅) is the predominant form of the complex VEGF family. This glycoprotein has, among others, an angiogenic effect in many physiological and pathological events. For this reason, its roles as a biomarker and as a therapeutic drug have been considered. However, very little is known about the existence of different forms of VEGF₁₆₅ arising from glycosylation and other potential PTMs. This aspect is crucial because it is known that for other glycoproteins the ratio between these isoforms actually acts as a biomarker for certain diseases and other physiological states. In addition, for therapeutic use of glycoproteins it is known that the biological activity may differ for the various isoforms. In this work CE methods to separate up to seven peaks without baseline resolution containing various forms of VEGF₁₆₅ are developed. Using a computer program previously developed in‐house peak assignment could be performed with accuracy close to 100%. In this way, comparison between recombinant human VEGF₁₆₅ expressed in insect cells, which is a glycosylating system, and in Escherichia coli cells, which are unable of performing glycosylation of proteins, has been possible. The methods developed, besides providing information about the existence of several forms of VEGF₁₆₅, mean a starting point that permits the study of the role of VEGF₁₆₅ as a potential biomarker of different diseases and physiological processes and to perform quality control of the recombinant drug during manufacturing. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that CE methods for VEGF₁₆₅ have been developed.