Preparation and investigation of vitamin B6-derived aminopyridinol antioxidants

3-Pyridinols bearing amine substitution para to the hydroxylic moiety have previously been shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation more effectively than typical phenolic antioxidants, for example, α-tocopherol. We report here high-yielding, large-scale syntheses of mono- and bicyclic aminopyridinols from pyridoxine hydrochloride (i.e., vitamin B(6)). This approach provides straightforward, scaleable access to novel, potent, molecular scaffolds whose antioxidant properties have been investigated in homogeneous solutions and in liposomal vesicles. These molecular aggregates mimic cell membranes that are the targets of oxidative damage in vivo.     

Synthesis of polyamino nitriles, en route to acylpolyamine neurotoxins, via the regioselective michael cyanoethylation of unprotected polyamines. Unusual behaviour of 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine

The Michael cyanoethylation of 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine, 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine) and bis(3-aminopropylamine)amine, leading to acrylonitrile free (<100 ppm) polyamino nitriles, as a key step in the synthesis of higher polyamines useful in the synthesis of acylpolyamine neurotoxins, was carried out regioselectively on a multigram scale by careful tuning of reaction conditions, without a necessity to protect nitrogen atoms. The higher reactivity of primary amino groups in aliphatic diamines and triamines [as in bis(3-aminopropylamine)amine] was also observed in the cyclic amine, 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine), but reversed in 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine. The compounds with a dicyanoethylated nitrogen atom were thermally less stable than the monocyanoethylated ones.     

Molecular interactions in 3-carboxy-2-diphenylphosphinoylcyclopentanone

The results of the X-ray structure analysis of the title compound (I) have been reported in [Synthesis (1997) 356]. Now we continue our efforts to understand the energy situation and the arrangements in the crystal, which will be strongly influenced by the formation of hydrogen bonds with the help of the results of theoretical calculations. Furthermore, the IR spectroscopic measurements will be discussed in comparison to the X-ray data. The IR experiments elucidate the molecular arrangement in solution. Using different solvents, equilibrium states with coexisting conformational and associative arrangements were observed. Unexpectedly, the alternative use of the solvents CHCl(3) or CDCl(3) has different influence on the equilibrium arrangement of I in solution.     

Analysis of Fragmentation Pathways of Peptide Modified with Quaternary Ammonium and Phosphonium Group as Ionization Enhancers

Peptide modification by a quaternary ammonium group containing a permanent positive charge is a promising method of increasing the ionization efficiency of the analyzed compounds, making ultra-sensitive detection even at the attomolar level possible. Charge-derivatized peptides may undergo both charge remote (ChR) and charge-directed (ChD) fragmentation. A series of model peptide conjugates derivatized with N,N,N-triethyloammonium (TEA), 1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (ABCO), 2,4,6-triphenylopyridinium (TPP) and tris(2,4,6-trimetoxyphenylo)phosphonium (TMPP) groups were analyzed by their fragmentation pathways both in collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron-capture dissociation (ECD) mode. The effect of the fixed-charge tag type and peptide sequence on the fragmentation pathways was investigated. We found that the aspartic acid effect plays a crucial role in the CID fragmentation of TPP and TEA peptide conjugates whereas it was not resolved for the peptides derivatized with the phosphonium group. ECD spectra are mostly dominated by c_n ions. ECD fragmentation of TMPP-modified peptides results in the formation of intense fragments derived from this fixed-charge tag, which may serve as reporter ion.     

Activity-based profiling for drug discovery

Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) is emerging as a game-changing tool for drug discovery, target validation, and basic biology. In this issue, Chang et?al. (2011) report the ABPP-facilitated discovery of JW480, a highly selective potent and orally bioavailable inhibitor of monoalkylglycerol ether hydrolase KIAA1363 that dramatically impairs in?vivo growth of human prostate cancer cell lines.     

The Hydrogen–Deuterium Exchange at α-Carbon Atom in <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">N,N,N</Emphasis>-Trialkylglycine Residue: ESI-MS Studies

Derivatization of peptides as quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) is a known method for sensitive detection by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Hydrogens at α-carbon atom in N,N,N-trialkylglycine residue can be easily exchanged by deuterons. The exchange reaction is base-catalyzed and is dramatically slow at lower pH. Introduced deuterons are stable in acidic aqueous solution and are not back-exchanged during LC-MS analysis. Increased ionization efficiency, provided by the fixed positive charge on QAS group, as well as the deuterium labeling, enables the analysis of trace amounts of peptides.     

Influence of 40 Hz and 100 Hz Vibration on SH-SY5Y Cells Growth and Differentiation—A Preliminary Study

(1) Background: A novel bioreactor platform of neuronal cell cultures using low-magnitude, low-frequency (LMLF) vibrational stimulation was designed to discover vibration influence and mimic the dynamic environment of the in vivo state. To better understand the impact of 40 Hz and 100 Hz vibration on cell differentiation, we join biotechnology and advanced medical technology to design the nano-vibration system. The influence of vibration on the development of nervous tissue on the selected cell line SH-SY5Y (experimental research model in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s) was investigated. (2) Methods: The vibration stimulation of cell differentiation and elongation of their neuritis were monitored. We measured how vibrations affect the morphology and differentiation of nerve cells in vitro. (3) Results: The highest average length of neurites was observed in response to the 40 Hz vibration on the collagen surface in the differentiating medium, but cells response did not increase with vibration frequency. Also, vibrations at a frequency of 40 Hz or 100 Hz did not affect the average density of neurites. 100 Hz vibration increased the neurites density significantly with time for cultures on collagen and non-collagen surfaces. The exposure of neuronal cells to 40 Hz and 100 Hz vibration enhanced cell differentiation. The 40 Hz vibration has the best impact on neuronal-like cell growth and differentiation. (4) Conclusions: The data demonstrated that exposure to neuronal cells to 40 Hz and 100 Hz vibration enhanced cell differentiation and proliferation. This positive impact of vibration can be used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. It is planned to optimize the processes and study its molecular mechanisms concerning carrying out the research.