Synthesis,conformational analysis and in vivo assays of an anti-cancer vaccine that features an unnatural antigen based on an sp2-iminosugar fragment

The Tn antigen (GalNAc-α-1-O-Thr/Ser) is a well-known tumor-associated carbohydrate determinant. The use of glycopeptides that incorporate this structure has become a significant and promising niche of research owing to their potential use as anticancer vaccines. Herein, the conformational preferences of a glycopeptide with an unnatural Tn antigen, characterized by a threonine decorated with an sp²-iminosugar-type α-GalNAc mimic, have been studied both in solution, by combining NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, and in the solid state bound to an anti-mucin-1 (MUC1) antibody, by X-ray crystallography. The Tn surrogate can mimic the main conformer sampled by the natural antigen in solution and exhibits high affinity towards anti-MUC1 antibodies. Encouraged by these data, a cancer vaccine candidate based on this unnatural glycopeptide and conjugated to the carrier protein Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) has been prepared and tested in mice. Significantly, the experiments in vivo have proved that this vaccine elicits higher levels of specific anti-MUC1 IgG antibodies than the analog that bears the natural Tn antigen and that the elicited antibodies recognize human breast cancer cells with high selectivity. Altogether, we compile evidence to confirm that the presentation of the antigen, both in solution and in the bound state, plays a critical role in the efficacy of the designed cancer vaccines. Moreover, the outcomes derived from this vaccine prove that there is room for exploring further adjustments at the carbohydrate level that could contribute to designing more efficient cancer vaccines.

An anti-cancer vaccine based on an unnatural antigen with an sp²-iminosugar fragment.     

Molecular nitrides containing group 4 and 5 metals: single and double azatitanocubanes

Treatment of [[Ti(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(micro-NH)](3)(micro(3)-N)] (1) with the imido complexes [Ti(NAr)Cl(2)(py)(3)] (Ar=2,4,6-C(6)H(2)Me(3)) and [Ti(NtBu)Cl(2)(py)(3)] in toluene affords the single azatitanocubanes [[Cl(2)(ArN)Ti]( micro(3)-NH)(3)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]].(C(7)H(8)) (2.C(7)H(8)) and [[Cl(2)Ti](micro(3)-N)(2)(micro(3)-NH)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]] (3), respectively. Similar reactions of complex 1 with the niobium and tantalum imido derivatives [[M(NtBu)(NHtBu)Cl(2)(NH(2)tBu)](2)] (M=Nb, Ta) in toluene give the single azaheterometallocubanes [[Cl(2)(tBuN)M](micro(3)-N)(micro(3)-NH)(2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]] (M=Nb (4), Ta (5)), both complexes react with 2,4,6-trimethylaniline to yield the analogous species [[Cl(2)(ArN)M](micro(3)-N)(micro(3)-NH)(2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]].(C(7)H(8)) (Ar=2,4,6-C(6)H(2)Me(3), M=Nb (6.C(7)H(8)), Ta (7.C(7)H(8))). Also the azaheterodicubanes [M[micro(3)-N)(2)(micro(3)-NH)](2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)](2)].2C(7)H(8) [M=Ti (8.2C(7)H(8)), Zr (9.2C(7)H(8))], and [M[(micro(3)-N)(5)(micro(3)-NH)][Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)](2)].2 C(7)H(8) (Nb (10.2C(7)H(8)), Ta (11.2C(7)H(8))) were prepared from 1 and the homoleptic dimethylamido complex [M(NMe(2))(x)] (x=4, M=Ti, Zr; x=5, M=Nb, Ta) in toluene at 150 degrees C. X-ray crystal structure determinations were performed for 6 and 10, which revealed a cube- and double-cube-type core, respectively. For complexes 2 and 4-7 we observed and studied by DNMR a rotation or trigonal-twist of the organometallic ligands [[Ti(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(micro-NH)](3)(micro(3)-N)] (1) and [(micro(3)-N)(micro(3)-NH)(2)[Ti(3)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))(3)(micro(3)-N)]](1-). Density functional theory calculations were carried out on model complexes of 2, 3, and 8 to establish and understand their structures.     

Direct assignment of the absolute configuration of a distinct class of deoxyribonucleoside cyclic N-acylphosphoramidites at phosphorus by M-GOESY nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The determination of the absolute configuration of deoxyribonucleoside cyclic N-acylphosphoramidites at phosphorus toward the synthesis of P-stereodifined phosphorothioated oligodeoxyribonucleotides is easily accomplished with computer-assisted molecular modeling and M-GOESY NMR spectroscopy. Specifically, computer-modeling diasteromeric phosphoramidite 3 has identifed a proximal (2.55 A) through-space interaction between benzylic H-5 and sugar H-2' ', which can predictably be detected by M-GOESY NMR in SP-3 but not in RP-3 because of being too distant (5.85 A). Consistent with computer-assisted modeling predictions, M-GOESY NMR spectra of SP-3 and RP-3 revealed NOE signals generated from nuclei near the selectively excited H-2' ' that are common to both SP-3 and RP-3, namely those of H-2', H-4', H-3', and H-1'. In addition, a diagnostic NOE signal at 5.5 ppm (benzylic H-5) is, as predicted, only detected in SP-3 and thus provides an unequivocal assessment of the configuration of the diastereomer at phosphorus. M-GOESY NMR data also confirm that the condensation of deoxyribonucleoside cyclic N-acylphosphoramidites with base-activated nucleosidic or nucleotidic 5'-hydroxyls proceeds via a single nucleophilic event.     

Relative stability of the2 A 1g and2 E g states of the C2H 6 + ion

Anab initio study of the relative stability for the states² A _1g and² E _g of C₂H ₆ ⁺ has been carried out. The results of the Open Shell Restricted Hartree-Fock calculations lead to assign the² A _{1 g} as the ground state of the molecule in agreement with previous SCF calculations.The correlation energy associated to both states has been calculated within the correlation hole model and the results, contrary to those obtained from Configuration Interaction calculations, do not alter qualitatively the conclusions from SCF.     

Electrosynthesis of 3-chloro-1,4-disubstituted-2(1H)- quinolinones and 3,3-dichloro-4-hydroxy-1,4-disubstituted- 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones,as well as a new convenient process to dioxindoles

Cathodic reduction of N-(2-acyl(or aroyl)phenyl)-2,2,2,-trichloro-N-alkylacetamide at -1.2 V (vs SCE) under aprotic conditions yields 3-chloro-1,4-disubstituted-2(1H)-quinolinones (1) as the major product. When the reaction is carried out at -0.8 V (vs SCE), 3,3-dichloro-4-hydroxy-1,4-disubstituted-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones (2) and 1,4-disubstituted-1,4-dihydro-quinoline-2,3-dione (3) are formed. Ring contraction of 2 and 3 in aqueous sodium hydroxide resulted in the formation of 3-hydroxy-1,3-dihydroindol-2-ones (5). The most plausible reaction mechanisms are proposed.     

A novel support with artificially created recognition for the selective removal of proteins and for affinity chromatography

Summary Acrylamide and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide were copolymerized in the presence of a protein to form a gel which was pressed through a sieve. The gel particles obtained were packed into a chromatographic tube. The experimental conditions for the polymerization are such that the pores of the gel particles are large enough to permit the protein to diffuse out of the particles, so that the entrapped protein can be removed from the bed by washing with an aqueous solution. However the interaction with the matrix is so strong that the protein can be desorbed only by a buffer containing 0.5 M sodium chloride or by a 10% solution of acetic acid containing 10% SDS. When a sample containing the protein present during the polymerization was applied to the column along with other proteins this protein was the only one adsorbed. The technique worked selectively with hemoglobin, cytochrome C and transferrin.     

Regiospecific synthesis,structure and electron ionization mass spectra of 1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones containing the acridine skeleton

The synthesis of regioisomeric 3‐alkyl(aryl)‐2‐(acridin‐9′‐yl)imino‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones ( 8b‐i ) and 2‐alkyl(aryl)imino‐3‐(acridin‐9′‐yl)‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones ( 11a‐i ) was performed by the reaction of 3‐(acridin‐9‐yl)‐1‐alkyl(aryl)thioureas 5a‐i with methyl bromoacetate and bromoacetyl bromide, respectively, via the corresponding isothiourea hydrobromides with excellent regioselectivity. The structure, NMR spectra and mass spectrometric behavior of the resulting compounds are discussed.     

trans‐[1,3‐Bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene]dichlorido(triphenylphosphine‐κP)palladium(II)

The title complex, [PdCl₂(C₂₁H₂₆N₂)(C₁₈H₁₅P)], shows slightly distorted square‐planar coordination around the Pd^II metal centre. The Pd—C bond distance between the N‐heterocyclic ligand and the metal atom is 2.028 (5) Å. The dihedral angle between the two trimethylphenyl ring planes is 36.9 (2)°.     

Rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with CH3C(O)Cl determined by direct kinetic method

Summary The fast flow technique with OH resonance fluorescence detection has been applied at T = 298 ± 2 K to study the kinetics of the overall reaction: H + CH₃C(O)Cl → products (1) A rate constant value of k₁ = (1.02 ± 0.12) x 10¹⁰ cm³ mol^-1 s^-1 has been determined which is the first direct kinetic parameter reported for reaction (1) in the literature (the error given refers to 2σ accuracy).     

Rapid trace analysis of alachlor in water and vegetable samples

The use of a rapid and specific (cross-reactivity<4%) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of alachlor residues in water and vegetable samples is addressed. The analytical method consists of a fast extraction procedure followed by an optimised ELISA. The detection limit was 0.44 microg l(-1), with a linear range from 0.89 to 143.2 microg l(-1). For alachlor extraction from water samples, different solid-phase cartridges (C, Ph, C8 and C2) were assayed using MeOH as eluent. Extracts were diluted (1:4) with distilled water before ELISA. This procedure gave recoveries close to 100% with RSDs<14%. For vegetable samples, alachlor was extracted directly with MeOH and the extracts diluted 1:40 (v/v) with saline buffer prior to ELISA. The results obtained by the proposed procedure correlate well with the reference method (multiresidue extraction-GC-MS) for vegetable samples (r>0.85).