Stereospecificity and enantioselectivity in the binding of the platinum(II) complex [PtCl2(tmdz)] (tmdz = 5,5,7-trimethyl-1,4-diazacycloheptane) to dinucleotides and oligonucleotides

The two stereoisomers formed on reaction of each of the enantiomers of [PtCl2(tmdz)] with d(GpG) have been identified by using one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy. For both isomers formed with the R enantiomer the 3'-H8 shifts are downfield from those for the 5'-H8. For the S enantiomer the reverse is observed, showing that the bulky tmdz ligand determines the pattern of shifts. Models of these isomers generated by molecular mechanics show that the bulky tmdz ligand limits the rotation of the guanine bases and enforces right-handed (R2) canting for both isomers formed by the R enantiomer and left-handed (L1) canting for those formed by the S enantiomer. The pattern of H8 shifts is the opposite to that expected for these cantings; this suggests that other factors may play a role in determining these shifts. The interactions between the tmdz and d(GpG) ligands are also shown by molecular mechanics and the broadness of the H8 NMR signals to influence the tendency of the coordinated guanine bases to rotate about their Pt-N7 bonds. Reaction of each of the enantiomers with a 52 base-pair nucleotide, with a total of six GpG binding sites, resulted in the formation of only one of the stereoisomers in each case, the first reported case of complete stereoselectivity, or stereospecificity, in the reaction of Pt complexes with DNA. The observed stereoisomers were identified by comparison with the properties of the d(GpG) complexes. Molecular mechanics models of the adducts with duplex DNA show that the nonformation of one stereoisomer is consistent with the steric bulk of the tmdz ligand preventing closure from the monofunctional adduct to the bifunctional adduct. Enantioselectivity is also observed in that the R enantiomer forms more monofunctional adducts than bifunctional (59:41), whereas the S enantiomer forms more bifunctional adducts (27:73). The origins of this enantioselectivity must be at the level of monofunctional adduct formation and this has been investigated by molecular mechanics modelling.     

Chromatographic separation of cholesterol in foods.

Based on the current literature and on experience gained in the laboratory, a simplified procedure using direct saponification (0.4 M potassium hydroxide in ethanol and heating at 60 degrees C for 1 h) is the most appropriate method for the determination of total cholesterol in foods. Extraction of the unsaponifiable matter with hexane is efficient and no extra clean-up is required before quantification. An internal standard, 5 alpha-cholestane or epicoprostanol, should be added to the sample prior to saponification and, together with reference standards, carried through the entire procedure to ensure accurate results. A significant improvement in cholesterol methodology has been achieved by decreasing the sample size and performing all the sample preparation steps in a single tube. The method has the advantages of elimination of an initial solvent extraction for total lipids and errors resulting from multiple extractions, transfers, filtration and wash steps after saponification. The resulting hexane extract, which contains a variety of sterols and fat soluble vitamins, requires an efficient capillary column for complete resolution of cholesterol from the other compounds present. The development of fused-silica capillary columns using cross-linked and bonded liquid phases has provided high thermal stability, inertness and separation efficiency and, together with automated cold on-column gas chromatographic injection systems, has resulted in reproducible cholesterol determinations in either underivatized or derivatized form. If free cholesterol and its esters need to be determined separately, they are initially extracted with other lipids with chloroform-methanol followed by their separation by column or thin-layer chromatography and subsequently analysed by gas or liquid chromatography. Although capillary gas chromatography offers superior efficiency in separation, the inherent benefits of liquid chromatography makes it a potential alternative. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry has been widely accepted as a reliable analytical method for highly accurate determination of cholesterol in serum and several definitive methods have been reported. The combination of capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometry has become an excellent approach for the determination of cholesterol in complex mixtures of sterols and tocopherols, providing high resolution with positive identification. When used to determine cholesterol in multi-component foods, spectrophotometric methods have been documented to overestimate significantly the amount of cholesterol owing to the presence of other interfering substances. A re-evaluation of food products should be undertaken using the more specific chromatographic methods to accumulate data that will more accurately reflect the true cholesterol content.     

In vivo studies of a platinum(II) metallointercalator

An in vivo study for determining the toxicity and efficacy of [Pt(S,S-dach)(phen)Cl(2).1.5H(2)O.0.5HCl (PHENSS) in female Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Swiss nude mice bearing PC3 tumour xenografts revealed PHENSS to be non-toxic and effective in decreasing tumour growth.     

Photochemical Targeting of Mitochondria to Overcome Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer †

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy with a stubborn mortality rate of ~65%. The persistent failure of multiline chemotherapy, and significant tumor heterogeneity, has made it challenging to improve outcomes. A target of increasing interest is the mitochondrion because of its essential role in critical cellular functions, and the significance of metabolic adaptation in chemoresistance. This review describes mitochondrial processes, including metabolic reprogramming, mitochondrial transfer and mitochondrial dynamics in ovarian cancer progression and chemoresistance. The effect of malignant ascites, or excess peritoneal fluid, on mitochondrial function is discussed. The role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in overcoming mitochondria-mediated resistance is presented. PDT, a photochemistry-based modality, involves the light-based activation of a photosensitizer leading to the production of short-lived reactive molecular species and spatiotemporally confined photodamage to nearby organelles and biological targets. The consequential effects range from subcytotoxic priming of target cells for increased sensitivity to subsequent treatments, such as chemotherapy, to direct cell killing. This review discusses how PDT-based approaches can address key limitations of current treatments. Specifically, an overview of the mechanisms by which PDT alters mitochondrial function, and a summary of preclinical advancements and clinical PDT experience in ovarian cancer are provided.     

Modeling wave propagation in realistic heart geometries using the phase-field method

We present a novel algorithm for modeling electrical wave propagation in anatomical models of the heart. The algorithm uses a phase-field approach that represents the boundaries between the heart muscle and the surrounding medium as a spatially diffuse interface of finite thickness. The chief advantage of this method is to automatically handle the boundary conditions of the voltage in complex geometries without the need to track the location of these boundaries explicitly. The algorithm is shown to converge accurately in nontrivial test geometries with no-flux (zero normal current) boundary conditions as the width of the diffuse interface becomes small compared to the width of the cardiac action potential wavefront. Moreover, the method is illustrated for anatomically realistic models of isolated rabbit and canine ventricles as well as human atria.     

Customizable Lipid Nanoparticle Materials for the Delivery of siRNAs and mRNAs

RNAs are a promising class of therapeutics given their ability to regulate protein concentrations at the cellular level. Developing safe and effective strategies to deliver RNAs remains important for realizing their full clinical potential. Here, we develop lipid nanoparticle formulations that can deliver short interfering RNAs (for gene silencing) or messenger RNAs (for gene upregulation). Specifically, we study how the tail length, tail geometry, and linker spacing in diketopiperazine lipid materials influences LNP potency with siRNAs and mRNAs. Eight lipid materials are synthesized, and 16 total formulations are screened for activity in vitro; the lead material is evaluated with mRNA for in vivo use and demonstrates luciferase protein expression in the spleen. In undertaking this approach, not only do we develop synthetic routes to delivery materials, but we also reveal structural criteria that could be useful for developing next‐generation delivery materials for RNA therapeutics.