Isomerization dynamics in homo- and heterochiral atropoisomer copper(I) diimine complexes: a 2D EXSY NMR study

Two-dimensional exchange NMR spectroscopy has been employed to study the isomerization process of copper(I) complexes formed upon complexation of Cu+ with a racemic mixture of the atropoisomer diimine benzimidazole-pyridine ligands 1-3 and evaluate the configurational stability of the pseudotetrahedral complexes [Cu(1-3)2]PF6. Racemization of the heterochiral isomers RSLambda/RSDelta proceeds through an intramolecular ligand rearrangement on a time scale of about 1.9 s(-1) for 1, 4.4 s(-1) for 2, and 0.3 s(-1) for 3 in CD2Cl2 at room temperature. The intramolecular Lambda/Delta isomerizations in the homochiral diastereoisomers RRDelta/SSLambda and RRLambda/SSDelta of [Cu(1)2]PF6 proceed at room temperature on a time scale of about 0.6 s(-1) for the conversion of RRDelta/SSLambda into RRLambda/SSDelta and 13 s(-1) for the conversion of RRLambda/SSDelta into RRDelta/SSLambda. The kinetics of these intramolecular exchange processes were found to be sensitive to the stabilizing interligand pi-stacking interactions that develop within the [Cu(1-3)2]+ structure and to the bulkiness of the benzimidazole aryl substituents. The kinetics of racemization in the heterochiral RSLambda/RSDelta isomers of [Cu(3)2]PF6 with the bulky cumyl-derived ligand were 1 order of magnitude lower than in [Cu(2)2]PF6 with the tolyl-based ligand. Slower intermolecular ligand exchanges between all the isomers have also been shown to occur at ambient temperature in CD2Cl2 through complete ligand dissociation. Free energies at 298 K varying between 66.7 and 74.4 kJ.mol(-1) and entropies varying between -26.4 and 28.3 J.K(-1).mol(-1) were determined for the intramolecular Lambda/Delta isomerizations. For the intermolecular ligand exchanges free energies at 298 K varying between 55.6 and 62.5 kJ.mol(-1) and entropies varying between -97.9 and -74.5 J.K(-1).mol(-1) were measured.     

Full-Atom Model of the Agonist LPS-Bound Toll-like Receptor 4 Dimer in a Membrane Environment

The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD-2) innate immunity system is a membrane receptor of paramount importance as therapeutic target. Its assembly, upon binding of Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and also dependent on the membrane composition, finally triggers the immune response cascade. We have combined ab-initio calculations, molecular docking, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, and thermodynamics calculations to provide the most realistic and complete 3D models of the active full TLR4 complex embedded into a realistic membrane to date. Our studies give functional and structural insights into the transmembrane domain behavior in different membrane environments, the ectodomain bouncing movement, and the dimerization patterns of the intracellular Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor domain. Our work provides TLR4 models as reasonable 3D structures for the (TLR4/MD-2/LPS)₂ architecture accounting for the active (agonist) state of the TLR4, and pointing to a signal transduction mechanism across cell membrane. These observations unveil relevant molecular aspects involved in the TLR4 innate immune pathways and will promote the discovery of new TLR4 modulators.     

Energy transfer to analyse membrane-integrated mitoxantrone in BCRP-overexpressed cells

The binding and the diffusion of mitoxantrone (MTX) through the plasma membrane was performed by F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the membrane fluorescent donor (4Di-10ASP) to the co-localized acceptor MTX. The MTX addition to living 4Di-10ASP-tagged cells resulted in the rapid quenching of the probe emission (1s), revealing the MTX binding to the outer leaflet. Then, a slower quenching (about 90s) occurred which corresponded to the MTX flip-flop into the inner leaflet. Changes of MTX integration into the plasma membrane were described in BCRP-overexpressed cells (HCT-116R) treated with (i) the BCRP inhibitor fumitremorgin C (FTC), (ii) cyclosporin A (CSA) and (iii) benzyl alcohol (BA). Treatments with FTC or CSA showed 80% and 40% higher flip-flop of MTX from the outer to the inner leaflet of HCT-116R cells. The addition of BA clearly increased the MTX integration into both outer and inner leaflets. Confocal fluorescence microscopy displayed that FTC, CSA and BA enhanced MTX accumulation in HCT-116R. In conclusion, Fumitremorgin C and agents modulating MTX accumulation resulted in higher MTX integration in the resistant cell membrane and could disrupt the membrane cohesion. This energy transfer method appears well-adapted to describe the drug diffusion through the plasma membrane of living cells.     

quiral: a computer program for the synthesis of chiral molecules from sugars

The quiral computer program analyzes the 3D structure of a target organic molecule to find which sugar(s) can be used as a starting material for its synthesis. The program also proposes schemes for the preparation of rare or unavailable sugars whose chiral centers fit with those of the target molecule. Castanospermine, an anti-HIV natural compound is chosen as an example to illustrate what the quiral program achieves.     

Synthesis of Ionic Liquids Using Non Conventional Activation Methods: An Overview

The synthesis of ionic liquids under non conventional activation methods is historically reviewed and completed with the recent developments of “one-pot” synthesis and combination of these activation methods.     

Structure and dynamics of surfactin studied by NMR in micellar media

The NMR structure of the cyclic lipopeptide surfactin from Bacillus subtilis was determined in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar solution. The two negatively charged side chains of surfactin form a polar head opposite to most hydrophobic side chains, accounting for its amphiphilic nature and its strong surfactant properties. Disorder was observed around the fatty acid chain, and 15N relaxation studies were performed to investigate whether it originates from a dynamic phenomenon. A very large exchange contribution to transverse relaxation rate R(2) was effectively observed in this region, indicating slow conformational exchange. Temperature variation and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) delay variation relaxation studies provided an estimation of the apparent activation energy around 35-43 kJ x mol(-1) and an exchange rate of about 200 ms(-1) for this conformational exchange. 15N relaxation parameters were also recorded in dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles and DMSO. Similar chemical exchange around the fatty acid was found in DPC but not in DMSO, which demonstrates that this phenomenon only occurs in micellar media. Consequently, it may either reflect the disorder observed in our structures determined in SDS or originate from an interaction of the lipopeptide with the detergent, which would be qualitatively similar with an anionic (SDS) or a zwitterionic (DPC) detergent. These structural and dynamics results on surfactin are the first NMR characterization of a lipopeptide incorporated in micelles. Moreover, they provide a model of surfactin determined in a more biomimetic environment than an organic solvent, which could be useful for understanding the molecular mechanism of its biological activity.