Photocleavage of avidin by a new pyrenyl probe

In this study, a new small-molecule-based reagent was designed to recognize and bind to specific site in protein. A new pyrenyl probe, d-biotinyl-1(1-pyrene)methylamide (Py-biotin) was designed and synthesized by coupling of d-biotin to 1(1-pyrene)methylamine hydrochloride. Binding studies and site-specific photocleavage of avidin by Py-biotin were demonstrated. Binding of Py-biotin to avidin was studied using absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. Red shifts of the absorption peak positions of the pyrenyl chromophore followed by hyperchromism were observed upon binding to avidin. The photocleavage of avidin was achieved when a mixture of the protein, Py-biotin, and an electron acceptor, cobalt(III) hexammine trichloride (CoHA), was irradiated at 342nm. No reaction occurred in the absence of the probe, CoHA, or light. N-terminal sequencing of the peptide fragments indicated a cleavage site of avidin between Thr 77 and Val 78. The high specificity of photocleavage may be valuable in targeting specific sites of proteins with small molecules.     

Chiral protein scissors activated by light: recognition and protein photocleavage by a new pyrenyl probe

Strong chiral discrimination and site-selective photocleavage of two model proteins, lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA), by new pyrenyl probes are reported here. The enantiomeric pyrenyl probes D-phenylalanine-1(1-pyrene)methylamide (PMA- D-Phe) and L-phenylalanine-1(1-pyrene)methylamide (PMA- l-Phe) were synthesized by coupling the carboxyl function of D-phenylalanine or L-phenylalanine with the amino group of 1(1-pyrene)methylamine. Binding affinities of the two enantiomers with the proteins were quantitated in absorption titrations. BSA indicated 10-fold selectivity for PMA- D-Phe, and the binding constants for the L- and D-enantiomers were 3.8 x 10(5) and 4.0 x 10(6) M(-1), respectively. Lysozyme, similarly, indicated a 6-fold preference for PMA- D-Phe with binding constants of 3.3 x 10 (5) and 2.0 x 10(6) M(-1) for the L- and D-isomers, respectively. Such strong chiral discrimination illustrates the key role of the chiral center of the probe (Phe) in the binding interactions. The enantiomers were tested to examine how the chiral discrimination for their binding influences reactivity toward protein photocleavage. Irradiation of the probe-protein complexes, at 342 nm in the presence of hexammine cobalt(III) chloride, resulted in the cleavage of the protein backbone. Photocleavage did not proceed in the dark or in the absence of the pyrenyl probes. Both enantiomers indicated low reactivity with BSA (<5% yield), while large photocleavage yields ( approximately 57%) have been noted with lysozyme. This lysozyme photocleavage yield is a significant improvement over previous reports. However, both enantiomers cleaved lysozyme at the same location between Trp108-Val109, despite the strong chiral selectivity for binding. H-atom abstraction from Trp 108, accessible from the active site cleft, could initiate the observed peptide bond cleavage.     

Protein scissors: Photocleavage of proteins at specific locations

Site-specific photocleavage of hen egg lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by N-(L-phenylalanine)-4(1-pyrene)butyramide (Py-Phe) is investigated in detail with respect to its efficiency, dependence on oxygen, and radical quenchers. Binding of Py-Phe to BSA follows abiphasic process with two binding sites per protein. The photocleavage was achieved upon irradiating a mixture of protein, Py-Phe and Co(III)hexammine (CoHA) at 344 nm. No protein cleavage was observed in the absence of Py-Phe, or CoHA, or light. Photocleavage of BSA was inhibited by degassing or by the addition of radical quenchers such as ethanol. In addition, the photoreaction was quenched by electron donors such as ethanolamine. This result was corroborated by the flash photolysis studies where the cation radical derived from the probe is also quenched by ethanolamine with an equivalent rate constant. Quenching of the singlet excited state of Py-Phe by CoHA followed by the reaction of the resulting pyrenyl cation radical with the protein backbone is the suggested mechanism of protein cleavage. The origin of the specificity of photocleavage is discussed and specificity is valuable in targeting desired sites of proteins with small molecules.     

Potential anti-inflammatory diterpenes from Premna obtusifolia

Eleven new diterpenoids: pimaranes (1,2), rosanes (3) abietanes (4–7), icetexanes (8), and rearranged icetexanes (9–11), together with fifteen known diterpenes (12–26) and two known sesquiterpenes (27,28) have been isolated from the roots and twigs of Premna obtusifolia. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic data of 8 and 9 were also determined. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of the isolates were evaluated.     

Computational Screening of Phenylamino-Phenoxy-Quinoline Derivatives against the Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2 Using Molecular Docking and the ONIOM Method

In the search for new anti-HIV-1 agents, two forms of phenylamino-phenoxy-quinoline derivatives have been synthesized, namely, 2-phenylamino-4-phenoxy-quinoline and 6-phenylamino-4-phenoxy-quinoline. In this study, the binding interactions of phenylamino-phenoxy-quinoline derivatives and six commercially available drugs (hydroxychloroquine, ritonavir, remdesivir, S-217622, N3, and PF-07321332) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (M^pro) were investigated using molecular docking and the ONIOM method. The molecular docking showed the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions of all the compounds in the pocket of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M^pro), which plays an important role for the division and proliferation of the virus into the cell. The binding free energy values between the ligands and M^pro ranged from −7.06 to −10.61 kcal/mol. The molecular docking and ONIOM results suggested that 4-(2′,6′-dimethyl-4′-cyanophenoxy)-2-(4″-cyanophenyl)-aminoquinoline and 4-(4′-cyanophenoxy)-2-(4″-cyanophenyl)-aminoquinoline have low binding energy values and appropriate molecular properties; moreover, both compounds could bind to M^pro via hydrogen bonding and Pi-Pi stacking interactions with amino acid residues, namely, HIS41, GLU166, and GLN192. These amino acids are related to the proteolytic cleavage process of the catalytic triad mechanisms. Therefore, this study provides important information for further studies on synthetic quinoline derivatives as antiviral candidates in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2.     

Prenylated Xanthone Composition of Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen) Fruit Hull

Fourteen prenylated xanthones found in mangosteen fruit, Garcinia mangostana L., have been simultaneously separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with water–acetonitrile gradient elution and diode-array detection. The separated xanthones were detected at 254 nm. This new method was developed to establish a chemical fingerprint of the major constituents of mangosteen. It was also used for quantitative analysis of the two major xanthones in crude extracts of mangosteen fruit hull. This chemical fingerprint of G. mangostana extract can be used for comprehensive quality-control of mangosteen extract.