Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of RGD Peptidomimetic–Paclitaxel Conjugates Bearing Lysosomally Cleavable Linkers

Two small‐molecule–drug conjugates (SMDCs, 6 and 7 ) featuring lysosomally cleavable linkers (namely the Val–Ala and Phe–Lys peptide sequences) were synthesized by conjugation of the α_vβ₃‐integrin ligand cyclo[DKP–RGD]‐CH₂NH₂ ( 2 ) to the anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX). A third cyclo[DKP–RGD]–PTX conjugate with a nonpeptide “uncleavable” linker ( 8 ) was also synthesized to be tested as a negative control. These three SMDCs were able to inhibit biotinylated vitronectin binding to the purified α_Vβ₃‐integrin receptor at nanomolar concentrations and showed good stability at pH 7.4 and pH 5.5. Cleavage of the two peptide linkers was observed in the presence of lysosomal enzymes, whereas conjugate 8 , which possesses a nonpeptide “uncleavable” linker, remained intact under these conditions. The antiproliferative activities of the conjugates were evaluated against two isogenic cell lines expressing the integrin receptor at different levels: the acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line CCRF‐CEM (α_Vβ₃?) and its subclone CCRF‐CEM α_Vβ₃ (α_Vβ₃+). Fairly effective integrin targeting was displayed by the cyclo[DKP–RGD]–Val–Ala–PTX conjugate ( 6 ), which was found to differentially inhibit proliferation in antigen‐positive CCRF‐CEM α_Vβ₃ versus antigen‐negative isogenic CCRF‐CEM cells. The total lack of activity displayed by the “uncleavable” cyclo[DKP–RGD]–PTX conjugate ( 8 ) clearly demonstrates the importance of the peptide linker for achieving the selective release of the cytotoxic payload.     

Crystal and molecular structure of (+)-6,7∶8,9∶10,11-tri-O-isopropylidene-2,3-dideoxy-d-arabino-l-allo-undec-2-enono-1,4-lactone,C20H30O9

The crystal structure of the title lactone, C₂₀H₃₀O₉, a potential precursor of uncommon 11-carbon sugar derivatives, has been determined by single-crystal diffraction methods. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupP2₁2₁2₁ witha=15.581(3),b=14.047(2),c=9.888(2) Å, andZ=4. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares toR=0.054. The absolute configuration of the seven stereogenic carbon atoms was deduced as 4R, 5R, 6R, 7R, 8S, 9R, 10R, being (R)-(+)-glyceraldehyde its progenitor. An intramolecular O-HO hydrogen bond is present. Weak interaction C-HO links the molecules in sheets parallel to the (100) plane.     

Crystal and molecular structure of (−)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-7,8-dideoxy-β-l-glycero-d-gluco-non-7-enofuranurono-9,6-lactone,C13H18O7

The crystal structure of the title lactone, C₁₃H₁₈O₇, has been determined by single crystal diffraction methods. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP2₁ witha=13.231(2),b=10.248(2),c=5.348(1) Å,=96.66(2)°, andZ=2. A total of 1055 reflection intensities were recorded on a Siemens AED single-crystal diffractometer (CuK radiation) at room temperature. The structure was solved by direct methods and electron density calculations. Full-matrix least-squares refinement gaveR=0.055 for 946 unique reflections above 2(I). The absolute configuration of the six chiral carbon atoms was deduced as 4S, 5R, 6R, 7S, 9R, 10R (crystallographic numbering corresponds to C-6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 in the title compound). An intermolecular O-HO hydrogen bond joins the molecules in chains which run along the twofold screw axis.     

X-ray crystal and molecular structure of 2,3-dideoxy-4-thio-d-arabino-heptonic acid 1,4-lactone: a key intermediate for syntheses of 2′, 3′-dideoxy-4′-thio-l-nucleosides

The structure of 2,3-dideoxy-4-thio-d-arabino-heptonic acid 1,4-lactone has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystals of the compound are orthorhombic, space groupP2₁2₁2₁, with cell dimensionsa=11.555(5),b=10.451(5),c=9.604(5) Å, andZ=4. The diffraction experiment has allowed to assign the absolute configuration (4R, 5R, 6R) to the chiral centers of the molecule.     

Structural research on non transition metal double nitrites: Crystal structure, optical absorption and emission of TlBa2(NO2)5

The thallium-barium double nitrite, TlBa₂(NO₂)5, is pyroelectric in the 77-600 K range and crystallizes in thePca2 ₁ space group. The lattice constants at 293 K are: a = 17.868(12),b = 4.934(3),c = 13-426(11) A (MoKa, λ = 0.71069 A). There are four stoichiometric units in the unit cell of volume V= 1184(1) A³ (D _o = 3.98,D _x = 3.979 Mgm⁻³),F (000) = 1232, μ = 20.36mm⁻¹. The crystal structure was solved by Patterson and Fourier methods and refined by least-squares to a final conventional agreement indexR = 0.053 for 1371 independent reflections collected in a θ range of 3–30°, using MoKα radiation. There are two independent barium atoms surrounded by NO ₂ ⁻ groups, both with coordination number 10 and distances in the ranges Ba-O = 2.69(4)-3.18(4) A and Ba-N = 3.01(4)-3.18(4) A. The environment of thallium is clearly affected by the lone-pair stereoactivity and involves 12 Tl-O and Tl-N contacts less than 3.5A, but only four Tl-O distances are shorter than 3 A (min. 2.76(2), max. 2.85(3) A), with a pyramidal coordination and thallium at the apex of the pyramid. All these coordination polyhedra are joined in chains running along the shortest lattice vector [010]. The single crystal electronic spectra, studied in absorption with polarized light and in photostimulated emission, are interpreted as due to transitions involving NO ₂ ⁻ electronic levels perturbed by Tl⁺, whose spin-orbit interaction makes probable also the forbidden singlet-triplet transitions, in agreement with the interpretative picture given for post-transition metal nitrites.     

High-content analysis of kinase activity in cells

High-content analysis (HCA) is a term used to describe techniques involving multiplexed analysis of fluorescent markers to measure multiple cellular responses to biological stimuli or drug treatment. HCA is usually based on automated microscopy or related technologies, and its value lies in providing multiparametric information on single cells within a population. During the last decade, several HCA approaches have been developed and applied to assess cellular mechanism of action of pharmacologically relevant compounds identified through biochemical screening or similar in vitro methods. With automation and instrument development, these approaches have evolved to the extent that the technique is now routinely used in screening applications, including primary HTS on compound collections. Here, we review the field and discuss in particular the application of HCA to the discovery of small molecule inhibitors targeting kinases which are implicated in Oncology.     

X-ray crystal and molecular structure of [3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyridazine-N 1,N2]bis(triphenylphosphine) copper(I) hexafluorophosphate

[3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyridazine-N ¹,N²]bis(triphenylphosphine) copper(I) hexafluorophosphate crystallizes in space group $P\bar 1$ with cell dimensionaa=14.050(2),b=11.941(2),c=15.200(2) Å, α=71.28(1), β=67.02(1), and γ=84.78(2)^o. In the title compound, the mononuclear cation consists of a tetrahedral copper(I) center involving two nitrogen donors of the 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyridazine (dppn) and two P atoms of the triphenylphosphine molecules. In the dppn ligand the two non-coordinating N atoms (one from pyridine and one from pyridazine) are mutallytrans.     

Effects of flavonoid derivatives on human microvascular endothelial cells

Some natural compounds, including flavonoids, are active in vasculature re-growth during hair follicle disruption, but their effects have not been yet evaluated directly on microvascular endothelial cells. Skin vascularisation regulates the physiological blood supply required for hair growth and its dysregulation is the basis of several human diseases. Follicle-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release from follicular keratinocytes promotes perifollicular vascularisation and increases follicle and hair size, while blockade of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis leads to impaired hair growth. Here, we tested three flavonoids, namely visnadin (VSD), hesperidin (HSP) and baicalin (BC), on cultured human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC), comparing their effects with minoxidil (MXD), a synthetic drug broadly used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The response to these compounds was assayed in terms of endothelial survival, proliferation, tubulogenesis and proangiogenic signalling. We show that BC promotes HMEC proliferation, while both VSD and MXD enhance tubulogenesis. Interestingly, only HSP increases VEGFR-2 phosphorylation.