Synthesis of chemically functionalized superparamagnetic nanoparticles as delivery vectors for chemotherapeutic drugs

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are in clinical use for disease detection by MRI. A major advancement would be to link therapeutic drugs to SPIONs in order to achieve targeted drug delivery combined with detection. In the present work, we studied the possibility of developing a versatile synthesis protocol to hierarchically construct drug-functionalized-SPIONs as potential anti-cancer agents. Our model biocompatible SPIONs consisted of an iron oxide core (9-10 nm diameter) coated with polyvinylalcohols (PVA/aminoPVA), which can be internalized by cancer cells, depending on the positive charges at their surface. To develop drug-functionalized-aminoPVA-SPIONs as vectors for drug delivery, we first designed and synthesized bifunctional linkers of varied length and chemical composition to which the anti-cancer drugs 5-fluorouridine or doxorubicin were attached as biologically labile esters or peptides, respectively. These functionalized linkers were in turn coupled to aminoPVA by amide linkages before preparing the drug-functionalized-SPIONs that were characterized and evaluated as anti-cancer agents using human melanoma cells in culture. The 5-fluorouridine-SPIONs with an optimized ester linker were taken up by cells and proved to be efficient anti-tumor agents. While the doxorubicin-SPIONs linked with a Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly tetrapeptide were cleaved by lysosomal enzymes, they exhibited poor uptake by human melanoma cells in culture.

Self-assembly of noncyclic bis-D- and L-tripeptides into higher order tubular constructs: design, synthesis, and X-ray crystal superstructure

Trans (1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane was used as a semirigid vicinal diamine to anchor two N-protected tripeptides consisting of L-D-L amino acids as carboxy terminal amides. The bis-tripeptide consisting of L-Ser (OBn)-D-Ser (OBn)-L-Ser (O-p-bromobenzyl) Boc afforded X-ray quality crystals containing benzene and chloroform solvent molecules. Analysis of the solid-state structure revealed a highly H-bonded helical open-ended tubular superstructure. The tripeptide strands intertwine like a pair of self-embracing arms, held together by a gamma-turn and a 14-membered antiparallel H-bonded macroring spanning the first and third amino acid residues within each strand. Whereas the tripeptide from the R,R anchor gave beautiful crystals from benzene and chloroform, the analogous construct from the S,S-anchored diamine gave a gel. Related bis-tripeptides with different amino acids showed extensive intramolecular H-bonding based on NMR titration and dilution experiments.

Crystal Structure of the Bacterial Ribosomal Decoding Site Complexed with a Synthetic Doubly Functionalized Paromomycin Derivative: a New Specific Binding Mode to an A-Minor Motif Enhances in vitro Antibacterial Activity

The crystal structure of the complex between oligonucleotide containing the bacterial ribosomal decoding site (A site) and the synthetic paromomycin analogue 1, which contains the gamma-amino-alpha-hydroxybutyryl (L-haba) group at position N1 of ring II (2-DOS ring), and an ether chain with an O-phenethylaminoethyl group at position C2'' of ring III, is reported. Interestingly, next to the paromomycin analogue 1 specifically bound to the A site, a second molecule of 1 with a different conformation is observed at the crystal packing interface which mimics the A-minor interaction between two bulged-out adenines from the A site and the codon-anticodon stem of the mRNA-tRNA complex. Improved antibacterial activity supports the conclusion that analogue 1 might affect protein synthesis on the ribosome in two different ways: 1) specific binding to the A site forces maintenance of the "on" state with two bulged out adenines, and 2) a new binding mode of 1 to an A-minor motif which stabilizes complex formation between the ribosome and the mRNA-tRNA complex regardless of whether the codon-anticodon stem is of the cognate or near-cognate type.

ω-Alkoxy analogues of SAHA (vorinostat) as inhibitors of HDAC: A study of chain-length and stereochemical dependence

A series of omega-alkoxy ethers were prepared with variation of the length of the aliphatic chain of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat). Eight carbon long chain analogues showed the best activity, among which several substituted benzyl ether derivatives exhibited inhibitory activity on HDAC comparable to SAHA, and antiproliferative activity on three human cell lines (NB4, H460, and HCT-116) better than SAHA. However, no significant difference in antiproliferative activity was observed between two enantiomers bearing the benzyl ether moiety.

Total synthesis and stereochemical confirmation of manassantin A, B, and B1

Stereocontrolled total syntheses of manassantins A, B, and B1 and saucerneol are described for the first time based on a novel cycloetherification of end-differentiated benzylic alcohols as a common intermediate. [structure: see text].

Iterative synthesis of deoxypropionate units: the inductor effect in acyclic conformation design

Conjugate addition of lithium dimethylcuprate to acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated esters of varying lengths bearing terminal alkyl or phenyl groups leads to a preponderance of syn 1,3-adducts when one methyl is already present. Conversion to enoates, and iteration of cuprate additions also favors syn adducts to give contiguous deoxypropionate units in a growing chain. The effect of end-group variation (Me, i-Pr, phenyl, tert-butyl) in conjunction with the nature of the ester group (Me, tert-butyl, etc.) on the diastereoselectivity of syn and anti products was studied. The results are rationalized in terms of inductor effects related to the minimization of the 1,5-pentane interactions in energetically favored folded conformations and corroborated by homodecoupling NMR studies.

Ring-Modified Analogues and Molecular Dynamics Studies To Probe the Requirements for Fungicidal Activities of Malayamycin A and Its N-Nucleoside Variants

The importance of functional group orientations and the integrity of the bicyclic perhydrofuran core of malayamycin A and two equally active N-nucleoside analogues as fungicides were investigated. Two analogues 10 and 11, representing a THP-truncated and a bicyclic aza-variant, were synthesized and found to be inactive. Molecular dynamics studies on malayamycin A and analogues were performed to highlight the importance of properly orientating the urea and methyl ether groups.

Structure-based organic synthesis of unnatural aeruginosin hybrids as potent inhibitors of thrombin

Based on X-ray crystallographic data of complexes of chlorodysinosin A with the enzyme thrombin, a series of analogs were synthesized varying the nature of the P(1), P(2), and P(3) pharmacophoric sites and the central octahydroindole carboxyamide core. In general, introduction of a hydrophobic substituent on the d-leucine amide residue dramatically improved the inhibition of the enzyme. This is rationalized based on a better fit of the P(3) subunit in the hydrophobic S(3) enzyme site. Single digit nanomolar inhibition expressed as IC(50) was observed for several analogs.

Structure-based design, synthesis, and A-site rRNA cocrystal complexes of functionally novel aminoglycoside antibiotics: C2" ether analogues of paromomycin

A series of 2"-O-substituted ether analogues of paromomycin were prepared based on new site-selective functionalizations. X-ray cocrystal complexes of several such analogues revealed a new mode of binding in the A-site rRNA, whereby rings I and II adopted the familiar orientation and position previously observed with paromomycin, but rings III and IV were oriented differently. With few exceptions, all of the new analogues showed potent inhibitory activity equal or better than paromomycin against a sensitive strain of S. aureus. Single digit microM MIC values were obtained against E. coli, with some of the ether appendages containing polar or basic end groups. Two analogues showed excellent survival rate in a mouse septicemia protection assay. Preliminary histopathological analysis of the kidney showed no overt signs of toxicity, while controls with neomycin and kanamycin were toxic at lower doses.

Structure-based design, synthesis, and A-site rRNA cocrystal complexes of functionally novel aminoglycoside antibiotics: C2" ether analogues of paromomycin

A series of 2"-O-substituted ether analogues of paromomycin were prepared based on new site-selective functionalizations. X-ray cocrystal complexes of several such analogues revealed a new mode of binding in the A-site rRNA, whereby rings I and II adopted the familiar orientation and position previously observed with paromomycin, but rings III and IV were oriented differently. With few exceptions, all of the new analogues showed potent inhibitory activity equal or better than paromomycin against a sensitive strain of S. aureus. Single digit microM MIC values were obtained against E. coli, with some of the ether appendages containing polar or basic end groups. Two analogues showed excellent survival rate in a mouse septicemia protection assay. Preliminary histopathological analysis of the kidney showed no overt signs of toxicity, while controls with neomycin and kanamycin were toxic at lower doses.

6-hydroxy to 6'''-amino tethered ring-to-ring macrocyclic aminoglycosides as probes for APH(3')-IIIa kinase

Based on molecular modeling and available X-ray structure data on aminoglycosides complexed with a bacterial ribosomal surrogate or with a kinase, two analogues of paromomycin were prepared by tethering the 6-OH and the 6'''-NH(2) group with a five-carbon bridge. Only one of two possible hydroxyl groups was phosphorylated by the kinase. The application of ring closure metathesis is presented for the first time to construct bridged macrocyclic analogues in the aminoglycoside series.

Constrained azacyclic analogues of the immunomodulatory agent FTY720 as molecular probes for sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors

Constrained azacyclic analogues of FTY720 were prepared starting with d- and l-pyroglutamic acids. One enantiomer was shown to be a substrate for sphingosine kinase 2, being phosphorylated 4-fold more efficiently than FTY720. Among the corresponding phosphates, two were found to have unusual specificity in binding to S1P receptors: while being inactive on S1P1 and S1P3, they acted as potent agonists on S1P4 and S1P5. The phosphates may be useful to explore the biology and binding site of these receptors.