Organic and hybrid molecular systems

Design, synthesis, in vitro and in silico evaluation of indole-based tetrazole derivatives as putative anti-breast cancer agents

A series of new indole-tetrazole derivatives were designed and synthesized to develop potential anti-breast cancer agents. The compounds exhibited in vitro anti-proliferative activity against ER-α positive T-47D (IC50 = 3.82-24.43 μM), MCF-7 (IC50 = 3.08-22.65 μM), and ER-α negative MDA-MB-231 (IC50 = 7.69-19.4 μM) human breast cancer cell lines. Compounds 5d and 5f displayed significant anti-proliferative activity compared to bazedoxifene (IC50 = 14.23 ± 0.68 μM), with IC50 values of 10.00 ± 0.59 and 3.83 ± 0.74 μM, respectively, against the ER-α dominant T-47D cell line. Also, both compounds showed non-significant cytotoxicity against normal cells HEK-293. Further, the ER-α binding affinity of 5d and 5f was assessed through a fluorescence polarization-based competitive binding assay, where 5d and 5f have shown significant binding with IC50 = 5.826 and 110.6 nM, respectively, as compared to the standard drug bazedoxifene (IC50 = 339.2 nM). Western blot analysis confirmed that compound 5d reduced ER-α protein expression in T-47D cells, hindering its transactivation and signalling pathways. Additionally, a molecular docking study suggests that compounds 5d and 5f bind in such a fashion that induces conformational changes in the protein, culminating in their antagonistic effect. Pharmacokinetic profiles showed that the compounds possessed drug-like properties. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation studies establish the dynamic stability and conformational behaviour of the ER-α protein and ligand complex of both compounds. Additionally, 5d and 5f ensure biological feasibility as per their DFT analysis through HOMO-LUMO energy gap analysis. In conclusion, compounds 5d and 5f, exhibiting significant ER-α antagonistic activity, can act as potential lead compounds for anti-breast cancer therapies.

Preliminary modelling as the first stage of targeted organic synthesis

The review aims to present a classification and applicability analysis of methods for preliminary molecular modelling for targeted organic, catalytic and biocatalytic synthesis. The following three main approaches are considered as a primary classification of the methods: modelling of the target – ligand coordination without structural information on both the target and the resulting complex; calculations based on experimentally obtained structural information about the target; and dynamic simulation of the target – ligand complex and the reaction mechanism with calculation of the free energy of the reaction. The review is meant for synthetic chemists to be used as a guide for building an algorithm for preliminary modelling and synthesis of structures with specified properties.

The bibliography includes 353 references.

Impact of offset energies on the yield of interfacial charge separation in molecular photocells

We display that the process of charge carriers' separation at molecular photocells is a complex phenomenon that is controlled by the cumulative action of Coulomb interaction for electron-hole pairs and LUMO-LUMO offset energies. By applying quantum scattering theory and the Lippmann-Schwinger equation, we provide a comprehensive framework of the device operation in which the operating molecular photocell is described by a wave function. We find that depending on the magnitude of offset energies, the electron-hole interaction can normally decrease or abnormally increase the charge separation yield. To rationalize the results, we benefit from the spectral information provided in the model. Our analysis helps to optimize molecular photocells operation.

Nucleophilic dearomatization of 4-aza-6-nitrobenzofuroxan by CH acids in the synthesis of pharmacology-oriented compounds

4-Aza-6-nitrobenzofuroxan (ANBF) reacts with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and other CH acids to give carbon-bonded 1,4-adducts – 1,4-dihydropyridines fused with furoxan ring. In the case of most acidic β-diketones, which exist mainly in the enol form in polar solvents, the reactions proceed in the absence of any added base emphasizing the highly electrophilic character of ANBF. The resulting compounds combine in one molecule NO-donor furoxan ring along with a pharmacologically important 1,4-dihydropyridine fragment and therefore can be considered as prospective platforms for the design of pharmacology-oriented heterocyclic systems.

High diastereoselective amine-catalyzed Knoevenagel-Michael-cyclization-ring-opening cascade between aldehydes, 3-arylisoxazol-5(4H)-ones and 3-aminocyclohex-2-en-1-ones

A highly diastereoselective three-component cascade reaction among aromatic aldehydes, 3-arylisoxazol-5(4H)-ones and 3-aminocyclohex-2-en-1-ones takes place under the catalysis of triethylamine, providing (3SR,4SR)-4-aryl-3-[(E)-(hydroxyimino)(aryl)methyl]-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-2,5(1H,3H)-diones in 45-85% yields. The transformation presumably proceeds through a sequential cascade of Knoevenagel/Michael-addition/cyclization/ring-opening reactions. This process was carried out in green media (EtOH/water, 1:1-1:3) at reflux. Products are crystallized directly from the reaction mixture and their isolation includes only filtration. The structure of (3SR,4SR)-3-[(E)-(hydroxyimino)(phenyl)methyl]-7,7-dimethyl-4-phenyl-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-2,5(1H,3H)-dione was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Neoglycoconjugate of Tetrasaccharide Representing One Repeating Unit of the Streptococcus pneumoniae Type 14 Capsular Polysaccharide Induces the Production of Opsonizing IgG1 Antibodies and Possesses the Highest Protective Activity As Compared to Hexa- and Octasaccharide Conjugates

Identifying protective synthetic oligosaccharide (OS) epitopes of Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides (CPs) is an indispensable step in the development of third-generation carbohydrate pneumococcal vaccines. Synthetic tetra-, hexa-, and octasaccharide structurally related to CP of S. pneumoniae type 14 were coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide, and tested for their immunogenicity in mice upon intraperitoneal prime-boost immunizations. Injections of the conjugates induced production of opsonizing anti-OS IgG1 antibodies (Abs). Immunization with the tetra- and octasaccharide conjugates stimulated the highest titers of the specific Abs. Further, the tetrasaccharide ligand demonstrated the highest ability to bind OS and CP Abs. Murine immune sera developed against tetra- and octasaccharide conjugates promoted pathogen opsonization to a higher degree than antisera against conjugated hexasaccharide. For the first time, the protective activities of these glycoconjugates were demonstrated in mouse model of generalized pneumococcal infections. The tetrasaccharide conjugate possessed the highest protective activities. Conversely, the octasaccharide conjugate had lower protective activities and the lowest one showed the hexasaccharide conjugate. Sera against all of the glycoconjugates passively protected naive mice from pneumococcal infections. Given that the BSA-tetrasaccharide induced the most abundant yield of specific Abs and the best protective activity, this OS may be regarded as the most promising candidate for the development of conjugated vaccines against S. pneumoniae type 14 infections.