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David L, Thakkar A, Mercado R, Engkvist O. Molecular representations in AI-driven drug discovery: a review and practical guide. J Cheminform 2020; 12:56. [PMID: 33431035 PMCID: PMC7495975 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-020-00460-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The technological advances of the past century, marked by the computer revolution and the advent of high-throughput screening technologies in drug discovery, opened the path to the computational analysis and visualization of bioactive molecules. For this purpose, it became necessary to represent molecules in a syntax that would be readable by computers and understandable by scientists of various fields. A large number of chemical representations have been developed over the years, their numerosity being due to the fast development of computers and the complexity of producing a representation that encompasses all structural and chemical characteristics. We present here some of the most popular electronic molecular and macromolecular representations used in drug discovery, many of which are based on graph representations. Furthermore, we describe applications of these representations in AI-driven drug discovery. Our aim is to provide a brief guide on structural representations that are essential to the practice of AI in drug discovery. This review serves as a guide for researchers who have little experience with the handling of chemical representations and plan to work on applications at the interface of these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurianne David
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Astrazeneca Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Amol Thakkar
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Astrazeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rocío Mercado
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Astrazeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ola Engkvist
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Astrazeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
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52
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Sršan L, Ziegler T. Nonconsensus motif directed chemical synthesis of glutamine-based glycopeptides. J Pept Sci 2020; 26:e3285. [PMID: 32902095 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Besides the most common sequon of amino acids found in glycopeptides, namely, N-X-S/T, where X can be any amino acid except proline, a small number of nonconsensus motifs have been found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms, for example, Q-G-T. Because of the importance of glycopeptides in biotechnology and pharmacy, an adequate synthetic approach to these structures is highly important. In this manuscript, we report the efficient chemical batch synthesis of new glutamine-based glycopeptide structures, which can be used to represent cell surface elements in further biological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sršan
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Thomas Ziegler
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
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53
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Cristófalo AE, Cagnoni AJ, Uhrig ML. Synthesis of N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylallosamine resorcinarene-based multivalent β-thio-glycoclusters: unexpected affinity of N-acetylallosamine ligands towards Wheat Germ Agglutinin. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:6853-6865. [PMID: 32856676 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob01498b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report the synthesis of calix[4]resorcinarene-based multivalent ligands bearing β-S-GlcNAc and β-S-AllNAc recognition elements. A clickable β-S-AllNAc derivative was successfully prepared from a β-thioalkynyl GlcNAc precursor, making use of a 2,3-oxazoline intermediate, easily formed by intramolecular displacement of a triflate group located at the 3-position by the 2-N-acetate group. By reaction of these alkynyl-functionalized derivatives with an octaazido-calix[4]resorcinarene macrocycle having undecyl chains, two octavalent glycoclusters exposing the epimeric N-acetylhexosamines were obtained. In addition, a related calix[4]resorcinarene-based glycocluster having methyl groups instead of undecyl chains and β-S-GlcNAc residues was also synthesized. After an initial evaluation of the interaction of the undecyl-functionalized β-S-GlcNAc octavalent derivative with Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) by a turbidimetry experiment, the interaction of the three synthesized glycoclusters towards WGA was studied by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry. The results showed a favorable effect due to the presence of the undecyl chains in terms of affinity. Surprisingly, the β-S-AllNAc octavalent compound showed the highest affinity among the evaluated glycoclusters, showing for the first time that WGA interacts with β-AllNAc-bearing ligands. Molecular docking studies of β-AllNAc with WGA in comparison with β-GlcNAc contributed to the understanding of the atomic interactions responsible for this unexpected affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro E Cristófalo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Intendente Güiraldes 2160 (C1428EHA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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54
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Bertuzzi S, Quintana JI, Ardá A, Gimeno A, Jiménez-Barbero J. Targeting Galectins With Glycomimetics. Front Chem 2020; 8:593. [PMID: 32850631 PMCID: PMC7426508 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Among glycan-binding proteins, galectins, β-galactoside-binding lectins, exhibit relevant biological roles and are implicated in many diseases, such as cancer and inflammation. Their involvement in crucial pathologies makes them interesting targets for drug discovery. In this review, we gather the last approaches toward the specific design of glycomimetics as potential drugs against galectins. Different approaches, either using specific glycomimetic molecules decorated with key functional groups or employing multivalent presentations of lactose and N-acetyl lactosamine analogs, have provided promising results for binding and modulating different galectins. The review highlights the results obtained with these approximations, from the employment of S-glycosyl compounds to peptidomimetics and multivalent glycopolymers, mostly employed to recognize and/or detect hGal-1 and hGal-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bertuzzi
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, Derio, Spain
| | - Jon I Quintana
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, Derio, Spain
| | - Ana Ardá
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, Derio, Spain
| | - Ana Gimeno
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, Derio, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, Derio, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.,Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country - UPV-EHU, Leioa, Spain
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55
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Valverde P, Martínez JD, Cañada FJ, Ardá A, Jiménez-Barbero J. Molecular Recognition in C-Type Lectins: The Cases of DC-SIGN, Langerin, MGL, and L-Sectin. Chembiochem 2020; 21:2999-3025. [PMID: 32426893 PMCID: PMC7276794 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Carbohydrates play a pivotal role in intercellular communication processes. In particular, glycan antigens are key for sustaining homeostasis, helping leukocytes to distinguish damaged tissues and invading pathogens from healthy tissues. From a structural perspective, this cross‐talk is fairly complex, and multiple membrane proteins guide these recognition processes, including lectins and Toll‐like receptors. Since the beginning of this century, lectins have become potential targets for therapeutics for controlling and/or avoiding the progression of pathologies derived from an incorrect immune outcome, including infectious processes, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of these receptors is mandatory for the development of specific treatments. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about four key C‐type lectins whose importance has been steadily growing in recent years, focusing in particular on how glycan recognition takes place at the molecular level, but also looking at recent progresses in the quest for therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Valverde
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, BRTA, Bizkaia Technology park, Building 800, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - J Daniel Martínez
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, BRTA, Bizkaia Technology park, Building 800, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - F Javier Cañada
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Avda Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Ardá
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, BRTA, Bizkaia Technology park, Building 800, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, BRTA, Bizkaia Technology park, Building 800, 48160, Derio, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009, Bilbao, Spain.,Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science and Technology, UPV-EHU, 48940, Leioa, Spain
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56
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Tvaroška I, Selvaraj C, Koča J. Selectins-The Two Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Faces of Adhesion Molecules-A Review. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25122835. [PMID: 32575485 PMCID: PMC7355470 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Selectins belong to a group of adhesion molecules that fulfill an essential role in immune and inflammatory responses and tissue healing. Selectins are glycoproteins that decode the information carried by glycan structures, and non-covalent interactions of selectins with these glycan structures mediate biological processes. The sialylated and fucosylated tetrasaccharide sLex is an essential glycan recognized by selectins. Several glycosyltransferases are responsible for the biosynthesis of the sLex tetrasaccharide. Selectins are involved in a sequence of interactions of circulated leukocytes with endothelial cells in the blood called the adhesion cascade. Recently, it has become evident that cancer cells utilize a similar adhesion cascade to promote metastases. However, like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’s two faces, selectins also contribute to tissue destruction during some infections and inflammatory diseases. The most prominent function of selectins is associated with the initial stage of the leukocyte adhesion cascade, in which selectin binding enables tethering and rolling. The first adhesive event occurs through specific non-covalent interactions between selectins and their ligands, with glycans functioning as an interface between leukocytes or cancer cells and the endothelium. Targeting these interactions remains a principal strategy aimed at developing new therapies for the treatment of immune and inflammatory disorders and cancer. In this review, we will survey the significant contributions to and the current status of the understanding of the structure of selectins and the role of selectins in various biological processes. The potential of selectins and their ligands as therapeutic targets in chronic and acute inflammatory diseases and cancer will also be discussed. We will emphasize the structural characteristic of selectins and the catalytic mechanisms of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of glycan recognition determinants. Furthermore, recent achievements in the synthesis of selectin inhibitors will be reviewed with a focus on the various strategies used for the development of glycosyltransferase inhibitors, including substrate analog inhibitors and transition state analog inhibitors, which are based on knowledge of the catalytic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Tvaroška
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84538 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
- Correspondence: (I.T.); (J.K.); Tel.: +421-948-535-601 (I.T.); +420-731-682-606 (J.K.)
| | - Chandrabose Selvaraj
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Koča
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (I.T.); (J.K.); Tel.: +421-948-535-601 (I.T.); +420-731-682-606 (J.K.)
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57
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Sršan L, Ziegler T. Synthesis of new asparagine-based glycopeptides for future scanning tunneling microscopy investigations. Beilstein J Org Chem 2020; 16:888-894. [PMID: 32461770 PMCID: PMC7214877 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.16.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
For investigations on the biological functions of oligosaccharides and peptidomimetics, new asparagine-based mono- and disaccharides containing glycopeptides were prepared in solution. The applicability of two common peptide coupling reagents, using an orthogonal Fmoc/t-Bu strategy along with acetyl protecting groups for the carbohydrate moiety, was studied. Thus, the prepared libraries of glycopeptides were designed as model systems of cell surfaces for future investigations by combined preparative mass spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) using soft-landing electrospray beam deposition (ES-IBD), on metal surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sršan
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Ziegler
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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58
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Sharma S, Shekhar S, Sharma B, Jain P. Decoding glycans: deciphering the sugary secrets to be coherent on the implication. RSC Adv 2020; 10:34099-34113. [PMID: 35519023 PMCID: PMC9056758 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra04471g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoteric techniques, skills, and methodological advances in glycobiology and glycochemistry have been instrumental in pertinent discoveries to pave way for a new era in biomedical sciences. Glycans are sugar-based polymers that coat cells and decorate majority of proteins, forming glycoproteins. They are also found deposited in extracellular spaces between cells, attached to soluble signaling molecules, and are key players in several biological processes including regulation of immune responses and cell–cell interactions. Laboratory manipulations of protein, DNA and other macromolecules celebrate the accelerated research in respective fields, but the same seems unlikely for the complex sugar polymers. The structural complex polymers are neither synthesized using a known template nor are dynamically stable with respect to a cell's metabolic rate. What is more, sugar isomers—structurally distinct molecules with the same chemical formula—can be employed to construct varied glycans, but are almost impossible to tell apart based on molecular weight alone. The apparent lack of a glycan alphabet further reflects on an enduring question: how little do we know about the sugars? Evidently, glycan-based therapeutic potentials and glycomimetics are propitious advances for the future that have not been well exploited, and with a few conspicuous anomalies. Here, we contour the most notable contributions to enhance our ability to utilize the complex glycans as therapeutics. Diagnostic strategies concerning recurrent diseases and headways to address the challenges are also discussed. A glycan toolbox for pathogenic and cancerous interventions. The review article sheds light on the sweet secrets of this complex structure.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Sharma
- Department of Chemistry
- Netaji Subhas University of Technology
- India
| | - Shashank Shekhar
- Department of Chemistry
- Netaji Subhas University of Technology
- India
| | - Bhasha Sharma
- Department of Chemistry
- Netaji Subhas University of Technology
- India
| | - Purnima Jain
- Department of Chemistry
- Netaji Subhas University of Technology
- India
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59
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Cristófalo AE, Nieto PM, Uhrig ML. Synthesis of (1→3) Thiodisaccharides of GlcNAc and the Serendipitous Formation of 2,3-Dideoxy-(1→2)-thiodisaccharides through a Vinyl Azide Intermediate. J Org Chem 2019; 85:306-317. [PMID: 31802661 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b01883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The syntheses of β-S-GlcA(1→3)GlcNAc and β-S-Gal(1→3)GlcNAc thiodisaccharides, which can be considered mimetics of the repeating units of hyaluronan and keratan respectively, were achieved by SN2 displacement of a triflate group allocated at the 3-position of a convenient 2-azido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-β-d-allopyranose precursor by the corresponding nucleophilic suitable protected thioaldoses derived from glucuronic acid (GlcA) and galactose (Gal). The study of the reaction led to the finding that the vinyl azide formed by competitive E2 reaction of the mentioned triflate was an interesting precursor of a new kind of 2,3-dideoxy-2-azido-(1→2) thiodisaccharides through an addition reaction. Determination of the stereochemistry of the new stereocenter at C-2 was achieved by NOESY experiments. Final protecting group manipulation of the (1→3) thiodisaccharides led to a family of derivatives that could be used as building blocks for the synthesis of complex glycomimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ezequiel Cristófalo
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires , Ciudad Universitaria , Pabellón 2, C1428EGA Buenos Aires , Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono (CIHIDECAR) , C1428EGA Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Pedro M Nieto
- Glycosystems Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (IIQ), cicCartuja , CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla , 41092 Sevilla , España
| | - María Laura Uhrig
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires , Ciudad Universitaria , Pabellón 2, C1428EGA Buenos Aires , Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono (CIHIDECAR) , C1428EGA Buenos Aires , Argentina
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60
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Gimeno A, Valverde P, Ardá A, Jiménez-Barbero J. Glycan structures and their interactions with proteins. A NMR view. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 62:22-30. [PMID: 31835069 PMCID: PMC7322516 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Carbohydrate molecules are essential actors in key biological events, being involved as recognition points for cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions related to health and disease. Despite outstanding advances in cryoEM, X-ray crystallography and NMR still remain the most employed techniques to unravel their conformational features and to describe the structural details of their interactions with biomolecular receptors. Given the intrinsic flexibility of saccharides, NMR methods are of paramount importance to deduce the extent of motion around their glycosidic linkages and to explore their receptor-bound conformations. We herein present our particular view on the latest advances in NMR methodologies that are permitting to magnify their applications for deducing glycan conformation and dynamics and understanding the recognition events in which there are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gimeno
- CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, 48162 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Pablo Valverde
- CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, 48162 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ana Ardá
- CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, 48162 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, 48162 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain; Department of Organic Chemistry II, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
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