Key-to-lock halogen bond-based tetragonal pyramidal association of iodonium cations with the lacune rims of beta-octamolybdate

The structure-directing "key-to-lock" interaction of double σ-(IIII)-hole donating iodonium cations with the O-flanked pseudo-lacune rims of [β-Mo8O26]4- gives halogen-bonded iodonium-beta-octamolybate supramolecular associates. In the occurrence of their tetragonal pyramidal motifs, deep and broad σ-(IIII)-holes of a cation recognize the molybdate backbone, which provides an electronic pool localized around the two lacunae. The halogen-bonded I⋯O linkages in the structures were thoroughly studied computationally and classified as two-center, three-center bifurcated, and unconventional "orthogonal" I⋯O halogen bonds. In the latter, the O-atom approaches orthogonally the C-IIII-C plane of an iodonium cation and this geometry diverge from the IUPAC criteria for the identification of the halogen bond.

Controlled drug delivery and cell adhesion for bone tissue regeneration by Keplerate polyoxometalate (Mo132)/metronidazole/PMMA scaffolds

The aim of this study is to fabricate a new scaffold appropriate for tissue regeneration with antimicrobial activity and ability of controlled drug delivery. In this regard, scaffold nanofibers were produced using poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Mo₁₃₂ as a Keplerate polyoxometalate and metronidazole. The final scaffolds, obtained by electrospinning, represent the intrinsic features including exceptional doubling tensile strength, high hydrophilicity (126 ± 5.2° to 83.9 ± 3.2° for contact angle and 14.18 ± 0.62% to 35.62 ± 0.24% for water uptake), proper bioactivity and cell adhesion. Moreover, the addition of Mo₁₃₂ and metronidazole enhances the biodegradation rate of resulted scaffolds compared to the pure PMMA membrane. The controlled release of metronidazole over 14 days efficiently inhibits the colonization of anaerobic microorganisms. Overall, the results demonstrate high potential of Mo₁₃₂ and metronidazole-loaded PMMA scaffold for guided bone regeneration/guided tissue regeneration.

Site-Directed Chemical Modification of Amyloid by Polyoxometalates for Inhibition of Protein Misfolding and Aggregation

Post-translational modification (PTM) of protein can significantly change protein conformation and function. Inspired by the natural PTM, we present a new approach to inhibit amyloid aggregation by chemical PTM modification. Polyoxometalates (POMs) were used as examples of inhibitors of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) aggregation to illustrate the chemical PTM method. After the POMs were modified with thiazolidinethione (TZ), the resulting POMD-TZ acted as a chemical PTM agent and could covalently modify Aβ site-selectively at Lys16. Multiple biophysical techniques and biochemical assays have been employed to show the superiority of the chemical PTM method compared to traditional Aβ inhibitors. Since Aβ oligomers are more cytotoxic, we further functionalized POMD-TZ with an Aβ-targeted peptide and a fluorescent probe to obtain an "Aβ oligomer sensitive" probe. The use of PTM agents for the site-directed chemical modification of proteins provides a new way to regulate amyloid aggregation.

Inhibition of Mitochondrial ATP Synthesis and Regulation of Oxidative Stress Based on {SbW8 O30 } Determined by Single-Cell Proteomics Analysis

The 10-nuclear heteroatom cluster modified {SbW₈ O₃₀ } was successfully synthesized and exhibited inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ =0.29 μM). Based on proteomics analysis, Na₄ Ni₂ Sb₂ W₂ -SbW₈ inhibited ATP production by affecting the expression of 16 related proteins, hindering metabolic functions in vivo and cell proliferation due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress. In particular, the low expression of FAD/FMN-binding redox enzymes (relative expression ratio of the experimental group to the control=0.43843) could be attributed to the redox mechanism of Na₄ Ni₂ Sb₂ W₂ -SbW₈ , which was consistent with the effect of polyoxometalates (POMs) and FMN-binding proteins on ATP formation. An electrochemical study showed that Na₄ Ni₂ Sb₂ W₂ -SbW₈ combined with FMN to form Na₄ Ni₂ Sb₂ W₂ -SbW₈ -2FMN complex through a one-electron process of the W atoms. Na₄ Ni₂ Sb₂ W₂ -SbW₈ acted as catalase and glutathione peroxidase to protect the cell from ROS stress, and the inhibition rates were 63.3 % at 1.77 μM of NADPH and 86.06 % at 10.62 μM of 2-hydroxyterephthalic acid. Overall, our results showed that POMs can be specific oxidative/antioxidant regulatory agents.

Manipulating Active Structure and Function of Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide CM15 with the Polysulfonated Drug Suramin: A Step Closer to in Vivo Complexity

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) kill bacteria by targeting their membranes through various mechanisms involving peptide assembly, often coupled with disorder-to-order structural transition. However, for several AMPs, similar conformational changes in cases in which small organic compounds of both endogenous and exogenous origin have induced folded peptide conformations have recently been reported. Thus, the function of AMPs and of natural host defence peptides can be significantly affected by the local complex molecular environment in vivo; nonetheless, this area is hardly explored. To address the relevance of such interactions with regard to structure and function, we have tested the effects of the therapeutic drug suramin on the membrane activity and antibacterial efficiency of CM15, a potent hybrid AMP. The results provided insight into a dynamic system in which peptide interaction with lipid bilayers is interfered with by the competitive binding of CM15 to suramin, resulting in an equilibrium dependent on peptide-to-drug ratio and vesicle surface charge. In vitro bacterial tests showed that when CM15⋅suramin complex formation dominates over membrane binding, antimicrobial activity is abolished. On the basis of this case study, it is proposed that small-molecule secondary structure regulators can modify AMP function and that this should be considered and could potentially be exploited in future development of AMP-based antimicrobial agents.

Polyoxometalates as Potential Next-Generation Metallodrugs in the Combat Against Cancer

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are an emerging class of inorganic metal oxides, which over the last decades demonstrated promising biological activities by the virtue of their great diversity in structures and properties. They possess high potential for the inhibition of various tumor types; however, their unspecific interactions with biomolecules and toxicity impede their clinical usage. The current focus of the field of biologically active POMs lies on organically functionalized and POM-based nanocomposite structures as these hybrids show enhanced anticancer activity and significantly reduced toxicity towards normal cells in comparison to unmodified POMs. Although the antitumor activity of POMs is well documented, their mechanisms of action are still not well understood. In this Review, an overview is given of the cytotoxic effects of POMs with a special focus on POM-based hybrid and nanocomposite structures. Furthermore, we aim to provide proposed mode of actions and to identify molecular targets. POMs are expected to develop into the next generation of anticancer drugs that selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.

Polyoxometalate-metal organic framework-lipase: An efficient green catalyst for synthesis of benzyl cinnamate by enzymatic esterification of cinnamic acid

Iron-carboxylate (MIL-100(Fe)) and HKUST-1 (Cu₃(BTC)₂, BTC=1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) as nanoporous metal organic framework supports were compared for immobilization of porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL). These immobilizations improved thermal, pH and operational stability of PPL compared to the soluble enzyme. Stability of MIL-100(Fe) was better than HKUST-1 as support. MIL-100(Fe) encapsulated Keggin phosphotungstic acid H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (PW) (PW@MIL-100(Fe)) was synthesized to develop novel enzyme immobilized system and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Barrett Joyner Halenda (BJH) analysis. Relative activity for immobilized lipase on PW@MIL-100(Fe) was more than MIL-100(Fe) in pH range of 3-9. At the elevated temperature of 70°C, the PW@MIL-100(Fe) was the most stable one. PW@MIL-100(Fe)/PPL substrate exhibited the higher stability at 4°C and 25°C, along with other supports. Moreover, PW@MIL-100(Fe) was chosen as the best support for immobilization of PPL and was also applied for the synthesis of benzyl cinnamate by enzymatic esterification of cinnamic acid. The immobilized enzyme retained 90.4% of its initial activity during synthesis of benzyl cinnamate after 5 successive catalytic rounds and reached 80.0% yield after 8 reuses.

Gold-nanoparticle-based multifunctional amyloid-β inhibitor against Alzheimer's disease

Targeting amyloid-β (Aβ)-induced complex neurotoxicity has received considerable attention in the therapeutic and preventive treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The complex pathogenesis of AD suggests that it requires comprehensive treatment, and drugs with multiple functions against AD are more desirable. Herein, AuNPs@POMD-pep (AuNPs: gold nanoparticles, POMD: polyoxometalate with Wells-Dawson structure, pep: peptide) were designed as a novel multifunctional Aβ inhibitor. AuNPs@POMD-pep shows synergistic effects in inhibiting Aβ aggregation, dissociating Aβ fibrils and decreasing Aβ-mediated peroxidase activity and Aβ-induced cytotoxicity. By taking advantage of AuNPs as vehicles that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), AuNPs@POMD-pep can cross the BBB and thus overcome the drawbacks of small-molecule anti-AD drugs. Thus, this work provides new insights into the design and synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles as multifunctional therapeutic agents for treatment of AD.

Unprecedented high-nuclear transition-metal-cluster-substituted heteropolyoxoniobates: synthesis by {V8 } ring insertion into the POM matrix and antitumor activities

Reactions of hexaniobate with vanadate in the presence of Ni(2+) , Zn(2+) , or Cu(2+) have furnished three high-nuclear vanadium cluster-substituted heteropolyoxoniobates (HPNs): {Ni(en)3 }5 H{V(V) Nb8 V(IV) 8 O44 }⋅9 H2 O (1), (H2 en)Na2 [{Zn(en)2 (Hen)}{Zn(en)2 (H2 O)}2 {PNb8 V(IV) 8 O44 }]⋅11 H2 O (2), and Na{Cu(en)2 }3 {[Cu(en)2 ]2 [PNb8 V(IV) 8 O44 ]}⋅11 H2 O (3) (en=1,2-diaminoethane). Their structures have been determined and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and elemental analysis. Structural analysis has revealed that compounds 1-3 contain similar {V8 }-substituted [X(V) Nb8 V(IV) 8 O44 ](11-) (X=P, V) clusters, obtained by inserting a {V8 } ring into tetravacant HPN [XNb8 O36 ](27-) . To the best of our knowledge, compounds 1-3 represent the first high-nuclear vanadium cluster-substituted HPNs, and compound 1 is the largest vanadoniobate cluster yet obtained in HPN chemistry. Nickel and zinc cations have been introduced into HPNs for the first time, which might promise a more diverse set of structures in this family. Antitumor studies have indicated that compounds 1 and 2 exhibit high activity against human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells, SC-1680 cells, and MG-63 cells.

Novel antitumor agent, trilacunary Keggin-type tungstobismuthate, inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells

A new one-dimensional chain-like compound of tungstobismuthate, [(W(OH)2)2 (Mn(H2O)3)2(Na3(H2O)14)(BiW9O33)2](Himi)2·16H2O (1) (imi = iminazole), has been synthesized in aqueous solution. The structure of 1 was identified by elemental analysis, IR, thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), (183)W-NMR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. To investigate the inhibitory effect of 1 on human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC-7901 cells, cell proliferation and apoptosis initiation were examined by MTT assay (MTT = 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide), flow cytometry, nuclear staining, transmission electron microscopy, single cell gel electrophoresis, DNA fragmentation, and Western blotting. The results showed that 1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells in dose-dependent manner. In addition, 1 also decreased the expression of bcl-2 protein and nuclear factor-κB p65 protein in SGC-7901 cells. And expression of bcl-2 protein exhibits a decreasing trend with increase of concentration of 1. Thus, 1 possessed a potential antitumor activity in SGC-7901 cells. This suggests that polyoxotungstates will provide a promising and novel antitumor agent in prevention and treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma.