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Ardino C, Sannio F, Pasero C, Botta L, Dreassi E, Docquier JD, D'Agostino I. The impact of counterions in biological activity: case study of antibacterial alkylguanidino ureas. Mol Divers 2022:10.1007/s11030-022-10505-6. [PMID: 36036302 PMCID: PMC9421121 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10505-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), due to its strong acidity and low boiling point, is extensively used in protecting groups-based synthetic strategies. Indeed, synthetic compounds bearing basic functions, such as amines or guanidines (commonly found in peptido or peptidomimetic derivatives), developed in the frame of drug discovery programmes, are often isolated as trifluoroacetate (TF-Acetate) salts and their biological activity is assessed as such in in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo experiments. However, the presence of residual amounts of TFA was reported to potentially affect the accuracy and reproducibility of a broad range of cellular assays (e. g. antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and cytotoxicity assays) limiting the further development of these derivatives. Furthermore, the impact of the counterion on biological activity, including TF-Acetate, is still controversial. Herein, we present a focused case study aiming to evaluate the activity of an antibacterial AlkylGuanidino Urea (AGU) compound obtained as TF-Acetate (1a) and hydrochloride (1b) salt forms to highlight the role of counterions in affecting the biological activity. We also prepared and tested the corresponding free base (1c). The exchange of the counterions applied to polyguanidino compounds represents an unexplored and challenging field, which required significant efforts for the successful optimization of reliable methods of preparation, also reported in this work. In the end, the biological evaluation revealed a quite similar biological profile for the salt derivatives 1a and 1b and a lower potency was found for the free base 1c. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11030-022-10505-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ardino
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Filomena Sannio
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Carolina Pasero
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Botta
- Lead Discovery Siena s.r.l., Via Vittorio Alfieri 31, 53019, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy.,Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo Università s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Jean-Denis Docquier
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy. .,Lead Discovery Siena s.r.l., Via Vittorio Alfieri 31, 53019, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy. .,Laboratoire de Bactériologie Moléculaire, Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines - UR InBioS, University of Liège, Allée du six Août 11, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Ilaria D'Agostino
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100, Siena, Italy. .,Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via de Vestini, 31, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
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Teng G, Zhang F, Li Z, Zhang C, Zhang L, Chen L, Zhou T, Yue L, Zhang J. Quantitative Electrophysiological Evaluation of the Analgesic Efficacy of Two Lappaconitine Derivatives: A Window into Antinociceptive Drug Mechanisms. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:1555-1569. [PMID: 34550562 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00774-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative evaluation of analgesic efficacy improves understanding of the antinociceptive mechanisms of new analgesics and provides important guidance for their development. Lappaconitine (LA), a potent analgesic drug extracted from the root of natural Aconitum species, has been clinically used for years because of its effective analgesic and non-addictive properties. However, being limited to ethological experiments, previous studies have mainly investigated the analgesic effect of LA at the behavioral level, and the associated antinociceptive mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, electrocorticogram (ECoG) technology was used to investigate the analgesic effects of two homologous derivatives of LA, Lappaconitine hydrobromide (LAH) and Lappaconitine trifluoroacetate (LAF), on Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to nociceptive laser stimuli, and to further explore their antinociceptive mechanisms. We found that both LAH and LAF were effective in reducing pain, as manifested in the remarkable reduction of nocifensive behaviors and laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) amplitudes (N2 and P2 waves, and gamma-band oscillations), and significantly prolonged latencies of the LEP-N2/P2. These changes in LEPs reflect the similar antinociceptive mechanism of LAF and LAH, i.e., inhibition of the fast signaling pathways. In addition, there were no changes in the auditory-evoked potential (AEP-N1 component) before and after LAF or LAH treatment, suggesting that neither drug had a central anesthetic effect. Importantly, compared with LAH, LAF was superior in its effects on the magnitudes of gamma-band oscillations and the resting-state spectra, which may be associated with their differences in the octanol/water partition coefficient, degree of dissociation, toxicity, and glycine receptor regulation. Altogether, jointly applying nociceptive laser stimuli and ECoG recordings in rats, we provide solid neural evidence for the analgesic efficacy and antinociceptive mechanisms of derivatives of LA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixiang Teng
- College of Life Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,The Rural Development Academy, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Fengrui Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Psychology, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhenjiang Li
- School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Chun Zhang
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Libo Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Psychology, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lele Chen
- College of Life Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,The Rural Development Academy, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- College of Life Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,The Rural Development Academy, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Lupeng Yue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Department of Psychology, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Ji Zhang
- College of Life Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China. .,The Rural Development Academy, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
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The Role of Counter-Ions in Peptides-An Overview. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13120442. [PMID: 33287352 PMCID: PMC7761850 DOI: 10.3390/ph13120442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides and proteins constitute a large group of molecules that play multiple functions in living organisms. In conjunction with their important role in biological processes and advances in chemical approaches of synthesis, the interest in peptide-based drugs is still growing. As the side chains of amino acids can be basic, acidic, or neutral, the peptide drugs often occur in the form of salts with different counter-ions. This review focuses on the role of counter-ions in peptides. To date, over 60 peptide-based drugs have been approved by the FDA. Based on their area of application, biological activity, and results of preliminary tests they are characterized by different counter-ions. Moreover, the impact of counter-ions on structure, physicochemical properties, and drug formulation is analyzed. Additionally, the application of salts as mobile phase additives in chromatographic analyses and analytical techniques is highlighted.
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Abstract
The inhibitory glycine receptor is a member of the Cys-loop superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels. It is the principal mediator of rapid synaptic inhibition in the spinal cord and brainstem and plays an important role in the modulation of higher brain functions including vision, hearing, and pain signaling. Glycine receptor function is controlled by only a few agonists, while the number of antagonists and positive or biphasic modulators is steadily increasing. These modulators are important for the study of receptor activation and regulation and have found clinical interest as potential analgesics and anticonvulsants. High-resolution structures of the receptor have become available recently, adding to our understanding of structure-function relationships and revealing agonistic, inhibitory, and modulatory sites on the receptor protein. This Review presents an overview of compounds that activate, inhibit, or modulate glycine receptor function in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Breitinger
- Department of Biochemistry, German University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
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5
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Rangasamy L, Ortín I, Zapico JM, Coderch C, Ramos A, de Pascual-Teresa B. New Dual CK2/HDAC1 Inhibitors with Nanomolar Inhibitory Activity against Both Enzymes. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:713-719. [PMID: 32435375 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Four potent CK2 inhibitors derived from CX-4945 are described. They also provided nanomolar activity against HDAC1, therefore having promising utility as dual-target agents for cancer. The linker length between the hydroxamic acid and the CX-4945 scaffold plays an important role in dictating balanced activity against the targeted enzymes. The seven-carbon linker (compound 15c) was optimal for inhibition of both CK2 and HDAC1. Remarkably, 15c showed 3.0 and 3.5 times higher inhibitory activity than the reference compounds CX-4945 (against CK2) and SAHA (against HDAC1), respectively. Compound 15c exhibited micromolar activity in cell-based cytotoxic assays against multiple cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loganathan Rangasamy
- Departamento de Quı́mica y Bioquı́mica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Monteprı́ncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Ortín
- Departamento de Quı́mica y Bioquı́mica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Monteprı́ncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Zapico
- Departamento de Quı́mica y Bioquı́mica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Monteprı́ncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claire Coderch
- Departamento de Quı́mica y Bioquı́mica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Monteprı́ncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Ramos
- Departamento de Quı́mica y Bioquı́mica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Monteprı́ncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz de Pascual-Teresa
- Departamento de Quı́mica y Bioquı́mica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Monteprı́ncipe, 28925 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
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6
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Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for monitoring proteolytic reactions using dry-films treated with trifluoroacetic acid. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7844. [PMID: 32398689 PMCID: PMC7217958 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64583-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we explore the potential of using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of trifluoroacetate-protein and peptide complexes for monitoring proteolytic reactions. The idea of treating dry-films of protein hydrolysates with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) prior to FTIR analysis is based on the unique properties of TFA. By adding a large excess of TFA to protein hydrolysate samples, the possible protonation sites of the proteins and peptides will be saturated. In addition, TFA has a low boiling point when protonated as well as complex-forming abilities. When forming TFA-treated dry-films of protein hydrolysates, the excess TFA will evaporate and the deprotonated acid (CF3COO−) will interact as a counter ion with the positive charges on the sample materials. In the study, spectral changes in TFA-treated dry-films of protein hydrolysates from a pure protein and poultry by-products, were compared to the FTIR fingerprints of untreated dry-films. The results show that time-dependent information related to proteolytic reactions and, consequently, on the characteristics of the protein hydrolysates can be obtained. With additional developments, FTIR on dry-films treated with TFA may be regarded as a potential future tool for the analysis of all types of proteolytic reactions in the laboratory as well as in industry.
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Scheurer M, Nödler K, Freeling F, Janda J, Happel O, Riegel M, Müller U, Storck FR, Fleig M, Lange FT, Brunsch A, Brauch HJ. Small, mobile, persistent: Trifluoroacetate in the water cycle - Overlooked sources, pathways, and consequences for drinking water supply. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 126:460-471. [PMID: 28992593 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.09.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of trifluoroacetate (TFA) of more than 100 μg/L in a major German river led to the occurrence of more than 20 μg/L TFA in bank filtration based tap waters. Several spatially resolved monitoring programs were conducted and discharges from an industrial company were identified as the point source of TFA contamination. Treatment options for TFA removal were investigated at full-scale waterworks and in laboratory batch tests. Commonly applied techniques like ozonation or granulated activated carbon filtration are inappropriate for TFA removal, whereas TFA was partly removed by ion exchange and completely retained by reverse osmosis. Further investigations identified wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as additional TFA dischargers into the aquatic environment. TFA was neither removed by biological wastewater treatment, nor by a retention soil filter used for the treatment of combined sewer overflows. WWTP influents can even bear a TFA formation potential, when appropriate CF3-containing precursors are present. Biological degradation and ozonation batch experiments with chemicals of different classes (flurtamone, fluopyram, tembotrione, flufenacet, fluoxetine, sitagliptine and 4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate) proved that there are yet overlooked sources and pathways of TFA, which need to be addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Scheurer
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany.
| | - Karsten Nödler
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | - Finnian Freeling
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | - Joachim Janda
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | - Oliver Happel
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | - Marcel Riegel
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | - Uwe Müller
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | | | - Michael Fleig
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | - Frank Thomas Lange
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
| | | | - Heinz-Jürgen Brauch
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, Karlsruhe 76139, Germany
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8
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Litterman NK, Lipinski CA, Bunin BA, Ekins S. Computational prediction and validation of an expert's evaluation of chemical probes. J Chem Inf Model 2014; 54:2996-3004. [PMID: 25244007 DOI: 10.1021/ci500445u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
In a decade with over half a billion dollars of investment, more than 300 chemical probes have been identified to have biological activity through NIH funded screening efforts. We have collected the evaluations of an experienced medicinal chemist on the likely chemistry quality of these probes based on a number of criteria including literature related to the probe and potential chemical reactivity. Over 20% of these probes were found to be undesirable. Analysis of the molecular properties of these compounds scored as desirable suggested higher pKa, molecular weight, heavy atom count, and rotatable bond number. We were particularly interested whether the human evaluation aspect of medicinal chemistry due diligence could be computationally predicted. We used a process of sequential Bayesian model building and iterative testing as we included additional probes. Following external validation of these methods and comparing different machine learning methods, we identified Bayesian models with accuracy comparable to other measures of drug-likeness and filtering rules created to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia K Litterman
- Collaborative Drug Discovery, Inc. , 1633 Bayshore Highway, Suite 342, Burlingame, California 94010, United States
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9
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Boullerne AI, Polak PE, Braun D, Sharp A, Pelligrino D, Feinstein DL. Effects of peptide fraction and counter ion on the development of clinical signs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Neurochem 2014; 129:696-703. [PMID: 24471474 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The most commonly used immunogen to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is MOG35-55 , a 21-residue peptide derived from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). In most studies, mice exhibit a chronic disease; however, in some studies mice show a transient disease. One variable that is not often controlled for is the peptide fraction of the purified MOG material, which can vary from less than 50% to over 90%, with the remainder of mass primarily comprised of the counter ion used for peptide purification. We compared the development of clinical signs in female C57Bl6 mice immunized with two commercially available MOG35-55 peptides of similar purity but different peptide fraction (MOG-A being 45%; MOG-B being 72%). A single immunization with MOG-A induced a chronic disease course with some recovery at later stages, whereas immunization with MOG-B induced a similar course of disease but with significantly lower average clinical scores despite a higher peptide content. The addition of a booster immunization significantly increased clinical severity with both preparations, and significantly reduced the average day of onset using MOG-A. To determine if the counter ion could influence disease, we compared MOG-B-containing trifluoroacetate with MOG-B-containing acetate. Although disease incidence and severity were similar, the average day of disease onset occurred approximately 5 days earlier with the use of MOG-B-containing trifluoroacetate. These results demonstrate that differences in peptide fraction influence the course of encephalomyelitis disease, which may be due in part to the levels of counter ions present in the purified material. These findings underscore the fact that a knowledge of peptide fraction is as critical as knowledge of peptide purity when using peptides from different sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne I Boullerne
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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