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Woodman TJ, Lloyd MD. Analysis of enzyme reactions using NMR techniques: A case study with α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR). Methods Enzymol 2023; 690:159-209. [PMID: 37858529 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
α-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR; P504S) catalyzes the conversion of R-2-methylacyl-CoA esters into their corresponding S-2-methylacyl-CoA epimers enabling their degradation by β-oxidation. The enzyme also catalyzes the key epimerization reaction in the pharmacological activation pathway of ibuprofen and related drugs. AMACR protein levels and enzymatic activity are increased in prostate cancer, and the enzyme is a recognized drug target. Key to the development of novel treatments based on AMACR inhibition is the development of functional assays. Synthesis of substrates and purification of recombinant human AMACR are described. Incubation of R- or S-2-methylacyl-CoA esters with AMACR in vitro resulted in formation of epimers (at a near 1-1 ratio at equilibrium) via removal of their α-protons to form an enolate intermediate followed by reprotonation. Conversion can be conveniently followed by incubation in buffer containing 2H2O followed by 1H NMR analysis to monitor conversion of the α-methyl doublet to a single peak upon deuterium incorporation. Incubation of 2-methylacyl-CoA esters containing leaving groups results in an elimination reaction, which was also characterized by 1H NMR. The synthesis of substrates, including a double labeled substrate for mechanistic studies, and subsequent analysis is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Woodman
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew D Lloyd
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom.
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2
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Mojanaga OO, Acharya KR, Lloyd MD. Recombinant protein production for structural and kinetic studies: A case study using M. tuberculosis α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (MCR). Methods Enzymol 2023; 690:1-37. [PMID: 37858526 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Modern drug discovery is a target-driven approach in which a particular protein such as an enzyme is implicated in the disease process. Commonly, small-molecule drugs are identified using screening, rational design, and structural biology approaches. Drug screening, testing and optimization is typically conducted in vitro, and copious amounts of protein are required. The advent of recombinant DNA technologies has resulted in a rise in proteins purified by affinity techniques, typically by incorporating an "affinity tag" at the N- or C-terminus. Use of these tagged proteins and affinity techniques comes with a host of issues. This chapter describes the production of an untagged enzyme, α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (MCR) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, using a recombinant E. coli system. Purification of the enzyme on a 100 mg scale using tandem anion-exchange chromatographies (DEAE-sepharose and RESOURCE-Q columns), and size-exclusion chromatographies is described. A modified protocol allowing the purification of cationic proteins is also described, based on tandem cation-exchange chromatographies (using CM-sepharose and RESOURCE-S columns) and size-exclusion chromatographies. The resulting MCR protein is suitable for biochemical and structural biology applications. The described protocols have wide applicability to the purification of other recombinant proteins and enzymes without using affinity chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otsile O Mojanaga
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - K Ravi Acharya
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew D Lloyd
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom.
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3
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Lloyd MD, Yevglevskis M, Nathubhai A, James TD, Threadgill MD, Woodman TJ. Racemases and epimerases operating through a 1,1-proton transfer mechanism: reactivity, mechanism and inhibition. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:5952-5984. [PMID: 34027955 PMCID: PMC8142540 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00540a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Racemases and epimerases catalyse changes in the stereochemical configurations of chiral centres and are of interest as model enzymes and as biotechnological tools. They also occupy pivotal positions within metabolic pathways and, hence, many of them are important drug targets. This review summarises the catalytic mechanisms of PLP-dependent, enolase family and cofactor-independent racemases and epimerases operating by a deprotonation/reprotonation (1,1-proton transfer) mechanism and methods for measuring their catalytic activity. Strategies for inhibiting these enzymes are reviewed, as are specific examples of inhibitors. Rational design of inhibitors based on substrates has been extensively explored but there is considerable scope for development of transition-state mimics and covalent inhibitors and for the identification of inhibitors by high-throughput, fragment and virtual screening approaches. The increasing availability of enzyme structures obtained using X-ray crystallography will facilitate development of inhibitors by rational design and fragment screening, whilst protein models will facilitate development of transition-state mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Lloyd
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Maksims Yevglevskis
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. and CatSci Ltd., CBTC2, Capital Business Park, Wentloog, Cardiff CF3 2PX, UK
| | - Amit Nathubhai
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. and University of Sunderland, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sciences Complex, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK
| | - Tony D James
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, People's Republic of China
| | - Michael D Threadgill
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. and Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3BY, UK
| | - Timothy J Woodman
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
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Yevglevskis M, Nathubhai A, Wadda K, Lee GL, Al-Rawi S, Jiao T, Mitchell PJ, James TD, Threadgill MD, Woodman TJ, Lloyd MD. Novel 2-arylthiopropanoyl-CoA inhibitors of α-methylacyl-CoA racemase 1A (AMACR; P504S) as potential anti-prostate cancer agents. Bioorg Chem 2019; 92:103263. [PMID: 31536953 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
α-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR; P504S) catalyses an essential step in the degradation of branched-chain fatty acids and the activation of ibuprofen and related drugs. AMACR has gained much attention as a drug target and biomarker, since it is found at elevated levels in prostate cancer and several other cancers. Herein, we report the synthesis of 2-(phenylthio)propanoyl-CoA derivatives which provided potent AMACR inhibitory activity (IC50 = 22-100 nM), as measured by the AMACR colorimetric activity assay. Inhibitor potency positively correlates with calculated logP, although 2-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)propanoyl-CoA and 2-(4-(2-methylpropoxy)phenylthio)propanoyl-CoA were more potent than predicted by this parameter. Subsequently, carboxylic acid precursors were evaluated against androgen-dependent LnCaP prostate cancer cells and androgen-independent Du145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells using the MTS assay. All tested precursor acids showed inhibitory activity against LnCaP, Du145 and PC3 cells at 500 µM, but lacked activity at 100 µM. This is the first extensive structure-activity relationship study on the influence of side-chain interactions on the potency of novel rationally designed AMACR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksims Yevglevskis
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Amit Nathubhai
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; University of Sunderland, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sciences Complex, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK(1)
| | - Katty Wadda
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Guat L Lee
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Suzanne Al-Rawi
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Tingying Jiao
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Paul J Mitchell
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Tony D James
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Michael D Threadgill
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Timothy J Woodman
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Matthew D Lloyd
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
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Yevglevskis M, Lee GL, Nathubhai A, Petrova YD, James TD, Threadgill MD, Woodman TJ, Lloyd MD. Structure-activity relationships of rationally designed AMACR 1A inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2018; 79:145-154. [PMID: 29751320 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
α-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR; P504S) is a promising novel drug target for prostate and other cancers. Assaying enzyme activity is difficult due to the reversibility of the 'racemisation' reaction and the difficulties in the separation of epimeric products; consequently few inhibitors have been described and no structure-activity relationship study has been performed. This paper describes the first structure-activity relationship study, in which a series of 23 known and potential rational AMACR inhibitors were evaluated. AMACR was potently inhibited (IC50 = 400-750 nM) by ibuprofenoyl-CoA and derivatives. Potency was positively correlated with inhibitor lipophilicity. AMACR was also inhibited by straight-chain and branched-chain acyl-CoA esters, with potency positively correlating with inhibitor lipophilicity. 2-Methyldecanoyl-CoAs were ca. 3-fold more potent inhibitors than decanoyl-CoA, demonstrating the importance of the 2-methyl group for effective inhibition. Elimination substrates and compounds with modified acyl-CoA cores were also investigated, and shown to be potent inhibitors. These results are the first to demonstrate structure-activity relationships of rational AMACR inhibitors and that potency can be predicted by acyl-CoA lipophilicity. The study also demonstrates the utility of the colorimetric assay for thorough inhibitor characterisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksims Yevglevskis
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Guat L Lee
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Amit Nathubhai
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Yoana D Petrova
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Tony D James
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Michael D Threadgill
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Timothy J Woodman
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Matthew D Lloyd
- Drug & Target Discovery, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
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6
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Pal M, Easton NM, Yaphe H, Bearne SL. Potent dialkyl substrate-product analogue inhibitors and inactivators of α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis by rational design. Bioorg Chem 2018; 77:640-650. [PMID: 29502025 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Rational approaches for the design of enzyme inhibitors furnish powerful strategies for developing pharmaceutical agents and tools for probing biological mechanisms. A new strategy for the development of gem-disubstituted substrate-product analogues as inhibitors of racemases and epimerases is elaborated using α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtMCR) as a model enzyme. MtMCR catalyzes the epimerization at C2 of acyl-CoA substrates, a key step in the metabolism of branched-chain fatty acids. Moreover, the human enzyme is a potential target for the development of therapeutic agents directed against prostate cancer. We show that rationally designed, N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl-CoA substrate-product analogues inactivate MtMCR. Binding greatly exceeds that of the substrate, (S)-ibuprofenoyl-CoA, up to ∼250-fold and is proportional to the alkyl chain length (4-12 carbons) with the N,N-didecyl and N,N-didodecyl species having competitive inhibition constants with values of 1.9 ± 0.2 μM and 0.42 ± 0.04 μM, respectively. The presence of two decyl chains enhanced binding over a single decyl chain by ∼204-fold. Overall, the results reveal that gem-disubstituted substrate-product analogues can yield extremely potent inhibitors of an epimerase with a capacious active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohan Pal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Nicole M Easton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Hannah Yaphe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Stephen L Bearne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
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7
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Yevglevskis M, Lee GL, Nathubhai A, Petrova YD, James TD, Threadgill MD, Woodman TJ, Lloyd MD. A novel colorimetric assay for α-methylacyl-CoA racemase 1A (AMACR; P504S) utilizing the elimination of 2,4-dinitrophenolate. Chem Commun (Camb) 2017; 53:5087-5090. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cc00476a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A versatile continuous colorimetric assay for AMACR is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksims Yevglevskis
- Drug & Target Development
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
| | - Guat L. Lee
- Drug & Target Development
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
| | - Amit Nathubhai
- Drug & Target Development
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
| | - Yoana D. Petrova
- Drug & Target Development
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
| | - Tony D. James
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
| | - Michael D. Threadgill
- Drug & Target Development
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
| | - Timothy J. Woodman
- Drug & Target Development
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
| | - Matthew D. Lloyd
- Drug & Target Development
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
- University of Bath
- Bath BA2 7AY
- UK
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Pal M, Khanal M, Marko R, Thirumalairajan S, Bearne SL. Rational design and synthesis of substrate-product analogue inhibitors of α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:2740-3. [PMID: 26759836 DOI: 10.1039/c5cc08096g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
2,2-Bis(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoyl-CoA and 2,2-bis(4-t-butylphenyl)propanoyl-CoA are rationally designed, gem-disubstituted substrate-product analogues that competitively inhibit α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis with Ki values of 16.9 ± 0.6 and 21 ± 4 μM, respectively, exceeding the enzyme's affinity for the substrate by approximately 5-fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohan Pal
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Mandar Khanal
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Ryan Marko
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Srinath Thirumalairajan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Stephen L Bearne
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada. and Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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Yevglevskis M, Lee GL, Sun J, Zhou S, Sun X, Kociok-Köhn G, James TD, Woodman TJ, Lloyd MD. A study on the AMACR catalysed elimination reaction and its application to inhibitor testing. Org Biomol Chem 2016; 14:612-622. [PMID: 26537174 PMCID: PMC4718014 DOI: 10.1039/c5ob01541c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
α-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR; P504S) catalyses a key step in the degradation of branched-chain fatty acids and is important for the pharmacological activation of Ibuprofen and related drugs. Levels of AMACR are increased in prostate and other cancers, and it is a drug target. Development of AMACR as a drug target is hampered by lack of a convenient assay. AMACR irreversibly catalyses the elimination of HF from 3-fluoro-2-methylacyl-CoA substrates, and this reaction was investigated for use as an assay. Several known inhibitors and alternative substrates reduced conversion of 3-fluoro-2-methyldecanoyl-CoA by AMACR, as determined by (1)H NMR. The greatest reduction of activity was observed with known potent inhibitors. A series of novel acyl-CoA esters with aromatic side chains were synthesised for testing as chromophoric substrates. These acyl-CoA esters were converted to unsaturated products by AMACR, but their use was limited by non-enzymatic elimination. Fluoride sensors were also investigated as a method of quantifying released fluoride and thus AMACR activity. These sensors generally suffered from high background signal and lacked reproducibility under the assay conditions. In summary, the elimination reaction can be used to characterise inhibitors, but it was not possible to develop a convenient colorimetric or fluorescent assay using 3-fluoro-2-methylacyl-CoA substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksims Yevglevskis
- Medicinal Chemistry , Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK . ; Fax: +44 (0)1225 386114
| | - Guat L. Lee
- Medicinal Chemistry , Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK . ; Fax: +44 (0)1225 386114
| | - Jenny Sun
- Medicinal Chemistry , Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK . ; Fax: +44 (0)1225 386114
- Department of Pharmacy , Shandong University , People's Republic of China
| | - Shiyi Zhou
- Medicinal Chemistry , Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK . ; Fax: +44 (0)1225 386114
- Department of Pharmacy , Shandong University , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolong Sun
- Department of Chemistry , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK
| | - Gabriele Kociok-Köhn
- Department of Chemistry , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK
| | - Tony D. James
- Department of Chemistry , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK
| | - Timothy J. Woodman
- Medicinal Chemistry , Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK . ; Fax: +44 (0)1225 386114
| | - Matthew D. Lloyd
- Medicinal Chemistry , Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , UK . ; Fax: +44 (0)1225 386114
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