Copillar[5]arene Chemistry: Synthesis and Applications

Research on pillar[n]arenes has witnessed a very quick expansion. This emerging class of functionalized macrocyclic oligoarenes not only offers host–guest properties due to the presence of the central cavity, but also presents a wide variety of covalent functionalization possibilities. This short review focuses on copillararenes, a subfamily of pillar[n]arenes. In copillararenes, at least one of the hydroquinone units bears different functional groups compared to the others. After having defined the particular features of copillararenes, this short review compares the different synthetic strategies allowing their construction. Some key applications and future perspectives are also described.

1 Introduction

2 General Features of Pillar[5]arenes

3 Synthesis of Functionalized Copillar[4+1]arenes

4 Concluding Remarks

Calixarenes Incorporating Sulfonamide Moieties: Versatile Ligands for Carbonic Anhydrases Inhibition

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) continue to represent a relevant pharmaceutical target. The need of selective inhibitors and the involvement of these metalloenzymes in many multifaceted diseases boost the search for new ligands able to distinguish among the different CA isoforms, and for multifunctional systems simultaneously able to inhibit CAs and to interfere with other pathological events by interacting with additional targets. In this work, we successfully explored the possibility of preparing new CAs ligands by combining calixarenes with benzensulfonamide units. Inhibition tests towards three human CA isoforms evidenced, for some of the ligands, K_i values in the nanomolar range and promising selectivity. X-ray and molecular modeling studies provided information on the mode of binding of these calixarene derivatives. Thanks to the encouraging results and the structural features typical of the calixarene scaffold, it is then possible to plan for the future the design of multifunctional inhibitors for this class of widely spread enzymes.

Synthesis of functionalized copillar[4+1]arenes and rotaxane as heteromultivalent scaffolds

In this study, novel copillar[4+1]arenes were used as central heteromultivalent scaffolds via orthogonal couplings with a series of biologically relevant molecules such as carbohydrates, α-amino acids, biotin and phenylboronic acid. Further modifications by introducing maleimides or cyclooctyne groups provided molecular probes adapted to copper-free click chemistry. An octa-azidated fluorescent rotaxane bearing two distinct ligands was also generated in a fully controlled manner.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) for the Dual Degradation of IGF-1R and Src

A focused PROTAC library was developed to degrade both IGF-1R and Src proteins, which are associated with various cancers. PROTACs with IGF-1R and Src degradation potentials were synthesized by tethering different inhibitor warhead units and the E3 ligase (CRBN) recruiting-pomalidomide with various linkers. The designed PROTACs 12a-b inhibited the proliferation and migration of MCF7 and A549 cancer cells with low micromolar potency (1-5 μM) in various cellular assays.

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of [60]fullerene-fused furochromenones and further electrochemical functionalization

The palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation of [60]fullerene with 4-hydroxycoumarins affords [60]fullerene-fused furochromenones, which can be further derivatized via an electrochemical method to synthesize 1,2,3,4-adducts.

Multivalent Carbonic Anhydrases Inhibitors

Biomolecular recognition using a multivalent strategy has been successfully applied, this last decade on several biological targets, especially carbohydrate-processing enzymes, proteases, and phosphorylases. This strategy is based on the fact that multivalent interactions of several inhibitory binding units grafted on a presentation platform may enhance the binding affinity and selectivity. The zinc metalloenzymes carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are considered as drug targets for several pathologies, and different inhibitors found clinical applications as diuretics, antiglaucoma agents, anticonvulsants, and anticancer agents/diagnostic tools. Their main drawback is related to the lack of isoform selectivity leading to serious side effects for all pathologies in which they are employed. Thus, the multivalent approach may open new opportunities in the drug design of innovative isoform-selective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with biomedical applications.

Synthesis of coumarin-sulfonamide derivatives and determination of their cytotoxicity, carbonic anhydrase inhibitory and molecular docking studies

Carbonic anhydrases isoforms CA IX, and XII are known to be highly expressed in various human tissues and malignancies. CA IX is a prominent target for especially colorectal cancers, because it is overexpressed in colorectal cancer and this overexpression leads poor prognosis. Inhibition of CA IX activity by small molecule CA inhibitors like sulfonamides, sulfonamide derivative or coumarins leads to inhibition of tumorigenesis. Novel twenty-seven compounds in three series (sulfonamide-based imines (6a-6i), coumarin-based aldehydes (7a-7i), and coumarin-sulfonamide-based target molecules (8a-8i)) were synthesized and characterized by means of IR, NMR, and mass spectra. All compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit CA I, CA II, CA IX, and CA XII isoforms. 4-((((2-((1-(3-((2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)oxy)propyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)naphthalen-1-yl)-methylene)amino)methyl)benzenesulfonamide (8i) exhibited the highest hCA IX inhibition with the Ki of 45.5 nM. In addition, 8i was found to be potent in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation as selective (IC₅₀ = 17.01 ± 1.35 μM for HT-29, IC₅₀ = 118.73 ± 1.19 μM for HEK293T). This novel compound inhibited the CA IX and CA XII protein expression in HT-29 cells. These findings indicate that 8i can inhibit cellular proliferation in human colon cancer cells by specifically targeting the CA IX and CA XII expression.

Triazole Bridged Flavonoid Dimers as Potent, Nontoxic, and Highly Selective Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2) Inhibitors

The present work describes the syntheses of diverse triazole bridged flavonoid dimers and identifies potent, nontoxic, and highly selective BCRP inhibitors. A homodimer, Ac22(Az8)₂, with m-methoxycarbonylbenzyloxy substitution at C-3 of the flavone moieties and a bis-triazole-containing linker (21 atoms between the two flavones) showed low toxicity (IC₅₀ toward L929, 3T3, and HFF-1 > 100 μM), potent BCRP-inhibitory activity (EC₅₀ = 1-2 nM), and high BCRP selectivity (BCRP selectivity over MRP1 and P-gp > 455-909). Ac22(Az8)₂ inhibits BCRP-ATPase activity, blocks the drug efflux activity of BCRP, elevates the intracellular drug accumulation, and finally restores the drug sensitivity of BCRP-overexpressing cells. It does not down-regulate the surface BCRP protein expression to enhance the drug retention. Therefore, Ac22(Az8)₂ and similar flavonoid dimers appear to be promising candidates for further development into combination therapy to overcome MDR cancers with BCRP overexpression.

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase IX targets primary tumors, metastases, and cancer stem cells: Three for the price of one

Human carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX is a tumor-associated protein, since it is scarcely present in normal tissues, but highly overexpressed in a large number of solid tumors, where it actively contributes to survival and metastatic spread of tumor cells. Due to these features, the characterization of its biochemical, structural, and functional features for drug design purposes has been extensively carried out, with consequent development of several highly selective small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies to be used for different purposes. Aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art of studies performed on this enzyme, regarding structural, functional, and biomedical aspects, as well as the development of molecules with diagnostic and therapeutic applications for cancer treatment. A brief description of additional pharmacologic applications for CA IX inhibition in other diseases, such as arthritis and ischemia, is also provided.

Pyruvate-Kinase-Coupled Glycosyltransferase Assays: Limitations, Struggles and Problem Resolution

Enzyme assays involving coupled pyruvate kinase (PK) have been used for many years to monitor the activity of major classes of enzymes including glycosyltransferases. Numerous potent inhibitors have been discovered and kinetically characterized thanks to this technology. However, when inhibitors of these important enzymes are screened, PK inhibitors or activators are very often observed. In this study we report solutions to resolve the problems encountered either during the screening or during the kinetic characterization of glycosyltransferase inhibitors by means of PK-coupled assays. The enzyme under study-WaaC-is an important glycosyltransferase involved in the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis pathway. Firstly we showed that alternative kinases such as nucleoside 5-diphosphate kinase (NDPK), myokinase (MK), and ADPdependent hexokinase that catalyze similar reactions to PK are prone to the same troubles. Moreover, an ADP chemosensor was used as an alternative but the sensitivity was not sufficient to allow a proper screening. Finally, we found that a stepwise PK/luciferase assay resolved the problems encountered with PK inhibitors and that a WaaC HPLC assay allowed the identification of WaaC inhibitors acting as PK activators, thus allowing false positive and false negative results linked to the coupling to PK to be eliminated.

Coumarin-Tetrapyrrolic Macrocycle Conjugates: Synthesis and Applications

This review covers the synthesis of coumarin-porphyrin, coumarin-phthalocyanine and coumarin-corrole conjugates and their potential applications. While coumarin-phthalocyanine conjugates were obtained almost exclusively by tetramerization of coumarin-functionalized phthalonitriles, coumarin-porphyrin and coumarin-corrole conjugates were prepared by complementary approaches: (a) direct synthesis of the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle using formylcoumarins and pyrrole or (b) by functionalization of the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle. In the last approach a range of reaction types were used, namely 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, hetero-Diels-Alder, Sonogashira, alkylation or acylation reactions. This is clearly a more versatile approach, leading to a larger diversity of conjugates and allowing the access to conjugates bearing one to up to 16 coumarin units.

Self-assembled core–shell-corona multifunctional non-viral vector with AIE property for efficient hepatocyte-targeting gene delivery

Core–shell-corona multifunctional nanoparticles were prepared and used for cell imaging and cell-targeting delivery of genes toward hepatocytes.

Mechanistic Insight into Heptosyltransferase Inhibition by using Kdo Multivalent Glycoclusters

The synthesis of unprecedented multimeric Kdo glycoclusters based on fullerene and calix[4]arene central scaffolds is reported. The compounds were used to study the mechanism and scope of multivalent glycosyltransferase inhibition. Multimeric mannosides based on porphyrin and pillar[5]arenes were also generated in a controlled manner. Twelve glycoclusters and their monomeric ligands were thus assayed against heptosyltransferase WaaC, which is an important bacterial glycosyltransferase that is involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. It was first found that all the multimers interact solely with the acceptor binding site of the enzyme even when the multimeric ligands mimic the heptose donor. Second, the novel Kdo glycofullerenes displayed very potent inhibition (Ki =0.14 μm for the best inhibitor); an inhibition level rarely observed with glycosyltransferases. Although the observed "multivalent effects" (i.e., the enhancement of affinity of a ligand when presented in a multimeric fashion) were in general modest, a dramatic effect of the central scaffold on the inhibition level was evidenced: the fullerene and the porphyrin scaffolds being by far superior to the calix- and pillar-arenes. We could also show, by dynamic light scattering analysis, that the best inhibitor had the propensity to form aggregates with the heptosyltransferase. This aggregative property may contribute to the global multivalent enzyme inhibition, but probably do not constitute the main origin of inhibition.

Force Nanoscopy as a Versatile Platform for Quantifying the Activity of Antiadhesion Compounds Targeting Bacterial Pathogens

The development of bacterial strains that are resistant to multiple antibiotics has urged the need for new antibacterial therapies. An exciting approach to fight bacterial diseases is the use of antiadhesive agents capable to block the adhesion of the pathogens to host tissues, the first step of infection. We report the use of a novel atomic force microscopy (AFM) platform for quantifying the activity of antiadhesion compounds directly on living bacteria, thus without labeling or purification. Novel fullerene-based mannoconjugates bearing 10 carbohydrate ligands and a thiol bond were efficiently prepared. The thiol functionality could be exploited as a convenient handle to graft the multimeric species onto AFM tips. Using a combination of single-molecule and single-cell AFM assays, we demonstrate that, unlike mannosidic monomers, multivalent glycofullerenes strongly block the adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria to their carbohydrate receptors. We expect that the nanoscopy technique developed here will help designing new antiadhesion drugs to treat microbial infections, including those caused by multidrug resistant organisms.

Benzenesulfonamides incorporating bulky aromatic/heterocyclic tails with potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity

Three series of sulfonamides incorporating long, bulky tails were obtained by applying synthetic strategies in which substituted anthranilic acids, quinazolines and aromatic sulfonamides have been used as starting materials. They incorporate long, bulky diamide-, 4-oxoquinazoline-3-yl- or quinazoline-4-yl moieties in their molecules, and were investigated for the inhibition of four physiologically relevant carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, the cytosolic human (h) hCA I and II, as well as the transmembrane hCA IX and XII. Most of the new sulfonamides showed excellent inhibitory effects against the four isoforms, with KIs of 7.6-322nM against hCA I, of 0.06-85.4nM against hCA II; of 6.7-152nM against hCA IX and of 0.49-237nM against hCA XII; respectively. However no relevant isoform-selective behavior has been observed for any of them, although hCA II and XII, isoforms involved in glaucoma-genesis were the most inhibited ones. The structure-activity relationship for inhibiting the four CAs with these derivatives is discussed in detail.

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isoforms I, II, IV, VII and XII with carboxylates and sulfonamides incorporating phthalimide/phthalic anhydride scaffolds

We report a panel of carboxylates and sulfonamides incorporating phthalic anhydride and phthalimide moieties in their structure and their interaction with the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1). They were synthesized from substituted anthranilic acids and trimellitic anhydride chloride, followed by reaction with primary amines and were tested for the inhibition of five physiologically relevant CA isoforms, the human (h) hCA I, II, IV, VII and XII, some of which are involved in serious pathologies (CA II, IV and XII in glaucoma; CA VII in epilepsy; CA XII in some solid tumors). The carboxylic acids were generally poor inhibitors of isoforms hCA I, II and IV but were highly effective, low nanomolar inhibitors of hCA VII and XII. The sulfonamides inhibited all isoforms significantly, and some of them were sub-nanomolar hCA VII inhibitors, although their isoform selectivity was lower compared to the carboxylates. This study proves that carboxylic acids incorporating a phthalic anhydride/phthalimide based scaffold may lead to isoform-selective inhibitors by applying the tail approach, mostly used up until now for obtaining sulfonamide, sulfamide and sulfamate CA inhibitors.

Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers show carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity against α-, β-, γ- and η-class enzymes

Four generations of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers incorporating benzenesulfonamide moieties were investigated as inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) belonging to the α-, β-, γ- and η-classes which are present in pathogenic bacteria, fungi or protozoa. The following bacterial, fungal and protozoan organisms were included in the study: Vibrio cholerae, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani chagasi, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida glabrata, and Plasmodium falciparum. The eight pathozymes present in these organisms were efficiently inhibited by the four generations PAMAM-sulfonamide dendrimers, but multivalency effects were highly variable among the different enzyme classes. The Vibrio enzyme VchCA was best inhibited by the G3 dendrimer incorporating 32 sulfamoyl moieties. The Trypanosoma enzyme TcCA on the other hand was best inhibited by the first generation dendrimer G0 (with 4 sulfamoyl groups), whereas for other enzymes the optimal inhibitory power was observed for the G1 or G2 dendrimers, with 8 and 16 sulfonamide functionalities. This study thus proves that the multivalency may be highly relevant for enzyme inhibition for some but not all CAs from pathogenic organisms. On the other hand, some dendrimers investigated here showed a better inhibitory power compared to acetazolamide for enzymes from widespread pathogens, such as the η-CA from Plasmodium falciparum. Overall, the main conclusion is that this class of molecules may lead to important developments in the field of anti-infective CA inhibitors.

Emerging trends in enzyme inhibition by multivalent nanoconstructs

This review highlights the recent implementation of multivalent nanoconstructs in enzyme inhibition and discusses the emerging trends in their design and identification.