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Alshehri JA, Jones AM. Chemical approaches to the sulfation of small molecules: current progress and future directions. Essays Biochem 2024:EBC20240001. [PMID: 38958528 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20240001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Sulfation is one of the most important modifications that occur to a wide range of bioactive small molecules including polysaccharides, proteins, flavonoids, and steroids. In turn, these sulfated molecules have significant biological and pharmacological roles in diverse processes including cell signalling, modulation of immune and inflammation response, anti-coagulation, anti-atherosclerosis, and anti-adhesive properties. This Essay summarises the most encountered chemical sulfation methods of small molecules. Sulfation reactions using sulfur trioxide amine/amide complexes are the most used method for alcohol and phenol groups in carbohydrates, steroids, proteins, and related scaffolds. Despite the effectiveness of these methods, they suffer from issues including multiple-purification steps, toxicity issues (e.g., pyridine contamination), purification challenges, stoichiometric excess of reagents which leads to an increase in reaction cost, and intrinsic stability issues of both the reagent and product. Recent advances including SuFEx, the in situ reagent approach, and TBSAB show the widespread appeal of novel sulfating approaches that will enable a larger exploration of the field in the years to come by simplifying the purification and isolation process to access bespoke sulfated small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaber A Alshehri
- School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Alan M Jones
- School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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Zhou Y, Jones AM. A General Method to Access Underexplored Ylideneamino Sulfates as Interrupted Beckmann-Type Rearrangement Intermediates. Molecules 2024; 29:1667. [PMID: 38611947 PMCID: PMC11013155 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071667] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes to their corresponding amides, using a Brønsted acid-mediated fragmentation and migration sequence, has found wide-spread industrial application. We postulated that the development of a methodology to access ylideneamino sulfates using tributylsulfoammonium betaine (TBSAB) would afford isolable Beckmann-type intermediates and competent partners for subsequent rearrangement cascades. The ylideneamino sulfates generated, isolated as their tributylammonium salts, are sufficiently activated to undergo Beckmann rearrangement without additional reagent activation. The generation of sulfuric acid in situ from the ylideneamino sulfate giving rise to a routine Beckmann rearrangement and additional amide bond cleavage to the corresponding aniline was detrimental to reaction success. The screening of bases revealed inexpensive sodium bicarbonate to be an effective additive to prevent classic Brønsted acid-mediated fragmentation and achieve optimal conversions of up to 99%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan M. Jones
- School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Zhou Y, Jones AM. Rearrangement of Arylsulfamates and Sulfates to Para-Sulfonyl Anilines and Phenols. Molecules 2024; 29:1445. [PMID: 38611725 PMCID: PMC11013102 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071445] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The C(sp2)-aryl sulfonate functional group is found in bioactive molecules, but their synthesis can involve extreme temperatures (>190 °C or flash vacuum pyrolysis) and strongly acidic reaction conditions. Inspired by the 1917 Tyrer industrial process for a sulfa dye that involved an aniline N(sp2)-SO3 intermediate en route to a C(sp2)-SO3 rearranged product, we investigated tributylsulfoammonium betaine (TBSAB) as a milder N-sulfamation to C-sulfonate relay reagent. Initial investigations of a stepwise route involving TBSAB on selected anilines at room temperature enabled the isolation of N(sp2)-sulfamate. Subsequent thermal rearrangement demonstrated the intermediary of a sulfamate en route to the sulfonate; however, it was low-yielding. Investigation of the N-sulfamate to C--sulfonate mechanism through control experiments with variation at the heteroatom positions and kinetic isotope experiments (KIEH/D) confirmed the formation of a key N(sp2)-SO3 intermediate and further confirmed an intermolecular mechanism. Furthermore, compounds without an accessible nitrogen (or oxygen) lone pair did not undergo sulfamation- (or sulfation) -to-sulfonation under these conditions. A one-pot sulfamation and thermal sulfonation reaction was ultimately developed and explored on a range of aniline and heterocyclic scaffolds with high conversions, including N(sp2)-sulfamates (O(sp2)-sulfates) and C(sp2)-sulfonates, in up to 99 and 80% (and 88% for a phenolic example) isolated yield, respectively. Encouragingly, the ability to modulate the ortho-para selectivity of the products obtained was observed under thermal control. A sulfonated analog of the intravenous anesthetic propofol was isolated (88% yield), demonstrating a proof-of-concept modification of a licensed drug alongside a range of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing heterocyclic fragments used in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan M. Jones
- School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Rahman MM, Afrin MF, Zong C, Ichihara G, Kimura Y, Haque MA, Wahed MII. Modification of ibuprofen to improve the medicinal effect; structural, biological, and toxicological study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27371. [PMID: 38486777 PMCID: PMC10937700 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Ibuprofen is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is employed as an initial treatment option for its non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antipyretic properties. However, Ibuprofen is linked to specific well-known gastrointestinal adverse effects like ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding. It has been linked to harmful effects on the liver, kidney, and heart. The purpose of the study is to create novel and potential IBU analogue with reduced side effects with the enhancement of their medicinal effects, so as to advance the overall safety profile of the drug. The addition of some novel functional groups including CH3, F, CF3, OCF3, Cl, and OH at various locations in its core structure suggestively boost the chemical as well as biological action. The properties of these newly designed structures were analyzed through chemical, physical, and spectral calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT through B3LYP/6-31 g (d,p) basis set for geometry optimization. Molecular docking and non-bonding interaction studies were conducted by means of the human prostaglandin synthase protein (PDB ID: 5F19) to predict binding affinity, interaction patterns, and the stability of the protein-drug complex. Additionally, ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) and PASS (Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances) predictions were employed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of these structures. Importantly, most of the analogues displayed reduced hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and carcinogenicity in comparison to the original drug. Moreover, molecular docking analyses indicated improved medicinal outcomes, which were further supported by pharmacokinetic calculations. Together, these findings suggest that the modified structures have reduced adverse effects along with improved therapeutic action compared to the parent drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mst Mahfuza Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Comilla University, Cumilla, 3506, Bangladesh
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Japan
| | - Mst Farhana Afrin
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Mie University, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Cai Zong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Japan
| | - Gaku Ichihara
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kimura
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Japan
| | - Md Anamul Haque
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Comilla University, Cumilla, 3506, Bangladesh
| | - Mir Imam Ibne Wahed
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
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Sidgwick GP, Weston R, Mahmoud AM, Schiro A, Serracino-Inglott F, Tandel SM, Skeoch S, Bruce IN, Jones AM, Alexander MY, Wilkinson FL. Novel Glycomimetics Protect against Glycated Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Vascular Calcification In Vitro via Attenuation of the RAGE/ERK/CREB Pathway. Cells 2024; 13:312. [PMID: 38391925 PMCID: PMC10887290 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040312] [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] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Heparan sulphate (HS) can act as a co-receptor on the cell surface and alterations in this process underpin many pathological conditions. We have previously described the usefulness of mimics of HS (glycomimetics) in protection against β-glycerophosphate-induced vascular calcification and in the restoration of the functional capacity of diabetic endothelial colony-forming cells in vitro. This study aims to investigate whether our novel glycomimetic compounds can attenuate glycated low-density lipoprotein (g-LDL)-induced calcification by inhibiting RAGE signalling within the context of critical limb ischemia (CLI). We used an established osteogenic in vitro vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) model. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), sclerostin and glycation levels were all significantly increased in CLI serum compared to healthy controls, while the vascular calcification marker osteocalcin (OCN) was down-regulated in CLI patients vs. controls. Incubation with both CLI serum and g-LDL (10 µg/mL) significantly increased VSMC calcification vs. controls after 21 days, with CLI serum-induced calcification apparent after only 10 days. Glycomimetics (C2 and C3) significantly inhibited g-LDL and CLI serum-induced mineralisation, as shown by a reduction in alizarin red (AR) staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Furthermore, secretion of the osteogenic marker OCN was significantly reduced in VSMCs incubated with CLI serum in the presence of glycomimetics. Phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) was significantly increased in g-LDL-treated cells vs. untreated controls, which was attenuated with glycomimetics. Blocking CREB activation with a pharmacological inhibitor 666-15 replicated the protective effects of glycomimetics, evidenced by elevated AR staining. In silico molecular docking simulations revealed the binding affinity of the glycomimetics C2 and C3 with the V domain of RAGE. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that novel glycomimetics, C2 and C3 have potent anti-calcification properties in vitro, inhibiting both g-LDL and CLI serum-induced VSMC mineralisation via the inhibition of LDLR, RAGE, CREB and subsequent expression of the downstream osteogenic markers, ALP and OCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary P. Sidgwick
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK (R.W.); (A.M.M.); (F.S.-I.); (S.M.T.); (A.M.J.); (M.Y.A.)
| | - Ria Weston
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK (R.W.); (A.M.M.); (F.S.-I.); (S.M.T.); (A.M.J.); (M.Y.A.)
| | - Ayman M. Mahmoud
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK (R.W.); (A.M.M.); (F.S.-I.); (S.M.T.); (A.M.J.); (M.Y.A.)
| | - Andrew Schiro
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
- Vascular Unit, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Ferdinand Serracino-Inglott
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK (R.W.); (A.M.M.); (F.S.-I.); (S.M.T.); (A.M.J.); (M.Y.A.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
- Vascular Unit, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Shikha M. Tandel
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK (R.W.); (A.M.M.); (F.S.-I.); (S.M.T.); (A.M.J.); (M.Y.A.)
| | - Sarah Skeoch
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (S.S.); (I.N.B.)
- National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath BA1 1RL, UK
| | - Ian N. Bruce
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; (S.S.); (I.N.B.)
- National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Alan M. Jones
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK (R.W.); (A.M.M.); (F.S.-I.); (S.M.T.); (A.M.J.); (M.Y.A.)
- School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - M. Yvonne Alexander
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK (R.W.); (A.M.M.); (F.S.-I.); (S.M.T.); (A.M.J.); (M.Y.A.)
| | - Fiona L. Wilkinson
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK (R.W.); (A.M.M.); (F.S.-I.); (S.M.T.); (A.M.J.); (M.Y.A.)
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Importance of the 2,6-Difluorobenzamide Motif for FtsZ Allosteric Inhibition: Insights from Conformational Analysis, Molecular Docking and Structural Modifications. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052055. [PMID: 36903302 PMCID: PMC10003973 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052055] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A conformational analysis and molecular docking study comparing 2,6-difluoro-3-methoxybenzamide (DFMBA) with 3-methoxybenzamide (3-MBA) has been undertaken for investigating the known increase of FtsZ inhibition related anti S. aureus activity due to fluorination. For the isolated molecules, the calculations reveal that the presence of the fluorine atoms in DFMBA is responsible for its non-planarity, with a dihedral angle of -27° between the carboxamide and the aromatic ring. When interacting with the protein, the fluorinated ligand can thus more easily adopt the non-planar conformation found in reported co-crystallized complexes with FtsZ, than the non-fluorinated one. Molecular docking studies of the favored non-planar conformation of 2,6-difluoro-3-methoxybenzamide highlights the strong hydrophobic interactions between the difluoroaromatic ring and several key residues of the allosteric pocket, precisely between the 2-fluoro substituent and residues Val203 and Val297 and between the 6-fluoro group and the residues Asn263. The docking simulation in the allosteric binding site also confirms the critical importance of the hydrogen bonds between the carboxamide group with the residues Val207, Leu209 and Asn263. Changing the carboxamide functional group of 3-alkyloxybenzamide and 3-alkyloxy-2,6-difluorobenzamide to a benzohydroxamic acid or benzohydrazide led to inactive compounds, confirming the importance of the carboxamide group.
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Sulfation of Phenolic Acids: Chemoenzymatic vs. Chemical Synthesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315171. [PMID: 36499496 PMCID: PMC9736156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenolic acids are known flavonoid metabolites, which typically undergo bioconjugation during phase II of biotransformation, forming sulfates, along with other conjugates. Sulfated derivatives of phenolic acids can be synthesized by two approaches: chemoenzymatically by 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS)-dependent sulfotransferases or PAPS-independent aryl sulfotransferases such as those from Desulfitobacterium hafniense, or chemically using SO3 complexes. Both approaches were tested with six selected phenolic acids (2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (2-HPA), 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3-HPA), 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4-HPA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DHPA), 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (4-HPP), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (DHPP)) to create a library of sulfated metabolites of phenolic acids. The sulfates of 3-HPA, 4-HPA, 4-HPP, DHPA, and DHPP were all obtained by the methods of chemical synthesis. In contrast, the enzymatic sulfation of monohydroxyphenolic acids failed probably due to enzyme inhibition, whereas the same reaction was successful for dihydroxyphenolic acids (DHPA and DHPP). Special attention was also paid to the counterions of the sulfates, a topic often poorly reported in synthetic works. The products obtained will serve as authentic analytical standards in metabolic studies and to determine their biological activity.
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Alshehri JA, Gill DM, Jones AM. A Sulfuryl Group Transfer Strategy to Selectively Prepare Sulfated Steroids and Isotopically Labelled Derivatives. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:776900. [PMID: 35004848 PMCID: PMC8740147 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.776900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of common steroids: estrone, estradiol, cortisol, and pregnenolone with tributylsulfoammonium betaine (TBSAB) provides a convenient chemoselective conversion of the steroids alcohol/phenol moiety to the corresponding steroidal organosulfate. An important feature of the disclosed methodology is the millimolar scale of the reaction, and the isolation of the corresponding steroid sulfates as their biologically relevant sodium salts without the need for ion-exchange chromatography. The scope of the method was further explored in the estradiol and pregnanediol steroid systems with the bis-sulfated derivatives. Ultimately, a method to install an isotopic label, deuterium (2H) combined with estrone sulfation is a valuable tool for its mass-spectrometric quantification in biological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaber A Alshehri
- Molecular Synthesis Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel M Gill
- Molecular Synthesis Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Alan M Jones
- Molecular Synthesis Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
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Structure-based design of new diclofenac: Physicochemical, spectral, molecular docking, dynamics simulation and ADMET studies. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Uzzaman M, Hasan MK, Mahmud S, Yousuf A, Islam S, Uddin MN, Barua A. Physicochemical, spectral, molecular docking and ADMET studies of Bisphenol analogues; A computational approach. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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