DNA Modified with Boron⁻Metal Cluster Complexes [M(C₂B₉H11)₂]-Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

Chemistry of Carbon-Substituted Derivatives of Cobalt Bis(dicarbollide)(1-) Ion and Recent Progress in Boron Substitution

The cobalt bis(dicarbollide)(1-) anion (1-), [(1,2-C2B9H11)2-3,3'-Co(III)](1-), plays an increasingly important role in material science and medicine due to its high chemical stability, 3D shape, aromaticity, diamagnetic character, ability to penetrate cells, and low cytotoxicity. A key factor enabling the incorporation of this ion into larger organic molecules, biomolecules, and materials, as well as its capacity for "tuning" interactions with therapeutic targets, is the availability of synthetic routes that enable easy modifications with a wide selection of functional groups. Regarding the modification of the dicarbollide cage, syntheses leading to substitutions on boron atoms are better established. These methods primarily involve ring cleavage of the ether rings in species containing an oxonium oxygen atom connected to the B(8) site. These pathways are accessible with a broad range of nucleophiles. In contrast, the chemistry on carbon vertices has remained less elaborated over the previous decades due to a lack of reliable methods that permit direct and straightforward cage modifications. In this review, we present a survey of methods based on metalation reactions on the acidic C-H vertices, followed by reactions with electrophiles, which have gained importance in only the last decade. These methods now represent the primary trends in the modifications of cage carbon atoms. We discuss the scope of currently available approaches, along with the stereochemistry of reactions, chirality of some products, available types of functional groups, and their applications in designing unconventional drugs. This content is complemented with a report of the progress in physicochemical and biological studies on the parent cobalt bis(dicarbollide) ion and also includes an overview of recent syntheses and emerging applications of boron-substituted compounds.

Next generation of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents for cancer treatment

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is one of the most promising treatments among neutron capture therapies due to its long-term clinical application and unequivocally obtained success during clinical trials. Boron drug and neutron play an equivalent crucial role in BNCT. Nevertheless, current clinically used l-boronophenylalanine (BPA) and sodium borocaptate (BSH) suffer from large uptake dose and low blood to tumor selectivity, and that initiated overwhelm screening of next generation of BNCT agents. Various boron agents, such as small molecules and macro/nano-vehicles, have been explored with better success. In this featured article, different types of agents are rationally analyzed and compared, and the feasible targets are shared to present a perspective view for the future of BNCT in cancer treatment. This review aims at summarizing the current knowledge of a variety of boron compounds, reported recently, for the application of BCNT.

Advanced Tool for Chiral Separations of Anionic and Zwitterionic (Metalla)carboranes: Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

The continuous expansion of research in the field of stable carboranes and their wide potential in the drug design require carrying out fundamental studies regarding their chiral separations. Although supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is a viable technique for fast enantioseparations, no investigation concerning boron cluster compounds has been done yet. We aimed at the development of a straightforward method enabling chiral separations of racemic mixtures of anionic cluster carboranes and metallacarboranes that represent an analytical challenge. The fast gradient screening testing nine polysaccharide-based columns was used. The key parameters affecting the selectivity were the type of chiral selector, the type of alcohol, and the base in cosolvent. Moreover, the addition of acetonitrile or water to the cosolvent was identified as an effective tool for decreasing the analysis time while preserving the resolution. After the optimization, the chiral separations of 19 out of 20 selected compounds were achieved in less than 10 min. These results demonstrate the clear advantage of SFC over chiral separations using HPLC in terms of both analysis time and structural variety of successfully separated compounds.

Electrochemistry of Cobalta Bis(dicarbollide) Ions Substituted at Carbon Atoms with Hydrophilic Alkylhydroxy and Carboxy Groups

In this study we explore the effect on the electrochemical signals in aqueous buffers of the presence of hydrophilic alkylhydroxy and carboxy groups on the carbon atoms of cobalta bis(dicarbollide) ions. The oxygen-containing exo-skeletal substituents of cobalta bis(dicarbollide) ions belong to the perspective building blocks that are considered for bioconjugation. Carbon substitution provides wider versatility and applicability in terms of the flexibility of possible chemical pathways. However, until recently, the electrochemistry of compounds substituted only on boron atoms could be studied, due to the unavailability of carbon-substituted congeners. In the present study, electrochemistry in aqueous phosphate buffers is considered along with the dependence of electrochemical response on pH and concentration. The compounds used show electrochemical signals around −1.3 and +1.1 V of similar or slightly higher intensities than in the parent cobalta bis(dicarbollide) ion. The signals at positive electrochemical potential correspond to irreversible oxidation of the boron cage (the C2B9 building block) and at negative potential correspond to the reversible redox process of (CoIII/CoII) at the central atom. Although the first signal is typically sharp and its potential can be altered by a number of substituents, the second signal is complex and is composed of three overlapping peaks. This signal shows sigmoidal character at higher concentrations and may be used as a diagnostic tool for aggregation in solution. Surprisingly enough, the observed effects of the site of substitution (boron or carbon) and between individual groups on the electrochemical response were insignificant. Therefore, the substitutions would preserve promising properties of the parent cage for redox labelling, but would not allow for the further tuning of signal position in the electrochemical window.

Structurally rigidified cobalt bis(dicarbollide) derivatives, a chiral platform for labelling of biomolecules and new materials

We report the difunctional modification of an anionic cobalta bis(dicarbollide)(1-) cluster with a B(8,8')-oxygen bridging unit that provides structural rigidity and an organic alkylazide substituent(s) on the carbon atoms of the metallacarborane cage. These ions present a good binding motif for incorporation into organic molecules using Huisgen-Sharpless (2+3) cycloaddition reactions. In addition, the compounds are chiral, as verified by separation of enantiomers using HPLC on chiral stationary phases (CSPs) and provide a high electrochemical peak in the window located outside of typical signals of biomolecules.

Synthesis of Boronated Amidines by Addition of Amines to Nitrilium Derivative of Cobalt Bis(Dicarbollide)

A series of novel cobalt bis(dicarbollide) based amidines were synthesized by the nucleophilic addition of primary and secondary amines to highly activated B-N+≡C-R triple bond of the propionitrilium derivative [8-EtC≡N-3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H10)(1',2'-C2B9H11)]. The reactions with primary amines result in the formation of mixtures of E and Z isomers of amidines, whereas the reactions with secondary amines lead selectively to the E-isomers. The crystal molecular structures of E-[8-EtC(NMe2)=HN-3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H10)(1',2'-C2B9H11)], E-[8-EtC(NEt2)=HN-3,3'-Co(1,2- C2B9H10)(1',2'-C2B9H11)] and E-[8-EtC(NC5H10)=HN-3,3'-Co(1,2-C2B9H10)(1',2'-C2B9H11)] were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Interaction of Adenosine, Modified Using Carborane Clusters, with Ovarian Cancer Cells: A New Anticancer Approach against Chemoresistance

Simple Summary

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynecological malignancies and is the second most commonly diagnosed gynecological cancer. Acquired resistance to platinum therapy remains a major problem in gynecological oncology. Considering the unique physicochemical properties of the metallacarboranes and antimetabolite activity of nucleoside derivatives, we designed and synthesized the adenosine conjugates with metallacarboranes containing iron, cobalt, or chromium as semi-abiotic compounds that influence cisplatin-resistance of cancer cells. The iron-containing conjugate of metallacarborane and adenosine sensitized resistant cancer cells and highly resistant multicellular cancer spheroids to cisplatin, increasing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis or necrosis, and reactive oxygen species production. The presence of nucleosides in the structure of the conjugates was revealed to be indispensable for protecting cells against the development of cross-resistance to cisplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, or gemcitabine in long-term-cultures. The findings indicate that adenine nucleoside modified with metallacarboranes may help sensitize ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents in combination therapy.

Abstract

Platinum compounds remain the first-line drugs for the treatment of most lethal gynecological malignancies and ovarian cancers. Acquired platinum resistance remains a major challenge in gynecological oncology. Considering the unique physicochemical properties of the metallacarboranes modifier and the significant role of nucleoside derivatives as anticancer antimetabolites, we designed and synthesized a set of adenosine conjugates with metallacarboranes containing iron, cobalt, or chromium as semi-abiotic compounds that influence the cisplatin sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells. Adherent cultures of ovarian carcinoma cell lines and multicellular spheroids, ranging from sensitive to highly resistant including experimental cell lines “not responding” to platinum drugs were used. Iron-containing metallacarborane conjugates showed the best anticancer activity, especially against resistant cells. Compound modified at the C2′ nucleoside position showed the best activity in resistant cancer cells and highly resistant cancer spheroids exposed to cisplatin, increasing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis or necrosis, and reactive oxygen species production. Moreover, it showed high cellular accumulation and did not induce cross-resistance to cisplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, or gemcitabine in long-term cultures. The reference nido-carborane derivative (no metal ions) and unmodified nucleosides were not as effective. These findings indicate that metallacarborane modification of adenosine may sensitize ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin in combination treatment.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of High Boron-Loaded Nucleic Acids for BNCT

Boron clusters attract considerable attention as promising therapeutic tools for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). They combine high boron content with high chemical and biological stability, biorthogonality, and low toxicity. The development of oligonucleotide-based constructs and nucleic acid-like molecules, such as oligomeric phosphate diesters, bearing one or multiple boron clusters permits to create potential high boron-loaded agents for BNCT with good bioavailability, specifically interacting with nucleic acids inside the cell. Here, we shortly review the strategies and solutions in the design of oligonucleotide conjugates with boron clusters in light of the requirements for effective BNCT and future prospects of their practical use.

Terminal Mono- and Bis-Conjugates of Oligonucleotides with Closo-Dodecaborate: Synthesis and Physico-Chemical Properties

Oligonucleotide conjugates with boron clusters have found applications in different fields of molecular biology, biotechnology, and biomedicine as potential agents for boron neutron capture therapy, siRNA components, and antisense agents. Particularly, the closo-dodecaborate anion represents a high-boron-containing residue with remarkable chemical stability and low toxicity, and is suitable for the engineering of different constructs for biomedicine and molecular biology. In the present work, we synthesized novel oligonucleotide conjugates of closo-dodecaborate attached to the 5'-, 3'-, or both terminal positions of DNA, RNA, 2'-O-Me RNA, and 2'-F-Py RNA oligomers. For their synthesis, we employed click reaction with the azido derivative of closo-dodecaborate. The key physicochemical characteristics of the conjugates have been investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography, gel electrophoresis, UV thermal melting, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Incorporation of closo-dodecaborate residues at the 3'-end of all oligomers stabilized their complementary complexes, whereas analogous 5'-modification decreased duplex stability. Two boron clusters attached to the opposite ends of the oligomer only slightly influence the stability of complementary complexes of RNA oligonucleotide and its 2'-O-methyl and 2'-fluoro analogs. On the contrary, the same modification of DNA oligonucleotides significantly destabilized the DNA/DNA duplex but gave a strong stabilization of the duplex with an RNA target. According to circular dichroism spectroscopy results, two terminal closo-dodecaborate residues cause a prominent structural rearrangement of complementary complexes with a substantial shift from the B-form to the A-form of the double helix. The revealed changes of key characteristics of oligonucleotides caused by incorporation of terminal boron clusters, such as the increase of hydrophobicity, change of duplex stability, and prominent structural changes for DNA conjugates, should be taken into account for the development of antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs, or aptamers bearing boron clusters. These features may also be used for engineering of developing NA constructs with pre-defined properties.

Cobalt Bis(dicarbollide) Alkylsulfonamides: Potent and Highly Selective Inhibitors of Tumor Specific Carbonic Anhydrase IX

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is an enzyme expressed on the surface of cells in hypoxic tumors. It plays a role in regulation of tumor pH and promotes thus tumor cell survival and occurrence of metastases. Here, derivatives of the cobalt bis(dicarbollide)(1-) anion are reported that are based on substitution at the carbon sites of the polyhedra by two alkylsulfonamide groups differing in the length of the aliphatic connector (from C1 to C4, n=1-4), which were prepared by cobalt insertion into the 7-sulfonamidoalkyl-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate ions. Pure meso- and rac-diastereoisomeric forms were isolated. The series is complemented with monosubstituted species (n=2). Synthesis by a direct method furnished similar derivatives (n=2, 3), which are chlorinated at the B(8,8') boron sites. All compounds inhibited CAIX with subnanomolar inhibition constants and showed high selectivity for CAIX. The best inhibitory properties were observed for the compound with n= 3 and two substituents present in rac-arrangement with K_i =20 pM and a selectivity index of 668. X-ray crystallography was used to study interactions of these compounds with the active site of CAIX on the structural level.

Boron clusters as a platform for new materials: composites of nucleic acids and oligofunctionalized carboranes (C2B10H12) and their assembly into functional nanoparticles

Nucleic acids are key biomolecules in all life forms. These biomolecules can encode and transfer information via Watson-Crick base-pairing interactions and can form double-stranded structures between complementary sequences with high precision. These properties make nucleic acids extremely successful in applications in materials science as nanoconstruction materials. Herein, we describe a method for the automated synthesis of "oligopeds", which are building blocks based on the boron cluster structure equipped with short DNA adapters; these building blocks assemble into functional nanoparticles. The obtained, well defined, torus-like structures are the first DNA nanoconstructs based on a boron cluster scaffold. The results indicate the potential of boron clusters in DNA nanoconstruction and open the way for the design of entirely new types of buildings blocks based on polyhedral heteroborane geometry and its unique properties. The use of antisense oligonucleotides as DNA adapters illustrates one of the possible applications of the obtained nanoconstructs as vectors for therapeutic nucleic acids.

Synthesis and reactivity of propionitrilium derivatives of cobalt and iron bis(dicarbollides)

The nucleophilic addition of alcohols and thiols to 8-propionitrilium derivatives of cobalt and iron bis(dicarbollides) gives the corresponding imidates and thioimidates.

Synthesis and study ofC-substituted methylthio derivatives of cobalt bis(dicarbollide)

The C-methylthio derivatives of cobalt bis(dicarbollide) were synthesized by reaction of anhydrous CoCl₂ with nido-carborane [7-MeS-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁]⁻ and isolated as a mixture of rac-[1,1′-(MeS)₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂]⁻ and meso-[1,2′-(MeS)₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂]⁻ isomers. The structures of both isomers were studied using DFT quantum chemical calculations. The most preferable geometry of rotamers and the stabilization energy of C-methylthio derivatives of cobalt bis(dicarbolide) were calculated. The (BEDT-TTF)[1,1′-(MeS)₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂] salt was prepared and its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The cisoid conformation of the rac-[1,1′-(MeS)₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂]⁻ anion is stabilized by short intramolecular CH⋯S hydrogen and BH⋯S chalcogen bonds between the dicarbollide ligands, that is in good agreement with the data of quantum chemical calculations.

The C-methylthio derivatives of cobalt bis(dicarbollide) rac-[1,1′-(MeS)₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂]⁻ and meso-[1,2′-(MeS)₂-3,3′-Co(1,2-C₂B₉H₁₀)₂]⁻ were synthesized and studied by DFT calculations and X-ray diffraction.

Novel Convenient Approach to the Solid-Phase Synthesis of Oligonucleotide Conjugates

A novel and convenient approach for the solid-phase 5'-functionalization of oligonucleotides is proposed in this article. The approach is based on the activation of free 5'-hydroxyl of polymer support-bound protected oligonucleotides by N,N'-disuccinimidyl carbonate followed by interaction with amino-containing ligands. Novel amino-containing derivatives of closo-dodecaborate, estrone, cholesterol, and α-tocopherol were specially prepared. A wide range of oligonucleotide conjugates bearing closo-dodecaborate, short peptide, pyrene, lipophilic residues (cholesterol, α-tocopherol, folate, estrone), aliphatic diamines, and propargylamine were synthesized and characterized to demonstrate the versatility of the approach. The developed method is suitable for the conjugate synthesis of oligonucleotides of different types (ribo-, deoxyribo-, 2'-O-methylribo-, and others).