OxymaPure/DIC: an efficient reagent for the synthesis of a novel series of 4-[2-(2-acetylaminophenyl)-2-oxo-acetylamino] benzoyl amino acid ester derivatives

Total synthesis of [β-HIle]2-nodupetide: effect of ester to amide substitution on its antimicrobial activity

The increasing prevalence of deaths due to multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in infectious disease therapy has become a global health concern. This led to the development of new antimicrobial therapeutic agents that can combat resistance to pathogenic bacteria. The utilization of natural peptide compounds as potential antimicrobial agents is very promising. Nodupetide, a cyclodepsipeptide with very strong antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the fermentation of Nodulisporium sp. Unfortunately, one of its residues (3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-methylhexanoic acid (HMHA) is not commercially available and the synthesis strategies applied have not been successful. Hence, we synthesized its cyclopeptide analogue [β-HIle]2-nodupetide by replacing HMHA with isoleucine homologue. A combination of solid- and solution-phase peptide synthesis was successfully carried out to synthesize [β-HIle]2-nodupetide with an overall yield of 10.4%. The substitution of HMHA with β-homoisoleucine (β-HIle) changed the ester bond into an amide bond in nodupetide's backbone. The analogue was considerably inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It can be concluded that the ester bond is crucial for the antimicrobial activity of nodupetide.

Amine Activation: "Inverse" Dipeptide Synthesis and Amide Function Formation through Activated Amino Compounds

A copper(II)/HOBt-catalyzed procedure for the synthesis of dipeptides and "general" amides has been developed using microwave irradiation to considerably hasten the reaction. As an alternative to using traditional carboxylic acid activation, the method relies on the use of N-acyl imidazoles as activated amino partners. By doing so, a nonconventional way to reach dipeptides and amides has been proposed through the challenging and less studied N → C direction synthesis. A series of dipeptides and "general" amides have been successfully synthesized, and the applicability of the method has been illustrated in gram-scale syntheses. The mild reaction conditions proposed are completely adequate for couplings in the presence of sensitive amino acids, affording the products without detectable racemization. Furthermore, experimental observations prompted us to propose a plausible reaction pathway for the couplings.

Revision of the Crystal Structure of the Orthorhombic Polymorph of Oxyma: On the Importance of π–Hole Interactions and Their Interplay with H–Bonds

In this work the crystal structure of the previously described orthorhombic polymorph of the coupling reagent Oxyma has been revised, corrected now as centrosymmetric and analyzed by means of DFT calculations. In the solid state the structure forms a network of H-bonds and self–assembled dimers that are held together by the formation of N···C π–hole interactions involving the C-atom of the imino group. The H-bonding and π–hole interactions observed in the solid state were rationalized using molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces, focusing on the H-bond donor-acceptor groups and the π-hole observed above and below the molecular plane. The interactions and their interplay have been characterized by using two methodologies based on the topology of the electron density, which are the quantum theory of “atom-in-molecules” (QTAIM) and the noncovalent interaction plot (NCIplot).

Easy and convenient millimole-scale synthesis of new, potential biomarkers for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) intake - feasible for analytical laboratories

New biomarkers indicating the abuse of drugs and alcohol are still of major interest for clinical and forensic sciences. The endogenous neurotransmitter and approved drug, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), is often illegally used for drug-facilitated crimes by spiking GHB into alcoholic beverages. Analytical detection windows of only 6 hours in blood and 12 hours in urine often too short to provide reliable proof of GHB ingestion. Therefore, new biomarkers are needed to prove exogenous GHB administration. Previously, amino-acid GHB conjugates were discovered in an untargeted metabolomics screening and fatty acid esters with GHB were recently discussed as promising biomarkers to enlarge the analytical detection time windows. However, the development of analytical methods is still slowed down since reference compounds for targeted screenings are still missing. In this paper, we describe simple procedures for the rapid synthesis and purification of amino acid-GHB conjugates as well as fatty acid esters, which can be adopted in analytical and clinical/forensic laboratories. Structural characterization data, together with IR, ¹ H-NMR, ¹³ C-NMR, high resolution mass spectra (MS), and MS/MS spectra in positive and negative ionization mode are reported for all obtained GHB-conjugates and GHB-conjugate precursors.

New efficient synthesis of tRNA related adenosines bearing the hydantoin ring (ct6A, ms2ct6A) by intramolecular cyclization of N6-(N-Boc-α-aminoacyl)-adenosine derivatives

A novel and efficient way for synthesis of N6-hydantoin modified adenosines, which utilizes readily available N6-(N-Boc-α-aminoacyl)-adenosine derivatives, was developed. The procedure is based on the epimerization free Tf2O-mediated conversion of the Boc group into an isocyanate moiety, followed by intramolecular cyclization. Using this method two recently discovered hydantoin modified tRNA adenosines, i.e. cyclic N6-threonylcarbamoyl-adenosine (ct6A) and 2-methylthio-N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (ms2ct6A) were prepared in good yields.

Design of Affinity Chromatography Peptide Ligands Through Combinatorial Peptide Library Screening

In this chapter, a protocol to design affinity chromatography matrices with short peptide ligands immobilized for protein purification is described. The first step consists of the synthesis of a combinatorial peptide library on the hydroxymethylbenzoyl (HMBA)-ChemMatrix resin by the divide-couple-recombine (DCR) method using the Fmoc chemistry. Next, the library is screened with the protein of interest labeled with a fluorescent dye or biotin. Subsequently, peptides contained on positive beads are identified by tandem matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS/MS), and those sequences showing greater consensus are synthesized in larger quantities and immobilized on chromatographic supports. Finally, target protein adsorption on peptide affinity matrices is evaluated through equilibrium adsorption isotherms and breakthrough curves.

Synthesis of (Z)-3-[amino(phenyl)methylidene]-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-ones using an Eschenmoser coupling reaction

A highly modular method for the synthesis of (Z)-3-[amino(phenyl/methyl)methylidene]-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-ones starting from easily available 3-bromooxindoles or (2-oxoindolin-3-yl)triflate and thioacetamides or thiobenzamides is described. A series of 49 compounds, several of which have previously been shown to possess significant tyrosin kinase inhibiting activity, was prepared in yields varying mostly from 70 to 97% and always surpassing those obtained by other published methods. The method includes an Eschenmoser coupling reaction, which is very feasible (even without using a thiophile except tertiary amides) and scalable. The (Z)-configuration of all products was confirmed by NMR techniques.

The Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effect of a Novel Synthesized S-Triazine Dipeptide Series, and Toxicity Screening in Zebrafish Embryos

Several derivatives containing morpholine/piperidine, anilines, and dipeptides as pending moieties were prepared using s-triazine as a scaffold. These compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity against two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), a colon cancer cell line (HCT-116), and a non-tumorigenic cell line (HEK 293). Tamoxifen was used as a reference. Animal toxicity tests were carried out in zebrafish embryos. Most of these compounds showed a higher activity against breast cancer than colon cancer. Compound 3a-which contains morpholine, aniline, and glycylglycinate methyl ester-showed a high level of cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values of less than 1 µM. This compound showed a much lower level of toxicity against the non-tumorigenic HEK-293 cell line, and in the in vivo studies using zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, it induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. On the basis of our results, 3a emerges as a potential candidate for further development as a therapeutic drug to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Characteristics of Molecularly Engineered Anticancer Drug Conjugated Organic Nanomicelles for Site-Selective Cancer Cell Rupture and Growth Inhibition of Tumor Spheroids

Site-selective uptake and specific biodistribution of chemotherapeutic drugs are essential prerequisites for targeted cancer therapy. Especially, antibody and peptide conjugated drugs have been attempted as localized therapeutic agents. However, the characteristics of drug conjugated nanosystems are less explored, which are limited with their toxicity, low therapeutic efficacy, complicated synthesis, and high costs. Herein, we report a biocompatible (about 95%) molecularly engineered anticancer drug conjugated nanomicelles (∼200 nm in size) for site-selective CD44 overexpressed cancer cell rupture and tumor growth inhibition. Microscopic analysis demonstrates the distinct visualization of organic-organic interfaces (∼5 nm), which are corroborated with spectroscopic measurements confirmed the conjugation of niclosamide drug with hyaluronic acid (NIC-HA). Uniformly distributed hemocompatible (about 99%) organic nanomicelles exhibit the cellular membrane and cytoplasmic targeting with significant cellular rupture (IC₅₀ of 4 μM for MDA MB 231 cells) indicating their inherent targeting ability for cancer cells and cancer stem cells. An inclusive in vitro and in vivo analysis for targeted antitumor activity (HT1080 tumor xenograft model) of NIC-HA nanoconjugates (∼24.6% loading) exhibited promising cancer cell death and tumor growth inhibition (60%, p < 0.05) due to STAT-3 signaling pathway inhibition and induction of apoptosis in CD44-positive triple negative breast cancer cells.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of a New Series of Thiazolidine-2,4-diones Carboxamide and Amino Acid Derivatives

Novel thiazolidine-2,4-dione carboxamide and amino acid derivatives were synthesized in excellent yield using OxymaPure/N,N'-diisopropylcarbodimide coupling methodology and were characterized by chromatographic and spectrometric methods, and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial and antifungal activity of these derivatives was evaluated against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis), two-Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and one fungal isolate (Candida albicans). Interestingly, several samples demonstrated weak to moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, as well as antifungal activity. However, only one compound namely, 2-(5-(3-methoxybenzylidene)-2,4-dioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acid, showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly S. aureus.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Identification and Molecular Docking of Certain N-(2-{[2-(1H-Indol-2-ylcarbonyl) Hydrazinyl](oxo)Acetylphenyl)Acetamides and N-[2-(2-{[2-(Acetylamino)Phenyl](oxo)Acetylhydrazinyl)-2-Oxoethyl]-1H-Indole-2-Carboxamides: New Antimicrobial Agents

N-(2-{[2-(1H-Indol-2-ylcarbonyl)hydrazinyl](oxo)acetyl}phenyl)acetamides (5a–h) and N-[2-(2-{[2-(acetylamino)phenyl](oxo)acetyl}hydrazinyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamides (5i–l) were synthesized and characterized with different analytical tools. N-Acetylisatines 4a–d were subjected to ring opening at their C2 carbons with the aid of different indole-bearing hydrazides 3a,b and 7 to afford the respective glyoxylamides 5a–l. The antimicrobial activity of the target compounds 5a–l was assessed with the aid of Diameter of the Inhibition Zone (DIZ) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and certain fungal strains. The antimicrobial screening revealed that Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans are the most sensitive microorganisms towards the synthesized compounds 5a–l. In addition, compounds 5c and 5h emerged as the most active congeners towards Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed the possible binding mode of compounds 5c and 5h to their target proteins.

Carbon nanotubes functionalized with folic acid attached via biomimetic peptide linker

AIM

Anchoring folic acid (FA) with a biomimetic peptidic linker resistant to proteolytic degradation to act as a homing device on functionalized carbon nanotubes.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Ethylenediamine was attached to oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) using 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-[1,3,5]triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium tetrafluoroborate. FA was coupled with 6-aminohexanoic acid and derivatives of β-alanine, affording four intermediates, which connected to the MWNTs via peptidic linkers of various lengths.

RESULTS

Biomimetic nanomaterials were produced with FA as a homing molecule. The structure and properties of the nanomaterials were analyzed, confirming the versatility of the peptides used as linkers.

CONCLUSION

Conjugates of FA attached to MWNTs via peptide linkers prepared from β-alanine residues are resistant to proteolytic degradation. Viability in colon cancer cells and normal colonocytes confirmed their lack of cytotoxicity.