Discovery of a ZIP7 inhibitor from a Notch pathway screen

The identification of activating mutations in NOTCH1 in 50% of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia has generated interest in elucidating how these mutations contribute to oncogenic transformation and in targeting the pathway. A phenotypic screen identified compounds that interfere with trafficking of Notch and induce apoptosis via an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress mechanism. Target identification approaches revealed a role for SLC39A7 (ZIP7), a zinc transport family member, in governing Notch trafficking and signaling. Generation and sequencing of a compound-resistant cell line identified a V430E mutation in ZIP7 that confers transferable resistance to the compound NVS-ZP7-4. NVS-ZP7-4 altered zinc in the ER, and an analog of the compound photoaffinity labeled ZIP7 in cells, suggesting a direct interaction between the compound and ZIP7. NVS-ZP7-4 is the first reported chemical tool to probe the impact of modulating ER zinc levels and investigate ZIP7 as a novel druggable node in the Notch pathway.

Correction to Indolyl-Pyridinyl-Propenone-Induced Methuosis through the Inhibition of PIKFYVE

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00202.].

Stereoselective synthesis of cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines via Wacker-type aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkenes with tert-butanesulfinamide nucleophiles

Palladium(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkenes with tethered tert-butanesulfinamides furnishes enantiopure 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines, originating from readily available and easily diversified starting materials. These reactions are the first reported examples of metal-catalyzed addition of sulfinamide nucleophiles to alkenes.

Enantioselective Pd(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amidation of alkenes and insights into the role of electronic asymmetry in pyridine-oxazoline ligands

Enantioselective intramolecular oxidative amidation of alkenes has been achieved using a (pyrox)Pd(II)(TFA)(2) catalyst (pyrox = pyridine-oxazoline, TFA = trifluoroacetate) and O(2) as the sole stoichiometric oxidant. The reactions proceed at room temperature in good-to-excellent yields (58-98%) and with high enantioselectivity (ee = 92-98%). Catalyst-controlled stereoselective cyclization reactions are demonstrated for a number of chiral substrates. DFT calculations suggest that the electronic asymmetry of the pyrox ligand synergizes with steric asymmetry to control the stereochemical outcome of the key amidopalladation step.

Enantioselective hydroformylation of N-vinyl carboxamides, allyl carbamates, and allyl ethers using chiral diazaphospholane ligands

Rhodium complexes of diazaphospholane ligands catalyze the asymmetric hydroformylation of N-vinyl carboxamides, allyl ethers, and allyl carbamates; products include 1,2- and 1,3-aminoaldehydes and 1,3-alkoxyaldehydes. Using glass pressure bottles, short reaction times (generally less than 6 h), and low catalyst loading (commonly 0.5 mol %), 20 substrates are successfully converted to chiral aldehydes with useful regioselectivity and high enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). Chiral Roche aldehyde is obtained with 97% ee from the hydroformylation of allyl silyl ethers. Commonly difficult substrates such as 1,1- and 1,2-disubstituted alkenes undergo effective hydroformylation with 89-97% ee and complete conversion for six examples. Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amination of allyl benzyl ether followed by enantioselective hydroformylation yields the β(3)-aminoaldehyde with 74% ee.

Modular synthesis of 1,2-diamine derivatives by palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of allylic sulfamides

Allylic sulfamides undergo efficient aerobic oxidative cyclization at room temperature, mediated by a new Pd catalyst system consisting of 5% Pd(TFA)2/10% DMSO in THF. The synthetic utility of these reactions is enhanced by several features: (1) the sulfamide substrates are accessible in multi-gram scale from the corresponding allylic and primary amines, (2) the cyclic sulfamide products are readily converted to the corresponding 1,2-diamines upon treatment with LiAlH4, and (3) substrates derived from chiral allylic amines cyclize with very high levels of diastereoselectivity.

Modular Synthesis of 1,2-Diamine Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cyclization of Allylic Sulfamides

Allylic sulfamides undergo efficient aerobic oxidative cyclization at room temperature, mediated by a new Pd catalyst system consisting of 5% Pd(TFA)(2)/10% DMSO in THF. The synthetic utility of these reactions is enhanced by several features: (1) the sulfamide substrates are accessible in multi-gram scale from the corresponding allylic and primary amines, (2) the cyclic sulfamide products are readily converted to the corresponding 1,2-diamines upon treatment with LiAlH(4), and (3) substrates derived from chiral allylic amines cyclize with very high levels of diastereoselectivity.

Steric modulation of chiral biaryl diamines via Pd-catalyzed directed C-H arylation

Palladium-catalyzed directed arylation of 2,2'-diacetamidobiaryls with aryl iodides provides efficient access to chiral ortho-substituted biaryl diamines. Aryl iodides with para- and meta-substituents are tolerated. Deprotection of the acetyl groups under basic conditions furnishes the free diamines, which should find broad utility in asymmetric catalysis.

Analysis of workplace injuries in a dental school environment

Workplace injuries at the University of Queensland Dental School during the period 1992-1994 were assessed to determine their incidence, and the associated indirect costs, causal factors, and appropriate preventive strategies. Overall, dental chairside assistants experienced a higher incidence of injuries than students both on a per worker and per time basis. Of the injuries with a low risk of cross-infection, burns and scalds from sterilizing equipment, and eye injuries in laboratories were the most common. This emphasizes the importance of wearing appropriate protective equipment in areas outside the treatment zone, and the need for signage and education. Common causes of sharps injuries were burs left in handpieces, two-handed needle recapping, and cleaning of probes in the sterilizing room. Changes to techniques and equipment would prevent such incidents. A range of factors which contribute to the calculation of indirect costs following injuries in the dental workplace are identified.