A Novel Class of FKBP12 Ligands Rescues Premature Aging Phenotypes Associated with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant disorder clinically characterized by progressive muscular weakness and multisystem degeneration, which correlates with the size of CTG expansion and MBLN decrease. These changes induce a calcium and redox homeostasis imbalance in several models that recapitulate the features of premature tissue aging. In this study, we characterized the impact of a new family of FKBP12 ligands (generically named MPs or MP compounds) designed to stabilize FKBP12 binding to the ryanodine receptors and normalize calcium dysregulation under oxidative stress.

Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of New Drugs Using a Multi-Labelling Approach and PET Imaging: Application to a Drug Candidate with Potential Application in Neuromuscular Disorders.

Background And Objective: The determination of pharmacokinetic properties of new chemical entities is a key step in the process of drug development. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an ideal technique to obtain both biodistribution and pharmacokinetic parameters of new compounds over a wide range of chemical modalities. Here, we use a multi-radionuclide/multi-position labelling approach to investigate distribution, elimination, and metabolism of a triazole-based FKBP12 ligand (AHK2) with potential application in neuromuscular disorders.

From Bench to Cell: A Roadmap for Assessing the Bioorthogonal "Click" Reactivity of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cell Surface Engineering.

In this work, we report the use of bioorthogonal chemistry, specifically the strain-promoted click azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) for the covalent attachment of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on living cell membranes. Four types of MNPs were prepared, functionalized with two different stabilizing/passivation agents (a polyethylene glycol derivative and a glucopyranoside derivative, respectively) and two types of strained alkynes with different reactivities: a cyclooctyne (CO) derivative and a dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) derivative. The MNPs were extensively characterized in terms of physicochemical characteristics, colloidal stability, and click reactivity in suspension.

Discovery of a novel family of FKBP12 "reshapers" and their use as calcium modulators in skeletal muscle under nitro-oxidative stress.

The hypothesis of rescuing FKBP12/RyR1 interaction and intracellular calcium homeostasis through molecular "reshaping" of FKBP12 was investigated. To this end, novel 4-arylthioalkyl-1-carboxyalkyl-1,2,3-triazoles were designed and synthesized, and their efficacy was tested in human myotubes. A library of 17 compounds (10a-n) designed to dock the FKBP12/RyR1 hot-spot interface contact residues, was readily prepared from free α-amino acids and arylthioalkynes using CuAAC "click" protocols amenable to one-pot transformations in high overall yields and total configurational integrity.

RGD-Functionalized FeO nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia.

To improve the selectivity of magnetic nanoparticles for tumor treatment by hyperthermia, FeO nanoparticles have been functionalized with a peptide of the type arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) following a "click" chemistry approach. The RGD peptide was linked onto the previously coated nanoparticles in order to target αβ integrin receptors over-expressed in angiogenic cancer cells. Different coatings have been analyzed to enhance the biocompatibility of magnetic nanoparticles.

Antitumor magnetic hyperthermia induced by RGD-functionalized FeO nanoparticles, in an experimental model of colorectal liver metastases.

This work reports important advances in the study of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) related to their application in different research fields such as magnetic hyperthermia. Nanotherapy based on targeted nanoparticles could become an attractive alternative to conventional oncologic treatments as it allows a local heating in tumoral surroundings without damage to healthy tissue. RGD-peptide-conjugated MNPs have been designed to specifically target αβ receptor-expressing cancer cells, being bound the RGD peptides by "click chemistry" due to its selectivity and applicability.

Site-Selective N-Dealkylation of 1,2,3-Triazolium Salts: A Metal-Free Route to 1,5-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazoles and Related Bistriazoles.

N3-Alkylation of 1-(pivaloyloxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazoles with alkyl triflates carrying latent "click" functionality, followed by a nucleophile-promoted N1-dealkylation of the resulting strongly electrophilic intermediate triazolium salts, provides an efficient route to 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles. The azide and alkyne groups incorporated by N-alkylation can be submitted to further copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne and Huisgen cycloadditions to provide bis(1,2,3-triazoles) with unprecedented 1,5/1,4 substitution patterns.

Triazole-Directed Pd-Catalyzed C(sp(2))-H Oxygenation of Arenes and Alkenes.

Selective Pd-catalyzed C(sp(2))-H oxygenation of 4-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles is described. Unlike previous metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization events, which preferentially occur at the activated heterocyclic C-H bond, the regioselective oxygenation of the arene/alkene moiety is now achieved featuring the unconventional role of a simple triazole scaffold as a modular and selective directing group.

Cationic 1,2,3-Triazolium Alkynes: Components To Enhance 1,4-Regioselective Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition Reactions.

4-Alkynyl-1,2,3-triazolium cations undergo thermal [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with azides roughly 50- to 100-fold faster than comparable noncharged alkynes. Further, the reaction is highly 1,4-regioselective (dr up to 99:1) owing to the selective stabilization of 1,4-TS transition states via conjugative π-acceptor assistance of the alkyne triazolium ring. The novel cationic triazolium alkynes also accelerate the CuAAC reaction to provide bis(1,2,3-triazoles) in an "ultrafast" way (<5 min).

Chirality-driven folding of short β-lactam pseudopeptides.

Novel enantiopure pseudopeptide models containing a central -(β-lactam)-(Aa)- scaffold characterized by the combined presence of an α-alkyl-α-amino-β-lactam (i+1) residue and a α-substituted (i + 2) amino acid have been readily synthesized from α-alkyl serines. The conformational analysis of such β-lactam pseudopeptides conducted in CDCl(3) and DMSO-d(6) solutions using 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques revealed an equilibrium between β-II turn and γ-turn conformers, which was ultimately modulated by the relative configuration of the -(β-lactam)-(Aa)- residues. Long-range chiral effects on the α-lactam pseudopeptide conformers were also found when two (i) and (i + 3) chiral residues were attached to the termini of a central -(β-lactam)-(Aib)- segment.

Conformation and chiral effects in α,β,α-tripeptides.

Short α,β,α-tripeptides comprising a central chiral trisubstituted β(2,2,3)*-amino acid residue form unusual γ-turns and δ-turns in CDCl(3) and DMSO-d(6) solutions but do not form β-turns. Thermal coefficients of backbone amide protons, 2D-NMR spectra, and molecular modeling revealed that these motifs were strongly dependent on the configuration (chiral effect) of the central β-amino acid residue within the triad. Accordingly, SSS tripeptides adopted an intraresidual γ-turn like (C6) arrangement in the central β-amino acid, whereas SRS diastereomers preferred an extended δ-turn (C9) conformation.

Introducing axial chirality into mesoionic 4,4'-bis(1,2,3-triazole) dicarbenes.

Mesoionic 4,4'-bis(1,2,3-triazole-5,5'-diylidene) Rh(I) complexes having a C2 chiral 4,4'-axis were accessed from 3-alkyltriazolium salts in virtually complete de. Their structure and configurational integrity were assessed by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and chiral HPLC. Computational analysis of the MICs involved in the reaction suggested the formation of a highly stable and unprecedented cation-carbene intermediate species, which could be evidenced experimentally by cyclic voltammetry analysis.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of β-lactam antigenic peptide hybrids; unusual opening of the β-lactam ring in acidic media.

β-Lactam peptides were envisioned as conformational constraints in antigenic peptides (APs). Three different β-lactam tripeptides of varying flexibility were prepared in solution and incorporated in place of the central part of the altered melanoma associated antigenic peptide Leu(27)-Melan-A(26-35) using solid phase synthesis techniques. Upon TFA cleavage from the solid support, an unexpected opening of the β-lactam ring occurred with conservation of the amide bond.

"Click" synthesis of nonsymmetrical bis(1,2,3-triazoles).

Unsymmetrically 1,1'-disubstituted 4,4'-bis-1H-1,2,3-triazoles 4 have been prepared from 4-ethynyl-1,2,3-triazoles 5 and azides. Following a "double-click" strategy, two complementary approaches were implemented for the preparation of the key 4-ethynyltriazole intermediates 5: (a) the stepwise Swern oxidation/Ohira-Bestman alkynylation of readily available 4-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3-triazoles 8 and (b) the stepwise cycloaddition of TMS-1,4-butadiyne 9. The method is highlighted by its compatibility with orthogonally protected and functionalized saccharide-peptide hybrids and its ability to be extended to the trisubstituted counterparts 12.

Mechanistic insights on the magnesium(II) ion-activated reduction of methyl benzoylformate with chelated NADH peptide beta-lactam models.

Mechanistic details of the Mg(2+) ion-activated enantioselective reduction of methyl benzoylformate have been investigated at a B3LYP/6-31G* theory level, using peptide NADH models 1 rigidified with a beta-lactam ring. Computation of the reaction pathway revealed important structural differences between the intermediate NADH/Mg(2+)/ArCOCO(2)R ternary complexes 3 and the corresponding transition states leading to enantiomeric methyl mandelates. Thus, ternary complexes showed the dihydronicotinamide moiety placed quasiequatorial to a seven-membered chelation pseudoplane including the two amide carbonyls and the Mg(2+) cation, whereas productive transition states were strongly deformed with the dihydronicotinamide group oriented quasiaxial to the chelation pseudoplane.

"Click" saccharide/beta-lactam hybrids for lectin inhibition.

Hybrid glycopeptide beta-lactam mimetics designed to bind lectins or carbohydrate recognition domains in selectins have been prepared according to a "shape-modulating linker" design. This approach was implemented using the azide-alkyne "click" cycloaddition reaction, and as shown by NMR/MD experiments, binding of the resulting mimetics to Ulex Europaeus Lectin-1 (UEL-1) occurred after a "bent-to-extended" conformational change around a partially rotatable triazolylmethylene moiety.

Synthesis of beta-lactam scaffolds for ditopic peptidomimetics.

[reaction: see text] Ring opening of alpha-substituted-alpha-methoxycarbonyl-N-nosylaziridines provides a practical access to enantiopure alpha,alpha'-disubstituted beta-lactam scaffolds, novel types of ditopic reverse turn surrogates. The procedure is general, short, and high yielding and starts from handy alpha-substituted serinates and alpha-amino acid derivatives.

Functionalization of N-[(silyl)methyl]-beta-lactam carbanions with carbon electrophiles.

Latent acidity of alpha-alkyl-alpha-amino-N-[(silyl)methyl]-beta-lactams enabled a concise entry to lithium nonenolate N-methyl-azetidinone carbanions lithiated alpha' to the beta-lactam nitrogen, owing to the stabilizing "alpha-effect" of one or two trimethylsilyl groups. (n)BuLi/TMEDA and (t)BuLi/TMEDA were the bases of choice for complete deprotonation of di- and monosilylated beta-lactams, respectively. Trapping of the resulting carbanions with alkyl halides provided the corresponding N-[(alpha'-silyl)-alkyl]-beta-lactams, while carbon dioxide and related electrophiles such as benzyl chloroformates or isocyanates, afforded the corresponding silicon-free N-carboxymethyl-, N-benzyloxycarbonylmethyl-, and N-amidomethyl-beta-lactams in a single synthetic step.

Synthesis of type II beta-turn surrogate dipeptides based on syn-alpha-amino-alpha,beta-dialkyl-beta-lactams.

The achiral bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl group acts as an efficient stereochemical determinant of the alpha-alkylation reaction in beta-branched alpha-phenyloxazolidinyl- or alpha-diphenyloxazolidinyl-beta-lactams and provides the first stereocontrolled access to syn-alpha-amino-alpha,beta-dialkyl(aryl)-beta-lactams. These products are readily transformed into type II beta-turn mimetic surrogates 2B. [reaction: see text]

Development of a new family of conformationally restricted peptides as potent nucleators of beta-turns. Design, synthesis, structure, and biological evaluation of a beta-lactam peptide analogue of melanostatin.

Novel enantiopure (i)-(beta-lactam)-(Gly)-(i+3) peptide models, defined by the presence of a central alpha-alkyl-alpha-amino-beta-lactam ring placed as the (i+1) residue, have been synthesized in a totally stereocontrolled way by alpha-alkylation of suitable N-[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-beta-lactams. The structural properties of these beta-lactam pseudopeptides have been studied by X-ray crystallography, Molecular Dynamics simulation, and NOESY-restrained NMR simulated annealing techniques, showing a strong tendency to form stable type II or type II' beta-turns either in the solid state or in highly coordinating DMSO solutions. Tetrapeptide models containing syn- or anti-alpha,beta-dialkyl-alpha-amino-beta-lactam rings have also been synthesized and their conformations analyzed, revealing that alpha-alkyl substitution is essential for beta-turn stabilization.

Highly Diastereoselective Aldol Reactions with Camphor-Based Acetate Enolate Equivalents.

New lithium enolates of alpha-hydroxy ketones, derived from camphor, are evaluated for asymmetric aldol reactions in the presence of lithium chloride. The diastereoselectivity of the reactions between the lithium enolate of 3 and a variety of achiral aldehydes is strongly influenced by the lithium chloride salt. In these instances, the achieved levels of asymmetric induction, typically 95:5 dr, are in the range of those attained in aldol reactions involving the lithium enolate of the methyl ketone 4, which is sterically more demanding.

Construction of Quaternary Stereogenic Centers via [2 + 2] Cycloaddition Reactions. Synthesis of Homochiral 4,4-Disubstituted 2-Azetidinones and Imine Substituent Effects on beta-Lactam Formation.

A study on the asymmetric construction of quaternary stereogenic centers via [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of ketenes with ketimines is described. Reaction of achiral ketenes and chiral alpha-alkoxy ketone-derived imines resulted in formation of new beta-lactams as single diastereomers. The cycloaddition was extended to pyruvate imines, aralkyl ketone-derived imines, and dialkyl ketimines.