Design and Synthesis of Potential Multi-Target Antidepressants: Exploration of 1-(4-(7-Azaindole)-3,6-dihydropyridin-1-yl)alkyl-3-(1-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione Derivatives with Affinity for the Serotonin Transporter.

We describe the design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship of a novel series of 1-(4-(7-azaindole)-3,6-dihydropyridin-1-yl)alkyl-3-(1-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives with combined effects on the serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (D) receptors and the serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine (DA) transporters as multi-target directed ligands for the treatment of depression. All of the tested compounds demonstrated good affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT). Among them, compounds and emerged as the lead candidates because of their promising pharmacological profile based on in vitro studies.

Ugi 5-center-4-component reaction of α-amino aldehydes and its application in synthesis of 2-oxopiperazines.

A synthetic route leading to densely functionalized 2-oxopiperazines is presented. The strategy employs a 5-center-4-component variant of Ugi multicomponent reaction followed by a deprotection/cyclization sequence. N-Boc-α-amino aldehydes were used for the first time as carbonyl components in a key Ugi 5-center-4-component reaction (U-5C-4CR).

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 3-(5-substituted-1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives with a dual affinity for serotonin 5-HT receptor and SERT.

The serotonin 1A (5-HT) receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT) are important biological targets in the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system, especially for depression. In this study, new 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives linked with the 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole moiety were synthesised and evaluated for their affinity for 5-HT receptor and serotonin reuptake inhibition. Selected compounds were then tested for their affinity for D, 5-HT, 5-HT and 5-HT receptors, and also in in vitro metabolic stability assays in human microsomes.

Development of novel PEX5-PEX14 protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors based on an oxopiperazine template.

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) constitute an important but challenging class of molecular targets for small molecules. The PEX5-PEX14 PPI has been shown to play a critical role in glycosome biogenesis and its disruption impairs the metabolism in Trpanosoma parasites, eventually leading to their death. Therefore, this PPI is a potential molecular target for new drugs against diseases caused by Trypanosoma infections.

Structure-based design, synthesis and evaluation of a novel family of PEX5-PEX14 interaction inhibitors against Trypanosoma.

Trypanosomiases are neglected tropical diseases caused by Trypanosoma (sub)species. Available treatments are limited and have considerable adverse effects and questionable efficacy in the chronic stage of the disease, urgently calling for the identification of new targets and drug candidates. Recently, we have shown that impairment of glycosomal protein import by the inhibition of the PEX5-PEX14 protein-protein interaction (PPI) is lethal to Trypanosoma.

Computer-Aided Design and Synthesis of a New Class of PEX14 Inhibitors: Substituted 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydrobenzo[F][1,4]oxazepines as Potential New Trypanocidal Agents.

African and American trypanosomiases are estimated to affect several million people across the world, with effective treatments distinctly lacking. New, ideally oral, treatments with higher efficacy against these diseases are desperately needed. Peroxisomal import matrix (PEX) proteins represent a very interesting target for structure- and ligand-based drug design.

DYRK1A Kinase Inhibitors Promote β-Cell Survival and Insulin Homeostasis.

The rising prevalence of diabetes is threatening global health. It is known not only for the occurrence of severe complications but also for the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, which shows that it exacerbates susceptibility to infections. Current therapies focus on artificially maintaining insulin homeostasis, and a durable cure has not yet been achieved.

Identification of the Primary Structure of Selenium-Containing Polysaccharides Selectively Inhibiting T-Cell Proliferation.

We previously described the biosynthesis, isolation, and immunosuppressive activity of the selenium-containing polysaccharide fraction isolated from the mycelial culture of . Structural studies have shown that the fraction was a protein-containing mixture of high molar mass polysaccharides α- and β-glucans. However, which of the components of the complex fraction is responsible for the immunosuppressive activity non-typical for polysaccharides of fungal origin has not been explained.

Water envelope has a critical impact on the design of protein-protein interaction inhibitors.

We show that a water envelope network plays a critical role in protein-protein interactions (PPI). The potency of a PPI inhibitor is modulated by orders of magnitude on manipulation of the solvent envelope alone. The structure-activity relationship of PEX14 inhibitors was analyzed as an example using in silico and X-ray data.

Structure-activity relationship and cardiac safety of 2-aryl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)acetamides as a new class of broad-spectrum anticonvulsants derived from Disopyramide.

A series of 2-aryl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)acetamides were synthesized and screened for their anticonvulsant activity in animal models of epilepsy. The compounds were broadly active in the 'classical' maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous Metrazol (scMET) tests as well as in the 6 Hz and kindling models of pharmacoresistant seizures. Furthermore, the compounds showed good therapeutic indices between anticonvulsant activity and motor impairment.

Synthesis of new 4-butyl-arylpiperazine-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives and evaluation for their 5-HT and D receptor affinity and serotonin transporter inhibition.

A series of novel 4-butyl-arylpiperazine-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their 5-HT/D receptor affinity and serotonin reuptake inhibition. The compounds exhibited high affinity for the 5-HT receptor, (especially 4dK = 0.4 nM) which depended on the substitution pattern at the phenylpiperazine moiety.

Structure-Activity Relationship in Pyrazolo[4,3-]pyridines, First Inhibitors of PEX14-PEX5 Protein-Protein Interaction with Trypanocidal Activity.

protists are pathogens leading to a spectrum of devastating infectious diseases. The range of available chemotherapeutics against is limited, and the existing therapies are partially ineffective and cause serious adverse effects. Formation of the PEX14-PEX5 complex is essential for protein import into the parasites' glycosomes.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new multi-target 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives with potential antidepressant effect.

A series of novel 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives were synthesised and evaluated for their 5-HT/D/5-HT/5-HT/5-HT receptor affinity and serotonin reuptake inhibition. Most of the evaluated compounds displayed high affinities for 5-HT receptors (e.g.

Inhibition of CPAP-tubulin interaction prevents proliferation of centrosome-amplified cancer cells.

Centrosome amplification is a hallmark of human cancers that can trigger cancer cell invasion. To survive, cancer cells cluster amplified extra centrosomes and achieve pseudobipolar division. Here, we set out to prevent clustering of extra centrosomes.

Synthesis and biological investigations of 3β-aminotropane arylamide derivatives with atypical antipsychotic profile.

This work is a continuation of our previous research, concentrating this time on lead structure modification to increase the 5-HT receptor affinity and water solubility of designed compounds. Therefore, the compounds synthesised within the present project included structural analogues of 3β-acylamine derivatives of tropane with the introduction of a methyl substituent in the benzyl ring and a 2-quinoline, 3-quinoline, or 6-quinoline moiety. A series of novel 3βaminotropane derivatives was evaluated for their affinity for 5-HT, 5-HT, and D receptors, which allowed for the identification of compounds , , and as ligands with highest affinity for the tested receptors; they were then subjected to further evaluation in preliminary in vivo studies.

Selenized polysaccharides - Biosynthesis and structural analysis.

The main objective of our research was to analyze the structure of the Se-containing polysaccharides and to examine how the selenium is bound to the polysaccharide molecule. During investigation of the biosynthesis of new immunomodulators, we isolated a selenium (Se)-containing polysaccharide-protein fraction containing proteoglycans of molecular weights of 3.9 × 10 Da and 2.

Structural basis for ADP-dependent glucokinase inhibition by 8-bromo-substituted adenosine nucleotide.

In higher eukaryotes, several ATP-utilizing enzymes known as hexokinases activate glucose in the glycolysis pathway by phosphorylation to glucose 6-phosphate. In contrast to canonical hexokinases, which use ATP, ADP-dependent glucokinase (ADPGK) catalyzes noncanonical phosphorylation of glucose to glucose 6-phosphate using ADP as a phosphate donor. Initially discovered in Archaea, the human homolog of ADPGK was described only recently.

Selective Cytotoxic Activity of Se-Methyl-Seleno-L-Cysteine- and Se-Polysaccharide-Containing Extracts from Shiitake Medicinal Mushroom, Lentinus edodes (Agaricomycetes).

Numerous formulations derived from the shiitake medicinal mushroom, Lentinus edodes, demonstrate anticancer activities. We hypothesized that isolates from selenium (Se)-enriched mycelia of L. edodes would possess stronger cancer-preventive properties than current preparations.

Inhibitors of glycosomal protein import provide new leads against trypanosomiasis.

Vector-borne trypanosomatid parasite infections in tropical and sub-tropical countries constitute a major threat to humans and livestock. parasites are transmitted by tsetse fly and lead to African sleeping sickness in humans and Nagana in cattle. In Latin American countries, infections spread by triatomine kissing bugs lead to Chagas disease.

Comparison of enzymatic properties and small molecule inhibition of γ-glutamyltranspeptidases from pathogenic and commensal bacteria.

Helicobacter pylori infects the stomach of 50% of the population worldwide, thus causing chronic gastritis. Although this infection can be cured by antibiotic treatment, therapeutic options are increasingly limited due to the development of resistances. The γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gGT) of H.

Antinociceptive activity of intraperitoneally administered novel and potent anticonvulsive compound, CY-PROLL-SS, in animal neuropathic pain models.

Background: Neuropathic pain is still one of the most difficult pain states to be treated due to the lack of effective drugs. Although the mechanism of action of antiepileptic drugs in alleviating neuropathic pain is not fully understood, it is believed that the bases for both diseases are similar pathophysiologic disturbances. Therefore, in this article we explored the analgesic potential of a recently discovered compound CY-PROLL-SS (ADD 408003; 4-phenyl-perhydropyrrole[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,3-dione) with proved anticonvulsant activity.

Characterization of Disopyramide derivative ADD424042 as a non-cardiotoxic neuronal sodium channel blocker with broad-spectrum anticonvulsant activity in rodent seizure models.

It was reported that antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) can be useful in controlling refractory seizures in humans or in enhancing the action of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in animal models. Disopyramide phosphate (DISO) is an AAD that blocks sodium channels in cardiac myocytes. We evaluated a DISO derivative, 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)acetamide (ADD424042) for its anticonvulsant activity in a battery of rodent models of epileptic seizures.

Novel 4-aryl-pyrido[1,2-c]pyrimidines with dual SSRI and 5-HT(1A) activity. Part 5.

A series of novel 4-aryl-pyrido[1,2-c]pyrimidine derivatives containing a 1-(2-quinoline)piperazine moiety was synthesized. The chemical structure of new compounds was confirmed by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and HRMS spectra as well as elemental analysis. Affinity of the novel pyrido[1,2-c]pyrimidine derivatives for 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT) was evaluated in an in vitro radioligand binding assay.

Synthesis of new perhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives and their evaluation in animal models of epilepsy.

A series of novel stereochemically pure derivatives of the investigative broad-spectrum anticonvulsant ADD408003 was designed and synthesized. Five-center four-component (U-5C-4CR) and four-center three-component (U-4C-3CR) variants of Ugi reaction were used in the key step of the synthetic pathways. The compounds obtained were evaluated for the anticonvulsant activitiy in the maximal electroshock seizure (MES), subcutaneous Metrazole (scMET) and minimal clonic seizure (6 Hz) animal models of epilepsy.

Novel fluorinated pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2,6-dione derivatives: synthesis and anticonvulsant evaluation in animal models of epilepsy.

A series of fluorinated analogs of the potent investigative anticonvulsant agent (4S,8aS)-4-phenylperhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2,6-dione 1 was prepared and characterized by IR, 1H, 13C NMR and mass spectral data. The compounds have been evaluated in the in vivo rodent models of epilepsy. They displayed high activity in the 'classical' maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous Metrazol (scMET) tests as well as in the 6Hz model of pharmacoresistant limbic seizures.