CASE-DFT Structure Elucidation of Proton-Deficient Chlorodepsidones from the Indonesian Lichen and Structure Revision of Flavicansone.

Biodiscovery efforts in Indonesia have aimed to explore the understudied chemical diversity of its rich lichen flora, seeking to find new products endowed with significant biological properties. The chemical screening of a extract led to selection of this species for further investigation. LC/MS and H NMR-based dereplication pinpointed six chlorodepsidones from the thallus of a sample of this lichen.

Δ-Keto-acid/hydroxy-lactone isomerization in some lichen depsides, depsidones and diphenyl ethers.

In some compounds in lichens, the carboxylic acid is -substituted by an 2-oxoalkyl chain. This particular structure induces the existence of δ-keto-acid ka or hydroxy-lactone hl isomers, clearly identified by their NMR data and chemical properties, such as dehydration, methylation and behaviour in thermal conditions. Internal hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid and substituent in the ' position is proposed as an isomerization modulator: an H-bond acceptor (OCH) leads to ka isomers, whereas hl isomers are obtained with an H-bond donor (OH).

Prodrugs as new therapies against Chagas disease: in vivo synergy between Trypanosoma cruzi proline racemase inhibitors and benznidazole.

Objectives: Chagas disease, caused by the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects approximately 6-7 million people worldwide. There are limited available therapies and they exhibit low efficacy, often high toxicity in chronic cases and some drug resistance. In this study, our objective was to develop ester prodrugs that inhibit proline racemase (TcPRAC), a parasitic enzyme previously identified and characterised as a promising target because of its essential role in the parasite's life cycle and virulence, and to test their activity against T.

Irreversible inhibitors of the proline racemase unveil innovative mechanism of action as antibacterial agents against Clostridioides difficile.

Proline racemases (PRAC), catalyzing the l-proline and d-proline interconversion, are essential factors in eukaryotic pathogens such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma vivax, and Clostridioides difficile. If the discovery of irreversible inhibitors of T. cruzi PRAC (TcPRAC) led to innovative therapy of the Chagas disease, no inhibitors of CdPRAC have been discovered to date.

Designed mono- and di-covalent inhibitors trap modeled functional motions for Trypanosoma cruzi proline racemase in crystallography.

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people in South America and no satisfactory therapy exists, especially for its life threatening chronic phase. We targeted the Proline Racemase of T. cruzi, which is present in all stages of the parasite life cycle, to discover new inhibitors against this disease.

Modulation of oncogenic miRNA biogenesis using functionalized polyamines.

MicroRNAs are key factors in the regulation of gene expression and their deregulation has been directly linked to various pathologies such as cancer. The use of small molecules to tackle the overexpression of oncogenic miRNAs has proved its efficacy and holds the promise for therapeutic applications. Here we describe the screening of a 640-compound library and the identification of polyamine derivatives interfering with in vitro Dicer-mediated processing of the oncogenic miR-372 precursor (pre-miR-372).

Gold-mediated synthesis and functionalization of chiral halopyridones.

A rapid and efficient one-step halopyridone synthesis has been developed based on gold-catalyzed cyclization of β-amino-ynone intermediates and halodeauration process.

Combined approaches for drug design points the way to novel proline racemase inhibitor candidates to fight Chagas' disease.

Chagas' disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan transmitted to humans by blood-feeding insects, blood transfusion or congenitally. Previous research led us to discover a parasite proline racemase (TcPRAC) and to establish its validity as a target for the design of new chemotherapies against the disease, including its chronic form. A known inhibitor of proline racemases, 2-pyrrolecarboxylic acid (PYC), is water-insoluble.

Induction of intracellular calcium concentration by environmental benzo(a)pyrene involves a β2-adrenergic receptor/adenylyl cyclase/Epac-1/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate pathway in endothelial cells.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) are widely distributed environmental contaminants, known as potent ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). These chemicals trigger an early and transient increase of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), required for AhR-related effects of PAHs. The mechanisms involved in this calcium mobilization were investigated in the present study.

Enantiospecific synthesis of pyridinones as versatile intermediates toward asymmetric piperidines.

The enantiospecific syntheses of pyridinones from amino acids via a gold-catalyzed strategy are reported. Excellent stereocontrol was observed during the cyclization. This approach provides a straightforward tool for further synthetic applications toward piperidines.

Targeting the polyamine transport system with benzazepine- and azepine-polyamine conjugates.

The polyamine transport system (PTS) whose activity is up-regulated in cancer cells is an attractive target for drug design. Two heterocyclic (azepine and benzazepine) systems were conjugated to various polyamine moieties through an amidine bound to afford 18 compounds which were evaluated for their affinity for the PTS and their ability to use the PTS for cell delivery. Structure-activity relationship studies and lead optimization afforded two attractive PTS targeting compounds.

Synthesis and evaluation of amides surrogates of dopamine D3 receptor ligands.

Isosteric replacement of the amide function and modulation of the arylpiperazine moiety of known dopamine D3 receptor ligands led to potent and selective compounds. Enhanced bioavailability and preferential brain distribution make compound 6c a good candidate for pharmacological and clinical evaluation.

Synthesis of substituted pyrrolin-4-ones from amino acids in mild conditions via a gold-catalyzed approach.

The gold-catalyzed cyclization of various alpha-amino-ynone derivatives gave the corresponding pyrrolin-4-ones in high yields. Moreover, the use of gold(III) oxide as catalyst allows a moderate to total stereocontrol during the cyclization. These pyrrolin-4-ones are highly useful intermediates for the synthesis of functionalized pyrrolidines and other natural products.

Novel chiral molecular tweezer from (+)-usnic acid.

A new chiral molecular tweezer was synthesized with (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane as spacer and two molecules of (+)-usnic acid as pincers. The ability of this molecular tweezer to bind 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone was studied. A charge-transfer complex was formed in which TNF was sandwiched between the two usnic acid units with pi-pi-stacked aromatic interactions.

Preparation and characterization of copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of a new chiral salen ligand derived from (+)-usnic acid.

Chiral copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes were obtained after reaction of diacetate salts with a new chiral salen ligand derived from (+)-usnic acid.

A solid phase parallel synthesis of diverse amides as dopamine D3 receptor ligands.

A solid phase parallel synthesis using SynPhase technology was used to couple a series of 21 carboxylic with three different 4-(4-arylpiperazinyl)butanamines. The resulting library was evaluated as dopamine D(3) receptor ligands giving rise to several compounds with affinities in the low nanomolar concentration range (9e and 9n with binding affinities at D(3) receptors of 0.10 and 0.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of usnic acid derivatives.

Nine usnic acid-amine conjugates were evaluated on murine and human cancer cell lines. The polyamine derivatives showed significant cytotoxicity in L1210 cells. Their activities appeared to be independent of the polyamine transport system (PTS).

Unexpected formation of aryl ketones by palladium-catalyzed coupling of aryl bromides with vinylic acetates.

A palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of aryl bromides with vinylic acetates in the presence of tributyltin methoxide has been described. Unexpected formation of aryl ketones was obtained. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the reaction proceeded by the addition of the aryl moiety in the coordination sphere of palladium to a ketene.

Stictic acid derivatives from the lichen Usnea articulata and their antioxidant activities.

Two new beta-orcinol depsidones, 1 and 2, together with 13 known compounds were isolated from the lichen Usnea articulata. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and those of known compounds by comparison of their spectroscopic data with literature values or by direct comparison with authentic standards. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 exhibited moderate antiradical activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

Effect of polyamine homologation on the transport and biological properties of heterocyclic amidines.

Five sets of heterocyclic derivatives of various sizes and complexities coupled by an amidine function to putrescine, spermidine, or spermine were prepared. They were essentially tested to determine the influence of the polyamine chain on their cellular transport. To comment on affinity and on selective transport via the polyamine transport system (PTS), K(i) values for polyamine uptake were determined in L1210 cells, and the cytotoxicity and accumulation of the conjugates were determined in CHO and polyamine transport-deficient mutant CHO-MG cells, as well as in L1210 and alpha-difluoromethylornithine- (DFMO-) treated L1210 cells.

Synthesis of a laterally branched polyamine from alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone.

[reaction: see text] A polyamine derivative was prepared from alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone. This method used Michael addition and lactone aminolysis followed by the nucleophilic substitution of the hydroxyl group by an azido group. The coupling of a lipophilic alkyne led to a polyamine that will be probed as a gene transfer agent.

Pharmacomodulation of a sulfamide 5-HT6 receptor ligand.

A series of N-omega-aminoalkyl- or N-omega-amidinoalkyl-2,4,6-triisopropyl benzenesulfonamides has been synthesized and their respective affinity indices on 5-HT6 receptor determined. This evaluation clearly showed that the compounds possessing an arylpiperazine moiety or an amidine function exhibited good affinity for the model.

Parallel supported synthesis of polyamine-imidazole conjugates.

[reaction: see text] A small collection of nine polyamine-imidazole conjugates, potentially acting as RNases A mimics, has been synthesized on SynPhase lanterns using amino alcohols and diamines as building blocks. Couplings were performed via S(N)2 alkylation of methanesulfonates with amines. The final introduction of N-4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyldiamines allowed easy purification of the cleaved compounds.