Publications by authors named "Ryan J Rafferty"

Balgacyclamide A-C are a family of cyanobactin natural products isolated from freshwater cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. These macrocyclic peptides are characterized by their oxazoline-thiazole core, their 7 or 8 stereocenters, and their antiparasitic activities. Balgacyclamide B is known for its activity towards Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-resistant strain K1, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, and Leishmania donovani.

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Discovering therapeutic agents: New bioactive agents, either as sole or combinational agents, have been constructed through the synthetic manipulation of the intermediates within the total synthesis of the uvaretin class of natural products. It was found that increasing the hydrophobic character of the phenolic core correlates to a decrease in sole agent cytotoxicity. The synthesis of new, small chemical screening libraries (CSL) constructed from the intermediates of our total synthesis route of the uvaretin class of natural products is demonstrated herein.

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Herein, we disclose the development of a synthetic route to gain access to the uvaretin class of chalcone natural products. In this, the construction of a small library was achieved, and the collection was evaluated for cytotoxicity and other biological properties. Uvaretin () was accessed a seven-step route in an overall yield of 15.

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6-Thiopurine (6TP) is a potent cytotoxic agent that is a clinically prescribed anti-metabolite employed in the treatment of numerous blood cancers since 1952. However, its reported severe toxicities limit its general usage in the clinic. We previously have undertaken investigations into identifying the mode of toxicity for 6TP, and have found that the oxidative metabolites of 6TP, specifically 6-thiouric acid (6TU), is responsible for the inhibition of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UDPGDH) in a UV-vis method.

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6-Thiopurine (6TP) is a currently prescribed drug in the treatment of diseases ranging from Crohn's disease to acute lymphocytic leukemia. While its potent mode of action is through incorporation into DNA as a thiol mimic of deoxyguanosine, severe toxicities are associated with its administration which hinder the potential therapeutic application. We have previously reported that the oxidative metabolites of 6TP, specifically 6-thiouric acid (6TU, 7 μM), are potent inhibitors of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UDPGDH), an enzyme that is responsible for the formation of UDP-glucuronic acid (UDPGA), an essential substrate that is used in detoxification processes in the liver.

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6-Thiopurine (6TP) is an actively prescribed drug in the treatment of various diseases ranging from Crohn's disease and other inflammatory diseases to acute lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's leukemia. While 6TP has beneficial therapeutic uses, severe toxicities are also reported with its use, such as jaundice and liver toxicity. While numerous investigations into the mode in which toxicity originates has been undertaken.

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Reniochalistatin E (1) is one of the five related cyclic peptides isolated from the marine sponge Reniochalina stalagmitis. The discovery of these compounds resulted from a screening program directed toward the identification of proline-rich bioactive compounds. Reniochalistatin E is the only member of the family to possess a tryptophan amino acid residue.

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Many compound screening collections are populated by members that possess a low degree of structural complexity. In an effort to generate compounds that are both complex and diverse, we have developed a strategy that uses natural products as a starting point for complex molecule synthesis. Herein we apply this complexity-to-diversity approach to abietic acid, an abundant natural product used commercially in paints, varnishes, and lacquers.

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The formal synthesis of -hapalindole O has been accomplished intercepting Natsume's total synthesis route. The intercepted substrate was synthesized in an overall 36% yield over ten-synthetic steps compared to Natsume's overall 1% yield over eighteen-synthetic steps. In addition, advanced substrates for the continuing progress towards hapalindole K and ambiguine A has been synthesized.

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The total synthesis of D,L-hapalindoles J and U has been accomplished. Hapalindole J was prepared in 11% overall yield over 11 synthetic steps and hapalindole U was prepared in 25% overall yield over 13 synthetic steps from commercially available materials. The route employs a novel silyl ether-based strategy for accessing the 6:5:6:6 ring system of the hapalindoles rapidly and in good yields.

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A racemic synthesis of the ABCD ring core of the ambiguines that preserves the tertiary alcohol has been accomplished in convergent synthesis in 10 synthetic steps, in an overall yield of 46% from commercially available 4-bromoindole and m-methylanisole.

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