Novel tacrine-pyridinium hybrid reactivators of organophosphorus-inhibited acetylcholinesterase: Synthesis,molecular docking,and in vitro reactivation study

First-line medical treatment against nerve agents consists of co-administration of anticholinergic agents and oxime reactivators, which reactivate inhibited AChE. Pralidoxime, a commonly used oxime reactivator, is effective against some nerve agents but not against others; thus, new oxime reactivators are needed. Novel tacrine-pyridinium hybrid reactivators in which 4-pyridinealdoxime derivatives are connected to tacrine moieties by linear carbon chains of different lengths (C2–C7) were prepared (Scheme 1, 5a–f). Their binding affinities to electric eel AChE were tested because oximes can inhibit free AChE, and the highest AChE activity (95%, 92%, and 90%) was observed at 1?μM concentrations of the oximes (5a, 5b, and 5c, respectively). Based on their inhibitory affinities towards free AChE, 1?μM concentrations of the oxime derivatives (5) were used to examine reactivation of paraoxon-inhibited AChE. Reactivation ability increased as the carbon linker chains lengthened (n?=?2–5), and 5c and 5d showed remarkable reactivation ability (41%) compared to that of 2-PAM (16%) and HI-6 (4%) against paraoxon-inhibited electric eel AChE at 1?μM concentrations. Molecular docking simulation showed that the most stable binding free energy was observed in 5c at 73.79?kcal?mol^?1, and the binding mode of 5c is acceptable for the oxygen atom of oximate to attack the phosphorus atom of paraoxon and reactivate paraoxon-inhibited eel AChE model structure.     

New structural scaffolds for centrally acting oxime reactivators of phosphylated cholinesterases

We describe here the synthesis and activity of a new series of oxime reactivators of cholinesterases (ChEs) that contain tertiary amine or imidazole protonatable functional groups. Equilibration between the neutral and protonated species at physiological pH enables the reactivators to cross the blood-brain barrier and distribute in the CNS aqueous space as dictated by interstitial and cellular pH values. Our structure-activity analysis of 134 novel compounds considers primarily imidazole aldoximes and N-substituted 2-hydroxyiminoacetamides. Reactivation capacities of novel oximes are rank ordered by their relative reactivation rate constants at 0.67 mm compared with 2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide for reactivation of four organophosphate (sarin, cyclosarin, VX, and paraoxon) conjugates of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE). Rank order of the rates differs for reactivation of human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) conjugates. The 10 best reactivating oximes, predominantly hydroxyimino acetamide derivatives (for hAChE) and imidazole-containing aldoximes (for hBChE) also exhibited reasonable activity in the reactivation of tabun conjugates. Reactivation kinetics of the lead hydroxyimino acetamide reactivator of hAChE, when analyzed in terms of apparent affinity (1/K(ox)) and maximum reactivation rate (k(2)), is superior to the reference uncharged reactivators monoisonitrosoacetone and 2,3-butanedione monoxime and shows potential for further refinement. The disparate pH dependences for reactivation of ChE and the general base-catalyzed oximolysis of acetylthiocholine reveal that distinct reactivator ionization states are involved in the reactivation of ChE conjugates and in conferring nucleophilic reactivity of the oxime group.     

Mutations of aspartate 103 in the Hm2 receptor and alterations in receptor binding properties of muscarinic agonists

Aspartate 103 (D103) in the third transmembrane domain of the Hm2 receptor was mutated to glutamate (D103E), asparagine (D103N), or alanine (D103A). As measured by [3H]-NMS, no significant binding was observed in D103A, while a 2-fold decrease in ligand affinity was seen in D103E and a 32-fold decrease in affinity was found in the D103N mutant. Examination of reference agonists showed greater loss of affinity in D103N than in D103E with the rank order of change being: L-607,207>carbachol>arecoline>pilocarpine>oxotremorine>McN-A-343. Of the novel 1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]-heptan-3-one oxime agonists examined, arylacetylene oximes showed little alteration in binding in either the D103E or D103N mutants, while the geometric isomers of several bicyclic aryl-ene-yne oximes showed significant changes in affinity, especially in the D103N mutant. Thus, overall size of the agonist and/or spatial orientation of the molecule within the binding pocket contribute to changes measured in binding.     

Characterisation of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to 19-linked conjugates of testosterone with corresponding radioligands

Monoclonal antibodies to testosterone T were produced using testosterone 19-O-carboxymethyl ether (T19C) and testosterone 19-hemisuccinate (T19H) immunogens. All antibodies were characterised with iodinated derivatives of both T19C and T19H. Monoclonal antibodies derived from the T19C immunogen had similar titres and assay sensitivities with both T19-tracers. In contrast antibodies derived from the T19H immunogen bound the homologous but not the heterologous tracer. Individual antibodies showed a wide variation in cross-reactivity with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, DHT (4.4-100%), androstenedione AN (0.5-100%) and progesterone, Po (0.08-5.4%). One antibody 3F11 derived from a T19C immunogen gave 50% displacement of tracer with 180 pgT/tube and low cross-reactivity of 12% with DHT, 3.0% with AN and 1.1% with Po. In general, assay sensitivity and antibody specificity were poorer with an [125I]-histamine conjugate of T-3-carboxymethyloxime than with T19 tracers. Radioimmunoassays for T in extracted human serum were developed with [125I]T19C as tracer and monoclonal antibody 3F11 (T19C immunogen) and rabbit antiserum T19H3R1 (T19H immunogen). Sensitivities of the extracted assays were 43 and 20 pg/tube respectively and results correlated well with those obtained after chromatographic separation of testosterone (r = 0.97 for both antibodies). We conclude that 19-linked derivatives of T are highly immunogenic for the production of specific testosterone antibodies. Selection of the appropriate iodinated tracer is essential to achieve optimal titre, assay sensitivity and specificity, since these characteristics vary widely with individual monoclonal antibodies, and classical bridge recognition is not observed.     

The preparation of three fluorescence-labeled derivatives of testosterone

Three fluorescence-labelled derivatives of testosterone were prepared consisting of the steroid separated from the fluorochrome by a hydrocarbon "bridge". "Bridges" of different lengths (C2 to C7) were used as the length required to avoid steric hindrance effects by the fluorochrome in studies on steroid-protein binding was unknown. The three derivatives prepared were: 17 beta-hydroxy--4-androsten-3-one 3-(O-(N-(2'-mercapto)ethyl)carbamoylmethyl)oxime, 17 beta-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one 3-(O-(N-(3'-amino)propyl)carbamoylmethyl)oxime and 17 beta-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one 3-(O(N-(7'-amino)heptyl)carbamoylmethyl)oxime. These were then coupled with either a dansyl or a fluorescein molecule. Overall yields were sufficient and the products immunoreactive with anti-testosterone antiserum.     

Water‐Soluble Cationic Derivatives of Indirubin,the Active Anticancer Component from Indigo naturalis

To overcome the problem of poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability of indirubin‐3‐oximes, the compounds were modified by attaching a quaternary ammonium group at the oxime moiety. Exploring the prodrug concept, an oxime ester with acetyl‐l‐ carnitine was prepared, and the rate of its hydrolysis was investigated to assess its suitability for clinical administration. In addition, the cytotoxic potency of new stable oxime ethers with a choline moiety and their influence on the cell cycle were tested in human cancer cell lines.     

Nucleosteroids: carbocyclic nucleoside analogs of androst-4-en-17 beta-ol

Steroidal nucleoside analogs were synthesized starting from testosterone. By reduction of the oxime of 17 beta-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3-one (testosterone), a mixture of the two amino epimers of C-3 were obtained. The 3 alpha-amino-androst-4-en-17 beta-ol was crystallized in 73% yield and coupled with 5-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidine to give 3 alpha-(5'-amino-4'-chloro-pyrimidin-6'-yl)amino-androst-4-en-17 beta-ol. This compound was treated with triethyl orthoformate in acid media to give the corresponding purinyl steroid adduct 3 alpha-(6'-chloro-purin-9'-yl)-androst-4-en-17 beta-ol in 98% yield. This substance, in turn, was converted with good yield into the 6'-thio, 6'-methylamino, and 6'-diethyl aminopurinyl derivatives through nucleophilic reactions at C-6 of the purine nucleus.     

Synthesis and antiamoebic activity of new oxime ether derivatives containing 2-acetylpyridine/2-acetylfuran

Various oxime ether derivatives of 2-acetylpyridine and 2-acetylfuran series have been synthesised. O-Alkylation of the oximes by various alkylaminoethyl halides gave the corresponding oxime ether derivatives. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by UV, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses. All the compounds were screened in vitro against the HM1:IMSS strain of Entamoeba histolytica. Based on the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) data of the 12 compounds evaluated, two of the 2-acetylpyridine series and two in the 2-acetylfuran series showed better IC50 values in vitro when compared with the standard amoebicidal drug, metronidazole. Moreover, one compound showed the most promising antiamoebic activity (IC50=0.5 microM vs IC50=1.9 microM of metronidazole).     

Stereocontrolled facile synthesis and antimicrobial activity of oximes and oxime ethers of diversely substituted bispidines

A small library of diversely substituted 2,4,6,8-tetraaryl-3,7-diazabicyco[3.3.1]nonan-9-ones, their oximes and O-methyloximes were achieved in a stereocontrolled manner by an easiest synthetic strategy as single isomers with high yields. Stereochemistry of all the synthesized compounds was established by their 1D/2D NMR spectral studies, further, witnessed by single-crystal XRD analysis. Accordingly, the compounds exist in a chair-boat conformation with equatorial orientation of the substituents in the chair part and boat-axial orientation in the boat part. Finally, all the synthesized oximes and oxime ethers were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against a panel of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, and as a result of the structure-activity correlations, some lead molecules were known for further optimization.     

Dérivés du 2,5-anhydro-D-ribononitrile N-oxyde

When the mixture of syn and anti isomers of 2,5-anhydro-3,4-O-isopropylidene-aldehydo-D-ribose oxime was treated with chlorine, two gem-chloronitroso derivatives, epimers at C-1, were formed; they were in equilibrium with three dimers and were transformed by prototropy into the corresponding hydroxymoyl chloride. Treatment of the latter compound with a base gave a nitrile oxide which forms a dimer, or undergoes transformation into a furazan, or reacts with phenylacetylene to give a mixture of an acetylenic oxime and of the corresponding 3-glycosyl-5-phenylisoxazole.     

Oxime-metabolizing activity of liver aldehyde oxidase

Liver aldehyde oxidase in the presence of its electron donor exhibited a significant oxime-metabolizing activity toward some different types of oximes under anaerobic conditions. Acetophenone oxime and salicylaldoxime were exclusively converted to the corresponding oxo compounds, whereas benzamidoxime was converted to the corresponding ketimine. With d-camphor oxime, the formation of both the corresponding oxo compound and ketimine was observed. Stoichiometric studies showed that the formation of oxo compounds is accompanied by nearly equimolar ammonia. We propose a mechanism of oxime biotransformation that liver aldehyde oxidase catalyzes the reduction of oximes to the corresponding ketimines which in turn undergo, depending on their chemical stability, nonenzymatic hydrolysis to the corresponding oxo compounds and ammonia.     

Application of the concept of oxime library screening by mass spectrometry (MS) binding assays to pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid derivatives as potential inhibitors of γ-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 (GAT1)

In the present study, the concept of oxime library screening by MS Binding Assays was successfully extended to N-substituted lipophilic pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid derivatives in the pursuit of varying the amino acid motif in order to identify new inhibitors for GAT1 and to broaden structure–activity-relationships for this target, the most abundant GABA transporter in the central nervous system. For the screening, 28 different oxime sub-libraries were employed that were generated by simple condensation reaction of an excess of pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid derivatives carrying a hydroxylamine functionality with various sub-libraries each assembled of eight aldehydes with broadly varying chemical structures and functionalities. The compounds responsible for the activity of an oxime sub-library were identified by deconvolution experiments performed by employing single oximes. Binding affinities of the oxime hits were confirmed in full-scale competitive MS Binding Assays. Thereby, oxime derivatives with a 1,1′-biphenyl moiety were found as the first inhibitors of mGAT1 comprising a pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid motif with affinities in the submicromolar range.     

A comparison of the reactivating efficacy of a novel bispyridinium oxime K203 with currently available oximes in VX agent-poisoned rats

The ability of a novel bispyridinium oxime K203 to reactivate VX agent-inhibited acetylcholinesterase was compared with the reactivating efficacy of four commonly used oximes (obidoxime, trimedoxime, methoxime, HI-6) using in vivo model. Our results showed that the reactivating efficacy of the oxime HI-6 is higher than the reactivating efficacy of the other oximes studied including the oxime K203 although the differrences between the oxime HI-6 and some other oximes are not significant, especially in the blood. Based on the obtained data, we can conclude that the antidotal treatment involving the oxime HI-6 brings the higher benefit for the antidotal treatment of acute poisonings with VX agent than other oximes.     

A comparison of reactivating efficacy of newly developed oximes (K074, K075) and currently available oximes (obidoxime, HI-6) in soman, cyclosarin and tabun-poisoned rats

The potency of newly developed oximes (K074, K075) and commonly used oximes (obidoxime, HI-6) to reactivate nerve agent-inhibited acetylcholinesterase was evaluated in rats poisoned with soman, tabun or cyclosarin at a lethal dose corresponding to their LD(50) value. In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of soman-inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that only the oxime HI-6 was able to reactivate soman-inhibited acetylcholinesterase in the peripheral (blood) as well as central (brain) compartment. In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of tabun-inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that obidoxime is the most efficacious reactivator of tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase among studied oximes in the peripheral compartment (blood) while K074 seems to be the most efficacious reactivator of tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase among studied oximes in the central compartment (brain). In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of cyclosarin-inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that HI-6 is the most efficacious reactivator of cyclosarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase among studied oximes. Due to their reactivating effects, both newly developed K oximes can be considered to be promising oximes for the antidotal treatment of acute tabun poisonings while the oxime HI-6 is still the most promising oxime for the treatment of acute soman and cyclosarin poisonings.     

Inhibition of copper amine oxidases by pyridine-derived aldoximes and ketoximes

The reactions of pea diamine oxidase (PSAO) and 2-phenylethylamine oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis (AGAO) with pyridine-derived oximes were studied. Pyridine carbaldoximes and alkyl pyridyl ketoximes act as strong non-competitive inhibitors of the enzymes. The inhibition constants K(i) of these compounds vary between 10(-4) and 10(-5) M, for AGAO and some of the studied oximes were found even micromolar K(i) values. The presence of pyridine moiety in the studied compounds has remarkable influence on the inhibition potency. Elementary oximes lacking the heterocyclic ring, i.e., aliphatic (acetone oxime), alicyclic (cyclohexanone oxime) and aromatic (benzaldoxime), are considerably weaker non-competitive inhibitors (K(i) similar to 10(-3) or 10(-2) M). The position of the pyridine ring substitution by -C(R)=NOH group does not play a significant role for the inhibition potency of the studied oxime compounds. If the pyridine nitrogen is quaternised (in hydroxyiminomethyl-1-methylpyridinium iodides), the compound looses its inhibitory properties. Extended length of alkyl substituents on the ketoxime group of alkyl pyridyl ketoximes increases the K(i) value. The enzyme-bound copper represents one of possible target sites for pyridine-derived oxime inhibitors. The addition of an alkyl pyridyl ketoxime or a pyridine carbaldoxime to a native PSAO sample perturbs the absorption spectrum of the enzyme (by an absorption increase in the region 300-400 nm) that is not observed in the spectrum of reacted PSAO apoenzyme. However, an additional formation of hydrogen bonds with amino acid side-chains at the active site should be considered, namely for 3- and 4-substituted pyridine derivatives.     

In Silico Studies in Probing the Role of Kinetic and Structural Effects of Different Drugs for the Reactivation of Tabun-Inhibited AChE

We have examined the reactivation mechanism of the tabun-conjugated AChE with various drugs using density functional theory (DFT) and post-Hartree-Fock methods. The electronic environments and structural features of neutral oximes (deazapralidoxime and 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinealdoxime) and charged monopyridinium oxime (2-PAM) and bispyridinium oxime (Ortho-7) are different, hence their efficacy varies towards the reactivation process of tabun-conjugated AChE. The calculated potential energy surfaces suggest that a monopyridinium reactivator is less favorable for the reactivation of tabun-inhibited AChE compared to a bis-quaternary reactivator, which substantiates the experimental study. The rate determining barrier with neutral oximes was found to be ∼2.5 kcal/mol, which was ∼5.0 kcal/mol lower than charged oxime drugs such as Ortho-7. The structural analysis of the calculated geometries suggest that the charged oximes form strong O^…H and N^…H hydrogen bonding and C-H^…π non-bonding interaction with the tabun-inhibited enzyme to stabilize the reactant complex compared to separated reactants, which influences the activation barrier. The ability of neutral drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier was also found to be superior to charged antidotes, which corroborates the available experimental observations. The calculated activation barriers support the superiority of neutral oximes for the activation of tabun-inhibited AChE compared to charged oximes. However, they lack effective interactions with their peripheral sites. Docking studies revealed that the poor binding affinity of simple neutral oxime drugs such as 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinealdoxime inside the active-site gorge of AChE was significantly augmented with the addition of neutral peripheral units compared to conventional charged peripheral sites. The newly designed oxime drug 2 appears to be an attractive candidate as efficient antidote to kinetically and structurally reactivate the tabun-inhibited enzyme.     

A comparison of reactivating efficacy of newly developed oximes (K074, K075) and currently available oximes (obidoxime, HI-6) in cyclosarin-and tabun-poisoned rats

The potency of newly developed oximes (K074, K075) and commonly used oximes (obidoxime, HI-6) to reactivate nerve agent-inhibited acetylcholinesterase was evaluated in rats poisoned with tabun or cyclosarin at a lethal dose corresponding to the LD50 value. In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of tabun-inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase showed that obidoxime is the most efficacious reactivator of tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase among studied oximes in the peripheral compartment (blood) although the differences between obidoxime and newly developed oximes were not significant. On the other hand, one of the newly developed oximes (K074) seems to be a significantly more efficacious reactivator of tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase in the central compartment (brain) than the other studied oximes. In addition, the oxime HI-6 is unable to sufficiently reactivate tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase in rats. In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of cyclosarin-inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that HI-6 is the most efficacious reactivator of cyclosarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase among the studied oximes in the peripheral (blood) as well as central (brain) compartment although the differences between the oxime HI-6 and other tested oximes in the brain were not significant. Due to their reactivating effects, both newly developed K-oximes can be considered to be promising oximes for the antidotal treatment of acute tabun poisoning while the oximes HI-6 is still the most promising oxime for the treatment of acute cyclosarin poisonings due to its high potency in reactivating cyclosarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase in the peripheral as well as central compartment.     

A comparison of the reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of newly developed bispyridinium oximes (K250, K251) with commonly used oximes against tabun in rats and mice

The potency of newly developed bispyridinium compounds (K250, K251) in reactivating tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase and reducing tabun-induced lethal toxic effects was compared with currently available oximes (obidoxime, trimedoxime, the oxime HI-6) using in vivo methods. Studies determined percentage of reactivation of tabun-inhibited blood and tissue AChE in poisoned rats and showed that the reactivating efficacy of both newly developed oximes is comparable with the oxime HI-6 but it is significantly lower than the reactivating effects of obidoxime and trimedoxime, especially in diaphragm and brain. Both newly developed oximes were also found to be able to slightly reduce lethal toxic effects in tabun-poisoned mice. Their therapeutic efficacy is higher than the potency of the oxime HI-6 but it is lower than the therapeutic effects of trimedoxime and obidoxime. Thus, the reactivating and therapeutic potency of both newly developed oximes (K250, K251) does not prevail over the effectiveness of currently available oximes and, therefore, they are not suitable for their replacement for the treatment of acute tabun poisoning.     

Multi-analyte assay for triazines using cross-reactive antibodies and neural networks

A biosensor system based on total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) was used to discriminate a mixture of the triazines atrazine and simazine. Only cross-reactive antibodies were available for these two analytes. The biosensor is fully automated and can be regenerated allowing several hundreds of measurements without any user input. Even a remote control for online monitoring in the field is possible. The multivariate calibration of the sensor signal was performed using artificial neural networks, as the relationship between the sensor signals and the concentration of the analytes is highly non-linear. For the development of a multi-analyte immunoassay consisting of two polyclonal antibodies with cross-reactivity to atrazine and simazine and different derivatives immobilised on the transducer surface, the binding characteristics between these substances like binding capacity and cross-reactivity were characterised. The examination of three different measurement procedures showed that a two-step measurement using only one antibody per step allows a quantification of both analytes in a mixture with limits of detection of 0.2 microg/l for atrazine and 0.3 microg/l for simazine. The biosensor is suitable for online monitoring in the field and remote control is possible.