How icosahedral are icosahedral clusters?

Icosahedral symmetry, not contemplated within the crystallographic space groups, is nevertheless present to a high degree of perfection in a variety of clusters, in molecular, ionic, covalent or metallic structures. The application of continuous shape measures to those structures allows for a quantification of the degree of icosahedral symmetry present in each case, a first necessary step for a deeper discussion of the factors that favor the adoption of the icosahedron as a stable structural motif. Examples analyzed include boranes and carbaboranes, main group, rare earth or transition metal clusters, ligand-bridged polynuclear complexes and sets of donor atoms in mono- or polynuclear complexes. Specific examples are found of structures that appear along the minimal distortion pathways from the icosahedron to the cuboctahedron or the anticuboctahedron.     

Altering the communication networks of multispecies microbial systems using a diverse toolbox of AI-2 analogues

There have been intensive efforts to find small molecule antagonists for bacterial quorum sensing (QS) mediated by the "universal" QS autoinducer, AI-2. Previous work has shown that linear and branched acyl analogues of AI-2 can selectively modulate AI-2 signaling in bacteria. Additionally, LsrK-dependent phosphorylated analogues have been implicated as the active inhibitory form against AI-2 signaling. We used these observations to synthesize an expanded and diverse array of AI-2 analogues, which included aromatic as well as cyclic C-1-alkyl analogues. Species-specific analogues that disrupted AI-2 signaling in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium were identified. Similarly, analogues that disrupted QS behaviors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found. Moreover, we observed a strong correlation between LsrK-dependent phosphorylation of these acyl analogues and their ability to suppress QS. Significantly, we demonstrate that these analogues can selectively antagonize QS in single bacterial strains in a physiologically relevant polymicrobial culture.     

Synthesis and SAR studies of 3-phenoxypropyl piperidine analogues as ORL1 (NOP) receptor agonists

A series of 3-phenoxypropyl piperidine analogues have been discovered as novel ORL1 receptor agonists. Structure-activity relationships have been explored around the 3-phenoxypropyl region with several potent and selective analogues identified.     

Proline-glutamate chimeras in isopeptides. Synthesis and biological evaluation of conformationally restricted glutathione analogues

The two novel diastereoisomeric glutathione analogues 1 and 2 have been designed and synthesized by replacing the native gamma-glutamylic moiety with the conformational rigid skeleton of cis- or trans-4-carboxy-L-proline residue. Both analogues have been obtained by following the solution phase peptide chemistry methodologies and final reduction of the corresponding disulfide forms 13 and 14. The two analogues 1 and 2 have been tested towards gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) and human glutathione S-transferase (hGST P1-1). Both analogues 1 and 2 are completely resistant to enzymatic degradation by gamma-GT. The S-transferase utilizes the analogue 2 as a good substrate while is unable to bind the analogue 1.     

Novel cofactor derivatives and cofactor-based models

In 1997 and the first half of 1998, numerous publications appeared reporting studies of cofactors and their analogues in classical model systems and in enzyme-catalyzed reactions directed at understanding the enzymatic reactions of their natural cofactors. Model systems based on flavins have provided new insights into enzymatic modulation of the flavin reduction potential, and enzymatic reactions of coenzyme A analogues and derivatives have been employed in several studies of coenzyme A utilizing enzymes. Coenzyme B₁₂ analogues have been utilized as alternate cofactors for B₁₂-utilizing enzymes, while pyrroloquinoline quinone esters and analogues have been employed in model studies of the reactions of quinoprotein-catalyzed reactions.     

核苷类药物酶法合成研究进展

由于核苷类似物具有很高的抗病毒活性,因为而已成为医药工作者研究的重点。运用酶法合成核苷类似物．已经显示了巨大的优势。本文综述了酶法合成核苷类似物的产生菌种和酶系,以及它们的催化机理,并罗列了已经用于生产或较有使用价值的菌种。     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel selenonucleosides

A series of novel selenonucleoside analogues with 1,4-oxaselenane as the carbohydrate fragment has been synthesized from their corresponding dimesylated seconucleosides treated with NaHSe solution and subsequent deprotection. The synthesized selenonucleoside analogues were evaluated as potential antitumor agents.     

A series of heterocyclic inhibitors of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases with antibacterial activity

A series of novel heterocyclic analogues have been synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit phenylalanyl-t-RNA synthetases and act as antibacterial agents. Several analogues have good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.     

Synthesis of diverse analogues of Oenostacin and their antibacterial activities

Several diverse analogues of Oenostacin, a naturally occurring potent antibacterial phenolic acid derivative, have been synthesized. A small library with more than forty analogues having different aromatic rings and varied side chains has been achieved through solution phase synthesis. Some of these analogues, that is, 22, 23 and 42, possessed potent antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus having EC(50) ranging from 0.49 to 0.67 microM as compared to Oenostacin (EC(50)=0.12 microM).     

Thapsigargin analogues for targeting programmed death of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.

A number of analogues of thapsigargin, a selective inhibitor of the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases have been synthesized. In all of the prepared analogues the butanoyl residue at O-8 has been replaced with a residue containing an aromatic amine. The amine can be used as an anchoring point for attaching a peptide group sensitive to the proteolytic enzyme, prostate specific antigen, secreted by prostate cancer cells. Like thapsigargin, the analogues are capable of elevating the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration approximately sevenfold when tested at effective cytotoxic doses. The analogues in which the 8-O-butanoyl group has been replaced with 3-(4-aminophenyl)propanoyl or 4-aminocinnamoyl were found potently to induce programmed cell death of the prostate cancer cells.     

Synthesis and antiparasitic activity of albendazole and mebendazole analogues

Albendazole (Abz) and Mebendazole (Mbz) analogues have been synthesized and in vitro tested against the protozoa Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas vaginalis and the helminths Trichinella spiralis and Caenorhabditis elegans. Results indicate that compounds 4a, 4b (Abz analogues), 12b and 20 (Mbz analogues) are as active as antiprotozoal agents as Metronidazole against G. lamblia. Compound 9 was 58 times more active than Abz against T. vaginalis. Compounds 8 and 4a also shown high activity against this protozoan. Compounds 4b and 5a were as active as Abz. None of the Mbz analogues showed activity against T. vaginalis. The anthelmintic activity presented by these compounds was poor.     

Synthesis and activity of phosphinic tripeptide inhibitors of cathepsin C

Phosphinic tripeptide analogues Gly-Xaapsi[P(O)(OH)CH(2)]-Gly have been developed as inhibitors of cathepsin C (DPP I), a lysosomal, papain-like cysteine protease. The target compounds were synthesised by addition of methyl acrylate to the appropriate phosphinic acids followed by the N-terminus elongation using mixed anhydride procedure. The latter step has been demonstrated to be a suitable method for N-terminal extension of the phosphinic pseudopeptide analogues without requirement of hydroxyphosphinyl protection. The title compounds appeared to be moderate inhibitors of the cathepsin C. However, although designed as transition state analogues, they surprisingly exhibited noncompetitive mode of binding to cathepsin C. Differences in kinetics of C-terminal acids and esters have been additionally observed.     

一株产多种β-内酰胺类抗生素酰化酶菌株的筛选

为了从大量的候选菌株中快速筛选头孢菌素酰化酶产生菌,设计并合成了一系列头孢菌素酰化酶的底物类似物。这些酰胺类的底物类似物由二部分组成,一部分为与头孢菌素相同或相似的侧链,另外一部分为发色基团或便于检测的基团。它们被酰化酶水解酰胺键以后可以方便快速的检测,因此用于对大量菌株进行快速筛选。采用这些化合物筛选到6株酰化酶阳性菌株。其中菌株ZH0650能够同时水解GL-7ACA和多个底物类似物。进一步研究表明,该菌至少产生3种酰化酶,AD-NABA酰化酶,青霉素G酰化酶和头孢菌素C酰化酶。我们初步纯化了AD-NABA酰化酶和青霉素G酰化酶,并对头孢菌素C酰化酶的活力进行了鉴定。这是首次报道的可以产生青霉素G酰化酶和头孢菌素酰化酶等多种酰化酶的菌株,具有良好的应用前景。     

Simplified bicyclic pyridinol analogues protect mitochondrial function

Bicyclic pyridinol antioxidants have been reported to suppress the autoxidation of methyl linoleate more effectively than α-tocopherol in benzene solution. A few novel lipophilic analogues have recently been synthesized by conjugating a pyridinol core with the phytyl side chain of α-tocopherol; these have been shown to possess potent antioxidant activity. However, the complexity of the synthetic routes has hampered their further development. Herein, we describe a facile approach, involving only five synthetic steps, to simplified analogues (1a-1c) and their acetate ester precursors (2a-2c). Simple alkyl chains of different lengths were attached to the 6-methyl group of the antioxidant core via regioselective metalation. These analogues were found to retain biological activity and exhibit protective behaviour under conditions of induced oxidative stress, which could lead to the development of more readily accessible analogues as potential antioxidants capable of preserving mitochondrial function.     

Ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of oligodeoxyribonucleotide phosphorothioates.

Oligodeoxynucleotide-containing phosphorothioate backbones have been used to regulate viral as well as cellular gene expression. The studies carried out in tissue culture have shown promising results on the use of oligonucleotide phosphorothioates as antiviral agents and, at present, study is underway to develop these oligonucleotide analogues as chemotherapeutic agents. To analyze and purify oligonucleotide analogues, high-performance liquid chromatography using weak anion exchange column has been described. The separation of oligonucleotide phosphorothioate is found to be length dependent.     

Synthesis and structure activity relationships of schweinfurthin indoles

As part of a program to explore the biological activity of analogues of the natural schweinfurthins, a set of compounds has been prepared where an indole system can be viewed as a substitution for the resorcinol substructure of the schweinfurthin’s D-ring. Twelve of these schweinfurthin indoles have been prepared and evaluated in the 60 cell line screen of the National Cancer Institute. While a range of activity has been observed, it is now clear that schweinfurthin indoles can demonstrate the intriguing pattern of activity associated with the natural stilbenes. In the best cases, these indole analogues display both potency and differential activity across the various cell lines comparable to the best resorcinol analogues.     

Methyllycaconitine analogues have mixed antagonist effects at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Bicyclic analogues of methyllycaconitine (MLA), such as 12, have been synthesised that incorporate the C1-OMe substituent present in the natural product. Electrophysiology experiments using Xenopus oocytes expressing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were conducted on these analogues and a related tricyclic analogue 2. The most potent compound, 2, was an antagonist at all receptors studied but displayed different antagonist effects at each receptor subtype. This study more clearly defines the biological effects of MLA analogues at nAChRs and demonstrates that these analogues are not selective ligands for the alpha7 nAChR subtype.     

Molecular docking analysis of DNA ligase from Staphylococcus aureus with identical polysaccharides

Staphylococcus aureus has been recognized as an important human pathogen for more than 100 years. DNA ligase is the main protein responsible for the replication of S. aureus. DNA ligase was selected as successive target to control the replication mechanism. The antibacterial activity of polysaccharide is known. Therefore, it is of interest to study the activity of Polysaccharide analogues against DNA ligase in S. aureus using molecular docking analysis. We report ten analogues using scoring parameters with best two analogues as potential drug candidate for the combat of S. aureus infection.     

Advancement in the development of heterocyclic nucleosides for the treatment of cancer - A review

Abstract

Cancer diseases are widely recognised as an important medical problem and killing millions of people in a year. Chemotherapeutic drugs are successful against cancer in many cases and different compounds, including the analogues of natural substances, may be used for anticancer agents. Nucleoside analogues also have become a necessity for the treatment of cancer diseases. Nucleoside, nucleotide and base analogues have been utilised for decades for the treatment of viral pathogens, neoplasms and in anticancer chemotherapy. This review focuses on the different types of nucleosides and their potential role as anticancer agents. It also discusses the nucleoside analogues approved by FDA and in process of approval. The effect of the substitution on the nucleoside analogues and their pharmacological role is also discussed in the review. Owing to the advances in computational chemistry, it concludes with the future advancement and possible outcome of the nucleoside analogues. Also, it depicts the development of heterocyclic nucleoside analogues, explores the QSAR of the synthesised compounds and discusses the 3?D QSAR pharmacophore modelling in order to examine their potential anti-cancer activities.     

Analysis of structure-activity relationships for the 'A-region' of N-(4-t-butylbenzyl)-N'-[4-(methylsulfonylamino)benzyl]thiourea analogues as TRPV1 antagonists

The structure-activity relationships for the 'A-region' of N-(4-t-butylbenzyl)-N'-[4-(methylsulfonylamino)benzyl]thiourea analogues have been investigated as TRPV1 receptor antagonists. The 2-halogen analogues showed enhanced antagonism compared to the prototype antagonist.