Synthesis and spectral properties of a hydrophobic fluorescent probe: 6-propionyl-2-(dimethylamino)naphthalene.

Environmentally sensitive fluorescent probes involve two groups, an electron donor and an electron acceptor, attached to an aromatic ring system, and maximal effects may be expected when these groups are as far apart as feasible. The syntheisis, characterization, and spectroscopic properties of 6-propionyl-2-(dimethylamino)naphthalene (PRODAN), a compound that fulfills these conditions, are described. The maximum of emission is at 401 nm in cyclohexane solution and at 531 nm in water solution, indicating an increase of dipole moment of approximately 20 D units on excitation to the lowest singlet state. The effect of temperature upon the spectral distribution and the bandwidth of fluorescence of PRODAN in 1:1 complexes with albumin shows the existence of a dynamic relaxation process of the protein surroundings within th 2-4 ns of the fluorescence lifetime.     

Synthesis of (E)-9-(1-pyrenyl)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal, a fluorescent probe of the (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal with retained biological properties

(E)-9-(1-pyrenyl)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal (FHNE), a fluorescent probe of (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal (HNE) is synthesised in seven steps and in 35% overall yield, starting from commercially available 1-pyrencarboxyaldehyde. When incubated with cultured HeLa cells this fluorescent probe penetrates cells and particularly concentrates in the region surrounding the nucleus. As the parent compound, HNE it is able to induce the activation of heat shock factor (HSF) and it is able to induce the binding of HSF to heat shock element (HSE).     

Fluorescence polarization study of human erythrocyte membranes with 1-phenyl-3-(2-naphthyl)-2-pyrazoline as orientational probe

The emission and polarization spectra of 1-phenyl-3-(2-naphthyl)-2-pyrazoline (PNP) in various environments were studied. Compared to the widely used orientational membrane probe 1,6-diphenylhexatriene (DPH), PNP is five times less photolabile and since its fluorescence emission maximum is at longer wavelengths $\text{(γ}{}_{\max }\text{≈ 445}\text{nm}\text{)}$, it is more suitable for use with intact erythrocytes. The limiting fluorescence anisotropy of PNP is 0.385. In erythrocyte ghosts, the steady-state emission anisotropy of PNP is a decreasing function of wavelength and its temperature dependence parallels that of DPH, dropping from 0.298 at 2°C to 0.185 at 38°C when averaged between 420 and 470 nm.     

Synthesis and physical properties of phosphatidylcholine labelled with 9-(2-anthryl)nonanoic acid,a new fluorescent probe

Synthesis and physical properties of a new anthracene fatty acid, 9-(2-anthryl)nonanoic acid, and the corresponding anthracene-phosphatidylcholines which were obtained by condensing the acid with sn-1-palmitoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine (PAPC) and with egg lysophosphatidylcholine (EAPC) are described. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments show that these lipids can undergo a liquid-crystal to gel phase transition at temperatures of 15°C and 18°C for EAPC and PAPC, respectively. In monolayers, PAPC exhibits a compression curve nearly superimposable to that of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), with a molecular area of 0.48 nm² at π = 30 mN m^?1. The data indicate that in these lipids, the anthracene group is only slightly more bulky than a normal acyl chain and that it does not significantly affect the regular phospholipid molecular packing. In ethanol solutions or when incorporated into egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes in a molar ratio of 1%, these lipids display UV absorption spectra and fluorescence emission spectra similar to those of 2-methyl anthracene. For EAPC liposomes, a broad and structureless fluorescence emission spectrum centered at around 450 nm, was recorded, suggesting the occurrence of anthracene excimers. As ascertained by UV spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence polarization and anthracene photodimerization experiments, EAPC displays good miscibility properties with lipids in the liquid state (egg phosphatidylcholine) or in the gel state (distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC)). The potential of these anthracene derivatives for studying the dynamics and the topological distribution of lipids in biomembranes is discussed.     

Synthesis of (E)-9-(1-pyrenyl)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal, a fluorescent probe of the (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal with retained biological properties

(E)-9-(1-pyrenyl)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal (FHNE), a fluorescent probe of (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal (HNE) is synthesised in seven steps and in 35% overall yield, starting from commercially available 1-pyrencarboxyaldehyde. When incubated with cultured HeLa cells this fluorescent probe penetrates cells and particularly concentrates in the region surrounding the nucleus. As the parent compound, HNE it is able to induce the activation of heat shock factor (HSF) and it is able to induce the binding of HSF to heat shock element (HSE).     

Synthesis,modelling, and solvatochromic properties of a phenothiazine derivative

A new A–π–D–π–A phenothiazine derivative, 2,2′‐((10‐octyl‐10H‐phenothiazine‐3,7‐diyl)bis (ethene‐2,1‐diyl))bis(1‐ethyl‐3,3‐dimethyl‐3H‐indol‐1‐ium)iodide (PTZ‐BEI) was prepared and fully characterized using infra‐red (IR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR, ultraviolet–visible light and mass spectra. Electronic spectra of PTZ‐BEI solutions in solvents with different polarities displayed absorption bands (λ_max) related to intramolecular charge transfer. In addition, the emission spectra of PTZ‐BEI solutions were strongly solvent dependent for both wavelength and intensity. Stokes’ shift ( increased with increasing solvent polarity up to 4105 cm^?1 in the most polar solvent, dimethylformamide. The linear solvation‐energy relationship was utilized to investigate solvent dependency of the Stokes’ shifts. Relative quantum yield (φ ) of PTZ‐BEI was calculated. Finally, density functional theory was employed at the B3LYP level for geometrical optimization and simulation of electron spectra for the PTZ derivative in gaseous and solvated states to explore the solvent effect.     

Quantification of the alpha- and gamma-tocopherol metabolites 2,5,7, 8-tetramethyl-2-(2'-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman and 2,7, 8-trimethyl-2-(2'-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman in human serum.

alpha- and gamma-tocopherol are the major vitamin E compounds found in human blood and tissues. The metabolites are 2,5,7, 8-tetramethyl-2-(2'-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman (alpha-CEHC) and 2,7,8-trimethyl-2-(2'-carboxyethyl)-6-hydroxychroman (gamma-CEHC, LLU-alpha), respectively. alpha-CEHC is excreted mainly as glucuronide or sulfate conjugates in the urine. Here we describe a sensitive and reliable method to analyze alpha- and gamma-CEHC in human serum. The concentration of alpha-CEHC in human serum is in the range of 5-10 pmol/ml but increases significantly up to 200 pmol/ml upon supplementation with RRR-alpha-tocopherol. About one-third of the alpha-CEHC circulating in the blood is present as a glucuronide conjugate. Baseline levels of gamma-CEHC are about 50 to 85 pmol/ml.     

Effects of (8beta)-8-[methylthio)methyl]-6-propylergoline on dopaminergic function and brain dopamine turnover in rats.

(8β)-8-[(Methylthio)methyl]-6-propylergoline induced contralateral turning in rats with nigrostriatal lesions, lowered serum prolactin in reserpinized rats, and caused stereotyped hyperactivity. In addition to these functional effects typical of dopaminergic agonists, (8β)-8-[(methylthio)methyl]-6-propylergoline decreased dopamine turnover in rat brain. Decreased turnover was indicated by a diminished depletion of dopamine content after inhibition of its synthesis by α-methyltyrosine and by a decreased steady state concentration of the dopamine metabolite, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). DOPAC concentration in whole brain was decreased after doses of (8β)-8-[(methylthio)methyl]-6-propylergoline as low as 0.003 mg/kg, and the lowering of DOPAC persisted for up to 16 hrs. after a 0.3 mg/kg dose. (8β)-8-[(Methylthio)-methyl]-6-propylergoline had less effect than a structurally-related compound, lergotrile, on 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl-ethyleneglycol sulfate levels in whole brain and did not affect 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid levels over a dose range from .01–10 mg/kg. The behavioral and neuroendocrine effects of this new ergoline compound and its reduction of dopamine turnover in rat brain indicate that it is a potent dopamine receptor agonist $\text{in vivo}$.     

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 2-diethanolamino-4,8-diheptamethyleneimino-2-(N-aminoethyl-N-ethanolamino)-6-(N,N-diethanolamino)pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine-fluorescein conjugate (8MDP-fluor), as a novel equilibrative nucleoside transporter probe

Nucleoside transporters are integral membrane glycoproteins that play critical roles in physiological nucleoside and nucleobase fluxes, and influence the efficacy of many nucleoside chemotherapy drugs. Fluorescent reporter ligands/substrates have been shown to be useful in the analysis of nucleoside transporter (NT) protein expression and discovery of new NT inhibitors. In this study, we have developed a novel dipyridamole (DP)-based equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) fluorescent probe. The potent ENT1 and ENT2 inhibitor analogue of dipyridamole, 2,6-bis(diethanolamino)-4,8-diheptamethyleneiminopyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine (4, 8MDP), was modified to replace one β-hydroxyethyl group of the amino substituent at the 2-position with a β-aminoethyl group and then conjugated through the amino group to 6-(fluorescein-5-carboxamido)hexanoyl moiety to obtain a new fluorescent molecule, 2-diethanolamino-4,8-diheptamethyleneimino-2-(N-aminoethyl-N-ethanolamino)-6-(N,N-diethanolamino)pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine-fluorescein conjugate, designated 8MDP-fluorescein (8MDP-fluor, 6). The binding affinities of 8MDP-fluor at ENT1 and ENT2 are reflected by the uridine uptake inhibitory K(i) values of 52.1 nM and 285 nM, respectively. 8MDP-fluor was successfully demonstrated to be a flow cytometric probe for ENT1 comparable to the nitrobenzylmercaptopurine riboside (NBMPR) analogue ENT1 fluorescent probe SAENTA-X8-fluorescein (SAENTA-fluor, 1). This is the first reported dipyridamole-based ENT1 fluorescent probe, which adds a novel tool for probing ENT1, and possibly ENT2.     

Radiolabeling and biodistribution of methyl 2-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-(methylamino) bicyclo[2.1.1] -hexane -5-carboxylate,a potential neuroprotective drug

Methyl 2-(methoxycarbonyl) -2-(methylamino) bicyclo[2.1.1] -hexane -5-carboxylate (MMMHC) is developed as a potential neuroprotective drug. It was labeled with C-11 from the desmethyl precursor methyl 2-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-amino bicyclo[2.1.1]-hexane-5-carboxylate with [11C]methyl triflate in acetone solution at 60 degrees C with labeling yield of 69% and with radiochemical purity of >99%. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies in a normal rat showed that Methyl 2-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-([11C]methylamino)bicyclo[2.1.1]-hexane-5-carboxylate ([11C] MMMHC) accumulated mainly in the cortical brain areas after iv administration. Frontal cortex/cerebellum ratios in a rat brain were 8.0/6.0, 6.8/4.2, 6.3/4.3, 5.5/4.2 and 5.2/4.5 percent of the injected dose in 100 ml at 2 min, 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 40 min respectively after i.v. injection. During 20-40 min, 2.9+/-0.4% of the total activity stayed in the brain. These results showed that MMMHC could be labeled with C-11 with high yield, and it passed the brain-blood barrier and accumulated in several brain regions.     

N-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-propyl) alpha-phenylnitrone: an efficacious lipophilic spin trap for superoxide detection.

The spin trap N-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-propyl) alpha-phenylnitrone, EPPN 1, synthesized by methods previously described, has been purified by recrystallization. A measure of its octanol-phosphate buffer partition coefficient (P(oct) = 29.8) indicated that EPPN was quite lipophilic, yet it could be easily solubilized in water up to 60 mmol L(-1). Although this nitrone was unsuitable for detecting hydroxyl radical, it efficiently trapped several carbon-centered radicals as well as superoxide in aqueous media, without yielding any artifactual signals. Kinetic studies of the superoxide adduct decay gave rate constants k(D) of 2 x 10(-3) and 2.1 x 10(-3) s(-1) at pH 5.6 and pH 7, respectively. EPPN can be considered as an easily prepared and highly pure spin trap, allowing efficient detection of superoxide in aqueous environments.     

Synthesis of (S)-13-Hydroxy (2E,4E,8E)- and (2E,4E,8Z)-Tetradecatrienoic Acids

The syntheses of (S)-13-hydroxy-(2E,4E,8E)-tetradecatrienoic acid (1) and (2E,4E,8Z)-tetradecatrienoic acid (2) were carried out by using the Wittig reaction as the key step. The asymmetric center at C-13 and the double bond between C-8 and C-9 for natural compound 1 were reconfirmed as being of (S) configuration and E, respectively.

The relationship between the structure of the unsaturated hydroxy fatty acids and their inhibitory effect on the growth of lettuce was investigated.     

Association of the internal membrane protein with the lipid bilayer in influenza virus. A study with the fluorescent probe 12-(9-anthroyl)-stearic acid

The lipid fluorescent probe 12-(9-anthroyl)-stearic acid was introduced into the lipid bilayer of influenza virus particles. Fluorescent energy transfer was observed from the viral protein to the probe. This transfer persisted after removal of the glycoprotein spikes which cover the outside of the viral particle, demonstrating that the energy donor was an internal protein. It was concluded that the energy donor was the non-glycosylated membrane protein (M protein), the major protein component of the spikeless particle. Analysis of the emission spectrum of the spikeless particle excited at 275 nm shows that a substantial portion of the fluorescence arises from tyrosine residues, in contrast to most other proteins which contain both tryptophan and tyrosine.It is suggested that the donor residue(s) are located no more than 11 Å exterior to the bilayer surface, and that a portion of the M protein may penetrate into the bilayer.     

A lipophilic, selective alpha1 -adrenoceptor agonist: 2-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylimino)imida-zolidine (St 587)

A new compound (St 587) is described, which is a selective α₁ -adrenoceptor stimulating agent with lipophilic properties. This combination of characteristics is novel, since all α₁ -adrenoceptor agonists developed so far are hydrophilic. The α-adrenergic effects of 2-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylimino) imidazolidine (St 587), a derivative of clonidine, were examined in several animal models. St 587 (1–10,000 μg/kg, i.v.) induced vasoconstriction in pithed, normotensive rats. This peripheral pressor activity was strongly antagonized by prazosin (0.1 mg/kg), but not affected by yohimbine (1 mg/kg). In intact, pentobarbitone-anaesthetized normotensive rats, St 587 (1–3,000 μg/kg, i.v.) evoked transient pressor responses, but a secondary fall in blood pressure and cardiac frequency was not observed. In pitched rats, St 587 (1–1,000 μg/kg) failed to modify the increase in heart rate produced by electrical stimulation of the cardioaccelerator sympathetic nerve fibres. St 587 (300 and 1,000 μg/kg) did not display central hypotensive activity, when injected into the left vertebral artery of anaesthetized cats. In addition, no hypotensive effect was observed when St 587 was administered i.v. to anaesthetized normotensive rats and cats. In mice, St 587 (10–10,000 μg/kg, i.p.) lacked sedative properties, since it did not prolong the hexobarbitone (75 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced loss of the righting reflex. The overall lipophilicity (log P′) of St 587 in the octanol/buffer (pH=7.4) reference system at 37°C amounted to 1.54. The experimental data suggest that St 587 is a lipophillic compound with selective α₁ - agonistic activity. The inability of St 587 to cause hypotension and sedation provides further evidence for the view that α₁ -adrenoceptors in the brain are not involved in the central hypotensive action and the sedation, caused by clonidine and related drugs. These effects are solely mediated by homogenous populations of α₂ -adrenoceptors.     

Coordination modes of the novel bifunctional nitrogen ligands 8-(2-pyridyl)quinoline and 8-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)quinoline towards palladium and platinum. X-ray crystal structures of (8-(2-pyridyl)quinoline)Pd(Me)Cl, (8-(2-pyridyl)quinoline)-Pd(C(O)Me)Cl and (8-(2-pyridyl)quinoline)Pd(PEt3)Cl2

The coordination chemistry of the new bidentate nitrogen ligands 8-(2-pyridyl)quinoline (8-PQ) and 8-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)quinoline (Me-8-PQ) towards palladium and platinum has been studied. Several (NN)Pd(R)Cl and (NN)Pd(alkene) complexes have been synthesized. The complex (8-PQ)Pd(Me)Cl has been characterised by a single crystal X-ray determination (crystal data triclinic space group

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). A fast CO insertion occurs into the palladium-carbon bond of the complexes (NN)Pd(Me)Cl providing the (NN)Pd(C(O)Me)Cl complexes. For (8-PQ)Pd(C(O)Me)Cl an X-ray structure determination has been carried out (crystal data: monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=9.084(4), B=10.179(3), C=16.400(3) Å, β=95.59(2)°, V=1509.2(9) ų, R=0.043, Z=4). Unexpected in both molecular structures is the large dihedral angle between the plane of the bidentate nitrogen ligand and the coordination plane of the palladium. Both bidentate coordinating ligands 8-PQ and Me-8-PQ show a relatively large bite angle. A monodentate coordination mode has been observed for the complexes (NN)M(PEt₃)Cl₂ (M=Pd, Pt), as the pyridyl group of the ligand is coordinated to the metal while the quinoline group is dissociated from the metal, which is shown in the X-ray structure determination for the complex (8-PQ)Pd(PEt₃)Cl₂ (crystal data: monoclinic space group P2₁/a with A=15.736(2), B=7.782(1), C=18.255(3) Å, β=102.98(1)°, V=2178.3(6) ų, R=0.062, Z=4).     

Synthesis of 8-(2-4 dinitrophenyl 2-6 aminohexyl) amino-adenosine 5' triphosphate: biological properties and potential uses.

We have synthetised 8-(2-4 dinitrophenyl 2-6 aminohexyl) amino-adenosine 5' triphosphate (in short : rATP-DNP), a derivative of ATP which carries a dinitrophenyl group. We show that rATP-DNP is a substrate for calf thymus deoxynucleotidyl terminal transferase (EC 2.7.7.31) and E. coli DNA polymerase I (Kornberg polymerase EC 2.7.7.7.). It can therefore be incorporated into DNA molecules by elongation from 3' ends or by nick translation. The incorporated dinitrophenyl group can be recognized by specific antibodies which can then be detected by anti-antibodies coupled to an enzyme. DNP groups could also be introduced into DNA after enzymatic incorporation of 8-aminohexyl adenosine 5' triphosphate and reaction with 1-fluoro-2-4-dinitrobenzene. Thus, DNA molecules carrying DNP groups can ultimately be revealed by enzymatic coloured reactions. Potential uses of this enzymatic labelling as a substitute to the radioactive detection of nucleic acids, are discussed.     

Cyclization studies with (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesyl acetate,methyl farnesate,and methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate

As models for lanosterol biosynthesis and for more elaborate biogenetic-type total synthesis in the di- and triterpenoid series, the nonenzymic cyclization of methyl farnesate, methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate and (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesyl acetate was studied. In addition to the 10,11-halohydrin, N-bromosuccinimide/water was observed to convert methyl farnesate to bromobicycles 40 and 41. Acid-catalyzed cyclization of (±)-10,11-oxido farnesate and the corresponding 2,3-cis isomer produced inter alia 3-hydroxy octalins 20a and 21a. Similarly, methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate was transformed to inter alia the hydroxylated bicyclic esters 34 and 35. Mechanistic and other aspects of these reactions are taken up.     

NMR structural characterization of cecropin A(1-8) - magainin 2(1-12) and cecropin A (1-8) - melittin (1-12) hybrid peptides.

In order to elucidate the structure-antibiotic activity relationships of the peptides, the three-dimensional structures of two hybrid peptides, CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) and CA(1-8) - ME(1-12) in trifluoroethanol-containing aqueous solution were investigated by NMR spectroscopy. Both CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) and CA(1-8) - ME(1-12) have strong antibacterial activity but only CA(1-8) - ME(1-12) has hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) has a hydrophobic 310-helix of only two turns combined with one short helix in the N-terminus with a flexible hinge section in between. CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) has a severely bent structure in the middle of the peptide. These structural features as well as the low hydrophobicity of CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) seem to be crucial for the selective lysis against the membrane of prokaryotic cells. CA(1-8) - ME(1-12) has an alpha-helical structure of about three turns in the melittin domain and a flexible structure with one turn in the cecropin domain connected with a flexible hinge section in between, and these might be the structural features required for membrane disruption against prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The central hinge region (Gly9-Ile10-Gly11) in an amphipathic antibacterial peptide is considered to play an important role in providing the conformational flexibility required for ion channel formation of the C-terminal hydrophobic alpha-helix on cell membrane.     

Synthesis, biological activity, and SAR of antimycobacterial 2- and 8-substituted 6-(2-furyl)-9-(p-methoxybenzyl)purines

A number of 6-(2-furyl)-9-(p-methoxybenzyl)purines carrying a variety of substituents in the 2- or 8-position have been synthesized and their ability to inhibit growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro has been determined. It is demonstrated that sterical hindrance in the purine 8-position reduces activity and that C-8 should be unsubstituted. In the purine 2-position small, hydrophobic substituents are beneficial. The electronic properties of the 2-substituents appear to have only a minor influence on bioactivity. The compounds studied exhibit low toxicity toward mammalian cells (VERO cells) and are essentially inactive toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The most active and selective antimycobacterial in the series detected to date is the novel 2-methyl-6-furyl-9-(p-methoxybenzyl)purine with MIC=0.20 microg/mL against M. tuberculosis and IC(50) against VERO cells >62.5 microg/mL. Also the novel 2-fluoro analog and the previously known 2-chloro compound, both with MIC=0.39 microg/mL, are highly interesting drug candidates.