Structural characterisation and pH-dependent preference of pyrrole cross-link isoforms from reactions of oxoenal with cysteine and lysine side chains as model systems.

In this study, we subjected 5,5-diethoxy-4-oxopent-2-enal (DOPE), a model amino acids cross-linking reagent, to reactions with N-acetylcysteine (Ac-Cys) and Nα-acetyllysine (Ac-Lys), and identified three pyrrole cross-links. The compounds were isolated and their structures were rigorously determined by spectrometric and spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR experiments. The use of 2D NMR spectroscopy was crucial to determine the position of the substituents in the pyrrole rings. The products were identified as 2,4-, 2,3-, and 2,5-substituted pyrroles. The data obtained from their structural characterisation can help similar studies on amino acids modifications induced by analogous bifunctional carbonyl compounds. Our results show that the study of pathways in which model electrophiles modify amino acids may be helpful for similar studies dealing with identification of structural changes in cysteine- and lysine-containing proteins associated with oxidative stress.

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Fluorinated Imines.

A number of imines, including 12 new compounds, previously not reported in the literature, derived from variously fluorinated benzaldehydes and different anilines or chiral benzylamines were synthesized by a solvent-free mechanochemical method, which was based on the manual grinding of equimolar amounts of the substrates at the room temperature. In a very short reaction time of only 15 min, the method produced the expected products with good-to-excellent yields. The yields were comparable or significantly higher than those reported in the literature for the imines synthesized by other methods. Importantly, the conditions used for the reactions with aniline derivatives also resulted in the high yields of imines obtained from chiral benzylamines, and can be extended to the synthesis with other similar amines. Structures of all imines were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy: 1H, 13C and 19F. For four compounds, X-ray structures were also obtained. The synthetic approach presented in this paper contributes to the prevention of environmental pollution and can be easily extended for larger-scale syntheses. The mechanochemical solvent-free method provides a convenient strategy particularly useful for the preparation of fluorinated imines being versatile intermediates or starting material in the synthesis of drugs and other fine chemicals.

New insight into the molecular mechanism of protein cross-linking induced by cis-2-butene-1,4-dial, the metabolite of furan: Formation of 2-substituted pyrrole cross-links involving the cysteine and lysine residues.

Furan is an environmental pollutant also present in heat-treated food. The compound is toxic and carcinogenic to rats, and classified as a possible human carcinogen. Mechanisms laying behind the furan carcinogenicity remain unclear, however scientific data indicate the involvement of bioactivation catalysed by cytochrome P450 2E1. The resulted initial metabolite of furan, cis-2-butene-1,4-dial (BDA) is an extremely reactive conjugated dialdehyde able to damage important cellular components such as glutathione, proteins and nucleic acids. Earlier works showed that BDA induces protein cross-linking leading to the formation of modifications containing substituted pyrrole ring, and that the cysteine and lysine residues are prone to undergo such processes. The resulted cross-linked protein adducts are important for research aimed at exploring biomarkers of furan exposure. Due to furan's high volatility, biomarker-based methods appear to be a reliable approach to measure a level of exposure to this chemical. To date, numerous urinary and hepatocyte metabolites were identified. However, all the metabolites contain 3-substituted pyrrole ring resulted from the 1,4-addition of the cysteine thiol function to BDA followed by the condensation with the lysine free amino group. In this work we provide evidence that also 2-substituted pyrrole cross-links are formed at the physiological pH, when BDA is subjected to the reaction with N-acetylcysteine and Nα-acetyllysine, Nε-acetyllysine or lysine, respectively. The 2-substituted cross-links arise from the initial 1,2-addition of N-acetylcysteine to BDA accomplished by the condensation with lysine or its N-acetylated derivatives. Formation of the 2-substituted pyrroles sheds new light on the reactivity of cis-2-butene-1,4-dial towards amino acids, and contributes to complete characterisation of the compound chemistry. Our studies show that the 2- and 3-substituted cross-links are indistinguishable based on their MS and MS/MS spectra, and that for reliable qualitative and quantitative measurements the use of isotope-substituted synthetic internal standards is necessary. In the light of these facts, our results are important for research into furan exposure biomarkers.

NanoUPLC-QTOF-MS/MS Determination of Major Rosuvastatin Degradation Products Generated by Gamma Radiation in Aqueous Solution.

Rosuvastatin, a member of the statin family of drugs, is used to regulate high cholesterol levels in the human body. Moreover, rosuvastatin and other statins demonstrate a protective role against free radical-induced oxidative stress. Our research aimed to investigate the end-products of free radical-induced degradation of rosuvastatin. To induce the radical degradation, an aqueous solution of rosuvastatin was irradiated using different doses of gamma radiation (50-1000 Gy) under oxidative conditions. Rosuvastatin and related degradation products were separated on nanoC18 column under gradient elution, and identification was carried out on hyphenated nanoUPLC and nanoESI-QTOF mass spectrometer system. Elemental composition analysis using highly accurate mass measurements together with isotope fitting algorithm identified nine major degradation products. This is the first study of gamma radiation-induced degradation of rosuvastatin, where chemical structures, MS/MS fragmentation pathways and formation mechanisms of the resulting degradation products are detailly described. The presented results contribute to the understanding of the degradation pathway of rosuvastatin and possibly other statins under gamma radiation conditions.

Reducing SARS-CoV-2 pathological protein activity with small molecules.

Coronaviruses are dangerous human and animal pathogens. The newly identified coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 outbreak, which is a real threat to human health and life. The world has been struggling with this epidemic for about a year, yet there are still no targeted drugs and effective treatments are very limited. Due to the long process of developing new drugs, reposition of existing ones is one of the best ways to deal with an epidemic of emergency infectious diseases. Among the existing drugs, there are candidates potentially able to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 replication, and thus inhibit the infection of the virus. Some therapeutics target several proteins, and many diseases share molecular paths. In such cases, the use of existing pharmaceuticals for more than one purpose can reduce the time needed to design new drugs. The aim of this review was to analyze the key targets of viral infection and potential drugs acting on them, as well as to discuss various strategies and therapeutic approaches, including the possible use of natural products. We highlighted the approach based on increasing the involvement of human deaminases, particularly APOBEC deaminases in editing of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. This can reduce the cytosine content in the viral genome, leading to the loss of its integrity. We also indicated the nucleic acid technologies as potential approaches for COVID-19 treatment. Among numerous promising natural products, we pointed out curcumin and cannabidiol as good candidates for being anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.

Synthesis, structural studies and biological properties of some phosphono-perfluorophenylalanine derivatives formed by SNAr reactions.

Several novel phosphono-perfluorophenylalanine derivatives, as mimetics of phenylalanine, were synthesized by subjecting diethyl (2-(perfluorophenyl)-1-(phenylamino)ethyl)-phosphonate to SNAr reactions with different types of nucleophiles such as thiols, amines and phenols. The structure of the products was confirmed using spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. For two compounds X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis and DFT investigations were performed providing information in regard to the preferable conformation, hydrogen bonds and other interactions. The antiproliferative potency of some of the new phosphono-perfluorophenylalanine derivatives obtained as well as representatives of previously synthesized perfluorophenyl phosphonate analogues of phenylalanine was studied on selected glioma cell lines. Preliminary evaluation of the compounds drug likeness was examined with respect to Lipinski's and Veber's rules, and showed that they meet the criteria perfectly. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay results demonstrated that the compounds exhibit moderate activity against the glioblastoma multiforme cell lines (T98G and U-118 MG). Moreover most of the studied SNAr reaction products displayed significantly higher inhibitory activity against both cancer cell lines than the parent diethyl (2-(perfluorophenyl)-1-(phenylamino)ethyl)phosphonate.

Experimental and theoretical studies on fluvastatin primary photoproduct formation.

Fluvastatin (FLV) belongs to the group of compounds referred to as statins, also known as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. Statins act as cholesterol-lowering agents and are among the most frequently prescribed drugs. They upregulate low-density lipoprotein receptors in the liver by binding to the active site of HMG-CoA reductase, which is the key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Statins have been detected as contaminants in natural waters and are susceptible to degradation upon exposure to light. Fluvastatin is extremely sensitive to light; upon irradiation it forms a range of photoproducts. In this study the fluvastatin molar absorption coefficient and the quantum yield of the drug photodegradation were determined. The FLV photodegradation quantum yield value determined in this work (Φ = 0.13 ± 0.02) was found to be significantly larger than that previously reported in the literature. Our results also showed that the generation of singlet oxygen is not involved in the drug photodecomposition indicating that the excited triplet state of fluvastatin is not populated efficiently. Moreover, experimental methods and DFT calculations were applied to get insight into the possible mechanisms of fluvastatin primary photoproduct formation. Using the transient absorption spectroscopy technique, the transient species formed immediately after the drug excitation were followed, and the scheme for fluvastatin primary photochemistry was suggested. The primary photoproducts were identified on the basis of spectroscopic and spectrometric methods. A new mechanism for photooxygenation leading to the formation of one of the identified photoproducts (FP2) was proposed and a new approach to the formation of the other photoproduct (FP1) was provided. The theoretical mechanistic explanation of the photoproduct formation is in excellent agreement with the experimental data.

Identification of adducts formed in the reactions of malonaldehyde-glyoxal and malonaldehyde-methylglyoxal with adenosine and calf thymus DNA.

The reactions of adenosine with malonaldehyde and glyoxal, and with malonaldehyde and methylglyoxal resulted in the formation of one malonaldehyde-glyoxal and one malonaldehyde-methylglyoxal conjugate adduct, respectively. These adducts were isolated and purified by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, and structurally characterized by UV, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The malonaldehyde-glyoxal adduct was identified as 8-(diformylmethyl)-3-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[2,1-i]purine (M(1)Gx-A), while the malonaldehyde-methylglyoxal one as 8-(diformylmethyl)-7-methyl-3-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[2,1-i]purine (M(1)MGx-A). Both adducts were also observed in calf thymus DNA when incubated in the respective aldehydes under physiological pH and temperature. Moreover, in the reaction of methylglyoxal and malonaldehyde with adenosine, an additional adduct was formed. This adduct was found to consist of one unit derived from methylglyoxal and one unit from formaldehyde. The adduct was identified as N(6)-(2,3-dihydroxy-2-methylpropanoyl)-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine (MGxFA-A). Formaldehyde was found to originate from the commercial methylglyoxal in which it was present as an impurity.

Modifications of nucleosides by endogenous mutagens-DNA adducts arising from cellular processes.

DNA damage plays a significant role in mutagenesis, carcinogenesis and ageing. Chemical transformations leading to DNA damage include reactions of the base units with agents of endogenous and exogenous origin. The vast majority of damage arising from cellular processes such as metabolism and lipid peroxidation are identical or very similar to those induced by exposure to environmental agents. A detailed knowledge of the types and prevalence of endogenous DNA damage provides insight into the chemical nature of species involved in these modifications and may be of help in understanding their influence on the induction of cancer or other diseases. This knowledge may also be essential to the development of rational chemopreventive strategies directed against the initiation of oxidative stress- and lipid peroxidation-associated pathology. The present work reviews findings regarding the interaction between DNA bases and various reactive species arising from lipid peroxidation and other cellular processes, drawing attention to the mechanism responsible for the formation of the resulted modifications. The biological consequences of these interactions are also briefly discussed.

Formation of adducts in the reaction of glyoxal with 2'-deoxyguanosine and with calf thymus DNA.

The reactions of glyoxal with 2'-deoxyguanosine and calf thymus single- and double-stranded DNA in aqueous buffered solutions at physiological conditions resulted in the formation of two previously undetected adducts in addition to the known reaction product 3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5,6,7-trihydro-6,7-dihydroxyimidazo[1,2-a]purine-9-one (Gx-dG). The adducts were isolated and purified by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and structurally characterised by UV absorbance, mass spectrometry, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The hitherto unknown adducts were identified as: 5-carboxymethyl-3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5,6,7-trihydro-6,7-dihydroxyimidazo[1,2-a]purine-9-one (Gx(2)-dG) and N(2)-(carboxymethyl)-9-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-purin-6(9H)-one (Gx(1)-dG). Both adducts were shown to arise from Gx-dG. Gx-dG and Gx(2)-dG were found to be unstable and partly transformed to Gx(1)-dG, which is a stable adduct and seems to be the end-product of the glyoxal reaction with 2'-deoxyguanosine. All adducts formed in the reaction of glyoxal with 2'-deoxyguanosine were observed in calf thymus DNA. Also in DNA, Gx(1)-dG was the only stable adduct. The transformation of Gx-dG to Gx(1)-dG seemed to take place in single-stranded DNA and therefore, Gx(1)-dG may be a potentially reliable biomarker for glyoxal exposure and may be involved in the genotoxic properties of the compound.

Reactions of malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde with calf thymus DNA: formation of conjugate adducts.

Our previous work has shown that treatment of nucleosides with malonaldehyde simultaneously with acetaldehyde affords stable conjugate adducts. In the present study we demonstrate that conjugate adducts are also formed in calf thymus DNA when incubated with the aldehydes. The adducts were identified in the DNA hydrolysates by their positive ion electrospray MS/MS spectra, by coelution with the 2'-deoxynucleoside standards, and, in the case of adducts exhibiting fluorescent properties, also by LC using a fluorescence detector. In the hydrolysates of double-stranded DNA (ds DNA), two deoxyguanosine and two deoxyadenosine conjugate adducts were detected and in single-stranded DNA (ss DNA) also, the deoxycytidine conjugate adduct was observed. The guanine base was the major target for the malonaldehyde-acetaldehyde conjugates and 2'-deoxyguanosine adducts were produced in ds DNA at levels of 100-500 adducts/10(5) nucleotides (0.7-3 nmol/mg DNA).

Formation of malonaldehyde-acetaldehyde conjugate adducts in calf thymus DNA.

It has previously been shown that malonaldehyde forms conjugates with acetaldehyde and that these conjugates react with nucleobases forming so-called conjugate adducts. In the current study, it is shown that conjugate adducts are also formed in calf thymus DNA when incubated simultaneously with malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde. The adducts were identified in the DNA hydrolysates by their positive ion electrospray MS/MS spectra and by coelution with the 2'-deoxynucleoside standards and, in the case of adducts exhibiting fluorescent properties, also by LC using a fluorescence detector. In the hydrolysates of double-stranded DNA (ds DNA), two deoxyguanosine and two deoxyadenosine conjugate adducts were detected, and in single-stranded DNA (ss DNA) also, the deoxycytidine conjugate adduct was observed. The guanine base was the major target for the malonaldehyde-acetaldehyde conjugates, and 2'-deoxyguanosine adducts were produced in ds DNA at levels of 100-500 adducts/10(5) nucleotides (0.7-3 nmol/mg DNA). The 2'-deoxyadenosine adducts and the 2'-deoxycytidine adduct were generated in higher amounts when the incubation was performed at pH 6.0 than at pH 7.4, while the opposite formation profile was noted for the 2'-deoxyguanosine adducts, especially in the ss DNA reaction. This observation is exactly in accordance with our previously reported pH-dependent reactivity of the individual nucleosides with malonaldehyde-acetaldehyde conjugates. The findings of this work show that the genotoxic effects observed for malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde could be in part due to the formation of the conjugate adducts.

Formation of conjugate adducts in the reactions of malonaldehyde-acetaldehyde and malonaldehyde-formaldehyde with guanosine.

The reactions of guanosine with malonaldehyde in buffered aqueous solutions in the presence of acetaldehyde or formaldehyde were studied. The reaction mixtures were analyzed by RP-HPLC. Two adducts were formed in the reaction of malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde and one in the reaction of malonaldehyde and formaldehyde. The products were isolated and purified by preparative C-18 chromatography and structurally characterized by UV absorbance, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The adducts formed in the reaction of malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde were identified as 7-(2,2-diformyl-1-methylethyl)-3-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrimido[1,2-a]-purin-10(3H)-one (M2AA-Guo I) and 2-(3,5-diformyl-4-methyl-1,4-dihydro-1-pyridyl)-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-purin-6(9H)-one (M2AA-Guo II). In the reaction of malonaldehyde and formaldehyde, the major product was identified as 7-formyl-3-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrimido[1,2-a]purin-10(8H)-one (M1FA-Guo). The highest yields of M2AA-Guo I and M2AA-Guo II, 7 and 2 mol %, respectively, were obtained in the reaction performed at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C for 6 days, while M1FA-Guo was produced at a yield of 0.3 mol % after 3 days of reaction at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. The products are formed by reactions of malonaldehyde-acetaldehyde and malonaldehyde-formaldehyde condensation products with guanosine and are analogous to the previously identified condensation products formed with adenosine, cytidine, and proteins.

Identification of conjugate adducts formed in the reactions of malonaldehyde-acetaldehyde and malonaldehyde-formaldehyde with cytidine.

Malonaldehyde was reacted with cytidine in buffered aqueous solutions in the presence of acetaldehyde or formaldehyde. The reaction mixtures were analyzed by HPLC, and the products were isolated by preparative C18 chromatography and structurally characterized by UV absorbance, fluorescence emission, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The major adducts formed in the reaction of malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde were identified as 7-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-methyl-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-4H-pyrimido[1,6-a]pyrimidine-3-carbaldehyde (M(1)AA-Cyd) and 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-(3,5-diformyl-4-methyl-1,4-dihydro-1-pyridyl)pyrimidine (M(2)AA-Cyd). In the reaction of malonaldehyde and formaldehyde, the major product was identified as 7-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-4H-pyrimido[1,6-a]pyrimidine-3-carbaldehyde (M(1)FA-Cyd). The highest yields of M(1)AA-Cyd and M(2)AA-Cyd, 3.2 and 0.5 mol %, respectively, were obtained in the reaction performed at pH 4.6 and 37 degrees C for 8 days, while M(1)FA-Cyd was produced at a yield of 0.3 mol % after 3 days of reaction at pH 4.0 and 37 degrees C. The products consist of units derived from malonaldehyde and acetaldehyde (M(1)AA-Cyd and M(2)AA-Cyd) or from malonaldehyde and formaldehyde (M(1)FA-Cyd), and are thus further examples of nucleoside modifications containing structural elements derived from aldehyde condensation reactions. Trace amounts of the adducts may be formed at physiological conditions and may be involved in the mutagenicity of the studied aldehydes.