Correction: A facile, one-pot reductive alkylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic amines in aqueous micellar media: a chemoenzymatic approach.

Correction for 'A facile, one-pot reductive alkylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic amines in aqueous micellar media: a chemoenzymatic approach' by Krithika Ganesh et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023, 21, 4264-4268, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3OB00386H.

A facile, one-pot reductive alkylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic amines in aqueous micellar media: a chemoenzymatic approach.

A facile, green, selective and practical method for the catalytic N-alkylation of amines using molecular hydrogen as the reductant was developed. This procedure involves a lipase-mediated one-pot chemoenzymatic cascade wherein an amine undergoes a reductive amination with an aldehyde generated in situ. The imine formed thereby is reduced to give the corresponding amine. This process represents a convenient, environmentally benign and scalable one-pot process for the synthesis of N-alkyl amines. We report for the first time chemoenzymatic reductive alkylation in aqueous micellar media with an E-factor of 0.68.

Correction: An efficient metal free synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiozoles - a greener approach.

Correction for 'An efficient metal free synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiozoles - a greener approach' by Krithika Ganesh et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023, 21, 564-568, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB01981G.

An efficient metal free synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiozoles - a greener approach.

A facile one-pot, metal-free method for the synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiazoles was developed, which includes an initial reaction of electron-deficient 2-haloanilines with aromatic isothiocyanates and the subsequent intramolecular cyclization of the resulting thioureas through the SNAr mechanism. This one-pot, atom-economical, robust, and scalable method avoids the use of reagents such as acid chlorides and Lawesson's reagent that are difficult to handle.

Correction: An efficient metal free synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiozoles - a greener approach.

Correction for 'An efficient metal free synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiozoles - a greener approach' by Krithika Ganesh et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023, 21, 564-568, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB01981G.

Development of clone with novel TrpE fusion tag in E. coli for overexpression of trypsin in a bench-scale bioreactor.

Trypsin is a key enzyme under the serine proteases that is found in the pancreas which plays a key role in protein digestion. It cleaves peptide chains mainly at the carboxyl side of the amino acids lysine or arginine. This enzyme has received greater attention mainly due to its increased use in the removal of fusion tags during protein purification and its role in the processing of biosimilars like insulin. The present study was carried out to develop a clone with Novel TrpLE1413(TrpE) Fusion Tag for enhanced expression of trypsin which helps in cost reduction of biosimilar processing. In our experiment we have used a synthetic bovine trypsin gene containing a novel fusion tag TrpE at its N terminus, which was cloned into the pET41b (+) vector and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) in a lab-scale bioreactor. Using the optimized fermentation process with TrpE Fusion Tag, 27.8 g/L inclusion bodies were produced at the end of fermentation, of which 209 mg/L of active trypsin was obtained after purification. In contrast, previous reports have claimed to produce a maximum of 60 mg/L of the enzyme without the fusion tag. Thus based on our findings, the small size (less than 2 kDa) of TrpE tag and its hydrophobicity may reduce the loss incurred during the purification process. Hence, it could be discerned that the use of the TrpE fusion tag along with a robust fermentation process led to 3- 4 fold higher yield making it a commercially viable process facilitating an improved recovery of the enzyme.

Discovery of FNDR-20123, a histone deacetylase inhibitor for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

BACKGROUND: Emergence of anti-malarial drug resistance and perpetual increase in malaria incidence necessitates the development of novel anti-malarials. Histone deacetylases (HDAC) has been shown to be a promising target for malaria, despite this, there are no HDAC inhibitors in clinical trials for malaria treatment. This can be attributed to the poor pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and selectivity of the HDAC inhibitors. METHODS: A collection of HDAC inhibitors were screened for anti-malarial activity, and the best candidate was profiled in parasite-killing kinetics, growth inhibition of sensitive and multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains and against gametocytes. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion pharmacokinetics (ADME-PK) parameters of FNDR-20123 were determined, and in vivo efficacy was studied in a mouse model for Plasmodium falciparum infection. RESULTS: A compound library of HDAC inhibitors (180 in number) was screened for anti-malarial activity, of which FNDR-20123 was the most potent candidate. The compound had been shown to inhibit Plasmodium HDAC with IC50 of 31 nM and human HDAC with IC50 of 3 nM. The IC50 obtained for P. falciparum in asexual blood-stage assay was 42 nM. When compared to atovaquone and pyrimethamine, the killing profiles of FNDR-20123 were better than atovaquone and comparable to pyrimethamine. The IC50 values for the growth inhibition of sensitive and MDR strains were similar, indicating that there is no cross-resistance and a low risk of resistance development. The selected compound was also active against gametocytes, indicating a potential for transmission control: IC50 values being 190 nM for male and > 5 µM for female gametocytes. FNDR-20123 is a stable candidate in human/mouse/rat liver microsomes (> 75% remaining post 2-h incubation), exhibits low plasma protein binding (57% in humans) with no human Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene (hERG) liability (> 100 µM), and does not inhibit any of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms tested (IC50 > 25 µM). It also shows negligible cytotoxicity to HepG-2 and THP-1 cell lines. The oral pharmacokinetics in rats at 100 mg/kg body weight shows good exposures (Cmax = 1.1 µM) and half-life (T1/2 = 5.5 h). Furthermore, a 14-day toxicokinetic study at 100 mg/kg daily dose did not show any abnormality in body weight or gross organ pathology. FNDR-20123 is also able to reduce parasitaemia significantly in a mouse model for P. falciparum infection when dosed orally and subcutaneously. CONCLUSION: FNDR-20123 may be a suitable candidate for the treatment of malaria, which can be further developed.

Effect of codon-optimized E. coli signal peptides on recombinant Bacillus stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase periplasmic localization, yield and activity.

Recombinant proteins can be targeted to the Escherichia coli periplasm by fusing them to signal peptides. The popular pET vectors facilitate fusion of target proteins to the PelB signal. A systematic comparison of the PelB signal with native E. coli signal peptides for recombinant protein expression and periplasmic localization is not reported. We chose the Bacillus stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase (MA), an industrial enzyme widely used in the baking and brewing industry, as a model protein and analyzed the competence of seven, codon-optimized, E. coli signal sequences to translocate MA to the E. coli periplasm compared to PelB. MA fusions to three of the signals facilitated enhanced periplasmic localization of MA compared to the PelB fusion. Interestingly, these three fusions showed greatly improved MA yields and between 18- and 50-fold improved amylase activities compared to the PelB fusion. Previously, non-optimal codon usage in native E. coli signal peptide sequences has been reported to be important for protein stability and activity. Our results suggest that E. coli signal peptides with optimal codon usage could also be beneficial for heterologous protein secretion to the periplasm. Moreover, such fusions could even enhance activity rather than diminish it. This effect, to our knowledge has not been previously documented. In addition, the seven vector platform reported here could also be used as a screen to identify the best signal peptide partner for other recombinant targets of interest.

Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductions of Aryl/Heteroaryl Ketones under Mild Aqueous Micellar Conditions.

Enantioselective syntheses of nonracemic secondary alcohols have been achieved in an aqueous micellar medium via copper-catalyzed (Cu(OAc)2·H2O/(R)-3,4,5-MeO-MeO-BIPHEP) reduction of aryl/heteroaryl ketones. This methodology serves as a green protocol to access enantio-enriched alcohols under mild conditions (0-22 °C) using a base metal catalyst, together with an inexpensive, innocuous, and convenient stoichiometric hydride source (PMHS). The secondary alcohol products are formed in good to excellent yields with ee values greater than 90%.

Truncated Thioredoxin Peptides Serves as an Efficient Fusion Tag for Production of Proinsulin.

BACKGROUND: Insulin is a peptide hormone used for regulating blood glucose levels. Human insulin market is projected to grow at a rate of 12.5% annually. To meet the needs of patients, a cost effective insulin manufacturing strategy has to be developed. This can be achieved by selecting a competent host, ideal fusion tag and streamlined downstream process. OBJECTIVE: In this article, we have demonstrated that selecting a right fusion partner for expression of toxic proteins like insulin, plays a major role in increasing the recombinant protein yield. METHODS: In this article, we have focused on identifying a peptide tag fusion partner for expressing proinsulin by truncating thioredoxin tag. Truncations were carried out from both Amino and Carboxy terminus of the protein and efficiency of truncated sequences was evaluated by expressing it with proinsulin gene. FCTRX (1-15) sequence fused to proinsulin was processed further to establish downstream protocol for purification. RESULTS: Thioredoxin tag was truncated appropriately by considering the fusion tag: protein ratio. A couple of sequences ranging 10 - 15 amino acids were identified based on its in silico properties. Of these FCTRX (1-15) showed increased expression and stability of fusion protein. 156 mg of purified insulin was generated from 1g of inclusion body after enzymatic conversion and chromatographic steps. CONCLUSION: As a result of the current study, it was concluded that FCTRX (1-15) peptide has advantageous attributes to be considered as an ideal fusion tag for expression of proinsulin. This can be further explored by expressing it with other proteins.

Safety Assessment of Ubiquinol Acetate: Subchronic Toxicity and Genotoxicity Studies.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipid soluble, endogenous antioxidant present at highest levels in the heart followed by the kidney and liver. The reduced CoQ10 ubiquinol is well known for its chemical instability and low bioavailability. The present study was designed to synthesize ubiquinol acetate, which is more stable and biologically active, and further evaluate its safety and genotoxic potential. Synthesized ubiquinol acetate showed better stability than that of ubiquinol at the end of 3 months. In vitro genotoxicity studies (AMES test, in vitro micronucleus and chromosomal aberration) showed ubiquinol acetate as nongenotoxic with no clastogenic or aneugenic effects at high dose of 5000 and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. In subchronic toxicity study, ubiquinol acetate was administered orally to Sprague Dawley rats at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg/day for 90 days. No treatment related adverse effects were observed in males at 600 mg/kg/day; however, females showed treatment related increase in AST and ALT with small focal irregular white-yellow spots in liver on gross necropsy examination. Histopathological evaluation revealed hepatocellular necrosis in high dose females which was considered as adverse. Based on the results, the No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (NOAEL) of ubiquinol acetate in males and females was determined as 600 and 300 mg/kg/day, respectively.

Discovery of PAT-1102, a novel, potent and orally active histone deacetylase inhibitor with antitumor activity in cancer mouse models.

AIM: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a class of drugs that modulate transcriptional activity in cells and are known to induce cell-cycle arrest and angiogenesis, the major components of tumor cell proliferation. The aim of the present study was to characterize a novel hydroxamic acid-based HDAC inhibitor, PAT-1102, and determine its efficacy and tolerability in pre-clinical models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HDAC enzyme inhibition was measured using HeLa cell nuclear extracts, and recombinant HDAC enzymes. Antiproliferative activity was assessed in a panel of cancer cell lines. Histone hyper-acetylation status and p21 induction were assessed in HeLa cells by immunoblotting. The effect on apoptosis was tested by caspase-3 activation and detection of cleaved poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). Single-dose pharmacokinetics of the compound were assessed in BALB/c mice following oral and intravenous administration. Antitumor efficacy was evaluated in tumor-bearing mice established from lung and colorectal cancer cells (A549 and HCT116, respectively). RESULTS: PAT-1102 demonstrated potent HDAC-inhibitory activity and growth-inhibitory properties against a panel of cancer cell lines. The optimized compound PAT-1102 exhibits good aqueous solubility, metabolic stability and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. Once-daily oral administration of PAT-1102 resulted in significant antitumor activity and was well-tolerated in mice. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that PAT-1102 is a novel, potent, orally available HDAC inhibitor with antiproliferative activity against several human cancer cell lines and antitumor activity in mouse xenograft models. Based on the pre-clinical efficacy and safety profile of PAT-1102, the compound demonstrates significant potential for evaluation as a novel drug candidate for cancer therapy.

Validation of a human cell based high-throughput genotoxicity assay 'Anthem's Genotoxicity screen' using ECVAM recommended lists of genotoxic and non-genotoxic chemicals.

A novel high throughput-enabled human cell based screen, Anthem's Genotoxicity screen, was developed to achieve higher specificity for predicting in vivo genotoxins by an in vitro method. The assay employs engineered human colon carcinoma cell line; HCT116 cells that are stably engineered with three promoter-reporter cassettes such that an increased reporter activity reflects the activation of associated signaling events in a human cell. The current study focuses on the evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of Anthem's Genotoxicity screen using 62 compounds recommended by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). The concordance of Anthem's Genotoxicity screen with in vivo tests was 95.5% with sensitivity of 95.2% and specificity of 95.7%. Thus Anthem's Genotoxicity screen, a high-throughput mechanism based genotox indicator test can be employed by a variety of industries for rapid screening and early detection of potential genotoxins.