Ultraviolet C Irradiation-Induced Dehybridization of Double-Stranded Oligonucleotides: Mechanism Investigation and Label-Free Measurement of the Photodamage Level.

Elucidating the mechanism and estimating the extent of conformation change of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) upon ultraviolet (UV) exposure are of vital importance for understanding the DNA photodamage process. The existing research was mainly focused on the lesions of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and involved off-site measurement of the photodamage level. In this work, short-wavelength UV (UVC) (254 nm) irradiation was demonstrated to induce the dehybridization of dsDNA due to the loss of paring capacity of photodamaged pyrimidine nucleobases. The intrinsic programmability of dsDNA enabled researchers to rationally design the on-demand dehybridization sites. The spatial conformation switch of dsDNA caused by UVC irradiation could be evolved into a label-free sensing platform for the on-site measurement of the DNA photodamage level.

Synthesis and biological activity of analogues of the antimicrotubule agent N,beta,beta-trimethyl-L-phenylalanyl-N(1)-[(1S,2E)-3-carboxy-1-isopropylbut-2-enyl]- N(1),3-dimethyl-L-valinamide (HTI-286).

Hemiasterlin, a tripeptide isolated from marine sponges, induces microtubule depolymerization and mitotic arrest in cells. HTI-286, an analogue from an initial study of the hemiasterlins, is presently in clinical trials. In addition to its potent antitumor effects, 2 has the advantage of circumventing the P-glycoprotein-mediated resistance that hampers the efficacy of other antimicrotubule agents such as paclitaxel and vincristine in animal models. This paper describes an in-depth study of the structure--activity relationships of analogues of 2, their effects on microtubule polymerization, and their in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity. Regions of the molecule necessary for potent activity are identified. Groups tolerant of modification, leading to novel analogues, are reported. Potent analogues identified through in vivo studies in tumor xenograft models include one superior analogue, HTI-042.

A tandem three-phase reaction for preparing secondary amines with minimal side products.

[reaction: see text] A new method for the preparation of secondary amines has been reported. Complementary solution-phase and solid-phase synthesis highlight the process. Amines are obtained in good yields free from the usual byproducts of reductive amination. Secondary amines are unreactive, so overalkylation does not occur. The procedure can be used interchangeably for traditional or parallel synthesis settings.

Discovery of 4-(benzylaminomethylene)isoquinoline-1,3-(2H,4H)-diones and 4-[(pyridylmethyl)aminomethylene]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H,4H)-diones as potent and selective inhibitors of the cyclin-dependent kinase 4.

The series of 4-(benzylaminomethylene)isoquinoline-1,3-(2H,4H)-dione and 4-[(pyridylmethyl)aminomethylene]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H,4H)-dione derivatives reported here represents a novel class of potential antitumor agents, which potently and selectively inhibit CDK4 over CDK2 and CDK1. In the benzylamino headpiece, a 3-OH substituent is required on the phenyl ring for CDK4 inhibitory activity, which is further enhanced when an iodo, aryl, heteroaryl, t-butyl, or cyclopentyl substituent is introduced at the C-6 position of the isoquinoline-1,3-dione core. To circumvent the metabolic liability associated with the phenolic OH group on the 4-substituted 3-OH phenyl headpiece, we take two approaches: first, introduce a nitrogen o- or p- to the 3-OH group in the phenyl ring; second, replace the phenyl headpiece with N-substituted 2-pyridones. We present here the synthesis, SAR data, metabolic stability data, and a CDK4 mimic model that explains the binding, potency, and selectivity of our CDK4 selective inhibitors.