Molecular pom poms from self-assembling α,γ-cyclic peptides.

The hierarchical self-assembly properties of a dimer-forming cyclic peptide that bears a nicotinic acid moiety to form molecular pom-pom-like structures are described. This dimeric assembly self organizes into spherical structures that can encapsulate small organic molecules owing to its porosity and it can also facilitate metal deposition on its surface directed by the pyridine moiety.

Design of stable ß-sheet-based cyclic peptide assemblies assisted by metal coordination: selective homo- and heterodimer formation.

Metal-directed supramolecular construction represents one of the most powerful tools to prepare a large variety of structures and functions. The ability of metals to organize different numbers and types of ligands with a variety of geometries (linear, trigonal, octahedral, etc.) expands the supramolecular synthetic architecture. We describe here the precise construction of homo- and heterodimeric cyclic peptide entities through coordination of a metal (Pd, Au) and to ß-sheet-type hydrogen-bonding interactions. The selective coordination properties of the appropriate metal allow control over the cross-strand interaction between the two-peptide strands.

Discovery of 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinolines with activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by allosteric inhibition of the glutamate-5-kinase enzyme.

The therapeutic potential of 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinolines-the main core of Marinoquinoline natural products-has been explored for the development of new anti-TB agents. The chemical modification of various positions in this scaffold has led to the discovery of two pyrroloquinolines (compounds 50 and 54) with good in vitro activity against virulent strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv, MIC = 4.1 µM and 4.2 µM, respectively). Enzymatic assays showed that both derivatives are inhibitors of glutamate-5-kinase (G5K, encoded by proB gene), an essential enzyme for this pathogen involved in the first step of the proline biosynthesis pathway. G5K catalyzes the phosphoryl-transference of the γ-phosphate group of ATP to L-glutamate to provide L-glutamyl-5-phosphate and ADP, and also regulates the synthesis of L-proline. The results of various molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that the inhibition of G5K would be caused by allosteric interaction of these compounds with the interface between enzyme domains, against different pockets and with distinct recognition patterns. The binding of compound 54 promotes long-distance conformational changes at the L-glutamate binding site that would prevent it from anchoring for catalysis, while compound 50 alters the ATP binding site architecture for recognition. Enzyme assays revealed that compound 50 caused a substancial increase in the Kmapp for ATP, while no significant effect was observed for derivative 54. This work also demonstrates the potential of the G5K enzyme as a biological target for the development of new anti-TB drugs.

In Vitro Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of Halophytes from Southern Portugal Reloaded: A Special Focus on Sea Fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.).

Marine halophytes are an outstanding reservoir of natural products and several species have anti-infectious traditional uses. However, reports about their potential use against neglected tropical ailments, such as Chagas disease, are scarce. This work evaluated for the first time the in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of extracts from the aromatic and medicinal species Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii (Boiss. & Reut.) Franco (Asteraceae, everlasting) and Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae, sea fennel). For that purpose, decoctions, tinctures, and essential oils from everlasting's flowers and sea fennel's stems, leaves, and flowers were tested against intracellular amastigotes of two T. cruzi strains. The extract from the sea fennel flower decoction displayed significant anti-trypanosomal activity and no toxicity towards the host cell (EC50 = 17.7 µg/mL, selectivity index > 5.65). Subsequent fractionation of this extract afforded 5 fractions that were re-tested in the same model of anti-parasitic activity. Fraction 1 was the most active and selective (EC50 = 0.47 µg/mL, selectivity index = 59.6) and was submitted to preparative thin-layer chromatography. One major compound was identified, falcarindiol, which was likely the one responsible for the observed anti-trypanosomal activity. This was confirmed using a commercially sourced molecule. Target-fishing studies showed falcarindiol as a ligand of T. cruzi spermidine synthase, pointing to a potential enzyme-inhibiting anti-trypanosomal mechanism of action. Overall, this work shows that sea fennel can provide effective anti-parasitic molecule(s) with potential pharmacological applications in the treatment of CD.

Discovery of Marinoquinolines as Potent and Fast-Acting Plasmodium falciparum Inhibitors with in Vivo Activity.

We report the discovery of marinoquinoline (3 H-pyrrolo[2,3- c]quinoline) derivatives as new chemotypes with antiplasmodial activity. We evaluated their inhibitory activities against P. falciparum and conducted a structure-activity relationship study, focusing on improving their potency and maintaining low cytotoxicity. Next, we devised quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, which we prospectively validated, to discover new analogues with enhanced potency. The most potent compound, 50 (IC503d7 = 39 nM; IC50K1 = 41 nM), is a fast-acting inhibitor with dual-stage (blood and liver) activity. The compound showed considerable selectivity (SI > 6410), an additive effect when administered in combination with artesunate, excellent tolerability in mice (all mice survived after an oral treatment with a 1000 mg/kg dose), and oral efficacy at 50 mg/kg in a mouse model of P. berghei malaria (62% reduction in parasitemia on day 5 postinfection); thus, compound 50 was considered a lead compound for the discovery of new antimalarial agents.

Membrane-targeted self-assembling cyclic peptide nanotubes.

Peptide nanotubes are novel supramolecular nanobiomaterials that have a tubular structure. The stacking of cyclic components is one of the most promising strategies amongst the methods described in recent years for the preparation of nanotubes. This strategy allows precise control of the nanotube surface properties and the dimensions of the tube diameter. In addition, the incorporation of 3- aminocycloalkanecarboxylic acid residues in the nanotube-forming peptides allows control of the internal properties of the supramolecular tube. The research aimed at the application of membrane-interacting self-assembled cyclic peptide nanotubes (SCPNs) is summarized in this review. The cyclic peptides are designed to interact with phospholipid bilayers to induce nanotube formation. The properties and orientation of the nanotube can be tuned by tailoring the peptide sequence. Hydrophobic peptides form transmembrane pores with a hydrophilic orifice, the nature of which has been exploited to transport ions and small molecules efficiently. These synthetic ion channels are selective for alkali metal ions (Na(+), K(+) or Cs(+)) over divalent cations (Ca(2+)) or anions (Cl(-)). Unfortunately, selectivity was not achieved within the series of alkali metal ions, for which ion transport rates followed the diffusion rates in water. Amphipathic peptides form nanotubes that lie parallel to the membrane. Interestingly, nanotube formation takes place preferentially on the surface of bacterial membranes, thus making these materials suitable for the development of new antimicrobial agents.

Highly efficient and directional homo- and heterodimeric energy transfer materials based on fluorescently derivatized α,γ-cyclic octapeptides.

Cyclic octapeptides composed of α-amino acids alternated with cis-3-aminocycloalkanecarboxylic acids, self-assemble as drumlike dimers through ß-sheet-like, backbone-to-backbone hydrogen bonding. Heterodimerization appears to be significantly more favored than homodimerization, and this represents a novel approach for the design and fabrication of highly stable heterodimeric assemblies. A multicomponent equilibrium network based on fluorescently derivatized self-assembling α,γ-cyclic octapeptides has been successfully used to form light-harvesting/light-converting ensembles with a distinctive organization of donor and acceptor units able to act as efficient artificial photosystems.