The neuronal calcium ion channel activity of constrained analogues of MONIRO-1.

Structural modifications of the neuronal calcium channel blocker MONIRO-1, including constraining the phenoxyaniline portion of the molecule and replacing the guanidinium functionality with tertiary amines, led to compounds with significantly improved affinities for the endogenously expressed CaV2.2 channel in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. These analogues also showed promising activity towards the CaV3.2 channel, recombinantly expressed in HEK293T cells. Both of these ion channels have received attention as likely targets for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The dibenzoazepine and dihydrobenzodiazepine derivatives prepared in this study show an encouraging combination of neuronal calcium ion channel inhibitory potency, plasma stability and potential to cross the blood-brain-barrier.

The binding of boronated peptides to low affinity mammalian saccharides.

A 54-member library of boronated octapeptides, with all but the boronated residue being proteinogenic, was tested for affinity to a set of saccharides commonly found on the terminus of mammalian glycans. After experimentation with a high-throughput dye-displacement assay, attention was focused on isothermal titration calorimetry as a tool to provide reliable affinity data, including enthalpy and entropy of binding. A small number of boronated peptides showed higher affinity and significant selectivity for N-acetylneuraminic acid over methyl-α-d-galactopyranoside, methyl-α/ß-l-fucopyranoside and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine. Thermodynamic data showed that for most of the boronated peptides studied, saccharide binding was associated with a significant increase in entropy, presumably resulting from the displacement of semiordered water molecules from around the sugar and/or peptide.

Synthesis and evaluation of aminobenzothiazoles as blockers of N- and T-type calcium channels.

Both N- and T-type calcium ion channels have been implicated in pain transmission and the N-type channel is a well-validated target for the treatment of neuropathic pain. An SAR investigation of a series of substituted aminobenzothiazoles identified a subset of five compounds with comparable activity to the positive control Z160 in a FLIPR-based intracellular calcium response assay measuring potency at both CaV2.2 and CaV3.2 channels. These compounds may form the basis for the development of drug leads and tool compounds for assessing in vivo effects of variable modulation of CaV2.2 and CaV3.2 channels.

Glycosylated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymers with Varying Polyethylene Glycol Linkers Produce Different Short Interfering RNA Uptake, Gene Silencing, and Toxicity Profiles.

Achieving efficient and targeted delivery of short interfering (siRNA) is an important research challenge to overcome to render highly promising siRNA therapies clinically successful. Challenges exist in designing synthetic carriers for these RNAi constructs that provide protection against serum degradation, extended blood retention times, effective cellular uptake through a variety of uptake mechanisms, endosomal escape, and efficient cargo release. These challenges have resulted in a significant body of research and led to many important findings about the chemical composition and structural layout of the delivery vector for optimal gene silencing. The challenge of targeted delivery vectors remains, and strategies to take advantage of nature's self-selective cellular uptake mechanisms for specific organ cells, such as the liver, have enabled researchers to step closer to achieving this goal. In this work, we report the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a novel polymeric delivery vector incorporating galactose moieties to target hepatic cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis at asialoglycoprotein receptors. An investigation into the density of carbohydrate functionality and its distance from the polymer backbone is conducted using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and postpolymerization modification.

Inhibition of N-type calcium channels by fluorophenoxyanilide derivatives.

A set of fluorophenoxyanilides, designed to be simplified analogues of previously reported ω-conotoxin GVIA mimetics, were prepared and tested for N-type calcium channel inhibition in a SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma FLIPR assay. N-type or Cav2.2 channel is a validated target for the treatment of refractory chronic pain. Despite being significantly less complex than the originally designed mimetics, up to a seven-fold improvement in activity was observed.

Naturally occurring polyphenolic inhibitors of amyloid beta aggregation.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and is one of the main causes of death in developed countries. Consumption of foods rich in polyphenolics is strongly correlated with reduced incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Our study has investigated the biological activity of previously untested polyphenolic compounds in preventing amyloid ß aggregation. The anti-aggregatory potential of these compounds was assessed using the Thioflavin-T assay, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and size exclusion chromatography. Two structurally related compounds, luteolin and transilitin were identified as potent inhibitors of Aß fibril formation. Computational docking studies with an X-ray derived oligomeric structure offer a rationale for the inhibitory activity observed and may facilitate development of improved inhibitors of Aß aggregation and toxicity.

An iterative in silico and modular synthetic approach to aqueous soluble tercyclic α-helix mimetics.

Tercyclic scaffolds, designed to have improved synthetic accessibility and aqueous solubility, were evaluated as structural α-helix mimetics by using an iterative in silico approach. The synthesis of these tercyclic scaffolds was accomplished using a modular synthetic approach by employing functionalised methoxyphenyl units which were readily manipulated to allow the introduction of various nitrogen-based heterocycles. The ability of these scaffolds to mimic the key i, i + 3 and i + 7 residues of a polyalanine α-helix was ratified by in silico studies, X-ray crystallographic and NOESY analysis, and their aqueous solubility was measured by a kinetic turbidimetric method.

Inhibition of N-type calcium channels by phenoxyaniline and sulfonamide analogues.

Building on previous investigations, structural modifications to the neuronal calcium ion channel blocker MONIRO-1 and related compounds were conducted that included replacement of the amide linker with an aniline and isosteric sulfonamide moiety, and the previously used strategy of substitution of the guanidinium group with less hydrophilic amine functionalities. A comprehensive SAR study revealed a number of phenoxyaniline and sulfonamide compounds that were more potent or had similar potency for the CaV2.2 and CaV3.2 channel compared to MONIRO-1 when evaluated in a FLIPR-based intracellular calcium response assay. Cytotoxicity investigations indicated that the sulfonamide analogues were well tolerated by Cos-7 cells at dosages required to inhibit both calcium ion channels. The sulfonamide derivatives were the most promising CaV2.2 inhibitors developed by us to date due, possessing high stability in plasma, low toxicity (estimated therapeutic index > 10), favourable CNS MPO scores (4.0-4.4) and high potency and selectivity, thereby, making this class of compounds suitable candidates for future in vivo studies.

Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Endophytic Alternaria sp. Isolated from Eremophila longifolia.

The threat to public health resulting from the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is ever rising. One of the major bacterial pathogens at the forefront of this problem is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, for which there is a great need to find alternative treatments. One of the most promising alternatives is endophytic fungi, which were shown to produce a vast array of bioactive compounds, including many novel antibacterial compounds. In this study, two endophytic Alternaria sp., EL 24 and EL 35, were identified from the leaves of Eremophila longifolia. Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts of their culture filtrates were found to inhibit both methicillin-sensitive S. aureus ATCC 25923 and MRSA strains M173525 and M180920. The activity of each extract was shown to be greatly affected by the growth medium, with considerable reductions in minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) observed when tested in tryptic soy broth with glucose (TSBG) compared with Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB). Both extracts displayed significant (p ≤ 0.05) antibiofilm activity against all three S. aureus strains, the greatest of which was that of EL 35, which reduced biofilm formation by M180920 by 72%, while that of EL 24 resulted in a 57% reduction against ATCC 25923. Both extracts also disrupted established biofilms, of which the most effective was EL 35, which reduced the M180920 biofilm by 64%, while EL 24 also performed best against M180920, reducing biofilm by 54%. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the EL 24 EtOAc extract revealed five known compounds. This study highlights the promise of endophytic fungi from Australian plants as a potential source of substances effective against important bacterial pathogens. Further understanding of the responsible compounds and their mechanisms could lead to the development of treatments effective against MRSA, as well as novel biofilm-resistant biomedical materials, contributing towards reducing the burden of AMR.

ω-Conotoxin GVIA mimetics that bind and inhibit neuronal Ca(v)2.2 ion channels.

The neuronal voltage-gated N-type calcium channel (Ca(v)2.2) is a validated target for the treatment of neuropathic pain. A small library of anthranilamide-derived ω-Conotoxin GVIA mimetics bearing the diphenylmethylpiperazine moiety were prepared and tested using three experimental measures of calcium channel blockade. These consisted of a ¹²5I-ω-conotoxin GVIA displacement assay, a fluorescence-based calcium response assay with SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, and a whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology assay with HEK293 cells stably expressing human Ca(v)2.2 channels. A subset of compounds were active in all three assays. This is the first time that compounds designed to be mimics of ω-conotoxin GVIA and found to be active in the ¹²5I-ω-conotoxin GVIA displacement assay have also been shown to block functional ion channels in a dose-dependent manner.

Synthesis, structure, and biological applications of α-fluorinated ß-amino acids and derivatives.

This review gives a broad overview of the state of play with respect to the synthesis, conformational properties, and biological activity of α-fluorinated ß-amino acids and derivatives. General methods are described for the preparation of monosubstituted α-fluoro-ß-amino acids (Scheme 1). Nucleophilic methods for the introduction of fluorine predominantly involve the reaction of DAST with alcohols derived from α-amino acids, whereas electrophilic sources of fluorine such as NFSI have been used in conjunction with Arndt-Eistert homologation, conjugate addition or organocatalyzed Mannich reactions. α,α-Difluoro-ß-amino acids have also been prepared using DAST; however, this area of synthesis is largely dominated by the use of difluorinated Reformatsky reagents to introduce the difluoro ester functionality (Scheme 9). α-Fluoro-ß-amino acids and derivatives analyzed by X-ray crystal and NMR solution techniques are found to adopt preferred conformations which are thought to result from stereoelectronic effects associated with F located close to amines, amides, and esters (Figs. 2-6). α-Fluoro amide and ß-fluoro ethylamide/amine effects can influence the secondary structure of α-fluoro-ß-amino acid-containing derivatives including peptides and peptidomimetics (Figs. 7-9). α-Fluoro-ß-amino acids are also components of a diverse range of bioactive anticancer (e.g., 5-fluorouracil), antifungal, and antiinsomnia agents as well as protease inhibitors where such fluorinated analogs have shown increased potency and spectrum of activity.

Inhibition of N-type calcium ion channels by tricyclic antidepressants - experimental and theoretical justification for their use for neuropathic pain.

A number of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly prescribed off-label for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The blockade of neuronal calcium ion channels is often invoked to partially explain the analgesic activity of TCAs, but there has been very limited experimental or theoretical evidence reported to support this assertion. The N-type calcium ion channel (CaV2.2) is a well-established target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and in this study a series of eleven TCAs and two closely related drugs were shown to be moderately effective inhibitors of this channel when endogenously expressed in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. A homology model of the channel, which matches closely a recently reported Cryo-EM structure, was used to investigate via docking and molecular dynamics experiments the possible mode of inhibition of CaV2.2 channels by TCAs. Two closely related binding modes, that occur in the channel cavity that exists between the selectivity filter and the internal gate, were identified. The TCAs are predicted to position themselves such that their ammonium side chains interfere with the selectivity filter, with some, such as amitriptyline, also appearing to hinder the channel's ability to open. This study provides the most comprehensive evidence to date that supports the notion that the blockade of neuronal calcium ion channels by TCAs is at least partially responsible for their analgesic effect.

Enantioselective synthesis of α-fluoro-ß(3)-amino esters: synthesis of enantiopure, orthogonally protected α-fluoro-ß(3)-lysine.

The scope of a tandem conjugate addition-fluorination sequence performed on α,ß-unsaturated esters using the enantiopure lithium amide derived from (S)-N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amine, and the electrophilic fluorinating agent N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide has been investigated. Using this method, α-fluoro-ß(3)-amino esters can be obtained in up to quantitative yield and 80:20 to >99:1 dr. This simple methodology does not rely on the use of α-amino acids from the chiral pool and thus provides the potential for the preparation of enantiopure α-fluoro-ß(3)-amino acids with a wide variety of side chains. Its utility was demonstrated through the synthesis of orthogonally protected (2S,3S)-α-fluoro-ß(3)-lysine.

Carboxymethylated-kappa-casein: a convenient tool for the identification of polyphenolic inhibitors of amyloid fibril formation.

Reduced and carboxymethylated-kappa-casein (RCM-kappa-CN) is a milk-derived amyloidogenic protein that readily undergoes nucleation-dependent aggregation and amyloid fibril formation via a similar pathway to disease-specific amyloidogenic peptides like amyloid beta (Abeta), which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. In this study, a series of flavonoids, many known to be inhibitors of Abeta fibril formation, were screened for their ability to inhibit RCM-kappa-CN fibrilisation, and the results were compared with literature data on Abeta inhibition. Flavonoids that had a high degree of hydroxylation and molecular planarity gave good inhibition of RCM-kappa-CN fibril formation. IC(50) values were between 10- and 200-fold higher with RCM-kappa-CN than literature results for Abeta fibril inhibition, however, with few exceptions, they showed a similar trend in potency. The convenience and reproducibility of the RCM-kappa-CN assay make it an economic alternative first screen for Abeta inhibitory activity, especially for use with large compound libraries.

Surgical treatment of complex distal humeral fractures: functional outcome after internal fixation using precontoured anatomic plates.

HYPOTHESIS: Several studies have shown good results with internal fixation of distal humeral fractures; however, few have focused specifically on anatomic parallel plate fixation using the same implant and postoperative regimen. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional outcome after open reduction and internal fixation of these complex fractures using parallel precontoured anatomic plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective single-surgeon series involving 16 patients (12 women, 4 men) treated with a double-column parallel plating technique. Clinical assessment included the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (DASH). Mean age was 43 years (range, 20-78 years). Average follow-up was 35 months. Four fractures were AO type A and 12 were AO type C. RESULTS: Union was achieved in all patients. There was no superficial or deep infection or hardware failure. Two patients required removal of plates for pain and prominence but not all screws could be completely removed. The mean flexion was 132 degrees and extension was 29 degrees . The mean DASH score was 46.1. Grip strength was 56% of the uninjured side. Mean flexion and extension force was 72% and 70%, respectively, of the uninjured elbow. The mean MEPS score was 72.3. DISCUSSION: Anatomically precontoured parallel plates are effective in achieving bony union with low implant failure with acceptable functional outcomes. However, screw extraction can be difficult when the implant is removed.

Low molecular weight non-peptide mimics of omega-conotoxin GVIA.

We report the synthesis and biological activity of a low molecular weight non-peptidic mimic of the analgesic peptide omega-conotoxin GVIA. The molecular weight of this compound presents a reduction by 193g/mol compared to a previously reported lead. This compound exhibits an EC(50) of 5.8microM and is accessible in only six synthetic steps compared to the original lead (13 steps). We also report several improvements to the original synthetic route.

Omega-conotoxin GVIA mimetics based on an anthranilamide core: effect of variation in ammonium side chain lengths and incorporation of fluorine.

A number of omega-conotoxin GVIA mimetics based on an anthranilamide core were prepared and tested for their affinity for rat brain Ca(v)2.2 channels. Features such as the presence of hydroxyl and fluoro substituents on the tyrosine side chain mimic, the length of the chains on the lysine/arginine side chain mimics and the use of diguanidino and diamino substituents rather than mono-guanidine/mono-amine substitution were examined. The diguanidinylated compounds proved to be the most active and deletion of the hydroxyl substituent had a limited influence on activity. The SAR associated with variation in the lysine/arginine side chain mimics was not strong. The introduction of a fluoro substituent into the tyrosine mimic produced the most active compound prepared in this study (2g), with an EC(50) at rat brain Ca(v)2.2 channels of 6 microM.

Inhibition of human N- and T-type calcium channels by an ortho-phenoxyanilide derivative, MONIRO-1.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Voltage-gated calcium channels are involved in nociception in the CNS and in the periphery. N-type (Cav 2.2) and T-type (Cav 3.1, Cav 3.2 and Cav 3.3) voltage-gated calcium channels are particularly important in studying and treating pain and epilepsy. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: In this study, whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology was used to assess the potency and mechanism of action of a novel ortho-phenoxylanilide derivative, MONIRO-1, against a panel of voltage-gated calcium channels including Cav 1.2, Cav 1.3, Cav 2.1, Cav 2.2, Cav 2.3, Cav 3.1, Cav 3.2 and Cav 3.3. KEY RESULTS: MONIRO-1 was 5- to 20-fold more potent at inhibiting human T-type calcium channels, hCav 3.1, hCav 3.2 and hCav 3.3 (IC50 : 3.3 ± 0.3, 1.7 ± 0.1 and 7.2 ± 0.3 µM, respectively) than N-type calcium channel, hCav 2.2 (IC50 : 34.0 ± 3.6 µM). It interacted with L-type calcium channels Cav 1.2 and Cav 1.3 with significantly lower potency (IC50  > 100 µM) and did not inhibit hCav 2.1 or hCav 2.3 channels at concentrations as high as 100 µM. State- and use-dependent inhibition of hCav 2.2 channels was observed, whereas stronger inhibition occurred at high stimulation frequencies for hCav 3.1 channels suggesting a different mode of action between these two channels. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Selectivity, potency, reversibility and multi-modal effects distinguish MONIRO-1 from other low MW inhibitors acting on Cav channels involved in pain and/or epilepsy pathways. High-frequency firing increased the affinity for MONIRO-1 for both hCav 2.2 and hCav 3.1 channels. Such Cav channel modulators have potential clinical use in the treatment of epilepsies, neuropathic pain and other nociceptive pathophysiologies. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Recent Advances in Targeting Ion Channels to Treat Chronic Pain. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.12/issuetoc.

A new diastereoselective aza-allyl conjugate addition-Michael addition-ring closure reaction sequence and its application in the construction of six contiguous stereogenic centres.

Reaction of the sodium anion of (S)-N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)allylamine with two equivalents of tert-butyl cinnamate results in a remarkable tandem aza-allyl conjugate addition-Michael addition-ring closure reaction, resulting in a chiral aminocyclohexane containing six new vicinal stereogenic centres with excellent levels of stereocontrol.

Molecular Markers for Pyrethrin Autoxidation in Stored Pyrethrum Crop: Analysis and Structure Determination.

Pyrethrum is a natural insecticide extracted from Tanacetum cinerariifolium. Six esters, the pyrethrins, are responsible for the extract's insecticidal activity. The oxidative degradation of pyrethrins through contact with aerial oxygen is a potential cause of pyrethrin losses during pyrethrum manufacture. Described here is the first investigation of the autoxidation chemistry of the six pyrethrin esters isolated from pyrethrum. It was found that pyrethrins I and II, the major pyrethrin esters present in pyrethrum, undergo autoxidation more readily than the minor pyrethrin esters, the jasmolins and cinerins. Chromatographic analysis of pyrethrin I and II autoxidation mixtures showed some correlation with a similar analysis performed on extracts from T. cinerariifolium crop, which had been stored for 12 weeks without added antioxidants. Two pyrethrin II autoxidation products were isolated, characterized, and shown to be present in extracts of stored T. cinerariifolium crop, confirming that autoxidation of pyrethrin esters does occur during crop storage.