Antimicrobial peptide dendrimer interacts with phosphocholine membranes in a fluidity dependent manner: A neutron reflection study combined with molecular dynamics simulations.

The interaction mechanism of a novel amphiphilic antimicrobial peptide dendrimer, BALY, with model lipid bilayers was explored through a combination of neutron reflection and molecular dynamics simulations. 1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phos-phocholine (DPPC) lipid bilayers were examined at room temperature to extract information on the interaction of BALY with fluid and gel phases, respectively. Furthermore, a 1:4 mixture of POPC and DPPC was used as a model of a phase-separated membrane. Upon interaction with fluid membranes, BALY inserted in the distal leaflet and caused thinning and disordering of the headgroups. Membrane thinning and expansion of the lipid cross-sectional area were observed for gel phase membranes, also with limited insertion to the distal leaflet. However, dendrimer insertion through the entire lipid tail region was observed upon crossing the lipid phase transition temperature of DPPC and in phase separated membranes. The results show clear differences in the interaction mechanism of the dendrimer depending on the lipid membrane fluidity, and suggest a role for lipid phase separation in promoting its antimicrobial activity.

DSC studies on interactions between low molecular mass peptide dendrimers and model lipid membranes.

It has recently been shown that a newly synthesized peptide dendrimers possess antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria as well as against fungal pathogens (Candida albicans) [Klajnert, B., Janiszewska, J., Urbanczyk-Lipkowska, Z., Bryszewska, M., Shcharbin, D., Labieniec, M., 2006. Biological properties of low molecular mass peptide dendrimers. Int. J. Pharm. 309, 208-217]. To extend our knowledge about their impact on biological systems, interactions between a group of low molecular mass lysine based dendrimers and model lipid bilayers were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Conformational stability of dendrimers in 5-85 degrees C temperature range was confirmed by circular dichroism measurements (CD). The dendrimer structure has been shown to play an important role in interactions with the membranes. A two-step mechanism of dendrimer-bilayer interactions was proposed. The first step involves electrostatic attractions between dendrimers and polar lipid heads, while the second one is a result of hydrophobic interactions between acyl chains and arms of dendrimers. While one dendrimer did not interact with the membrane, another with long hydrophobic arms significantly perturbed the membrane. Nevertheless, for all tested dendrimers the main transition in DSC scans was retained that indicates that these compounds at the tested concentrations did not cause the loss of membrane integrity.

Biological properties of low molecular mass peptide dendrimers.

A series of new, low molecular mass, lysine-based peptide dendrimers with varying distribution of cationic and aromatic groups in the structure were synthesized. They expressed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria as well as against fungal pathogens (Candida albicans). Their cytotoxic, haematotoxic, and genotoxic effects were studied. It appears that degree of branching and steric distribution and types of hydrophobic (aromatic) groups and cationic centres are important components of dendrimeric structure and influence both antimicrobial potency and toxicity. Such 3D structure of our dendrimers mimics that of the natural antimicrobial peptides and can be achieved by application of dendrimer chemistry.

X-ray crystal structure of the opioid ligand naltrexonazine.

The anti-anti isomer of naltrexonazine (1) was synthesized, and its configuration was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The syn-anti isomer is readily converted to 1 under acidic conditions. The apparent equal receptor binding of 1 and syn-anti isomer indicates that isomerization of the azine moiety may take place under the conditions of biological evaluation. Two possible explanations for wash-resistant binding of 1 to opioid receptors are presented. The first possibility involves a noncovalent interaction of the ligand with the opioid receptor, and the second considers covalent binding by a receptor-based sulfhydryl group.

X-ray and conformational investigations of a 4:1 mixture of 6-(N-benzyl-N-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2,3,6,7-tetradeoxy-alpha- DL-ery thro- and -beta-DL-threo-hept-2-enopyranos-4-uloses.

The crystals of a 4:1 mixture of 6-(N-benzyl-N-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2,3,6,7-tetradeoxy-a-DL-er ythro- and -beta-DL-threo-hept-2-enopyranos-4-ulose were monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, with cell dimensions: a = 9.490(2), b = 21.516(5), c = 10.279(2) A, beta = 115.31(1) degrees, Z = 4. The ulose ring had a half-chair conformation deformed towards the sofa (envelope) form.

Crystal and molecular structures of 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-trideoxy-alpha-DL-glycero-hex-2-enopyranose and 3-O-(6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-trideoxy-alpha-L-glycero-hex-2-enopyranosyl++ +)-1,2 ;5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranose.

6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-trideoxy-alpha-DL-glycero-hex-2-enopyranose (1) and 3-O-(6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-trideoxy-alpha-L-glycero-hex-2-enopyranosyl) -1,2;5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranose (2) have been investigated by X-ray diffraction methods. Compound 1 crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group P21/a, with cell constants a = 21.123(5), b = 4.439(2), c = 10.085(2) A, and beta = 110.22(2) degrees. Compound 2 crystallises in the orthorhombic system, space group P212121, with cell constants a = 22.110(6), b = 11.651(4), and c = 8.658(3) A. The intensity data were collected in a four-circle automatic diffractometer, with 1488 reflections for 1, and 2151 for 2. The structures were solved by direct methods. The atomic parameters were refined in an anisotropic mode by the full-matrix, least-squares procedure against 1065 and 1884 observed reflections for 1 and 2, respectively, giving R = 0.046 for each compound. The 2-enopyranose rings in 1 and 2 adopt half-chair conformations (H), and that in 2 is markedly deformed. The 1,2-dioxolane ring in 2 has an envelope (E) conformation, whereas the 5,6-dioxolane ring is dynamically disordered and can be represented by a conformational hybrid (E + P). The alpha-D-glucofuranose ring in 2 has a twist conformation (T). The glycoside bond in 2 is characterized by phi and psi torsion angles of 47(2) degrees and 32(2) degrees, respectively.

The X-ray structural investigation of 6-(n,n-1,6-hexyleneformamidine)-penicillanic acid (mecillinam).

A new type of 6-formamidinepenicillanic acid in which the omega-nitrogen atom is involved in the azaheptane ring (mecillinam) having a strong selective activity against Gram-negative bacteria strains has been investigated by the X-ray single-crystal diffraction methods using crystals in the solvated state. The conformation of penam part as well as of the amidine group is discussed. Two independent molecules of mecillinam found in the asymmetric unit of the crystal cell differ from each other in their detailed conformations. The problem of the stability of the compound has been discussed also.

Six-membered cyclic sulfites derived from glucofuranose and 1,2,4-butanetriol.

Six-membered cyclic sulfites derived from glucofuranose derivatives 5, 6 and from 1-O-tert-butyldimethylsilil-1,2,4-butanetriol 12 were synthesized and separated into pure diastereomers which were in turn subjected to the sequence of reactions leading to the introduction of the terminal vinyl ether fragment. Reactivity and applicability of cyclic sulfites as intermediates in [2+2]cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) to vinyl ethers were studied. The cycloaddition to vinyl ethers 19 and 20 proceeded in low yield and low asymmetric induction, in the case of the former, and moderate yield and pronounced asymmetric induction, in the case of the latter. The (1)H-NMR spectra of sulfites 13-16 reveal a preference of the sulfite oxygen atom for the axial position. Thus, well-defined conformation in solution for compounds 13 and 15 and a mixture of the two possible chair forms for sulfites 14 and 16 could be assigned. The stretching frequency of the S-->O bond in stable conformation with an axial sulfite oxygen occurs in the range 1,160-1,210 cm(-1), whereas conformationally mobile sulfites exhibit corresponding absorption above 1,220 cm(-1). The absolute configuration assignments of sulfites 7, 8, 15, 16 and 25-28 were done empirically based on the combined analysis of the NMR, IR, X-ray, and dichroic data. It was demonstrated that the sign of the Cotton effect around 194 nm correlated with the absolute stereochemistry at the sulfur atom in a sulfite chromophore.