Targeting NOX2 via p47/phox-p22/phox Inhibition with Novel Triproline Mimetics.

On the basis of the knowledge that the proline-rich hot spot PPPRPP region of P(151)PSNPPPRPP(160), an oligopeptide derived from the cytosolic portion of p22phox (p22), binds to the single functional bis-SH3 domain of the regulatory protein p47phox (p47), we designed a mimetic of the tripeptide PPP based on NMR and X-ray crystallographic data for the p22(151-161) peptide PPSNPPPRPPA with a peptide construct. Incorporation of the synthetic pseudo-triproline mimetic Pro-Pro-Cyp in a molecule derived from molecular modeling studies led to only a 7-fold diminution in activity in a surface plasmon resonance assay relative to the same molecule containing the natural Pro-Pro-Pro tripeptide. The alternative sequence corresponding to a Pro-Cyp-Pro insertion was inactive. This is a first example of the use of a triproline mimetic to interfere with the formation of the p47-p22 complex, which is critical for the activation of NOX, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species as superoxide anions.

Studies on inclusion complexes of calix[4]arenes capped by diamide bridges with small organic molecules.

The inclusion of small neutral organic guests (acetonitrile, toluene, pyrazine, butylamine, nitromethane) by cyclic calix[4]arene diamide receptors was studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The binding constants determined by (1)H NMR titration, and the results obtained by T(1) relaxation measurements and DOSY confirm the importance of the acidity of the C-H bond of the guests and highlight the role of steric interactions including conformational properties of the receptors in the recognition process.

Iridoid and lignan glycosides from Citharexylum spinosum L.

From the aerial parts of Citharexylum spinosum L., one new iridoid glucoside, the 7-ss-O-acetate (1) of lamiide, along with four known iridoid glucosides, lamiide (2), lamiidoside (3), duranterectoside C (4), 8-epiloganin (5) and one known lignan glucoside (+)-lyonirenisol-3a-O-ss-D-glucopyranoside (6) were isolated. The compound structures were established by one- and two-dimensional 1H- and 13C-NMR as well as by ESI-MS spectra.

Unprecedented cyclizations of calix[4]arenes with glycols under the Mitsunobu protocol, part 2.(1) O,O-and O,S-bridged calixarenes.

[reaction: see text] Cycloalkylations of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (CA) and p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TCA) with various aliphatic glycols were performed under the Mitsunobu protocol using the DEAD/TPP system. CA gave 1,3-dialkylated diols, while C(2)-C(10) glycols gave 1,2- and 1,3-bridged calixarenes. The reaction of TCA with C(2) diols afforded sulfonium phenoxide betaines via O,S-cyclization, which is the first example for the alkylation of the sulfide bridge.

Isomer-dependent daunomycin release and in vitro antitumour effect of cis-aconityl-daunomycin.

Two isomers of cis-aconytil-daunomycin (cAD) were isolated after the reaction of daunomycin with cis-aconitic-anhydride. The structure of the isomers was identified by MS-spectroscopy and 1H and 13C NMR experiments. In contrast with the assumptions described earlier, our results show that the two isomers belong to the cis- and trans-isomers of the alpha-monoamide of cis-aconityl-daunomycin, respectively. We found that the pH dependent daunomycin release is different for the two isomers. Comparative analysis of the in vitro antitumour effect of the isomers on c26 colon carcinoma and on MDA-MB 435P human breast carcinoma cell lines showed that cAD-1 is more potent than cAD-2, but the extent of differences is tumour cell dependent. The results of this study might be appreciated in the light of the use of acid-labile spacer for the design and preparation of protein/peptide conjugates of drugs by indicating that isomers could possess markedly different biological activity.