A comparative study of solid carbon acid catalysts for the esterification of free fatty acids for biodiesel production. Evidence for the leaching of colloidal carbon.

The preparation of a variety of sulfonated carbons and their use in the esterification of oleic acid is reported. All sulfonated materials show some loss in activity associated with the leaching of active sites. Exhaustive leaching shows that a finite amount of activity is lost from the carbons in the form of colloids. Fully leached catalysts show no loss in activity upon recycling. The best catalysts; 1, 3, and 6; show initial TOFs of 0.07 s(-1), 0.05 s(-1), and 0.14 s(-1), respectively. These compare favorably with literature values. Significantly, the leachate solutions obtained from catalysts 1, 3, and 6, also show excellent esterification activity. The results of TEM and catalyst poisoning experiments on the leachate solutions associate the catalytic activity of these solutions with carbon colloids. This mechanism for leaching active sites from sulfonated carbons is previously unrecognized.

Water soluble acyloxy nitroso compounds: HNO release and reactions with heme and thiol containing proteins.

Nitroxyl (HNO) has gained interest as a potential treatment of congestive heart failure through the ability of the HNO donor, Angeli's salt (AS), to evoke positive inotropic effects in canine cardiac muscle. The release of nitrite during decomposition limits the use of AS requiring other HNO sources. Acyloxy nitroso compounds liberate HNO and small amounts of nitrite upon hydrolysis and the synthesis of the water-soluble 4-nitrosotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate and pivalate allows for pig liver esterase (PLE)-catalysis increasing the rate of decomposition and HNO release. The pivalate derivative does not release HNO, but the addition of PLE catalyzes hydrolysis (t(1/2)=39 min) and HNO formation (65% after 30 min). In the presence of PLE, this compound converts metmyoglobin (MetMb) to iron nitrosyl Mb and oxyMb to metMb indicating that these compounds only react with heme proteins as HNO donors. The pivalate in the presence and the absence of PLE inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) with IC(50) values of 3.5 and 3.3 µM, respectively, in a time-dependent manner. Reversibility assays reveal reversible inhibition of ALDH in the absence of PLE and partially irreversible inhibition with PLE. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) reveals formation of a disulfide upon incubation of an ALDH peptide without PLE and a mixture of disulfide and sulfinamide in the presence of PLE. A dehydroalanine residue forms upon incubation of this peptide with excess AS. These results identify acyloxy nitroso compounds as unique HNO donors capable of thiol modification through direct electrophilic reaction or HNO release.

Analysis of the DNA damage produced by a platinum-acridine antitumor agent and its effects in NCI-H460 lung cancer cells.

High-performance liquid chromatography in conjunction with electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESMS) was used to structurally characterize the adducts formed by the platinum-acridine agent [PtCl(en)(N-(2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl)-N-methylpropionimidamide)](NO(3))(2) (compound 1) in cell-free DNA. Compound 1 forms monofunctional adducts exclusively with guanine, based on the fragments identified in enzymatic digests (dG*, dGMP*, dApG*, and dTpG*, where the asterisk denotes bound drug). The time course of accumulation and DNA adduct formation of compound 1 and the clinical drug cisplatin in NCI-H460 lung cancer cells at physiologically relevant drug concentrations (0.1 µM) was studied by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Compound 1 accumulates rapidly in cells and reaches intracellular levels of up to 60-fold higher than those determined for cisplatin. The hybrid agent shows unusually high DNA binding levels: while cisplatin adducts form at a maximum frequency of 5 adducts per 10(6) nucleotides, compound 1 produces 25 adducts per 10(6) nucleotides after only 3 h of continuous incubation with the lung cancer cells. The high overall levels of compound 1 in the cells and in cellular DNA over the entire 12-h treatment period translate into a rapid decrease in cell viability. Possible implications of these findings for the mechanism of action of compound 1 and the agent's potential to overcome tumor resistance to cisplatin are discussed.

Simple synthesis of 1,3-cyclopentanedione derived probes for labeling sulfenic acid proteins.

Facile, two-step synthesis and kinetic characterization of new chemical probes for selective labeling of sulfenic acid (-SOH) in proteins are presented. The synthesis route relies on the simple and highly efficient Michael addition of thiol containing tags or linkers to 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione, the unsaturated derivative of 1,3-cyclopentanedione.

Water-soluble triarylphosphines as biomarkers for protein S-nitrosation.

S-Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) represent an important class of post-translational modifications that preserve and amplify the actions of nitric oxide and regulate enzyme activity. Several regulatory proteins are now verified targets of cellular S-nitrosation, and the direct detection of S-nitrosated residues in proteins has become essential to better understand RSNO-mediated signaling. Current RSNO detection depends on indirect assays that limit their overall specificity and reliability. Herein, we report the reaction of S-nitrosated cysteine, glutathione, and a mutated C165S alkyl hydroperoxide reductase with the water-soluble phosphine tris(4,6-dimethyl-3-sulfonatophenyl)phosphine trisodium salt hydrate (TXPTS). A combination of NMR and MS techniques reveals that these reactions produce covalent S-alkylphosphonium ion adducts (with S-P(+) connectivity), TXPTS oxide, and a TXPTS-derived aza-ylide. Mechanistically, this reaction may proceed through an S-substituted aza-ylide or the direct displacement of nitroxyl from the RSNO group. This work provides a new means for detecting and quantifying S-nitrosated species in solution and suggests that phosphines may be useful tools for understanding the complex physiological roles of S-nitrosation and its implications in cell signaling and homeostasis.

Preparation and Diels-Alder/cross coupling reactions of a 2-diethanolaminoboron-substituted 1,3-diene.

A 2-diethanolamine boronyl substituted 1,3-diene has been synthesized in high yield and characterized spectroscopically as well as by X-ray crystallography. This diene has then subsequently been used in a number of fast, high yielding Diels-Alder/cross coupling reactions.

Preparation of 2-silicon-substituted 1,3-dienes and their Diels-Alder/cross-coupling reactions.

2-Triethoxysilyl-substituted 1,3-butadiene has been prepared in 30-g quantities from chloroprene via a simple synthetic procedure. Silatrane- and catechol-substituted analogues of this main group element substituted diene were then prepared on a 10-g scale by ligand exchange and characterized by X-ray crystallography in addition to standard spectroscopic techniques. 2-Dimethylphenylsilyl-1,3-butadiene has also been prepared from chloroprene on an 8-g scale. Diels-Alder reactions of these dienes are reported as well as subsequent TBAF-assisted/Pd-catalyzed Hiyama cross-coupling reactions of those Diels-Alder adducts. Silicon-substituted cycloadducts and cross-coupled products were also characterized by NMR spectroscopy and, in two cases, by X-ray crystallography.

Reductive phosphine-mediated ligation of nitroxyl (HNO).

Nitroxyl (HNO) demonstrates a unique chemical and biological profile compared to nitric oxide (NO). Phosphorus NMR studies reveal that HNO reacts with triarylphosphines to give the corresponding phosphine oxide and aza-ylide. In the presence of a properly situated electrophilic ester, the aza-ylide undergoes a Staudinger ligation to yield an amide with the nitrogen atom being derived from HNO. These results define new HNO reactivity and provide the basis of new HNO detection methods.

Differential potencies of naturally occurring regioisomers of nitrolinoleic acid in PPARgamma activation.

Previous studies demonstrated that the naturally occurring electrophile and PPARgamma ligand, nitrolinoleic acid (NO(2)-LA), exists as a mixture of four regioisomers [Alexander, R. L., et al. (2006) Biochemistry 45, 7889-7896]. We hypothesized that these alternative isomers have distinct bioactivities; therefore, to determine if the regioisomers are quantitatively or qualitatively different with respect to PPARgamma activation, NO(2)-LA was separated into three fractions which were identified by NMR (13-NO(2)-LA, 12-NO(2)-LA, and a mixture of 9- and 10-NO(2)-LA) and characterized for PPARgamma interactions. A competition radioligand binding assay showed that all three NO(2)-LA fractions had similar binding affinities for PPARgamma (IC(50) = 0.41-0.60 microM) that were comparable to that of the pharmaceutical ligand, rosiglitazone (IC(50) = 0.25 microM). However, when PPARgamma-dependent transcription activation was examined, there were significant differences observed among the NO(2)-LA fractions. Each isomer behaved as a partial agonist in this reporter gene assay; however, the 12-NO(2) derivative was the most potent with respect to maximum activation of PPARgamma and an EC(50) of 0.045 microM (compare with the rosiglitazone EC(50) of 0.067 microM), while the 13-NO(2) and 9- and 10-NO(2) derivatives were considerably less effective with EC(50) values of 0.41-0.62 microM. We conclude that the regioisomers of NO(2)-LA are not functionally equivalent. The 12-NO(2) derivative appears to be the most potent in PPARgamma-dependent transcription activation, whereas the weaker PPARgamma agonists, 13-NO(2) and 9- and 10-NO(2), may be relatively more important in signaling via other, PPARgamma-independent pathways in which this family of nitrolipid electrophiles is implicated.

A non-cross-linking platinum-acridine agent with potent activity in non-small-cell lung cancer.

The cytotoxic complex, [PtCl(Am)2(ACRAMTU)](NO3)2 (1) ((Am)2 = ethane-1,2-diamine, en; ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea), is a dual platinating/intercalating DNA binder that, unlike clinical platinum agents, does not induce DNA cross-links. Here, we demonstrate that substitution of the thiourea with an amidine group leads to greatly enhanced cytotoxicity in H460 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro and in vivo. Two complexes were synthesized: 4a (Am2 = en) and 4b (Am = NH3), in which N-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-N-methylpropionamidine replaces ACRAMTU. Complex 4a proves to be a more efficient DNA binder than complex 1 and induces adducts in sequences not targeted by the prototype. Complexes 4a and 4b induce H460 cell kill with IC(50) values of 28 and 26 nM, respectively, and 4b slows tumor growth in a H460 mouse xenograft study by 40% when administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Compound 4b is the first non-cross-linking platinum agent endowed with promising activity in NSCLC.

Preparation of 2-trialkylsiloxy- substituted 1,3-dienes and their diels-alder/cross-coupling reactions.

[reaction: see text] 2-Triethylsiloxy-substituted 1,3-butadiene has been prepared in gram quantities from chloroprene via a simple synthetic procedure. Silatrane and catechol-substituted analogues of this main group element substituted diene were prepared by ligand exchange and characterized by X-ray crystallography in addition to standard spectroscopic techniques. Diels-Alder reactions of these dienes are reported as well as subsequent TBAF assisted/Pd-catalyzed Hiyama cross-coupling reactions of those Diels-Alder adducts.

Modulation of nitrated lipid signaling by multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1): glutathione conjugation and MRP1-mediated efflux inhibit nitrolinoleic acid-induced, PPARgamma-dependent transcription activation.

Recent data has shown that nitrolinoleic acid (LNO(2)), an electrophilic derivative of linoleic acid, has several important bioactivities including antiinflammatory, antiplatelet, vasorelaxation, and-as a novel potent ligand of PPARgamma-transcription regulating activities. Moreover, LNO(2) is formed in abundance in vivo at levels sufficient to mediate these bioactivities. In order to investigate the role of glutathione conjugation and MRP1-mediated efflux in the regulation of PPARgamma-dependent LNO(2) signaling, regioisomers of LNO(2) were synthesized and characterized. Analysis by 1D and 2D (1)H and (13)C NMR revealed that the LNO(2) preparation consisted of four, rather than two, nitrated regioisomers in approximately equal abundance. At physiologic pH and intracellular glutathione levels, LNO(2) was rapidly and quantitatively converted to glutathione conjugates (LNO(2)-SG) via Michael addition. MRP1 mediated efficient ATP-dependent transport of LNO(2)-SG. Using a PPRE-containing reporter gene transiently transfected into MRP-poor MCF7/WT cells, we verified that the LNO(2) mixture was a potent activator of PPARgamma-dependent transcription. However, expression of MRP1 in the stably transduced MCF7 derivative, MCF7/MRP1-10, resulted in strong inhibition of LNO(2)-induced transcription activation. Taken together, these results suggest that glutathione conjugation and MRP1-mediated conjugate transport can attenuate LNO(2) bioactivity and thereby play important roles in the regulation of cellular signaling by LNO(2).

Guanine binding of a cytotoxic platinum-acridin-9-ylthiourea conjugate monitored by 1-D 1H and 2-D [1H,15N] NMR spectroscopy: hydrolysis is not the rate-determining step.

The reaction of [PtCl(en)(ACRAMTU)](NO(3))(2) (PT-ACRAMTU, 1; ACRAMTU=1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea, en=ethane-1,2-diamine) and the [(15)N]-en labeled analogue, 1', with 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) was studied by (1)H NMR and two-dimensional [(1)H,(15)N] HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum coherence) spectroscopy. Reactions were performed in phosphate buffered solution at 37 degrees C at various ratios and total concentrations of reactants. The (1)H NMR data suggest that the hydrolyzed form of the drug, [Pt(H(2)O)(en)(ACRAMTU)](3+) (1a), forms at a rate (k(1)) similar to that observed in classical platinum chloroam(m)ines but to only a minor extent ( approximately 15%). Attempts to detect and characterize 1'a by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, however, were unsuccessful, and 1' and dG( *) were the only species observed in the HSQC spectra. Reaction of the putative aqua intermediate 1a with dG to yield [Pt(en)(dG-N7)(ACRAMTU)](3+) (dG( *)) is slow and is highly dependent on the initial concentrations of the reactants. This unusual observation is consistent with a mechanism in which a second-order term becomes rate-determining (k(2)

Role of phenoxyl radicals in DNA adduction by chlorophenol xenobiotics following peroxidase activation.

Chlorophenol (CP) toxins are classified as probable human carcinogens and are known to undergo bioactivation to generate benzoquinone (BQ) electrophiles that react covalently with biopolymers. Recently, we characterized the ability of pentachlorophenol (PCP) to react covalently with deoxyguanosine (dG) following treatment with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/H2O2 or myeloperoxidase to yield a C8-dG oxygen (O)-adduct that suggested the intermediacy of the pentachlorophenoxyl radical in covalent bond formation [Dai, J., Wright, M. W., and Manderville, R. A. (2003) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 16, 817-821]. Investigations currently focus on a wider range of CP substrates (PCP, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), 2,4,5-TCP, and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP)) to establish their reactivity toward dG and duplex DNA (calf thymus (CT)) following activation by HRP/H2O2, as a representative peroxidase system. Our data show that chlorophenoxyl radicals may either react directly with dG and CT-DNA to form C8-dG O-adducts in an irreversible process or couple to yield 1,4-BQ electrophiles that react with dG to afford adducts of the benzetheno variety. These results are the first to establish the in vitro relevance of C8-dG O-adducts of phenolic toxins. The 1H NMR chemical shifts and reactivity of the benzetheno adducts favor 4' '-hydroxy-1,N2-benzetheno-dG adduct assignment, which is in contrast to other literature which has assigned the 1,4-BQ-dG adduct as 3' '-hydroxy-1,N2-benzetheno-dG. Overall, the results from this current study have provided new insights into peroxidase-mediated activation of CP substrates and have strengthened the hypothesis that direct reactions of phenoxyl radicals with DNA contribute to peroxidase-driven toxic effects of phenolic xenobiotics.

Solution structural study of a DNA duplex containing the guanine-N7 adduct formed by a cytotoxic platinum-acridine hybrid agent.

[PtCl(en)(ACRAMTU-S)](NO(3))(2) (PT-ACRAMTU; en = ethane-1,2-diamine, ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea) is a dual metalating/intercalating DNA binding drug conjugate that shows cytotoxicity at micromolar to nanomolar concentrations in a wide range of solid tumor cell lines. In approximately 80% of its adducts, PT-ACRAMTU binds to guanine-N7 in the major groove, selectively at 5'-CG sites [Budiman, M. E. et al. (2004) Biochemistry 43, 8560-8567]. Here, we report the synthesis, physical characterization, and NMR solution structure of a site-specifically modified octamer containing this adduct, 5'-CCTCGTCC-3'/3'-GGAGCAGG-5', where the asterisk indicates the [Pt(en)ACRAMTU)](3+) fragment. The structure was determined by a combination of high-resolution 2-D NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics/molecular mechanics (rMD/MM) calculations using 179 NOE distance restraints and refined to an r(6) weighted residual (R(x)) of 9.2 x 10(-)(2) using the complete relaxation matrix approach. An average structure was calculated from the final ensemble of 19 rMD geometries showing pairwise root-mean-square deviations of <1.05 A. The dual binding increases the thermal stability of the octamer compared to the unmodified duplex (DeltaT(m) = 13.2 degrees ). The modified sequence shows structural features reminiscent of both B- and A-type DNA. Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding is intact at and beyond the adduct site. Platinum is bound to the N7 position of G5 in the major groove, and ACRAMTU intercalates into the central 5'-C4G5/C12G13 base-pair step on the 5'-face of the platinated nucleobase. The chromophore's long axis is aligned with the long axes of the adjacent base pairs, maximizing intermolecular pi-pi stacking interactions. PT-ACRAMTU lengthens (rise, 6.62 A) and unwinds (twist, 15.4 degrees ) the duplex at the central base-pair step but does not cause helical bending. No C3'-endo deoxyribose pucker and no significant roll are observed at the site of intercalation/platination, which clearly distinguishes the PT-ACRAMTU-induced damage from the 1,2-intrastrand cross-link formed by cisplatin. Overall, the DNA perturbations produced by PT-ACRAMTU do not appear to mimic those caused by the major cisplatin lesion. Instead, intriguing structural similarities are observed for PT-ACRAMTU's monoadduct and the N7 adducts of dual major-groove alkylating/intercalating antitumor agents, such as the pluramycins.

Nitroxyl (HNO) release from new functionalized N-hydroxyurea-derived acyl nitroso-9,10-dimethylanthracene cycloadducts.

A thermal retro-Diels-Alder decomposition of N-hydroxyurea-derived acyl nitroso compounds and 9,10-dimethylanthracene cycloadducts followed by acyl nitroso compound hydrolysis produces nitrous oxide, evidence for the formation of nitroxyl, the one-electron reduced form of nitric oxide that has drawn considerable attention for its potential roles in biological systems. EPR and NMR spectroscopy provide further evidence for nitroxyl formation and kinetic information, respectively. Such compounds may prove to be useful alternative nitroxyl donors.

Structure-activity relationships in platinum-acridinylthiourea conjugates: effect of the thiourea nonleaving group on drug stability, nucleobase affinity, and in vitro cytotoxicity.

The synthesis, cytotoxicity, and nucleoside binding of some platinum-acridinylthiourea conjugates derived from the prototypical compound [PtCl(en)(ACRAMTU)](NO3)2 ("PT-ACRAMTU"; en=ethane-1,2-diamine, ACRAMTU=1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea, protonated form) are reported. To establish structure-activity relationships within this class of compounds, systematic changes were made to the thiourea nonleaving group, which links the intercalator to platinum. Three new derivatives of ACRAMTU, one di-, one tri-, and one tetraalkylated, were generated, where the degree of alkylation indicates the number of alkyl groups attached to the SCN2 framework. Subsequent reaction of the tri- and tetraalkylated derivatives with activated [PtCl2(en)] yielded the corresponding platinum conjugates. The dialkylated thiourea gave an unstable complex, which was not included in the studies. The crystal structure of PT-ACRAMTU x MeOH has been determined. In the solid state, one axial position of the square-planar platinum coordination sphere is partially shielded by the bulky thiourea group, providing a strong rationale for the kinetic inertness of the compound. The cytotoxicity of the prototype, the two new conjugates, and cisplatin was assessed in ovarian (A2780, A2780/CP), lung (NCI-H460), and colon (RKO) cancer cell lines using clonogenic survival assays. The derivatives containing trialkylated thiourea groups showed activity similar or superior to cisplatin, with IC50 values in the low micromolar concentration range. The complex modified with the tetraalkylated (bulkiest) thiourea was significantly less active, possibly due to the greatly decreased rate of binding to nucleobase nitrogen (1H NMR spectroscopy), but was most efficient at overcoming cross resistance to cisplatin in A2780/CP. Possible consequences of the reported structural modifications for the mechanism of action of these agents are discussed.

Metal-intercalator-mediated self-association and one-dimensional aggregation in the structure of the excised major DNA adduct of a platinum-acridine agent.

The crystal structure of the excised major DNA monoadduct, [Pt(en)(ACRAMTU-S)(dGuo-N7)]3+ ("dGuo*"; en = ethane-1,2-diamine; ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea, acridinium cation; dGuo = 2'-deoxyguanosine), of a platinum-acridine cytotoxic agent is reported. The adduct dGuo*, previously identified in enzymatic digests of native DNA treated with this drug, is partially deprotonated and dimerizes through formation of a rare GG- mismatch base pair, which is sandwiched between the planar chromophores of the acridine nonleaving groups linked to platinum. NMR evidence exists that indicates that the dimeric form persists in neutral aqueous solution. The one-dimensional pi-stack produced by the dimers in the solid state is reminiscent of a coordinative-intercalative DNA binding mode.

An oxygen-bonded c8-deoxyguanosine nucleoside adduct of pentachlorophenol by peroxidase activation: evidence for ambident c8 reactivity by phenoxyl radicals.

The ability of the carcinogenic environmental toxin pentachlorophenol (PCP, 1) to react with DNA bases has been assessed using MS and NMR. Treatment of PCP (100 microM) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP/H(2)O(2)) or myeloperoxidase (MPx/H(2)O(2), from human leukocytes) in the presence of excess deoxyguanosine (dG, 2 mM) led to the isolation and identification of the oxygen-bonded C8-dG nucleoside adduct 4. The reaction was absolutely specific for dG; no detectable adduct(s) was observed from HRP/H(2)O(2) and PCP in the presence of deoxyadenosine, deoxycytidine, or thymidine. Formation of 4 was also specific for peroxidase activation that is known to oxidize PCP into the phenoxyl radical. Treatment of PCP/dG with rat liver microsomes (RLM) failed to generate 4; instead, an adduct derived from the benzoquinone electrophile tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranil) was observed in the extracted ion chromatogram from the RLM/NADPH-treated PCP/dG sample. The adduct 4 is the first structurally characterized O-bonded phenolic DNA nucleoside adduct and highlights the ambident electrophilicity of phenoxyl radicals (O- vs C-) in reaction at C8 of dG, as we have previously demonstrated that the para-chlorophenolic toxin, ochratoxin A (2), reacts at C8 of dG to give the C-bonded adduct 3 via the intermediacy of the OTA phenoxyl radical. Given that PCP is known to induce DNA adduct formation in vivo and human exposure has been linked to incidences of leukemia, the adduct 4 could play a key role in PCP-mediated carcinogenesis.

trans-Bis(dimethylglyoximato-kappa2N,N')(1-hexenyl)(pyridine-kappaN)cobalt(III): a cobaloxime-substituted terminal alkene that rapidly isomerizes to a cobaloxime-substituted internal alkenyl complex.

An unusual cobaloxime-substituted terminal alkene, [Co(C(6)H(11))(C(4)H(7)N(2)O(2))(2)(C(5)H(5)N)], has been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The double bond in the alkene readily isomerizes, but the title compound could be isolated and structurally characterized at low temperature.