Dual-binding conjugates of diaromatic guanidines and porphyrins for recognition of G-quadruplexes.

The first conceptualised class of dual-binding guanine quadruplex binders has been designed, synthesised and biophysically studied. These compounds combine diaromatic guanidinium systems and neutral tetra-phenylporphyrins (classical binding moiety for guanine quadruplexes) by means of a semi-rigid linker. An extensive screening of a variety of guanine quadruplex structures and double stranded DNA via UV-vis, FRET and CD experiments revealed the preference of the conjugates towards guanine quadruplexes. Additionally, docking studies indicate the potential dual mode of binding.

Not Your Usual Bioisostere: Solid State Study of 3D Interactions in Cubanes.

Previous studies by Desiraju and co-workers have implicated the acidic hydrogen atoms of cubane as a support network for hydrogen bonding groups. Herein we report a detailed structural analysis of all currently available 1,4-disubstituted cubane structures with an emphasis on how the cubane scaffold interacts in its solid-state environment. In this regard, the interactions between the cubane hydrogen atoms and acids, ester, halogens, ethynyl, nitrogenous groups, and other cubane scaffolds were cataloged. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential of cubane as a substitute for phenyl. This could be achieved by analyzing all contacts that are directed by the cubane hydrogen atoms in the X-ray crystal structures. As a result, we have established several new cubane interaction profiles, such as the catemer formation seen in esters, the preferences of halogen-hydrogen contacts over direct halogen bonding, and the stabilizing effects caused by the cubane hydrogen atoms interacting with ethynyl groups. These interaction profiles can then be used as a guide for designing cubane bioisosteres of known materials and drugs containing phenyl moieties.

Nonconjugated Hydrocarbons as Rigid-Linear Motifs: Isosteres for Material Sciences and Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry.

Nonconjugated hydrocarbons, like bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, triptycene, and cubane are a unique class of rigid linkers. Due to their similarity in size and shape they are useful mimics of classic benzene moieties in drugs, so-called bioisosteres. Moreover, they also fulfill an important role in material sciences as linear linkers, in order to arrange various functionalities in a defined spatial manner. In this Review article, recent developments and usages of these special, rectilinear systems are discussed. Furthermore, we focus on covalently linked, nonconjugated linear arrangements and discuss the physical and chemical properties and differences of individual linkers, as well as their application in material and medicinal sciences.

Cubane Cross-Coupling and Cubane-Porphyrin Arrays.

Herein, an improved methodology for aryl-cubane cross-coupling is reported. The peculiarities of the cubane core and its behavior during cross-coupling conditions were analyzed, while the versatility of this adapted Baran cross-coupling methodology was demonstrated by the synthesis of various aryl-cubane systems, including coupling products of cubanes and porphyrins. Furthermore, arm extension of alkynyl-cubanes by Sonogashira reactions is demonstrated, showcasing the first proof of the stability of the cubane core in the presence of palladium catalysts.

'Multicopy multivalent' glycopolymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles as potential synthetic cancer vaccines.

Mucin-related carbohydrates are overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells, providing a disease-specific target for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we describe the design and construction of peptide-free multivalent glycosylated nanoscale constructs as potential synthetic cancer vaccines that generate significant titers of antibodies selective for aberrant mucin glycans. A polymerizable version of the Tn-antigen glycan was prepared and converted into well-defined glycopolymers by Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymers were then conjugated to gold nanoparticles, yielding 'multicopy-multivalent' nanoscale glycoconjugates. Immunological studies indicated that these nanomaterials generated strong and long-lasting production of antibodies that are selective to the Tn-antigen glycan and cross-reactive toward mucin proteins displaying Tn. The results demonstrate proof-of-concept of a simple and modular approach toward synthetic anticancer vaccines based on multivalent glycosylated nanomaterials without the need for a typical vaccine protein component.