Discovery of isatin and 1H-indazol-3-ol derivatives as d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) inhibitors.

d-Amino acid oxidase (DAAO) is a potential target in the treatment of schizophrenia as its inhibition increases brain d-serine level and thus contributes to NMDA receptor activation. Inhibitors of DAAO were sought testing [6+5] type heterocycles and identified isatin derivatives as micromolar DAAO inhibitors. A pharmacophore and structure-activity relationship analysis of isatins and reported DAAO inhibitors led us to investigate 1H-indazol-3-ol derivatives and nanomolar inhibitors were identified. The series was further characterized by pKa and isothermal titration calorimetry measurements. Representative compounds exhibited beneficial properties in in vitro metabolic stability and PAMPA assays. 6-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-ol (37) significantly increased plasma d-serine level in an in vivo study on mice. These results show that the 1H-indazol-3-ol series represents a novel class of DAAO inhibitors with the potential to develop drug candidates.

The janus facet of nanomaterials.

Application of nanoscale materials (NMs) displays a rapidly increasing trend in electronics, optics, chemical catalysis, biotechnology, and medicine due to versatile nature of NMs and easily adjustable physical, physicochemical, and chemical properties. However, the increasing abundance of NMs also poses significant new and emerging health and environmental risks. Despite growing efforts, understanding toxicity of NMs does not seem to cope with the demand, because NMs usually act entirely different from those of conventional small molecule drugs. Currently, large-scale application of available safety assessment protocols, as well as their furthering through case-by-case practice, is advisable. We define a standard work-scheme for nanotoxicity evaluation of NMs, comprising thorough characterization of structural, physical, physicochemical, and chemical traits, followed by measuring biodistribution in live tissue and blood combined with investigation of organ-specific effects especially regarding the function of the brain and the liver. We propose a range of biochemical, cellular, and immunological processes to be explored in order to provide information on the early effects of NMs on some basic physiological functions and chemical defense mechanisms. Together, these contributions give an overview with important implications for the understanding of many aspects of nanotoxicity.

Role of the conformational flexibility of evodiamine in its binding to protein hosts: a comparative spectroscopic and molecular modeling evaluation with rutaecarpine.

Spectroscopic studies combined with computational analysis indicate the inherent conformational flexibility of the ß-carbolin derivative evodiamine (EVD) featured with diverse pharmacological activities. Qualitative evaluation of the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of EVD enantiomers complemented with quantum chemical calculations reveals a chiral exciton signature that can be assigned to the folded, L-shaped conformation of the molecule. Changes of the exciton couplet measured in different solvents and the near-UV CD profile upon binding to human serum albumin (HSA) refer to the structural adaptability of EVD. The enantioselectivity of EVD-HSA interaction is demonstrated showing the binding preference of the (R)-enantiomer. Comparison of experimental and calculated CD spectra of various conformers of EVD as well as the results of molecular docking data suggest that the (R)-antipode is accomodated within the IIA subdomain of HSA in ridge-tile conformation. Rutaecarpine (RTC), the close congener of EVD, forms much tighter association complexes both with HSA and α1-acid glycoprotein. In contrast to EVD, the nearly planar geometry of the indoloquinazoline ring system of RTC allows its stacked dimeric binding to the HSA.

Cationic permethylated 6-monoamino-6-monodeoxy-ß-cyclodextrin as chiral selector of dansylated amino acids in capillary electrophoresis.

The resolution power of permethylated 6-monoamino-6-monodeoxy-ßCD (PMMABCD) - a single isomer, cationic CD derivative - developed previously for chiral analyses in capillary electrophoresis was further studied here. Dansylated amino acids (Dns-AA) were chosen as amphoteric chiral model compounds. Changes in the resolutions of Dns-AAs by varying pH and selector concentrations were investigated and correlated with their structures and chemical properties (isoelectric point and lipophilicity). Maximal resolutions could be achieved at pH 6 or pH 4. The separations improved with increasing concentration of the selector. Baseline or substantially better resolution for 8 pairs of these Dns-AAs could be achieved. Low CD concentration was enough for the separation of the most apolar Dns-AAs. Chiral discrimination ability of PMMABCD was demonstrated by the separation of an artificial mixture of 8 Dns-AA pairs.

Intercalation of bovine serum albumin coated gold clusters between phospholipid bilayers: temperature-dependent behavior of lipid-AuQC@BSA assemblies with red emission and superlattice structure.

A method has been developed to encapsulate bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated gold quantum clusters (AuQC@BSA) in a multilamellar system of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Results have shown that intercalation of AuQC@BSA particles into lipid bilayers occurs in the presence of CaCl2. Intense red photoluminescence emission was observed after encapsulation of the clusters. A well-defined structure was found with periodic distances drastically larger than that in the pure DPPC/water system. Although Ca(2+) ions can change the dipole characteristics of the lipid bilayer surface, leading to unbinding between the bilayers of multilamellar DPPC/water system, the repulsion is shielded in the presence of AuQC@BSA particles. A coherent superlattice structure evolves due to mixed Ca(2+)-DPPC and Ca(2+)-AuQC@BSA interactions. Studies at different temperatures have suggested a correlation between the luminescence properties of the clusters and phase transition of the lipid layers. The temperature-dependent behavior assumes the connection between the coating and the lipid bilayer surface. Temperature-dependent features of lipid intercalated Au clusters provide new opportunities in their application.

Influence of acid-induced conformational variability on protein separation in reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography.

Influence of acid concentration in the mobile phase on protein separation was studied in a wide concentration range using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and formic acid (FA). At low, 0.001-0.01 (v/v%) TFA concentration and appropriate solvent strength proteins elute before the column's dead time. This is explained by the proteins having a structured, but relatively extended conformation in the eluent; and are excluded from the pores of the stationary phase. Above ca. 0.01-0.05 (v/v%) TFA concentration proteins undergo further conformational change, leading to a compact, molten globule-like structure, likely stabilized by ion pairing. Proteins in this conformation enter the pores and are retained on the column. The results suggest a pore exclusion induced separation related to protein conformation. This effect is influenced by the pH and type of acid used, and is likely to involve ion-pair formation. The TFA concentration needed to result in protein folding (and therefore to observe retention on the column) depends on the protein; and therefore can be utilized to improve chromatographic performance. Conformation change was monitored by circular dichroism spectroscopy and mass spectrometry; and it was shown that not only TFA but FA can also induce molten globule formation.

Development of novel chiral capillary electrophoresis methods for the serotonin receptor (5-HT2A) antagonist MDL 100,907 (volinanserin) and for its key intermediate compound.

Enantioselective capillary electrophoretic methods were elaborated for the determination of the enantiomeric purity of (R)-MDL 100,907 and its preparatively resolved key intermediate compound during the synthesis route. The pKa values of the intermediate compound and the end product determined by CE were 10.5±0.1 and 9.0±0.1, respectively. The enantiopurity of the intermediate compound can be monitored in fully protonated state by applying 15mM sulfobutylether-ß-cyclodextrin at pH 5 when the peak belonging to the impurity migrates before the main component. The fact that the consecutive steps of the synthesis do not affect the enantiomeric purity was verified by the other, newly developed CE method. The enantiomers of rac-MDL 100,907 were resolved by 15mM carboxymethyl-γ-cyclodextrin at pH 3. The applicability (selectivity, LOD, LOQ, repeatability, precision and accuracy) of the methods was studied as well.

Fatty acid modulated human serum albumin binding of the ß-carboline alkaloids norharmane and harmane.

Harmane and norharmane are representative members of the large group of natural ß-carboline alkaloids featured with diverse pharmacological activities. In blood, these agents are transported by human serum albumin (HSA) which has a profound impact on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of many therapeutic drugs and xenobiotics. By combination of various spectroscopic methods, the present contribution is aimed to elucidate how nonesterified fatty acids (FAs), the primary endogenous ligands of HSA, affect the binding properties of harmane and norharmane. Analysis of induced circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopic data indicates the inclusion of the neutral form of both molecules into the binding pocket of subdomain IIIA, which hosts two FA binding sites, too. The induced CD and UV absorption spectra of harmane and norharmane exhibit peculiar changes upon addition of FAs, suggesting the formation of ternary complexes in which the lipid ligands significantly alter the binding mode of the alkaloids via cooperative allosteric mechanism. To our knowledge, it is the first instance of the demonstration of drug-FA cobinding at site IIIA. In line with these results, molecular docking calculations showed two distinct binding positions of norharmane within subdomain IIIA. The profound increase in the affinity constants of ß-carbolines estimated in the presence of FAs predicts that the unbound, pharmacologically active serum fraction of these compounds strongly depends on the actual lipid binding profile of HSA.

Synthesis and pharmacological investigation of new N-hydroxyalkyl-2-aminophenothiazines exhibiting marked MDR inhibitory effect.

Novel N-hydroxyalkyl-2-aminophenothiazines implying a tetrazole moiety at the alkyl chain have been synthesized by hydroboration-oxidation of dienes followed by Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling reaction. Also, some sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives have been prepared by selective oxidations. MDR inhibition studies on rat hepatocyte cell culture revealed that some derivatives exhibit marked biological efficacy exceeding that of the standard verapamil (e.g., 3h, 4h, 16). Selected derivatives were subjected to chemical resolution to provide both enantiomers which were shown of similar activity on P-gp interaction measurements. The new compounds exhibited no toxicity.

Polyamidoamine dendrimer impairs mitochondrial oxidation in brain tissue.

BACKGROUND: The potential nanocarrier polyamidoamine (PAMAM) generation 5 (G5-NH(2)) dendrimer has been shown to evoke lasting neuronal depolarization and cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. In this study we explored the early progression of G5-NH(2) action in brain tissue on neuronal and astroglial cells. RESULTS: In order to describe early mechanisms of G5-NH(2) dendrimer action in brain tissue we assessed G5-NH(2) trafficking, free intracellular Ca(2+) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψ(MITO)) changes in the rat hippocampal slice by microfluorimetry. With the help of fluorescent dye conjugated G5-NH(2), we observed predominant appearance of the dendrimer in the plasma membrane of pyramidal neurons and glial cells within 30 min. Under this condition, G5-NH(2) evoked robust intracellular Ca(2+) enhancements and Ψ(MITO) depolarization both in pyramidal neurons and astroglial cells. Intracellular Ca(2+) enhancements clearly preceded Ψ(MITO) depolarization in astroglial cells. Comparing activation dynamics, neurons and glia showed prevalence of lasting and transient Ψ(MITO) depolarization, respectively. Transient as opposed to lasting Ψ(MITO) changes to short-term G5-NH(2) application suggested better survival of astroglia, as observed in the CA3 stratum radiatum area. We also showed that direct effect of G5-NH(2) on astroglial Ψ(MITO) was significantly enhanced by neuron-astroglia interaction, subsequent to G5-NH(2) evoked neuronal activation. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the interaction of the PAMAM dendrimer with the plasma membrane leads to robust activation of neurons and astroglial cells, leading to mitochondrial depolarization. Distinguishable dynamics of mitochondrial depolarization in neurons and astroglia suggest that the enhanced mitochondrial depolarization followed by impaired oxidative metabolism of neurons may be the primary basis of neurotoxicity.

Cryptocapsinepoxide-type carotenoids from red mamey, Pouteria sapota.

New carotenoids, cryptocapsin-5,6-epoxide, 3'-deoxycapsanthin-5,6-epoxide, and cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxides, have been isolated from the ripe fruits of red mamey (Pouteria sapota). Cryptocapsin-5,6-epoxide was prepared by partial synthesis via epoxidation of cryptocapsin, and the (5R,6S)- and (5S,6R)-stereoisomers were identified by HPLC-ECD analysis. Spectroscopic data of the natural (anti) and semisynthetic (syn) derivatives obtained by acid-catalyzed rearrangement of cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxide stereoisomers were compared for structural elucidation. Chiral HPLC separation of natural and semisynthetic samples of cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxides was performed, and HPLC-ECD analysis allowed configurational assignment of the separated stereoisomers.

Structure and stability of warfarin-sodium inclusion complexes formed with permethylated monoamino-ß-cyclodextrin.

Inclusion complexes of warfarin enantiomers with permethylated monoamino-ß-cyclodextrin (PMMABCD) were characterized using CE and (1)H NMR spectroscopy in aqueous solution. These techniques gave complementary information on the stability and the structure of the diastereomeric host-guest inclusion complexes. The stability constants were determined from CE experiments in a wide pH range. Change in the migration order on the variation of the pH was observed. (1)H NMR assignments have been established for the seven non-equivalent carbohydrate units of the host in the complex at pH 7-9. Specific H-H distance restraints were obtained from NOESY experiments and were introduced into molecular modeling to establish the geometry of the inclusion complexes. It was found that the open side chain warfarin enters the cavity from the primary side of the CD. The orientation of the coumarin ring within the cavity has the same preference for the two warfarin enantiomers owing to an ionic interaction with the amino group of the CD. Accordingly, enantioselectivity at pH 8.5 arises from the difference in the CH/π interactions between warfarin aromatics and the manifold of CH groups of the CD.

Comparison of separation performances of novel ß-cyclodextrin-based chiral stationary phases in high-performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation.

Three ß-cyclodextrin-based chiral stationary phases were developed applying novel bonding chemistry. The separation performances of ß-cyclodextrin, (R,S)-2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin, and permethyl-ß-cyclodextrin-based CSPs were compared in the resolution of structurally divergent analytes, such as coumarins, dansyl amino acids, and propionic acid derivatives. Separations were carried out in reversed phase mode applying 0.1% triethylammonium phosphate (pH 3.5)/MeOH mobile phase systems in different compositions. Of the three novel CSPs the permethyl-ß-cyclodextrin bonded phase proved to be the most effective one for the enantioseparation of investigated analytes.

Stereoselective analysis of endomorphin diastereomers: resolution of biologically active analogues by capillary electrophoresis applying cyclodextrins as mobile phase additives.

Seven diastereomer pairs of tetrapeptide analogues (TP) of endomorphin-1 and -2 were synthesized. A stereoselective capillary electrophoretic method was developed for controlling stereoisomeric ratio or purity. The isoelectric points of the tetrapeptides were between 8.3 and 8.9 as predicted and measured. A few of the analytes could be resolved without selectors due to the difference in their mobility. Neutral and anionic cyclodextrins (CDs) were applied in order to improve resolution. Stability constants as well as the mobilities of complexes were determined. Contributions of differences in the mobilities of free analytes and in the mobilities and stabilities of their complexes formed by CDs were equally important in the efficient resolution and migration order of diastereomers. As a result of the optimization of the pH of buffers and the concentration of the CD derivatives each diastereomer pair was resolved at baseline at least or better.

Assessing toxicity of polyamidoamine dendrimers by neuronal signaling functions.

We report for the first time on neuronal signaling for the evaluation of interactions between native plasmamembrane and polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. Generation 5 polycationic (G5-NH(2)), novel ß-D-glucopyranose-conjugated G5-NH(2) and generation 4.5 polyanionic (G4.5-COONa) polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers (1-0.0001 mg/ml) were applied in acute brain slices. Functional toxicity assessments-validated by fluorescence imaging of dead cells-were performed by employing electrophysiological indicators of plasma membrane breakdown and synaptic transmission relapse. Irreversible membrane depolarization and decrease of membrane resistance predicted substantial functional neurotoxicity of unmodified G5-NH(2), but not of the G4.5-COONa PAMAM dendrimers. Model calculations suggested that freely moving protonated NH(2) groups of terminal monomeric units of PAMAM dendrimers may be able directly destroy the membrane or inhibit important K(+) channel function via contacting the positively charged NH(2). In accordance, conjugation of surface amino groups by ß-D-glucopyranose units reduced functional neurotoxicity that may hold great potential for biomedical applications.

Enantiomeric separation of antimalarial drugs by capillary electrophoresis using neutral and negatively charged cyclodextrins.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods for chiral resolution of five antimalarial drugs (primaquine, tafenoquine, mefloquine, chloroquine and quinacrine) were developed by using a wide selection of neutral and anionic cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives. The use of sulfobutyl-ß-CD and carboxymethyl-ß-CD (CMBCD) resulted in good resolution of quinacrine and tafenoquine, respectively. New results are presented for resolutions of chloroquine and mefloquine. Application of carboxyalkyl- and sulfobutyl-CD derivatives provided improved resolution for primaquine. The impurity in primaquine sample detected by CE was identified as quinocide by MS and NMR. CMBCD provided not only the best separation of primaquine from quinocide but also the simultaneous complete resolution of both compounds.

Separation of cis-beta-lactam enantiomers by capillary electrophoresis using cyclodextrin derivatives.

Chiral separation of 19 pairs of cis-beta-lactam (BL) stereoisomers of pharmacological importance was examined by capillary electrophoresis using cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives. In order to select the most effective conditions separating the highest number of stereoisomers of BLs, single carboxymethyl alpha-, beta- and gamma-, as well as sulfobutyl beta-CD derivatives were applied. Additionally, carboxymethyl and sulfobutyl beta-CD derivatives complemented with neutral beta-CD derivatives as dual CD systems were tested. Both the composition and concentration of applied selectors and the pH of background electrolyte were selected. In single systems the structural characteristics of BLs and the complex forming affinity were correlated. Most BLs provided optimal complexation with beta-CD derivatives. In conclusion, the efficiency of combining sulfobutyl-beta-CD and permethylated beta-CD was superior to other single and dual CD systems applied. This method successfully separated each pair of stereoisomers investigated.

Selective binding interactions of deramciclane to the genetic variants of human alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein.

BACKGROUND: alpha(1)-Acid glycoprotein (AGP) plays a decisive role in the serum protein binding of several drugs.Genetic variants of AGP have different ligand binding properties. The binding of deramciclane (DER), a chiral anxiolytic agent, has been studied on A and F1/S genetic variants of AGP. METHODS: The effects of DER and reference drugs on the binding of specific fluorescent and circular dichroism (CD) probes of AGP were determined. Dicumarol (DIC) binding was measured by CD and equilibrium dialysis. RESULTS: DER effectively displaced probes bound to variant A, while it was less effective at displacing probes bound to variant F1/S. DER increased the binding and inverted the induced CD spectrum of DIC in the solution of variant F1/S. This phenomenon could not be brought about by the enantiomer of DER. CONCLUSION: DER has high-affinity binding (K(a)> or =2x10(6) M(-1)) to variant A, while its binding to the variant F1/S is about thirty times weaker. During simultaneous binding of DER and DIC to variant F1/S a ternary complex having about four times higher affinity is formed, in which the opposite chiral conformation of DIC is favored. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The binding interactions found prove that AGP can simultaneously accommodate different ligand molecules. Even weakly bound ligands can provoke unexpected allosteric protein binding interactions.

Chiral separation by a monofunctionalized cyclodextrin derivative: from selector to permethyl-beta-cyclodextrin bonded stationary phase.

Preparation of (6-monoureido-6-monodeoxy) permethylated beta-cyclodextrin bonded chiral stationary phase from permethylated 6-monoamino-6-monodeoxy-beta-cyclodextrin is described. The optimized chiral stationary phase was evaluated by using HPLC separation of racemates of coumarin derivatives. Column characterization was performed by solid-state (13)C, (15)N, (29)Si NMR using cross-polarization at the magic angle spinning. The development process was supported by CE experiments where the complex formation between cyclodextrins and warfarin was investigated. The results demonstrate good enantio-discrimination for coumarin derivatives.

Validation of high-affinity binding sites for succinic acid through distinguishable binding of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptor-specific NCS 382 antipodes.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) binding to multiple sites for the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate succinic acid (SUC) has been disclosed recently. In order to better characterize these targets, distinguishable binding of GHB receptor-specific NCS 382 antipodes to [(3)H]-SUC or [(3)H]-GHB labelled sites in rat brain synaptic membranes was explored. Eutomer binding parameters suggest identity of the high-affinity target for SUC with a synaptic GHB receptor subtype.