An EPR spin probe study of liposomes from sunflower and soybean phospholipids.

Comparative properties of lecithin-based liposomes prepared from the mixed phospholipids of sunflower seeds, soybean and egg yolk were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. For these investigations, stable nitroxide radicals, 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl 5,7-dimethyladamantane-1-carboxylate (DMAC-TEMPO), 5-doxylstearic acid (5-DSA) and 16-doxylstearic acid (16-DSA) were used as spin probes. Binding of the spin probes to the liposome membranes resulted in a substantial increase of the apparent rotational diffusion correlation times. The EPR spectra of the incorporated nitroxides underwent temperature-dependent changes. For every spin probe, values of apparent enthalpy and entropy of activation were calculated from the temperature dependence of rotational diffusion correlation times via Arrhenius equation. In case of DMAC-TEMPO, the data point to differences between the phospholipid bilayer of liposomes derived from sunflower and soy lecithin, and some similarity between the sunflower and egg yolk liposomes. Anisotropic hyperfine interaction constants of DMAC-TEMPO and 16-DSA included in the liposomes have been analyzed and attributed to different micropolarity of the surroundings of the spin probes. The kinetics of EPR signal decay of DMAC-TEMPO in the presence of 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) suggest the better stability of the sunflower liposomes to lipid peroxidation as compared to the liposomes prepared from soy lecithin.

Phosphonate derivatives of tetraazamacrocycles as new inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases.

α,α-Difluoro-ß-ketophosphonated derivatives of tetraazamacrocycles were synthesized and found to be potential inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases. N-Substituted conjugates of cyclam and cyclen with bioisosteric phosphonate groups displayed good activities toward T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase with IC50 values in the micromolar to nanomolar range and showed selectivity over PTP1B, CD45, SHP2, and PTPß. Kinetic studies indicated that the inhibitors can occupy the region of the active site of TC-PTP. This study demonstrates a new approach which employs tetraazamacrocycles as a molecular platform for designing inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases.

Partial sublimation of enantioenriched amino acids at low temperature. Is it coming from the formation of a euatmotic composition of the gaseous phase?

The partial sublimation of enantioenriched amino acids was performed slowly at low temperature with the aim to determine the rules of sublimation of these compounds. Although the formation of a euatmotic composition of the gaseous phase starting from DL + L mixtures of Leu, Pro, and Phe can be deduced from the enantiomeric excess of sublimates, the behavior of the kinetic conglomerate explains the results for D + L mixtures of Ala, Leu, Val, and Pro. Consequently, the enantiomeric excess of the partial sublimate is dependent not only on the studied compound but also on the composition of the starting mixture.

Calix[4]arene methylenebisphosphonic acids as inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B.

Сalix[4]arenes bearing methylenebisphosphonic or hydroxymethylenebisphosphonic acid fragments at the wide rim of the macrocycle were studied as inhibitors of PTP1B. Some of the inhibitors showed IC50 values in the micromolar range and good selectivity in comparison with other protein tyrosine phosphatases such as TC-PTP, PTPß, LAR, and CD45. Kinetic studies indicated that the calix[4]arene derivatives influence PTP1B activity as slow-binding inhibitors. Based on molecular docking results, the binding modes of the macrocyclic bisphosphonates in the active centre of PTP1B are discussed.

Deracemization of amino acids by partial sublimation and via homochiral self-organization.

Deracemization of a 50/50 mixture of enantiomers of aliphatic amino acids (Ala, Leu, Pro, Val) can be achieved by a simple sublimation of a pre-solubilized solid mixture of the racemates with a huge amount of a less-volatile optically active amino acid (Asn, Asp, Glu, Ser, Thr). The choice of chirality correlates with the handedness of the enantiopure amino acids--Asn, Asp, Glu, Ser, and Thr. The deracemization, enantioenrichment and enantiodepletion observed in these experiments clearly demonstrate the preferential homochiral interactions and a tendency of natural amino acids to homochiral self-organization. These data may contribute toward an ultimate understanding of the pathways by which prebiological homochirality might have emerged.

Methylidynetrisphosphonates: Promising C1 building block for the design of phosphate mimetics.

Methylidynetrisphosphonates are representatives of geminal polyphosphonates bearing three phosphonate (PO3H2) groups at the bridged carbon atom. Like well-known methylenebisphosphonates (BPs), they are characterized by a P-C-P backbone structure and are chemically stable mimetics of the endogenous metabolites, i.e., inorganic pyrophosphates (PPi). Because of its analogy to PPi and an ability to chelate metal ions, the 1,1,1-trisphosphonate structure is of great potential as a C1 building block for the design of phosphate mimetics. The purpose of this review is to present a concise summary of the state of the art in trisphosphonate chemistry with particular emphasis on the synthesis, structure, reactions, and potential medicinal applications of these compounds.

Inhibition of Yersinia protein tyrosine phosphatase by phosphonate derivatives of calixarenes.

Inhibition of Yersinia protein tyrosine phosphatase by calix[4]arene mono-, bis-, and tetrakis(methylenebisphosphonic) acids as well as calix[4]arene and thiacalix[4]arene tetrakis(methylphosphonic) acids have been investigated. The kinetic studies revealed that some compounds in this class are potent competitive inhibitors of Yersinia PTP with inhibition constants in the low micromolar range. The binding modes of macrocyclic phosphonate derivatives in the enzyme active center have been explained using computational docking approach. The results obtained indicate that calix[4]arenes are promising scaffolds for the development of inhibitors of Yersinia PTP.

Solvent influence on the infrared spectra of beta-alkoxyvinyl methyl ketones II. Stretching vibrations and integrated intensities of carbonyl and vinyl bands of (3Z,E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethylhex-3-en-2-one.

Infrared spectroscopy studies of beta-alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketone, with structure C(2)H(5)O-C(C(CH(3))(3))CH-COCF(3) (1), in twenty three different pure organic solvents were undertaken to investigate the solvent-solute interactions and to correlate solvent properties such as Reichard's parameter and solvatochromic parameters of Kamlet, Abbot, and Taft with carbonyl and vinyl stretching vibrations and their integrated intensities of existing spatial forms. It was shown that conjugation in CC-CO system of the (E-s-Z-o-Z) stereoisomer is higher than that in this system of the (Z-s-Z-o-Z) stereoisomer. From derived correlations of the v (CO) and v (CC) wavenumbers with solvatochromic parameters of Kamlet, Abbot, and Taft it is followed that the solvent polarity influences on the v (CO) and v (CC) wavenumbers more intense than the solvent HBD acidity, and, at the same time, the influence of these solvent properties is greater for the (E-s-Z-o-Z) stereoisomer. Analysis of derived KAT multiple regressions showed that the increase of the solvent polarity/polarizability (pi*) increased the conjugation in both stereoisomers, whereas the increase of the solvent HBD acidity (alpha) had opposite effect on conjugation in the (Z-s-Z-o-Z) and (E-s-Z-o-Z) stereoisomer. In the former case conjugation was weakened, whereas in the latter it was enhanced. These discrepancies were the consequence of different structure of H-bonded complexes between enone 1 and HBD solvents. The influence of the solvent HBA basicity (beta) also had peculiarity. The increase of the solvent HBA basicity disturbs the CC-CO conjugation in the (Z-s-Z-o-Z) stereoisomer due to carbonyl rotation, whereas in the (E-s-Z-o-Z) stereoisomer such increase enhanced this conjugation and, hence, increased the v (CO) and v (C==C) coupling.

Polyaniline Doping by α,α-Difluoro-ß-amino Acids.

Currently, polyaniline (PANI) is considered as a promising polymer that can be used in biosensors, drug delivery systems, bioelectronics, etc. Its biocompatibility can be strongly improved by using dopants with biofunctionality. This study reveals the protonation/doping of PANI by fluorinated analogs of natural amino acids, namely, α,α-difluoro-ß-amino acids (DFAAs) with alkyl and aromatic tails in N-methylpyrrolidone solutions. We find that these acids can dope PANI due to both the weakened basicity of their amino groups because of two fluorine atoms in α,α-positions and specific intermolecular interactions (π-π stacking, alkyl-π, F-π) of their tails with units of PANI chains. These interactions did not give the doped PANI salts with high conductivity but led to formation of stable PANI-DFAA complexes, which were confirmed both by clear changes in the UV-Vis and Fourier transform infrared spectra of the protonated/doped PANI and by their conductivity of ∼10-6 S/cm. Our results suggest an applicability of such PANI complexes as carriers of DFAA for their biomedical applications.

Stereoselectivity of binding of alpha-(N-benzylamino)benzylphosphonic acids to prostatic acid phosphatase.

The inhibition effects of enantiomerically pure alpha-(N-benzylamino)benzylphosphonic acids and their derivatives on human prostatic acid phosphatase have been investigated. As expected, (R)-alpha-(N-benzylamino)benzylphosphonic acid demonstrated higher affinity for the enzyme than (S)-enantiomer. At the same time, (1R,2S)-phenyl[(1-phenylethyl)amino]methylphosphonic acid was found to be a significantly weaker inhibitor than its (1S,2R)-analogue. The enantioselectivity has been explained using a molecular modeling approach by computational docking of inhibitors into active center of prostatic acid phosphatase.

Solvent effects on the infrared spectra of beta-alkoxyvinyl methyl ketones I. Carbonyl and vinyl stretching vibrations.

Infrared spectroscopy studies of six beta-alkoxyvinyl methyl ketones, with common structure R(1)O-CR(2)CH-COR(3), where R(1)=R(3)=CH(3), R(2)=H (1); R(1)=C(2)H(5), R(2)=H (2); R(3)=CF(3); R(1)=R(2)=CH(3), R(3)=CF(3) (3); R(1)=C(2)H(5), R(2)=C(6)H(5), R(3)=CF(3) (4); R(1)=C(2)H(5), R(2)=4-O(2)NC(6)H(4), R(3)=CF(3) (5); R(1)=C(2)H(5), R(2)=C(CH(3))(3), R(3)=CF(3) (6) in 11 pure organic solvents of different polarity were undertaken to investigate the solute-solvent interactions and to correlate solvent properties by means of linear solvation energy relationships (LSER) with the carbonyl and vinyl stretching vibrations of existing stereoisomeric forms. It was shown that contrary to simple carbonyl-containing compounds where solvent HBD acidity (alpha) has the largest influence on the nu (CO) band shift to lower wavenumbers, the dipolarity/polarizability (pi) term plays the main role in the interactions of conjugated enones with solvent molecules leading to the nu (CO) and nu (CC) bathochromic band shifts. The trifluoroacetyl group possesses a reduced ability to form hydrogen bonds with solvents. For the nu (CC) band of non-fluorinated enone 1 solvent HBD acidity (alpha) and solvent HBA basicity term (beta) play a perceptible role, whereas for 2 these terms are not significant. beta-Substituents in fluorinated enones such as R(2)=H, C(6)H(5), and C(CH(3))(3) assist in the intermolecular hydrogen bond formation of the carbonyl moiety with HBD solvents, while beta-substituents such as CH(3) and 4-NO(2)C(6)H(4) prevent the CO group to form the H-bonds with HBD solvents (the solvent HBD acidity term (alpha) is not significant). The comparison of four conformers of the enone 1 reveals that (EEE) form is the most polarizable conformer; the influences of the solvent dipolarity/polarizability (pi) and solvent HBD acidity (alpha) term on the bathochromic nu (CO) band shift are opposite to one another.

Special feature of kinetics of ZcE isomerization of ß-N-methylaminovinyl trifluoromethyl ketone in Ar matrix exposed to UV radiation and spontaneous E⇌Z isomerization of α-methyl-ß-N-methylaminovinyl trifluoromethyl ketone.

Although it is well known that reactivity of α,ß-unsaturated enaminoketones is closely associated with spatial and electronic structure but until now little attention was devoted to quantitative investigation of interconversion of different stereoisomeric forms of enaminoketones. In present work we studied peculiarities of kinetics of Z⇌E isomerization of enaminoketone 4-(N-methylamino)-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one F3C-COCHCHNH(CH3) (1) in Ar-matrix exposed to UV-radiation (λ=340nm) with IR Fourier and 2D correlation spectroscopy and we found that Z-s-Z-s-trans isomer transforms primarily into two E-isomers, E-s-E-s-trans and E-s-Z-s-trans which further turn into the E-s-E-s-cis and E-s-Z-s-cis conformers all interconversion rate constants being comparable in magnitude. Along with this process long-term exposure to the UV-radiation results in proton transfer from nitrogen of methylamino group to carbonyl oxygen with simultaneous isomerization of 'cyclic' iminoenol form into 'linear'one. In solution of enaminoketone 4-(N-methylamino)-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-methylbut-3-en-2-one F3C-CO-C(CH3)CH-NH(CH3) (2) we observed reversed process, namely, spontaneous interconversion of the E-s-E-s-trans and E-s-Z-s-trans conformers into the Z-s-Z-trans isomer. It was found that rate constants of the dimeric forms of the E-s-E-s-trans and E-s-Z-s-trans conformers are higher than those of the monomers and are independent on total enaminoketone concentration. Addition of highly polar HMPA promotes proton transfer from nitrogen to oxygen in the Z-s-Z-s-trans isomer of 2 with subsequent isomerization into the linear imino-enol product but the rate constant of this transformation is ten-fold smaller than that for 1 in the Ar matrix exposed to UV radiation.

Calix[4]arene alpha-aminophosphonic acids: asymmetric synthesis and enantioselective inhibition of an alkaline phosphatase.

[structure: see text] Chiral calix[4]arene alpha-aminophosphonic acids were obtained through diastereoselective Pudovik-type addition of sodium ethyl phosphites to the chiral calixarene imines, removal of chiral auxiliary groups, and mild dealkylation of phosphonate fragments. The diacids obtained show inhibitory activity toward porcine kidney alkaline phosphatase that depends considerably on the absolute configuration of the alpha-carbon atoms.

High temperature sublimation of α-amino acids: a realistic prebiotic process leading to large enantiomeric excess.

The reiterative high temperature co-sublimation of an enantiopure or an enantioenriched α-amino acid mixed with racemic α-amino acids leads to deracemization of the latter. A synergistic effect is observed for complex mixtures, and the sense of the handedness is, for all compounds, identical to that of the enantioenriched starting material.

Biomimetic Reductive Amination of Fluoro Aldehydes and Ketones via [1,3]-Proton Shift Reaction.(1) Scope and Limitations.

A systematic study of azomethine-azomethine isomerizations of the N-benzylimines 2, derived from fluorinated aldehydes or ketones and benzylamine, has been made. The results reveal that, in sharp contrast to hydrocarbon analogs, fluorinated imines of 2 in triethylamine solution undergo isomerizations to give the corresponding N-benzylidene derivatives 5 (for 5/2 K > 32) in good isolated yields. The rates of the isomerizations depend on the starting imine structures and increase in the following order: aryl perfluoroalkyl ketimine 2m, per(poly)fluoroalkyl aldimine 2a,d-g, perfluoroaryl aldimine 2h, alkyl perfluoroalkyl ketimine 2i,j. The presence of chlorine or bromine atoms in the alpha-position to the C=N double bond of the starting imine favors a dehydrohalogenation reaction, giving rise to unsaturated products 6-9. The azomethine-azomethine isomerization was studied and proven to proceed essentially (>98%) intramolecularly with isotope exchange experiments. High chemical yields, the simplicity of the experimental procedure, and the low cost of all reagents employed make this biomimetic transamination of fluorocarbonyl compounds a practical method for preparing fluorine-containing amines of biological interest.

The conformational analysis of push-pull enaminones using Fourier transform IR and NMR spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations. V. α-Methyl-, fluorine-ß-N,N-dimethylaminovinyl trifluoromethyl ketones.

IR Fourier spectra of two enaminoketones with general formula F3CCOCRCHN(CH3)2, R=F (DMTFBN); R=CH3, (DMTMBN) were studied in various pure solvents. For comparison results of earlier investigated enaminoketone R=H (DMTBN) was also presented. On the basis of NMR and IR spectra it was shown that enaminoketones DMTBN, DMTFBN and DMTMBN presented in solutions as equilibrium of two conformers, (E-s-Z)⇌(E-s-E) (for DMTFBN these conformers are denoted as (Z-s-Z) and (Z-s-E), respectively). DFT calculations were carried out to evaluate relative energy and dipole moment of each spatial form. It was shown that 'closed-ring' complex formation between (E-s-Z) and (E-s-E) conformers of DMTBN accounts for discrepancies between DFT calculations of conformer relative energies and experimentally evaluated enthalpies of (E-s-Z)⇌(E-s-E) equilibrium. In α-substituted DMTFBN and DMTMBN, where formation of 'closed-ring' complex was impossible we did not observe such discrepancies. For both (E-s-Z) and (E-s-E) conformers of the DMTBN and DMTMBN the main influence on the ν̃(CO) vibrations has the solvent's hydrogen bond donor (HBD) acidity, whereas for the DMTFBN an influence of the solvent's polarity/polarizability dominated.

Design and synthesis of new potent inhibitors of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase.

Predictive QSAR models for the inhibition activities of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) against farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) from Leishmania major (LeFPPS) were developed using a data set of 97 compounds. The QSAR models were developed through the use of Artificial Neural Networks and Random Forest learning procedures. The predictive ability of the models was tested by means of leave-one-out cross-validation; Q(2)values ranging from 0.45-0.79 were obtained for the regression models. The consensus prediction for the external evaluation set afforded high predictive power (Q(2)=0.76 for 35 compounds). The robustness of the QSAR models was also evaluated using a Y-randomization procedure. A small set of 6 new N-BPs were designed and synthesized applying the Michael reaction of tetrakis (trimethylsilyl) ethenylidene bisphosphonate with amines. The inhibition activities of these compounds against LeFPPS were predicted by the developed QSAR models and were found to correlate with their fungistatic activities against Candida albicans. The antifungal activities of N-BPs bearing n-butyl and cyclopropyl side chains exceeded the activities of Fluconazole, a triazole-containing antifungal drug. In conclusion, the N-BPs developed here present promising candidate drugs for the treatment of fungal diseases.

The conformational analysis of push-pull enaminones using Fourier transform IR and NMR spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations. IV. 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-methylbut-3-en-2-one and 4-(N,N-dimethyl-amino)-1,1,1-trifluoropropen-3-en-2-one.

IR Fourier spectra of two enaminoketones with general formula (CH(3))(2)NCR(1)CR(2)C(O)CF(3), R(1)H, R(2)CH(3) (2); R(1)CH(3), R(2)H (3) were investigated in various pure solvents. For comparison results of earlier investigated enaminoketone R(1)H, R(2)H (1) were also presented. On the basis of NMR and IR spectra it was shown that enaminoketones 1 and 2 presented in solutions as an equilibrium of two conformers, (E-s-Z)⇌(E-s-E), whereas the enaminoketone 3 presented as equilibrium of two isomers, (E-s-Z)⇌(Z-s-Z). Quantum chemical calculations by the DFT methods were carried out to evaluate relative energy and dipole moment of each spatial form. For both (E-s-Z) and (E-s-E) conformer of the 1 and 2 the main influence on the ν(C=O) vibrations has the solvent's hydrogen bond donor (HBD) acidity whereas for the 3 influence of the solvent's polarity/polarizability dominated. Both the solvent's polarity/polarizability and solvent's hydrogen bond donor (HBD) acidity influenced on the ν(C=C) mode of the conformers of the 1 and 2. Solvent influence on the ν(C=C) vibrations of the 3 depended substantially whether the solvent is aprotic or an alcohol. In the former case the main contribution made the solvent's hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) basicity [(E-s-Z) isomer] or the solvent's polarity/polarizability with solvent's hydrogen bond donor (HBD) acidity [(Z-s-Z) isomer]. Alcohols influenced on the ν(C=C) vibrations of both isomers predominantly due to the solvent's polarity/polarizability. In aprotic solvents the greatest contribution in solvent influence on thermodynamic parameters of both (E-s-Z)⇌(E-s-E) and (E-s-Z)⇌(Z-s-Z) equilibrium made the solvent's hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) basicity. Rotation around double C=C bond is characterized by higher sensitivity to the solvent's hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) basicity compared to the rotation around formally single C-C=O bond.

Liporetro-D-peptides - a novel class of highly selective thrombin inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: Plasma serine protease thrombin plays a key role in coagulation, haemostasis and thromboembolic diseases. Direct thrombin inhibitors could be beneficial for future anticoagulant therapy. We have synthesized and studied liporetro-D-peptides - efficient thrombin inhibitors resistant to enzymatic degradation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Compounds X-D-Arg-D-Phe-OMe, where X=residue of lauric or myristic acid or 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, have been synthesized by conventional peptide synthesis in solution and their comparative inhibitory analysis in relation to thrombin, factor X, plasmin and trypsin has been conducted. RESULTS: Modification of the synthetic liporetro-D-peptides with the myristic acid residue was the most successful one. This modification has dramatically increased the inhibition efficacy (Ki=0,17 µM) and selectivity toward the chosen target enzyme, thrombin, in comparison to factor X, plasmin and trypsin (more than 600, 900, and 5000-fold, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings establish an important role of the fatty moiety in the structure of peptide inhibitors with regards to their potency and selectivity toward thrombin.

Efficient asymmetric synthesis of trifluoromethylated ß-aminophosphonates and their incorporation into dipeptides.

Addition of anions derived from dialkyl methylphosphonates to (Ss)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl (3,3,3)-trifluoroacetaldimine afforded (Ss,R) addition adducts in moderate to good yield (53-75%) with excellent diastereoselectivity (94-95% de). After selective removal of the N-sulfinyl group, dipeptides containing enantiomerically pure diethyl 2-amino-3,3,3-trifluoropropylphosphonate were synthesized to investigate the influence of the trifluoromethyl substituent on N-terminal coupling.