Dramatic Enhancement of Binding Affinities Between Foldamer-Based Receptors and Anions by Intra-Receptor π-Stacking.

As a synthetic model for intra-protein interactions that reinforce binding affinities between proteins and ligands, the energetic interplay of binding and folding was investigated using foldamer-based receptors capable of adopting helical structures. The receptors were designed to have identical hydrogen-bonding sites for anion binding but different aryl appendages that simply provide additional π-stacking within the helical backbones without direct interactions with the bound anions. In particular, the presence of electron-deficient aryl appendages led to dramatic enhancements in the association constant between the receptor and chloride or nitrate ions, by up to three orders of magnitude. Extended stacking within the receptor contributes to the stabilization of the entire folding structure of complexes, thereby enhancing binding affinities.

Template-Directed Quantitative One-Pot Synthesis of Homochiral Helical Receptors Enabling Enantioselective Binding.

Template-directed synthesis and dynamic covalent chemistry were implemented to achieve quantitative one-pot syntheses of homochiral helical cavities inside aromatic foldamers. One-handed helical receptors P-1, M-1, P-2 and M-2 were assembled from their precursors in the presence of appropriate templates (d- and l-tartaric acid, and d- and l-sorbitol, respectively) via three sequential steps in one pot: imine-linked chain elongation, template-induced folding and [4+2] cycloaddition between helical turns. These helical receptors were proven to enantioselectively bind chiral guests used as the templates, and the differences between the association constants of enantiomeric guests were up to more than two orders of magnitude. The structures and binding modes of the receptors were fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and 1 H NMR spectroscopy.

Folding-Generated Molecular Tubes Containing One-Dimensional Water Chains.

A series of indolocarbazole-pyridine (IP) oligomers were prepared that fold into helical conformations, and their folding features in solution and in the solid state were revealed. Helical folding of these IP foldamers is induced by dipolar interactions through the ethynyl bond and π-stacking between two repeating units. Upon helical folding, (1)H NMR signals of aromatic protons were significantly shifted upfield by Δδ = 0.5-2.2 ppm. In addition, hypochromic shifts and fluorescence quenching were observed in the absorption and emission spectra. X-ray crystal structures clearly demonstrated that IP foldamers folded to helical structures with cylindrical internal cavities wherein 3 or 5 water molecules were occupied by hydrogen-bonding interactions in a 1-D array, reminiscent of transmembrane water channels, called aquaporins.

An indolocarbazole dimer as a new stereodynamic probe for chiral 1,2-diamines.

An indolocarbazole dimer that contains aldehyde groups at both ends was prepared by connecting two monomeric units through a rod-like 1,4-butadiynyl spacer. Upon mixing with chiral 1,2-diamines at room temperature, the dimer was in situ converted to the corresponding cyclic diimines in the presence of tetrabutylammonium acetate as a template. The resulting diimines fold to helical conformations of right-handed (P) or left-handed (M) orientations, depending on the absolute stereochemistries of chiral 1,2-diamines. The patterns and intensities of the CD spectra can be used to determine the absolute configurations and enantiomeric excesses of chiral 1,2-diamines.

Modulating Lipid Nanoparticles with Histidinamide-Conjugated Cholesterol for Improved Intracellular Delivery of mRNA.

Recently, mRNA-based therapeutics, including vaccines, have gained significant attention in the field of gene therapy for treating various diseases. Among the various mRNA delivery vehicles, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as promising vehicles for packaging and delivering mRNA with low immunogenicity. However, while mRNA delivery has several advantages, the delivery efficiency and stability of LNPs remain challenging for mRNA therapy. In this study, an ionizable helper cholesterol analog, 3ß[L-histidinamide-carbamoyl] cholesterol (Hchol) lipid is developed and incorporated into LNPs instead of cholesterol to enhance the LNP potency. The pKa values of the Hchol-LNPs are ≈6.03 and 6.61 in MC3- and SM102-based lipid formulations. Notably, the Hchol-LNPs significantly improve the delivery efficiency by enhancing the endosomal escape of mRNA. Additionally, the Hchol-LNPs are more effective in a red blood cell hemolysis at pH 5.5, indicating a synergistic effect of the protonated imidazole groups of Hchol and cholesterol on endosomal membrane destabilization. Furthermore, mRNA delivery is substantially enhanced in mice treated with Hchol-LNPs. Importantly, LNP-encapsulated SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccinations induce potent antigen-specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Overall, incorporating Hchol into LNP formulations enables efficient endosomal escape and stability, leading to an mRNA delivery vehicle with a higher delivery efficiency.

Tweezer-type binding cavity formed by the helical folding of a carbazole-pyridine oligomer.

We have synthesised a new aromatic foldamer based on the carbazole-pyridine oligomers that adopt helical conformations via dipole-dipole interactions and π-stacking between two ethynyl bond-linked monomers. This foldamer scaffold has been further modified into a synthetic receptor with a tweezer-type binding cavity outside the helical backbone upon folding, in contrast to most aromatic foldamers with internal binding cavities. The tweezer-type cavity is composed of two parallel pyrenyl planes, allowing for the intercalation of a naphthalenediimide guest via π-stacking and CH⋯O interactions, as demonstrated using its 1H NMR spectra and X-ray crystal structure.

Foldamer-based helicate displaying reversible switching between two distinct conformers.

A new double-stranded dinuclear helicate that displays conformational switching in response to temperature was prepared by self-assembly of an aromatic helical foldamer and dichloropalladium(ii). The relative populations of the two helicate conformers, syn-anti and syn-syn, were demonstrated to be reversibly modulated through temperature control.

Stereospecific control of the helical orientation of indolocarbazole-pyridine hybrid foldamers by rational modification of terminal chiral appendages.

The helical handedness excess of an indolocarbazole-pyridine hybrid oligomer capable of folding into a stable helical structure was achieved up to 96% by rational modification of terminal chiral residues.

Aromatic Hybrid Foldamer with a Hydrophilic Helical Cavity Capable of Encapsulating Glucose.

An indolocarbazole-naphthyridine hybrid oligomer capable of adopting a stable helical conformation was prepared, and its folding properties were thoroughly studied in the solid state and in solution. As a result of folding, a hydrophilic cavity was generated inside the helix wherein monosaccharides were able to be encapsulated in the order of glucose (9.6 × 104 M-1) > galactose (1.0 × 104 M-1) ≫ mannose (∼0) in 10% (v/v) DMSO/CH2Cl2.

Modulation of helix stability of indolocarbazole-pyridine hybrid foldamers.

Through variation of the central pyridine in an indolocarbazole-pyridine hybrid foldamer, the kinetic stabilities of helical conformations were determined and compared based on the inter-conversion rates of P and M helical isomers.

Helical Aromatic Foldamers Functioning as a Fluorescence Turn-on Probe for Anions.

Indolocarbazole-pyridine hybrid foldamers are strongly fluorescent in an extended random conformation, but the fluorescence is completely quenched upon folding to a helical conformation due to the compact stacking between aryl planes in the backbone. Anion binding disturbs the helical conformation, thus regenerating the fluorescence of the foldamers. This unique property has been utilized to develop a fluorescence turn-on probe for anions such as sulfate and fluoride.

Azobenzene-based chloride transporters with light-controllable activities.

Synthetic chloride transporters containing two urea groups linked through a diazobenzene spacer have been prepared and the trans-to-cis isomerization by light stimulation results in dramatic changes in the chloride transport activities across lipid and cell membranes.

A helically twisted imine macrocycle that allows for determining the absolute configuration of α-amino carboxylates.

Binding of α-amino carboxylates to a helically twisted imine macrocycle based on the indolocarbazole scaffold gives rise to characteristic circular dichroism spectra, and the patterns of the Cotton effects are consistent with the absolute configuration of α-amino carboxylates.