Synthesis of Cyclic γ-Amino Acids for Foldamers and Peptide Nanotubes

Application of 2-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]Hept-5-En-3-One (Vince Lactam) in Synthetic Organic and Medicinal Chemistry

2-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one (Vince lactam) is known to be a valuable building block in synthetic organic chemistry and drug research. It is an important precursor to access of some blockbuster antiviral drugs such as Carbovir or Abacavir as well as other carbocyclic neuraminidase inhibitors as antiviral agents. The ring C=C bond of the Vince lactam allows versatile chemical manipulations to create not only functionalized γ-lactams, but also γ-amino acid derivatives with a cyclopentane framework. The aim of the current account is to summarize the chemistry of Vince lactam, its synthetic utility and application in organic and medicinal chemistry over the last decade.

Stable D-xylose ditriflate in divergent syntheses of dihydroxy prolines, pyrrolidines, tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acids, and cyclic β-amino acids

Double nucleophilic displacement of D-xylo-ditriflate by amines, water and alkyl cyanoacetates, respectively, gave a series of bicyclic divergent intermediates for the synthesis of a wide range of highly functionalized targets, including hydroxylated prolines, pyrrolidines, furanoic acids, and cyclopentanes.

Synthesis of complex unnatural fluorine-containing amino acids

The area of fluorinated amino acid synthesis has seen rapid growth over the past decade. As reports of singly fluorinated natural amino acid derivatives have grown, researchers have turned their attention to develop methodology to access complex proteinogenic examples. A variety of reaction conditions have been employed in this area, exploiting new advances in the wider synthetic community such as photocatalysis and palladium cross-coupling. In addition, novel fluorinated functional groups have also been incorporated into amino acids, with SFX and perfluoro moieties now appearing with more frequency in the literature. This review focuses on synthetic methodology for accessing complex non-proteinogenic amino acids, along with amino acids containing multiple fluorine atoms such as CF3, SF5 and perfluoroaromatic groups.

Environmental transformation of n-TiO2 in the aquatic systems and their ecotoxicity in bivalve mollusks: A systematic review

Over the past decades, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (n-TiO₂) have been extensively used in several industrial applications and the manufacture of novel consumer products. Although strict regulations have been put in place to limit their release into the aquatic environment, these nanoparticles can still be found at elevated levels within the environment, which can result in toxic effects on exposed organisms and has possible implications in term of public health. Bivalve mollusks are a unique and ideal group of shellfish for the study and monitoring the aquatic pollution by n-TiO₂ because of their filter-feeding behaviour and ability to accumulate toxicants in their tissues. In these animals, exposure to n-TiO₂ leads to oxidative stress, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and genotoxicity, as well as behavioral and physiological changes. This review summarizes the uptake, accumulation, and fate of n-TiO₂ in aquatic environments and the possible interactions between n-TiO₂ and other contaminants such as heavy metals and organic pollutants. Moreover, the toxicological impacts and mechanisms of action are discussed for a wide range of bivalve mollusks. This data underlines the pressing need for additional knowledge and future research plans for the development of control strategies to mitigate the release of n-TiO₂ to the aquatic environment to prevent the toxicological impacts on bivalves and protect public health.

Highly efficient biocatalytic desymmetrization of meso carbocyclic 1,3-dicarboxamides: a versatile route for enantiopure 1,3-disubstituted cyclohexanes and cyclopentanes

Highly efficient biocatalytic desymmetrization of meso carbocyclic 1,3-dicarboxamides to enantiopure 1,3-disubstituted cyclohexanes and cyclopentanes was realized.

Protocol for the Incorporation of γ-Amino Acids into Peptides: Application to (-)-Shikimic Acid Based 2-Amino-Methylcyclohexanecarboxylic Acids

The first example of a new protocol for the incorporation of γ-amino acids into peptides is reported. It involved a shikimic acid based stereoselective synthesis polyhydroxylated-2-nitromethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acids, which were directly incorporated into peptides.

cis-Platinum Complex Encapsulated in Self-Assembling Cyclic Peptide Dimers

A new cyclic peptide dimer that encapsulates cisplatin complexes in its internal cavity is described. The resulting complex showed cytotoxic activity at A2780 ovarian cancer cell lines independent of acquired platinum resistance.

Self-assembling Venturi-like peptide nanotubes

We describe the design and synthesis of self-assembling peptide nanotubes that have an internal filter area and whose length and internal diameters, at the entrance and in the constricted area, are precisely controlled.

Recent advances in controlling the internal and external properties of self-assembling cyclic peptide nanotubes and dimers

Tuning the internal and external properties of self-assembling cyclic peptide nanotubes.

Molecular dynamics simulations for designing biomimetic pores based on internally functionalized self-assembling α,γ-peptide nanotubes

A molecular dynamics study on internally functionalized peptide nanotubes composed of α- and γ-amino acids self-assembled in lipid bilayers is presented. One of the main advantages of peptide nanotubes composed of γ-amino acids is that the properties of their inner cavities can be tuned by introducing different functions on β-carbon of the γ-amino acid. In the work described here we studied the effect of the presence of different numbers of hydroxyl groups in different positions in the lumen of these channels when they are inserted into a lipid bilayer and assessed how they affect the structural and dynamic behavior of the modified peptide nanotubes as well as the transmembrane transport of different ions. The results provided atomic information about the effect of polar groups on the dynamic, structural and transport properties of this type of peptidic channel upon insertion into lipid bilayers, projecting a promising future for their use as biomimetic channels when properly inner-derivatized. Furthermore, the chemical versatility of the hydroxyl groups in the lumen of the peptide nanotubes would enable appealing applications for these channels, such as a controlled method for the activation/inactivation of the transmembrane transport along the nanopore.

Self-assembling α,γ-cyclic peptides that generate cavities with tunable properties

The design and synthesis of β-sheet-based self-assembling cyclic peptides with tunable cavities is described. The incorporation of a γ-amino acid with a hydroxyl group at C2 allows the incorporation of different groups that modify the internal properties of the resulting dimeric ensemble. These dimers can entrap different guests depending on the properties of the group at C2. The guest defines the geometry of the resulting aggregate.

Identification and apportionment of hazardous elements in the sediments in the Yangtze River estuary

In this study, positive matrix factorization (PMF) and principal components analysis (PCA) were combined to identify and apportion pollution-based sources of hazardous elements in the surface sediments in the Yangtze River estuary (YRE). Source identification analysis indicated that PC1, including Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, As, Cu, and Zn, can be defined as a sewage component; PC2, including Pb and Sb, can be considered as an atmospheric deposition component; and PC3, containing Cd and Hg, can be considered as an agricultural nonpoint component. To better identify the sources and quantitatively apportion the concentrations to their sources, eight sources were identified with PMF: agricultural/industrial sewage mixed (18.6 %), mining wastewater (15.9 %), agricultural fertilizer (14.5 %), atmospheric deposition (12.8 %), agricultural nonpoint (10.6 %), industrial wastewater (9.8 %), marine activity (9.0 %), and nickel plating industry (8.8 %). Overall, the hazardous element content seems to be more connected to anthropogenic activity instead of natural sources. The PCA results laid the foundation for the PMF analysis by providing a general classification of sources. PMF resolves more factors with a higher explained variance than PCA; PMF provided both the internal analysis and the quantitative analysis. The combination of the two methods can provide more reasonable and reliable results.

Enantioselective sp(3) C-H alkylation of γ-butyrolactam by a chiral Ir(I) catalyst for the synthesis of 4-substituted γ-amino acids

Ir-catalyzed sp(3) C-H alkylation of γ-butyrolactam with alkenes was used for the highly enantioselective synthesis of 5-substituted γ-lactams, which were readily converted into chiral 4-substituted γ-amino acids. A broad scope of alkenes was amenable as coupling partners, and the alkylated product using acrylate could be transformed into the key intermediate of pyrrolam A synthesis.

Self-Sorting of cyclic peptide homodimers into a heterodimeric assembly featuring an efficient photoinduced intramolecular electron-transfer process

We describe the thermodynamic characterisation of the self-sorting process experienced by two homodimers assembled by hydrogen-bonding interactions through their cyclopeptide scaffolds and decorated with Zn-porphyrin and fullerene units into a heterodimeric assembly that contains one electron-donor (Zn–porphyrin) and one electron-acceptor group (fullerene). The fluorescence of the Zn-porphyrin unit is strongly quenched upon heterodimer formation. This phenomenon is demonstrated to be the result of an efficient photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) process occurring between the Zn-porphyrin and the fullerene units of the heterodimeric system. The recombination lifetime of the charge-separated state of the heterodimer complex is in the order of 180 ns. In solution, both homo- and heterodimers are present as a mixture of three regioisomers: two staggered and one eclipsed. At the concentration used for this study, the high stability constant determined for the heterodimer suggests that the eclipsed conformer is the main component in solution. The application of the bound-state scenario allowed us to calculate that the heterodimer exists mainly as the eclipsed regioisomer (75-90 %). The attractive interaction that exists between the donor and acceptor chromophores in the heterodimeric assembly favours their arrangement in close contact. This is confirmed by the presence of charge-transfer bands centred at 720 nm in the absorption spectrum of the heterodimer. PET occurs in approximately 75% of the chromophores after excitation of both Zn-porphyrin and fullerene chromophores. Conversely, analogous systems, reported previously, decorated with extended tetrathiafulvalene and fullerene units showed a PET process in a significantly reduced extent (33%). We conclude that the strength (stability constant (K) x effective molarity (EM)) of the intramolecular interaction established between the two chromophores in the Zn-porphyrin/fullerene cyclopeptide-based heterodimers controls the regioisomeric distribution and regulates the high extent to which the PET process takes place in this system.

A New Method for the Cleavage of Nitrobenzyl Amides and Ethers

A mild and efficient o- and p-nitrobenzyl cleavage protocol was developed. o- and p-Nitrobenzyl groups were easily removed from a variety of substrates using 20% aqueous NaOH in methanol at 75 °C, presumably via oxidation at the benzylic position by oxygen dissolved in the solution. These easily introducible and removable nitrobenzyl groups can serve as valuable protecting groups for the synthesis of multifunctional, complex molecules.

Immune toxicity of TiO₂ under hypoxia in the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis based on flow cytometric analysis of hemocyte parameters

The combined effects of DO and TiO2 (mixed rutile/anatase phase, 7/3) on immune responses in Perna viridis were examined. Mussels were exposed to six combinations of oxygen levels (hypoxia: 1.5 mg O2l(-1), normoxia: 6.0 mg O2 l(-1)) and TiO2 concentrations (0, 2.5 mg l(-1) and 10 mg l(-1)) for 216 h. Mussels were sampled after 24h, 48h, 120 h and 216 h, and immune parameters of hemocytes, including mortality, phagocytosis, non-specific esterase, ROS production, lysosomal content and total hemocyte count were investigated using flow cytometric assay. Hemocyte mortality was higher under hypoxia than normoxia, and increased with TiO2 concentrations, but no interaction was found between DO and TiO2. Phagocytosis was reduced under hypoxia and decreased with TiO2 exposure, and the interactive effect between time and TiO2 was observed. The percentage of hemocytes showing non-specific esterase activity was lower under hypoxia, and decreased as TiO2 concentration increased with the significant interactive effect of DO and TiO2. ROS production and lysosomal content were lower under hypoxia and reduced as concentration of TiO2 increased, and interactive effect of DO and TiO2 on ROS was evident. THC was significantly affected by the interactive effect between TiO2 and DO, with higher values under normoxia in the presence of TiO2. The present study demonstrated that immune functions of P. viridis were influenced by both nano-TiO2 and hypoxia with some synergistic effects between the two stressors. This implies that DO has to be considered in the evaluation of the toxicity of nano-materials to bivalves.