Stereoselective synthesis of (3-aminodecahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-2-yl)methanols targeted to the C1 domain of protein kinase C

Design and synthesis of C 3-symmetric molecules bearing propellane moieties via cyclotrimerization and a ring-closing metathesis sequence

We have developed an efficient synthetic strategy to assemble C ₃-symmetric molecules containing propellane moieties as end groups and a benzene ring as a central core. The synthesis of these C ₃-symmetric molecules involves simple starting materials. Our approach to C ₃-symmetric compounds relies on a Diels-Alder reaction, cyclotrimerization and ring-closing metathesis as key steps.

Copper Selective Polymeric Extractant Synthesized by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Novel polymers bearing pendant picolinic acid functionalities have been synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) for applications in separations-based purification protocols. These polymers and their corresponding monomer were shown to be selective for Cu²⁺ over a variety of other divalent metal cations as inferred from pH dependent studies carried out under both liquid-liquid and solid-liquid extraction conditions. The polymer system of this study also showed high selectivity for Cu²⁺ over Ni²⁺ in mock protocols that could be relevant to the purification of Cu radioisotopes. Separation factors as high as 290 were achieved for extractions from solutions containing a 100-fold excess of Ni²⁺ relative to Cu²⁺.

Euphohelioscopin A is a PKC activator capable of inducing macrophage differentiation

To identify small molecules that selectively control hematopoietic stem cell differentiation, we performed an unbiased screen using primary human CD34(+) cells. We identified a plant-derived natural product, euphohelioscopin A, capable of selectively differentiating CD34(+) cells down the granulocyte/monocytic lineage. Euphohelioscopin A also inhibits proliferation and induces differentiation of the myeloid leukemia cell lines THP-1 and HL-60. Mechanistic studies revealed that euphohelioscopin A is an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), and that the promonocytic effects of this natural product are mediated by PKC activation. In addition to shedding insights into normal hematopoiesis, this work may ultimately facilitate the application of stem cell therapies to a host of myeloid dysfunctions.