Interplay between diphenyl diselenide and copper: Impact on D. melanogaster survival, behavior, and biochemical parameters

Copper (Cu2+) is a biologically essential element that participates in numerous physiological processes. However, elevated concentrations of copper have been associated with cellular oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. Organo‑selenium compounds such as diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) have in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties. Hence, we hypothesized that DPDS may modulate the toxicity of Cu2+ in Drosophila melanogaster. The acute effects (4 days of exposure) caused by a high concentration of Cu2+ (3 mM) were studied using endpoints of toxicity such as survival and behavior in D. melanogaster. The potential protective effect of low concentration of DPDS (20 μM) against Cu2+ was also investigated. Adult flies aged 1-5 days post-eclosion (both sexes) were divided into four groups: Control, DPDS (20 μM), CuSO4 (3 mM), and the combined exposure of DPDS (20 μM) and CuSO4 (3 mM). Survival, biochemical, and behavioral parameters were determined. Co-exposure of DPDS and CuSO4 increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS as determined by DFCH oxidation). Contrary to our expectation, the co-exposure reduced survival, body weight, locomotion, catalase activity, and cell viability in relation to control group. Taken together, DPDS potentiated the Cu2+ toxicity.

Unveiling the promising anticancer activity of palladium(II)-aryl complexes bearing diphosphine ligands: a structure-activity relationship analysis

In continuation of our previous works on the cytotoxic properties of organopalladium compounds, in this contribution we describe the first systematic study of the anticancer activity of Pd(II)-aryl complexes. To this end, we have prepared and thoroughly characterized a wide range of palladium derivatives bearing different diphosphine, aryl and halide ligands, developing, when necessary, specific synthetic protocols. Most of the synthesized compounds showed remarkable cytotoxicity towards ovarian and breast cancer cell lines, with IC50 values often comparable to or lower than that of cisplatin. The most promising complexes ([PdI(Ph)(dppe)] and [PdI(p-CH3-Ph)(dppe)]), characterized by a diphosphine ligand with a low bite angle, exhibited, in addition to excellent cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, low activity on normal cells (MRC5 human lung fibroblasts). Specific immunofluorescence tests (cytochrome c and H2AX assays), performed to clarify the possible mechanism of action of this class of organopalladium derivatives, seemed to indicate DNA as the primary cellular target, whereas caspase 3/7 assays proved that the complex [PdI(Ph)(dppe)] was able to promote intrinsic apoptotic cell death. A detailed molecular docking analysis confirmed the importance of a diphosphine ligand with a reduced bite angle to ensure a strong DNA-complex interaction. Finally, one of the most promising complexes was tested towards patient-derived organoids, showing promising ex vivo cytotoxicity.

1,2,3-Triazolo[4,5-b]aminoquinolines: Design, synthesis, structure, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity, and molecular docking of novel modified tacrines

An efficient [4 + 2] cyclization protocol to synthesize a series of twelve examples of 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]aminoquinolines (5) as novel structurally modified tacrines was obtained by reacting readily accessible precursors (i.e., 3-alky(aryl)-5-amino-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonitriles (3)) and selected cycloalkanones (4) of five-, six-, and seven-membered rings. We evaluated the AChE and BChE inhibitory activity of the novel modified tacrines 5, and the compound derivatives from cyclohexanone (4b) showed the best AChE and BChE inhibitory activities. Specifically, 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]aminoquinolines 5bb obtained from 3-methyl-carbonitrile (3b) showed the highest AChE (IC50 = 12.01 μM), while 5ib from 3-sulfonamido-carbonitrile (3i) was the most significant inhibitor for BChE (IC50 = 1.78 μM). In general, the inhibitory potency of compound 5 was weaker than the pure tacrine reference, and our findings may help to design and develop novel anticholinesterase drugs based on modified tacrines.

The Potential of Ebselen Against Bipolar Disorder: a Perspective on the Interaction with Inositol Monophosphatase (IMPase)

Abstract:

Despite its narrow therapeutic index and the toxicity issues related to renal injuries, lithium is still a first-line choice for the treatment of mania and for preventing recurrences in bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, side effects and limited efficacy in some of the cases push the search for novel tools to ameliorate these conditions, which still represent a social burden, and great efforts are being made toward the identification of alternative therapeutic options. In this context, rational drug design, drug repurposing, and computer-aided drug discovery represent time-saving and efficient strategies to pursue this goal. Inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) represents the molecular target of lithium which acts as an uncompetitive inhibitor. In this context, a screening on NIH Clinical Collection of drug-like compounds highlighted the polypharmacological drug ebselen (2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one) as a non-competitive, irreversible IMPase inhibitor, suggesting that this molecule could represent a valid therapeutic alternative. In this perspective article, we aim at providing a historical overview of the uses of ebselen with particular attention to its potential use as lithium-mimetic. We critically analyse this aspect by investigating in silico the molecular mechanism leading to the formation of the Se-S bond between IMPase Cys141 and ebselen. Evidence of the bond formation is supported by the crystallographic data recently reported by Fenn et al Acta Cryst. 2020. We hypothesize that the IMPase-ebselen complex promotes the association with other IMPase chains, improving the formation of the tetramer adduct, suggesting that ebselen may stabilize the human IMPase in a form that could be less active, resulting in a decreased enzymatic activity.

In the Chalcogenoxide Elimination Panorama: Systematic Insight into a Key Reaction

The selenoxide elimination is a well-known reaction in organochalcogen chemistry, with wide synthetic, biological, and toxicological implications. In this work, we apply benchmarked density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate different aspects of the title reaction in three (bio)chemically relevant models, spanning minimal systems of theoretical interests as well as biological or synthetic organochalcogenides. The activation strain analysis (ASA) methodology is employed along a suitable reaction coordinate to obtain insight into the role of the chalcogen and of the oxidation state, to pinpoint the factors that tune the elimination reactivity of the investigated systems. Lastly, we computationally validate the hypothesis that telluroxides eliminate more slowly than selenoxides because of a detrimental hydration process that leads to unreactive hydrates.

Toxic metals that interact with thiol groups and alteration in insect behavior

Toxic metals, such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu), are widespread in the biosphere, and human activities have contributed to their continuous release into the ecosystems. Metal-induced toxicity has been extensively studied in mammals; however, the effects of these metals on insects' behavior have been explored to far lesser degree. As the main mechanism of toxicity, the cationic metals, explored in this review, have high affinity for thiol-containing molecules, disrupting the function of several proteins and low-molecular-weight thiol-containing molecules. Existing literature has corroborated that Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cu can disrupt locomotor and mating behaviors, but their effects on insects' memory and learning have yet to be fully characterized. Though field studies on metal-induced toxicity in insects are limited, results from Drosophila melanogaster as an experimental model suggest that insects living in contaminated environments can have behavioral foraging and reproductive deficits, which may cause population decline. In this review, we address the interaction between metals and endogenous thiol groups, with emphasis on alterations in insect behavior.

One-Pot Synthesis and in Silico Molecular Docking Studies of Arylselanyl Hydrazides as Potential Antituberculosis Agents

The present study reports a simple two-step method for the synthesis of arylselanyl hydrazide derivatives using hypophosphorous acid and polyethylene glycol (H₃ PO₂ /PEG-400) as an alternative reducing system and hydrazine hydrate (NH₂ NH₂ ⋅xH₂ O/50-60 %). This single-vessel procedure was employed with methyl acrylate 2a and methyl bromoacetate 2b using diaryl diselenides to generate the nucleophile species to produce, respectively, 3-(arylselanyl)propane-hydrazides 4a-e and 2-(arylselanyl)acetohydrazides 5a-e with good yields by accelerating the reduction of -Se-Se- bond, when compared to available methods. The synthesized molecules are structurally similar to the isoniazid (INH). Therefore, we perform in silico molecular docking studies, using the lactoperoxidase enzyme, in order to verify whether the INH Se derivatives could interact in a similar way to INH at the active site of the mammalian enzyme. The in silico results indicated a similar type of interaction of the arylselanyl hydrazide derivatives with that of INH. In view of the similar in silico interaction of the selenium derivatives of INH, the arylselanyl hydrazide derivatives reported here should be tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro.

Hybridized 4-Trifluoromethyl-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)quinoline System: Synthesis, Photophysics, Selective DNA/HSA Bio-interactions and Molecular Docking

The synthesis, structural analysis, and evaluation of the photophysical properties of twelve novel 2-aryl(heteroaryl)-6-(4-alkyl(aryl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)quinolines (6-8), where aryl(heteroaryl)=Ph, 4-Me-C₆ H₄ , 4-F-C₆ H₄ and 2- furyl; 4-alkyl(aryl)=-CH₂ OH, -(CH₂ )₅ CH₃ and Ph, are reported. Hybrid scaffolds 6-8 were synthesized at 77-95 % yields by regioselective copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction of unpublished 6-azido-4-(trifluoromethyl)quinolines (2) with selected terminal alkynes (3-5). Azido intermediates 2 were obtained from the reaction of 6-amino-4-(trifluoromethyl)quinolines (1) and sodium azide at good yields (78-87 %). Compounds 6-8 were structurally fully characterized by ¹ H-, ¹³ C- and ¹⁹ F- and ¹ H-¹³ C 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) and HRMS analysis. Moreover, the photophysical properties, DNA- and HSA-binding experiments (bio-interactions), and molecular docking studies for compounds 6-8 were performed. These are discussed and compared with similar compounds from recent research.

Effect of Methylmercury Binding on the Peroxide-Reducing Potential of Cysteine and Selenocysteine

Methylmercury (CH3Hg+) binding to catalytically fundamental cysteine and selenocysteine of peroxide-reducing enzymes has long been postulated as the origin of its toxicological activity. Only very recently, CH3Hg+ binding to the selenocysteine of thioredoxin reductase has been directly observed [Pickering, I. J. Inorg. Chem., 2020, 59, 2711-2718], but the precise influence of the toxicant on the peroxide-reducing potential of such a residue has never been investigated. In this work, we employ state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations to study the reactivity of molecular models of the free and toxified enzymes. Trends in activation energies are discussed with attention to the biological consequences and are rationalized within the chemically intuitive framework provided by the activation strain model. With respect to the free, protonated amino acids, CH3Hg+ binding promotes oxidation of the S or Se nucleus, suggesting that chalcogenoxide formation might occur in the toxified enzyme, even if the actual rate of peroxide reduction is almost certainly lowered as suggested by comparison with fully deprotonated amino acids models.

7-Amine-spiro[chromeno[4,3-b]quinoline-6,1'-cycloalkanes]: Synthesis and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of structurally modified tacrines

Five new examples of 9,10-chloro(bromo)-7-amine-spiro[chromeno[4,3-b]quinoline-6,1'-cycloalkanes] - in which cycloalkanes = cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and cycloheptane - were synthesized at yields of 42-56%, using a sequential one-pot two-step cyclocondensation reaction of three different scaffolds of 2-aminobenzonitriles and the respective spiro[chroman-2,1'-cycloalkan]-4-ones, and using AlCl₃ as the catalyst in a solvent-free method. Subsequently, the five new spirochromeno-quinolines and nine quinolines previously published by us (14 modified tacrine scaffolds) were subjected to AChE and BChE inhibitory activity evaluation. The molecule containing a spirocyclopentane derivative had the highest AChE and BChE inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 3.60 and 4.40 μM, respectively), and in general, the non-halogenated compounds were better inhibitors of AChE and BChE than the halogenated molecules. However, the inhibitory potency of compounds 3a-n was weaker than that of tacrine. By molecular docking simulations, it was found that the size of the spirocarbocyclic moieties is inversely proportional to the inhibitory activity of the cholinesterases, probably because an increase in the size of the spirocyclic component sterically hindered the interaction of tacrine derivatives with the active site of tested cholinesterases. The findings obtained here may help in the design and development of new anticholinesterase drugs.

Regioselective Synthesis of Pyrazolyl-pyrimidine Hybrids of Pharmacological Interest

The regioselective synthesis of twenty novel [3-substituted 5-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl][6-aryl-(2-methylthio)pyrimidin-4-yl]methanones from the cyclocondensation reactions of new 6-aryl-2-(methylthio)pyrimidine-4-carbohydrazides with 4-substituted 1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-ones is reported. Human acetylcholinesterase (HsAChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (HsBChE) inhibition tests were performed on selected products in order to explore the possible pharmacological applications of these compounds. Two compounds showed significant and selective inhibitory activity for BChE.

Transcriptomic and Proteomic Tools in the Study of Hg Toxicity: What Is Missing?

Mercury is a hazardous substance that has unique neurodevelopmental toxic effects in humans. However, the precise sequence of molecular events that culminate in Hg-induced neuropathology is still unknown. Though the omics studies have been generating an enormous amount of new data about Hg toxicity, our ability to interpret such a large quantity of information is still limited. In this opinion article, we will reinforce the necessity of new high throughput and accurate analytical proteomic methodologies, especially, thiol and selenol-proteome. Overall, we posit that improvements in thiol- and selenol-proteomic analyses will be pivotal in identifying the primary cellular targets of Hg. However, a better understanding of the complex cascades and molecular pathways involved in its toxicity will require extensive complementary studies in more complex systems.

High level of methylmercury exposure causes persisted toxicity in Nauphoeta cinerea

Methylmercury (MeHg⁺) is a neurotoxicant abundantly present in the environment. The long-term effects of MeHg⁺ have been investigated in rodents, yet data on the long-term or persisted toxicity of MeHg⁺ in invertebrates is scanty. Here, we examined the acute, intermediate, and chronic effects upon dietary administration of MeHg⁺ in nymphs of Nauphoeta cinerea. Besides, the potential reversibility of the toxic effects of MeHg⁺ after a detoxification period was evaluated. Nymphs were exposed to diets containing 0 (control), 2.5, 25, and 100 μg MeHg⁺/g of diet for 10, 30, and 90 days. Additional groups of nymphs were fed with the same dose of MeHg⁺ for 30 days and then were subjected to a detoxification period for 60 days. The nymphs exposed to 100 μg MeHg⁺/g succumbed to a high mortality rate, along with multiple biochemical (increase of reactive oxygen species production and glutathione S-transferase activity, as well as decrease in the acetylcholinesterase activity) and behavioral alterations. We observed delayed mortality rate and behavioral alterations in nymphs exposed to 100 μg MeHg⁺/g for 30 days and subsequently subjected to 60 days of detoxification. However, the biochemical alterations did not persist throughout the detoxification period. In conclusion, our results established the persistent toxic effect of MeHg⁺ even after a prolonged detoxification period and evidenced the use of N. cinerea as an alternative model to study the toxicity of MeHg⁺.

Methylmercury's chemistry: From the environment to the mammalian brain

Methylmercury is a neurotoxicant that is found in fish and rice. MeHg's toxicity is mediated by blockage of -SH and -SeH groups of proteins. However, the identification of MeHg's targets is elusive. Here we focus on the chemistry of MeHg in the abiotic and biotic environment. The toxicological chemistry of MeHg is complex in metazoans, but at the atomic level it can be explained by exchange reactions of MeHg bound to -S(e)H with another free -S(e)H group (R¹S(e)-HgMe + R²-S(e)H ↔ R¹S(e)H + R²-S(e)-HgMe). This reaction was first studied by professor Rabenstein and here it is referred as the "Rabenstein's Reaction". The absorption, distribution, and excretion of MeHg in the environment and in the body of animals will be dictated by Rabenstein's reactions. The affinity of MeHg by thiol and selenol groups and the exchange of MeHg by Rabenstein's Reaction (which is a diffusion controlled reaction) dictates MeHg's neurotoxicity. However, it is important to emphasize that the MeHg exchange reaction velocity with different types of thiol- and selenol-containing proteins will also depend on protein-specific structural and thermodynamical factors. New experimental approaches and detailed studies about the Rabenstein's reaction between MeHg with low molecular mass thiol (LMM-SH) molecules (cysteine, GSH, acetyl-CoA, lipoate, homocysteine) with abundant high molecular mass thiol (HMM-SH) molecules (albumin, hemoglobin) and HMM-SeH (GPxs, Selenoprotein P, TrxR1-3) are needed. The study of MeHg migration from -S(e)-Hg- bonds to free -S(e)H groups (Rabenstein's Reaction) in pure chemical systems and neural cells (with special emphasis to the LMM-SH and HMM-S(e)H molecules cited above) will be critical to developing realistic constants to be used in silico models that will predict the distribution of MeHg in humans.

Thimerosal inhibits Drosophila melanogaster tyrosine hydroxylase (DmTyrH) leading to changes in dopamine levels and impaired motor behavior: implications for neurotoxicity

Thimerosal (THIM) is a well-established antifungal and antiseptic agent widely used as a preservative in vaccines.

A New Protocol for the Synthesis of New Thioaryl-Porphyrins Derived from 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin: Photophysical Evaluation and DNA-Binding Interactive Studies

A new protocol for the preparation of thioaryl-porphyrins is described. The compounds were prepared from different disulfides employing NaBH₄ as a reducing agent. The methodology allowed the preparation of four different thioaryl-porphyrins in very-good to excellent yields under soft conditions, such as short reaction times and smooth heating. Additionally, the photophysical properties of new compounds were determined and experimental and theoretical DNA interactions were assessed.

Neurodevelopmental Effects of Mercury

The toxicology of mercury (Hg) is of concern since this metal is ubiquitously distributed in the environment, and living organisms are routinely exposed to Hg at low to high levels. The toxic effects of Hg are well studied and it is known that they may differ depending on the Hg chemical species. In this chapter, we emphasize the neurotoxic effects of Hg during brain development. The immature brain is more susceptible to Hg exposure, since all the Hg chemical forms, not only the organic ones, can harm it. The possible consequences of Hg exposure during the early stages of development, the additive effects with other co-occurring neurotoxicants, and the known mechanisms of action and targets will be addressed in this chapter.

1,1-Difluoro-3-aryl(heteroaryl)-1H-pyrido[1,2-c][1,3,5,2]oxadiazaborinin-9-ium-1-uides: synthesis; structure; and photophysical, electrochemical, and BSA-binding studies

New fluorinated pyridine-based boron heterocycles were easily prepared and fully characterized.

Regioselective synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking of dihydropyrimidin-4-ols as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

A new series of 3,6-disubstituted 2-(methylthio)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-4-ols displaying methyl, phenyl, aryl, and heteroaryl groups at the 6-position; and methyl, ethyl, allyl, and phenyl groups at the 3-position of the dihydropyrimidine ring, were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Seven compounds showed activity with IC₅₀ values in the lower micromolar range. The compound 4-trifluoromethyl-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-2-methylthio-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-4-ol (6e) had the best inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 2.2 ± 0.9 μm) and this inhibition was characterized as competitive. The molecular docking study showed that the acetylcholinesterase enzyme accommodates compound 6e in its catalytic site. The enantiomers of compound 6e, present similar interactions: π-π stacking interactions between the aromatic ring of the ligand's 4-fluorophenyl moiety and the aromatic rings of the electron-rich Trp84; and H-bonds between the hydroxyl group of Tyr121 and the hydroxyl moiety from 6e. The antioxidant effect of the dihydropyrimidin-4-ols was also investigated.

Organoselenium compounds as mimics of selenoproteins and thiol modifier agents

Selenium is an essential trace element for animals and its role in the chemistry of life relies on a unique functional group: the selenol (-SeH) group. The selenol group participates in critical redox reactions. The antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) exemplify important selenoproteins. The selenol group shares several chemical properties with the thiol group (-SH), but it is much more reactive than the sulfur analogue. The substitution of S by Se has been exploited in organic synthesis for a long time, but in the last 4 decades the re-discovery of ebselen (2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one) and the demonstration that it has antioxidant and therapeutic properties has renovated interest in the field. The ability of ebselen to mimic the reaction catalyzed by GPx has been viewed as the most important molecular mechanism of action of this class of compound. The term GPx-like or thiol peroxidase-like reaction was previously coined in the field and it is now accepted as the most important chemical attribute of organoselenium compounds. Here, we will critically review the literature on the capacity of organoselenium compounds to mimic selenoproteins (particularly GPx) and discuss some of the bottlenecks in the field. Although the GPx-like activity of organoselenium compounds contributes to their pharmacological effects, the superestimation of the GPx-like activity has to be questioned. The ability of these compounds to oxidize the thiol groups of proteins (the thiol modifier effects of organoselenium compounds) and to spare selenoproteins from inactivation by soft-electrophiles (MeHg⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, etc.) might be more relevant for the explanation of their pharmacological effects than their GPx-like activity. In our view, the exploitation of the thiol modifier properties of organoselenium compounds can be harnessed more rationally than the use of low mass molecular structures to mimic the activity of high mass macromolecules that have been shaped by millions to billions of years of evolution.

Molecular docking studies of disubstituted diaryl diselenides as mammalian δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase enzyme inhibitors

δ-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) is a metalloprotein that catalyzes porphobilinogen formation. This enzyme is sensitive to pro-oxidants and classically used as a biomarker of lead (Pb) intoxication. Diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)₂] and analogs bis(4-chlorophenyl) diselenide [(pCl₃PhSe)₂], bis(4-methoxyphenyl)diselenide [(pCH₃OPhSe)₂], and bis[3-(trifluoromethy)phenyl] diselenide [(mCF₃PhSe)₂] inhibit mammalian δ-ALAD by oxidizing enzyme cysteinyl residues, which are involved in diselenide-induced toxicity. 2-Cysteinyl residues from δ-ALAD are believed to sequentially interact with (PhSe)₂. Thus this study utilized protein-ligand docking analyses to determine which cysteinyl residues might be involved in the inhibitory effect of (PhSe)₂ and analogs toward δ-ALAD. All diselenides that interact in a similar manner with the active site of δ-ALAD were examined. Docking simulations indicated an important role for π-π interactions involving Phe208 and cation-π interactions involving Lys199 and Arg209 residues with the aromatic ring of (PhSe)₂ and analogs. Based upon these interactions an approximation between Se atoms and -SH of Cys124, with distances ranging between 3.3 Å and 3.5 Å, was obtained. These data support our previous postulations regarding the mechanism underlying δ-ALAD oxidation mediated by (PhSe)₂ and analogs. Based on protein-ligand docking analyses, data indicated that -SH of Cys124 attacks one of the Se atoms of -SH of (PhSe)₂ releasing one PhSeH (selenophenol). Subsequently, the -SH of Cys132 attacks the sulfur atom of Cys124 (from the bond of E-S-Se-Ph indermediate), generating the second PhSe⁻, and the oxidized and inhibited δ-ALAD. In conclusion, AutoDock Vina 1.1.1 was a useful tool to search for diselenides inhibitors of δ-ALAD, and, most importantly, it provided insight into molecular mechanisms involved in enzyme inhibition.