Solution Structure and Constrained Molecular Dynamics Study of Vitamin B12 Conjugates of the Anorectic Peptide PYY(3-36).

Vitamin B12 -peptide conjugates have considerable therapeutic potential through improved pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic properties imparted on the peptide upon covalent attachment to vitamin B12 (B12 ). There remains a lack of structural studies investigating the effects of B12 conjugation on peptide secondary structure. Determining the solution structure of a B12 -peptide conjugate or conjugates and measuring functions of the conjugate(s) at the target peptide receptor may offer considerable insight concerning the future design of fully optimized conjugates. This methodology is especially useful in tandem with constrained molecular dynamics (MD) studies, such that predictions may be made about conjugates not yet synthesized. Focusing on two B12 conjugates of the anorectic peptide PYY(3-36), one of which was previously demonstrated to have improved food intake reduction compared with PYY(3-36), we performed NMR structural analyses and used the information to conduct MD simulations. The study provides rare structural insight into vitamin B12 conjugates and validates the fact that B12 can be conjugated to a peptide without markedly affecting peptide secondary structure.

Vitamin B12 in drug delivery: breaking through the barriers to a B12 bioconjugate pharmaceutical.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Vitamin B(12) (B(12)) is a rare and vital micronutrient for which mammals have developed a complex and highly efficient dietary uptake system. This uptake pathway consists of a series of proteins and receptors, and has been utilized to deliver several bioactive and/or imaging molecules from (99m)Tc to insulin. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: The current field of B(12)-based drug delivery is reviewed, including recent highlights surrounding the very pathway itself. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: Despite over 30 years of work, no B(12)-based drug delivery conjugate has reached the market-place, hampered by issues such as limited uptake capacity, gastrointestinal degradation of the conjugate or high background uptake by healthy tissues. Variability in dose response among individuals, especially across ageing populations and slow oral uptake (several hours), has also slowed development and interest. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: This review is intended to stress again the great potential, as yet not fully realized, for B(12)-based therapeutics, tumor imaging and oral drug delivery. This review discusses recent reports that demonstrate that the issues noted above can be overcome and need not be seen as negating the great potential of B(12) in the drug delivery field.

Synthesis and stabilization-advances in organoalkaline earth metal chemistry.

The last decade has seen an impressive growth in alkaline earth metal chemistry, with applications ranging from synthetic organic and polymer chemistry to materials science. As a consequence, alkaline earth metal chemistry has made a leap from obscurity into the spotlight of modern organometallic chemistry. Much of this rapid development was made possible by the establishment of novel synthetic procedures that allowed facile access to the target compounds, as many conventional synthetic routes posed and continue to pose significant limitations. Novel approaches have allowed the preparation of a multitude of compounds, initiating progress not thought possible just five years ago. Examination of the new compounds delineates several factors responsible for their structure and function. Key elements in the coordination, aggregation behavior, and reactivity of these systems have been linked to secondary interactions, including M-Cpi, M-Npi, M-F, and M-H(agostic) interactions. This feature article will provide a very brief overview of established synthetic procedures, including a brief discussion on specific shortcomings. This will be followed by a detailed presentation of novel methodologies that are the core of the rapid development of alkaline earth metal chemistry. The second part of the article will be concerned with the analysis of various secondary interactions and their role in the further development of this rapidly emerging field of chemistry.

The binding of vitamin B12 to transcobalamin(II); structural considerations for bioconjugate design--a molecular dynamics study.

As part of ongoing research into the use of vitamin B(12) (B(12); cobalamin; Cbl)-based bioconjugate approaches for the oral delivery of peptides/proteins, a molecular dynamics (MD) study of the binding of a cyanocobalamin-insulin (CN-Cbl-insulin) conjugate to human transcobalamin(II) (TCII) was recently reported that provides a qualitative picture of how the human insulin protein in its open "T-state" geometry affects CN-Cbl binding to TCII. This initial analysis revealed that the B22-B30 segment of the insulin B-chain acts as a long tether that connects the larger combined insulin A/B region to CN-Cbl when this conjugation is performed at the CN-Cbl ribose 5'-hydroxy position. The experimental support for this model of the binding interaction is provided by the consequences of the successful delivery of the CN-Cbl-insulin conjugate in the production of significantly decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic STZ-rat models. In efforts to provide a more detailed description of the (CN-Cbl)-TCII complex for modeling Cbl-based bioconjugate designs, the (CN-Cbl)-TCII system and a CN-Cbl conjugate incorporating a flexible tether composed of only the B22-B30 segment of human insulin have been examined by MD simulations. The implications of these simulations are discussed in terms of successful conjugate positioning on Cbl, especially when such sites are not apparent from the diffraction studies alone, and the possibilities, as yet not reported, for dual-tethered Cbl bioconjugates for multi-component drug delivery applications.

Terahertz spectroscopic investigation of S-(+)-ketamine hydrochloride and vibrational assignment by density functional theory.

The terahertz (THz) spectrum of (S)-(+)-ketamine hydrochloride has been investigated from 10 to 100 cm(-1) (0.3-3.0 THz) at both liquid-nitrogen (78 K) and room (294 K) temperatures. Complete solid-state density functional theory structural analyses and normal-mode analyses are performed using a single hybrid density functional (B3LYP) and three generalized gradient approximation density functionals (BLYP, PBE, PW91). An assignment of the eight features present in the well-resolved cryogenic spectrum is provided based upon solid-state predictions at a PW91/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. The simulations predict that a total of 13 infrared-active vibrational modes contribute to the THz spectrum with 26.4% of the spectral intensity originating from external lattice vibrations.

The vibrational spectrum of parabanic acid by inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy and simulation by solid-state DFT.

The incoherent inelastic neutron scattering spectrum of parabanic acid was measured and simulated using solid-state density functional theory (DFT). This molecule was previously the subject of low-temperature X-ray and neutron diffraction studies. While the simulated spectra from several density functionals account for relative intensities and factor group splitting regardless of functional choice, the hydrogen-bending vibrational energies for the out-of-plane modes are poorly described by all methods. The disagreement between calculated and observed out-of-plane hydrogen bending mode energies is examined along with geometry optimization differences of bond lengths, bond angles, and hydrogen-bonding interactions for different functionals. Neutron diffraction suggests nearly symmetric hydrogen atom positions in the crystalline solid for both heavy-atom and N-H bond distances but different hydrogen-bonding angles. The spectroscopic results suggest a significant factor group splitting for the out-of-plane bending motions associated with the hydrogen atoms (N-H) for both the symmetric and asymmetric bending modes, as is also supported by DFT simulations. The differences between the quality of the crystallographic and spectroscopic simulations by isolated-molecule DFT, cluster-based DFT (that account for only the hydrogen-bonding interactions around a single molecule), and solid-state DFT are considered in detail, with parabanic acid serving as an excellent case study due to its small size and the availability of high-quality structure data. These calculations show that hydrogen bonding results in a change in the bond distances and bond angles of parabanic acid from the free molecule values.

Examination of phencyclidine hydrochloride via cryogenic terahertz spectroscopy, solid-state density functional theory, and X-ray diffraction.

The terahertz (THz) spectrum of phencyclidine hydrochloride from 7.0 to 100.0 cm(-1) has been measured at cryogenic (78.4 K) temperature. The complete structural analysis and vibrational assignment of the compound have been performed employing solid-state density functional theory utilizing eight generalized gradient approximation density functionals and both solid-state and isolated-molecule methods. The structural results and the simulated spectra display the substantial improvement obtained by using solid-state simulations to accurately assign and interpret solid-state THz spectra. A complete assignment of the spectral features in the measured THz spectrum has been completed at a VWN-BP/DNP level of theory, with the VWN-BP density functional providing the best-fit solid-state simulation of the experimentally observed spectrum. The cryogenic THz spectrum contains eight spectral features that, at the VWN-BP/DNP level, consist of 15 infrared-active vibrational modes. Of the calculated modes, external crystal vibrations are predicted to account for 42% of the total spectral intensity.

Inelastic neutron scattering and Raman spectroscopic investigation of L-alanine alaninium nitrate, a homologue of a ferroelectric material.

The 2 : 1 amino acid salt of L-alanine with nitric acid was crystallized and the vibrational spectrum measured at 25 K by incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopy. The spectrum was simulated using solid-state density functional theory based on a new 90 K structure determination. A feature observed at approximately 450 cm(-1) in the INS spectrum of L-alanine alaninium nitrate is noticeably absent in the calculation. Raman spectroscopy reveals spectral differences between the spectra at 77 and 293 K with a 450 cm(-1) feature appearing at low temperature. The nature of these spectral changes and the disagreement between the INS spectrum and its simulation are discussed in relation to an apparent structural change involving motion of a proton at low (<90 K) temperature.

Investigation of (1R,2S)-(-)-ephedrine by cryogenic terahertz spectroscopy and solid-state density functional theory.

The terahertz (THz) spectrum of the pharmaceutical (1R,2S)-(-)-ephedrine from 8.0 to 100.0 cm(-1) is investigated at liquid-nitrogen (78.4 K) temperature. The spectrum exhibits several distinct features in this range that are characteristic of the crystal form of the compound. A complete structural analysis and vibrational assignment of the experimental spectrum is performed using solid-state density functional theory (DFT) and cryogenic single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Theoretical modeling of the compound includes an array of density functionals and basis sets with the final assignment of the THz spectrum performed at a PW91/6-311G(d,p) level of theory, which provides excellent solid-state simulation agreement with experiment. The solid-state analysis indicates that the seven experimental spectral features observed at low temperature consist of 13 IR-active vibrational modes. Of these modes, nine are external crystal vibrations and provide approximately 57% of the predicted spectral intensity. This study demonstrates that the THz spectra of complex pharmaceuticals may be well reproduced by solid-state DFT calculations and that inclusion of the crystalline environment is necessary for realistic and accurate simulations.

Cryogenic terahertz spectrum of (+)-methamphetamine hydrochloride and assignment using solid-state density functional theory.

The cryogenic terahertz spectrum of (+)-methamphetamine hydrochloride from 10.0 to 100.0 cm(-1) is presented, as is the complete structural analysis and vibrational assignment of the compound using solid-state density functional theory. This cryogenic investigation reveals multiple spectral features that were not previously reported in room-temperature terahertz studies of the title compound. Modeling of the compound employed eight density functionals utilizing both solid-state and isolated-molecule methods. The results clearly indicate the necessity of solid-state simulations for the accurate assignment of solid-state THz spectra. Assignment of the observed spectral features to specific atomic motions is based on the BP density functional, which provided the best-fit solid-state simulation of the experimental spectrum. The seven experimental spectral features are the result of thirteen infrared-active vibrational modes predicted at a BP/DNP level of theory with more than 90% of the total spectral intensity associated with external crystal vibrations.

Exploring the implications of vitamin B12 conjugation to insulin on insulin receptor binding.

We recently reported a vitamin B(12) (B(12)) based insulin conjugate that produced significantly decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic STZ-rat models. The results of this study posed a fundamental question, namely what implications does B(12) conjugation have on insulin's interaction with the insulin receptor (IR)? To explore this question we used a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and immunoelectron microscopy, and the results are described herein. This investigation demonstrates that chemical modification of insulin by linking relatively large pendant groups does not inherently interfere with IR recognition. Furthermore, given that we have previously demonstrated a significant drop in blood glucose concentration following the oral administration of the B(12)-insulin bioconjugate used in this work, it is reasonable to conclude that the IR recognition described herein is associated with maintenance of biological activity for insulin. This outcome offers significant research scope for chemical modification of insulin with the purpose of improving oral-uptake efficiency.

Vicinal deuterium perturbations on hydrogen NMR chemical shifts in cyclohexanes.

The substitution of a deuterium for a hydrogen is known to perturb the NMR chemical shift of a neighboring hydrogen atom. The magnitude of such a perturbation may depend on the specifics of bonding and stereochemical relationships within a molecule. For deuterium-labeled cyclohexanes held in a chair conformation at -80 degrees C or lower, all four possible perturbations of H by D as H-C-C-H is changed to D-C-C-H have been determined experimentally, and the variations seen, ranging from 6.9 to 10.4 ppb, have been calculated from theory and computational methods. The predominant physical origins of the NMR chemical shift perturbations in deuterium-labeled cyclohexanes have been identified and quantified. The trends defined by the Delta delta perturbation values obtained through spectroscopic experiments and by theory agree satisfactorily. They do not match the variations typically observed in vicinal J(H-H) coupling constants as a function of dihedral angles.

Molybdophosphonate clusters as building blocks in the oxomolybdate-organodiphosphonate/cobalt(II)-organoimine system: structural influences of secondary metal coordination preferences and diphosphonate tether lengths.

Hydrothermal conditions have been used in the preparation of a series of organic-inorganic hybrid materials of the cobalt-molybdophosphonate family. The reactions of MoO(3), cobalt(II) acetate or cobalt(II) acetylacetonate, tetra-2-pyridylpyrazine (tpyprz), and organodiphosphonic acids H(2)O(3)P(CH(2))nPO(3)H(2) (n = 1-5 and 9) of varying tether lengths yielded compounds of the general type {Co(2)(tpyprz)(H(2)O)(m)}4+/MoxOy{O(3)P(CH(2))(n)PO(3)}z. The recurring theme of the structural chemistry is the incorporation of {Mo(5)O(15)(O(3)PR)(2)}(4-) clusters as molecular building blocks observed in the structures of nine phases (compounds 2-9 and 11). The structural consequences of variations in reaction conditions are most apparent in the series with propylene diphosphonate, where four unique structures 4-7 are observed, including two distinct three-dimensional architectures for compounds 5 and 6 whose formulations differ only in the number of water molecules of crystallization. With pentyldiphosphonate, a second phase 10 is obtained which exhibits a unique cluster building block, the hexamolybdate [Mo(6)O(18){O(3)P(CH(2))(5)PO(3)}](4-). In the case of methylenediphosphonic acid, a third structural motif, the trinuclear {(Mo(3)O(8))(O(3)PCH(2)PO(3))}2- subunit, is observed in compound 1. The structural chemistry of compounds 1-11 of this study is quite distinct from that of the {Ni(2)(tpyprz)(H(2)O)(m)}(4+)/Mo(x)O(y){O(3)P(CH(2))(n)PO(3)}z family, as well as that of the copper-based family. The structural diversity of this general class of materials reflects the coordination preferences of the M(II) sites, the extent of aqua ligation to the M(II) sites, the participation of both phosphate oxygen atoms and molybdate oxo-groups in linking to the M(II) sites, and the variability in the number of attachment sites at the molybdophosphonate clusters. Since the charge densities at the peripheral oxygen atoms of the clusters are quite uniform, the attachment of {M(2)(tpyprz)}(4+) subunits to the molybdophosphonates appears to be largely determined by steric, coulombic, and packing factors, as shown by extensive density functional theory calculations.

Alkali metal diphenylmethanides: synthetic, computational and structural studies.

In search of new synthetic precursors for the preparation of alkaline earth organometallic compounds, we investigated the application of a powerful desilylation reaction to cleanly afford a variety of contact and charge-separated alkali metal derivatives without the difficulties commonly encountered in other methods. The resulting diphenylmethanides display both contact molecules and separated ion pairs. Analysis of the structural data demonstrates that simple electrostatic models are insufficient for predicting and explaining the solid-state structures of these complexes. Detailed computational investigations were performed to probe the nature of the metal-anion and metal-donor interactions and determine the contributions of each to the observed solid-state structures.

Synthetic, structural, and theoretical investigations of alkali metal germanium hydrides--contact molecules and separated ions.

The preparation of a series of crown ether ligated alkali metal (M=K, Rb, Cs) germyl derivatives M(crown ether)nGeH3 through the hydrolysis of the respective tris(trimethylsilyl)germanides is reported. Depending on the alkali metal and the crown ether diameter, the hydrides display either contact molecules or separated ions in the solid state, providing a unique structural insight into the geometry of the obscure GeH3- ion. Germyl derivatives displaying M--Ge bonds in the solid state are of the general formula [M([18]crown-6)(thf)GeH3] with M=K (1) and M=Rb (4). The compounds display an unexpected geometry with two of the GeH3 hydrogen atoms closely approaching the metal center, resulting in a partially inverted structure. Interestingly, the lone pair at germanium is not pointed towards the alkali metal, rather two of the three hydrides are approaching the alkali metal center to display M--H interactions. Separated ions display alkali metal cations bound to two crown ethers in a sandwich-type arrangement and non-coordinated GeH3- ions to afford complexes of the type [M(crown ether)2][GeH3] with M=K, crown ether=[15]crown-5 (2); M=K, crown ether=[12]crown-4 (3); and M=Cs, crown ether=[18]crown-6 (5). The highly reactive germyl derivatives were characterized by using X-ray crystallography, 1H and 13C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) and second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) calculations were performed to analyze the geometry of the GeH3- ion in the contact molecules 1 and 4.

Theoretical analysis of the terahertz spectrum of the high explosive PETN.

The experimental solid-state terahertz (THz) spectrum (3 to 120 cm(-1)) of the high explosive pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN, C(5)H(6)N(4)O(12)) has been modeled using solid-state density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Solid-state DFT, employing the BP density functional, is in best qualitative agreement with the features in the previously reported THz spectrum. The crystal environment of PETN includes numerous intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions that contribute to large (up to 80 cm(-1)) calculated shifts in molecular normal-mode positions in the solid state. Comparison of the isolated-molecule and solid-state normal-mode calculations for a series of density functionals reveals the extent to which the inclusion of crystal-packing interactions and the relative motions between molecules are required for correctly reproducing the vibrational structure of solid-state THz spectra. The THz structure below 120 cm(-1) is a combination of both intermolecular (relative rotations and translations) and intramolecular (torsions, large amplitude motions) vibrational motions. Vibrational-mode analyses indicate that the first major feature (67.2 cm(-1)) in the PETN THz spectrum contains all of the optical rotational and translational cell modes and no internal (molecular) vibrational modes.

Extension of the single amino acid chelate concept (SAAC) to bifunctional biotin analogues for complexation of the M(CO)3(+1) Core (M = Tc and Re): syntheses, characterization, biotinidase stability, and avidin binding.

Biotin and avidin form one of the most stable complexes known (K(D) = 10(-15) M(-1)) making this pairing attractive for a variety of biomedical applications including targeted radiotherapy. In this application, one of the pair is attached to a targeting molecule, while the other is subsequently used to deliver a radionuclide for imaging and/or therapeutic applications. Recently, we reported a new single amino acid chelate (SAAC) capable of forming stable complexes with Tc(CO)3 or Re(CO)3 cores. We describe here the application of SAAC analogues for the development of a series of novel radiolabeled biotin derivatives capable of forming robust complexes with both Tc and Re. Compounds were prepared through varying modification of the free carboxylic acid group of biotin. Each 99mTc complex of SAAC-biotin was studied for their ability to bind avidin, susceptibility to biotinidase, and specificity for avidin in an in vivo avidin-containing tumor model. The radiochemical stability of the 99mTc(CO)3 complexes was also investigated by challenging each 99mTc-complex with large molar excesses of cysteine and histidine at elevated temperature. All compounds were radiochemically stable for greater than 24 h at elevated temperature in the presence of histidine and cysteine. Both [99mTc(CO)3(L6)]+1 [TcL6; L6 = biotinylamidopropyl-N,N-(dipicolyl)amine] and [99mTc(CO)3(L12a)]+1 (TcL12; L12 = N,N-(dipicolyl)biotinamido-Boc-lysine; TcL12a; L12a = N,N-(dipicolyl)biotinamide-lysine) readily bound to avidin whereas [99mTc(CO)3(L9)]+1 [TcL9; L9 = N,N-(dipicolyl)biotinamine] demonstrated minimal specific binding. TcL6 and TcL9 were resistant to biotinidase cleavage, while TcL12a, which contains a lysine linkage, was rapidly cleaved. The highest uptake in an in vivo avidin tumor model was exhibited by TcL6, followed by TcL9 and TcL12a, respectively. This is likely the result of both intact binding to avidin and resistance to circulating biotinidase. Ligand L6 is the first SAAC analogue of biotin to demonstrate potential as a radiolabeled targeting vector of biotin capable of forming robust radiochemical complexes with both 99mTc and rhenium radionuclides. Computational simulations were performed to assess biotin-derivative accommodation within the binding site of the avidin. These calculations predict that deformation of the surface domain of the binding pocket can occur to accommodate the transition metal-biotin derivatives with negligible changes to the inner-beta-barrel, the region most responsible for binding and retaining biotin and its derivatives. The biological activity and biodistribution of the technetium complexes TcL6, TcL9, and TcL12a were examined in an avidin tumor model. In the avidin bead tumor localization model, TcL6 demonstrated the most favorable localization with a 7:1 ratio of avidin bead implanted muscle versus normal muscle, while TcL9 exhibited a 2:1 ratio. However, TcL9 displayed no specificity for avidin.

Inelastic neutron scattering spectrum of Cs2[B12H12]: reproduction of its solid-state vibrational spectrum by periodic DFT.

The inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectrum of polycrystalline Cs2[B12H12] is assigned through 1200 cm(-1) on the basis of aqueous and solid-state Raman/IR measurements and normal mode analyses from solid-state density functional theory. The Cs+ cations are responsible for frequency shifts of the internal cage vibrational modes and I(h) cage mode splittings due to the crystal T(h) site symmetry. These changes to the [B12H12]2- molecular modes make isolated-molecule calculations inadequate for use in complete assignments. Solid-state calculations reveal that 30/40 cm(-1) shifts of Tg/Hg molecular modes are responsible for structure in the INS spectrum unobserved by optical methods or in aqueous solutions.

Solid-state modeling of the terahertz spectrum of the high explosive HMX.

The experimental solid-state terahertz (THz) spectrum (3-120 cm(-1)) of the beta-crystal form of the high explosive octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) has been analyzed using solid-state density functional theory calculations. Various density functionals (both generalized gradient approximation and local density approximation) are compared in terms of their abilities to reproduce the experimentally observed solid-state structure and low-frequency vibrational motions. Good-to-excellent agreement between solid-state theory and experiment can be achieved in the THz region where isolated-molecule calculations fail to reproduce the observed spectral features, demonstrating a clear limitation of using isolated-molecule calculations for the assignment of THz frequency motions in molecular solids. The deficiency of isolated-molecule calculations is traced to modification of the molecular structure in the solid state through crystal packing effects and the formation of weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds.

Infrared, Raman, and inelastic neutron scattering spectra of dodecahedrane: an I(h) molecule in T(h) site symmetry.

The Raman spectrum of crystalline dodecahedrane, C20H20, a species of nominal I(h) symmetry, exhibits splitting of the H(g) Raman active modes. The Raman inactive gerade vibrations of G(g), T(1g), and T(2g) symmetry are found to have weak Raman activity. The IR forbidden vibrations of T(2u), G(u), and H(u) type have moderate IR activity. All of this is consistent with the T(h) site symmetry. A treatment of the structure and vibrations of dodecahedrane using a periodic lattice DFT method results in a slightly distorted T(h) structure with six C-C bonds that are 0.001 A longer than the other 24. The vibrational spectrum computed for this structure exhibits splittings of the H(g) modes that are consistent with the observed spectra, but the computed splittings are larger than observed in room-temperature data. A complex pattern observed in the C-H stretching region is assigned. The inelastic neutron scattering spectrum calculated from the computed normal modes for the T(h) molecule in the lattice agrees quantitatively with experiment when overtone and combination transitions are included and allowance is made for anharmonicity of the C-H stretch motion. Finally, it is argued that the existing crystallographic determination of the average C-C bond length of 1.544 A is shortened by disorder and should be revised upward to agree with the computed value of 1.558 A.