ABSTRACT
This article presents the synthesis, self-assembly, and biological activity as transfection agents for pDNA, siRNA, and mRNA of novel pyridinium pseudogemini surfactants, interfacially engineered from the most efficient gemini surfactants and lipids generated in our amphiphile research program. Formulation of novel amphiphiles in water revealed supramolecular properties very similar to those of gemini surfactants, despite their lipidlike charge/mass ratio. This dual character was found also to enhance endosomal escape and significantly increase the transfection efficiency. We were also successful in identifying the parameters governing the efficient delivery of pDNA, siRNA, and mRNA, drawing valuable structure-activity and structure-property relationships for each nucleic acid type, and establishing DNA/siRNA/mRNA comparisons. Several supramolecular complexes identified in this study proved to be extremely efficient nucleic acid delivery systems, displaying excellent serum stability and tissue penetration in three-dimensional organoids.
Subject(s)
Surface-Active Agents/chemistry , DNA , RNA, Messenger , RNA, Small Interfering , TransfectionABSTRACT
Self-assembled synthetic gene delivery systems represent the bottom-up approach to gene delivery and gene silencing, in which scientists are designing novel cationic and procationic amphiphiles that can pack, transport, and deliver nucleic acids to various targets in the body in a controlled manner. These supramolecular assemblies are safer than viruses, but they are lagging behind them in efficiency. We are presenting recent progress that has narrowed this gap through better understanding the delivery barriers and incorporation of this knowledge in the design of novel synthetic amphiphiles, formulations, and revolutionary screening and optimization processes. Structure-properties and structure-activity relationships were drawn within each amphiphile class, presenting the cellular and animal models used to generate them. We are also revealing pertinent in vitro/in vivo correlations that emphasize promising amphiphiles and successful formulation optimization efforts for efficient in vivo nucleic acid delivery, together with main organ targets and diseases treatable with these revolutionary technologies.
Subject(s)
Drug Carriers , Gene Transfer Techniques , Nucleic Acids/administration & dosage , Nucleic Acids/chemistry , Surface-Active Agents/chemistry , Animals , Cations/chemistry , Cholesterol/chemistry , Clinical Trials as Topic , Dendrimers/chemistry , Drug Carriers/chemistry , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Lipids/chemistry , Lipopeptides/chemistry , Phosphatidylethanolamines/chemistry , RNA, Small Interfering/administration & dosage , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
A series of ethylene bis-imidazoles was synthesized via a novel microwave-mediated synthesis. Biological testing on eight isozymes of carbonic anhydrase (CA) present in the human brain revealed compounds with nanomolar potency against CA VA and CA VII, also displaying excellent selectivity against other CA isozymes present in this organ.
Subject(s)
Carbonic Anhydrases/metabolism , Enzyme Activators/chemical synthesis , Imidazoles/chemical synthesis , Brain/enzymology , Enzyme Activators/pharmacokinetics , Humans , Imidazoles/chemistry , Imidazoles/pharmacology , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Kinetics , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
An accelerated modular synthesis of six libraries containing 29 amphiphilic Janus dendrimers, employed to discover and predict functions via primary structures, is reported. These dendrimers were constructed from a single hydrophobic and a single hydrophilic dendron, interconnected with l-Ala to form two constitutional isomeric libraries, with Gly to produce one library, and with l-propanediol ester to generate two additional constitutional isomeric libraries. They are denoted "single-single" amphiphilic Janus dendrimers. Assemblies obtained by injection of their ethanol solution into water were analyzed by dynamic light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. A diversity of complex structures including soft and hard dendrimersomes, cubosomes, solid lamellae, and rod-like micelles were obtained in water. It was discovered that the "single-single" amphiphilic Janus dendrimers containing three triethylene glycol groups in the hydrophilic dendron favored the formation of dendrimersomes. Assemblies in bulk analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction revealed that the amphiphilic Janus dendrimers with melting point or glass transition below room temperature self-assemble into soft dendrimersomes in water, while those with higher temperature transitions produce hard assemblies. In the range of concentrations where their size distribution is narrow, the diameter of the dendrimersomes is predictable by the d-spacing of their assemblies in bulk. These results suggested the synthesis of Library 6 containing two simpler constitutional isomeric benzyl ester based amphiphilic Janus dendrimers that self-assemble in water into soft dendrimersomes and multidendrimersome dendrimersomes with predictable dimensions.
Subject(s)
Dendrimers , Calorimetry, Differential Scanning , Cryoelectron Microscopy , Microscopy, Electron, TransmissionABSTRACT
N-(α-Aminoalkyl)tetrazoles exist in solution as equilibrium mixtures of N1 and N2 tautomers. The position of equilibrium depends significantly on the polarity of the solvent and the substituents in the tetrazole ring. Interconversion between individual tautomers is shown to proceed via tight ion-pair intermediates in which intramolecular recombination is faster than the intermolecular crossover since the latter probably requires solvent separation of ion-pair intermediates.
Subject(s)
Tetrazoles/chemistry , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Molecular Structure , Stereoisomerism , Tetrazoles/chemical synthesisABSTRACT
The influence of tautomerism on the precise structure of drugs and thus of their potential to interact with biological systems is discussed from thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. The types of tautomerism encountered in the structure of drugs in current use are surveyed together with the effect of pH, solvent polarity, and temperature.
Subject(s)
Heterocyclic Compounds/chemistry , Pharmaceutical Preparations/chemistry , Drug Discovery , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Isomerism , ThermodynamicsABSTRACT
(1)H, (13)C, and (15)N NMR chemical shifts for pyridazines 4-22 were measured using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods including (1)H-(1)H gDQCOSY, (1)H-(13)C gHMQC, (1)H-(13)C gHMBC, and (1)H-(15)N CIGAR-HMBC experiments.
Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods , Pyridazines/chemistry , Carbon Isotopes , Molecular Structure , Nitrogen Isotopes , ProtonsABSTRACT
The synthesis, cation binding and transmembrane conductive properties of a novel synthetic ion channel containing a redox-active ferrocene unit are described. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that the channel supports multiple ion coordination and association constants for 1:1 and 1:2 (channel:cation) coordination for both Na(+) and K(+) were evaluated. Experiments using a black lipid membrane preparation revealed that this compound functioned effectively as an ion channel for both Na(+) and K(+). Concomitant (23)Na NMR spectroscopy studies supported this finding and revealed a Na(+) flux, at least 5 times higher than ion transport rates by monensin. Furthermore, oxidation of the redox-active centre (Fe(2+) to Fe(3+)) effectively inhibited ion transport.
Subject(s)
Cations/metabolism , Ion Channels/chemical synthesis , Ion Channels/metabolism , Lipid Bilayers/metabolism , Biological Transport , Cell Membrane/chemistry , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Electric Conductivity , Ferrous Compounds/chemistry , Ion Channels/chemistry , Lipid Bilayers/chemistry , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Metallocenes , Oxidation-Reduction , Spectrometry, FluorescenceABSTRACT
Acylation of tetra-O-pivaloyl-beta-D-galactopyranosylamine 2 by readily available N- (Cbz or Fmoc-alpha-aminoacyl) benzotriazoles under microwave irradiation proceeded diastereoselectively to give beta-N-glycoaminoacids 3a-d, (3c+3c') (compound numbers written within brackets represent a racemate or a diastereomeric mixture; compound numbers without brackets represent a single enantiomer) (83-92%), and glycosylated asparagine building block 9 (65%). N-Cbz-Protected peptidoylbenzotriazoles 4a-c similarly afforded beta-N-glycodipeptides 5a-c (76-81%). Regiospecific beta-N-linkage formation was established by 1D and 2D NMR techniques for 3b.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids/chemical synthesis , Glycopeptides/chemical synthesis , Amino Acids/chemistry , Amino Acids/radiation effects , Glycopeptides/chemistry , Glycopeptides/radiation effects , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods , Microwaves , Molecular Structure , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
Hindered amino acids have been introduced into peptide chains by coupling N-(Cbz- and Fmoc-alpha-aminoacyl)benzotriazoles with amino acids, wherein at least one of the components was sterically hindered, to provide compounds 3a-e, (3c +3 c'), 5a-d, (5a + 5a'), 6a-c, (6b + 6b'), 8a-c, 9a-e, 10a-d, and (10a + 10a') in isolated yields of 41-95% with complete retention of chirality as evidenced by NMR and HPLC analysis. The benzotriazole activation methodology is a new route for the synthesis of sterically hindered peptides. (Note: compound numbers written within brackets represent diastereomeric mixtures or racemates; compound numbers without brackets represent enantiomers.).
