Discovery of a selective TRF2 inhibitor FKB04 induced telomere shortening and senescence in liver cancer cells.

Telomere repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2), a critical element of the shelterin complex, plays a vital role in the maintenance of genome integrity. TRF2 overexpression is found in a wide range of malignant cancers, whereas its down-regulation could cause cell death. Despite its potential role, the selectively small-molecule inhibitors of TRF2 and its therapeutic effects on liver cancer remain largely unknown. Our clinical data combined with bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that TRF2 is overexpressed in liver cancer and that high expression is associated with poor prognosis. Flavokavain B derivative FKB04 potently inhibited TRF2 expression in liver cancer cells while having limited effects on the other five shelterin subunits. Moreover, FKB04 treatment induced telomere shortening and increased the amounts of telomere-free ends, leading to the destruction of T-loop structure. Consequently, FKB04 promoted liver cancer cell senescence without modulating apoptosis levels. In corroboration with these findings, FKB04 inhibited tumor cell growth by promoting telomeric TRF2 deficiency-induced telomere shortening in a mouse xenograft tumor model, with no obvious side effects. These results demonstrate that TRF2 is a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer and suggest that FKB04 may be a selective small-molecule inhibitor of TRF2, showing promise in the treatment of liver cancer.

Curcumin-Piperlongumine Hybrid Molecule Increases Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Lung Cancer through JNK/c-Jun Signaling Pathway.

The instability of curcumin's structure and the toxic side effects of piperlongumine have limited their potential applications in cancer treatment. To overcome these challenges, we designed and synthesized a novel curcumin-piperlongumine hybrid molecule, 3-[(E)-4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene]-1-[(E)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)acryloyl]piperidin-2-one (CP), using a molecular hybridization strategy. CP exhibited enhanced structural stability and safety compared with its parent compounds. Through in vitro and in vivo biological activity screenings, CP effectively inhibited cell proliferation, caused cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, CP-induced apoptosis was partially mediated by cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, we discovered that CP induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through the regulation of JNK signaling. These findings highlight the potential of CP as a promising therapeutic agent for lung cancer treatment.

Peroxiredoxin 1 of Procambarus clarkii govern immune responses during pathogen infection.

Members of the peroxiredoxin family are involved in a wide variety of physiological processes, including the ability to combat the effects of oxidative stress and immune responses, among others. Here, we cloned the cDNA of Procambarus clarkii Peroxiredoxin 1 (designated as PcPrx-1) and investigated its biological role in immune system functions in relation to microbial pathogens. The PcPrx-1 cDNA had 744 base pairs in an open reading frame that encoded 247 amino acid residues and contained a PRX_Typ2cys domain. The analysis of tissue specific expression patterns revealed that PcPrx-1 expression was ubiquitous in all tissues. In addition, the mRNA transcript of PcPrx-1 was found to be highest in the hepatopancreas. There was a significant upregulation of PcPrx-1 gene transcripts after exposure to LPS, PGN, and Poly I:C, but the transcription patterns were different after pathogen challenge. Double-stranded RNA was used to knockdown PcPrx-1, which resulted in a striking change in the expression of all the tested P. clarkii immune-associated genes, including lectin, Toll, cactus, chitinase, phospholipase, and sptzale. On the whole, these results suggest that PcPrx-1 is important to confer innate immunity against pathogens by governing the expression of critical transcripts that encode immune-associated genes.

cyy-287, a novel pyrimidine-2,4-diamine derivative, inhibits tumor growth of EGFR-driven non-small cell lung cancer via the ERK pathway.

In recent decades, EGFR-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been proven to be an effective therapy for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, resistance to EGFR-TKIs limits their clinical application. In the present study, we investigate the antitumor effect and underlying mechanism of a novel pyrimidine-2,4-diamine derivative, cyy-287, in NSCLC. We find that cyy-287 has a high affinity for lung tissue and inhibits the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Interestingly, the significant suppression of migration and induction of apoptosis by cyy-287 are only observed in EGFR-driven but not in EGFR-wild-type (wt) cells. According to the RNA sequencing and KEGG enrichment analysis results, cyy-287 markedly inhibits the MAPK pathway in EGFR-driven PC9 cells, and western blot analysis results further indicate that cyy-287 selectively blocks the ERK pathway in EGFR-driven cells. Meanwhile, apoptosis induced by cyy-287 could be partially reversed by ERK pathway inhibition. Further experiment indicates that cyy-287 inhibits the EGFR pathway in both EGFR-driven and EGFR-overexpressing cells. Interestingly, it only induces apoptosis in EGFR-driven cells, not in EGFR-overexpressing cells. The growth of EGFR-driven cells is suppressed by cyy-287 in vivo, with fewer side effects. Our results suggest that cyy-287 may be a potential therapeutic drug with promising antitumor effects against NSCLC.

cyy260 suppresses the proliferation, migration and tumor growth of osteosarcoma by targeting PDGFR-ß signaling pathway.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a group of malignant tumors with high rates of malignancy and metastasis. OS most commonly affects adolescents and young individuals. However, owing to the lack of effective targeted treatments, the 5-year survival rate for OS is still around 20%. Thus, it is essential to develop effective drugs with low toxicity for OS treatment. In the present study, we investigated the antitumor effect and underlying mechanism of cyy260 in OS via suppressing PDGFR-ß and its downstream pathway. We demonstrated that cyy260 inhibits OS cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis via inducing DNA damage and causing cell cycle arrest. More importantly, cyy260 also significantly inhibits tumor migration. Further analysis of molecular mechanisms confirmed that PDGFR-ß and its downstream AKT, STAT3, and ERK were involved in the cyy260-mediated antitumor effect. Analysis of subcutaneously transplanted tumors in mice showed that cyy260 suppressed tumor cell growth and exhibited low toxicity in vivo. Collectively, these findings proved that cyy260 could serve as a promising PDGFR-ß inhibitor for the treatment of OS.

Palladium-catalyzed native α-amino acid derivative-directed arylation/oxidation of benzylic C-H bonds: synthesis of 5-aryl-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones.

A Pd-catalyzed, native α-amino acid derivative-directed benzylic C-H bond arylation/oxidation with aryl iodides was developed. The natural amino acid auxiliary could serve as a desired building block for formation of 5-aryl-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones after removal of the trifluoroacetyl protecting group. The bifunctional reaction probably proceeded through a sequential benzylic arylation/oxidation process.

Oxidative Aminoarylselenation of Maleimides via Copper-Catalyzed Four-Component Cross-Coupling.

The first example of copper-catalyzed four-component coupling reaction of aryl iodides, Se powder, secondary amines, and maleimides is developed. This reaction provides an efficient and concise route to access aminoarylselenated maleimides via double C-Se bonds and C-N bond formation. The appealing features of this transformation are the use of Se powder as a selenating reagent, a green catalytic system, a wide range of substrate scope, and late-stage selenation of bioactive compounds.

Discovery of new MD2 inhibitor from chalcone derivatives with anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening acute inflammatory disease with limited options available for therapy. Myeloid differentiation protein 2, a co-receptor of TLR4, is absolutely required for TLR4 sense LPS, and represents an attractive target for treating severe inflammatory diseases. In this study, we designed and synthesized 31 chalcone derivatives that contain the moiety of (E)-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one, which we consider the core structure of current MD2 inhibitors. We first evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds in MPMs. For the most active compound 20, we confirmed that it is a specific MD2 inhibitor through a series of biochemical experiments and elucidated that it binds to the hydrophobic pocket of MD2 via hydrogen bonds with Arg(90) and Tyr(102) residues. Compound 20 also blocked the LPS-induced activation of TLR4/MD2 -downstream pro-inflammatory MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways. In a rat model with ALI induced by intracheal LPS instillation, administration with compound 20 exhibited significant protective effect against ALI, accompanied by the inhibition of TLR4/MD2 complex formation in lung tissues. Taken together, the results of this study suggest the specific MD2 inhibitor from chalcone derivatives we identified is a potential candidate for treating acute inflammatory diseases.

Palladium-catalyzed C8 alkylation of 1-naphthylamides with alkyl halides via bidentate-chelation assistance.

A Pd-catalyzed regioselective alkylation of C8-H bonds in 1-naphthylamides containing a quinolinamide or picolinamide moiety as a bidentate directing group with alkyl halides is reported. The amide directing group can be easily hydrolyzed under basic conditions. Various alkyl halides including alkyl iodides and benzyl bromide or chloride can be employed as coupling partners, exclusively providing 8-alkyl-1-naphthylamide derivatives.

Palladium(II)-catalyzed regioselective arylation of naphthylamides with aryl iodides utilizing a quinolinamide bidentate system.

A palladium(II)-catalyzed quinolinamide-directed 8-arylation of 1-naphthylamides with aryl iodides is reported. The bidentate directing group (quinolinamide) proved to be crucial for a highly regioselective transformation. In addition, the amide directing group can be easily hydrolyzed under basic conditions to offer a range of 8-aryl-1-naphthylamine derivatives. The theoretical calculations suggest that the C-H arylation reaction proceeds through a sequential C-H activation/oxidative addition pathway.

Free-amine-directed alkenylation of C(sp2)-H and cycloamination by palladium catalysis.

A new protocol for the palladium-catalyzed free-amine-directed alkenylation of C(sp(2))-H bonds and cycloamination is described. Substituted biaryl-2-amines react with various alkenes, including electron-deficient alkenes, aryl alkenes and alkyl alkenes, to give the corresponding phenanthridines with exclusive regioselectivity. The use of α-branched styrenes leads to the formation of tricyclic compounds with a seven-membered amine ring. The method operates through a free-amine-directed alkenylation and a subsequent hydroamination cyclization reaction.

Pd-catalyzed arylation/oxidation of benzylic C-H bond.

A palladium-catalyzed benzylic C-H arylation/oxidation reaction leading to diaryl ketones has been accomplished. The indispensable role of the bidentate system is disclosed for this sequential process. This chemistry offers a direct new access to a range of diarylketones.

Iron-promoted C-C bond cleavage of 1,3-diketones: a route to 1,2-diketones under mild reaction conditions.

A conceptual method for the preparation of 1,2-diketones is reported. The selective C-C bond cleavage of 1,3-diketones affords the 1,2-diketones in high yields under mild reaction conditions in air by the use of FeCl(3) as the catalyst and tert-butyl nitrite (TBN) as the oxidant without the use of solvent. The possible reaction mechanism is discussed. This protocol provides an expeditious route to the useful 1,2-diketones.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of N,N-dimethylanilines with heteroarenes under molecular oxygen.

Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds are important motifs of pharmaceuticals and functional materials, and there has been a growing interest in new synthetic methods for their preparation. In this paper, we report a direct cross-coupling reaction of heteroarenes with N,N-dimethylanilines in the presence of copper catalyst. Oxygen and/or air are successfully used as the oxidant, which is of great importance to the industrialized economies. The reaction is compatible with a wide range of heterocycles, including indolizines, imidazoles, indoles, and aniline, to enable the formation of various alkylated heteroarenes under very mild reaction conditions.

FeCl3-promoted alkylation of indoles by enamides.

An efficient iron-promoted alkylation of indoles with enamides has been accomplished under mild reaction conditions. The reaction proceeded with remarkable regioselectivity leading exclusively to substitution by indoles at α-position of enamides.

CuBr-catalyzed reaction of N,N-dimethylanilines and silyl enol ethers: an alternative route to beta-arylamino ketones.

A wide range of silyl enol ethers undergo the reactions with N,N-dimethylanilines in the presence of transition metal catalysts under mild conditions to give beta-arylamino ketones. In the cases of silyl enol ethers derived from unsymmetrical ketones, regiospecific addition of carbonyl compounds was obtained at the olefinic position of silyl enol ether.

CuBr-mediated oxyalkylation of vinylarenes under aerobic conditions via cleavage of sp3 C-H bonds alpha to oxygen.

A novel difunctionalization reaction of vinylarenes with cyclic ethers has been developed by copper catalysis via direct activation of alpha-sp(3) C-H bonds of oxygen in the presence of 1-1.2 equiv of TBHP under mild aerobic conditions. The reaction shows excellent regioselectivities and good functional group tolerance to give the oxyalkylated products of vinylarenes.