Current trends in protein acetylation analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Acetylation is a widely occurring post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins that plays a crucial role in many cellular physiological and pathological processes. Over the last decade, acetylation analyses required the development of multiple methods to target individual acetylated proteins, as well as to cover a broader description of acetylated proteins that comprise the acetylome. Areas covered: This review discusses the different types of acetylation (N-ter/K-/O-acetylation) and then describes some major strategies that have been reported in the literature to detect, enrich, identify and quantify protein acetylation. The review highlights the advantages and limitations of these strategies, to guide researchers in designing their experimental investigations and analysis of protein acetylation. Finally, this review highlights the main applications of acetylomics (proteomics based on mass spectrometry) for understanding physiological and pathological conditions. Expert opinion: Recent advances in acetylomics have enhanced knowledge of the biological and pathological roles of protein acetylation and the acetylome. Besides, radiolabeling and western blotting remain also techniques-of-choice for targeted protein acetylation. Future challenges in acetylomics to analyze the N-ter and K-acetylome will most likely require enrichment/fractionation, MS instrumentation and bioinformatics. Challenges also remain to identify the potential biological roles of O-acetylation and cross-talk with other PTMs.

Novel synthetic bis-indolic derivatives with antistaphylococcal activity, including against MRSA and VISA strains.

OBJECTIVES: We report the synthesis, antibacterial activity and toxicity of 24 bis-indolic derivatives obtained during the development of new ways of synthesis of marine bis-indole alkaloids from the spongotine, topsentin and hamacanthin classes. METHODS: Innovative ways of synthesis and further structural optimizations led to bis-indoles presenting either the 1-(1H-indol-3'-yl)-1,2-diaminoethane unit or the 1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine unit. MIC determination was performed for reference and clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus and CoNS species. MBC, time-kill kinetics, solubility, hydrophobicity index, plasma protein-binding and cytotoxicity assays were performed for lead compounds. Inhibition of the S. aureus NorA efflux pump was also tested for bis-indoles with no antistaphylococcal activity. RESULTS: Lead compounds were active against both S. aureus and CoNS species, with MICs between 1 and 4 mg/L. Importantly, the same MICs were found for MRSA and vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus strains. Early concentration-dependent bactericidal activity was observed for lead derivatives. Compounds with no intrinsic antibacterial activity could inhibit the S. aureus NorA efflux pump, which is involved in resistance to fluoroquinolones. At 0.5 mg/L, the most effective compound led to an 8-fold reduction of the ciprofloxacin MIC for the SA-1199B S. aureus strain, which overexpresses NorA. However, the bis-indole compounds displayed a high hydrophobicity index and high plasma protein binding, which significantly reduced antibacterial activity. CONCLUSIONS: We have synthesized and characterized novel bis-indole derivatives as promising candidates for the development of new antistaphylococcal treatments, with preserved activity against MDR S. aureus strains.

An efficient method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 2,2'-bis(pyrrolyl)alkanes.

A new strategy for the preparation of unsymmetrical 2,2'-bis(pyrrolyl)alkanes has been developed. It involved the condensation of pyrrole derivatives onto N-benzylhydroxylamines in the presence of HCl. This two-step procedure provided access to a wide variety of 2,2'-dipyrromethanes (3a-m). It has also been extended to the synthesis of tripyrromethanes 4a-d and of N-confused dipyrromethanes 6a-d.

From N-triisopropylsilylpyrrole to an optically active C-4 substituted pyroglutamic acid: total synthesis of penmacric acid.

The stereoselective synthesis of penmacric acid, an optically active C-4 substituted pyroglutamic acid, has been efficiently achieved through an unusual 11-step sequence starting from simple N-triisopropylsilylpyrrole. The key-steps are the initial addition of the pyrrole nucleus onto a chiral nitrone and the obtention of the pyroglutamic acid moiety by reductive hydrogenation of the pyrrole followed by oxidation of the corresponding pyrrolidine into pyrrolidinone.

Efficient stereoselective nucleophilic addition of pyrroles to chiral nitrones.

Regioselective additions of pyrroles to a variety of optically active nitrones under smooth acidic conditions lead to chiral pyrrolic N-hydroxylamines in good to excellent yields. Depending on the position of the chirality on the nitrone partner, the addition products have been isolated with high diastereoselectivity levels. Reaction of glyoxylate based chiral nitrones either at the C-2 or at the C-3 position of the pyrrole nucleus afforded N-hydroxyamino esters in high yields as single diastereoisomers. These adducts allow access to enantio-enriched non proteinogenic 2'- and 3'-pyrrolylglycines (13 and 19 respectively).

Syntheses of S-enantiomers of hanishin, longamide B, and longamide B methyl ester from L-aspartic acid beta-methyl ester: establishment of absolute stereochemistry.

[reaction: see text] Total syntheses of enantiopure hanishin, longamide B, and longamide B methyl ester are described. Absolute configurations of these natural products have been established.