Synthesis and in Vitro Evaluation of Novel 5-Nitroindole Derivatives as c-Myc G-Quadruplex Binders with Anticancer Activity.

Lead-optimization strategies for compounds targeting c-Myc G-quadruplex (G4) DNA are being pursued to develop anticancer drugs. Here, we investigate the structure-activity- relationship (SAR) of a newly synthesized series of molecules based on the pyrrolidine-substituted 5-nitro indole scaffold to target G4 DNA. Our synthesized series allows modulation of flexible elements with a structurally preserved scaffold. Biological and biophysical analyses illustrate that substituted 5-nitroindole scaffolds bind to the c-Myc promoter G-quadruplex. These compounds downregulate c-Myc expression and induce cell-cycle arrest in the sub-G1/G1 phase in cancer cells. They further increase the concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species. NMR spectra show that three of the newly synthesized compounds interact with the terminal G-quartets (5'- and 3'-ends) in a 2 : 1 stoichiometry.

Design, synthesis, and biological testing of novel naphthoquinones as substrate-based inhibitors of the quinol/fumarate reductase from Wolinella succinogenes.

Novel naphthoquinones were designed, synthesized, and tested as substrate-based inhibitors against the membrane-embedded protein quinol/fumarate reductase (QFR) from Wolinella succinogenes, a target closely related to QFRs from the human pathogens Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni. For a better understanding of the hitherto structurally unexplored substrate binding pocket, a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was carried out. Analogues of lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 3a) were synthesized that vary in length and size of the alkyl side chains (3b-k). A combined study on the prototropic tautomerism of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones series indicated that the 1,4-tautomer is the more stable and biologically relevant isomer and that the presence of the hydroxyl group is crucial for inhibition. Furthermore, 2-bromine-1,4-naphthoquinone (4a-c) and 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (5a-b) series were also discovered as novel and potent inhibitors. Compounds 4a and 4b showed IC50 values in low micromolar range in the primary assay and no activity in the counter DT-diaphorase assay.

Trisilyl-substituted vinyl cations.

A series of beta,beta-disilyl-substituted vinyl cations were prepared by intramolecular addition of transient silylium ions to C[triple bond]C triple bonds. The vinyl cations were isolated from hydrocarbon solutions as tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borates at room temperature. The substituents directly attached to the positively charged carbon atom were varied from tert-butyl- to trialkylsilyl- to trialkylgermyl groups. The cations were identified by their characteristic (13)C and (29)Si NMR data. The NMR investigations revealed for beta,beta-disilyl-alpha-germyl- and trisilyl-substituted vinyl cations a highly dynamic structure in which both vinylic carbon atoms undergo an intramolecular exchange process which is fast on the NMR time scale at room temperature. NMR studies using a doubly (13)C-labeled vinyl cation suggest as mechanism for this exchange process a rotation of the dicarbyne C[triple bond]C(2-) unit within the triangle defined by the three cationic silyl fragments. Therefore the dynamic structure indicated for trisilyl- or disilylgermyl-substituted vinyl cations parallels the situation found for the parent vinyl cation, the protonated acetylene.

The correlation of cathodic peak potentials of vitamin K(3) derivatives and their calculated electron affinities. The role of hydrogen bonding and conformational changes.

2-methyl-1,4-naphtoquinone 1 (vitamin K(3), menadione) derivatives with different substituents at the 3-position were synthesized to tune their electrochemical properties. The thermodynamic midpoint potential (E(1/2)) of the naphthoquinone derivatives yielding a semi radical naphthoquinone anion were measured by cyclic voltammetry in the aprotic solvent dimethoxyethane (DME). Using quantum chemical methods, a clear correlation was found between the thermodynamic midpoint potentials and the calculated electron affinities (E(A)). Comparison of calculated and experimental values allowed delineation of additional factors such as the conformational dependence of quinone substituents and hydrogen bonding which can influence the electron affinities (E(A)) of the quinone. This information can be used as a model to gain insight into enzyme-cofactor interactions, particularly for enzyme quinone binding modes and the electrochemical adjustment of the quinone motif.

2-Hydroxy-3-(3-oxobutyl)naphthalene-1,4-dione.

The title compound, C14H12O4, forms crystals which appear monoclinic but are actually twinned triclinic. The asymmetric unit consists of two similar molecules, which differ only in the conformation of the 3-oxobutyl side chain. The molecular conformation is characterized by an intramolecular O-H...O hydrogen bond between the hydroxy group and the adjacent carbonyl O atom. The crystal structure is stabilized by O-H...O hydrogen bonds connecting the molecules into zigzag chains running along the b axis.