Novel Pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine Antagonists with Nanomolar affinity for A1 / A3 Adenosine Receptors: Binding Kinetics and Exploration of their Binding Profile Using Mutagenesis Experiments, MD simulations and TI/MD calculations

Drugs targeting the four adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes can provide “soft" treatment of various significant diseases. Even for the two experimentally resolved AR subtypes the description of the orthosteric binding area and structure-activity relationships of ligands remains a demanding task due to the high similar amino acids sequence but also the broadness and flexibility of the ARs binding area. The identification of new pharmacophoric moieties and nanomolar leads and the exploration of their binding area with mutagenesis and state-of-the-art computational methods useful also for drug design purposes remains a challenging aim for all ARs. Here, we identified several low nanomolar ligands and potent competitive antagonists against A1R / A3R, containing the novel pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine pharmacophore for ARs, from a screen of an in-house library of only 52 compounds, originally designed for anti-proliferative activity. We identified L2-L10, A15, A17 with 3-aryl, 7-anilino and a electronegative group at 5-position as low micromolar to low nanomolar A1R / A3R antagonists. A17 has for A1R Kd = 5.62 nM and a residence time (RT) 41.33 min and for A3R Kd = 13.5 nM, RT = 47.23 min. The kinetic data showed that compared to the not potent or mediocre congeners the active compounds have similar association, for example at A1R Kon = 13.97 x106 M-1 (A17) vs Kon = 3.36 x106 M-1 (A26) but much lower dissociation rate Koff = 0.024 min-1 (A17) vs 0.134 min-1 (A26). Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and mutagenesis experiments we investigated the binding site of A17 showing that it can interact with an array of residues in transmembrane helix 5 (TM5), TM6, TM7 of A1R or A3R including residues E5.30, E5.28, T7.35 in A1R instead of Q5.28, V5.30 , L7.35 in A3R. A striking observation for drug design purposes is that for L2506.51A the binding affinity of A17 significantly increased at A1R. A17 provides a lead representative of a promising series and by means of the Thermodynamics Integration coupled with MD simulations (TI/MD) method, first applied here on whole GPCR- membrane system and showing a very good agreement between calculated and experimental relative binding free energies for A1R and A3R (spearman rank correlation p = 0.82 and 0.84, respectively), and kinetic experiments can lead to ligands with improved profile against ARs.

Novel Pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine Antagonists with Nanomolar affinity for A1 / A3 Adenosine Receptors: Binding Kinetics and Exploration of their Binding Profile Using Mutagenesis Experiments, MD simulations and TI/MD calculations

Drugs targeting the four adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes can provide “soft" treatment of various significant diseases. Even for the two experimentally resolved AR subtypes the description of the orthosteric binding area and structure-activity relationships of ligands remains a demanding task due to the high similar amino acids sequence but also the broadness and flexibility of the ARs binding area. The identification of new pharmacophoric moieties and nanomolar leads and the exploration of their binding area with mutagenesis and state-of-the-art computational methods useful also for drug design purposes remains a challenging aim for all ARs. Here, we identified several low nanomolar ligands and potent competitive antagonists against A1R / A3R, containing the novel pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine pharmacophore for ARs, from a screen of an in-house library of only 52 compounds, originally designed for anti-proliferative activity. We identified L2-L10, A15, A17 with 3-aryl, 7-anilino and a electronegative group at 5-position as low micromolar to low nanomolar A1R / A3R antagonists. A17 has for A1R Kd = 5.62 nM and a residence time (RT) 41.33 min and for A3R Kd = 13.5 nM, RT = 47.23 min. The kinetic data showed that compared to the not potent or mediocre congeners the active compounds have similar association, for example at A1R Kon = 13.97 x106 M-1 (A17) vs Kon = 3.36 x106 M-1 (A26) but much lower dissociation rate Koff = 0.024 min-1 (A17) vs 0.134 min-1 (A26). Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and mutagenesis experiments we investigated the binding site of A17 showing that it can interact with an array of residues in transmembrane helix 5 (TM5), TM6, TM7 of A1R or A3R including residues E5.30, E5.28, T7.35 in A1R instead of Q5.28, V5.30 , L7.35 in A3R. A striking observation for drug design purposes is that for L2506.51A the binding affinity of A17 significantly increased at A1R. A17 provides a lead representative of a promising series and by means of the Thermodynamics Integration coupled with MD simulations (TI/MD) method, first applied here on whole GPCR- membrane system and showing a very good agreement between calculated and experimental relative binding free energies for A1R and A3R (spearman rank correlation p = 0.82 and 0.84, respectively), and kinetic experiments can lead to ligands with improved profile against ARs.

Novel Pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine Antagonists with Nanomolar affinity for A1 / A3 Adenosine Receptors: Binding Kinetics and Exploration of their Binding Profile Using Mutagenesis Experiments, MD simulations and TI/MD calculations

Drugs targeting the four adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes can provide “soft" treatment of various significant diseases. Even for the two experimentally resolved AR subtypes the description of the orthosteric binding area and structure-activity relationships of ligands remains a demanding task due to the high similar amino acids sequence but also the broadness and flexibility of the ARs binding area. The identification of new pharmacophoric moieties and nanomolar leads and the exploration of their binding area with mutagenesis and state-of-the-art computational methods useful also for drug design purposes remains a challenging aim for all ARs. Here, we identified several low nanomolar ligands and potent competitive antagonists against A1R / A3R, containing the novel pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine pharmacophore for ARs, from a screen of an in-house library of only 52 compounds, originally designed for anti-proliferative activity. We identified L2-L10, A15, A17 with 3-aryl, 7-anilino and a electronegative group at 5-position as low micromolar to low nanomolar A1R / A3R antagonists. A17 has for A1R Kd = 5.62 nM and a residence time (RT) 41.33 min and for A3R Kd = 13.5 nM, RT = 47.23 min. The kinetic data showed that compared to the not potent or mediocre congeners the active compounds have similar association, for example at A1R Kon = 13.97 x106 M-1 (A17) vs Kon = 3.36 x106 M-1 (A26) but much lower dissociation rate Koff = 0.024 min-1 (A17) vs 0.134 min-1 (A26). Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and mutagenesis experiments we investigated the binding site of A17 showing that it can interact with an array of residues in transmembrane helix 5 (TM5), TM6, TM7 of A1R or A3R including residues E5.30, E5.28, T7.35 in A1R instead of Q5.28, V5.30 , L7.35 in A3R. A striking observation for drug design purposes is that for L2506.51A the binding affinity of A17 significantly increased at A1R. A17 provides a lead representative of a promising series and by means of the Thermodynamics Integration coupled with MD simulations (TI/MD) method, first applied here on whole GPCR- membrane system and showing a very good agreement between calculated and experimental relative binding free energies for A1R and A3R (spearman rank correlation p = 0.82 and 0.84, respectively), and kinetic experiments can lead to ligands with improved profile against ARs.

Novel Pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine Antagonists with Nanomolar affinity for A1 / A3 Adenosine Receptors: Binding Kinetics and Exploration of their Binding Profile Using Mutagenesis Experiments, MD simulations and TI/MD calculations

Drugs targeting the four adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes can provide “soft" treatment of various significant diseases. Even for the two experimentally resolved AR subtypes the description of the orthosteric binding area and structure-activity relationships of ligands remains a demanding task due to the high similar amino acids sequence but also the broadness and flexibility of the ARs binding area. The identification of new pharmacophoric moieties and nanomolar leads and the exploration of their binding area with mutagenesis and state-of-the-art computational methods useful also for drug design purposes remains a challenging aim for all ARs. Here, we identified several low nanomolar ligands and potent competitive antagonists against A1R / A3R, containing the novel pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine pharmacophore for ARs, from a screen of an in-house library of only 52 compounds, originally designed for anti-proliferative activity. We identified L2-L10, A15, A17 with 3-aryl, 7-anilino and a electronegative group at 5-position as low micromolar to low nanomolar A1R / A3R antagonists. A17 has for A1R Kd = 5.62 nM and a residence time (RT) 41.33 min and for A3R Kd = 13.5 nM, RT = 47.23 min. The kinetic data showed that compared to the not potent or mediocre congeners the active compounds have similar association, for example at A1R Kon = 13.97 x106 M-1 (A17) vs Kon = 3.36 x106 M-1 (A26) but much lower dissociation rate Koff = 0.024 min-1 (A17) vs 0.134 min-1 (A26). Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and mutagenesis experiments we investigated the binding site of A17 showing that it can interact with an array of residues in transmembrane helix 5 (TM5), TM6, TM7 of A1R or A3R including residues E5.30, E5.28, T7.35 in A1R instead of Q5.28, V5.30 , L7.35 in A3R. A striking observation for drug design purposes is that for L2506.51A the binding affinity of A17 significantly increased at A1R. A17 provides a lead representative of a promising series and by means of the Thermodynamics Integration coupled with MD simulations (TI/MD) method, first applied here on whole GPCR- membrane system and showing a very good agreement between calculated and experimental relative binding free energies for A1R and A3R (spearman rank correlation p = 0.82 and 0.84, respectively), and kinetic experiments can lead to ligands with improved profile against ARs.

Electronegativity in Substituted-4(H)-quinazolinones Causes Anxiolysis without a Sedative-hypnotic Adverse Reaction in Female Wistar Rats

Objectives: In the current study, the synthesis, characterization, and neuropharmacology of quinazolinone tethered with aromatic (3a-3i) and heteroaromatic substitution (3j, 3k, and 3l) as effective anxiolytic agents are reported. Background: Anxiety and depression are often comorbid with neurological as well as other medical maladies. Clinically known anxiolytics (Benzodiazepines) are accompanied by untoward sedation and other CNS depressive actions. The quinazolinone moiety is a privileged pharmacophore with a wide pharmacological spectrum. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, and neuropharmacological evaluation of some 2-substituted quinazolinone derivatives are reported. Methods: The synthesized compounds were characterized using 1H-NMR and TLC analysis. Behavioral analysis was performed using EPM (Elevated Plus Maze), OFT (Open Field Test), PIST (Pentobarbital Induced Sleep Test), FST (Forced Swim Test) and PCPA (p-chlorophenyl alanine) bioassay. To further justify the therapeutic claim, systemic and neurotoxicological analysis of the most potent members of the series was performed using OECD mandated protocols. The studies showed that the compounds had a wide therapeutic window with >1000 mg/kg and >500 mg/kg LD50 and NOAEL, respectively. Results: The compounds with an electronegative group in the quinazolinone nucleus (3f, 3e, 3d, and 3c) induced anxiolysis devoid of sedative adverse reaction. Besides, anti-depressant efficacy of 3f, 3e, 3d, and 3c observed in rodents was a result of a decrease in anxiety level. It was found that the neurotoxicology of the potent members (3f, 3e, 3d, and 3c) advocated their wide therapeutic window with >1000 mg/kg LD50 and >5000 mg/kg NOAEL. Conclusion: Our findings of behavioral bioassays revealed that inducing an electronegative group into the quinazolinone nucleus yielded the most potent members of the series (3f, 3e, 3d, and 3c). The said compounds were found to produce anxiolysis and anti-depressive action without sedative-hypnotic side effects in rodent models. In summary, it can be stated that extending the studies in a clinical setting would furbish the contours of current anxiolytic therapy, especially in anxiety comorbid with medical maladies.

Biomass Biodegradable Starch Material Cushioning Packaging Products and Plasticizing Properties of Compatibility

Biomass cushioning packaging material has been gaining attention in the properties of the materials because of biodegradable and green environmental protection, and the starch plastics play an important role. Urea, formamide, glycerol, ethylene glycol four material compounded with starch respectively, for the purpose to forming hydrogen bonds by the test in this paper, the ability to hydrogen bond with the starch has been observed by infrared spectrum analysis. The results showed that urea, formamide as strong electronegative group stronger binding, glycerol and ethylene glycol are more preferably to form hydrogen bonds with the starch because of more hydroxyl group content.

Molecular Characterization of an NADPH-Dependent Acetoin Reductase/2,3-Butanediol Dehydrogenase fromClostridium beijerinckiiNCIMB 8052

ABSTRACTAcetoin reductase is an important enzyme for the fermentative production of 2,3-butanediol, a chemical compound with a very broad industrial use. Here, we report on the discovery and characterization of an acetoin reductase fromClostridium beijerinckiiNCIMB 8052. Anin silicoscreen of theC. beijerinckiigenome revealed eight potential acetoin reductases. One of them (CBEI_1464) showed substantial acetoin reductase activity after expression inEscherichia coli. The purified enzyme (C. beijerinckiiacetoin reductase [Cb-ACR]) was found to exist predominantly as a homodimer. In addition to acetoin (or 2,3-butanediol), other secondary alcohols and corresponding ketones were converted as well, provided that another electronegative group was attached to the adjacent C-3 carbon. Optimal activity was at pH 6.5 (reduction) and 9.5 (oxidation) and around 68°C. Cb-ACR accepts both NADH and NADPH as electron donors; however, unlike closely related enzymes, NADPH is preferred (Km, 32 μM). Cb-ACR was compared to characterized close homologs, all belonging to the “threonine dehydrogenase and related Zn-dependent dehydrogenases” (COG1063). Metal analysis confirmed the presence of 2 Zn2+atoms. To gain insight into the substrate and cofactor specificity, a structural model was constructed. The catalytic zinc atom is likely coordinated by Cys37, His70, and Glu71, while the structural zinc site is probably composed of Cys100, Cys103, Cys106, and Cys114. Residues determining NADP specificity were predicted as well. The physiological role of Cb-ACR inC. beijerinckiiis discussed.

The molecular and electronic structure of 1-pyrazolylphosphazenes

The nature of the interactions between pyrazolyl and phosphazene rings has been investigated through the study of the structures of bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane, CH2(H2pz)2, 1, bis[1-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)]methane, CH2(Me2pz)2, 2, the pyrazolylphosphazenes N3P3(Me2pz)6, 3, N4P4(H2pz)8, 4, and N4P4(Me2pz)8, 5, and the partially substituted gem-N3P3Ph2(Me2pz)4, 6. Crystal data are as follows: 1, orthorhombic, P212121, a = 7.997(2), b = 9.287(2), c = 10.049(2) Å, Z = 4, R = 0.034 for 647 reflections; 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 19.115(4), b = 4.2690(8), c = 14.543(3) Å, β = 98.91(2)°, Z = 4, R = 0.064 for 528 reflections; 3, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 16.778(2), b = 12.1083(9), c = 19.269(4) Å, β = 113.885(6)°, Z = 4, R = 0.039 for 2716 reflections; 4, monoclinic P21/n, a = 10.4223(9), b = 8.1879(7), c = 19.403(2) Å, β = 94.381(7)°, Z = 2, R = 0.059 for 2937 reflections; 5, triclinic, [Formula: see text], a = 11.516(2), b = 13.121(3), c = 18.142(3) Å, α = 77.96(1), β = 79.20(1), γ = 66.54(2)°, Z = 2, R = 0.036 for 5300 reflections; 6, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 10.3598(4), b = 17.8827(4), c = 19.0851(6) Å, β = 94.675(2)°, Z = 4, R = 0.053 for 4867 reflections. Interpretation of the structures through iterative extended Hückel calculations shows that conjugative interactions lead to a quinonoid deformation of the pyrazole ring, similar to that in bis(1-pyrazolyl)carbonyl. π-Electron transfer to the phosphazene ring, facilitated by the use of acceptor d orbitals on phosphorus, is accompanied by a synergic σ transfer to the pyrazole ring. The pyrazolyl group acts both as a strongly electronegative group and as a good potential donor. The calculations account satisfactorily for the bond lengths in the pyrazolyl group, the large bond angles at nitrogen in 4 and 5, the bond length inequalities in the phosphazene ring of 6, and the reactivity of the pyrazolylphosphazenes.

Über intramolekulare Donator-Akzeptor-Wechselwirkungen in N,N′-Dimethylharnstoff-Derivaten des Phosphors / Intramolecular Donor-Acceptor Interactions in N,N′-Dimethylurea Derivatives of Phosphorus

The reaction of 1 with N, N′-dimethyl-N, N′-bis(trimethyIsilyl)urea, 2 has furnished the compound Me2NCH2CH2N(Me)P(NMe)2C(:O), 3. Following oxidation o f phosphorus in 3 through several reagents, intramolecular donor-acceptor interactions were observed when an electronegative group was bonded to phosphorus; this group, activating the phosphorus atom, should be well polarizable in solution and should readily depart from the molecule as an anion. The unusual spirophosphoranes 8, 11 and 12 could thus be synthesized. The reaction of equimolar quantities of MeOCH2CH2OPCl2, 15 with 2 has furnished 16 which is related to 3. Reaction of 15 with excess 2 constitutes a new mode o f formation of the previously reported diphosphorus compound 17.