: The unpolarized absorption and circular dichroism spectra of the fundamental vibrational transitions of the chiral molecule, 4-methyl-2-oxetanone, are calculated ab initio. Harmonic force fields are obtained using Density Functional Theory (DFT), MP2, and SCF methodologies and a 5S4P2D/3S2P (TZ2P) basis set. DFT calculations use the Local Spin Density Approximation (LSDA), BLYP, and Becke3LYP (B3LYP) density functionals. Mid-IR spectra predicted using LSDA, BLYP, and B3LYP force fields are of significantly different quality, the B3LYP force field yielding spectra in clearly superior, and overall excellent, agreement with experiment. The MP2 force field yields spectra in slightly worse agreement with experiment than the B3LYP force field. The SCF force field yields spectra in poor agreement with experiment.The basis set dependence of B3LYP force fields is also explored: the 6-31G* and TZ2P basis sets give very similar results while the 3-21G basis set yields spectra in substantially worse agreements with experiment. jg

Ab initio calculation of vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra using density functional force fields

Copper is an essential cofactor for all organisms, and yet it becomes toxic if concentrations exceed a threshold maintained by evolutionarily conserved homeostatic mechanisms. How excess copper induces cell death, however, is unknown. Here, we show in human cells that copper-dependent, regulated cell death is distinct from known death mechanisms and is dependent on mitochondrial respiration. We show that copper-dependent death occurs by means of direct binding of copper to lipoylated components of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. This results in lipoylated protein aggregation and subsequent iron-sulfur cluster protein loss, which leads to proteotoxic stress and ultimately cell death. These findings may explain the need for ancient copper homeostatic mechanisms. Description Copper induces cell death Cell death is an essential, finely tuned process that is critical for the removal of damaged and superfluous cells. Multiple forms of programmed and nonprogrammed cell death have been identified, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. Tsvetkov et al. investigated whether abnormal copper ion elevations may sensitize cells toward a previously unidentified death pathway (see the Perspective by Kahlson and Dixon). By performing CRISPR/Cas9 screens, several genes were identified that could protect against copper-induced cell killing. Using genetically modified cells and a mouse model of a copper overload disorder, the researchers report that excess copper promotes the aggregation of lipoylated proteins and links mitochondrial metabolism to copper-dependent death. —PNK Lipoylation determines sensitivity to copper-induced cell death.

Copper induces cell death by targeting lipoylated TCA cycle proteins

There is great need for stand-alone luminescence-based chemosensors that exemplify selectivity, sensitivity, and applicability and that overcome the challenges that arise from complex, real-world media. Discussed herein are recent developments toward these goals in the field of supramolecular luminescent chemosensors, including macrocycles, polymers, and nanomaterials. Specific focus is placed on the development of new macrocycle hosts since 2010, coupled with considerations of the underlying principles of supramolecular chemistry as well as analytes of interest and common luminophores. State-of-the-art developments in the fields of polymer and nanomaterial sensors are also examined, and some remaining unsolved challenges in the area of chemosensors are discussed.

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Supramolecular Luminescent Sensors

Oxidative stress has become widely viewed as an underlying condition in a number of diseases, such as ischemia–reperfusion disorders, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and diabetes. Thus, natural and synthetic antioxidants have been actively sought. Superoxide dismutase is a first line of defense against oxidative stress under physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, the development of therapeutics aimed at mimicking superoxide dismutase was a natural maneuver. Metalloporphyrins, as well as Mn cyclic polyamines, Mn salen derivatives and nitroxides were all originally developed as SOD mimics. The same thermodynamic and electrostatic properties that make them potent SOD mimics may allow them to reduce other reactive species such as peroxynitrite, peroxynitrite-derived CO3·−, peroxyl radical, and less efficiently H2O2. By doing so SOD mimics can decrease both primary and secondary oxidative events, the latter arising from the inhibition of cellular tra...

/pdf/superoxide-dismutase-mimics-chemistry-pharmacology-and-1ttn9834vf.pdf

Superoxide Dismutase Mimics: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Therapeutic Potential

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a substantial socioeconomic burden on society. Unfortunately, the aging world population and lack of effective cures foreshadow a negative outlook. Although a large amount of research has been dedicated to elucidating the pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases, their principal causes remain elusive. Metal ion dyshomeostasis, proteopathy, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter deficiencies are pathological features shared across multiple neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, these factors are proposed to be interrelated upon disease progression. Thus, the development of multifunctional compounds capable of simultaneously interacting with several pathological components has been suggested as a solution to undertake the complex pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we outline and discuss possible therapeutic targets in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and molecules, previously designed or discovered as pote...

Development of Multifunctional Molecules as Potential Therapeutic Candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Last Decade

Biomedical applications of copper ionophores

Oxidative stress and protein aggregation have been demonstrated to be the major factors involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Metal ions play a pivotal role, acting as mediators of neurotoxicity either by favoring or redox cycling. Thus, they represent a promising and suitable therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In particular, the development of bifunctional or multifunctional molecules, which have antiaggregant and metal-chelating/antioxidant properties, may be considered as a valuable strategy for the treatment of neurodegeneration considering its multifactorial nature. Herein, we report the design and the characterization of four new multifunctional sugar-appended 8-hydroxyquinolines focusing on the effects of the conjugation with trehalose, a nonreducing disaccharide involved in the protection of proteins and cells against environmental stresses. These glycoconjugates do not exhibit any antiproliferative activity against three human cell lines of different histologic...

Soluble Sugar-Based Quinoline Derivatives as New Antioxidant Modulators of Metal-Induced Amyloid Aggregation

New 8-hydroxyquinoline galactosides. The role of the sugar in the antiproliferative activity of copper(II) ionophores.

Cyclodextrins are extensively used in different fields (e.g., catalysis, chromatography, pharma, supramolecular chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and bioinorganic chemistry), and their applications have been widely reviewed. Their main application in the field of pharmaceutical is as a drug carrier. This review overviews, for the first time, the use of cyclodextrins and their derivatives as antiaggregant agents in a number of proteins (e.g., amyloid-β, insulin, recombinant human growth hormone, prion protein, transthyretin, and α-synuclein) and some multimeric enzymes. There are many diseases that are correlated to protein misfolding and amyloid formation processes affecting numerous organs and tissues. There are over 30 different amyloid proteins and a number of corresponding diseases. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Treatment of these diseases is still a goal to reach, and many molecules are studied in this perspective. Cyclodextrins have also been studied, and they show great potential; as such, further studies could be very promising. This review aims to be a stimulus for the design of new cyclodextrin derivatives to obtain multifunctional systems with antiaggregant activity.

Cyclodextrins as Protective Agents of Protein Aggregation: An Overview.

Oxidative stress is the hallmark of several pathologies like arthritis, hypertension and many neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In this scenario, antioxidant compounds can play a pivotal role in treating these severe pathologies. The synthesis of molecules able to mimic physiologically-relevant proteins is nowadays of particular interest. Several transition metal complexes, especially manganese(III) complexes with porphyrin and salen-type ligands, have been reported to be superoxide scavengers. Here we report the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of manganese(III) complexes of 5[4-(6-O-β-cyclodextrin)-phenyl],10,15,20-tri(4-hydroxyphenyl)-porphyrin and of 6A-deoxy-6A[(S-cysteamidobenzoyl(3,4-diamino)-N,N′-bis(salicylidene))]-β-cyclodextrin. The superoxide dismutase activity of the metal complexes was investigated by indirect methods. The catalase and peroxidase activities were tested using ABTS assays.

Valentina Oliveri

Papers

Biomedical applications of copper ionophores

Soluble Sugar-Based Quinoline Derivatives as New Antioxidant Modulators of Metal-Induced Amyloid Aggregation

New 8-hydroxyquinoline galactosides. The role of the sugar in the antiproliferative activity of copper(II) ionophores.

Cyclodextrins as Protective Agents of Protein Aggregation: An Overview.

New conjugates of β-cyclodextrin with manganese(III) salophen and porphyrin complexes as antioxidant systems