: 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

Although fibrillar amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) aggregates are one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, increasing evidence suggests that soluble Aβ oligomers are the primary toxic species. Targeting the oligomeric species could represent an effective strategy to interfere with Aβ toxicity. In this work, the biological properties of 5[4-(6-O-β-cyclodextrin)-phenyl],10,15,20-tri(4-hydroxyphenyl)-porphyrin and its zinc complex were tested, as new molecules that interact with Aβ and effectively prevent its cytotoxicity. We found that these systems can cross the cell membrane to deliver Aβ intracellularly and promote its clearance. Our results provide evidence for the use of cyclodextrin-porphyrin derivatives as a promising strategy to target amyloid aggregation.

Porphyrin Cyclodextrin Conjugates Modulate Amyloid Beta Peptide Aggregation and Cytotoxicity

Linear polymers of β and γ cyclodextrins with a polyglutamic acid backbone as carriers for doxorubicin

Cyclodextrins are used increasingly in pharmacotherapy. Experimental and clinical data suggest that cyclodextrins can be used not only as excipients for marketed drugs, but also as active pharmaceutical ingredients to treat neurological diseases including Niemann-Pick type C disease. Disruption of metal and cholesterol homeostasis, protein misfolding, and aggregation are recognized among the major pathological features in triggering neurodegenerative disorders, and therefore it is becoming more and more evident that the next generation of therapies should have multiple functions to combat the multifactorial nature of diseases. A novel class of compounds obtained by conjugating 8-hydroxyquinoline with cyclodextrin has been proposed to combine antioxidant activity, chelating, antiaggregant, and inclusion ability into one compound designed for metal-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, the synthesis and characterization of the new compound 3A -deoxy-3A -[(8-hydroxyquinolyl)-2-methylamino]-2A (S),3A (R)-β-cyclodextrin is reported. Moreover, the interaction of copper-Aβ and zinc-Aβ amyloid with this class of cyclodextrin conjugates was investigated for the first time. New information about the effects of different modified chelating cyclodextrins may be important for further development of drugs against neurodegenerative disorders.

Cyclodextrin 3‐Functionalized with 8‐Hydroxyquinoline as an Antioxidant Inhibitor of Metal‐Induced Amyloid Aggregation

Compounds with the quinoline scaffold are widely investigated and offer a variety of therapeutical properties. A number of quinoline derivatives have been synthesized and among these there are glycoconjugated derivatives. Based on the interest for this family of compounds, we reviewed the different biological activities (molecular probes, antiinfective, antiproliferative, antiaggregant and antioxidant) and the potential applications in medicinal chemistry of quinoline glycoconjugates. This review wants to show an example of the glycoconjugation strategy which arose not only to modify the water solubility of the quinolines but also to influence their activity and targeting properties.

Glycoconjugates of Quinolines: Application in Medicinal Chemistry.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases are multifactorial disorders related to protein aggregation, metal dyshomeostasis, and oxidative stress. To advance understanding in this area and to contribute to therapeutic development, many efforts have been directed at devising suitable agents that can target metal ions associated with relevant biomolecules such as α-synuclein. This paper presents a new cyclodextrin-8-hydroxyquinoline conjugate and discusses the properties of four cyclodextrins 3-functionalized with 8-hydroxyquinoline as copper(II) chelators and inhibitors of copper-induced synuclein aggregation. The encouraging results establish the potential of cyclodextrin-8-hydroxyquinoline conjugates as chelators for the control of copper toxicity.

Valentina Oliveri

Papers

Porphyrin Cyclodextrin Conjugates Modulate Amyloid Beta Peptide Aggregation and Cytotoxicity

Linear polymers of β and γ cyclodextrins with a polyglutamic acid backbone as carriers for doxorubicin

Cyclodextrin 3‐Functionalized with 8‐Hydroxyquinoline as an Antioxidant Inhibitor of Metal‐Induced Amyloid Aggregation

Glycoconjugates of Quinolines: Application in Medicinal Chemistry.

Cyclodextrins 3‐Functionalized with 8‐Hydroxyquinolines: Copper‐Binding Ability and Inhibition of Synuclein Aggregation