In recent years, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has garnered interest as the third addition to the gasotransmitter family. Essential to human physiology, H2S has roles in the cardiovascular, nervous, and respiratory systems and perturbations in physiological H2S levels have been correlated to a variety of diseases. As a result, there has been significant interest in the development of H2S-releasing compounds (H2S donors) that can mimic slow, enzymatic production for research and therapeutic applications. While a large library of H2S donors exists, several common drawbacks persist, such as: lack of spatial and temporal control, poorly understood mechanisms of release, uncontrolled kinetics, and low efficiency. These issues significantly limit the biological applications of many H2S donors. This dissertation describes recent work to provide biocompatible H2S donors with controllable release kinetics using a robust, novel strategy for H2S delivery that relies on rapid enzymatic hydrolysis of carbonyl sulfide (COS) to H2S by the ubiquitous mammalian enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA). Self-immolative thiocarbamates can be designed to release COS by a variety of stimuli, and in biological milieu this COS is rapidly converted to H2S by CA. This strategy has enabled the development of the first analyte-replacement fluorescent probe for H2S and has become a popular strategy for H2S delivery in a variety of applications. Additionally, the unexpected cytotoxicity profile of enzyme-activated COS/H2S donors has piqued interest in COS chemical biology, and these donors are being used as tools for studying COS itself. This dissertation includes previously published and unpublished coauthored work. / 2021-04-30

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon Graduate Center, 1982.

Carbonyl sulfide (OCS) is emitted to the atmosphere through the outgassing of ocean surface waters. OCS is also the primary source of sulfur-containing compounds in the stratosphere and contributes to the formation of the stratospheric sulfate layer, an essential controller of the radiative balance of the atmosphere. During the 2016 Student Airborne Research Program (SARP), 15 whole air samples were collected on the NASA DC-8 aircraft over the Santa Barbara Channel. Five additional surface samples were taken at various locations along the Santa Barbara Channel. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography in the Rowland-Blake lab at UC Irvine, and compounds associated with ocean emissions including OCS, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), carbon disulfide (CS2), bromoform (CHBr3), and methyl iodide (CH3I) were examined. Excluding OCS, the vertical distribution of marine tracers that were analyzed showed dilution with increasing altitude. For OCS, the surface samples all exhibited elevated concentrations of OCS in comparison to samples taken from the aircraft, with an average of 666 ± 26 pptv, whereas the average concentration of OCS in the aircraft samples was 581 ± 9 pptv. 2016 Surface samples were compared to surface samples from SARP campaigns between 2009-2015 taken near or within the 2016 study region. The 2009-2015 samples exhibited an average OCS concentration of 526 ± 8 pptv. It is evident that the 2016 surface samples measured higher concentrations of OCS than ever recorded during previous SARP campaigns and in comparison to global averages: 525 ± 17 pptv in the Northern hemisphere and 482 ± 13 pptv in the Southern hemisphere (Sturges et al., 2001). OCS emissions should be measured using surface samples if emission estimates from the ocean are to be evaluated since measurements from the aircraft (500 ft) are not sufficiently capturing surface concentrations. Additionally, OCS enhancements seen in 2016 had never before been detected by surface samples, revealing a potential phenomenon at work causing the elevation during this year’s campaign.

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) was recognized as a critical signaling molecule in mammals nearly two decades ago. Since this discovery biologists and chemists have worked in concert to demonstrate the physiological roles of H₂S as well as the therapeutic benefit of exogenous H₂S delivery. As the understanding of H₂S physiology has increased, the role(s) of other sulfur-containing molecules as potential players in cellular signaling and redox homeostasis has begun to emerge. This creates new and exciting challenges for chemists to synthesize compounds that release a signaling compound in response to specific, biologically relevant stimuli. Preparation of these signaling compound donor molecules will facilitate further elucidation of the complex chemical interplay within mammalian cells. To this end we report on two systems for the sustained release of H₂S, as well as other sulfur signaling molecules. The first system discussed is based on the N-thiocarboxyanhydride (NTA) motif. NTAs were demonstrated to release carbonyl sulfide (COS), a potential sulfur signaling molecule, in response to biologically available nucleophiles. The released COS is shown to be rapidly converted to H₂S in the presence of the ubiquitous enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA). A synthetic route that affords NTAs with reactive functionalities was devised and the functional "parent" NTAs were successfully conjugated to a variety of substrates, ranging from small molecules to polymers. These functional NTAs provide a platform from which a library of NTA-based COS/H₂S may be readily prepared convergently in an effort to move towards H₂S-releasing drug and polymer conjugates. Additionally, preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity studies indicate that NTAs are noncytotoxic at concentrations above 100 µM. The second system discussed in this dissertation leverages the 1,6-benzyl elimination reaction (or self-immolative reaction) to facilitate the release of a persulfide (R–SSH) from a small molecule prodrug platform as well as a separate system that releases COS/H₂S from a polymer. The self-immolative persulfide prodrug was designed to be responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and demonstrates efficacy as an antioxidant in vitro. Furthermore, the polymeric COS/H₂S self-immolative system was designed to respond to reducing agents, including H₂S itself, and shows promise as a H₂S signal amplification platform. / Doctor of Philosophy / Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has long been recognized as a malodorous and toxic byproduct of industrial chemical processes. However, the discovery of H₂S as a key signaling molecule in mammals has drastically shifted the paradigm of H₂S research over the last two decades. Research into the production and roles of H₂S in the body is ongoing, but has pointed to the implication of changes in H₂S production to the onset of a variety of disease states, including cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s. As alterations in the body’s production of H₂S have been correlated to certain disease states, collaborative research efforts among biologists and chemists have demonstrated the utility of H₂S-based therapeutics in helping to alleviate these disease states. Our understanding of the roles of H₂S in the body, and potential benefits derived from H₂S-releasing drugs, can only continue to advance with the development and improvement of H₂S releasing compounds. The first portion of this dissertation focuses on the synthesis of a new class of H₂S-releasing compounds, termed N-thiocarboxyanhydrides (NTAs). NTAs release H₂S through an intermediate sulfur-containing molecule, carbonyl sulfide (COS), which may have signaling properties independent of H₂S. The COS that is released from the NTAs is rapidly converted to H₂S by the action of the ubiquitous enzyme carbonic anhydrase. A variety of functional NTAs were synthesized, which in turn were used to prepare a small library of NTA-based COS/H₂S releasing compounds. This work informs the preparation of H₂S-drug or H₂S-polymer conjugates. The second portion of this dissertation examines a class of compounds broadly termed self-immolative prodrugs. The self-immolative prodrug platform was leveraged to release H₂S, or persulfides (R–SSH), another class of sulfur-containing molecules of biological interest. The self-immolative persulfide prodrug system was designed to be responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), a harmful cellular byproduct. The persulfide donor was successful in mitigating the harmful effects of ROS in heart cells. Independently, a polymeric self-immolative H₂S releasing system was designed to depolymerize in the presence of H₂S, resulting in the generation of 6-8-fold excess of H₂S upon depolymerization. We envision the self-immolative H₂S-releasing polymer will show promise in biological applications where a vast excess of H₂S is needed rapidly.

H2S is a biologically relevant signaling gas that is endogenously produced throughout the body. The (patho)physiological roles of H2S have led researchers to develop various compounds that decompose to release H2S (H2S donors) for exogenous H2S administration. However, many small molecule H2S donors suffer from poor solubility, low stability, and lack of control over H2S release rates. As a result, there has been an increasing interest in utilizing supramolecular materials for exogenous H2S delivery. With growing potential applications of supramolecular H2S-releasing materials, it is important to explore their properties, e.g., solubility and stability under physiological conditions. We investigated the hydrolytic stability over a range of pH conditions of a series of peptides containing H2S-releasing S-aroylthiooximes (SATOs). The SATO-peptides showed structure–reactivity relationships with SATO ring substituents playing a crucial role in hydrolysis rates. Electron-donating substituents accelerate the rate of hydrolysis while electron-withdrawing substituents slows it down. We also explored their hydrolysis mechanisms at different pH values. SATO-peptides were then used to form hydrogels at 1 wt.% triggered by Ca2+. Hydrogels can be applied directly at a site of interest, potentially improving the efficacy of H2S compared with small molecule donors that diffuse away. We developed a H2S-releasing hydrogel capable of slowly releasing H2S locally to test its efficacy on intimal hyperplasia. The hydrogel delivered H2S over the period of several hours and inhibited the proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) significantly better than fast-releasing NaSH salts. This study shows a promising application of supramolecular H2S-releasing materials over widely used sulfide salts. The macroscopic properties of peptide hydrogels could be further modulated to achieve additional control over the H2S release properties. We synthesized a series of peptide hydrogels incorporating different linker segments to study their effects on hydrogelation properties. Most peptides formed hydrogels but with significantly different rheological behavior. We found that peptides with flexible linkers such as ethyl, substituted O-methylene, and others, formed stronger hydrogels compared to those with more rigid linkers. Interestingly, we found that stiffer hydrogels released H2S over longer periods than softer ones by retarding the diffusion of a thiol trigger, likely due to bulk degradation of the soft gels but surface erosion of the stiff gels as they release H2S. / Doctor of Philosophy / H2S has long been known as a foul smelling gas until it was discovered that it is endogenously produced throughout the body and plays many (patho)physiological roles. Therapeutic benefits of H2S have led researchers to develop various compounds that release H2S (H2S donors) for exogenous H2S administration. However, many small molecule H2S donors suffer from poor solubility, low stability, and unregulated H2S release. As a result, there has been an increasing interest in utilizing materials for exogenous H2S delivery. With growing potential applications of H2S-releasing materials, it is important to explore their properties, e.g., solubility and stability under physiological conditions. We investigated the stability of a series of peptides containing H2S-releasing S-aroylthiooximes (SATOs) over a range of pH conditions. The stability of SATO-peptides was dependent on chemical makeup of the SATO part of the peptides. We also explored their hydrolysis mechanisms at different pH values. SATO-peptides were then used to form hydrogels triggered by Ca2+. Hydrogels can be applied directly at a site of interest, potentially improving the efficacy of H2S compared with small molecule donors that diffuse away. We developed a H2S-releasing hydrogel capable of slowly releasing H2S locally to test its efficacy on intimal hyperplasia. The hydrogel delivered H2S over the period of several hours and inhibited the proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) significantly better than fast-releasing NaSH salts. This study shows a promising application of supramolecular H2S-releasing materials over widely used sulfide salts. The macroscopic properties of peptide hydrogels could be further modulated to achieve additional control over the H2S release properties. We synthesized a series of peptide hydrogels incorporating different linker segments to study their effects on hydrogelation properties. Most peptides formed weak to strong hydrogels with calcium chloride.We found that peptides with flexible linkers formed stronger hydrogels compared to those with more rigid linkers. Interestingly, we found that stiffer hydrogels released H2S over longer periods than softer ones.

Au cours des trois dernières décennies, les programmes d'observation des GES se sont orientés vers des échelles de plus en plus fines. Il est devenu indispensable de développer les réseaux d'observation pour s'adapter aux échelles visées. On s'oriente également vers une augmentation des espèces observables afin de disposer d'une palette de traceurs atmosphériques. Dans le cadre de l'infrastructure de recherche européenne ICOS, le Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE) est en charge de la veille technologique en matière d’instruments de mesure des GES. Dans le cadre de ma thèse, j’ai évalué en premier lieu les performances d’un spectromètre infrarouge à transformée de Fourier (FTIR) ciblant cinq composés: N2O, CH4, CO, CO2 et son isotope 13CO2.Hormis le FTIR, d’autres nouvelles techniques sont apparues sur le marché, en particulier concernant la mesure du N2O. Contrairement au CO2 et CH4 les stations ICOS n'ont pas encore l'obligation de mesurer le N2O car aucun instrument n'a été reconnu comme suffisamment performant. Dans le cadre de ma thèse j'ai eu la responsabilité de faire l'évaluation de sept analyseurs de N2O provenant de cinq constructeurs différents. Grâce à cette étude, j’ai pu regrouper les analyseurs en deux catégories : les instruments performants pour de hautes fréquences de mesures (<1 min) et les instruments stables sur le long terme. La première catégorie est plus adaptée aux mesures des échanges avec les écosystèmes par la méthode des flux turbulents, alors que la deuxième permet le suivi à haute précision dans l'atmosphère. La plupart des instruments présentent une sensibilité aux variations de température ambiante ainsi qu’une correction de la vapeur d’eau insuffisante (Lebegue et al., 2016).Par la suite, j’ai utilisé les données de N2O obtenues avec le FTIR afin de déterminer les émissions de ce gaz à l’aide de la méthode Radon qui repose sur la corrélation entre l’accumulation nocturne du 222Rn et celle de N2O. L’instrument FTIR proposant une meilleure justesse de mesure que le GC utilisé par le passé, j’ai pu obtenir un plus grand nombre d’évènements exploitables (+45%). Par la suite, j'ai installé le FTIR sur le site de Trainou, une tour radio près d'Orléans, début 2014 afin de caractériser les gradients verticaux de N2O et 13CO2.Le LSCE a acquis en mars 2015 un spectromètre laser de marque Aerodyne Research dédié à l’étude des échanges atmosphère-biosphère du carbone. Les trois composés cibles sont CO2, H2O et l’oxysulfure de carbone (COS). Dans la mesure où les plantes assimilent COS et CO2 et qu’il n’existe pas de mécanisme équivalent à la respiration du CO2 pour le COS, l’absorption du COS par les plantes serait directement proportionnelle à leur activité photosynthétique. Dans ce contexte, j’ai évalué les performances de l’instrument Aerodyne puis comparé ces dernières à celles du GC qui évalue depuis août 2014 les variations diurne et saisonnière du rapport de mélange à l’Orme des Merisiers. Enfin, j’ai installé l’instrument Aerodyne à la tour ICOS de Saclay afin d’y documenter les variations diurnes du gradient vertical de COS.Mes études montrent (1) que l'Aerodyne et le GC présentent des performances similaires mais que l'Aerodyne a l’avantage de nécessiter une maintenance nettement moins importante, et (2) que l’instrument Aerodyne est capable de détecter un gradient vertical de quelques ppt en période de stratification nocturne. Dans cette partie de mon travail de thèse, j’évalue aussi les variations saisonnières du COS dans la basse troposphère, déterminées à partir des données GC, que je compare à d’autres sites à travers le monde. J’ai également pu estimer sur cette période, par la méthode Radon, les vitesses de dépôt de COS sur le Plateau de Saclay. Cette méthode m’a permis de mettre en évidence l’existence d’un puits nocturne de COS dans la région du plateau de Saclay qui demeure actif quasiment tout au long de l’année. / During the last three decades, GHG observations programs went towards ever smaller scales, and it is becoming necessary to develop observation networks and adapt them to the different scales studied. Besides denser networks, we are going toward an increase of the species monitored in order to have a wide range of atmospheric tracers available to identify processes. As a member of the European research program ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observing System), the LSCE (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement) is in charge of technological watch for GHG measuring analyzers. In the scope of my thesis, I first tested a Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectrometer (FTIR) commercialized by Ecotech which can analyze five species: N2O, CH4, CO, CO2 and its isotope 13CO2.Apart of the FTIR, other new technologies appeared on the market, particularly relating to N2O measurements. Unlike CO2 and CH4, ICOS stations don’t require measuring N2O, as no instrument has been found to be performant enough concerning measurement precision and reliability for the ICOS network. During my thesis, I had the responsibility to make an exhaustive evaluation of seven analyzers of N2O from five different manufacturers. I’ve been able to gather the analyzers in two categories: those with good high frequency measurements (< 1 min) and those which are stable over long periods. The first category is particularly adapted to measurement of exchange rates between different ecosystems, whereas the second allows for high precision monitoring of the atmosphere. Most instruments show dependence to ambient temperature variations as well as a water vapor correction either useless or lacking (Lebegue et al., AMT, 2016).Then, I used N2O measurements from the FTIR in order to determine night emissions of this gas by using the Radon method which calculates the correlation between the nocturnal accumulation of 222Rn and N2O. Thanks to the better repeatability of the FTIR over the gas chromatograph one, I have been able to obtain more workable events than with the GC (+45%). Start of 2014, I installed the FTIR at the Trainou station, a radio tower near Orléans, in order to document the vertical gradients of N2O and 13CO2.The LSCE received in March 2015 a laser spectrometer from Aerodyne Research dedicated to the study of atmosphere/biosphere carbon fluxes. Three species are analyzed, CO2, H2O and carbonyl sulfide (COS) for which the mixing ratio in the troposphere is a million times smaller than CO2’s. Considering that vegetation assimilate COS and CO2 in similar proportions and that there is no mechanism similar to respiration for COS, the absorption of COS by the vegetation should be directly proportional to the photosynthetic activity. In this respect, I have characterized the performances of the new instrument Aerodyne. I then compared measurements of COS from this instrument to those obtained with a GC which document, since August 2014, the diurnal and seasonal variations of COS mixing ratios and fluxes at the LSCE. Finally, I installed the Aerodyne analyzer at the ICOS tower of Saclay in order to document the diurnal variations of the vertical gradient of COS during the winter period.My studies showed (1) that the Aerodyne and the GC show similar performances although the Aerodyne analyzer has the advantage of needing less maintenance, and (2) that the Aerodyne analyzer is able to detect a vertical gradient of a few ppt during a nocturnal stratification. Here, I also study the seasonal variations of COS in the low troposphere, from GC data, which I compare to other stations across the world. I’ve also been able to estimate over this period, with the Radon method, the deposition velocity of COS over the Saclay plateau. Thanks to this method, I was able to document a nocturnal sink active for almost the full year over the Saclay Plateau.

Dans cette thèse, nous améliorons et utilisons le montage expérimental développé au laboratoire nommé femto/OPO-FT-CEAS. Ce montage combine une source laser femto/OPO, une cavité optique haute finesse et un interféromètre à transformée de Fourier. Il permet d'enregistrer des spectres sur un intervalle de 150 cm-1, avec un coefficient d'absorption minimal de 3x10-9 cm-1, à une résolution de 2x10-2 cm-1 et un temps d’acquisition de 2 heures. Un chemin d'absorption de 20 km a été obtenu dans une cellule de 145 cm. Différents miroirs à hauts indices de réflexion permettent d'accéder à deux gamme spectrales dans le domaine de l'infrarouge proche :6200-6700 cm-1 et 7700-8300 cm-1.Le montage femto/OPO-FT-CEAS a été utilisé afin d'enregistrer des spectres à température ambiante. La molécule OCS a été étudiée dans les gammes spectrales de 6200 à 6700 cm-1 et 7700 à 8300 cm-1. Les nouvelles données rovibrationnelles ont été intégrées au modèle global développé par le Prof. Fayt de l'université catholique de Louvain. Un échantillon de CO2 enrichi en oxygène 17 a également été étudié dans la gamme spectrale de 7700 à 8300 cm-1. Les données ont été traitées avec l'aide du Dr. Lyulin l'institut d'optique atmosphérique de Tomsk, Russie.Le montage femto/OPO-FT-CEAS a également été modifié pour enregistrer des spectres de molécules refroidies au sein d'un jet supersonique. Les molécules de N2O, C2H4 et H12C13CH en abondance isotopique naturelle ont été étudiées. Le montage permet de refroidir les molécules étudiées jusqu'à 10 K et un coefficient de 5x10-8 cm-1 a été obtenu. Ce montage a également permis d'enregistrer des spectres CEAS et CRDS de NH3 à des températures de 17 et 14 K respectivement. L'analyse des spectres aété réalisée avec l'aide des Profs. Fusina et Di Lonardo de l'Université de Bologne, Italie.Une cellule de 145 cm pouvant être refroidie à l'aide de réfrigérants liquides a également été développée en vue de remplacer une cellule à température ambiante de 77 cm utilisée dans le montage femto/OPO-FT-CEAS.Enfin, les montages FANTASIO+ et femto/OPO-FT-CEAS ont été utilisés afin afin d'enregistrer des spectres de HCOOH à température ambiante et à 10 K. Les données ont été traitées avec l'aide du Dr. Perrin de l'Université Paris-Créteil, France. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished