Src Homology 3 (SH3) domains are small protein- protein interaction domains that bind to proline-rich peptides, mediating a range of important biological processes. Because the deregulation of events involving SH3 domains forms the basis of many human diseases, the SH3 domains are appealing targets for the development of potential therapeutics. Previously in the field, no examples of entirely small-molecule ligands for the SH3 domains have been identified. However, in our research group, we have discovered a class of heterocyclic compounds that bind to the Tec SH3 domain at conserved residues in the proline-rich peptide binding site, with weak to moderate affinity. The highest affinity of these was 2- aminoquinoline (Kd = 125 mM). In this thesis, a range of approaches are described, that were intended to contribute towards development of higher affinity small-molecule ligands for the Tec SH3 domain. Preliminary experiments, involving testing a variety of compounds structurally related to 2- aminoquinoline, provided new structure activity information, and led to a better understanding of the 2-aminoquinoline/SH3 domain binding event. The major component of this thesis is a thorough investigation into the synthesis of a range of 2- aminoquinoline derivatives. N-Substituted- 2-aminoquinolines were synthesised, however these compounds bound the SH3 domain with slightly lower affinity than 2-aminoquinoline. 6- Substituted-2-aminoquinolines were subsequently prepared, and ligands were identified with up to six-fold improved affinity relative to 2-aminoquinoline, and enhanced selectivity for the Tec SH3 domain. The techniques used for the ligand binding studies were Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) chemical shift perturbation and Fluorescence Polarisation (FP) peptide displacement assays. As part of the ligand binding studies, it was intended that the 3D tructure of a 2- aminoquinoline ligand/SH3 complex would be obtained using NMR methods, provided that a ligand was identified that bound the SH3 domain in slow exchange on the NMR timescale. However, this goal was not fulfilled. Despite this, the work presented in this thesis provides a solid foundation for the development of potent 2-aminoquinoline ligands for SH3 domains, with engineered specificity. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2005.

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) are formed in meat cooked at high temperatures for a long time or over an open flame. In this context 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), the most abundant HCA in cooked meat, has been suggested to be involved in colon and prostate carcinogenesis. In the latter case it has been reported that: (1) roughly 50% of Fischer F344 male rats treated with PhIP develop carcinomas in the ventral prostate lobe at 1 year of age; (2) inflammation precedes prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in PhIP-fed rats; (3) inflammation specifically occurs in the ventral prostate lobe of PhIP-fed rats. To test whether PhIP by itself leads to inflammation in the colon and whether a human-relevant concentration of PhIP is able to induce preneoplastic lesions in the colon, male F344 rats were fed 0.1 or 100 ppm PhIP for up to 10 months and thereafter the colon tissue was analyzed histochemically. In none of the experimental groups signs of acute or chronic colonic inflammation were observed. 0.1 ppm PhIP leads to the development of hyperplastic and dysplastic lesions in the colon of single animals, but the incidence of these lesions does not reach a statistical significance. In contrast, in rats fed 100 ppm PhIP for 10 months hyperplastic and dysplastic colonic lesions were induced in a statistically significant number of animals. It is concluded that: (1) the induction of preneoplastic lesions in rat colon by PhIP is not preceded or accompanied by an inflammatory process; (2) a human-relevant concentration of PhIP alone is not sufficient to initiate colon carcinogenesis in rats.

The 5-HT7 receptor is the most recent addition to the 5-HT receptor family and has been linked to a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Well established antide-pressant pharmaceuticals have recently been found to activate the 5-HT7 receptor, supporting the role of the 5-HT7 receptor in the antidepressant mechanism. The synthesis of potent selec-tive 5-HT7 receptor antagonists could afford a greater understanding of the 5-HT7 receptor function as well as lead to potential drug candidates. The synthesis of unfused biheteroaryl derivatives as 5-HT7 receptor ligands has been de-scribed within. These compounds have been tested for biological activity on the 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptors. 4-(3’-Furyl)-2-(N-substituted-piperazino)pyrimidines were found to be potent 5-HT7 receptor ligands. 4-(2’-Furyl)-2-(N-substituted-piperazino)pyrimidines have shown high se-lectivity for the 5-HT7 receptor over the 5-HT6 receptor.

In recent years, N-hetereocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have received considerable attention as organocatalysts due to their unusual ability to induce a reversal of reactivity (Umpolung) in aldehydes. Indeed, NHCs unique properties have been applied to the efficient and metal-free synthesis of organic compounds that have proven elusive using traditional approaches.<p> My Masters research program has been focused on the use of NHCs as organocatalysts in ring expansion reactions and their applications to cascade reactions.<p> During my Masters studies, an NHC-catalyzed efficient ring expansion of 4-, 5-, and 6-membered oxacycloalkane-2-carboxaldehydes to generate the corresponding lactone derivatives was developed. This reaction provides access to a variety of lactones using readily available NHCs under mild conditions.<p> Then, the ring-expansion lactonization has been successfully extended to an efficient lactamization using azacycloalkane-carboxaldehydes, which could provide functionalized lactams in moderate yields under mild conditions.<p> In addition, intrigued by the possibility of effecting the Umpolung of electron-poor dienes using NHC catalysts, the ring-expansion lactonization was applied to an attempted Diels-Alder-ring expansion cascade reaction. Though no cascade reactions were observed, some very interesting results were obtained, and those results will guide future investigations in this area.

In recent years, N-hetereocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have received considerable attention as organocatalysts due to their unusual ability to induce a reversal of reactivity (Umpolung) in aldehydes. Indeed, NHCs unique properties have been applied to the efficient and metal-free synthesis of organic compounds that have proven elusive using traditional approaches.<p> My Masters research program has been focused on the use of NHCs as organocatalysts in ring expansion reactions and their applications to cascade reactions.<p> During my Masters studies, an NHC-catalyzed efficient ring expansion of 4-, 5-, and 6-membered oxacycloalkane-2-carboxaldehydes to generate the corresponding lactone derivatives was developed. This reaction provides access to a variety of lactones using readily available NHCs under mild conditions.<p> Then, the ring-expansion lactonization has been successfully extended to an efficient lactamization using azacycloalkane-carboxaldehydes, which could provide functionalized lactams in moderate yields under mild conditions.<p> In addition, intrigued by the possibility of effecting the Umpolung of electron-poor dienes using NHC catalysts, the ring-expansion lactonization was applied to an attempted Diels-Alder-ring expansion cascade reaction. Though no cascade reactions were observed, some very interesting results were obtained, and those results will guide future investigations in this area.

ABSTRACT Optoelectronics of polymer light emitting diode (LED) depends significantly on polymer molecular structure and charge conjugation. This study focused on the optoelectronics of freestanding films and LEDs of a colinear, fully conjugated heterocyclic aromatic rigid-rod polymer (PBT) and its mixtures with a partially conjugated coil-like polymer (Pbi). A deuterated PBTd4 was also mixed with a fully conjugated coil-like polymer (ABPBI) for UV-Vis absorption spectrum, photoluminescence (PL), diodic current-voltage response, and electroluminescence (EL). Rigid-rod PBT was only soluble in strong protic acid. PBT films were processed using methanesulfonic acid. PBT free-standing films showed maximum absorptions at 468 nm and 640 nm; PBTd4 having all hydrogen atoms on the phenylene moiety substituted by deuterium retaining same electron orbitals thus showed same absorption and PL spectra. It was likewise for the PBTd4 and ABPBI mixtures at ABPBI concentrations of 1 % and 10 %. For mixtures of PBT and Pbi, the absorption spectra indicated super- position of individual optical absorption response and no energy transfer. However, PL spectra showed a blue shift with increasing Pbi content. This was attribed for PBT rod-like configuration, or PBT aggregation perturbed by mixing with Pbi. Monolayer LED of Al/PBT/ITO and Al/Pbi/ITO yielded a threshold voltage of 4 V. When PBT/Pbi mixtures of 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, were used as the light emitting layer, the threshold voltage altered to 10 V, 7 V and 17 V, respectively. This threshold voltage deviation from 4 V is due mainly to difference in layer thickness, or phase separation affecting the tunneling effect. To enhance LED stability, an Ag layer was evaporated onto the Al electron injection electrode. For Ag/Al/PBT/ITO devices and mixed PBT/Pbi (75/25,50/50,25/75) devices, the maximum EL wavelength exhibited no systematic change at 753 nm, 714 nm, 727 nm, and 697 nm, respectively, due to using different bias voltage.

The thesis entitled "Studies on N-Hetero cyclic Compounds: (a) Reaction of 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroisoquinolines with Vilsmeier Reagent and (b) Amide Induced in situ Alkylation of 5,6-Dihydroisoquinolines" is presented in two parts. Part I involves a study of the Vilsmeier reaction of 4-cyano-1,3-dihydroxy-5,6,7,8 tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, while Part II concerns the in situ alkylation of l-alkyl-4-cyano-3-methoxy-5,6- dihydroisoquinolines in presence of KNH2/liq.NH3.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988.