Antibiotic resistance has emerged as one of the World's leading public health challenges. The inexorable emergence of drug resistant pathogens, combined with a steep decline in antibacterial drug discovery, has led to a major crisis. One of the most common drug resistance mechanisms involves bacteria adapting to reduce intracellular drug accumulation. To understand these resistance mechanisms, one needs quantitative information about the membrane permeability of drugs. In this Thesis, we develop a novel optofluidic permeability assay that allows us to quantify the permeability coefficient of drugs crossing lipid membranes. Lipid vesicles are used as model systems and drug molecules are tracked directly using their autofluorescence in the ultraviolet. The permeability coefficient of the drug is inferred by studying the increase in drug autofluorescence intensity within vesicles as they traverse a microfluidic network while exposed to the drug for well defined times. This provides a novel platform from which we can develop membrane models for understanding drug permeability. We incorporate the Escherichia coli outer membrane protein OmpF in vesicles and quantify its role in the transport of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. We provide direct visualisation of OmpF mediated fluoroquinolone transport. We study the pH dependence of antibiotic transport both through pure phospholipid membranes and through OmpF, and present a physical mechanism to explain the pH dependence of E. coli fluoroquinolone susceptibility. We also show the importance of lipid composition on drug permeability - changing the lipid composition of the membrane is shown to change antibiotic permeability by over an order of magnitude. Finally, we report on the discovery of a novel signalling mechanism in E. coli that relies on the transport of small drug-like molecules, and discuss the role it plays in stress response in the microbial community.

As doenças neurodegenerativas tais como as doenças de Alzheimer, Parkinson e desordens cerebrovasculares constituem-se em uma das principais causas de morbidade e de mortalidade na vida adulta. Além disso, o desequilíbrio entre os sistemas de geração e de proteção antioxidante celulares, chamado de estresse oxidativo, desempenha um papel importante nos danos neuronais causados pelos processos isquêmicos, provocando alterações funcionais em macromoléculas e promovendo a lipoperoxidação de membranas. Substâncias com dupla atividade anticolinesterásica e antioxidante vêm sendo consideradas como uma nova abordagem terapêutica para o tratamento farmacológico da doença de Alzheimer, incentivando a investigação e o estudo de produtos naturais para o desenvolvimento de fármacos novos e eficientes. Nesse estudo empregamos um modelo in vitro de fatias hipocampais de ratos, submetidas à privação de oxigênio e glicose (POG) e os métodos de avaliação da toxicidade dos alcalóides empregados foram a liberação da enzima lactato desidrogenase (LDH) citosólica e redução do MTT (viabilidade mitocondrial). Os alcalóides boldina e vincamina promoveram um aumento de 40 % na liberação de LDH nas fatias que sofreram POG na concentração de 100 μM, além de aumentos significativos na liberação desta enzima também nas fatias controles. Psicolatina e reserpina também tiveram efeitos neurotóxicos. Foi verificado que a POG em fatias hipocampais promove uma diminuição nas medidas do potencial antioxidante total (TRAP) e reatividade antioxidante total (TAR), de 63 % e 16,5 %, respectivamente, além de causar um aumento nos níveis de malonodialdeído liberado pelas fatias, detectado pelo ensaio de espécies reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA-RS). Entretanto, este efeito foi revertido pela presença de boldina nas concentrações de 10 μM e de 50 μM. Este mesmo alcalóide, com reconhecida atividade antioxidante, também demonstrou ser um seqüestrador de radicais peroxila mais potente que o padrão Trolox. Além disso, os alcalóides indólicos monoterpênicos coronaridina, venalstonina, andrangina, vincadiformina e voacristina, além da boldina, exibiram potentes atividades antioxidante e anticolinesterásica em ensaios autobiográficos in vitro. / Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer, Parkinson and cerebrovascular diseases are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the middle aged and the elderly. Also, the imbalance between the activity of free radicals generation and scavenging systems, called oxidative stress, plays a important role in the neuronal damages caused by ischemia, leading to functional alterations in macromolecules and promoting lipoperoxidation in membranes. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antioxidant compounds have been extensively investigated as new pharmacological strategies for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer disease. In this way, natural products are potentially important in an attempt to develope newer and safer drugs. In the present study, we selected the in vitro model of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in hippocampal slices and the methods used to assess the neurotoxicity of the alkaloids were cellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and reduction of MTT salt (mitochondrial activity). Both alkaloids boldine and vincamine 100 μM promoted a 40 % increase in LDH release in POG slices, as well as significant increases in the activity of this enzyme in control slices. Psychollatine and reserpine had also neurotoxic effects. It was also verified that OGD decreased the measurements of total antioxidant potential (TRAP) in 63 % and the total antioxidant reactivity (TAR) levels in 16.5 %, as well as an increase in the malondialdehyde levels by slices, which was detected by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). However, this effect was prevented by the presence of boldine 10 μM and 50 μM. This alkaloid is a known antioxidant and it displayed a potent scavenger activity for peroxyl radicals, when compared with Trolox. Another finding is that the monoterpene indole alkaloids coronaridine, venalstonine, andrangine, vincadifformine, voacristine and also boldine exhibited both potent antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor activities in in vitro autobiographic assays.

O fenômeno da bio- e quimiluminescência tem atraído o interesse da comunidade científica nas últimas décadas não só pelo seu inerente interesse acadêmico, mas também devido as incontáveis aplicações analíticas que dele têm surgido. A maior parte do trabalho acadêmico que tem sido desenvolvido está relacionado ao estudo do mecanismo de geração de estados excitados e a eficiência de desativação radiativa. Por outro lado, do ponto de vista das aplicações tecnológicas, as metodologias para análise de enzimas, drogas e metabólitos, aplicadas à imunologia, microbiologia, medicina forense, etc., que se baseiam em quimiluminescência, estão entre as mais utilizadas em procedimentos de rotina em laboratórios. O desenvolvimento de substratos e, conseqüentemente, novas técnicas quimiluminescentes tem se tornado cada vez mais importante devido a alta sensibilidade desses ensaios, tipicamente equivalente ou melhor do que aqueles que utilizam rótulos radioativos. Esta tese apresenta o desenvolvimento de novas metodologias quimiluminescentes para a determinação de atividade enzimática. O princípio químico é a geração de peróxidos cíclicos instáveis, conhecidos como 1,2-dioxetanos, após a hidrólise de substratos específicos, catalisada pela enzima objeto de estudo. Anéis dioxetânicos são conhecidos pela sua propriedade de gerar produtos em estados eletronicamente excitados quando decompostos. A emissão de luz pode ser relacionada à atividade enzimática. Foi desenvolvido o substrato (fosfato dissódico de 2-metil-1-propenila, NA-MPP) (I)), capaz de produzir o composto 2-metil-1-propen-1-ol quando hidrolisado via a ação catalítica das enzimas fosfatase alcalina (ALP) ou fosfatase ácida (ACP). Este enol é oxidado, sob ação catalítica da enzima peroxidase de raiz forte (HRP), gerando acetona em estado excitado triplete. A emissão de luz direta ou sensibilizada da acetona excitada pode ser correlacionada a atividade enzimatica da ALP ou ACP. A determinação da atividade dessas enzimas livres ou ligadas em anticorpos (conjugados ALP-IgG) tem grande aplicação em tecnologias de diagnóstico, seja como um marcador de diversas doenças, seja como uma sonda em ensaios imuno-enzimáticos (EIA). A sensibilidade alcançada com este substrato foi de 10-15 mols de ALP, 0,0027 unid. de ACP e diluições de até 300.000 de um conjugado (ALP-IgG) por ensaio. Também foi possível correlacionar a atividade de ALP à velocidade de consumo do oxigênio dissolvido no meio de reação, que é uma característica dessa oxidação. Partindo do mesmo princípio delineado no parágrafo anterior, desenvolveu-se um composto para determinação de proteases. Para isso, o composto N-etil-N-(2-metil-1-propenil)benzenamida (II) foi preparado, pois a clivagem de sua ligação amídica geraria uma enamina, que também pode ser oxidada pela ação catalítica da HRP. No entanto, nossos estudos mostraram que este composto não é reconhecido como substrato das proteases. Tomando como base a bem conhecida característica de gerar uma fraca emissão de luz quando derivados indólicos são oxidados por agentes oxidantes clássicos, como KMnO4, K2S2O4, etc., foi estudado o potencial quimiluminescente de alguns derivados indólicos quando submetidos ao sistema HRP/H2O2/O2. Como era esperado, detectou-se quimiluminescência de baixa intensidade para a maioria dos derivados indólicos. Também neste caso a clivagem do anel indólico, via um intermediário dioxetânico, parece ser a responsável pela emissão observada na maioria dos compostos testados. Além disso, a oxidação do composto 2-metilindol (III) mostrou uma eficiência de quimiluminescência com cerca de 3 ordens de grandeza maior que os demais derivados. Verificou-se que o comportamento diferenciado desse composto estava relacionado à exclusiva formação de um composto secundário. A estrutura desse composto foi parcialmente atribuída ao 2,2\'-dimetil-2,2\'-diindoxil. Então, utilizando o 2-metilindol como substrato, desenvolveu-se uma metodologia analítica para determinação de HRP livre ou ligada em anticorpos (conjugados HRP-IgG). Assim como no caso da enzima ALP, conjugados do tipo HRP-IgG são largamente utilizados em EIA. Também com base nas características quimiluminescentes de \'alfa\'-hidroperóxi-cetonas quando submetidas a um forte meio alcalino, desenvolveu-se um potencial substrato para análise de esterases. A hidrólise catalisada por esterase de 2-peracetoxiadamantano-2-carboxialdeído (IV) geraria um \'alfa\'-hidroperóxi-aldeído, que por um ataque nucleofílico intramolecular, levaria a um intermediário dioxetânico. Este composto mostrou-se instável, gerando quimiluminescência mesmo na ausência da enzima. Este fato inviabilizou o seu uso como planejado. / The bio- and chemiluminescent phenomena have attracted the scientists attention in the last decades not only because its inherent academic interests, but also due the uncounted analytical applications that it has originated. Most of the academic work was devoted to the study of the mechanism responsible for the generation of the excited states and the efficiency of radiative deactivation. On the other hand, the technological developments pointed to methodologies for enzyme, drug, and metabolite determination applied to immunological, microbiology, forensic science, etc., based on chemiluminescence, which are already among the most applied techniques in routine laboratory procedures. The development of chemiluminescent substrates has become increasingly important due to their high sensitivity, typically equivalent to or better than assays using radioactive labels. This thesis reports the development of new chemiluminescent methodologies for enzymatic activity determination. The chemical basis is the generation of unstable cyclic peroxides, called 1,2-dioxetanes, upon hydrolysis of specific substrates catalyzed by the target enzyme. Dioxetanes rings are known by their properties to generate electronically excited products upon decomposition. The light emission can be related to enzymatic activity. It was developed a substrate (dissodium 2-methyl-1-propenyl phosphate) (Na-MPP) (I) able to produce 2-methyl-1-propen-1-ol when catalytically hydrolyzed by alkaline (ALP) or acid (ACP) phosphatases enzymes. This enol is oxidized, upon horseradish peroxidase (HRP) action, yielding acetone in triplet excited state. The direct or sensitized light emission of the excited acetone can be correlated to enzymatic activity of ALP or ACP. The activity of this enzyme, free or bound to antibody (ALP conjugates), is widely used in diagnostic technologies, either as a direct marker of several diseases or as an enzymatic probe in enzyme immunoassays (EIA). The sensibility reached with this substrate was 10-15 mols to ALP, 0,0027 u/mL to ACP and dilutions up to 300.000 of ALP-IgG per assay. Since the HRP system consumes dissolved oxygen during the oxidation of the enol, ALP quantification may be performed by following the oxygen uptake rate. By applying the same principle above delineated, it was synthesized a compound for proteases activity determination. Thus, the compound N-ethyl-N-(2-methylpropen-1-yl)benzenamide (II) was prepared, since its hydrolysis would lead to an enamine , which is known to be oxidized via HRP with light emission. However, our studies showed that II is not recognized as a substrate by proteases. Owning to the well known weak emission elicited when indole derivatives are oxidized by classical oxidants like KMnO4, K2S2O4, etc., it was studied the chemiluminescent potential when indoles are submitted to the HRP/H2O2/O2 oxidant system. Indeed, weak chemiluminescence was detected for almost all derivatives. Likewise, the oxidation of 2,3-bond of indoles, through a dioxetane intermediate leading to an open-ring product, seems responsible for this emission. Furthermore, the oxidation of 2-methylindole (III) showed a chemiluminescence efficiency about 3 orders of magnitude higher. It was observed that the high chemiluminescent yield was related to exclusive formation of a secundary product. Its structure was partially attributed to 2,2\'-dimethyl-2,2\'-diindoxil. Thus, using 2-methylindole as substrate was possible to develop an analytical procedure to quantify HRP activity, free or bound to antibodies (conjugates HRP-IgG). In EIA the enzymes HRP and ALP are the most important labels. From the also known chemiluminescent characteristics of \'alpha\'-hidroperoxy-ketones, when submitted to strong alkaline medium, it was developed a potential substrate to esterases. The esterase catalyzed hydrolysis of 2-acetylperoxiadamantane-2-carboxaldeyde (IV) would generate an \'alpha\'-hidroperoxy-aldeyde which, by an intramolecular nucleofilic attack, would lead to a dioxetane intermediate. This compound showed to be unstable and it generated chemiluminescence in the absence of the enzyme. This fact impaired its use as planned.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-06-20T20:50:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Wagner Scheidt.pdf: 2317119 bytes, checksum: 23f086e6fa2757e68ba3e14cc8297249 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-20T20:50:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Wagner Scheidt.pdf: 2317119 bytes, checksum: 23f086e6fa2757e68ba3e14cc8297249 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-10-27 / CAPES / The bacteria Herbaspirillum seropedicae is established as diazotrophic, nitrogen fixing, gram-negative, vibrioid, ?-proteobacteria, showing ability to synthesize phytohormones growth promoters in plants. The goal of this work was to improve the fermentation production of H. seropedicae, seeking the maximum production of cells and indole compounds with process cost reduction. The optimization of the culture medium Yeast Dextrose Glucose Sucrose - DYGS ? was conducted through fermentation tests on shaker. The original carbon sources were replaced, and the concentrations of nitrogen and nutrient sources were optimized through the Central Composite Rotational Design - CCRD (2?). The simplified culture medium obtained was composed of glycerol (5.5g L-1), yeast extract (2.8 g L-1), MgSO4?7H2O (0.5 g L-1) e K2HPO4 (0.5 g L-1). This medium provided an increase of 87.5 % in biomass production, and is 49.8 % cheaper than the traditional culture medium DYGS. An experimental design CCRD (2?) was carried with the purpose of improving the operational conditions of the bioreactor and the best growing condition was obtained at 35 ?C, 3 LPM of aeration rate, and 180 RPM of agitation speed. Under these conditions, and using the previously optimized culture medium, the maximum cell production (X= 3.23 g L-1) as well as the maximum metabolic product (P= 9.02mg L-1) were obtained. It was also tested a culture medium with glycerol and yeast extract concentrations increased to 8.0 g L-1 and 4.0 g L-1, respectively. Under these conditions, it was observed that the maximum cell production and metabolic product increased to X = 4.18 g L-1 and P = 11.74 mg L-1, respectively. An appropriate mathematical computer simulation model was developed and used to describe the dynamic behavior of the main variables of fermentation bioreactor. However, there was some difficulty to reproduce appropriately the profiles of all variables, probably due to the specific characteristics of this fermentation process, and the necessity of a mathematical model that takes into account parameters associated to limitations and inhibitions caused by substrate and product. / A bact?ria Herbaspirillum seropedicae ? estabelecida como sendo diazotr?fica fixadora de nitrog?nio, gram-negativa, vibri?ide, membro da classe ? das proteobact?rias, apresentando a capacidade de produ??o de fitohorm?nios promotores do crescimento em plantas. Este trabalho apresentou como objetivos aprimorar o processo fermentativo de produ??o de H. seropedicae, buscando a m?xima produ??o de c?lulas e compostos ind?licos, com redu??o de custos do processo. Realizou-se a otimiza??o do meio de cultura Dextrose Yeast Glucose Sucrose modificado ? DYGS ? atrav?s de ensaios fermentativos em shaker. Substitu?ram-se as fontes de carbono originais e aperfei?oaram-se as concentra??es dos demais componentes atrav?s da matriz experimental 2? obtida atrav?s do Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional ? DCCR. Obteve-se um meio de cultura simplificado, composto por glicerol (5,5 g L-1), extrato de levedura (2,8 g L-1), MgSO4?7H2O (0,5 g L-1) e K2HPO4 (0,5 g L-1) que se apresentou 49,8 % mais barato e com capacidade de produ??o de c?lulas 87,5 % maior quando comparado ao meio DYGS. Atrav?s da DCCR (2?) aprimorou-se tamb?m as condi??es operacionais de biorreator, obtendo-se a melhor condi??o de cultivo a temperatura de 35 ?C, aera??o de 3 LPM e agita??o de 180 RPM. Nestas condi??es, com o meio de cultura otimizado, obteve-se a produ??o celular m?xima de X = 3,23 g L-1 e de produto metab?lico m?ximo de P = 9,02 mg L-1. Testou-se um meio de cultura com concentra??es de glicerol e de extrato de levedura aumentadas para 8,0 g L-1 e 4,0 g L-1, respectivamente, sendo observada uma produ??o celular m?xima de X = 4,18 g L-1 e de produto metab?lico m?ximo de P = 11,74 mg L-1. Avaliou-se atrav?s de simula??o computacional, o modelo matem?tico mais adequado para descrever o comportamento din?mico das principais vari?veis das fermenta??es em biorreator. Contudo, observou-se uma alta dificuldade em descrever adequadamente os perfis de todas as vari?veis avaliadas, provavelmente devido ?s caracter?sticas espec?ficas deste processo fermentativo e ? necessidade de um modelo que leve em considera??o par?metros de limita??es e inibi??es causadas pelo substrato e produto.

Increases in the expression of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are widely known to be involved in aberrant growth in the early stage of colon cancer development. We herein demonstrated that the novel indole compound MW-03 reduced PGE2-induced cAMP formation by catalization to an inactive metabolite by inducing 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. MW-03 also inhibited colon cancer cell growth by arresting the cell cycle at the S phase. Although the target of MW-03 for cell cycle inhibition has not yet been identified, these dual anti-cancer effects of MW-03 itself and/or its leading compound(s) on colon cancer cells may reduce colon cancer development and, thus, have potential as a novel treatment for the early stage of this disease.

The work in this thesis describes the development of new heteroarylation methodology based on transition metal-catalysed C-H functionalisation and the properties of organomain group compounds. The underlying reaction mechanisms and reactivity patterns of the (hetero)arene substrates are also investigated. The selective C2-H arylation indoles, which are key pharmaceutically-relevant units, was achieved using N-pyrimidyl directing groups, RuII catalysis and arylboronic acids as the coupling reagents (paper I). The use of this set of conditions enabled a remarkable functional group tolerance, highlighted by the preservation of halide substituents on both coupling partners. Mechanistic experiments suggest that cleavage of the C2-H bond occurs through an electrophilic aromatic substitution type pathway. The dehydrogenative C2-H silylation of unprotected gramine and tryptamine alkaloids and other related heteroarenes using hydrosilanes under Ru0 catalysis is described in paper II. The protocol does not require protecting groups and undirected C2-H silylation of heteroarenes is possible at higher temperatures. Significantly, H/D-exchange studies revealed deuterium incorporation at the C4 and C7 positions of the indole unit, apart from C2-H silylation. This study represents the first account of C4-H activation using an electron-rich metal catalyst. Paper III describes an unexpected and profound influence of boronate substituents on the regioselectivity of aryne trapping reactions. The boronates may be introduced easily to the backbone of established fluoride-activated precursors via Ir-catalysed C-H functionalisation. Optimisation and mechanistic studies on the unprecedented level of regioselectivity control these substituents permit using external additives is presented.

Bacterial infections remain a significant threat to human health. Due to the emergence of widespread antibiotic resistance, development of novel antibiotics is required in order to ensure that effective treatment remains available. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the fraction responsible for the antimicrobial activity in Tabernaemontana elegans (Stapf.) root extracts. The active fraction was characterised by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antibacterial activity was determined using the broth micro-dilution assay and antimycobacterial activity using the BACTEC radiometric assay. Cytotoxicity of the crude extract and fractions was assessed against primary cell cultures; lymphocytes and fibroblasts; as well as a hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and macrophage (THP-1) cell line using the Neutral Red uptake and MTT assays. The crude root extracts were found to contain a high concentration of alkaloids (1.2% w/w). GC-MS analysis identified the indole alkaloids, voacangine and dregamine, as major components. Antibacterial activity was limited to the Gram-positive bacteria and Mycobacterium species, with MIC values in the range of 64 – 256 ìg/ml. When combined with antibiotics, additive antibacterial effects were observed. Marked cytotoxicity to all cell lines tested was evident in the MTT and Neutral Red uptake assays, with IC50 values ranging between 1.11 – 9.81 ìg/ml. This study confirms the antibacterial activity of T. elegans and supports its potential for being investigated further for the development of a novel antibacterial compound. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Pharmacology / unrestricted

Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / Described herein are two projects on the application and effects of BN/CC isosterism on indole-containing compounds. In the first chapter, the synthetic route to an unnatural boron and nitrogen-containing analogue of tryptophan (BN-tryptophan) via late-stage functionalization of BN-indole is disclosed and its spectroscopic properties are reported with respect to the natural amino acid, tryptophan. The incorporation of BN-tryptophan into proteins expressed in E. coli using selective pressure incorporation, a residue specific method of unnatural amino acid incorporation, is then reported and its reactivity and fluorescence in the proteins characterized. In the second chapter, the synthesis of a BN-indole-containing aromatic scaffold is reported and the cation-π binding ability characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) monitored titrations is disclosed. The resulting chemical shifts were analyzed using a non-linear curve fitting procedure and the extracted association constants (Ka’s) compared with the natural indole scaffold. Computations were also performed to support the titration results. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(薬学) / 甲第22405号 / 薬博第843号 / 新制||薬||241(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院薬学研究科薬学専攻 / (主査)教授 大野 浩章, 教授 高須 清誠, 教授 竹本 佳司 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM

Une étude synthétique de la koumine par une stratégie basée sur une étape de désymétrisation a permis de développer, par un résultat inattendu, une fragmentation de 1,3-cyclohexanediones en lactones. Suite à ce résultat, une étude méthodologique a été réalisée en partant de différentes dicétones substituées pour synthétiser des lactones indoliques, ainsi que déterminer la régiosélectivité et la diastéréosélectivité. Finalement, la synthèse totale de la goniomitine a été éffectuée en utilisant cette méthode de fragmentation. / A synthetic study of koumine by a strategy based on a desymmetrization step led, through an unexpected result, to the development of a fragmentation of 1,3-cyclohexanediones into lactones. Following this result, a methodological study was carried out starting from different substituted diketones to synthesize indolic lactones, as well as to determine regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity. Finally, the total synthesis of goniomitine was performed using this fragmentation method.