No / Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) belong to a superfamily of 19 isozymes that are known to participate in many physiologically important biosynthetic processes including detoxification of specific endogenous and exogenous aldehyde substrates. The high expression levels of an emerging number of ALDHs in various cancer tissues suggest that these enzymes have pivotal roles in cancer cell survival and progression. Mapping out the heterogeneity of tumours and their cancer stem cell (CSC) component will be key to successful design of strategies involving therapeutics that are targeted against specific ALDH isozymes. This review summarises recent progress in ALDH-focused cancer research and discovery of small-molecule-based inhibitors.

Yes / Prostate cancer represents the most common malignancy diagnosed in men, and is the second-leading cause of cancer death in this population. In spite of dedicated efforts, the current therapies are rarely curative, requiring the development of novel approaches based on innovative molecular targets. In this work, we validated aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 and 1A3 isoform expressions in different prostatic tissue-derived cell lines (normal, benign and malignant) and patient-derived primary prostate tumor epithelial cells, demonstrating their potential for therapeutic intervention using a small library of aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors. Compound 3b, 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-phenylimidazo [1,2-a]pyridine exhibited not only antiproliferative activity in the nanomolar range against the P4E6 cell line, derived from localized prostate cancer, and PC3 cell lines, derived from prostate cancer bone metastasis, but also inhibitory efficacy against PC3 colony-forming efficiency. Considering its concomitant reduced activity against normal prostate cells, 3b has the potential as a lead compound to treat prostate cancer by means of a still untapped molecular target.

Enantiopure α-alkyl-substituted aldehydes are widely recognised as important building blocks in synthesis. Despite this, methods to prepare such substrates are limited. Strategically, asymmetric intermolecular S_N2 α-alkylation represents a highly straightforward transformation, but still remains an elusive feat. This thesis describes efforts to address this challenge, with attempted access to enantioenriched α-alkyl aldehydes by way of C-alkylation of chiral, non-racemic, hindered aldenamines using simple alkyl halides. Enamines derived from four types of auxiliary (a tropane, an oxazolidine, a pyrrolidine and a homotropane) have been prepared, and their alkylation profile examined. While the desired levels of asymmetric induction were not attained, use of the tropane and homotropane auxiliaries, which differ only by a single methylene group, interestingly, gave complimentary diastereocontrol during alkylation with EtI. The observed stereoselectivity is supported by density functional studies performed for ethylation of both enamines. Additionally, in the course of preparing the homotropane a highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of a homotropinone bearing gem-α-substitution has been developed.

No description available.

The cancer stem cell (CSC) concept is still very controversial; therefore identification and isolation of this specific population remain challenging. A variety of putative markers have been described and measurement of high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity has been defined as a characteristic of stem cells (SCs). In this study, a library of novel small molecules (1,4-disubstituted acetalanthraquinones, AAQs), containing an acetal group as protected aldehyde functionality, was designed with the aim of probing affinity for ALDH metabolism and demonstrating their potential as molecular fluorescent probes to identify CSCs. The AAQs were shown to be subjective to acidic hydrolysis using 2M HCl at 37ºC; however compounds containing secondary or tertiary amine functionalities in their sidechain were only partly hydrolysed at 70 ºC. Metabolism studies were conducted using cytosolic fractions from rat liver enriched in ALDHs, yeast ALDH and human recombinant ALDH1A1. Some evidence was demonstrated which linked ALDH metabolism with aldehyde functionalities of hydrolysed AAQs (HAAQs). The AAQs were shown to emit far-red fluorescence (600-750 nm). A close relationship between structure modifications and alteration of cellular localisation, with gained specificity for selected sub-cellular compartments were achieved when assessed in A549 and U-2 OS cell lines. Thermal DNA denaturation and chemosensitivity assays were used to obtain information about DNA binding properties and cytotoxicity of AAQs and HAAQ congeners. All compounds were shown to be weak-to-moderately binding to DNA, and symmetrical 1,4-disubstituted compounds were shown to be non-toxic (IC50 = 100 :M) with nonsymmetrical analogues generating IC50 values in the 1-100 :M range. No fundamental variation in the biological activity was observed when comparing AAQs with HAAQs in the A549 (+ALDH) and MCF7 (-ALDH) cell lines. A pilot investigation revealed that aberrant gene methylation was cell-type dependent for three ALDH isoforms (1A1, 2, 3A1). Decitabine treatment led to enhanced protein expression for ALDH1A1 (A549), ALDH2 (MCF7) and ALDH3A1 (A549). In contrast, the protein level was reduced for ALDH1A1 in HT29 cells after decitabine treatment. ALDH1A1, ALDH2 and ALDH3A1 were highly expressed in prostate cell lines, with expression linked to promoter methylation. In contrast, low levels of DNA methylation were found in primary prostate cancer cells and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Interestingly, ALDH1A1, considered a SC marker, was found to be expressed at low levels in CD133⁺/ α₂β₁ hi stem cell fraction and upregulated in CD133⁻/ α₂β₁ lo differentiated prostate cancer cells. In summary, the results in this thesis demonstrate the complexity and tumour type specificity of ALDH expression. This creates challenges for the development of selective probes for CSC isolation, such as the AAQs discussed in this thesis. Although inconclusive results were obtained in regard to AAQs and their potential in targeting ALDHs, selected AAQs were shown to reveal interesting biological features highlighting them as potential non-invasive cytometric probes for tracking molecular interactions in live cells.

A alta atividade da enzima Aldeído-desidrogenase (ALDH) tem sido relatada como um marcador das células troncos tumorais (CTT) no câncer de mama. Sabe-se que essas células estão envolvidas na resistência ao tratamento radio e quimioterápico e podem ser responsáveis pela recorrência e disseminação metastática. A associação entre a quantidade de CTTs e a resposta a quimioterapia neoadjuvante (QNA) ainda não está estabelecida. Foi analisado retrospectivamente a expressão de ALDH1A1 por imunohistoquímica (IHQ) em amostras previamente analisadas por citometria de fluxo para ALDH1A1 no tumor primário de 61 pacientes com carcinoma ductal invasivo diagnosticado entre 2010 e 2012. A maioria das pacientes estava entre 51-70 anos (59%), na menopausa (65,6%) e com estádio clínico III (47,5%). A expressão positiva de receptores de estrógeno, progesterona e de HER2 foi de 67,2%, 52,5% e 45,9% respectivamente. A imunohistoquímica para ALDH1A1 foi realizada com lâminas da TMA e considerado positivos os casos com marcação citoplástica evidente em grupamentos de 5 ou mais células. Foi analisada a associação entre esses dados e o resultado da citometria de fluxo para ALDH1 e também a associação com os fatores prognósticos conhecidos. Não foi encontrada associação (p = 0,67) entre a porcentagem de células ALDH1+ com o resultado da imunohistoquímica positiva para ALDH1A1 (4,45% (1,7 - 10,1)) e negativa (3,2% (1,2 - 13,6)). Os dados não demonstraram associação da IHQ para ALDH1A1 ou da quantia de células ALDH1+ no tumor primário com a resposta patológica completa após quimioterapia neoadjuvante, sugerindo que essa população pode não ser um fator preditor isolado da resposta a QNA. Também não foi observado relação da IHQ para ALDH1A1 com os fatores prognósticos conhecidos. A sobrevida também não foi influenciada pela expressão de ALDH1A1 pela IHQ tanto na sobrevida global (p = 0,54; HR = 1,33 (0,52 - 3,39)) quanto na livre de doença (p = 0,35; HR = 1,67 (0,57 - 4,90)). Quanto a porcentagem de células ALDH1+ no tumor primário, também não houve impacto sobre a sobrevida global (p = 0,40; HR = 0,98 (0,92 - 1,03)), nem na sobrevida livre de doença (p = 0,55; HR = 0,98 (0,92 - 1,05)). A presença de células ALDH1A1 positivas na imunohistoquímica não se relaciona com a atividade da enzima analisada por citometria de fluxo e não apresenta associação com fatores prognósticos / The expressions of aldehyde-dehydrogenase (ALDH) has been reported as potential breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSLCs) markers. Those cells are known to be involved with treatment resistance and may be responsible for relapses and metastatic dissemination. The association between the quantity of BCSLCs and the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the expression of ALDH1A1 by immunohistochemistry (IHQ) in 61 patients with invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast from 2010 to 2012 previously analyzed by flow cytometry (FCT). Most patients were aged between 51-70 years (59%), clinical stage III (47,5%) and menopausal (65,6%). The ER, PgR and HER2 positive expression rates were 67,2%, 52,5% and 45,9%, respectively. The aldehyde-dehydrogenase immunohistochemistry ware evaluated by TMA and considered to be positive cases with evident cytoplasmic staining in clusters of 5 or more cells. These data were correlated with the flow cytometry results and clinical and pathological features. No association between ALDH1+ cell population by FCT with ALDH1A1 positive (4,45% (1,7 - 10,1)) and negative (3,2% (1,2 - 13,6)) cases by IHQ were observed (p= 0,67). No relationship between ALDH1A1+ by IHQ nor ALDH1+ by FCT were found with the complete pathological response to therapy, suggesting that it might not be an isolated predictor of response to NACT. No relationship between IHQ was found with the clinicalpathological features. The overall survival was the same between the two groups by IHQ (p = 0,54; HR = 1,33 (0,52 - 3,39)) and also the disease free survival (p = 0,35; HR = 1,67 (0,57 - 4,90)). The FCT results did not correlate with the overall survival (p = 0,40; HR = 0,98 (0,92 - 1,03)), nor with the disease free survival (p = 0,55; HR = 0,98 (0,92 - 1,05)). The expression of ALDH1A1+ by immunohistochemistry have no association with the enzymatic function analyzed by flow cytometry and do not represent a prognostic factor

Deux familles d'aldéhyde déshydrogénases (ALDH) phylogénétiquement et structuralement distinctes catalysent l'oxydation des aldéhydes : les ALDH phosphorylantes et les ALDH non phosphorylantes. Ces enzymes jouent un rôle essentiel au niveau cellulaire en intervenant au niveau du métabolisme et dans des processus de détoxication. En 2003, la résolution de la structure tridimensionnelle de l'enzyme bifonctionnelle 4-hydroxy-2-cétovalérate aldolase/acétaldéhyde déshydrogénase (DmpFG) de Pseudomonas sp. CF600 a permis l'identification d'une nouvelle famille d'ALDH : la sous-unité DmpF étant structuralement apparentée aux ALDH phosphorylantes alors qu'elle présente une activité de type non phosphorylante CoA-dépendante. Par la caractérisation enzymatique et structurale des orthologues MhpEF issus d'Escherichia coli et de Thermomonospora curvata, nos travaux montrent que les paramètres cinétiques de MhpF ne dépendent pas de son état oligomérique, ce qui est cas unique pour les ALDH. De plus, la résolution des structures cristallographiques de l'enzyme complexée avec du NAD+ ou du CoA, couplée à la structure en solution de la forme apoenzyme obtenue par SAXS montrent que le Rossmann fold s'accomode de la présence des cofacteurs par un vaste changement conformationnel. Enfin, l'étude du mécanisme catalytique et la résolution de la structure thioacylenzyme permettent d'identifierla MhpF comme étant un hybride des deux familles d'ALDH caractérisées jusqu'à présent / Two phylogenetically and structurally unrelated families of NAD(P)-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) catalyze the oxidation of aldehydes into activated or non-activated acids. These enzymes are known to be involved in many biological functions such as cellular differentiation, central metabolism, or detoxification pathways. The crystal structure of the bifunctional enzyme, 4-hydroxy-2-ketovalerate aldolase (DmpG)/acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (DpmF) from Pseudomonas sp. CF600, leads to the identification of a new ALDH family. The DmpF subunit exhibits a non-phosphorylating CoA-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase activity while its structure belongs to the phosphorylating ALDH superfamily. The kinetics of the MhpEF orthologs from Escherichia coli and Thermomonospora curvata show that the kinetic parameters of MhpF do not depend of its oligomeric state, which is unique for an ALDH. In addition, the crystal structures of the enzyme with NAD+ or CoA, as well as the solution structure of the apoenzyme using SAXS, reveal the dynamics of the overall Rossmann fold between apo or cofactors-bound conformers, which is necessary to carry on the catalytic cycle. Finally, the catalytic mechanism and the structure of the thioacylenzyme intermediates indicate that MhpF is a hybrid between both ALDH families characterized to date

Propriedades leishmanicidas têm sido atribuídas a vários terpenos, que são compostos encontrados em plantas. Dentre esses está o limoneno, um monoterpeno presente principalmente em frutas cítricas. Em plantas e no fígado de mamíferos, o limoneno é convertido a alcool perílico (POH), aldeído perílico (PCO) e ácido perílico (PCOOH). Tanto o limoneno como seus derivados apresentam propriedades antimicrobianas e antitumorais. Neste estudo avaliamos a atividade dos derivados do limoneno para o tratamento de leishmaniose. As IC50 para POH, PCO e PCOOH foram determinadas para L. (L.) major e L. (L.) amazonensis. Demonstramos que esses compostos são citotóxicos para macrófagos, em concentrações semelhantes às efetivas contra os parasitas. Avaliação da toxicidade in vivo não evidenciou efeitos colaterais. Não houve resposta clínica à administração de POH ou PCO em camundongos infectados. A associação de POH e PCO por via intraperitoneal foi capaz de retardar a progressão da doença em camundongos infectados com L. (L.) amazonensis. / Leishmanicidal properties have been ascribed to several terpenes. Limonene is a monoterpene found mainly in citric fruits. In plants and in mammalian liver, limonene is converted to perillyl alcohol (POH), perillyl aldehyde (PCO) and perillyl acid (PCOOH). Limonene and its derivatives possess antimicrobial and antineoplasic properties. In this study we evaluated the activity of POH, PCO and PCOOH for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The inhibitory concentrations for 50% of the parasites (IC50) were determined for L. (L) major and L. (L.) amazonensis. We have shown that these drugs are toxic for macrophages, in concentrations in the same range as the effective ones against parasites. The in vivo toxicity evaluation did not show collateral effects in mice. There was no clinical response to the administration of POH or PCO to infected mice. The combination of POH e PCO by the intraperitoneal route was able to delay the disease progression in mice infected with L. (L.) amazonensis.

Atmospheric aldol self-reactions of octanal, heptanal and hexanal in a range of aqueous H2SO4 w/v% concentrations as a catalyst were studied in both bulk liquid-liquid experiments and gas-liquid experiments. Initially, a new practical methodology was developed and enhanced to monitor aldol reactions in aqueous acidic media. The evaluation of a quenching and extracting method were performed, confirming the suitability, reliability and reproducibility of the extraction method. In bulk studies, aldol products of the three aldehydes were separated and identified by preparative HPLC, GC-MS and NMR. The major aldol products observed at high acid concentrations were alpha,β-unsaturated aldehyde (dimer), trialkyl benzene (trimer) and tetraalkylcycloocta-tetraene (tetramer). The trimer of octanal was formed as trioxane in low sulfuric acid concentration and the possible mechanism accretion reaction pathways of high and low acid concentrations are proposed in this study. A systematic kinetic study of octanal, heptanal and hexanal in the bulk experiments at 65, 60 and 55 w/v% H2SO4 at 294 K were monitored using gas chromatographic equipped with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). The rate constants were generally estimated using second order kinetics and observed to increase as a function of sulfuric acid concentrations and also as the chain length of aliphatic aldehyde increased. The aldol self-reaction in the bulk experiment was too fast at room temperature to be easily measured using a quenching method therefore attempts were made to follow the reaction at low temperature (0 °C). The result at low temperature indicated that the rate constant of aldehyde was reduced but there was an issue of rapid rise in temperature as a result of mixing concentrated sulfuric acid with aqueous solution of the aldehyde. A gas bubbling system was developed which better simulates atmospheric reality, and which also resolves the issue of temperature rise on mixing. Two different methodologies were used: one in which the aldehyde was continually added, and one where a fixed amount was added from the gas phase and the reaction was then allowed to proceed, monitored at selected time intervals. The precision and accuracy of the fixed method was then further improved by the addition of an internal standard (IS). Using this, the concentrations of aliphatic aldehydes (C6-C8) were calibrated using an experimentally determined response factor and used to follow the loss of the reactant aldehydes. Similar methods were applied to the aldol dimers (C6-C8), which were purified and used to calibrate the chromatographic response. The rate constant for octanal, heptanal and hexanal at 76 wt% and 294 K were 0.0969 M-1 s-1, 0.1497 M-1 s-1 and 0.2622 M-1 s-1 respectively. There are some observations based upon the results presented in this thesis that may be of atmospheric significance: (i) phase separation between organic and aqueous layers in both the bulk experiment and in the bubbling system; (ii) the acid strength dependence and concentration-dependence of the various products; (iii) the faster rates than previously reported, and variation between bulk and bubbling; and (v) the time-dependent colour changes. Further work to explore these observations is proposed.

Vários adutos resultantes da reação de aldeídos α,β-insaturados, ou de seus epóxidos, com bases do DNA têm sido caracterizados nos últimos anos. Esses adutos podem levar à incorporação errada de bases durante a replicação ou a transcrição, resultando, se não reparados, em mutações que podem contribuir para a carcinogênese. O trans,trans-2,4-decadienal (DDE) é um dos aldeídos mais citotóxicos gerados endogenamente a partir da peroxidação lipídica. Verificamos que este aldeído afeta a viabilidade e altera o nível de glutationa de células CV1-P, além de induzir fragmentação do DNA e formação de diferentes produtos com o mesmo. Além da sua formação endógena, DDE é também encontrado em alguns alimentos, contribuindo para o aroma dos mesmos. Neste trabalho detectamos e isolamos 6 produtos formados a partir da reação de DDE com 2\' -desoxiguanosina (dG), sendo que fizemos a caracterização química completa de 3 desses produtos. Através desses estudos mostramos que um deles é o aduto 1,N2-eteno-2\' -desoxiguanosina (1,N2-εdGuo), também formado a partir da reação de dG com compostos carcinogênicos conhecidos, como o c1oreto de vinila. Os outros dois produtos são dois diastereoisômeros correspondentes a 1,N2-εdGuo com uma cadeia lateral substituinte. São produtos inéditos descritos pela primeira vez neste nosso trabalho. A detecção e caracterização desses produtos, assim como os mecanismos de fonnação propostos, podem contribuir para um melhor entendimento da genotoxicidade associada à peroxidação lipídica. Em paralelo desenvolvemos uma técnica muito sensível baseada em LC/ESI/MSMS para detecção desses adutos em sistemas biológicos. A detecção dos adutos caracterizados em DNA incubado com DDE in vitro e em DNA de células expostas ao aldeído aponta para a importância biológica desses compostos. Existe um crescente interesse no uso de adutos exocíclicos de DNA como marcadores de exposição a diversos carcinógenos ambientais e também a processos endógenos envolvendo a peroxidação lipídica. O mecanismo de formação e a estrutura química desses adutos são importantes para revelar as características estruturais queinfluenciam a alquilação do DNA por aldeídos insaturados e para que se possa estimar o papel desses aldeídos na carcinogênese. A formação dos adutos por produtos da peroxidação lipídica sugere a necessidade de estudos epidemiológicos para avaliar riscos de exposição ambiental, via alimentação ou mesmo via fatores indutores de lipoperoxidação. Os resultados aqui obtidos podem contribuir para o estabelecimento de relações entre estrutura química e função e para a avaliação do possível papel dessas lesões na toxicidade associada à exposição a essa classe de compostos. / Vários adutos resultantes da reação de aldeídos α,β-insaturados, ou de seus epóxidos, com bases do DNA têm sido caracterizados nos últimos anos. Esses adutos podem levar à incorporação errada de bases durante a replicação ou a transcrição, resultando, se não reparados, em mutações que podem contribuir para a carcinogênese. O trans,trans-2,4-decadienal (DDE) é um dos aldeídos mais citotóxicos gerados endogenamente a partir da peroxidação lipídica. Verificamos que este aldeído afeta a viabilidade e altera o nível de glutationa de células CV1-P, além de induzir fragmentação do DNA e formação de diferentes produtos com o mesmo. Além da sua formação endógena, DDE é também encontrado em alguns alimentos, contribuindo para o aroma dos mesmos. Neste trabalho detectamos e isolamos 6 produtos formados a partir da reação de DDE com 2\' -desoxiguanosina (dG), sendo que fizemos a caracterização química completa de 3 desses produtos. Através desses estudos mostramos que um deles é o aduto 1,N2-eteno-2\' -desoxiguanosina (1,N2-εdGuo), também formado a partir da reação de dG com compostos carcinogênicos conhecidos, como o c1oreto de vinila. Os outros dois produtos são dois diastereoisômeros correspondentes a 1,N2-εdGuo com uma cadeia lateral substituinte. São produtos inéditos descritos pela primeira vez neste nosso trabalho. A detecção e caracterização desses produtos, assim como os mecanismos de fonnação propostos, podem contribuir para um melhor entendimento da genotoxicidade associada à peroxidação lipídica. Em paralelo desenvolvemos uma técnica muito sensível baseada em LC/ESI/MSMS para detecção desses adutos em sistemas biológicos. A detecção dos adutos caracterizados em DNA incubado com DDE in vitro e em DNA de células expostas ao aldeído aponta para a importância biológica desses compostos. Existe um crescente interesse no uso de adutos exocíclicos de DNA como marcadores de exposição a diversos carcinógenos ambientais e também a processos endógenos envolvendo a peroxidação lipídica. O mecanismo de formação e a estrutura química desses adutos são importantes para revelar as características estruturais queinfluenciam a alquilação do DNA por aldeídos insaturados e para que se possa estimar o papel desses aldeídos na carcinogênese. A formação dos adutos por produtos da peroxidação lipídica sugere a necessidade de estudos epidemiológicos para avaliar riscos de exposição ambiental, via alimentação ou mesmo via fatores indutores de lipoperoxidação. Os resultados aqui obtidos podem contribuir para o estabelecimento de relações entre estrutura química e função e para a avaliação do possível papel dessas lesões na toxicidade associada à exposição a essa classe de compostos.