<p>This study addresses the issue of how to convert peptides into drug-like non- peptides with retained biological activities at peptide receptors. Angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, Ang II) was used as a model peptide. </p><p>Knowledge of the bioactive conformations of endogenous peptides is invaluable for the conversion of peptides into less peptidic analogues. Effectively constrained cyclic analogues, with retained pharmacological activities, may provide valuable information about the bioactive conformations of the peptide in question. </p><p>This thesis describes the development of synthesis for a number of protected, aldehyde-functionalized building blocks for standard solid phase peptide synthesis, and their use for the preparation of cyclic peptide analogues. The effect of variations in the side-chain lengths of the building blocks, on the outcome of the cyclizations was studied. Incorporation of a building block derived from L-aspartic acid afforded bicyclization towards the C-terininal end of the peptide, while for the corresponding L-glutamic acid derived building block, N-terminal directed bicyclization was achieved. A building block derived from L-2-aminoadipic acid was exploited for monocyclization furnishing <i>cis-</i> and <i>trans-</i> vinyl sulfide bridged peptide analogues. </p><p>The described cyclization methods have been applied to the synthesis of a number of conformationally constrained Ang II analogues, for which the pharmacological properties have been evaluated. Two of the Ang II analogues synthesized displayed high affinities and full agonist activities at the AT₁ angiotensin receptor, and have proven to be useful tools in the search for the bioactive conformation of Ang II.</p>

This study addresses the issue of how to convert peptides into drug-like non- peptides with retained biological activities at peptide receptors. Angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, Ang II) was used as a model peptide. Knowledge of the bioactive conformations of endogenous peptides is invaluable for the conversion of peptides into less peptidic analogues. Effectively constrained cyclic analogues, with retained pharmacological activities, may provide valuable information about the bioactive conformations of the peptide in question. This thesis describes the development of synthesis for a number of protected, aldehyde-functionalized building blocks for standard solid phase peptide synthesis, and their use for the preparation of cyclic peptide analogues. The effect of variations in the side-chain lengths of the building blocks, on the outcome of the cyclizations was studied. Incorporation of a building block derived from L-aspartic acid afforded bicyclization towards the C-terininal end of the peptide, while for the corresponding L-glutamic acid derived building block, N-terminal directed bicyclization was achieved. A building block derived from L-2-aminoadipic acid was exploited for monocyclization furnishing cis- and trans- vinyl sulfide bridged peptide analogues. The described cyclization methods have been applied to the synthesis of a number of conformationally constrained Ang II analogues, for which the pharmacological properties have been evaluated. Two of the Ang II analogues synthesized displayed high affinities and full agonist activities at the AT1 angiotensin receptor, and have proven to be useful tools in the search for the bioactive conformation of Ang II.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Untersuchung von a-Azidoalkoholen, welche über die Reaktion von aliphatischen sowie aromatischen Aldehyden mit HN3 leicht zugänglich sind und die im Gleichgewicht mit den jeweiligen Ausgangsstoffen vorliegen. Bei Raumtemperatur stellt sich dieses Gleichgewicht sehr schnell ein und man erhält spezifische Konzentrationen an Eduktaldehyd, Stickstoffwasserstoffsäure und a-Azidoalkohol. Die Reaktion von Aldehyden mit HN3 generiert dabei ein neues Chriralitätszentrum, wodurch die Umsetzung chiraler Aldehyde, wie z. B. von Zuckerderivaten, zwei anomere Produkte hervorbringt. Die erstmalig erfolgreichen Synthesen zur Erzeugung von 4-Brom-4-methylpentanal sowie 4-Azido-4-methylpentanal werden ebenfalls beschrieben. Letztere Verbindung reagiert dabei ebenso wenig via einer intramolekularen 1,3-dipolaren Cycloaddition zum entsprechenden 4,5-Dihydro-1,2,3,4-oxatriazol-Derivat wie das analoge-Azidobutanal, was im Gegensatz zu Literaturangaben steht. Des Weiteren werden einige interessante Reaktionen der a-Azidoalkohole untersucht. Die Oxidation mit Pyridiniumchlorochromat (PCC) bei –60°C führt zu Carbonylaziden. Die Photolyse bei –50°C generiert unter Stickstofffreisetzung Nitrene, welche mittels Wasserstoffwanderung und anschließender Tautomerisierung des resultierenden Intermediats zu Säureamiden umlagern. Die ebenfalls mögliche 1,2-Wanderung einer Gruppe R in a-Position führt dabei zu einem Intermediat, aus welchem sofort das entsprechende Formamid-Derivat entsteht. a-Azidoalkohole reagieren mit PBr3 in einer sauberen Reaktion durch die Substitution der Hydroxylfunktion unter Bildung der jeweiligen 1-Azido-1-brom-Verbindung. / In this work, α-azido alcohols which exist in equilibrium with the starting materials have been studied by the reactions of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes with HN3. In some cases the title compounds can be isolated from the mixture at low temperature. At room temperature, however, the equilibrium is fast and there are again specific concentrations of the aldehyde, hydrazoic acid, and the α-azido alcohol. The reaction of aldehydes with HN3 creates a new chiral center and a chiral aldehyde, e.g. sugar derivatives, produces two anomeric products. The first procedures to prepare 4-bromo-4-methylpentanal and 4-azido-4-methylpentanal are also reported. The latter compound and also the parent 4-azidobutanal do not lead to 4,5-dihydro-1,2,3,4-oxatriazoles by intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, although it was claimed in the literature. Furthermore, some interesting reactions of the α-azido alcohols have been investigated. The oxidation of α-azido alcohols with pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) at −60 °C leads to formation of carbonyl azides. The photolysis of α-azido alcohols at −50 °C generates nitrenes with liberation of dinitrogen, which lead to the formation of acid amides after the migration of hydrogen and subsequent tautomerism of the intermediate. 1,2-Migration of a group R in the α-position can produce an intermediate stage which is rapidly converted into formamide derivative. α-Azido alcohols react with PBr3 to give 1-azido-1-bromo derivatives in a clean reaction by substitution of hydroxyl group at the α-position.

Les Rétinal déshydrogénases (RALDHs) catalysent irréversiblement la déshydrogénation du Rétinal en Acide Rétinoïque (AR) qui est impliqué dans l’embryogenèse et la différenciation tissulaire. Pour comprendre le rôle dans la biosynthèse de l’AR des RALDHs type 3 et 4 de souris, nous avons déterminé leurs propriétés cinétiques ainsi que leur comportement en présence de différents inhibiteurs. Les tests enzymatiques sont effectués avec une préparation d’enzyme recombinante, tagguée avec 6 histidines, purifiée sur colonne Ni-NTA (Qiagen). L’activité enzymatique est évaluée en quantifiant la production d’AR par chromatographie liquide à haute performance (HPLC) en phase inversée. Les constantes cinétiques ont été déterminées pour les isomères du rétinal tout-trans, 9-cis et 13-cis. La RALDH4 catalyse les isomères 9-cis et 13-cis de rétinal, elle présente un faible KM (3μM) pour les deux isomères et a une efficacité catalytique élevée pour le 9-cis rétinal 3.4 fois supérieure au 13-cis rétinal. La RALDH3 est spécifique au tout-trans rétinal avec un KM de 4 μM et une efficacité élevée. β-Ionone, inhibiteur possible pour la RALDH4, inhibe l’activité avec le rétinal 9-cis et 13-cis, mais n’influence pas l’activité de la RALDH3. Le para-hydroxymercuribenzoïque (p-HMB) inhibe l’activité de deux isoenzymes. Le cation MgCl2 augmente par 3 fois l’oxydation du rétinal 13-cis par la RALDH4, diminue l’oxydation du 9-cis rétinal et influence faiblement la RALDH3. Ces données enrichissent les connaissances sur les caractéristiques cinétiques des RALDHs recombinantes de souris de types 3 et 4 et fournissent des éclaircissements sur la biogenèse de l’acide rétinoïque in vivo. / SUMMARY Retinal dehydrogenases (RALDHs) catalyze the dehydrogenation of retinal into retinoic acids (RA) that are required for embryogenesis and tissue differentiation. This study sought to determine the detailed kinetic properties of 2 mouse RALDHs, namely RALDH3 and 4, for retinal isomer substrates, to better define their specificities in RA isomer synthesis. RALDH3 and 4 were expressed as His-tagged proteins and affinity-purified. RALDH3 oxidized all-trans retinal with high catalytic efficiency but did not show activity for either 9-cis or 13-cis retinal substrates. RALDH4 was inactive for all-trans retinal substrate, exhibited high activity for 9-cis retinal oxidation, and oxidized 13-cis retinal with lower catalytic efficiency. β-ionone, a potent inhibitor of RALDH4 activity, suppressed 9-cis and 13-cis retinal oxidation competitively, but had no effect on RALDH3 activity. The p-HMB inhibited the activity for both RALDH3 and RALDH4. The divalent cation MgCl2 activated 13-cis retinal oxidation by RALDH4 by 3-fold, slightly decreased 9-cis retinal oxidation, and did not significantly influence RALDH3 activity. These data extend the kinetic characterization of RALDH3 and 4, providing their specificities for retinal isomer substrates, which should help in determining their functions in the synthesis of RAs in specific tissues.

Submitted by ANA KARLA PEREIRA RODRIGUES (anakarla_@hotmail.com) on 2017-08-01T12:29:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4942842 bytes, checksum: f0ad011fa73c8b3eb2a49c98e8ca9de4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-01T12:29:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4942842 bytes, checksum: f0ad011fa73c8b3eb2a49c98e8ca9de4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Currently several works have been developed in order to provide alternative routes for the synthesis of several organic compounds. These new protocols are generally aimed at obtaining softer and more eco-friendly reactive conditions, better yields and / or reactional times, and mechanistic studies, among others. This work consists of the study of synthesis routes of cyanohydrins and tetrahydropyrans, using lanthanide catalysts and ionic liquids, respectively. As cyanohydrins are products that can be transformed into important organic intermediates. They are obtained by the cyanosilylation of aldehydes reaction, which is synthetically viable only in the presence of a Lewis acid. In this work, the MOF [Eu2 (MELL)(H2O)6] was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the cyanosilylation of aldehydes reaction. The catalytic assays were optimized using a thermally activated MOF in acetonitrile. Different aldehydes several structurally provided their respective cyanohydrins ranging from 1 to 6 hours and yields of 62 to 100%. The MOF was recycled in the addition reaction of TMSCN to 2-furfuraldehyde without loss of activity for five cycles. Tetrahydropyran rings (THP) are common in many natural products, so various strategies are being developed to synthesize them. In this work we also describe the study to obtain 2,4,6-trisubstituted tetrahydropyrans in a single step promoted by the ionic liquid (IL) BMIM][PF6] between the allyl bromide and aldehydes, through the Barbier-Prins reaction. The tests were performed under different conditions and optimized using 1: 4 benzaldehyde and allyl bromide. The use of IL [BMIM][PF6] provided THPs of various aldehydes in good yields ranging from 40% to 75% in 8 hours of reaction. In addition, IL [BMIM][PF6] was recovered and reused in the preparation of 4-bromo-2,6-diphenyl-tetrahydro-2H-pyran by up to 5 times without significant loss of yield of that product. The influence of the PF6- anion on the reaction between benzaldehyde and allyl bromide under the Barbier reaction conditions was investigated, as well as the influence of SnBr2 salt on the Prins cyclization reaction between homoallylic alcohol and benzaldehyde. The results show evidence that PF6- acts by accelerating the Barbier reaction and the excess of SnBr2 acts as Lewis acid in the Prins cyclization reaction. Subsequently, the use of KI in the reaction between benzaldehyde and allyl bromide was investigated, and it was found that depending on the ratio used between KI and SnBr2, the preferential formation of homoalyl alcohol or THP compound could occur. / Atualmente vários trabalhos têm sido desenvolvidos no intuito de possibilitar rotas alternativas para a síntese de diversos compostos orgânicos. Esses novos protocolos visam geralmente a obtenção de condições reacionais mais brandas e eco-amigáveis, melhores rendimentos e/ou tempos reacionais, estudos mecanísticos entre outros. Este trabalho consiste no estudo de rotas de síntese de cianoidrinas e tetraidropiranos, utilizando catalisadores de lantanídeos e líquidos iônicos, respectivamente. As cianoidrinas são substâncias que podem ser transformadas em intermediários orgânicos importantes. São geralmente obtidas através da reação de cianossililação de aldeídos, que é sinteticamente viável apenas na presença de um ácido de Lewis. Nesse trabalho, a MOF [Eu2(MELL)(H2O)6] foi utilizada como catalisador heterogêneo na reação de cianossililação de aldeídos. Os ensaios catalíticos foram otimizados utilizando a MOF ativada termicamente em acetonitrila. Diversos aldeídos estruturalmente diferentes forneceram suas respectivas cianoidrinas variando de 1 a 6 horas e com rendimentos de 62 a 100%. A MOF foi reciclada na reação de adição de TMSCN à 2-furfuraldeído sem perda de atividade durante cinco ciclos. Anéis tetraidropirânicos (THP) são comuns em vários produtos naturais, portanto várias estratégias estão sendo desenvolvidas para sintetizá-los. Nesse trabalho descrevemos também o estudo para a obtenção de tetraidropiranos 2,4,6-trissubstituídos meso em uma única etapa promovida pelo líquido iônico (LI) BMIM][PF6] entre o brometo de alila e aldeídos, através da reação Barbier-Prins. Os testes foram realizados sob diferentes condições e foi otimizado utilizando-se o benzaldeído e brometo de alila na proporção 1:4. A utilização LI [BMIM][PF6] forneceu produtos THPs de vários aldeídos com bons rendimentos variando-se de 40% a 75% em 8 horas de reação. Adicionalmente o LI [BMIM][PF6] foi recuperado e reutilizado na preparação do 4-bromo-2,6-difenil-tetraidro-2H-pirano em até 5 vezes sem perda significativa dos rendimentos desse produto. Foi investigado a influência isolada do ânion PF6- na reação entre o benzaldeído e o brometo de alila nas condições reacionais de Barbier, assim como a influência do sal SnBr2 na reação de ciclização de Prins entre o álcool homoalílico e o benzaldeído. Os resultados mostram evidências que o PF6- atua acelerando a reação de Barbier e o excesso de SnBr2 atua como ácido de Lewis na reação de ciclização de Prins. Posteriormente foi investigado a utilização do KI na reação entre o benzaldeído e o brometo de alila, e verificou-se que dependendo da proporção utilizada entre o KI e o SnBr2 pode ocorrer a formação preferencial do álcool homoalílico ou do composto THP.Atualmente vários trabalhos têm sido desenvolvidos no intuito de possibilitar rotas alternativas para a síntese de diversos compostos orgânicos. Esses novos protocolos visam geralmente a obtenção de condições reacionais mais brandas e eco-amigáveis, melhores rendimentos e/ou tempos reacionais, estudos mecanísticos entre outros. Este trabalho consiste no estudo de rotas de síntese de cianoidrinas e tetraidropiranos, utilizando catalisadores de lantanídeos e líquidos iônicos, respectivamente. As cianoidrinas são substâncias que podem ser transformadas em intermediários orgânicos importantes. São geralmente obtidas através da reação de cianossililação de aldeídos, que é sinteticamente viável apenas na presença de um ácido de Lewis. Nesse trabalho, a MOF [Eu2(MELL)(H2O)6] foi utilizada como catalisador heterogêneo na reação de cianossililação de aldeídos. Os ensaios catalíticos foram otimizados utilizando a MOF ativada termicamente em acetonitrila. Diversos aldeídos estruturalmente diferentes forneceram suas respectivas cianoidrinas variando de 1 a 6 horas e com rendimentos de 62 a 100%. A MOF foi reciclada na reação de adição de TMSCN à 2-furfuraldeído sem perda de atividade durante cinco ciclos. Anéis tetraidropirânicos (THP) são comuns em vários produtos naturais, portanto várias estratégias estão sendo desenvolvidas para sintetizá-los. Nesse trabalho descrevemos também o estudo para a obtenção de tetraidropiranos 2,4,6-trissubstituídos meso em uma única etapa promovida pelo líquido iônico (LI) BMIM][PF6] entre o brometo de alila e aldeídos, através da reação Barbier-Prins. Os testes foram realizados sob diferentes condições e foi otimizado utilizando-se o benzaldeído e brometo de alila na proporção 1:4. A utilização LI [BMIM][PF6] forneceu produtos THPs de vários aldeídos com bons rendimentos variando-se de 40% a 75% em 8 horas de reação. Adicionalmente o LI [BMIM][PF6] foi recuperado e reutilizado na preparação do 4-bromo-2,6-difenil-tetraidro-2H-pirano em até 5 vezes sem perda significativa dos rendimentos desse produto. Foi investigado a influência isolada do ânion PF6- na reação entre o benzaldeído e o brometo de alila nas condições reacionais de Barbier, assim como a influência do sal SnBr2 na reação de ciclização de Prins entre o álcool homoalílico e o benzaldeído. Os resultados mostram evidências que o PF6- atua acelerando a reação de Barbier e o excesso de SnBr2 atua como ácido de Lewis na reação de ciclização de Prins. Posteriormente foi investigado a utilização do KI na reação entre o benzaldeído e o brometo de alila, e verificou-se que dependendo da proporção utilizada entre o KI e o SnBr2 pode ocorrer a formação preferencial do álcool homoalílico ou do composto THP.

A cardiomiopatia Chagásica Crônica (CCC) é a principal complicação decorrente da infecção pelo protozoário hemoflagelado Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Trata-se de uma cardiomiopatia dilatada, caracterizada por um intenso infiltrado inflamatório, fibrose, dilatação das câmaras cardíacas, hipertrofia de cardiomiócitos e anormalidades de condução. Sua fisiopatologia é complexa e ainda não se consegue explicar porque apenas 30% dos pacientes infectados desenvolvem essa complicação. Nesse contexto, nosso laboratório descreveu pela primeira vez uma redução na expressão de microRNAs (miRNAs) enriquecidos em músculo (myomiRs) no miocárdio de pacientes com CCC. Sabendo-se que disfunções na biogênese de miRNAs em modelos animais levam ao desenvolvimento de cardiomiopatia do tipo dilatada com redução da expressão de myomiRs, hipotetizou-se que a CCC em humanos estaria associada a um prejuízo na biogênese de miRNAs no miocárdio. Dessa forma, amostras de ventrículo esquerdo de miocárdio de pacientes com CCC (n=16) e controles não-cardiomiopatas (n=6) foram utilizadas para avaliar: 1) a expressão gênica e proteica da maquinaria da biogênese de miRNAs (Drosha, Exportina-5, RAN, Dicer1, TRBP, PACT e Argonauta2), por qPCR e western blotting, respectivamente; 2) a expressão do transcrito primário (pri-miRNA), precursor (pré-miRNA) e miRNA maduro de myomiRs (miR-1, -133a, -133b, -208a, -208b, e -499); 3) o perfil de miRNAs diferencialmente expressos em CCC utilizando qPCR array; e 4) a interação dos miRNAs diferencialmente expressos com disfunções características da CCC (fibrose, miocardite, arritmia e hipertrofia) por meio de análises de bioinformática. Nossos resultados apontam para uma não-alteração nas etapas nucleares da biogênese de miRNAs (transcrição, edição e transporte), já que não foram encontradas alterações na expressão de pri- e pré-miRNAs de myomiRs, bem como dos componentes protéicos da biogênese, Drosha, Exportina-5 e RAN. Entretanto, observou-se uma disfunção na segunda etapa de edição da biogênese, citoplasmática, caracterizada por uma redução de 2/3 nos níveis protéicos de Dicer1, a qual não foi acompanhada por uma redução na expressão de seu RNA mensageiro. Evidenciou-se ainda, uma redução na expressão de 97,5% dos miRNAs maduros diferencialmente expressos no miocárdio de pacientes com CCC, incluindo myomiRs. As análises in silico revelaram haver participação dos miRNAs diferencialmente expressos em disfunções associadas a CCC, com destaque para a fibrose miocárdica, nodo central da rede. Experimentos adicionais preliminares sugeriram o acúmulo de adutos de 4-hidroxi-2-nonenal, decorrente do estresse oxidativo e de uma menor atividade da enzima aldeído desidrogenase 2, como uma possível causa para as alterações encontradas. Este é o primeiro estudo a caracterizar a biogênese de microRNAs em uma cardiomiopatia. Além disso, demonstrou-se que uma redução global do perfil dos miRNAs maduros diferencialmente expressos, decorrente uma disfunção na enzima Dicer1, está associada a eventos patológicos característicos da CCC. Estes mecanismos apresentam relevância biológica e terapêutica, podendo ser possivelmente compartilhados com cardiomiopatias de outras etiologias / Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most severe complication of the infection by the haemoflagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. This dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by an intense inflammatory infiltrate, fibrosis, dilation of cardiac chambers, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and conduction abnormalities. Its pathophysiology is complex and why only 30% of patients experience this complication remains an open question. In this regard, our laboratory described for the first time a reduction in the expression of muscle-enriched microRNAs (myomiRs) in human CCC myocardium. Knowing that biogenesis dysfunction and myomiR reduced expression have been associated to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy in animal models, we hypothesized that an impairment of myocardial microRNA biogenesis would be associated to CCC. Hence, left ventricle tissue samples from CCC patients (16) and non-cardiomyopathy donors (6) were used to analyze: 1) mRNA and protein expression, by qPCR and western blotting, of canonical microRNA biogenesis machinery (Drosha, Exportin-5, RAN, Dicer1, TRBP, PACT, AGO2); 2) primary transcript (pri-miR), precursor (pre-miR) and mature microRNA expression of myomiRs (miR-1, -133a, -133b, -208a, -208b, e -499); 3) mature microRNA profile using qPCR array; and 4) the interaction between differentially expressed mature microRNAs and hallmark CCC dysfunctions (fibrosis, myocarditis, hypertrophy and arrhythmia) using bioinformatics tools. Our results point to a non-dysfunction of biogenesis nuclear steps (transcription, editing and transport), since expression of pri-, pre-microRNAs, Drosha, Exportin-5 and Ran are similar between CCC patients and controls. However, we observed an alteration in the cytoplasmic editing step, characterized by a 2/3 reduction in Dicer1 protein levels. In addition, a major downregulation of differentially expressed mature microRNAs (97,5%) was noticed. In silico analysis revealed an association between differentially expressed microRNAs and CCC hallmarks, particularly fibrosis, a central node in the network. Additional preliminary data suggest 4-hydroxi-2-nonenal myocardial accumulation, resulting from oxidative stress and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 lower activity, as a possible cause for the alterations here described. This is the first study to conduct a comprehensive analysis of microRNA biogenesis machinery in a cardiomyopathy. Moreover, we have shown a major reduction in the expression of mature microRNAs, due to lower Dicer1 protein levels, to be associated to CCC hallmark dysfunctions. These mechanisms are biologically and therapeutically relevant, and may be shared with cardiomyopathies from different etiologies

Les Rétinal déshydrogénases (RALDHs) catalysent irréversiblement la déshydrogénation du Rétinal en Acide Rétinoïque (AR) qui est impliqué dans l’embryogenèse et la différenciation tissulaire. Pour comprendre le rôle dans la biosynthèse de l’AR des RALDHs type 3 et 4 de souris, nous avons déterminé leurs propriétés cinétiques ainsi que leur comportement en présence de différents inhibiteurs. Les tests enzymatiques sont effectués avec une préparation d’enzyme recombinante, tagguée avec 6 histidines, purifiée sur colonne Ni-NTA (Qiagen). L’activité enzymatique est évaluée en quantifiant la production d’AR par chromatographie liquide à haute performance (HPLC) en phase inversée. Les constantes cinétiques ont été déterminées pour les isomères du rétinal tout-trans, 9-cis et 13-cis. La RALDH4 catalyse les isomères 9-cis et 13-cis de rétinal, elle présente un faible KM (3μM) pour les deux isomères et a une efficacité catalytique élevée pour le 9-cis rétinal 3.4 fois supérieure au 13-cis rétinal. La RALDH3 est spécifique au tout-trans rétinal avec un KM de 4 μM et une efficacité élevée. β-Ionone, inhibiteur possible pour la RALDH4, inhibe l’activité avec le rétinal 9-cis et 13-cis, mais n’influence pas l’activité de la RALDH3. Le para-hydroxymercuribenzoïque (p-HMB) inhibe l’activité de deux isoenzymes. Le cation MgCl2 augmente par 3 fois l’oxydation du rétinal 13-cis par la RALDH4, diminue l’oxydation du 9-cis rétinal et influence faiblement la RALDH3. Ces données enrichissent les connaissances sur les caractéristiques cinétiques des RALDHs recombinantes de souris de types 3 et 4 et fournissent des éclaircissements sur la biogenèse de l’acide rétinoïque in vivo. / SUMMARY Retinal dehydrogenases (RALDHs) catalyze the dehydrogenation of retinal into retinoic acids (RA) that are required for embryogenesis and tissue differentiation. This study sought to determine the detailed kinetic properties of 2 mouse RALDHs, namely RALDH3 and 4, for retinal isomer substrates, to better define their specificities in RA isomer synthesis. RALDH3 and 4 were expressed as His-tagged proteins and affinity-purified. RALDH3 oxidized all-trans retinal with high catalytic efficiency but did not show activity for either 9-cis or 13-cis retinal substrates. RALDH4 was inactive for all-trans retinal substrate, exhibited high activity for 9-cis retinal oxidation, and oxidized 13-cis retinal with lower catalytic efficiency. β-ionone, a potent inhibitor of RALDH4 activity, suppressed 9-cis and 13-cis retinal oxidation competitively, but had no effect on RALDH3 activity. The p-HMB inhibited the activity for both RALDH3 and RALDH4. The divalent cation MgCl2 activated 13-cis retinal oxidation by RALDH4 by 3-fold, slightly decreased 9-cis retinal oxidation, and did not significantly influence RALDH3 activity. These data extend the kinetic characterization of RALDH3 and 4, providing their specificities for retinal isomer substrates, which should help in determining their functions in the synthesis of RAs in specific tissues.

In vorliegender Arbeit wurden Katalysatoren für die heterogen katalysierte Selektivhydrierung von kurzkettigen alpha,beta-ungesättigten Aldehyden, im besonderen Crotonaldehyd, zu den ungesättigten Alkoholen entwickelt und optimiert. Dabei erwiesen sich SMSI-Katalysatoren (Pt/TiO2, Ir/TiO2) und bimetallische Katalysatoren (Pt-Sn/TiO2, Pt-Sn/Al2O3, Pt-Fe/TiO2) als am geeignetsten. Diese Katalysatoren wurden durch Ionenaustausch-, Incipient-Wetness-, Controlled-Surface-Reaction-Methode bzw. Immobilisierung von Pt- und Pt/Sn-Kolloiden als Präparationstechniken hergestellt. Als Einflußgrößen auf die Hydrierung wurden Metallgehalt, Dispersität, Gehalt und Oxidationsstufe des Zweitmetalls, die Titandioxid-Modifikation der Träger sowie das Desaktivierungsverhalten untersucht. Als Charakterisierungsmethoden für die Katalysatoren wurden hauptsächlich ICP-AES, N2-Physisorption, XRD, ESR, HRTEM, H2- und CO-Chemisorption sowie XPS genutzt. Die höchste Ausbeute an Crotylalkohol wurde mit 40% an einem 1,20Pt/TiO2(P*)-Kolloidkatalysator im SMSI-Zustand erreicht.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Untersuchung von a-Azidoalkoholen, welche über die Reaktion von aliphatischen sowie aromatischen Aldehyden mit HN3 leicht zugänglich sind und die im Gleichgewicht mit den jeweiligen Ausgangsstoffen vorliegen. Bei Raumtemperatur stellt sich dieses Gleichgewicht sehr schnell ein und man erhält spezifische Konzentrationen an Eduktaldehyd, Stickstoffwasserstoffsäure und a-Azidoalkohol. Die Reaktion von Aldehyden mit HN3 generiert dabei ein neues Chriralitätszentrum, wodurch die Umsetzung chiraler Aldehyde, wie z. B. von Zuckerderivaten, zwei anomere Produkte hervorbringt. Die erstmalig erfolgreichen Synthesen zur Erzeugung von 4-Brom-4-methylpentanal sowie 4-Azido-4-methylpentanal werden ebenfalls beschrieben. Letztere Verbindung reagiert dabei ebenso wenig via einer intramolekularen 1,3-dipolaren Cycloaddition zum entsprechenden 4,5-Dihydro-1,2,3,4-oxatriazol-Derivat wie das analoge-Azidobutanal, was im Gegensatz zu Literaturangaben steht. Des Weiteren werden einige interessante Reaktionen der a-Azidoalkohole untersucht. Die Oxidation mit Pyridiniumchlorochromat (PCC) bei –60°C führt zu Carbonylaziden. Die Photolyse bei –50°C generiert unter Stickstofffreisetzung Nitrene, welche mittels Wasserstoffwanderung und anschließender Tautomerisierung des resultierenden Intermediats zu Säureamiden umlagern. Die ebenfalls mögliche 1,2-Wanderung einer Gruppe R in a-Position führt dabei zu einem Intermediat, aus welchem sofort das entsprechende Formamid-Derivat entsteht. a-Azidoalkohole reagieren mit PBr3 in einer sauberen Reaktion durch die Substitution der Hydroxylfunktion unter Bildung der jeweiligen 1-Azido-1-brom-Verbindung. / In this work, α-azido alcohols which exist in equilibrium with the starting materials have been studied by the reactions of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes with HN3. In some cases the title compounds can be isolated from the mixture at low temperature. At room temperature, however, the equilibrium is fast and there are again specific concentrations of the aldehyde, hydrazoic acid, and the α-azido alcohol. The reaction of aldehydes with HN3 creates a new chiral center and a chiral aldehyde, e.g. sugar derivatives, produces two anomeric products. The first procedures to prepare 4-bromo-4-methylpentanal and 4-azido-4-methylpentanal are also reported. The latter compound and also the parent 4-azidobutanal do not lead to 4,5-dihydro-1,2,3,4-oxatriazoles by intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, although it was claimed in the literature. Furthermore, some interesting reactions of the α-azido alcohols have been investigated. The oxidation of α-azido alcohols with pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) at −60 °C leads to formation of carbonyl azides. The photolysis of α-azido alcohols at −50 °C generates nitrenes with liberation of dinitrogen, which lead to the formation of acid amides after the migration of hydrogen and subsequent tautomerism of the intermediate. 1,2-Migration of a group R in the α-position can produce an intermediate stage which is rapidly converted into formamide derivative. α-Azido alcohols react with PBr3 to give 1-azido-1-bromo derivatives in a clean reaction by substitution of hydroxyl group at the α-position.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Recent work has shown that specific ALDH isoenzymes can contribute to the underlying pathology of different diseases. Many ALDH isozymes are important in oxidizing reactive aldehydes resulting from lipid peroxidation, and, thus, help maintain cellular homeostasis. Increased expression and activity of ALDH isozymes are found in many human cancers and are often associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, the development of inhibitors of the different ALDH enzymes is of interest as means to treat some of these disease states. Here I describe the results of assays designed to characterize the site of interaction and the mode of inhibition for the unique compounds that function as inhibitors of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 and determine their respective IC50 values with intent to develop structure-activity relationships for future development.