The chemical study of three New Zealand marine organisms is described, along with a survey of the chemistry and biological activity of eighty-five marine organisms collected from New Zealand waters. The study of the New Zealand marine bryozoan Pterocella vesiculosa has resulted in the isolation of three new compounds; pterocellin H, pterocellin I and 1-methyl-5-bromo-8-methoxy-β-carboline. These compounds were characterised using high resolution mass spectrometry, one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The biological activity of these compounds was investigated and a discussion of the results including a comparison with the activity of closely related compounds is also presented. The crude extracts of eighty-five marine organisms were surveyed to establish their biological activity and chemical constituents. The results of this study indicated which species had interesting biological activity. The chemical survey allowed geographical and intra-species comparisons of chemical constituents between samples, as well as potentially indicating the presence of known secondary metabolites. For the Pterocella vesiculosa samples the survey methodology clearly illustrated the presence of pterocellins A and B. Two marine organisms were chosen for further investigation based on their biological activity and chemical survey results. Bioactivity directed isolation procedures yielded no new compounds from the organisms. The sterol composition of these species is also presented.

The glycine receptor (GlyR) mediates fast inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Although GlyR α1 subunits are widely distributed, α3 subunits are found only on spinal cord pain sensory neurons where they mediate central inflammatory pain sensitization. Thus, the α3 subunit is a potential therapeutic target for anti-inflammatory analgesia. It is yet to be understood why α3 subunits are represented in these synapses. Thus, α3 subunit-specific modulators are required both as therapeutic leads and as pharmacological probes for basic research. The Thesis, which consists of three independent studies, investigated the molecular pharmacology of three classes of compounds at GlyRs, especially those containing the α3 subunit. The dihydropyridines (DHPs), nifedipine and nicardipine, modulate native GlyRs at micromolar concentrations. Nicardipine has a biphasic potentiating and inhibitory effect, whereas nifedipine causes inhibition only. The first study investigated the molecular mechanism by which these compounds inhibit recombinant GlyRs. The rate of onset of inhibition in the open state was accelerated by pre-application of DHP in the closed state, with the degree of acceleration proportional to the concentration of pre-applied DHP. This implies a non-inhibitory binding site close to the DHP inhibitory site. DHP inhibition was use-dependent and independent of glycine concentration, consistent with a pore-blocking mode of action. DHP sensitivity was abolished by the G2’A mutation, providing a strong case for DHP binding site in the pore. Nifedipine exhibited an approximately 10-fold higher inhibitory potency at α1-containing relative to α3-containing receptors, whereas nicardipine was only weakly selective for α1-containing GlyRs. The differential sensitivities of nifedipine and nicardipine for different GlyR isoforms suggest that DHPs may be a useful resource to screen as pharmacological tools for selectively inhibiting different synaptic GlyR isoforms. To date there are few compounds known to pharmacologically discriminate between α1 and α3 subunit-containing GlyRs. The second study stemmed from an observation that β-alanine and taurine act as weak partial agonists of α3 GlyRs but as strong partial agonists at α1 GlyRs. Using chimeras of α1 and α3 subunits, we identified the relatively structurally divergent M4 transmembrane domain and C-terminal tail as a specific determinant of the efficacy difference. As mutation of individual non-conserved M4 residues had little influence on agonist efficacies, the reduced efficacy of α3 GlyRs is most likely a distributed effect of all non-conserved M4 residues. Given the lack of contact between M4 and other transmembrane domains, the efficacy differences are probably mediated by differential interactions between the respective M4 domains and the surrounding lipid environment. The strong influence of M4 primary structure on partial agonist efficacy suggests that the relatively poorly conserved α3 GlyR M4 domain may be a promising domain to target in the search for α3 GlyR-specific modulators. β-carbolines have recently been shown to inhibit glycine receptors in a subunit-specific manner. The third study screened four structurally similar β-carbolines, harmane (HM), tryptoline (TP), norharmane (NHM) and 6-methoxyharmalan (MH) at recombinantly expressed α1, α1β, α2 and α3 glycine receptors. The four compounds exhibited only weak subunit-specificity, rendering them unsuitable as pharmacological probes. Because they displayed competitive antagonist activity, we investigated the roles of known glycine binding residues in coordinating the four compounds. The structural similarity of the compounds, coupled with the differential effects of C-loop mutations (T204A, F207Y) on compound potency, implied direct interactions between variable β-carboline groups and mutated residues. Mutant cycle analysis employing HM and NHM revealed a strong pairwise interaction between the HM methyl group and the C-loop in the region T204 and F207. These results, which define the orientation of the bound β-carbolines, were supported by molecular docking simulations. The information may also be relevant to understanding the mechanism of β-carboline binding to GABAAR where they are potent pharmacological probes. The identification of compounds that specifically abolish α3 GlyR-mediated currents should provide a useful means to investigate the physiological roles of this subunit. Drugs that potently and selectively enhance α3-subtype GlyR function may potentially serve as lead compounds since α3-subtype GlyRs have emerged as a potential therapeutic target for pain treatment. Results from studies forming the Thesis have identified several structural elements that might be useful for developing novel α3 subunit-specific drugs in the future.

Orientador: Ronaldo Aloise Pilli / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T02:38:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RodriguesJunior_ManoelTrindade_D.pdf: 6880388 bytes, checksum: 75844f02fc6611249ca702661e63582a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: O núcleo b-carbolina encontra-se amplamente distribuído entre os produtos naturais, incluindo alcalóides ioimbina (ioimbina e aloioimbina), corinanteidina (corinanteidina), rauwolfia (reserpina) e vinca (vincamina). Além disso, essas substâncias também têm demonstrado um amplo espectro de propriedades farmacológicas, incluindo atividade antitumoral, ansiolítica, hipnótica, anticonvulsivante, antiviral, antiparasitária e antimicrobiana. Sínteses totais eficientes da (+)-tripargina (59), em 6 etapas e 46% de rendimento global (-)-tripargina (59), em 6 etapas e 38% de rendimento global, (+)-deplancheina (60), em 11 etapas e 47% de rendimento global, (+)-debromoarborescidina A (61), em 5 etapas e 73% de rendimento global, (+)-harmicina (62), em 5 etapas e 56% de rendimento global (-)-harmicina (62), em 5 etapas e 52% de rendimento global, catin-6-ona (64), em 8 etapas e 45% de rendimento global e 20-metoxi-cantin-6-ona (65), em 8 etapas e 35% de rendimento global, foram realizadas com base na construção do sistema b-carbolínico via reação de Bischler-Napieralski e redução enantiosseletiva do intermediário diidro-b-carbolínico via reação de transferência de hidrogênio assimétrica usando o protocolo de Noyori. Estes compostos foram avaliados como agentes antiproliferativos contra um painel de células cancerígenas. Apenas cantin-6-ona (64) mostrou atividade contra a linhagem de célula 786-0 (célula de câncer renal). Estes compostos foram avaliados em bioensaios in vitro contra Leishmania brasiliensis, Leishmania amazonesis e Leishmania major e novamente apenas a cantin-6-ona (64) apresentou atividade contra Leishmania major (IC50=16,9 mM) e um índice de segurança altamente promissor (Si=94,7).Testes preliminares de toxidade in vivo mostraram que a harmicina (62) e a tripargina (59) são substâncias com potencial efeito sobre o sistema nervoso central. / Abstract: The b-carboline skeleton is widely distributed among natural products incluiding yohimbine (yohimbine and alloyohimbine), corynantheidine (corynantheidine), rauwolfia (reserpine) and vinca (vincamine) alkaloids. Furthermore, these coumpounds have also demonstrated a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties including ansiolytic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, antitumor, antiviral, antiparasitic as well as antimicrobial activities. Concise and efficient total syntheses of (+)-trypargine (59), in 6 steps and 46% overall yield, (-)- trypargine (59), in 6 steps and 38% overall yield, (+)-deplancheine (60), in 11 steps and 47% overall yield, (+)-debromoarborescidine A (61), in 5 steps and 73% overall yield, (+)-harmicine (62), in 5 steps and 56% overall yield, (-)-harmicine (62), in 5 steps and 52% overall yield, canthin-6-one (64), in 8 steps and 45% overall yield and 10-methoxy-canthin-6-one (65), in 8 steps and 35% overall yield, were developed based on the construction of the b-carboline moiety via Bischler- Napieralski reaction and the enantioselective reduction of the dihydro-b-carboline intermediate via an asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction using Noyori's protocol. These compounds were evaluated as antiproliferative agents against a panel of cancer cell lines. Only canthin-6-one (64) has shown promising activity against cell line 786-0 (renal cell carcinoma). These compounds were evaluated in vitro bioassays against Leishmania major, Leishmania brasiliensis and Leishmania amazonesis and again canthin-6-one (64) displayed promising activity against Leishmania major (IC50=16,9 mM) and a highly promising safety index (Si=94,7). Preliminary tests of in vivo toxicity showed that harmicine (62) and trypargine (59) are substances with potential effect on the central nervous system. / Doutorado / Quimica Organica / Doutor em Ciências

Orientador: Ronaldo Aloise Pilli / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T12:56:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pirovani_RodrigoVezula_D.pdf: 8130990 bytes, checksum: 09b4b459a43a3e2d8f59756e8bcc77bc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: No capitulo um, apresentamos o planejamento e a síntese de nucleases artificiais baseadas na estrutura da (+/-)-tripargina (19), que poderia intercalar no ADN e apresenta um grupo guanidínico que pode se ligar a grupos fosfatos. Esta foi preparada usando uma estratégia desenvolvida no nosso laboratório em escala multigramas. Dois novos análogos contendo um resíduo guanidínico adicional foram preparados, visto que estes podem aumentar a atividade catalítica desses compostos. O derivado 1,2-bisguanilado 20 foi preparado em 8 etapas com 37% de rendimento global. O análogo 1,9-bisguanilado 21 foi sintetizado com 13% de rendimento para 10 etapas. Também foram preparados três análogos 22-24 contendo uma cadeia hidroxílica lateral em bons rendimentos totais (55, 52 e 31%, respectivamente) a partir do ácido 4-aminoburitírico, bem como três intermediários avançados 70d-72d com duas cadeias guanidínicas e uma cadeia hidroxílica. Estes últimos foram preparados em 12 etapas a partir da triptamina em rendimentos globais variando entre 9-14%. Apesar dos esforços, não encontramos uma condição em que observássemos a atividade catalítica para a (+/-)-tripargina (19) e os derivados bisguanilados 20 e 21, mesmo tendo sido observado que se tenha visto por titulação usando-se RMN-31P uma interação supramolecular entre 19 e o p-nitrofenilfosfato de sódio, com predominância do complexo 1:1 em solução. No capítulo dois, descrevemos a síntese convergente da lingbiabelina M (95) com a finalidade de elucidar sua estrutura tridimensional. Pela estratégia inicial, esta foi dividida em três fragmentos principais: dois deles continham anéis tiazólicos 101 e 106 e foram preparados usando-se uma química clássica para a formação desses heterociclos. A parte policetídica foi sintetizada aplicando-se a metodologia de Masamune para se obter o ácido 107 em 19% de rendimento para 6 etapas. Para finalizar a síntese, os fragmentos 101, 106 e 107 foram acoplados em 49% de rendimento para 6 etapas. Pode-se, assim, confirmar que o produto natural 95 apresenta a esterioquímica (2S, 3S, 14R, 20S) proposta por Gerwick e colaboradores quando de seu isolamento / Abstract: In chapter one, the design and synthesis of artificial nucleases based on the structure of (+/-)-trypargine (19) are introduced. These compounds which contain a guanidine group known to be involved in molecular recognition in biological systems could present the propensity to insert into DNA. Two new analogues containing an additional guanidinic group were prepared, since these may enhance the catalytic activity of these compounds. 1,2-Bisguanylated compound 20 was prepared in 8 steps in 37% overall yield. The analogous 1,9-bisguanylated 21 was synthesized in 13% global yield over 10 steps. Three more analogs 22-24 containing a hydroxylic side chain were prepared in good overall yields (55, 52 and 31%, respectively) from 4-aminoburitiric acid. The synthesis of three advanced intermediates 70d-72d with two guanidinic groups and one hydroxylic chain in 13 steps from tryptamine (31) in overall yields ranging from 9-14% is also disclosed. Despite all efforts, we were not able to find a condition to observe the catalytic activity for (+/-)-trypargine (19) and bisguanylated derivatives 20 and 21, although some supramolecular interaction was observed by 31P-NMR titration between 19 and the p-nitrophenylphosphate sodium salt, predominantly a 1:1 complex in solution. In chapter two, we have described the convergent synthesis of lyngbyabellin M (95) in order to elucidate its stereochemical nature. By retrosynthetic analysis, our target was divided into three main portions: two of them contained thiazole rings 101 and 106, which were prepared using traditional hetericyclic chemistry. The polyketide core was synthesized through the Masamune anti-aldol reaction, giving acid 107 in 19% overall yield over 6 steps. To complete the synthesis, the fragments 101, 106 and 107 were coupled in 49% yield over 6 steps. Thus, we confirmed that the natural product 95 has the stereochemistry (2S, 3S, 14R, 20S) proposed by Gerwick et al, as described in their work of isolation / Doutorado / Quimica Organica / Doutor em Ciências

SUMMARY: Cancers represent one of the main causes of death worldwide. Together with surgery and radiotherapy, chemotherapy constitutes a main therapeutic tool in cancer treatment. However, combat remains challenging because of the intrinsic and/ or acquired resistance mechanisms displayed by cancers to these agents. In order to maintain their continuous growth, multiplication and dissemination, cancer cells display a number of biological hallmarks. Growing evidence of the remarkable association of the protein synthesis process with the onset and progression of cancer has led to extensive revision and research on the role of translation in this disease as well as its potential in therapy. Initiation of translation is especially dysregulated in cancer. Thus, strategies targeting different translation steps, ranging from upstream inhibitors - like mTOR inhibitors - to direct inhibition of specific translation initiation factors, represent potential and selective recent alternatives to conventional chemotherapies. In this work, we have investigated the antiproliferative effects of the previously synthetized harmine derivative CM16, with a particular emphasis on its effects on the protein synthesis of cancer cells. We confirmed CM16 cytostatic effects and showed its selectivity towards cancerous cells. The correlation of the growth inhibition profile of CM16 in the NCI 60-cell-line with those of other protein synthesis inhibitors led us to investigate such potential inhibition in vitro. CM16 induced inhibition of protein synthesis and it seems to specifically affect the initiation phase of translation, as it affected the organization of ribosome and polysomes. Phosphorylation on the initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) could be partly responsible for the inhibitory effect observed, as evidenced in this work. Also, the transcriptomic comparison of cell models displaying different levels of sensitivity to CM16 suggested that EIF1AX, EIF3E and EIF3H could drive, at least partly, their sensitivity to this compound. Proteomic study of glioma cells treated or not with CM16 was then conducted. Although the proteins of the genes mentioned above were not identified by this technic, we evidenced tiny but significant changes in Hs683 glioma cell proteomic profile through LC-MS shotgun approach. Thanks to 2-DE gel comparison, proteins differentially expressed in these conditions were identified, such as HspB1, Ebp1, BTF3, galectin, cofilin, dUTPase, PGAM1 and CK-18. These might be involved in the antiproliferative and protein synthesis inhibitory activities of CM16, particularly when considering their roles in cancer cell biology, bringing additional insights to the elucidation of the mechanism of action of this harmine derivative in cancer cells. / RÉSUMÉ: Les cancers figurent parmi les principales causes de mortalité dans le monde. Avec la chirurgie et la radiothérapie, la chimiothérapie reste une des principales manières de lutter contre le cancer. Néanmoins, en raison des mécanismes de résistance intrinsèques et / ou acquis à ces agents, le traitement du cancer reste difficile. Pour assurer leur prolifération, leur dissémination et le développement de la maladie, les cellules cancéreuses présentent certaines caractéristiques biologiques. La mise en évidence de liens remarquables entre la synthèse protéique et l'apparition et la progression du cancer a conduit à une révision et à une recherche plus approfondie de la dérégulation de la traduction au sein des cellules cancéreuses ainsi que de son potentiel en tant que cible thérapeutique. La phase d’initiation de la traduction est particulièrement dérégulée dans le cancer. Ainsi, les stratégies ciblant différentes étapes de la traduction, depuis l’inhibition des voies de signalisation en amont du processus - comme les inhibiteurs de mTOR - à l'inhibition directe des facteurs spécifiques d'initiation de la traduction, représentent de potentielles alternatives sélectives aux chimiothérapies actuelles. Dans le cadre de ce travail, nous avons étudié les effets antiprolifératifs du composé CM16, un dérivé de l'harmine préalablement synthétisé, et, en particulier, ses effets sur la synthèse des protéines des cellules cancéreuses. Nous avons confirmé les effets cytostatiques du composé CM16 et avons montré sa sélectivité vis-à-vis des cellules cancéreuses. Le profil de réponse des 60 lignées cellulaires cancéreuses du panel du NCI s’est avéré corréler avec ceux d'autres inhibiteurs connus de la synthèse protéique, ce qui nous a conduits à investiguer in vitro cette potentielle inhibition. Le CM16 inhibe la synthèse protéique et semble affecter spécifiquement la phase d'initiation de la traduction étant donné que nous avons observé une désorganisation des ribosomes et polysomes. L’induction de la phosphorylation du facteur d'initiation 2α (eIF2α) pourrait en partie être responsable de l'effet inhibiteur de la synthèse protéique. La comparaison transcriptomique des modèles du NCI présentant des degrés divers de sensibilité au CM16 suggère que EIF1AX, EIF3E et EIF3H puissent, au moins en partie, être impliquées dans la sensibilité des cellules cancéreuses au composé CM16. Nous avons ensuite réalisé une étude du profil protéomique des cellules de gliomes traitées ou non par le CM16. Bien que les cibles identifiées ci-dessus n’ont pu être identifiées par cette technique, de légères mais significatives différences dans le protéome des cellules de gliomes traitées avec le CM16 ont été mises en évidence par LC-MS shotgun. Grâce à étude comparative de gels en deux dimensions, des protéines différentiellement exprimées dans ces conditions ont été identifiées, telles que HspB1, Ebp1, BTF3, galectine 1, cofiline, dUTPase, PGAM1 et CK-18. Celles-ci pourraient être impliquées dans les effets antiprolifératifs et inhibiteurs sur la synthèse protéique induits par le CM16, notamment suite à leurs rôles dans la biologie tumorale, contribuant ainsi à l'élucidation du mécanisme d'action de ce dérivé harmine dans les cellules cancéreuses. / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques (Pharmacie) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished