Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Student: Šárka Strachoňová Supervisor: PharmDr. Lukáš Červený, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Studium of gene regulation of nucleoside transporters in BeWo cell line Nucleoside transporters (NTs) localized in syncytiotrophoblast control placental uptake of nucleosides. Dysregulation of NTs can disrupt nucleoside homeostasis with a negative consequences on placental and fetal development and can lead to a change in placental pharmacokinetics of nucleoside-derived drugs. Therefore, understanding the expression and function of NTs is necessary for effective and safe pharmacotherapy during pregnancy. The aim of this diploma thesis was to study the adenylate cyclase (AC) activated regulatory pathways of gene expression of concentrative nukleoside transporter 2 (CNT2). For this purpose, qRT-PCR and in vitro accumulation assays using the model substrate [3 H]-adenosine were employed. The human placental choriocarcinoma-derived BeWo cell line has been exposed to an AC activator, forskolin (50 µM), and/or inhibitors of AC/cAMP/PKA, AC/cAMP/MAPK (MEK1/2, p38 MAPK) signaling pathways, PKA inhibitor, KT 5720 (5 μM), an inhibitor of MEK1/2, U0126 (10 μM) and an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB202190 (10 μM). The...

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Plusieurs analogues de nucléosides thérapeutiques (Ara-C, Clofarabine), utilisés pour le traitement de leucémies, présentent un arrangement 1’,2’-cis entre la nucléobase reliée au centre anomère et le substituant (électroattracteur) en C-2’. Récemment, notre laboratoire a développé une approche synthétique pour former sélectivement des analogues de nucléosides et de thionucléosides 1’,2’-trans et 1’,2’-cis à partir de précurseurs acycliques. Ce mémoire présente une nouvelle méthodologie pour accéder efficacement aux analogues de nucléosides 1’,2’-cis à partir de furanosides. Différents groupements en position anomérique ont été examinés, sous conditions cinétiques en utilisant le bromure de diméthylbore pour générer sélectivement des produits acycliques ou cycliques. Les intermédiaires cinétiques de différents furanosides de méthyle formés en présence de Me2BBr ont été piégés in situ par un thiol pour générer des thioacétals acycliques avec de bonnes voire d’excellentes diastéréosélectivités. Les produits générés sont en accord avec une rétention globale de l’information stéréochimique du centre acétal et deux déplacements SN2 consécutifs ont été suggérés pour rationaliser ces résultats. Toutefois, l’objectif de synthétiser des analogues de nucléosides à partir de furanosides de méthyle a échoué. Tel que démontré par le Dr Michel Prévost, l’activation par Me2BBr des lactols des quatres différents furanosides suivie d’une addition in situ d’une base silylée a permis de former diastéréosélectivement les analogues de nucléosides 1’,2’-cis correspondants avec d’excellents rendements. Nous avons démontré que d’autres substrats peuvent être employés et que l’induction stéréochimique est sous contrôle du substituant électroattracteur en C-2. D’autres acides de Lewis, tel que TMSBr, peuvent également être utilisés. Cette méthodologie a également été étendue à d’autres nucléophiles tels que des Grignards ou des éthers d’énols silylés, conduisant à de bonnes sélectivités. / Many therapeutically relevant nucleoside analogs (Ara-C, Clofarabine) for the treatment of leukemia have a 1’,2’-cis arrangement between the nucleobase attached at the anomeric center and the non-hydrogen substituent at C-2’. Recently, our laboratory has developed a versatile approach to the synthesis of 1’,2’-trans and 1’,2’-cis nucleoside and thionucleoside analogues from acyclic scaffolds. This work will present a new methodology to access efficiently 1’,2’-cis nucleoside analogues from cyclic furanoside. Activation of various anomeric groups by Me2BBr was investigated, and under kinetic control acyclic substrates or cyclic ones could be generated selectively. Trapping the kinetic product of methyl furanoside formed in presence of Me2BBr by thiol in the presence of base led to the formation of acyclic thioacetal in good to excellent diastereoselectivity. The results obtained are in accordance with total retention of the stereochemical information of the acetal moiety and thus suggested that the mechanism of these two reactions is two successive SN2 displacements. The objective of synthesizing nucleoside analogs from methyl furanoside was unsuccessful. As shown recently by Dr Michel Prévost, activation of all four furanoside lactol scaffolds by Me2BBr with an in situ addition of silylated nucleobase afforded 1’,2’-cis pyrimidine nucleoside analogues in very good yields and with diastereoselectivities greater or equal to 20:1. Expending this methodology to other scaffolds provided evidence of stereoelectronic control of the C-2 electron-withdrawing substituent. Other Lewis acids such as TMSBr can be used. This methodology was also applied to other nucleophiles such as allyl Grignard and silylated enols ethers, which were successfully alkylated in good yield and 1,2-cis diastereoselectivity.

Le tissu osseux est caractérisé par sa matrice minéralisée qui est soumise à des activités de formation et de résorption assurant son renouvellement et son remaniement tout au long de la vie. En cas de lésions, l’os est capable de se réparer naturellement de façon à rétablir son intégrité et ses propriétés physiques. Cependant, certaines pathologies ou interventions chirurgicales peuvent aboutir à des pertes massives de substance osseuse et le processus naturel d’autoréparation est alors insuffisant. En première intention, la greffe osseuse est envisagée (autogreffe et allogreffe), néanmoins, du fait d’une disponibilité réduite et des risques de rejet et de transmission d’agents infectieux, cette technique n’est pas réalisable dans toutes les situations cliniques. Le chirurgien peut alors avoir recours à des biomatériaux ostéoconducteurs mais ceux-ci ne sont utilisables que dans le cas de comblement de défauts de petite taille car ils sont simplement un support passif à la néoformation osseuse. Ces limites pourraient être dépassées grâce au concept d’ingénierie tissulaire, en concevant des biomatériaux innovants ayant un fort pouvoir ostéogène conféré notamment par des facteurs de croissance ou des cellules ostéoprogénitrices. Dans notre travail, nous avons cherché à mettre au point un nouveau produit d’ingénierie tissulaire permettant la réparation de défauts osseux. La stratégie envisagée repose sur l’association d’un support tridimensionnel et de cellules souches adultes dérivées du tissu adipeux humain (ASC). L’originalité du système provient de la matrice tridimensionnelle, qui est un hydrogel thermosensible composé de monomère synthétique Glycosyl-Nucléoside-Fluoré (GNF) de faible poids moléculaire. Dans le domaine de la régénération osseuse, les hydrogels cellularisés sont généralement utilisés comme matrice associée à des molécules ostéogéniques (BMP2, Béta-Glycérophosphate) ou à des ions (Calcium : Ca2+, Phosphate : PO42-) pour permettre la differenciation ostéoblastique des cellules encapsulées dans le gel. Cependant, dans notre travail, nous n’avons pas fait appel à ces facteurs ostéogéniques. Notre étude a révélé que l’hydrogel de GNF possède les critères essentiels pour être utilisé en clinique : la non-toxicité, la biocompatibilité, la biodégradabilité, l’injectabilité et la biointégration. Des injections de complexe gel/ASC réalisées en site ectopique chez l’animal ont démontré que le gel se forme in situ en moins de 20 minutes et que les cellules encapsulées ont survécu pendant plusieurs mois. In situ, les ASC se sont différerenciées en ostéoblastes matures, exprimant la phosphatase alcaline et l’ostéocalcine et synthétisant une matrice extracellulaire riche en phosphate de calcium. Ces travaux ont donc permis de développer un produit d’ingénierie tissulaire innovant, associant un support tridimensionnel, l’hydrogel de GNF, à une composante cellulaire, les ASC. Cette matrice cellularisée apparaît prometteuse comme système injectable pour des applications cliniques de régénération osseuse. / Bone tissue is characterized by its mineralized matrix which is subject to formation and resorption activities ensuring its renewal and remodeling throughout the life. In case of damage, the bone can repair itself naturally to restore its integrity and its physical properties. Nevertheless, some pathologies or surgical procedures can lead to massive loss of bone and the natural process of self-repair is insufficient. First line, the bone graft is considered (autograft and allograft), however, due to reduced availability and risks of rejection and transmission of infectious agents, this technique is not feasible in all clinical situations. The surgeon can then make use of osteoconductive biomaterials but these are only usable in the case of filling of small defects because they are simply passive scaffold for bone formation. These limits may be exceeded through the concept of tissue enginee- ring, designing innovative biomaterials with high osteogenic power conferred by particular growth factors or osteoprogenitor cells. In our work we seek to develop a new product of tissue engineering to repair bone defects. The proposed strategy is based on the combination of a three-dimensional scaffold and adult stem cells derived from human adipose tissue (ASC). The originality of this system comes from the three-dimensional matrix, which is a thermosensitive hydrogel composed of synthetic monomeric Glycosyl-Nucleoside-Fluorinated (GNF) low molecular weight. In the field of bone regeneration, hydrogels are generally used as cellularized matrix molecules associated with osteogenic (BMP2, Beta-Glycerophosphate) or ions (Calcium : Ca2+, Phosphate : PO42-) to allow osteoblast differentiation of cells encapsulated in the gel. However, in our work, we have not used these osteogenic factors. Our study revealed that the hydrogel of GNF has the essential criteria to be used in clinical practice : non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, injectability and biointegration. Injections of gel/ASC complex performed in animal ectopic site have showed that the gel is formed in situ within 20 minutes and encapsulated cells survived and proliferated for several months. In situ, ASC were differentiated into mature osteoblasts expressing alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin and synthesizing an extracellular matrix rich in calcium phosphate. So, this work has allowed the development of an innovative product for tissue engineering, combining a three-dimensional scaffold, the GNF based hydrogel, a cellular component, the ASC. This cellularized matrix appears promising as injection system for clinical applications of bone regeneration.

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Student: Veronika Křečková Supervisor: PharmDr. Lukáš Červený, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Role of drug transporters in placental transfer of entecavir Entecavir (ETV), an analogue of guanosine, is a highly efficient anti-hepatitis B antiviral drug. It is the first-line therapy for both adults and children. Its use in pregnancy is limited due to a number of factors, including lack of data on placental pharmacokinetics. The placental transition of drugs is frequently controlled by drug transporters. ATP-binding (ABC) transporters, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) or multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) localized in the apical membrane of syncytiotrophoblast and pumping their substrates in the feto-maternal direction belong to most significant determinants of placental pharmacokinetics. Moreover placental transport of nucleoside-derived drugs can be affected by the activity of nucleoside transporters (NTs); equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) mediate facilitated diffussion, while the concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs) control active influx of their substrates. The aim of the diploma thesis was to describe the role of P-gp, BCRP, MRP2 and NTs (ENTs and...

De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde (World Health Organization - WHO), aproximadamente 40 milhões de pessoas ao redor do mundo estão infectadas com HIV/AIDS. Atualmente, a epidemia tem sido controlada em grande parte do mundo ocidental, porém, projeções sugerem que, até o fim desta década, o número de incidência da doença poderá duplicar. Apesar das significantes melhoras na morbidade e mortalidade de pacientes infectados pelo HIV, o rápido surgimento de cepas resistentes aos agentes anti-HIV, além dos efeitos adversos e o alto custo de fármacos de última geração, torna-se necessário o continuo desenvolvimento de novas classes de agentes anti-HIV. A transcrição e multiplicação do RNA viral são dependentes das interações seqüência-específica entre duas proteínas reguladoras virais essenciais, Tat e Rev, com seus respectivos sítios no RNA, TAR e RRE. Durante a última década, os aminoglicosídeos foram introduzidos como ligantes universais do RNA, sendo capazes de se ligar ao TAR e ao RRE. A literatura apresenta diversos aminoglicosídeos que são capazes de se ligar ao TAR e inibir a interação Tat-TAR bem como, inibir competitivamente a ligação da proteína Rev ao RRE, como, por exemplo, a neomicina e tobramicina. Considerando a importância dos aminoglicosídeos e análogos nucleosídicos, conhecidamente eficazes na terapia antirretroviral, o trabalho foi direcionado para a síntese de conjugados de aminociclitol, 2- desoxi-estreptramina, e adenosina, bem como, dímeros de adenosina via estratégia de click chemistry por reação de cicloadição azido-alcino catalisada por Cu(I) (CuAAC). Para a síntese destes produtos, o precursor adenosina foi convertido no derivado 5\'-azido-5\'- desoxi-adenosina, o qual foi condensado com diversos diinos terminais comerciais, contendo diferentes grupos espaçantes, com a finalidade de explorar suas influências nas propriedades eletrônicas e estéricas nos conjugados de interesse frente à atividade anti-HIV. Os derivados alcinos presentes na posição C-5\' de adenosina, via grupo triazol, foram empregados para a síntese dos monômeros nucleosídeo-aminociclitóis, assim como, na síntese de dímeros nucleosíde0-aminociclitóis, via reação de cicloadição 1,3-dipolar, na presença de CuSO4, quantidade catalítica, e ascorbato de sódio, para geração in situ de Cu(I). Adicionalmente, alguns dos compostos, na concentração de 1mM, foram testados empregando o ensaio de ELISA para detecção da presença de proteína viral p24 em linhagem células H9 e avaliação de sua atividade antirretroviral. De acordo com o ensaio biológico, um dos compostos preparados apresentou, proporcionalmente ao crescimento da linhagem H9 (HIV) controle, atividade de inibição de formação da proteína viral p24 similar ao composto padrão zidovudina (AZT). Além disso, outros dois compostos também apresentaram um resultado relevante uma vez que suas atividades foram similares ao composto padrão lamivudina (3TC). Estes resultados sugerem que a presença de uma cadeia metilênica mais extensa, como cadeia lateral ou grupo espaçante, pode influenciar positivamente a atividade biológica por efeito hidrofóbico ou estérico. Por fim, os ensaios de viabilidade celular demonstraram que os compostos testados não foram citotóxicos nas condições testadas. / According to World Health Organization - WHO about 40 million of people are infected with HIV/AIDS. Currently, the epidemic has been controlled largely in the western world, since, projections suggest that, until this decade end, the disease incidence could increase. Despite significant improvements in morbidity and mortality of HIV-patients, quick emergence of resistant strains to anti-HIV agents, in addition to adverse effects and high cost of recent drugs, becomes necessary the ongoing development of new classes of HIV agents. Transcription and translation of the viral RNA are dependent of sequence-specific interactions among two essential viral regulatory proteins, Tat and Rev, and their corresponding TAR and RRE sites in HIV-1 RNA. Over the past decade, aminoglycosides were established as universal RNA linkers, being able to link to TAR and RRE. The literature reports several aminoglycosides that bind to TAR and inhibit Tat-TAR interaction, as well as, competitively inhibit the bind between Rev protein and RRE, such as: neomycin and tobramycin. Considering the importance of nucleosides analogs, effective in antiretroviral therapy, and aminoglycosides, the work was driven to the synthesis of aminocyclitol, 2- deoxy-streptamine, conjugated to the adenosine, as well as, conjugated dimers of adenosine by molecular duplication via click chemistry strategy involving copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC). For the synthesis of these products, the starting material adenosine was converted to 5\'-azide-5\'-deoxy-adenosine, which was conjugated with several commercials terminal dialkynes containing different intercalating groups in order to explore the influences of the steric and electronic properties of conjugates towards anti-HIV activity. Alkynes derivated at C-5\' position of adenosine, via triazole group, were used in the synthesis of nucleoside-linked aminocyclitols, as well as, nucleoside conjugated dimers by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction under microwave-assisted conditions (MW), using the catalytic system CuSO4/sodium ascorbate for the in situ generation of Cu(I). Additionally, several compounds, at concentration of 1mM, were tested in vitro by ELISA for detection of p24 protein in H9 cells to antiretroviral evaluation. According with the biologic assay, one of the compounds showed inhibition of p24 protein production similar to zidovudine (AZT), when compared to H9 cells line growth control, Furthermore, two compounds also showed important activities similar to lamivudine (3TC). These results suggest that the presence of a longer methylenic chain, as side chain or intercalating groups, could influence positively in the biologic activity due to hydrophobic or steric effects. Ultimately, the cell viability assays showed that compounds were not cytotoxic in the tested conditions.

Les isoenzymes de nucléoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) sont connues depuis maintenant presque 60 ans et n'ont été considérées que pour leur activité catalytique de transfert de groupement phosphoryle. La découverte du gène nme, un gène antimétastatique codant une NDPK, a renouvelé l'intérêt scientifique pour cette famille d'enzymes. Il est désormais connu que la multiplication des gènes durant l'évolution a été accompagnée de diversifications structurales et fonctionnelles. J'ai étudié la fixation des NDPK-A, -B et –D (retrouvées associées aux membranes biologiques, bien que le rôle de cette association soit encore méconnu) à des membranes modèles, et j'ai trouvé des différences dans les mécanismes de fixation. J'ai montré la capacité de la NDPK-D, isoforme mitochondriale, à interagir avec des membranes anioniques ou zwitterioniques, à augmenter leur fluidité et à former des domaines protéolipidiques en présence de CL, lipide anionique spécifique de la membrane mitochondriale interne. J'ai observé cette capacité à former des domaines protéolipidiques avec d'autres protéines interagissant avec la CL, comme la créatine kinase mais pas le cytochrome C. La NDPK-A ne se fixe pas aux phospholipides du feuillet interne de la membrane plastique, ce qui suggère un autre partenaire in vivo. La NDPK-B n'interagit qu'avec des membranes anioniques via un processus en deux étapes, provoque une diminution de fluidité et est capable de former des domaines protéolipidiques. La ségrégation des lipides anioniques induite par la fixation de protéines pourrait contribuer à la formation de plateformes au sein de la membrane susceptibles de servir de point d'ancrage à de nombreuses molécules, modulant ainsi les fonctions cellulaires / Nucleoside diphosphate kinase isoenzymes (NDPK) have been known for nearly 60 years and, until recently, have been considered as housekeeping enzymes. The discovery of a nme gene, an antimetastatic gene that codes for a NDPK, revived the interest for this family. It is now known that the multiplication of nme genes throughout evolution has been accompanied with structural and functional diversification. I studied the binding of NDPK-A, -B and –D (which ae retrieved associated to cellular membranes where they are thought to play several roles) to model membranes and found differences in their behavior towards different compositions of phospholipids. I showed the ability of the NDPKD mitochondrial isoform to interact with both anionic and zwitterionic membranes, to modify their fluidity and to form proteolipidic domains in presence of CL, a mitochondrial inner membrane specific anionic lipid. I observed this ability to form proteo-cardiolipin domains with other CL interacting protein like creatine kinase but not with cytochrome c. NDPK-A was not able to bind to inner leaflet plasma membrane mimicking systems suggesting another partner in vivo. Concerning NDPK-B, it interacted only with anionic membranes via a two step-process, induced a decrease of the membrane fluidity and was able to form proteolipidic domains. Such anionic lipid segregation triggered by protein binding may contribute to platforms formation within membranes. Those platforms are then susceptible to provide a functional docking platform for numerous molecules and thus to modulate cellular functions

<p>The first part of the work describes a procedure of oligonucleotide purification using a reversed-phase cartridge. The developed method employs a very efficient yet mild oligonucleotide detritylation on the cartridge support allowing fast purification of oligonucleotides regardless of their 5´-modification. Thiol- and amino-modified oligonuc-leotides were detritylated and purified with the same high efficiency as non-modified oligonucleotides. The method enables fast, parallel and automated purification of many oligonucleotide probes that was not possible before. In combination with the method of removal of tritylated failure fragments oligonucleotides were produced with purity superior to that of oligonucleotides purified using RP HPLC.</p><p>In the second part of the present study a method of solid-phase RNA synthesis using 2´-tert-butyldithiomethyl (2´-O-DTM) is discussed. The stability of the DTM group during oligonucleotide assembly and deprotection in ammonia, together with its ability for rapid deprotection under mild conditions, allowed the synthesis of RNA with the quality similar to that of synthetic DNA oligonucleotides. The advantage of the 2´-O-DTM group is that it is completely orthogonal to all protecting groups used for the traditional solid-phase DNA synthesis. Therefore, the synthesis can be performed using a standard DNA synthesis procedure – no changes are needed for the product assembly. RNA oligonucleotides synthesized with retained 5´-terminal trityl group can be subjected to a cartridge-based purification using the procedure described in the first part of the study. The phosphoramidite synthesis was optimized for a large scale preparation and gives versatility for introduction of other alkyldithiomethyl groups according to the preference to their certain properties.</p><p>The third part of the thesis describes the synthesis of a dithiomethyl linker and its utility for reversible conjugation of oligonucleotides. A dithiomethyl group, cleavable under mild conditions, was introduced onto 3´-OH of tritylated nucleosides via 3´-O-methylthiomethyl derivatives. The influence of different alkyl substituents on the disulfide bond stability was investigated, and stable analogues were employed in oligosyntheses. Two applications were developed using the present linker: 1) purification of oligonucleotides linked to the solid support; and 2) cartridge-based purification of tritylated oligonucleotides having an additional hydrophobic group on their 3´- terminus.</p>

The first part of the work describes a procedure of oligonucleotide purification using a reversed-phase cartridge. The developed method employs a very efficient yet mild oligonucleotide detritylation on the cartridge support allowing fast purification of oligonucleotides regardless of their 5´-modification. Thiol- and amino-modified oligonuc-leotides were detritylated and purified with the same high efficiency as non-modified oligonucleotides. The method enables fast, parallel and automated purification of many oligonucleotide probes that was not possible before. In combination with the method of removal of tritylated failure fragments oligonucleotides were produced with purity superior to that of oligonucleotides purified using RP HPLC. In the second part of the present study a method of solid-phase RNA synthesis using 2´-tert-butyldithiomethyl (2´-O-DTM) is discussed. The stability of the DTM group during oligonucleotide assembly and deprotection in ammonia, together with its ability for rapid deprotection under mild conditions, allowed the synthesis of RNA with the quality similar to that of synthetic DNA oligonucleotides. The advantage of the 2´-O-DTM group is that it is completely orthogonal to all protecting groups used for the traditional solid-phase DNA synthesis. Therefore, the synthesis can be performed using a standard DNA synthesis procedure – no changes are needed for the product assembly. RNA oligonucleotides synthesized with retained 5´-terminal trityl group can be subjected to a cartridge-based purification using the procedure described in the first part of the study. The phosphoramidite synthesis was optimized for a large scale preparation and gives versatility for introduction of other alkyldithiomethyl groups according to the preference to their certain properties. The third part of the thesis describes the synthesis of a dithiomethyl linker and its utility for reversible conjugation of oligonucleotides. A dithiomethyl group, cleavable under mild conditions, was introduced onto 3´-OH of tritylated nucleosides via 3´-O-methylthiomethyl derivatives. The influence of different alkyl substituents on the disulfide bond stability was investigated, and stable analogues were employed in oligosyntheses. Two applications were developed using the present linker: 1) purification of oligonucleotides linked to the solid support; and 2) cartridge-based purification of tritylated oligonucleotides having an additional hydrophobic group on their 3´- terminus.

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