No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1994. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Also available in print.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1994. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

Despite the prevalence of supramolecular architectures derived from metal-ligand or hydrogen-bonding interactions, few studies have focused on the simultaneous use of these two strategies to form discrete metal-ligand hydrogen-bonded (MLHB) assemblies. The design, synthesis, and characterization of 2-quinolone based hybrid subunits, 7-DPQ and 5-PYQ, that contain phosphine and pyridyl metal binding sites, respectively, is reported. Both subunits give two-fold symmetric hydrogen-bonded tectons that assemble with metal precursors to give hybrid MLHB structures. Treatment of [Cp*RhCl2]2 with the 7-DPQ subunit yields hybrid MLHB assemblies with closed topology. 1H diffusion ordered spectroscopy experiments established the stability of the structures in solution, and the measured hydrodynamic radii match those determined crystallographically, suggesting that the closed topology is maintained in solution and the solid state. In order to further explore possible MLHB architectures and test the selectivity boundaries of our quinolone-based subunits we report the selective assembly of 5-PYQ with mono- and bis-platinated anthracene precursors. Addition of 5-PYQ to [1-trans-Pt(PEt3)2NO3]-8-chloroanthracene yielded a hybrid MLHB structure with preorganization for a hybrid MLHB polymer. Despite the systems preorganization for the hybrid polymeric structure the assembly of 5-PYQ with 1,8-bis(trans-Pt(PEt3)2NO3)anthracene selects only for one discrete closed self-assembled macrocycle. The strong π-π stacking interactions of the 5-PYQ subunits erode the hydrogen-bonding fidelity to favor ambidentate coordination modes of 5-PYQ and give the non-hybrid macrocycle. In the course of investigating the intricacies of hybrid MLHB supramolecular structures we observed that, in addition to metal-ligand and hydrogen-bond interactions, the π-π stacking interactions of the 7-DPQ and 5-PYQ subunits played a critical role in determining the final assemblies. In fact, the prominent π-π interactions were typically found to be more favorable than the quinolone interligand hydrogen-bonding interactions. These results contribute to the overall knowledge of the design principles, synthesis, characterization, and fundamental assembly trends when exploiting both hydrogen-bonding and metal-ligand interactions to form stable supramolecular architectures. These studies have provided the foundation for expanding the accessible space of supramolecular chemistry to include rationally designed hybrid MLHB systems to give structures that more closely mimic the complex supramolecular systems observed in Nature. This dissertation includes both previously published/unpublished and co-authored material. / 10000-01-01

Magister Scientiae - MSc / South Africa

Les flavonoïdes sont étudiés depuis des années pour leurs propriétés préventives et leur potentiel comme agents thérapeutiques. Plusieurs mécanismes pourraient intervenir dans leur activité anti-cancéreuse dont une inhibition de l'adhérence et de l'étalement cellulaire et une inhibition des propriétés invasives des cellules cancéreuses. Les dérivés de 3-aryl-2-quinolones sont structurellement proches des flavonoïdes et ont été caractérisés comme étant des composés anti-migratoires (Joseph et Al., J.Med.Chem, 2002). Comme la migration cellulaire est hautement dépendante des structures adhésives assemblées par la cellule, nous avons étudié l'activité de ces composés sur les adhérences focales et fibrillaires. Ces larges complexes protéiques impliquent notamment les intégrines et leurs partenaires cytoplasmiques les liant au cytosquelette. Les intégrines permettent à la cellule de percevoir son microenvironnement et de s'y adapter. Les structures d'adhérence contenant les intégrines sont en retour capables de contrôler cet environnement (dégradation matricielle, fibrillogenèse…). Nos travaux montrent que les dérivés de 3-aryl-2-quinolone sont capables d'inhiber l'étalement cellulaire et de provoquer le désassemblage de structures adhésives préalablement établies de façon dose-dépendante et indépendamment de la composition de la matrice extracellulaire. L'activité des composés est finement liée à leur structure et de légères modifications de la composition chimique de leur chaîne latérale peuvent inhiber leur activité. Nous avons pu établir une relation structure-activité pour cette famille de composés et avons étudié les mécanismes moléculaires menant au désassemblage des structures d'adhérences quand les cellules sont traitées par ces molécules. Des études par RMN ont montré une interaction directe entre le chef de file de cette famille de composés et le domaine cytoplasmique des intégrines à chaîne béta 3 et nous avons pu montrer que cette interaction inhibait la liaison sur l'intégrine de l'un de ces activateurs, la kindline. L'agrégation plaquettaire est dépendante de l'activation des intégrines et constitue un excellent système d'étude physiologique pour les inhibiteurs de ces récepteurs. Le chef de file des dérivés de 3-aryl-2-quinolone est capable d'inhiber l'agrégation plaquettaire et la formation du thrombus, ce qui en fait un bon candidat médicament comme anti-thrombotique. / Flavonoïds have been studied for years for their potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic action. Several mechanisms might account for their anticancer activity, among which inhibition of cell adhesion and spreading, or inhibition of tumor cell invasion. 3-aryl-2-quinolone derivatives are chemical structures close to flavonoïds and were first designed as anti-migratory agents (Joseph et Al., J.Med.Chem, 2002). As cell migration is highly dependent on the cell adhesion machinery, we decided to investigate the action of these molecules on focal and fibrillar adhesions. These large protein complexes include heterodimeric transmembrane proteins, the integrins, and their cytoplasmic interactors able to link to the cytoskeleton. Integrins allow microenvironment sensing and cellular response to it. Adhesive structures containing integrins are also able to control cell microenvironment (matrix degradation, fibrillogenesis…). Our studies show that 3-aryl-2-quinolone derivatives are able not only to prevent cell spreading but also to disrupt already well-established focal adhesions in a reversible and ECM composition independent manner. The activity of the molecule is closely linked with its structure, as very slight modification of the lateral chain of the compound can totally impair its activity. Our work is focused on establishing a Structure-Activity Relationship of 3-aryl-2-quinolone derivatives and on investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying this activity. Osteoblasts treatment by 3-aryl-2-quinolone derivatives triggers a rapid disassembly of focal and fibrillar adhesions. NMR experiments show a direct interaction between the lead compound of the family and 3 integrin cytoplasmic tail and pull-down assay show that it is able to reduce the interaction between 3 integrin and kindlin, one of its coactivator. As platelet activation is an archetype of 3 integrin activation, we tested the activity of 3-aryl-2-quinolone on this physiological process. Under treatment, platelets failed to become activated and are unable to trigger thrombus formation, providing an interest to the 3-aryl-2-quinolone derivatives as potential anti-thrombotic agents.

Introdução. Quinolonas são antimicrobianos sintéticos que inibem as enzimas DNA-girase e topoisomerase IV resultando na morte bacteriana. São altamente eficazes no tratamento de infecções bacterianas, especialmente causadas por bactérias Gram negativas, e portanto amplamente utilizados na medicina humana e veterinária, na qual também são empregados como profiláticos. Porém, o uso indiscriminado e inadequado levou ao aumento de bactérias resistentes a estes compostos. Esta resistência pode ocorrer devido a mutações nas enzimas DNA-girase e topoisomerase IV, e também por genes contidos em plasmídeos. Estes últimos são os principais responsáveis pela disseminação e circulação da resistência entre o meio ambiente e o ambiente hospitalar. Objetivos. Pesquisar genes de resistência a antimicrobianos do grupo das quinolonas em bactérias Gram negativas de origem clínica e ambiental que apresentam resistência fenotípica a este grupo. Material e Métodos. 73 cepas de Enterobacteriaceae e Aeromonas sp. de origem clínica e ambiental foram selecionadas para o estudo, e avaliadas quanto à sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos do grupo das quinolonas e à pesquisa de genes de resistência a este mesmo grupo e mutações no gene que codifica a enzima DNA-girase por meio de PCR e sequenciamento. Resultados. Das 73 cepas previamente selecionadas para compor o estudo, 65 foram utilizadas, devido à exclusão de perfis clonais similares. Nestas, foram observados os genes, qnrS1 (1,5 por cento ), qnrS2 (26,2 por cento ), qnrB1 (3,1 por cento ), qnrB19 (12,3 por cento ), qnrD1 (1,5 por cento ), aac(6)-Ib-cr (10,8 por cento ), oqxA (43,1 por cento ) e oqxB (41,5 por cento ), e duas variantes determinadas qnrB-like (3,1 por cento ) e qnrB69-like (1,5 por cento ). Os genes qnrA, qnrC e qepA não foram identificados. Mutações na enzima DNA-girase foram observadas em 97,9 por cento das cepas positivas para algum dos genes pesquisados. Em 4 cepas foi possível estabelecer a associação do gene aac(6)-Ib-cr com integron de classe 1. Foi realizado sequenciamento e caracterização do plasmídeo completo onde estava inserido o gene qnrD1. Conclusões. Este estudo relata pela primeira vez no Brasil a ocorrência dos genes qnrS2, oqxA e oqxB, a associação entre o elemento genético integron de classe 1 e o gene aac(6)-Ib-cr, e o gene qnrD1 e a caracterização do plasmídeo completo onde este estava inserido. Os genes qnrB1, qnrB19, e aac(6)-Ib-cr, anteriormente apenas relatados em cepas clínicas, foram observados em cepas ambientais. Os resultados deste estudo mostram alta frequência de genes de resistência a quinolonas tanto em isolados clínicos quanto em isolados ambientais, alertando quanto à disseminação da resistência entre fontes diferentes, e possível manutenção destes genes por cepas ambientais. / Introduction. Quinolones are synthetic antimicrobial agents that inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes resulting in bacterial death. They are highly effective in the treatment of bacterial infections, especially the ones caused by Gram negative bacteria, as well as for prophylaxy. Therefore they are widely used in human and veterinary medicine. However, indiscriminate and improper use led to an increase of bacteria resistance to these compounds. This resistance can be due to mutations in DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes and also by genes contained in plasmids, which are mainly responsible for the spread and transmission of resistance between the environment and the hospital set. Objectives. To search for genes of resistance to quinolone antimicrobial agents in Gram-negative bacteria from clinical and environmental strains that present phenotypic resistance to this group. Material and Methods. 73 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Aeromonas spp., from clinical and environmental origin, were selected for this study, and evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility of quinolone and search of resistance genes in this same group and also for mutations in the gene encoding the enzyme DNA gyrase by PCR and sequencing. Results. Of the 73 strains previously selected to compose this study, 65 were used, due to the exclusion of similar clonal profiles. In these, genes qnrS1 (1.5 per cent ), qnrS2 (26.2 per cent ) qnrB1 (3.1 per cent ), qnrB19 (12.3 per cent ) qnrD1 (1.5 per cent ) aac(6\')-Ib-cr (10.8 per cent ) oqxA (43.1 per cent ) and oqxB (41.5 per cent ) were observed, and two variants were named as qnrB-like (3.1 per cent ) and qnrB69-like (1.5 per cent ). The qnrA, qnrC and qepA genes were not identified. Mutations in DNA gyrase enzyme were observed in 97.9 per cent of the positive strains for at least one of the genes studied. It was possible to establish the association of aac(6\')-Ib-cr with class 1 integron gene in four strains. Complete sequencing and characterization of plasmid qnrD1, where the gene was inserted, was performed. Conclusions. This study reports, for the first time in Brazil, the occurrence of qnrS2, oqxA and oqxB genes, the association between genetic element integron class 1 gene and the aac (6 \')-Ib-cr, and qnrD1 gene and the characterization of the complete plasmid where this was inserted. qnrB1, qnrB19, and aac(6\')-Ib-cr genes, previously only reported in clinical strains, were observed in environmental strains. The results of this study show a high frequency of quinolone-resistance genes for both clinical and environmental isolates, warning about the spread of resistance through different sources, and the possible maintenance of these genes by environmental strains.

Introdução. Quinolonas são antimicrobianos sintéticos que inibem as enzimas DNA-girase e topoisomerase IV resultando na morte bacteriana. São altamente eficazes no tratamento de infecções bacterianas, especialmente causadas por bactérias Gram negativas, e portanto amplamente utilizados na medicina humana e veterinária, na qual também são empregados como profiláticos. Porém, o uso indiscriminado e inadequado levou ao aumento de bactérias resistentes a estes compostos. Esta resistência pode ocorrer devido a mutações nas enzimas DNA-girase e topoisomerase IV, e também por genes contidos em plasmídeos. Estes últimos são os principais responsáveis pela disseminação e circulação da resistência entre o meio ambiente e o ambiente hospitalar. Objetivos. Pesquisar genes de resistência a antimicrobianos do grupo das quinolonas em bactérias Gram negativas de origem clínica e ambiental que apresentam resistência fenotípica a este grupo. Material e Métodos. 73 cepas de Enterobacteriaceae e Aeromonas sp. de origem clínica e ambiental foram selecionadas para o estudo, e avaliadas quanto à sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos do grupo das quinolonas e à pesquisa de genes de resistência a este mesmo grupo e mutações no gene que codifica a enzima DNA-girase por meio de PCR e sequenciamento. Resultados. Das 73 cepas previamente selecionadas para compor o estudo, 65 foram utilizadas, devido à exclusão de perfis clonais similares. Nestas, foram observados os genes, qnrS1 (1,5 por cento ), qnrS2 (26,2 por cento ), qnrB1 (3,1 por cento ), qnrB19 (12,3 por cento ), qnrD1 (1,5 por cento ), aac(6)-Ib-cr (10,8 por cento ), oqxA (43,1 por cento ) e oqxB (41,5 por cento ), e duas variantes determinadas qnrB-like (3,1 por cento ) e qnrB69-like (1,5 por cento ). Os genes qnrA, qnrC e qepA não foram identificados. Mutações na enzima DNA-girase foram observadas em 97,9 por cento das cepas positivas para algum dos genes pesquisados. Em 4 cepas foi possível estabelecer a associação do gene aac(6)-Ib-cr com integron de classe 1. Foi realizado sequenciamento e caracterização do plasmídeo completo onde estava inserido o gene qnrD1. Conclusões. Este estudo relata pela primeira vez no Brasil a ocorrência dos genes qnrS2, oqxA e oqxB, a associação entre o elemento genético integron de classe 1 e o gene aac(6)-Ib-cr, e o gene qnrD1 e a caracterização do plasmídeo completo onde este estava inserido. Os genes qnrB1, qnrB19, e aac(6)-Ib-cr, anteriormente apenas relatados em cepas clínicas, foram observados em cepas ambientais. Os resultados deste estudo mostram alta frequência de genes de resistência a quinolonas tanto em isolados clínicos quanto em isolados ambientais, alertando quanto à disseminação da resistência entre fontes diferentes, e possível manutenção destes genes por cepas ambientais. / Introduction. Quinolones are synthetic antimicrobial agents that inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes resulting in bacterial death. They are highly effective in the treatment of bacterial infections, especially the ones caused by Gram negative bacteria, as well as for prophylaxy. Therefore they are widely used in human and veterinary medicine. However, indiscriminate and improper use led to an increase of bacteria resistance to these compounds. This resistance can be due to mutations in DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes and also by genes contained in plasmids, which are mainly responsible for the spread and transmission of resistance between the environment and the hospital set. Objectives. To search for genes of resistance to quinolone antimicrobial agents in Gram-negative bacteria from clinical and environmental strains that present phenotypic resistance to this group. Material and Methods. 73 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Aeromonas spp., from clinical and environmental origin, were selected for this study, and evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility of quinolone and search of resistance genes in this same group and also for mutations in the gene encoding the enzyme DNA gyrase by PCR and sequencing. Results. Of the 73 strains previously selected to compose this study, 65 were used, due to the exclusion of similar clonal profiles. In these, genes qnrS1 (1.5 per cent ), qnrS2 (26.2 per cent ) qnrB1 (3.1 per cent ), qnrB19 (12.3 per cent ) qnrD1 (1.5 per cent ) aac(6\')-Ib-cr (10.8 per cent ) oqxA (43.1 per cent ) and oqxB (41.5 per cent ) were observed, and two variants were named as qnrB-like (3.1 per cent ) and qnrB69-like (1.5 per cent ). The qnrA, qnrC and qepA genes were not identified. Mutations in DNA gyrase enzyme were observed in 97.9 per cent of the positive strains for at least one of the genes studied. It was possible to establish the association of aac(6\')-Ib-cr with class 1 integron gene in four strains. Complete sequencing and characterization of plasmid qnrD1, where the gene was inserted, was performed. Conclusions. This study reports, for the first time in Brazil, the occurrence of qnrS2, oqxA and oqxB genes, the association between genetic element integron class 1 gene and the aac (6 \')-Ib-cr, and qnrD1 gene and the characterization of the complete plasmid where this was inserted. qnrB1, qnrB19, and aac(6\')-Ib-cr genes, previously only reported in clinical strains, were observed in environmental strains. The results of this study show a high frequency of quinolone-resistance genes for both clinical and environmental isolates, warning about the spread of resistance through different sources, and the possible maintenance of these genes by environmental strains.