Biomedical subjects

Jim-Min Fang

Publications and source records attributed to Jim-Min Fang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Ethynyl-linked (pyreno)pyrrole-naphthyridine and aniline-naphthyridine molecules as fluorescent sensors of guanine via multiple hydrogen bondings.

New fluorescent molecular sensors for 9-alkylguanines were constructed by conjugation of 2-acetamido-1,8-naphthyridine with N-Boc-pyrrole, N-Boc-pyreno[2,1-b]pyrrole, or acetanilide moieties via an ethynyl bridge. In combination with the triple hydrogen-bonding motif of 2-acetamidonaphthyridine toward alkylguanine, an additional binding site was provided by the substituent properly located on the pyrrole or aniline ring to enhance the affinity of these receptor molecules. Besides the ESI-MS analyses, the binding events were readily monitored by the absorption and fluorescence changes in the visible region.

Alkylation↗

PubMed2006

Fluorescent organic nanoparticles of benzofuran-naphthyridine linked molecules: formation and fluorescence enhancement in aqueous media.

[structure: see text] Ethynyl-linked benzofuran-naphthyridine compounds show high-yield fluorescence with solvatochromic properties. One of the compounds, ABAN, has successfully formed fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs), for which the photophysical properties such as the spectral features and intensity are remarkably different from those at the molecular level (solution) and in bulk material. The results are tentatively rationalized by the FONs inducing coplanarization of the benzofuran-naphthyridine molecule to extend its effective conjugation length and hence increase the oscillator strength.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Weak antiferromagnetic coupling for novel linear hexanuclear nickel(II) string complexes (Ni6 12+) and partial metal-metal bonds in their one-electron reduction products (Ni6 11+).

The preparation, crystal structures, magnetic properties and electrochemistry of novel linear hexanuclear nickel string complexes (Ni6(12+)) and their corresponding 1-e(-) reduction products (Ni6(11+)) are reported. In these complexes, the hexanickel chain is in a symmetrical arrangement (approximately D(4) symmetry) and is helically supported by four bpyany(2-) ligands [bpyany(2-) = the dianion of 2,7-bis(alpha-pyridylamino)-1,8-naphthyridine]. The Ni6(12+) complexes show that the two terminal nickel ions have high-spin states (S = 1) and the four inner ones have low-spin states (S = 0). The two terminal nickel ions exhibit weak antiferromagnetic coupling of ca.-5 cm(-1). All of Ni6(12+) complexes display three reversible redox couples at about -0.70, -0.20 and +1.10 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The first reduction wave at about -0.20 V suggests facility of 1-e(-) reduction for the Ni(6)(12+) compounds. The reaction of Ni(6)(12+) complexes with hydrazine afforded the 1-e(-) reduction products (Ni6(11+)). As far as we are aware, the shortest bond distance of 2.202 A with a partial metal-metal bond was observed in Ni6(11+) compounds. The magnetic results of these Ni6(11+) compounds are in agreement with a localized model, in which the two terminal nickel ions are in a spin state of S = 1 whereas the central Ni3-Ni4 pair in a spin state of S = 1/2. The N6(11+) compounds show relatively strong antiferromagnetic coupling of about 60 cm(-1) between the terminal and the central dinickel ions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Novel linear hexanuclear cobalt string complexes (Co6(12+)) and one-electron reduction products (Co6(11+)) supported by four bpyany2- ligands.

The new ligand, 2,7-bis(alpha-pyridylamino)-1,8-naphthyridine (H2bpyany), was synthesized by the reaction of 2,7-dichloro-1,8-naphthyridine with 2-aminopyridine in the presence of t-BuOK under palladium(0)-catalyzed conditions. The preparation and characterization of novel hexacobalt string complexes, [Co6(mu6-bpyany)4(NCS)2](PF6)n (n=1 (1); n=2 (2)) and [Co6(mu6-bpyany)4(OTf)2](OTf)n (n = 2 (3); n = 1 (4)) are presented. The crystal structures for compounds have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 and 4 have the Co6 11+ configurations and are air-stable. Compounds 2 and 3 with Co6 12+ configurations are structurally similar to 1 and 4, respectively. The electrochemistry of 1 displays four redox couples at E1/2= -0.55, +0.38, +0.91, and +1.18 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The magnetic data show that compounds 1 and 4 are in a spin state of S = 1/2, and 2 and 3 in a spin state of S = 1. The results of the EHMO calculations on compounds 1 and 2 are in agreement with their magnetic measurements.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Stable benzotriazole esters as mechanism-based inactivators of the severe acute respiratory syndrome 3CL protease.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a newly emerged coronavirus that infected more than 8000 individuals and resulted in more than 800 fatalities in 2003. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this epidemic. SARS-3CL(pro) has been shown to be essential for replication and is thus a target for drug discovery. Here, a class of stable benzotriazole esters was reported as mechanism-based inactivators of 3CL(pro), and the most potent inactivator exhibited a k(inact) of 0.0011 s(-1) and a K(i) of 7.5 nM. Mechanistic investigation with kinetic and mass spectrometry analyses indicates that the active site Cys145 is acylated, and that no irreversible inactivation was observed with the use of the C145A mutant. In addition, a noncovalent, competitive inhibition became apparent by using benzotriazole ester surrogates in which the bridged ester-oxygen group is replaced with carbon.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2005

Practical synthesis of potential endothelin receptor antagonists of 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione derivatives bearing substituents at the C3-, N1- and N4-positions.

The expedient synthesis of various 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione compounds, particularly those having substituents at the C3-, N1- and N4-positions is achieved. The important features in these synthetic strategies include: (i) using the coupling reaction of isatoic anhydride with alpha-amino ester for direct construction of the core structure of 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione; (ii) using potassium carbonate as the base of choice for selective alkylation at the N1-site, while using lithiated 2-ethylacetanilide as the required base to furnish the N4-alkylation; and (iii) using 2-nitrobenzoyl chloride as a synthetic equivalent of anthranilic acid to facilitate the polyethylene resin-bound liquid-phase combinatorial synthesis. The prepared 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione compounds are evaluated for endothelin receptor antagonism by a functional assay that measures the inhibitory activity against the change of intramolecular calcium ion concentration induced by endothelin-1. The preliminary results indicate that 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-diones bearing two flanked aryl substituents at the N1- and N4-sites show better inhibitory activity than the corresponding unalkylated and N-monoalkylated compounds. A promising candidate, 1-benzyl-7-chloro-3-isopropyl-4-(3-methoxybenzyl)-1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione (17b), exhibits an IC50 value in low nM range.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Inhibition of the severe acute respiratory syndrome 3CL protease by peptidomimetic alpha,beta-unsaturated esters.

The proteolytic processing of polyproteins by the 3CL protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus is essential for the viral propagation. A series of tripeptide alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and ketomethylene isosteres, including AG7088, are synthesized and assayed to target the 3CL protease. Though AG7088 is inactive (IC50 > 100 microM), the ketomethylene isosteres and tripeptide alpha,beta-unsaturated esters containing both P1 and P2 phenylalanine residues show modest inhibitory activity (IC50 = 11-39 microM). The Phe-Phe dipeptide inhibitors 18a-e are designed on the basis of computer modeling of the enzyme-inhibitor complex. The most potent inhibitor 18c with an inhibition constant of 0.52 microM is obtained by condensation of the Phe-Phe dipeptide alpha,beta-unsaturated ester with 4-(dimethylamino)cinnamic acid. The cell-based assays also indicate that 18c is a nontoxic anti-SARS agent with an EC50 value of 0.18 microM.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Two-stage sensing property via a conjugated donor-acceptor-donor constitution: application to the visual detection of mercuric ion.

A conjugated donor-acceptor-donor molecule incorporating a central moiety of naphthyridine and two terminal moieties of di(hydroxyethyl)aniline connected by ethynyl bridges shows two-stage color changes on binding with mercury(II) ion in Me(2)SO/H(2)O (1:1) solution with a bathochromic shift from 450 to 498 nm, and then an extraordinarily large hypsochromic shift to 378 nm. In comparison, the corresponding donor-acceptor molecule weakly binds mercury(II) ion with a hypsochromic shift from 408 to 375 nm. Our designed sensor of the donor-acceptor-donor system shows high selectivity toward mercury(II) ion over other competing metal ions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Discovery of potent anilide inhibitors against the severe acute respiratory syndrome 3CL protease.

A diversified library of peptide anilides was prepared, and their inhibition activities against the SARS-CoV 3CL protease were examined by a fluorogenic tetradecapeptide substrate. The most potent inhibitor is an anilide derived from 2-chloro-4-nitroaniline, l-phenylalanine and 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid. This anilide is a competitive inhibitor of the SARS-CoV 3CL protease with K(i) = 0.03 muM. The molecular docking experiment indicates that the P1 residue of this anilide inhibitor is distant from the nucleophilic SH of Cys145 in the active site.

Anilides↗

PubMed2005

Stereoselective recognition of tripeptides guided by encoded library screening: construction of chiral macrocyclic tetraamide ruthenium receptor for peptide sensing.

[structure: see text] Molecule sensor 1 is devised by incorporating the reporting unit of ruthenium(II) complex and two recognition motifs of chiral cyclotetraamides on the sidearms. The target binding tripeptides for sensor 1 were readily identified by using an encoded library screening method. This solid-phase screening indicated a preferable binding of molecule 1 with d-alanine over the l-isomer. The optical and NMR studies for the binding events of 1 with tripeptides Ac-Ala-Gly-Ala-NHC(12)H(25) in the solution phase showed a consistent trend for the stereoselective recognition of the dd-isomer over the ld-, dl-, and ll-isomers.

Amides↗

PubMed2005

Protein microarray using alpha-amino acids as metal tags on chips.

Procedures for synthesizing alpha-amino acids on a chip for coordination with transitional metal ions and a His-Tagged protein have been successfully developed as a stable protein microarray. Using the recombinant His-Tagged 3CL-protease (3CLpro) as a model for attachment to chips containing D-/L-Glu, Asp, Orn, Ser via different transitional metal ions, it was found that the Orn chip was the best of affinity binding and stability by which Zn2+ was the best metal ion for affinity while Co2+ was the best metal ion for stability. Thus, this protein microarray can be alternatively used as a high throughput screening method for rapid detection against SARS CoV 3CLpro and/or efficient purification of other Tagged proteins.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2005

Probing lectin and sperm with carbohydrate-modified quantum dots.

We report the encapsulation of quantum dots with biologically important beta-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in different ratios, together with studies of their specific/sensitive multivalent interactions with lectins and sperm by fluorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering microscopy, confocal imaging techniques, and flow cytometry. These GlcNAc-encapsulated quantum dots (QDGLNs) specifically bind to wheat germ agglutinin, and cause fluorescence quenching and aggregation. Further studies of QDGLNs and the mannose-encapsulated QDs (QDMANs) with sperm revealed site-specific interactions, in which QDGLNs bind to the head of the sperm, while QDMANs spread over the whole sperm body.

Acetylglucosamine↗

PubMed2004

Highly fluorescent pyreno[2,1-b]pyrroles: first syntheses, crystal structure, and intriguing photophysical properties.

A series of pyrrole analogues of benzo[a]pyrene have been synthesized in which pyreno[2,1-b]pyrrole exhibits highly fluorescent properties in solution as well as in crystalline form even possessing strong pi-pi stacking. The pi-stacking-induced fluorescence spectral changes lead to future applications such as molecular recognition feasible upon chemical modification.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Small molecules targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome human coronavirus.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an infectious disease caused by a novel human coronavirus. Currently, no effective antiviral agents exist against this type of virus. A cell-based assay, with SARS virus and Vero E6 cells, was developed to screen existing drugs, natural products, and synthetic compounds to identify effective anti-SARS agents. Of >10,000 agents tested, approximately 50 compounds were found active at 10 microM; among these compounds, two are existing drugs (Reserpine 13 and Aescin 5) and several are in clinical development. These 50 active compounds were tested again, and compounds 2-6, 10, and 13 showed active at 3 microM. The 50% inhibitory concentrations for the inhibition of viral replication (EC(50)) and host growth (CC(50)) were then measured and the selectivity index (SI = CC(50)/EC(50)) was determined. The EC(50), based on ELISA, and SI for Reserpine, Aescim, and Valinomycin are 3.4 microM (SI = 7.3), 6.0 microM (SI = 2.5), and 0.85 microM (SI = 80), respectively. Additional studies were carried out to further understand the mode of action of some active compounds, including ELISA, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assays, and inhibition against the 3CL protease and viral entry. Of particular interest are the two anti-HIV agents, one as an entry blocker and the other as a 3CL protease inhibitor (K(i) = 0.6 microM).

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Fluorescent and circular dichroic detection of monosaccharides by molecular sensors: bis[(pyrrolyl)ethynyl]naphthyridine and bis[(indolyl)ethynyl]naphthyridine.

The push-pull conjugated molecules 2,7-bis-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)ethynyl-1,8-naphthyridine (BPN) and 2,7-bis(1H-indol-2-yl)ethynyl-1,8-naphthyridine (BIN) adopting daad relays of proton donors (d) and acceptors (a) form multiple hydrogen-bonding complexes with various monosaccharides that possess complementary adda sequences. Although the free BPN emits blue light at lambda(max) = 475 nm in CH(2)Cl(2), its complexation with octyl beta-d-glucopyranoside gives green fluorescence at lambda(max) = 535 nm. The excellent photophysical properties make BPN a highly sensitive probe for monitoring glucopyranoside to a detection limit of approximately 100 pM. On the other hand, the CD-silent BIN molecule binds with monosaccharides to form the CD-active multiple hydrogen-bonding complexes, which exhibit the remarkable chirality dependent helicities consistent with the prediction by the ab initio approaches. On the basis of the similar daad cleft and hence the binding property, the fluorescence and CD absorption methods in BPN and BIN, respectively, are complementary, which, in combination with computational molecular modeling, not only give a detailed insight into the structures of the receptor-saccharide complexes in solution, but also differentiate octyl beta-d-glucopyranoside from its enantiomer and other monosaccharides.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2004

Carbazolothiophene-2-carboxylic acid derivatives as endothelin receptor antagonists.

The SmI(2)-promoted three-component coupling reaction of thiophene-2-carboxylate, indole-2-carbaldehyde and acetophenone provides an expedient route to a series of tetracyclic carbazolothiophene compounds bearing the indole and thiophene rings. Among these samples, 9-benzyl-4-methyl-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10-oxo-4,10-dihydrocarbazolo[2,3-b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (18) shows the most potent inhibition against the endothelin-1 induced increase of intracellular calcium ion concentration.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Capillary electrophoresis using immobilized whole cells with overexpressed endothelin receptor for specific ligand screening.

A new capillary electrophoresis method using immobilized cells as the stationary phase has been developed. The power of this method is demonstrated by the separation and identification of endothelin antagonists on a capillary column coated by the transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with overexpressing endothelin receptors. The screening results are validated by functional assays suppressing the increase of intracellular calcium concentration induced by endothelin-1. Instead of making efforts in isolating protein receptors, the easily prepared whole-cell capillary column provides a superior tool on the basis of ligand/receptor affinity for a rapid screening of potent drug candidates from compound libraries.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Two-arm ferrocene amide compounds: synclinal conformations for selective sensing of dihydrogen phosphate ion.

[structure: see text] Ferrocene compounds bearing multiple amido groups selectively bind with the H(2)PO(4)(-) ion over other anions. The one-arm receptors form 1:1 complexes with the H(2)PO(4)(-) ion, whereas the two-arm receptors can accommodate two H(2)PO(4)(-) ions. The complexation modes and binding strengths are deduced from the NMR, calorimetry, fluorescence, and cyclic voltammetry studies. The two-arm ferrocene hexamide receptors likely exist in synclinal conformations to incorporate tetrahydrofuran molecules and H(2)PO(4)(-) ions.

Journal Article↗