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Articles 31 - 60 of 205

Full-Text Articles in Organic Chemistry

Chemical Synthesis And Biological Application Of Sensitive Rna, Alexander T. Apostle Jan 2024

Chemical Synthesis And Biological Application Of Sensitive Rna, Alexander T. Apostle

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In the field of epigenetics - the dynamic collection of chemical modifications that overlay DNA/RNA - there is increasing interest in the potential for therapeutic and research-based utilization of the epitranscriptomics: those epigenetic modifications specific to RNA. Epitranscriptomics can give us a new approach to understanding and treating RNA viruses, like SARS-CoV-2. Given viruses are often found modified by human epitranscriptomic machinery, understanding how these modifications can modulate virulence is of high interest. We have shown that the N1-methyladensoine modification causes RNA synthesis termination in the SARS-CoV-2 replication complex, and thus may explain the differences in symptoms observed in individuals. …


The Role Of Sugars In Aggregation Of The Protein Kassinin, Lillie G. Waldron Jan 2024

The Role Of Sugars In Aggregation Of The Protein Kassinin, Lillie G. Waldron

Student Summer Scholars Manuscripts

The aggregation of proteins to form amyloids is implicated in several diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and many others. This aggregation has several stages, progressing from isolated protein molecules (monomers) to small aggregates (oligomers), which are toxic to cells, and finally to large, string-like mature aggregates. Despite this association with disease, functional amyloids, which have normal biological functions, also result from protein aggregation. Kassinin, an amphibian peptide involved in nerve signal transmission, is a model system for functional amyloid study. To compare the aggregation of functional and disease-causing amyloids, we previously synthesized a fluorine-labeled kassinin through solid-phase peptide …


Biliverdin Reductase-A Integrates Insulin Signaling With Mitochondrial Metabolism Through Phosphorylation Of Gsk3Β, Chiara Lanzillotta, Antonella Tramutola, Simona Lanzillotta, Viviana Greco, Sara Pagnotta, Caterina Sanchini, Silvia Di Angelantonio, Elena Forte, Serena Rinaldo, Alessio Paone, Francesca Cutruzzolà, Flavia Agata Cimini, Ilaria Barchetta, Maria Gisella Cavallo, Andrea Urbani, D. Allan Butterfield, Fabio Di Domenico, Bindu D. Paul, Marzia Perluigi, Joao M.N. Duarte Jan 2024

Biliverdin Reductase-A Integrates Insulin Signaling With Mitochondrial Metabolism Through Phosphorylation Of Gsk3Β, Chiara Lanzillotta, Antonella Tramutola, Simona Lanzillotta, Viviana Greco, Sara Pagnotta, Caterina Sanchini, Silvia Di Angelantonio, Elena Forte, Serena Rinaldo, Alessio Paone, Francesca Cutruzzolà, Flavia Agata Cimini, Ilaria Barchetta, Maria Gisella Cavallo, Andrea Urbani, D. Allan Butterfield, Fabio Di Domenico, Bindu D. Paul, Marzia Perluigi, Joao M.N. Duarte

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Brain insulin resistance links the failure of energy metabolism with cognitive decline in both type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), although the molecular changes preceding overt brain insulin resistance remain unexplored. Abnormal biliverdin reductase-A (BVR-A) levels were observed in both T2D and AD and were associated with insulin resistance. Here, we demonstrate that reduced BVR-A levels alter insulin signaling and mitochondrial bioenergetics in the brain. Loss of BVR-A leads to IRS1 hyper-activation but dys- regulates Akt-GSK3β complex in response to insulin, hindering the accumulation of pGSK3βS9 into the mito- chondria. This event impairs oxidative phosphorylation and fosters …


Synthetic Strategies Toward The Development Of Stable Gold-Based Anticancer Agents And Their Mechanistic Insight, Adedamola Arojojoye Jan 2024

Synthetic Strategies Toward The Development Of Stable Gold-Based Anticancer Agents And Their Mechanistic Insight, Adedamola Arojojoye

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Despite notable advancements in the design and synthesis of novel chemotherapeutic drugs, cancer continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States. Metallodrugs, especially Au complexes, have played a prominent role in the search for the next generation of chemotherapeutic agents. Herein, I report on the synthetic strategies towards the rational design of stable Au (Au)-based agents, study their reactivity in biological environment, and offer insights into the cytotoxic mechanism of action in cancer. Chemotherapeutic Au compounds exist mainly in +I or +III oxidation states. Repurposing of the Au(I) FDA approved auranofin for the treatment of diseases …


Hybridization And Duplex Stability Of Peptide Nucleic Acid Containing An Azobenzene Switch, Carmen J. Velasquez Jan 2024

Hybridization And Duplex Stability Of Peptide Nucleic Acid Containing An Azobenzene Switch, Carmen J. Velasquez

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Light-driven molecular switches that can be turned on and off on demand have found many biological applications. For DNA, RNA, and synthetic derivatives, the switch can be used to interfere with a hybridization event with a complementary strand. To explore this potential, we have synthesized three light-sensitive PNA which have an azobenzene group (PNA-5azo5 and PNA-4azo4), and two azobenzene groups (PNA-2azo5azo2) as part of the PNA backbone. UV experiments were used to verify the conversion to the cis-isomer from the initial trans state for all of the single-stranded Azo-PNA ( PNA-5azo5, PNA-4azo4, and PNA-2azo5azo2) by irradiating at 365 nm …


Chemical Synthesis Of Sensitive Dna, Komal Chillar Jan 2024

Chemical Synthesis Of Sensitive Dna, Komal Chillar

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Over the past decades, researchers have tried various chemical methods to synthesize modified oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs, i.e. short segments of DNAs). Traditional ODN synthesis methods require strong basic, and nucleophilic conditions for the deprotection and cleavage of the ODN from the solid support. However, the sensitive ODNs containing labile functionalities are vulnerable to such harsh conditions. Sensitive ODNs have a wide range of applications in research and pharmaceuticals. To synthesize sensitive ODNs, researchers devised different strategies but no practical methods have been developed. To overcome these challenges, we developed alkyl Dim alkyl Dmoc technology. This innovative technology uses weakly basic and …


Synthesis Of Long Oligodeoxynucleotides, Yipeng Yin Jan 2024

Synthesis Of Long Oligodeoxynucleotides, Yipeng Yin

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Synthetic long oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) have found wide applications in diverse fields such as chemical biology, synthetic biology, and genes and genomes synthesis. Those applications leading to a significant demand for their production. However, traditional methods for purifying synthetic ODNs present notable drawbacks, particularly their inability to purify long ODNs, rendering long ODN synthesis challenging. To address these issues, chemical synthesis techniques for long ODNs coupled with non-chromatographic purification methods have been developed. This technology makes the purification of long synthetic ODNs feasible and offers a viable pathway for producing genes and genomes with extensive repeats or stable secondary structures, which …


Deficiency Of Acute-Phase Serum Amyloid A Exacerbates Sepsis-Induced Mortality And Lung Injury In Mice, Ailing Ji, Andrea C. Trumbauer, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Luke W. Meredith, Brittany Dong, Qian Wang, Ling Guo, Xiangan Li, Frederick C. De Beer, Nancy R. Webb, Lisa R. Tannock, Marlene E. Starr, Christopher M. Waters, Preetha Shridas Dec 2023

Deficiency Of Acute-Phase Serum Amyloid A Exacerbates Sepsis-Induced Mortality And Lung Injury In Mice, Ailing Ji, Andrea C. Trumbauer, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Luke W. Meredith, Brittany Dong, Qian Wang, Ling Guo, Xiangan Li, Frederick C. De Beer, Nancy R. Webb, Lisa R. Tannock, Marlene E. Starr, Christopher M. Waters, Preetha Shridas

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a family of proteins, the plasma levels of which may increase >1000-fold in acute inflammatory states. We investigated the role of SAA in sepsis using mice deficient in all three acute-phase SAA isoforms (SAA-TKO). SAA deficiency significantly increased mortality rates in the three experimental sepsis mouse models: cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), cecal slurry (CS) injection, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatments. SAA-TKO mice had exacerbated lung pathology compared to wild-type (WT) mice after CLP. A bulk RNA sequencing performed on lung tissues excised 24 h after CLP indicated significant enrichment in the expression of genes associated …


Synthesis Of Bacterial Glycerophospholipids For Biomembrane Model Studies: A Means To Advanced Biofuels, Felix Adulley Dec 2023

Synthesis Of Bacterial Glycerophospholipids For Biomembrane Model Studies: A Means To Advanced Biofuels, Felix Adulley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To reduce reliance on fossil fuels, sustainable biofuels are being pursued, especially advanced biofuels like 1-butanol that have higher energy content and greater compatibility with existing infrastructure than ethanol. A persistent challenge is the yield-limiting toxicity of biofuels and process solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran, to the microbes that ferment biomass into biofuel. The cell membrane is a focal point of toxicity, and understanding how it interacts with fuels and solvents is key to improving yield. Phospholipid bilayers are the core of biomembranes, and model biomembranes of defined composition provide the ideal platform for biophysical studies. To this end, glycerophospholipids characteristic …


Quantifying The Role Of Water Quality On Nitrogen Cycling In A Trophic Estuary, Kayla Gonzalez-Boy Nov 2023

Quantifying The Role Of Water Quality On Nitrogen Cycling In A Trophic Estuary, Kayla Gonzalez-Boy

Symposium of Student Scholars

Jobos Bay Estuary is an intertidal, tropical estuary located in southern Puerto Rico. The estuary covers about 12 km2 and has a variety of habitats, such as seagrass beds, mangroves, mud flats, and coral reefs, which play important roles in sediment trapping and water quality maintenance. Seagrasses also serve as nursery and feeding grounds and provide shelter for macrofauna. Currently, the role of seagrasses and water quality on nitrogen (N) cycling in trophic estuaries is not well constrained. Understanding variations in sediment-based effects on N cycling rates and transformations, and how they are associated with water quality, is an …


Singlet Oxygen-Mediated Conformational Flexibility, Antioxidant, And Isomerization Studies In Chemistry And Biochemistry, Oliver Turque Sep 2023

Singlet Oxygen-Mediated Conformational Flexibility, Antioxidant, And Isomerization Studies In Chemistry And Biochemistry, Oliver Turque

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Three chapters are included in this dissertation, each of which describes non-oxidative reactions, with peroxy intermediates formed between singlet oxygen (1O2) and substrate. (1) Novel discoveries related to the intermediate formed by 1O2 and dimethyl disulfane are explored. (2) A new mechanism is proposed, wherein the dihedral angle CS–SC (θ) determines the pro- or antioxidant activity of an organic disulfide. (3) A review of 1O2's ability to facilitate the geometric isomerization of alkenes and polyenes is presented in Chapter 3.

Chapter 1 investigates the role of singlet oxygen potentially …


Syne1 Mutation Is Associated With Increased Tumor Mutation Burden And Immune Cell Infiltration In Ovarian Cancer, Laura M. Harbin, Nan Lin, Frederick R. Ueland, Jill M. Kolesar Sep 2023

Syne1 Mutation Is Associated With Increased Tumor Mutation Burden And Immune Cell Infiltration In Ovarian Cancer, Laura M. Harbin, Nan Lin, Frederick R. Ueland, Jill M. Kolesar

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

SYNE1, a nuclear envelope protein critical for cellular structure and signaling, is downregulated in numerous malignancies. SYNE1 alterations are found in 10% of gynecologic malignancies and 5% of epithelial ovarian cancers. Previous studies demonstrated an association between SYNE1 mutation, increased tumor mutation burden (TMB), and immunotherapy response. This study evaluates the SYNE1 mutation frequency, association with TMB, and downstream effects of SYNE1 mutation in ovarian cancer. Genetic information, including whole-exome sequencing, RNA analysis, and somatic tumor testing, was obtained for consenting ovarian cancer patients at an academic medical center. Mutation frequencies were compared between the institutional cohort and The Cancer …


Unleashing The Potential Of 1,3-Diketone Analogues As Selective Lh2 Inhibitors, Juhoon Lee, Hou-Fu Guo, Shike Wang, Yazdan Maghsoud, Erik Antonio Vázquez-Montelongo, Zhifeng Jing, Rae M. Sammons, Eun Jeong Cho, Pengyu Ren, G. Andrés Cisneros, Jonathan M. Kurie, Kevin N. Dalby Sep 2023

Unleashing The Potential Of 1,3-Diketone Analogues As Selective Lh2 Inhibitors, Juhoon Lee, Hou-Fu Guo, Shike Wang, Yazdan Maghsoud, Erik Antonio Vázquez-Montelongo, Zhifeng Jing, Rae M. Sammons, Eun Jeong Cho, Pengyu Ren, G. Andrés Cisneros, Jonathan M. Kurie, Kevin N. Dalby

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Lysyl hydroxylase 2 (LH2) catalyzes the formation of highly stable hydroxylysine aldehyde-derived collagen cross-links (HLCCs), thus promoting lung cancer metastasis through its capacity to modulate specific types of collagen cross-links within the tumor stroma. Using 1 and 2 from our previous high-throughput screening (HTS) as lead probes, we prepared a series of 1,3-diketone analogues, 1−18, and identified 12 and 13 that inhibit LH2 with IC50’s of approximately 300 and 500 nM, respectively. Compounds 12 and 13 demonstrate selectivity for LH2 over LH1 and LH3. Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) modeling indicates that the selectivity of 12 and 13 may stem from …


Activation Of The Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Is Attenuated In Hypertensive Compared With Normotensive Pregnancy, Robin C. Shoemaker, Marko Poglitsch, Hong Huang, Katherine Vignes, Aarthi Srinivasan, Cynthia Cockerham-Morris, Aric Schadler, John Anthony Bauer, John O'Brien Aug 2023

Activation Of The Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Is Attenuated In Hypertensive Compared With Normotensive Pregnancy, Robin C. Shoemaker, Marko Poglitsch, Hong Huang, Katherine Vignes, Aarthi Srinivasan, Cynthia Cockerham-Morris, Aric Schadler, John Anthony Bauer, John O'Brien

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Hypertension during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, but the mechanisms of pregnancy hypertension are not precisely understood. Elevated plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentrations play an important role in the normal physiologic adaptation to pregnancy. These effectors are reduced in patients with pregnancy hypertension, creating an opportunity to define the features of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) that are characteristic of this disorder. In the current study, we used a novel LC-MS/MS-based methodology to develop comprehensive profiles of RAAS peptides and effectors over gestation in a cohort of 74 pregnant women followed prospectively for the development …


Structures Of The Insecticidal Toxin Complex Subunit Xpta2 Highlight Roles For Flexible Domains, Cole L. Martin, David W. Chester, Christopher D. Radka, Lurong Pan, Zhengrong Yang, Rachel C. Hart, Elad M. Binshtein, Zhao Wang, Lisa Nagy, Lawrence J. Delucas, Stephen G. Aller Aug 2023

Structures Of The Insecticidal Toxin Complex Subunit Xpta2 Highlight Roles For Flexible Domains, Cole L. Martin, David W. Chester, Christopher D. Radka, Lurong Pan, Zhengrong Yang, Rachel C. Hart, Elad M. Binshtein, Zhao Wang, Lisa Nagy, Lawrence J. Delucas, Stephen G. Aller

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The Toxin Complex (Tc) superfamily consists of toxin translocases that contribute to the targeting, delivery, and cytotoxicity of certain pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. Membrane receptor targeting is driven by the A-subunit (TcA), which comprises IgG-like receptor binding domains (RBDs) at the surface. To better understand XptA2, an insect specific TcA secreted by the symbiont X. nematophilus from the intestine of entomopathogenic nematodes, we determined structures by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM. Contrary to a previous report, XptA2 is pentameric. RBD-B exhibits an indentation from crystal packing that indicates loose association with the shell and a hotspot for possible receptor binding or a …


Synthesis And Study Of High-Spin Stable Organic Radicals For Electrical Conductors And Mannosamine Nitroxide For Mri Contrast Agents, Shuyang Zhang Jun 2023

Synthesis And Study Of High-Spin Stable Organic Radicals For Electrical Conductors And Mannosamine Nitroxide For Mri Contrast Agents, Shuyang Zhang

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In the first project, we describe the synthesis of an ambient stable high spin organic diradical 4 based on the Blatter moiety. The high-spin (S = 1) organic diradical 4, which consists of two Blatter radical moieties in a conjugated structure, exhibits a nearly exclusive population (88%) on triplet ground state at room temperature as a consequence of a large single-triplet energy gap (ΔEST = 0.5 kcal/mol). The target diradical molecule is synthesized over five steps with structural confirmation by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows the onset of decomposition at ~264 oC, indicating the diradical molecule has …


A Synthetic Approach To The Optimization Of Silicon-Rosindolizine Swir Fluorophores, Timothy Lewis May 2023

A Synthetic Approach To The Optimization Of Silicon-Rosindolizine Swir Fluorophores, Timothy Lewis

Honors Theses

Fluorophores emitting within the near-infrared (700 – 1000 nm) or shortwave-infrared (1000 – 1700 nm) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are of particular interest for their potential to supplement or even outright replace commonly used biological imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanning. Various characteristics make these molecules particularly appealing to researchers, such as their ease of synthetic tunability, generally low toxicity, and high solubility in biological media in comparison to other NIR- and SWIR-emissive fluorophores. Different molecular skeletons have been examined for use as the core of these imaging agents, such as squaraine, cyanine, and …


Determination Of Cadmium Uptake In Crassostrea Virginica Shell Under Controlled Conditions, Joseph John Pavelites Ii May 2023

Determination Of Cadmium Uptake In Crassostrea Virginica Shell Under Controlled Conditions, Joseph John Pavelites Ii

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The objective of this thesis was to meet growing demand for the development of environmental biomonitors that protect ecosystems and public health. To do this, I determined the potential of oyster shell as a bioindicator of cadmium (Cd) in the environment by determining the mode of Cd uptake and relationships between Cd concentrations in the environment, shell, and soft tissues of juvenile eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica Gmelin). I performed a review of the literature on the ability of oyster shell to retain metal contaminants and the factors that could affect this process (Chapter 2). I then reared C. virginica …


Non-Destructive Imaging Of Phytosulfokine Trafficking In Plants Using Fiber-Optic Fluorescence Microscopy, Bernard Abakah May 2023

Non-Destructive Imaging Of Phytosulfokine Trafficking In Plants Using Fiber-Optic Fluorescence Microscopy, Bernard Abakah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plants secrete peptide ligands and use receptor signaling to respond to stress and control development. Understanding these phenomena is key to improving plant health and productivity for food, fiber, and energy applications. Phytosulfokine (PSK), a sulfated peptide hormone, regulates plant cell division, growth, and stress tolerance via specific phytosulfokine receptors (PSKRs). This study uses fiber-optic fluorescence microscopy to elucidate trafficking of PSK in live plants. The microscope features two-color optics and an objective lens connected to a 1-m coherent imaging fiber mounted on either a conventional upright microscope body or 5-axis positioning system (X–Y–Z plus pitch and yaw). PSK and …


Toward The Design, Synthesis, And Characterization Of Abiotic Coiled-Coil Peptides Via Solid-Phase Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (Sp-Cuaac) Click Reaction For The Preparation Of Controlled Self-Assembly Molecular Building Block, Liaquat Ali Apr 2023

Toward The Design, Synthesis, And Characterization Of Abiotic Coiled-Coil Peptides Via Solid-Phase Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (Sp-Cuaac) Click Reaction For The Preparation Of Controlled Self-Assembly Molecular Building Block, Liaquat Ali

Chemistry Theses

The production of cutting-edge materials, the development of novel medications, drug delivery systems, technological advancements, and biosynthesizing all depend on molecular building blocks. Proteins are required for the creation of intricate, well-organized structures, and coiled-coil protein domains are vital subunits for the oligomerization of protein complexes, gene expression, and the structural components of biological materials. The numerous interactions between a wide variety of amino acids make it difficult to assemble protein complexes with a particular shape. In the current study, we successfully designed and synthesized four different 32-residue peptides, each of which had two modified amino azide residues. These peptides …


Simulating A Flexible Water Model As Rigid: Best Practices And Lessons Learned, Raymond Weldon, Feng Wang Apr 2023

Simulating A Flexible Water Model As Rigid: Best Practices And Lessons Learned, Raymond Weldon, Feng Wang

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Two ways to create rigid versions of flexible models are explored. The rigid model can assume the Model’s Geometry (MG) as if the molecule is not interacting with any other molecules or the ensemble averaged geometry (EG) under a particular thermodynamic condition. Although the MG model is more straightforward to create, it leads to relatively poor performance. The EG model behaves similarly to the corresponding flexible model (the FL model) and, in some cases, agrees even better with experiments. While the difference between the EG and the FL models is mostly a result of flexibility, the MG and EG models …


Dual Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Cellulosic Materials: Thermal, Mechanical And Conductive Properties, Elizabeth Mcgrew, Kevin M. Miller Phd Jan 2023

Dual Ionic Liquid-Functionalized Cellulosic Materials: Thermal, Mechanical And Conductive Properties, Elizabeth Mcgrew, Kevin M. Miller Phd

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Cellulose, an inexpensive and renewable biomacromolecule, represents an intriguing synthetic foundation for new materials with task-specific properties. Here, we wish to report a synthetic route for functionalizing cellulose with a side chain containing two ionic liquid functional groups using azide-alkyne ‘click’ cyclization strategy, followed by quaternization of the two resulting heterocycles (1,2,3-triazole and imidazole). Through this functionalization strategy, the resulting cellulosic materials exhibited significant softening, with several glass transition (Tg) values observed below room temperature, indicating the amorphous nature of the materials, with the Tg dependent on both the length of the side chain and the …


Development And Biological Evaluation Of Selective Small-Molecule Inhibitors Of The Human Cytochrome P450 1b1, Austin Hachey Jan 2023

Development And Biological Evaluation Of Selective Small-Molecule Inhibitors Of The Human Cytochrome P450 1b1, Austin Hachey

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

The human cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is an emerging target for small- molecule therapeutics. Several solid tumors overexpress CYP1B1 to the degree that it has been referred to as a universal tumor antigen. Conversely, its expression is low in healthy tissues. CYP1B1 may drive tumorigenesis through promoting the formation of reactive toxins from environmental pollutants or from endogenous hormone substrates. Additionally, the expression of CYP1B1 in tumors is associated with resistance to several common chemotherapies and with poor prognoses in cancer patients. However, inhibiting CYP1B1 with small molecules has been demonstrated in cellular and murine model systems to reverse this …


Development Of A Chemical Biology Approach To Uncover The Influence Of Sequence Variations On Ces1 Activity In Live Cells, Samuel James Knebel Jan 2023

Development Of A Chemical Biology Approach To Uncover The Influence Of Sequence Variations On Ces1 Activity In Live Cells, Samuel James Knebel

Masters Theses

Drug metabolism is the biochemical process of modifying drugs to detoxify and remove them through enzymatic transformations. These biotransformation’s occur primarily in the liver and are critical to understanding how pharmaceutical compounds are chemically altered inside the human body. Human carboxylesterases (CESs) catalyze the hydrolysis of esters, amides, thioesters, and carbamates. CES-mediated hydrolysis plays an important role in the metabolism of many drugs including the first FDA approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19, remdesivir (Veklury), the seizure control medication rufinamide (Banzel), and the flu antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu). CES activity is known to be influenced by a variety of factors including …


Designing And Synthesizing A Warhead-Fragment Inhibitory Ligand For Ivyp1 Through Fragment-Based Drug Discovery, Samuel Moore Dec 2022

Designing And Synthesizing A Warhead-Fragment Inhibitory Ligand For Ivyp1 Through Fragment-Based Drug Discovery, Samuel Moore

Symposium of Student Scholars

Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is a powerful tool for developing anticancer and antimicrobial agents. Within this, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) provides a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative approach to screening and validating weak and robust binders with targeted proteins, making NMR among the most attractive strategies in FBDD. Inhibitor of vertebrate lysozyme (Ivyp1) of P. aeruginosa serves as an excellent target because of its active cellular location and implications in clinical prognosis for cystic fibrosis and immunocompromised patients. This study uses current NMR and biophysical techniques to develop a covalent, fragment-linked warhead inhibitor for Ivyp1 through synthetic methods, warhead linking, and …


The Binding Of The Micronutrient Transition Metals To The Alkylation Products Of Chemical Warfare Agent, Sulfur Mustard, And Thiols, Potentially Giving New Understanding To Physiological Effects Of Exposure And Increased Toxicity, Colin O'Donnell Dec 2022

The Binding Of The Micronutrient Transition Metals To The Alkylation Products Of Chemical Warfare Agent, Sulfur Mustard, And Thiols, Potentially Giving New Understanding To Physiological Effects Of Exposure And Increased Toxicity, Colin O'Donnell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Model compounds, 3,6,9-trithaiundecane-1,11-dicarboxylic acid (TTDPA), 2,5,8-trithianonane-1,9-dicarboxylic acid (TTDAA), and 1,11-diamide-3,6,9-trithiaundecane (TTDAce), closely related to the adducts formed by cysteine alkylation of the chemical weapon, sulfur mustard, were synthesized. It is shown that TTDPA forms complexes with key metal micronutrients: copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and zinc. Though the strength of binding to TTDPA varies, the complexes in many cases precipitate from solution. All metals produced a visible precipitate upon interaction with TTDPA under the conditions tested, however only Cu2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ produced enough to be measured. The mass of formed precipitate seemed to peak at an equimolar ratio of TTDPA …


Ferrocenium Salt Aided Substitution Reactions And Synthesis Of Glycosylated Curcumin Derivatives, Deva Saroja Talasila Nov 2022

Ferrocenium Salt Aided Substitution Reactions And Synthesis Of Glycosylated Curcumin Derivatives, Deva Saroja Talasila

Dissertations

Organic synthesis has been significantly advanced with the employment of transition metal complexes. The discovery of transition metal catalysts provided the synthetic community with powerful tools for accelerating reactions and making them more selective and efficient. Many chemical reactions do not happen without a catalyst.

Iron-based catalysts have several advantages for the chemical industry because it is a non-toxic and ecologically friendly metal. Our group previously found that ferrocenium cations with a 3+ oxidation state of iron-catalyzed propargylic substitution reactions at low temperatures. The sandwich structure of ferrocenes allows substituents to be introduced on the cyclopentadienyl rings, which allows for …


Analysis Of The Light Responsive Azobenzene Peptide Nucleic Acid Duplexes, Kat Nguyen May 2022

Analysis Of The Light Responsive Azobenzene Peptide Nucleic Acid Duplexes, Kat Nguyen

Honors College Theses

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are oligonucleotide analogues in which the sugar-phosphate backbone has been replaced by a pseudopeptide skeleton. Since PNAs use the natural nucleobases (Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Uracil, and Guanine) found in either DNA and/or RNA, they are able to hybridize according to Watson-Crick base-pairing to form duplexes. PNA is a promising therapeutic agent because they can function as antigene or antisense chemical agents. To further enhance their utility, we aim to incorporate a photoswitchable moiety using azobenzene. Here, we report the results of the synthesis and purification of a photoswitchable 11 mer PNA along with initial characterization efforts.


Design, Synthesis, And Analysis Of Paired Coiled-Coil Peptidic Molecular Building Blocks Used For Linearly Controlled Self-Assembly Of Α-Helical Coiled-Coil Heterodimer Peptide Pairs, Jason Distefano Apr 2022

Design, Synthesis, And Analysis Of Paired Coiled-Coil Peptidic Molecular Building Blocks Used For Linearly Controlled Self-Assembly Of Α-Helical Coiled-Coil Heterodimer Peptide Pairs, Jason Distefano

Chemistry Theses

Molecular building blocks are fundamental to biological synthesis and processes and have been utilized in advanced materials, drugs and drug delivery systems, and biotechnology. Proteins have been used as molecular building blocks for the construction of complex, well-ordered structures. Coiled-coil protein domains are essential subunits used for the oligomerization of protein complexes, gene expression, and structural elements of biological materials. The synthesis and assembly of proteins utilizing coiled-coil motifs are of great scientific interest due to their potential applications in disease treatment, biomechanical motors, nanoscale delivery systems, etc. However, assembling protein complexes with specific morphology is still challenging because …


Fast Photochemical Oxidation And Footprinting Of Proteins Via Trifluoromethyl Radical Chemistry, Elaine Morrow Apr 2022

Fast Photochemical Oxidation And Footprinting Of Proteins Via Trifluoromethyl Radical Chemistry, Elaine Morrow

Honors Theses

Fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP) is a useful tool in proteomics because of the ability for modifications to occur on the scale of microseconds which reduces the modifications to tertiary and quaternary structure allowing for more accurate labeling of the protein. Labels for FPOP are generated from various radicals in our experiments which include hydroxyl radicals and trifluoromethyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals are easily generated by using an excimer laser (KrF laser, 248 nm) or a UV flash lamp (as a part of the Fox™ System) by the photolysis of hydrogen peroxide. Trifluoromethyl radicals, however, need hydroxyl radicals to be …