Exploring the potential of gold(iii) cyclometallated compounds as cytotoxic agents: variations on the C^N theme

A series of novel ((CN)-N-boolean AND) cyclometallated Au(III) complexes of general formula [Au(py(b)-H)(LL2)-L-1](n+) (py(b)-H = (CN)-N-boolean AND cyclometallated 2-benzylpyridine, L-1 and L-2 being chlorido, phosphane or glucosethiolato ligands, n = 0 or 1) have been synthesized and fully characterized using different techniques, including NMR, IR and far-IR, mass spectrometry, as well as elemental analysis. The crystal structure of one compound has been solved using X-ray diffraction methods. All compounds were tested in vitro in five human cancer cell lines including the lung, breast, colon and ovarian cancer cells. For comparison purposes, all compounds were also tested in a model of healthy human cells from the embryonic kidney. Notably, all new compounds were more toxic than their cyclometallated precursor bearing two chlorido ligands, and the derivative bearing one phosphane ligand presented the most promising toxicity profile in our in vitro screening, displaying a p53 dependent activity in colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. Finally, for the first time (CN)-N-boolean AND cyclometallated gold(III) complexes were shown to be potent inhibitors of the zinc finger protein PARP-1, involved in the mechanism of cisplatin resistance

Signatures of technetium oxidation states: a new approach

A general strategy for the determination of Tc oxidation state by new approach involving X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) at the Tc L-3 edge is shown. A comprehensive series of Tc-99 compounds, ranging from oxidation states I to VII, was measured and subsequently simulated within the framework of crystal-field multiplet theory. The observable trends in the absorption edge energy shift in combination with the spectral shape allow for a deeper understanding of complicated Tc coordination chemistry. This approach can be extended to numerous studies of Tc systems as this method is one of the most sensitive methods for accurate Tc oxidation state and ligand characterization

Studies on central baffin vegetation I. Bray Island

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43889/1/11258_2004_Article_BF00299587.pd

STAGES IN THE ORIGIN OF VERTEBRATES: ANALYSIS BY MEANS OF SCENARIOS

Vertebrates lack an epidermal nerve plexus. This feature is common to many invertebrates from which vertebrates differ by an extensive set of shared-derived characters (synapomorphies) derived from the neural crest and epidermal neurogenic placodes. Hence, the hypothesis that the developmental precursor of the epidermal nerve plexus may be homologous to the neural crest and epidermal neurogenic placodes. This account attempts to generate a nested set of scenarios for the prevertebrate-vertebrate transition, associating a presumed sequence of behavioural and environmental changes with the observed phenotypic ones. Toward this end, it integrates morphological, developmental, functional (physiological/behavioural) and some ecological data, as many phenotypic shifts apparently involved associated transitions in several aspects of the animals. The scenarios deal with the origin of embryonic and adult tissues and such major organs as the notochord, the CNS, gills and kidneys and propose a sequence of associated changes. Alternative scenarios are stated as the evidence often remains insufficient for decision. The analysis points to gaps in comprehension of the biology of the animals and therefore suggests further research.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72629/1/j.1469-185X.1989.tb00471.x.pd

Reduction of [VO2(ma)2]- and [VO2(ema)2]- by ascorbic acid and glutathione: kinetic studies of pro-drugs for the enhancement of insulin action.

To shed light on the role of V(V) complexes as pro-drugs for their V(IV) analogues, the kinetics of the reduction reactions of [VO2(ma)2]- or [VO2(ema)2]- (Hma = maltol, Hema = ethylmaltol), with ascorbic acid or glutathione, have been studied in aqueous solution by spectrophotometric and magnetic resonance methods. EPR and 51V NMR studies suggested that the vanadium(V) in each complex was reduced to vanadium(IV) during the reactions. All the reactions studied showed first-order kinetics when the concentration of ascorbic acid or glutathione was in large excess and the observed first-order rate constants have a linear relationship with the concentrations of reductant (ascorbic acid or glutathione). Potentiometric results revealed that the most important species in the neutral pH range is [VO2(L)2]- for the V(V) system where L is either ma- or ema-. An acid dependence mechanism was proposed from kinetic studies with varying pH and varying maltol concentration. The good fits of the second order rate constant versus pH or the total concentration of maltol, and the good agreement of the constants obtained between fittings, strongly supported the mechanism. Under the same conditions, the reaction rate of [VO2(ma)2]- with glutathione is about 2000 times slower than that of [VO2(ma)2]- with ascorbic acid, but an acid dependence mechanism can also be used to explain the results for the reduction with glutathione. Replacing the methyl group in maltol with an ethyl group has little influence on the reduction rate with ascorbic acid, and the kinetics are the same no matter whether [VO2(ma)2]- or [VO2(ema)2]- is reduced

Active oxygen species formation in synaptosomes exposed to an aluminum chelator.

This study evaluates the potential of two chelators, 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridine-4-one (Hdpp) and 1-n-butyl-2-methyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one (Hnbp), to modulate cerebral rates of free radical production. The fluorometric assay for 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein, which is formed by oxidation of a nonfluorescent precursor (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate), was used to assay reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The chelator Hdpp alone and the aluminum complexes of each chelator, Al (dpp)3 and Al (nbp)3, all inhibited basal rates of generation of ROS within a rat cerebral synaptosomal fraction. In the presence of an iron salt (1 microM FeSO4), a major enhancement of synaptosomal ROS formation was apparent. However, with the addition of an equimolar concentration of Hdpp, Al(dpp)3, or Al(nbp)3, this stimulation was completely abolished. The N-substituted-3-hydroxy-4-pyridinones have been proposed to be of clinical utility for the removal of iron or aluminum from tissues. The clinical potential of this class of chelator may be enhanced by their ability to inhibit iron-related oxidative events