The Sythesis of Polyfunctional Pyrroles and the Investigation of the Chemoselectivity of their Reactions

Polyfunctional pyrroles are interesting heterocyclic intermediates as they have a range of reactive centres and the chemoselectivity of their reactions under a range of conditions, is therefore, of much interest. Polyfunctionalised heterocycles are relatively difficult to prepare, but the reactions of these substituted pyrroles allow access to a wide variety of new substituted heterocyclic compounds via these intermediates. The aim of this project was to synthesise polyfunctional pyrroles in order to investigate their use in the preparation of libraries and compounds with known biological activity. The synthesis and initial investigation of the regioselectivity of polyfunctional pyrroles, such as 3,5-dichloro-1H-pyrrole-2,4-dicarboxaldehyde, has previously been described; this work investigated only nucleophilic substitutions. We have investigated the chemoselectivity of the reaction of these pyrroles with a range of reagents and a number of pyrrole derivatives were synthesised via selective functional group transformations. All new compounds were fully characterised by spectroscopic and elemental analysis. Another aim of this project was to discover novel agents that inhibit VEGF receptors using structure based drug design. We have identified hit compounds and synthesised them using regioselective reactions of functional groups present on the pyrrole ring. The compounds were tested for anti-proliferative activity against the HaCaT, human keratinocyte cell line, and also against HT29 and CaCo-2, human colon cell lines using the MTT assay

Precision templated bottom-up multiprotein nanoassembly through defined click chemistry linkage to DNA

We demonstrate an approach that allows attachment of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) to a defined residue in a protein of interest (POI) so as to provide optimal and well-defined multicomponent assemblies. Using an expanded genetic code system, azido-phenylalanine (azF) was incorporated at defined residue positions in each POI; copper-free click chemistry was used to attach exactly one ssDNA at precisely defined residues. By choosing an appropriate residue, ssDNA conjugation had minimal impact on protein function, even when attached close to active sites. The protein-ssDNA conjugates were used to (i) assemble double-stranded DNA systems with optimal communication (energy transfer) between normally separate groups and (ii) generate multicomponent systems on DNA origami tiles, including those with enhanced enzyme activity when bound to the tile. Our approach allows any potential protein to be simply engineered to attach ssDNA or related biomolecules, creating conjugates for designed and highly precise multiprotein nanoscale assembly with tailored functionality

DNA as supramolecular scaffold for functional molecules: progress in DNA nanotechnology

Oligonucleotides have recently gained increased attraction as a supramolecular scaffold for the design and synthesis of functional molecules on the nanometre scale. This tutorial review focuses on the recent progress in this highly active field of research with an emphasis on covalent modifications of DNA; non-covalent interactions of DNA with molecules such as groove binders or intercalators are not part of this review. Both terminal and internal modifications are covered, and the various points of attachment (nucleobase, sugar moiety or phosphodiester backbone) are compared. Using selected examples of the recent literature, the diversity of the functionalities that have been incorporated into DNA strands is discussed.<br/

Dataset for Precision Templated Bottom-Up Multiprotein Nanoassembly through Defined Click Chemistry Linkage to DNA

Analysed data for figures provided in the manuscript and supporting information</span