The myrmicarins are a family of air- and temperature-sensitive alkaloids that possess unique structural features. Our concise enantioselective synthesis of the tricyclic myrmicarins enabled evaluation of a potentially biomimetic assembly of the complex members via direct dimerization of simpler structures. These studies revealed that myrmicarin 215B undergoes efficient and highly diastereoselec...

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of isoenzymes is believed to mediate a wide range of signal-transduction pathways in many different cell types. A series of bisindolylmaleimides have been evaluated as inhibitors of members of the conventional PKC family (PKCs-alpha, -beta, -gamma) and of a representative of the new, Ca(2+)-independent, PKC family, PKC-epsilon. In contrast with the indolocarbaz...

We address the interpretation, via an integrated computational approach, of the experimental continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (cw-EPR) spectra of a complete set of conformationally highly restricted, stable 310-helical peptides from hexa- to nonamers, each bis-labeled with nitroxide radical-containing TOAC (4-amino-1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-carboxylic acid) residues....

To understand the structural and chemical basis for insect neuropeptide activity, we have designed, synthesized, and determined the conformation of a biologically active cyclic analog of the pyrokinins, an insect neuropeptide family that mediates myotropic (visceral muscle contractile) activity. Members of this insect neuropeptide family share the common C-terminal pentapeptide sequence Phe-Xaa...

The title compound, C(13)H(14)N(2)OS, crystallizes as a racemate in a non-chiral space group. It represents a conformationally restricted analogue of so-called Biginelli compounds known to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities and was selected for a single-crystal X-ray analysis in order to probe the chemical and spatial requirements of some kinds of activity. It was found that the state ...

We present an in silico, structure-based approach for design and evaluation of conformationally restricted peptide-vaccines. In particular, we designed four cyclic peptides of ten or 11 residues mimicking the crystallographically observed beta-turn conformation of a predicted immunodominant loop of PorA from Neisseria meningitidis. Conformational correctness and stability of the peptide designs...

Metal ion recognition by proton-ionizable calixarenes is often affected by interference from the Na present in many aqueous solutions. To assess the Na-effect on calixarene selectivity towards alkaline earth metal cations (AEMC), competitive solvent extraction of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba from aqueous solutions into chloroform by di-ionizable calix[4]arene N(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)carboxamides and co...

The title compound, C6H9NO4·H2O [systematic name: (αR,1R,2S)-rel-α-amino-2-carb-oxy-cyclo-propane-acetic acid monohydrate], crystallizes with two organic mol-ecules and two water mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The space group is P21 and the organic mol-ecules are enanti-omers, thus this is an example of a 'false conglomerate' with two mol-ecules of opposite handedness in the asymmetric unit...

In our continuing study of triterpene derivatives as potent anti-HIV agents, different C-3 conformationally restricted betulinic acid (BA, 1) derivatives were designed and synthesized in order to explore the conformational space of the C-3 pharmacophore. 3-O-Monomethylsuccinyl-betulinic acid (MSB) analogues were also designed to better understand the contribution of the C-3' dimethyl group of b...