Author: Anthony P. Davis

Efficient, non-toxic anion transport by synthetic carriers in cells and epithelia.

Transmembrane anion transporters (anionophores) have potential for new modes of biological activity, including therapeutic applications. In particular they might replace the activity of defective anion channels in conditions such as cystic fibrosis. However, data on the biological effects of anionophores are scarce, and it remains uncertain whether such molecules are fundamentally toxic. Here, we report a biological study of an extensive series of powerful anion carriers. Fifteen anionophores were assayed in single cells by monitoring anion transport in real time through fluorescence emission from halide-sensitive yellow fluorescent protein. A bis-(p-nitrophenyl)ureidodecalin shows especial…

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Sterically geared tris-thioureas; transmembrane chloride transporters with unusual activity and accessibility

Tris-N-arylthioureas derived in one step from 1,3,5-tris(aminomethyl)-2,4,6-triethylbenzene are remarkably effective anion carriers. With optimised aryl substituents their activities come close to the best currently known, suggesting that they might find use as readily available standards in anion transport research.

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Hexagonal Microparticles from Hierarchical Self-Organization of Chiral Trigonal Pd3L6 Macrotetracycles

Construction of structurally complex architectures using inherently chiral, asymmetric, or multi-heterotopic ligands is a major challenge in metallosupramolecular chemistry. Moreover, the hierarchical self-organization of such complexes is unique. Here, we introduce a water-soluble, facially amphiphilic, amphoteric, chiral, asymmetric, and hetero-tritopic ligand derived from natural bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid. We show that via the supramolecular transmetalation reaction, using nitrates of Cu(II) or Fe(III), and subsequently Pd(II), a superchiral Pd3L6 complex can be obtained. Even though several possible constitutional isomers of Pd3L6 could be formed, because of the ligand asymmetry a…

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Anion Recognition by a Bioactive Diureidodecalin Anionophore: Solid-State, Solution, and Computational Studies

Recent work has identified a bis-(p-nitrophenyl)ureidodecalin anion carrier as a promising candidate for biomedical applications, showing good activity for chloride transport in cells yet almost no cytotoxicity. To underpin further development of this and related compounds, a detailed structural and binding investigation is reported. Crystal structures of the transporter as five solvates confirm the diaxial positioning of urea groups while revealing a degree of conformational flexibility. Structures of complexes with Cl−, Br−, NO3 −, SO4 2− and AcO−, supported by computational studies, show how the binding site can adapt to accommodate these anions. 1H NMR binding studies revealed exception…

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An Extraction-Based Assay for Neutral Anionophores: The Measurement of High Binding Constants to Steroidal Receptors in a Nonpolar Solvent

The extraction-based proto- col for measuring binding constants, developed by Cram and co-workers, has been extended for use with anionic substrates. The method is especially useful for high-affinity receptors, allow- ing very high binding constants to be measured in nonpolar solvents. Distri- bution constants Kd between chloroform and water have been obtained for tet- raethylammonium chloride and bro- mide, thus calibrating the method for these two substrates. Application to steroidal podands 5 ± 9 has confirmed the ability of electron-withdrawing groups to enhance hydrogen-bond do- nor capabilities. Binding constants of 3 10 71 have been measured for the most powerful receptor 7. An X-ray…

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CCDC 1953708: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Ondřej Jurček, Nonappa, Elina Kalenius, Pia Jurček, Juha M. Linnanto, Rakesh Puttreddy, Hennie Valkenier, Nikolay Houbenov, Michal Babiak, Miroslav Peterek, Anthony P. Davis, Radek Marek, Kari Rissanen|2021|Cell Reports Physical Science|2|100303|doi:10.1016/j.xcrp.2020.100303

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CCDC 1420195: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Hongyu Li, Hennie Valkenier, Luke W. Judd, Peter R. Brotherhood, Sabir Hussain, James A. Cooper, Ondřej Jurček, Hazel A. Sparkes, David N. Sheppard, Anthony P. Davis|2016|Nature Chemistry|8|24|doi:10.1038/nchem.2384

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