AbstractsChemistry

This work is divided in 2 different parts: Part A: Cyclization and conjugation can confer on biomolecules better activity, resistance toward enzymatic degradation and better internalization properties. In order to develop a versatile methodology for polyamide conjugation and cyclization, several protected maleimide-containing monomers were synthesized and incorporated into polyamide sequences. Maleimide protection was accomplished by Diels-Alder reaction with 2,5-dimethylfuran. The resulting cycloadduct underwent a retro-Diels-Alder reaction upon heating. These monomers were included in peptide and peptoid sequences, and it was assessed in all cases that the maleimides obtained after deprotection were fully reactive. Double conjugates were obtained by incorporating both a free and a protected maleimide in the same sequence. These were peptides were selectively linked to two different biomolecules, namely a peptide-thiol or an oligonucleotide-diene. By assembling sequences containing both maleimide and cysteine, several cyclic polyamides were obtained. These could include almost all proteinogenic amino acids. By combining orthogonally-protected cysteines and free and protected maleimides, bicyclic peptides could also be synthesized. Cyclic peptide conjugates were synthesized, by taking advantage of the different protecting group schemes developed. These compounds could contain the conjugation spot within or outside the cycle, either at the C- or the N- terminus. All cyclizations were performed by Michael addition, and conjugations were performed by reactions such as Diels-Alder cycloaddition, Michael addition or Huisgen cycloaddition. Finally, a series of cyclic peptide – PNA conjugates were synthesized and tested as alternative splicing inducers. Unfortunately their activity did not surpass the one from previously tested conjugates. Part B: Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) promotes translation of its genetic material through a cellular mechanism, in which part of its RNA sequence, the IRES, plays a crucial role. FMDV IRES contains a GNRA loop, and AD2, a small molecule, is known to interact with these kind of loops. The initial goal of this part was to study the interaction between AD2 and the GUAA loop of the FMDV IRES. AD2 was synthesized, and in vitro assays were performed in order to assess its activity and binding site. By using a bicistronic RNA, a differential response was observed in the inhibition of the cap- and the IRES-dependent translation, assessing that AD2 was active. The binding site determination was attempted with the SHAPE assay, but no defined binding site could be established. At the same time a series of biophysical assays with synthetic RNA were performed. Thermal denaturation experiments and CD measurements, as well as isothermal titration calorimetry assays were carried out, but none of them afforded relevant data. However, EC50 values could be obtained by employing fluorescently-labeled RNA. These experiments showed that AD2 interacted with the desired loop, but also with a bulge…