Estimulación de la producción de compuestos polifenólicos en microalgas cultivadas en condiciones de estrés oxidativo por altas concentraciones de hierro (III) y cobre (II)

[EN] The study investigates the phenolic profile of exudates and extracts of several microalgae harvested in natural seawater in the presence and absence of Cu and Fe additions, at metal levels of environmental relevance. The experimental findings show changes in the concentrations and types of polyphenols as a function of the metal added and its spiked concentrations. The results shown might be useful to help explaining the dynamics of this important class of compounds in seawater and also encourage further studies aimed at using algae as a source of chemical principles to be used in the health, food and pharmaceutical industry.

Vibrational spectroscopy on thermally and optically switchable spin crossover compounds

Oktaedrisch koordinierte Übergangsmetalle mit der Elektronenkonfiguration [Ar]3d4 - 3d7 können in zwei unterschiedlichen elektronischen Zuständen existieren: im High-Spin (HS) oder im Low-Spin (LS) Zustand. Zum Beispiel kann Fe(II) in 1A1g (LS) oder 5T2g (HS) Konfiguration auftreten.Besonderes Interesse besteht in der Aufklärung des Mechanismus der kooperativen Wechselwirkung, die den Spinübergang im Festkörper bestimmt. Hierzu müssen zunächst die internen Freiheitsgrade der molekularen Einheiten bekannt sein. Besonders der Beitrag der molekularen Schwingungen zur Entropiedifferenz, die die Triebkraft des Spinübergangs darstellt, ist von entscheidender Bedeutung. Bisher existieren nur wenige detaillierte Untersuchungen zu den Schwingungseigenschaften der Spincrossovermoleküle.In Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Schwingungseigenschaften einiger Komplexverbindungen, die Spincrossover zeigen, im Detail untersucht. Dazu wurden temperaturabhängige Raman-, Fern- und Mittel-Infrarot-Spektroskopie, Isotopensubstitution und Normalkoordinatenanalysen (NKA) in Verbindung mit Dichtefunktional-Rechnungen (DFT) verwendet.Die gewonnenen Werte der zugeordneten Schwingungsfrequenzen und die bestimmten Kraftkonstantenänderungen können nun zur Verfeinerung von theoretischen Modellen zur Beschreibung des Spinübergangs verwendet werden.

N-Heterocyclic carbene complexes of silver, rhodium and iron: structures, dynamics and catalysis

The research performed in the framework of this Master Thesis has been directly inspired by the recent work of an organometallic research group led by Professor Maria Cristina Cassani on a topic related to the structures, dynamics and catalytic activity of N-heterocyclic carbene-amide rhodium(I) complexes1. A series of [BocNHCH2CH2ImR]X (R = Me, X = I, 1a’; R = Bz, X = Br, 1b’; R = trityl, X = Cl, 1c’) amide-functionalized imidazolium salts bearing increasingly bulky N-alkyl substituents were synthetized and characterized. Subsequently, these organic precursors were employed in the synthesis of silver(I) complexes as intermediate compounds on a way to rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(NBD)X(NHC)] (NHC = 1-(2-NHBoc-ethyl)-3-R-imidazolin-2-ylidene; X = Cl, R = Me (3a’), R = Bz (3b’), R = trityl (3c’); X = I, R = Me (4a’)). VT NMR studies of these complexes revealed a restricted rotation barriers about the metal-carbene bond. However, while the rotation barriers calculated for the complexes in which R = Me, Bz (3a’,b’ and 4a) matched the experimental values, this was not true in the trityl case 3c’, where the experimental value was very similar to that obtained for compound 3b’ and much smaller with respect to the calculated one. In addition, the energy barrier derived for 3c’ from line shape simulation showed a strong dependence on the temperature, while the barriers measured for 3a’,b’ did not show this effect. In view of these results and in order to establish the reasons for the previously found inconsistency between calculated and experimental thermodynamic data, the first objective of this master thesis was the preparation of a series of rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(NBD)X(NHC)] (NHC = 1-benzyl-3-R-imidazolin-2-ylidene; X = Cl, R = Me, Bz, trityl, tBu), containing the benzyl substituent as a chiral probe, followed by full characterization. The second objective of this work was to investigate the catalytic activity of the new rhodium compounds in the hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes for comparison purposes with the reported complexes. Another purpose of this work was to employ the prepared N-heterocyclic ligands in the synthesis of iron(II)-NHC complexes.

Bioactive and toxic compounds in different foodstuffs: analytical techniques and sensory analysis

Foods that provide medical and health benefits or have a role in disease risk prevention are termed functional foods. The functionality of functional foods is derived from bioactive compounds that are extranutritional constituents present in small quantities in food. Bioactive components include a range of chemical compounds with varying structures such as carotenoids, flavonoids, plant sterols, omega-3 fatty acids (n-3), allyl and diallyl sulfides, indoles (benzopyrroles), and phenolic acids. The increasing consumer interest in natural bioactive compounds has brought about a rise in demand for these kinds of compounds and, in parallel, an increasing number of scientific studies have this type of substance as main topic. The principal aim of this PhD research project was the study of different bioactive and toxic compounds in several natural matrices. To achieve this goal, chromatographic, spectroscopic and sensorial analysis were performed. This manuscript reports the main results obtained in the six activities briefly summarized as follows: • SECTION I: the influence of conventional packaging on lipid oxidation of pasta was evaluated in egg spaghetti. • SECTION II: the effect of the storage at different temperatures of virgin olive oil was monitored by peroxide value, fatty acid activity, OSI test and sensory analysis. • SECTION III: the glucosinolate and phenolic content of 37 rocket salad accessions were evaluated, comparing Eruca sativa and Diplotaxis tenuifolia species. Sensory analysis and the influence of the phenolic and glucosinolate composition on sensory attributes of rocket salads has been also studied. • SECTION IV: ten buckwheat honeys were characterised on the basis of their pollen, physicochemical, phenolic and volatile composition. • SECTION V: the polyphenolic fraction, anthocyanins and other polar compounds, the antioxidant capacity and the anty-hyperlipemic action of the aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa were achieved. • SECTION VI: the optimization of a normal phase high pressure liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection method for the quantitation of flavanols and procyanidins in cocoa powder and chocolate samples was performed.

Spin-crossover in metallomesogens of iron(II)

Covalent grafting mesogenic groups to the coordination cores of the parent mononuclear low-spin and spin-crossover compounds afforded metallomesogenic complexes of iron(II). In comparison with the parent complexes the spin-crossover properties of the alkylated derivatives are substantially modified. The type of the modification was found to be dependent on the properties of the parent system and the nature of the used anion, however, the general tendency is the destabilization of the low-spin state at the favor of spin-crossover or high-spin behavior below 400 K. The structural insight revealed the micro-segregated layered organization. The effect of the alkylation of the parent compounds consists first of all in the change of the lattice to a two-dimensional lamellar one retaining significant intermolecular contacts only within the ionic bilayers. The comprehensive analysis of the structural and thermodynamic data in the homologous series pointed at the mechanism of the interplay between the structural modification on melting and the induced anomalous change of the magnetic properties. A family of one-dimensional spin-crossover polymers was synthesized and characterized using a series of spectroscopic methods, X-ray powder diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurements and differential scanning calorimetry. The copper analogue of was also synthesized and its crystal structure solved. In comparison with the mononuclear systems, the polymeric mesogens of iron(II) are less sensitive to the glass transition, which was attributed to the moderate concomitant variation of the structure. Nevertheless, the observed increase of the magnetic hysteresis with lengthening of the alkyl substituents was ascribed to the interplay of the structural reorganization of the coordination core due to spin-crossover with the structural delay in the spatial reorganization of the mesogenic substituents. The classification of mononuclear and polymeric metallomesogens according to the interactions between the structural- and the spin-transition and analysis of the data on the reported spin-crossover metallomesogens led to the separation of three types, namely: Type i: systems with coupling between the electronic structure of the iron(II) ions and the mesomorphic behavior of the substance; Type ii: systems where both transitions coexist in the same temperature region but are not coupled due to competition with the dehydration or due to negligible structural transformation; Type iii: systems where both transitions occur in different temperature regions and therefore are uncoupled. Fine-tuning, in particular regarding the temperature at which the spin-transition occurs with hysteresis properties responsible for the memory effect, are still a major challenge towards practical implementation of spin-crossover materials. A possible answer to the problem could be materials in which the spin-crossover transition is coupled with another transition easily controllable by external stimuli. In the present thesis we have shown the viability of the approach realized in the mesogenic systems with coupled phase- and spin-transitions.

Terrylendiimide als Biolabel und funktionelle Farbstoffe

In dieser Arbeit werden neue Rylenimide und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten für diese Farbstoffklasse beschrieben, die sich durch hohe Photostabilitäten und hohe Fluoreszenzquantenausbeute auszeichnet. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, durch systematische Wahl der Substituenten in den Imidstrukturen und/oder den bay-Regionen von Rylendiimidfarbstoffen vollkommen neue Produkteigenschaften zu verwirklichen, Reaktionen bzw. Anwendungen zu ermöglichen und den Aufbau von komplexeren Chromophorarchitekturen zu gestatten. Das Strukturmotiv des Terrylendiimids nahm dabei die zentrale Rolle ein. Die Arbeit wurde in vier Kapitel aufgeteilt. Das Ziel des ersten Kapitels war es, wasserlösliche Terrylendiimide zur Untersuchung von biologischen Proben im Wellenlängenbereich über 600 nm einzusetzen. Ein wasserlösliches Terrylendiimid erwies sich dabei als deutlich photostabiler als zwei weitverbreitete Fluoreszenzfarbstoffe. Eine erste Proteinmarkierung mit monofunktionellem Farbstoff wurde an Proteinmolekülen erfolgreich durchgeführt. Durch gezielte Modifikationen konnten zwei Terrylendiimide hergestellt werden, die sich noch deutlich besser zum Abbilden von Zellstrukturen eignen. In dem zweiten Kapitel spielte die Löslichkeit von Rylendiimiden in organischen Lösungsmitteln eine zentrale Rolle. Es wurde eine Rylendiimidserie hergestellt, deren löslichkeitssteigernde Gruppen eine Organisation der Moleküle in ausgedehnten Stapelstrukturen nicht verhindern. Mit dieser Serie konnte das flüssigkristalline Verhalten und die Selbstorganisation in der Rylendiimidreihe untersucht werden. Aufbauend auf diesen Ergebnissen wurde die Selbstorganisation der Diimide in Donor-Akzeptor Gemischen untersucht. In STM-Experimenten konnten für alle drei Diimide selbstorganisierte Monoschichten mit dem Rastertunnelmikroskop mit molekularer Auflösung abgebildet werden. Darüber hinaus wurden in diesem Kapitel die ersten organischen Feldeffekttransistoren (OFET) auf der Basis des synthetisierten Terrylendiimids beschrieben. Im Rahmen eines Projektes in dem die elektronische Energieübertragung in Donor-Akzeptor-Diaden mit Hilfe von Einzelmolekülspektroskopie untersucht wird, wurde eine Perylendiimid-Terrylediimid Diade hergestellt. Die geringere Photostabilität des Donors ermöglichte zeitaufgelöste Einzelmolekül-messungen der Akzeptoremission mit und ohne Energietransfer vom Donor auf den Akzeptor. Durch diese Messungen konnten die Zeitkonstanten des Energietransfers für einzelne Diaden ermittelt werden. Ein weiterer Chromophor aus diesem Donor-Akzeptor-Paar soll die Möglichkeit eröffnen, den Energiefluß im Molekül gezielt zu manipulieren. Dazu wurde ein Donorchromophor mit zwei Akzeptoren in einem Multichromophor kombiniert. Im Rahmen der Synthesen dieser Arbeit wurden Terrylendiimide hergestellt, die in einer Imidstruktur eine Halogenfunktion trugen. Diese waren wichtige Synthesebausteine zum Aufbau von komplexen Chromophorarchitekturen. Ziel eines weiteren Kapitels war es, ein Terrylendiimid herzustellen, das als Sensibilisatorfarbstoff gemeinsam mit dem Haupt-Antennenkomplex von höheren Pflanzen LHCII in einer photoelektrochemischen Farbstoff-Solarzelle integriert werden konnte. Das hergestellte Terrylendiimid mit Carbonsäuregruppe eignete sich für Farbstoffsolarzellen auf Zinndioxidbasis.

Polysulfurated aromatic compounds: preparation and photophysical properties

The aim of this thesis was the synthesis and photophysical characterization of some new polysulfurated aromatic compounds: this class of molecules can offer intriguing properties, potentially useful for the construction of new materials for optoelectronic devices. Two main families of compounds have been synthesized: the first is represented by a series of small molecular asterisks, with peripheral aromatic units, showing luminescence in solid phase or in highly rigid conditions. All compounds with peripheral substituents display an AIE behavior (Aggregation Induced Emission) with radiative deactivation of the triplet states. Taking inspiration from these smaller asterisks, a larger molecule with the same geometry has been designed, decorated with terpyridyl moieties as the outermost units: this compound shows great affinity for the coordination of several transition metal ions, changing luminescence properties after the interaction with zinc ions. With the same intentions, a tetrasulfurated pyrene-core molecule with terpyridyl external units has been synthesized and isolated: this ligand exhibits good coordination capabilities towards transition metal ions, giving rise to luminescent nanoaggregates upon addition of zinc(II), characterized by DLS and AFM microscopy. In addition a NIR emission is recorded after coordination of neodymium(III), showing evidence of an intramolecular energy transfer process.

Reaktivität von Dihypersilylhalogenorganylplumbanen

Organylhalogenide RX reagieren formal gemäß einer oxidativen 1,1-Addition mit Dihypersilylplumbylen) PbHyp2 zu Dihypersilyl-halogenorganylplumbanen PbHyp2RX. Diese Umsetzung gelingt mit nahezu allen untersuchten Organylresten, lediglich beispielsweise der Mesitylrest erweist sich als zu sperrig (R = Me, Et, nPr, iPr, tBu, Hx, cHx, Ad, Ph, C6F5, oTo, mTo, pTo, Naph, Anthr).rnrnFür einige Halogenorganyle wird eine analoge Addition auch an das zinnhomologe Dihypersilylstannylen beschrieben.rnrnDie untersuchten Addukte sind thermisch und gegenüber UV-Strahlung, Sauerstoff und Wasser deutlich weniger empfindlich als vergleichbare andere blei- und zinnorganische Verbindungen.rnrnUmfangreiche NMR-Datensätze beschreiben eine markante Hoch-feldverschiebung der Hypersilylprotonen beim Übergang von PbHyp2 hin zu PbHyp2RX, die für Arylreste stärker ausfällt als für Alkylreste.rnrnEin Großteil der Addukte wurde einkristallin erhalten und wird anhand der röntgendiffraktometrisch ermittelten Strukturparameter detailliert charakterisiert. rnrnEs finden sich gegenüber dem idealen Tetraderwinkel auffällig stark aufgeweitete Si Pb Si-Winkel von 130-143°, während die anderen Winkel mehrheitlich unter dem theoretischen Idealwert bleiben (Si Pb X: 94 103°; Si Pb C: 98-112°; C Pb X: 95-103°). Insbesondere größere, weichere Reste und planare Arylplumbane rücken näher an das Halogen heran.rnDie insgesamt recht hohen Blei-Halogen-Abstände nehmen von den Chloriden hin zu den Iodiden zu. Die Iodoplumbane zeigen dabei generell die kleinsten Pb Si und die größten Pb C Abstände. Alkylplumbane weisen längere Pb C Bindungen auf als ansonsten vergleichbare Arylplumbane.rnrnViele der gefundenen Molekülstrukturen zeigen Anzeichen hoher sterischer Spannung in Form von Substituentenverzerrungen. rnrnDie Bildungsgeschwindigkeit der Addukte ist auch bei tiefen Temperaturen hoch. Sie nimmt von X = Cl über Br hin zu I zu und ist für Alkylreste höher als für Aryle. Die Zerfallsgeschwindigkeiten verhalten sich genau entgegengesetzt. Bei den Thermolysen wird regelmäßig Hypersilylhalogenid eliminiert. Dabei entstehen in Abwesenheit koordinierender Solventien Dihypersilyl-diorganylplumbane PbHyp2R2.rnAndere, unbekannte Zerfallskanäle führen zu unerwarteten Produkten, wie dem Iodonium-verbrückten, cyclischen Tetraplumbetan Pb4I(C6F5)Hyp3.rnrnIn Anwesenheit von Lewis-Basen hingegen können sich hetero-leptische Plumbylene bilden, wie am Beispiel eines Bitolyldiylbisplumbylens gezeigt wird. Dieses zeigt auch, dass prinzipiell eine zweifache Addition von Dihalogenorganylen an zwei Äqui-valente Dihypersilylplumbylen möglich ist. Entsprechende Untersuchungen beschäftigen sich ausführlich mit dafür geeigneten und ungeeigneten Organdiylresten.rnrnUnter günstigen reduktiven Bedingungen lassen sich mittels Metal-lierungsreagenz aus den Dihypersilylhalogenorganylplumbanen unter Halogenidentzug Plumbanide erhalten, die in Form getrennter Ionenpaare isolierbar sind. Diese lassen sich in Ana-logie zu den zuvor beschriebenen Plumbanen ebenfalls als Addukt aus Dihypersilylplumbylen und Lithiumorganylen darstellen.rnrnUnter geeigneten speziellen Bedingungen sind neben metallierten auch formal hydridierte Halogenplumbanide zugänglich.rnrnEntsprechend einer geringen Hybridisierung am zentralen Blei-atom, also eines hohen p-AO-Charakters der bindenden Molekülorbitale und s-AO-Charakters des LEP-Orbitals ergeben sich keine trigonal-planaren, sondern Strukturen mit Substituenten-winkeln sogar nahe bei 90°. Die Bindungslängen zum Blei sind deutlich größere als bei den entsprechenden Halogenplumbanen.rnrnEin besonderes Augenmerk der Arbeit liegt auf der Betrachtung von langlebigen und persistenten heteroleptischen Plumbyl-Radikalen, die durch milde Oxidation mittels PbNsi23) aus den Dihypersilylorganylplumbaniden erhalten werden. Während bislang nur homoleptische Vertreter bekannt waren, die aufgrund des sterischen Anspruchs der Substituenten und aufgrund von Hyperkonjugation von axialsymmetrischer nahezu planarer Geometrie sind, findet sich für die heteroleptischen Plumbyle dieser Arbeit eine stärker pyramidale Geometrie. Ausführlich diskutierte EPR-Experimente liefern Spektren, die gut mit Simulationen für die entsprechenden Radikale übereinstimmen.rnrnDie im Zentrum der Betrachtungen dieser Arbeit stehenden Dihypersilylhalogenorganylplumbane stellen somit einen aussichtsreichen und darüber hinaus persistenten und gut zu handhabenden Ausgangspunkt bei der Darstellung neuartiger und interessanter Spezies dar.

Use of Biotechnology to increase the content of bioactive compounds in fermented foods of plant origin

The objectives of this PhD research were: i) to evaluate the use of bread making process to increase the content of β-glucans, resistant starch, fructans, dietary fibers and phenolic compounds of kamut khorasan and wheat breads made with flours obtained from kernels at different maturation stage (at milky stage and fully ripe) and ii) to study the impact of whole grains consumption in the human gut. The fermentation and the stages of kernel development or maturation had a great impact on the amount of resistant starch, fructans and β-glucans as well as their interactions resulted highly statistically significant. The amount of fructans was high in kamut bread (2.1g/100g) at the fully ripe stage compared to wheat during industrial fermentation (baker’s yeast). The sourdough increases the content of polyphenols more than industrial fermentation especially in bread made by flour at milky stage. From the analysis of volatile compounds it resulted that the sensors of electronic nose perceived more aromatic compound in kamut products, as well as the SPME-GC-MS, thus we can assume that kamut is more aromatic than wheat, so using it in sourdough process can be a successful approach to improve the bread taste and flavor. The determination of whole grain biormakers such as alkylresorcinols and others using FIE-MS AND GC-tof-MS is a valuable alternative for further metabolic investigations. The decrease of N-acetyl-glucosamine and 3-methyl-hexanedioic acid in kamut faecal samples suggests that kamut can have a role in modulating mucus production/degradation or even gut inflammation. This work gives a new approach to the innovation strategies in bakery functional foods, that can help to choose the right or best combination between stages of kernel maturation-fermentation process and baking temperature.

Methods and strategies to identify the mode of action of phytoactive compounds

Small molecules affecting biological processes in plants are widely used in agricultural practice as herbicides or plant growth regulators and in basic plant sciences as probes to study the physiology of plants. Most of the compounds were identified in large screens by the agrochemical industry, as phytoactive natural products and more recently, novel phytoactive compounds originated from academic research by chemical screens performed to induce specific phenotypes of interest. The aim of the present PhD thesis is to evaluate different approaches used for the identification of the primary mode of action (MoA) of a phytoactive compound. Based on the methodologies used for MoA identification, three approaches are discerned: a phenotyping approach, an approach based on a genetic screen and a biochemical screening approach.rnFour scientific publications resulting from my work are presented as examples of how a phenotyping approach can successfully be applied to describe the plant MoA of different compounds in detail.rnI. A subgroup of cyanoacrylates has been discovered as plant growth inhibitors. A set of bioassays indicated a specific effect on cell division. Cytological investigations of the cell division process in plant cell cultures, studies of microtubule assembly with green fluorescent protein marker lines in vivo and cross resistant studies with Eleusine indica plants harbouring a mutation in alpha-tubulin, led to the description of alpha-tubulin as a target site of cyanoacrylates (Tresch et al., 2005).rnII. The MoA of the herbicide flamprop-m-methyl was not known so far. The studies described in Tresch et al. (2008) indicate a primary effect on cell division. Detailed studies unravelled a specific effect on mitotic microtubule figures, causing a block in cell division. In contrast to other inhibitors of microtubule rearrangement such as dinitroanilines, flamprop-m-methyl did not influence microtubule assembly in vitro. An influence of flamprop-m-methyl on a target within the cytoskeleton signalling network could be proposed (Tresch et al., 2008).rnIII. The herbicide endothall is a protein phosphatase inhibitor structurally related to the natural product cantharidin. Bioassay studies indicated a dominant effect on dark-growing cells that was unrelated to effects observed in the light. Cytological characterisation of the microtubule cytoskeleton in corn tissue and heterotrophic tobacco cells showed a specific effect of endothall on mitotic spindle formation and ultrastructure of the nucleus in combination with a decrease of the proliferation index. The observed effects are similar to those of other protein phosphatase inhibitors such as cantharidin and the structurally different okadaic acid. Additionally, the observed effects show similarities to knock-out lines of the TON1 pathway, a protein phosphatase-regulated signalling pathway. The data presented in Tresch et al. (2011) associate endothall’s known in vitro inhibition of protein phosphatases with in vivo-effects and suggest an interaction between endothall and the TON1 pathway.rnIV. Mefluidide as a plant growth regulator induces growth retardation and a specific phenotype indicating an inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis. A test of the cuticle functionality suggested a defect in the biosynthesis of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) or waxes. Metabolic profiling studies showed similarities with different groups of VLCFA synthesis inhibitors. Detailed analyses of VLCFA composition in tissues of duckweed (Lemna paucicostata) indicated a specific inhibition of the known herbicide target 3 ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS). Inhibitor studies using a yeast expression system established for plant KCS proteins verified the potency of mefluidide as an inhibitor of plant KCS enzymes. It could be shown that the strength of inhibition varied for different KCS homologues. The Arabidopsis Cer6 protein, which induces a plant growth phenotype similar to mefluidide when knocked out, was one of the most sensitive KCS enzymes (Tresch et al., 2012).rnThe findings of my own work were combined with other publications reporting a successful identification of the MoA and primary target proteins of different compounds or compound classes.rnA revised three-tier approach for the MoA identification of phytoactive compounds is proposed. The approach consists of a 1st level aiming to address compound stability, uniformity of effects in different species, general cytotoxicity and the effect on common processes like transcription and translation. Based on these findings advanced studies can be defined to start the 2nd level of MoA characterisation, either with further phenotypic characterisation, starting a genetic screen or establishing a biochemical screen. At the 3rd level, enzyme assays or protein affinity studies should show the activity of the compound on the hypothesized target and should associate the in vitro effects with the in vivo profile of the compound.

Natural compounds Camptothecin and Triptolide: highly specific enzyme inhibitors and tools to dissect transcriptional functions

With this work I elucidated new and unexpected mechanisms of two strong and highly specific transcription inhibitors: Triptolide and Campthotecin. Triptolide (TPL) is a diterpene epoxide derived from the Chinese plant Trypterigium Wilfoordii Hook F. TPL inhibits the ATPase activity of XPB, a subunit of the general transcription factor TFIIH. In this thesis I found that degradation of Rbp1 (the largest subunit of RNA Polymerase II) caused by TPL treatments, is preceded by an hyperphosphorylation event at serine 5 of the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of Rbp1. This event is concomitant with a block of RNA Polymerase II at promoters of active genes. The enzyme responsible for Ser5 hyperphosphorylation event is CDK7. Notably, CDK7 downregulation rescued both Ser5 hyperphosphorylation and Rbp1 degradation triggered by TPL. Camptothecin (CPT), derived from the plant Camptotheca acuminata, specifically inhibits topoisomerase 1 (Top1). We first found that CPT induced antisense transcription at divergent CpG islands promoter. Interestingly, by immunofluorescence experiments, CPT was found to induce a burst of R loop structures (DNA/RNA hybrids) at nucleoli and mitochondria. We then decided to investigate the role of Top1 in R loop homeostasis through a short interfering RNA approach (RNAi). Using DNA/RNA immunoprecipitation techniques coupled to NGS I found that Top1 depletion induces an increase of R loops at a genome-wide level. We found that such increase occurs on the entire gene body. At a subset of loci R loops resulted particularly stressed after Top1 depletion: some of these genes showed the formation of new R loops structures, whereas other loci showed a reduction of R loops. Interestingly we found that new peaks usually appear at tandem or divergent genes in the entire gene body, while losses of R loop peaks seems to be a feature specific of 3’ end regions of convergent genes.

Synthesis of new bioactive β-lactam compounds

New biologically active β-lactams were designed and synthesized, developing novel antibiotics and enzymatic inhibitors directed toward specific targets. Within a work directed to the synthesis of mimetics for RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) sequence able to interact with αvβ3 and α5β1-type integrins, new activators were developed and their Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) analysis deepened, enhancing their activity range towards the α4β1 isoform. Moreover, to synthesize novel compounds active both against bacterial infections and pulmonary conditions of cystic fibrosis patients, new β-lactam candidates were studied. Among the abundant library of β-lactams prepared, mainly with antioxidant and antibacterial double activities, it was identified a single lead to be pharmacologically tested in vivo. Its synthesis was optimized up to the gram-scale, and pretreatment method and HPLC-MS/MS analytical protocol for sub-nanomolar quantifications were developed. Furthermore, replacement of acetoxy group in 4-acetoxy-azetidinone derivatives was studied with different nucleophiles and in aqueous media. A phosphate group was introduced and the reactivity exploited using different hydroxyapatites, obtaining biomaterials with multiple biological activities. Following the same kind of reactivity, a small series of molecules with a β-lactam and retinoic hybrid structure was synthesized as epigenetic regulators. Interacting with HDACs, two compounds were respectively identified as an inhibitor of cell proliferation and a differentiating agent on steam cells. Additionally, in collaboration with Professor L. De Cola at ISIS, University of Strasbourg, some new photochemically active β-lactam Pt (II) complexes were designed and synthesized to be used as bioprobes or theranostics. Finally, it was set up and optimized the preparation of new chiral proline-derived α-aminonitriles through an enantioselective Strecker reaction, and it was developed a chemo-enzymatic oxidative method for converting alcohols to aldehydes or acid in a selective manner, and amines to relative aldehydes, amides or imines. Moreover, enzymes and other green chemistry methodologies were used to prepare Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

Laboratory and field measurements of enantiomeric and non-enantiomeric biogenic VOCs and anthropogenic BTEX compounds

This doctoral thesis was focused on the investigation of enantiomeric and non-enantiomeric biogenic organic compound (BVOC) emissions from both leaf and canopy scales in different environments. In addition, the anthropogenic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) were studied. BVOCs are emitted into the lower troposphere in large quantities (ca. 1150 Tg C ·yr-1), approximately an order of magnitude greater than the anthropogenic VOCs. BVOCs are particularly important in tropospheric chemistry because of their impact on ozone production and secondary organic aerosol formation or growth. The BVOCs examined in this study were: isoprene, (-)/ (+)-α-pinene, (-)/ (+)-ß-pinene, Δ-3-carene, (-)/ (+)-limonene, myrcene, eucalyptol and camphor, as these were the most abundant BVOCs observed both in the leaf cuvette study and the ambient measurements. In the laboratory cuvette studies, the sensitivity of enantiomeric enrichment change from the leaf emission has been examined as a function of light (0-1600 PAR) and temperature (20-45°C). Three typical Mediterranean plant species (Quercus ilex L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Pinus halepensis Mill.) with more than three individuals of each have been investigated using a dynamic enclosure cuvette. The terpenoid compound emission rates were found to be directly linked to either light and temperature (e.g. Quercus ilex L.) or mainly to temperature (e.g. Rosmarinus officinalis L., Pinus halepensis Mill.). However, the enantiomeric signature showed no clear trend in response to either the light or temperature; moreover a large variation of enantiomeric enrichment was found during the experiment. This enantiomeric signature was also used to distinguish chemotypes beyond the normal achiral chemical composition method. The results of nineteen Quercus ilex L. individuals, screened under standard conditions (30°C and 1000 PAR) showed four different chemotypes, whereas the traditional classification showed only two. An enclosure branch cuvette set-up was applied in the natural boreal forest environment from four chemotypes of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and one chemotype of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and the direct emissions compared with ambient air measurements above the canopy during the HUMPPA-COPEC 2010 summer campaign. The chirality of a-pinene was dominated by (+)-enantiomers from Scots pine while for Norway spruce the chirality was found to be opposite (i.e. Abstract II (-)-enantiomer enriched) becoming increasingly enriched in the (-)-enantiomer with light. Field measurements over a Spanish stone pine forest were performed to examine the extent of seasonal changes in enantiomeric enrichment (DOMINO 2008). These showed clear differences in chirality of monoterpene emissions. In wintertime the monoterpene (-)-a-pinene was found to be in slight enantiomeric excess over (+)-a-pinene at night but by day the measured ratio was closer to one i.e. racemic. Samples taken the following summer in the same location showed much higher monoterpene mixing ratios and revealed a strong enantiomeric excess of (-)-a-pinene. This indicated a strong seasonal variance in the enantiomeric emission ratio which was not manifested in the day/night temperature cycles in wintertime. A clear diurnal cycle of enantiomeric enrichment in a-pinene was also found over a French oak forest and the boreal forest. However, while in the boreal forest (-)-a-pinene enrichment increased around the time of maximum light and temperature, the French forest showed the opposite tendency with (+)-a-pinene being favored. For the two field campaigns (DOMINO 2008 and HUMPPA-COPEC 2010), the BTEX were also investigated. For the DOMINO campaign, mixing ratios of the xylene isomers (meta- and para-) and ethylbenzene, which are all well resolved on the ß-cyclodextrin column, were exploited to estimate average OH radical exposures to VOCs from the Huelva industrial area. These were compared to empirical estimates of OH based on JNO2 measured at the site. The deficiencies of each estimation method are discussed. For HUMPPA-COPEC campaign, benzene and toluene mixing ratios can clearly define the air mass influenced by the biomass burning pollution plume from Russia.

Efficacy of fluoride compounds and stannous chloride as erosion inhibitors in dentine

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-erosive effects of different fluoride compounds and one tin compound in the context of the complex pathohistology of dentine erosion, with particular emphasis on the role of the organic portion. Samples were subjected to two experiments including erosive acid attacks (0.05 molar citric acid, pH 2.3; 6 x 2 min/day) and applications (6 x 2 min/day) of the following test solutions: SnCl(2) (815 ppm Sn), NaF (250 ppm F), SnF(2) (250 ppm F, 809 ppm Sn), amine fluoride (AmF, 250 ppm F), AmF/NaF (250 ppm F), and AmF/SnF(2) (250 ppm F, 409 ppm Sn). The demineralised organic fraction was enzymatically removed either at the end of the experiment (experiment 1) or continuously throughout the experiment (experiment 2). Tissue loss was determined profilometrically after 10 experimental days. In experiment 1, the highest erosive tissue loss was found in the control group (erosion only); the AmF- and NaF-containing solutions reduced tissue loss by about 60%, reductions for SnCl(2), AmF/SnF(2), and SnF(2) were 52, 74 and 89%, respectively. In experiment 2, loss values generally were significantly higher, and the differences between the test solutions were much more distinct. Reduction of tissue loss was between 12 and 34% for the AmF- and NaF-containing preparations, and 11, 67 and 78% for SnCl(2), AmF/SnF(2), and SnF(2), respectively. Stannous fluoride-containing solutions revealed promising anti-erosive effects in dentine. The strikingly different outcomes in the two experiments suggest reconsidering current methodologies for investigating anti-erosive strategies in dentine.

Rapid synthesis of arylgold compounds using dielectric heating

Dielectric heating has been successfully used in the preparation of a range of arylgold compounds. The approach is tolerant of a number of functional groups and rapidly generates the organometallic complexes in moderate to excellent yields.