Biodistribution of 6-[211At]astato-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinol bis(diphosphate salt) and 211At- in mice with a transplanted rectal adenocarcinoma.
6-[211At]astato-MNDP is currently being investigated as a potential high LET endoradiotherapeutic drug. Biodistribution and whole-body radiation retention studies have been carried out with 6-[211At]astato-MNDP and 211At- in a murine rectal tumour model; results indicate that the 211At-C bond in the compound is metabolically stable for at least 6 h. The Mean Biological Concentration of 6-[211At]astato-MNDP in tumour tissue ranged from 170-253% over an initial 12 h period; this was higher than that observed for the [211At]astatide anion. Conversely, the uptake of compound into radiobiologically critical organs was significantly lower.
α-Particle track autoradiographic study of the distribution of a [211At]-astatinated drug in normal tissues of the mouse
The microscopic distribution of the potential endoradiotherapeutic drug, 6-[211At]-astato-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinol bis (diphosphate salt) in normal tissues of the mouse has been studied by α-particle track autoradiography. The uptake into critical radiosensitive tissues, especially bone marrow, colon and lung, was low.
Calyculins and Related Marine Natural Products as Serine-Threonine Protein Phosphatase PP1 and PP2A Inhibitors and Total Syntheses of Calyculin A, B, and C
Calyculins, highly cytotoxic polyketides, originally isolated from the marine sponge Discodermia calyx by Fusetani and co-workers, belong to the lithistid sponges group. These molecules have become interesting targets for cell biologists and synthetic organic chemists. The serine/threonine protein phosphatases play an essential role in the cellular signalling, metabolism, and cell cycle control. Calyculins express potent protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitory activity, and have therefore become valuable tools for cellular biologists studying intracellular processes and their control by reversible phosphorylation. Calyculins might also play an important role in the development of several diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and type 2-diabetes mellitus. The fascinating structures of calyculins have inspired various groups of synthetic organic chemists to develop total syntheses of the most abundant calyculins A and C. However, with fifteen chiral centres, a cyano-capped tetraene unit, a phosphate-bearing spiroketal, an anti, anti, anti dipropionate segment, an α-chiral oxazole, and a trihydroxylated γ-amino acid, calyculins reach versatility that only few natural products can surpass, and truly challenge modern chemists’ asymmetric synthesis skills.