Described is an efficient heterologous expression system for Sulfolobus solfataricus ADH-10 (Alcohol Dehydrogenase isozyme 10) and its use in the dynamic reductive kinetic resolution (DYRKR) of 2-arylpropanal (Profen-type) substrates. Importantly, among the 12 aldehydes tested, a general preference for the (S)-antipode was observed, with high ee’s for substrates corresponding to the NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) naproxen, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, ketoprofen, and fenoprofen. To our knowledge, this is the first application of a dehydrogenase from this Sulfolobus hyperthermophile to asymmetric synthesis and the first example of a DYRKR with such an enzyme. The requisite aldehydes are generated by Buchwald−Hartwig-type Pd(0)-mediated α-arylation of tert-butyl propionate. This is followed by reduction to the aldehyde in one [lithium diisobutyl tert-butoxyaluminum hydride (LDBBA)] or two steps [LAH/Dess−Martin periodinane]. Treatment of the profenal substrates with SsADH in 5% EtOH/phosphate buffer, pH 9, with catalytic NADH at 80 °C leads to efficient DYRKR, with ee’s exceeding 90% for 9 aryl side chains, including those of the aforementioned NSAIDs. An in silico model, consistent with the observed broad side chain tolerance, is presented. Importantly, the SsADH-10 enzyme could be conveniently recycled by exploiting the differential solubility of the organic substrate/product at 80 °C and at rt. Pleasingly, SsADH-10 could be taken through several “thermal cycles,” without erosion of ee, suggesting this as a generalizable approach to enzyme recycling for hyperthermophilic enzymes. Moreover, the robustness of this hyperthermophilic DH, in terms of both catalytic activity and stereochemical fidelity, speaks for greater examination of such archaeal enzymes in asymmetric synthesis.

The human sirtuin silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) is a NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase enzyme. It deacetylates many protein substrates, including histones and transcription factors, thereby controlling many physiological and pathological processes. Several synthetic inhibitors and activators of SIRT1 have been developed, and some therapeutic applications have been explored. The indole EX-527 and its derivatives are among the most potent and selective SIRT1 inhibitors. EX-527 has been often used as a pharmacological tool to explore the effect of SIRT1 inhibition in various cell types. Its therapeutic potential has, therefore, been evaluated in animal models for several pathologies, including cancer. It has also been tested in phase II clinical trial for the treatment of Huntington’s disease (HD). In this review, we will provide an overview of the literature on EX-527, including its mechanism of inhibition and biological studies.

The antituberculosis drug isoniazid (INH) is quickly oxidized by stoichiometric amounts of manganese(III) pyrophosphate. In the presence of nicotinamide coenzymes (NAD ⁺ , NADH, nicotinamide mononucleotide [NMN ⁺ ]) and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (DNAD ⁺ ), INH oxidation produced the formation of INH-coenzyme adducts in addition to known biologically inactive products (isonicotinic acid, isonicotinamide, and isonicotinaldehyde). A pool of INH-NAD(H) adducts preformed in solution allowed the rapid and strong inhibition of in vitro activity of the enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase InhA, an INH target in the biosynthetic pathway of mycolic acids: the inhibition was 90 or 60% when the adducts were formed in the presence of NAD ⁺ or NADH, respectively. Under similar conditions, no inhibitory activity of INH-NMN(H) and INH-DNAD(H) adducts was detected. When an isolated pool of 100 nM INH-NAD(H) adducts was first incubated with InhA, the enzyme activity was inhibited by 80%; when present in excess, both NADH and decenoyl-coenzyme A are able to prevent this phenomenon. InhA inhibition by several types of INH-coenzyme adducts coexisting in solution is discussed in relation with the structure of the coenzyme, the stereochemistry of the adducts, and their existence as both open and cyclic forms. Thus, manganese(III) pyrophosphate appears to be an efficient and convenient alternative oxidant to mimic the activity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis KatG catalase-peroxidase and will be useful for further mechanistic studies of INH activation and for structural investigations of reactive INH species in order to promote the design of new inhibitors of InhA as potential antituberculous drugs.

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of cytokines plays a key role in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis. VEGF-A is the main member of this family, alongside placental growth factor (PlGF), VEGF-B/C/D in mammals, and VEGF-E/F in other organisms. To study the activities of these growth factors under physiological and pathological conditions, resulting in therapeutic applications in cancer and age-related macular degeneration, blocking ligands have been developed. These have mostly been large biomolecules like antibodies. Ligands with high affinities, at least in the nanomolar range, and accurate structural data from X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy have been described. They constitute the main focus of this overview, which evidences similarities and differences in their binding modes. For VEGF-A ligands, and to a limited extent also for PlGF, a transition is now observed towards developing smaller ligands like nanobodies and peptides. These include unnatural amino acids and chemical modifications for designed and improved properties, such as serum stability and greater affinity. However, this review also highlights the scarcity of such small molecular entities and the striking lack of small organic molecule ligands. It also shows the gap between the rather large array of ligands targeting VEGF-A and the general absence of ligands binding other VEGF members, besides some antibodies. Future developments in these directions are expected in the upcoming years, and the study of these growth factors and their promising therapeutic applications will be welcomed.