An Ugi–Zhu three-component reaction (UZ-3CR) coupled in a one-pot manner to a cascade process (N-acylation/aza Diels–Alder cycloaddition/decarboxylation/dehydration) was performed to synthesize a series of pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones in 20% to 92% overall yields using ytterbium triflate as a catalyst, toluene as a solvent, and microwaves as a heat source. The synthesized molecules were evaluated in vitro against breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, finding that compound 1f, at a concentration of 6.25 μM, exhibited a potential cytotoxic effect. Then, to understand the interactions between synthesized compounds and the main proteins related to the cancer cell lines, docking studies were performed on the serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT₁) and Orexetine type 2 receptor (Ox₂R), finding moderate to strong binding energies, which matched accurately with the in vitro results. Additionally, molecular dynamics were performed between proteins related to the studied cell lines and the three best ligands.

The research largely focuses on investigating the mechanisms of protein folding and unfolding in proteins, namely triosephosphate isomerase, glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase, laccase, and bacteriophage M13. The article examines the mechanisms of protein denaturation and renaturation using kinetic equations, thermodynamic models, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. These results enhance our understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of these proteins. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of conserved residues, as well as the influence of environmental conditions such as pH and temperature on protein stability and folding. These discoveries have potential implications in biotechnology and medicine, including the creation of protein-based products and therapies for infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. The paper acknowledges the groundbreaking contributions of Dr. Andrés Hernández Arana to the field of protein physical chemistry in México. His work has greatly influenced the progress of research in the areas of protein stability and kinetics. Resumen. La investigación se centra en los mecanismos de plegado y desplegado de proteínas; estos mecanismos incluyen la triosafosfato isomerasa, la glucosamina-6-fosfato desaminasa, lacasa y el bacteriófago M13. Se utilizan ecuaciones cinéticas, modelos termodinámicos y simulaciones de dinámica molecular (MD) para analizar los mecanismos de desnaturalización y renaturalización de proteínas. Estos hallazgos nos ayudan a comprender mejor las características cinéticas y termodinámicas de estas proteínas. Además, el estudio destaca la importancia de los residuos conservados y puentes salinos en las proteínas, así como el impacto de los factores ambientales como el pH y la temperatura en la estabilidad y el plegado de las proteínas. Estos hallazgos tienen repercusiones en los campos de la biotecnología y la medicina, como la creación de productos y terapias basados en proteínas para enfermedades infecciosas y trastornos neurodegenerativos. El artículo reconoce el trabajo pionero del Dr. Andrés Hernández Arana en México en el campo de la termodinámica de proteínas. Su trabajo ha sido fundamental para el avance de la investigación en las áreas de cinética y estabilidad de proteínas.