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  • G01N21/65—Raman scattering

Definitions

• the present invention relates to compounds of formula I:
• Y, Ar 1 Ar 2 , X, R 1 and R 2 are defined herein, and to their use in a variety of biological imaging techniques and therapeutic methods.
• the invention also relates to conjugates comprising the compounds of formula I and their associated uses and therapeutic uses.
• Fluorescence imaging has rapidly become a powerful tool for investigating biological processes, particularly in living cells where cellular events may be observed in their physiological contexts.
• the development of single-molecule visualisation techniques has greatly enhanced the usefulness of fluorescence microscopy for such applications, enabling the tracking of proteins and small molecules in their endogenous environments. From probes that can detect particular molecules, to compounds that localise to specific organelles in the cell, the area of biological imaging has become a highly emergent field.
• Fluorescent synthetic retinoids such as those described in WO 2016/055800 A, have been used as research tools in the field of fluorescence imaging, providing valuable insights into retinoid activity and metabolism in the natural environment via tracking of cellular uptake and localisation.
• the expansive biology of retinoid signalling makes targeting using retinoids difficult, thereby limiting their broader use as fluorescent probes and as therapeutics.
• a fluorescent compound which mitigates one or more of these disadvantages, and which can be used as a versatile fluorophore in a wide variety of imaging and bio-targeting techniques.
• a compound which has enhanced flexibility in terms of functionality, i.e. to facilitate the attachment of a range of targeting or reactive groups, or to manipulate and extend the chromophore, would be beneficial, as would good physical properties, such as good aqueous solubility.
• Good photoactive properties, such as the ability to act as photosensitizers when activated by an appropriate wavelength of light would also be advantageous, leading to utility in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and a variety of ROS-mediated applications across different cell types.
• PDT photodynamic therapy
• the present invention relates generally to fluorescent compounds and their use in a variety of biological imaging and targeting techniques.
• the present invention relates to the novel compounds per se, and to their use as biological probes, and specifically fluorescent probes.
• the present invention relates to the use of the compounds in Raman imaging and fluoRaman imaging techniques, and associated imaging methods.
• the invention relates to methods of deprotecting the compounds to form deprotected compounds for conjugation, as well as to the deprotected compounds formed by those methods.
• the invention relates to the modulation of the properties of the compounds of formula I to incorporate targeting functions for cell-localisation.
• the invention relates to conjugates comprising the compounds, and to the use of these conjugates in imaging, therapeutic and non-therapeutic applications.
• the conjugate may comprise, for instance, a compound of the invention conjugated directly to a targeting or active agent, or conjugated using a linker or spacer group.
• the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and conjugates, and to the use of such compounds, conjugates and compositions in the treatment of a variety of conditions or diseases. In aspects, this includes the use of the compounds for controlled reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation applications for therapeutic use.
• ROS controlled reactive oxygen species
• the invention relates to formulations comprising such compounds and conjugates, and to the use of such compounds, conjugates and formulations in controlled ROS generation applications in plant, fungal and bacterial cells.
• R 1 is H or an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more N atoms
• R 1 and R 2 form part of a heterocyclic group Y having from 3 to 12 ring members
• Ar 1 and Ar 2 are each, independently, an aromatic group
• X is selected from unsaturated esters, ketones, carboxylic acids, imidazolones, pyridines, oxazolones, oxazolidinones, barbituric acids and thiobarbituric acids; with the proviso that when Ar , is phenyl, and R 1 and R 2 form part of a heterocyclic group Y having from 3 to 12 ring members, the N of the heterocyclic group is in a para position relative to the acetylene group of the compound of formula I;
• the compound of formula I is based generally on a diarylacetylene, exemplified by a diphenylacetylene structure, with a para-amino (electron donating group) on one end, and a para-electron withdrawing group on the other end, creating a dipolar system through electronic conjugation.
• the inventors have advantageously discovered that compounds of formula I have surprising utility in biological imaging techniques. For instance, the compounds have been demonstrated to penetrate into mammalian, bacterial, fungal and plant cells, making them broadly applicable to a host of imaging applications.
• the unique structure of the compounds provides flexibility in terms of functionality around the system, i.e. to allow the attachment of targeting or reactive groups, in particular via reaction with an amine group of the Y, R 1 or R 2 moieties but also at other positions, such as the X group.
• the reduced molecular weight of the compounds relative to previously known fluorescent probes facilitates penetration into the cell, and allows moieties, such as cancer drugs for example, to exhibit unchanged targeting when conjugated to the compounds, as has been demonstrated with a model drug, vorinostat.
• the ability of the compounds to act as photosensitisers provides a variety of useful applications via the control of ROS, such as in photodynamic therapy (PDT), optionally in combination with a conjugated drug molecule, and in plant, fungal and bacterial cells, for instance in the preparation of targeted herbicides or in seed enhancement applications.
• PDT photodynamic therapy
• the flexibility of the molecular structure in terms of its modular nature also presents the possibility of incorporating a second fluorophore capable of excitation at a different wavelength, and leading to a host of additional potential applications.
• the structure of the compounds also allows them to be used in Raman imaging and fluoRaman imaging techniques.
• the compounds of the invention have the general structure shown in Formula I above.
• diastereoisomers refers to isomers that possess identical constitution, but which differ in the arrangement of their atoms in space.
• diastereoisomers is intended to cover alkene diastereoisomers.
• heterocyclic group as used herein means a monocyclic or bicyclic ring group containing from 3 to 12 ring members and optionally containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms or functional groups selected from the group consisting of N, S, SO, SO 2 , O 2 , and O, in addition to the formula I Nitrogen atom.
• heterocyclic group includes aromatic, partially unsaturated and saturated ring systems.
• non-aromatic groups include piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, dioxidothiomorpholinyl, pyrrolidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-3-yl, azetidine-1-yl, azetidine-3-yl, aziridine-1-yl, azepan-1-yl, azepan-3-yl, azepan-4-yl, but are not limited thereto.
• heterocyclic groups examples include pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, indolyl and benzothiadiazolyl groups, but are not limited thereto.
• the heterocyclic group is a saturated ring system.
• the heterocyclic group may be optionally substituted.
• the heterocyclic group may be substituted with an alkyl group, -COCH 3 , -C(O)(CH 2 ) n C(O)R 8 , -C(O)(CH 2 ) m O(CH 2 ) m C(O)R 8 , -C(O)(CH 2 ) n CH(CH 3 )C(O)R 8 ,
• R 8 is -OH or -NHOH
• n is an integer from 1 to 8
• m is an integer from 1 to 4.
• the N of the heterocyclic group is in a para position with respect to the acetylene group
• the N which forms part of heterocyclic group Y is a para-substituted donor group in the compound, and is in a para position with respect to the central acetylene moiety of the compound of formula I for those embodiments in which Ar 1 is phenyl.
• the heterocyclic group contains more than one nitrogen atom, one of the N atoms is in such a para position.
• aromatic group as used herein includes both carbocyclic and heterocyclic unsaturated ring groups comprising from 5 to 19 ring atoms and preferably from 5 to 13 ring atoms.
• the aromatic group may be monocyclic or polycyclic, and is preferably mono-, bi- or tri- cyclic, and more preferably mono or bicyclic.
• the ring group may comprise one or more N, O or S atoms.
• Suitable aromatic groups include pyrrole, furan, benzofuran, thiophene, phenyl, imidazole, pyrazole, oxazole, thiazole, oxathiazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine and triazine.
• the aromatic group may optionally be substituted, for instance with groups such as fluorides, chlorides, bromides and iodides, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, amine groups (-CH 2 -(CH 2 ) n -NH 2 ), hydroxyl groups (-CH 2 - (CH 2 ) n -OH) and carboxyl groups (-CH 2 -(CH 2 ) n -COOH), where n may equal 0 to 10, or an aromatic or PEG-derived group.
• groups such as fluorides, chlorides, bromides and iodides, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, amine groups (-CH 2 -(CH 2 ) n -NH 2 ), hydroxyl groups (-CH 2 - (CH 2 ) n -OH) and carboxyl groups (-CH 2 -(CH 2 ) n -COOH), where n may equal 0 to 10, or an aromatic or PEG-derived group.
• Ar 2 is selected from:
• Ar 1 is selected from a phenyl, pyridine, pyrimidine, thiophene, furan, benzofuran, thiazole and oxathiazole group.
• Ar 1 and Ar 2 may each be independently selected from a phenyl, pyridine, pyrimidine, thiophene, furan, benzofuran, thiazole and oxathiazole group.
• Ar 1 and Ar 2 may each be independently selected from a phenyl, thiophene, furan, benzofuran, thiazole and oxathiazole group.
• Ar 1 is a phenyl group.
• Ar 1 is a phenyl group and Ar 2 is selected from a phenyl, thiophene, furan, thiazole and oxathiazole group.
• X is an electron deficient group.
• electron deficient group as used herein means a functional group that exhibits reduced electron density in comparison to the rest of the chemical structure of the molecule of formula I. As would be apparent to one skilled in the art, as well as exhibiting reduced electron density in comparison to the rest of the chemical structure of the molecule of formula I, the electron deficient group should not be toxic. This means that nitro and nitrile groups, for instance, would generally not be suitable.
• alkyl refers to a fully saturated, branched, unbranched or cyclic hydrocarbon moiety, i.e. primary, secondary, or tertiary alkyl or, where appropriate, cycloalkyl or alkyl substituted by cycloalkyl.
• an alkyl group comprises 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
• alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, 3-methylhexyl, 2,2-dimethylpentyl, 2,3-dimethylpentyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl and n-decyl.
• alkenyl refers to an unsaturated alkyl group having at least one double bond.
• halogen or "halo” as used herein, means fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo.
• aryl refers to an aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon ring system consisting only of hydrogen and carbon and containing from 6 to 19 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein the ring system may be partially saturated.
• Aryl groups include, but are not limited to, groups such as fluorophenyl, phenyl, indenyl and naphthyl.
• aryl includes aryl radicals optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halo, haloalkyl, cyano, nitro, amino, amidine, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl.
• Preferred alkyl groups are optionally substituted phenyl or naphthyl groups.
• R 1 and R 2 form part of heterocyclic group Y.
• heterocyclic group Y may be, for example, selected from:
• R 1 may be H or an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more N atoms
• R 2 may be selected from an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more N atoms, -(CH 2 ) n R 3 , - (CH 2 ) n NHR 3 and (CH 2 ) 2 (COCH 2 ) n R 3 in which n is an integer from 1 to 10 and R 3 is -NH 2 , -OH, - SO 2 PhCH 3 , or -COOH, or R 2 may be -COCH 3 , -C(O)(CH 2 ) n C(O)R 8 , -C(O)(CH 2 ) m O(CH 2 ) m C(O)R 8 , - C(O)(CH 2 ) n CH(CH 3 )C(O)R 8 , -S(O) 2 (CH 2
• R 1 is H or an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms
• R 2 is (CH 2 ) n R 3 , -(CH 2 ) n NHR 3 or (CH 2 ) 2 (COCH 2 ) n R 3 in which n is an integer from 1 to 10 and R 3 is -NH 2 , -OH, - SO 2 PhCH 3 or -COOH.
• X is a N-containing heterocycle, it may be selected from:
• R 4 and R 5 are as defined above, and R 6 is H or alkyl.
• X is selected from:
• the N of the heterocyclic group is in a para position with respect to the acetylene group of the compound of formula I.
• the N of the heterocyclic group attached to Ar 1 is not in an ortho position with respect to the acetylene group of the compound of formula I. This means that the compound of formula I is not, for instance:
• the compound of formula I is selected from:
• the compound of formula I is compound 6, compound 7, compound 43, compound 51, compound 55, compound 57, compound 59, compound 64, compound 69, or compound 71
• the compound of formula I is compound 6, compound 7, compound 43, or compound 69.
• the compounds according to the present invention are inherently fluorescent. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compound of formula I for use in fluorescent imaging.
• the flexible chemistry of the compounds of formula I advantageously allows for selective targeting of cell types and/or cell localisation, making the compounds of formula I powerful tools in biological imaging.
• the compounds of the invention can be readily conjugated to a range of targeting biomolecules, to provide invaluable information concerning cellular uptake and localisation via fluorescence imaging techniques.
• compound construction of formula I is feasible through modification by different functional groups enabling chromophoric extension in order to approach, or reach, the near-infrared region (NIR).
• NIR near-infrared region
• Fluorescence in the near-infrared region 1,000 - 1,700 nm is particularly useful in biological and biomedical imaging due to deep penetration, high spatial resolution and low biofluorescence (Stolik et al. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B. 57 (20000), 90-93).
• a compound of formula I for use in Raman imaging.
• aspects of the present invention relate to the use of a compound of formula I in Raman imaging.
• the internal acetylene function of the compounds of formula I gives rise to unique vibrational frequencies in the 'cell-silent' Raman window (1800 - 2600 cm -1 ), i.e. the region in which no endogenous molecules vibrate, allowing the compounds to be used for imaging specific molecules of interest in biological environments using Raman-based techniques.
• the compounds are dual-mode imaging agents. Aspects of the present invention relate to use of the compounds in combined fluorescence and Raman imaging techniques, for instanced by superimposing fluorescence, to provide environmental information, and Raman, to provide quantitative mapping, to generate a powerful tool for imaging complex biological systems.
• the invention also relates to methods of monitoring cellular development, such as cell differentiation or apoptosis.
• a method can comprise administering an effective amount of the compound of formula I and detecting the fluorescence emitted.
• methods of monitoring cellular development can comprise imaging the distribution of a compound of formula I by detecting the Raman scattering signal stimulated by techniques that include, but are not limited to, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS).
• CARS coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering
• SRS stimulated Raman scattering
• a probe comprising a compound of formula I.
• the flexible chemistry of the compounds of formula I advantageously allows for selective targeting of cell types and/or cell localisation, making the compounds of formula I powerful tools in biological imaging.
• the invention relates to the modulation of the properties of the compounds of formula I to incorporate targeting functions for cell-localisation.
• reactive amine groups of the compounds can undergo one step acylation, alkylation or sulfonylation reactions to introduce targeting motifs for subcellular localisation, such as triphenylphosphonium cations (localisation to the mitochondrial matrix), and tosyl sulphonamide groups (localisation to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)).
• the method also relates to deactivated derivatives of the compound.
• a reactive functional group such as an amine, hydroxyl or carboxylic acid group
• Activation of these compounds for further reaction or conjugation involves removal of the protecting group for instance by treatment with strongly acidic solutions (amide to amine), strong Lewis acids (ether to hydroxyl) and treatment with strong basic aqueous solutions (ester to carboxylic acid).
• reactive amine groups can be further derivatised to access functional groups that activates them to provide orthogonal reactivity for conjugation reactions not accessible by the parent compound e.g. amine conversion to acrylamide for reaction with thiols, amine reaction with cyclic anhydride to give carboxylic acid for reaction with other amines or hydroxyls, amine conversion to azidoacetamide for azide/alkyne cycloaddition reactions.
• the invention relates to both the protected and deprotected compounds of formula I.
• a conjugate comprising a compound of formula I and a targeting or active agent.
• the targeting or active agent can be, for instance, a reactive group, such as a photoaffinity label, a small molecule drug such as anti-cancer agents including vorinostat, methotrexate and fulvestrant, a biomolecule such as a protein or peptide including those containing cell adhesion sequences such as RGD (tripeptide Arg-Gly- Asp), a carbohydrate such as glucose or polysaccharide sucrose, or a biologic such as an aptamer, affimer or antibody.
• a reactive group such as a photoaffinity label
• a small molecule drug such as anti-cancer agents including vorinostat, methotrexate and fulvestrant
• a biomolecule such as a protein or peptide including those containing cell adhesion sequences such as RGD (tripeptide Arg-
• the targeting or active agent could include a photo-reactive function which works at a different wavelength to the fluorophoric compound of formula I, to enable release of the compound via photoreactive linker, or to activate a photoaffinity label to tag a target protein/receptor or enzyme.
• Suitable photoaffinity labels include diaziridine (diazirine) which can be readily attached to an amine group of the compound of formula I.
• the targeting or active agent may be coupled to the compounds of formula I covalently, for example by amide or ester or ether linkages.
• the technique of 'click-chemistry', i.e. joining substrates to biomolecules may be also used to prepare the conjugates of the invention.
• the targeting or active agent may be attached to the compound of formula I using a linker, such as unsymmetric (bifunctional) PEG or other spacer groups. Suitable functional group chemistries which can be employed include carboxylic acid for amide formation, alcohol and carboxylic acid forester formation, alkyl electrophile and alcohol for ether formation and alkylazide and acetylene for Click-reaction.
• the conjugate comprises a compound of formula:
• the targeting or active agent may be a small molecule drug, such as an anti-cancer drug.
• the conjugate comprises a compound of formula 6, of formula 7, of formula 43, of formula 51, of formula 55, of formula 57, of formula 59, of formula 64, of formula 69, or of formula 71.
• the conjugate comprises a compound of formula 6, formula 7, formula 43 or formula 69:
• the conjugate comprises a compound of formula 6 and a small molecule drug. In an embodiment, the conjugate comprises a compound of formula 6 and an anti- cancer drug. In an embodiment, the conjugate comprises a compound of formula 6 and vorinostat or an analogue thereof.
• the conjugate comprises a compound of formula 7 and a small molecule drug. In an embodiment, the conjugate comprises a compound of formula 7 and an anti- cancer drug. In an embodiment, the conjugate comprises a compound of formula 7 and vorinostat or an analogue thereof.
• the invention also relates to the use of these conjugates in imaging, therapeutic and non- therapeutic applications.
• the invention relates to the use of the compounds of formula I in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when said compound is activated by light.
• ROS reactive oxygen species
• Triplet state photosensitizers typically comprise a light-harvesting region, which is responsible for the dual-functionality of light-harvesting and intersystem crossing, where electrons in the single state non-radiatively pass to the triplet state. Quenching of the triplet- excited state can result in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), radicals from ground state molecular oxygen, or direct chemical reactions with surrounding molecules. Localised ROS production is an immune defence strategy employed in both animal and plant systems in response to pathogen attack.
• ROS reactive oxygen species
• Photodynamic therapy exploits the ability of photosensitizers to generate ROS, typically to destroy cancer cells, pathogenic microbes and/or unwanted tissue by apoptosis.
• the photosensitizing compound is excited near/inside a particular target tissue or condition (e.g. microbial infections, neoplasias, tumours etc) causing the generation of large quantities of ROS and subsequent destruction of that tissue.
• target tissue or condition e.g. microbial infections, neoplasias, tumours etc
• PDT relies on the targeting of the photosensitive compound to accumulate in the desired location, such as the cells of the diseased tissue, and localised light delivery to activate ROS generation.
• compounds for use in PDT are known, they often suffer from a variety of disadvantages, including small absorbance peaks, causing difficulties in light activation, particularly for bulky tumours where light penetration can be difficult to achieve; long biological half-lives, leading to skin photosensitivity for extended periods post-treatment; poor pharmacological properties such as poor aqueous solubility; and poor targeting ability (i.e. poor ability to target and accumulate in specific tissues or cells, leading to significant off- target damage).
• the compounds of the present invention are biologically inert in the unactivated state, but generate ROS when irradiated with low to medium energy short- wavelength visible light.
• the compounds of formula I can therefore be used to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thereby control cellular development, i.e. to control proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cells, leading to a variety of therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses.
• ROS reactive oxygen species
• the compounds of formula I are particularly advantageous for use in applications mediated by the control of ROS, as they demonstrate efficient targeting, which can lead to fewer off-target effects. They can also be tuned to different cell types, allowing selective targeting effects to be achieved.
• the invention relates to the use of the compounds or conjugates of the invention in photodynamic therapy (PDT).
• PDT photodynamic therapy
• ROS can be controlled based on the therapeutic need, for instance, to induce apoptosis for the ablation of cells, to cause proliferation in wound healing, or by a combination of these.
• high levels of ROS could initially be triggered, leading to apoptosis of bacterial and/or fungal cells, followed by low levels of ROS to aid in skin regeneration.
• a method of treating a patient with photodynamic therapy comprising the administration of a compound of formula I or conjugate thereof, and activating the compound of formula I to generate ROS.
• a method of treatment of a patient with a disease or condition that benefits from the control of cell proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I or a conjugate thereof.
• Diseases or conditions that benefit from the control of cell proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis include, for example, cancers, e.g. neural neoplasm, skin disorders such as acne, and skin wounds such as burns, diabetic foot ulcers, UV damage and aging skin.
• the compounds of formula I may act as chemotherapeutic or chemopreventative agents due to their ability control cellular development, i.e. to control proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in normal and tumour cells.
• the compounds of formula I may modulate the growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of normal, premalignant and malignant cells in vitro and in vivo.
• the compound may act as a chemotherapeutic or chemopreventative agent in the treatment or prevention of precancerous or cancerous conditions including those of the skin, oral cavity, larynx, lung, bladder, vulva, breast, kidney, liver, prostate, eye or digestive tract etc.
• the compound may act as a chemotherapeutic or chemopreventative agent in the treatment or prevention of basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, including those of the head and neck, and bladder tumours.
• the compound may act as a chemotherapeutic or chemopreventative agent in the treatment or prevention of leukaemia, such as myelogenous leukaemia, in particular acute promyelocyte leukaemia.
• the compounds of formula I may act to promote cell proliferation, for example skin or neural cell proliferation, and to assist in wound healing.
• the compounds of formula I may be used in promoting tissue health and development, in particular in promoting the health and development of the skin, bone, nerves, teeth, hair and/or mucous membranes of the human or animal body.
• the compounds of the invention may be used in the prevention or treatment of the signs of ageing (in particular wrinkles and age spots), skin conditions such as acne (especially severe and/or recalcitrant acne), psoriasis, stretch marks, keratosis pilaris, emphysema and baldness.
• the conjugates of formula I can be used in PDT.
• a conjugate of formula I with a small molecule therapeutic such as an anti-cancer drug. Due to the relatively small nature of the compounds of formula I compared with previous fluorophores, the anti-cancer drug can exhibit unchanged targeting, i.e. as demonstrated in vorinostat, the bioconjugate behaves as though the compound of formula I was not attached, allowing it to retain its cytotoxic effects. Therefore, the conjugate can be delivered to the site of interest, where the drug can perform its usual function, before irradiating the conjugate with UV light, leading to the controlled generation of ROS.
• the cell-killing effect of the drug could be supplemented by ROS-mediated apoptosis, i.e. the anti-cancer drug could cause initial death of cancer cells, with apoptosis then being triggered to kill remaining cells.
• a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I, or a conjugate thereof, as defined herein, optionally in conjunction with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, diluents or carriers, for use in the treatment or alleviation of a disease or condition benefits from the control of cell differentiation or apoptosis.
• the composition may optionally comprise one or more additional therapeutic agents.
• the pharmaceutical composition may comprise a compound of formula I conjugated to a therapeutic agent, such as a small molecule drug like an anti-cancer drug.
• the pharmaceutical composition may comprise a compound of formula I conjugated to vorinostat, or an analogue thereof.
• the conjugate comprising a compound of formula 6 and vorinostat or an analogue thereof exhibits an inherent cytotoxic activity from the hydroxamic acid of the vorinostat that can be supplemented and augmented by application of UV, 405 nm or two-photon 800 nm light to induce an additional photoactivated cell-killing effect.
• terapéuticaally effective amount or “effective amount” refers to the quantity of the compound or composition of the present invention which is effective in producing the desired therapeutic, ameliorative, inhibitory or preventative effect.
• the dosage of the compound or conjugate to be administered to the human or animal body will be dependent on factors such as the intended use, and the mode of administration, as would be recognised by a person skilled in the art.
• composition refers to a composition suitable for administration to a patient.
• pharmaceutical composition refers to compositions which comprise the compound of the invention, or conjugates or mixtures thereof, or salts, solvates, prodrugs, isomers or tautomers thereof, optionally in conjunction with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers or diluents.
• pharmaceutical composition is also intended to encompass both the bulk composition (i.e. in a form that has not yet been formed into individual dosage units) and individual dosage units. Such individual dosage units include tablets, pills, caplets, ampoules and the like.
• prodrug refers to a compound (e.g. a drug precursor) that is transformed in vivo to yield a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate of the compound.
• the transformation may occur by various mechanisms (e.g. by metabolic or chemical processes) such as, for example, through hydrolysis in blood.
• the compounds of the invention may be unsolvated or may be solvated with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, and the like.
• a solvate may be capable of isolation, for example when one or more solvent molecules are incorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid.
• “Solvate” encompasses both solution-phase and isolatable solvates. Suitable solvates include, but are not limited to, ethanolates, methanolates, hydrates, and the like.
• salts thereof include salts thereof, and reference to a compound of the invention is intended to include reference to salts thereof, unless otherwise stated.
• Suitable salts include for instance, acidic salts formed with inorganic and/or organic acids, basic salts formed with inorganic and/or organic bases, as well as zwitterions ("inner salts") which may be formed and are included within the term “salt(s)" as used herein.
• Pharmaceutically acceptable (i.e., non-toxic, physiologically acceptable) salts are preferred, although other salts may be useful in certain circumstances.
• Exemplary acid addition salts which may be useful include acetates, ascorbates, benzoates, benzenesulfonates, bisulfates, borates, butyrates, citrates, camphorates, camphorsulfonates, fumarates, hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, hydroiodides, lactates, maleates, methanesulfonates, naphthalenesulfonates, nitrates, oxalates, phosphates, propionates, salicylates, succinates, sulfates, tartrates, thiocyanates, toluenesulfonates (also known as tosylates,) and the like.
• Exemplary basic salts which may be useful include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium, lithium, and potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium salts, salts with organic bases (for example, organic amines) such as dicyclohexylamines, t-butyl amines, and salts with amino acids such as arginine, lysine and the like.
• Basic nitrogen- containing groups may be quarternerized with agents such as lower alkyl halides (e.g. methyl, ethyl, and butyl chlorides, bromides and iodides), dialkyl sulfates (e.g.
• dimethyl, diethyl, and dibutyl sulfates dimethyl, diethyl, and dibutyl sulfates
• long chain halides e.g. decyl, lauryl, and stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides
• arylalkyl halides e.g. benzyl and phenethyl bromides
• esters for use in the invention include pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof, and may include carboxylic acid esters, obtained by esterification of the hydroxy groups, in which the non- carbonyl moiety of the carboxylic acid portion of the ester grouping is selected from straight or branched chain alkyl (for example, acetyl, n-propyl, t-butyl, or n-butyl), alkoxyalkyl (for example, methoxymethyl), aralkyl (for example, benzyl), aryloxyalkyl (for example, phenoxymethyl), aryl (for example, phenyl optionally substituted with, for example, halogen, Ci-4 alkyl, or C 1 -4 alkoxy or amino); (2) sulfonate esters, such as alkyl- or aralkylsulfonyl (for example, methanesulfonyl); (3) amino acid esters (for example, L-valyl or L-isoleucyl
• Suitable dosages for administering compounds of the invention to patients may be determined by those skilled in the art, e.g. by an attending physician, pharmacist, or other skilled worker and may vary according to factors such as patient weight, health, age, frequency of administration, mode of administration, the presence of any other active ingredients, and the condition for which the compounds are being administered.
• excipients examples include buffers, as well as fillers and extenders such as starch, cellulose, sugars, mannitol and silicic derivatives. Binding agents may also be included. Adjuvants may also be included.
• the compound of formula I may be administered in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents.
• the compounds of the invention may be administered together or sequentially.
• compositions may be administered by a variety of routes including oral, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular and intraperitoneal), rectal, dermal, transdermal, intrathoracic, intrapulmonary, mucosal, intraocular and intranasal routes.
• Suitable dosage forms will be recognised by one skilled in the art and include, among others, tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions, powders, aerosols, ampules, pre-filled syringes, small volume infusion containers or multi-dose containers, creams, milks, gels, dispersions, microemulsions, lotions, impregnated pads, ointments, eye drops, nose drops, lozenges etc.
• the compounds of formula I and conjugates thereof can be used to control the generation of ROS in non-therapeutic applications.
• the compounds of formula I have been shown to penetrate into other cell types, such as plant cells, leading to a variety of other uses, such as in targeted herbicides, seed enhancement and growth enhancement applications.
• aspects of the present invention relate to formulations comprising the compounds of formula I or conjugates thereof, optionally in conjunction with one or more formulation ingredients.
• formulation ingredients include, but are not limited to, preservatives, thickening agents, antifoaming agents etc.
• Such formulation ingredients may optionally include additional active ingredients, such as herbicides etc.
• the invention relates to formulations comprising such compounds and conjugates, and to the use of such compounds, conjugates and formulations in controlled ROS generation applications in plant, fungi and bacteria.
• the invention relates to compounds of formula I:
• R 1 is H or an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more N atoms
• R 2 is selected from an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more N atoms, -(CH 2 ) n R 3 , -(CH 2 ) n NHR 3 , and - (CH 2 ) 2 (COCH 2 ) n R 3 in which n is an integer from 1 to 10 and R 3 is -NH 2 , -OH, -SO 2 PhCH 3 , or - COOH; or
• R 1 and R 2 form part of a heterocyclic group Y having from 3 to 12 ring members with the proviso that when R 1 and R 2 form part of a heterocyclic group Y having from 3 to 12 ring members, the N of the heterocyclic group is in a para position with respect to the acetylene group of the compound of formula I;
• Ar 1 and Ar 2 are each, independently, an aromatic group; and
• X is an electron deficient group; and stereoisomers thereof, in free or salt form.
• the invention relates to compounds of formula I:
• R 1 is H or an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more N atoms
• R 2 is selected from an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with one or more N atoms, -(CH 2 ) n R 3 , and -(CH 2 ) 2 (CO(CH 2 ) n R 3 in which n is an integer from 1 to 10 and R 3 is -N H 2 , -OH, or -COOH; or R 1 and R 2 form part of a heterocyclic group Y having from 3 to 12 ring members; Ar 1 and Ar 2 are each, independently, an aromatic group; and X is an electron deficient group; and stereoisomers thereof, in free or salt form.
• Figure 2 illustrates the synthesis of exemplary compounds of formula I
• Figure 3 illustrates absorption and emission spectra of compounds of the invention and of reference compounds
• Figure 4 illustrates the synthesis of (a) a THP-protected analogue of vorinostat, compound 37; (b) a THP-protected analogue of vorinostat conjugated to compound 6, compound 38; and (c) an unprotected vorinostat analogue conjugated to compound 6, compound 39;
• Figure 5 illustrates cell viability using the CellTitreGlow assay for primary, HPV-negative oral squamous carcinoma cells (a) cell line SJG-26; and (b) cell line SJG-41;
• Figure 6 illustrates MTT viability assay results for (a) non-irradiated, and (b) irradiated assays
• Figure 7 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes treated with compound 7 and a range of organelle markers
• Figure 8 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes treated with compound 13 and a range of organelle markers
• Figure 9 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes treated with compound 14 and a range of organelle markers
• Figure 10 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes treated with compound 12 and a range of organelle markers
• Figure 11 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes treated with compound 15 and a range of organelle markers
• Figure 12 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes treated with compound 6 and a range of organelle markers
• Figure 13 shows tiled fluorescent images of the subcellular localisation of compounds 7 (row A), 14 (row B), 12 (row C) and 15 (row D) in black-grass cells;
• Figure 14 illustrates cell viability of black-grass cells after treatment with compounds 7, 15, 12 and 14 after UV treatment;
• Figure 15(i) shows the overnight growth curve of M. smegmatis treated with compound 12 (1-100 ⁇ M) showing optical density of cell suspension vs. time.
• Half of the sample was irradiated with 405 nm radiation for 5 min at approximately 15 mW/cm 2 as shown in 15(ii);
• Figure 16 shows S. epidermidis cells treated with compound 6 (1 ⁇ M) without irradiation and with irradiation, co-stained with propidium iodide (showing non-viable cells) and Syto 9 (showing all viable and non-viable cells). Images are taken using a widefield microscope in the Blue (to image compound 6), green (to image Syto 9) and red (to image propidium iodide) channels shown in columns 1 to 3, respectively;
• Figure 17 shows the overnight growth curve of S. epidermidis treated with compound 6 (1- 100 ⁇ M) showing optical density of cell suspension vs. time.
• Half of sample was irradiated (R) with 405 nm radiation for 5 min at approximately 15 mW/cm 2 ;
• Figure 18 shows B. subtilis cells treated with compound 12 (1 ⁇ M) without irradiation (FIG.18(a)) and irradiated (FIG. 18(b)) with 405 nm radiation for 5 min at approximately 15 mW/cm 2 , co-stained with propidium iodide (showing non-viable cells) and Syto 9 (showing all viable and non-viable cells). Images are taken using a widefield microscope in the Blue (to image compound 6), green (to image Syto 9) and red (to image propidium iodide) channels (columns 1 to 3, respectively);
• Figure 19 shows the overnight growth curve of B. subtilis treated with compound 12 (1-100 ⁇ M) with irradiation (R) and without irradiation (NR). Samples were irradiated (R) with 405 nm radiation for 5 min at approximately 15 mW/cm 2 ;
• Figure 20 shows the overnight growth curve of B. subtilis treated with compound 6 (10, 5, 1 ⁇ M) with irradiation and without irradiation, showing optical density of cell suspension vs. time.
• Half of the sample was irradiated (R) with 405 nm radiation for 5 min at approximately 15 mW/cm 2 ;
• Figure 21 shows B subtilis cells treated with compound 12 (10 ⁇ M) imaged using a confocal microscope and a laser excitation of 405nm. An emission spectrum of 500/50 nm was used for image capture. Post processing was performed in ImageJ, making use of the 'Find edges' function to exemplify localisation of compound within the cell.
• Example 1 Synthesis of exemplary compounds of formula I:
• N,O- bistrimethylsilylacetamide (9.49 mL, 38.8 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 110 °C for 16 h. The solution was then cooled, diluted with EtOAc and the organics were washed with sat. NH 4 CI, H 2 O and brine, dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated to give a crude dark oil (7.7 g).
• N,O- Bistrimethylsilylacetamide 14.67 mL, 60.0 mmol was added and the solution was stirred at 110 °C for 18 h. The solution was then cooled, diluted with DCM and the organics were washed with sat. NH 4 CI, H 2 O and brine, dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated to give a crude dark solid.
• N,O- bistrimethylsilylacetamide (22.35 mL, 91.4 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 110 °C for 18 h. The solution was then cooled, diluted with EtOAc and the organics were washed with 5% HCI, H 2 O and brine, dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated to give a crude red oil.
• Methylmorpholine (0.11 mL, 1.00 mmol) was added dropwise over 5 min, and the resultant solution was stirred at 0 °C for 2 h, whereupon compound 6 (0.3 g, 0.77 mmol) and 4- methylmorpholine (0.1 mL, 0.90 mmol) were added and the solution was further stirred for 18 h.
• the solution was diluted with DCM, washed with H 2 O, dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated to give a crude yellow solid (0.62 g).
• Methylmorpholine (0.11 mL, 1.00 mmol) was added dropwise over 5 min, and the resultant solution was stirred at 0 °C for 2 h, whereupon compound 27 (0.3 g, 0.76 mmol) and 4- methylmorpholine (0.1 mL, 0.90 mmol) were added and the solution was further stirred for 20 h.
• the solution was diluted with DCM, washed with H 2 O, dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated to give a crude orange oil (0.6 g).
• Example 2 Measurement of absorption and fluorescence emission of exemplified compounds Peak absorption and fluorescence emission wavelengths of compounds 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 23, 27, 30 and 34 were measured in a variety of solvents, and the results are shown in Table 1. Absorption measurements were recorded at a concentration of 10 ⁇ M, and emission measurements were recorded at a concentration of 100 nM. Emission spectra were recorded with excitation at the peak of absorption (So -> Si) .
• the para-substituted diphenylacetylene fluorophores exhibit improved photophysical properties over the corresponding ortho -substituted compounds due to stronger, and longer wavelength absorption of light, and more efficient fluorescence emission with augmented charge transfer behaviour.
• Compound 6 was conjugated to the approved cancer drug, vorinostat.
• three compounds were prepared: A THP-protected analogue of vorinostat (compound 37); a THP-protected analogue of vorinostat conjugated to compound 6 (compound 38); and an unprotected vorinostat analogue conjugated to compound 6 (compound 39).
• Cell viability was measured using the CellTitreGlo ® assay according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Two primary, HPV-negative oral squamous carcinoma cells (SJG-26 and SJG-41) were treated for 72 hours with compound 37, compound 38 and compound 39 before performing the assay. Cells were not irradiated.
• the IC 50 of vorinostat alone (not shown) was found to be 1.6 ⁇ M; the IC 50 of compound 39 was nearly identical (1.3 ⁇ M for SJG-26 and 1.4 ⁇ M for SJG-41).
• the results of the assays are shown in Figure 5a (Cell line SJG-26) and 5b (Cell Line SJG-41).
• MTT assays were conducted according to the following procedure: cells were treated with compounds 37/38/39 at varying concentrations for 1 h at 37 °C/5% CO 2 whereupon they were irradiated at 56 Jmm -2 for 5 min. Cells were then incubated for 24 h at 37 °C/5%. The culture medium was removed, and cells were rinsed with PBS. Phenol free medium was added and a 12 mM MTT stock solution was added, whereupon the cells were incubated at 37 °C for 2 h. DMSO was further added and cells were incubated at 37 °C in a humidified chamber. Absorption measurements were then recorded at 540 nm to determine the extent of cell viability. The results are shown in Figure 6.
• HaCaT keratinocyte cell lines were used for the following experimental procedures. The cells were incubated in cell culture media (94% Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), 5% Foetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and 1% Penicillin Streptomycin solution (Pen-Strep).
• DMEM Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium
• FBS Foetal Bovine Serum
• Pen-Strep Penicillin Streptomycin solution
• the cells were plated in 8-well plates, at a concentration of 25,000 cells per ml. 200 ml of cell suspension was added to each well, and the cells were incubated for 2 days before staining and imaging was carried out.
• cells were probed with an anti-lamin A/C antibody.
• the cells were plated on 22 x 22 mm cover slips (10,000 cells/ml) and incubated for 2 days before staining.
• the cells were washed with PBS to remove excess media before staining.
• the cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) for 10 minutes at room temperature, before being washed twice in PBS for 5 minutes. Following washing, the cells were permeabilised in 0.4% Triton X-100 in PBS for 10 minutes.
• PFA paraformaldehyde
• the cells were subsequently washed three times in PBS for 5 minutes, before being incubated in blocking buffer (1% BSA, 0.1% fish gelatine and 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS) for 15 minutes at room temperature.
• the cells were incubated in primary antibody (mouse anti-lamin A/C IgG in blocking buffer) for 1 hour at room temperature.
• the cells were then washed twice in blocking buffer and incubated in secondary antibody (anti-mouse Alexa-594 IgG in blocking buffer) for 30 minutes at room temperature. Cells were washed twice in PBS for 10 minutes at room temperature.
• ImageJ Coloc2 software was used to calculate co-localization statistics between the compounds of formula I and the organelle marker images.
• the background was subtracted from each image and a region of interest (ROI) was used to target the analysis.
• the point spread function (PSF) of each image was calculated as 2.0 and Coastes' iterations was set to 100.
• the statistic quantified was the Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (PCC).
• Figure 7 shows tiled images of co-staining of FlaCaT keratinocytes probed with compound 7 and a range of organelle markers.
• Column 1 shows compound 7 visualised in green
• column 2 shows different organelle markers visualised in red
• column 3 shows an overlay of both compound 7 (green) and organelle markers (red).
• Row A shows MitoTracker staining (red) used to investigate mitochondrial localisation of compound 7.
• Row B shows Nile Red staining (red) used to investigate lipophilic localisation of compound 7.
• Row C shows LysoTracker ® Red DND-99 staining (red), used to investigate lysosomal localisation of compound 7.
• Row D shows BODIPY ® ER-Tracker Red (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 7 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
• Row E shows anti-lamin A/C antibody staining (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 7 to the nuclear lamina.
• Figure 8 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes probed with compound 13 and a range of organelle markers.
• Column 1 shows compound 13 visualised in green
• column 2 shows different organelle markers visualised in red
• column 3 shows an overlay of staining of both compound 13 (green) and organelle markers (red).
• Row A shows MitoTracker staining (red) used to investigate mitochondrial localisation of compound 13.
• Row B shows Nile Red staining (red) used to investigate lipophilic localisation of compound 13.
• Row C shows LysoTracker ® Red DND-99 staining (red), used to investigate lysosomal localisation of compound 13.
• Row D shows BODIPY ® ER-Tracker Red (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 13 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
• Row E shows anti-lamin A/C antibody staining (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 13 to the nuclear lamina.
• Figure 9 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes probed with compound 14 and a range of organelle markers.
• Column 1 shows compound 14 visualised in green
• column 2 shows different organelle markers visualised in red
• column 3 shows an overlay of staining of both compound 14 (green) and organelle markers (red).
• Row A shows MitoTracker staining (red) used to investigate mitochondrial localisation of compound 14.
• Row B shows Nile Red staining (red) used to investigate lipophilic localisation of compound 14.
• Row C shows LysoTracker ® Red DND-99 staining (red), used to investigate lysosomal localisation of compound 14.
• Row D shows BODIPY ® ER-Tracker Red (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 14 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
• Row E shows anti-lamin A/C antibody staining (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 14 to the nuclear lamina.
• Figure 10 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes probed with compound 12 and a range of organelle markers.
• Column 1 shows compound 12 visualised in green
• column 2 shows different organelle markers visualised in red
• column 3 shows an overlay of staining of both compound 12 (green) and organelle markers (red).
• Row A shows MitoTracker staining (red) used to investigate mitochondrial localisation of compound 12.
• Row B shows Nile Red staining (red) used to investigate lipophilic localisation of compound 12.
• Row C shows LysoTracker ® Red DND-99 staining (red), used to investigate lysosomal localisation of compound 12.
• Row D shows BODIPY ® ER-Tracker Red (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 12 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
• Row E shows anti-lamin A/C antibody staining (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 12 to the nuclear lamina.
• Figure 11 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes probed with compound 15 and a range of organelle markers.
• Column 1 shows compound 15 visualised in green
• column 2 shows different organelle markers visualised in red
• column 3 shows an overlay of staining of both compound 15 (green) and organelle markers (red).
• Row A shows MitoTracker staining (red) used to investigate mitochondrial localisation of compound 15.
• Row B shows Nile Red staining (red) used to investigate lipophilic localisation of compound 15.
• Row C shows LysoTracker ® Red DND-99 staining (red), used to investigate lysosomal localisation of compound 15.
• Row D shows BODIPY ® ER-Tracker Red (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 15 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
• Row E shows anti-lamin A/C antibody staining (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 15 to the nuclear lamina.
• Figure 12 shows tiled images of co-staining of HaCaT keratinocytes probed with compound 6 and a range of organelle markers.
• Column 1 shows compound 6 visualised in green
• column 2 shows different organelle markers visualised in red
• column 3 shows an overlay of staining of both compound 6 (green) and organelle markers (red).
• Row A shows MitoTracker staining (red) used to investigate mitochondrial localisation of compound 6.
• Row B shows Nile Red staining (red) used to investigate lipophilic localisation of compound 6.
• Row C shows LysoTracker ® Red DND-99 staining (red), used to investigate lysosomal localisation of compound 6.
• Row D shows BODIPY ® ER-Tracker Red (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 6 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
• Row E shows anti-lamin A/C antibody staining (red), used to investigate localisation of compound 6 to the nuclear lamina.
• Tables 3 to 8 below show the average PCC values for each organelle marker indicating the extent of co-localisation with compounds 7, 13, 14, 12, 15 and 6, respectively. There are no PPC values for the anti-lamin A/C antibody as there were not enough pixels per image to produce reliable data.
• Table 3 The average correlation (PCC) between localisation of compound 7 and different organelle markers in HaCaT keratinocyte cells.
• Table 4 The average correlation (PCC) between localisation of compound 13 and different organelle markers in HaCaT keratinocyte cells.
• Table 5 The average correlation (PCC) between localisation of compound 14 and different organelle markers in HaCaT keratinocyte cells.
• Table 6 The average correlation (PCC) between localisation of compound 12 and different organelle markers in HaCaT keratinocyte cells.
• Table 7 The average correlation (PCC) between localisation of compound 15 and different organelle markers in HaCaT keratinocyte cells.
• Table 8 The average correlation (PCC) between localisation of compounc 6 and different organelle markers in HaCaT keratinocyte cells.
• compound 7 primarily shows localisation to the lysosomes with some localisation to the ER and Golgi apparatus and also shows some lipophilic staining.
• Compound 13 appears to stain the peripheral region of the cells but shows no detectable co-localisation with the organelle markers used.
• Compound 14 shows localisation to the mitochondria and ER with some lipophilic staining.
• Compound 12 appears to primarily localise to the lysosomes with some ER localisation and lipophilic staining present.
• Compound 15 appears to primarily show lipophilic localisation.
• Compound 6 appears to primarily localise to the lysosomes with some ER localisation and lipophilic staining.
• Black-grass cell suspension culture was initiated from embryogenic calli. Suspension cultures were sub-cultured every 10 days. The cells in log-phase (5 days after subculture) were used in all experiments.
• % viability ⁇ live cells (FDA)/ (live cells + dead cells) ⁇ x 100
• ANOVA analysis of variance
• Compound 7 generated an acceptable signal in black-grass cell suspension culture. As can be seen in Figure 13, the compound seemed to label the inner cell membrane; however, compound 7 showed a stronger signal in the cell vesicle (possibly lipid vesicle). 7.4.2 Compound 14
• Compound 14 which exhibits a triphenylphosphonium moiety, has been shown to target mitochondria in mammalian cells. However, this compound seemed to label inner cell membrane as well as small vesicles. Considering that mitochondria are the high abundant organelle in living organisms, compound 14 did not seem to label mitochondria in black-grass cells.
• Compound 12 generated a strong signal in black-grass cells. It seemed to specifically label plasma membrane and cell plate.
• Example 8 Localisation of compounds in bacterial cells
• Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus epidermis and Bacillus subtilis were used in the following experimental procedures: A sample of S. epidermidis was taken from a plate culture and inoculated into Luria Broth to culture overnight at 30°C for approximately 16 hours.
• B. subtilis was taken from a plate culture and inoculated into Luria Broth to culture overnight at 37 °C for approximately 16 hours.
• M. smegmatis, S. epidermis and B. subtilis cultures were prepared as follows:
• the 96 well plate was put into the plate reader and set up to run a growth curve protocol using the following parameters: ⁇ Incubation temperature: 37 °C
• M. smegmatis , S. epidermis and B. subtilis were stained with compound 6.
• B. subtilis was stained with compound 12.
• Samples prepared according to Table 9 were treated with compounds by diluting 10 mM of stock solution in media to make a 100 ⁇ M concentration. This solution was then further diluted 1:10 and 1:100 in media to make 10 ⁇ M and 1 ⁇ M media solutions containing the compound. 50 pi of cell culture were then added to the 100 ⁇ M, 10 ⁇ M and 1 ⁇ M compound-containing media preparations.
• each of the three bacterial strains were stained using a BaclightTM staining kit containing separate solutions of SytoTM 9 and Propidium Iodide.
• One extra sample treated with 0.1 ⁇ M of each compound was also included in this assay.
• a Leica SP5 laser scanning confocal microscope was used to obtain high resolution images of B. subtilis.
• a 100x objective oil immersion lens was used with further digital magnification.
• a 405 nm excitation and 450 nm - 600 nm emission range were used for taking the fluorescent images. 8.6 Results
• Figure 15(i) shows an overnight growth curve of M. smegmatis after treatment with compound 12, while Figure 15(ii) shows an overnight growth curve of M. smegmatis treated with compound 12 after irradiation. Samples with no photoactivation show no significant difference between the treated and untreated controls. The radiated samples however begin to indicate some cytotoxicity at the 100 ⁇ M concentration.
• FIG. 16 shows S. epidermidis cells which have been treated with compound 6 before and after irradiation. Control cells without compound 6 treatment are also shown. Compound 6 is shown in blue (column 1, Syto 9 is shown in green (column 2) which highlights all viable and non-viable cells and propidium iodide is shown in red (column 3) which highlights the non- viable cells. Images demonstrate an increase in red fluorescent cells after treatment with compound 6 compared with the untreated controls. Curves were generated by taking an average of the 8 microwell OD measurements for each sample type. Error bars represent the standard error across 8 well measurements. For 100 and 10 m concentrations, no growth is evident regardless of any photoactivation.
• the non-photoactivated 1 ⁇ M sample shows minor impact on growth by extended lag phase (time before growth begins) compared to the untreated controls.
• 1 ⁇ M samples are photoactivated there is a significant increase in the lag phase of growth up to around 15 hrs, compared with the untreated samples which lag only for around 2 hrs.
• Figure 18 shows B. subtilis cells which have been treated with compound 12 before and after irradiation ( Figure 18(a) and 18(b), respectively).
• the compound fluorescence is shown in blue (i).
• the cells have been co-stained with Syto 9, shown in green (2), which highlights all cells.
• the cells have also been stained with propidium iodide, shown in red (3) which highlights the non-viable cells.
• Figure 20 shows overnight growth curves of B. subtilis cells which have been treated with compound 6 before and after irradiation.
• the non-irradiated samples show similar amounts of growth for 0, 5 and 1 ⁇ M concentrations. When radiated these samples show some growth inhibition. For 10 ⁇ M treatment concentrations, growth is reduced and lag time extended, and this effect is much more significant in the radiated sample.
• Compound 12 shows more cytotoxicity at both 10 and 1 ⁇ M concentration than compound 6.
• Figure 21 shows B. subtilis cells treated with compound 12.
• Compound 12 appears to show enhanced localisation in the peptidoglycan regions of the B. subtilis cells.
• Attachment to the inner spore of the B. subtilis cell demonstrates inter cellular uptake which is often a challenge for large-molecule drugs.
• the sporulation cycle in such bacteria provides innate protection against harsh environments and chemical treatments so it is difficult to eradicate pathogens that can undergo this process.
• a method of actively killing the inner spore would provide a novel method of cell killing in sporulating pathogens.

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