“The 24th Conference” of the Groupement des Pharmacochimistes de l’Arc Atlantique (GP2A)

The GP2A European Conference is a two-day meeting focused on medicinal chemistry and the use of tools to explore all fields of drug discovery and drug design such as molecular modelling, bioorganic chemistry, MS studies, in vitro in vivo assays, and structure activity relationships. Abstracts of keynote lectures, plenary lectures, junior lectures, flash presentations, and posters presented during the meeting are collated in this report.


Aim and Scope of the Meeting
In 2016, the 24th Conference of the Groupement des pharmacochimistes de l'Arc Atlantique (GP2A) was held in Angers, at the Saint Serge Campus of the University of Angers (France), (25)(26).
The main topics of the GP2A conference were natural products, anti-infectious agents, anticancer drugs, tumor-targeted nanosystems, and novel tools.
The scientific program included plenary lectures given by distinguished experts in the field, as well as oral and poster presentations by young scientists. Besides being a forum for discussions and scientific exchange, the GP2A organizers wish to provide a platform for young scientists to present their research.

Simon McKay
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, 31 Taylor Street, Glasgow G1, UK; simon.mackay@strath.ac.uk Development of drug resistance during cancer chemotherapy is one of the major causes of chemotherapeutic failure for the majority of clinical agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of resistance developed by the mitotic kinesin Eg5 against the potent second-generation ispinesib analogue SB743921, a phase I/II clinical candidate. Biochemical and biophysical data demonstrate that point mutations in the inhibitor-binding pocket decrease the efficacy of SB743921 by several 1000-fold. Surprisingly, the structures of wild type and mutant Eg5 in complex with SB743921 display no apparent structural changes in the binding configuration of the drug candidate. Furthermore, ITC and modelling approaches reveal that resistance to SB743921 is not through conventional steric effects at the binding site, but through reduced flexibility and changes in energy fluctuation pathways through the protein that influence its function. This is a phenomenon we have called "resistance by allostery".
In recent years metabolomic profiling and dereplication have become important tools in the field of natural products' (NPs) research and quality control. These experiments are mainly based on methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) as well as 1 H and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) (El-Elimat, T., et al. J. Nat. Prod. 2013, 76, 1709-1716Williams, R.B., et al. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2015, 39, 9957-9962). On the other hand matrix assisted matrix laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and matrix free laser desorption ionization (LDI) are hardly discussed in this context. This lecture will highlight some recent advances in both methods such as the development of selective MALDI matrices for the detection of alkaloids in complex mixtures but also the matrix free LDI of NPs. Many NPs exhibit close structural similarities to MALDI matrices and can be directly ionized by LDI (Schinkovitz, A., et al. J. Mass Spectrom. 2015, 50, 270-274;Le-Pogam, P., et al. Anal. Chem. 2015, 87, 10421-10428). The effect is observed for a large variety of different compounds belonging to various chemical families, such as flavonoids, coumarins, tocopherols, and alkaloids, some of which could even be detected from crude extracts. Eventually the concept of selective signal enhancement by multi-wavelength laser irradiation targeting absorption maxima of selected analytes will be discussed.
The treatment of inflammatory disorders in Western medicine relies heavily on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (Wang, Q., et al. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013, 146, 9-39). However, currently available treatment options are often unsatisfactory. Natural products (NPs) have always been an important source of new drug leads. Almost half of the drugs currently in clinical use are of natural product origin and even today, in the post genomic era, plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms are still an important source for the development of new drugs (Newman, D.J., et al. J. Nat. Prod. 2010, 75, 311-335).
In the course of a national research network project involving scientists of six Austrian universities we aimed to identify and characterize anti-inflammatory NPs capable to combat inflammatory processes specifically in the cardiovascular system. The combined use of computational techniques with traditional knowledge, high-tech chemical analysis, and synthesis, and a broad range of in vitro, cell-based, and in vivo pharmacological models led to the identification of a series of promising anti-inflammatory drug lead candidates. Mechanistic studies contributed to a better understanding of their mechanism of action and delivered new knowledge on the molecular level of inflammatory processes. Highlights of this interdisciplinary project which started in 2008 will be presented (Waltenberger, B., et al. Monatsh. Chem. 2016, 147, 479-491).
The aim of this project is to develop nanosystems based on RF transporters to favor tumor targeting and cell uptake. These platforms consist in FDA approved liposomal formulations decorated by original tailor-made amphiphile RF derivatives and an encapsulated chromophore-rhodamine B for fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry in vitro or indocyanine green (ICG) for non-invasive photoacoustic imaging in vivo (Beztsinna, N., et al. Biomaterials 2016, 80, 121-133).
The cornerstone of this study is the preparation of tailor-made amphiphile derivatives of RF. These amphiphilic building blocks could be used as a versatile tool to develop targeting lipid based nanomedecines via RF transporter systems.
These derivatives were inserted into liposomes leading to functionalized platforms. For the proof of concept, in cellulo investigations were performed on different cells: PC3, A431 cancer cell lines and HUVECs (Beztsinna, N., et al. Bioconjugate Chem. 2016, in proof).
Then, in vivo investigations in mice with A431 subcutaneous xenographs revealed the increase in targeted liposomes accumulation at early time points by photoacoustic imaging (VevoLAZR). certain tumor cells as well as neovasculature. Thus addressing RF transporter systems represents a promising strategy for the generation of tumor-targeted drug carriers. The aim of this project is to develop nanosystems based on RF transporters to favor tumor targeting and cell uptake. These platforms consist in FDA approved liposomal formulations decorated by original tailor-made amphiphile RF derivatives and an encapsulated chromophore-rhodamine B for fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry in vitro or indocyanine green (ICG) for non-invasive photoacoustic imaging in vivo (Beztsinna, N., et al. Biomaterials 2016, 80, 121-133).
The cornerstone of this study is the preparation of tailor-made amphiphile derivatives of RF. These amphiphilic building blocks could be used as a versatile tool to develop targeting lipid based nanomedecines via RF transporter systems.
These derivatives were inserted into liposomes leading to functionalized platforms. For the proof of concept, in cellulo investigations were performed on different cells: PC3, A431 cancer cell lines and HUVECs (Beztsinna, N., et al. Bioconjugate Chem. 2016, in proof).
Then, in vivo investigations in mice with A431 subcutaneous xenographs revealed the increase in targeted liposomes accumulation at early time points by photoacoustic imaging (VevoLAZR). The challenge of increasing bacterial resistance to classical antibiotics is leading to the development of alternative strategies for treating bacterial infections. Anti-adhesive molecules that inhibit the interaction between bacterial and human cells offer an intriguing possibility for reducing bacterial load without a bactericidal effect.
This talk will focus on the development of anti-adhesives, based on macrocyclic glycoclusters, which inhibit two lectins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (LecA and LecB) that are implicated in adhesion, biofilm formation and infectivity. The importance of ligand topology in achieving high binding strength and selectivity between different lectins will be described through comparison of libraries prepared from calix [4]arenes 1 (Cecioni, S., et al. Chem. Eur. J. 2009, 15, 13232-13240;Sicard, D., et al. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 9483-9845), resorcin [4]arenes 2 (Soomro, Z.H., et al. Org. Bio. Chem. 2011, 9, 6587-6597) and pillar[5]arenes 3 (Buffet, K., et al. Chem. Eur. J. 2016, 22, 9, 2955-2963. Additionally, the potential modes of action and evaluation of the most effective inhibitor of LecA to-date in mouse model studies will also be discussed (Boukerb, A.M., et al. J. Med. Chem. 2014, 57, 10275-10289 The challenge of increasing bacterial resistance to classical antibiotics is leading to the development of alternative strategies for treating bacterial infections. Anti-adhesive molecules that inhibit the interaction between bacterial and human cells offer an intriguing possibility for reducing bacterial load without a bactericidal effect. This talk will focus on the development of anti-adhesives, based on macrocyclic glycoclusters, which inhibit two lectins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (LecA and LecB) that are implicated in adhesion, biofilm formation and infectivity. The importance of ligand topology in achieving high binding strength and selectivity between different lectins will be described through comparison of libraries prepared from calix [4]arenes 1 (Cecioni, S., et al. Chem. Eur. J. 2009, 15, 13232-13240;Sicard, D., et al. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 9483-9845), resorcin [4]arenes 2 (Soomro, Z.H., et al. Org. Bio. Chem. 2011, 9, 6587-6597) and pillar[5]arenes 3 (Buffet, K., et al. Chem. Eur. J. 2016, 22, 9, 2955-2963. Additionally, the potential modes of action and evaluation of the most effective inhibitor of LecA to-date in mouse model studies will also be discussed (Boukerb, A.M., et al. J. Med. Chem. 2014, 57, 10275-10289). P. falciparum malaria is the deadliest parasitic disease with 438,000 deaths in 2013. The emergence and the increasing proportion of P. falciparum parasites resistant to artemisinin derivatives, the most potent antimalarials, is a major concern in Southeast Asia. Fast acting drugs, with unaltered activity versus the current multi-drug resistant strains are urgently needed to replace artemisinins. Previously, traditional remedies such as Cinchona bark or Artemisia aerial parts led to the discovery of the most potent antimalarials, bearing out that Nature is still an incredible source of original compounds. Following this approach, we are developing new synthetic antimalarial agents based on the structure of an active natural product. We isolated a biflavonoid from Campnosperma panamense (IC50 = 480 nM in vitro on P. falciparum K1 multi-resistant strain), and developed novel simplified synthetic analogs (MR series) with improved pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles. One of these compounds, MR70, is strongly effective on P. falciparum early blood stage in less than 6 h. Moreover, MR70 and its analog MR87, exhibit a partial in vivo antimalarial activity, reducing parasitemia by 35% and 70% respectively on day 4 in a murine model (P. berghei ANKA, 100 mg/kg for 4 days). The investigations of structure-activity relationship are still ongoing to further improve these results. As MR70 acts specifically on early ring stage, which has been associated to artemisinin resistance, we have assessed the in vitro susceptibility of Cambodian artemisinin-resistant isolates to MR70 and found no cross-resistance between MR70 and artemisinins. These findings make flavone derivatives a promising new class of antimalarials. Further investigation is needed to optimize MR70 activity and assess its efficacy against strains resistant to partner drugs, usually combined with artemisinin derivatives, like piperaquine, mefloquine, lumefantrine, and amodiaquine. P. falciparum malaria is the deadliest parasitic disease with 438,000 deaths in 2013. The emergence and the increasing proportion of P. falciparum parasites resistant to artemisinin derivatives, the most potent antimalarials, is a major concern in Southeast Asia. Fast acting drugs, with unaltered activity versus the current multi-drug resistant strains are urgently needed to replace artemisinins. Previously, traditional remedies such as Cinchona bark or Artemisia aerial parts led to the discovery of the most potent antimalarials, bearing out that Nature is still an incredible source of original compounds. Following this approach, we are developing new synthetic antimalarial agents based on the structure of an active natural product. We isolated a biflavonoid from Campnosperma panamense (IC 50 = 480 nM in vitro on P. falciparum K1 multi-resistant strain), and developed novel simplified synthetic analogs (MR series) with improved pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles. One of these compounds, MR70, is strongly effective on P. falciparum early blood stage in less than 6 h. Moreover, MR70 and its analog MR87, exhibit a partial in vivo antimalarial activity, reducing parasitemia by 35% and 70% respectively on day 4 in a murine model (P. berghei ANKA, 100 mg/kg for 4 days). The investigations of structure-activity relationship are still ongoing to further improve these results. As MR70 acts specifically on early ring stage, which has been associated to artemisinin resistance, we have assessed the in vitro susceptibility of Cambodian artemisinin-resistant isolates to MR70 and found no cross-resistance between MR70 and artemisinins. These findings make flavone derivatives a promising new class of antimalarials. Further investigation is needed to optimize MR70 activity and assess its efficacy against strains resistant to partner drugs, usually combined with artemisinin derivatives, like piperaquine, mefloquine, lumefantrine, and amodiaquine.
However, under classical laboratory growth conditions the full potential of fungal NPs chemodiversity is underestimated as most of secondary metabolites genes cluster remain silent (Pettit, R.K. Microb. Biotechnol. 2011, 4, 471-478). To overcome such difficulties several approaches such as non-targeted metabolic engineering, epigenetic modification or elicitation, and the production of unnatural-natural scaffolds have recently been developed (Bertrand, S., et al. Biotechnol. Adv. 2014, 32, 1180-1204. Such approaches lead to the induction of novel compounds by the activation of cryptic biosynthetic pathways dedicated to the production of secondary metabolites. To monitor such induction, liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry metabolomics (Wolfender, J.-L., et al. J. Chromatogr. A 2015, 1382 is now considered as a very efficient approach to study the induction of metabolite biosynthesis in fungi. This presentation will focus on exemplifying the use of metabolomics to track activation of orphan pathways through OSMAC (One Strain Many Compounds) approach (Bode, H.B., et al. ChemBioChem 2002, 3, 619-627), kinetics study (Roullier, C., et al. Mar. Drugs 2016, 14, 103-117) and co-culture strategy (Bertrand, S., et al. Biotechnol. Adv. 2014, 32, 1180-1204Bertrand, S., et al. Mol. BioSyst. 2014, 10, 2289-2298. Such strategies are nowadays largely used in NP drug discovery processes. β-blockers reduce mortality and improve symptoms in patients suffering from heart disease (CIBIS-II Lancet 1999, 353, 9-13;MERIT-HF Lancet 1999, 353, 2001-2007Packer, M., et al. Circulation 2002, 106, 2194-2199. However, current clinically available β-blockers display poor selectivity for the cardiac β1-adrenoceptor over the lung β2-subtype. Unwanted β2-blockade can result in life-threatening bronchospasm and reduce the efficacy of β2-agonist emergency rescue therapy (Lewis, R.V., et al. Drug Saf. 1993, 9, 272-279). Hence people with concomitant heart disease and asthma are often denied these life-prolonging therapeutic agents through differing prescribing perceptions (Jones, T.E., et al. Intern. Med. J. 2013, 43, 507-512). Here we describe a medicinal chemistry program which has resulted in the development of two highly β1-selective neutral antagonists with good pharmaceutical properties that can potentially overcome this limitation. They both display nanomolar β1-AR affinity, greater than 500-fold β1-AR vs. β2-AR selectivity and are orally bioavailable.
In addition, we have developed an hypothesis for their selectivity through in silico modelling. Both compounds elicit a β1-mediated reduction of heart rate in vivo, while displaying no effect on β2-mediated hindquarters blood flow. The compounds possess good ADME properties and have no adverse toxicological effects. They potentially offer a truly cardioselective β-blocker therapy for the significant number of people with concomitant heart and respiratory, or peripheral disease. * Correspondence: F.Giuntini@ljmu.ac.uk Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a therapeutic approach in which ultrasound irradiation is used to promote the generation of cytotoxic species via the excitation of particular chemical compounds (sonosensitizers). Similarly to photodynamic therapy (PDT), two individually non-toxic components initiate a process that culminates in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including radicals (hydroxy-, alkoxy-, and peroxy-radicals) and singlet oxygen, causing rapid intracellular damages and leading to cell death via apoptosis and/or necrosis and/or autophagy (Kuroki, M., et al. Anticancer Res. 2007, 27, 3673-3677). The potential of this approach for the reduction of solid tumors has been shown, and its efficacy has been demonstrated at the preclinical level on some experimental tumor models (Serpe, L., et al. Nanotech. Rev. 2012, 1, 173-182). Crucially, while light has a relatively limited reach within tissue, ultrasound easily propagates through it, allowing the targeting of deeply-seated lesions with minimal invasiveness invasive (Tachibana, K., et al. Ultrasonics 2008, 48, 253-259). Despite these promising features, the scarce reproducibility of the treatment outcomes and the poor correlation between the in vitro and the in vivo results hampered progresses in the field: overcoming these disadvantages will require the elucidation of the molecular bases underlying sonosensitization, and the rationalization of its effects on cancer tissues. With this in mind, we undertook a study aimed at elucidating the effects of the presence and nature of the metal ion on the sonodynamic activity of a series of water-soluble porphyrin complexes. We will present the preliminary results of our investigation, concerning, in particular, the characterization of the ROS produced by the complexes under sonication and the preliminary results of sonocytotoxicity on HT-29 cells. Despite these promising features, the scarce reproducibility of the treatment outcomes and the poor correlation between the in vitro and the in vivo results hampered progresses in the field: overcoming these disadvantages will require the elucidation of the molecular bases underlying sonosensitization, and the rationalization of its effects on cancer tissues. With this in mind, we Pharmaceuticals 2017, 10, 17 8 of 25 undertook a study aimed at elucidating the effects of the presence and nature of the metal ion on the sonodynamic activity of a series of water-soluble porphyrin complexes. We will present the preliminary results of our investigation, concerning, in particular, the characterization of the ROS produced by the complexes under sonication and the preliminary results of sonocytotoxicity on HT-29 cells.  Chem. Lett. 2013, 4, 288-292;Hédou, D., et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 2015, 56, 4088-4092). In this context, the late-stage modulation of this structure using C-H functionalization represents a very attractive approach (El Kazzouli, S., et al. RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 15292-15327). Despite these promising features, the scarce reproducibility of the treatment outcomes and the poor correlation between the in vitro and the in vivo results hampered progresses in the field: overcoming these disadvantages will require the elucidation of the molecular bases underlying sonosensitization, and the rationalization of its effects on cancer tissues. With this in mind, we undertook a study aimed at elucidating the effects of the presence and nature of the metal ion on the sonodynamic activity of a series of water-soluble porphyrin complexes. We will present the preliminary results of our investigation, concerning, in particular, the characterization of the ROS produced by the complexes under sonication and the preliminary results of sonocytotoxicity on HT-29 cells.
Diverse N 8 -benzylated-diaryl-thiazolo[5,4-f ]quinazolin-9(8H)-ones and N 8 -benzylated-2arylthiazolo[5,4-f ]quinazolin-9(8H)-ones were thereby obtained. These procedures tolerate diverse aryl halides and would considerably facilitate the synthesis of libraries of potential kinase inhibitors.  Chem. 1967Chem. , 20, 2715Chem. -2727. Research within our own group has shown discreet molecular modifications can lead to significant anti-cancer activity, including the synthesis of salts or derivatization of the A-ring (Deane, F.M., et al. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2013Chem. , 11, 1334Chem. -1344Russell, E.G., et al. Investig. New Drugs 2014, 32, 1113-1122. Our research looks to further probe the ellipticine template and alter the atoms in its very framework: what is the effect when a single nitrogen atom is replaced with an oxygen atom? The benzofuran moiety is present in numerous pharmaceuticals and has been shown to have important biological activity (Nevagi, R.J., et al. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2015, 97, 561-581). Our research employs the benzofuran moiety in an ellipticine type framework (2) to explore the biological potency of these molecules. (1) is a well-known anticancer agent with multiple modes of action. Since its discovery in 1959, both ellipticine and its derivatives have been extensively tested with the aim of generating a molecule with clinical applications. (Dalton, L., et al. Aust. J. Chem. 1967, 20, 2715-2727. Research within our own group has shown discreet molecular modifications can lead to significant anti-cancer activity, including the synthesis of salts or derivatization of the A-ring (Deane, F.M., et al. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2013, 11, 1334-1344Russell, E.G., et al. Investig. New Drugs 2014, 32, 1113-1122.

2014). Ellipticine
Our research looks to further probe the ellipticine template and alter the atoms in its very framework: what is the effect when a single nitrogen atom is replaced with an oxygen atom? The benzofuran moiety is present in numerous pharmaceuticals and has been shown to have important biological activity (Nevagi, R.J., et al. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2015, 97, 561-581). Our research employs the benzofuran moiety in an ellipticine type framework (2) to explore the biological potency of these molecules.
The core aims of this work are the synthesis of tetracyclic benzofuran derivatives with subsequent evaluation. The synthetic work presented here focuses on the functionalization of the D-ring of the molecule, generating novel D-ring analogues of ellipticine. Preliminary biological activity will also be reported.

New Series of Mcl-1/Bcl-xL Dual Inhibitors for the Treatment of Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancers
Camille Denis *, Rémi Legay, Ronan Bureau and Anne-Sophie Voisin-Chiret Protein-protein interactions play a fundamental role in many biological pathways as the apoptosis. Any disturbance of the apoptosis is connected with the phenomena of cancerization and resistance in the conventional chemotherapeutic treatments.
The control of the apoptosis involves the proteins of the Bcl-2 family (pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic members), interacting between them via a crucial helical BH3 domain.
The core aims of this work are the synthesis of tetracyclic benzofuran derivatives with subsequent evaluation. The synthetic work presented here focuses on the functionalization of the D-ring of the molecule, generating novel D-ring analogues of ellipticine. Preliminary biological activity will also be reported.

New Series of Mcl-1/Bcl-xL Dual Inhibitors for the Treatment of Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancers
Camille Denis *, Rémi Legay, Ronan Bureau and Anne-Sophie Voisin-Chiret Protein-protein interactions play a fundamental role in many biological pathways as the apoptosis. Any disturbance of the apoptosis is connected with the phenomena of cancerization and resistance in the conventional chemotherapeutic treatments.
The control of the apoptosis involves the proteins of the Bcl-2 family (pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic members), interacting between them via a crucial helical BH3 domain.
Thus, the anti-apoptotic members (such as Bcl-xL or Mcl-1) inhibit the action of the pro-apoptotic ones by holding the BH3 domain of this last.
The strategy to release pro-apoptotic proteins is the use of small molecules, foldamers, able to mimic the BH3 domain of BH3-only proteins. Our laboratory has been interested for years in the synthesis of a large library of mixed (het)aromatic oligosystems as abiotic foldamers and made the proof of concept that such scaffolds were able to be BH3-mimetics with pro-apoptotic activity; particularly, our lab design, synthesize, and evaluate Pyridoclax as BH3-mimetics (Gloaguen, C., et al. J. Med. Chem. 2015Chem. , 58, 1644Chem. -1668).
An effective treatment requires a simultaneous inhibition of several anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family. In this context, the discovery of dual inhibitors (Tanaka, Y., et al. J. Med. Chem. 2013, 56, 9635-9645), acting on Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 could play an important role in the cancer treatment.
The strategy using Fragment-Based Methods and Structure-Based Design to design dual inhibitors from Pyridoclax will be presented.  Antibiot. 1990Antibiot. , 43, 1037Antibiot. -1038. It binds to the minor groove of DNA, and alkylates using the strained spiro-cyclo-propane ring. Denny and others have shown that 2 is similarly super-potent; in this compound, the exocyclic carbonyl is replaced by an imine and the pyrrole ring is replaced by a second benzene ring, leading to the class being named amino-CBI (Atwell, G.J., et al. J. Org. Chem. 1998, 63, 9414-9420;Twum, E.A., et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2015, 23, 3481-3489).

Asymmetric Synthesis and Evaluation of a Range of
This work outlines a short, efficient, and asymmetric route to the correct enantiomer of the seco-amino-CBI. Starting from commercially available 1-hydroxynapthoic acid, seco-amino-CBI intermediate 3 can be synthesised in eight steps. At this point in the synthesis, a range of minor-groove binding subunits can be integrated after deprotection of the amine. This key intermediate is then transformed to the final seco-amino-CBI in a further three steps. As part of an exploration of the structure-activity relationship around the non-covalent minor-groove binding subunit, a short series of seco-amino-CBIs 4-6 were synthesized to be evaluated in vitro through MTS assays in LnCAP cells. For decades, studies of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have challenged traditional concepts in toxicology, in particular the dogma of "the dose makes the poison", because EDCs can have effects at low doses that are not predicted by effects at higher doses. BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical, specifically a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Numerous studies suggested that prenatal BPA exposure was correlated with preterm delivery (Miao, M., et al. Reprod. Toxicol. 2011, 32, 64-68), low birth weight (Lee, B., et al. Epidemiology 2008, 19, s365), and reduced head circumference (Snijder, C.A., et al. Hum. Reprod. 2012, 27, 910-920) but also induced adult disease with reproductive disorders (infertility, endometriosis) (Rubin, B.S. J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2011, 127, 27-34;Maffini, M.V., et al. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 2006, 254-255, 179-186), neurobehavioral development and metabolic diseases (obesity, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid and liver function).
We focused our research on the determination of BPA and also their chloro BPA analogues (ClxBPA) which were formed during water chlorination. In vivo, these compounds could be oxidated, reduced or metabolized in glucuro or sulfo conjugated derivatives. For this proposal, a cohort of pregnant women was built (EDDS cohort) and human biological environments were collected like urine, human breast milk (colostrum) as well as also drinking water.
Herein, for the first time, we describe the synthesis of ClxBPA and their conjugated analogues, as glucuro, sulfo derivatives.
We focused our research on the determination of BPA and also their chloro BPA analogues (ClxBPA) which were formed during water chlorination. In vivo, these compounds could be oxidated, reduced or metabolized in glucuro or sulfo conjugated derivatives. For this proposal, a cohort of pregnant women was built (EDDS cohort) and human biological environments were collected like urine, human breast milk (colostrum) as well as also drinking water.
Herein, for the first time, we describe the synthesis of ClxBPA and their conjugated analogues, as glucuro, sulfo derivatives.
For a second time, these compounds were used as witness in an analytical study with LC-MS/MS to quantify them in human biological environments (urine, colostrum) and drinking water (Cariot, A., et al. Talanta 2012, 100, 175-182;Migeot, V., et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013, 47, 13791-13797 The number of antibodies used for therapeutic purpose is increasing continuously. For the discovery of new antibodies directed against a certain antigen, in most cases, phage display (Smith, G.P., Science 1985, 228, 1315-1317) is used. Nevertheless, there are some disadvantages in using this method, such as the possible discrimination of the most potent binders during the biopanning process due to mild elution conditions. Furthermore, phage display is not compatible with flow cytometry and proteins displayed are limited in size (Levin, A.M., et al. Mol. BioSyst. 2006, 2, 49-57).
To circumvent these drawbacks antibodies were displayed on E. coli using the AIDA-I autotransporter (Jose, J., et al. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 2007, 71, 600-619). The presentation of antibodies and in particular antibody libraries enables the screening for new variants against pre-given epitopes using flow cytometry without losing the highly potent binders. Furthermore, the displayed proteins are not restricted in size. The screening can occur directly with full length antibodies, which are beneficial for therapeutic applications in most cases.
For proof of principle, the antibody T84.66 (Neumaier, M., et al. Cancer Res. 1990, 50, 2128-2134 which is directed against the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was investigated. The autotransporter fusion proteins of its light and its heavy chain were produced simultaneously in a single E. coli cell. To prove surface exposure a protease accessibility test was performed. Assembly of the heavy and the light chain was shown via co-immunoprecipitation of both chains and the functionality of the antibody was confirmed with a flow cytometry based antigen binding assay. The results confirmed the presence of heavy and light chains at the bacterial surface as well as their interaction to form a functional full length IgG antibody binding the antigen CEA.
The described technique of displaying antibodies on E. coli cells was used to display an antibody library at the bacterial surface. Therefore, the complementarity determining regions 3 (CDR3) of the heavy and the light chain were randomized separately using randomized oligonucleotides in a linear amplification reaction. After co expression of these mutated antibody chains, the resulting combinatorial library can be used for screening with new antigens from relevant targets e.g., from cancer. The physiological and pathophysiological functions of the polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (HA) depend on its chain size. Space filling, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic effects are triggered by high molecular weight HA (HMW HA) (>20 kDa). Its hydrolyzation by hyaluronidases leads to low molecular weight HA (LMW HA) (<20 kDa), resulting in inflammatory and angiogenic effects (Stern, R. Semin Cancer Biol. 2008, 18, 275-280). Degradation of HA is mainly catalyzed by human hyaluronidase Hyal 1. It has been shown, that the expression level of Hyal 1 is elevated in cancer cells, like prostate or bladder tumour cells (Lokeshwar, V.B., et al. J. Urol. 2000, 163, 348-356;Lokeshwar, V.B., et al. J. Biol. Chem. 2001, 276, 11922-11932). Therefore, Hyal 1 appears to be an interesting target for drug discovery.

Targeting Human
Surface display of active Hyal 1 on Escherichia coli via Autodisplay enables the screening for potential inhibitors in a whole cell system. Based on this technique we determined the inhibitory effect of different plant-extracts and natural compounds on human Hyal-1. The IC 50 values of Malvae sylvestris flos, Equiseti herba, Ononidis radix and Althaea officinalis were determined between 1.4 and 7.7 mg/mL. Furthermore, the IC 50 values of four saponines were determined. The obtained IC 50 value for glycyrrhizic acid, a known Hyal-1 inhibitor, was 177 µM. The IC 50 values for the identified novel inhibitors gypsophila saponin 2, SA1641, and SA1657 were 108 µM, 296 µM, and 371 µM, respectively (Orlando, Z., et al. Molecules 2015, 20, 15449-15498). These extracts and compounds can be used as a starting point for the synthesis of new small molecule inhibitors targeting human Hyal-1.
Extracts of Althaea officinalis are indicated for patients who suffer from dry cough to smooth mouth membranes. In an eukaryotic cell assay with a HaCaT keratinocyte cell line, the gene expression of hyal-1 was determined after treatment with 125 µg/mL and 250 µg/mL of a root extract of Althaea officinalis for 24 h. HaCaT keratinocytes were chosen as a model cell line to represent skin and mucosal epithelial cells, considering the topical application of Althaea officinalis in pharmaceutical usage. It could be shown, that treatment with Althaea officinalis decreases expression of hyal-1 gene in HaCaT cells by 30%. In conclusion, Althaea officinalis does not only inhibit the enzymatic activity of Hyal-1 but also leads to a decrease in hyal-1 expression. Lichens are symbiotic organisms consisting of a fungus and an alga (Chlorophyta or Cyanobacteria), and are well-known as rich sources of novel compounds (Shukla, V., et al. Phytochem. Rev. 2010, 9, 303-314. Shrestha, G., et al. Phytochem. Rev. 2013. However, recent studies revealed the presence of bacterial microbiota associated with these organisms (González, I., et al. Int. Soc. Microb. Ecol. 2009, 3, 1105-1115. These microorganisms may represent an underexplored reservoir of novel species of potential interest in the discovery of novel lead compounds. However, the biosynthesis of original bacterial compounds is influenced by cultivation conditions such as nutrients, incubation periods, pH, temperature, etc. Changing these parameters according to the OSMAC approach (Bode, H.B., et al. Chem. Biol. Chem. 2002, 3, 619-627) (One Strain MAny Compounds) can result in different secondary metabolite profiles. Actinobacteria are known for their ability to produce compounds of clinical and pharmaceutical importance (Bérdy, J. J Antibiot. 2005, 58, 1-26). Thus, we applied the OSMAC approach to Nocardia ignorata, which was isolated from Collema (Parrot, D., et al. Sci. Rep. 2015, 5, 15839). The extracts obtained from various culture media (LB, TY, MB, ISP2) showed interesting cytotoxicity against two different cell lines. A statistical optimization of the production of active compound was established using Tagushi L9 orthogonal array design. The four selected parameters were temperature, pH, volume, and oxygenation of the medium with three different levels for each parameter. After several days of growth using a 5L bioreactor BioFlo ® 115, the culture medium TY was collected and extracted with XAD-7 resin yielding two extracts (supernatant and resin extracts). A bioguided isolation process showed that the cytotoxicity was focused in the supernatant (HaCaT (Human keratinocyte cells): IC 50 = 20 ± 8 µg/mL; B16 (Murine melanoma cells): IC 50 = 41 ± 8 µg/mL). This extract was then purified using flash chromatography, semi-preparative reversed-phase HPLC using a water/CH 3 CN gradient. This process led to the isolation of an active compound which is a novel bromide diketopiperazine identified by NMR and mass spectrometry data. XAD-7 resin yielding two extracts (supernatant and resin extracts). A bioguided isolation process showed that the cytotoxicity was focused in the supernatant (HaCaT (Human keratinocyte cells): IC50 = 20 ± 8 µg/mL; B16 (Murine melanoma cells): IC50 = 41 ± 8 µg/mL). This extract was then purified using flash chromatography, semi-preparative reversed-phase HPLC using a water/CH3CN gradient. This process led to the isolation of an active compound which is a novel bromide diketopiperazine identified by NMR and mass spectrometry data.

Bioguided Isolation of Cytotoxic Compounds from Nocardia Ignorata, a Lichen-Associated Bacterium
Acute leukemia is one of the most aggressive hematopoietic malignancies and is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of the immature cells and a premature block in lymphoid or myeloid differentiation. Adult acute leukemia has a poor prognosis due to a large number of relapses, because of treatment-related resistance mechanisms (Lichtman, M.A. Oncologist 2008, 13, 126-138).Therefore, there is an urgent need to find new therapeutics, which could led to the development of novel treatment strategies with less or minimal side effects. Heterocyclic compounds attracted a lot of attention because of their wide spread biological activities. Among them, the indole heterocyclic framework constitutes the basis of an important class of compounds possessing interesting biological activities.
showed that the cytotoxicity was focused in the supernatant (HaCaT (Human keratinocyte cells): IC50 = 20 ± 8 µg/mL; B16 (Murine melanoma cells): IC50 = 41 ± 8 µg/mL). This extract was then purified using flash chromatography, semi-preparative reversed-phase HPLC using a water/CH3CN gradient. This process led to the isolation of an active compound which is a novel bromide diketopiperazine identified by NMR and mass spectrometry data.
Acute leukemia is one of the most aggressive hematopoietic malignancies and is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of the immature cells and a premature block in lymphoid or myeloid differentiation. Adult acute leukemia has a poor prognosis due to a large number of relapses, because of treatment-related resistance mechanisms (Lichtman, M.A. Oncologist 2008, 13, 126-138). Therefore, there is an urgent need to find new therapeutics, which could led to the development of novel treatment strategies with less or minimal side effects. Heterocyclic compounds attracted a lot of attention because of their wide spread biological activities. Among them, the indole heterocyclic framework constitutes the basis of an important class of compounds possessing interesting biological activities.
Malaria is a neglected tropical disease that remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among the world's poorest populations. More than 100 tropical and sub-tropical countries are endemic for this infectious disease. Pregnant women and children are the most sensitive to this infection and 438,000 people die of malaria each year (World Malaria Report, WHO, 2015, 2-81). Among the five species of Plasmodium responsible for human malaria, P. falciparum is the parasite which causes the most serious form of the disease. Unfortunately, this one is difficult to eradicate because of its capacity to develop varying degrees of resistance to many classes of antimalarial drugs. More recent efforts focused on the development of antimalarial vaccines and since 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) (World Malaria Report, WHO, 2015, 2-81; 1-Guidelines for the treatment of malaria, 3rd edition, WHO, 2015, 214-219). In drugs resistance areas, several antimalarial drugs, such as amino-alcohol aryl (mefloquine (MQ), lumefantrine (LM)), are currently used in combination with artemisinin derivatives. However, the emergence of multi-drug-resistant parasites decreases the efficacy of ACTs making it crucial to find new active molecules against Plasmodium-resistant strains.
We previously developed a convergent and asymmetric synthesis to prepare 4-aminoalcohol quinoline enantiomers (AQ) as MQ analogs (Jonet, A., et al. Tetrahedron 2011, 67, 128-143). They were active in the nanomolar range against 3D7 (chloroquine-sensible) and W2 (chloroquine-resistant) Plasmodium falciparum strains. Interestingly, (S)-enantiomers displayed an activity increased by 2 to 15-fold as compared to their (R)-counterparts (Mullié, C., et al. Malar. J. 2012, 11, 65). These compounds, like amino-alcohol-aryl (MQ, LM), act on the intra-erythrocytic asexual stages but their mechanisms of actions remain to be explored (Mullié, C., et al. Malar. J. 2012, 11, 65;Dassonville-Klimpt A., et al. Microbiology Book Series-2011, A Méndez-Vilas (Ed.), 2011. In continuation of our work on the study of the antimalarial activity and the mechanism of action of the amino-alcohol-aryl family, we are interested in studying the effect of the change of heterocycle (fluorene vs. quinoline) on the antimalarial activity. Herein, we describe the first steps of the enantioselective synthesis of new amino-alcohol fluorene derivatives (ALM) as LM analogs.

Synthesis of New Heterocyclic Compounds as Antifungal Agents and Biological Evaluation
Viet Hung Dao, Isabelle Ourliac-Garnier, Marc-Antoine Bazin, Patrice Le Pape and Pascal Marchand * In continuation of our work on the study of the antimalarial activity and the mechanism of action of the amino-alcohol-aryl family, we are interested in studying the effect of the change of
In continuation of our work on the study of the antimalarial activity and the mechanism of action of the amino-alcohol-aryl family, we are interested in studying the effect of the change of heterocycle (fluorene vs. quinoline) on the antimalarial activity. Herein, we describe the first steps of the enantioselective synthesis of new amino-alcohol fluorene derivatives (ALM) as LM analogs.
The biological properties associated with cercosporamide, as a CaPkc1 inhibitor, are not found for its structural analogue usnic acid (Conover, M.A., et al. Phytochemistry 1992, 31, 2999, suggesting that the western part of cercosporamide is the pharmacophore of the molecule. To design new molecules, this part was conserved and tricyclic analogues, bearing a pyrimidine moiety, were synthesized. To investigate the biological interest of these new molecules, their IC50 were determined, following the EUCAST procedure, on a collection of Candida albicans strains selected for their sensitivity or resistance to fluconazole (reference compound). In the present work, the synthetic routes and the first results of the biological evaluation will be discussed.
The biological properties associated with cercosporamide, as a CaPkc1 inhibitor, are not found for its structural analogue usnic acid (Conover, M.A., et al. Phytochemistry 1992, 31, 2999, suggesting that the western part of cercosporamide is the pharmacophore of the molecule. To design new molecules, this part was conserved and tricyclic analogues, bearing a pyrimidine moiety, were synthesized. To investigate the biological interest of these new molecules, their IC 50 were determined, following the EUCAST procedure, on a collection of Candida albicans strains selected for their sensitivity or resistance to fluconazole (reference compound). In the present work, the synthetic routes and the first results of the biological evaluation will be discussed.
Herein, we report an original strategy to access rapidly a large diversity of purines. The advantage of our approach is to allow the construction of vast 8,9-disubstituted-purine libraries from 5-amino-1,2-disubstituted-1H-imiazole-4-carbonitriles. many biochemical pathways, they have a wide therapeutic potential. Indeed, purines found applications as interferon inducers, antimycobacterial, leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitors, sulfotransferase inhibitors, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, adenosine receptor ligands, nucleoside transport inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, etc. Purines were synthesized for the first time by Hermann Emil Fischer from uric acid in 1898. Because of the large pharmacological interest in this heterocycle (Legraverend, M., et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2006, 14, 3987-4006), many synthetic routes to purines are described in the literature starting for instance from imidazole or pyrimidine precursors.
Herein, we report an original strategy to access rapidly a large diversity of purines. The advantage of our approach is to allow the construction of vast 8,9-disubstituted-purine libraries from 5-amino-1,2-disubstituted-1H-imiazole-4-carbonitriles.

Pyridoclax, a BH3-Mimetic, Directly Inhibits Mcl-1 and Sensitizes Ovarian Cancer Cells to Bcl-xL-Targeting Strategies-From Design to Preclinical Evaluation
Charline Kieffer 1 , Siham Hedir 2 , Jana Sopkova-de Oliveira Santos 1 , Philippe Juin 3,4 , Sylvain Rault 1 , Laurent Poulain 2 and Anne Sophie Voisin-Chiret 1 * Apoptosis control defect such as the deregulation of Bcl-2 family members expression is frequently involved in chemoresistance. In ovarian carcinoma, we previously demonstrated that Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 cooperate to protect tumor cells against apoptosis and their concomitant inhibition leads to massive apoptosis even in absence of chemotherapy. Furthermore, Mcl-1 down-regulation or inactivation was required to sensitize cells to Bcl-xL-targeting strategies. Whereas Bcl-xL inhibition is accessible (using BH3-mimetics), Mcl-1 inhibition is problematic. In Apoptosis control defect such as the deregulation of Bcl-2 family members expression is frequently involved in chemoresistance. In ovarian carcinoma, we previously demonstrated that Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 cooperate to protect tumor cells against apoptosis and their concomitant inhibition leads to massive apoptosis even in absence of chemotherapy. Furthermore, Mcl-1 down-regulation or inactivation was required to sensitize cells to Bcl-xL-targeting strategies. Whereas Bcl-xL inhibition is accessible (using BH3-mimetics), Mcl-1 inhibition is problematic. In this context, we designed and synthesized oligopyridines potentially targeting Mcl-1 hydrophobic pocket, evaluated their capacity to inhibit Mcl-1 in live cells, and implemented a functional screening assay to evaluate their ability to sensitize ovarian carcinoma cells to Bcl-xL-targeting strategies. We established structure-activity relationships and we focused attention on MR29072, named Pyridoclax. Without cytotoxic activity as a single agent, Pyridoclax inhibits Mcl-1 in combination with Bcl-xL-targeting siRNA or with ABT-737 against ovarian, lung cancer cells and in mesothelioma (Gloaguen, C., et al. J. Med. Chem. 2015, 58, 1644-1668 pocket, evaluated their capacity to inhibit Mcl-1 in live cells, and implemented a functional screening assay to evaluate their ability to sensitize ovarian carcinoma cells to Bcl-xL-targeting strategies. We established structure-activity relationships and we focused attention on MR29072, named Pyridoclax. Without cytotoxic activity as a single agent, Pyridoclax inhibits Mcl-1 in combination with Bcl-xL-targeting siRNA or with ABT-737 against ovarian, lung cancer cells and in mesothelioma (Gloaguen, C., et al. J. Med. Chem. 2015, 58, 1644-1668.

Bithiophenic Matrix for Selective Detection and Quantification of Toxic Alkaloids by MALDI-TOF-MS
Ali Jaber 1,2, *, Andreas Schinkovitz 1 , David Guilet 1 , Pascal Richomme 1 and Denis Seraphin 1 Alkaloids are common secondary metabolites in plants and are often known for their wide range of pharmacological but also toxic effects. The compound 3-[5′-(methylthio)-2,2′-bithiophen-5-ylthio]propanenitrile (MT3P), has been used as a novel matrix molecule (Schinkovitz, A., et al. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2012, 403, 1697-1705, which facilitates the selective ionization of alkaloids in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Therefore, MT3P might be used to develop a direct method of quantification of alkaloids in complex samples such as crude plant extracts. Analytical parameters were evaluated in order to validate the quantification of alkaloids in four plant extracts by MALDI-TOF MS, with MT3P as a matrix.

Bithiophenic Matrix for Selective Detection and Quantification of Toxic Alkaloids by MALDI-TOF-MS
Ali Jaber 1,2, *, Andreas Schinkovitz 1 , David Guilet 1 , Pascal Richomme 1 and Denis Seraphin 1 Alkaloids are common secondary metabolites in plants and are often known for their wide range of pharmacological but also toxic effects.
The compound 3-[5 -(methylthio)-2,2 -bithiophen-5-ylthio]propanenitrile (MT3P), has been used as a novel matrix molecule (Schinkovitz, A., et al. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2012, 403, 1697-1705, which facilitates the selective ionization of alkaloids in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Therefore, MT3P might be used to develop a direct method of quantification of alkaloids in complex samples such as crude plant extracts. Analytical parameters were evaluated in order to validate the quantification of alkaloids in four plant extracts by MALDI-TOF MS, with MT3P as a matrix. The proposed method was validated by assessing its repeatability, LODs and LOQs, linearity range, and accuracy. Depending on the tested alkaloid, the linearity was observed over the range between 50 and 500 µg, with a coefficient of correlation (R 2 ) ≥0.993. The intra and inter-day variations ranged from 8.9% to 9.3% and 8.8% to 12.6%, respectively. The method was then successfully applied to direct profiling of alkaloids in several extracts of toxic plants, i.e., from the Solanaceae family. As no tedious chromatographic processes for separation were needed, this method can serve as an alternative to classical techniques used, such as LC-MS, for this type of study. In summary, M3TP was evaluated and applied to develop a rapid, sensitive, and selective method for the analysis of toxic alkaloids in complex samples, using MALDI-TOF MS.
The proposed method was validated by assessing its repeatability, LODs and LOQs, linearity range, and accuracy. Depending on the tested alkaloid, the linearity was observed over the range between 50 and 500 µg, with a coefficient of correlation (R 2 ) ≥0.993. The intra and inter-day variations ranged from 8.9% to 9.3% and 8.8% to 12.6%, respectively. The method was then successfully applied to direct profiling of alkaloids in several extracts of toxic plants, i.e., from the Solanaceae family. As no tedious chromatographic processes for separation were needed, this method can serve as an alternative to classical techniques used, such as LC-MS, for this type of study. In summary, M3TP was evaluated and applied to develop a rapid, sensitive, and selective method for the analysis of toxic alkaloids in complex samples, using MALDI-TOF MS. Drug-like small molecule natural product such as colchicine and the combretastatins provide ideal structural templates for the design of structural scaffolds with improved efficacy as tubulin targeting agents. Combretastatin A-4 originally isolated from Combretum caffrum, exhibits strong antitubulin activity by binding to the colchicine binding site (Pettit, G., et al. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 1688-1695. In this work a library of amide conjugates of Combretastatin A-4 and related structures were synthesized and the biological activity investigated. We report our synthetic approaches to stilbene analogues of colchicines, combretastatins, and phenstatin together with their in vitro biological activity. We also report docking studies and the SAR of these compound classes as tubulin targeting agents, which have underlined that the presence of the 3,4,5-trimethoxy substituted A-ring and the 4-methoxy substituted B-ring separated by a double-bond to be essential for antiproliferative activity. The activity of CA4 is limited by isomerization of the active cis-stilbene configuration into the inactive trans analog. Introduction of a heterocyclic amide group on the stilbene scaffold may create a stabilized CA4-like compound locked in its cis-form. The proposed method was validated by assessing its repeatability, LODs and LOQs, linearity range, and accuracy. Depending on the tested alkaloid, the linearity was observed over the range between 50 and 500 µg, with a coefficient of correlation (R 2 ) ≥0.993. The intra and inter-day variations ranged from 8.9% to 9.3% and 8.8% to 12.6%, respectively. The method was then successfully applied to direct profiling of alkaloids in several extracts of toxic plants, i.e., from the Solanaceae family. As no tedious chromatographic processes for separation were needed, this method can serve as an alternative to classical techniques used, such as LC-MS, for this type of study. In summary, M3TP was evaluated and applied to develop a rapid, sensitive, and selective method for the analysis of toxic alkaloids in complex samples, using MALDI-TOF MS. Drug-like small molecule natural product such as colchicine and the combretastatins provide ideal structural templates for the design of structural scaffolds with improved efficacy as tubulin targeting agents. Combretastatin A-4 originally isolated from Combretum caffrum, exhibits strong antitubulin activity by binding to the colchicine binding site (Pettit, G., et al. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 1688-1695. In this work a library of amide conjugates of Combretastatin A-4 and related structures were synthesized and the biological activity investigated. We report our synthetic approaches to stilbene analogues of colchicines, combretastatins, and phenstatin together with their in vitro biological activity. We also report docking studies and the SAR of these compound classes as tubulin targeting agents, which have underlined that the presence of the 3,4,5-trimethoxy substituted A-ring and the 4-methoxy substituted B-ring separated by a double-bond to be essential for antiproliferative activity. The activity of CA4 is limited by isomerization of the active cis-stilbene configuration into the inactive trans analog. Introduction of a heterocyclic amide group on the stilbene scaffold may create a stabilized CA4-like compound locked in its cis-form. The first step in the synthesis of our library of stilbene derivatives is the Perkin reaction of an aromatic aldehyde and a substituted phenylacetic acid, to afford the acrylic acid combretastatin analogues. The reaction was optimized using a microwave reactor. The newly synthesized acrylic acids were then coupled to a variety of heterocycles using the Mukaiyama reagent as coupling The first step in the synthesis of our library of stilbene derivatives is the Perkin reaction of an aromatic aldehyde and a substituted phenylacetic acid, to afford the acrylic acid combretastatin analogues. The reaction was optimized using a microwave reactor. The newly synthesized acrylic acids were then coupled to a variety of heterocycles using the Mukaiyama reagent as coupling reagent (using appropriate protecting/deprotecting steps) and purified via flash column chromatography to afford the heterocyclic amide conjugates. The novel compounds synthesized were characterized ( 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, IR, HRMS). The purity of the final products was evaluated by HPLC and when possible the structure of the compounds was established by single crystal X-ray analysis. The biological activity was evaluated on the human MCF-7 cell line in an antiproliferative assay and the IC50 value for the most active compounds obtained. The African willow tree Combretum caffrum Kuntze (Combretaceae) is a very productive source of cancer cell growth (murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia) inhibitory stilbenes, bibenzyls, and phenanthrenes. The synthesis of a series of rigid analogues of combretastatin A-4 is described which contain the four membered β-lactam heterocyclic azetidinone in place of the usual ethylene bridge present in the natural combretastatin stilbene products (O'Boyle, N., et al. J. Med. Chem. 2010, 53, 8569-8584). The structure-activity relationships of antiproliferative β-lactams, focusing on modifications at the 3-and 4-position of the β-lactam ring, are described. Synthesis of this series of compounds was achieved utilizing the Staudinger and Reformatsky reactions. To investigate the importance of the OCH3 substituent on C-4 of the aryl Ring B moiety for the biochemical activity and potency, a series of thioether S-CH 3 and S-CH 2 -CH 3 to replace the oxygen substituent at the C-4 position of the Ring B aryl moiety were synthesized, which were then evaluated for antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HT-29, and HL60 cancer cell lines. Of a diverse range of heterocyclic derivatives, 3-phenyl, 3-vinyl, and 3-hydroxy analogues displayed the highest potency with nanomolar IC 50 values, comparable to combretastatin A-4. A new class of combretastatin A-4 analogues that have thioether substituents at the C-4 position of the Ring B-aryl moiety of the β-lactam ring was successfully synthesized. All thioether S-CH 3 compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative activity equally to -OCH 3 β-lactams which can inhibit the first-pass metabolism pathway (formation of glucuronide metabolite) occurring by -OCH 3 β-lactams. 4.8. Design,Synthesis,and  The African willow tree Combretum caffrum Kuntze (Combretaceae) is a very productive source of cancer cell growth (murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia) inhibitory stilbenes, bibenzyls, and phenanthrenes. The synthesis of a series of rigid analogues of combretastatin A-4 is described which contain the four membered β-lactam heterocyclic azetidinone in place of the usual ethylene bridge present in the natural combretastatin stilbene products (O'Boyle, N., et al. J. Med. Chem. 2010, 53, 8569-8584). The structure-activity relationships of antiproliferative β-lactams, focusing on modifications at the 3-and 4-position of the β-lactam ring, are described. Synthesis of this series of compounds was achieved utilizing the Staudinger and Reformatsky reactions. To investigate the importance of the OCH3 substituent on C-4 of the aryl Ring B moiety for the biochemical activity and potency, a series of thioether S-CH3 and S-CH2-CH3 to replace the oxygen substituent at the C-4 position of the Ring B aryl moiety were synthesized, which were then evaluated for antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HT-29, and HL60 cancer cell lines. Of a diverse range of heterocyclic derivatives, 3-phenyl, 3-vinyl, and 3-hydroxy analogues displayed the highest potency with nanomolar IC50 values, comparable to combretastatin A-4. A new class of combretastatin A-4 analogues that have thioether substituents at the C-4 position of the Ring B-aryl moiety of the β-lactam ring was successfully synthesized. All thioether S-CH3 compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative activity equally to -OCH3 β-lactams which can inhibit the first-pass metabolism pathway (formation of glucuronide metabolite) occurring by -OCH3 β-lactams.  Chem. 2014, 71, 333-353). This knowledge was translated to CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia) a related B cell malignancy. CLL is the most common leukaemia in the western world, accounting for greater than one third of new diagnoses.
Initial biochemical screening (Alamar Blue) in PGA1 and HG3 CLL cell lines was completed and a number of potent compounds were identified. The results were then compared to BL studies, with compounds being tested at 1 µM and 10 µM concentrations. Activity was determined as percentage of viable cells remaining. The subsequent finding of these studies is presented together with discussion of the rationalization of the compound SAR in PGA1 and HG3 CLL cell lines. Synthesis of (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracenes was accomplished through the use of a piperidine catalyzed Henry-Knoevenagel condensation reaction, in addition to Grignard and Vilsmeier-Haack chemistry to yield the required 10-substituted 9-anthraldehyde intermediates.
Future work includes the expansion of the current SAR knowledge for the ethano-anthracene-type maprotiline analogues and bio-isosteric replacement of the nitro group on the 9-vinyl anthracene substituent with a view to optimizing biological activity. and a number of potent compounds were identified. The results were then compared to BL studies, with compounds being tested at 1 µM and 10 µM concentrations. Activity was determined as percentage of viable cells remaining. The subsequent finding of these studies is presented together with discussion of the rationalization of the compound SAR in PGA1 and HG3 CLL cell lines. Synthesis of (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracenes was accomplished through the use of a piperidine catalyzed Henry-Knoevenagel condensation reaction, in addition to Grignard and Vilsmeier-Haack chemistry to yield the required 10-substituted 9-anthraldehyde intermediates.
Future work includes the expansion of the current SAR knowledge for the ethano-anthracene-type maprotiline analogues and bio-isosteric replacement of the nitro group on the 9-vinyl anthracene substituent with a view to optimizing biological activity.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Serotonin-4 Receptor Radiotracers for Single Photon Emission
Computed Tomography during the dark period in all animal species and immediately released. The rhythm of melatonin synthesis is directly controlled by photoperiod. Melatonin secretion both in blood and in cerebrospinal fluid transduces the photoperiodic message to all central or peripheral structures expressing melatoninergic receptors or binding sites, allowing synchronization of several cellular and physiological events to a given day-length. Melatonin rhythm synchronizes a wide range of physiological functions including among others circadian rhythms, seasonal reproduction, immunity etc. Anarchic melatonin secretion also accounts for disorders of sleep/wake rhythms associated or not with depression.
Fluorescent melatoninergic ligands (Viault, G., et al. RSC Adv. 2016, 6, 62508-62521) were designed by associating the 4-azamelatonin ligands with different fluorophores. The ligands show good affinities for MT1 and/or MT2 receptors and substitution of the fluorophore at positions 2 or 5 of the azamelatonin core had a direct impact on the MT receptors selectivity while grafting the fluorophores on position N-1 produced fluorescent ligands with good affinities for both MT1/MT2 receptors. The optimal position N-1, C-2 or C-5 on the 4-azamelatonin ligand appeared strongly dependent upon the nature of the fluorophore itself.

Conclusions
To honor the work of Ph.D. students and young scientists, two awards were attributed for the best oral flash presentation and for the best poster presentation. The first award was attributed to Mary McKee (Department of Chemistry and ABCRF, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland) for her presentation entitled "Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Benzofuran Conjugates as Fluorescent melatoninergic ligands (Viault, G., et al. RSC Adv. 2016, 6, 62508-62521) were designed by associating the 4-azamelatonin ligands with different fluorophores. The ligands show good affinities for MT 1 and/or MT 2 receptors and substitution of the fluorophore at positions 2 or 5 of the azamelatonin core had a direct impact on the MT receptors selectivity while grafting the fluorophores on position N-1 produced fluorescent ligands with good affinities for both MT 1 /MT 2 receptors. The optimal position N-1, C-2 or C-5 on the 4-azamelatonin ligand appeared strongly dependent upon the nature of the fluorophore itself.

Conclusions
To honor the work of Ph.D. students and young scientists, two awards were attributed for the best oral flash presentation and for the best poster presentation. The first award was attributed to Mary McKee (Department of Chemistry and ABCRF, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland) for her presentation entitled "Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Benzofuran Conjugates as Potential Anticancer Agents". Alexia Ville (SONAS, SFR4207 QUASAV, University of Angers, France) received the award for the best poster. It was entitled "δ-Garcinoic Acid, a Convenient Natural Precursor to the Attractive δ-Tocotrienol".
The 25th Conference of GP2A will take place next summer, the 31 st of August and 1 st of September 2017 in Liverpool (GB).