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Previous studies on the drug content of pelleted tubulin polymers suggest that peloruside A binds in the laulimalide site, which is distinct from the taxoid site. In a tubulin assembly system containing microtubule-associated proteins and GTP, however, peloruside A was significantly less active than laulimalide, inducing assembly in a manner that was most similar to sarcodictyins A and B. Because peloruside A thus far seems to be the only compound that mimics the action of laulimalide, we examined combinations of microtubule-stabilizing agents for synergistic effects on tubulin assembly. We found that peloruside A and laulimalide showed no synergism but that both compounds could act synergistically with a number of taxoid site agents [paclitaxel, epothilones A/B, discodermolide, dictyostatin, eleutherobin, the steroid derivative 17β-acetoxy-2-ethoxy-6-oxo-B-homo-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien- 3-ol, and cyclostreptin]. None of the taxoid site compounds showed any synergism with each other. From an initial study with peloruside A and cyclostreptin, we conclude that the synergism phenomenon derives, at least in part, from an apparent lowering of the tubulin critical concentration with drug combinations compared with single drugs. The apparent binding of peloruside A in the laulimalide site led us to attempt construction of a pharmacophore model based on superposition of an energy-minimized structure of peloruside A on the crystal structure of laulimalide. Although the different sizes of the macrocycles limited our ability to superimpose the two molecules, atom correspondences that were observed were consistent with the difficulty so far experienced in creation of fully active analogs of laulimalide.

An understanding of electron-initiated processes in aqueous systems and the subsequent radical chemistry these processes induce is critical in diverse fields such as waste remediation and environmental cleanup, radiation processing, nuclear reactors, and medical diagnosis and therapy. This review outlines the opportunity in the scientific community to create a research thrust aimed at developing a fundamental understanding of electron-driven processes in aqueous systems. Successful research programs in radiation chemistry and condensed-phase chemical physics provide the foundation to build such an effort.

An understanding of electron-initiated processes in aqueous systems and the subsequent radical chemistry these processes induce is critical in diverse fields such as waste remediation and environmental cleanup, radiation processing, nuclear reactors, and medical diagnosis and therapy. This review outlines the opportunity in the scientific community to create a research thrust aimed at developing a fundamental understanding of electron-driven processes in aqueous systems. Successful research programs in radiation chemistry and condensed-phase chemical physics provide the foundation to build such an effort.