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Dual action compounds (DACs) based on 4-substituted aza-bicyclo[5.3.0]decane Smac mimetic scaffolds (ABDs) linked to a Zn 2+ -chelating moiety (DPA, o -hydroxy, m -allyl, N -acyl ( E )-phenylhydrazone) through their 10 position are reported and characterized. Their synthesis, their target affinity (XIAP BIR3, Zn 2+ ) in cell-free assays, their pro-apoptotic effects and cytotoxicity in tumor cells with varying sensitivity to Smac mimetics are described. The results are interpreted to evaluate the influence of Zn 2+ chelators on cell-free potency and on cellular permeability of DACs, and to propose novel avenues towards more potent antitumoral DACs based on Smac mimetics and Zn 2+ chelation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] A new series of in vitro potent and highly selective histone methyl transferase enzyme G9a inhibitors was obtained. In particular, compound 2a, one the most potent G9a inhibitor identified, was endowed with >130-fold selectivity over GLP and excellent ligand efficiency. Therefore, it may represent a valuable tool compound to validate the role of highly selective G9a inhibitors in different pathological conditions. When 2a was characterized in vitro in cellular models of skeletal muscle differentiation, a relevant increase of myofibers' size and reduction of the fibroadipogenic infiltration were observed, further confirming the therapeutic potential of selective G9a inhibitors for the treatment of Duchenne muscle dystrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] A small set of trehalose-centered putative autophagy inducers was rationally designed and synthesized, with the aim to identify more potent and bioavailable autophagy inducers than free trehalose, and to acquire information about their molecular mechanism of action. Several robust, high yield routes to key trehalose intermediates and small molecule prodrugs (2 – 5), putative probes (6 – 10) and inorganic nanovectors (12a – thiol-PEG-triazole-trehalose constructs 11) were successfully executed, and compounds were tested for their autophagy-inducing properties. While small molecules 2 – 11 showed no pro-autophagic behavior at sub-millimolar concentrations, trehalose-bearing PEG-AuNPs 12a caused measurable autophagy induction at an estimated 40 μM trehalose concentration without any significant toxicity at the same concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]