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ABSTRACT Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of 28 meristic characters recorded for 19 samples of the lizard Liolaemus monticola monticola were used to compare geographical variation in morphology with chromosomal races north and south of the Maipo River, and north and south of the Aconcagua River in central Chile, plus some affluent. This extends a previous morphological study that confirmed that the Maipo River is a biogeographical barrier that separates chromosomal races "Southern, 2n=34" and "Northern, 2n=38-40", and reports for the first time the importance of the Aconcagua River as another biogeographical barrier between the chromosomal races "Northern, 2n=38-40" and the "Multiple Fission, 2n=42-44". The phenetic variation among samples is sufficient to differentiate the three chromosomal races, and also distinguishes populations within the chromosomal races such as the ones separated by the Colorado River, an affluent of the Aconcagua River. A possible historical sequence of events that accounts for the pattern of morphological differentiation is advanced.Se emplearon análisis estadísticos univariados y multivariados de 28 caracteres merísticos de 19 poblaciones de Liolaemus monticola monticola para comparar la variación geográfica morfológica en las razas cromosómicas, tanto al sur y norte del río Maipo, como al sur y norte del río Aconcagua, más algunos afluentes. Este estudio es una extensión de trabajos previos que demuestran que el río Maipo constituye una barrera biogeográfica que separa las razas cromosómicas "Sur, 2n=34" y "Norte, 2n=38-40" y destaca por primera vez la importancia del río Aconcagua como otra barrera geográfica entre las razas cromosómicas "Norte, 2n=38-40" y "Múltiples Fisiones, 2n=42-44". La variación fenética entre las muestras es suficiente para diferenciar las tres razas cromosómicas, y también permite distinguir poblaciones dentro de cada raza, como por ejemplo las que separa el río Colorado, afluente del río Aconcagua. Proponemos una posible secuencia histórica de los eventos que darían cuenta de los patrones de diferenciación morfológica.

Molecules bearing indole nucleus present diverse biological properties such as antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities that can be associated both to DNA and protein interactions. This study focused on the synthesis of new indole derivatives with thiazolidines and imidazolidine rings condensed as side chains as well as the evaluation of their ability to interact with the DNA and antitumor and topoisomerase inhibition activities. All derivatives were successfully synthesized and their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry (MS), infrared (IR), spectroscopy 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, COSY 1 H- 1 H and HSQC 1 H- 13 C. The antitumor activity was evaluated against different cancer cell lines using the antiproliferative MTT assay. DNA binding ability was analyzed by absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence technique using ethidium bromide (EB) as a fluorescent probe. Changes were observed in spectroscopic properties of the compounds after interacting with ctDNA (calf thymus DNA), with hypochromic and hyperchromic effects, besides blue or red shifts in the maxima of spectra. The indole derivative 5-(1H-Indol-3-ylmethylene)-thiazolidin-2,4-dione (4c) presented the best results in antitumor assay against the breast line tested (T47D), with IC 50 value lower than the positive control, doxorubicin (1.93 and 4.61 μM, respectively). On the other hand, the compound 3-amino-5-(1H-indol-3-ylmethylene)-2-thioxo-thiazolidin-4-one (4a) was active against leukemia cell lines (HL60 and K562) with the high value of the DNA binding constant, Kb of 5.69 × 10 4 . However, this compound (4a) did not inhibit the topoisomerase-I activity evaluated by relaxation assay. These results show that the indole nucleus contribute to the incorporation of molecules into the DNA. Moreover, it was highlighted that basic side chains, such as thiazolidines and imidazolidines, and free amino group, are relevant for design of promising antitumor and DNA binding compounds., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

In this study, we report the synthesis and structural characterization of a series of thiosemicarbazone and 4-thiazolidinones derivatives, as well as their in vitro antiproliferative activity against eight human tumor cell lines. For the most potent compound further studies were performed evaluating cell death induction, cell cycle profile, ctDNA interaction and topoisomerase IIα inhibition. A synthetic three-step route was established for compounds (2a-e and 3a-d) with yields ranging from 32 to 95%. Regarding antiproliferative activity, compounds 2a-e and 3a-d showed mean GI 50 values ranging between 1.1 μM (2b) - 84.65 μM (3d). Compound 2b was the most promising especially against colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and leukemia (K562) cells (GI 50  = 0.01 μM for both cell lines). Mechanism studies demonstrated that 24 h-treatment with compound 2b (5 μM) induced phosphatidylserine residues exposition and G2/M arrest on HT-29 cells. Moreover, 2b (50 μM) was able to interact with ctDNA and inhibited topoisomerase IIα activity. These results demonstrate the importance of thiosemicarbazone, especially the derivative 2b, as a promising candidate for anticancer therapy., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Two new spiro-acridines were synthesized by introducing cyano-N-acylhydrazone between the acridine and phenyl rings followed by spontaneous cyclization. The final compounds (E)-1'-(benzylideneamino)-5'-oxo-1',5'-dihydro-10H-spiro[acridine-9,2'-pyrrole]-4'-carbonitrile (AMTAC-01) and (E)-1'-((4-methoxybenzylidene)amino)-5'-oxo-1',5'-dihydro-10H-spiro[acridine-9,2'-pyrrole]-4'-carbonitrile (AMTAC-02) were evaluated for their interactions with calf thymus DNA, antiproliferative and human topoisomerase I and IIα inhibitory activities. Both compounds presented ability to bind DNA. The binding constant determined by UV-vis spectroscopy was found to be 10 4 M -1 . Antiproliferative assay demonstrated that AMTAC-01 and AMTAC-02 were most active against prostate and melanoma tumor cell lines, respectively. The compound did not present Topo I inhibitory activity. However, both derivatives displayed topoisomerase IIα inhibitory activity comparable to amsacrine, and AMTAC-02 was more potent than AMTAC-01 with methoxy substituent group on phenyl ring. This study demonstrates that the new derivatives are promising molecules with topoisomerase IIα inhibitory and antiproliferative activities., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this work, the acridine nucleus was used as a lead-compound for structural modification by adding different substituted thiosemicarbazide moieties. Eight new (Z)-2-(acridin-9-ylmethylene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide derivatives (3a-h) were synthesized, their antiproliferative activities were evaluated, and DNA binding properties were performed with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) by electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. Both hyperchromic and hypochromic effects, as well as red or blue shifts were demonstrated by addition of ctDNA to the derivatives. The calculated binding constants ranged from 1.74 × 10(4) to 1.0 × 10(6) M(-1) and quenching constants from -0.2 × 10(4) to 2.18 × 10(4) M(-1) indicating high affinity to ctDNA base pairs. The most efficient compound in binding to ctDNA in vitro was (Z)-2-(acridin-9-ylmethylene)-N- (4-chlorophenyl) hydrazinecarbothioamide (3f), while the most active compound in antiproliferative assay was (Z)-2-(acridin-9-ylmethylene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (3a). There was no correlation between DNA-binding and in vitro antiproliferative activity, but the results suggest that DNA binding can be involved in the biological activity mechanism. This study may guide the choice of the size and shape of the intercalating part of the ligand and the strategic selection of substituents that increase DNA-binding or antiproliferative properties.

Thiazacridine and imidazacridine derivatives have shown promising results as tumors suppressors in some cancer cell lines. For a better understanding of the mechanism of action of these compounds, binding studies of 5-acridin-9-ylmethylidene-3-amino-2-thioxo-thiazolidin-4-one, 5-acridin-9-ylmethylidene-2-thioxo-thiazolidin-4-one, 5-acridin-9-ylmethylidene-2-thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one and 3-acridin-9-ylmethyl-thiazolidin-2,4-dione with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) by electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy were performed. The binding constants ranged from 1.46 × 10(4) to 6.01 × 10(4) M(-1). UV-Vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism measurements indicated that the compounds interact effectively with ctDNA, both by intercalation or external binding. They demonstrated inhibitory activities to human topoisomerase I, except for 5-acridin-9-ylmethylidene-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one. These results provide insight into the DNA binding mechanism of imidazacridines and thiazacridines.