Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide is known to precipitate and form aggregates with zinc and copper ions in vitro and, in vivo in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Metal-ion-chelation was suggested as therapy for the metal-ion-induced Aβ aggregation, metal-ion overload, and oxidative stress. In a quest for biocompatible metal-ion chelators potentially useful for AD therapy, we tested a series of nucleoside 5'-phosphorothioate derivatives as re-solubilization agents of Cu(+)/Cu(2+)/Zn(2+)-induced Aβ-aggregates, and inhibitors of Fenton reaction in Cu(+) or Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2) system. The most promising chelator in this series was found to be APCPP-γ-S. This nucleotide was found to be more efficient than EDTA in re-solubilization of Aβ(40)-Cu(2+) aggregates as observed by the lower diameter, d(H), (86 vs. 64 nm, respectively) obtained in dynamic light scattering measurements. Likewise, APCPP-γ-S dissolved Aβ(40)-Cu(+) and Aβ(42)-Cu(2+)/Zn(2+) aggregates, as monitored by (1)H-NMR and turbidity assays, respectively. Furthermore, addition of APCPP-γ-S to nine-day old Aβ(40)-Cu(2+)/Zn(2+) aggregates, resulted in size reduction as observed by transition electron microscopy (diameter reduction from 2.5 to 0.1 μm for Aβ(40)-Cu(2+) aggregates). APCPP-γ-S proved to be more efficient than ascorbic acid and GSH in reducing OH radical production in Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2) system (IC(50) values 85, 216 and, 92 μM, respectively). Therefore, we propose APCPP-γ-S as a potential AD therapy capable of both reducing OH radical production and re-solubilization of Aβ(40/42)-M(n+) aggregates.

A new transformation of methylene-bis(phosphonic dichloride) into tetrathiobisphosphonate derivatives is reported. The reaction of methylene-bis(phosphonic dichloride) with 1,2-ethanedithiol in bromoform in the presence of AlCl3 formed methylene-bis(1,3,2-dithiaphospholane-2-sulfide), which gave rise to O,O′-diester-methylenediphosphonotetrathioate analogues 1a–k upon reaction with phenols and alkyl alcohols in the presence of DBU. Reaction mechanisms are proposed, and all products were characterized by 31P, 13C, and 1H NMR. An X-ray crystal structure was obtained for intermediate 2. The potential of the novel scaffold for selective coordination of metal-ions was examined by coordination of Hg(II) and Pb(II) by 1f, as determined by FT-IR, and chelation of Zn(II), but not Ca(II), by 1b, as determined by 31P/1H NMR. UV–vis measurements of 1g–Ni(II) mixture revealed a 2:1 ligand:metal complex. These derivatives are potential antioxidants, and their ability to inhibit ·OH formation in Fenton reactions was quantified by ESR measurements. Analogue 1g proved to be a most potent antioxidant (IC50 53 μM), inhibiting the Cu(I)-catalyzed Fenton reaction at lower concentrations than GSH, ascorbic acid, and EDTA. Analogue 1c inhibited the Fe(II)-catalyzed Fenton reaction at about the same concentrations as ascorbic acid (IC50 83 vs 93 μM). In summary, the novel compounds, 1a–k, proved to chelate various borderline/soft Lewis acid metal-ions, and may be useful as antioxidants and metal extractors.