The structure of 2-carboxyindan-1,3-dione was investigated using a combination of quantum-chemical calculations and solid-state NMR and IR spectroscopy. Due to poor solubility of the compound in different solvents, no single crystals could be obtained. Two dimeric structures formed from the tautomers of 2-carboxyindan-1,3-dione are likely to coexist in the solid state. The dimers interconvert via intramolecular proton transfer in one of the tautomeric forms constituting the dimers. The energy barrier of the intramolecular proton transfer reaction is calculated as 5.82 kcal mol(-1) at the MP2/6-31++G level of theory.

A novel N-substituted 4-methoxy-1,8-naphthalimide (NAFTA 8) especially designed for fluorescent labeling of gold nanoparticles has been synthesized. NAFTA 8 bears a long methylene chain at the imide N atom and has a terminal SH group, which enables its chemical binding to gold nanostructures. The longest wavelength absorption maximum of NAFTA 8 in chloroform is at 370 nm, the fluorescent maximum is at 430 nm and the fluorescent quantum yield is 0.95. The newly synthesized fluorophore is applied for functionalization of gold nanoparticles with diameter 1.5 +/- 0.5 nm prepared through chemical reduction. The obtained Monolayer Protected Clusters are characterized by elemental analysis, TEM. XPS, FT-IR, absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The performed investigations provide evidence for the formation of chemical bond between the thiol ligand and the gold surface. They also show that the obtained metal/dielectric 3D structures are highly fluorescent. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A set of newly synthesized aryl-substituted amides of 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (R = 4-OH; 3,5-di-OH) are self-assembled on Au(111) substrate. Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed by these molecules are studied by ellipsometry from infrared to visible spectral range. Best fit calculations based on the three-phase optical model are employed in order to determine the average tilt angle of the hydrocarbon chains. The data revealed that the SAMs reside in a crystalline-like environment as the long methylene chains predominantly exist in all-trans conformation. The calculated tilt angle of the hydrocarbon chain is decreased by approximately 12 degrees. in comparison with the one for the correspondent long-chain n-alkyl thiols. Strong hydrogen bonded networks were detected between the amide proton and the carbonyl oxygen as well as between hydroxyl groups in the end aryl substituents. The transition dipole moments of the C=O, N-H and O-H modes are oriented almost parallel to the gold surface.

Gene expression data from an adenocarcinoma derived cell line.

Gene expression data from an adenocarcinoma derived cell line following reactivation of p53 expression by tamoxifen treatment.

Gene expression data from an adenocarcinoma derived cell line.

Tumorigenesis is a multistep process that results from the sequential accumulation of mutations in key oncogene and tumor-suppressor pathways. The quest to personalize cancer medicine based on targeting these underlying genetic abnormalities presupposes that sustained inactivation of tumor suppressors and activation of oncogenes are required for tumor maintenance. Mutations in the p53 tumor-suppressor pathway are a hallmark of cancer and significant efforts toward pharmaceutical reactivation of mutant p53 pathways are underway1-3. Here we show that restoration of p53 in established murine lung tumors leads to significant but incomplete tumor cell loss specifically in malignant adenocarcinomas but not in adenomas. Also, we define amplification of MAPK signaling as a critical determinant of malignant progression. The differential response to p53 restoration depends on activation of the Arf tumor suppressor downstream of hyperactive MAPK signaling. We propose that p53 naturally limits malignant progression by responding to increased oncogenic signaling, but is unresponsive to low levels of oncogene activity that are sufficient for early stages of lung tumor development. These data suggest that restoration of pathways important in tumor progression, as opposed to initiation, may lead to incomplete tumor regression due to the stage-heterogeneity of tumor cell populations.

Tumorigenesis is a multistep process that results from the sequential accumulation of mutations in key oncogene and tumor-suppressor pathways. The quest to personalize cancer medicine based on targeting these underlying genetic abnormalities presupposes that sustained inactivation of tumor suppressors and activation of oncogenes are required for tumor maintenance. Mutations in the p53 tumor-suppressor pathway are a hallmark of cancer and significant efforts toward pharmaceutical reactivation of mutant p53 pathways are underway1-3. Here we show that restoration of p53 in established murine lung tumors leads to significant but incomplete tumor cell loss specifically in malignant adenocarcinomas but not in adenomas. Also, we define amplification of MAPK signaling as a critical determinant of malignant progression. The differential response to p53 restoration depends on activation of the Arf tumor suppressor downstream of hyperactive MAPK signaling. We propose that p53 naturally limits malignant progression by responding to increased oncogenic signaling, but is unresponsive to low levels of oncogene activity that are sufficient for early stages of lung tumor development. These data suggest that restoration of pathways important in tumor progression, as opposed to initiation, may lead to incomplete tumor regression due to the stage-heterogeneity of tumor cell populations.