Maciej Masłyk

John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin · Department of Molecular Biology

Armillaria mellea is a commonly harvested and consumed mushroom in Poland. Several activities of polysaccharides from this species have already been reported. However, polysaccharides from A. mellea growing in the wild in Poland have not yet been investigated. This study was conducted to obtain a crude polysaccharide fraction (AmPS) and investigate...

A new type of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was prepared and comprehensively studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses indicated that 24 nm AgNPs with narrow size distribution were obtained while Z-potential confirms their good stability. The composites of the obtained AgNPs with nontoxic-nature-inspired...

A novel bioactive polysaccharopeptide (C1) and polysaccharide (C2) with an average molecular weight of 180 kDa and 70 kDa were isolated from R. rugosa pseudofruit. The composition of the macromolecules was established using 1H NMR, FT-IR, GC-MS, SDS-PAGE coupled with enzymatic cleavage, and proteomic analyses (LC-MS). C1 was found to contain 60.56...

Infections caused by Candida species have increased significantly in the past decades and are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, resulting in serious public health problems. Currently, conventional antifungals are often ineffective as Candida spp. have developed growing resistance to systemic drugs. Since inorganic metal...

Rosa rugosa Thunb. (Rosaceae) plantations can provide industrial amounts of roots, which contain many biologically active metabolites. Here, we report the first studies of the chemical composition and pharmacological potential of a crude polysaccharide fraction obtained from R. rugosa roots (CPL-Rx). It was found that the roots contained water-solu...

Due to translocation heterozygosity for all chromosomes in the cell complement, the oyster plant ( Tradescantia spathacea ) forms a complete meiotic ring. It also shows Rabl-arrangement at interphase, featured by polar centromere clustering. We demonstrate that the pericentromeric regions of the oyster plant are homogenized in concert by three subt...

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered to be a powerful tool in the treatment of various diseases. Scientists are particularly interested in the possibility of using MSCs in cancer therapy. The research carried out so far has shown that MSCs possess both potential pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic properties. It has been confirmed that MSCs ca...

We present here the advances achieved in the development of new sulfamoylated 4-(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)phenol derivatives as potent steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibitors for the treatment of breast cancer. Prompted by promising biological results and in silico analysis, the initial series of similar compounds were extended, appending a variet...

An aqueous solution of sodium citrate stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) in the presence of N-lauroyl-L-alanine (C12ALA) forms a stable gel. The structure of the gel and the distribution profile of AuNP in it were analyzed. Will nanoparticles separated from each other with sodium citrate behave in the same way in solution and trapped in the gel m...

In the present work, we report a new class of potent steroid sulphatase (STS) inhibitors based on 6-(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)naphthalen-2-yl sulphamate derivatives. Within the set of new STS inhibitors, 6-(1-(1,2,3-trifluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)naphthalen-2-yl sulphamate 3L demonstrated the highest activity in the enzymatic assay in...

Numerous chemosensors have been developed for next-generation detection systems because of their ease of use and promising characteristics to distinguish signals between various analytes binding. However, given their typically poor emission response and arduous preparation methods, very few chemosensing probes have been commercialized to date. In t...

Several fluorescence and colorimetric chemosensory for Sn2+ detection in an aqueous media have been reported, but applications remain limited for discriminative Sn2+ detection in live human cells and zebrafish larvae. Herein, a mitochondria-targeted Sn2+ “turn-on” colorimetric and fluorescence chemosensor, 2CTA, with an aggregation-induced emission...

A new colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence chemosensor 4-((3-(octadecylthio)-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)amino)benzenesulfonamide (4DBS) was synthesized and investigated for the selective detection of Hg2+ in DMSO-H2O (9:1, v/v) solution. The chemosensor was efficiently synthesized in two steps via Michael-like addition and nucleophil...

There is a need to search for new antifungals, especially for the treatment of the invasive Candida infections, caused mainly by C. albicans. These infections are steadily increasing at an alarming rate, mostly among immunocompromised patients. The newly synthesized compounds (3a–3k) were characterized by physicochemical parameters and investigated...

There is a need to search for new antifungals, especially for the treatment of the invasive Candida infections, caused mainly by C. albicans. These infections are steadily increasing at an alarming rate, mostly among immunocompromised patients. The newly synthesized compounds (3a-3k) were characterized by physico-chemical parameters and investigate...

An easily accessible colorimetric and fluorescence probe 4-((3-chloro-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)amino)-benzenesulfonamide (4CBS) was successfully developed for the selective and sensitive detection of Sn2+ in an aqueous solution. The sensing mechanism involves reduction of −C=O into −C−OH groups in 4CBS upon the addition of Sn2+, which i...

The purpose of this review article is to provide an overview of recent achievements in the synthesis of novel steroid sulphatase (STS) inhibitors. STS is a crucial enzyme in the biosynthesis of active hormones (including oestrogens and androgens) and, therefore, represents an extremely attractive molecular target for the development of hormone-depe...

In the light of the increasing occurrence of antifungal resistance, there is an urgent need to search for new therapeutic strategies to overcome this phenomenon. One of the applied approaches is the synthesis of small-molecule compounds showing antifungal properties. Here we present a continuation of the research on the recently discovered anti-Can...

The design of multitarget drugs (MTDs) has become an innovative approach for the search of effective treatments in complex diseases such as cancer. In this work, we communicate our efforts in the design of multi-targeting histone deacetylase (HDAC) and protein kinase CK2 inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy against cancer. Using tetrabromoben...

A series of fluorinated analogs based on the frameworks of 4-(1-phenyl-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl)-phenyl sulfamates have been synthesized as steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibitors. The design of chemical structures of new potential STS inhibitors was supported by molecular docking techniques to identify potential interactions between inhibitors and amino...

A new naphthoquinone-based chemosensor 2-((3- hydroxyphenyl)amino)-3-(phenylthio)naphthalene-1,4-dione (2HPN) was successfully synthesized for the selective detection of Fe2+. The sensing property of the chemosensor 2HPN was evaluated in aqueous acetonitrile (CH3CN) medium by a fluorescence emission method. The metal-binding studies of the ligand 2...

In the present work, we described convenient methods for the synthesis of N‐thiophosphorylated 3‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐coumarin‐7‐O‐sulfamates as steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibitors. To design the structures of the potential STS inhibitors, molecular modeling techniques were used. A computational docking method was used to determine the binding modes of t...

NMR data of synthesized compounds

1,4‐Naphthoquinones are an important class of compounds present in a number of natural products. In this study, a new series of 1,4‐naphthoquinone derivatives were synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity. In this present investigation, two Gram‐positive and five Gram‐negative bacterial strains and...

The huge health-beneficial potential of polysaccharides encourages the search for novel sources and applications of these compounds. One poorly explored source of polysaccharides is the rose. The content and biological activity of polysaccharides in rose organs is an almost completely unaddressed topic, therefore, polysaccharide-rich extracts (crud...

Small molecules containing quinone and/or oxime moieties have been found as promising anti-fungal agents. One of them is 4-AN, a recently reported potent anti-Candida compound, which inhibits the formation of hyphae, decreases the level of cellular phosphoproteome, and finally shows no toxicity towards human erythrocytes and zebrafish embryos. Here...

In this article we describe our efforts in the search of MMP2/CK2 dual targeting inhibitors. We have followed a rational drug design approach based on our experience in the selective inhibition of these two enzymes. We have successfully obtained highly active MMP2 (10, IC50=70 nM; 11, IC50=100 nM) and CK2 (16a, IC50=500 nM) inhibitors. However, str...

The aim of the study was to obtain vitamin B12-enriched biomass of non-conventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica A-101. The cultivations were performed on waste from biofuel production in aerobic conditions at different temperatures (20–30 °C) and pH values (4.0–7.0) of the medium, with and without the addition of cobalt, l-methionine, molybdenum, δ-a...

Purpose: In this study, we applied various assays to find new activities of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives for potential anti-Candida albicans applications. Methodology: These assays determined (a) the antimicrobial effect on growth/cell multiplication in fungal cultures, (b) the effect on formation of hyphae and biofilm, (c) the influence on ce...

A new series of coumarin-1,2,3-triazole conjugates with varied alkyl, phenyl and heterocycle moieties at C-4 of the triazole nucleus were synthesized using a copper(I)-catalysed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of corresponding O-propargylated coumarin (3) or N-propargylated coumarin (6) with alkyl or aryl azides. Based on their minimal i...

In this study, we applied various assays to reveal new activities of phenylcyanomethylenequinone oxime-4-(hydroxyimino) cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene](phenyl)ethanenitrile (4-AN) for potential anti-microbial applications. These assays demonstrated (a) the antimicrobial effect on bacterial and fungal cultures, (b) the effect on the in vitro activity...

CX-4945 is a selective inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 exhibiting clinical significance. Its antitumor properties arise from the abrogation of CK2-mediated pro-survival cellular pathways. The presented data reveal the influence of CX-4945 on the growth of yeast cells showing variable potency against Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion strains with di...

The atypical kinase Rio1 is widespread in many organisms, ranging from Archaebacteria to humans, and is an essential factor in ribosome biogenesis. Little is known about the protein substrates of the enzyme and small-molecule inhibitors of the kinase. Protein kinase CK2 was the first interaction partner of Rio1, identified in yeast cells. The enzym...

Benzimidazole derivatives of 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole 1-β-d-ribofuranoside (DRB) comprise the important class of protein kinase CK2 inhibitors. Depending on the structure, benzimidazoles inhibit CK2 with different selectivity and potency. Besides CK2, the compounds can inhibit, with similar activity, other classical eukaryotic protein kinases (e.g...

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone) is a natural secondary plant product, originally isolated from the rhizomes of Rheum palmatum. Many reports show its diuretic, vasorelaxant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-ulcerogenic, immunosuppressive, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer potential. Emodin is a pleiotropic molecul...

In the present work, we report convenient methods for the synthesis of 3-(4-aminophenyl)-coumarin-7-O-sulfamate derivatives N-acylated with fluorinated analogues of benzoic or phenylacetic acid as steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibitors. The design of these potential STS inhibitors was supported by molecular modeling techniques. Additionally, computatio...

Steroid sulfatase (STS) is responsible for the hydrolysis of biologically inactive sulfated steroids into their active un-sulfated forms and promote the growth of various hormone-dependent cancers (e.g., breast cancer). Therefore, the STS enzyme is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of steroid-sensitive cancers. Herein, we report the...

A broad series of 4,5,6,7-tetrahalogenated benzimidazoles and 4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-benzene-1,3-diol derivatives was tested against selected bacteria and fungi. For this study three plant pathogens Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., and Sclerotinia sp., as well as Staphylococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Escherichia sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella...

In the present work, we report convenient methods for the synthesis and biological evaluation of N-phosphorylated derivatives of 3-(4-aminophenyl)-coumarin-7-O-sulfamate as potential steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibitors. Their binding modes have been modeled using docking techniques. The inhibitory effects of the synthesized compounds were tested on...

In the present work, we report the initial results of our study on a series of 3-phenylcoumarin sulfamate-based compounds containing C-F bonds as novel inhibitors of steroid sulfatase. The new compounds are potent steroid sulfatase inhibitors, possessing more than 10 times higher inhibitory potency than coumarin-7-O-sulfamate. In the course of our...

A series of phosphate and thiophosphate flavone derivatives were synthesized and biologically evaluated in vitro for inhibition of steroid sulfatase (STS) activity. The described synthesis includes the straightforward preparation of 7-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one 3a, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-7-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one 3b, 7-hydroxy-2-(4-(trifluorome...

Steroid sulfatase (STS) enzyme inhibition is an important approach to the management of hormone dependent breast cancer. In this paper, we report convenient methods for the synthesis and biological evaluation of thiophosphate tricyclic coumarin analogs exhibiting STS activity. The described methods are based on the straightforward preparation of 7-...

A new series of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) derivatives was synthesized and characterized as CK2 inhibitors. They were readily synthesized using a click chemistry approach based on a Cu(i)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC). Some of the synthesized compounds present interesting inhibitory activities using an in vitro...

A series of phosphate and thiophosphate analogs based on the frameworks of N-alkanoyl tyramines have been synthesized and biologically evaluated. Their binding modes have been modeled using docking techniques. The inhibitory effects of the synthesized compounds were tested on STS isolated from the human placenta as well as the MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and...

Preclinical Research In the present work, we report convenient methods for the synthesis and biological evaluation of phosphate and thiophosphate biphenyl derivatives exhibiting steroid sulfatase (STS) activity. The described synthesis is based on straightforward preparation of biphenyl-4-ol and 4'-hydroxy-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester mod...

In the present work, we report convenient methods for the synthesis and biological evaluation of phosphate tricyclic coumarin derivatives as potential steroid sulfatase inhibitors. The described synthesis includes the straightforward preparation of 7-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]chromen-4-one, 3-hydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen...

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors became promising molecules for selective targeting of tumor cells without affecting normal tissue. Unfortunately, cancer cells have developed a number of mechanisms that confer resistance to TRAIL\Apo2L-induced apoptosis, which substantiates the need for development o...

A click chemistry approach was used to synthesize a series of 1,4-diaryl-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles designed to behave as estrogen receptor (ER) ligands. We studied their affinities for both receptors α and β, their agonist activities in a cell-based luciferase reporter assay and their effect on the proliferation of the hormone-dependent MCF-7 cel...

Based on the benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]furan and benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]thiophene frameworks, a series of ligands with different basic side chains (BSCs) has been synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. Also, their binding modes have been modelled using docking techniques. It was found that the introduction of a BSC in these systems brings about a...

Five isoforms of CK2 may exist simultaneously in yeast cells: free catalytic subunits CK2α′, CK2α and three holoenzymatic structures composed of αα′ββ′, α2ββ′ and α′2ββ′. Each isolated and purified form exhibits properties typical for CK2, but they differ in substrate specificity as well as in sensitivity to specific modulators. All five isoforms o...

New 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo benzotriazole derivatives have been synthesized, and their activities against CK2 have been tested. A click chemistry approach based on the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition has been utilized to connect benzotriazoles, which efficiently interact with the ATP-binding site, to other subunits designed to simultaneously...