Fluorescent 5-Pyrimidine and 8-Purine Nucleosides Modified with an N-Unsubstituted 1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl Moiety

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.8b03135

The Cu(I)- or Ag(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition between 8-ethynyladenine or guanine nucleosides and TMSN₃ gave 8-(1-H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) nucleosides in good yields. On the other hand, reactions of 5-ethynyluracil or cytosine nucleosides with TMSN₃ led to the chemoselective formation of triazoles via Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition or vinyl azides via Ag(I)-catalyzed hydroazidation. These nucleosides with a minimalistic triazolyl modification showed excellent fluorescent properties with 8-(1-H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2′-deoxyadenosine (8-TrzdA), exhibiting a quantum yield of 44%. The 8-TrzdA 5′-triphosphate was incorporated into duplex DNA containing a one-nucleotide gap by DNA polymerase β.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.8b03135

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Note
Fluorescent 5-Pyrimidine and 8-Purine Nucleosides
Modified with N-unsubstituted 1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl Moiety
Zhiwei Wen, Paloma R. Tuttle, A. Hasan Howlader, Anna Vasilyeva, Laura Gonzales, Antonija
Tangar, Ruipeng Lei, Eduardo E. Laverde, Yuan Liu, Jaroslava Miksovska, and Stanislaw F Wnuk
J. Org. Chem., Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.8b03135 • Publication Date (Web): 26 Feb 2019
Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on March 2, 2019
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Fluorescent 5-Pyrimidine and 8-Purine Nucleosides Modified with N-unsub-
5
6
7
stituted 1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl Moiety
8
9
Zhiwei Wen, Paloma R. Tuttle, A. Hasan Howlader, Anna Vasilyeva, Laura Gonzales, Antonija Tangar,
Ruipeng Lei, Eduardo E. Laverde, Yuan Liu, Jaroslava Miksovska, Stanislaw F. Wnuk*
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Email: wnuk@fiu.edu
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TOC
X
N
X
N
X
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
NH
N3
Y
Y
Y
+
HO
HO
HO
O
O
O
:
or
Catalysts
HO
HO
HO
CuI,
,
AgCO3
ascorbate
=
=
=
CuSO4/sodium
dA: X NH2
Y
44%
,
H;
=
=
=
dG: X
Y
NH2;
9%
OH,
TMSN3
H
2O,
DMF, heat
,
N
N
X
X
X
N
NH
N
N3
N
N
N
O
O
N
O
O
+
O
O
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
:
=
=
2%
=
0.4%
dC
X
X
NH2
OH;
;
:
=
dU
ABSTRACT: The Cu(I)- or Ag(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition between 8-ethynyladenine or guanine nucleo-
sides and TMSN3 gave 8-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) nucleosides in good yields. On the other hand, reactions of 5-
ethynyluracil or cytosine nucleosides with TMSN3 led to the chemoselective formation of triazoles via
Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition or vinyl azides via Ag(I)-catalyzed hydroazidation. These nucleosides with
minimalistic triazolyl modification showed excellent fluorescent properties with 8-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-
deoxyadenosine (8-TrzdA) exhibiting quantum yield of 44%. The 8-TrzdA 5'-phosphate was incorporated
into DNA duplex containing one-nucleotide gap by DNA polymerase β.
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The natural nucleic acid have weak fluorescent properties.1 However, modified nucleoside analogs with
fluorescent properties serve as powerful tools to study nucleic acid interactions, activities, and structures.2-
9 The nucleoside derivatives with fluorescent nucleobases have been recently reviewed.10 The criteria4 for
designing fluorescent nucleosides are: (i) sensitiveness to the microenvironment, (ii) emission at long wave-
lengths, (iii) high quantum efficiency, and (iv) minimalistic modifications which cause least distortion of
natural hydrogen bonding.
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Fluorescent properties of nucleosides bearing triazolyl modifications varied mostly by (i) position of nu-
cleobases at which triazolyl unit is attached, (ii) site of triazolyl attachment to nucleobase (N1 vs. C4), and
(iii) additional substitutions either at nucleobase or triazolyl units. Synthesis of the N-substituted triazolyl
analogs are mainly based on CuAAC and strain promoted click chemistry.6,11-18 For example, the 8-(1H-
1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)adenosine derivatives A and B (Figure 1), with triazolyl carbon attached to C8 position
of purine ring, have quantum yield up to 64%,14,19 while (1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)adenosines C and D, with tria-
zolyl nitrogen attached to C8 position of purine, display significantly lower quantum yields (0.21-1.7%).6,15
The 2-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)adenosine analogs E and F with triazole moiety at C2 position have moderate to
relatively high quantum yield (2-20%).6,11 The 5-azidouracil nucleosides click with cyclooctyne substrates
generating 5-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl) nucleosides G for the living cells fluorescent imaging.6
NH2
NH2
N N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
R2
N
=
N
R
R1
deoxyribose
ribose
alkyl)
(or
:
A
=
3-38%
R
Ar
:
=
cyclooctanyl
C R
1,R2
=
=
:
B
=
Alkyl
49-64%
R
0.6-1.7%
=
or
NH2
:
D
=
R1
R2 Ar alkyl
H,
N
N
=
0.21-0.64%
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
ribose
O
R1
=
N
R2
HN
:
E
R
1,R2
cyclooctanyl
N
O
=
=
2-10.6%
(deoxy)ribose
:
=
F
R1 R2
H
:
=
G
0.9-1.3%
=
20%
Figure 1. Structures and quantum yields of the selected triazoles
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So far only few examples of nucleosides modified with the minimalistic (N-unsubstituted) (1H-1,2,3-
triazol-4-yl) unit are reported. Thus, 5-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyuridine (5-TrzdU) was synthesized
by microwave-assisted CuAAC between corresponding uracil-5-alkyne and in-situ generated pivalo-
yloxymethyl (POM) azide followed by N-deprotection20 or by nucleobase-exchange reaction.21 N-POM
protected 5-TrzdU was incorporated into DNA via solid-phase synthesis.20 The 5-TrzdU20 and its ana-
logues17, 22 stack in the major groove and increase the stability of the DNA duplex.
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Strategies developed for synthesis of N-unsubstituted triazoles includes: (i) CuI-catalyzed [3+2] cycload-
dition of terminal alkynes and trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN3),23 (ii) Pd24 or p-toluenesulfonic acid25 catalyzed
cycloaddition between activated alkene and NaN3, and (iii) deprotection of N-substituted triazoles.12,26-27
Herein, we report catalyst-dependent cycloaddition of acetylenic nucleosides with TMSN3 for the synthesis
of 5-pyrimidine and 8-purine nucleosides modified with minimalistic N-unsubstituted 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl
moiety and their fluorescent properties.
Synthesis. Treatment of 8-ethynyl-2'-deoxyadenosine 1a28 with TMSN3 in the presence of CuI as a cata-
lyst23 gave 8-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine (8-TrzdA, 2a; Method A; Table 1, entry 1). Analo-
gous treatment of TBDMS-protected 2'-deoxyadenosine 1b28 with TMSN3 yielded protected 8-TrzdA (2b,
47%; entry 2). The 8-ethynyl-2'-deoxyguanosine 1c29 under analogous conditions provided 8-(1H-1,2,3-
triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-TrzdG, 2c; entry 3). Thus, cycloaddition of the 8-ethynylpurine nucleo-
sides with TMSN3 in the presence of CuI produced triazoles as sole products.
Table 1. Synthesis of 8-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)purine nucleosides
X
X
X
Method A:
CuI
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
NH
N3
N
N
Y
Method B:
CuSO4
Y
RO
N
Y
RO
+
TMSN3
+
RO
O
O
O
ascorbate
Na
Method C:
RO
Ag
RO
2CO3
RO
2
1
3
Method A
B: DMF/H O
90 o 5h; Method C: DMF, 2
H
equiv
2O,
80 o 1h
and
C,
C,
(9:1),
:
2
a:
c
:
X
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
R H
Series
X
NH2
Y
R
b X NH2
Y
R
H,
TBDMS;
Y
NH2
,
OH,
,
,
H;
Entry
Meth
Yielda
[%]
Yielda
[%]
0
0
1
2
3
1
2
3
A
A
A
48 (52b)
47
1a
1b
1c
2a
2b
2c
3a
3b
3c
31 (36b)
0
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8
9
B
B
B
C
C
Cc
62
71
52
58
55
60
0
0
0
15
0
1a
1b
1c
1a
1b
1c
2a
2b
2c
2a
2b
2c
3a
3b
3c
3a
3b
3c
0
aIsolated yields. Products were purified on silica gel column; bProducts were purified on RP-HPLC. c4 h.
To avoid both loss of catalytic ability of Cu(I) and colorization of the reaction mixture, we found that
treatment of 1a with TMSN3 in the presence of in-situ generated Cu(I) from CuSO4/sodium ascorbate gave
2a with a 62% isolated yield (Method B, entry 4). Similar treatment of 1b and 1c with TMSN3 afforded
triazoles 2b (entry 5) and 2c (entry 6) in higher yields than that by Method A.
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We also found that Ag2CO3 catalyzed hydroazidation of 1a with TMSN3 (in DMF with 2 equiv. of H2O)
produced 2a (58%) in addition to the vinyl azide 3a (15%; Method C, entry 7). Analogous treatment of 1b
provided 2b without a detected trace of vinyl azide 3b (entry 8). Subjection 1c to Method C for 4 h also
yielded 2c as the sole product (entry 9). It is noteworthy that Ag2CO3 catalyzed reactions between aryla-
cetylenes and TMSN3 provide vinyl azides as main products.30,31
Transition-metal catalyzed cycloaddition of TMSN3 with alkyne has been extended into the 5-ethynyl
pyrimidine nucleosides 4a-d (Methods A-C, Table 2). Thus, CuI-catalyzed cycloaddition of 3',5'-di-O-
acetyl-5-ethynyl-2'-deoxycytidine 4a32 yielded 5-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) product 5a (Method A; 45%, entry
1), while unprotected 2'-deoxycytidine substrate 4b32 provided 5-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxycytidine
5b (5-TrzdC, entry 2). The protected 4c33 and unprotected 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine 4d33 gave 5-(1H-1,2,3-
triazol-4-yl) products 5c (65%, entry 3) and 5d (5-TrzdU; 62%, entry 4). It appears that H2O is required for
the reaction to proceed23 since mixture of DMF/H2O (9:1) as solvent gave best yields of products 5a-d.
Hydroazidation of 4d in the presence of 2 equiv. of H2O in DMF gave 5d (50%, entry 5) as a sole product,
showing that stoichiometric amount of H2O was sufficient for cycloaddition to occur.
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Table 2. Synthesis of 5-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) and 5-(1-azidovinyl)pyrimidine nucleosides
N
NH
X
N
X
X
N
Method A:
CuI
N
N
N3
N
Method B:
CuSO4
ascorbate
Na
N
O
O
N
O
O
O
O
+
+
TMSN3
RO
RO
RO
Method C:
Ag2CO3
RO
RO
RO
4
6
5
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
and
Method A
B: DMF/H O
2
90 o 5h; Method C: DMF, 2
H
80 o 1h
equiv
C,
2O,
C,
(9:1),
a:
c
:
X
=
=
:
=
=
=
=
:
=
=
R H
Series
X
NH2
R
Ac; b X NH2
R
,
R
Ac; d X
OH,
OH,
,
H;
Entry
Meth
Yielda
[%]
45
Yielda
[%]
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
A
A
A
A
Ac
B
4a
4b
4c
4d
4d
4a
5a
5b
5c
5d
5d
5a
6a
6b
6c
6d
6d
6a
48b
65
62
50
65
7
8
9
10
11
B
B
B
C
C
60
82
72
7
0
0
0
51
52
4b
4c
4d
4a
4c
5b
5c
5d
5a
5c
6b
6c
6d
6a
6c
0
aIsolated yields. Products were purified on silica gel column; bYield was 53% when 5b was purified on
RP-HPLC; cH2O (2 equiv.).
The CuSO4/sodium ascorbate-catalyzed cycloaddition of TMSN3 to alkynes 4a-d produced 5a-d in higher
yields (60-82%; Method B, entries 6-9) than by Method A. However, treatment of alkyne 4a with TMSN3
in the presence of Ag2CO3 provided triazole 5a in low yield (7%) affording instead the 5-(1-azidovinyl)cy-
tosine nucleoside 6a34 as a major product (51%, entry 10). The analogous hydroazidation of 4c produced
5-(1-azidovinyl) 6c (52%) as the sole product (entry 11). It appears that paths for these reactions between
nucleoside alkynes and TMSN3 depends not only on the catalyst used but also on the nature of the nucleo-
bases to which the alkyne group is attached leading selectively to triazoles or vinyl azides.
The CuSO4/sodium ascorbate-catalyzed synthesis of triazoles from alkynes and TMSN3 (Method B) has
a general character as illustrates with p-substituted phenylacetylenes 7a-c (Scheme 1). Thus, aryl alkyne 7a
with EDG (CH3O) gave triazole product 8a (63%), while aryl alkyne 7c with EWG (CF3) yielded triazole
8c in higher yield of 83%. EWGs are known to promote the formation of triazoles in higher yields.23,35
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Scheme 1. Synthesis of p-substituted phenyl triazoles by Method B
5
6
7
8
Method B:
N
N
+
CuSO4
TMS-N3
R
R
ascorbate
NH
Na
-
DMF/H2
O
8
c
(9:1)
90 o 5h
7a
9
C,
:
:
:
=
=
C
8a R
8b R
8c R=
CH
H;
63%
73%
3O;
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
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40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
F
83%
;
3
In summary, N-unsubstituted triazolyl analogs of the four natural bases of DNA were prepared by treat-
ment of the 5-ethynylpyrimidine or 8-ethynylpurine 2'-deoxynucleosides with TMSN3 in the presence of
CuI or CuSO4/sodium ascorbate as catalyst. Interestingly, Ag-catalyzed reactions of TMSN3 with 8-alkyne
purines gave mainly triazole products 2a-c (Table 1) while with 5-alkyne pyrimidines provided mainly
Markovnikov addition products 6a or 6c (Table 2), probably due to electronic differences between pyrimi-
dine and purine imidazole rings. NMR studies showed that triazolyl nucleosides 2 and 5 are stable in
D2O/DMSO-d6 solution (500 µL/50 µL; 2 mg/mL) at 37 oC for 72 h.
A reaction mechanism for the formation of triazoles might involve [3+2] cycloaddition or initial for-
mation of vinyl azide followed by 1,5-electrocyclization and tautomerization. However, attempts to validate
the latter mechanism by treatment 8-(1-azidovinyl)-2'-deoxyadenosine 3a by Method C failed to produce
desired triazole 2a (Scheme 2). Also treatment of 5-(1-azidovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine 6d under Method B did
not produce triazole 5d. Thus, formation of triazolyl unit involving [3+2] cycloaddition23 of alkyne with
in-situ generated HN3 seems to be plausible (Figure S1, SI section).
Scheme 2. Attempted conversion of vinyl azide to triazole
NH2
NH2
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
NH
Method C:
DMF
N
N3
N
Ag
2CO3
H
,
HO
2O,
O
HO
O
80 o 1h
C,
HO
HO
2a
3a
Enzymatic Incorporation of 8-TrzdATP into DNA. Treatment of 8-TrzdA 2a with POCl3 in the presence
of proton sponge36 followed by addition of tributylammonium pyrophosphate (TBAPP) and tributylamine
(TBA) yielded 8-TrzdATP (9; Scheme 3).
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Scheme 3. Synthesis of 8-TrzdATP and its incorporation into DNA by human DNA polymerase β (Pol β)
5
6
7
8
NH2
N
NH2
NH2
N
N
N
1.
POCl3
N
N
N
N
PO(OMe)3,
Proton
N
N
N
N
N
sponge
NH
N
NH
0 o 30 min
N
O
N
O
Pol
N
N
C,
HO
PPP
O
9
2. TBAPP
N
TBA, DMF
0 o 2 min
H
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
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32
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43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
C,
30%
OH
OH
2a
9
We also examined incorporation of the triazolyl nucleotides into oligonucleotide DNA substrate con-
taining a nucleotide gap by pol β. The pol β efficiently incorporated 8-TrzdATP 9 into the one-nucleotide
gap substrate containing a phosphate group on the downstream strand (Figure 2, Table S3). Incorporation
of 8-TrzdATP increased with increasing concentrations of pol β (10 nM-200 nM; lanes 2-6). 10 nM pol β
was sufficient to insert 8-TrzdATP into the DNA to generate ~10% of DNA synthesis product (lane 2). The
200 nM concentration of pol β resulted in 40% of incorporation of 8-TrzdATP (lane 6). Incorporation of 9
was extended by pol β in DNA duplex in the presence of a dGTP (Figure S4). Polymerase-catalyzed incor-
poration of the 8-substituted purine nucleotides are known to depend on the size of the substituent and
preference for syn/anti conformation of the base.37,38
Figure 2. (A) Incorporation of 8-TrzdATP 9 into DNA duplex containing one-nucleotide gap by pol β.
Substrates was 32P-labeled at the 5'-end of the upstream strand of the substrate. Lane 1 indicates substrate
only. Lanes 2-6 indicates DNA synthesis product at increasing concentrations of pol β (10 nM - 200 nM).
Lane 7 indicates reaction with pol β without 8-TrzdATP. (B) Bar chart illustrating the quantification of the
pol β DNA synthesis product.
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Fluorescent properties. The normalized fluorescence emission, absorption, and excitation spectra for
1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl nucleosides in methanol are shown in Figure 3. Their photophysical data are summa-
rized in Table 3. The 8-TrzdA 2a with the C4 of triazolyl attaching to the C8 of adenine exhibits the highest
quantum yield (ΦF) of 44% and emits at 300-480 nm with the maximum emission at 355 nm. The silyl-
protected 8-TrzdA analogue 2b has ΦF of 48% (Table S1). The emission of 8-TrzdG 2c starts at 300 nm but
extends to 540 nm and the maximum emission is at 364 nm with ΦF of 9%. Emission λmax of 2a is pH and
solvent independent (Figure S2, Table S2).
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Figure 3. Normalized fluorescence emission, absorption, and excitation spectra for (A) 8-TrzdA, (B) 8-
TrzdG, (C) 5-TrzdC, and (D) 5-TrzdU in MeOH. Absorption and excitation spectra were normalized to one
at the absorption band of lowest energy.
The 5-pyrimidine analogs 5-TrzdU 5d and 5-TrzdC 5b showed a larger Stokes shift of ~110 nm with
maximum emission approximately at 408 nm and lower quantum yields. The 5-TrzdC emits at 320-550 nm
(ΦF = 2%), while 5-TrzdU emits at 320-500 nm (ΦF = 0.4%). The acetyl protected 5a and 5c have similar
fluorescent properties (Table S1). The emission spectra of 5b shows a strong pH dependence in aqueous
phosphate buffer with a bathochromic shift of the emission band maximum from 378 nm (pH 4.0) to 435
nm (pH 7.0) and to 433 nm (pH 12.0). Emission maximum in DMSO and ACN are similar to those observed
at phosphate buffer at neutral and basic pH (Figure S3, Table S2).
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Table 3. Photophysical data for 2a, 2c, 5b, and 5da
5
6
7
2a
2c
5b
5d
εmax (M-1 cm-1)
17950 14800 18750 12400
8
9
λmax (abs) (nm)
λmax (exc) (nm)
287
295
283
299
295
311
291
238
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λmax (exc) (nm)
λmax (emi) (nm)
235
355
-
254
407
302
408
364
Stokes shift (nm) 68
65
112
0.02b 0.004
117
ΦF
0.44
0.09
τ1 (ns)
0.69
0.61
0.10
0.14
τ2 (ns)
τaverage (ns)
f1 (%)
2.07
1.55
37
3.22
2.47
28
4.35
3.72
15
1.06
0.805
27
f2 (%)
63
71
85
73
a In MeOH.
All triazoles showed biphasic fluorescence decay. The triazoles present a fast lifetime of 0.1-4.4 ns (Table
3). 5b shows the longest lifetime of 4.35 ns and longest average life time of 3.7 ns. 2a (63%), 2c (71%), 5b
(85%), and 5d (73%) showed larger contribution of the long lifetime (τ2).
Fluorescent N-unsubstituted 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl deoxynucleosides have been synthesized by catalyst-de-
pendent reactions between 5-ethynylpyrimidine or 8-ethynylpurine nucleosides with TMSN3. CuI or
CuSO4/sodium ascorbate-catalyzed cycloaddition gave triazoles products for both purine and pyrimidine
nucleosides. In contrast, Ag2CO3-catalyzed reactions with 8-ethynylpurine nucleosides produced 8-triazol-
yls, whereas 5-ethynylpyrimidine nucleosides followed hydroazidation pathway to give 5-(1-azidovinyl) as
major products. The triazoles showed good fluorescent properties with 8-TrzdAexhibiting the highest quan-
tum yield of 44%. The 8-TrzdATP was incorporated into DNA duplex containing one-nucleotide gap by
human DNA polymerase β. Metabolic incorporation of the 8-purine and 5-pyrimidine 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl
nucleosides into DNA for fluorescent imaging, and their antiviral and anticancer evaluation will be pub-
lished elsewhere.39
EXPERIMETNAL SECTION
General Information. 1H NMR spectra at 400 MHz and 13C NMR at 100.6 MHz were recorded in DMSO-
d6 unless otherwise noted. All chemical shift values are reported in parts per million (ppm) and referenced
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to the residual solvent peaks of DMSO-d6 (2.50 ppm) for 1H NMR and DMSO-d6 (39.52 ppm) peaks for
13C NMR spectra, with coupling constant (J) values reported in Hz. HRMS were obtained in TOF (ESI)
mode. TLC was performed on Merck kieselgel 60-F254, and products were detected with 254 nm light.
Merck kieselgel 60 (230-400 mesh) was used for column chromatography. All reagents and solvents were
purchased from commercial suppliers and used without further purification. Experimental procedure for
the fluorescent characterization of the triazolyl nucleosides and protocols for the incorporation of 8-Trz-
dATP 9 by human DNA polymerase are detailed in SI section.
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8-(1H-1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine (2a).
Procedure A. CuI as catalyst. The stirred solution of 1a28 (27.5 mg, 0.1 mmol) in DMF/H2O (1 mL, 9:1,
v/v) was degassed with Ar for 15 min. TMSN3 (26.3 μL, 23 mg, 0.2 mmol) and CuI (1 mg, 0.005 mmol)
were then added and the resulting mixture was further degassed for another 5 min and was stirred at 90 oC
for 5 h. After cooling to ambient temperature, the volatiles were evaporated and the residue was column
chromatographed (CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 85:15) to give 2a (15.0 mg, 48%): UV (MeOH) λmax 203, 228,
287 nm (ε 15 900, 16 050, 17 950), λmin 213, 250 nm (ε 13 800, 5100); 1H NMR δ 2.20 (ddd, J = 12.9, 5.9,
1.7 Hz, 1H), 3.12-3.19 (m, 1H), 3.49-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.67-3.72 (m, 1H), 3.90 (q, J = 3.7 Hz, 1H), 4.46-4.51
(m, 1H), 5.27 (d, J = 3.7 Hz, 1H), 5.77-5.80 (m, 1H), 7.07 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (s, 2H), 8.13 (s, 1H),
8.44 (s, 1H), 15.72 (s, 1H); 13C[1H] NMR δ 38.1, 62.4, 71.6, 85.9, 88.4, 119.4, 130.6, 137.8, 141.6, 149.8,
152.1, 156.1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C12H14N8O3Na [M+Na]+ 341.1081, found 341.1062.
Note: Purification of the crude reaction mixture on RP-HPLC (solvent A: 100% ACN, solvent B: 5%
ACN/H2O; gradient 0% A → 15% A in 30 min, flow rate = 2 mL/min) gave 2a (52%).
Procedure B. CuSO4/sodium ascorbate as catalyst:
The stirred solution of 1a (27.5 mg, 0.1 mmol) and CuSO4•5H2O (2.5 mg, 0.01 mmol) in DMF/H2O (1 mL,
9:1, v/v) was degassed with Ar for 15 min. TMSN3 (26.3 μL, 23 mg, 0.2 mmol) and sodium ascorbate (4
mg, 0.02 mmol) were then added and the resulting mixture was further degassed for another 5 min and was
stirred at 90°C for 5 h. After cooling to ambient temperature, the volatiles were evaporated and the residue
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was column chromatographed (CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 85:15) to give 2a (19.7 mg, 62%) with the spec-
troscopic data as described above.
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Procedure C. Ag2CO3 as catalyst:
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Ag2CO3 (2.8 mg, 0.01 mmol) was added to a solution of 1a (27.5 mg, 0.1 mmol), TMSN3 (26.3 μL, 23 mg,
0.2 mmol), and H2O (3.6 μL, 3.6 mg, 0.2 mmol) in DMF (1 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at 80
oC for 1 h. After cooling to ambient temperature, the volatiles were evaporated under the reduced pressure
and the residue was column chromatographed (CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 85:15) to give 3a (4.8 mg, 15%,
see below for spectroscopic characterization) followed by 2a (18.4 mg, 58%).
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3',5'-Di-O-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-8-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine (2b). Treatment of 1b28
(201.6 mg, 0.4 mmol) with CuI by Procedure A (column chromatography; hexane/EtOAc 50:50 → 0:100)
gave 2b (103.2 mg, 47%): UV (MeOH) λmax 225, 285 nm (ε 17 500, 14 100), λmin 247 nm (ε 3900); 1H NMR
δ -0.13 (s, 3H), -0.07 (s, 3H), 0.12 (s, 6H), 0.77 (s, 9H), 0.90 (s, 9H), 2.20-2.27 (m, 1H), 3.57-3.66 (m, 2H),
3.77 (dd, J = 9.0, 4.7 Hz, 1H), 3.88 (dd, J = 10.8, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 4.88 ("q", J = 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (t, J = 6.5
Hz, 1H), 7.36 (s, 2H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H); 13C[1H] NMR δ -5.6, -5.5, -4.9, -4.7, 17.8, 17.9, 25.6, 25.7,
36.4, 62.3, 72.2, 84.5, 86.6, 119.3, 130.6, 138.0, 142.0, 150.2, 152.3, 156.0; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for
C24H43N8O3Si2 [M+H]+ 547.2991, found 547.3004.
Treatment of 1b (201.6 mg, 0.4 mmol) with CuSO4/sodium ascorbate by Procedure B (column chromatog-
raphy; hexane/EtOAc 50:50 → 0:100) gave 2b (155.6 mg, 71%).
Treatment of 1b (201.6 mg, 0.4 mmol) with Ag2CO3 by Procedure C (column chromatography; hex-
ane/EtOAc 50:50 → 0:100) gave 2b (120.4 mg, 55%).
8-(1H-1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (2c). Treatment of 1c29 (29.1 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuIby
Procedure A (column chromatography; CHCl3/MeOH, 95:5 → 80:20) gave 2c (10.2 mg, 31%): UV
(MeOH) λmax 205, 283 nm (ε 14 450, 14 800); λmin 238 (ε 2600); 1H NMR δ 2.07-2.13 (m, 1H), 3.12-3.19
(m, 1H), 3.50 (dd, J = 11.7, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.65 (dd, J = 11.8, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 3.78-3.81 (m, 1H), 4.38-4.44 (m,
1H), 5.05 ("s", 1H), 5.18 (d, J = 3.7 Hz, 1H), 6.43 (s, 2H), 8.34 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 10.83 (s, 1H), 15.42 (s,
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1H); 13C[1H] NMR δ 37.4, 62.3, 71.4, 84.8, 88.0, 117.6, 128.8, 138.8, 151.9, 153.1, 154.0, 156.5; HRMS
(ESI): m/z calcd for C12H15N8O4 [M+H]+ 335.1211, found 335.1214.
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Note: Purification of the crude reaction mixture on RP-HPLC (C18, A: 100% ACN, B: 5% ACN/H2O; 0%
A → 15% A in 30 min, flow rate = 2 mL/min) gave 2c (36%).
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Treatment of 1c (29.1 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuSO4/sodium ascorbate by Procedure B (column chromatog-
raphy; CHCl3/MeOH, 95:5 → 80:20) gave 2c (26.0 mg, 52%).
Treatment of 1c (29.1 mg, 0.1 mmol) with Ag2CO3 by Procedure C (column chromatography;
CHCl3/MeOH, 95:5 → 80:20) gave 2c (30.1 mg, 60%).
1
8-(1-Azidovinyl)-2'-deoxyadenosine (3a). Yield (4.8 mg, 15%; Procedure C, see above): H NMR δ
2.19 (ddd, J = 13.1, 6.3, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 3.20-3.27 (m, 1H), 3.47-3.54 (m, 1H), 3.67 (dt, J = 11.8, 4.0 Hz, 1H),
3.89 (q, J = 4.1 Hz, 1H), 4.46-4.51 (m, 1H), 5.31 (d, J = 4.1 Hz, 1H), 5.40 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 5.46 (dd, J
= 8.1, 4.0 Hz, 1H), 5.56 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.36 (dd, J = 8.1, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (s, 2H), 8.15 (s, 1H);
13C[1H] NMR δ 37.4, 62.1, 71.3, 85.6, 88.4, 108.7, 118.6, 134.2, 143.9, 149.5, 152.8, 156.4; HRMS (ESI):
m/z calcd for C12H14N8O3Na+ [M+Na]+ 341.1081, found 341.1088.
3',5'-Di-O-Acetyl-5-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxycytidine (5a). Treatment of 4a40 (134.0 mg, 0.4
mmol) with CuIby Procedure A (column chromatography; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 90:10) to give 5a (67.6
mg, 45%): UV (MeOH) λmax 208, 238, 293 nm (ε 13 050, 9400, 4150), λmin 225, 271 nm (ε 8350, 3150);
1H NMR δ 1.99 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.36 (ddd, J = 14.1, 5.8, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 2.44-2.47 (m, 1H), 4.20-4.23
(m, 1H), 4.26-4.35 (m, 2H), 5.20-5.22 (m, 1H), 6.21 (dd, J = 7.6, 6.2 Hz, 1H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H),
8.07 (s, 1H), 8.24 (s, 1H), 15.28 (s, 1H); 13C[1H] NMR δ 20.5, 20.7, 36.6, 63.7, 74.3, 81.6, 86.0, 97.2, 126.9
(HMQC showed a cross peak to proton at 8.24 ppm), 139.8, 153.6, 162.4, 170.0, 170.2; HRMS (ESI): m/z
+
calcd for C15H19N6O6 [M+H]+ 379.1361, found 379.1372.
Treatment of 4a (134.0 mg, 0.4 mmol) with CuSO4/sodium ascorbate by Procedure B (column chromatog-
raphy; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 90:10) gave 5a (97.6 mg, 65%).
5-(1H-1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxycytidine (5b). Treatment of 4b40 (25.1 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuI by
Procedure A (column chromatography; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 80:20) gave 5b (13.9 mg, 48%): UV
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(MeOH) λmax 207, 238, 296 nm (ε 18 750, 13 900, 5500), λmin 224, 273 nm (ε 11 900, 3500); H NMR δ
2.08-2.14 (m, 1H), 2.21 (ddd, J = 13.2, 6.1, 4.7 Hz, 1H), 3.59-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.68-3.75 (m, 1H), 3.82 (q, J
= 3.3 Hz, 1H), 4.24-4.30 (m, 1H), 5.24 (s, 1H), 5.29 (s, 1H), 6.18 (t, J = 6.1 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (s, 1H), 7.80 (s,
1H), 8.07 (s, 1H), 8.60 (s, 1H), 15.18 (s, 1H); 13C[1H] NMR δ 41.4, 61.2, 70.0, 85.9, 88.0, 96.9, 126.8,
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+
140.6, 142.0, 154.2, 162.7; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C11H15N6O4 [M+H]+ 295.1149, found 295.1160.
Note: Purification of the crude reaction mixture on RP-HPLC (C18, A: 100% ACN, B: 5% ACN/H2O; 0%
A → 15% A in 30 min, flow rate = 2 mL/min) gave 5b (53%).
Treatment of 4b (25.1 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuSO4/sodium ascorbate by Procedure B (column chromatog-
raphy; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 80:20) gave 5b (17.4 mg, 60%).
3',5'-Di-O-Acetyl-5-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyuridine (5c). Treatment of 4c33 (33.6 mg, 0.1
mmol) with CuI by Procedure A (column chromatography; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 92:8) gave 5c (24.6
mg, 65%): UV (MeOH) λmax 231, 293 nm (ε 10 700, 9600), λmin 258 nm (ε 2900); 1H NMR δ 2.08 (s, 3H),
2.13 (s, 3H), 2.36-2.46 (m, 2H), 4.22-4.26 (m, 2H), 4.27-4.31 (m, 1H), 5.21-5.26 (m, 1H), 6.25 (t, J = 6.3
13
Hz, 1H), 8.18 (s, 1H), 8.31 (s, 1H), 11.82 (s, 1H), 15.19 (s, 1H); C[1H] NMR δ 20.7, 20.8, 36.7, 63.8,
74.2, 81.7, 84.9, 105.5, 128.2 (HMQC showed a cross peak to proton at 8.18 ppm), 135.8, 149.6, 161.2,
+
170.1, 170.4; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C15H18N5O7 [M+H]+ 380.1201, found 380.1208.
Treatment of 4c (33.6 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuSO4/sodium ascorbate by Procedure B (column chromatog-
raphy; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 92:8) gave 5c (31.0 mg, 82%).
5-(1H-1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyuridine (5d). Treatment of 4d33 (25.1 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuI by
Procedure A (column chromatography; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 85:15) gave 5d20-21 (18.4 mg, 62%): UV
(MeOH) λmax 231, 292 nm (ε 12 400, 11 450), λmin 259 nm (ε 3700); 1H NMR δ 2.18 (dd, J = 6.3, 4.7 Hz,
2H), 3.55-3.63 (m, 2H), 3.84 (q, J = 3.4 Hz, 1H), 4.25-4.31 (m, 1H), 5.04 ("s", 1H), 5.29 (d, J = 4.1 Hz,
1H), 6.22 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 1H), 8.14 (s, 1H), 8.49 (s, 1H), 11.68 (s, 1H), 15.10 (s, 1H); 13C[1H] NMR δ 39.9,
+
61.3, 70.6, 84.7, 87.6, 105.1, 131.8, 135.8, 137.0, 149.7, 161.2; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C11H14N5O5 ,
[M+H]+ 296.0989, found 296.0983.
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Treatment of 4d (25.1 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuI by modified Procedure A with 2 equivalent of H2O and
DMF as solvent (column chromatography; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 85:15) gave 5d (14.9 mg, 50%).
Treatment of 4d (25.1 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuSO4/sodium ascorbate by Procedure B (column chromatog-
raphy; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 85:15) gave 5d (21.2 mg, 72%).
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3',5'-Di-O-Acetyl-5-(1-azidovinyl)-2'-deoxycytidine (6a). Treatment of 4a (134.0 mg, 0.4 mmol) with
Ag2CO3 by Procedure C (column chromatography; CHCl3/MeOH, 100:0 → 90:10) gave 6a (75.6 mg, 51%)
1
followed by 5a (10.4 mg, 7%): Compound 6a had: H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.02-2.14 (m, 1H), 2.08 (s, 3H),
2.10 (s, 3H), 2.75 (ddd, J = 14.3, 5.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 4.31-4.41 (m, 3H), 5.03 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (d, J =
1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.21 (dt, J = 6.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.83 (s, 2H) 6.28 (dd, J = 8.0, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (s, 1H); 13C[1H]
NMR (CDCl3) δ 20.8, 21.0, 39.0, 64.0, 74.4, 82.9, 86.8, 101.8, 103.0, 139.9, 140.2, 154.3, 162.7, 170.4,
+
170.6; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C15H19N6O6 [M+H]+ 379.1361, found 379.1355.
3',5'-Di-O-Acetyl-5-(1-azidovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (6c). Treatment of 4c (67.2 mg, 0.2 mmol) with
Ag2CO3 by Procedure C (hexane/EtOAc 50:50) gave 6c41 (41.2 mg, 52%): 1H NMR δ 2.07 (s, 6H), 2.33-
2.46 (m, 2H), 4.24-4.29 (m, 3H), 5.06 ("s", 1H), 5.19-5.21 (m, 1H), 6.00 ("s", 1H), 6.14 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 1H),
13
7.83 (s, 1H), 11.73 (s, 1H); C[1H] NMR δ 20.4, 20.8, 36.7, 63.8, 74.2, 81.8, 85.4, 101.6, 107.3, 136.9,
+
138.3, 149.3, 160.9, 170.1, 170.2; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C15H18N5O7 [M+H]+ 380.1201, found
380.1195.
4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (8a). Treatment of 7a (13.2 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuSO4/sodium
ascorbate by Procedure B (column chromatography; hexane/EtOAc, 100:0 → 70:30) gave 8a23,42 (11 mg,
1
13
63%): H NMR δ 3.80 (s, 3H), 7.02 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 8.22 (s, 1H); C[1H]
NMR δ 55.6, 114.5, 114.8, 123.3, 127.4, 145.8, 159.7; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C9H10N3O+ [M+H]+
176.0818, found 176.0822.
4-Phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole (8b). Treatment of 7b (20 mg, 0.2 mmol) with CuSO4/sodium ascorbate by
Procedure B (column chromatography; hexane/EtOAc, 100:0 → 70:30) gave 8b23,42 (21 mg, 73%): 1H NMR
δ 7.39 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.86 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 8.34 (s, 1H); 13C[1H] NMR δ
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126.0, 127.7, 128.5, 129.4, 130.8, 145.6; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C8H8N3 [M+H]+ 146.0713, found
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146.0708.
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4-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (8c). Treatment of 7c (17 mg, 0.1 mmol) with CuSO4/so-
dium ascorbate by Procedure B (column chromatography; hexane/EtOAc, 100:0 → 70:30) gave 8c42 (17.6
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mg, 83%): 1H NMR δ 7.82 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.10 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 8.54 (s, 1H); 13C[1H] NMR δ 124.7
(q, J = 271.8 Hz), 126.4 (q, J = 3.8 Hz), 126.5, 127.9, 128.8 (q, J = 31.9 Hz), 135.0, 144.7; 19F NMR δ -
+
1.0; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C9H7F3N3 [M+H]+ 214.0587, found 214.0593.
8-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate (8-TrzdATP, 9). POCl3 (28 μL, 46 mg, 0.3
mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 8-TrzdA 2a (48 mg, 0.15 mmol) and proton sponge (80 mg, 0.375
mmol) in (MeO)3PO (2 mL) at 0 oC. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0 oC for 30 min. and then tribu-
tylammomium pyrophosphate solution in DMF (0.5 M; 1.5 mL, 0.75 mmol) followed by Bu3N (106.8 μL,
83.4 mg, 0.45 mmol) were added and stirring was continued at 0 oC for 2 min. The reaction was quenched
by adjusting the pH to 7.5 with 2 M TEAB buffer. The residue was dissolved in H2O (5 mL) and was
extracted with EtOAc (3 x 5 mL). The water layer was evaporated and coevaporated with mixture of
EtOH/H2O (1:1, 5 mL). The residue was column chromatographed (DEAE–Sephadex®, TEAB 0.1 M →
0.6 M) and the appropriate fractions were evaporated in vacuum and coevaporated 5 times with mixture of
1
EtOH/H2O (1:1, 10 mL) to give 8-TrzdATP triethylammonium salt 9 (33.4 mg, 30%): H NMR (D2O) δ
2.33 (ddd, J = 13.4, 6.5, 3.9, 1H), 3.22-3.26 (m, 1H), 4.04-4.10 (m, 1H), 4.14 ("q", J = 5.2 Hz, 1H), 4.18-
4.24 (m, 1H), 4.66 ("quint", J = 3.9 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 8.20 (s, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H); 31P NMR
(D2O) δ -23.22 (t, J = 21.0 Hz, 1Pβ), -11.34 (d, J = 21.0 Hz, 1Pα), -10.22 (d, J = 21.0 Hz, 1Pγ); 13C[1H] NMR
(D2O) δ 36.2, 65.2, 70.6, 84.3, 84.8, 118.6, 128.8, 136.1, 143.0, 149.9, 152.6, 155.0; HRMS m/z calcd for
C12H16N8O12P3 [M-H]- 557.0106, found 557.0091.
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Supporting Information
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NMR spectra, mechanistic study and fluorescent characterization.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Author
* Email: wnuk@fiu.edu
ORCID
Stanislaw F. Wnuk: 0000-0002-3111-3919
Zhiwei Wen: 0000-0002-0821-1369
Notes
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
ZW and AHH are recipients of the FIU Dissertation Year and Presidential Fellowships, respectively. This
work was partially supported by NIH (SFW, SC1CA138176 and YL, ES023569).
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