Abstract: 

The characterization of protein-protein interactions and protein structure is integral to the understanding of biological processes and can facilitate identification of attractive targets for drug discovery. Protein cross-linking has emerged as a complementary method by which protein structure can be elucidated. Two CID-cleavable cross-linkers MSSO and DzYSO were synthesized and their syntheses will be discussed.

Crokonoid A is a structurally rearranged ent-kaurane diterpenoid that possesses a novel 6/7/6/5-fused tetracyclic carbon skeleton in addition to low micromolar cytotoxicity against HL-60 (leukemia) and A-549 (human lung cancer) cell lines. The second half of the talk will cover synthetic strategies toward the synthesis of intermediates enroute to Crokonoid A.