Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are two-part molecules, and compositions containing such compounds, in which one part is designed to become covalently bonded to the skin (bonding agent) and the other part (a characteristic use agent) is designed to impart some characteristic use, such as emolliency, moisturizing effect, anti-acne, anti-wrinkle, anti-pain, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-irritation, skin tanning and skin lightening effects, extended protection of the skin (e.g., from ultraviolet light, by incorporation of a sunscreen component; from toxic and/or irritating substances; from insects and skin parasites, by incorporation of insecticides and/or insect repellants; from free radicals or other agents, as in aging, by incorporation of antioxidants), or dyeing of hair, skin nails, wool or fur. The covalently bonded part may also be useful to impart skin strengthening effect (e.g., from shear forces) or as wound healing agents.

Abstract: Oncoproteins such as Ras and RhoB are known to induce cell division in an unrestrained manner when such proteins are localized at the inner surface of a cancer cell membrane. The localization is effected by the prenylation reaction, whereby a hydrophobic group (e.g. a farnesyl group) is attached to the protein in the presence of an enzyme (e.g. farnesyl protein transferase). Deactivation of the prenylation enzyme through covalent modification can therefore ultimately result in the mitigation and/or cessation of cancer cell growth. Various prenylation inhibitors having the necessary structural groups to bond covalently, or essentially irreversibly, to the prenylation enzyme include carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds (or masked versions of these compounds) and alpha oxo-epoxides bonded to a hydrophobic, substrate-mimicking group. The carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds also contain a nucleofugal atom or group to enhance the tendency to form covalent bonds.

Abstract: Prenylating enzymes are involved in modifying oncoproteins, such as RAS, so that growth of neoplastic cells becomes uncontrolled. Inactivation of such enzymes can prevent uncontrolled growth. ?-Dicarbonyl compounds can be used to covalently modify and thereby inactivate prenylating enzymes such as protein farnesyltransferase and protein geranylgeranyltransferase. The compounds can be designed to enhance affinity and/or specificity for a particular protein substrate.

Abstract: Conjugated nitro alkene compounds hamper or prevent proliferation of cancer cells in cell culture and in cancer patients, which can result in a decrease in tumor size and/or disappearance of the cancer. The compounds may act by interference with cancer cell biochemistry, in which isoprenoid groups such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl become bonded to various oncogenic proteins such as Ras, RhoA, RhoB, or some other growth-related cellular protein(s).