Cytogenetics and taxonomy of some South Bolivian monkeys.

Illustrations are given by the authors of chromosome banding patterns of three species of monkeys: douroucouli, black-capped capuchin and squirrel monkey. The precise locality of the animals in southern Bolivia is known. This enables a taxonomic discussion on the value of some names of these animals.     

Optimization of a series of heterocycles as survival motor neuron gene transcription enhancers

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from mutations in the SMN1 gene, leading to survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency. One therapeutic strategy for SMA is to identify compounds that enhance the expression of the SMN2 gene, which normally only is a minor contributor to functional SMN protein production, but which is unaffected in SMA. A recent high-throughput screening campaign identified a 3,4-dihydro-4-phenyl-2(1H)-quinolinone derivative (2) that increases the expression of SMN2 by 2-fold with an EC₅₀?=?8.3?µM. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study revealed that the array of tolerated substituents, on either the benzo portion of the quinolinone or the 4-phenyl, was very narrow. However, the lactam ring of the quinolinone was more amenable to modifications. For example, the quinazolinone (9a) and the benzoxazepin-2(3H)-one (19) demonstrated improved potency and efficacy for increase in SMN2 expression as compared to 2.