A plant-specific subclass of C-terminal kinesins contains a conserved a-type cyclin-dependent kinase site implicated in folding and dimerization

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control cell cycle progression through timely coordinated phosphorylation events. Two kinesin-like proteins that interact with CDKA;1 were identified and designated KCA1 and KCA2. They are 81% identical and have a similar three-partite domain organization. The N-terminal domain contains an ATP and microtubule-binding site typical for kinesin motors. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion of the N-terminal domain of KCA1 decorated microtubules in Bright Yellow-2 cells, demonstrating microtubule-binding activity. During cytokinesis the full-length GFP-fusion protein accumulated at the midline of young and mature expanding phragmoplasts. Two-hybrid analysis and coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that coiled-coil structures of the central stalk were responsible for homo- and heterodimerization of KCA1 and KCA2. By western-blot analysis, high molecular mass KCA molecules were detected in extracts from Bright Yellow-2 cells overproducing the full-length GFP fusion. Treatment of these cultures with the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate caused an accumulation of these KCA molecules. In addition to dimerization, interactions within the C-terminally located tail domain were revealed, indicating that the tail could fold onto itself. The tail domains of KCA1 and KCA2 contained two adjacent putative CDKA;1 phosphorylation sites, one of which is conserved in KCA homologs from other plant species. Site-directed mutagenesis of the conserved phosphorylation sites in KCA1 resulted in a reduced binding with CDKA;1 and abolished intramolecular tail interactions. The data show that phosphorylation of the CDKA;1 site provokes a conformational change in the structure of KCA with implications in folding and dimerization.     

Characterization of the Arabidopsis thaliana Arath;CDC25 dual-specificity tyrosine phosphatase

CDC25 enzymes are dual-specificity phosphatases involved in the regulation of the cell cycle. No CDC25 enzymes have been described in higher plant organisms. We report here the characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana CDC25 enzyme, constituted by a sole catalytic domain and devoid of the N-terminal regulatory region found in the human CDC25. We describe the recombinant expression in Escherichia coli of the Arath;CDC25 and its purification for activity assay and structure determination by NMR. The recombinant enzyme has a tyrosine phosphatase activity towards an artificial substrate, a NMR characterization equally concludes to its correct folding. The secondary structure of the protein was predicted on the basis of the assigned chemical shift of (1)H, (15)N, and (13)C backbone atoms of the protein. The presence of a metal ion in the C-terminus of this new protein points to a zinc finger, and sequence homology indicates that this new structural element might be conserved in related plant homologs.     

B1-type cyclin-dependent kinases are essential for the formation of stomatal complexes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are key regulators of the cell cycle. In yeasts, only one CDK is sufficient to drive cells through the cell cycle, whereas higher eukaryotes developed a family of related CDKs. Curiously, plants contain a unique class of CDKs (B-type CDKs), whose function is still unclear. We show that the CDKB1;1 gene of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is highly expressed in guard cells and stomatal precursor cells of cotyledons, suggesting a prominent role for B-type CDKs in stomatal development. In accordance, transgenic Arabidopsis plants with reduced B-type CDK activity had a decreased stomatal index because of an early block of meristemoid division and inhibition of satellite meristemoid formation. Many aberrant stomatal cells were observed, all of them blocked in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Although division of stomatal precursors was inhibited, cells still acquired stomatal identity, illustrating that stomatal cell differentiation is independent of cellular and nuclear division.     

Synthesis of 5'-C-methyl-1',3'-dioxolan-4'-yl nucleosides

Novel racemic 5'-C-methyl-1',3'-dioxolan-4'-yl nucleosides were synthesized from the key intermediate, 2-benzoyloxymethyl-4-oxo-5-C-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, which was prepared from racemic lactic acid.     

Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of 2',3'-dideoxy-2'-fluoro-3'- C-hydroxymethyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl pyrimidine nucleosides

The synthesis and anti-HBV and anti-HIV activity of a number of 2',3'-dideoxy-2'-fluoro-3'-C-hydroxymethyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl pyrimidine nucleosides are reported.     

Synthesis of N3,5'-cyclo-4-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-vic-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-one and its 3'-deoxysugar analogue as potential anti-hepatitis C virus agents

We recently discovered a novel compound, identified as N3, 5-cyclo-4-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-vic-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridinin-5-one, with anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity in vitro. The structure was confirmed by chemical synthesis from 2-hydroxy-5-nitropyridine. It showed anti-HCV activity with EC50= 19.7 microM in replicon cells. Its 3'-deoxy sugar analogue was also synthesized, but was inactive against HCV in vitro.     

The role of the Arabidopsis E2FB transcription factor in regulating auxin-dependent cell division

The molecular mechanisms by which the phytohormone auxin coordinates cell division with cell growth and differentiation are largely unknown. Here, we show that in Arabidopsis thaliana E2FB, accumulation and stability are positively regulated by auxin. Coexpression of E2FB, but not of E2FA, with its dimerization partner A, stimulated cell proliferation in the absence of auxin in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Bright Yellow-2 cells. E2FB regulated the entry into both S- and M-phases, the latter corresponding to the activation of a plant-specific mitotic regulator, CDKB1;1. Increased E2FB levels led to shortened cell cycle duration, elevated cell numbers, and extremely small cell sizes. In the absence of auxin, cells elongated with concomitant increase in their ploidy level, but both were strongly inhibited by E2FB. We conclude that E2FB is one of the key targets for auxin to determine whether cells proliferate or whether they exit the cell cycle, enlarge, and endoreduplicate their DNA.     

Design and synthesis of a series of bioavailable fatty acid synthase (FASN) KR domain inhibitors for cancer therapy

We designed and synthesized a new series of fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors with potential utility for the treatment of cancer. Extensive SAR studies led to highly active FASN inhibitors with good cellular activity and oral bioavailability, exemplified by compound 34. Compound 34 is a potent inhibitor of human FASN (IC₅₀?=?28?nM) that effectively inhibits proliferation of A2780 ovarian cells (IC₅₀?=?13?nM) in lipid-reduced serum (LRS). This cellular activity can be rescued by addition of palmitate, consistent with an on-target effect. Compound 34 is also active in many other cell types, including PC3M (IC₅₀?=?25?nM) and LnCaP-Vancouver prostate cells (IC₅₀?=?66?nM), and is highly bioavailable (F 61%) with good exposure after oral administration. In a pharmacodynamics study in H460 lung xenograft-bearing mice, oral treatment with compound 34 results in elevated tumor levels of malonyl-CoA and decreased tumor levels of palmitate, fully consistent with the desired target engagement.