Design and synthesis of novel pyrimido[4,5-b]azepine derivatives as HER2/EGFR dual inhibitors

A novel 7,6 fused bicyclic scaffold, pyrimido[4,5-b]azepine was designed to fit into the ATP binding site of the HER2/EGFR proteins. The synthesis of this scaffold was accomplished by an intramolecular Claisen-type condensation. As the results of optimization lead us to 4-anilino and 6-functional groups, we discovered 6-substituted amide derivative 19b, which has a 1-benzothiophen-4-yloxy group attached to the 4-anilino group. An X-ray co-crystal structure of 19b with EGFR demonstrated that the N-1 and N-3 nitrogens of the pyrimido[4,5-b]azepine scaffold make hydrogen-bonding interactions with the main chain NH of Met793 and the side chain of Thr854 via a water-mediated hydrogen bond network, respectively. In addition, the NH proton at the 9-position makes an additional hydrogen bond with the carbonyl group of Met793, as we expected. Compound 19b revealed potent HER2/EGFR kinase (IC₅₀: 24/36 nM) and BT474 cell growth (GI₅₀: 18 nM) inhibitory activities based on its pseudo-irreversible (PI) profile.     

Design and synthesis of a series of α-benzyl phenylpropanoic acid-type peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma partial agonists with improved aqueous solubility

In the continuing study directed toward the development of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (hPPARγ) agonist, we attempted to improve the water solubility of our previously developed hPPARγ-selective agonist 3, which is insufficiently soluble for practical use, by employing two strategies: introducing substituents to reduce its molecular planarity and decreasing its hydrophobicity via replacement of the adamantyl group with a heteroaromatic ring. The first approach proved ineffective, but the second was productive. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a series of α-benzyl phenylpropanoic acid-type hPPARγ partial agonists with improved aqueous solubility. Among them, we selected (R)-7j, which activates hPPARγ to the extent of about 65% of the maximum observed with a full agonist, for further evaluation. The ligand-binding mode and the reason for the partial-agonistic activity are discussed based on X-ray-determined structure of the complex of hPPARγ ligand-binding domain (LBD) and (R)-7j with previously reported ligand-LDB structures. Preliminal apoptotic effect of (R)-7j against human scirrhous gastric cancer cell line OCUM-2MD3 is also described.     

Hypoxic condition-selective upconversion via triplet–triplet annihilation based on POSS-core dendrimer complexes

The influence on the efficiencies of the triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA)-supported upconversion by oxygen under biomimetic conditions was investigated. From the solution containing the dendrimer complexes based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-core dendrimer with the Pt complex of octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) and anthracene in PBS, the fluorescence emission of anthracene depending on the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations via the TTA-supported upconversion was obtained with the excitation light at 540 nm. In particular, we observed strong emission only under hypoxic conditions. In addition, it was found that the emission intensity via TTA-supported upconversion can be reversibly regulated by the DO concentrations in the solution.     

β-Hydroxy-L-valine and 4-Amino-3,6-dihydroxy-2-methylhexanoic Acid,Constitutional Amino Acids of the Antibiotic YA–56

From the acid hydrolyzate of the antibiotic YA–56 X (Zorbamycin) and Y belonging to the phleomycin-bleomycin group, 3 unique amino acids were isolated and their structures were determined to be β-hydroxy-L-valine and 2-(3′-amino-tetrahydrofuryl-2′-yl)-propionic acid and an isomer of the latter compound.

Considerations of NMR of the antibiotic YA-56 and of the reaction conditions led us to a view that the latter two new amino acids were not an integral part of the YA–56 molecule but were artifacts derived from 4-amino-3,6-dihydroxy-2-methyhexanoic acid constituting of YA–56 X and Y.     

Phenotypic changes associated with RNA interference silencing of chalcone synthase in apple (Malus × domestica)

We have identified in apple (Malus × domestica) three chalcone synthase (CHS) genes. In order to understand the functional redundancy of this gene family RNA interference knockout lines were generated where all three of these genes were down‐regulated. These lines had no detectable anthocyanins and radically reduced concentrations of dihydrochalcones and flavonoids. Surprisingly, down‐regulation of CHS also led to major changes in plant development, resulting in plants with shortened internode lengths, smaller leaves and a greatly reduced growth rate. Microscopic analysis revealed that these phenotypic changes extended down to the cellular level, with CHS‐silenced lines showing aberrant cellular organisation in the leaves. Fruit collected from one CHS‐silenced line was smaller than the ‘Royal Gala’ controls, lacked flavonoids in the skin and flesh and also had changes in cell morphology. Auxin transport experiments showed increased rates of auxin transport in a CHS‐silenced line compared with the ‘Royal Gala’ control. As flavonoids are well known to be key modulators of auxin transport, we hypothesise that the removal of almost all flavonoids from the plant by CHS silencing creates a vastly altered environment for auxin transport to occur and results in the observed changes in growth and development.     

Novel mutations of CDKN1C in Japanese patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is an imprinting-related human disease that is characterized by macrosomia, macroglossia, abdominal wall defects, and variable minor features. BWS is caused by several genetic/epigenetic alterations, such as loss of methylation at KvDMR1, gain of methylation at H19-DMR, paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 11, CDKN1C mutations, and structural abnormalities of chromosome 11. CDKN1C is an imprinted gene with maternal preferential expression, encoding for a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor. Mutations in CDKN1C are found in 40 % of familial BWS cases with dominant maternal transmission and in ~5 % of sporadic cases. In this study, we searched for CDKN1C mutations in 37 BWS cases that had no evidence for other alterations. We found five mutations—four novel and one known—from a total of six patients. Four were maternally inherited and one was a de novo mutation. Two frame-shift mutations and one nonsense mutation abolished the QT domain, containing a PCNA-binding domain and a nuclear localization signal. Two missense mutations occurred in the CDK inhibitory domain, diminishing its inhibitory function. The above-mentioned mutations were predicted by in silico analysis to lead to loss of function; therefore, we strongly suspect that such anomalies are causative in the etiology of BWS.     

Rapid Fabricating Technique for Multi-Layered Human Hepatic Cell Sheets by Forceful Contraction of the Fibroblast Monolayer

Cell sheet engineering is attracting attention from investigators in various fields, from basic research scientists to clinicians focused on regenerative medicine. However, hepatocytes have a limited proliferation potential in vitro, and it generally takes a several days to form a sheet morphology and multi-layered sheets. We herein report our rapid and efficient technique for generating multi-layered human hepatic cell (HepaRG® cell) sheets using pre-cultured fibroblast monolayers derived from human skin (TIG-118 cells) as a feeder layer on a temperature-responsive culture dish. Multi-layered TIG-118/HepaRG cell sheets with a thick morphology were harvested on day 4 of culturing HepaRG cells by forceful contraction of the TIG-118 cells, and the resulting sheet could be easily handled. In addition, the human albumin and alpha 1-antitrypsin synthesis activities of TIG-118/HepaRG cells were approximately 1.2 and 1.3 times higher than those of HepaRG cells, respectively. Therefore, this technique is considered to be a promising modality for rapidly fabricating multi-layered human hepatocyte sheets from cells with limited proliferation potential, and the engineered cell sheet could be used for cell transplantation with highly specific functions.     

Oceanic Distribution,Behaviour, and a Winter Aggregation Area of Adult Atlantic Sturgeon,Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus,in the Bay of Fundy,Canada

Seasonal distribution of adult Atlantic sturgeon was examined using pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) and ultrasonic transmitters deployed in the Saint John River, New Brunswick, Canada. Seven MK10 PSATs programmed for release in June 2012 and seven MiniPAT PSATs programmed for release in February and April 2013 were deployed in August 2011 and 2012, respectively. Eleven of 14 PSATs surfaced and transmitted depth and temperature data archived for the duration of their deployment (121–302 days). Among these eleven PSATs, five were recovered and 15-sec archival data was downloaded. Following exit from the Saint John River in the fall, tagged fish occupied a mean monthly depth of 76.3–81.6 m at temperatures as low as 4.9˚C throughout the winter before returning to shallower areas in the spring. The majority of ultrasonic detections occurred in the Bay of Fundy, but fish were detected as far as Riviere Saint-Jean, Quebec, approximately 1500 km from the Bay of Fundy (representing long-distance migratory rates of up to 44 km/day). All PSATs were first detected in the Bay of Fundy. Tags that released in February and April were found 5–21 km offshore of the Saint John Harbour, while tags that released in June were first detected in near shore areas throughout the Bay of Fundy. The substrate at winter tag release locations (estimated from backward numerical particle-tracking experiments) consisted primarily of moraines and postglacial mud substrate with low backscatter strength, indicative of soft or smooth seabed. Based on the proximity of winter tag release locations, the consistent depths observed between fish, and previous research, it is suspected that a winter aggregation exists in the Bay of Fundy. This study expands the understanding of the marine distribution and range of Atlantic sturgeon on the east coast of Canada.     

Genomic Motifs as a Novel Indicator of the Relationship between Strains Isolated from the Epidemic of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea in 2013-2014

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a positive-sense RNA virus that causes infectious gastroenteritis in pigs. Following a PED outbreak that occurred in China in 2010, the disease was identified for the first time in the United States in April 2013, and was reported in many other countries worldwide from 2013 to 2014. As a novel approach to elucidate the epidemiological relationship between PEDV strains, we explored their genome sequences to identify the motifs that were shared within related strains. Of PED outbreaks reported in many countries during 2013–2014, 119 PEDV strains in Japan, USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Korea were selected and used in this study. We developed a motif mining program, which aimed to identify a specific region of the genome that was exclusively shared by a group of PEDV strains. Eight motifs were identified (M1–M8) and they were observed in 41, 9, 18, 6, 10, 14, 2, and 2 strains, respectively. Motifs M1–M6 were shared by strains from more than two countries, and seemed to originate from one PEDV strain, Indiana12.83/USA/2013, among the 119 strains studied. BLAST search for motifs M1–M6 revealed that M3–M5 were almost identical to the strain ZMDZY identified in 2011 in China, while M1 and M2 were similar to other Chinese strains isolated in 2011–2012. Consequently, the PED outbreaks in these six countries may be closely related, and multiple transmissions of PEDV strains between these countries may have occurred during 2013–2014. Although tools such as phylogenetic tree analysis with whole genome sequences are increasingly applied to reveal the connection between isolates, its interpretation is sometimes inconclusive. Application of motifs as a tool to examine the whole genome sequences of causative agents will be more objective and will be an explicit indicator of their relationship.     

TiLIA: a software package for image analysis of firefly flash patterns

As flash signaling patterns of fireflies are species specific, signal‐pattern analysis is important for understanding this system of communication. Here, we present time‐lapse image analysis (TiLIA), a free open‐source software package for signal and flight pattern analyses of fireflies that uses video‐recorded image data. TiLIA enables flight path tracing of individual fireflies and provides frame‐by‐frame coordinates and light intensity data. As an example of TiLIA capabilities, we demonstrate flash pattern analysis of the fireflies Luciola cruciata and L. lateralis during courtship behavior.