Optimization and biological evaluation of celastrol derivatives as Hsp90–Cdc37 interaction disruptors with improved druglike properties

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) as a molecular target for oncology therapeutics has attracted much attention in the last decade. The Hsp90 multichaperone complex has important roles in the growth and/or survival of cancer cells. Cdc37, as a cochaperone, associates kinase clients to Hsp90 and promotes the development of malignant tumors. Disrupting the Hsp90–Cdc37 interaction provides an alternative strategy to inhibit the function of Hsp90 for cancer therapy. Celastrol, as a natural product, can disrupt the Hsp90–Cdc37 interaction and induce degradation of kinase clients. The study conducted here attempted to elucidate the structure–activity relationship of celastrol derivatives as Hsp90–Cdc37 disruptors and to improve the druglike properties. 23 celastrol derivatives were designed, synthesized, and the biological activities and physicochemical properties were determined. The derivative CEL20 showed improved Hsp90–Cdc37 disruption activity, anti-proliferative activities as well as druglike properties. Additionally, CEL20 induced clients degradation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in Panc-1 cells. This study can provide reference for the discovery of novel Hsp90–Cdc37 disruptors.     

A comparative study on the antioxidant effects of hesperidin and ellagic acid against skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury

Abstract

The antioxidant effects of ellagic acid (EA) and hesperidin (HES) against skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) were performed. Hindlimb ischemia has been induced by tourniquet occlusion for 2?h on left hindlimb. At the end of ischemia, the tourniquate has been removed and initiated reperfusion for 2?h. EA (100?mg/kg) has been applied orally before ischemia/reperfusion in the EA?+?I/R group. HES (100?mg/kg) has been given orally in the HES?+?I/R group. The left gastrocnemius muscle has been harvested and stored immediately at??80?°C until assessed for the levels of MDA and antioxidant enzymes activities. MDA level has statistically increased in I/R group (p?<?0.05) compared to other groups. The muscle tissue antioxidant enzymes activities were lower than the other groups in the I/R group (p?<?0.05). EA and HES treatments significantly reversed the damage level in I/R, also activity of tissue SOD increased in the EA?+?I/R and HES?+?I/R groups.     

20-hydroxyecdysone accumulation and regulation in Ajuga lobata D. Don suspension culture

Suspension culture of Ajuga lobata D. Don cells provides a method of synthesis of the phytoecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) which can regulate the molting process of larvae. We characterized the culture conditions to optimize 20E production. Growth of A. lobata D. Don cells fits the logistic equation curve with a growth cycle of 19 days. Medium conductivity was negatively correlated with dry cell weight and 20E accumulation, thus could be used to determine the optimal time for cell harvest. Continuous subculture reduced 20E synthesis, but supplementing medium with 20E precursors mevalonic (MVA), α-Pinene, and nitric oxide (NO) can significantly promote cell growth and influence 20E accumulation. Combination of α-Pinene, MVA, and SNP significantly elevated 20E accumulation, thus may synergistically enhance 20E synthesis in A. lobata D. Don. The optimal concentrations of α-Pinene, MVA, and NO donor SNP in suspension culture were 50 μL L^?1, 10 mg L^?1, and 80 μmol L^?1.     

The art of cobbling a running pump—Will human embryonic stem cells mend broken hearts?

The heart is one of the least regenerative organs in the body, and highly vulnerable to the increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases in an aging world population. Cell-based approaches aimed at cardiac repair have recently caused great public excitement. But clinical trials of patients’ own skeletal myoblasts or bone marrow cells for transplantation have been disappointing. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) form bona fide cardiomyocytes in vitro which are readily generated in mass culture and are being tested in animal models of heart damage. The early results, while encouraging, underscore that much remains to be done. This review focuses on the many challenges that remain before hESCs-mediated repair of the human heart becomes a reality.     

Marine incursions,cryptic species and ecological diversification in Amazonia: the biogeographic history of the croaker genus Plagioscion (Sciaenidae)

Aim We propose a phylogenetic hypothesis for the marine‐derived sciaenid genus Plagioscion in the context of geomorphology and adaptation to freshwaters of South America, and assess the extent to which contemporary freshwater hydrochemical gradients influence diversification within a widely distributed Plagioscion species, Plagioscion squamosissimus. Location Amazon Basin and South America. Methods Using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data, phylogenetic analyses were conducted on the five nominal Plagioscion species, together with representatives from Pachyurus and Pachypops, using character and model‐based methods. Genealogical relationships and population genetic structure of 152 P. squamosissimus specimens sampled from the five major rivers and three hydrochemical settings/‘colours’ (i.e. white, black and clear water) of the Amazon Basin were assessed. Results Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Plagioscion in South America and identify two putative cryptic species of Plagioscion. Divergence estimates suggest that the Plagioscion ancestor invaded South America via a northern route during the late Oligocene to early Miocene. Within P. squamosissimus a strong association of haplotype and water colour was observed, together with significant population structure detected between water colours. Main conclusions Our analyses of Plagioscion are consistent with a biogeographic scenario of early Miocene marine incursions into South America. Based on our phylogenetic results, the fossil record, geomorphological history and distributional data of extant Plagioscion species, we propose that marine incursions into western Venezuela between the late Oligocene and early Miocene were responsible for the adaptation to freshwaters in Plagioscion species. Following the termination of the marine incursions during the late Miocene and the establishment of the modern Amazon River, Plagioscion experienced a rapid diversification. Plagioscion squamosissimus arose during that time. The formation of the Amazon River probably facilitated population and range expansions for this species. Further, the large‐scale hydrochemical gradients within the Amazon Basin appear to be acting as ecological barriers maintaining population discontinuities in P. squamosissimus even in the face of gene flow. Our results highlight the importance of divergent natural selection through time in the generation and maintenance of sciaenid diversity in Amazonia.     

Why on Earth: Self-assembly of the first bacterial cell to abundantand diverse bacterial species

About 80% of the evolutionary history of life on Earth is restricted to microorganisms which have had several billion years to speciate. The reasons for the origin (self-assembly) of life on Earth, bacterial cell division and why there are so many different bacteria and their global dispersal are discussed from an evolutionary perspective.     

CELL SURFACE ALTERATIONS BY TAXOL ASSOCIATED WITH ABNORMAL MORPHOGENESIS IN THE CHICK EMBRYO

The anticancer drug taxol brings about its biological effects by altering the stability of microtubules. We have examined the effects of taxol on early morphogenesis in chick embryos culturedin vitro. Taxol induced various abnormalities in the developing nervous system, heart and somites as well as general retardation of development. SEM studies revealed that taxol treatment leads to dramatic alterations in the embryonic cell surfaces. Time-course experiments demonstrated that the action of taxol is very rapid and becomes evident within a few minutes at the ultrastructural level. Taxol thus throws embryonic cell adhesion and motility out of balance. This appears to be the major cause of abnormal morphogenesis in taxol-treated embryos.     

Differential response to hepatic differentiation stimuli of amniotic epithelial cells isolated from four regions of the amniotic membrane

Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells (hAEC) isolated from term placenta are a promising source for regenerative medicine. However, it has long been debated whether the hAEC population consists of heterogeneous or homogeneous cells. In a previous study, we investigated the characteristics of hAEC isolated from four different regions of the amniotic membrane finding significant heterogeneity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatic differentiation capability of hAEC isolated from these four regions. Human term placentae were collected after caesarean section and hAEC were isolated from four regions of the amniotic membrane (R1-R4, according to their relative distance from the umbilical cord) and treated in hepatic differentiation conditions for 14 days. hAEC-derived hepatocyte-like cells showed marked differences in the expression of hepatic markers: R4 showed higher levels of Albumin and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor (HNF) 4α whereas R1 expressed higher Cytochrome P450 enzymes, both at the gene and protein level. These preliminary results suggest that hAEC isolated from R1 and R4 of the amniotic membrane are more prone to hepatic differentiation. Therefore, the use of hAEC from a specific region of the amniotic membrane should be taken into consideration as it could have an impact on the outcome of therapeutic applications.