Calorimetric studies of the interaction between the insulin-enhancing drug candidate bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV) and human serum apo-transferrin

Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV), and its ethylmaltol analog, bis(ethylmaltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BEOV), are candidate insulin-enhancing agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus; in mid-2008, BEOV advanced to phase II clinical testing. The interactions of BMOV and its inorganic congener, vanadyl sulfate (VOSO₄), with human serum apo-transferrin (hTf) were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Addition of BMOV or VOSO₄ to apo-hTf resulted in an increase in thermal stability of both the C- and N-lobes of transferrin as a result of binding to either vanadyl compound. A series of DSC thermograms of hTf solutions containing different molar ratios of BMOV and VOSO₄ were used to determine binding constants; at 25 °C the binding constants of BMOV to the C- and N-lobes of apo-hTf were found to be 3 (±1) × 10⁵ and 1.8 (±0.7) × 10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. The corresponding values for VOSO₄ were 1.7 (±0.3) × 10⁵ and 7 (±2) × 10⁴ M⁻¹. The results show that the vanadium species initially presented as either BMOV or VOSO₄ had similar affinities for human serum transferrin due to oxidation of solvated vanadyl(IV) prior to complexation to transferrin. Binding of metavanadate () was confirmed by DSC and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments of the interaction between sodium metavanadate (NaVO₃) and hTf.     

Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV) Attenuates Apoptosis in High Glucose-Treated Cardiac Cells and Diabetic Rat Hearts by Regulating the Unfolded Protein Responses (UPRs)

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) and the subsequent cell deaths are essential steps in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a main cause of diabetics’ morbidity and mortalities. The bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV), a potent oral vanadium complex with anti-diabetic properties and insulin-mimicking effects, was shown to improve cardiac dysfunctions in diabetic models. Here, we examined the effects of BMOV on UPR pathway protein expression and apoptotic cell deaths in both high glucose-treated cardiac H9C2 cells and in the hearts of diabetic rats. We show that in both the high glucose-treated cardiac cells and in the hearts of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats, there was an overall activation of the UPR signaling, including both apoptotic (e.g., the cascades of PERK/EIf2α/ATF4/CHOP and of IRE1/caspase 12/caspase 3) and pro-survival (GRP78 and XBP1) signaling. A high amount of apoptotic cell deaths was also detected in both diabetic conditions. The administration of BMOV suppressed both the apoptotic and pro-survival UPR signaling and significantly attenuated apoptotic cell deaths in both conditions. The overall suppression of UPR signaling by BMOV suggests that the drug protects diabetic cardiomyopathy by counteracting reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Our findings lend support to promote the use of BMOV in the treatment of diabetic heart diseases.     

Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and alkaline phosphatase by bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (IV)

Vanadate has been recognized as a specific and potent phosphatase inhibitor since its structure is similar to that of phosphate. In this study, we measured the inhibition of glutathione S-transferase-tagged protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (GST-PTP1B) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by the insulin enhancing compounds, bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV). The results showed that the activity of GST-PTP1B was reversibly inhibited by solutions of BMOV with an IC₅₀ value of 0.86 ± 0.02 μM. Steady state kinetic studies showed that inhibition of GST-PTP1B by BMOV was of a mixed competitive and noncompetitive type. In addition, incubation of GST-PTP1B with BMOV showed a time-dependent biphasic inactivation of the protein. On the other hand, the inhibitory behavior of BMOV on ALP activity was reversible and competitive with an IC₅₀ value of 32.1 ± 0.6 μM. Incubation with BMOV did not show biphasic inactivation of ALP. The reversible inhibition of GST-PTP1B by BMOV is more potent than that of ALP, but solutions of BMOV inhibited both enzymes. This data support the suggestion that mechanisms for the inhibitory effects of BMOV on GST-PTP1B and ALP are very different.     

Effect of vanadium(IV) compounds in the treatment of diabetes: in vivo and in vitro studies with vanadyl sulfate and bis(maltolato)oxovandium(IV)

Vanadyl sulfate (VOSO(4)) was given orally to 16 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus for 6 weeks at a dose of 25, 50, or 100 mg vanadium (V) daily [Goldfine et al., Metabolism 49 (2000) 1-12]. Elemental V was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). There was no correlation of V in serum with clinical response, determined by reduction of mean fasting blood glucose or increased insulin sensitivity during euglycemic clamp. To investigate the effect of administering a coordinated V, plasma glucose levels were determined in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats treated with the salt (VOSO(4)) or the coordinated V compound bis(maltolato)oxovandium(IV) (abbreviated as VO(malto)(2)) administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. There was no relationship of blood V concentration with plasma glucose levels in the animals treated with VOSO(4), similar to our human diabetic patients. However, with VO(malto)(2) treatment, animals with low plasma glucose tended to have high blood V. To determine if V binding to serum proteins could diminish biologically active serum V, binding of both VOSO(4) and VO(malto)(2) to human serum albumin (HSA), human apoTransferrin (apoHTf) and pig immunoglobulin (IgG) was studied with EPR spectroscopy. Both VOSO(4) and VO(malto)(2) bound to HSA and apoHTf forming different V-protein complexes, while neither V compound bound to the IgG. VOSO(4) and VO(malto)(2) showed differences when levels of plasma glucose and blood V in diabetic rodents were compared, and in the formation of V-protein complexes with abundant serum proteins. These data suggest that binding of V compounds to ligands in blood, such as proteins, may affect the available pool of V for biological effects.     

In vivo effects of insulin and bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (IV) on PKB activity in the skeletal muscle and liver of diabetic rats

In this study, the in vivo effects of insulin and chronic treatment with bis(maltolato)oxovanadium (IV) (BMOV) on protein kinase B (PKB) activity were examined in the liver and skeletal muscle from two animal models of diabetes, the STZdiabetic Wistar rat and the fatty Zucker rat. Animals were treated with BMOV in the drinking water (0.75–1 mg/ml) for 3 (or 8) weeks and sacrificed with or without insulin injection. Insulin (5 U/kg, i.v.) increased PKB activity more than 10fold and PKB activity more than 3fold in both animal models. Despite the development of insulin resistance, insulininduced activation of PKB was not impaired in the STZdiabetic rats up to 9 weeks of diabetes, excluding a role for PKB in the development of insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes. Insulin-induced PKB activity was markedly reduced in the skeletal muscle of fatty Zucker rats as compared to lean littermates (fatty: 7fold vs. lean: 14fold). In contrast, a significant increase in insulinstimulated PKBa activity was observed in the liver of fatty Zucker rats (fatty: 15.7fold vs. lean: 7.6fold). Chronic treatment with BMOV normalized plasma glucose levels in STZdiabetic rats and decreased plasma insulin levels in fatty Zucker rats but did not have any effect on basal or insulininduced PKB and PKB activities. In conclusion (i) in STZdiabetic rats PKB activity was normal up to 9 weeks of diabetes; (ii) in fatty Zucker rats insulininduced activation of PKB (but not PKB) was markedly altered in both tissues; (iii) changes in PKB activity were tissue specific; (iv) the glucoregulatory effects of BMOV were independent of PKB activity.     

The vanadyl (VO2+) chelate bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) potentiates tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor

We have compared the insulin-like activity of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(acac)₂], bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(malto)₂], and bis(1-N-oxide-pyridine-2-thiolato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(OPT)₂] in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The insulin-like influence of VO(malto)₂ and VO(OPT)₂ was decreased compared with that of VO(acac)₂. Also, serum albumin enhanced the insulin-like activity of all three chelates more than serum transferrin. Each of the three VO²⁺ chelates increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in response to insulin, including the β-subunit of the insulin receptor (IRβ) and the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1). However, VO(acac)₂ exhibited the greatest synergism with insulin and was therefore further investigated. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 0.25 mM VO(acac)₂ in the presence of 0.25 mM serum albumin synergistically increased glycogen accumulation stimulated by 0.1 and 1 nM insulin, and increased the phosphorylation of IRβ, IRS1, protein kinase B, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β. Wortmannin suppressed all of these classical insulin-signaling activities exerted by VO(acac)₂ or insulin, except for tyrosine phosphorylation of IRβ and IRS1. Additionally, VO(acac)₂ enhanced insulin signaling and metabolic action in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cumulatively, these results provide evidence that VO(acac)₂ exerts its insulin-enhancing properties by directly potentiating the tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, resulting in the initiation of insulin metabolic signaling cascades in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

Insulin mimesis of vanadium derivatives. Oxidation of cysteine by V(V) oxo diperoxo complexes

Kinetics of the oxidation of cysteine to cystine by four V(V) oxo diperoxo complexes [VO(O2)2L] possessing insulin mimetic activity, where L = oxalate(oxa), picolinate (pic), bipyridil (bipy), phenanthroline(phen), were performed in water at 10 degrees C by the UV or stopped-flow technique. 51V NMR spectra indicate that oxa undergoes a total ligand dissociation differently from pic, bipy and phen which hold their ligands also in solution. The observed reactivity is deeply affected by the identity of the ligand. The process seems to require coordination of the cysteine to the metal, followed by oxidation within the coordination sphere. In this respect phen and bipy make the coordination of cysteine much easier than oxa and pic. It is suggested, also on the basis of some preliminary observations concerning the oxidation of C6H5CH2SH, that the oxidation process is triggered by an electron transfer step. The rate of this step would be higher for oxa and pic than for phen and bipy. The observation that the oxidative ability of these vanadium peroxo complexes is dependent upon the nature of the ligands might match the analogous finding that their insulin mimetic activity is also modulated by the ligand identities.     

Amelioration of insulin resistance in diabetic ob/ob mice by a new type of orally active insulin-mimetic vanadyl complex: bis(1-oxy-2-pyridinethiolato)oxovanadium(IV) with VO(S(2)O(2)) coordination mode.

Recently, we have shown that a newly synthesized vanadyl complex, bis(1-oxy-2-pyridinethiolato)oxovanadium(IV), VO(opt)(2), is a potent orally active insulin-mimetic in treating streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats, with long-term action. In the present study, the anti-diabetic effect of VO(opt)(2) and its mechanism in ob/ob mice, an obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) animal model, was investigated. In ob/ob mice, 15-day oral treatment with VO(opt)(2) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of glucose, insulin and triglyceride in blood. VO(opt)(2) was also effective in ameliorating impaired glucose tolerance in ob/ob mice, when an oral glucose tolerance test was performed after treatment with VO(opt)(2). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a key component of obesity-diabetes link, we therefore examined the attenuating effect of VO(opt)(2) on impaired insulin signal transduction induced by TNF-alpha. Elevated expression of TNF-alpha was observed in the epididymal and subcutaneous fat tissues of ob/ob mice. Incubation of 3T3-L1, mouse adipocytes, with TNF-alpha reduced the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), whereas VO(opt)(2) treatment resulted in an enhancement of IRS-1 phosphorylation, irrespective of the presence or absence of TNF-alpha. Overall, the present study demonstrates that VO(opt)(2) exerts an anti-diabetic effect in ob/ob mice by ameliorating impaired glucose tolerance, and furthermore, attenuates the TNF-alpha-induced decrease in IRS-1 phosphorylation in adipocytes. These results suggest that the anti-diabetic action of VO(opt)(2) is derived from an attenuation of a TNF-alpha induced impaired insulin signal transduction via inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase, providing a potential clinical utility for VO(opt)(2) in the treatment of NIDDM.     

Reduction of vanadium(V) to vanadium(IV) by NADPH, and vanadium(IV) to vanadium(III) by cysteine methyl ester in the presence of biologically relevant ligands

To better understand the mechanism of vanadium reduction in ascidians, we examined the reduction of vanadium(V) to vanadium(IV) by NADPH and the reduction of vanadium(IV) to vanadium(III) by L-cysteine methyl ester (CysME). UV-vis and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic studies indicated that in the presence of several biologically relevant ligands vanadium(V) and vanadium(IV) were reduced by NADPH and CysME, respectively. Specifically, NADPH directly reduced vanadium(V) to vanadium(IV) with the assistance of ligands that have a formation constant with vanadium(IV) of greater than 7. Also, glycylhistidine and glycylaspartic acid were found to assist the reduction of vanadium(IV) to vanadium(III) by CysME.     

P alpha-chiral phosphorothioate analogues of bis(5''-adenosyl)tetraphosphate (Ap4A); their enzymatic synthesis and degradation.

Synthesis of Sp and Rp diastereomers of Ap4A alpha S has been characterized in two enzymatic systems, the lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli and the Ap4A alpha, beta-phosphorylase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The synthetase was able to use both (Sp)ATP alpha S and (Rp)ATP alpha S as acceptors of adenylate thus yielding corresponding monothioanalogues of Ap4A,(Sp) Ap4A alpha S and (Rp)Ap4A alpha S. No dithiophosphate analogue was formed. Relative synthetase velocities of the formation of Ap4A,(Sp) Ap4A alpha S and (Rp)Ap4A alpha S were 1:0.38:0.15, and the computed Km values for (Sp)ATP alpha S and (Rp)ATP alpha S were 0.48 and 1.34 mM, respectively. The yeast Ap4A phosphorylase synthesized (Sp)Ap4A alpha S and (Rp)Ap4A alpha S using adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) as source of adenylate. The adenylate was accepted by corresponding thioanalogues of ATP. In that system, relative velocities of Ap4A, (Sp)Ap4A alpha S and (Rp)Ap4A alpha S formation were 1:0.15:0.60. The two isomeric phosphorothioate analogues of Ap4A were tested as substrates for the following specific Ap4A-degrading enzymes: (asymmetrical) Ap4A hydrolase (EC 3.6.1.17) from yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) seeds hydrolyzed each of the analogues to AMP and the corresponding isomer of ATP alpha S; (symmetrical) Ap4A hydrolase (EC 3.6.1.41) from E. coli produced ADP and the corresponding diastereomer of ADP alpha S; and Ap4A phosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.53) from S. cerevisiae cleaved the Rp isomer only at the unmodified end yielding ADP and (Rp)ATP alpha S whereas the Sp isomer was degraded non-specifically yielding a mixture of ADP, (Sp)ADP alpha S, ATP and (Sp)ATP alpha S. For all the Ap4A-degrading enzymes, the Rp isomer of Ap4A alpha S appeared to be a better substrate than its Sp counterpart; stereoselectivity of the three enzymes for the Ap4A alpha S diastereomers is 51, 6 and 2.5, respectively. Basic kinetic parameters of the degradation reactions are presented and structural requirements of the Ap4A-metabolizing enzymes with respect to the potential substrates modified at the Ap4A-P alpha are discussed.     

Two new scorpionates vanadium haloperoxidases model complexes: synthesis and structure of VO(O2)(pzH)(HB(pz)3) and VO(O2)(pzH)(B(pz)4) (pzH = pyrazole(C3H4N2))

Using vanadate, poly(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)borate and pyrazole as starting materials, two new neutral peroxovanadium(V) complexes with poly(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)borate, VO(O(2))(pzH)(HB(pz)(3))(1) and VO(O(2))(pzH)(B(pz)(4))(2), were synthesized successfully. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis and NMR spectra. And the structure of complex 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction, which is somewhat relevant for haloperoxidase enzymes. Cytotoxic effects also are discussed on 3T3 cell proliferation. In the concentration range (0.1-100mumol), both complexes have an inhibiting cellular proliferation effect. When the cells cultivated with the complexes at high dose, the toxicity effect of both complexes is more and more predominant.     

Reactivity studies of a pseudo three-coordinate vanadium(II) complex: Synthesis of terminal oxo and sulfido complexes of vanadium(IV) and S-S and Se-Se reductive bond cleavage reactions

Terminal oxo and sulfido complexes in the form of (nacnac)VE(Ntol₂) (nacnac = [ArNC(CH₃)]₂CH⁻, Ar = 2,6-(CHMe₂)₂C₆H₃, Ntol₂ = ⁻N(C₆H₄-4-Me), E = O (1), S (2)) were isolated from treatment of the masked three-coordinate vanadium(II) complex, (nacnac)V(Ntol₂), with C₅H₅NO and S₈, respectively. Both vanadium(IV) species, 1 and 2, have been characterized by room temperature X-band EPR spectroscopic studies, and in the case of complex 1, a single crystal molecular structure confirmed the presence of a terminal oxo moiety. Moreover, reaction of (nacnac)V(Ntol₂) with diphenyl-disulfide and diphenyl-diselenide results in the reductive cleavage of these compounds to produce the vanadium(III) complexes (nacnac)V(XPh)(Ntol₂) (X = S, (3), Se (4)). A molecular structure of the phenylsulfide complex, 3, confirmed formation of the d² complex resulting from reductive cleavage of the S-S bond.     

Transformation of vanadinite [Pb5(VO4)3Cl] by fungi

Saprotrophic fungi were investigated for their bioweathering effects on the vanadium‐ and lead‐containing insoluble apatite group mineral, vanadinite [Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl]. Despite the insolubility of vanadinite, fungi exerted both biochemical and biophysical effects on the mineral including etching, penetration and formation of new biominerals. Lead oxalate was precipitated by Aspergillus niger during bioleaching of natural and synthetic vanadinite. Some calcium oxalate monohydrate (whewellite) was formed with natural vanadinite because of the presence of associated ankerite [Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂]. Aspergillus niger also precipitated lead oxalate during growth in the presence of lead carbonate, vanadium(V) oxide and ammonium metavanadate, while abiotic tests confirmed the efficacy of oxalic acid in solubilizing vanadinite and precipitating lead as oxalate. Geochemical modelling confirmed the complexity of vanadium speciation, and the significant effect of oxalate. Oxalate–vanadium complexes markedly reduced the vanadinite stability field, with cationic lead(II) and lead oxalate also occurring. In all treatments and geochemical simulations, no other lead vanadate, or vanadium minerals were detected. This research highlights the importance of oxalate in vanadinite bioweathering and suggests a general fungal transformation of lead‐containing apatite group minerals (e.g. vanadinite, pyromorphite, mimetite) by this mechanism. The findings are also relevant to remedial treatments for lead/vanadium contamination, and novel approaches for vanadium recovery.     

Effect of Na(3)VO(4) on the P State of Nitella translucens

The capacity of sodium orthovanadate to inhibit the plasmalemma H⁺ ATPase of Nitella translucens internodal cells in vivo was tested. Here we show that 1 millimolar vanadate added externally depolarizes strongly and permanently the membrane potential, both in dark and light, to the Nernst potential for potassium consistent with pump inhibition by vanadate. From the results it is clear that the H⁺ ATPase is always active, under light or dark conditions, in contradiction with the widespread idea of pump inactivation by darkness. The changes in conductance for light, dark, and vanadate-induced conditions are analyzed. The effect of dark on membrane passive permeabilities and on the possibility that some plasmalemma channels could be regulated by a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation process is discussed.     

(2E)-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal--an active component of a new natural antimicrobial substance

A mixture of water-soluble oxidation products of Sardinops melanosticta sardine oil was found to contain (2E)-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. This was isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and reversed-phase HPLC. Its structure was elucidated by physicochemical methods. The activity of (2E)-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal against test cultures of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis was about 20% of the total antimicrobial activity of the preparation.     

Galpha(i2)-mRNA and -protein regulation as a mechanism for heterologous sensitization and desensitization of insulin secretion

Prolonged exposure of cells to an agonist of a G-protein-coupled receptor usually results in an attenuation of the cellular response. To elucidate the cellular mechanisms of sensitization or desensitization in an insulin secretory cell system (INS-1 cells), we investigated a regulatory link between G-protein alpha(s)- and alpha(i2)-subunits mRNA, their protein levels and insulin secretion as the biological effect using various compounds. Incubation with epinephrine (50 microM) for 8 h decreased alpha(s)- and alpha(i2)-mRNA levels to 58% and 72%, respectively, which is reversed after a longer incubation. From results using isoprenaline and the alpha2-agonist UK 14,304 epinephrine is shown to mediate its actions via alpha2- but not beta-adrenoceptors. The insulin inhibitory neuropeptide galanin (50 nM) caused a decrease of alpha(s)- and alpha(i2)-mRNA levels, whereas insulinotropic compounds (incretin hormones) such as GIP or GLP-1 (both 10 nM) led to an increase of alpha(s)- and alpha(i2)-mRNA levels. By using the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil (50 microM) alpha(i2)-mRNA changes clearly depend on Ca2+ influx. The effects on alpha(i2)-mRNA were accompanied by a parallel, albeit weaker effect on the protein level (only GIP and UK 14,304 were investigated). The changes in alpha(i2)-mRNA levels by either compound were paralleled by inverse changes in insulin secretion: preincubation with UK 14,304 for 8 h led to an increased insulin secretion when challenged by either GLP-1, GIP or glucose (8.3 mM). This was similar for galanin, another potent inhibitor of insulin release. On the other hand, exposure to the incretins GIP or GLP-1 for 8 h induced a smaller insulin release when challenged afterwards by either UK 14,304, galanin, GIP, GLP-1, or glucose. Thus the influence on insulin secretion of various compounds is reciprocal to the regulation of alpha(i2)-mRNA levels but not alpha(s)-mRNA levels. There is, therefore, evidence from all the manoeuvres used that alpha(i2)-mRNA regulation may play a role in heterologous sensitization and desensitization of insulin secretion.     

Interaction of copper(II) with hemoglobins in the unliganded conformation

The interaction of exogenous Cu(II) with stable T-state Ni(II)- and Cu(II)-reconstituted hemoglobins has been studied. The relative binding affinities for the two human hemoglobin Cu(II) binding sites are found to be reversed in these hemoglobins relative to native iron(II) hemoglobin A. Nickel hemoglobin, modified by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), iodoacetamide, and carboxypeptidase A, is used to establish that the observed differences can be attributed to the protein quaternary conformation and not to the metal substitution. Magnetic interactions between the Cu(II) responsible for oxidation and the metal-heme center suggest that the Cu(II) is closer to the heme in T-state hemoglobin than R-state hemoglobin. This finding suggests a pathway for T-state heme oxidation which does not require the beta-93 sulfhydryl group, consistent with rapid Cu(II) oxidation for NEM-reacted deoxyhemoglobin.     

Oxidation of D-galacturonic acid by vanadium(V)

The kinetics of the oxidation of D-galacturonic acid by vanadium(V) in acid solution have been studied. The reaction is of the first order with respect to both vanadium(V) and the organic substrate. Formic acid and oxovanadium(IV) are the final reaction products. The reaction rate is increased with increasing acidity, suggesting that variously protonated vanadium(V) species are active in the substrate oxidation.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of D-fructose by vanadium(V) in H2SO4 medium

The oxidative degradation of D-fructose by vanadium(V) in the presence of H(2)SO(4) has an induction period followed by autoacceleration. The kinetics and mechanism of the induction period have been studied at constant ionic strength. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the changes in absorbance at 350 nm. Evidence of induced polymerization of acrylonitrile and of reduction of mercuric chloride indicates that a free-radical mechanism operates during the course of reaction. Vanadium(V) is only reduced to vanadium(IV). The reaction is first and fractional order in [V(V)] and [D-fructose], respectively; but dependence on [H+] is complex, that is, [equation: see text]. At constant [H2SO4], sodium hydrogensulfate accelerates the reaction. The effect of added sodium sulfate on the H2SO4 and HSO4-catalyzed reaction is also reported. The activation parameters Ea=118 kJ mol(-1), DeltaH#=116 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS#=-301 J K(-1) mol(-1), and DeltaG#=213 kJ mol(-1) are calculated and discussed. Reaction products are also examined, and it is concluded that oxidation of D-fructose by vanadium(V) involves consecutive one-electron abstraction steps.     

Involvement of insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor and protein kinase Cdelta in bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV)-induced phosphorylation of protein kinase B in HepG2 cells

Vanadium(IV) oxo-bis(maltolato) (BMOV), an organovanadium compound, is a potent insulinomimetic agent and improves glucose homeostasis in various models of diabetes. We have shown previously that BMOV stimulates the phosphorylation of PKB which may contribute as one of the mechanisms for the insulinomimetic effect of this compound. However, the upstream mechanism of BMOV-induced PKB phosphorylation remains elusive. Therefore, in this study, we examine the upstream events leading to BMOV-induced PKB phosphorylation in HepG2 cells. Since BMOV is an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases and through enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation may activate various protein tyrosine kinases (PTK), we have investigated the potential role of different receptor or nonreceptor PTK in mediating BMOV-induced PKB phosphorylation. Among several pharmacological inhibitors that were tested, only AG1024, a selective inhibitor of IGF-1R-PTK, almost completely blocked BMOV-stimulated phosphorylation of PKB. In contrast, AG1295 and AG1478, specific inhibitors of PDGFR and EGFR, respectively, were unable to block the BMOV response. Moreover, efficient reduction of the level of IGF-1R protein expression by antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) attenuated BMOV-induced PKB phosphorylation. BMOV-induced PKB phosphorylation was associated with an increased level of tyrosine phosphorylation of the IRbeta subunit, IGF-1Rbeta subunit, IRS-1, and p85alpha subunit of PI3-kinase. However, this response was independent of IR-PTK activity because in cells overexpressing a PTK-inactive form of IR, insulin response was attenuated while the effect of BMOV remained intact. A role of PKC in BMOV-induced response was also tested. Pharmacological inhibition with chelerythrine, a nonselective PKC inhibitor, or rottlerin, a PKCdelta inhibitor, as well as chronic treatment with PMA attenuated BMOV-induced PKB phosphorylation. In contrast, GO6976 and RO31-8220 PKCalpha/beta selective inhibitors failed to alter the BMOV effect. Taken together, these data suggest that IGF-1R and PKCdelta are required to stimulate PKB phosphorylation in response to BMOV in HepG2 cells and provide new insights into the molecular mechanism by which this compound exerts its insulinomimetic effects.