Cytoprotective effects of nicotinamide derivatives in endothelial cells

Following discovery of NAD(+)-dependent reactions that control gene expression, cytoprotection, and longevity, there has been a renewed therapeutic interest in precursors, such as nicotinamide and its derivatives. We tested 20 analogues of nicotinamide for their ability to protect endothelial cells from peroxynitrite stress and their effect on poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activity. Several nicotinamide derivatives protected endothelial cells from peroxynitrite-induced depletion of cellular NAD(+) and ATP concentrations, but only some of these compounds inhibited PARP. We conclude that some nicotinamide derivatives provide protection of endothelial cells against peroxynitrite-induced injury independent of inhibition of PARP activity. Preservation of the NAD(+) pool was a common effect of these compounds.     

Kinetic locking-on and auxiliary tactics for bioaffinity purification of NADP+-dependent dehydrogenases using N6-linked immobilized NADP+ derivatives: Studies with mammalian and microbial glutamate dehydrogenases

This study is concerned with the development and application of kinetic locking-on and auxiliary tactics for bioaffinity purification of NADP(+)-dependent dehydrogenases, specifically (1) the synthesis and characterization of highly substituted N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives using a rapid solid-phase modular approach; (2) the evaluation of the N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives for use with the kinetic locking-on strategy for bioaffinity purification of NADP(+)-dependent dehydrogenases: Model bioaffinity chromatographic studies with glutamate dehydrogenase from bovine liver (GDH with dual cofactor specificity, EC 1.4.1.3) and glutamate dehydrogenase from Candida utilis (GDH which is NADP(+)-specific, EC 1.4.1.4); (3) the selection of an effective "stripping ligand" for NADP(+)-dehydrogenase bioaffinity purifications using N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives in the locking-on mode; and (4) the application of the developed bioaffinity chromatographic system to the purification of C. utilis GDH from a crude cellular extract.Results confirm that the newly developed N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives are suitable for the one-step bioaffinity purification of NADP(+)-dependent GDH provided that they are used in the locking-on mode, steps are taken to inhibit alkaline phosphatase activity in crude cellular extracts, and 2',5'-ADP is used as the stripping ligand during chromatography. The general principles described here are supported by a specific sample enzyme purification; the purification of C. utilis GDH to electrophoretic homogeneity in a single bioaffinity chromatographic step (specific activity, 9.12 micromol/min/mg; purification factor, 83.7; yield 88%). The potential for development of analogous bioaffinity systems for other NADP(+)-dependent dehydrogenases is also discussed.     

Acylspermidine derivatives isolated from a soft coral,Sinularia sp,inhibit plant vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase

H(+)-pyrophosphatase (H(+)-PPase), which pumps H(+) across membranes coupled with PP(i) hydrolysis, is found in most plants, and some parasitic protists, eubacteria and archaebacteria. We assayed a number of extracts derived from 145 marine invertebrates as to their inhibitory effect on plant vacuolar H(+)-PPase. Acylspermidine derivatives [RCONH(CH(2))(3)N(CH(3))(CH(2))(4)N(CH(3))(2)] from a soft coral (Sinularia sp.) inhibited the PPi-hydrolysis activity of purified H(+)-PPase and the PP(i)-dependent H(+) pump activity (half inhibition concentration, 1 micro M) of vacuolar membranes of mung bean. The apparent K(i) was determined to be 0.9 micro M. Acylspermidines did not affect the activity of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase, plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, mitochondrial ATPase or cytosolic PPase. Acylspermidines inhibited the acidification of vacuoles in protoplasts, as found on monitoring by the acridine orange fluorescent method. These results indicate that acylspermidine derivatives represent new inhibitors of H(+)-PPase with relatively high specificity.     

Effect of accessible immobilized NAD(+) concentration on the bioaffinity chromatographic behavior of NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases using the kinetic locking-on strategy.

In preparation for studies aimed at establishing the relationship between immobilized NAD(+) concentration and the concentration of soluble locking-on ligand required to promote biospecific adsorption of NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases to immobilized NAD(+) derivatives (the "locking-on" strategy), two approaches were evaluated for varying substitution levels: (i) suitable dilution of the affinity matrix with unsubstituted Sepharose 4B and (ii) direct coupling of the required ligand concentration to the inert matrix. The latter approach was found to be the preferable strategy for evaluation of the locking-on tactic because it produced a more homogeneous distribution of immobilized NAD(+) concentration. Affinity chromatographic studies using S(6)-linked NAD(+) derivatives synthesized to various substitution levels showed that the total accessible immobilized NAD(+) concentration has a direct effect on the locking-on behavior of pyridine nucleotide-dependent dehydrogenases. The one-chromatographic-step bioaffinity purification of l-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) from bovine heart illustrates the potential of the locking-on strategy for protein purification applications.     

Synthesis of a highly substituted N(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivative using a rapid solid-phase modular approach: suitability for use with the kinetic locking-on tactic for bioaffinity purification of NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases

This study is concerned with further development of the kinetic locking-on strategy for bioaffinity purification of NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases. Specifically, the synthesis of highly substituted N(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivatives is described using a rapid solid-phase modular approach. Other modifications of the N(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivative include substitution of the hydrophobic diaminohexane spacer arm with polar spacer arms (9 and 19.5 A) in an attempt to minimize nonbiospecific interactions. Analysis of the N(6)-linked NAD(+) derivatives confirm (i) retention of cofactor activity upon immobilization (up to 97%); (ii) high total substitution levels and high percentage accessibility levels when compared to S(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivatives (also synthesized with polar spacer arms); (iii) short production times when compared to the preassembly approach to synthesis. Model locking-on bioaffinity chromatographic studies were carried out with bovine heart l-lactate dehydrogenase (l-LDH, EC 1.1.1.27), bakers yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH, EC 1.1.1.1) and Sporosarcinia sp. l-phenylalanine dehydrogenase (l-PheDH, EC 1.4.1.20), using oxalate, hydroxylamine, and d-phenylalanine, respectively, as locking-on ligands. Surprisingly, two of these test NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases (lactate and alcohol dehydrogenase) were found to have a greater affinity for the more lowly substituted S(6)-linked immobilized cofactor derivatives than for the new N(6)-linked derivatives. In contrast, the NAD(+)-dependent phenylalanine dehydrogenase showed no affinity for the S(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivative, but was locked-on strongly to the N(6)-linked immobilized derivative. That this locking-on is biospecific is confirmed by the observation that the enzyme failed to lock-on to an analogous N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivative in the presence of d-phenylalanine. This differential locking-on of NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases to N(6)-linked and S(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivatives cannot be explained in terms of final accessible substitutions levels, but suggests fundamental differences in affinity of the three test enzymes for NAD(+) immobilized via N(6)-linkage as compared to thiol-linkage.     

Bioaffinity purification of NADP(+)-dependent dehydrogenases: studies with alcohol dehydrogenase from Thermoanaerobacter brockii.

This study describes the development and application of a bioaffinity chromatographic system for the one-step purification of an NADP(+)-dependent secondary alcohol dehydrogenase from the obligate anaerobe, Thermoanaerobacter brockii (TBADH, EC 1.1.1.2). The general approach is based upon improving the selectivity of immobilized cofactor derivatives (general ligand approach to bioaffinity chromatography) through using soluble enzyme-specific substrate analogues in irrigants to promote biospecific adsorption (the kinetic locking-on tactic). Specifically, the following is described: Evaluation of 8'-azo-linked, C(8)-linked, N(1)-linked, and N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives for use with the kinetic locking-on strategy for bioaffinity purification of TBADH; evaluation of 2', 5'-ADP as a stripping ligand for TBADH bioaffinity purifications using an 8'-azo-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivative in the locking-on mode; and application of the developed bioaffinity chromatographic system to the purification of TBADH from a crude cellular extract. Surprizingly, of the four immobilized NADP(+) derivatives investigated, only the 8'-azo-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivative proved effective for TBADH affinity purification when used in conjunction with pyrazole (a competitive inhibitor of TBADH activity) as the locking-on ligand. This is in contrast to other NADP(+)-dependent dehydrogenases where the immobilized N(6)-linked cofactor proved to be suitable. While the one-step purification of TBADH to electrophoretic homogeneity is described in the present study (92% yield), results from the model chromatographic studies point to improvements that could be made to the immobilized cofactor derivative to improve its suitability for TBADH bioaffinity purification and to facilitate future large scale protein purification operations.     

Novel cyclohexene derivatives as anti-sepsis agents: synthetic studies and inhibition of NO and cytokine production

In order to develop an anti-sepsis agent, a series of cyclohexene derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities. Through modification of the sulfonamide spacer moiety depicted by formula II, it was found that the benzylsulfone derivative 10a had potent inhibitory activity against the production of NO. Further modifications of the phenyl ring, ester moiety, and benzyl position of benzylsulfone derivatives III were carried out. Among these compounds, (R)-(+)-10a and (6R, 1S)-(+)-22a showed strong inhibitory activity not only against NO production but also against inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro. Furthermore, (R)-(+)-10a and (6R, 1S)-(+)-22a protected mice from LPS-induced lethality in a dose-dependent manner.     

Affinity chromatography of nicotinamide–adenine dinucleotide-linked dehydrogenases on immobilized derivatives of the dinucleotide

1. Three established methods for immobilization of ligands through primary amino groups promoted little or no attachment of NAD(+) through the 6-amino group of the adenine residue. Two of these methods (coupling to CNBr-activated agarose and to carbodi-imide-activated carboxylated agarose derivatives) resulted instead in attachment predominantly through the ribosyl residues. Other immobilized derivatives were prepared by azolinkage of NAD(+) (probably through the 8 position of the adenine residue) to a number of different spacer-arm-agarose derivatives. 2. The effectiveness of these derivatives in the affinity chromatography of a variety of NAD-linked dehydrogenases was investigated, applying rigorous criteria to distinguish general or non-specific adsorption effects from truly NAD-specific affinity (bio-affinity). The ribosyl-attached NAD(+) derivatives displayed negligible bio-affinity for any of the NAD-linked dehydrogenases tested. The most effective azo-linked derivative displayed strong bio-affinity for glycer-aldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, weaker bio-affinity for lactate dehydrogenase and none at all for malate dehydrogenase, although these three enzymes have very similar affinities for soluble NAD(+). Alcohol dehydrogenase and xanthine dehydrogenase were subject to such strong non-specific interactions with the hydrocarbon spacer-arm assembly that any specific affinity was completely eclipsed. 3. It is concluded that, in practice, the general effectiveness of a general ligand may be considerably distorted and attenuated by the nature of the immobilization linkage. However, this attenuation can result in an increase in specific effectiveness, allowing dehydrogenases to be separated from one another in a manner unlikely to be feasible if the general effectiveness of the ligand remained intact. 4. The bio-affinity of the various derivatives for lactate dehydrogenase is correlated with the known structure of the NAD(+)-binding site of this enzyme. Problems associated with the use of immobilized derivatives for enzyme binding and mechanistic studies are briefly discussed.     

Segregation of Na(+)-channel gene expression during neuronal-glial branching of a rat PNS-derived stem cell line, RT4-AC.

RT4 is a family of cell lines isolated from an ethylnitrosourea-induced rat peripheral neurotumor. RT4-AC cells express both excitable membrane and glial cell properties. In a process called cell-type conversion, RT4-AC cells segregate these properties to generate three distinct derivative cell types which have been classified as either neuronal (RT4-E and RT4-B) or glial (RT4-D). In this report we demonstrate that: (1) upon cell-type conversion, Na(+)-channel mRNA expression segregates primarily with the RT4 neuronal derivatives, (2) the SkM2 Na(+)-channel gene, which was originally isolated from rat muscle cDNA libraries, is the predominant gene expressed by the RT4 neuronal derivatives, (3) the three rat brain Na(+)-channel genes I, II, and III and the muscle-derived SkM1 gene are not the principal Na(+)-channel genes involved in the segregation, although very low levels of message of these genes are detected, and (4) the RT4 glial derivative expresses slightly higher levels of message from rat brain genes I and II than the neuronal derivatives. Since the RT4 cell lines were derived from a peripheral neurotumor these results present the possibility that the SkM2 gene may be important in vivo in the rat peripheral nervous system.     

Determination of the transglycosidation activity of NAD+ glycohydrolases with 4-(2'-alkyl-sulfanyl-vinyl)-pyridine derivatives generating chromophoric NAD+ analogs

The base exchange of nicotinamide with pyridine derivatives 1a-5a, catalyzed by pig brain NAD(+) glycohydrolase and ADP-ribosyl cyclase from Aplysia californica, generated the corresponding NAD(+) analogs 1b-5b. These analogs exhibited a high absorbance band in the visible region. The transglycosidation rate was determined by monitoring the absorbance increase. Among the tested derivatives, (E)-4-[2-(methylsulfanyl)-vinyl]-pyridine 1a was the most suitable substrate for pig brain NAD(+) glycohydrolase while 4-[1,3]-dithiolan-2-ylidenemethyl-pyridine 3a was the most efficient for ADP-ribosyl cyclase from A. californica.     

Cis-Effects of Heterochromatin on Heterochromatic and Euchromatic Gene Activity in Drosophila Melanogaster

Chromosomal rearrangements that juxtapose heterochromatin and euchromatin can result in mosaic inactivation of heterochromatic and euchromatic genes. This phenomenon, position effect variegation (PEV), suggests that heterochromatic and euchromatic genes differ in their regulatory requirements. This report describes a novel method for mapping regions required for heterochromatic genes, and those that induce PEV of a euchromatic gene. P transposase mutagenesis was used to generate derivatives of a translocation that variegated for the light(+) (lt(+)) gene and carried the euchromatic white(+) (w(+)) gene on a transposon near the heterochromatin-euchromatin junction. Cytogenetic and genetic analyses of the derivatives showed that P mutagenesis resulted in deletions of several megabases of heterochromatin. Genetic and molecular studies showed that the derivatives shared a euchromatic breakpoint but differed in their heterochromatic breakpoint and their effects on seven heterochromatic genes and the w(+) gene. Heterochromatic genes differed in their response to deletions. The lt(+) gene was sensitive to the amount of heterochromatin at the breakpoint but the heterochromatic 40Fa gene was not. The severity of variegated w(+) phenotype did not depend on the amount of heterochromatin in cis, but varied with local heterochromatic environment. These data are relevant for considering mechanisms of PEV of both heterochromatic and euchromatic genes.     

Genetic and Environmental Factors Affecting the De Novo Appearance of the [Psi(+)] Prion in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

It has previously been shown that yeast prion [PSI(+)] is cured by GuHCl, although reports on reversibility of curing were contradictory. Here we show that GuHCl treatment of both [PSI(+)] and [psi(-)] yeast strains results in two classes of [psi(-)] derivatives: Pin(+), in which [PSI(+)] can be reinduced by Sup35p overproduction, and Pin(-), in which overexpression of the complete SUP35 gene does not lead to the [PSI(+)] appearance. However, in both Pin(+) and Pin(-) derivatives [PSI(+)] is reinduced by overproduction of a short Sup35p N-terminal fragment, thus, in principle, [PSI(+)] curing remains reversible in both cases. Neither suppression nor growth inhibition caused by SUP35 overexpression in Pin(+) [psi(-)] derivatives are observed in Pin(-) [psi(-)] derivatives. Genetic analyses show that the Pin(+) phenotype is determined by a non-Mendelian factor, which, unlike the [PSI(+)] prion, is independent of the Sup35p N-terminal domain. A Pin(-) [psi(-)] derivative was also generated by transient inactivation of the heat shock protein, Hsp104, while [PSI(+)] curing by Hsp104 overproduction resulted exclusively in Pin(+) [psi(-)] derivatives. We hypothesize that in addition to the [PSI(+)] prion-determining domain in the Sup35p N-terminus, there is another self-propagating conformational determinant in the C-proximal part of Sup35p and that this second prion is responsible for the Pin(+) phenotype.     

Enantiospecific syntheses of C(5)-functionalized precursors of artemisinin derivatives

Enantiomerically pure compounds as precursors for the synthesis of hydroxylated derivatives of artemisinin/arteether have been prepared from (+)-(S)-carvone and (+)-car-2-ene.     

Natural variation in linalool metabolites: One genetic locus,many functions?

The ubiquitous volatile linalool is metabolized in plants to nonvolatile derivatives. We studied Nicotiana attenuata plants which naturally vary in (S)-(+)-linalool contents, and lines engineered to produce either (R)-(-)- or (S)-(+)-linalool. Only (S)-(+)-linalool production was associated with slower growth of a generalist herbivore, and a large fraction was present as nonvolatile derivatives. We found that variation in volatile linalool and its nonvolatile glycosides mapped to the same genetic locus which harbored the biosynthetic gene, NaLIS, but that free linalool varied more in environmental responses. This study reveals how (S)-(+)-linalool and conjugates differ in their regulation and possible functions in resistance.     

Monoterpene-based chiral β-amino acid derivatives prepared from natural sources: syntheses and applications

Natural monoterpenes have proved to be good starting materials for the synthesis of β-amino acid derivatives. In the past decade, a number of well-known synthetic procedures have been applied for the preparation of monoterpene-based β-amino acid derivatives, e.g. from β-lactams via the 1,2-dipolar cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to commercial or readily available monoterpenes [e.g. (+)- and (−)-α- or δ-pinene, (+)-3- and 2-carene, (+)- and (−)-apopinene], the conjugate addition of amides to monoterpene-based α,β-unsaturated esters or the transformations of (−)-cis-pinonoic acid prepared by the oxidative cleavage of (+)- and (−)-verbenone. β-Amino acid derivatives are excellent building blocks for versatile transformations, e.g. multicomponent reactions resulting in β-lactams, syntheses of 1,3-heterocycles and diaminopyrimidine derivatives or the formation of peptides containing an H12 helix. 1,3-Amino alcohol derivatives prepared from β-amino esters have been applied as chiral catalysts in enantioselective transformations. Several of these compounds are of noteworthy pharmacological importance, such as tyrosine kinase Axl inhibitor diaminopyrimidine-coupled β-aminocarboxamides, MDR inhibitor thiourea derivatives of β-amino esters or 2-imino-1,3-oxazines, which exhibit marked growth inhibitory activity on multiple cancer cell lines. The present review summarizes recent developments relating to the syntheses, applications and pharmaceutical importance of monoterpene-based β-amino acids and their derivatives.     

Stereospecific synthesis of (+)-oxybiotin from D-xylose

A new 14-step synthesis of (+)-oxybiotin, an oxygen analogue of (+)-biotin, was achieved starting from D-xylose by use of selected 2,5-anhydro sugar derivatives as key intermediates.     

Antimalarial activities of (+)-deoxoartemisitene and its novel C-11, 13 derivatives

(+)-Deoxoartemisitene and its C-11, 13 derivatives were synthesized from artemisinic acid via a short and regiospecific process and several derivatives show 10-20 times more in vitro antimalarial activities against Plasmodium falciparum than artemisinin.     

Soluble carbohydrates of liverworts

Five soluble carbohydrates, (−)-l-bornesitol, (−)-d-mannitol, (+)-d-glucose, (+)-sucrose and (+)-trehalose, have been isolated as their acetyl derivatives from the liverwort, Mylia taylorii. The absolute configuration of these carbohydrates is the same as that of sugars found in vascular plants, although the liverwort sesquiterpenoids are usually enantiomeric relative to those of vascular plants. The soluble carbohydrates in seven other liverwort species have also been analysed by HPLC.     

二氧化硫代谢衍生物对大鼠海马CA1区神经元钠电流的影响

实验采用全细胞膜片钳技术 ,研究了SO2 代谢衍生物亚硫酸钠和亚硫酸氢钠 (两者分子比为 3∶1)对大鼠海马CA1区神经元钠电流的影响。结果表明 ,SO2 代谢衍生物可剂量依赖性地增大钠电流 ,剂量为 10和 10 0μmol/L时 ,钠电流分别增大 5 0 .5 9± 19.0 8%和 82 .0 6± 18.5 1%(n =15 ) ;此外还与电压呈依赖性关系 ,但不具有频率依赖性 ;10 μmol/LSO2 代谢衍生物不影响钠电流的激活过程 ,却非常显著地影响其失活过程 ,作用前后的半数失活电压分别为 - 6 9.71± 4.6 7和 - 5 3.2 7± 4.95mV (n =10 ,P <0 .0 1) ,但不改变失活曲线的斜率因子。实验结果提示 ,SO2 衍生物具有类似神经毒物的作用 ,大气SO2 污染可能与一些中枢神经系统疾病的发生有关。     

D-ring substituted rhazinilam analogues: semisynthesis and evaluation of antitubulin activity

Novel (-)- and (+)-rhazinilam derivatives substituted on the D-ring (compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6) have been prepared from (+)-vincadifformine 7 and (-)-tabersonine and evaluated against the disassembly of microtubules into tubulin. Along with this study, a reproducible 'one pot' semisynthesis of (-)-rhazinilam 1 from (+)-1,2-didehydroaspidospermidine 2 was performed allowing the easy preparation of these new compounds.