Structure of 2-methyl-3-VIII-dihydrooctaprenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone from Halococcus morrhuae

Abstract The position of saturation of the dihydrogenated menaquinone-8 from Halococcus morrhuae has been investigated by mass spectrometry (MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (¹H-NMR). The results of the present study demonstrate that the terminal isoprene (8th from the ring) is saturated, and the quinone corresponds to 2-methyl-3-VIII-dihydrooctaprenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone.     

Synthesis of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinones with higher gamma-glutamyl carboxylase activity than MK-4 both in vitro and in vivo

Vitamin K is the collective term for compounds that share a 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone ring, but differ in the side-chain at the 3-position. We synthesized novel 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives with different side chain length at the 3-position. Derivatives with C-14 and C-16 tails showed the highest in vitro bioactivity resulting in 2.5 and 2-fold higher carboxylated osteocalcin synthesis in MG63 cells than menaquinone-4 (MK-4, form of vitamin K2). Longer side chain lengths resulted in lower bioactivity. The in vivo vitamin K activity of the C-14 tail derivative was further tested in WKY rats receiving a vitamin K-deficient diet that resulted in a 40% decrease of prothrombin activity. The C-14 tail derivative was able to counteract the effects on vitamin K deficiency induced by the diet and resulted in the complete restoration of prothrombin activity. Compared to naturally occurring forms of vitamin K, synthetic vitamin K derivatives may have higher bioactivity and different pharmacological characteristics that are more favorable for use as supplements or in clinical settings.     

2-Methylthio-1,4-naphthoquinone, a unique sulfur-containing quinone from a thermophilic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium, Hydrogenobacter thermophilus

A quinone was extracted and purified from the cells of an extremely thermophilic hydrogen bacterium, Hydrogenobacter thermophilus TK-6 (IAM 12695). Its chemical structure was determined as 2-methylthio-3-VI, VII-tetrahydromultiprenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone by elemental analysis, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy of the quinone and by gas-liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of the ozonolysis products of the quinone. It was shown that the other five strains of H. thermophilus have the same quinone system. We named the quinone with the 2-methylthio-1,4-naphthoquinone nucleus "methionaquinone." The abbreviation of MTK is recommended for this class of quinone.     

A New Natural Quinone, 2-Methyl-3-II,III,VIII-hexahydromultiprenyl9-1,4-naphthoquinone

A new aryl-peptidyl amidase has been isolated from a Lactobacillus casei homogenate. Its ribosomal localization was shown by fractionation and its general properties studied after purification on Sepharose 6B and DEAE-Sephacel. The enzyme requires 1 mM Mg²⁺ for stability, while Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ca²⁺ result in only partial stability. No inhibitory effects were noted after treatment with phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride or EDTA. Enzymatic activity was totally inhibited by 5mM p-hydroxymercuribenzoate; activity was restored by dithiothreitol. The only substrates hydrolyzed by this enzyme were the succinyl-L-phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide type, with a pH optimum between 6 and 7 and a Michaelis constant of 0.76 mM. No hydrolysis could be detected using proteins, peptides, amides or esterase substrates. This enzyme would thus not be an endopeptidase (E.C. 3.4.21), but would to rather be considered as belonging to the group of amidases (E.C. 3.5.1)     

The metabolism of menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) by isolated hepatocytes. A study of the implications of oxidative stress in intact cells

The cytotoxic effects of many quinones are thought to be mediated through their one-electron reduction to semiquinone radicals, which subsequently enter redox cycles with molecular oxygen to produce active oxygen species and oxidative stress. The two-electron reduction of quinones to diols, mediated by DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H: (quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase), may therefore represent a detoxifying pathway which protects the cell from the formation of these reactive intermediates. By using menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) and isolated hepatocytes, the relative contribution of the two pathways to quinone metabolism has been studied and a protective role for DT-diaphorase demonstrated. Moreover, in the presence of cytotoxic concentrations of menadione rapid changes in intracellular thiol and Ca2+ homeostasis were observed. These were associated with alterations in the surface structure of the hepatocytes which may be an early indication of cytotoxicity.     

A New Natural Quinone, 2-Methyl-3-II,III,VIII,IX-octahydromultiprenyl9-1,4-naphthoquinone Isolated from Streptomyces albus

Purification of the precipitates obtained from the juice oil of Citrus hassaku by chromatography afforded 7-geranyloxycoumarin (aurapten) and two compounds (mp 43~45°C and 122~124°C), whose structures were determined to be epoxyaurapten and marmin on the basis of spectral evidence. These compounds were isolated from Citrus hassaku for the first time. The spasmolytic activity was tested of aurapten, epoxyaurapten, marmin and their related compounds, which were synthesized from aurapten and marmin, on the small intestine removed from a male guinea pig. Epoxyaurapten exhibited the highest activity among them against the small intestine’s contraction induced by BaCl₂.     

Simultaneous measurement of nicotinamide and its catabolites,nicotinamide N-oxide,N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide,and N1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide,in mice urine

Nicotinamide N-oxide is a major nicotinamide catabolite in mice but not in humans and rats. A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous measurement of nicotinamide, nicotinamide N-oxide, N¹-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide, and N¹-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide in mice urine was developed by modifying the mobile phase of a reported method for measurement of nicotinamide N-oxide.     

No strict coupling of vitamin K1 (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone)-dependent carboxylation and vitamin K1 epoxidation in detergent-solubilized microsomal fractions from rat liver.

NAD(P)H dehydrogenase ('DT-diaphorase', EC 1.6.99.2) and vitamin K epoxidase were removed by affinity chromatography from detergent-solubilized microsomal fractions. Thereby the microsomal fractions normally carrying out vitamin K1-dependent carboxylation of the microsomal precursor proteins of the prothrombin complex were inactivated. Purified NAD(P)H dehydrogenase added to this system restored carboxylation in the presence of vitamin K1 (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) plus NADH. Vitamin K1 hydroquinone (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinol) had no effect, in contrast with its effect in the intact system, where it can substitute for vitamin K1 plus NADH. The ability of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase to restore carboxylation in a system without vitamin K epoxidase activity shows that there is no obligatory coupling of the vitamin K1-dependent carboxylation with vitamin K1 epoxidation. These results suggest that the form of vitamin K1 that is active in the carboxylation reaction can be produced independently in two reactions: by NAD(P)H dehydrogenase in the reduction of the quinone and by vitamin K epoxidase in the epoxidation of the hydroquinone.     

Synthesis,and anticonvulsant activity of new amides derived from 3-methyl- or 3-ethyl-3-methyl-2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetic acids

This paper describes the synthesis of the library of 22 new 3-methyl- and 3-ethyl-3-methyl-2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetamides as potential anticonvulsant agents. The maximal electroshock (MES) and the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) seizure models were used for screening all the compounds. The 6 Hz model of pharmacoresistant limbic seizures was applied for studying selected derivatives. Six amides were chosen for pharmacological characterization of their antinociceptive activity in the formalin model of tonic pain as well as local anesthetic activity was assessed in mice. The pharmacological data indicate on the broad spectra of activity across the preclinical seizure models. Compounds 10 (ED₅₀ = 32.08 mg/kg, MES test) and 9 (ED₅₀ = 40.34 mg/kg, scPTZ test) demonstrated the highest potency. These compounds displayed considerably better safety profiles than clinically relevant antiepileptic drugs phenytoin, ethosuximide, or valproic acid. Several molecules showed antinociceptive and local anesthetic properties. The in vitro radioligand binding studies demonstrated that the influence on the sodium and calcium channels may be one of the essential mechanisms of action.     

A specific prostaglandin I2 synthetase inhibitor, 3-hydroperoxy-3-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-indole.

Inhibitory effects of 3-hydroperoxy-3-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-indole(HPI) on prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase(EC 1.14.99.1) and prostaglandin I₂(PGI₂) synthetase were compared with those of 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid, namely, 15-hydroperoxyarachidonic acid(15-HPAA) and tranylcypromine (TCP). Sheep seminal vesicle microsomes were used as a source of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase and bovine aortic microsomes as that of PGI₂ synthetase. 15-HPAA and HPI inhibited PGI₂ synthetase with IC₅₀s of 5 × 10^?7 and 3.5 × 10^?6 M, respectively, whereas neither compound had effect on prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase at the concentration inhibiting PGI₂ synthetase by 90%. TCP was a weak(IC₅₀ = 5 × 10^?4M) PGI₂ synthetase inhibitor with low specificity.     

A new tetracycline-resistance determinant, class E, isolated from Enterobacteriaceae

A fifth tetracycline(Tc)-resistance determinant, designated class E, has been identified on a transferable plasmid found in a fecal strain of Escherichia coli. This determinant does not show homology by DNA-DNA hybridization at high stringency with any of four other Tc resistance determinants (classes A, B, C and D) previously described among the Enterobacteriaceae. Resistance is inducible by 1 μg Tc/ml and increases the minimum inhibitory concentration 130-fold for Tc and 3.5-fold for minocycline. The mechanism, like that of the other four determinants examined, appears to involve an active efflux of the drug. Using a ³²P-labeled cloned fragment containing the resistance determinant, we have found the determinant in Aeromonas, but not in any of over 200 other E. coli strains tested.     

A freshwater bacterial strain,Shewanella sp. Lzh-2, isolated from Lake Taihu and its two algicidal active substances,hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione and 2, 3-indolinedione

Cyanobacterial blooms have become a serious problem in Lake Taihu during the last 20 years, and Microcystis aeruginosa and Synechococcus sp. are the two dominant species in cyanobacterial blooms of Lake Taihu. A freshwater bacterial strain, Shewanella sp. Lzh-2, with strong algicidal properties against harmful cyanobacteria was isolated from Lake Taihu. Two substances with algicidal activity secreted extracellularly by Shewanella sp. Lzh-2, S-2A and S-2B, were purified from the bacterial culture of strain Lzh-2 using ethyl acetate extraction, column chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in turn. The substances S-2A and S-2B were identified as hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione and 2, 3-indolinedione (isatin), respectively, based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) analyses, making this the first report of their algicidal activity toward cyanobacteria. S-2A (hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione) had no algicidal effects against Synechococcus sp. BN60, but had a high level of algicidal activity against M. aeruginosa 9110. The LD50 value of S-2A against M. aeruginosa 9110 was 5.7 μg/ml. S-2B (2, 3-indolinedione) showed a potent algicidal effect against both M. aeruginosa 9110 and Synechococcus sp. BN60, and the LD50 value of S-2B against M. aeruginosa 9110 and Synechococcus sp. BN60 was 12.5 and 34.2 μg/ml, respectively. Obvious morphological changes in M. aeruginosa 9110 and Synechococcus sp. BN60 were observed after they were exposed to S-2A (or S-2B) for 24 h. Approximately, the algicidal activity, the concentration of S-2A and S-2B, and the cell density of Lzh-2 were positively related to each other during the cocultivation process. Overall, these findings increase our knowledge about algicidal substances secreted by algicidal bacteria and indicate that strain Lzh-2 and its two algicidal substances have the potential for use as a bio-agent in controlling cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Taihu.     

Effect of Tenuifoliside A isolated from Polygala tenuifolia on the ERK and PI3K pathways in C6 glioma cells

Tenuifoliside A (TFSA) is a bioactive oligosaccharide ester component of Polygala tenuifolia Wild, a traditional Chinese medicine which was used to manage mental disorders effectively. The neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of TFSA have been demonstrated in our previous studies. The present work was designed to study the molecular mechanism of TFSA on promoting the viability of rat glioma cells C6. We exposed C6 cells to TFSA (or combined with ERK, PI3K and TrkB inhibitors) to examine the effects of TFSA on the cell viability and the expression and phosphorylation of key proteins in the ERK and PI3K signaling pathway. TFSA increased levels of phospho-ERK and phospho-Akt, enhanced release of BDNF, which were blocked by ERK and PI3K inhibitors, respectively (U0126 and LY294002). Moreover, the TFSA caused the enhanced phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) at Ser133 site, the effect was revoked by U0126, LY294002 and K252a. Furthermore, when C6 cells were pretreated with K252a, a TrkB antagonist, known to significantly inhibit the activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), blocked the levels of phospho-ERK, phospho-Akt and phosphor-CREB. Taking these results together, we suggested the neuroprotection of TFSA might be mediated through BDNF/TrkB-ERK/PI3K-CREB signaling pathway in C6 glioma cells.     

A novel Bacillus thuringiensis strain LLB6, isolated from bryophytes, and its new cry2Ac-type gene

AIMS: To isolate and characterize the novel Bacillus thuringiensis strains from bryophytes collected from Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province of China, and identify new B. thuringiensis strains and toxins active against mosquitoes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve novel B. thuringiensis strains were isolated from 76 bryophyte samples. According to the results of this preliminary screening, LLB6 was the most toxic to Aedes albopictus. Then phase-contrast as well as scanning electron microscopy, bioassays, cloning, sequencing and expression were performed to characterize the novel isolate LLB6 and its new gene cry2Ac5. CONCLUSIONS: Bacillus thuringiensis occurred naturally on bryophytes. LLB6 isolated from Physcomitrium japonicum was toxic to A. albopictus. A new cry2Ac5 gene of LLB6 was detected, cloned and expressed successfully. Bioassays on A. albopictus showed that the expressed Cry2Ac5 was also toxic to the third instar larvae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of B. thuringiensis strains isolated from bryophytes. It represents a specific source of new B. thuringiensis strains and is of great importance for the knowledge of the ecology of B. thuringiensis. Novel LLB6 harboring the new gene cry2Ac5 and its expressed Cry2Ac5 protein revealed activity against A. albopictus and became a new member of B. thuringiensis toxins.     

Structure of a new nonasaccharide isolated from human milk: VI2Fuc,V4Fuc,III3Fuc-p-lacto-N-hexaose

The structure of a new nonasaccharide isolated from human milk has been investigated. By using methylation analysis, FAB-MS and¹H-and¹³C-NMR spectroscopy as basic methods of structural investigation, this oligosaccharide was identified as VI²--Fuc,V⁴-Fuc,III³--Fuc-p-lacto-n-hexaose: Fuc1-2Gal1-3[Fuc1-4]GlcNAc1-3Gal1-4[Fuc1-3]GlcNAc1-3Gal1-4Glc.Abbreviations COSY correlation spectroscope - DP degree of polymerisation - FAB-MS fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - GLC gas-liquid chromatography     

A new dipeptide,O-phosphoserylethanolamine isolated from Agkistroden blomhoffi (mamushi)

A new dipeptide was isolated from several tissues of Agkistroden blomhoffi (mamushi: a venomous snake in Japan), using ion-exchange resins and thin-layer chromatography. It was identified as O-phosphoserylethanolamine by mass spectrometry and comparison with synthetic compounds using several methods. This compound was contained in several mamushi tissues including the liver, heart, brain, bile, and muscle. The concentrations of O-phosphoserylethanolamine in the liver, brain, muscle, skin, heart, and bile were 7.17+/-3.11,16.98+/-4.25,37.37+/-7.88,37.56+/-8.97,23.93+/-6.11, and 22.21+/-5.76 micromol/g, respectively.     

15-hydroxyblennin A,a new lactarane-type sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Lactarius torminosus

15-Hydroxyblennin A, a new lactarane-type sesquiterpene lactone was isolated from Lactarius torminosus mushrooms. Through spectroscopic (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, UV) investigation and comparison with data for other known lactaranolides its structure was deduced as 3.     

A new strain of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus isolated from Xinjiang,China

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a highly pathogenic tick-borne virus with a fatality rate of up to 50% in humans. CCHFV is widely distributed in countries around the world. Outbreaks of CCHFV infection in humans have occurred in prior years in Xinjiang Province, China. Epidemiological surveys have detected CCHFV RNA in ticks and animals; however, few isolates were identified. In this study, we identified and isolated a new CCHFV strain from Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum ticks collected from north of Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, China. A preliminary investigation of infection and antigens expression of CCHFV was performed in newborn mice. The target tissues for CCHFV replication in newborn mice were identified. The analysis of the phylogenetic relationships with other Chinese strains suggested that diverse genotypes of CCHFV have circulated in Xinjiang for years. These findings provide important insights into our understanding of CCHFV infection and evolution as well as disease prevention and control for local residents.

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