Antimalarial effect of bis-pyridinium salts, N,N'-hexamethylenebis(4-carbamoyl-1-alkylpyridinium bromide)

The in vitro antimalarial activity of bis-pyridinium salts, N,N'-hexamethylenebis(4-carbamoyl-1-decylpyridinium bromide) and their derivatives, against the Plasmodium falciparum FCR-3 strain (ATCC 30932, chloroquine-sensitive) was evaluated. All test compounds exhibited antimalarial activity over a concentration range of 3.5microM to 10nM. The chain length of the N1-alkyl moiety was found to be very beneficial in terms of antimalarial activity, and in this series of compounds, the most appropriate N1-alkyl chain length was found to be eight.     

Synthesis and antimalarial activity of new 1,12-bis(N,N'-acetamidinyl)dodecane derivatives

Amidoxime and O-substituted derivatives of the bis-alkylamidine 1,12-bis(N,N'-acetamidinyl)dodecane were synthesized and evaluated as in vitro and in vivo antimalarial prodrugs. The bis-O-methylsulfonylamidoxime 8 and the bis-oxadiazolone 9 derivatives show relatively potent antimalarial activity after oral administration.     

Loss of N2O reductase activity as an explanation for poor growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on N2O

N2O uptake activity of cells and N2O reductase activity of the soluble fraction from denitrifying bacteria were assayed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains PAO1 and P1 lost most of their N2O uptake activity and the ability to grow well on N2O within 2 to 5 h after exposure to N2O. Extensive loss of N2O reductase activity accompanied the nearly complete loss of N2O uptake activity under N2O. Paracoccus denitrificans retained much, but not all, of both activities and the ability to grow vigorously on N2O. The pattern with P. aeruginosa strain P2 resembled that for PAO1 and P1 except that loss of the activities proceeded at a slower rate and growth could continue for up to 12 h after exposure to N2O. The inability of a number of P. aeruginosa strains to grow well on N2O is therefore a direct consequence of the nearly complete loss of N2O reductase activity. Turnover-dependent inactivation of N2O reductase and its reactivation under reducing conditions occurred in vitro for the enzyme from P. aeruginosa and Paracoccus denitrificans. These events may be significant in determining the activity level of N2O reductase in denitrifying bacteria during N2O respiration.     

Loss of N2O reductase activity as an explanation for poor growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on N2O.

N2O uptake activity of cells and N2O reductase activity of the soluble fraction from denitrifying bacteria were assayed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains PAO1 and P1 lost most of their N2O uptake activity and the ability to grow well on N2O within 2 to 5 h after exposure to N2O. Extensive loss of N2O reductase activity accompanied the nearly complete loss of N2O uptake activity under N2O. Paracoccus denitrificans retained much, but not all, of both activities and the ability to grow vigorously on N2O. The pattern with P. aeruginosa strain P2 resembled that for PAO1 and P1 except that loss of the activities proceeded at a slower rate and growth could continue for up to 12 h after exposure to N2O. The inability of a number of P. aeruginosa strains to grow well on N2O is therefore a direct consequence of the nearly complete loss of N2O reductase activity. Turnover-dependent inactivation of N2O reductase and its reactivation under reducing conditions occurred in vitro for the enzyme from P. aeruginosa and Paracoccus denitrificans. These events may be significant in determining the activity level of N2O reductase in denitrifying bacteria during N2O respiration.     

2-N-Methyl modifications and SAR studies of manzamine A

Quaternary carbolinium salts have been reported to show improved antimalarial activity and reduced cytotoxicity as compared to electronically neutral beta-carbolines. In this study, mono- and di-methylated quaternary carbolinium cations of manzamine A were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial and antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity, and also their potential for glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3beta) inhibition using molecular docking studies. Among the analogs, 2-N-methylmanzamine A (2) exhibited antimalarial activity (IC(50) 0.7-1.0microM) but was less potent than manzamine A. However the compound was significantly less cytotoxic to mammalian kidney fibroblasts and the selectivity index was in the same range as manzamine A.     

Synthesis, antimalarial, antileishmanial, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, and methemoglobin (MetHB) formation activities of new 8-quinolinamines

We report the synthesis, in vitro antiprotozoal (against Plasmodium and Leishmania), antimicrobial, cytotoxicity (Vero and MetHb-producing properties), and in vivo antimalarial activities of two series of 8-quinolinamines. N1-{4-[2-(tert-Butyl)-6-methoxy-8-quinolylamino]pentyl}-(2S/2R)-2-aminosubstitutedamides (21-33) and N1-[4-(4-ethyl-6-methoxy-5-pentyloxy-8-quinolylamino)pentyl]-(2S/2R)-2-aminosubstitutedamides (51-63) were synthesized in six steps from 6-methoxy-8-nitroquinoline and 4-methoxy-2-nitro-5-pentyloxyaniline, respectively. Several analogs displayed promising antimalarial activity in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum D6 (chloroquine-sensitive) and W2 (chloroquine-resistant) clones with high selectivity indices versus mammalian cells. The most promising analogs (21-24) also displayed potent antimalarial activity in vivo in a Plasmodium berghei-infected mouse model. Most interestingly, many analogs exhibited promising in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani promastigotes, and antimicrobial activities against a panel of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Several analogs, notably 21-24, 26-32, and 60, showed less MetHb formation compared to primaquine indicating the potential of these compounds in 8-quinolinamine-based antimalarial drug development.     

Human monoclonal antibodies to pandemic 1957 H2N2 and pandemic 1968 H3N2 influenza viruses

Investigation of the human antibody response to the 1957 pandemic H2N2 influenza A virus has been largely limited to serologic studies. We generated five influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA)-reactive human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) by hybridoma technology from the peripheral blood of healthy donors who were born between 1950 and 1968. Two MAbs reacted with the pandemic H2N2 virus, two recognized the pandemic H3N2 virus, and remarkably, one reacted with both the pandemic H2N2 and H3N2 viruses. Each of these five naturally occurring MAbs displayed hemagglutination inhibition activity, suggesting specificity for the globular head domain of influenza virus HA. When incubated with virus, MAbs 8F8, 8M2, and 2G1 each elicited H2N2 escape mutations immediately adjacent to the receptor-binding domain on the HA globular head in embryonated chicken eggs. All H2N2-specific MAbs were able to inhibit a 2006 swine H2N3 influenza virus. MAbs 8M2 and 2G1 shared the V(H)1-69 germ line gene, but these antibodies were otherwise not genetically related. Each antibody was able to protect mice in a lethal H2N2 virus challenge. Thus, even 43 years after circulation of H2N2 viruses, these subjects possessed peripheral blood B cells encoding potent inhibiting antibodies specific for a conserved region on the globular head of the pandemic H2 HA.     

Influence of nutrient solution pH on N2O and N2 emissions from a soilless culture system

The influence of nutrient solution pH on the emission of N2O and N2 was investigated during cultivation of cucumbers in a closed-loop rockwool system. Between pH 4 and 7 these gaseous nitrogen losses increased from 1.6 to 21.1% of the N fertilizer input. This was equivalent to average flux rates of 0.06 and 0.85 kg nitrogen per hectare greenhouse area and day, respectively. The N2O/N2 ratio was inversely related to the total gaseous nitrogen losses. At neutral pH dinitrogen was the main emission product, whereas more acidic conditions favoured the emission of nitrous oxide. The pH effects were probably not indirectly affected by root respiration or exudation as much as by a direct inhibition of the activity of denitrifying microorganisms due to high H+ concentrations since similar results were obtained in unplanted nutrient solution systems with the addition of glucose as carbon source. Despite the low microbial denitrification activity under acidic conditions, nitrogen balance deficits of up to one-fifth of the N input still occurred. It is suggested these losses were predominantly caused by chemodenitrification.     

Solid support synthesis of 6-aryl-2-substituted pyrimidin-4-yl phenols as anti-infective agents

A library of 30 trisubstituted pyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial and antitubercular activity. Out of the 30 compounds synthesized, 23 compounds have shown in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum in the range of 0.25-2 microg/mL and 16 compounds have shown antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra, at a concentration of 25 microg/mL.     

8-Quinolinamines conjugated with amino acids are exhibiting potent blood-schizontocidal antimalarial activities

Alanine, lysine, ornithine and valine conjugated to primaquine and other 8-quinolinamine antimalarials were prepared for blood-schizontocidal antimalarial activity evaluation. The analogues were examined in vivo against Plasmodium berghei (drug-sensitive strain) and Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis (highly virulent multi-drug-resistant strain) infected mice models. N(1)-[4-(5-Butoxy-4-ethyl-6-methoxy-8-quinolylamino)pentyl]-(2S)-2,6-diaminohexanamide (20) which showed curative activity at 5mg/kg in the P. berghei test emerged as the most effective compound. N(1)-[4-(4-Ethyl-5-hexoxy-6-methoxy-8-quinolylamino)pentyl]-(2S)-2,6-diaminohexanamide (22) exhibited curative activity at 50mg/kg against P. yoelii nigeriensis in mice and emerged as the most potent analogue against multi-drug resistant strain. The results of this study represent development of highly potent 8-quinolinamines for antimalarial drug development.     

Effects of elevated CO2 and N addition on growth and N2 fixation of a legume subshrub (Caragana microphylla Lam.) in temperate grassland in China

It is well demonstrated that the responses of plants to elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentration are species-specific and dependent on environmental conditions. We investigated the responses of a subshrub legume species, Caragana microphylla Lam., to elevated CO(2) and nitrogen (N) addition using open-top chambers in a semiarid temperate grassland in northern China for three years. Measured variables include leaf photosynthetic rate, shoot biomass, root biomass, symbiotic nitrogenase activity, and leaf N content. Symbiotic nitrogenase activity was determined by the C(2)H(2) reduction method. Elevated CO(2) enhanced photosynthesis and shoot biomass by 83% and 25%, respectively, and the enhancement of shoot biomass was significant only at a high N concentration. In addition, the photosynthetic capacity of C. microphylla did not show down-regulation under elevated CO(2). Elevated CO(2) had no significant effect on root biomass, symbiotic nitrogenase activity and leaf N content. Under elevated CO(2), N addition stimulated photosynthesis and shoot biomass. By contrast, N addition strongly inhibited symbiotic nitrogenase activity and slightly increased leaf N content of C. microphylla under both CO(2) levels, and had no significant effect on root biomass. The effect of elevated CO(2) and N addition on C. microphylla did not show interannual variation, except for the effect of N addition on leaf N content. These results indicate that shoot growth of C. microphylla is more sensitive to elevated CO(2) than is root growth. The stimulation of shoot growth of C. microphylla under elevated CO(2) or N addition is not associated with changes in N(2)-fixation. Additionally, elevated CO(2) and N addition interacted to affect shoot growth of C. microphylla with a stimulatory effect occurring only under combination of these two factors.     

Production of NO, N2O and N2 by extracted soil bacteria, regulation by NO2(-) and O2 concentrations.

The oxygen control of denitrification and its emission of NO/N2O/N2 was investigated by incubation of Nycodenz-extracted soil bacteria in an incubation robot which monitors O2, NO, N2O and N2 concentrations (in He+O2 atmosphere). Two consecutive incubations were undertaken to determine (1) the regulation of denitrification by O2 and NO2(-) during respiratory O2 depletion and (2) the effects of re-exposure to O2 of cultures with fully expressed denitrification proteome. Early denitrification was only detected (as NO and N2O) at 相似文献   

Isolation and characterization of the TRM1 locus, a gene essential for the N2,N2-dimethylguanosine modification of both mitochondrial and cytoplasmic tRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The trm1 mutation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a single nuclear mutation that affects a specific base modification of both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNA. Transfer RNA isolated from trm1 cells lacks the modified base N2,N2-dimethylguanosine, and extracts from these cells do not have detectable N2,N2-dimethylguanosine-specific tRNA methyltransferase activity. As part of our efforts to determine how this mutation affects enzyme activities in two different cellular compartments we have isolated the TRM1 locus by genetic complementation. The TRM1 locus restores the N2,N2-dimethylguanosine modification to both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNA in trm1 cells. An open reading frame in this TRM1 gene is essential for complementation of the trm1 phenotype. Expression of this open reading frame in Escherichia coli converts the organism from one that neither makes N2,N2-dimethylguanosine nor has N2,N2-dimethylguanosine-specific tRNA methyltransferase activity into one that does. This result suggests that the TRM1 locus is the structural gene for the tRNA modification enzyme and that both nuclear/cytoplasmic and mitochondrial forms of the methyltransferase are produced from the same gene.     

Benzoxaborole antimalarial agents. Part 2: Discovery of fluoro-substituted 7-(2-carboxyethyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2,1-benzoxaboroles

A series of new boron-containing benzoxaborole compounds was designed and synthesized for a continuing structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigation to assess the antimalarial activity changes derived from side-chain structural variation, substituent modification on the benzene ring and removal of boron from five-membered oxaborole ring. This SAR study demonstrated that boron is required for the antimalarial activity, and discovered that three fluoro-substituted 7-(2-carboxyethyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2,1-benzoxaboroles (9, 14 and 20) have excellent potencies (IC(50) 0.026-0.209 μM) against Plasmodium falciparum.     

Review article. Symbiotic N2 fixation response to drought

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is highly sensitive to drought, which results in decreased N accumulation and yield of legume crops. The effects of drought stress on N2 fixation usually have been perceived as a consequence of straightforward physiological responses acting on nitrogenase activity and involving exclusively one of three mechanisms: carbon shortage, oxygen limitation, or feedback regulation by nitrogen accumulation. The sensitivity of the nodule water economy to the volumetric flow rate of the phloem into the nodule offers a common framework to understand each of these mechanism. As these processes are sensitive to volumetric phloem flow into the nodules, variations in phloem flow as a result of changes in turgor pressure in the leaves are likely to cause rapid changes in nodule activity. This could explain the special sensitivity of N2 fixation to drying soils. It seems likely that N feedback may be especially important in explaining the response mechanism in nodules. A number of studies have indicated that a nitrogenous signal(s), associated with N accumulation in the shoot and nodule, exists in legume plants so that N2 fixation is inhibited early in soil drying. The existence of genetic variation in N2 fixation response to water deficits among legume cultivars opens the possibility for enhancing N2 fixation tolerance to drought through selection and breeding.     

Evidence for N feedback regulation of N2 fixation in Alnus glutinosa L.

Treatments were applied to vary C and N availability in Alnusglutinosa L. and plant growth, nodule activity (including acetylenereduction) and amino acid composition of the xylem sap weremeasured. Removing the buds, a sink for N, caused a decreasein nodule activity. Flushing root systems daily with 100% O₂destroyed nitrogenase activity and substantially decreased theamount of citrulline in the xylem sap. The amino acid compositionof xylem saps also altered according to the mode of N nutrition.In plants fed , xylem sap composition was similar to N₂-fixing plants, however, when plants were fed, citrulline content increased. The assimilation and subsequent distribution of nitrate wasfollowed in an experiment in which labelled ¹⁵ was added to the base of plant pots. After 12 h7% of root N was from applied ¹⁵ and this increased to 75% at 7 d; substantial enrichment ofN from ¹⁵ also occurred in stems, buds and leaves. After 7 d, 3.5% of nodule N was from¹⁵, consistent with some N being supplied by recycling of shoot N. Xylem saps were alsocollected and after 12 h, glutamate and aspartate were enrichedwith ¹⁵N to 53% and 37% increasing after 7 d to 80% and 49%,respectively. Citrulline content of the xylem sap increasedfrom 3 to 9 µmol cm^–3 following addition of ¹⁵ and at 7 d 80% of the N in the citrullinehad been derived from ¹⁵N. It is hypothesized that the growthand activity of A. glutinosa root nodules is sensitive to theN status of the plant and that the level of citrulline (or otheramino acids) returning to the nodules may feed back to regulatenodule growth and activity. Key words: Alnus glutinosa, citrulline, nitrate, feedback mechanism, N₂-fixation.