Bacteriocin activity and probiotic activity of Aeromonas media

Three strains of Aeromonas media (161, A164 and A199) were shown to be active in-vitro producers of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS). For example, the producer strain, Aer. media A199, displayed antagonistic activity against all strains tested of Aer. caviae, Aer. hydrophila, Aer. salmonicida, Aer. veronii var. sobria, Listonella anguillarum, Photobacterium damsella, eight species of Vibrio and Yersinia ruckeri. Because of this wide-ranging activity against fish/shellfish pathogens, A199 was chosen for the probiotic work. By contrast, however, the BLIS produced by A199 did not inhibit the growth of Enterococcus seriolicida. The aim of the project was to ascertain whether or not the activity observed in vitro could be repeated in vivo. The ability of BLIS-producing strain A199 to act as a probiotic was assessed on the host animal, Crassostrea gigas, by testing whether or not strain A199 could prevent death of the oyster larvae when challenged with V. tubiashit. Whereas larvae, challenged with the Vibrio, died within 5 days, the presence of both the pathogen and the probiotic strain, together, did not affect the viability of the larvae over the same time period; the viability of larvae challenged with A199 alone was also unaffected when compared with the viability of unchallenged larvae (controls). These findings have important, economic implications for those engaged in the oyster producing industry where heavy losses can be experienced as a result of an infectious outbreak. At this stage, the association between BLIS activity and probiotic activity is circumstantial and, hence, future work will involve the use of non-BLIS-producing strains of Aer. media and BLIS-negative variants of the producer. Moreover, extension of the project will involve the use of other BLIS-producing strains (A161, and A164), hosts (salmon, crayfish, scallops and abalone) and pathogens.     

Synthesis and neuroprotective activity of bergenin derivatives with antioxidant activity

Norbergenin, which is the O-demethyl derivative of bergenin, the main component of Mallotus japonicus, has been found to show moderate antioxidant activity (IC(50) 13 microM in DPPH radical scavenging; 32 microM in superoxide anion scavenging). Modification of sugar part on norbergenin by coupling with a variety of fatty acids was employed for increasing its antioxidant activity. Selective esterification of hydroxyl groups on the sugar part enhanced greatly antioxidant activity. The most potent one is norbergenin 11-caproate, which not only exhibits stronger antioxidant activity than that of catechin but also prevents neuronal death at 10 microM on the primary culture of rat cortical neurons in DMEM supplemented with N2.     

Separation of toxic activity and ADP-ribosylation activity of botulinum neurotoxin D

Neurotoxin from Clostridium botulinum type D strain South African (neurotoxin D) has shown ADP-ribosylation activity as well as toxic activity (Matsuoka, I., Sakuma, H., Syuto, B., Moriishi, K., Kubo, S., and Kurihara, K. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 706-712). Separation of these activities from each other was attempted by means of gel filtration, hydroxylapatite column chromatography, or immunoaffinity chromatography. Approximately 90% of toxic activity was recovered in each chromatography. Although ADP-ribosylation activity was incompletely separated from neurotoxin D by gel filtration, it was separated by hydroxylapatite column chromatography. In immunoaffinity chromatography with a column of Sepharose 4B coupling antibodies against botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase, no ADP-ribosylation activity was detected by autoradiography in the unabsorbed toxic fraction. These results indicate that neurotoxin D does not have ADP-ribosylation activity.     

Antiplasmodial activity of hydroxyethylamine analogs: Synthesis,biological activity and structure activity relationship of plasmepsin inhibitors

Malaria, particularly in endemic countries remains a threat to the human health and is the leading the cause of mortality in the tropical and sub-tropical areas. Herein, we explored new C₂ symmetric hydroxyethylamine analogs as the potential inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum; 3D7) in in-vitro cultures. All the listed compounds were also evaluated against crucial drug targets, plasmepsin II (Plm II) and IV (Plm IV), enzymes found in the digestive vacuole of the P. falciparum. Analog 10f showed inhibitory activities against both the enzymes Plm II and Plm IV (K_i, 1.93?±?0.29?µM for Plm II; K_i, 1.99?±?0.05?µM for Plm IV). Among all these analogs, compounds 10g selectively inhibited the activity of Plm IV (K_i, 0.84?±?0.08?µM). In the in vitro screening assay, the growth inhibition of P. falciparum by both the analogs (IC₅₀, 2.27?±?0.95?µM for 10f; IC₅₀, 3.11?±?0.65?µM for 10g) displayed marked killing effect. A significant growth inhibition of the P. falciparum was displayed by analog 12c with IC₅₀ value of 1.35?±?0.85?µM, however, it did not show inhibitory activity against either Plms. The hemolytic assay suggested that the active compounds selectively inhibit the growth of the parasite. Further, potent analogs (10f and 12c) were evaluated for their cytotoxicity towards mammalian HepG2 and vero cells. The selectivity index (SI) values were noticed greater than 10 for both the analogs that suggested their poor toxicity. The present study indicates these analogs as putative lead structures and could serve as crucial for the development of new drug molecules.     

Structure and activity relationships of platinum complexes with anti-tumour activity.

A number of complexes of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) have been prepared, characterised and tested for their ability to cause regression of a mouse plasma cell tumour. All active compounds possess two cis amine ligands but the oxidation state of the platinum is not critical. Relatively minor structural and substituent changes in the amine can lead to major and dramatic changes in the therapeutic index, generally, but not necessarily, associated with changes in toxicity. Some preliminary results on the relationship between structure and solubility are also reported.     

Synthesis and thromboxane A2 antagonistic activity activity of indane derivatives

A new series of indane derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their thromboxane A2 (TXA2, 1) antagonistic activity. Among these compounds, 24a (Z-335) was found to be a potent TXA2 antagonist in oral administration.     

絮凝活性产紫青霉EL-02的分离鉴定及其絮凝活性初探

【目的】分离鉴定有絮凝活性真菌,同时对其絮凝活性进行初步研究。【方法】采用梯度稀释、平板划线、18SrDNA检测等方法分离鉴定絮凝活性菌株。通过高速离心、超声破碎、乙醇沉淀、定性试验等方法确定絮凝活性物质性质。【结果】从渤海湾海岸土壤样品中分离筛选出一株有较高絮凝活性的真菌,经鉴定为产紫青霉(Penicillium purpurogenum),命名为产紫青霉EL-02(P.purpurogenum EL-02)。超声破碎试验证实其絮凝活性主要存在于发酵上清液。根据絮凝活性曲线,确定4d为积累絮凝活性产物的最佳发酵时间。乙醇沉淀法获得该菌株絮凝活性物质。经鉴定该菌株所产絮凝活性物质为糖类,且其活性在pH2-11,温度-70℃-100℃范围内保持稳定。【结论】分离筛选到一株有絮凝活性的产紫青霉EL-02,经鉴定其产生糖类絮凝活性物质。     

Effect of water activity on production and activity of Rhizopus oligosporus polysaccharidases

Summary During tempeh fermentation, Rhizopus oligosporus produced polysaccharidases to degrade soya bean cell walls; the maximum activity for all polysaccharidases tested occurred 20–30 h after inoculation. R. oligosporus was also grown in a soya bean extract model medium to which glycerol was added to control water activity (a _w). The overall activities of the major enzymes produced by the fungus, polygalacturonase, endocellulase and xylanase, appeared to be strongly influenced by a _w. The production of enzymes as well as their specific activities were affected by a _w. The optimum a _w for polygalacturonase and xylanase activity coincided with that for mycelial growth, namely 0.99–1.00. In contrast, the optimum a _w for (endo)cellulase was 0.98, at which mycelial growth was significantly reduced. Correspondence to: M. Sarrette     

The pacemaker activity of interstitial cells of Cajal and gastric electrical activity

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are the pacemaker cells in the gut. They have special properties that make them unique in their ability to generate and propagate slow waves in gastrointestinal muscles. The electrical slow wave activity determines the characteristic frequency of phasic contractions of the stomach, intestine and colon. Slow waves also determine the direction and velocity of propagation of peristaltic activity, in concert with the enteric nervous system. Characterization of receptors and ion channels in the ICC membrane is under way, and manipulation of slow wave activity markedly alters the movement of contents through the gut. Gastric myoelectrical slow wave activity produced by pacemaker cells (ICC) can be reflected by electrogastrography (EGG). Electrogastrography is a perspective non-invasive method that can detect gastric dysrhythmias associated with symptoms of nausea or delayed gastric emptying.     

Water activity and substrate concentration effects on lipase activity

Catalytic activity of lipases (from Rhizopus arrhizus, Canadida rugosa, and Pseudomonas sp. was studied in organic media, mainly diisopropyl ether. The effect of water activity (a(w)) on V(max) showed that the enzyme activity in general increased with increasing amounts of water for the three enzymes. This was shown both for esterification and hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by R. arrhizus lipase. In the esterification reaction the K(m) for the acid substrate showed a slight increase with increasing water activities. On the other hand, the K(m) for the alcohol substrate increased 10-20-fold with increasing water activity. The relative changes in K(m) were shown to be independent of the enzyme studied and solvent used. The effect was attributed to the increasing competition of water as a nucleophile for the acyl-enzyme at higher water activities. In a hydrolysis reaction the K(m) for the ester was also shown to increase as the water activity increased. The effect of water in this case was due to the fact that increased concentration of one substrate (water), and thereby increased saturation of the enzyme, will increase the apparent K(m) of the substrate (ester) to be determined. This explained why the hydrolysis rate decreased with increasing water activity at a fixed, low ester concentration. The apparent V(max) for R. arrhizus lipase was similar in four of six different solvents that were tested; exceptions were toulene and trichloroethylene, which showed lower values. The apparent K(m) for the alcohol in the solvents correlated with the hydrophobicity of the solvent, hydrophobic solvents giving lower apparent K(m). (c) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 55: 798-806, 1997.     

Peptides and antitumor activity. Development and investigation of some peptides with antitumor activity

We developed a group of synthetic analogs of GnRH and Somatostatin to inhibit the tumor growth of different kind. The GnRH analogs decreasing the gonadotroph and steroid hormone levels act on the hormone dependent tumors and influence their growth. One of the most effective antitumor analog was patented under the name FOLLIGEN which inhibited the breast cancer caused by DMBA in rats without any side-effects. Other inhibitory analogs of GnRH with long-lasting effect were effective in the treatment of breast, ovary and prostate tumors. Another analog [alpha-Asp(DEA)]6,Gln8-hGnRH showed a very low endocrine but high antitumor effect in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Its tritium labeled derivative exhibited specific binding sites on human tumor cell lines. We synthesized the analogs of GnRH-III with effective selective antitumor activity which does not alter the ovarian cycle of rats but inhibits the colony-formation of human breast cancer cell lines and has a significant antiproliferative effect. We also synthesized conjugates of potent GnRH analogs with a branched chain polylysine backbone which induce a 33-35% decrease of cell numbers of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines and 45-50% inhibition of cell proliferation. Another conjugate decreased the tumor growth of MDA-MB-231 xenografts by 80% in a treatment of 9 weeks and even tumor free animals could be found among the ones treated. Using these radiolabeled peptide hormone analogs we found that human tumor cell lines and xenografts specifically bind the GnRH conjugates. We also synthesized a series of Somatostatin analogs which inhibit tyrosine kinases and the growth of several breast, prostate and colon tumor cell lines. One of our best analogs was a heptapeptide, TT-232, which strongly inhibited the tyrosine kinase activity and the cell-proliferation in different colon tumor cells. However, it did not inhibit the growth hormone release either in vitro or in vivo from rat pituitary cells. The TT-232 was found to be effective on 60 human tumor cell lines, it significantly inhibited the tumor growth on different animal tumor models, and induced apoptosis, as a result of which some animals became tumor free. The TT-232 inhibited the tumor growth of PC3 prostate xenografts with 60% and caused a 100% survival of mice 60 days after the transplantation. It is being preclinically tested at present. We have shown that the new GnRH analogs acting without any hormonal effect and the Somatostatin analogs with strong antitumor and tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity but no hormonal effect may represent a breakthrough in the research of the antitumor peptides, having direct effect on tumor cells.     

Influence of memory demand and contra lateral activity on muscle activity.

Computer mouse work often includes memory demands and contra lateral activity. This study simulated video display unit (VDU) mouse-work and the focus was on forearm muscle activity as a result of standardised postural loads, memory demands and contra lateral activity. Surface and intramuscular electromyography (EMG) were recorded from the right forearm muscles during finger elevation and rest with and without memory demands and with and without contra lateral activity i.e. activity of the left hand. In most situations, memory demand increased activity in the m. extensor carpi radialis brevis and m. flexor digitalis superficialis. Also contra lateral activity increased activity in situations with and without memory demands. While surface EMG level of the m. extensor digitorum communis did not increase during memory demands, intramuscular EMG level increased when memory demands and contra lateral activity was combined. Influence of memory demands and contra lateral activity were most pronounced, in situations where activity levels were small.We presume that it is not only prolonged time of active computer mouse use that is a risk for development of musculoskeletal disorders, but also the time when people interact with the computer mentally or with the 'non-mouse hand', while resting their 'mouse-hand' on the mouse.     

Synthesis,cytotoxic activity and structure–activity relationships of hedychenone analogues

Hedychenone, a plant-derived labdane diterpenoid, showed potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against cancerous cells. In the present study, a series of analogues have been synthesized by modification of the furanoid ring, double bond and the vinylic methyl functionality of this natural product lead and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines. The structures of the target compounds were established by IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectral analysis. Majority of the analogues displayed potent activity than the parent compound, hedychenone. Preliminary structure–activity relationship studies indicated that furanoid ring has a greater impact on cytotoxicity than that of the decalone nucleus. However, dimerization through C-8 significantly enhanced the cytotoxic activity of the hedychenone.     

Porphyrinogenic activity and ferrochelatase-inhibitory activity of sydnones in chick embryo liver cells

3-[2-(2,4,6-Trimethylphenyl)thioethyl]-4-methylsydnone was shown to be a potent porphyrinogenic agent in chick embryo liver cells. The accumulation of protoporphyrin IX was consistent with the finding that ferrochelatase activity was inhibited. 3-Benzyl-4-phenylsydnone did not inhibit ferrochelatase activity and protoporphyrin IX was found to constitute only a minor fraction of the prophyrins. These results support the idea that the porphyrinogenicity of 3-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)thioethyl]-4-methylsydnone is due to its catalytic activation by cytochrome P-450 leading to heme alkylation and formation of N-vinylprotoprophyrin IX which inhibits ferrochelatase.