白藜芦醇代谢物的研究进展

白藜芦醇是一些植物在受到生物和非生物胁迫时产生的一种植物抗毒素.它在植物体内会迅速被代谢而生产紫檀芪、云杉新苷、viniferins等代谢物.这些代谢物与白藜芦醇一样具有抗菌、消炎、抗血小板凝集、防止细胞癌变等一系列的生物活性,且有些代谢物的选择性、稳定性远远大于白藜芦醇.本文对白藜芦醇代谢物中几种主要代谢物的合成途径、生物活性、代谢调控、检测方法等进行了综述.     

氧化磷酸化的呼吸链途径模式概论

线粒体内氧化供能过程中的重要代谢物主要有丙酮酸、三羧酸循环中间体、氨基酸分解产物、酮体、脂肪酸β-氧化中间体、甘油代谢物、嘧啶碱基分解产物等。线粒体内重要代谢物脱下的电子对或者H原子可以通过复合体Ⅰ、复合体Ⅱ、或者通过辅酶Q等不同方式进入呼吸链进行电子传递并生成不同数量的ATP。因此,依据代谢物成对电子或H原子进入呼吸链的方式可以划分不同的氧化呼吸链途径模式:NADH氧化呼吸链途径、琥珀酸氧化呼吸链途径,以及FADH2氧化呼吸链途径。     

南方红豆杉野生种与栽培品种‘金锡杉’针叶代谢物的比较分析

利用广泛靶向代谢组的方法对相同生境下南方红豆杉野生种(Taxuswallichiana var.mairei)及栽培品种‘金锡杉’(Taxus wallichiana var.maireicv.‘Jinxishan’)针叶中代谢物含量差异进行分析。结果表明:(1)在野生种和栽培品种的针叶提取物中,共鉴定出689种代谢物并获得其相应的积分定量值,包括初生代谢物326种、次生代谢物334种和其他类成分29种。(2)定量分析结果显示,有71种代谢物在两种红豆杉中的表达差异显著,这些差异代谢物主要富集在糖代谢、脂质合成等初生代谢途径,以及黄酮类合成等次生代谢途径中。(3)在‘金锡杉’针叶中,大多数氨基酸(5种)和黄酮类代谢物(10种)含量远高于野生种,而糖代谢(3种)、脂类合成(4种)及TCA循环(3种)途径中的差异代谢物含量均远低于野生种。研究认为‘金锡杉’针叶中黄酮类次生代谢物含量升高归因于苯丙氨酸和酪氨酸代谢途径的协同调控,从而增强‘金锡杉’对外界环境的适应性;而‘金锡杉’中低含量的,涉及糖代谢、脂类生物合成以及TCA循环等途径的代谢物造成的能量供应不足,则通过合成大量的氨基酸类物质来维持平衡。     

H2O2和水杨酸对陈化马铃薯切片交替呼吸途径影响的比较

外源5.0 mmol/L H2O2和0.1 mmol/L 水杨酸(salicylic acid, SA)处理均可明显提高陈化24 h的马铃薯切片的交替呼吸途径容量(Valt)及其与总呼吸的比值(Valt/Vt).应用交替氧化酶的单克隆抗体进行Western杂交的结果表明,H2O2和SA处理均可明显提高陈化马铃薯切片中交替氧化酶的表达水平.用氧同位素分辨法研究,结果表明:H2O2处理对陈化马铃薯切片中交替呼吸途径的实际运行没有影响,而SA处理对交替呼吸途径的实际运行具有明显的促进作用.上述结果表明,H2O2和SA对植物组织交替呼吸途径的影响存在差异,二者均可促进交替氧化酶的表达从而诱导交替呼吸途径容量的发生,但H2O2不影响其实际运行,而SA还可同时诱导其实际运行.     

基于GC-MS分析刺五加和短梗五加不同器官的代谢差异特性

通过研究刺五加（Acanthopanax senticosus）与短梗五加（A. sessiliflorus）不同器官的初级代谢差异特性,探讨两者药效差异、药用价值及资源利用结构。利用代谢组学的研究策略,使用GC-MS技术从初生代谢的角度比较刺五加与短梗五加不同器官代谢差异特性。结果表明：在2种药用植物不同器官中共鉴定出186种初生代谢物,总体研究结果显示2物种在初生代谢上存在差异。进一步分析得到根中52种差异代谢物、茎中34种差异代谢物、叶中39种差异代谢物、叶柄中48种差异代谢物。差异代谢物涉及到的主要代谢途径有氨酰基-tRNA生物合成途径,缬氨酸、亮氨酸和异亮氨酸的生物合成途径,甘氨酸、丝氨酸和苏氨酸代谢途径,精氨酸的生物合成途径,丙氨酸、天冬氨酸和谷氨酸代谢途径,丙酮酸代谢途径等。此外,发现4种连接初生代谢和次生代谢的关键性代谢物在两者不同器官中的水平存在差异。刺五加和短梗五加在不同器官初生代谢方面显著不同,这可能是造成2物种不同器官药理效应和次生代谢存在差异的原因之一。     

L-精氨酸合成及高产菌选育与发酵研究进展

精氨酸是合成蛋白质的重要原料,是一些代谢途径的中间代谢物.它在人和动物体内具有重要的生理生化功能,在食品与医药工业应用十分广泛.对精氨酸高产菌株选育、发酵工艺优化、真核生物中的合成途径、代谢调控机制等方面最新研究进展做了综述.     

基于核磁共振波谱的盐芥盐胁迫代谢组学分析

以甲醇/水(1∶1)作为溶剂,利用高分辨核磁共振氢谱分析了盐生模式植物盐芥(Thellungiella salsuginea)代谢组对盐胁迫的响应。根据1H核磁共振(NMR)波谱,在盐芥莲座叶中准确鉴定出23种代谢产物,包括11种氨基酸、4种糖类、6种有机酸和2种其他代谢产物。主成分分析表明,150、300 mmol/L NaCl处理盐芥的代谢组与对照均有显著差异(P<0.05),两种浓度的NaCl处理对盐芥代谢组的影响也不相同。盐胁迫处理以后,盐芥23种代谢产物含量均发生显著变化,除天冬氨酸、延胡索酸受盐胁迫诱导含量下降以外,其余代谢物含量均不同程度升高。这些代谢物主要参与了糖类代谢途径、氨基酸合成途径、三羧酸循环和甜菜碱合成途径,这些代谢途径在盐芥响应盐胁迫过程中有重要作用。     

盐水球菌Salinicoccus ventosaetal B2-3-5的代谢产物分析及其抑制酪氨酸酶活性的机制

[背景] 酪氨酸酶是黑色素合成过程中的关键酶,也是引起人体色素障碍性疾病和产生果蔬酶促褐变的主要原因。目前,酪氨酸酶抑制剂的开发已引起广泛关注,但一些酪氨酸酶抑制剂如熊果苷、曲酸等均存在一定的安全隐患。微生物资源丰富且具有许多优点,从微生物中寻找特异性强、高效的酪氨酸酶抑制剂已成为该领域研究的热点。[目的] 通过测定分离自新疆乌鲁木齐达坂城盐湖的盐水球菌Salinicoccus ventosaetal B2-3-5和B6-1-4代谢物提取物对酪氨酸酶活性的影响,比较2株菌发酵过程中代谢物的差异,了解所筛选菌株B2-3-5抑制酪氨酸酶活性的机制。[方法] 以曲酸为阳性对照分别测定B2-3-5和B6-1-4这2个菌株发酵产生的代谢物提取物对蘑菇酪氨酸酶的抑制活性;应用LC-MS代谢组学方法检测2株菌在相同条件下产生的所有代谢物质;采用单变量、多元变量、正交偏最小二乘判别分析（Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discrimination Analysis,OPLS-DA）法识别差异代谢物;利用层次聚类分析（Hierarchial Cluster Analysis,HCA）法对识别的差异物进行聚类分析;通过Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG）代谢通路对比法分析这些差异代谢物主要参与的代谢途径。[结果] 菌株B2-3-5代谢物提取物对蘑菇酪氨酸酶二酚酶活性的抑制率为67%,其IC₅₀为0.277 mg/mL,同属菌株B6-1-4代谢物提取物则对酪氨酸酶无抑制活性。采用代谢组学的检测方法从2株菌的代谢物中筛选出63个差异代谢物,其中氨基酸类化合物、维生素类化合物和羧酸类化合物的种类及相对含量均是B2-3-5菌株明显高于B6-1-4菌株。通过代谢途径分析发现这些差异代谢物主要参与15个代谢通路,其中维生素B6生物合成通路的影响较为显著。[结论] 推测B2-3-5菌株可能是通过增加一些氨基酸类、维生素类及羧酸类等小分子化合物的含量来抑制酪氨酸酶活性。维生素B6代谢途径的上调也表明菌体细胞可通过产生维生素B6与酪氨酸酶中的必需氨基作用或清除酶催化循环过程中产生的活性氧自由基（reactive oxygen species,ROS）来抑制酪氨酸酶活性。     

H_2O_2和水杨酸对陈化马铃薯切片交替呼吸途径影响的比较(英文)

外源 5 .0mmol/LH2 O2 和 0 .1mmol/L水杨酸 (salicylicacid ,SA)处理均可明显提高陈化 2 4h的马铃薯切片的交替呼吸途径容量 (Valt)及其与总呼吸的比值 (Valt/Vt)。应用交替氧化酶的单克隆抗体进行Western杂交的结果表明 ,H2 O2 和SA处理均可明显提高陈化马铃薯切片中交替氧化酶的表达水平。用氧同位素分辨法研究 ,结果表明 :H2 O2 处理对陈化马铃薯切片中交替呼吸途径的实际运行没有影响 ,而SA处理对交替呼吸途径的实际运行具有明显的促进作用。上述结果表明 ,H2 O2 和SA对植物组织交替呼吸途径的影响存在差异 ,二者均可促进交替氧化酶的表达从而诱导交替呼吸途径容量的发生 ,但H2 O2 不影响其实际运行 ,而SA还可同时诱导其实际运行。     

H2O2在黑松-松材线虫早期互作应答中的调控作用

松材线虫病已对中国森林资源以及生态环境造成严重破坏和威胁.近年信号分子H2O2在植物病害中的作用已成为研究热点,然而对松树-松材线虫互作中H2O2方面的功能研究不多见.本实验以三年生黑松(Pinus thunbergii)为材料,通过施用外源H2O2供给剂和抑制剂(AsA)探讨H2O2对松树-松材线虫互作体系中抗氧化保护酶、苯丙烷代谢途径的调控作用;同时对黑松感染松材线虫后体内H2O2产生的酶途径加以研究.结果表明,外源H2O2处理提前诱发了染虫黑松体内H2O2含量大幅度升高;AsA可在接种早期抑制染虫黑松体内H2O2含量,推迟了H2O2大量积累的发生.同步测定染虫黑松体内相关酶活性发现,外源H2O2处理后,染虫黑松体内APX和CAT活性下降幅度更大,MDA含量、PAL酶活性均提前积累;而外源AsA处理则推迟染虫黑松体内APX和CAT活性大幅下降的发生,延迟且削弱了MDA含量大量积累的发生和累积程度,PAL酶活性升高也滞后.同步观察黑松感病症状,发现H2O2处理组染虫黑松发病最快;仅接种松材线虫处理组次之;AsA处理组染虫黑松发病最慢.这表明,受松材线虫侵染后,黑松体内大量累积的信号分子H2O2可影响寄主体内抗氧化保护酶活性、苯丙烷代谢途径的表达,进一步影响了感病症状的表达.对黑松体内H2O2产生酶来源研究发现,黄嘌呤氧化酶(XO)抑制剂别嘌呤醇和NADPH氧化酶抑制剂二亚苯基碘(DPI)处理均能明显抑制黑松体内H2O2含量,说明XO和NADPH氧化酶均是黑松与松材线虫互作体系中内源H2O2合成的重要酶.     

Theoretical study of the interaction between X (H,F) and graphene

This study investigates the interaction between X (X = H and F) and graphene C₅₄H₁₈ (D_6 h), and the potential energy surface of the graphene radical. The calculations on the structures and energies are further discussed thermodynamically and kinetically using the density function theory method at the B3LYP/6-31G (d) level. Our findings show that there are four distinct isomers of C₅₄H₁₈–X. C₅₄H₁₈–H² and C₅₄H₁₈–F⁴ are the most stable isomers in their own systems. In addition, the transition states, as well as reaction pathways of H transferring between different key points on representative patch, are given to explore the possible reaction mechanism. Finally, the stability of C₅₄H₁₈–X₂ is discussed through the density functional theory.     

dGPredictor: Automated fragmentation method for metabolic reaction free energy prediction and de novo pathway design

Group contribution (GC) methods are conventionally used in thermodynamics analysis of metabolic pathways to estimate the standard Gibbs energy change (Δ_rG′^o) of enzymatic reactions from limited experimental measurements. However, these methods are limited by their dependence on manually curated groups and inability to capture stereochemical information, leading to low reaction coverage. Herein, we introduce an automated molecular fingerprint-based thermodynamic analysis tool called dGPredictor that enables the consideration of stereochemistry within metabolite structures and thus increases reaction coverage. dGPredictor has comparable prediction accuracy compared to existing GC methods and can capture Gibbs energy changes for isomerase and transferase reactions, which exhibit no overall group changes. We also demonstrate dGPredictor’s ability to predict the Gibbs energy change for novel reactions and seamless integration within de novo metabolic pathway design tools such as novoStoic for safeguarding against the inclusion of reaction steps with infeasible directionalities. To facilitate easy access to dGPredictor, we developed a graphical user interface to predict the standard Gibbs energy change for reactions at various pH and ionic strengths. The tool allows customized user input of known metabolites as KEGG IDs and novel metabolites as InChI strings (https://github.com/maranasgroup/dGPredictor).     

Determination of valproic acid and its metabolites using gas chromatography with mass-selective detection: application to serum and urine samples from sheep

An improved method for the quantitative determination of valproic acid (VPA) and sixteen of its metabolites has been developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring. The method is applicable to serum or urine and all metabolites are measured in a single chromatographic run of 29.5 min. Ions selected for quantitative purposes were the characteristic [M-57]⁺ ions of the tert.-butyldimethylsilyl (tBDMS) derivatives. The method utilizes heptadeuterated VPA as well as six heptadeuterated metabolites as internal standards [i.e. 2-[²H₇]propyl-2-pentenoic acid (2-ene[²H₇]VPA), 2-[²H₇]propyl-4-pentenoic acid (4-ene[²H₇]VPA), 2-[²H₇]propyl-3-oxopentanoic acid (3-keto[²H₇]VPA), 2-[²H₇]propyl-4-oxopentanoic acid (4-keto[²H₇]VPA), 2-[²H₇]propyl-3-hydroxypentanoic acid (3-OH[²H₇]VPA), 2-[²H₇]propyl-5-hydroxypentanoic acid (5-OH[²H₇]VPA)]. The method demonstrates very good accuracy and precision over a large range of concentrations for VPA and all metabolites measured in both human and sheep biological fluids. The assay was applied to the analysis of VPA and metabolites in serum and urine samples collected from three non-pregnant ewes following intravenous bolus administration of a mixture of VPA and [¹³C₄]VPA. Sheep were observed to produce measurable quantities of the majority of metabolites found in humans, with the notable exception of the di-unsaturated compounds (i.e. 2,3′-diene VPA and 2,4-diene VPA). The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of VPA and [¹³C₄]VPA appear to be equivalent in the sheep model. The elimination half-life of VPA and [¹³C₄] VPA in the ewe were estimated to be approximately 3.5 ± 0.4 and 3.2 ± 0.4 h, respectively.     

The Nitric-oxide Reductase from Paracoccus denitrificans Uses a Single Specific Proton Pathway

The NO reductase from Paracoccus denitrificans reduces NO to N₂O (2NO + 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ → N₂O + H₂O) with electrons donated by periplasmic cytochrome c (cytochrome c-dependent NO reductase; cNOR). cNORs are members of the heme-copper oxidase superfamily of integral membrane proteins, comprising the O₂-reducing, proton-pumping respiratory enzymes. In contrast, although NO reduction is as exergonic as O₂ reduction, there are no protons pumped in cNOR, and in addition, protons needed for NO reduction are derived from the periplasmic solution (no contribution to the electrochemical gradient is made). cNOR thus only needs to transport protons from the periplasm into the active site without the requirement to control the timing of opening and closing (gating) of proton pathways as is needed in a proton pump. Based on the crystal structure of a closely related cNOR and molecular dynamics simulations, several proton transfer pathways were suggested, and in principle, these could all be functional. In this work, we show that residues in one of the suggested pathways (denoted pathway 1) are sensitive to site-directed mutation, whereas residues in the other proposed pathways (pathways 2 and 3) could be exchanged without severe effects on turnover activity with either NO or O₂. We further show that electron transfer during single-turnover reduction of O₂ is limited by proton transfer and can thus be used to study alterations in proton transfer rates. The exchange of residues along pathway 1 showed specific slowing of this proton-coupled electron transfer as well as changes in its pH dependence. Our results indicate that only pathway 1 is used to transfer protons in cNOR.     

Constructing and testing the thermodynamic limits of synthetic NAD(P)H:H2 pathways

NAD(P)H:H₂ pathways are theoretically predicted to reach equilibrium at very low partial headspace H₂ pressure. An evaluation of the directionality of such near‐equilibrium pathways in vivo, using a defined experimental system, is therefore important in order to determine its potential for application. Many anaerobic microorganisms have evolved NAD(P)H:H₂ pathways; however, they are either not genetically tractable, and/or contain multiple H₂ synthesis/consumption pathways linked with other more thermodynamically favourable substrates, such as pyruvate. We therefore constructed a synthetic ferredoxin‐dependent NAD(P)H:H₂ pathway model system in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and experimentally evaluated the thermodynamic limitations of nucleotide pyridine‐dependent H₂ synthesis under closed batch conditions. NADPH‐dependent H₂ accumulation was observed with a maximum partial H₂ pressure equivalent to a biochemically effective intracellular NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio of 13:1. The molar yield of the NADPH:H₂ pathway was restricted by thermodynamic limitations as it was strongly dependent on the headspace : liquid ratio of the culture vessels. When the substrate specificity was extended to NADH, only the reverse pathway directionality, H₂ consumption, was observed above a partial H₂ pressure of 40 Pa. Substitution of NADH with NADPH or other intermediates, as the main electron acceptor/donor of glucose catabolism and precursor of H₂, is more likely to be applicable for H₂ production.     

Synthetic biology for improved hydrogen production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Hydrogen is a clean alternative to fossil fuels. It has applications for electricity generation and transportation and is used for the manufacturing of ammonia and steel. However, today, H₂ is almost exclusively produced from coal and natural gas. As such, methods to produce H₂ that do not use fossil fuels need to be developed and adopted. The biological manufacturing of H₂ may be one promising solution as this process is clean and renewable. Hydrogen is produced biologically via enzymes called hydrogenases. There are three classes of hydrogenases namely [FeFe], [NiFe] and [Fe] hydrogenases. The [FeFe] hydrogenase HydA1 from the model unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been studied extensively and belongs to the A1 subclass of [FeFe] hydrogenases that have the highest turnover frequencies amongst hydrogenases (21,000 ± 12,000 H₂ s⁻¹ for CaHydA from Clostridium acetobutyliticum). Yet to date, limitations in C. reinhardtii H₂ production pathways have hampered commercial scale implementation, in part due to O₂ sensitivity of hydrogenases and competing metabolic pathways, resulting in low H₂ production efficiency. Here, we describe key processes in the biogenesis of HydA1 and H₂ production pathways in C. reinhardtii. We also summarize recent advancements of algal H₂ production using synthetic biology and describe valuable tools such as high-throughput screening (HTS) assays to accelerate the process of engineering algae for commercial biological H₂ production.     

Proton transfer in ba3 cytochrome c oxidase from Thermus thermophilus

The respiratory heme-copper oxidases catalyze reduction of O₂ to H₂O, linking this process to transmembrane proton pumping. These oxidases have been classified according to the architecture, location and number of proton pathways. Most structural and functional studies to date have been performed on the A-class oxidases, which includes those that are found in the inner mitochondrial membrane and bacteria such as Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Paracoccus denitrificans (aa₃-type oxidases in these bacteria). These oxidases pump protons with a stoichiometry of one proton per electron transferred to the catalytic site. The bacterial A-class oxidases use two proton pathways (denoted by letters D and K, respectively), for the transfer of protons to the catalytic site, and protons that are pumped across the membrane. The B-type oxidases such as, for example, the ba₃ oxidase from Thermus thermophilus, pump protons with a lower stoichiometry of 0.5 H⁺/electron and use only one proton pathway for the transfer of all protons. This pathway overlaps in space with the K pathway in the A class oxidases without showing any sequence homology though. Here, we review the functional properties of the A- and the B-class ba₃ oxidases with a focus on mechanisms of proton transfer and pumping. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Respiratory Oxidases.     

Exogenously applied GA4 is converted to GA1 in seedlings of Salix

Gibberellin A₄ (GA₄) is biologically active in Salix pentandra and is able to induce stem elongation in seedlings grown under short day (SD) conditions, as well as in seedlings grown under long day (LD) conditions and treated with a growth retardant BX-112. [³H₂]GA₄ and [²H₂]GA₄ were applied to seedlings and leaf and stem explants of S. pentandra, and metabolites were studied using HPLC and GC-MS. After application of [³H₂]GA₄ to seedlings of S. pentandra, one of the three main radioactive metabolites in the free acid fraction had retention properties similar to GA₁. Using [²H₂]GA₄, this compound was identified by GC-MS with SIM as [²H₂]GA₁ both from short day-grown and BX-112-treated seedlings, as well as in leaf and stem explants. After injection of GA₄ into a mature leaf, GA₁ was mainly found in the elongating stem tissue. Thus, the possibility that the biological activity of GA₄ in Salix is due to its conversion to GA₁ cannot be excluded.     

Tetrahydrobiopterin Biosynthesis as a Potential Target of the Kynurenine Pathway Metabolite Xanthurenic Acid

Tryptophan metabolites in the kynurenine pathway are up-regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines or glucocorticoids, and are linked to anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. In addition, they are up-regulated in pathologies such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and psychiatric disorders. The molecular mechanisms of how kynurenine pathway metabolites cause these effects are incompletely understood. On the other hand, pro-inflammatory cytokines also up-regulate the amounts of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄), an enzyme cofactor essential for the synthesis of several neurotransmitter and nitric oxide species. Here we show that xanthurenic acid is a potent inhibitor of sepiapterin reductase (SPR), the final enzyme in de novo BH₄ synthesis. The crystal structure of xanthurenic acid bound to the active site of SPR reveals why among all kynurenine pathway metabolites xanthurenic acid is the most potent SPR inhibitor. Our findings suggest that increased xanthurenic acid levels resulting from up-regulation of the kynurenine pathway could attenuate BH₄ biosynthesis and BH₄-dependent enzymatic reactions, linking two major metabolic pathways known to be highly up-regulated in inflammation.     

The functional group on (E)-4,4′–disubstituted stilbenes influences toxicity and antioxidative activity in differentiated PC-12 cells

This work probes the relationship between stilbene functional group and biological activity. The biological activity of synthesized stilbenes (E)-4,4′-dicyanostilbene, (E)-4,4′-diacetylstilbene, (E)-4,4′-diaminostilbene, a novel stilbene, 1,1′-(vinylenedi-p-phenylene)diethanol, and (E)-stilbene was assessed at biologically relevant nanomolar concentrations using the MTS cell viability assay in differentiated PC-12 cells under optimal culture conditions and conditions of oxidative stress. Under optimal culture conditions the synthesized stilbene derivatives were found to be non-toxic to cells at concentrations up to 10 μg/ml. To mimic oxidative stress, the activity of these stilbene derivatives in the presence of 0.03% H₂O₂ was investigated. Stilbene derivatives with electron-withdrawing functional groups were 2–3 times more toxic than the H₂O₂ control, indicating that they may form toxic metabolites in the presence of H₂O₂. Fluorescence data supported that stilbene derivatives with electron-withdrawing functional groups, (E)-4,4′-dicyanostilbene and (E)-4,4′-diacetylstilbene, may react with H₂O₂. In contrast, the stilbene derivative with a strong electron-donating functional group, (E)-4,4′-diaminostilbene, rescued neurons from H₂O₂-induced toxicity. The DPPH assay confirmed that (E)-4,4′-diaminostilbene is able to scavenge free radicals. These data indicate that the Hammett value of the functional group correlates with the biological activity of (E)-4,4′-disubstituted stilbenes in differentiated PC-12 cells.