Proteolytically stable peptides by incorporation of α-Tfm amino acids

A series of model peptides containing α-trifluoromethyl-substituted amino acids in five different positions relative to the predominant cleavage site of the serine protease α-chymotrypsin was synthesized by solution methods to investigate the influence of α-Tfm substitution on the proteolytic stability of peptides. Proteolysis studies demonstrated absolute stability of peptides substituted in the P₁ position and still considerable proteolytic stability for peptides substituted at the P₂ and P′₂ positions compared with the corresponding unsubstituted model peptide. Comparison with peptides containing the fluorine-free disubstituted amino acid α-aminoisobutyric acid allowed to separate electronic from steric effects. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of the α-Tfm-substituted amino acid was found to exert considerable effects on the proteolytic stability, especially in P′₁ substituted peptides. Investigations of this phenomenon using empirical force field calculations revealed that in the (S,R,S)-diasteromer the steric constraints exhibited by the α-Tfm group can be outweighed by an advantageous interaction of the fluorine atoms with the serine side chain of the enzyme. In contrast, a favourable interaction between substrate and enzyme is impossible for the (S,S,S)-diastereomer. © 1997 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Different conversion metabolic rates of testosterone are associated to hormone-sensitive status and -response of human prostate cancer cells

The main goal of the present work was to compare the ability of human prostate cancer (PCa) cells to metabolize testosterone (T) in living conditions. To this end we studied three different human PCa cell lines (LNCaP, DU145 and PC3) having different hormone-sensitive status and capability of response to androgens. We used an original approach which allows the evaluation of conversion metabolic rates in growing cells after administration of labeled steroid precursor (presently T), at physiological concentrations (1–10 nM). Analysis of both precursor degradation and formation of several products was carried out using reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and “on line” radioactive detection. Comparison of the three human PCa cells revealed that their metabolic aptitude differed in many respects: (i) rates of precursor degradation, (ii) different products' formation, and (iii) extent of conjugate production. In detail, PC3 cells quickly degraded T and exhibited high formation rates of androstenedione (A-4-ene-Ad); both DU145 and LNCaP cells mostly retained high levels of unconverted T, with a limited production of A-4-ene-Ad and its 17-keto derivatives (if any). Either LNCaP or DU145 cells generated a relatively high amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In contrast, neither DHT nor its main metabolites were detected in PC3 cells at both short and longer incubation times. As expected, T degradation and A-4-ene-Ad production were highly correlated (r = 0.97; P < 0.03); similarly, A-4-ene-Ad and DHT formation showed a negative, significant correlation. Negligible production of conjugates was noted in both PC3 and DU145 cells, whilst it was remarkable in LNCaP cells (ranging from 43 to 57%). Overall, our data indicate that human PCa cells degrade T quite differently, favoring alternatively reductive or oxidative patterns of androgen metabolism.     

Determination of a novel selective inhibitor of type 1 5α-reductase in human plasma by liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific assay of human plasma for the determination of (5α,7β,16β)-16[(4-chlorophenyl)oxy]-4,7-dimethyl-4-aza-andronstan-3-one (I), a selective inhibitor of human type 1 5α-reductase, has been developed. The method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometric (MS–MS) detection. The analyte (I) and internal standard, Proscar (II), were isolated from the basified biological matrix using a liquid–liquid extraction with methyl-tert.-butyl ether (MTBE). The organic extract was evaporated to dryness, the residue was reconstituted in mobile phase and injected into the HPLC system. The MS–MS detection was performed on a PE Sciex API III Plus tandem mass spectrometer using a heated nebulizer interface. Multiple reaction monitoring using the precursor→product ion combinations of m/z 430→114 and 373→305 was used to quantify I and internal standard (II), respectively. The assay was validated in the concentration range of 0.5 to 500 ng/ml in human plasma. The precision of the assay, expressed as coefficient of variation (C.V.), was less than 7% over the entire concentration range, with adequate assay specificity and accuracy. The HPLC–MS–MS method provided sufficient sensitivity to completely map the 24 h pharmacokinetic time-course following a single 0.5 mg dose of I.     

Immunostimulatory activities of monoglycosylated α-d-pyranosylceramides

We compared the immunostimulatory effects of chemically synthesized α-galactosylceramides (α-GalCers), α-glucosylceramides (α-GluCers), 6″-monoglycosylated α-GalCer and 6″- or 4″-monoglycosylated α-GluCer and made the following observations: (1) the length of the fatty acid side chain in the ceramide portions greatly affects the immunostimulatory effects of α-GalCers and α-GluCers; (2) the configuration of the 4″-hydroxyl group of the inner pyranose moiety plays an important role in the immunostimulatory effects of monoglycosylated α- -pyranosylceramides; (3) the free 4″-hydroxyl group of the inner pyranose of monoglycosylated α- -pyranosylceramides plays a more important role in their immunostimulatory effects than the free 6″-hydroxyl group.     

Glutathione depletion in lung cells by low-molecular-weight aldehydes

Use of oxygenates in gasoline in the United States may increase atmospheric levels of aldehydes. To assist in health assessments of inhalation exposure to aldehydes, we studied glutathione (GSH) depletion by low-molecular-weight n-alkanals and 2-alkenals, ubiquitous air pollutants, in adult rat lung (ARL) cells by laser cytometry. For each homologous series, the effective aldehyde concentration that depleted GSH by 50% (EC₅₀) in ARL cells correlates with published values for the median lethal dose of the chemicals and with Hammett/Taft electronic parameters, * for n-alkanals and _p* for 2-alkenals. n-Alkanals (EC₅₀, 110–400 mmol/L) were 1000 times less effective in depleting GSH than were 2-alkenals (EC₅₀, 2–180 mol/L), of which acrolein was the most potent. Ability of the 2-alkenals to deplete GSH follows the second-order rate constant for adduct formation. Ability of n-alkanals to deplete GSH follows chain length. Within a homologous series of low-molecular-weight aldehydes, structure–activity relationships are useful for predicting the toxicity of the aldehydes in vitro and in vivo.     

Synthesis of 1-acetyl-3-(2-thienyl)-5-aryl-2-pyrazoline derivatives and evaluation of their anticancer activity

In the present study, 1-acetyl-3-(2-thienyl)-5-aryl-2-pyrazoline derivatives (1–6) were synthesized via the ring closure reaction of 1-(2-thienyl)-3-aryl-2-propen-1-ones with hydrazine hydrate in acetic acid. The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and mass spectral data and elemental analyses. MTT assay, analysis of DNA synthesis and caspase-3 activation assay were carried out to determine anticancer effects of the compounds on A549 and C6 cancer cell lines. They exhibited dose-dependent anticancer activity against A549 and C6 cancer cell lines. Anticancer activity screening results revealed that compounds 1, 2 and 4 were the most potent derivatives among these compounds. But anticancer effects of these compounds may result from different death mechanisms in A549 and C6 cell lines.     

17α-Ethyl-5β-estrane-3α,17β-diol, a biological marker for the abuse of norethandrolone and ethylestrenol in slaughter cattle

The metabolism of the illegal growth promoter ethylestrenol (EES) was evaluated in bovine liver cells and subcellular fractions of bovine liver preparations. Incubations with bovine microsomal preparations revealed that EES is extensively biotransformed into norethandrolone (NE), another illegal growth promoter. Furthermore, incubations of monolayer cultures of hepatocytes with NE indicated that NE itself is rapidly reduced to 17α-ethyl-5β-estrane-3α,17β-diol (EED). In vivo tests confirmed that, after administration of either EES or NE, EED is excreted as a major metabolite. Therefore, it was concluded that, both in urine and faeces samples, EED can be used as a biological marker for the illegal use of EES and/or NE. Moreover, by monitoring EED in urine or faeces samples, the detection period after NE administration is significantly prolonged. These findings were further confirmed by three cases of norethandrolone abuse in a routine screening program for forbidden growth promoters.     

Methoxy and bromo scans on N-(5-methoxyphenyl) methoxybenzenesulphonamides reveal potent cytotoxic compounds,especially against the human breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cell line

Thirty seven N-(5-methoxyphenyl)-4-methoxybenzenesulphonamide with methoxy or/and bromo substitutions (series 1-4) and with different substituents on the sulphonamide nitrogen have been synthesised. 21 showed sub-micromolar cytotoxicity against HeLa and HT-29 human tumour cell lines, and were particularly effective against MCF7. The most potent series has 2,5-dimethoxyanilines, especially the 4-brominated compounds 23–25. The active compounds inhibit microtubular protein polymerisation at micromolar concentrations, thus pointing at tubulin as the target. Co-treatment with the MDR inhibitor verapamil suggests that they are not MDR substrates. Compound 25 showed nanomolar antiproliferative potency. It severely disrupts the microtubule network in cells and arrests cells at the G₂/M cell-cycle phase, thus confirming tubulin targeting. 25 triggered apoptotic cell death, and induced autophagy. Docking studies suggest binding in a distinct way to the colchicine site. These compounds are promising new antitumor agents acting on tubulin.