S-nitrosylation of PDE5 increases its ubiquitin–proteasomal degradation

Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) expression is upregulated in human failing heart, and overexpression of PDE5 in transgenic mice exacerbates stress-induced left-ventricular dysfunction, suggesting that increased PDE5 expression might contribute to the development of congestive heart failure. However, the underlying mechanisms for increased PDE5 expression are not totally understood. In the present study, we found that PDE5 activity and expression were regulated by S-nitrosylation, a covalent modification of cysteine residues by nitric oxide (NO). S-nitrosylation of PDE5 occurs at Cys220, which is located in the GAFA domain. Upon S-nitrosylation, PDE5 exhibits reduced activity and degradation via the ubiquitin–proteasome system. The decrease in PDE5 expression induced by NO could be blunted by mutation of Cys220 or the phosphorylation site of PDE5 (S102), as well as by pretreatment with H₂O₂. Conversely, decreased NO bioavailability by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors or knockout of NOS3 increased PDE5 expression in cardiomyocytes. Collectively, to the best of our knowledge, our data demonstrate for the first time that S-nitrosylation is one of the mechanisms for PDE5 degradation. This novel regulatory mechanism probably accounts for the increase in PDE5 in the failing heart and other diseases in which NO bioavailability is decreased by oxidative stress.     

2′5′-Phosphodiesterase Activity Studies with Xyloadenosine Analogs of 2–5A Cores

Abstract

Sequential substitution of xyloadenosine into the trimeric and tetrameric 2–5A cores¹ allows evaluation of the importance of the 3′ hydroxyl groups to 2′5′-phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity.     

Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship Study of 5-Iodo- and Diaryl-analogues of Tubercidin: Inhibitors of Adenosine Kinase

The adenosine kinase inhibitory (AKI) activity of 5-iodo and diaryl analogues of tubercidin is quantitatively analyzed using Fujita-Ban and Hansch type analyses. The Fujita-Ban analysis being a non-parametric approach assigned the highest contribution to Cl at the X-position, C6H4-4-Cl, C6H5, 2-furanyl and I at the Y-position and CH2NH2 and CH3 at the Z-position. In addition, a OH substituent at the C-position also emerged as a better choice possibly due to its engagement in hydrogen bonding with some active site function. Thus a compound having Cl, C6H4-4-Cl, CH2NH2 and OH respectively at X-, Y-, Z- and C-positions is predicted to have a potency nearly 1.5 orders of magnitude higher than the most potent compound of the parent data set. The Hansch type analysis, on the other hand, is a parametric approach and is carried out on two sub-sets of original compounds. This sub-division is based on size and nature of the substituents present at the X- and Y-positions. For the compounds in the first sub-set the derived significant correlation equation suggested that the substituent at the Y-position exhibiting a higher field effect and a substituent such as Cl and CH2NH2 at X- and Z-positions, respectively, are important for a compound to show increased AKI activity. Thio/alkylthio at X and CH2OCH3 at Z, on the other hand, lead to a detrimental effect. Similarly for the compounds in the second sub-set, the derived significant correlation equation showed that a substituent at the X-position having a higher negative field effect, a substituent at the Y-position having bulky groups and the C-position occupied by a OH group are essential for enhancement of the activity of a compound.     

Discovery and structure–activity relationship of a novel spirocarbamate series of NPY Y5 antagonists

A novel series of trans-8-aminomethyl-1-oxa-3-azaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one derivatives was identified with potent NPY Y5 antagonist activity. Optimization of the original lead furnished compounds 23p and 23u, which combine sub-nanomolar Y5 activity with metabolic stability, oral bioavailability, brain penetration and strong preclinical profile for development. Both compounds significantly inhibited the food intake induced by a Y5 selective agonist with minimal effective doses of 3 mg/kg po.     

ATPA induced GluR5-containing kainite receptor S-nitrosylation via activation of GluR5–Gq–PLC–IP3R pathway and signalling module GluR5·PSD-95·nNOS

GluR5-containing kainite receptor (GluR5–KAR) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of nervous system diseases, while S-nitrosylation exerts a variety of effects on biological systems. However, the mechanism of GluR5–KAR S-nitrosylation is still unclear up to now. Here our researches found that GluR5–KAR selective agonist ATPA stimulation activated the nonclassical GluR5–KAR–Gq–PLC–IP₃R pathway and the signalling module GluR5·PSD-95·nNOS (the former is more important), led to Ca²⁺ release from intracellular calcium stores endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to cytoplasm and extracellular calcium indrawal, respectively, which further resulted in nNOS activation and GluR5–KAR S-nitrosylation, and then inhibited GluR5-mediated whole-cell current attenuation and induced apoptosis in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Clarification of the primary mechanisms of GluR5–KAR S-nitrosylation induced by ATPA and identification of critical cysteine for GluR5-2a S-nitrosylation (Cys231 and Cys804) open up a brand-new field for revealing downstream signalling pathway of GluR5–KAR and its molecular characteristics, exploring the pathogenesis of neurological diseases and searching for promising therapies.     

Biocontrol of Fusarium sambucinum,dry rot of potato,by Serratia plymuthica 5–6

Serratia grimesii 4–9 and Serratia plymuthica 5–6, isolated from the rhizosphere of pea, Pisum sativum (L), were evaluated for their potential to suppress growth of Fusarium sambucinum in vitro and to reduce Fusarium dry rot in stored potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L). In vitro studies indicated that these bacterial isolates suppressed growth of F. sambucinum by 60% or more at both 15 and 25°C. In a potato tuber slice assay the number of infection sites in potato slices exposed to F. sambucinum and treated with S. grimesii 4–9 and S. plymuthica 5–6 was reduced by 96 and 97%, respectively, at 15°C. The diameter (mm) of the infection sites was reduced 91 and 96%, respectively, when compared to slices treated with F. sambucinum alone. Studies with Fusarium-infected whole potato tubers also showed significant reduction in dry rot formation following treatment with the bacterial isolates or the fungicide thiabendazole. When applied simultaneously with the pathogen, S. grimesii 4–9 and S. plymuthica 5–6 suppressed development of Fusarium dry rot by 60 and 77%, respectively, at 15°C and by 63 and 84%, respectively, at 25°C compared to tubers inoculated with the pathogen alone. Thiabendazole suppressed development of Fusarium dry rot by 66 and 81% at 15 and 25°C, respectively, compared to tubers inoculated with the pathogen alone. These studies demonstrate the potential of soil bacteria as biofungicides for managing post-harvest crop diseases. Due to the potential risks to human health associated with S. grimesii 4–9, S. plymuthica 5–6 is recommended for further study for biofungicide development.     

Synthesis and Biological Activity of a Bis-Substituted 3′-Deoxyadenosine Analog of 2–5A

Abstract

The 5′-monophosphate, p5′(3′dA)2′p5′A2′5′(3′dA), was synthesized and found to bind to the 2–5A-dependent endonuclease of mouse L cells only two-three times less effectively than the parent p5′A2′p5′A2′p5′A. When evaluated for its ability to activate the 2–5A-dependent endonuclease, ppp5′(3′dA)2′p5′A2′p5′(3′dA) was found to be fifty times more effective than ppp5′A2′p5′(3′dA)2′p5′A and ten times less effective than 2–5A as an endonuclease activator     

Coordinate-based co-localization-mediated analysis of arrestin clustering upon stimulation of the C–C chemokine receptor 5 with RANTES/CCL5 analogues

G protein-coupled receptor activation and desensitization leads to recruitment of arrestin proteins from cytosolic pools to the cell membrane where they form clusters difficult to characterize due to their small size and further mediate receptor internalization. We quantitatively investigated clustering of arrestin 3 induced by potent anti-HIV analogues of the chemokine RANTES after stimulation of the C–C chemokine receptor 5 using single-molecule localization-based super-resolution microscopy. We determined arrestin 3 cluster sizes and relative fractions of arrestin 3 molecules in each cluster through image-based analysis of the localization data by adapting a method originally developed for co-localization analysis from molecular coordinates. We found that only classical agonists in the set of tested ligands were able to efficiently recruit arrestin 3 to clusters mostly larger than 150 nm in size and compare our results with existing data on arrestin 2 clustering induced by the same chemokine analogues.     

Role of CC-chemokine receptor 5 on myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats

The expression level of CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is enhanced post inflammatory stimulations and might play a crucial role on inflammatory cells infiltration post myocardial ischemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of CCR5 on myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Adult male rats were randomized to sham group, I/R group (I/R, 30 min coronary artery occlusion followed by 2-h reperfusion), ischemic preconditioning (I/R + Pre), CCR5 antibody group [I/R + CCR5Ab (0.2 mg/kg)], and CCR5 agonist group [I/R + CCR5Ago, RNATES (0.1 mg/kg)], n = 12 each group. The serum level of creatine kinase (CK) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA. Myocardial infarction size and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined. Myocardial protein expression of CCR5 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry staining, respectively. Myocardial nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity was assayed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Myocardial CCR5 protein expression was significantly reduced in I/R + Pre group (P < 0.05 vs. I/R) and further reduced in I/R + CCR5Ab group (P < 0.05 vs. I/R + Pre). LVSP and ±dP/dt _max were significantly lower while serum CK and TNF-α as well as myocardial MPO activity, ICAM-1 expression, and NF-κB activity were significantly higher in I/R group than in sham group (all P < 0.05), which were significantly reversed by I/R + Pre (all P < 0.05 vs. I/R) and I/R + CCR5Ab (all P < 0.05 vs. I/R + Pre) while aggravated by I/R + CCR5Ago (all P < 0.05 vs. I/R). Our results suggest that blocking CCR5 attenuates while enhancing CCR5 aggravates myocardial I/R injury through modulating inflammatory responses in rat heart.     

Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Physical Growth in 2–5-Year-Old Children

Physical growth disorders in under 5-year-old children are a common health problem in many countries including Iran. The aim of this study was to determine effects of supplemental zinc on physical growth in preschool children with retarded linear growth. This study was a community-based randomized controlled trial on 2–5-year-old children with height-for-age below 25th percentile of National Center for Health Statistics growth chart. Ninety children were randomly assigned in zinc group (ZG) or placebo group (PG). After 6 months of zinc or placebo supplementation, we followed up the children for another 6 months. Anthropometric indicators were measured before the intervention and then monthly for 11 months. Forty children in ZG and 45 in PG concluded the study. Zinc supplementation increased weight gain in boys (P = 0.04) and girls (P = 0.05) compared to placebo but had no significant effect on mid-upper arm circumference increment in either sexes. The most significant (P = 0.001) effect of Zinc supplementation was seen in boys’ height increment at the end of follow-up period. Stunted growth rate in ZG changed significantly (P = 0.01) from 26.7% to 2.5% throughout the study. This study showed that daily supplementation of 5 mg elemental zinc for 6 months improves physical growth in terms of height increment and weight gain in children with undesirable linear growth, especially in boys.     

Targeting the lateral interactions of transmembrane domain 5 of Epstein–Barr virus latent membrane protein 1

The lateral transmembrane protein–protein interaction has been regarded as “undruggable” despite its importance in many biological processes. The homo-trimerization of transmembrane domain 5 (TMD-5) of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) is critical for the constitutive oncogenic activation of the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). Herein, we report a small molecule agent, NSC 259242 (compound 1), to be a TMD-5 self-association disruptor. Both the positively charged acetimidamide functional groups and the stilbene backbone of compound 1 are essential for its inhibitory activity. Furthermore, cell-based assays revealed that compound 1 inhibits full-length LMP-1 signaling in EBV infected B cells. These studies demonstrated a new strategy for identifying small molecule disruptors for investigating transmembrane protein–protein interactions.     

Timing of butterfly parasitization of a plant–ant–scale symbiosis

In the Southeast Asian tropics, Arhopala lycaenid butterflies feed on Macaranga ant-plants inhabited by Crematogaster (subgenus Decacrema) ants tending Coccus-scale insects. A recent phylogenetic study showed that (1) the plants and ants have been codiversifying for the past 20–16 million years (Myr), and that (2) the tripartite symbiosis was formed 9–7 Myr ago, when the scale insects became involved in the plant–ant mutualism. To determine when the lycaenids first parasitized the Macaranga tripartite symbiosis, we constructed a molecular phylogeny of the lycaenids that feed on Macaranga by using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data and estimated their divergence times based on the cytochrome oxidase I molecular clock. The minimum age of the lycaenids was estimated by the time-calibrated phylogeny to be 2.05 Myr, about one-tenth the age of the plant–ant association, suggesting that the lycaenids are latecomers that associated themselves with the pre-existing symbiosis of plant, ant, and scale insects.     

Formation of an unusual hybrid in the development of human adenosine 5′-triphosphate–creatine phosphotransferase

1. Starch-gel analysis of extracts from adult human muscle, heart and brain reveals a hybrid creatine kinase with an abnormally high electrophoretic mobility. 2. Hybridization in vitro confirms that the postulated hybrid is formed from a combination of brain- and muscle-type enzyme sub-units. 3. The relative electrophoretic mobility of the hybrid is not affected by changing the starch concentration in the gel or by the buffer system used, or by electrophoresis in thin layers of Sephadex. 4. It is concluded that hybrid formation results in a net increase on the dimeric enzyme of from 4 to 6 negative charges. 5. During development a sharp increase in the rate of production of muscle-type enzyme sub-units occurs in heart at 10–13 weeks' gestation and in muscle at 18–20 weeks' gestation. The latter change is accompanied by a relative decrease in the concentration of brain-type sub-units.     

Two-hybrid-based analysis of protein–protein interactions of the yeast multidrug resistance protein, Pdr5p

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a large family of proteins responsible for the translocation of a variety of compounds across the membranes of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The inter-protein and intra-protein interactions in these traffic ATPases are still only poorly understood. In the present study we describe, for the first time, an extensive yeast two-hybrid (Y2H)-based analysis of the interactions of the cytoplasmic loops of the yeast pleiotropic drug resistance (Pdr) protein, Pdr5p, an ABC transporter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Four of the major cytosolic loops that have been predicted for this protein [including the two nucleotide-binding domain (NBD)-containing loops and the cytosolic C-terminal region] were subjected to an extensive inter-domain interaction study in addition to being used as baits to identify potential interacting proteins within the cell using the Y2H system. Results of these studies have revealed that the first cytosolic loop (CL1) – containing the first NBD domain – and also the C-terminal region of Pdr5p interact with several candidate proteins. The possibility of an interaction between the CL1 loops of two neighboring Pdr5p molecules was also indicated, which could possibly have implications for dimerization of this protein. Electronic Publication     

Calculation of the Three-Dimensional Structures of Two Antigenic Sequences, Pro–Pro–Pro–Pro–Asn–Pro–Asn–Asp–Pro and Pro–Pro–Pro–Pro–Asn–Pro–Asn–Asp–Pro–Pro–Pro, of the Circumsporozoite Protein From a Malaria-Causing Plasmodium

Using the chain build-up procedure based on the program ECEPP, we have computed the lowest energy structures for two terminally blocked subsequences from the antigenic circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium berghei, that is known to cause malaria in animals. The full antigenic sequence is an octapeptide proline-rich tandem repeat, (Pro–Pro–Pro–Pro–Asn–Pro–Asn–Asp)₂. We computed the structures for the first octapeptide plus one Pro from the second octapeptide, terminally blocked CH₃CO–Pro–Pro–Pro–Pro–Asn–Pro–Asn–Asp–Pro–NHCH₃ as well as the first octpeptide with an additional three Pro residues from the adjoining unit, i.e., CH₃CO–Pro–Pro–Pro–Pro–Asn–Pro–Asn–Asp–Pro–Pro–Pro–NHCH₃. We find that the first sequence adopts a number of different low energy structures, the most probable of which has a probability of occurrence of 56 %. Addition of two more Pro residues results in the adoption a single, unique lowest energy structure that has a probability of occurrence of over 95 % without solvation effects and 86 % when solvation effects are included in the calculations. We predict that this structure may be the one recognized as a major antigenic determinant.     

Dynamics of plant–pollinator–robber systems

Plant–pollinator–robber systems are considered, where the plants and pollinators are mutualists, the plants and nectar robbers are in a parasitic relation, and the pollinators and nectar robbers consume a common limiting resource without interfering competition. My aim is to show a mechanism by which pollination–mutualism could persist when there exist nectar robbers. Through the dynamics of a plant–pollinator–robber model, it is shown that (i) when the plants alone (i.e., without pollination–mutualism) cannot provide sufficient resources for the robbers’ survival but pollination–mutualism can persist in the plant–pollinator system, the pollination–mutualism may lead to invasion of the robbers, while the pollinators will not be driven into extinction by the robbers’ invasion. (ii) When the plants alone cannot support the robbers’ survival but persistence of pollination–mutualism in the plant–pollinator system is density-dependent, the pollinators and robbers could coexist if the robbers’ efficiency in translating the plant–robber interactions into fitness is intermediate and the initial densities of the three species are in an appropriate region. (iii) When the plants alone can support the robbers’ survival, the pollinators will not be driven into extinction by the robbers if their efficiency in translating the plant–pollinator interactions into fitness is relatively larger than that of the robbers. The analysis leads to an explanation for the persistence of pollination–mutualism in the presence of nectar robbers in real situations.     

Antagonism of 2–5 A-mediated inhibition of protein synthesis in intact cells by 2',5'-(pA)3

In vitro studies have shown that the translational inhibitory activity of 2–5 A can be blocked by the oligoribonucleotide 2',5'-(pA)₃. We have examined the effect of simultaneous introduction of inhibitor and antagonist into intact mouse cells using calcium phosphate coprecipitation. Upon introduction of 10⁻⁴ M 2',5'-(pA)₃ and 10⁻⁶ M 2–5 A, inhibition of protein synthesis was prevented. Efficiency of calcium phosphate precipitation of 2–5 A in the presence or absence of 2',5'-(pA)₃ was comparable. Introduction of 2',5'-(pA)₃ analogs showed that nucleotides which do not bind well to the 2–5 A dependent endonuclease do not prevent 2–5 A inhibitory activity. Thus, 2',5'-(pA)₃ functions as an antagonist of 2–5 A in vivo.