Potent and selective thrombin inhibitors featuring hydrophobic, basic P3P4-aminoalkyllactam moieties

Crystal structure and evolving SAR considerations of potent, selective benzylsulfonamide lactam thrombin inhibitors and related serine protease inhibitors have led to the design of novel thrombin inhibitors 1a-g, featuring hydrophobic, basic, P₄-alkylaminolactam scaffolds that serve as novel types of P₃---P₄ dipeptide mimics. The design, synthesis, and biological activity of these targets is presented.     

Novel acylguanidine containing thrombin inhibitors with reduced basicity at the P1 moiety

Replacement of the noragmatine group in thrombin inhibitors with a ß-alanyl-guanidine group resulted in a nearly equipotent and more selective compound 8 despite the fact that the pK_a of this P₁ moiety is five orders of magnitude lower. Further modification resulted in a nonpeptide inhibitor with this ß-alanyl-guanidine group, compound 28. This is an active and selective thrombin inhibitor and in view of its nonpeptide/low basicity structure selected for further pharmacological studies.     

Synthetic routes to mono-N-functionalized P2N2-ligands

Three different synthetic routes have been explored for the synthesis of the mono-N-substituted phosphinoamine N-ethyl,N′bis[2(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]propane-1,3-diamine: (a) selective alkylation of N,N′bis[2(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]propane-1,3-diamine; (b) linkage of the different fragments of N-ethyl,N′bis[2(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]propane-1,3-diamine; (c) selective acylation of N,N′bis[2(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]propane-1,3-diamine followed by acetyl reduction. While approaches (a) and (b) were unsuccessful, N-ethyl,N′bis[2(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]propane-1,3-diamine was obtained by route (c) via separation of the mono- and di-alkylated P₂N₂-species obtained from reduction, through complexation of Ni(NO₃)₂6H₂O followed by demetallation reaction with KCN. Additional related phosphinoamine chelates and phosphonium adducts were synthesized and characterized by conventional physico–chemical techniques.     

Potent piperazine hydroxyethylamine HIV protease inhibitors containing novel P3 ligands

The 2-isopropyl thiazolyl group is a highly optimized P₃ ligand for C₂ symmetry-based HIV protease inhibitors, as exemplified in the drug ritonavir. Here we report that incorporation of this P₃ ligand into a piperazine hydroxyethylamine series also yielded novel, highly potent inhibitors. In tissue culture assays, the presence of human serum was less deleterious to the activity of these inhibitors than to that of ritonavir. Furthermore, potent activity against ritonavir resistant HIV was observed.     

Triphosphorus pentaiodide (P3I5), a new phosphorus(III) halide

The novel phosphorus(III) halide I₂PP(I)PI₂ (P₃I₅) has been obtained in solution as one component of a complex reaction mixture by two different routes, and characterised by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.     

Aminophosphonic acid containing inhibitors of human collagenase: modification of the P1 residue

A series of peptidomimetic aminophosphonic acid derivatives was synthesized and evaluated in vitro for inhibition of human fibroblast collagenase activity. Incorporation of a bromonaphthalimidoethyl moiety at the P₁ position led to potent inhibitors, such as 14a (IC₅₀ 0.02 μM).     

Polyphosphates strongly inhibit the tRNA dependent synthesis of poly(A) catalyzed by poly(A) polymerase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Polyphosphates of different chain lengths (P₃, P₄, P₁₅, P₃₅), (1 μM) inhibited 10, 60, 90 and 100%, respectively, the primer (tRNA) dependent synthesis of poly(A) catalyzed poly(A) polymerase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The relative inhibition evoked by p₄A and P₄ (1 μM) was 40 and 60%, respectively, whereas 1 μM Ap₄A was not inhibitory. P₄ and P₁₅ were assayed as inhibitors of the enzyme in the presence of (a) saturating tRNA and variable concentrations of ATP and (b) saturating ATP and variable concentrations of tRNA. In (a), P₄ and P₁₅ behaved as competitive inhibitors, with K_i values of 0.5 μM and 0.2 μM, respectively. In addition, P₄ (at 1 μM) and P₁₅ (at 0.3 μM) changed the Hill coefficient (n_H) from 1 (control) to about 1.3 and 1.6, respectively. In (b), the inhibition by P₄ and P₁₅ decreased V and modified only slightly the K_m values of the enzyme towards tRNA.     

供磷水平对梨砧木生长和15N-尿素吸收利用特性的影响

以一年生盆栽豆梨、川梨、木梨实生苗为试材,采用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术,研究了不同供磷水平(P₂O₅分别为0、50、100、150、200 kg·hm^-2,分别用P₀、P₁、P₂、P₃、P₄表示)对3种梨砧木生长和¹⁵N-尿素吸收、利用特性的影响.结果表明: 随着供磷水平的提高,砧木的株高、地径、干质量、根系总表面积、总根长、根尖数、根系活力、根系呼吸速率、Ndff值和氮素利用率均先升高后降低,但不同砧木升降幅度不同,且各指标出现峰值的磷水平不同.在同一磷素水平下,木梨的株高、地径、干质量均最高,川梨次之,豆梨最低,根系形态指标和根系呼吸速率呈相同规律,而Ndff值和氮素利用率表现不同.在不同磷素水平下,木梨在P₃处理各指标均达到最高水平,而川梨和豆梨分别在P₂和P₁处理各指标均达到最高水平;砧木各器官的Ndff值在不同磷水平下均以茎最高;木梨的最高氮素利用率(种植季的肥料N回收率)为9.6%、川梨为8.9%、豆梨为8.3%.以上结果表明,不同梨砧木生长和氮素吸收利用特性在不同磷水平下响应不同,生产中应根据砧木需磷特性合理施磷.     

Ca influx evoked by inositol-3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate in ras-transformed NIH/3T3 fibroblasts

Infusion of inositol-3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(3,4,5,6)P₄) from the patch pipette into the cytoplasm, produced a biphasic intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) increase in ras-transformed NIH/3T3 (DT) cells. The Ins(3,4,5,6)P₄-induced increase in DT cells depended upon extracellular Ca²⁺ and was enhanced by membrane hyperpolarization. Identical [Ca²⁺]_i increases were observed with intracellular application of inositol-1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄) and inositol-1,3,4,6-tetrakisphosphate but not with inositol-1,2,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate or inositol-1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate. Stimulation of DT cells with bradykinin increased the levels of Ins(3,4,5,6)P₄ and Ins(1,3,4,5)P₄. These results suggest that Ins(3,4,5,6)P₄ may serve as a second messenger for continuous Ca²⁺ influx along with other tetrakisphosphates downstream from bradykinin receptors in DT cells.     

The in vivo synthesis of myelin proteins in rabbit sciatic nerve

Rabbits were injected into the sciatic nerves with either ³⁵S-methionine, or ³H-fucose. After times ranging from 45 min to 15 days the nerves were removed and the total particulate material from the nerves fractionated to give seven subfractions with densities between 0.2 and 1.2 M sucrose. The patterns of radio-labelled proteins were examined by SDS-PAGE and quantitative fluorography. The results showed that the P₂ basic protein was metabolically far more active than either the major P₀ glycoprotein, or the basic protein BP. The P₂ protein also entered the myelin fractions more rapidly than either P₀, or BP components. The net synthesis of P₀ was slower than P₂ and BP and this intrinsic membrane protein remained associated with the denser membrane fractions (>0.7 M sucrose) for longer than the basic proteins prior to entering myelin. Newly synthesized high molecular weight proteins remained concentrated in the denser membrane fractions and turned over faster than the myelin proteins.

A low density myelin fraction (B) was detected in which both the P₂ protein and certain high molecular weight proteins became more rapidly labelled than in compact myelin. In this fraction the specific activity remained higher than that of compact myelin for up to five days after the injection of ³⁵S-methionine into the nerve.

The results indicate that the major PNS myelin proteins are incorporated into and turn over in the various compartments of the Schwann cell plasma membrane—myelin continuum at very different rates.     

三角褐指藻在磷营养限制胁迫下的补偿生长效应

以三角褐指藻(Phaeodactylum tricornutum)为研究材料,设置了5个磷营养限制处理:磷营养分量分别设为f/2培养基的1/20(P₁)、1/10(P₂)、1/8(P₃)、1/4(P₄)、1/2(P₅),以f/2为对照(P_ck),在磷限制胁迫下培养10d,然后均以相同密度(2.5×10⁵cells·mL^-1)接种在f/2条件下恢复培养16d,测定了三角褐指藻在磷限制胁迫下和恢复培养阶段的生长状况。结果表明,三角褐指藻在受到磷限制胁迫后,细胞密度、蛋白质和可溶性糖含量都显著低于对照(p<0.05);恢复阶段,P₁、P₂和P₃处理组的细胞密度、平均相对生长率及生物量在恢复培养的中前期显著高于对照(p<0.05),最高平均相对生长率分别为0.73、0.70、0.68d^-1,显著高于对照(0.55d^-1)(p<0.05);P₄处理组的细胞密度和生物量与对照无显著差异;P₅处理组的细胞密度和生物量在恢复培养的中前期显著低于对照(p<0.05);随着培养时间的推移,各处理组与对照之间的差异逐渐缩小,处理组和对照的细胞密度、生物量、蛋白质和可溶性糖含量等均无显著差异。     

Probing fluorescence induction in chloroplasts on a nanosecond time scale utilizing picosecond laser pulse pairs

The fluorescence induction and other fluorescence properties of spinach chloroplasts at room temperature were probed utilizing two 30-ps wide laser pulses (530 nm) spaced Δt (s) apart in time (Δt = 5–110 ns). The energy of the first pulse (P₁) was varied (10¹²–10¹⁶ photons · cm⁻²), while the energy of the second (probe) pulse (P₂) was held constant (5 · 10¹³ photons · cm⁻²). A gated (10 ns) optical multichannel analyzer-spectrograph system allowed for the detection of the fluorescence generated either by P₁ alone, or by P₂ alone (preceded by P₁). The dominant effect observed for the fluorescence yield generated by P₁ alone is the usual singlet-singlet exciton annihilation which gives rise to a decrease in the yield at high energies. However, when the fluorescence yield of dark-adapted chloroplasts is measured utilizing P₂ (preceded by pulse P₁) an increase in this yield is observed. The magnitude of this increase depends on Δt, and is characterized by a time constant of 28 ± 4 ns. This rise in the fluorescence yield is attributed to a reduction of the oxidized (by P₁) reaction center P-680⁺ by a primary donor. At high pulse energies (P₁ = 4 · 10¹⁴ photons · cm⁻²) the magnitude of this fluorescence induction is diminished by another quenching effect which is attributed to triplet excited states generated by intense P₁ pulses. Assuming that the P₁ pulse energy dependence of the fluorescence yield rise reflects the closing of the reaction centers, it is estimated that about 3–4 photon hits per reaction center are required to close completely the reaction centers, and that there are 185–210 chlorophyll molecules per Photosystem II reaction center.     

Design, synthesis, and conformational analysis of a novel series of HIV protease inhibitors

A combination of structure-based design and both solution, and solid-phase synthesis were utilized to derive a potent (nM) series of HIV-1 protease inhibitors bearing a structurally novel backbone. Detailed structural analysis of several inhibitors prepared in this series has suggested that rigidification of the P₁/P₂ region of this class of molecules may result in compounds with improved potency.     

Expression and characterization of recombinant Manduca sexta serpin- 1B and site-directed mutants that change its inhibitory selectivity

Hemolymph of Manduca sexta contains a number of serine proteinase inhibitors from the serpin superfamily. During formation of a stable complex between a serpin and a serine proteinase, the enzyme cleaves a specific peptide bond in an exposed loop (the reactive-site region) at the surface of the serpin. The amino acid residue on the amino-terminal side of this scissile bond, the P₁ residue, is important in defining the selectivity of a serpin for inhibiting different types of serine proteinases. M. sexta serpin-1B, with alanine at the position predicted from sequence alignments to be the P₁ residue, was previously named alaserpin. This alanyl residue was changed by site-directed mutagenesis to lysine (A343K) and phenylalanine (A343F). The serpin-1B cDNA and its mutants were inserted into an expression vector, H6pQE-60, and the serpin proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli. Affinity-purified recombinant serpins selectively inhibited mammalian serine proteinases: serpin-1B inhibited elastase; serpin-1B(A343K) inhibited trypsin, plasmin, and thrombin; serpin-1B(A343F) inhibited chymotrypsin as well as trypsin. All three serpins inhibited human cathepsin G. This insect serpin and its site-directed mutants associated with mammalian serine proteinases at rates similar to those reported for mammalian serpins. Serpin-1B and its mutants formed SDS-stable complexes with the enzymes they inhibited. The scissile bond was determined to be between residues 343 and 344 in wild-type serpin-1B and in serpin-1B with mutations at residue 343. These results demonstrate that the P₁ alanine residue defines the primary selectivity of serpin-1B for elastase-like enzymes, and that this selectivity can be altered by mutations at this position.     

Design and synthesis of statine-containing BACE inhibitors

Utilizing structure-based techniques and solid-phase synthesis, statine-based tetrapeptide BACE inhibitors were designed and synthesized using a heptapeptide BACE transition-state mimetic, 1, as the starting point. Structure–activity relationship studies at the P₃, P₂, and P₂′ positions as well as the N-terminal capping group on scaffold 5 led to the discovery of potent inhibitors 27, 32, and 34 (IC₅₀ <100 nM). In addition, computational analysis and the X-ray structure of BACE–inhibitor 38 are discussed.     

施磷对鲜食甘薯产量、品质及磷利用效率的影响——以徐薯32为例

为了探索适宜的磷肥用量,提高鲜食型甘薯的经济产量和磷肥利用率,以徐薯32为例,于2018—2019年进行两年的田间试验(土壤有效磷含量为31.70 mg·kg^-1),比较了不同施磷量对鲜食甘薯产量、品质、磷积累和磷利用效率的影响。试验设置5个施磷水平(P₂O₅),分别为0(P₀)、25(P₂₅)、50(P₅₀)、75(P₇₅)和100 kg·hm^-2 (P₁₀₀)。结果表明: 1)与P₀相比,施磷显著提高了鲜薯产量和商品薯产量,以P₇₅处理最高,其次为P₅₀处理,两处理间差异不显著。2)施磷显著提高了薯块中淀粉和还原糖含量,在P₅₀处理下可溶性糖和蛋白质含量显著增加。3)在生育期90～120 d,施磷显著提高了甘薯的磷积累量和干物质积累量。4)磷表观利用率随着施磷量的增加而下降,磷农学效率则随着施磷量的增加先升后降,在P₅₀处理下显著高于其他处理。综合考虑鲜薯产量、品质、经济产量和磷肥利用率,本试验条件下P₂O₅的适宜用量为50 kg·hm^-2。     

Effects of 9-ene-tetrahydrocannabinol on expression of β-type transforming growth factors, insulin-like growth factor-I and c-myc genes in the mouse uterus

Effects of cannabinoid on expression of β-type transforming growth factors (TGF-β1, -β2 and -β3), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and c-myc genes in the uteri of adult ovariectomized mice were examined using Northern blot hybridization. Mice were exposed to 9-ene-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alone or in combination with an injection of estradiol-17β (E₂) and/or progesterone (P₄), and uteri were analyzed at various times thereafter. TGF-β isoform messenger RNAs (mRNAs) persisted in ovariectomized uteri and their levels were not altered after THC treatment, whereas an injection of E₂ caused a modest increase in TGF-β1 and -β3 mRNA levels at 24 h. Imposition of THC treatment advanced the stimulatory effects of E₂ by changing the timing for the peak of TGF-β3 mRNA levels to 12 h. In comparison, E₂ treatment substantially elevated the levels of TGF-β2 mRNA at 6 h, and THC potentiated this E₂ response without affecting the timing for the response. Imposition of P₄ treatment did not antagonize any of these responses. P₄ treatment alone or with THC had insignificant effects on mRNA levels for these TGF-β isoforms. Uterine levels of IGF-I and c-myc mRNAs were low in ovariectomized mice and THC did not alter these mRNA levels. In contrast, E₂ treatment induced a rapid, but transient, increase in IGF-I and c-myc mRNAs, and THC antagonized the rapid c-myc mRNA response and altered the timing of the IGF-I mRNA response. P₄ treatment alone also caused the transient induction of these mRNAs, but THC failed to antagonize these effects. An injection of P₄ plus E₂ resulted in further modest increases in IGF-I and c-myc mRNA levels as compared to E₂ or P₄ treatment alone. However, THC did not antagonize these transient stimulatory effects of the combined ovarian steroids. The data suggest that THC should not be classified as estrogenic or antiestrogenic. However, this compound can modulate (potentiate, antagonize and/or alter timing) the effects of ovarian steroids on uterine gene expression.     

Myo-inositol 1,4,6-trisphosphate: A new synthetic Ca-mobilising inositol phosphate

The synthesis of myo-inositol 1,4,6-trisphosphate from myo-inositol is described; this novel trisphosphate is a potent Ca²⁺-mobilising agonist at the Ins(1,4,5)P₃ receptor and is derived from structure-activity considerations of myo-inositol 1,3,4,6-tetrakisphosphate.     

Uptake and light activated esterification of P by isolated chloroplasts

1. 1. Esterification of ³²P₁ by illuminated chloroplasts prepared on a sucrose gradient was examined to establish the optimal incubation conditions.

2. 2. The evidence is consistent with phosphorylation being closely coupled to the sum of noncyclic and pseudocyclic electron flow and with the rate of electron flow responding to the availability of electron acceptors.

3. 3. Apparent K_m values for ADP and Mg²⁺ were found to be 40 and 250 μM, respectively. The K_m value for Mg²⁺ was increased by the presence of Ca²⁺. Two apparent values were observed for P₁ at 0.2 and 1.1 mM. Chloroplast damage resulted in increased apparent K_m (P₁) values.

4. 4. Acceleration of the esterification resulting from the addition of ADP and P₁ to the medium indicated that these compounds were able to penetrate to the active site of esterification.

5. 5. Ribose 5-phosphate (Rib-5-P) was shown to inhibit P₁ esterification without affecting the apparent K_m for ADP or P₁. The evidence suggests that Rib-5-P interferes with the uptake of P₁, and possibly ADP.

Selective activation of G alpha i mediated signalling of S1P3 by FTY720-phosphate

The immune modulator FTY720 is phosphorylated in vivo to FTY720 phosphate (FTY-P), which activates four sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors including S1P₃. Upon activation with S1P, S1P₃ couples to G_i- and G_q-protein-dependent signalling pathways. Here we show that FTY-P selectively activates the S1P₃-mediated and G_i-coupled inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. Contemporaneously, it antagonizes the S1P-induced activation of G_q via S1P₃ in intracellular calcium flux measurements, GTP-binding experiments, and flow cytometric analyses of activation-induced receptor down-regulation. In contrast to S1P, pre-treatment with FTY-P did not desensitize S1P-induced calcium flux or chemotaxis via S1P₃. The lack of receptor desensitization prevented S1P₃-mediated migration to FTY-P. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells express S1P₁ and S1P₃, and respond to S1P and FTY-P by ERK1/2 phosphorylation and by intracellular calcium release in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. But whereas a mixture of S1P and FTY-P was not affecting ERK1/2 phosphorylation, the intracellular calcium flux was hampered with increasing amounts of FTY-P, which points to a cross-talk between S1P₁ and S1P₃. FTY-P is therefore one of the rare ligands which bind to a receptor that couples multiple G-proteins but selectively activates only one signalling pathway.