Structural modifications of (1S,3S)-3-amino-4-difluoromethylenecyclopentanecarboxylic acid, a potent irreversible inhibitor of GABA aminotransferase

Low brain levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) lead to convulsions. Inhibition of GABA aminotransferase increases the concentration of GABA and can terminate the convulsions. Earlier we reported the synthesis of (1S,3S)-3-amino-4-difluoromethylenecyclopentanecarboxylic acid (2), which is 186 times more potent an inactivator of GABA aminotransferase than the epilepsy drug S-vigabatrin. The corresponding dichloromethylene analogue of 2 (compound 3) has been made, but it shows only weak reversible inhibition of GABA aminotransferase. However, the tetrazole isostere of 2 (compound 4) has been found to be a time-dependent inactivator of GABA aminotransferase. Although it is 20 times less potent than carboxylic acid 2, it is 2.5 times more potent than S-vigabatrin. A calculation of the ClogP values indicates that 4 is the most lipophilic of the three, being 69 times more lipophilic than 2 and 55 times more lipophilic than S-vigabatrin, indicating potential for improved bioavailability.     

Palmitoyl derivatives of L-cysteine, cysteamine, L-cystine, cystamine and their incorporation into the bilayers of unilamellar liposomes

The amino groups of the amino acids L-cysteine and L-cystine as well as their biogene amines cysteamine and cystamine were derivatized with palmitoyl residues. The obtained lipophilic R-SH and R-S-S-R components were incorporated into the bilayers of unilamellar liposomes. The resulting liposomes carrying about 2000 functional groups each remained stable and homogeneous during 60 days after incorporation of N-palmitoyl cysteamine and N,N'-dipalmitoyl cystamine. The incorporation of the lipophilic amino acid derivatives, however, destabilized the resulting liposomes. Via the thiol residues of the functionalized liposomes activated molecules can be linked to the liposomal surface by disulfide bonds.     

Isolation and characterization of the novel lipophilic protein, Pb CP-12.7, from the shell of the pink shrimp, Pandalus borealis.

Past research on diapause-inducing substances of the silkworm has isolated an extremely lipophilic peptide and demonstrated its unique characteristics. In the present work, similar lipophilic proteins were searched for in the shell of the shrimp, Pandalus borealis, and one novel protein, Pb CP-12.7, was isolated. Its structure comprising 126 amino acids was revealed by a combination of a sequence analysis and the enzymic fragmentation technique. Pb CP-12.7 is unique in that it was insoluble in neutral-slightly basic water, but highly soluble in some organic solvents. It contained an abundance of hydrophobic amino acids and repeating sequences. In addition, it was adsorbed to chitin, a major component of the shell of the shrimp.     

P3 optimization of functional potency, in vivo efficacy and oral bioavailability in 3-aminopyrazinone thrombin inhibitors bearing non-charged groups at the P1 position

Although the S3 pocket of the thrombin active site is lined with lipophilic amino acid residues, the accommodation of polarity within the lipophilic P3 moiety of small molecule inhibitors is possible provided that the polar functionality is capable of pointing away from the binding pocket outwards toward solvent while simultaneously allowing the lipophilic portion of the P3 ligand to interact with the S3 amino acid residues. Manipulation of this motif provided the means to effect optimization of functional potency, in vivo antithrombotic efficacy and oral bioavailability in a series of 3-aminopyrazinone thrombin inhibitors which contained non-charged groups at the P1 position.     

Human lipocalin-1, a physiological scavenger of lipophilic compounds, is produced by corticotrophs of the pituitary gland.

Lipocalin-1 (Lcn-1), a member of the lipocalin superfamily that binds a broad array of different chemical classes of lipophilic ligands, is believed to act as a physiological scavenger of potentially harmful lipophilic molecules. Thus far, it was thought to be produced exclusively by a number of exocrine glands and tissues, including lachrymal and lingual glands, prostate, secretory glands of the tracheobronchial tract, and sweat glands. Using Northern blotting analysis, we were able to demonstrate Lcn-1 expression by the human pituitary gland. Moreover, double immunolabeling with antibodies against Lcn-1 and pituitary gland hormones and detection with fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies revealed that Lcn-1 is specifically produced by corticotrophs, clearly indicating that its distribution is not restricted to exocrine tissues.     

The hexachlorotechnetate reagent in the synthesis,characterization and biodistribution of two novel lipophilic complexes

The hexachlorotechnetate reagent has been used to synthesize lipophilic complexes of technetium-99m with polydentate ligands, using ligand exchange reactions and acetonitrile as an aprotic solvent. The complexes isolated were partially characterized by chromatographic (paper and HPLC) and electrophoretic methods. Preliminary data on biodistribution studies, carried out in rabbits, are also presented. This work documents that the hexachlorotechnetate reagent is a suitable intermediate for the rapid synthesis of new lipophilic complexes of technetium-99m.     

Estrogen-like effect of a Cimicifuga racemosa extract sub-fraction as assessed by in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro assays

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is used in the treatment of painful menstruation and menopausal symptoms. Data about the nature of the active compounds and mechanism(s) of action are still controversial, chiefly with respect to its estrogenic activity.

This work aimed to assess the possible estrogenic activity of a commercial dry hydro-alcoholic extract of C. racemosa and its hydrophilic and lipophilic sub-fractions on in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro assays.

In a yeast estrogen screen, only the lipophilic sub-fraction was able to activate the human estrogen receptor , with a lower potency but comparable efficacy to that of 17 β-estradiol.

Neither the total extract nor the lipophilic sub-fraction showed an in vivo uterotrophic effect in 21-day-old rats. Uterine tissues obtained ex vivo from C. racemosa treated animals were generally much less sensitive to oxytocin, prostaglandin F_2, and bradykinin than tissues obtained from estradiol valerate treated rats.

The lipophilic sub-fraction, instead, induced a dose-dependent inhibitory activity on the in vitro response to oxytocin, prostaglandin F_2, and bradykinin of uterine horns from naïve 28-day-old rats, with a potency rate close to 1:30 of that of 17 β-estradiol.

Reported results confirm the effectiveness of C. racemosa in menstrual distress and further emphasize the possibility that lipophilic constituents bind to an as yet not identified estrogen receptor, likely inversely involved in inflammation.     

Lipophilic derivatives of natural chlorins: Synthesis,mixed micelles with phospholipids,and uptake by cultured cells

The chemical synthesis of six lipophilic conjugates of chlorins was carried out, in which lipophilic fragment (either hexadecyl- or cholest-5-en-3β-yloxyethyl-) bound to 13¹-, 15²-, 17³-positions of macrocycle by formation of related carboxamides. Structure of synthesized conjugates was studied by spectral methods and molecular modeling. Lipophilic conjugates of chlorins, being mixed with egg yolk phosphatidyl choline, formed mixed micelles stable in aqueous media under physiological conditions. Mixed micelles of conjugates with phosphatidyl choline differing in stoichiometric compositions were prepared and characterized by absorption spectra, electron microscopy and laser scattering. These micelles were found to bind and internalized by human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. The presented data reveal that modification of macrocycle with lipophilic substituents, solubilization of obtained conjugates in aqueous medium as mixed micelles with phospholipids, and transfer of mixed micelles to cells is simple approach for targeting of chlorin derivatives, which apparently may be used in photodynamic therapy.     

NMR-based metabonomic evaluation of livers from rats chronically treated with tamoxifen,mestranol, and phenobarbital

In this study, we look at the metabolic effects of long-term dosing with tamoxifen, mestranol or phenobarbital on the liver. Tamoxifen, mestranol and phenobarbital have all been reported to act as promoters of hepatic tumors. While tamoxifen and mestranol are known to have estrogenic activity, in the liver phenobarbital is a non-estrogenic compound. Aqueous and lipophilic liver extracts from control and chronically treated Fisher 344 rats were evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). In both the aqueous and lipophilic sample sets, the estrogenic action of mestranol appears to be responsible for the clustering of these samples with those animals treated with tamoxifen. Phenobarbital does not have estrogenic activity and, therefore, clusters away from the estrogenic and control groups. In the lipophilic samples, the fatty acid peak (CH₂)_n was higher in tamoxifen-treated rats than in control, phenobarbital- or mestranol-treated rats. In the aqueous samples, serine and choline levels were higher in phenobarbital-treated rats than controls, which may be an indication that the folate–homocysteine metabolic pathways were altered.     

1H and 13C NMR spectra,protonation, deprotonation,and host-guest complexation-induced shifts of some fluorescence dyes

¹H and ¹³C NMR signal assignments for 8-anilinonaphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) and dansyl amide (DNSA) are achieved using high-field spectra, decoupling, and two-dimensional NMR techniques as well as shift differences between conjugate acid and bases. Complexation of ANS and DNSA with a macrocyclic azoniacyclophane is measured by fluorescence and by NMR shift titration, furnishing an independent check for the equilibrium constant determination. The complexation-induced shifts (CIS) for ANS and DNSA are analyzed on the basis of aromatic ring current and linear electric field effect models. Comparison of equilibrium constants of the cyclophane and different substrates shows that, e.g., for ANS, lipophilic/hydrophobic binding dominates over electrostatic effects despite the presence of charges and the absence of a lipophilic cap or bottom on the receptor molecule.     

六妹羊肚菌的化学成分

以六妹羊肚菌Morchella sextelata为研究对象,对其子实体的化学成分进行研究。采用气相色谱-质谱联用技术（GC-MS）进行子实体芳香物和亲脂性提取物的化学成分分析,同时对其亲脂性提取物的抗氧化和抗菌活性进行了初步评价;采用正反相硅胶柱色谱、葡聚糖凝胶柱色谱等多种色谱分离方法进行化学成分的分离纯化,并通过核磁共振（NMR）、质谱（MS）等技术鉴定化合物结构。从六妹羊肚菌子实体的芳香物中共鉴定出26个化合物,辛-1-烯-3-醇（32.53%）、(E)-辛-2-烯醛（25.15%）和苯乙醛（12.31%）为主要成分;从六妹羊肚菌子实体的亲脂性提取物中共鉴定出14个化合物,亚油酸（77.80%）为主要成分;六妹羊肚菌亲脂性提取物仅显示出中等强度的抗氧化活性。从六妹羊肚菌子实体中共分离鉴定出14个化合物,包括7个甾体类化合物,其中化合物1、2、4、7、11、13和14为首次从羊肚菌属中分离得到。本研究首次对六妹羊肚菌的小分子化学成分进行了分析,对羊肚菌活性物质的阐明及进一步开发利用具有重要意义。     

Visualization of plastids and lipophilic components in living colonies of a wild strain of the hydrocarbon-forming, green alga Botryococcus by laser scanning confocal microscopy

Colonies of a wild strain from Lake Burley-Griffin, Australia, of the hydrocarbon-producing green alga Botryococcus were examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The microscope was fitted with a dual wavelength krypton-argon laser, which permitted simultaneous detection of chlorophyll autofluorescence and lipophilic dye fluorescence. This quick and simple technique revealed the precise structural conformation of the autofluorescing plastids in living cells and their 3-dimensional spatial arrangement within the dense globular colonies. Cells stained with the lipophilic carbocyanine dye, DIOC6(3) contain an apical array of intensely staining granules as well as a more diffuse internal cisternal system thought to be endoplasmic reticulum. The cationic lipophilic dye rhodamine123 revealed a finer reticulate system in the outermost cytoplasm partially overlaying the plastid. Both dyes revealed the lipophilic nature of the extracellular matrix and enabled the secretion of lipid globules exuded from the colonies to be visualized. It is suggested that confocal laser scanning microcopy would make an ideal tool to screen isolates for their potential to form and secrete hydrocarbon, processes which are still far from clearly understood in this potentially commercially important alga. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Binding of biliverdin, bilirubin, and thyroid hormones to lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase.

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase is a major protein of the cerebrospinal fluid and was originally known as beta-trace. We investigated the binding ability of prostaglandin D synthase toward bile pigments, thyroid hormones, steroid hormones, and fatty acids in this present study. We found that the recombinant enzyme binds bile pigments and thyroid hormones, resulting in quenching of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, the appearance of induced circular dichroism of the lipophilic ligands, and a red shift of the absorption spectra of bilirubin and biliverdin. The binding of prostaglandin D synthase to lipophilic ligands was also demonstrated by the resonant mirror technique and surface plasmon resonance detection. The dissociation constants were calculated to be 33 nM, 37 nM, 660 nM, 820 nM, and 2.08 microM for biliverdin, bilirubin, L-thyroxine, 3,3',5'-triiodo-L-thyronine, and 3,3', 5-triiodo-L-thyronine, respectively. Biliverdin and bilirubin underwent a shift in their absorption peaks from 375 to 380 nm and from 439 to 446 nm, respectively, after binding to prostaglandin D synthase. Bilirubin bound to the enzyme showed a bisignate CD spectrum with a (-) Cotton effect at 422 nm and a (+) Cotton effect at 472 nm, indicating a right-handed chirality. The ligands also inhibited prostaglandin D synthase activity noncompetitively in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50 values between 3.9 and 10. 9 microM. Epididymal retinoic acid-binding protein and beta-lactoglobulin, two other lipocalin proteins that bind retinoids such as prostaglandin D synthase, did not show any significant interaction with bile pigments or thyroid hormones. These results show that prostaglandin D synthase binds small lipophilic ligands with a specificity distinct from that of other lipocalins.     

Chemical synthesis, biological evaluation and structure-activity relationship analysis of azaisoindolinones, a novel class of direct enoyl-ACP reductase inhibitors as potential antimycobacterial agents

The synthesis and biological evaluation of azaisoindolinone compounds embedding a lipophilic chain on the framework were performed. These compounds were designed as InhA inhibitors and as anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis agents. Structure-activity relationships concerning the length and the location of the lipophilic chain around the azaisoindolinone framework, the suppression of the phenyl group, the bioisosteric substitution of ether link and alkylating of the tertiary hydroxyl and the hemiamidal nitrogen were also investigated, revealing insightful information and thereby enabling further diversification of the azaisoindolinone scaffold for new antitubercular agents.     

Lipophilic impurities, not phenolsulfonphthalein, account for the estrogenic activity in commercial preparations of phenol red

Previously, we found that Phenol Red, a pH indicator dye commonly used in tissue culture media, had weak estrogenic activity, demonstrable by competitive binding to the estrogen receptor, stimulation of the growth rate of human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, and elevation of progesterone receptor levels in these cells. We have now examined in more detail the source of this estrogenic activity, present in commercially available preparations of Phenol Red. By high performance liquid chromatography and solvent partitioning, we find that the receptor binding and growth promoting activity does not correspond to the indicator dye itself (phenolsulfonphthalein), but rather to more lipophilic impurities present in these preparations. There are numerous such impurities, many of which show some competitive binding activity, but the major receptor binding activity is accounted for by a single impurity component. Commercial preparations of Phenol Red can be purified by ether extraction of the sodium salt, whereby 95-99% of the lipophilic estrogenic impurities are removed, and the growth stimulating activity towards MCF-7 cells is reduced.     

A fluorometric assay to determine antioxidant activity of both hydrophilic and lipophilic components in plant foods

This study aimed to develop a fluorometric method to determine total antioxidant activity of plant foods. The antioxidant activities in plant foods were determined after extracting (1) hydrophilic components with acidified methanol (methanol:glacial acetate acid:water=50:3.7:46.3), (2) lipophilic components with methanol followed by tetrahydrofuran (THF), or (3) both hydrophilic and lipophilic components using sequential extraction of acidified methanol and THF together. Both the hydrophilic assay [using the hydrophilic radical initiator 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (10 mmol/L) and hydrophilic probe 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH)] and the lipophilic assay [using the lipophilic radical initiator [2,2'-azobis (4-methoxiy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2 mmol/L], and the lipophilic probe 4,4-difluoro-5-(4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-undecanoic acid (C11-BODIPY 581/591) (BODIPY: 2 micromol/L)] were used to measure antioxidant activity. The inhibition of BODIPY oxidation was significantly increased (P<.01) when both the hydrophilic and lipophilic components were extracted using acidified methanol and organic solvent as compared to those extracted by organic solvent alone. In addition, the rate of DCFH oxidation was significantly delayed (P<.05) when both components coexisted compared to DCFH oxidation of the hydrophilic component alone. The combination of lipophilic and hydrophilic components in these plant foods showed significantly greater antioxidant activity than that of either hydrophilic or lipophilic component alone. Thus, both hydrophilic and lipophilic components in plant foods and their interactions should be considered when determining their antioxidant activity.     

Idebenone and neuroprotection: antioxidant,pro-oxidant,or electron carrier?

Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes - Ubiquinone, commonly called coenzyme Q10 (CoQ), is a lipophilic electron carrier and endogenous antioxidant found in all cellular membranes. In the...     

Synthesis and anti-OXPHOS,antitumor activities of DLC modified spinosyn derivatives

A series of DLC (delocalized lipophilic cation) modified spinosyn derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antitumor efficacies both in vitro and in vivo. Cancer cell based antiproliferative assays indicated that the more lipophilic derivatives had stronger inhibitory effects on the tested cancer cell lines. Compound 7b and 8b exhibited strong anti-OXPHOS and apoptosis inducing ability. Notable antitumor efficacies of 7b (5 mg/kg) and 8b (2.5 mg/kg) were observed in the in vivo tumor xenograft experiments, however, lethal toxicities were observed on higher dosages. Our findings indicated that DLC modification is a viable strategy to enhance the anti-OXPHOS and antitumor efficacies of spinosyn derivatives.     

Prooxidant and antioxidant properties of Trolox C, analogue of vitamin E, in oxidation of low-density lipoprotein

Trolox C (Trolox), a water-soluble analogue of vitamin E lacking the phytyl chain, was investigated with respect to its effect on the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Trolox was added at different time points of LDL oxidation induced by Cu2+ and aqueous peroxyl radicals. In the case of Cu2+ -induced LDL oxidation, the effect of Trolox changed from antioxidant to prooxidant when added at later time points during oxidation; this transition occurred whenever alpha-tocopherol was just consumed in oxidizing LDL. Thus, in the case of Cu2+ -dependent LDL oxidation, the presence of lipophilic antioxidants in the LDL particle is likely to be a prerequisite for the antioxidant activity of Trolox. When oxidation was induced by peroxyl radicals, as a model of metal-independent oxidation, the effect of Trolox was always antioxidant, suggesting the importance of Cu2+ /Cu+ redox-cycling in the prooxidant mechanism of Trolox. Our data suggest that, in the absence of significant amounts of lipophilic antioxidants, LDL becomes highly susceptible to oxidation induced by transition metals in the presence of aqueous reductants.     

Design, synthesis, and intracellular localization of a fluorescently labeled DNA binding polyamide related to the antibiotic distamycin

The design and synthesis of the lipophilic (9) and fluorescent (10) conjugates of a structural analogue of distamycin and their in vitro cellular localization studies are reported. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) indicates that 10 rapidly enters human ovarian adenocarcinoma (SKOV-3) cells with principal uptake in mitochondria and uniform cytoplasmic distribution.