Biotransformation of arenobufagin and cinobufotalin by Alternaria alternata

Abstract

The biotransformation of arenobufagin (1) and cinobufotalin (2), isolated from the natural medicine Chan Su, by Alternaria alternata AS 3.4578 was carried out. Incubation of 1 and 2 afforded six metabolites: 3-oxo-arenobufagin (1a), ψ-bufarenogin (1b), 3-oxo-ψ-bufarenogin (1c), 3-oxo-Δ⁴-derivative of cinobufotalin (2a), 3-oxo-cinobufotalin (2b) and 12β-hydroxycinobufotalin (2c). Among them, metabolites 1a, 1c and 2c are new compounds and their structures were characterized on the basis of their spectroscopic data (NMR, MS and IR). Compounds 1, 2, 1b, 2a and 2b were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF-7 human cancer cells, and all of them showed significant inhibitory activities.     

Synthesis and Absolute Configuration of Pyriculol

A total synthesis of optically active pyriculol is described. The Wittig reaction between an aldehyde 19 and a triphenylphosphonium ylide 12 gave an intermediate 20. Successive treatment of 20 with p-toluenesulfonic acid, active manganese dioxide, and potassium carbonate gave (3′R,4′S)-pyriculol (23), which was identical with natural pyriculol (1) in all respects. From this synthesis, the absolute stereochemistry of pyriculol (1) was determined to be 2-[(3′R,4′S)-3′,4′-dihydroxy- (1′E,5′E)-1′,5′-heptadienyl]-6-hydroxybenzaldehyde     

Phosphoralaninate Pronucleotides of Pyrimidine Methylenecyclopropane Analogues of Nucleosides: Synthesis and Antiviral Activity

The Z- and E-thymine and cytosine pronucleotides 3d, 4d, 3e, and 4e of methylenecyclopropane nucleosides analogues were synthesized, evaluated for their antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HSV-1), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and their potency was compared with the parent compounds 1d, 2d, 1e, and 2e. Prodrugs 3d and 4d were obtained by phosphorylation of parent analogues 1d or 2d with reagent 8. A similar phosphorylation of N⁴-benzoylcytosine methylenecyclopropanes 9a and 9b gave intermediates 11a and 11b. Deprotection with hydrazine in pyridine–acetic acid gave pronucleotides 3e and 4e. The Z-cytosine analogue 3e was active against HCMV and EBV. The cytosine E-isomer 4e was moderately effective against EBV.     

Community Structure,Geochemical Characteristics and Mineralogy of a Hypersaline Microbial Mat,Cabo Rojo,PR

Seasonal variations in precipitation changed the community composition and microbial activity in a hypersaline, tropical microbial mat, in Cabo Rojo, PR. Using a combination of dissection, light, and transmission electron microscopy, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), in situ microelectrode studies, and ³⁵ S isotope incubations, we documented the major differences between wet and dry seasons. During the wet season (precipitation 177 mm), cyanobacterial (green layer) and anoxyphototrophic (pink layer) communities, as well as the black FeS layer were well-developed, and T-RFLP patterns indicated a diverse community. The rate of oxygenic photosynthesis was 49 μ M min ^{? 1} . Aerobic respiration was 29 μ M min ^{? 1} , and sulfate reduction was 264 nmol cm ^{? 3} h ^{? 1} . During the dry season (precipitation 51 mm), cyanobacteria and anoxyphototrophs were less diverse and abundant, and T-RFLP patterns were less complex. The O ₂ production rate was reduced to 9 μ M min ^{? 1} , as was O ₂ consumption (7 μ M min ^{? 1} ) and sulfate reduction (26 nmol cm ^{? 3} h ^{? 1} ). Aragonite, calcite, halite, and quartz were the predominant minerals. Seasonal differences were found in the green and pink layers for both halite and quartz. Gypsum was not observed, likely due to a sample handling artifact. The fluctuations in community composition and metabolic activity, principally reflected in fluctuations in binding and trapping potential of the uppermost mat community, might be responsible for the observed differences in mineralogy.     

Plant growth regulators and Axl and immune checkpoint inhibitors from the edible mushroom Leucopaxillus giganteus

ABSTRACT

A novel compound, (R)-4-ethoxy-2-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoic acid (1), and six known compounds (2–7) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the wild edible mushroom Leucopaxillus giganteus. The planar structure of 1 was determined by the interpretation of spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by comparing specific rotation of the synthetic compounds. In the plant regulatory assay, the isolated compounds (1–7) and the chemically prepared compounds (8–10) were evaluated their biological activity against the lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth. Compounds 1 and 3–10 showed the significant regulatory activity of lettuce growth. 1 showed the strongest inhibition activity among the all the compounds tested. In the lung cancer assay, all the compounds were assessed the mRNA expression of Axl and immune checkpoints (PD-L1, PD-L2) in the human A549 alveolar epithelial cell line by RT-PCR. Compounds 1–10 showed significant inhibition activity against Axl and/or immune checkpoint.     

SAFB1 interacts with and suppresses the transcriptional activity of p53

A significant amount of nuclear p53 is found associated with the nuclear matrix in cells that were exposed to genotoxic stress. In this study we identified Scaffold attachment factor B1 (SAFB1), a nuclear matrix-associated protein that binds the scaffold or matrix attachment regions (S/MARs) of genomic DNA, as a novel p53-interacting protein. SAFB1 was able to associate with p53 through its C-terminal domain, while significant co-localization of the two proteins was observed in cells treated with 5-fluorouracil or mithramycin. Binding of p53 to SAFB1 had a significant functional outcome, since SAFB1 was shown to suppress p53-mediated reporter gene expression. These data suggest that nuclear matrix-associated proteins may play a critical role in regulating p53 localization and activity.

Structured summary

p53physically interacts with SRPK1a: shown by two hybrid (view interaction)p53physically interacts with SRPK1a: shown by pull down (view interaction)p53physically interacts with SRPK1a: shown by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (view interaction)p53physically interacts with SRPK1a: shown by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (view interaction)SAFB1physically interacts with p53: shown by pull down (view interactions 1, 2)SAFB1physically interacts with p53: shown by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (view interactions 1, 2)SAFB1 and p53colocalize: shown by fluorescence microscopy (view interaction)SAFB2physically interacts with p53: shown by pull down (view interaction)     

BcMAF2 activates BcTEM1 and represses flowering in Pak-choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis)

Key message

BcMAF2 plays a key role in flowering regulation by controlling BcTEM1, BcSOC1 and BCSPL15 in Pak-choi.

Abstract

Flowering is a key event in the life cycle of plants. Flowering time shows an extensive variation from different Pak-choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis) cultivars. However, the regulation mechanism of flowering in Pak-choi remains rarely known. In this study, a systematic identification and functional analysis of a Pak-choi MADS Affecting Flowering (MAF) gene, BcMAF2, was carried out. BcMAF2 encoded a protein containing a conserved MADS-box domain, which was localized in the nucleus. QPCR analysis indicated that the expression of BcMAF2 was higher in the leaves and flowers. Overexpression of BcMAF2 in Arabidopsis showed that BcMAF2 repressed flowering, which was further confirmed by silencing endogenous BcMAF2 in Pak-choi. In addition, Tempranillo 1 (TEM1) expression was up-regulated and MAF2 expression was down-regulated in the BcMAF2-overexpressing Arabidopsis. The expression of BcMAF2 and BcTEM1 was down-regulated in BcMAF2-silencing Pak-choi plants. The yeast one-hybrid, dual luciferase and qPCR results revealed that BcMAF2 protein could directly bind to BcTEM1 promoter and activate its expression, which was not reported in Arabidopsis. Meanwhile, a self-inhibition was found in BcMAF2. Taken together, this work suggested that BcMAF2 could repress flowering by directly activating BcTEM1.

     

Triterpenoids from <i>Uncaria rhynchophylla</i> and Their PTP1B Inhibitory Activity

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine used for psychiatric and hypotensive purposes in China. In this study, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) part of U. rhynchophylla was revealed with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activity. Subsequent investigation on the EtOAc part yielded one new triterpenoid, 3β-formyloxy-6β,19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (1) and four known ones, 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 2-oxopomolic acid (3), 3β,19α-dihydroxy-6-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (4) and sumaresinolic acid (5). The structure of compound 1 was determined by extensive HRESIMS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Two ursane-type triterpenoids (2 and 3) showed selective inhibition on PTP1B with IC₅₀ values of 48.2 and 178.7 μM. The enzyme kinetic study suggested that compounds 2 and 3 were mix-type inhibitors on PTP1B with K_i values of 15.6 and 132.5 μM. This investigation manifests the antidiabetic potency of U. rhynchophylla with triterpenoids as the active constituents.     

Design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel chroman-4-one, chroman, and 2H-chromene derivatives as human rhinovirus capsid-binding inhibitors

As part of an effort to generate broad-spectrum inhibitors of rhinovirus replication, novel series of (E)-3-[(E)-3-phenylallylidene]chroman-4-ones 1a–e, (E)-3-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)chroman-4-ones 2a and 2b, (Z)-3-[(E)-3-phenylallylidene]chromans 3a–e, and (E)-3-(3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromenes 4a–d were designed and synthesized. All the compounds were tested in vitro for their efficacy against infection by human rhinovirus (HRV) 1B and 14, two representative serotypes for rhinovirus group B and A, respectively. Most of the analogues were found to be potent and selective inhibitors of both HRVs, although HRV 1B was generally more susceptible than HRV 14. Mechanism of action studies of (E)-6-chloro-3-(3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromene 4b, the most potent compound on HRV 1B infection, suggested that 4b behaves as a capsid-binder probably acting at the uncoating level.     

How is the relationship between TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 gene expressions in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients?

Background: The activation and increased expression of BCR-ABL1 lead to malignant chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) cells, as well as the resistance to antitumour agents and apoptosis inducers. Moreover, TWIST-1 protein is a prognostic factor of leukemogenesis, and its level is raised in CML patients with cytogenetic resistance to imatinib. So, there is a likely relationship between BCR-ABL1 and TWIST-1 genes.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 expressions.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 44 CML patients under treatment and also from ten healthy subjects as normal controls. The expression of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes was measured using real-time PCR, and ABL1 was used as the reference gene. The gene expression was evaluated by REST software.

Results: The expression levels of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes in CML patients was changed 40.23?±?177.75-fold and 6?±?18-fold, respectively.

Discussion: No significant relationship was observed between the expressions of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes. All patients with TWIST-1 expression levels?≥100-fold had failure of response to treatment.

Conclusion: The probability of the relationship between BCR-ABL1 and TWIST-1 is still debatable, and the average of TWIST-1 expression has been higher in patients without response to treatment. Definitive conclusion needs further investigations.     

Synthesis,in vitro and in vivo antitumor and antiviral activity of novel 1-substituted benzimidazole derivatives

Abstract

A novel series of 5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole derivatives substituted at position 1 by heterocyclic rings was synthesized. Cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of the new compounds were tested. Compound 3 was more active than doxorubicin against A-549, HCT-116 and MCF-7. However, compound 3 showed no activity against human liver carcinoma Hep G-2 cell line. Compounds 9 and 17b (E) showed potency near to doxorubicin against the four cell lines. The acute toxicity of compound 9 on liver cancer induced in rats was determined in vivo. Interestingly, it showed restoration activity of liver function and pathology towards normal as compared to the cancer-bearing rats induced by DENA. Compounds 17a (Z), 17b (E) and 18a (Z) were the most promising compounds for their antiviral activity against rotavirus Wa strain.     

草菇过氧化氢酶基因(VvCAT1)异源表达及耐温度胁迫功能分析

[背景] 过氧化氢酶（catalase,CAT）参与真菌的生长发育,逆境胁迫时保护真菌免受氧化损伤。[目的] 实现草菇过氧化氢酶基因（VvCAT1）的异源表达,分析VvCAT1耐温度胁迫的功能。[方法] 克隆VvCAT1,构建过表达载体pBAR GPE1/VvCAT1,转化到大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）菌株Stbl3中,异源表达草菇过氧化氢酶。测定温度胁迫后重组菌（pBAR GPE1/VvCAT1/Stbl3）与对照菌（pBAR GPE1/Stbl3）的过氧化氢酶活性和生长情况,验证VvCAT1的功能。[结果] 重组菌的CAT酶活性显著提高,生长情况显著优于对照菌。[结论] VvCAT1的导入及表达显著提高了大肠杆菌Stbl3的耐温度胁迫功能。     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Optically Active trans-Cycloheximide Isomers

Optically active tiraras-cycloheximide isomers such as cycloheximide [(2S,4S,6R,αR)-form (1)], naramycin B[(25,4S,6RαR)-form(4)], and new stereoisomers (2S,4S,6S,αS)-form (8) and (2S,4S,6R,αS)-from (9) were synthesized by an aldol condensation of trans-2,4-dimethyl-l-cyclohexanone (5b), with 4-(2-oxoethyl)-2,6-piperidinedione(6). The antimicrobial activity of trans- cycloheximide isomers (1, 4, 8, and 9) was examined against S. cerevisiae and P. oryzae. The stereoisomers 1 and 4 exhibited marked antimicrobial activity against both microorganisms as compared with their C- α-epimers 8 and 9.     

Production of a new terpenoid from biotransformation of (-)-isolongifolanol by Aspergillus niger and suppression of SOS-inducing activity

Abstract

The stereoselective oxidation of (—)-isolongifolanol (1) with a longifolene skeleton by Aspergillus niger (NBRC 4414) as a biocatalyst and suppressive effect on umuC gene expression by chemical mutagens furylfuramid and AFB1 of the SOS response in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 were investigated. Compound 1 was converted to a new terpenoid, (-)-(2S,8R)-8,12-dihydroxy-isolongifolanol (2). Its structure was determined by NMR, IR, specific rotation and mass spectrometry. The metabolites suppressed the SOS-inducing activity of furylfuramid and AFB₁ in the umu test. Compound 1 suppressed 51% of the SOS-inducing activity against furylfuramid at < 1.0 mM. Compound 2 suppressed 15% and 24% of the SOS-inducing activity against furylfuramid and AFB1 at < 1.0 mM respectively.     

Evaluation of the antifungal and plasma membrane H+-ATPase inhibitory action of ebselen and two ebselen analogs in S. cerevisiae cultures

The plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase pump (Pma1p) has been proposed as a viable target for antifungal drugs since this high capacity proton pump plays a critical role in the intracellular regulation of pH and in nutrient uptake of yeast and other fungi. In recent years, this and other laboratories have verified that the antifungal activity of 2-phenylbenzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one, an organoselenium compound commonly referred to as ebselen (1), stems, at least in part, from its inhibitory action on the fungal Pma1p. In the present study, the antifungal efficacy of 2-(3-pyridinyl)-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one (2) and 2-phenylbenzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 1-oxide (3), two ebselen analogs, was evaluated using a strain of S. cerevisiae and compared against that of 1. In addition, the study also examined the inhibitory potential of these three compounds toward the Pma1p of S. cerevisiae. Based on mean IC₅₀ values, the antifungal potency was found to decrease in the order 3?>?1?>?2. However, in terms of inhibitory action on Pma1p, the potency decreased in the order 1?>?3?>?2. The magnitude of these activities appears to be correlated with the corresponding log P values, with compound 2 being the most hydrophilic and the least active of the three.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Chiral cis-Cycloheximide Isomers

Such (+)- and (?)-cis-cycloheximide isomers as isocyclohcximide (1a, 1b), α-epiisocycloheximide (2a, 2b) and neocycloheximide (3a, 3b) were synthesized by aldol condensation of (?)-(2R, 4R)- and (+)-(2S, 4S)-cis-2,4-dimethyl-1-cyclohexanone (5a, 5b). obtained by microbial resolution, with 4-(2-oxoethyl)-2,6-piperidinedione (7). The absolute configuration of the (?)-cis-ketone 5a was confirmed by chemical correlation with natural (2S, 4S, 6S, αR)-cycloheximide (4). The newly synthesized isomer, (?)-α-epiisocycloheximide (2b), showed strong antimicrobial activity against S. cerevisiae andP. oryzae close to that of natural cycloheximide (4).     

New Acyclic Quinoxaline Nucleosides. Synthesis and Anti-Hiv Activity

A series of acyclonucleosides substituted 1-(4,5-dihydroxypentyl) (13-8) and 2-(4,5-dihydroxypentyloxy)quinoxalines (19-24) were synthesized by the sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of the derivatives 1-6 and 7-12, respectively. Treatment of the quinoxaline base 26 with (R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethyl-p-toluenesulfonate (27) in the presence of NaH/DMF furnished 28. Acid hydrolysis of 28 gave 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-6,7-dimethyl-quinoxaline-2-one (29). Alternatively, 29 was prepared by sharpless dihydroxylation of 30. All the compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anti-HIV-1 and HIV-2 in MT-4 cell and found inactive, except 29, which showed inhibition of HIV-1 with EC₅₀ value of 0.15 ± 0.1 μg/ml and a therapeutic index (SI) of 73.     

Complete and regioselective deacetylation of peracetylated uridines using a lipase

Lipase-catalysed alcoholysis and hydrolysis of 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyluridine (1a) and 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetyl-2'-C-methyluridine (1b) were studied. Conditions for full and regioselective deacetylation of 1aand 1b are shown in the present work. New compound 2',3'-di-O-acetyl-2'-C-methyluridine (3b) was prepared by regioselective lipase-catalysed deacetylation.     

Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Oxadiazole Carboxamide Deoxyribonucleoside Analogs

Two novel C-linked oxadiazole carboxamide nucleosides 5-(2′-deoxy-3′,5′-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole-5-carboxamide (1) and 5-(2′-deoxy-3′,5′-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole-3-carboxamide (2) were successfully synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The crystallographic analysis shows that both unnatural nucleoside analogs 1 and 2 adapt the C2′-endo (“south”) conformation. The orientation of the oxadiazole carboxamide nucleobase moiety was determined as anti (conformer A) and high anti (conformer B) in the case of the nucleoside analog 1 whereas the syn conformation is adapted by the unnatural nucleoside 2. Furthermore, nucleoside analogs 1 and 2 were converted with high efficiency to corresponding nucleoside triphosphates through the combination chemo-enzymatic approach. Oxadiazole carboxamide deoxyribonucleoside analogs represent valuable tools to study DNA polymerase recognition, fidelity of nucleotide incorporation, and extension.

     

Synthesis and characterization of poly-O-methyl-[n]-polyurethane from a d-glucamine-based monomer

Aminoalditol 1-amino-1-deoxy-d-sorbitol (1) was readily converted into 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl derivative 5, a key precursor of a sugar-based [n]-polyurethane. For the polymerization, the free amino or primary hydroxyl groups of 5 were selectively activated and employed as starting monomers in two alternative procedures. Thus, the amino function of 5 was converted into the isocyanate derivative by treatment with di-tert-butyltricarbonate, and polymerized in situ in the presence of Zr(IV) acetylacetonate. The resulting poly(1-amino-1-deoxy-2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl-d-sorbitol)urethane (8) had a moderate molecular weight and showed the presence of urea units. The alternative synthesis of 8 involved the activation of the free hydroxyl group of 5 as the corresponding phenylcarbonate. The polymerization of this α-amino-ω-phenylcarbonate alditol monomer does not require a metal catalyst. The resulting material exhibited an improved molecular weight and higher purity than that obtained via the isocyanate. [n]-polyurethane 8 was highly soluble in water as well as in common organic solvents (chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate, etc) and was obtained as an amorphous material which was characterized thermally and spectroscopically.