Microbial 1β-Hydroxylation of Digitoxigenin

l-Deoxy-l-l-proIino-d-fructose was isolated from flue-cured tobacco leaves in crystalline form. The structure was confirmed by comparison with synthetic compound.     

Persistence of TGF-β1 induction of increased fibroblast contractility

Fibroblast contraction of collagen gels is regarded as a model of wound contraction. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta added to such gels can augment contraction consistent with its suggested role as a mediator of fibrotic repair. Since fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic tissues have been suggested to express a "fibrotic phenotype," we hypothesized that TGF-beta exposure may lead to a persistent increase in fibroblasts' contractility. To evaluate this question, confluent human fetal lung fibroblasts were treated with serum-free Dulbecco modified Eagle medium (DMEM), with or without 100 pM [corrected] TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, or TGF-beta3 for 48 h. Fibroblasts were then trypsinized and cast into gels composed of native type I collagen isolated from rat tail tendons. After 20 min for gelation, the gels were released and maintained in serum-free DMEM. TGF-beta-pretreated fibroblasts caused significantly more rapid gel contraction (52.5+/-0.6, 50.9+/-0.2, and 50.3+/-0.5% by TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3 pretreated fibroblasts, respectively) than control fibroblasts (74.0+/-0.3%, P < 0.01). This effect is concentration dependent (50-200 nM), and all three isoforms had equal activity. The effect of TGF-beta1, however, persisted for only a short period of time following the removal of TGF-beta, and was lost with sequential passage. These observations suggest that the persistent increase in collagen-gel contractility, mediated by fibroblasts from fibrotic tissues, would not appear to be solely due to previous exposure of these cells to TGF-beta.     

Regulation of biosynthesis of 1-acetyl-β-carboline in Streptomyces kasugaensis

Summary Biosynthesis of 1-acetyl--carboline, an enzyme inhibitor, in S. kasugaensis SK-619 was regulated by quality of the carbon source and by addition of organic acids into medium. Variation in phosphate concentration also affected production of this carboline.     

Construction of linear GlcNAcβ1-6Galβ1-OR type oligosaccharides by partial cleavage of GlcNAcβ1-3(GlcNAcβ1-6)Galβ1-OR sequences with jack bean β-N-acetylhexosaminidase

Radiolabelled GlcNAc beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal (1), GlcNAc beta 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal beta 1-OCH3 (4), GlcNAc beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal beta 1-4Glc (7), and GlcNAc beta 1-3(GlcNAc beta 1-6)Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc (10) were cleaved partially with jack bean beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30), and the digests were analysed chromatographically. All four oligosaccharides were hydrolysed faster at the (1-6) branch, than at the (1-3) branch, but a high branch specificity was observed only with the glycan 4. The saccharides 1 and 7 resembled each other in the kinetics of the enzyme-catalysed release of their two non-reducing N-acetylglucosamine units, but the glycan 10 was rather different. The partial digestions made it possible to obtain radiolabelled GlcNAc beta 1-6Gal, GlcNAc beta 1-6Gal beta 1-OCH3, GlcNAc beta 1-6Gal beta 1-4Glc, and, in particular, GlcNAc beta 1-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc.     

Role of tumor-derived transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in site-dependent tumorigenicity of murine ascitic lymphosarcoma

An ascitic lymphosarcoma (LS-A) of Swiss mice that regressed spontaneously on subcutaneous (s.c.) transplantation was investigated for the mechanism of its progressive growth and host mortality on intraperitoneal (i.p.) transplantation. In vitro studies indicated significant inhibition of LS-A proliferation seeded at higher cell density (>10⁴/ml). Culture supernatants of LS-A caused bi-modal growth effects, the early supernatants (24 h) caused stimulation and the late (72 h) supernatants inhibited LS-A proliferation. The 72-h supernatants also suppressed T and B cell response to mitogens in a dose-dependent manner. Pan anti-transforming growth factor- antibody abrogated the inhibitory effects of supernatants. The supernatants contained both latent as well as bio-active form of transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1) as determined by ELISA. Mice bearing i.p. ascites tumor had elevated serum TGF-1, hemoglobulinemia, splenic lymphopenia, impaired response of the T cells to mitogen and reduced expression of transferrin receptor (CD71) on the bone marrow cells. However, mice which rejected s.c. transplants, did not show significant changes in these parameters. Our studies indicated profound influence of site of tumor growth on tumor progression and host immune system mediated by tumor-derived TGF-1. It is possible that human tumors which secrete TGF-1 may exhibit similar patho-physiological effects in the host depending on the anatomical site of the tumor.     

Discovery of a novel covalent non-β-lactam inhibitor of the metallo-β-lactamase NDM-1

The inhibition of metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) can prevent the hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics and hence is a promising strategy for the treatment of antibiotic resistant infections. In this study, we present a novel reversible covalent inhibitor of the clinically relevant MBL New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1). Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and single site directed mutagenesis were used to show that the inhibitor forms a covalent bond with Lys224 in the active site of NDM-1. The inhibitor was further characterized using an enzyme inhibition assay, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor assay and covalent docking. The determined inhibition constant (K_I¹) was 580 nM and the inhibition constant for the initial complex (K_I) was 76 μM. To our knowledge, this inhibitor is the first example for a reversible covalent non-β-lactam inhibitor targeting NDM-1 and a promising starting point for the design of potent covalent inhibitors.     

Nucleotidyl cyclase activity of soluble guanylyl cyclase α1β1

Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) regulates several important physiological processes by converting GTP into the second-messenger cGMP. sGC has several structural and functional properties in common with adenylyl cyclases (ACs). Recently, we reported that membranous ACs and sGC are potently inhibited by 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-substituted purine and pyrimidine nucleoside 5'-triphosphates. Using a highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, we report that highly purified recombinant sGC of rat possesses nucleotidyl cyclase activity. As opposed to GTP, ITP, XTP and ATP, the pyrimidine nucleotides UTP and CTP were found to be sGC substrates in the presence of Mn(2+). When Mg(2+) is used, sGC generates cGMP, cAMP, cIMP, and cXMP. In conclusion, soluble "guanylyl" cyclase possesses much broader substrate specificity than previously assumed. Our data have important implications for cyclic nucleotide-mediated signal transduction.     

Enzymatic syntheses of GlcNAcβ1-2Man and Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-2Man as components of complex type sugar chains

GlcNAc1-2Man and GlcNAc1-6Man were synthesized using the reverse hydrolysis activity of -N-acetylglucosaminidase from both jack beans and Bacillus circulans. In turn, Gal1-4GlcNAc1-2Man and Gal1-4GlcNAc1-6Man were synthesized regioselectively using the transglycosylation activity of -galactosidase from Diplococcus pneumoniae and B. circulans, respectively. These di- and trisaccharides are important components of complex type sugar chains and will be used as intermediates in our synthetic studies. Abbreviations: pNp--GlcNAc, p-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy--D-glucopyranoside; pNp--Gal, p-nitrophenyl -D-galacto-pyranoside     

Synthesis and optimization of arylsulfonylpiperazines as a novel class of inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1)

The synthesis and SAR of a series of arylsulfonylpiperazine inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 are described. Optimization rapidly led to potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitors demonstrating efficacy in a cynomolgus monkey ex vivo enzyme inhibition model.     

PKCβ-dependent phosphorylation of the glycine transporter 1

The extracellular levels of the neurotransmitter glycine in the brain are tightly regulated by the glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) and the clearance rate for glycine depends on its rate of transport and the levels of cell surface GlyT1. Over the years, it has been shown that PKC tightly regulates the activity of several neurotransmitter transporters. In the present work, by stably expressing three N-terminus GlyT1 isoforms in porcine aortic endothelial cells and assaying for [³²P]-orthophosphate metabolic labeling, we demonstrated that the isoforms GlyT1a, GlyT1b, and GlyT1c were constitutively phosphorylated, and that phosphorylation was dramatically enhanced, in a time dependent fashion, after PKC activation by phorbol ester. The phosphorylation was PKC-dependent, since pre-incubation of the cells with bisindolylmaleimide I, a selective PKC inhibitor, abolished the phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation. Blotting with specific anti-phospho-tyrosine antibodies did not yield any signal that could correspond to GlyT1 tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that the phosphorylation occurs at serine and/or threonine residues. In addition, a 23-40%-inhibition on V_max was obtained by incubation with phorbol ester without a significant change on the apparent Km value. Furthermore, pre-incubation of the cells with the selective PKCα/β inhibitor Gö6976 abolished the downregulation effect of phorbol ester on uptake and phosphorylation, whereas the selective PKCβ inhibitors (PKCβ inhibitor or LY333531) prevented the phosphorylation without affecting glycine uptake, defining a specific role of classical PKC on GlyT1 uptake and phosphorylation. Taken together, these data suggest that conventional PKCα/β regulates the uptake of glycine, whereas PKCβ is responsible for GlyT1 phosphorylation.     

Characterization of purified New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1

New Delhi metallo-β-lactmase-1 (NDM-1) has recently emerged as a global threat because of its ability to confer resistance to almost all clinically used β-lactam antibiotics, its presence within an easily transmissible plasmid bearing a number of other antibiotic resistance determinants, its carriage in a variety of enterobacteria, and its presence in both nosocomial and community-acquired infections. To improve our understanding of the molecular basis of this threat, NDM-1 was purified and characterized. Recombinant NDM-1 bearing its native leader sequence was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 cells. The major processed form found to be released into culture media contains a 35-residue truncation at the N-terminus. This form of NDM-1 is monomeric and can be purified with 1.8 or 1.0 equiv of zinc ion, depending on the experimental conditions. Treatment of dizinc NDM-1 with EDTA results in complete removal of both zinc ions, but the relatively weaker chelator PAR chelates only 1 equiv of zinc ion from folded protein but 1.9 equiv of zinc ion from denatured protein, indicating different affinities for each metal binding site. UV-vis spectroscopy of the dicobalt metalloform along with molecular dynamics simulations of the dizinc metallo form indicates that the dinuclear metal cluster at the active site of NDM-1 is similar in structure to other class B1 metallo-β-lactamases. Supplementation of excess zinc ions to monozinc NDM-1 has differential effects on enzyme activity with respect to three different classes of β-lactam substrates tested, penems, cephems, and carbapenems, and likely reflects dissimilar contributions of the second equivalent of metal ion to the catalysis of the hydrolysis of these substrates. Fits to these concentration dependencies are used to approximate the K(d) value of the more weakly bound zinc ion (2 μM). NDM-1 achieved maximal activity with all substrates tested when supplemented with approximately 10 μM ZnSO(4), displaying k(cat)/K(M) values ranging from 1.4 × 10(6) to 2.0 × 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), and a slight preference for cephem substrates. This work provides a foundation for an improved understanding of the molecular basis of NDM-1-mediated antibiotic resistance and should allow more quantitative studies to develop targeted therapeutics.     

Discovery and optimization of adamantyl carbamate inhibitors of 11β-HSD1

Synthesis of 2-adamantyl carbamate derivatives of piperidines and pyrrolidines led to the discovery of 9a with an IC₅₀ of 15.2 nM against human 11β-HSD1 in adipocytes. Optimization for increased adipocyte potency, metabolic stability and selectivity afforded 11k and 11l, both of which were >25% orally bioavailable in rat.     

Evaluation of selective inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 for the treatment of hypertension

In an effort to understand the origin of blood-pressure lowering effects observed in recent clinical trials with 11β-HSD1 inhibitors, we examined a set of 11β-HSD1 inhibitors in a series of relevant in vitro and in vivo assays. Select 11β-HSD1 inhibitors reduced blood pressure in our preclinical models but most or all of the blood pressure lowering may be mediated by a 11β-HSD1 independent pathway.     

Synthesis and biological activity of aryl S-β-glycosides of 1-thio-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine

Phenyl, p-tolyl, and p-tert-butylphenyl β-1-thio-N-acetylglucosaminides were synthesized by the treatment of thiophenols with peracetate of α-D-glucosaminyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine or under the conditions of phase-transfer catalysis with quaternary ammonium salts. The compounds synthesized were used for obtaining of glycosides of 4,6-O-isopropylidene-N-acetylmuramic acid, which were coupled with L-Ala-D-Glu(NH₂)-OBzl and then deprotected to obtain the target aryl β-thioglycosides of N-acetylmuramyl-L-analyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP). The aryl β-thioglycosides of MDP were found to stimulate an antibacterial resistance toward Staphylococcus aureus in mice. The reliable induction of the spontaneous activity of natural killers in the population of blood mononuclear cells was observed only for phenyl β-thio-MDP at a dose of 200 μg/ml. Original Russian Text ? A.E. Zemlyakov, V.N. Tsikalova, L.R. Azizova, V.Ya. Chirva, E.L. Mulik, M.V. Shkalev, O.V. Kalyuzhin, M.V. Kiselevsky, 2008, published in Bioorganicheskaya Khimiya, 2008, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 245–251.     

Integrin α1β1 participates in chondrocyte transduction of osmotic stress

Background/purpose

The goal of this study was to determine the role of the collagen binding receptor integrin α1β1 in regulating osmotically induced [Ca²⁺]_i transients in chondrocytes.

Method

The [Ca²⁺]_i transient response of chondrocytes to osmotic stress was measured using real-time confocal microscopy. Chondrocytes from wildtype and integrin α1-null mice were imaged ex vivo (in the cartilage of intact murine femora) and in vitro (isolated from the matrix, attached to glass coverslips). Immunocytochemistry was performed to detect the presence of the osmosensor, transient receptor potential vanilloid-4 (TRPV4), and the agonist GSK1016790A (GSK101) was used to test for its functionality on chondrocytes from wildtype and integrin α1-null mice.

Results/interpretation

Deletion of the integrin α1 subunit inhibited the ability of chondrocytes to respond to a hypo-osmotic stress with [Ca²⁺]_i transients ex vivo and in vitro. The percentage of chondrocytes responding ex vivo was smaller than in vitro and of the cells that responded, more single [Ca²⁺]_i transients were observed ex vivo compared to in vitro. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of TRPV4 on wildtype and integrin α1-null chondrocytes, however application of GSK101 revealed that TRPV4 could be activated on wildtype but not integrin α1-null chondrocytes. Integrin α1β1 is a key participant in chondrocyte transduction of a hypo-osmotic stress. Furthermore, the mechanism by which integrin α1β1 influences osmotransduction is independent of matrix binding, but likely dependent on the chondrocyte osmosensor TRPV4.     

Activation of thromboxane receptor modulates interleukin-1β-induced monocyte adhesion--a novel role of Nox1

Activation of thromboxane receptors (TPr) may promote atherosclerosis by enhancing oxidative stress and inflammation. This study examined the role of Nox1, an NADPH-oxidase subunit, in the enhancement of interleukin (IL)-1β-induced monocyte adhesion by TPr. In cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), U46619, a stable thromboxane A(2) mimetic, together with interleukin-1β significantly enhanced Nox1 mRNA expression, as well as adhesion of THP-1 monocytes. Activation of TPr also enhanced IL-1β-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression, but inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Silencing Nox1 expression by siRNA prevented the U46619 enhancement of IL-1β-induced monocyte adhesion, but had no significant effect on VCAM-1 or iNOS expression. Furthermore, monocyte adhesion was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, enhanced by a specific iNOS inhibitor, l-N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine, but not influenced by catalase. U46619 inhibited IL-1β-induced cyclic GMP production, and the inhibition was partially prevented by superoxide dismutase. In conclusion, activation of TPr enhances IL-1β-induced Nox1 expression in VSMCs, which is responsible for the up-regulation of monocyte adhesion. The effect of Nox1 is independent of the changes in VCAM-1 and iNOS expression, but depends on the inactivation of nitric oxide via generation of superoxide anion.