Effect of dimethyl sulfides on the induction of apoptosis in human leukemia Jurkat cells and HL-60 cells

Organosulfur compounds have been established to possess anticancer effects. To provide a better understanding of the biological function of dimethyl sulfides, dimethyl monosulfide (Me(2)S), dimethyl disulfide (Me(2)S(2)), dimethyl trisulfide (Me(2)S(3)) and dimethyl tetrasulfide (Me(2)S(4)) were used as experimental materials to investigate their effects on apoptosis induction in human leukemia Jurkat cells and HL-60 cells. Treatment with 20 muM dimethyl sulfides for 24 h decreased the viability of both cells. The cell viability-reducing effect of these sulfides was in the following order: Me(2)S(4) asymptotically equal to Me(2)S(3) > Me(2)S(2) asymptotically equal to Me(2)S for Jurkat cells and Me(2)S(4) > Me(2)S(3) > Me(2)S(2) asymptotically equal to Me(2)S for HL-60 cells. Me(2)S(3) and Me(2)S(4) significantly induced DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation. The addition of GSH or NAC completely suppressed the sulfide-induced apoptosis. Our results indicate that dimethyl sulfides with a larger number of sulfur atoms more strongly induced apoptosis in both human leukemia cells via ROS production and caspase-3 activation.     

利用荧光手性试剂（S）—TBMB甲酸分析氨基糖的D—和L—构型

D、L型氨基糖经荧光手性试剂 (S) ( ) 2 叔丁基 2 甲基 苯并 1 ,3 二氧杂环戊烷 4 甲酸 [(S) TBMB甲酸 ]标记、完全乙酰基化得到非对映的氨基糖完全乙酰基化N (S) TBMB羧酸衍生物。其1 HNMR图谱 ,特别是强的叔丁基及甲基信号峰被用于分析氨基糖的D、L构型。此外 ,还利用反相HPLC及同样的荧光标识方法创立了简便的高灵敏度氨基糖D、L构型分析方法。其全部分析操作时间在 2h内 ,检测极限为 0 .2 pmol     

Ability of different biomaterials to enantioselectively catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions

We studied the ability of different biomaterials to enantioselectively catalyze oxidation or reduction reactions with the help of substrate rac-1-m or p-ArCH(OH)Me and the 1-o-ArC(O)Me derivatives. Apoenzyme (NAD(P)(+)-dependent secondary alcohol dehydrogenase(NAD(P)-E)) and cofactor (NAD(P)(+)) were activated by preincubating immobilized aqueous plant leaf (e.g., young wheat leaves), cereal tissue (wheat bran), vegetable (e.g., carrot), and seaweed (e.g., wakame seaweed) solutions, and the NAD(P)-E oxidized only (R)-isomers highly enantioselectively. Thus, greater than 99% ee(s) of (S)-isomers (1m-5m and 1p-5p) can be obtained from corresponding rac-1-m or p-ArCH(OH)Me. Further, immobilized chlorella cells and immobilized baker's yeast can reduce highly stereoselectively; greater than 99% ee(s) of (S)-isomers (1o-5o) can be obtained from corresponding 1-o-ArC(O)Me. Specific use of each isomer ((S)-6 and (R)-6) with greater than 99% ee(s) of racemic-1-2-NpCH(OH)Me becomes possible through selective use of NAD(P)-E eluted from artemisia vulgaris indica leaves and young wheat leaves. We suggest that the pH of the reaction media can determine not only the direction of NAD(P)-E, toward enantioselectively catalyzed oxidation (pH > 7.0) or reduction reaction (pH < 7.0), but also the regioselective reactivity of NAD(P)-E to the substrate o- (pH < 7.0), m-, and p-substituted groups (pH > 7.0). Thus, in comparison to current biocatalysts, several biomaterials can serve as asymmetric reagent bases, providing easily obtained, low-cost natural catalysts with stereoselectivity, regioselectivity, and substrate specificity that work under mild conditions for asymmetric synthesis of organic compounds.     

Stereoselectivity toward VX is determined by interactions with residues of the acyl pocket as well as of the peripheral anionic site of AChE

The origins of human acetylcholinesterase (HuAChE) reactivity toward the lethal chemical warfare agent O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate (VX) and its stereoselectivity toward the P(S)-VX enantiomer (VX(S)) were investigated by examining the reactivity of HuAChE and its mutant derivatives toward purified enantiomers of VX and its noncharged isostere O-ethyl S-(3-isopropyl-4-methylpentyl) methylphosphonothioate (nc-VX) as well as echothiophate and its noncharged analogue. Reactivity of wild-type HuAChE toward VX(S) was 115-fold higher than that toward VX(R), with bimolecular rate constants of 1.4 x 10(8) and 1.2 x 10(6) min(-1) M(-1). HuAChE was also 12500-fold more reactive toward VX(S) than toward nc-VX(S). Substitution of the cation binding subsite residue Trp86 with alanine resulted in a 3 order of magnitude decrease in HuAChE reactivity toward both VX enantiomers, while this replacement had an only marginal effect on the reactivity toward the enantiomers of nc-VX and the noncharged echothiophate. These results attest to the critical role played by Trp86 in accommodating the charged moieties of both VX enantiomers. A marked decrease in stereoselectivity toward VX(S) was observed following replacements of Phe295 at the acyl pocket (F295A and F295A/F297A). Replacement of the peripheral anionic site (PAS) residue Asp74 with asparagine (D74N) practically abolished stereoselectivity toward VX(S) (130-fold decrease), while a substitution which retains the negative charge at position 74 (D74E) had no effect. The results from kinetic studies and molecular simulations suggest that the differential reactivity toward the VX enantiomers is mainly a result of a different interaction of the charged leaving group with Asp74.     

A 119Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopic study on the interaction of dimethyltin (IV) derivatives with rat hemoglobin, and of related model systems in aqueous solution

In the context of a study of the molecular basis of the antileukemia (murine) activity of diorganotin (IV) compounds, the interaction with rat hemoglobin (selected as a model protein) of the representative terms dimethyltin dichloride, dimethyltin glycylglycinate (Me2SnGlyGly), and dimethyltin L-cysteinate (Me2Sn-Cys) has been investigated by 119Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopy. In order to possibly determine the reaction pathway, aqueous model systems in Hepes buffer at pH 7.4 were also considered. The structural characteristics of reactants and products were advanced on the basis of semiempirical calculations of M?ssbauer nuclear quadrupole splitting parameters, delta E, by the point-charge model approach. In aqueous Hepes at pH 7.4, evidence was obtained for the formation of the five-coordinated species, trigonal bipyramidal type (tbp), Me2Sn(OH)2.Hepes(II), Me2Sn(OH)(GlyGly).Hepes(III), and Me2Sn(OH)Cys(IV) (see Fig. 1). Equatorial groups or atoms would be the Me radicals, as well as OH, N(peptide), and S(thiol), respectively. Hepes would coordinate to tin in axial position through the tertiary amino nitrogen, while cysteine would behave as a bidentate chelating agent, with an axially located amino group. Species (II), (III), and (IV) react with cysteine in aqueous Hepes at pH 7.4, yielding Me2Sn(OH)Cys(IV), as well as Me2SnCys2(V), where tin would be embedded into a tbp structure due to one cysteine probably chelating (equatorial S thiol and axial amino nitrogen), and one monodentate through S thiol. Species (II), (III), and (IV) react analogously with rat hemoglobin, primarily through the S thiol of a cysteine side chain, yielding pellets where the environment of tin could be tetrahedral, such as in Me2Sn(OH)(S thiol), (VI), and tetrahedral (IX) or tbp (V) in Me2Sn(Cys)(S thiol), where Cys would act either as chelating or monodentate. Further reaction of (VI) and (IX) could involve imidazole nitrogen atoms, N het, of histidine side chains, forming tetrahedral Me2Sn(S thiol)(N het), (VIII), or tbp Me2Sn(OH)(S thiol)(N het), (VII), and Me2Sn(Cys)(S thiol)(N het), (V) (see Figs. 1 and 5).     

Synthesis of nucleic acid methylphosphonates via the 1-hydroxybenzotriazole phosphotriester approach.

Dinucleoside methylphosphonates can easily be prepared starting from properly protected d-nucleosides and the bifunctional phosphorylating reagent methyl-O,O-bis(1-benzotriazolyl)phosphate. Separation of the diastereoisomers of 5'-DMTR-d-Ap(Me)T-3'-lev affords optically pure dinucleoside methylphosphonates which, after removal of the 3'-levulinoyl group, have been used for the synthesis of the two optically pure diastereoisomers of the hexamer d-CpGpAp(Me)TpCpG. Further, a one-pot procedure for the preparation of uridine-3',5'-cyclic methylphosphonate will be described. We also found that 3',5'-methylphosphonate linkages in RNA are not stable towards mild acid treatment.     

Solution-phase synthesis of Aib-containing cyclic hexapeptides

The 18-membered Aib-containing cyclohexapeptides, cyclo(-Gly-Aib-Aib-Gly-Aib-Phe-) (22), cyclo(-Gly-Aib-Phe(2Me)-Gly-Aib-Aib-) (24a), cyclo(-Gly-Phe(2Me)-Aib-Gly-Aib-Aib-) (24b), and cyclo(-Gly-Phe(2Me)-Aib-Gly-Aib-Phe-) (25), have efficiently been synthesized by solution-phase techniques. The linear precursors 1a-1d were prepared by combining the 'azirine/oxazolone method' for incorporation of alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids (Aib, Phe(2Me)) into the peptide chains by classical peptide coupling methods for segment condensations. Deprotection of the amino and carboxy termini of 1a-1d, followed by cyclization with DEPC as the coupling reagent, gave the above-mentioned cyclic hexapeptides 22, 24a, 24b, and 25 in good yields (26-57%). The solid-state conformations of the linear hexapeptides 1d, 16 and 27, and of the cyclohexapeptides 22 and 25 have been established by X-ray crystallography.     

Inhibition of aspartic proteases by pepstatin and 3-methylstatine derivatives of pepstatin. Evidence for collected-substrate enzyme inhibition

The synthesis of 10 analogues of pepstatin modified so that statine is replaced by 4-amino-3-hydroxy-3,6-dimethylheptanoic acid (Me3Sta) or 4-amino-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-phenylpentanoic acid (Me3AHPPA) residues is reported. Both the 3S,4S and 3R,4S diastereomers of each analogue were tested as inhibitors of the aspartic proteases, porcine pepsin, cathepsin D, and penicillopepsin. In all cases the 3R,4S diastereomer (rather than the 3S,4S diastereomer) of the Me3Sta and Me3AHPPA derivatives was found to be the more potent inhibitor of the aspartic protease (Ki = 1.5-10 nM for the best inhibitors), in contrast to the results obtained with statine (Sta) or AHPPA derivatives, where the 3S,4S diastereomer is the more potent inhibitor for each diastereomeric pair of analogues. The Me3Sta- and Me3AHPPA-containing analogues are only about 10-fold less potent than the corresponding statine and AHPPA analogues and 100-1000-fold more potent than the corresponding inhibitors lacking the C-3 hydroxyl group. Difference NMR spectroscopy indicates that the (3R,4S)-Me3Sta derivative induces conformational changes in porcine pepsin comparable to those induced by the binding of pepstatin and that the (3S,4S)-Me3Sta derivatives do not induce the difference NMR spectrum. These results require that the C-3 methylated analogues of statine-containing peptides must inhibit enzymes by a different mechanism than the corresponding statine peptides. It is proposed that pepstatin and (3S)-statine-containing peptides inhibit aspartic proteases by a collected-substrate inhibition mechanism. The enzyme-inhibitor complex is stabilized, relative to pepstatin analogues lacking the C-3 hydroxyl groups, by the favorable entropy derived when enzyme-bound water is returned to bulk solvent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Decrease in glucose transport activity of Friend erythroleukemia cell caused by dimethylsulfoxide, a differentiation-inducing reagent

A transport system for D-glucose was found in a Friend erythroleukemia cell line, T-3-C1-2-O and was characterized as a facilitated diffusion system. D-Glucose transport activity showed a half-saturation concentration of 2.2 mM and was inhibited by mercuric ions, cytochalasin B, phloretin, and stilbestrol, but was not strongly inhibited by phloridzin. Transport of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose was faster than D-glucose and the intracellular concentration of the sugar was found to reach the concentration in the assay medium. The treatment of cells with a differentiation-inducing reagent, dimethylsulfoxide(Me2SO), for 24 h caused a marked decrease in glucose transport activity due to a decrease in Vmax. In an induction-insensitive Friend cell line, T-3-K-1, D-glucose transport activity was low in untreated cells and Me2SO treatment did not cause a significant decrease in transport activity. The results obtained in this study indicate that the decrease in glucose transport activity is not due to the direct effect of Me2SO on transport activity, but is associated with the induction of differentiation. By immunoblotting cell lysates of T-3-C1-2-O cells using antibody to human erythrocyte glucose transporter, a single major band having a molecular weight of 52,000 was detected, which may be a glucose transporter in Friend cells.     

Rapid synthesis of partially O-methylated alditol acetate standards for GC-MS: some relative activities of hydroxyl groups of methyl glycopyranosides on Purdie methylation

Mixtures containing the majority of partially O-methylated alditol acetates (PMAAs), necessary for the GC-MS based identification of glycosidic linkages in oligo- and polymeric structures were prepared. Rha, Fuc, Rib, Ara, Xyl, Man, Gal, and Glc were converted to their Me glycosides, and the products were progressively O-methylated using the Purdie reagent at 25 degrees C. Resulting PMGs were assayed by TLC and at times that were optimum for formation of mono-O-methyl derivatives and later for higher degrees of methylation; they were converted to PMAAs, in a process incorporating NaB(2)H(4) reduction. The majority of these can be used as standards for simultaneous identification of pyranosides and some furanosyl units particularly in heteropolysaccharides. The relative reactivities of OH-groups were determined by GC-MS as: Me alpha- and beta-Glcp, HO-2>HO-4>HO-3>HO-6, Me alpha- and beta-Galp, HO-3>HO-2>HO-4>HO-6, Me alpha-Manp, HO-3>HO-2>HO-4>HO-6, Me beta-Manp, HO-3>HO-4HO-6>HO-2, Me alpha-Rhap, OH-3>OH-2>OH-4; Me alphabeta-Fucp, OH-2>OH-3>OH-4, and Me alphabeta-Xylp, OH-2>OH-4>OH-3. The results differ from those obtained with Haworth, Hakomori, and Ciucanu methylation techniques, although some similarities occurred with the more rapid Kuhn method.     

Structure of hybrid backbone methylphosphonate DNA heteroduplexes: effect of R and S stereochemistry.

Methyl phosphonate oligonucleotides have been used as antisense and antigene agents. Substitution of a methyl group for oxygen in the phosphate ester backbone introduces a new chiral center. Significant differences in physical properties and hybridization abilities are observed between the R(p) and S(p) diastereomers. Chirally pure methylphosphonate deoxyribooligonucleotides were synthesized, and the solution structures of duplexes formed between a single strand heptanucleotide methylphosphonate, d(Cp(Me)Cp(Me)Ap(Me)Ap(Me)Ap(Me)Cp(Me)A), hybridized to a complementary octanucleotide, d(TpGpTpTpTpGpGpC), were studied by NMR spectroscopy. Stereochemistry at the methylphosphonate center for the heptanucleotide was either RpRpRpRpRpRp (R(p) stereoisomer) or RpRpRpSpRpRp (S(p) stereoisomer, although only one of the six methylphosphonate centers has the S(p) stereochemistry). The results show that the methylphosphonate strands in the heteroduplexes exhibit increased dynamics relative to the DNA strand. Substitution of one chiral center from R(p) to S(p) has a profound effect on the hybridization ability of the methylphosphonate strand. Sugars in the phosphodiester strand exhibit C(2)(') endo sugar puckering while the sugars in the methyl phosphonate strand exhibit an intermediate C(4)(') endo puckering. Bases are well stacked on each other throughout the duplex. The hybridization of the methylphosphonate strand does not perturb the structure of the complementary DNA strand in the hetero duplexes. The sugar residue 5' to the S(p) chiral center shows A-form sugar puckering, with a C(3)(')-endo conformation. Minor groove width in the R(p) stereoisomer is considerably wider, particularly at the R(p) vs S(p) site and is attributed to either steric interactions across the minor groove or poorer metal ion coordination within the minor groove.     

Receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand stimulates recruitment of SHP-1 to the complex containing TNFR-associated factor 6 that regulates osteoclastogenesis

Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) is essential for differentiation and function of osteoclasts. The negative signaling pathways downstream of RANKL are not well characterized. By retroviral transduction of RAW264.7 cells with a dominant negative Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1)(C453S), we studied the role of tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Over-expression of SHP-1(C453S) significantly enhanced the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinuclear osteoclast-like cells in response to RANKL in a dose-dependent manner. RANKL induced the recruitment of SHP-1 to a complex containing TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)6. GST pull down experiments indicated that the association of SHP-1 with TRAF6 is mediated by SHP-1 lacking the two Src homology 2 domains. RANKL-stimulated IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation, IkappaB-alpha degradation and DNA binding ability of NF-kappaB were increased after over-expression of SHP-1(C453S). However, RANKL-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, was unchanged. In addition, SHP-1 regulated RANKL-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and the phosphorylation of Akt. Increased numbers of osteoclasts contribute to severe osteopenia in Me(v)/Me(v) mice due to mutation of SHP-1. Like RAW264.7 cells expressing SHP-1(C453S), the bone marrow macrophages of Me(v)/Me(v) mice generated much more osteoclast-like cells than that of littermate controls in response to RANKL. Furthermore compared with controls, RANKL induces enhanced association of TRAF6 and RANK in both RAW264.7 cells expressing SHP-1(C453S) and bone marrow macrophages from Me(v)/Me(v) mice. Therefore, SHP-1 plays a role in signals downstream of RANKL by recruitment to the complex containing TRAF6 and these observations may help to understand the mechanism of osteoporosis in Me(v)/Me(v) mice.     

Fmoc/solid-phase synthesis of Tyr(P)-containing peptides through t-butyl phosphate protection.

The synthesis of Tyr(P)-containing peptides by the use of Fmoc-Tyr(PO3Me2)-OH in Fmoc/solid phase synthesis is complicated since, firstly, piperidine causes cleavage of the methyl group from the -Tyr(PO3Me2)-residue during peptide synthesis and, secondly, harsh conditions are needed for its final cleavage. A very simple method for the synthesis of Tyr(P)-containing peptides using t-butyl phosphate protection is described. The protected phosphotyrosine derivative, Fmoc-Tyr(PO3tBu2)-OH was prepared in high yield from Fmoc-Tyr-OH by a one-step procedure which employed di-t-butyl N,N-diethyl-phosphoramidite as the phosphorylation reagent. The use of this derivative in Fmoc/solid phase peptide synthesis is demonstrated by the preparation of the Tyr(P)-containing peptides, Ala-Glu-Tyr(P)-Ser-Ala and Ser-Ser-Ser-Tyr(P)-Tyr(P).     

Interplay of DNA repair pathways controls methylation damage toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Methylating agents of S(N)1 type are widely used in cancer chemotherapy, but their mode of action is poorly understood. In particular, it is unclear how the primary cytotoxic lesion, O(6)-methylguanine ((Me)G), causes cell death. One hypothesis stipulates that binding of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins to (Me)G/T mispairs arising during DNA replication triggers cell-cycle arrest and cell death. An alternative hypothesis posits that (Me)G cytotoxicity is linked to futile processing of (Me)G-containing base pairs by the MMR system. In this study, we provide compelling genetic evidence in support of the latter hypothesis. Treatment of 4644 deletion mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with the prototypic S(N)1-type methylating agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) identified MMR as the only pathway that sensitizes cells to MNNG. In contrast, homologous recombination (HR), postreplicative repair, DNA helicases, and chromatin maintenance factors protect yeast cells against the cytotoxicity of this chemical. Notably, DNA damage signaling proteins played a protective rather than sensitizing role in the MNNG response. Taken together, this evidence demonstrates that (Me)G-containing lesions in yeast must be processed to be cytotoxic.     

Homologous recombination rescues mismatch-repair-dependent cytotoxicity of S(N)1-type methylating agents in S. cerevisiae

Resistance of mammalian cells to S(N)1-type methylating agents such as N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) generally arises through increased expression of methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT), which reverts the cytotoxic O(6)-methylguanine ((Me)G) to guanine, or through inactivation of the mismatch repair (MMR) system, which triggers cell death through aberrant processing of (Me)G/T mispairs generated during DNA replication when MGMT capacity is exceeded. Given that MMR and (Me)G-detoxifying proteins are functionally conserved through evolution, and that MMR-deficient Escherichia coli dam(-) strains are also resistant to MNNG, the finding that MMR status did not affect the sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to MNNG was unexpected. Because (Me)G residues in DNA trigger homologous recombination (HR), we wondered whether the efficient HR in S. cerevisiae might alleviate the cytotoxic effects of (Me)G processing. We now show that HR inactivation sensitizes S. cerevisiae to MNNG and that, as in human cells, defects in the MMR genes MLH1 and MSH2 rescue this sensitivity. Inactivation of the EXO1 gene, which encodes the only exonuclease implicated in MMR to date, failed to rescue the hypersensitivity, which implies that scExo1 is not involved in the processing of (Me)G residues by the S. cerevisiae MMR system.     

Model studies on the analysis of pyruvic acid acetal-containing polysaccharides by the reductive-cleavage method

The 4,6-O-(1-methoxycarbonylethylidene), -(hydroxyisopropylidene), and -(methoxyisopropylidene) acetals of methyl 2,3-di-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside were subjected to reductive cleavage in the presence of triethylsilane and trimethylsilyl methanesulfonate-boron trifluoride etherate (Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O), BF3.Et2O, or trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me3SiOSO2CF3) and the mole fractions of products were determined as a function of reaction time. The 4,6-(1-methoxycarbonylethylidene) acetal was quite stable to reductive-cleavage conditions but isomerization of the initial R,S mixture of diastereomers to the more-stable S diastereoisomer was noted. In addition, a slow, regiospecific, reductive ring-opening of the acetal was observed to give 6-O-[1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl] derivatives. The 4,6-(hydroxyisopropylidene) acetal was very unstable under reductive-cleavage conditions. Both Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O and Me3SiOSO2CF3 catalyzed complete removal of the group, via the intermediate 6-[1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl] ether, but BF3.Et2O gave a mixture of products. The 4,6-(methoxyisopropylidene) acetal was also very labile under reductive-cleavage conditions; Me3SiOMs-BF3.Et2O catalyzed complete removal of the acetal, via the intermediate 6-[1-(methoxymethyl)ethyl]ether, but the intermediate ether was quite stable in the presence of either BF3.Et2O or Me3SiOSO2CF3. It is concluded from these studies that polysaccharides bearing 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene) substituents can be analyzed directly by sequential permethylation and reductive cleavage. It is proposed that the identity of the substituted monomer and the positions of substitution of the acetal can be determined by sequential permethylation, ester reduction, and reductive cleavage.     

Graphic method of assessing the maximum cumulative excretion of a drug

Inaccuracy in estimation of the maximum excretion of drugs (M infinity e) is the main cause of errors in determination of their pharmacokinetic parameters by the data of the cumulative excretion (Me(t)). It was shown that the M infinity e value could be determined analytically with the following equation: (formula; see text) where S0Me leads to t is the area under the cumulative excretion curve and ke1 is the elimination constant. The equation was derived from integration of the equation of the cumulative excretion of drugs, the pharmacokinetics of which could be formalized with the linear one-compartmental model. When the data were linearized on the coordinates S0Me leads to t/t - Me(t)/t, the M infinity e value was determined by the portion of the curve on the ordinate and the ke1 value was calculated by the negative reverse value of the regression coefficient. The advantage of the method is that collection of the excrete samples is not limited by the use of the method. The calculations may be performed with a calculator or manually. The possibilities of the method are illustrated with reference to an analysis of the simulated and experimental data.     

Methylthiomethyl, a new carboxyl protecting group in peptide synthesis

N alpha-protected amino acid methylthiomethyl esters (MTM) were obtained in good yields under mild conditions using the "ButBr/Me2SO" reagent. Selective removal of the N-protecting group was achieved in HCl/anhydrous ethyl ether and the MTM ester hydrochlorides were successfully used in the synthesis of dipeptides.     

Rat liver dimethylglycine dehydrogenase. Flavinylation of the enzyme in hepatocytes in primary culture and characterization of a cDNA clone.

Dimethylglycine dehydrogenase (Me2GlyDH), an enzyme of choline catabolism specifically expressed in the mammalian liver, was analyzed in rat hepatocytes in culture. This mitochondrial enzyme carries the FAD cofactor covalently attached to the polypeptide chain by its riboflavin 8 alpha position to N pi of histidine [Cook, R., Misono, K.S. & Wagner, C. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 12475-12480]. Subcellular fractionation of [14C]riboflavin-labelled hepatocytes and immunoprecipitation with Me2GlyDH-specific antiserum identified a [14C]riboflavin-labelled polypeptide of the size of mature Me2GlyDH only in the mitochondrial fraction. Immunoprecipitation of extracts from [35S]Met-labelled hepatocytes revealed a putative precursor protein to the mature Me2GlyDH in the cytoplasmic fraction. These Me2GlyDH polypeptides were not expressed in cells of the rat hepatoma cell line FAO. A Me2GlyDH cDNA clone of apparent full length was isolated from a rat liver cDNA bank constructed in the plasmid vector pcD-X [Okayama, H., Kawaichi, M., Brownstein, M., Lee, F., Yokota, T. & Arai, K. (1987) Methods Enzymol. 154, 3-28]. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 96059 Da. This molecular mass agrees well with the migration on SDS/PAGE of the assumed Me2GlyDH precursor immunoprecipitated from the cytoplasm of [35S]Met-labelled cells. Proteolytic cleavage at the putative mitochondrial processing protease-recognition site Arg(-2)-Ala(-1)-Glu(+1) would lead to the formation of a protein of 91391 Da, which is in good agreement with the estimated 90 kDa of mature Me2GlyDH [Wittwer, A.J. & Wagner, C. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 4102-4108], and a 43-amino-acid leader peptide. The N-terminus of Me2GlyDH contains a conserved amino acid sequence which forms the dinucleotide-binding site in many enzymes with noncovalently bound FAD. Close to the modified histidine there is an amino acid sequence resembling a sequence conserved in thymidylate synthases and shown in these enzymes to be involved in the binding of the pteroyl polyglutamate cofactor.