Effects of Cholecystokinin Peptides and GV 150013, a Selective CholecystokininB Receptor Antagonist, on Electrically Evoked Endogenous GABA Release from Rat Cortical Slices

The effects of cholecystokinin (CCK) agonists and antagonists on spontaneous and electrically evoked endogenous GABA release from rat cerebral cortex slices were evaluated. Neither the nonselective and CCK(B)-selective receptor agonists CCK-8S (3-1,000 nM) and CCK-4 (3-1,000 nM), respectively, nor the selective CCK(B) and CCK(A) receptor antagonists GV 150013 (3-30 nM) and L-364,718 (10-100 nM), respectively, significantly affected spontaneous GABA release. CCK-8S (1-1,000 nM) and CCK-4 (1-1,000 nM) increased the electrically (5 and 10 Hz)-evoked GABA release. On the contrary, GV 150013 (10 and 30 nM) significantly decreased the electrically evoked GABA release only when the slices were stimulated at the higher 10 Hz frequency. The CCK-8S- and CCK-4-induced increases in electrically evoked GABA release were counteracted by GV 150013, but not by L-364,718. Furthermore, GV 150013 at 3 nM shifted to the right the CCK-4 concentration-response curve, whereas at the higher 10 nM concentration it dramatically flattened the curve. Finally, in cortical slices obtained from rats chronically treated with GV 150013, the concentration-response curve of CCK-4 was shifted to the left and the peak effect of the peptide was significantly higher than that observed in naive animals. These results suggest that CCK increases electrically evoked, but not spontaneous, endogenous GABA release from rat cortical slices, possibly by activating local CCK(B) receptors. In addition, chronic treatment with the novel CCK(B) receptor antagonist GV 150013 leads to an enhanced responsiveness of cortical slices to CCK-4 application.     

Effects of cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK(4)) and of anxiolytic drugs on GABA outflow from the cerebral cortex of freely moving rats

The effect of cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK(4)) and of different anxiolytic drugs on GABA outflow from the cerebral cortex was investigated in freely moving rats, by using the epidural cup technique. CCK(4) (3-30 microg/kg, i.p.) increased GABA outflow and induced objective signs of anxiety. These neurochemical and behavioral responses were prevented by the CCK(B) antagonist GV150013 at 0.1 microg/kg (i.p.). At higher doses (up to 30 microg/kg) this compound per se reduced GABA release and caused sedation, suggesting the presence of a CCKergic positive tonic modulation on GABA interneurons. Similarly the GABA(A) receptors modulator, diazepam (2mg/kg, i.p.) and the 5-HT(1A) agonist buspirone (3mg/kg, i.p.) reduced GABA outflow and caused the expected behavioral effects (reduced muscle tone, mild 5-HT syndrome) which were prevented by the respective, selective antagonists, flumazenil (1mg/kg, i.p.) and NAN-190 (3mg/kg, i.p.). These findings support the idea that GV150013, diazepam and buspirone inhibit GABAergic cortical activity, through the respective receptors. This neurochemical effect may represent the end-effect of various anxiolytic compounds affecting the cortical circuitry.     

Facile synthesis of sulfonium ion derivatives of 1,5-anhydro-5-thio-L-fucitol as potential alpha-L-fucosidase inhibitors

Five sulfonium ion derivatives with 1,5-anhydro-5-thio-L-fucitol as a core structure were efficiently synthesized as potential alpha-L-fucosidase inhibitors. The key unit, the tri-O-benzyl derivative of L-fucitol, was readily synthesized from methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside. Alkylation with methyl iodide or 5-methoxycarbonyl-1-pentyl iodide in acetonitrile containing AgBF4 afforded the corresponding alkylated sulfonium tetrafluoroborates. Alternatively, ring opening of three 1,3-cyclic sulfates in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) containing K2CO3 afforded the corresponding zwitterionic sulfonium sulfates.     

Derepression of the synthesis of D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum.

The synthesis of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in Rhodospirillum rubrum was greatly influenced by the conditions of culture. When grown photolithotrophically in an atmosphere containing low levels of CO2 (1.5 to 2%), enzyme synthesis was derepressed, with the result that the enzyme comprised up to 50% of the soluble protein of the cells as determined by immunological quantitation. This response was not observed when R. rubrum was grown photolithotrophically in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in hydrogen. Similarly, the derepression of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was observed in photoheterotrophically (butyrate)-grown cultures only after the HCO3- supply was nearly exhausted. The increase in enzyme activity observed in derepressed cultures was not paralleled by an increase in the in vivo CO2 fixation rate. Apparently, R. rubrum derepresses the synthesis of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase when exposed to low CO2 concentrations to scavenge the limited CO2 available to such cultures.     

Preparation and reactivity of a novel disaccharide, glucosyl 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose (1,5-anhydro-3-O-alpha-glucopyranosyl-D-fructose)

A novel disaccharide, glucosyl 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose (1,5-anhydro-3-O-alpha-glucopyranosyl-D-fructose, GAF) was enzymatically prepared from 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose (1,5-AF) and cyclomaltoheptaose (beta-cyclodextrin). Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase transferred various sizes of maltooligosaccharide to 1,5-AF. Glucoamylase digested the maltooligosyl chain of the products to a glucosyl residue giving a final product, GAF. An NMR analysis of GAF elucidated that the glucose residue was linked to C-3 of the 1,5-AF residue with an ether linkage. Reactivity on the aminocarbonyl reaction of GAF with bovine serum albumin was lower than that of 1,5-AF, but was higher than that of glucose.     

Synthesis of 1,5-Anhydro-d-fructose derivatives and evaluation of their inflammasome inhibitors

Synthesis of several 1,5-Anhydro-d-fructose (1,5-AF) derivatives to evaluate inhibitory activities of the inflammasome was carried out. Recently, 1,5-AF reported to suppress the inflammasome, although with only low activity. We focused on the hydration of 2-keto form of 1,5-AF and speculated that this hydration was the cause of low activity. Therefore, we synthesized some 1,5-AF derivatives that would not be able to form the dimer conformation and can be expected to have high activity against inflammasome, and then evaluated their inhibitory activities with respect to the NLRP3 inflammasome by using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and human THP-1 cells. As a result, some synthesized 2-keto form compounds had much higher inhibitory activities with respect to the NLRP3 inflammasome than did 1,5-AF.     

A novel NAD-dependent dehydrogenase,highly specific for 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol,from Trichoderma longibrachiatum strain 11-3

A novel NAD-dependent dehydrogenase highly specific for 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG) was found in the cell extract of an imperfect fungus, Trichoderma longibrachiatum strain 11-3. This fungus used 1,5-AG as a sole carbon source for growth and transformed 1,5-AG into glucose. 1,5-AG dehydrogenase (AGH) was purified to homogeneity, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 36 and 141 kDa by SDS-PAGE and by gel filtration, respectively, suggesting that the enzyme was homotetrameric. The enzyme was highly specific for 1,5-AG and did not exhibit activity with any sugar or sugar alcohol tested in this study other than 1,5-AG. A linear relationship between the initial rate of the enzyme reaction and the concentration of 1,5-AG at the physiological level was observed. The presence of glucose in abundance did not interfere with the relationship. The optimum temperature for the enzyme reaction was 50 degrees C, and the enzyme was stable at temperatures up to 70 degrees C. These results suggested that AGH is a novel enzyme and is useful for specifically diagnosing diabetes mellitus.     

Characterization of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase carrying ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate at its regulatory sites and the mechanism of interaction of this form of the enzyme with ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate-carboxylase/oxygenase activase.

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase [Rbu(1,5)P2CO] from plant sources shows a biphasic reaction course when assayed with more than 2 mM ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate [Rbu(1,5)P2]. In the burst, Rbu(1,5)P2CO has its substrate-binding sites occupied with Rbu(1,5)P2 for the initial few minutes, then both substrate-binding and regulatory sites are occupied by Rbu(1,5)P2 in the subsequent linear phase, at physiological concentrations of Rbu(1,5)P2 [A. Yokota (1991) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 110, 246-252]. This study attempts the characterization of spinach Rbu(1,5)P2CO carrying Rbu(1,5)P2 at the regulatory sites and the interaction of Rbu(1,5)P2CO activase with Rbu(1,5)P2CO purified with poly(ethylene glycol) 4000 without denaturation. Binding of Rbu(1,5)P2 to the regulatory sites strongly influences the temperature dependence of the carboxylase activity of Rbu(1,5)P2CO. The activation energy of Rbu(1,5)P2CO with Rbu(1,5)P2 at the regulatory sites was 40% larger than that without Rbu(1,5)P2 over 30 degrees C, although the binding did not affect the activation energy below this temperature. This caused the almost linear reaction course of the carboxylase reaction at 50 degrees C. The optimum pH for the activity of Rbu(1,5)P2CO carrying Rbu(1,5)P2 at the sites was 8.0-8.2, and increased by about pH 0.2 from that of Rbu(1,5)P2CO without Rbu(1,5)P2. The ratio of the activity of the former form to that of the latter increased with increasing pH with an inflection point at pH 8.1. The increase in the ratio was accompanied by a decrease in the hysteric conformational change of Rbu(1,5)P2CO. The ATP-hydrolyzing activity inherent to Rbu(1,5)P2CO activase was stimulated about twofold by 3-5 mM Rbu(1,5)P2. Rbu(1,5)P2CO in the inactive complex with Rbu(1,5)P2 experienced hysteresis and bound Rbu(1,5)P2 at the regulatory sites during activation in the presence of Rbu(1,5)P2CO activase. Evidence was obtained that Rbu(1,5)P2CO activase promoted the activation of Rbu(1,5)P2CO through binding to the large subunits of Rbu(1,5)P2CO.     

Asymmetric catalysis 87. Enantioselective allylation of 1,5-dimethylbarbituric acid with Pd catalysts and new optically active PN ligands

The new PN ligands 5, 6 and 7 were prepared by Schiff base condensation of 2-formylphenyl(diphenyl)phosphine (1) with the optically active amines (R)-(−)-2-aminobutanol (2), (S)-(+)-2-aminobutanol (3) and (1S,2S)-2-amino- 1-phenyl-1,3-propanediol (4). These new ligands were used in the Pd catalysed allylation of 1,5-dimethylbarbituric acid with allylacetate. 5-Allyl-1,5-dimethylbarbituric acid was obtained with an optical induction of up to 12.7% ee.     

1,5-Anhydroglucitol stimulates insulin release in insulinoma cell lines

Concentrations of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), which is a major circulating polyol, decrease in patients with diabetes mellitus. In both insulinoma-derived RINr and MIN6 cells, 1,5-AG stimulated insulin release within the range of 0.03-0.61 mM in a dose-dependent manner. Insulin release was maximally stimulated by 1,5-AG to levels that reached 25% and 100% greater than that of control (1,5-AG-free group) in RINr and MIN6 cells, respectively. A physiological concentration of 1,5-AG stimulated insulin release after a 5-min incubation and this action was maintained for 60 min. In addition, at approximately 1/200 the concentration of glucose, 1,5-AG had additive action with 20 mM glucose. The action of 1,5-AG on insulin secretion with other types of saccharides and polyol was similarly additive. Mannnoheptulose and diazoxide suppressed the stimulative action of 1,5-AG on insulin release. The secretagogue action of 1,5-AG seemed to be independent on an increase in the intracellular content of cAMP and ATP. These results suggest that 1,5-AG can stimulate insulin secretion through a mechanism that completely differs from that of glucose.     

1,5-Anhydro-D-fructose; a versatile chiral building block: biochemistry and chemistry

There is a steadily increasing need to expand sustainable resources, and carbohydrates are anticipated to play an important role in this respect, both for bulk and fine chemical preparation. The enzyme alpha-(1-->4)-glucan lyase degrades starch to 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose. This compound, which has three different functional properties, a prochiral center together with a permanent pyran ring, renders it a potential chiral building block for the synthesis of valuable and potentially biologically active compounds. 1,5-Anhydro-D-fructose is found in natural materials as a degradation product of alpha-(1-->4)-glucans. The occurrence of lyases and the metabolism of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose are reviewed in the biological part of this article. In the chemical part, the elucidated structure of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose will be presented together with simple stereoselective conversions into hydroxy/amino 1,5-anhydro hexitols and a nojirimycin analogue. Synthesis of 6-O-acylated derivatives of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose substituted with long fatty acid residues is carried out using commercially available enzymes. Those reactions lead to compounds with potential emulsifying properties. The use of protected derivatives of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose for the synthesis of natural products is likewise reviewed. The potential utilization of this chemical building block is far from being exhausted. Since 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose now is accessible in larger amounts through a simple-enzyme catalyzed degradation of starch by alpha-(1-->4)-glucan lyase, the application of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose may be considered a valuable contribution to the utilization of carbohydrates as the most abundant resource of sustainable raw materials.     

N-acetylglucosaminono-1,5-lactone oxime and the corresponding (phenylcarbamoyl)oxime. Novel and potent inhibitors of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase

Using N-acetylglucosaminono-1,5-lactone (1) as the reference, the inhibitory activity of its (formal) derivatives N-acetylglucosaminono-1,5-lactone oxime (2) and N-acetylglucosaminono-1,5-lactone O-(phenylcarbamoyl)-oxime (3) was tested against beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase of different origins (animal, plant, fungus). Displaying inhibition constants of 0.45 microM and 0.62 microM, for the animal and plant enzyme, respectively, the simple oxime 2 was about equally potent as the parent lactone 1, and 50-400 times more efficient than two recently described new beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase inhibitors. The (phenylcarbamoyl)oxime 3 performed even better, particularly with the fungal enzyme (Ki = 40 nM), i.e. was about 350 times more potent than the lactone. In all cases competitive inhibition was observed with 4-nitrophenyl-beta-N-acetylglucosaminide as the substrate. With Ki/Km ratios up to 3300 for 2 and 13,600 for 3, the mode of action of these novel inhibitors is probably that of transition state mimicry. Suggestions are made for their use as a tool in biological research.     

Quantitative structure-activity relationship studies on 5-phenyl-3-ureido-1,5-benzodiazepine as cholecystokinin-A receptor antagonists

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies on a series of 5-phenyl-3-ureido-1,5-benzodiazepine-2,4-diones has been carried out using a pool of distance-based topological indices. Step-wise regression analysis indicated that penta-parametric regression expression containing Sz, B, Ip1, Ip2 and Ip3 is the most potent and selective for CCK-A affinity. The predictive potential of the model is discussed on the basis of cross-validation parameters as well as by estimating root mean square (RMSR) of the residuals.     

Fluorescent glycosidase inhibiting 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-iminoalditols

1,5-Dideoxy-1,5-iminoalditols of various configurations as well as isofagomine were N-alkylated with non-polar straight chain spacer-arms by a set of simple standard procedures. The spacer-arms' terminal functional groups, primary amines, were employed to introduce fluorescent tags such as dansyl and dapoxyl moieties. Resulting derivatives in the D-xylo, D-gluco, D-galacto as well as GlcNAc series showed distinctly improved glycosidase inhibitory activities compared to parent compounds and are designed to be useful analytical tools.     

Clozapine derived 2,3-dihydro-1H-1,4- and 1,5-benzodiazepines with D4 receptor selectivity: synthesis and biological testing

Novel 4-arylpiperazin-1-yl-substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-1,4- and 1H-1,5-benzodiazepines and their aza-analogues were synthesized as debenzoclozapine derivatives for evaluation as potential D4-ligands. While Ki values of some of the title compounds came within the range of clozapine, they showed an impressively greater selectivity over other dopamine receptor subtypes, especially D2. For the most promising compounds, intrinsic activity and binding properties to serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 were also determined.     

The Association of d-Ribulose- 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase with Phosphoribulokinase

When Ribulose- 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was purified from spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea) using precipitation with polyethylene glycol and MgCl₂ followed by DEAE cellulose chromatography, 75% of phosphoribulokinase and 7% of phosphoriboisomerase activities copurified with ribulose- 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. This enzyme preparation showed ribose-5-phosphate and ribulose-5-phosphate dependent carboxylase and oxygenase activities which were nearly equivalent to its corresponding ribulose- 1,5-bisphosphate dependent activity. The ribose-5-phosphate and ribulose-5-phosphate dependent reaction rates were stable and linear for much longer time periods than the ribulose- 1,5-bisphosphate dependent rates. When sucrose gradients were used to purify ribulose- 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from crude stromal extracts, phosphoribulokinase was found to cosediment with ribulose- 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase. Under these conditions most of the phosphoriboisomerase activity remained with the slower sedimenting proteins. Ammonium sulfate precipitation resulted in separation of the ribulose- 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase peak from phosphoribulokinase peak. Crude extracts of peas Pisum sativum and spinach contained 0.725 to 0.730 milligram of phosphoribulokinase per milligram of chlorophyll, respectively, based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.     

The enzymic synthesis of ribose-1,5-bisphosphate: studies of its role in metabolism

Ribose-1,5-bisphosphate is synthesized in a reaction that uses ribose-1(or 5)-P as the phosphoryl acceptor and the acyl-P of 3-phosphoglyceryl phosphate as the donor. Glucose-1,6-bisphosphate is synthesized in a similar reaction. The relative activity with the two substrates remains unchanged over almost 300-fold purification of the enzyme, indicating that glucose-1,6-bisphosphate synthase catalyzes both reactions. The relative V/Km values for alternative phosphoryl acceptors are ribose-1-P (1); glucose-1-P (0.30); mannose-1-P and ribose-5-P (0.11); glucose-6-P (0.10); 2-deoxyglucose-6-P (0.03); and 2-deoxyribose-5-P (0.02). Fructose-1- and 6-phosphates are not substrates. The synthesis of both ribose-1,5-bisphosphate and glucose-1,6-bisphosphate is inhibited by physiologically significant levels of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, glycerate-2,3-bisphosphate, glycerate-3-phosphate, citrate, and inorganic phosphate. Ribose-1,5-bisphosphate is a strong activator of brain phosphofructokinase.     

The presence of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase in the nonphotosynthetic endosperm of germinating castor beans

Ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase was detected in extracts of germinating castor bean (Ricinus communis var. Hale) endosperms. This is the first report of this enzyme in a nonphotosynthetic (no chlorophyll) plant tissue. Radioactive 3-phosphoglyceric acid has been identified as the principle product resulting from the enzymatic condensation of ¹⁴C-bicarbonate and ribulose-1,5-diP in endosperm extracts. The Km values of bicarbonate and ribulose-1,5-diP for the endosperm carboxylase are 1.14 × 10⁻²m and 7.5 × 10⁻⁵m, respectively. The carboxylase activity peaks at 4 days in endosperms of castor beans germinated in the dark. The specific activity of the carboxylase at this stage of germination is 4.3 μmoles of 3-phosphoglycerate formed/mg protein·hr. The presence of ribulose-1,5-diP carboxylase and other enzymes of the reductive pentose phosphate pathway show the potential of this pathway in castor bean endosperms.     

3-Amino-1,5-benzodiazepinones: potent, state-dependent sodium channel blockers with anti-epileptic activity

A series of 3-amino-1,5-benzodiazepinones were synthesized and evaluated as potential sodium channel blockers in a functional, membrane potential-based assay. One member of this series displayed subnanomolar, state-dependent sodium channel block, and was orally efficacious in a mouse model of epilepsy.     

Synthesis of New Bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) Linked to Different Spacers as Potential MurB Inhibitors

An efficient protocol was adopted to efficiently prepare three new series of bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) linked to different spacers. The new bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) were prepared in 80–90 % yields by reacting the respective bis(enaminones) and 4-(4-substituted benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-diamines in pyridine at reflux temperature for 5–7 h. The new products showed a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity against six different bacterial strains. In general, propane- and butane-linked bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines), which are attached to 3-(4-methyl- or 4-methoxybenzyl) units, had the best antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values up to 2.5 and 5.1 μM, respectively. Additionally, the previous products demonstrated promising MurB inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values up to 7.2 μM.