Alkylsulfanyl analogs as potent α2δ ligands

We identified novel (3R, 5S)-3-aminomethyl-5-methanesulfanyl hexanoic acid (5a: DS75091588) and (3R, 5S)-3-aminomethyl-5-ethanesulfanyl hexanoic acid (6a: DS18430756) as sulfur-containing γ-amino acid derivatives that were useful for the treatment of neuropathic pain. These two compounds exhibited a potent analgesic effect in animal models of both type I diabetes and type II diabetes, and good pharmacokinetics.     

辅酶Q10,甘露醇及别嘌呤醇清除活性氧自由基的ESR研究

药物清除氧自由基的ESR研究近年来在国内已有报道,但以中药有效成分为多见,我们选择了在心脏直视手术时用于临床心肌保护的几种有效药物:辅酶Q_(10)甘露醇及别嘌呤醇,用ESR技术测定其清除活性氧自由基的作用,以了解它们防治心肌缺血再灌注损伤的机理。     

紫罗酮和麦角固醇对酵母生长及产辅酶Q10的影响

研究了β-紫罗酮和麦角固醇对酵母生长及产辅酶Q₁₀的影响。研究发现,β-紫罗酮能促进菌体积累辅酶Q₁₀,当培养基中β-紫罗酮的添加量为0.208×10^-3mol/L时,菌体中CoQ₁₀的含量提高了28.3%;少量麦角固醇能促进菌体产辅酶Q₁₀,当麦角固醇的添加量为0.15×10^-4mol/L时,菌体中CoQ₁₀的含量提高了31.8%,而增加麦角固醇的添加     

正交试验法优选烟草中辅酶Q10的匀浆提取工艺

以烟草叶片为原料,用正交试验法优化了烟草中辅酶Q10的匀浆提取工艺,考察了匀浆时间、乙醇体积分数、液料比和提取次数4个因素对辅酶Q10提取率的影响,确立了烟草中辅酶Q10的优化匀浆提取工艺条件为:提取溶剂为85%乙醇,匀浆时间6 min,液料比9∶1(mL/g),提取次数2次。将该法与索氏提取进行了对比。结果表明,匀浆提取烟草中辅酶Q10的提取率为12.82μg·g-1,与索氏提取的提取率相当,但匀浆提取所用提取时间短,提取溶剂用量少,因此匀浆法具有明显的优势。     

Prostaglandin F2α as a potent excitant of the parasympathetic postganglionic neurons of the dog salivary gland

Prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) (1–100 ng) and acetylcholine (ACh) (0.3–30 μg) injected selectively into the artery supplying the submaxillary gland of the dog produced salivation and an increase in blood flow. Both salivary and vascular responses to PGF_2α developed slowly and lasted long as compared with those to ACh. On a weight basis PGF_2α was about 1000 times more potent than ACh in producing salivation. Upon repeated injections of PGF_2α most glands developed moderate desensitization to PGF_2α but not to ACh. Both salivary and vascular responses to PGF_2α were abolished by infusion of tetrodotoxin ( or 0.1 or 0.2 μg/min), whereas those to ACh remained virtually unchanged. These results indicate that in the dog submaxillary gland PGF_2α causes salivation and vasodilation exclusively through excitation of the parasympathetic postganglionic neurons.     

Critical evaluation of electron transfer kinetics in P700–FA/FB, P700–FX, and P700–A1 Photosystem I core complexes in liquid and in trehalose glass

This work aims to fully elucidate the effects of a trehalose glassy matrix on electron transfer reactions in cyanobacterial Photosystem I (PS I). Forward and backward electron transfer rates from A_1A^? and A_1B^? to F_X, and charge recombination rates from A₀^?, A_1B^?, A_1A^?, F_X^?, and [F_A/F_B]^? to P₇₀₀⁺ were measured in P₇₀₀–F_A/F_B complexes, P₇₀₀–F_X cores, and P₇₀₀–A₁ cores, both in liquid and in a trehalose glassy matrix at 11% humidity. By comparing CONTIN-resolved kinetic events over 6 orders of time in increasingly simplified versions of PS I at 480?nm, a wavelength that reports primarily A_1A^?/A_1B^? oxidation, and over 9 orders of time at 830?nm, a wavelength that reports P₇₀₀⁺ reduction and A₀^? oxidation, assignments could be made for nearly all of the resolved kinetic phases. Trehalose-embedded PS I samples demonstrated partially arrested forward electron transfer. The fractions of complexes in which electron transfer did not proceed beyond A₀, A₁ and F_X were 53%, 16% and 22%, respectively, with only 10% of electrons reaching the terminal F_A/F_B clusters. The ~10?μs and ~150?μs components in both liquid and trehalose-embedded PS I were assigned to recombination between A_1B^? and P₇₀₀⁺ and between A_1A^? and P₇₀₀⁺, respectively. The kinetics and amplitudes of these resolved kinetic phases in liquid and trehalose-embedded PS I samples could be well-fitted by a kinetic model that allowed us to calculate the asymmetrical contribution of the A_1A^? and A_1B^? quinones to the electrochromic signal at 480?nm. Possible reasons for these effects are discussed.     

Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of a novel series of pyrimidines as potent inhibitors of TBK1/IKKε kinases

The design, synthesis and structure–activity relationships of a novel series of 2,4-diamino-5-cyclopropyl pyrimidines is described. Starting from BX795, originally reported to be a potent inhibitor of PDK1, we have developed compounds with improved selectivity and drug-like properties. These compounds have been evaluated in a range of cellular and in vivo assays, enabling us to probe the putative role of the TBK1/IKKε pathway in inflammatory diseases.     

Isolation of a peptide containing d-amino acid residues that inhibits the α-helix-mediated p53–MDM2 interaction from a one-bead one-compound library

α-Helix-mediated protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are important targets in biological research and drug development. Peptides containing d-amino acid residues are attractive molecules for inhibiting α-helix-mediated PPIs because of their wide surface area and high protease resistance. In this study, a peptide library was constructed using a one-bead one-compound format designed to isolate left-handed α-helical peptides, which are promising molecules as inhibitors of α-helix-mediated PPIs. Screening of the library against an α-helix-mediated PPI between MDM2 and p53 yielded an inhibitor of the PPI. Design and screening of the library, and biochemical and spectroscopic studies of the discovered peptide are presented.     

PKCγ过表达诱导C3H10T1/2细胞生长失控的初探

通过DNA重组构建蛋白激酶C_γ(PKC_γ)亚类的重组质粒并经基因转染技术和DNA印迹、蛋白质印迹与PKC活性分析,获得了过表达PKC_γ的C₃H₁₀T_1/2细胞——NCP4.NCP4细胞生长速率提高,流式细胞光度术检测表明,NCP4细胞G1期百分率下降,S期和G2+M期百分率升高,与对照组细胞相比,血清依赖性明显下降,贴壁依赖性降低,在软琼脂中形成小集落,出现部分转化表型.进一步检测,首次观察到NCP4细胞中癌基因c-sis表达明显增强,这可能是NCP4细胞血清依赖性下降的分子机理之一.实验表明,在正常C₃H₁₀T_1/2细胞中PKC_γ的过表达可直接导致细胞增殖加速并可诱导出现部分转化特征.     

The interaction of α2 macroglobulin with trypsin releases a soluble glycopeptide

When human α₂ macroglobulin (α₂M) or its asialo-[³H]galactose derivative reacts with trypsin, a glycopeptide of molecular weight 3500–4000 is released from the α₂M. The glycopeptide was purified on Biogel P-4 columns and its amino acid and carbohydrate composition were determined. The oligosaccharide contains sialic acid, galactose, mannose and GlcNAc in a ratio of 1.0:0.73:3.85:2.85 and is apparently attached to protein in a GlcNAc→asparagine linkage.     

Phototaxis in Drosophila: R1–6 input and interaction among ocellar and compound eye receptors

All 3 photoreceptor types in the compound eye of Drosophila can evoke positive phototaxis. Here we describe input from R1–6 receptors which are very sensitive. Previous reports in this series of studies described input from R7 and R8, the other less sensitive receptors. Here we studied fast-walking phototaxis using extremely dim stimuli. We also studied input from the simple ocellar eyes. Thus, we can now summarize a complete synthesis of inputs and interactions among all compound eye and ocellar receptor types. Receptor-deficient mutants were used to establish receptor-specific input. Two other findings are presented: (1) eye colour pigments affect the spectral sensitivity for phototaxis; and (2) the ocelli interact to facilitate input from the compound eye receptor types. Possible mechanisms of receptor interaction are discussed in the light of these findings of positive input from all photoreceptor types in Drosophila.     

In silico identification and in vitro validation of nogalamycin N-oxide (NSC116555) as a potent anticancer compound against non–small-cell lung cancer cells

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was found to be overexpressed in several cancers, especially in lung cancers. Finding new effective drug against EGFR is the key to cancer treatment. In this study, the GOLD docking algorithm was used to virtually screen for novel human EGFR inhibitors from the NCI database. Thirty-four hit compounds were tested for EGFR-tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibition. Two potent compounds, 1-amino-4-(4-[4-amino-2-sulfophenyl]anilino)-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-sulfonic acid (NSC125910), and nogalamycin N-oxide (NSC116555) were identified with IC₅₀ values against EGFR-TK comparable to gefitinib; 16.14 and 37.71 nM, respectively. However, only NSC116555 demonstrated cytotoxic effects against non–small-cell lung cancer, A549, shown in the cell cytotoxicity assay with an IC₅₀ of 0.19 + 0.01 µM, which was more potent than gefitinib. Furthermore, NSC116555 showed cytotoxicity against A549 via apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.     

Formation and decay of P680 (PD1–PD2)PheoD1 radical ion pair in photosystem II core complexes

Under physiological conditions (278 K) femtosecond pump-probe laser spectroscopy with 20-fs time resolution was applied to study primary charge separation in spinach photosystem II (PSII) core complexes excited at 710 nm. It was shown that initial formation of anion radical band of pheophytin molecule (Pheo⁻) at 460 nm is observed with rise time of ~ 11 ps. The kinetics of the observed rise was ascribed to charge separation between Chl (chlorophyll a) dimer, primary electron donor in PSII (P680*) and Pheo located in D1 protein subunit (Pheo_D1) absorbing at 420 nm, 545 nm and 680 nm with formation of the ion-radical pair P680⁺Pheo_DI⁻. The subsequent electron transfer from Pheo_D1⁻ to primary plastoquinone electron acceptor (Q_A) was accompanied by relaxation of the 460-nm band and occurred within ~ 250 ps in good agreement with previous measurements in Photosystem II-enriched particles and bacterial reaction centers. The subtraction of the P680⁺ spectrum measured at 455 ps delay from the spectra at 23 ps or 44 ps delay reveals the spectrum of Pheo_DI⁻, which is very similar to that measured earlier by accumulation method. The spectrum of Pheo_DI⁻ formation includes a bleaching (or red shift) of the 670 nm band indicating that Chl-670 is close to Pheo_D1. According to previous measurements in the femtosecond–picosecond time range this Chl-670 was ascribed to Chl_D1 [Shelaev, Gostev, Vishnev, Shkuropatov, Ptushenko, Mamedov, Sarkisov, Nadtochenko, Semenov and Shuvalov, J. Photochemistry and Photobiology, B: Biology 104 (2011) 45–50]. Stimulated emission at 685 nm was found to have two decaying components with time constants of ~ 1 ps and ~ 14 ps. These components appear to reflect formation of P680⁺Chl_D1⁻ and P680⁺Pheo_D1⁻, respectively, as found earlier. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability: Keys to Produce Clean Energy.     

Probing α-310 Transitions in a Voltage-Sensing S4 Helix

The S4 helix of voltage sensor domains (VSDs) transfers its gating charges across the membrane electrical field in response to changes of the membrane potential. Recent studies suggest that this process may occur via the helical conversion of the entire S4 between α and 3₁₀ conformations. Here, using LRET and FRET, we tested this hypothesis by measuring dynamic changes in the transmembrane length of S4 from engineered VSDs expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Our results suggest that the native S4 from the Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensitive phosphatase (Ci-VSP) does not exhibit extended and long-lived 3₁₀ conformations and remains mostly α-helical. Although the S4 of NavAb displays a fully extended 3₁₀ conformation in x-ray structures, its transplantation in the Ci-VSP VSD scaffold yielded similar results as the native Ci-VSP S4. Taken together, our study does not support the presence of long-lived extended α-to-3₁₀ helical conversions of the S4 in Ci-VSP associated with voltage activation.     

Arming α2-macroglobulin with ricin A chain forms a cytotoxic conjugate that inhibits protein synthesis and kills human fibroblasts

A conjugate containing α₂-macroglobulin and highly purified ricin A chain was made using N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate. Radioimmunoassay indicated that it contained 1.2 mol A chain per mol α₂-macroglobulin. The conjugate inhibited polyuridylic-acid directed translation by rat liver ribosomes and protein synthesis in human fibroblasts. There was a 90 min lag period before the beginning of inhibition in fibroblasts, but complete inhibition could be achieved. By measuring protein synthesis as a function of protein concentration, it was demonstrated that 8.25·10^?9M conjugate was required to inhibit 50% of protein synthesis in 6 h. To achieve the same level of inhibition, 165-times more (1.3·10^?6M) unconjugated A chain was required, and 180-times less ricin (4.6·10^?11M). Ricin was more than 28 000 times more inhibitory than A chain alone. The presence of α₂-macroglobulin did not increase the cytotoxicity of unconjugated A chain, and it even protected the cells to a slight extent. The inhibitory action of the conjugate was blocked by antibodies specific for α₂-macroglobulin or ricin, and it was not prevented by galactose or antibodies specific for ricin B chain. Electron microscopy of the conjugate indirectly labelled with ferritin demonstrated that it was internalized by receptor mediated endocytosis through coated pits. These data indicate that the A chain portion of the conjugate survives the conditions in the lysosomes to the extent that it retains its ability to inactivate cytoplasmic ribosomes.