Xenobiotic acyl-CoA formation: evidence of kinetically distinct hepatic microsomal long-chain fatty acid and nafenopin-CoA ligases

Multiplicity of hepatic microsomal coenzyme A ligases catalyzing acyl-CoA thioester formation is an important factor for consideration in relation to the metabolism of xenobiotic carboxylic acids. In this study the kinetic characteristics of rat hepatic microsomal nafenopin-CoA ligase were studied and compared with those of long-chain fatty acid (palmitoyl) CoA ligase. The high affinity component of palmitoyl-CoA formation was inhibited by nafenopin (K_i 53 μM) and ciprofibrate (K_i 1000 μM). Analagous to palmitoyl-CoA, nafenopin-CoA formation was catalyzed by an apparent high affinity low capacity isoform (K_m 6 ± 2.5 μM, (V_max 0.33 ± 0.12 nmol/mg per min) which was inhibited competitively by palmitic acid (mean K_i 1.7 μM, n = 5) and R-ibuprofen (mean K_i 10.8 μM, n = 5) whilst ciprofibrate and clofibric acid were ineffective as inhibitors. The intrinsic metabolic clearance of nafenopin to nafenopin-CoA (V_max/K_m 0.057 ± 0.011 nmol/mg/min ± M) was similar to that reported recently for the formation of ibuprofenyl-CoA by rat liver microsomes. Evidence of both a substantial difference between the K_m and K_i for nafenopin and lack of commonality with regard to xenobiotic inhibitors suggests that the high affinity microsomal nafenopin-CoA and long-chain fatty acid-CoA ligases are kinetically distinct. Thus until the current ‘long-chain like’ xenobiotic-CoA ligases are fully characterised in terms of substrate specificity, inhibitor profile, etc, it will be impossible to rationalize (and possibly predict) the metabolism and hence toxicity of xenobiotic carboxylic acids forming acyl-CoA thioester intermediates.     

Kinetic properties of microsomal 3beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase from the testis of Bufo arenarum H

3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 5-ene isomerase (3βHSD/I) activity is necessary for the biosynthesis of hormonally active steroids. A dual distribution of the enzyme was described in toad testes. The present study demonstrates that in testicular tissue of Bufo arenarum H., microsomal 3βHSD/I has more affinity for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) than for pregnenolone (K_m=0.17±0.03 and 1.02 μM, respectively). The Hill coefficient for the conversion of DHEA and pregnenolone were 1.04 and 1.01, respectively. The inclusion of DHEA in the kinetic analysis of pregnenolone conversion affected V_max while K_m was not modified, suggesting a non-competitive inhibition of the conversion of pregnenolone. K_i was calculated from replot of Dixon's slope for each substrate concentration. K_i from the intercept and the slope of this replot were similar (0.276±0.01 and 0.263±0.02 μM) and higher than the K_m for DHEA. The K_m and K_i values suggest the presence of two different binding sites. When pregnenolone was present in the assays with DHEA as substrate, no effect was observed on the V_max while K_m values slightly increased with pregnenolone concentration. Consequently, pregnenolone inhibited the transformation of DHEA in a competitive fashion. These studies suggest that, in this species, the microsomal biosyntheses of androgens and progesterone are catalysed by different active sites.     

1,2,4-thiadiazole: a novel Cathepsin B inhibitor

A novel class of Cathepsin B inhibitors has been developed with a 1,2,4-thiadiazole heterocycle as the thiol trapping pharmacophore. Several compounds with different dipeptide recognition sequence (i.e., P1′–P2′=Leu-Pro-OH or P2–P1=Cbz-Phe-Ala) at the C5 position and with different substituents (i.e., OMe, Ph, or COOH) at the C3 position of the 1,2,4-thiadiazole ring have been synthesized and tested for their inhibitory activities. The substituted thiadiazoles 3a–h inhibit Cat B in a time dependent, irreversible manner. A mechanism based on active-site directed inactivation of the enzyme by disulfide bond formation between the active site cysteine thiol and the sulfur atom of the heterocycle is proposed. Compound 3a (K_i=2.6 μM, k_i/K_i=5630 M⁻¹ s⁻¹) with a C3 methoxy moiety and a Leu-Pro-OH dipeptide recognition sequence, is found to be the most potent inhibitor in this series. The enhanced inhibitory potency of 3a is a consequence of its increased enzyme binding affinity (lower K_i) rather than its increased intrinsic reactivity (higher k_i). In addition, 3a is inactive against Cathepsin S, is a poor inhibitor of Cathepsin H and is >100-fold more selective for Cat B over papain.     

Cortisol metabolism in vitro—III. Inhibition of microsomal 6β—hydroxylase and cytosolic 4-ene-reductase

The in vitro metabolism of cortisol in human liver fractions is highly complex and variable. Cytosolic metabolism proceeds predominantly via A-ring reduction (to give 3,5β-tetrahydrocortisol; 3,5β-THF), while microsomal incubations generate upto 7 metabolites, including 6β-hydroxycortisol (6β-OHF), and 6β-hydroxycortisone (6β-OHE), products of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A subfamily. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to examine two of the main enzymes involved in cortisol metabolism, namely, microsomal 6β-hydroxylase and cytosolic 4-ene-reductase. In particular, we wished to assess the substrate specificity of these enzymes and identify compounds with inhibitory potential. Incubations for 30 min containing [³H]cortisol, potential inhibitors, microsomal or cytosolic protein (3 mg), and co-factors were followed by radiometric HPLC analysis. The K_m value for 6β-OHF and 6β-OHE formation was 15.2 ± 2.1 μM (mean ± SD; n = 4) and the V_max value 6.43 ± 0.45 pmol/min/mg microsomal protein. The most potent inhibitor of cortisol 6β-hydroxylase was ketoconazole (K_i = 0.9 ± 0.4 μM; N = 4), followed by gestodene (K_i = 5.6 ± 0.6 μM) and cyclosporine (K_i = 6.8 ± 1.4 μM). Both betamethasone and dexamethasone produced some inhibition (K_i = 31.3 and 54.5 μ, respectively). However, substrates for CYP2C (tolbutamide), CYP2D (quinidine), and CYP1A (theophylline) were essentially non-inhibitory. The K_m value for cortisol 4-ene-reductase was 26.5 ± 11.2 μM (n = 4) and the V_max value 107.7 ± 46.0 pmol/min/mg cytosolic protein. The most potent inhibitors were androstendione (K_i = 17.8 ± 3.3 μM) and gestodene (K_i = 23.8 ± 3.8 μM). Although both compounds have identical A-rings to cortisol, and undergo reduction, inhibition was non-competitive.     

Boronic acids as inhibitors of steroid sulfatase

Steroid sulfatase (STS) catalyzes the hydrolysis of steroidal sulfates such as estrone sulfate (ES1) to the corresponding steroids and inorganic sulfate. STS is considered to be a potential target for the development of therapeutics for the treatment of steroid-dependent cancers. Two steroidal and two coumarin- and chromenone-based boronic acids were synthesized and examined as inhibitors of purified STS. The boronic acid analog of estrone sulfate bearing a boronic acid moiety at the 3-position in place of the sulfate group was a good competitive STS inhibitor with a K_i of 2.8 μM at pH 7.0 and 6.8 μM at pH 8.8. The inhibition was reversible and kinetic properties corresponding to the mechanism for slow-binding inhibitors were not observed. An estradiol derivative bearing a boronic acid group at the 3-position and a benzyl group at the 17-position was a potent reversible, non-competitive STS inhibitor with a K_i of 250 nM. However, its 3-OH analog, a known STS inhibitor, exhibited an almost identical affinity for STS and also bound in a non-competitive manner. It is suggested that these compounds prefer to bind in a hydrophobic tunnel close to the entrance to the active site. The coumarin and chromenone boronic acids were modest inhibitors of STS with IC₅₀s of 86 and 171 μM, respectively. Surprisingly, replacing the boronic acid group of the chromenone derivative with an OH group yielded a good reversible, mixed type inhibitor with a K_i of 4.6 μM. Overall, these results suggest that the boronic acid moiety must be attached to a platform very closely resembling a natural substrate in order for it to impart a beneficial effect on binding affinity compared to its phenolic analog.     

Rhodamine 123 as a probe of transmembrane potential in isolated rat-liver mitochondria: spectral and metabolic properties

The spectral and metabolic properties of Rhodamine 123, a fluorescent cationic dye used to label mitochondria in living cells, were investigated in suspensions of isolated rat-liver mitochondria. A red shift of Rhodamine 123 absorbance and fluorescence occurred following mitochondrial energization. Fluorescence quenching of as much as 75% also occurred. The red shift and quenching varied linearly with the potassium diffusion potential, but did not respond to ΔpH. These energy-linked changes were accompanied by dye uptake into the matrix space. Concentration ratios, in-to-out, approached 4000:1. A large fraction of internalized dye was bound. At concentrations higher than those needed to record these spectral changes, Rhodamine 123 inhibited ADP-stimulated (State 3) respiration of mitochondria (K_i = 12 μM) and ATPase activity of inverted inner membrane vesicles (K_i = 126 μM) and partially purified F₁-ATPase (K_i = 177 μM). The smaller K_i for coupled mitochondria was accounted for by energy-dependent Rhodamine 123 uptake into the matrix. Above about 20 nmol/mg protein (10 μM), Rhodamine 123 caused rapid swelling of energized mitochondria. Effects on electron-transfer reactions and coupling were small or negligible even at the highest Rhodamine 123 concentrations employed. Δψ-dependent Rhodamine 123 uptake together with Rhodamine 123 binding account for the intense fluorescent staining of mitochondria in living cells. Inhibition of mitochondria ATPase likely accounts for the cytotoxicity of Rhodamine 123. At concentrations which do not inhibit mitochondrial function, Rhodamine 123 is a sensitive and specific probe of Δψ in isolated mitochondria.     

1-Alkoxycarbonyl-3-halogenoazetidin-2-ones as elastase (PPE) inhibitors

A series of 1-alkoxycarbonyl-3-halogenoazetidin-2-ones, designed as potential suicide inhibitors of serine proteases, has been synthesized and evaluated against porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE). All the compounds were transient inhibitors, their activity depending mainly on the nature of the halogen substituent: bromo- and iodo- derivatives are more active (K_i 2–22 μM) than 3-chloroazetidinones (K_i 20–150 μM). The lipophilicity of the N-1 substituent appeared to exert a slightly positive effect.     

1-Methoxy-, 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy- and 11-hydroxy-1-methoxy-Delta(8)-tetrahydrocannabinols: new selective ligands for the CB2 receptor

Three series of new cannabinoids were prepared and their affinities for the CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid recptors were determined. These are the 1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)-, 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)- and 11-hydroxy-1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)-Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinols, which contain alkyl chains from dimethylethyl to dimethylheptyl appended to C-3 of the cannabinoid. All of these compounds have greater affinity for the CB₂ receptor than for the CB₁ receptor, however only 1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylhexyl)-Δ⁸-THC (JWH-229, 6e) has effectively no affinity for the CB₁ receptor (K_i=3134±110 nM) and high affinity for CB₂ (K_i=18±2 nM).     

Fragment-based discovery of hepatitis C virus NS5b RNA polymerase inhibitors

Non-nucleoside inhibitors of HCV NS5b RNA polymerase were discovered by a fragment-based lead discovery approach, beginning with crystallographic fragment screening. The NS5b binding affinity and biochemical activity of fragment hits and inhibitors was determined by surface plasmon resonance (Biacore) and an enzyme inhibition assay, respectively. Crystallographic fragment screening hits with 1–10 mM binding affinity (K_D) were iteratively optimized to give leads with 200 nM biochemical activity and low μM cellular activity in a Replicon assay.     

Beta-endorphin-like peptide SLTCLVKGFY reduces the production of 11-oxycorticosteroids by rat adrenal cortex through nonopioid beta-endorphin receptors

β-Endorphin-like peptide immunorphin (SLTCLVKGFY), a selective agonist of nonopioid β-endorphin receptor, was labeled with tritium to specific activity of 24 Ci/mmol. It was used for the detection and characterization of nonopioid β-endorphin receptors on rat adrenal cortex membranes (K_d=31.6±0.2 nM, B_max=37.4±2.2 pmol/mg protein). Immunorphin at concentrations of 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁶ M was found to inhibit the adenylate cyclase activity in adrenal cortex membranes, while intramuscular injection of immunorphin at doses of 10–100 μg/kg was found to reduce the secretion of 11-oxycorticosteroids from the adrenals to the bloodstream.     

Kinetic characterization of chiral biocatalysis of cycloarenes by the camphor 5-monooxygenase enzyme system

Redox enzyme mediated biocatalysis has the potential to regio- and stereo-specifically oxidize hydrocarbons producing valuable products with minimal by-product formation. In vitro reactions of the camphor (cytochrome P-450) 5-monooxygenase enzyme system with naphthalene-like substrates yield stereospecifically hydroxylated products from nonactivated hydrocarbons. Specifically, the enzyme system catalyzes the essentially stereospecific conversion of the cycloarene, tetralin (1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene) to (R)-1-tetralol ((R)-(−)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthol). It is shown that this reaction obeys Michaelis–Menten kinetics and that interactions between the enzyme subunits are not affected by the identity of the substrate. This subunit independence extends to the efficiency of NADH usage by the enzyme system—subunit ratios do not effect efficiency, but substrate identity does. Tetralin is converted at an efficiency of 13±3%, whereas (R)-1-tetralol is converted at 7.8±0.7%. A model of this system based on Michaelis–Menten parameters for one subunit (Pdx: K_M=10.2±2 μM) and both substrates (tetralin: K_M=66±26 μM, ν_max=0.11±0.04 s⁻¹, and (R)-1-tetralol: K_M=2800±1300 μM, ν_max=0.83±0.22 s⁻¹) is presented and used to predict the consumption and production of all substrates, products and cofactors.     

Anti-proliferative properties of prenylated flavonoids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.) in human prostate cancer cell lines

Chalcones xanthohumol (X) and desmethylxanthohumol (DMX), present in hops (Humulus lupulus L.), and the corresponding flavanones isoxanthohumol (IX, from X), 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN, from DMX), and 6-prenylnaringenin (6-PN, from DMX), have been examined in vitro for their anti-proliferative activity on human prostate cancer cells PC-3 and DU145. X proved to be the most active compound in inhibiting the growth of the cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 12.3±1.1 μM for DU145 and 13.2±1.1 μM for PC-3. 6-PN was the second most active growth inhibitor, particularly in PC-3 cells (IC₅₀ of 18.4±1.2 μM). 8-PN, a highly potent phytoestrogen, exhibited pronounced anti-proliferative effects on PC-3 and DU145 (IC₅₀ of 33.5±1.0 and 43.1±1.2 μM, respectively), and IX gave comparable activities (IC₅₀ of 45.2±1.1 μM for PC-3 and 47.4±1.1 μM for DU145). DMX was the least active compound. It was evidenced for the first time that this family of prenylated flavonoids from hops effectively inhibits proliferation of prostate cancer cells in vitro.     

Developmental expression and activity of high affinity glutamate transporters in rat cortical primary cultures

The expression and activity of glutamate transporters (EAAC1, GLAST and GLT1) were examined during the development of cortical neuron-enriched cultures. Protein content and mitochondrial respiration both increased during the first 7 days, later stabilized and decreased from DIV14. Glutamate transport and extracellular concentration were relatively constant from DIV3 to 18. The kinetic parameters of glutamate transport were at DIV7:K_m=19±3 μM and V_max=1068±83 pmol/mg protein/min and at DIV14: K_m=40.8±9.3 μM and V_max=1060±235 pmol/mg protein/min. The shift in K_m towards higher values suggest a more important participation of GLAST after DIV14. At DIV7 and 14, glutamate transport was poorly sensitive to dihydrokaïnate (DHK) suggesting a weak participation of GLT1 in glutamate transport. Western blot experiments and immunocytochemistry showed that EAAC1 was expressed by neurons whatever the stage of the culture. GLAST was found in astrocytes as soon as DIV3 and labeling increased during the development of the culture. There was little neuronal GLT1 immunoreactivity at DIV7, only detected by immunocytochemistry. From DIV10 to 18, an increasing astrocytic expression of GLT1 was observed, also detected by Western blotting. These results show that: (1) glutamate uptake remains stable all along the development of the cultures although the pattern of expression of the different transporters is changing, suggesting that glutamate transport is highly regulated; (2) neuronal EAAC1 may play a critical role during the early stages of the culture when it is expressed alone; and (3) the developmental expression pattern of glutamate transporters in cortical neuron-enriched cultures is quite similar to that observed in vivo during early postnatal development.     

Transport in C4 mesophyll chloroplasts. Evidence for an exchange of inorganic phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate

1. Mesophyll chloroplasts of the C₄ plant Digitaria sanguinalis contain endogenous phosphoenolpyruvate which appears to distribute across the envelope according to the existing pH gradient. The phosphoenolpyruvate remaining in the stroma can be rapidly released by external inorganic phosphate or 3-phosphoglycerate while external pyruvate did not affect the distribution.

2. Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) was a competitive inhibitor (K_i(PEP) = 450 μM) of ³²P_i uptake (K_m(P_i) = 200 μM) by chloroplasts in the dark and also reduced the steady-state internal concentration of ³²P_i, which is consistent with phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate sharing a common carrier.

3. Phosphoenolpyruvate formation by chloroplasts in the light in the presence of pyruvate but in the absence of inorganic phosphate was slow and the concentration ratio of phosphoenolpyruvate (internal/external) was high. Addition of 0.1 mM phosphate induced a high rate of phosphoenolpyruvate formation and the concentration ratio (internal/external) decreased 15-fold. It is proposed that external phosphate is required both for phosphoenolpyruvate formation and efflux from the chloroplast.     

Anti-proliferative lichen compounds with inhibitory activity on 12(S)-HETE production in human platelets

Several lichen compounds, i.e. lobaric acid (1), a β-orcinol depsidone from Stereocaulon alpinum L., (+)-protolichesterinic acid (2), an aliphatic -methylene-γ-lactone from Cetraria islandica Laur. (Parmeliaceae), (+)-usnic acid (3), a dibenzofuran from Cladonia arbuscula (Wallr.) Rabenh. (Cladoniaceae), parietin (4), an anthraquinone from Xanthoria elegans (Link) Th. Fr. (Calaplacaceae) and baeomycesic acid (5), a β-orcinol depside isolated from Thamnolia vermicularis (Sw.) Schaer. var. subuliformis (Ehrh.) Schaer. were tested for inhibitory activity on platelet-type 12(S)-lipoxygenase using a cell-based in vitro system in human platelets. Lobaric acid (1) and (+)-protolichesterinic acid (2) proved to be pronounced inhibitors of platelet-type 12(S)-lipoxygenase, whereas baeomycesic acid (5) showed only weak activity (inhibitory activity at a concentration of 100 μg/ml: 1 93.4±6.62%, 2 98,5±1.19%, 5 14.7±2.76%). Usnic acid (3) and parietin (4) were not active at this concentration. 1 and 2 showed a clear dose–response relationship in the range of 3.33–100 μg/ml. According to the calculated IC₅₀ values the highest inhibitory activity was observed for the depsidone 1 (IC₅₀=28.5 μM) followed by 2 (IC₅₀=77.0 μM). The activity of 1 was comparable to that of the flavone baicalein, which is known as a selective 12(S)-lipoxygenase inhibitor (IC₅₀=24.6 μM).     

Phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens: the contribution of diet and environment to endocrine disruption

Some endocrine disrupting compounds such as phthalates and phenols act non-genomically by inhibiting the sulfotransferase (SULT 1E1 and SULT 1A1) isoforms which inactivate estrogens by sulfonation. A range of environmental phenolic contaminants and dietary flavonoids was tested for inhibition of the human SULT 1A1, 1E1 and 2A1 isoforms. In particular, the plasticisers 4-n-octyl- and 4-n-nonyl-phenol inhibit SULT 1E1 with IC₅₀ values of 0.16 μM vs. 10 nM estradiol while the 2-substituted chlorophenols show similar values. Flavonoids are also SULT inhibitors; tricin is a competitive inhibitor of SULT 1E1 with a K_i of 1.5 ± 0.8 nM. In a small pilot study to determine whether ingestion of soy flavonoids would affect SULT1A1 activity in vivo as well as in vitro, sulfonation of daidzein was reduced in a group of women ‘at risk’ of breast cancer, as compared with controls, although the SULT 1A1*1/SULT 1A1*2 allele ratio was not different. Endocrine disrupting effects in man may be multifactorial when components from both the diet and the environment act at the same point in steroid metabolism.     

New series of potent delta-opioid antagonists containing the H-Dmt-Tic-NH-hexyl-NH-R motif

Heterodimeric compounds H-Dmt-Tic-NH-hexyl-NH-R (R = Dmt, Tic, and Phe) exhibited high affinity to δ- (K_iδ = 0.13–0.89 nM) and μ-opioid receptors (K_iμ = 0.38–2.81 nM) with extraordinary potent δ antagonism (pA₂ = 10.2–10.4). These compounds represent the prototype for a new class of structural homologues lacking μ-opioid receptor-associated agonism (IC₅₀ = 1.6–5.8 μM) based on the framework of bis-[H-Dmt-NH]-alkyl (Okada, Y.; Tsuda, Y.; Fujita, Y.; Yokoi, T.; Sasaki, Y.; Ambo, A.; Konishi, R.; Nagata, M.; Salvadori, S.; Jinsmaa, Y.; Bryant, S. D.; Lazarus, L. H. J. Med. Chem. 2003, 46, 3201), which exhibited both high μ affinity and bioactivity.     

1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamidines: new inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase

1H-Pyrazole-1-carboxamidines were prepared as potential inhibitors of the three isozymes of nitric oxide synthase. All of the compounds were found to be competitive inhibitors of all three isoforms. The most selective compound prepared was 1H-pyrazole-N-(3-aminomethylanilino)-1-carboxamidine (14), which is 100-fold selective for nNOS over eNOS with a K_i value of 2 μM.     

Characterization of proctolin binding sites on locust oviduct membranes

The binding of [³H]proctolin to oviduct membranes has been analyzed to investigate the nature of proctolin binding sites in the oviduct. Proctolin binding was found to be time dependent, proportional to concentration of membrane protein, saturable, specific and reversible. Two apparent proctolin binding sites were recognized. The first had a K_d of 400 ± 82 nM and a B_max of 23.7 ± 6.7 pmol/mg protein. The second had a K_d of 2.4 ± 0.2 μM and a B_max of 96.3 ± 16.7 pmo/mg protein.

Binding was specific in thatcompetition experiments with a wide range of peptides showed that only Arg-Tyr-Leu-Pro-Ala was an effective competitor at μM concentrations. All other peptides examined weekly reduced proctolin binding at concentrations above 50 μM. Certain peptides were found to potentiate [³]pproctolin binding at low μM concentrations (1–10 μM) and to inhibit proctolin binding at higher concentrations. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Effects of a glutamate uptake inhibitor on glutamate release induced by veratridine and ischemia

It has been postulated that a reversal of glutamate reuptake (“uptake reverse”) may contribute to glutamate release during cerebral ischemia. We tested this hypothesis by studying the effect of threo-3hydroxy- -aspartic acid (THA), a glutamate uptake inhibitor, on extracellular glutamate accumulation measured by microdialysis during 4-vessel ischemia (20 min). The inhibitory effect of THA on sodium-dependent glutamate uptake was measured in vitro on rat hippocampal slices (K_i = 45 ± 11 μM). We examined in vivo the effect of THA (400 μM in the dialysis solution) on the extracellular glutamate release from the rat hippocampus, during veratridine depolarization and ischemia. THA decreased the amount of glutamate appearing in the extracellular space during veratridine depolarization (61%). In contrast, the glutamate release induced by ischemia was not affected by THA. We conclude that a reversal of the sodium-dependent uptake contributes to an increase in extracellular glutamate during veratridine depolarization. In contrast, glutamate release occurring during ischemia is not mediated by uptake reverse.