Synthesis of bis-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-oxamides

The synthesis of a new bis-(D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)oxamides via the key intermediate, N-acetyl N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl) oxamic acid chloride (2alpha) is described. Treatment of compound 2alpha with methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-amino-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside afforded N-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-N'-(methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosid-2-yl)-oxamide. Reaction of 2alpha with 1,2-diaminoethane afforded 1,2-bis-[N,N'-(methyl 3',4',6'-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2'-yl)]ethyloxamide as a main product, while 2-N-[N'-(methyl 3',4',6'-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2'-yl)oxamide]-ethyl acetamide was formed as a side product. Reaction of 2alpha with 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane gave only 1,3-bis-N,N-[N'-(methyl 3',4',6'-tri-O-acetyl-2'-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosid-2'-yl)-oxamido]-2-propanol.     

Synthesis of glycosyl-triazole linked 1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The synthesis of four different types of oxadiazoles containing a terminal acetylenic group is described. Reaction of these oxadiazoles with various azidoglycosides via a copper-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition ('click chemistry') afforded the corresponding glycosyl-triazole linked 1,2,4-oxadiazoles in good yields.     

ATP nucleotidylation of creatine kinase.

Creatine kinase (CK) will autoincorporate radiolabel from [gamma32P]ATP and has thus been reported to be autophosphorylated. Also, in contrast to normal brain enzyme, CK in Alzheimer-diseased brain homogenate shows greatly decreased activity, abolished photolabeling with [32P]8N3ATP, and no detectable autoincorporation of radiolabel by [gamma32P]ATP. Surprisingly, our studies with both human brain and purified CK showed that [alpha32P]ATP, [gamma32P]ATP, [alpha32P]ADP, [2,8H3]ATP, [gamma32P]2',3'-O-(2,4, 6-trinitrophenyl)-ATP, and [gamma32P]benzophenone-gammaATP all autoincorporate radiolabel into CK with good efficiency. This demonstrates that the gamma-phosphate and the 2' and 3' hydroxyls are not involved in the covalent linkage and that all three phosphates, the ribose and base of the ATP molecule are retained upon autoincorporation (nucleotidylation). Treatment with NaIO3 to break the 2'-3' linkage effected total loss of radiolabel indicating that nucleotidylation resulted in opening of the ribose ring at the C1' position. Nucleotidylation with increasing [alpha32P]ATP at 37 degrees C gives an approximate k0.5 of 125 microM and saturates at 340 microM nucleotide. Modification of 8-10% of the copy numbers occurs at saturation, and CK activity is inhibited to approximately the same degree. Low micromolar levels of native substrates such as ADP, ATP, and phosphocreatine substantially reduce [alpha32P]ATP nucleotidylation. In contrast, AMP, GTP, GMP, NADH, and creatine did not effectively reduce nucleotidylation. When [alpha32P]ATP-nucleotidylated or [alpha32P]8N3ATP-photolabeled CK is treated with trypsin a single, identical radiolabeled peptide (V279-R291) is generated that comigrates on reverse phase HPLC and Tris-tricine electrophoresis. Nucleotidylation into this peptide was prevented 86% by the presence of ATP. We conclude that CK is nucleotidylated within the active site by modification at the C1'position and that autophosphorylation of this enzyme does not occur.     

Differential regulation of mouse equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (mENT1) splice variants by protein kinase CK2

Nucleosides are accumulated by cells via a family of equilibrative transport proteins (ENTs). An alternative splice variant of the most common subtype of mouse ENT (ENT1) has been identified which is missing a protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase 2) consensus site (Ser²⁵⁴) in the central intracellular loop of the protein. We hypothesized that this variant (mENT1a) would be less susceptible to modulation by CK2-mediated phosphorylation compared to the variant containing the serine at position 254 (mENT1b). Each splice variant was transfected into nucleoside transporter deficient PK15 cells, and stable transfectants assessed for their ability to bind the ENT1-selective probe [³H]nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) and to mediate the cellular uptake of [³H]2-chloroadenosine, with or without treatment with the CK2 selective inhibitor, 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB). mENT1a had a higher affinity for NBMPR relative to mENT1b – measured both directly by the binding of [³H]NBMPR, and indirectly via inhibition of [³H]2-chloroadenosine influx by NBMPR. Furthermore, incubation of mENT1b-expressing cells with 10 µM TBB for 48 h decreased both the K_D and B_max of [³H]NBMPR binding, as well as the V_max of 2-chloroadenosine uptake, whereas similar treatment of mENT1a-expressing cells with TBB had no effect. PK15 cells transfected with hENT1, which has Ser²⁵⁴, was similar to mENT1b in its response to TBB. In conclusion, inhibition of CK2 activity, or deletion of Ser²⁵⁴ from mENT1, enhances transporter affinity for the inhibitor, NBMPR, and reduces the number of ENT1 proteins functioning at the level of the plasma membrane.     

A putative pathway of glyconeogenesis in skeletal muscle

Evidence is presented in support of a pathway in skeletal muscle of glyconeogenesis (glycogen biosynthesis de novo) from L-glutamate and related amino acids involving the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEP CK). In the rat hemidiaphragm in vitro, not only did L-[U-¹⁴C]glutamate exert a glycogen-sparing action, but¹⁴C-label was incorporated into glycogen. The incorporation is thought not to be simply via label randomization and was decreased by factors that increased glycolysis or pyruvate oxidation. 3-Mercaptopicolinate and amino-oxyacetate, specific inhibitors of PEP CK and aminotransferase-type enzymes, respectively, decreased¹⁴C-incorporation from L-[U-¹⁴C]glutamate into glycogen. No quantitative determination of apparent glyconeogenic flux was made, and it remains to be established whether glyconeogenesis via PEP CK and/or via PEP CK coupled with 'malic' enzyme (or pyruvate carboxylase) is functionally important in skeletal muscle.     

Characterization and dynamics of O-linked glycosylation of human cytokeratin 8 and 18.

The glycosylation of human cytokeratin (CK) 8 and 18 was studied after metabolic labeling of HT29 colonic cells with [3H]glucosamine. Labeling of CK8/18 was not inhibited by tunicamycin, suggesting that glycosylation was not N-linked. Acid hydrolysis of CK8 and CK18, purified from [3H]glucosamine-labeled cells, generated free glucosamine. In the presence of UDP-[3H]galactose, galactosyltransferase catalyzed the labeling of cytokeratin 8 and 18. beta-Elimination of the [3H]galactose- labeled CK8/18 generated the disaccharide N-acetyllactosaminitol, indicating that cytokeratin 8 and 18 contain single O-linked N-acetylglucosamine residues. Using chemical analysis, the stoichiometry of glycosylation was found to be 1.5 and 2 molecules of N-acetylglucosamine/protein molecule of CK8 and CK18, respectively. Peptide maps of [3H]glucosamine-labeled CK8/18 showed that multiple peptides were labeled with the amino sugar. The biosynthetic and degradation rates of the carbohydrate moiety were faster than the protein core as determined by metabolic radiolabeling or pulse-chase experiments, respectively. Our results show that CK8 and 18 are glycosylated at multiple sites with a single O-linked N-acetylglucosamine. Furthermore, CK8/18 glycosylation is a dynamic process which is likely to have functional relevance.     

Magnesium-adenosine diphosphate binding sites in wild-type creatine kinase and in mutants: role of aromatic residues probed by Raman and infrared spectroscopies

Two distinct methods were used to investigate the role of Trp residues during Mg-ADP binding to cytosolic creatine kinase (CK) from rabbit muscle: (1) Raman spectroscopy, which is very sensitive to the environment of aromatic side-chain residues, and (2) reaction-induced infrared difference spectroscopy (RIDS) and photolabile substrate (ADP[Et(PhNO(2))]), combined with site-directed mutagenesis on the four Trp residues of CK. Our Raman results indicated that the environment of Trp and of Tyr were not affected during Mg-ADP binding to CK. Analysis of RIDS of wild-type CK, inactive W227Y, and active W210,217,272Y mutants suggested that Trp227 was not involved in the stacking interactions. Results are consistent with Trp227 being essential to prevent water molecules from entering in the active site [as suggested by Gross, M., Furter-Graves, E. M., Wallimann, T., Eppenberger, H. M., and Furter, R. (1994) Protein Sci. 3, 1058-1068] and that another Trp could in addition help to steer the nucleotide in the binding site, although it is not essential for the activity of CK. Raman and infrared spectra indicated that Mg-ADP binding does not involve large secondary structure changes. Only 3-4 residues absorbing in the amide I region are directly implicated in the Mg-ADP binding (corresponding to secondary structure changes less than 1%), suggesting that movement of protein domains due to Mg-nucleotide binding do not promote large secondary structure changes.     

Pyridinium-carbaldehyde: active Maillard reaction product from the reaction of hexoses with lysine residues

Besides the formation of the aminotriazine N6-[4-(3-amino-1,2,4-triazin-5-yl)-2,3-dihydroxybutyl]-L-lysine, the reaction of [1-13C]D-glucose with lysine and aminoguanidine leads to the generation of 6-[2-([[amino(imino)methyl]hydrazono]methyl)pyridinium-1-yl]-L-norleucine (14-13C1). The dideoxyosone N6-(2,3-dihydroxy-5,6-dioxohexyl)-L-lysine was shown to be a precursor in the formation of 14-13C1, which proceeds via the reactive carbonyl intermediate 6-(2-formylpyridinium-1-yl)-L-norleucine (13-13C1). In order to study the reactivity of 13-13C1, the model compound 1-butyl-2-formylpyridinium (18) was prepared in a two-step procedure starting from 2-pyridinemethanol. The reaction of the pyridinium-carbaldehyde 18 with L-lysine yielded the Strecker analogous degradation product 2-(aminomethyl)-1-butylpyridinium and another compound, which was shown to be as 1-butyl-2-[(2-oxopiperidin-3-ylidene)methyl]pyridinium. Reaction of 18 with the C-H acidic 4-hydroxy-5-methylfuran-3(2H)-one leads to the formation of the condensation product 1-butyl-2-[hydroxy-(4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-oxofuran-2(3H)-ylidene)methyl]-pyridinium.     

Phosphorylation of rat liver mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase by casein kinase 2

We have previously shown rat liver mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (mtGAT), which catalyzes the first step in de novo glycerolipid biosynthesis, is stimulated by casein kinase 2 (CK2) and that a phosphorylated protein of approximately 85 kDa is present in CK2-treated mitochondria. In this paper, we have identified the (32)P-labeled 85-kDa protein as mtGAT. We have also investigated whether the phosphorylation of mtGAT is because of CK2. Mitochondria were treated with CK2 and [gamma-(32)P]GTP as the phosphate donor. Autoradiography, Western blot, and immunoprecipitation results showed mtGAT was phosphorylated by CK2. Next, we incubated mitochondria with CK2 and either ATP or GTP, in the presence of heparin, a known inhibitor of CK2. Heparin inhibited CK2-induced stimulation of mtGAT activity; this inhibition resulted in decreased (32)P-labeling of mtGAT. Additionally, mitochondria were treated with CK2 and [gamma-(32)P]ATP in the presence of staurosporine (a serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitor), genistein (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), and 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB, a CK2 inhibitor). Only DRB, the CK2 inhibitor, greatly reduced the amount of (32)P-incorporation into mtGAT by CK2. Finally, isolated mitochondrial outer membrane was incubated with cytosol in the presence of [gamma-(32)P]GTP; (32)P-labeled mtGAT was detected. Collectively, these data suggest that CK2 phosphorylates mtGAT. The impact of our results in the regulation of mtGAT and other anabolic processes is discussed.     

Palladium(II) as a versatile template for the formation of tetraaza macrocycles via Mannich-type reactions

The versatility of palladium(II) as a template for Mannich-type macrocyclization is illustrated. Reaction of (bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine)palladium(II) with formaldehyde and nitroethane in basic aqueous solution yields the ‘reinforced’ macrocycle 7-methyl-7-nitro-1,5,9,13-tetraazabicyclo[11.2.2]heptadecane as its palladium(II) complex. The crystal structure shows the palladium ion lies in a slightly tetrahedrally distorted square plane of four nitrogen donors, with distances to the two tertiary donors [av. 2.059(3) Å] slightly shorter than those to the secondary amines [av. 2.066(3) Å]. The 3-methyl-3-nitro-1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadecane as its palladium(II) complex was prepared by an analogous route. In a separate reaction based on the [Pd(en)(chxn)]²⁺ (en = ethane-1,2-diamine; chxn = cyclohexane-1,2-diamine) intermediate, an unsymmetrical macrocycle with a fused cyclohexane ring, 4,11-dimethyl-4,11-dinitro-2,6,9,13-tetraazabicyclo[12.4.0]octadecane was isolated as its palladium(II) complex. Accessibility to an isolable mixed-ligand precursor is a key to this reaction, provided by using palladium(II) as the templating metal. Reaction of (4,8-diazaundecane-1,11-diamine)palladium(II) with formaldehyde and diethyl malonate in basic aqueous solution yields, with ester hydrolysis and decarboxylation, the carboxylate-pendant macrocycle 1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadecane-3-carboxylic acid as its palladium(II) complex. The crystal structure is comprised of hydrogen-bonded dimers {[Pd(L)][Pd(L-H)]}³⁺ where the pair of inversion related square-planar complexes share a single proton between their pendant carboxylates. Bis(3-aminopropyl)(piperazine)palladium(II) yields the macrocyclic complex ion (1,5,9,13-tetraazabicyclo[11.2.2]heptadecane-7-carboxylic acid)palladium(II), in a similar reaction.     

Preparation and characterization of NADP derivatives alkylated at 2'-phosphate and 6-amino groups

Reaction of NADP with 3-propiolactone at pH 6 gave new NADP derivatives carboxyethylated at the 2'-phosphate or 6-amino group, or both: 2'-O-(2-carboxyethyl)phosphono-NAD (I), N6-(2-carboxyethyl)-NADP (II), and 2'-O-(2-carboxyethyl)phosphono-N6-(2-carboxyethyl)-NAD (III). Their structures were assigned on the basis of ultraviolet, 1H-NMR and 31P-NMR spectra, and also treatment with nucleotide pyrophosphatase or alkaline phosphatase. Carbodiimide-promoted reaction of derivative I with 1,2-diaminoethane gave 2'-O-[N-(2-aminoethyl)carbamoylethyl]phosphono-NAD (IV); derivative III gave 2'-O-[N-(2-aminoethyl)carbamoylethyl]phosphono-N6-[N-(2-aminoethyl ) carbamoylethyl]-NAD (IV). The same reaction of derivative II, on the other hand, gave a mixture of N6-[N-(2-aminoethyl)carbamoylethyl]-NADP (Va) and its 3'-phosphate isomer (Vb). The mixture was converted to Va via the 2',3'-cyclic derivative (Vc). Their structures were assigned on the basis of ultraviolet and 1H-NMR spectra, and also treatment with alkaline phosphatase or 3'-nucleotidase. All the NADP derivatives obtained in this work could be reduced with yeast glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.     

DNA degradation by bleomycin: evidence for 2'R-proton abstraction and for C-O bond cleavage accompanying base propenal formation

Reaction of poly(dA-[2'S-3H]dU) with activated bleomycin yields [3H]uracil propenal that completely retains the tritium label. In contrast, we have previously shown that reaction of poly(dA-[2'R-3H]dU) with activated bleomycin affords unlabeled uracil propenal [Wu, J. C., Kozarich, J. W., & Stubbe, J. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 4694-4697]. We have also prepared both cis- and trans-thymine propenals by chemical synthesis and have observed that the trans isomer is the exclusive product of the bleomycin reaction. Moreover, the cis isomer was found to be stable to the conditions of bleomycin-induced DNA degradation. Taken together, these results establish that the formation of trans-uracil propenal occurs via an anti-elimination mechanism with the stereospecific abstraction of the 2'R proton. The question of phosphodiester bond cleavage during base propenal formation has also been addressed by the analysis of the fate of oxygen-18 in poly(dA-[3'-18O]dT) upon reaction with activated bleomycin. The 5'-monophosphate oligonucleotide ends produced from thymine propenal formation have been converted to inorganic phosphate by the action of alkaline phosphatase, and the phosphate has been analyzed for 18O content by 31P NMR spectroscopy. The oxygen-18 is retained in the inorganic phosphate, establishing that the formation of thymine propenal by activated bleomycin proceeds with C-O bond cleavage at the 3'-position.     

Covalent binding of the 13C-labeled skin sensitizers 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3-one (MCI) and 2-methylisothiazol-3-one (MI) to a model peptide and glutathione

The reactivity of 4-[13C]- and 5-[13C]-5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3-one (MCI) and 2-methylisothiazol-3-one (MI) towards a model peptide and glutathione was followed by 13C and 1H[13C] NMR spectroscopy. Both molecules were found to react with GSH but in addition MCI was found to react with histidine and lysine to form adducts of a different nature. Reaction with histidine led to stable substitution adducts through an addition-elimination reaction at position 5 while reaction with lysine led to the formation of open adducts of the thioamide or amide type.     

Platinum(II) complexes of chelating and monodentate thiourea monoanions incorporating chiral, fluorescent or chromophoric groups

The reaction of cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] with trisubstituted thioureas [R¹R²NC(=S)NHR³] in refluxing methanol with triethylamine base, followed by addition of NaBPh₄ gives the salts [Pt{SC(=NR¹R²)NR³}(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ in high yield; a range of thiourea substituents, including chiral, fluorescent and chromophoric groups can be incorporated. The azo dye-derived complex [Pt{SC(=N(CH₂CH₂)₂O)NC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NMe₂}(PPh₃)₂]BPh₄ has been characterised by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The formation of a fluorescein-derivatised platinum–thiourea complex is also described. Reaction of cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] with PhNHC(S)NHPh or EtNHC(S)NHEt, triethylamine and NaBPh₄ gives, respectively, [Pt{SC(=NHPh)NPh}(PPh₃)₂]⁺ and the known cation [Pt{SC(=NHEt)NEt}(PPh₃)₂]⁺, isolated as tetraphenylborate salts. Reaction of cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] with an excess of Na[MeNHC(S)NCN] in methanol gives the bis(thiourea monoanion) complex trans-[Pt{SC(=N---CN)NHMe}₂(PPh₃)₂], characterised by NMR spectroscopy and an X-ray crystal structure determination. When cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] is reacted with 1 equiv. of Na[MeNHC(S)N---CN] in methanol, with added NaBPh₄, a mixture of isomers of the [Pt{SC(=NHCN)NMe}(PPh₃)₂]⁺ cation is obtained.     

Studies on the metabolic inversion of the 6'chiral center of simvastatin.

In two simvastatin (SV) metabolites the 6' alpha-methyl of SV is oxidized to either 6' beta-CH2OH (I) or 6' beta-COOH (II). A possible intermediate is 6' exomethylene SV (III). When Sprague Dawley rats received an i.v. dose of [14C] III (1 mg/kg) metabolite II was excreted in bile. When dogs received an i.v. dose of [14C] III together with either [3H] SV (1 mg/kg) or its hydroxy acid form, [( 3H] SVA) (10 mg/kg), both 3H and 14C I and II were excreted in bile. These results strongly indicate that I and II are secondary metabolites of SV formed from III perhaps via a common aldehyde intermediate.     

Novel indeno[1,2-b]indoloquinones as inhibitors of the human protein kinase CK2 with antiproliferative activity towards a broad panel of cancer cell lines

We previously reported indeno[1,2-b]indoles as a novel class of potent inhibitors of the human protein kinase CK2. In the present study we prepared two novel quinoid derivatives, the indeno[1,2-b]indoloquinones 6b and 6c, and demonstrated inhibition of the human CK2 by the compounds. Furthermore, we showed substantial antiproliferative activity of both compounds towards a broad panel of human cancer cell lines in the low micromolar range. Whereas the earlier indeno[1,2-b]indoles have been shown to be selective for CK2, the indeno[1,2-b]indoloquinones 6b and 6c also inhibited the AMPK activated protein kinase ARK5, potentially contributing to the anti-cancer effects of the compounds. In addition, with compound 6b we found a very potent inhibitor of the leukemia-associated receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3, with an IC(50) of 0.18 μM.     

“Unidentified” Mobile Protozoans from the Blood of Carp and Some Unsolved Problems of Myxosporean Life Cycles1

Heavy infections with enigmatic mobile organisms have recently been found in the blood of carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Central Europe. The organisms measure up to 15 μm, are variable in shape, and exhibit an unceasing twitching or dancing movement. Their developmental cycle starts with a primary cell enclosing a secondary cell. The former grows while the latter produces inside itself by a series of binary fissions and internal cleavages up to eight secondary cells, each of which encloses an inner (tertiary) cell of its own. In addition, up to four tiny cells with compact nuclei (“residual bodies”) also result from divisions of the secondary cells. Primary cells containing the products of the division of secondary cells finally disintegrate, releasing the secondary cells, which in their turn become new primary cells and repeat the cycle all over again. The structure and behavior of these organisms were so incompatible with existing ideas on myxosporean development that their myxosporean affinity was at first unrecognized. The final proof of their identity–appearance of myxosporean spores in sterile, experimentally infected hosts–is still to be presented. The interpretation of the myxosporean features of their life cycle (i.e., [1] the pericyte nature of the primary cell, [2] proliferation by disintegration of the pseudoplasmodial primary cell, [3] no rigidly fixed pattern in vegetative development), their ultrastructure (i.e., [1] characteristic bundles of microtubules and numerous free ribosomes in secondary cells, [2] lack of centrioles, [3] membranes enclosing the secondary cells within the primary cells), and facts on their epizootiology (i.e., [1] no success at transmission via leeches, [2] the occurrence of these organisms along with Sphaerospora renicola Dykova and Lom) suggest that they are stages of S. renicola from the kidney of carp. Similar mobile organisms were found in the blood of fry of two other fishes (Gobio gobi and Tinca tinca) which are also hosts for a Sphaerospora that infects the kidney. This suggests that these organisms represent an early phase in the developmental cycle in the genus Sphaerospora. The existence of cells enveloped one within the other (secondary and tertiary cells) in the developmental cycle, a characteristic myxosporean feature itself, is an intriguing parallel to similarly enclosed cells in sporogenesis of Paramyxea (Ascetospora).     

Reaction of glycosyl isothiocynates with 3-indolylaminomethyl-ketone hydrochloride

Reaction of glycosyl isothiocyanate la-c with 3-indolylaminomethylketone hydrochloride(2) yielded glycosylthiourea derivatives 3a-c. Cyclodehydration of 3a-c with acetic anhydride afforded 5-(indol-3-yl)-2-[N-per-O-acetyl-D-glycopyranosyl)amino]thiazoles 4a-c. Deacetylation of 4a-c gave 5-(indol-3-yl)-2-[N-(D-glycopyranosyl) amino] thiazoles 5a-c.     

Serine 714 might be implicated in the regulation of the phosphorylation in other areas of mPer1 protein

The phosphorylation of mPer proteins may play important roles in the mechanism of the circadian clock via changes in subcellular localization and degradation. However, the mechanism has remained unclear. Previously, we identified three putative casein kinase (CK)1epsilon phosphorylation motif clusters in mPer1. In this work, we examined the role of the phosphorylation of serine residue, Ser(S)714, in mPer1. mPer1 S[714-726]A mutant, in which potential phosphorylation serine residues replaced by alanine residues, is rapidly phosphorylated compared with wild-type mPer1 by CK1epsilon. Coexpression with S[714]G mutant of mPer1 advanced phase of circadian expression of mPer2-luc expression, which was monitored by in vitro bioluminescence system. This result showed that the mPER1 S[714]G mutation affects circadian core oscillator. Considering these, it seems that Ser 714 might be involved in the regulation of the phosphorylation of other sites in mPer1 by CK1epsilon.     

The effects of estrogen receptors α- and β-specific agonists and antagonists on cell proliferation and energy metabolism in human bone cell line

In cultured human osteoblasts estradiol-17β (E2) modulated DNA synthesis, the specific activity of creatine kinase BB (CK), 12 and 15 lipoxygenase (LO) mRNA expression and formation of 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE). We now investigate the response of human bone cell line (SaOS2) to phytoestrogens and estrogen receptors (ER)-specific agonists and antagonists. Treatment of SaSO2 with E2, 2,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN; ERβ-specific agonist), 4,4',4″-[4-propyl-(1H)-pyrazol-1,3,5-triyl] tris-phenol (PPT; ERα-specific agonist), biochainin A (BA), daidzein (D), genistein (G) and raloxifene (Ral) showed increased DNA synthesis and CK. Ral inhibited completely all stimulations except DPN and to some extent D. The ERα-specific antagonist methyl-piperidino-pyrazole (MPP) and the ERβ-specific antagonist 4-[2-phenyl-5,7-bis (tri-fluoro-methyl) pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl] phenol (PTHPP) inhibited DNA synthesis, CK and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation induced by estrogens according to their receptors affinity. The LO inhibitor baicaleine inhibited only E2, DPN and G's effects. E2 and Ral unlike all other compounds had no effect on ERα mRNA expression, while ERβ mRNA expression was stimulated by all compounds. All compounds modulated the expression of 12LO and 15LO mRNA, except E2, PPT and Ral for 12LO, and 12- and 15-HETE productions and stimulated ROS formation which was inhibited by NADPH oxidase inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) and N-acetyl cysteine and the estrogen inhibitor ICI. DPI did not affect hormonal-induced DNA and CK. In conclusion, we provide evidence for the separation of mediation via ERα and ERβ pathways in the effects of estrogenic compounds on osteoblasts, but the role of LO/HETE/ROS is unclear.