Renal cells activate the platelet receptor CLEC-2 through podoplanin

We have recently shown that the C-type lectin-like receptor, CLEC-2, is expressed on platelets and that it mediates powerful platelet aggregation by the snake venom toxin rhodocytin. In addition, we have provided indirect evidence for an endogenous ligand for CLEC-2 in renal cells expressing HIV-1. This putative ligand facilitates transmission of HIV through its incorporation into the viral envelope and binding to CLEC-2 on platelets. The aim of the present study was to identify the ligand on these cells which binds to CLEC-2 on platelets. Recombinant CLEC-2 exhibits specific binding to HEK-293T (human embryonic kidney) cells in which the HIV can be grown. Furthermore, HEK-293T cells activate both platelets and CLEC-2-transfected DT-40 B-cells. The transmembrane protein podoplanin was identified on HEK-293T cells and was demonstrated to mediate both binding of HEK-293T cells to CLEC-2 and HEK-293T cell activation of CLEC-2-transfected DT-40 B-cells. Podoplanin is expressed on renal cells (podocytes). Furthermore, a direct interaction between CLEC-2 and podoplanin was confirmed using surface plasmon resonance and was shown to be independent of glycosylation of CLEC-2. The interaction has an affinity of 24.5+/-3.7 microM. The present study identifies podoplanin as a ligand for CLEC-2 on renal cells.     

Functional signaling of membrane-bound TL1A induces IFN-γ expression

TL1A, a TNF member implicated in autoimmune diseases, is a transmembrane protein that is processed to release soluble TL1A (TL1A-S). TL1A-S induces a Th1 response, although the functional significance of membrane-bound TL1A (TL1A-M) remains unknown. We generated TL1A-M expression in HEK-293 cells capable of binding DR3-Fc. Co-incubating IL-12/IL-18-primed CD4⁺ T cells with HEK-293 cells expressing TL1A-M induced 3-fold increase in IFN-γ that was blocked by anti-TL1A Ab. These results demonstrate that TL1A-M can bind death domain receptor 3 (DR3) through cell-cell contact to induce downstream IFN-γ secretion enhancement. Anti-TL1A antibodies designed to treat immune diseases should be verified to block both endogenous TL1A forms.     

Further delineation of hydrophobic binding sites in dopamine D2/D3 receptors for N-4 substituents on the piperazine ring of the hybrid template 5/7-{[2-(4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-propyl-amino}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-ol

Here we report a structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of analogues of 5/7-{[2-(4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-propyl-amino}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-ol. Our SAR is focused on introduction of various substitutions in the piperazine ring of the hybrid template. The goal behind this study is to delineate the nature of the binding pocket for N-aryl substitution in the piperazine ring by observing the effect of various hydrophobic and other heteroaromatic substitutions on binding affinity (K_i), as measured with tritiated spiperone and HEK-293 cells expressing either D₂ or D₃ receptors. Functional activity of selected compounds was assessed with the GTPγS binding assay. Compound 8d was the most selective for the D₃ receptor in the spiperone binding assay. An interesting similarity in binding affinity was observed between isoquinoline derivative D-301 and the 2-substituted pyridine derivative 8d, suggesting the importance of relative spatial relationships between the N-atom of the ligand and the molecular determinants of the binding pocket in D₂/D₃ receptors. Functional activity assays demonstrated high potency and selectivity of (+)-8a and (?)-28b (D₂/D₃ (ratio of EC₅₀): 105 and 202, respectively) for the D₃ receptor and both compounds were more selective compared to the reference drug ropinirole (D₂/D₃ (ratio of EC₅₀): 29.5).     

Modification of agonist binding moiety in hybrid derivative 5/7-{[2-(4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-propyl-amino}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-ol/-2-amino versions: Impact on functional activity and selectivity for dopamine D2/D3 receptors

The goal of the present study was to explore, in our previously developed hybrid template, the effect of introduction of additional heterocyclic rings (mimicking catechol hydroxyl groups as bioisosteric replacement) on selectivity and affinity for the D₃ versus D₂ receptor. In addition, we wanted to explore the effect of derivatization of functional groups of the agonist binding moiety in compounds developed by us earlier from the hybrid template. Binding affinity (K_i) of the new compounds was measured with tritiated spiperone as the radioligand and HEK-293 cells expressing either D₂ or D₃ receptors. Functional activity of selected compounds was assessed in the GTPγS binding assay. In the imidazole series, compound 10a exhibited the highest D₃ affinity whereas the indole derivative 13 exhibited similar high D₃ affinity. Functionalization of the amino group in agonist (+)-9d with different sulfonamides derivatives improved the D₃ affinity significantly with (+)-14f exhibiting the highest affinity. However, functionalization of the hydroxyl and amino groups of 15 and (+)-9d, known agonist and partial agonist, to sulfonate ester and amide in general modulated the affinity. In both cases loss of agonist potency resulted from such derivatization.     

Investigation of various N-heterocyclic substituted piperazine versions of 5/7-{[2-(4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-propyl-amino}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-ol: Effect on affinity and selectivity for dopamine D3 receptor

Here we report on the design and synthesis of several heterocyclic analogues belonging to the 5/7-{[2-(4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-propyl-amino}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-ol series of molecules. Compounds were subjected to [³H]spiperone binding assays, carried out with HEK-293 cells expressing either D2 or D3 dopamine receptors, in order to evaluate their inhibition constant (K_i) at these receptors. Results indicate that N-substitution on the piperazine ring can accommodate various substituted indole rings. The results also show that in order to maintain high affinity and selectivity for the D3 receptor the heterocyclic ring does not need to be connected directly to the piperazine ring as the majority of compounds included here are linked either via an amide or a methylene linker to the heterocyclic moiety. The enantiomers of the most potent racemic compound 10e exhibited differential activity with (?)-10e (K_i; D2 = 47.5 nM, D3 = 0.57 nM) displaying higher affinity at both D2 and D3 receptors compared to its enantiomer (+)-10e (K_i; D2 = 113 nM, D3 = 3.73 nM). Additionally, compound (?)-10e was more potent and selective for the D3 receptor compared to either 7-OH-DPAT or 5-OH-DPAT. Among the bioisosteric derivatives, the indazole derivative 10g and benzo[b]thiophene derivative 10i exhibited the highest affinity for D2 and D3 receptors. In the functional GTPγS binding study, one of the lead molecules, (?)-15, exhibited potent agonist activity at both D2 and D3 receptors with preferential affinity at D3.     

PKA Regulates Vacuolar H+-ATPase Localization and Activity via Direct Phosphorylation of the A Subunit in Kidney Cells

The vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a major contributor to luminal acidification in epithelia of Wolffian duct origin. In both kidney-intercalated cells and epididymal clear cells, cAMP induces V-ATPase apical membrane accumulation, which is linked to proton secretion. We have shown previously that the A subunit in the cytoplasmic V₁ sector of the V-ATPase is phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA). Here we have identified by mass spectrometry and mutagenesis that Ser-175 is the major PKA phosphorylation site in the A subunit. Overexpression in HEK-293T cells of either a wild-type (WT) or phosphomimic Ser-175 to Asp (S175D) A subunit mutant caused increased acidification of HCO₃⁻-containing culture medium compared with cells expressing vector alone or a PKA phosphorylation-deficient Ser-175 to Ala (S175A) mutant. Moreover, localization of the S175A A subunit mutant expressed in HEK-293T cells was more diffusely cytosolic than that of WT or S175D A subunit. Acute V-ATPase-mediated, bafilomycin-sensitive H⁺ secretion was up-regulated by a specific PKA activator in HEK-293T cells expressing WT A subunit in HCO₃⁻-free buffer. In cells expressing the S175D mutant, V-ATPase activity at the membrane was constitutively up-regulated and unresponsive to PKA activators, whereas cells expressing the S175A mutant had decreased V-ATPase activity that was unresponsive to PKA activation. Finally, Ser-175 was necessary for PKA-stimulated apical accumulation of the V-ATPase in a polarized rabbit cell line of collecting duct A-type intercalated cell characteristics (Clone C). In summary, these results indicate a novel mechanism for the regulation of V-ATPase localization and activity in kidney cells via direct PKA-dependent phosphorylation of the A subunit at Ser-175.     

Identification of chikungunya virus interacting proteins in mammalian cells

Identification and characterization of virus host interactions is an essential step for the development of novel antiviral strategies. Very few studies have been targeted towards identification of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) interacting host proteins. In current study, virus overlay protein binding assay (VOPBA) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight analysis (MALDI TOF/TOF) were employed for the identification of CHIKV binding proteins in mammalian cells. HSP70 and actin were identified as virus binding proteins in HEK-293T and Vero-E6 cells, whereas STAT-2 was identified as an additional protein in Vero-E6 cells. Pre-incubation with anti-HSP70 antibody and miRNA silencing of HSP70 significantly reduced the CHIKV production in HEK-293T and Vero-E6 cells at early time points. These results suggest that CHIKV exploits the housekeeping molecules such as actin, HSP70 and STAT-2 to establish infection in the mammalian cells.     

Dopamine D2 Receptors in the Anterior Pituitary: A Single Population Without Reciprocal Antagonist/Agonist States

Although dopamine agonists can recognize two states of the D2 dopamine receptor in the anterior pituitary (D2high and D2low), we examined whether the dopamine antagonists such as [3H]spiperone could recognize these two sites with different affinities. Using up to 30 concentrations of [3H]spiperone, however, we could only detect a single population of binding sites (porcine anterior pituitary homogenates) with a dissociation constant (KD) of 130 pM. When specific [3H]spiperone binding was defined by a low concentration of (+)-butaclamol (100 nM), the apparent density was low. When defined by a high concentration of (+)-butaclamol (10 microM), nonspecific sites became detectable, thus revealing two apparent populations of sites for [3H]spiperone, only one of which was specific for dopamine. Sodium chloride reduced the KD of the single population of specific D2 sites to 64 pM. Guanine nucleotide by itself had no effect on the KD, but enhanced the density by 25%. Since the density-enhancement could be eliminated by extensive washing of membranes, and could be restored by preincubation with dopamine, the nucleotide-induced elevation of D2 density appeared to be a result of the release of tightly bound endogenous dopamine. Thus, monovalent cations and guanine nucleotides appear to have separate regulatory effects on the anterior pituitary D2 receptor that modulate antagonist-receptor interactions. Several maneuvers were used to test whether [3H]spiperone could differentiate between the two agonist-detected subpopulations of sites. Twentyfold different concentrations of [3H]spiperone (47 pM and 1000 pM) were found to label identical proportions of receptors in the D2high and D2low states as detected by the agonist 6,7-dihydroxyaminotetralin (ADTN), suggesting that spiperone labelled equal proportions of D2high and D2low sites without differential affinity for them. In addition, competition of spiperone for D2high sites selectively labelled by the agonist [3H]n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) had a virtually identical KD for spiperone as did the total D2 receptor population as determined by direct binding studies (75 pM versus 64 pM). [3H]Spiperone also bound to a uniform population of D2low sites induced by preincubation with guanine nucleotide with identical affinity as to the total D2 population. Thus, these data do not support a "reciprocal model" for the D2 receptor (i.e., antagonist having low affinity for D2high and high affinity for D2low in a manner reciprocal to agonists).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Photoaffinity labeling of the D2-dopamine receptor using a novel high affinity radioiodinated probe

The ligand binding subunit of the D2 subtype of the dopamine receptor has been identified by photoaffinity labeling. In order to develop a specific covalent receptor probe, an analogue of the potent D2 selective antagonist spiperone, N-(p-aminophenethyl)spiperone (NAPS) has been synthesized. The aminophenethyl substituent of NAPS can be radioiodinated to theoretical specific radioactivity (2,175 Ci/mmol) and then the arylamine group converted to an arylazide to yield a photosensitive probe [( 125I]N3-NAPS). In rat striatal membranes, the nonradiolabeled azide probe (N3-NAPS) binds to the receptor with high affinity (KD congruent to 1.6 +/- 0.05 nM) and upon photoactivation irreversibly decreases the number of available receptors in these membranes as measured by [3H]spiperone binding. More importantly, however, incubation of rat striatal membranes with [125I]N3-NAPS leads to the photodependent covalent incorporation of the probe into a peptide of Mr = 94,000 as assessed by autoradiography of gels after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Labeling of this Mr = 94,000 peptide can be blocked specifically and stereoselectively by dopaminergic antagonists such as (+)- and (-)-butaclamol but not by non-dopaminergic antagonists. Moreover, dopaminergic agonists also attenuate the covalent labeling of this peptide with an order of potency which is typically D2-dopaminergic. Therefore, the specificity of [125I]N3-NAPS labeling of the Mr = 94,000 peptide suggests that this peptide represents the ligand binding subunit of the D2-dopamine receptor.     

Two distinct calcium pools in the endoplasmic reticulum of HEK-293T cells

Agonist-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores may be heterogeneous and exhibit distinct functional features. We have studied the properties of intracellular Ca2+ stores using targeted aequorins for selective measurements in different subcellular compartments. Both, HEK-293T [HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells expressing the large T-antigen of SV40 (simian virus 40)] and HeLa cells accumulated Ca2+ into the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) to near millimolar concentrations and the IP3-generating agonists, carbachol and ATP, mobilized this Ca2+ pool. We find in HEK-293T, but not in HeLa cells, a distinct agonist-releasable Ca2+ pool insensitive to the SERCA (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase) inhibitor TBH [2,5-di-(t-butyl)-benzohydroquinone]. TG (thapsigargin) and CPA (cyclopiazonic acid) completely emptied this pool, whereas lysosomal disruption or manoeuvres collapsing endomembrane pH gradients did not. Our results indicate that SERCA3d is important for filling the TBH-resistant store as: (i) SERCA3d is more abundant in HEK-293T than in HeLa cells; (ii) the SERCA 3 ATPase activity of HEK-293T cells is not fully blocked by TBH; and (iii) the expression of SERCA3d in HeLa cells generated a TBH-resistant agonist-mobilizable compartment in the ER. Therefore the distribution of SERCA isoforms may originate the heterogeneity of the ER Ca2+ stores and this may be the basis for store specialization in diverse functions. This adds to recent evidence indicating that SERCA3 isoforms may subserve important physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms.     

Design and synthesis of various quinizarin derivatives as potential anticancer agents in acute T lymphoblastic leukemia

A series of quinizarin derivatives containing quaternary ammonium salts and/or thiourea groups were synthesized and their anticancer activities against leukemia cell lines have been tested. Results showed that most of quinizarin derivatives could inhibit the proliferation of leukemia cells. Among these derivatives, compound 3 showed good inhibition activity against various leukemia cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.90?±?2.55?μM to 10.90?±?3.66?μM. At the same time, compound 3 also inhibited the growth of human embryonic kidney-293 cell (HEK-293). Molt-4 and Jurkat cells, acute T lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines, were selected to reveal potential anticancer mechanism of compound 3. Compound 3 inhibited the proliferation of Molt-4 and Jurkat cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner and led to a marked G0/G1 phase arrest. Analysis of Annexin V-APC and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level by flow cytometry showed that compound 3 induced significant apoptosis in Molt-4 and Jurkat cells. Western blotting assay showed that compound 3 activated the caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway and induced the degradation of Bcl-2 and c-myc protein.     

The contribution of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 to the estradiol-estrone ratio in estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells

Estrone and estradiol are both estrogens with estrone being the less potent form and estradiol being the most potent estrogen. The binding of the latter to cellular regulatory elements stimulates the proliferation of breast cancer cells. A high ratio of estradiol/estrone is related to increased cell proliferation, and is of great importance to understanding of breast cancer mechanisms. 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and type 2 play important roles in the activation of estrone and inactivation of estradiol. Breast cancer cells T47D, MCF-7, BT 20, and JEG 3 as control cells, were chosen to evaluate the contribution of these two enzymes to the ratio. Twenty four hours after addition of different concentrations of estrone and estradiol, the ratio stabilized to around 9/1 in breast cancer cell lines with high expression of type 1 (T47D, BT 20, and JEG 3), whereas it approached 1/5 in cells with low expression of type 1 (MCF-7). The estradiol/estrone concentration ratio was modified to 9/1 in MCF-7 and HEK-293 cells over-expressing type 1. In T47D and BT 20, this ratio was decreased from 9/1 to nearly 1/5 (19/81 and 17/83 respectively) after type 1 knockdown by specific siRNAs. Type 2 is mainly involved in the conversion of estradiol into estrone. This ratio was decreased from 9/1 to 7/3 after over-expression of type 2 in MCF-7 cells already over-expressing type 1. The ratio was further decreased by the addition of the oxidative cofactor, NAD, to the cell culture to facilitate the estradiol to estrone conversion catalyzed by type 2. These results demonstrate that the estradiol/estrone ratio is controlled by both type 1 and type 2 with an additional contribution by NAD, although type 1 is the first determining factor in the cellular environment compared with type 2 and cofactors. Moreover, kinetic studies were carried out in intact cells as a new approach, using HEK-293 cells over-expressing type 1 and T47D breast cancer cells.     

Purification and characterization of the D2-dopamine receptor from bovine anterior pituitary

The D2-dopamine receptor from bovine anterior pituitary has been purified approximately 33,000-fold to apparent homogeneity by sequential use of affinity chromatography on immobilized carboxymethyleneoximinospiperone-Sepharose, Datura stramonium lectin-agarose, and hydroxylapatite chromatography. The purification yields a single polypeptide band of Mr approximately 120,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed by labeling with radioiodinated Bolton-Hunter reagent, Coomassie Blue, or silver staining. The purified D2 receptor preparations display a specific activity of approximately 5.3 nmol of [3H]spiperone bound per mg of protein. In detergent solutions, the purified receptor has a KD for [3H]spiperone of 5-8 nM; however, after reinsertion of the purified protein into phospholipid vesicles, a KD of approximately 160 pM is obtained, similar to that found for the receptor in crude membrane preparations. Several lines of evidence document that this polypeptide contains the ligand binding site as well as the functional activity of the D2 receptor. The Mr approximately 120,000 peptide can be covalently labeled by the affinity probe, 125I-bromoacetyl-N-(p-aminophenethyl)spiperone, with the pharmacological specificity expected of a D2-dopamine receptor. Agonist and antagonist ligands compete for [3H]spiperone binding to purified receptors in phospholipid vesicles with a rank order of potency and selectivity typical of a D2-dopamine receptor. Moreover, when reinserted into phospholipid vesicles with purified brain Gi/Go, the purified D2 receptors mediate the agonist stimulation of 35S-labeled guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) binding to brain G-proteins with a typical D2-dopaminergic order of potency. These data suggest that we have purified an intact functional D2-dopamine receptor.     

Improvement in Conditions for Solubilisation and Characterisation of Brain D2 Dopamine Receptors Using Various Detergents

A series of detergents of varying chemical properties has been tested for solubilisation of bovine caudate nucleus D2 dopamine receptors using [3H]spiperone binding to assay the solubilised sites. The properties of the lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)- and 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane-sulphonate (CHAPS)-solubilised preparations are described in detail. The preparations are truly solubilised, and sucrose density gradient and gel filtration data are reported. Specific [3H]spiperone binding in the LPC-solubilised preparation assayed at 4 degrees C is solely to D2 dopamine receptors. If the assay temperature is raised to 25 degrees C, the amount of specific [3H]spiperone binding is largely unchanged, but it forms a greater proportion of the total [3H]spiperone binding owing to a reduction in nonstereospecific (spirodecanone) [3H]spiperone binding at the higher temperature. The effect of raising the assay temperature is important as it enables more precise determinations of specific [3H]spiperone binding to be made. Part of the specific [3H]spiperone binding at 25 degrees C is to solubilised S2 serotonin receptors in addition to D2 dopamine receptors. Good correlations are observed between the affinities for binding of ligands to the solubilised D2 receptors and corresponding data obtained on membrane-bound receptors. Agonist binding in LPC-solubilised preparations is insensitive to guanine nucleotides. It is speculated that the spirodecanone sites represent, in part, proteolysed or damaged D2 dopamine, or S2 serotonin, receptors. In the CHAPS-solubilised preparation the pharmacological profile of [3H]spiperone binding is unclear when assayed at 4 degrees C, but in assays at 25 degrees C a clear serotonin S2 receptor component of specific [3H]spiperone binding can be discerned.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ephrin-B3 binds to a sulfated cell-surface receptor

The ephrins are a family of proteins known to bind the Eph (erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular) receptor tyrosine kinase family. In the present paper, we provide data showing that ephrin-B3 binds a sulfated cell-surface protein on HEK-293T (human embryonic kidney-293 cells expressing the large T-antigen of simian virus 40) and HeLa cells, a binding that is nearly completely blocked by treatment of these cell lines with chlorate or heparinase, or by addition of the heavily sulfated glycosaminoglycan heparin. This indicates that heparan sulfate on these cells is essential for cell-surface binding of ephrin-B3. Heparin did not affect ephrin-B3 binding to EphB receptors expressed on transfected HEK-293T cells, indicating further that ephrin-B3 binds an alternative receptor which is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Site-directed mutagenesis analysis revealed that Arg178 and Lys179 are important for heparin binding of ephrin-B3 and also for ephrin-B3 binding to cells. These amino acids, when introduced in the non-heparin-binding ephrin-B1, conferred the heparin-binding property. Functional studies reveal that ephrin-B3 binding to cells induces cellular signalling and influences cell rounding and cell spreading. In conclusion, our data provide evidence for an unknown ephrin-B3-binding cell-surface proteoglycan involved in cellular signalling.     

The Putative “Switch 2” Domain of the Ras-related GTPase, Rab1B, Plays an Essential Role in the Interaction with Rab Escort Protein

Posttranslational modification of Rab proteins by geranylgeranyltransferase type II requires that they first bind to Rab escort protein (REP). Following prenylation, REP is postulated to accompany the modified GTPase to its specific target membrane. REP binds preferentially to Rab proteins that are in the GDP state, but the specific structural domains involved in this interaction have not been defined. In p21 Ras, the α2 helix of the Switch 2 domain undergoes a major conformational change upon GTP hydrolysis. Therefore, we hypothesized that the corresponding region in Rab1B might play a key role in the interaction with REP. Introduction of amino acid substitutions (I73N, Y78D, and A81D) into the putative α2 helix of Myc-tagged Rab1B prevented prenylation of the recombinant protein in cell-free assays, whereas mutations in the α3 and α4 helices did not. Additionally, upon transient expression in transfected HEK-293 cells, the Myc-Rab1B α2 helix mutants were not efficiently prenylated as determined by incorporation of [³H]mevalonate. Metabolic labeling studies using [³²P]orthophosphate indicated that the poor prenylation of the Rab1B α2 helix mutants was not directly correlated with major disruptions in guanine nucleotide binding or intrinsic GTPase activity. Finally, gel filtration analysis of cytosolic fractions from 293 cells that were coexpressing T7 epitope-tagged REP with various Myc-Rab1B constructs revealed that mutations in the α2 helix of Rab1B prevented the association of nascent (i.e., nonprenylated) Rab1B with REP. These data indicate that the Switch 2 domain of Rab1B is a key structural determinant for REP interaction and that nucleotide-dependent conformational changes in this region are largely responsible for the selective interaction of REP with the GDP-bound form of the Rab substrate.     

Synthesis,antimycobacterial activity and docking study of 2-aroyl-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one derivatives and related hydrazide-hydrazones

A new convenient method for preparation of 2-aroyl-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one derivatives 5b–g and coumarin containing hydrazide-hydrazone analogues 4a–e was presented. The antimycobacterial activity against reference strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and cytotoxicity against the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK-293 were tested in vitro. All compounds demonstrated significant minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging 0.28–1.69 μM, which were comparable to those of isoniazid. The cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ > 200 µM) to the “normal cell” model HEK-293T exhibited by 2-aroyl-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one derivatives 5b–e, was noticeably milder compared to that of their hydrazone analogues 4a–e (IC₅₀ 33–403 µM). Molecular docking studies on compounds 4a–e and 5b–g were also carried out to investigate their binding to the 2-trans-enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) enzyme involved in M. tuberculosis cell wall biogenesis. The binding model suggested one or more hydrogen bonding and/or arene-H or arene-arene interactions between hydrazones or pyrazole-fused coumarin derivatives and InhA enzyme for all synthesized compounds.     

CRISPR/Cas9介导的USP30基因敲除细胞系的建立及其对塞内卡病毒增殖的影响

【目的】利用规律成簇的间隔短回文重复序列/Cas9核酸酶（clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 nuclease,CRISPR/Cas9）技术建立USP30基因敲除的人胚胎肾细胞（human embryonic kidney 293T cells,HEK-293T）细胞系,为开展宿主泛素特异性蛋白酶30（ubiquitin-specific protease 30,USP30）蛋白的功能研究建立了细胞模型;同时,初步探究USP30蛋白在病毒感染过程中的作用。【方法】根据Ensemble数据库查询USP30基因序列,定位USP30在基因组中不同转录本重叠区的第一个外显子段,设计并合成2对引导RNA （single guide RNAs,sgRNA）,分别构建在pX459载体中;将pX459-USP30-sgRNA质粒转染HEK-293T细胞,并用嘌呤霉素处理,筛选出转染阳性的细胞,然后通过有限稀释法筛选单克隆细胞,通过Western blotting及测序检测USP30基因的敲除。通过Western blotting及实时荧光定量PCR分析比较塞内卡病毒（Senecavirus A,SVA）在野生型和USP30基因敲除HEK-293T细胞中的复制差异。【结果】Western blotting及测序证实USP30基因敲除单克隆细胞系构建成功。进一步实验发现,SVA在USP30基因敲除细胞中的复制水平显著低于野生型细胞。【结论】成功构建USP30基因敲除的HEK-293T细胞系,首次证明USP30对SVA的复制具有促进作用,为进一步揭示USP30相关免疫反应和SVA感染过程的作用机制提供了良好的细胞模型,也为开展宿主USP30蛋白调控病毒复制的机制研究提供了关键工具和一定的理论依据。