Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate related changes in retention of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-receptor ligands in rat intestinal mucosa cell nuclei

After feeding rats a vitamin B-6-deficient diet, we observed a decrease in pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations in intestinal mucosa cells to 32 and 48% of control in cytoplasm and cell nuclei, respectively. Correlation analysis suggested that there were two pyridoxal 5′-phosphate pools in the nuclei: a “mobile” pool (equivalent to about 5% the concentration of the cytoplasmic pyridoxal 5′-phosphate), and a “stable” pool, which was independent of cytoplasmic fluctuations of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (about 9 pmol pyridoxal 5′-phosphate/mg DNA). Reduction in pyridoxal 5′-phosphate content in the cells of vitamin B-6-deficient animals was accompanied by a substantial increase in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-receptor ligand concentration in the cell nuclei (76.6 ± 19.7 vs 762 ± 291 fmol/mg DNA, mean ± SEM). The degree of 1,25-dihydrovitamin D accumulation in the nuclei appeared to be an exponential function of the “mobile” nuclear pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentration. Semilogarithmic transformation of the data yielded a straight line, representing an inverse correlation between the cytoplasm-related nuclear pool of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and the logarithm of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration in the nuclei (r=−0.95). These data suggest that pyridoxal 5′-phosphate may be related to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D retention in the nuclei, possibly through interaction of the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate with the vitamin D receptor protein in the nuclei.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel neamine derivatives

Synthesis and activity of derivatives at the O5 or O6 positions of 1-N-((S)-4-amino-2-hydroxybutyryl)-3′,4′-dideoxyneamine, which is the neamine moiety of arbekacin, were reported. Among these results, the 5-O-aminoethylaminocarbonyl derivative showed effective activity against Staphylococcus aureus expressing a bifunctional aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme AAC(6′)-APH(2″).     

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).     

Immobilization of RNase Rs via its carbohydrate moiety to aminoethyl-Bio-Gel P-2 and its application for the hydrolysis of RNA to 2′,3′ cyclic nucleotides

Purified RNase Rs, from Rhizopus stolonifer, when covalently coupled to aminoethyl (AE) Bio-Gel P-2, via its carbohydrate moiety, retained 35–40% activity of the soluble enzyme. Optimization of coupling conditions showed that the most active immobilized preparations are obtained when 400 units of 100 μM periodate oxidized enzyme are allowed to react with 1 ml (packed volume) of AE-Bio-Gel P-2 at 6±1°C for 15 h. Immobilization did not change the pH and temperature optima of the enzyme but it increased the temperature stability. Immobilization did not bring about a change in the K_m but resulted in a 2·5-fold decrease in the V_max. Substrate concentrations as high as 25 mg of RNA could be converted to more than 80% 2′,3′ cyclic nucleotides in 14 h, at pH 5·5 and 37°C. On repeated use, the bound enzyme retained 70% of its initial activity after six cycles of use. The bound enzyme could be stored in wet state for 60 days without any significant loss in its initial activity.     

Total syntheses of (+/-)-ovalicin, C4(S *)-isomer, and its C5-analogs and anti-trypanosomal activities

Total syntheses of (±)-ovalicin, its C4(S^*)-isomer 44, and C5-side chain intermediate 46 were accomplished via an intramolecular Heck reaction of (Z)-3-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-1-iodo-1,6-heptadiene and a catalytic amount of palladium acetate. Subsequent epoxidation, dihydroxylation, methylation, and oxidation led to (3S^*,5R^*,6R^*)-5-methoxy-6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-one (2), a reported intermediate. The addition of a side chain with cis-1-lithio-1,5-dimethyl-1,4-hexadiene (27) followed by oxidation afforded (±)-ovalicin. The functional group manipulation afforded a number of regio- and stereoisomers, which allow the synthesis of analogs for bioevaluation. The structure of 44 was firmly established via a single-crystal X-ray analysis. The stereochemistry at C4 generated from the addition reactions of alkenyllithium with ketones 2, 40, and 45 is dictated by C6-alkoxy functionality. Anti-trypanosomal activities of various ovalicin analogs and synthetic intermediates were evaluated, and C5-side chain analog, 46, shows the strongest activity. Compound 44 shows antiproliferative effect against HL-60 tumor cells in vitro. Compounds 46 and a precursor, (3S^*,4R^*,5R^*,6R^*)-5-methoxy-4-[(E)-(1′,5′-dimethylhexa-1′,4′-dienyl)]-6-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-1-oxaspiro[2.5]octan-4-ol (28), may be explored for the development of anti-parasitic drugs.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls as inducers of hepatic microsomal enzymes: Structure-activity rules

A number of highly purified polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) isomers and congeners were synthesized and administered to male Wistar rats at dosage levels of 30 and 150 μmol · kg⁻¹. The effects of this in vivo treatment on the drug-metabolizing enzymes were determined by measuring the microsomal benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) hydroxylase, dimethylaminoantipyrine (DMAP) N-demethylase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase enzyme activities, the cytochrome b₅ content and the relative peak intensities and spectral shifts of the reduced microsomal cytochrome P-450: CO and ethylisocyanide (EIC) binding difference spectra. The results were compared to the effects of administering phenobarbitone (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) and PB plus MC (coadministered) to the test animals. The synthetic PCB congeners used in this study included 3,4,4′,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCBP-1), 2,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCBP-2), 2,3′,4,4′,5′-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCBP-1), 2,3,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCBP-2), 2,3,3′,4,4′,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP-1), 2,3,3′,4′,5,6-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP-2), 2,3,3′,5,5′,6-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP-3), 2,2′,3,5,5′,6-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP-4) and 2,3,3′,4,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP-5) and were used to reappraise the structure-activity rules for PCBs as hepatic microsomal enzyme inducers. The results suggested that (a) PCBs which induce MC or mixed-type activity must be substituted at both para positions, at least two meta positions but not necessarily on the same phenyl ring and can also contain one ortho chloro substituent; (b) due to the considerable structural diversity of the PB-type inducers the rules for induction of this activity by PCB congeners are not readily defined.     

Biologically active oligodeoxyribonucleotides-IX. Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activity of hexadeoxyribonucleotides, TGGGAG, bearing 3′- and 5′-end-modification

We have determined that hexadeoxyribonucleotides (5′TGGGAG3′), with modified aromatic groups such as a trityl group at the 5′-end, have anti-HIV-1 activity in vitro. The 6-mer bearing a 3,4-dibenzyloxybenzyl (3,4-DBB) group at the 5′-end had the most potent activity and the least cytotoxicity. When the 3′-end of the 5′-(3,4-DBB)-modified 6-mer was substituted with a 2-hydroxyethylphosphate, a 2-hydroxyethylthiophosphate, or a methylphosphate group at the 3′-end, anti-HIV-1 activity increased. Moreover, among various 3′- and 5′-end-modified 6-mers that were tested, the 6-mer (R-95288) bearing a 3,4-DBB group at the 5′-end and a 2-hydroxyethylphosphate group at the 3′-end was the most stable, when incubated with mouse, rat, or human plasma. Therefore, R-95288 was chosen as the best candidate for possible use in therapy on the basis of its anti-HIV-1 activity.     

Synthesis and in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity of 5-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium infections cause the two most important mycobacterioses, leading to increased mortality in patients with AIDS. Various 5-substituted 2′-deoxyuridines, uridines, 2′-O-methyluridine, 2′-ribofluoro-2′-deoxyuridines, 3′-substituted-2′,3′-dideoxy uridines, 2′,3′-dideoxyuridines, and 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyuridines were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against M. bovis and M. avium. 5-(C-1 Substituted)-2′-deoxyuridine derivatives emerged as potent inhibitors of M. avium (MIC₉₀ = 1–5 μg/mL range). The nature of C-5 substituents in the 2′-deoxyuridine series appeared to be a determinant of anti-mycobacterial activity. This new class of inhibitors could serve as useful compounds for the design and study of new anti-tuberculosis agents.     

Further farnesyl-homogentisic acid derivatives from Otoba parvifolia

The seeds of Otoba parvifolia contain three novel compounds apparently derived from homogentisic acid, rel-(1′R,5′R)-2-(1′-farnesyl-5′-hydroxy-2′-oxocyclohex-3′-en-1′-yl)-acetic acid and its acetate as well as rel-(1′R,4′S,5′R)-2-(1′-farnesyl-4′,5′-dihydroxy-2′-oxocyclohexan-1′-yl)-acetic acid δ-lactone. The structure of an additional isolate, previously described as 2-(1′-farnesyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-oxocyclohex-3′-en-1′-yl)-acetic acid γ-lactone was revised to rel-(1′R,5′R)-2-(1′-farnesyl-5′-hydroxy-2′-oxocyclohex-3′-en-1′-yl)-acetic acid δ-lactone.     

The role of blood platelets in nucleoside metabolism: assay, cellular location and significance of thymidine phosphorylase in human blood

The enzyme thymidine phosphorylase (thymidine: orthophosphate deoxyribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.4.), which plays a crucial role in nucleic acid metabolism in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by regulating the availability of thymidine, is present in mammalian blood. Here we describe a simple, rapid HPLC-based micromethod for the assay of blood thymidine phosphorylase. We have arbitarily defined 1 unit of blood thymidine phosphorylase activity as the activity required to produce a 1-nM increment in the plasma concentration of thymine after incubation for 1 h at 37°C with a saturating concentration of exogenous thymidine.

In normal adults, whole (peripheral venous) blood thymidine phosphorylase activity with blood cells intact was 64 ± 11 units (mean ± S.D., n =20, range 45–89). The apparent Michaelis constant for thymidine was of the order to 10⁻⁴ M but varied nearly 5-fold between different individuals. Activity increased when blood cells were permeabilised or lysed with non-ionic detergents, implying that thymidine phosphorylase is an intracellular enzyme which may be influenced by exogenous as well as intracellular factors. When blood from normal donors was fractionated, thymidine phosphorylase activity consistently co-isolated with platelets. Whole-blood thymidine phosphorylase activity correlated well with platelet parameters. Although thymidine phosphorylase activity was also detected in plasma and serum, the small size and notorious fragility of platelets suggest its platelet origin.

Blood from leukaemic donors showed significantly increased thymidine phosphorylase activity compared to normal controls (mean activity ± S.D. was 96 ± 27 units; range 58–140, n = 8).

Thymine formation from thymidine was temperature- and pH-depdendent in whole blood. 2′-Deoxyuridine and 3 of its 5-halogenated analogues (but not 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT), were catabolised by blood thymidine phosphorylase, even during blood clotting at room temperature. Assumptions about in vivo concentrations of these compounds should therefore be interpreted cautiously.

In the presence of high concentrations of thymine and suitable deoxyribose donors, small amounts of thymidine were formed in some blood samples, so it is conceivable that thymidine catabolism may be reversible in vivo under some circumstances.     

Five lignan derivatives from in vitro cultures of the liverwort Jamesoniella autumnalis

Five new lignan derivatives, 2,3,6′-tricarboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1(3′)-2′-pyranonyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, its two monomethyl esters, 2,6′-dicarboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1(3′)-2′-pyranonyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene and 2,3-dicarboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxy)-phenylnaphthalene, were isolated from the methanolic extract of aseptic cultures of the liverwort Jamesoniella autumnalis. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis.     

Effect of forskolin and cyclic AMP analog on adenosine transport in cultured chromaffin cells

The adenosine transport in cultured chromaffin cells was inhibited by the presence of the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, and a cAMP analog. The V_max values of this transport obtained for control and in the presence of 8-(-4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine-3′:5′-monophosphate cyclic (ClPhcAMP, 100 μM) or forskolin (0.5 μM) were 85 ± 5; 45 ± 1.5 and 38 ± 3 pmol/10⁶ cells/min, respectively. The K_m values were not significantly modified.

The number of adenosine transporters in cultured chromaffin cells, measured by nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI) binding, were decreased by the above mentioned effectors. The values of binding sites per cell were 30,000 ± 3200; 12,000 ± 1000 and 21,300 ± 2000 for control, ClPhcAMP and forskolin, respectively; without changing the dissociation constant.

When the binding studies were conducted with cellular homogenates, a significant decrease in the maximal binding capacity for nitrobenzylthioinosine was obtained. The values were as follows: 0.087 ± 0.01 pmol/mg protein for control, 0.044 ± 0.02 pmol/mg protein for ClPhcAMP; and 0.032 ± 0.01 pmol/mg protein for forskolin.

In this neural tissue, the adenosine transport system seems to be inhibited by stimulation of the adenylate cyclase or by the cyclic AMP analogue that enters the cells. These results suggest that this inhibition could be mediated by a molecular modification of adenosine transporters, the binding with NBTI is therefore a possible parameter of this modification.     

A pterocarpan and two isoflavans from alfalfa

(−)6aR,11aR-Dihydro-3-hydroxy-9,10-dimethoxy-6H-benzofuro[3,2c] [1]-benzopyran (10-methoxymedicarpin), (+)-(2,3,4,-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran (7-hydroxy-2′,3′,4′-trimethoxyisoflavan) and (+)-(2,3,4-trimethoxy-5-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran (7,5′-dihydroxy-2′,3′,4′-trimethoxyisoflavan) were isolated for the first time from dried Medicago sativa hay. Structural assignments were based on ¹H NMR and mass spectra, X-ray crystallography, and optical rotations.     

Thermodynamics of the disproportionation of adenosine 5'-diphosphate to adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-monophosphate, II. Experimental data

High-pressure liquid-chromatography and microcalorimetry have been used to determine equilibrium constants and enthalpies of reaction for the disproportionation reaction of adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) to adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) andadenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP). Adenylate kinase was used to catalyze this reaction. The measurements were carried out over the temperature range 286 to 311 K, at ionic strengths varying from 0.06 to 0.33 mol kg⁻¹, over the pH range 6.04 to 8.87, and over the pMg range 2.22 to 7.16, where pMg = -log a(Mg²⁺). The equilibrium model developed by Goldberg and Tewari (see the previous paper in this issue) was used for the analysis of the measurements. Thus, for the reference reaction: 2 ADp³⁻ (ao) AMp²⁻ (ao)+ ATp⁻ (ao), K° = 0.225 ± 0.010, ΔG° = 3.70 +- 0.11 kJ mol ⁻¹, ΔH° = −1.5 ± 1. 5 kJ mol ⁻¹, °S ° = −17 ± 5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, and ACP_p°≈ = −46 J mo1l⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa. These results and the thermodynamic parameters for the auxiliary equilibria in solution have been used to model the thermodynamics of the disproportionation reaction over a wide range of temperature, pH, ionic strength, and magnesium ion morality. Under approximately physiological conditions (311.15 K, pH 6.94, [Mg²⁺] = 1.35 × 10⁻³ mol kg⁻¹, and I = 0.23 mol kg⁻¹) the apparent equilibrium constant (K_A′ = m(ΣAMP)m(ΣATP)/[ m(ΣADP)]²) for the overall disproportionation reaction is equal to 0.93 ± 0.02. Thermodynamic data on the disproportionation reaction and literature values for this apparent equilibrium constant in human red blood cells are used to calculate a morality of 1.94 × 10⁻⁴ mol kg⁻¹ for free magnesium ion in human red blood cells. The results are also discussed in relation to thermochemical cycles and compared with data on the hydrolysis of the guanosine phosphates.     

Pseudo-cyclic oligonucleotides: in vitro and in vivo properties

We have designed and studied antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (oligonucleotides; oligos) which we call ‘pseudo-cyclic oligonucleotides’ (PCOs). PCOs contain two oligonucleotide segments attached through their 3′-3′- or 5′-5′-ends. One of the segments of the PCO is an antisense oligo complementary to a target mRNA, and the other is a short protective oligo that is 5–8 nucleotides long and complementary to the 3′- or 5′-end of the antisense oligo. As a result of complementarity between the antisense and protective oligo segments, PCOs form intramolecular pseudo-cyclic structures in the absence of the target RNA. The antisense oligo segment of PCOs used for the studies described here is complementary to an 18-nucleotide-long site on the mRNA of the protein kinase A regulatory subunit RI (PKA-RI). Thermal melting studies of PCOs in the absence and presence of the complementary RNA suggest that the pseudo-cyclic structures formed in the absence of the target RNA dissociate, bind to the target RNA, and form heteroduplexes. The results of RNase H cleavage assays suggest that PCOs bind to complementary RNA and activate RNase H in a manner similar to that of an 18-mer conventional antisense PS-oligo. In snake venom (a 3′-exonuclease) or spleen (a 5′-exonuclease) phosphodiesterase digestion studies, PCOs are more stable than conventional antisense oligos because of the presence of 3′-3′- or 5′-5′-linkages and the formation of intramolecular pseudo-cyclic structures. PCOs with a phosphorothioate antisense oligo segment inhibited cell growth of MDA-MB-468 and GEO cancer cell lines similar to that of the conventional antisense PS-oligo, suggesting efficient cellular uptake and target binding. The nuclease stability studies in mice suggest that PCOs have higher in vivo stability than antisense PS-oligos. The studies in mice showed similar pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution profiles for PCOs to those of antisense PS-oligos in general, but rapid elimination from selected tissues.     

Hymenoic acid, a novel specific inhibitor of human DNA polymerase lambda from a fungus of Hymenochaetaceae sp

Hymenoic acid (1) is a natural compound isolated from cultures of a fungus, Hymenochaetaceae sp., and this structure was determined by spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 is a novel sesquiterpene, trans-4-[(1′E,5′S)-5′-carboxy-1′-methyl-1′-hexenyl]cyclohexanecarboxylic acid. This compound selectively inhibited the activity of human DNA polymerase λ (pol λ) in vitro, and 50% inhibition was observed at a concentration of 91.7 μM. Compound 1 did not influence the activities of the other seven mammalian pols (i.e., pols , γ, δ, ε, η, ι, and κ), but also showed no effect even on the activity of pol β, which is thought to have a very similar three-dimensional structure to the pol β-like region of pol λ. This compound also did not inhibit the activities of prokaryotic pols and other DNA metabolic enzymes tested. These results suggested that compound 1 could be a selective inhibitor of eukaryotic pol λ. This compound had no inhibitory activities against two N-terminal truncated pol λ, del-1 pol λ (lacking nuclear localization signal (NLS), BRCA1 C-terminus (BRCT) domain [residues 133–575]), and del-2 pol λ (lacking NLS, BRCT, domain and proline-rich region [residues 245–575]). The compound 1-induced inhibition of intact pol λ activity was non-competitive with respect to both the DNA template-primer and the dNTP substrate. On the basis of these results, the pol λ inhibitory mechanism of compound 1 is discussed.     

Misdirected π-donor ligands: (η-C5H5)2Zr(Cl) (SR) with sterically more demanding R groups have lower rotational barriers

Rotational barriers about the M-S bonds of 16-electron bent metallocene monothiolates (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Zr(Cl) (SR) (R = −CH₃, −CH₂CH₃, −CH(CH₃)₂, −C(CH₃)₃) (1a–d) have been measured by dynamic ¹H NMR methods: 32, 33, 35 and 26 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The ground-state orientation about the Zr-S bonds of 1 that maximizes Spπ → Mdπ bonding (Cl-Zr-S-R ≈ 90°) also maximizes CpR steric interaction, whereas the rotational transition-state orientation (Cl-Zr-S-R ≈ 0°) is one that minimizes Spπ → Mdπ bonding and maximizes ClR steric interaction. Deviation from a ground-state orientation that is ideal for Spπ → Mdπ bonding might be expected as the size of the R group and CpR steric interaction increases. Thus, the aberrant trend for the R = −C(CH₃)₃ derivative could be attributed to a ground-state steric effect where the sterically demanding −C(CH₃)₃ group forces an unfavorable (misdirected) orientation for Mdπ-Spπ bonding, but a favorable orientation with respect to CpR and ClR steric interactions. However, the solid-state structures of (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Zr(SR)₂ (R = −CH₃, −CH₂CH₃, −CH(CH₃)₂, −C(CH₃)₃) (2a–d) exhibit regular variation of their metric parameters as evidenced by their Zr-S-C bond angles of 108, 109, 113, and 124° and S-Zr-S′ bond angles of 97, 99, 100 and 106°, respectively. Neither the S′-Zr-S-R torsion angles nor the dihedral angles that describe the relationship between the S/Zr/S′ and Cp(centroid)/Zr/Cp′ (centroid) planes (both indicators of the relative orientation of the Zr dπ acceptor orbital and the thiolate S pπ donor orbital) reflect the steric demand of the R group. Thus, the size of the R group imposes a measured effect on the geometry of 2 and the tert-butyl group is not extraordinary. Although the enthalpic and entropic effects could not be deconvoluted for rotation about the Zr-S bond of 1 in the present study, literature precedents suggest that both enthalpic and entropic effects may play a role in determining the irregular trend that is observed.