Dihydrofolate reductase and cell growth activity inhibition by the beta-carboline-benzoquinolizidine plant alkaloid deoxytubulosine from Alangium lamarckii: its potential as an antimicrobial and anticancer agent.

Beta-carboline-benzoquinolizidine plant alkaloid deoxytubulosine (DTB) was evaluated and assessed for the first time for its biochemical and biological activity employing the biomarker dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) (5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.3) as the probe enzyme, a key target in cancer chemotherapy. DHFR, employed in the present investigations was purified from Lactobacillus leichmannii. DTB, isolated from the Indian medicinal plant Alangium lamarckii was demonstrated to exhibit potent cytotoxicity. The alkaloid potently inhibited the cell growth of L. leichmannii and the cellular enzyme activity of DHFR (IC50=40 and 30 microM for the cell growth and enzyme inhibitions, respectively). DTB concentrations >75 microM resulted in a total loss of the DHFR activity, thus suggesting that the beta-carboline-benzoquinolizidine plant alkaloid is a promising potential antitumor agent. Our results are also suggestive of its potential antimicrobial activity. DTB binding to DHFR appears to be slow and reversible. Inhibition kinetics revealed that DHFR has a Ki value of 5x10(-6) M for DTB and that the enzyme inhibition is a simple linear 'non-competitive' type.     

Thymidylate synthase activity and the cell growth are inhibited by the β-carboline-benzoquinolizidine alkaloid deoxytubulosine

Employing thymidylate synthase (TS) (5, 10-CH₂-H₄PteGlu: dUMP C-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.45), a key target enzyme in chemotherapy, the biological activity of the β-carboline-benzoquinolizidine alkaloid deoxytubulosine (DTB) isolated from the Indian medicinal plant Alangium lamarckii has been evaluated and assessed for the first time. The TS employed in the present studies was purified from Lactobacillus leichmannii. The DTB was demonstrated to exhibit potent cytotoxicity and inhibited the cell growth of L. leichmannii, and DTB potently inhibited TS activity (IC₅₀ = 40 μM). The DTB concentrations >80 μM resulted in a total loss of the TS activity, thus suggesting that the β-carboline-benzoquinolizidine alkaloid is a promising potential antitumor agent. The DTB binding to TS appears to be irreversible and tight through a possible covalent linkage. Although DTB strongly binds to DNA, it is not known whether DTB binds to RNA associated with TS. Inhibition kinetics showed that TS has a K_i value of 7 × 10⁻⁶ M for DTB and that the inhibition is a simple linear “noncompetitive” type. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 12: 167–173, 1998     

Effects of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of renal basolateral membranes in vitro

Studies were made on the direct effects of glycyrrhizin and its aglycone, glycyrrhetinic acid on the activities of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, a membrane bound Na+ and Ca2+-extrusion pump enzyme of the basolateral membranes (BLM) of canine kidney. Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibited the activity of the Na+-pump enzyme dose-dependently (IC50 = 1.5 x 10(-4) M), but had no effect on that of the Ca2+-pump enzyme of kidney BLM and homogenates. Glycyrrhizin also inhibited the Na+-pump enzyme activity but had less effect (IC50 = 2 x 10(-3) M). The effects of these compounds were due to competitive inhibition with ATP binding to the enzyme (Ki = 12 microM) and so were different from that of ouabain, which inhibits the Na+-pump by binding to its extracellular K+-binding site. The direct effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on the membrane may be important role in the multiple actions of licorice.     

Increase of (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase activity of renal basolateral membranes by platelet-derived growth factor through a specific receptor

Studies were made on the direct effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the high-affinity (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase, a membrane bound Ca2+-extrusion pump enzyme of the basolateral membranes (BLM) of canine kidney (Km for free Ca2+ = 1.0 x 10(-7) M, Vmax = 180 nmol Pi/mg/min). At 1 x 10(-7) M free Ca2+, PDGF (10(-10)-10(-8) M) stimulated the enzyme activity significantly. Addition of 5 - 200 microM suramin, a compound that blocks binding of PDGF to its receptors on cell membranes, inhibited the stimulatory effect of PDGF dose-dependently (IC50 = 40 microM). A high affinity specific receptor for PDGF (Kd = 4.4 x 10(-10) M, Bmax = 460 fmol/mg protein) was detected on BLM preparations by radioreceptor assay with 125I-PDGF and unlabelled PDGF. Suramin (10-1000 microM) also inhibited the binding of PDGF to BLM preparations dose-dependently. From these results, it is proposed that PDGF stimulates (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase activity of kidney BLM preparations by enhancing its affinity for free Ca2+ through a specific receptor.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolidine and piperidine alkaloids from Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (Campanulaceae)

Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (Campanulaceae) yielded two new alkaloids, the 6-C-butyl derivative of 2R,5R-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3R,4R-dihydroxypyrrolidine (DMDP) and alpha-1-C-ethyl-fagomine, together with the known alkaloids 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol, 1-deoxynojirimycin, and 1-deoxymannojirimycin. 6-C-Butyl-DMDP showed inhibitory activity toward almond beta-glucosidase (IC50 = 68 microM), whereas alpha-1-C-ethyl-fagomine inhibited bovine liver beta-galactosidase (IC50 = 29 microM).     

Study on the variables affecting toxicity of hybrid toxins. The effect of different target cell receptor distribution and toxin binding chain

Disulfide conjugates of diphtheria toxin (DT) and its fragment A (DTA) to asialoorosomucoid (ASOR) were prepared. The toxicity of the conjugates were compared with DT in isolated rat, rabbit and guinea pig hepatocytes containing different concentration of asialoglycoprotein receptors (Biochim. Biophys, Acta 942, 57, 1988). In rat hepatocytes DTA-ASOR was highly toxic with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of protein synthesis occurring at 4 +/- 3.10(-11) M (n = 7) which was much lower than that of DT DT (7.8 +/- 9.8.10(-9) M, n = 7). In rabbit hepatocytes toxicity of the conjugate (IC50 = 5.4 +/- 4.9.10(-10) M, n = 7) was higher than that of DT (IC50 = 5 +/- 4.10(-11) M, n = 7). In guinea pig hepatocytes, DTA-ASOR was not toxic at concentration below 10(-8) M, although DT was highly toxic (IC50 = 1.8 +/- 1.4.10(-10), n = 3). In the presence of 5 microM colchicine, the toxicity of DTA-ASOR in rat and rabbit hepatocytes increased by 10-fold, while in guinea pig hepatocytes it became detectable with an IC50 of 1.2 +/- 0.8.10(-9) M (n = 3). The toxicity of DT in the rat cells was also enhanced 10-fold by colchicine, but not at all in either the rabbit or the guinea pig cells. Addition of isolated diphtheria toxin fragment B (DTB) did not affect significantly the toxicity of DTA-ASOR in all three hepatocytes and that of DT in rat hepatocytes, but reduced toxicity of DT more than 20-fold in the rabbit and guinea pig cells. Toxicity of DT-ASOR in rat hepatocytes was the same as DTA-ASOR both in the absence and presence of colchicine, and abolished completely by excess ASOR, but not by DTB. Toxicity of DT-ASOR in rabbit hepatocytes was 40-times higher than DTA-ASOR, enhanced 10-fold by cochicine and reduced more than 30-fold by excess ASOR, but only slightly by DTB. These results indicate that entry of DTA from DTA-ASOR involve a DTB-independent translocation mechanism which can be as efficient as the DTB-dependent mechanism used by DT in the rabbit and guinea pig cells. The entry of both conjugates appeared to be mediated by the asialoglycoprotein receptors. However, the DTB moiety of DT-ASOR could function only in the DT-sensitive cells indicating the lack of a DTB-mediated translocation in the DT-resistant cells.     

Binding sites for alpha-bungarotoxin and the noncompetitive inhibitor phencyclidine on a synthetic peptide comprising residues 172-227 of the alpha-subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

The binding of the competitive antagonist alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Btx) and the noncompetitive inhibitor phencyclidine (PCP) to a synthetic peptide comprising residues 172-227 of the alpha-subunit of the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor has been characterized. 125I-alpha-Btx bound to the 172-227 peptide in a solid-phase assay and was competed by alpha-Btx (IC50 = 5.0 x 10(-8) M), d-tubocurarine (IC50 = 5.9 X 10(-5)M), and NaCl (IC50 = 7.9 x 10(-2)M). In the presence of 0.02% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 125I-alpha-Btx bound to the 56-residue peptide with a KD of 3.5 nM, as determined by equilibrium saturation binding studies. Because alpha-Btx binds to a peptide comprising residues 173-204 with the same affinity and does not bind to a peptide comprising residues 205-227, the competitive antagonist and hence agonist binding site lies between residues 173 and 204. After photoaffinity labeling, [3H]PCP was bound to the 172-227 peptide. [3H]PCP binding was inhibited by chlorpromazine (IC50 = 6.3 x 10(-5)M), tetracaine (IC50 = 4.2 x 10(-6)M), and dibucaine (IC50 = 2.7 x 10(-4)M). Equilibrium saturation binding studies in the presence of 0.02% sodium dodecyl sulfate showed that [3H]PCP bound at two sites, a major site of high affinity with an apparent KD of 0.4 microM and a minor low-affinity site with an apparent KD of 4.6 microM. High -affinity binding occurred at a single site on peptide 205-227 (KD = 0.27 microM) and was competed by chlorpromazine but not by alpha-Btx.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Purification and characterization of dihydrofolate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) (5,6,7,8-THF: NADDP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.3) was purified 205-fold to apparent homogeneity from the crude extracts of Lactobacillus leichmannii. It has UV absorption maxima at 280 nm, M(r) of 20,000, Stokes radius of 0.34 nm and a S20.w value of 0.12 S. The preparation showed the presence of 168 amino acid residues with threonine and lysine as the NH2- and COOH- terminal end-groups respectively and a single reactive sulfhydryl group. pCMB inhibited the enzyme activity (IC50 = 2 microM). The enzyme has a pH optimum of 7.4 and is thermally inactivated at > 35 degrees C. It is activated by 0.1 M KCl and KI and 2 M urea. 3-4 M urea completely inactivated the enzyme. Enzyme has Km values of 3.5 microM and 6.2 microM for NADPH and DHF respectively, and a Ki value of 7 nM for MTX, the inhibition being competitive.     

Synthesis and antioxidant properties of novel N-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine and 4-methyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione derivatives of benzimidazole class

Some novel 1-methyl-4-(2-(2-substitutedphenyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)acetyl)thiosemicarbazides (16a-20a), 5-[(2-(substitutedphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)methyl]-N-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amines (17b-20b), and 5-[(2-(substitutedphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)methyl-4-methyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thiones (16c-20c) were synthesized and tested for antioxidant properties by using various in vitro systems. Compounds 16a-20a were found to be a good scavenger of DPPH radical (IC(50), 26 microM; IC(50), 30 microM; IC(50), 43 microM; IC(50), 55 microM; IC(50), 74 microM, respectively) when compared to BHT (IC(50), 54 microM). Noteworthy results could not be found on superoxide radical. Compound 19b, which is the most active derivative inhibited slightly lipid peroxidation (28%) at 10(-3)M concentration. Compound 17c inhibited the microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity with an IC(50)=4.5 x 10(-4)M which is similarly better than the specific inhibitor caffeine IC(50)=5.2 x 10(-4)M.     

Inhibitory activity of cyanidin-3-rutinoside on alpha-glucosidase

Cyanidin-3-rutinoside, a natural anthocyanin, inhibited alpha-glucosidase from baker's yeast in dose-responsive manner. The IC50 value was 19.7 microM +/- 0.24 microM, compared with the IC50 value of voglibose (IC50 = 23.4 +/- 0.30 microM). Cyanidin-3-rutinoside was found to be a non-competitive inhibitor for yeast alpha-glucosidase with a Ki value in the range of 1.31-1.56 x 10(-5)M. These results indicated that cyanidin-3-rutinoside could be classed as a new alpha-glucosidase inhibitor.     

Synthesis of N-substituted piperidine-4-(benzylidene-4-carboxylic acids) and evaluation as inhibitors of steroid-5alpha-reductase type 1 and 2

The synthesis of N-substituted piperidine-4-(benzylidene-4-carboxylic acids) is described [benzoyl (1), benzyl (2), adamantanoyl (3), cyclohexanoyl (4), cyclohexylacetyl (5), diphenylacetyl (6), dicyclohexylacetyl (7), 2-propylpentanoyl (8), diphenylcarbamoyl (9), trimethylacetyl (10), 3,3-dimethylacryloyl (11), dicyclohexylacetyl derivative of the benzyl compound (12)]. Compounds were tested for inhibitory activity toward 5alpha-reductase isozymes 1 and 2 in human and rat. The test compounds inhibited 5alpha-reductase, showing a broad range of inhibitory potencies. In rat, compounds 6 (IC50 = 3.44 and 0.37 microM for type 1 and 2, respectively) and 9 (IC50=0.54 and 0.69 microM for type 1 and 2, respectively) displayed the best inhibition toward both isozymes. Compound 7 showed a strong inhibition toward type 2 human and rat enzyme (IC50 = 60 and 80 nM) but only a moderate activity versus type 1 enzyme (IC50 approximately 10 microM for rat and human enzyme). In vivo, selected compounds reduced prostate weights in castrated testosterone treated rats.     

Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase III block stimulation of Xenopus laevis oocyte ribosomal S6 kinase activity by insulin-like growth factor-I.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulated Xenopus laevis oocyte ribosomal S6 kinase activity 5- to 10-fold, with an apparent EC50 of 0.8 +/- 0.1 nM after 90 min of hormone treatment. IGF-I-stimulated enzyme activity was inhibited by treatment of oocytes with nonselective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, with apparent IC50 values of 2 +/- 1 microM papaverine, 20 +/- 2 microM isobutylmethylxanthine, and 128 +/- 16 microM theophylline. Type III PDE inhibitors also inhibited IGF-I-stimulated S6 kinase activity with IC50 values of 9.7 +/- 0.3 microM Cl-930 and 84 +/- 23 microM imazodan (Cl-914). These drugs apparently affected an intracellular molecular event leading to activation of S6 kinase, since Cl-930 prevented IGF-I-stimulation of S6 kinase, but had no direct inhibitory effect when added to the S6 kinase enzyme assay mixture. While hormone-stimulated S6 kinase activity was inhibited by isobutylmethylxanthine (nonselective PDE inhibitor) and Cl-930 (PDE III inhibitor), Ro 20, 1724 and rolipram (PDE IV inhibitors) and dipyridamole (PDE V inhibitor) had no significant effect on activated enzyme levels. The time course for IGF-I stimulation of oocyte S6 kinase displayed a small early peak of activity approximately 0.15-0.4 time required for 50% of cell population to display white spots (GVBD50) and a second major increase in activity at 0.6-0.7 GVBD50 that was sustained until meiotic maturation was complete. The second wave of enzyme activation was inhibited by Cl-930, but the early increase was not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Spasmolytic action of the methanol extract and isojuripidine from Solanum asterophorum Mart. (Solanaceae) leaves in guinea-pig ileum

Solanum asterophorum Mart. (Solanaceae) is a shrub popularly known as "jurubeba-defogo" in the northeast of Brazil. In the present work, the methanol extract (SA-MeOH, 3750 microg/mL) and isojuripidine (10(-7) - 3 x 10(-4) M), a steroidal alkaloid obtained from S. asterophorum Mart. leaves, inhibited phasic contractions induced by both 1 microM histamine [IC50 = (225.8 +/- 47.4), g/mL and (3.5 +/- 0.8) x 10(-5) M] or 1 microm acetylcholine [IC50 = (112.5 +/- 20.6) microg/mL and (2.3 +/- 0.4) x 10(-5) M] in guinea-pig ileum, respectively. The extract and isojuripidine also relaxed the ileum (SA-MeOH, 1-750 microg/mL, and isojuripidine, 10(-9) - 3 x 10(-4) M) pre-contracted with 1 M histamine [EC50 = (101.1 +/- 17.4) microg/mL and (1.2 +/- 0.3) x 10(-6) M] or 1 microM acetylcholine [EC50 = (136.8 +/- 21.1) microg/mL and (1.9 +/- 0.4) x 10(-6) M] or 40 mm KCl [EC50 = (149.4 +/- 19.5) microg/mL and (1.8 +/- 0.7) x 10(-6) M], respectively, in an equipotent and concentration-dependent manner. This effect is probably due to inhibition of calcium influx through voltage-operated calcium (Ca(v)) channels. To confirm this hypothesis, we evaluated their effect on cumulative CaCl2 curves in depolarizing medium nominally without Ca2+. SA-MeOH (27, 243, 500, and 750 microg/mL) and isojuripidine (3 x 10(-8), 10(-6), 3 x 10(-5), and 3 x 10(-4) M) inhibited the contractions induced by CaCl2, in a concentration-dependent manner. The concentration-response curves to CaCl2, in the presence of SA-MeOH and isojuripidine, were shifted downward in relation to a control curve in a non-parallel manner resulting in reduction of the maximum effect [E(max) = (71.2 +/- 9.2); (57.4 +/- 9.2); (43.8 +/- 3.4); (41.5 +/- 2.4) and (90.6 +/- 4.8); (74.7 +/- 8.7); (66.4 +/- 3.9); (31.3 +/- 4.1)%, respectively]. SA-MeOH and isojuripidine present spasmolytic action in guinea-pig ileum due to a partially blockade of calcium influx through Ca(v) channels.     

Synthesis and biological activity of N(alpha)-[4-[N-[(3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-quinazolinyl)methyl]-N-propargylamino]phenylacetyl]-L-glutamic acid

2-Deamino-2-methyl-N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid (ICI 198583) is a potent inhibitor of thymidylate synthase. Its analogue, N(alpha)-[4-[N-[(3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-quinazolinyl)methyl]-N-propargylamino]phenylacetyl]-L-glutamic acid, containing p-aminophenylacetic acid residue substituting p-aminobenzoic acid residue, was synthesized. The new analogue exhibited a moderately potent thymidylate synthase inhibition, of linear mixed type vs. the cofactor, N(5,10)-methylenetetrahydrofolate. The Ki value of 0.34 microM, determined with a purified recombinant rat hepatoma enzyme, was about 30-fold higher than that reported for inhibition of thymidylate synthase from mouse leukemia L1210 cells by ICI 198583 (Hughes et al., 1990, J. Med. Chem. 33, 3060). Growth of mouse leukemia L5178Y cells was inhibited by the analogue (IC50 = 1.26 mM) 180-fold weaker than by ICI 198583 (IC50 = 6.9 microM).     

Isolation and molecular kinetic properties of the angiotensin-converting enzyme from the human heart

An angiotensin-converting enzyme was isolated from human heart using N[-1(S)-carboxy-5-aminopentyl]glycyl-glycine as an affinity adsorbent. The isolation procedure resulted in an enzyme purified 1650-fold. The enzyme specific activity was 38.0 u./mg protein, Mr = 150 kD. The pH optimum for the angiotensin-converting enzyme towards Hip-His-Leu lies at 7.8, Km = 1.2 mM. The enzyme was inhibited by the substrate (Ks' = 14 mM). The enzyme effectively catalyzed the hydrolysis of angiotensin I (Km = 10 microM; kcat = 250 s-1). NaCl, CaCl2 as well as Na2SO4 in the absence of Cl- activated the enzyme, whereas CH3COONa and NaNO3 did not influence the enzyme activity. It was found that the bradykinin-potentiating factor inhibited the cardiac angiotensin-converting enzyme with IC50 = 4.0 X 10(-8) M.     

Hydrocortisone inhibits rat basophilic leukemia cell mediator release induced by neutrophil-derived histamine releasing activity as well as by anti-IgE.

We determined the ability of hydrocortisone to inhibit rat basophilic leukemia cell mediator release induced by anti-IgE and by neutrophil-derived histamine-releasing activity (HRA-N). Serotonin release induced by HRA-N and anti-IgE was inhibited by 78 +/- 5 and 70 +/- 4%, respectively (IC50 7.5 x 10(-7)M) by hydrocortisone (10(-5)M). HRA-N does not cause arachidonic acid metabolism, however, anti-IgE induced the generation of PGD2 and leukotriene (LT)C4, and the generation of both mediators was inhibited by 10(-5)M hydrocortisone (IC50 = 4.8 x 10(-7)M, and 3.6 x 10(-9)M, respectively). Inhibition required at least 5 to 6 h of hydrocortisone exposure and was maximal after 22 h. The observed effects of hydrocortisone could be reproduced by human recombinant lipocortin-I (5 x 10(-7)M). Hydrocortisone, 10(-5)M, was a less potent inhibitor of calcium ionophore A23187-mediated serotonin release and PGD2 and LTC4 generation (inhibition of 20 +/- 2, 17 +/- 10, and 37 +/- 10%, respectively). Inasmuch as A23187-induced stimulation is not dependent on receptor coupling, the enhanced ability of hydrocortisone to inhibit IgE- and HRA-N-mediated events as compared with A23187 suggests that one possible site of action of hydrocortisone may be interruption of receptor-effector signals. In the presence of arachidonic acid, hydrocortisone-treated cells released as much LTB4 and PGD2 as control cells, however, serotonin release and LTC4 generation were inhibited 50 and 55%, respectively. Thus, these data suggest that hydrocortisone has three possible sites of action: 1) inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity, 2) inhibition of glutathione-s-transferase, and 3) inhibition of serotonin release by a third mechanism, possibly by interrupting the coupling of receptor and effector systems.     

Flavonoids: potent inhibitors of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase

Various flavonoids were found to be relatively selective inhibitors of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase which initiates the biosynthesis of leukotrienes with the activity of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis. Cirsiliol (3',4',5-trihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone) was most potent, and the enzyme partially purified from rat basophilic leukemia cells was inhibited by 97% at a concentration of 10 microM (IC50, about 0.1 microM). 12-Lipoxygenases from bovine platelets and porcine leukocytes were also inhibited but at higher concentrations (IC50, about 1 microM), and fatty acid cyclooxygenase purified from bovine vesicular gland was scarcely affected. The compound at 10 microM suppressed by 99% the immunological release of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis from passively sensitized guinea pig lung (IC50, about 0.4 microM).     

Isolation and characterization of two digestive trypsin-like proteinases from larvae of the stalk corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides

Two digestive trypsin-like proteinases from Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae were purified by benzamidine-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The purified enzymes showed molecular size of 27 (trypsin-I) and 24 KDa (trypsin-II). Amino acid analysis and N-terminal sequencing confirmed their relationship with other trypsins from lepidopteran larvae. However, trypsin-I presented one lysine at position 11, being the first report of this amino acid in the sequence of a lepidopteran digestive trypsin. Trypsin-I had an isoelectric point of 6.0, and a Km of 2.2 x 10(-4) M and 3.9 x 10(-5) M for BApNa and BAEE, respectively. Trypsin-II presented an isoelectric point of 8.7, and Km values of 1.7 x 10(-4) M (BApNa) and 3.8 x 10(-5) M (BAEE). Both enzymes were differentially inhibited by some proteinase inhibitors. In particular, trypsin-I was inhibited by E-64 (ID50 = 6 microM) but not by lima bean trypsin inhibitor (LBI), whereas trypsin-II was inhibited by LBI (ID50 = 1 microM) and poorly by E-64 (ID50 = 85 microM). Changes in the susceptibility of the trypsin-like activity of midgut extracts from different larval instars to these inhibitors suggest that the relative proportion of these two enzymes varied through larval development, being predominant in early instars trypsin-I and in late instars trypsin-II.     

Anti-filarial effects of nine quinoline-containing drugs on adult filariae in vitro

The potencies and efficacies of 9 quinoline-containing anti-malarials including chloroquine, (bis)desethylchloroquine, SN6911, SN12108, amodiaquine, CN-2999-2K, primaquine, quinacrine, and quinine were examined in vitro against adult female Brugia pahangi. Parasite motility and lactate excretion were measured as indicators of drug effects. All of the agents tested showed time-dependent increases in potency over a 24-72-hr incubation period. SN12108 was the most potent at 72 hr, reducing motility by greater than or equal to 50% (IC50) at 1.0 x 10(-7) M. Chloroquine (IC50 2.3 x 10(-6) M), desethylchloroquine (IC50 7.0 x 10(-6) M), quinacrine (IC50 1.9 x 10(-6) M), and quinine (IC50 1.5 x 10(-5) M) were the least potent. All of the drugs caused time-dependent decreases in lactate excretion, except quinine; decreases were found to be dose dependent. A high correlation (r greater than 0.85) was seen between time-dependent effects on motility and lactate excretion. The effects of chloroquine (10 microM) on motility were also examined in female Acanthocheilonema viteae, Dirofilaria immitis, Onchocerca volvulus, and male Onchocerca gutturosa. Dirofilaria immitis was less sensitive to chloroquine than B. pahangi; A. viteae was equally sensitive. Species of Onchocerca were the most sensitive parasites studied. Adult O. gutturosa and O. volvulus were affected by 10 microM chloroquine within 4-6 hr; motility was reduced by 80% within 24 hr. Although the mechanism of anti-filarial activity of the quinoline-containing drugs is not known, their in vitro activity against a variety of adult filariae at clinically relevant concentrations, as well as differential sensitivity seen between the different filariae examined, warrants further study of these compounds.