Chemoenzymatic synthesis of 2-azidoethyl-ganglio-oligosaccharides GD3, GT3, GM2, GD2, GT2, GM1, and GD1a

We have synthesized several ganglio-oligosaccharide structures using glycosyltransferases from Campylobacter jejuni. The enzymes, alpha-(2-->3/8)-sialyltransferase (Cst-II), beta-(1-->4)-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (CgtA), and beta-(1-->3)-galactosyltransferase (CgtB), were produced in large-scale fermentation from Escherichia coli and further characterized based on their acceptor specificities. 2-Azidoethyl-glycosides corresponding to the oligosaccharides of GD3 (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GT3 (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GM2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GD2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), GT2 (beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->8)-alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-), and GM1 (beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-) were synthesized in high yields (gram-scale). In addition, a mammalian alpha-(2-->3)-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal I) was used to sialylate GM1 and generate GD1a (alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-D-Neup5Ac-(2-->3)]-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp-) oligosaccharide. We also cloned and expressed a rat UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-4'epimerase (GalNAcE) in E. coli AD202 cells for cost saving in situ conversion of less expensive UDP-GlcNAc to UDP-GalNAc.     

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-beta-D-ribofuranosyl and 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-alpha-D-ribofuranosyl oligonucleotides

We present procedures for nucleoside and oligonucleotide synthesis, binding affinity (Tm) and structural analysis (CD spectra) of 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-alpha-D-ribofuranosyl and 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-beta-D-ribofuranosyl oligothymidylates. Possible reasons for the thermal instability of duplexes formed between these compounds and RNA or DNA targets are discussed.     

Comparison of ERLIC-TiO2, HILIC-TiO2, and SCX-TiO2 for global phosphoproteomics approaches

Reversible phosphorylations play a critical role in most biological pathways. Hence, in signaling studies great effort has been put into identification of a maximum number of phosphosites per experiment. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based phosphoproteomics approaches have been proven to be an ideal analytical method for mapping of phosphosites. However, because of sample complexity, fractionation of phosphopeptides prior to MS analysis is a crucial step. In the current study, we compare the chromatographic strategies electrostatic repulsion-hydrophilic interaction chromatography (ERLIC), hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), and strong cation exchange chromatography (SCX) for their fractionation behavior of phosphopeptides. In addition, we investigate the use of repetitive TiO(2)-based enrichment steps for a maximum identification of phosphopeptides. On the basis of our results, SCX yields the highest number of identified phosphopeptides, whereas ERLIC is optimal for the identification of multiphosphorylated peptides. Consecutive incubations of fractions and flow-through by TiO(2) beads enrich qualitatively different sets of phosphopeptides, increasing the number of identified phosphopeptides per analysis.     

Preparation of glycosides of 2-deoxy-2-methylamino-D-mannose, 2-deoxy-2-methylamino-D-glucose,and 2-deoxy-2-methylamino-D-galactose: observations on N-methylation of amides

Benzyl 2-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)methylamino]-2-deoxy-α-D-mannopyranoside (10) and its furanose isomer (9), the derived N-methyloxazolidinones 11 and 6, benzyl 2-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)methylamino]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucofuranoside (15) and methyl 2-deoxy-2-methylacetamido-β-D-galactofuranoside (20), were prepared from appropriate diethyl dithioacetals. They were considered the most suitable starting materials for synthesis of O-methyl-2-deoxy-2-methylamino-hexoses because of their ease of preparation and the presence of suitable blocking groups. Oxazolidinones were prepared from N-benzyloxycarbonyl derivatives of 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-mannose by using methanolic sodium methoxide. Their use in preparation of 2-deoxy-2-methyl-amino derivatives is discussed. The Kuhn reagent was used in these syntheses for N-methylating amides. However, certain amides containing comparatively bulky substituents in the vicinity of the NH group are resistant to methylation.     

Effect of prostaglandins A1, A2, B1, B2, E2 and F2 alpha on human umbilical cord vessels

Human umbilical blood vessels have the ability to close spontaneously following delivery at term. It has been suggested that prostaglandins may have a possible physiological role in its closure. This study investigates the effects of 6 naturally occurring prostaglandins (A1, A2, B1, B2, E2, F2a) on the umbilical blood vessels. Umbilical cords were collected from cases of normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries and cesarian section at term. A total of 41 strips of umbilical arteries and 26 strips of umbilical veins from 24 cords were used. A 4-point bioassay method was used to compare the potency of prostaglandins A1, A2, B1 and F2a with PGE2. The effect of Polyphloretin Phosphate (PPP) on prostaglandin-induced contractions was studied on umbilical artery strips from 12 cords. The 6 prostaglandins exerted a stimulant effect on the isolated strips of human umbilical arteries. Prostaglandin B2 was the most potent compound on the umbilical vein, followed by PGA2. PPP in the concentration range of 10 to 40 mcg/ml completely eliminated the responses of PGE2, F2a, A1, A2, and B1. Responses to PGB2 were considerably but not completely abolished. PPP (up to 40 mcg/ml) did not affect contractions induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine, suggesting the presence of discrete receptor sites in the blood vessels for different pharmacologically active compounds. This is the first report of the constrictor effect of PGA and PGB compounds. These naturally occuring prostaglandins with high potencies (compared with other prostaglandins and other vasoactive substances) may play a role in spontaneous closure of umbilical vessels. PGE1, E2, F1 and F2a are found in umbilical blood vessels obtained at term.     

A new synthetic pathway to adenine-2-d, 9-alkyladenine-2-d, adenosine-2-d, and 2'-deoxyadenosine-2-d

Unambiguous assignments of the purine ring protons in the NMR spectra of adenine (Ia) and its 9-substituted derivatives (Ib-f) have been made by comparison with those of the isotopically labeled adenines VIIIa-f. 9-Alkyl-2-deuterioadenines (VIIIb-d), adenosine-2-d (VIIIe), and 2'-deoxyadenosine-2-d (VIIIf) were synthesized from the 9-substituted adenines Ib-f through cyclization of the monocyclic intermediates VIb-f with formic acid-d2 or 1-(formyl-d)-2(1H)-pyridone. Hydrolysis of VIIIe with 0.5 N aq. HCl gave adenine-2-d (VIIIa) in 77% yield.     

Linkage of lactate dehydrogenase-2, Ldh-2, in the mouse

An electrophoretically detectable variant of lactate dehydrogenase-2 in Mus musculus has been found and used to locate the structural gene, Ldh-2, on chromosome 6. Gene order and recombination frequencies are estimated as Sig—36.0±4.8—Lc 21.0±4.1—Mi ^wh—20.0±4.0—Ldh-2.     

Interleukin-2, anti-interleukin-2 receptor antibody, and activation of macrophages

Macrophages treated with IFN-gamma and IL-2 before exposure to parasites develop the ability to resist infection with amastigotes of Leishmania major. In this cooperative interaction of cytokines, IL-2 can be replaced with any of several mAb directed against the beta chain of the IL-2 receptor, but not by antibodies to a number of other cell receptors or antigens. Thus, antibodies to the IL-2 receptor act as agonists of IL-2 in the induction of a biologic activity in macrophages, and macrophages, a nonproliferating cell type, respond to signals transmitted through the beta chain of the IL-2 receptor.     

Immunohistochemical expression of p53, Bcl-2, COX-2, C-erb-B2, EPO-R, beta-catenin, and E-cadherin in non tumoral gastric mucous membrane

Different authors have investigated the immunohistochemical expression of some proteins in the adenocarcinoma of the stomach, including cell cycle regulators proteins like p53 and Bcl-2; growth factors (c-erb-B2 and EPO-R); angiogenesis-related markers such as COX-2 and cellular adhesion molecules (beta-catenin and E-cadherin). While these proteins have been studied in gastric adenocarcinoma, their immunophenotyping in non tumoral gastric mucous membrane remains unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the expression, function and behavior of these proteins in normal gastric mucous membrane to contribute to gain further knowledge on the significance of their loss or overexpression in malignant gastric tumors.     

Diverse catalytic activities in the alphabeta-hydrolase family of enzymes: activation of H2O, HCN, H2O2, and O2

The article describes the observation of novel catalytic activities in the alphabeta-hydrolase superfamily apparently unrelated to ester hydrolysis and unexpected biochemical observations relating to the structure and function of the serine catalytic triad in these enzymes. One common feature of these novel activities is the activation of a small diatomic molecule, but via diverse chemistry. Possible mechanisms of catalysis are discussed.     

补肾活血汤对去卵巢大鼠心脏微血管内皮细胞形态及血清E_2、ET、NO、PGI_2、TXA_2含量的影响

目的:研究补肾活血汤对去卵巢大鼠冠脉微血管内皮细胞形态及功能的影响。方法:3月龄成年雌性大鼠随机分为8组,共计46只,分别为:正常组(NORM)、假手术组(SHAM),去卵巢组(OVX),补肾活血汤高、低剂量组(OVX/BHT-H、OVX/BHT-L)、17β-雌二醇干预组(OVX/ERT)。以透射电镜观察微血管内皮细胞细胞器变化;放射免疫法测定实验大鼠血清E2、ET、PGI2、TXA2的含量;采用硝酸还原酶法测定血浆NO含量。结果:与正常组相比,去卵巢组心肌及微血管内皮细胞细胞器破坏严重,中药组及17β-雌二醇干预组有所改善。与正常组相比,去卵巢组大鼠血浆中E2下降明显,有显著性差异;与去卵巢组相比,中药组大鼠E2明显上升,有显著性差异;与雌激素组相比无明显差异;与去卵巢组相比,中药组大鼠血浆ET-1值有所降低,其中以高剂量组最明显,中药组组大鼠的NO值稍有升高,但与正常组相比,没有显著性差异;中药组大鼠的TXA2值明显降低,其中以高剂量组最明显,中药组PGI2值升高,与正常组相比,有显著性差异,与17β-雌二醇干预组相比无显著性差异。结论:补肾活血汤能预防去卵巢后心肌微血管内皮细胞的形态和功能的破坏,其机制可能与其增加E2含量有关。