Evaluation of N-substitution in 6,7-benzomorphan compounds

6,7-Benzomorphan derivatives, exhibiting different μ, δ, and κ receptor selectivity profiles depending on the N-substituent, represent a useful skeleton for the synthesis of new and better analgesic agents. In this work, an aromatic ring and/or alkyl residues have been used with an N-propanamide or N-acetamide spacer for the synthesis of a new series of 5,9-dimethyl-2′-hydroxy-6,7-benzomorphan derivatives (12–22). Data obtained by competition binding assays showed that the μ opioid receptor seems to prefer an interaction with the 6,7-benzomorphan ligands having an N-substituent with a propanamide spacer and less hindered amide. Highly stringent features are required for δ receptor interaction, while an N-acetamide spacer and/or bulkier amide could preferentially lead to κ receptor selectivity. In the propanamide series, compound 12 (named LP1) displayed high μ affinity (K_i = 0.83 nM), good δ affinity (K_i = 29 nM) and low affinity for the κ receptor (K_i = 110 nM), with a selectivity ratio δ/μ and κ/μ of 35.1 and 132.5, respectively. Further, in the adenylyl cyclase assay, LP1 displayed a μ/δ agonist profile, with IC₅₀ values of 4.8 and 12 nM at the μ and δ receptors, respectively. The antinociceptive potency of LP1 in the tail-flick test after sc administration in rat was comparable with the potency of morphine (ED₅₀ = 2.03 and 2.7 mg/kg, respectively), and was totally reversed by naloxone. LP1, possessing a μ/δ agonist profile, could represent a lead in further developing benzomorphan-based ligands with potent in vivo analgesic activity and a reduced tendency to induce side effects.     

Definition of miRNAs Expression Profile in Glioblastoma Samples: The Relevance of Non-Neoplastic Brain Reference

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain tumor that may occur in adults. Regardless of the huge improvements in surgery and molecular therapy, the outcome of neoplasia remains poor. MicroRNAs are small molecules involved in several cellular processes, and their expression is altered in the vast majority of tumors. Several studies reported the expression of different miRNAs in glioblastoma, but one of the most critical point in understanding glioblastoma miRNAs profile is the comparison of these studies. In this paper, we focused our attention on the non-neoplastic references used for determining miRNAs expression. The aim of this study was to investigate if using three different non-neoplastic brain references (normal adjacent the tumor, commercial total RNA, and epileptic specimens) could provide discrepant results. The analysis of 19 miRNAs was performed using Real-Time PCR, starting from the set of samples described above and the expression values compared. Moreover, the three different normal RNAs were used to determine the miRNAs profile in 30 glioblastomas. The data showed that different non-neoplastic controls could lead to different results and emphasize the importance of comparing miRNAs profiles obtained using the same experimental condition.     

Comparative next-generation mapping of the Phytophthora infestans resistance gene Rpi-dlc2 in a European accession of Solanum dulcamara

Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight, remains the main threat to potato production worldwide. Screening of 19 accessions of Solanum dulcamara with P. infestans isolate Ipo82001 in detached leaf assays revealed strong resistance in an individual belonging to accession A54750069-1. This plant was crossed with a susceptible genotype, and an F₁ population consisting of 63 individuals was obtained. This population segregated for resistance in 1:1 ratio, both in detached leaf assays and in an open-field experiment. Presence of the formerly mapped Rpi-dlc1 gene as the cause of the observed segregating resistance could be excluded. Subsequently, AFLP analyses using 128 primer combinations enabled identification of five markers linked to a novel resistance gene named Rpi-dlc2. AFLP markers did not show sequence similarity to the tomato and potato genomes, hampering comparative genetic positioning of the gene. For this reason we used next-generation mapping (NGM), an approach that exploits direct sequencing of DNA (in our case: cDNA) pools from bulked segregants to calculate the genetic distance between SNPs and the locus of interest. Plotting of these genetic distances on the tomato and potato genetic map and subsequent PCR-based marker analysis positioned the gene on chromosome 10, in a region overlapping with the Rpi-ber/ber1 and -ber2 loci from S. berthaultii. Pyramiding of Rpi-dlc2 and Rpi-dlc1 significantly increased resistance to P. infestans, compared with individuals containing only one of the genes, showing the usefulness of this strategy to enhance resistance against Phytophthora.     

Stable isotopes of lakes and precipitation along an altitudinal gradient in the Eastern Alps

Altitude encompasses broad environmental gradients that influence the isotopic composition of lake water. We selected 55 lakes in the Eastern Alps along an altitudinal gradient [214–2,532 m above sea level (a.s.l.)] to model the isotopic signal of surface water dependent on intrinsic (lake geomorphometry) and extrinsic (air temperature, precipitation) factors. Ordinary and generalised least squared regression were used for statistical analysis. The isotope signal of lake water was lower in spring than in summer and decreased with altitude (?0.21 δ¹⁸O ‰/100 m; ?1.5 δ²H ‰/100 m). This pattern largely depended on temperature and a pseudo-latitude effect. The isotopic signal in monthly precipitation (12 stations; altitudinal gradient 90–2,730 m a.s.l.) generally showed the expected pattern of less enriched values with altitude; however, unusual values were related to weather anomalies. The local meteoric water line was similar to the global meteoric water line as shown by overlapping confidence intervals. By discriminating different elevational bands, we could show that high elevation lakes (>1,500 m a.s.l.) experience different patterns of evaporation with respect to low elevation lakes (<1,500 m a.s.l.). Our study showed that lakes have a unique isotopic fingerprint along an altitudinal gradient, potentially useful for tracing ecological processes and for paleoclimatic studies.     

Puccinellia festucaeformis (Host) Parl.: Germinazione e crescita iniziale in funzione della salinità del substrato

Abstract

Puccinellia festucaeformis (Host) Parl.: germination and early growth on different salt substrates. Germination behaviour of Puccinellia festucaeformis seeds and early growth of seedlings at different experimental conditions was analysed. The following growth substrates were utilized: NaCl, KCl, KNO₃, MgCl₂, MgSO₄, Na₂SO₄, NaNO₃, CaCl₂ at the decreasing concentrations of 0.50, 0.25, 0.12, 0.06M. Caryopses were allowed to imbibe and grow at alternating temperatures (10°-20°C or 20°-30°C) in the dark for 3 days. Seedling were grown for 15 days, at controlled light and temperature conditions, in the same nutrient substrates as those used for the germination experiments.

The germination experiments showed a high tolerance to salts up to 0.25M solution and for the whole range of MgSO₄ concentrations. High growth temperatures increased the depressive effects of salt concentrations. Seedling growth was highly reduced when salt concentration was higher than 0.12M. High salt tolerance - maximum shoot and root growth - was showed by seedling allowed to grow on 0.50M MgSO₄.

Germination and growth condition of Puccinellia festucaeformis is discussed in relation to the ecological features of this species and to its possible importance as bioindicator of MgSO₄ rich natural substrates.     

ATM kinase enables the functional axis of YAP,PML and p53 to ameliorate loss of Werner protein-mediated oncogenic senescence

Werner syndrome (WS) results from dysfunction of the WRN protein, and is associated with premature aging and early death. Here we report that loss of WRN function elicits accumulation of the Yes-associated protein (YAP protein), a major effector of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, both experimentally and in WS-derived fibroblasts. YAP upregulation correlates with slower cell proliferation and accelerated senescence, which are partially mediated by the formation of a complex between YAP and the PML protein, whose activity promotes p53 activation. The ATM kinase is necessary for YAP and PML accumulation in WRN-depleted cells. Notably, the depletion of either YAP or PML partially impairs the induction of senescence following WRN loss. Altogether, our findings reveal that loss of WRN activity triggers the activation of an ATM-YAP-PML-p53 axis, thereby accelerating cellular senescence. The latter has features of SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype), whose protumorigenic properties are potentiated by YAP, PML and p53 depletion.     

The design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel URB602 analogues as potential monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors

We have synthesised an extensive series of URB602 analogues as inhibitors of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), which is the major enzyme responsible for metabolising the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonylglycerol. The recently identified crystal structure of MAGL was used in the design strategy and revealed three possible binding sites for URB602 and the proposed analogues. A test series of carbamate analogues were docked into the identified sites to predict the most favourable binding location. The synthesised analogues of URB602 explored the biological effects of isosteric replacement, ring size and substitution, para substitution of the biphenyl moiety and the incorporation of a bicyclic element. The compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit human MAGL. The carbamate analogue 16 displayed the most significant inhibitory activity, reducing MAGL activity to 26% of controls at 100 μM compared to 73% for the parent compound URB602.     

When a Text Is Translated Does the Complexity of Its Vocabulary Change? Translations and Target Readerships

In linguistic studies, the academic level of the vocabulary in a text can be described in terms of statistical physics by using a “temperature” concept related to the text''s word-frequency distribution. We propose a “comparative thermo-linguistic” technique to analyze the vocabulary of a text to determine its academic level and its target readership in any given language. We apply this technique to a large number of books by several authors and examine how the vocabulary of a text changes when it is translated from one language to another. Unlike the uniform results produced using the Zipf law, using our “word energy” distribution technique we find variations in the power-law behavior. We also examine some common features that span across languages and identify some intriguing questions concerning how to determine when a text is suitable for its intended readership.     

Mechanistic implications for LDL receptor degradation from the PCSK9/LDLR structure at neutral pH

The protein PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) is a key regulator of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) levels and cardiovascular health. We have determined the crystal structure of LDLR bound to PCSK9 at neutral pH. The structure shows LDLR in a new extended conformation. The PCSK9 C-terminal domain is solvent exposed, enabling cofactor binding, whereas the catalytic domain and prodomain interact with LDLR epidermal growth factor(A) and β-propeller domains, respectively. Thus, PCSK9 seems to hold LDLR in an extended conformation and to interfere with conformational rearrangements required for LDLR recycling.