Synthesis of C-glycopyranosyl compounds by a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of 1-tributylstannyl-D-glucals with organic halides.

1-Tributylstannyl-D-glucals, prepared from the corresponding 1-phenylsulfonyl-D-glucals, were coupled efficiently to various organic halides in the presence of a palladium(0) catalyst. This mild reaction is specially useful for the preparation of 1-C-aryl-D-glucals and compatible with unprotected hydroxy groups or hindered aromatic bromides. It has been shown that the resulting 1-C-aryl(alkyl)-D-glucals are suited for further synthetic manipulation of the enol ether group, including stereoselective hydrogenation, hydroboration-oxidation, or epoxidation. All compounds formed resulted from the attack of the alpha-face of the glucal derivatives by the reagent. The reaction, extended to 1,3-, 1,4-di-, and 1,3,5-tri-bromobenzenes, leads to the corresponding symmetrical di-(tri)-C-glucosylbenzenes. Finally, a sequential di-C-glucosylation of 1,3-dibromobenzene with two different 1-stannylated glucals was obtained.     

Vitamin K dependent carboxylation: determination of the stereochemical course using 4-fluoroglutamyl-containing substrate

The stereochemical course of the vitamin K dependent carboxylation has been elucidated using a (4S)-4-fluoroglutamyl-containing pentapeptide as a substrate. The absolute configuration of the [13C]-4-carboxy-4-fluoroglutamate obtained when the carboxylation was carried out with 13C-labeled sodium bicarbonate, was determined after reduction of the [13C]-4-carboxy-4-fluoroglutamyl residue into 4-fluoro-5,5'-dihydroxyleucine, hydrolysis, lactonization, and peracetylation. The absolute configuration at C-4 was determined to be S by locating the 13C label in the lactone ring of the trans isomeric lactone and in the hydroxymethyl group of the cis isomer following HPLC separation of both isomers and analysis by GC/MS/MS techniques. It follows that the vitamin K dependent carboxylation occurs with inversion of configuration.     

Phospholipid metabolism modulates cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in rat heart microsomes

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in rat heart microsomes is attributable to several isoenzymatic forms: a cyclic AMP-specific, a cyclic GMP-specific, and a cyclic GMP-stimulated enzyme. Incubation of microsomes with an exogenous phospholipase C (C. welchii) induced a marked stimulation (+126%) of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and a moderate stimulation (+49%) of cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase in the membrane-bound fraction. Besides, a notable fraction of activity was solubilized by the treatment. A parallel decrease in the activating effect of cyclic GMP on the hydrolysis of cyclic AMP was observed in the membranes (down to 18% of the control effect). It resulted from a marked stimulation of the basal activity, while the activated level was unaffected. The treatment by an exogenous phospholipase D induced more moderate modifications. The addition to microsomes of oleyl,acetyl-glycerol, but not of long chain-diacylglycerols, partly reproduced the phospholipase C effect. Phosphatidate also induced variations in phosphodiesterase activity, and could thus participate in the phospholipase effects. These results suggest that endogenous phospholipases, the activity of which is modulated by hormonal stimuli, might influence phosphodiesterase activity in cardiac membranes by producing phospholipid metabolites, with potential consequences on heart contractility.     

Substitution of Tyr254 with Phe at the active site of flavocytochrome b2: consequences on catalysis of lactate dehydrogenation

A role for Tyr254 in L-lactate dehydrogenation catalyzed by flavocytochrome b2 has recently been proposed on the basis of the known active-site structure and of studies that had suggested a mechanism involving the initial formation of a lactate carbanion [Lederer, F., & Mathews, F.S. (1987) in Flavins and Flavoproteins, Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium, Atlanta, GA, 1987 (Edmondson, D.E., & McCormick, D.B., Eds.) pp 133-142, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin]. This role is now examined after replacement of Tyr254 with phenylalanine. The kcat is decreased about 40-fold, Km for lactate appears unchanged, and the mainly rate-limiting step is still alpha-hydrogen abstraction, as judged from the steady-state deuterium isotope effect. Modeling studies with lactate introduced into the active site indicate two possible substrate conformations with different hydrogen-bonding partners for the substrate hydroxyl. If the hydrogen bond is formed with Tyr254, as was initially postulated, the mechanism must involve removal by His373 of the C2 hydrogen, with carbanion formation. If, in the absence of the Tyr254 phenol group, the hydrogen bond is formed with His373 N3, the substrate is positioned in such a way that the reaction must proceed by hydride transfer. Therefore the mechanism of the Y254F enzyme was investigated so as to distinguish between the two mechanistic possibilities. 2-Hydroxy-3-butynoate behaves with the mutant as a suicide reagent, as with the wild-type enzyme. Similarly, the mutant protein also catalyzes the reduction and the dehydrohalogenation of bromopyruvate under transhydrogenation conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Do neural crest cells in the pancreas differentiate into somatostatin-containing cells?

Summary The possibility that the somatostatin cells are derived from the neurectoderm has been questioned in avian embryos. Isotopic and isochronic transplantations of the neural primordium from quail into chick embryos were made at the vagal level (somites 1 to 7). Quail and chick cells can be distinguished by the structure of their nucleus. The somatostatin cells were characterized immunocytochemically. In no case did quail cells showing the immunological reaction originate from the neural crest.     

Biochemical studies of the excitable membrane of Paramecium tetraurelia. V. effects of proteases on the ciliary membrane

The swimming behavior of Paramecium is regulated by an excitable membrane that covers the body and cilia of the protozoan. In order to obtain information on the topology and function of ciliary membrane proteins, Paramecia were treated with trypsin, chymotrypsin or pronase and the effects of these proteases were analyzed using electron microscopy, gel electrophoresis of ciliary fractions and behavioral tests. At the concentrations used, trypsin and chymotrypsin had little or no effect on the cells while pronase removed the cell surface coat, visible as fuzzy material covering the cell membrane. The same pronase treatment caused the specific removal of a high molecular weight protein (250 000), as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This protein, the ‘immobilization antigen’, constitutes the major protein of the ciliary membrane. Although the immobilization antigen was removed (or markedly decreased), no marked and reproducible difference was observed in the swimming behavior of the treated cells. We also determined the effects of proteases on isolated ciliary fractions to explore the sidedness of ciliary membrane proteins. A set of proteins relatively resistant to protease digestion was identified; they may be intrinsic membrane proteins.     

Interaction between macrophages and Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula: Role of IgG peptides and aggregates on the modulation of β-glucuronidase release and the cytotoxicity against schistosomula

Discharge of lysosomal enzymes, measured by release of β-glucuronidase and cytotoxicity against Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula, was studied when rat macrophages were incubated in the presence of either IgG peptides, resulting from the cleavage of nonimmune IgG by parasitic proteases, or nonimmune aggregated IgG. With peptides, the macrophage activity showed a dramatic decrease while they were stimulated by IgG aggregates. In contrast, the synthesis of lymphocyte activating factor by macrophages was unaffected. The hydrolysis of IgG is carried out by two distinct enzymatic molecules released into the medium by the larvae. The mechanism by which nonimmune IgG peptides or aggregates inhibit or stimulate macrophage activity, regulated by both parameters indicated above, is discussed and is suggested as a general regulation mechanism for the macrophage activity required for parasite survival in the host.