Nortropinyl-arylsulfonylureas as novel, reversible inhibitors of human steroid sulfatase

Steroid sulfatase (STS) has emerged as an attractive target for a range of estrogen- and androgen-dependent diseases. Searching for novel chemotypes as STS inhibitors, we identified nortropinyl-arylsulfonylurea 3 as a hit from high-throughput screening. A series of analogues was prepared in order to explore the essential structural elements for STS inhibition, and first structure-activity relationships were established. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the compounds are reversible, competitive inhibitors of STS.     

The effects of insulin and β-adrenergic stimulation on glucose transport,glut 4 and PKB activation in the myocardium of lean and obese non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus rats

Glucose uptake, glut 4 translocation and activation of protein kinase B were measured in Langendorff perfused hearts from (i) Wistar control, (ii) lean, neonatal Streptozotocin induced (Stz) and (iii) Zucker (fa/fa) obese diabetic rats of 10–12 weeks old. Hearts were subjected to stimulation with insulin, isoproterenol (-adrenergic agonist) or a combination of insulin and isoproterenol, during the perfusion protocol. Basal myocardial glucose uptake was impaired in both diabetic models, but could be stimulated significantly by insulin. In the Zucker rats, the time-course of insulin action was delayed. Insulin and -stimulation of glucose uptake were not additive. Evaluation of sarcolemmal membranes from these hearts showed that the affinity of glut 4 was significantly lower in the Zucker but not in the Stz hearts while a reduced affinity found with a combination of insulin and -stimulation in control hearts, was absent in both diabetic models. Total membrane lysates were analyzed for glut 4 expression while an intracellular component was generated to quantify translocation on stimulation as well as activity of protein kinase B (PKB). At this age, the neonatal Streptozotocin induced diabetic animals presented with more faulty regulation concerning adrenergic stimulated effects on elements of this signal transduction pathway while the Zucker fa/fa animals showed larger deviations in insulin stimulated effects. The overall response of the Zucker myocardium was poorer than that of the Stz group. No significant modulation of -adrenergic signaling on insulin stimulated glucose uptake was found. The PI-3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, could abolish glucose uptake as well as PKB activation elicited by both insulin and isoproterenol.     

Expression of liver fatty acid binding protein alters growth and differentiation of embryonic stem cells

Although expression of liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) modulates cell growth, it is not known if L-FABP also alters cell morphology and differentiation. Therefore, pluripotent embryonic stem cells were transfected with cDNA encoding L-FABP and a series of clones expressing increasing levels of L-FABP were isolated. Untransfected ES cells, as well as ES cells transfected only with empty vector, spontaneously differentiated from rounded adipocyte-like to fibroblast-like morphology, concomitant with marked reduction in expression of stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA-1). These changes in morphology and expression of SSEA-1 were greatest in ES cell clones expressing L-FABP above a threshold level. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy revealed that L-FABP was primarily localized in a diffuse-cytosolic pattern along with a lesser degree of punctate L-FABP expression in the nucleus. Nuclear localization of L-FABP was preferentially increased in clones expressing higherlevels of L-FABP. In summary, L-FABP expression altered ES cell morphology and expression of SSEA-1. Taken together with the fact that L-FABP was detected in the nucleus, these data suggested that L-FABP may play a more direct, heretofore unknown, role in regulating ES cell differentiation by acting in the nucleus as well as cytoplasm.     

Decapod crustacean chelipeds: an overview

The structure, growth, differentiation and function of crustacean chelipeds are reviewed. In many decapod crustaceans growth of chelae is isometric with allometry level reaching unity till the puberty moult. Afterwards the same trend continues in females, while in males there is a marked spurt in the level of allometry accompanied by a sudden increase in the relative size of chelae. Subsequently they are differentiated morphologically into crusher and cutter making them heterochelous and sexually dimorphic. Of the two, the major chela is used during agonistic encounters while the minor is used for prey capture and grooming. Various biotic and abiotic factors exert a negative effect on cheliped growth. The dimorphic growth pattern of chelae can be adversely affected by factors such as parasitic infection and substrate conditions. Display patterns of chelipeds have an important role in agonistic and aggressive interactions. Of the five pairs of pereiopods, the chelae are versatile organs of offence and defence which also make them the most vulnerable for autotomy. Regeneration of the autotomized chelipeds imposes an additional energy demand called “regeneration load” on the incumbent, altering energy allocation for somatic and/or reproductive processes. Partial withdrawal of chelae leading to incomplete exuviation is reported for the first time in the laboratory and field inMacrobrachiumspecies.     

Infection of clover by plant growth promoting Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 267 and Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii studied by mTn5-gusA

Plant growth promoting Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 267, isolated from soil, produced pseudobactin A, 7-sulfonic acid derivatives of pseudobactin A and several B group vitamins. In coinoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strain 24.1, strain 267 promoted clover growth and enhanced symbiotic nitrogen fixation under controlled conditions. To better understand the beneficial effect of P. fluorescens 267 on clover inoculated with rhizobia, the colonization of clover roots by mTn5-gusA marked bacteria was studied in single and mixed infections under controlled conditions. Histochemical assays combined with light and electron microscopy showed that P. fluorescens 267.4 (i) efficiently colonized clover root surface; (ii) was heterogeneously distributed along the roots without the preference to defined root zone; (iii) formed microcolonies on the surface of clover root epidermis; (iv) penetrated the first layer of the primary root cortex parenchyma and (v) colonized endophytically the inner root tissues of clover.     

Characterization of a receptor for heat shock protein 70 on macrophages and monocytes

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) and molecular chaperones isolated from tumors or virally infected cells elicit an efficient CD8+ T cell response against bound antigenic peptides. This immune response is mediated by presentation of the peptides on MHC class I complexes of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), but the cellular mechanism of this presentation process is not yet understood. Here we provide evidence for the existence of a proteinaceous receptor on the surface of APCs that is specific for mammalian Hsp70. Using a flow cytometry-based assay, saturable binding of Hsp70 to the cell surface of macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes, but not of lymphocytes, can be demonstrated. The affinity of the receptor is in the sub-micromolar range (Kd < 100 nM). Only mammalian Hsc70/Hsp70, but not bacterial Hsp70, is bound with high affinity. Subsequent to binding, Hsp70 is taken up by endocytosis, resulting in an intracellular localization. Our results suggest that receptor-mediated endocytosis forms the basis for the demonstrated efficacy of Hsp70-peptide complexes as anti-tumor vaccines.     

Contribution of de novo protein synthesis to the hypertrophic effect of IGF-1 but not of thyroid hormones in adult ventricular cardiomyocytes

Background: Enhanced expression of IGF-1 occurs in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) associated with systemic hypertension. Cardiac dysfunction accompanied by LVH is also observed in hyperthyroidism. Objective: to assess the relative contributions of de novo protein synthesis and attenuated protein degradation to increased protein mass associated with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy elicited by IGF-1 and thyroid hormones (tri-iodo thyronine T₃, and l-thyroxine T₄), respectively. Methods: total mass of protein, and both the incorporation, and removal of previously incorporated l-U-¹⁴C-phenylalanine, indices of protein synthesis and degradation, respectively, were assessed in quiescent adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes maintained in short-term culture, and corrected for DNA content, as a index of cell number. Results: IGF-1 (1 pM-100 nM) increased cell protein significantly, maximally at 1 nM and by 38% above basal value after 24 h. T₃ (10 pM-2 M) and T₄ (10 pM-2 M) increased cell protein significantly maximally at 1 M and by 33.2 and 30.5%, respectively, above basal value. IGF-1 ( 10 pM), T₃ (10 pM-2 M) and T₄ (10 pM-2 M) did not increase incorporation of l-U-₁₄C-phenylalanine above basal values. IGF-1 (100 pM-100 nM) increased incorporation of radiolabel significantly maximally at 100 nM and by 56%. T₄ (100 pM) and IGF-1 (10 pM), concentrations that did not stimulate de novo protein synthesis, attenuated the degradation of radiolabelled protein by 13.6 and 11.8%, respectively, compared to control values after 48 h. Conclusion: These data indicate that the acute hypertrophic response to (i) thyroid hormones cannot be attributed to initiation of de novo protein synthesis; (ii) IGF-1 comprises two components; the response elicited by IGF-1 (< 10 pM) is independent of, while the response elicited by IGF-1 (> 100 pM) is due to de novo protein synthesis.     

Altered transarcolemmal Ca transport modifies the myofibrillar ultrastructure and protein metabolism in cultured adult ventricular cardiomyocytes

The present study was designed to investigate how prolonged (24-72 h) exposure to modifiers of Ca transarcolemmal transport affects the myofibrillar structure, protein turnover and content of myofibrillar proteins in adult guinea pig cardiomyocytes maintained beating synchronously in long-term cultures. First we established the functional responses (the contractile activity and [Ca]_i transients) of the cultured myocytes to acute exposures to several drugs used in this study. The ultrastructural characteristics of these cultures under the various treatments were determined using immunohistochemistry and confocal scanning laser microscopy, and their biochemical properties were evaluated using analysis of total cellular protein content, myofibrillar protein content and SDS-PAGE electrophoretic examination. We compared the effects of 24, 36 and 72 h-long exposures to the various specific Ca-flux modifiers. Increased Ca influx via Ca_L-channel agonist (Bay K 8644) or via the reversed- mode of the Na/Ca exchanger (veratrine) did not alter the myofibrillar structure or the specific protein profiles or proteosynthesis. However, when cytosolic Ca was increased by three different types of inhibitors of Ca extrusion from the cells via Na/Ca exchange, (Na-free solution, 5 mM NiCl₂ and 10^-6 M ouabain), very significant changes in all investigated parameters occurred almost immediately. Twenty-four h-long exposure to Na-free did not affect significantly the total cellular protein (TCP), but the protein synthesis was decreased by 87% and the total myofibrillar protein (TMP) content was decreased by 38%. The myofibrils were heavily fragmented. Similarly, 24 h-long exposure to 5 mM NiCl₂ did not affect the TCP, but it reduced protein synthesis by about 90% and decreased the total myofibrillar protein content by 30%. These effects were even more pronounced at 72 h of exposure and they were accompanied with a complete disassembly of myofilaments. Exposure to 10^-6 M ouabain over 72 h resulted in > 80% inhibition of protein synthesis, a 45% decrease in TCP content and a 53% in TMP content. In contrast, 10^-7 M ouabain did not produce any such changes. The changes produced by the Na/Ca-exchange inhibitors were accompanied by only minor changes in DNA content, indicating that the myocytes remained viable. Moreover, these effects were not due to the associated contractile arrest, since exposure to Ca_L-channel antagonists (5-20 M nifedipine or 10 M verapamil) produced only very minor changes in the myofibrillar structure and in protein profiles.Our data demonstrate that short-term (up to 72 h) increased Ca influx or contractile arrest of well-interconnected, spontaneously beating adult cardiomyocytes does not affect their ultrastructural characteristics or their myofibrillar protein turnover greatly, while any situations leading to Ca accumulation (via inhibition of Na/Ca exchange) affect cardiomyocyte function and ultrastructure almost immediately. These data are in sharp contrast to those previously reported from immature, neonatal myocytes.     

Stigmatella aurantiaca Sg a15 carries genes encoding type I and type II 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthases: involvement of a type II synthase in aurachin biosynthesis

3-Deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP) synthases catalyse the first step of the shikimate pathway. Two unrelated DAHP synthase types have been described in plants and bacteria. Two type II (aroA(A2) and aroA(A5)) and one type I DAHP synthase gene (aroA001) were identified from the myxobacterium Stigmatella aurantiaca Sg a15. Inactivation of aroA(A5) leads to a mutant that is impaired in the biosynthesis of aurachins, which are electron transport inhibitors and contain an anthranilate moiety. Feeding of anthranilic acid to the mutant culture restores production of aurachins. Inactivation of aroA(A2) and aroA001 does not impair production of aurachins or other known secondary metabolites of S. aurantiaca Sg a15.     

Multi-allelic origin of congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG)-Ic

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), formerly known as carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome, represent a family of genetic diseases with variable clinical presentations. Common to all types of CDG characterized to date is a defective Asn-linked glycosylation caused by enzymatic defects of N-glycan synthesis. Previously, we have identified a mutation in the ALG6 alpha1,3 glucosyltransferase gene as the cause of CDG-Ic in four related patients. Here, we present the identification of seven additional cases of CDG-Ic among a group of 35 untyped CDG patients. Analysis of lipid-linked oligosaccharides in fibroblasts confirmed the accumulation of dolichyl pyrophosphate-Man9GlcNAc2 in the CDG-Ic patients. The genomic organization of the human ALG6 gene was determined, revealing 14 exons spread over 55 kb. By polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of ALG6 exons, three mutations, in addition to the previously described A333 V substitution, were detected in CDG-Ic patients. The detrimental effect of these mutations on ALG6 activity was confirmed by complementation of alg6 yeast mutants. Haplotype analysis of CDG-Ic patients revealed a founder effect for the ALG6 allele bearing the A333 V mutation. Although more than 80% of CDG are type Ia, CDG-Ic may be the second most common form of the disease.