Marked accumulation of 27-hydroxycholesterol in SPG5 patients with hereditary spastic paresis

Patients with a recessively inherited “pure” hereditary spastic paresis (SPG5) have mutations in the gene coding for the oxysterol 7 α hydroxylase (CYP7B1). One of the expected metabolic consequences of such mutations is accumulation of oxysterol substrates due to decreased enzyme activity. In accordance with this, we demonstrate here that four patients with the SPG5 disease have 6- to 9-fold increased plasma levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol. A much higher increase, 30- to 50-fold, was found in cerebrospinal fluid. The plasma levels of 25-hydroxycholesterol were increased about 100-fold. There were no measurable levels of this oxysterol in cerebrospinal fluid. The pattern of bile acids in serum was normal, suggesting a normal bile acid synthesis. The findings are discussed in relation to two transgenic mouse models with increased levels of 27-hydroxy cholesterol in the circulation but without neurological symptoms: the cyp27a1 transgenic mouse and the cyp7b1 knockout mouse. The absolute plasma levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol in the latter models are, however, only about 20% of those in the SPG5 patients. If the accumulation of 27-hydroxycholesterol is an important pathogenetic factor, a reduction of its levels may reduce or prevent the neurological symptoms. A possible strategy to achieve this is discussed.     

Critical role of cholic acid for development of hypercholesterolemia and gallstones in diabetic mice

We studied bile acid and cholesterol metabolism in insulin-dependent diabetes utilizing genetically modified mice unable to synthesize cholic acid (Cyp8b1-/-). Diabetes was induced in Cyp8b1-/- and wild type animals (Cyp8b1+/+) by alloxan, and the mice were fed normal or cholesterol-enriched diet for 10 weeks. The serum levels of cholesterol were strongly increased in diabetic Cyp8b1+/+ mice fed cholesterol, while diabetic Cyp8b1-/- mice did not show any aberrations regardless of the diet. Diabetic cholesterol-fed Cyp8b1+/+ mice had much higher biliary cholesterol and cholesterol saturation index than all other groups, their bile contained a large number of cholesterol crystals, and their canalicular cholesterol transporter Abcg5/g8 mRNA levels were much higher. Cyp7a1 mRNA levels were similar in all diabetic mice but higher compared to non-diabetic animals. The results indicate a critical role for cholic acid for the development of hypercholesterolemia and gallstones in our animal model.     

Two loci on chromosome 9 control bile acid composition: evidence that a strong candidate gene, Cyp8b1, is not the culprit

An intercross between C57BL/6J and CASA/Rk mice was used to study the genetics of biliary bile acid composition. In parental strains, male C57BL/6J mice had significantly higher cholic acid (CA; 14%) and lower beta-muricholic acid (betaMC; 27%) than CASA/Rk mice, whereas females did not differ. However, quantitative trait locus analysis of F2 mice revealed no significant chromosome 9 loci in males but loci in females on chromosome 9 for percentage CA (%CA) at 72 centimorgan (cM) [logarithm of the odds (LOD) 5.89] and %betaMC at 54 cM (LOD 4.09). Chromosome 9 congenic and subcongenic strains representing CASA/Rk intervals 38-73 cM (9KK) and 68-73 cM (9DKK) on the C57BL/6J background were made. In 9KK and 9DKK males, %CA was increased and %betaMC was unchanged, whereas in 9KK but not 9DKK females, %CA was increased and %betaMC was decreased. Sterol 12alpha-hydroxylase (Cyp8b1) channels bile acid precursors into CA and maps at chromosome 9 (73 cM). However, there was no significant difference in Cyp8b1 mRNA or enzymatic activity between parental mice, parental-congenic-subcongenic mice, or high-low biliary %CA F2 mice. In summary, two chromosome 9 loci control sexually dimorphic effects on biliary bile acid composition: a distal (68-73 cM) major determinant in males, and a more proximal (38-68 cM) major determinant in females. In this intercross, Cyp8b1, a strong candidate, does not appear to be responsible.     

Comparative Genomic and Functional Analysis of 100 Lactobacillus rhamnosus Strains and Their Comparison with Strain GG

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a lactic acid bacterium that is found in a large variety of ecological habitats, including artisanal and industrial dairy products, the oral cavity, intestinal tract or vagina. To gain insights into the genetic complexity and ecological versatility of the species L. rhamnosus, we examined the genomes and phenotypes of 100 L. rhamnosus strains isolated from diverse sources. The genomes of 100 L. rhamnosus strains were mapped onto the L. rhamnosus GG reference genome. These strains were phenotypically characterized for a wide range of metabolic, antagonistic, signalling and functional properties. Phylogenomic analysis showed multiple groupings of the species that could partly be associated with their ecological niches. We identified 17 highly variable regions that encode functions related to lifestyle, i.e. carbohydrate transport and metabolism, production of mucus-binding pili, bile salt resistance, prophages and CRISPR adaptive immunity. Integration of the phenotypic and genomic data revealed that some L. rhamnosus strains possibly resided in multiple niches, illustrating the dynamics of bacterial habitats. The present study showed two distinctive geno-phenotypes in the L. rhamnosus species. The geno-phenotype A suggests an adaptation to stable nutrient-rich niches, i.e. milk-derivative products, reflected by the alteration or loss of biological functions associated with antimicrobial activity spectrum, stress resistance, adaptability and fitness to a distinctive range of habitats. In contrast, the geno-phenotype B displays adequate traits to a variable environment, such as the intestinal tract, in terms of nutrient resources, bacterial population density and host effects.     

Synthesis of 2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-C-Hydroxymethyl Nucleosides Having the L-Configuration as Potential Inhibitors of HIV

Abstract

Synthesis of 2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-C-(hydroxymethyl)-α- and β-L-erythro-pentofuranosyl nucleosides of thymine, cytosine and adenine is reported.     

Synthesis of 3′,4′-C-Bishydroxymethyl-2′,3′,4′-trideoxy-β-L-threo-pentopyranosyl Nucleosides as Potential Inhibitors of HIV

Abstract

The synthesis of 3′,4′-bishydroxymethyl-2′,3′,4′-trideoxy pentopyranosyl derivatives of thymine, uracil, cytosine, and adenine is described. trans-(3S,4S)-Bis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentanone (3) was converted to 1-O-acetyl-3,4-C-bis[(tert-butyldiphenylsiloxy)methyl]-2,3,4-trideoxy-α,β-L-threo-pentopyranose (6), which was subsequently condensed with the silylated purine and pyrimidine bases.     

Synthesis of Some 2′,3′-Dideoxy-2′-C-Methyl-Substituted Nucleosides

Abstract

Nucleoside analogues analogues1-(2′,3′-dideoxy-2′-C-hydroxymethyl-β-D-erythro-pentofuranos-yl)thymine (1), 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′-C-hydroxymethylcytidine (2), 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′-C-hydroxymethyladenosine (3), 1-(2′-C-azidomethyl-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-erythro-pento-furanosyl)thymine (4), 2′-C-azidomethyl-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (5), and 2′3′-dideoxy-2′-C-methylcytidine (6) have been synthesized from (S)-4-hydroxymethyl-y-butyro-lactone (7)     

Synthesis and evaluation of diphenylphosphinic amides and diphenylphosphine oxides as inhibitors of Kv1.5

Diphenylphosphinic amides and diphenylphosphine oxides have been synthesized and tested as inhibitors of the Kv1.5 potassium ion channel as a possible treatment for atrial fibrillation. In vitro structure–activity relationships are discussed and several compounds with Kv1.5 IC₅₀ values of <0.5 μM were discovered. Selectivity over the ventricular IKs current was monitored and selective compounds were found. Results from a rabbit PD-model are included.