Rapid and Liquid-Based Selection of Genetic Switches Using Nucleoside Kinase Fused with Aminoglycoside Phosphotransferase

The evolutionary design of genetic switches and circuits requires iterative rounds of positive (ON-) and negative (OFF-) selection. We previously reported a rapid OFF selection system based on the kinase activity of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (hsvTK) on the artificial mutator nucleoside dP. By fusing hsvTK with the kanamycin resistance marker aminoglycoside-(3’)-phosphotransferase (APH), we established a novel selector system for genetic switches. Due to the bactericidal nature of kanamycin and nucleoside-based lethal mutagenesis, both positive and negative selection could be completed within several hours. Using this new selector system, we isolated a series of homoserine lactone-inducible genetic switches with different expression efficiencies from libraries of the Vibrio fischeri lux promoter in two days, using only liquid handling.     

Dopamine D-2 receptor-mediated excitation of caudate nucleus neurons from the substantia nigra

Microiontophoretic studies using cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose were performed to elucidate whether the excitatory response of caudate nucleus (CN) neurons upon stimulation of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (SN) is mediated by the dopamine D-1 or D-2 receptor. There were rare convergent inputs from the SN and motor cortex (MC) in the CN neurons. Iontophoretic application of haloperidol and domperidone (dopamine D-2 receptor antagonist) produced dose-dependent inhibition of spikes elicited by SN stimulation in 25 of 42 and 50 of 82 CN neurons, respectively, however, no alterations of spikes elicited by MC stimulation occurred in any 11 neurons tested. Iontophoretically applied SCH 23390 (D-1 antagonist) did not inhibit the SN-induced spikes in any CN neurons, of which spikes were inhibited by domperidone. These results suggest that the SN-induced spikes are mediated by dopamine, which acts on postsynaptic D-2 receptors.     

Atrial natriuretic polypeptide in atria and plasma in experimental hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism

To investigate the involvement of thyroid hormone on the release of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP), we have measured immunoreactive ANP in the atria and plasma of experimental hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats. Plasma ANP was higher (p less than 0.05) in hyperthyroid rats and was lower (p less than 0.05) in hypothyroid rats than in euthyroid rats. ANP content and concentration in the atria were lower (p less than 0.01) in hyperthyroid rats than in hypothyroid rats. An inverse correlation was found between the plasma ANP and ANP concentration in the atria (n = 15, r = 0.60, p less than 0.01). The results indicate an increased systemic release of ANP from the atria in hyperthyroidism and a decreased systemic release in hypothyroidism.     

Construction of carotenoid biosynthetic pathways using squalene synthase

The first committed steps of steroid/hopanoid pathways involve squalene synthase (SQS). Here, we report the Escherichia coli production of diaponeurosporene and diapolycopene, yellow C₃₀ carotenoid pigments, by expressing human SQS and Staphylococcus aureus dehydrosqualene (C₃₀ carotenoid) desaturase (CrtN). We suggest that the carotenoid pigments are synthesized mainly via the desaturation of squalene rather than the direct synthesis of dehydrosqualene through the non-reductive condensation of prenyl diphosphate precursors, indicating the possible existence of a “squalene route” and a “lycopersene route” for C₃₀ and C₄₀ carotenoids, respectively. Additionally, this finding yields a new method of colorimetric screening for the cellular activity of squalene synthases, which are major targets for cholesterol-lowering drugs.     

Antihypertensive effect of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from a sesame protein hydrolysate in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Sesame peptide powder (SPP) exhibited angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, and significantly and temporarily decreased the systolic blood pressure (SBP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) by a single administration (1 and 10 mg/kg). Six peptide ACE inhibitors were isolated and identified from SPP. The representative peptides, Leu-Val-Tyr, Leu-Gln-Pro and Leu-Lys-Tyr, could competitively inhibit ACE activity at respective Ki values of 0.92 microM, 0.50 microM, and 0.48 microM. A reconstituted sesame peptide mixture of Leu-Ser-Ala, Leu-Gln-Pro, Leu-Lys-Tyr, Ile-Val-Tyr, Val-Ile-Tyr, Leu-Val-Tyr, and Met-Leu-Pro-Ala-Tyr according to their content ratio in SPP showed a strong antihypertensive effect on SHR at doses of 3.63 and 36.3 microg/kg, which accounted for more than 70% of the corresponding dosage for the SPP-induced hypotensive effect. Repeated oral administration of SPP also lowered both SBP and the aortic ACE activity in SHR. These results demonstrate that SPP would be a beneficial ingredient for preventing and providing therapy against hypertension and its related diseases.     

Nucleosides. 140. Stereoselectivity of the Reaction of 1-(2,3-Anhydro-5-O-Benzoyl-β-D-Lyxofuranosyl) Uracil with Ammonium Azide. Isolation and Characterization of 2-Azido-Xylo-Nucleoside Derivatives

Abstract

The composition of the products of reaction of 1-(2,3-anhydro-5-O-benzoyl-β-D-lyxofuranosyl)uracil (1) with NH₄N₃ was studied by a reverse-phase HPLC system which was found to separate the 3-azido-arabino 2 and 2-azido-xylo 3 isomers that were formed. The use of a 10:1 ratio of NH ₄ N ₃ to 1 in refluxing EtOH was found to minimize ring opening at C-2 (7%). The higher stereoselectivity of ring opening produced by using a large excess of NH ₄ N ₃ was suppressed by conducting the reaction in DMF. Preventing the escape of the NH ₃ by-product only resulted in debenzoylation. The isolation of pure, crystalline 3 was achieved by reverse-phase preparative HPLC. Separation from the arabino isomer was also effected by debenzoylation and selective acetonide formation with the xylo isomer, which allowed facile isolation of the latter by normal phase chromatography. Hydrolysis of the acetonide 7 provided unprotected 2-azido-xylo nucleoside 6, which was also obtained by NaOMe treatment of 3. The mechanistic basis for the stereoselectivity of epoxide opening is discussed.     

Nucleosides. 127. Synthesis of Pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine Nucleosides from 5-Cyanouridine

Abstract

7-Amino-6-substituted-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrido [2,3–d]pyrimidine-2,4 (1H, 3H)-diones were prepared in good yields from 5-cyanouridine by application of a novel ring transformation reaction recently developed in our laboratory. Treatment of 3-benzyloxymethyl-2', 3'-O-isopropylidene-5'-O-trityl-5-cyanouridine with malononitrile, cyanoacetamide or ethyl cyanoacetate in base gave directly the pyridopyrimidine nucleosides bearing a CN, CONH₂ and CO₂ Et at C-6, respectively. The benzyloxymethyl and trityl protecting groups were removed by hydrogenolysis and the isopropylidene group by acid hydrolysis.