Synthesis and activity of functionalizable derivatives of the serotonin (5-HT) 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) antagonist M100907

The approach of tethering together two known receptor ligands, to be used as molecular probes for the study of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) systems, has proven to be a valuable approach. Selective ligands that possess functionality that can be used to link to other ligands, are useful in the development of novel antagonists and agonists. Such molecules can also be attached to reporter molecules, such as fluorophores, for the study of GPCR dimerization and its role in signaling. The highly selective serotonin (5-HT) 5-HT_2A receptor (5-HT_2AR) antagonist M100907 (volinanserin) is of clinical interest in the treatment of neurological and mental health disorders. Here, we synthesized the most active (+)-M100907 enantiomer as well as a series of derivatives that possessed either an alkyne or an azide. The triazole resulting from the dipolar cycloaddition of these groups did not interfere with the ability of the bivalent ligand to act as an antagonist. Thus, we have synthesized a number of compounds which will prove useful in elucidating the role of the 5-HT_2AR in the central nervous system.     

Purification of an antitrypanosomal factor fromPseudomonas fluorescens by high-pressure liquid chromatography

Studies on the purification of an antitrypanosomal factor (ATF-II) obtained fromPseudomonas fluorescens disclosed that high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a Rad-pak porasil (10 silica) column and a GPC-60 Å column was an efficient procedure for the separation of the active components. Extraction of the factor with absolute ethanol prior to elution significantly enhanced the lytic activity of the HPLC eluates, as shown by marked pathologic changes followed by lysis in bioassays performed withTrypanosoma equiperdum. HPLC provided an increase of purification 30 times that obtained with gel filtration of the crude bacterial product. The lipopolysaccharide content of the purified fractions was markedly reduced and indicated an additional advantage for further in vivo tests in experimental infections withT. cruzi.     

The cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus cells: implications for degeneration and regeneration of the intervertebral disc

Introduction

The aims of these studies were to identify the cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and to determine the relationships between NP cell cytokine and chemokine production and the characteristic tissue changes seen during intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration.

Methods

Real-time q-PCR cDNA Low Density Array (LDA) was used to investigate the expression of 91 cytokine and chemokine associated genes in NP cells from degenerate human IVDs. Further real-time q-PCR was used to investigate 30 selected cytokine and chemokine associated genes in NP cells from non-degenerate and degenerate IVDs and those from IVDs with immune cell infiltrates (‘infiltrated’). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for four selected cytokines and chemokines to confirm and localize protein expression in human NP tissue samples.

Results

LDA identified the expression of numerous cytokine and chemokine associated genes including 15 novel cytokines and chemokines. Further q-PCR gene expression studies identified differential expression patterns in NP cells derived from non-degenerate, degenerate and infiltrated IVDs. IHC confirmed NP cells as a source of IL-16, CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL8 and that protein expression of CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL8 increases concordant with histological degenerative tissue changes.

Conclusions

Our data indicates that NP cells are a source of cytokines and chemokines within the IVD and that these expression patterns are altered in IVD pathology. These findings may be important for the correct assessment of the ‘degenerate niche’ prior to autologous or allogeneic cell transplantation for biological therapy of the degenerate IVD.     

Tetrapod phylogeny inferred from 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA sequences and a review of the evidence for amniote relationships [published erratum appears in Mol Biol Evol 1991 May;8(3):398]

The 18S ribosomal RNAs of 21 tetrapods were sequenced and aligned with five published tetrapod sequences. When the coelacanth was used as an outgroup, Lissamphibia (living amphibians) and Amniota (amniotes) were found to be statistically significant monophyletic groups. Although little resolution was obtained among the lissamphibian taxa, the amniote sequences support a sister-group relationship between birds and mammals. Portions of the 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecule in 11 tetrapods also were sequenced, although the phylogenetic results were inconclusive. In contrast to previous studies, deletion or down- weighting of base-paired sites were found to have little effect on phylogenetic relationships. Molecular evidence for amniote relationships is reviewed, showing that three genes (beta-hemoglobin, myoglobin, and 18S rRNA) unambiguously support a bird-mammal relationship, compared with one gene (histone H2B) that favors a bird- crocodilian clade. Separate analyses of four other genes (alpha- crystallin A, alpha-hemoglobin, insulin, and 28S rRNA) and a combined analysis of all sequence data are inconclusive, in that different groups are defined in different analyses and none are strongly supported. It is suggested that until sequences become available from a broader array of taxa, the molecular evidence is best evaluated at the level of individual genes, with emphasis placed on those studies with the greatest number of taxa and sites. When this is done, a bird-mammal relationship is most strongly supported. When regarded in combination with the morphological evidence for this association, it must be considered at least as plausible as a bird-crocodilian relationship.      

MPTP lesions of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic projection decrease [3H]1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]-piperidine binding to PCP site 2: Further evidence that PCP site 2 is associated with the biogenic amine reuptake complex

Our previous studies have demonstrated that, using membranes of guinea pig brain, [³H]1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine ([³H]TCP) labels not only the phencyclidine binding site associated with the NMDA receptor (PCP site 1), but also a second high affinity binding site which is associated with the biogenic amine reuptake carrier (termed PCP site 2). To test this hypothesis, the binding of [³H]GBR12935 to the dopamine transporter, and [³H]TCP binding to PCP sites 1 and 2 were measured in caudates harvested from control MPTP-treated and reserpine-treated dogs. MPTP treatment decreased dopamine levels by over 99%, decreased [³H]GBR12935 binding by over 90%, decreased [³H]TCP binding to PCP site 2 by about 50%, and had no significant effect on [³H]TCP binding to PCP site 1. These data are consistent with hypothesis that a portion of PCP site 2 is associated with dopaminergic nerve, terminals in dog caudate.     

An electrophilic affinity ligand based on (+)-MK801 distinguishes PCP site 1 from PCP site 2

The electrophilic affinity ligand, (+)-3-isothiocyanato-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrochloride {(+)-MK801-NCS} was characterized for its ability to acylate phencyclidine (PCP) and sigma binding sites in vivo. Initial studies, conducted with mouse brain membranes, characterized the binding sites labeled by [³H]1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine ([³H]TCP). The Kd values of [³H]TCP for PCP site 1 (MK801-sensitive) and PCP site 2 (MK801-insensitive) were 12 nM and 68 nM, with Bmax values of 1442 and 734 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Mice were sacrificed 18–24 hours following intracerebroventricular administration of the acylator. The administration of (+)-MK801-NCS increased [³H]TCP binding to site 2, but not to site. 1. Although (+)-MK801-NCS decreased [³H](+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d; cbcyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate ([³H](+)-MK801) binding to site 1, it had no effect on [³H]TCP binding to site 1. Viewed collectively with other published data, these data support the hypothesis that PCP sites 1 and 2 are distinct binding sites, and that [³H]TCP and [³H](+)-MK801 label different domains of the PCP binding site associated with the NMDA receptor.Abbreviations ((+)-MK801) (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine - ((+)-MK801-NCS) (+)-3-isothiocyanato-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrochloride - (PCP) 1-(1-phencyclohexyl)piperidine - (TCP) 1-{1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl}piperidine - (DTG) (2-(tllyl)guanidine - (metaphit) (1-(1-(3-isothiocyanatophenyl)-cyclohexyl)piperidine) - (NMDA) N-methyl-D-aspartate - (HEPPSO) (N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N-[2-hydroxypropanesulfoni c acid] - ((+)-MK801-NCS) (+)-5-methyl(3-isothiocyanatophenyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine - (NMDA) N-methyl-D-aspartate Address reprint requests to Dr. Rothman, Phone (410)550-1487.FAX 410-550-2997     

JunD regulates lymphocyte proliferation and T helper cell cytokine expression

Transgenic mice broadly expressing JunD (Ubi-junD(m)) appear phenotypically normal, but have strongly reduced numbers of peripheral lymphocytes. JunD overexpression in lymphocytes does not protect from numerous apoptotic insults; however, transgenic T cells proliferate poorly and exhibit impaired activation due to reduced levels of IL-4, CD25 and CD69. Consistently, in the absence of JunD (junD(-/-)) T cells hyperproliferate following mitogen induction. Moreover, transgenic T helper (Th) 2 cells have decreased IL-4 and IL-10 expression, whereas junD(-/-) Th2 cells secrete higher amounts of both Th2 cytokines. Th1-polarized junD(-/-) CD4(+) T cells display enhanced IFN-gamma cytokine production associated with upregulated T-bet expression and downregulated expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1. These novel findings demonstrate a regulatory role of JunD in T lymphocyte proliferation and Th cell differentiation.