Identification of aminopyrazolopyridine ureas as potent VEGFR/PDGFR multitargeted kinase inhibitors

Tumor angiogenesis is mediated by KDR and other VEGFR and PDGFR kinases. Their inhibition presents an attractive approach for developing anticancer therapeutics. Here, we report a series of aminopyrazolopyridine ureas as potent VEGFR/PDGFR multitargeted kinase inhibitors. A number of compounds have been identified to be orally bioavailable and efficacious in the mouse edema model.     

Overexpression of thiol/disulfide isomerases enhances membrane fusion directed by the Newcastle disease virus fusion protein

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) fusion (F) protein directs membrane fusion, which is required for virus entry and cell-cell fusion. We have previously shown that free thiols are present in cell surface-expressed NDV F protein and that blocking the production of free thiols by thiol-disulfide exchange inhibitors inhibited the membrane fusion mediated by F protein (J Virol. 81:2328-2339, 2007). Extending these observations, we evaluated the role of the overexpression of two disulfide bond isomerases, protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and ERdj5, in cell-cell fusion mediated by NDV glycoproteins. The overexpression of these isomerases resulted in significantly increased membrane fusion, as measured by syncytium formation and content mixing. The overexpression of these isomerases enhanced the production of free thiols in F protein when expressed without hemagglutination-neuraminidase (HN) protein but decreased free thiols in F protein expressed with HN protein. By evaluating the binding of conformation-sensitive antibodies, we found that the overexpression of these isomerases favored a postfusion conformation of surface-expressed F protein in the presence of HN protein. These results suggest that isomerases belonging to the PDI family catalyze the production of free thiols in F protein, and free thiols in F protein facilitate membrane fusion mediated by F protein.     

Fertility and mortality patterns of captive Bornean and Sumatran orangutans: is there a species difference in life history?

Across broad taxonomic groups, life history models predict that increased ecological predictability will lead to conservative investment in reproductive effort. Within species, however, organisms are predicted to have increased reproductive rates under improved environmental conditions. It is not clear how these models apply to closely-related species. In this paper, we examine predictions from these models as applied to variability in reproductive rates between the two species of orangutans, Pongo pygmaeus (Bornean) and Pongo abelii (Sumatran). Orangutans exhibit characteristics of a "slow" life history strategy with large bodies, late age at maturity, low reproductive rates, and long lifespan. Recently, researchers proposed that Sumatran orangutans may have an even slower life history than Bornean orangutans as a result of ecological and genetic differences (Wich et al., 2004). We examined this hypothesis by studying important aspects of life history of both species under conditions of relative ecological stability, in captivity. In this large dataset, there were no significant species differences in age of first or last reproduction, completed fertility, perinatal and postnatal mortality, or female longevity. Bornean orangutans in captivity did have significantly longer interbirth intervals, and male Bornean orangutans had higher survival past maturity. Our results do not support the hypothesis that selection has led to decreased reproductive effort under conditions of increased habitat quality in Sumatra (Wich et al., 2004), and instead suggest that phenotypic flexibility may be particularly important in explaining differences between closely related species.     

Microarray genomotyping of key experimental strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae reveals gene complement diversity and five new neisserial genes associated with Minimal Mobile Elements.

Background  

There are four widely used experimental strains of N. gonorrhoeae, one of which has been sequenced and used as the basis for the construction of a multi-strain, mutli-species pan-neisserial microarray. Although the N. gonorrhoeae population structure is thought to be less diverse than N. meningitidis, there are some recognized gene-complement differences between strains, including the 59 genes of the Gonococcal Genetic Island. In this study we have investigated the three experimental strains that have not been sequenced to determine the extent and nature of their similarities and differences.     

2-Methylene analogs of 1alpha-hydroxy-19-norvitamin D3: synthesis, biological activities and docking to the ligand binding domain of the rat vitamin D receptor

In continuing efforts towards the synthesis of biologically active vitamin D compounds of potential therapeutic value, new 2-methylene-1alpha-hydroxy-19-norvitamin D(3) analogs 3 and 4 with modified alkyl side chains have been synthesized. The key synthetic step involved Lythgoe-type Wittig-Horner coupling of Windaus-Grundmann type ketones 9, possessing different 17beta-alkyl substituents, with the phosphine oxide 10 prepared from (-)-quinic acid. The prepared vitamins 3 and 4 were ca. eight times less potent than 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1alpha,25-(OH)(2)D(3)) (1) in binding to the rat intestinal vitamin D receptor (VDR). In comparison with the hormone 1 they exhibited slightly lower cellular HL-60 differentiation activity. When tested in vivo; the analog 3 was characterized by very high bone calcium mobilizing potency and intestinal calcium transport activity. Unexpectedly, the 25-methyl compound 4 showed marked calcemic activity in both assays. Computational docking of the vitamin 3 into the binding pocket of the rat vitamin D receptor is also reported.     

Pyran-containing sulfonamide hydroxamic acids: potent MMP inhibitors that spare MMP-1

The SAR of a series of sterically hindered sulfonamide hydroxamic acids with relatively large P1' groups is described. The compounds typically spare MMP-1 while being potent inhibitors of MMP-13. The metabolically more stable compounds in the series contain either a monocyclic or bicyclic pyran ring adjacent to the hydroxamate group. Despite the sparing of MMP-1, pre-clinical and clinical studies revealed that fibrosis in rats and MSS in humans is still produced.     

Xanthomonas albilineans Diversity and Identification Based on Rep-PCR Fingerprints

PCR with BOX and ERIC primers was used to analyze DNA of Xanthomonas albilineans and other bacteria associated with sugarcane. Generated fingerprints permitted clear separation of X. albilineans from other bacteria and revealed variation within the species. Good agreement between fingerprint groups and geographic origin and serovars was observed. Received: 27 July 2000 / Accepted: 21 August 2000     

Characteristics and N-terminal amino acid sequence of manganese peroxidase from solid substrate cultures of Agaricus bisporus

Extracellular manganese peroxidase (MnP) was purified from the compost extract of Agaricus bisporus using anion exchange chromatography, gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Two forms (MnP1 and MnP2) were separated by isoelectric focusing and their isoelectric points were determined to be 3.25 (MnP1) and 3.3 (MnP2). Both forms had a molecular mass of 40 kDa. The first 25 amino acids of the N-terminal end of MnP1 sequence was found to share 68% identity with a Pleurotus ostreatus and a P. eryngii MnP. Lignin peroxidase was not detected during any of the steps in the purification process. In liquid cultures with both soluble and insoluble carbon sources in defined medium (D-glucose, glycerol, Whatman CC-41 microcrystalline cellulose or Solka-floc cellulose) MnP protein was detected in culture fluid by Western blot, but no MnP activity could be detected. A. bisporus appears to be in the group of ligninolytic fungi which do not produce lignin peroxidase.