Discovery and structure–activity relationships of a novel series of benzopyran-based KATP openers for urge urinary incontinence

A novel series of benzopyran derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as K_ATP channel openers. Structure–activity relationships were investigated around 4-position of the benzopyran nucleus. Optimization of 4-substituent with some heterocyclic rings led to compound 13b bearing a benzo[d]isoxazol-3-one moiety as a potent and selective K_ATP channel opener in vitro. In two anesthetized rat models of myogenic bladder overactivity, compound 13b was found to inhibit spontaneous bladder contractions.     

Discovery of indole-containing tetracycles as a new scaffold for androgen receptor ligands

A novel series of tetracyclic indoles have been designed, synthesized and evaluated as androgen receptor (AR) ligands. Studies of structure-activity relationships (SARs) were investigated, which led to some compounds in this series as strong binders to androgen receptors.     

Methylated DNA/RNA in Body Fluids as Biomarkers for Lung Cancer

DNA/RNA methylation plays an important role in lung cancer initiation and progression. Liquid biopsy makes use of cells, nucleotides and proteins released from tumor cells into body fluids to help with cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Methylation of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has gained increasing attention as biomarkers for lung cancer. Here we briefly introduce the biological basis and detection method of ctDNA methylation, and review various applications of methylated DNA in body fluids in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and treatment prediction. We also discuss the emerging role of RNA methylation as biomarkers for cancer.     

Genetic Admixture in the Culturally Unique Peranakan Chinese Population in Southeast Asia

The Peranakan Chinese are culturally unique descendants of immigrants from China who settled in the Malay Archipelago ∼300–500 years ago. Today, among large communities in Southeast Asia, the Peranakans have preserved Chinese traditions with strong influence from the local indigenous Malays. Yet, whether or to what extent genetic admixture co-occurred with the cultural mixture has been a topic of ongoing debate. We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 177 Singapore (SG) Peranakans and analyzed the data jointly with WGS data of Asian and European populations. We estimated that Peranakan Chinese inherited ∼5.62% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.76–6.49%) Malay ancestry, much higher than that in SG Chinese (1.08%, 0.65–1.51%), southern Chinese (0.86%, 0.50–1.23%), and northern Chinese (0.25%, 0.18–0.32%). A sex-biased admixture history, in which the Malay ancestry was contributed primarily by females, was supported by X chromosomal variants, and mitochondrial (MT) and Y haplogroups. Finally, we identified an ancient admixture event shared by Peranakan Chinese and SG Chinese ∼1,612 (95% CI: 1,345–1,923) years ago, coinciding with the settlement history of Han Chinese in southern China, apart from the recent admixture event with Malays unique to Peranakan Chinese ∼190 (159–213) years ago. These findings greatly advance our understanding of the dispersal history of Chinese and their interaction with indigenous populations in Southeast Asia.     

Multiple forms of bile salt hydrolase from Lactobacillus sp. strain 100-100.

Four isozymes of bile salt hydrolase (BSH) have been purified from the cytosol of cells of Lactobacillus sp. strain 100-100. The four proteins were designated BSH A, B, C, and D. They eluted from anion-exchange high-pressure liquid chromatography columns at 0.15, 0.18, 0.21, and 0.25 M NaCl, respectively. They are catalytically similar, except that the Vmax of BSH D is about 10-fold lower than those of the other three isozymes. All four proteins consist of one or two polypeptides. The peptides have molecular weights of 42,000 and 38,000 and are designated alpha and beta, respectively. The approximate native molecular weights of BSH A, B, C, and D are 115,000, 105,000, 95,000, and 80,000, respectively. The native proteins are probably trimers; the four isozymes are the array of possible subunit combinations alpha 3, alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 1 beta 2, and beta 3 for A, B, C, and D, respectively. The two subunits are antigenically distinct. Polyclonal antibodies raised against BSH A (all alpha peptide) react in Western blots (immunoblots) only with proteins containing the alpha peptide; such antibodies raised against BSH D (all beta peptide) react only with proteins containing the beta peptide. The amino acid compositions of the two peptides differ. This is the first report of a bacterium that makes four BSH isozymes.     

On the environment of zinc in beef heart cytochrome c oxidase: an x-ray absorption study

The role of zinc in beef heart cytochrome c oxidase has been studied by using x-ray absorption spectroscopy, zinc depletion and secondary structure predictions of subunits of beef heart cytochrome c oxidase. The stoichiometry of zinc in cytochrome oxidase has been determined in 35 different preparations and found to be one-half of copper (Cu:Zu = 2:1). Zinc is tightly bound to this enzyme and cannot be removed by dialysis against EDTA. However, zinc could be partially (up to 50%) depleted by treating the enzyme with either dipicolinic acid or by trypsin digestion. This partial depletion of zinc does not change the O2 uptake rate. X-ray absorption spectroscopy shows that the atom is in a distorted tetrahedral environment with mostly sulfur ligands. Since subunit VIa removed by the digestion removes about one-half the zinc, a possible binding site involves the two S sites present in that subunit with an appropriate folding in a structural role.     

Leukotriene B4 receptors BLT1 and BLT2: expression and function in human and murine mast cells

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent activator and chemoattractant for leukocytes and is implicated in several inflammatory diseases. The actions of LTB4 are mediated by two cell surface receptors, BLT1, which is predominantly expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes, and BLT2, which is expressed more ubiquitously. Recently, BLT1 expression and LTB4-dependent chemotaxis have been reported in immature mast cells (MCs). We now show the first evidence for BLT2 mRNA expression, in addition to BLT1, in murine bone marrow-derived MCs (mBMMCs) and in a human MC line (HMC-1). Protein expression of BLT1 was confirmed by mAb staining in HMC-1 cells and shown to be predominantly intracellular. Both HMC-1 cells and mBMMCs migrated to LTB4 in a dose-dependent manner in chemotaxis assays. Migration to LTB4 could be inhibited by either a BLT1- or BLT2-selective antagonist. Significant dose-dependent migration of mBMMCs also was observed to 12-(S)-hydroxyeicosotetraenoic acid, a BLT2-selective agonist, demonstrating functional BLT2 activity in these cells. Stimulation of mBMMCs with LTB4 induced transient, dose-dependent, ERK phosphorylation and changes in Akt phosphorylation. Dose-dependent ERK phosphorylation also was observed in response to 12-(S)-hydroxyeicosotetraenoic acid, indicating signaling downstream of BLT2. Pretreatment of mBMMCs with stem cell factor significantly down-regulated expression of BLT1 and BLT2 mRNA and inhibited their migration to LTB4. This study demonstrates expression of functional LTB4 receptors, both BLT1 and BLT2, in murine and human MCs and a regulatory role for stem cell factor in their expression. These receptors may mediate recruitment and accumulation of MCs in response to LTB4 production in areas of inflammation.     

Synthesis and SAR of novel hydantoin derivatives as selective androgen receptor modulators

A novel series of hydantoin derivatives were identified by in vivo studies as tissue selective androgen receptor modulators. SAR around this series revealed that the function of the ligand could be altered by minor structural modification.     

New progesterone receptor antagonists: phosphorus-containing 11beta-aryl-substituted steroids

A new series of phosphorus-containing 11beta-aryl-substituted steroids have been synthesized in an eight-step sequence involving a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction to introduce a phosphorus group onto the aromatic ring. The compounds were evaluated for progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist activity in a T47D cell-based assay and for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist activity in an A549 cell-based assay. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds are discussed. Selected compounds were tested in vivo in a rat complement C3 assay.