Synthesis, hydrolyses and dermal delivery of N-alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NANAOCAM) derivatives of phenol, imide and thiol containing drugs

Synthesis, characterization and hydrolysis in aqueous buffers of novel N-alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NANAOCAM) derivatives of substituted phenols, theophylline (Th) and 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) were carried out. The mechanism of hydrolysis was further investigated by synthesis, characterization and hydrolysis of N-aryl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NArNAOCAM) derivatives of phenols. The hydrolysis follows pseudounimolecular first order kinetics and operates by way of an S(N)1-type mechanism. Topical delivery of selected derivatives of acetaminophen (APAP), Th and 6MP was examined in in vitro diffusion cell experiments from IPM across hairless mice skins. The prodrug of APAP and 6MP increased permeation across the skin by about 2- and 4-fold, respectively, compared to the parent drug. NANAOCAM promoieties can act as novel prodrug derivatives of phenol, imide and thiol containing drugs for enhancing topical absorption.     

A reverse genetic screen in the zebrafish identifies crb2b as a regulator of the glomerular filtration barrier

The glomerular filtration barrier is necessary for the selective passage of low molecular weight waste products and the retention of blood plasma proteins. Damage to the filter results in proteinuria. The filtration barrier is the major pathogenic site in almost all glomerular diseases and its study is therefore of clinical significance. We have taken advantage of the zebrafish pronephros as a system for studying glomerular filtration. In order to identify new regulators of filtration barrier assembly, we have performed a reverse genetic screen in the zebrafish testing a group of genes which are enriched in their expression within the mammalian glomerulus. In this novel screen, we have coupled gene knockdown using morpholinos with a physiological glomerular dye filtration assay to test for selective glomerular permeability in living zebrafish larvae. Screening 20 genes resulted in the identification of ralgps1, rapgef2, rabgef1, and crb2b. The crumbs (crb) genes encode a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins important for apical-basal polarity within epithelia. The crb2b gene is expressed in zebrafish podocytes. Electron microscopic analysis of crb2b morphants reveals a gross disorganization of podocyte foot process architecture and loss of slit diaphragms while overall polarity is maintained. Nephrin, a major component of the slit diaphragm, is apically mis-localized in podocytes from crb2b morphants suggesting that crb2b is required for the proper protein trafficking of Nephrin. This report is the first to show a role for crb function in podocyte differentiation. Furthermore, these results suggest a novel link between epithelial polarization and the maintenance of a functional filtration barrier.     

Production of nitric oxide in host-virus interaction: A case study with a compatible begomovirus-kenaf host-pathosystem

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in plant diseases resistance. Here we have first time demonstrated that begomovirus infection in susceptible H. cannabinus plants, results in elevated NO and reactive nitrogen species production during early infection stage not only in infected leaf but also in root and shoot. Production of NO was further confirmed by oxyhemoglobin assay. Furthermore, we used Phenyl alanine ammonia lyase as marker of pathogenesis related enzyme. In addition evidence for protein tyrosine nitration during the early stage of viral infection clearly showed the involvement of nitrosative stress.Key words: nitric oxide, mesta yellow vein mosaic virus, protein nitration     

Enhanced photodynamic effect of cobalt(III) dipyridophenazine complex on thyrotropin receptor expressing HEK293 cells

Ternary cobalt(III) complexes [CoL(B)] (1-3) of a trianionic tetradentate phenolate-based ligand (L) and phenanthroline bases (B), viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1), dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq in 2) and dipyridophenazine (dppz in 3) are synthesized, characterized from X-ray crystallographic, analytical and spectral techniques, and their utility in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of thyroid diseases caused by TSH receptor dysfunction is probed. The complexes display a visible spectral band within the PDT spectral window at ~690 nm. Photodynamic potential was estimated through DNA cleavage activity of the dpq and dppz complexes in UV-A light of 365 nm and red light of 676 nm. The reactions proceed via the hydroxyl radical pathway. The complexes retain their DNA photocleavage activity in red light under anaerobic conditions, a situation normally prevails in hypoxic tumor core. Investigation into the photocytotoxic potential of these complexes showed that the dppz complex 3 is approximately 4-fold more active in the HEK293 cells expressing human thyrotropin receptor (HEK293-hTSHR) than in the parental cell line and has an insignificant effect on an unrelated human cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa). Photoexcitation of complex 3 in HEK293-hTSHR cells leads to damage hTSHR as evidenced from the decrease in cAMP formation both in absence and presence of hTSH and decrease in the TSHR immunofluorescence with a concomitant cytoplasmic translocation of the membrane protein, cadherin. The involvement of hTSHR is evidenced from the ability of complex 3 to bind to the extracellular domain of hTSHR (hTSHR-ECD) with a K(d) value of 81 nM and from the photocleavage of hTSHR-ECD.     

MAP kinase phosphorylation is dispensable for cell division,but required for cell growth in Drosophila

Proper activation of the Ras/MAPK pathway is broadly required during development, and in many cases, signal transduction downstream of the receptor is linear. Thus, different mechanisms exist to properly regulate the large number of specific developmental outputs that are required by the activation of this pathway. Previously, we have reported a regulated cytoplasmic sequestration of phosphorylated MAPK (pMAPK) in developing Drosophila compound eyes and wings “called MAPK Cytoplasmic Hold”. In the developing wing, we have shown that cytoplasmic hold promotes the differentiation of wing vein tissue, while pMAPK nuclear translocation regulates growth and division. We had also suggested that the Ras pathway signals for inducing cell growth and cell division split upstream of the nuclear translocation of MAPK itself. Here, we further refine the role of MAPK in Drosophila. We report evidence that suggests, for the first time, that the phosphorylation of MAPK is itself another step in the regulation of cell growth and division in both Drosophila wing and eye cells. We show that inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation, or pMAPK nuclear translocation, is sufficient to block cell growth, but not cell division. These data suggest that non-phosphorylated MAPK is sufficient to induce cell division, but not cell growth, once inside the nucleus of the cell.Key words: Drosophila, MAPK, growth, division, proliferation, phosphorylation     

Sequence Conversion by Single Strand Oligonucleotide Donors via Non-homologous End Joining in Mammalian Cells

Double strand breaks (DSBs) can be repaired by homology independent nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways involving proteins such as Ku70/80, DNAPKcs, Xrcc4/Ligase 4, and the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 (MRN) complex. DSBs can also be repaired by homology-dependent pathways (HDR), in which the MRN and CtIP nucleases produce single strand ends that engage homologous sequences either by strand invasion or strand annealing. The entry of ends into HDR pathways underlies protocols for genomic manipulation that combine site-specific DSBs with appropriate informational donors. Most strategies utilize long duplex donors that participate by strand invasion. Work in yeast indicates that single strand oligonucleotide (SSO) donors are also active, over considerable distance, via a single strand annealing pathway. We examined the activity of SSO donors in mammalian cells at DSBs induced either by a restriction nuclease or by a targeted interstrand cross-link. SSO donors were effective immediately adjacent to the break, but activity declined sharply beyond ∼100 nucleotides. Overexpression of the resection nuclease CtIP increased the frequency of SSO-mediated sequence modulation distal to the break site, but had no effect on the activity of an SSO donor adjacent to the break. Genetic and in vivo competition experiments showed that sequence conversion by SSOs in the immediate vicinity of the break was not by strand invasion or strand annealing pathways. Instead these donors competed for ends that would have otherwise entered NHEJ pathways.     

NMR characterization of an engineered domain fusion between maltose binding protein and TEM1 β‐lactamase provides insight into its structure and allosteric mechanism

RG13 is a 72 kDa engineered allosteric enzyme comprised of a fusion between maltose binding protein (MBP) and TEM1 β‐lactamase (BLA) for which maltose is a positive effector of BLA activity. We have used NMR spectroscopy to acquire [¹⁵N, ¹H]‐TROSY‐HSQC spectra of RG13 in the presence and absence of maltose. The RG13 chemical shift data was compared to the published chemical shift data of MBP and BLA. The spectra are consistent with the expectation that the individual domain structures of RG13 are substantially conserved from MBP and BLA. Differences in the spectra are consistent with the fusion geometry of MBP and BLA and the maltose‐dependent differences in the kinetics of RG13 enzyme activity. In particular, the spectra provide evidence for a maltose‐dependent conformational change of a key active site glutamate involved in deacylation of the enzyme‐substrate intermediate. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Versatile characterization of thiol-functionalized printed metal electrodes on flexible substrates for cheap diagnostic applications

Background

Cheap, reliable, point-of-care diagnostics is a necessity for the growing and aging population of the world. Paper substrate and printing method, combined together, are the cheapest possible method for generating high-volume diagnostic sensor platforms. Electrical transduction tools also minimize the cost and enhance the simplicity of the devices.

Methods

Standard surface characterization techniques, namely contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze the growth of the organic thiol layers on top of the printed metal electrodes on paper substrates. The results were compared with those obtained by impedimetric electrical characterization method.

Results

This article reports the fabrication and characterization of printed metal electrodes and their functionalization by organic layers on paper and plastic substrates for biosensing and diagnostic applications. Impedimetric measurement is proposed as a simple, yet elegant, method of characterization of the organic layer growth.

Conclusions

Very good correlation was observed between the results of organic layer growth from different measurement methods, justifying the use of paper as a substrate, printing as a method for fabricating metal and organic layers and impedance as a suitable measurement method for hand-held diagnostic devices.

General significance

This result paves the way for the fabrication of more advanced bio-recognition layers for bio-affinity sensors using a printing technology that is compatible with flexible and cheap paper substrates. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Organic Bioelectronics — Novel Applications in Biomedicine.