Discovery of 3-hydroxy-4-cyano-isoquinolines as novel, potent, and selective inhibitors of human 11β-hydroxydehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1)

Derived from the HTS hit 1, a series of hydroxyisoquinolines was discovered as potent and selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors with good cross species activity. Optimization of substituents at the 1 and 4 positions of the isoquinoline group in addition to the core modifications, with a special focus on enhancing metabolic stability and aqueous solubility, resulted in the identification of several compounds as potent advanced leads.     

Arylsulfonamidopiperidone derivatives as a novel class of factor Xa inhibitors

The design, synthesis and SAR of a novel class of valerolactam-based arylsulfonamides as potent and selective FXa inhibitors is reported. The arylsulfonamide–valerolactam scaffold was derived based on the proposed bioisosterism to the arylcyanoguanidine-caprolactam core in known FXa inhibitors. The SAR study led to compound 46 as the most potent FXa inhibitor in this series, with an IC₅₀ of 7 nM and EC_2×PT of 1.7 μM. The X-ray structure of compound 40 bound to FXa shows that the sulfonamide–valerolactam scaffold anchors the aryl group in the S1 and the novel acylcytisine pharmacophore in the S4 pockets.     

High sero-prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis identified in slaughterhouse samples as a consequence of deficiencies in sheep farm management in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Background

Multiple congenital ocular anomalies (MCOA) syndrome is a hereditary congenital eye defect that was first described in Silver colored Rocky Mountain horses. The mutation causing this disease is located within a defined chromosomal interval, which also contains the gene and mutation that is associated with the Silver coat color (PMEL17, exon 11). Horses that are homozygous for the disease-causing allele have multiple defects (MCOA-phenotype), whilst the heterozygous horses predominantly have cysts of the iris, ciliary body or retina (Cyst-phenotype). It has been argued that these ocular defects are caused by a recent mutation that is restricted to horses that are related to the Rocky Mountain Horse breed. For that reason we have examined another horse breed, the Icelandic horse, which is historically quite divergent from Rocky Mountain horses.

Results

We examined 24 Icelandic horses and established that the MCOA syndrome is present in this breed. Four of these horses were categorised as having the MCOA-phenotype and were genotyped as being homozygous for the PMEL17 mutation. The most common clinical signs included megaloglobus, iris stromal hypoplasia, abnormal pectinate ligaments, iridociliary cysts occasionally extending into the peripheral retina and cataracts. The cysts and pectinate ligament abnormalities were observed in the temporal quadrant of the eyes. Fourteen horses were heterozygous for the PMEL17 mutation and were characterized as having the Cyst-phenotype with cysts and occasionally curvilinear streaks in the peripheral retina. Three additional horses were genotyped as PMEL17 heterozygotes, but in these horses we were unable to detect cysts or other forms of anomalies. One eye of a severely vision-impaired 18 month-old stallion, homozygous for the PMEL17 mutation was examined by light microscopy. Redundant duplication of non-pigmented ciliary body epithelium, sometimes forming cysts bulging into the posterior chamber and localized areas of atrophy in the peripheral retina were seen.

Conclusions

The MCOA syndrome is segregating with the PMEL17 mutation in the Icelandic Horse population. This needs to be taken into consideration in breeding decisions and highlights the fact that MCOA syndrome is present in a breed that are more ancient and not closely related to the Rocky Mountain Horse breed.     

Tetrahydroisoquinoline 1-carboxamides as growth hormone secretagogues

Several novel series of tetrahydroisoquinoline 1-carboxamides were prepared and shown to be potent growth hormone (GH) secretagogues. Among them, carbamate 12a-E2 displays excellent in vivo activity by increasing plasma GH 10-fold in an anesthetized IV rat model.     

Purification of the Chlorella HUP1 hexose—proton symporter to homogeneity and its reconstitution in vitro

A prokaryotic biotin acceptor domain was fused to the carboxy terminal end of the Chlorella hexose—proton sym- porter. The plant symporter is biotinylated in vivo when expressed in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The extended biotinylated transport protein is fully active, catalyzes accumulation of d -glucose analogs and restores growth of a glucose-uptake-deficient yeast strain. Crude membranes were solubilized with octyl-β-d -glucoside in the presence of Escherichia colil -α-phosphatidylethanolamine. Biotinylated symporter was purified to homogeneity by biotinavidin affinity chromatography. The symporter protein was reconstituted together with cytochrome-c oxidase prepared from beef heart mitochondria into proteo-liposomes. Cytochrome-c oxidase is a redox-driven H⁺-pump generating a proton motive force (inside negative and alkaline) while transferring electrons from cytochrome-c to oxygen; this energy is used by the symporter to accumulate d -glucose at least 30-fold. In the absence of the driving force the transport protein facilitates diffusion of d -glucose until the concentration equilibrium is reached. It was shown that maximal transport activity depends highly on the amount of co-reconstituted cytochrome-c oxidase and that the symporter possesses 10% of its in vivo turnover number under optimized in vitro transport conditions.     

Enhanced cellulase production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma harzianum</Emphasis> by cultivation on glycerol followed by induction on cellulosic substrates

The use of glycerol obtained as an intermediate of the biodiesel manufacturing process as carbon source for microbial growth is a potential alternative strategy for the production of enzymes and other high-value bioproducts. This work evaluates the production of cellulase enzymes using glycerol for high cell density growth of Trichoderma harzianum followed by induction with a cellulosic material. Firstly, the influence of the carbon source used in the pre-culture step was investigated in terms of total protein secretion and fungal morphology. Enzymatic productivity was then determined for cultivation strategies using different types and concentrations of carbon source, as well as different feeding procedures (batch and fed-batch). The best strategy for cellulase production was then further studied on a larger scale using a stirred tank bioreactor. The proposed strategy for cellulase production, using glycerol to achieve high cell density growth followed by induction with pretreated sugarcane bagasse, achieved enzymatic activities up to 2.27 ± 0.37 FPU/mL, 106.40 ± 8.87 IU/mL, and 9.04 ± 0.39 IU/mL of cellulase, xylanase, and β-glucosidase, respectively. These values were 2 times higher when compared to the control experiments using glucose instead of glycerol. This novel strategy proved to be a promising approach for improving cellulolytic enzymes production, and could potentially contribute to adding value to biomass within the biofuels sector.     

Tetrazole based amides as growth hormone secretagogues

A novel series of N1 substituted tetrazole amides were prepared and showed to be potent growth hormone (GH) secretagogues. Among them, hydroxyl containing analog 31 displayed excellent in vivo activity by increasing plasma GH 10-fold in an anesthetized IV rat model.     

Monoclonal antibody to dengue capsid protein: Its application in dengue studies

Dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) are considered the most important arthropod-borne viral diseases in terms of morbidity and mortality. The emergency and severity of dengue (Den) infections increase the necessity of an early, quick and effective dengue laboratory diagnostic. Viral isolation is considered a gold standard for diagnosis of dengue infection using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as a tool for determining serotype specificity. Alternatives have been used to improve sensitivity and time to dengue diagnosis. Based on the early expression of dengue C protein in the life cycle, we focused our study on the application of an anti-dengue 2 virus capsid protein mAb in dengue diagnosis. The kinetic expression of dengue-2 capsid in mosquito cells and its immuno-localization in experimentally infected suckling albin Swiss (OF-1) mice brain tissues was established. The results demonstrate the possible utility of this mAb in early dengue diagnosis versus traditional isolation. In addition, a preliminary study of an enzyme immunoassay method using 8H8 mAb for specific detection of dengue C protein antigen was performed, making possible recombinant C protein quantification. The results suggest that detection of dengue capsid protein could be useful in the diagnosis of early dengue infection.Key words: monoclonal antibodies, capsid protein, dengue virus, diagnosis, immunoassays