Structural and functional interaction of (±)-2-(N-tert-butylamino)-3′-iodo-4′-azidopropiophenone,a photoreactive bupropion derivative,with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The pharmacological properties of (±)-2-(N-tert-butylamino)-3′-iodo-4′-azidopropiophenone [(±)-SADU-3-72], a photoreactive analog of bupropion (BP), were characterized at different muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) by functional and structural approaches. Ca²⁺ influx results indicate that (±)-SADU-3-72 is 17- and 6-fold more potent than BP in inhibiting human (h) embryonic (hα1β1γδ) and adult (hα1β1εδ) muscle AChRs, respectively. (±)-SADU-3-72 binds with high affinity to the [³H]TCP site within the resting or desensitized Torpedo AChR ion channel, whereas BP has higher affinity for desensitized AChRs. Molecular docking results indicate that both SADU-3-72 enantiomers interact with the valine (position 13′) and serine (position 6′) rings. However, an additional domain, between the outer (position 20′) and valine rings, is observed in Torpedo AChR ion channels. Our results indicate that the azido group of (±)-SADU-3-72 may enhance its interaction with polar groups and the formation of hydrogen bonds at AChRs, thus supporting the observed higher potency and affinity of (±)-SADU-3-72 compared to BP. Collectively our results are consistent with a model where BP/SADU-3-72 and TCP bind to overlapping sites within the lumen of muscle AChR ion channels. Based on these results, we believe that (±)-SADU-3-72 is a promising photoprobe for mapping the BP binding site, especially within the resting AChR ion channel.     

A combined steepest descent and genetic algorithm (SD/GA) approach for the optimization of solvation parameters

An accurate solvation model is essential for computer modeling of protein folding and other biomolecular self-assembly processes. Compared to explicit solvent models, implicit solvent models, such as the Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) with solvent accessible surface area model (PB/SA), offer a much faster speed—the most compelling reason for the popularity of these implicit solvent models. Since these implicit solvent models typically use empirical parameters, such as atomic radii and the surface tensions, an optimal fit of these parameters is crucial for the final accuracy of properties such as solvation free energy and folding free energy. In this paper, we proposed a combined approach, namely SD/GA, which takes the advantage of both local optimization with the steepest descent (SD), and global optimization with the genetic algorithm (GA), for parameters optimization in multi-dimensional space. The SD/GA method is then applied to the optimization of solvation parameters in the non-polar cavity term of the PB/SA model. The results show that the newly optimized parameters from SD/GA not only increase the accuracy in the solvation free energies for ～200 organic molecules, but also significantly improve the free energy landscape of a β-hairpin folding. The current SD/GA method can be readily applied to other multi-dimensional parameter space optimization as well.     

Effect of nitrogen source on biomass and bioactive compound production in submerged cultures of Eleutherococcus koreanum Nakai adventitious roots

Ammonium to nitrate ratios of 0:30, 5:25, 10:20, 15:15, 20:10, 25:5, and 30:0 mM were tested to determine the optimal NH(4)(+) :NO(3)(-) ratio for improving biomass and bioactive compound production in Eleutherococcus koreanum Nakai adventitious roots using 3-L bulb-type bubble bioreactors. A high ammonium nitrogen ratio had a negative effect on root growth, and the highest fresh and dry weights were obtained when NH(4)(+):NO(3)(-) ratios were 5:25 and 10:20 (mM) after 5 weeks of culture. Although the total production of eleutherosides B and E was slightly higher at the 10:20 ratio than at the 5:25 ratio (NH(4)(+):NO(3)(-)), we proposed that the optimal NH(4)(+):NO(3)(-) ratio was 5:25 mM. This ratio achieved both the highest total production of five target bioactive compounds (eleutherosides B and E, chlorogenic acid, total phenolics, and flavonoids) and the highest root biomass. Furthermore, increasing NH(4)(+):NO(3)(-) ratios to 10:20 decreased pH in the medium, interrupted the absorption of essential minerals from the culture medium, and resulted in low biomass and increased relative oxidative stress levels, which were evaluated by determining 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. Therefore, nitrate rather than ammonium nitrogen was more essential not for only biomass production but also for bioactive compound production in E. koreanum adventitious root cultures. The optimal nitrogen source ratio produced 5.63 g L(-1) of biomass and 24.41 mg of the five total bioactive compounds per gram of biomass (dry weight basis). The development of such in vitro culture technology will benefit the pilot-scale production of E. koreanum-based bioactive compounds for commercialization.     

Hypertrophy and atrophy inversely regulate Caveolin-3 expression in myoblasts

Caveolin-3 (Cav-3) is a muscle-specific membrane protein crucial for myoblast differentiation, as loss of the protein due to mutations within the gene causes an autosomal dominant form of limb girdle muscular dystrophy 1-c. Here we show that along with p38 activity the PI3-kinase/AKT/mTOR pathway is required for proper Cav-3 up-regulation during muscle differentiation and hypertrophy, as confirmed by the marked increase of Cav-3 expression in hypertrophied C2C12 cells transfected with an activated form of AKT. Accordingly, Cav-3 expression was further increased during hypertrophy of L6C5 myoblasts treated with Arg(8)-vasopressin and in hypertrophic muscles of MLC/mIGF-1 transgenic mice. In contrast, Cav-3 expression was down-regulated in C2C12 myotubes exposed to atrophic stimuli such as starvation or treatment with dexamethasone. This study clearly suggests that Cav-3 expression is causally linked to the maturation of muscle phenotype and it is tightly regulated by hypertrophic and atrophic stimuli.     

Feeding strategies for <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> fermentations demanding an enriched environment

The addition of a carbon nutrient feed to a fed-batch cultivation is often not enough to obtain satisfactory growth and/or production. In some cases, an additional feed with for example supplementary amino acids or complex media is required. This work presents the development of feeding strategies where more than one feed is required and the knowledge of the growth requirements is low. Simulations and cultivations with E. coli are shown using the proposed feed controllers which are based on a probing control concept. The strategies work well and they can be used to shorten the process development phase considerably.