5-Aryl-4-(5-substituted-2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3-thiadiazoles as inhibitors of Hsp90 chaperone

A series of 5-aryl-4-(5-substituted-2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3-thiadiazoles were synthesized and their binding to several constructs of human Hsp90 chaperone measured by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The most potent compound bound Hsp90 with the dissociation constant of about 5 nM.     

Activation of human lymphocytes by concanavalin A or purified protein derivative results in no alteration of fluorescence polarization of lipid probes although the electrophoretic mobility of the cells is changed

Upon stimulation with either concanavalin A or the tuberculin antigen, purified protein derivative, human peripheral blood lymphocytes, purified on Ficoll-Hypaque, did not exhibit a concomitant lipid fluidity alteration as measured by fluorescence polarization (P) of the lipid probe, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). This result was independent of the incubation period, ranging from 10 min to 72 h. However, a general reduction in polarization value, from P = 0.287 (maintained for up to 2 h of incubation) to P = 0.225 after 20 h was observed for both experimental and control samples. Moreover, fluorescence polarization studies of the nonpenetrating modified DPH cationic lipid probe, 1-[4′-trimethylaminophenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH), also failed to show any change in lipid fluidity subsequent to a 1–3 h incubation of lymphocytes with concanavalin A. Cell electrophoretic mobility, however, was altered (mean cell mobility increased by 10–15%) in a fast response to stimulation and was observed within several hours of in vitro application of concanavalin A and purified protein derivative. This initial response disappeared with further incubation at 37°C (>3 h) and was followed by a decline of cellular mobility of the concanavalin A-exposed cells after 48 and 72 h of incubation. The unstimulated control cells did not change in mobility as a function of incubation time. The slow decline in mean cell mobility of the experimental cells is believed to be associated with blastogenesis. It is concluded that neither blastogenic transformation nor short term membrane alterations associated with human lymphocyte activation lead to lipid fluidity changes as measured in steady state by the fluorescence polarization of both DPH and TMA-DPH.     

Co-Crystalization and In Vitro Biological Characterization of 5-Aryl-4-(5-Substituted-2-4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3-Thiadiazole Hsp90 Inhibitors

A potential therapeutic strategy for targeting cancer that has gained much interest is the inhibition of the ATP binding and ATPase activity of the molecular chaperone Hsp90. We have determined the structure of the human Hsp90α N-terminal domain in complex with a series of 5-aryl-4-(5-substituted-2-4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3-thiadiazoles. The structures provide the molecular details for the activity of these inhibitors. One of these inhibitors, ICPD 34, causes a structural change that affects a mobile loop, which adopts a conformation similar to that seen in complexes with ADP, rather than the conformation generally seen with the pyrazole/isoxazole-resorcinol class of inhibitors. Competitive binding to the Hsp90 N-terminal domain was observed in a biochemical assay, and these compounds showed antiproliferative activity and induced apoptosis in the HCT116 human colon cancer cell line. These inhibitors also caused induction of the heat shock response with the upregulation of Hsp72 and Hsp27 protein expression and the depletion of Hsp90 clients, CRAF, ERBB2 and CDK4, thus confirming that antiproliferative activity was through the inhibition of Hsp90. The presence of increased levels of the cleavage product of PARP indicated apoptosis in response to Hsp90 inhibitors. This work provides a framework for the further optimization of thiadiazole inhibitors of Hsp90. Importantly, we demonstrate that the thiadiazole inhibitors display a more limited core set of interactions relative to the clinical trial candidate NVP-AUY922, and consequently may be less susceptible to resistance derived through mutations in Hsp90.     

Non-indigenous fish in the northern branch of the central European invasion corridor

The assessment of risks associated with non-indigenous species implies a detailed knowledge of their taxonomical composition and distribution within a certain region. The northern branch of the central European ‘invasion corridor’—a series of canals connecting different watersheds—has formed an important migratory route for Ponto-Caspian fish (i.e. fish from the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea). However, the current status of non-indigenous fish species in this region is very scarce. This article presents a comprehensive overview of recent distribution data of non-indigenous fish species in the northern branch of the central European invasion corridor. Here, extensive data are integrated based on studies performed during 2003–2014 comprising reliable published and unpublished records from the last 12 years. Altogether, ten non-indigenous fish species were currently found in the northern branch of the central European invasion corridor, constituting 19 % of its freshwater fish diversity. Three species, including the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), and the Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii), are considered invasive species. Eight species may potentially invade this region in the near future. A comparison of the history of non-indigenous fish species introduction in the inland waters of the northern branch and other countries of the central European invasion corridor revealed similar introduction trends. Potential expansion of non-indigenous fish species across the central European invasion corridor has international implications that require awareness, cooperation, and government support from each individual country. Disclosure of recently operating vectors for non-indigenous fish introductions within the central European invasion corridor will help predict and prevent their further spread and establishment in this region.     

Spectral dependence of energy transfer in wild-type peripheral light-harvesting complexes of photosynthetic bacteria

The precise position of the upper exciton component and relevant vibronic transitions of the B850 ring in peripheral light-harvesting complexes from purple photosynthetic bacteria are important values for determining the exciton bandwidth and electronic structure of the B850 ring. To determine the presence of these components in wild-type LH2 complexes the pump-probe femtosecond transient spectra obtained with excitation into the 730-840 nm spectral range are analyzed. We show that at excitation wavelengths less than 780 nm B850 absorption bands are present and that, in accordance with exciton theory, these bands peak further in the blue when the lowest optically allowed transition is more red-shifted.     

Thermodynamics of aryl-dihydroxyphenyl-thiadiazole binding to human Hsp90

The design of specific inhibitors against the Hsp90 chaperone and other enzyme relies on the detailed and correct understanding of both the thermodynamics of inhibitor binding and the structural features of the protein-inhibitor complex. Here we present a detailed thermodynamic study of binding of aryl-dihydroxyphenyl-thiadiazole inhibitor series to recombinant human Hsp90 alpha isozyme. The inhibitors are highly potent, with the intrinsic K(d) approximately equal to 1 nM as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and thermal shift assay (TSA). Dissection of protonation contributions yielded the intrinsic thermodynamic parameters of binding, such as enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, and the heat capacity. The differences in binding thermodynamic parameters between the series of inhibitors revealed contributions of the functional groups, thus providing insight into molecular reasons for improved or diminished binding efficiency. The inhibitor binding to Hsp90 alpha primarily depended on a large favorable enthalpic contribution combined with the smaller favorable entropic contribution, thus suggesting that their binding was both enthalpically and entropically optimized. The enthalpy-entropy compensation phenomenon was highly evident when comparing the inhibitor binding enthalpies and entropies. This study illustrates how detailed thermodynamic analysis helps to understand energetic reasons for the binding efficiency and develop more potent inhibitors that could be applied for therapeutic use as Hsp90 inhibitors.     

Automated multi-dimensional liquid chromatography: sample preparation and identification of peptides from human blood filtrate

A comprehensive on-line sample clean-up with an integrated two-dimensional HPLC system was developed for the analysis of natural peptides. Samples comprised of endogenous peptides with molecular weights up to 20 kDa were generated from human hemofiltrate (HF) obtained from patients with chronic renal failure. The (poly-)peptides were separated using novel silica-based restricted access materials with strong cation-exchange functionalities (SCX-RAM). The size-selective sample fractionation step is followed by cation-exchange chromatography as the first dimension. The subsequent second dimension of separation is based on hydrophobic interaction using four parallel short reversed-phase (RP) columns implemented via a fully automated column switching technique. More than 1000 peaks were resolved within the total analysis time of 96 min. Substances of selected peaks were sampled to analyse their molecular weights by off-line MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and to determine their amino acid sequence by Edman degradation. The potential for comprehensive peptide mapping and identification is demonstrated.     

Restitution and genetic differentiation of salmon populations in the southern Baltic genotyped with the Atlantic salmon 7K SNP array

Background

Native populations of Atlantic salmon in Poland, from the southern Baltic region, became extinct in the 1980s. Attempts to restitute salmon populations in Poland have been based on a Latvian salmon population from the Daugava river. Releases of hatchery reared smolts started in 1986, but to date, only one population with confirmed natural reproduction has been observed in the Slupia river. Our aim was to investigate the genetic differentiation of salmon populations in the southern Baltic using a 7K SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) array in order to assess the impact of salmon restitution in Poland.

Methods

One hundred and forty salmon samples were collected from: the Polish Slupia river including wild salmon and individuals from two hatcheries, the Swedish Morrum river and the Lithuanian Neman river. All samples were genotyped using an Atlantic salmon 7K SNP array. A set of 3218 diagnostic SNPs was used for genetic analyses.

Results

Genetic structure analyses indicated that the individuals from the investigated populations were clustered into three groups i.e. one clade that included individuals from both hatcheries and the wild population from the Polish Slupia river, which was clearly separated from the other clades. An assignment test showed that there were no stray fish from the Morrum or Neman rivers in the sample analyzed from the Slupia river. Global F_ST over polymorphic loci was high (0.177). A strong genetic differentiation was observed between the Lithuanian and Swedish populations (F_ST = 0.28).

Conclusions

Wild juvenile salmon specimens that were sampled from the Slupia river were the progeny of fish released from hatcheries and, most likely, were not progeny of stray fish from Sweden or Lithuania. Strong genetic differences were observed between the salmon populations from the three studied locations. Our recommendation is that future stocking activities that aim at restituting salmon populations in Poland include stocking material from the Lithuanian Neman river because of its closer geographic proximity.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-015-0121-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Fluorescence lifetime imaging to detect actomyosin states in mammalian muscle sarcomeres

We investigated the use of fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) of a fluorescently labeled ATP analog (3'-O-{N-[3-(7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxamido)propyl]carbamoyl}ATP) to probe in permeabilized muscle fibers the changes in the environment of the nucleotide binding pocket caused by interaction with actin. Spatial averaging of FLIM data of muscle sarcomeres reduces photon noise, permitting detailed analysis of the fluorescence decay profiles. FLIM reveals that the lifetime of the nucleotide, in its ADP form because of the low concentration of nucleotide present, changes depending on whether the nucleotide is free in solution or bound to myosin, and on whether the myosin is bound to actin in an actomyosin complex. Characterization of the fluorescence decays by a multiexponential function allowed us to resolve the lifetimes and amplitudes of each of these populations, namely, the fluorophore bound to myosin, bound to actin, in an actomyosin complex, and free in the filament lattice. This novel application of FLIM to muscle fibers shows that with spatial averaging, detailed information about the nature of nucleotide complexes can be derived.     

Comparative measurements of size and polydispersity of several insect viruses

Comparative measurements of the sizes and polydispersity of theTipula iridescent virus and the nuclear polyhedrosis viruses of the gypsy moth and European pine sawfly have been made by laser light-scattering spectroscopy, resistivepulse analysis, and electron microscopy. Size measurements are in substantial agreement by the techniques. Polydisperse components in the various viral preparations are distinctly resolvable by resistive-pulse analysis, are measurable by electron microscopy, but are combined into a weighted average size by laser light-scattering spectroscopy.