Synthesis of Zidovudine Derivatives with Anti-HIV-1 and Antibacterial Activities

Twelve novel zidovudine derivatives were prepared by modifying 5 ′-hydroxyl group of sugar moiety (1–8) and 5-methyl group of thymidine nucleus (9–12) and characterized spectrally. The compounds were evaluated for anti-HIV-1, antitubercular and antibacterial activities. Compound (3-azido-tetrahydro-5- (3,4-dihydro-5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin- 1 (2H)-yl) furan-2-yl)methyl 7- (4- (2-phenylacetoyloxy) -3,5- dimethylpiperazin-1-yl) -5- (2-phenylacetoyloxyamino) -1-cyclopropyl-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate (5) was found to be the most potent anti-HIV-1 agent with EC₅₀ of 0.0012 μM against HIV-1_IIIB and CC₅₀ of 34.05 μM against MT-4 with selectivity index of 28,375. Compound 5 inhibited Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC of 1.72 μM and inhibited four pathogenic bacteria with MIC of less than 1 μM.     

Tryptophan to Glycine mutation in the position 116 leads to protein aggregation and decreases the stability of the LITAF protein

Mutations in the gene-encoding vesicle lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor (LITAF) protein cause Charcot–Marie–Tooth type 1C (CMT1C) disease, a neurological disorder. The LITAF gene is mapped to chromosome number 16 and can be found at cytogenetic location 16p13 of the chromosome. CMT1C-linked small integral membrane protein of lysosome/late endosome mutants are loss-of-function mutants that act in a dominant negative manner to impair endosomal trafficking, leading to prolonged extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 signaling downstream of ErbB activation. Mutation W116G in the LITAF decreases the stability of the protein and also interrupts the functioning of gene. We have analyzed the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) results of 28 nsSNPs obtained from dbSNP. We also carried out multiple molecular dynamics simulations of 200 ns and obtained results of root-mean-square deviation, root-mean-square fluctuation, radius of gyration, solvent-accessible surface area, H-bond, and principal component analysis to check and prove the stability of both the wild type and the mutant. The protein was then checked for its aggregation and the results showed loss of helix. The loss of helix leads to the instability of the protein.     

Actomyosin contraction during cellularization is regulated in part by Src64 control of Actin 5C protein levels

Src64 is required for actomyosin contraction during cellularization of the Drosophila embryonic blastoderm. The mechanism of actomyosin ring constriction is poorly understood even though a number of cytoskeletal regulators have been implicated in the assembly, organization, and contraction of these microfilament rings. How these cytoskeletal processes are regulated during development is even less well understood. To investigate the role of Src64 as an upstream regulator of actomyosin contraction, we conducted a proteomics screen to identify proteins whose expression levels are controlled by src64. Global levels of actin are reduced in src64 mutant embryos. Furthermore, we show that reduction of the actin isoform Actin 5C causes defects in actomyosin contraction during cellularization similar to those caused by src64 mutation, indicating that a relatively high level of Actin 5C is required for normal actomyosin contraction and furrow canal structure. However, reduction of Actin 5C levels only slows down actomyosin ring constriction rather than preventing it, suggesting that src64 acts not only to modulate actin levels, but also to regulate the actomyosin cytoskeleton by other means.     

Hepatopancreas but not ovary is the site of vitellogenin synthesis in female fresh water crab, Oziothelphusa senex senex

The objective of the present study was to explore the site of synthesis of vitellogenin (Vtg) in fresh water edible crab, Oziothelphusa senex senex. Vtg cDNA fragments were isolated from the hepatopancreas of female crabs using RT-PCR method, and the deduced amino acid sequence of O. senex senex showed more than 60% identity with other brachyuran Vtg sequences. RT-PCR analysis showed that Vtg mRNA can be detected only in hepatopancreas of female Oziothelphusa but not in other tissues including eyestalks, Y-organs, mandibular organs, thoracic ganglion, hypodermis and ovary. Antibodies were raised against vitellin purified from the ovary of O. senex senex. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed the presence of Vtg in the hepatopancreas of vitellogenic stage I females and in the hemolymph, hepatopancreas and ovary extracts from vitellogenic stage II females but absent in hemolymph and hepatopancreas extract of males. These results suggest that Vtg is synthesized only in hepatopancreas but not in the ovaries of O. senex senex. In addition, Vtg synthesized in hepatopancreas is transported to ovary through hemolymph.     

Coordinated regulation of Toll-like receptor and NOD2 signaling by K63-linked polyubiquitin chains

K63 polyubiquitin chains spatially and temporally link innate immune signaling effectors such that cytokine release can be coordinated. Crohn's disease is a prototypical inflammatory disorder in which this process may be faulty as the major Crohn's disease-associated protein, NOD2 (nucleotide oligomerization domain 2), regulates the formation of K63-linked polyubiquitin chains on the I kappa kinase (IKK) scaffolding protein, NEMO (NF-kappaB essential modifier). In this work, we study these K63-linked ubiquitin networks to begin to understand the biochemical basis for the signaling cross talk between extracellular pathogen Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and intracellular pathogen NOD receptors. This work shows that TLR signaling requires the same ubiquitination event on NEMO to properly signal through NF-kappaB. This ubiquitination is partially accomplished through the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF6. TRAF6 is activated by NOD2, and this activation is lost with a major Crohn's disease-associated NOD2 allele, L1007insC. We further show that TRAF6 and NOD2/RIP2 share the same biochemical machinery (transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 [TAK1]/TAB/Ubc13) to activate NF-kappaB, allowing TLR signaling and NOD2 signaling to synergistically augment cytokine release. These findings suggest a biochemical mechanism for the faulty cytokine balance seen in Crohn's disease.     

Purification, cDNA structure and biological significance of a single insulin-like growth factor-binding domain protein (SIBD-1) identified in the hemocytes of the spider Cupiennius salei

Cupiennius salei single insulin-like growth factor-binding domain protein (SIBD-1), which exhibits an IGFBP N-terminal domain-like profile, was identified in the hemocytes of the spider C. salei. SIBD-1 was purified by RP-HPLC and the sequence determined by a combination of Edman degradation and 5′–3′- RACE PCR. The peptide (8676.08 Da) is composed of 78 amino acids, contains six intrachain disulphide bridges and carries a modified Thr residue at position 2. SIBD-1 mRNA expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR mainly in hemocytes, but also in the subesophageal nerve mass and muscle. After infection, the SIBD-1 content in the hemocytes decreases and, simultaneously, the temporal SIBD-1 expression seems to be down-regulated. Two further peptides, SIBD-2 and IGFBP-rP1, also exhibiting IGFBP N-terminal domain variants with unknown functions, were identified on cDNA level in spider hemocytes and venom glands. We conclude that SIBD-1 may play an important role in the immune system of spiders.     

Structure-guided design of peptide-based tryptase inhibitors

Improved peptide-based inhibitors of human beta tryptase were discovered using information gleaned from tripeptide library screening and structure-guided design methods, including fragment screening. Our efforts sought to improve this class of inhibitors by replacing the traditional Lys or Arg P1 element. The optimized compounds display low nanomolar potency against the mast cell target and several hundred-fold selectivity with respect to serine protease off targets. Thus, replacement of Lys/Arg at P1 in a peptide-like scaffold does not need to be accompanied by a loss in target affinity.