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Biosynthesis of violacein: intact incorporation of the tryptophan molecule on the oxindole side, with intramolecular rearrangement of the indole ring on the 5-hydroxyindole side.

Feeding experiments with a mixture of [2-13C]- and [indole-3-13C]tryptophans, of [3-13C]- and [indole-3-13 C]tryptophans (1:1 molar ratio) and of others have proved that the 1,2-shift of the indole ring occurred via an intramolecular process for formation of the left part (5-hydroxyindole side) of the violacein skeleton and demonstrated that the C-C bond from C2 of the indole ring to C2 of the side chain was completely retained for formation of the right part (oxindole side) during the entire biosynthetic process. Due to the involvement of transaminase, it has remained unresolved whether indolylpyruvic acid is the biosynthetic intermediate and/or from where the nitrogen atom of the pyrrolidone ring originates. An incorporation experiment with a mixture of [2-13C]- and [alpha-15N]tryptophans (1:1 molar ratio) verified that the nitrogen atom in the central ring was exclusively derived from the right-side tryptophan. Thus, all the carbon and nitrogen atoms in the right part of the violacein skeleton were constructed by intact incorporation of the tryptophan molecule, with decarboxylation probably occurring at a later biosynthetic stage.

Base Sequence↗

Microbial hydroxylation of indole to 7-hydroxyindole by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain 4-1-5.

A screening study yielded Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain 4-1-5, which is capable of hydroxylating indole to 7-hydroxyindole. Strain 4-1-5 grew on terephthalate as the sole source of carbon and energy and hydroxylated indole to 7-hydroxyindole by cometabolism of indole using terephthalate as cosubstrate. Strain 4-1-5 produced 0.574 mM of 7-hydroxyindole at 2.38 mM indole in 24 h with the cell growth.

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus↗

Reactivity of indole derivatives towards oxygenated radicals.

The reactivity of a series of indole derivatives was assessed in the following systems: (i) oxidation of the indole derivatives induced by the thermolysis of 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) (ABAP); (ii) oxidation of cumene induced by the thermolysis of 2,2'-azobis-(2-methyl propionitrile) (AIBN); (iii) lysozyme inactivation induced by the thermolysis of ABAP and (iv) brain homogenate autoxidation. In systems (ii) to (iv), addition of the indole derivatives decreases the rate of the process. The data obtained indicate that common factors (i.e., oxidation potential and presence of N-H bonds) control the reactivity of the indole derivatives in the four systems considered. However, in the brain homogenate autoxidation, hydrophobicity is an additional factor that affects the efficiency of antioxidants, as illustrated by Q1/2 values (the concentration of additive required to decrease the autoxidation rate to one half that observed in the absence of additive) of 0.1 mM and much greater than 8 mM for 3-methylindole and tryptophan, respectively.

Animals↗

Cannabimimetic indoles, pyrroles and indenes.

In the course of efforts to develop new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, it was discovered that 1-aminoalkyl-3-aroylindoles have affinity for the cannabinoid brain (CB1) receptor. This led to the synthesis of well over 100 cannabimimetic aminoalkylindoles by the group at Sterling Winthrop, and to the development of structure-activity relationships (SAR) for these compounds. These SAR require a heterocyclic aminoethyl group attached to the indole nitrogen, and a 1-naphthoyl group at C-3 for significant receptor affinity. Other workers subsequently demonstrated that an aminoalkyl group was not necessary for cannabinoid activity, but that an N-alkyl group of four to six carbons was sufficient. This led to the discovery that 1-propyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole is a selective ligand for the peripheral cannabinoid (CB2) receptor, and to the development of a series of cannabimimetic pyrroles. Comprehensive SAR for this group of cannabinoids have been developed. Two groups have described cannabimimetic indenes, which have been employed as rigid models for the receptor interactions of cannabimimetic indoles with the CB1 receptor. There is some evidence that the indoles interact at a somewhat different site on the receptor than traditional cannabinoids.

Animals↗

New indole, aminoindole and pyranoindole derivatives with anti-inflammatory activity.

6-Methoxy-1-methyl-2,3-diphenyl indol-5-carboxaldehyde (2) was demethylated to give the 6-hydroxy derivative (3) which was cyclized to the pyrano[3,2-f]indole derivatives (4a-d) by the action of ethyl acetoacetate, diethyl malonate, malononitrile, ethyl cyanoacetate. When 4c was boiled in acetic acid, it gave 4d. Reduction of 4c by sodium borohydride yielded the orthoaminonitrile (5). Friedel Craft's acetylation of 1b yielded the 5-acetyl derivative (6), which reacted with hydrazine hydrate, o-toluidine and o-aminophenol to afford (7a-c). Demethylation of (1b) yielded the hydroxyl derivative (8), which differs from compound (9) obtained by demethylation of 6-methoxy-2,3-diphenyl-indole (1a). Friedel Craft's acetylation of 9 gave the 7-acetyl compound (10) which yielded the hydrazone (11). The reaction of primary aromatic amines, (i.e. p-nitroaniline, p-anisidine and p-bromo aniline) with 6-methoxy-1-methyl-2,3-diphenyl-indol-5-carboxaldehyde (2) gave the Schiff bases (12a-c). The latter compounds were reduced by sodium borohydride to yield the corresponding Mannich bases (13a-c). Treatment of 12a-c with thioglycolic acid led to the thiazolidin-4-one-derivatives (14a-c). When (12a-c) reacted with cyanoacetamide, the amino group was replaced by the active methylene to form the cyano compound (15). The structure was confirmed by reacting the carboxaldehyde (2) with cyanoacetamide to yield (15). Pharmacological screening was has been carried out to test the anti-inflammatory activity, ulcerogenecity, effect on the isolated rabbit intestine and the antispasmodic activity.

Animals↗

Unsymmetrical methylene derivatives of indoles as antiproliferative agents.

Indole-3-carbinol is a natural product which has been shown to reduce the incidence of spontaneous and carcinogen-induced mammary tumours in animals. Eighteen unsymmetrical methylene derivatives of indoles were prepared by reaction of Mannich bases of 7-hydroxycoumarins with substituted indoles in acetic or propionic anhydride. The synthesised molecules were tested in vitro against the MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines by MTT and cell count assays. Results from 16 tested compounds showed that 60% of them exerted some effects against the MDA-MB-231 compared to about 30% towards the MCF7. Among all, the 3-(7'-acetoxy-4-methylcoumarin-8'-yl)methyl-2-methylindole resulted the most effective in both cell lines, compared to indole-3-carbinol. In conclusion, these preliminary results report that some of these compounds might be promising potential antiproliferative agents.

Adenocarcinoma↗

In vitro and in vivo assessment of the antioxidant activity of melatonin and related indole derivatives.

Effects of melatonin and some structurally related indole compounds were studied by in vitro methods such as (i) an inhibition of the hyaluronic acid degradation and (ii) a standard lipid peroxidation assay. In vivo approach was based on the alloxan model of hyperglycaemia. Reduction of the viscosity of a hyaluronic acid solution in the reaction mixture was inhibited by tryptamine (91% inhibition), as well as by indole-3-carboxylic acid and indomethacin (80% and 77% inhibition, respectively). Lipid peroxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide as a source of radicals was followed by the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Tested drugs inhibited lipid peroxidation in the order: tryptamine (59%) > indole-2-carboxylic acid (38%) > indomethacin (26%) > melatonin and indole-3-carboxylic acid (13%). In vivo, alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia was reduced in mice pretreated with drugs tested. The highest protective effect was observed with indomethacin (52% inhibition), followed by tryptamine and melatonin (18% and 16% inhibition, respectively).

Alloxan↗

Antiproliferative and cancer chemopreventive activity of phytoalexins: focus on indole phytoalexins from crucifers.

Phytoalexins are produced by plants after exposure to physical, biological or chemical stress and a specific group of these metabolites represent indole phytoalexins produced by important plants of the family Cruciferae. With respect to the epidemiologically proven cancer chemopreventive properties of brassica vegetables, antiproliferative and anticarcinogenic activities of indole phytoalexins have been studied. Several indole phytoalexins (i.e. brassinin, spirobrassinin, brassilexin, camalexin, 1-methoxyspirobrassinin, 1-methoxyspirobrassinol and methoxyspirobrassinol methyl ether) have been found to possess significant antiproliferative activity against various cancer cells and this activity is supposed to be associated with the modulation of activity of transcription factors regulating cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis. Indole phytoalexins (i.e. cyclobrassinin, spirobrassinin, brassinin) also exhibited cancer chemopreventive activity in models of mammary and skin carcinogenesis. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanism of action of such drugs and their structure-activity relationships is necessary for development new derivatives with more favourable profile of antiproliferative and chemopreventive activities.

Animals↗

Characterization of indole-2-carboxylate derivatives as antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity at the associated glycine recognition site.

We have synthesized a series of indole-2-carboxylate derivatives and, with the use of radioligand binding, electrophysiological techniques and an in vivo transient bilateral carotid occlusion model of ischemic damage known to be sensitive to NMDA antagonists, have evaluated the indole-2-carboxylate derivatives ability to inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity through the associated glycine modulatory site. By using [3H]glycine to label this modulatory site, we found that the compounds with the highest affinity (Ki less than 1 microM) contained a chloro group at position C-6 and a polar, hydrogen-bond-accepting group at position C-3 of the indole ring. When these compounds were tested for their ability to modulate [3H]MK-801 [(+)-[3H]-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclophepten-5,10- imine maleate) binding, a functional assessment of NMDA receptor activation, binding was inhibited, indicative of NMDA receptor antagonist character. Schild regression analysis indicated that this antagonism was competitive with glycine. Next, several of these indole-2-carboxylate derivatives were analyzed electrophysiologically in rat cortex mRNA-injected Xenopus oocytes shown to express a functional NMDA receptor channel complex. These compounds inhibited NMDA receptor activity in a manner noncompetitive with NMDA. They also produced a parallel right-ward shift in the glycine dose response for potentiation of the NMDA responses in the oocytes and thus provided further evidence for a competitive interaction at the glycine site. Finally, in vivo transient bilateral carotid artery occlusion experiments revealed that these compounds were capable of reducing the damage typically associated with an ischemic insult in Mongolian gerbil hippocampal neurons.

Animals↗

Acute hemolytic anemia induced by oral administration of indole in ponies.

Eight ponies were allotted to 2 groups of 4. Group-1 ponies (1-4) were given 0.2 g of indole/kg of body weight orally and group-2 ponies (5 to 8) were given 0.1 g of indole/kg. Various physical, hematologic, and physiologic measurements were obtained after administration of indole. Intravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuria were detected in both groups within 24 hours of dosing. Hemolysis was reflected by decreases in PCV, hemoglobin concentration, and RBC count, and an increase in indirect bilirubin. Erythrocyte fragility appeared to increase in both groups at 8 hours after dosing and peaked at 16 hours after dosing. At 72 hours after dosing, the RBC fragility value was less than predose measurements. Heinz body formation was noticed in group-2 ponies, but not in group 1. Plasma indole concentrations increased in both groups from the nondetectable predose concentrations. Group-1 values were 203% of group-2 values. In group 2, plasma indole was nondetectable by 12 hours, whereas low concentrations could still be measured in the group-1 ponies at 24 hours. Ponies in group 1 died or were euthanatized between 24 and 72 hours after dosing, whereas group-2 ponies were euthanatized between 48 and 120 hours. At necropsy, all body fat, mucous membranes, and elastic tissue were stained yellow. Hemoglobinuric nephrosis was the most prominent microscopic lesion. Results of this study indicated that indole, a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan, causes acute intravascular hemolysis in ponies.

Acute Disease↗

Stability of mutagenic nitrosated products of indole compounds occurring in vegetables.

Levels of indolylglucosinolates in Brassica vegetables correlated significantly with the amounts of N-nitroso compounds formed in these vegetables after nitrite treatment. Nitrosation of indole-3-carbinol, indole-3-acetonitrile and indole, hydrolysis products of an indolylglucosinolate, resulted in formation of nitrosated products, which were directly mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA100. The nitrosated products were unstable at pH 2 but stable at pH 8. Experiments to elucidate the mechanisms behind these differences in stability showed an equilibrium between the nitrosated indole compound and the free compound plus nitrite.

Brassica↗

Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-induced cell killing by tryptophan and indole.

Cells sensitive to the cytocidal effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were protected against this effect when growth in the presence of elevated concentrations of tryptophan. Several other indole derivatives also provided protection against TNF cytotoxicity. Most effective were indole itself and its monomethyl derivatives, providing a degree of protection greatly exceeding that observed with tryptophan. Protection was also observed against the cytocidal effect of TNF applied in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor. The protective effect of tryptophan was largely dependent on preexposure of the cells, for several hours, to a high concentration of this amino acid. On the other hand, indole was protective also when applied to cells together with TNF, or even two hours after TNF application. The inhibition of the cytotoxicity of TNF by tryptophan and other indole derivatives may serve as a useful experimental tool in exploring the mechanisms and the physiological implications of TNF cytotoxicity.

Animals↗

Enzymatic production of L-tryptophan from DL-serine and indole by a coupled reaction of tryptophan synthase and amino acid racemase.

Enzymatic production of L-tryptophan from DL-serine and indole by a coupled reaction of tryptophan synthase and amino acid racemase was studied. The tryptophan synthase (EC 4.2.1.20) of Escherichia coli catalyzed beta-substitution reaction of L-serine into L-tryptophan and the amino acid racemase (EC 5.1.1.10) of Pseudomonas putida catalyzed the racemization of D-serine simultaneously in one reactor. Under optimal conditions established for L-tryptophan production, a large-scale production of L-tryptophan was carried out in a 200-liter reactor using intact cells of E. coli and P. putida. After 24 h of incubation with intermittent indole feeding, 110 g liter-1 of L-tryptophan was formed in molar yields of 91 and 100% for added DL-serine and indole, respectively. Continuous production of L-tryptophan was also carried out using immobilized cells of E. coli and P. putida. The maximum concentration of L-tryptophan formed was 5.2 g liter-1 (99% molar yield for indole), and the concentration decreased to 4.2 g liter-1 after continuous operation for 20 days.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗

[High performance liquid chromatographic studies of indole alkaloids].

The chromatographic behavior and the relationship between the retention and the structure of 16 indole alkaloids were investigated on a mu-Bondapak C18 column at different pH with different volume ratios of 0.02 mol/L KH2PO4-CH3OH as mobile phase and a photodiode array detector (DAD) was used. The experimental results demonstrate that the plots of the logarithm of capacity factor k' of the indole alkaloids are nonlinear in the volume fraction of methanol and the capacity factors increase with increasing pH of buffer solution from 2 to 6 then decrease. The effect of different kinds of buffer solution on k' has also been examined. Phosphate and citrate buffer showed stronger elution strength for various indole alkaloids but acetate buffer was shown to be relatively weak. Increase of phosphate buffer concentration gives a little decrease on k'. These results indicate that the optimized separation of 12 indole alkaloids studied in this work can be carried out isocratically in the system of pH 7.5 phosphate buffer-methanol (30:70) on a mu-Bondapak C18 column.

Buffers↗

Some indolic compounds as markers of the melanocyte activity.

The melanocyte activity was studied by analysis of the urinary excretion of indolic and cysteinyldopa compounds. One eumelanin marker, 5,6-dihydroxy-indole-2-carboxylic acid was identified and quantified in normal urine. However, its low concentration and sensitivity to oxidation made it less suitable for clinical studies. A methylated derivative of this substance, 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (6H5MI-2-C), was also demonstrated in normal urine. A quantitative method was worked out and the normal urinary concentration of this substance was as high as the concentration of 5-S-cysteinyldopa. The concentrations of the eumelanic marker 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid and the pheomelanic marker 5-S-cysteinyldopa were determined in the urine of psoriasis patients during PUVA treatment and also in the urine of subjects with different skin colour. The melanocyte activity in albinotic patients and in albinotic mice was studied by the same technique. Some in vitro experiments were performed to show that 5-S-glutathionyldopa has the molecular properties of forming a mercapto-substituted indole derivative. The following main conclusions were drawn: 1. 5,6-Dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid and 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid are both present in measurable amounts in normal urine. 2. The urinary concentration of 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid increased during PUVA treatment in a similar way as for 5-S-cysteinyldopa. 3. The eumelanic marker 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid was excreted in larger quantities by people with genetically dark skin, whereas the pheomelanic marker 5-S-cysteinyldopa was not related to pigment type. 4. In the urine of one albino patient and in the urine of albinotic mice a total absence of 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid was found. The urinary concentrations of 5-S-cysteinyldopa in these subjects were measurable but lower than in pigmented subjects. Thus, 6-hydroxy-5-methoxy-indole-2-carboxylic acid seems to be a more specific melanocyte marker than the cysteinyldopas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Albinism↗

Indole positive variant of Shigella boydii 1.

In a home for mentally handicapped children indole positive variants of Shigella boydii 1 were isolated beside indole negative strains of the same serotype. The variants differed from the indole negative counterparts in fermenting dulcitol, raffinose, and in the absence of splitting trehalose. In antigenic structure the indole positive variant was identical with the type strain. The isolates gave positive guinea pig eye test.

Enteritis↗

[Indole melanogens--useful tumor markers in malignant melanoma?].

The concentrations of indole melanogens have been measured in 24-hour urine samples of 44 patients suffering from malignant melanoma, clinical stages I to IV, and 23 healthy test persons (control group). With regard to the controls, the urinary concentration of indole melanogens amounted to 3.8 +/- 1.329 micrograms/ml; the excretion was 5.41 +/- 1.941 mg daily. In patients with localized malignant melanoma, the concentration of indole melanogens did not differ from the control group. Highly significant levels, however, were measured in patients with generalized disease (7.76 micrograms/ml and 6.85 mg daily). Tyrosin orally given (7 g on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th day of the collecting period) did not elevate the urinary excretion of indole melanogens in any of the test groups. These results indicate that the applied procedure does not present any fundamental advantage for clinical oncology.

Adult↗

Tryptophan metabolism in a patient with phenylketonuria and scleroderma: a proposed explanation of the indole defect in phenylketonuria.

Phenylketonuria and severe focal scleroderma were observed in a white male child. This is the first instance in which the association of these two rare disorders has been reported. Studies carried out on this patient provide a possible explanation for the abnormalities of indole metabolism in phenylketonuria. On an unrestricted diet, when serum phenylalanine levels were elevated, excessive urinary excretion of indolic tryptophan metabolites was seen 18-24 hours after oral tryptophan loading, and tryptophan was demonstrable in the stool. This was not observed when the serum phenylalanine was within normal limits on a low phenylalanine diet. Impaired intestinal tryptophan absorption secondary to elevated serum phenylalanine, by providing tryptophan substrate for bacterial degradation to indolic compounds which are absorbed and excreted in the urine, may partially explain the abnormalities of indole metabolism in phenylketonuria.

Chromatography, Paper↗