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Structural studies on the murine Ia alloantigens. V. Evidence that the structural gene for the I-E/C beta polypeptide is encoded within the I-A subregion.

The E/C alpha- and beta-subunits of intra-I-region recombinants were analyzed for primary structural variation by comparative tryptic peptide mapping. The E/C alpha-polypeptides from B10.A, B10.A (3R) and B10.A (5R) showed complete coincident elution of peptides; the E/C beta-chains from B10.A and 3R (or 5R) were approximately 40% different. This suggests that the structural gene for the E/C beta-polypeptide is within the I-A subregion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Allo-anti-P1 in a P1-positive person.

An allo-anti-P1 antibody is reported in an elderly Caucasian male with P1+ red cells. There was no suggestion that the antibody was causing haemolysis. The case suggests that a slight structural variation may exist in the patient's B antigen giving a serological false-positive response when typed with reagent anti-P1, or that the patient's anti-P1 is directed against a determinant absent in the patient's own antigen structure.

Blood Group Antigens↗

Limonoids: overview of significant bioactive triterpenes distributed in plants kingdom.

The search for limonoids started long back when scientists started looking for the factor responsible for bitterness in citrus which has negative impact on citrus fruit and juice industry worldwide. The term limonoids was derived from limonin, the first tetranortriterpenoid obtained from citrus bitter principles. Compounds belonging to this group have exhibited a range of biological activities like insecticidal, insect antifeedant and growth regulating activity on insects as well as antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, anticancer, antiviral and a number of other pharmacological activities on humans. Although hundreds of limonoids have been isolated from various plants but, their occurrence in the plant kingdom is confined to only plant families of order Rutales and that too more abundantly in Meliaceae and Rutaceae, and less frequently in Cneoraceae and Harrisonia sp. of Simaroubaceae. Limonoids are highly oxygenated, modified terpenoids with a prototypical structure either containing or derived from a precursor with a 4,4,8-trimethyl-17-furanylsteroid skeleton. All naturally occurring citrus limonoids contain a furan ring attached to the D-ring, at C-17, as well as oxygen containing functional groups at C-3, C-4, C-7, C-16 and C-17. The structural variations of limonoids found in Rutaceae are less than in Meliaceae and are generally limited to the modification of A and B rings, the limonoids of Meliaceae are more complex with very high degree of oxidation and rearrangement exhibited in the parent limonoid structure. To counter the problem of bitterness in citrus juice and products genetic engineering of citrus to maximize the formation of limonoid glucosides for reducing limonoid bitterness is the focus of recent and future research. Regarding the biological activities of limonoids the investigations are to be directed towards detailed characterization, quantification, and designing a simple as well as versatile synthetic route of apparently important limonoids. Extraction methods too should be optimized; evaluation and establishment of pharmaco-dynamic and kinetic principles, and structure activity relationships should be a key goal associated with limonoids so that they can be safely introduced in our arsenal of pharmaceuticals to safeguard the humanity from the wrath of disease and its discomfort.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

The mobilization of intracellular cadmium by butyl and amyl esters of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid.

The esters of the general structure, [CH(SH)COOR]2, i.e., Di-BDMS, R = CH2CH(CH3)2; Ds-BDMS, R = CH(CH3)CH2CH3; Di-ADMS, R = CH2CH2CH(CH3)2; and D3-ADMS, R = CH(CH2CH3)2 from the reaction of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid with isobutyl, sec-butyl, isoamyl, and 3-amyl alcohols, respectively, have been prepared, characterized, and examined as chelating agents for the removal of cadmium from its aged intracellular deposits. All of these compounds depleted cadmium from such deposits and significantly reduced the whole body levels of cadmium. In the case of three (Ds-BDMS, Di-BDMS, and Di-ADMS) of these compounds, the reductions achieved are equal to or greater than that produced by 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol (BAL) under similar circumstances. None of these compounds caused any redistribution of cadmium to the brain, and two of them (Di-BDMS and Di-ADMS) caused a very much larger reduction in the liver levels of cadmium than BAL. None was as effective as BAL in reducing kidney levels of cadmium. These compounds are not soluble in water and are administered as solutions in peanut oil. A comparison of the behavior of these compounds with others which have been reported to be effective in reducing body burdens of cadmium in chronic cadmium intoxication reveals that they are among the most effective. An analysis of the manner in which mobilizing efficacy changes with structure indicates that higher, purely alkyl analogs are not expected to be superior to these compounds, though other structural variations may be.

Animals↗

7-[3-(1-piperidinyl)propoxy]chromenones as potential atypical antipsychotics.

Compound 1 (1-benzyl-3-methyl-4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl]piperazine), a synthetic intermediate identified as a potential atypical antipsychotic, was selected as the starting point for pharmacological improvement. From 1, sequential structural variations were conducted in order to improve its potency and oral bioavailability. These variations included a series of piperazine, ethanediamine, and piperidine derivatives. The piperidine series afforded some orally potent compounds in the inhibition of apomorphine-induced climbing and hyperactivity in mice, which are regarded as behavioral models predictive of antipsychotic efficacy. Further optimization of these structures led to the highly potent 7-[3-(1-piperidinyl)propoxy]chromenones. Inhibition of stereotypies and induction of catalepsy in rats at doses substantially higher than required for inhibition of climbing suggest an atypical antipsychotic profile, which is assumed to predict a reduced induction of extrapyramidal side effects in humans.

Administration, Oral↗

Two novel mutations in the alpha IIb calcium-binding domains identify hydrophobic regions essential for alpha IIbbeta 3 biogenesis.

The recently published crystal structure of the external domains of alphaVbeta3 confirms the prediction that the aminoterminal portion of alphaV, which shares 40% homology with alphaIIb, folds into a beta-propeller structure and that the 4 calcium-binding domains are positioned on the bottom of the propeller. To gain insight into the role of the calcium-binding domains in alphaIIb biogenesis, we characterized mutations in the second and third calcium-binding domains of alphaIIb in 2 patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia. One patient inherited a Val298Phe mutation in the second domain, and the other patient inherited an Ile374Thr mutation in the third domain. Mammalian cell expression studies were performed with normal and mutant alphaIIb and beta3 cDNA constructs. By flow cytometry, expression of alphaIIb Val298Phe/beta3 in transfected cells was 28% of control, and expression of alphaIIbIle374Thr/beta3 was 11% of control. Pulse-chase analyses showed that both mutant pro-alphaIIb subunits are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and degraded. Mutagenesis studies of the Val298 and Ile374 residues showed that these highly conserved, branch-chained hydrophobic residues are essential at these positions and that biogenesis and expression of alphaIIbbeta3 is dramatically affected by structural variations in these regions of the calcium-binding domains. Energy calculations derived from a new model of the alphaIIb beta-propeller indicate that these mutations interfere with calcium binding. These data suggest that the alphaIIb calcium-binding domains play a key structural role in the beta-propeller, and that the structural integrity of the calcium-binding domains is critical for integrin biogenesis.

Binding Sites↗

[New naphthalenic ligands of melatoninergic receptors].

Twenty three naphthalenic bio-isosteres of melatonin have been synthesized. The main structural variations concerned the acylamino substituents of the side chain and the alkoxy group on the 7-position of the naphthalene. Some of these compounds show greater affinity than melatonin itself for the melatonin receptor. The results of this study provide new informations on the structure affinity relationships and on the mode of interaction at the melatonin binding site.

Animals↗

Is quantitative ultrasound dependent on bone structure? A reflection.

Trabecular bone plays a significant role in maintaining bone structural integrity. Its density is a significant determinant of bone strength and fracture risk, but there is still unexplained variance. It has been suggested that the ability to measure structural information will improve the estimation of bone strength and fracture risk. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a mechanical wave that can be influenced by bone structure, in addition to bone mineral density (BMD). This article reviews the evidence in the literature supporting or refuting this assumption. Theoretically, the propagation of QUS is influenced by both structure and density of the medium. QUS measurement in vivo shows weak but significant association with axial BMD. However, the association becomes stronger when measured in vitro. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) exhibits a nonlinear relationship with density over a large density range. When cubes of cancellous bone are measured in the three orthogonal directions, both BUA and speed of sound (SOS) show significant anisotropy which mirrors mechanical anisotropy. QUS has also been shown to correlate significantly with structural parameters measured by histomorphometry. However, structure remains a significant predictor after adjustment for BMD mainly in bovine samples. Other studies using phantoms of bone samples have also demonstrated that QUS is dependent on structure. There is preliminary indication that fractal dimensions are significantly associated with QUS. The ultimate usefulness of structural dependence of QUS will be in its ability to improve bone strength estimation above and beyond density. There is ample evidence documenting the ability of QUS to predict bone strength in vitro. BMD is a significant predictor of bone strength and the additive value of structure in estimating bone strength is variable. Clinically, ultrasound of the calcaneus is measured in one direction (medio-lateral) and the structural variation in this direction may be limited. Nevertheless, QUS can provide useful additional information to that provided by axial BMD due in part to different precision and accuracy errors and to biological discordance. On the whole one could conclude that ultrasound attenuation is due to structural parameters and these variables are also dependent on density.

Anisotropy↗

A general synthesis of structurally diverse building blocks for preparing analogues of C-linked antifreeze glycoproteins.

A synthetic methodology to afford unusual glycoconjugate building blocks useful for the solid-phase synthesis of C-linked antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) analogues is described. Such compounds are urgently required in order to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which AFGPs function. All reactions are general in nature and accommodate structural variation in the carbohydrate moiety, polypeptide backbone, and amino acid side chain.

Antifreeze Proteins↗

From a phagostimulant natural product to semisynthetic antifeedants against Spodoptera littoralis larvae: chemical transformations of the neoclerodane diterpenoid scutegalin B.

Scutegalin B (4), a natural neoclerodane diterpenoid possessing phagostimulant activity against larvae of the lepidopteran Spodoptera littoralis, has been subjected to a series of chemical transformations obtaining several derivatives. The activity of some of these changes to antifeedant (10, 12, 16, and 17), although other derivatives are inactive (6, 7, and 15) or maintain phagostimulant activity (8 and 9) of the starting material (4). The most potent antifeedant was 16, which possesses 16,15-lactone and a (19S)-19, 2alpha-hemiacetal groups instead of the 16,15-lactol and (19R)-(19-O-tigloyl)19,2alpha-hemiacetal of the phagostimulant precursor 4. These and other structure-activity relationships are discussed, establishing that the biological action is strongly modulated by minimal structural variations.

Agrochemicals↗

Thyroid hormone ligands and metabolic diseases.

Thyroid hormones regulate fundamental genes involved in the metabolism, development and homeostasis of vertebrates. The endogenous hormones, L-3, 5, 3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T(3)) and L-3, 5, 3', 5'-tetraiodo-L-thyronine (T(4)), are of limited use in pharmacological intervention, mainly due to cardiovascular liabilities. There exist two subtypes of thyroid hormone receptors (TR), alpha and beta, unequally distributed in the body. As TRalpha is most abundant in the heart and most effects of thyroid hormones on the heart are mediated through TRalpha, a reasonable strategy is the development of TR agonists that either are tissue selective or that interact selectively with TRbeta. The prospects for the treatment of metabolic diseases with such ligands are considerable and this review describes the massive efforts of the academic and industrial communities during the last decade. It is, however, the author's view that the development of selective ligands only is in its infancy, an opinion highlighted by the limited chemical structural variation of TR ligands as well as the present lack of TR ligands for the treatment of metabolic diseases in clinical phases.

Animals↗

Sex-specific quantitative trait loci contribute to normal variation in bone structure at the proximal femur in men.

Bone structure is an important determinant of osteoporotic fracture. In women, bone structure is highly heritable, and several quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been reported. There are few comparable data in men. This study in men aimed at establishing the heritability of bone structure at the proximal femur, identifying QTL contributing to normal variation in bone structure, and determining which QTL might be sex-specific. Bone structure at the proximal femur was measured in 205 pairs of brothers age 18-61. Heritability was calculated, and linkage analysis performed on phenotypes at the proximal femur. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.99 to 0.39. A genome wide scan identified suggestive QTL (LOD>2.2) for femoral shaft width on chromosome 14q (LOD=2.69 at position 99 cM), calcar femorale at chromosome 2p (LOD=3.97 at position 194 cM) and at the X chromosome (LOD=3.01 at position 77 cM), femoral neck width on chromosome 5p (LOD=2.28 at position 0 cM), femoral head width on chromosome 11q (LOD=2.30 at position 131 cM) and 15q (LOD=3.11 at position 90 cM), and pelvic axis length on chromosome 4q (LOD=4.16 at position 99 cM) and 17q (LOD=2.80 at position 112 cM). Comparison with published data in 437 pairs of premenopausal sisters from the same geographical region suggested that 3 of the 7 autosomal QTL were male-specific. This study demonstrates that bone structure at the proximal femur in healthy men is highly heritable. The occurrence of sex-specific genes in humans for bone structure has important implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Adult↗

Weak protein-protein interactions in lectins: the crystal structure of a vegetative lectin from the legume Dolichos biflorus.

The legume lectins are widely used as a model system for studying protein-carbohydrate and protein-protein interactions. They exhibit a fascinating quaternary structure variation, which becomes important when they interact with multivalent glycoconjugates, for instance those on cell surfaces. Recently, it has become clear that certain lectins form weakly associated oligomers. This phenomenon may play a role in the regulation of receptor crosslinking and subsequent signal transduction. The crystal structure of DB58, a dimeric lectin from the legume Dolichos biflorus reveals a separate dimer of a previously unobserved type, in addition to a tetramer consisting of two such dimers. This tetramer resembles that formed by DBL, the seed lectin from the same plant. A single amino acid substitution in DB58 affects the conformation and flexibility of a loop in the canonical dimer interface. This disrupts the formation of a stable DBL-like tetramer in solution, but does not prohibit its formation in suitable conditions, which greatly increases the possibilities for the cross-linking of multivalent ligands. The non-canonical DB58 dimer has a buried symmetrical alpha helix, which can be present in the crystal in either of two antiparallel orientations. Two existing structures and datasets for lectins with similar quaternary structures were reconsidered. A central alpha helix could be observed in the soybean lectin, but not in the leucoagglutinating lectin from Phaseolus vulgaris. The relative position and orientation of the carbohydrate-binding sites in the DB58 dimer may affect its ability to crosslink mulitivalent ligands, compared to the other legume lectin dimers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

EPR characterization of alcohol complexes of ferric myoglobin and hemoglobin.

Frozen solution electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the aquo, methanol, and ethanol complexes of ferric myoglobin and hemoglobin are quantitatively analyzed in terms of the rhombic to tetragonal symmetry ratio and the admixture of quartet states, both with regard to central values of these parameters and the widths of their distributions. In both the methanol and ethanol complexes of ferric myoglobin the main change from the aquo complex is a narrowing of the spread in the rhombic to tetragonal symmetry ratio (reduction in structural variation). The alcohol complexes of both the alpha- and beta-chains within the tetramer of ferric hemoglobin are characterized by a lowering of symmetry (as compared with the aquo complex). Qualitative differences in distribution widths among the complexes are consistent with an origin in molecular structure and dynamics rather than in ice matrix-induced strain.

Animals↗

Salicylamide inhibitors of influenza virus fusion.

Structural variation of the quinolizidine heterocycle of the influenza fusion inhibitor BMY-27709 was examined by several topological dissections in order to illuminate the critical features of the ring system. This exercise resulted in the identification of a series of synthetically more accessible decahydroquinolines that retained the structural elements of BMY-27709 important for antiviral activity. The 2-methyl-cis-decahydroquinoline 6f was the most potent influenza inhibitor identified that demonstrated an EC50 of 90 ng/mL in a plaque reduction assay.

Animals↗

Methods for displaying macromolecular structural uncertainty: application to the globins.

Most molecular graphics programs ignore any uncertainty in the atomic coordinates being displayed. Structures are displayed in terms of perfect points, spheres, and lines with no uncertainty. However, all experimental methods for defining structures, and many methods for predicting and comparing structures, associate uncertainties with each atomic coordinate. We have developed graphical representations that highlight these uncertainties. These representations are encapsulated in a new interactive display program, PROTEAND. PROTEAND represents structural uncertainty in three ways: (1) The traditional way: The program shows a collection of structures as superposed and overlapped stick-figure models. (2) Ellipsoids: At each atom position, the program shows an ellipsoid derived from a three-dimensional Gaussian model of uncertainty. This probabilistic model provides additional information about the relationship between atoms that can be displayed as a correlation matrix. (3) Rigid-body volumes: Using clouds of dots, the program can show the range of rigid-body motion of selected substructures, such as individual alpha helices. We illustrate the utility of these display modalities by the applying PROTEAND to the globin family of proteins, and show that certain types of structural variation are best illustrated with different methods of display.

Animals↗

Chilocorine C: a new "dimeric" alkaloid from a coccinellid beetle, Chilocorus cacti.

A new hexacyclic alkaloid, chilocorine C (4), has been isolated from Chilocorus cacti and characterized on the basis of its IR, UV, MS, and NMR data. Although its structure is closely related to that of exochomine (1) (isolated from Exochomus quadripustulatus) and to chilocorine A (2) and B (3) (obtained previously from C. cacti), the presence of a hydroxymethyl substituent on the saturated tricyclic moiety represents an unexpected structural variation on the dimeric alkaloid theme.

Animals↗

Systematic anatomy of Erythroxylum P. Browne: practical and evolutionary implications for the cultivated cocas.

Preliminary study of the pantropical Erythroxylaceae indicates that anatomical features can provide valuable insight into the generic, infra-generic and specific affinities of unidentified specimens. Combinations of qualitative and quantitative anatomical data are most reliable when considered in conjunction with relevant ecological and plant morphological data. Extreme caution is advised in such taxonomic applications due to the intergrading patterns of anatomical variation exhibited within the family. Careful consideration must be given to the potential influence on anatomy of factors such as plant age, habit, leaf morphology and environmental conditions. Although a few species of Erythroxylum are identifiable solely on the basis of unique wood anatomical features, the majority of species can be identified only through a combination of morphological and vegetative anatomical features. Closely related species and species of similar habitats are often very similar in their wood and leaf structure. Anatomical differences are more subtle among the cultivated cocas and their closest neotropical relatives than among most taxa of Erythroxylaceae. A typological concept of foliar venation patterns among the cultivated cocas permits the varietal identification of isolated coca leaves. Several neotropical relatives of the cultivated cocas represent potential adulterants in commercial samples of coca leaf as a result of their striking similarity to genuine coca in leaf form, venation and anatomy. Due to the broad and overlapping range of leaf structural variation exhibited among the cultivated cocas and their nearest relatives, identifications of isolated leaves or leaf fragments are ill-advised in the absence of relevant ecological data. Patterns of wood and leaf anatomical variation within the Erythroxylaceae are most readily explicable as the result of evolutionary diversification in plant habit, leaf size, form and relative duration. Significant correlations among wood and leaf structure reveal various "adaptive strategies" among species of Erythroxylaceae. Redundant patterns of structural evolution, evident among the different species and genera of Erythroxylaceae, help to elucidate the probable evolutionary origins of the cultivated cocas. Comparative anatomical data support the hypothesis that Bolivian coca (E. coca) represents the most primitive of the cultivated cocas. The Colombian and Trujillo varieties of coca (E. novogranatense) appear to have been derived from a Bolivian-like ancestral coca as a result of long-term cultivation, geographic isolation and human selection for increased flavor, palatability and drought resistance.

Coca↗