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Conjugation of a novel histidine derivative to biomolecules and labelling with [99mTc(OH2)3(CO)3]+.

The new histidine derivative 3-[1-[3-(9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonylamino)-propyl]-1H-imidazol-4-yl]-2-(3-trimethylsilanyl-ethylcarboxyamino)-propionic acid methyl ester (7) has been prepared via alkylation of the histidine urea derivative (7S)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-7-(methoxycarbonyl)-5-oxoimidazo-[1,5-c]-pyrimidine (2) with Fmoc-protected 3-iodopropyl-amine, followed by ring opening with 2-trimethylsilylethanol. After Fmoc cleavage by HNEt2, the histidine amine derivative was coupled to biotin, to the pentapeptide leucine-enkephalin and to Vitamin B12-b-acid by amide formation, employing TBTU as the coupling reagent. In order to make the histidine accessible for labelling, the teoc protecting group was removed by either NBu4F (for the biotin conjugate) or by TFA (for the enkephalin and B12 conjugates). Reaction of a 10(-4) M solution of the bioconjugates with [99mTc(H2O)3(CO)3]+ at 50 degrees C for 30 min led to the formation of one single new peak in the HPLC radiochromatogram in each case, confirming quantitative labelling of the respective biomolecules. To assess the nature of the labelled compounds, the rhenium analogues with Re(CO)3 were also synthesised and similar retention times confirmed the identity with the 99mTc labelled conjugates.

Biotin↗

Organic dyes containing thienylfluorene conjugation for solar cells.

New organic dyes that contain variable lengths of conjugation featuring alternating thiophene and fluorene segments have been synthesized and efficient nano-crystalline TiO2 based dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated using these molecules as light-harvesting sensitizers.

Journal Article↗

Concise synthesis of aryl-C-nucleosides by Friedel-Crafts alkylation.

A fast and simplified synthesis of 1',2'-dideoxy-1'-pyrenyl-riboside and several other C-nucleosides is shown. Shelf-stable 1-O-methyl-3,5-di-O-toluoyl-2-deoxyribose is demonstrated to serve as a versatile glycosyl donor in Lewis acid promoted Friedel-Crafts alkylations of unsubstituted pyrene and other inexpensive arenes such as fluorene and methylnaphthalene. The reaction conditions favour the formation of beta-configurated C-nucleosides which renders additional epimerisation steps unnecessary. As a result, protected beta-aryl-C-nucleosides are available directly from non-substituted arenes in three steps overall.

Alkylation↗

Organic rectifying junctions from an electron-accepting molecular wire and an electron-donating phthalocyanine.

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of arylene-ethynylene oligomers that incorporate electron-accepting 9-fluorenone and 9-[(4-pyridyl)methylene]fluorene units in the backbone exhibit symmetrical current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, but rectifying junctions with current ratios of 20-80 at +/-1 V have been obtained by protonating these wire-like molecules and ionically coupling with anionic donors.

Journal Article↗

Persistent organic pollutants in European background air: derivation of temporal and latitudinal trends.

Data are presented for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyls ethers (PBDEs) and selected organochlorine compounds (OCs) in passive air samplers (PAS) along a rural/remote latitudinal transect from southern UK to northern Norway during 2002-2004. This study is part of an ongoing campaign, using semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) as PAS over two year intervals since 1994. Data for PCBs, selected OCs and PBDEs are compared with that from previous campaigns. Absolute sequestered amounts of selected PCB congeners have decreased in a first order fashion between 1994-2004, with an average atmospheric clearance rate of 4.1 +/- 0.6 years and continue to fractionate with latitude. HCB has also declined between 1998-2004, with a clearance rate of 6 +/- 2.4 years. Data on DDT and its breakdown products indicate little fresh release in Europe. Comparison of PBDEs in 2000-02 and 2002-04 indicates site differences, generally with increases at UK sites and decreases in Norway. BDE-28, 47 and 49 decreased with increasing latitude (p < 0.04), while the other congeners did not show any significant latitudinal dependence. Transect data are presented for PAHs the first time. Three- and 4-ringed compounds dominated the mixture present in the SPMD. The PAH composition of the SPMDs at site 3 was compared to the average composition taken by active sampling at the same site. SPMD performance for sampling PAHs leaves many uncertainties, but they can be successfully used to semiquantitatively detect PAHs in the atmosphere. Fluorene and phenanthrene increased with latitude (p > 0.05), while 1-methylphenanthere, fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and indeno[123-cd]pyrene decreased. Results are discussed in terms of sources, long-range atmospheric transport, global fractionation and clearance processes.

Air Pollutants↗

Metabolic cleavage of cell-penetrating peptides in contact with epithelial models: human calcitonin (hCT)-derived peptides, Tat(47-57) and penetratin(43-58).

We assessed the metabolic degradation kinetics and cleavage patterns of some selected CPP (cell-penetrating peptides) after incubation with confluent epithelial models. Synthesis of N-terminal CF [5(6)-carboxyfluorescein]-labelled CPP, namely hCT (human calcitonin)-derived sequences, Tat(47-57) and penetratin(43-58), was through Fmoc (fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl) chemistry. Metabolic degradation kinetics of the tested CPP in contact with three cell-cultured epithelial models, MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney), Calu-3 and TR146, was evaluated by reversed-phase HPLC. Identification of the resulting metabolites of CF-hCT(9-32) was through reversed-phase HPLC fractionation and peak allocation by MALDI-TOF-MS (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry) or direct MALDI-TOF-MS of incubates. Levels of proteolytic activity varied highly between the investigated epithelial models and the CPP. The Calu-3 model exhibited the highest proteolytic activity. The patterns of metabolic cleavage of hCT(9-32) were similar in all three models. Initial cleavage of this peptide occurred at the N-terminal domain, possibly by endopeptidase activity yielding both the N- and the C-terminal counterparts. Further metabolic degradation was by aminopeptidase, endopeptidase and/or carboxypeptidase activities. In conclusion, when in contact with epithelial models, the studied CPP were subject to efficient metabolism, a prerequisite of cargo release on the one hand, but with potential for premature cleavage and loss of the cargo as well on the other. The results, particularly on hCT(9-32), may be used as a template to suggest structural modifications towards improved CPP performance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A quenched fluorescent substrate for thimet peptidase containing a new fluorescent amino acid, DL-2-amino-3-(7-methoxy-4-coumaryl)propionic acid.

DL-2-Amino-3-(7-methoxy-4-coumaryl)propionic acid, a new fluorescent amino acid (abbreviated to Amp), has been synthesized to provide an alternative to tryptophan in quenched fluorescent peptide substrates for peptidases. The model compound Ac-DL-Amp-NH2 was intensely fluorescent with an excitation maximum at 328 nm and an emission maximum at 392 nm. Fmoc (fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl)-DL-Amp was made to allow the solid-phase synthesis of Amp-containing peptides by the Fmoc-polyamide method. The peptide derivative Dnp (2,4-dinitrophenyl)-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-DL-Amp-D-Lys was cleaved by thimet peptidase at the Leu-Gly bond, with a 20-fold enhancement of fluorescence. The value of kcat./Km for thimet peptidase was 6.7 x 10(5) M-1.s-1, compared with the value of 2.4 x 10(5) M-1.s-1 for the tryptophan-containing analogue, Dnp-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-Trp-D-Lys.

Alanine↗

DNA methylation inhibits transcription of procollagen alpha 2(I) promoters.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that a 2-[N-(acetoxyacetyl)amino]fluorene-transformed rat epithelial-like cell line, W8, contains a transcriptionally inactive alpha 2(I) gene with a hypermethylated promoter/first-exon region. We have cloned the rat promoter/first-exon region (-211 to +207) from W8 cells and their parent cell line, K16, which expresses alpha 2(I) collagen. There were no sequence differences between the clones from the two cell lines, indicating that a mutation was not responsible for transcriptional inhibition. The alpha 2(I) rat promoters were cloned upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. Both constructs were equally active in both cell lines, suggesting that trans-activating factors for alpha 2(I) transcription are present in W8 cells. Finally, methylation of plasmids at all CpG sites with SssI methylase completely inhibited transcription using alpha 2(I) promoters, but methylation did not inhibit simian-virus-40 promoter-driven transcription. Certain methylation sites partially inhibit promoter activity. An HhaI methylation site inhibited transcriptional activity of the alpha 2(I) promoter 8-fold, whereas methylation at the HpaII site in the rat alpha 2(I) promoter did not decrease transcriptional activity. This provides further evidence that methylation at specific sites in the collagen alpha 2(I) promoter is responsible for the inactivation of transcription in W8 cells.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning of a cDNA coding for mouse liver xanthine dehydrogenase. Regulation of its transcript by interferons in vivo.

The cDNA coding for xanthine dehydrogenase (XD) is isolated from mouse liver mRNA by cross-hybridization with a DNA fragment of the Drosophila melanogaster homologue. Two lambda bacteriophage overlapping clones represent the copy of a 4538-nucleotide-residue-long transcript with an open reading frame of 4005 nucleotide residues, coding for a putative polypeptide of 1335 amino acid residues. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the mouse XD with those of the Drosophila and the rat homologues shows a high conservation of this protein (55% identity between mouse and Drosophila, and 94% identity between mouse and rat). RNA blotting analysis demonstrates that interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and its inducers, i.e. poly(I).poly(C), bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tilorone (2,7-bis-[2-(diethylamino)ethoxy]fluoren-9-one), increase the expression of XD mRNA in liver. Poly(I).poly(C) also induces XD mRNA in several other tissues in vivo. Protein synthesis de novo is not required for the elevation of XD mRNA after IFN-alpha treatment, since cycloheximide does not block the induction. The elevation of XD mRNA concentration is relatively fast and precedes the induction of both XD and xanthine oxidase (XO) enzymic activities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tilorone-induced lysosomal storage of glycosaminoglycans in cultured corneal fibroblasts: biochemical and physicochemical investigations.

Tilorone (2,7-bis[2-(diethylamino)ethoxy]-fluoren-9-one) and several other bis-basic compounds are known to induce lysosomal glycosaminoglycan (GAG) storage. The responsible pathomechanism has not been elucidated yet. The assumption of an unspecific disturbance of lysosomal proenzyme targeting due to elevation of endosomal pH is opposed by the hypothesis of formation of a complex between tilorone and GAGs within the lysosomes, which renders GAGs indigestible to glycosidases. In cultures of bovine corneal fibroblasts the amounts of intracellular GAGs [dermatan sulphate (DS), heparan sulphate (HS) and chondroitin sulphate (CS)] were quantified. The fibroblasts were exposed to tilorone (5 microM), which was found to be readily taken up by the cells and to be accumulated within acidic compartments to finally achieve millimolar concentrations. Under these conditions the GAG storage is predominantly due to the accumulation of DS; however, the DS secretion into the culture medium was not affected. The HS accumulation was much less pronounced, accounting only for 3% of total GAG storage. Ammonium chloride (10 mM), which is known to diminish lysosomal enzyme activity by interfering with the mannose 6-phosphate receptor-mediated transport, prevents both HS and DS breakdown. By means of NMR spectroscopy it was shown that tilorone itself tends to display a concentration-dependent aggregation which was enhanced in the presence of GAGs. The diethylamino groups of tilorone interact physicochemically with DS, and to a smaller extent with HS, but not with chondroitin 4-sulphate. Thus, the strength of the interaction between tilorone and the different GAGs in vitro correlates with the potency of tilorone to inhibit the breakdown of the individual GAGs in cultured bovine fibroblasts. The results support the hypothesis of a specific interaction between tilorone and particular GAGs, rendering these resistant to enzymic degradation.

Ammonium Chloride↗

Tilorone-induced lysosomal lesions: the bisbasic character of the drug is essential for its high potency to cause storage of sulphated glycosaminoglycans.

The immunomodulatory agent tilorone -2,7-bis-[2-(diethyl-amino)ethoxy]fluoren-9-one- and congeners are potent inducers of lysosomal storage of sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in animals and cultured fibroblasts of animals and man. All potent inducers of GAG storage hitherto described are bisbasic polycyclic aromatic compounds. They are accumulated in lysosomes and disturb the degradation of GAGs, mainly dermatan sulphate. It has been proposed that the drugs cross-link the polyanionic GAG chains giving rise to undergradable drug-GAG complexes. This hypothesis implies that the bisbasic character of the drug molecules is essential for the side effect in question. In the present study, this was tested by comparing tilorone and its monobasic derivative (MT) with respect to (i) induction of GAG storage in cultured bovine corneal fibroblasts and (ii) physicochemical interactions with GAGs in vitro. The intralysosomal concentration of MT achieved after 1-3 days was of the same order of magnitude as previously shown for tilorone. Nevertheless, under conditions that did not enhance the secretion of a lysosomal enzyme (beta-hexosaminidase, EC 3.2.1.52), the ability of MT to cause storage of [35S]GAGs was significantly lower than that of tilorone. Morphological observations showed that MT was much more potent in causing lysosomal storage of polar lipids than of GAGs. CD spectroscopy with tilorone revealed that the presence of GAGs caused the primarily achiral drug molecules to display CD. This suggested a helical orientation of the tilorone molecules within GAG-drug complexes, and short intermolecular distances which allowed electronic coupling of the aromatic ring systems of adjacent drug molecules. In contrast, MT failed to display any induced optical activity, indicating the absence of highly ordered GAG-drug complexes. In conclusion, the present results show that the substitution of the planar aromatic ring system with two basic side chains is essential for the high potency of tilorone in inducing lysosomal GAG storage. This is paralleled by, and presumably causally related to, strong physicochemical interactions with GAGs.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Quantification of cathepsins B and L in cells.

A method for quantifying active cysteine proteinases in mammalian cells has been developed using an active-site-directed inhibitor. Fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl(di-iodotyrosylalanyl)-diaz omethane (Fmoc-[I2]Tyr-Ala-CHN2) was prepared and shown to react irreversibly with cathepsins B and L, but not with cathepsin S. The non- and mono-iodo forms of the inhibitor reacted with all three enzymes. These results demonstrate that, unlike cathepsins B and L, cathepsin S has a restricted S2-binding site that cannot accommodate the bulky di-iodotyrosine. Fmoc-[I2]Tyr-Ala-CHN2 was able to penetrate cells and react with active enzymes within the cells. A radiolabelled form of the inhibitor was synthesized and the concentration of functional inhibitor was established by titration with papain. This inhibitor was used to quantify active cysteine proteinases in cultured cells. Active cathepsin B was found to be expressed by all of the cells studied, consistently with a housekeeping role for this enzyme. Active forms of cathepsin L were also expressed by all of the cells, but in different quantities. Two additional proteins were labelled in some of the cells, and these may represent other non-characterized proteinases. Higher levels of active cathepsins B and L, and an unidentified protein of Mr 39000, were found in breast tumour cells that are invasive, compared with those that are not invasive. From the data obtained, it can be calculated that the concentrations of both active cathepsins B and L in lysosomes can be as high as 1 mM, each constituting up to 20% of total protein in the organelle. This new technique provides a more direct procedure for determining the proteolytic potential of cellular lysosomes.

Azo Compounds↗

3,4-Dihydrocoumarin hydrolase with haloperoxidase activity from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus F46.

A novel lactonohydrolase, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 3,4-dihydrocoumarin, was purified 375-fold to apparent homogeneity, with a 22.7% overall recovery, from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus F46, which was isolated as a fluorene-assimilating micro-organism. The molecular mass of the native enzyme, as estimated by high-performance gel-permeation chromatography, is 56 kDa, and the subunit molecular mass is 30 kDa. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzes 3,4-dihydrocoumarin, and the Km and Vmax for 3,4-dihydrocoumarin are 0.806 mM and 4760 U.mg-1, respectively. The N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences of the enzyme show high similarity to those of bacterial non-heme haloperoxidases. The enzyme exhibits brominating activity with monochlorodimedon in the presence of H2O2 and 3, 4-dihydrocoumarin or an organic acid, such as acetate and n-butyrate.

Acids, Acyclic↗

Lifetime determination of fluorescence and phosphorescence of a series of oligofluorenes.

The photoluminescence (PL) properties of oligofluorenes with 2-ethylhexyl group in 9, 9' position in solution and as thin films were investigated by time-resolved techniques at both room temperature and 77 K. The fluorescence lifetimes of the oligomers decrease with chain length. The lifetimes tau follow the relation tau=386+808(1/n) (ps) where n is the number of fluorene units in the oligomer. Concentration and laser excitation energy dependences of PL spectra of the oligofluorenes are also given. Phosphorescence was observed for oligofluorenes in the frozen matrix of MTHF at 77 K. The lifetime of phosphorescence increases with increasing molecular length. Similar emission bands were observed for oligofluorenes with a central ketogroup. A lifetime analysis clearly reveals that the "green emission" of the oligomers free of ketogroups results from a phosphorescence with lifetime tau of 3 ms while the green emission from the keto-oligomer is a fluorescence from a charge transfer pi-pi* level of tau=8 ns.

Journal Article↗

SNP detection using peptide nucleic acid probes and conjugated polymers: applications in neurodegenerative disease identification.

A strategy employing a combination of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes, an optically amplifying conjugated polymer (CP), and S1 nuclease enzyme is capable of detecting SNPs in a simple, rapid, and sensitive manner. The recognition is accomplished by sequence-specific hybridization between the uncharged, fluorescein-labeled PNA probe and the DNA sequence of interest. After subsequent treatment with S1 nuclease, the cationic water soluble CP electrostatically associates with the remaining anionic PNA/DNA complex, leading to sensitized emission of the labeled PNA probe via FRET from the CP. The generation of fluorescent signal is controlled by strand-specific electrostatic interactions and is governed by the complementarity of the probe/target pair. To assess the method, we compared the ability of the sensor system to detect normal, wild-type human DNA sequences, and those sequences containing a single base mutation. Specifically, we examined a PNA probe complementary to a region of the gene encoding the microtubule associated protein tau. The probe sequence covers a known point mutation implicated in a dominant neurodegenerative dementia known as frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17), which has clinical and molecular similarities to Alzheimer's disease. By using an appropriate PNA probe, the conjugated polymer poly[(9,9-bis(6'-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumhexylbromide)fluorene)-co-phenylene] and S1 nuclease, unambiguous FRET signaling is achieved for the wild-type DNA and not the mutant sequence harboring the SNP. Distance relationships in the CP/PNA assay are also discussed to highlight constraints and demonstrate improvements within the system.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗