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Chemistry of drug-induced DNA lesions.

Recent results on the action mechanisms of naturally occurring DNA-damaging antitumor antibiotics have been described. These antibiotics include neocarzinostatin (NCS) and DNA alkylating, duocarmycin A and kapurimycin A3. A series of duplex hexanucleotides of modified bases were prepared and their selectivity for C5' and C4' oxidation in the NCS-mediated degradation was investigated. Based on the cleavage data, a new binding model that permits competitive hydrogen abstraction from C5' and C4' of the DNA deoxyribose moiety has been described. Chemistry of alkylation of self complementary octanucleotide d(CGTATACG)2 by antitumor antibiotic duocarmycin A was described. It was demonstrated that N3 of adenine6 attacks the cyclopropane subunit of duocarmycin A to produce the covalently alkylated adduct. In contrast, antibiotic kapurimycin A3 alkylate N7 of guanine4 of d(CGCG)2 to provide the corresponding covalent adduct. Heating at 90 degrees C degraded the adduct to kapurimycin A3-guanine adduct and the respective abasic site-containing oligonucleotide. The structures of heat-induced abasic sites were unambiguously characterized.

Alkylating Agents↗

Mass spectral characterization of urinary metabolites of D,L-kawain.

The urinary metabolism of D,L-kawain was studied in humans after an oral dose of 200 mg. Ten metabolites of kawain could be identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact and chemical ionization. The main metabolic pathways were hydroxylation of the phenyl ring, reduction of the 7,8-double bond, hydroxylation of the lactone ring with subsequent dehydration and opening of the lactone ring. The metabolites were mainly excreted in the form of their conjugates.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

Triton X-114-aided purification of latent tyrosinase.

Mushroom tyrosinase was partially purified using an aqueous two-phase system with Triton X-114. The purification achieved was 5.5-fold from a crude extract of mushroom pileus, with a high recovery of 84%. The phenols were reduced to 8% of the original content, avoiding pre- and post-purification tanning of the enzyme. The enzyme obtained was latent and was activated 3-fold by trypsin, 2.7-fold by changes in the pH and to different extents by cationic and anionic detergents, the latter being the more effective. There was also a synergistic effect between trypsin and detergent, at low detergent concentrations. When kinetically characterized, latent enzyme showed both monophenolase and diphenolase activities, the latter activity displaying an unexpected lag period before reaching the steady-state rate. This behaviour is characteristic of a hysteretic enzyme, and has not been previously described for this enzyme. In addition, inhibition studies with substrate analogues were carried out, tropolone being found to be the most effective inhibitor.

Agaricus↗

Anticholinergic action of Swertia japonica and an active constituent.

The anticholinergic action of Swertia japonica, used in Japan as a bitter stomachic, was examined using in vivo experiments in rats in order to substantiate the presence or absence of antispasmodic properties. The methanol extract of Swertia japonica was found to be an effective anticholinergic given orally. Fractionation and purification of the methanol extract through column chromatography revealed that swertiamarin, found in the methanol extract in amounts of about 30%, was an active constituent with an anticholinergic action.

Animals↗

Hypothermia triggers iron-dependent lipoperoxidative damage in the isolated rat heart.

The extent and time course of recovery on return to normothermia were studied in isolated rat hearts, perfused with oxygen-saturated Tyrode's solution at 5-7 degrees C. After a 1-h hypothermia period, complete recovery was obtained on rewarming; after 3 h hypothermia irreversible deterioration of electrical and mechanical activities resulted. The level of lipid peroxidation, evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction, showed a dramatic transient increase on return to normothermia, accompanied by a decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). Perfusion with iron chelator-containing saline completely prevented both the deterioration and the peak of lipid peroxidation. These results show that lipid peroxidation is responsible for the cold injury. It is proposed that lipid peroxidation is produced as the result of a cold-induced oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Relative androgenicity, blood pressure levels, and cardiovascular risk factors in young healthy women.

To test the hypothesis that androgens may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension, we investigated the association of delta 5 dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS]) and delta 4 (free testosterone [FT]) androgens with the resting, seated blood pressure (BP) levels and cardiovascular risk factors in 280 young, healthy women 18 to 24 years of age. After application of multiple regression analysis, systolic BP was positively and independently correlated with the ratio of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to free testosterone (DHEAS/FT), fasting insulin levels, and the diastolic BP with DHEAS/FT only. The DHEAS/FT ratio proved to be a stronger predictor of the BP levels than either hormone alone. Further, uric acid concentrations and HDL/total cholesterol ratio were independently correlated with both FT and body mass index in these young women. Serum triglycerides were independently correlated with FT and central body fat distribution. These data suggest that serum androgen concentrations are important independent predictors of cardiovascular risk factors and that the ratio of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to free testosterone ratio is an independent predictor of blood pressure levels in young women.

Acetone↗

Asymmetric aldol condensation as a route to polypropionate derived pheromones.

The synthesis of the polypropionate-derived pheromones sitophilate (1) and sitophilure (2) are described using an asymmetric aldol condensation as the key step to adduct 6; compound 6 was smoothly converted to the antipodes of each pheromone. This procedure can be expanded to more complicated structures with the same type of syn configuration such as stegobinone (3) and serricornin (4).

Ketones↗

Distinct binding and cellular properties of synthetic (+)- and (-)-discodermolides.

BACKGROUND: Cell permeable ligands of low molecular weight can be used to dissect complex cellular processes. During the past several years this approach has been particularly important in the study of intracellular signal transduction. Discodermolide, a marine natural product, appears to inhibit a signaling pathway in immune cells. The structure of natural discodermolide is known, but its absolute stereochemistry is not. We set out to make both enantiomers and to investigate their biological activity. RESULTS: Both enantiomers of discodermolide were prepared by total synthesis. Surprisingly, both enantiomers have biological activity, and their effects seem to be distinct in that they arrest cells at different stages of the cell cycle. A specific binding activity was identified for (+)-discodermolide but not for (-)-discodermolide, and the binding of the two enantiomers was not competitive. CONCLUSIONS: Both enantiomers of discodermolide have antiproliferative activity, but they act by distinct mechanisms and appear to have distinct cellular targets. The natural product is the (+)-enantiomer, which blocks the cell cycle in the G2 or M phase. The (-)-enantiomer blocks cells in S phase. Both may be useful in studies of the regulation of the cell cycle; we have also identified a specific binding activity for (+)-discodermolide, and have provided evidence that it interacts with a functionally relevant receptor.

Alkanes↗

The relationship between an endangered North American tree and an endophytic fungus.

BACKGROUND: The Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia) began a catastrophic decline in the late 1950s and is now the rarest tree in North America for which a full species designation has been established. The trees have common plant disease symptoms, but the reason for the decline has never been identified. T. taxifolia's imminent extinction gains special poignancy through its close relationship to the Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia), which produces the potent anticancer agent, taxol. RESULTS: An examination of the endophytic fungal communities of wild torreyas consistently found a filamentous fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, associated with diseased trees and also with most symptomless trees. P. microspora can be cultured in the laboratory, and when it is introduced into greenhouse-grown torreyas, it causes disease symptoms similar to those seen in the field. The fungus can then be reisolated from these deliberately infected trees. The phytotoxins pestalopyrone, hydroxypestalopyrone and pestaloside have been isolated and characterized from axenic fungal cultures, and both pestalopyrone and hydroxypestalopyrone can be isolated from artificially infected torreyas. In addition, pestaloside has antifungal activity against other fungal endophytes of T. taxifolia. CONCLUSIONS: The filamentous fungus, P. microspora, has an endophytic-pathologic relationship with T. taxifolia. The fungus resides in the inner bark of symptomless trees, and physiological or environmental factors could trigger its pathological activity. P. microspora produces the phytotoxins pestalopyrone, hydroxypestalopyrone, and pestaloside which give rise to the disease. Pestaloside, which also has antifungal activity, could reduce competition from other fungal endophytes within the host.

Acetylation↗

Brain mRNA from infants of aluminium-exposed lactating rabbits.

The neurotoxicity of aluminium (Al) involves bundling of neurofilaments, increased chromatin binding and decreased protein synthesis in Al injected rabbits. Thus, using an amphipathic Al ligand, maltol, experiments were carried out to examine whether or not administration of Al to lactating mother rabbits reduces brain protein synthesis in their offspring. Lactating mother rabbits received s.c. injections 3 times weekly of aluminium (Al) maltolate (1 mg Al/kg body wt) or an equivalent weight of maltol, for 4 weeks post-partum. Polysome preparations were obtained from the brain of their infants in order to assess mRNA translation in cell-free protein synthesizing systems. The brain polysomes showed a statistically significant reduction in the incorporation of [14C]leucine into protein. The poly (A)+ and poly (A)- fractions obtained from these polysomes showed reductions of 44% or more in the incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein. A variety of products separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis all exhibited decreased labelling. These experiments suggest that infant rabbits exposed to a highly neurotoxic form of Al in milk exhibit changes in brain protein synthesis which resemble those in infants injected directly with Al.

Aluminum Compounds↗

Antileukemic activity of 4-pyranone derivatives.

In a search for new compounds possessing antitumor activity, we examined the effects of a group of oxygen containing heterocyclic derivatives on L1210 murine leukemia cell growth. Several 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyranone derivatives were tested in a growth assay employing a human leukemia K562 cells line. IC50 was extrapolated from the growth inhibition curves at compound concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 microM. The halogen derivatives of 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyranone inhibited L1210 cell growth in suspension culture after 96 hr incubation in the following order: 5-hydroxy-2-iodomethyl-4-pyranone (IC50 3.15 microM) > 6-bromo-2-bromomethyl-5-hydroxy-4-pyranone (IC50 3.40 microM) > 6-bromo-5-hydroxy-2-hydroxy-methyl-4-pyranone (IC50 3.75 microM) > 2-bromomethyl-5-hydroxy-4-pyranone (IC50 4.30 microM) > 5-benzyloxy-2-chloromethyl-4-pyranone (IC50 5 microM) > 6-bromo-2-chloromethyl-4-pyranone (IC50 13.50 microM) > 6-chloro-2-chloromethyl-5-hydroxy-4-pyranone (IC50 18 microM) > 2-chloromethyl-5-hydroxy-4-pyranone (IC50 20 microM). The compound, 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyranone has no effect on L1210 cell growth. These results suggest that 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyranone derivatives might represent a new class of compounds with antileukemic activity.

Animals↗

Selection and characterization of HIV-1 showing reduced susceptibility to the non-peptidic protease inhibitor tipranavir.

Tipranavir is a novel, non-peptidic protease inhibitor, which possesses broad antiviral activity against multiple protease inhibitor-resistant HIV-1. Resistance to this inhibitor however has not yet been well described. HIV was passaged for 9 months in culture in the presence of tipranavir to select HIV with a drug-resistant phenotype. Characterization of the selected variants revealed that the first mutations to be selected were L33F and I84V in the viral protease, mutations which together conferred less than two-fold resistance to tipranavir. At the end of the selection experiments, viruses harbouring 10 mutations in the protease (L10F, I13V, V32I, L33F, M36I, K45I, I54V, A71V, V82L, I84V) as well as a mutation in the CA/SP1 gag cleavage site were selected and showed 87-fold decreased susceptibility to tipranavir. In vitro, tipranavir-resistant viruses had a reduced replicative capacity which could not be improved by the introduction of the CA/SP1 cleavage site mutation. Tipranavir resistant viruses showed cross-resistance to other currently approved protease inhibitors with the exception of saquinavir. These results demonstrate that the tipranavir resistance phenotype is associated with complex genotypic changes in the protease. Resistance necessitates the sequential accumulation of multiple mutations.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗

Mercury- and copper-induced lysosomal membrane destabilisation depends on [Ca2+]i dependent phospholipase A2 activation.

Heavy metals are environmental pollutants able to produce different cellular effects, such as an alteration of Ca2+ homeostasis and lysosomal membrane destabilisation. The latter is one of the most used stress indices in biomonitoring programs. Recently, it has been demonstrated that cytosolic calcium increase can modulate lysosomal membrane destabilisation via activation of Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). The aim of this work was to investigate the possible involvement of Ca(2+)-activated PLA2 in lysosomal membrane destabilisation induced by heavy metals in mussel haemolymph cells. We have studied the effects of Hg2+ and Cu2+ on free cytosolic calcium using Fura2/AM-loaded cells and lysosomal membrane destabilisation using neutral red (NR) staining. Hg2+ induced a [Ca2+]i rise from 100 to 780 nM in 30 min, and a lysosome destaining of 70% after 60 min that indicates destabilisation of lysosomal membranes. Both effects were reduced in a Ca(2+)-free medium, suggesting a cause-effect relationship. Exposure to Cu2+ produced the same effects, but with an intensity of about 50% respect to Hg2+. Metal-induced lysosomal destabilisation was also reduced in cells pre-exposed to a specific Ca(2+)-dependent cPLA2 inhibitor (AACOCF3). Conversely, haemocyte pretreatment with a Ca(2+)-independent PLA2 inhibitor (bromoenol-lactone (BEL)) did not prevent the destabilizing effect of heavy metals on lysosomes. Exposure to heavy metals also produced an increase in lysosomal volume of 1.8-2-folds, that was prevented by pre-incubation with AACOCF3 but not with BEL. These data indicate an involvement of cPLA2 in lysosomal membrane destabilisation induced by heavy metals.

Animals↗

Contribution of lipid second messengers to the regulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis during cell cycle re-entry.

During entry into the cell cycle a phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolic cycle is activated. We have examined the hypothesis that PC synthesis during the G(0) to G(1) transition is controlled by one or more lipid products of PC turnover acting directly on the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis pathway, CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT). The acceleration of PC synthesis was two- to threefold during the first hour after addition of serum to quiescent IIC9 fibroblasts. The rate increased to approximately 15-fold above the basal rate during the second hour. The production of arachidonic acid, diacylglycerol (DAG), and phosphatidic acid (PA) preceded the second, rapid phase of PC synthesis. However, an increase in the cellular content of these lipid mediators was detected only for DAG. CCT activation and translocation to membranes accompanied the second phase of the PC synthesis acceleration. Bromoenol lactone (BEL), an inhibitor of calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) and PA phosphatase, blocked production of fatty acids and DAG, inhibited both phases of the PC synthesis response to serum, and reduced CCT activity and membrane affinity. The effect of BEL on PC synthesis was partially reversed by in situ generation of DAG via exogenous PC-specific phospholipase C to generate approximately 2-fold elevation in PC-derived DAG. Exogenous arachidonic acid also partially reversed the inhibition by BEL, but only at a concentration that generated a supra-physiological cellular content of free fatty acid. 1-Butanol, which blocks PA production, had no effect on DAG generation, or on PC synthesis. We conclude that fatty acids and DAG could contribute to the initial slow phase of the PC synthesis response. DAG is the most likely lipid regulator of CCT activity and the rapid phase of PC synthesis. However, processes other than direct activation of CCT by lipid mediators likely contribute to the highly accelerated phase during entry into the cell cycle.

Animals↗

Amyloid beta(1-42) and its beta(25-35) fragment induce activation and membrane translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in bovine retina capillary pericytes.

We investigated changes in cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and calcium-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)) activities in bovine retina capillary pericytes after stimulation with 50 microM amyloid-beta (Abeta) (1-42) and its (25-35) fragment, over 24 h (mild, sublethal model of cell damage). In the presence of Abeta peptides, we found that cPLA(2) activity was increased and translocated from the cytosolic fraction to the membrane system, particularly in the nuclear region. Reversed-sequence Abeta(35-25) peptide did not stimulate or induce cPLA(2) translocation. Exposure to both Abeta peptides had no significant effect on cPLA(2) protein content as tested by Western immunoblot analysis. The addition of Abetas to quiescent pericytes was followed by phosphorylation of cPLA(2) and arachidonic acid release. Treatment with inhibitors (AACOCF(3), staurosporine and cycloheximide) resulted in a sharp decrease in basal and stimulated cPLA(2) activity. Inactivating effects of bromoenol lactone (BEL), inhibitor of iPLA(2), demonstrated that the stimulation of total PLA(2) activity by Abetas was mediated by both PLA(2) enzymes. Taken together with our previous observations that both Abeta peptides may induce hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine, the present results provide evidence that this process is cooperatively mediated by cPLA(2) activation/translocation and iPLA(2) activation. The effect is very likely triggered by a mild prooxidant mechanism which was not able to divert the cell to degeneration. The data confirm the hypothesis that pericytes could be a target of potential vascular damage and reactivity during processes involving amyloid accumulation.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A2 participates in the vesicular transport of milk proteins.

Changes in the lipid composition of intracellular membranes are believed to take part in the molecular processes that sustain traffic between organelles of the endocytic and exocytic transport pathways. Here, we investigated the participation of the calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in the secretory pathway of mammary epithelial cells. Treatment with bromoenol lactone, a suicide substrate which interferes with the production of lysophospholipids by the calcium-independent phospholipase A2, resulted in the reduction of milk proteins secretion. The inhibitor slowed down transport of the caseins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus and affected the distribution of p58 and p23, indicating that the optimal process of transport of these proteins between the endoplasmic reticulum, the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi intermediate compartment and/or the cis-side of the Golgi was dependent upon the production of lysolipids. Moreover, bromoenol lactone was found to delay the rate of protein transport from the trans-Golgi network to the plasma membrane. Concomitantly, membrane-bound structures containing casein accumulated in the juxtanuclear Golgi region. We concluded from these results that efficient formation of post-Golgi carriers also requires the phospholipase activity. These data further support the participation of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in membrane trafficking and shed a new light on the tubulo/vesicular transport of milk protein through the secretory pathway.

Animals↗

Identification and distribution of endoplasmic reticulum iPLA2.

Our laboratory demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum iPLA2 (ER-iPLA2) activity protects renal cells from oxidant-induced cell death and lipid peroxidation. The goals of this study were to determine the PLA2 isoform(s) responsible for ER-iPLA2 activity in different species and tissues. ER-iPLA2 activity was observed in microsomes from rabbit and rat kidney, heart, and brain as well as in human kidney (Caki-1 and HEK293) and glioblastoma (A172) cell lines. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated the presence of iPLA2gamma (group VIB PLA2) message in all tissues tested. Immunoblot analysis and PLA2 inhibitor studies with methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate and enantiomers of bromoenol lactone demonstrated that the ER-iPLA2 in rabbit kidney and heart and rat kidney is iPLA2gamma. These results demonstrate the expression of ER-iPLA2gamma (group VIB) across species and tissues, and suggest that iPLA2gamma may play critical roles in oxidant-induced cell injury.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gelastatins and their hydroxamates as dual functional inhibitors for TNF-alpha converting enzyme and matrix metalloproteinases: synthesis, biological evaluation, and mechanism studies.

The hydroxamic acid analogues (2) of the natural product gelastatins (1) were prepared by 1 step conversion reaction. The synthetic analogues (2) showed potent enzymatic inhibitory activities against MMP-2, MMP-9, and TACE IC50's of 6, 23, and 28 nM, respectively. In addition, 2 were able to inhibit TNF-alpha production effectively in mice as well as in a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. The protective effect of 2 also was examined on LPS-induced acute septic shock model. The mechanism of TNF-alpha inhibition was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. The relation of TACE and alpha-secretase was examined using cellular alpha-secretase assays on IMR-32 and SH-SY5Y cell lines. The docking mode of 2 with the catalytic domain of TACE was illustrated to analyze the binding mode for the further analogue design.

ADAM Proteins↗