Sulfanylmethyldimethylaminopyridine as a Useful Thiol Additive for Ligation Chemistry in Peptide/Protein Synthesis.

Sulfanylmethyl-installed dimethylaminopyridine, 2-sulfanylmethyl-4-dimethylaminopyridine (2), has an acidic thiol group comparable to that in aryl thiols due to the formation of a zwitterion consisting of a thiolate anion and a pyridinium cation. It can be used as an additive for native chemical ligation. The alkyl thiol in 2 allows it to be used for the one-pot native chemical ligation-desulfurization protocol in peptide synthesis. The utility of 2 in the synthesis of cyclic peptides is demonstrated.

A Photo-Activatable Peptide Mimicking Functions of Apolipoprotein A-I.

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) plays a critical role in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) biogenesis, function and structural dynamics. Peptides that mimic apoA-I have a short amphipathic α-helical structure that can functionally recapitulate many of the same biologic properties of full-length apoA-I in HDL. Hence, they might be expected to have clinical applications in the reduction of atherosclerosis. However, nonspecific cellular efflux of cholesterol induced by apoA-I mimetic peptides might cause side effects that are, as yet, unidentified. In this study, we developed a photo-activatable peptide, 2F*, which is an 18 amino acid peptide mimicking apoA-I bearing an internal photocleavable caging group that is designed to assume an α-helical structure in response to a light stimulus and trigger efflux of cholesterol from cells. Without light irradiation, 2F* peptide showed a low tendency for the formation of α-helices, and therefore did not associate with lipids and failed to induce efflux of cholesterol. In addition, 2F* did not cause hemolysis under our experimental condition. Mass spectrometry indicated that, after light exposure, the caging group detached from 2F* and it assumed the α-helical structure in the presence of lipids, and enhanced cholesterol efflux from cells. Photo-activatable peptides such as 2F* that control cholesterol efflux following light stimulus may be useful for future atherosclerosis-reducing therapies.

AUTOMATIC ACQUISITION OF CT RADIATION DOSE DATA: USING THE DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVEL FOR RADIATION DOSE OPTIMIZATION.

The present work describes that we try to construct a system that collects dose information that performed CT examination from multiple facilities and unified management. The results of analysis are compared with other National diagnostic reference level (DRL), and the results are fed back to each facility and the cause of the abnormal value is investigated for dose optimization. Medical information collected 139 144 tests from 33 CT devices in 13 facilities. Although the DRL of this study is lower than that of Japan DRL, it was higher than the DRL of each country. When collecting all the examination, it is thought that the variation of the dose due to the error other than the intended imaging site is large. In future, we should continue to collect information in order to DRL renewal and we also think that it is desirable to collect information on physique and detailed scan region as well.

Development of an Anilide-Type Scaffold for the Thioester Precursor N-Sulfanylethylcoumarinyl Amide.

N-Sulfanylethylcoumarinyl amide (SECmide) peptide, which was initially developed for use in the fluorescence-guided detection of promoters of N-S acyl transfer, was successfully applied to a facile and side reaction-free protocol for N-S acyl-transfer-mediated synthesis of peptide thioesters. Additionally, 4-mercaptobenzylphosphonic acid (MBPA) was proven to be a useful catalyst for the SECmide or N-sulfanylethylanilide (SEAlide)-mediated NCL reaction.

Phenotypic variation and genotype-phenotype discordance in canine cone-rod dystrophy with an RPGRIP1 mutation.

PURPOSE: Previously, a 44 bp insertion in exon 2 of retinitis pigmentosa GTPase interacting protein 1 (RPGRIP1) was identified as the cause of cone-rod dystrophy 1 (cord1), a recessive form of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in the Miniature Longhaired Dachshund (MLHD), a dog model for Leber congenital amaurosis. The cord1 locus was mapped using MLHDs from an inbred colony with a homogeneous early onset disease phenotype. In this paper, the MLHD pet population was studied to investigate phenotypic variation and genotype-phenotype correlation. Further, the cord1 locus was fine-mapped using PRA cases from the MLHD pet population to narrow the critical region. Other dog breeds were also screened for the RGPRIP1 insertion. METHODS: This study examined phenotypic variation in an MLHD pet population that included 59 sporadic PRA cases and 18 members of an extended family with shared environment and having six PRA cases. Ophthalmologic evaluations included behavioral abnormalities, responses to menace and light, fundoscopy, and electroretinography (ERG). The RPGRIP1 insertion was screened for in all cases and 200 apparently normal control MLHDs and in 510 dogs from 66 other breed. To fine-map the cord1 locus in the MLHD, 74 PRA cases and 86 controls aged 4 years or more were genotyped for 24 polymorphic markers within the previously mapped cord1 critical region of 14.15 Mb. RESULTS: Among sporadic PRA cases from the MLHD pet population, the age of onset varied from 4 months to 15 years old; MLHDs from the extended family also showed variable onset and rate of progression. Screening for the insertion in RPGRIP1 identified substantial genotype-phenotype discordance: 16% of controls were homozygous for the insertion (RPGRIP1(-/-)), while 20% of PRA cases were not homozygous for it. Four other breeds were identified to carry the insertion including English Springer Spaniels and Beagles with insertion homozygotes. The former breed included both controls and PRA cases, yet in the latter breed, cone ERG was undetectable in two dogs with no clinically apparent visual dysfunction. Notably, the insertion in the Beagles was a longer variant of that seen in the other breeds. Fine-mapping of the cord1 locus narrowed the critical region on CFA15 from 14.15 Mb to 1.74 Mb which still contains the RPGRIP1 gene. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive phenotypic variations of onset age and progression rate were observed in PRA cases of the MLHD pet population. The insertion in RPGRIP1 showed the strongest association with the disease, yet additional as well as alternative factors may account for the substantial genotype-phenotype discordance.