Design and synthesis of DNA-intercalative naphthalimide-benzothiazole/cinnamide derivatives: cytotoxicity evaluation and topoisomerase-IIα inhibition.

A new series of different naphthalimide-benzothiazole/cinnamide derivatives were designed, synthesized and tested for their in vitro cytotoxicity on selected human cancer cell lines. Among them, derivatives 4a and 4b with the 6-aminobenzothiazole ring and 5g with the cinnamide ring displayed potent cytotoxic activity against colon (IC50: 3.715 and 3.467 µM) and lung cancer (IC50: 4.074 and 3.890 µM) cell lines when compared to amonafide (IC50: 5.459 and 7.762 µM). Later, the DNA binding studies for these selected derivatives (by CD, UV/vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, DNA viscosity, and molecular docking) suggested that these new derivatives significantly intercalate between two strands of DNA. In addition, the most potent derivatives 4a and 4b were also found to inhibit DNA topoisomerase-II.

Novel NR5A1 Pathogenic Variants Cause Phenotypic Heterogeneity in 46,XY Disorders of Sex Development.

Steroidogenic factor 1 (NR5A1/SF1) is a key transcription factor that is known to regulate the development of adrenal glands and gonads and is also involved in steroidogenesis. Several pathogenic NR5A1 variants have been reported to cause 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD), with varying clinical phenotypes ranging from hypospadias to complete gonadal dysgenesis. Most often, the primary cause of DSD is due to variants in gene(s) related to gonadal development or the steroidogenic pathway. In the present study, we have analyzed 64 cases of 46,XY DSD for pathogenic NR5A1 variants. We report a total of 3 pathogenic variants of which 2 were novel (p.Gly22Ser and p.Ser143Asn) and 1 was already known (p.Ser32Asn). Functional studies have revealed that the 2 mutations p.Gly22Ser and p.Ser32Asn could significantly affect DNA binding and transactivation abilities. Further, these mutant proteins showed nuclear localization with aggregate formation. The third mutation, p.Ser143Asn, showed unspeckled nuclear localization and normal DNA binding, but the ability of transcriptional activation was significantly reduced. In conclusion, we recommend screening for NR5A1 pathogenic variants in individuals with features of 46,XY DSD for better diagnosis and management.

Intermotif Communication Induces Hierarchical Ca2+ Filling of Caldendrin.

A crucial event in calcium signaling is the transition of a calcium sensor from the apo (Ca2+ free) to the holo (Ca2+-saturated) state. Caldendrin (CDD) is a neuronal Ca2+-binding protein with two functional (EF3 and EF4) and two atypical (EF1 and EF2), non-Ca2+-binding EF-hand motifs. During the transition from the apo to the holo state, guided by the stepwise filling of Ca2+, the protein passes through distinct states and acquires a stable conformational state when only EF3 is occupied by Ca2+. This state is characterized by a Ca2+-derived structural gain in EF3 with destabilization of the EF4 motif. At higher Ca2+ levels, when Ca2+ fills in EF4, the motif regains stability. EF3 controls initial Ca2+ binding and dictates structural destabilization of EF4. It is likely that this unexpected intermotif communication will have an impact on Ca2+-dependent target interactions.