Antiplasmodial activities of homogentisic acid derivative protein kinase inhibitors isolated from a Vanuatu marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp.

As part of our search for new antimalarial drugs in South Pacific marine sponges, we have looked for inhibitors of Pfnek-1, a specific protein kinase of Plasmodium falciparum. On the basis of promising activity in a preliminary screening, the ethanolic crude extract of a new species of Pseudoceratina collected in Vanuatu was selected for further investigation. A bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of a derivative of homogentisic acid [methyl (2,4-dibromo-3,6-dihydroxyphenyl)acetate, 4a] which inhibited Pfnek-1 with an IC(50) around 1.8 muM. This product was moderately active in vitro against a FcB1 P. falciparum strain (IC(50) = 12 muM). From the same sponge, we isolated three known compounds [11,19-dideoxyfistularin-3 (1), 11-deoxyfistularin-3 (2) and dibromo-verongiaquinol (3)] which were inactive against Pfnek-1. Synthesis and biological evaluation of some derivatives of 4a are reported.

Steady-state kinetics and inhibition of anaerobically purified human homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase.

HGO (homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase; EC 1.13.11.5) catalyses the O2-dependent cleavage of HGA (homogentisate) to maleylacetoacetate in the catabolism of tyrosine. Anaerobic purification of heterologously expressed Fe(II)-containing human HGO yielded an enzyme preparation with a specific activity of 28.3+/- 0.6 micromol x min(-1) x mg(-1) (20 mM Mes, 80 mM NaCl, pH 6.2, 25 degrees C), which is almost twice that of the most active preparation described to date. Moreover, the addition of reducing agents or other additives did not increase the specific activity, in contrast with previous reports. The apparent specificity of HGO for HGA was highest at pH 6.2 and the steady-state cleavage of HGA fit a compulsory-order ternary-complex mechanism (K(m) value of 28.6+/-6.2 microM for HGA, K(m) value of 1240+/-160 microM for O2). Free HGO was subject to inactivation in the presence of O2 and during the steady-state cleavage of HGA. Both cases involved the oxidation of the active site Fe(II). 3-Cl HGA, a potential inhibitor of HGO, and its isosteric analogue, 3-Me HGO, were synthesized. At saturating substrate concentrations, HGO cleaved 3-Me and 3-Cl HGA 10 and 100 times slower than HGA respectively. The apparent specificity of HGO for HGA was approx. two orders of magnitude higher than for either 3-Me or 3-Cl HGA. Interestingly, 3-Cl HGA inactivated HGO only twice as rapidly as HGA. This contrasts with what has been observed in mechanistically related dioxygenases, which are rapidly inactivated by chlorinated substrate analogues, such as 3-hydroxyanthranilate dioxygenase by 4-Cl 3-hydroxyanthranilate.

Homogentisic acid derivatives from Miliusa balansae.

The new homogentisic acid derivatives miliusol (1b) and miliusolide (2) from Miliusa balansae were isolated and structurally determined by spectroscopic means. The relative configurations of the new 1b and its known acetate 1a were established. Furthermore, the symmetric ether bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl ether 3, which was isolated for the first time from a natural source, the known flavonoids pachypodol and chrysosplenol C, and sodium benzoate were identified.

Kinetic analysis of human homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase.

Homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGD) is a mononuclear Fe(II)-dependent oxygenase that catalyzes the third step in the pathway for the catabolism of tyrosine, the conversion of homogentisate (HG) to maleylacetoacetate (MAA). We have heterologously expressed and purified native human HGD in the apo form. Steady-state analysis varying the concentration of both HG and molecular oxygen shows that the purified enzyme has a turnover number of 16 s(-1). Our data suggest that HG binds to the apo-enzyme and that the apo-HGD.HG complex does not bind Fe(II) and dissociates slowly at approximately 0.028 s(-1). The rate constant for the dissociation of Fe(II) from the holo-enzyme as measured under anaerobic conditions is 0.00004 s(-1) and indicates that this process is not relevant in steady-state turnover. The addition of HG and molecular oxygen to the holo-enzyme is formally random as the holo-enzyme reduces molecular oxygen at a rate of 1.35x10(3) M(-1) s(-1) at 4 degrees C. The term ordered with respect to the addition of substrates is most descriptive as the rate of reduction of molecular oxygen must increase in the presence of HG to sustain the observed turnover number.

Effects of ascorbic acid in alkaptonuria: alterations in benzoquinone acetic acid and an ontogenic effect in infancy.

The effects of ascorbic acid on the excretion of homogentisic acid and its derivative benzoquinone acetic acid were studied in two adults and three infants. The administration of relatively large amounts of ascorbic acid to the adults was followed by a disappearance of benzoquinone acetic acid from the urine, whereas the level of excretion of homogentisic acid did not change. This could have relevance to the pathogenesis of ochronotic arthritis. In the 4-mo-old infant and the 5-mo-old infant ascorbic acid in the urine may have doubled the amount of homogentisic acid, presumably through an effect on the immature p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid oxidase. Dietary reduction of the intake of tyrosine and phenylalanine substantially reduced the excretion of homogentisic acid.