Activation of bacterial porin gene expression by a chimeric signal transducer in response to aspartate.

The Tar chemoreceptor of Escherichia coli is a membrane-bound sensory protein that facilitates bacterial chemotaxis in response to aspartate. The EnvZ molecule has a membrane topology similar to Tar and is a putative osmosensor that is required for osmoregulation of the genes for the major outer membrane porin proteins, OmpF and OmpC. The cytoplasmic signaling domain of Tar was replaced with the carboxyl portion of EnvZ, and the resulting chimeric receptor activated transcription of the ompC gene in response to aspartate. The activation of ompC by the chimeric receptor was absolutely dependent on OmpR, a transcriptional activator for ompF and ompC.

Cytochrome P-450 polypeptides in pulmonary microsomes from rats.

Pulmonary microsomal polypeptides from different strains of rats were resolved using two-dimensional electrophoresis and were further characterized by in situ peptide mapping. Triton X-114 detergent separation was used to enrich cytochromes P-450 (P-450) and other integral membrane proteins from pulmonary microsomes, and these were directly compared with corresponding polypeptides from hepatic microsomes. The results demonstrated that P-450b and epoxide hydrolase were present in the lungs of male and female rats and that their expression in this tissue was independent of phenobarbital treatment. P-450e, which is co-induced with P-450b in the liver, was not detected in pulmonary microsomes under any condition. Four other pulmonary microsomal polypeptides were characterized and preliminary evidence suggested that they represent unique isozymic forms of P-450 with three of them being related to P-450b.

New sensitizers for photodynamic therapy: controlled synthesis of purpurins and their effect on normal tissue.

Purpurins are a class of porphyrin derivative that have been shown to have good in vivo cytotoxicity to N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT) induced rat bladder tumors (AY-27) implanted into Fisher 344 rats. The synthesis of purpurins from etioporphyrin I and coproporphyrin I proceeds in high yield and with a high degree of regioselectivity. Product formation can be rationalized in terms of relief of steric strain about the periphery of the purpurin macrocycle. The effect of therapeutic light doses using the rat footpad model suggests that, at therapeutic sensitizer doses, normal tissue damage is within acceptable limits, particularly for metalated purpurins.

Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists: synthetic and computational chemistry of N-[[4-[2-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-cycloalken-1- yl]phenyl]methyl]imidazole derivatives and their in vitro activity.

A series of nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists was synthesized and tested in vitro to investigate requirements for recognition by and binding to AT1 receptors. Compared to a known series of N-(biphenylylmethyl)imidazoles, including losartan (DuP 753), which has a more rigid conformation in the 2'-tetrazolylbiphenyl moiety, the new series replaces the terminal phenyl with cycloalkenyls. Compounds were made with five- to seven-membered rings and with either a hydroxymethyl (3) or carboxyl (4) group at the 5 position on the imidazole ring. The effects of the lipophilicity and steric bulk of the terminal ring system, the amount of pi-electron density in the terminal ring, and the relative spatial proximity of the tetrazolyl and the middle phenyl are explored in terms of binding affinity to AT1 receptors in rat adrenal glomerulosa and rabbit aorta. The physicochemical variables of the new compounds were quantitated by computational chemistry and compared to those of losartan and its carboxyl metabolite. Potency at the AT1 receptors is maximized when the terminal ring is six-membered; an aromatic ring binds better than a cycloalkenyl ring. The 5-carboxyimidazole compounds show higher affinity than the 5-hydroxymethyl series.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of sterols as potential hypocholesterolemic agents.

A new series of sterols was synthesized and tested in a CHO cell-based LDL receptor/luciferase (LDLR/Luc) assay to investigate the capability of derepressing the transcription of LDL receptor promoter in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. The effect of various substitutions on antagonizing the repressing effect mediated by 25-hydroxycholesterol was also studied in terms of regio- and stereochemistry, lipophilicity, steric bulk, and pi-electron density. Except 12, compounds active in the primary LDLR/Luc assay were not active in the secondary simian virus 40/luciferase (SV40/Luc) assay, demonstrating the specificity of their in vitro activity. Eight active compounds of various structural types were selected and screened in a [1-14C-acetate]cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition assay; none has shown any interference with the cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells. In hypercholesterolemic hamsters, generally, compounds that were active in vitro were active in vivo and vice versa, with the exception of three in vitro inactive compounds: 3 beta-ols 3a' and 3c' as well as 3-ketone 2a. Experimental results from the livers of hamsters revealed that the in vivo conversion of 3a' or 2a to 3a has in part contributed to the observed in vivo activity, and it is also anticipated that 3c' may similarly be converted to 3c in hamsters.

Sphingolipids as receptor modulators. An overview.

Glycosphingolipids are amphipathic compounds that exist mainly in the plasmalemma with their oligosaccharide portion protruding into the extracellular environment. In this position they are admirably situated for interacting with both ligands and receptors. Binding studies have demonstrated that specific glycolipids function as receptors for some microorganisms and bacterial toxins. Specific oligosaccharides on both glycolipids and glycoproteins bind members of the selection families, and some gangliosides facilitate integrins binding to their ligands. Gangliosides modulate the trophic factor-stimulated dimerization, tyrosine phosphorylation, and subsequent signal transduction events of several tyrosine kinase receptors. GM3 inhibits both the epidermal growth factor receptor and basic fibroblast factor receptor; several gangliosides except GM3 inhibit the platelet-derived growth-factor receptor; GM1 enhances nerve growth-factor-stimulated activation of TrkA; insulin receptor is inhibited to varying degrees by several gangliosides, but 2-->3 sialosylparagloboside is most effective. Activities of the beta(1)-adrenergic and delta-opioid receptors are modulated by GM1. Available information suggests that glycolipids serve as coordinators of multiple receptor functions.

Observations on the synthesis and in vivo photodynamic activity of some benzochlorins.

An improved synthesis of benzochlorins is reported. Demetallation of the meso-hydroxymethylvinyl derivative of octaethylporphyrin, followed by treatment with sulfuric acid results in cyclization to generate the corresponding octaethylbenzochlorin in high yield. Prolonged treatment with acid generates the sulfonated derivative. These sensitizers were shown to be efficient photodynamic agents in vivo. Animals bearing a transplanted N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazoly]formamide induced urothelial tumor were treated with either the benzochlorin or its sulfonated derivative. Irradiation of tumors 24 h later resulted in a significant tumoricidal effect in a short term assay. We conclude that benzochlorins warrant further examination as potential agents for use in photodynamic therapy.

Synthesis and in vitro biological activity of 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha,12 alpha-diol, a 12alpha-hydroxyl analog of 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol: the latter is a potent activator of the low-density lipoprotein receptor promoter.

4alpha-(2-Propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol (3) was shown recently in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-based low-density lipoprotein receptor/luciferase (LDLR/Luc) assay to be a potent transcriptional activator of the LDL receptor promoter in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. Because of the involvement of 12alpha-hydroxylation in the metabolism of cholesterol, we are interested in investigating the effect of introducing a 12alpha-hydroxyl group to 3 on the transcriptional activity of the LDL receptor promoter. Thus 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha,12a lpha-diol (14), a 12alpha-hydroxyl analog of 3, was synthesized from deoxycholic acid via the formation of 12alpha-[[(tertbutyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-4alpha-( 2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3-one (11). Test results show that 14 is inactive at concentrations of up to 20 microg/ml, compared to 3 with an EC30 value of 2.6 microM, in the CHO cell-based LDLR/Luc assay. Apparently introduction of a 12alpha-hydroxyl group abolishes the capability of 3alpha-sterol 14 to activate the transcription of the LDL receptor promoter. However, in the [1-14C-acetate]cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition assay in CHO cells, 14 at 10 microg/ml (23 microM) is shown to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis by 51% relative to the control cells. Our previous studies indicated that 3 showed a 38% inhibition, but 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol (1) exhibited no inhibition in the same assay at 10 microg/ml. In summary the results indicate that, in addition to the 24,25-unsaturation, the 12alpha-hydroxyl group in 14 has also conferred an inhibitory effect on cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells; however, the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis by 14 does not lead to the transcriptional activation of the LDL receptor promoter.

Synthesis of 4 alpha-(2-propenyl)-5,6-secocholestan-3 alpha-ol, a novel B-ring seco analog of the hypocholesterolemic agent 4 alpha-(2-propenyl)-5 alpha-cholestan-3 alpha-ol.

4 alpha-(2-Propenyl)-5 alpha-cholestan-3 alpha-ol (LY295427) was previously identified from a CHO cell-based assay to be a potent LDL receptor up-regulator and had demonstrated to be an effective agent in lowering plasma cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. In order to investigate the effect of flexibility of the 3 alpha-hydroxy-bearing A-ring on the activity, 4 alpha-(2-propenyl)-5,6-secocholestan-3 alpha-ol (11), a B-ring seco analog of LY295427, is thus synthesized from cholest-4-en-3-one. Test results indicate that 11 is not active in the CHO cell-based LDL receptor/luciferase assay at concentrations up to 20 micrograms/mL. The result underlines the importance of maintaining the A-B-C-D ring rigidity of the 3 alpha-sterols in terms of binding to the putative oxysterol receptor.

Synthesis and in vitro biological activity of 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol: a 24,25-dehydro analog of the hypocholesterolemic agent 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol.

4Alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholestan-3alpha-ol (LY295427) was previously identified from a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-based low density lipoprotein receptor/luciferase (LDLR/Luc) assay to be a potent transcriptional activator of the LDL receptor promoter in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. To investigate the effect of the 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain (desmosterol D-ring side chain) on antagonizing the repressing effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol, 4alpha-(2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholest-24-en-3alpha-ol (17), a 24,25-dehydro analog of LY295427, was thus synthesized from lithocholic acid via the formation of 3alpha-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-4alpha- (2-propenyl)-5alpha-cholan-24-al (15). Test results showed that 17 had an EC30 value of 2.6 microM, comparable to 2.9 microM of LY295427, in the CHO cell-based LDLR/Luc assay in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. Apparently, the built-in 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain of 17 had added little effect to antagonizing the repressing effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol. In the [1-14C-acetate]cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition assay, 17 at 10 microg/ml (23 microM) has been shown to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells by 38% relative to the vehicle control; whereas LY295427 showed no inhibition in the same assay in our previous studies. In contrast to LY295427, the built-in 24,25-unsaturation in the D-ring side chain of 17 has conferred an inhibitory effect on cholesterol biosynthesis in CHO cells. In summary, the observed LDL receptor promoter activity of 17 is related to its ability to prevent 25-hydroxycholesterol from exerting the repressing effect via an undetermined mechanism and, in part, to inhibit the cholesterol biosynthesis.

GM1 inhibits early signaling events mediated by PDGF receptor in cultured human glioma cells.

Binding of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF) to its receptor (PDGFR) activates its receptor tyrosine kinase which autophosphorylates tyrosine residues. The p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) binds to specific phosphotyrosines on PDGFR-beta and through the associated p110 catalytic subunit of PI 3-kinase catalyzes the formation of lipids that are involved in intracellular signaling. We examined if GM1 affects interactions between PDGFR-beta and specific proteins involved in PDGFR-mediated signaling. U-1242 MG cells were studied under different growth conditions using immunoprecipitation and Western Blot analysis. PDGF-stimulated the association of PDGFR-beta with p85, ras GTPase-activating protein and PLC gamma. GM1 decreased these associations in parallel with decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGFR. PDGF augmented the activity of PI 3-kinase associated with PDGFR-beta, and this was attenuated by GM1. However, GM1 did not alter SH2 domains of p85. GM1 probably inhibits PDGF-induced signaling proteins with PDGFR-beta by inhibiting phosphorylation of specific tyrosines on the receptor which bind to SH2-domains on signaling proteins.

Procaine, a local anesthetic, signals through the EnvZ receptor to change the DNA binding affinity of the transcriptional activator protein OmpR.

Local anesthetics are known to reduce the level of OmpF and increase the synthesis of OmpC in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli K-12. It has been shown that the anesthetics procaine and phenethyl alcohol (PEA) act at the transcriptional level for ompF and ompC and that in the case of procaine, its action is dependent on EnvZ, the membrane-bound signal transducer required for ompF and ompC expression. In an effort to further understand how anesthetics regulate ompF and ompC expression, we have analyzed the DNA binding properties of OmpR (the transcriptional activator protein for ompF and ompC genes) from cells treated with procaine or PEA. Treatment of a wild-type cell with either anesthetic converted OmpR from a low-affinity DNA binding form to a high-affinity DNA binding form. The change in DNA binding affinity was correlated with alterations in outer membrane porin profiles and could occur in the absence of protein synthesis. A strain lacking EnvZ was unable to respond to procaine to produce either the shift in the OmpR DNA binding property or cause any change in the outer membrane porin profile. PEA treatment was also dependent on EnvZ for the alteration in the OmpR DNA binding property, but it could induce ompC expression in the absence of EnvZ. Further studies suggest that the amino-terminal region of EnvZ is responsible for the procaine signalling. Our results indicate that procaine and PEA regulate ompF and ompC expression by modifying the DNA binding properties of OmpR through EnvZ signal transduction.

At least six forms of extremely homologous cytochromes P-450 in rat liver are encoded at two closely linked genetic loci.

A subpopulation of phenobarbital-induced cytochrome P-450 in rat liver has been shown to consist of four closely related forms of the enzyme that appeared to be strain-related. In the present study, polypeptides composing this family were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis of hepatic microsomes from 64 individual phenobarbital-treated rats. The animals surveyed included both sexes from four inbred and five outbred strains/colonies and F1 progenies from 10 crosses. Two new members of this polypeptide family were identified on the basis of their unique electrophoretic behavior and peptide maps. Eight phenotypes were observed that consisted of two to four member polypeptides. The six closely related cytochromes P-450 were found to be encoded at two genetic loci with at least four alleles at the P-450b locus and at least two alleles at the P-450e locus. Most colonies of outbred strains were characterized by polymorphism at one or both of these loci, and in no case did they contain unique alleles. Analyses of parents and their F1 progenies indicated that the P-450b and P-450e loci are closely linked on the same autosome and are expressed codominantly. Furthermore, the products of these loci appear to be coordinately regulated. The extreme homology between P-450b and P-450e genes, their high degree of polymorphism, and their close linkage suggest that they are subject to the same genetic mechanisms that maintain these features in other multigene families.

Polymorphisms of four hepatic cytochromes P-450 in twenty-eight inbred strains of rat.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of hepatic microsomes from phenobarbital-treated animals was used to analyze electrophoretic/regulatory polymorphisms for cytochromes P-450b, P-450e, P-450g, and P-450h in 28 inbred strains of rat. Previous studies with outbred rats revealed the existence of four electrophoretic variants for P-450b, two for P-450e, and three for P-450h as well as two regulatory alleles for P-450g. With the exception of one allozymic form of P-450h, all of these alleles as well as a novel (null) allele for P-450e were found to be homozygous in at least two of the inbred strains tested. Eight phenotypes for combinations of these four cytochromes P-450 were observed. Inbred strains were identified that can be used in studies on the structure/function of unique cytochrome P-450-allozymes and in genetic crosses to map the four distinct cytochrome P-450 genes.

Mapping of genes for cytochromes P-450b, P-450e, P-450g, and P-450h in the rat. Demonstration of two gene clusters with P450-b,e localized on chromosome 1.

Inbred ACI, WF, and RCS rats having characteristic markers for albino (c), hemoglobin beta-chain (Hbb), and pink-eyed dilution (p) on chromosome 1 and expressing variants for hepatic cytochromes P-450b, P-450e, P-450g, and P-450h were used in genetic mapping studies for these hemoproteins. The results of WF X (ACI X WF)F1 and RCS X (WF X RCS)F1 backcrosses revealed the existence of two gene clusters designated the P450-b,e and P450-g,h loci. The linkage map P450-b,e-p-c-Hbb on rat chromosome 1 was demonstrated and found to be congruent with Coh(P450-b,e)-p-c-Hbb on mouse chromosome 7. P450-g,h is not linked with P450-b,e and the other markers tested on rat chromosome 1. It appears that close genetic linkage, rather than common functional/regulatory properties, typify members of cytochrome P-450 families/subfamilies.

Characterization of OmpR binding sequences in the upstream region of the ompF promoter essential for transcriptional activation.

In Escherichia coli the expression of the outer membrane porin gene ompF requires the transcriptional activator protein OmpR. Previous DNase I footprinting experiments with purified OmpR localized the OmpR binding site from positions -105 to -60 (relative to the transcriptional start site) in the ompF promoter, and three tandem 10-base pair sequences elements (Fa, Fb, and Fc) within this region were proposed to be important for OmpR recognition. In order to elucidate the roles of the F boxes for transcriptional activation of ompF, various F box deletions and point mutations were constructed and analyzed for their effects on ompF-lacZ expression and OmpR binding. Removal of 102 nucleotides, which included a portion of the OmpR binding region (the Fa box), evidenced the largest decrease in transcriptional activation and significantly reduced OmpR binding. Additional deletion of four more base pairs in this target site (representing half of the Fb box) further reduced ompF expression. OmpR interactions with DNA sequences representing the OmpR binding region were analyzed by DNA mobility shift experiments. A 43-base pair ompF oligonucleotide containing the Fa, Fb, and Fc regions was sufficient for OmpR-dependent DNA binding using either purified OmpR or cell supernatants. The central C residue in each F box was changed to a T and unique patterns of protein-DNA complexes were observed that were different from that of the wild type binding site. The most dramatic effect on OmpR binding was observed when the C to T transversion occurred in the Fb box, and this mutation also reduced the level of ompF-lacZ expression. Our results indicate that the F boxes play important roles in the activation of ompF expression, and we suggest that OmpR may interact cooperatively with these boxes.

The OmpR protein of Escherichia coli binds to sites in the ompF promoter region in a hierarchical manner determined by its degree of phosphorylation.

In Escherichia coli the ompF gene encodes a major outer membrane porin protein that is differentially regulated by the OmpR protein. OmpR acts as a positive as well as a negative regulator of ompF expression by binding to DNA sequences in the ompF promoter region. The DNA binding activity of OmpR is itself regulated by phosphorylation through the kinase protein EnvZ. Phosphorylation is believed to change the function of OmpR from an activator to a repressor molecule. By using purified OmpR and various regions of the ompF promoter we show that phosphorylation causes binding of OmpR to a DNA region between the -40 to -100 region of the ompF promoter previously shown to be important for ompF expression. As the amount of OmpR-phosphate increases, a binding site located at a further upstream -360 to -380 region was occupied. This latter site has been reported to be important for ompF repression. Further experiments indicate that the -70 to -100 region is a high affinity site, while the -45 to -60 and -360 to -380 regions are low affinity sites. We also provide evidence that OmpR binding at the -360 to -380 region requires previous binding at downstream sequences, which is indicative of long range interactions between OmpR molecules. We interpret our results in terms of a model for ompF regulation involving hierarchical binding by phosphorylated OmpR and potential DNA looping.