Synthesis of the 3-sulfates of N-acetylcysteine conjugated bile acids (BA-NACs) and their transient formation from BA-NACs and subsequent hydrolysis by a rat liver cytosolic fraction as shown by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.

Previous work from this laboratory has reported the chemical synthesis of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) conjugates of natural bile acids (BAs) and shown that such novel conjugates can be formed in vivo in rats to which NAC has been administered. The subsequent fate of such novel conjugates is not known. One possible biotransformation is sulfation, a major pathway for BAs N-acylamidates in patients with cholestatic liver disease. Here, we report the chemical synthesis of the 3-sulfates of the S-acyl NAC conjugates of five natural BAs (cholic, chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, and lithocholic). We also measured the sulfation of N-acetylcysteine-natural bile acid (BA-NAC) conjugates when they were incubated with a rat liver cytosolic fraction. The chemical structures of the BA-NAC 3-sulfates were confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as by means of electrospray ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometry with negative-ion detection. Upon collision-induced dissociation of singly and doubly charged deprotonated molecules, structurally informative product ions were observed. Using a triple-stage quadrupole instrument, selected reaction monitoring analyses by monitoring characteristic transition ions allowed the achievement of a highly sensitive and specific assay. When BA-NACs were incubated with a rat liver cytosolic fraction to which 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate was added, sulfation occurred, but the dominant reaction was hydrolysis of the S-acyl linkage to form the unconjugated BAs. Subsequent sulfation occurred at C-3 on the unconjugated BAs that had been formed from the BA-NACs. Such sulfation was proportional to the hydrophobicity of the unconjugated bile acid. Thus, NAC conjugates of BAs as well as their C-3 sulfates if formed in vivo are rapidly hydrolyzed by cytosolic enzymes.

Formation and biliary excretion of glutathione conjugates of bile acids in the rat as shown by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometry.

Acyl-adenylates and acyl-CoA thioesters of bile acids (BAs) are reactive acyl-linked metabolites that have been shown to undergo transacylation-type reactions with the thiol group of glutathione (GSH), leading to the formation of thioester-linked GSH conjugates. In the current study, we examined the transformation of cholyl-adenylate (CA-AMP) and cholyl-coenzyme A thioester (CA-CoA) into a cholyl-S-acyl GSH (CA-GSH) conjugate by rat hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST). The reaction product was analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization (ESI)-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (MS). The GST-catalyzed formation of CA-GSH occurred with both CA-AMP and CA-CoA. Ursodeoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, and 2,2,4,4-(2)H4-labeled lithocholic acid were administered orally to biliary fistula rats, and their corresponding GSH conjugates were identified in bile by LC/ESI-MS2. These in vitro and in vivo studies confirm a new mode of BA conjugation in which BAs are transformed into their GSH conjugates via their acyl-linked intermediary metabolites by the catalytic action of GST in the liver, and the GSH conjugates are then excreted into the bile.

Syntheses and biological activities of fluorescent-labeled analogs of acylpolyamine toxin NPTX-594 isolated from the venom of Madagascar Joro spider.

Acylpolyamine-type spider toxins are known to be potent and specific blockers against glutamate receptors (GluRs). The present study describes the syntheses and biological activities of several fluorescent-labeled analogs related to a Madagascar Joro spider toxin NPTX-594 to analyze visually the unknown interaction between spider toxins and GluRs.

Syntheses of NPTX-594 analogs with thiol-containing fluorophores to develop a probe for analysis of binding mode between spider toxins and glutamate receptors.

NPTX-594 is a neurotoxic acylpolyamine isolated from a Madagascar Joro spider and acts as a specific blocker of glutamate receptors (GluRs). The present study reports the creation of novel NPTX-594 analogs with thiol-containing fluorophores for use as visualization probes for the analysis of the binding mode between spider toxins and GluRs, together with the result of their cricket bioassay.

How the pi conjugation length affects the fluorescence emission efficiency.

How the pi conjugation length affects the fluorescence emission efficiency is elucidated by examination of the theoretical and experimental relationship between absolute quantum yield (Phi(f)) and magnitude (Api) of the pi conjugation length in the excited singlet state, which provides a novel concept for molecular design for highly fluorescent organic compounds. As a tool to predict Phi(f) from a structural model, (nu(a) - nu(f))1/2 x a3/2 (nu(a): wavenumber of absorption maximum, nu(f): wavenumber of emission maximum, a: molecular radius) could be used instead of Api. The concept should be valuable for potential applications to (1) examination of an excited singlet state structure (for example, coplanarity of excited-state molecules) and (2) molecular design of novel materials, in which the excited singlet state plays an important role, such as highly efficient fluorophores, electroluminescent materials, photoconducting materials, and nonlinear optical materials. A remarkably intense green fluorophore (Phi(f) 0.88, log epsilon 4.72, lambda(em) 527 nm) is created based on this concept, which is of great interest in relation to a green fluorescent protein (Topaz, T203Y type, Phi(f) 0.60, log epsilon 4.98, lambda(em) 527 nm).

Photophysical properties of oligophenylene ethynylenes modified by donor and/or acceptor groups.

To create highly fluorescent organic compounds in longer wavelength regions, and to gain physical chemistry insight into the photophysical characteristics, we investigated photophysical properties (Phi(f), lambda(em), tau, lambda(abs), epsilon, k(r), and k(d)) and their controlling factor dependence of the following pi-conjugated molecular rods consisting of p-phenyleneethynylene units modified by donor (OMe) and/or acceptor (CN): (1) side-donor modification systems (SD systems), (2) side-acceptor modification systems (SA systems), and (3) systems consisting of donor block and acceptor block (BL systems). As a result, very high Phi(f) values (>0.95) were obtained for BL systems. Bathochromic shifts of lambd(em) in the same pi conjugation length were largest for BL systems. Thus we succeeded in the creation of highly efficient light emitters in the longer wavelength region by block modification (e.g., Phi(f) = 0.97, lambda(em) = 464 nm for BL-9), contrary to expectation from energy gap law. Considerably intense solid emission (Phi(f) approximately 0.5) in the longer wavelength region (500-560 nm) was also found for BL systems, presumably because of molecular orientation that hinders the self-quenching of fluorescence in solids. From (1) a Lippert-Mataga plot, (2) density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations, and (3) the positive linear relationship between the optical transition energy (nu(em)) and the difference between the highest occupied molecular orbital of the donor and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the acceptor (HOMO(D)-LUMO(A) difference), it is elucidated that the excited singlet (S1) state of BL systems has a high charge transfer nature. The number (n) of energetically equivalent dipolar structure (EEDS) units in the oligoarylene ethynylenes is shown to be a measure of the effective pi conjugation length in the S1 state. The S1 state planarity increases with n values of EEDS units and by the introduction of donor and/or acceptor groups. It is worth noting that the Phi(f) values increase linearly with the n values of EEDS units.

Analysis of bile acid glutathione thioesters by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

The formation of thioester-linked glutathione (GSH) conjugates of bile acids (BAs) is presumed to occur via trans-acylation reactions between GSH and reactive acyl-linked metabolites of BAs. The present study examines the chemical reactivity of cholyl-adenylate and cholyl-CoA thioester, acyl-linked metabolites of cholic acid (CA), with GSH to form CA-GSH conjugate in vitro. The authentic specimen of CA-GSH was synthesized along with GSH conjugates of four common BAs found in the human body. Their structures were confirmed by proton-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray ionization (ESI)-tandem mass spectrometry in positive- and negative-ion modes. Incubation of cholyl-adenylate or cholyl-CoA thioester with GSH was carried out at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees C for 30 min, with analysis of the reaction mixture by liquid chromatography/ESI-tandem mass spectrometry, where CA-GSH was detected on the product ion mass chromatograms monitored with stable and abundant dehydrated positive-ion [M+HH(2)O](+) at m/z 680.3 and fragmented negative-ion [GSHH](-) at m/z 306.0, and was definitely identified by CID spectra by comparison with those of the authentic sample. The results show that both cholyl-adenylate and cholyl-CoA thioester are able to acylate GSH in vitro.

Biological evaluation of fluorinated p-boronophenylalanine derivatives as a boron carrier.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are quite attractive techniques for treatment and diagnosis of cancer, respectively. In order to develop practical materials utilizing both for BNCT and MRI, fluorinated p-boronophenylalanines and their alcohol derivatives had already been designed and synthesized. In the present paper the cytotoxicity, the incorporated amount into cancer cells, and the tumor cell killing effects of these compounds were elucidated to evaluate their usefulness as a boron carrier.

New fluorophores with rod-shaped polycyano pi-conjugated structures: synthesis and photophysical properties.

[reaction: see text] Novel rod-shaped polycyano-oligo(phenyleneethynylene)s were synthesized by Pd cross-coupling reaction. Polycyano groups were found to greatly improve the emission efficiency (Phi(f)) of OPEs. By the end donor modification, we achieved the creation of very intense blue light-emitting fluorophore with the SMe group (Phi(f) = 0.972, log epsilon 4.89, lambda(em) 455 nm) and very intense yellow light-emitting fluorophore with the NMe(2) group (Phi(f) = 0.999, log epsilon 4.75, lambda(em) 555 nm). Contrasting Phi(f) solvent dependency of 6 and 7 and a linear relationship between Phi(f) and sigma(p)-X over the whole region of sigma(p)-X were also found.

Chemical synthesis of N-acetylcysteine conjugates of bile acids and in vivo formation in cholestatic rats as shown by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometry.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) conjugates of the five major bile acids occurring in man were synthesized in order to investigate the possible formation in vivo of these conjugates. Upon collision-induced dissociation, structurally informative daughter ions were observed. The transformation of cholyl-adenylate and cholyl-CoA thioester into a N-acetyl-S-(cholyl)cysteine by rat hepatic glutathione S-transferase was confirmed by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS(2)). Lithocholic acid was administered orally to bile duct-ligated rats that also received NAC intraperitoneally. The NAC conjugate of lithocholic acid was identified in urine by means of LC/ESI-MS(2). Rapid hydrolysis of the BA-NAC conjugates by rabbit liver carboxylesterase was found, demonstrating the possible labile nature of the NAC conjugates formed in the liver.

Block modification of rod-shaped pi conjugated carbon frameworks with donor and acceptor groups toward highly fluorescent molecules: synthesis and emission characteristics.

To create organic molecules that are highly fluorescent at a longer wavelength region, we investigated the synthesis (using Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling) and photophysical properties (Phi(f), lambda(em), tau, lambda(abs), and epsilon) of the following pi conjugated molecular rods consisting of p-phenyleneethynylene units modified by donor (OMe) and/or acceptor (CN) groups: (1) side-donor modification systems (SD systems), (2) side-acceptor modification systems (SA systems), and (3) systems consisting of a donor block and an acceptor block (BL systems). As a consequence, very high Phi(f) values (>0.95) were obtained for BL systems. Bathochromic shifts of lambda(em) for the same pi conjugation length were largest for BL systems. Thus we succeeded in creating highly efficient light emitters at a longer wavelength region by block modification (e.g., Phi(f) = 0.97, lambda(em) = 464 nm for ). Considerably intense solid emission (Phi(f) approximately 0.5) at a longer wavelength region (500-560 nm) was also found for BL systems. It has been found that and exhibit interesting two photon absorption characteristics.

Synthesis and evaluation as MRI probe of the trifluoromethylated p-boronophenylalanine and its alcohol derivative.

Boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are quite attractive techniques for treatment and diagnosis of cancer, respectively. In order to develop practical tools for BNCT and MRI, novel compounds containing both the trifluoromethyl group and 10B atom in a single molecule were designed. In the present study, p-boronophenylalanine and p-boronophenylalaninol with the trifluoromethyl group were synthesized, and 19F NMR measurements of these compounds were carried out.

Quantitative analysis of the structure-hydrophobicity relationship for di- and tripeptides based on voltammetric measurements with an oil/water interface.

The transfer of 18 di- and 27 tripeptides with un-ionizable amino acid side chains at a nitrobenzene/water (NB/W) interface was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The reversible half-wave potential (E(r)(1/2)), i.e., the midpoint potential could be accurately determined at pH 2 for both the facilitated and non-facilitated transfers, respectively, in the presence and absence of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) in NB. A multiple linear regression analysis was then performed for the E(r)(1/2) using the 'corrected' Dubois steric parameter for amino acid side chain substitutents. The result shows that the hydrophobicity of the peptides is governed not only by the intrinsic hydrophobicity of the peptide backbone and side chains, but also by the steric effects of side chain substituents. For the non-facilitated transfer of peptides, the steric effect of a bulky side chain is more significant at the N-terminus than at the C-terminus (and central for tripeptides). The more bulky the side chain at the N-terminus, the less hydrophobic the peptide becomes due to inhibition of the solvation of a terminal -NH(3)(+) group by organic solvents. For the facilitated transfer by DB18C6, however, the steric effect of a bulky side chain is the most significant at the central position of a tripeptide. A MOPAC calculation of optimized structures of DB18C6-peptide complexes has also shown that there is a notable steric hindrance between the central side chain and the benzene rings of DB18C6, which would reduce the 'apparent' hydrophobicity or transferability of the tripeptide.

Study on the compounds containing 19F and 10B atoms in a single molecule for the application to MRI and BNCT.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) are quite attractive techniques for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, respectively. In order to progress the study on both MRI and BNCT, the novel compounds containing 19F and 10B atoms in a single molecule were designed and synthesized. In the present paper, the syntheses and the internalization rates into tumor cells of these compounds are elucidated.

Rigid molecular architectures that comprise a 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene core and three oligoaryleneethynylene arms: light-emitting characteristics and pi conjugation between the arms.

In view of increasing interest in light-emitting materials, we have investigated the light-emitting characteristics and occurrence of conjugation between arms of star-shaped rigid molecules that comprise a 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene core and methoxy group-substituted oligo(p-phenylethynylene) arms. Consequently, we achieved the ultimate goal (Phif approximately 1.0, log epsilon > 5) for organic molecules with respect to light-emitting ability by creating very intense violet-blue (8, Phif = 0.97, log epsilon = 5.11) and blue (9, Phif = 0.98, log epsilon = 5.29) bright light-emitters. Also, pi conjugation was found to occur between the arms of 9 despite the meta-substituted system. We found a linear relationship of kr (with positive slope) and kd (with negative slope) with the number of dimethoxyphenyleneethynylene units for MMPT (4, 6, 8) and DMPT (5, 7, 9) homologues and the contrasting solvent effect on lambdaem of 8 and 9. It is also interesting that lambdaabs, epsilon, lambdaem, and Phif of 9 are greater than those of the corresponding banana- and rod-shaped molecules.

Light-emitting efficiency tuning of rod-shaped pi conjugated systems by donor and acceptor groups.

In view of the increasing importance of highly efficient light-emitting materials in chemistry, biological science, and materials science, we investigated the light-emitting efficiency tuning of rod-shaped oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene)s (OPEs, trimeric to pentameric systems) by donor and acceptor groups, so that they emit the very intense fluorescence (Phif approximately 1.0, log epsilon approximately 5) at 460 nm as the desired wavelength region. This goal was achieved by side modification by MeO (donor) groups and end modification by a CN-substituted benzene ring or CF3-substituted pyridine ring (acceptor) of tetrameric p-phenylene ethynylene rod-shaped molecules (Phif = 0.96, lambdaem = 458 nm, log epsilon = 4.96 for the former and Phif = 0.99, lambdaem = 459 nm, log epsilon = 4.92 for the latter). The high Phif values for 11 and 12 are interpreted in terms of kr (radiative rate constant) and kd (radiationless rate constant). The linear relationship with a positive slope between Phif and the Hammett sigma constant was found for the first time. It is found that kd rather than kr varies with sigmap-X. The photophysical properties (Phif, lambdaem, lambdaabs, log epsilon) were not so altered with the solvent polarity, which could be explained by the dipole moments in the excited and ground states. The results would be valuable for the molecular design of highly efficient light-emitting materials.

A study of a Calpha,beta-didehydroalanine homo-oligopeptide series in the solid-state by 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning NMR.

The fully extended peptide conformation (2.0(5)-helix) has been investigated for the first time in the solid-state by 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning NMR. The compounds examined are members of a terminally protected, homo-oligopeptide series (from monomer through hexamer) based on Calpha,beta-didehydroalanine.