Target fishing reveals PfPYK-1 and PfRab6 as potential targets of an antiplasmodial 4-anilino-2-trichloromethylquinazoline hit compound.

We present investigations about the mechanism of action of a previously reported 4-anilino-2-trichloromethylquinazoline antiplasmodial hit-compound (Hit A), which did not share a common mechanism of action with established commercial antimalarials and presented a stage-specific effect on the erythrocytic cycle of P. falciparum at 8 < t < 16 h. The target of Hit A was searched by immobilising the molecule on a solid support via a linker and performing affinity chromatography on a plasmodial lysate. Several anchoring positions of the linker (6,7 and 3') and PEG-type linkers were assessed, to obtain a linked-hit molecule displaying in vitro antiplasmodial activity similar to that of unmodified Hit A. This allowed us to identify the PfPYK-1 kinase and the PfRab6 GTP-ase as potential targets of Hit A.

Structuration and deformation of colloidal hydrogels.

The aim of the present paper is to determine the optimum conditions for the formation of homogeneous colloidal silica hydrogels by aggregation and drying processes, avoiding mechanical instabilities at the surface. Aggregation is controlled by adding monovalent salt to the silica nano-particle suspension while the drying of the sol is also modulated by changing the evaporation rate. A phase diagram reveals two regions in the parameter plane, ionic strength versus evaporation rate: a region where the drop undergoes an isotropic shrinkage and forms the required homogeneous gel and a region where mechanical instabilities appear due to the formation of a solid skin at the gel surface. The frontier between these two regions can be determined by equating the following two characteristic times: the gelation time and the time for skin formation. Permeability measurements of the final gel provide an estimate of the drying stress which is compared to the yield stress of the material. In accordance with the determined phase diagram, our study shows that instabilities appear when the drying stress is larger than the yield stress.

First (e,e) coincidence measurements on solvated sodium benzoate in water using a magnetic bottle time-of-flight spectrometer.

Understanding the mechanisms of X-ray radiation damage in biological systems is of prime interest in medicine (radioprotection, X-ray therapy…). Study of low-energy rays, such as soft-X rays and light ions, points to attribute their lethal effect to clusters of energy deposition by low-energy electrons. The first step, at the atomic or molecular level, is often the ionization of inner-shell electrons followed by Auger decay in an aqueous environment. We have developed an experimental set-up to perform electron coincidence spectroscopy on molecules in a water micro-jet. We present here the first results obtained on sodium benzoate solutions, irradiated at the oxygen and carbon K-edges.

The effect of myoglobin crowding on the dynamics of water: an infrared study.

Solutions containing 8 and 32 wt% myoglobin are studied by means of infrared spectroscopy, as a function of temperature (290 K and lower temperatures), in the mid- and far-infrared spectral range. Moreover, ultrafast time-resolved infrared measurements are performed at ambient temperature in the O-D stretching region. The results evidence that the vibrational properties of water remain the same in these myoglobin solutions (anharmonicity, vibrational relaxation lifetime…) and in neat water. However, the collective properties of the water molecules are significantly affected by the presence of the protein: the orientational time increases, the solid-liquid transition is affected in the most concentrated solution and the dynamical transition of the protein is observed, from the point of view of water, even in the least concentrated solution, proving that the water and myoglobin dynamics are coupled.

Modulation of the expression and activity of cathepsin S in reconstructed human skin by neohesperidin dihydrochalcone.

Dysregulation of cathepsin S (Cat S), a cysteine protease involved in extracellular-matrix and basement membrane (BM) degradation, is a concomitant feature of several inflammatory skin diseases. Therefore, Cat S has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target. Flavonoids, which were identified as regulatory molecules of various proteolytic enzymes, exert beneficial effects on skin epidermis. Herein, thirteen flavonoid compounds were screened in vitro and in silico and neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NHDC) was identified as a potent, competitive, and selective inhibitor (Ki=8±1 µM) of Cat S. Furthermore, Cat S-dependent hydrolysis of nidogen-1, a keystone protein of BM architecture, as well elastin, collagens I and IV was impaired by NHDC, while both expression and activity of Cat S were significantly reduced in NHDC-treated human keratinocytes. Moreover, a reconstructed human skin model showed a significant decrease of both mRNA and protein levels of Cat S after NHDC treatment. Conversely, the expression of nidogen-1 was significantly increased. NHDC raised IL-10 expression, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and mediated STAT3 signaling pathway, which in turn dampened Cat S expression. Our findings support that NHDC may represent a valuable scaffold for structural improvement and development of Cat S inhibitors to preserve the matrix integrity and favor skin homeostasis during inflammatory events.

A trapped water network in nanoporous material: the role of interfaces.

The infrared spectra of water confined in well controlled pore glasses were recorded as a function of the pore size ranging from 8 to 320 nm and in the 30-4000 cm(-1) spectral range using the ATR technique. The experiments prove that even in the large pores, the water network is significantly perturbed. The energy of the connectivity (or hindered translation) band (around 150 cm(-1)) is found to increase when the pore size decreases, indicating that confinement increases the H-bonding between neighbouring water molecules. Moreover, a drastic decrease of the FWHM of the connectivity band was observed upon confinement. This can be related to some ordering induced by the rigid walls of the pores. Furthermore, the partial filling of pores causes a significant modification to the water network, resembling heating of the trapped liquid and suggesting a role played by the water/air interface.

Radiolysis of water in nanoporous gold.

Nanoporous gold was used as a high specific surface material to describe the water radiolysis in the vicinity of metal surfaces. Porous gold monoliths were prepared by electrolytic dissolution of silver in Au-Ag alloys and characterized by small angle neutron scattering. The hydroxyl radical production under gamma irradiation was measured by benzoate scavenging in water confined in 50 nm porous gold or in silica glasses of similar pore size, and in bulk water. Whereas a silica interface induces minimal modifications to the HO˙ radical production with respect to bulk water, HO˙ production near gold is enhanced more than seven times on the short time scale, and almost completely suppressed by reaction with the metal on the long time scale.

Differential expression of mutant and normal beta T3 receptor alleles in kindreds with generalized resistance to thyroid hormone.

Thyroid hormone resistance (THR) is primarily an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by resistance of pituitary and peripheral tissues to the action of thyroid hormone. We investigated whether the heterogeneous phenotypic features that occur not only among kindreds but also within the same kindred might be due to the expression of differing ratios of mutant and normal receptors in tissues. Using an allele-specific primer extension method, we determined the relative expression of normal and mutant mRNAs from the fibroblasts of affected and unaffected members of two kindreds with TRH: A-H and N-N. While two affected members of A-H, as expected, had nearly equal amounts of normal and mutant hTR beta mRNA, two other members had mutant mRNA levels that accounted for at least 70% of the hTR beta mRNA. Phenotypic variability within and between kindreds with generalized resistance to thyroid hormone GRTH may be due to this differential expression of the mutant and wild type mRNA. Furthermore, when several clinical parameters of THR were compared in several affected members from two kindreds with GRTH, we found that two cases in one kindred exhibited a high mutant-to-normal hTR beta ratio and had considerably more bone resistance during their development. In certain kindreds with THR, differing ratios of normal and mutant hTR receptors may be age and growth related and may account for the reported attenuation of phenotypic symptoms with age.

In situ and time-resolved infrared detection of the reactivity induced by electrons in polymer films.

The real time and in situ analysis of chemical reactions such as polymerization reactions, polymer degradation, and oxidation of polymers is of utmost importance. Surprisingly, only few experimental tools allowing this are available. To bridge this gap, we have developed a new experimental setup coupling a 60 keV electron gun with an infrared spectrometer operating in the mid-IR region (800-4000 cm-1) and associated with the rapid scan mode. The measurements are performed using the infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy approach. We worked here with 0.5-25 ms pulses for which the dose per pulse ranges from 4 to 200 kGy. Combining pulse electrons with rapid scan analysis enables performing experiments with a time resolution of 80 ms (and above). Therefore, this new platform can, for instance, give direct insights into reaction mechanisms at stake during the degradation of polymers. First results on a bisphenol A polycarbonate irradiated under vacuum enabling the validation of this new setup and also the recording of time-resolved spectra are presented. Reaction mechanisms are then proposed.

Molecular analysis of the combining site of a monoclonal antibody against spermine.

The structural basis of the binding of the polyamine spermine to the monoclonal antibody SPM8-2 was studied using computer modelling, ELISA methods and chemical modifications of the binding site residues. Paratope modelling showed that the antibody combining site forms a highly negatively charged cavity mainly shaped by aspartic acid and tyrosine residues which contact the tetra-positively charged spermine molecule by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bondings. The importance of the electrostatic environment for spermine binding to SPM8-2 is emphasised by the strong dependency on pH and ionic strength. Specific chemical modifications of carboxylate groups and tyrosine residues of the antibody adsorbed to microtiter plates resulted in decreased binding of the N1-biotin-spermine conjugate used to monitor the activity of the antibody. These observations are consistent with a key role of aspartate and tyrosine residues in complex formation with spermine. These studies, important to our understanding of antibody-hapten specificity, may also shed light on important motifs responsible for protein-polyamine interactions.

Effect of growth hormone on bone: bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume, and alkaline phosphatase improve or are restored in the dwarf rat treated with growth hormone.

Studies were performed to determine whether serum total alkaline phosphatase (SAP), an index of bone formation; body weight; total body bone mineral density (BMD), measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; and tibial trabecular bone volume (TBV), measured by histomorphometry, are reduced in 2-week-old female sexually immature Lewis dwarf (dw/dw) rats (DW-CT, n = 9) with isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency and, if so, whether recombinant human GH (rhGH), 200 micrograms/day subcutaneously for 4 weeks (DW-GH, n = 7), restores them. Studies were also performed to determine if 30% dietary restriction in 2-week-old female Lewis rats (LW-DR, n = 11) alters SAP, body weight, total BMD, or TBV compared with pair-fed controls (LW-CT, n = 7) given an ad libitum diet. Mean SAP (91 +/- 5 versus 109 +/- 5 U/l), body weight (102 +/- 11 versus 140 +/- 10 g), total BMD (88.5 +/- 0.3 versus 101.4 +/- 2.0 mg/cm2), and TBV (19.0 +/- 1.0 versus 27.0 +/- 1.4%) were significantly lower in DW-CT than in LW-CT animals, p < 0.05. In DW-GH, rhGH significantly increased mean SAP (130 +/- 7 U/l), body weight (133 +/- 10 g), total BMD (92.7 +/- 1.3), and TBV (24.0 +/- 1.9) compared with DW-CT animals. Compared with LW-CT rats, mean body weight and TBV were not different, but mean SAP was significantly higher (p < 0.01) and mean total BMD was significantly lower (p < 0.003) in DW-GH rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Polyamine sulfonamides with NMDA antagonist properties are potent calmodulin antagonists and cytotoxic agents.

N1-Dansylspermine and related sulfonamides of the natural polyamines are very potent blockers of NMDA-type glutamate receptors. They exhibit pharmacological properties which were not predicted from the constituents of the conjugates. Cytotoxicity and calmodulin antagonism of N1-dansylspermine were especially impressive. Calmodulin antagonism implies that N1-dansylspermine prevents induction of ornithine decarboxylase and inhibits its own active uptake via the polyamine transport system. Structure-activity considerations demonstrated that an aromatic character of the substituent is not required; amide bond formation with an aliphatic sulfonic acid is sufficient to transform spermine into a highly toxic calmodulin antagonist. Cytotoxicity and calmodulin antagonism are properties which are intrinsic to spermine, but they are observed only at very high concentrations. Amide bond formation at N1 with a lipophilic residue appears to 'amplify' these normally latent properties. The use of polyamine conjugates structurally related to the amides described in this work for targeting tumours may be marred by their calmodulin antagonism.

Greater secretion of growth hormone in black than in white men: possible factor in greater bone mineral density--a clinical research center study.

To determine why blacks have a higher bone mineral density (BMD) and lower incidence of osteoporosis and fractures than whites, we investigated whether the secretion of GH is higher in black than in white men. Measurements of GH were obtained at 20-min intervals over 24 h and analyzed by deconvolution. BMD was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in 16 normal black and 17 normal white men, aged 20-40 yr. The 24-h integrated GH concentration 942 +/- 174 vs. 602 +/- 104 micrograms/L; P = 0.0495) and GH secretory burst amplitude (0.499 +/- 0.163 vs. 0.169 +/- 0.027 micrograms/L.min; P = 0.0482) were higher in black than in white men. GH burst frequency, half-duration, mass, and half-life were not different in the 2 groups. The serum 17 beta-estradiol level (162 +/- 12 vs. 108 +/- 11 pmol/L; P = 0.0011) was higher, and the serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 level (2.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.8 +/- 0.1 microgram/mL; P = 0.0001) was lower in black than in white men. BMD values for total body (1.22 +/- 0.02 vs. 1.14 +/- 0.02 g/cm2; P = 0.0041), forearm (0.69 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.66 +/- 0.01 g/cm2; P = 0.0211), trochanter (0.91 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.77 +/- 0.03 g/cm2; P = 0.0003), and femoral neck (1.08 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.93 +/- 0.03 g/cm2; P = 0.0007) were higher in black than in white men. Thus, serum 17 beta-estradiol level, GH secretion, and BMD values for the total body, forearm, trochanter, and femoral neck are greater in black than in white men. As estrogen is known to increase GH secretion and GH to increase bone mass, increases in circulating 17 beta-estradiol may contribute to the higher GH secretion and bone mass in black men.

Paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy of native and cobalt substituted manganese superoxide dismutase from Escherichia coli.

Manganese containing superoxide dismutase from E. coli has been investigated through paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy. The spectrum of the native form was rationalized using a tau(s) = 3x10(-11) s for the Mn(III) ion, consistent with previous estimates from NMRD measurements. Mn(III) has been replaced by a Co(II) ion and a tentative assignment of the NMR spectrum of the Co(II)-substituted derivative has been proposed, based on T1, chemical shifts and 1D-NOE data. The metal coordination geometry is provided by three histidines and a carboxylate group. The presence of a solvent molecule as a loosely bound fifth ligand is also proposed. The NMR data of the Co(II)-substituted derivative of E. coli MnSOD differs from those of Co(II)SOD from other bacterial sources. This suggests that Co(II) substitution is an efficient method to address the problem of metal ion selectivity in superoxide dismutase.

Molecular cloning, expression analysis and iron metal cofactor characterisation of a superoxide dismutase from Toxoplasma gondii.

A genomic region of 12 kb encompassing the gene encoding the superoxide dismutase (SOD) of Toxoplasma gondii has been cloned. The gene contains four exons of 121, 42, 381 and 59 bp which are separated by three introns of 321, 202, and 577 bp, respectively. The open reading frame can be translated into a protein of 201 amino acids with a molecular mass of 22.6 kDa. Alignment indicated that it is a FeSOD, a type only found in bacteria, protozoa and chloroplast of higher plants. Recombinant SOD was expressed in a Escherichia coli double mutant lacking both MnFeSOD and FeSODs. The presence of iron as metal cofactor was confirmed by measurements of iron by absorption mass spectrometry and electron paramagnetic resonance studies. Semi-quantitative reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction experiments showed a similar amount of SOD transcripts in two developmental stages of T. gondii. Antibodies raised against the purified recombinant protein detected SOD protein in both bradyzoite and tachyzoite forms suggesting this SOD might be essential for the intracellular growth of both developmental stages. Southern blot analysis indicated that SOD occured as a single copy gene in T. gondii genome.

Heterocyclic Quinones. 4. A new highly cytotoxic drug: 6,7-bis(1-aziridinyl)-5,8-quinazolinedione.

With the aim of obtaining new antitumoral agents, a series of 5,8-quinazolinediones was prepared. 5-Amino-6-methoxyquinazoline was oxidized by Fremy's salt to give 6-methoxy-5,8-quinazolinedione. Nucleophilic substitution reaction at C6, electrophilic substitution at C7, and synthesis of 7-amino-6-methoxy-5,8-quinazolinedione, the parent compound of streptonigrin, were studied. These compounds were tested for cytotoxic properties on L1210 leukemia cells in vitro. One of them, 6,7-bis(1-aziridinyl)-5,8-quinazolinedione, which exhibits a high cytotoxic activity (ID50 = 0.08 microM), was further screened in standard antitumor systems, including L1210 leukemia, P388 lymphocytic leukemia, sarcoma 180, and B16 melanocarcinoma. This drug gives a significant antitumoral effect on P388 leukemia but is inactive on other experimental models. Moreover, this compound was found to be highly mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains (Ames test), suggesting that DNA damage could be responsible for its cytotoxicity.

Heterocyclic quinones. 17. A new in vivo active antineoplastic drug: 6,7-bis(1-aziridinyl)-4-[[3-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl]amino]-5,8- quinazolinedione.

A series of heterocyclic quinones, 6-substituted and 6,7-disubstituted 4-(alkylamino)-5,8-quinazolinediones, have been synthesized in order to evaluate their in vitro cytotoxicity on L1210 leukemia cells. Among 14 derivatives that have been prepared and studied for the structure-activity relationship, the most potent cytotoxic compound on L1210 leukemia cells was the 6,7-bis(1-aziridinyl)-4-[[3-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl]amino]-5,8- quinazolinedione (24). This compound has been tested with the use of a cell-image processor on MCF-7 human mammary and HBL human melanoma cell lines. The results show that compound 24 influences cell proliferation and blocks both cells lines in the S phase. In vivo antineoplastic activity of compound 24 has been demonstrated on a broad spectrum of murine experimental models, but it was found highly toxic and produced long-delayed deaths.

Dimethylsilane polyamines, a new class of potential anticancer drugs.

Several members of a new class of structural analogues of the natural polyamines which contain a S1(CH3)(2)- group in the central carbon chain have previously been found to be potent cytostatics to various tumor cell lines. These compounds have been tested with regard to their ability to inhibit the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma grafts in DBA/2 mice. All compounds exerted consistently antitumor effects, however,growth inhibition was only partial at one or two daily doses of 25 mu mol/kg of the drugs. Among the dimethylsilane tetramines only (6-amino-3-azahexyl),(7-amino-4-azaheptyl)-dimethylsilane (AzhexAzhepSi) reduced tumor growth to a significant degree. A major central nervous system pharmacologic effect of the compounds, hypothermia, limitates the administrable amount of the compounds. The dimethylsilane amines have polyamine antagonist properties, and are weak polyamine mimetics, as became obvious from their effect on tumor cells in culture and the present in vivo experiments.

Dammarane saponins from Zizyphus lotus.

Four dammarane-type saponins were isolated by means of centrifugal partition chromatography from the root bark of Zizyphus lotus. Their structures were elucidated using a combination of 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR spectra and mass spectroscopy. One of these glycosides is the known jujuboside A. The others are three new dammarane saponins, identified as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl jujubogenin = jujuboside C, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta-D-galactopyranosyl lotogenin = lotoside I, and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl lotogenin = lotoside II. Lotogenin is a new dammarane derivative identified as (15R, 16R, 20R, 22R)-16 beta, 22-epoxydammar-24-ene-3 beta, 15 alpha, 16 alpha, 20 beta-tetraol.

Fractionation of low-molecular-mass heparin by centrifugal partition chromatography in the ion-exchange displacement mode.

Centrifugal partition chromatography in the ion-exchange displacement mode allowed a preparative and efficient fractionation of low-molecular-mass heparins from enoxaparin sodium. Amberlite LA2--a lipophilic liquid secondary amine--was chosen as a weak anion exchanger. The biphasic system methyl isobutyl ketone-water was selected. Protonated LA2 (10%, v/v) was added to the organic stationary phase. Hydroxide (Na+, OH-) was chosen as a displacer in the aqueous mobile phase. The observed pH and concentration profiles are typical of displacement chromatography, as supported by numerical simulation. The Dubois test for the analysis of sugar content and an analysis of sulfur content (and consequently sulfatation rate) were carried out to monitor the effectiveness of the procedure. Moreover, the fractions were analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography and the 1H NMR spectra confirmed the fractionation of the sample of enoxaparin sodium.