1,1-Diheterocyclic Ethylenes Derived from Quinaldine and Carbazole as New Tubulin-Polymerization Inhibitors: Synthesis, Metabolism, and Biological Evaluation.

We report the synthesis and metabolic and biological evaluation of a series of 17 novel heterocyclic derivatives of isocombretastatin-A4 (iso-CA-4) and their structure-activity relationships. Among these derivatives, the most active compound, 4f, inhibited the growth of a panel of seven cancer cell lines with an IC50 in the low nanomolar range. In addition, 4f showed interesting activity against CA-4-resistant colon-carcinoma cells and multidrug-resistant leukemia cells. It also induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest. Structural data indicated binding of 4f to the colchicine site of tubulin, likely preventing the curved-to-straight tubulin structural changes that occur during microtubule assembly. Also, 4f disrupted the blood-vessel-like assembly formed by human umbilical-vein endothelial cells in vitro, suggesting its function as a vascular-disrupting agent. An in vitro metabolism study of 4f showed its high human-microsomal stability in comparison with that of iso-CA-4. The physicochemical properties of 4f may be conducive to CNS permeability, suggesting that this compound may be a possible candidate for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Biodegradation of 2-methylquinoline by Klebsiella pneumoniae TJ-A isolated from acclimated activated sludge.

Bacterial strain Klebsiella pneumoniae TJ-A, which was capable of utilizing 2-methylquinoline as the sole carbon and energy source, was isolated from acclimated activated sludge under aerobic conditions. Effects of temperature and initial pH on the biodegradation of 2-methylquinoline by Klebsiella pneumoniae TJ-A were investigated. The optimal temperature and initial pH were 30°C and 7.5, respectively. The degradation process was well described by the Haldane model. Then 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-2-methylquinoline, 4-ethyl-benzenamine and N-butyl-benzenamine were metabolites detected during the degradation of 2-methylquinoline. 2-Methylquinoline was initially hydroxylated at C-4 to form 2-methyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline, and then to form 2-methyl-4-quinolinol as a result of tautomerism. Hydrogenation of heterocyclic ring between the position 2 and 3 produced 2, 3-dihydro-2-methyl-4-quinolinol. The carbon-carbon bond between the position 2 and 3 in the heterocyclic ring cleaved and then formed 2-ethyl-N-ethyl-benzenamine. Tautomerism might result in the formation of N-butyl-benzenamine. The 4-ethyl-benzenamine was produced as a result of losing one ethyl group from N-butyl-benzenamine. The bacterial strain Klebsiella pneumoniae TJ-A was the priority species in the aerobic activated sludge responsible for the degradation of 2-methylquinoline.

Biodegradation of 2-methylquinoline by Enterobacter aerogenes TJ-D isolated from activated sludge.

Bacterial strain Enterobacter aerogenes TJ-D capable of utilizing 2-methylquinoline as the sole carbon and energy source was isolated from acclimated activated sludge under denitrifying conditions. The ability to degrade 2-methylquinoline by E. aerogenes TJ-D was investigated under denitrifying conditions. Under optimal conditions of temperature (35 degrees C) and initial pH 7, 2-methylquinoline of 100 mg/L was degraded within 176 hr. The degradation of 2-methylquinoline by E. aerogenes TJ-D could be well described by the Haldane model (R2 > 0.91). During the degradation period of 2-methylquinoline (initial concentration 100 mg/L), nitrate was almost completely consumed (the removal efficiency was 98.5%), while nitrite remained at low concentration (< 0.62 mg/L) during the whole denitrification period. 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-2-methylquinoline, 4-ethyl-benzenamine, N-butyl-benzenamine, N-ethyl-benzenamine and 2,6-diethyl-benzenamine were metabolites produced during the degradation. The degradation pathway of 2-methylquinoline by E. aerogenes TJ-D was proposed. 2-Methylquinoline is initially hydroxylated at C-4 to form 2-methyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline, and then forms 2-methyl-4-quinolinol as a result of tautomerism. Hydrogenation of the heterocyclic ring at positions 2 and 3 produces 2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-4-quinolinol. The carbon-carbon bond at position 2 and 3 in the heterocyclic ring may cleave and form 2-ethyl-N-ethyl-benzenamine. Tautomerism may result in the formation of 2,6-diethyl-benzenamine and N-butyl-benzenamine. 4-Ethyl-benzenamine and N-ethyl-benzenamine were produced as a result of losing one ethyl group from the above molecules.

The PaaX-type repressor MeqR2 of Arthrobacter sp. strain Rue61a, involved in the regulation of quinaldine catabolism, binds to its own promoter and to catabolic promoters and specifically responds to anthraniloyl coenzyme A.

The genes coding for quinaldine catabolism in Arthrobacter sp. strain Rue61a are clustered on the linear plasmid pAL1 in two upper pathway operons (meqABC and meqDEF) coding for quinaldine conversion to anthranilate and a lower pathway operon encoding anthranilate degradation via coenzyme A (CoA) thioester intermediates. The meqR2 gene, located immediately downstream of the catabolic genes, codes for a PaaX-type transcriptional repressor. MeqR2, purified as recombinant fusion protein, forms a dimer in solution and shows specific and cooperative binding to promoter DNA in vitro. DNA fragments recognized by MeqR2 contained a highly conserved palindromic motif, 5'-TGACGNNCGTcA-3', which is located at positions -35 to -24 of the two promoters that control the upper pathway operons, at positions +4 to +15 of the promoter of the lower pathway genes and at positions +53 to +64 of the meqR2 promoter. Disruption of the palindrome abolished MeqR2 binding. The dissociation constants (K(D)) of MeqR2-DNA complexes as deduced from electrophoretic mobility shift assays were very similar for the four promoters tested (23 nM to 28 nM). Anthraniloyl-CoA was identified as the specific effector of MeqR2, which impairs MeqR2-DNA complex formation in vitro. A binding stoichiometry of one effector molecule per MeqR2 monomer and a K(D) of 22 nM were determined for the effector-protein complex by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analyses suggested that MeqR2 is a potent regulator of the meqDEF operon; however, additional regulatory systems have a major impact on transcriptional control of the catabolic operons and of meqR2.

Complete genome sequence and metabolic potential of the quinaldine-degrading bacterium Arthrobacter sp. Rue61a.

BACKGROUND: Bacteria of the genus Arthrobacter are ubiquitous in soil environments and can be considered as true survivalists. Arthrobacter sp. strain Rue61a is an isolate from sewage sludge able to utilize quinaldine (2-methylquinoline) as sole carbon and energy source. The genome provides insight into the molecular basis of the versatility and robustness of this environmental Arthrobacter strain. RESULTS: The genome of Arthrobacter sp. Rue61a consists of a single circular chromosome of 4,736,495 bp with an average G + C content of 62.32%, the circular 231,551-bp plasmid pARUE232, and the linear 112,992-bp plasmid pARUE113 that was already published. Plasmid pARUE232 is proposed to contribute to the resistance of Arthrobacter sp. Rue61a to arsenate and Pb2+, whereas the linear plasmid confers the ability to convert quinaldine to anthranilate. Remarkably, degradation of anthranilate exclusively proceeds via a CoA-thioester pathway. Apart from quinaldine utilization, strain Rue61a has a limited set of aromatic degradation pathways, enabling the utilization of 4-hydroxy-substituted aromatic carboxylic acids, which are characteristic products of lignin depolymerization, via ortho cleavage of protocatechuate. However, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate degradation likely proceeds via meta cleavage of homoprotocatechuate. The genome of strain Rue61a contains numerous genes associated with osmoprotection, and a high number of genes coding for transporters. It encodes a broad spectrum of enzymes for the uptake and utilization of various sugars and organic nitrogen compounds. A. aurescens TC-1 is the closest sequenced relative of strain Rue61a. CONCLUSIONS: The genome of Arthrobacter sp. Rue61a reflects the saprophytic lifestyle and nutritional versatility of the organism and a strong adaptive potential to environmental stress. The circular plasmid pARUE232 and the linear plasmid pARUE113 contribute to heavy metal resistance and to the ability to degrade quinaldine, respectively.

Integrated organic-aqueous biocatalysis and product recovery for quinaldine hydroxylation catalyzed by living recombinant Pseudomonas putida.

In an earlier study, biocatalytic carbon oxyfunctionalization with water serving as oxygen donor, e.g., the bioconversion of quinaldine to 4-hydroxyquinaldine, was successfully achieved using resting cells of recombinant Pseudomonas putida, containing the molybdenum-enzyme quinaldine 4-oxidase, in a two-liquid phase (2LP) system (Ütkür et al. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 38:1067-1077, 2011). In the study reported here, key parameters determining process performance were investigated and an efficient and easy method for product recovery was established. The performance of the whole-cell biocatalyst was shown not to be limited by the availability of the inducer benzoate (also serving as growth substrate) during the growth of recombinant P. putida cells. Furthermore, catalyst performance during 2LP biotransformations was not limited by the availability of glucose, the energy source to maintain metabolic activity in resting cells, and molecular oxygen, a possible final electron acceptor during quinaldine oxidation. The product and the organic solvent (1-dodecanol) were identified as the most critical factors affecting biocatalyst performance, to a large extent on the enzyme level (inhibition), whereas substrate effects were negligible. However, none of the 13 alternative solvents tested surpassed 1-dodecanol in terms of toxicity, substrate/product solubility, and partitioning. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide for phase separation and an easy and efficient liquid-liquid extraction step enabled 4-hydroxyquinaldine to be isolated at a purity of >99.9% with recoveries of 57 and 84%, respectively. This study constitutes the first proof of concept on an integrated process for the oxyfunctionalization of toxic substrates with a water-incorporating hydroxylase.

Regioselective aromatic hydroxylation of quinaldine by water using quinaldine 4-oxidase in recombinant Pseudomonas putida.

Biocatalytic hydrocarbon oxyfunctionalizations are typically accomplished using oxygenases in living bacteria as biocatalysts. These processes are often limited by either oxygen mass transfer, cofactor regeneration, and/or enzyme instabilities due to the formation of reactive oxygen species. Here, we discuss an alternative approach based on molybdenum (Mo)-containing dehydrogenases, which produce, rather than consume, reducing equivalents in the course of substrate hydroxylation and use water as the oxygen donor. Mo-containing dehydrogenases have a high potential for overcoming limitations encountered with oxygenases. In order to evaluate the suitability and efficiency of a Mo-containing dehydrogenase-based biocatalyst, we investigated quinaldine 4-oxidase (Qox)-containing Pseudomonas strains and the conversion of quinaldine to 4-hydroxyquinaldine. Host strain and carbon source selection proved to be crucial factors influencing biocatalyst efficiency. Resting P. putida KT2440 (pKP1) cells, grown on and induced with benzoate, showed the highest Qox activity and were used for process development. To circumvent substrate and product toxicity/inhibition, a two-liquid phase approach was chosen. Without active aeration and with 1-dodecanol as organic carrier solvent a productivity of 0.4 g l (tot) (-1) h(-1) was achieved, leading to the accumulation of 2.1 g l (tot) (-1) 4-hydroxyquinaldine in 6 h. The process efficiency compares well with values reported for academic and industrially applied biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization processes emphasizing the potential and feasibility of the Qox-containing recombinant cells for heteroaromatic carbon oxyfunctionalizations without the necessity for active aeration.

Complete nucleotide sequence of the 113-kilobase linear catabolic plasmid pAL1 of Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus Rü61a and transcriptional analysis of genes involved in quinaldine degradation.

The nucleotide sequence of the linear catabolic plasmid pAL1 from the 2-methylquinoline (quinaldine)-degrading strain Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus Rü61a comprises 112,992 bp. A total of 103 open reading frames (ORFs) were identified on pAL1, 49 of which had no annotatable function. The ORFs were assigned to the following functional groups: (i) catabolism of quinaldine and anthranilate, (ii) conjugation, and (iii) plasmid maintenance and DNA replication and repair. The genes for conversion of quinaldine to anthranilate are organized in two operons that include ORFs presumed to code for proteins involved in assembly of the quinaldine-4-oxidase holoenzyme, namely, a MobA-like putative molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide synthase and an XdhC-like protein that could be required for insertion of the molybdenum cofactor. Genes possibly coding for enzymes involved in anthranilate degradation via 2-aminobenzoyl coenzyme A form another operon. These operons were expressed when cells were grown on quinaldine or on aromatic compounds downstream in the catabolic pathway. Single-stranded 3' overhangs of putative replication intermediates of pAL1 were predicted to form elaborate secondary structures due to palindromic and superpalindromic terminal sequences; however, the two telomeres appear to form different structures. Sequence analysis of ORFs 101 to 103 suggested that pAL1 codes for one or two putative terminal proteins, presumed to be covalently bound to the 5' termini, and a multidomain telomere-associated protein (Tap) comprising 1,707 amino acids. Even if the putative proteins encoded by ORFs 101 to 103 share motifs with the Tap and terminal proteins involved in telomere patching of Streptomyces linear replicons, their overall sequences and domain structures differ significantly.

Identification of large linear plasmids in Arthrobacter spp. encoding the degradation of quinaldine to anthranilate.

Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus Rü61a, which utilizes quinaldine as sole source of carbon and energy, was shown to contain a conjugative linear plasmid of approximately 110 kb, named pAL1. It exhibits similarities with other linear plasmids from Actinomycetales in that it has proteins covalently attached to its 5' ends. Southern hybridization with probes for the genes encoding quinaldine 4-oxidase and N-acetylanthranilate amidase indicated that pAL1 contains the gene cluster encoding the degradation of quinaldine to anthranilate. A mutant of strain Rü61a that had lost pAL1 indeed could not convert quinaldine, but was still able to grow on anthranilate. Conjugative transfer of pAL1 to the plasmid-less mutant of strain Rü61a and to Arthrobacter nicotinovorans DSM 420 (pAO1) occurred at frequencies of 5.4x10(-4) and 2.0x10(-4) per recipient, respectively, and conferred the ability to utilize quinaldine. Five other quinaldine-degrading Gram-positive strains were isolated from soil samples; 16S rDNA sequence analysis suggested the closest relationship to different Arthrobacter species. Except for strain K2-29, all isolates contained a pAL1-like linear plasmid carrying genes encoding quinaldine conversion. A 478 bp fragment that on pAL1 represents an intergenic region showed 100 % sequence identity in all isolates harbouring a pAL1-like plasmid, suggesting horizontal dissemination of the linear plasmid among the genus Arthrobacter.

Gene cluster of Arthrobacter ilicis Ru61a involved in the degradation of quinaldine to anthranilate: characterization and functional expression of the quinaldine 4-oxidase qoxLMS genes.

A genetic analysis of the anthranilate pathway of quinaldine degradation was performed. A 23-kb region of DNA from Arthrobacter ilicis Rü61a was cloned into the cosmid pVK100. Although Escherichia coli clones containing the recombinant cosmid did not transform quinaldine, cosmids harboring the 23-kb region, or a 10.8-kb stretch of this region, conferred to Pseudomonas putida KT2440 the ability to cometabolically convert quinaldine to anthranilate. The 10.8-kb fragment thus contains the genes coding for quinaldine 4-oxidase (Qox), 1H-4-oxoquinaldine 3-monooxygenase, 1H-3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinaldine 2,4-dioxygenase, and N-acetylanthranilate amidase. The qoxLMS genes coding for the molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide-(MCD-), FeSI-, FeSII-, and FAD-containing Qox were inserted into the expression vector pJB653, generating pKP1. Qox is the first MCD-containing enzyme to be synthesized in a catalytically fully competent form by a heterologous host, P. putida KT2440 pKP1; the catalytic properties and the UV-visible and EPR spectra of Qox purified from P. putida KT2440 pKP1 were essentially like those of wild-type Qox. This provides a starting point for the construction of protein variants of Qox by site-directed mutagenesis. Downstream of the qoxLMS genes, a putative gene whose deduced amino acid sequence showed 37% similarity to the cofactor-inserting chaperone XdhC was located. Additional open reading frames identified on the 23-kb segment may encode further enzymes (a glutamyl tRNA synthetase, an esterase, two short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases, an ATPase belonging to the AAA family, a 2-hydroxyhepta-2,4-diene-1,7-dioate isomerase/5-oxopent-3-ene-1,2,5-tricarboxylate decarboxylase-like protein, and an enzyme of the mandelate racemase group) and hypothetical proteins involved in transcriptional regulation, and metabolite transport.

Molecular cloning, sequencing, expression, and site-directed mutagenesis of the 1H-3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinaldine 2,4-dioxygenase gene from Arthrobacter spec. Rü61a.

The ring cleaving enzyme 1H-3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinaldine 2,4-dioxygenase (HOD)) of Arthrobacter spec. Rü61a is part of the quinaldine degradation pathway. Carbon monoxide and N-acetyl-anthranilate are the products formed by dioxygenolytic cleavage of two C-C bonds in the substrate's pyridine ring. The gene coding for HOD was cloned and sequenced. An isoelectric point of pH 5.40 and a molecular mass of 31,838 Da was deduced from the sequence. HOD is shown to be remarkably similar to 1H-3-hydroxy-4-oxoquinoline 2,4-dioxygenase (QDO) of Pseudomonas putida 33/1, but not to other dioxygenases described so far. Consensus regions indicative for any chromophoric cofactor or any catalytically relevant metal were not detected. Sequence comparisons and secondary structure predictions revealed HOD as a new member of the alpha/beta hydrolase fold family. Expression in E. coli yielded recombinant catalytically active His-tagged HOD. S101A and D233A, two mutants of HOD, were obtained by site-directed mutagenesis. Since their residual activity is 43.1% and 62.6%, respectively, they probably are of no catalytic relevance although they might play a role in the interaction between enzyme and substrate.

Evaluation of quinaldine red as a fluorescent probe for studies of drug-alpha 1-acid glycoprotein interaction.

We attempted to develop a fluorescent probe superior to conventional ones (8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate and auramine O) for use in the study of drug-binding sites on alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP). It was found that quinaldine red (QR) strongly bound to AGP and had an enhanced fluorescence in the presence of AGP at a longer wavelength, although QR was rarely fluorescent in an aqueous or albumin solution. The binding parameters of QR to AGP were K: 1.3 x 10(6) M-1 and n: 0.9, using the fluorometric titration method. The fluorescence of QR in the AGP solution, however, was markedly quenched in the presence of basic drugs, indicating that these drugs competitively displaced QR from its binding site; the results were in good agreement with those in the literature. The good relationship between binding affinities and partition coefficients suggested that hydrophobic forces were involved in the binding of basic drugs to AGP. Moreover, the polarity of the binding site of AGP estimated from the relationship between the emission maximum of QR and Z values was 70, which corresponds to the same Z value of acetonitrile. These results distinguish QR from other conventional AGP probes as a better fluorescent probe by which to understand drug-AGP interaction and the characterization of binding sites on AGP in more detail.

Microbial metabolism of quinoline and related compounds. VI. Degradation of quinaldine by Arthrobacter sp.

Quinaldine catabolism was investigated with the bacterial strain Arthrobacter sp., which is able to grow aerobically in a mineral salt medium with quinaldine as sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy. The following degradation products of quinaldine were isolated from the culture fluid and identified: 1H-4-oxoquinaldine, N-acetylisatic acid, N-acetylanthranilic acid, anthranilic acid, 3-hydroxy-N-acetylanthranilic acid and catechol. 3-Hydroxy-N-acetylanthranilic acid was not further metabolized by this organism. A degradation pathway is proposed.

2,2-Dialkyl-1,2-dihydroquinolines: cytochrome P-450 catalyzed N-alkylporphyrin formation, ferrochelatase inhibition, and induction of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase activity.

Incubation of 2,4-diethyl-1,2-dihydro-2-methylquinoline (DMDQ) with hepatic microsomes from rats pretreated with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile, or dexamethasone results in minor loss of the cytochrome P-450 chromophore and accumulation of a hepatic pigment. The hepatic pigment consists of the four regioisomers of N-ethylprotoporphyrin IX and minor amounts of the corresponding N-methyl regioisomers. Exposure of chick embryo liver cells to DMDQ results in inhibition of their ferrochelatase activity, induction of their 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase activity, and accumulation of protoporphyrin IX. 1,2-Dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline (TMDQ) causes negligible loss of cytochrome P-450 in rat liver microsomes but in vivo still produces the four N-methylprotoporphyrin IX regioisomers in low yield. Furthermore, it inhibits ferrochelatase activity, elevates 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase activity, and causes protoporphyrin IX accumulation in cultured chick embryo hepatocytes. One-electron oxidation of the 2,2-dialkyl-1,2-dihydroquinolines to radical cations is postulated to result in N-alkylation of the prosthetic heme group of cytochrome P-450. The N-alkylprotoporphyrins IX thus formed are potent inhibitors of ferrochelatase. Inhibition of ferrochelatase causes the induction of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase and the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX. Heme alkylation and ferrochelatase inhibition may be generally associated with substrates that are subject to cytochrome P-450 mediated oxidative extrusion of alkyl radicals.

Fate and distribution studies of some drugs used in aquaculture.

Residue concentrations of drugs that are administered to fish by bath immersion are related primarily to passage of the drugs across the gills. The elimination of these chemicals by fish can be mediated by biotransformation, but the route of elimination depends on physical characteristics of the chemicals or on their biotransformation products. Uptake of the anesthetics tricaine methanesulfonate, benzocaine, Piscaine, and quinaldine is rapid because they are lipophilic. Loss of their residues also is rapid after the fish are removed from anesthetic solutions because the gradient of concentration favors passage back across the gills. Among therapeutants, uptake and loss of malachite green residues in fish follow the same general pattern as the anesthetics, although at much slower rates; the residues accumulate in the eggs of gravid female salmon after treatment and are detectable in eggs and newly hatched fry. In fish treated with formalin, residues of formaldehyde cannot be detected by currently available analytical methodology. Sulfonamides are metabolized in fish by acetylation and conjugation; however, the free form of the drug appears to be eliminated more rapidly than the acetylated form.

Synthsis and antitumor properties of bis(quinaldine) derivatives.

A series of 7-nitro- and amino-N,'-bis(4-quinaldinyl)-alpha, omega-diaminoalkanes related to the 6-amino derivative 1 was synthesized and tested in the mouse P-388 lymphocytic leukemia screen. There of the 7-nitro derivatives (12, 14, and 15) were found to have moderate activity (T/C 140-150%), while other nitro derivatives (11 and 13) were devoid of any antitumor properties. All five 7-amino compounds (2-6) were moderately to strongly active (T/C 134-196%). In addition, binding of amino derivatives 2-6 to DNA was examined by their ability to (1) stabilize DNA to thermal denaturation and (2) inhibit the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase reaction in vitro. Tm data suggest that these compounds bind to DNA and are strong inhibitors of the polymerase reaction (I50 = 6-9 X 10(-6) M).