Leuco Ethyl Violet as Self-Activating Prodrug Photocatalyst for In Vivo Amyloid-Selective Oxygenation.

Aberrant aggregates of amyloid-ß (Aß) and tau protein (tau), called amyloid, are related to the etiology of Alzheimer disease (AD). Reducing amyloid levels in AD patients is a potentially effective approach to the treatment of AD. The selective degradation of amyloids via small molecule-catalyzed photooxygenation in vivo is a leading approach; however, moderate catalyst activity and the side effects of scalp injury are problematic in prior studies using AD model mice. Here, leuco ethyl violet (LEV) is identified as a highly active, amyloid-selective, and blood-brain barrier (BBB)-permeable photooxygenation catalyst that circumvents all of these problems. LEV is a redox-sensitive, self-activating prodrug catalyst; self-oxidation of LEV through a hydrogen atom transfer process under photoirradiation produces catalytically active ethyl violet (EV) in the presence of amyloid. LEV effectively oxygenates human Aß and tau, suggesting the feasibility for applications in humans. Furthermore, a concept of using a hydrogen atom as a caging group of a reactive catalyst functional in vivo is postulated. The minimal size of the hydrogen caging group is especially useful for catalyst delivery to the brain through BBB.

Histidine Photooxygenation Chemistry: Mechanistic Evidence and Elucidation.

Histidine photooxygenation has been the subject of extensive investigation for many years. The intricate nature of histidine distinguishes it from other amino acids, as its side chain readily undergoes changes in charge state and tautomerization in response to pH, and the polarity of the imidazole ring inverts upon oxidation. This complexity gives rise to a diverse range of oxidation products and mechanisms, posing challenges in their interpretation. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of the chemistry involved in histidine photooxygenation, encompassing a comprehensive analysis of resulting products, mechanisms engaged in their formation, and analytical techniques that have contributed to their identification. Additionally, it explores a wide range of applications stemming from this transformation, offering valuable insights into its practical implications in fields such as materials science, biomedical research, and drug development. By bridging the existing gap in literature, this review serves as a resource for understanding the intricacies of histidine photooxygenation and its diverse ramifications.

Allele distribution and effect on reporter gene expression of vasopressin receptor gene (AVPR1a)-linked VNTR in primates.

We surveyed repeat sequence in the 5' flanking region of primate arginine vasopressin receptor 1a gene (AVPR1a) which is important for social behavior in mammals. The amplified region was polymorphic in length in all species investigated. In addition, length variants were examined for promoter activity by in vitro expression of the luciferase gene. However, no significant difference was observed. This region could be a marker to further survey functional difference between and within species.