Effects of genetic correction on the differentiation of hair cell-like cells from iPSCs with MYO15A mutation.

Deafness or hearing loss is a major issue in human health. Inner ear hair cells are the main sensory receptors responsible for hearing. Defects in hair cells are one of the major causes of deafness. A combination of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology with genome-editing technology may provide an attractive cell-based strategy to regenerate hair cells and treat hereditary deafness in humans. Here, we report the generation of iPSCs from members of a Chinese family carrying MYO15A c.4642G>A and c.8374G>A mutations and the induction of hair cell-like cells from those iPSCs. The compound heterozygous MYO15A mutations resulted in abnormal morphology and dysfunction of the derived hair cell-like cells. We used a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to genetically correct the MYO15A mutation in the iPSCs and rescued the morphology and function of the derived hair cell-like cells. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of generating inner ear hair cells from human iPSCs and the functional rescue of gene mutation-based deafness by using genetic correction.

Chromophore-modified bis-naphthalimides: synthesis and antitumor activity of bis-dibenz[de,h]isoquinoline-1,3-diones.

The bis-dibenz[de,h]isoquinoline-1,3-diones are a new series of antitumor agents that consist of two chromophores bridged by an alkylamino linker. In the present study we have explored the effect produced by the presence of two dibenz[de,h]isoquinoline-1,3-dione moieties with different polyamine chains on cellular cytotoxicity. Bis-dibenz[de,h]isoquinoline-1,3-diones with the bridge (CH2)2-NH-(CH2)n-NH-(CH2)2, where n = 2-5, showed optimum cytotoxicity with IC50's around 10 nM. Compound 16, which has the (CH2)2-NH-(CH2)3-NH-(CH2)2 bridge, altered DNA mobility and topoisomerase I and II activity at approximately 5 microM. When tested in vivo, compound 16 increased the median survival time of mice implanted with M5076 with an optimum %T/C of 154% and produced cures in 50% of mice implanted with Lox melanoma.

Preclinical evaluation of LU 79553: a novel bis-naphthalimide with potent antitumor activity.

LU 79553 is a novel bis-naphthalimide which is highly cytotoxic in vitro with EC50 (concentration required for 50% inhibition of growth) ranging from 2 x 10(-7) to 5 x 10(-10) M. A number of studies were conducted to examine its antitumor activity in human xenograft models. In addition, we wanted to explore the possible schedule dependency of LU 79553 cytotoxicity in these xenograft models. Complete regression of MX-1 (mammary carcinoma) xenografts was observed when LU 79553 was administered i.v. daily for 5 doses at 20 mg/kg (2 cycles starting on Days 6 and 20) or every 3 days for 2 doses at 55 mg/kg (2 cycles starting on Days 6 and 13) or every 7 days for 4 doses. Complete regression was also seen in the MX-1 model when tumors were staged at 1-2 g prior to the initiation of treatment. Regressions (complete or partial) were observed in the LX-1 (lung), CX-1 (colon), DLD (colon), and LOX (melanoma) xenograft models. A significant increase in the median survival time of OVCAR-3- (ovarian carcinoma) bearing mice was noted in LU 79553-treated animals (treated/control = 195%). The excellent activity of this compound in such a wide variety of tumor types suggests LU 79553 merits further investigation in clinical trials.

Bis-naphthalimides: a new class of antitumor agents.

A series of bis-intercalators bearing the 1,8-naphthalimide chromophore has been synthesized and in vitro activities determined. Most compounds have higher activities in HT-29 than the leader compounds Mitonafide and Amonafide. One of them (22) was selected for in vivo studies and presents an interesting activity in MX-1 and OVCAR models. (22) also acts as antitopoisomerase II.

Photoaffinity substrates for P-glycoprotein.

A variety of compounds can inhibit the function of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) by binding to it and preventing the efflux of anticancer drug substrates. While the molecular architecture of the drug binding site(s) in Pgp is not known, it is clear that modulators in general appear to conform to some general physical-chemical rules. In this paper, we discuss the basic concepts of drug recognition by Pgp as currently understood. We also examine the compounds used to photoaffinity label this protein and discuss their utility in identifying drug binding sites. Finally, we show that a photoaffinity analog of daunorubicin, [3H]azidobenzoyl-daunorubicin ([3H]AB-DNR), is a good affinity labeling reagent for Pgp. A finding of interest is that vinblastine and verapamil compete more effectively than daunorubicin for [3H]AB-DNR binding to Pgp, suggesting that vinblastine and verapamil have similar structural features not shared by daunorubicin.

Progesterone photoaffinity labels P-glycoprotein in multidrug-resistant human leukemic lymphoblasts.

We show for the first time that [3H]progesterone ([3H]PRG) can directly photoaffinity label membrane proteins prepared from a multidrug-resistant human leukemic lymphoblastic cell line CEM/VLB5K. A 170-kDa protein in CEM/VLB5K cell membranes was specifically labeled by [3H]PRG, which we identified as P-glycoprotein (Pgp) by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antibody C219. The anticancer drug vinblastine and multidrug resistance reversing agent verapamil as well as several steroidal hormones were examined for their ability to interfere with [3H]PRG binding to Pgp. We found that 200-fold molar excess of vinblastine strongly inhibited (93%) the binding of [3H]PRG to Pgp compared with verapamil (80%), progesterone (78%), testosterone (46%), dexamethasone (25%), and aldosterone (56%). The results of this study provide direct evidence that progesterone can bind to Pgp and support the hypothesis that under physiological conditions Pgp may play a role in the excretion of progesterone from certain cells. Importantly, our results show that under our conditions vinblastine and verapamil are better able to compete with [3H]PRG for binding to Pgp than are other steroids, including testosterone, corticosteroids, and mineralocorticoids.

Synthesis and biological activity of 4-methylestradiol.

The synthesis of 4-methylestradiol (4-ME2) was carried out by reductive aromatization of 4-methyl-1,4-androstadiene-3-one-17 beta-ol. The relative binding affinity of 4-ME2 was found to be 10 and 25% of estradiol at 0 and 25 degrees C, respectively. 4-ME2 had considerably weaker uterotrophic activity relative to estrone and was found to have no antiuterotrophic activity.

Synthesis and biologic activities of 11 beta-substituted estradiol as potential antiestrogens.

The effect of attachment of a dimethylaminoethoxy or a dimethylaminopropoxy group at the 11 beta-position of estradiol (E2) on its relative binding affinity (RBA) to estrogen receptor (ER) and intrinsic biologic activity is described. The binding of 11 beta-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino) ethoxy]estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17 beta-diol (4) and 11 beta-[3-(N,N- dimethylamino)propoxy]estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17 beta-diol (5) to the ER from immature rat uterine tissue was measured relative to that of [3H]E2 by a competitive binding assay. It was found that the 11 beta-substituted E2 analogs have considerably lower RBA to ER than the corresponding parent compound. The intrinsic activity of compounds 4 and 5 were studied in terms of uterotrophic and antiuterotrophic activity. It was found that the uterotrophic activity of these compounds was drastically reduced compared with E2. However, no antiuterotrophic activity was observed in these compounds at dosages ranging from 1 to 100 micrograms/rat/d.

Binding of an optically pure photoaffinity analogue of verapamil, LU-49888, to P-glycoprotein from multidrug-resistant human leukemic cell lines.

Verapamil enhances anticancer drug cytotoxicity in multidrug resistant (MDR) cells, apparently by competing with these agents for binding to P-glycoprotein (Pgp). In this study, we provide direct evidence for this competition. We studied the binding of an optically pure photoaffinity analogue of verapamil, (S)-5-[(3-azidophenylethyl)-[N-methyl-3H]- methylamino]-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-isopropylvaleronitrile (LU-49888), to Pgp from MDR cell lines. LU-49888 specifically labeled a single Mr 170,0000 protein that was identified as Pgp on Western blots and also by specific immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antibody C-219. A 200-fold molar excess of vinblastine or vincristine specifically inhibited this binding by greater than 98%. LU-49888 labeling of Pgp was also inhibited by actinomycin D (45%), podophyllotoxin (47%), and amsacrine (82%), marginally by doxorubicin (25%), colchicine (22%), daunorubicin (18%), and etoposide (14%), but not by teniposide. Modulators of Pgp-MDR also compete with LU-49888 for binding to Pgp: verapamil (82%), diltiazem (73%), quinidine (91%), reserpine (91%), rescinnamine (88%), and trimethoxybenzoylyohimbine (89%). Chloroquine was moderately inhibitory (25%), whereas chlorpromazine and yohimbine, which are not modulators in our MDR cell lines, did not inhibit the binding of LU-49888 to Pgp. LU-49888 labeling of Pgp was also completely inhibited by (R)-, (S)-, and racemic desmethoxyverapamil, all with the same efficiency. Our results demonstrate that the verapamil analogue LU-49888 specifically binds to Pgp and suggest that verapamil and some MDR modulators exert their effects by interacting with Pgp.

Structural determinants of phenoxazine type compounds required to modulate the accumulation of vinblastine and vincristine in multidrug-resistant cell lines.

Phenoxazine and seven other structurally related compounds were investigated to determine whether they would increase accumulation of Vinca alkaloids in multidrug-resistant (MDR) GC3/C1 (human colon adenocarcinoma) and KB-ChR-8-5 (HeLa variant) cell lines. Among eight compounds examined, phenoxazine caused greater accumulations of vincristine (VCR) and vinblastine (VLB) than the other chemosensitizers. The structure-activity relationship of these compounds for anti-MDR activity suggested an ideal tricyclic ring structure with a basic nitrogen atom at position 10 for modulating the accumulation of Vinca alkaloids. Addition of oxygen to position 5 of the tricyclic ring system further increased the activity, implying that a highly electronegative element with one, or more, lone pair of electrons in the nucleus opposite to heterocyclic nitrogen was a requirement for better anti-MDR activity. The relationship between the concentration of phenoxazine and the potentiation of Vinca alkaloid accumulation in comparison to verapamil was examined. For VCR in GC3/C1 cells, maximal modulation indices were: for verapamil, 1.8; phenoxazine, 8.6; and for VLB, 1.3 for verapamil compared to 3.3 for phenoxazine. In KB-ChR-8-5 cells, for VCR the maximal modulating index values were 9.0 and 4.3, respectively, and for phenoxazine and verapamil and for VLB were 5.0 and 3.7, respectively. Accumulations of VLB in GC3/C1 cells were similar in the presence of 1 microM phenoxazine or 10 mM sodium azide plus 10 mM 2-deoxyglucose. The effects of verapamil and phenoxazine on the accumulation of Vinca alkaloid were additive. Further, phenoxazine decreased the efflux of VLB by 30% in KB-ChR-8-5 cell line and 10% in GC3/C1 cells. In addition to enhancing the cytotoxicities of VCR and VLB, phenoxazine competed relatively weakly for binding to P-glycoprotein with [3H]azidopine and moderately with [3H]azidoverapamil, at equal concentrations, suggesting that the multidrug transporter may be the primary target for phenoxazine.

Synthesis and biological activity of 17 beta-substituted estradiol.

The dialkylaminoethoxy side chain in triphenylethylene antiestrogens is required for their antiestrogenic activity. Without this side chain the compounds lose their antiestrogenic activity and become essentially estrogenic. Estradiol substituted at the 17 beta-position with dialkylaminoethoxy, dialkylaminoethylamino, or dialkylaminoethylthiol were synthesized and tested for their ability to displace estradiol for its receptor. All of the derivatives tested exhibited low binding affinities to the estrogen receptor, with RBA values ranging between 0 to 1.2 (estradiol = 100). The mouse and rat uterine weight test revealed only low estrogenic activity for this class of compounds. None of the estradiol derivatives synthesized showed antiestrogenic activity.

Transformation of steroids by algae.

Twenty-two algal cultures grown photoautotrophically were incubated with 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 17 beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3-one. Most cultures were capable of effecting transformation. The metabolites were isolated and detected by tlc and hplc, and were identified by comparison of chromatographic and/or spectral properties with those of authentic compounds. Most cultures showed the presence of 17-oxidoreductase, some were capable of hydroxylating 4-androstenedione at the 6 beta- and 14 alpha-positions, and a few were capable of utilizing substrates as an energy and/or a carbon source. Incubations with testosterone showed very little metabolism.