A novel PET probe to selectively image heat shock protein 90α/ß isoforms in the brain.

BACKGROUND: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are present throughout the brain. They function as molecular chaperones, meaning they help with the folding and unfolding of large protein complexes. These chaperones are vital in the development of neuropathological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body disease, with HSP90, a specific subtype of HSP, playing a key role. Many studies have shown that drugs that inhibit HSP90 activity have beneficial effects in the neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, HSP90 PET imaging ligand can be used effectively to study HSP90 in neurodegenerative diseases. Among four HSP90 isoforms, two cytosolic isoforms (HSP90α and HSP90ß) thought to be involved in the structural homeostasis of the proteins related to the neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, no useful PET imaging ligands selectively targeting the two cytosolic isoforms of HSP90 have been available yet. RESULTS: In this study, we developed a novel positron emission tomography (PET) imaging ligand, [11C]BIIB021, by 11C-radiolabeling (a positron emitter with a half-life of 20.4 min) 6-Chloro-9-[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyridin-2-yl)methyl]-9H-purin-2-amine (BIIB021), an inhibitor with a high affinity for and selectivity to HSP90α and HSP90ß. [11C]BIIB021 was synthesized with a high yield, molar activity and radiochemical purity. [11C]BIIB021 showed a high binding affinity for rat brain homogenate as well as human recombinant HSP90α and HSP90ß proteins. Radioactivity was well detected in the rat brain (SUV 1.4). It showed clear specific binding in PET imaging of healthy rats and autoradiography of healthy rat and human brain sections. Radiometabolite was detected in the brain, however, total distribution volume was well quantified using dual-input graphical model. Inhibition of p-glycoprotein increased brain radioactivity concentrations. However, total distribution volume values with and without p-glycoprotein inhibition were nearly the same. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a new PET imaging agent, [11C]BIIB021, specifically targeting HSP90α/ß. We have been successful in synthesizing [11C]BIIB021 and in vitro and in vivo imaging HSP90α/ß. However, the quantification of HSP90α/ß is complicated by the presence of radiometabolites in the brain and the potential to be a substrate for p-glycoprotein. Further efforts are needed to develop radioligand suitable for imaging of HSP90α/ß.

Simple methods for measuring milk exosomes using fluorescent compound GIF-2250/2276.

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) found in culture supernatants, blood, and breast milk. The size of these nanocomplexes limits the methods of EV analyses. In this study, nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD), a fluorophore, conjugated endosome-lysosome imager, GIF-2250 and its derivative, GIF-2276, were evaluated for exosome analyses. A correlation was established between GIF-2250 intensity and protein maker levels in bovine milk exosomes. We found that high-temperature sterilization milk may not contain intact exosomes. For precise analysis, we synthesized GIF-2276, which allows for the covalent attachment of NBD to the Lys residue of exosome proteins, and labeled milk exosomes were separated using a gel filtration system. GIF-2276 showed chromatographic peaks of milk exosomes containing >3 ng protein. The area (quantity) and retention time (size) of the exosome peaks were correlated to biological activity (NO synthesis suppression in RAW264.7 murine macrophages). Heat denaturation of purified milk-derived exosomes disrupted these indicators. Proteome analyses revealed GIF-2276-labeled immunomodulators, such as butyrophilin subfamily 1 member A1 and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor. The immunogenicity and quantity of these factors decreased by heat denaturation. When milk exosomes were purified from market-sourced milk we found that raw and low-temperature sterilization milk samples, contained exosomes (none in high-temperature sterilization milk). These results were also supported by transmission electron microscopy analyses. We also found that GIF-2276 could monitor exosome transportation into HEK293 cells. These results suggested that GIF-2250/2276 may be helpful to evaluate milk exosomes.

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel PET ligand, a GSK'963 analog, aiming at autoradiography and imaging of the receptor interacting protein kinase 1 in the brain.

BACKGROUND: Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is a serine/threonine kinase, which regulates programmed cell death and inflammation. Recently, the involvement of RIPK1 in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been reported; RIPK1 is involved in microglia's phenotypic transition to their dysfunctional states, and it is highly expressed in the neurons and microglia in the postmortem brains in AD patients. They prompt neurodegeneration leading to accumulations of pathological proteins in AD. Therefore, regulation of RIPK1 could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AD, and in vivo imaging of RIPK1 may become a useful modality in studies of drug discovery and pathophysiology of AD. The purpose of this study was to develop a suitable radioligand for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of RIPK1. RESULTS: (S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)propan-1-one (GSK'963) has a high affinity, selectivity for RIPK1, and favorable physiochemical properties based on its chemical structure. In this study, since 11C-labeling (half-life: 20.4 min) GSK'963 retaining its structure requiring the Grignard reaction of tert-butylmagnesium halides and [11C]carbon dioxide was anticipated to give a low yield, we decided instead to 11C-label a GSK'963 analog ((S)-2,2-dimethyl-1-(5-(m-tolyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)propan-1-one, GG502), which has a high RIPK1 inhibitory activity equivalent to that of the original compound GSK'963. Thus, we successfully 11C-labeled GG502 using a Pd-mediated cross-coupling reaction in favorable yields (3.6 ± 1.9%) and radiochemical purities (> 96%), and molar activity (47-115 GBq/µmol). On autoradiography, radioactivity accumulation was observed for [11C]GG502 and decreased by non-radioactive GG502 in the mouse spleen and human brain, indicating the possibility of specific binding of this ligand to RIPK1. On brain PET imaging in a rhesus monkey, [11C]GG502 showed a good brain permeability (peak standardized uptake value (SUV) ~3.0), although there was no clear evidence of specific binding of [11C]GG502. On brain PET imaging in acute inflammation model rats, [11C]GG502 also showed a good brain permeability, and no significant increased uptake was observed in the lipopolysaccharide-treated side of striatum. On metabolite analysis in rats at 30 min after administration of [11C]GG502, ~55% and ~10% of radioactivity was from unmetabolized [11C]GG502 in the brain and the plasma, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We synthesized and evaluated a 11C-labeled PET ligand based on the methylated analog of GSK'963 for imaging of RIPK1 in the brain. Although in autoradiography of the resulting [11C]GG502 indicated the possibility of specific binding, the actual PET imaging failed to detect any evidence of specific binding to RIPK1 despite its good brain permeability. Further development of radioligands with a higher binding affinity for RIPK1 in vivo and more stable metabolite profiles compared with the current compound may be required.

Acyclic retinoid peretinoin reduces hemorrhage-associated brain injury in vitro and in vivo.

Peretinoin is an acyclic retinoid that stimulates retinoic acid receptors (NR1Bs) and produces therapeutic effects on hepatocellular cancer. We have previously shown that NR1B agonists such as Am80 and all trans-retinoic acid suppress pathogenic events in intracerebral hemorrhage. The present study addressed the actions of peretinoin and Am80 against cytotoxicity of a blood protease thrombin on cortico-striatal slice cultures obtained from neonatal rat brains. Application of 100 U/ml thrombin to the slice cultures for 72 h caused cell death in the cortical region and tissue shrinkage in the striatal region. Peretinoin (50 µM) and Am80 (1 µM) counteracted these cytotoxic effects of thrombin, and the effect of peretinoin and Am80 was blocked by LE540, an NR1B antagonist. A broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor K252a (3 µM) attenuated the cytoprotective effect of peretinoin in the cortical region, whereas a specific protein kinase A inhibitor KT5720 (1 µM) attenuated the protective effect of peretinoin in the cortical and the striatal regions. On the other hand, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitors such as pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (50 µM) and Bay11-7082 (10 µM) prevented thrombin-induced shrinkage of the striatal region. Peretinoin and Am80 as well as Bay11-7082 blocked thrombin-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB in striatal microglia and loss of striatal neurons. We also found that daily administration of peretinoin reduced histopathological injury and alleviated motor deficits in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage. These results indicate that NR1B agonists including peretinoin may serve as a therapeutic option for hemorrhagic brain injury.

ARL-17477 is a dual inhibitor of NOS1 and the autophagic-lysosomal system that prevents tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.

ARL-17477 is a selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) inhibitor that has been used in many preclinical studies since its initial discovery in the 1990s. In the present study, we demonstrate that ARL-17477 exhibits a NOS1-independent pharmacological activity that involves inhibition of the autophagy-lysosomal system and prevents cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. Initially, we screened a chemical compound library for potential anticancer agents, and identified ARL-17477 with micromolar anticancer activity against a wide spectrum of cancers, preferentially affecting cancer stem-like cells and KRAS-mutant cancer cells. Interestingly, ARL-17477 also affected NOS1-knockout cells, suggesting the existence of a NOS1-independent anticancer mechanism. Analysis of cell signals and death markers revealed that LC3B-II, p62, and GABARAP-II protein levels were significantly increased by ARL-17477. Furthermore, ARL-17477 had a chemical structure similar to that of chloroquine, suggesting the inhibition of autophagic flux at the level of lysosomal fusion as an underlying anticancer mechanism. Consistently, ARL-17477 induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization, impaired protein aggregate clearance, and activated transcription factor EB and lysosomal biogenesis. Furthermore, in vivo ARL-17477 inhibited the tumor growth of KRAS-mutant cancer. Thus, ARL-17477 is a dual inhibitor of NOS1 and the autophagy-lysosomal system that could potentially be used as a cancer therapeutic.

11C-Labeling of acyclic retinoid peretinoin by rapid C-[11C]methylation to disclose novel brain permeability and central nervous system activities hidden in antitumor agent.

Recently, retinoid actions on the central nervous system (CNS) have attracted considerable attention from the perspectives of brain disease diagnosis and drug development. Firstly, we successfully synthesized [11C]peretinoin esters (methyl, ethyl, and benzyl) using a Pd(0)-mediated rapid C-[11C]methylation of the corresponding stannyl precursors without geometrical isomerization in 82%, 66%, and 57% radiochemical yields (RCYs). Subsequent hydrolysis of the 11C-labeled ester produced [11C]peretinoin in 13 ± 8% RCY (n = 3). After pharmaceutical formulation, the resulting [11C]benzyl ester and [11C]peretinoin had high radiochemical purity (>99% each) and molar activities of 144 and 118 ± 49 GBq µmol-1 at total synthesis times of 31 min and 40 ± 3 min, respectively. Rat brain PET imaging for the [11C]ester revealed a unique time-radioactivity curve, suggesting the participation of the acid [11C]peretinoin for the brain permeability. However, the curve of the [11C]peretinoin rose steadily after a shorter time lag to reach 1.4 standardized uptake value (SUV) at 60 min. These various phenomena between the ester and acid became more pronounced in the monkey brain (SUV of > 3.0 at 90 min). With the opportunity to identify high brain uptake of [11C]peretinoin, we discovered CNS activities of a drug candidate called peretinoin, such as the induction of a stem-cell to neuronal cell differentiation and the suppression of neuronal damages.

[11C]NCGG401, a novel PET ligand for imaging of colony stimulating factor 1 receptors.

Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptors (CSF1R) are expressed exclusively on microglia in the central nervous system. The receptors regulate immune responses by controlling the survival and activity of microglia and are intricately involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we developed [11C]NCGG401, a positron emission tomography (PET) ligand, targeting for CSF1R as an imaging biomarker for microglial pathophysiology in Alzheimer's disease. NCGG401 showed a high potency to inhibit human CSF1R kinase activity and a high binding affinity to human CSF1R. PET imaging with [11C]NCGG401 in healthy rats showed a good brain permeability. Furthermore, the specific binding component was determined by postmortem autoradiography in rat brain and human hippocampal sections. The knowledge of the characteristics of [11C]NCCC401, our initial CSF1R compound, we have obtained may be useful for further development and optimization of CSF1R radioligands for PET imaging of microglia.

Thioxothiazolidin derivative, 4-OST, inhibits melanogenesis by enhancing the specific recruitment of tyrosinase-containing vesicles to lysosome.

Tyrosinase catalyzes the rate-limiting step in melanin synthesis. Melanin is synthesized from l-tyrosin in the melanosomes, where tyrosinase and other melanogenic factors are recruited via the vesicle transport system. Genetic and biochemical approaches have revealed a correlation between impairments in the vesicle transport system and albinism. However, the specificity of the individual transport systems for the corresponding melanogenic factors has not been well elucidated yet. Here, we report that the thioxothiazolidin derivative, 4-OST (4-[(5E)-5-[(4-fluorophenyl)methylidene]-4-oxo-2-sulfanylidene-1,3-thiazolidin-3-yl]-4-azatricyclo [5.2.1.02 ,6]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione: CAS RN. 477766-87-3) strongly inhibited melanogenesis in mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. 4-OST reduces tyrosinase protein levels without affecting its messenger RNA levels or enzymatic activity. Although a reduction in tyrosinase protein level was observed in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor, the reduction may be coupled with protein synthesis. Similarly, GIF-2202 (a derivative of 4-OST) lowers tyrosinase protein levels without affecting the levels of another melanogenic enzyme, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) level. The reduction in tyrosinase protein level is associated with an increase in the levels of the lysosomal proteinase cathepsin S. Chloroquine, a lysosome inhibitor, restored the tyrosinase protein level downregulated by GIF-2202, although no effects of other inhibitors (against proteasome, autophagy, or exocytosis) were observed. In addition, GIF-2202 segregated the immunofluorescence signals of tyrosinase from those of TYRP1. Chloroquine treatment resulted in co-localization of tyrosinase and cathepsin S signals near the perinuclear region, suggesting that 4-OST and GIF-2202 may alter the destination of the tyrosinase vesicle from the melanosome to the lysosome. 4-OST and GIF-2202 can be new tools for studying the tyrosinase-specific vesicle transport system.

Brain pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of 11C-labeled isoproterenol in rodents.

INTRODUCTION: Isoproterenol is a non-selective ß receptor agonist, which is a drug approved for bradycardia and bronchial asthma in many countries. Recently, isoproterenol has been reported to have the potential as a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting the aggregation of tau protein. Isoproterenol is a highly potent drug causing increases in heart rates even when its plasma concentration is very low. Thus, it is critical to know if potentially effective therapeutic levels of isoproterenol can be achieved, maintaining safe plasma levels without any untoward pharmacological effects. The purpose of the study is to investigate the brain pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of 11C-labeled isoproterenol in rodents. METHODS: We performed positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging and biodistribution studies of [11C]isoproterenol. 120-min scans with arterial blood sampling were performed in rats. Additionally, plasma and brain homogenates were analyzed with radio-HPLC to characterize its metabolite profiles. As a measure of [11C]isoproterenol brain uptake, total distribution volumes were determined by a pharmacokinetic compartment model. Biodistribution of [11C]isoproterenol was investigated in mice at six-time points from 1-min to 90-min after injection. RESULTS: We found a modest brain uptake of [11C]isoproterenol. Its brain pharmacokinetics showed that the concentration of isoproterenol in the brain at equilibrium was about two-fold higher than in the plasma (total distribution volumes 2.0 ± 0.2 cm3/mL). Only unmetabolized isoproterenol was detected in the brain at 30 min after injection, although isoproterenol was rapidly metabolized in plasma. The biodistribution study showed that isoproterenol and its metabolite are excreted mainly via the urinary system. CONCLUSIONS, ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: In this study, we have shown that rat brain concentrations of isoproterenol are only two-fold of that in plasma at equilibrium. If the brain pharmacokinetics are similar in the human brain, it may be difficult to achieve potentially therapeutic levels of this drug safely in humans. Further studies appear warranted to investigate the brain pharmacokinetics in humans with PET using [11C]isoproterenol.

Synthesis of (R,S)-isoproterenol, an inhibitor of tau aggregation, as an 11C-labeled PET tracer via reductive alkylation of (R,S)-norepinephrine with [2-11C]acetone.

(R,S)-Isoproterenol inhibits the formation of toxic granular tau oligomers associated with neuronal loss and development of cognitive disorders, and is an attractive drug candidate for Alzheimer's disease. To elucidate its behavior in the brain by positron emission tomography, we synthesize (R,S)-[11C]isoproterenol by reductive alkylation of (R,S)-norepinephrine with [2-11C]acetone, which was in turn synthesized in situ under improved conditions afforded a decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 54%. The reductive alkylation using NaBH(OAc)3 as reducing agent in the presence of benzoic acid in DMSO/DMF (60:40 v/v) at 100 °C for 10 min gave (R,S)-[11C]isoproterenol in an 87% radio-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analytical yield. HPLC separation using a strong cation exchange column, followed by pharmaceutical formulation in the presence of d/l-tartaric acid, afforded (R,S)-[11C]isoproterenol with a total radioactivity of 2.0 ±â€¯0.2 GBq, a decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 19 ±â€¯2%, chemical and radiochemical purities of 71% and >99%, respectively, and a molar activity of 100 ±â€¯13 GBq/µmol (n = 3). The overall synthesis time from the end of the bombardment to pharmaceutical formulation was 48 min. A preliminary preclinical PET study in a rat demonstrated the potential of the radioligand for the evaluation of the penetration of (R,S)-isoproterenol in human brain.

Synthesis of 3-Arylmethyl-2-oxindole Derivatives and Their Effects on Neuronal Cell Death.

Various 3-arylmethyl-2-oxindole derivatives were synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation of oxindole and aromatic aldehydes followed by palladium-mediated hydrogenation or hydride-reduction. Further substituted derivatives at C-3 and/or N-1 of the oxindole skeleton were prepared from the condensation products. Their protective effect against neuronal cell death induced by oxidative stress was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase assay. A structure-activity relationship study revealed that compounds with any of the dialkylamino, nitro or hydroxy groups on the 3-arylmethyl moieties elicit a superior potency to suppress cell death, while others are ineffective. Substitutions with less polar functional groups on the benzene or lactam ring of the oxindole skeleton positively, but not remarkably, affect the potency. In addition, the stereochemistry at C-3 of the oxindole core was not a crucial factor for the neuroprotective activity of the compounds.

Remote ischemic preconditioning protects human neural stem cells from oxidative stress.

In previous clinical trials, we showed that remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC) reduced myocardial damage in children undergoing treatment for congenital heart defects and postoperative renal failure in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. In rabbit experiments, pre-treatment with plasma and plasma dialysate (obtained using 15-kDa cut-off dialysis membrane) from donor rabbits subjected to rIPC similarly protected against cardiac infarction. However, the protective substances containing in rIPC plasma have been unknown. In the present study, we showed that rIPC plasma exerted anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects on human neural stem cells under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) that mimics brain ischemia. Additionally, we applied the sample to the liquid chromatography integrated with mass spectrometry to identify candidate key molecules in the rIPC plasma and determine its role in protecting neural stem cells from OGD-induced cell death. Thioredoxin increased significantly after rIPC compared to pre-IPC. Pretreatment with thioredoxin, the antioxidant protein, markedly protected human neural stem cells from OGD-induced cell death. The effect of thioredoxin on brain ischemia in animals should be further evaluated. However, the present study first evaluated the effect of rIPC in the ischemic cellular model.

Synthesis of 3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]alkyl-2-oxindole derivatives and their effects on neuronal cell death.

Novel 3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]alkyl-2-oxindole analogs were synthesized by either of the following two pathways: (1) a sequence of Knoevenagel condensation of oxindole with (4-dimethylamino)cinnamaldehyde-hydrogenation, or (2) alkylation of oxindole dianion with [(4-dimethylamino)phenyl]alkyl halides. Subsequent alkylation at C-3 and/or N-1 of the oxindole skeleton by anion-based methods provided additional substituted derivatives for structure-activity relationship studies. Their effects on neuronal cell death induced by oxidative stress were evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Compounds with the alkyl chain length of 2-4 significantly suppressed the neuronal cell death. No significant change occurred in the activity by substitution with less-polar groups. The stereochemistry at C-3 of the oxindole core was also irrelevant for the neuroprotective effects of these compounds.

Synthesis of PET probe O6-[(3-[11C]methyl)benzyl]guanine by Pd0-mediated rapid C-[11C]methylation toward imaging DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in glioblastoma.

O6-Benzylguanine (O6-BG) is a substrate of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which is involved in drug resistance of chemotherapy in the majority of glioblastoma multiform. For clinical diagnosis, it is hoped that the MGMT expression level could be determined by a noninvasive method to understand the detailed biological properties of MGMT-specific tumors. We synthesized 11C-labeled O6-[(3-methyl)benzyl]guanine ([11C]mMeBG) as a positron emission tomography probe. Thus, a mixed amine-protected stannyl precursor, N9-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-O6-[3-(tributylstannyl)benzyl]-N2-(trifluoroacetyl)guanine, was subjected to rapid C-[11C]methylation under [11C]CH3I/[Pd2(dba)3]/P(o-CH3C6H4)3/CuCl/K2CO3 in NMP, followed by quick deprotection with LiOH/H2O, giving [11C]mMeBG with total radioactivity of 1.34GBq and ≥99% radiochemical and chemical purities.

Blood-brain barrier permeability of ginkgolide: Comparison of the behavior of PET probes 7α-[18F]fluoro- and 10-O-p-[11C]methylbenzyl ginkgolide B in monkey and rat brains.

The blood-brain barrier permeability of ginkgolide B was examined using positron emission tomography (PET) probes of a 18F-incorporated ginkgolide B ([18F]-2) and a 11C-incorporated methylbenzyl-substituted ginkgolide B ([11C]-3). PET studies in monkeys showed low uptake of [18F]-2 into the brain, but small amounts of [11C]-3 were accumulated in the parenchyma. Furthermore, when cyclosporine A was preadministered to rats, the accumulation of [18F]-2 in the rat brain did not significantly change, however, the accumulation of [11C]-3 was five times higher than that in the control rat. These results provide effective approaches for investigating the drug potential of ginkgolides.

Toxic tau oligomer formation blocked by capping of cysteine residues with 1,2-dihydroxybenzene groups.

Neurofibrillary tangles, composed of hyperphosphorylated tau fibrils, are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease; the neurofibrillary tangle load correlates strongly with clinical progression of the disease. A growing body of evidence indicates that tau oligomer formation precedes the appearance of neurofibrillary tangles and contributes to neuronal loss. Here we show that tau oligomer formation can be inhibited by compounds whose chemical backbone includes 1,2-dihydroxybenzene. Specifically, we demonstrate that 1,2-dihydroxybenzene-containing compounds bind to and cap cysteine residues of tau and prevent its aggregation by hindering interactions between tau molecules. Further, we show that orally administered DL-isoproterenol, an adrenergic receptor agonist whose skeleton includes 1,2-dihydroxybenzene and which penetrates the brain, reduces the levels of detergent-insoluble tau, neuronal loss and reverses neurofibrillary tangle-associated brain dysfunction. Thus, compounds that target the cysteine residues of tau may prove useful in halting the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.

Peptide sequences converting polyglutamine into a prion in yeast.

Amyloids are ordered protein aggregates composed of cross-ß sheet structures. Amyloids include prions, defined as infectious proteins, which are responsible for mammalian transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and fungal prions. Although the conventional view is that typical amyloids are associated with nontransmissible mammalian neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, increasing evidence suggests that the boundary between transmissible and nontransmissible amyloids is ambiguous. To clarify the mechanism underlying the difference in transmissibility, we investigated the dynamics and the properties of polyglutamine (polyQ) amyloids in yeast cells, in which the polyQ aggregates are not transmissible but can be converted into transmissible amyloids. We found that polyQ had an increased tendency to form aggregates compared to the yeast prion Sup35. In addition, we screened dozens of peptides that converted the nontransmissible polyQ to transmissible aggregates when they flanked the polyQ stretch, and also investigated their cellular dynamics aiming to understand the mechanism of transmission.

Efficient syntheses of [¹¹C]zidovudine and its analogs by convenient one-pot palladium(0)-copper(I) co-mediated rapid C-[¹¹C]methylation.

The nucleosides zidovudine (AZT), stavudine (d4T), and telbivudine (LdT) are approved for use in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. To promote positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies on their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and applications in cancer diagnosis, a convenient one-pot method for Pd(0)-Cu(I) co-mediated rapid C-C coupling of [(11)C]methyl iodide with stannyl precursor was successfully established and applied to synthesize the PET tracers [(11)C]zidovudine, [(11)C]stavudine, and [(11)C]telbivudine. After HPLC purification and radiopharmaceutical formulation, the desired PET tracers were obtained with high radioactivity (6.4-7.0 GBq) and specific radioactivity (74-147 GBq/µmol) and with high chemical (>99%) and radiochemical (>99.5%) purities. This one-pot Pd(0)-Cu(I) co-mediated rapid C-[(11)C]methylation also worked well for syntheses of [methyl-(11)C]thymidine and [methyl-(11)C]4'-thiothymidine, resulting twice the radioactivity of those prepared by a previous two-pot method. The mechanism of one-pot Pd(0)-Cu(I) co-mediated rapid C-[(11)C]methylation was also discussed.

Synthesis of (11)C-labeled retinoic acid, [(11)C]ATRA, via an alkenylboron precursor by Pd(0)-mediated rapid C-[(11)C]methylation.

Retinoids are a class of chemical compounds which include both natural dietary vitamin A (retinol) metabolites and active synthetic analogs. Both experimental and clinical studies have revealed that retinoids regulate a wide variety of essential biological processes. In this study, we synthesized (11)C-labeled all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), the most potent biologically active metabolite of retinol and used in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. The synthesis of (11)C-labeled ATRA was accomplished by a combination of rapid Pd(0)-mediated C-[(11)C]methylation of the corresponding pinacol borate precursor prepared by 8 steps and hydrolysis. [(11)C]ATRA will prove useful as a PET imaging agent, particularly for elucidating the improved therapeutic activity of ATRA (natural retinoid) for acute promyelocytic leukemia by comparing with the corresponding PET probe [(11)C]Tamibarotene (artificial retinoid).

Pd0-mediated rapid cross-coupling reactions, the rapid C-[11C]methylations, revolutionarily advancing the syntheses of short-lived PET molecular probes.

Positron emission tomography is a noninvasive method for monitoring drug (or diagnostic) behavior and its localization on the target molecules in the living systems, including the human body, using a short-lived positron-emitting radionuclide. New methodologies for introducing representative short-lived radionuclides, (11)C and (18)F, into the carbon frameworks of biologically active organic compounds have been established by developing rapid C-[(11)C]methylations and C-[(18)F]fluoromethylations using rapid Pd(0)-mediated cross-coupling reactions between [(11)C]methyl iodide (sp(3)-hybridized carbon) and an excess amount of organotributylstannane or organoboronic acid ester having sp(2) (phenyl, heteroaromatic, or alkenyl), sp(alkynyl), or sp(3) (benzyl and cinnamyl)-hybridized carbons; and [(18)F]fluoromethyl halide (iodide or bromide) and an organoboronic acid ester, respectively. These rapid reactions provide a firm foundation for an efficient and general synthesis of short-lived (11)C- or (18)F-labeled PET molecular probes to promote in vivo molecular imaging studies.