Early-Onset TIMP3-Related Retinopathy Associated With Impaired Signal Peptide.

Importance: Sorsby fundus dystrophy is a typically adult-onset maculopathy with high risk for choroidal neovascularization. Sorsby fundus dystrophy, inherited as an autosomal dominant fully penetrant trait, is associated with TIMP3 variants that cause protein aggregation in the extracellular matrix. Objective: To evaluate the phenotype and underlying biochemical mechanism of disease-causing TIMP3 variants altering the N-terminal signal peptide in 2 families who have early-onset diffuse maculopathy without choroidal neovascularization with cosegregation of TIMP3 variants in the signal peptide sequence. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series of 2 families with early-onset diffuse maculopathy was conducted at the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Data were collected and analyzed from October 2009 to December 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: Clinical imaging and molecular genetic testing were performed in 2 families with macular dystrophy. Cosegregation analysis of TIMP3 variants was performed in affected and unaffected family members. Candidate TIMP3 signal peptide variants were assessed for cleavage defects after transfection. Results: Eleven individuals from 2 families with early-onset diffuse maculopathy without choroidal neovascularization harbor TIMP3 variants (L10H or G12R) in the N-terminal signaling peptide were analyzed. Cosegregation with phenotype was confirmed in additional family members. Biochemical analysis confirmed defects in both protein maturation and extracellular deposition. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that TIMP3 variants altering signal peptide function deviated from classic Sorsby fundus dystrophy both in phenotypic features and underlying mechanism. These results suggest atypical patient presentations are caused by TIMP3 signal peptide defects, associated with impaired cleavage and deposition into the extracellular matrix, implicating a novel macular dystrophy disease.

Preparation and X-ray analysis of potassium (2,3-dichlorophenyl)glucosinolate.

There has been much interest in obtaining crystals for crystallographic analysis of biologically active glucosinolates. Crystals of potassium (2,3-dichlorophenyl)glucosinolate were obtained as a dual solvate, containing one methanol and one ethanol molecule of crystallization, K(+)·C13H14Cl2NO9S2(-)·CH3OH·C2H5OH. The three-dimensional polymeric network consists of chains containing the potassium ions coordinated and bridged by sugar O atoms, which run parallel to the a axis and are further crosslinked through the sugar molecules. The channels of this network are occupied by the dichlorophenyl substituents and the ethanol and methanol solvent molecules. The structure of the S-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-ß-D-glucopyranosyl)-2,3-dichlorophenylacetothiohydroxymate, C21H23Cl2NO10S, precursor has also been determined and the ß-configuration and Z isomer of the thiohydroximate substituent is confirmed.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of indole glucosinolates.

The nitronate and nitrovinyl methods to synthesize indole glucosinolates (GLs) have been investigated. The results were applied to generally the most prevalent natural indole glucosinolates to synthesize 4-methoxyglucobrassicin (MGB) and neo-glucobrassicin (NGB) in moderate overall yield for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity of the synthetic indole GLs was determined by inhibition of TNF-α secretion in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. The data showed that glucobrassicin (GB) exhibited higher activity than other synthetic indolyl GLs.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of aromatic glucosinolates.

Aromatic GLs are important members of the glucosinolate family of compounds because of their potential biological activity and medicinal properties. This study has shown success in the high yielding synthesis of some important aromatic GLs as well as the results of testing for anti-inflammatory properties of the synthetic GLs. 3,4-Dimethoxyphenylglucosinolate was found to be the most active anti-inflammatory of the seven glucosinolates assayed.

Sex and dose-related differences in methylphenidate adolescent locomotor sensitization and effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

This study analyzed repeated methylphenidate (MPH) administration and its effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens of male and female adolescent rats. In Experiment 1, rats were administered intraperitoneal (ip) saline, 1, 3, or 5 mg/kg dose of MPH every second day from postnatal day (P)33-P49. Locomotor activity was analyzed for 10 min after each administration. Results revealed that the 1 mg/kg dose of MPH produced locomotor suppression, however, the 5 mg/kg dose of MPH produced locomotor sensitization and robust behavioral activation in females as compared to males. In Experiment 2, animals were administered ip saline or the 5 mg/kg dose of MPH using an identical regimen but a 30 min behavioral test was employed. Dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens tissue was assayed for BDNF at P50. Females demonstrated sensitization to MPH and increased locomotor activation compared to males. Interestingly, females given MPH demonstrated a significant 42% decrease of striatal BDNF whereas males administered MPH demonstrated a significant 50.4% increase of striatal BDNF compared to controls. There were no effects on accumbal BDNF. This report demonstrates robust sex differences in the behavioral response, but sex-dependent changes in striatal BDNF in response to MPH in adolescence.

Synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole linked galactopyranosides and evaluation of cholera toxin inhibition.

We report the synthesis of a series of bivalent 1,2,3-triazole linked galactopyranosides as potential inhibitors of cholera toxin (CT). The inhibitory activity of the bivalent series was examined (ELISA) and the series showed low inhibitory activity (millimolar IC(50)s). Conversely, the monomeric galactotriazole analogues were strong inhibitors of cholera toxin (IC(50) = 71-75 µM).

Total synthesis of the antifungal depsipeptide petriellin A.

We report the solid-phase total synthesis of the antifungal highly modified cyclic depsipeptide petriellin A. The synthesis confirms earlier reports on the absolute configuration of the natural product. The solid-phase approach resulted in a protected linear precursor, which was cleaved from the solid support prior to cyclization and final deprotection. Use of advanced coupling agents for several hindered amides was a feature of the synthesis. The natural product was prepared in overall 5% yield.

Synthesis of azide-alkyne fragments for "click" chemical applications. Part 2. Formation of oligomers from orthogonally protected chiral trialkylsilylhomopropargyl azides and homopropargyl alcohols.

A small library of chiral, beta(3)-substituted homopropargyl alcohols and chiral beta(3)-substituted trimethylsilylhomopropargyl azides were generated starting from natural l-amino acids. The free alkynes and azides were then coupled, using a Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, to provide chiral oligomeric 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles as potential peptidomimetic compounds. The work is an extension to the previous synthesis of racemic, orthogonally protected 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles from the corresponding alpha-substituted propargyl alcohols and alpha-substituted trialkylsilylpropargyl azides.

Rapid optimization of a peptide inhibitor of malaria parasite invasion by comprehensive N-methyl scanning.

Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has been implicated in the invasion of host erythrocytes and is an important vaccine candidate. We have previously described a 20-residue peptide, R1, that binds to AMA1 and subsequently blocks parasite invasion. Because this peptide appears to target a site critical for AMA1 function, it represents an important lead compound for anti-malarial drug development. However, the effectiveness of this peptide inhibitor was limited to a subset of parasite isolates, indicating a requirement for broader strain specificity. Furthermore, a barrier to the utility of any peptide as a potential therapeutic is its susceptibility to rapid proteolytic degradation. In this study, we sought to improve the proteolytic stability and AMA1 binding properties of the R1 peptide by systematic methylation of backbone amides (N-methylation). The inclusion of a single N-methyl group in the R1 peptide backbone dramatically increased AMA1 affinity, bioactivity, and proteolytic stability without introducing global structural alterations. In addition, N-methylation of multiple R1 residues further improved these properties. Therefore, we have shown that modifications to a biologically active peptide can dramatically enhance activity. This approach could be applied to many lead peptides or peptide therapeutics to simultaneously optimize a number of parameters.

Diastereoselective synthesis of alpha-methyl and alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino acids via 4-substituted-1,3-oxazinan-6-ones.

1,3-oxazinan-6-ones have been utilized in a series of enolate reactions to produce 5-hydroxy and 5-alkyl-4-substituted-1,3-oxazinan-6-ones with excellent trans diastereoselectivity. Highlighting the versatility of the oxazinanone, a number of transformations were performed to produce a variety of protected N-H and N-methyl alpha-hydroxy- and alpha-methyl-beta-amino acids.

Catalysis of aryl ester hydrolysis in the presence of metallomicelles containing a copper(II) diethylenetriamine derivative.

The novel metallosurfactant Cu(II)-1-tetradecyldiethylenetriamine (Cu(II)TDET) was prepared, and the hydrolyses of 2-acetoxy-5-nitrobenzoic acid (1), 4-acetoxy-3-nitrobenzoic acid (2), 4-nitrophenyl acetate (3), and 2-nitrophenyl acetate (4) in the presence of micellar Cu(II)TDET were examined. The rate of ester hydrolysis for the series followed the order 1 approximately 2>3>4. The larger observed rate (kpsi) for 1 and 2 was attributed to (i) electrostatic interaction between the carboxylate anion and the cationic metallomicelle surface and (ii) the formation of a ternary complex metal:surfactant ligand:substrate (MLnS). The position of the carboxylate anion in the substrate did not significantly affect catalysis. Similar rates were observed when the carboxylate anion was ortho to the acyl ester 1 or para to the reaction center 2. The absence of a significant difference may be associated with the ternary complex coordination geometry, which unfavorably aligned the ligated substrate and the metal-bound hydroxyl. Mixed micellar solutions containing Cu(II)TDET and MTAB or Triton X-100 were examined. Added cosurfactants have a pronounced effect on the catalytic activity of Cu(II)TDET. At a low concentration of Cu(II)TDET the addition of MTAB or Triton X-100 increased the pseudo-first-order rate constant (kpsi) for the hydrolysis of 1 and 3 relative to the rate in pure Cu(II)TDET. The addition of a cosurfactant increased the total micellar volume (VM), promoting substrate incorporation within the pseudophase. At higher metallosurfactant concentration, the rate enhancement was smaller due to the dilution of the substrate within the co-micellar pseudophase.

Solution structures by NMR of a novel antifungal drug: Petriellin A.

Petriellin A is a novel cyclic depsipeptide antifungal compound consisting of nine l-configured residues, one d-phenyllactic acid (PhLac) and three unknown chiral centres: two N-methyl-threonines (MeThr1 & MeThr2) and one N-methyl-isoleucine (MeIle). NMR experiments including 2D ROESY, NOESY along with structural and energy calculations predicted that the unknown chiral centres were all l-configured, which was later verified chemically. Simulated annealing, dynamics calculations and minimisation processes showed Petriellin A to have a folded "C-shaped" structure.

Total synthesis of bassiatin and its stereoisomers: novel divergent behavior of substrates in Mitsunobu cyclizations.

Total syntheses of the morpholine-2,5-dione, Bassiatin, and its stereoisomers have been completed. A key step in the syntheses was the Mitsunobu cyclization of hydroxyacid acyclic precursors. The hydroxyacid precursors are hindered alcohols and two substrates underwent Mitsunobu cyclization with retention of configuration. The other two substrates underwent Mitsunobu cyclization with either retention or inversion of configuration depending on reaction conditions. This divergence in outcome of the Mitsunobu reaction for the same substrate depending on effective concentration is novel.

Decomposition of protonated threonine, its stereoisomers, and its homologues in the gas phase: evidence for internal backside displacement.

Protonated threonine and its allo diastereomer exhibit different proportions of collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) product ions. N-Methylation attenuates these differences. Water loss from protonated allo-threonine gives protonated trans-3-methylaziridinecarboxylic acid via an internal S(N)2 pathway, rather than protonated vinylglycine.

Characterization of a series of far-red-absorbing thiobarbituric acid oxonol derivatives as fluorescent probes for biological applications.

Chromophores that absorb in the far-red region of the spectrum are increasingly being utilized for applications in the biosciences. We have synthesized and evaluated a novel series of fluorescent oxonols based on thiobarbituric acids containing aryl and heteroaryl substituents. The novel chromophores possess narrow absorption spectra ( approximately 40-nm bandwidths), reasonable Stokes shifts ( approximately 25 nm), and quantum yields of up to 0.67 in organic solvents and 0.3 in aqueous solvents, with absorption wavelength maxima at 620-640 nm. The spectral properties of the compounds are sensitive to base and exhibit a loss of far-red absorbance that is concentration and time dependent. Derivatives have been synthesized that can be used for the labeling of macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. The probes show environment sensitivity and the oligonucleotide conjugates sense the formation of duplex DNA. These novel far-red fluorophores have potential applications in diagnostic and research applications.

An efficient synthesis of N-methyl amino acids by way of intermediate 5-oxazolidinones.

N-Methyl amino acids occur in many natural products. Experimental strategies are presented for a unified approach to the synthesis of N-methyl derivatives through 5-oxazolidinones of the 20 common l-amino acids. The amino acids with reactive side chains that required protecting groups or devoted syntheses for side chain construction for N-methylation to proceed included serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine, methionine, tryptophan, asparagine, histidine, and arginine. The studies have provided improved methods for the preparation of N-methyl serine, threonine, and tyrosine. All 20 of the common l-amino acids are now available in suitable forms for solid or solution-phase peptide synthesis.

A novel synthesis of N-methyl asparagine, arginine, histidine, and tryptophan.

[reaction: see text] N-Methyl amino acid residues in peptides modify several pharmacologically useful parameters, but synthesis of alkylated peptides is hampered by unavailability of N-methylated monomers. The syntheses of four N-methyl amino acids with basic side chains are presented. The side chains of these basic amino acids needed to be specially protected or constructed. This completes the set of 20 common L-amino acid N-methyl derivatives prepared via 5-oxazolidinone intermediates by our group.