Structure-based Discovery of Novel CK2α-Binding Cyclic Peptides with Anti-cancer Activity.

Protein kinase CK2 is considered as an emerging target in cancer therapy, and recent efforts have been made to develop its ATP-competitive inhibitors, but achieving selectivity with respect to related kinases remains challenging because of the highly conserved ATP-binding pocket of kinases. Non-ATP competitive inhibitors might solve this challenge; one such strategy is to identify compounds that target the CK2α/CK2ß interface as CK2 holoenzyme antagonists. Here we improved the binding affinity to CK2α and cell-based anti-cancer activity of a CK2ß-derived cyclic peptide (Pc) by combining structure-based computational design with experimental evaluation. By analyzing molecular dynamics simulations of Pc bound to CK2α, a series of Pc-derived peptides was rationally designed and synthesized to evaluate their binding affinity to CK2α, as well as anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects against HepG2 cancer cell line. One amino acid substitutions on Pc, I192F, exhibited over 10-fold improvement in the predicted binding affinity to CK2α when compared to Pc, and a cell-permeable version, I192F-Tat, also demonstrated more potent anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects against HepG2 compared to Pc. A second modification of Pc, H193W, also led to more potent cell-based activity, despite having weaker binding affinity (∼5×) to CK2α. The discovery of the I192F and H193W peptides provides new insights for further optimization of CK2 antagonist candidates as anti-cancer leads.

Rational Design of Coumarin Derivatives as CK2 Inhibitors by Improving the Interaction with the Hinge Region.

Design of novel coumarin derivatives as CK2 inhibitors were attempted by targeting the interaction with the hinge region. A set of substituents capable of forming a hydrogen bond or halogen bond with the hinge region were screened in silico, and trifluoromethyl emerges as a promising motif by forming favorable electrostatic interaction and a presumable halogen bond with the hinge region. As proof of concept, three trifluoromethyl derivatives of coumarin were synthesized and tested in vitro. The results indicated that replacement of methyl by trifluoromethyl leads to a modest 5-fold improvement in potency, with the most active compound being 0.4 µM. The newly designed compounds were further screened on one lung cancer cell line A549, showing low micromolar anti-proliferative activity.

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Effects of Ethanol and Acetic Acid on Carcinogenic NDMA Formation in Simulated Gastric Fluid.

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), as a representative of endogenously formed N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), has become the focus of considerable research interest due to its unusually high carcinogenicity. In this study, effects of ethanol and acetic acid on the formation of NDMA from dimethylamine (DMA) and nitrite in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) were investigated. Experimental results showed that ethanol in the concentrations of 1-8% (v/v) and acetic acid in the concentrations of 0.01-8% (v/v) exhibit inhibitory and promotion effects on the formation of NDMA, respectively. Moreover, they are both in a dose-dependent manner with the largest inhibition/promotion rate reaching ∼70%. Further experimental investigations indicate that ethanol and acetic acid are both able to scavenge nitrite in SGF. It implies that there are interactions of ethanol and acetic acid with nitrite or nitrite-related nitrosating agents rather than DMA. Theoretical calculations confirm the above experimental results and demonstrate that ethanol and acetic acid can both react with nitrite-related nitrosating agents to produce ethyl nitrite (EtONO) and acetyl nitrite (AcONO), respectively. Furthermore, the reactivities of ethyl nitrite, acetyl nitrite, and dinitrogen trioxide reacting with DMA were found in the order of AcONO > N2O3 ≫ EtONO. This is probably the main reason why there are completely different effects of ethanol and acetic acid on NDMA formation. On the basis of the above results, two requirements for a potential inhibitor of NOCs formation in SGF were provided. The results obtained in this study will be helpful in better understanding the inhibition/promotion mechanisms of compounds on NDMA formation in SGF and searching for protective substances to prevent carcinogenic NOCs formation.

Iron(II) porphyrins induced conversion of nitrite into nitric oxide: A computational study.

Nitrite reduction to nitric oxide by heme proteins was reported as a protective mechanism to hypoxic injury in mammalian physiology. In this study, the pathways of nitrite reduction to nitric oxide mediated by iron(II) porphyrin (P) complexes, which were generally recognized as models for heme proteins, were investigated by using density functional theory (DFT). In view of two type isomers of combination of nitrite and Fe(II)(P), N-nitro- and O-nitrito-Fe(II)-porphyrin complexes, and two binding sites of proton to the different O atoms of nitrite moiety, four main pathways for the conversion of nitrite into nitric oxide mediated by iron(II) porphyrins were proposed. The results indicate that the pathway of N-bound Fe(II)(P)(NO2) isomer into Fe(III)(P)(NO) and water is similar to that of O-bound isomer into nitric oxide and Fe(III)(P)(OH) in both thermodynamical and dynamical aspects. Based on the initial computational studies of five-coordinate nitrite complexes, the conversion of nitrite into NO mediated by Fe(II)(P)(L) complexes with 14 kinds of proximal ligands was also investigated. Generally, the same conclusion that the pathways of N-bound isomers are similar to those of O-bound isomer was obtained for iron(II) porphyrin with ligands. Different effects of ligands on the reduction reactions were also found. It is notable that the negative proximal ligands can improve reactive abilities of N-nitro-iron(II) porphyrins in the conversion of nitrite into nitric oxide compared to neutral ligands. The findings will be helpful to expand our understanding of the mechanism of nitrite reduction to nitric oxide by iron(II) porphyrins.

Infection and integration of high-risk human papillomavirus in HPV-associated cancer cells.

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been associated with many human cancers in clinical studies. Integration of HPV into the human genome is a suspected etiological factor in the induction of some HPV-associated cancers. The characteristics of HPV integration in certain HPV-integrated cancer cells remain unclear. In this study, ten HPV-associated carcinoma cell lines were evaluated for the presence, genotype, and integration status of HPV by nested polymerase chain reaction. The HPV genome did not insert in the genome of a mammary cancer cell line (MCF7), adrenal neuroblastoma cell line (NH-6), or three esophageal carcinoma cell lines (KYSE150, KYSE450 and KYSE140). HPV type 18 DNA did infect cell lines of tongue cancer (Tca83), hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2), and lung carcinoma (A549), but the HPV type 18 genes were not transcribed into mRNA. However, HPV type 18 integrated into the genomes of the esophageal carcinoma cell lines EC9706 and EC109, and the integration sites for both cell lines were in loci 8q24, which is a gene desert area adjacent to fragile sites. We speculate that HPV transcripts are more likely to integrate near highly susceptible fragile sites. This study suggests that HPV integration is still a significant issue that needs to be fully examined and can possibly be used as individualized biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HPV-related cancers.

Integrated HPV genomes tend to integrate in gene desert areas in the CaSki, HeLa, and SiHa cervical cancer cell lines.

AIMS: The integration preferences of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been intensively studied and contested over recent years. To disclose the integration preferences of high-risk HPV in cervical cancer, HPV transcriptional sites and features in different cervical cancer cell lines were identified. MAIN METHODS: In this study, three cervical cancer cell lines (CaSki, HeLa, and SiHa) were subjected for HPV genome status determination by amplification of papillomavirus oncogene transcripts (APOT) assay. The numbers of viral copies in human genomes and numbers of viral-human fusion mRNAs in three HPV-integrated cervical cancer cell lines were measured and analysed. KEY FINDINGS: The results revealed that the gene desert region 8q24 of the HPV type 18 integrated HeLa cell line and the 13q21-22 region of the HPV type 16 integrated CaSki and SiHa cell lines were hotspots for HPV integration, and the numbers of viral copies in the human genomes of the three cell lines that we detected were not in accordance with those reported in previous studies. SIGNIFICANCE: Integration of the HPV genome into the host cell chromosome suggests that persistent HPV infection is vital for malignant cell transformation and carcinogenesis. This study provides information to benefit health care professionals seeking more comprehensive and accurate diagnostics for HPV-related disease"? Please check, and amend as necessary.

Protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat skin flap.

OBJECTIVE: Skin damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a multifactorial process that often occurs in plastic surgery. The mechanisms of I/R injury include hypoxia, inflammation, and oxidative damage. Hydrogen gas has been reported to alleviate cerebral I/R injury by acting as a free radical scavenger. Here, we assessed the protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on skin flap I/R injury. METHODS: Abdominal skin flaps of rats were elevated and ischemia was induced for 3 h; subsequently, HRS or physiological saline was administered intraperitoneally 10 min before reperfusion. On postoperative Day 5, flap survival, blood perfusion, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and levels of cytokines were evaluated. Histological examinations were performed to assess inflammatory cell infiltration. RESULTS: Skin flap survival and blood flow perfusion were improved by HRS relative to the controls. The production of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was markedly reduced. A multiplex cytokine assay revealed that HRS reduced the elevation in the levels of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, with the exception of RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) growth factor. HRS treatment also reduced inflammatory cell infiltration induced by I/R injury. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that HRS mitigates I/R injury by decreasing inflammation and, therefore, has the potential for application as a therapy for improving skin flap survival.

Determination of lead, cadmium, copper, and nickel in the tonghui river of beijing, china, by cloud point extraction-high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

Heavy metal contamination of water has become an important problem in recent years. Most hazardous heavy metals exist in environmental water in trace or ultra-trace amounts, which requires establishing highly sensitive analytical methods. In this research, quantitative analyses were performed using high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry combined with cloud point extraction (CPE) to determine Pb, Cd, Cu, and Ni levels in environmental surface water. By optimizing the CPE conditions, the enrichment factors were 29 for Pb, Cd, and Cu and 25 for Ni. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.080, 0.010, 0.035, and 0.014 µg L for Pb, Cd, Cu, and Ni, respectively. The sensitivity of the method is comparable with those reported in previous investigations using various methods and improves outcome by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude compared with the LODs of the current national standard methods of China. Our method was used to determine Pb, Cd, Cu, and Ni in 55 water samples collected from the Tonghui River, which is the principal river in the urban area of Beijing, China. The results indicated that the distributions of the four heavy metals in the Tonghui River were related with the environments. The levels of Pb and Ni exhibit increasing trends along the river from upstream to downstream possibly due to the existence of some chemical factories in the downstream area. Lead, Cd, Cu, and Ni averaged 13.9, 0.8, 46.8, and 38.5%, respectively, of the total amount of the determined heavy metals. The levels of the four heavy metals conformed to the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (Grade I) of China. This work provides a reliable quantitative method to determine trace-amount heavy metals in water, which lays a foundation for establishing standards and regulations for environmental water protection.

[Progress in study of biomolecular damages by Raman spectroscopy].

Raman spectroscopy is an analytical techniques based on Raman scattering, which gives information of molecular vibration and rotation. Raman spectroscopy has been widely employed in the investigations of the structure of biomolacules, because it has many advantages over the common chemical analysis. Raman spectroscopy is non-destructive to the samples. Moreover, it requires simple sample preparation and small sample amount. Raman spectroscopy can be used not only for fast detections of damages of biological macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids and lipids, but also for diagnosis and surgical treatments of cancer. By comparing the Raman spectra of normal tissue and cancer tissue, the differences in the characteristic absorption peaks between the two kinds of tissues can be confirmed, which provides significant information for final diagnosis of cancer and determination of the resection extent of tumor. This paper reviewed the researches on biomolecular damages by Raman spectral inspections. It described the applications of Raman spectral techniques, such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform Raman and UV resonance Raman spectroscopy, in the detection of protein secondary structures, membrane lipids and DNA damages. A prospect of the development of Raman spectroscopy in the future was given.

[Determination of Pb, Cd and Cr in food by high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry].

The contents of lead, cadmium and chromium were determined for 22 kinds of foods including cereals, vegetables, beverage, sea foods and dairy products by using high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GFAAS). The methods for sample preparation, digestion, and quantitative analysis were established, by which satisfying analytical precision (RSD = 1.3%-4.9%) and recovery (95.1%-104.6%) were achieved. The results indicated that the contents of lead in tea leaves and chromium in shellfish were much higher than those in the other foods; the contents of cadmium in millet, leek and shellfish were relatively higher than the others. This work established reliable methods for quantitative analysis of heavy metals in foods, which provided experimental references for the constitution of food quality and safety standards. Meanwhile, the distributions of heavy metals in foods given by this work can be expected to enhance the consumers' consciousness of food safety.

[Rapid detection of 6-benzylaminopurine residues in sprout beans by surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy].

New method for rapid and quantitative analysis of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) residues in sprout beans was studied by using FAST-SPE and portable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). With homemade sprout bean samples as blank control, 6-BA solutions extracted from inserted-treatment samples showed typical characteristic Raman peaks at 1002 cm(-1) tested by SERS, and normalized 1002 cm(-1) intensities had a good linear relationship with gradient concentrations of 6-BA insert-standard solutions. The high concentration linear range was 0.5-14 microg x mL(-1), and the low one was 0. 1-2 microg x mL(-1). The quantitative detection limit was down to 0.02 mg x kg(-1) that was below the maximum allowable residues (MAL) of 0. 2 mg kg(-1) in related National Standard. The recoveries were 82.3%-95.1% and the RSD was below 5%. This method with portable equipment and simple pre-treatment showed good reproducibility, short test time-consuming and easy operating, and thus it would provide efficient and sensitive solutions for large-scale on-site and rapid detections.

Reactions of amine and peroxynitrite: evidence for hydroxylation as predominant reaction and new insight into the modulation of CO2.

Peroxynitrite is related to numerous diseases including cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and cancer. In order to expand the understanding for the toxicology of peroxynitrite in biological system, the reactions of amine (morpholine as a probe) with peroxynitrite and the modulation of CO2 were investigated by using DFT methods. The results strongly indicate that the hydroxylation of amine by peroxynitrous acid ONOOH, which was previously overlooked by most studies, is predominant relative to the widely reported nitration and nitrosation in the absence of CO2. The product N-hydroxylamine is proposed to be mainly generated via nonradical pathway (two-electron oxidation). The modulation of CO2 exhibits two main functions: (1) inhibition of hydroxylation due to the promoted consumption of peroxynitrite via fast reaction of CO2 with ONOO¯ to form ONOOCO2¯; (2) dual effect (catalysis and inhibition) of CO2 toward nitration and nitrosation. As a new insight, amine does react with CO2 and produce inert amine carbamate R2NCOO¯. This reaction has the potential to compete with the reaction of CO2 and ONOO¯, which leads to inhibition of nitration and nitrosation. The concentration of CO2 could be a critical factor determining the final effect, catalysis or inhibition. As a new finding, HCO3¯ is probably an effective catalyst for the reaction of amine and CO2. Moreover, further studies on how the different types of the amine might affect the outcome of the reactions would be an interesting topic.

[Determination of trace lead in environmental water by cloud point extraction-high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry].

Comparison investigations were performed for the enrichment method of lead in environmental waters, including coprecipitation, ion exchange and cloud point extraction (CPE). CPE was selected as the optimal enrichment method because of its less consumption of water sample, higher enrichment factor and simpler procedure than the other enrichment methods. Pb contents in the water samples from Tonghui River in Beijing were determined by high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry coupled with CPE enrichment. The results indicate that the limit of detection of the method is 0.08 microg x L(-1), the relative standard deviation (RSD) is 1.3% to 4.5% (n = 6), the recovery of Pb contents is 93% to 108%, and the enrichment factor of CPE method is 29. The Pb contents in the 13 water samples from Tonghui River all conform to the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (Grade I). Moreover, the Pb content in the whole river exhibits a decreasing trend from Tongzhou district to Chaoyang district.

[Comparison of prediction performance of PAHs carcinogenicity between a BALB/c-E6E7 cell transformation assay and a BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay].

OBJECTIVE: To predict the carcinogenicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by cell transformation assay using BALB/c 3T3 cells and HPV16-E6E7-transfected BALB/c 3T3 cells (BALB/c-E6E7 cells). METHODS: The cell transformation assays induced by PAHs using BALB-E6E7 cells and BALB/c 3T3 cells. RESULTS: The initiating and promoting activities of PAHs examined in a BALB-E6E7 cell transformation assay were similar to in a BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay, which was up to the standard of agents classified by the IARC. There were much more transformed foci appeared and much shorter time consumed to accomplish phenotypic alterations in the BALB/c-E6E7 cell transformation assay than in the BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay. The BALB/c-E6E7 cell transformation assay was superior to the BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay in cost and labor performance, the sensitivity of transformation response. CONCLUSION: The BALB/c-E6E7 cell transformation assay, with a satisfied prediction performance of initiating activity and promoting activity, would improve the overall process of safety and risk assessment of carcinogenicity.

Carbon dioxide in the nitrosation of amine: catalyst or inhibitor?

Nitrosamines are a class of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic compounds generally produced from the nitrosation of amine. This paper investigates the mechanism for the formation of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from the nitrosation of dimethylamine (DMA) by four common nitrosating agents (NO(2)(-), ONOO(-), N(2)O(3), and ONCl) in the absence and presence of CO(2) using the DFT method. New insights are provided into the mechanism, emphasizing that the interactions of CO(2) with amine and nitrosating agents are both potentially important in influencing the role of CO(2) (catalyst or inhibitor). The role of CO(2) as catalyst or inhibitor mainly depends on the nitrosating agents involved. That is, CO(2) shows the catalytic effect when the weak nitrosating agent NO(2)(-) or ONOO(-) is involved, whereas it is an inhibitor in the nitrosation induced by the strong nitrosating agent N(2)O(3) or ONCl. To conclude, CO(2) serves as a "double-edged sword" in the nitrosation of amine. The findings will be helpful to expand our understanding of the pathophysiological and environmental significance of CO(2) and to develop efficient methods to prevent the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines.

[Pretreatment methods of urine proteomics in children with primary nephrotic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize a pretreatment method of urine proteomics in children with primary nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: Urine from children with primary nephrotic syndrome was treated in different pH and isolated by cold acetone precipitation for different durations. Then the amounts and kinds of proteins were compared by quantify, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) in order to optimize a way to deal with urine protein. RESULTS: Most proteins were obtained at pH 2.7. The amounts of protein precipitated by acetone for 0.5 hr was obviously less than those precipitated for 1 and 2 hrs (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the amount of protein precipitated for 1 and for 2 hrs. Protein precipitated by cold acetone for 1 hr at pH 2.7 was selected as the best pretreatment method. Satisfactory 2-DE maps can be acquired. CONCLUSIONS: Urine protein can be best obtained at pH 2.7 and precipitated by cold acetone for 1 hr.

Convenient ultrasound-mediated synthesis of 1,4-diazabutadienes under solvent-free conditions.

An ultrasound-assisted preparation of 1,4-diazabutadienes via smooth condensation of diketones with amines under solvent-free conditions is described. The generality of this method was examined by the synthesized N,N'-diaryl- and N,N'-dialkyl-1,4-diazabutadiene derivatives. In addition to experimental simplicity, the main advantages of the procedure are mild conditions, short reaction time (2-15 min) and high yields (71-98%).

[Progress in study of biomacromolecular damages by infrared spectroscopy].

Infrared spectroscopy (IR) is employed as an important tool in the investigation of biological macromolecules because of its high sensitivity and nondestructivity to samples. When proteins, lipids or nucleic acids are damaged, the position, shape and intensity of their IR characteristic absorption peaks will be significantly changed. This provides evidences for the determination of the damages of biomolecules, which further shed light on the clarification of the occurrence, development and early prevention of some diseases. In the present paper, the applications of IR to the detection of biomolecular damages are reviewed. Various IR techniques are introduced, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy microscope and so on. A general review was performed for the application of IR technique to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of secondary structure of protein, fluidity of membrane lipid, interaction of drugs with DNA and so on. The existing problems of IR were pointed out and the prospect of IR technique in the field of biomedicine was discussed. It is expected that, in the future the researches involving IR techniques will be focused on the application in early diagnosis of diseases, instrumental combinations and quantitative techniques.

[Determination of aluminum in wheat flour food by microwave digestion-high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry].

The contents of aluminum (Al) in four kinds of wheat flour food (noodle, dumpling wrapper, twisted cruller and soda biscuit) were determined by high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GFAAS) combined with microwave digestion. The samples were completely digested by the mixture of HNO3 and H2O2 in closed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vessels. The conditions for microwave digestion, pyrolysis temperature and atomization temperature were optimized. The optimum experimental conditions were determined as follows. The microwave digestion was performed with HNO3/H2O2 7:1 (volume ratio), microwave power 1000 W and 190 degrees C for 40 minutes. The optimum pyrolysis temperature was 1350 degrees C and the optimum atomization temperature was 2400 degrees C. Magnesium nitrate solution with the concentration of 1 g x L(-1) was used as the matrix modifier. The correlation coefficient for the standard curve was 0.9999, the relative standard deviation (RSD) was from 1.7% to 2.4%, and the recovery for the samples was from 98.16% to 102.67%. The assay method for the determination of Al in wheat flour food established in this study has referential importance for the constituent of the correlated food standards.