Membrane association of monotopic phosphoglycosyl transferase underpins function.

Polyprenol phosphate phosphoglycosyl transferases (PGTs) catalyze the first membrane-committed step in assembly of essential glycoconjugates. Currently there is no structure-function information to describe how monotopic PGTs coordinate the reaction between membrane-embedded and soluble substrates. We describe the structure and mode of membrane association of PglC, a PGT from Campylobacter concisus. The structure reveals a unique architecture, provides mechanistic insight and identifies ligand-binding determinants for PglC and the monotopic PGT superfamily.

A remote controlled system for the preparation of 7 alpha-[18F]fluoro-17 alpha-methyl 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone ([18F]FMDHT) using microwave.

For non-invasive imaging of the prostate cancer, we synthesized 7 alpha-fluoro-17 alpha-methyl 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone ([(18)F]FMDHT) for androgen receptor mediated PET imaging. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo evaluations of this compound show promise. We designed and implemented a remote controlled system for reliable, efficient, and safe handling of radioactivity during the radiochemical synthesis of [(18)F]FMDHT. The key features of this report are the microwave assisted radiochemical synthesis, increased radiochemical yields, improved radiochemical purity, reduced overall synthesis time, and remote controlled automation of the entire synthesis. The overall synthesis using microwave reaction took 60-70 min and provided the desired product in 20-30% radiochemical yields with >99% radiochemical purity.

3-Amino-4-(2-((4-[18F]fluorobenzyl)methylamino)methylphenylsulfanyl)benzonitrile, an F-18 fluorobenzyl analogue of DASB: synthesis, in vitro binding, and in vivo biodistribution studies.

3-amino-4-(2[11C]methylaminomethylphenylsulfanyl)benzonitrile (C-11 DASB) exhibits excellent in vitro and in vivo properties toward the serotonin transporter. If labeled with a longer physical half-life radioisotope, this ligand could be more attractive to research groups lacking an on-site cyclotron or lacking C-11 synthesis capabilities. We produce p-[18F]fluorobenzyl iodide on a routine basis to synthesize several neuroimaging agents. Therefore, it was straightforward for us to substitute the DASB precursor with this prosthetic group and assess its biological properties. We designed a different synthesis strategy to obtain the DASB precursor (desmethyl DASB). Herein we report an efficient and facile synthetic route that provides higher chemical yields of 3-amino-4-(2-aminomethylphenylsulfanyl)benzonitrile and related analogues. In addition, we report our results from incorporating p-[18F]fluorobenzyl iodide in DASB precursor and its affect on the in vitro and in vivo biological properties of the DASB.

Eimeria species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in Alaska and in Siberia, Russia.

Fecal samples from arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) collected in Alaska (n = 90) and Russia (n = 46) and from red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in Alaska (n = 35) were examined for the presence of Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae). Four species were recovered from arctic ground squirrels, including Eimeria callospermophili (prevalence = 18%), Eimeria cynomysis (23.5%), Eimeria lateralis (19%), and Eimeria morainensis (77%). A single species, Eimeria tamiasciuri (91%), was recovered from red squirrels. Eimerians recovered from arctic ground squirrels represent new host records, and the single species from red squirrels is a new geographic record. Alaskan arctic ground squirrel prevalence was higher for E. callospermophili (Alaska = 22% vs. Russia = 9%), E. cynomysis (34% vs. 2%), and E. lateralis (27% vs. 4%), but not E. morainensis (78% vs. 76%).