Synapsin-1 and tau reciprocal O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation sites in mouse brain synaptosomes

O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) represents a key regulatory post-translational modification (PTM) that is reversible and often reciprocal with phosphorylation of serine and threonine at the same or nearby residues. Although recent technical advances in O-GlcNAc site-mapping methods combined with mass spectrometry (MS) techniques have facilitated study of the fundamental roles of O-GlcNAcylation in cellular processes, an efficient technique for examining the dynamic, reciprocal relationships between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation is needed to provide greater insights into the regulatory functions of O-GlcNAcylation. Here, we describe a strategy for selectively identifying both O-GlcNAc- and phospho-modified sites. This strategy involves metal affinity separation of O-GlcNAcylated and phosphorylated peptides, β-elimination of O-GlcNAcyl or phosphoryl functional groups from the separated peptides followed by dithiothreitol (DTT) conjugation (BEMAD), affinity purification of DTT-conjugated peptides using thiol affinity chromatography, and identification of formerly O-GlcNAcylated or phosphorylated peptides by MS. The combined metal affinity separation and BEMAD approach allows selective enrichment of O-GlcNAcylated peptides over phosphorylated counterparts. Using this approach with mouse brain synaptosomes, we identified the serine residue at 605 of the synapsin-1 peptide, ⁶⁰³QASQAGPGPR⁶¹², and the serine residue at 692 of the tau peptide, ⁶⁸⁸SPVVSGDTSPR⁶⁹⁸, which were found to be potential reciprocal O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation sites. These results demonstrate that our strategy enables mapping of the reciprocal site occupancy of O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation of proteins, which permits the assessment of cross-talk between these two PTMs and their regulatory roles.     

Ac36deoGlcNAz could selectively label O-GlcNAc modified proteins with minimal S-glyco-modification

A novel metabolic chemical reporter of Ac36deo Glc NAz was developed and confirmed as an effective probe for O-Glc NAc modification. Ac36deo Glc NAz labeling predominantly occurs in intracellular OGlc NAcylated proteins rather than cell-surface glycoproteins. Of note, it could reduce the artificial S-glycomodification compared to Ac4Gal NAz and Ac4Glc NAz. This new reporter allows to be widely used in the field of proteomic identification of O-Glc NAcylation.     

Gossypitrin,A Naturally Occurring Flavonoid,Attenuates Iron-Induced Neuronal and Mitochondrial Damage

The disruption of iron homeostasis is an important factor in the loss of mitochondrial function in neural cells, leading to neurodegeneration. Here, we assessed the protective action of gossypitrin (Gos), a naturally occurring flavonoid, on iron-induced neuronal cell damage using mouse hippocampal HT-22 cells and mitochondria isolated from rat brains. Gos was able to rescue HT22 cells from the damage induced by 100 µM Fe(II)-citrate (EC₅₀ 8.6 µM). This protection was linked to the prevention of both iron-induced mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and ATP depletion. In isolated mitochondria, Gos (50 µM) elicited an almost complete protection against iron-induced mitochondrial swelling, the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and ATP depletion. Gos also prevented Fe(II)-citrate-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation with an IC₅₀ value (12.45 µM) that was about nine time lower than that for the tert-butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidation. Furthermore, the flavonoid was effective in inhibiting the degradation of both 15 and 1.5 mM 2-deoxyribose. It also decreased Fe(II) concentration with time, while increasing O₂ consumption rate, and impairing the reduction of Fe(III) by ascorbate. Gos–Fe(II) complexes were detected by UV-VIS and IR spectroscopies, with an apparent Gos-iron stoichiometry of 2:1. Results suggest that Gos does not generally act as a classical antioxidant, but it directly affects iron, by maintaining it in its ferric form after stimulating Fe(II) oxidation. Metal ions would therefore be unable to participate in a Fenton-type reaction and the lipid peroxidation propagation phase. Hence, Gos could be used to treat neuronal diseases associated with iron-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage.     

Dracomolphesin A–E,five 3,4-seco-phenylpropanoids with Nrf2 inducing activity from Dracocephalum moldavica

Dracomolphesin A–E (1–5), five 3,4-seco-phenylpropanoids featuring an aromatic ring opened framework, were isolated from the aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica. The structures with absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic methods coupled with Mosher method. Notably, these compounds represented an example of aromatic ring cleavage products of phenylpropanoids. The possible biosynthetic pathway of these compounds was proposed. Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 were demonstrated to be Nrf2 pathway activators.     

纳米Fe3O4-TiO2靶向光动力疗法对肝癌细胞的杀伤效应

光动力疗法(PDT)作为一种迅速发展的传统替代疗法,在抗癌治疗中显示出巨大的潜力.为增强靶向性和提高光催化杀伤效率,本研究设计了一种新型光敏剂Fe₃O₄-TiO₂磁性纳米粒.在不同外磁场下,考察其在可见光和紫外光激发下对肝癌细胞的杀伤效应.同时利用流式细胞术检测纳米Fe₃O₄-TiO₂对肝癌细胞凋亡率、细胞周期和线粒体膜电位的影响.根据纳米Fe₃O₄-TiO₂和肝癌细胞的作用方式探讨其抗癌机制.结果表明,可见光激发纳米Fe₃O₄-TiO₂可以杀伤癌细胞,且其杀伤效率与紫外光激发下无明显差别.此外,Fe₃O₄-TiO₂比TiO₂具有更高的细胞摄取率,从而使其具有更高的选择性和光催化杀伤效率.其作用机制是光催化纳米Fe₃O₄-TiO₂产生活性氧ROS抑制癌细胞,然后通过阻滞细胞周期G₀/G₁期,降低线粒体膜电位,线粒体去极化,最终诱导细胞凋亡.     

Unexpected reaction of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone with aldehydes: new synthesis of naphtho[2,1-d]oxazole compounds

Treatment of 3-substituted 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones 3 with an aldehyde in a solution of hydrobromic acid in acetic acid led to 2,4-disubstituted naphtho[2,1-d]oxazol-5-ols. The outcome of this simple conversion is even more remarkable in view of the very similar reactions reported in literature, which all give rise to completely different products. Furthermore, the acquired naphthoxazoles 5-11 could be oxidatively ring opened by means of PIFA or CAN into a series of N-acylated 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones. A synthetic pathway towards 2-substituted naphtho[2,3-d]oxazole-4,9-diones was also disclosed as the outcome of CAN mediated oxidation of a 4-chloronaphtho[2,1-d]oxazol-5-ol.     

Rooibos Flavonoids,Aspalathin, Isoorientin,and Orientin Ameliorate Antimycin A-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction by Improving Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Cultured Skeletal Muscle Cells

The current study investigated the physiological effects of flavonoids found in daily consumed rooibos tea, aspalathin, isoorientin, and orientin on improving processes involved in mitochondrial function in C2C12 myotubes. To achieve this, C2C12 myotubes were exposed to a mitochondrial channel blocker, antimycin A (6.25 µM), for 12 h to induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Thereafter, cells were treated with aspalathin, isoorientin, and orientin (10 µM) for 4 h, while metformin (1 µM) and insulin (1 µM) were used as comparators. Relevant bioassays and real-time PCR were conducted to assess the impact of treatment compounds on some markers of mitochondrial function. Our results showed that antimycin A induced alterations in the mitochondrial respiration process and mRNA levels of genes involved in energy production. In fact, aspalathin, isoorientin, and orientin reversed such effects leading to the reduced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. These flavonoids further enhanced the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial function, such as Ucp 2, Complex 1/3, Sirt 1, Nrf 1, and Tfam. Overall, the current study showed that dietary flavonoids, aspalathin, isoorientin, and orientin, have the potential to be as effective as established pharmacological drugs such as metformin and insulin in protecting against mitochondrial dysfunction in a preclinical setting; however, such information should be confirmed in well-established in vivo disease models.     

Solid-phase synthesis of glycopeptide carrying a tetra-N-acetyllactosamine-containing core 2 decasaccharide

A novel synthesis of tetralactosaminyl O-glycoamino acid is described. The stereoselective assemblage of a lactosaminyl unit was performed by 2-trichloroacetamido group-assisted β-glycosylation. Initial investigation into the synthesis of decasaccharyl threonine 2 showed limited success because of the low yield in the step concerning the removal of 4-O-chloroacetyl groups. In contrast, 4-O-benzylated decasaccharyl threonine 50 was efficiently synthesized from key LacNAc derivative 35 carrying a 3-O-allyl protecting group at the Gal residue by reiterative glycosylation using the (N-phenyl)trifluoroacetimidate method. Decasaccharide 50 was used as a building block in the solid-phase synthesis of a MUC1-related glycopeptide. Synthetic glycopeptide was obtained through two acidic processes: cleavage from resin with reagent K at a lowered temperature and debenzylation with a diluted cocktail of low-acidity TfOH. Desired glycopeptide 54 was isolated as the major product, while a series of the saccharide-shortened minor products were generated due to the acid-labile property of the β-GlcNAc glycosidic linkages.     

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar nitrone and nitrile oxide cycloaddition of 2- and 4-O-allyl and propargyl glucose derivatives: a versatile approach to chiral cyclic ether fused isoxazolidines, isoxazolines and isoxazoles

2-O- and 4-O-Allyl and -propargyl glucose and the corresponding oxime derivatives were prepared from readily available glucose dithioacetals. Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the N-benzyl and N-methyl nitrones of the above acyclic 2-O-allyl glucose derivatives led to the diastereoselective formation of chiral isoxazolidines incorporating the tetrahydrofuran ring. The EI mass spectra revealed a characteristic cleavage of the C-alkyl group adjacent to the furan oxygen atom. An enantiopure trisubstituted tetrahydrofuran was obtained by the reductive cleavage of the isoxazolidine ring of one of the cycloadducts. In contrast, the nitrile oxide cycloaddition of the 2-O-allyl derivatives afforded diastereomeric mixtures of the corresponding dihydroisoxazolines, the stereochemistry of which was tentatively assigned on the basis of the principle of optical superposition. The exclusive formation of a tetrahydrofuran ring from pentaallyl nitrone or nitrile oxide demonstrated the preferred formation of a five-membered ring to that of six or seven-membered rings. The nitrile oxide generated from a 3,4,5,6,7-pentaallyloxy-1-nitroheptane derivative obtained from pentaallylglucose underwent diastereoselective cycloaddition to give an isoxazoline fused to a pyran ring. Enantiopure isoxazoles containing tetrahydrofuran and oxepane rings were also prepared in good yields by the nitrile oxide cycloaddition of the 2-O- and 4-O-propargyl derivatives.     

Ring expansion approach for the synthesis of the (3S,4S)-hexahydroazepine core of balanol and ophiocordin

A new and efficient formal total synthesis of (3S,4S)-balanol, a potent protein kinase C inhibitor, was accomplished from tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal. Balanol and ophiocordin consists of a chiral hexahydro azepine-containing fragment and a benzophenone fragment. The azepine core was prepared in chiral form through intramolecular aza Wittig reaction. A triphenylphosphine mediated ring expansion process was employed to form the seven-membered nitrogen heterocycle. The aldehyde equivalent key intermediate was treated with triphenylphosphine to give the azepine core. To demonstrate the applicability of the new route, a synthesis of the balanol is described.     

Combination treatment with 2-methoxyestradiol overcomes bortezomib resistance of multiple myeloma cells

Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor used for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, intrinsic and acquired resistance to bortezomib has already been observed in MM patients. In a previous report, we demonstrated that changes in the expression of mitochondrial genes lead to changes in mitochondrial activity and bortezomib susceptibility or resistance, and their combined effects contribute to the differential sensitivity or resistance of MM cells to bortezomib. Here we report that the combination treatment of bortezomib and 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME), a natural estrogen metabolite, induces mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death of bortezomib-resistant MM KMS20 cells via mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. Bortezomib plus 2ME treatment induces a higher level of cell death compared with treatment with bortezomib alone and increases mitochondrial ROS and Ca²⁺ levels in KMS20 cells. Pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine scavenges mitochondrial ROS and decreases cell death after treatment with bortezomib plus 2ME in KMS20 cells. Moreover, we observed that treatment with bortezomib plus 2ME maintains the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4/7 (MKK4/7). Collectively, combination treatment with bortezomib and 2ME induces cell death via JNK-MKK4/7 activation by overproduction of mitochondrial ROS. Therefore, combination therapy with specific mitochondrial-targeting drugs may prove useful to the development of novel strategies for the treatment of bortezomib-resistant MM patients.     

A novel strategy for the expeditious synthesis of aryl-tethered highly congested 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohols from 2-pyranones

An efficient and simple synthesis of highly congested 2-benzyloxy-3-benzyloxymethyl-5-sec-aminobiphenyl-4-carbonitriles 3a-e has been delineated through base catalyzed ring transformation of 6-aryl-4-sec-amino-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carbonitriles 1 by 1,3-bisbenzyloxypropan-2-one 2. Debenzylation of both the O-benzyl groups of 3a-e with boron trichloride provided the corresponding diols, 2-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl -5-sec-aminobiphenyl-4-carbonitriles 4a-e in very good yields.     

Synthesis of phosphorylated Neisseria meningitidis inner core lipopolysaccharide structures

A phosphoethanolamine-substituted tetrasaccharide structure, 2-aminoethyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-6-O-[2-(tert-butyloxycarbonylaminoethyl)-phosphono]-l-glycero-α-d-manno-heptopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-l-glycero-α-d-manno-heptopyranoside, corresponding to the non-reducing part of the conserved part of Neisseria meningitidis lipopolysaccharides has been synthesized. Orthogonal protection of the phosphoethanolamino group in combination with the presence of a free amino-containing anomeric spacer allows conjugation to proteins to construct conjugate vaccine candidates. The tetrasaccharide is built up using a linear strategy, where the introduction of the terminal α-GlcNAc moiety is performed using a 2-azido-thioglucoside as a donor and NIS/AgOTf as a promoter. The synthetic pathway includes tetrasaccharide intermediates appropriately designed to permit other phosphorylation patterns as well as elongation at the reducing end.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of the S=1/2, one-dimensional antiferromagnet, Y5Re2O12

Single crystals of Y₅Re₂O₁₂ have been grown, and the crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallizes in space group C2/m with cell dimensions of a=12.4081(10) Å b=5.6604(5)Å, c=7.4951(6) Å, β=107.837(3)°, Z=2. The final refinement led to R1=0.0238, WR2=0.0459 for 1053 observed reflections with F>4σ(F₀). Edge-sharing ReO₆ octahedra form infinite linear [ReO₂O_4/2]_n chains along the b direction with alternating short and long Re-Re distances. Three crystallographically independent yttrium atoms surround O2 to form OY₄ tetrahedra, which share edges and corners in the ab plane to form a two-dimensional Y₅O₄ network which separates the [ReO₂O_4/2]_n magnetic chains. This compound is therefore isostructural with the series Ln₅Re₂O₁₂Ln=Gd-Lu, which have been known since 1969. The average Re oxidation state is +4.5 in the chains and a reasonable, if qualitative MO scheme results in one unpaired electron per Re dimer. Consistent with this, magnetic susceptibility data can be fitted to the one-dimensional antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model with S=1/2 and parameters J^intra/k=−89(1)K, g=2.15(4) and χ(TIP)=5(1)×10⁻⁴ emu/mol. There is no sign of long-range magnetic order down to 2 K. These results are contrasted with those for the isostructural Y₅Mo₂O₁₂.     

Crystal structures of calcium and barium oxalato(ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetato)× chromates(III) M[Cr(Edda)(C2O4)]2·5H2O (M = Ca, Ba)

The crystal structure of Ca[Cr(Edda)(C₂O₄)]₂·5H₂O and Ba[Cr(Edda)(C₂O₄)]₂·5H₂O (H₂Edda — ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid) was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The nearest environment of alkaline earth ions consists of the oxygen atoms of the neighboring [Cr(Edda)(C₂O₄)]^? complex ions (five for Ca and four for Ba) and the water molecules that complete the coordination number to eight. Two atoms and two complex ions are linked into a ring; each Ca atom in the ring is bonded by the oxalate ion bridge to another anion. This results in a centrosymmetric hexanuclear supramolecular assembly. The atoms and the complex anions alternate to form an infinite chain, in which each Ba atom is additionally linked via the oxalate ion bridge with one anion.     

General approach to 6-tosyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1,3-diazepin-2-ones via nucleophile-mediated ring expansion of tetrahydropyrimidines

A general six-step approach to 6-tosyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1,3-diazepin-2-ones has been developed. The key step involves a ring expansion reaction of 4-mesyloxymethyl- or 4-tosyloxymethyl-5-tosyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-one mediated by nucleophilic reagents.     

Crystal Structure of a New Ammonium Potassium Selenomolybdate Compound K3.31(NH4)0.69[Se2Mo5O21]·2H2O

An inorganic compound formulated as K_3.31(NH₄)_0.69[Se₂Mo₅O₂₁]·2H₂O has been synthesized by conventional solution method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopies behaviors. The structure of the title compound has been determined from a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, with a?=?9.9371(2) ?, b?=?23.3545(2) ?, c?=?10.5179(2) ?, β?=?114.12(3)°, V?=?2227.7(5) ?³ and Z?=?4. It was revealed that the Strandberg-type polyoxoselenomolybdate cluster can be considered as a ring formed by five distorted edge- and corner-sharing MoO₆ octahedra, capped on both poles by a selenate pyramids sharing three vertices with the ring molybdenum centers. The Strandberg clusters are connected with ammonium ions and water molecules through hydrogen-bonding interactions which ensure the cohesion of the structure into a three-dimensional network.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of new vanadate PbCo2V2O8

A new vanadate PbCo₂V₂O₈ was obtained through the study of PbO-CoO-V₂O₅ ternary system. The crystal structure was determined by Rietveld method, indicating that PbCo₂V₂O₈ has a tetragonal structure of space group I41cd with a spiral chain along the c-axis. Magnetic properties of the titled compound were investigated by means of susceptibility, magnetization, and heat capacity measurements. The results show that PbCo₂V₂O₈ is a quasi-one-dimensional canted antiferromagnet with Neel temperature of ∼4 K, being consistent with its crystal structure.