Expression of integrin beta1 and its roles on adhesion between different cell cycle hepatocellular carcinoma cells (SMMC-7721) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells

To investigate expression of integrin β₁ and its roles on adhesion between different cell cycle hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), the synchronous G₁ and S phase HCC were achieved through thymine-2-deoxyriboside and colchicines sequential blockage method and double thymine-2-deoxyriboside blockage method, respectively. Expression of integrin β₁ on hepatocellular carcinoma cells was detected with flow cytometer. Further, the adhesive force of HCC to HUVEC and the role of integrin β₁ in this adhesive course were studied by micropipette aspiration technique. The results showed that percentage of each cyclic phases of the controlled HCC (non-synchronous) are: G₂+M phase, 11%; G₁ phase, 54%; S phase, 36%; the synchronous rates of G₁ and S phase HCC amount to 74 and 98%, respectively. The expressive fluorescent intensity of integrin β₁ in G₁ phase HCC is depressed significantly than the values of S phase and controlled HCC. Accordingly, the adhesive forces of G₁ phase HCC to HUVEC was significantly lower than the value of S phase cells (P<0.01), but it has no remarkable difference when compared the adhesive force values of S phase HCC with control; the contribution of integrin β₁ was about 50% in the adhesion of HCC to HUVEC. It suggested that HCC would be synchronized preferably in G₁ and S phase with thymine-2-deoxyriboside and colchicines, the adhesive molecule integrin β₁ expressed in a high lever in HCC and presented differences in vary cell cycle, and integrin β₁ played an important roles in adhesion of HCC to HUVEC. Possibly, S phase HCC take a great action in this adhesive course.     

Cyclic RGD and isoDGR Integrin Ligands Containing cis-2-amino-1-cyclopentanecarboxylic (cis-β-ACPC) Scaffolds

Integrin ligands containing the tripeptide sequences Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and iso-Asp-Gly- Arg (isoDGR) were actively investigated as inhibitors of tumor angiogenesis and directing unit in tumor-targeting drug conjugates. Reported herein is the synthesis, of two RGD and one isoDGR cyclic peptidomimetics containing (1S,2R) and (1R,2S) cis-2-amino-1-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (cis-β-ACPC), using a mixed solid phase/solution phase synthetic protocol. The three ligands were examined in vitro in competitive binding assays to the purified α_vβ₃ and α₅β₁ receptors using biotinylated vitronectin (α_vβ₃) and fibronectin (α₅β₁) as natural displaced ligands. The IC50 values of the ligands ranged from nanomolar (the two RGD ligands) to micromolar (the isoDGR ligand) with a pronounced selectivity for α_vβ₃ over α₅β₁. In vitro cell adhesion assays were also performed using the human skin melanoma cell line WM115 (rich in integrin α_vβ₃). The two RGD ligands showed IC₅₀ values in the same micromolar range as the reference compound (cyclo[RGDfV]), while for the isoDGR derivative an IC₅₀ value could not be measured for the cell adhesion assay. A conformational analysis of the free RGD and isoDGR ligands by NMR (VT-NMR and NOESY experiments) and computational studies (MC/EM and MD), followed by docking simulations performed in the α_Vβ₃ integrin active site, provided a rationale for the behavior of these ligands toward the receptor.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of a Dual-Action Ligand Targeting αvβ3 Integrin and VEGF Receptors

A dual-action ligand targeting both integrin α_Vβ₃ and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs), was synthesized via conjugation of a cyclic peptidomimetic α_Vβ₃ Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) ligand with a decapentapeptide. The latter was obtained from a known VEGFR antagonist by acetylation at the Lys13 side chain. Functionalization of the precursor ligands was carried out in solution and in the solid phase, affording two fragments: an alkyne VEGFR ligand and the azide integrin α_Vβ₃ ligand, which were conjugated by click chemistry. Circular dichroism studies confirmed that both the RGD and VEGFR ligand portions of the dual-action compound substantially adopt the biologically active conformation. In vitro binding assays on isolated integrin α_Vβ₃ and VEGFR-1 showed that the dual-action conjugate retains a good level of affinity for both its target receptors, although with one order of magnitude (10/20 times) decrease in potency. The dual-action ligand strongly inhibited the VEGF-induced morphogenesis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). Remarkably, its efficiency in preventing the formation of new blood vessels was similar to that of the original individual ligands, despite the worse affinity towards integrin α_Vβ₃ and VEGFR-1.     

The Effect of Anomeric Head Groups, Surfactant Hydrophilicity, and Electrolytes onn-Alkyl Monoglucoside Microemulsions

The effects of the variables of head group structure and salt concentration on microemulsions formed in mixtures of water, alkyl ethylene glycol ethers (C_kOC₂OC_k), andn-alkyl β- -glucopyranosides (C_mβG₁) are explored. Phase behavior of mixtures containing an anomer of the surfactant (n-alkyl α- -glucopyranoside, C_mαG₁), or surfactants with long head groups (n-alkyl maltopyranosides, C_mG₂), or NaCl or NaClO₄as electrolyte are systematically reported as a function of temperature and composition. The substitution ofn-alkyl α- -glucopyranosides forn-alkyl β- -glucopyranosides causes precipitation under some conditions in all mixtures studied. These solubility boundaries begin in the water–surfactant binary mixture at the Krafft boundary, then extend to high concentrations of both surfactant and oil. Increasing the effective length of the surfactant head group by adding C_mG₂to water–C_kOC₂OC_k–C_mβG₁mixtures moves the phase behavior dramatically up in temperature when even small amounts of C_mG₂are used. Adding a lyotropic electrolyte, NaCl, to water–C_kOC₂OC_k–C_mβG₁mixtures moves the phase behavior down in temperature, while the hydrotropic electrolyte NaClO₄moves the phase behavior up in temperature.     

New 4-Aminoproline-Based Small Molecule Cyclopeptidomimetics as Potential Modulators of α4β1 Integrin

Integrin α₄β₁ belongs to the leukocyte integrin family and represents a therapeutic target of relevant interest given its primary role in mediating inflammation, autoimmune pathologies and cancer-related diseases. The focus of the present work is the design, synthesis and characterization of new peptidomimetic compounds that are potentially able to recognize α₄β₁ integrin and interfere with its function. To this aim, a collection of seven new cyclic peptidomimetics possessing both a 4-aminoproline (Amp) core scaffold grafted onto key α₄β₁-recognizing sequences and the (2-methylphenyl)ureido-phenylacetyl (MPUPA) appendage, was designed, with the support of molecular modeling studies. The new compounds were synthesized through SPPS procedures followed by in-solution cyclization maneuvers. The biological evaluation of the new cyclic ligands in cell adhesion assays on Jurkat cells revealed promising submicromolar agonist activity in one compound, namely, the c[Amp(MPUPA)Val-Asp-Leu] cyclopeptide. Further investigations will be necessary to complete the characterization of this class of compounds.     

Unimolecular rearrangement of α-silylcarbenium ions. An ab initio study

The unimolecular rearrangements of hydrogen, methyl and phenyl groups at the Si atom in α-silylcarbenium ions have been investigated using an ab initio molecular orbital method. MP2/6–31 + G^*//HF/6–31G^* calculations predict that all three groups migrate from the Si to an adjacent C_α with no energy barrier. Thus, the silicenium ion is the only stable species in each potential energy surface. The conformation of the benzylsilicenium ion, (C₆H₅)CH₂−SiH₂⁺, indicates that the phenyl ring is significantly bent toward the silyl cationic center in order to interact with the vacant 3p(Si⁺) orbital. In contrast to MP2 results, Hartree-Fuck calculations (both HF/3–21G^* and HF/6–31G^* levels) predict small energy barriers for 1,2-migrations of H and Me (1.4 kcal mol⁻¹ for H migration, and 1.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for Me migration, respectively, at the HF/6–31G^* level). This difference provides convincing evidence that the incorporation of electron correlation is of particular importance in describing the potential energy surface for the rearrangement of α-silylcarbenium ions to silicenium ions. The results of the calculations have also been applied to the possible rearrangement mechanism of α-chlorosilanes to chlorosilanes, assuming that the experimental conditions are favorable toward the generation of ionic species. Various factors which may govern the migratory aptitudes of various R groups, i.e. (1) activation energies, (2) overall reaction energies and (3) the conformational preference of reactants have been investigated. The calculated activation energy obtained, namely the energy for the generation of the silicenium ion and the C⁻¹ ion from an α-chlorosilane, is consistent with the experimental migratory aptitude in the gas phase observed in mass spectrometers.     

Pogostemon cablin Triggered ROS-Induced DNA Damage to Arrest Cell Cycle Progression and Induce Apoptosis on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Vitro and In Vivo

The purpose of the study was to elucidate the anti-hepatoma effects and mechanisms of Pogostemon cablin essential oils (PPa extract) in vitro and in vivo. PPa extract exhibited an inhibitory effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and was less cytotoxic to normal cells, especially normal liver cells, than it was to HCC cells, exerting a good selective index. Additionally, PPa extract inhibited HCC cell growth by blocking the cell cycle at the G₀/G₁ phase via p53 dependent or independent pathway to down regulated cell cycle regulators. Moreover, PPa extract induced the FAS-FASL-caspase-8 system to activate the extrinsic apoptosis pathway, and it increased the bax/bcl-2 ratio and reduced ΔΨm to activate the intrinsic apoptosis pathway that might be due to lots of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production which was induced by PPa extract. In addition, PPa extract presented to the potential to act synergistically with sorafenib to effectively inhibit HCC cell proliferation through the Akt/mTOR pathway and reduce regrowth of HCC cells. In an animal model, PPa extract suppressed HCC tumor growth and prolonged lifespan by reducing the VEGF/VEGFR axis and inducing tumor cell apoptosis in vivo. Ultimately, PPa extract demonstrated nearly no or low system-wide, physiological, or pathological toxicity in vivo. In conclusion, PPa extract effectively inhibited HCC cell growth through inducing cell cycle arrest and activating apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PPa extract exhibits less toxicity toward normal cells and organs than it does toward HCC cells, which might lead to fewer side effects in clinical applications. PPa extract may be developed into a clinical drug to suppress tumor growth or functional food to prevent HCC initiation or chemoprotection of HCC recurrence.     

Characterization of anomeric differences of ammonium-bound monomeric and dimeric complex ions of 1α- and 1β-azido-pentofuranosyl derivates by kinetic method

Relative stabilities (ΔG^c) of ammonium-bound monomers and dimers of anomeric β- -pentofuranosyl 1α- and 1β-azide derivates are determinate using the kinetic method by measuring relative rates of competitive collision-induced dissociations of dimeric [ANH₄B]⁺ and trimeric [A₂NH₄B]⁺ or [ANH₄B₂]⁺ cluster ions. Comparison between calculated ammonium affinities (AAs) and relative stabilities (ΔG^c) of ammonium-bound monomers shows qualitative correlations between both thermochemical quantities, but in two examples the activation barrier differences of competitive fragmentation channels cause a large disparity between both thermochemical data. Therefore, the most stable ammonium-bound monomers of the anomeric lα- and lβ-2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-β- -arabino-pento-furanosyl azides possess the lowest ammonium affinities and the highest relative stabilities. Two different relative stabilities measured for the same ammonium-bound homo- or hetero-dimers indicate dissimilar activated barriers of trimers transition states for dimer formations. The activated barriers of trimers depend on the relative stabilities of ammonium-bound monomer within the trimeric cluster ions.     

Modulation of αVβ6 integrin in osteoarthritis-related synovitis and the interaction with VTN(381–397 a.a.) competing for TGF-β1 activation

Osteoarthritis is characterized by structural alteration of joints. Fibrosis of the synovial tissue is often detected and considered one of the main causes of joint stiffness and pain. In our earlier proteomic study, increased levels of vitronectin (VTN) fragment (amino acids 381–397) were observed in the serum of osteoarthritis patients. In this work, the affinity of this fragment for integrins and its putative role in TGF-β1 activation were investigated. A competition study determined the interaction of VTN_{(381–397 a.a.)} with α_Vβ₆ integrin. Subsequently, the presence of α_Vβ₆ integrin was substantiated on primary human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) by western blot and flow cytometry. By immunohistochemistry, β₆ was detected in synovial membranes, and its expression showed a correlation with tissue fibrosis. Moreover, β₆ expression was increased under TGF-β1 stimulation; hence, a TGF-β bioassay was applied. We observed that α_Vβ₆ could mediate TGF-β1 bioavailability and that VTN_{(381–397 a.a.)} could prevent TGF-β1 activation by interacting with α_Vβ₆ in human FLSs and increased α-SMA. Finally, we analyzed serum samples from healthy controls and patients with osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases by nano-LC/Chip MS–MS, confirming the increased expression of VTN_{(381–397 a.a.)} in osteoarthritis as well as in lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. These findings corroborate our previous observations concerning the overexpression of VTN_{(381–397 a.a.)} in osteoarthritis but also in other rheumatic diseases. This fragment interacts with α_Vβ₆ integrin, a receptor whose expression is increased in FLSs from the osteoarthritic synovial membrane and that can mediate the activation of the TGF-β1 precursor in human FLSs.Subject terms: Osteoarthritis, Cell culture     

Simulation of equivalent weight dependence of Nafion morphologies and predicted trends regarding water diffusion

Microphase separation within hydrated Nafion^® membranes was simulated using Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD). Morphologies were obtained at branching densities corresponding with equivalent weights ranging from 800 to 1400 (g/mole SO₃) and water percentage volume contents ([H₂O]) varying between 10% and 30%. All cases showed pronounced microphase separation involving a hydrophobic Teflon phase and a hydrophilic phase in which water is associated with SO₃ groups that are located near the phase boundaries. Pore morphologies were found to depend strongly on water content and branching density. The average pore radius (R_pore) and the distance between the pores (D_cl-cl) were found to increase with water content obeying the relations R_pore = 1.3 + α[H₂O] (nm), and D_cl-cl = 3.2 + β[H₂O] (nm). The values of the expansion coefficients α and β decrease linearly with branching density with α = 5.3 × 10⁻⁵ × (EW-450) and β = 1.3 × 10⁻⁴ × (EW-450) nm/vol%. For decreasing branching density the pores obtain a more spherical character. The consequence of this on water diffusion is estimated by employing Monte Carlo trajectory calculations in which we assume that water movement is confined within the hydrophilic phase and local water mobility to be equal to that of pure water. The estimated diffusion constants increase linearly with branching density (i.e. linear decrease with equivalent weight). Experimental water diffusion constants obtained from literature for Nafion1100 membrane are in good agreement with our calculations. A counterintuitive picture evolves in which smaller pores lead to enhanced water diffusion.     

Mechanistic insight of KBiQ2 (Q = S,Se) using panoramic synthesis towards synthesis-by-design

Solid-state synthesis has historically focused on reactants and end products; however, knowledge of reaction pathways, intermediate phases and their formation may provide mechanistic insight of solid-state reactions. With an increased understanding of reaction progressions, design principles can be deduced, affording more predictive power in materials synthesis. In pursuit of this goal, in situ powder X-ray diffraction is employed to observe crystalline phase evolution over the course of the reaction, thereby constructing a “panoramic” view of the reaction from beginning to end. We conducted in situ diffraction studies in the K–Bi–Q (Q = S, Se) system to understand the formation of phases occurring in this system in the course of their reactions. Powder mixtures of K₂Q to Bi₂Q₃ in 1 : 1 and 1.5 : 1 ratios were heated to 800 °C or 650 °C, while simultaneously collecting diffraction data. Three new phases, K₃BiS₃, β-KBiS₂, and β-KBiSe₂, were discovered. Panoramic synthesis showed that K₃BiQ₃ serves an important mechanistic role as a structural intermediate in both chalcogen systems (Q = S, Se) in the path to form the KBiQ₂ structure. Thermal analysis and calculations at the density functional theory (DFT) level show that the cation-ordered β-KBiQ₂ polymorphs are the thermodynamically stable phase in this compositional space, while Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis shows that all α-KBiQ₂ structures have local disorder due to stereochemically active lone pair expression of the bismuth atoms. The formation of the β-KBiQ₂ structures, both of which crystallize in the α-NaFeO₂ structure type, show a boundary where the structure can be disordered or ordered with regards to the alkali metal and bismuth. A cation radius tolerance for six-coordinate cation site sharing of ∼ 1.3 is proposed. The mechanistic insight the panoramic synthesis technique provides in the K–Bi–Q system is progress towards the overarching goal of synthesis-by-design.

This work uses in situ powder X-ray diffraction studies to observe crystalline phase evolution over the course of multiple K-Bi-Q (Q = S, Se) reactions, thereby constructing a “panoramic” view of each reaction from beginning to end.     

PET Diagnostic Molecules Utilizing Multimeric Cyclic RGD Peptide Analogs for Imaging Integrin αvβ3 Receptors

Multimeric ligands consisting of multiple pharmacophores connected to a single backbone have been widely investigated for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In this review, we summarize recent developments regarding multimeric radioligands targeting integrin α_vβ₃ receptors on cancer cells for molecular imaging and diagnostic applications using positron emission tomography (PET). Integrin α_vβ₃ receptors are glycoproteins expressed on the cell surface, which have a significant role in tumor angiogenesis. They act as receptors for several extracellular matrix proteins exposing the tripeptide sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD). Cyclic RDG peptidic ligands c(RGD) have been developed for integrin α_vβ₃ tumor-targeting positron emission tomography (PET) diagnosis. Several c(RGD) pharmacophores, connected with the linker and conjugated to a chelator or precursor for radiolabeling with different PET radionuclides (¹⁸F, ⁶⁴Cu, and ⁶⁸Ga), have resulted in multimeric ligands superior to c(RGD) monomers. The binding avidity, pharmacodynamic, and PET imaging properties of these multimeric c(RGD) radioligands, in relation to their structural characteristics are analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, specific examples from preclinical studies and clinical investigations are included.     

Isolation,Characterization, Complete Structural Assignment,and Anticancer Activities of the Methoxylated Flavonoids from Rhamnus disperma Roots

Different chromatographic methods including reversed-phase HPLC led to the isolation and purification of three O-methylated flavonoids; 5,4’-dihydroxy-3,6,7-tri-O-methyl flavone (penduletin) (1), 5,3’-dihydroxy-3,6,7,4’,5’-penta-O-methyl flavone (2), and 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,3’,4’,5’-hexa-O-methyl flavone (3) from Rhamnus disperma roots. Additionlly, four flavonoid glycosides; kampferol 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), quercetin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (6), and kampferol 3, 7-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (7) along with benzyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8) were successfully isolated. Complete structure characterization of these compounds was assigned based on NMR spectroscopic data, MS analyses, and comparison with the literature. The O-methyl protons and carbons of the three O-methylated flavonoids (1–3) were unambiguously assigned based on 2D NMR data. The occurrence of compounds 1, 4, 5, and 8 in Rhamnus disperma is was reported here for the first time. Compound 3 was acetylated at 5-OH position to give 5-O-acetyl-3,6,7,3’,4’,5’-hexa-O-methyl flavone (9). Compound 1 exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against MCF 7, A2780, and HT29 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values at 2.17 µM, 0.53 µM, and 2.16 µM, respectively, and was 2–9 folds more selective against tested cancer cell lines compared to the normal human fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC5). It also doubled MCF 7 apoptotic populations and caused G₁ cell cycle arrest. The acetylated compound 9 exhibited cytotoxic activity against MCF 7 and HT29 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values at 2.19 µM and 3.18 µM, respectively, and was 6–8 folds more cytotoxic to tested cancer cell lines compared to the MRC5 cells.     

Synthesis and characterization of η<Superscript>3</Superscript>-allyl palladium(II) complexes with Ph<Subscript>2</Subscript>P(S)CHP(S)Ph<Subscript>2</Subscript> and OC(CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>)CHCO(C<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>3</Subscript>S) co-ligands

The new complexes [(η³-Me₂CCMeCH₂)Pd{η²-Ph₂P(S)CHP(S)Ph₂] (1), [(η³-Me₂CCMeCH₂)Pd{η²-OC(CF₃) CHCO(C₄H₃S)}] (2) and [(η³-CH₂CMeCH₂)Pd{η²-OC(CF₃)CHCO(C₄H₃S)}] (3) have been synthesized by reacting [(η³-allyl)Pd(μ-Cl)]₂ with Ph₂P(S)CH₂P(S)Ph₂ and OC(CF₃)CH₂CO(C₄H₃S) in the presence of base. All have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H-n.m.r and FAB-mass spectroscopy. Spectroscopic studies suggest that both ligands are bidentate, forming six-membered Pd-S-P-C-P-S and Pd-O-C-C-C-O palladacycles, the η³-allyl group completing the coordination sphere.     

Thermodynamic analysis of polymer‐solid adhesion: Sticker and receptor group effects

Adhesion of dense linear polymer chains containing a small number of randomly distributed sticker groups (?_X) to a solid substrate containing receptor groups (?_Y) has been analyzed by a single‐chain scaling approach. An entanglement sink probability (ESP) model motivated by vector percolation explains the nonmonotonic influences of sticker concentration (?_X), receptor concentration (?_Y), and their interaction strength (χ) on the adhesion strength G_IC of the polymer‐solid interface. The ESP model quantifies the degree of interdigitation between adsorbed and neighboring chains on the basis of the adsorbed chain domain with an extension of the scaling treatment of de Gennes. Here, the adsorbed chain domain changes thermodynamically with respect to the energy of interaction parameter, r = χ?_X?_Y. This model considers the situation of a blend consisting of a small volume fraction of adhesive molecules as a compatibilizer at the interface, where these molecules promote adhesion by adsorbing to the surface via sticker‐receptor interactions. The percolation model scales solely with r = χ?_X?_Y, and this parameter can be related to both the adhesive potential (G_A) and the cohesive potential (G_C). G_A describes adhesive failure between adsorbed chains and the solid surface and linearly behaves as G_A ～ r = χ?_X?_Y. The cohesive strength between adsorbed and neighboring chains corresponds to G_C ～ r^?0.5～?1.0 = (χ?_X?_Y)^?0.5～?1.0. When the fracture stresses for cohesive and adhesive failure are equal, the model predicts maximum adhesion strength at an optimal value of r* = (χ?_X?_Y)*. Thus, for a given χ value, optimal values ? and ? exist for the sticker and receptor groups, above or below which the fracture energy will not be optimized. Alternatively, if the X‐Y interaction strength χ increases, then the number of sticker groups required to achieve the optimum strength decreases. Significantly, the optimum strength is not obtained when the surface is completely covered with receptor groups (?_Y = 1) but is closer to 30%. For polybutadiene, the optimum value of r* was determined experimentally (Lee, I.; Wool, R. P. J Adhesion 2001, 75, 299), and typically ? ≈ 1–3%, ? ≈ 25–30%. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2343–2353, 2002     

Mechanistic insights into dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission – concerted interactions with helices 5 and 6 drive the functional outcome

Brain functions rely on neurotransmitters that mediate communication between billions of neurons. Disruption of this communication can result in a plethora of psychiatric and neurological disorders. In this work, we combine molecular dynamics simulations, live-cell biosensor and electrophysiological assays to investigate the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine at the dopaminergic D₂ receptor (D₂R). The study of dopamine and closely related chemical probes reveals how neurotransmitter binding translates into the activation of distinct subsets of D₂R effectors (i.e.: G_i2, G_oB, G_z and β-arrestin 2). Ligand interactions with key residues in TM5 (S5.42) and TM6 (H6.55) in the D₂R binding pocket yield a dopamine-like coupling signature, whereas exclusive TM5 interaction is typically linked to preferential G protein coupling (in particular G_oB) over β-arrestin. Further experiments for serotonin receptors indicate that the reported molecular mechanism is shared by other monoaminergic neurotransmitter receptors. Ultimately, our study highlights how sequence variation in position 6.55 is used by nature to fine-tune β-arrestin recruitment and in turn receptor signaling and internalization of neurotransmitter receptors.

Neurotransmitter contacts within the receptor binding site differentially contribute to the overall functional response: transmembrane helix (TM) 5 contacts promote G protein coupling whereas concerted TM5–TM6 contacts enhance β-arrestin recruitment.     

Discovery of Novel 2,4-Dianilinopyrimidine Derivatives Containing 4-(Morpholinomethyl)phenyl and N-Substituted Benzamides as Potential FAK Inhibitors and Anticancer Agents

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is responsible for the development and progression of various malignancies. With the aim to explore novel FAK inhibitors as anticancer agents, a series of 2,4-dianilinopyrimidine derivatives 8a–8i and 9a–9g containing 4-(morpholinomethyl)phenyl and N-substituted benzamides have been designed and synthesized. Among them, compound 8a displayed potent anti-FAK activity (IC₅₀ = 0.047 ± 0.006 μM) and selective antiproliferative effects against H1975 (IC₅₀ = 0.044 ± 0.011 μM) and A431 cells (IC₅₀ = 0.119 ± 0.036 μM). Furthermore, compound 8a also induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, arresting the cells in S/G2 phase and inhibiting the migration of H1975 cells, all of which were superior to those of TAE226. The docking analysis of compound 8a was performed to elucidate its possible binding modes with FAK. These results established 8a as our lead compound to be further investigated as a potential FAK inhibitor and anticancer agent.     

Magnetic and EPR Studies of α-, β-, and γ-Fe2WO6 Phases at Low Temperatures

The polymorphic modifications α-, β-, and γ-Fe₂WO₆ of the iron tungstate system were studied by means of magnetic susceptibility and EPR measurements at low temperatures. Both methods revealed a significant paramagnetic contribution, probably resulting from local distortions of the antiferromagnetic bulk structure induced by a disturbed cation ordering or the presence of Fe²⁺ ions. The magnetic susceptibility revealed a peak at 260 K for all samples which can be related with an AF phase transition. The EPR spectra comprised the contribution of various isolated paramagnetic iron centers, one arising from high-spin Fe³⁺ ions in rhombic crystal field symmetry with E/D ≈ 1/3 and D ≈ 0.22 cm^-1, an anisotropic EPR signal consistent with an S= 3/2 ground state with large zero-field splitting, and a dominant component in the g ≈ 2 region presumably arising from an S = 1/2; spin state. The latter spectra were tentatively attributed to the formation of multi-iron clusters, one of them invoking the presence of Fe²⁺ ions as well. For the βFe₂WO₆ phase an additional EPR spectrum was observed, which probably results from high-spin Fe³⁺ ions in a weak crystal field.     

Adhesion behaviors of human trophoblast cells by contact with endothelial cells

Although it is still not clear whether migratory trophoblasts reach the spiral arteries by migration within blood vessels against blood flow or by a mechanism of directional cell division/proliferation, this process involves the attachment and adhesion of trophoblasts to endothelial cells lining the blood vessel walls. This raises the possibility that the cell–cell contact with endothelial cells may regulate trophoblast cell adhesion behaviors according to the surrounding flow condition. To test this, the adhesion forces of early gestation human trophoblast cells (TCs) cultured on glass slides coated with type I rat collagen or cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were measured quantitatively using a micropipette aspiration technique. Then, the resistance of TCs co-cultured with HUVECs to flow-induced shear stress was assessed with a flow chamber technique. The results showed that the adhesion force of TCs to glass slides coated with collagen was positively correlated with the concentration of collagen. By contact with endothelial cells, the adhesion force and the resistance to shear stress for the TCs were significantly enhanced. The interdiction of integrin β1 interaction remarkably reduced the adhesion forces of TCs to endothelial cells, hence their resistance to shear stress. The results therefore suggest that the contacts of TCs with endothelial cells enhance the adhesion forces of human TCs, partially by regulating with the integrin β1 according to the flow condition (i.e., the shear stress) in such a way to prevent the TCs from being carried downstream by flowing blood.