Application of pure silica gel as cation-exchange stationary phase in lon chromatography with indirect photometric detection for common mono-and divalent cations using aromatic monoamines as eluents

Summary A pure silica gel (Pia Seed 5S-60-SIL), synthesized by the hydrolysis of pure tetraethoxysilane [Si(OCH₂CH₃)₄], was applied as a cation-exchange stationary phase in ion chromatography with indirect photometric detection for common mono-and divalent cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺) using various protonated aromatic monoamines (tyramine [4-(2-aminethyl) phenol], benzylamine, phenylethylamine, 2-methylpyridine and 2,6-dimethylpyridine) as eluet ions. When using 0.75 mM tyramine-0.25 mM oxalic acid-1.5 mM 18-crown-6 (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane) at pH 5.0 as the eluent, excellent simultaneous separation and highly sensitive detection at 275 nm for these mono-and divalent cations were achieved on the Pia Seed 5S-60-SIL column (150×4.6 mm I.D.) in 20 min.     

Simultaneous determination of acidic,basic and alcoholic substances relating to monoamine hormones and metabolites in biological material by mass fragmentography (GC/MF)

A method is described for the simultaneous quantitative determination of monoamines and related compounds from urine and brain tissue samples in the pg-range, using a GC/MF instrument LKB-2091 provided with a multiple ion detection (MID) system and capillary columns. The simultaneous detection of “fingerprints” with fourteen and more compounds during one single GC run was achieved after the intoduction of “time gates” for the detection of the different characteristic masses. Several modifications to the LKB equipment permitted exact reproducibility of retention times, which is essential for the use of “time gates”. The detection of “fingerprints” with these acidic, basic and alcoholic substances was achieved by the extraction of the dried biological samples with silylating agents.     

Recognition in water of bioactive substrates by a sulphonato p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene

The molecular recognition in water of neurotransmitter monoamine and trace amine hydrochlorides by p-tert-butylcalix[5]-arene 1 – bearing 4-sulphonatobutoxy groups at the lower rim – has been investigated. According to ¹H NMR measurements, the hydrophobic cavity of receptor 1 best binds tyramine hydrochloride, K_a = 5370 ± 870 M^? 1.     

Abnormal levels of seven amino neurotransmitters in depressed rat brain and determination by HPLC‐FLD

The determination of amino acids with actions like neurotransmitters or modulators has been increasingly important for diagnosis in many neuropsychiatric diseases. A rapid and simple high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection method was developed for simultaneous determination of seven amino acids: aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu), serine (Ser), glutamine (Gln), glycine (Gly), taurine (Tau) and γ‐aminobutyric` acid (GABA). Homoserine was used as an internal standard. The analysis was performed on a BDS column with methanol and 50 mm sodium acetate solution (pH 6.5) using a simple gradient elution. Several parameters of the developed method were validated including linearity, accuracy, precision, extraction recovery and stability, which were within the acceptable range. The method was successfully applied to determination of real samples: hippocampus and cortex in depressed rats exposed to chronically unpredictable stress in order to study if there existed differences in the seven amino acids levels between depressed rats and control. The results showed that Asp, Gly, Tau and GABA significantly decreased with increasing Gln in the hippocampus of depressed rats, compared with that of the control group, among which obviously lower level of Asp and higher level of Gln in cortex were observed. The analytical method and the results could be useful for clinical diagnosis and further insight into pathophysiological mechanism of depression.     

Activity-based probes for studying the activity of flavin-dependent oxidases and for the protein target profiling of monoamine oxidase inhibitors

High profile: new activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) probes have been designed that target exclusively monoamine oxidases A and B within living cells (see picture; FAD=flavin adenine dinucleotide, FMN=flavin monodinucleotide). With these probes it could be shown that the MAO inhibitor deprenyl, which is in clinical use against Parkinson's disease, shows unique protein specificity despite its covalent mechanism of action.     

Synthesis and monoamine oxidase A/B inhibitory evaluation of new benzothiazole-thiazolylhydrazine derivatives

Abstract

In this study, a novel series of benzothiazole-thiazolylhydrazine (3a–3i) was synthesized and their structures were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR spectrometry, and mass spectroscopy. These compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of type A and type B monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes. The most active compound 3b (2-((2-(2-(4-(4-Nitrophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)hydrazineylidene)-2-phenylethyl)thio)benzothiazole) showed strong inhibitory activity at hMAO-A (IC₅₀ of 0.095?±?0.004?µM). Furthermore, compound 3i (2-((2-(2-(4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)hydrazineylidene)-2-phenylethyl)thio)benzothiazole) showed significant inhibition profile on hMAO-A with the IC₅₀ values 0.141?±?0.006?µM.     

Selective Interactions of O-Methylated Flavonoid Natural Products with Human Monoamine Oxidase-A and -B

A set of structurally related O-methylated flavonoid natural products isolated from Senecio roseiflorus (1), Polygonum senegalense (2 and 3), Bhaphia macrocalyx (4), Gardenia ternifolia (5), and Psiadia punctulata (6) plant species were characterized for their interaction with human monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and -B) in vitro. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 showed selective inhibition of MAO-A, while 4 and 6 showed selective inhibition of MAO-B. Compound 3 showed ~2-fold selectivity towards inhibition of MAO-A. Binding of compounds 1–3 and 5 with MAO-A, and compounds 3 and 6 with MAO-B was reversible and not time-independent. The analysis of enzyme-inhibition kinetics suggested a reversible-competitive mechanism for inhibition of MAO-A by 1 and 3, while a partially-reversible mixed-type inhibition by 5. Similarly, enzyme inhibition-kinetics analysis with compounds 3, 4, and 6, suggested a competitive reversible inhibition of MAO-B. The molecular docking study suggested that 1 selectively interacts with the active-site of human MAO-A near N5 of FAD. The calculated binding free energies of the O-methylated flavonoids (1 and 4–6) and chalcones (2 and 3) to MAO-A matched closely with the trend in the experimental IC_50′s. Analysis of the binding free-energies suggested better interaction of 4 and 6 with MAO-B than with MAO-A. The natural O-methylated flavonoid (1) with highly potent inhibition (IC₅₀ 33 nM; Ki 37.9 nM) and >292 fold selectivity against human MAO-A (vs. MAO-B) provides a new drug lead for the treatment of neurological disorders.     

Rational Design of a Two‐Photon Fluorogenic Probe for Visualizing Monoamine Oxidase A Activity in Human Glioma Tissues

Monoamine oxidases have two functionally distinct but structurally similar isoforms (MAO‐A and MAO‐B). The ability to differentiate them by using fluorescence detection/imaging technology is of significant biological relevance, but highly challenging with available chemical tools. Herein, we report the first MAO‐A‐specific two‐photon fluorogenic probe ( F1 ), capable of selective imaging of endogenous MAO‐A enzymatic activities from a variety of biological samples, including MAO‐A‐expressing neuronal SY‐SY5Y cells, the brain of tumor‐bearing mice and human Glioma tissues by using two‐photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) with minimal cytotoxicity.     

Simultaneous profiling of multiple neurochemical pathways from a single cerebrospinal fluid sample using GC/MS/MS with electron capture detection

Biogenic amines and amino acids are widely characterized in the pathways representing neurotransmission. Although several analytical methodologies have been used to detect specific target molecules in relevant fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), multiple assays must be used to survey the primary pathways involved. This article describes the development of a GC/MS/MS method capable of analyzing up to 43 analytes (representing 20 amino acids and more than seven neurochemical pathways) from a single 50 microl CSF sample. In this procedure, a CSF sample is first treated with acetonitrile to precipitate proteins. The dried sample is then derivatized with a mixture of 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propanol and pentafluoropropionic acetic anhydride to replace all active hydrogen atoms with fluorine-containing groups. Due to the concentration difference between amino acids and neurotransmitters, these two compound classes are analyzed in separate injections of the same derivatized extract. The total run time for each injection is approximately 15-20 min. An essential feature of the method is the use of argon as a reagent gas for electron capture chemical ionization (ECCI), as the use of the more traditional gas (methane) lacked sufficient durability to be considered for use with the present instrumentation. This article describes the development of this method including a detailed investigation of the chemical ionization conditions used. The resultant conditions allow for the profiling of biogenic amines (e.g. serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) in the low picogram per milliliter range.     

Macrocyclic Gd3+ Complexes with Pendant Crown Ethers Designed for Binding Zwitterionic Neurotransmitters

A series of Gd³⁺ complexes exhibiting a relaxometric response to zwitterionic amino acid neurotransmitters was synthesized. The design concept involves ditopic interactions 1) between a positively charged and coordinatively unsaturated Gd³⁺ chelate and the carboxylate group of the neurotransmitters and 2) between an azacrown ether appended to the chelate and the amino group of the neurotransmitters. The chelates differ in the nature and length of the linker connecting the cyclen‐type macrocycle that binds the Ln³⁺ ion and the crown ether. The complexes are monohydrated, but they exhibit high proton relaxivities (up to 7.7 mM ^?1 s^?1 at 60 MHz, 310 K) due to slow molecular tumbling. The formation of ternary complexes with neurotransmitters was monitored by ¹H relaxometric titrations of the Gd³⁺ complexes and by luminescence measurements on the Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ analogues at pH 7.4. The remarkable relaxivity decrease (≈80 %) observed on neurotransmitter binding is related to the decrease in the hydration number, as evidenced by luminescence lifetime measurements on the Eu³⁺ complexes. These complexes show affinity for amino acid neurotransmitters in the millimolar range, which can be suited to imaging concentrations of synaptically released neurotransmitters. They display good selectivity over non‐amino acid neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, serotonin, and noradrenaline) and hydrogenphosphate, but selectivity over hydrogencarbonate was not achieved.