A Photoswitchable Agonist for the Histamine H3 Receptor,a Prototypic Family A G‐Protein‐Coupled Receptor

Spatiotemporal control over biochemical signaling processes involving G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) is highly desired for dissecting their complex intracellular signaling. We developed sixteen photoswitchable ligands for the human histamine H₃ receptor (hH₃R). Upon illumination, key compound 65 decreases its affinity for the hH₃R by 8.5‐fold and its potency in hH₃R‐mediated G_i protein activation by over 20‐fold, with the trans and cis isomer both acting as full agonist. In real‐time two‐electrode voltage clamp experiments in Xenopus oocytes, 65 shows rapid light‐induced modulation of hH₃R activity. Ligand 65 shows good binding selectivity amongst the histamine receptor subfamily and has good photolytic stability. In all, 65 (VUF15000) is the first photoswitchable GPCR agonist confirmed to be modulated through its affinity and potency upon photoswitching while maintaining its intrinsic activity, rendering it a new chemical biology tool for spatiotemporal control of GPCR activation.     

Partial purification and some properties of a hemolymph lectin from panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera,Reduviidae)

Hemagglutinating activity was studied in homogenates of three embryonic stages, and in the hemolymph of most instar larvae and in adult insects of Panstrongylus megistus, an important Chagas' disease vector in Brazil. A hemolymph lectin from the 5th instar larvae of P. megistus was purified through a biospecific adsorption by using formaldehyde-treated erythrocytes. The lectin fraction was desorbed with 0.2M D-galactose in 0.15M NaCl. The lectin fraction activity was inhibited by L-rhamnose, D-lactose, raffinose, D-galactose, and D-fucose. The electrophoretic pattern to native and acidic proteins resolved lectin fraction in two main bands with lectin activity. These bands were considered as multiple molecular forms or isoforms of P. megistus lectin. Under denaturating conditions, isoform 1 showed one band with apparent mol wt (MW) of 64 kDa while isoform 2 was resolved in two bands with MW of 64 and 33 kDa.     

Application of the chemiluminescence systems to evaluate the role of Fcgamma and complement receptors in stimulating the oxidative burst in neutrophils

We have established a luminol- and a lucigenin-dependent CL methods to investigate the role of the receptors for Fc portion of IgG (FcgammaR) and/or complement receptors (CR) in mediating the oxidative burst in neutrophils from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared with healthy controls. In the luminol-CL system, all the reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for light production, whereas in the lucigenin-CL system, only the first ROS generated, converts the lucigenin into an unstable intermediate molecule, which also emits light. First, neutrophils from healthy controls and SLE patients were stimulated with different IC opsonized or not with complement from normal human serum (NHS) or SLE serum, in presence of 10(-4) M luminol. This method was able to differentiate the role of the FcgammaR, CR and FcgammaR/CR co-operation in mediating the oxidative burst, as well as show that the oxidative burst mediated by these receptors was reduced in neutrophils from SLE patients. Second, neutrophils from healthy controls and SLE patients were stimulated with different IC, opsonized or not with NHS, in presence of 10(-3) M lucigenin. In this case, the lucigenin-CL system was also able to differentiate the role of FcgammaR and FcgammaR/CR co-operation, as well as show differences among healthy controls and two different groups of SLE patients according to their clinical manifestations. In conclusion, we have established two sensitive CL systems to study the role of FcgammaR and/or CR in stimulating the oxidative burst of neutrophils, which can be applied in monitoring the involvement of these receptors in the immunopathogenesis of SLE.     

Evaluation of solid-phase microextraction desorption parameters for fast GC analysis of cocaine in coca leaves

By its simplicity and rapidity, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) appears as an interesting alternative for sample introduction in fast gas chromatography (fast GC). This combination depends on numerous parameters affecting the desorption step (i.e., the release of compounds from the SPME fiber coating to the GC column). In this study, different liner diameters, injection temperatures, and gas flow rates are evaluated to accelerate the thermal desorption process in the injection port. This process is followed with real-time direct coupling a split/splitless injector to a mass spectrometer by means of a short capillary. It is shown that an effective, quantitative, and rapid transfer of cocaine (COC) and cocaethylene (CE) is performed with a 0.75-mm i.d. liner, at 280 degrees C and 4 mL/min gas flow rate. The 7-microm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating is selected for combination with fast GC because the 100-microm PDMS fiber presents some limitations caused by fiber bleeding. Finally, the developed SPME-fast GC method is applied to perform in less than 5 min, the quantitation of COC extracted from coca leaves by focused microwave-assisted extraction. An amount of 7.6 +/- 0.5 mg of COC per gram of dry mass is found, which is in good agreement with previously published results.     

H-type aggregation of functional metal ion sensing phthalocyanines: Synthesis,characterization and electrochemistry

We report, in this study, the preparation and physical characterization of the peripherally functionalized ionophore ligand, 4,5-bis(6-hydroxyhexan-3ylthio)-1,2-dicyanobenzene (1) and its branched thioalcohol-substituted phthalocyanines, 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octakis{6-hydroxyhexan-3-ylthio)-metal (II) or (III) phthalocyanines {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈} {M = Pb(II) (2), Zn(II) (3), Cu(II) (4), Co(II) (5) and Mn(III), X = Cl⁻ (6)} which can selectively bind soft-metal ions such as silver (I) and palladium (II). It was observed by means of UV–Vis absorption spectrophotometry that the aggregates formed lead to a low solubility of the phthalocyanines in protic solvents, such as low molecular alcohols. However, the addition of AgNO₃ and Na₂PdCl₄ into a THF–MeOH solution of {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈X} {M = Pb(II) (2), Zn(II) (3), Cu(II) (4), Co(II) (5) and Mn(III), X = Cl⁻ (6)} induced optical changes, which indicated the formation of twisted H-type dimers (blue shift, face-to-face fashion) of {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈} complexes, bound by four PdCl₂ and AgNO₃ units in THF solution. Elemental analysis data, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS), FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and UV–Vis spectral data were used as complementary techniques. Voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of the complexes were performed on Pt in DMSO/TBAP. The first reduction and oxidation processes of 5 were found to be split due to the presence of facile equilibria between the species coordinated differently at axial positions. The Mn(III)Pc(−2)X⁻ complex (6) displayed well-defined colour changes during its reduction processes. The redox behaviour of the Mn(III)Pc(−2)X⁻ complex was observed to be affected significantly by the existence of oxygen in solution due to the formation of μ-oxo MnPc species, Mn(III)Pc–O–PcMn(III). This effect was clarified well by in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements.     

Synthesis, H- or J-type aggregations,electrochemistry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of metal ion sensing lead(II) phthalocyanines

We report, in this study, peripherally 3- and 4-substituted functionalized ionophore ligands (1–3) and their α- and β-tetra polyalcohol substituted lead(II) phthalocyanines M{Pc[S–CH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₄} (7, 9 and 11) and M{Pc[S–C₆H₁₂(OH)]₄} (8, 10 and 12) which are a mixture of different isomers. The complexes have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS (MALDI-TOF) and UV–Vis spectral data. These complexes induced H-type (face-to-face fashion) or J-aggregate (edge-to-edge) dimers when titrated with AgNO₃ or Na₂PdCl₄ in a THF–MeOH solution. Cyclic and square wave voltammetry studies showed that the complexes gave three one-electron ligand-based reductions and two one-electron oxidation couples having diffusion controlled mass transfer character. Assignments of these redox couples were confirmed by spectroelectrochemical measurements. The observation of split Q bands, which are characteristic spectral behavior of metal-free phthalocyanines, indicates demetallization of the complexes during the spectroelectrochemical measurement under the applied potentials. The types of the substituents on the ring of the phthalocyanines affect the demetallization process of the complexes.     

Extraction and analysis of different Cannabis samples by headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with GC-MS method was developed for the extraction and analysis of cannabinoids from Cannabis samples. Different commercially available fibres were evaluated; polydimethylsiloxane 100 microm was selected as the most efficient one. In order to enhance sensitivity and reduce analysis time, the sampling temperature was studied and it showed that extraction should be performed at a high temperature (150 degrees C). In relation with the high lipophilicity of cannabinoids, a relatively long desorption time (3 min) was necessary to ensure a total transfer from the fibre into the injection port of the gas chromatograph. The method was finally applied to the extraction of Swiss marijuana samples from different regions. Data treatment by principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis allowed a discrimination of the different batches.     

In vitro antioxidant and in vivo photoprotective effects of an association of bioflavonoids with liposoluble vitamins

A new tendency in cosmetic formulations is the association of botanical extracts and vitamins to improve skin conditions by synergic effects. The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of associated bioflavonoids, retinyl palmitate (RP), tocopheryl acetate (TA) and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate (ATIP), as well as their photoprotective effects in preventing increased erythema, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and sunburn cell formation in hairless mouse skin. The antioxidant activity of solutions containing the association or each substance separately was evaluated in vitro by a chemiluminescence assay. The photoprotective effect was evaluated by means of in vivo tests. Dorsal skin of hairless mice was treated daily by topical applications for 5 days with formulations containing or not containing (vehicle) the flavonoid-vitamins association (5%). The skin was irradiated (UVA/B) 15 minutes after the last application. The results showed that bioflavonoids had in vitro antioxidant properties and also that when they were associated with vitamins their antioxidant activity was more pronounced. On the other hand, erythema and UV damage to the permeability barrier function (TEWL) was not significantly reduced by previous treatment with the flavonoid-vitamin-association formulations, when compared to the irradiated vehicle-treated area. However, the treatment protected the skin from UV damage because it reduced the number of sunburn cells, when compared to the vehicle-treated area. Finally, the association of vitamins and bioflavonoids added to a dermocosmetic formulation showed a relevant biological activity in terms of photoprotection, because the association of bioflavonoids and vitamins acted by different mechanisms, such as antioxidation and absorption of UV radiation, which suggests its use in antiaging and photoprotective products.     

Effect of a thioalkane capping layer on the first hyperpolarizabilities of gold and silver nanoparticles

We have measured the first hyperpolarizabilities of thioalkane capped silver and gold metallic nanoparticles. The values found are β(AgC 12-10 nm) = (2.10 ± 0.23) × 10(-26) esu for 10 nm diameter silver nanoparticles and β(AuC 18-18 nm) = (3.37 ± 0.08) × 10(-26) esu for 18 nm diameter gold nanoparticles at the fundamental wavelength of 784 nm. By comparison to the corresponding values reported for citrate capped silver and gold metallic nanoparticles, after size corrections, decreases by factors of 4.3 and 6.5 respectively are observed. These decreases are tentatively attributed to the bonds formed between the gold and silver surface atoms and the sulfur atoms of the capping layer.     

Untapped Opportunities of Resin-to-Resin Transfer Reactions (RRTR) for the Convergent Assembly of Multivalent Peptide Conjugates

Handling of the individual fragments remains a bottleneck in the convergent assembly of peptides. Overlooked since the emergence of ligation chemistries during the past two decades, so-called resin-to-resin transfer reactions (RRTR) are here described as a strategic shortcut in this context. Condensation of the involved moieties at an acceptor resin is facilitated by shuttling peptide segments directly from a donor resin in a one-pot fashion. The straightforward synthesis of a sterically constrained 13-mer peptidosteroid model illustrates the utility of this approach, presenting the first successful application of the RRTR methodology in the field of multivalent design and bioconjugation. Relying on established procedures to generate, monitor and isolate intermediates and products, the solid-phase nature of the entire strategy allows for the fast construction of polypeptide adducts and libraries thereof. As such, a rejuvenated use and new opportunities for RRTR are reported.