Development of a sensitive non-radioactive protein kinase assay and its application for detecting DYRK activity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenopus laevis</Emphasis> oocytes

Background  

Although numerous non-radioactive methods are in use to measure the catalytic activity of protein kinases, most require specialized equipment and reagents and are not sufficiently sensitive for the detection of endogenous kinase activity in biological samples. Kinases of the DYRK family have important functions in developmental and pathophysiological processes in eukaryotic organisms including mammals. We aimed to develop a highly sensitive, low-tech assay suitable to determine the activity of DYRK family kinases in tissues or cells from diverse sources.     

Identification of sites phosphorylated by the vaccinia virus B1R kinase in viral protein H5R

Background  

Vaccinia virus gene B1R encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase. In vitro this protein kinase phosphorylates ribosomal proteins Sa and S2 and vaccinia virus protein H5R, proteins that become phosphorylated during infection. Nothing is known about the sites phosphorylated on these proteins or the general substrate specificity of the kinase. The work described is the first to address these questions.     

Novel and Potential Small Molecule Scaffolds as DYRK1A Inhibitors by Integrated Molecular Docking-Based Virtual Screening and Dynamics Simulation Study

The dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is a novel, promising and emerging biological target for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative diseases, especially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The molMall database, comprising rare, diverse and unique compounds, was explored for molecular docking-based virtual screening against the DYRK1A protein, in order to find out potential inhibitors. Ligands exhibiting hydrogen bond interactions with key amino acid residues such as Ile165, Lys188 (catalytic), Glu239 (gk+1), Leu241 (gk+3), Ser242, Asn244, and Asp307, of the target protein, were considered potential ligands. Hydrogen bond interactions with Leu241 (gk+3) were considered key determinants for the selection. High scoring structures were also docked by Glide XP docking in the active sites of twelve DYRK1A related protein kinases, viz. DYRK1B, DYRK2, CDK5/p25, CK1, CLK1, CLK3, GSK3β, MAPK2, MAPK10, PIM1, PKA, and PKCα, in order to find selective DYRK1A inhibitors. MM/GBSA binding free energies of selected ligand–protein complexes were also calculated in order to remove false positive hits. Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of the selected six hit ligands were also computed and related with the proposed limits for orally active CNS drugs. The computational toxicity webserver ProTox-II was used to predict the toxicity profile of selected six hits (molmall IDs 9539, 11352, 15938, 19037, 21830 and 21878). The selected six docked ligand–protein systems were exposed to 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to validate their mechanism of interactions and stability in the ATP pocket of human DYRK1A kinase. All six ligands were found to be stable in the ATP binding pocket of DYRK1A kinase.     

Substrate specificity analysis of protein kinase complex Dbf2-Mob1 by peptide library and proteome array screening

Background  

The mitotic exit network (MEN) is a group of proteins that form a signaling cascade that is essential for cells to exit mitosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The MEN has also been implicated in playing a role in cytokinesis. Two components of this signaling pathway are the protein kinase Dbf2 and its binding partner essential for its kinase activity, Mob1. The components of MEN that act upstream of Dbf2-Mob1 have been characterized, but physiological substrates for Dbf2-Mob1 have yet to be identified.     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of some 1,5-diaryl-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazines

Abstract  

The deregulation of cell cycle components in cancer cells has provided a rationale for the development of small molecule inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases as novel anticancer drugs. A series of 1,5-diaryl-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazines was synthesized and their kinase inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines has been evaluated. Some of the compounds of the series exhibited induction of caspase-dependent cell death and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2).     

Recent research and development of DYRK1A inhibitors

Dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinase 1 A(DYRK1 A) is an evolutionarily conserved protein kinase belonging to the CMGC kinase family, which is closely related to Down syndrome(DS)and Alzheimer’s disease(AD). In recent years, not only the treatment of diabetes, but also the treatment of cancer gradually focuses on targeting DYRK1 A. Therefore, a series of DYRK1 A inhibitors have been developed to treat relevant diseases and clarify their treatment mechanism furtherly. DYRK1 A...     

The effect of EGTA and Ca++ in regulation of the brain Na/K-ATP-ase by noradrenaline

Background  

The Na/K-ATPase activity of the brain synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) is regulated by noradrenaline (NA) and the synaptosomal factor SF (soluble protein obtained from the synaptosome cytosol). In the absence of SF, NA inhibits Na/K-ATPase, while, on addition of SF to the reaction medium, there is a NA-dependent activation of Na/K-ATPase . On the other hand, EGTA augments the Na/K-ATPase activity and attenuates the ability of NA to inhibit Na/K-ATPase.     

Identification of a nuclear localization motif in the serine/arginine protein kinase PSRPK of physarum polycephalum

Background  

Serine/arginine (SR) protein-specific kinases (SRPKs) are conserved in a wide range of organisms, from humans to yeast. Studies showed that SRPKs can regulate the nuclear import of SR proteins in cytoplasm, and regulate the sub-localization of SR proteins in the nucleus. But no nuclear localization signal (NLS) of SRPKs was found. We isolated an SRPK-like protein PSRPK (GenBank accession No. DQ140379) from Physarum polycephalum previously, and identified a NLS of PSRPK in this study.     

Identification of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and casein as substrates for 124-v-Mos

Background  

The mos proto-oncogene encodes a cytoplasmic serine/threonine-specific protein kinase with crucial function during meiotic cell division in vertebrates. Based on oncogenic amino acid substitutions the viral derivative, 124-v-Mos, displays constitutive protein kinase activity and functions independent of unknown upstream effectors of mos protein kinase. We have utilized this property of 124-v-Mos and screened for novel mos substrates in immunocomplex kinase assays in vitro.     

The intein of the Thermoplasma A-ATPase A subunit: Structure, evolution and expression in E. coli

Background  

Inteins are selfish genetic elements that excise themselves from the host protein during post translational processing, and religate the host protein with a peptide bond. In addition to this splicing activity, most reported inteins also contain an endonuclease domain that is important in intein propagation.     

Light-induced dehydrogenation of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones

Abstract  

UV light irradiation of Biginelli 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones in chloroform in an argon atmosphere leads to dehydrogenation of these compounds to their corresponding pyrimidin-2(1H)-ones in excellent yields. Irradiation in the same solvent under an oxygen atmosphere generates, in addition, various hitherto unidentified products. A light-induced electron transfer from the substrate to the solvent is proposed as the initial event, supported by the detection of dichloromethane and hydrogen chloride in the photolysate.     

Sulfamic-acid-catalyzed simple and efficient synthesis of 4-aryl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-benzo[g]pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline-5,10-diones under solvent-free conditions

Abstract  

An efficient synthesis of 4-aryl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-benzo[g]pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline-5,10-diones from the three-component condensation reaction of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine, aromatic aldehydes, and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone under solvent-free conditions in good to excellent yields and short reaction times using sulfamic acid as heterogeneous acid catalyst has been investigated.     

Regulation of Ack1 localization and activity by the amino-terminal SAM domain

Background  

The mechanisms that regulate the activity of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Ack1 (activated Cdc42-associated kinase) are poorly understood. The amino-terminal region of Ack1 is predicted to contain a sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain. SAM domains share a common fold and mediate protein-protein interactions in a wide variety of proteins. Here, we addressed the importance of the Ack1 SAM domain in kinase activity.     

Src Kinase becomes preferentially associated with the VEGFR, KDR/Flk-1, following VEGF stimulation of vascular endothelial cells

Background  

The cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, Src, has been found to play a crucial role in VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) – dependent vascular permeability involved in angiogenesis. The two main VEGFRs present on vascular endothelial cells are KDR/Flk-1 (kinase insert domain-containing receptor/fetal liver kinase-1) and Flt-1 (Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1). However, to date, it has not been determined which VEGF receptor (VEGFR) is involved in binding to and activating Src kinase following VEGF stimulation of the receptors.     

Synthesis and stereochemistry of some novel dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles

Abstract  

Eleven novel dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole derivatives were obtained by the reaction of chiral (1R)-N-(1-phenylethyl)maleimide and C,N-aryl-substituted nitrilimines. The reaction afforded the cycloadducts as a regioisomeric mixture which can be separable in some cases. The structure and stereochemistry of cycloadducts were assigned on the basis of infrared (IR), ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass and X-ray spectra, optical rotation measurements, and CHN analyses.     

Selective control of amino acid metabolism by the GCN2 eIF2 kinase pathway in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

Background  

When eukaryotic cells are deprived of amino acids, uncharged tRNAs accumulate and activate the conserved GCN2 protein kinase. Activated Gcn2p up-regulates the general amino acid control pathway through phosphorylation of the translational initiation factor eIF2. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Gcn2p is the only kinase that phosphorylates eIF2 to regulate translation through this mechanism. We addressed changes in yeast growth and tRNA aminoacylation, or charging, during amino acid depletion in the presence and absence of GCN2. tRNA charging was measured using a microarray technique which simultaneously measures all cytosolic tRNAs. A fully prototrophic strain, and its isogenic gcn2Δ counterpart, were used to study depletion for each of the 20 amino acids, with a focus on Trp, Arg, His and Leu, which are metabolically distinct and together provide a good overview on amino acid metabolism.     

Limited proteolysis of human histone deacetylase 1

Background  

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) proteins are associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and cancer. Specifically, HDAC1 is linked with cell growth, a hallmark of cancer formation. HDAC1 is a phosphoprotein and phosphorylation at S421 and S423 promotes HDAC1 enzymatic activity and protein association. While single and double point mutants of HDAC1 at S421 and S423 appear functionally similar, the evidence suggests that HDAC1 is phosphorylated simultaneously at both S421 and S423 in vivo. Additional experiments are necessary to probe the role of double phosphorylation of HDAC1 at S421 and S423.     

Spectral and electrochemical behavior of 1-[(NO2, COOH)-substituted phenyl]-3,5-diphenylformazans

Abstract  

1-[(NO₂, COOH)-substituted phenyl]-3,5-diphenylformazans were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by infrared (IR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR spectra, elemental analysis, and cyclic voltammetry. From the UV–vis spectra of substituted formazans it was seen that λ _max values were shorter than the λ _max value of unsubstituted formazan. It was observed that the shift values were dependent on the type and position of the substituents. A correlation between Hammett substituent coefficients and λ _max values was obtained. The oxidation peak potentials of substituted formazans were found more anodic than that of unsubstituted formazan. The oxidation mechanism was a single step for the NO₂-substituted formazans, and two steps for COOH-substituted formazans.     

Synthesis and biological activity of novel 4- and 6-(1-alkyl/aryl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diols

Abstract  

A one-pot synthesis of new biologically active 4- and 6-(1-alkyl/aryl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diols has been developed. The compounds were obtained by the reaction of aryl-modified sulfinylbis[(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methanethione] with N-substituted benzene-1,2-diamines. Elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectral data were used to elucidate their structures. The developed method offers short reaction times, easy and quick isolation of the products, and good yields. The antiproliferative properties of the synthesized compounds were investigated against a panel of human cancer cell lines. Some of the tested compounds showed significant cytotoxic activity.