Reactions of the paramagnetic quaternary Mannich base in an alkaline medium

The catalytic action of aqueous NaOH at 20 °C on 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3-(N-methyl-piperidiniomethyl)-4-oxopiperidine 1-oxyl iodide rapidly resulted in the formation (k = 57 L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) of a paramagnetic ketone with an activated double bond: 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3-methylidene-4-oxopiperidine 1-oxyl. The latter underwent slow transformation into a nitroxyl biradical containing an activated double bond and a methylene bridge linking positions 3 and 3′. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 421–423, February, 2008.     

Identification of α-type subunits of the Xenopus 20S proteasome and analysis of their changes during the meiotic cell cycle

Background  

The 26S proteasome is the proteolytic machinery of the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system responsible for most of the regulated intracellular protein degradation in eukaryotic cells. Previously, we demonstrated meiotic cell cycle dependent phosphorylation of α4 subunit of the 26S proteasome. In this study, we analyzed the changes in the spotting pattern separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis of α subunits during Xenopus oocyte maturation.     

Studies on the synthesis, characterization, binding with DNA and activities of two cis-planaramineplatinum(II) complexes of the form: cis-PtL(NH3)Cl2 where L = 3-hydroxypyridine and 2,3-diaminopyridine

Background  

Cis-planaramineplatinum(II) complexes like their trans isomers are often found to be active against cancer cell lines. The present study deals with the synthesis, characterization and determination of activity of new cis-planaramineplatinum(II) complexes.     

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).     

Derivatives of 5-nitro-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione: design, synthesis, and biological activity

Abstract  

A series of mono and bis-2-(2-(dimethylamino)-ethyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-diones with different amino side chains, a novel family of antitumor agents, has been designed and synthesized. Their antitumor activity was evaluated against HeLa, A549, P388, HL-60, MCF-7, HCT-8, and A375 cancer cell lines in vitro. Preliminary results showed that most of the derivatives had antitumor activity comparable with that of mitonafide, with IC ₅₀ values of 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁵ M. More importantly, the derivatives had distinct antitumor selectivity against different cancer cell lines. This work provided a novel class of mitonafide-based lead compounds with improved antitumor selectivity against cancer cell lines for further optimization.     

Characterization of the interactions between the active site of a protein tyrosine kinase and a divalent metal activator

Background  

Protein tyrosine kinases are important enzymes for cell signalling and key targets for anticancer drug discovery. The catalytic mechanisms of protein tyrosine kinase-catalysed phosphorylation are not fully understood. Protein tyrosine kinase Csk requires two Mg²⁺ cations for activity: one (M1) binds to ATP, and the other (M2) acts as an essential activator.     

Combinatorial diversity of fission yeast SCF ubiquitin ligases by homo- and heterooligomeric assemblies of the F-box proteins Pop1p and Pop2p

Background  

SCF ubiquitin ligases share the core subunits cullin 1, SKP1, and HRT1/RBX1/ROC1, which associate with different F-box proteins. F-box proteins bind substrates following their phosphorylation upon stimulation of various signaling pathways. Ubiquitin-mediated destruction of the fission yeast cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor Rum1p depends on two heterooligomerizing F-box proteins, Pop1p and Pop2p. Both proteins interact with the cullin Pcu1p when overexpressed, but it is unknown whether this reflects their co-assembly into bona fide SCF complexes.     

Regulated interaction between polypeptide chain elongation factor-1 complex with the 26S proteasome during <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenopus</Emphasis> oocyte maturation

Background  

During Xenopusoocyte maturation, the amount of a 48 kDa protein detected in the 26S proteasome fraction (p48) decreased markedly during oocyte maturation to the low levels seen in unfertilized eggs. The results indicate that the interaction of at least one protein with the 26S proteasome changes during oocyte maturation and early development. An alteration in proteasome function may be important for the regulation of developmental events, such as the rapid cell cycle, in the early embryo. In this study, we identified p48.     

Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 directly interacts with integrin β1 and regulates its phosphorylation at tyrosine 783

Background

Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3 or PTP4A3) has been implicated in controlling cancer cell proliferation, motility, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Deregulated expression of PRL-3 is highly correlated with cancer progression and predicts poor survival. Although PRL-3 was categorized as a tyrosine phosphatase, its cellular substrates remain largely unknown.

Results

We demonstrated that PRL-3 interacts with integrin β1 in cancer cells. Recombinant PRL-3 associates with the intracellular domain of integrin β1 in vitro. Silencing of integrin α1 enhances PRL-3-integrin β1 interaction. Furthermore, PRL-3 diminishes tyrosine phosphorylation of integrin β1 in vitro and in vivo. With site-specific anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies against residues in the intracellular domain of integrin β1, tyrosine-783, but not tyrosine-795, is shown to be dephosphorylated by PRL-3 in a catalytic activity-dependant manner. Phosphorylation of Y783 is potentiated by ablation of PRL-3 or by treatment with a chemical inhibitor of PRL-3. Conversely, depletion of integrin α1 decreases the phosphorylation of this site.

Conclusions

Our results revealed a direct interaction between PRL-3 and integrin β1 and characterized Y783 of integrin β1 as a bona fide substrate of PRL-3, which is negatively regulated by integrin α1.

     

What Caused the Formation of the Absorption Maximum at 421 nm in vivo Spectra of Rhodopseudomonas palustris

A spectral peak at ~421 nm appeared in vivo spectrum of Rhodopseudomonas palustris CQV97 cultured in acetate–glutamate medium (M1) but not in acetate–ammonium sulfate medium (M2). However, the spectral origin of 421 nm peak was not clear and frequently attributed to carotenoid component(s). In this study, comparative analysis of the extracted components showed that magnesium protoporphyrin IX monomethylester (MPE) was accumulated as one of the predominate components in M1 culture. The amounts of bacteriochlorophyll a in M1 culture were higher than that in M2, whereas the amounts of carotenoids were nearly identical in both cultures. A simple, rapid and minimum interference with carotenoid and bacteriochlorophyll method to efficiently extract the compounds involving in the formation of 421 nm peak was developed in this study. Assembly of purified MPE with protein components from R. palustris in vitro demonstrated that MPE caused the formation of 421 nm peak. The localization analysis in vivo demonstrated it is MPE associating to protein components and accounting for the peak at ~421 nm. This work clarified the 421 nm peak in vivo mainly originated from MPE accumulation, and will be very helpful to further explore the physiological roles of MPE or its derivatives in photosynthesis.     

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.     

Study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> isomerization mechanism of 3,3′-azobenzene disulphonate in the lowest singlet and triplet electronic states by density functional theory

Abstract  

The cis–trans isomerization pathways of 3,3′-azobenzene disulphonate in the S₀ and T₁ states are studied by DFT method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. In the S₀ state, the cis–trans isomerization concerns the complex pathway that is characterized by the inversion of one NNC angle combined with rotation around the NC bond, and the three sequential transition states are also found on the potential energy profile. Therefore, the cis–trans isomerization of 3,3′-azobenzene disulphonate can be understood in terms of a pathway involving successive rotation, inversion, and rotation processes. The energy barrier of the S₀ state is 22.79 kcal mol⁻¹. In the T₁ state, the isomerization mainly concerns the rotational pathway around the NN double bond, and the two isomers are connected through only one transition state. The isomerization of the T₁ state is related to a lower energy barrier, 5.02 kcal mol⁻¹, but requires a change in spin-multiplicity.     

Substituted hydrazides of hydroxycarboxylic acids

The action of N-methylpiperazine and , -dimethylpyrrolidine on chloroacetyl derivatives of phenylhydrazides of diaryl- and dialkylglycolic acids has given the previously unknown N-methylpiperazinoacetyl and , -dimethylpyrrolidnoacetyl derivatives of these phenylhydrazides.For part XL, see [1].     

A two-dimensional ladder-type network in the 2:1 co-crystal of 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-dicarboxylic acid and 4,4′-bipyridine

Abstract  

The crystal structure of the 2:1 co-crystal of 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-dicarboxylic acid and 4,4′-bipyridine, (C₄H₂N₂O₄S)₂·C₁₀H₈N₂, has been determined by X-ray diffraction at the monoclinic space group C2/c with cell parameters of a = 21.388(7) ?, b = 6.735(2) ?, c = 14.877(5) ?, β = 110.431(3)°, and Z = 4. There are one molecule of thiadiazole and a half molecule of bipyridine in the asymmetric unit. The dihedral angle between the pyridine ring planes is 40.5(3)°. Two intramolecular O–H···N [2.730(7) ?] and O–H···O [2.433(6) ?] hydrogen bonds are observed in the thiadiazole molecule. In the crystal structure, the molecules form a unique two-dimensional ladder-type network linked by intermolecular O–H···N [2.704(4) ?] hydrogen bonds and S···O [3.100(5) ?] heteroatom interactions.     

Two 3D supramolecules with helices constructed by hydrogen bonds based on p-thioacetatebenzoic acid ligand

Abstract  

p-Thioacetatebenzoic acid (H₂L) and a combination of N-donor ligands such as 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) and 1,3-bi(4-pyridyl)propane (bpp) with metal ions Mn(II) and Ni(II) give rise to two coordination polymers, namely, [Mn(HL)₂(bpp)₂(H₂O)₂] _n (1), [NiL (4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)₃] _n ·nH₂O (2). 1 features an unusual “8” shaped double layer by hydrogen bonds and two different types of helical chains are arrayed alternatively in the 2D double layer framework, which further extends into a 3D supramolecular structure through C–H···O hydrogen bonds. 2 consists of 1D chains which further connect with each other via hydrogen bonds to form the final 3D framework including two different types of helical structure. Photoluminescence study reveals that 1 displays intense structure-related fluorescent emission bands (λ _ex = 369 nm) at 414 nm in the solid state at room temperature. Electrochemical property of 2 reveals that the process of the redox is irreversible.     

Design, synthesis, and bioactivity of cyanonitrovinyl neonicotinoids as potential insecticides

Abstract  

A series of cyanonitrovinyl neonicotinoids were designed and synthesized via five steps in about 35% overall yields. All compounds were structurally characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR, infrared (IR), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 2-[1-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-2-imidazolidinylidene]-2-nitroacetonitrile revealed that the double bond is (E)-configured. The preliminary agriculture bioassay indicated that one compound exhibited moderate insecticidal activity against pea aphid.     

Über den Einfluß von Ionen auf die Wasserstruktur

Zusammenfassung Wäßrige Lösungen von Elektrolyten, deren Kation und Anion strukturbrechend gegenüber dem Wasser wirken, können in bestimmten Temperaturbereichen eine relative Viskosität _re1= /_o < 1 besitzen. Charakteristisch ist aber, daß man an solchen Elektrolytlösungen stets einen positiven Temperaturkoeffizienten der relativen Viskositätd _rel/dT feststellt, da hier mit steigender Temperatur die Struktur des Wassers weniger abgebaut wird als in reinem Wasser. Dies ist verständlich, weil unter dem strukturbrechenden Einfluß dieser Ionen die Wasserstruktur bereits stärker abgebaut, die Beweglichkeit der Wassermolekeln also höher ist als im Wasser selbst bei gleicher Temperatur.Das entgegengesetzte gilt für Lösungen von Elektrolyten mit strukturbildendem Kation und Anion.Hier istd _rel/ldT bis zu den höchsten Konzentrationen, bei denen nur noch die primären Hydrathüllen der Ionen vorliegen, negativ, da die Wassermolekeln eine erhöhte Ordnung und somit eine geringere Beweglichkeit als im reinen Wasser haben.Da in den Lösungen mit strukturbrechendem Kation und Aniond _rel/dT auch bei Konzentrationen bis zu 14 molal zunehmend positiv wird, bedeutet das, daß unter dem Einfluß dieser Ionen die Beweglichkeit der Wassermolekeln auch an der Ionenoberfläche gegenüber dem reinen Wasser erhöht ist. Es ist daraus zu schließen, daß strukturbrechende Ionen keine primäre Hydrathülle aus Wassermolekeln erhöhter Ordnung und eingeschränkter Beweglichkeit aufweisen, wie vielfach postuliert wird.Zum selben Resultat kommt man, wenn man die korrigierte relative Viskosität _rel, korr, die außer der Viskosität des Lösungsmittels nur den Strukturbeitrag der Ionen enthält, ermittelt. Sie nimmt z. B. bei Guanidiniumrhodanid und -chlorid-Lösungen bis zu Konzentrationen von 6,5 bzw. 14 molal linearer mit der Konzentration ab. Auch die Aktivierungsenergie H _* ; der Viskosität läßt den Schluß zu, daß in derartigen Lösungen die der Ionenoberfläche unmittelbar benachbarten Wassermolekeln eine erhöhte Beweglichkeit gegenüber denen im reinen Wasser bei derselben Temperatur besitzen. Während H _* bei Guanidiniumsulfatlösungen auf einen Wert von 4,7 kcal/Mol gegenüber 3,98 kcal/Mol des Lösungsmittel ansteigt, fällt sie bei Guanidiniumchlorid-Lösungen bis auf 3,1 kcal/Mol ab und bleibt bis zu einer Konzentration von 14 molal konstant.

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Summary The temperature coefficientd_rel/dT of aqueous solutions of electrolytes containing structure breaking cations and anions is positive. As a consequence of the structure breaking ions within creasing temperature the water structure in such solutions decreases not to the same degree like in pure water. On the other hand by structure making ions a negatived _re1/dT is caused. In such solutionsd_rel/ldT is negative up to the highest concentrations because of the increasing mobility of ordered water molecules near this type of ions. Therefore the positive values ofd_rel/dT up the highest concentrations of structure breaking electrolytes — e. g. 14 molal guanidinium-hydrochloride solutions — indicate that the mobility of the water molecules surrounding the ion surface is higher than in pure water. This means that structure breaking ions don't have a primary hydration shell of highly ordered water molecules of relatively low mobility.We can show this too by evaluating the corrected relative viscosity _rel, corr which contains only the change of viscosity caused by the ions and not the contribution of the solute to the viscosity of the solution. The value of _rel, corr decreases e.g. in the case of guanidinium thiocyanate and guanidinium-chloride up to 6,5 resp. 14 molal linearly with concentration.Furthermore the energy of activation H _* shows that water molecules in contact with the surface of structure breaking ions have all higher mobility than in pure water at the same temperature. H _* ; of guanidiniumsulfate solutions increases after an initial decrease up to 4,7 kcal/mole compared with 3,98 kcal/mole of pure water, whereas H _* ; of guanidiniumchloride solutions decreases down to 3,1 kcal/mole and remains constant up to 14 molale.

     

Neutral and cationic half‐sandwich arene d6 metal complexes containing pyridyl and pyrimidyl thiourea ligands with interesting bonding modes: Synthesis,structural and anti‐cancer studies

The reaction of [(p‐cymene)RuCl₂]₂ and [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh/Ir) with benzoyl (2‐pyrimidyl) thiourea (L1) and benzoyl (4‐picolyl) thiourea (L2) led to the formation of cationic complexes bearing formula [(arene) M (L1)к² _(N,S) Cl]⁺ and [(arene) M (L2)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺ [(arene) = p‐cymene, M = Ru, ( 1 , 4 ); Cp*, M = Rh ( 2 , 5 ) and Ir ( 3 , 6 )]. Precursor compounds reacted with benzoyl (6‐picolyl) thiourea (L3) affording neutral complexes having formula [(arene) M (L3)к¹_(S)Cl₂] [arene = p‐cymene, M = Ru, ( 7 ); Cp*, M = Rh ( 8 ), Ir ( 9 )]. X‐ray studies revealed that the methyl substituent attached to the pyridine ring in ligands L2 and L3 affects its coordination mode. When methyl group is at the para position of the pyridine ring (L2), the ligand coordinated metal in a bidentate chelating N, S‐ mode whereas methyl group at ortho position (L3), it coordinated in a monodentate mode. Further the anti‐cancer studies of the thiourea derivatives and its complexes carried out against HCT‐116, HT‐29 (human colorectal cancer), Mia‐PaCa‐2 (human pancreatic cancer) and ARPE‐19 (non‐cancer retinal epithelium) cell lines showed that the thiourea ligands are inactive but upon complexation, the metal compounds displayed potent and selective activity against cancer cells in vitro. Iridium complexes were found to be more potent as compared to ruthenium and rhodium complexes.     

GSK3B induces autophagy by phosphorylating ULK1

Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), a mammalian homolog of the yeast kinase Atg1, has an essential role in autophagy induction. In nutrient and growth factor signaling, ULK1 activity is regulated by various posttranslational modifications, including phosphorylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination. We previously identified glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) as an upstream regulator of insulin withdrawal-induced autophagy in adult hippocampal neural stem cells. Here, we report that following insulin withdrawal, GSK3B directly interacted with and activated ULK1 via phosphorylation of S405 and S415 within the GABARAP-interacting region. Phosphorylation of these residues facilitated the interaction of ULK1 with MAP1LC3B and GABARAPL1, while phosphorylation-defective mutants of ULK1 failed to do so and could not induce autophagy flux. Furthermore, high phosphorylation levels of ULK1 at S405 and S415 were observed in human pancreatic cancer cell lines, all of which are known to exhibit high levels of autophagy. Our results reveal the importance of GSK3B-mediated phosphorylation for ULK1 regulation and autophagy induction and potentially for tumorigenesis.Subject terms: Macroautophagy, Phosphorylation