Study on interactions of endocrine disruptors with estrogen receptor using fluorescence polarization

In this study, we examined the affinities of many (21) compounds such as hormones, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and phytoestrogens to the estrogen receptor (ER) by ER binding assay using fluorescence polarization (FP). This method is based on the competitive binding assay using fluorescein-labeled estradiol (F-E2), in which the polarization values decreased with the addition of the compounds (competitors). The obtained sigmoidal inhibition curves were transformed into the pseudo-Hill plots, and the concentrations at 50% inhibition (IC50) and Hill coefficients were obtained from the regression equations. We examined the relationship between the chemical structures and estrogenic activities, and finally classified the tested compounds into three categories, agonists, partial agonists and antagonists based on their Hill coefficients.     

A fluorescence polarization based screening assay for identification of small molecule inhibitors of the PICK1 PDZ domain

PDZ (PSD-95/Discs-large/ZO-1 homology) domains represent putative targets in several diseases including cancer, stroke, addiction and neuropathic pain. Here we describe the application of a simple and fast screening assay based on fluorescence polarization (FP) to identify inhibitors of the PDZ domain in PICK1 (protein interacting with C kinase 1). We screened 43,380 compounds for their ability to inhibit binding of an Oregon Green labeled C-terminal dopamine transporter peptide (OrG-DAT C13) to purified PICK1 in solution. The assay was highly reliable with excellent screening assay parameters (Z'≈0.7 and Z≈0.6). Out of ~200 compounds that reduced FP to less than 80% of the control wells, six compounds were further characterized. The apparent affinities of the compounds were determined in FP competition binding experiments and ranged from ~5.0 μM to ~193 μM. Binding to the PICK1 PDZ domain was confirmed for five of the compounds (CSC-03, CSC-04, CSC-43, FSC-231 and FSC-240) in a non-fluorescence based assay by their ability to inhibit pull-down of PICK1 by a C-terminal DAT GST fusion protein. CSC-03 displayed the highest apparent affinity (5.0 μM) in the FP assay, and was according to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments capable of inhibiting the interaction between the C-terminus of the GluR2 subunit of the AMPA-type glutamate receptor and PICK1 in live cells. Additional experiments suggested that CSC-03 most likely is an irreversible inhibitor but with specificity for PICK1 since it did not bind three different PDZ domains of PSD-95. Summarized, our data suggest that FP based screening assays might be a widely applicable tool in the search for small molecule inhibitors of PDZ domain interactions.     

A novel microplate reader-based high-throughput assay for estrogen receptor binding

Coumestrol is a well-known ligand for the estrogen receptor (ER). The compound itself is fluorescent, and its fluorescence intensity at 408?nm increases upon binding to the ER. Here we describe a novel binding assay in 96-well plate format for estrogenic compounds, based on the competition between fluorescent coumestrol and estrogenic compounds for binding to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the ER-alpha. Displacement of coumestrol was measured as a decrease in fluorescence intensity using a Victor² 1420 multilabel reader. Competitive binding curves for the well-known estrogenic compounds, 17β-estradiol (E₂), ethinylestradiol, 4-nonylphenol, 4-octylphenol, genistein, bisphenol A, tamoxifen and diethylstilbestrol were constructed by using 7–10 different concentrations of the compounds and a fixed concentration of ER-α-LBD (14?nmol) and coumestrol (100?nmol). IC₅₀ values and relative potencies (compared to E₂) of the estrogenic compounds were determined. The assay was validated by comparing the relative potencies to those from standard radioligand binding assays in the literature. Within day and between day variations were determined and the performance of the assay was assessed by determining the coefficients of variation and Z′ values. The present fluorescent binding assay has proven to be fast and easy, and allows accurately quantifying the binding affinity of estrogenic ligands. The method is also suitable as a high-throughput screening assay for ER ligands.     

First direct fluorescence polarization assay for the detection and quantification of spirolides in mussel samples

In 2009, we achieve the first inhibition FP assay to detect imine cyclic toxins. In the present paper we propose a new FP assay for direct quantify spirolides. This new method has resulted in significant improvement of sensitivity, rapidity and accessibility. In the method design, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo marmorata membranes labelled with a derivative of fluorescein was used. Spirolides, 13-desmethyl spirolide C (13-desMeC) and 13,19-didesmethyl spirolide C (13,19-didesMeC) were extracted and purified from cultures of the Alexandrium ostenfeldii dinoflagellate. Data showed the decrease of FP when toxin concentration was increased. Thus, a relationship between the FP units and the spirolides amount present in a sample was obtained. This direct assay is a reproducible, simple and very sensitive method with a detection limit about 25 nM for 13-desMeC and 150 nM for 13,19-didesMeC. The procedure was used to measure spirolides in mussel samples using an extraction and clean up protocol suitable for the FP assay. Results obtained show that this method is able to quantify 13-desMeC in the range of 50–350 μg kg⁻¹ meat. Other liposoluble toxins did not interfere with the assay, proving a specific method. Moreover, the matrix do not affect in the range of toxin concentrations that involving risk of spirolides intoxication.     

1-甲基-2-喹诺酮类衍生物的合成及其抗肿瘤活性

以喹啉类化合物为原料,经甲基化反应和氧化反应制得中间产物2-喹诺酮类化合物(2a~2c); 2a~2c经硝化反应制得7个硝化-2-喹诺酮类化合物{3a~3g); 3a, 3e~3g经移位取代反应合成了4个1-甲基化-4-氰化-2-喹诺酮类衍生物(4a, 4e~4g),其结构经¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR和HR-MS(EI)确证。采用MTT法评价了化合物对MCF-7, H1299, A549, PC-12, CT-26及HepG-2肿瘤细胞的抗增殖作用。研究结果表明：部分化合物对肿瘤细胞的抑制活性明显高于喹啉系列物,其中1,8-二甲基-3,5,7-三硝基-2-喹诺酮(3e)显著抑制六种肿瘤细胞的增殖,对A549的抑制活性最高,IC₅₀为2.05 μmol·L^-1; 1-甲基-6,8-二硝基-4-氰基-2-喹诺酮(4a)可选择性抑制A549和CT-26肿瘤细胞,IC₅₀分别为9.34 μmol·L^-1和18.43 μmol·L^-1。     

Self-assembled metallocycles with two interactive binding domains

Five metallocycles 1 a-e have been self-assembled from S-shaped bispyridyl ligands 2 a-e and a palladium complex, [Pd(dppp)(OTf)(2)] (dppp=1,3-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)propane), and have been characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic methods including (1)H NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. These metallocycles all are monocyclic compounds, but can fold to generate two binding domains bearing hydrogen-bonding sites based on pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide units. The binding properties of the metallocycles with N,N,N',N'-tetramethylterephthalamide (G) have been probed by means of ESI mass spectrometry and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The results both in the gas phase and in solution are consistent with the fact that the metallocycles accommodate two molecules of the guest G. Thus, the ESI mass spectra clearly show fragments corresponding to the 1:2 complexes in all cases. (1)H NMR studies on 1 a and G support the formation of a 1:2 complex in solution; the titration curves are nicely fitted to a 1:2 binding isotherm, but not to a 1:1 binding isotherm. In addition, a Job plot also suggests a 1:2 binding mode between 1 a and G, showing maximum complexation at approximately 0.33 mol fraction of the metallocycle 1 a in CDCl(3). The binding constants K(1) and K(2) are calculated to be 1600 and 1400 M(-1) (+/-10 %), respectively, at 25 degrees C in CDCl(3), indicative of positively cooperative binding. This positive cooperativity was confirmed by the Hill equation, affording a Hill coefficient of n = 1.6. Owing to insufficient solubility in CDCl(3), for comparison purposes the binding properties of the metallocycles 1 b-e were investigated in a more polar medium, 3 % CD(3)CN/CDCl(3). (1)H NMR titrations revealed that the metallocycles all bind two molecules of the guest G with Hill coefficients ranging from 1.4 to 1.8. This positive cooperativity may be attributed to a structural reorganization of the second binding cavity when the first guest binds to either one of the subcavities present in the metallocycles.     

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled on-line to estrogen receptor bioaffinity detection based on fluorescence polarization

We describe the development and validation of a high-resolution screening (HRS) platform which couples gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) on-line to estrogen receptor α (ERα) affinity detection using fluorescence polarization (FP). FP, which allows detection at high wavelengths, limits the occurrence of interference from the autofluorescence of test compounds in the bioassay. A fluorescein-labeled estradiol derivative (E2-F) was synthesized and a binding assay was optimized in platereader format. After subsequent optimization in flow-injection analysis (FIA) mode, the optimized parameters were translated to the on-line HRS bioassay. Proof of principle was demonstrated by separating a mixture of five compounds known to be estrogenic (17β-estradiol, 17α-ethinylestradiol and the phytoestrogens coumestrol, coumarol and zearalenone), followed by post-column bioaffinity screening of the individual affinities for ERα. Using the HRS-based FP setup, we were able to screen affinities of off-line-generated metabolites of zearalenone for ERα. It is concluded that the on-line FP-based bioassay can be used to screen for the affinity of compounds without the disturbing occurrence of autofluorescence.     

Design and Synthesis of Photoaffinity Probe Candidates for the GABA-gated Chloride Channel

In order to characterize binding sites of insecticidal compounds on GABA gated chloride channel,new photoaf-finity probe candidates based on 5e-t-butyl-2e-[4-(substituted-propynyl)phenyl]-1,3-dithiane for the noncompetitiveblocker(NCB)site of the γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)-gated chloride channel were designed and synthesized,andtheir potency as an inhibitor on NCB was measured by 4'-ethynyl-4-n-[2,3-~3H_2]-propylbicycloorthobenzoate(~3HEBOB)assay.The synthesized compounds showed high inhibition activities with half maximum inhibition concen-trations(IC_(50))of lower than 35 nmol/L and were very stable in binding conditions as well photoreacted quickly at300 nm light.These new compounds are expected to be good photoaffinity labeling probes if radioisotope iodine isincorporated.     

20(S)-O-取代苯甲酸-7-乙基喜树碱酯类化合物的合成及其抗肿瘤活性

在AcOH/98％ H2S04体系中,喜树碱和正丙醛经烷基化反应制得7-乙基喜树碱(2);以1-乙基-3-(3-二甲基氨基丙基)碳二亚胺盐酸盐为脱水剂,4-二甲氨基吡啶为催化剂,2与取代苯甲酸直接酯化合成了一系列新型的20(S)-O-取代苯甲酸-7-乙基喜树碱酯类化合物(4a -4k),其结构经1H NMR,IR和MS表征.采用MTT法初步考察了4a～4k对人肺癌细胞(LLC-E9FP),人肺腺癌细胞(95D),人胃癌细胞(BGC-803),人胃癌细胞( HGC-27)和人肝癌细胞(7721)的抑制活性.结果表明,4b和4e对LLC-E9FP具有明显强于喜树碱的抑制活性;4h～4k对HGC-27,95D,7721也有明显的抑制活性.     

A Facile Latex Agglutination Lectin Assay (LALA) for Weakly Binding Ligands

To apply the latex agglutination lectin assay (LALA) to carbohydrate ligands, monosaccharide derivatives were incorporated onto latex beads by various methods, and the usefulness of the resulting beads was evaluated. The best outcome, which resulted in aggregation with lectin concentrations of 1 to 4 μg/mL, was obtained when latex beads coated with bovine serum albumin were treated with divinylsulfone, a linker agent, and then with 2-aminoethyl glycosides. Monosaccharides with an amino or anomeric hydroxyl group other than N-acetylglucosamine were applicable in this direct LALA. For example, mannose- and 5-thiomannose-coupled latex beads showed aggregation with minimum concanavalin (ConA) concentrations of 4 and 32 μg/mL, respectively. An inhibition assay was more versatile than the direct LALA, and the standardized inhibition activity (EC⁰ ₅₀) was determined for several compounds. Representative EC⁰ ₅₀ data for mannose, methyl mannoside, and p-nitrophenyl mannoside (1, 0.12, and 0.06 mM, respectively) are consistent with those reported with other methods. We obtained EC⁰ ₅₀ values for some synthetic compounds with slightly different binding abilities to ConA, demonstrating a semiquantitative character of this method. The inhibition LALA can be performed without instrumentation or tedious derivatization and is thus suitable for the rapid evaluation of monovalent ligands prior to assemblage into multivalent ligands.     

Binding of cetylpyridinum chloride to glucose oxidase

The binding of cetylpyridinum chloride (CPC) with glucose oxidase (GOD) has been extensively studied at various experimental conditions such as ionic strength, urea concentration and pH at 25 °C, using ion-selective membrane electrodes, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and enzyme activity assay method. The accurate binding isotherms have been obtained and analyzed in terms of Scatchard plot and binding capacity concept. The results represent two binding set system for most of studied conditions. The values of Hill equation parameters have been estimated and used for calculation of intrinsic Gibbs free energy of binding. The results have been interpreted in terms of structural viewpoint of GOD and nature of interactions in the solution. The interpretations are in good agreement with denaturation experiment. Activity measurements represent the significant activation of enzyme due to binding of first CPC molecules. However, the binding of subsequent CPC diminished the activity of enzyme which may be due to the binding of second CPC to enzyme active site. The complete deactivation of enzyme is reached due to binding of about five CPC ions.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5’-phenyl-3’H-spiro-[indoline-3,2’-[1,3,4]oxadiazol]-2-one analogs

A series of 5'-phenyl-3'H-spiro[indoline-3,2'-[1,3,4]thiadiazol]-2-one analogs were synthesized and their Bcl-2 protein inhibitory activities were studied. The lead compound was originally identified using a fluorescence polarization-based competitive binding assay. Among the 10 compounds investigated, 1k showed good binding affinities to Bcl-xL and Mcl-1, with inhibition constants of 8.9 mmol/L and 3.4 μmol/L, respectively. While compound 1c achieved tight binding affinities to Bcl-xL (Ki = 0.16 μmol/L), has the potential to be a new lead compound.     

A rapid fluorescence polarization immunoassay for the determination of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in wheat

A rapid fluorescence polarization (FP) immunoassay has been developed for the simultaneous determination of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in naturally contaminated wheat samples. Syntheses of four fluorescein-labelled T-2 or HT-2 toxin tracers were carried out and their binding response with seven monoclonal antibodies was evaluated. The most sensitive antibody-tracer combination was obtained by using an HT-2-specific antibody and a fluorescein-HT-2 tracer. The developed competitive FP immunoassay in solution showed high cross-reactivity for T-2 toxin (CR% = 100%) while a very low CR% for neosolaniol (0.12%) and no cross-reactivity with other mycotoxins frequently occurring in wheat. A rapid extraction procedure using 90% methanol was applied to wheat samples prior to FP immunoassay. The average recovery from spiked wheat samples (50 to 200 μg kg⁻¹) was 96% with relative standard deviation generally lower than 8%. A limit of detection of 8 μg kg⁻¹ for the combined toxins was determined. Comparative analyses of 45 naturally contaminated and spiked wheat samples by both the FP immunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography/immunoaffinity clean-up showed a good correlation (r = 0.964). These results, combined with the rapidity (10 min) and simplicity of the assay, show that this method is suitable for high throughput screening as well as for quantitative determination of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in wheat.     

生物合理设计光系统Ⅱ抑制剂研究(Ⅴ)──取代苯甲酰胺基丙烯酸乙酯和新型嘧啶酮类化合物的合成及其Hil反应抑制活性

基于Dl蛋白结构模型,设计并合成了取代苯甲酰胺基丙烯酸乙酯及有关成环化合物嘧啶酮,通过X射线衍射确定了2-芳基-5-乙氧甲酰基-6-甲硫基-4-嘧啶酮的结构.生物活性测定结果表明,部分化合物显示出一定的Hill反应抑制活性.     

Cytotoxic,antitumour-promoting and inhibition of protein denaturation effects of flavonoids,isolated from Potentilla evestita Th. Wolf

This study was designed to evaluate the isolated flavonoids (chrysin 1, and umbelliferone 2) from Potentilla evestita for cytotoxic, antitumour-promoting and inhibition of protein denaturation activities. The results showed marked cytotoxic effect of compounds 1 and 2 in brine shrimp cytotoxic assay at various concentrations with LD₅₀ of 34.5 and 31.8 mg/mL, respectively. In Epstein–Barr-virus early antigen activation assay, both compounds 1 and 2 illustrated significant antitumour-promoting effect with IC₅₀ values of 462 and 308 mol ratio/32 pmol TPA, respectively. The cytotoxic and antitumour-promoting effects of compounds were strongly supported by inhibition of protein denaturation activity with IC₅₀ of 119 and 112 μg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, both compounds possess strong cytotoxic, antitumour-promoting and inhibition of protein denaturation activities.     

Anti-Inflammatory,Analgesic and Antioxidant Potential of New (2S,3S)-2-(4-isopropylbenzyl)-2-methyl-4-nitro-3-phenylbutanals and Their Corresponding Carboxylic Acids through In Vitro,In Silico and In Vivo Studies

In the current study, a series of new (2S,3S)-2-(4-isopropylbenzyl)-2-methyl-4-nitro-3-phenylbutanals (FM1-6) with their corresponding carboxylic acid analogues (FM7-12) has been synthesized. Initially, the aldehydic derivatives were isolated in the diastereomeric form, and the structures were confirmed with NMR, MS and elemental analysis. Based on the encouraging results in in vitro COX 1/2, 5-LOX and antioxidant assays, we oxidized the compounds and obtained the pure single (major) diastereomer for activities. Among all the compounds, FM4, FM10 and FM12 were the leading compounds based on their potent IC₅₀ values. The IC₅₀ values of compounds FM4, FM10 and FM12 were 0.74, 0.69 and 0.18 µM, respectively, in COX-2 assay. Similarly, the IC₅₀ values of these three compounds were also dominant in COX-1 assay. In 5-LOX assay, the majority of our compounds were potent inhibitors of the enzyme. Based on the potency and safety profiles, FM10 and FM12 were subjected to the in vivo experiments. The compounds FM10 and FM12 were observed with encouraging results in in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory models. The molecular docking studies of the selected compounds show binding interactions in the minimized pocked of the target proteins. It is obvious from the overall results that FM10 and FM12 are potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents.     

The synthesis and human FP receptor binding affinity of 13,14-dihydro prostaglandin F1alpha sulfonamides: potential treatments for osteoporosis

A novel class of saturated prostaglandin F2alpha sulfonamide analogs have been synthesized and evaluated in the human FP receptor binding assay for potential use in the treatment of osteoporosis. These compounds have been modified at the C1 carboxylic acid moiety and at the C16-C20 region of the prostaglandin. Based on the structure-activity relationships, it was found that at C1, the aryl sulfonamide analogs possessed greater affinity for the hFP receptor when compared to alkyl sulfonamides. When the sulfonamide was introduced into the C16-C20 region (omega chain) of the prostaglandin, a significant reduction in binding was observed. These results are discussed within the framework of a proposed model for the human FP receptor.     

Synthesis and Rational Design of New Appended 1,2,3-Triazole-uracil Ensembles as Promising Anti-Tumor Agents via In Silico VEGFR-2 Transferase Inhibition

Angiogenesis inhibition is a key step towards the designing of new chemotherapeutic agents. In a view to preparing new molecular entities for cancer treatment, eighteen 1,2,3-triazole-uracil ensembles 5a–r were designed and synthesized via the click reaction. The ligands were well characterized using ¹H-, ¹³C-NMR, elemental analysis and ESI-mass spectrometry. The in silico binding propinquities of the ligands were studied sequentially in the active region of VEGFR-2 using the Molegro virtual docker. All the compounds produced remarkable interactions and potentially inhibitory ligands against VEGFR-2 were obtained with high negative binding energies. Drug-likeness was assessed from the ADME properties. Cytotoxicity of the test compounds was measured against HeLa and HUH-7 tumor cells and NIH/3T3 normal cells by MTT assay. Compound 5h showed higher growth inhibition activity than the positive control, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), against both HeLa and HUH-7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 4.5 and 7.7 μM respectively. Interestingly, the compounds 5a–r did not show any cytotoxicity towards the normal cell lines. The results advance the position of substituted triazoles in the area of drug design with no ambiguity.     

Ianthesine E, a new bromotyrosine-derived metabolite from the Great Barrier Reef sponge Pseudoceratina sp

The new compound ianthesine E (1) was isolated from the Great Barrier Reef marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp. along with the known metabolites 11-hydroxyaerothionin (2), aerothionin (3) and 11,19-dideoxyfistularin 3 (4). Structures were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The compounds were tested for inhibition of [(3)H] DPCPX binding to adenosine A(1) receptors in a whole cell binding assay. At 100 microM, aerothionin was the most potent, inhibiting 67% of binding, followed by ianthesine E and 11-hydroxyaerothionin which inhibited 61% of binding, and 11,19-dideoxyfistularin which initiated 51% of binding Ianthesine E (EC(50) 60 microM), aerothionin (EC(50) 42 microM) and 11,19-dideoxyfistularin-3 (EC(50) 2.6 microM) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against the HeLa cell line.     

Interference with heme binding to histidine-rich protein-2 as an antimalarial strategy

The erythrocytic growth stage of Plasmodium falciparum involves hemoglobin proteolysis as the primary nutrient source with the concomitant release of free heme. The liberated heme is processed by the parasite into hemozoin, a polymeric porphyrin dimer. Histidine-rich protein binds heme and mediates the formation of hemozoin, which is inhibited by the antimalarial drug chloroquine. Interference with heme binding was determined using a microtiterplate assay. Combinatorial libraries were screened and tested against parasite growth, revealing a good correlation between heme binding interference and the inhibition of parasite growth. Several of these compounds retain their potency against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The most potent compounds have IC(50) values less than or equal to 50 nM against chloroquine-resistant and chloroquine-sensitive parasites.