Global analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the exons of human deoxyribonuclease I-like 1 and 2 genes

Several SNPs in the deoxyribonuclease I-like 1 (DNase 1L1) and DNase 1L2 were investigated. In the present study, the genotype distributions of three synonymous SNPs (V59V, rs1050095; P67P, rs1130929; A277A, rs17849495) in the DNase 1L1 gene and four non-synonymous SNPs, V122I (rs34952165), Q170H (rs6643670), and D227A (rs5987256) in the DNase 1L1 gene, as well as D197A (rs62621282) in the DNase 1L2 gene were investigated in 13 populations. In all the populations, no variation was found in four SNPs (V59V, Q170H, D227A, and A277A) in DNASE1L1 or in D197A in DNASE1L2. As for V122I, only the German population showed a low degree of polymorphism. The SNP V122I in DNASE1L1 was monoallelic for the G-allele in all of the Asian and African populations examined, with no polymorphism being evident. Since the A-allele in SNP V122I was distributed in only the Caucasian populations, not in the other ethnic groups, it was confirmed that the A-allele in SNP V122I was Caucasian-specific. On the other hand, only P67P in DNASE1L1 was polymorphic among three synonymous SNPs. The effect of nucleotide substitution corresponding to polymorphic SNP P67P on DNase 1L1 activity was examined: the corresponding nucleotide substitution in polymorphic SNP P67P has little effect on the DNase activity.     

Genetic and expression analysis of all non‐synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human deoxyribonuclease I‐like 1 and 2 genes

Members of the human DNase I family, DNase I‐like 1 and 2 (DNases 1L1 and 1L2), with physiological role(s) other than those of DNase I, possess three and one non‐synonymous SNPs in the genes, respectively. However, only limited population data are available, and the effect of these SNPs on the catalytic activity of the enzyme remains unknown. Genotyping of all the non‐synonymous SNPs was performed in three ethnic groups including six different populations using the PCR‐RFLP method newly developed. Asian and African groups including Japanese, Koreans, Ghanaians and Ovambos were typed as a single genotype at each SNP, but polymorphism at only SNP V122I in DNase 1L1 was found in Caucasian groups including Germans and Turks; thus a Caucasian‐specific allele was identified. The DNase 1L1 and 1L2 genes show relatively low genetic diversity with regard to these non‐synonymous SNPs. The level of activity derived from the V122I, Q170H and D227A substituted DNase 1L1 corresponding to SNPs was similar to that of the wild‐type, whereas replacement of the Asp residue at position 197 in the DNase 1L2 protein with Ala, corresponding to SNP D197A, reduced its activity greatly. Thus, SNP V122I in DNase 1L1 exhibiting polymorphism exerts no effect on the catalytic activity, and furthermore SNP D197A in DNase 1L2, affecting its catalytic activity, shows no polymorphism. These findings permit us to postulate that the non‐synonymous SNPs identified in the DNase 1L1 and 1L2 genes may exert no influence on the activity levels of DNases 1L1 and 1L2 in human populations.     

Seven nonsynonymous SNPs in the gene encoding human deoxyribonuclease II may serve as a functional SNP potentially implicated in autoimmune dysfunction

Many nonsynonymous SNPs in the human DNase II gene (DNASE2), potentially relevant to autoimmunity in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, have been identified, but only limited population data are available and no studies have evaluated whether such SNPs are functional. Genotyping of all the 15 nonsynonymous human DNase II SNPs was performed in three ethnic groups including 16 different populations using the PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. A series of constructs corresponding to each SNP was examined. Fifteen nonsynonymous SNPs in the gene, except for p.Val206Ile in a Korean population, exhibited a mono‐allelic distribution in all of the populations. On the basis of alterations in the activity levels resulting from the corresponding amino acid substitutions, four activity‐abolishing and five activity‐reducing SNPs were confirmed to be functional. The amino acid residues in activity‐abolishing SNPs were conserved in animal DNase II. All the nonsynonymous SNPs that affected the catalytic activity of human DNase II showed extremely low genetic heterogeneity. However, a minor allele of seven SNPs producing a loss‐of‐function or extremely low activity‐harboring variant could serve as a genetic risk factor for autoimmune dysfunction. These functional SNPs in DNASE2 may have clinical implications in relation to the prevalence of autoimmune diseases.     

Five non‐synonymous SNPs in the gene encoding human deoxyribonuclease I‐like 2 implicated in terminal differentiation of keratinocytes reduce or abolish its activity

Several non‐synonymous SNPs in the human deoxyribonuclease I‐like 2 (DNase 1L2) gene responsible for DNA degradation during terminal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes have been identified. However, only limited population data are available, and furthermore the effect of these SNPs on the DNase 1L2 activity remains unknown. Genotyping of all of the 17 SNPs was performed using the PCR‐RFLP method in three ethnic groups including 14 different populations. A series of amino acid‐substituted DNase 1L2 corresponding to each SNP was expressed, and its activity was measured. All of the six non‐synonymous SNPs exhibited a mono‐allelic distribution, whereas the distribution of some SNPs other than exonic ones was ethnicity‐dependent. Each of the minor alleles in SNPs, p.Ala20Asp, p.Val104Leu, p.Asp197Ala, p.Glu274Lys and p.Asp287Asn, among the non‐synonymous SNPs produced low or no activity‐harbouring DNase 1L2. DNase 1L2 is well conserved, retaining full levels of enzymatic activity, with regard to these exonic SNPs in human populations. It seems plausible to assume that these SNPs affecting the activity may be one of the factors responsible for a genetic pre‐disposition for failure of differentiation‐associated cell death in various keratinocyte lineages, thereby leading to the development of parakeratosis. Our results may have clinical implications in relation to the pathogenesis of parakeratosis.     

Genetic and expression analysis of SNPs in the human deoxyribonuclease II: SNPs in the promoter region reduce its in vivo activity through decreased promoter activity

Five SNPs in the human DNase II gene have been reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Genotype and haplotype analysis of 14 SNPs, nine SNPs of which reported in the NCBI dbSNP database in addition to these five SNPs, was performed in healthy subjects. The enzymatic activities of the amino acid substituted DNase II corresponding to each SNP and serum DNase II in healthy Japanese, and promoter activities derived from each haplotype of the RA‐related SNPs were measured. Significant correlations between genotype in each RA‐related SNP and enzymatic activity levels were found; alleles associated with RA exhibited a reduction in serum DNase II activity. Furthermore, the promoter activities of each reporter construct corresponding to predominant haplotypes in three SNPs in the promoter region of the gene exhibited significant correlation with levels of serum DNase II activity. These findings indicate these three SNPs could alter the promoter activity of DNASE2, leading to a decline in DNase II activity in the serum through gene expression. Since the three SNPs in the promoter region of the DNase II gene could affect in vivo DNase II activity through reduction of the promoter activity, it is feasible to identify these SNPs susceptible to RA.     

Redox Non‐Innocence and Isomer‐Specific Oxidative Functionalization of Ruthenium‐Coordinated β‐Ketoiminate

This article deals with isomeric ruthenium complexes [Ru^III(L^R)₂(acac)] (S=1/2) involving unsymmetric β‐ketoiminates (AcNac) (L^R=R‐AcNac, R=H ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), OMe ( 3 ); acac=acetylacetonate) [R=para‐substituents (H, Cl, OMe) of N‐bearing aryl group]. The isomeric identities of the complexes, cct (cis‐cis‐trans, blue, a ), ctc (cis‐trans‐cis, green, b ) and ccc (cis‐cis‐cis_, pink, c ) with respect to oxygen (acac), oxygen (L) and nitrogen (L) donors, respectively, were authenticated by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures and spectroscopic/electrochemical features. One‐electron reversible oxidation and reduction processes of 1 – 3 led to the electronic formulations of [Ru^III(L)(L ^? )(acac)]⁺ and [Ru^II(L)₂(acac)]^? for 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ (S=1) and 1^? – 3^? (S=0), respectively. The triplet state of 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ was corroborated by its forbidden weak half‐field signal near g≈4.0 at 4 K, revealing the non‐innocent feature of L. Interestingly, among the three isomeric forms ( a – c in 1 – 3 ), the ctc ( b in 2 b or 3 b ) isomer selectively underwent oxidative functionalization at the central β‐carbon (C?H→C=O) of one of the L ligands in air, leading to the formation of diamagnetic [Ru^II(L)(L ′ )(acac)] (L ′ =diketoimine) in 4 / 4′ . Mechanistic aspects of the oxygenation process of AcNac in 2 b were also explored via kinetic and theoretical studies.     

Detection of mosaicism for the polymorphic variants in the 5′‐UTR of hOGG1 by cloning and sequence analysis and pyrosequencing

Mosaicism refers to the presence of genetically distinct cell lines within an organism or a tissue. Somatic mosaicism exists in distinct populations of somatic cells and commonly arises as a result of somatic mutations, mainly in early embryonic development. SNPs are important markers that distinguish between different individuals in heterogeneous biological samples and contribute greatly to disease risk association studies. In this work, we investigated the relationship between the functional variants in the 5′‐UTR of the hOGG1 gene and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Upon detection of the polymorphisms c.‐53G>C, c.‐23A>G, and c.‐18G>T in the hOGG1 gene, we found that mosaicism was present in 3/28 (10.71%), 7/51 (13.73%), and 1/44 (2.27%) patients respectively, who were carriers of these single nucleotide variations, by cloning and sequence analysis and pyrosequencing. Statistical analysis showed that the frequency of the variation c.‐23A>G in the hOGG1 5′‐UTR in type 2 diabetic patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. However, sequencing of the mutant alleles in mosaic individuals showed weak peaks that may affect detection of the SNPs and impair association‐based investigations.     

Exploring the Border between Concerted and Two‐Step Pathways of 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions of Organic Azides to Cyclic Ketene N,X‐Acetals. – Synthesis and 15N‐NMR Spectra of Zwitterions and Spirocyclic Cycloadducts

Cyclic ketene N,X‐acetals 1 are electron‐rich dipolarophiles that undergo 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions with organic azides 2 ranging from alkyl to strongly electron‐deficient azides, e.g., picryl azide ( 2L ; R¹=2,4,6‐(NO₂)₃C₆H₂) and sulfonyl azides 2M – O (R¹=XSO₂; cf. Scheme 1). Reactions of the latter with the most‐nucleophilic ketene N,N‐acetals 1A provided the first examples for two‐step HOMO(dipolarophile)–LUMO(1,3‐dipole)‐controlled 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions via intermediate zwitterions 3 . To set the stage for an exploration of the frontier between concerted and two‐step 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions of this type, we first describe the scope and limitations of concerted cycloadditions of 2 to 1 and delineate a number of zwitterions 3 . Alkyl azides 2A – C add exclusively to ketene N,N‐acetals that are derived from 1H‐tetrazole (see 1A ) and 1H‐imidazole (see 1B , C ), while almost all aryl azides yield cycloadducts 4 with the ketene N,X‐acetals (X=NR, O, S) employed, except for the case of extreme steric hindrance of the 1,3‐dipole (see 2E ; R¹=2,4,6‐(^tBu)₃C₆H₂). The most electron‐deficient paradigm, 2L , affords zwitterions 16D , E in the reactions with 1A , while ketene N,O‐ and N,S‐acetals furnish products of unstable intermediate cycloadducts. By tuning the electronic and steric demands of aryl azides to those of ketene N,N‐acetals 1A , we discovered new borderlines between concerted and two‐step 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions that involve similar pairs of dipoles and dipolarophiles: 4‐Nitrophenyl azide ( 2G ) and the 2,2‐dimethylpropylidene dipolarophile 1A (R, R=H, ^tBu) gave a cycloadduct 13 H , while 2‐nitrophenyl azide ( 2 H ) and the same dipolarophile afforded a zwitterion 16A . Isopropylidene dipolarophile 1A (R=Me) reacted with both 2G and 2 H to afford cycloadducts 13G , J ) but furnished a zwitterion 16B with 2,4‐dinitrophenyl azide ( 2I) . Likewise, 1A (R=Me) reacted with the isomeric encumbered nitrophenyl azides 2J and 2K to yield a cycloadduct 13L and a zwitterion 16C , respectively. These examples suggest that, in principle, a host of such borderlines exist which can be crossed by means of small structural variations of the reactants. Eventually, we use ¹⁵N‐NMR spectroscopy for the first time to characterize spirocyclic cycloadducts 10 – 14 and 17 (Table 6), and zwitterions 16 (Table 7).     

A dihydro‐β‐agarofuran sesquiterpene from Maytenus boaria

The natural compound (1S ,4S ,5S ,6R ,7R ,8R ,9R ,10S )‐6‐acetoxy‐4,9,10‐trihydroxy‐2,2,5a,9‐tetramethyloctahydro‐2H‐3,9a‐methanobenzo[b ]oxepin‐5‐yl furan‐3‐carboxylate, C₂₂H₃₀O₉, (I), is a β‐agarofuran sesquiterpene isolated from the seeds of Maytenus boaria as part of a study of the secondary metabolites from Chilean flora. The compound presents a central structure formed by a decalin system esterified with acetate at site 1 and furan‐3‐carboxylate at site 9. The chirality of the skeleton can be described as 1S ,4S ,5S ,6R ,7R ,8R ,9R ,10S , which is consistent with that suggested by NMR studies. Unlike previously reported structures of sesquiterpenes containing a pure dihydro‐β‐agarofuran skeleton, (I) exhibits a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network.     

Experimental Tests of Parity Violation at Helical Polysilylene Level

The author would like to announce the following corrections: On page 671, right column, line 2, the sentence should read “For a certain polysilylene, ΔE_ST is reported to be 0.32 eV”. The insets in Figure 3d should read “S‐1” and “R‐1” instead of “S‐1L” and “R‐1L” . In the reference section, [34] reads correctly “Y. Ishimaru, S. Sumida, T. Iida, Chem. Commun. 1997 , 2187‐‐2188”.     

Triple-Helix Formation by Pyrimidine Oligonucleotides Containing Nonnatural Nucleosides with Extended Aromatic Nucleobases: Intercalation from the major groove as a method for recognizing C·G and T · A base pairs

The sequence-specific recognition of double-helical DNA by oligonucleotide-directed triple helix formation is limited primarily to purine tracts. To identify potential lead compounds which are able to extend the sequence repertoire of triple helical complexes, we designed two carbocyclic nucleosides with nucleobases attached via amide bonds. N⁵-[(1R, 2S, 3R, 4R)-3-hydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxycyclopentyl]-2-{[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)carbonyl]-amino}thiazole-5-carboxamide ( L1 ) and 2-benzamido-N⁵-[(1R, 2S, 3R, 4R)-3-hydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxycyclopentyl]thiazole-5-carboxamide ( L2 ) were synthesized and incorporated into pyrimidine oligonucleotides. The 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl (SEM) protecting group for the 1H-pyrrole NH was found to be compatible with DNA solid-phase synthesis of pyrimidine Oligonucleotides. By quantitative DNase I footprinting analysis, both nonnatural nucleosides L1 and L2 showed preferential binding of pyrimidine over purine bases: L1 / 2 ·(C·G) ≈ L1 / 2 ·(T · A) > L1 / 2 ·(G·C) ≈ L1 / 2 ·(A · T). Comparison with the previously reported nonnatural nucleosides with extended aromatic nucleobases 1-(2-deoxy-β-D -ribofuranosyl)-4-(3-benzamidophenyl)-imidazole ( D3 ) and N⁴-[6-(benzamido)pyridin-2-yl]-2′-deoxycytidine (^bz M ) suggests that the observed binding selectivity C · G ≈ T · A > G · C ≈ A · T for the nucleoside analogs L1 , L2 , D3 , and ^bz M is derived from sequence-specific intercalation with preferential stacking of their nucleobases over pyrimidine · purine Watson-Crick base pairs.     

A Sensitive Derivatization Method for the Determination of the Sugar Composition after Pre-column Reductive Amination with 3-Amino-9-ethylcarbazole （AEC） by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

3-Amino-9-ethylcarbazole （AEC） was employed for monosaccharide derivatization. The derivatives can be analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） with an ultraviolet detection （wavelength： 254 nm）. Monosaccharides were quantitatively derivatized with 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole （AEC） at 70 ℃ for 60 min. The method was linear for all samples over the concentration range tested （r〉0.999）, the precision was found to be satisfactory （R.S.D. 〈 3%）, and the recovery ratios were 〉98.62%. The stability analysis showed R.S.D. was between 1.81%-3.16%. Detection limits for the samples （D-glucose, L-xylose, D-mannose, L-arabinose, and L-rhamnose） ranged from 0.06 to 1.97 ng/mL （S/N=3）. Under the optimized derivatization and HPLC conditions, five monosaccharides were well separated using a narrow bore C18 column （250 mm×4.6 mm） with 0.1 mol/L ammonium acetate containing 25% acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. As an application, the method has been successfully applied to the determination of monosaccharide compositions of three polysaccharides SPPA-1, SPPB-1 and SPPC- 1 of Spirulina platensis. This method also has potential application to oligosaccharide or glycan analyses.     

First genetic analysis of Cryptosporidium from humans from Tasmania,and identification of a new genotype from a traveller to Bali

Little is known about the molecular composition of Cryptosporidium species from humans living in the insular state of Tasmania, Australia. In the present study, we genetically characterized 82 samples of Cryptosporidium from humans following conventional coproscopic testing in a routine, diagnostic laboratory. Using a PCR‐coupled single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique, targeting portions of the small subunit rRNA (SSU), and 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) loci, we identified two species of Cryptosporidium, including C. hominis (subgenotypes IbA10G2, IdA16, IeA12G3T3, and IfA19G1) and C. parvum (IIaA16G1R1 and IIaA18G3), and a new operational taxonomic unit (OTU) that genetically closely resembled C. wrairi. This OTU was further characterized using markers in the actin, Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP), and 70 kDa heat shock protein (hsp70) genes. This study provides the first characterization of species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium from Tasmania, and presents clear genetic evidence, using five independent genetic loci, for a new genotype or species of Cryptosporidium in a Tasmanian person with a recent history of travelling to Bali, Indonesia. It would be interesting to undertake detailed molecular‐based studies of Cryptosporidium in Indonesia and neighbouring countries, in conjunction with morphological and experimental investigations of new genotypes.     

Confirmation that SNPs in the high mobility group‐A2 gene (HMGA2) are associated with adult height in the Japanese population; wide‐ranging population survey of height‐related SNPs in HMGA2

Adult height is a highly heritable trait in that multiple genes are involved. Recent genome‐wide association studies have identified a novel single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1042725 in the high mobility group‐A2 gene (HMGA2) and shown it to be associated with human height in Caucasian populations. We performed a replication study to examine the associations between SNPs in HMGA2 and adult height in the Japanese population based on autopsy cases. Although we could not confirm a significant association between rs1042725 in HMGA2 and adult height, another SNP, rs7968902, in the gene achieved significance for its association in the same populations, and the effect was the same as that documented previously. These findings permit us to conclude that the SNPs in HMGA2 are common variants influencing human height across different populations. Moreover, a worldwide population study of these SNPs using 14 different populations including Asians, Africans and Caucasians demonstrated that both haplotypes and genotypes for three height‐related SNPs (rs1042725, rs7968682 and rs7968902) in HMGA2 were distributed in an ethnicity‐dependent manner. This information will be useful for clarifying the genetic basis of human height.     

Synthesis of Organoplatinum Poly(dendrimer)s: Pronounced Effect of Size and Geometry of Small Organoplatinum Linkers on the Copolymerization Efficiency with Bifunctional Dendritic Macromonomers

The copolymerizations of two series of surface functionalized bis(acetylene) G1–G3 dendrimers, one ( S ‐ Gn ) having a structural rigid skeleton and the other ( L ‐ Gn ) a relatively more flexible architecture, with two platinum linkers, cis‐[(Et₂PCH₂CH₂PEt₂)PtCl₂] ( 2 ) and [Cl(Et₃P)₂Pt‐C?C‐p‐C₆H₄‐]₂ ( 3 ) were investigated. For both series of dendrimers, only linear and/or cyclic oligomers were formed when the cis‐platinum linker 2 was used. However, high molecular weight (100–200 kD) organoplatinum poly(dendrimer)s were obtained from both series when the elongated linear rod‐liked platinum linker 3 was employed and the formation of cyclic oligomers was greatly suppressed for both the structural rigid S ‐ Gn and the structural flexible L ‐ Gn series. These results are in sharp contrast to our earlier findings (S.‐Y. Cheung, H.‐F. Chow, T. Ngai, X. Wei, Chem. Eur. J. 2009 , 15, 2278–2288) obtained by using a shorter linear platinum linker trans‐[Pt(PEt₃)₂Cl₂] ( 1 ), where a larger amount of cyclic oligomers was formed from the structural flexible L ‐ Gn dendrimers. A model was proposed to rationalize how the geometry and size of the platinum linker could control the copolymerization behaviours of these dendritic macromonomers.     

Supramolecular architectures in two 1:1 cocrystals of 5‐fluorouracil with 5‐bromothiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid and thiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid

In solid‐state engineering, cocrystallization is a strategy actively pursued for pharmaceuticals. Two 1:1 cocrystals of 5‐fluorouracil (5FU; systematic name: 5‐fluoro‐1,3‐dihydropyrimidine‐2,4‐dione), namely 5‐fluorouracil–5‐bromothiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid (1/1), C₅H₃BrO₂S·C₄H₃FN₂O₂, (I), and 5‐fluorouracil–thiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid (1/1), C₄H₃FN₂O₂·C₅H₄O₂S, (II), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. In both cocrystals, carboxylic acid molecules are linked through an acid–acid R ₂²(8) homosynthon (O—H…O) to form a carboxylic acid dimer and 5FU molecules are connected through two types of base pairs [homosynthon, R ₂²(8) motif] via a pair of N—H…O hydrogen bonds. The crystal structures are further stabilized by C—H…O interactions in (II) and C—Br…O interactions in (I). In both crystal structures, π–π stacking and C—F…π interactions are also observed.     

Stereoselective separation of (1S, 4S)‐sertraline from medicinal reaction mixtures by countercurrent chromatography with hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin as stereoselective selector

Four stereoisomeric components were produced during the synthesis of the antidepressant drug (1S, 4S)‐sertraline hydrochloride due to the two chiral carbon centers in its chemical structure, including (1S, 4S), (1R, 4R), (1S, 4R), and (1R, 4S)‐isomer. Stereoselective separation of the target isomer (1S, 4S)‐sertraline from the medicinal reaction mixtures by countercurrent chromatography using hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin as the stereoselective selector was investigated. A biphasic solvent system composed of n‐hexane/0.20 mol/L phosphate buffer solution with pH 7.6 containing 0.10 mol/L of hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (1:1, v/v) was selected for separation of cis‐sertraline and trans‐sertraline using reverse phase elution mode and (1S, 4S)‐sertraline was separated with (1R, 4R)‐sertraline using recycling elution mode. A fabricated in‐house analytical countercurrent chromatographic apparatus was used for optimization of the separation conditions. Stationary phase retention and peak resolution were investigated for separation of cis‐sertraline and trans‐sertraline by the analytical apparatus.     

Synthesis and properties of helical poly(phenylacetylene) derivatives. Effect of chirality combination on the helicity

Novel 4‐ethynylphthaloyl amino acid esters carrying different terminal groups, 4‐ethynylphthaloyl glycine (1S,2R,5S)‐menthyl ester ( 1 ), 4‐ethynylphthaloyl glycine (1R,2S,5R)‐menthyl ester ( 2 ), 4‐ethynylphthaloyl L ‐leucine methyl ester ( 3 ), 4‐ethynylphthaloyl L ‐leucine (1S,2R,5S)‐menthyl ester ( 4 ), 4‐ethynylphthaloyl L ‐leucine (1R,2S,5R)‐menthyl ester ( 5 ) were synthesized and polymerized with a rhodium catalyst. Polymers with high molecular weights were obtained in 71–92% yields. The helical conformation of the polymers could be tuned by the chirality of the amino acid connected to the backbone, together with the chirality and bulkiness of the terminal pendent groups. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4183–4192, 2008     

Structure‐Based Design of Platinum(II) Complexes as c‐myc Oncogene Down‐Regulators and Luminescent Probes for G‐Quadruplex DNA

A series of platinum(II) complexes with tridentate ligands was synthesized and their interactions with G‐quadruplex DNA within the c‐myc gene promoter were evaluated. Complex 1 , which has a flat planar 2,6‐bis(benzimidazol‐2‐yl)pyridine (bzimpy) scaffold, was found to stabilize the c‐myc G‐quadruplex structure in a cell‐free system. An in silico G‐quadruplex DNA model has been constructed for structure‐based virtual screening to develop new Pt^II‐based complexes with superior inhibitory activities. By using complex 1 as the initial structure for hit‐to‐lead optimization, bzimpy and related 2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine (dPzPy) scaffolds containing amine side‐chains emerge as the top candidates. Six of the top‐scoring complexes were synthesized and their interactions with c‐myc G‐quadruplex DNA have been investigated. The results revealed that all of the complexes have the ability to stabilize the c‐myc G‐quadruplex. Complex 3 a ([Pt^II L2R ] ⁺ ; L2 =2,6‐bis[1‐(3‐piperidinepropyl)‐1H‐enzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl]pyridine, R =Cl) displayed the strongest inhibition in a cell‐free system (IC₅₀=2.2 μM ) and was 3.3‐fold more potent than that of 1 . Complexes 3 a and 4 a ([Pt^II L3R ]⁺; L3 =2,6‐bis[1‐(3‐morpholinopropyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]pyridine, R =Cl) were found to effectively inhibit c‐myc gene expression in human hepatocarcinoma cells with IC₅₀ values of ≈17 μM , whereas initial hit 1 displayed no significant effect on gene expression at concentrations up to 50 μM . Complexes 3 a and 4 a have a strong preference for G‐quadruplex DNA over duplex DNA, as revealed by competition dialysis experiments and absorption titration; 3 a and 4 a bind G‐quadruplex DNA with binding constants (K) of approximately 10⁶–10⁷ dm³ mol^?1, which are at least an order of magnitude higher than the K values for duplex DNA. NMR spectroscopic titration experiments and molecular modeling showed that 4 a binds c‐myc G‐quadruplex DNA through an external end‐stacking mode at the 3′‐terminal face of the G‐quadruplex. Intriguingly, binding of c‐myc G‐quadruplex DNA by 3 b is accompanied by an increase of up to 38‐fold in photoluminescence intensity at λ_max=622 nm.     

Molecular characterization and first report of Cryptosporidium genotypes in human population in the Slovak Republic

In our study, we examined 91 fecal samples from five different groups of people containing HIV patients, hemodialysis patients, kidney transplant recipients, immunocompetent humans without clinical signs, and humans with suspected cryptosporidiosis. The purpose of our study was to determine species and genotype composition of representatives of Cryptosporidium spp. using PCR analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and 60‐kDa glycoprotein gene and examine their phylogenetic relationship. In HIV‐positive/AIDS‐infected group of patients and in hemodialysis patients, no presence of Cryptosporidium species was detected. In two kidney transplant recipients, we detected species/genotypes Cryptosporidium parvum IIaA13G1T1R1 (KT355488) and Cryptosporidium hominis IaA11G2R8 (KT355489) and in two immunocompetent patients with clinical symptoms, we identified Cryptosporidium muris and C. hominis IbA10G2T1 (KT355490). In the group of healthy immunocompetent individuals without clinical signs, we identified species/genotype C. hominis IbA11G2 (KT355491) in one sample.