Eicosatetraenehydroxamates: inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase

The syntheses of 5-hydroxamyl and 5-hydroxamylmethyl-6,8,11,14,-eicosatetraenoic acids ($\text{3}$ and $\text{4}$), which possess potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity, are described.     

Structural organization of G-protein-coupled receptors

Atomic-resolution structures of the transmembrane 7--helical domains of 26 G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (including opsins, cationic amine, melatonin, purine, chemokine, opioid, and glycoprotein hormone receptors and two related proteins, retinochrome and Duffy erythrocyte antigen) were calculated by distance geometry using interhelical hydrogen bonds formed by various proteins from the family and collectively applied as distance constraints, as described previously [Pogozheva et al., Biophys. J., 70 (1997) 1963]. The main structural features of the calculated GPCR models are described and illustrated by examples. Some of the features reflect physical interactions that are responsible for the structural stability of the transmembrane -bundle: the formation of extensive networks of interhelical H-bonds and sulfur–aromatic clusters that are spatially organized as 'polarity gradients' the close packing of side-chains throughout the transmembrane domain; and the formation of interhelical disulfide bonds in some receptors and a plausible Zn2+ binding center in retinochrome. Other features of the models are related to biological function and evolution of GPCRs: the formation of a common 'minicore' of 43 evolutionarily conserved residues; a multitude of correlated replacements throughout the transmembrane domain; an Na+-binding site in some receptors, and excellent complementarity of receptor binding pockets to many structurally dissimilar, conformationally constrained ligands, such as retinal, cyclic opioid peptides, and cationic amine ligands. The calculated models are in good agreement with numerous experimental data.     

Isocratic determination of arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenase products in human neutrophils by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed to determine arachidonic 5-lipoxygenase products in calcium ionophore-stimulated neutrophils. This procedure allows the simultaneous measurement of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and its omega-oxidation products without using a gradient elution system. 20-Carboxy-LTB4, 20-hydroxy-LTB4, 6-trans-LTB4, 12-epi-6-trans-LTB4, LTB4 and 5s,12s-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid can be separated and quantitated by reversed-phase chromatography using isocratic elution. The generation and degradation of 5-lipoxygenase products by human neutrophils following stimulation with calcium ionophore have been examined by this method.     

Structural organization of polar-group-containing polymers in the molten state

Model compounds in which flexible polymethylenic sequences of variable length alternate with -NH₂-ZnX₂- groups were characterized both in the crystalline and in the molten state, in order to evaluate the effect of regularly distributed dipoles on the melting behavior of linear flexible chains. Microphase segregation of the polar groups was observed resulting in the formation of smectic mesophases or of smectic-like fluids. Possible analogies with the structural organization of (fx224-1) dipole-containing polymers and ionomers are briefly discussed.     

1,1-Disubstituted-2,5-cyclohexadines: selective inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase

1,1-Disubstituted-2,5-Cyclohexadienes, modeled after arachidonic acid and 15-HETE, selectively inhibit 5-Lipoxygenase.     

Quantitative structure-activity relationship of catechol derivatives inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase.

Various catechol derivatives (beta-substituted 3,4-dihydroxystyrenes, 1-substituted 3,4-dihydroxybenzenes, and 6-substituted 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalenes) were synthesized and their inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase was assayed. Their structure-activity relationships were examined quantitatively with substituent and structural parameters and regression analysis. The variations in the inhibitory activity were explained in bilinear hydrophobic parameter (log P) terms, and steric (molecular thickness) and electronic (proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) chemical shift of the proton adjacent to the catechol group) parameter terms. The hydrophobicity of the inhibitor molecule was important, and the optimum value of logP was about 4.3-4.6, beyond which inhibition did not increase further. A lower electron density of the aromatic ring containing the catechol group and the greater thickness of the lipophilic side chains were unfavorable to the activity. The results added a physicochemical basis for the selection of candidate compounds for developmental studies.     

Probing sponge-derived terpenoids for human 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors

A human 15-lipoxygenase (15-HLO) assay has been employed to discover new marine-sponge-derived bioactive compounds. Extracts from two different sponges, Jaspis splendens (order Choristida, family Jaspidae) and Suberea sp. (order Verongida, family Aplysinellidae), exhibited potent IC(50) values of 0.4 and 0.1 microg/mL, respectively. Both are sources of terpenoids, and the former is a known source of (+)-jasplakinolide (7), which is inactive as a 15-HLO inhibitor. The terpenoids included (+)-(5S,6S)-subersin (1, IC(50) > 100 microM), (-)-(5R,10R)-subersic acid (2, IC(50) = 15 microM), jaspaquinol (3, IC(50) = 0.3 microM), and (-)-jaspic acid (4, IC(50) = 1.4 microM). Structure elucidations and lipoxygenase activity studies of these compounds are reported.     

Convergent oxygenation of arachidonic acid by 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2

5-Lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) initiate the biosynthesis of distinct families of mediators from arachidonic acid (leukotrienes and prostaglandins, respectively) and are each the target of anti-inflammatory medications. Here we show that the product of 5-lipoxygenase, 5S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, is selectively and efficiently triply oxygenated by COX-2, implicating a cross-pathway interaction. The product is a unique diendoperoxide, potentially representing the parent compound of a novel group of lipid mediators.     

Homology modeling of 5-lipoxygenase and hints for better inhibitor design

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a group of enzymes involved in the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Among these 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is the key enzyme leading to the formation of pharmacologically important leukotrienes and lipoxins, the mediators of inflammatory and allergic disorders. In view of close functional similarity to mammalian lipoxygenase, potato 5-LOX is used extensively. In this study, the homology modeling technique has been used to construct the structure of potato 5-LOX. The amino acid sequence identity between the target protein and sequence of template protein 1NO3 (soybean LOX-3) searched from NCBI protein BLAST was 63%. Based on the template structure, the protein model was constructed by using the Homology program in InsightII. The protein model was briefly refined by energy minimization steps and validated using Profile-3D, ERRAT and PROCHECK. The results showed that 99.3% of the amino acids were in allowed regions of Ramachandran plot, suggesting that the model is accurate and its stereochemical quality good. Like all LOXs, 5-LOX also has a two-domain structure, the small N-terminal beta-barrel domain and a larger catalytic domain containing a single atom of non-heme iron coordinating with His525, His530, His716 and Ile864. Asn720 is present in the fifth coordination position of iron. The sixth coordination position faces the open cavity occupied here by the ligands which are docked. Our model of the enzyme is further validated by examining the interactions of earlier reported inhibitors and by energy minimization studies which were carried out using molecular mechanics calculations. Four ligands, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) having IC(50) of 1.5 microM and analogs of benzyl propargyl ethers having IC(50) values of 760 microM, 45 microM, and no inhibition respectively were selected for our docking and energy minimization studies. Our results correlated well with the experimental data reported earlier, which proved the quality of the model. This model generated can be further used for the design and development of more potent 5-LOX inhibitors.     

Resolvin E2: identification and anti-inflammatory actions: pivotal role of human 5-lipoxygenase in resolvin E series biosynthesis

The family of resolvins consists of omega-3 fatty acid-derived mediators, including E series resolvins generated from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and carry potent anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we report the isolation, identification, and bioactions of resolvin E2 (RvE2), which is 5S,18-dihydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acid. RvE2 stopped zymosan-induced polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte infiltration and displayed potent anti-inflammatory properties in murine peritonitis. We also demonstrate that human recombinant 5-lipoxygenase generates RvE2 from a common precursor of E series resolvins, namely, 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoate (18-HEPE). Furthermore, the initial 5-hydroperoxide intermediate was also converted to a 5(6)-epoxide intermediate in RvE1 formation. These results demonstrate that RvE2, together with RvE1, may contribute to the beneficial actions of omega-3 fatty acids in human diseases. Moreover, they indicate that the 5-lipoxygenase in human leukocytes is a pivotal enzyme that can produce both pro- and anti-inflammatory chemical mediators.     

Synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives as antiallergic agents with 5-lipoxygenase inhibiting action

Syntheses were conducted of novel benzimidazole derivatives that suppress histamine release from mast cells, inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, and possess antioxidative action. Among the compounds synthesized, 1-[2-[2-(4-hydroxy- 2,3,5-trimethylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethyl]-2-(4-methyl-1- homopiperazino)benzimidazole (22) potently suppressed histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells triggered by the antigen-antibody reaction, inhibited 5-lipoxygenase in rat basophilic leukemia-1 (RBL-1) cells, and prevented the NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(3+)-ADP in rat liver microsomes, in addition to an antagonizing the contraction of guinea pig ileum caused by histamine.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 5-lipoxygenase translocation inhibitors from acylnitroso hetero-Diels-Alder cycloadducts

Acylnitroso cycloadducts have proven to be valuable intermediates in the syntheses of a plethora of biologically active molecules. Recently, organometallic reagents were shown to open bicyclic acylnitroso cycloadducts and, more interestingly, the prospect of highly regioselective openings was raised. This transformation was employed in the synthesis of a compound with excellent inhibitory activity against 5-lipoxygenase ((±)-4a, IC(50) 51 nM), an important mediator of inflammation intimately involved in a number of disease states including asthma and cancer. Optimization of the copper-mediated organometallic ring opening reaction was accomplished allowing the further exploration of the biological activity. Synthesis of a number of derivatives with varying affinity for metal binding as well as pendant groups in a range of sizes was accomplished. Analogues were tested in a whole cell assay which revealed a subset of the compounds to be inhibitors of enzyme translocation, a mode of action not previously known and, potentially, extremely important for better understanding of the enzyme and inhibitor development. Additionally, the lead compound was tested in vivo in an established colon cancer model and showed very encouraging anti-tumorogenic properties.     

Structural determinants of the supramolecular organization of G protein-coupled receptors in bilayers

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) rhodopsin self-assembles into supramolecular structures in native bilayers, but the structural determinants of receptor oligomerization are not known. We carried out multiple self-assembly coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations of model membranes containing up to 64 molecules of the visual receptor rhodopsin over time scales reaching 100 μs. The simulations show strong preferential interaction modes between receptors. Two primary modes of receptor-receptor interactions are consistent with umbrella sampling/potential of mean force (PMF) calculations as a function of the distance between a pair of receptors. The preferential interfaces, involving helices (H) 1/8, 4/5 and 5, present no energy barrier to forming a very stable receptor dimer. Most notably, the PMFs show that the preferred rhodopsin dimer exists in a tail-to-tail conformation, with the interface comprising transmembrane H1/H2 and amphipathic H8 at the extracellular and cytoplasmic surfaces, respectively. This dimer orientation is in line with earlier electron microscopy, X-ray, and cross-linking experiments of rhodopsin and other GPCRs. Less stable interfaces, involving H4 and H6, have a free energy barrier for desolvation (delipidation) of the interfaces and appear to be designed to stabilize "lubricated" (i.e., lipid-coated) dimers. The overall CGMD strategy used here is general and can be applied to study the homo- and heterodimerization of GPCRs and other transmembrane proteins. Systematic extension of the work will deepen our understanding of the forces involved in the membrane organization of integral membrane proteins.     

Ligation of CD40 receptor in human B lymphocytes triggers the 5-lipoxygenase pathway to produce reactive oxygen species and activate p38 MAPK

Previously, we reported that CD40-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase requires the TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 3, as well as the activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Rac1. Here we investigated the possible mechanisms of the production of ROS after CD40 ligation in B cells. We describe an alternative ROS production pathway that is triggered by CD40 ligation, involves 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), and results in activation of p38 MAPK. Our studies in Raji human B lymphomas revealed that CD40-induced ROS production by 5-LO also requires the activities of PI3K and Rac1. In contrast to the NADPH oxidase pathway, however, TRAF molecules are not required for the CD40-induced ROS production by 5-LO. The association of CD40 with 5-LO is dependent on CD40 ligation in Raji B cells, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments using epitope- tagged proteins transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney 293T cells revealed the role of the regulatory subunit of PI3K, p85, in this association. Collectively, these data suggest a separate pathway for the CD40-induced ROS production in B cells and demonstrate that this pathway requires 5-LO via direct association of p85 with both CD40 and 5-LO.     

Structural inversion in 3-D hexagonal organization of coil-rod-coil molecule

We report an unusual example of supramolecular structural inversion in coil-rod-coil molecules, from organized coil perforations in a rod layers to organized discrete rod-bundles in a coil matrix, while maintaining a 3-D hexagonal superlattice.     

Structural characteristics of crosslinking domain in gellan gum gel

Gellan gum samples having different counterions of TMA⁺ (tetramethyl-ammonium ion), Na⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺ were prepared, and the small-angle X-ray scattering was observed from the aqueous solutions of those samples. A sharp peak appears in the SAXS profile at low temperature, indicating the electrostatic interaction between the domains composed of multiple gellan gum chains. The SAXS profile revealed a rigid rod-like characteristics of gellan gum chain. The cross-sectional radius of gyration was evaluated from the scattering profiles, and the gelation mechanism was discussed from the change of the cross-sectional radius of gyration upon gel-sol transition. Taking the difference of the scattering power of counter ions into account, the ion condensation due to gelation was evaluated from the excess scattering of Cs⁺ gellan gum with respect to K⁺ gellan gum in respective aqueous solutions.