A novel mass spectrometry-based assay for GSK-3β activity

Background  

As a component of the progression from genomic to proteomic analysis, there is a need for accurate assessment of protein post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation. Traditional kinase assays rely heavily on the incorporation of γ-P³² radiolabeled isotopes, monoclonal anti-phospho-protein antibodies, or gel shift analysis of substrate proteins. In addition to the expensive and time consuming nature of these methods, the use of radio-ligands imposes restrictions based on the half-life of the radionucleotides and pose potential health risks to researchers. With the shortcomings of traditional assays in mind, the aim of this study was to develop a high throughput, non-radioactive kinase assay for screening Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3beta (GSK-3β) activity.     

A novel method for predicting decomposition onset temperature of high-energy metal–organic frameworks

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The decomposition onset temperature, Tdecom, is an important parameter for investigating the thermal stability of chemicals. A novel method is...     

Chromenone-based GSK-3β inhibitors as potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases: In silico study,molecular dynamics,and ADMET profiles

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) regulates glycogen metabolism and many different cellulars, including apoptosis, signaling, and neural. It is a crucial therapeutic receptor in heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's. In this study, using computational methods, flavonoid compounds were investigated for potential inhibitors against GSK-3β. Virtual screening was utilized to investigate flavonoid compounds obtained from the PubChem database. Structure of human heart mitochondria of GSK-3β receptor constructed by homology modeling. Best binding poses were discovered via in silico molecular docking simulation. We surveyed noncovalent interactions among amino acid residues involved in the active site of the modeled Protein and compounds via molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD).Moreover, ADMET characteristics of best docking conformers have been investigated. The obtained results revealed that compound 1 containing chromenone moiety with binding energy H-bond ?11.4 kcal/mol inhibited effectively binding pocket of the GSK-3β receptor. Moreover, MD simulation analysis (RMSD and radius of gyration indicated complex of the compound and GSK-3β receptor remained stable throughout 100 ns MD simulation, and also analysis of ADMET profiles revealed that selected compounds had good drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. Hence, it was suggested that compounds with chromenone scaffold could potentially inhibit GSK-3β. Structural modification of the chromenone derivatives may result in the discovery of promising candidates for identifying novel drugs as GSK-3β inhibitors.     

A thienoquinoxaline and a styryl-quinoxaline as new fluorescent probes for amyloid-β fibrils

Simple and easy to prepare quinoxaline derivatives proved able to stain amyloid fibers such as aggregated lysozyme and Aβ(1-40)-peptide by a fluorescence “turn on” mechanism. Thienoquinoxaline 1 allowed the detection of lysozyme and Aβ(1-40) fibers at λ = 555 and 532 nm, respectively, with excitation at λ = 450 nm. Styryl-quinoxaline 2 stained lysozyme and Aβ(1-40) fibers with fluorescence at λ = 579 and 567 nm, respectively, upon excitation at λ = 453 nm. The apparent K_d values for Aβ(1-40) fibers were 77 and 294 nM for 1 and 2, respectively. The sensitivity of the aggregates detection assay with these new dyes was higher than that of thioflavin T. Considering their unique fluorescence properties compared to other dyes reported in the field, they can be considered as additional staining tools for the detection and studies of peptide/protein aggregation.     

Amyloid-β oligomers regulate the properties of human neural stem cells through GSK-3β signaling

Alzheimer''s disease (AD) is the most common cause of age-related dementia. The neuropathological hallmarks of AD include extracellular deposition of amyloid-β peptides and neurofibrillary tangles that lead to intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain. Soluble amyloid-β oligomers are the primary pathogenic factor leading to cognitive impairment in AD. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are able to self-renew and give rise to multiple neural cell lineages in both developing and adult central nervous systems. To explore the relationship between AD-related pathology and the behaviors of NSCs that enable neuroregeneration, a number of studies have used animal and in vitro models to investigate the role of amyloid-β on NSCs derived from various brain regions at different developmental stages. However, the Aβ effects on NSCs remain poorly understood because of conflicting results. To investigate the effects of amyloid-β oligomers on human NSCs, we established amyloid precursor protein Swedish mutant-expressing cells and identified cell-derived amyloid-β oligomers in the culture media. Human NSCs were isolated from an aborted fetal telencephalon at 13 weeks of gestation and expanded in culture as neurospheres. Human NSCs exposure to cell-derived amyloid-β oligomers decreased dividing potential resulting from senescence through telomere attrition, impaired neurogenesis and promoted gliogenesis, and attenuated mobility. These amyloid-β oligomers modulated the proliferation, differentiation and migration patterns of human NSCs via a glycogen synthase kinase-3β-mediated signaling pathway. These findings contribute to the development of human NSC-based therapy for AD by elucidating the effects of Aβ oligomers on human NSCs.     

A protocol for an asymmetric synthesis of γ-amino acids

A new and practical method for the asymmetric synthesis of γ-amino acids from β,γ-butenolides by an in situ esterification, condensation, and reduction in a one-pot procedure is described. This method is quite general for the preparation of both enantiomers of aryl or aliphatic γ-amino acids in high yields. These γ-amino-acid derivatives were also shown to be versatile synthetic intermediates for further transformations by their conversion to γ-lactams, δ-amino alcohols, and hydrolysis products in high yields with no racemization.     

A simple protocol for the synthesis of α-substituted phosphonates

An efficient, easy-to-handle, and mild substitution reaction approach has been developed for the synthesis of phosphonate derivatives, which are very important in the field of industrial, agricultural, and medicinal chemistry. A large number of nucleophiles, including arylamines, alkylamines, heteroarylamines, primary amines and secondary amines, sulfides, and carbides were attempted to react with α-tosyloxyphosphonate 1. The reaction proceeded under catalyst-free and neat conditions and the corresponding phosphonates 2 were afforded in good yields.     

A novel fluorogenic probe for monoamine oxidase assays

Monoamine oxidase is flavoenzymes, widely distributed in mammals. It is well recognized that MAOs serve an important role in metabolism that they have close relationship with health .Along with the discoveries between MAOs and neurotic disease, more and more studies have been jumped in .In this paper, we design a new probe for assaying the activities of MAOs. The results showed that the probe [7-（3-aminopropoxy）coumarin] is simple, effective and sensitive for MAOB.     

A new synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides for aids chemotherapy

Dideoxynucleosides were prepared in high optical purity from L-glutamic acid. The condensation reactions between activated 2,3-dideoxypentofuranoses and silylated purines or pyrimidines afforded separable β/α mixtures of dideoxynucleosides.     

Determination of comprehensive in silico determinants as a strategy for identification of novel PI3Kα inhibitors

Structural Chemistry - The PI3KCA gene functions by activating cascade signaling pathways leading to cell proliferation, survival, and growth. Being one of the frequently aberrant kinase in various...     

Structure-based approach for identification of novel phenylboronic acids as serine-β-lactamase inhibitors

β-Lactamases are bacterial enzymes conferring resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in clinically-relevant pathogens, and represent relevant drug targets. Recently, the identification of new boronic acids (i.e. RPX7009) paved the way to the clinical application of these molecules as potential drugs. Here, we screened in silico a library of ~1400 boronic acids as potential AmpC β-lactamase inhibitors. Six of the most promising candidates were evaluated in biochemical assays leading to the identification of potent inhibitors of clinically-relevant β-lactamases like AmpC, KPC-2 and CTX-M-15. One of the selected compounds showed nanomolar K _i value with the clinically-relevant KPC-2 carbapenemase, while another one exhibited broad spectrum inhibition, being also active on Enterobacter AmpC and the OXA-48 class D carbapenemase.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Sulfonamide diuretics revisited--old leads for new applications?

Sulfonamide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, quinethazone, metolazone, chlorthalidone, indapamide, furosemide and bumetanide were tested as inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1). These drugs were discovered in a period when only isoform CA II was known and considered physiologically/pharmacologically relevant. We prove here that although acting as moderate to weak inhibitors of CA II, all these drugs considerably inhibit other isozymes known nowadays to be involved in critical physiologic processes, among the 16 CAs present in vertebrates. Some low nanomolar/subnanomolar inhibitors against such isoforms were detected, such as among others metolazone against CA VII, XII and XIII, chlorthalidone against CA VB, VII, IX, XII and XIII, indapamide against CA VII, IX, XII and XIII, furosemide against CA I, II and XIV, and bumethanide against CA IX and XII. The X-ray crystal structure of the CA II-indapamide adduct was also resolved at high resolution, and the binding of this sulfonamide to the enzyme was compared to that of dichlorophenamide, sulpiride and a pyridinium containing sulfonamide. Indapamide binds to CA II in a manner not seen earlier for any other CA inhibitor, which might be important for the design of compounds with a different inhibition profile.     

A multiscale study on photophysical properties of a novel fluorescent probe for imaging amyloid-β in Alzheimer's disease

Detection of amyloid-β deposition in the brain region is of significant importance for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the last few decades, the fluorescent imaging technique has been considered an effective tool for detecting amyloid-β plaques due to its safety, sensitivity, and operability. Thus, numerous fluorescent probes for amyloid-β have been developed. The design of a probe with high selectivity and improved sensing performance requires knowledge about the potential binding sites for the probe in amyloid-β and local microstructure of the probe in different sites. In this study, amyloid-β-specific photophysical properties of a novel fluorescent probe (cis-PAD-1) are theoretically investigated by using multiscale simulations, including molecular docking and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations. Binding profile of cis-PAD-1 in amyloid-β has been simulated, and binding affinity of the probe in various sites is calculated. An excited-state property study on cis-PAD-1 illustrates that the probe shows remarkable fluorescence enhancement in amyloid-β due to the influence of the microenvironment, which is consistent with the experimental observation. Most importantly, two-photon absorption cross section of the probe is greatly increased in the near-infrared region when targeting with amyloid-β owing to the enhanced transition dipole moment. Therefore, one can propose the usage of cis-PAD-1 as an excellent candidate in two-photon fluorescent imaging for amyloid-β. The detailed investigations provide information on the development and design strategy of a new fluorescent probe for amyloid-β imaging in AD.     

Identify promising IKK-β inhibitors: A docking-based 3D-QSAR study combining molecular design and molecular dynamics simulation

Inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase subunit beta (IKK-β), a specific regulator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), is considered a valid target to design novel drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis and various cancers. In this study, in order to design and then identify promising compounds targeting IKK-β, a series of reported IKK-β inhibitors were used to develop 3D-QSAR models. Docking-based and minimization-based poses were generated for model construction. CoMSIA model #8 based on docking poses was selected due to its satisfactory internal and external validation results and the sufficient information delivery capability. After a contour map analysis, 41 new designs were depicted based on a graphical design scheme and 25 of them were assessed as eligible for screening. Compound 21MX007 has aroused our attention for its both competitive QSAR-prediction and docking-scoring result. Detailed docking interactions of 21MX007-protein complex were investigated via a deep analysis of docking results and a comparative molecular dynamics simulation. Strong interactions and an extra hydrogen bond which echoes the H-bond requirements of substituent acquired from the design scheme were observed. From MD analysis, 21MX007-protein system was tested. The system was proved to have good stability in terms of a downward trend of RMSD and Rg values and a continuous and stable H-bond interaction and a lower average binding free energy. Thus, compound 21MX007 was successfully identified as a promising IKK-β inhibitor.     

A sulfonating ionic liquid for one-pot pseudo four-component synthesis of novel 3-chlorosulfonyl-δ-sultones: A novel class of fluorescent compounds

An active imidazolium-based ionic liquid mixture was developed for efficient synthesis of some novel 4,6-diaryl-3-(chlorosulfonyl)-1,2-oxathiine-2,2-dioxides (chlorosulfonyl-δ-sultones) from simple acetophenones at room temperature. The ionic liquid mixture acts as a catalyst to condense two molecules of an acetophenone derivative and as a mild sulfonating agent to convert the resulting condensate into 4,6-diaryl-1,2-oxathiine-2,2-dioxides, and finally as a chlorosulfonating reagent to deliver the desired fully unsaturated chlorosulfonyl-δ-sultones in onepot. The products were separated easily from the reaction mixture and showed valuable fluorescence properties. The structures of these products are in good agreement with their ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectral data. All rights reserved.     

A new strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of 2,3-dideoxy-3-fluoro-D-ribofuranose derivatives

The important intermediate for syntheses of various anti-HIV nucleoside analogues, methyl 2,3-dideoxy-3-fluoro-6-O-(p-methylbenzoyl)-a-D-ribofuranoside, was synthesized starting from 2-deoxy-D-ribose in 5 steps with an overall yield of 24%. This strategy can be also used for synthesizing other analogues with various substitutions at 3-C position.     

A new three-component reaction: green synthesis of novel isoindolo[2,1-a]quinazoline derivatives as potent inhibitors of TNF-α

Concurrent construction of five and six membered fused N-heretocyclic ring was achieved via a conceptually new three-component reaction affording 6,6a-dihydroisoindolo[2,1-a]quinazoline-5,11-diones as novel inhibitors of TNF-αin vitro. This represents one of the few examples of direct TNF-α inhibition by small molecules.