Simultaneous detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms and copy number variations in the CYP2D6 gene by multiplex polymerase chain reaction combined with capillary electrophoresis

CYP2D6 (cytochrome P450 2D6) is one of the most important enzymes involved in drug metabolism, and CYP2D6 gene variants may cause toxic effects of therapeutic drugs or treatment failure. In this research, a rapid and simple method for genotyping the most common mutant alleles in the Asian population (CYP2D6*1/*1, CYP2D6*1/*10, CYP2D6*10/*10, CYP2D6*1/*5, CYP2D6*5/*10, and CYP2D6*5/*5) was developed by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis (CE). We designed a second mismatch nucleotide next to the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site in allele-specific primers to increase the difference in PCR amplification. Besides, we established simulation equations to predict the CYP2D6 genotypes by analyzing the DNA patterns in the CE chromatograms. The multiplex PCR combined with CE method was applied to test 50 patients, and all of the test results were compared with the DNA sequencing method, long-PCR method and real-time PCR method. The correlation of the analytical results between the proposed method and other methods were higher than 90%, and the proposed method is superior to other methods for being able to simultaneous detection of SNPs and copy number variations (CNV). Furthermore, we compared the plasma concentration of aripiprazole (a CYP2D6 substrate) and its major metabolites with the genotype of 25 patients. The results demonstrate the proposed genotyping method is effective for estimating the activity of the CYP2D6 enzyme and shows potential for application in personalized medicine. Similar approach can be applied to simultaneous detection of SNPs and CNVs of other genes.     

Highly Efficient Proline Ester‐based Nickel Catalysts for Michael Addition of Thiophenols to α,β‐Enones

Two N₃O₂ pentadentate ligands, BMPP and BPPP, were prepared for synthesizing highly efficient nickel catalysts, [Ni(BMPP)(CH₃CN)](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ) and [Ni(BPPP)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)(ClO₄) ( 2 ), for thia‐Michael addition of thiophenols to α,β‐enones. X‐ray structures of 1 and 2 revealed that a labile CH₃CN molecule was bound to the nickel center of the catalysts. ESI‐MS spectroscopy indicated that thiolate replaced the bound CH₃CN molecule and coordinated to the nickel center during the catalytic cycle.     

Diterpenoids from the Wood of Cunninghamia konishii

Investigation of the wood of Cunninghamia konishii resulted in the isolation and characterization of one new abietane diterpenoid, (6α,7β)‐7,8‐epoxy‐6‐hydroxyabieta‐9(11),13‐dien‐12‐one ( 1 ), and two new labdane diterpenoids, (12R)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(17),13(16),14‐trien‐19‐oic acid ( 2 ) and (12R)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(17),13(16),14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ). The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data.     

Asymmetric Synthesis and Characterization of Chiral 2,2′‐Diamino‐3,3′‐diethoxycarbonyl‐8,8′‐diphenyl‐1,1′‐biazulene

Abstract

rac‐2,2′‐Diamino‐3,3′‐diethoxycarbonyl‐8,8′‐diphenyl‐1,1′‐biazulene was synthesized from diethyl 2‐aminoazulene‐1,3‐dicarboxylate and was optically resolved into two enantiomers of S‐form and R‐form. The enantioselective oxidative couplings with two chiral amines [(?)‐sparteine and (R)‐(+)‐α‐methylbenzylamine] and ferric chloride catalyst, and the asymmetric couplings with two chiral oxovanadium(IV) complexes of ethyl 2‐amino‐4‐phenylazulene‐1‐carboxylate, easily yielded chiral 2,2′‐diamino‐3,3′‐diethoxycarbonyl‐8,8′‐diphenyl‐1,1′‐biazulene. Therefore, the introduction of two phenyl groups at the 8‐ and 8′‐postions of each azulene ring using phenyl magnesium bromide via an addition–oxidation–decarboxylation mechanism resulted in 1,1′‐biazulene forming a chiral C₂ axis.     

The Development of Maillard Reaction,and Advanced Glycation End Product (AGE)-Receptor for AGE (RAGE) Signaling Inhibitors as Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Patients with AGE-Related Diseases

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are generated by nonenzymatic modifications of macromolecules (proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) by saccharides (glucose, fructose, and pentose) via Maillard reaction. The formed AGE molecules can be catabolized and cleared by glyoxalase I and II in renal proximal tubular cells. AGE-related diseases include physiological aging, neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases, diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications, autoimmune/rheumatic inflammatory diseases, bone-degenerative diseases, and chronic renal diseases. AGEs, by binding to receptors for AGE (RAGEs), alter innate and adaptive immune responses to induce inflammation and immunosuppression via the generation of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI). These pathological molecules cause vascular endothelial/smooth muscular/connective tissue-cell and renal mesangial/endothelial/podocytic-cell damage in AGE-related diseases. In the present review, we first focus on the cellular and molecular bases of AGE–RAGE axis signaling pathways in AGE-related diseases. Then, we discuss in detail the modes of action of newly discovered novel biomolecules and phytochemical compounds, such as Maillard reaction and AGE–RAGE signaling inhibitors. These molecules are expected to become the new therapeutic strategies for patients with AGE-related diseases in addition to the traditional hypoglycemic and anti-hypertensive agents. We particularly emphasize the importance of “metabolic memory”, the “French paradox”, and the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic dosing of the effective natural compounds associated with pharmacogenetics in the treatment of AGE-related diseases. Lastly, we propose prospective investigations for solving the enigmas in AGE-mediated pathological effects.     

Seven-step total synthesis of α-cyclopiazonic acid

A seven-step total synthesis of α-cyclopiazonic acid is reported from a commercially available 4-bromoindole.Salient feature of the work is the rapid formation of tetracyclic skeleton via a bioinspired [3+2] annulation to form the C/D rings.     

Optical phase grating diffraction in a quasistatic electric field biased nematic liquid crystal film

Abstract

It is known that an optical phase grating can be obtained when two mutually coherent laser beams overlap in a nematic liquid crystal. This is mainly due to director reorientation which contributes to a large optical non-linearity. It has been suggested by Herman and Serinko that a phase grating could be obtained in nematic liquid crystals if a D.C. field is used to bias it near the critical orientational Freedericksz transition. A homeotropic MBBA film biased by an electric field at 1 kHz has been studied. Two weak Ar⁺ laser beams were incident normally to the film with a small intersection angle (?0·4?). Using the picture of a director reorientation mechanism and a degenerate four wave mixing scheme, we have obtained the dependence of the diffraction beam intensity on that of the incident beam and the strength of the biased electric field. The theoretical prediction and experimental results both show that the phase grating diffraction can be dramatically enhanced by the coupling of the electric field to the optical field in the Freedericksz transition region. This is due to the critical behaviour of the sample at that transition. The prominently improved signal-to-noise ratio is discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of halogen-containing ferroelectric liquid crystals and side chain liquid crystalline polymers

A new series of ferroelectric liquid crystals and side chain liquid crystalline polymers based on halogen-containing chiral centres has been synthesized. Chemical structures were analysed by NMR. Liquid crystal phases were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. The behaviour of the liquid crystalline phases was investigated as a function of spacer units and differing terminal asymmetric moieties. It was found that phase transition temperatures decreased with increasing length of the oligooxyethylene spacer unit. Differing terminal asymmetric moieties led to differing mesophase phenomena. Furthermore, a wide temperature range (including room temperature) of a chiral smectic C phase was achieved.     

Quantification and Optimization of Ethanolic Extract Containing the Bioactive Flavonoids from Millettia pulchra Radix

Millettia pulchra is traditionally used for treating diseases, including joint pain, fever, anemia, and allergies. It is also a potential resource of natural flavonoid derivatives, which represents major constituents of this plant. This study aimed to isolate the major compounds from M. pulchra radix, develop and validate the HPLC-PDA method to determine their contents, and optimize its extraction. Four major flavonoid derivatives (karanjin, lanceolatin B, 2”,2”-dimethylpyrano-[5″,6″:7,8]-flavone, and pongamol) were isolated using silica gel column chromatography, crystallization techniques in large amounts with high purities (>95%). A simple, accurate high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array (HPLC–PDA) detection method has been developed and validated with significantly statistical impacts according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models were employed to predictive performance and optimization of the extraction process. The optimized conditions for the extraction of major flavonoids were: extraction time (twice), solvent/material ratio (9.5), and ethanol concentration (72.5%). Our research suggests an effective method, which will be helpful for quality control in the pharmaceutical development of this species.