New Insights on Rotenone Resistance of Complex I Induced by the m.11778G>A/MT-ND4 Mutation Associated with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

The finding that the most common mitochondrial DNA mutation m.11778G>A/MT-ND4 (p.R340H) associated with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) induces rotenone resistance has produced a long-standing debate, because it contrasts structural evidence showing that the ND4 subunit is far away from the quinone-reaction site in complex I, where rotenone acts. However, recent cryo-electron microscopy data revealed that rotenone also binds to the ND4 subunit. We investigated the possible structural modifications induced by the LHON mutation and found that its amino acid replacement would disrupt a possible hydrogen bond between native R340 and Q139 in ND4, thereby destabilizing rotenone binding. Our analysis thus explains rotenone resistance in LHON patients as a biochemical signature of its pathogenic effect on complex I.     

Enriching the Arsenal of Pharmacological Tools against MICAL2

Molecule interacting with CasL 2 (MICAL2), a cytoskeleton dynamics regulator, are strongly expressed in several human cancer types, especially at the invasive front, in metastasizing cancer cells and in the neo-angiogenic vasculature. Although a plethora of data exist and stress a growing relevance of MICAL2 to human cancer, it is worth noting that only one small-molecule inhibitor, named CCG-1423 (1), is known to date. Herein, with the aim to develop novel MICAL2 inhibitors, starting from CCG-1423 (1), a small library of new compounds was synthetized and biologically evaluated on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and on renal cell adenocarcinoma (786-O) cells. Among the novel compounds, 10 and 7 gave interesting results in terms of reduction in cell proliferation and/or motility, whereas no effects were observed in MICAL2-knocked down cells. Aside from the interesting biological activities, this work provides the first structure–activity relationships (SARs) of CCG-1423 (1), thus providing precious information for the discovery of new MICAL2 inhibitors.     

1‐(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐benzimidazolones,a new series of heterocyclic derivatives

New 1‐(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐benzimidazolone derivatives were obtained on pursuing research about new tricyclic derivatives of medicinal interest, bearing a 1,2,3‐triazole ring fused with another heterocyclic ring. 1‐[(5‐Carboxamido)‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl]‐benzimidazolone was prepared by four different chemical routes and it was unequivocally confirmed by spectroscopic methods. Its chemical behaviour, was evaluated by some common chemical reactions such as hydrolysis, esterification, decarboxylation, nitration and N‐methylation.     

Cosmic Entropy from the Bosonic String?

In Kaluza-Klein models, the compactification ofa high number of extra spatial dimensions generatesentropy in the observable four-dimensional universe. AKaluza–Klein cosmological model recently derived from the bosonic string theory in the limit ofan infinite number of extra dimensions is compared withthe available data from the observations of cosmicmicrowave background anisotropies.     

A facile “one pot” synthesis of 2,9-disubstituted 8-azapurin-6-ones (3,5-disubstituted 7-hydroxy-3H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidines)

A series of title compounds have been synthesized by utilising benzylazide, cyanoacetamide, ethyl or methyl esters of aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acids and sodium ethoxide as catalyst.     

Justification de la méthode fonctionnelle pour les courbes gauches

Sans résumé (1) Le contenu de cet article représente le thèse de Doctorat de l'auteur. Pendant sa préparation l'auteur a été boursier du Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (I) et ensuite du Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione (I). Je remercie mes parents pour leur soutien constant.     

GC-FID/MS method for the impurity profiling of synthetic d-allethrin

A GC/FID/MS method was developed for the identification and quantification of d-allethrin (DA) and its major impurities in commercial samples. Optimisation of the experimental conditions was carried out considering such important requirements as resolution, reproducibility, detection limits of 0.1% (m/m) for the impurities, and short analysis time. Under the optimised final conditions the method was validated for specificity, precision (CV% = 0.133 at 2.10 mg/mL and CV% = 0.035 at 3.00 mg/mL), linearity (0-3.00 microg injected), limits of detection (0.09 ng injected) and quantitation (0.28 ng injected), and robustness. The DA related impurities were identified by using a GC/MS method with ion trap mass detection and also by comparison with synthesised standards. The most abundant impurities were crysolactone, allethrolone, chrysanthemic acid, and chloro-derivatives of DA.     

Assessment of systematic errors in measurement of vapor pressures by thermogravimetric analysis

The present study explores the application of the diffusion limited evaporation theory to the estimation of vapor pressure from TG experimental data. A simplified method was developed to calculate the apparent values of the vapor pressure of pure substances from TG data, based on isothermal TG runs with crucibles having different surface areas available for evaporation. Antoine parameters are estimated through a numerical procedure based on a non-linear least square algorithm. The procedure also evaluates the substance diffusivity in nitrogen. The methodology developed might be used for a preliminary screening of the vapor pressure of pure compounds, due to the limited amounts of sample that are necessary and to the limited time frame required for the experimental runs. However, the estimation of diffusivity and vapor pressures values by the TG technique is possible with limited accuracy. Possible sources of error were thoroughly investigated and discussed.     

A rapid method to determine plasma homocysteine concentration and enrichment by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardio- and/or cerebrovascular diseases. Many methods are used to measure plasma homocysteine levels in physiological fluids. Current gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) methods allow determination not only of plasma homocysteine concentration, but also of its turnover. However, they have some methodological limitations due to the reduction of disulfide bonds between homocysteine and other thiols or proteins often requiring the use of several very toxic compounds or multi-step procedures that are particularly time-consuming, and/or utilize expensive instruments. Herein is described a rapid and precise GS/MS method to determine homocysteine turnover from a relatively low volume of plasma (200 microL). First disulfide bonds were reduced by 2-mercaptoethanol, which allows the maintenance of the reduced status preventing the rebuilding of the disulfide bond. Then the sample was derivatized to form the bis-tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivative. A deuterated internal standard, DL-[3,3,3',3',4,4,4',4'-2H8]-homocystine, was employed to account for losses associated with each analytical step. To evaluate the 'in vivo' homocysteine metabolic turnover, [1-13C]-methionine was infused and the derived [1-13C]-homocysteine quantitated. So a standard curve of [1-13C]-homocysteine was prepared by the decomposition of the [1-13C] methionine. The ions at m/z 325 and 326 were monitored, corresponding to the unlabeled [12C]-homocysteine and to labeled [13C]-homocysteine, respectively. The ion at m/z 325 ([M-114)]+) probably resulted from the loss of one derivatizing group to regenerate a free amino group. The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV-intra%) was consistently less than 1.06%, the inter-assay (CV-inter%) less than 1.05%. The method described here seems to be simpler, more rapid, and less toxic than those published so far. In particular, its main strength appears to be the degree of precision obtained. We suggest applying this method to the measurement of the 'in vivo' rate of production of homocysteine (by the plasma 13C-homocysteine enrichment) from its precursor (13C-methionine).     

Surface and electrocatalytic properties of well-defined and vicinal RuO2 single crystal faces

The kinetics of Cl₂ evolution from concentrated NaCl solutions on the (110) and (230) faces of RuO₂ single crystals has been investigated by determining the Tafel slope, the stoichiometric number and the reaction orders with respect to Cl^– and H⁺. The experimental parameters suggest that the mechanism is presumably similar to that put forward earlier by Krishtalik [51] for RuO₂ layers, but a step common to oxygen evolution, like the case of polycrystalline samples, is present only with the (230) face. Reasons for this difference and for the apparent lower activity of the (110) face with respect to the (230) are discussed. A detailed analysis of the surface behavior of the two faces in Cl^– free acid and alkaline solutions has also been carried out by cyclic voltammetry.Dedicated to Professor G. Horanyi on the occasion of his 70th birthday