Acetylcholinesterase complexed with bivalent ligands related to huperzine a: experimental evidence for species-dependent protein-ligand complementarity

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors improve the cognitive abilities of Alzheimer patients. (-)-Huperzine A [(-)-HupA], an alkaloid isolated from the club moss, Huperzia serrata, is one such inhibitor, but the search for more potent and selective drugs continues. Recently, alkylene-linked dimers of 5-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolinone (hupyridone, 1a), a fragment of HupA, were shown to serve as more potent inhibitors of AChE than (-)-HupA and monomeric 1a. We soaked two such dimers, (S,S)-(-)-bis(10)-hupyridone [(S,S)-(-)-2a] and (S,S)-(-)-bis(12)-hupyridone [(S,S)-(-)-2b] containing, respectively, 10 and 12 methylenes in the spacer, into trigonal TcAChE crystals, and solved the X-ray structures of the resulting complexes using the difference Fourier technique, both to 2.15 A resolution. The structures revealed one HupA-like 1a unit bound to the "anionic" subsite of the active-site, near the bottom of the active-site gorge, adjacent to Trp84, as seen for the TcAChE/(-)-HupA complex, and the second 1a unit near Trp279 in the "peripheral" anionic site at the top of the gorge, both bivalent molecules thus spanning the active-site gorge. The results confirm that the increased affinity of the dimeric HupA analogues for AChE is conferred by binding to the two "anionic" sites of the enzyme. Inhibition data show that (-)-2a binds to TcAChE approximately 6-7- and > 170-fold more tightly than (-)-2b and (-)-HupA, respectively. In contrast, previous data for rat AChE show that (-)-2b binds approximately 3- and approximately 2-fold more tightly than (-)-2a and (-)-HupA, respectively. Structural comparison of TcAChE with rat AChE, as represented by the closely related mouse AChE structure (1maa.pdb), reveals a narrower gorge for rat AChE, a perpendicular alignment of the Tyr337 ring to the gorge axis, and its conformational rigidity, as a result of hydrogen bonding between its hydroxyl group and that of Tyr341, relative to TcAChE Phe330. These structural differences in the active-site gorge explain the switch in inhibitory potency of (-)-2a and 2b and the larger dimer/(-)-HupA potency ratios observed for TcAChE relative to rat AChE. The results offer new insights into factors affecting protein-ligand complementarity within the gorge and should assist the further development of improved AChE inhibitors.     

Recombinant cell bioassay systems for the detection and relative quantitation of halogenated dioxins and related chemicals

Proper epidemiological, risk assessment and exposure analysis of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, dioxin) and related halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) requires accurate measurements of these chemicals both in the species of interest and in various exposure matrices (i.e. biological, environmental, food and feed). High-resolution instrumental analysis techniques are established for these chemicals, however, these procedures are very costly and time-consuming and as such, they are impractical for large scale sampling studies (i.e. for epidemiological studies and assessment of areas with widespread contamination). Accordingly, numerous bioanalytical methods have been developed for the detection of these chemicals in extracts from a variety of matrices, the majority of which take advantage of the ability of these chemicals to activate the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the AhR signal transduction pathway. Here we review the currently available in vitro AhR-based cell bioassay systems with a focus on recent recombinant reporter gene cell lines that have been developed for detection and relative quantitation of TCDD and related HAHs. Comparison of the relative sensitivities of the various cell bioassays and examples of their use in screening and analysis of environmental, biological, and food and feed samples are presented. Currently available experimental results and validation studies demonstrate the utility of these cell bioassay systems to provide a relatively rapid, accurate, and cost effective screening approach for the detection of TCDD and related HAHs in a variety of environmental, biological, food and feed samples. The availability of these cell bioassay systems will not only facilitate the large scale sampling studies needed for accurate assessment of contamination and exposure to these environmental chemicals, but they provide avenues for the identification of novel classes of TCDD-like chemicals.     

Binding Aedes aegypti densonucleosis virus to ion exchange membranes

Experimental and numerical results for binding Aedes aegypti densonucleosis virus (AeDNV) using anion and cation exchange membranes are presented. AeDNV particles are adsorbed by anion and cation exchange membranes providing the virus particles and membranes are oppositely charged. Q membranes which are strongly basic anion exchangers were the most effective. Dynamic and static capacities for Q membranes were found to be similar. A numerical model is proposed which assumes a log normal pore size distribution. By estimating the required parameters from static binding experiments, the model may be used to calculate the breakthrough curve for virus adsorption.     

Differential effects of Fas cross-linking on phospholipase D activation and related lipid metabolism in Fas-resistant A20 cells

A20 murine lymphoma cells undergoing Fas-mediated apoptosis showed increase in the activity of phospholipase D (PLD), which is involved in proliferative or mitogenic cellular responses. Using A20 cell lines that were resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis, we investigated the differential effects of Fas cross-linking on PLD activity and sphingolipid metabolism. The basal PLD activities in all of the selected three Fas-resistant clones (#5, #8, and #11) were about 2~4 folds higher than that of wild type A20 cells. Among the PLD isoforms, PLD2 expression was increased in all of the selected Fas-resistant clones. The Fas downstream signaling events triggered by Fas cross-linking, including the activations of PLD, phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC), sphingomyelinase (SMase), the increase in diacylglycerol (DAG) and protein phosphorylation levels, and the translocation of protein kinase C to membrane were not changed in both of Fas-resistant clone #5 and #8. In contrast, Fas cross-linking stimulated the activity of PLD, PC-PLC, and SMase, translocation of PKC, and protein phosphorylation in Fas-resistant clone #11, similar to that of wild type cells. We also found that clone #11 had a different Fas sequence encoding Fas B which has been known to inhibit Fas-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that increased PLD2 expression resulting in increased basal PLD activity and the blockade of Fas downstream signaling cascades may be involved to limit apoptosis induced by Fas cross-linking.     

Roles of TNF-alpha and IgE in the late phase of contact hypersensitivity induced by trimellitic anhydride

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) is widely used industrially to make epoxy and alkyd resins, plasticizers and surfactants. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is induced by repeated TMA challenge and the role of TNF-alpha and IgE in the TMA-induced CHS. The repetition of the challenge enlarged the extent of an early and a late phase of CHS in TNF-alpha+/+ (B6129SF2/J) and Balb/c mice. In the late phase of TMA-induced CHS, the peak of ear swelling responses by single challenge showed at 24 h after challenge, but the peak was observed at 8 h after repeated challenge. In the TNF-alpha knockout TNF-alpha-/- (B6;129S-Tnftm1Gk1) mice, the repetition of the TMA challenges enlarged the extent of the late phase of CHS, but less than those in TNF-alpha+/+ mice. Injection of anti-TNF-alpha antibody into the peritoneal cavity of Balb/c mice significantly decreased the extent of the late phase of CHS. Subcutaneous injection of anti-IgE antibody into Balb/c mice also decreased the extent of the late phase of CHS in dose-dependent manner. Histologically, infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and eosinophils was more pronounced in repeatedly TMA-challenged TNF-alpha+/+ and Balb/c mice than in the TNF-alpha-/- mice and anti-TNF-alpha or anti-IgE antibodies treated Balb/c mice. These results indicate that mice sensitized by TMA could possibly offer a useful model to study the mechanism of CHS, and TNF-alpha and IgE may act as potential modulators in the late phase of TMA-induced CHS. Neutralization of TNF-alpha and IgE by anti-TNF-alpha or anti-IgE antibodies may provide therapeutic tools for the treatment of TMA-induced CHS.     

Crystal Structure,Electrochemical Properties and Third-order Nonlinear Optical Response of 4-Methyloxy benzaldehyde Thiosemicarbazone and Its Copper(Ⅱ)Complex

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Detection of cryptic Y chromosome mosaicism by coamplification PCR with archived cytogenetic slides of suspected Turner syndrome

Turner syndrome is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities. It is known that the Y chromosome or Y derived material is present in 6-9% of TS patient and it may develop a high risk of gonadoblastoma in 15-25%. So it is crucial to carry out cyto genetic analysis and Y-specific probe studies for all persons with gonadal dysgenesis to rule out mosaicism with Y-bearing cell line; eg 45,X/46,XY. In this study, 26 archival slides previously analyzed cytogenetically as 45,X, 45,X/46,X,i(X), 45,X/46,X,r(X), and 45,X/46,XX were examined. Coamplification PCR, having the advantage of providing rapid result and confirming PCR failure, was performed with the slide samples in the regions of dystrophin gene in Xp21and DYZ3 in the Y centromeric region. All of archived slides were positive for X-specific gene and one slide of 45,X was found to have the cryptic Y chromosome material. Our result suggests that the archived cytogenetic slides could be applied for the detection of Y chromosome rapidly and efficiently in TS patients.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the pyridinolysis of phenacyl bromides in acetonitrile

Kinetic studies of the reactions of substituted phenacyl bromides (YC6H4COCH2Br) with pyridines (XC5H4N) are carried out in acetonitrile at 45.0 degrees C. A biphasic Bronsted plot is obtained with a change in slope from a large (betaX approximately equals 0.65-0.80) to a small (betaX approximately 0.36-0.40) value at pKa = 3.2-3.6, which can be attributed to a change in the rate-determining step from breakdown to formation of a tetrahedral intermediate in the reaction path as the basicity of the pyridine nucleophile increases. This mechanism is supported by the faster rates with pyridines than with anilines and the change of cross-interaction constant rhoXY from a large positive (rhoXY = +1.4) to a small positive (rhoXY approximately +0.1) value. The large magnitude of Hammett rhoX (= -5.5 to -6.9) values for the pyridines with electron-withdrawing substituents and positive deviations of the pi-acceptors, p-CH3CO and p-CN, are quite similar to those for the pyridinium ion formation equilibria. The activation parameters are also in line with the proposed mechanism.     

Copper-mediated synthesis of N-acyl vinylogous carbamic acids and derivatives: synthesis of the antibiotic CJ-15,801

[reaction: see text] Copper(I)-mediated C-N bond formation has been employed to prepare both N-acyl vinylogous carbamic acids and ureas. The novel N-acyl vinylogous carbamic acid antibiotic, CJ-15,801, was synthesized using this methodology.     

Single-crystalline LaB6 nanowires

Lanthanum hexaboride nanowires produced by chemical vapor deposition are single-crystalline and grown along the [111] direction. Streaks appearing in the electron diffraction spots indicate the lateral direction perpendicular to the nanowire growth axis.