Induction of Apoptosis by Ribosome Inactivating Proteins

Apoptotic cell death is a fundamental process in the development and physiological homeostasis of multicellular organisms. It is associated with control of cell numbers in tissues and organs during development, with cell turnover, and with response to infection. Molecules that trigger this process in continuously proliferating cancer cells can be used as chemotherapeutic agents. Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) that inhibit translation in a cell by depurinating (N-glycosidase activity) the 28S rRNA are known to serve as apoptosis inducers. However, the role of depurination activity of the RIPs in apoptosis induction is still controversial. Presently, there are three different hypotheses which propose that depurination is: (1) essential, (2) essential but not the sole factor, or (3) not essential for apoptosis induction. This article reviews various experimental outcomes on the importance of N-glycosidase activity of RIPs in the induction of apoptosis.     

Phase fluctuations in a strongly disordered s-wave NbN superconductor close to the metal-insulator transition

We explore the role of phase fluctuations in a three-dimensional s-wave superconductor, NbN, as we approach the critical disorder for destruction of the superconducting state. Close to critical disorder, we observe a finite gap in the electronic spectrum which persists at temperatures well above T(c). The superfluid density is strongly suppressed at low temperatures and evolves towards a linear-T variation at higher temperatures. These observations provide strong evidence that phase fluctuations play a central role in the formation of a pseudogap state in a disordered s-wave superconductor.     

Development and validation of stability indicating analytical method for Ilaprazole

The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a rapid and simple stability indicating analytical method for estimating Ilaprazole. Ilaprazole was subjected to different stress conditions prescribed by International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) such as hydrolysis, oxidation, photolytic and dry heat degradation conditions. The drug was very susceptible to degradation under hydrolysis and photolytic conditions, less susceptible to oxidation and stable under dry heat degradation condition. An acceptable separation of drug and its degradants was achieved by using a C-18 column and mobile phase composed of ammonium acetate buffer (pH 3.2)—acetonitrile (55: 45, v/v). Flow rate was 1 mL/min and detection wavelength was set at 303 nm. Retention time of drug was found to be 6.6 min and analysis can be completed within 10 min. The method was validated with respect to linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, LOD and LOQ as per ICH. The method was linear (R² = 0.996) in the range of 2.5–250 μg/mL. The recovery was in the range from 99.2–100.2%.     

A pentaquinone-based 4-2 bit photonic encoder

A new pentaquinone-based chemosensor armed with phenolic moieties has been synthesized. The fluorescence behaviour of the chemosensor in the presence of different chemical inputs mimics the functions of a digital encoder.     

Synthesis of p-tert-Butylcalix[4] Arenes with Diester Bridge Spanning the 1,3-(Distal) Positions on the Lower Rim

Abstract

p-tert-Butylcalix[4]crown ether esters have been synthesized in good yield using two synthetic methods.     

Ratiometric sensing of Hg2+ based on the calix[4]arene of partial cone conformation possessing a dansyl moiety

A new fluorescent chemosensor based on the calix[4]arene of partial cone conformation possessing a dansyl moiety has been synthesized. The chemosensor demonstrates selective optical recognition of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) in two contrasting modes. The receptor exhibited ratiometric sensing of Hg(2+) and "ON-OFF" type of fluorescence behavior in the presence of Cu(2+). The compound behaves as a fluorescent molecular switch upon chemical inputs of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) ions.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of bile acid dimers linked with 1,2,3-triazole and bis-beta-lactam

We report herein the synthesis and biological evaluation of bile acid dimers linked through 1,2,3-triazole and bis-beta-lactam. The dimers were synthesized using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of diazido bis-beta-lactams , and terminal alkynes derived from cholic acid/deoxycholic acid in the presence of Cu(i) catalyst (click chemistry). These novel molecules were evaluated in vitro for their antifungal and antibacterial activity. Most of the compounds exhibited significant antifungal as well as antibacterial activity against all the tested fungal and bacterial strains. Moreover, their in vitro cytotoxicities towards HEK-293 and MCF-7 cells were also established.     

Purification and Characterization of the Enzyme Cholesterol Oxidase from a New Isolate of Streptomyces sp.

An extracellular cholesterol oxidase (cho) enzyme was isolated from the Streptomyces parvus, a new source and purified 18-fold by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Specific activity of the purified enzyme was found to be 20 U/mg with a 55 kDa molecular mass. The enzyme was stable at pH 7.2 and 50 °C. The enzyme activity was inhibited in the presence of Pb(2+), Ag(2+), Hg(2+), and Zn(2+) and enhanced in the presence of Mn(2+). The enzyme activity was inhibited by the thiol-reducing reagents (DTT, β-mercaptoethanol), suggesting that disulfide linkage is essential for the enzyme activity. The enzyme activity was found to be maximum in the presence of Triton X-100 and X-114 detergents whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate fully inactivated the enzyme. The enzyme showed moderate stability towards all organic solvents except acetone, benzene, chloroform and the activity increased in the presence of isopropanol and ethanol. The K(m) value for the oxidation of cholesterol by this enzyme was 0.02 mM.