Topologically-Interlocked Minicircles as Probes of DNA Topology and DNA-Protein Interactions

DNA minicircles exist in biological contexts, such as kinetoplast DNA, and are promising components for creating functional nanodevices. They have been used to mimic the topological features of nucleosomal DNA and to probe DNA-protein interactions such as HIV-1 and PFV integrases, and DNA gyrase. Here, we synthesized the topologically-interlocked minicircle rotaxane and catenane inside a frame-shaped DNA origami. These minicircles are 183 bp in length, constitute six individual single-stranded DNAs that are ligated to realize duplex interlocking, and adopt temporary base pairing of single strands for interlocking. To probe the DNA-protein interactions, restriction reactions were carried out on DNAs with different topologies such as free linear duplex or duplex constrained inside origami and free or topologically-interlocked minicircles. Except the free linear duplex, all tested structures were resistant to restriction digestion, indicating that the topological features of DNA, such as flexibility, curvature, and groove orientation, play a major role in DNA-protein interactions.     

Skeletal Transformation Triggered by C−F Bond Activation after Photochemical Rearrangement of Fluorinated [7]Helicenes

Tri- and tetra-fluorinated [7]helicenes are photolabile and undergo a double fluorine atom transfer. Herein, we show that the transferred product further undergoes a skeletal transformation on silica gel. The transformation begins with activation of the allylic C−F bond on the silanol surface. Then, the resulting carbocation readily undergoes a regioselective nucleophilic aromatic substitution with water, depending on the position of the fluorine substituents. Hexafluoro-2-propanol also activated the allylic C−F bond and acted as a nucleophile. These findings support the generation of a highly reactive cationic electrophilic intermediate in the successive transformations involving fluorine atoms.     

Effects of Roxadustat on Erythropoietin Production in the Rat Body

Anemia is a major complication of chronic renal failure. To treat this anemia, prolylhydroxylase domain enzyme (PHD) inhibitors as well as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been used. Although PHD inhibitors rapidly stimulate erythropoietin (Epo) production, the precise sites of Epo production following the administration of these drugs have not been identified. We developed a novel method for the detection of the Epo protein that employs deglycosylation-coupled Western blotting. With protein deglycosylation, tissue Epo contents can be quantified over an extremely wide range. Using this method, we examined the effects of the PHD inhibitor, Roxadustat (ROX), and severe hypoxia on Epo production in various tissues in rats. We observed that ROX increased Epo mRNA expression in both the kidneys and liver. However, Epo protein was detected in the kidneys but not in the liver. Epo protein was also detected in the salivary glands, spleen, epididymis and ovaries. However, both PHD inhibitors (ROX) and severe hypoxia increased the Epo protein abundance only in the kidneys. These data show that, while Epo is produced in many tissues, PHD inhibitors as well as severe hypoxia regulate Epo production only in the kidneys.     

Front Cover: Enhancement of Chiroptical Responses of trans‐Bis[(β‐iminomethyl)naphthoxy]platinum(II) Complexes with Distorted Square Planar Coordination Geometry (ChemistryOpen 4/2022)

The Front Cover shows the comparison of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties of square planar platinum(II) complexes with different coordination geometries. Computational studies have revealed that the distortion of the coordination geometry is key to enhancement of the chiroptical responses of these compounds. More information can be found in the Research Article by Masahiro Ikeshita et al.     

Computer-Aided Detection of Quantitative Signatures for Breast Fibroepithelial Tumors Using Label-Free Multi-Photon Imaging

Fibroadenomas (FAs) and phyllodes tumors (PTs) are major benign breast tumors, pathologically classified as fibroepithelial tumors. Although the clinical management of PTs differs from FAs, distinction by core needle biopsy diagnoses is still challenging. Here, a combined technique of label-free imaging with multi-photon microscopy and artificial intelligence was applied to detect quantitative signatures that differentiate fibroepithelial lesions. Multi-photon excited autofluorescence and second harmonic generation (SHG) signals were detected in tissue sections. A pixel-wise semantic segmentation method using a deep learning framework was used to separate epithelial and stromal regions automatically. The epithelial to stromal area ratio and the collagen SHG signal strength were investigated for their ability to distinguish fibroepithelial lesions. An image segmentation analysis with a pixel-wise semantic segmentation framework using a deep convolutional neural network showed the accurate separation of epithelial and stromal regions. A further investigation, to determine if scoring the epithelial to stromal area ratio and the SHG signal strength within the stromal area could be a marker for differentiating fibroepithelial tumors, showed accurate classification. Therefore, molecular and morphological changes, detected through the assistance of computational and label-free multi-photon imaging techniques, enable us to propose quantitative signatures for epithelial and stromal alterations in breast tissues.     

Studies on palytoxins

The complete structure of palytoxin (1) was elucidated by us in 1982.¹ Our continuous interests in palytoxin led us to examine minor constituents of Okinawan Palythoa tuberculosa. In this paper, we describe successful isolation and structural elucidation of four minor toxins, which were named homopalytoxin (2), bishomopalytoxin (3), neopalytoxin (4) and deoxypalytoxin (5).     

Diarrhetic shellfish toxins

As the causative agents of a new type of shellfish poisoning, named diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, okadaic acid, 35(S)-methylokadaic acid, 7-O-acyl derivatives of 35(S)-methylokadaic acid, two novel polyether lactones named pectenotoxin-1 and -2 have been isolated and had their structures determined. Three pectenotoxin analogues were also present. In addition to the previously identified Dinophysis fortii, D. acuminata was newly suggested as a source of toxins.     

Carbonyl methylenation of easily enolizable ketones

An organometallic reagent prepared from CH₂I₂, Zn, and TiCl₄ is effective for methylenation of the title ketones.     

Synthesis of 4,10-dihydro-4,10-dioxo-1H[1]benzothiopyrano[3,2-B]pyridine and 7-oxo-7,13-dihydro[1]benzothiopyrano[2,3-b]-1,5-benzodiazepine

3-Amino-4H-1-benzothiopyran-4-one (3-aminothiochromone) was easily prepared by reaction of 3-bromo-thiochromen-4-one with sodium azide in methanol-water. Condensation of 3-aminothiochromone with diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate and with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate gave intermediates, which were thermally cyclized to give 4,10-dihydro-4,10-dioxo-1H[1]benzothiopyrano[3,2-b]pyridinecarboxylates. 3-Formyl-thiochromone was condensed with o-phenylenediamine to give 7-oxo-7,13-dihydro[1]benzothiopyrano[2,3-b]-1,5-benzodiazepine.