The anti-HIV potential of imidazole,oxazole and thiazole hybrids: A mini-review

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) especially HIV-1 infection and its progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains a significant global health challenge. The advent of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has greatly extended the life expectancy of patients living with HIV, but it has become evident that long-term HAART will not eliminate the HIV reservoir and cure the infection. Moreover, the drug resistance and undesirable side effects hamper efficacious therapy, creating an urgent need to develop novel, more effective and less toxic anti-HIV therapeutics. Imidazole, oxazole and thiazole with two heteroatoms at meta-position of five-membered rings are fascinating structures and constitute an important class of heterocycles in drug discovery. Their derivatives could exert the anti-HIV activity through diverse mechanisms and possess promising antiviral activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant HIV strains. This review summarizes the research progress made regarding the anti-HIV potential of imidazole, oxazole and thiazole hybrids, and the structure–activity relationships (SARs) are also discussed to facilitate further rational design of more effective candidates, covering articles published from 2012 to 2022.     

Global quantification of phosphoproteins combining metabolic labeling and gel‐based proteomics in B. pumilus

Differential proteomics targeting the protein abundance is commonly used to follow changes in biological systems. Differences in localization and degree of post‐translational modifications of proteins including phosphorylations are of tremendous interest due to the anticipated role in molecular regulatory processes. Because of their particular low abundance in prokaryotes, identification and quantification of protein phosphorylation is traditionally performed by either comparison of spot intensities on two‐dimensional gels after differential phosphoprotein staining or gel‐free by stable isotope labeling, sequential phosphopeptide enrichment and following LC‐MS analysis. In the current work, we combined in a proof‐of‐principle experiment these techniques using ¹⁴N/¹⁵N metabolic labeling with succeeding protein separation on 2D gels. The visualization of phosphorylations on protein level by differential staining was followed by protein identification and determination of phosphorylation sites and quantification by LC‐MS/MS. This approach should avoid disadvantages of traditional workflows, in particular the limited capability of peptide‐based gel‐free methods to quantify isoforms of proteins. Comparing control and stress conditions allowed for relative quantification in protein phosphorylation in Bacillus pumilus exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Altogether, we quantified with this method 19 putatively phosphorylated proteins.     

A Hierarchical Coding Strategy for Live Cell Imaging of Protein‐Specific Glycoform

Live cell imaging of protein‐specific glycoforms holds great promise for revolutionizing the study of glycochemistry. The imaging protocols developed thus far build upon the paired interplay of probe units, thus limiting the number of monosaccharide identification channels. A hierarchical coding (HieCo) imaging strategy, with DNA coding and decoding of protein and monosaccharides executed in fidelity to the hierarchical order of target glycoprotein, is reported herein and features expandable monosaccharide identification channels. A proof‐of‐concept protocol has been developed for MUC1‐specific imaging of terminal sialic acid (Sia) and fucose (Fuc) on MCF‐7, T47D, MDA‐MB‐231, and PANC‐1 cells, revealing distinct monosaccharide patterns for four types of cells. The protocol also permits dynamic monitoring of changes in MUC1‐specific monosaccharide patterns associated with both the alteration of cellular physiological states and the occurrence of a biologically important process.     

Comparative metabolic profiling of Costus speciosus leaves and rhizomes using NMR,GC-MS and UPLC/ESI-MS/MS

Costus speciosus had been used in oriental systems of medicines, to treat diverse ailments. The present study was focused on NMR, GC-MS and UPLC/ESI-MS/MS-based metabolic profiling of C. speciosus. This metabolic study resulted in the identification of 91 and quantification of 69 metabolites. Caffeic acid derivatives previously unreported in C. speciosus were also identified. High quantity of steroidal saponins namely methyl protogracillin (297.97 ± 0.07 mg/g dried wt.) and dioscin (158.72 ± 0.27 mg/g dried wt.) were observed in butanol fraction of rhizomes. Health care metabolites including caffeic acid (37.88 ± 0.04 mg/g dried wt.) and trehalose (75.12 ± 0.08 mg/g dried wt.) were also detected in ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of rhizomes, respectively. Metabolites of nutraceutical and biological significance including eremanthine (5.14 ± 0.68%, peak area), tocopherols (~22%), sterols (~25%) were also identified from hexane fractions of rhizomes and leaves using GC-MS. The analytical techniques used had successfully differentiated metabolites composition among leaves and rhizomes.     

A MELAS syndrome family harboring two mutations in mitochondrial genome

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous mitochondrial disorder with variable clinical symptoms. Here, from the sequencing of the entire mitochondrial genome, we report a Korean MELAS family harboring two homoplasmic missense mutations, which were reported 9957T>C (Phe251Leu) transition mutation in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 (COX3) gene and a novel 13849A>C (Asn505His) transversion mutation in the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) gene. Neither of these mutations was found in 205 normal controls. Both mutations were identified from the proband and his mother, but not his father. The patients showed cataract symptom in addition to MELAS phenotype. We believe that the 9957T>C mutation is pathogenic, however, the 13849A>C mutation is of unclear significance. It is likely that the 13849A>C mutation might function as the secondary mutation which increase the expressivity of overlapping phenotypes of MELAS and cataract. This study also demonstrates the importance of full sequencing of mtDNA for the molecular genetic understanding of mitochondrial disorders.     

Biomarkers based on multiplatform comprehensive analysis: A systematic analysis of Geng-Nian-Shu in perimenopausal syndrome

Although Geng-Nian-Shu has been shown to be clinically effective in perimenopausal syndrome, its active components and mechanism have not yet been elucidated. To demonstrate the mechanism-based biomarkers of Geng-Nian-Shu in treating perimenopausal syndrome, a total of 135 chemical constituents including 52 prototype blood constituents were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight/mass spectrometry. Then, network pharmacology showed significant enrichment for the PhosphoInositide-3 Kinase/Akt pathway, suggesting that it may be the main regulatory pathway for the Geng-Nian-Shu treatment of the perimenopausal syndrome. Subsequently, multivariate analysis was performed between the Geng-Nian-Shu sham-treated and Geng-Nian-Shu ovariectomy-treated groups and further screened out 18 prototype blood constituents by correlation analysis with plasma estrogen levels to identify potential biomarkers associated with Geng-Nian-Shu treat the ovariectomy-induced perimenopausal syndrome. Finally, the results of pharmacological experimental verification and Pearson correlation analysis indicated that catalpol, ligustilide, paeoniflorin, and gallic acid were selected as biomarkers of Geng-Nian-Shu which were strongly and positively correlated with PhosphoInositide-3 Kinase/Akt signaling pathway. In this study, based on high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight/mass spectrometry combined with pharmacodynamics, network pharmacology, pharmacology, and other disciplines, we explored the effects and mechanisms of Geng-Nian-Shu in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome at multiple levels. Using multiplatform technology to investigate the role of Geng-Nian-Shu represents a new strategy for the selection and verification of biomarkers of Geng-Nian-Shu and provides a basis for further development and utilization of Geng-Nian-Shu.     

糖皮质激素受体蛋白在OSAHS患儿腺样体和扁桃体中的表达及临床意义

目的探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）患儿腺样体及扁桃体组织中糖皮质激素受体（GR）α和β蛋白的表达情况及临床意义。方法收集103例中重度OSAHS患儿的腺样体组织,69例中重度OSAHS患儿的扁桃体组织,20例成人慢性鼻咽炎鼻咽部组织,13例成人慢性扁桃体炎扁桃体组织,应用免疫组化SP法检测腺样体、扁桃体和鼻咽部组织中GRα和GRβ蛋白的表达情况,并作比较分析。结果所有的腺样体、扁桃体、鼻咽部组织中均存在不同程度的GRα和GRβ蛋白表达,在腺样体组织中GRα呈高表达,在扁桃体、鼻咽部组织中GRβ呈高表达。在伴或不伴过敏性鼻炎,伴或不伴慢性鼻窦炎,伴或不伴分泌性中耳炎的OSAHS患儿间比较,其腺样体和扁桃体组织中GRα、GRβ蛋白表达及GRα/GRβ均无统计学差异（均P＞0.05）。中、重度OSAHS患儿间比较,腺样体、扁桃体组织GRα、GRβ蛋白表达及GRα/GRβ均无统计学差异（均P＞0.05）。Ⅱ、Ⅲ度扁桃体肥大的OSAHS患儿间比较,扁桃体组织GRα、GRβ蛋白表达及GRα/GRβ均无统计学差异（均P＞0.05）。结论OSAHS患儿的腺样体组织对糖皮质激素（GC）的敏感性优于扁桃体组织,不同缺氧严重程度患儿间比较,激素受体表达无统计学差异,GC在OSAHS患儿的作用有待深入研究。