Polyelectrolyte behavior and conformation of poly-L-methionine S-methylsulfonium salts in aqueous solution

The influence of the species of counterion on the polyelectrolyte behavior and the conformation of poly-L -methionine S-methylsulfonium salts in aqueous solution was studied by viscometric, electrochemical, and optical measurements. The degree of binding of small counterions to charged polyions increases in the sequence: chloride ? bromide < iodide < thiocyanate. The conformations of chloride and bromide salts are independent of polymer concentration. On the contrary, iodide and thiocyanate salts indicate a conformational transition, probably from a random-coil conformation to an intermolecularly stabilized β-form, with the increase of polymer concentration. The results suggest the existence of a strong specific interaction between counterion and macroion in iodide and thiocyanate salt solutions at high polymer concentration.     

Pharmacokinetic studies of a novel trioxane antimalarial (99/411) in rats and monkeys using LC–MS/MS

The pharmacokinetic profile of 99/411, a novel anti‐malarial drug, was established in rats (12 mg/kg of body weight) and monkeys (20 mg/kg of body weight). Following oral administration, the presence of 99/411 was rapidly determined in rat plasma, tissues, urine, feces and monkey plasma using a validated LC–MS/MS method. The tissue distribution studies in rats indicated that the drug was partially distributed in all major tissues and plasma, and peak concentration levels were achieved within 0.5–4 h. Area under the curve in different rat tissues and plasma was found in order of blood > lung > intestine > heart > muscle > brain > kidney > spleen > liver. The total recoveries (within 86 h) of 99/411 were <0.0017% and <0.08% in urine and feces, respectively. The peak plasma concentration was 3499 ng/mL in rats after ~2 h of oral administration and 697–767 ng/mL in monkeys after ~6 h of oral administration. No plasma accumulation was observed in both male and female monkeys, even after multiple dosing. The preclinical pharmacokinetic profile and tissue distribution data are expected to assist in future clinical explorations of 99/411 as a promising anti‐malarial agent.     

Studies on the syntheses of azole derivatives. Part I. Formation of 1-substituted-3-hydroxy-1H-indazole and I-substituted benzimidazolin-2-one derivatives by thermal reaction of N-substituted-N-arylcarbamoyl azides.

The formation of 1-substituted-3-hydroxy-1H-indazole and 1-substituted-benzimidazolin-2-one derivatives by thermal reaction of N-substituted-N-arylcarbamoyl azides was examined.     

Unified total syntheses of the inositol polyphosphates: D-I-3,5,6P3, D-I-3,4,5P3, D-I-3,4,6P3, and D-I-3,4,5,6P4 via catalytic enantioselective and site-selective phosphorylation

Synthetic routes to various inositol polyphosphates have been discovered utilizing catalytic enantioselective and site-selective phosphorylation reactions. The syntheses described herein exploit a common intermediate to gain efficient access to eight unique inositol polyphosphates.     

Tetraspanin CD9 modulates ADAM17-mediated shedding of LR11 in leukocytes

LR11, also known as SorLA or SORL1, is a type-I membrane protein from which a large extracellular part, soluble LR11 (sLR11), is released by proteolytic shedding on cleavage with a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17). A shedding mechanism is presumed to have a key role in the functions of LR11, but the evidence for this has not yet been demonstrated. Tetraspanin CD9 has been recently shown to regulate the ADAM17-mediated shedding of tumor necrosis factor-α and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on the cell surface. Here, we investigated the role of CD9 on the shedding of LR11 in leukocytes. LR11 was not expressed in THP-1 monocytes, but it was expressed and released in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced THP-1 macrophages (PMA/THP-1). Confocal microscopy showed colocalization of LR11 and CD9 proteins on the cell surface of PMA/THP-1. Ectopic neo-expression of CD9 in CCRF-SB cells, which are LR11-positive and CD9-negative, reduced the amount of sLR11 released from the cells. In contrast, incubation of LR11-transfected THP-1 cells with neutralizing anti-CD9 monoclonal antibodies increased the amount of sLR11 released from the cells. Likewise, the PMA-stimulated release of sLR11 increased in THP-1 cells transfected with CD9-targeted shRNAs, which was negated by treatment with the metalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001. These results suggest that the tetraspanin CD9 modulates the ADAM17-mediated shedding of LR11 in various leukemia cell lines and that the association between LR11 and CD9 on the cell surface has an important role in the ADAM17-mediated shedding mechanism.     

Ambient UVA‐Induced Expression of p53 and Apoptosis in Human Skin Melanoma A375 Cell Line by Quinine

This study aimed to analyze the phototoxic mechanism and photostability of quinine in human skin cell line A375 under ambient intensities of UVA (320–400 nm). Photosensitized quinine produced a photoproduct 6‐methoxy‐quinoline‐4‐ylmethyl‐oxonium identified through LC‐MS/MS. Generation of ¹O₂, O₂^??, and ^?OH was measured and further substantiated through their respective quenchers. Photosensitized Quinine (Q) caused degradation of 2‐deoxyguanosine, the most sensitive nucleotide to UV radiation. The intracellular ROS was increased in a concentration‐dependent manner. Significant reduction in metabolic status measured in terms of cell viability (54%) at 25 μg mL^?1 was observed through MTT assay. Results of MTT assay accord NRU assay. Single strand DNA breaks and apoptosis were increased significantly (P < 0.01) as observed through comet assay and EB/AO double staining. Photosensitized quinine caused cells to arrest in G₂ phase of cell cycle and induced apoptosis (5.08%) as revealed through FACS. Real‐Time PCR showed upregulation of p21 (4.56 folds) and p53 (2.811 folds) genes expression. Thus, our study suggests that generation of reactive oxygen species by quinine under ambient intensity of UVA may result into deleterious phototoxic effects among human population.     

Studies on the syntheses of azole derivatives—V: The mass spectra of 1,2,4-triazoles and oxadiazoles (studies on the syntheses of heterocyclic compounds—CCCLXXIV)

The electron-impact induced fragmentation of twenty 3-alkyl-1-phenyl-Δ²-1,2,4-triazolin-5-ones, three 1-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolin-3,5-diones and ten 2-alkyl-4-phenyloxadiazolin-5-ones has been studied by conventional mass spectrometry. The major cleavages take place in the 1-phenyl-Δ²-1,2,4-triazolin-5-one nucleus, producing three major fragment ions. 4-Phenyloxadiazolin-5-ones exhibit a similar fragmentation pattern to 1-phenyl-Δ²-1,2,4-triazolin-5-ones. Furthermore, several additional fragmentation processes are observed in the case of specific 1,2,4-triasolines.     

Studies on the syntheses of azole derivatives. Part VIII. Photolysis of N-aryl-N-benzylearbamoyl azides [studies on the syntheses of heterocyclic compounds. Part CDXV

Photolysis of N-benzyl-N-phenylearbamoylazide (IVc) afforded 1-benzy 1-2-benzimidazolinone (Ic), 2-benzimidazolinone (IIe), 4-benzy 1-2-benzimidazolinone (IIe), and 5-benzy1-2-benzimidazo-linone (IIf)- The same reaction of N-benzyl-N-(4-chlorophenyl) carbamoyl azide (IVd) gave 3-benzyl-1-(phenylhydrazocarbonyl)-2-benzimidazolinone (VIb) besides the above four products. In the case of N-benzyl-4-(4-butoxyphenyl)carbamoyl azide (IVe), 1-benzy1-5-butoxy-2-benz-imidazolinone (1e), 5-butoxy-2-benzimidazolinone (IId), 5-benzy1-2-benzimidazolinone (IIf), and 4-benzy1-6-butoxy-2-benzimidazolinone (IIg).     

Schiff base derivatives of lanthanons,La(III), Pr(III), Nd(III) and Sm(III) complexes of bifunctional tetradentateSchiff base

Reactions of La(III), Pr(III), Nd(III) or Sm(III) nitrate with bifunctional tetradentateSchiff base, [o-HOC₆H₄C(CH₃): :NCH₂]₂, having the donor system HO–N–N–OH in 12 molar ratio have been investigated and found to yield new derivatives of the type [Ln(SBH₂)₂](NO₃)₃ [whereLn=La(III), Pr(III), Nd(III) or Sm(III) andSBH₂=Schiff base molecule, [o-HOC₆H₄C(CH₃) : NCH₂]₂. On the basis of elemental analyses, conductivity and magnetic measurements and infrared spectra, plausible structures for the resulting complexes have been indicated.