Ring lithiation of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene: another side of the ‘proton sponge coin’

A set of X-ray, multinuclear NMR and DFT approaches was used to address a question of selectivity, relative stability and enhanced reactivity of ring lithiated 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalenes.

Out-basicity of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene: the experimental and theoretical challenge

A possibility of non-conventional two-step protonation of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (proton sponge) is discussed. Unlike the generally accepted mechanism, involving relatively slow direct penetration of a proton into the cleft between the peri-NMe2 groups, it consists of the rapid addition of a proton to the out-inverted NMe2 group with the subsequent slower rotational transfer of the proton into the inter-nitrogen space to produce a stable chelated cation. The following approaches were employed during the work: (1) competitive hydrogen bond formation in a specially designed alcohol in which the OH group might chelate either the proton sponge 1-NMe2 group or another basic center (N,N-dimethylaniline) of known basicity; (2) measuring the basicity of naphtho[1,8-b,c]diazabicyclo[3.3.3]undecane considered to be a close analogue of the proton sponge capable exclusively of out-protonation; (3) X-ray, spectral and DFT studies of structure, energy and stereodynamics of compounds obtained, including their conformers. For the first time, the pKa value of an organic base with a perfectly flat nitrogen atom is reported. The final conclusion is made that both pathways of proton sponge protonation, traditional and non-conventional, contribute in parallel with a still undefined ratio. The estimated out-basicity of the proton sponge is at least 5.5 orders of magnitude lower than the directly measured in-basicity.

Determination of C-23 configuration in (20R)-23-hydroxycholestane side chain of steroid compounds by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy

Epimeric (20R,23R)- and (20R,23S)-23-hydroxycholestane steroids were synthesized. Their structures were elucidated by extensive 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and application of the Mosher's method. All proton and carbon signals of the side chains were assigned. Based on these assignments spectral data allow the determination of the C-23 stereochemistry of (20R)-23-hydroxycholestane side chains of the new natural steroids by comparison with spectra of the obtained model compounds. As a result, the C-23 configuration of two steroid compounds from the starfishes Lethasterias nanimensis chelifera and Lethasterias fusca was established.

Determination of C-23 Configuration in (20R)-23-Hydroxycholestane Side Chain of Steroid Compounds by 1H and 13C NMR Spectroscopy

Epimeric (20 R,23 R)- and (20 R,23 S)-23-hydroxycholestane steroids were synthesized. Their structures were elucidated by extensive 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and application of the Mosher's method. All proton and carbon signals of the side chains were assigned. Based on these assignments spectral data allow the determination of the C-23 stereochemistry of (20 R)-23-hydroxycholestane side chains of the new natural steroids by comparison with spectra of the obtained model compounds. As a result, the C-23 configuration of two steroid compounds from the starfishes Lethasterias nanimensis chelifera and Lethasterias fusca was established.

Regulation of endothelial barrier function by TGF-β type I receptor ALK5: potential role of contractile mechanisms and heat shock protein 90

Multifunctional cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of acute lung inflammation by controlling endothelial monolayer permeability. TGF-β1 regulates endothelial cell (EC) functions via two distinct receptors, activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) and activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5). The precise roles of ALK1 and ALK5 in the regulation of TGF-β1-induced lung endothelium dysfunction remain mostly unknown. We now report that adenoviral infection with constitutively active ALK5 (caALK5), but not caALK1, induces EC retraction and that this receptor predominantly controls EC permeability. We demonstrate that ubiquitinated ALK5 and phosphorylated heat shock protein 27 (phospho-Hsp27) specifically accumulate in the cytoskeleton fraction, which parallels with microtubule collapse, cortical actin disassembly and increased EC permeability. We have found that ALK1 and ALK5 interact with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Moreover, the Hsp90 inhibitor radicicol (RA) prevents accumulation of ubiquitinated caALK5 and phospho-Hsp27 in the cytoskeletal fraction and restore the decreased EC permeability induced by caALK5. We hypothesize that specific translocation of ubiquitinated ALK5 receptor into the cytoskeleton compartment due to its lack of degradation is the mechanism that causes the divergence of caALK1 and caALK5 signaling.

αVβ3 integrin regulates macrophage inflammatory responses via PI3 kinase/Akt-dependent NF-κB activation

Controlling macrophage responses to pathogenic stimuli is critical for prevention of and recovery from the inflammatory state associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases. The adhesion receptor αVβ3 integrin is thought to be an important receptor that regulates macrophage differentiation and macrophage responses to external signaling, but it has not been previously identified as a contributor to macrophage-related inflammation. Using an in vitro model of human blood monocytes (Mo) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) we demonstrate that αVβ3 ligation results in sustained increases of the transcription factor NF-κB DNA-binding activity, as compared with control isotype-matched IgG(1). Activation of NF-κB parallels the increase of NF-κB-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in MDMs isolated from individual donors, for example, TNF-α (8- to 28-fold), IL-1β (15- to 30-fold), IL-6 (2- to 4-fold), and IL-8 (5- to 15-fold) whereas there is more than a 10-fold decrease in IL-10 mRNA level occurs. Upon ligation of the αVβ3 receptor, treatment with TNF-α (10 ng/ml) or LPS (200 ng/ml, 1,000 EU) results in the enhanced and synergistic activation of NF-κB and LPS-induced TNF-α secretion. As additional controls, an inhibitor of αVβ3 integrin, cyclic RGD (10 µg/ml; IC(50) = 7.6 µM), attenuates the effects of αVβ3 ligation, and the natural ligand of αVβ3 integrin, vitronectin, reproduces the effects of αVβ3 activation by an immobilizing anti-αVβ3 integrin mAb. We hypothesize that αVβ3 activation can maintain chronic inflammatory processes in pathological conditions and that the loss of αVβ3 ligation will allow macrophages to escape from the inflammatory state.

[Structure and evolution of junctions between inverted repeat and small single copy regions of chloroplast genome in non-core Caryophyllales]

The structure of junction between inverted repeat (IR) and small single copy (SSC) regions of chloroplast genome in the representatives of non-core Caryophyllales is investigated in this work. It was found that for two families - Polygonaceae and Plumbaginaceae - the extension of inverted region is characteristic. This extension is due to the duplication the part of ycf1 gene that is partly located in the small single copy region in plants with typical structure of IR/SSC junctions. Comparison of the position of IR/SSC junctions in different species of Polygonaceae has shown that their exact position is not correlated with the affinity of these species inferred from molecular and morphological data. Possible mechanisms leading to the change in position of IR/SSC junctions observed in this work are discussed.

Synaptosides A and A1, triterpene glycosides from the sea cucumber Synapta maculata containing 3-O-methylglucuronic acid and their cytotoxic activity against tumor cells

Two novel triterpene holostane glycosides, synaptosides A ( 1) and A 1 ( 2), have been isolated from the Vietnamese sea cucumber Synapta maculata (Synaptida, Apodida). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (NMR and MS) and chemical transformations. Glycosides 1 and 2 have rare branched pentasaccharide carbohydrate chains featuring a 3- O-methylglucuronic acid residue not previously reported in glycosides from sea cucumbers and a 6- O-sulfated glucose. Glycoside 2 has an oxo group at C-7 and a 8(9)-double bond. All these structural features are unknown in glycosides from sea cucumbers. Glycoside 1 has moderate cytotoxic activity (IC 50 8.6 microg/mL) and glycoside 2 is inactive against HeLa tumor cells.

Phylogeny of flowering plants by the chloroplast genome sequences: in search of a "lucky gene"

One of the most complicated remaining problems of molecular-phylogenetic analysis is choosing an appropriate genome region. In an ideal case, such a region should have two specific properties: (i) results of analysis using this region should be similar to the results of multigene analysis using the maximal number of regions; (ii) this region should be arranged compactly and be significantly shorter than the multigene set. The second condition is necessary to facilitate sequencing and extension of taxons under analysis, the number of which is also crucial for molecular phylogenetic analysis. Such regions have been revealed for some groups of animals and have been designated as "lucky genes". We have carried out a computational experiment on analysis of 41 complete chloroplast genomes of flowering plants aimed at searching for a "lucky gene" for reconstruction of their phylogeny. It is shown that the phylogenetic tree inferred from a combination of translated nucleotide sequences of genes encoding subunits of plastid RNA polymerase is closest to the tree constructed using all protein coding sites of the chloroplast genome. The only node for which a contradiction is observed is unstable according to the different type analyses. For all the other genes or their combinations, the coincidence is significantly worse. The RNA polymerase genes are compactly arranged in the genome and are fourfold shorter than the total length of protein coding genes used for phylogenetic analysis. The combination of all necessary features makes this group of genes main candidates for the role of "lucky gene" in studying phylogeny of flowering plants.

From birth to christening

A brief history of comparative studies of nucleic acids for systematic purposes is given. These studies were initiated by a group of Moscow State University scientists headed by A. N. Belozersky. Based mostly on comparative DNA studies, some main dogmas of a new branch of systematics were gradually developed. In Russia, this new branch of systematics is called "genosystematics". Some of the main results obtained by genosystematics since its birth (1957) and up to its "christening" (1974) are described.

Nitric oxide preconditioning regulates endothelial monolayer integrity via the heat shock protein 90-soluble guanylate cyclase pathway

Large (pathological) amounts of nitric oxide (NO) induce cell injury, whereas low (physiological) NO concentrations often ameliorate cell injury. We tested the hypotheses that pretreatment of endothelial cells with low concentrations of NO (preconditioning) would prevent injury induced by high NO concentrations. Apoptosis, induced in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) by exposing them to either 4 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or 0.5 mM N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-hydroxy-2-nitrosohydrazino)-1,2-ethylenediamine (spermine NONOate) for 8 h, was abolished by 24-h pretreatment with either 100 microM SNP, 10 microM spermine NONOate, or 100 microM 8-bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP). Repair of BAECs following wounding, measured as the recovery rate of transendothelial electrical resistance, was delayed by 8-h exposure to 4 mM SNP, and this delay was significantly attenuated by 24-h pretreatment with 100 microM SNP. NO preconditioning produced increased association and expression of soluble guanyl cyclase (sGC) and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). The protective effect of NO preconditioning, but not the injurious effect of 4 mM SNP, was abolished by either a sGC activity inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) or a HSP90 binding inhibitor (radicicol) and was mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP. We conclude that preconditioning with a low dose of NO donor accelerates repair and maintains endothelial integrity via a mechanism that includes the HSP90/sGC pathway. HSP90/sGC may thus play a role in the protective effects of NO-generating drugs from injurious stimuli.

[Genosystematics: from E. Chargaff and A. N. Belozersky up to date]

A review of history of genosystematics (macromolecular systematics) from E. Chargaff and A. N. Belozersky up to date. The role of A.N. Belozersky and his collaborators in the development of this new branch of systematics is analyzed. Genosystematics was the source of valuable information clarifying some aspects of biological evolution. Its methods were successfully employed in microorganisms--(e.g., discovery of archaebacteria) and in eucaryote systematics (origin of plastids, falcification of "molecular clock" hypothesis, substantial changes in higher plants phylogenetics, etc.). However, attempts to employ some fragmentary and unreliable data obtained by genosystematics for modifying the existing phylogenetic schemes and systems of organisms failed. Nowadays genosystematics is like a newborn child suffering from children's diseases well-known to "classical" systematics. It is rather far from final conclusions describing the evolution of genotypes. Some of its recent achievments, e.g., elaboration of the concept of PhyloCode, allow to believe that this science is able to suggest revolutionary changes in Linnean systematics.

Mollisosides A, B1, and B2: minor triterpene glycosides from the New Zealand and South Australian sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis

Three new monosulfated triterpene glycosides, mollisosides A (2), B(1) (3), and B(2) (4), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis. Their structures were determined by NMR and mass spectra. The presence of sulfated glycosides in sea cucumbers belonging to the family Stichopodidae is uncommon.

Regulation of macrophage foam cell formation by alphaVbeta3 integrin: potential role in human atherosclerosis

The accumulation of macrophage foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions is associated with both initiation and progression of this disease. Scavenger receptors CD36 and SRA are the primary receptors responsible for conversion of macrophages into foam cells. Integrin alphaVbeta3 plays a role in the differentiation of several cell types, but its involvement in the transition of macrophages into foam cells and the potential role of this receptor in atherosclerosis have not been examined. Using an in vitro model of single surface receptor activation by binding with an immobilized monoclonal antibody specific to alphaVbeta3 integrin we show that ligation of alphaVbeta3 integrin prevents differentiation of blood monocytes and macrophages into the foam cell phenotype via coordinate down-regulation of CD36 and SRA. This effect of alphaVbeta3 integrin ligation can be reproduced by contact with endothelial cells, whereas the inhibition of alphaVbeta3 receptor ligation restores the uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Moreover, we found that alphaVbeta3 integrin is readily detected in situ on macrophages in early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions and that in vitro exposure to oxidized low-density lipoprotein up-regulates alphaVbeta3 integrin expression. We hypothesize that alphaVbeta3 integrin regulates macrophage functional maturation into foam cells in a persistent manner, and therefore, by targeting alphaVbeta3 receptor it could potentially be possible to regulate progression of atherosclerosis in humans.

[On interrelation between genetic systematics and genomics]

Review papers describing recent achievements of genomics usually do not pay attention to direct interrelation between genomics and genosystematics (DNA-systematics). Genomics on general is based in complete DNA sequencing of genomes. Initial aim of genosystematics was the same. Absence of historical perspective in review papers devoted to genomics decreases its value. In case it is done deliberately it becomes the problem of scientific ethics. It is postulated that genomics is a natural stage of genosystematics (DNA-systematics) development. Russian scientists were among the founders of these branches of biology.

[Genomics and genosystematics]

A survey of publications dealing with comparative analysis of genomes shows that modern genomics has naturally evolved from gene systematics--an area whose formation and development was greatly influenced by the scientific school of A.N. Belozersky.

[Novel triterpene glycosides from the sponge Ulosa sp]

New triterpene glycosides, ulososides C, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-32-nor-24-methyllanost- 8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, D, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-N-acetyl-glucosaminopyranosyl)-32-nor- 24-methyllanost-8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, and E, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D- arabinopyranosyl-32-nor-24-methyllanost-8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, were isolated from an Ulosa sp. sponge. Their structures were determined by spectral methods and chemical transformations. Specific features of their structures are discussed.

Expression of atrial natriuretic peptide receptor-A antagonizes the mitogen-activated protein kinases (Erk2 and P38MAPK) in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells

To understand the signaling mechanisms of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor-A (NPRA), we studied the effect of the ANP/NPRA system on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), with particular emphasis on the extracellular-regulated kinase (Erk2) and stress-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMC). Angiotensin II (ANG II) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated the immunoreactive Erk2 and p38MAPK activities and their protein levels by 2-4 fold. The pretreatment of cells with ANP significantly inhibited the agonist-stimulated Erk2 and p38MAPK activities and protein expression by 65-75% in HVSMC transiently transfected with NPRA, as compared with only 18-22% inhibition in vector-transfected cells. The pretreatment of cells with KT5823, an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), reversed the inhibitory effects of ANP on MAPK activities and protein expression by 90-95%. PD98059, which inhibits Erk2 by directly inhibiting the MAPK-kinase (MEK), and SB202192, a selective antagonist of p38MAPK, blocked the Erk2 and p38MAPK activities, respectively. Interestingly, ANP stimulated the MAPK-phosphatase-3 (MKP-3) protein levels by more than 3-fold in HVSMC over-expressing NPRA, suggesting that ANP-dependent inhibition of MAPKs may also proceed by stimulating the phosphatase cascade. These present findings provide the evidence that ANP exerts inhibitory effects on agonist-stimulated MAPKs (Erk2 and p38MAPK) activities and protein levels in a 2-fold manner: by antagonizing the up-stream signaling pathways and by activation of MKP-3 to counter-regulate MAPKs in a cGMP and PKG-dependent manner. Our results identify a signal transduction pathway in HVSMC that could contribute to vascular remodeling and structural changes in human hypertension.

Triterpene glycosides from the far eastern sea cucumber Pentamera calcigera II: disulfated glycosides

Three new triterpene glycosides, calcigerosides D(1) (1), D(2) (2), and E (3), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Pentamera calcigera. Their structures have been deduced from extensive spectral analysis (NMR and MS) and chemical evidence. All the compounds are disulfated pentaosides differing in aglycon structure and position of sulfate group, which were determined by the measurement of NT(1) values in the cases of glycosides 1 and 2. Glycoside 1 is a nonholostane derivative, that is, it lacks an 18(20)-lactone, which is very rare among the sea cucumber glycosides.

Triterpene glycosides from the Far-Eastern sea cucumber Pentamera calcigera. 1. Monosulfated glycosides and cytotoxicity of their unsulfated derivatives

Three new monosulfated triterpene glycosides, calcigerosides B (2), C(1) (3), and C(2) (4), along with the known cucumarioside G(2) (1), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Pentamera calcigera. Their structures have been deduced from extensive spectral analysis (NMR and MS) and chemical evidence. Compounds 2-4 present a novel pentasacharide chain never reported before in sea cucumber triterpene glycosides. The desulfated derivatives of calcigerosides B, C(1), and C(2) (5, 7, and 9, respectively) showed moderate cytotoxicity (IC(50) = 5 microg/mL) against a selection of four human and mouse tumor cell lines.