Comparison of the effects of a transient outward potassium channel activator on currents recorded from atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes

INTRODUCTION

NS5806 activates the transient outward potassium current (I(to) ) in canine ventricular cells. We compared the effects of NS5806 on canine atrial versus ventricular tissues and myocytes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

NS5806 (10 μM) was evaluated in arterially perfused canine right atrial and right ventricular wedge preparations. In ventricular wedges NS5806 (10 μM) accentuated phase 1 in epicardium (Epi), with little effect in endocardium (Endo), resulting in augmented J-waves on the ECG. In contrast, application of NS5806 (10 μM) to atrial preparations had no effect on phase 1 repolarization but significantly decreased upstroke velocity (dV/dt) and depressed excitability, consistent with sodium channel block. Current and voltage-clamp recordings were made in the absence and presence of NS5806 in (10 μM) enzymatically dissociated atrial and ventricular myocytes. In ventricular myocytes, NS5806 increased I(to) magnitude by 80% and 16% in Epi and Endo, respectively (at +40 mV). In atrial myocytes, NS5806 increased peak I(to) by 25% and had no effect on the sustained current, I(Kur) . Under control conditions, I(Na) density in atrial myocytes was nearly double that in ventricular myocytes. NS5806 caused a shift in steady-state mid-inactivation (V(1/2)) from -73.9 ± 0.27 to -77.3 ± 0.21 mV in ventricular and from -82.6 ± 0.12 to -85.1 ± 0.11 mV in atrial cells, resulting in reduction of I(Na) in both cell types. Expression of mRNA encoding putative I(Na) and I(to) channel subunits was evaluated by qPCR.

CONCLUSION

NS5806 produces a prominent augmentation of I(to) with little effect on I(Na) in the ventricles, but a potent inhibition of I(Na) with little augmentation of I(to) in atria.

Acquired drug resistance to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor in human vascular endothelial cells

Acquired resistance to antiangiogenic drugs has emerged as a potentially important issue in clinical settings; however, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanism of resistance to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) remains largely unclear. We evaluated the cellular characteristics of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) clones, which are resistant to VEGFR2-TKI (Ki8751) to elucidate this mechanism of resistance to antiangiogenic drugs. Resistant HUVEC clones were 10-fold more resistant to VEGFR2-TKI than the parental cells and they exhibited an almost complete absence of VEGF-mediated cellular proliferation. The mRNA expression analysis revealed that expression of VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 was lower in resistant clones, while that of several angiogenic ligands was increased. The protein expression of VEGFR2 was markedly down-regulated in two (R5 and R6 clone) out of five resistant clones. Focusing on the R5 clone, VEGF stimulation did not increase the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 or the dimerization of VEGFR2. The inhibition of phospho-AKT by VEGFR2-TKI was also weakened more than 10-fold in the R5 clone. Finally, a microarray analysis revealed that some angiogenesis-associated, and some angiogenesis-specific genes, including platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM1)/CD31, homeobox A9 (HOXA9), and endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 (ESM1), were remarkably down-regulated in all the resistant clones compared with the parental cells. HUVEC clones resistant to VEGFR2-TKI exhibited down-regulation of VEGFR2, a decreased signal response to VEGF stimulation, and the loss of vascular endothelial markers. These results strongly suggest that an escape from VEGFR2 signaling-dependency is one of the cellular mechanisms of resistance to VEGFR2-TKI in vascular endothelial cells.

[Synthesis and biological evaluation of sorafenib thiourea derivatives]

Basing on the market multi-target antitumor agent sorafenib, a series of sixteen 4-[4-(2-methyl-aminoacyl-pyridyl)]oxylphenyl aryl thiourea derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their structures were identified by the spectra of 1H NMR, MS and elemental analysis. The evaluation of antitumor bioactivities in vitro was done by MTT method. It was shown that the synthesized compounds had antitumor activities and compounds 1a, 1d, 1i and 1j showed better or equal antitumor activity on sorafenib.

BPR1K653, a novel Aurora kinase inhibitor, exhibits potent anti-proliferative activity in MDR1 (P-gp170)-mediated multidrug-resistant cancer cells

Background

Over-expression of Aurora kinases promotes the tumorigenesis of cells. The aim of this study was to determine the preclinical profile of a novel pan-Aurora kinase inhibitor, BPR1K653, as a candidate for anti-cancer therapy. Since expression of the drug efflux pump, MDR1, reduces the effectiveness of various chemotherapeutic compounds in human cancers, this study also aimed to determine whether the potency of BPR1K653 could be affected by the expression of MDR1 in cancer cells.

Principal Findings

BPR1K653 specifically inhibited the activity of Aurora-A and Aurora-B kinase at low nano-molar concentrations in vitro. Anti-proliferative activity of BPR1K653 was evaluated in various human cancer cell lines. Results of the clonogenic assay showed that BPR1K653 was potent in targeting a variety of cancer cell lines regardless of the tissue origin, p53 status, or expression of MDR1. At the cellular level, BPR1K653 induced endo-replication and subsequent apoptosis in both MDR1-negative and MDR1-positive cancer cells. Importantly, it showed potent activity against the growth of xenograft tumors of the human cervical carcinoma KB and KB-derived MDR1-positive KB-VIN10 cells in nude mice. Finally, BPR1K653 also exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties in rats.

Conclusions and Significance

BPR1K653 is a novel potent anti-cancer compound, and its potency is not affected by the expression of the multiple drug resistant protein, MDR1, in cancer cells. Therefore, BPR1K653 is a promising anti-cancer compound that has potential for the management of various malignancies, particularly for patients with MDR1-related drug resistance after prolonged chemotherapeutic treatments.

Micropropagation of a Thai medicinal plant for women's health, Curcuma comosa Roxb., via shoot and microrhizome inductions

We studied the effects of explant types, plant growth regulators, and sucrose concentrations on shoot and microrhizome inductions of Curcuma comosa Roxb., an important Thai medicinal plant for women's health. Explant types significantly affected shoot induction of the plant. The maximum shoot multiplication rate of 11.82 ± 1.03 shoots/responding explant was obtained when culturing terminal bud explants on semi-solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 18.16 μM thidiazuron for 8 weeks. Subsequently, they were transferred to a semi-solid MS medium without plant growth regulators for 4 weeks. The regenerated shoots produced roots spontaneously. Rooted plantlets were successfully transferred to the soil. Microrhizome induction was significantly influenced by sucrose concentrations, but not by 6-benzyladenine (BA). Liquid MS medium with a combination of 17.76 μM BA and 50 g L(-1) sucrose was optimal for microrhizome induction of C. comosa. After 12 weeks of culture, the microrhizome induction rate was 3.36 ± 0.44 microrhizomes/responding explant. Starch accumulation in microrhizomes increased with higher sugar concentration and with longer duration of culture. The microrhizomes were allowed to germinate under greenhouse conditions and further developed into normal plants. The protocols established will be used for the production of uniform plantlets suitable for field plantation for the herbal industry.

FLT3 inhibition as therapy in acute myeloid leukemia: a record of trials and tribulations

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis. Approximately one quarter of the patients with AML also carry an internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation in the gene encoding FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), which has a significantly deleterious impact on prognosis. The ITD mutation renders FLT3 constitutively active and leads to uncontrolled proliferation of the leukemic blast. Over the course of the last decade, a variety of compounds have been developed in preclinical and clinical studies as potent inhibitors of FLT3. Many of the earlier agents under investigation, such as lestaurtinib, midostaurin, and sunitinib, were initially developed as inhibitors of other tyrosine kinases and as targeted therapies in a variety of malignancies. These compounds have been demonstrated to have some efficacy in clinical trials of AML, mainly manifesting as transient decreases in circulating blasts correlating with effective in vivo suppression of the FLT3 target. Nevertheless, the cumbersome pharmacokinetics of some compounds and the suboptimal specificity and potency of others have limited their therapeutic efficacy. In the last few years, newer, more potent and specific agents have been under investigation, with the leading example being AC220. This agent has shown significant promise in early phases of clinical investigation, and is currently in more advanced clinical trials. Hope remains that FLT3 inhibition will be become an effective therapeutic adjunct to our current treatment approach to AML.

Novel small molecule, XZH-5, inhibits constitutive and interleukin-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling is constitutively activated in many types of human cancers and cancer cell lines and represents a promising target for cancer therapy. We previously reported that the STAT3 signaling pathway is constitutively activated in human rhabodomyosarcoma cell lines (RH28, RH30 and RD2). We also demonstrated that inhibition of the STAT3 pathway led to apoptosis in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of a novel small molecule, XZH-5, on the STAT3 signaling pathway in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. XZH-5 was designed based on STAT3 structure, and our idea was to design peptide mimics to bind to the phosphorylated Tyr705 site and the side pocket. We found that XZH-5 downregulated STAT3 phosphorylation. The inhibition of STAT3 by XZH-5 was confirmed by the inhibition of STAT3 DNA binding ability and the downregulation of STAT3 downstream genes, such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Cyclin D1 and Survivin; we also demonstrated that blockade of STAT3 phosphorylation in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells with XZH-5 caused apoptosis and suppressed colony-forming ability and cell migration. In addition to reducing constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation, XZH-5 also exhibited the potency to block interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation but did not inhibit the stimulation of STAT1 phosphorylation by interferon (IFN)-γ. Our findings indicate that XZH-5 has the potential for targeting human rhabdomyosarcoma cells expressing constitutive STAT3.

Chlorophenoxyacetic acid and chloropyridylphenylurea accelerate translocation of photoassimilates to parthenocarpic and seeded fruits of muskmelon (Cucumis melo)

We compared the effect of p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (p-CPA) and 1-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-3-phenylurea (CPPU) on parthenocarpic and seeded muskmelon (Cucumis melo) fruits in regards to fruit development and the transport of photoassimilates from leaves exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ to the developing fruits. Ten days after anthesis (DAA), the fresh weight, total ¹⁴C-radioactivity and contents of ¹⁴C-sucrose and ¹⁴C-fructose were higher in the CPPU-induced parthenocarpic fruits than in seeded fruits. However, at 35 DAA, fresh weight and sucrose content in mesocarp, placenta and empty seeds of the parthenocarpic fruits were lower than in seeded fruits. Also, total ¹⁴C-radioactivity and ¹⁴C-sugar content of the parthenocarpic fruits were lower as well as the translocation rate of ¹⁴C-photoassimilates into these fruits. Application of p-CPA to the parthenocarpic fruits at 10 and 25 DAA increased fresh weight and sugar content. Moreover, these treatments elevated the total ¹⁴C-radioactivity, ¹⁴C-sucrose content and the translocation rate of ¹⁴C-photoassimilates. The ¹⁴C-radioactivity along the translocation pathway from leaf to petiole, stem, lateral shoot and peduncle showed a declining pattern but dramatically increased again in the fruits. These results suggest that the fruit's sink strength was regulated by the seed and enhanced by the application of p-CPA.

Functional characterization of the CKRC1/TAA1 gene and dissection of hormonal actions in the Arabidopsis root

Cytokinin (CK) influences many aspects of plant growth and development, and its function often involves intricate interactions with other phytohormones such as auxin and ethylene. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of CK and its interactions with other growth regulators are still poorly understood. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of the Arabidopsis CK-induced root curling 1 (ckrc1) mutant. CKRC1 encodes a previously identified tryptophan aminotransferase (TAA1) involved in the indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPA) pathway of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis. The ckrc1 mutant exhibits a defective root gravitropic response (GR) and an increased resistance to CK in primary root growth. These defects can be rescued by exogenous auxin or IPA. Furthermore, we show that CK up-regulates CKRC1/TAA1 expression but inhibits polar auxin transport in roots in an AHK3/ARR1/12-dependent and ethylene-independent manner. Our results suggest that CK regulates root growth and development not only by down-regulating polar auxin transport, but also by stimulating local auxin biosynthesis.

In vitro and in vivo properties of BAL30376, a β-lactam and dual beta-lactamase inhibitor combination with enhanced activity against Gram-negative Bacilli that express multiple β-lactamases

BAL30376 is a triple combination comprising a siderophore monobactam, BAL19764; a novel bridged monobactam, BAL29880, which specifically inhibits class C β-lactamases; and clavulanic acid, which inhibits many class A and some class D β-lactamases. The MIC(90) was ≤ 4 μg/ml (expressed as the concentration of BAL19764) for most species of the Enterobacteriaceae family, including strains that produced metallo-β-lactamases and were resistant to all of the other β-lactams tested. The MIC(90) for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was 2 μg/ml, for multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa it was 8 μg/ml, and for MDR Acinetobacter and Burkholderia spp. it was 16 μg/ml. The presence of the class C β-lactamase inhibitor BAL29880 contributed significantly to the activity of BAL30376 against strains of Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter species, Serratia marcescens, and P. aeruginosa. The presence of clavulanic acid contributed significantly to the activity against many strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae that produced class A extended-spectrum β-lactamases. The activity of BAL30376 against strains with metallo-β-lactamases was largely attributable to the intrinsic stability of the monobactam BAL19764 toward these enzymes. Considering its three components, BAL30376 was unexpectedly refractory toward the development of stable resistance.

Discovery, optimization, and pharmacological characterization of novel heteroaroylphenylureas antagonists of C-C chemokine ligand 2 function

Through the application of TRAP (target-related affinity profiling), we identified a novel class of heteroaroylphenylureas that inhibit human CCL2-induced chemotaxis of monocytes/macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. This inhibition was concentration-dependent and selective with regard to other chemokines. The compounds, however, did not antagonize the binding of (125)I-labeled CCL2 to the CCR2 receptor nor did they block CCR2-mediated signal transduction responses such as calcium mobilization. Optimization of early leads for potency and pharmacokinetic parameters resulted in the identification of 17, a potent inhibitor of chemotaxis (IC(50) = 80 nM) with excellent oral bioavailability in rats (F = 60%). Compound 17 reduced swelling and joint destruction in two rat models of rheumatoid arthritis and delayed disease onset and produced near complete resolution of symptoms in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

Design and synthesis of benzoylphenylureas with fluorinated substituents on the aniline ring as insect growth regulators

Enormous numbers of synthetic fluorine-containing compounds have been widely used in a variety of fields, especially in drug and pesticide design. To find novel insect growth regulators, a series of benzoylphenylureas with fluorinated substituents were designed and synthesized. The results of larvicidal activities of those novel fluoro-substituted benzoylphenylureas against oriental armyworm and mosquito revealed that most compounds exhibited excellent activities. It is worth mentioning that compounds 3 and 6 exhibited higher activities against oriental armyworm and mosquito than commercial Hexaflumuron. It can be further seen that the insecticidal activities would increase significantly by introducing fluorinated substituents into the structure of the designed benzoylphenylureas.

Ligand-induced internalization of the orexin OX(1) and cannabinoid CB(1) receptors assessed via N-terminal SNAP and CLIP-tagging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Many G protein-coupled receptors internalize following agonist binding. The studies were designed to identify novel means to effectively quantify this process using the orexin OX(1) receptor and the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor as exemplars.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The human OX(1) and CB(1) receptors were modified to incorporate both epitope tags and variants (SNAP and CLIP) of the enzyme O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase within their extracellular, N-terminal domain. Cells able to regulate expression of differing amounts of these constructs upon addition of an antibiotic were developed and analysed.

KEY RESULTS

Cell surface forms of each receptor construct were detected by both antibody recognition of the epitope tags and covalent binding of fluorophores to the O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase variants. Receptor internalization in response to agonists but not antagonists could be monitored by each approach but sensitivity was up to six- to 10-fold greater than other approaches when employing a novel, time-resolved fluorescence probe for the SNAP tag. Sensitivity was not enhanced, however, for the CLIP tag, possibly due to higher levels of nonspecific binding.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These studies demonstrate that highly sensitive and quantitative assays that monitor cell surface CB(1) and OX(1) receptors and their internalization by agonists can be developed based on introduction of variants of O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase into the N-terminal domain of the receptor. This should be equally suitable for other G protein-coupled receptors.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals different neural substrates for the effects of orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptor antagonists

Orexins are neuro-modulatory peptides involved in the control of diverse physiological functions through interaction with two receptors, orexin-1 (OX1R) and orexin-2 (OX2R). Recent evidence in pre-clinical models points toward a putative dichotomic role of the two receptors, with OX2R predominantly involved in the regulation of the sleep/wake cycle and arousal, and the OX1R being more specifically involved in reward processing and motivated behaviour. However, the specific neural substrates underlying these distinct processes in the rat brain remain to be elucidated. Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the rat to map the modulatory effect of selective OXR blockade on the functional response produced by D-amphetamine, a psychostimulant and arousing drug that stimulates orexigenic activity. OXR blockade was produced by GSK1059865 and JNJ1037049, two novel OX1R and OX2R antagonists with unprecedented selectivity at the counter receptor type. Both drugs inhibited the functional response to D-amphetamine albeit with distinct neuroanatomical patterns: GSK1059865 focally modulated functional responses in striatal terminals, whereas JNJ1037049 induced a widespread pattern of attenuation characterised by a prominent cortical involvement. At the same doses tested in the fMRI study, JNJ1037049 exhibited robust hypnotic properties, while GSK1059865 failed to display significant sleep-promoting effects, but significantly reduced drug-seeking behaviour in cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. Collectively, these findings highlight an essential contribution of the OX2R in modulating cortical activity and arousal, an effect that is consistent with the robust hypnotic effect exhibited by JNJ1037049. The subcortical and striatal pattern observed with GSK1059865 represent a possible neurofunctional correlate for the modulatory role of OX1R in controlling reward-processing and goal-oriented behaviours in the rat.

Application of plant growth regulators mitigates chlorotic foliar injury by the black pecan aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

BACKGROUND

Black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), feeding elicits localized chlorotic injury to pecan foliage [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K Koch] and apparent acceleration of leaf senescence and defoliation. The ability of certain plant growth regulators (PGRs) (forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid and aviglycine) to prevent M. caryaefoliae from triggering pecan leaf chlorosis and senescence-like processes was evaluated on two dates in both 2006 and 2007. Treatments were applied to orchard foliage and used in laboratory leaf-disc bioassays to assess possible reduction in aphid-elicited chlorosis and concomitant effects on aphid mortality and development.

RESULTS

Foliage pretreated with forchlorfenuron + gibberellic acid prior to being challenged with aphids resulted in significantly less aphid-elicited chlorosis than did control or aviglycine-treated leaf discs. No PGR affected aphid mortality; however, development time was increased by forchlorfenuron + gibberellic acid in 2006 and by aviglycine + gibberellic acid on one date in 2007.

CONCLUSION

Certain PGRs possess the potential for usage on pecan to protect foliar canopies from M. caryaefoliae via changes in the susceptibility of the host leaf to senescence-like factors being introduced by feeding aphids. This protective effect on host foliage and the associated suppressive effect on development of feeding aphids might also be relevant to pest management programs on other aphid-crop systems in which aphid-elicited chlorosis and senescence-like processes can limit profitability.

Protection of plants from ambient ozone by applications of ethylenediurea (EDU): a meta-analytic review

A meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively assess the effects of ethylenediurea (EDU) on ozone (O3) injury, growth, physiology and productivity of plants grown in ambient air conditions. Results indicated that EDU significantly reduced O3-caused visible injury by 76%, and increased photosynthetic rate by 8%, above-ground biomass by 7% and crop yield by 15% in comparison with non-EDU treated plants, suggesting that ozone reduces growth and yield under current ambient conditions. EDU significantly ameliorated the biomass and yield of crops and grasses, but had no significant effect on tree growth with an exception of stem diameter. EDU applied as a soil drench at a concentration of 200-400 mg/L has the highest positive effect on crops grown in the field. Long-term research on full-grown tree species is needed. In conclusion, EDU is a powerful tool for assessing effects of ambient [O3] on vegetation.

Screening three cultivars of Vigna mungo L. against ozone by application of ethylenediurea (EDU)

Three Indian black gram cultivars (Vigna mungo L. cv. Barkha, Shekhar and TU-94-2) were grown at a tropical suburban site in Varanasi, India to evaluate the varietal differences in response to ambient O(3) under field conditions using ethylenediurea (EDU). EDU (400 ppm) was given as soil drench at 10-day intervals during the growth period of the cultivars. O(3) monitoring data clearly showed high concentrations with a mean value ranging between 41.3 and 59.9 ppb. EDU treatment caused significant increases in various growth parameters and total biomass accumulation in Barkha and Shekhar. EDU caused retention of more biomass in leaves during vegetative period and translocated more photosynthates towards reproductive parts, which resulted into yield enhancement. Weight of seeds plant(-1) was higher by 36.4% and 35.6% in Barkha and Shekhar, respectively, treated with EDU compared to non-EDU-treated plants. However, TU-94-2 did not exhibit any significant difference in weight of seeds plant(-1). Starch, total sugar, amino acids and K contents increased in seeds of EDU-treated plants leading to improvement in quality response index (QRI) of seeds. EDU helped in identifying the cultivar susceptibility to O(3) stress and therefore is very useful as a monitoring tool to assess the impact of ambient O(3) on plants under natural field conditions particularly in areas experiencing moderate concentrations of O(3).

Tivozanib, a pan-VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the potential treatment of solid tumors

Tivozanib (AV-951; KRN-951), being developed by AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc and Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co Ltd, is an orally active, ATP-competitive, small-molecule, quinoline-urea derivative that inhibits VEGFR tyrosine kinase for the potential treatment of cancer. In particular, tivozanib is able to markedly inhibit the ligand-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 at picomolar concentrations. In preclinical studies, tivozanib produced a significant inhibition of tumor growth and angiogenesis in several different xenograft tumor models in athymic rats. In a phase I clinical trial, tivozanib was safe and tolerable when administered at oral doses up to 1.5 mg on a schedule of 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off treatment. Results from a phase II clinical trial in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma reported an overall response rate of 25.4% and a median progression-free survival of 11.8 months in patients treated with tivozanib as a single agent. Hypertension and dysphonia were the most frequent adverse events. At the time of publication, a phase III clinical trial was recruiting patients with advanced renal cancer to assess tivozanib in comparison with sorafenib. Clinical trials are currently ongoing to evaluate the safety and antitumor activity of tivozanib in breast, lung and colorectal cancer. Tivozanib might represent a promising anticancer agent in several different tumor types.

Switch control pocket inhibitors of p38-MAP kinase. Durable type II inhibitors that do not require binding into the canonical ATP hinge region

Switch control pocket inhibitors of p38-alpha kinase are described. Durable type II inhibitors were designed which bind to arginines (Arg67 or Arg70) that function as key residues for mediating phospho-threonine 180 dependant conformational fluxing of p38-alpha from an inactive type II state to an active type I state. Binding to Arg70 in particular led to potent inhibitors, exemplified by DP-802, which also exhibited high kinase selectivity. Binding to Arg70 obviated the requirement for binding into the ATP Hinge region. X-ray crystallography revealed that DP-802 and analogs induce an enhanced type II conformation upon binding to either the unphosphorylated or the doubly phosphorylated form of p38-alpha kinase.

[Cardiovascular effect of intracerebroventricular injection of orexin-1 receptor antagonist in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the cardiovascular effect of selective orexin-1 receptor (OX1R) antagonist SB408124 in anesthetized rats and explore the underlying mechanism by using intracerebroventricular (ICV) microinjection combined with immunohistochemical assay.

METHODS

The changes of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) of male Sprague-Dawley rats were recorded during ICV microinjection of SB408124 with or without pretreatment of atropine methyl nitrate or hexamethonium bromide. Furthermore, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunopositive neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of the rat were detected with immunohistochemical assay after ICV microinjection of SB408124.

RESULTS

ICV administration of SB408124 resulted in a significant decrease in MAP in anesthetized rats, which was accompanied with a mild decrease in HR. The cardiovascular responses elicited by SB408124 were not abolished by pretreatment of atropine methyl nitrate whereas fully abolished by pretreatment of hexamethonium bromide. The number of TH-immunopositive neurons in rat RVLM were significantly decreased following ICV administration of SB408124.

CONCLUSION

ICV microinjection of selective OX1R antagonist SB408124 can cause decreases of MAP and HR mediated by inhibiting sympathetic activity in anesthetized rats.

Effect of the I(to) activator NS5806 on cloned K(V)4 channels depends on the accessory protein KChIP2

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The compound NS5806 increases the transient outward current (I(to)) in canine ventricular cardiomyocytes and slows current decay. In human and canine ventricle, I(to) is thought to be mediated by K(V)4.3 and various ancillary proteins, yet, the exact subunit composition of I(to) channels is still debated. Here we characterize the effect of NS5806 on heterologously expressed putative I(to) channel subunits and other potassium channels.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Cloned K(V)4 channels were co-expressed with KChIP2, DPP6, DPP10, KCNE2, KCNE3 and K(V)1.4 in Xenopus laevis oocytes or CHO-K1 cells.

KEY RESULTS

NS5806 increased K(V)4.3/KChIP2 peak current amplitudes with an EC(50) of 5.3 +/- 1.5microM and significantly slowed current decay. KCNE2, KCNE3, DPP6 and DPP10 modulated K(V)4.3 currents and the response to NS5806, but current decay was slowed only in complexes containing KChIP2. The effect of NS5806 on K(V)4.2 was similar to that on K(V)4.3, and current decay was only slowed in presence of KChIP2. However, for K(V)4.1, the slowing of current decay by NS5806 was independent of KChIP2. K(V)1.4 was strongly inhibited by 10 microM NS5806 and K(V)1.5 was inhibited to a smaller extent. Effects of NS5806 on kinetics of currents generated by K(V)4.3/KChIP2/DPP6 with K(V)1.4 in oocytes could reproduce those on cardiac I(to) in canine ventricular myocytes. K(V)7.1, K(V)11.1 and K(ir)2 currents were unaffected by NS5806.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

NS5806 modulated K(V)4 channel gating depending on the presence of KChIP2, suggesting that NS5806 can potentially be used to address the molecular composition as well as the physiological role of cardiac I(to).

Effectiveness of different EDU concentrations in ameliorating ozone stress in carrot plants

Ethylenediurea (EDU) is suggested for use to evaluate plant response under ambient ozone (O(3)) concentrations. Four EDU treatments, viz. 0 (non-EDU), 150, 300 and 450 mg L(-1), applied as soil drench at 10 days interval to carrot (Daucus carota L. var. Pusa Kesar), grown at a tropical suburban site of Varanasi experiencing mean O(3) concentration of 36.1 ppb during the experimental period. EDU treated plants showed significantly higher antioxidative defense, assimilation capability and reduced membrane lipid peroxidation, which led to better growth and significant yield increments compared to non-EDU treated ones. The magnitude of positive responses was highest at 150 mg L(-1) EDU treatment at 60 DAG, representing the metabolically most active phase of root filling in carrot. This study suggests that the lowest EDU concentration was sufficient to provide protection against negative effects of O(3).

Synthesis and bioactivity of N-benzoyl-N'-[5-(2'-substituted phenyl)-2-furoyl] semicarbazide derivatives

In order to find novel chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) with good activity, benzoylphenylurea, a typical kind of CSIs, was chosen as the lead compound and 15 novel derivatives containing furan moieties were designed by converting the urea linkage of benzoylphenylureas into a semicarbazide and changing the aniline part into furoyl groups. The title compounds were synthesized by the reaction of substituted benzoyl isocyanates with 5-(substituted phenyl)-2-furoyl hydrazine, and the structures were confirmed by IR, (1)H-NMR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses (compound E2). The bioassay results indicated that the title compounds exhibit good insecticidal activity, especially towards Plutella xylostella L., but had lower fungicidal activity. Inspiringly, the title compounds possessed obvious anticancer activity against human promyelocytic leukemic cell line (HL-60), and some of the title compounds also had activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Bel-7402), human gastric carcinoma cell line (BGC-823), and human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line (KB). The results indicated that the linkage in the lead compounds was important to the bioactivity and spectra. The modification on the urea linkage is an effective strategy to discover new pesticide and drug candidates.

Both endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are involved in disc cell apoptosis and intervertebral disc degeneration in rats

Intervertebral disc cell apoptosis occurs through either death receptor or mitochondrial pathway, but whether disc cell apoptosis is also mediated by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pathway remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate whether ER and mitochondria are co-involved in disc cell apoptosis and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) in rats. Forty-eight rats were used for in vivo experiments. IVDD was characterized by X-ray and histomorphology examination, disc cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining, and the co-involvement of ER and mitochondria in apoptosis was determined by immunohistochemical staining for GRP78, GADD153, caspase-12, and cytochrome C. Additional eight rats were used for annular cell isolation and culture. After sodium nitroprusside treatment, annular cell apoptosis was observed morphologically and quantified by flow cytometry; the expression of biomarkers of ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction were analyzed by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), fluorescence double labeling, and Western blot; and mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by 5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbo cyanine iodide (JC-1) staining. Finally, NS3694 and Z-ATAD-FMK were employed to inhibit the formation of apoptosome complex and the activation of caspase-12, respectively, and apoptotic incidence and caspase-9 activity were assayed. We found that IVDD, induced by unbalanced dynamic and static forces in the rats, was accompanied by increased disc cell apoptosis and enhanced expression of GRP78, GADD153, caspase-12, and cytochrome C. Annular cell apoptosis induced by sodium nitroprusside was confirmed by morphologic observation and flow cytometry. With increased apoptosis, the expression of GRP78, GADD153, and caspase-12 upregulated, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, and accumulation of cytochrome C in the cytosol manifested. Furthermore, NS3694 and Z-ATAD-FMK dramatically suppress annular cell apoptosis and caspase-9 activity. In conclusion, disc cell apoptosis mediated simultaneously by ER and mitochondria plays a potent role in IVDD.