Inhibition of Pancreatic α-amylase by Resveratrol Derivatives: Biological Activity and Molecular Modelling Evidence for Cooperativity between Viniferin Enantiomers

To improve the current understanding of the role of stilbenoids in the management of diabetes, the inhibition of the pancreatic α-amylase by resveratrol derivatives was investigated. To approach in a systematic way, the mechanistic and structural aspects of the interaction, potential bioactive agents were prepared as single molecules, that were used for the biological evaluation of the determinants of inhibitory binding. Some dimeric stilbenoids-in particular, viniferin isomers- were found to be better than the reference drug acarbose in inhibiting the pancreatic α-amylase. Racemic mixtures of viniferins were more effective inhibitors than the respective isolated pure enantiomers at an equivalent total concentration, and displayed cooperative effects not observed with the individual enantiomers. The molecular docking analysis provided a thermodynamics-based rationale for the measured inhibitory ability and for the observed synergistic effects. Indeed, the binding of additional ligands on the surface of the alpha-amylase was found to decrease the dissociation constant of inhibitors bound to the active site of the enzyme, thus providing a mechanistic rationale for the observed inhibitory synergies.

Expanding the DOPA Universe with Genetically Encoded, Mussel-Inspired Bioadhesives for Material Sciences and Medicine

Catechols are a biologically relevant group of aromatic diols that have attracted much attention as mediators of adhesion of "bio-glue" proteins in mussels of the genus Mytilus. These organisms use catechols in the form of the noncanonical amino acid l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) as a building block for adhesion proteins. The DOPA is generated post-translationally from tyrosine. Herein, we review the properties, natural occurrence, and reactivity of catechols in the design of bioinspired materials. We also provide a basic description of the mussel's attachment apparatus, the interplay between its different molecules that play a crucial role in adhesion, and the role of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of these proteins. Our focus is on the microbial production of mussel foot proteins with the aid of orthogonal translation systems (OTSs) and the use of genetic code engineering to solve some fundamental problems in the bioproduction of these bioadhesives and to expand their chemical space. The major limitation of bacterial expression systems is their intrinsic inability to introduce PTMs. OTSs have the potential to overcome these challenges by replacing canonical amino acids with noncanonical ones. In this way, PTM steps are circumvented while the genetically programmed precision of protein sequences is preserved. In addition, OTSs should enable spatiotemporal control over the complex adhesion process, because the catechol function can be masked by suitable chemical protection. Such caged residues can then be noninvasively unmasked by, for example, UV irradiation or thermal treatment. All of these features make OTSs based on genetic code engineering in reprogrammed microbial strains new and promising tools in bioinspired materials science.

Highly oxygenated meroterpenoids from fruiting bodies of the mushroom Tricholoma terreum

Four new meroterpenoids, terreumols A-D (1-4), with a rare 10-membered ring system, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Tricholoma terreum. Their structures with absolute stereochemistry were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic methods, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffractions. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines; all of them exhibited inhibitory effects, with IC50 values comparable to those of cisplatin.

Degradation of 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone by hydrogen peroxide: a combined kinetic and theoretical study

2,5-Dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DHBQ) is one of the key chromophores formed upon aging in cellulosic materials. This study addresses the degradation mechanism of DHBQ by hydrogen peroxide to provide a solid knowledge base for optimization of bleaching sequences aiming at DHBQ removal. Kinetic analysis provided an activation energy (E(a)) of 20.4 kcal/mol. Product analyses indicated the product mixture to contain malonic acid, acetic acid, and carbon dioxide. DFT(B3LYP) computation presented a plausible mechanism for the formation of these products from DHBQ. DHBQ forms intermediate I2k, having an intramolecular O-O bridge between C-2 and C-5 of the 1,4-cyclohexadione structure. This O-O bond is homolytically cleaved, and the subsequent β-fragmentation of the resulting radical forms ketene and oxaloacetic acid. While ketene yields acetic acid, oxaloacetic acid then gives malonic acid and carbon dioxide through further attack of hydrogen peroxide via an intermediate that is oxidatively decarboxylated. The calculated E(a) value (23.3 kcal/mol) in the rate-determining step, i.e., the homolysis of I2k, agreed well with the experimental value. There is also a minor pathway in which the spin state changes to triplet during the homolysis of I2k; in this way two malonyl radicals are formed that are converted to two molecules of malonic acid.