GENISTEIN AND FLUORINATED ANALOGS SUPPRESS AGONIST-INDUCED AIRWAY SMOOTH MUSCLE CONTRACTION

Synthesis and transformation of 6-aminomethyl derivatives of 7-hydroxy-2'-fluoroisoflavones

Mannich aminomethylation of 8-methyl-7-hydroxy-2'-fluoroisoflavones applying bis-(N,N-dimethylamino)methane afforded C-6 substituted N,N-dimethylaminomethyl derivatives. Subsequent acetylation of these compounds in acetic anhydride in the presence of potassium acetate provided access to the corresponding acetoxymethyl derivatives that were converted to hydroxymethyl- and alkoxymethyl-substituted 7-hydroxyisoflavonoids. Addition of 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-5,5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one or 1,3-dimethyl-5-aminopyrazole with thermally generated ortho-quinone methides led to hetero-Diels–Alder or Michael adducts.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activities of Genistein, Biochanin A, and Their Analogues

A series of naturally occurring genistein(3)and biochanin A(4)compounds and their analogues were synthesized from phloroglucinol. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were established by the combined use ofHNMR1,CNMR13, IR spectral data, and mass spectrometry; their antioxidant activities were investigated. Most of the synthesized compounds show moderate-to-high activity; only two compounds exhibit no significant activity.

Src modulates serotonin-induced calcium signaling by regulating phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

We tested the hypothesis that, in airway smooth muscle cells, stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors by contractile agonists activates Src kinase and that this kinase modulates cell contractility and Ca(2+) signaling by affecting the levels of the phospholipase C substrate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)). Stimulation of cultured rat tracheal smooth muscle cells with serotonin (5-HT) induced an increase in Src activity, Ca(2+) mobilization, and contraction (decrease in cell area). 5-HT-evoked cell contraction was reduced by a specific inhibitor of Src family kinases, 4-amino-5(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP1). Peak Ca(2+) responses to 5-HT were attenuated by PP1 and an anti-Src-blocking antibody and augmented by expression of constitutively activated Y529F Src. Sustained phases of Ca(2+) responses to 5-HT and Ca(2+) influx resulting from emptying of Ca(2+) stores in the endoplasmic reticulum by thapsigargin were also decreased after PP1 treatment. PP1 significantly reduced the turnover of inositol phosphates produced on 5-HT stimulation and the amount of PIP(2) in the Triton X-100-insoluble lipid fraction. Overall, these data demonstrate that, in rat tracheal smooth muscle cells, Src kinase modulates 5-HT-evoked cell contractility and Ca(2+) signaling by regulating PIP(2) levels and Ca(2+) influx.

Tyrosine kinase-dependent calcium signaling in airway smooth muscle cells

Contractile agonists may stimulate mitogenic responses in airway smooth muscle by mechanisms that involve tyrosine kinases. The role of contractile agonist-evoked activation of tyrosine kinases in contractile signaling is not clear. We addressed this issue using cultured rat airway smooth muscle cells. In these cells, serotonin (5-HT, 1 microM) caused contraction (quantitated by a decrease in cell area), which was blocked by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (40 microM). Genistein and tyrphostin 23 (40 and 10 microM, respectively) significantly decreased 5-HT-evoked peak Ca(2+) responses, and the effect of genistein could be observed in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+). The specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase PD-98059 (30 microM) had no significant effect on peak Ca(2+) levels. Western analysis of cell extracts revealed that 5-HT caused a significant increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins with molecular masses of approximately 70 kDa within 10 s of stimulation but no measurable tyrosine phosphorylation of the gamma isoform of phospholipase C (PLC-gamma). Tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited by genistein. Furthermore, genistein (40 microM) significantly attenuated 5-HT-induced inositol phosphate production. We conclude that in airway smooth muscle contractile agonists acting on G protein-coupled receptors may activate tyrosine kinase(s), which in turn modulate calcium signaling by affecting, directly or indirectly, PLC-beta activity. It is unlikely that PLC-gamma or the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is involved in Ca(2+) signaling to 5-HT.