Spatially selective narrow band and broadband absorption in Ag/SiO2/Ag based trilayer thin films by oblique angle deposition of SiO2layer

We have experimentally demonstrated spatially selective absorption in Ag-SiO2-Ag based trilayer thin films by tuning the deposition angle of SiO2layer. These structures generate cavity resonance which can be tuned across the substrate locations due to spatially selective thickness and refractive index of silicon oxide (SiO2) film sandwiched between metallic silver (Ag) mirrors. Spatially selective property of SiO2film is obtained by oblique angle deposition technique using an electron beam evaporation system. The resonance wavelength of absorption in this trilayer structure shifts across the substrate locations along the direction of oblique deposition. The extent of shift in resonance increases with increase in angle of deposition of SiO2layer. 4.14 nm mm-1average shift of resonance wavelength is observed when SiO2is deposited at 40° whereas 4.76 nm mm-1average shift is observed when SiO2is deposited at 60°. We observed that the width of resonance increases with angle of deposition of the cavity layer and ultimately the resonant absorption disappears and becomes broadband when SiO2is deposited at glancing angle deposition (GLAD) configuration. Our study reveals that there is a suitable range of oblique angle of deposition from 40° to 60° for higher spatial tunability and resonant absorption whereas the absorption becomes broadband for glancing angle deposition.

Advancements in Gold-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions to Access Carbocycles and Heterocycles: An Overview

This review summarizes recent developments (from 2006 to 2022) in numerous important and efficient carbo- and heterocycle generations using gold-catalyzed cascade protocols. Herein, methodologies involve selectivity, cost-effectiveness, and ease of product formation being controlled by the ligand as well as the counter anion, catalyst, substrate, and reaction conditions. Gold-catalyzed cascade reactions covered different strategies through the compilation of various approaches such as cyclization, hydroarylation, intermolecular and intramolecular cascade reactions, etc. This entitled reaction is also useful for the synthesis of spiro, fused, bridged carbo- and heterocycles.

Outcomes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in patients with and without cardiac amyloidosis: analysis from 2016–2019 national inpatient sample

Background

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA), a restrictive cardiomyopathy that leads to heart failure, is often under-diagnosed in its early-stages, leading to patients being diagnosed with it in advanced stages. Most patients presenting with heart failure are presumed as non-amyloid heart failure due to a lack of awareness. A high degree of clinical suspicion is of paramount importance for early diagnosis and management of CA because the extent of cardiac involvement determines overall prognosis.

Purpose

Our study highlights the outcomes of HFpEF in patients with and without CA.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study involving principal hospitalizations for HFpEF between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), the largest all-payer public database of hospital care data in the United States. Our study sample included discharged adult patients (≥18 years) hospitalised for HFpEF using ICD-10 codes validated in previous studies. Confounders were adjusted using multivariable regression analysis.

Results

During the study period, there were 87,219 index hospitalizations for HFpEF. Among them, 38.3% (n=33405) were males, 61.7% (n=53814) were females, and 0.24% (n=209) had CA. Racial distribution is as follows: 76% Whites, 13.4% Blacks, 6.4% Hispanics, and 4.2% other races. Mean patient age was 74.6±13.2 years, and 68.1% were on Medicare. A total of 59,135 (67.8%) hospitalizations had a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of >3, with an in-hospital mortality of 2.5%. Compared to the non-CA cohort, the CA cohort had lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (8.5% vs 27%, p<0.0001) and COPD (23.5% vs 46.8%, p<0.001) but a higher prevalence of renal disease (51.6% vs 41.9%, p=0.004), cancer (25.4% vs 4.2%, p<0.001) and greater incidence of cardiogenic shock (5.2% vs 0.5%, p<0.001).

Compared to the non-CA cohort, patients with CA were less likely to be female (38% vs 61.7%, p<0.001), were of similar age (mean age 74.7 vs 74.6 yrs, p=0.907), had longer length of hospital stay (LOS, 6.7 vs 5.1 days, p<0.001), higher in-hospital mortality (5.2% vs 2.5%, p=0.023), and a higher likelihood of having a CCI >3 (74.2% vs 67.8%, p=0.017). Multivariate regression analysis showed that subjects in the CA cohort had significantly increased adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality (aOR=2.2; 95% CI: 1.2–4.4; p=0.017) and cardiogenic shock (aOR=9.5; 95% CI: 5–17.9; p<0.001) than those in the non-CA cohort after adjusting for age, sex, race, and CCI.

Conclusions

Our study illustrates that patients with a history of CA admitted for HFpEF had greater incidence of cardiogenic shock, higher prevalence of renal diseases and cancer with a longer LOS, and higher in-hospital mortality.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

A drug-in-adhesive anti-onychomycotic nail patch: Influence of drug and adhesive nature on drug release, ungual permeation, in vivo residence in human and anti-fungal efficacy

A nail patch is an attractive option for the topical treatment of onychomycosis, although no product is commercially available. We previously identified optimal nail patch formulations for two anti-onychomycotic drugs, based on their properties, as well as those of the other patch components. In this paper, our aim was to further investigate the potential of the patch formulations as topical nail medicines, in particular, whether the drug-in-adhesive patches release drug which then permeates into and through the nail plate and show anti-fungal efficacy, and whether and to what extent they remain adhered to the human nail plate in vivo when tested over 2 week durations. In addition, the influence of the drug (amorolfine HCl, ciclopirox olamine) and PSA (Duro-Tak 2852 or Duro-Tak 202A) on these parameters was determined. We found that both the nature of the drug and of the PSA influenced in vitro drug release. The nature of the drug, but not that of the PSA, influenced ungual drug permeation through human nail clippings, with considerably greater (almost double) permeation for ciclopirox olamine, the smaller and less lipophilic molecule. In vivo residence, tested with 3 out of the 4 patches, excluding the patch where ciclopirox olamine degraded with time, showed greater residence on toenails compared to fingernails reflecting their far lesser exposure to environmental stresses during daily activities. In vivo residence was enhanced when the patch was cut to the shape of the nail, was applied at bedtime, and when a clear colourless nail varnish was applied on top of the patch to 'seal' it into place on the nail. Comparison of the patches indicated greater residence of Duro-Tak 202A containing patches over those containing Duro-Tak 2852. Amorolfine HCl in Duro-Tak 202A based patch also showed antifungal efficacy in contrast to Duro-Tak 2852-based patch, and is particularly promising for further development as a potential toenail medicine, remaining almost fully adhered to toenails for at least two weeks.

Efficacy of irrigant activation techniques in removing intracanal smear layer and debris from mature permanent teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

To establish whether irrigant activation techniques (IATs) result in greater intracanal smear layer and debris removal than conventional needle irrigation (CNI).

METHODOLOGY

Six electronic databases were searched to identify scanning electron microscopy studies evaluating smear layer and/or debris removal following the use of manual dynamic activation (MDA), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), sonic irrigation (SI) or apical negative pressure (ANP) IATs in mature permanent teeth. Meta-analyses were performed for each canal segment (coronal, middle, apical and apical 1 mm) in addition to subgroup analyses for individual IATs with respect to CNI. Outcomes were presented as standardized mean differences (SMD) alongside 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and chi-squared analysis.

RESULTS

From 252 citations, 16 studies were identified. The meta-analyses demonstrated significant improvements in coronal (SMD: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.72-1.57 / SMD: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29-0.80), middle (SMD: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.59-2.53 / SMD: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.58-1.13) and apical thirds (SMD: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.83-1.62 / SMD: 1.86, 95% CI: 0.76-2.96) for smear layer and debris removal, respectively. In the apical 1 mm IATs improved cleanliness; however, differences were insignificant (SMD: 1.15, 95% CI: -0.47-2.77). Chi-squared analysis revealed heterogeneity scores of 79.3-92.8% and 0.0-93.5% for smear layer and debris removal, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

IATs improve intracanal cleanliness across a substantial portion of the canal, and therefore, their use is recommended throughout root canal preparation. However, current data is too heterogeneous to compare and identify superiority of an individual technique highlighting the need to standardize experimental protocols and develop a more representative research model to investigate the in vivo impact of IATs on clinical outcomes and periapical healing following root canal treatment.

Site-directed RNA editing by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA for correction of the genetic code in gene therapy

Site-directed RNA editing is an important technique for correcting gene sequences and ultimately tuning protein function. In this study, we engineered the deaminase domain of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR1) and the MS2 system to target-specific adenosines, with the goal of correcting G-to-A mutations at the RNA level. For this purpose, the ADAR1 deaminase domain was fused downstream of the RNA-binding protein MS2, which has affinity for the MS2 RNA. To direct editing to specific targets, we designed guide RNAs complementary to target RNAs. The guide RNAs directed the ADAR1 deaminase to the desired editing site, where it converted adenosine to inosine. To provide proof of principle, we used an allele of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) bearing a mutation at the 58th amino acid (TGG), encoding Trp, into an amber (TAG) or ochre (TAA) stop codon. In HEK-293 cells, our system could convert stop codons to read-through codons, thereby turning on fluorescence. We confirmed the specificity of editing at the DNA level by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing, and at the protein level by western blotting. The editing efficiency of this enzyme system was ~5%. We believe that this system could be used to treat genetic diseases resulting from G-to-A point mutations.

UV-curable gels as topical nail medicines:In vivo residence, anti-fungal efficacy and influence of gel components on their properties

UV-curable gels, used as nail cosmetics for their in vivo durability, were reported to be promising as topical nail medicines. Our first aim was thus to investigate whether such durability applies to drug-loaded formulations. This was found to be true. However, ethanol inclusion in the pharmaceutical formulation (to enable drug loading) reduced the in vivo residence. The second aim was therefore to determine any other effects of ethanol, and if ethanol could be avoided by the choice of monomers. Thus, three methacrylate monomers, ethyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were selected, and their influence on the formulation properties were determined. Ethanol and the methacrylate monomer influenced some (but not all) of the formulation properties. The most significant was that HEMA could dissolve drug and enable the preparation of ethanol-free, drug-loaded formulations, which would benefit in vivo residence. The absence of ethanol reduced drug loading, release and ungual flux, but had no negative impact on the in vitro anti-fungal efficacy. Thus, judicious selection of gel components enabled the exclusion of ethanol. The long in vivo residence, little residual monomers, sufficient ungual permeation and in vitro anti-fungal activity of the gels indicates their potential as anti-onychomycotic topical medicines.

Antagonistic effects of indoloquinazoline alkaloids on antimycobacterial activity of evocarpine

AIMS

The interaction of quinolone and indoloquinazoline alkaloids concerning their antimycobacterial activity was studied.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The antimycobacterial and modulating activity of evodiamine (1), rutaecarpine (2) and evocarpine (3) was tested on mycobacteria including three multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antagonistic effects were concluded from fractional inhibitory concentration (FICI) values. Interaction energies of the compounds were calculated using GLUE docking module implemented in GRID. 1 and 2 exhibited weak inhibition of rapidly growing mycobacteria, however, 1 was active against Myco. tuberculosis H37Rv (MIC = 10 mg l(-1) ) while 2 was inactive. Both 1 and 2 showed a marked antagonistic effect on the susceptibility of different mycobacterial strains to 3 giving FICI values between 5 and 9. The interaction energies between compounds 1 and 2 with compound 3 suggested the possibility of complex formation in solution.

CONCLUSIONS

Indoloquinazoline alkaloids markedly reduce the antimycobacterial effect of the quinolone alkaloid evocarpine. Complex formation may play a role in the attenuation of its antimycobacterial activity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study gives a striking example of antagonism between compounds present in the same plant extract which should be considered in natural product based screening projects.

Impressions in implant dentistry

Accurate impressions provide a foundation for successful implant prosthodontics. This paper is aimed at the general dental practitioner (GDP) who would like to start restoring dental implants and demystifies the terminology, introduces the basic armamentarium and discusses the relative merits of different implant impression techniques. Detailed, step-by-step instructions for making impressions using the closed and open tray techniques are provided and the importance of verification jigs are highlighted.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A successful restoration is dependent upon proper planning and meticulous clinical processes. An understanding of impression techniques is therefore fundamental for the GDP wishing to restore implant-supported prostheses.

OBJECTIVES

The reader should be familiar with different implant components and understand the impression techniques used in implant dentistry.

Phase II study of combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) in patients with advanced anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC)

5580

Background: CA4P is the first tubulin-binding vascular disrupting agent tested in the clinic. Phase I studies were devoid of significant myelosuppression, DLT included cardiovascular side effects, and there was demonstrable activity in ATC (Cancer Res 2002; 62:3408; Clin Cancer Res 2004; 10:96). Methods: Patients with metastatic ATC, good performance status, normal ECG and cardiac function, and no prior therapy for disseminated disease were eligible for study. CA4P at a dose of 45 mg/m2 was administered as 10-minute IV infusion on days 1, 8 and 15 every 28 days (1 cycle) until progression of disease. Results: A total of 18 patients (pts) (11M/7F), median age 62 (range 40–71 yrs), received a total of 55.67 cycles of treatment. Therapy was well tolerated with mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, headache, and tumor pain (3 pts with grade 3) all of which essentially resolved within first 24 hrs. There was no clinically meaningful myelosuppression or cardiac toxicity. No objective responses were seen; 6 pts with stable disease and 12 pts progressed. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 7.4 wks (range 2–84+ wks); with 28% of pts progression free > 3.0 mos. (12.0+, 14.3, 15.3, 25.6 and 84.0+ wks). Pts without bulky disease tended to do better. Fourteen pts have died; 4 are alive; and 2 are alive and on-study at 12.0+ and 84.0+ wks. Median survival is on the order of approximately 20 wks. Conclusions: Approximately a quarter of patients treated with single-agent CA4P experience greater than 3 mos. freedom from progression. Combined modality strategies with CA4P and either chemotherapy and other targeted agents or with radiation are warranted. [Supported in part by a clinical grant from OXiGENE, Inc., Waltham, MA and NIH grant nos. M01 RR-00080].

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases: a pharmacogenomic approach to drug metabolism and endogenous function

The arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are a unique family of enzymes that catalyse the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the terminal nitrogen of hydrazine and arylamine drugs and carcinogens. The NATs have been shown to be important in drug detoxification and carcinogen activation, with humans possessing two isoenzymes encoded by polymorphic genes. This polymorphism has pharmacogenetic implications, leading to different rates of inactivation of drugs, including the anti-tubercular agent isoniazid and the anti-hypertensive drug hydralazine. Mice provide a good model for human NAT, allowing genetic manipulation of expression to explore possible endogenous roles of these enzymes. The first three-dimensional NAT structure was resolved for NAT from Salmonella typhimurium, and subsequently the structure of NAT from Mycobacterium smegmatis has been elucidated. These identified a 'Cys-His-Asp' catalytic triad (conserved in all NATs), which is believed to be responsible for the activation of the active site cysteine residue. As more genomic data become available, NAT homologues continue to be found in prokaryotic species, many of which are pathogenic, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The discovery of NAT in M. tuberculosis is particularly significant, since this enzyme participates in inactivation of isoniazid in the bacterium, with implications for isoniazid resistance. Structural studies on NAT proteins and phenotypic analyses of organisms (both mice and prokaryotes) following genetic modifications of the nat genes are leading to an understanding of the potentially diverse roles of NAT in endogenous and xenobiotic metabolism. These studies have indicated that NAT, particularly in Mycobacteria, has the potential to be a drug target. Combinatorial chemical approaches, together with in silico structural studies, will allow for advances in the identification of NAT substrates and inhibitors, both as experimental tools and as potential drugs.

Beta-catenin mutations in biliary tract cancers: a population-based study in China

beta-Catenin is an ubiquitously expressed cytoplasmic protein that has a crucial role in both cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion and as a downstream signaling molecule in the wingless/Wnt pathway. Activating mutations in exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene, at the phosphorylation sites for ubiquitination and degradation of beta-catenin, are present in a variety of cancers. Because alterations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are present in biliary tract cancers and the APC protein modulates levels of beta-catenin, we evaluated the role of beta-catenin in biliary tract cancer by sequencing the third exon of the beta-catenin gene among 107 biliary tract cancers and 7 gallbladder adenomas from a population-based study in CHINA: Point mutations of serine or threonine phosphorylation sites in exon 3 of beta-catenin were present in 8 of 107 (7.5%) biliary tract cancers and 4 of 7 (57.1%) gallbladder adenomas. Mutations of beta-catenin were more frequent in ampullary and gallbladder carcinomas than in bile duct carcinomas (P = 0.04) and in papillary adenocarcinomas than other histological types of carcinomas (P = 0.02). These results suggest that the molecular pathways of biliary tract neoplasms vary by anatomical subsite and histological subtype.

Sulfation of endothelial mucin by corneal keratan N-acetylglucosamine 6-O-sulfotransferase (GST-4beta)

Intestinal N-acetylglucosamine 6-O-sulfotransferase (I-GlcNAc6ST, GST-4alpha) and corneal N-acetylglucosamine 6-O-sulfotransferases (C-GlcNAc6ST, GST-4beta) are two highly homologous GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase isozymes encoded by two intronless open reading frames that reside approximately 50 kb apart on human chromosome 16q23.1. I-GlcNAc6ST has been shown to catalyze 6-O-sulfation of the endothelial mucin GlyCAM-1. C-GlcNAc6ST catalyzes 6-O-sulfation of GlcNAc in keratan sulfate and null-mutations in its encoding gene cause human macular corneal dystrophy. We show here that C-GlcNAc6ST efficiently catalyzes sulfation of GlyCAM-1 when coexpressed with the latter in COS-7 cells. We have further compared expression in human of both enzymes by Northern analysis with isozyme-specific probes. While I-GlcNAc6T is expressed mostly in intestinal tissue, larger C-GlcNAc6ST transcripts are found predominantly in the brain.

Chromosomal localization and genomic organization for the galactose/ N-acetylgalactosamine/N-acetylglucosamine 6-O-sulfotransferase gene family

The galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine/N-acetylglucosamine 6-O-sulfotransferases (GSTs) are a family of Golgi-resident enzymes that transfer sulfate from 3'phosphoadenosine 5'phospho-sulfate to the 6-hydroxyl group of galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, or N-acetylglucosamine in nascent glycoproteins. These sulfation modifications are functionally important in settings as diverse as cartilage structure and lymphocyte homing. To date six members of this gene family have been described in human and in mouse. We have determined the chromosomal localization of these genes as well as their genomic organization. While the broadly expressed enzymes implicated in proteoglycan biosynthesis are located on different chromosomes, the highly tissue specific enzymes GST-3 and 4 are encoded by genes located both in band q23.1--23.2 on chromosome 16. In the mouse, both genes reside in the syntenic region 8E1 on chromosome 8. This cross-species conserved clustering is suggestive of related functional roles for these genes. The human GST4 locus actually contains two highly similar open reading frames (ORF) that are 50 kb apart and encode two highly similar enzyme isoforms termed GST-4 alpha and GST-4 beta. All genes except GST0 (chondroitin 6-O-sulfotransferase) contain intron-less ORFs. With one exception these are fused directly to sequences encoding the 3' untranslated regions (UTR) of the respective mature mRNAs. The 5' UTRs of these mRNAs are usually encoded by a number of short exons 5' of the respective ORF. 5'UTRs of the same enzyme expressed in different cell types are sometimes derived from different exons located upstream of the ORF. The genomic organization of the GSTs resembles that of certain glycosyltransferase gene families.

Sulfation of N-acetylglucosamine by chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase 2 (GST-5)

Based on sequence homology with a previously cloned human GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase, we have identified an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a novel member of the Gal/GalNAc/GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase (GST) family termed GST-5 on the human X chromosome (band Xp11). GST-5 has recently been characterized as a novel GalNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase termed chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase-2 (Kitagawa, H., Fujita, M., Itio, N., and Sugahara K. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 21075-21080). We have coexpressed a human GST-5 cDNA with a GlyCAM-1/IgG fusion protein in COS-7 cells and observed four-fold enhanced [(35)S]sulfate incorporation into this mucin acceptor. All mucin-associated [(35)S]sulfate was incorporated as GlcNAc-6-sulfate or Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc-6-sulfate. GST-5 was also expressed in soluble epitope-tagged form and found to catalyze 6-O-sulfation of GlcNAc residues in synthetic acceptor structures. In particular, GST-5 was found to catalyze 6-O-sulfation of beta-benzyl GlcNAc but not alpha- or beta-benzyl GalNAc. In the mouse genome we have found a homologous ORF that predicts a novel murine GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase with 88% identity to the human enzyme. This gene was mapped to mouse chromosome X at band XA3.1-3.2. GST-5 is the newest member of an emerging family of carbohydrate 6-O-sulfotransferases that includes chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase (GST-0), keratan-sulfate galactose 6-O-sulfotransferase (GST-1), the ubiquitously expressed GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase (GST-2), high endothelial cell GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase (GST-3), and intestinal GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase (GST-4).

Structure-based design of six novel classes of nonpeptide antagonists of the bradykinin B2 receptor

Six classes of nonpeptide bradykinin antagonists were designed using a template derived from structural studies of peptide antagonists. Several compounds from each class were synthesized and assayed for binding to the human bradykinin B2 receptor. Each family showed compounds active at the level of the smallest template peptide; three classes contained compounds with Kd < 8 microM. These results provide diverse leads for a medicinal chemistry-based optimization program.

Caries prediction and indicators using a pediatric risk assessment teaching tool

The goals of this study were to determine both predictability and risk indicators in a young pediatric population seen in a dental school clinic using a Caries Risk Assessment teaching tool. Assigned risk categories and factors for 140 patients were analyzed for relationships with future caries development using Logistic Regression (p < 0.01) and Chi-square analysis (p < 0.05). Among the group developing caries, variables and disease were analyzed using ANOVA Independent Samples Test (p < 0.05). Assigned-risk categories were significantly predictive with odds ratios (OR) of Moderate- and High-risk developing new caries being 5.41 and 28.64 respectively when compared with Low-risk. Significant risk indicators were diet, oral hygiene and the presence of caries and decalcifications. The risk assessment tool used in this study predicted future caries development. Through this method of assessment, caries risk indicators in the population studied were determined to be diet, oral hygiene and past caries experience.

Identification of the binding site for a novel class of CCR2b chemokine receptor antagonists: binding to a common chemokine receptor motif within the helical bundle

Monocyte chemoattracant-1 (MCP-1) stimulates leukocyte chemotaxis to inflammatory sites, such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and asthma, by use of the MCP-1 receptor, CCR2, a member of the G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane receptor superfamily. These studies identified a family of antagonists, spiropiperidines. One of the more potent compounds blocks MCP-1 binding to CCR2 with a K(d) of 60 nm, but it is unable to block binding to CXCR1, CCR1, or CCR3. These compounds were effective inhibitors of chemotaxis toward MCP-1 but were very poor inhibitors of CCR1-mediated chemotaxis. The compounds are effective blockers of MCP-1-driven inhibition of adenylate cyclase and MCP-1- and MCP-3-driven cytosolic calcium influx; the compounds are not agonists for these pathways. We showed that glutamate 291 (Glu(291)) of CCR2 is a critical residue for high affinity binding and that this residue contributes little to MCP-1 binding to CCR2. The basic nitrogen present in the spiropiperidine compounds may be the interaction partner for Glu(291), because the basicity of this nitrogen was essential for affinity; furthermore, a different class of antagonists, a class that does not have a basic nitrogen (2-carboxypyrroles), were not affected by mutations of Glu(291). In addition to the CCR2 receptor, spiropiperidine compounds have affinity for several biogenic amine receptors. Receptor models indicate that the acidic residue, Glu(291), from transmembrane-7 of CCR2 is in a position similar to the acidic residue contributed from transmembrane-3 of biogenic amine receptors, which may account for the shared affinity of spiropiperidines for these two receptor classes. The models suggest that the acid-base pair, Glu(291) to piperidine nitrogen, anchors the spiropiperidine compound within the transmembrane ovoid bundle. This binding site may overlap with the space required by MCP-1 during binding and signaling; thus the small molecule ligands act as antagonists. An acidic residue in transmembrane region 7 is found in most chemokine receptors and is rare in other serpentine receptors. The model of the binding site may suggest ways to make new small molecule chemokine receptor antagonists, and it may rationalize the design of more potent and selective antagonists.

Characterization of derivatives of the high-molecular-mass penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 1 of Mycobacterium leprae

Mycobacterium leprae has two high-molecular-mass multimodular penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of class A, termed PBP1 and PBP1* [Lepage, Dubois, Ghosh, Joris, Mahapatra, Kundu, Basu, Chakrabarti, Cole, Nguyen-Disteche and Ghuysen (1997) J. Bacteriol. 179, 4627-4630]. PBP1-Xaa-beta-lactamase fusions generated periplasmic beta-lactamase activity when Xaa (the amino acid of PBP1 at the fusion junction) was residue 314, 363, 407, 450 or 480. Truncation of the N-terminal part of the protein up to residue Leu-147 generated a penicillin-binding polypeptide which could still associate with the plasma membrane, whereas [DeltaM1-R314]PBP1 (PBP1 lacking residues Met-1 to Arg-314) failed to associate with the membrane, suggesting that the region between residues Leu-147 and Arg-314 harbours an additional plasma membrane association site for PBP1. Truncation of the C-terminus up to 42 residues downstream of the KTG (Lys-Thr-Gly) motif also generated a polypeptide that retained penicillin-binding activity. [DeltaM1-R314]PBP1 could be extracted from inclusion bodies and refolded under appropriate conditions to give a form capable of binding penicillin with the same efficiency as full-length PBP1. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of a soluble derivative of a penicillin-resistant high-molecular-mass PBP of class A that is capable of binding penicillin. A chimaeric PBP in which the penicillin-binding (PB) module of PBP1 was fused at its N-terminal end with the non-penicillin-binding (n-PB) module of PBP1* retained pencillin-binding activity similar to that of PBP1, corroborating the finding that the n-PB module of PBP1 is dispensable for its penicillin-binding activity.

Inhibition by IL-12 and IFN-alpha of I-309 and macrophage-derived chemokine production upon TCR triggering of human Th1 cells

Th1 and Th2 cells, which produce distinct sets of cytokines, differentially express several chemokine receptors that may regulate their tissue-specific localization. Although the expression pattern and regulation of chemokines are likely to play a critical role in many immunopathological processes, they remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the requirements for Th1 and Th2 cells to produce the Th2 cell-attracting chemokines thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and I-309. TCR triggering of Th1 and Th2 cells leads to production of MDC and I-309 (CCR4 and CCR8 ligands, respectively), whereas TARC (CCR4 ligand) is selectively produced by Th2 cells. Secretion of these chemokines appears to be independent of endogenous production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma. IL-12 and IFN-alpha, cytokines that promote the differentiation of human Th1 cells, selectively inhibit secretion and mRNA expression of MDC and I-309 by Th1 cells. Suppression of I-309 secretion results in a decreased chemotactic effect on L1.2 cells transfected with human CCR8, indicating that IL-12 and IFN-alpha may inhibit the recruitment of CCR8-expressing cells such as Th2 cells. The inhibition of Th2 cell-attracting chemokines MDC and I-309 illustrates a novel mechanism by which IL-12 and IFN-alpha could promote and maintain an ongoing Th1 response.

Identification of surface residues of the monocyte chemotactic protein 1 that affect signaling through the receptor CCR2

The CC chemokine, monocyte chemotactic protein, 1 (MCP-1) functions as a major chemoattractant for T-cells and monocytes by interacting with the seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor CCR2. To identify which residues of MCP-1 contribute to signaling though CCR2, we mutated all the surface-exposed residues to alanine and other amino acids and made some selective large changes at the amino terminus. We then characterized the impact of these mutations on three postreceptor pathways involving inhibition of cAMP synthesis, stimulation of cytosolic calcium influx, and chemotaxis. The results highlight several important features of the signaling process and the correlation between binding and signaling: The amino terminus of MCP-1 is essential as truncation of residues 2-8 ([1+9-76]hMCP-1) results in a protein that cannot stimulate chemotaxis. However, the exact peptide sequence may be unimportant as individual alanine mutations or simultaneous replacement of residues 3-6 with alanine had little effect. Y13 is also important and must be a large nonpolar residue for chemotaxis to occur. Interestingly, both Y13 and [1+9-76]hMCP-1 are high-affinity binders and thus affinity of these mutants is not correlated with ability to promote chemotaxis. For the other surface residues there is a strong correlation between binding affinity and agonist potency in all three signaling pathways. Perhaps the most interesting observation is that although Y13A and [1+9-76]hMCP are antagonists of chemotaxis, they are agonists of pathways involving inhibition of cAMP synthesis and, in the case of Y13A, calcium influx. These results demonstrate that these two well-known signaling events are not sufficient to drive chemotaxis. Furthermore, it suggests that specific molecular features of MCP-1 induce different conformations in CCR2 that are coupled to separate postreceptor pathways. Therefore, by judicious design of antagonists, it should be possible to trap CCR2 in conformational states that are unable to stimulate all of the pathways required for chemotaxis.

Identification of residues in the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 that contact the MCP-1 receptor, CCR2

The CC chemokine, MCP-1, has been identified as a major chemoattractant for T cells and monocytes, and plays a significant role in the pathology of inflammatory diseases. To identify the regions of MCP-1 that contact its receptor, CCR2, we substituted all surface-exposed residues with alanine. Some residues were also mutated to other amino acids to identify the importance of charge, hydrophobicity, or aromaticity at specific positions. The binding affinity of each mutant for CCR2 was assayed with THP-1 and CCR2-transfected CHL cells. The majority of point mutations had no effect. Residues at the N-terminus of the protein, known to be crucial for signaling, contribute less than a factor of 10 to the binding affinity. However, two clusters of primarily basic residues (R24, K35, K38, K49, and Y13), separated by a 35 A hydrophobic groove, reduced the level of binding by 15-100-fold. A peptide fragment encompassing residues 13-35 recapitulated some of the mutational data derived from the intact protein. It exhibited modest binding as a linear peptide and dramatically improved affinity when the region which adopts a single turn of a 3(10)-helix in the protein, which includes R24, was constrained by a disulfide bond. Additional constraints at the ends of the peptide, corresponding to the disulfide between the first and third cysteines in MCP-1, yielded further improvements in affinity. Together, these data suggest a model in which a large surface area of MCP-1 contacts the receptor, and the accumulation of a number of weak interactions results in the 35 pM affinity observed for the wild-type (WT) protein. The receptor binding site of MCP-1 also is significantly different from the binding sites of RANTES and IL-8, providing insight into the issue of receptor specificity. It was previously shown that the N-terminus of CCR2 is critical for binding MCP-1 [Monteclaro, F. S., and Charo, I. F. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 19084-92; Monteclaro, F. S., and Charo, I. F. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 23186-90]. Point mutations of six acidic residues in this region of the receptor were made to test their role in ligand binding. This identified D25 and D27 of the DYDY motif as being important. On the basis of our data, we propose a model in which the receptor N-terminus lies along the hydrophobic groove in an extended fashion, placing the DYDY motif near the basic cluster involving R24 and K49 of MCP-1. This in turn orients the signaling residues (Y13 and the N-terminus) for productive interaction with the receptor.

Cloning and characterization of a mammalian N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfotransferase that is highly restricted to intestinal tissue

Using the sequences of a galactose 6-O-sulfotransferase and an N-acetylglucosamine 6-O-sulfotransferase as probes in an EST approach, we have identified a highly related cDNA in human and an apparent orthologue in mouse. The cDNAs predict type II transmembrane proteins that constitute new members of the Gal/GalNAc/GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase (GST) family. Members of this family have previously been implicated in the sulfation of GAG chains within proteoglycans and the sulfation of O-linked chains within sialomucin ligands for l-selectin. Expression of the newly identified cDNA in COS cells led to the addition of sulfate to C-6 of GlcNAc in an acceptor glycoprotein. The tissue expression of transcripts corresponding to the cDNA was highly restricted to the small intestine and colon in humans. Based on these characteristics, the novel sulfotransferase is designated I-GlcNAc6ST for intestinal GlcNAc 6-O-sulfotransferase.

Sulfotransferases of two specificities function in the reconstitution of high endothelial cell ligands for L-selectin

L-selectin, a lectin-like receptor, mediates rolling of lymphocytes on high endothelial venules (HEVs) in secondary lymphoid organs by interacting with HEV ligands. These ligands consist of a complex of sialomucins, candidates for which are glycosylation- dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (GlyCAM-1), CD34, and podocalyxin. The ligands must be sialylated, fucosylated, and sulfated for optimal recognition by L-selectin. Our previous structural characterization of GlyCAM-1 has demonstrated two sulfation modifications, Gal-6-sulfate and GlcNAc-6-sulfate in the context of sialyl Lewis x. We now report the cloning of a Gal-6-sulfotransferase and a GlcNAc-6-sulfotransferase, which can modify GlyCAM-1 and CD34. The Gal-6-sulfotransferase shows a wide tissue distribution. In contrast, the GlcNAc-6-sulfotransferase is highly restricted to HEVs, as revealed by Northern analysis and in situ hybridization. Expression of either enzyme in Chinese hamster ovary cells, along with CD34 and fucosyltransferase VII, results in ligand activity, as detected by binding of an L-selectin/IgM chimera. When coexpressed, the two sulfotransferases synergize to produce strongly enhanced chimera binding.

Monomeric monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) binds and activates the MCP-1 receptor CCR2B

To address the role of dimerization in the function of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, MCP-1, we mutated residues that comprise the core of the dimerization interface and characterized the ability of these mutants to dimerize and to bind and activate the MCP-1 receptor, CCR2b. One mutant, P8A*, does not dimerize. However, it has wild type binding affinity, stimulates chemotaxis, inhibits adenylate cyclase, and stimulates calcium influx with wild type potency and efficacy. These data suggest that MCP-1 binds and activates its receptor as a monomer. In contrast, Y13A*, another monomeric mutant, has a 100-fold weaker binding affinity, is a much less potent inhibitor of adenylate cyclase and stimulator of calcium influx, and is unable to stimulate chemotaxis. Thus Tyr13 may make important contacts with the receptor that are required for high affinity binding and signal transduction. We also explored whether a mutant, [1+9-76]MCP-1 (MCP-1 lacking residues 2-8), antagonizes wild type MCP-1 by competitive inhibition, or by a dominant negative mechanism wherein heterodimers of MCP-1 and [1+9-76]MCP-1 bind to the receptor but are signaling incompetent. Consistent with the finding that MCP-1 can bind and activate the receptor as a monomer, we demonstrate that binding of MCP-1 in the presence of [1+9-76]MCP-1 over a range of concentrations of both ligands fits well to a simple model in which monomeric [1+9-76]MCP-1 functions as a competitive inhibitor of monomeric MCP-1. These results are crucial for elucidating the molecular details of receptor binding and activation, for interpreting mutagenesis data, for understanding how antagonistic chemokine variants function, and for the design of receptor antagonists.

Identification of an N-acetylglucosamine-6-0-sulfotransferase activity specific to lymphoid tissue: an enzyme with a possible role in lymphocyte homing

BACKGROUND

The leukocyte adhesion molecule L-selection participates in the initial attachment of blood-borne lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEVs) during lymphocyte homing to secondary lymphoid organs, and contributes to leukocyte adhesion and extravasation in HEV-like vessels at sites of chronic inflammation. The L-selection ligands on lymph mode HEVs are mucin-like glycoproteins adorned with the unusual sulfated carbohydrate epitope, 6-sulfo sialyl Lewis x. Sulfation of this epitope on the N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residue confers high-avidity L-selection binding, and is thought to be restricted in the vasculature to sites of sustained lymphocyte recruitment. The GlcNAc-6-0 sulfotransferase that installs the sulfate ester may be a key modulator of lymphocyte recruitment to secondary lymphoid organs and sites of chronic inflammation and is therefore a potential target for anti-inflammatory therapy.

RESULTS

A GlcNAc-6-0-sulfotransferase activity was identified within porcine lymph nodes and characterized using a rapid, sensitive, and quantitative assay. We synthesized two unnatural oligosaccharide substrates, GlcNAc beta 1-->6Gal alpha-R and Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->6Gal alpha-R, that incorporate structural motifs from the native L-selection ligands into an unnatural C-glycosyl hydrocarbon scaffold. The sulfotransferase incorporated greater than tenfold more sulfate into the disaccharide than the trisaccharide, indicating a requirement for a terminal GlcNAc. Activity across tissues was highly restricted to the HEVs within peripheral lymph node.

CONCLUSIONS

The restricted expression of the GlcNAc-6-0-sulfotransferase activity to lymph node HEVs strongly suggestions a role in the biosynthesis of L-selection ligands. In addition, similar sulfated epitopes are known to be expressed on HEV-like vessels of chronically inflamed tissues; indicating that this sulfotransferase may also contribute to inflammatory lymphocyte recruitment. We identified a concise disaccharide motif, GlcNAc beta 1-->6Gal alpha-R, that preserved both recognition and specificity determinants for the GlcNAc-6-0-sulfotransferase. The absence of activity on the trisaccharide Gal beta 1-->6Gal alpha-R indicates a requirement for a substrate with a terminal GlcNAc residue, suggesting that sulfation precedes further biosynthetic assembly of L-selection ligands.

Molecular cloning, genomic characterization and expression of novel human alpha1A-adrenoceptor isoforms

We have isolated and characterized from human prostate novel splice variants of the human alpha1A-adrenoceptor, several of which generate truncated products and one isoform, alpha(1A-4), which has the identical splice site as the three previously described isoforms. Long-PCR on human genomic DNA showed that the alpha(1A-4) exon is located between those encoding the alpha(1A-1) and alpha(1A-3) variants. CHO-K1 cells stably expressing alpha(1A-4) showed ligand binding properties similar to those of the other functional isoforms as well as agonist-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed that alpha(1A-4) is the most abundant isoform expressed in the prostate with high levels also detected in liver and heart.

Floral scent production in Clarkia breweri (Onagraceae). II. Localization and developmental modulation of the enzyme S-adenosyl-L-methionine:(iso)eugenol O-methyltransferase and phenylpropanoid emission

We have previously shown (R.A. Raguso, E. Pichersky [1995] Plant Syst Evol 194: 55-67) that the strong, sweet fragrance of Clarkia breweri (Onagraceae), an annual plant native to California, consists of 8 to 12 volatile compounds, including 4 phenylpropanoids. Although some C. breweri plants emit all 4 phenylpropanoids (eugenol, isoeugenol, methyleugenol, and isomethyleugenol), other C. breweri plants do not emit the latter 2 compounds. Here we report that petal tissue was responsible for the bulk of the phenylpropanoid emission. The activity of S-adenosyl-L-methionine: (iso)eugenol O-methyltransferase (IEMT), a novel enzyme that catalyzes the methylation of the para-4'-hydroxyl of both eugenol and (iso)eugenol to methyleugenol and isomethyleugenol, respectively, was also highest in petal tissue. IEMT activity was absent from floral tissues of plants not emitting (iso)methyleugenol. A C. breweri cDNA clone encoding IEMT was isolated, and its sequence was shown to have 70% identity to S-adenosyl-L-methionine:caffeic acid O-methyltransferase. The protein encoded by this cDNA can use eugenol and isoeugenol as substrates, but not caffeic acid. Steady-state IEMT mRNA levels were positively correlated with levels of IEMT activity in the tissues, and no IEMT mRNA was observed in flowers that do not emit (iso)methyleugenol. Overall, the data show that the floral emission of (iso)methyleugenol is controlled at the site of emission, that a positive correlation exists between volatile emission and IEMT activity, and that control of the level of IEMT activity is exerted at a pretranslational step.

Mutations in the B2 bradykinin receptor reveal a different pattern of contacts for peptidic agonists and peptidic antagonists

The B2 bradykinin receptor, a seven-helix transmembrane receptor, binds the inflammatory mediator bradykinin (BK) and the structurally related peptide antagonist HOE-140. The binding of HOE-140 and the binding of bradykinin are mutually exclusive and competitive. Fifty-four site-specific receptor mutations were made. BK's affinity is reduced 2200-fold by F261A, 490-fold by T265A, 60-fold by D286A, and 3-10-fold by N200A, D268A, and Q290A. In contrast, HOE-140 affinity is reduced less than 7-fold by F254A, F261A, Y297A, and Q262A. The almost complete discordance of mutations that affect BK binding versus HOE-140 binding is surprising, but it was paralleled by the effect of single changes in BK and HOE-140. [Ala9]BK and [Ala6]BK are reduced in receptor binding affinity 27,000- and 150-fold, respectively, while [Ala9]HOE-140 affinity is reduced 7-fold and [Ala6]HOE-140 affinity is unchanged. NMR spectroscopy of all of the peptidic analogs of BK or HOE-140 revealed a beta-turn at the C terminus. Models of the receptor-ligand complex suggested that bradykinin is bound partially inside the helical bundle of the receptor with the amino terminus emerging from the extracellular side of helical bundle. In these models a salt bridge occurs between Arg9 and Asp286; the models also place Phe8 in a hydrophobic pocket midway through the transmembrane region. Models of HOE-140 binding to the receptor place its beta-turn one alpha-helical turn deeper and closer to helix 7 and helix 1 as compared with bradykinin-receptor complex models.

The cDNA of a human lymphocyte cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE IV) reveals a multigene family

Five protein families are needed to encompass the diversity of cyclic-AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterases (PDE). Family IV PDEs (PDE IV) specifically hydrolyze cAMP with a low Km, and are selectively inhibited by rolipram (Rp) and related drugs. Cloned cDNAs from rat (r) suggest that the PDE IV family comprises four distinct members, designated A, B, C and D. Using RN from a human lymphocytic B-cell line (43D-Cl2), we have isolated a 3.8-kb cDNA by low-stringency screening using a rat PDE IV member B (r-PDE IVB) probe. Expression of the human (h) cDNA in Escherichia coli results in cAMP-specific PDE activity that is Rp sensitive. A single large open reading frame (ORF) predicts a 564-amino-acid protein with 92.9% identity to r-PDE IVB; at the nucleotide level the identity is 86.3%. This h-PDE IVB clone, HPB106, differs from a related cDNA clone isolated by others from h-monocytes [Livi et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 10 (1990) 2678-2686]. Our analysis identifies the monocyte clone with r-PDE IVA. Southern blots using a 1.2-kb h-PDE IVB probe at low stringency suggest the presence of additional uncloned human PDE IV family members. Analysis of genomic Southern blots using short specific probes from the h-PDE IVA and h-PDE IVB cDNAs indicates that distinct genes encode these two PDE IV family members. RNA from fractionated normal human leukocytes shows major specific messages of 3.0 and 4.6 kb for h-PDE IVA and 3.7 kb for h-PDE IVB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression cloning of a rat B2 bradykinin receptor

A cDNA encoding a functional bradykinin receptor was isolated from a rat uterus library by a clonal selection strategy using Xenopus laevis oocytes to assay for expression of bradykinin responses. The predicted protein is homologous to the seven transmembrane G protein-coupled superfamily of receptors. Bradykinin and its analogs stimulate a Cl- current oocytes expressing the receptor with the rank order of potency: bradykinin approximately Lys-bradykinin greater than [Tyr8]-bradykinin much greater than [Phe6]bradykinin. This is the rank order of potency observed for these compounds in competitive binding assays on soluble receptor from rat uterus. Des-Arg9-bradykinin (10 microM) elicits no response when applied to oocytes expressing the receptor; thus, the cDNA encodes a B2 type bradykinin receptor. [Thi5,8,DPhe7]bradykinin, where Thi is beta-(2-thienyl)-alanine, is a very weak partial agonist and inhibits the bradykinin-mediated ion flux, suggesting the cDNA encodes a smooth muscle, rather than a neuronal, B2 receptor subtype. Receptor message has a distribution consistent with previous reports of bradykinin function and/or binding in several tissues and is found in rat uterus, vas deferens, kidney, lung, heart, ileum, testis, and brain. Receptor subtypes are a possibility because several tissues contain two or three message species (4.0, 5.7, and 6.5 kilobases). Southern blot high-stringency analysis demonstrated that the rat, guinea pig, and human genomes contain a single gene. As bradykinin is a key mediator of pain, knowledge of the primary structure of this receptor will allow a molecular understanding of the receptor and aid the design of antagonists for pain relief.

Cadmium resistance in some members of Enterobacteriaceae

Strains of members of Enterobacteriaceae, namely Escherichia coli (18), Klebsiella aerogenes (16), and Serratia marcescens (16) were screened for Cd resistance or sensitivity. Only one strain each of these was resistant to high levels (25 n moles/0.05 ml) CdCl2. The Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of sensitive strains ranged from 0.8-5 micrograms/ml. All the resistant strains were simultaneously resistant to a number of antibiotics. Treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate eliminated resistance to Cd and to some antibiotics.