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Abstract Adenosine (ADO), generated by the ectonucleotidase CD39 and CD73 from ATP, interacts with its specific G protein-coupled receptors, which can impair anti-tumor immune responses inhibiting the infiltration and function of CD8+ T cell and natural killer cell. Recent studies have also identified that ADO pathway plays a critical role in tumor immune surveillance, especially for some non-solid cancers. In addition, although immune checkpoint therapy targeting ADO pathway in gastric cancer is still in an early phase, encouraging results have come out from some drugs targeting ADO pathway. Therefore, target ADO signaling may be a new promising strategy to treat gastric cancer. In this review, we summarized recent works on the role of ADO in cancer immunotherapy and also discussed relative mechanisms underlying the function of ADO signaling in cancer immune responses. Highlights • Adenosine can impair anti-tumor immune responses. • Recent studies have also identified that ADO pathway plays a critical role in tumor immune surveillance. • Immune checkpoint therapy targeting ADO pathway in gastric cancer is still in an early phase. • Target ADO signaling may be a new promising strategy to treat gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new molecules containing a thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidine scaffold was synthesized and characterized by adopting an efficient synthetic scheme. The effect of a free or substituted amino group at 2‐position as well as an oxo‐group, imidazole or 1,2,4‐triazole ring at 4‐position of the scaffold on the affinity and selectivity towards adenosine receptors (ARs) was evaluated. Compounds 17–19 with a free amino group at 2‐position along with the presence of an imidazole/1,2,4‐triazole ring at 4‐position of the scaffold showed selective binding affinities for hA2A AR, whereas carbamoylation of the amino group at 2‐position (in the presence of an oxo‐group at 4‐position of the scaffold) increased the affinity and selectivity of certain compounds (7–10) for hA3 AR. Molecular dynamic simulation study of one of the most active compound 8 (Ki hA1 > 30 μ m, hA2A = 0.65 μ m, and hA3 = 0.124 μ m) revealed the role of important amino acid residues for imparting good affinity towards hA3 and hA2A ARs. Molecular docking studies were carried out for other compounds using the crystal structure of hA2A AR and a homology model of hA3 AR to rationalize their structure–activity relationships. The molecular docking results were in agreement with the experimental binding affinity data of ARs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Working memory (WM) taps into multiple executive processes including encoding, maintenance, and retrieval of information, but the molecular and circuit modulation of these WM processes remains undefined due to the lack of methods to control G protein–coupled receptor signaling with temporal resolution of seconds. Methods By coupling optogenetic control of the adenosine A 2A receptor (A 2A R) signaling, the Cre-loxP–mediated focal A 2A R knockdown with a delayed non–match-to-place (DNMTP) task, we investigated the effect of optogenetic activation and focal knockdown of A 2A Rs in the dorsomedial striatum ( n = 8 to 14 per group) and medial prefrontal cortex ( n = 16 to 22 per group) on distinct executive processes of spatial WM. We also evaluated the therapeutic effect of the A 2A R antagonist KW6002 on delayed match-to-sample/place tasks in 6 normal and 6 MPTP-treated cynomolgus monkeys. Results Optogenetic activation of striatopallidal A 2A Rs in the dorsomedial striatum selectively at the delay and choice (not sample) phases impaired DNMTP performance. Optogenetic activation of A 2A Rs in the medial prefrontal cortex selectively at the delay (not sample or choice) phase improved DNMTP performance. The corticostriatal A 2A R control of spatial WM was specific for a novel but not well-trained DNMTP task. Focal dorsomedial striatum A 2A R knockdown or KW6002 improved DNMTP performance in mice. Last, KW6002 improved spatial WM in delayed match-to-sample and delayed match-to-place tasks of normal and dopamine-depleted cynomolgus monkeys. Conclusions The A 2A Rs in striatopallidal and medial prefrontal cortex neurons exert distinctive control of WM maintenance and retrieval to achieve cognitive stability and flexibility. The procognitive effect of KW6002 in nonhuman primates provides the preclinical data to translate A 2A R antagonists for improving cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct detection of targets in complex biological media with conventional biosensors is an enormous challenge due to the nonspecific adsorption and severe biofouling. In this work, a facile strategy for sensitive and low fouling detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is developed through the construction of a mixed self-assembled biosensing interface, which was composed of zwitterionic peptide (antifouling material) and ATP aptamer (bio-recognition element). The peptide and aptamer (both containing thiol groups) were simultaneously self-assembled onto gold electrode surface electrodeposited with gold nanoparticles. The developed aptasensor possessed high selectivity and sensitivity for ATP, and it showed a wide linear response range towards ATP from 0.1 pM to 5 nM. Owing to the presence of peptide with excellent antifouling property in the biosensing interface, the aptasensor can detect ATP in complex biological media with remarkably reduced biofouling or nonspecific adsorption effect. Moreover, it can directly detect ATP in 1% human whole blood without suffering from any significant interference, indicating its great potential for practical assaying of ATP in biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general approach for the synthesis of 2-alkylthio-N6-aryladenosine was developed from the commercially available guanosine through the acetyl protection, chlorination, diazotization-alkylthionation, aromatic nucleophilic substitution and deacetylation. Two approaches were designed for the transformation of 2-amino-6-chloroguanosine to 2-alkylthio-N6-aryladenosines but only the one with diazotization-alkylthionation first could afford the target molecules. Both electron-rich and deficient anilines can afford the desired products in moderate to good yield. Finally, under the optimized condition, 20 2-alkylthio-N6-aryladenosines were synthesized, 5 of which exhibit poor antiplatelet aggregation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: A series of enzymatic transformations, which generate visibly emissive isofunctional cofactors based on an isothiazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine analogue of adenosine (tzA), was developed. Nicotinamide adenylyl transferase condenses nicotinamide mononucleotide and tzATP to yield NtzAD+, which can be enzymatically phosphorylated by NAD+ kinase and ATP or tzATP to the corresponding NtzADP+. The latter can be engaged in NADP‐specific coupled enzymatic transformations involving conversion to NtzADPH by glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and reoxidation to NtzADP+ by glutathione reductase. The NtzADP+/NtzADPH cycle can be monitored in real time by fluorescence spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the first X‐ray crystallographic structure of the “head‐to‐middle” prenyltransferase, isosesquilavandulyl diphosphate synthase, involved in biosynthesis of the merochlorin class of antibiotics. The protein adopts the ζ or cis‐prenyl transferase fold but remarkably, unlike tuberculosinol adenosine synthase and other cis‐prenyl transferases (e.g. cis‐farnesyl, decaprenyl, undecaprenyl diphosphate synthases), the large, hydrophobic side chain does not occupy a central hydrophobic tunnel. Instead, it occupies a surface pocket oriented at 90° to the hydrophobic tunnel. Product chain‐length control is achieved by squeezing out the ligand from the conventional allylic S1 binding site, with proton abstraction being achieved using a diphosphate‐Asn‐Ser relay. The structures revise and unify our thinking as to the mechanism of action of many other prenyl transferases and may also be of use in engineering new merochlorin‐class antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uridine phosphorylase from Clostridium perfringens ( CpUP, EC 2.4.2.3) was immobilized covalently in an aminopropylsilica monolithic column (25 mm×4.6 mm) upon functionalization with glutaraldehyde. Imino bonds that result from the reaction between the enzyme and the support were reduced chemically to afford a 66 % yield (13 mg) determined spectrophotometrically. The CpUP immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER) was connected to a silica particle-based IMER that contained a purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Aeromonas hydrophila ( AhPNP, EC 2.4.2.1), which was developed previously and used successfully for the fast synthesis of some purine ribonucleosides by a 'one-enzyme' transglycosylation. CpUP-IMER and AhPNP-IMER were connected to a HPLC system by a six-way switching valve. In this set-up, the synthesis of 2′-deoxyadenosine (dAdo, 8), adenosine (Ado, 9), and arabinosyladenine (araA, 10) by a 'two-enzyme' transglycosylation is coupled directly to on-line reaction monitoring. Under the optimized transglycosylation conditions (2:1 ratio sugar donor/base acceptor; 10 m m phosphate buffer; pH 7.25; temperature 37 °C, flow rate 0.1 mL min−1), defined by a 2(5-2)III experimental design, the conversion of dAdo and Ado was approximately 90 %, and araA was synthesized in 20 % yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viperin (RSAD2) is an interferon-stimulated antiviral protein that belongs to the radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzyme family. Viperin's iron–sulfur (Fe/S) cluster is critical for its antiviral activity against many different viruses. CIA1 (CIAO1), an essential component of the cytosolic iron–sulfur protein assembly (CIA) machinery, is crucial for Fe/S cluster insertion into viperin and hence for viperin's antiviral activity. In the CIA pathway, CIA1 cooperates with CIA2A, CIA2B, and MMS19 targeting factors to form various complexes that mediate the dedicated maturation of specific Fe/S recipient proteins. To date, however, the mechanisms of how viperin acquires its radical SAM Fe/S cluster to gain antiviral activity are poorly understood. Using co-immunoprecipitation and 55Fe-radiolabeling experiments, we therefore studied the roles of CIA2A, CIA2B, and MMS19 for Fe/S cluster insertion. CIA2B and MMS19 physically interacted with the Cterminus of viperin and used CIA1 as the primary viperin-interacting protein. In contrast, CIA2A bound to viperin's N terminus in a CIA1-, CIA2B-, and MMS19-independent fashion. Of note, the observed interaction of both CIA2 isoforms with a single Fe/S target protein is unprecedented in the CIA pathway. 55Fe-radiolabeling experiments with human cells depleted of CIA1, CIA2A, CIA2B, or MMS19 revealed that CIA1, but none of the other CIA factors, is predominantly required for 55Fe/S cluster incorporation into viperin. Collectively, viperin maturation represents a novel CIA pathway with a minimal requirement of the CIA-targeting factors and represents a new paradigm for the insertion of the Fe/S cofactor into a radical SAM protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viperin, a radical- S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzyme conserved from fungi to humans, can restrict replication of many viruses. Neither the molecular mechanism underlying the antiviral activity of Viperin, nor its exact physiological function, is understood: most importantly, no radical-SAM activity has been discovered for Viperin. Here, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy, we show that uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-glucose) is a substrate of a fungal Viperin (58% pairwise identity with human Viperin at the amino acid level) in vitro. Structural homology modeling and docking experiments reveal a highly conserved binding pocket in which the position of UDP-glucose is consistent with our experimental data regarding catalytic addition of a 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical and a hydrogen atom to UDP-glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in the regulation of energy metabolism and has been targeted for drug development of therapeutic intervention in Type II diabetes and related diseases. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the development of direct β1-selective AMPK activators to treat patients with diabetic nephropathy. To investigate the details of AMPK domain structure, sequence alignment and structural comparison were used to identify the key amino acids involved in the interaction with activators and the structure difference between β1 and β2 subunits. Additionally, a series of potential β1-selective AMPK activators were identified by virtual screening using molecular docking. The retrieved hits were filtered on the basis of Lipinski's rule of five and drug-likeness. Finally, 12 novel compounds with diverse scaffolds were obtained as potential starting points for the design of direct β1-selective AMPK activators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circuits in the auditory cortex are highly susceptible to acoustic influences during an early postnatal critical period. The auditory cortex selectively expands neural representations of enriched acoustic stimuli, a process important for human language acquisition. Adults lack this plasticity. Here we show in the murine auditory cortex that juvenile plasticity can be reestablished in adulthood if acoustic stimuli are paired with disruption of ecto-5′-nucleotidase–dependent adenosine production or A1–adenosine receptor signaling in the auditory thalamus. This plasticity occurs at the level of cortical maps and individual neurons in the auditory cortex of awake adult mice and is associated with long-term improvement of tone-discrimination abilities. We conclude that, in adult mice, disrupting adenosine signaling in the thalamus rejuvenates plasticity in the auditory cortex and improves auditory perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) is an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family protein that possesses an essential role in bacterial protein synthesis. The synthesis, structure-activity relationship, and evolution of a novel series of adenosine-containing 3-arylfuran-2(5 H )-ones as TyrRS inhibitors are described. Advanced compound d3 from this series exhibited excellent affinity for TyrRS with IC 50 of 0.61 ± 0.04 μM. Bacterial growth inhibition assays demonstrated that d3 showed submicromolar antibacterial potency against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and compared to the marketed antibiotics ciprofloxacin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophil chemotaxis plays an essential role in recruiting neutrophils to sites of inflammation. Neutrophil chemotaxis is suppressed both after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro and during clinical and experimental endotoxemia, leading to serious consequences. Adenosine (ADO) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that acts on a variety of neutrophil functions. However, its effects on human neutrophil chemotaxis during infection have been less well characterized. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ADO and its receptor-specific antagonist and agonist on neutrophil chemotaxis in an in vitro LPS-stimulated model. The results showed that increasing the concentration of ADO effectively restored the LPS-inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis to IL-8. A similar phenomenon occurred after intervention with a selective A1 receptor agonist but not with a selective antagonist. Pre-treatment with cAMP antagonist failed to restore LPS-inhibited chemotaxis. Furthermore, protein array and western blot analysis showed that the activation of A1 receptor significantly decreased LPS-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation. However, the surface expression of the A1 receptor in LPS-stimulated neutrophils was not significantly changed. Taken together, these data indicated that ADO restored the LPS-inhibited chemotaxis via the A1 receptor, which downregulated the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK, making this a promising new therapeutic strategy for infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our initial structure-activity relationship studies on 7-methoxy-4-morpholino-benzothiazole derivatives featured by aryloxy-2-methylpropanamide moieties at the 2-position led to identification of compound 25 as a potent and selective A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAdoR) antagonist with reasonable ADME and pharmacokinetic properties. However, poor intrinsic solubility and low to moderate oral bioavailability made this series unsuitable for further development. Further optimization using structure-based drug design approach resulted in discovery of potent and selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonists bearing substituted 1-methylcyclohexyl-carboxamide groups at position 2 of the benzothiazole scaffold and endowed with better solubility and oral bioavailability. Compounds 41 and 49 demonstrated a number of positive attributes with respect to in vitro ADME properties. Both compounds displayed good pharmacokinetic properties with 63% and 61% oral bioavailability, respectively, in rat. Further, compound 49 displayed oral efficacy in 6-OHDA lesioned rat model of Parkinson diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preclinical Research A new series of 1,3 ‐ dimethylxanthine derivatives bearing 8 ‐ (2 ‐ nitroaryl) residue was synthesized and evaluated for affinity for recombinant human adenosine receptors subtypes. Nitrate esters of 7 ‐ substituted ‐ 1,3 ‐ dimethyl ‐ 8 ‐ phenylxanthines were also synthesized and tested. Introducing a nitro substituent at the 2 ‐ position of the 8 ‐ substituted phenyl ring resulted in generally low affinity for adenosine receptors (ARs), selectivity toward the A2A subtype was enhanced in some of the compounds. 8 ‐ (4 ‐ Cyclopentyloxy ‐ 5 ‐ methoxy ‐ 2 ‐ nitrophenyl) ‐ 1,3 ‐ dimethylxanthine (9e) proved to be a potent compound among the 2 ‐ nitrophenyl substituted xanthines exhibiting a Ki = 1 μM at human A2A ARs with at least 30 fold selectivity versus human A1 and A2B ARs. Replacement of 8 ‐ chloropropoxy phenyl with 8 ‐ nitrooxypropoxy phenyl resulted in a negligible change in binding affinity of the 8 ‐ substituted xanthines for various AR subtypes. Drug Dev Res 77 : 241 – 250, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon-containing nanoparticles (NPs) are considered promising drug carriers for targeted drug delivery. In this study, we investigated the physical and chemical properties of silicon-containing NPs, including silica and organomodified silica NPs (SiO2NPs and OrSiO2NPs, respectively), with different surface modifications, with the aim of increasing drug-loading efficiency. In addition, we described the original synthesis methods of different sizes of OrSiO2NPs, as well as new hybrid OrSiO2NPs with a silica core (SiO2 + OrSiO2NPs). Animal experiments revealed that the silicon-containing NPs investigated were non-toxic, as evidenced by a lack of hemodynamic response after intravenous administration. Bioelimination studies showed rapid renal excretion of OrSiO2NPs. In drug release kinetics studies, adenosine was immobilized on SiO2NPs using three different approaches: physical adsorption, ionic, and covalent bonding. We observed that the rate of adenosine desorption critically depended on the type of immobilization; therefore, adenosine release kinetics can be adjusted by SiO2NP surface modification technique. Adsorption of adenosine on SiO2 + OrSiO2NPs resulted in a significant attenuation of adenosine-induced hypotension and bradycardia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form the largest class of membrane proteins and are an important target for therapeutic drugs. These receptors are highly dynamic proteins sampling a range of conformational states in order to fulfil their complex signalling roles. In order to fully understand GPCR signalling mechanisms it is necessary to extract the receptor protein out of the plasma membrane. Historically this has universally required detergents which inadvertently strip away the annulus of lipid in close association with the receptor and disrupt lateral pressure exerted by the bilayer. Detergent-solubilized GPCRs are very unstable which presents a serious hurdle to characterization by biophysical methods. A range of strategies have been developed to ameliorate the detrimental effect of removing the receptor from the membrane including amphipols and reconstitution into nanodics stabilized by membrane scaffolding proteins (MSPs) but they all require exposure to detergent. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) incorporates into membranes and spontaneously forms nanoscale poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) lipid particles (SMALPs), effectively acting like a 'molecular pastry cutter' to 'solubilize' GPCRs in the complete absence of detergent at any stage and with preservation of the native annular lipid throughout the process. GPCR-SMALPs have similar pharmacological properties to membrane-bound receptor, exhibit enhanced stability compared with detergent-solubilized receptors and being non-proteinaceous in nature, are fully compatible with downstream biophysical analysis of the encapsulated GPCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Etheno adducts are formed in the reactions of DNA bases with chloroacetaldehyde, with lipid peroxidation products, and also with metabolites of vinyl chloride and furan. The presence of such modifications in the genetic material may lead to errors in replication with consequences of mutations and even carcinogenesis. For an understanding of the biological significance of etheno adducts it is important to determine their structures. Structural identification is also essential for using these adducts as inflammatory or cancer biomarkers. This paper reports structural studies on two adducts formed in the reactions of malonaldehyde and glyoxal with adenosine (M1Gx-A), and malonaldehyde and methylglyoxal with 2′-deoxyadenosine (M1MGx-dA). NMR spectroscopy and theoretical methods have been used. DFT-GIAO calculations were performed at M06/6-311++G(2df,2pd), B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2pd) and M06/6-31++G(d,p) levels both in the gas phase and taking into account the effect of solvents (water, methanol and DMSO) using PCM approximation. It has been shown that when M06 or B3LYP functionals with the 6-311++G(2df,2pd) basis set are used, 1H NMR chemical shifts very close to experimental values are obtained and that the results of GIAO calculations at the M06/6-31++G(d,p) level have a better correlation with measured 13C NMR chemical shift values. PCM improves the correlation of results in both cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The saliva of tsetse flies contains a cocktail of bioactive molecules inducing specific antibody responses in hosts exposed to bites. We have previously shown that an indirect-ELISA test using whole salivary extracts from Glossina morsitans submorsitans was able to discriminate between (i) cattle from tsetse infested and tsetse free areas and (ii) animals experimentally exposed to low or high numbers of tsetse flies. In the present study, our aim was to identify specific salivary synthetic peptides that could be used to develop simple immunoassays to measure cattle exposure to tsetse flies. Methods: In a first step, 2D-electrophoresis immunoblotting, using sera from animals exposed to a variety of bloodsucking arthropods, was performed to identify specific salivary proteins recognised in cattle exposed to tsetse bites. Linear epitope prediction software and Blast analysis were then used to design synthetic peptides within the identified salivary proteins. Finally, candidate peptides were tested by indirect-ELISA on serum samples from tsetse infested and tsetse free areas, and from exposure experiments. Results: The combined immunoblotting and bioinformatics analyses led to the identification of five peptides carrying putative linear epitopes within two salivary proteins: the tsetse salivary gland protein 1 (Tsal1) and the Salivary Secreted Adenosine (SSA). Of these, two were synthesised and tested further based on the absence of sequence homology with other arthropods or pathogen species. IgG responses to the Tsal152-75 synthetic peptide were shown to be specific of tsetse exposure in both naturally and experimentally exposed hosts. Nevertheless, anti-Tsal152-75 IgG responses were absent in animals exposed to high tsetse biting rates. Conclusions: These results suggest that Tsal152-75 specific antibodies represent a biomarker of low cattle exposure to tsetse fly. These results are discussed in the light of the other available tsetse saliva based-immunoassays and in the perspective of developing a simple serological tool for tsetse eradication campaigns to assess the tsetse free status or to detect tsetse reemergence in previously cleared areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA3685 locus encodes a conserved protein that shares 49% sequence identity with Escherichia coli YeaZ, which was recently reported as involved in the biosynthesis of threonylcarbamoyl adenosine (t 6 A), a universal modified tRNA nucleoside. Many YeaZ orthologues were reported as “essential for life” among various bacterial species, suggesting a critical role for both these proteins and for the t 6 A biosynthetic pathway. We provide here evidences that PA3685 protein ( Pa YeaZ) is essential. Additionally, we describe its purification, crystallization, and crystallographic structure. The crystal structure shows that Pa YeaZ is composed of two domains one of which is the platform to form protein–protein interaction involved either in homodimeric assembly or in the formation of the multiprotein complex required for the synthesis of t 6 A. These features make the Pa YeaZ protein a potential target candidate for the design of novel inhibitors able to hinder the complex formation and expected to abolish the crucial activity of t 6 A synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of a difluoromethyl-bearing nucleoside with the fluorinase enzyme is described. 5′,5′-Difluoro-5′-deoxyadenosine 7 (F 2 DA) was synthesised from adenosine, and found to bind to the fluorinase enzyme by isothermal titration calorimetry with similar affinity compared to 5′-fluoro-5′-deoxyadenosine 2 (FDA), the natural product of the enzymatic reaction. F 2 DA 7 was found, however, not to undergo the enzyme catalysed reaction with l -selenomethionine, unlike FDA 2 , which undergoes reaction with l -selenomethionine to generate Se -adenosylselenomethionine. A co-crystal structure of the fluorinase and F 2 DA 7 and tartrate was solved to 1.8 Å, and revealed that the difluoromethyl group bridges interactions known to be essential for activation of the single fluorine in FDA 2 . An unusual hydrogen bonding interaction between the hydrogen of the difluoromethyl group and one of the hydroxyl oxygens of the tartrate ligand was also observed. The bridging interactions, coupled with the inherently stronger C–F bond in the difluoromethyl group, offers an explanation for why no reaction is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermally responsive boronate affinity chromatographic material, which showed thermal sensitivity, had been successfully applied for the enrichment and separation of cis-diolcontaining compounds, and the capture and release process could be facilitated by adjusting the temperature. However, in this system, the pH of the mobile phase must be higher than 9.8, and alkaline media can lead to the degradation of labile compounds; the use of silica beads also limits its use. In this study, thermally responsive boronate affinity chromatographic material, namely poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-acryloyl-3-aminophenylboronic acid) grafted silica, was successfully prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization. Its structure was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and the graft ratio was 20.8%, determined by thermogravimetric analysis. Furthermore, the capture/release of adenosine, a cis-diol, was performed from pH 5.0-9.0 and 10-50°C. The elution of adenosine was remarkably retarded at decreased temperatures and adenosine could be captured completely at 10°C at pH values of 5.0-9.0. The enrichment of adenosine could be achieved by simply changing the temperature from 10 to 50°C. Therefore, this material not only improved the stability of the silica, but was also suitable for the capture of oxidation-sensitive biological analytes. Moreover, it could be used for the enrichment of cis-diol-containing compounds in LC with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A six step conversion of the common carbocyclic nucleoside precursor 8 into the all- cis key intermediate for the synthesis of ticagrelor analogs is reported. The method involves two oxidation/stereoselective reduction sequences for both the C O and C N bonds. Inversion of stereochemistry was confirmed by analysis of spin couplings between the hydrogens at the junction of the 1,3-dioxolane and cyclopentane rings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3-deaza analogs of the naturally occurring adenine-based carbocyclic nucleosides aristeromycin and neplanocin possess biological properties that have not been optimized. In that direction, this paper reports the strategic placement of a fluorine atom at the C-2 and C-3 positions and a methyl at the C-3 site of the 3-deazaadenine ring of the aforementioned compounds. The synthesis and S -adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitory and antiviral properties of these targets are described. Some, but not all, compounds in this series showed significant activity toward herpes, arena, bunya, flavi, and orthomyxoviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine receptor-mediated regulation of monocyte/macrophage inflammatory responses is critical in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. In this study, we reveal that adenosine potently modulates the expression of NR4A1, 2, and 3 orphan nuclear receptors in myeloid cells, and this modulation is primarily through the adenosine A2a receptor subtype. We demonstrate that A2a receptor activation of NR4A1-3 receptor synthesis is further enhanced in TLR4-stimulated monocytes. After TLR4 stimulation, NR4A receptor-depleted monocyte/macrophage cells display significantly altered expression of cell-surface markers and produce increased inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion rendering the cells an enhanced proinflammatory phenotype. Exposure of TLR4 or TNF-α-stimulated monocytes to adenosine analogs directs changes in the expression of MIP-3α and IL-23p19, with NR4A2 depletion leading to significantly enhanced expression of these factors. Furthermore, we establish that nuclear levels of NF-κB/p65 are increased in TLR/adenosine-stimulated NR4A2-depleted cells. We show that, after TLR/adenosine receptor stimulation, NR4A2 depletion promotes significant binding of NF-κB/p65 to a ?B consensus binding motif within the MIP-3α proximal promoter leading to increased protein secretion, confirming a pivotal role for NF-κB activity in controlling cellular responses and gene expression outcomes in response to these mediators. Thus, these data demonstrate that during an inflammatory response, adenosine modulation of NR4A receptor activity acts to limit NF-κB-mediated effects and that loss of NR4A2 expression leads to enhanced NF-κB activity and hyperinflammatory responses in myeloid cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For successful birth, contractions need to become progressively stronger. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, however. We have found that a novel mechanism, hypoxia-induced force increase (HIFI), is switched on selectively, at term, and is essential to strengthening contractions. HIFI is initiated as contractions cyclically reduce blood flow and produce repeated hypoxic stresses, with associated metabolic and transcriptomic changes. The increases in contractility are a long-lasting, oxytocin-independent, intrinsic mechanism present only in the full-term pregnant uterus. HIFI is inhibited by adenosine receptor antagonism and blockade of cyclooxygenase-2 signaling, and partially reproduced by brief episodes of acidic (but not alkalotic) pH. HIFI explains how labor can progress despite paradoxical metabolic challenge, and provides a new mechanistic target for the 1 in 10 women suffering dysfunctional labor because of poor contractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose (cADPcR, 3) is a biologically and chemically stable equivalent of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR, 1), a Ca2+-mobilizing second messenger. We became interested in the biological activity of the 7-deaza analogues of cADPcR, i.e., 7-deaza-cADPcR (7) and its 7-bromo derivative, i.e., 7-deaza-7-Br-cADPcR (8), because 7-deazaadenosine is an efficient bioisostere of adenosine. The synthesis of 7 and 8 required us to construct the key N1-carbocyclic-ribosyl-7-deazaadenosine structure. Therefore, we developed a general method for preparing N1-substituted 7-deazaadenosines by condensing a 2,3-disubstituted pyrrole nucleoside with amines. Using this method, we prepared the N1-carbocyclic ribosyl 7-deazaadenosine derivative 10a, from which we then synthesized the target 7-deaza-cADPcR (7) via an Ag+-promoted intramolecular condensation to construct the 18-membered pyrophosphate ring structure. The corresponding 7-bromo derivative 8, which was the first analogue of cADPR with a substitution at the 7-position, was similarly synthesized. Biological evaluation for Ca2+-mobilizing activity in the sea urchin egg homogenate system indicated that 7-deaza-cADPcR (7) and 7-deaza-7-Br-cADPcR (8) acted as a full agonist and a partial agonist, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To rationally identify targets for enhancing adenosine production, transcription level of genes involved in adenosine synthesis of Bacillus subtilis XGL was detected during the fermentation process, complemented with metabolite pool analysis. Results: PurR-regulated genes ( pur operon and purA) and prs were down-regulated and 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) decreased considerably after 24 h when adenosine significantly accumulated. Since PRPP could strongly antagonize the binding of PurR to its targets, it was inferred that down-regulation of pur operon and purA might be due to a low PRPP pool, which was confirmed by metabolite analysis. So desensitized prs responsible for PRPP synthesis was overexpressed, resulting in increased PRPP concentration and pur operon transcription. To further enhance the adenosine production, desensitized purF and prs were co-overexpressed with integrating additional copy of purA to B. subtilis XGL genome, resulting in 24.3 % (1.29 g/g DCW) higher adenosine production than that by B. subtilis XG. Conclusions: Overexpression of prs, purF and purA under the guidance of transcriptional and metabolite pool analysis significantly increased adenosine production. Strategies used in this study have potential applications for rational modification of industrial microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life history theory predicts that trait evolution should be constrained by competing physiological demands on an organism. Immune defense provides a classic example in which immune responses are presumed to be costly and therefore come at the expense of other traits related to fitness. One strategy for mitigating the costs of expensive traits is to render them inducible, such that the cost is paid only when the trait is utilized. In the current issue of PLOS Biology, Bajgar and colleagues elegantly demonstrate the energetic and life history cost of the immune response that Drosophila melanogaster larvae induce after infection by the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina boulardi. These authors show that infection-induced proliferation of defensive blood cells commands a diversion of dietary carbon away from somatic growth and development, with simple sugars instead being shunted to the hematopoetic organ for rapid conversion into the raw energy required for cell proliferation. This metabolic shift results in a 15% delay in the development of the infected larva and is mediated by adenosine signaling between the hematopoietic organ and the central metabolic control organ of the host fly. The adenosine signal thus allows D. melanogaster to rapidly marshal the energy needed for effective defense and to pay the cost of immunity only when infected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of aminoacyl-sulfamoyl adenosines (aaSAs) and their peptidyl conjugates as aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (aaRS) inhibitors remains problematic due to the low yield of the aminoacylation and the subsequent conjugation reaction causing concomitant formation of a cyclic adenosine derivative. In an effort to reduce this undesirable side reaction, we aimed to prepare the corresponding aminoacyl sulfonamide (aaSoA) analogues as more stable alternatives for aaSA derivatives. Deletion of the 5′-oxygen in aaSA analogues should render the C-5′ less electrophilic and therefore improve the stability of the aminoacyl sulfamate analogues. We therefore synthesized six sulfonamides and compared their activity against the respective aaSA analogues. However, except for the aspartyl derivative, the new compounds are not able to inhibit the corresponding aaRS. Possible reasons for this loss of activity are discussed by modeling and comparison of the newly synthesized aaSoA derivatives with their parent aaSA analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of N 6-substituted-5'-C-(2-ethyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-adenosine and 2-chloro-adenosine derivatives was synthesized as novel, highly potent dual acting hA1AR agonists and hA3AR antagonists, potentially useful in the treatment of glaucoma and other diseases. The best affinity and selectivity profiles were achieved by N 6-substitution with a 2-fluoro-4-chloro-phenyl- or a methyl- group. Through an in silico receptor-driven approach, the molecular bases of the hA1- and hA3AR recognition and activation of this series of 5'-C-ethyl-tetrazolyl derivatives were explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2′-O-AECM modified oligonucleotides provide an unusual combination of remarkable properties. This includes the combination of high resistance towards enzymatic degradation and the spontaneous cellular uptake of AECM oligonucleotides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine is a major local regulator of tissue function and industrially useful as precursor for the production of medicinal nucleoside substances. High-throughput screening of adenosine overproducers is important for industrial microorganism breeding. An enzymatic assay of adenosine was developed by combined adenosine deaminase ( ADA) with indophenol method. The ADA catalyzes the cleavage of adenosine to inosine and NH3, the latter can be accurately determined by indophenol method. The assay system was optimized to deliver a good performance and could tolerate the addition of inorganic salts and many nutrition components to the assay mixtures. Adenosine could be accurately determined by this assay using 96-well microplates. Spike and recovery tests showed that this assay can accurately and reproducibly determine increases in adenosine in fermentation broth without any pretreatment to remove proteins and potentially interfering low-molecular-weight molecules. This assay was also applied to high-throughput screening for high adenosine-producing strains. The high selectivity and accuracy of the ADA assay provides rapid and high-throughput analysis of adenosine in large numbers of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium phosphate is an alternative to well-known calcium phosphate biomaterials and an excellent candidate for biomedical applications due to its outstanding biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, to the best of our knowledge, the microwave-assisted hydrothermal rapid synthesis of magnesium phosphate hierarchical structures (MPHS) has not been reported. Herein, we report the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for the rapid synthesis of MPHS using MgCl 2 ·6H 2 O and adenosine 5 ׳ -triphosphate disodium salt hydrate (Na 2 ATP) in aqueous solution in the absence of any surfactant. The effects of the microwave heating temperature and Na 2 ATP on the morphology of the products are investigated. This method is facile, rapid, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly. The as-synthesized products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between DNA-Ag nanoclusters (AgNCs) and G-quadruplex halves-hemin has been used for building a new sensing platform for the signal-on detection of adenosine and RNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine has anticonvulsant effects in various models of seizures. Alpha-2 adrenoceptors have also demonstrated different effects in different models of epilepsy. In this study, the role of alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the anticonvulsant effects of adenosine in mice was determined according to the method of intravenous pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure. In this study, N 6 -cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) (a selective A 1 receptor agonist), clonidine (an alpha-2 adrenoceptors agonist), yohimbine (an alpha-2 adrenoceptors antagonist) and 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine (8-CPT) (a selective A 1 receptor antagonist) were used. CHA at doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg significantly increased seizure threshold with the maximum anticonvulsant effect at 2 mg/kg. Yohimbine (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg), clonidine (0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) and 8-CPT (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg) had no effect on seizure by itself. Combination of yohimbine (10 mg/kg) and CHA (0.25 mg/kg) increased clonic seizure latency showing that yohimbine and CHA have an additive effect. Increasing the seizure threshold created by combining ineffective doses of yohimbine (10 mg/kg) and CHA (0.25 mg/kg) was completely inhibited by 8-CPT (4 mg/kg) or clonidine (1 and 2 mg/kg). Clonidine (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) inhibited the anticonvulsant effects of CHA (2 mg/kg). Combination of 8-CPT (1 mg/kg) and clonidine (0.5 mg/kg) which completely inhibited the anticonvulsant effect of CHA (2 mg/kg) indicates that 8-CPT and clonidine have an additive effect. In conclusion, adenosine and yohimbine exhibit an additive effect on the enhancement of the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure threshold in mice, indicating the interaction of alpha-2 adrenoceptors and A 1 adenosine receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small library of fifty-five adenosine peptide analogs was synthesized, under the Pilot Scale Library (PSL) Program of the NIH Roadmap initiative, from 2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine-5′-carboxylic acid2. The coupling of amine or sulfanilamide reactants to the free 5′-carboxylic acid moiety of2, in automated solution-phase fashion, led after acid-mediated hydrolysis to target compounds3–57in good yields and high purity. No marked anticancer or antimalarial activity was noted on preliminary cellular testing. Initial screening through the MLPCN program, however, indicates that these analogs may show diverse and interesting biological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Conformationally restricted nucleotides such as locked nucleic acid (LNA) are very popular as affinity-, specificity-, and stability-enhancing modifications in oligonucleotide chemistry to produce probes for nucleic acid targeting applications in molecular biology, biotechnology, and medicinal chemistry. Considerable efforts have been devoted in recent years to optimize the biophysical properties of LNA through additional modification of the sugar skeleton. We recently introduced C5-functionalization of LNA uridines as an alternative and synthetically more straightforward approach to improve the biophysical properties of LNA. In the present work, we set out to test the generality of this concept by studying the characteristics of oligonucleotides modified with four different C5-functionalized LNA cytidine and C8-functionalized LNA adenosine monomers. The results strongly suggest that C5-functionalization of LNA pyrimidines is indeed a viable approach for improving the binding affinity, target specificity, and/or enzymatic stability of LNA-modified ONs, whereas C8-functionalization of LNA adenosines is detrimental to binding affinity and specificity. These insights will impact the future design of conformationally restricted nucleotides for nucleic acid targeting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of four novel platinum complexes, bearing N6-(6-aminohexyl) adenosine or a 1,6-di(adenosin-N6-yl)-hexane respectively, as ligands of monofunctional cisplatin or monochloro(ethylendiamine)platinum(II), is reported. The chemistry exploits the high affinity of the charged platinum centres towards the N7 position of the adenosine base system and a primary amine of an alkyl chain installed on the C6 position of the purine. The cytotoxic behaviour of the synthesized complexes has been studied in A549 adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial and MCF7 human breast adenocarcinomic cancer cell lines, in order to investigate their effects on cell viability and proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2'-Fluoro-6'-methylene carbocyclic adenosine (FMCA) is a potent and selective inhibitor of wild type as well as drug-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants. FMCA demonstrated excellent anti-HBV activity against both adefovir-resistant and lamivudine-resistant double (rtL180M/rtM204V) mutants as well as in lamivudine/entecavir triple mutants (L180M+S202G+M204V) in vitro. Its monophosphate prodrug (FMCAP) demonstrated a greater than 12-fold increase of anti-HBV activity in comparison to that of the nucleoside without elevation of cellular toxicity. In the preliminary in vivo study in chimeric mice harboring the lamivudine/entecavir triple mutant, FMCAP effectively reduced HBV viral load, while entecavir was not effective. Therefore, it was of great interest to develop an efficient synthetic procedure to support the preclinical investigation. In this article, a new approach for the synthesis of FMCA from a readily available starting material (Vince lactam) in 16 steps is described. An efficient and practical methodology for stereospecific preparation of a versatile carbocyclic key intermediate, D-2'-fluoro-6'-methylene cyclopentanol 14, has been developed from diazotization, elimination, stereoselective epoxidation, fluorination, and oxidation-reduction sequence of the Vince lactam in 14 steps. The utility of D-2'-fluoro-6'-methylene cyclopentanol 14 is demonstrated in the preparation of FMCA using the Mitsunobu coupling to introduce the adenine base to synthesize the final nucleoside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Glioblastomas are lethal tumors characterized by malignant proliferation and recurrence promoted partly by glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are known to be regulated by hypoxia, but the mechanisms involved in this regulation are not fully understood. We now demonstrate that hypoxia-inducible factor HIF2α and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) are preferentially expressed in hypoxic GSCs in comparison with non-stem tumor cells and normal neural stem cells and that PAP is regulated by HIF2α. Targeting PAP in hypoxic GSCs inhibits self-renewal and proliferation in vitro and attenuates tumor initiation potential of GSCs in vivo. Using specific adenosine receptor antagonists, we further find that the pro-proliferative role of PAP is stemmed from stimulated A2B adenosine receptors. Moreover, selective blockage of A2B receptor or knockdown of PAP or A2B on hypoxic GSCs results in significant reduction of phosphorylation of Akt and Erk-1/2. Our results demonstrate that PAP may play a pro-proliferative role in hypoxic GSCs with a HIF2α-induction pattern, which may be ascribed to stimulated A2B receptors and activated Akt and Erk-1/2 pathways. Therefore, we propose that these identified molecular regulators of GSCs in the hypoxic niche might represent promising targets for antiglioblastoma therapies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adenosine, a purine nucleoside, is present at high concentrations in tumors, where it contributes to the failure of immune cells to eliminate cancer cells. The mechanisms responsible for the immunosuppressive properties of adenosine are not fully understood. We tested the hypothesis that adenosine's immunosuppressive functions in human T lymphocytes are in part mediated via modulation of ion channels. The activity of T lymphocytes relies on ion channels. KCa3.1 and Kv1.3 channels control cytokine release and, together with TRPM7, regulate T cell motility. Adenosine selectively inhibited KCa3.1, but not Kv1.3 and TRPM7, in activated human T cells. This effect of adenosine was mainly mediated by A2A receptors, as KCa3.1 inhibition was reversed by SCH58261 (selective A2A receptor antagonist), but not by MRS1754 (A2B receptor antagonist), and it was mimicked by the A2A receptor agonist CGS21680. Furthermore, it was mediated by the cAMP/protein kinase A isoform (PKAI) signaling pathway, as adenylylcyclase and PKAI inhibition prevented adenosine effect on KCa3.1. The functional implication of the effect of adenosine on KCa3.1 was determined by measuring T cell motility on ICAM-1 surfaces. Adenosine and CGS21680 inhibited T cell migration. Comparable effects were obtained by KCa3.1 blockade with TRAM-34. Furthermore, the effect of adenosine on cell migration was abolished by pre-exposure to TRAM-34. Additionally, adenosine suppresses IL-2 secretion via KCa3.1 inhibition. Our data indicate that adenosine inhibits KCa3.1 in human T cells via A2A receptor and PKAI, thereby resulting in decreased T cell motility and cytokine release. This mechanism is likely to contribute to decreased immune surveillance in solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and ecto-5'-nucleotidase (NT5E) hydrolyze extracellular AMP to adenosine in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and in the dorsal spinal cord. Previously, we found that adenosine production was reduced, but not eliminated, in Pap-/- INt5e-/- double knock-out (dKO) mice, suggesting that a third AMP ectonucleotidase was present in these tissues. Here, we found that tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP, encoded by the Alpl gene) is expressed and functional in DRG neurons and spinal neurons. Using a cell-based assay, we found that TNAP rapidly hydrolyzed extracellular AMP and activated adenosine receptors. This activity was eliminated by MLS-0038949, a selective pharmacological inhibitor of TNAP. In addition, MLS-0038949 eliminated AMP hydrolysis in DRG and spinal lamina II of dKO mice. Using fast-scan-cyclic voltammetry, we found that adenosine was rapidly produced from AMP in spinal cord slices from dKO mice, but virtually no adenosine was produced in spinal cord slices from dKO mice treated with MLS-0038949. Last, we found that AMP inhibited excitatory neurotransmission via adenosine A! receptor activation in spinal cord slices from wild-type, Pap-/- Nt5e-/- and dKO mice, but failed to inhibit neurotransmission in slices from dKO mice treated with MLS-0038949. These data suggest that triple elimination of TNAP, PAP, and NT5E is required to block AMP hydrolysis to adenosine in DRG neurons and dorsal spinal cord. Moreover, our data reveal that TNAP, PAP, and NT5E are the main AMP ectonucleotidases in primary somatosensory neurons and regulate physiology by metabolizing extracellular purine nucleotides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein present the first synthesis and characterization of the two C5′ diastereomers of 8,6′-cyclo-2′,6′-dideoxyadenosine. Starting from commercially available 2′-deoxyadenosine, the target cyclonucleosides were synthesized in 11 linear steps. Following a zinc-mediated cyclization reaction to form the seven-membered ring, the stereochemistry of the newly formed chiral center was established using two-dimensional NOESY NMR experiments. [Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition ofNucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acidsfor the free supplemental resource.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and synthesis of chemosensors for the recognition of a certain nucleoside polyphosphate among various structurally similar nucleoside polyphosphates remain a fundamental challenge. Herein, we report the new fluorescent chemosensor [Zn2L](ClO4)4 (l; L = (3,6,10,13,17,20,24,27-octaaza-1,15(2,6)-dipyridina-8,22(9,10)-dianthracenacyclooctacosaphane), which can selectively recognize adenosine polyphosphates (ATP and ADP) among various nucleoside polyphosphates, with a large fluorescence enhancement (Fmax/ F0 = 70 and 80 for ATP and ADP, respectively) and strong binding affinity (K = 3.1 X 1011 M-1 for [Zn2HL(H-1ATP)2]-, 2.8 X 1011 M-1 for [Zn2L(H-1ATP)2]2-, and 1.5 X 1013 M-1 for [Zn2L(H-1ADP)2]2-) in aqueous solution at physiological pH 7.40. The structure of [Zn2L](P2O7) (2) was investigated, which shows that μ2-pyrophosphate anions alternately link [Zn2L]4+ cations to generate a ID coordination polymer. The results of 31P NMR studies and DFT calculations reveal that the two Zn(II) ions in 1 can interact with ATP/ADP anions through coordination interactions between Zn(II) and the polyphosphate groups, and two anthracene moieties in 1 can interact with adenine groups from two ATP or ADP anions through stacking interactions to form a sandwichlike structure. These multiple recognition interactions between 1 and ATP/ADP enhance the affinity and selectivity of 1 toward ATP/ADP. Due to its highly selective and sensitive ability to detect adenosine polyphosphates, 1 was successfully applied to fluorescence imaging for ATP and ADP in living cells, demonstrating the potential utility of 1 as a fluorescent chemosensor for detecting ATP and ADP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of an allosteric modulator of the adenosine A1 receptors was investigated using an ischaemia-reperfusion protocol in murine isolated hearts. Isolated hearts were perfused with Kreb-Henseleit solution gassed with carbogen gas (95% O2 and 5% CO2) in Langendorff mode and electrically paced at 480 bpm. Following 20 min equilibration and 20 min global normothermic ischaemia, the allosteric modulator VCP333 (1 μM) or the adenosine A1 receptor partial agonist VCP102 (10 μM) were infused after 5 min of reperfusion for 15 min. Upon termination of the drug treatment, reperfusion continued for a further 40 min. At the end of 60 min reperfusion, treatment with VCP333 or VCP102 improved the recovery of the left ventricular developed pressure when compared to control group responses (p < 0.05). Neither compound affected end diastolic pressure, coronary flow rates or dP/dtmax values when compared to control tissues during reperfusion (p > 0.05). The infusion of VCP102 or VCP333 during reperfusion reduced cardiac troponin I efflux to 6.7% and 25% respectively of control heart efflux (p < 0.05). This data indicates that the allosteric modulator of the adenosine A1 receptor (VCP333) has similar characteristics to the adenosine receptor partial agonist VCP102 as it improves cardiac function and reduces myocardial cell death following an ischaemic episode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase of Ralstonia eutropha (PhaC) shows a lag time for the start of its polymerization reaction, which complicates kinetic analysis of PhaC. In this study, we found that the lag can be virtually eliminated by addition of 50 mg/L TritonX-100 detergent into the reaction mixture, as well as addition of 2.5 g/L Hecameg detergent as previously reported by Gerngross and Martin (Proc Natl Sci USA 92: 6279-6283, ). TritonX-100 is an effective lag eliminator working at much lower concentration than Hecameg. Kinetic analysis of PhaC was conducted in the presence of TritonX-100, and PhaC obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics for ( R)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA substrate. In inhibitory assays using various compounds such as adenosine derivatives and CoA derivatives, CoA free acid showed competitive inhibition but other compounds including 3′-dephospho CoA had no inhibitory effect. Furthermore, PhaC showed a considerably reduced reaction rate for 3′-dephospho ( R)-3-hydroxybutyryl CoA substrate and did not follow typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics. These results suggest that the 3′-phosphate group of CoA plays a critical role in substrate recognition by PhaC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of 2-hydrazinyladenosine derivatives was synthesized and investigated in radioligand binding studies for their affinity at the adenosine receptor subtypes with the goal to obtain potent and A2AAR selective agonists and to explore the structure–activity relationships of this class of compounds at A2AAR. Modifications included introduction of a second sugar moiety at position 2 of adenosine to form new bis-sugar nucleosides and/or modifications of the 2-position linker in different ways. The performed modifications were found to produce compounds with relatively high A2AAR affinity and very high selectivity toward A2AAR. The most potent bis-sugar nucleoside was obtained with the d-galactose derivative 16 which exhibited a K i value of 329nM at A2AAR with marked selectivity against the other AR subtypes. In another set of compounds, compound 3 was modified via replacement of its cyclic structure with mono- and disubstituted phenyl moieties and the resulting hydrazones 10–14 were found to have low nanomolar affinity for A2AAR. In addition to 3, compounds 10, 11 and 13 have been identified as the most potent compounds in the present series with K i values of 16.1, 24.4, and 12.0nM, respectively, at rat A2AAR. Species differences were tested and found to exist in different rates. Functional properties of the most potent compounds 10, 11, 13 and 16 were assessed showing that the compounds acted as agonists at A2AAR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Methods for the synthesis of adenosine/boron cluster conjugates are proposed and the potential of the obtained derivatives to modulate neutrophil activity, especially reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vitro, is described. An efficient inhibition of ROS production in activated neutrophils by adenosine modified at the 2′-C and 6-N positions with a para-carborane cluster (C2B10H11) was discovered. The high affinity of the selected compounds for adenosine receptor A2A was established. These results are in agreement with the possible involvement of receptor A2A in the biological activities of adenosine/boron cluster conjugates. This study extends the range of innovative molecules available for testing as agents affecting inflammatory processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]