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An effective synthesis of 4,4 dimethyl-cholest-8,14,24-trien-3beta-ol (FF-MAS) from lithocholic acid is described, utilising a double oxidation and regioselective Wittig reaction as key steps.

The sterol 4,4-dimethyl-5alpha-cholesta-8,14,24-trien-3beta-ol (FF-MAS [follicular-fluid meiosis-activating sterol]) from human follicular fluid has recently been identified as a compound that induces the resumption of meiosis. FF-MAS and various oxysterols have been reported to transactivate the orphan receptor LXRalpha. The objective was to determine the biological activity of synthetic FF-MAS on the resumption of meiosis and final maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro. In order to evaluate whether LXRalpha might mediate FF-MAS action on the oocyte, we compared the capability of various compounds to activate LXRalpha-dependent transcription and to induce resumption of meiosis in the oocyte assay. Ovaries were isolated from immature mice primed with FSH 48 h before collection. Naked oocytes (NkO) and cumulus enclosed oocytes (CEO) were isolated from follicles. The oocytes were cultured in two groups, NkO and CEO, respectively, in media containing either 3 mM hypoxanthine, 5 microM IBMX, or 0.100 mM dbcAMP to maintain the oocytes in the germinal vesicle stage. The resumption of meiosis was assessed by the frequency of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) after 24 h of in vitro culture. FF-MAS overcame the meiotic inhibition by hypoxanthine in both the NkO group and CEO group in a dose-dependent manner within the concentration range 0.07-7 microM. FF-MAS displayed similar potency in all inhibitory agents used. Also, FF-MAS significantly increased the formation of polar bodies in both the CEO and NkO group. The oxysterols 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol (a potent ligand for the LXRalpha receptor), 16-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, and 27-hydroxycholesterol, as well as cholesterol, were tested without any significant effect on maturation compared to that of controls. Oxysterols and FF-MAS were observed to activate LXRalpha. In conclusion, the results reported here clearly demonstrate that synthetic FF-MAS exclusively is capable of mediating resumption of meiosis in vitro in both NkO and CEO irrespective of the inhibitory substance used. In contrast, the oxysterols and cholesterol had no significant biological activity on this oocyte function, and consequently we found no correlation between LXRalpha activation and meiosis stimulation.

The neurochemical properties of three novel benzazepine derivatives NNC-112, NNC-687 and NNC-756 were assessed. These compounds inhibited dopamine D1 receptor binding in vitro with low nanomolar to picomolar dissociation constants whereas those for the D2 receptor were in the micromolar range. Contrary to classical neuroleptics, but similar to the atypical neuroleptics, clozapine and fluperlapine, NNC-112, NNC-687 and NNC-756 were relatively more potent in inhibiting dopamine-stimulated adenylyl cyclase than [3H]SCH 23390 binding. Both NNC-112 and NNC-756 had high affinity for the 5-HT2 receptor whereas NNC-687 had low affinity for this receptor. The affinity for other receptors or neurotransmitter transporters was very low. In vivo, the dopamine D1 receptor selective profile of NNC-112, NNC-687 and NNC-756 was evident from the potent inhibition of D1 receptor binding whereas no effect on D2 receptor binding was apparent. In addition, the compounds blocked D1 receptor-mediated rotation in unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, but had no effect on D2-induced rotation. Thus, NNC-112, NNC-687 and NNC-756 are potent and selective dopamine D1 receptor antagonists that may be useful in the treatment of schizophrenia.

The binding of 3H-SCH 23390 was studied in vivo in the mouse brain. The binding was saturable, reversible and stereospecific. The level of nonspecific binding was 5-15% of total binding. Pharmacological characterization revealed binding of 3H-SCH 23390 to D1 receptors. Thus, dopaminergic antagonists known to possess D1 affinity, e.g., SCH 23390 itself, cis-flupentixol and (+)-butaclamol, were potent inhibitors of the 3H-SCH 23390 binding. On the other hand, high doses of D2 selective compounds were required to inhibit the 3H-SCH 23390 binding. These results indicate that 3H-SCH 23390 is a ligand of choice for in vivo studies of D1 receptors.

Methods for measuring 3H-SCH 23390 binding and dopamine (DA) stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) were established in identical tissue preparations and under similar experimental conditions. Pharmacological characterization revealed that both assays involved interaction with the D1 receptor or closely associated sites. In order to investigate whether the binding sites for 3H-SCH 23390 and DA in fact are identical, the antagonistic effects of a variety of pharmacologically active compounds were examined. Surprisingly, the Ki-values obtained from Schild-plot analysis of the antagonism of DA-stimulated AC, were 80-240 times higher than the Ki-values obtained from competition curves of 3H-SCH 23390 binding. Since both assays were performed under identical conditions, the differences in Ki-values indicate the possibility of different binding sites for DA and 3H-SCH 23390 or, that DA and 3H-SCH 23390 label different states of the same receptor.

A series of glucagon analogues, des-(1-4)-glucagon, des-(5-9)-glucagon, des-(10-15)-glucagon, des-(16-21)-glucagon, des-(22-26)-glucagon and des-(27-29)-glucagon, were prepared by condensation of synthetic fragments and characterized biologically and immunologically. Fully synthetic glucagon was also characterized. The potencies with regard to glucagon receptor binding in purified rat liver plasma membranes were, in decreasing order: synthetic glucagon 108%, des-(1-4)-glucagon 5.7%, des-(27-29)-glucagon 0.92%, des-(5-9)-glucagon 0.47%, des-(10-15)-glucagon 0.0028%, des-(16-21)-glucagon 0.0017% and des-(22-26)-glucagon 0.00060% relative to that of natural porcine glucagon. Des-(27-29)-glucagon was the only analogue that activated the adenylate cyclase in rat liver plasma membranes or stimulated the lipolysis in isolated free fat cells from rat epididymal fat pad. The potencies were 0.16% and 0.20% of that of glucagon, respectively. Des-(1-4)-glucagon was a glucagon antagonist in the adenylate cyclase assay. The immunoreactivities of the glucagon analogues were determined with two commonly used anti-glucagon sera, K 5563 and K 4023, directed towards the C-terminus and some segment in the sequence 2-23, respectively. In the K 5563 assay, des-(27-29)-glucagon and des-(22-26)-glucagon had potencies of 0.0009% and less than 0.09% of that of glucagon, respectively. The remaining analogues had potencies varying from 45% to 141% of that of glucagon. In the K 4023 assay, the analogues showed a non-linear dilution effect. The combined results indicate a partition within the glucagon molecule with regard to receptor binding and adenylate cyclase activation. The region 10-26 appears to be the most important for receptor binding, whereas 1-4 is essential for adenylate cyclase activation. The C-terminal segment 27-29 is important for the maintenance of full receptor binding but non-essential for adenylate cyclase activation.