Search

Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion in the first exon of the HTT gene, resulting in an extended polyglutamine (poly-Q) tract in huntingtin (httex1). The structural changes occurring to the poly-Q when increasing its length remain poorly understood due to its intrinsic flexibility and the strong compositional bias. The systematic application of site-specific isotopic labeling has enabled residue-specific NMR investigations of the poly-Q tract of pathogenic httex1 variants with 46 and 66 consecutive glutamines. Integrative data analysis reveals that the poly-Q tract adopts long α-helical conformations propagated and stabilized by glutamine side chain to backbone hydrogen bonds. We show that α-helical stability is a stronger signature in defining aggregation kinetics and the structure of the resulting fibrils than the number of glutamines. Our observations provide a structural perspective of the pathogenicity of expanded httex1 and pave the way to a deeper understanding of poly-Q-related diseases., We thank G. Otting (Australian National University, Canberra, Australia) for providing the BL21 (DE3) Star::RF1-CBD3 strain. This work was supported by the European Research Council under the European Union’s H2020 Framework Programme (2014–2020)/ERC grant agreement no. 648030 and Labex EpiGenMed, an Investissements d’avenir program (grant no. ANR-10-LABX-12-01) awarded to P.B., grant no. ANR-17-CE11-0022-01 awarded to N.S. and grant no. ANR-19-PI3A-0004 awarded to J.C. The Centre for Structural Biology (CBS) is a member of France-BioImaging (FBI) and the French Infrastructure for Integrated Structural Biology, two national infrastructures supported by the French National Research Agency (grant nos. ANR-10-INBS-04-01 and ANR-10-INBS-05, respectively). A.U. is supported by a grant from the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (grant no. SPF20150934061). D.S. acknowledges a grant from the Métropole Européenne de Lille (PUSHUP). G. Levy (Université de Lille) is thanked for help with sample preparation and the 19F-NMR experiments. This work benefited from the high-performance computing resources of CSUC and the CALMIP supercomputing center under the allocations 2016-P16032 and 2021-P21043. The 600 MHz spectrometer for 19F-NMR measurements is funded by the Nord Region Council, CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, the European Community (European Regional Development Fund, ERDF), the French Ministry of Research and the Université de Lille and by the CTRL CPER cofunded by the European Union with the ERDF, by the Hauts-de-France Regional Council (contract no. 17003781), Métropole Européenne de Lille (contract no. 2016_ESR_05) and the French State (contract no .2017-R3-CTRL-Phase1). We thank the SWING beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron, Saint-Aubin, France (proposal 20181386), and P12 beamline at PETRAIII, Hamburg, Germany, for beamtime allocation to the project and assistance during data collection.

Wild-type P53-induced phosphatase 1 (WIP1), also known as

Huntington’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion of the first exon of theHTTgene, resulting in an extended poly-glutamine (poly-Q) tract in the N-terminus of the protein huntingtin (httex1). The structural changes occurring to the poly-Q when increasing its length remain poorly understood mainly due to its intrinsic flexibility and the strong compositional bias of the protein. The systematic application of site-specific isotopic labeling has enabled residue-specific NMR investigations of the poly-Q tract of pathogenic httex1 variants with 46 and 66 consecutive glutamines. The integrative analysis of the data reveals that the poly-Q tract adopts long α-helical conformations stabilized by glutamine side-chain to backbone hydrogen bonds.19F-NMR of site-specifically incorporated fluoro-glutamines and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that the mechanism propagating α-helical conformations towards the poly-Q from the upstream N17 domain is independent of the poly-Q track length. Aggregation and atomic force microscopy experiments show that the presence of long and persistent α-helices in the poly-Q tract is a stronger signature in defining the aggregation kinetics and the structure of the resulting fibrils than the number of glutamines. The ensemble of our observations provides a structural perspective of the pathogenicity of expanded httex1 and paves the way to a deeper understanding of poly-Q related diseases.

Wildtype P53-induced phosphatase 1 (WIP1) is a member of the magnesium-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase (PPM) family and is induced by P53 in response to DNA damage. In several human cancers, the WIP1 protein is overexpressed, which is generally associated with a worse prognosis. Although WIP1 is an attractive therapeutic target, no potent, selective, and bioactive small-molecule modulator with favorable pharmacokinetics has been reported. Phosphatase enzymes are among the most challenging targets for small molecules because of the difficulty of achieving both modulator selectivity and bioavailability. Another major obstacle has been the availability of robust and physiologically relevant phosphatase assays that are suitable for high-throughput screening. Here, we describe orthogonal biochemical WIP1 activity assays that utilize phosphopeptides from native WIP1 substrates. We optimized an MS assay to quantify the enzymatically dephosphorylated peptide reaction product in a 384-well format. Additionally, a red-shifted fluorescence assay was optimized in a 1,536-well format to enable real-time WIP1 activity measurements through the detection of the orthogonal reaction product, inorganic phosphate. We validated these two optimized assays by quantitative high-throughput screening against the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Pharmaceutical Collection and used secondary assays to confirm and evaluate inhibitors identified in the primary screen. Five inhibitors were further tested with an orthogonal WIP1 activity assay and surface plasmon resonance binding studies. Our results validate the application of miniaturized physiologically relevant and orthogonal WIP1 activity assays to discover small-molecule modulators from high-throughput screens.

Cyanine dyes are exceptionally useful probes for a range of fluorescence-based applications. We recently demonstrated that appending a ring system to the pentamethine cyanine ring system improves the quantum yield and extends the fluorescence lifetime. Here, we report an optimized synthesis of persulfonated variants that enable efficient labeling of nucleic acids and proteins. We demonstrate that a bifunctional sulfonated tertiary amide significantly improves the optical properties of the resulting bioconjugates. These new conformationally restricted cyanines are compared to parent species in a range of contexts including their use on a DNA-nano-antenna, in single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) applications, far-red fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), and single-molecule localization microscopy. These efforts define contexts in which eliminating cyanine isomerization provides meaningful benefits to imaging performance.

Genetic code expansion (GCE) technology allows the specific incorporation of functionalized noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins. Here, we investigated the Diels-Alder reaction between trans-cyclooct-2-ene (TCO)-modified ncAAs, and 22 known and novel 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-dye conjugates spanning the entire visible wavelength range. A hallmark of this reaction is its fluorogenicity - the tetrazine moiety can elicit substantial quenching of the dye. We discovered that photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the excited dye to tetrazine is the main quenching mechanism in red-absorbing oxazine and rhodamine derivatives. Upon reaction with dienophiles quenching interactions are reduced resulting in a considerable increase in fluorescence intensity. Efficient and specific labeling of all tetrazine-dyes investigated permits super-resolution microscopy with high signal-to-noise ratio even at the single-molecule level. The different cell permeability of tetrazine-dyes can be used advantageously for specific intra- and extracellular labeling of proteins and highly sensitive fluorescence imaging experiments in fixed and living cells., Gerti Beliu et al. characterise the properties of tetrazine dyes, labelling proteins through site-specific introduction of a non-canonical amino acids followed by bioorthogonal click chemistry and evaluate the usefulness of tetrazine dyes for super-resolution microscopy.

Genetic code expansion (GCE) technology allows the specific incorporation of functionalized noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins. Here, we investigated the Diels-Alder reaction between trans-cyclooct-2-ene (TCO)-modified ncAAs, and 22 known and novel 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-dye conjugates spanning the entire visible wavelength range. A hallmark of this reaction is its fluorogenicity - the tetrazine moiety can elicit substantial quenching of the dye. We discovered that photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the excited dye to tetrazine as the main quenching mechanism in red-absorbing oxazine and rhodamine derivatives. Upon reaction with dienophiles quenching interactions are reduced resulting in a considerable increase in fluorescence intensity. Efficient and specific labeling of all tetrazine-dyes investigated permits super-resolution microscopy with high signal-to-noise ratio even at the single-molecule level. The different cell permeability of tetrazine-dyes can be used advantageously for specific intra- and extracellular labeling of proteins and highly sensitive fluorescence imaging experiments in fixed and living cells.

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign neoplasm of female reproductive system, found in about 50% of women in reproductive age. The mechanisms of leiomyoma growth include cell proliferation, which is modulated by growth factors, and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Activin A and myostatin are growth factors that play a role in proliferation of leiomyoma cells. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known for their ability to remodel the ECM in different biological systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of activin βA-subunit, myostatin, and MMP14 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in uterine leiomyomas and the possible correlation of these factors with clinical features of the disease. Matrix metalloproteinase 14 was highly expressed in uterine leiomyoma and correlated with myostatin and activin A mRNA expression. Moreover, MMP14 and myostatin mRNA expression correlated significantly and directly with the intensity of dysmenorrhea. Overall, the present findings showed that MMP14 mRNA is highly expressed in uterine leiomyoma, where it correlates with the molecular expression of growth factors and is further increased in cases of intense dysmenorrhea.

Nanoscopy has now become a real procedure in fluorescence microscopy of living cells. The STED/RESOLFT family of nanoscopy approaches has the best prospects for delivering high speed imaging, but the history of STED includes a continuing struggle to reduce the deactivation power applied, along with difficulties in achieving simultaneous multicolor images. In this manuscript, we present a concept for a similar real-time nanoscopy, using a new class of bipartite probes that separate the luminescent and quenching functions into two coupled molecules. In particular, the STAQ (Superresolution via Transiently Activated Quencher) example we show herein employs the excited state absorbance (not ground state) of the partner to accept energy from and quench the luminescent dye. The result is that much less deactivation power is needed for superresolved (∼50 nm) imaging. Moreover, the TAQ partner excited by the “donut” beam is shown to quench several different visible dyes via the same mechanism, opening the door to easier multicolor imaging. We demonstrate three dyes sharing the same deactivation and show examples of superresolved multicolor images. We suggest STAQ will facilitate the growth of real-time nanoscopy by reducing confounding photodamage within living cells while expanding the nanoscopist's palette. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:343–355, 2015. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. As obesity and diabetes become more prevalent, the contribution of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to HCC is rising. Recently, we reported intrahepatic CD4+ T cells are critical for anti-tumor surveillance in NAFLD. Lipid accumulation in the liver is the hallmark of NAFLD, which may perturb T cell function. We sought to investigate how the lipid-rich liver environment influences CD4+ T cells by focusing on carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) family members, which control the mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids and act as key molecules in lipid catabolism. Linoleic acid (C18:2) co-localized within the mitochondria along with a corresponding increase in CPT gene upregulation. This CPT upregulation can be recapitulated by feeding mice with a high-C18:2 diet or the NAFLD promoting methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Using an agonist and antagonist, the induction of CPT genes was found to be mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α). CPT gene upregulation increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and led to cell apoptosis. In vivo, using liver-specific inducible MYC transgenic mice fed MCD diet, blocking CPT with the pharmacological inhibitor perhexiline decreased apoptosis of intrahepatic CD4+ T cells and inhibited HCC tumor formation. These results provide useful information for potentially targeting the CPT family to rescue intrahepatic CD4+ T cells and to aid immunotherapy for NAFLD-promoted HCC.

Introduction The small molecule 2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-sulfonamido)-2-(fluoromethyl)butanoic acid (NST732) is a member of the ApoSense family of compounds, capable of selective targeting, binding and accumulation within cells undergoing apoptotic cell death. It has application in molecular imaging and blood clotting particularly for monitoring antiapoptotic drug treatments. We are investigating a fluorine-18-radiolabeled analog of this compound for positron emission tomography studies. Methods We prepared the tosylate precursor methyl 2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-sulfonamido)-2-(tosyloxymethyl)butanoate (4) to synthesize fluorine-18-labeled NST732. Fluorination reaction of the tosylate precursor in 1:1 acetonitrile:dimethylsulfoxide with tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride proceeds through an aziridine intermediate (4A) to afford two regioisomers: 2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-sulfonamido)-2-fluorobutanoate (5) and methyl 2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-sulfonamido)-2-(fluoromethyl)butanoate (6). Acid hydrolysis of the fluoromethylbutanoate (6) isomer produced NST732. As the fluorination reaction of the tosylate precursor proceeds through an aziridine intermediate (4A) and the fluorination conceivably could be done directly on the aziridine, we have separately prepared an aziridine precursor (4A). Fluorine-18 labeling of the aziridine precursor (4A) was performed with [ 18 F]tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride to afford the same two regioisomers (5 and 6). The [ 18 F]2-((5-dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-sulfonamido)methyl)-2-fluorobutanoic acid (NST732) was then obtained by the hydrolysis of corresponding [ 18 F]-labeled ester (6) with 6 N hydrochloric acid. Results Two regioisomers obtained from the fluorination reaction of aziridine were easily separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The total radiochemical yield was 15%±3% (uncorrected, n =18) from the aziridine precursor in a 70-min synthesis time with a radiochemical purity >99%. Conclusion Fluorine-18-labeled ApoSense compound [ 18 F]NST732 is prepared in moderate yield by direct fluorination of an aziridine precursor.

This study investigated whether competitive reduction of pathogenic bacteria growth in pond water alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contamination and improves geese production performances in the “goose-fish” production system, thereby providing the potential for an improved technique for ecological water fowl production. In the first experiment, 240 Magang goslings of 15-d age were randomly and equally allocated into 16 “yard and pond” pens using a 2×2 factorial design with 4 replications per treatment. In the 55-d experimental period, the goslings received 2 main treatments: supplementation of Bacillus subtilis spores in the feed and addition of photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) to the pond water. Both B. subtilis spores and PSB treatments significantly suppressed water counts of Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Shigella, and LPS concentrations in pond water and in gosling blood (P

This study was carried out to unravel the mechanism of reductions in production performances in high stocking density geese flocks during summer months in “geese-fish” production system. Experiment 1 observed the water bacterial growth, lipopolysaccharde concentrations in water and geese blood, and geese reproductive performances from summer to winter, in two flocks with varying on water stocking densities. Results showed that counts of total bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella in water, as well as water and geese plasma LPS concentrations, exhibited a tendency decreasing from the highest levels in summer, to intermediate levels in autumn, and to the lowest values in winter. Such seasonal decreases in bacteria and LPS concentrations were associated with similar seasonal decreases in embryo mortality during incubation. In addition, embryos dead or showing development retardation by day 25 of incubation contained copious LPS in allantoic fluid, in contrast to the negligible amount in normal developing embryos. Raising on water stocking density elevated bacteria counts, LPS concentrations in water and geese plasma, and decreased egg fertility but increased embryo mortality during incubation. In experiment 2, exogenous LPS treatment to the geese depressed egg laying, reduced egg hatchability, caused sickness behavior in the goslings hatched. In experiment 3, exogenous LPS directly administered to day 8 and 18 embryos during incubation dose dependently increased mortality and decreased hatchability, and caused sickness behavior in the goslings hatched. It is concluded that the raising on water geese stocking density stimulates pathogenic bacteria growth in water, which via LPS contamination impaires embryo development in incubation and therefore reduces geese reproductive performance and gosling quality during the hot summer months.

Fluorine-18-labeled lapatinib has been successfully synthesized for the first time by the reaction of a dimethylformamide solution of meta-[18F]fluorobenzylbromide with a Boc-protected lapatinib precursor fragment. The reaction proceeded in the presence of K2CO3 at 110 °C for 10 min in a microwave and was followed by Boc-group deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid. The overall radiochemical yield of the reaction starting from the radiofluorination of the iodonium salt was 8–12% (uncorrected, n = 6) in a 140-min synthesis time.

Mutations in alpha-glucosidase cause accumulation of glycogen in lysosomes, resulting in Pompe disease, a lysosomal storage disorder. Small molecule chaperones that bind to enzyme proteins and correct the misfolding and mistrafficking of mutant proteins have emerged as a new therapeutic approach for the lysosomal storage disorders. In addition, alpha-glucosidase is a therapeutic target for type II diabetes, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors have been used in the clinic as alternative treatments for this disease. We have developed a new fluorogenic substrate for the alpha-glucosidase enzyme assay, resorufin alpha-d-glucopyranoside. The enzyme reaction product of this new substrate emits at a peak of 590 nm, reducing the interference from fluorescent compounds seen with the existing fluorogenic substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside. Also, the enzyme kinetic assay can be carried out continuously without the addition of stop solution due to the lower pK(a) of the product of this substrate. Therefore, this new fluorogenic substrate is a useful tool for the alpha-glucosidase enzyme assay and will facilitate compound screening for the development of new therapies for Pompe disease.

Mitochondrial NADH fluorescence has been a useful tool in evaluating mitochondrial energetics both in vitro and in vivo. Mitochondrial NADH fluorescence is enhanced several fold in the matrix through extended fluorescence lifetimes (EFL). However, the actual binding sites responsible for NADH EFL are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that NADH binding to Complex I is a significant source of mitochondrial NADH fluorescence enhancement. To test this hypothesis, the effect of Complex I binding on NADH fluorescence efficiency was evaluated in purified protein, and in native gels of the entire porcine heart mitochondria proteome. To avoid the oxidation of NADH in these preparations, we conducted the binding experiments under anoxic conditions in a specially designed apparatus. Purified intact Complex I enhanced NADH fluorescence in native gels approximately 10 fold. However, no enhancement was detected in denatured individual Complex I subunit proteins. In the Clear and Ghost native gels of the entire mitochondrial proteome, NADH fluorescence enhancement was localized to regions where NADH oxidation occurred in the presence of oxygen. Inhibitor and mass spectroscopy studies revealed that the fluorescence enhancement was specific to Complex I proteins. No fluorescence enhancement was detected for MDH or other dehydrogenases in this assay system, at physiological mole fractions of the matrix proteins. These data suggest that NADH associated with Complex I significantly contributes to the overall mitochondrial NADH fluorescence signal and provides an explanation for the well established close correlation of mitochondrial NADH fluorescence and the metabolic state.

By using a lighting programme with an 18 h long daily photoperiod for 2 to 2.5 months starting in winter (December to January) and 11 h short daily photoperiod from spring (March) to autumn, the breeding season of Greylag geese in Guangdong Province, China was successfully altered to achieve out-of-season lay in the natural non-breeding seasons in the spring and summer months. Application of such out-of-season laying technique on gosling production, resulted in economic benefits of earnings 5 to 6 times higher than conventional production, and doubled profits of commercial goose meat production using out-of-season management programmes compared with using conventionally produced goslings. In addition, using the out of season laying technique balanced the whole year's geese production, goose meat consumption and also stimulated market growth. Development and application of the out-of-season laying technique, together with the resultant economic benefits, lead to modernization and sustainable development of the goose industry in Guangdong Province, as represented by growth of farm or flock sizes, a decrease in farm numbers and the use of modern nutrition, disease prevention and breeding programmes.

This study aimed to improve egg-laying performance in incubating Magang geese of Guangdong origin and Landaise geese of French origin. In experiment 1, 50 adults, egg-laying Magang geese were inoculated intramuscularly (i.m.) on days 0, 22, and 45 with 1 mL of immunogen containing 1 mg of recombinant chicken inhibin fusion protein. Immunization significantly increased blood antibody titers against inhibin fusion protein, but did not affect the egg-laying performance within 10 days after the first inoculation. From day 15, the egg-laying rate in inhibin-immunized group increased and was significantly higher than the values of control geese from day 40 to 55. However, the reverse was true from day 55 to 75 when more immunized geese developed incubation. In the entire 120 days of the experiment, the immunized geese laid 17.3 eggs in contrast to 16.4 eggs laid by the control geese. From day 30 till the end of the experiment, weight of eggs in the control geese was significantly greater than that in inhibin-immunized birds. In experiment 2, 40 Landaise geese were immunized against inhibin, as described in experiment 1. These geese laid 9.0 eggs on average in contrast to 7.3 eggs laid by nonimmunized control geese over 90 days of egg laying. The above results demonstrated that immunization against recombinant chicken inhibin fusion protein improved egg-laying performance in geese, and the increment was higher in nonincubating geese.

Glutamine (Gln) and its analogues may serve as imaging agents for tumor diagnosis using positron emission tomography (PET), especially for tumors with negative [(18)F]FDG scan. We report the first automated synthesis of [(18)F](2S,4R)-4-fluoroglutamine ([(18)F]FGln) on a GE TRACERlab™ FX-N Pro module. [(18)F]FGln was obtained in 80±3min with a radiochemical yield of 21±3% (n=5, uncorrected). The radiochemical purity was >98%, and optical purity 90±5%. The synthesis is highly reproducible with good chemical purity, radiochemical yield, and is suitable for translation to cGMP production.

Copper (I) promoted [3+2] Huisgen cycloaddition of azides with terminal alkynes was used to prepare triazole-containing macrocycles based on the Grb2 SH2 domain-binding motif, ‘Pmp-Ac6c-Asn’, where Pmp and Ac6c stand for 4-phosphonomethylphenylalanine and 1-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid, respectively. When cycloaddition reactions were conducted at 1 mM substrate concentrations, cyclization of monomeric units occurred. At 2 mM substrate concentrations the predominant products were macrocyclic dimers. In Grb2 SH2 domain-binding assays the monomeric (S)-Pmp-containing macrocycle exhibited a Kd value of 0.23 μM, while the corresponding dimeric macrocycle was found to have greater than 50-fold higher affinity. The open-chain dimer was also found to have affinity equal to the dimeric macrocycle. This work represents the first application of ‘click chemistry’ to the synthesis of SH2 domain-binding inhibitors and indicates its potential utility.

Although considerable effort has been devoted to developing Grb2 SH2 domain-binding antagonists, important questions related to ligand specificity, and identification of intracellular targets remain unanswered. In order to begin addressing these issues, the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel biotinylated macrocycle are reported that bears biotin functionality at a C-terminal rather than the traditional N-terminal position. With a Grb2 SH2 domain-binding K eq value of 3.4 nM, the title macrocycle ( 5 ) is among the most potent biotinylated SH2 domain-binding ligands yet disclosed. This should be a useful tool for elucidating physiological targets of certain Grb2 SH2 domain-binding antagonists.

Reported herein are the design, synthesis, and Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinities of several phosphoryl-mimicking groups displayed within the context of a conformationally constrained macrocyclic platform. With use of surface plasmon resonance techniques, single-digit nanomolar affinities were exhibited by phosphonic acid and malonyl-containing diacidic phosphoryl mimetics (for 4h and 4g, K(D) = 1.47 and 3.62 nM, respectively). Analogues containing monoacidic phosphoryl mimetics provided affinities of K(D) = 16-67 nM. Neutral phosphoryl-mimicking groups did not show appreciable binding.

As typified by 2-[(9S,10S,14R,18S)-18-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-14-[(5-methyl-1H-indol-l-yl)methyl]-8,17,20-trioxo-10-[4-(phosphonomethyl)phenyl]-7,16,19-triazaspiro[5.14]icos-11-en-9-yl)acetic acid ((14R)-1b), ring-closing methathesis-derived macrocyclic tetrapeptide mimetics have recently been reported that bind with high affinity to Grb2 SH2 domains in both extracellular and whole-cell assays. The synthetic complexity of this class of agents limits further therapeutic development. Although a significant component of this synthetic complexity arises from the presence of three stereogenic centers, C(9) (S), C(10) (S), and C(14) (R), it is unclear whether stereoselective introduction of defined configuration at C(14) is required for high-affinity binding. Reported herein is a synthetic route to these macrocycles lacking stereoselectivity in the formation of the C(14) ring junction, which is four synthetic steps shorter than the original stereoselective synthesis. Separation of C(14)-epimers obtained by this approach was achieved by preparative HPLC. Molecular-dynamics studies of ligands bound to the Grb2 SH2 domain protein indicated that the (14R)-configuration should display more-favorable interactions with the protein relative to the (14S)-epimer. Indeed, although surface-plasmon-resonance-derived binding constants to Grb2 SH2 domain protein indicated that the affinity of the (14R)-epimer (K D = 4.8 nM) is greater than that of the (14S)-epimer (K D = 11 nM), it is only marginally so. Therefore, little affinity would be lost through a non-stereoselective synthesis of the C(14)-center. Further studies are in progress to explore reduced structural complexity at the C(14)-center.

The diastereoselective preparation of (2S)‐2‐fluoro‐4‐[[bis(1,1‐dimethylethoxy)phosphinyl]methyl] benzenepropanoic acid (5) is presented as new phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) mimetic suitably protected for incorporation into peptides. Synthesis of 5 utilized electrophilic fluorination under chiral induction provided by the commercially available Evans auxiliary, (S)‐(+)‐4‐phenyl‐2‐oxazolidinone. In order to demonstrate its synthetic utility, analogue 5 was employed to prepare a signal transduction‐directed tripeptide. The design considerations for this peptide and its preliminary biological evaluation are included.

The growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an SH2 domain-containing docking module that represents an attractive target for anticancer therapeutic intervention. Here, a ring-closing metathesis approach is utilized to synthesize a 5-methylindolyl-containing tetrapeptide mimetic (6) that exhibits unprecedented in vitro Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinity (K(d) = 93 pM). Key to the preparation of 6 is the enantioselective synthesis of (2S)-2-(3-(5-methylindolyl)methyl)pent-4-enylamine (12) as one of two ring-closing segments.

This report described that a hapten of racemic phosphonate 3 designed as the mimic of the transition state of hydrolysis of naproxen ethyl ester was successfully synthesized from easily available 2-acetyl-6-methoxy-naphthalene 5 . Then BALB/C mice were immunized and one of the monoclonal catalytic antibodies, N116-27, which enantioselectively accelerated the hydrolysis of the R -(−)-naproxen ethyl ester was given. The Michaelis–Menton parameter for the catalyzed reaction was K M =6.67 mM and k cat / k uncat =5.8×10 4 . This enantioselective result was explained by the fact that the R -isomer of rac-hapten was more immunogenic than the S -isomer.

Using an inexpensive d -galactose from the chiral pool, l -deoxyribose, l -ribose and their derivatives were synthesized via mild reaction conditions. During the synthesis of l -deoxyribose, the key deoxygenation of the 2-hydroxy group of 3,5-O-dibenzyl-methyl- l -arabinofuranoside was performed by reduction of the corresponding triflate with tetrabutylammonium borohydride in high yield. During the synthesis of l -ribose, the key step of inversion of the 2-hydroxy group in the same substrate was carried out by intramolecular SN2 tandem reaction. Then the l -ribosyl donors were submitted to glycosidations according to Vorbruggen's conditions to give l -ribosides ( l -uridine, l -5-fluorouridine, l -iodouridine, l -thymidine, l -puridine, l -adenosine and l -guanosine) in excellent yields.

An inexpensive d -galactose was converted into l -ribose and its derivatives via mild reaction conditions. The l -ribosyl donor was submitted to a glycosidation according to Vorbruggen's conditions to give l -ribosides in high yields.

Described herein is the synthesis of a hapten of biocyclo[2,2,2]octene 5 designed to mimic the exo transition-state of an aza Diels-Alder reaction. Immunization of rabbits with this hapten provided polyclonal antibodies, Aza-BSA-3, which were used to synthesize adduct 4b in the first reported antibody-catalyzed exo Diels-Alder reaction.

Alpha-galactosidase A hydrolyzes the terminal alpha-galactosyl moieties from glycolipids and glycoproteins in lysosomes. Mutations in alpha-galactosidase cause lysosomal accumulation of the glycosphingolipid, globotriaosylceramide, which leads to Fabry disease. Small-molecule chaperones that bind to mutant enzyme proteins and correct their misfolding and mistrafficking have emerged as a potential therapy for Fabry disease. We have synthesized a red fluorogenic substrate, resorufinyl alpha-D-galactopyranoside, for a new alpha-galactosidase enzyme assay. This assay can be measured continuously at lower pH values, without the addition of a stop solution, due to the relatively low pK(a) of resorufin (approximately 6). In addition, the assay emits red fluorescence, which can significantly reduce interferences due to compound fluorescence and dust/lint as compared to blue fluorescence. Therefore, this new red fluorogenic substrate and the resulting enzyme assay can be used in high-throughput screening to identify small-molecule chaperones for Fabry disease.

Fluorescent tagging is a powerful tool for imaging proteins in living cells. However, the steric effects imposed by fluorescent tags impair the behavior of many proteins. Here, we report a novel technique, Instant with DTT, EDT, And Low temperature (IDEAL)-labeling, for rapid and specific FlAsH-labeling of tetracysteine-tagged cell surface proteins by using prion protein (PrP) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) as models. In prion-infected cells, FlAsH-labeled tetracysteine-tagged PrP converted from the normal isoform (PrPsen) to the disease-associated isoform (PrPres), suggesting minimal steric effects of the tag. Pulse-chase analysis of PrP and APP by fluorescent gel imaging demonstrated the utility of IDEAL labeling in investigating protein metabolism by identifying an as-yet-unrecognized C-terminal fragment (C3) of PrPsen and by characterizing the kinetics of PrPres and APP metabolism. C3 generation and N-terminal truncation of PrPres were inhibited by the anti-prion compound E64, a cysteine protease inhibitor. Surprisingly, E64 did not inhibit the synthesis of new PrPres, providing insight into the mechanism by which E64 reduces steady-state PrPres levels in prion-infected cells. To expand the versatility of tetracysteine tagging, we created new Alexa Fluor- and biotin-conjugated tetracysteine-binding molecules that were applied to imaging PrP endocytosis and ultrastructural localization. IDEAL-labeling extends the use of biarsenical derivatives to extracellular proteins and beyond microscopic imaging.

We have shown previously that a potent synthetic antagonist of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) Src homology 2 (SH2) domain binding (1) blocks growth factor stimulated motility, invasion, and angiogenesis in cultured cell models, as well as tumor metastasis in animals. To characterize the selectivity of 1 for the SH2 domain of Grb2 over other proteins containing similar structural binding motifs, we synthesized a biotinylated derivative (3) that retained high affinity Grb2 SH2 domain binding and potent biological activity. To investigate the selectivity of 1 and 3 for Grb2, the biotinylated antagonist 3 was used to immobilize target proteins from cell extracts for subsequent identification by mass spectrometry. Non-specific binding was identified in parallel using a biotinylated analogue that lacked a single critical binding determinant. The mechanism of action of the antagonist was further characterized by immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, and light microscopy. This approach to defining protein binding antagonist selectivity and molecular basis of action should be widely applicable in drug development.

In order to explore the feasibility of cryopreserving primordial follicles in attaining their developmental competence following freezing and thawing, ovaries from newborn mice were cryopreserved and the thawed ovaries were xenografted into kidney capsules of adult female mice. Ovaries were isolated from newborn B6C2F(1) female mice, infiltrated by Leibovitz 15 (L-15) medium containing 10% (V/V) fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1.5 mol/L dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and then packed into 0.25 ml plastic straws. The ovaries contained in straws were frozen under nitrogen vapour at -40 degrees C in Cryocell 1200 programmable freezer, and stored in liquid nitrogen for periods ranging from 1 week to 6 months. Upon thawing, the straws were dipped into room temperature water for 10~20 s, after which the ovaries were collected and washed in L-15 buffer containing 10% (V/V) FBS without DMSO to remove cryoprotectant. The thawed ovaries were transplanted into kidney capsules of 8~12-week old adult B6C2F(1) female recipient mice by two protocols, with either 1 or 2 ovaries in each capsule. Upon withdrawal after at least 14 d of transplantation, only 45.00% (72/160) of the ovaries were recovered from 40 recipients transplanted with 2 ovaries in each capsule, compared to 82.50% (33/40) in 20 recipients with only 1 ovary in each capsule. The grafted ovaries exhibited similar follicular developmental progression to that of natural ovaries. There were antral follicles present in the transplanted ovaries on day 14, whose number increased more substantially on day 19 after transplantation. Following stimulation of the recipient mice with 10 IU PMSG on day 19 after xenografting, follicles further developed to preovulatory stage with appearance of cumulus oocytes and enlarged antrum. Oocytes from these fully grown antral follicles were collected and matured in vitro in modified essential medium-alpha (MEMalpha). After 16~17 h of culture, 40.90% of the oocytes exhibited germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and among which 89.02% proceeded to the metaphase II (MII) stage as indicated by exclusion of the first polar body. The remaining oocytes were further cultured and 50.83% of which initiated GVBD by 20~21 h of culture, but only 21.40% of which proceeded to MII. The above results demonstrated that the primordial follicles in newborn mouse ovaries were capable of sustaining freezing and thawing, and reinitiating development following xenograft into kidney capsule in adult recipient female mice. Production of mature oocytes from such re-developed follicles following gonadotrophin priming and the subsequent oocyte in vitro maturation implied immense prospect of application of this method to preserve female germ cells, conserve endangered species, establish animal gene stock, and utilize oocytes in assisted reproductive techniques.

Introduction The growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an SH2 domain-containing component of signaling pathways associated with a variety of proliferative diseases. Grb2 SH2 domains preferentially recognize sequences of the form, “pTyr-Xxx-Asn”, with binding occurring in type-I β-bend conformations [1]. Significant research has been devoted to developing Grb2 SH2 domain-binding peptides and peptide mimetics as potential therapeutics. One aspect of these efforts has been directed toward overcoming bioavailability issues raised by the dianionic phenylphosphate moiety of pTyr. Using an open-chain display platform based on the peptide AcpTyr-Ac6c-Asn-[3-(1-naphthyl)propylamide] reported by Novartis Corp [2], we had previously examined a number of monoanionic phosphoryl mimetics that exhibited micromolar to sub-micromolar Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinities [3]. More recently, we reported macrocyclic variants of the Novartis peptide bearing dianionic phosphoryl replacements that provide low nanomolar to sub-nanomolar binding constants (analogs 1 [4] and 2 [5], X = a and b, Fig. 1). The focus of the current study was to examine phosphoryl mimicking groups bearing monoanionic charge (X = c,d,e and f) or no charge (X = g and h) within a macrocyclic platform (Fig. 1).

A cDNA sequence coding for ovine inhibin N terminal 1-33 AA residue fragment (INH) was inserted between BamHI\SacI sites in plasmid pRSET-A to generate plasmid pR-INH. By utilizing a pair of isocaudamer BamHI and Bgl II sites and another downstream Hind III site, following simple double digestions and combination ligation of the resultant products, 2 to 6-repeat INH genes were constructed respectively. Each plamids containing 3 to 6 repeated INH fragment genes, pR-3INH, pR-4INH, pR-5INH and pR-6INH, directed expression of the target proteins in E. coli. BL21 (DE3) under induction of ITPG, which respectively accounted for 6%, 6%, 7% and 8% of the total bacterial protein. The expressed target proteins were all in the form of inclusion bodies. The above results implied that utilization of isocaudamer restriction disgetion sites in expression plasmid is capable of rapidly and correctly constructing repeat fragment polymer of short peptides, which may become a new method in construction of high immunogenic recombinant vaccines of short peptides.

The diastereoselective preparation of (2S)‐2‐fluoro‐4‐[[bis(1,1‐dimethylethoxy)phosphinyl]methyl] benzenepropanoic acid (5) is presented as new phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) mimetic suitably protected for incorporation into peptides. Synthesis of 5 utilized electrophilic fluorination under chiral induction provided by the commercially available Evans auxiliary, (S)‐(+)‐4‐phenyl‐2‐oxazolidinone. In order to demonstrate its synthetic utility, analogue 5 was employed to prepare a signal transduction‐directed tripeptide. The design considerations for this peptide and its preliminary biological evaluation are included.

Ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of peptides often requires insertion of allylglycines at the intended sites of ring juncture, which can result in the displacement of residues that are needed for biological activity. This type of side-chain deletion can be avoided by appending beta-vinyl substituents onto the parent residues at the intended sites of ring juncture, thereby effectively converting them into functionalized allylglycine equivalents. Such an approach has been previously applied in modified form to growth-factor receptor bound 2 (Grb2) SH2 domain-binding peptides by using an N-terminal beta-vinyl-functionalized phosphotyrosyl mimetic and C-terminal 2-allyl-3-aryl-1-propanamides that lacked the alpha-carboxyl portion of allylglycine residues. These C-terminal moieties involved lengthy synthesis and once prepared, required an individual total synthesis of each final macrocycle. Work reported herein significantly enhances the versatility of the original approach through the use of C-terminal allylglycine amides that can be prepared from commercially available L- and D-allylglycines and suitable amines. This methodology could be generally useful where macrocylization is desired with maintenance of functionality at a site of ring juncture.

Preferential binding of ligands to Grb2 SH2 domains in beta-bend conformations has made peptide cyclization a logical means of effecting affinity enhancement. This is based on the concept that constraint of open-chain sequences to bend geometries may reduce entropy penalties of binding. The current study extends this approach by undertaking ring-closing metathesis (RCM) macrocyclization between i and i+3 residues through a process involving allylglycines and beta-vinyl-functionalized residues. Ring closure in this fashion results in minimal macrocyclic tetrapeptide mimetics. The predominant effects of such macrocyclization on Grb2 SH2 domain binding affinity were increases in rates of association (from 7- to 16-fold) relative to an open-chain congener, while decreases in dissociation rates were less pronounced (approximately 2-fold). The significant increases in association rates were consistent with pre-ordering of solution conformations to near those required for binding. Data from NMR experiments and molecular modeling simulations were used to interpret the binding results. An understanding of the conformational consequences of such i to i+3 ring closure may facilitate its application to other systems where bend geometries are desired.

Macrocyclization from the phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) mimetic's beta-position has previously been shown to enhance Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinity of phosphonate-based analogues. The current study examined the effects of such macrocyclization using a dicarboxymethyl-based pTyr mimetic. In extracellular assays affinity was enhanced approximately 5-fold relative to an open-chain congener. Enhancement was also observed in whole-cell assays examining blockade of Grb2 binding to the erbB-2 protein-tyrosine kinase.

The growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an SH2 domain-containing docking module that participates in the signaling of numerous oncogenic growth factor receptor protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs). Presented herein is a 5-methylindolyl-containing macrocyclic tetrapeptide mimetic (5) that binds to Grb2 SH2 domain protein with K(d)=75 pM. This represents the highest affinity yet reported for a synthetic inhibitor against any SH2 domain. In whole cell assays this novel analogue is able to effectively block the association of Grb2 to cognate cytoplasmic erbB-2 at IC(50)10nM without prodrug derivatization or the addition of carrier peptide motifs. Anti-mitogenic effects against erbB-2-dependent breast cancers are achieved at non-cytotoxic concentrations (IC(50)=0.6 microM). Macrocycle 5 may be representative of a new class of therapeutically relevant Grb2 SH2 domain-directed agents.