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Chris M Ireland

Publications and source records attributed to Chris M Ireland.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dual roles for adenomatous polyposis coli in regulating retinoic acid biosynthesis and Wnt during ocular development.

Congenital hypertrophy/hyperplasia of the retinal pigmented epithelium is an ocular lesion found in patients harboring mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene. We report that Apc-deficient zebrafish display developmental abnormalities of both the lens and retina. Injection of dominant-negative Lef reduced Wnt signaling in the lens but did not rescue retinal differentiation defects. In contrast, treatment of apc mutants with all-trans retinoic acid rescued retinal differentiation defects but had no apparent effect on the lens. We identified Rdh5 as a retina-specific retinol dehydrogenase controlled by APC. Morpholino knockdown of Rdh5 phenocopied the apc mutant retinal differentiation defects and was rescued by treatment with exogenous all-trans retinoic acid. Microarray analyses of apc mutants and Rdh5 morphants revealed a profound overlap in the transcriptional profile of these embryos. These findings support a model wherein Apc serves a dual role in regulating Wnt and retinoic acid signaling within the eye and suggest retinoic acid deficiency as an explanation for APC mutation-associated retinal defects such as congenital hypertrophy/hyperplasia of the retinal pigmented epithelium.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein↗
PubMed2006

Up-regulation of CYP26A1 in adenomatous polyposis coli-deficient vertebrates via a WNT-dependent mechanism: implications for intestinal cell differentiation and colon tumor development.

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene seem to underlie the initiation of many colorectal carcinomas. Loss of APC function results in accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of beta-catenin/TCF-dependent transcription. Recent studies have implicated APC in controlling retinoic acid biosynthesis during normal intestinal development through a WNT-independent mechanism. Paradoxically, however, previous studies found that dietary supplementation of Apc(MIN) mice with retinoic acid failed to abrogate adenoma formation. While investigating the above finding, we found that expression of CYP26A1, a major retinoic acid catabolic enzyme, was up-regulated in Apc(MIN) mouse adenomas, human FAP adenomas, human sporadic colon carcinomas, and in the intestine of apc(mcr) mutant zebrafish embryos. Mechanistically, cyp26a1 induction following apc mutation is dependent on WNT signaling as antisense morpholino knockdown of tcf4 or injection of a dnLEF construct into apc(mcr) mutant zebrafish suppressed expression of cyp26a1 along with known WNT target genes. In addition, injection of stabilized beta-catenin or dnGSK3beta into wild-type embryos induced cyp26a1 expression. Genetic knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition of cyp26a1 in apc(mcr) mutant zebrafish embryos rescued gut differentiation defects such as expression of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and pancreatic trypsin. These findings support a novel role for APC in balancing retinoic acid biosynthesis and catabolism through WNT-independent and WNT-dependent mechanisms.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein↗
PubMed2006

Tedanolide C: a potent new 18-membered-ring cytotoxic macrolide isolated from the Papua New Guinea marine sponge Ircinia sp.

Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation of the crude methanol extract of a marine sponge, Ircinia sp., yielded tedanolide C (1), a new 18-membered macrolide. The structure was solved by interpreting NMR and MS data, and the relative stereochemistry was determined from a combination of homo- and heteronuclear coupling constants in conjunction with molecular modeling. Compound 1 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cells in vitro. Cell cycle analysis showed that treatment of cells with compound 1 arrested cells in the S-phase.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Theopapuamide, a cyclic depsipeptide from a Papua New Guinea lithistid sponge Theonella swinhoei.

Theopapuamide (1), a new cytotoxic peptide, has been isolated from the lithistid sponge Theonella swinhoei from Papua New Guinea. The structure was established by analysis of NMR, mass spectrometry, and chemical methods. The undecapeptide (1) contains several unusual amino acid residues, of which the occurrence of beta-methoxyasparagine and 4-amino-5-methyl-2,3,5-trihydroxyhexanoic acid (Amtha) is unprecedented in natural peptides. Compound 1 also contains an amide-linked fatty acid moiety, 3-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethyloctanoic acid (Htoa). Theopapuamide (1) was cytotoxic against CEM-TART and HCT-116 cell lines, with EC50 values of 0.5 and 0.9 microM, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Oppositines A and B, sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids from a Sri Lankan Pleurostylia opposita.

Two new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids, oppositines A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the plant Pleurostylia opposita, collected in Sri Lanka. The compounds were isolated and purified by solvent/solvent partitioning, column chromatography, and HPLC. Their structures were assigned on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies as well as analysis by HRESIMS. Oppositines A (1) and B (2) showed moderate cytotoxicity against HCT116 cell lines with EC50 values of 27 +/- 2 and 26 +/- 3 microM, respectively.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2006

New destruxins from the marine-derived fungus Beauveria felina.

Chemical investigation of the cytotoxic and anti-tuberculosis active butanone extract obtained from the growth media of the marine-derived fungus Beauveria felina led to the isolation of two new destruxins, [beta-Me-Pro] destruxin E chlorohydrin (1) and pseudodestruxin C (3), along with five known cyclic depsipeptides. The structures of the new destruxin derivatives were established by analysis of spectroscopic data, while the absolute configuration of the common amino acid residues was established by Marfey's analysis. The absolute configuration of the 2(R),4(S)-5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypentanoic acid residue in 1 could be established by application of a J-based configuration method followed by derivatization with R-MPA-Cl and NMR analysis.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2006

Antimalarial activity of crambescidin 800 and synthetic analogues against liver and blood stage of Plasmodium sp.

Structural features associated with the antimalarial activity of the marine natural product crambescidin 800 were studied using synthetic analogues of the related compound ptilomycalin A. The study suggests that the guanidine moiety is cytotoxic, whereas the spermidine-containing aliphatic chain increases activity. The most active analogue, compound 11, had in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 (IC50=490 nM) that was stronger than the in vitro activity against murine L5178Y cells (IC50 = 8.5-59 microM). In vitro growth inhibition of liver stages of P. yoelii yoelii in mouse hepatocytes was observed (IC50 = 9.2 microM). The compound did not significantly prolong median survival time after a single subcutaneous administration of 80 mg/kg in P. berghei-infected mice. Compound 11 did not cause DNA fragmentation in an in vitro micronucleus assay.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Antitumor activity and distribution of pyrroloiminoquinones in the sponge genus Zyzzya.

A detailed analysis of four different collections of the sponge genus Zyzzya yielded nine pyrroloiminoquinones of the makaluvamine, batzelline, and isobatzelline/damirone classes. Dereplication analyses of additional Zyzzya extracts did not disclose more potent or additional new compounds. Comparative testing of these compounds in the National Cancer Institute's 60 cell line human tumor screen revealed varying levels of potency and differential cytotoxicity, apparently related to the unsaturation levels in and substitution patterns on the core ring system. Further studies on the topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage were conducted. Reductive activation of the pyrroloiminoquinones led to DNA damage in vitro, which correlated with half wave potentials and reversibility parameters. DNA damage could be abrogated by ascorbate. Fluorescence displacement was used to measure intercalation with DNA; intercalation efficiency did not correlate with DNA-damaging proficiency. Makaluvamine H (5) emerged as the most potent and differential of our isolates, roughly comparable to makaluvamines C (in vitro) and I (in vivo). 3,7-Dimethyl guanine was isolated from one of the Zyzzya collections and from the sponge Latrunculia purpurea.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Aurantosides G, H, and I: three new tetramic acid glycosides from a Papua New Guinea Theonella swinhoei.

Aurantosides G-I (1-3) have been isolated from the lithistid sponge Theonella swinhoei from Papua New Guinea. Their structures were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 1-3 represent new monochloropentaenoyl tetramic acids with mono-, di-, and tri-N-saccharide substituents, respectively. Aurantosides G-I (1-3) failed to show any significant cytotoxicity against the human colon tumor cell line HCT-116.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The patellazoles inhibit protein synthesis at nanomolar concentrations in human colon tumor cells.

The patellazoles are a family of compounds consisting of a 24-member macrolide ring with a thiazole-epoxide tail. The opening of this epoxide does not greatly affect the bioactivity of these compounds, although the cellular toxicity is generally decreased. The patellazoles are extremely cytotoxic towards HCT 116 human colon tumor cells. Treatment with nanomolar amounts of these compounds results in immediate inhibition of protein synthesis and cell cycle arrest at the G1 and S phase. HCT 116 wild-type cells underwent apoptosis after extended patellazole treatment. Although treatment with the patellazoles resulted in an increased amount of p53, the p53 null cells were still strongly affected by treatment. The inhibition of translation by patellazole treatment is linked to the inhibition of the mTOR/p70 pathway. Like the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, the patellazoles inhibit translation through the 4EBP1 and S6 kinase pathways. However, the cytotoxicity of rapamycin and the patellazoles differs greatly in HCT 116 cells. The cellular target of the patellazoles is still unknown; the patellazole-induced inhibition of this pathway occurs either downstream or parallel to AKT.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Microcionamides A and B, bioactive peptides from the philippine sponge Clathria (Thalysias) abietina.

Microcionamides A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from the Philippine marine sponge Clathria (Thalysias) abietina. These new linear peptides are cyclized via a cystine moiety and have their C-terminus blocked by a 2-phenylethylenamine group. Their total structures, including absolute stereochemistry, were determined by a combination of spectral and chemical methods. Compound 1 was shown to slowly isomerize about the C-36/C-37 double bond when stored in DMSO. Microcionamides A (1) and B (2) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the human breast tumor cells lines MCF-7 and SKBR-3 and displayed inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Ra.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli and caudal related homeodomain protein regulate expression of retinol dehydrogenase L.

Development of normal colon epithelial cells proceeds through a systematic differentiation of cells that emerge from stem cells within the base of colon crypts. Genetic mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are thought to cause colon adenoma and carcinoma formation by enhancing colonocyte proliferation and impairing differentiation. We currently have a limited understanding of the cellular mechanisms that promote colonocyte differentiation. Herein, we present evidence supporting a lack of retinoic acid biosynthesis as a mechanism contributing to the development of colon adenomas and carcinomas. Microarray and reverse transcriptase-PCR analyses revealed reduced expression of two retinoid biosynthesis genes: retinol dehydrogenase 5 (RDH5) and retinol dehydrogenase L (RDHL) in colon adenomas and carcinomas as compared with normal colon. Consistent with the adenoma and carcinomas samples, seven colon carcinoma cell lines also lacked expression of RDH5 and RDHL. Assessment of RDH enzymatic activity within these seven cell lines showed poor conversion of retinol into retinoic acid when compared with normal cells such as normal human mammary epithelial cells. Reintroduction of wild type APC into an APC-deficient colon carcinoma cell line (HT29) resulted in increased expression of RDHL without affecting RDH5. APC-mediated induction of RDHL was paralleled by increased production of retinoic acid. Investigations into the mechanism responsible for APC induction of RDHL indicated that beta-catenin fails to repress RDHL. The colon-specific transcription factor CDX2, however, activated an RDHL promoter construct and induced endogenous RDHL. Finally, the induction of RDHL by APC appears dependent on the presence of CDX2. We propose a novel role for APC and CDX2 in controlling retinoic acid biosynthesis and in promoting a retinoid-induced program of colonocyte differentiation.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed2004

Punaglandins, chlorinated prostaglandins, function as potent Michael receptors to inhibit ubiquitin isopeptidase activity.

Cyclopentenone prostaglandins exhibit unique antineoplastic activity and are potent growth inhibitors in a variety of cultured cells. Recently the dienone prostaglandin, Delta(12)-PGJ(2), was shown to preferentially inhibit ubiquitin isopeptidase activity of the proteasome pathway. It is theorized that isopeptidase inhibition and general cytotoxicity of prostaglandins depend on olefin-ketone conjugation, electrophilic accessibility, and the nucleophilic reactivity of the endocyclic beta-carbon. Delta(12)-PGJ(2), which contains a cross-conjugated alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone, was a potent inhibitor of isopeptidase activity, whereas PGA(1) and PGA(2) with simple alpha,beta-unsaturated pentenones were significantly less potent and PGB(1) with a sterically hindered alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone was inactive. To further investigate the proposed mechanism, punaglandins, which are highly functional cyclopentadienone and cyclopentenone prostaglandins chlorinated at the endocyclic alpha-carbon position, were isolated from the soft coral Telesto riisei. They were then assayed for inhibition of ubiquitin isopeptidase activity and antineoplastic effects. The punaglandins were shown to inhibit isopeptidase activity and exhibit antiproliferative effects more potently than A and J series prostaglandins. Also, the cross-conjugated dienone punaglandin was more potent than the simple enone punaglandin. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is a vital component of cellular metabolism and may be a suitable target for antineoplastic agents. These newly characterized proteasome inhibitors may represent a new chemical class of cancer therapeutics.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A profile of the in vitro antitumor activity of lissoclinolide.

Lissoclinolide is a small non-nitrogenous lactone isolated from the marine ascidian Lissoclinum patella. Previous studies of lissoclinolide (isolated from a fungus and an actinomycete) have identified varying activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this study, lissoclinolide was able to inhibit cell growth in various mammalian tumor lines at an average IC(50) of 395 nM (determined by MTT conversion after 48-h treatment). Treatment of HCT 116 human colon tumor cells with 2.4 microM lissoclinolide resulted in a strong arrest in the G(2)/M phase of the cell cycle after 24-h exposure. A daughter cell line lacking p53 showed an identical response while there was a slight increase in cytotoxicity towards a p21 null cell line. Although treatment with 2.4 microM lissoclinolide did not result in apoptosis after 48 h, this arrest was not reversible when drug wash out was attempted. The mechanism of action does not appear to involve tubulin, ubiquitin-specific isopeptidases, p53 or p21. COMPARE analysis in the NCI 60 cell line tumor panel revealed a moderate selectivity towards colon tumor cell lines.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed2004

Research achievement award--D. John Faulkner.

David John Faulkner, one of the pioneers of marine natural products chemistry and the 2003 recipient of the ASP Research Achievement Award, passed away on November 23, 2002. John was very pleased to learn that he'd been named as the award recipient and was intending to present the ASP Research Achievement Award Address at the annual meeting in July 2003, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. John's untimely death left an unprecedented event in the history of the ASP-a posthumous Research Achievement Award to a deserving individual and an untimely loss for us all. We are bereft of a colleague, a friend, and a mentor, and the opportunity to hear John's words on the occasion of his own award. In tribute to John, we have assembled a retrospective of John's work that is not meant to be a comprehensive review (this would take considerably more space) but a selection of highlights and personal vignettes from some of those that trained in marine natural products under his mentorship. This paper is a written account of the symposium presented by the authors at the ASP Annual Meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on July 16, 2003.

Awards and Prizes↗