Biomedical subjects

Clifford E Soll

Publications and source records attributed to Clifford E Soll.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of amine-substituted tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin.

We report an efficient and rapid means for the synthesis of tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (TPPF(20)) derivatives by microwave irradiation in an environmentally acceptable solvent. The selective displacement of the para-fluorine groups in TPPF(20) by primary amines occurs in yields between 70 and 95%. This method demonstrates that TPPF(20) is an ideal platform for the rapid formation of porphyrin conjugates for therapeutic, catalytic, and other applications. [reaction: see text]

Amines↗

PubMed2006

Rediscovery of natural products using genomic tools.

A screening methodology called 'genomic screening' was established to identify natural products that can regulate cellular gene expression. Application of genomic screening to Keishi-bukuryo-gan (KBG), a Japanese herbal medicine formulation, identified a previously unnoticed transcriptional effect by linoleic acid, a known KBG component. The approach opens up a possibility to develop cell-permeable molecular tools for functional genomics research and sets a stage to evaluate the potential of natural products for transcription therapies.

Biological Products↗

PubMed2005

Further evidence that ribavirin interacts with eIF4E.

This commentary discusses the recent reports in RNA by Yan and colleagues and Westman and colleagues of the apparent failure of ribavirin to bind to recombinant eIF4E and inhibit 7-methyl guanosine cap-dependent exogenous mRNA translation of cell extracts in vitro. Measuring binding by using affinity chromatography of matrix-immobilized proteins and by using protein emission fluorescence spectroscopy in the presence of nucleotide ligands, as well as limitations of using cell extracts for the assessment of mechanisms of mRNA translation are discussed. Possible reasons for the discordant findings of Yan and colleagues and Westman and colleagues are suggested, and direct observation of the specific binding of ribavirin to eIF4E by using mass spectrometry is presented.

Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E↗

PubMed2005

Identification of phthiodiolone ketoreductase, an enzyme required for production of mycobacterial diacyl phthiocerol virulence factors.

Diacyl phthiocerol esters and their congeners are mycobacterial virulence factors. The biosynthesis of these complex lipids remains poorly understood. Insight into their biosynthesis will aid the development of rationally designed drugs that inhibit their production. In this study, we investigate a biosynthetic step required for diacyl (phenol)phthiocerol ester production, i.e., the reduction of the keto group of (phenol)phthiodiolones. We utilized comparative genomics to identify phthiodiolone ketoreductase gene candidates and provide a genetic analysis demonstrating gene function for two of these candidates. Moreover, we present data confirming the existence of a diacyl phthiotriol intermediate in diacyl phthiocerol biosynthesis. We also elucidate the mechanism underlying diacyl phthiocerol deficiency in some mycobacteria, such as Mycobacterium ulcerans and Mycobacterium kansasii. Overall, our findings shed additional light on the biosynthesis of an important group of mycobacterial lipids involved in virulence.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗