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Intracellular Ca2+ signals evoked by stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in SH-SY5Y cells: contribution of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ stores.

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) can regulate several neuronal processes through Ca2+-dependent mechanisms. The versatility of nAChR-mediated responses presumably reflects the spatial and temporal characteristics of local changes in intracellular Ca2+ arising from a variety of sources. The aim of this study was to analyse the components of nicotine-evoked Ca2+ signals in SH-SY5Y cells, by monitoring fluorescence changes in cells loaded with fluo-3 AM. Nicotine (30 microm) generated a rapid elevation in cytoplasmic Ca2+ that was partially and additively inhibited (40%) by alpha7 and alpha3beta2* nAChR subtype selective antagonists; alpha3beta4* nAChR probably account for the remaining response (60%). A substantial blockade (80%) by CdCl2 (100 microm) indicates that voltage-operated Ca2+ channels (VOCC) mediate most of the nicotine-evoked response, although the alpha7 selective antagonist alpha-bungarotoxin (40 nm) further decreased the CdCl2- resistant component. The elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels provoked by nicotine was sustained for at least 10 min and required the persistent activation of nAChR throughout the response. Intracellular Ca2+ stores were implicated in both the initial and sustained nicotine-evoked Ca2+ responses, by the blockade observed after ryanodine (30 microm) and the inositoltriphosphate (IP3)-receptor antagonist, xestospongin-c (10 microm). Thus, nAChR subtypes are differentially coupled to specific sources of Ca2+: activation of nAChR induces a sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels which is highly dependent on the activation of VOCC, and also involves Ca2+ release from ryanodine and IP3-dependent intracellular stores. Moreover, the alpha7, but not alpha3beta2* nAChR, are responsible for a fraction of the VOCC-independent nicotine-evoked Ca2+ increase that appears to be functionally coupled to ryanodine sensitive Ca2+ stores.

Aniline Compounds↗

Cucurbit[n]uril analogues.

[structure: see text] Cucurbits come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. We present a building block approach that allows the tailor-made synthesis of CB[5], CB[6], and CB[7] analogues whose sizes, shapes, and colors differ from those of the known CB[n].

Bridged-Ring Compounds↗

Facile synthesis of substituted thiophenes via Pd/C-mediated sonogashira coupling in water.

The first successful Pd/C-mediated Sonogashira coupling of iodothiophene with terminal alkynes in water is described here. Pd/C-CuI-PPh(3) was found to be an efficient catalyst system for this coupling reaction. Using this economic and reliable process a variety of acetylenic thiophenes with a wide range of functional groups were prepared in good yields. Synthetic applications and in vitro anticancer properties of some of the compounds synthesized are described.

Carbon↗

Mechanisms of calcium elevation in the micromeres of sea urchin embryos.

The micromeres, the first cells to be specified in sea urchin embryos, are generated by unequal cleavage at the fourth cell division. The micromeres differentiate autonomously to form spicules and dispatch signals to induce endomesoderm in the neighbouring macromeres cells in the embryo. Using a calcium indicator Fura-2/AM and a mixture of dextran conjugated Oregon green-BAPTA 488 and Rhodamine red, the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) was studied in embryos at the 16-cell stage. [Ca2+]i was characteristically elevated in the micromeres during furrowing at the 4th cleavage. Subsequently, Ca2+ oscillated for about 10 min in the micromeres, resulting in episodic high levels of [Ca2+]i. High [Ca2+]i regions were associated with regional localizations of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), though not with ER accumulated at the vegetal pole of the micromeres during the 4th division. Pharmacological studies, using a blocker of IP3-mediated Ca2+ release (Xestospongin), a store-operated Ca2+ entry inhibitor (2 aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB)) and an inhibitor of stretch-dependent ion channels (gadolinium), suggest that the high [Ca2+]i and oscillations in the micromeres are triggered by calcium influx caused by the activation of stretch-dependent calcium channels, followed by the release of calcium ions from the endoplasmic reticulum. On the basis of these new findings, a possible mechanism for autonomous formation of the micromeres is discussed.

Animals↗

Synthesis of novel DNA cross-linking antitumour agents based on polyazamacrocycles.

We are seeking to develop more effective alkylating agents as antitumour agents. In previous work conformationally restricted nitrogen mustards were synthesised containing piperidine or pyrrolidine rings. The free bases were designed to be bifunctional alkylating agents via aziridinium ion formation and the effects of varying the distances between the two alkylating sites were studied. Some efficient cross-linkers of naked DNA were prepared but few of these compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity in human tumour cells in vitro. We have extended this work by making tri- and tetra-azamacrocyclic compounds containing two to four potential alkylating sites. Most of these compounds were powerful DNA alkylating agents and showed cytotoxicity (IC(50) values 6-100microM) comparable with chlorambucil (45microM) and melphalan (8.5microM). In particular the cyclen derivative 2a was more than 10(4) times more effective at cross-linking DNA (2a XL(50)<<10nM) than chlorambucil (XL(50) 100microM), and showed significant cytotoxicity in human tumour cells in vitro.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

p-Hydroquinone-metal compounds: synthesis and crystal structure of two novel VV-p-hydroquinonate and VIV-p-semiquinonate species.

Reaction of the p-hydroquinone derivative H2Na4bicah.4H2O with either VIVOSO(4).3H2O and NaVVO3 in equivalent quantities or with NaVVo3 yields the tetranuclear VIVO2+ macrocycle-semiquinonate compound Na6[(VIVO)4-(mu2-O)2[mu2-bicas.(-5)-N,O,O,O]2].Na2SO(4).20H2O (1.Na2SO(4).20H2O) and the dinuclear cis-VVO2(+)-hydroquinone species Na4[(VVO2)2[mu2-bicah(-6)-N,O,O,O]].11H2O (2.11H2O) respectively. Compounds 1.Na2SO(4).20H2O and 2.11H2O were characterized by X-ray structure analysis and ab initio calculations.

Journal Article↗

pH-responsive movement of cucurbit[7]uril in a diblock polypseudorotaxane containing dimethyl beta-cyclodextrin and cucurbit[7]uril.

[Structure: see text] A polypseudorotaxane consisting of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7])/N,N'-(3-phenylenebis(methylene)dipropargylamine (PMPA), [2]pseudorotaxane, and 2,6-O-dimethyl beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD)/alpha,omega-bisazidopropylene glycol 400 [2]pseudorotaxane was synthesized using the "click" reaction. The polypseudorotaxane structure was maintained in aqueous solution over a wide range of pH values with the DM-beta-CD units contributing to increased solubilization of the polypseudorotaxane without dethreading. The pH-responsive movement of the CB[7] units in the polypseudorotaxane was also observed.

Bridged-Ring Compounds↗

Role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in alpha1-adrenergic receptor-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

AIM: Intracellular Ca2+ plays pivotal roles in diverse cellular functions, including gene transcription that underlies cardiac remodeling during stress responses. However, the role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) in the mediation of cardiac intracellular Ca2+ and hypertrophic growth remains elusive. Prior work with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes suggests that activation of IP3Rs may be linked to a1 adrenergic receptor (alpha1AR) increased stereotyped Ca2+ spark occurrence and global Ca2+ oscillations. Thus, we hypothesized that Ca2+ release through IP3Rs was necessary for alpha1AR-stimulated cardiac hypertrophy. METHODS: We used myoinositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate hexakis (butyryloxymethyl) ester (IP3BM), a membrane-permeant ester of IP3, to activate IP3Rs directly, and Fluo 4/AM to measure intracellular Ca2+ signaling. RESULTS: IP3BM (10 micromol x L(-1)) mimicked the effects of phenylephrine, a selective agonist of alpha1AR, in increments in local Ca2+ spark release (especially in the perinuclear area) and global Ca2+ transient frequencies. More importantly, IP3R inhibitors, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and Xestospongin C, abolished the IP3BM-induced Ca2+ responses, and significantly suppressed alpha1AR-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy assayed by cell size, [3H] leucine incorporation and atrial natriuretic factor gene expression, during sustained (48 h) phenylephrine stimulation. CONCLUSION: These results, therefore, provide cellular mechanisms that link IP3R signaling to alpha1AR-stimulated gene expression and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗

Crosstalk between ryanodine receptors and IP(3) receptors as a factor shaping spontaneous Ca(2+)-release events in rabbit portal vein myocytes.

In smooth muscle cells freshly isolated from rabbit portal vein, there was only one site discharging the majority of spontaneous Ca(2+)-release events; the activity of this single site was studied using laser scanning confocal imaging after loading the cells with the fluorescent Ca(2+) indicator fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester. Localised spontaneous Ca(2+)-release events visualised by line-scan imaging revealed two predominant spatiotemporal patterns: (i) small-amplitude, fast events similar to Ca(2+) sparks in cardiomyocytes and (ii) larger and slower events. The sum of two Gaussian profiles was well fitted to the amplitude histogram (peak frequencies at 1.8 and 3.2 F/F(0)) and spatial spread (full width at half-maximal amplitude) histogram (peak frequencies at 2 and 3.8 microm) for the 230 localised Ca(2+)-release events analysed. The existence of two populations of Ca(2+)-release events was also supported by the histograms of the rise times and half-decay times, which revealed modes at 38 and 65 ms, respectively. Shifting the scan line along the z-axis during imaging from a single discharge site suggested that the appearance of two populations of Ca(2+)-release events is not due to out-of-focus imaging. Both small and large events persisted upon 3-5 min exposure to 1-5 microM nicardipine, but were abolished after 10-15 min exposure to 50-100 microM ryanodine, 0.1 microM thapsigargin or 10 microM cyclopiazonic acid. Only small-amplitude, fast events persisted in the presence of inhibitors of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-induced Ca(2+) release, 10 microM xestospongin C or 30 microM 2-aminoethoxy-diphenylborate (2-APB), or in the presence of 2.5 microM U-73122 (a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor). Coupling between neighbouring Ca(2+)-release domains giving rise to spontaneous [Ca(2+)](i) waves was abolished in the presence of 2-APB. Examination of the saltatory propagation of the waves suggested that the critical factor that determines propagation between domains is a time-dependent change in the sensitivity of ryanodine receptors and/or IP(3) receptors to Ca(2+), which can give rise to 'loose coupling' between release sites. These results suggest that activation of IP(3) receptors (due to the tonic activity of PLC and ongoing production of IP(3)) recruits neighbouring domains of ryanodine receptors, leading to larger Ca(2+) releases and saltatory propagation of [Ca(2+)](i) waves in portal vein myocytes.

Animals↗

Completely spirocyclopropanated macrocyclic oligodiacetylenes and their permethylated analogues: preparation and properties.

The acyclic dehydrotrimer (12) and -hexamer (28) of 1,1-diethynyl-2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropane were prepared from 1-chloro-1-(trimethylsilylethynyl)-2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropane (4) in six and nine steps, respectively, in 36 and 8 % overall yield, respectively, using Cadiot-Chodkiewicz or Hay coupling procedures as key steps. Mono-tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) protection of the acyclic dehydrotrimer (20) and -hexamer (23) of 1,1-diethynylcyclopropane followed by Hay coupling and protiodesilylation furnished the acyclic dehydrohexamer (23) and -dodecamer (29) in 35 and 56 % overall yield, respectively. Subsequent cyclizing oxidative dimerization of 12 or cyclization of 28 using a modified Glaser protocol produced the first completely permethylspirocyclopropanated macrocyclic oligodiacetylene, compound 30 in 49 and 21 % yield, respectively. The cyclic dehydrohexa- (31) and dehydrododecamer (32) have been prepared from 23 and 29 in 49 and 7 % yield by applying the same protocol. The macrocycle 32 is particularly interesting in that it contains 60 carbon atoms in the inner ring, and indeed a decomposition mode consecutively cleaving off ethylene units from it as well as from 31 and tetramethylethylene from the permethylated exp-[6]rotane 30 has been proved by differential scanning calorimetry with evolved gas analysis. The thermal decomposition of these "exploding" [6]rotanes 31 and 30 set on at 100 and 135 degrees C, respectively, and release energies of 478 and 285 kcal. mol(-1), respectively, significantly more than the energy release of the explosive hexogen with 143 kcal mol(-1).

Journal Article↗

Identification of a novel regulatory mechanism for norepinephrine transporter activity by the IP3 receptor.

The norepinephrine transporter (NET) plays a crucial role in noradrenergic neurotransmission and is a target of many antidepressants and psychostimulants. Intracellular Ca2+ is reportedly involved in regulating NET activity, but the detailed mechanism is not clear. We employed a norepinephrine uptake assay using SH-SY5Y cells and found that the IP3 receptor inhibitors, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and xestospongin C, reduced the NET Vmax. These reductions were accompanied by the decreased cell surface expression of NET. Our findings suggest that intracellular Ca2+ mobilized by IP3 receptor is required for the maintenance of NET activity. This adds another pathway involving Ca2+ for the regulation of NET to other known mechanisms providing intracellular Ca2+.

Biological Transport↗

Two distinct signaling pathways for regulation of spontaneous local Ca2+ release by phospholipase C in airway smooth muscle cells.

Spontaneous local Ca(2+) release events have been observed in airway smooth muscle cells (SMCs), but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Considering that each type of SMCs may use its own mechanisms to regulate local Ca(2+) release events, we sought to investigate the signaling pathway for spontaneous local Ca(2+) release events in freshly isolated mouse airway SMCs using a laser scanning confocal microscope. Application of ryanodine to block ryanodine receptors (RyRs) abolished spontaneous local Ca(2+) release events, indicating that these events are RyR-mediated Ca(2+) sparks. Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP(3)Rs) by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl-borate (2-APB) or xestospongin-C significantly blocked the activity of Ca(2+) sparks. Under patch clamp conditions, dialysis of IP(3) to activate IP(3)Rs increased the activity of local Ca(2+) events in control cells but had no effect in ryanodine-pretreated cells. The RyR agonist caffeine augmented the frequency of Ca(2+) sparks in cells pretreated with and without 2-APB or xestospongin-C. The specific phospholipase C (PLC) blocker U73122 decreased the activity of Ca(2+) sparks and prevented xestospongin-C from producing the inhibitory effect. The protein kinase C (PKC) activator 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate inhibited Ca(2+) sparks, whereas the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, PKCvarepsilon inhibitory peptide, or PKCvarepsilon gene knockout produced an opposite effect. Collectively, our data suggest that the basal activation of PLC regulates the activity of RyR-mediated, spontaneous Ca(2+) sparks in airway SMCs through two distinct signaling pathways: a positive IP(3)-IP(3)R pathway and a negative diacylglycerol-PKCvarepsilon pathway.

Alkaloids↗

Mass spectrometric analyses of beta-ketolactone oligomers, macrocyclic or catenane structures?

Mass spectrometry is used to develop an analytical method for a new class of organic oligomeric material, beta-ketolactones. Three different series with varying oligomeric sizes are examined. The oligomers may form at least two different structures, a macrocyclic and a catenane ring. Fast atom bombardment coupled with Fourier transform mass spectrometry provides a rapid and convenient method that provides both molecular weight information and abundant fragment ions that are structurally relevant. All the compounds are found to work well with the mass spectrometric analysis. Electrospray ionization coupled with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry was also evaluated and found to yield results that are similar to FAB. On the basis of the FAB and the low-energy collisionally activated dissociation spectra, we conclude that these compounds are macrocyclic rings and not catenanes.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Vesicle formed by amphiphilc cucurbit[6]uril: versatile, noncovalent modification of the vesicle surface, and multivalent binding of sugar-decorated vesicles to lectin.

We report a novel vesicle formed by an amphiphilic CB[6] derivative, the surface of which can be easily modified via host-guest interactions by taking advantage of molecular cavities, readily accessible at the vesicle surface, and their strong affinity toward polyamines. Amphiphilic CB[6] derivative 1 synthesized by reaction between (allyloxy)12CB[6] and 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanethiol affords a vesicle that has been characterized by TEM, light scattering, and fluorescent dye entrapment experiments. Treatment of vesicle 1 with FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)-spermine conjugate ligand 2, in which spermine serves as a binding motif to CB[6] and FITC as a fluorescent tag, produced a surface-modified vesicle, which can be easily visualized by a confocal microscope. This result provides us with a new noncovalent, modular approach to the modification of vesicle surfaces. By treating the vesicle derived from the amphiphilic CB[6] with a tag-attached polyamine, we can easily decorate the surface of the vesicle with the tag. Sugar-decorated vesicles were prepared by this noncovalent method, and their interactions with concanavalin A (ConA) were studied. The binding constant of the vesicle decorated with mannose-spermidine conjugate 3 to ConA was measured to be approximately 3 x 104 M-1, which is almost 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of free ligand 3 to ConA (K = approximately 50 M-1). On the other hand, the binding constant of the vesicle coated with galactose-spermidine conjugate 4 to ConA was too small to be measured. These results illustrate the specific and multivalent interactions between the mannose-decorated vesicle and ConA. The ability for facile surface modification suggests many practical applications, including its use in targeted drug delivery and immunization.

Bridged-Ring Compounds↗

Methods of crystallochemical analysis of supramolecular complexes by means of Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra: a study of cucurbituril host-guest compounds.

Crystallochemical analysis methods based on the Voronoi-Dirichlet partition of crystal space are extended to supramolecular complexes of any complexity. The sizes and shapes of receptor cavities and substrate molecules are shown to be successfully estimated as volumes and the second moments of inertia of the corresponding molecular Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra. To predict which organic substrates can occupy the receptor cavity a mini-expert system known as MOLVOL was created, comprising a database on completely determined crystal structures of almost 60000 organic molecular compounds. Using the developed methods, volumes and shapes are assessed for cucurbit[n]uril receptors (n = 5-10) and their cavities. A number of organic and inorganic molecules are found which can optimally fit the cavities inside the cucurbit[5]uril and cucurbit[6]uril molecules.

Algorithms↗

Self-assembled ternary complex of cationic dendrimer, cucurbituril, and DNA: noncovalent strategy in developing a gene delivery carrier.

A ternary complex of PPI-DAB dendrimer [(1,4-diaminobutane); Gen = N; dendri-poly(propyleneimine); -[NHC(=O)CH(2)NH(2)(+)(CH(2))(4)NH(3)(+)](z)()], DNA, and cucurbituril (CB) was evaluated as an example of a totally self-assembled gene delivery carrier. The complex was formed in a noncovalent way in which DNA interacts with PPI-DAB electrostatistically and CB with PPI-DAB through multiple noncovalent interactions. Dynamic light scattering data indicated that the diameter and size distributions of the complexes were dependent upon the sequence of mixing of each component with unimodal distribution ranging from 150.8 to 210.2 nm under favorable conditions. Fluorescence studies showed the quantitative binding of CB to PPI-DAB after ternary complex formation. The complex was able to transfect mammalian cells with high efficiency and the cytotoxicity of the PPI-DAB/CB complex was relatively low.

Animals↗

Regulation of skeletal muscle fiber type and slow myosin heavy chain 2 gene expression by inositol trisphosphate receptor 1.

Innervation-dependent signaling cascades that control activation of downstream transcription factors regulate expression of skeletal muscle fiber type-specific genes. Many of the innervation-regulated signaling cascades in skeletal muscle are dependent on intracellular calcium and the mechanisms by which calcium is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). We report that the inositol trisphosphate receptor 1 (IP3R1), responsible for calcium release from the SR as a slow wave, was more abundant in fast contracting compared to slow contracting avian muscle fibers. Furthermore, inhibition of IP3R1 activity by 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB) and xestospongin D induced a fiber type transition and expression of the slow myosin heavy chain 2 (slow MyHC2) gene in innervated fast muscle fibers. Activation of the slow MyHC2 promoter by IP3R1 inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in protein kinase C activity. In addition, inhibition of IP3R1 activity resulted in a reduction of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-dependent transcription and nuclear localization, indicating that IP3R1 activity regulated NFAT transcription factor activity in skeletal muscle fibers. Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2)-dependent transcriptional activity was increased by innervation, but unaffected by IP3R1 activity. The results indicate that IP3R1 activity regulates muscle fiber type-specific gene expression in innervated muscle fibers.

Animals↗