Pubmed_ID Title DOI Journal
19760191 Quantitative determination of Phakellistatin 13, a new cyclic heptapeptide, in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study 10.1007/s00216-009-3102-4.

Anal Bioanal Chem

Quantitative determination of Phakellistatin 13, a new cyclic heptapeptide, in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study

Abstract

  • A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, followed by a 96-well protein precipitation, has been developed and fully validated for the determination of Phakellistatin 13 (PK13), a new cyclic heptapeptide isolated from the sponge Phakellia fusca Thiele, in rat plasma. After protein precipitation of the plasma samples (50 microL) in a 96-well plate by methanol (200 microL) containing the internal standard Pseudostellarin B (20 ng/mL), the plate was vortex mixed for 3 min. Following filtration for 5 min, the filtrate was directly injected into the LC-MS/MS system. The analytes were separated on an XB-C18 analytical column (5 microm, 50 mm x 4.6 mm i.d.) using an eluent of methanol-water (85:15, v/v) and detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the negative multiple reaction monitoring mode with a chromatographic run time of 5.0 min. The method was sensitive with a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.1 ng/mL, with good linearity (r > 0.999) over the quantitation range of 0.1-5 ng/mL. The validation results demonstrated that this method was significantly specific, accurate, precise, and was successfully applied in measuring levels of PK13 in rat plasma following intravenous administration of 20, 50, and 100 microg/kg of peptide in rats, respectively, which was suitable for the preclinical pharmacokinetic studies on PK13.
19760730 Total synthesis of the bicyclic depsipeptide HDAC inhibitors spiruchostatins A and B, 5''-epi-spiruchostatin B, FK228 (FR901228) and preliminary evaluation of their biological activity 10.1002/chem.200901552.

Chemistry

Total synthesis of the bicyclic depsipeptide HDAC inhibitors spiruchostatins A and B, 5''-epi-spiruchostatin B, FK228 (FR901228) and preliminary evaluation of their biological activity

Abstract

  • The bicyclic depsipeptide histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors spiruchostatins A and B, 5''-epi-spiruchostatin B and FK228 were efficiently synthesized in a convergent and unified manner. The synthetic method involved the following crucial steps: i) a Julia-Kocienski olefination of a 1,3-propanediol-derived sulfone and a L- or D-malic acid-derived aldehyde to access the most synthetically challenging unit, (3S or 3R,4E)-3-hydroxy-7-mercaptohept-4-enoic acid, present in a D-alanine- or D-valine-containing segment; ii) a condensation of a D-valine-D-cysteine- or D-allo-isoleucine-D-cysteine-containing segment with a D-alanine- or D-valine-containing segment to directly assemble the corresponding seco-acids; and iii) a macrocyclization of a seco-acid using the Shiina method or the Mitsunobu method to construct the requisite 15- or 16-membered macrolactone. The present synthesis has established the C5'' stereochemistry of spiruchostatin B. In addition, HDAC inhibitory assay and the cell-growth inhibition analysis of the synthesized depsipeptides determined the order of their potency and revealed some novel aspects of structure-activity relationships. It was also found that unnatural 5''-epi-spiruchostatin B shows extremely high selectivity (ca. 1600-fold) for class I HDAC1 (IC(50)=2.4 nM) over class II HDAC6 (IC(50)=3900 nM) with potent cell-growth-inhibitory activity at nanomolar levels of IC(50) values.
19778024 Discovery of a 2,4-disubstituted pyrrolo[1,2-f][1,2,4]triazine inhibitor (BMS-754807) of insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) kinase in clinical development 10.1021/jm900786r.

J Med Chem

Discovery of a 2,4-disubstituted pyrrolo[1,2-f][1,2,4]triazine inhibitor (BMS-754807) of insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) kinase in clinical development

Abstract

  • This report describes the biological activity, characterization, and SAR leading to 9d (BMS-754807) a small molecule IGF-1R kinase inhibitor in clinical development.
19778602 Peptidomics and genomics analysis of novel antimicrobial peptides from the frog, Rana nigrovittata 10.1016/j.ygeno.2009.09.004.

Genomics

Peptidomics and genomics analysis of novel antimicrobial peptides from the frog, Rana nigrovittata

Abstract

  • Much attention has been paid on amphibian peptides for their wide-ranging pharmacological properties, clinical potential, and gene-encoded origin. More than 300 antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from amphibians have been studied. Peptidomics and genomics analysis combined with functional test including microorganism killing, histamine-releasing, and mast cell degranulation was used to investigate antimicrobial peptide diversity. Thirty-four novel AMPs from skin secretions of Rana nigrovittata were identified in current work, and they belong to 9 families, including 6 novel families. Other three families are classified into rugosin, gaegurin, and temporin family of amphibian AMP, respectively. These AMPs share highly conserved preproregions including signal peptides and spacer acidic peptides, while greatly diversified on mature peptides structures. In this work, peptidomics combined with genomics analysis was confirmed to be an effective way to identify amphibian AMPs, especially novel families. Some AMPs reported here will provide leading molecules for designing novel antimicrobial agents.
19815244 Tiglicamides A-C, cyclodepsipeptides from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya confervoides 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.09.010.

Phytochemistry

Tiglicamides A-C, cyclodepsipeptides from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya confervoides

Abstract

  • The Floridian marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya confervoides afforded cyclodepsipeptides, termed tiglicamides A-C (1-3), along with their previously reported analogues largamides A-C (4-6), all of which possess an unusual tiglic acid moiety. Their structures were deduced by one- and two-dimensional NMR combined with mass spectrometry and the absolute configurations established by chiral HPLC and Marfey's analysis of the degradation products. Compounds 1-3 moderately inhibited porcine pancreatic elastase in vitro with IC(50) values from 2.14 to 7.28 microM. Compounds 1-6 differ from each other by one amino acid residue within the cyclic core structure, suggesting an unusually relaxed substrate specificity of the nonribosomal peptide synthetase that is the putative biosynthetic enzyme responsible for the corresponding amino acid incorporation.
19815557 Cytoplasmic ACK1 interaction with multiple receptor tyrosine kinases is mediated by Grb2: an analysis of ACK1 effects on Axl signaling 10.1074/jbc.M109.072660.

J Biol Chem

Cytoplasmic ACK1 interaction with multiple receptor tyrosine kinases is mediated by Grb2: an analysis of ACK1 effects on Axl signaling

Abstract

  • ACK1 (activated Cdc42-associated kinase 1), a cytoplsmic tyrosine kinase, is implicated in metastatic behavior, cell spreading and migration, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. The function of ACK1 in the regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases requires a C-terminal region that demonstrates a significant homology to the EGFR binding domain of MIG6. In this study, we have identified additional receptor tyrosine kinases, including Axl, leukocyte tyrosine kinase, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase, that can bind to the ACK1/MIG6 homology region. Unlike the interaction between MIG6 and EGFR, our data suggest that these receptor tyrosine kinases require the adaptor protein Grb2 for efficient binding, which interacts with highly conserved proline-rich regions that are conserved between ACK1 and MIG6. We have focused on Axl and compared how ACK1/Axl differs from the ACK1/EGFR axis by investigating effects of knockdown of endogenous ACK1. Although EGFR activation promotes ACK1 turnover, Axl activation by GAS6 does not; interestingly, the reciprocal down-regulation of GAS6-stimulated Axl is blocked by removing ACK1. Thus, ACK1 functions in part to control Axl receptor levels. Silencing of ACK1 also leads to diminished ruffling and migration in DU145 and COS7 cells upon GAS6-Axl signaling. The ability of ACK1 to modulate Axl and perhaps anaplastic lymphoma kinase (altered in anaplastic large cell lymphomas) might explain why ACK1 can promote metastatic and transformed behavior in a number of cancers.
19827766 Novel cyclic hexapeptides from marine-derived fungus, Aspergillus sclerotiorum PT06-1 10.1021/ol902197z.

Org Lett

Novel cyclic hexapeptides from marine-derived fungus, Aspergillus sclerotiorum PT06-1

Abstract

  • Two novel cyclic hexapeptides containing both anthranilic acid and dehydroamino acid units, sclerotides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the marine-derived halotolerant Aspergillus sclerotiorum PT06-1 in a nutrient-limited hypersaline medium. Both 1 and 2 are photointerconvertible and could be interconverted via a radical reaction initiated by direct photoisomerization. Both compounds showed moderate antifungal activity. Compound 2 also showed weak cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity.
19828445 Structure and mode of action of microplusin, a copper II-chelating antimicrobial peptide from the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus 10.1074/jbc.M109.016410.

J Biol Chem

Structure and mode of action of microplusin, a copper II-chelating antimicrobial peptide from the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Abstract

  • Microplusin, a Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus antimicrobial peptide (AMP) is the first fully characterized member of a new family of cysteine-rich AMPs with histidine-rich regions at the N and C termini. In the tick, microplusin belongs to the arsenal of innate defense molecules active against bacteria and fungi. Here we describe the NMR solution structure of microplusin and demonstrate that the protein binds copper II and iron II. Structured as a single alpha-helical globular domain, microplusin consists of five alpha-helices: alpha1 (residues Gly-9 to Arg-21), alpha2 (residues Glu-27 to Asn-40), alpha3 (residues Arg-44 to Thr-54), alpha4 (residues Leu-57 to Tyr-64), and alpha5 (residues Asn-67 to Cys-80). The N and C termini are disordered. This structure is unlike any other AMP structures described to date. We also used NMR spectroscopy to map the copper binding region on microplusin. Finally, using the Gram-positive bacteria Micrococcus luteus as a model, we studied of mode of action of microplusin. Microplusin has a bacteriostatic effect and does not permeabilize the bacterial membrane. Because microplusin binds metals, we tested whether this was related to its antimicrobial activity. We found that the bacteriostatic effect of microplusin was fully reversed by supplementation of culture media with copper II but not iron II. We also demonstrated that microplusin affects M. luteus respiration, a copper-dependent process. Thus, we conclude that the antibacterial effect of microplusin is due to its ability to bind and sequester copper II.
19836242 An unbiased screen identifies DEP-1 tumor suppressor as a phosphatase controlling EGFR endocytosis 10.1016/j.cub.2009.09.048.

Curr Biol

An unbiased screen identifies DEP-1 tumor suppressor as a phosphatase controlling EGFR endocytosis

Abstract

  • Background: The epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor (EGFR). This event precedes signaling from both the plasma membrane and from endosomes, and it is essential for recruitment of a ubiquitin ligase, CBL, that sorts activated receptors to endosomes and degradation. Because hyperphosphorylation of EGFR is involved in oncogenic pathways, we performed an unbiased screen of small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides targeting all human tyrosine phosphatases. Results: We report the identification of PTPRK and PTPRJ (density-enhanced phosphatase-1 [DEP-1]) as EGFR-targeting phosphatases. DEP-1 is a tumor suppressor that dephosphorylates and thereby stabilizes EGFR by hampering its ability to associate with the CBL-GRB2 ubiquitin ligase complex. DEP-1 silencing enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of endosomal EGFRs and, accordingly, increased cell proliferation. In line with functional interactions, EGFR and DEP-1 form physical associations, and EGFR phosphorylates a substrate-trapping mutant of DEP-1. Interestingly, the interactions of DEP-1 and EGFR are followed by physical segregation: whereas EGFR undergoes endocytosis, DEP-1 remains confined to the cell surface. Conclusions: EGFR and DEP-1 physically interact at the cell surface and maintain bidirectional enzyme-substrate interactions, which are relevant to their respective oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions. These observations highlight the emerging roles of vesicular trafficking in malignant processes.
19838169 Enrichment of glycopeptides for glycan structure and attachment site identification. 10.1038/nmeth.1392

Nat.

Enrichment of glycopeptides for glycan structure and attachment site identification.

Abstract

  • We present a method to enrich for glycoproteins from proteomic samples. Sialylated glycoproteins were selectively periodate-oxidized, captured on hydrazide beads, trypsinized and released by acid hydrolysis of sialic acid glycosidic bonds. Mass spectrometric fragment analysis allowed identification of glycan structures, and additional fragmentation of deglycosylated ions yielded peptide sequence information, which allowed glycan attachment site and protein identification. We identified 36 N-linked and 44 O-linked glycosylation sites on glycoproteins from human cerebrospinal fluid.
19839606 Palmyramide A, a cyclic depsipeptide from a Palmyra Atoll collection of the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula 10.1021/np900428h.

J Nat Prod

Palmyramide A, a cyclic depsipeptide from a Palmyra Atoll collection of the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula

Abstract

  • Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract of a consortium of a marine cyanobacterium and a red alga (Rhodophyta) led to the discovery of a novel compound, palmyramide A, along with the known compounds curacin D and malyngamide C. The planar structure of palmyramide A was determined by one- and two-dimensional NMR studies and mass spectrometry. Palmyramide A is a cyclic depsipeptide that features an unusual arrangement of three amino acids and three hydroxy acids; one of the hydroxy acids is the rare 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxyhexanoic acid unit (Dmhha). The absolute configurations of the six residues were determined by Marfey's analysis, chiral HPLC analysis, and GC/MS analysis of the hydrolysate. Morphological and phylogenetic studies revealed the sample to be composed of a Lyngbya majuscula-Centroceras sp. association. MALDI-imaging analysis of the cultured L. majuscula indicated that it was the true producer of this new depsipeptide. Pure palmyramide A showed sodium channel blocking activity in neuro-2a cells and cytotoxic activity in H-460 human lung carcinoma cells.
19843479 Five novel antimicrobial peptides from skin secretions of the frog, Amolops loloensis 10.1016/j.cbpb.2009.10.003.

Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol

Five novel antimicrobial peptides from skin secretions of the frog, Amolops loloensis

Abstract

  • While investigating antimicrobial peptide diversity of Amolops loloensis, five novel antimicrobial peptides belonging to two families were identified from skin secretions of this frog. The first family including two members is esculentin-2-AL (esculentin-2-ALa and -ALb); the second family including three members is temporin-AL (temporin-ALd to -ALf). The family of esculentin-2-AL is composed of 37 amino acid residues (aa); the family of temporin-AL is composed of 16, 13 and 10 aa, respectively. All of these antimicrobial peptides showed antimicrobial activities against tested microorganisms. cDNAs encoding precursors of esculentin-2-ALs and temporin-ALs were cloned from the skin cDNA library of A. loloensis. All the precursors share similar overall structures. There is a typical prohormone processing signal (Lys-Arg) located between the acidic propiece and the mature peptide. The antimicrobial peptide family of esculentin-2 is firstly reported in the genus of Amolops. Combined with previous reports, a total of four antimicrobial peptide families have been identified from the genus of Amolops; three of them are also found in the genus of Rana. These results suggest the possible evolutionary connection between the genera Amolops and Rana.
19860431 chi-Conopeptide pharmacophore development: toward a novel class of norepinephrine transporter inhibitor (Xen2174) for pain 10.1021/jm9003413.

J Med Chem

chi-Conopeptide pharmacophore development: toward a novel class of norepinephrine transporter inhibitor (Xen2174) for pain

Abstract

  • Norepinephrine (NE) amplifies the strength of descending pain inhibition, giving inhibitors of spinal NET clinical utility in the management of pain. chi-MrIA isolated from the venom of a predatory marine snail noncompetitively inhibits NET and reverses allodynia in rat models of neuropathic pain. An analogue of chi-MrIA has been found to be a suitable drug candidate. On the basis of the NMR solution structure of this related peptide, Xen2174 (3), and structure-activity relationships of analogues, a pharmacophore model for the allosteric binding of 3 to NET is proposed. It is shown that 3 interacts with NET predominantly through amino acids in the first loop, forming a tight inverse turn presenting amino acids Tyr7, Lys8, and Leu9 in an orientation allowing for high affinity interaction with NET. The second loop interacts with a large hydrophobic pocket within the transporter. Analogues based on the pharmacophore demonstrated activities that support the proposed model. On the basis of improved chemical stability and a wide therapeutic index, 3 was selected for further development and is currently in phase II clinical trials.
19877740 Anidulafungin, a new echinocandin: in vitro activity 10.2165/11315560-000000000-00000.

Drugs

Anidulafungin, a new echinocandin: in vitro activity

Abstract

  • Anidulafungin is an antifungal drug belonging to the echinocandin class with a potent in vitro fungicidal activity against a wide range of Candida species, including C. glabrata and C. krusei. Anidulafungin is also active in vitro against moulds belonging to the genus Aspergillus and some dematiaceous genera. Furthermore, anidulafungin demonstrates in vitro activity against Candida spp. growing as biofilms. Resistance to anidulafungin remains very rare based on recent epidemiological data. Paradoxical or trailing effects should be considered in echinocandin susceptibility testing. The in vitro activity profile of anidulafungin makes it a useful addition to the Italian antifungal armamentarium.
19879608 Cyclotide proteins and precursors from the genus Gloeospermum: filling a blank spot in the cyclotide map of Violaceae 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.09.023.

Phytochemistry

Cyclotide proteins and precursors from the genus Gloeospermum: filling a blank spot in the cyclotide map of Violaceae

Abstract

  • Cyclotides are disulfide-rich plant proteins that are exceptional in their cyclic structure; their N and C termini are joined by a peptide bond, forming a continuous circular backbone, which is reinforced by three interlocked disulfide bonds. Cyclotides have been found mainly in the coffee (Rubiaceae) and violet (Violaceae) plant families. Within the Violaceae, cyclotides seem to be widely distributed, but the cyclotide complements of the vast majority of Violaceae species have not yet been explored. This study provides insight into cyclotide occurrence, diversity and biosynthesis in the Violaceae, by identifying mature cyclotide proteins, their precursors and enzymes putatively involved in their biosynthesis in the tribe Rinoreeae and the genus Gloeospermum. Twelve cyclotides from two Panamanian species, Gloeospermum pauciflorum Hekking and Gloeospermum blakeanum (Standl.) Hekking (designated Glopa A-E and Globa A-G, respectively) were characterised through cDNA screening and protein isolation. Screening of cDNA for the oxidative folding enzymes protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) and thioredoxin (TRX) resulted in positive hits in both species. These enzymes have demonstrated roles in oxidative folding of cyclotides in Rubiaceae, and results presented here indicate that Violaceae plants have evolved similar mechanisms of cyclotide biosynthesis. We also describe PDI and TRX sequences from a third cyclotide-expressing Violaceae species, Viola biflora L., which further support this hypothesis.