Dimeric 1,3-Phenylene-bis(piperazinyl benzimidazole)s: Synthesis and Structure-Activity Investigations on their Binding with Human Telomeric G-Quadruplex DNA and Telomerase Inhibition Properties

Ligand-induced stabilization of G-quadruplex structures formed by the human telomeric DNA is an active area of research. The compounds which stabilize the G-quadruplexes often lead to telomerase inhibition. Herein we present the results of interaction of new monomeric and dimeric ligands having 1,3-phenylene-bis(piperazinyl benzimidazole) unit with G-quadruplex DNA (G4DNA) formed by human telomeric repeat d(G(3)T(2)A)(3)G(3)]. These ligands efficiently stabilize the preformed G4DNA in the presence of 100 mM monovalent alkali metal ions. Also, the G4DNA formed in the presence of low concentrations of ligands in 100 mM K+ adopts a highly stable parallel-stranded conformation. The G-quadruplexes formed in the presence of the dimeric compound are more stable than that induced by the corresponding monomeric counterpart. The dimeric ligands having oligo-oxyethylene spacers provide much higher stability to the preformed G4DNA and also exert significantly higher telomerase inhibition activity. Computational aspects have also been discussed.

Antipyretic and antibacterial activity of Chloranthus erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verdcourt leaf extract: A popular folk medicine of Arunachal Pradesh

Objective : The main objective of this work was to study the antipyretic and antibacterial activity of C. erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verdcourt leaf extract in an experimental albino rat model. Materials and Methods : The methanol extract of C. erectus leaf (MECEL) was evaluated for its antipyretic potential on normal body temperature and Brewers yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats model. While the antibacterial activity of MECEL against five Gram (-) and three Gram () bacterial strains and antimycotic activity was investigated against four fungi using agar disk diffusion and microdilution methods. Result : Yeast suspension (10 mL/kg b.w.) elevated rectal temperature after 19 h of subcutaneous injection. Oral administration of MECEL at 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. showed significant reduction of normal rectal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature (38.8 0.2 and 37.6 0.4, respectively, at 2-3 h) in a dose-dependent manner, and the effect was comparable to that of the standard antipyretic drug-paracetamol (150 mg/kg b.w.). MECEL at 2 mg/disk showed broad spectrum of growth inhibition activity against both groups of bacteria. However, MECEL was not effective against the yeast strains tested in this study. Conclusion : This study revealed that the methanol extract of C. erectus exhibited significant antipyretic activity in the tested models and antibacterial activity as well, and may provide the scientific rationale for its popular use as antipyretic agent in Khamptiss folk medicines.

Design and Synthesis of New Benzimidazole-Carbazole Conjugates for the Stabilization of Human Telomeric DNA, Telomerase Inhibition, and Their Selective Action on Cancer Cells

Cell-permeable small molecules that enhance the stability of the G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures are currently among the most intensively pursued ligands for inhibition of the telomerase activity. Herein we report the design and syntheses of four novel benzimidazole carbazole conjugates and demonstrate their high binding affinity to G4 DNA. Si nuclease assay confirmed the ligand mediated G-quadruplex DNA protection. Additional evidence from Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP-LIG) assay demonstrated efficient telomerase inhibition activity by the ligands. Two of the ligands showed IC50 values in the sub-micromolar range in the TRAP-LIG assay, which are the best among the benzimidazole derivatives reported so far. The ligands also exhibited cancer cell selective nuclear internalization, nuclear condensation, fragmentation, and eventually antiproliferative activity in long-term cell viability assays. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assays confirm that the cell death induced by the ligands follows an apoptotic pathway. An insight into the mode of ligand binding was obtained from the molecular dynamics simulations.

Mapping of B-cell epitopes of hemagglutinin protein of rinderpest virus

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against secreted hemagglutinin (H) protein of rinderpest virus (RPV) expressed by a recombinant baculovirus were generated to characterize the antigenic sites on H protein and regions of functional significance. Three of the mAbs displayed hemagglutination inhibition activity and these mAbs were unable to neutralize virus infectivity. Western immunoblot analysis of overlapping deletion mutants indicated that three mAbs recognize antigenic regions at the extreme carboxy terminus (between amino acids 569 and 609) and the fourth mAb between amino acids 512 and 568. Using synthetic peptides, aa 569-577 and 575-583 were identified as the epitopes for E2G4 and D2F4, respectively. The epitopic domains of A12A9 and E2B6 mAbs were mapped to regions encompassing aa 527-554 and 588-609. Two epitopes spanning the extreme carboxy terminal region of aa 573 to 587 and 588 to 609 were shown to be immunodominant employing a competitive ELISA with polyclonal sera form vaccinated cattle. The D2F4 mAb which recognizes a unique epitope on RPV-H is not present on the closely related peste des petits ruminant virus FIN protein and this mAb could serve as a tool in the seromonitoring program after rinderpest vaccination. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).

Isolation of a High Affinity Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody against 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Virus That Binds at the `Sa' Antigenic Site

Influenza virus evades host immunity through antigenic drift and shift, and continues to circulate in the human population causing periodic outbreaks including the recent 2009 pandemic. A large segment of the population was potentially susceptible to this novel strain of virus. Historically, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been fundamental tools for diagnosis and epitope mapping of influenza viruses and their importance as an alternate treatment option is also being realized. The current study describes isolation of a high affinity (K-D = 2.1 +/- 0.4 pM) murine MAb, MA2077 that binds specifically to the hemagglutinin (HA) surface glycoprotein of the pandemic virus. The antibody neutralized the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus in an in vitro microneutralization assay (IC50 = 0.08 mu g/ml). MA2077 also showed hemagglutination inhibition activity (HI titre of 0.50 mu g/ml) against the pandemic virus. In a competition ELISA, MA2077 competed with the binding site of the human MAb, 2D1 (isolated from a survivor of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic) on pandemic H1N1 HA. Epitope mapping studies using yeast cell-surface display of a stable HA1 fragment, wherein `Sa' and `Sb' sites were independently mutated, localized the binding site of MA2077 within the `Sa' antigenic site. These studies will facilitate our understanding of antigen antibody interaction in the context of neutralization of the pandemic influenza virus.

New dimeric carbazole-benzimidazole mixed ligands for the stabilization of human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA and as telomerase inhibitors. A remarkable influence of the spacer

for selectively targeting cancer cells. Herein, we report the design and evolution of a new kind of carbazole-based benzimidazole dimers for their efficient telomerase inhibition activity. Spectroscopic titrations reveal the ligands high affinity toward the G4 DNA with significantly higher selectivity over duplex-DNA. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay shows that the ligands efficiently promote the formation of 04 DNA even at a lower concentration of the stabilizing K+ ions. The TRAP-LIG assay demonstrates the ligand's potential telomerase inhibition activity and also establishes that the activity proceeds via G4 DNA stabilization. An efficient nuclear internalization of the ligands in several common cancer cells (HeLa, HT1080, and A549) also enabled differentiation between normal HFF cells in co-cultures of cancer and normal ones. The ligands induce significant apoptotic response and antiproliferative activity toward cancer cells selectively when compared to the normal cells.

Inhibition of the Interaction Between NS3 Protease and HCV IRES With a Small Peptide: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy

Recently, we have demonstrated that the protease domain of NS3 alone can bind specifically to hepatitis C virus (HCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) near the initiator AUG, dislodges human La protein and inhibits translation in favor of viral RNA replication. Here, by using a computational approach, the contact points of the protease on the HCV IRES were putatively mapped. A 30-mer NS3 peptide was designed from the predicted RNA-binding region that retained RNA-binding ability and also inhibited IRES-mediated translation. This peptide was truncated to 15 mer and this also demonstrated ability to inhibit HCV RNA-directed translation as well as replication. More importantly, its activity was tested in an in vivo mouse model by encapsulating the peptide in Sendai virus virosomes followed by intravenous delivery. The study demonstrates for the first time that the HCV NS3-IRES RNA interaction can be selectively inhibited using a small peptide and reports a strategy to deliver the peptide into the liver.

Synthesis, crystal structures and protease activity of amino acid Schiff base iron(III) complexes

Iron(III) complexes, (NHEt3)[Fe(III)(sal-met)(2)] and (NHEt3)[Fe(III)(sal-phe)(2)], of amino acid Schiffbase ligands, viz., N-salicylidene-L-methionine and N-salicylidene L-phenylalanine, have been prepared and their binding to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and photo-induced BSA cleavage activity have been investigated. The complexes are structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The crystal Structures of the discrete mononuclear rnonoanionic complexes show FeN2O4 octahedral coordination geometry in which the tridentate dianionic amino acid Schiff base ligand binds through phenolate and carboxylate oxygen and imine nitrogen atoms. The imine nitrogen atoms are trans to each other. The Fe-O and Fe-N bond distances range between 1.9 and 2.1 angstrom. The sal-met complex has two pendant thiomethyl groups. The high-spin iron(III) complexes (mu(eff) similar to 5.9 mu(B)) exhibit quasi-reversible Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox process near -0.6 V vs. SCE in water. These complexes display a visible electronic hand near 480 nm in tris-HCl buffer assignable to the phenolate-to-iron(III) charge transfer transition. The water soluble complexes bind to BSA giving binding constant values of similar to 10(5) M-1. The Complexes show non-specific oxidative cleavage of BSA protein on photo-irradiation with UV-A light of 365 nm.

Inhibition of Peroxidase-Catalyzed Iodination by Cephalosporins: Metallo-beta-Lactamase-Induced Antithyroid Activity of Antibiotics

Broad-spectrum antibiotics with heterocyclic side chains strongly inhibit peroxidase-catalyzed iodination in the presence of metallo--lactamase. This suggests that antibiotic resistance due to hydrolysis of the -lactam ring in antibiotics would have negative effects on thyroid activity.

Feedback-type inhibition of activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase by ubiquinone

Accompanying the decrease in serum cholesterol and increase in concentration of ubiquinone in liver and its microsomes, the activity, but not the protein, of HMG-CoA reductase decreased in ubiquinone-supplemented rats. A soluble 58-kDa preparation of HMG-CoA reductase was partially inhibited on addition of ubiquinone indicating a possible feedback type of action.

Characterization of mitochondrial neutral protease activity and the response of lysosomal enzymes to clofibrate feeding in rat liver

The phosphate-inhibitable neutral protease activity of the heavy mitochondrial fraction of rat liver is of lysosomal origin. The activity is essentially due to the thiol proteinases of the lysosomes. Digitonin treatment of the mitochondrial fraction results in the release of about 85 per cent of the neutral protease activity and the residual activity has an alkaline pH optimum and is not inhibited by phosphate. Clofibrate feeding at 0.5 per cent level in the diet results in enhanced levels of lysosomal enzymes. The increase is however restricted to the lysosome-rich fraction such that the activities associated with the heavy mitochondrial fraction show a significant decrease. It is suggested that clofibrate inhibits engulfment of mitochondria by lysosomes and this results in enhanced mitochondrial protein content.

Inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication by herbal extract: Phyllanthus amarus as potent natural source

Hepatitis C virus infection is a major health problem worldwide. Developing effective antiviral therapy for HCV is the need of the hour. The viral enzymes NS3 protease and NS5B RNA dependent RNA polymerase are essential enzymes for polyprotein processing and viral RNA replication and thus can be potential targets for screening anti-HCV compounds. A large number of phytochemicals are present in plants, which are found to be promising antiviral agents. In this study, we have screened inhibitory effect of different plant extracts against the NS3 and NS5B enzymes of hepatitis C virus. Methanolic extracts were prepared from various plant materials and their inhibitory effects on the viral enzymes were determined by in vitro enzyme assays. Effect on viral RNA replication was investigated by using TaqMan Real time RT-PCR. Interestingly, Phyllanthus amarus root (PAR) extract showed significant inhibition of HCV-NS3 protease enzyme; whereas P. amarus leaf (PAL) extract showed considerable inhibition of NS5B in the in vitro assays. Further, the PAR and PAL extracts significantly inhibited replication of HCV monocistronic replicon RNA and HCV H77S viral RNA in HCV cell culture system. However, both PAR and PAL extracts did not show cytotoxicity in Huh7 cells in the MTT assay. Furthermore, addition of PAR together with IFN-alpha showed additive effect in the inhibition of HCV RNA replication. Results suggest the possible molecular basis of the inhibitory activity of PA extract against HCV which would help in optimization and subsequent development of specific antiviral agent using P. amarus as potent natural source. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interplay between NS3 protease and human La protein regulates translation-replication switch of Hepatitis C virus

HCV NS3 protein plays a central role in viral polyprotein processing and RNA replication. We demonstrate that the NS3 protease (NS3(pro)) domain alone can specifically bind to HCV-IRES RNA, predominantly in the SLIV region. The cleavage activity of the NS3 protease domain is reduced upon HCV-RNA binding. More importantly, NS3(pro) binding to the SLIV hinders the interaction of La protein, a cellular IRES-trans acting factor required for HCV IRES-mediated translation, resulting in inhibition of HCV-IRES activity. Although overexpression of both NS3(pro) as well as the full length NS3 protein decreased the level of HCV IRES mediated translation, replication of HCV replicon RNA was enhanced significantly. These observations suggest that the NS3(pro) binding to HCV IRES reduces translation in favor of RNA replication. The competition between the host factor (La) and the viral protein (NS3) for binding to HCV IRES might regulate the molecular switch from translation to replication of HCV.

Functional regulation of PVBV Nuclear Inclusion protein-a protease activity upon interaction with Viral Protein genome-linked and phosphorylation

Regulation of NIa-Pro is crucial for polyprotein processing and hence, for successful infection of potyviruses. We have examined two novel mechanisms that could regulate NIa-Pro activity. Firstly, the influence of VPg domain on the proteolytic activity of NIa-Pro was investigated. It was shown that the turnover number of the protease increases when these two domains interact (as: two-fold; trans: seven-fold) with each other. Secondly, the protease activity of NIa-Pro could also be modulated by phosphorylation at Ser129. A mutation of this residue either to aspartate (phosphorylation-mimic) or alanine (phosphorylation-deficient) drastically reduces the protease activity. Based on these observations and molecular modeling studies, we propose that interaction with VPg as well as phosphorylation of Ser129 could relay a signal through Trp143 present at the protein surface to the active site pocket by subtle conformational changes, thus modulating protease activity of NIa-Pro. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Novel ATPase activity of the polyprotein intermediate, Viral Protein genome-linked-Nuclear Inclusion-a protease, of Pepper vein banding potyvirus

Potyviruses temporally regulate their protein function by polyprotein processing. Previous studies have shown that VPg (Viral Protein genome-linked) of Pepper vein banding virus interacts with the NIa-Pro (Nuclear Inclusion-a protease) domain, and modulates the kinetics of the protease. In the present study, we report for the first time that VPg harbors the Walker motifs A and B, and the presence of NIa-Pro, especially in cis (cleavage site (E191A) VPg-Pro mutant), is essential for manifestation of the ATPase activity. Mutation of Lys47 (Walker motif A) and Asp88:Glu89 (Walker motif B) to alanine in E191A VPg-Pro lead to reduced ATPase activity, confirming that this activity was inherent to VPg. We propose that potyviral VPg, established as an intrinsically disordered domain, undergoes plausible structural alterations upon interaction with globular NIa-Pro which induces the ATPase activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.