Hypo- and hyperthyroidism affect NEI concentration in discrete brain areas of adult male rats

To date, there has been only one in vitro study of the relationship between neuropeptide EI (NEI) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. To investigate the possible relationship between NEI and the HPT axis, we developed a rat model of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism that allows us to determine whether NEI content is altered in selected brain areas after treatment, as well as whether such alterations are related to the time of day. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, induced in male rats, with 6-propyl-1-thiouracil and L-thyroxine, respectively, were confirmed by determination of triiodothyronine, total thyroxine, and thyrotropin levels. All groups were studied at the morning and the afternoon. In rats with hypothyroidism, NEI concentration, evaluated on postinduction days 7 and 24, was unchanged or slightly elevated on day 7 but was decreased on day 24. In rats with hyperthyroidism, NEI content, which was evaluated after 4 days of L-thyroxine administration, was slightly elevated, principally in the preoptic area in the morning and in the median eminence-arcuate nucleus and pineal gland in the afternoon, the morning and afternoon NEI contents being similar in the controls. These results provide the bases to pursue the study of the interaction between NEI and the HPT axis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ontogenetic expression of the vanilloid receptors TRPV1 and TRPV2 in the rat retina

The present study aimed to analyze the gene and protein expression and the pattern of distribution of the vanilloid receptors TRPV1 and TRPV2 in the developing rat retina. During the early phases of development, TRPV1 was found mainly in the neuroblastic layer of the retina and in the pigmented epithelium. In the adult, TRPV1 was found in microglial cells, blood vessels, astrocytes and in neuronal structures, namely synaptic boutons of both retina] plexiform layers, as well as in cell bodies of the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer. The pattern of distribution of TRPV1 was mainly punctate, and there was higher TRPV1 labeling in the peripheral retina than in central regions. TRPV2 expression was quite distinct. its expression was virtually undetectable by immunoblotting before P1, and that receptor was found by immunohistochemistry only by postnatal day 15 (PI 5). RNA and protein analysis showed that the adult levels are only reached by P60, which includes small processes in the retinal plexiform layers, and labeled cellular bodies in the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer. There was no overlapping between the signal observed for both receptors. in conclusion, our results showed that the patterns of distribution of TRPV1 and TRPV2 are different during the development of the rat retina, suggesting that they have specific roles in both visual processing and in providing specific cues to neural development. (C) 2009 ISDN. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhanced activity of horseradish peroxidase in Langmuir-Blodgett films of phospholipids

The immobilization of enzymes in nanostructured films has potential applications, e.g. in biosensing, for which the activity may not only be preserved, but also enhanced if optimized conditions are identified. Optimization is not straightforward because several requirements must be fulfilled, including a suitable matrix and film-forming technique. In this study, we show that horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has its activity enhanced when immobilized in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films, in conjunction with dipalmitoylphosphaticlylglycerol (DPPG). Incorporation of HRP into a DPPG monolayer at the air-water interface was demonstrated with compression isotherms, and Polarization-Modulation Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). From the PM-IRRAS data, we inferred that HRP was not denatured when adsorbed on a pre-formed, low pressure DPPG monolayer. A change in orientation was induced by the phospholipid matrix, with the amide C=O and NH groups from HRP being oriented perpendicular to the surface, parallel to the DPPG acyl chains, i.e. the alpha-helix was inserted into the monolayer. The mixed DPPG-HRP monolayer could be transferred onto solid supports, to which HRP activity was ca. 23% higher than in solution. The control of molecular architecture and choice of a suitable phospholipid matrix allowed HRP-containing LB films to be used in sensing peroxide. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Diphenyllead(IV) thiosemicarbazonates and pyrazolonates: Synthesis and characterization

Cyclization of thiosemicarbazones derived from beta-keto esters and beta-keto amides (HTSC) in the presence of diphenyllead(IV) acetate was explored in methanol solution at room temperature and under reflux. All beta-keto ester TSCs underwent cyclization to give the corresponding pyrazolone (HL), which, except in one case, deprotonated and coordinated the PbPh(2)(2+) moiety to form homoleptic [PbPh(2)(L)(2)] or heteroleptic [PbPh(2)(OAc)(L)] derivatives. Cyclization did not occur with beta-keto amide TSCs and only [Pbph(2)(TSC)(2)] or [PbPh(2)(OAc)(TSC)] thiosernicarbazonates were isolated. The complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy in the solid state and by (1)H, (13)C and (207)Pb NMR spectroscopy in DMSO-d(G) solution, in which they evolve and decompose with time. Additionally, crystals of p-acetoacetanisidide thiosemicarbazone (HTSC(10)), [PbPh(2)(OAc)(L(5))] center dot MeOH (HL(5) = 2,5-dihydro-3,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-1H-pyrazolone-1-carbothioamide), [PbPh(2)Cl(L(2))] (HL(2) = 2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazolone-1-carbothioamide), [PbPh(2)(OAc)(TSC(8))]center dot 2MeOH (HTSC(8) = acetoacetanilide thiosemicarbazone), [PbPh(2)(OAc)(TSC(10))]center dot H(2)O and [PbPh(2)(OAc)(TSC(11))] center dot 0.75MeOH (HTSO(11) = o-acetoacetotoluidide) were studied by X-ray crystallography. The complexes, monomers or dimers with almost linear C-Pb-C moieties, are compared with the corresponding derivatives of Pb(II). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and Characterization of Homoleptic and Heteroleptic Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc and Cadmium Compounds with the 2-(Tosylamino)-N-[2-(tosylamino)benzylidene]aniline Ligand

The electrochemical oxidation of anodic metal (cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc and cadmium) in an acetonitrile solution of the Schiff-base ligand 2-(tosylamino)-N-[2-(tosylamino)-benzylidene] aniline (H(2)L) afforded the homoleptic compounds [ML]. The addition of 1,1-diphenylphosphanylmethane (dppm), 2,2`-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) to the electrolytic phase gave the heteroleptic complexes [NiL(dppm)], [ML(bipy)] and [ML(phen)]. The crystal structures of H(2)L (1), [NiL] (2), [CuL] (3), [NiL(dppm)] (4), [CoL(phen)] (5), [CuL(bipy)] (6) and [Zn(Lphen)] (7) were determined by X-ray diffraction. The homoleptic compounds [NiL] and [CuL] are mononuclear with a distorted square planar [MN(3)O] geometry with the Schiff base acting as a dianionic (N(amide)N(amide)N(imine)O(tosyl)) tetradentate ligand. Both compounds exhibit an unusual pi-pi stacking interaction be-tween a six-membered chelate ring containing the metal and a phenylic ring of the ligand. In the heteroleptic complex [NiL(dppm)], the nickel atom is in a distorted tetrahedral [NiN(3)P] environment defined by the imine, two amide nitrogen atoms of the L(2-) dianionic tridentate ligand and one of the phosphorus atoms of the dppm molecule. In the other heteroleptic complexes, [CoL(phen)], [CuL(bipy)] and [ZnL(phen)], the metal atom is in a five-coordinate environment defined by the imine, two amide nitrogen atoms of the dianionic tridentate ligand and the two bipyridine or phenanthroline nitrogen atoms. The compounds were characterized by microanalysis, IR and UV/Vis (Co, Ni and Cu complexes) spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry and (1)H NMR ([NiL] and Zn and Cd complexes) and EPR spectroscopy (Cu complexes).

Analysis of Agonist and Antagonist Effects on Thyroid Hormone Receptor Conformation by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are ligand-gated transcription factors with critical roles in development and metabolism. Although x-ray structures of TR ligand-binding domains (LBDs) with agonists are available, comparable structures without ligand (apo-TR) or with antagonists are not. It remains important to understand apo-LBD conformation and the way that it rearranges with ligands to develop better TR pharmaceuticals. In this study, we conducted hydrogen/deuterium exchange on TR LBDs with or without agonist (T(3)) or antagonist (NH(3)). Both ligands reduce deuterium incorporation into LBD amide hydrogens, implying tighter overall folding of the domain. As predicted, mass spectroscopic analysis of individual proteolytic peptides after hydrogen/deuterium exchange reveals that ligand increases the degree of solvent protection of regions close to the buried ligand-binding pocket. However, there is also extensive ligand protection of other regions, including the dimer surface at H10-H11, providing evidence for allosteric communication between the ligand-binding pocket and distant interaction surfaces. Surprisingly, C-terminal activation helix H12, which is known to alter position with ligand, remains relatively protected from solvent in all conditions suggesting that it is packed against the LBD irrespective of the presence or type of ligand. T(3), but not NH(3), increases accessibility of the upper part of H3-H5 to solvent, and we propose that TR H12 interacts with this region in apo-TR and that this interaction is blocked by T(3) but not NH(3.) We present data from site-directed mutagenesis experiments and molecular dynamics simulations that lend support to this structural model of apo-TR and its ligand-dependent conformational changes. (Molecular Endocrinology 25: 15-31, 2011)

Acanthoscurrin Fragment 101-132: Total Synthesis at 60 degrees C of a Novel Difficult Sequence

Glycine-rich proteins (GRP), serve a variety of biological functions. Acanthoscurrin is an antimicrobial GRP isolated front hemocytes-of the Brazilian spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana. Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of the secondary structure and stepwise solid-phase synthesis of GRPs` glycine-rich domains, we attempted to prepare G(101)GGLGGGRGGGYG(113) GGGGYGGGYG(123)GGy(126)GGGKYK(132)-NH(2), acanthoscurrin C-terminal amidated fragment. Although a theoretical prediction did not indicate high aggregation potential for this peptide, repetitive incomplete aminoacylations were observed after incorporating Tyr(126) to the growing peptide-MBHA resin (Boc chemistry) at 60 degrees C. The problem was not solved by varying the coupling reagents or solvents, adding chaotropic salts to the reaction media or changing the resin/chemistry (Rink amide resin/Fmoc chemistry). Some improvement was mode when CLEAR amide resin (Fmoc chemistry) was 32 used, as it allowed for obtaining fragment (G(113)-K(132) NIR-FT-Raman spectra collected for samples of the growing peptide-MBHA, -Rink amide resin and -CLEAR amide resin revealed the presence of beta-sheet structures. Only the combination of CLEAR-amide resin, 60 degrees C, Fmoc-(Fmoc-Hmb)Gly-OH and LiCl (the last two used alternately) was able to inhibit the phenomenon, as proven by NIR-FT-Raman analysis of the growing peptide-resin, allowing the total synthesis of desired 132 fragment Gly(101)-K(132). In summary, this work describes a new difficult sequence, contributes to understanding stepwise solid-phase synthesis of this type of peptide and shows that, at least while protected and linked to a resin, this GRPs glycine-rich motif presents all early tendency to assume beta-sheet structures. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 92: 65-75, 2009.

Synthesis of new fluorous modular chiral ligand derivatives from amino alcohols and application in enantioselective carbon-carbon bond-forming alkylation reactions

N-Trifluoracyl beta-chalcogeno amides and N-perfluoracyl beta-thio amide ligands were prepared by a simple and efficient reaction sequence. These new ligands were evaluated in palladium-catalyzed alkylation of rac-(E)-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate in the presence of dimethyl malonate and an enantioselectivity of up to 99% was obtained. After catalysis, the fluorous ligand can be easily recovered by liquid-liquid extraction and reused without loss in the activity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two New Ternary Complexes of Copper(II) with Tetracycline or Doxycycline and 1,10-Phenanthroline and Their Potential as Antitumoral: Cytotoxicity and DNA Cleavage

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of two new ternary copper(II) complexes: [Cu(doxy-cycline)(1,10-phenanthroline)(H(2)O)(ClO(4))](ClO(4)) (1) and [Cu(tetracycline)(1,10-phenanthroline)(H(2)O)(ClO(4))](ClO(4)) (2). These compounds exhibit a distorted tetragonal geometry around copper, which is coordinated to two bidentate ligands, 1,10-phenanthroline and tetracycline or doxycyline, a water molecule, and a perchlorate ion weakly bonded in the axial positions. In both compounds, copper(II) binds to tetracyclines`. via the oxygen of the hydroxyl group and oxygen of the amide group at ring A and to 1,10-phenanthroline via its two heterocyclic nitrogens. We have evaluated the binding of the new complexes to DNA, their capacity to cleave it, their cytotoxic activity, and uptake in tumoral cells. The complexes bind to DNA preferentially by the major groove, and then cleave its strands by an oxidative mechanism involving the generation of ROS. The cleavage of DNA was inhibited by radical inhibitors and/or trappers such as superoxide dismutase, DMSO, and the copper(I) chelator bathocuproine. The enzyme T4 DNA ligase was not able to relegate the products of DNA cleavage, which indicates that the cleavage does not occur via a hydrolytic mechanism. Both complexes present an expressive plasmid DNA cleavage activity generating single- and double-strand breaks, under mild reaction conditions, and even in the absence of any additional oxidant or reducing agent. In the same experimental conditions, [Cu(phen)(2)](2+) is approximately 100-fold less active than our complexes. These complexes are among the most potent DNA cleavage agents reported so far. Both complexes inhibit the growth of K562 cells With the IC(50) values of 1.93 and 2.59 mu mol L(-1) for compounds I and 2, respectively. The complexes are more active than the free ligands, and their cytotoxic activity correlates with intracellular copper concentration and the number of Cu-DNA adducts formed inside cells.

Surface active ionic liquids: Study of the micellar properties of 1-(1-alkyl)-3-methylimidazolium chlorides and comparison with structurally related surfactants

The impetus for the increasing interest in studying surface active ionic liquids (SAILs; ionic liquids with long-chain ""tails"") is the enormous potential for their applications, e.g., in nanotechnology and biomedicine. The progress in these fields rests on understanding the relationship between surfactant structure and solution properties, hence applications. This need has prompted us to extend our previous study on 1-(1-hexadecyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride to 1-(1-alkyl)-3-methylimidazolium chlorides, with alkyl chains containing 10, 12, and 14 carbons. In addition to investigating relevant micellar properties, we have compared the solution properties of the imidazolium-based surfactants with: 1-(1-alkyl)pyridinium chlorides, and benzyl (2-acylaminoethyl)dimethylammonium chlorides. The former series carries a heterocyclic ring head-group, but does not possess a hydrogen that is as acidic as H2 of the imidazolium ring. The latter series carries an aromatic ring, a quaternary nitrogen and (a hydrogen-bond forming) amide group. The properties of the imidazolium and pyridinium surfactants were determined in the temperature range from 15 to 75 degrees C. The techniques employed were conductivity, isothermal titration calorimetry, and static light scattering. The results showed the important effects of the interactions in the interfacial region on the micellar properties over the temperature range studied. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Schistosoma mansoni: In vitro schistosomicidal activity of piplartine

Schistosomiasis is one of the world`s greatly neglected tropical diseases, and its control is largely dependent on a single drug, praziquantel. Here, we report the in vitro effect of piplartine, an amide isolated from Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae), on Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. A piplartine concentration of 15.8 mu M reduced the motor activity of worms and caused their death within 24 h in a RPMI 1640 medium. Similarly, the highest sub-lethal concentration of piplartine (6.3 mu M) caused a 75% reduction in egg production in spite of coupling. Additionally, piplartine induced morphological changes on the tegument, and a quantitative analysis carried out by confocal microscopy revealed an extensive tegumental destruction and damage in the tubercles. This damage was dose-dependent in the range of 15.8-630.2 mu M. At doses higher than 157.6 mu M, piplartine induced morphological changes in the oral and ventral sucker regions of the worms. It is the first time that the schistosomicidal activity has been reported for piplartine. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Formation and decomposition of N-alkyinaphthalimides: experimental evidences and ab initio description of the reaction pathways

The kinetics of hydrolysis of 1,8-N-butyl-naphthalimide (1,8-NBN) to 1,8-N-butyl-naphthalamide (1,8-NBAmide) and of 2,3-N-butyl-naphthalimide (2,3-NBN) to 2,3-N-butyl-naphthalamide (2,3-NBAmide), as well as the formation of the respective anhydrides from the amides were investigated in a wide acidity range. 1,8-NBN equilibrates with 1,8-NBAmide in mild alkali. Under the same conditions 2,3-NBN quantitatively yields 2,3-NBAmide. Over a wide range of acidities the reactions of the 1,8- and 2,3-N-butyl-naphthalamides (or imides) yield similar products but with widely different rates and at distinct pH`s. Anhydride formation in acid was demonstrated for 1,8-NBAmide. The reactions mechanisms were rationalized in the manifold pathways of ab initio calculations. The differences in rates and pH ranges in the reactions of the 1,8- and 2,3-N-butyl-naphthalamides were attributed to differences in the stability of the tetrahedral intermediates in alkali as well as the relative stabilities of the five and six-membered ring intermediates. The rate of carboxylic acid assisted 1,8-N-Butyl-naphthalamide hydrolysis is one of the largest described for amide hydrolysis models. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.