scholarly journals Comparative analysis of topoisomerase IB inhibition and DNA intercalation by flavonoids and similar compounds: structural determinates of activity

2004 ◽  
Vol 384 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. WEBB ◽  
Susan E. EBELER
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Degradation ◽  
Polyphenolic Compounds ◽  
Dna Intercalation ◽  
Clear Correlation ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Relaxation Activity ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Topoisomerase Inhibition ◽  
Topoisomerase Ib

Flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds have been shown to inhibit human topoisomerase IB (topo I) through both inhibition of relaxation activity and through stabilization of the cleavable complex (poisoning). Some flavonoids have also been shown to intercalate DNA, and an association of topoisomerase inhibition with intercalation has been noted. We surveyed 34 polyphenolic compounds, primarily flavonoid glycones and aglycones, for their ability to inhibit topo I and to intercalate DNA using an in vitro gel electrophoresis method. We show that the most potent topo I poisons are the flavones and flavonols, and that these generally, but not always, are found to be DNA intercalators. There was no clear correlation, however, of topo-I-poisoning activity with the degree of DNA unwinding. Surprisingly, both DNA intercalation and topo I poisoning were shown to occur with some flavone glycones, including the C-glycosylflavone orientin. Inhibition of relaxation activity by flavonoids was found to be difficult to quantify and was most likely to be due to non-specific inhibition through flavonoid aggregation. As part of a structure–activity analysis, we also investigated the acid–base chemistry of flavonoids and determined that many flavonoids show acid–base activity with a pKa in the physiological pH region. For this reason, subtle pH changes can have significant effects on solution activity of flavonoids and their concomitant biological activity. In addition, these effects may be complicated by pH-dependent aggregation and oxidative degradation. Finally, we develop a simple model for the intercalation of flavonoids into DNA and discuss possible consequences of intercalation and topoisomerase inhibition on a number of cellular processes.

scholarly journals A search for the in trans role of GraL, an Escherichia coli small RNA*

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Dylewski ◽  
Monika Ćwiklińska ◽  
Katarzyna Potrykus
Keyword(s):  
Small Rna ◽  
Enteric Bacteria ◽  
Clear Correlation ◽  
Synthetic Lethal ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
In Trans ◽  
Regulatory Loop

Small RNA are very important post-transcriptional regulators in both, bacteria and eukaryotes. One of such sRNA is GraL, encoded in the greA leader region and conserved among enteric bacteria. Here, we conducted a bioinformatics search for GraL’s targets in trans and validated our findings in vivo by constructing fusions of probable targets with lacZ and measuring their activity when GraL was overexpressed. Only one target's activity (nudE) decreased under those conditions and was thus selected for further analysis. In the absence of GraL and greA, the nudE::lacZ fusion's β-galactosidase activity was increased. However, a similar effect was also visible in the strain deleted only for greA. Furthermore, overproduction of GreA alone increased the nudE::lacZ fusion’s activity as well. This suggests existence of complex regulatory loop-like interactions between GreA, GraL and nudE mRNA. To further dissect this relationship, we performed in vitro EMSA experiments employing GraL and nudE mRNA. However, stable GraL-nudE complexes were not detected, even though the detectable amount of unbound GraL decreased as increasing amounts of nudE mRNA were added. Interestingly, GraL is being bound by Hfq, but nudE easily displaces it.  We also conducted a search for genes that are synthetic lethal when deleted along with GraL. This revealed 40 genes that are rendered essential by GraL deletion, however, they are involved in many different cellular processes and no clear correlation was found. The obtained data suggest that GraL's mechanism of action is non-canonical, unique and requires further research.

5-Nitro-Thiophene-Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives Present Antitumor Activity Mediated by Apoptosis and DNA Intercalation

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (13) ◽  
pp. 1075-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla Mirella Roque Marques ◽  
Maria Rodrigues do Desterro ◽  
Sandrine Maria de Arruda ◽  
Luiz Nascimento de Araújo Neto ◽  
Maria do Carmo Alves de Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽  
Dna Intercalation ◽  
Phase Cell ◽  
Fluorescence Studies ◽  
In Silico Studies

Background: Considering the need for the development of new antitumor drugs, associated with the great antitumor potential of thiophene and thiosemicarbazonic derivatives, in this work we promote molecular hybridization approach to synthesize new compounds with increased anticancer activity. Objective: Investigate the antitumor activity and their likely mechanisms of action of a series of N-substituted 2-(5-nitro-thiophene)-thiosemicarbazone derivatives. Methods: Methods were performed in vitro (cytotoxicity, cell cycle progression, morphological analysis, mitochondrial membrane potential evaluation and topoisomerase assay), spectroscopic (DNA interaction studies), and in silico studies (docking and molecular modelling). Results: Most of the compounds presented significant inhibitory activity; the NCIH-292 cell line was the most resistant, and the HL-60 cell line was the most sensitive. The most promising compound was LNN-05 with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 to 1.9 µg.mL-1. The in vitro studies revealed that LNN-05 was able to depolarize (dose-dependently) the mitochondrial membrane, induceG1 phase cell cycle arrest noticeably, promote morphological cell changes associated with apoptosis in chronic human myelocytic leukaemia (K-562) cells, and presented no topoisomerase II inhibition. Spectroscopic UV-vis and molecular fluorescence studies showed that LNN compounds interact with ctDNA forming supramolecular complexes. Intercalation between nitrogenous bases was revealed through KI quenching and competitive ethidium bromide assays. Docking and Molecular Dynamics suggested that 5-nitro-thiophene-thiosemicarbazone compounds interact against the larger DNA groove, and corroborating the spectroscopic results, may assume an intercalating interaction mode. Conclusion: Our findings highlight 5-nitro-thiophene-thiosemicarbazone derivatives, especially LNN-05, as a promising new class of compounds for further studies to provide new anticancer therapies.

Total weak acid concentration and effective dissociation constant of nonvolatile buffers in human plasma

2001 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 1364-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter D. Constable
Keyword(s):  
Dissociation Constant ◽  
Human Plasma ◽  
Total Concentration ◽  
Weak Acid ◽  
Strong Ion Difference ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Horse Plasma ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Species Specific

The strong ion approach provides a quantitative physicochemical method for describing the mechanism for an acid-base disturbance. The approach requires species-specific values for the total concentration of plasma nonvolatile buffers (Atot) and the effective dissociation constant for plasma nonvolatile buffers ( K a), but these values have not been determined for human plasma. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to calculate accurate Atot and K a values using data obtained from in vitro strong ion titration and CO2tonometry. The calculated values for Atot (24.1 mmol/l) and K a (1.05 × 10−7) were significantly ( P < 0.05) different from the experimentally determined values for horse plasma and differed from the empirically assumed values for human plasma (Atot = 19.0 meq/l and K a = 3.0 × 10−7). The derivatives of pH with respect to the three independent variables [strong ion difference (SID), Pco 2, and Atot] of the strong ion approach were calculated as follows: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]where S is solubility of CO2 in plasma. The derivatives provide a useful method for calculating the effect of independent changes in SID+, Pco 2, and Atot on plasma pH. The calculated values for Atot and K a should facilitate application of the strong ion approach to acid-base disturbances in humans.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Innovative Dried Purée from Jerusalem Artichoke—In Vitro Studies of Its Physicochemical and Health-Promoting Properties

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2644
Author(s):  
Jan Oszmiański ◽  
Sabina Lachowicz ◽  
Paulina Nowicka ◽  
Paweł Rubiński ◽  
Tomasz Cebulak
Keyword(s):  
Freeze Drying ◽  
Jerusalem Artichoke ◽  
Polyphenolic Compounds ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Vacuum Drying ◽  
Drying Methods ◽  
Drying Method ◽  
Activity Inhibition ◽  
Health Promoting

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Jerusalem artichoke processing methods and drying methods (freeze drying, sublimation drying, vacuum drying) on the basic physicochemical parameters, profiles and contents of sugars and polyphenolic compounds, and health-promoting properties (antioxidant activity, inhibition of the activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase) of the produced purée. A total of 25 polyphenolic compounds belonging to hydroxycinnamic phenolic acids (LC-PDA-MS-QTof) were detected in Jerusalem artichoke purée. Their average content in the raw material was at 820 mg/100 g dm (UPLC-PDA-FL) and was 2.7 times higher than in the cooked material. The chemical composition and the health-promoting value of the purées were affected by the drying method, with the most beneficial values of the evaluated parameters obtained upon freeze drying. Vacuum drying could offer an alternative to freeze drying, as both methods ensured relatively comparable values of the assessed parameters.

scholarly journals Newly Emerging Airborne Pollutants: Current Knowledge of Health Impact of Micro and Nanoplastics

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2997
Author(s):  
Alessio Facciolà ◽  
Giuseppa Visalli ◽  
Marianna Pruiti Ciarello ◽  
Angela Di Pietro
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Oxidative Degradation ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Outdoor Exposure ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Bodily Fluids

Plastics are ubiquitous persistent pollutants, forming the most representative material of the Anthropocene. In the environment, they undergo wear and tear (i.e., mechanical fragmentation, and slow photo and thermo-oxidative degradation) forming secondary microplastics (MPs). Further fragmentation of primary and secondary MPs results in nanoplastics (NPs). To assess potential health damage due to human exposure to airborne MPs and NPs, we summarize the evidence collected to date that, however, has almost completely focused on monitoring and the effects of airborne MPs. Only in vivo and in vitro studies have assessed the toxicity of NPs, and a standardized method for their analysis in environmental matrices is still missing. The main sources of indoor and outdoor exposure to these pollutants include synthetic textile fibers, rubber tires, upholstery and household furniture, and landfills. Although both MPs and NPs can reach the alveolar surface, the latter can pass into the bloodstream, overcoming the pulmonary epithelial barrier. Despite the low reactivity, the number of surface area atoms per unit mass is high in MPs and NPs, greatly enhancing the surface area for chemical reactions with bodily fluids and tissue in direct contact. This is proven in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and flock workers, who are prone to persistent inflammatory stimulation, leading to pulmonary fibrosis or even carcinogenesis.

scholarly journals Extraction and Fractionation Effects on Antiplasmodial Activity and Phytochemical Composition of Palicourea hoffmannseggiana

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (01) ◽  
pp. e34-e42
Author(s):  
Leticia Hiromi Ohashi ◽  
Douglas Costa Gontijo ◽  
Maria Fernanda Alves do Nascimento ◽  
Luciano Ferreira Margalho ◽  
Geraldo Célio Brandão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Indole Alkaloid ◽  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Parasite Growth ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
Acid Base ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Leaf Powder

AbstractThe present study on Palicourea hoffmannseggiana, which was collected at Marapanim, state of Pará, Brazil, comprises the preparation of different stem and leaf extracts and fractions. Ethanol, hydroethanol, and water extracts were prepared by several methods and evaluated for in vitro activity against resistant Plasmodium falciparum (W2 strain), disclosing a low parasite growth inhibition effect (< 50%). Dereplication by UPLC-DAD-ESI−MS of the leaf ethanol extract showed the presence of two known alkaloids, lyalosidic and strictosidinic acids, along with a sinapoyl ester of lyalosidic acid, with m/z 719.33 [M+H]+, which is possibly a new monoterpene indole alkaloid representative. Sequential liquid-liquid acid-base alkaloid separations from the leaf ethanol extract as well as directly from leaf powder afforded fractions of increased parasite growth inhibition, reaching up to 92.5±0.7%. The most bioactive fractions were shown to contain the β-carboline alkaloids harmane and 4-methyl-β-carboline, along with N-methyl-tryptamine and N-acetyl-tryptamine, while monoterpene indole alkaloids were detected in inactive fractions of these processes. The present results demonstrate that these preliminary fractionation methods can lead to significantly active fractions supporting an adequate scale-up to carrying out the isolation of anti-plasmodial compounds.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Silico Characterization of an Antimalarial Compound with Antitumor Activity Targeting Human DNA Topoisomerase IB

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7455
Author(s):  
Bini Chhetri Soren ◽  
Jagadish Babu Dasari ◽  
Alessio Ottaviani ◽  
Beatrice Messina ◽  
Giada Andreotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Reaction ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase ◽  
Human Dna ◽  
Topoisomerase Ib ◽  
Topological State ◽  
Cleavage Step ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
In Silico Characterization ◽  
Dna Complex

Human DNA topoisomerase IB controls the topological state of supercoiled DNA through a complex catalytic cycle that consists of cleavage and religation reactions, allowing the progression of fundamental DNA metabolism. The catalytic steps of human DNA topoisomerase IB were analyzed in the presence of a drug, obtained by the open-access drug bank Medicines for Malaria Venture. The experiments indicate that the compound strongly and irreversibly inhibits the cleavage step of the enzyme reaction and reduces the cell viability of three different cancer cell lines. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the drug binds to the human DNA topoisomerase IB-DNA complex sitting inside the catalytic site of the enzyme, providing a molecular explanation for the cleavage-inhibition effect. For all these reasons, the aforementioned drug could be a possible lead compound for the development of an efficient anti-tumor molecule targeting human DNA topoisomerase IB.

Hypertonic Dextrose Stimulates Chondrogenic Cells to Deposit Collagen and Proliferate

Cartilage ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 194760352110145
Author(s):  
Elisha Johnston ◽  
Yi Kou ◽  
Jason Junge ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Andrew Kochan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Activity ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Second Harmonic ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Cartilage Regeneration ◽  
Collagen Deposition ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Photon Excitation ◽  
Hypertonic Dextrose

Objective Hypertonic dextrose (HD) injections (prolotherapy) for osteoarthritis are reported to reduce pain. Cartilage regeneration is hypothesized as a mechanism. This in vitro study identifies an HD concentration that stimulates chondrogenic cells to increase metabolic activity and assesses whether this concentration affects collagen deposition and proliferation. Design ATDC5 chondrogenic cells were cultured in normoglycemic DMEM/F12 medium, treated with concentrations of HD (4-400 mM), and assessed with PrestoBlue. Advanced light microscopy was used to conduct live imaging of collagen deposition through second harmonic generation microscopy (SHG) and proliferation via 2-photon excitation microscopy. Proliferation was additionally assessed with hemocytometer counts. Results A linear regression model found that, relative to the 4 mM baseline control, cells treated with 200 mM had a higher mean absorbance ( P = 0.023) and cells treated with 250 mM were trending toward a higher mean absorbance ( P = 0.076). Polynomial regression interpolated 240 mM as producing the highest average absorbance. Hemocytometer counts validated 250 mM as stimulating proliferation compared with the 4 mM control ( P < 0.01). A concentration of 250 mM HD led to an increase in collagen deposition compared with that observed in control ( P < 0.05). This HD concentration also led to increases in proliferation of ATDC5 cells relative to that of control ( P < 0.001). Conclusions A 250 mM HD solution appears to be associated with increased metabolic activity of chondrocytes, increased collagen deposition, and increased chondrocyte proliferation. These results support clinical prolotherapy research suggesting that intra-articular HD joint injections reduce knee pain. Further study of HD and cellular processes is warranted.

scholarly journals Activity of Indenoisoquinolines against African Trypanosomes

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul P. Bakshi ◽  
Dongpei Sang ◽  
Andrew Morrell ◽  
Mark Cushman ◽  
Theresa A. Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Sleeping Sickness ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Topoisomerase Ib ◽  
Topoisomerase Poisons

ABSTRACT African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), caused by protozoan Trypanosoma brucei species, is a debilitating disease that is lethal if untreated. Available drugs are antiquated, toxic, and compromised by emerging resistance. The indenoisoquinolines are a class of noncamptothecin topoisomerase IB poisons that are under development as anticancer agents. We tested a variety of indenoisoquinolines for their ability to kill T. brucei. Indenoisoquinolines proved trypanocidal at submicromolar concentrations in vitro. Structure-activity analysis yielded motifs that enhanced potency, including alkylamino substitutions on N-6, methoxy groups on C-2 and C-3, and a methylenedioxy bridge between C-8 and C-9. Detailed analysis of eight water-soluble indenoisoquinolines demonstrated that in trypanosomes the compounds inhibited DNA synthesis and acted as topoisomerase poisons. Testing these compounds on L1210 mouse leukemia cells revealed that all eight were more effective against trypanosomes than against mammalian cells. In preliminary in vivo experiments one compound delayed parasitemia and extended survival in mice subjected to a lethal trypanosome challenge. The indenoisoquinolines provide a promising lead for the development of drugs against sleeping sickness.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document