On naturally occurring colorless polyenes

Zusammenfassung Die farblosen, lebhaft fluoreszierenden Polyene, Phytofluen und Phytofluenol, wurden in Pflanzenextrakten aufgefunden. Sie werden spektroskopisch sowie chromatographisch gekennzeichnet und ihre Beziehung zu carotinoiden Farbstoffen wird besprochen.     

The stereochemistry of some naturally occurring guaianolides and isophotosantonic lactone

Zusammenfassung Die Stereochemie der Sesquiterpene Tenulin, Balduilin und Helanilin sowie isophotosantonisches Lakton wird behandelt und provisorische Strukturformeln für diese Substanzen vorgeschlagen.     

Functional characterisation of naturally occurring mutations in human melanopsin

Melanopsin is a blue light-sensitive opsin photopigment involved in a range of non-image forming behaviours, including circadian photoentrainment and the pupil light response. Many naturally occurring genetic variants exist within the human melanopsin gene (OPN4), yet it remains unclear how these variants affect melanopsin protein function and downstream physiological responses to light. Here, we have used bioinformatic analysis and in vitro expression systems to determine the functional phenotypes of missense human OPN4 variants. From 1242 human OPN4 variants collated in the NCBI Short Genetic Variation database (dbSNP), we identified 96 that lead to non-synonymous amino acid substitutions. These 96 missense mutations were screened using sequence alignment and comparative approaches to select 16 potentially deleterious variants for functional characterisation using calcium imaging of melanopsin-driven light responses in HEK293T cells. We identify several previously uncharacterised OPN4 mutations with altered functional properties, including attenuated or abolished light responses, as well as variants demonstrating abnormal response kinetics. These data provide valuable insight into the structure–function relationships of human melanopsin, including several key functional residues of the melanopsin protein. The identification of melanopsin variants with significantly altered function may serve to detect individuals with disrupted melanopsin-based light perception, and potentially highlight those at increased risk of sleep disturbance, circadian dysfunction, and visual abnormalities.     

Tumor cell membrane-targeting cationic antimicrobial peptides: novel insights into mechanisms of action and therapeutic prospects

There is an ongoing need for effective and targeted cancer treatments that can overcome the detrimental side effects presented by current treatment options. One class of novel anticancer molecules with therapeutic potential currently under investigation are cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs). CAPs are small innate immunity peptides found ubiquitously throughout nature that are typically membrane-active against a wide range of pathogenic microbes. A number of CAPs can also target mammalian cells and often display selective activity towards tumor cells, making them attractive candidates as novel anticancer agents warranting further investigation. This current and comprehensive review describes key examples of naturally occurring membrane-targeting CAPs and their modified derivatives that have demonstrated anticancer activity, across multiple species of origin and structural subfamilies. In addition, we address recent advances made in the field and the ongoing challenges faced in translating experimental findings into clinically relevant treatments.     

Oxygen heterocycles. Maackiain,a new naturally occurring chromanocoumaran

Zusammenfassung AusMaackia amurensis Rupr. et Maxim. var.Buergeri (Maxim.) C. K. Schneid wurde ausser dem bekannten Sophorol ein Phenol C₁₆H₁₂O₅ isoliert. Auf Grund spektroskopischer Untersuchungen und dem Vergleich mit einem synthetisch hergestellten Derivat (III;R=CH₃) wird dem Maackiain die Struktur (I;R=H) eines Chromanocumarans zugeschrieben.

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Paper IV. Paper III in this series seeH. Suginome, Tetrahedron Letters No. 19, 16 (1960).

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Read before the 14th Annual Meeting of the Chemical Society of Japan, Tokyo (April 1961).     

Inhibition of phospholipase A by a naturally occurring peptide inBothrops venoms

Zusammenfassung Im Schlangengift vonBothrops befindet sich ein Peptid, welches als Phospholipase-Hemmer beschrieben wird.     

Purification and amino acid sequencing of naturally occurring N-formyl-methionyl oligopeptides from Escherichia coli

A novel purification procedure for N-formyl methionyl oligopeptides from bacterial culture supernatants has been developed. C-terminal carboxypeptidase microsequencing of purified peptides from E. coli supernatants enabled identification of 6 naturally occurring formyl-oligopeptides.     

Linderazulene,a new naturally occurring pigment from the gorgonianParamuricea chamaeleon

Summary The purple pigment of the gorgonianParamuricea chamaeleon has been isolated and identified as linderazulene (I).We thank Dr K. Takeda for linderazulene spectra, and NATO for a grant (to S.I. and R.H.T.) in support of this work.     

The isolation and characterization of two members of a new series of naturally occurring biflavones

Résumé Quelques bisflavones qui contiennent un lien 6,8 ont été isolées et charactérisées pour la première fois. Les déplacements méthoxyliques permettent de décider si l'on a affaire à des éléments flavanoïdes liées 6, ou 8. Le contrôle enzymique de la production de bisflavones dans le genreAuraucariaceae est démontré.     

Antimicrobial and antiviral activity of xylosyl-methylthio-adenosine,a naturally occurring analogue of methylthio-adenosine fromDoris verrucosa

Xylosyl-methylthio-adenosine, a naturally occurring analogue of 5′-deoxy-5′-methylthio-adenosine, has been postulated to play a protective role during egg development in the molluscDoris verrucosa. However, in vitro tests showed that this analogue is devoid of activity against fungi, bacteria and viruses.     

The mode of antifungal action of plant, insect and human defensins

Defensins are small (~5 kDa), basic, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides that fulfill an important role in the innate immunity of their host by combating pathogenic invading micro-organisms. Defensins can inhibit the growth or virulence of microorganisms directly or can do so indirectly by enhancing the host's immune system. Because of their wide distribution in nature, defensins are believed to be ancient molecules with a common ancestor that arose more than a billion years ago. This review summarizes current knowledge concerning the mode of antifungal action of plant, insect and human defensins.     

Bacterial resistance mechanisms against host defense peptides

Host defense peptides and proteins are important components of the innate host defense against pathogenic microorganisms. They target negatively charged bacterial surfaces and disrupt microbial cytoplasmic membranes, which ultimately leads to bacterial destruction. Throughout evolution, pathogens devised several mechanisms to protect themselves from deleterious damage of host defense peptides. These strategies include (a) inactivation and cleavage of host defense peptides by production of host defense binding proteins and proteases, (b) repulsion of the peptides by alteration of pathogen’s surface charge employing modifications by amino acids or amino sugars of anionic molecules (e.g., teichoic acids, lipid A and phospholipids), (c) alteration of bacterial membrane fluidity, and (d) expulsion of the peptides using multi drug pumps. Together with bacterial regulatory network(s) that regulate expression and activity of these mechanisms, they represent attractive targets for development of novel antibacterials.     

Leptin receptor action and mechanisms of leptin resistance

The adipose tissue-derived hormone leptin regulates energy balance and neuroendocrine function. Resistance to the appetite-suppressing effects of leptin is associated with common forms of obesity. Here, we review the mechanisms by which leptin activates intracellular signals and the roles that these signals play in leptin action in vivo. Furthermore, we discuss potential mechanisms of leptin resistance, specifically focusing on data regarding the neuroanatomical locus of leptin resistance and potential mechanisms by which expression of the suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 may impair leptin action.Received 30 September 2004; received after revision 12 November 2004; accepted 23 November 2004     

Further studies on the sensitivity of plant pathogenic microorganisms towards some naturally occurring chalcones and flavanones

Summary The antifungal and antibacterial activities of some quinochalcones, chalcones and flavanones isolated fromDidymocarpus pedicellata have been assayed.The authors are grateful to B.C.K.V.V. and CSIR, India, for financial assistance.     

Antimicrobial and antiviral activity of xylosyl-methylthio-adenosine, a naturally occurring analogue of methylthio-adenosine from Doris verrucosa.

Xylosyl-methylthio-adenosine, a naturally occurring analogue of 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthio-adenosine, has been postulated to play a protective role during egg development in the mollusc Doris verrucosa. However, in vitro tests showed that this analogue is devoid of activity against fungi, bacteria and viruses.     

Germination inhibition activity of a naturally occurring lignan fromAegilops ovata L. in green and infrared light

Summary The naturally occurring lignan, monoepoxylignanolide (MEL) fromAegilops ovata L., inhibits germination of lettuce achenes (seeds) in incandescent light but not in the dark. The action spectrum after preincubation of MEL in darkness shows inhibition in the regions of 399 nm and 712–804 nm, but after pretreatment with incandescent light inhibition is seen at 500–577 nm and 712–804 nm. The infrared inhibition by MEL is not reversible by red light. The pretreatment of MEL with incandescent light gives rise to a photoproduct which, together with MEL itself, inhibits the germination of lettuce achenes in the dark.