[4-proline, 8-isoleucine]-oxytocin and [4-leucine, 8-isoleucine]-oxytocin,possible intermediates in the evolutionary series of neurohypophysial hormones: Synthesis and some pharmacological properties

Zusammenfassung [4-Prolin, 8-Isoleucin]-Oxytocin und [4-Leucin, 8-Isoleucin]-Oxytocin wurden als mögliche Glieder in der entwicklungsgeschichtlichen Reihe der Neurohypophysenhormone synthetisiert und pharmakologisch geprüft.     

Chk1防止DNA损伤的S期肿瘤细胞进行异常的有丝分裂

为探讨在p53失活的肿瘤细胞中DNA甲基化试剂引发的DNA损伤对于细胞周期的影响, 我们将同步化在G1, S和G2/M期的HeLa细胞分别进行甲磺酸甲酯(MMS)处理. MMS的处理结果表明, 各个时相的细胞周期进程均发生延迟或阻滞, 其中S期细胞对药物最为敏感. 进一步的分子机理研究表明, 3个时相中ATM-Chk2和p38 MAPK通路均被激活, 但是Chk1仅在S期中被活化, 提示Chk1特异地参与了S期的DNA损伤检查点(DNA damage checkpoint)或者DNA复制检查点(DNA replication checkpoint)的作用. 为了进一步确定Chk1在S期的检查点功能, 用专一的小分子抑制剂抑制Chk1的磷酸化, 发现被MMS处理的S期细胞能在未完成复制的情况下进行异常的有丝分裂, 提示Chk1主要是在HeLa细胞S期的DNA损伤检查点而不是DNA复制检查点发挥其作用. 另外, 本研究还检查了参与G2/M期进程的cyclin B1的表达变化情况. 在MMS处理的S期细胞中, cyclin B1表达量不能上调; 而在加入Chk1抑制剂处理后, cyclin B1则有所增加. 这一结果进一步支持DNA损伤S期细胞在Chk1失活时进入异常有丝分裂的推论. 研究结果表明, Chk1是MMS诱发的HeLa细胞S期DNA损伤检查点的专一性的重要蛋白激酶; 当MMS引发DNA损伤后, 上游蛋白激酶对Chk1进行磷酸化, 从而激活了S期的DNA损伤检查点, 阻止细胞进入G2/M期. 由于这一过程不依赖于p53的活性, 因此Chk1有可能作为p53失活的肿瘤细胞的药物靶标.     

Crystal structure of human cytochrome P450 2C9 with bound warfarin

Cytochrome P450 proteins (CYP450s) are membrane-associated haem proteins that metabolize physiologically important compounds in many species of microorganisms, plants and animals. Mammalian CYP450s recognize and metabolize diverse xenobiotics such as drug molecules, environmental compounds and pollutants. Human CYP450 proteins CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 are the major drug-metabolizing isoforms, and contribute to the oxidative metabolism of more than 90% of the drugs in current clinical use. Polymorphic variants have also been reported for some CYP450 isoforms, which has implications for the efficacy of drugs in individuals, and for the co-administration of drugs. The molecular basis of drug recognition by human CYP450s, however, has remained elusive. Here we describe the crystal structure of a human CYP450, CYP2C9, both unliganded and in complex with the anti-coagulant drug warfarin. The structure defines unanticipated interactions between CYP2C9 and warfarin, and reveals a new binding pocket. The binding mode of warfarin suggests that CYP2C9 may undergo an allosteric mechanism during its function. The newly discovered binding pocket also suggests that CYP2C9 may simultaneously accommodate multiple ligands during its biological function, and provides a possible molecular basis for understanding complex drug-drug interactions.     

The secreted form of the Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein with the Kunitz domain is protease nexin-II

The A4 protein (or beta-protein) is a 42- or 43-amino-acid peptide present in the extracellular neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease and is derived from a membrane-bound amyloid protein precursor (APP). Three forms of APP have been described and are referred to as APP695, APP751 and APP770, reflecting the number of amino acids encoded for by their respective complementary DNAs. The two larger APPs contain a 57-amino-acid insert with striking homology to the Kunitz family of protease inhibitors. Here we report that the deduced amino-terminal sequence of APP is identical to the sequence of a cell-secreted protease inhibitor, protease nexin-II (PN-II). To confirm this finding, APP751 and APP695 cDNAs were over-expressed in the human 293 cell line, and the secreted N-terminal extracellular domains of these APPs were purified to near homogeneity from the tissue-culture medium. The relative molecular mass and high-affinity binding to dextran sulphate of secreted APP751 were consistent with that of PN-II. Functionally, secreted APP751 formed stable, non-covalent, inhibitory complexes with trypsin. Secreted APP695 did not form complexes with trypsin. We conclude that the secreted form of APP with the Kunitz protease inhibitor domain is PN-II.