The neurotrophic receptor TrkB: a drug target in anti-cancer therapy?

Increasing evidence implies altered signaling through the neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase TrkB in promoting tumor formation and metastasis. TrkB, sometimes in conjunction with its primary ligand BDNF, is often overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, ranging from neuroblastomas to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, in which it may allow tumor expansion and contribute to resistance to anti-tumor agents. In vitro, TrkB acts as a potent suppressor of anoikis (detachment-induced apoptosis), which is associated with the acquisition of an aggressive tumorigenic and metastatic phenotype in vivo. In view of its predicted contribution to tumorigenicity and metastasis in humans, TrkB corresponds to a potential drug target, and preclinical models have already been established. The encouraging results of pharmacological Trk inhibitors in tumor xenograft models suggest that TrkB inhibition may represent a promising novel anti-tumor therapeutic strategy. This hypothesis is currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Here, we will discuss the latest developments on TrkB in these contexts as well as highlight some critical questions that remain to be addressed for evaluating TrkB as a therapeutic target in cancer. Received 12 October 2005; received after revision 19 December 2005; accepted 11 January 2006     

基于喹喔啉酮结构的醛糖还原酶抑制剂的设计合成与构效关系研究

本文以喹喔啉酮为母核结构,在其N1位引入羧基,同时对C3位侧链结构进行优化,设计合成了一系列喹喔啉酮衍生物作为醛糖还原酶抑制剂候选物.活性检测结果表明,所有化合物均显示出明显的醛糖还原酶抑制活性.其中,2-（3-（4-羟基苯丙烯基）-2-氧喹喔啉-1（2H）-烷基）乙酸（ 4d ）展现出最强的抑制活性,IC₅₀值为93 nmol/L,与目前上市的epalrestat活性相当（IC₅₀=83 nmol/L）.另外,分子对接研究表明化合物 4d 与醛糖还原酶的活性位点结合比较紧密.      

立体异构和羧基甲酯化对PDZ结构域抑制剂与nNOS PDZ相互作用的影响

ZLc-002及其类似物是一系列PDZ结构域抑制剂,它们能够不同程度地阻断nNOS与CAPON之间的偶联,从而表现了不同的抗焦虑活性(PDZ指最早发现含有此结构域的三个蛋白质的首字母缩写,分别是:post synaptic density protein-95,PSD-95;drosophila disc large tumor suppressor gene,DLG;zonula occludens-1 protein,ZO-1。即:突触后密度蛋白95,果蝇光盘大肿瘤抑制剂,和闭锁小带蛋白1。nNOS:neuronal nitric oxide synthase,即神经元型一氧化氮合酶。CAPON:carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand,即神经型一氧化氮合酶羧基末端PDZ结合配体)。为了探究立体异构和羧基甲酯化对PDZ结构域抑制剂与nNOS PDZ之间相互作用的影响,分别应用分子对接、分子动力学模拟,以及传统的和可极化的分子力场,对比研究了3个PDZ结构域抑制剂与nNOS PDZ之间的相互作用方式和强度。研究发现,羧基甲酯化的R型构象的PDZ结构域抑制剂与nNOS PDZ结构域相互作用最强,这与实验上测得的CAPON-nNOS解偶联率相一致。还计算和分析了抑制剂与nNOS PDZ相互作用能的不同分项,结果表明:立体异构和羧基酯化对PDZ结构域抑制剂与nNOS PDZ间的氢键相互作用具有重要影响,而对二者之间的范德华相互作用影响较小。     

若干无机缓蚀剂对混凝土中钢筋的阻锈作用

通过含NaCl介质溶液的浸泡实验,利用电化学实验检测技术,观测和比较了NaNO2等8种无机缓蚀剂添加于混凝土中对钢筋的阻锈作用,结果表明,在本实验条件下,NaNO2等缓蚀剂对钢筋明显的阻锈作用,在pH=9.50％,含10％NaCl的混凝土模拟液中,外加NaNO2后,混凝土中钢筋的腐蚀电位正移,腐蚀电流可下降至未加缓蚀剂的1／6,缓蚀剂的加入不同程度地提高了钢筋耐点蚀的性能。     

用双层ONIOM方法研究MMPs抑制剂

采用计算机辅助药物设计（ONOIM）方法, 对基质金属 蛋白酶（MMPs）与其小分子化合物抑制剂的相互作用进行计算, 筛选出F^-,C₅H₅N^-₆,NO^-₃和C₂H₄NO^-₂为能力较强的基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂(MMPIs).     

Spontaneous rhythmic contractions of human saphenous veins isolated from old subjects are sensitive to cyclooxygenase inhibitors

Summary Spontaneous rhythmic contractions were observed in some preparations of human isolated saphenous veins from old (>60 years) subjects. These contractions were insensitive to adrenergic and histaminergic blockers, but were abolished by the cyclooxygenase inhbitors, aspirin and indomethacin, indicating the participation of endogenous eicosanoids.     

Araplysillins-I and-II: Biologically active dibromotyrosine derivatives from the spongePsammaplysilla arabica

Summary Araplysillins-I and-II, two novel dibromotyrosine derivatives, were isolated fromPsammaplysilla arabica and their structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. They proved to be inhibitors of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and to have antimicrobial activity.     

6-氮杂甾醇类Ⅱ型5-α还原酶抑制剂的三维定量构效关系研究和虚拟筛选

采用Topomer CoMFA对37个6-氮杂甾醇类抑制剂进行三维定量构效关系分析,新建模型的交互验证和拟合相关系数为q2=0.774,r2=0.965,结果表明模型具有良好的可信度和预测能力.将基于配体的Topomer search虚拟筛选、基于受体的分子对接虚拟筛选和基于3D-QSAR模型的分子活性预测等方法运用到新抑制剂的分级筛选,最终获得4个高活性的新抑制剂分子.新抑制剂的Surflex-dock结果显示6-氮杂甾醇类抑制剂与5AR-Ⅱ靶点的作用模式主要是氢键作用.MTT法生物学活性测试结果显示新抑制剂能显著抑制BPH-1细胞增殖,且抑制程度呈浓度依赖性.通过分子对接机理解释和细胞学实验的抑制前列腺增生活性测试,这两种研究方式相互验证,证明此虚拟筛选方法能够为治疗良性前列腺增生的新药设计提供有效候选化合物.     

肿瘤血管生成抑制剂临床应用进展

血管生成抑制剂已被证明是一类有效的肿瘤治疗药物.概述了从单靶点、多靶点,到广谱血管生成抑制剂在临床上的应用;介绍了单克隆抗体、小分子和内源性的血管生成抑制剂及其相应靶点,讨论了新的靶点及有前景的新型血管生成抑制剂,希望为未来临床治疗提供切实的帮助.     

Alzheimer's disease: fundamental and therapeutic aspects

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of progressive and debilitating dementia affecting aged people. In some early — as well as late-onset familial cases, a genetic linkage with chromosomes 14, 21 (early-onset) or 19 (late-onset) has been indicated. Furthermore, a direct or indirect role has been attributed to normal or structurally altered amyloid -protein (concentrated in senile plaques) and/or excessively phosphorylated tau protein (located in neurofibrillary tangles). Degeneration of cholinergic neurons and concomitant impairment of cortical and hippocampal neurotransmission lead to cognitive and memory deficits. Several compounds are being tested in attempts to prevent and/or cure Alzheimer's disease, including tacrine, which has very modest efficacy in a sub-group of patients, and new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Pilot experiments have also been launched using nerve growth factor (NGF) to prevent or stabilize the processes of cholinergic pathway degeneration. Alternatively, antioxidants, free radical scavengers and/or non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents may be screened as potential therapies for neurodegenerative diseases induced by multiple endogenous and/or exogenous factors. The recent use of transgenic mice, in parallel with other genetic, biochemical and neurobiological systems, in vivo and/or in vitro (cell cultures), should accelerate the discovery and development of specific drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.