Bacterial 2′-Deoxyguanosine Riboswitch Classes as Potential Targets for Antibiotics: A Structure and Dynamics Study

The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria represents a substantial health threat. Current antibiotics act on a few metabolic pathways, facilitating resistance. Consequently, novel regulatory inhibition mechanisms are necessary. Riboswitches represent promising targets for antibacterial drugs. Purine riboswitches are interesting, since they play essential roles in the genetic regulation of bacterial metabolism. Among these, class I (2′-dG-I) and class II (2′-dG-II) are two different 2′-deoxyguanosine (2′-dG) riboswitches involved in the control of deoxyguanosine metabolism. However, high affinity for nucleosides involves local or distal modifications around the ligand-binding pocket, depending on the class. Therefore, it is crucial to understand these riboswitches’ recognition mechanisms as antibiotic targets. In this work, we used a combination of computational biophysics approaches to investigate the structure, dynamics, and energy landscape of both 2′-dG classes bound to the nucleoside ligands, 2′-deoxyguanosine, and riboguanosine. Our results suggest that the stability and increased interactions in the three-way junction of 2′-dG riboswitches were associated with a higher nucleoside ligand affinity. Also, structural changes in the 2′-dG-II aptamers enable enhanced intramolecular communication. Overall, the 2′-dG-II riboswitch might be a promising drug design target due to its ability to recognize both cognate and noncognate ligands.     

(5′S) 5′,8-cyclo-2′-deoxyadenosine Cannot Stop BER. Clustered DNA Lesion Studies

As a result of external and endocellular physical-chemical factors, every day approximately ~10⁵ DNA lesions might be formed in each human cell. During evolution, living organisms have developed numerous repair systems, of which Base Excision Repair (BER) is the most common. 5′,8-cyclo-2′-deoxyadenosine (cdA) is a tandem lesion that is removed by the Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) mechanism. Previously, it was assumed that BER machinery was not able to remove (5′S)cdA from the genome. In this study; however, it has been demonstrated that, if (5′S)cdA is a part of a single-stranded clustered DNA lesion, it can be removed from ds-DNA by BER. The above is theoretically possible in two cases: (A) When, during repair, clustered lesions form Okazaki-like fragments; or (B) when the (5′S)cdA moiety is located in the oligonucleotide strand on the 3′-end side of the adjacent DNA damage site, but not when it appears at the opposite 5′-end side. To explain this phenomenon, pure enzymes involved in BER were used (polymerase β (Polβ), a Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), and the X-Ray Repair Cross-Complementing Protein 1 (XRCC1)), as well as the Nuclear Extract (NE) from xrs5 cells. It has been found that Polβ can effectively elongate the primer strand in the presence of XRCC1 or PCNA. Moreover, supplementation of the NE from xrs5 cells with Polβ (artificial Polβ overexpression) forced oligonucleotide repair via BER in all the discussed cases.     

4′-Methylflavanone Glycosides Obtained Using Biotransformation in the Entomopathogenic Filamentous Fungi Cultures as Potential Anticarcinogenic,Antimicrobial, and Hepatoprotective Agents

Flavonoid compounds exhibit numerous biological activities and significantly impact human health. The presence of methyl or glucosyl moieties attached to the flavonoid core remarkably modifies their physicochemical properties and improves intestinal absorption. Combined chemical and biotechnological methods can be applied to obtain such derivatives. In the presented study, 4′-methylflavanone was synthesized and biotransformed in the cultures of three strains of entomopathogenic filamentous fungi, i.e., Isaria fumosorosea KCH J2, Beauveria bassiana KCH J1.5, and Isaria farinosa KCH J2.1. The microbial transformation products in the culture of I. fumosorosea KCH J2, flavanone 4′-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, 2-phenyl-(4′-hydroxymethyl)-4-hydroxychromane, and flavanone 4′-carboxylic acid were obtained. Biotransformation of 4′-methylflavanone in the culture of B. bassiana KCH J1.5 resulted in the formation of one main product, i.e., flavanone 4′-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. In the case of I. farinosa KCH J2.6 as a biocatalyst, three products, i.e., flavanone 4′-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, flavanone 4′-carboxylic acid, and 4′-hydroxymethylflavanone 4-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside were obtained. The Swiss-ADME online simulations confirmed the increase in water solubility of 4′-methylflavanone glycosides and analyses performed using the Way2Drug Pass Online prediction tool indicated that flavanone 4′-methylene-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside and 4′-hydroxymethylflavanone 4-O-β-D-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, which had not been previously reported in the literature, are promising anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective agents.     

Phenylalanine-Derived β-Lactam TRPM8 Modulators. Configuration Effect on the Antagonist Activity

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) is a Ca²⁺ non-selective ion channel implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, including cancer, inflammatory and neuropathic pain. In previous works we identified a family of chiral, highly hydrophobic β–lactam derivatives, and began to intuit a possible effect of the stereogenic centers on the antagonist activity. To investigate the influence of configuration on the TRPM8 antagonist properties, here we prepare and characterize four possible diastereoisomeric derivatives of 4-benzyl-1-[(3′-phenyl-2′-dibenzylamino)prop-1′-yl]-4-benzyloxycarbonyl-3-methyl-2-oxoazetidine. In microfluorography assays, all isomers were able to reduce the menthol-induced cell Ca²⁺ entry to larger or lesser extent. Potency follows the order 3R,4R,2′R > 3S,4S,2′R ≅ 3R,4R,2′S > 3S,4S,2′S, with the most potent diastereoisomer showing a half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) in the low nanomolar range, confirmed by Patch-Clamp electrophysiology experiments. All four compounds display high receptor selectivity against other members of the TRP family. Furthermore, in primary cultures of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, the most potent diastereoisomers do not produce any alteration in neuronal excitability, indicating their high specificity for TRPM8 channels. Docking studies positioned these β-lactams at different subsites by the pore zone, suggesting a different mechanism than the known N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-[(3-methylphenyl)methoxy]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-benzamide (AMTB) antagonist.     

Synthesis of Oxidized 3β,3′β-Disteryl Ethers and Search after High-Temperature Treatment of Sterol-Rich Samples

It was proven that sterols subjected to high-temperature treatment can be concatenated, which results in polymeric structures, e.g., 3β,3′β-disteryl ethers. However, it was also proven that due to increased temperature in oxygen-containing conditions, sterols can undergo various oxidation reactions. This study aimed to prove the existence and perform quantitative analysis of oxidized 3β,3′β-disteryl ethers, which could form during high-temperature treatment of sterol-rich samples. Samples were heated at 180, 200 and 220 °C for 0.5 to 4 h. Quantitative analyses of the oxidized 3β,3′β-disteryl ethers were performed with liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Additionally, to perform this analysis, the appropriate standards of all oxidized 3β,3′β-disteryl ethers were prepared. Eighteen various oxidized 3β,3′β-disteryl ethers (derivatives of 3β,3′β-dicholesteryl ether, 3β,3′β-disitosteryl ether and 3β,3′β-distigmasteryl ether) were prepared. Additionally, the influence of metal compounds on the mechanism of ether formation at high temperatures was investigated.     

Synergistic Effects of A Combined Treatment of Glioblastoma U251 Cells with An Anti-miR-10b-5p Molecule and An AntiCancer Agent Based on 1-(3′,4′,5′-Trimethoxyphenyl)-2-Aryl-1H-Imidazole Scaffold

(1) Background: In the development of new and more effective anticancer approaches, combined treatments appear of great interest. Combination therapy could be of importance in the management of glioblastoma (GBM), a lethal malignancy that accounts for 42% of cancer of the central nervous system, with a median survival of 15 months. This study aimed to verify the activity on a glioblastoma cancer cell line of one of the most active compounds of a novel series of tubulin polymerization inhibitors based on the 1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-aryl-1H-imidazole scaffold, used in combination with a miRNA inhibitor molecule targeting the oncomiRNA miR-10b-5p. This microRNA was selected in consideration of the role of miR-10b-5p on the onset and progression of glioblastoma. (2) Methods: Apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin-V and Caspase 3/7 assays, efficacy of the anti-miR-10b-5p was assessed by determining the miR-10b-5p content by RT-qPCR. (3) Results: The results obtained show that a “combination therapy” performed by combining the use of an anti-miR-10b-5p and a 1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-aryl-1H-imidazole derivative is an encouraging strategy to boost the efficacy of anticancer therapies and at the same time to reduce side effects.     

Fungal Biotransformation of 2′-Methylflavanone and 2′-Methylflavone as a Method to Obtain Glycosylated Derivatives

Methylated flavonoids are promising pharmaceutical agents due to their improved metabolic stability and increased activity compared to unmethylated forms. The biotransformation in cultures of entomopathogenic filamentous fungi is a valuable method to obtain glycosylated flavones and flavanones with increased aqueous solubility and bioavailability. In the present study, we combined chemical synthesis and biotransformation to obtain methylated and glycosylated flavonoid derivatives. In the first step, we synthesized 2′-methylflavanone and 2′-methylflavone. Afterwards, both compounds were biotransformed in the cultures of two strains of entomopathogenic filamentous fungi Beauveria bassiana KCH J1.5 and Isaria fumosorosea KCH J2. We determined the structures of biotransformation products based on NMR spectroscopy. Biotransformations of 2′-methyflavanone in the culture of B. bassiana KCH J1.5 resulted in three glycosylated flavanones: 2′-methylflavanone 6-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, 3′-hydroxy-2′-methylflavanone 6-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, and 2-(2′-methylphenyl)-chromane 4-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, whereas in the culture of I. fumosorosea KCH J2, two other products were obtained: 2′-methylflavanone 3′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside and 2-methylbenzoic acid 4-O-β-d-(4′-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. 2′-Methylflavone was effectively biotransformed only by I. fumosorosea KCH J2 into three derivatives: 2′-methylflavone 3′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, 2′-methylflavone 4′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, and 2′-methylflavone 5′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. All obtained glycosylated flavonoids have not been described in the literature until now and need further research on their biological activity and pharmacological efficacy as potential drugs.     

Wnt/β-Catenin Signalling and Its Cofactor BCL9L Have an Oncogenic Effect in Bladder Cancer Cells

Bladder cancer (BC) is characterised by a high recurrence and progression rate. However, the molecular mechanisms of BC progression remain poorly understood. BCL9L, a coactivator of β-catenin was mutated in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). We assessed the influence of UTRs mutations on BCL9L, and the role of BCL9L and Wnt/β-catenin signalling in BC cells. UTR mutations were analysed by a luciferase reporter. BCL9L protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry in BC tissues. Cell proliferation was examined by crystal violet staining and by the spheroid model. Moreover, migration and invasion were analysed in real-time using the xCelligence RTCA system. The A > T mutation at 3′ UTR of BCL9L reduces the luciferase reporter mRNA expression and activity. BCL9L is predominantly increased in dysplastic urothelial cells and muscle-invasive BC. Knockdown of BCL9L and inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signalling significantly repress the proliferation, migration and invasion of Cal29 and T24. In addition, BCL9L knockdown reduces mRNA level of Wnt/β-catenin target genes in Cal29 but not in T24 cells. BCL9L and Wnt/β-catenin signalling play an oncogenic role in bladder cancer cells and seems to be associated with BC progression. Nevertheless, the involvement of BCL9L in Wnt/β-catenin signalling is cell-line specific.     

The Genomic 3′ UTR of Flaviviruses Is a Translation Initiation Enhancer

Viruses rely on the cellular machinery of host cells to synthesize their proteins, and have developed different mechanisms enabling them to compete with cellular mRNAs for access to it. The genus Flavivirus is a large group of positive, single-stranded RNA viruses that includes several important human pathogens, such as West Nile, Dengue and Zika virus. The genome of flaviviruses bears a type 1 cap structure at its 5′ end, needed for the main translation initiation mechanism. Several members of the genus also use a cap-independent translation mechanism. The present work provides evidence that the WNV 5′ end also promotes a cap-independent translation initiation mechanism in mammalian and insect cells, reinforcing the hypothesis that this might be a general strategy of flaviviruses. In agreement with previous reports, we show that this mechanism depends on the presence of the viral genomic 3′ UTR. The results also show that the 3′ UTR of the WNV genome enhances translation of the cap-dependent mechanism. Interestingly, WNV 3′ UTR can be replaced by the 3′ UTR of other flaviviruses and the translation enhancing effect is maintained, suggesting a molecular mechanism that does not involve direct RNA-RNA interactions to be at work. In addition, the deletion of specific structural elements of the WNV 3′ UTR leads to increased cap-dependent and cap-independent translation. These findings suggest the 3′ UTR to be involved in a fine-tuned translation regulation mechanism.     

Nucleoside 5′-Phosphoramidates Control the Phenylpropanoid Pathway in Vitis vinifera Suspension-Cultured Cells

It is known that cells contain various uncommon nucleotides such as dinucleoside polyphosphates (Np_nN’s) and adenosine 5′-phosphoramidate (NH₂-pA) belonging to nucleoside 5′-phosphoramidates (NH₂-pNs). Their cellular levels are enzymatically controlled. Some of them are accumulated in cells under stress, and therefore, they could act as signal molecules. Our previous research carried out in Arabidopsis thaliana and grape (Vitis vinifera) showed that Np_nN’s induced the expression of genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway and favored the accumulation of their products, which protect plants against stress. Moreover, we found that NH₂-pA could play a signaling role in Arabidopsis seedlings. Data presented in this paper show that exogenously applied purine (NH₂-pA, NH₂-pG) and pyrimidine (NH₂-pU, NH₂-pC) nucleoside 5′-phosphoramidates can modify the expression of genes that control the biosynthesis of both stilbenes and lignin in Vitis vinifera cv. Monastrell suspension-cultured cells. We investigated the expression of genes encoding for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL1), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H1), 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL1), chalcone synthase (CHS1), stilbene synthase (STS1), cinnamoyl-coenzyme A:NADP oxidoreductase (CCR2), and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD1). Each of the tested NH₂-pNs also induced the expression of the trans-resveratrol cell membrane transporter VvABCG44 gene and caused the accumulation of trans-resveratrol and trans-piceid in grape cells as well as in the culture medium. NH₂-pC, however, evoked the most effective induction of phenylpropanoid pathway genes such as PAL1, C4H1, 4CL1, and STS1. Moreover, this nucleotide also induced at short times the accumulation of N-benzoylputrescine (BenPut), one of the phenylamides that are derivatives of phenylpropanoid and polyamines. The investigated nucleotides did not change either the lignin content or the cell dry weight, nor did they affect the cell viability throughout the experiment. The results suggest that nucleoside 5′-phosphoramidates could be considered as new signaling molecules.     

Sequence Analysis and Functional Verification of the Effects of Three Key Structural Genes,PdTHC2’GT,PdCHS and PdCHI,on the Isosalipurposide Synthesis Pathway in Paeonia delavayi var. lutea

Isosalipurposide (ISP) is the most important yellow pigment in tree peony. In ISP biosynthesis, CHS catalyzes 1-molecule coumaroyl-CoA and 3-molecule malonyl-CoA to form 2′,4′,6′,4-tetrahyroxychalcone (THC), and THC generates a stable ISP in the vacuole under the action of chalcone2′-glucosyltransferases (THC2′GT). In tree peony, the details of the THC2’GT gene have not yet been reported. In this study, the candidate THC2’GT gene (PdTHC2’GT) in Paeonia delavayi var. lutea was screened. At the same time, we selected the upstream CHS gene (PdCHS) and the competitive CHI gene (PdCHI) to study the biosynthesis pathway of ISP. We successfully cloned three genes and sequenced them; subcellular localization showed that the three genes were located in the nucleus and cytoplasm. The overexpression of PdTHC2’GT in tobacco caused the accumulation of ISP in tobacco petals, which indicated that PdTHC2’GT was the key structural gene in the synthesis of ISP. After the overexpression of PdCHS and PdCHI in tobacco, the accumulation of anthocyanins in tobacco petals increased to different degrees, showing the role of PdCHS and PdCHI in anthocyanin accumulation. The analysis of NtCHS and NtCHI of transgenic tobacco lines by qRT-PCR showed that the THC2’GT gene could increase the expression of CHS. THC2’GT and CHI were found to be competitive; hence, the overexpression of THC2’GT could lead to a decrease in CHI expression. The CHS gene and CHI gene could increase the expression of each other. In conclusion, we verified the key structural gene PdTHC2’GT and studied the operation of the genes in its upstream and competitive pathway, providing a new perspective for the biosynthesis of ISP and new candidate genes for the directional breeding of tree peony.     

Molecular Dissection of Escherichia coli CpdB: Roles of the N Domain in Catalysis and Phosphate Inhibition,and of the C Domain in Substrate Specificity and Adenosine Inhibition

CpdB is a 3′-nucleotidase/2′3′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, active also with reasonable efficiency on cyclic dinucleotides like c-di-AMP (3′,5′-cyclic diadenosine monophosphate) and c-di-GMP (3′,5′-cyclic diadenosine monophosphate). These are regulators of bacterial physiology, but are also pathogen-associated molecular patterns recognized by STING to induce IFN-β response in infected hosts. The cpdB gene of Gram-negative and its homologs of gram-positive bacteria are virulence factors. Their protein products are extracytoplasmic enzymes (either periplasmic or cell–wall anchored) and can hydrolyze extracellular cyclic dinucleotides, thus reducing the innate immune responses of infected hosts. This makes CpdB(-like) enzymes potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies in infectious diseases, bringing about the necessity to gain insight into the molecular bases of their catalytic behavior. We have dissected the two-domain structure of Escherichia coli CpdB to study the role of its N-terminal and C-terminal domains (CpdB_Ndom and CpdB_Cdom). The specificity, kinetics and inhibitor sensitivity of point mutants of CpdB, and truncated proteins CpdB_Ndom and CpdB_Cdom were investigated. CpdB_Ndom contains the catalytic site, is inhibited by phosphate but not by adenosine, while CpdB_Cdom is inactive but contains a substrate-binding site that determines substrate specificity and adenosine inhibition of CpdB. Among CpdB substrates, 3′-AMP, cyclic dinucleotides and linear dinucleotides are strongly dependent on the CpdB_Cdom binding site for activity, as the isolated CpdB_Ndom showed much-diminished activity on them. In contrast, 2′,3′-cyclic mononucleotides and bis-4-nitrophenylphosphate were actively hydrolyzed by CpdB_Ndom, indicating that they are rather independent of the CpdB_Cdom binding site.     

Genotoxicological Characterization of (±)cis-4,4′-DMAR and (±)trans-4,4′-DMAR and Their Association

The novel psychoactive substance (NPS) 4-Methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroxazol-2-amine (4,4′-DMAR) shows psychostimulant activity. Data on the acute toxicity of 4,4′-DMAR are becoming increasingly available, yet the long-term effects are still almost unknown. In particular, no data on genotoxicity are available. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate its genotoxic potential using the “In Vitro Mammalian Cell Micronucleus Test” (MNvit) on (±)cis-4,4′-DMAR and (±)trans-4,4′-DMAR and their associations. The analyses were conducted in vitro on human TK6 cells. To select suitable concentrations for MNvit, we preliminarily evaluated cytotoxicity and apoptosis. All endpoints were analysed by flow cytometry. The results reveal the two racemates’ opposite behaviours: (±)cis-4,4′-DMAR shows a statistically significant increase in micronuclei (MNi) frequency that (±)trans-4,4′-DMAR is completely incapable of. This contrast confirms the well-known possibility of observing opposite biological effects of the cis- and trans- isomers of a compound, and it highlights the importance of testing single NPSs that show even small differences in structure or conformation. The genotoxic capacity demonstrated stresses an additional alarming toxicological concern related to this NPS. Moreover, the co-treatments indicate that consuming both racemates will magnify the genotoxic effect, an aspect to consider given the unpredictability of illicit drug composition.     

Interruptions of the FXN GAA Repeat Tract Delay the Age at Onset of Friedreich’s Ataxia in a Location Dependent Manner

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is a comparatively rare autosomal recessive neurological disorder primarily caused by the homozygous expansion of a GAA trinucleotide repeat in intron 1 of the FXN gene. The repeat expansion causes gene silencing that results in deficiency of the frataxin protein leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and cell death. The GAA repeat tract in some cases may be impure with sequence variations called interruptions. It has previously been observed that large interruptions of the GAA repeat tract, determined by abnormal MboII digestion, are very rare. Here we have used triplet repeat primed PCR (TP PCR) assays to identify small interruptions at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the GAA repeat tract through alterations in the electropherogram trace signal. We found that contrary to large interruptions, small interruptions are more common, with 3′ interruptions being most frequent. Based on detection of interruptions by TP PCR assay, the patient cohort (n = 101) was stratified into four groups: 5′ interruption, 3′ interruption, both 5′ and 3′ interruptions or lacking interruption. Those patients with 3′ interruptions were associated with shorter GAA1 repeat tracts and later ages at disease onset. The age at disease onset was modelled by a group-specific exponential decay model. Based on this modelling, a 3′ interruption is predicted to delay disease onset by approximately 9 years relative to those lacking 5′ and 3′ interruptions. This highlights the key role of interruptions at the 3′ end of the GAA repeat tract in modulating the disease phenotype and its impact on prognosis for the patient.     

New Glycosylated Dihydrochalcones Obtained by Biotransformation of 2′-Hydroxy-2-methylchalcone in Cultures of Entomopathogenic Filamentous Fungi

Flavonoids, including chalcones, are more stable and bioavailable in the form of glycosylated and methylated derivatives. The combined chemical and biotechnological methods can be applied to obtain such compounds. In the present study, 2′-hydroxy-2-methylchalcone was synthesized and biotransformed in the cultures of entomopathogenic filamentous fungi Beauveria bassiana KCH J1.5, Isaria fumosorosea KCH J2 and Isaria farinosa KCH J2.6, which have been known for their extensive enzymatic system and ability to perform glycosylation of flavonoids. As a result, five new glycosylated dihydrochalcones were obtained. Biotransformation of 2′-hydroxy-2-methylchalcone by B. bassiana KCH J1.5 resulted in four glycosylated dihydrochalcones: 2′-hydroxy-2-methyldihydrochalcone 3′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, 2′,3-dihydroxy-2-methyldihydrochalcone 3′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, 2′-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyldihydrochalcone 3′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside, and 2′,4-dihydroxy-2-methyldihydrochalcone 3′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. In the culture of I. fumosorosea KCH J2 only one product was formed—3-hydroxy-2-methyldihydrochalcone 2′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. Biotransformation performed by I. farinosa KCH J2.6 resulted in the formation of two products: 2′-hydroxy-2-methyldihydrochalcone 3′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside and 2′,3-dihydroxy-2-methyldihydrochalcone 3′-O-β-d-(4″-O-methyl)-glucopyranoside. The structures of all obtained products were established based on the NMR spectroscopy. All products mentioned above may be used in further studies as potentially bioactive compounds with improved stability and bioavailability. These compounds can be considered as flavor enhancers and potential sweeteners.     

Electron-Induced Repair of 2′-Deoxyribose Sugar Radicals in DNA: A Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study

In this work, we used ωB97XD density functional and 6-31++G** basis set to study the structure, electron affinity, populations via Boltzmann distribution, and one-electron reduction potentials (E°) of 2′-deoxyribose sugar radicals in aqueous phase by considering 2′-deoxyguanosine and 2′-deoxythymidine as a model of DNA. The calculation predicted the relative stability of sugar radicals in the order C4′^• > C1′^• > C5′^• > C3′^• > C2′^•. The Boltzmann distribution populations based on the relative stability of the sugar radicals were not those found for ionizing radiation or OH-radical attack and are good evidence the kinetic mechanisms of the processes drive the products formed. The adiabatic electron affinities of these sugar radicals were in the range 2.6–3.3 eV which is higher than the canonical DNA bases. The sugar radicals reduction potentials (E°) without protonation (−1.8 to −1.2 V) were also significantly higher than the bases. Thus the sugar radicals will be far more readily reduced by solvated electrons than the DNA bases. In the aqueous phase, these one-electron reduced sugar radicals (anions) are protonated from solvent and thus are efficiently repaired via the “electron-induced proton transfer mechanism”. The calculation shows that, in comparison to efficient repair of sugar radicals by the electron-induced proton transfer mechanism, the repair of the cyclopurine lesion, 5′,8-cyclo-2′-dG, would involve a substantial barrier.     

3′5-Dimaleamylbenzoic Acid Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by parenchymal scarring, leading progressively to alveolar architecture distortion, respiratory failure, and eventually death. Currently, there is no effective treatment for IPF. Previously, 3′5-dimaleamylbenzoic acid (3′5-DMBA), a maleimide, demonstrated pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties; however, its potential therapeutic effects on IPF have not been addressed. Bleomycin (BLM) 100 U/kg was administered to CD1 mice through an osmotic minipump. After fourteen days of BLM administration, 3′5-DMBA (6 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg) and its vehicle carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were administered intragastrically every two days until day 26. On day 28, all mice were euthanized. The 3′5-DMBA effect was assessed by histological and immunohistochemical staining, as well as by RT-qPCR. The redox status on lung tissue was evaluated by determining the glutathione content and the GSH/GSSG ratio. 3′5-DMBA treatment re-established typical lung histological features and decreased the expression of BLM-induced fibrotic markers: collagen, α-SMA, and TGF-β1. Furthermore, 3′5-DMBA significantly reduced the expression of genes involved in fibrogenesis. In addition, it decreased reduced glutathione and increased oxidized glutathione content without promoting oxidative damage to lipids, as evidenced by the decrease in the lipid peroxidation marker 4-HNE. Therefore, 3′5-DMBA may be a promising candidate for IPF treatment.     

Reciprocal Changes in miRNA Expression with Pigmentation and Decreased Proliferation Induced in Mouse B16F1 Melanoma Cells by l-Tyrosine and 5-Bromo-2′-Deoxyuridine

Background: Many microRNAs have been identified as critical mediators in the progression of melanoma through its regulation of genes involved in different cellular processes such as melanogenesis, cell cycle control, and senescence. However, microRNAs’ concurrent participation in syngeneic mouse B16F1 melanoma cells simultaneously induced decreased proliferation and differential pigmentation by exposure to 5-Brd-2′-dU (5’Bromo-2-deoxyuridine) and L-Tyr (L-Tyrosine) respectively, is poorly understood. Aim: To evaluate changes in the expression of microRNAs and identify which miRNAs in-network may contribute to the functional bases of phenotypes of differential pigmentation and reduction of proliferation in B16F1 melanoma cells exposed to 5-Brd-2′-dU and L-Tyr. Methods: Small RNAseq evaluation of the expression profiles of miRNAs in B16F1 melanoma cells exposed to 5-Brd-2′-dU (2.5 μg/mL) and L-Tyr (5 mM), as well as the expression by qRT-PCR of some molecular targets related to melanogenesis, cell cycle, and senescence. By bioinformatic analysis, we constructed network models of regulation and co-expression of microRNAs. Results: We confirmed that stimulation or repression of melanogenesis with L-Tyr or 5-Brd-2′-dU, respectively, generated changes in melanin concentration, reduction in proliferation, and changes in expression of microRNAs 470-3p, 470-5p, 30d-5p, 129-5p, 148b-3p, 27b-3p, and 211-5p, which presented patterns of coordinated and reciprocal co-expression, related to changes in melanogenesis through their putative targets Mitf, Tyr and Tyrp1, and control of cell cycle and senescence: Cyclin D1, Cdk2, Cdk4, p21, and p27. Conclusions: These findings provide insights into the molecular biology of melanoma of the way miRNAs are coordinated and reciprocal expression that may operate in a network as molecular bases for understanding changes in pigmentation and decreased proliferation induced in B16F1 melanoma cells exposed to L-Tyr and 5-Brd-2′-dU.