Contribution of Natural Inhibitors to the Understanding of the PI3K/PDK1/PKB Pathway in the Insulin-mediated Intracellular Signaling Cascade

The critical initial steps in insulin action include phosphorylation of adapter proteins and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). One of important components in this process is a protein called Akt/protein kinase B (PKB). The work of numerous different researchers indicates a role of PKB in regulating insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The crucial role of lipid second messengers in PKB activation has been dissected through the use of the PI3K-specific inhibitors wortmannin and {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002. Receptor-activated PI3K synthesizes the lipid second messenger PtdIns[3,4,5]-trisphosphate, leading to the recruitment of PKB to the membrane. Membrane attachment of PKB is mediated by its pleckstrin homology domain binding to PtdIns[3,4,5]-trisphosphate or PtdIns[3,4]-bisphosphate with high affinity. Activation of PKB alpha is then achieved at the plasma membrane by phosphorylation of Thr308 in the activation-loop of the kinase domain and Ser473 in the carboxy-terminal regulatory region, respectively. 3-Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is responsible for T308 phosphorylation. The usage of specific inhibitors and natural compound has significantly contributed to investigate the molecular mechanism of PI3K/PDK1/PKB signaling pathway, leading to the putative therapeutics benefits of patients. This review focuses on the contribution of natural inhibitor or compound in our understanding of the mechanism by which insulin induces, especially in PI3K/PDK1/PKB signaling.     

Synthesis of Analogues of Gingerol and Shogaol,the Active Pungent Principles from the Rhizomes of Zingiber officinale and Evaluation of Their Anti-Platelet Aggregation Effects

The present study was aimed at discovering novel biologically active compounds based on the skeletons of gingerol and shogaol, the pungent principles from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale. Therefore, eight groups of analogues were synthesized and examined for their inhibitory activities of platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, collagen, platelet activating factor, and thrombin. Among the tested compounds, [6]-paradol (5b) exhibited the most significant anti-platelet aggregation activity. It was the most potent candidate, which could be used in further investigation to explore new drug leads.     

Fabrication of Calix[]arene Derivative Monolayers to Control Orientation of Antibody Immobilization

Three calix[4]arene (Cal-4) derivatives which separately contain ethylester (1), carboxylic acid (2), and crownether (3) at the lower rim with a common reactive thiol at the upper rim were synthesized and constructed to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au films. After spectroscopic characterization of the monolayers, surface coverage and orientation of antibody immobilized on the Cal-4 derivative SAMs were studied by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. Experimental results revealed that the antibody could be immobilized on the Cal-4 derivatives spontaneously. The orientation of absorbed antibody on the Cal-4 derivative SAMs is related to the SAM’s dipole moment. The possible orientations of the antibody immobilized on the Cal-4 derivative 1 SAM are lying-on or side-on, while on the Cal-4 derivative 2 and Cal-4 derivative 3 head-on and end-on respectively. These experimental results demonstrate the surface dipole moment of Cal-4 derivative appears to be an important factor to antibody orientation. Cal-4 derivatives are useful in developing site direct protein chips.     

Characterization of a Low Shrinkage Dental Composite Containing Bismethylene Spiroorthocarbonate Expanding Monomer

In this study, a novel dental composite based on the unsaturated bismethylene spiroorthocarbonate expanding monomer 3,9-dimethylene-1,3,5,7-tetraoxa-spiro[5,5]undecane (BMSOC) and bisphenol-S-bis(3-meth acrylate-2-hydroxypropyl)ether (BisS-GMA) was prepared. CQ (camphorquinone) of 1 wt % and DMAEMA (2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) of 2 wt % were used in a photoinitiation system to initiate the copolymerization of the matrix resins. Distilled water contact angle measurements were performed for the wettability measurement. Degree of conversion, volumetric shrinkage, contraction stress and compressive strength were measured using Fourier Transformation Infrared-FTIR spectroscopy, the AccuVol and a universal testing machine, respectively. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the resin composites modified by bismethylene spiroorthocarbonate and BisS-GMA showed a low volumetric shrinkage at 1.25% and a higher contact angle. The lower contraction stress, higher degree of conversion and compressive strength of the novel dental composites were also observed.     

Molecular Reinforcement of Transparent Materials With Acrylamide‐Modified Calix[4]arene as a Crosslinker

The synthesis of 5,11,17,23‐amino‐25,26,27,28‐propoxycalix[4]arene (calix[4]amine, 4 ) starting from 5,11,17,23‐nitro‐25,26,27,28‐propoxy‐calix[4]arene ( 3 ) via microwave‐assisted transfer hydrogenation is reported. Furthermore, the calix[4]amine ( 4 ) is functionalized with an acrylamide moiety. The swelling behavior in water, the influence on the glass transition temperature, and the shear modulus of a crosslinked N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (NDA) polymer with 5,11,17,23‐acrylamido‐25,26,27,28‐propoxycalix[4]arene ( 5 ) and EGDMA, respectively, are investigated.

     

Analogies Between Digital Radio and Chemical Orthogonality as a Method for Enhanced Analysis of Molecular Recognition Events

Acoustic wave biosensors are a real-time, label-free biosensor technology, which have been exploited for the detection of proteins and cells. One of the conventional biosensor approaches involves the immobilization of a monolayer of antibodies onto the surface of the acoustic wave device for the detection of a specific analyte. The method described within includes at least two immobilizations of two different antibodies onto the surfaces of two separate acoustic wave devices for the detection of several analogous analytes. The chemical specificity of the molecular recognition event is achieved by virtue of the extremely high (nM to pM) binding affinity between the antibody and its antigen. In a standard ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) test, there are multiple steps and the end result is a measure of what is bound so tightly that it does not wash away easily. The fact that this “gold standard” is very much not real time, masks the dance that is the molecular recognition event. X-Ray Crystallographer, Ian Wilson, demonstrated more than a decade ago that antibodies undergo conformational change during a binding event[1, 2]. Further, it is known in the arena of immunochemistry that some antibodies exhibit significant cross-reactivity and this is widely termed antibody promiscuity. A third piece of the puzzle that we will exploit in our system of acoustic wave biosensors is the notion of chemical orthogonality. These three biochemical constructs, the dance, antibody promiscuity and chemical orthogonality will be combined in this paper with the notions of in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals from digital radio to manifest an approach to molecular recognition that allows a level of discrimination and analysis unobtainable without the aggregate. As an example we present experimental data on the detection of TNT, RDX, C4, ammonium nitrate and musk oil from a system of antibody-coated acoustic wave sensors.     

In Vitro Treatment of Melanoma Brain Metastasis by Simultaneously Targeting the MAPK and PI3K Signaling Pathways

Malignant melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer, with a high propensity to metastasize to the brain. More than 60% of melanomas have the BRAF^V600E mutation, which activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway [1]. In addition, increased PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) pathway activity has been demonstrated, through the loss of activity of the tumor suppressor gene, PTEN [2]. Here, we treated two melanoma brain metastasis cell lines, H1_DL2, harboring a BRAF^V600E mutation and PTEN loss, and H3, harboring WT (wild-type) BRAF and PTEN loss, with the MAPK (BRAF) inhibitor vemurafenib and the PI3K pathway associated mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus. Combined use of the drugs inhibited tumor cell growth and proliferation in vitro in H1_DL2 cells, compared to single drug treatment. Treatment was less effective in the H3 cells. Furthermore, a strong inhibitory effect on the viability of H1_DL2 cells, when grown as 3D multicellular spheroids, was seen. The treatment inhibited the expression of pERK1/2 and reduced the expression of pAKT and p-mTOR in H1_DL2 cells, confirming that the MAPK and PI3K pathways were inhibited after drug treatment. Microarray experiments followed by principal component analysis (PCA) mapping showed distinct gene clustering after treatment, and cell cycle checkpoint regulators were affected. Global gene analysis indicated that functions related to cell survival and invasion were influenced by combined treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that combined therapy with vemurafenib and temsirolimus is effective on melanoma brain metastasis cells in vitro. The presented results highlight the potential of combined treatment to overcome treatment resistance that may develop after vemurafenib treatment of melanomas.     

对叔丁基杯[4]芳烃巯基吡啶衍生物的合成

以对叔丁基苯酚为起始原料,通过缩合得到对叔丁基杯[4]芳烃,再对其下沿酚羟基进行化学改性,得到具有化学活性的杯[4]衍生物中间体,该中间体与具有活泼氢的2-巯基吡啶反应制得新的含N、S杯芳烃衍生物,总收率14.4%。     

Synthesis,extraction, and adsorption properties of calix[4]arene‐poly(ethylene‐glycol) crosslinked polymer

Novel calix[4]arene‐poly(ethylene glycol) crosslinked polymer (CCP) has been synthesized by the polycondensation reaction between a p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene derivative and dihydroxyl capped poly(ethylene glycol) (DHPEG, M_n = 1000) catalyzed by neodymium tosylate. The hydrogel, consisted of 66.9% water and 33.1% CCP, can selectively extract aromatic organic molecules from aqueous solution according to the diameter of the guest molecules, which infers that the diameter of the calix[4]arene cavity is about 5.4 Å and the conformation of calix[4]arene units altered from cone conformation to 1,3‐alternate conformation during the polycondensation reaction. Furthermore, CCP can also adsorb naphthalene from gas phase, showing much higher capacity than active carbon does, which may have some potential applications in the field of separation and environment protection. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Immobilization of Ferrocene-Modified SNAP-Fusion Proteins

The supramolecular assembly of proteins on surfaces has been investigated via the site-selective incorporation of a supramolecular moiety on proteins. To this end, fluorescent proteins have been site-selectively labeled with ferrocenes, as supramolecular guest moieties, via SNAP-tag technology. The assembly of guest-functionalized SNAP-fusion proteins on cyclodextrin- and cucurbit [7]uril-coated surfaces yielded stable monolayers. The binding of all ferrocene fusion proteins is specific as determined by surface plasmon resonance. Micropatterns of the fusion proteins, on patterned cyclodextrin and cucurbituril surfaces, have been visualized using fluorescence microscopy. The SNAP-fusion proteins were also immobilized on cyclodextrin vesicles. The supramolecular SNAP-tag labeling of proteins, thus, allows for the assembly of modified proteins via supramolecular host-guest interaction on different surfaces in a controlled manner. These findings extend the toolbox of fabricating supramolecular protein patterns on surfaces taking advantage of the high labeling efficiency of the SNAP-tag with versatile supramolecular moieties.     

杯[4]芳烃巯基吡啶衍生物的合成

以对叔丁基苯酚为起始原料,通过缩合得到对叔丁基杯[4]芳烃,再对其下沿酚羟基进行化学修饰,得到具有化学活性的杯[4]衍生物,该化合物与具有活泼氢的4巯基吡啶反应制得新的含N、S杯芳烃衍生物,总收率15.3%。     

Calix[4]arene‐tetranitrone as crosslinker in dental composite materials

The synthesis of a functionalized calix[4]arene bearing 1,3‐dipolaric nitrone groups ( 5 ) has been carried out. The reaction of N‐methylhydroxylamine or N‐propylhydroxylamine with the carbonyl group of 5,11,7,23‐tetraformyl‐25,26,27,28‐tetraalkoxycalix[4]arene leads to calix[4]arenes bearing a nitrone function at each of the four para‐positions. Via 1,3‐dipolar cyclo‐addition of acrylic acid methyl ester with the nitrone functions of 5 , subsequently an upper rim‐substituted tetraisoxalidinecalix[4]arene is quantitatively synthesized. Further, the minimization of shrinkage of a dental filling depending on the amount of calix[4]arene‐tetranitrone is discussed. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

芘冠醚双功能化杯[4]芳烃的合成与表征

以杯[4]芳烃为原料,经碱催化合成了26,28-双(1-乙酰基芘)-5,11,17,23-四叔丁基杯[4]-冠-6,产物结构经IR、1HNMR和元素分析表征。该衍生物为锥形结构。     

杯[4]芳烃醚类衍生物的合成(Ⅱ)

以对叔丁基苯酚和甲醛为起始原料，通过选用不同的催化剂，合成了一系列新的杯[4]芳烃的四醚化衍生物，并对其结构用IR、^1HNMR、^13CNMR、MR进行了表征。     

Characterization of polypyrrole/azocalix[4]arene salts: Electrical properties and thermal stability

Polypyrrole (PPy) was doped with the azocalix[4]arene [(5,11,17,23‐tetrakis[(p‐carboxyphenyl)azo]25,26,27,28‐tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene)] host species. PPy/azocalix[4]arene salts were characterized by FTIR, TGA, SEM, X‐ray diffraction, and conductivity measurements. The properties of PPy were investigated in the presence of azocalix[4]arene host species. The conductivity of PPy increased in the presence of azocalix[4]arene. TGA results indicated that the PPy/azocalix[4]arene salts have higher thermal stability than PPy. It was observed from SEM analysis that the particle diameter of PPy decreased with increasing content of azocalix[4]arene. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

蒽醌冠醚双功能化杯[4]芳烃的合成与表征

以对叔丁基杯[4]芳烃为原料,经碱催化两步合成了26,28-双（2-亚甲基蒽醌）-5,11,17,23-四叔丁基杯[4]-25,27-冠-6。产物经IR、1HNMR表征和元素分析表征,该衍生物为锥形结构并与设计思想一致。     

新型杯[4]芳烃衍生物对Pb~(2+),Cd~(2+)的萃取性质

研究了新型杯[4]芳烃D对Pb2+,Cd2+离子的液-液萃取性质,并将其与自制的杯[4]芳烃A及其衍生物B、C对Pb2+,Cd2+离子的液-液萃取性质进行了比较。结果表明,与化合物A~C相比,D对Pb2+萃取率最高,在实验条件下,可达到42.8%;测试的四种化合物对Cd2+离子的萃取效率均不佳,未经任何修饰的杯[4]芳烃A的萃取效率最高,仅8.5%。推测对Cd2+的萃取为阳离子交换机理。     

Synthesis of novel silica gel immobilized‐calix[4]arene amide ionophores and their anion binding abilities toward phosphate and chromate anions

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of four new calix[4]arene ionophores 5–7 and 9 and corresponding two new silica gel‐immobilized calix[4]arene ionophores containing pyridine 10 and 11 via modification of calix[4]arene monoamide derivatives 5 and 6 with aminopropyl silica gel, respectively. The extraction studies have been performed using liquid–liquid extraction for receptors 5–7 and 9 and solid–liquid batchwise sorption procedures for receptors 10 and 11 . Obtained extraction results showed that the immobilized‐calix[4] arene ionophores 10 and 11 have high extraction ability toward chromate and phosphate anions as compared to their corresponding monomeric precursors 5 and 6 . © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012