Structure-activity relationship studies of novel somatostatin analogs with antitumor activity

A series of new somatostatin analogs were synthesized in order to study the relative importance of specific substitutions in relation to selectivity between their endocrine and antitumor effects. Substitutions were carried out in all positions, except for Lys in position 5. Peptides were tested for their ability to inhibit in vitro and in vivo GH release, proliferation of the MCF 7 breast carcinoma cell line and tyrosine kinase activity in the HT 29 human colon carcinoma cell line. Selective biological activity was achieved in GH release and antitumor activity by the different amino acid substitutions. One of the analogs, with a five-residue ring (D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Cys-Thr-NH2, TT-232), was unique. It had no GH release inhibitory activity, but did have strong tyrosine kinase inhibitory and antiproliferative effects.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method for determination of eleven coccidiostats in milk

A reversed phase liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric method with simple solvent extraction and purification by solid phase extraction (SPE) has been developed for the determination of coccidiostats in milk. For sample preparation matrix solid phase dispersion, extraction by organic solvent and SPE with different cartridges were also tested. The compounds determined include lasalocid, narasin, salinomycin, monensin, semduramicin, maduramicin, robenidine, decoquinate, halofuginone, nicarbazin and diclazuril. Main steps of the method are addition of acetonitrile to the milk samples, centrifugation, removal of matrix by SPE, concentration by evaporation and LC–MS–MS determination. During a 15 min time segmented chromatographic run compounds are ionised either positively or negatively. Calculated recoveries range between 77.1% and 118.2%. Maximum levels are in the range of 1–20 μg/kg. The developed method was validated in line with the requirements of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC (2002). It is applicable for control of coccidiostat residues in milk as indicated in Regulation 124/2009/EC (2009).     

Hydrogenases, accessory genes and the regulation of [NiFe] hydrogenase biosynthesis in Thiocapsa roseopersicina

The purple (Sulphur) phototrophic bacterium, Thiocapsa roseopersicina BBS contains several [NiFe] hydrogenases, of which two are membrane bound. Mutant T. roseopersicina cells, carrying deletions in both gene clusters showed hydrogenase activity. This activity was located in the cytoplasm. The structural gene cluster hoxEFUYH was identified and sequenced. In addition, genes homologous to hupUV/hoxBC, the hydrogen sensing hydrogenase have been identified and sequenced.Regulation of hydrogenase biosynthesis was studied in detail for HydSL (renamed HynSL). A random mutagenesis system was optimised for T. roseopersicina. One of the mutations was in a gene similar to that coding for the HypF proteins in other organisms. Inactivation of the hypF gene resulted in a 60-fold increase in hydrogen evolution under nitrogen fixing conditions. In addition to hypF, the following accessory genes were identified: hydD, hupK, hypC1, hypC2, hypDE. Characterisation of the corresponding gene products and search for additional accessory genes are in progress.