A new type of sulfation reaction: C-sulfonation for α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl groups by a novel sulfotransferase SULT7A1.

Cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) are cytosolic enzymes that catalyze the transfer of sulfonate group to key endogenous compounds, altering the physiological functions of their substrates. SULT enzymes catalyze the O-sulfonation of hydroxy groups or N-sulfonation of amino groups of substrate compounds. In this study, we report the discovery of C-sulfonation of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl groups mediated by a new SULT enzyme, SULT7A1, and human SULT1C4. Enzymatic assays revealed that SULT7A1 is capable of transferring the sulfonate group from 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate to the α-carbon of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl-containing compounds, including cyclopentenone prostaglandins as representative endogenous substrates. Structural analyses of SULT7A1 suggest that the C-sulfonation reaction is catalyzed by a novel mechanism mediated by His and Cys residues in the active site. Ligand-activity assays demonstrated that sulfonated 15-deoxy prostaglandin J2 exhibits antagonist activity against the prostaglandin receptor EP2 and the prostacyclin receptor IP. Modification of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl groups via the new prostaglandin-sulfonating enzyme, SULT7A1, may regulate the physiological function of prostaglandins in the gut. Discovery of C-sulfonation of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl groups will broaden the spectrum of potential substrates and physiological functions of SULTs.

Photodynamic Therapy Using a Novel Phosphorus Tetraphenylporphyrin Induces an Anticancer Effect via Bax/Bcl-xL-related Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Biliary Cancer Cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses photosensitizer activation by light of a specific wavelength, and is a promising treatment for various cancers; however, the detailed mechanism of PDT remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the anticancer effect of PDT using a novel phosphorus tetraphenylporphyrin (Ptpp) in combination with light emitting diodes (Ptpp-PDT) in the NOZ human biliary cancer cell line. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by MTT assay, flow cytometry and TUNEL assay for 24 hr after Ptpp-PDT. MitoTracker and JC-1 were used as markers of mitochondrial localization and membrane potential. The levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes, Bcl-2 family proteins, cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 were examined by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that Ptpp localized to mitochondria, and that Ptpp-PDT efficiently decreased cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. JC-1 and OXPHOS complexes decreased, but apoptotic cells increased from 6 to 24 hr after Ptpp-PDT. A decrease in Bcl-xL and increases in Bax, cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 were also found from 6 to 24 hr after Ptpp-PDT. Based on these results, we conclude that Ptpp-PDT induces anticancer effects via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by altering the Bax/Bcl-xL ratio, and could be an effective treatment for human biliary cancer.

The photospheric origin of the Yonetoku relation in gamma-ray bursts.

Long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the brightest events since the Big Bang itself, are believed to originate in an ultra-relativistic jet breaking out from a massive stellar envelope. Despite decades of study, there is still no consensus on their emission mechanism. One unresolved question is the origin of the tight correlation between the spectral peak energy and peak luminosity discovered in observations. This Yonetoku relation is the tightest correlation found in the properties of the prompt phase of GRB emission, providing the best diagnostic for the radiation mechanism. Here we present three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations, and post-process radiation transfer calculations, of photospheric emission from a relativistic jet. Our simulations reproduce the Yonetoku relation as a natural consequence of viewing angle. Although jet dynamics depend sensitively on luminosity, the correlation holds regardless. This result strongly suggests that photospheric emission is the dominant component in the prompt phase of GRBs.

Additive effect of heparin on the photoinactivation of Escherichia coli using tricationic P-porphyrins.

Polycationic porphyrins have received substantial attention in developing singlet oxygen-sensitizers for biological use such as in the photoinactivation of bacteria and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumor cells because they have strong binding affinities for DNA and proteins. However, these strong cellular interactions can retard elimination of the drug after PDT. Therefore, the studies on the interactions of porphyrins with other molecules present much interest, in order to modulate the sensitizers' activity or even remove them from the human body after PDT. Here, we studied the additive effect of heparin on the photoinactivation by polycationic porphyrins using Escherichia coli as a model cell. Tricationic P-porphyrin sensitizers substituted with an N-alkylpyridinium group (alkyl = pentyl (1a), hexyl (1b), and heptyl (1c)) or N-hexylammonium (1d) as the axial ligand were used. Additionally, dicationic Sb-porphyrin substituted with an N-hexylpyridinium group (1e) was prepared. We studied the additive effect of heparin on the photoinactivation of E. coli by 1a-1e. The bactericidal activities were evaluated using the half-life (T1/2 in min) of E. coli and the minimum effective concentrations ([P]) of the porphyrin sensitizers. In the absence of heparin, the [P] values were determined to be 0.4-0.5 µM for 1a-1c and 2.0 µM for 1d-1e. The bactericidal activity of 1a-1c was completely retarded by the addition of heparin (1.0 µM). However, the addition of heparin (1.0 µM) could not completely retard the bactericidal activity of 1d-1e whose [P] values were relatively large. It is suggested that tricationic 1a-1c adsorbed onto the anionic heparin through electrostatic interactions. The adsorption of 1 on heparin disturbs the uptake of 1 into E. coli cells. Thus, the addition of heparin was found to be a useful method for retarding photoinactivation.

Photodynamic therapy of human biliary cancer cell line using combination of phosphorus porphyrins and light emitting diode.

A series of phosphorus porphyrin complexes ([(RO)2P(tpp)]Cl, tpp = tetraphenylporphyrinato group, R = -(CH2CH2O)m(CH2)nH; 1a: m = 2, n = 2; 1b: m = 2, n = 4; 1c: m = 2, n = 6; 1d: m = 3, n = 6) were used for the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of human biliary cancer cell line (NOZ) when exposed to the irradiation of light emitting diodes (LEDs). A Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing NOZ cells (2000 cell well-1) and 1 (0-100 nM) was introduced into a 96-well microplate and incubated for 24 h to accumulate 1 into the NOZ cells and to multiply the NOZ cells until the cell number reached 104 cells well-1. After replacing the DMEM medium containing 1 with a fresh DMEM medium without 1, the plates were irradiated for 30 min at 610 nm. After incubation was performed for 24 h in dark conditions, the cell viability of the NOZ cells was determined using the MTT assay. The half maximum inhibitory concentrations 50 (IC50) of 1a-1d were found to be in the range of 33.7-58.7 nM for NOZ. These IC50 values for the NOZ were one hundredth the IC50 value (7.57 µM) for mono-l-aspartyl chlorin e6 (laserphyrin®). Thus, it was found that the PDT activity of 1a-1d was much higher than the mono-l-aspartyl chlorin e6. Similarly, IC50 vales of 1a-1d for HeLa cells were found to be 27.8-52.5 nM. This showed that 1a-1d had high photodynamic activity in cancer cells. At the same time, it was speculated that an LED is a useful light source for deactivating the cancer cells because it can excite the sensitizers with peak width in their absorption spectra using the light of the specified wave length with band width of 10-20 nm; LEDs provide a homogeneous light distribution for the target cells.

Alkyl substituent effect on photosensitized inactivation of Escherichia coli by pyridinium-bonded P-porphyrins.

Activity of singlet oxygen sensitizers for photoinactivation of bacteria and photodynamic therapy of tumor cells has been evaluated using nonpathogenic model cells, such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and HeLa cells. Among them, E. coli, gram-negative bacterium, has complex membrane structures in the cell wall, resulting in an impermeable barrier to antimicrobial agents. Therefore, few singlet oxygen sensitizers have photoinactivation activities toward E. coli at low concentrations. Recently polycationic porphyrins have received much attention as a new type of singlet oxygen sensitizers because they have strong binding affinities for DNA and proteins. Here, we prepared 13 types of di- and tricationic P- and Sb-porphyrin sensitizers substituted with the N-alkylpyridinium (APy) group at the axial ligand or the meso position to examine their bactericidal activity toward E. coli under visible-light irradiation. Photobactericidal activities were evaluated using half-life (T1/2 in min) of E. coli and minimum effective concentrations of the porphyrin sensitizers. Di-cationic P-porphyrins containing the Apy group at meso position exhibited bactericidal activity under dark conditions. Tricationic porphyrins showed a higher bactericidal activity than monocationic porphyrins. It was found that the bactericidal activity depended on the alkyl chain length of APy. Tricationic porphyrin with N-heptylpyridinium in two axial ligands was the most reactive for the photoinactivation of E. coli.

Assistance of human serum albumin to photo-sensitized inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with axially pyridinio-bonded P-porphyrins.

As singlet-oxygen ((1)O2) sensitizer, water-soluble P-porphyrins (1) were prepared by the modification of axial ligands of tetraphenylporphyrinatophosphorus by N-alkyl-pyridinium group to give bis[3-(1-alkyl-4-pyridinio)propoxo]tetraphenylporphyrinatophosphorus(V) (alkyl=hexyl (1a) and butyl (1b)) and bis[5-(3-alkyl-1-pyridinio)-3-oxapentyloxo] tetraphenylporphyrinatophosphorus(V) (alkyl=hexyl (1c), butyl (1d), and ethyl (1e)). The quantum yields (ΦΔ) for the formation of (1)O2 were extremely high (e.g. ΦΔ=0.88 (1a) and 0.87 (1c)). The 1 could bind human serum albumin (HSA) with high binding constants to produce a complex of HSA with 1 (1/HSA). Here, inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) was examined using the complex of HSA (400nM) with 1 (20-50nM) under visible-light irradiation. The bactericidal activity of 1 was evaluated by half-life (T1/2 in min) which was time required to be reduced to one-half initial concentration of yeasts. Under irradiation in the presence of HSA, minimum concentrations ([P]) of 1 were adjusted as T1/2 became the values among 0-120min. The [P] values were determined to be 20nM for 1a, 30nM for 1b, and 50nM for 1c-1e. The 1/HSA sterilized yeast with 12-36min of T1/2 when the concentration of 1 was set to [P]. In the photo-activation in the absence of HSA at the concentration of [P] of 1, however, the T1/2 values of 1a, 1b, 1d, and 1e were >120min and T1/2 of 1c was 44min. Thus, the complexation of 1 with HSA apparently enhanced the bactericidal activity of 1. This is the first finding on the assistance of HSA to the photo-inactivation of yeast cell by porphyrins.

Concentration-dependent luminescence of ionic liquids containing trialkyl(pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl)ammonium moieties.

Room-temperature ionic liquid compounds (CpzNR3(+)X(-)) consisting of trialkyl(pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl)ammonium (CpzNR3(+)) and anions (X(-)) such as chloride and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TFSI(-)) emitted blue luminescence under an excitation of 360 nm. The luminescent quantum yields (Φem) of CpzNR3(+)X(-) were determined to be 0.012-0.044 in methanol solution at 360 nm excitation. The excitation spectra and luminescent lifetime (τ) measurements indicated the existence of two luminescent species. The appearance of luminescence from the pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl (Cpz) chromophore at longer wavelengths and the dependence of the luminescent intensity upon the concentration of CpzNR3(+)X(-) revealed that the observed luminescence was attributed to the J-aggregates of the Cpz chromophore. The formation of these aggregates was also evidenced by the concentration-dependent (1)H-NMR chemical shift. The J-aggregates involved both luminescent aggregates of smaller sizes with shorter τ (1.0 ns) and those of larger sizes with longer τ (5.0 ns). The Φem of the aggregates with larger sizes were enhanced with increasing CpzNR3(+)X(-) concentration. Thus, the luminescence stemming from the luminescent aggregates can be reasonably explained by the "aggregation-induced enhanced emission" (AIEE) mechanism.

Ethanol production from non-pretreated napiergrass through a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process followed by a pentose fermentation with Escherichia coli KO11.

Efficient ethanol production from lignocellulosic napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) was examined by the combination of the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with commercial cellulase and Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBRC 2044 and subsequent pentose fermentation (PF) by Escherichia coli KO11. Under the optimized conditions, the combination of the SSF and PF processes resulted in the production of 144 mg g(-1) of ethanol from the non-pretreated napiergrass powder. The ethanol yield was 44.2% of the theoretical yield based on the hexose (37.5 g) and pentose (26.5 g) derived from 100 g of dry powdered napiergrass.

Quantitative analysis for a color-change of humidity indicator by microscopic absorption spectrometry.

A sensitive and easily distinguishable cobalt-free humidity indicator of porphyrin-silica gel-MgCl(2) composite was prepared from pH-induced spectra changeable tetraarylporphyrin, silica gel (SiO(2)), and MgCl(2). The pH change arose from proton release under dry conditions, and proton capture under humid conditions by a reversible reaction between MgCl(2) and a silanol group of SiO(2). A pink-orange porphyrin-Si(OH)(2)-MgCl(2) composite was dried to give a green protonated porphyrin-SiO(2)Mg composite. The optimized concentrations of MgCl(2) to make the concentrations of protonated porphyrin maximum under dry conditions were determined by absorption spectrometry of the green composite using a confocal laser scanning microscope as a microscopic spectrometer. Moreover, the green composite was prepared by heating dichloro(tetraarylporphyrinato)phosphorus chloride with MgCl(2) and SiO(2). The humidity-sensitivity of the green composite was evaluated by the absorption spectra under controlled humidity. A distinguishable color change of the green composite took place below 30% of relative humidity.

Water-solubilization of alkyloxo(methoxo)porphyrinatoantimony bromides.

In order to develop water-soluble porphyrins, alkyloxo(methoxo)porphyrinatoantimony bromides (alkyl = hexyl (1a), decyl (1b), dodecyl (1c), tetradecyl (1d), octadecyl (1e)) were prepared. 1 had more than 1 mmol dm(-3) of solubility in water. From the dependence of the half-width of the bands in the absorption spectra and surface tension on the concentration of 1, it was estimated that 1b-d were present as aggregates in concentrations higher than 10 micromol dm(-3). From the NMR analysis in D(2)O, it was deduced that the alkyloxo ligands of 1 were arranged alternately in the aggregates. The diameter of the aggregates of 1 in water was determined to be around 100 nm by the dynamic light scattering method. Since the solubilities of di(methoxo)tetraphenylporphyrinatoantimony bromide and 5-(4'-decyloxyphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrinato(dimethoxo)antimony(v) bromide were low, it was calculated that the long alkyl axial ligands were requisite for the high solubility in water.

Guanine-specific DNA damage photosensitized by the dihydroxo(tetraphenylporphyrinato)antimony(V) complex.

The dihydroxo(tetraphenylporphyrinato)antimony(V) complex (SbTPP) demonstrates bactericidal activity under visible-light irradiation. This phototoxic effect could be caused by photodamage to biomolecules, but the mechanism has not been well understood. In this study, to clarify the mechanism of phototoxicity by SbTPP, DNA damage photosensitized by SbTPP was examined using [(32)P]-5'-end-labeled DNA fragments. SbTPP induced markedly severe photodamage to single-stranded rather than to double-stranded DNA. Photo-irradiated SbTPP frequently caused DNA cleavage at the guanine residue of single-stranded DNA after Escherichia coli formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase or piperidine treatment. HPLC measurement confirmed the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), an oxidation product of 2'-deoxyguanosine, and showed that the content of 8-oxodG in single-stranded DNA is larger than that in double-stranded DNA. The effects of scavengers of reactive oxygen species on DNA damage suggested the involvement of singlet oxygen. These results have shown that the mechanism via singlet oxygen formation mainly contributes to the phototoxicity of SbTPP. On the other hand, SbTPP induced DNA damage specifically at the underlined G of 5'-GG, 5'-GGG, and 5'-GGGG in double-stranded DNA. The sequence-specificity of DNA damage is quite similar to that induced by the type I photosensitizers, suggesting that photo-induced electron transfer slightly participates in the phototoxicity of SbTPP. In conclusion, SbTPP induces DNA photodamage via singlet oxygen formation and photo-induced electron transfer. A similar mechanism can damage other biomacromolecules, such as protein and the phospholipid membrane. The damage to biomacromolecules via these mechanisms may participate in the phototoxicity of SbTPP.