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 (NpnN'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 NpnN'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.

Aryl H-phosphonates. 19. New anti-HIV pronucleotide phosphoramidate diesters containing amino- and hydroxypyridine auxiliaries.

We have designed a new type of AZT and ddU phosphoramidate diesters containing various combinations of 2-, 3-, 4-aminopyridine and 2-, 3-, 4-hydroxypyridine moieties attached to the phosphorus center, as potential anti-HIV pronucleotides. Depending on the pKa values of the aminopyridines and the hydroxypyridines used, alternative synthetic strategies based on H-phosphonate chemistry were developed for their preparation. Synthetic aspects of these transformations and the biological activity of the synthesized compounds are discussed.

Reaction of Boranephosphonate Diesters with Amines in the Presence of Iodine: The Case for the Intermediacy of H-Phosphonate Derivatives.

Mechanistic and stereochemical aspects of the reaction of boranephosphonate diesters with amines promoted by iodine were investigated. This is a complex, multistep reaction that ultimately produces the corresponding phosphoramidate diesters via a formal replacement of the borane group by an amine moiety. We found by a stereochemical correlation analysis that, contrary to a literature report, the whole transformation proceeded with total inversion of the configuration at the phosphorus center. Our study also showed that instead of the postulated nucleophilic substitution by iodide at the phosphorus center of the initially formed intermediate, the corresponding iodoboranephosphonate, the crucial step of the reaction involved intermediacy of H-phosphonate derivatives that reacted with iodine to afford ultimately phosphoramidate diesters. The reaction of the iodoboranephosphonate with the amine to produce an aminoboranephosphonate diester that rapidly dissociated into the corresponding H-phosphonate and the borane parts was apparently instrumental to the formation of an H-phosphonate diester intermediate.

Aryl H-Phosphonates 18. Synthesis, properties, and biological activity of 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside (N-heteroaryl)phosphoramidates of increased lipophilicity.

Recently, AZT (N-pyridyl)phosphoramidates were reported as a new type of potential anti-HIV therapeutics. In continuation of that work, here we present new (N-heteroaryl)phosphoramidate derivatives of antiviral 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides containing other types of N-heteroaryl moieties, particularly those with higher lipophilicity. The present studies comprise mechanistic investigations using (31)P NMR correlation analysis, which permitted improvements in the synthetic procedures. The obtained compounds were tested in biological systems to establish their cytotoxicity and anti-HIV activity. The results were analyzed with respect to possible correlations between biological and physico-chemical properties of the phosphoramidates studied, to get some insight into their antiviral mode of action.

Novel reactivity of Fhit proteins: catalysts for fluorolysis of nucleoside 5'-phosphoramidates and nucleoside 5'-phosphosulfates to generate nucleoside 5'-phosphorofluoridates.

Fragile histidine triad (HIT) proteins (Fhits) occur in all eukaryotes but their function is largely unknown. Human Fhit is presumed to function as a tumour suppressor. Previously, we demonstrated that Fhits catalyse hydrolysis of not only dinucleoside triphosphates but also natural adenosine 5'-phosphoramidate (NH2-pA) and adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (SO4-pA) as well as synthetic adenosine 5'-phosphorofluoridate (F-pA). In the present study, we describe an Fhit-catalysed displacement of the amino group of nucleoside 5'-phosphoramidates (NH2-pNs) or the sulfate moiety of nucleoside 5'-phosphosulfates (SO4-pNs) by fluoride anion. This results in transient accumulation of the corresponding nucleoside 5'-phosphorofluoridates (F-pNs). Substrate specificity and kinetic characterization of the fluorolytic reactions catalysed by the human Fhit and other examples of involvement of fluoride in the biochemistry of nucleotides are described. Among other HIT proteins, human histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein (Hint1) catalysed fluorolysis of NH2-pA 20 times and human Hint2 40 times more slowly than human Fhit.

The case of triethylammonium cation loss during purification of certain nucleotide analogues: a cautionary note.

Nucleotides, their analogues, and other phosphate esters and phosphoramidates often contain the triethylammonium cation as a counterion. We found that this may be lost during chromatographic purification or concentration of solutions, yielding products in acidic forms or containing sub-stoichiometric amounts of the counterion. This in turn may be detrimental, e.g., due to possible decomposition of a compound or inaccurate sample preparation. Correlations between the structure of studied compounds and their susceptibility for cation loss were analyzed. Modifications in preparative techniques were developed to obtain the studied compounds with stoichiometric anion to cation ratios.

Synthesis of biotin linkers with the activated triple bond donor [p-(N-propynoylamino)toluic acid] (PATA) for efficient biotinylation of peptides and oligonucleotides.

Biotin is an important molecule for modern biological studies including, e.g., cellular transport. Its exclusive affinity to fluorescent streptavidin/avidin proteins allows ready and specific detection. As a consequence methods for the attachment of biotin to various biological targets are of high importance, especially when they are very selective and can also proceed in water. One useful method is Hüisgen dipolar [3+2]-cycloaddition, commonly referred to as “click chemistry”. As we reported recently, the activated triple bond donor p-(N-propynoylamino)toluic acid (PATA) gives excellent results when used for conjugations at submicromolar concentrations. Thus, we have designed and synthesized two biotin linkers, with different lengths equipped with this activated triple bond donor and we proceeded with biotinylation of oligonucleotides and C-myc peptide both in solution and on solid support with excellent yields of conversion.

A comparison of the effects of deep tissue massage and therapeutic massage on chronic low back pain.

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the effectiveness of two different kind of massage: therapeutic and deep tissue on chronic low back pain. METHODS: The research was made on 26 patient aged from 60 to 75 years who were separated into 2 groups: I [n=13] and II [n=13]. Group I had therapeutic massage [TM] which uses effleurage, petrissage, tapping and friction. Group II had deep tissue massage [DTM] which uses oblique pressure, a combination of lengthening and cross-fiber strokes, anchor and stretch, freeing muscle from entrapment. TM and DTM lasted for 10 days, each 30 min and were made by qualify massage therapist. Both groups did not have other treatment. Outcome measures obtained at baseline and after treatment consisted of Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index [ODI], Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale[QBPD] and Visual Analog Scale [VAS]. RESULTS: There was not statistically significant differences between groups according to age and BMI. Statistically significant differences were noted after TM in every test [ODI p=0.010; QBPD p<0.001; VAS p<0.001] and after DTM in every test [ODI p<0.001; QBPD p<0.001; VAS p<0.001]. DTM was statistically significant better therapy than TM in ODI [p=0.038] and VAS [p=0.015]. Further research is needed to verify the results.

Aryl H-phosphonates 17: (N-aryl)phosphoramidates of pyrimidine nucleoside analogues and their synthesis, selected properties, and anti-HIV activity.

New synthetic protocol for the preparation of nucleoside 5'-(N-aryl)phosphoramidate monoesters 4 was developed. It consisted of a condensation of the corresponding nucleoside 5'-H-phosphonates with aromatic- or heteroaromatic amines promoted by diphenyl phosphorochloridate, followed by oxidation of the produced H-phosphonamidates with iodine/water. 5'-(N-Aryl)phosphoramidate monoesters derived from 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) or 2',3'-dideoxyuridine (ddU) nucleosides and various aromatic and heteroaromatic amines were evaluated as potential anti-HIV drugs. It was found that these compounds act most likely as pronucleotides and that some of them have therapeutic indices superior to those of the reference AZT.

Aryl nucleoside H-phosphonates. Part 16: synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activity of di-aryl nucleoside phosphotriesters.

Di-aryl nucleoside phosphotriesters have been explored as a new type of pronucleotides for the purpose of anti-HIV-1 therapy and efficient synthetic protocols, based on H-phosphonate chemistry, have been developed for the preparation of this class of compounds. It was found that anti-HIV-1 activity of the phosphotriesters bearing an antiviral nucleoside moiety (AZT, ddA) and also ddU was due, at least partially, to intracellular conversion into the corresponding nucleoside 5'-monophosphates, and their efficiency correlated well with the pK(a) values of the aryloxy groups present.