Oligomycins as inhibitors of K-Ras plasma membrane localisation.

Frequently present in pancreatic, colorectal and non-small cell lung carcinomas, oncogenic mutant K-Ras must be localised to the plasma membrane (PM) to be functional. Inhibitors of K-Ras PM localisation are therefore putative cancer chemotherapeutics. By screening a microbial extract library in a high content cell-based assay we detected the rare oligomycin class of Streptomyces polyketides as inhibitors of K-Ras PM localisation. Cultivation and fractionation of three unique oligomycin producing Streptomyces strains yielded oligomycins A-E (1-5) and 21-hydroxy-oligomycin A (6), together with the new 21-hydroxy-oligomycin C (7) and 40-hydroxy-oligomycin B (8). Structures for 1-8 were assigned by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Cancer cell viability screening confirmed 1-8 were cytotoxic to human colorectal carcinoma cells (IC50 > 3 µM), and were inhibitors of the ABC transporter efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp), with 5 being comparable in potency to the positive control verapamil. Significantly, oligomycins 1-8 proved to be exceptionally potent inhibitors of K-Ras PM localisation (Emax 0.67-0.75 with an IC50 ~ 1.5-14 nM).

Long-term quantification of the release of monomers from dental resin composites and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement.

This study quantified the release of monomers from polymerized specimens of four commercially available resin composites and one glass ionomer cement immersed in water:ethanol solutions. Individual standard curves were prepared from five monomers: (1) triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), (2) 2-hydroxy-ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), (3) urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), (4) bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate (BISGMA), and (5) bisphenol A. The concentration of the monomers was determined at Days 1, 7, 30, and 90 with the use of electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry. Data were expressed in mean micromol per mm(2) surface area of specimen and analyzed with Scheffe's test (p<0.05). The following monomers were found in water: monomers (1) and (2) from Delton sealant, monomer (5) from ScotchBond Multipurpose Adhesive and Delton sealant, monomer (3) from Definite and monomer (4) from Fuji II LC, ScotchBond Multipurpose Adhesive, Synergy and Definite. All these monomers increased in concentration over time, with the exception of monomer (1) from Delton sealant. Monomers (3) and (5) were found in extracts of materials despite their absence from the manufacturer's published composition. All monomers were released in significantly higher concentrations in water:ethanol solutions than in water. The greatest release of monomers occurred in the first day. The effect of the measured concentrations of monomers (1-5) on human genes, cells, or tissues needs to be considered with the use of a biological model.

The isolation and synthesis of novel nematocidal dithiocyanates from an Australian marine sponge, Oceanapia sp.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the EtOH extract of an Oceanapia sp. collected off the northern Rottnest Shelf, Australia, has yielded three novel dithiocyanates, thiocyanatins A (1), B (2a), and C (2b). The structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis and confirmed by total synthesis. In addition to featuring an unprecedented dithiocyanate functionality, thiocyanatins possess an unusual 1,16-difunctionalized n-hexadecane carbon skeleton and are revealed as a hitherto unknown class of nematocidal agent.

Structure revision and assignment of absolute stereochemistry of a marine C21 bisfuranoterpene.

The C21 bisfuranoterpene (-)-isotetradehydrofurospongin-1 (6), previously isolated from a Western Australian Spongia sp., has been reisolated from a specimen of Spirastrella papilosa collected during scientific trawling operations in the Great Australian Bight. A 2D NMR analysis of 6 has prompted reassignment of the published structure 5, while degradation and chiral HPLC analysis have allowed determination of the absolute stereochemistry.

Mirabilin G: a new alkaloid from a southern Australian marine sponge, Clathria species.

A Clathria sp. collected during scientific trawling operations in the Great Australian Bight, Australia, has yielded the new alkaloid mirabilin G (1). A structure was secured for 1 by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison to known marine alkaloids.

Onnamide F: a new nematocide from a southern Australian marine sponge, Trachycladus laevispirulifer.

A southern Australian marine sponge, Trachycladus laevispirulifer, has yielded a potent new nematocide with antifungal activity which has been identified as onnamide F (1). The structure for 1 was assigned by detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical conversion to the methyl ester 2. Onnamide F contains a common structural motif previously described in a number of natural products exhibiting interesting pharmacological activities, including the insect chemical defense agent pederin (3), and the sponge metabolites the onnamides, mycalamides, and theopederins.

Phorbasin B and C: novel diterpenes from a southern Australian marine sponge, Phorbas species.

A southern Australian Phorbas sp. has yielded the novel diterpenes phorbasin B (2) and phorbasin C (3). Phorbasins B and C possess a hitherto unknown carbon skeleton, and their structures were assigned on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses.

Discorhabdin R: a new antibacterial pyrroloiminoquinone from two latrunculiid marine sponges, Latrunculia sp. and Negombata sp.

Two sponges belonging to the family Latrunculiidae (Negombata and Latrunculia sp.) collected during scientific trawling operations in Prydz Bay, Antarctica, and by scuba off Port Campbell, Victoria, have yielded a new antibacterial pyrroloiminoquinone, discorhabdin R (2). The structure was assigned as 2 on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the known co-metabolite discorhabdin B (3).

Clathrins A-C: metabolites from a Southern Australian marine sponge, clathria species.

A Clathria sp. collected in the Great Australian Bight has yielded the novel metabolites clathrins A (6), B (7), and C (8). Structures were assigned to clathrins A-C on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Clathrin A (6) represents a plausible biosynthetic intermediate that provides an inferred link between marine sesquiterpene/benzenoids and mixed terpene/shikimate biosynthesis.

1,9-Dimethylhypoxanthine from a southern Australian marine sponge spongosorites species.

A Spongosorites sp. collected off southern Australia has yielded 1, 9-dimethylhypoxanthine (4). The structure for 4 was solved by spectroscopic analysis.

Lorneamides A and B: two new aromatic amides from a southern Australian marine actinomycete.

A marine actinomycete (MST-MA190) isolated from a sample of beach sand collected near Lorne on the southwest coast of Victoria, Australia, has yielded two new aromatic amides, lorneamide A (1) and lorneamide B (2). The lorneamides belong to a novel class of tri-alkyl-substituted benzenes, and their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods.

Phorbasin A: a novel diterpene from a southern australian marine sponge, Phorbas species.

A southern Australian Phorbas species has yielded a novel diterpene, phorbasin A (1), possessing an unprecedented carbon skeleton. The structure for phorbasin A was determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis.

A new lipid from an Australian marine sponge, Callyspongia sp.

A specimen of the sponge Callyspongia sp. collected off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, has yielded the novel lipid (6Z, 9Z, 12Z, 15Z)-1,6,9,12,15-octadecapenten-3-one, together with (4Z, 7Z, 10Z, 13Z)-4,7,10,13-hexadecatetraenoic acid.

A spectroscopic and equilibrium binding analysis of cationic detergent-protein interactions using soluble and insoluble recombinant porcine growth hormone.

Overexpression of cloned eukaryote genes in bacteria often leads to the formation of insoluble refractile bodies which require solubilization by harsh denaturants or detergents. We describe the conformational changes associated with the binding of a surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) to recombinant porcine growth hormone (PGH). The stoichiometry of binding by CTAC to the soluble and insoluble forms of recombinant PGH was also assessed. Optimum CTAC binding and protein solubilisation were obtained at 50 degrees C and at extreme pH. Increased ionic strength and changes in pH towards the isoelectric point of PGH (pH 6) decreased both the binding of CTAC and the efficiency of solubilising PGH from inclusion bodies. The positive charge on the quaternary ammonium head group of CTAC was found to be critical in the binding of CTAC to PGH and for the subsequent solubilisation of inclusion bodies. The binding of CTAC to the soluble form of PGH caused appreciable changes to the tertiary structure of the protein but did not significantly alter secondary structure, or cause complete unfolding. These observations help to explain earlier results which demonstrate that urea, guanidine hydrochloride and CTAC solubilized recombinant PGH molecules behave differently during in vitro refolding (Puri, N.K., Crivelli, E.C., Cardamone, M., Fiddes, R., Bertolini, J., Ninham, B. and Brandon, M.R. (1992) Biochem. J. 285, 871-879.).

5-Epi-isospongiaquinone, a new sesquiterpene/quinone antibiotic from an Australian marine sponge, Spongia hispida.

An Australian marine sponge, Spongia hispida, has been found to contain a new sesquiterpene/quinone identified by detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical derivatization as the antibiotic 5-epi-isospongiaquinone [3]. The complete stereostructure for 3 was determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical correlation with the known marine natural product isospongiaquinone [2]. Co-occurring with 3 was an ethylated analogue, 5-epi-homoisospongiaquinone [4], which was speculated to be an artifact of the isolation process. A revised structure 15 for the known marine metabolite, smenorthoquinone [13], is also presented.

The synthesis and study of some potential affinity labeling reagents for estrogen receptors.

The influence of the following affinity labeling reagents on the binding of tritiated estradiol-17 beta (E) by human and calf uterine cytosols was studied: 11 beta-chloromethylestradiol (ORG4333), 2-azidoestradiol (2A-E), 4-azidoestradiol (4A-E), 3-azidohexestrol (3A-H), estradiol-17 beta 17-bromoacetate (E-17BrAc), 6-[O-carbo-(2'-chloroethoxy)methyl] oximinoestradiol (6-CMOEtC1), 17-[O-carbo-(2'-chloroethoxy) methyl] oximinoestrone (17-CMOEtCl), 2-di (2'-hydroxy-3'-chloropropyl)aminoestradiol (E-Mustard). For the human uterine estrogen receptor the relative binding affinity decreased in the order E greater than ORG 4333 greater than E-17BrAc greater than 3A-H greater than 2A-E greater than 4A-E greater than 6-CMOEtCl greater than E-Mustard greater than 17-CMOEtCl. The binding characteristics of the calf uterine estrogen receptor were qualitatively similar, but quantitatively different. ORG 4333 appeared to form a highly stable association with the receptors, but alkylation of the protein could not be conclusively demonstrated.