Flexibility in the bridge of chalcone derivatives is important for the inhibition of cellular growth.

Chalcones and their derivatives are a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry, demonstrating numerous biological activities. These molecules have shown significant potential toward the development of novel cancer therapies. While much is known about modification to the chalcone aryl rings, little is known about conformations of the bridge between the aryl rings. Here we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of molecules with flexible and rigid bridge conformations. Crystal structures of a select group of molecules were determined. Flexibility in the chalcone bridge containing the enone moiety was determined to be important for activity. Screening in three distinct cancer cell lines showed significant differences in the activity between the flexible and rigid conformations. Crystal structures suggest an increase in bond rotation and weakened π-bonding in the flexible chalcone bridge, which may contribute to the stronger anti-proliferative activity.

Exploring the relationship between genotype and phenotype using yeast alcohol dehydrogenase 1.

Project-based (research-driven) laboratory courses stimulate student involvement, improve critical thinking and initiate cooperative learning. To this end, a 7-week laboratory project was designed for a sophomore cell biology course to reinforce the fundamental relationship between genotype and phenotype using yeast alcohol dehydrogenase I (ADH1). Working in pairs, students used site-directed mutagenesis to create a H44R mutation in the ADH1 gene sequence inserted into a YEp13 shuttle vector. These plasmids were propagated in E. coli, sequenced, and reintroduced into a yeast strain expressing no ADH1 activity. The growth patterns on selective media were determined. As the mutation allows for growth in the presence of allyl alcohol, students make the connection between DNA sequence and protein function. Student performance was assessed with pre- and post-tests, with improvement observed across all learning objectives. In addition to meeting the learning outcomes, 98% of the students thought that this experience allowed them to see how the scientific process can encompass multiple techniques to answer a single question. Eighty-four percent of the students thought that this experience was more engaging than other lab experiences they have had. Our multi-week laboratory examining the phenotypic changes in yeast alcohol metabolism successfully developed students' understanding of the scientific process, knowledge of molecular techniques and the relationship of gene sequence to protein function in an engaging manner.

Dissociation between the processivity and total activity of γ-secretase: implications for the mechanism of Alzheimer's disease-causing presenilin mutations.

The amyloid ß-peptide (Aß), strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is produced from the amyloid ß-protein precursor (APP) through consecutive proteolysis by ß- and γ-secretases. The latter protease contains presenilin as the catalytic component of a membrane-embedded aspartyl protease complex. Missense mutations in presenilin are associated with early-onset familial AD, and these mutations generally both decrease Aß production and increase the ratio of the aggregation-prone 42-residue form (Aß42) to the 40-residue form (Aß40). The connection between these two effects is not understood. Besides Aß40 and Aß42, γ-secretase produces a range of Aß peptides, the result of initial cutting at the ε site to form Aß48 or Aß49 and subsequent trimming every three or four residues. Thus, γ-secretase displays both overall proteolytic activity (ε cutting) and processivity (trimming) toward its substrate APP. Here we tested whether a decrease in total activity correlates with decreased processivity using wild-type and AD-mutant presenilin-containing protease complexes. Changes in pH, temperature, and salt concentration that reduced the overall activity of the wild-type enzyme did not consistently result in increased proportions of longer Aß peptides. Low salt concentrations and acidic pH were notable exceptions that subtly alter the proportion of individual Aß peptides, suggesting that the charged state of certain residues may influence processivity. Five different AD mutant complexes, representing a broad range of effects on overall activity, Aß42:Aß40 ratios, and ages of disease onset, were also tested, revealing again that changes in total activity and processivity can be dissociated. Factors that control initial proteolysis of APP at the ε site apparently differ significantly from factors affecting subsequent trimming and the distribution of Aß peptides.

Synthesis and screening of a CaaL peptide library versus FTase reveals a surprising number of substrates.

Proteins bearing a CaaL sequence are typically geranylgeranylated to enable their proper localization and function. We found that many of the dansyl-GCaaL peptides representing mammalian CaaL proteins can be farnesylated by FTase. This result may have important implications for prenylated protein biology.

Flavones and flavone glycosides from Halophila johnsonii.

Halophila johnsonii Eiseman is a shallow-water marine angiosperm which contains UV-absorbing metabolites. Studies on methanol extracts of H. johnsonii by means of HPLC-UV, NMR, HPLC-MS resulted in isolation and identification of seven previously unknown flavone glycosides: 5,6,7,3',4',5'-hexahydroxyflavone-7-O-beta-glucopyranoside (1), 5,6,7,3',4',5'-hexahydroxyflavone-7-O-(6''-O-acetyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (2), 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-(6''-O-acetyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (3), 6-hydroxyapigenin-7-O-(6''-O-acetyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (4), 6-hydroxyapigenin-7-O-(6''-O-[E]-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (5), 6-hydroxyapigenin-7-O-(6''-O-[E]-caffeoyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (6) and 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-(6''-O-[E]-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside (7). Also isolated were three known flavone glycosides, 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-O-beta-glucopyranoside (8), scutellarein-7-O-beta-glucopyranoside (9), and spicoside (10), and five known flavones, pedalitin (11), ladanetin (12), luteolin (13), apegenin (14) and myricetin (15). Qualitative comparison of the flavonoid distribution in the leaf and rhizome-root portions of the plant was also investigated, with the aim of establishing the UV-protecting roles that flavonoids played in the sea grass.

Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of 3,7-disubstituted farnesyl diphosphate analogues.

Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) analogues have proven to be both potent inhibitors of protein-farnesyltransferase (FTase) and valuable probes for the investigation of the function of prenylated proteins. Previously, we have demonstrated that certain 3-substituted and 7-substituted FPP analogues can act as inhibitors of FTase, while others are effective alternative substrates. We have now utilized our vinyl triflate-mediated route to synthesize the first seven FPP variants bearing substituents in both the 3- and 7-positions of the isoprene unit. Despite their exceptional steric bulk with respect to FPP itself, six of the seven analogues bind to FTase. Two of the analogues are potent inhibitors of the enzyme, but a more striking finding is that three FPP variants (4a, 4b, and 4f) are efficient alternative substrates for FTase.

Evaluation of protein farnesyltransferase substrate specificity using synthetic peptide libraries.

Farnesylation, catalyzed by protein farnesyltransferase (FTase), is an important post-translational modification guiding cellular localization. Recently predictive models for identifying FTase substrates have been reported. Here we evaluate these models through screening of dansylated-GCaaS peptides, which also provides new insights into the protein substrate selectivity of FTase.

Combinatorial modulation of protein prenylation.

The cell has >60 different farnesylated proteins. Many critically important signal transduction proteins are post-translationally modified with attachment of a farnesyl isoprenoid catalyzed by protein farnesyltransferase (FTase). Recently, it has been shown that farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) analogues can alter the peptide substrate specificity of FTase. We have used combinatorial screening of FPP analogues and peptide substrates to identify patterns in FTase substrate selectivity. Each FPP analogue displays a unique pattern of substrate reactivity with the tested peptides; FTase efficiently catalyzes the transfer of an FPP analogue selectively to one peptide and not another. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that these analogues can enter cells and be incorporated into proteins. These FPP analogues could serve as selective tools to examine the role prenylation plays in individual protein function.