Notch1 Modulation of Cellular Calcium Regulates Mitochondrial Metabolism and Anti-Apoptotic Activity in T-Regulatory Cells.

As the major hub of metabolic activity and an organelle sequestering pro-apoptogenic intermediates, mitochondria lie at the crossroads of cellular decisions of death and survival. Intracellular calcium is a key regulator of these outcomes with rapid, uncontrolled uptake into mitochondria, activating pro-apoptotic cascades that trigger cell death. Here, we show that calcium uptake and mitochondrial metabolism in murine T-regulatory cells (Tregs) is tuned by Notch1 activity. Based on analysis of Tregs and the HEK cell line, we present evidence that modulation of cellular calcium dynamics underpins Notch1 regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis and consequently anti-apoptotic activity. Targeted siRNA-mediated ablations reveal dependency on molecules controlling calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the chaperone, glucose-regulated protein 75 (Grp75), the associated protein Voltage Dependent Anion Channel (VDAC)1 and the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU), which together facilitate ER calcium transfer and uptake into the mitochondria. Endogenous Notch1 is detected in immune-complexes with Grp75 and VDAC1. Deficits in mitochondrial oxidative and survival in Notch1 deficient Tregs, were corrected by the expression of recombinant Notch1 intracellular domain, and in part by recombinant Grp75. Thus, the modulation of calcium dynamics and consequently mitochondrial metabolism underlies Treg survival in conditions of nutrient stress. This work positions a key role for Notch1 activity in these outcomes.

Palladium-catalysed stereoselective synthesis of 4-(diarylmethylidene)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones: expedient access to 4-substituted isoquinolin-1(2H)-ones and isoquinolines.

An efficient method has been developed for the stereoselective synthesis of 4-(diarylmethylidene)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones 7 through tandem Heck-Suzuki coupling at rt using easily available substrates. DBU easily converted the exocyclic double bond of these compounds to endo, furnishing 8 and 9. Reduction of the carbonyl group of 7 was smoothly carried out with borane dimethyl sulphide. Subsequent treatment with KOtBu provided an easy access to 4-substituted isoquinolines 10a if carried out in refluxing 1,4-dioxane, while reaction in DMF at rt led to the incorporation of an extra hydroxyl group at the benzylic position of the isoquinolines to give 10b. This straightforward and metal free procedure would serve as a better alternative to the prevalent procedures. Few of the products could also be transformed into heterocyclic scaffolds structurally resembling known bioactive compounds.

A Palladium-Catalyzed Method for the Synthesis of 2-(α-Styryl)-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4-ones and 3-(α-Styryl)-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide: Access to 2-(α-Styryl)quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and 3-(α-Styryl)-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxides.

An efficient synthesis of 2-(α-styryl)-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4-ones and 3-(α-styryl)-3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxides has been achieved in 39-94% yield through palladium-catalyzed cyclocondensation of aryl/vinyl iodides with allenamides 13-15 and 22, respectively. Base treatment of the N-tosylated products provides an easy access to 2-(α-styryl)quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and 3-(α-styryl)-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxides, hitherto unknown heterocycles. The method has been tested with phenyl substituted allenamides, applied for bis-heteroannulation, and used in the preparation of analogues of the natural product Luotonin F.

Andrographolide Analogue Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy Mediated Cell Death in U937 Cells by Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Current chemotherapeutic agents based on apoptosis induction are lacking in desired efficacy. Therefore, there is continuous effort to bring about new dimension in control and gradual eradication of cancer by means of ever evolving therapeutic strategies. Various forms of PCD are being increasingly implicated in anti-cancer therapy and the complex interplay among them is vital for the ultimate fate of proliferating cells. We elaborated and illustrated the underlying mechanism of the most potent Andrographolide analogue (AG-4) mediated action that involved the induction of dual modes of cell death-apoptosis and autophagy in human leukemic U937 cells. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: AG-4 induced cytotoxicity was associated with redox imbalance and apoptosis which involved mitochondrial depolarisation, altered apoptotic protein expressions, activation of the caspase cascade leading to cell cycle arrest. Incubation with caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk or Bax siRNA decreased cytotoxic efficacy of AG-4 emphasising critical roles of caspase and Bax. In addition, AG-4 induced autophagy as evident from LC3-II accumulation, increased Atg protein expressions and autophagosome formation. Pre-treatment with 3-MA or Atg 5 siRNA suppressed the cytotoxic effect of AG-4 implying the pro-death role of autophagy. Furthermore, incubation with Z-VAD-fmk or Bax siRNA subdued AG-4 induced autophagy and pre-treatment with 3-MA or Atg 5 siRNA curbed AG-4 induced apoptosis-implying that apoptosis and autophagy acted as partners in the context of AG-4 mediated action. AG-4 also inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Inhibition of mTOR or Akt augmented AG-4 induced apoptosis and autophagy signifying its crucial role in its mechanism of action. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, these findings prove the dual ability of AG-4 to induce apoptosis and autophagy which provide a new perspective to it as a potential molecule targeting PCD for future cancer therapeutics.

Mechanistic implications in the phosphatase activity of Mannich-based dinuclear zinc complexes with theoretical modeling.

An "end-off" compartmental ligand has been synthesized by an abnormal Mannich reaction, namely, 2-[bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminomethyl]-4-isopropylphenol yielding three centrosymmetric binuclear µ-phenoxozinc(II) complexes having the molecular formula [Zn2(L)2X2] (Zn-1, Zn-2, and Zn-3), where X = Cl(-), Br (-), and I (-), respectively. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the ZnO3NX chromophores in each molecule form a slightly distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry (τ = 0.55-0.68) with an intermetallic distance of 3.068, 3.101, and 3.083 Å (1-3, respectively). The spectrophotometrical investigation on their phosphatase activity established that all three of them possess significant hydrolytic efficiency. Michaelis-Menten-derived kinetic parameters indicate that the competitiveness of the rate of P-O bond fission employing the phosphomonoester (4-nitrophenyl)phosphate in 97.5% N,N-dimethylformamide is 3 > 1 > 2 and the kcat value lies in the range 9.47-11.62 s(-1) at 298 K. Theoretical calculations involving three major active catalyst forms, such as the dimer-cis form (D-Cis), the dimer-trans form (D-Trans), and the monoform (M-1 and M-2), systematically interpret the reaction mechanism wherein the dimer-cis form with the binuclear-bridged hydroxide ion acting as the nucleophile and one water molecule playing a role in stabilizing the leaving group competes as the most favored pathway.

Facile synthesis of 2-arylmethylindoles and 2-vinylic indoles through palladium-catalyzed heteroannulations of 2-(2-propynyl)aniline and 2-(2-propynyl)tosylanilide.

A facile method for the general synthesis of 2-arylmethylindoles has been developed through the reaction of 2-(2-propynyl)aniline or 2-(2-propynyl)tosylanilide with aryl iodides in the presence of Pd(OAc)2, PPh3, and DBU. 2-(2-Propynyl)tosylanilide is found to be reactive also towards electron deficient alkenes in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and sodium iodide under an oxygen atmosphere, providing easy access to 2-vinylic indoles which possess exclusive E-stereochemistry in the side chain double bond. Operational simplicity, compatibility of the various functional groups, and ease of product formation are the hallmarks of these methods. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the product formation.