Biogeography of ammonia oxidizers in New England and Gulf of Mexico salt marshes and the potential importance of comammox.

Few studies have focused on broad scale biogeographic patterns of ammonia oxidizers in coastal systems, yet understanding the processes that govern them is paramount to understanding the mechanisms that drive biodiversity, and ultimately impact ecosystem processes. Here we present a meta-analysis of 16 years of data of ammonia oxidizer abundance, diversity, and activity in New England (NE) salt marshes and 5 years of data from marshes in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Potential nitrification rates were more than 80x higher in GoM compared to NE marshes. However, nitrifier abundances varied between regions, with ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and comammox bacteria significantly greater in GoM, while ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were more than 20x higher in NE than GoM. Total bacterial 16S rRNA genes were also significantly greater in GoM marshes. Correlation analyses of rates and abundance suggest that AOA and comammox are more important in GoM marshes, whereas AOB are more important in NE marshes. Furthermore, ratios of nitrifiers to total bacteria in NE were as much as 80x higher than in the GoM, suggesting differences in the relative importance of nitrifiers between these systems. Communities of AOA and AOB were also significantly different between the two regions, based on amoA sequences and DNA fingerprints (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism). Differences in rates and abundances may be due to differences in salinity, temperature, and N loading between the regions, and suggest significantly different N cycling dynamics in GoM and NE marshes that are likely driven by strong environmental differences between the regions.

HIF-1alpha and EPAS ubiquitination mediated by the VHL tumour suppressor involves flexibility in the ubiquitination mechanism, similar to other RING E3 ligases.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) degradation under normoxia is critical to modulating vascular growth. This degradation is mediated during normoxia by the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor protein (VHL)-E3 ubiquitin ligase in partnership with the E2 enzyme UbcH5. In current models of the functionally similar Skp1, cullin, F-box (SCF)-E3 ligase, the E3 binds the target protein and the E2 catalyses ubiquitin transfer to lysines in an appropriately positioned domain. In the present study, we report that for efficient ubiquitination of HIF-1alpha to occur, three conserved lysines are required in both the HIF-1alpha and endothelial Per-ARNT-Sim domain protein (EPAS) sequences. The site of ubiquitin attachment via UbcH5 was mapped, and is shown to involve three HIF-1alpha lysines, K532, K538 and K547, and the same aligned lysines in EPAS. Only one of these lysines need to be intact for full ubiquitination to occur, analogous to the mechanism of Sic1 ubiquitination by the SCF/Cdc34 complex and further strengthening the functional link between the VHL and SCF-E3 ubiquitin ligases. We also report that lysines can be moved around the HIF-1alpha sequence with only minor losses in ubiquitination efficiency, thus suggesting HIF-1alpha and EPAS regulation by hypoxia depends primarily on an interaction with VHL per se, rather than the highly specific positioning of flanking lysine acceptors.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 18. 6-Substituted 4-anilinoquinazolines and 4-anilinopyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidines as soluble, irreversible inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor.

4-Anilinoquinazoline- and 4-anilinopyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine-6-acrylamides are potent pan-erbB tyrosine kinase inactivators, and one example (CI-1033) is in clinical trial. A series of analogues with a variety of Michael acceptor units at the 6-position were prepared to define the structural requirements for irreversible inhibition. A particular goal was to determine whether additional functions to increase solubility could be appended to the Michael acceptor. Substituted acrylamides were prepared by direct acylation of the corresponding 6-amines with the requisite acid or acid chloride. Vinylsulfonamide derivatives were obtained by acylation of the amines with chloroethylsulfonyl chloride followed by base-promoted elimination. Vinylsulfone and vinylsulfine derivatives were prepared by oxidation and base elimination of a hydroxyethylthio intermediate. The compounds were evaluated for their inhibition of phosphorylation of the isolated EGFR enzyme and for inhibition of EGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of EGFR in A431 cells and of heregulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of erbB2 in MDA-MB 453 cells. Substitution at the nitrogen of the acrylamide was tolerated only with a methyl group; larger substituents were dystherapeutic, and no substitution at all was tolerated at the acrylamide alpha-carbon. In contrast, while electron-donating groups at the acrylamide beta-carbon were not useful, even quite large electron-withdrawing groups (which increase its electrophilicity) were tolerated. A series of derivatives with solubility-enhancing substituents linked to the acrylamide beta-carbon via amides were potent irreversible inhibitors of isolated EGFR (IC50s = 0.4-1.1 nM), with weakly basic morpholine and imidazole derivatives being the best. Vinylsulfonamides were also potent and irreversible inhibitors, but vinylsulfones and vinylsulfines were reversible and only poorly active. Two compounds were evaluated against A431, H125, and MCF-7 xenografts in nude mice but were inferior in these assays to the clinical trial compound CI-1033.

3-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-1,6-naphthyridine-2,7-diamines and related 2-urea derivatives are potent and selective inhibitors of the FGF receptor-1 tyrosine kinase.

A series of 3-aryl-1,6-naphthyridine-2,7-diamines and related 2-ureas were prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of the FGF receptor-1 tyrosine kinase. Condensation of 4,6-diaminonicotinaldehyde and substituted phenylacetonitriles gave intermediate naphthyridine-2,7-diamines, and direct reaction of the monoanion of these (NaH/DMF) with alkyl or aryl isocyanates selectively gave the 2-ureas in varying yields (23-93%). For the preparation of more soluble 7-alkylamino-2-ureas, a number of protecting groups for the 2-amine were evaluated (phthaloyl, 4-methoxybenzyl) following selective blocking of the 7-amine (trityl), but these were not superior to the (required) 2-tert-Bu-urea group itself. Direct alkylation of the anion of the (unprotected) 7-amino group with excess 4-(3-chloropropyl)morpholine in DMF gave low (10%) yields of the desired product, but alkylation of the 7-acetamido anion, followed by mild alkaline hydrolysis, raised this to 64%. 3-Phenyl analogues were nonspecific inhibitors of isolated c-Src, FGFR, and PDGFR tyrosine kinases, whereas 3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl) analogues were most effective against c-Src and FGFR, and 3-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl) derivatives showed high selectivity for FGFR alone. A water-soluble (7-morpholinylpropylamino) analogue retained high FGFR potency (IC(50) 31 nM) and selectivity. Pairwise comparison of the 1, 6-naphthyridines and the corresponding known pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine analogues showed little differences in potency or patterns of selectivity, suggesting that the 1-aza atom of the latter is not important for activity. A 7-acetamide derivative inhibited the growth of FGFR-expressing tumor cell lines and was particularly potent against HUVECs (IC(50) 4 nM). This compound was also a very potent inhibitor of HUVEC microcapillary formation (IC(50) 0.01 nM) and Matrigel invasion (IC(50) 7 nM) and showed significant in vivo antitumor effects in a highly vascularized mammary adenocarcinoma 16/c model at nontoxic doses. The compounds are worthy of further evaluation as antiangiogenesis agents.

Anticancer efficacy of the irreversible EGFr tyrosine kinase inhibitor PD 0169414 against human tumor xenografts.

PURPOSE: The involvement of the EGF receptor (EGFr) family of receptors in cancers suggests that a selective inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of the EGFr family could have a therapeutic effect. PD 0169414, an anilinoquinazoline, is a potent irreversible inhibitor of the EGFr family tyrosine kinase activity with IC(50) values of 0.42 nM against the isolated EGF receptor, and 4.7 nM and 22 nM against EGF- and heregulin-mediated receptor phosphorylation in A431 and MDA-MB-453 cells, respectively. METHODS AND RESULTS: Oral administration of 260 mg/kg per day PD 0169414 for 15 days to animals bearing advanced-stage A431 epidermoid carcinoma produced a 28.2-day delay in tumor growth and resulted in three complete and three partial tumor regressions in six animals. Toxicity at this dose level was limited to <6% loss of initial body weight. Doses of 160 and 100 mg/kg per day produced tumor growth delays of 29.5 and 20.9 days and two and one complete regressions in six animals, respectively. Subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and oral routes of administration have also shown in vivo antitumor activity of PD 0169414 in a panel of human tumor xenografts. Responsive tumor lines include A431 (human epidermoid carcinoma), H125 (NSCL carcinoma), MCF-7 and UISO-BCA1 (human breast carcinoma), and SK-OV-03 (human ovarian carcinoma). The therapeutic effect ranged from delayed tumor growth (6.4 days delayed tumor growth for 14 days of treatment) to tumor regressions (32.2 days delayed tumor growth and five partial regressions in six animals) in these model systems. CONCLUSION: PD 0169414 is a specific, irreversible inhibitor of EGFr family tyrosine kinases with significant in vivo activity against a variety of relevant human tumor xenografts.

Degradation of the basic helix-loop-helix/Per-ARNT-Sim homology domain dioxin receptor via the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway.

The basic helix-loop-helix/Per-ARNT-Sim homology domain dioxin receptor (DR) translocates to the nucleus upon binding of aromatic hydrocarbon ligands typified by dioxin, whereupon it partners the Ah receptor nuclear translocator and initiates transcription. Concurrently, ligand binding down-regulates receptor levels via an unknown mechanism. In this study we show that receptor levels are dependent upon cellular compartmentalization, with entry into the nucleus leading to the rapid destruction of the DR. Ligand-induced DR translocation was bypassed by adding a heterologous nuclear localization signal to the DR, creating a constitutively nuclear form of the dioxin receptor (DRNLS). The DRNLS protein was shown to be unstable with a half-life of

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 15. 4-(Phenylamino)quinazoline and 4-(phenylamino)pyrido[d]pyrimidine acrylamides as irreversible inhibitors of the ATP binding site of the epidermal growth factor receptor.

A series of 6- and 7-acrylamide derivatives of the 4-(phenylamino)quinazoline and -pyridopyrimidine classes of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors were prepared from the corresponding amino compounds by reaction with either acryloyl chloride/base or acrylic acid/1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride. All of the 6-acrylamides, but only the parent quinazoline 7-acrylamide, were irreversible inhibitors of the isolated enzyme, confirming that the former are better-positioned, when bound to the enzyme, to react with the critical cysteine-773. Quinazoline, pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine, and pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine 6-acrylamides were all irreversible inhibitors and showed similar high potencies in the enzyme assay (likely due to titration of the available enzyme). However the pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine analogues were 2-6-fold less potent than the others in a cellular autophosphorylation assay for EGFR in A431 cells. The quinazolines were generally less potent overall toward inhibition of heregulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of erbB2 (in MDA-MB-453-cells), whereas the pyridopyrimidines were equipotent. Selected compounds were evaluated in A431 epidermoid and H125 non-small-cell lung cancer human tumor xenografts. The compounds showed better activity when given orally than intraperitoneally. All showed significant tumor growth inhibition (stasis) over a dose range. The poor aqueous solubility of the compounds was a drawback, requiring formulation as fine particulate emulsions.

Synthesis and tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity of a series of 2-amino-8H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines: identification of potent, selective platelet-derived growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Screening of a compound library led to the identification of 2-amino-6-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-8-methylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1) as a inhibitor of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFr), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFr), and c-src tyrosine kinases (TKs). Replacement of the primary amino group at C-2 of 1 with a 4-(N,N-diethylaminoethoxy)phenylamino group yielded 2a, which had greatly increased activity against all three TKs. In the present work, variation of the aromatic group at C-6 and of the alkyl group at N-8 of the pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine core provided several analogues that retained potency, including derivatives that were biased toward inhibition of the TK activity of PDGFr. Analogues of 2a with a 3-thiophene or an unsubstituted phenyl group at C-6 were the most potent inhibitors. Compound 54, which had IC50 values of 31, 88, and 31 nM against PDGFr, FGFr, and c-src TK activity, respectively, was active in a variety of PDGF-dependent cellular assays and blocked the in vivo growth of three PDGF-dependent tumor lines.

2-Substituted aminopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-ones. structure-activity relationships against selected tyrosine kinases and in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity.

While engaged in therapeutic intervention against a number of proliferative diseases, we have discovered the 2-aminopyrido[2, 3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-ones as a novel class of potent, broadly active tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors. An efficient route was developed that enabled the synthesis of a wide variety of analogues with substitution on several positions of the template. From the lead structure 2, a series of analogues bearing variable substituents at the C-2 position and methyl or ethyl at N-8 was made. Compounds of this series were competitive with ATP and displayed submicromolar to low nanomolar potency against a panel of TKs, including receptor (platelet-derived growth factor, PDGFr; fibroblast growth factor, FGFr; epidermal growth factor, EGFr) and nonreceptor (c-Src) classes. One of the more thoroughly evaluated members was 63 with IC50 values of 0.079 microM (PDGFr), 0.043 microM (bFGFr), 0.044 microM (EGFr), and 0.009 microM (c-Src). In cellular studies, 63 inhibited PDGF-mediated receptor autophosphorylation in a number of cell lines at IC50 values of 0.026-0.002 microM and proliferation of two PDGF-dependent lines at 0.3 microM. It also caused inhibition of soft agar colony formation in three cell lines that overexpress the c-Src TK, with IC50 values of 0.33-1.8 microM. In in vivo studies against a panel of seven xenograft tumor models with known and/or inferred dependence on the EGFr, PDGFr, and c-Src TKs, compound 63 produced a tumor growth delay of 10.6 days against the relatively refractory SK-OV-3 ovarian xenograft and also displayed activity against the HT-29 tumor. In rat oral bioavailability studies, compound 63 plasma concentrations declined in a biexponential manner, and systemic plasma clearance was high relative to liver blood flow. Finally, in rat metabolism studies, HPLC chromatography identified two metabolites of 63, which were proved by mass spectrometry and synthesis to be the primary amine (58) and N-oxide (66). Because of the excellent potency of 63 against selected TKs, in vitro and in vivo studies are underway for this compound in additional tumor models dependent upon PDGFr, FGFr, and c-Src to assess its potential for advancement to clinical trials.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 14. Structure-activity relationships for methylamino-substituted derivatives of 4-[(3-bromophenyl)amino]-6-(methylamino)-pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PD 158780), a potent and specific inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of receptors for the EGF family of growth factors.

The 4-[(3-bromophenyl)amino]pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine PD 158780 is a very potent in vitro inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (IC50 0.08 nM), and other members of the erbB family, by competitive binding at the ATP site of these signal transduction enzymes. A series of analogues of PD 158780 bearing solubilizing functions off the 6-methylamino substituent were prepared by reaction of the 6-fluoro derivatives with appropriate amine nucleophiles. These were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the tyrosine phosphorylating action of EGF-stimulated full-length EGFR enzyme and for inhibition of autophosphorylation of the EGFR in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells in culture. The most effective analogues were those bearing weakly basic substituents through a secondary amine linkage, which proved water-soluble (> 10 mM) and potent (IC50S generally < 1 nM). No clear SAR could be discerned for these compounds with respect to amine base strength or the distance of the cationic center from the chromophore, suggesting that 6-substituents are in a favorable area of bulk tolerance in the enzyme binding site. More distinct SAR emerged for the ability of the compounds to inhibit EGFR autophosphorylation in A431 cells, where analogues bearing lipophilic weak bases were preferred. Representative analogues were evaluated for antitumor effectiveness against four in vivo tumor models. Significant in vivo activity was observed in estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast and A431 epidermoid tumors. Marginal activity was seen in an EGFR-transfected tumor model, suggesting that while this cell line requires EGF for clone formation in soft agar, other growth factors may be able to replace EGF in vivo. Also, no activity was seen against the SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer model, which is known to express other EGF receptor family members (although it is not clear whether these are absolutely required for growth in vivo). While substantial growth delays were seen in A431 and MCF-7 tumor models, the treated tumors remained approximately the same size throughout therapy, suggesting that the compounds are cytostatic rather than cytotoxic under these test conditions. It remains to be determined if more prolonged therapy has cytotoxic effects in vivo, resulting in net tumor cell kill.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 13. Structure-activity relationships for soluble 7-substituted 4-[(3-bromophenyl)amino]pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidines designed as inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor.

The general class of 4-(phenylamino)quinazolines are potent (some members with IC50 values << 1 nM) and selective inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), via competitive binding at the ATP site of the enzyme, but many of the early analogues had poor aqueous solubility (<< 1 mM). A series of 7-substituted 4-[(3-bromophenyl)-amino]pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidines, together with selected (3-methylphenyl)amino analogues, were prepared by reaction of the analogous 7-fluoro derivatives with appropriate amine nucleophiles in 2-BuOH or aqueous 1-PrOH. All of the compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the tyrosine-phosphorylating action of EGF-stimulated full-length EGFR enzyme. Selected analogues were also evaluated for their inhibition of autophosphorylation of the EGF receptor in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells in culture and against A431 tumor xenografts in mice. Analogues bearing a wide variety of polyol, cationic, and anionic solubilizing substituents retained activity, but the most effective in terms of both increased aqueous solubility (> 40 mM) and retention of overall inhibitory activity (IC50's of 0.5-10 nM against isolated enzyme and 8-40 nM for inhibition of EGFR autophosphorylation in A431 cells) were weakly basic amine derivatives. These results are broadly consistent with a proposed model for the binding of these compounds to EGFR, in which the 6- and 7-positions of the pyridopyrimidine ring are in a largely hydrophobic binding region of considerable steric freedom, at the entrance of the adenine binding cleft. The most active cationic analogues have a weakly basic side chain where the amine moiety is three or more carbon atoms away from the nucleus. Two of the compounds (bearing weakly basic morpholinopropyl and strongly basic (dimethylamino)butyl solubilizing groups) produced in vivo tumor growth delays of 13-21 days against advanced stage A431 epidermoid xenografts in nude mice, when administered i.p. twice per day on days 7-21 posttumor implant. Treated tumors did not increase in size during therapy and resumed growth at the termination of therapy, indicating an apparent cytostatic effect for these compounds under these treatment conditions. The data suggest that continuous long-term therapy with these compounds may result in substantial tumor growth inhibition.

Evidence of proteasome-mediated cytochrome P-450 degradation.

The cytochrome P-450 family of enzymes performs an incredibly diverse range of detoxification and oxidation reactions within the cell and constitutes between 5 and 10% of protein in hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. In this report it is demonstrated that constitutively expressed membranous P-450s are targeted for destruction by the proteasome, in a process which is ubiquitin-independent and is demonstrated in vitro to require prior labilization of the enzyme. This process was specific for P-450s CYP1A2, CYP2E1, CYP3A, and CYP4A and was not demonstrated to be involved in the turnover of CYP1A1, CYP2B1/2, or NADPH reductase. In reconstitution experiments using purified proteasomes and microsomal fractions, labilized P-450 conformations are protected from 20 S proteasome degradation by substrate addition, with proteolysis occurring while P-450s are still attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 6. Structure-activity relationships among N- and 3-substituted 2,2'-diselenobis(1H-indoles) for inhibition of protein tyrosine kinases and comparative in vitro and in vivo studies against selected sulfur congeners.

A small series of 2,2'-diselenobis(1H-indoles) was synthesized as redox-modified congeners of our earlier reported 2,2'-dithiobis(1H-indole) series. Utilizing chemistry similar to that developed earlier for the disulfur series, compounds were made from 2-halogeno-3-indolecarboxylic acid precursors bearing various polar functionality at the C-3 position and small alkyl substituents at the N-1 position of the indole nucleus. Additional compounds were derived from (R)- or (S)-tryptophan via a novel application of diselenium dichloride as an electrophilic source of diselenium, and a much improved process to a 2,2'-dithiobis(1H-indole) congener was developed utilizing disulfur dichloride as a source of disulfur. Against isolated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFr), and v-src tyrosine kinases, compounds in this series displayed broad inhibitory activity with IC50 = 0.9 to > 100 microM vs EGFr, 3.4 to > 50 microM vs PDGFr, and 0.4-6.7 microM vs v-src. In general, compounds derived from tryptophan displayed the greatest potency against EGFr and those from 2-halogeno-3-indolecarboxylic acids greater potency against PDGFr and v-src. Enzyme kinetics studies showed that both classes of compounds display primarily noncompetitive inhibition with respect to either ATP or peptide substrate. The sulfhydryl reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) caused a general decrease in inhibition of the EGFr and v-src tyrosine kinases by both the diselenium and disulfur series with the reversal of enzyme inhibition occurring less readily within the diselenium series. In whole cell studies, compounds of this class were growth inhibitory against Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts with IC50 values from 0.5 to 19.5 microM, and the observed SAR was different from that of the 2,2'-dithiobis(1H-indoles). A comparative study in the same cell line on the effects of the 2,2'-diselenobis(1H-indole) derived from (R)-tryptophan vs its disulfur congener on growth factor mediated tyrosine phosphorylation showed that this compound significantly inhibited EGFr and PDGFr (in response to its ligand) autophosphorylation with complete suppression at 25 and 5 microM, respectively. Tyrosine phosphorylation of an 85 kDa protein typically phosphorylated in response to bFGF was also exquisitely sensitive to this compound, and it displayed inhibitory effects on DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis at submicromolar concentrations. The disulfur congener exhibited a qualitatively similar pattern; however, its potency was 10-fold less. This same diselenium/disulfur pair was evaluated in vivo against the B16 melanoma, colon carcinoma 26, and M5076 sarcoma murine tumors, and the A431 epidermoid, and C6 glioma human tumor xenografts. At maximum tolerated doses (1.8 and 5.0 mg/kg/injection, respectively), neither the diselenium nor disulfur congener was effective against the C6 glioma when administered intraperitoneally on a d1-9 schedule. Studies were also carried out against the A431 epidermoid xenograft to evaluate the same pair of compounds via continuous subcutaneous infusion from Alzet miniosmotic pumps. The maximum dose that could be administered daily was limited by compound solubility. Neither compound produced an antitumor effect in a 7-day continuous infusion study. In the 27-day study, the disulfur compound was inactive whereas the diselenium compound produced a 10.8-day growth delay without appreciable treatment related weight loss. The in vitro and in vivo findings offer a mechanistic rationale as to why the 2,2'-diselenobis(1H-indoles) are more potent inhibitors than their disulfur congeners.

The radiographic diagnosis of pelvic lipomatosis.

We describe a patient who initially presented with asymptomatic hydronephrosis. He underwent extensive radiologic evaluation which led to the diagnosis of pelvic lipomatosis. The possible etiology, workup, and treatment options of this unusual entity are discussed.

Transcriptional induction of the cytochrome P4501A1 gene by a thiazolium compound, YH439.

The molecular mechanism of induction of cytochromes P4501A1/2 (CYP1A1/2) by a synthetic compound YH439 was studied in rodents as well as in cultured hepatoma cells. CYP1A1-mediated ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity and amounts of its immunoreactive protein were increased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner after a single dose of YH439 (150 mg/kg). Northern blot analyses revealed that YH439 rapidly increased (< or = 2 hr) the levels of CYP1A1/2 mRNAs, resulting in an increase in CYP1A protein level by > 6-fold at 8 hr after injection. After YH439 administration, the levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 mRNAs peaked at 8 hr and 16 hr, respectively, before returning to control levels at 16 and 24 hr. The CYP1A protein level, on the other hand, reached a maximum at 24 hr after YH439 treatment and returned to near-control levels at 72 hr. Nuclear run-on analyses revealed that YH439 induces CYP1A1/2 gene transcription as early as 2 hr after YH439 treatment. Cytosolic electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggested that YH439 activates the CYP1A1/2 genes through the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor and the xenobiotic response elements. The dependency on the Ah receptor for the induction of CYP1A1/2 by YH439 was confirmed by the lack of CYP1A1/2 induction in the Ah receptor knock-out mice (Ahr-1-) as well as in murine hepatoma cells without a functional Ah receptor. Molecular structural analysis of YH439 and several other compounds indicated that the planarity and size of a molecule are important in its interaction with the Ah receptor and subsequent CYP1A1/2 induction. YH439 is a thiazolium compound with little aromaticity and with a two-dimensional structure different from that of the Ahs. Therefore, it represents a new class of Ah receptor ligand and CYP1A inducer.

TRICARE: implications for military executive management education--a review of current data.

The Military Health Services System (MHSS) is undergoing major modifications brought about by the Department of Defense health care reform program (TRICARE), a dynamic, multi-dimensional reform initiative affecting health care delivery to eligible beneficiaries. Military managers of the MHSS are currently being impacted by the changes secondary to the implementation of TRICARE. By reviewing needs assessments conducted with these managers, surveying currently available programs and curricula aimed at military health care manager development, and examining the TRICARE concept, it is clear that executive education must be adapted to fit the needs of those who will manage this newly designed and rapidly evolving health care system. This report summarizes current military executive education options and specifically examines the Naval Postgraduate School Executive (Medical) Management Education (EME) Program. This EME Program can support military medical treatment facility and lead agents (Health Service Regions) executive managers in the execution of their TRICARE mission.

Transcriptional inhibition of cytochrome P4502E1 by a synthetic compound, YH439.

The molecular mechanism of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) inhibition by a synthetic compound, YH439, was studied. In rats treated with YH439, N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activity and the amount of immunoreactive CYP2E1 were rapidly decreased in time- and dose-dependent manners. Within 2 h after a single dose of YH439 (150 mg/kg), the CYP2E1-catalyzed activity in uninduced rats was decreased by about 30% and by 43% at 24 h after YH439 injection. YH439 treatment also reduced the elevation of CYP2E1 enzyme activity in starved (induced) animals by 34%. More profound inhibition of CYP2E1 protein levels was observed by immunoblot analysis. The level of CYP2E1 catalytic activity and immunoreactive protein remained suppressed for at least 48 h and returned to normal level at 72 h after YH439 treatment. The levels of immunoreactive CYP2B1/2 protein and catalytic activity were moderately increased while little change was observed in the levels of NADPH-dependent P450 oxidoreductase activity and its protein after treatment with YH439. Unlike competitive inhibitors of CYP2E1, YH439 rapidly (within 2 h) decreased the level of CYP2E1 mRNA, while malotilate, a structural analog of YH439, slightly suppressed its level. Nuclear run-on transcription analyses at 2, 4, and 8 h post-YH439 administration revealed that the inhibition of CYP2E1 by YH439 is at the level of transcription, indicating that YH439 is a new class of CYP2E1 inhibitor. Our data demonstrate that YH439 is a powerful inhibitor of CYP2E1 expression and is thus potentially useful as a pharmacological tool to study CYP2E1 function as well as a potential therapeutic agent.