Comparison of the binding stoichiometries of positively charged DNA-binding drugs using positive and negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
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Positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of complexes of positively charged small molecules (distamycin, Hoechst 33258, [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 and [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2) have been compared. [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 and [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 bind to DNA by intercalation. Negative ion ESI mass spectra of mixtures of [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 or [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 with DNA showed ions from DNA-ligand complexes consistent with solution studies. In contrast, only ions from free DNA were present in positive ion ESI mass spectra of mixtures of [Ru(phen)2dpq]Cl2 or [Ru(phen)2dpqC]Cl2 with DNA, highlighting the need for obtaining ESI mass spectra of non-covalent complexes under a range of experimental conditions. Negative ion spectra of mixtures of the minor groove binder Hoechst 33258 with DNA containing a known minor groove binding sequence were dominated by ions from a 1:1 complex. In contrast, in positive ion spectra there were also ions present from a 2:1 (Hoechst 33258: DNA) complex, suggesting an alternative binding mode was possible either in solution or in the gas phase. When Hoechst 33258 was mixed with a DNA sequence lacking a high affinity minor groove binding site, the negative ion ESI mass spectra showed that 1:1 and 2:1 complexes were formed, consistent with existence of binding modes other than minor groove binding. The data presented suggest that comparison of positive and negative ion ESI-MS spectra might provide an insight into various binding modes in both solution and the gas phase. (+info)
Capsaicin facilitates carotid sinus baroreceptor activity in anesthetized rats.
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AIM: To study the effect of capsaicin on carotid sinus baroreceptor activity (CBA). METHODS: The functional curve of carotid baroreceptor (FCCB) was constructed and the functional parameters of carotid sinus baroreceptor were measured by recording sinus nerve afferent discharge in anesthetized rats with perfused isolated carotid sinus. RESULTS: Low-concentration of capsaicin (0.2 mumol/L) had no significant effect on CBA, while perfusion of the isolated carotid sinus with middle-concentration of capsaicin (1 mumol/L) could shift FCCB to the left and upward, with peak slope (PS) increased from (2.47 %+/-0.14 %)/mmHg to (2.88 %+/-0.10 %)/mmHg (P<0.05) and peak integral value of carotid sinus nerve discharge (PIV) enhanced from 211 %+/-5 % to 238 %+/-6 % (P<0.01). The threshold pressure (TP) and saturation pressure (SP) were significantly decreased from 68.0+/-1.1 to 62.7+/-1.0 mmHg (P<0.01) and from 171.0+/-1.6 to 165.0+/-0.6 mmHg (P<0.01). By perfusing with high-concentration of capsaicin (5 micromol/L), FCCB was shifted to the left and upward further and the changes of the functional parameters such as PS, TP, and SP were concentration-dependent. Pretreatment with ruthenium red (100 micromol/L), an antagonist of vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1), blocked the effect of capsaicin on CBA. Preperfusion with glibenclamide (20 micromol/L), a K(ATP) channel blocker, could eliminate the effect of capsaicin on CBA. CONCLUSION: Capsaicin exerts a facilitatory role on the isolated carotid baroreceptor in a concentration-dependent manner. The facilitatory action of capsaicin may be attributed to the opening of K(ATP) channels mediated by VR1. (+info)
Crosslinking photosensitized by a ruthenium chelate as a tool for labeling and topographical studies of G-protein-coupled receptors.
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The purpose was to apply oxidative crosslinking reactions to the study of recognition and signaling mechanisms associated to G-protein-coupled receptors. Using a ruthenium chelate, Ru(bipy)(3)(2+), as photosensitizer and visible light irradiation, in the presence of ammonium persulfate, we performed fast and efficient covalent labeling of the B(2) bradykinin receptor by agonist or antagonist ligands possessing a radio-iodinated phenol moiety. The chemical and topographical specificities of these crosslinking experiments were investigated. The strategy could also be applied to the covalent labeling of the B(1) bradykinin receptor, the AT(1) angiotensin II receptor, the V(1a) vasopressin receptor and the oxytocin receptor. Interestingly, we demonstrated the possibility to covalently label the AT(1) and B(2) receptors with functionalized ligands. The potential applications of metal-chelate chemistry to receptor structural and signaling studies through intramolecular or intermolecular crosslinking are presented. (+info)
Conformation of DNA modified by monofunctional Ru(II) arene complexes: recognition by DNA binding proteins and repair. Relationship to cytotoxicity.
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We analyzed DNA duplexes modified at central guanine residues by monofunctional Ru(II) arene complexes [(eta(6)-arene)Ru(II)(en)(Cl)](+) (arene = tetrahydroanthracene or p-cymene, Ru-THA or Ru-CYM, respectively). These two complexes were chosen as representatives of two different classes of Ru(II) arene compounds for which initial studies revealed different binding modes: one that may involve DNA intercalation (tricyclic-ring Ru-THA) and the other (mono-ring Ru-CYM) that may not. Ru-THA is approximately 20 times more toxic to cancer cells than Ru-CYM. The adducts of Ru-THA and Ru-CYM have contrasting effects on the conformation, thermodynamic stability, and polymerization of DNA in vitro. In addition, the adducts of Ru-CYM are removed from DNA more efficiently than those of Ru-THA. Interestingly, the mammalian nucleotide excision repair system has low efficiency for excision of ruthenium adducts compared to cisplatin intrastrand crosslinks. (+info)
Dynamics of supercoiled and linear pBluescript II SK(+) Phagemids probed with a long-lifetime metal-ligand complex.
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We extended the measurable time scale of DNA dynamics to microsecond using [Ru(phen)(2)(dppz)](2+)(phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine)(RuPD) , which displays a mean lifetime near 500 ns. To evaluate the usefulness of this luminophore (RuPD) for probing nucleic acid dynamics, its intensity and anisotropy decays when intercalated into supercoiled and linear pBluescript (pBS) II SK(+) phagemids were examined using frequency-domain fluorometry with a blue light-emitting diode (LED) as the modulated light source. The mean lifetime for the supercoiled phagemids ( = 489.7 ns) was somewhat shorter than that for the linear phagemids ( = 506.4 ns), suggesting a more efficient shielding from water by the linear phagemids. The anisotropy decay data also showed somewhat shorter slow rotational correlation times for supercoiled phagemids (997.2 ns) than for the linear phagemids (1175.6 ns). The slow and fast rotational correlation times appear to be consistent with the bending and torsional motions of the phagemids, respectively. These results indicate that RuPD can have applications in studies of both bending and torsional dynamics of nucleic acids. (+info)
Protective effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol against N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced AF5 cell death.
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The neuroprotective effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were examined using an in vitro model in which the AF5 CNS cell line was exposed to toxic levels of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), an agonist of the NMDA glutamate receptor. NMDA toxicity was reduced by THC, but not by the more specific cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55,212-2. Addition of dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) to the culture medium did not alter the neuroprotective effect of THC and did not unmask a neuroprotective effect of WIN55,212-2. The cannabinoid antagonist SR141716A did not inhibit the neuroprotection induced by THC or alter the response to WIN55,212-2, even in the presence of dbcAMP, indicating that the neuroprotective effect of THC was cannabinoid receptor-independent. On the other hand, both THC and WIN55,212-2 produced cellular toxicology at higher dosages, an effect which was blocked in part by SR141716A. Capsaicin, an antioxidant and vanilloid receptor agonist, also produced a protective effect against NMDA toxicology. The protective effect of capsaicin was blocked by co-application of ruthenium red, but was not blocked by the specific vanilloid receptor antagonist capsazepine, and the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and ANKTM1 transcripts were not detected in AF5 cells. Thus, the neuroprotective effects of THC and capsaicin did not appear to be mediated by TRP ion channel family receptors. The antioxidant alpha-tocopherol prevented neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, THC may function as an antioxidant to increase cell survival in NMDA-induced neurotoxicity in the AF5 cell model, while higher dosages produce toxicity mediated by CB1 receptor stimulation. (+info)
Inhibition of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter by the oxo-bridged dinuclear ruthenium amine complex (Ru360) prevents from irreversible injury in postischemic rat heart.
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Mitochondrial calcium overload has been implicated in the irreversible damage of reperfused heart. Accordingly, we studied the effect of an oxygen-bridged dinuclear ruthenium amine complex (Ru360), which is a selective and potent mitochondrial calcium uniporter blocker, on mitochondrial dysfunction and on the matrix free-calcium concentration in mitochondria isolated from reperfused rat hearts. The perfusion of Ru360 maintained oxidative phosphorylation and prevented opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in mitochondria isolated from reperfused hearts. We found that Ru360 perfusion only partially inhibited the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, maintaining the mitochondrial matrix free-calcium concentration at basal levels, despite high concentrations of cytosolic calcium. Additionally, we observed that perfused Ru360 neither inhibited Ca2+ cycling in the sarcoplasmic reticulum nor blocked ryanodine receptors, implying that the inhibition of ryanodine receptors cannot explain the protective effect of Ru360 in isolated hearts. We conclude that the maintenance of postischemic myocardial function correlates with an incomplete inhibition of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter. Thus, the chemical inhibition by this molecule could be an approach used to prevent heart injury during reperfusion. (+info)
Exploiting the Pd- and Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerizations: enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-allocyathin B2.
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Pd- and Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of 1,6-enynes are compared and contrasted. Such considerations led to the enantioselective synthesis of a cyathin terpenoid, (+)-allocyathin B(2) (1). The synthesis features a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) to install the initial quaternary center, a Ru-catalyzed diastereoselective cycloisomerization to construct the six-membered ring, and a diastereoselective hydroxylative Knoevenagel reaction to introduce the final hydroxyl group. We demonstrate for the first time a mechanism-based stereochemical divergence in Pd- and Ru-catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions as well as in creation of alkene geometry with alkynes bearing a carboalkoxy group. Mechanistic rationalization is proposed for these observations. (+info)