Different effects of an N-phenylimide herbicide on heme biosynthesis between human and rat erythroid cells.

Rat developmental toxicity including embryolethality and teratogenicity (mainly ventricular septal defects and wavy ribs) were produced by S-53482, an N-phenylimide herbicide that inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) common to chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis. The sequence of key biological events in the mode of action has been elucidated as follows: inhibition of PPO interferes with normal heme synthesis, which causes loss of blood cells leading to fetal anemia, embryolethality and the development of malformations. In this study we investigated whether the rat is a relevant model for the assessment of the human hazard of the herbicide.

Screening of Heteroaromatic Scaffolds against Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Enables Identification of Substituted Pyrazolo[3,4-c]Pyridines as Potent and Selective Orthosteric Inhibitors.

Cystathionine -synthase (CBS) is a key enzyme in the production of the signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide, deregulation of which is known to contribute to a range of serious pathological states. Involvement of hydrogen sulfide in pathways of paramount importance for cellular homeostasis renders CBS a promising drug target. An in-house focused library of heteroaromatic compounds was screened for CBS modulators by the methylene blue assay and a pyrazolopyridine derivative with a promising CBS inhibitory potential was discovered.

Thomas H. Shepard, M.D., pioneer in embryology and teratology.

Dr. Thomas H. Shepard died on October 3, 2016 at the age of 93.

Mechanism of Developmental Effects in Rats Caused by an N-Phenylimide Herbicide: Transient Fetal Anemia and Sequelae during Mid-to-Late Gestation.

Background: Rat developmental toxicity including embryolethality and teratogenicity (mainly ventricular septal defects [VSDs] and wavy ribs) was produced by an N-phenylimide herbicide that inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) common to chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis. Major characteristics of the developmental toxicity included species difference between rats and rabbits, compound-specific difference among structurally similar herbicides, and sensitive period. Protoporphyrin accumulation in treated fetuses closely correlated with the major characteristics.

Close link between protoporphyrin IX accumulation and developmental toxicity induced by N-phenylimide herbicides in rats.

Background: S-53482, 7-fluoro-6-[(3,4,5,6-tetrahydro)phthalimido]-4-(2-propynyl)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(2H)-one (flumioxazin), is an N-phenylimide herbicide and developmentally toxic to rats, but not to rabbits. The day of greatest sensitivity to S-53482 is gestational day (GD) 12 in rats. There is a compound-specific difference in developmental toxicity among structurally similar compounds including S-23121 (N-[4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-[(1-methyl-2-propynyl)oxy]phenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide; teratogenic) and S-23031 (pentyl 2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimido)phenoxyacetate (flumiclorac pentyl); nonteratogenic).