Gene expression signatures and small-molecule compounds link a protein kinase to Plasmodium falciparum motility.

Calcium-dependent protein kinases play a crucial role in intracellular calcium signaling in plants, some algae and protozoa. In Plasmodium falciparum, calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (PfCDPK1) is expressed during schizogony in the erythrocytic stage as well as in the sporozoite stage. It is coexpressed with genes that encode the parasite motor complex, a cellular component required for parasite invasion of host cells, parasite motility and potentially cytokinesis.

Noxious compounds activate TRPA1 ion channels through covalent modification of cysteines.

The nervous system senses peripheral damage through nociceptive neurons that transmit a pain signal. TRPA1 is a member of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family of ion channels and is expressed in nociceptive neurons. TRPA1 is activated by a variety of noxious stimuli, including cold temperatures, pungent natural compounds, and environmental irritants.

Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched tertiary 2-cyclohexene-1-thiols via configurationally stable alpha-thio-substituted allyllithium compounds.

[reaction: see text] (S)-S-(2-Cyclohexenyl) N,N-diisopropylmonothiocarbamate [(-)-(S)-8] was deprotonated by sec-butyllithium/TMEDA to form a configurationally stable lithium compound (S)-9, which is the first example of a new class of alpha-thio-substituted organolithium compounds with improved properties. It is regioselectively alkylated by alkyl halides with complete stereoinversion to form the monothiocarbamates (+)-10 which afford highly enantioenriched tertiary 2-cyclohexene-1-thiols (+)-6 on reductive cleavage.