PLAP-1/asporin, a novel negative regulator of periodontal ligament mineralization.

Periodontal ligament-associated protein-1 (PLAP-1)/asporin is a recently identified novel member of the small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan family. PLAP-1/asporin is involved in chondrogenesis, and its involvement in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis has been suggested. We report that PLAP-1/asporin is also expressed specifically and predominantly in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and that it negatively regulates the mineralization of PDL cells.

Diastereoselective imino-aldol condensation of chiral 3-(p-Tolylsulfinyl)-2-furaldimine and ester enolates.

(Ss)-3-(p-Tolylsufinyl)-2-furaldimine was synthesized, and condensation of the chiral furaldimine with lithium ester enolates has been examined. The product distribution of the reaction is dependent upon reaction conditions and on the kind of the substituent placed on the esters. Disubstituted ester enolate resulted in the exclusive formation of (4R)-beta-lactam, while unsubstituted, tert-butyl ester enolate preferentially gave (3R)-beta-amino ester.