Progress on the Synthesis of the Aromathecin Family of Compounds: An Overview.

We present a systematic review of the methods developed for the synthesis of the aromathecin family of compounds (benz[6,7]indolizino[1,2-]quinolin-11(13)-ones) and their derivatives. These methods can be broadly classified into four categories based on the construction of pentacyclic structures: Category 1: by constructing a pyridone moiety (D-ring) on the pyrroloquinoline ring (A/B/C-ring), Category 2: by constructing a pyridine moiety (B-ring) on the pyrroloisoquinolone ring (C/D/E-ring), Category 3: by constructing an indolizidinone moiety (C/D-ring) in a tandem reaction, and Category 4: by constructing a pyrrolidine moiety (C-ring) on the isoquinolone ring (D/E-ring).

Topologically associating domains define the impact of de novo promoter variants on autism spectrum disorder risk.

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have demonstrated the roles of rare promoter de novo variants (DNVs). However, most promoter DNVs in ASD are not located immediately upstream of known ASD genes. In this study analyzing WGS data of 5,044 ASD probands, 4,095 unaffected siblings, and their parents, we show that promoter DNVs within topologically associating domains (TADs) containing ASD genes are significantly and specifically associated with ASD.

New Maintenance Culture Method for Intestinal Stem Cells Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Most orally administered drugs exert their effects after being absorbed in the small intestine. Therefore, new drugs must undergo nonclinical pharmacokinetic evaluations in the small intestine. Enterocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are expected to be used in the evaluation system, as they reflect human intestinal characteristics more accurately; moreover, several differentiation protocols are available for these cells.

CAPS2 Deficiency Impairs the Release of the Social Peptide Oxytocin, as Well as Oxytocin-Associated Social Behavior.

Ca-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2) regulates dense-core vesicle (DCV) exocytosis to facilitate peptidergic and catecholaminergic transmitter release. CAPS2 deficiency in mice has mild neuronal effects but markedly impairs social behavior. Rare alterations also occur in autism spectrum disorder, although whether CAPS2-mediated release influences social behavior remains unclear.

Comprehensive Profiling of Gene Expression in the Cerebral Cortex and Striatum of BTBRTF/ArtRbrc Mice Compared to C57BL/6J Mice.

Mouse line BTBR + /J (hereafter referred as to BTBR/J) is a mouse strain that shows lower sociability compared to the C57BL/6J mouse strain (B6) and thus is often utilized as a model for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we utilized another subline, BTBRTF/ArtRbrc (hereafter referred as to BTBR/R), and analyzed the associated brain transcriptome compared to B6 mice using microarray analysis, quantitative RT-PCR analysis, various bioinformatics analyses, and hybridization. We focused on the cerebral cortex and the striatum, both of which are thought to be brain circuits associated with ASD symptoms.

Comparison of the inducibility of CYP mRNA exposed to typical inducers in fresh and cryopreserved cynomolgus monkey hepatocytes.

Herein, we evaluated CYPs and their nuclear receptor mRNA induction by exposure to typical inducers, omeprazole, rifampicin, and phenobarbital in cynomolgus monkey hepatocytes. Six freshly-isolated hepatocytes and 6 cryopreserved hepatocytes from cynomolgus monkey liver were prepared for a 14-day monolayer culture, 28-day co-culture with feeder cells, and 28-day 3D spheroid culture with feeder cells. Omeprazole and rifampicin respectively induced CYP1A1 and CYP3A8 mRNAs, while phenobarbital induced CYP2C43, CYP2C75, and CYP3A8, and slightly induced CYP2B6.

Establishment of a novel culture method for maintaining intestinal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

The small intestine plays an important role in the pharmacokinetics of orally administered drugs due to the presence of drug transporters and drug-metabolizing enzymes. However, few appropriate methods exist to investigate intestinal pharmacokinetics. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can form various types of cells and represent a potentially useful tool for drug discovery.

Comparative gene expression analysis of the engulfment and cell motility (ELMO) protein family in the mouse brain.

Engulfment and cell motility (ELMO) proteins bind to Dock180, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) of the Rac family, and regulate GEF activity. The resultant ELMO/Dock180/Rac module regulates cytoskeletal reorganization responsible for the engulfment of apoptotic cells, cell migration, and neurite extension. The expression and function of Elmo family proteins in the nervous system, however, are not yet fully understood.

Comparison of mRNA expression profiles of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in fresh and cryopreserved cynomolgus monkey hepatocytes.

In this study, freshly isolated and cryopreserved cynomolgus monkey hepatocytes were seeded on Cell-able plates with feeder cells to form spheroids and were cultured for 28 days. As a control, hepatocytes were also cultured with or without feeder cells on collagen-coated plates. We verified the mRNA expression levels of drug-metabolizing enzyme-related genes and the leakage of enzymes (AST, ALT, LDH, and γ-GTP) as indicators of cell survival.

Difluorination of Functionalized Aromatic Olefins Using Hypervalent Iodine/HF Reagents.

The hypervalent iodine/HF reagent consisting of PhIO and HF·py was found to be effective for fluorination of functionalized aromatic olefins bearing synthetically important carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. Fluorination of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one with PhIO/HF·py reagent in CHCl at room temperature gave 3,3-difluoro-1,2-diphenyl-1-propanone in high yield. Other α-aryl-α,β-unsaturated ketones underwent the fluorination to yield aryl 2,2-difluoroethyl ketone derivatives in good to high yields.

Using human iPS cell-derived enterocytes as novel in vitro model for the evaluation of human intestinal mucosal damage.

Objective And Design: The primary component in gut mucus is mucin 2 (MUC2) secreted by goblet cells. Fluctuations in MUC2 expression are considered a useful indicator for evaluating mucosal damage and protective effect of various agents using animal studies. However, there are few in vitro studies evaluating mucosal damage using MUC2 as the indicator.

Synthesis of β-Fluorovinyliodonium Salts by the Reaction of Alkynes with Hypervalent Iodine/HF Reagents.

The reaction of alkynes with PhIO and Py·HF followed by treatment with BF·OEt gave β-fluorovinyliodonium tetrafluoroborates in good to high yields. More conveniently, the reaction using PhI and Py·HF in the presence of m-CPBA also afforded β-fluorovinyliodonium tetrafluoroborates in good yields. These methods have the advantages that β-fluorovinyliodonium salts can be prepared without ArIF.

CAPS2 deficiency affects environmental enrichment-induced adult neurogenesis and differentiation/survival of newborn neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus.

Hippocampal adult neurogenesis is observed in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus (DG), and is associated with hippocampal memory formation and several psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Calcium-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2) is a candidate gene related to ASD, and is highly expressed in the hippocampal DG region, with Caps2 knockout (KO) mice exhibiting ASD-like behavior. Accordingly, CAPS2 is potentially associated with hippocampal adult neurogenesis, the relationship between CAPS2 and adult neurogenesis has not yet been investigated.

Ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective allylic amination of 2,3,3-trifluoroallylic carbonates.

We demonstrated the ruthenium-catalyzed allylic amination of 2,3,3-trifluoroallylic carbonates with several types of amines. The reactions proceeded with several types of amines, and succeeded in obtaining polyfluorinated terminal alkenes possessing branched allylic amines as a single regioisomer.

Regioselective Construction of α,α-Disubstituted Allylic Amines by the Ruthenium-Catalyzed Allylic Amination of Tertiary Allylic Acetates.

The ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective allylic amination of tertiary allylic acetates with several types of amines has been accomplished. The reaction was effectively catalyzed by Cp*RuCl/5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine or its related ruthenium catalyst systems, and α,α-disubstituted allylic amines were formed as a single regioisomer in moderate to high yields.

Kinetic Resolution of Racemic and Branched Monosubstituted Allylic Acetates by a Ruthenium-Catalyzed Regioselective Allylic Etherification.

We demonstrated the kinetic resolution of racemic and branched monosubstituted allylic acetates by a ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective allylic etherification. The reaction was effectively catalyzed by the chiral ruthenium catalyst, which was generated by [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and (S,S)-iPr-pybox and a catalytic amount of TFA, and both the allylic etherification product and recovered allylic acetate were obtained as an enantiomerically enriched form with up to a 103 s value.