Elabela, a Novel Peptide, Exerts Neuroprotective Effects Against Ischemic Stroke Through the APJ/miR-124-3p/CTDSP1/AKT Pathway.

Elabela (ELA), which is the second endogenous peptide ligand of the apelin receptor (APJ) to be discovered, has been widely studied for potential use as a therapeutic peptide. However, its role in ischemic stroke (IS), which is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide and has limited therapeutic options, is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of ELA on neuron survival after ischemia and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Synthetic studies on (+)-biotin, part 15: A chiral squaramide-mediated enantioselective alcoholysis approach toward the total synthesis of (+)-biotin.

An efficient stereocontrolled total synthesis of (+)-biotin (1) has been achieved via the intermediacy of Roche's lactone 5 starting from cis-1,3-dibenzyl-2-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (2). The bifunctional cinchona alkaloid-derived squaramide-promoted enantioselective alcoholysis was utilizing as a tool for the construction of two contiguous stereocenters of C-3a and C-6a in biotin molecular with excellent enantioselectivity. In addition, the 4-carboxybutyl side chain was assembled by first using C4+C1 approach via a novel tricyclic thiophanium salt intermediate.

Nonnucleoside HIV-1 reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, part 5. Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activity of novel 6-naphthylthio HEPT analogues.

As part of a series of studies to discover new HIV reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, various novel 6alpha- and 6beta-naphthylthio 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6-(phenylthio) thymine (HEPT) derivatives were synthesized, and in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity was evaluated. The results revealed that most of 6alpha-naphthylthio HEPT derivatives (7a-w) showed good activity [for 7e, IC50 value of 0.048 microM and selectivity index (SI) value of 735; for 7h, IC50 value of 0.

Synthetic studies on d-biotin, part 9. An improved asymmetric synthetic route to d-biotin via Hoffmann-Roche lactone-thiolactone approach.

An efficient and highly stereoselective total synthesis of d-biotin has been achieved starting from cis-1,3-dibenzyl-2-imidazolidone-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (2) with an overall yield of 33%. Polymer-supported oxazaborolidine-catalyzed asymmetric reduction of meso-cyclic imide 4 constitutes the key synthetic step in introducing stereogenic centers into the d-biotin molecule.