TR146 cells grown on filters as a model of human buccal epithelium: IV. Permeability of water, mannitol, testosterone and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. Comparison to human, monkey and porcine buccal mucosa.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the TR146 cell culture model as an in vitro model of human buccal epithelium. For this purpose, the permeability of water, mannitol and testosterone across the TR146 cell culture model was compared to the permeability across human, monkey and porcine buccal mucosa. Further, the permeability rates of ten beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (acebutolol, alprenolol, atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, oxprenolol, pindolol, propranolol, timolol and tertatolol) across the TR146 cell culture model and porcine buccal mucosa were related to their lipophilicity (logD(oct; 7.

A single glycine residue at the entrance to the first membrane-spanning domain of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor beta(2) subunit affects allosteric sensitivity to GABA and anesthetics.

Site-directed mutagenesis of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptor beta(2) subunit has demonstrated that conversion of a conserved glycine residue located at the entrance to the first transmembrane domain into the homologous rho(1) residue phenylalanine alters the modulating effects of four different i.v. anesthetics: pentobarbital, alphaxalone, etomidate, and propofol.

Use of proteoliposomes to generate phage antibodies against native AMPA receptor.

To isolate antibodies against ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs), we prepared a phage antibody library from mice immunized with proteoliposomes containing purified alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), a selective GluRD receptor. Specific binders were selected by repeated rounds of affinity panning against immobilized GluRD liposomes. Using this approach, we obtained a panel of high-affinity antibody fragments that immunoprecipitated both recombinant and native GluRD receptors, but not GluR6, a kainate receptor subunit with a 40% sequence similarity.

Electron transfer rates and equilibrium within cytochrome c oxidase.

Intramolecular electron transfer (ET) between the CuA center and heme a in bovine cytochrome c oxidase was investigated by pulse radiolysis. CuA, the initial electron acceptor, was reduced by 1-methyl nicotinamide radicals in a diffusion-controlled reaction, as monitored by absorption changes at 830 nm. After the initial reduction phase, the 830 nm absorption was partially restored, corresponding to reoxidation of the CuA center.

Equipotent in vitro actions of alpha- and beta-CGRP on guinea pig basilar artery are likely to be mediated via CRLR derived CGRP receptors.

The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare specific in vitro pharmacological actions of human alpha- and beta-CGRP applied as single concentrations to prostaglandin F2alpha precontracted segments of guinea pig basilar artery. To support the suggestion of a possible link between the pharmacological actions of alpha- and beta-CGRP and a specific receptor, we wished to determine whether mRNAs required for the expression of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) derived CGRP receptors were present in the guinea pig basilar artery. In the pharmacological experiments we demonstrated an increase in the cAMP content by 2.

Selective inhibitors of glial GABA uptake: synthesis, absolute stereochemistry, and pharmacology of the enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-4-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,2-benzisoxazole (exo-THPO) and analogues.

3-Methoxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,2-benzisoxazol-4-one (20a), or the corresponding 3-ethoxy analogue (20b), and 3-chloro-4,5,6, 7-tetrahydro-1,2-benzisothiazol-4-one (51) were synthesized by regioselective chromic acid oxidation of the respective bicyclic tetrahydrobenzenes 19a,b and 50, and they were used as key intermediates for the syntheses of the target zwitterionic 3-isoxazolols 8-15 and 3-isothiazolols 16 and 17, respectively. These reaction sequences involved different reductive processes. Whereas (RS)-4-amino-3-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,2-benzisoxazole (8, exo-THPO) was synthesized via aluminum amalgam reduction of oxime 22a or 22b, compounds 9, 11-13, and 15-17 were obtained via reductive aminations.

Solid phase synthesis and biological evaluation of enantiomerically pure wasp toxin analogues PhTX-343 and PhTX-12.

PhTX-343 and PhTX-12, analogues of the natural polyamine wasp toxin PhTX-433, were synthesised in 40-60% yields as pure enantiomers using solid phase synthesis techniques. Capillary electrophoresis procedures were developed for chiral separation and determination of enantiomeric purity (ee) of the enantiomers of PhTX-343 and PhTX-12. The methods were optimised with respect to chiral selector, buffer pH, and temperature around the capillary.

Structure-property model for membrane partitioning of oligopeptides.

The aim of this study was to develop a structure-property model for membrane partitioning of oligopeptides using statistical design methods and multivariate data analysis. A set of 20 tetrapeptides with optional N-methylations at residues 2 and 4 was designed by a D-optimal design procedure. After synthesis and purification, the membrane partitioning abilities of the peptides were tested in two chromatographic systems with phospholipids as the stationary phase: immobilized artificial membrane chromatography (IAM) and immobilized liposome chromatography (ILC).

A humanized model for multiple sclerosis using HLA-DR2 and a human T-cell receptor.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex chronic neurologic disease with a suspected autoimmune pathogenesis. Although there is evidence that the development of MS is determined by both environmental influences and genes, these factors are largely undefined, except for major histocompatibility (MHC) genes. Linkage analyses and association studies have shown that susceptibility to MS is associated with genes in the human histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLA) class II region, but the contribution of these genes to MS disease development less compared with their contribution to disorders such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Development of a long-term ascending urinary tract infection mouse model for antibiotic treatment studies.

A model of ascending unobstructed urinary tract infection (UTI) in mice was developed to study the significance of the antibiotic concentration in urine, serum, and kidney tissue for efficacy of treatment of UTI in general and pyelonephritis in particular. Outbred Ssc-CF1 female mice were used throughout the study, and Escherichia coli was used as the pathogen. The virulence of 11 uropathogenic E.

Functional pharmacology of cloned heterodimeric GABAB receptors expressed in mammalian cells.

1. In this study we report a new assay of heterodimeric gamma-amino-butanoic acid subtype B (GABAB) receptors where either GABABR1a or GABABR1b are co-expressed with GABABR2 and the chimeric G-protein Galphaq-z5 in tsA cells. In this manner we obtained a robust response to GABAB agonists measured as increase in phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

Chemical and enzymatic stability as well as transport properties of a Leu-enkephalin analogue and ester prodrugs thereof.

The Leu-enkephalin analogue (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH(2)) was synthesized together with three esters prodrugs hereof. The prodrugs synthesized were the O-acetyl, O-propionyl and O-pivaloyl99%) and in good yields (60-75%). The chemical and enzymatic stability of the prodrugs has been investigated in detail.

A critical evaluation of the Heckel equation.

Great differences between published Heckel parameters, obtained from 'at pressure' data or the 'in-die' method, are outlined. The general validity of the concept of yield pressures derived from slopes of such Heckel plots is questioned. When the ability of the Heckel and the Walker equations is compared to fit density/pressure data from tabletting different pharmaceutical powders, a generally better fit is obtained with the Walker equation in the region of 5-100 MPa.

Formulation and evaluation of release and swelling mechanism of a water-in-oil emulsion using factorial design.

Water-in-oil emulsions have a potential as a parenteral prolonged release system for hydrophilic drugs. A consistent challenge when developing an emulsion drug delivery system is to obtain a proper release characteristic of the entrapped drug. The aim of the present study was to study the release mechanism from water-in-oil emulsions.

A comparative study of Mono Mac 6 cells, isolated mononuclear cells and Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay in pyrogen testing.

Pyrogen induced secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in Mono Mac 6 (MM6) cells was measured. The ability of the MM6 cell culture to detect pyrogens was compared to the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test and isolated mononuclear cells (MNC). The detection limit of MM6 for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Staphylococcus aureus was comparable to that of MNC.

Resolution, absolute stereochemistry, and enantiopharmacology of the GluR1-4 and GluR5 antagonist 2-amino-3-[5-tert-butyl-3-(phosphonomethoxy)-4-isoxazolyl]propionic acid.

The phosphono amino acid, (RS)-2-amino-3-[5-tert-butyl-3-(phosphonomethoxy)-4-isoxazolyl+ ++]propio nic acid (ATPO), is a structural hybrid between the NMDA antagonist (RS)-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP7) and the AMPA and GluR5 agonist, (RS)-2-amino-3-(5-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (ATPA). ATPO has been resolved into (S)-ATPO and (R)-ATPO using chiral HPLC, and the absolute stereochemistry of the two enantiomers was established by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of (R)-ATPO. (S)-ATPO and (R)-ATPO were characterized pharmacologically using rat brain membrane binding and electrophysiologically using the cortical wedge preparation as well as homo- or heteromeric GluR1-4, GluR5-6, and KA2 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Palmitoylation of the intracytoplasmic R peptide of the transmembrane envelope protein in Moloney murine leukemia virus.

Previously it was reported that the 16-amino-acid (aa) C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) transmembrane protein Pr15E is cleaved off during virus synthesis, yielding the mature, fusion active transmembrane protein p15E and the 16-aa peptide (R peptide or p2E). It remains to be elucidated how the R peptide impairs fusion activity of the uncleaved Pr15E. The R peptide from MoMLV was analyzed by Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunostained with antiserum against the synthetic 16-aa R peptide.

Resolution, absolute stereochemistry and molecular pharmacology of the enantiomers of ATPA.

(RS)-2-Amino-3-(5-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (ATPA), an analogue of (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA). has previously been shown to be a relatively weak AMPA receptor agonist and a very potent agonist at the GluR5 subtype of kainic acid-preferring (S)-glutamic acid ((S)-Glu) receptors. We report here the separation of (+)- and (-)-ATPA, obtained at high enantiomeric purity (enantiomeric excess values of 99.

Complexation graft copolymer networks: swelling properties, calcium binding and proteolytic enzyme inhibition.

Graft copolymer networks of poly(methacrylic acid-g-ethylene glycol) were prepared by free radical solution UV-polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate. Dynamic swelling studies indicated that complexation/decomplexation processes occurred due to hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic groups of the poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and the ether groups of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The effects of copolymer composition, graft chain molecular weight, environmental pH and ion content on network structure and gel behavior were studied.

Comparison of high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis methods for quantitative determination of glycyrrhizinic acid in pharmaceutical preparations.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and a capillary electrophoretic (CE) method have been developed for the determination of glycyrrhizinic acid in pharmaceuticals. The two methods have been validated and have been compared with respect to their suitability for the said purpose as well as in relation to requirements from the legal authorities. The HPLC method provide a repeatability of the quantitative analysis of glycyrrhizinic acid below 1% relative standard deviation (RSD) which makes the method suitable when the legal authorities requires the content to be within +/-5% of the declaration.

Expression, purification and copper-binding studies of the first metal-binding domain of Menkes protein.

The cDNA, coding for the first metal-binding domain (MBD1) of Menkes protein, was cloned into the T7-system based vector, pCA. The T7 lysozyme-encoding plasmid, pLysS, is shown to be crucial for expression, suggesting that the protein is toxic to the cells. Adding copper to the growth medium did not affect the plasmid stability.

Growth mechanisms in melt agglomeration with a low viscosity binder.

Lactose monohydrate was melt agglomerated in an 8-l high shear mixer using stearic acid as meltable binder. The impeller speed was varied at six levels, and the temperature of the heating jacket was varied at three levels. The agglomerate growth mechanisms were found to be different from those observed in previous melt agglomeration experiments.

Adrenaline influences the release of interleukin-6 from murine pituicytes: role of beta2-adrenoceptors.

In this study, we examined the effect of adrenaline and interleukin-1beta on interleukin-6 secretion from cultured murine neurohypophyseal cells. Cells were cultured from neurohypophyses of 3- to 5-week-old mice and experiments were performed after 13 days in culture. Interleukin-6 was measured in 24-h samples using a sandwich fluoroimmunoassay.

Endotoxin-stimulated release of cytokines by cultured cells from the murine neurohypophysis: role of dexamethasone and indomethacin.

It is well established that many cell types produce inflammatory cytokines and we were interested to see whether cells in the neurohypophysis had this ability. This study examines the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on cytokine production in cultured murine neural lobe (NL) cells. Cells were cultured from the neurohypophysis of mice not older than 5 days and the experiments were performed after 12 days in culture.

Human ceruloplasmin. Intramolecular electron transfer kinetics and equilibration.

Pulse radiolytic reduction of disulfide bridges in ceruloplasmin yielding RSSR(-) radicals induces a cascade of intramolecular electron transfer (ET) processes. Based on the three-dimensional structure of ceruloplasmin identification of individual kinetically active disulfide groups and type 1 (T1) copper centers, the following is proposed. The first T1 copper(II) ion to be reduced in ceruloplasmin is the blue copper center of domain 6 (T1A) by ET from RSSR(-) of domain 5.