Reorganization of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor during desensitization probed with a photoactivatable agonist.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) from fish electric organs and vertebrate neuromuscular junctions is a well-characterized transmembrane allosteric protein, composed of four polypeptide chains assembled into a heterologous pentamer alpha2betagammadelta, which carries ACh-binding sites and contains cation-selective channel-forming elements. Topographical mapping of residues contributing to the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of Torpedo nAChR was achieved with different site-directed antagonist or agonist probes. Over two decades of biochemical investigation led to the identification of three discontinuous domains on alpha subunits, with additional residues on gamma and delta subunits (Kotzyba- Hibert et al.

The detrimental effect of serum albumin on the re-spreading of a dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine Langmuir monolayer is counteracted by a fluorocarbon gas.

We have recently reported that fluorocarbon gases exhibit an effective fluidizing effect on Langmuir monolayers of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), preventing them from crystallizing up to surface pressures of approximately 40 mN m(-1), i.e. well above the DPPC's equilibrium surface pressure.

Efficient N-p-methoxyphenyl amine deprotection through anodic oxidation.

[reaction: see text] A new method of deprotection of N-p-methoxyphenylamines using anodic oxidation in acidic medium is presented. The process furnishes a high yield of amine and is compatible with several oxidable functional groups.

Probing the reorganization of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor during desensitization by time-resolved covalent labeling using [3H]AC5, a photoactivatable agonist.

The structural reorganizations occurring on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) during activation and subsequent desensitization have been investigated through time-resolved photoaffinity labeling using a photoactivatable nicotinic agonist. [(3)H]AC5 is a photosensitive nicotinic probe with high affinity for the desensitized state of the Torpedo marmorata receptor (K(D) = 5 nM) that displays full agonist activity on the Torpedo californica receptor expressed in oocytes (EC(50) = 1.2 microM).

Effect of synthetic lipopeptides formulated in liposomes on the maturation of human dendritic cells.

Diacylated (e.g. MALP-2) and triacylated (Pam(3)Cys derivatives) lipopeptides, deriving from the N-terminal moiety of respectively mycoplasmal and E.

Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers as ophthalmic vehicles for ocular delivery of pilocarpine nitrate and tropicamide.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of a controlled incremental increase in size, molecular weight and number of amine, carboxylate and hydroxyl surface groups in several series of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers for controlled ocular drug delivery. The duration of residence time was evaluated after solubilization of several series of PAMAM dendrimers (generations 1.5 and 2-3.

NaNO2-mediated transformation of aliphatic secondary nitroalkanes into ketones or oximes under neutral, aqueous conditions: how the nitro derivative catalyzes its own transformation.

The nitrosation of secondary nitro derivatives into ketones or oximes depending on the nitro substituents has been reinvestigated. The reaction efficiently takes place under neutral conditions, thus allowing acid-sensitive substrates to be converted in very good yields. The generation of nitrosating species under such mild conditions is unprecedented.

Expedient total syntheses of rhein and diacerhein via Fries rearrangement.

Short and practical total syntheses of rhein (1) and diacerhein (2) have been achieved via a Fries rearrangement and bis-carbonylation strategy followed by cyclization in molten salt, starting from dibromoester 7.

Resin-bound 4H-1,3-oxazine-masked beta-diketones for functionalizing cleavage strategy.

Resin-bound 4H-1,3-oxazines are synthesized by the stepwise condensation of an amide resin, an aldehyde, and an alkyne. Upon DDQ activation, oxazines are converted into oxazinium salts. When treated with hydrazines, these resin-bound beta-diketone equivalents yield pyrazoles through a functionalizing release process.

In vivo evaluation of a reverse water-in-fluorocarbon emulsion stabilized with a semifluorinated amphiphile as a drug delivery system through the pulmonary route.

The potential of a reverse water-in-fluorocarbon (w-in-FC) emulsion stabilized with a semifluorinated amphiphile, namely C8F17(CH2)11OP(O)[N(CH2CH2)2O]2 (F8H11DMP) for drug delivery through intrapulmonary administration was investigated in the mouse. This study involved assessment of the effect of single or repeated intranasal instillations of a plain emulsion on lung tissue integrity, and evaluation of blood glucose levels in mice treated with an insulin-loaded emulsion. When instilled intranasally to mice, the plain emulsion did not alter lung tissue integrity, as demonstrated by histological staining, and did not induce any airway inflammatory reaction.

Synthesis of thiol-reactive lipopeptide adjuvants. Incorporation into liposomes and study of their mitogenic effect on mouse splenocytes.

Synthetic analogues of triacylated and diacylated lipopeptides derived from the N-terminal domain of respectively bacterial and mycoplasmal lipoproteins are highly potent immunoadjuvants when administered either in combination with protein antigens or covalently linked to small peptide epitopes. Because of their amphipathic properties, lipopeptides, such as S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl]-N-palmitoyl-(R)-cysteinyl-alanyl-glycine (Pam(3)CAG), can be conveniently incorporated into liposomes and serve as anchors for antigens that are linked to them. To design vaccination constructs based on synthetic peptides and liposomes as vectors.

Photoreversible inhibition of cholinesterases: catalytic serine-labeled caged butyrylcholinesterase.

The photoregulation of the catalytic activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was investigated by treating the enzyme with a newly developed carbamylating reagent, N-methyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)carbamoyl chloride, which has proved to be an efficient photoremovable alcohol-protecting group. BChE was efficiently inhibited in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and the enzyme could be protected against inhibition by active-site-specific ligands (that is, tacrine). The inactivation kinetics showed a biphasic character, which can be analyzed as the result of the existence of two conformational states in solution.

Synthesis of an amphiphilic tetraantennary mannosyl conjugate and incorporation into liposome carriers.

We have synthesized a novel conjugate (Man(4)K(3)DOG) composed of a tetramannosyl head group connected, via a polyethylene glycol spacer, to a lipid moiety. This amphiphilic molecule was easily incorporated into the bilayers of liposomes. As expected from the clustering effect, such multivalent mannose residues when exposed on the surface of the vesicles showed much higher binding affinity for Concanavalin A than their monomannosyl analogue.

Facile introduction of SH group on aromatic substrates via electrophilic substitution reactions.

Herein, we describe a mild and efficient two-step procedure to introduce a thiol group on aromatic substrates. First, reaction with an activated sulfoxide leads to an arylsulfonium salt intermediate. Then, two successive beta-elimination-based dealkylation reactions afford the desired arylthiols in good to excellent yields.

Structural model of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor glycine site probed by site-directed chemical coupling.

The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a ligand-gated ion channel that requires both glutamate and glycine for efficient activation. Here, a strategy combining cysteine scanning mutagenesis and affinity labeling was used to investigate the glycine binding site located on the NR1 subunit. Based on homology modeling to the crystal structure of the glutamate binding site of the 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)-propionic acid receptor GluR2, cysteines were introduced into the NR1 subunit as chemical sensors for three thiol-reactive derivatives of the competitive antagonist L-701324.

Syntheses and biological properties of cysteine-reactive epibatidine derivatives.

The synthesis of epibatidine derivatives modified at the 2-position of the pyridine or pyrimidine rings by reactive functions are described for potential irreversible site-directed coupling reactions on cysteine mutants of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. An improved synthesis of the 7-azabicyclo[2,2,1]hepta-2,5-diene key intermediate has been developed to allow reproducible syntheses of the epibatidine derivatives. Binding tests and electrophysiological experiments allowed to select the 2-substituted alpha-chloroacetamido 13 and the chloropyrimidine derivative 11 as potential site-directed probes for the epibatidine binding site.

Platinum oxide (PtO(2)): a potent hydrosilylation catalyst.

[reaction: see text] Platinum oxide was found to be a versatile and powerful hydrosilylation catalyst upon a wide variety of functionalized alkenes and especially aminated alkenes. Moreover, highly reproducible results and easy removal make this new catalyst a useful tool for hydrosilylation reaction.

Membrane-active properties of alpha-MSH analogs: aggregation and fusion of liposomes triggered by surface-conjugated peptides.

Reaction of the melanotropin hormone analogs [Nle(4),D-Phe(7)]-alpha-MSH and [Nle(4),D-Phe(7)]-alpha-MSH(4-10), which were extended at their N-terminus by a thiol-functionalized spacer arm, with preformed liposomes containing thiol-reactive (phospho)lipid derivatives resulted in the aggregation of the vesicles and in a partial leakage of their inner contents. This aggregation/leakage effect, which was only observed when the peptides were covalently conjugated to the surface of the liposomes, was correlated with the fusion of the vesicles as demonstrated by the observed decrease in resonance energy transfer between probes in a membrane lipid mixing assay. A limited fusion was confirmed by monitoring the mixing of the liposome inner contents (formation of 1-aminonaphthalene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid/p-xylene bis(pyridinium bromide) complex).