We characterized the mechanism and pharmacodynamics of five structurally distinct inhibitors of d-amino acid oxidase. All inhibitors bound the oxidized form of human enzyme with affinity slightly ...higher than that of benzoate (K d ≈ 2–4 μM). Stopped-flow experiments showed that pyrrole-based inhibitors possessed high affinity (K d ≈ 100–200 nM) and slow release kinetics (k < 0.01 s–1) in the presence of substrate, while inhibitors with pendent aromatic groups altered conformations of the active site lid, as evidenced by X-ray crystallography, and showed slower kinetics of association. Rigid bioisosteres of benzoic acid induced a closed-lid conformation, had slower release in the presence of substrate, and were more potent than benzoate. Steady-state d-serine concentrations were described in a PK/PD model, and competition for d-serine sites on NMDA receptors was demonstrated in vivo. DAAO inhibition increased the spatiotemporal influence of glial-derived d-serine, suggesting localized effects on neuronal circuits where DAAO can exert a neuromodulatory role.
A novel piperidine series of farnesyltransferase (FTase) inhibitors is described. Systematic medicinal chemistry studies starting with the lead compound, discovered from a 5-nitropiperidin-2-one ...combinatorial library, resulted in a potent series of novel FTase inhibitors. We found that all of four substituents of the piperidine core played an important role for FTase inhibition. A 10-fold increase in potency was observed by changing the piperidine-2-one core to the corresponding piperidine core. This class of compounds was found to inhibit farnesyltransferase in a Ras competitive manner. Optical resolution of several potent inhibitors revealed that the (+)-enantiomers showed potent farnesyltransferase inhibition. (+)-8 inhibited FTase with an IC50 of 1.9 nM.
In the biflagellated alga Chlamydomonas, adhesion and fusion of the plasma membranes of gametes during fertilization occurs via an actin-filled, microvillus-like cell protrusion. Formation of this ...approximately 3-micrometer-long fusion organelle, the Chlamydomonas fertilization tubule, is induced in mating type plus (mt+) gametes during flagellar adhesion with mating type minus (mt-) gametes. Subsequent adhesion between the tip of the mt+ fertilization tubule and the apex of a mating structure on mt- gametes is followed rapidly by fusion of the plasma membranes and zygote formation. In this report, we describe the isolation and characterization of fertilization tubules from mt + gametes activated for cell fusion. Fertilization tubules were detached by homogenization of activated mt+ gametes in an EGTA-containing buffer and purified by differential centrifugation followed by fractionation on sucrose and Percoll gradients. As determined by fluorescence microscopy of samples stained with a fluorescent probe for filamentous actin, the method yielded 2-3 X 10(6) fertilization tubules/microgram protein, representing up to a 360-fold enrichment of these organelles. Examination by negative stain electron microscopy demonstrated that the purified fertilization tubules were morphologically indistinguishable from fertilization tubules on intact, activated mt+ gametes, retaining both the extracellular fringe and the internal array of actin filaments. Several proteins, including actin as well as two surface proteins identified by biotinylation studies, copurified with the fertilization tubules. Most importantly, the isolated mt+ fertilization tubules bound to the apical ends of activated mt-gametes between the two flagella, the site of the mt-mating structure; a single fertilization tubule bound per cell, binding was specific for gametes, and fertilization tubules isolated from trypsin-treated, activated mt+ gametes did not bind to activated mt-gametes
The layer 0 inner silicon detector of the D0 experiment Angstadt, R.; Bagby, L.; Bean, A. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
10/2010, Letnik:
622, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
This paper describes the design, fabrication, installation and performance of the new inner layer called Layer 0 (L0) that was inserted in the existing Run IIa silicon micro-strip tracker (SMT) of ...the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron p¯p collider. L0 provides tracking information from two layers of sensors, which are mounted with center lines at a radial distance of 16.1 and 17.6mm from the beam axis. The sensors and read-out electronics are mounted on a specially designed and fabricated carbon fiber structure that includes cooling for sensor and read-out electronics. The structure has a thin polyimide circuit bonded to it so that the circuit couples electrically to the carbon fiber allowing the support structure to be used both for detector grounding and a low impedance connection between the remotely mounted hybrids and the sensors.
The upgraded DØ detector Abazov, V.M.; Alves, G.A.; Askew, A. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
2006, Letnik:
565, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The DØ experiment enjoyed a very successful data-collection run at the Fermilab Tevatron collider between 1992 and 1996. Since then, the detector has been upgraded to take advantage of improvements ...to the Tevatron and to enhance its physics capabilities. We describe the new elements of the detector, including the silicon microstrip tracker, central fiber tracker, solenoidal magnet, preshower detectors, forward muon detector, and forward proton detector. The uranium/liquid-argon calorimeters and central muon detector, remaining from Run I, are discussed briefly. We also present the associated electronics, triggering, and data acquisition systems, along with the design and implementation of software specific to DØ.
A series of analogues of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitory natural product balanol which bear modified benzophenone subunits are described. The analogues were designed with the goal of uncovering ...structure−activity features that could be used in the development of PKC inhibitors with a reduced polar character compared to balanol itself. The results of these studies suggest that most of the benzophenone features found in the natural product are important for obtaining potent PKC inhibitory compounds. However, several modifications were found to lead to selective inhibitors of the related enzyme protein kinase A (PKA), and several specific modifications to the polar structural elements of the benzophenone were found to provide potent PKC inhibitors. In particular, it was found that replacement of the benzophenone carboxylate with bioisosteric equivalents could lead to potent analogues. Further, a tolerance for lipophilic substituents on the terminal benzophenone ring was uncovered. These results are discussed in light of recently available structural information for PKA.
Design and implementation of the new D0 level-1 calorimeter trigger Abolins, M.; Adams, M.; Adams, T. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
2008, 2008-1-00, Letnik:
584, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Increasing luminosity at the Fermilab Tevatron collider has led the D0 collaboration to make improvements to its detector beyond those already in place for Run IIa, which began in March 2001. One of ...the cornerstones of this Run IIb upgrade is a completely redesigned level-1 calorimeter trigger system. The new system employs novel architecture and algorithms to retain high efficiency for interesting events while substantially increasing rejection of background. We describe the design and implementation of the new level-1 calorimeter trigger hardware and discuss its performance during Run IIb data taking. In addition to strengthening the physics capabilities of D0, this trigger system will provide valuable insight into the operation of analogous devices to be used at LHC experiments.
Using Triton X-100/lipid mixed micellar methods, we observed that the adriamycin-iron(III) complex was a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C while uncomplexed adriamycin itself was a poor inhibitor ...in the absence of heavy metal contaminants. The 3:1 adriamycin-iron complex was more potent than 2:1, 1:1, and 1:0 complexes. Inhibition of protein kinase C was reversible, and 50% inhibition occurred at 13 µM (adriamycin)3Fe3+. Both the catalytic and the regulatory domain of protein kinase C were affected by adriamycin-iron(III). Adriamycin-iron(III) was a competitive inhibitor of the catalytic domain of protein kinase C with respect to MgATP but not with respect to magnesium (IC50 350 µM). The predominant interaction of adriamycin-iron(III) with native protein kinase C was as a competitive inhibitor with respect to diacylglycerol. Inhibition was not competitive with respect to phosphatidylserine, calcium, magnesium, MgATP, or histone. Interaction with the regulatory domain was demonstrated by the ability of adriamycin-iron(III) to inhibit phorbol dibutyrate binding. Other adriamycin transitional metal complexes showed little inhibition of protein kinase C activity. Acetylation of the amine on the daunosamine moeity of adriamycin did not preclude the formation of a ferric complex but resulted in total loss of inhibitory activity. These results suggest that the presence of free amines in a highly structured adriamycin-iron complex is necessary for inhibition. The implications of inhibition of protein kinase C by adriamycin-iron(III) are discussed.
A procedure is described to prepare sphingosine-1-phosphate by treatment of sphingosylphosphocholine with phospholipase D, isolated from Streptomyces chromofuscus. The phosphorylated long chain bases ...were purified by selective precipitation and differential extraction. Milligram quantities can be obtained in a yield of about 70%. Application of the procedure to dihydrosphingosylphosphocholine results in the synthesis of dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate.
The preparation of a number of hindered biphenyls is presented in which the arylboronate suffers from both steric crowding and electron withdrawing group deactivation.
The preparation of a number of ...hindered biphenyls is presented in which the arylboronate suffers from both steric crowding and electron withdrawing group deactivation.