Carolina García

Irvalec inserts into the plasma membrane causing rapid loss of integrity and necrotic cell death in tumor cells.

Irvalec is a marine-derived antitumor agent currently undergoing phase II clinical trials. In vitro, Irvalec induces a rapid loss of membrane integrity in tumor cells, accompanied of a significant Ca2+ influx, perturbations of membrane conductivity, severe swelling and the formation of giant membranous vesicles. All these effects are not observed in Irvalec-resistant cells, or are significantly delayed by pretreating the cells with Zn2+. Using fluorescent derivatives of Irvalec it was demonstrated that the compound rapidly interacts with the plasma membrane of tumor cells promoting lipid bilayer restructuration. Also, FRET experiments demonstrated that Irvalec molecules localize in the cell membrane close enough to each other as to suggest that the compound could self-organize, forming supramolecular structures that likely trigger cell death by necrosis through the disruption of membrane integrity.

Three-dimensional Model of Human Platelet Integrin αIIbβ3 in Solution Obtained by Small Angle Neutron Scattering

Integrin αIIbβ3 is the major membrane protein and adhesion receptor at the surface of blood platelets, which after activation plays a key role in platelet plug formation in hemostasis and thrombosis. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and shape reconstruction algorithms allowed formation of a low resolution three-dimensional model of whole αIIbβ3 in Ca2+/detergent solutions. Model projections after 90° rotation along its long axis show an elongated and “arched” form (135°) not observed before and a “handgun” form. This 20-nm-long structure is well defined, despite αIIbβ3 multidomain nature and expected segmental flexibility, with the largest region at the top, followed by two narrower and smaller regions at the bottom. Docking of this SANS envelope into the high resolution structure of αIIbβ3, reconstructed from crystallographic and NMR data, shows that the solution structure is less constrained, allows tentative assignment of the disposition of the αIIb and β3 subunits and their domains within the model, and points out the structural analogies and differences of the SANS model with the crystallographic models of the recombinant ectodomains of αIIbβ3 and αVβ3 and with the cryo-electron microscopy model of whole αIIbβ3. The ectodomain is in the bent configuration at the top of the model, where αIIb and β3 occupy the concave and convex sides, respectively, at the arched projection, with their bent knees at its apex. It follows the narrower transmembrane region and the cytoplasmic domains at the bottom end. αIIbβ3 aggregated in Mn2+/detergent solutions, which impeded to get its SANS model.

Gas separation properties of new poly(aryl ether ketone)s with pendant groups

Abstract The gas permeation properties of a series of new poly(ether ketone)s (PEKs) have been measured and correlated with the chemical structure. Polymers with hexafluoroisopropylidene (6F) groups in the backbone present a better permeability than those with sulfone (SO 2 ) groups, due to a significant increase in diffusivity caused by an increase of free volume. The introduction of bulky groups also causes an increase in permeability, that, in this case is produced by a simultaneous improvement of the diffusivity and the solubility. The behaviour of these polymers can be correlated with the mobility of the chains as determined by DMTA and molecular modelling.

The role of platelet‐activating factor and peptidoleukotrienes in the vascular changes of rat passive anaphylaxis

1 The role of platelet‐activating factor (PAF) and peptidoleukotrienes as putative mediators of some of the vascular changes triggered by antigen was investigated in rats passively sensitized with monoclonal anti‐DNP (2,4‐dinitrophenyl) IgE. 2 Lethal anaphylaxis with respiratory distress, systemic hypotension, detachment of the intestinal mucosa, leukopenia and extravasation of protein‐rich plasma was observed after antigen challenge of rats sensitized with partially purified monoclonal IgE at concentrations of 15 mg protein kg−1. 3 Analysis of the peritoneal fluid obtained after i.v. challenge with DNP‐BSA (bovine serum albumin) showed the presence of significant amounts of PAF (101 ± 8 pg/rat), whereas this mediator was undetectable in control animals. Leukotriene D4 was the predominant peptidoleukotriene that could be recovered after antigen challenge, and showed an extremely high concentration (92 ± 15 ng/rat) as compared to PAF levels. 4 Extravasation of protein‐rich plasma was observed shortly after challenge and reached a maximum at 30 min. Treatment of animals with i.v. PCA 4248 (1–2 mg kg−1) and WEB 2086 (1 mg kg−1), two chemically unrelated compounds which are antagonists of the PAF‐receptor, produced a significant reduction of the extravasation of protein‐rich plasma. 5 The same degree of protection could be afforded by MK‐886, an inhibitor of leukotriene biosynthesis. Combined treatment with WEB 2086 and MK‐886 provided greater inhibition of protein‐rich plasma extravasation than either compound alone. PCA 4248 was also found to inhibit in a dose‐dependent manner the systemic hypotension observed upon DNP‐BSA challenge. 6 These data indicate that the lipid mediators PAF and peptidoleukotrienes are major effectors of the vascular disturbances observed in rat passive IgE‐mediated anaphylaxis.

Opening New Gates for the Modification of PVC or Other PVC Derivatives: Synthetic Strategies for the Covalent Binding of Molecules to PVC

Several synthetic strategies based on the use of substituted aromatic and hetero-aromatic thiols for the covalent binding of modifier compounds to PVC are described. A variety of aliphatic alcohols and amines are linked to the aromatic or heteroaromatic rings via highly active functionalities as the isocyanate, acidchloride, or chlorosulfonyl group, and the three chlorine atoms of trichlorotriazine. The first three pathways lead to protected aromatic disulfides obtaining the substituted aromatic thiols by reduction as a final step of an unprecedented synthetic route. The second approach, in a novel, extremely efficient, and scalable process, uses the particular selectivity of trichlorotriazine to connect aliphatic amines, alcohols, and thiols to the ring and creates the thiol via nucleophilic substitution of a heteroaromatic halogen by thiourea and subsequent hydrolysis. Most of the modifier compounds were linked to the polymer chains with high degrees of anchorage. The presented approaches are highly versatile as different activations of aromatic and heteroaromatic rings are used. Therefore, many types of tailored functional nucleophiles may be anchored to PVC providing non-migrating materials with a broad range of applications and properties.

Translation Elongation Factor eEF1A2 is a Novel Anticancer Target for the Marine Natural Product Plitidepsin

eEF1A2 is one of the isoforms of the alpha subunit of the eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1. It is overexpressed in human tumors and is endowed with oncogenic properties, favoring tumor cell proliferation while inhibiting apoptosis. We demonstrate that plitidepsin, an antitumor agent of marine origin that has successfully completed a phase-III clinical trial for multiple myeloma, exerts its antitumor activity by targeting eEF1A2. The drug interacts with eEF1A2 with a KD of 80 nM and a target residence time of circa 9 min. This protein was also identified as capable of binding [14C]-plitidepsin in a cell lysate from K-562 tumor cells. A molecular modelling approach was used to identify a favorable binding site for plitidepsin at the interface between domains 1 and 2 of eEF1A2 in the GTP conformation. Three tumor cell lines selected for at least 100-fold more resistance to plitidepsin than their respective parental cells showed reduced levels of eEF1A2 protein. Ectopic expression of eEF1A2 in resistant cells restored the sensitivity to plitidepsin. FLIM-phasor FRET experiments demonstrated that plitidepsin localizes in tumor cells sufficiently close to eEF1A2 as to suggest the formation of drug-protein complexes in living cells. Altogether, our results strongly suggest that eEF1A2 is the primary target of plitidepsin.

Two-Photon Fluorescence Anisotropy Imaging to Elucidate the Dynamics and the Stability of Immobilized Proteins

Time/spatial-resolved fluorescence determines anisotropy values of supported-fluorescent proteins through different immobilization chemistries, evidencing some of the molecular mechanisms that drive the stabilization of proteins at the interfaces with solid surfaces. Fluorescence anisotropy imaging provides a normalized protein mobility parameter that serves as a guide to study the effect of different immobilization parameters (length and flexibility of the spacer arm and multivalency of the protein-support interaction) on the final stability of the supported proteins. Proteins in a more constrained environment correspond to the most thermostable ones, as was shown by thermal inactivation studies. This work contributes to explain the experimental evidence found with conventional methods based on observable measurements; thus this advanced characterization technique provides reliable molecular information about the immobilized proteins with sub-micrometer spatial resolution. Such information has been very useful for fabricating highly stable heterogeneous biocatalysts with high interest in industrial developments.

Near-to-eutectic mixtures as bifunctional catalysts in the low-temperature-ring-opening-polymerization of ε-caprolactone

We have investigated the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of e-caprolactone using mixtures of methanesulfonic acid and the guanidine 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene as the catalyst. Our interest in these mixtures is based on the capability of both acids and bases to behave as bifunctional catalysts; the former by the combined action of acidic hydrogens and basic oxygens, and the latter by the hydrogen-bond acceptor and donor features of, respectively, a basic nitrogen center and an ortho-hydrogen atom. We found that these compounds are capable of forming eutectic mixtures at a certain molar ratio. Upon the use of these mixtures – e.g. with molar ratios near to the eutectic one – as catalysts, neither further solvents nor initiators were required to carry out the ROP of e-caprolactone. The resulting polycaprolactones (PCLs) were highly crystalline (more than 87%) and exhibited an excellent capability to support the growth of murine L929 fibroblasts. We consider that the preparation of biocompatible PCLs at physiological temperatures and in the absence of reagents other than the monomer and the catalyst offers an interesting alternative to both the self-cross-linked oligomers/macromers of acrylate-based PCL-derivatives and the pH/temperature-sensitive PCL copolymers used to date as injectable biomaterials.

Elisidepsin Interacts Directly with Glycosylceramides in the Plasma Membrane of Tumor Cells to Induce Necrotic Cell Death.

Plasma membrane integrity is essential for cell life. Any major break on it immediately induces the death of the affected cell. Different molecules were described as disrupting this cell structure and thus showing antitumor activity. We have previously defined that elisidepsin (Irvalec®, PM02734) inserts and self-organizes in the plasma membrane of tumor cells, inducing a rapid loss of membrane integrity, cell permeabilization and necrotic death. Here we show that, in sensitive HCT-116 colorectal cells, all these effects are consequence of the interaction of elisidepsin with glycosylceramides in the cell membrane. Of note, an elisidepsin-resistant subline (HCT-116-Irv) presented reduced levels of glycosylceramides and no accumulation of elisidepsin in the plasma membrane. Consequently, drug treatment did not induce the characteristic necrotic cell death. Furthermore, GM95, a mutant derivative from B16 mouse melanoma cells lacking ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) activity and thus the synthesis of glycosylceramides, was also resistant to elisidepsin. Over-expression of UGCG gene in these deficient cells restored glycosylceramides synthesis, rendering them sensitive to elisidepsin, at a similar level than parental B16 cells. These results indicate that glycosylceramides act as membrane targets of elisidepsin, facilitating its insertion in the plasma membrane and the subsequent membrane permeabilization that leads to drug-induced cell death. They also indicate that cell membrane lipids are a plausible target for antineoplastic therapy.

Relaxation behavior in model compounds of poly(aryl-ether-ketone-ketone) as revealed by dielectric spectroscopy

The relaxation behavior of a series of ether-ketone oligomers, considered as model compounds of poly(ether-ketone-ketone), was studied by means of dielectric spectroscopy. The dynamics of the α relaxation of ether-ketone model compounds as compared with that of poly(arylether-ketone-ketone) (PEKK) (50/50), shows up differences which can be attributed to the variation of inter- and intramolecular correlations with the chain length. Model compounds exhibit a nearly similar degree of cooperativity regardless the differences in Tg values. The PEKK (50/50) polymer exhibits stronger cooperativity than the oligomers suggesting that in poly(ether-ketone-ketone)s molecular motions above Tg extend to more than one monomeric unit.