Ismael Navarro

Human Endometrial Side Population Cells Exhibit Genotypic, Phenotypic and Functional Features of Somatic Stem Cells

During reproductive life, the human endometrium undergoes around 480 cycles of growth, breakdown and regeneration should pregnancy not be achieved. This outstanding regenerative capacity is the basis for womens cycling and its dysfunction may be involved in the etiology of pathological disorders. Therefore, the human endometrial tissue must rely on a remarkable endometrial somatic stem cells (SSC) population. Here we explore the hypothesis that human endometrial side population (SP) cells correspond to somatic stem cells. We isolated, identified and characterized the SP corresponding to the stromal and epithelial compartments using endometrial SP genes signature, immunophenotyping and characteristic telomerase pattern. We analyzed the clonogenic activity of SP cells under hypoxic conditions and the differentiation capacity in vitro to adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. Finally, we demonstrated the functional capability of endometrial SP to develop human endometrium after subcutaneous injection in NOD-SCID mice. Briefly, SP cells of human endometrium from epithelial and stromal compartments display genotypic, phenotypic and functional features of SSC.

Stereoselective synthesis of polyoxygenated atisane-type diterpenoids

Abstract A new stereoselective approach to polyoxygenated atisane-type diterpenes starting from (S)-(+)-carvone is described. The key steps involve an intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction, an unusual intramolecular diazo ketone cyclopropanation of an unsaturated ketone, and a regioselective endocyclic cleavage of a cyclopropyl carbinyl radical as key synthetic steps. The synthesis of the bioactive polyoxygenated atisanes atis-16(17)-en-3,14-dione ( 2 ) and 3R-hydroxy-atis-16(17)-en-2,14-dione ( 3 ) following this approach is presented.

Vascular activity of a natural diterpene isolated from Croton zambesicus and of a structurally similar synthetic trachylobane.

The aim of this study was to determine the vasorelaxant activity of a natural diterpene extracted from Croton zambesicus, ent-18-hydroxy-trachyloban-3-one (DT6), and a synthetic diterpene of similar structure, ent-trachyloban-14,15-dione (DT10) in rat aorta. DT6 and DT10 inhibited aorta contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. Both were more potent inhibitors of KCl-evoked contraction than noradrenaline-evoked contraction. Nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition did not significantly affect DT6 effect whereas it significantly decreased DT10 inhibitory potency. In fura-2 loaded aorta rings, DT10 simultaneously inhibited KCl-evoked contraction and cytosolic calcium increase in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, DT10 significantly inhibited calcium channel current recorded by the patch-clamp technique in human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y. However, despite potentiation of 8-bromo-cGMP-response, DT6 and DT10 as verapamil depressed acetylcholine-evoked relaxation, DT6 being the most potent, while only DT6 and DT10 depressed SNAP-evoked relaxation. In conclusion, these data suggest that vasorelaxant activity of diterpenes (DT) is associated with the blockade of L-type voltage-operated calcium channels. Inhibition of NO-dependent relaxation by DT could be related to a decrease in NO availability.

General Diastereoselective Synthetic Approach toward Isospongian Diterpenes. Synthesis of ()-Marginatafuran, ()-Marginatone, and ()-20-Acetoxymarginatone

This work describes a synthetic approach to the carbocyclic skeleton of isospongian diterpenes that uses the commercially available monoterpene (S)-carvone as a C-ring synthon, which is incorporated into the tetracyclic isospongian framework via a C→ABC→ABCD ring annulation strategy using intramolecular Diels-Alder and ring-closing metathesis reactions. This approach has been successfully used to prepare both the title natural isospongians and several nonnatural oxygenated analogues. A preliminary evaluation of the inhibitory activity of the small collection of synthesized isospongians on the mammalian mitochondrial respiratory chain revealed that most were able to inhibit the integrated electron transfer chain (NADH oxidase activity) in the micromolar range.

Identification of the Sex Pheromone of the Mealybug Dysmicoccus grassii Leonardi

Studies about the sex pheromone of the mealybug Dysmicoccus grassii , a main pest of Canary Islands banana cultivars, showed strong evidence that (-)-(R)-lavandulyl propionate and acetate in a 6:1 ratio are principal components of it. Volatile collection and GC-MS analysis from aeration of virgin females allowed the structural elucidation of the compounds. The activity and stereochemistry of both substances were established by means of relative attraction of mealybug males to synthetic standards in competitive Petri dish bioassays. (R)-Lavandulyl propionate induced a stronger attractive effect when compared to (R)-lavandulyl acetate. The attractiveness of the mixture of the two compounds at the original source ratio showed no statistically significant difference from that of the sum of each of the single compounds alone, suggesting that both components are not synergistic but additive.

Synthesis of Highly Functionalised Enantiopure Bicyclo(3.2.1)- octane Systems from Carvone

The commercially available monoterpene carvone has been efficiently converted into the tricyclo[3.2.1.0(2.7)]octane and bicyclo[3.2.1]octane systems characteristic of some biologically active compounds. The sequence used for this transformation involves as key features an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of a 5-vinyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene and a cyclopropane ring opening.

Single-Layered Hybrid Materials Based on 1D Associated Metalorganic Nanoribbons for Controlled Release of Pheromones

Abstract A new family of stable layered organic–inorganic materials has been prepared, in one‐step solvothermal process. They are based on an ordered nickel cluster‐type nanoribbons separated from each other by specific alkyl (heptyl‐ or dodecyl‐) arylic mono‐carboxylate moieties acting as molecular spacers, perpendicular to the 1D inorganic chains. These organic spacers contain hydrocarbon tails with different length which control the separation level between inorganic 1D sub‐units, inhibiting the 3D growth of conventional DUT‐8‐type metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The lamellar nature of the materials formed was studied and confirmed by different characterization techniques, showing the structural location of individual organic and inorganic building units. They have been successfully used as a long‐lasting biodegradable and water‐proof materials for controlled release of chemicals, such as pheromones for sustainable treatment of insect plagues.

Identification of the Male-Produced Aggregation Pheromone of the Four-Spotted Coconut Weevil, Diocalandra frumenti

The four-spotted coconut weevil, Diocalandra frumenti Fabricius (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae), is a small weevil found attacking economically important palm species, such as coconut, date, oil, and Canary palms. Given the scarcity of detection and management tools for this pest, the availability of a pheromone to be included in trapping protocols would be a crucial advantage. Previous laboratory experiments showed evidence for aggregation behavior; thus, our main goal was to identify the aggregation pheromone in this species. The volatile profile of D. frumenti individuals was studied by aeration and collection of effluvia in Porapak-Q and also by solid phase microextraction (SPME) techniques. Moreover, solvent extraction of previously frozen crushed individuals was also performed. All resulting extracts and SPME fibers were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The comparison of male and female samples provided the candidate compound, 5-ethyl-2,4-dimethyl-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (multistriatin), whose biological activity was evaluated in olfactometer and field assays.

Regiospecific and stereoselective ene reaction of the A-ring methylcyclohexene moiety of polycyclic terpenoid systems with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate

Polycyclic terpenoid compounds with a methylcyclohexene moiety at the A-ring, such as 1 and 7, give a regio- and stereoselective ene reaction when heated at low temperatures with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. The structure and stereochemistry of the compound formed in the case of 1, e.g. 5, is determined by X-ray analysis.