Larissa V. Ponomareva

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) enhances functional thermal and chemical responses of TRP cation channels in human synoviocytes

BackgroundWe have shown functional expression of several TRP channels on human synovial cells, proposing significance in known calcium dependent proliferative and secretory responses in joint inflammation. The present study further characterizes synoviocyte TRP expression and activation responses to thermal and osmotic stimuli after pre-treatment with proinflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α, EC50 1.3221 × 10-10g/L).ResultsFluorescent imaging of Fura-2 loaded human SW982 synoviocytes reveals immediate and delayed cytosolic calcium oscillations elicited by (1) TRPV1 agonists capsaicin and resiniferatoxin (20 – 40% of cells), (2) moderate and noxious temperature change, and (3) osmotic stress TRPV4 activation (11.5% of cells). TNF-alpha pre-treatment (1 ng/ml, 8 – 16 hr) significantly increases (doubles) capsaicin responsive cell numbers and [Ca2+]i spike frequency, as well as enhances average amplitude of temperature induced [Ca2+]i responses. With TNF-alpha pre-treatment for 8, 12, and 16 hr, activation with 36 or 45 degree bath solution induces bimodal [Ca2+]i increase (temperature controlled chamber). Initial temperature induced rapid transient spikes and subsequent slower rise reflect TRPV1 and TRPV4 channel activation, respectively. Only after prolonged TNF-alpha exposure (12 and 16 hr) is recruitment of synoviocytes observed with sensitized TRPV4 responses to hypoosmolarity (3–4 fold increase). TNF-alpha increases TRPV1 (8 hr peak) and TRPV4 (12 hr peak) immunostaining, mRNA and protein expression, with a TRPV1 shift to membrane fractions.ConclusionTNF-α provides differentially enhanced synoviocyte TRPV1 and TRPV4 expression and [Ca2+]i response dependent on the TRP stimulus and time after exposure. Augmented relevance of TRPV1 and TRPV4 as inflammatory conditions persist would provide calcium mediated cell signaling required for pathophysiological responses of synoviocytes in inflammatory pain states.

Frenolicins C–G, Pyranonaphthoquinones from Streptomyces sp. RM-4-15

Appalachian active coal fire sites were selected for the isolation of bacterial strains belonging to the class actinobacteria. A comparison of high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and ultraviolet (UV) absorption profiles from isolate extracts to natural product databases suggested Streptomyces sp. RM-4-15 to produce unique metabolites. Four new pyranonaphthoquinones, frenolicins C-F (1-4), along with three known analogues, frenolicin (6), frenolicin B (7), and UCF76-A (8), were isolated from the fermentation of this strain. An additional new analogue, frenolicin G (5), along with two known compounds, deoxyfrenolicin (9) and UCF 13 (10), were isolated from the fermentation supplied with 18 mg/L of scandium chloride, the first example, to the best of our knowledge, wherein scandium chloride supplementation led to the confirmed production of new bacterial secondary metabolites. Structures 1-5 were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical modification. While frenolicins are best known for their anticoccidial activity, the current study revealed compounds 6-9 to exhibit moderate cytotoxicity against the human lung carcinoma cell line (A549) and thereby extends the anticancer SAR for this privileged scaffold.

Glucose-dependent regulation of osteoclast H+-ATPase expression: Potential role of p38 MAP-kinase

Bone resorption is glucose concentration dependent. Mechanisms regulating glucose‐dependent increases in bone resorption have not been identified. Glucose activates p38 MAP‐kinase in other cells and since MAP kinases activate transcription factors, we hypothesized that glucose‐stimulated bone resorption may be modulated by increased expression of the vacuolar H+‐ATPase. Glucose activates osteoclast p38 MAP‐kinase in a time and concentration‐dependent manner as determined by Western analysis with phospho‐specific p38 antibody while total p38 levels are unchanged. The K0.5 for glucose‐dependent activation of p38 MAP‐kinase is ∼7 mM, activation is maximal at 30 min and is elevated but returning to basal levels by 60 min. The concentration‐dependent increase in H+‐ATPase expression was confirmed by Northern analysis. The specific inhibitor of p38 MAP‐kinase, SB203580, inhibited glucose transport in osteoclasts, as well as glucose concentration‐dependent increases in bone resorption and expression of H+‐ATPase A and B subunits. Glucose had no effect on calmodulin expression levels that are regulated in response to other environmental changes. The glucose‐stimulated increase in H+‐ATPase mRNA expression is a specific response to glucose since glucose has little effect on G3PDH mRNA levels. We conclude that glucose regulates osteoclast H+‐ATPase expression by a mechanism likely to involve p38 MAP‐kinase. J. Cell. Biochem. 87: 75–84, 2002.

Herbimycins D–F, Ansamycin Analogues from Streptomyces sp. RM-7-15

Bacterial strains belonging to the class actinomycetes were isolated from the soil near a thermal vent of the Ruth Mullins coal fire (Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky). High-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and ultraviolet absorption profiles of metabolites from one of the isolates (Streptomyces sp. RM-7-15) revealed the presence of a unique set of metabolites ultimately determined to be herbimycins D-F (1-3). In addition, herbimycin A (4), dihydroherbimycin A (TAN 420E) (7), and the structurally distinct antibiotic bicycylomycin were isolated from the crude extract of Streptomyces sp. RM-7-15. Herbimycins A and D-F (1-3) displayed comparable binding affinities to the Hsp90α. While the new analogues were found to be inactive in cancer cell cytotoxicity and antimicrobial assays, they may offer new insights in the context of nontoxic ansamycin-based Hsp90 inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

Mullinamides A and B, new cyclopeptides produced by the Ruth Mullins coal mine fire isolate Streptomyces sp. RM-27-46.

Two new cyclopeptides, mullinamides A [cyclo-(-L-Gly-L-Glu-L-Val-L-Ile-L-Pro-)] and B [cyclo-(-L-Glu-L-Met-L-Pro-)] were isolated from the crude extract of terrestrial Streptomyces sp. RM-27-46 along with the three known cyclopeptides surugamide A [cyclo-(-L-Ile-D-Ile-L-Lys-L-Ile-D-Phe-D-Leu-L-Ile-D-Ala-)], cyclo-(-L-Pro-L-Phe-) and cyclo-(-L-Pro-L-Leu-). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by the cumulative analyses of NMR spectroscopy and HRMS. Although mullinamides A and B displayed no appreciable antimicrobial/fungal activity or cytotoxicity, this study highlights the first reported antibacterial activity of surugamide A.

The identification of perillyl alcohol glycosides with improved antiproliferative activity.

A facile route to perillyl alcohol (POH) differential glycosylation and the corresponding synthesis of a set of 34 POH glycosides is reported. Subsequent in vitro studies revealed a sugar dependent antiproliferative activity and the inhibition of S6 ribosomal protein phosphorylation as a putative mechanism of representative POH glycosides. The most active glycoside from this cumulative study (4′-azido-d-glucoside, PG9) represents one of the most cytotoxic POH analogues reported to date.

Venturicidin C, a new 20-membered macrolide produced by Streptomyces sp. TS-2-2

Venturicidin C (1), a new 20-membered macrolide along with the known venturicidins A (2) and B (3) were isolated from the crude extract of the Appalachian bacterial strain Streptomyces sp. TS-2-2. Additionally, nine other known compounds namely nocardamine, dehydroxynocardamine, desmethylenylnocardamine, ferrioxamine E, adenosine, riboflavin, cyclo(D)-trans-4-OH-Pro-(D)-Phe, cyclo(D)-Pro-(D)-Phe and N-(2-phenylethyl)-acetamide were also isolated and identified. The structure of the new macrolide 1 was elucidated by the cumulative analyses of NMR spectroscopy and HR-MS data. Complete NMR assignments for the known venturicidins A (2) and B (3) are also provided, for the first time, in this report. Venturicidins A–C did not inhibit the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cell line but all displayed potent antifungal activity.

Ruthmycin, a New Tetracyclic Polyketide from Streptomyces sp. RM-4-15

The isolation and structural elucidation of a new tetracyclic polyketide (ruthmycin) from Streptomyces sp. RM-4-15, a bacteria isolated near thermal vents from the Ruth Mullins underground coal mine fire in eastern Kentucky, is reported. In comparison to the well-established frenolicin core scaffold, ruthmycin possesses an unprecedented signature C3 bridge and a corresponding fused six member ring. Preliminary in vitro antibacterial, anticancer, and antifungal assays revealed ruthmycin to display moderate antifungal activity.

Influence of Sugar Amine Regiochemistry on Digitoxigenin Neoglycoside Anticancer Activity

The synthesis of a set of digitoxigenin neogluco/xylosides and corresponding study of their anticancer SAR revealed sugar amine regiochemistry has a dramatic effect upon activity. Specifically, this study noted sugar 3-amino followed by 4-amino-substitution to be most advantageous where the solvent accessibility of the appended amine within neoglycoside-Na(+),K(+)-ATPase docked models correlated with increased anticancer potency. This study presents a preliminary model for potential further warhead optimization in the context of antibody-directed steroidal glycosides and extends the demonstrated compatibility of aminosugars in the context of neoglycosylation.

The Native Production of the Sesquiterpene Isopterocarpolone by Streptomyces sp. RM-14-6

We report the production, isolation and structure elucidation of the sesquiterpene isopterocarpolone from an Appalachian isolate Streptomyces species RM-14-6. While isopterocarpolone was previously put forth as a putative plant metabolite, this study highlights the first native bacterial production of isopterocarpolone and the first full characterisation of isopterocarpolone using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI mass spectrometry. Considering the biosynthesis of closely related metabolites (geosmin or 5-epiaristolochene), the structure of isopterocarpolone also suggests the potential participation of one or more unique enzymatic transformations. In this context, this work also sets the stage for the elucidation of potentially novel bacterial biosynthetic machinery.