Saripella Srikrishna

Nuclear blebbing of biologically active organoselenium compound towards human cervical cancer cell (HeLa): in vitro DNA/HSA binding, cleavage and cell imaging studies.

New pharmacophore organoselenium compound (1) was designed, synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods (IR, ESI-MS, (1)H, (13)C and (77)Se NMR) and further confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 consists of two 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl units which are connected to the selenium atom via the organometallic C-Se bond. In vitro DNA binding studies of 1 was investigated by absorption and emission titration methods which revealed that 1 recognizes the minor groove of DNA in accordance with molecular docking studies with the DNA duplex. Gel electrophoretic assay demonstrates the ability of 1 to cleave pBR322 DNA through hydrolytic process which was further validated by T4 religation assay. To understand the drug-protein interaction of which ultimate molecular target was DNA, the affinity of 1 towards HSA was also investigated by the spectroscopic and molecular modeling techniques which showed hydrophobic interaction in the subdomain IIA of HSA. Furthermore, the intracellular localization of 1 was evidenced by cell imaging studies using HeLa cells.

Chiral heterobimetallic complexes targeting human DNA-topoisomerase Iα

The chiral monometallic Cu(II) (1) and Zn(II) (2) and heterobimetallic Cu(II)-Sn(IV) and Zn(II)-Sn(IV) complexes with tridentate chiral Schiff base -ONO-ligand in the presence of nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand imidazole; were prepared and characterized by various physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Preliminary complex-DNA interaction studies employing optical methods revealed that 3 displayed a higher propensity towards the drug target DNA double helix and recommended predominantly an electrostatic mode of interaction as well as a groove binding affinity of the complex with CT-DNA. This was quantified by Kb and KSV values of complexes 1-4, which demonstrated a multifold increase in complex 3 binding to CT DNA and clearly demonstrates its potency to act as a chemotherapeutic agent. Furthermore, the gel electrophoretic patterns of supercoiled pBR322 DNA with varying concentrations of complex 3 exhibits the ability to cleave DNA and follow a freely diffusible radical mechanism. The antiproliferative effects of complex 3 on human hepatoma cancer cells (Huh7) was investigated. Human Topo I inhibition assay by complex 3 was performed and results confirmed significantly good activity at lower concentrations than some of the classical Topo I inhibitors. Additionally, complex 3 was investigated for the expression of MMP-2 and TGF-β by real time PCR. The cellular uptake of complex 3 by HeLa cells was studied by confocal microscopy.

Molecular insight into amyloid oligomer destabilizing mechanism of flavonoid derivative 2-(4' benzyloxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-chromen-4-one through docking and molecular dynamics simulations.

Aggregation of amyloid peptide (Aβ) has been shown to be directly related to progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aβ is neurotoxic and its deposition and aggregation ultimately lead to cell death. In our previous work, we reported flavonoid derivative (compound 1) showing promising result in transgenic AD model of Drosophila. Compound 1 showed prevention of Aβ-induced neurotoxicity and neuroprotective efficacy in Drosophila system. However, mechanism of action of compound 1 and its effect on the amyloid is not known. We therefore performed molecular docking and atomistic, explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the process of Aβ interaction, inhibition, and destabilizing mechanism. Results showed different preferred binding sites of compound 1 and good affinity toward the target. Through the course of 35 ns molecular dynamics simulation, conformations_5 of compound 1 intercalates into the hydrophobic core near the salt bridge and showed major structural changes as compared to other conformations. Compound 1 showed interference with the salt bridge and thus reducing the inter strand hydrogen bound network. This minimizes the side chain interaction between the chains A–B leading to disorder in oligomer. Contact map analysis of amino acid residues between chains A and B also showed lesser interaction with adjacent amino acids in the presence of compound 1 (conformations_5). The study provides an insight into how compound 1 interferes and disorders the Aβ peptide. These findings will further help to design better inhibitors for aggregation of the amyloid oligomer.

Cancer Drug Development Using Drosophila as an in vivo Tool: From Bedside to Bench and Back

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been used for modeling cancer and as an in vivo tool for the validation and/or development of cancer therapeutics. The impetus for the use of Drosophila in cancer research stems from the high conservation of its signaling pathways, lower genetic redundancy, short life cycle, genetic amenability, and ease of maintenance. Several cell signaling pathways in Drosophila have been used for cancer drug development. The efficacy of combination therapy and uptake/bioavailability of drugs have also been studied. Drosophila has been validated using several FDA-approved drugs, suggesting a potential application of this model in drug repurposing. The model is emerging as a powerful tool for high-throughput screening and should significantly reduce the cost and time associated with drug development. In this review we discuss the applications of Drosophila in cancer drug development. The advantages and limitations of the model are discussed.

Enantiomeric fluoro-substituted benzothiazole Schiff base-valine Cu(II)/Zn(II) complexes as chemotherapeutic agents: DNA binding profile, cleavage activity, MTT assay and cell imaging studies

To evaluate the biological preference of chiral drugs toward DNA target, new metal-based chemotherapeutic agents of Cu(II) and Zn(II), l-/d-fluorobenzothiazole Schiff base-valine complexes 1 &2 (a and b), respectively were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. Preliminary in vitro DNA binding studies of ligand L and complexes 1 &2 (a and b) were carried out in Tris-HCl buffer at pH 7.2 to demonstrate the chiral preference of l-enantiomeric complexes over the d-analogues. The extent of DNA binding propensity was ascertained quantitatively by Kb, K and Ksv values which revealed greater binding propensity by l-enantiomeric Cu(II) complex 1a and its potency to act as a chemotherapeutic agent. The cleavage studies with pBR322 plasmid DNA revealed higher nuclease activity of 1a as compared to 2avia hydrolytic cleavage mechanism. The complexes 1 &2 (a and b) were also screened for antimicrobial activity which demonstrated significantly good activity for l-enantiomeric complexes. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of the complexes 1a and 1b was evaluated by the MTT assay on human HeLa cancer cell line which implicated that more than 50% cells were viable at 15μM. These results were further validated by cell imaging studies which demonstrated the nuclear blebbing.

Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease and Some Therapeutic Approaches Targeting Aβ by Using Several Synthetic and Herbal Compounds

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a complex age-related neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we carefully detail amyloid-β metabolism and its role in AD. We also consider the various genetic animal models used to evaluate therapeutics. Finally, we consider the role of synthetic and plant-based compounds in therapeutics.

Neuroprotective Role of a Novel Copper Chelator against Aβ 42 Induced Neurotoxicity.

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and associated with the extracellular deposits of amyloid-β peptide in hippocampus region. Metal ions like Cu, Fe and Zn are known to associate with the amyloid beta (Aβ) at high concentration and interaction of these ions with soluble and aggregated forms of Aβ peptide help in development of AD. Here we showed Cu mediated neurotoxicity in the eye tissues of transgenic Drosophila expressing human amyloid β and its rescue through a novel Cu chelator. In this context, we have synthesised and characterized the compound L 2,6-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 2,6-bis[2-[(4-carboxyphenyl) methylene] hydrazide] by Mass spectra (MS) and Elemental analysis (EA). The Cu chelation potential of the compound L is tested in vivo in Drosophila. Oral administration of Copper to the transgenic larvae resulted in severe degeneration in eye tissues, which was rescued by the supplementation of compound L. The levels of anti-oxidant markers like SOD and MDA were measured in compound L treated flies and found a significant rescue (P < 0.001). Further rescue of the eye degeneration phenotypes as revealed by SEM affirm the role of copper in Aβ toxicity. Hence, use of compound L, an amidoamine derivative, could be a possible therapeutic measure for Aβ induced neurotoxicity.

Folic acid supplementation rescues anomalies associated with knockdown of parkin in dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons in Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease

parkin loss associated early-onset of Parkinsons disease, involves mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress as the plausible decisive molecular mechanisms in disease pathogenesis. Mitochondrial dysfunction involves several up/down regulation of gene products, one of which being p53 is found to be elevated. Elevated p53 is involved in mitochondrial mediated apoptosis of neuronal cells in Parkinsons patients who are folate deficient as well. The present study therefore attempts to examine the effect of Folic acid (FA) supplementation in alleviation of anomalies associated with parkin knockdown using RNAi approach, specific to Dopaminergic (DA) neurons in Drosophila model system. Here we show that FA supplementation provide protection against parkin RNAi associated discrepancies, thereby improves locomotor ability, reduces mortality and oxidative stress, and partially improves Zn levels. Further, metabolic active cell status and ATP levels were also found to be improved thereby indicating improved mitochondrial function. To corroborate FA supplementation in mitochondrial functioning further, status of p53 and spargel was checked by qRT-PCR. Here we show that folic acid supplementation enrich mitochondrial functioning as depicted from improved spargel level and lowered p53 level, which was originally vice versa in parkin knockdown flies cultured in standard media. Our data thus support the potential of folic acid in alleviating the behavioural defects, oxidative stress, augmentation of zinc and ATP levels in parkin knock down flies. Further, folic acid role in repressing mitochondrial dysfunction is encouraging to further explore its possible mechanistic role to be utilized as potential therapeutics for Parkinsons disease.

Correction: Fluorescein hydrazone-based supramolecular architectures, molecular recognition, sequential logic operation and cell imaging

A fluorescein hydrazone (FDNS) is prepared by the coupling of fluorescein hydrazide with 3,5-dinitrosalicylaldehyde. It is well characterized using spectroscopic (IR, UV-visible, 1H, 13C NMR, ESI-MS) techniques and X-ray crystallography. FDNS is embedded with several H-bonding domains which provide interesting intra and inter molecular H-bonded networks. Its crystal packing along the b crystallographic axis using H-bonding interactions provides a fascinating helical structure. It detects Cu2+ ions selectively over many relevant ions and displays a novel peak at λmax = 495 nm. The significant enhancement in its fluorescence is observed with a peak at λem = 517 nm on addition of Hg2+ ions, which is quenched upon the addition of S2− ions. The sensing of Hg2+ ions by FDNS follow a hydrolysis pathway whereas the binding of Cu2+ ions with FDNS provides a colour change. The addition of a solution of tetrabutylammoniumcyanide in methanol to a corresponding solution of FDNS caused a turn to a green colour immediately. But on keeping the solution at room temperature for 72 h, red coloured crystals are obtained. The crystals were authenticated by X-ray crystallography. It was found to be a new compound FKCN in which a tetrabutylammonium cation is co-crystallized with deprotonated FDNS. Its supramolecular assembly via H-bonding provides an interesting ladder type architecture. FDNS displays chronological logic gate-based detection of several ions (Cu2+, Hg2+, EDTA, and S2−) at ppm levels. The real sample analysis, live cell imaging and portable paper strip based detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions via an obvious colour change endows FDNS with great economic significance in recognition processes.

Knockdown of APPL mimics transgenic Aβ induced neurodegenerative phenotypes in Drosophila

A variety of Drosophila mutant lines have been established as potential disease-models to study various disease mechanisms including human neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers disease (AD), Huntingtons disease (HD) and Parkinsons disease (PD). The evolutionary conservation of APP (Amyloid Precursor Protein) and APPL (Amyloid Precursor Protein-Like) and the comparable detrimental effects caused by their metabolic products strongly implies the conservation of their normal physiological functions. In view of this milieu, a comparative analysis on the pattern of neurodegenerative phenotypes between Drosophila APPL-RNAi line and transgenic Drosophila line expressing eye tissue specific human Aβ (Amyloid beta) was undertaken. Our results clearly show that Drosophila APPL-RNAi largely mimics transgenic Aβ in various phenotypes which include eye degeneration, reduced longevity and motor neuron deficit functions, etc. The ultra-structural morphological pattern of eye degeneration was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Further, a comparative study on longevity and motor behaviour between Aβ expressing and APPL knockdown lines revealed similar kind of behavioural deficit and longevity phenotypes. Therefore, it is suggested that APPL-knockdown approach can be used as an alternative approach to study neurodegenerative diseases in the fly model. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report showing comparable phenotypes between APPL and Aβ in AD model of Drosophila.