Choline Esters Research Articles

Epithelial propionyl- and butyrylcholine as novel regulators of colonic ion transport.

The colonic surface epithelium produces acetylcholine, released after the binding of propionate to GPCRs for this short-chain fatty acid (SCFA). This epithelial acetylcholine then induces anion secretion via stimulation of acetylcholine receptors. The key enzyme responsible for acetylcholine synthesis, choline acetyltransferase, is known to be unselective as regards the fatty acid used for esterification of choline. As the colonic epithelium is permanently exposed to high concentrations of different SCFAs produced by bacterial fermentation, we investigated whether choline esters other than acetylcholine, propionylcholine and butyrylcholine, are produced by the colonic epithelium, too, and whether these 'atypical' esters are able to stimulate the acetylcholine receptors involved in the regulation of colonic ion transport. Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (DESI-MS), Ussing chamber and Ca(2+) -imaging experiments were performed on rat distal colon. DESI-MS analyses revealed the production of acetylcholine, propionylcholine and butyrylcholine in the surface epithelium. Relative expression rates were 2-3% in comparison with acetylcholine. In Ussing chamber experiments, both atypical choline esters caused a concentration-dependent increase in short-circuit current, that is, stimulated anion secretion. Inhibitor experiments in the absence and presence of the submucosal plexus revealed the involvement of neuronal and epithelial acetylcholine receptors. While butyrylcholine obviously stimulated both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, propionylcholine predominantly acted on muscarinic receptors. These results suggest a novel pathway for communication between intestinal microbes producing SCFA and the host via modification of epithelial production of choline esters involved in the paracrine regulation of the colonic epithelium.

Transcriptome of the Australian Mollusc Dicathais orbita Provides Insights into the Biosynthesis of Indoles and Choline Esters.

Dicathais orbita is a mollusc of the Muricidae family and is well known for the production of the expensive dye Tyrian purple and its brominated precursors that have anticancer properties, in addition to choline esters with muscle-relaxing properties. However, the biosynthetic pathways that produce these secondary metabolites in D. orbita are not known. Illumina HiSeq 2000 transcriptome sequencing of hypobranchial glands, prostate glands, albumen glands, capsule glands, and mantle and foot tissues of D. orbita generated over 201 million high quality reads that were de novo assembled into 219,437 contigs. Annotation with reference to the Nr, Swiss-Prot and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases identified candidate-coding regions in 76,152 of these contigs, with transcripts for many enzymes in various metabolic pathways associated with secondary metabolite biosynthesis represented. This study revealed that D. orbita expresses a number of genes associated with indole, sulfur and histidine metabolism pathways that are relevant to Tyrian purple precursor biosynthesis, and many of which were not found in the fully annotated genomes of three other molluscs in the KEGG database. However, there were no matches to known bromoperoxidase enzymes within the D. orbita transcripts. These transcriptome data provide a significant molecular resource for gastropod research in general and Tyrian purple producing Muricidae in particular.

Protein Disulfide Levels and Lens Elasticity Modulation: Applications for Presbyopia.

PurposeThe purpose of the experiments described here was to determine the effects of lipoic acid (LA)-dependent disulfide reduction on mouse lens elasticity, to synthesize the choline ester of LA (LACE), and to characterize the effects of topical ocular doses of LACE on mouse lens elasticity.MethodsEight-month-old mouse lenses (C57BL/6J) were incubated for 12 hours in medium supplemented with selected levels (0–500 μM) of LA. Lens elasticity was measured using the coverslip method. After the elasticity measurements, P-SH and PSSP levels were determined in homogenates by differential alkylation before and after alkylation. Choline ester of LA was synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry and HPLC. Eight-month-old C57BL/6J mice were treated with 2.5 μL of a formulation of 5% LACE three times per day at 8-hour intervals in the right eye (OD) for 5 weeks. After the final treatment, lenses were removed and placed in a cuvette containing buffer. Elasticity was determined with a computer-controlled instrument that provided Z-stage upward movements in 1-μm increments with concomitant force measurements with a Harvard Apparatus F10 isometric force transducer. The elasticity of lenses from 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice was determined for comparison.ResultsLipoic acid treatment led to a concentration-dependent decrease in lens protein disulfides concurrent with an increase in lens elasticity. The structure and purity of newly synthesized LACE was confirmed. Aqueous humor concentrations of LA were higher in eyes of mice following topical ocular treatment with LACE than in mice following topical ocular treatment with LA. The lenses of the treated eyes of the old mice were more elastic than the lenses of untreated eyes (i.e., the relative force required for similar Z displacements was higher in the lenses of untreated eyes). In most instances, the lenses of the treated eyes were even more elastic than the lenses of the 8-week-old mice.ConclusionsAs the elasticity of the human lens decreases with age, humans lose the ability to accommodate. The results, briefly described in this abstract, suggest a topical ocular treatment to increase lens elasticity through reduction of disulfides to restore accommodative amplitude.

Identification of natural lactoylcholine in lactic acid bacteria-fermented food

Acetylcholine (AcCh) is a major neurotransmitter and an agonist of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in non-neuronal systems. Artificially synthesized lactoylcholine (LaCh) has potent nicotinic activity equal to that of AcCh. In this study, we report the isolation and purification of natural AcCh and LaCh from a lactic-fermented food known to reduce blood pressure. To our knowledge, we are the first to isolate natural LaCh. The choline esters were isolated using a novel purification procedure combining a weak cation-exchange cartridge with ODS and pentafluorophenyl HPLC columns, and the structure of LaCh was identified via various analyses. Assessment of d- and l-LaCh showed that the isolated LaCh was an enantiomer mixture with a D/L ratio of 1.6. d-LaCh induced vasorelaxation of thoracic aortas from spontaneously hypertensive rats (EC50=3.83×10−7M), while l-LaCh did not. Our results suggest that choline esters could be new functional ingredients in lactic-fermented foods.

Wide awake under anesthesia: Scoline apnoea update

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) catalyses the hydrolysis of choline esters and thus deactivates muscle relaxants such as succinylcholine and mivacurium. The prolonged neuromuscular blockade following the use of succinylcholine, called scoline apnea, occurs in patients with significant BChE deficiency. It is proved that BChE activity can be reduced in certain physiological conditions, in a number of diseases and after the administration of certain drugs. Gene encoding butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, CHE1) is located on the locus 3q26.1-q26.2. This gene shows a high level of polyallelism and so far about 75 natural mutations of this gene have been documented. The development of modern genetics has provided more insight into the cause of this disorder and is now considered to be caused by a number of genetic variations in the BChE gene. The most commonly observed gene variant is 209A > G, Asp70Gly. If neuromuscular relaxants are used during anesthesia, the use of monitoring in the form of nerve stimulator is recommended. Scoline apnea should be investigated by conventional biochemical tests and molecular genetic tests. This testing should include the closest relatives of the patient if it is suspected to be inherited rather than acquired.

The Activity of Cholinesterases in Diapausing and Flying Red Mason Bees Osmia bicornis (Megachilidae).

The red mason bee (Osmia bicornis) is a highly effective pollinator that is exposed to various xenobiotics. The organism's potential resistance to the toxic effects of xenobiotics can be determined based on cholinesterase activity. The activity of cholinesterases (ChEs) towards acetylcholine (ACh) and butyrylcholine (BCh) was determined in extracts of diapausing (between October and late March) and flying bees (May). In both males and females, enzyme activity was higher towards ACh than towards BCh. The ratio of ACh/BCh activity was determined in the range of 1.43 to 4.15 in diapausing females and 3.00 to 7.18 in diapausing males. No significant changes in ChE activity towards ACh were observed in females before December and in males before February. Enzyme activity towards ACh increased dynamically in the second half of March. Enzyme activity towards BCh remained stable in both sexes until mid-March, after which it increased significantly. Excluding mid-March, enzyme BCh activity was significantly higher in females than in males. The activity of carboxylesterase towards 4-p-nitrophenyl butyrate was determined in females to assess the involvement of non-specific esterases in the hydrolysis of choline esters. Carboxylesterase activity was low in comparison with cholinesterase activity, and it remained practically unchanged throughout diapause, suggesting that choline esters in female O. bicornis extracts were hydrolyzed mainly by acetylcholinesterases.

Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy.

This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review on parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (published in Issue 3, 2007). Salivary gland dysfunction is a predictable side effect of radiotherapy to the head and neck region. Pilocarpine hydrochloride (a choline ester) is licensed in many countries for the treatment of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction. Other parasympathomimetics have also been used 'off licence' in the treatment of this condition. To determine the efficacy and tolerability of parasympathomimetic drugs in the treatment of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction (specifically radiation-induced xerostomia). For this update, we ran searches of the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 6), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL in July 2015. We checked the reference lists of retrieved articles for additional studies, contacted experts in the field for unpublished and ongoing trials, and contacted relevant pharmaceutical companies for unpublished and ongoing trials. The selection criteria for the review were: 1) randomised controlled trials; 2) people suffering from radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction; 3) people treated with parasympathomimetic drugs; and 4) assessable data available on primary outcome measure. The two review authors independently collected data from the full-text version of relevant papers including: 1) citation details; 2) participants; 3) interventions; 4) assessments; 5) outcomes (that is efficacy, tolerability); and 6) quality issues.Due to a lack of appropriate data, we were unable to perform a meta-analysis. In the original review, three studies, including a total of 298 participants, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All three studies involved the use of pilocarpine hydrochloride. We have included no additional studies in the update of the review; we have excluded eight additional studies.The data suggest that pilocarpine hydrochloride is more effective than placebo and at least as effective as artificial saliva. The response rate was 42% to 51%. The time to response was up to 12 weeks. The overall side effect rate was high, and side effects were the main reason for withdrawal (6% to 15% of participants taking 5 mg three times a day had to withdraw). The side effects were usually the result of generalised parasympathomimetic stimulation (for example sweating, headaches, urinary frequency, vasodilatation). Response rates were not dose dependent, but side effect rates were dose dependent. There is limited evidence to support the use of pilocarpine hydrochloride in the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia. Currently, there is little evidence to support the use of other parasympathomimetic drugs in the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia. Available studies suggest that approximately half of patients will respond, but side effects can be problematic. The conclusions of the update are the same as the conclusions of the original review, since no new relevant studies have been published in the interim.

Synthesis, Formulation, and Adjuvanticity of Monodesmosidic Saponins with Olenanolic Acid, Hederagenin and Gypsogenin Aglycones, and some C-28 Ester Derivatives.

In an attempt to discover a new synthetic vaccine adjuvant, the glycosylation of hederagenin, gypsogenin, and oleanolic acid acceptors with di‐ and trisaccharide donors to generate a range of mimics of natural product QS‐21 was carried out. The saponins were formulated with phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, and the structures analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. 3‐O‐(Manp(1→3)Glcp)hederagenin was found to produce numerous ring‐like micelles when formulated, while C‐28 choline ester derivatives preferred self‐assembly and did not interact with the liposomes. When alone and in the presence of cholesterol and phospholipid, the choline ester derivatives produced nanocrystalline rods or helical micelles. The effects of modifying sugar stereochemistry and the aglycone on the immunostimulatory effects of the saponins was then evaluated using the activation markers MHC class II and CD86 in murine bone marrow dendritic cells. The most active saponin, 3‐O‐(Manp(1→3)Glcp)hederagenin, was stimulatory at high concentrations in cell culture, but this did not translate to strong responses in vivo.

Mass spectrometry imaging reveals new biological roles for choline esters and Tyrian purple precursors in muricid molluscs.

Despite significant advances in chemical ecology, the biodistribution, temporal changes and ecological function of most marine secondary metabolites remain unknown. One such example is the association between choline esters and Tyrian purple precursors in muricid molluscs. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) on nano-structured surfaces has emerged as a sophisticated platform for spatial analysis of low molecular mass metabolites in heterogeneous tissues, ideal for low abundant secondary metabolites. Here we applied desorption-ionisation on porous silicon (DIOS) to examine in situ changes in biodistribution over the reproductive cycle. DIOS-MSI showed muscle-relaxing choline ester murexine to co-localise with tyrindoxyl sulfate in the biosynthetic hypobranchial glands. But during egg-laying, murexine was transferred to the capsule gland, and then to the egg capsules, where chemical ripening resulted in Tyrian purple formation. Murexine was found to tranquilise the larvae and may relax the reproductive tract. This study shows that DIOS-MSI is a powerful tool that can provide new insights into marine chemo-ecology.

Are the Traditional Medical Uses of Muricidae Molluscs Substantiated by Their Pharmacological Properties and Bioactive Compounds?

Marine molluscs from the family Muricidae hold great potential for development as a source of therapeutically useful compounds. Traditionally known for the production of the ancient dye Tyrian purple, these molluscs also form the basis of some rare traditional medicines that have been used for thousands of years. Whilst these traditional and alternative medicines have not been chemically analysed or tested for efficacy in controlled clinical trials, a significant amount of independent research has documented the biological activity of extracts and compounds from these snails. In particular, Muricidae produce a suite of brominated indoles with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and steroidogenic activity, as well as choline esters with muscle-relaxing and pain relieving properties. These compounds could explain some of the traditional uses in wound healing, stomach pain and menstrual problems. However, the principle source of bioactive compounds is from the hypobranchial gland, whilst the shell and operculum are the main source used in most traditional remedies. Thus further research is required to understand this discrepancy and to optimise a quality controlled natural medicine from Muricidae.

Biosensor based on Butyrylcholinesterase for Detection of Carbofuran

Esterase enzymes play an important role in biology because they are responsible for the hydrolysis of choline esters. In their absence, the original state of the post synaptic membranes cannot be reestablished. Therefore, the aim of the work is to study the inhibiting action exerted by the group of compounds on these enzymes. Among these class of inhibiting compounds, pesticides are important because of the potential danger as a result of their large scale use in agriculture. Pesticides are generally determined using liquid or gas chromatography methods with various detection techniques. These methods are very sensitive and discriminating, however they require sample pretreatment such as extraction, preconcentration and clean up, which are skilled techniques and high cost treatment and also time consuming. In this study, acetyl cholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase based biosensors have emerged as a promising tool for the detection and characterization of pesticides which are inhibitors of these enzymes. Although the physiological function of butyrylcholinesterase in comparison with acetyl cholinesterase is ambiguous, it has larger substrate specificity towards choline esters. Therefore, the development of a more selective electrode against choline, can lead to more sensitive determination of the inhibitor being investigated. Hence in the present work, a method based on inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase was attempted for quantification of carbofuran on the basis of cholinesterase inhibition. Butyrylcholinesterase with an activity of 10.2 units/mg was immobilized on a solid surface by cross linking with glutaraldehyde. The immobilized system was calibrated by correlating the inhibition of the butyrylcholinesterase activity with varying concentrations of the butyryl choline chloride and carbofuran. The sensing mechanism was investigated for its response to carbofuran concentrations ranging from 125 to 1,000 ppm. The effects of butyryl choline chloride concentration on the response of the sensing strip were also determined. Through this work, a sensing element made up of a carbon based electrode, containing the immobilized butyrylcholinesterase, has been described. This element has certain practical advantages like smaller size, user friendly, easy portability and disposability.

Solvent separating secondary metabolites directly from biosynthetic tissue for surface-assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry.

Marine bioactive metabolites are often heterogeneously expressed in tissues both spatially and over time. Therefore, traditional solvent extraction methods benefit from an understanding of the in situ sites of biosynthesis and storage to deal with heterogeneity and maximize yield. Recently, surface-assisted mass spectrometry (MS) methods namely nanostructure-assisted laser desorption ionisation (NALDI) and desorption ionisation on porous silicon (DIOS) surfaces have been developed to enable the direct detection of low molecular weight metabolites. Since direct tissue NALDI-MS or DIOS-MS produce complex spectra due to the wide variety of other metabolites and fragments present in the low mass range, we report here the use of “on surface” solvent separation directly from mollusc tissue onto nanostructured surfaces for MS analysis, as a mechanism for simplifying data annotation and detecting possible artefacts from compound delocalization during the preparative steps. Water, ethanol, chloroform and hexane selectively extracted a range of choline esters, brominated indoles and lipids from Dicathais orbita hypobranchial tissue imprints. These compounds could be quantified on the nanostructured surfaces by comparison to standard curves generated from the pure compounds. Surface-assisted MS could have broad utility for detecting a broad range of secondary metabolites in complex marine tissue samples.

Molecular Dynamics and Regulation of Butyrylcholinesterase Cholinergic Activity by RNA Binding Proteins

RNA recognition motif (RRM) is the most abundant RNA-binding domain, mainly known to involve in regulating post-transcriptional processes like intron splicing, stability and mRNA intracellular translocation. As RNA metabolism in neurons attributes a significant proportionality towards neurodegenerative diseases, potential role of RRM domains has become more conspicuous. Here, through flexible protein-protein docking and molecular dynamics simulation approaches, we postulate biochemically auspicious interactions occurring between Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and RRM domains of transactive response DNA binding protein, embryonic lethal abnormal vision like protein 4 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 protein. Through a comprehensive analysis of these interactions, we observed an exclusive binding behavior for RRM domains. Evidently, upon binding to RRMs, omega loop of BuChE attains a closed conformation and masks the access of substrate to the catalytic triad and oxyanion hole. Moreover, prominent adjustments were detected in RRM-bound BuChE at the peripheral anionic, choline binding and proton transfer sites. We propose that interaction of RNA-binding proteins to BuChE may decrease its ability to hydrolyze multiple choline esters, which may contribute in delayed progression of poor cognition during neurodegenerative disorders.

Supercritical CO2 extraction of bioactive Tyrian purple precursors from the hypobranchial gland of a marine gastropod

Supercritical CO2 provides considerable advantages over traditional solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds from organic matter. Here we demonstrate the use of supercritical CO2 as an efficient and safe alternative to traditional solvent extraction for the recovery of bioactive Tyrian purple precursors tyrindoleninone, 6-bromoisatin and tyriverdin from the marine mollusc Dicathais orbita. The effect of pressure on the selective extraction of brominated indoles was tested at 15, 30 and 50MPa CO2, and was compared to traditional chloroform extract composition and yields. Extracts obtained from 15MPa selectively concentrated 6-bromoisatin, at 78% of the extract composition, whereas increased pressures of 30 and 50MPa increased the solvating power of supercritical CO2 to include the more lipophilic tyrindoleninone at 35 and 29% respectively, and tyriverdin at 23 and 40% respectively. This extraction method was also effective in separating the brominated indoles from toxic choline esters in the mollusc extracts. Extract yields from supercritical CO2 were comparable to solvent extraction relative to whole whelk weight. This provides a viable alternative for nutraceutical development that does not rely on the use of toxic solvents.

Synthesis and Anticholinesterase Properties of Choline esters of α-Amino Acids

2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl esters of a number of N-substituted α-amino acids and their quaternary ammonium salts were synthesized and their physiochemical properties were determined. We report here studies of their interactions with erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase and human plasma butyrylcholinesterase. IC50 values (the concentrations of study compounds producing 50% inhibition of the rate of cholinesterase hydrolysis of 0.1 mM acetylcholine) were measured for all the compounds synthesized. The results showed that all the choline esters of N-substituted amino acids synthesized here had anticholinesterase properties, mainly specific for butyrylcholinesterase.

Синтез и антихолинэстеразные свойства холиновых эфиров α-аминокислот

Осуществлен синтез и описаны физико-химические характеристики 2-(диметил-амино)этиловых эфиров некоторых N-замещенных a-аминокислот и их четвертичных аммониевых солей. Приведены результаты изучения их взаимодействия с эритроцитарной АХЭ и плазменной БуХЭ человека. Для всех синтезированных соединений определены значения IC50 (концентрация исследуемого соединения, при которой наблюдается 50 % торможение скорости холинэстеразного гидролиза 0,1 мМ ацетилтиохолина). Согласно полученным данным все синтезированные холиновые эфиры N-замещенных аминокислот проявляют антихолинэстеразные свойства и, в основном, специфичны по отношению к БуХЭ.

Complexes of polyglutamic acid and long-chain alkanoylcholines: Nanoparticle formation and drug release

Ionic complexes of microbial poly(γ-glutamic acid) and alkanoylcholines are fully bio-based comb-like systems able to self-organize in an ordered amphiphilic structure made of hydrophobic and hydrophilic alternating layers. Incubation of complex films under physiological conditions for one month promoted dissociation of the complex and hydrolysis of the choline ester without almost degradation of polyglutamic acid. Complex decomposition rates were depending on alkanoyl chain length and on complex stoichiometry as well. Nanoparticles with 50–100nm diameter were successfully prepared from the stearoylcholine complex with a surfactant to polymer ratio of 0.75 and loaded with theophylline, carbamazepine or doxorubicin drugs. The releasing of the drugs from nanoparticles took place upon incubation at very different rates depending on the drug. Theophylline and carbamazepine were discharged in hours whereas doxorubicin was very slowly delivered along months. The observed differences were related to the different interaction mechanism operating between the drug and the complex.

The identification of acetylcholine and choline in oat seedlings by gas chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

Four methods of isolation and purification of choline esters from green 7-day-old oat ( <em>Avena sativa</em> L. cv. Diadem) seedlings were tested The results showed that the best recovery of acetylcholine and choline from plant tissues was obtained using an extraction solution composed of 15% 1N formic acid and 85%, acetone followed by precipitation of both these substances with ammonium reineckate. The presence of acetylcholine and choline in the plant extracts was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography. In the case of gas chromatography, after isolation and purification of the studied compounds from the plant material, estrification of choline followed by N-demethylation of acetylcholine and estrified choline were performed The demethylation reaction was conducted in a reaction mixture of 50 mM sodium thiophenolate and 25 mM thiophenol in anhydrous acetone. After its completion, the mixture was removed with pentanone and the demethylated esters were extracted into chloroform.

Mitochondria-targeted agents: Future perspectives of mitochondrial pharmaceutics in cardiovascular diseases.

Mitochondria are one of the major sites for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as an undesirable side product of oxidative energy metabolism. Damaged mitochondria can augment the generation of ROS. Dysfunction of mitochondria increase the risk for a large number of human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Heart failure (HF) following ischemic heart disease, infantile cardiomyopathy and cardiac hypertrophy associated with left ventricular dilations are some of the CVDs in which the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress has been reported. Advances in mitochondrial research during the last decade focused on the preservation of its function in the myocardium, which is vital for the cellular energy production. Experimental and clinical trials have been conducted using mitochondria-targeted molecules like: MnSOD mimetics, such as EUK-8, EUK-134 and MitoSOD; choline esters of glutathione and N-acetyl-L-cysteine; triphenylphosphonium ligated vitamin E, lipoic acid, plastoquinone and mitoCoQ10; and Szeto-Schiller (SS)- peptides (SS-02 and SS-31). Although many results are inconclusive, some of the findings, especially on CoQ10, are worthwhile. This review summarizes the role of mitochondria-targeted delivery of agents and their consequences in the control of HF.

Prebiotic Phosphate Ester Syntheses in a Deep Eutectic Solvent

We report a route to synthesize a wide range of organophosphates of biological significance in a deep eutectic solvent (2:1 urea and choline chloride), utilizing various orthophosphate sources. Heating an organic alcohol in the solvent along with a soluble phosphorus source yields phosphorus esters of choline as well as that of the added organic in yields between 15 to 99%. In addition, phosphite analogs of biological phosphates and peptides were also formed by the simple mixing of reagents and heating at 60-70°C in the deep eutectic solvent. The presented dehydration reactions are relevant to prebiotic and green chemistry in alternative solvents.