Inhibition Of Protein Kinase Activity Research Articles

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic and Protein Kinase Inhibition Activities of Fifteen Traditional Medicinal Plants From Pakistan

Crude methanol extracts of fifteen ethnopharmacological plants were prepared by simple maceration procedure for studying their phytochemical and antimicrobial properties, cytotoxicity, and protein kinase inhibition activity. Among all, the maximum gallic acid equivalent (GAE) total phenolic content and quercetin equivalent (QE) total flavonoid content were found in Ficus carica (8.6 and 7.1 μg/mg DW, respectively). F. carica also exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) antiradical (DPPH) potential (IC50 = 12.6 μg/mL). Mentha piperita exhibited maximum total antioxidant capacity and reduction potential when expressed as equivalent to ascorbic acid (12.82 and 5.11 μg/mg DW, respectively). Ricinis communis was found more susceptible to Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Cannabis sativa against Salmonella typhi and Calotropis procera against Micrococcus luteus. A remarkable degree of cytotoxicity against brine shrimps was exhibited by Euphorbia helioscopia, with 50% mortality at 57.74 μg/mL. Convolvulus arvensis showed noteworthy protein kinase inhibitory activity with 20 ± 1.2 mm zone of inhibition (ZOI) analyzed by Streptomyces hyphae formation inhibition. It is concluded that methanol extracts of F. carica and M. piperita can be considered as potential sources of antioxidants, while R. communis, E. helioscopia and C. arvensis could provide potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic agent and oncogenic kinase inhibitor, respectively.

Psoralen stimulates osteoblast proliferation through the activation of nuclear factor-κB-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that leads to increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Approximately 50% of postmenopausal women develop osteoporosis as a result of postmenopausal estrogen deficiency. To reduce fractures related to osteoporosis in women, previous studies have focused on therapeutic strategies that aim to increase bone formation or decrease bone resorption. However, pharmacological agents that aim to improve bone fracture susceptibility exhibit side effects. Current studies are investigating natural alternatives that possess the benefits of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) without the adverse effects. Recent studies have indicated that phytoestrogen may be an ideal natural SERM for the treatment of osteoporosis. In Chinese herbal medicine, psoralen, as the predominant substance of Psoralea corylifolia, is considered to be a phytoestrogen and is used as a remedy for osteoporosis. A number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of psoralen in bone formation. However, the pathways and underlying molecular mechanisms that participate in psoralen-induced osteoblast formation are not well understood. In the present study, hFOB1.19 cells were treated with psoralen at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 µM) for 0, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays were performed to detect glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) expression. A cell counting kit-8 assay was used to analyze cell proliferation. In addition the effects of mitogen activated protein kinase inhibitors on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated (p)-ERK, p38, p-p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p-JNK expressions and cell proliferation were measured, as was the effect of nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor on P65 and GLUT3 expressions and cell proliferation. The results indicated that psoralen stimulates hFOB1.19 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Phospho-ERK, p38 and JNK were markedly increased by psoralen compared with the control group (P<0.05), and the specific inhibitors of ERK (SCH772984), p38 (SB203580) and JNK (SP600125) reversed the stimulatory effects of psoralen on signal marker phosphorylation (P<0.05). The rate of psoralen-induced cell proliferation was significantly suppressed by inhibitors of ERK, JNK and p38 compared with psoralen treatment alone (P<0.05). In addition, psoralen stimulated osteoblast proliferation via the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, the present findings suggest that psoralen may be a potential natural alternative to SERMs in the treatment of osteoporosis and fractures.

Constituents of Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile with Novel Kinase Inhibitory Activity

Abstract Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile belongs to the genus Acacia, which includes about 1400 species in subtropical and tropical Africa including Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, and Mozambique as well as Asia from India to Burma. This plant is traditionally used to treat several pathologies such as mouth, ear, and bone cancer. Moreover, it possesses many other biological activities (antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal). We report here the extraction, purification, and identification of two known compounds [ethylgallate and (+)-catechin] from the bark of the tree that were further tested for their inhibitory activities against a panel of disease-related protein kinases. Both compounds were active, and (+)-catechin showed the best activity by inhibiting nine out of fourteen protein kinases with an IC50 value in the µg/mL range. This compound gave the highest activity against CLK1 with an IC50 of 2.1 µg/mL. The ethyl acetate extract and its components, such as catechins and other polyphenols, which also had protein kinase inhibitory activity, can be exploited in the research for anticancer agents.

Aortic adventitial fibroblast sensitivity to mitogen activated protein kinase inhibitors depends on substrate stiffness.

Adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) are key determinants of arterial function and critical mediators of arterial disease progression. The effects of altered stiffness, particularly those observed across individuals during normal vascular function, and the mechanisms by which AFs respond to altered stiffness, are not well understood. To study the effects of matrix stiffness on AF phenotype, cytokine production, and the regulatory pathways utilized to interpret basic cell-matrix interactions, human aortic AFs were grown in 5%, 7.5%, and 10% (w/v%) PEG-based hydrogels with Young's moduli of 1.2, 3.3, and 9.6kPa, respectively. In 5% gels, AFs had higher proliferation rates, elevated monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion, and enhanced monocyte recruitment. Significantly more AFs were α-smooth muscle actin positive in 7.5% gels, indicating myofibroblast development. AFs in 10% gels had low proliferation rates but produced high levels of interleukin-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A. Importantly, these modulus-dependent changes in AF phenotype were accompanied by alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways contributing to the production of cytokines. These data indicate that complex cell regulatory changes occur with altered tissue stiffness and suggest that therapeutics affecting MAPK pathways may have altered effects on AFs depending on substrate stiffness.

Synthesis, Characterization and Docking Studies of 4, 4’-Diaminotriphenylmethanes (DATPMs)

DATPMs were synthesized by the acid-catalysed Baeyer condensation of 4-substituted benzaldehydes and aniline in good yields. The materials were purified by column chromatography and characterized by FTIR, 1H-13CNMR and elemental analysis. The optimized ligands were docked with the IKKα, (PDB code: 3BRT) using the MOE-Dock module and are found to obey Lipinski’s Ro5 cut-off limits. The computational results revealed that the DATPMs, like other derivatives of TPM, could be potential anticancer drugs. Moderate protein kinase inhibitory activity was exhibited by samples 2 and 3 by displaying inhibition bald zone of 10 and 9 mm respectively against the Streptomyces 85E strain.

Organotin(IV) O-butyl carbonodithioates: Synthesis, characterization, in vitro bioactivities, and interaction with SS-DNA

Organotin(IV) O-butyl carbonodithioates [Me2SnL2], [Bu2SnL2], [Ph2SnL2], [Bu3SnL], and [Ph3SnL], where L = C4H9OCS 2 – , have been successfully synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and single crystal X-ray analysis. The ligand coordinates to the tin atom via the carbonodithioate group. According to the X-ray diffraction data, the tin atom in [Me2SnL2] has distorted tetrahedral geometry. The synthesized compounds were screened in vitro for antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, cytotoxic, and protein kinase inhibitory activities. The complexes [Bu3SnL] and [Ph3SnL] exhibited the highest anti-leishmanial activity that exceeded the activity of the reference drug amphotericin B, probably by blocking the function of parasitic mitochondria due to which it restricts further growth of the organisms. The ligand and the complexes have been shown to bind to DNA via intercalative interactions resulting in hypochromic effect with a minor red shift as confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopic studies.

Solnatide Demonstrates Profound Therapeutic Activity in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Edema Induced by Acute Hypobaric Hypoxia and Exercise

The synthetic peptide solnatide is a novel pharmacologic agent that reduces extravascular lung water, blunts reactive oxygen species production, and improves lung function due to its ability to directly activate the epithelial sodium channel. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of solnatide in pulmonary edema induced by acute hypobaric hypoxia and exercise in rats, which is considered a model for high-altitude pulmonary edema. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to low-altitude control and eight treatment groups. Animals of all groups were subjected to exhaustive exercise in a hypobaric hypoxic environment simulating an altitude of 4,500 meters, followed by simulated ascent to 6,000 meters. After 48h at 6,000 meters, rats were given sodium chloride, dexamethasone, aminophylline, p38 mitogen activated protein kinase inhibitor, and NOD-like receptor containing a pyrin domain 3 inhibitor, or one of three different doses of solnatide, once daily for 3 consecutive days. After 3days, arterial blood gas, BAL fluid, lung water content, and histologic and ultra-microstructure analyses were performed. Tight junction protein occludin was assayed by using immunohistochemistry. Rats treated with solnatide had significantly lower BAL fluid protein and lung water content than high-altitude control rats. Lungs of solnatide-treated rats were intact and showed less hemorrhage and disruption of the alveolar-capillary barrier than those of high-altitude control animals. Occludin expression was significantly higher in solnatide-treated animals, compared with high-altitude control, dexamethasone-, and aminophylline-treated animals. Solnatide reduced pulmonary edema, increased occludin expression, and improved gas-blood barrier function during acute hypobaric hypoxia and exercise in rats. These results provide a rationale for the clinical application of solnatide to patients with pulmonary edema and exposure to a high-altitude hypoxic environment.

Identification of azepinone fused tetracyclic heterocycles as new chemotypes with protein kinase inhibitory activities

The design and synthesis of small tetracyclic heterocycles which bear two new regioisomeric 2-carboxyethyl-1H-pyrrole-annulated indoloazepinone scaffolds is described. An azepinone motif, which is inherent in the structures of many well studied protein kinase inhibitors, serves as prominent structural feature of the new compounds. Concise access to the new regioisomeric tetracyclic derivatives was accomplished through amide coupling of appropriate pyrrole and indole precursors followed by an intramolecular Heck coupling reaction of the intermediate amide conjugates. Preliminary evaluation of newly synthesized tetracyclic molecules against a panel of protein kinases indicated their inhibitory activities and revealed promising selectivity profiles. The new compounds displayed no significant antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cancer cells. Interestingly, derivative 19a exhibited selective TAK1 kinase inhibitory activity and figures as a promising chemotype for the discovery of new TAK1 inhibitors.

Prostaglandin E2 Stimulates EP2, Adenylate Cyclase, Phospholipase C, and Intracellular Calcium Release to Mediate Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Production in Dental Pulp Cells

IntroductionProstaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a crucial role in pulpal inflammation and repair. However, its induction of signal transduction pathways is not clear but is crucial for future control of pulpal inflammation. MethodsPrimary dental pulp cells were exposed to PGE2 and 19R-OH PGE2 (EP2 agonist) or sulprostone (EP1/EP3 agonist) for 5 to 40 minutes. Cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In some experiments, cells were pretreated with SQ22536 (adenylate cyclase inhibitor), H89 (protein kinase A inhibitor), dorsomorphin (adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase inhibitor), U73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor), thapsigargin (inhibitor of intracellular calcium release), W7 (calmodulin antagonist), verapamil (L-type calcium channel blocker), and EGTA (extracellular calcium chelator) for 20 minutes before the addition of PGE2. ResultsPGE2 and 19R-OH PGE2 (EP2 agonist) stimulated cAMP production, whereas sulprostone (EP1/EP3 agonist) shows little effect. PGE2-induced cAMP production was attenuated by SQ22536 and U73122 but not H89 and dorsomorphin. Intriguingly, thapsigargin and W7 prevented PGE2-induced cAMP production, but verapamil and EGTA showed little effect. ConclusionsThese results indicate that PGE2-induced cAMP production is associated with EP2 receptor and adenylate cyclase activation. These events are mediated by phospholipase C, intracellular calcium release, and calcium-calmodulin signaling. These results are helpful for understanding the role of PGE2 in pulpal inflammation and repair and possible future drug intervention.

Effect of Glucuronidation on the Potential of Kaempferol to Inhibit Serine/Threonine Protein Kinases.

To study the effect of metabolic conjugation of flavonoids on the potential to inhibit protein kinase activity, the inhibitory effects of the dietary flavonol kaempferol and its major plasma conjugate kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide on protein kinases were studied. To this end, the inhibition of the phosphorylation activity of recombinant protein kinase A (PKA) and of cell lysate from the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 on 141 putative serine/threonine phosphorylation sites derived from human proteins was assessed. Glucuronidation reduced the inhibitory potency of kaempferol on the phosphorylation activity of PKA and HepG2 lysate on average about 16 and 3.5 times, respectively, but did not appear to affect the target selectivity for kinases present in the lysate. The data demonstrate that, upon glucuronidation, kaempferol retains part of its intrinsic kinase inhibition potential, which implies that K3G does not necessarily need to be deconjugated to the aglycone for a potential inhibitory effect on protein kinases.

Effect of p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitor on Temporomandibular Joint Synovitis Induced by Occlusal Alteration

To investigate the alteration in rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial membrane induced by increased occlusal vertical dimension (iOVD) and to determine whether the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade is involved. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control+ normal saline (NS; controls), iOVD+ NS, and iOVD+ SB203580 (a potent p38 MAPK inhibitor). Morphologic changes of synovial tissues were observed and scored. Activation levels of p38 MAPK and activating transcription factor-2 (ATF2) were detected by immunohistochemistry. Expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Obvious synovitis was found in the iOVD group. P38 and ATF2 were activated, and mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β and MMP-3 were upregulated after iOVD. However, decreased synovial tissue inflammation and lower mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β and MMP-3 were observed in the iOVD+ SB203580 group. iOVD can induce temporomandibular joint synovitis, and the p38 MAPK signaling cascade might participate in and aggravate the process of articular inflammation.

An efficient synthesis of an exo-enone analogue of LL-Z1640-2 and evaluation of its protein kinase inhibitory activities.

An efficient synthesis of an exo-enone analogue (5) of resorcylic acid lactone (RAL), natural product LL-Z1640-2 (1), has been achieved using a Ni-catalysed regioselective reductive coupling macrocyclisation of an alkyne-aldehyde as a key step. The synthetic route is significantly shorter than those for the natural product and avoids the isomerisation problem of the cis-double bond in the molecule. The preliminary biological evaluation showed that the exo-enone analogue is a potent inhibitor of several important kinases relevant to cancer drug development.

Extraction optimization of medicinally important metabolites from Datura innoxia Mill.: an in vitro biological and phytochemical investigation.

BackgroundThe present study aims to probe the impact of polarity dependent extraction efficiency variation on pharmacological spectrum of Datura innoxia Mill. in order to reconnoiter its underexplored therapeutic potential.MethodsA range of solvent extracts was subjected to phytochemical and biological assays to find the most proficient solvent system and plant part for each type of bioactivity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined colorimetrically and specific polyphenols were quantified by HPLC-DAD analysis. The samples were biologically evaluated by employing multimode antioxidant, cytotoxic, protein kinase inhibition and antimicrobial assays.ResultsAmong all the solvents used, maximum percent extract recovery (33.28 %) was obtained in aqueous leaf extract. The highest amount of gallic acid equivalent phenolic and quercetin equivalent flavonoid content was obtained in the distilled water and ethyl acetate-ethanol extracts of leaf i.e., 29.91 ± 0.12 and 15.68 ± 0.18 mg/g dry weight (DW) respectively. Reverse phase HPLC-DAD based quantification revealed the presence of significant amounts of catechin, caffiec acid, apigenin and rutin ranging from 0.16 to 5.41 mg/g DW. Highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 16.14 μg/ml) was displayed by the ethyl acetate-acetone stem extract. Maximum total antioxidant capacity and reducing power potential were recorded in the aqueous leaf and ethyl acetate stem extracts i.e., 46.98 ± 0.24 and 15.35 ± 0.61 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g DW respectively. Cytotoxicity against brine shrimps categorized 25 % of the leaf, 16 % of the stem and 8.3 % of the fruit extracts as highly potent (LC50 ≤ 100 μg/ml). Significant cytotoxicity against human leukemia (THP-1) cell line was exhibited by the chloroform and n-hexane fruit extracts with IC50 4.52 and 3.49 μg/ml respectively. Ethyl acetate and methanol-chloroform extracts of leaf and stem exhibited conspicuous protein kinase inhibitory activity against Streptomyces 85E strain with 22 mm bald phenotype. A noteworthy antimicrobial activity was exhibited by leaf extracts against Micrococcus luteus and n-hexane fruit extract against Aspergillus niger (MIC 3.70 and 12.5 μg/ml respectively).ConclusionMultiple solvent system is a crucial variable to retrieve pharmacological potential of medicinal plants and D. innoxia can be envisaged as a novel source of natural antioxidants, antimicrobials and anticancer compounds.

New purine alkaloids from the Red Sea marine tunicate Symplegma rubra

Investigation of the Red Sea marine tunicate Symplegma rubra Monniot, 1972 gave three new purine alkaloids namely 6-methoxy-7,9-dimethyl-8-oxoguanine (1), 6-methoxy-9-methyl-8-oxoguanine (2), and 2-methoxy-7-methyl-8-oxoadenine (4) together with seven known compounds: 6-methoxy-7-methyl-8-oxoguanine (3), 9-methyl-8-oxoadenine (5), 7-methyl-8-oxoadenine (6), 8-oxoadenine (7), 3-methylxanthine (8), inosine (9), and homarine (pyridinium-2-carboxylic acid-1-methyl) (10). Compound 6 was reported here for the first time from a natural source. The structure determination of the compounds was accomplished by extensive interpretation of their spectroscopic data including 1D (1H and 13C) and 2D (1H–1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) NMR and high-resolution mass spectral data. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their protein kinase inhibitory activity against different kinases (CDK5, CK1, DyrK1A, and GSK3) at 10μg/mL. The compounds showed moderate activity against these kinases.

An optimized and versatile synthesis to pyridinylimidazole-type p38α mitogen activated protein kinase inhibitors

An optimized strategy for the synthesis of the potent p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors 2-(2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-aminopyridin-4-yl)imidazole (3) and 2-(2,3-dihydroxypropylsulfanyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-aminopyridin-4-yl)imidazole (4) starting from 2-fluoro-4-methylpyridine is reported. In contrast to a previously published synthesis starting from 2-bromo-4-methylpyridine, the overall yield could be increased from 3.6% to 29.4%. Moreover, this strategy avoids the use of palladium as a catalyst and is more diverse and versatile. Using this optimized protocol, both enantiomers of potent inhibitor 3 were synthesized. Biological data demonstrated that the (S)-enantiomer is the two times more potent eutomer.

Mitochondrial ADCK3 Employs an Atypical Protein Kinase-like Fold to Enable Coenzyme Q Biosynthesis

The ancient UbiB protein kinase-like family is involved in isoprenoid lipid biosynthesis and is implicated in human diseases, but demonstration of UbiB kinase activity has remained elusive for unknown reasons. Here, we quantitatively define UbiB-specific sequence motifs and reveal their positions within the crystal structure of a UbiB protein, ADCK3. We find that multiple UbiB-specific features are poised to inhibit protein kinase activity, including an N-terminal domain that occupies the typical substrate binding pocket and a unique A-rich loop that limits ATP binding by establishing an unusual selectivity for ADP. A single alanine-to-glycine mutation of this loop flips this coenzyme selectivity and enables autophosphorylation but inhibits coenzyme Q biosynthesis in vivo, demonstrating functional relevance for this unique feature. Our work provides mechanistic insight into UbiB enzyme activity and establishes a molecular foundation for further investigation of how UbiB family proteins affect diseases and diverse biological pathways.

Dispacamide E and other bioactive bromopyrrole alkaloids from two Indonesian marine sponges of the genus Stylissa

Chemical investigation of methanolic extracts of the two Indonesian marine sponges Stylissa massa and Stylissa flabelliformis yielded 25 bromopyrrole alkaloids including 2 new metabolites. The structures of all isolated compounds were unambiguously elucidated based on extensive 1D and 2D NMR, LR-MS and HR-MS analyses. All isolated compounds were assayed for their antiproliferative and protein kinase inhibitory activities. Several of the tested compounds revealed selective activity(ies) which suggested preliminary SARs of the isolated bromopyrrole alkaloids.

ChemInform Abstract: Benzimidazole‐Biologically Attractive Scaffold for Protein Kinase Inhibitors

AbstractReview: [119 refs.

ChemInform Abstract: Didemnaketals D and E, Bioactive Terpenoids from a Red Sea ascidian Didemnum Species.

AbstractThe title compounds show moderate antimicrobial and protein kinase inhibitory activities.

Kinase and channel activity of TRPM6 are co-ordinated by a dimerization motif and pocket interaction

Mutations in the gene that encodes the atypical channel-kinase TRPM6 (transient receptor potential melastatin 6) cause HSH (hypomagnesaemia with secondary hypocalcaemia), a disorder characterized by defective intestinal Mg2+ transport and impaired renal Mg2+ reabsorption. TRPM6, together with its homologue TRPM7, are unique proteins as they combine an ion channel domain with a C-terminally fused protein kinase domain. How TRPM6 channel and kinase activity are linked is unknown. Previous structural analysis revealed that TRPM7 possesses a non-catalytic dimerization motif preceding the kinase domain. This interacts with a dimerization pocket lying within the kinase domain. In the present study, we provide evidence that the dimerization motif in TRPM6 plays a critical role in regulating kinase activity as well as ion channel activity. We identify mutations within the TRPM6 dimerization motif (Leu1718 and Leu1721) or dimerization pocket (L1743A, Q1832K, A1836N, L1840A and L1919Q) that abolish dimerization and establish that these mutations inhibit protein kinase activity. We also demonstrate that kinase activity of a dimerization motif mutant can be restored by addition of a peptide encompassing the dimerization motif. Moreover, we observe that mutations that disrupt the dimerization motif and dimerization pocket interaction greatly diminish TRPM6 ion channel activity, in a manner that is independent of kinase activity. Finally, we analyse the impact on kinase activity of ten disease-causing missense mutations that lie outwith the protein kinase domain of TRPM6. This revealed that one mutation lying nearby the dimerization motif (S1754N), found previously to inhibit channel activity, abolished kinase activity. These results provide the first evidence that there is structural co-ordination between channel and kinase activity, which is mediated by the dimerization motif and pocket interaction. We discuss that modulation of this interaction could comprise a major regulatory mechanism by which TRPM6 function is controlled.