Syntheses and Structural Characterization of Dimethyltin Complexs of N-(3-Methoxysalicylidene)-α-amino Acid

Three new dimethyltin complexes of N-（3-methoxysalicylidene）-α-amino acid,（CH3）2Sn（3-CH3O-2-OC6H3CH=NCHRCOO）（R = H,1;CH3,2;（CH3）2CH,3）,have been synthe-sized by treating dimethyltin dichloride with the potassium salt of the ligand and characterized by elemental analysis,IR and 1H NMR spectra.The crystal structure of [（CH3）2Sn（3-CH3O-2-OC6H3CH=NCH2COO）（CH3OH）]2 H2O（1a）,formed from methanol solution of 1,has been deter-mined.The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system,space group C/2c with a = 20.636（3）,b = 7.8854（9）,c = 20.668（2） ,β= 113.265（2）°,V = 3089.7（6） 3,Z = 4,Dc = 1.707 g/cm3,= 1.675 mm-1,F（000） = 1592,R = 0.0301 and wR = 0.0841.In complex 1a,the tin atom is six-coordinate and possesses a distorted [SnC2NO3] octahedral geometry with the two methyl groups occupying the trans positions.The weak Sn O interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonds connected the molecules into an infinite chain.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Some Diorganotin Complexes of N-(3,5-Dibromosalicylidene)-α-amino Acid and their Diphenyltin Dichloride Adducts

The title complexes, R′2Sn(3,5-Br2-2-OC6H2CH=NCHRCOO), and their diphenyltindichloride adduct, R′2Sn(3,5-Br2-2-OC6H2CH=NCHRCOO)?SnPh2Cl2, were synthesized and char-acterized by elemental analysis, IR, H and C NMR and X-ray single crystal diffraction. The 1 13structural features of the compounds were described.

Synthesis and Characterization of the Tetrazole Analogues of α-Amino Acids

The tetrazole analogues have been synthesized from fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl （Fmoc）- protected amino acids by three steps. The structures of the analogues were characterized by HPLC-MS, ^1H NMR and ^13C NMR.

Calix[4]arene Polyaza Derivatives: Novel Effective Neutral Receptors for Cations and α-Amino Acids

Introduction Calixarenes are one of the most important supra- molecular building blocks, which can be modified by introducing different functional and/or structural groups to create a specific interaction between the host and the target molecules, such as metal cations and small organic molecules. In particular, the recognition of amino acids is an interesting theme in biomimetic chemistry.

Synthesis of novel fullereneα-amino acid conjugates

Aspartic acid and glutamic acid with protected α-amino and α-carboxyl groups had been used to react with the activated hydroxyl group of N-substituted 3,4-fullero pyrrolidine. The products were deprotected, affording two monofuUerene α-amino acids, monofullerene aspartic acid （mFas） and monofullerene glutamic acid （mFgu）. Then a bifullerene glutamic acid conjugate （bFguC） was synthesized by reaction of mFgu containing protected amino group with N-substituted 3,4-fullero pyrrolidine.

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Two Diethyltin Complexes of N-Salicylidene-α-amino Acid

Two novel diethyltin（IV） complexes of N-salicylidenevaline （H2L1） and N-Sali- cylidenetryptophan （H2L^2）, Et2SrtL^1 1 and Et2SnL^2 2, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ^1H NMR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. Complex 1 belongs to the trigonal system, space group R-3 with a = b = 19.2730（5）, c = 23.6890（13）A^°, V= 7620.4（5） A^°^3, Z = 6, Dc= 1.553 g/cm^3,μ= 1.518 mm^-1, F（000） = 3600, R = 0.0238 and wR = 0.0636. Complex 2 is of monoelinie system, space group P21/c with a = 13.7550（8）, b = 11.5425（7）, c = 12.7876（7）A^°, β= 93.585（1）°, V = 2026.3（2） A^°^3, Z = 4, Dc= 1.548 g/cm^3,μ = 1.286 mm^-1, F（000） = 976, R = 0.0298 and wR = 0.0722. Complex 1 is a cyclic trimer with a macrocyclic 12-membered ring structure formed by the bidentate bridging coordination of carboxylate group to tin atoms. The tin atom is six-coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry. In complex 2, the distorted trigonal bipyramidal Et2SnL2 units are linked into polymeric chains by the weak Sn…O interaction involving Sn and the earbonyl O of an adjacent ligand, and the chains are further connected by intermolecular N-H…O hydrogen bonds to form a two-dimensional supramolecular structure.

Thermodynamic solvation of a series of homologous α-amino acids in non-aqueous mixture of ethylene-glycol and N,N-dimethyl formamide

Standard free energies (ΔG0t(i) ) and entropies (ΔS0t(i)) of transfer of some homologous α-amino acids viz. glycine (gly), dl-alanine (ala), dl-α-amino butyric acid (aba) and dl-nor-valine (nor-val) from protic ethylene glycol (EG) to dipolar aprotic N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) have been evaluated from solubility measure-ments at five equidistant temperatures i.e from 15 to 350C. The observed ΔG0t(i) and TΔS0t(i) Vs composition profiles are complicated because of the various interaction effects. The chemical effects of the transfer Gibbs energies (ΔG0t.ch(i)) and entropies of transfer (ΔS0t.ch(i)) have been obtained after elimination of cavity effect, estimated by the scaled particle theory and dipole-dipole interaction effects, estimated by the use of Keesom-orientation expression. The chemical contributions of transfer energetics of homologous α-amino acids are guided by the composite effects of increased dispersion interaction, basicity and decreased acidity, hydrogen bonding effects and solvophobic solvation of ethylene glycol and N, N-dimethyl formamide mixed solvent as compared to that of reference solvent (ethylene glycol).

Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Catalysis of Dinuclear Cd(Ⅱ) Complexes Bridged by Unusual (N,O,O′)-Coordinated α-Amino Acids

Four dinuclear amino acid cadmium（II） complexes [Cd2（tren）2（dl-alaninato）]（ClO4）3·H2O（I）, [Cd2（tren）2· （l-alaninato）]（ClO4）3·H2O（II）, [Cd2（tren）2（dl-phenylalaninato）]（ClO4）3（III） and [Cd2（tren）2（l-phenylalaninato）]· （ClO4）3（IV）, constructed from mixed ligands of tris（2-aminoethyl）amine（tren） and racemic or natural amino ac ids（amino acids=dl or l-alanine, and dl or l-phenylalanine）, have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crys tallography. The structural analysis of complexes I and III reveals that the cadmium centers are coordinated by one tren ligand and one amino acid molecule with the unusual （N,O,O′）-bridged mode, resulting in asymmetric chromo phores of CdN4O and CdN5O in complex I, CdN4O2 and CdN5O in complex III, respectively. The utility of the four complexes as efficient water-compatible Lewis acid catalysts for the direct aldol reaction in water was examined. The reaction proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding β-hydroxy ketones in up to 99% yield. Moreover, the dias tereoselectivity of the reaction favors the formation of the syn-isomers.

A NOVEL METHOD FOR SYNTHESIZING α,α-DISUBSTITUTED α-AMINO ACID——DIALKYLATION OF 2-OXAZOLIN-5-ONE

4,4-Dialkyl-2-oxazolin-5-ones are prepared by one step reaction of 2-oxazolin-5-one with the magnesium methyl carbonate(MMC)and alkyIhalides.It is a novel and convenient method for synthesis of α, Υ-disubstitutcd α-amino acid by hydrolysis of 4,4-dialkyl-2-oxazolin-5-ones.

SOLID-LIQUID PHASE TRANSFER CATALYTIC SYN THESIS Ⅸ: THE SYNTHESIS OF α-AMINO ACIDS VIA ALICYLATION OF ALDIMINE UNDER MICROWAVE IRRADIATION,

The rapid alkylation of methyl N-benzylidene glycinate with halides under microwave irradiation using solid-liquid phase transfer condition without solvent has been achieved wilhin only one minute. After hydrolysis of alkylated products the corresponding α-amino acids were obtained in overall yield 43.6～62.5%.

Diastereoselective α-Alkylation of β-Amino Esters: Preparation of Novel α-Substituted β-Amino Esters from α-Amino Acids

Enantiomerically pure a-substituted bamino esters were prepared from natural L-a-amino acids through Arndt-Eistert homologation and diastereoselective aalkylation.

ASYMMETRIC SYNTHESIS Ⅻ:HIGHLY ENANTIOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF α-AMINO ACIDS BY ALKYLATION OF THE KETIMINE FROM 2-HYDROXY-PINAN-3-ONE AND MENTHYL GLYCIN-ATE A DOUBLE ASYMMETRIC INDUCTION SYSTEM

A series of α-amino acids are obtained in 72-96% optical yields by alkylation of the ketimine derived from(+)-2-hydroxy-pinan-3-one and(-)-menthyl glycinate fol- lowed by hydrolysis of the alkylated intermediates with mineral acid.The double asymmetric induction are explained by the transition model of lithium enolate.

Volumetric,Viscometric and Refractive Index Behaviors of α-Amino Acids in Aqueous Caffeine Solution at Varying Temperatures

Measurements of density(ρ), viscosity(η), and refractive index(n), were carried out on α-amino acids, DL-alanine (Ala), D-phenylalanine (Phe), and DL-threonine (Thr) (0.01-0.05 mol·L-1), in 0.05 mol·L-1 aqueous caffeine solution at 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. These measurements have been carried out to evaluate some important parameters, viz., apparent molar volume (фυ), partial molar volume (фυ0v), transfer volume (фυ0v(tr)), viscosity A and B coefficients of Jones-Dole equation, free energies of activation per mole of solvent (Δμ0#1) and solute (Δμ0#2), enthalpies (ΔH) and entropies (ΔS) of activation of viscous flow, variation of B with temperature (αB/αT)P, and molar refractive index (RD). These parameters have been interpreted in terms of solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions and structure making/breaking ability of solutes in the given solution.

P-aminobenzoic acid promotes retinal regeneration through activation of Ascl1a in zebrafish

The retina of zebrafish can regenerate completely after injury.M ultiple studies have demonstrated that metabolic alte rations occur during retinal damage;however to date no study has identified a link between metabolites and retinal regeneration of zebrafish.Here,we performed an unbiased metabolome sequencing in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish to demonstrate the metabolomic mechanism of retinal regeneration.Among the differentially-ex pressed metabolites,we found a significant decrease in p-aminobenzoic acid in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish.Then,we investigated the role of p-aminobenzoic acid in retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish.Impo rtantly,p-aminobenzoic acid activated Achaetescute complex-like 1a expression,thereby promoting Müller glia reprogramming and division,as well as Müller glia-derived progenitor cell proliferation.Finally,we eliminated folic acid and inflammation as downstream effectors of PABA and demonstrated that PABA had little effect on Müller glia distribution.Taken together,these findings show that PABA contributes to retinal regeneration through activation of Achaetescute complex-like 1a expression in the N-methyl-Daspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish.

Effects ofγ-aminobutyric Acid on Nitrogen Metabolism in Roots and Leaves of Cold-stressed Rice(Oryza sativa L.)During Early Vegetative Growth

Cold stress adversely affects rice growth,particularly at the early vegetative growth stage.In higher plants,nitrogen metabolism plays a central role in amino acid metabolism,plant defense mechanisms and productivity.This report investigated the effects of cold stress and supplementalγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)under cold stress on nitrogen metabolism in rice seedlings.Cold stress resulted in a greater increase in the transformation to NH_(4)^(+)by nitrate reductase(NR)in roots,it further resulted in lower levels of NO_(3)^(-)content in roots,weakened glutamine glutamate(GOGAT/GS)pathway and elevated glutamate dehydrogenase(GDH)pathway of rice seedlings.Whereas,compared with cold stress,supplementation of GABA(2.5 mmol·L^(-1))could increase relative water content(79.43%)and biomass(34.15%)of rice seedlings.GABA could act as an amplifier of stress signal conduction/transduction to increase NR activity and promote NO_(3)^(-)assimilation in leaves.In addition,GABA elicited the Ca^(2+)signaling pathway which could promote the GDH pathway and GABA shunt,increase the activities of GS and GDH,and the expression of OsGAD2 and OsGDH family.The GABA might increase the ratio of the Glu family and avoid NH4+toxicity in order to raise the concentration of organic compounds and alleviate the harmful consequences of cold stress.Based on these observations,this study proposed that GABA mediated cold tolerance in rice seedlings by activating Ca^(2+)burst and subsequent crosstalk among Ca^(2+)signaling,GDH pathway and GABA shunt.

Cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients caused by downregulation of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor subunits

BACKGROUND The expression pattern of gamma aminobutyric acid(GABA)receptor subunits are commonly altered in patients with schizophrenia,which may lead to nerve excitation/inhibition problems,affecting cognition,emotion,and behavior.AIM To explore GABA receptor expression and its relationship with schizophrenia and to provide insights into more effective treatments.METHODS This case-control study enrolled 126 patients with schizophrenia treated at our hospital and 126 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations at our hospital during the same period.The expression levels of the GABA receptor subunits were detected using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy.The recognized cognitive battery tool,the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery,was used to evaluate the scores for various dimensions of cognitive function.The correlation between GABA receptor subunit downregulation and schizophrenia was also analyzed.RESULTS Significant differences in GABA receptor subunit levels were found between the case and control groups(P<0.05).A significant difference was also found between the case and control groups in terms of cognitive function measures,including attention/alertness and learning ability(P<0.05).Specifically,as the expression levels of GABRA1(α1 subunit gene),GABRB2(β2 subunit gene),GABRD(δsubunit),and GABRE(εsubunit)decreased,the severity of the patients’condition increased gradually,indicating a positive correlation between the downregulation of these 4 receptor subunits and schizophrenia(P<0.05).However,the expression levels of GABRA5(α5 subunit gene)and GABRA6(α6 subunit gene)showed no significant correlation with schizophrenia(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Downregulation of the GABA receptor subunits is positively correlated with schizophrenia.In other words,when GABA receptor subunits are downregulated in patients,cognitive impairment becomes more severe.

γ-Aminobutyric acid alleviates litchi thaumatin-like protein-induced inflammation and reduces gut microbial translocation

Previous research reported litchi thaumatin-like protein(LcTLP)could lead to inflammation,which is a factor causing the adverse reactions after excessive intake of litchi.As a main amino acid in litchi pulp,γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)was found with anti-inflammatory effect.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effects of GABA on LcTLP-induced inflammation through RAW264.7 macrophages and C57BL mice models.In vitro study showed GABA could effectively regulate the level of inflammatory cytokines(interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-10,and prostaglandin E2)and Ca2+in cells,and inhibit the phosphorylation of p65,IκB,p38,c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK).These results indicate GABA alleviated inflammation through nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway signaling pathways.In vivo experiment was performed to verify the anti-inflammatory effect of GABA,and the results demonstrated that GABA reduced the inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver of LcTLP-treated mice,as it down-regulated the pro-inflammatory cytokines,malondialdehyde,aspartate transferase,and alanine transaminase.The relative expression of phosphorylated p38,JNK and ERK in mice liver with GABA treatment were reduced to 65%,39%and 80%of the control group,respectively.Furthermore,GABA treatment enriched probiotic bacteria and decreased pathogenic bacteria in mice gut,which reveals GABA could effectively reduce the translocation of gut microbiota.

γ-aminobutyric acid B2 receptor:A potential therapeutic target for cholangiocarcinoma in patients with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND The association between diabetes mellitus(DM)and the increased risk and progression of cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)has been reported with unclear underlying mechanisms.Previous studies showed thatγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)B2 receptor(GABBR2)was upregulated in CCA cells cultured in high glucose(HG)conditions.Roles of GABA receptors in CCA progression have also been studied,but their association with DM and hyperglycemia in CCA remains unclarified.AIM To investigate the effects of hyperglycemia on GABBR2 expression and the potential use of GABBR2 as a CCA therapeutic target.METHODS CCA cells,KKU-055 and KKU-213A,were cultured in Dulbecco Modified Eagle’s Medium supplemented with 5.6 mmol/L(normal glucose,NG)or 25 mmol/L(HG)glucose and assigned as NG and HG cells,respectively.GABBR2 expression in NG and HG cells was investigated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot.Expression and localization of GABBR2 in CCA cells were determined using immunocytofluorescence.GABBR2 expression in tumor tissues from CCA patients with and without DM was studied using immunohistochemistry,and the correlations of GABBR2 with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients were analyzed using univariate analysis.Effects of baclofen,a GABA-B receptor agonist,on CCA cell proliferation and clonogenicity were tested using the MTT and clonogenic assays.Phospho-kinases arrays were used to screen the affected signaling pathways after baclofen treatment,and the candidate signaling molecules were validated using the public transcriptomic data and western blot.RESULTS GABBR2 expression in CCA cells was induced by HG in a dose-and time-dependent manner.CCA tissues from patients with DM and hyperglycemia also showed a significantly higher GABBR2 expression compared with tumor tissues from those with euglycemia(P<0.01).High GABBR2 expression was significantly associated with a poorer non-papillary histological subtype but with smaller sizes of CCA tumors(P<0.05).HG cells of both tested CCA cell lines were more sensitive to baclofen treatment.Baclofen significantly suppressed the proliferation and clonogenicity of CCA cells in both NG and HG conditions(P<0.05).Phospho-kinase arrays suggested glycogen synthase kinase 3(GSK3),β-catenin,and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)as candidate signaling molecules under the regulation of GABBR2,which were verified in NG and HG cells of the individual CCA cell lines.Cyclin D1 and c-Myc,the common downstream targets of GSK3/β-catenin and STAT3 involving cell proliferation,were accordingly downregulated after baclofen treatment.CONCLUSION GABBR2 is upregulated by HG and holds a promising role as a therapeutic target for CCA regardless of the glucose condition.

Endogenous biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)regulates fish oocyte maturation by promoting pregnenolone production

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(n-3 PUFAs),particularly docosahexaenoic acid(22:6n-3,DHA),play crucial roles in the reproductive health of vertebrates,including humans.Nevertheless,the underlying mechanism related to this phenomenon remains largely unknown.In this study,we employed two zebrafish genetic models,i.e.,elovl2^(-/-)mutant as an endogenous DHAdeficient model and fat1(omega-3 desaturase encoding gene)transgenic zebrafish as an endogenous DHA-rich model,to investigate the effects of DHA on oocyte maturation and quality.Results show that the elovl2^(-/-)mutants had much lower fecundity and poorer oocyte quality than the wild-type controls,while the fat1 zebrafish had higher fecundity and better oocyte quality than wildtype controls.DHA deficiency in elovl2^(-/-)embryos led to defects in egg activation,poor microtubule stability,and reduced pregnenolone levels.Further study revealed that DHA promoted pregnenolone synthesis by enhancing transcription of cyp11a1,which encodes the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme,thereby stabilizing microtubule assembly during oogenesis.In turn,the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis was enhanced by DHA.In conclusion,using two unique genetic models,our findings demonstrate that endogenously synthesized DHA promotes oocyte maturation and quality by promoting pregnenolone production via transcriptional regulation of cyp11a1.

A comparison study on structure-function relationship of polysaccharides obtained from sea buckthorn berries using different methods:antioxidant and bile acid-binding capacity

In this study,the structural characters,antioxidant activities and bile acid-binding ability of sea buckthorn polysaccharides(HRPs)obtained by the commonly used hot water(HRP-W),pressurized hot water(HRP-H),ultrasonic(HRP-U),acid(HRP-C)and alkali(HRP-A)assisted extraction methods were investigated.The results demonstrated that extraction methods had significant effects on extraction yield,monosaccharide composition,molecular weight,particle size,triple-helical structure,and surface morphology of HRPs except for the major linkage bands.Thermogravimetric analysis showed that HRP-U with filamentous reticular microstructure exhibited better thermal stability.The HRP-A with the lowest molecular weight and highest arabinose content possessed the best antioxidant activities.Moreover,the rheological analysis indicated that HRPs with higher galacturonic acid content and molecular weight showed higher viscosity and stronger crosslinking network(HRP-C,HRP-W and HRP-U),which exhibited stronger bile acid binding capacity.The present findings provide scientific evidence in the preparation technology of sea buckthorn polysaccharides with good antioxidant and bile acid binding capacity which are related to the structure affected by the extraction methods.