New 5-ylidene rhodanine derivatives based on the dispacamide A model.

International audienceA practical approach for the preparation of ([Formula: see text]) 5-ylidene rhodanine derivatives bearing the (4,5-dihalogeno-pyrrol-2-yl)carbamoyl fragment of dispacamide A is reported. The new compounds were obtained in good yields (19-88 %) by Knoevenagel condensation according to a solution-phase microwave dielectric heating protocol in the presence of organic bases (piperidine, TEA, and AcONa) from a set of [Formula: see text]-substituted rhodanines 2(a-i). The ten synthetic products 3(a-j) have been synthesized with a [Formula: see text]-geometry about their exocyclic double bond and the structure of one of these compounds (3) was confirmed by a single X-ray diffraction analysis. The new ([Formula: see text]) 5-ylidene rhodanine derivatives 3(a-j) were tested against eight protein kinases

Inhibition of NF-κB-mediated signaling by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CR8 overcomes pro-survival stimuli to induce apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

Purpose: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is currently incurable with standard chemotherapeutic agents, highlighting the need for novel therapies. Overcoming proliferative and cytoprotective signals generated within the microenvironment of lymphoid organs is essential for limiting CLL progression and ultimately developing a cure. Experimental Design: We assessed the potency of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor CR8, a roscovitine analog, to induce apoptosis in primary CLL from distinct prognostic subsets using flow cytometry–based assays. CLL cells were cultured in in vitro prosurvival and proproliferative conditions to mimic microenvironmental signals in the lymphoid organs, to elucidate the mechanism of action of CR8 in quiescent and proliferating CLL cells using flow cytometry, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: CR8 was 100-fold more potent at inducing apoptosis in primary CLL cells than roscovitine, both in isolated culture and stromal-coculture conditions. Importantly, CR8 induced apoptosis in CD40-ligated CLL cells and preferentially targeted actively proliferating cells within these cultures. CR8 treatment induced downregulation of the antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and XIAP, through inhibition of RNA polymerase II, and inhibition of NF-κB signaling at the transcriptional level and through inhibition of the inhibitor of IκB kinase (IKK) complex, resulting in stabilization of IκBα expression. Conclusions: CR8 is a potent CDK inhibitor that subverts pivotal prosurvival and proproliferative signals present in the tumor microenvironment of CLL patient lymphoid organs. Our data support the clinical development of selective CDK inhibitors as novel therapies for CLL

An efficient approach to dispacamide A and its derivatives.

International audienceDispacamide A and new analogs of this marine alkaloid were prepared in seven steps with an overall yield ranging from 12 to 33%. The key step of the strategy was a stereocontrolled Knoevenagel condensation under microwave dielectric heating in the last step. In this condensation, the 2-aminoimidazolin-4-one hydrochloride partners 10a-c were synthesized in three steps with good overall yields (33-79%) via the ring closure of N-guanidino acetic acids 9a-c and the aldehydes 5a,b as the two others building-blocks, in 3 steps with 60-66% overall yields. The six synthetic products have been obtained with a Z geometry about their exocyclic bond on the basis of (13)C/(1)H long-range coupling constants using a gHSQMBC experiment

Exploring the Synthesis of New 1-(4-Substitutedphenylamino) imidazo[1,5-a]indol-3-one Derivatives as Cyclized Analogs of Leucettines

International audienceNew 1-arylaminoimidazo[1,5-a]indol-3-ones were synthesized as cyclized derivatives of leucettine L41, a low molecular weight inhibitor of the DYRKs/CLKs protein kinases with potential applications in Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. In this first approach, access to the desired 1-aminoimidazo[1,5-a]indol-3-ones involved 5 steps and was explored with a series of various primary amines and polar secondary amines in order to introduce molecular diversity on N-1 position. The 5 step synthesis of the 1-arylaminoimidazo[1,5-a]indol-3-ones was achieved and the limiting step of this process was the final cyclization via a sulphur/nitrogen displacement from methylsulfanyl thiourea intermediates. Good results were obtained for isothioureas derived from primary amines. The 1-arylaminoimidazo[1,5-a]indol-3-ones were evaluated on a panel of five protein kinases (DYRK1A, CK1, CDK5/p25, GSK3α/β and CLK1)

Role of intestinal epithelial AMPK in the protective effect of metformin on dextran sodium sulfate‐induced colitis in mice

International audienceBackgroundDysfunctions in the intestinal barrier, associated with an altered paracellular pathway, are commonly observed in gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), principally known as a cellular energy sensor, has also been shown to play a key role in the stabilization and assembly of tight junctions following injury. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of metformin in strengthening intestinal barrier function by activating intestinal epithelial AMPK.MethodsA dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model was used to assess disease progression in WT and intestinal epithelial cell-specific AMPK KO (IEC AMPK KO) mice in response to metformin treatment. Barrier integrity was analyzed by measuring paracellular permeability following dextran-4kDa gavage and, pro-inflammatory cytokines and tight junctions expression.ResultsThe deletion of intestinal epithelial AMPK delayed intestinal injury repair after DSS-induced colitis and was associated with a slower re-epithelization of the intestinal mucosa coupled to a reduction in tight junctions expression and a higher paracellular permeability, inflammation and histological defects. Metformin administration attenuated the severity of DSS-induced colitis with improvement in intestinal permeability and inflammation in control mice but only partially in IEC AMPK KO mice.ConclusionsTaken together these findings suggest that IEC AMPK contributes to intestinal healing and epithelial integrity after injury and may be effective as a therapeutic target to ameliorate dysfunctions of the intestinal barrier

Characterisation of tau in the human and rodent enteric nervous system under physiological conditions and in tauopathy

Abstract Tau is normally a highly soluble phosphoprotein found predominantly in neurons. Six different isoforms of tau are expressed in the adult human CNS. Under pathological conditions, phosphorylated tau aggregates are a defining feature of neurodegenerative disorders called tauopathies. Recent findings have suggested a potential role of the gut-brain axis in CNS homeostasis, and therefore we set out to examine the isoform profile and phosphorylation state of tau in the enteric nervous system (ENS) under physiological conditions and in tauopathies. Surgical specimens of human colon from controls, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients were analyzed by Western Blot and immunohistochemistry using a panel of anti-tau antibodies. We found that adult human ENS primarily expresses two tau isoforms, localized in the cell bodies and neuronal processes. We did not observe any difference in the enteric tau isoform profile and phosphorylation state between PSP, PD and control subjects. The htau mouse model of tauopathy also expressed two main isoforms of human tau in the ENS, and there were no apparent differences in ENS tau localization or phosphorylation between wild-type and htau mice. Tau in both human and mouse ENS was found to be phosphorylated but poorly susceptible to dephosphorylation with lambda phosphatase. To investigate ENS tau phosphorylation further, primary cultures from rat enteric neurons, which express four isoforms of tau, were pharmacologically manipulated to show that ENS tau phosphorylation state can be regulated, at least in vitro. Our study is the first to characterize tau in the rodent and human ENS. As a whole, our findings provide a basis to unravel the functions of tau in the ENS and to further investigate the possibility of pathological changes in enteric neuropathies and tauopathies

Enteric alpha-synuclein expression is increased in Crohn’s disease

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Synthesis of N,N'-bis(5-arylidene-4-oxo-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-2-yl)diamines bearing various linkers and biological evaluation as potential inhibitors of kinases.

International audienceThe synthesis in 4 steps of new N,N'-bis(5-arylidene-4-oxo-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-2-yl)diamines issued from various symmetric primary diamines as linkers was reported. The key step of our strategy has been the sulphur/nitrogen displacement of (5Z)-5-arylidene-2-ethylsulfanyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-ones 6 with respectively ethylenediamine 7a, piperazine 7b and N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine 7c using solvent-free reaction conditions under microwave irradiation with retention of configuration. These compounds were tested for their kinase inhibitory potencies toward four kinases (GSK-3α/β, DYRK1A, CLK1 and CLK3)

Chemical synthesis and biological validation of immobilized protein kinase inhibitory Leucettines.

International audienceLeucettines, a family of marine sponge-derived 2-aminoimidazolone alkaloids, are potent inhibitors of DYRKs (dual-specificity, tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinases) and CLKs (cdc2-like kinases). They constitute promising pharmacological leads for the treatment of several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. In order to investigate the scope of potential targets of Leucettine L41, a representative member of the chemical class, we designed an affinity chromatography strategy based on agarose-immobilized leucettines. A synthesis protocol for the attachment of a polyethylene (3 or 4 units) linker to L41 was first established. The linker attachment site on L41 was selected on the basis of the co-crystal structure of L41 with several kinases. L41 was then covalently bound to agarose beads through the primary amine located at the end of the linker. Control, kinase inactive Leucettine was also immobilized, as well as free linker devoid of ligand. Extracts of several mouse tissues revealed a complex pattern of interacting proteins, some of which probably resulting from non-specific, hydrophobic binding, while others representing bona fide Leucettine-interacting proteins. DYRK1A and GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase-3) were confirmed as interacting targets by Western blotting in various mouse tissues. The Leucettine affinity chromatography resin constitutes a powerful tool to purify and identify the targets of this new promising therapeutic class of molecules