Isolation and Maintenance.- Isolation and Differentiation of Medaka Embryonic Stem Cells.- Maintenance of Chicken Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Derivation and Culture of Mouse Trophoblast Stem Cells In Vitro.- Derivation, Maintenance, and Characterization of Rat Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Derivation, Maintenance, and Induction of the Differentiation In Vitro of Equine Embryonic Stem Cells.- Generation and Characterization of Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells.- Derivation and Propagation of Embryonic Stem Cells in Serum- and Feeder-Free Culture.- Signaling in Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation.- Internal Standards in Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Matrix Assembly, Cell Polarization, and Cell Survival.- Phosphoinositides, Inositol Phosphates, and Phospholipase C in Embryonic Stem Cells.- Cripto Signaling in Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells.- The Use of Embryonic Stem Cells to Study Hedgehog Signaling.- Transfection and Promoter Analysis in Embryonic Stem Cells.- SAGE Analysis to Identify Embryonic Stem Cell-Predominant Transcripts.- Utilization of Digital Differential Display to Identify Novel Targets of Oct3/4.- Gene Silencing Using RNA Interference in Embryonic Stem Cells.- Genetic Manipulation of Embryonic Stem Cells.- Efficient Transfer of HSV-1 Amplicon Vectors Into Embryonic Stem Cells and Their Derivatives.- Lentiviral Vector-Mediated Gene Transfer in Embryonic Stem Cells.- Use of the Cytomegalovirus Promoter for Transient and Stable Transgene Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.- Use of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Vectors for Simian Embryonic Stem Cells.- Generation of Green Fluorescent Protein-Expressing Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells.- DNA Damage Response and Mutagenesis in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.- Ultraviolet-Induced Apoptosis in Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Use of Embryonic Stem Cells in Pharmacological and Toxicological Screens.- Use of Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells in Pharmacological Studies.- Embryonic Stem Cells as a Source of Differentiated Neural Cells for Pharmacological Screens.- Use of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells in Embryotoxicity Assays.- Use of Chemical Mutagenesis in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.- Epigenetic Analysis of Embryonic Stem Cells.- Nuclear Reprogramming of Somatic Nucleus Hybridized With Embryonic Stem Cells by Electrofusion.- Methylation in Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Tumor-Like Properties.- Identification of Genes Involved in Tumor-Like Properties of Embryonic Stem Cells.- In Vivo Tumor Formation From Primate Embryonic Stem Cells.- Animal Models and Therapy.- Directed Differentiation and Characterization of Genetically Modified Embryonic Stem Cells for Therapy.- Use of Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells in the Parkinsonian Mouse Model.

Isolation and characterization

Monogamous social organization is characterized by selective affiliation with a partner, high levels of paternal behaviour and, in many species, intense aggression towards strangers for defence of territory, nest and mate. Although much has been written about the evolutionary causes of monogamy, little is known about the proximate mechanisms for pair bonding in monogamous mammals. The prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster, is a monogamous, biparental rodent which exhibits long-term pair bonds characterized by selective affiliation (partner preference) and aggression. Here we describe the rapid development of both selective aggression and partner preferences following mating in the male of this species. We hypothesized that either arginine-vasopressin (AVP) or oxytocin (OT), two nine-amino-acid neuropeptides with diverse forebrain projections, could mediate the development of selective aggression and affiliation. This hypothesis was based on the following observations: (1) monogamous and polygamous voles differ specifically in the distribution of forebrain AVP and OT receptors; (2) AVP innervation in the prairie vole brain is sexually dimorphic and important for paternal behaviour; (3) central AVP pathways have been previously implicated in territorial displays and social memory; and (4) central OT pathways have been previously implicated in affiliative behaviours. We now demonstrate that central AVP is both necessary and sufficient for selective aggression and partner preference formation, two critical features of pair bonding in the monogamous prairie vole.

A role for central vasopressin in pair bonding in monogamous prairie voles

Fluorescence spectroscopy, one of the most informative and sensitive analytical techniques, has played and continues to play key roles in modern research. Indeed, unraveling the inner workings of biomolecules, cells and organisms relied on the development of fluorescence-based tools. As many of the players in these sophisticated interactions and exceedingly complex systems are not inherently emissive, researchers have relied on synthesizing fluorescent analogs of the building blocks found in biological macromolecules. These are the constituents of the cell surface and cell membrane, as well as proteins and nucleic acids. This review article is dedicated to emissive analogs of these relatively small molecules.

For organizational purposes, we have arbitrarily selected to approach these diverse families of biomolecules by imagining “a journey into the center of the cell”. Approaching the exterior of a cell, one first encounters oligosaccharides that decorate the cell surface and are involved in cell recognition and signaling. Next, we arrive at the cell membrane itself. This semi-permeable envelope sets the cell boundaries and regulates its traffic. Several types of building blocks assemble this membrane, most notably among them are the phospholipids. Upon entering the cell, the cytosol reveals a plethora of small and large molecules, including proteins, as well as soluble RNA molecules and RNA-rich ribosomes. Within the cytosol of eukaryotes and prokaryotes lies the nucleus or nucleoid, respectively. This membrane-enclosed control center contains most of the cells’ genetic material. DNA, the cellular blueprint, is permanently found in the nucleus, which also hosts diverse RNA molecules. Accordingly, we first discuss emissive carbohydrate derivatives. We then present fluorescent membrane constituents, followed by emissive amino acids. Our journey ends by focusing on emissive analogs of nucleosides and nucleotides, the building blocks of nucleic acids.

The common biomolecular building blocks, excluding a few amino acids, lack appreciably useful fluorescence properties. This implies that structural modifications are required to impart such photophysical features. Ideally, a designer probe should closely resemble its natural counterpart in size and shape without the loss of the original function (a feature we refer to as “isomorphicity”). This presents a fundamental predicament, as any modification attempting to alter the electronic nature of a molecule, typically by including aromatic residues or extending conjugation, will also alter its steric bulk and therefore the interactions with its surroundings.

Clearly not all biomolecular building blocks can or need to accommodate strict isomorphic design criteria. The heterocycles found in nucleosides already provide a platform that facilitates the extension of π-conjugation, which is also true for some aromatic amino acids. In contrast, employing fluorescence spectroscopy to membrane research requires very creative probe designs. Saccharides can be viewed as the most restrictive in this context, as no chemical modification is conceivable without a major structural disruption and likely loss of function. Such aliphatic biomolecules accommodate labeling only, where an established fluorophore is covalently conjugated to provide an emissive derivative. We therefore reserve the term probe to molecular designs that are expected to furnish useful modified biomolecules capable of reliable reporting. Understandably, fluorescent probes must meet the most stringent isomorphic design principles to ensure a biologically meaningful read-out. The isomorphic design principle is therefore a central theme of this review.

This article focuses on designing fluorescent probes for the four major families of macromolecular building blocks discussed above. Although not necessarily in chronological order, it spans roughly four decades of probe design with emphasis, when justified, on recent contributions. As the reader may imagine, this topic encapsulates a vast research field and cannot be comprehensively reviewed within the space limitation of Chemical Reviews. Nevertheless, we have attempted to summarize the most important and general contributions discussing fluorescent probes that were designed to shed light on biological processes and refer the reader to other resources.1 Although a few examples have found their way into the text, we do not generally address here the development of small molecule fluorophores and sensors that are not part of biomolecular assemblies. We open this article with a brief overview of the key features of fluorescence spectroscopy, where essential theoretical, experimental, and practical elements are discussed.

/pdf/fluorescent-analogs-of-biomolecular-building-blocks-design-11xiwhr1gd.pdf

Fluorescent Analogs of Biomolecular Building Blocks: Design, Properties, and Applications

Manual of pharmacologic calculations with computer programs

In addition to various reproductive stimuli, the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is released both from the neurohypophysial terminal into the blood stream and within distinct brain regions in response to stressful or social stimuli. Brain OXT receptor-mediated actions were shown to be significantly involved in the regulation of a variety of behaviours. Here, complementary methodological approaches are discussed which were utilised to reveal, for example, anxiolytic and anti-stress effects of OXT, both in females and in males, effects that were localised within the central amygdala and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Also, in male rats, activation of the brain OXT system is essential for the regulation of sexual behaviour, and increased OXT system activity during mating is directly linked to an attenuated anxiety-related behaviour. Moreover, in late pregnancy and during lactation, central OXT is involved in the establishment and fine-tuned maintenance of maternal care and maternal aggression. In monogamous prairie voles, brain OXT is important for mating-induced pair bonding, especially in females. Another example of behavioural actions of intracerebral OXT is the promotion of social memory processes and recognition of con-specifics, as revealed in rats, mice, sheep and voles. Experimental evidence suggests that, in humans, brain OXT exerts similar behavioural effects. Thus, the brain OXT system seems to be a potential target for the development of therapeutics to treat anxiety- and depression-related diseases or abnormal social behaviours including autism.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2008.01726.x

Brain Oxytocin: A Key Regulator of Emotional and Social Behaviours in Both Females and Males

[1-(.beta.-mercapto-.beta.,.beta.-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]arginine-vasopressin and [1-(.beta.-mercapto-.beta.,.beta.-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin, two highly potent antagonists of the vasopressor response to arginine-vasopressin

We describe the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 16 new in vivo antagonists of oxytocin. These are based on modifications of three peptides: A, B, and C. A is our previously reported potent and selective antagonist of the vasopressor (V1 receptor) responses to arginine-vasopressin (AVP)/weak oxytocin antagonist, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid), 2-O-methyltyrosine]arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVP. B reported here, the Ile3 analogue of A, is d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVT (5 below) and C is our previously reported potent nonselective oxytocin antagonist/AVP V1 antagonist, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid),2-O- methyltyrosine,8-ornithine]vasotocin (d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]OVT). The following substitutions and deletions, alone or in combination, were employed in A, B, and C: 1-deaminopenicillamine (dP); D-Tyr(Alk)2 (where Alk = Me or Et), D-Phe2; Val4, Thr4; delta 3-Pro7; Lys8, Cit8; desGly9, desGly-NH2(9), Ala-NH2(9); Leu-NH2(9); Arg-NH2(9). The 16 new analogues are (1) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Me)2]AVP, (2) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Me)2, Val4,delta 3-Pro7]AVP, (3) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr-(Et)2, Val4,Lys8]VP, (4) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2,Val4,Cit8]VP, (5) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVT, (6) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Lys8]VT, (7) dP[Tyr(Me)2]AVT, (8) dP[Tyr(Me)2,Val4]AVT, (9) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Me)2, Val4]AVT, (10) d(CH2)5[D-Phe2,Val4]AVT, (11) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4]OVT, (12) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Ala-NH2(9)]OVT, (13) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Leu-NH2(9)]OVT, (14) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Arg-NH2(9)]OVT, (15) desGly-NH2(9),d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4]OVT, (16) desGly9,d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4]OVT. 1-4 are analogues of A, 5-10 are analogues of B, and 11-16 are analogues of C. Their protected precursors were synthesized either entirely by the solid-phase method or by a combination of solid-phase and solution methods (1 + 8 or 8 + 1 couplings). All analogues were tested in rats for agonistic and antagonistic activities in oxytocic (in vitro, without and with Mg2+, and in vivo) assays as well as by antidiuretic and vasopressor assays. All analogues exhibit potent oxytocic antagonism in vitro and in vivo. With an in vitro pA2 (in the absence of Mg2+) = 9.12 +/- 0.09, dP[Tyr(Me)2]AVT is (7) one of the most potent in vitro oxytocin antagonists reported to date. Fifteen of these analogues (all but 6) appear as potent or more potent in vivo oxytocin antagonists than C (pA2 = 7.37 +/- 0.17). Analogues 1-9 and 14 are potent AVP V1 antagonists. Their anti-V1 pA2 values range from 7.92 to 8.45. They are thus nonselective oxytocin antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Solid-phase synthesis of 16 potent (selective and nonselective) in vivo antagonists of oxytocin.

Four analogues of [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),4-valine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin [d-(CH2)5 VDAVP] and four analogues of its L-arginine isomer d(CH2)5 VAVP with O-methyl-, O-ethyl, O-isopropyl, and O-n-propyltyrosine substituents at position 2 were prepared by the solid-phase method using a slightly modified reoxidation procedure following deblocking with sodium in liquid ammonia to overcome losses due to insolubility. These analogues are the following: 1, d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)VDAVP;2, d(CH2)5Tyr(Et)VDAVP; 3, d(CH2)5Tyr(i-Pr)VDAVP; 4, d(CH2)5Tyr(n-Pr)VDAVP; 5, d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)VAVP; 6, d(CH2)5Tyr(Et)VAVP; 7, d(CH2)5Tyr(i-Pr)VAVP; 8, d(CH2)5Tyr(n-Pr)VAVP. These analogues were tested for agonistic and antagonistic activities in rat antidiuretic and rat vasopressor assay systems. All eight analogues cause a transient antidiuresis when injected intravenously and effectively antagonize antidiuretic responses to subsequent injections of arginine-vasopressin (AVP). They exhibit the following antiantidiuretic pA2 values: 1, 6.68 +/- 0.11; 2, 7.10 +/- 0.08; 3, 6.88 +/- 0.07; 4, 6.67 +/0 0.05; 5, 7.35 +/- 0.06; 6, 7.57 +/- 0.06; 7, 7.32 +/- 0.10; 8, 7.29 +/- 0.07. They are also highly effective antagonists of the vasopressor responses to AVP, with antivasopressor pA2 values in the range of 7.86 to 8.44. These findings indicate tht in this series O-ethyl substitution on the tyrosine at position 2 is optimal for antiantidiuretic potency and that L-arginine is far superior to D-arginine in this regard also. Thus, d(CH2)5Tyr(Et)VAVP with an antiantidiuretic pA2 of 7.57 +/- 0.06 is the most potent of these eight antidiuretic antagonists. These are the first known effective antagonists of in vivo antidiuretic responses to AVP. They are, thus, potentially useful pharmacological tools for studies on the roles of AVP in regulating water balance in normal and pathophysiological states in animals and in humans. They also serve as excellent lead compounds for the design of even more potent antagonists for potential therapeutic use for the treatment of hyponatremia secondary to inappropriate secretion of the antidiuretic hormone (SIADH or the Schwartz-Barter syndrome).

Synthetic antagonists of in vivo antidiuretic and vasopressor responses to arginine-vasopressin.

In this work, Raman spectroscopy (RS) was employed to characterize molecular structures of [Arg8]vasopressin (AVP) and its [Acc2,D-Arg8]AVP, [Acc3]AVP, and [Cpa1, Acc3]AVP analogues. The RS band assignments have been proposed. To determine the mechanism of adsorption of the above-mentioned compounds adsorbed on a colloidal silver surface, surface-enhanced Raman spectra (SERS) were measured. The SERS spectra were used to determine relative proximity of the adsorbed functional groups of the investigated peptides and their orientation on the silver surface. The AVP and [Acc3]AVP SERS spectra (Acc: 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid) show that the L-tyrosine (Tyr) lies far from the metal surface, whereas the [Cpa1,Acc3]AVP spectrum (Cpa: 1-mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid) provides evidence that Tyr interacts with the silver surface. These results suggest the binding of the Tyr-ionized phenolic group might be responsible for the selectivity of the analogues. We show that the aromatic ring of L-phenylalanine (Phe) of AVP and [Acc2,D-Arg8]AVP interacts with the silver surface. The strength of this interaction is considerably weaker for [Acc2,D-Arg8]AVP than for AVP. This might be due either to a longer distance between the Phe ring and the silver surface, or to the almost perpendicular orientation of the Phe ring towards the surface. The carbonyl group of the L-glutamine acid (Gln) or L-asparagine acid (Asn) of AVP, [Acc2,D-Arg8]AVP, and [Acc3]AVP is strongly bound to the silver surface. We have also found that all peptides adsorb on the silver surface via sulfur atoms of the disulfide bridge, adopting a “GGG” conformation, except [Cpa1,Acc3]AVP, which accepts a “TGG” geometry. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 193–203, 2006



This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com

Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy investigation of vasopressin analogues containing 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid residue.

The proprotein convertases (PCs) play an important role in protein precursor activation through processing at paired basic residues. However, significant substrate cleavage redundancy has been reported between PCs. The question remains whether specific PC inhibitors can be designed. This study describes the identification of the sequence LLLLRVKR, named Multi-Leu (ML)-peptide, that displayed a 20-fold selectivity on PACE4 over furin, two enzymes with similar structural characteristics. We have previously demonstrated that PACE4 plays an important role in prostate cancer and could be a druggable target. The present study demonstrates that the ML-peptide significantly reduced the proliferation of DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer-derived cell lines and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. However, the ML-peptide must enter the cell to inhibit proliferation. It is concluded that peptide-based inhibitors can yield specific PC inhibitors and that the ML-peptide is an important lead compound that could potentially have applications in prostate cancer.

Bernard Lammek

Papers

[1-(.beta.-mercapto-.beta.,.beta.-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]arginine-vasopressin and [1-(.beta.-mercapto-.beta.,.beta.-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin, two highly potent antagonists of the vasopressor response to arginine-vasopressin

Solid-phase synthesis of 16 potent (selective and nonselective) in vivo antagonists of oxytocin.

Synthetic antagonists of in vivo antidiuretic and vasopressor responses to arginine-vasopressin.

Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy investigation of vasopressin analogues containing 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid residue.

The Multi-Leu Peptide Inhibitor Discriminates Between PACE4 and Furin And Exhibits Antiproliferative Effects On Prostate Cancer Cells