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Nature Apr 2016Phorbol, the flagship member of the tigliane diterpene family, has been known for over 80 years and has attracted attention from many chemists and biologists owing to...
Phorbol, the flagship member of the tigliane diterpene family, has been known for over 80 years and has attracted attention from many chemists and biologists owing to its intriguing chemical structure and the medicinal potential of phorbol esters. Access to useful quantities of phorbol and related analogues has relied on isolation from natural sources and semisynthesis. Despite efforts spanning 40 years, chemical synthesis has been unable to compete with these strategies, owing to its complexity and unusual placement of oxygen atoms. Purely synthetic enantiopure phorbol has remained elusive, and biological synthesis has not led to even the simplest members of this terpene family. Recently, the chemical syntheses of eudesmanes, germacrenes, taxanes and ingenanes have all benefited from a strategy inspired by the logic of two-phase terpene biosynthesis in which powerful C-C bond constructions and C-H bond oxidations go hand in hand. Here we implement a two-phase terpene synthesis strategy to achieve enantiospecific total synthesis of (+)-phorbol in only 19 steps from the abundant monoterpene (+)-3-carene. The purpose of this synthesis route is not to displace isolation or semisynthesis as a means of generating the natural product per se, but rather to enable access to analogues containing unique placements of oxygen atoms that are otherwise inaccessible.
Topics: Bicyclic Monoterpenes; Biological Products; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Diterpenes; Molecular Structure; Monoterpenes; Oxygen; Phorbol Esters; Phorbols; Stereoisomerism
PubMed: 27007853
DOI: 10.1038/nature17153 -
Biochemistry Apr 2021Munc13-1 is a presynaptic active zone protein that acts as a master regulator of synaptic vesicle priming and neurotransmitter release in the brain. It has been...
Munc13-1 is a presynaptic active zone protein that acts as a master regulator of synaptic vesicle priming and neurotransmitter release in the brain. It has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. Diacylglycerol and phorbol ester activate Munc13-1 by binding to its C1 domain. The objective of this study is to identify the structural determinants of ligand binding activity of the Munc13-1 C1 domain. Molecular docking suggested that residues Trp-588, Ile-590, and Arg-592 of Munc13-1 are involved in ligand interactions. To elucidate the role of these three residues in ligand binding, we generated W588A, I590A, and R592A mutants in full-length Munc13-1, expressed them as GFP-tagged proteins in HT22 cells, and measured their ligand-induced membrane translocation by confocal microscopy and immunoblotting. The extent of 1,2-dioctanoyl--glycerol (DOG)- and phorbol ester-induced membrane translocation decreased in the following order: wild type > I590A > W588A > R592A and wild type > W588A > I590A > R592A, respectively. To understand the effect of the mutations on ligand binding, we also measured the DOG binding affinity of the isolated wild-type C1 domain and its mutants in membrane-mimicking micelles using nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The DOG binding affinity decreased in the following order: wild type > I590A > R592A. No binding was detected for W588A with DOG in micelles. This study shows that Trp-588, Ile-590, and Arg-592 are essential determinants for the activity of Munc13-1 and the effects of the three residues on the activity are ligand-dependent. This study bears significance for the development of selective modulators of Munc13-1.
Topics: Binding Sites; Cell Line; Diglycerides; Humans; Models, Molecular; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Protein Binding; Protein Conformation
PubMed: 33818064
DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00165 -
Cells Sep 2022This review will briefly outline the major signaling pathways in PMA-activated neutrophils. PMA is widely used to understand neutrophil pathways and formation of NETs.... (Review)
Review
This review will briefly outline the major signaling pathways in PMA-activated neutrophils. PMA is widely used to understand neutrophil pathways and formation of NETs. PMA activates PKC; however, we highlight some isoforms that contribute to specific functions. PKC α, β and δ contribute to ROS production while PKC βII and PKC ζ are involved in cytoskeleton remodeling. Actin polymerization is important for the chemotaxis of neutrophils and its remodeling is connected to ROS balance. We suggest that, although ROS and production of NETs are usually observed together in PMA-activated neutrophils, there might be a regulatory mechanism balancing both. Interestingly, we suggest that serine proteases might determine the PAD4 action. PAD4 could be responsible for the activation of the NF-κB pathway that leads to IL-1β release, triggering the cleavage of gasdermin D by serine proteases such as elastase, leading to pore formation contributing to release of NETs. On the other hand, when serine proteases are inhibited, NETs are formed by citrullination through the PAD4 pathway. This review puts together results from the last 31 years of research on the effects of PMA on the neutrophil and proposes new insights on their interpretation.
Topics: Actins; Extracellular Traps; NF-kappa B; Neutrophils; Pancreatic Elastase; Reactive Oxygen Species; Serine Proteases; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
PubMed: 36139464
DOI: 10.3390/cells11182889 -
Molecular Carcinogenesis Jun 2017Few kinases have been studied as extensively as protein kinase C (PKC), particularly in the context of cancer. As major cellular targets for the phorbol ester tumor... (Review)
Review
Few kinases have been studied as extensively as protein kinase C (PKC), particularly in the context of cancer. As major cellular targets for the phorbol ester tumor promoters and diacylglycerol (DAG), a second messenger generated by stimulation of membrane receptors, PKC isozymes play major roles in the control of signaling pathways associated with proliferation, migration, invasion, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. However, despite decades of research, fundamental questions remain to be answered or are the subject of intense controversy. Primary among these unresolved issues are the role of PKC isozymes as either tumor promoter or tumor suppressor kinases and the incomplete understanding on isozyme-specific substrates and effectors. The involvement of PKC isozymes in cancer progression needs to be reassessed in the context of specific oncogenic and tumor suppressing alterations. In addition, there are still major hurdles in addressing isozyme-specific function due to the limited specificity of most pharmacological PKC modulators and the lack of validated predictive biomarkers for response, which impacts the translation of these agents to the clinic. In this review we focus on key controversial issues and upcoming challenges, with the expectation that understanding the intricacies of PKC function will help fulfill the yet unsuccessful promise of targeting PKCs for cancer therapeutics.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Diglycerides; Disease Progression; Humans; Isoenzymes; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms; Phorbol Esters; Protein Kinase C; Substrate Specificity
PubMed: 28112438
DOI: 10.1002/mc.22617 -
IUBMB Life Jun 2019Protein kinase C (PKC) is activated by 1,2-diacylglycerol as a second messenger in the signaling mechanism coupled with the hydrolysis of membrane inositol... (Review)
Review
Protein kinase C (PKC) is activated by 1,2-diacylglycerol as a second messenger in the signaling mechanism coupled with the hydrolysis of membrane inositol phospholipids, although it was not found by screening for a 1,2-diacylglycerol-dependent enzyme. PKC is also a receptor for the tumor-promoting phorbol esters, but it was not identified by its property of binding phorbol esters, either. Instead, the discovery and characterization of PKC, now known to comprise a family with multiple isoforms, was through a circuitous voyage filled with unexpected twists and turns. This review summarizes the discovery and the initial experiments of PKC as a historical perspective of the enzyme family in the context of the progress in the studies on protein phosphorylation. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 71(6):697-705, 2019.
Topics: Diglycerides; Humans; Hydrolysis; Phorbol Esters; Phosphatidylinositols; Phosphorylation; Protein Binding; Protein Kinase C; Proteins
PubMed: 30393952
DOI: 10.1002/iub.1963 -
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry May 2021A small library of phorbol 12,13-diesters bearing low lipophilicity ester chains was prepared as potential neurogenic agents in the adult brain. They were also used in a...
A small library of phorbol 12,13-diesters bearing low lipophilicity ester chains was prepared as potential neurogenic agents in the adult brain. They were also used in a targeted UHPLC-HRMS screening of the latex of . Two new 12-deoxy-16-hydroxyphorbol 13,16-diesters were isolated, and their structures were deduced using two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and NOE experiments. The ability of natural and synthetic compounds to stimulate transforming growth factor alpha (TFGα) release, to increase neural progenitor cell proliferation, and to stimulate neurogenesis was evaluated. All compounds that facilitated TGFα release promoted neural progenitor cell proliferation. The presence of two acyloxy moieties on the tigliane skeleton led to higher levels of activity, which decreased when a free hydroxyl group was at C-12. Remarkably, the compound bearing isobutyryloxy groups was the most potent on the TGFα assay and at inducing neural progenitor cell proliferation , also leading to enhanced neurogenesis when administered intranasally to mice.
Topics: Animals; Cell Proliferation; Mice; Neural Stem Cells; Neurogenesis; Phorbol Esters; Transforming Growth Factor alpha
PubMed: 33945688
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00156 -
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical... Aug 2017In 1988, we first reported the complete chemical structure of a new type of phorbol ester, abbreviated to DHPB, found in seed oil of Jatropha curcas L. (Saboodam in... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
In 1988, we first reported the complete chemical structure of a new type of phorbol ester, abbreviated to DHPB, found in seed oil of Jatropha curcas L. (Saboodam in Thai) and its tumor-promoting activity on mouse skin. Although this seed oil contains toxic phorbol ester, it was planned to use it as a feasible renewable oil and the extracted seed cake as fertilizer. This utilization value opened a new science of Jatropha curcas.
METHODS
The main experimental results are cited from our publications, and the relevant literature screened from journals and PubMed.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This paper begins with our original work on the structural elucidation of a new phorbol ester, 12-deoxy-16-hydroxyphorbol (DHPB): its tumor-promoting activity was compared with that of TPA. We think that it is timely to review the following research advances with Jatropha curcas, so numerous topics are classified as follows: (1) historical development of phorbol esters in seed oil; (2) toxicity of phorbol ester based on various bioassays; (3) degradation of phorbol ester; (4) a new pharmaceutical compound in seed; and (5) tumor promotion and progression with endogeneous tumor promoters in human carcinogenesis. The discovery of phorbol ester in seed oil raised awareness of the danger of public use of seed oil and seed cake in Thailand, and also indicated the necessity of discussing the concept of primary and tertiary cancer preventions.
CONCLUSION
It is worthwhile to study the future benefits and cancer risks of globally distributed Jatropha curcas L.
Topics: Carcinogenesis; Humans; Jatropha; Neoplasms; Phorbol Esters; Plant Oils; Seeds
PubMed: 28124725
DOI: 10.1007/s00432-017-2341-6 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Aug 2023Activation of the Wnt pathway lies at the core of many human cancers. Wnt and macropinocytosis are often active in the same processes, and understanding how Wnt...
Activation of the Wnt pathway lies at the core of many human cancers. Wnt and macropinocytosis are often active in the same processes, and understanding how Wnt signaling and membrane trafficking cooperate should improve our understanding of embryonic development and cancer. Here we show that a macropinocytosis activator, the tumor promoter Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), enhances Wnt signaling. Experiments using the embryo as an in vivo model showed marked cooperation between the PMA phorbol ester and Wnt signaling, which was blocked by inhibitors of macropinocytosis, Rac1 activity, and lysosome acidification. Human colorectal cancer tissue arrays and xenografts in mice showed a correlation of cancer progression with increased macropinocytosis/multivesicular body/lysosome markers and decreased GSK3 levels. The crosstalk between canonical Wnt, focal adhesions, lysosomes, and macropinocytosis suggests possible therapeutic targets for cancer progression in Wnt-driven cancers.
PubMed: 37333286
DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.02.543509 -
British Journal of Pharmacology Oct 2021Neurosteroids influence neuronal function and have multiple promising clinical applications. Direct modulation of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors by...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Neurosteroids influence neuronal function and have multiple promising clinical applications. Direct modulation of postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptors by neurosteroids is well characterized, but presynaptic effects remain poorly understood. Here, we report presynaptic glutamate release potentiation by neurosteroids pregnanolone and pregnanolone sulfate and compare their mechanisms of action to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), a mimic of the second messenger DAG.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
We use whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and pharmacology in rat hippocampal microisland cultures and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy in HEK293 cells expressing GFP-tagged vesicle priming protein Munc13-1, to explore the mechanisms of neurosteroid presynaptic modulation.
KEY RESULTS
Pregnanolone sulfate and pregnanolone potentiate glutamate release downstream of presynaptic Ca influx, resembling the action of a phorbol ester PDBu. PDBu partially occludes the effect of pregnanolone, but not of pregnanolone sulfate. Calphostin C, an inhibitor that disrupts DAG binding to its targets, reduces the effect PDBu and pregnanolone, but not of pregnanolone sulfate, suggesting that pregnanolone might interact with a well-known DAG/phorbol ester target Munc13-1. However, TIRF microscopy experiments found no evidence of pregnanolone-induced membrane translocation of GFP-tagged Munc13-1, suggesting that pregnanolone may regulate Munc13-1 indirectly or interact with other DAG targets.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS
We describe a novel presynaptic effect of neurosteroids pregnanolone and pregnanolone sulfate to potentiate glutamate release downstream of presynaptic Ca influx. The mechanism of action of pregnanolone, but not of pregnanolone sulfate, partly overlaps with that of PDBu. Presynaptic effects of neurosteroids may contribute to their therapeutic potential in the treatment of disorders of the glutamate system.
Topics: Animals; Glutamic Acid; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Neurosteroids; Pregnanolone; Rats; Sulfates
PubMed: 33988248
DOI: 10.1111/bph.15529 -
BMC Veterinary Research May 2022Sheep are an important livestock species worldwide and an essential large-animal model for animal husbandry and veterinary research. Understanding fundamental immune...
BACKGROUND
Sheep are an important livestock species worldwide and an essential large-animal model for animal husbandry and veterinary research. Understanding fundamental immune indicators, especially T-lymphocyte parameters, is necessary for research on sheep diseases and vaccines, to better understand the immune response to bacteria and viruses for reducing the use of antibiotics and improving the welfare of sheep. We randomly selected 36 sheep of similar ages to analyze cell-related immune indicators in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The proportions of CD4 and CD8 T cells in PBMCs were detected by flow cytometry. We used Concanavalin A (Con A) and Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)/Ionomycin to stimulate PBMCs, and measured the expression of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot). Simultaneously, PMA/Ionomycin/brefeldin A (BFA) was added to PBMCs, then the expression of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A was detected by flow cytometry after 4 h of culturing. In addition, we observed the proliferation of PBMCs stimulated with Con A for 3, 4, and 5 days.
RESULTS
The proportions of CD4 T lymphocytes (18.70 ± 4.21%) and CD8 T lymphocytes (8.70 ± 3.65%) were generally consistent among individuals, with a CD4/CD8 ratio of 2.40 ± 0.79. PBMCs produced high levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A after stimulation with PMA/Ionomycin and Con A. Furthermore, PMA/Ionomycin stimulation of PBMC yielded significantly higher cytokine levels than Con A stimulation. Flow cytometry showed that the level of IFN-γ (51.49 ± 11.54%) in CD8 T lymphocytes was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that in CD4 T lymphocytes (14.29 ± 3.26%); IL-4 (16.13 ± 6.81%) in CD4 T lymphocytes was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that in CD8 T lymphocytes (1.84 ± 1.33%), There was no difference in IL-17A between CD4 (2.83 ± 0.98%) and CD8 T lymphocytes (1.34 ± 0.67%). The proliferation of total lymphocytes, CD4 T lymphocytes, and CD8 T lymphocytes continued to increase between days 3 and 5; however, there were no significant differences in proliferation between the cell types during the stimulation period.
CONCLUSIONS
Evaluating primary sheep immune indicators, especially T lymphocytes, is significant for studying cellular immunity. This study provided valuable data and theoretical support for assessing the immune response of sheep to pathogens and improving sheep welfare.
Topics: Animals; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cytokines; Flow Cytometry; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-4; Ionomycin; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Lymphocyte Activation; Sheep; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
PubMed: 35513847
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03268-7