Cellular proteins continuously undergo non-enzymatic covalent modifications (NECMs) that accumulate under normal physiological conditions and are stimulated by changes in the cellular microenvironment. Glycation, the hallmark of diabetes, is a prevalent NECM associated with an array of pathologies. Histone proteins are particularly susceptible to NECMs due to their long half-lives and nucleophilic disordered tails that undergo extensive regulatory modifications; however, histone NECMs remain poorly understood. Here we perform a detailed analysis of histone glycation in vitro and in vivo and find it has global ramifications on histone enzymatic PTMs, the assembly and stability of nucleosomes, and chromatin architecture. Importantly, we identify a physiologic regulation mechanism, the enzyme DJ-1, which functions as a potent histone deglycase. Finally, we detect intense histone glycation and DJ-1 overexpression in breast cancer tumors. Collectively, our results suggest an additional mechanism for cellular metabolic damage through epigenetic perturbation, with implications in pathogenesis.

Tracking the esterase activity of DJ-1 via a fluorescent-based scalable assay to uncover and develop candidates with enhanced potency.

The cascade of events that occurs in Alzheimer's disease involving oxidative stress and the reduction in cholinergic transmission can be better addressed by multifunctional drugs than cholinesterase inhibitors alone. For this purpose, we prepared a large number of derivatives of indoline-3-propionic acids and esters. They showed scavenging activity against different radicals in solution and significant protection against cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes and primary cultures of neuronal cells exposed to H2O2 species and serum deprivation at concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 10 μM depending on the compound. For most of the indoline-3-propionic acid derivatives, introduction of N-methyl-N-ethyl or N-methyl-N-(4-methoxyphenyl) carbamate moieties at positions 4, 6, or 7 conferred both acetyl (AChE) and butyryl (BuChE) cholinesterase inhibitory activities at similar concentrations to those that showed antioxidant activity. The most potent AChE inhibitors were 120 (3-(2-aminoethyl) indolin-4-yl ethyl(methyl)carbamate dihydrochloride) and 94 (3-(3-methoxy-3-oxopropyl)-4-(((4-methoxyphenyl)(methyl) carbamoyl)oxy)indolin-1-ium hydrochloride) with IC50s of 0.4 and 1.2 μM, respectively.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEIn the search for safer and effective anti-inflammatory agents, we investigated the effect of methyl indoline-3-propionate and indoline-3-(3-aminopropyl) carbamates on LPS-induced lung injury and pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice. Their mechanism of action was determined in murine peritoneal macrophages. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHLung injury was induced by intratracheal infusion of LPS and assessed by the change in lung weight and structure by light microscopy after staining by haematoxylin and eosin. In LPS-activated macrophages, MAPK proteins and IκBα were measured by Western blotting and the transcription factors, AP-1 and NF-κB by electromobility shift assay. Cytokines in the plasma and spleen of mice injected with LPS were measured by ELISA-based assay. KEY RESULTSAN917 and AN680 (1-10 pM) decreased TNF-α protein in macrophages by inhibiting phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, IκBα degradation and activation of AP-1 and NF-κB without affecting cell viability. In vivo, these compounds (10 μmol·kg −1 ) markedly decreased lung injury induced by LPS and the elevation of TNF-α and IL-6 in lung, plasma and spleen. Activation of α-7nACh receptors contributed to the reduction of TNF-α by AN917, which inhibited AChE in the spleen by 35%. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONSIndoline carbamates are potent inhibitors of pro-inflammatory mediators in murine macrophages and in mice injected with LPS, acting via the p38 MAPK, AP-1 and NF-κB cascades. Indirect α-7nACh receptor activation by AN917, through inhibition of AChE, contributes to its anti-inflammatory effect. Indoline carbamates may have therapeutic potential for lung injury and other diseases associated with chronic inflammation without causing immunosuppression. AbbreviationsAP-1, activator protein 1; BALF, broncho-alveolar lavage fluid; iNOS, inducible NOS; IκBα, inhibitor of NF-κB; MPO, myeloperoxidase; α-7nACh receptor, α-7 nicotinic ACh receptor BJP British Journal of Pharmacology