We have designed and implemented a practical nanoelectronic interface to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), a large family of membrane proteins whose roles in the detection of molecules outside eukaryotic cells make them important pharmaceutical targets. Specifically, we have coupled olfactory receptor proteins (ORs) with carbon nanotube transistors. The resulting devices transduce signals associated with odorant binding to ORs in the gas phase under ambient conditions and show responses that are in excellent agreement with results from established assays for OR–ligand binding. The work represents significant progress on a path toward a bioelectronic nose that can be directly compared to biological olfactory systems as well as a general method for the study of GPCR function in multiple domains using electronic readout.

Herein, we report the synthesis and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of 2'-fluoro-3'-(substituted phenyl)deschloroepibatidines 5b–g, analogues of 3'-(4-nitrophenyl) compound 5a. All compounds had high affinity for the α4β2-nAChR and low affinity for α7-nAChR. Initial electrophysiological studies showed that all analogues were antagonists at α4β2-, α3β4-, and α7-nAChRs. The 4-carbamoylphenyl analogue 5g was highly selective for α4β2-nAChR over α3β4- and α7-nAChRs. All the analogues were antagonists of nicotine-induced antinociception in the tail-flick test. Molecular modeling docking studies using agonist-bound form of the X-ray crystal structure of the acetylcholine binding protein suggested several different binding modes for epibatidine, varenicline, and 5a–5g. In particular, a unique binding mode for 5g was suggested by these docking simulations. The high binding affinity, in vitro efficacy, and selectivity of 5g for α4β2-nAChR combined with its nAChR functional antagonist properties suggest that 5g will be a valuable pharmacological tool for studying the nAChR and may have potential as a pharmacotherapy for addiction and other CNS disorders.

Multivalent interactions in which multiple ligands on one object bind to multiple receptors on another are commonly found in natural biological systems. In addition, these interactions can lead to increased strength and selectivity when compared to the corresponding monovalent interaction. These attributes have also guided the design of synthetic multivalent ligands to control biological interactions. This review will highlight the recent literature describing the use of multivalent ligand display in the design of vaccines, immunomodulators, cell signaling effectors, and vehicles for targeted drug delivery.

-This study developed a methodology for callus induction in leaf segments of B. verbascifolia and evaluated the bioactive phenolic compounds production. Leaf explants were cultured in MS medium with 30 g L -1 sucrose, solidified with 7 g L -1 agar supplemented with 2,4-D (0; 4.52; 9.05; 18.10 M) and BAP (0; 4.44; 8.88; 17.75 M ) in the presence and absence of light. Forty-five days after inoculation we assessed the percentage of callus induction, color, consistency, fresh and dry matter, total phenols, flavonoids, tannins contents, and chromatographic profile by HPLC-DAD method. Callus induction occurred only in medium with growth regulators. Maximal induction (100%) was found in medium containing 2,4-D combined with BAP in the presence and absence of light. We obtained friable and compact callus in yellow, green, and red. Culture media containing 4.52 M 2,4-D + 4.44 M BAP induced 100% of friable callus with higher fresh and dry weight in the absence of light. The callus produced higher amounts of total phenols and flavonoids than the initial explant.

RESUMOO murici-pequeno (Byrsonima intermedia A. Juss.) é um arbusto do cerrado cujo chá da casca do caule apresenta atividade adstringente nas diarréias e disenterias. O gênero Byrsonima apresenta taxa de germinação baixa e emergência lenta da plântula, dificultando a propagação sexuada. Objetivou-se com este trabalho obter calos friáveis em explantes foliares de murici-pequeno para estudos futuros em suspensão celular e metabolismo secundário, assim como embriogênese somática. Avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes concentrações da auxina 2,4-D e a sua interação com as citocininas TDZ e BAP na calogênese. Os resultados demonstraram que na ausência de 2,4-D não ocorre formação de calo em explantes foliares. A adição de BAP ou TDZ não influencia o processo de calogênese. Para a indução e proliferação de calo em explantes foliares de murici-pequeno, os resultados recomendam o uso de meio MS, acrescido de 1,0 mg L -1 de 2,4-D, mantendo os explantes em condição de escuro por 30 dias. Termos para indexação: Murici-pequeno, calogênese, fitorreguladores, Byrsonima intermedia in vitro. ABSTRACTByrsonima intermedia A. Juss is a shrub of cerrado whose husk presents medicinal activities in diarrheas and dysenteries. The Byrsonima genus present low germination rate and slow plantlet emergency which makes difficult sexual propagation. The objective of this work was to obtain friable callus in leaf explants for future studies with suspension cells and secondary metabolites as well as somatic embryogenesis. The effect of different concentrations of 2,4-D and its interaction with TDZ and BAP in callus formation was evaluated. The results demonstrated that there is no formation of callus in leaf explants maintained in absence of 2,4-D. The addition of TDZ or BAP had no influence in the calogenesis process. For callus induction and proliferation, the results suggest the use of MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L -1 2,4-D maintaining the explants in the dark.

Ten banana (Musa spp.) cultivars were studied for their antimicrobial properties. Three plant parts (corm, pseudostem and leaves) were collected separately and extracted with different solvents, viz., hexane, acetone, ethanol and water. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was evaluated using a broth microdilution assay. Eight human bacterial and one fungal pathogen were tested. Acetone and ethanol extract(s) often exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, while hexane extracts were less active. Aqueous extracts often showed microbial growth, possibly by endophytes. Leaf extracts were most active, followed by pseudostem, and corm was least active. All the tested banana cultivars were found to contain antimicrobials, as demonstrated by inhibition of selected human pathogens. However, cultivars such as Dole, Saba, Fougamou, Namwah Khom, Pelipita and Mbwazirume showed a broad-spectrum activity, inhibiting all tested pathogens. Other cultivars such as Petit Naine and Kluai Tiparot showed a narrow-spectrum activity, including antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans. Our results support the use of different parts of banana plants in traditional human medicine for infections, including diarrhea and dysentery, and some sexually transmitted diseases, as well as for packaging spoilable materials like food.

RESUMOEste trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar fenóis totais e taninos nas cascas de angicovermelho (Anadenanthera peregrina) em diferentes classes de diâmetro, além de comparar duas metodologias de quantificação de fenóis. Foram coletadas cascas de 35 árvores, distribuídas em sete classes diamétricas. As cascas foram secas ao ar livre, trituradas e peneiradas, sendo utilizado o material retido na peneira de 60 mesh. Para a extração dos fenóis, utilizou-se metanol:água (50%). O doseamento de fenóis totais foi realizado pelos métodos de Folin-Denis e Folin-Ciocalteau modificados, e para taninos, pelo método difusão radial. Não foi encontrada diferença estatística entre as metodologias de quantificação de fenóis. Verificou-se aumento nos teores de fenóis e taninos com o aumento do diâmetro das árvores.Palavras-chave: cascas, fenóis, taninos.

Olfaction is a key component of the multimodal approach used by mosquitoes to target and feed on humans, spreading various diseases. Current repellents have drawbacks, necessitating development of more effective agents. In addition to variable odorant specificity subunits, all insect odorant receptors (ORs) contain a conserved odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) subunit which is an attractive target for repellent development. Orco directed antagonists allosterically inhibit odorant activation of ORs and we previously showed that an airborne Orco antagonist could inhibit insect olfactory behavior. Here, we identify novel, volatile Orco antagonists. We functionally screened 83 structurally diverse compounds against Orco from Anopheles gambiae. Results were used for training machine learning models to rank probable activity of a library of 1280 odorant molecules. Functional testing of a representative subset of predicted active compounds revealed enrichment for Orco antagonists, many structurally distinct from previously known Orco antagonists. Novel Orco antagonist 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenol (BMP) inhibited odorant responses in electroantennogram and single sensillum recordings in adult Drosophila melanogaster and inhibited OR-mediated olfactory behavior in D. melanogaster larvae. Structure-activity analysis of BMP analogs identified compounds with improved potency. Our results provide a new approach to the discovery of behaviorally active Orco antagonists for eventual use as insect repellents/confusants.