Pál Gergely

University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hajdu-Bihar, Hungary

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Publications (71)222.63 Total impact

  • Article: Synthesis of 2-(β-d-glucopyranosylamino)-5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles for inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase.
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    ABSTRACT: Aromatic aldehyde 4-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)semicarbazones were synthesized by the addition of different hydrazones onto O-peracetylated β-d-glucopyranosyl isocyanate. Oxidative transformations of these precursors gave O-protected 2-(β-d-glucopyranosylamino)-5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. Removal of the O-acetyl protecting groups under Zemplén conditions gave test compounds to show low micromolar inhibition against rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b. Best inhibitors of these series were 4-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)semicarbazones of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (Ki=4.5μM), 2-naphthaldehyde (Ki=5.5μM) and 2-(β-d-glucopyranosylamino)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (Ki=12μM).
    Carbohydrate research 04/2013; · 2.03 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis of 2-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-5-(substituted-amino)-1,3,4-oxa- and -thiadiazoles for the inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase.
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    ABSTRACT: O-Perbenzoylated 4-phenyl-[C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formaldehyde]semicarbazone was prepared in the reaction of O-perbenzoylated β-d-glucopyranosyl cyanide and 4-phenylsemicarbazide in the presence of Raney-Ni. Acylation of O-perbenzoylated C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formaldehyde semicarbazone furnished the corresponding 4-acyl-[C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formaldehyde]semicarbazones. The reaction of O-perbenzoylated C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formaldehyde semicarbazone with the corresponding thiosemicarbazide resulted in O-perbenzoylated C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formaldehyde thiosemicarbazone and its 4-phenyl derivative. Acylation of O-perbenzoylated C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formaldehyde thiosemicarbazone provided the corresponding 4-acyl-2-acylamino-5-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-Δ(2)-1,3,4-thiadiazolidines. Oxidative transformations of these precursors gave O-protected 2-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-5-substituted-amino-1,3,4-oxa- and -thiadiazoles. The O-benzoyl protecting groups were removed under base-catalysed transesterification conditions. The C-glucopyranosyl heterocyclic compounds proved inactive against rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b, however, the semicarbazones showed moderate inhibition (best inhibitor was 4-phenyl-[C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formaldehyde]semicarbazone (Ki=29μM).
    Carbohydrate research 03/2013; · 2.03 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis of substituted 2-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-benzimidazoles and their evaluation as inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase.
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    ABSTRACT: Microwave assisted condensation of O-perbenzoylated C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formic acid with 1,2-diaminobenzenes in the presence of triphenylphosphite gave the corresponding O-protected 2-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-benzimidazoles in moderate yields. O-Perbenzoylated C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formamide and -thioformamide were transformed into the corresponding ethyl C-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)formimidate and -thioformimidate, respectively, by Et(3)O·BF(4). Treatment of the formimidate with 1,2-diaminobenzenes afforded O-protected 2-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-benzimidazoles in good to excellent yields. Similar reaction of the thioformimidate gave these compounds in lower yields. The O-benzoyl protecting groups were removed by the Zemplén protocol. These test compounds were assayed against rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase (GP) b, the prototype of liver GP, the rate limiting enzyme of glycogen degradation. The best inhibitors were 2-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-4-methyl-benzimidazole (K(i)=2.8μM) and 2-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazole (K(i)=2.1μM) exhibiting a ∼3-4 times stronger binding than the unsubstituted parent compound.
    Carbohydrate research 01/2013; · 2.03 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis of tartaric acid analogues of FR258900 and their evaluation as glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors.
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    ABSTRACT: Di-O-cinnamoylated, -p-coumaroylated, and -feruloylated d-, l- and meso-tartaric acids were synthesized as analogues of the natural product FR258900, a glycogen phosphorylase (GP) inhibitor with in vivo antihyperglycaemic activity. The new compounds inhibited rabbit muscle GP in the low micromolar range, and bound to the allosteric site of the enzyme. The best inhibitor was 2,3-di-O-feruloyl meso-tartaric acid and had K(i) values of 2.0μM against AMP (competitive) and 3.36μM against glucose-1-phosphate (non-competitive).
    Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters 01/2013; · 2.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: Comparative Characterization of liver glycogen metabolism in rat and gunea-pig
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    ABSTRACT: 1.1. Guinea-pig liver contained more phosphorylase in the active (phosphorylated) from and less synthase in the active (dephosphorulated) from when compared with rat liver.2.2. Activities of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and Ca2+-dependent phosphorylase kinase were the same in rat and guinea-pig livers.3.3. Activities of pjosphorylase and synthase phosphatase in the extract and glycogen plus microsomal fracrion of guinea-pig liver were significantly lower than those of rat liver.4.4. The existence if inhibitor-1 in the liver of guinea-pig can maintain a lower of type-1 protein phosphatase, especially when inhibitor-1 is phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.
    Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 01/2013; · 1.92 Impact Factor
  • Article: RACK1 is involved in endothelial barrier regulation via its two novel interacting partners.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: RACK1, receptor for activated protein kinase C, serves as an anchor in multiple signaling pathways. TIMAP, TGF-beta inhibited membrane-associated protein, is most abundant in endothelial cells with a regulatory effect on the endothelial barrier function. The interaction of TIMAP with protein phosphatase 1 (PP1cdelta) was characterized, yet little is known about its further partners. RESULTS: We identified two novel interacting partners of RACK1, namely, TGF-beta inhibited membrane-associated protein, TIMAP, and farnesyl transferase. TIMAP is most abundant in endothelial cells where it is involved in the regulation of the barrier function. WD1-4 repeats of RACK1 were identified as critical regions of the interaction both with TIMAP and farnesyl transferase. Phosphorylation of TIMAP by activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway reduced the amount of TIMAP-RACK1 complex and enhanced translocation of TIMAP to the cell membrane in vascular endothelial cells. However, both membrane localization of TIMAP and transendothelial resistance were attenuated after RACK1 depletion. Farnesyl transferase, the enzyme responsible for prenylation and consequent membrane localization of TIMAP, is present in the RACK1-TIMAP complex in control cells, but it does not co-immunoprecipitate with TIMAP after RACK1 depletion. CONCLUSIONS: Transient parallel linkage of TIMAP and farnesyl transferase to RACK1 could ensure prenylation and transport of TIMAP to the plasma membrane where it may attend in maintaining the endothelial barrier as a phosphatase regulator.
    Cell Communication and Signaling 01/2013; 11(1):2. · 5.50 Impact Factor
  • Article: 3-aminobenzamide protects primary human keratinocytes from UV-induced cell death by a poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation independent mechanism.
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    ABSTRACT: Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is a NAD(+)-dependent protein modification carried out by PARP [poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase] enzymes. Here we set out to investigate whether PARylation regulates UVB-induced cell death in primary human keratinocytes. We used the benchmark PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3AB) and a more potent and specific inhibitor PJ34 and found that UVB (0.05-0.2J/cm(2)) induced a dose dependent loss of viability that was prevented by 3AB but not by PJ34. Similarly to PJ34, two other new generation PARP inhibitors also failed to protect keratinocytes from UVB-induced loss of viability. Moreover, silencing PARP-1 in HaCaT human keratinocytes sensitized cells to UVB toxicity but 3AB provided protection to both control HaCaT cells and to PARP-1 silenced cells indicating that the photoprotective effect of 3AB is independent of PARP inhibition. Lower UVB doses (0.0125-0.05J/cm(2)) caused inhibition of proliferation of keratinocytes which was prevented by 3AB but augmented by PJ34. UVB-induced keratinocyte death displayed the characteristics of both apoptosis (morphology, caspase activity, DNA fragmentation) and necrosis (morphology, LDH release) with all of these parameters being inhibited by 3AB and apoptotic parameters slightly enhanced by PJ34. UVA also caused apoptotic and necrotic cell death in keratinocytes with 3-AB protecting and PJ34 sensitizing cells to UVA-induced toxicity. 3AB prevented UVB-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and generation of hydrogen peroxide. In summary, PARylation is a survival mechanism in UV-treated keratinocytes. Moreover, 3-aminobenzamide is photoprotective and acts by a PARP-independent mechanism at a premitochondrial step of phototoxicity.
    Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 12/2012; · 4.66 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles from xylosyl and 5-thioxylosyl azides: evaluation of the xylose scaffold for the design of potential glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors.
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    ABSTRACT: Various acetylenic derivatives and acetylated β-d-xylopyranosyl azide or the 5-thio-β-d-xylopyranosyl analogue were coupled by Cu(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) to afford a series of 1-xylosyl-4-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles. Controlled oxidation of the endocyclic sulfur atom of the 5-thioxylose moiety led to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones. Deacetylation afforded 19 hydroxylated xylose and 5-thioxylose derivatives, found to be only sparingly water-soluble. Compared to glucose-based analogues, they appeared to be much weaker inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase, as the absence of a hydroxymethyl group weakens their binding at the enzyme active site. However, such new xylose derivatives might be useful glycomimetics.
    Carbohydrate research 10/2012; 364C:28-40. · 2.03 Impact Factor
  • Article: Calcineurin regulates endothelial barrier function by interaction with and dephosphorylation of myosin phosphatase.
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    ABSTRACT: AIMS: Calcineurin (CN) influences myosin phosphorylation and alters endothelial barrier function; however, the molecular mechanism is still obscure. Here we examine whether CN controls myosin phosphorylation via mediating the phosphorylation state of Thr696 in myosin phosphatase (MP) target subunit 1 (MYPT1), the phosphorylation site inhibitory to the catalytic activity of MP. METHODS AND RESULTS: Exposure of bovine or human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs or HPAECs) to the CN inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA) induces a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) and increases the phosphorylation level of cofilin(Ser3) and MYPT1(Thr696) in a Ca(2+)-and Rho-kinase-dependent manner. An active catalytic fragment of CN overexpressed in tsA201 cells decreases endogenous MYPT-phospho-Thr696 (MYPT1(pThr696)) levels. Purified CN dephosphorylates (32)P-labelled MYPT1, suggesting direct action of CN on this substrate. Interaction of MYPT1 with CN is revealed by MYPT1 pull-down experiments and colocalization in both BPAECs and HPAECs as well as by surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based binding studies. Stabilization of the MYPT1-CN complex occurs via the MYPT1(300PLIEST305) sequence similar to the CN substrate-docking PxIxIT-motif. Thrombin induces a transient increase of MYPT1(pThr696) in BPAECs, whereas its combination with CsA results in maintained phosphorylation levels of both MYPT1(pThr696) and myosin. These phosphorylation events might correlate with changes in endothelial permeability since CsA slows down the recovery from the thrombin-induced decrease of the transendothelial electrical resistance of the BPAEC monolayer. CONCLUSION: CN may improve endothelial barrier function via inducing dephosphorylation of cofilin(pSer3) and by interaction with MYPT1 and activating MP through MYPT1(pThr696) dephosphorylation, thereby affecting actin polymerization and decreasing myosin phosphorylation.
    Cardiovascular research 08/2012; · 5.80 Impact Factor
  • Article: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-2: emerging transcriptional roles of a DNA-repair protein.
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    ABSTRACT: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-2 is a nuclear enzyme that belongs to the PARP family and PARP-2 is responsible for 5-15 % of total cellular PARP activity. PARP-2 was originally described in connection to DNA repair and in physiological and pathophysiological processes associated with genome maintenance (e.g., centromere and telomere protection, spermiogenesis, thymopoiesis, azoospermia, and tumorigenesis). Recent reports have identified important rearrangements in gene expression upon the knockout of PARP-2. Such rearrangements heavily impact inflammation and metabolism. Metabolic effects are mediated through modifying PPARγ and SIRT1 function. Altered gene expression gives rise to a complex phenotype characterized primarily by enhanced mitochondrial activity that results both in beneficial (loss of fat, enhanced insulin sensitivity) and in disadvantageous (pancreatic beta cell hypofunction upon high fat feeding) consequences. Enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis provides protection in oxidative stress-related diseases. Hereby, we review the recent developments in PARP-2 research with special attention to the involvement of PARP-2 in transcriptional and metabolic regulation.
    Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS 05/2012; · 6.57 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis of heterocyclic N-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)carboxamides for inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase.
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    ABSTRACT: In a DCC-mediated coupling 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosylamine and propiolic acid gave N-propynoyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosylamine which was transformed by 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with aromatic azides and nitrile-oxides to the corresponding O-peracetylated N-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-substituted-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamides and N-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-3-substituted-isoxazole-5-carboxamides, respectively. These compounds were O-deacetylated by Zemplén's protocol to be tested as inhibitors of rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b. The best inhibitors of the two series were N-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-(3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamide (K(i)=34 μM) and N-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-3-(indol-2-yl)-isoxazole-5-carboxamide (K(i)=164 μM).
    Carbohydrate research 04/2012; 351:56-63. · 2.03 Impact Factor
  • Article: N-(4-Substituted-benzoyl)-N'-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)ureas as inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase: Synthesis and evaluation by kinetic, crystallographic, and molecular modelling methods.
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    ABSTRACT: N-(4-Substituted-benzoyl)-N'-(β-d-glucopyranosyl) ureas (substituents: Me, Ph, Cl, OH, OMe, NO(2), NH(2), COOH, and COOMe) were synthesised by ZnCl(2) catalysed acylation of O-peracetylated β-d-glucopyranosyl urea as well as in reactions of O-peracetylated or O-unprotected glucopyranosylamines and acyl-isocyanates. O-deprotections were carried out by base or acid catalysed transesterifications where necessary. Kinetic studies revealed that most of these compounds were low micromolar inhibitors of rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b (RMGPb). The best inhibitor was the 4-methylbenzoyl compound (K(i)=2.3μM). Crystallographic analyses of complexes of several of the compounds with RMGPb showed that the analogues exploited, together with water molecules, the available space at the β-pocket subsite and induced a more extended shift of the 280s loop compared to RMGPb in complex with the unsubstituted benzoyl urea. The results suggest the key role of the water molecules in ligand binding and structure-based ligand design. Molecular docking study of selected inhibitors was done to show the ability of the binding affinity prediction. The binding affinity of the highest scored docked poses was calculated and correlated with experimentally measured K(i) values. Results show that correlation is high with the R-squared (R(2)) coefficient over 0.9.
    Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 03/2012; 20(5):1801-16. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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    Article: Cell cycle dependent association of EBP50 with protein phosphatase 2A in endothelial cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM)-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50) is a phosphorylatable PDZ domain-containing adaptor protein that is abundantly expressed in epithelium but was not yet studied in the endothelium. We report unusual nuclear localization of EBP50 in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC). Immunofluorescent staining and cellular fractionation demonstrated that EBP50 is present in the nuclear and perinuclear region in interphase cells. In the prophase of mitosis EBP50 redistributes to the cytoplasmic region in a phosphorylation dependent manner and during mitosis EBP50 co-localizes with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Furthermore, in vitro wound healing of BPAEC expressing phospho-mimic mutant of EBP50 was accelerated indicating that EBP50 is involved in the regulation of the cell division. Cell cycle dependent specific interactions were detected between EBP50 and the subunits of PP2A (A, C, and Bα) with immunoprecipitation and pull-down experiments. The interaction of EBP50 with the Bα containing form of PP2A suggests that this holoenzyme of PP2A can be responsible for the dephosphorylation of EBP50 in cytokinesis. Moreover, the results underline the significance of EBP50 in cell division via reversible phosphorylation of the protein with cyclin dependent kinase and PP2A in normal cells.
    PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(4):e35595. · 4.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-2 depletion reduces doxorubicin-induced damage through SIRT1 induction.
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    ABSTRACT: Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used in cytostatic treatments, although it may cause cardiovascular dysfunction as a side effect. DOX treatment leads to enhanced free radical production that in turn causes DNA strand breakage culminating in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation and mitochondrial and cellular dysfunction. DNA nicks can activate numerous enzymes, such as PARP-2. Depletion of PARP-2 has been shown to result in a protective phenotype against free radical-mediated diseases, suggesting similar properties in the case of DOX-induced vascular damage. PARP-2(+/+) and PARP-2(-/-) mice and aortic smooth muscle (MOVAS) cells were treated with DOX (25 mg/kg or 3 μM, respectively). Aortas were harvested 2-day post-treatment while MOVAS cells were treated with DOX for 7 hours. Aortas from PARP-2(-/-) mice displayed partial protection against DOX toxicity, and the protection depended on the conservation of smooth muscle but not on the conservation of endothelial function. DOX treatment evoked free radical production, DNA breakage and PARP activation. Importantly, depletion of PARP-2 did not quench any of these phenomena, suggesting an alternative mechanism. Depletion of PARP-2 prevented DOX-induced mitochondrial dysfunction through SIRT1 activation. Genetic deletion of PARP-2 resulted in the induction of the SIRT1 promoter and consequently increased SIRT1 expression both in aortas and in MOVAS cells. SIRT1 activation enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, which provided protection against DOX-induced mitochondrial damage. Our data identify PARP-2 as a mediator of DOX toxicity by regulating vascular SIRT1 activity and mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of SIRT1 as a protective factor in the vasculature upon oxidative stress.
    Cardiovascular research 09/2011; 92(3):430-8. · 5.80 Impact Factor
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    Article: Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) decreases mortality and organ injury in sepsis.
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    ABSTRACT: The extracellular concentrations of adenosine are increased during sepsis, and adenosine receptors regulate the host's response to sepsis. In this study, we investigated the role of the adenosine-generating ectoenzyme, ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73), in regulating immune and organ function during sepsis. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced by subjecting CD73 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice to cecal ligation and puncture. CD73 KO mice showed increased mortality in comparison with WT mice, which was associated with increased bacterial counts and elevated inflammatory cytokine and chemokine concentrations in the blood and peritoneum. CD73 deficiency promoted lung injury, as indicated by increased myeloperoxidase activity and neutrophil infiltration, and elevated pulmonary cytokine levels. CD73 KO mice had increased apoptosis in the thymus, as evidenced by increased cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and increased activation of NF-κB. Septic CD73 KO mice had higher blood urea nitrogen levels and increased cytokine levels in the kidney, indicating increased renal dysfunction. The increased kidney injury of CD73 KO mice was associated with augmented activation of p38 MAPK and decreased phosphorylation of Akt. Pharmacological inactivation of CD73 in WT mice using α, β-methylene ADP augmented cytokine levels in the blood and peritoneal lavage fluid. These findings suggest that CD73-derived adenosine may be beneficial in sepsis.
    The Journal of Immunology 09/2011; 187(8):4256-67. · 5.79 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of glucopyranosylidene-spiro-thiohydantoin on glycogen metabolism in liver tissues of streptozotocin-induced and obese diabetic rats.
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    ABSTRACT: The major role of liver glycogen is to supply glucose to the circulation in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels. In the muscle and liver, the accumulation and breakdown of glycogen are regulated by the reciprocal activities of glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthase. Glycogen phosphorylase catalyses the key step of glycogen degradation and its activity is inhibited by glucose and its analogues. Thus, any readily accessible inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase may serve as a potential therapy for non-insulin-dependent or type 2 diabetes. Hepatic glycogen phosphorylase has been identified as a novel target for drugs that control blood glucose concentration. Glucopyranosylidene-spiro-thiohydantoin (TH) was found to be one of the most potent glucose derivates, inhibiting the catalytic activity of both muscle and liver glycogen phosphorylase. Here, we demonstrated the co-ordinated regulation of glycogen phosphorylase and synthase by 50 µM TH in liver extracts of Wistar rats, resulting in the activation of synthase by a shortening of the latency compared to control animals. TH was also effective in lowering blood glucose levels and restoring hepatic glycogen content in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, intravenous administration of TH to Zucker diabetic fatty rats significantly decreased hepatic glycogen phosphorylase a levels, and the activation of synthase was initiated without any delay.
    Molecular Medicine Reports 05/2011; 4(3):477-81. · 0.42 Impact Factor
  • Article: Characterization of the effect of TIMAP phosphorylation on its interaction with protein phosphatase 1.
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    ABSTRACT: TIMAP, TGF-β inhibited, membrane-associated protein, is highly abundant in endothelial cells (EC). We have shown earlier the involvement of TIMAP in PKA-mediated ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) dephosphorylation as part of EC barrier protection by TIMAP (Csortos et al., 2008). Emerging data demonstrate the regulatory role of TIMAP on protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) activity. We provide here evidence for specific interaction (K(a) = 1.80 × 10(6) M(-1)) between non-phosphorylated TIMAP and the catalytic subunit of PP1 (PP1c) by surface plasmon resonance based binding studies. Thiophosphorylation of TIMAP by PKA, or sequential thiophosphorylation by PKA and GSK3β slightly modifies the association constant for the interaction of TIMAP with PP1c and decreases the rate of dissociation. However, dephosphorylation of phospho-moesin substrate by PP1cβ is inhibited to different extent in the presence of non- (~60% inhibition), mono- (~50% inhibition) or double-thiophosphorylated (<10% inhibition) form of TIMAP. Our data suggest that double-thiophosphorylation of TIMAP has minor effect on its binding ability to PP1c, but considerably attenuates its inhibitory effect on the activity of PP1c. PKA activation by forskolin treatment of EC prevented thrombin evoked barrier dysfunction and ERM phosphorylation at the cell membrane (Csortos et al., 2008). With the employment of specific GSK3β inhibitor it is shown here that PKA activation is followed by GSK3β activation in bovine pulmonary EC and both of these activations are required for the rescuing effect of forskolin in thrombin treated EC. Our results suggest that the forskolin induced PKA/GSK3β activation protects the EC barrier via TIMAP-mediated decreasing of the ERM phosphorylation level.
    Biochimie 04/2011; 93(7):1139-45. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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    Article: PARP-2 regulates SIRT1 expression and whole-body energy expenditure.
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    ABSTRACT: SIRT1 is a NAD(+)-dependent enzyme that affects metabolism by deacetylating key transcriptional regulators of energy expenditure. Here, we tested whether deletion of PARP-2, an alternative NAD(+)-consuming enzyme, impacts on NAD(+) bioavailability and SIRT1 activity. Our results indicate that PARP-2 deficiency increases SIRT1 activity in cultured myotubes. However, this increase was not due to changes in NAD(+) levels, but to an increase in SIRT1 expression, as PARP-2 acts as a direct negative regulator of the SIRT1 promoter. PARP-2 deletion in mice increases SIRT1 levels, promotes energy expenditure, and increases mitochondrial content. Furthermore, PARP-2(-/-) mice were protected against diet-induced obesity. Despite being insulin sensitized, PARP-2(-/-) mice were glucose intolerant due to a defective pancreatic function. Hence, while inhibition of PARP activity promotes oxidative metabolism through SIRT1 activation, the use of PARP inhibitors for metabolic purposes will require further understanding of the specific functions of different PARP family members.
    Cell metabolism 04/2011; 13(4):450-60. · 17.35 Impact Factor
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    Article: Synthesis of variously coupled conjugates of D-glucose, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, and 1,2,3-triazole for inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase.
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    ABSTRACT: 5-(O-Perbenzoylated-β-D-glucopyranosyl)tetrazole was obtained from O-perbenzoylated-β-D-glucopyranosyl cyanide by Bu(3)SnN(3) or Me(3)SiN(3)-Bu(2)SnO. This tetrazole was transformed into 5-ethynyl- as well as 5-chloromethyl-2-(O-perbenzoylated-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles by acylation with propiolic acid-DCC or chloroacetyl chloride, respectively. The chloromethyl oxadiazole gave the corresponding azidomethyl derivative on treatment with NaN(3). These compounds were reacted with several alkynes and azides under Cu(I) catalysed cycloaddition conditions to give, after removal of the protecting groups by the Zemplén protocol, β-D-glucopyranosyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-1,2,3-triazole, β-D-glucopyranosyl-1,2,3-triazolyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole, and β-D-glucopyranosyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolylmethyl-1,2,3-triazole type compounds. 5-Phenyltetrazole was also transformed under the above conditions into a series of aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-1,2,3-triazoles, aryl-1,2,3-triazolyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles, and aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazolylmethyl-1,2,3-triazoles. The new compounds were assayed against rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b and the best inhibitors had inhibition constants in the upper micromolar range (2-phenyl-5-[1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole 36: K(i)=854μM, 2-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-5-[1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole 47: K(i)=745μM).
    Carbohydrate research 03/2011; 346(12):1427-38. · 2.03 Impact Factor
  • Article: PKCdelta is a positive regulator of chondrogenesis in chicken high density micromass cell cultures.
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    ABSTRACT: We aimed to elucidate the role of the Ca-independent PKC isoenzyme PKCdelta in the regulation of spontaneous in vitro chondrogenesis occurring in a 6-day-long culturing period in chicken limb bud-derived high density cell cultures (HDC). PKCdelta expression and activity were detectable throughout the entire culturing period with a peak on days 2 and 3, when most of the chondroblasts differentiate. To inhibit the activity of PKCdelta, either the natural compound rottlerin was transiently applied to the culture medium of HDC in 2.5, 5 or 10 μM concentrations, or gene silencing was performed by using PKCdelta shRNA. Rottlerin significantly reduced the overall PKC activity in enzyme activity assays of cell-free samples of untreated control HDC, probably via the inhibition of PKCdelta. On the contrary, we were unable to detect any consistent change of PKC enzyme activity assayed in samples of HDC treated with rottlerin during culturing. PKCdelta gene silencing resulted in a significantly lower PKC activity. Both rottlerin and PKCdelta shRNA caused a severe reduction in cartilage formation, furthermore protein and phospho-protein levels of Sox9, the key transcription factor of chondrogenesis, were also significantly decreased. Rottlerin lowered, while PKCdelta gene silencing elevated the phosphorylation status of ERK1/2. Our data suggest that PKCdelta stimulates chondrogenesis via influencing Sox9 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, but the inhibition of cartilage formation in the rottlerin-treated HDC is probably PKCdelta independent and rottlerin might have different effects when applied to cells or to an in vitro enzyme activity assay.
    Biochimie 02/2011; 93(2):149-59. · 3.02 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 2000–2013
    • University of Debrecen
      • • Department of Medical Chemistry
      • • Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology
      • • Department of Organic Chemistry
      Debrecen, Hajdu-Bihar, Hungary
  • 2012
    • Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
      Villeurbanne, Rhone-Alpes, France
  • 2011
    • Hungarian Academy of Sciences
      Budapest, Budapest fovaros, Hungary
  • 2008
    • French National Centre for Scientific Research
      Lyon, Rhone-Alpes, France
  • 2002
    • National Hellenic Research Foundation
      Athens, Attiki, Greece