DNA is the molecular target for many of the drugs that are used in cancer therapeutics. Of particular interest are the minor groove binders, a group of DNA interactive agents that bind to specific regions of the genome and show significant toxicity towards cancer cells [1]. Alkylating agents induce permanent DNA damage and exhibit potent antitumor activity. A range of alkylating agents is known...

The microwave spectrum of 4-methyl-5-vinylthiazole was measured using a pulsed molecular jet Fourier transform spectrometer operating in the frequency range from 2.0 to 26.5 GHz. Only anti-conformer observed. Due internal rotation methyl group, doublets containing an A and E torsional species were found for all rotational transitions. Hyperfine structures arising 14N nuclear quadrupole coupling...

Xylopia aromatica is a native species from Brazil’s “Cerrado”, recommended for restoration ecology and also as a medicine. Its seeds have embryos with morphophysiological dormancy, making nursery propagation difficult. The objective of this study was to verify the efficiency of X-ray and tetrazolium tests for evaluating the viability of three seed lots, stored for different periods. All seeds w...

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that is best known because it mediates the actions of polycyclic and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon environmental toxicants such as 3-methylcholanthrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. We report here the successful identification of an endogenous ligand for this receptor; approximately 20 microg was isolat...

The catalysis, by the enzyme thiaminase, of reversible baseexchange reactions between thiamine and aromatic tertiary amines was first reported by Fujita et al. (1). Related findings with mammalian diphosphopyridine nucleotidases (2) and with methionine activation (3) drew attention to the energy-rich nature of “onium” (4-6) compounds and suggested that the alkylation of thiazole must involve ac...

Bottromycins represent a promising class of antibiotics binding to the therapeutically unexploited A-site of the bacterial ribosome. By inhibiting translation they are active against clinically important pathogens, such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. Structurally, bottromycins are heavily modified peptides exhibiting various unusual biosynthetic features. To set the stage for compound mod...

Objective: To determine the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and anticancer activities of Macranga peltata leaf extracts on A549 P 51 human lung cancer cell lines.
 Methods: Leaf sample was subjected to soxhlet extraction method screening done using different biochemical tests. The activity tested 2,2–diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric ion reducing power assay 2,2–azino bis 3–ethyl b...