• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2013

We previously observed that Bacillus subtilis spores from sspE mutants presented a lower germination capacity in media containing high salt concentrations (0.9M NaCl). This deficiency was attributed to the absence of SASP-E (gamma-type small-acid-soluble protein), rich in osmocompatible amino acids released by degradation. Herein we observed that, in addition, this mutant spore presented a reduced capacity to use L-alanine as germinant (L-ala pathway), required longer times to germinate in calcium dipicolinate ($Ca^{2+}$-DPA), but germinated well in asparagine, glucose, fructose, and potassium chloride (AGFK pathway). Moreover, mild sonic treatment of mutant spores partially recovered their germination capacity in L-ala. Spore qualities were also altered, since sporulating colonies from the sspE mutant showed a pale brownish color, a higher adherence to agar plates, and lower autofluorescence, properties related to their spore coat content. Furthermore, biochemical analysis showed a reduced partition in hexadecane and a higher content of $Ca^{2+}$-DPA when compared with its isogenic wild-type control. Coat protein preparations showed a different electrophoretic pattern, in particular when detected with antibodies against CotG and CotE. The complementation with a wild-type sspE gene in a plasmid allowed for recovering the wild-type coat phenotype. This is the first report of a direct involvement of SASP-E in the spore coat assembly during the differentiation program of sporulation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.637-647
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• 2005

This work includes the synthesis of 15 final compounds (6a-h and 7b-h) as prod rugs of 5-ASA in the form of the acid itself, esters and amides linked by an amide linkage through a spacer to the endocyclic ring N of nicotinamide. Also, 15 new intermediate compounds were prepared. The target compounds (6b, 6f, 7b, and 7e-h) revealed potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in comparison to sulfasalazine and 5-ASA. In addition, ulcerogenicity, $LD_{50}$, in vivo and in vitro metabolism of compound 7f were determined.