The University of New Mexico

Galen D Knight

Terence J Scallen

Paul L Mann

Terrance J Scallen

Compounds termed &ldquo;vitaletheine modulators&rdquo; which include beta-alanyl-taurine and carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine are synthesized and added to culture media for in vitro culture of cells such as mammalian or plant cells. The compounds support cell vitality, and provide increased cellular life span, increased cellular bioproductivity, improved cellular function, and adaption of resistant cells to culturing. The compounds further delay senescence, optimize growth and maturation, and increase population doublings. Carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine is produced by coupling &bgr;-alanine, which has it's terminal amine protected with a carbobenzoxy (CBZ) group, to N-hydroxysuccinimide to produce an active ester of &bgr;-alanine, coupling two of the active esters to cystamine to produce a CBZ-protected &bgr;-alethine having an internal disulfide bond, isolating and purifying the CBZ-protected &bgr;-alethine, and reacting the CBZ-protected &bgr;-alethine with iodine to oxidize the disulfide bond to obtain carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine. Beta-alanyl-taurine is produced by the same procedure except that after oxidizing with iodine, the carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine is irradiated with UV radiation to remove the CBZ-protecting group.

In vitro cell culture in media containing beta-alanyl-taurine or carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine

&bgr;-alethine is employed in the differentiation, phenotypic expression, and vitalization of cells, for both in vivo and in vitro applications. Particular applications include the use of &bgr;-alethine in the treatment of immune disorders and diseases, and in the promotion of cell cultures.

&bgr;-alethine use in cell culture and therapy

Compounds termed 'vitaletheine modulators' which include beta-alanyl-taurine and carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine are synthesized and added to culture media for in vitro culture of cells such as mammalian or plant cells. The compounds support cell vitality, and provide increased cellular life span, increased cellular bioproductivity, improved cellular function, and adaption of resistant cells to culturing. Carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine is produced by coupling .beta.-alanine, which has it's terminal amine protected with a carbobenzoxy (CBZ) group, to N-hydroxysuccinimide to produce an active ester of .beta.-alanine, coupling two of the active esters to cystamine to produce a CBZ-protected .beta.-alethine having an internal disulfide bond, isolating and purifying the CBZ-protected .beta.-alethine, and reacting the CBZ-protected .beta.-alethine with iodine to oxidize the disulfide bond to obtain carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine. Beta-alanyl-taurine is produced by the same procedure except that after oxidizing with iodine, the carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine is irradiated with UV radiation to remove the CBZ-protecting group.

In vitro cell culture in media containing beta-alanyl-taurine or

.beta.-alethine is identified as an anti-tumor agent.

.beta.-alethine as anti-tumor agent

A method for treating neoplasia using sulfur-containing derivatives of carboxy-amino-amides, comprising vitaletheine and vitalethine and related compounds, is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Galen D Knight