Production of M-/GM-group aflatoxins catalyzed by the OrdA enzyme in aflatoxin biosynthesis

Aspergillus parasiticus produces the minor aflatoxins M(1) (AFM(1)), M(2) (AFM(2)), GM(1) (AFGM(1)), and GM(2) (AFGM(2)), as well as the major aflatoxins B(1) (AFB(1)), B(2) (AFB(2)), G(1) (AFG(1)), and G(2) (AFG(2)). Feeding of A. parasiticus with aspertoxin (12c-hydroxyOMST) caused AFM(1) and AFGM(1), and cell-free experiments using the microsomal fraction of A. parasiticus and aspertoxin caused production of AFM(1), indicating that aspertoxin is a precursor of AFM(1) and AFGM(1). Feeding of the same fungus with O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST) caused AFM(1) and AFGM(1) together with AFB(1) and AFG(1); feeding with dihydroOMST (DHOMST) caused AFM(2) and AFGM(2) together with AFB(2) and AFG(2). Incubation of either the microsomal fraction or OrdA enzyme-expressing yeast with OMST caused production of aspertoxin together with AFM(1) and AFB(1). These results demonstrated that the OrdA enzyme catalyzes both 12c-hydroxylation reaction from OMST to aspertoxin and the successive reaction from aspertoxin to AFM(1). In contrast, feeding of the fungus with AFB(1) did not produce any AFM(1), demonstrating that M-/GM-aflatoxins are not produced from B-/G-aflatoxins. Furthermore, AFM(1) together with AFB(1) and AFG(1) was also produced from 11-hydroxyOMST (HOMST) in feeding experiment of A. parasiticus, whereas no aflatoxins were produced when used the ordA deletion mutant. These results demonstrated that OrdA enzyme can also catalyze 12c-hydroxylation of HOMST to produce 11-hydroxyaspertoxin, which serves as a precursor for the production of AFM(1) and AFGM(1). The same pathway may work for the production of AFM(2) and AFGM(2) from DHOMST and dihydroHOMST through the formation of dihydroaspertoxin and dihydro-11-hydroxyaspertoxin, respectively.     

Purification and characterization of the beta-trefoil fold protein barley alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor overexpressed in Escherichia coli

Barley alpha-amylase/subtilisin inhibitor (BASI) is a beta-trefoil fold protein related to soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz) and inhibits barley alpha-amylase isozyme 2 (AMY2), which is de novo synthesized in the seed during germination. Recombinant BASI was produced in Escherichia coli in an untagged form (untagged rBASI), in two His(6)-tag forms (His(6)-rBASI and His(6)-Xa-rBASI), and in an intein-CBD-tagged form (rBASI (intein)). The yields per liter culture after purification were (i) 25 mgl(-1) His(6)-rBASI; (ii) 6 mgl(-1) rBASI purified after cleavage of His(6)-Xa-rBASI by Factor Xa; (iii) 3 mgl(-1) untagged rBASI; and (iv) 0.2 mgl(-1) rBASI after a chitin-column and autohydrolysis of the rBASI-intein-CBD. In Pichia pastoris, rBASI was secreted at 0.1 mgl(-1). The recombinant BASI forms and natural seed BASI (sBASI) all had an identical isoelectric point of 7.2 and a mass of 19,879 Da, as determined by mass spectrometry. The fold of rBASI from the different preparations was confirmed by circular dichroism spectroscopy and rBASI (intein), His(6)-rBASI, and sBASI inhibited AMY2 catalyzed starch hydrolysis with K(i) of 0.10, 0.06, and 0.09 nM, respectively. Surface plasmon resonance analysis of the formation of AMY2/rBASI (intein) gave k(on)=1.3x10(5)M(-1)s(-1), k(off)=1.4x10(-4)s(-1), and K(D)=1.1 nM, and of the savinase-His(6)-rBASI complex k(on)=21.0x10(4)M(-1)s(-1), k(off)=53.0x10(-4)s(-1), and K(D)=25.0 nM, in agreement with sBASI values. K(i) was 77 and 65 nM for inhibition of savinase activity by His(6)-rBASI and sBASI, respectively.     

Metabolism of (1-(13)C) glucose and (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H(3)) acetate in the neuronal and glial compartments of the adult rat brain as detected by [(13)C, (2)H] NMR spectroscopy

Ex vivo ?(13)C, (2)H? NMR spectroscopy allowed to estimate the relative sizes of neuronal and glial glutamate pools and the relative contributions of (1-(13)C) glucose and (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H(3)) acetate to the neuronal and glial tricarboxylic acid cycles of the adult rat brain. Rats were infused during 60 min in the right jugular vein with solutions containing (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H(3)) acetate and (1-(13)C) glucose or (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H(3)) acetate only. At the end of the infusion the brains were frozen in situ and perchloric acid extracts were prepared and analyzed by high resolution (13)C NMR spectroscopy (90.5 MHz). The relative sizes of the neuronal and glial glutamate pools and the contributions of acetyl-CoA molecules derived from (2-(13)C, (2)H(3)) acetate or (1-(13)C) glucose entering the tricarboxylic acid cycles of both compartments, could be determined by the analysis of (2)H-(13)C multiplets and (2)H induced isotopic shifts observed in the C4 carbon resonances of glutamate and glutamine. During the infusions with (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H(3)) acetate and (1-(13)C) glucose, the glial glutamate pool contributed 9% of total cerebral glutamate being derived from (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H(3)) acetyl-CoA (4%), (2-(13)C) acetyl-CoA (3%) and recycled (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H) acetyl-CoA (2%). The neuronal glutamate pool accounted for 91% of the total cerebral glutamate being mainly originated from (2-(13)C) acetyl-CoA (86%) and (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H) acetyl-CoA (5%). During the infusions of (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H(3)) acetate only, the glial glutamate pool contributed 73% of the cerebral glutamate, being derived from (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H(3)) acetyl-CoA (36%), (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H) acetyl-CoA (27%) and (2-(13)C) acetyl-CoA (10%). The neuronal pool contributed 27% of cerebral glutamate being formed from (2-(13)C) acetyl-CoA (11%) and recycled (2-(13)C, 2-(2)H) acetyl-CoA (16%). These results illustrate the potential of ?(13)C, (2)H? NMR spectroscopy as a novel approach to investigate substrate selection and metabolic compartmentation in the adult mammalian brain.     

Circular dichroism spectra of DNA quadruplexes [d(G(5)T(5))](4) as formed with G(4) and T(4) tetrads and [d(G(5)T(5)). d(A(5)C(5))]2 as formed with Watson-Crick-like (G-C)(2) and (T-A)(2) tetrads

We utilize electrophoresis and find that a thermally treated equimolar mixture of the oligonucleotide d(G(5)T(5)) and its complementary oligonucleotide d(A(5)C(5)) exhibits either two bands or a single band in one lane, depending on the conditions of the incubation solutions. The thermally treated d(G(5)T(5)) solution loaded in a different lane exhibits a single band of the parallel quadruplex [d(G(5)T(5))](4), which is composed of homocyclic hydrogen-bonded G(4) and T(4) tetrads previously proposed. For the thermally treated equimolar mixture of d(G(5)T(5)) and d(A(5)C(5)), the fast band is assigned to a Watson-Crick d(G(5)T(5)). d(A(5)C(5)) duplex, so that the slow band with the same low mobility as that of [d(G(5)T(5))](4) may be assigned to either [d(G(5)T(5))](4) itself or a [d(G(5)T(5)). d(A(5)C(5))](2) quadruplex. If the latter compound is true, this may be the antiparallel quadruplex composed of the heterocyclic hydrogen-bonded G-C-G-C and T-A-T-A tetrads proposed previously. After removing these three bands for the duplex and two kinds of hypothetical quadruplexes, we electrophoretically elute the corresponding compounds in the same electrophoresis buffer using an electroeluter. The eluted compounds are ascertained to be stable by electrophoresis. The circular dichroism (CD) and UV absorption spectra measured for the three isolated compounds are found to be clearly different. For the electrophoretic elution of the hypothetical [d(G(5)T(5))](4) quadruplex, the result of the molecularity of n = 4 obtained from the CD melting curve analysis provides further support for the formation of the parallel [d(G(5)T(5))](4) quadruplex already proposed. For the thermally treated equimolar mixture of d(G(5)T(5)) and d(C(5)A(5)), the fast band with a molecularity of n = 2 corresponds to the Watson-Crick duplex, d(G(5)T(5)). d(A(5)C(5)). The slow band with a molecularity of n = 4 indicates the antiparallel quadruplex [d(G(5)T(5)). d(A(5)C(5))](2), whose observed CD and UV spectra are different from those of [d(G(5)T(5))](4). By electrophoresis, after reannealing the eluted compound [d(G(5)T(5)). d(A(5)C(5))](2), a distinct photograph showing the band splitting of this quadruplex band into the lower duplex and upper quadruplex bands is not possible; but by a transilluminator, we occasionally observe this band splitting with the naked eye. The linear response polarizability tensor calculations for the thus determined structures of the [d(G(5)T(5))](4) quadruplex, the McGavin-like [d(G(5)T(5)). d(A(5)C(5))](2) quadruplex, and the Watson-Crick d(G(5)T(5)). d(A(5)C(5)) duplex are found to qualitatively predict the observed CD and UV spectra.     

Reconstitution of vacuolar-type rotary H+-ATPase/synthase from Thermus thermophilus

Vacuolar-type rotary H(+)-ATPase/synthase (V(o)V(1)) from Thermus thermophilus, composed of nine subunits, A, B, D, F, C, E, G, I, and L, has been reconstituted from individually isolated V(1) (A(3)B(3)D(1)F(1)) and V(o) (C(1)E(2)G(2)I(1)L(12)) subcomplexes in vitro. A(3)B(3)D and A(3)B(3) also reconstituted with V(o), resulting in a holoenzyme-like complexes. However, A(3)B(3)D-V(o) and A(3)B(3)-V(o) did not show ATP synthesis and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive ATPase activity. The reconstitution process was monitored in real time by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between an acceptor dye attached to subunit F or D in V(1) or A(3)B(3)D and a donor dye attached to subunit C in V(o). The estimated dissociation constants K(d) for V(o)V(1) and A(3)B(3)D-V(o) were ～0.3 and ～1 nm at 25 °C, respectively. These results suggest that the A(3)B(3) domain tightly associated with the two EG peripheral stalks of V(o), even in the absence of the central shaft subunits. In addition, F subunit is essential for coupling of ATP hydrolysis and proton translocation and has a key role in the stability of whole complex. However, the contribution of the F subunit to the association of A(3)B(3) with V(o) is much lower than that of the EG peripheral stalks.     

Synthesis of blockwise alkylated (1→4) linked trisaccharides as surfactants: influence of configuration of anomeric position on their surface activities

New carbohydrate-based surfactants consisting of hydrophilic cellobiosyl and hydrophobic glucosyl residues, methyl β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside 1 (GβGαMα, G: glucopyranosyl residue, α and β: α-(1→4)- and β-(1→4) glycosidic bonds, M: methyl group), 2 (G(β)G(β)M(α)), 3 (G(β)G(α)M(β)), 4 (G(β)G(β)M(β)), 5 (G(β)G(α)E(α), E: ethyl group), 6 (G(β)G(β)E(α)), 7 (G(β)G(α)E(β)), 8 (G(β)G(β)E(β)) and eight α-and β-glycoside mixtures (a mixture of 1 and 2: 1/2=62/38 (9), 32/68 (10); a mixture of 3 and 4: 3/4=69/31 (11), 32/68 (12); a mixture of 5 and 6: 5/6=62/38 (13), 33/67 (14); a mixture of 7 and 8: 7/8=59/41 (15), 29/71 (16)) were synthesized via combined methods consisting of acid-catalyzed alcoholysis of cellulose ethers and glycosylation of phenyl thio-cellobioside derivatives. Their surface activities in aqueous solution depended on their chemical structures: α- or β-(1→4) linkage between hydrophilic cellobiosyl and hydrophobic glucosyl blocks, methyl or ethyl groups of hydrophobic glucosyl block, and α- or β-linked ether group at the C-1 of hydrophobic glucosyl block. The mixing effect of α- and β-glycosides on surface activities was also investigated. As a result, ethyl β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3,6-tri-O-ethyl-β-d-glucopyranoside 7 (G(β)G(α)E(β)) had the highest surface activity, and its critical micellar concentration (CMC) and γ(CMC) (surface tension at CMC) values of compound 7 were 0.5mM (ca. 0.03wt%) and 34.5mN/m, respectively. The surface tensions of α- and β-glycoside mixtures except for compounds 9 and 10 were almost equal to those of pure compounds. The syntheses of the mixtures of α- and β-glycosides without purification process are easier than those of pure compounds. Thus, the mixtures should be more practical compounds for industrial use as a surfactant.     

Capacitance and resistance of the bilayer lipid membrane formed of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol

Capacity and electric resistance of lipid membranes composed of lecithin and cholesterol were determined. The components were chosen for the study because they were present in biological membranes. Capacitance of the lecithin and cholesterol membranes amounts to 0.38 and 0.61 microF/cm(2), and resistance to 1.44(10(4)and 2.12(10(6)Omega cm(2), respectively. A 1:1 complex appears as a result of lecithin-cholesterol membrane formation. Parameters of the membrane formed of the lecithin-cholesterol complex were determined: surface concentration (Gamma(3)), capacitance (C(3)), and conductance (R;(3)(-1), as well as the stability constant (K) of the complex. The mean values of those magnitudes are as follows: 4.265(10(-6)mol/m(2), 0.54 microF/cm(2), 1.381(10(-6)Omega(-1)cm(-2)and 3.748(10(7), respectively.     

Purification and kinetics of a raw starch-hydrolyzing,thermostable, and neutral glucoamylase of the thermophilic mold Thermomucor indicae-seudaticae

The purified glucoamylase of the thermophilic mold Thermomucor indicae-seudaticaehad a molecular mass of 42 kDa with a pI of 8.2. It is a glycoprotein with 9-10.5% carbohydrate content, which acted optimally at 60 degrees C and pH 7.0, with a t(1/2) of 12 h at 60 degrees C and 7 h at 80 degrees C. Its experimental activation energy was 43 KJ mol(-1) with temperature quotient (Q(10)) of 1.35, while the values predicted by response surface methodology (RSM) were 43 KJ mol(-1) and 1.28, respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed soluble starch at 50 degrees C (K(m) 0.50 mg mL(-1) and V(max) 109 micromol mg(-1) protein min(-1)) and at 60 degrees C (K(m) 0.40 and V(max) 143 micromol mg(-1) protein min(-1)). The experimental K(m) and V(max) values are in agreement with the predicted values at 50 degrees C (K(m) 0.45 mg mL(-1) and V(max) 111.11 micromol mg(-1) protein min(-1)) and at 60 degrees C (K(m) 0.36 mg mL(-1)and V(max) 142.85 micromol mg(-1) protein min(-1)). An Arrhenius plot indicated thermal activation up to 60 degrees C, and thereafter, inactivation. The enzyme was strongly stimulated by Co(2+), Fe(2+), Ag(2+), and Ca(2+), slightly stimulated by Cu(2+) and Mg(2+), and inhibited by Hg(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+), and Mn(2+). Among additives, dextran and trehalose slightly enhanced the activity. Glucoamylase activity was inhibited by EDTA, beta-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, and n-bromosuccinimide, and n-ethylmaleimide inhibited its activity completely. This suggested the involvement of tryptophan and cysteine in catalytic activity and the critical role of disulfide linkages in maintaining the conformation of the enzyme. The enzyme hydrolyzed around 82% of soluble starch and 65% of raw starch (K(m) 2.4 mg mL(-1), V(max) 50 micromol mg(-1) protein min(-1)), and it was remarkably insensitive to glucose, suggesting its applicability in starch saccharification.     

Dissociation constants of protonated methionine species in NaCl media

The sulfur-containing amino acid, methionine, has a role in the physiological environment because of its strong interactions with metals. To understand these interactions of metals with methionine, one needs reliable dissociation constants for the protonated methionine species (NH(3)(+)CH(CH(2)CH(2)SCH(3))COOH; H(2)B(+)). The values of stoichiometric dissociation constants, pK(i)*, for protonated methionine species (H(2)B(+) if H(+)+HB, K(1); HB if H(+)+B(-), K(2)) were determined from potentiometric measurements in NaCl solutions as a function of ionic strength, 0.25-6.0 mol (kg H(2)O)(-1) and temperature (5-45 degrees C). The results were extrapolated to pure water using the Pitzer equations to estimate the activity of H(+), H(2)B(+), HB and B(-) as a function of ionic strength and temperature. The resulting thermodynamic values of K(1) and K(2) were fit to the equations (T/K): ln K(1)=69.0013-3496.58/(T/K)-10.9153 ln (T/K); ln K(2)=116.4162-10638.02/(T/K)-18.0553 ln (T/K) with standard errors of 0.003 and 0.033, respectively, for ln K(1)* and ln K(2)*. Pitzer interaction parameters (lambda(HB-Na) and zeta(HB-Na-Cl)) for the neutral HB were determined from literature data. The Pitzer parameters (beta(0)(H(2)BCl), beta(1)(H(2)BCl) and C(phi)(H(2)BCl)) for the interactions of H(2)B(+) with Cl(-) and Na(+) with and B(2-) (beta(0)(NaB), beta(1)(NaB) and C(phi)(NaB)) were also determined. These coefficients can be used to make reasonable estimates of the activity coefficients of methionine species and the pK(i)(*) for the dissociation of methionine in physiological solutions, composed mostly of NaCl over a wide range of temperature and ionic strength.     

The effect of temperature on C(4)-type leaf photosynthesis parameters

C(4)-type photosynthesis is known to vary with growth and measurement temperatures. In an attempt to quantify its variability with measurement temperature, the photosynthetic parameters - the maximum catalytic rate of the enzyme ribulose 1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) (V(cmax)), the maximum catalytic rate of the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) (V(pmax)) and the maximum electron transport rate (J(max)) - were examined. Maize plants were grown in climatic-controlled phytotrons, and the curves of net photosynthesis (A(n)) versus intercellular air space CO(2) concentrations (C(i)), and A(n) versus photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were determined over a temperature range of 15-40 degrees C. Values of V(cmax), V(pmax) and J(max) were computed by inversion of the von Caemmerer & Furbank photosynthesis model. Values of V(pmax) and J(max) obtained at 25 degrees C conform to values found in the literature. Parameters for an Arrhenius equation that best fits the calculated values of V(cmax), V(pmax) and J(max) are then proposed. These parameters should be further tested with C(4) plants for validation. Other model key parameters such as the mesophyll cell conductance to CO(2) (g(i)), the bundle sheath cells conductance to CO(2) (g(bs)) and Michaelis-Menten constants for CO(2) and O(2) (K(c), K(p) and K(o)) also vary with temperature and should be better parameterized.     

Substrate-specific interactions with the heme-bound oxygen molecule of nitric-oxide synthase

We report the characterization by resonance Raman spectroscopy of the oxygenated complex (Fe(II)O(2)) of nitric-oxide synthases of Staphylococcus aureus (saNOS) and Bacillus subtilis (bsNOS) saturated with N(omega)-hydroxy-l-arginine. The frequencies of the nu(Fe-O) and nu(O-O) modes were 530 and 1135 cm(-), respectively, in both the presence and absence of tetrahydrobiopterin. On the basis of a comparison of these frequencies with those of saNOS and bsNOS saturated with l-arginine (nu(Fe-O) at 517 cm(-1) and nu(O-O) at 1123 cm(-1)) and those of substrate-free saNOS (nu(Fe-O) at 517 and nu(O-O) at 1135 cm(-1)) (Chartier, F. J. M., Blais, S. P., and Couture, M. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 9953-9962), we propose two models that account for the frequency shift of nu(Fe-O) (but not nu(O-O)) upon N(omega)-hydroxy-l-arginine binding as well as the frequency shift of nu(O-O) (but not nu(Fe-O)) upon l-arginine binding. The implications of these substrate-specific interactions with respect to catalysis by NOSs are discussed.     

豚鼠主动脉前庭自发性慢反应电位去极离子流的初步分析

为研究主动脉前庭自发慢反应电位的去极离充性质,利用豚鼠的离体以及心脏,常规玻璃微电极细胞内记录方法和离子通道组断剂,观测最大舒张电位（ＭＤＰ）、０相除极幅度（ＡＰＡ）、０相最大除极速度（Ｖｍａｘ）、４个自动除极速度（ＶＤＤ）、复极５０％（ＡＰＤ５０）和９０％（ＡＰＤ９０）的时间以及自发放电频率（ＲＰＦ）。结果发现：⑴０．５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ尼索地平（Ｎｉｓ）可使该慢电位的ＡＰＡ、Ｖｍａｘ、ＶＤＤ明显减小     

Seasonal fluctuations in Vitis vinifera root respiration in the field

We studied the seasonal fluctuation of soil respiration (R(S)), and its root-dependent (R(R)) and basal (R(B)) components, in a Vitis vinifera (Chardonnay) vineyard. The R(S) components were estimated through independent field methods (y-intercept and trenching) and modeled on the basis of a Q(10) response to soil temperature, and fine and coarse root respiration coefficients. The effect of assimilate availability on R(R) was assessed through a trunk girdling treatment. The apparent Q(10) for R(R) was twice that of R(B) (3.5 vs 1.6) and increased linearly with increasing vine root biomass. The fastest R(R) of fine roots was during rapid fruit growth and the fastest R(R) of coarse roots was immediately following fruit development. R(S) was estimated at 32.6 kg ha(-1) d(-1) (69% as a result of R(R) ) for the hottest month and at 7.6 kg ha(-1) d(-1) (18% as a result of R(R)) during winter dormancy. Annual R(S) was low compared with other natural and cultivated ecosystems: 5.4 Mg ha(-1) (46% as a result of R(R)). Our estimates of annual vineyard R(S) are the first for any horticultural crop and suggest that the assumption that they are similar to those of annual crops or forest trees might lead to an overestimation.     

Integrating two physiological approaches helps relate respiration to growth of Pinus radiata

Correlation methods originating in the growth and maintenance paradigm (GMP) are traditionally used to calculate a 'growth coefficient' (g) or the 'growth potential' (1/g) of entire plants. The enthalpy balance approach is usually applied to plant organs and relies on determination of both CO(2) release and O(2) reduction to provide a measure of instantaneous rates of enthalpic growth (R(SG)DeltaH(B)). Aspects of both the approaches to explore physiological mechanisms that govern enthalpic growth (variation in rates of CO(2) release versus rates of O(2) reduction) were combined. Respiration and growth rates of apical buds of Pinus radiata were affected strongly by canopy position, and moderately by branching order. A linear relation between enthalpic growth and CO(2) respiration explained 69% of the observed variation. Despite faster rates of growth, enthalpic growth potential (1/g(H)) was comparatively low in the upper canopy. Low enthalpic growth potential entailed comparatively low enthalpy conversion efficiency (eta(H), ratio of R(SG)DeltaH(B) to R(CO(2)) DeltaH(CO(2)); proportional to CO(2):O(2) and to carbon conversion efficiency epsilon) at large R(SG)DeltaH(B). Maximizing enthalpic growth requires a large capacity for O(2) reduction. Relations between R(SG)DeltaH(B) and eta(H) could be described by hyperbolae using two parameters. One parameter, P(1), is equivalent to enthalpic growth potential (1/g(H)).     

Potentiometric and (1)H NMR studies of complexation of Al(3+) with (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, a major active constituent of green tea.

The acid dissociation of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (abbreviated as egcg) and its complexation with Al(3+) were studied by potentiometric titrations, and were compared with those of (-)-epicatechin (ec) and (-)-epigallocatechin (egc). In Al(3+)-ec and Al(3+)-egc reaction systems, [Al(LH(-2))](+), [Al(LH(-2))(OH)](0), and [Al(LH(-2))(2)](-) are formed, as reported for Al(3+)-catechin (c). Reactions between Al(3+) and egcg at pH <4.1 yield AlLH(-2) and AlLH(-3) species. The 1H NMR studies have shown that two hydroxyl groups of the gallate (D) ring are deprotonated and coordinated to an Al(3+) ion in [Al(egcgH(-2))](+). The AlLH(-3) species of egcg is supposed to be formulated as [Al(egcgH(-3))](0) in which one hydroxyl group of the pyrogallol (B) ring and two hydroxyl groups of the D ring are deprotonated; an Al(3+) ion is coordinated to two oxygen atoms of the D ring and one oxygen atom from the B ring of the neighboring chelate molecule, resulting in the formation of a polymeric structure. In the Al(3+) complex of egcg, the gallate group forms major coordinate bonds and results in solution properties that are different from those of ec, egc and c which have no gallate group.     

Spectral and thermodynamic properties of Ag(I), Au(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), U(IV), and Zn(II) binding by methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Methanobactin (mb) is a novel chromopeptide that appears to function as the extracellular component of a copper acquisition system in methanotrophic bacteria. To examine this potential physiological role, and to distinguish it from iron binding siderophores, the spectral (UV–visible absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence, and X-ray photoelectron) and thermodynamic properties of metal binding by mb were examined. In the absence of Cu(II) or Cu(I), mb will bind Ag(I), Au(III), Co(II), Cd(II), Fe(III), Hg(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), U(VI), or Zn(II), but not Ba(II), Ca(II), La(II), Mg(II), and Sr(II). The results suggest metals such as Ag(I), Au(III), Hg(II), Pb(II) and possibly U(VI) are bound by a mechanism similar to Cu, whereas the coordination of Co(II), Cd(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) by mb differs from Cu(II). Consistent with its role as a copper-binding compound or chalkophore, the binding constants of all the metals examined were less than those observed with Cu(II) and copper displaced other metals except Ag(I) and Au(III) bound to mb. However, the binding of different metals by mb suggests that methanotrophic activity also may play a role in either the solubilization or immobilization of many metals in situ.     

神经递质对豚鼠左心室流出道自律细胞电活动的影响

为研究左心室流出道慢反应自律细胞的神经支配和受体分布,本实验采用标准玻璃微电极细胞内记录技术,分别观测了肾上腺素能和胆碱能受体激动剂及相应的受体拮抗剂对离体豚鼠左心室流出道组织自发慢反应电位的影响。观测指标有：最大舒张电位（maximal diastolic potential,MDP）、动作电位幅度（amplitude of action potential,APA）、0相最大去极速度（maximal rate of depolarization,Vmax）、4相自动去极速度（velocity of diastolic depolarization,VDD）、复极50％时间（50％of duration of action potential,APD50）和90％时间（90％ of duration of action potential,APD50）以及自发放电频率（rate of pacemaker firing,RPF）。结果表明：（1）100μmol／L异丙肾上腺素（isoprenaline,Iso）可使RPF和VDD显著加快（P〈0．01）,MDP绝对值和APA显著增大（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）,Vmax加快（P〈0．05）,APD50缩短（P〈0．01）,这些变化均可被5μmol／L心得安拮抗;（2）100μmol／L肾上腺素（epinephrine,E）可使RPF和VDD加快（P＜0．01,P〈0．05）,APA显著增大（P〈0．001）,Vmax加快（P〈0．05）,APD50和APD90缩短（P＜0．05）;（3）100μmol／L去甲肾上腺素（norepinephrine,NE）可使VDD和RPF加快（P＜0．05）,APA显著增大（P〈0．05）,Vmax明显加快（P〈0．05）,APD50缩短（P〈0．05）,这些变化可被100μmol／L酚妥拉明拮抗;（4）10μmol／L ACh可使VDD和RPF减慢（P〈0．05）,APA显著减小（P〈0．01）,APD50缩短（P〈0．05）;ACh对APD50的缩短效应可被10μmol／L阿托品拮抗（P〈0．05）。结果提示：左心室流出道自律细胞膜上可能存在α-肾上腺素能受体（α-adrenergic receptor,α-AR、β-肾上腺素能受体（β-adrenergic receptor,β-AR）以及M型胆碱能受体（muscarinic receptor,MR）,其自律性电活动可能也接受心交感神经和心迷走神经调控。     

Degradation mechanisms of phenolic beta-1 lignin substructure model compounds by laccase of Coriolus versicolor

Phenolic beta-1 lignin substructure model compounds, 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-2-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-ethoxyphenyl)propa ne-1, 3-diol (I) and 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-(3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol (II) were degraded by laccase of Coriolus versicolor. Substrate I was converted to 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-ethoxyphenyl)-3- hydroxypropanone (III), 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyethanone (IV), syringaldehyde (V), 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-ethoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropanal (VI), 2,6-dimethoxy-p-hydroquinone (VII), and 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (VIII). Furthermore, incorporations of 18O of 18O2 into ethanone (IV) and 18O of H218O into hydroquinone (VII) and benzoquinone (VIII) were confirmed. Substrate II gave 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane-1, 2-diol (IX), 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyethanone (X), and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-ethoxybenzaldehyde (XI). Also 18O of H218O was incorporated into glycol (IX) and ethanone (X). Based on the structures of the degradation products and the isotopic experiments, it was established that three types of reactions occurred via phenoxy radicals of substrates caused by laccase: (i) C alpha-C beta cleavage (between C1 and C2 carbons); (ii) alkyl-aryl cleavage (between C1 carbon and aryl group); and (iii) C alpha (C1) oxidation.     

Bioactive N-terminal undecapeptides derived from parathyroid hormone: the role of alpha-helicity.

The N-terminal 1-34 segment of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is fully active in vitro and in vivo and it can reproduce all biological responses in bone characteristic of the native intact PTH. Recent studies have demonstrated that N-terminal fragments presenting the principal activating domain such as PTH(1-11) and PTH(1-14) with helicity-enhancing substitutions yield potent analogues with PTH(1-34)-like activity. To further investigate the role of alpha-helicity on biological potency, we designed and synthesized by solid-phase methodology the following hPTH(1-11) analogues substituted at positions 1 and/or 3 by the sterically hindered and helix-promoting C(alpha)-tetrasubstituted alpha-amino acids alpha-amino isobutyric acid (Aib), 1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac(5)c) and 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac(6)c): Ac(5)c-V-Aib-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (I); Aib-V-Ac(5)c-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (II); Ac(6)c-V-Aib-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (III); Aib-V-Ac(6)c-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (IV); Aib-V-Aib-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (V); S-V-Aib-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (VI), S-V-Ac(5)c-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (VII); Ac(5)c-V-S-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (VIII); Ac(6)c-V-S-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (IX); Ac(5)c-V-Ac(5)c-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (X); Ac(6)c-V-Ac(6)c-E-I-Q-L-M-H-Q-R-NH(2) (XI). All analogues were biologically evaluated and conformationally characterized in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) solution by circular dichroism (CD). Analogues I-V, which cover the full range of biological activity observed in the present study, were further conformationally characterized in detail by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and computer simulations studies. The results of ligand-stimulated cAMP accumulation experiments indicated that analogues I and II are active, analogues III, VI and VII are very weakly active and analogues IV, V, VIII-XI are inactive. The most potent analogue, I exhibits biological activity 3500-fold higher than that of the native PTH(1-11) and only 15-fold weaker than that of the native sequence hPTH(1-34). Remarkably, the two most potent analogues, I and II, and the very weakly active analogues, VI and VII, exhibit similar helix contents. These results indicate that the presence of a stable N-terminal helical sequence is an important but not sufficient condition for biological activity.