Peroxynitrite scavenging by ferrous truncated hemoglobin GlbO from Mycobacterium leprae

Mycobacterium leprae GlbO has been proposed to represent merging of both O(2) uptake/transport and scavenging of nitrogen reactive species. Peroxynitrite reacts with M. leprae GlbO(II)-NO leading to GlbO(III) via the GlbO(III)-NO species. The value of the second order rate constant for GlbO(III)-NO formation is >1x10(8)M(-1)s(-1) in the absence and presence of CO(2) (1.2x10(-3)M). The CO(2)-independent value of the first order rate constant for GlbO(III)-NO denitrosylation is (2.5+/-0.4)x10(1)s(-1). Furthermore, peroxynitrite reacts with GlbO(II)-O(2) leading to GlbO(III) via the GlbO(IV)O species. Values of the second order rate constant for GlbO(IV)O formation are (4.8+/-0.5)x10(4) and (6.3+/-0.7)x10(5)M(-1)s(-1) in the absence and presence of CO(2) (=1.2x10(-3)M), respectively. The value of the second order rate constant for the peroxynitrite-mediated GlbO(IV)O reduction (= (1.5+/-0.2)x10(4)M(-1)s(-1)) is CO(2)-independent. These data argue for a role of GlbO in the defense of M. leprae against nitrosative stress.     

13C-enrichment at carbons 8 and 2 of uric acid after 13C-labeled folate dose in man

To evaluate folate-dependent carbon incorporation into the purine ring, we measured (13)C-enrichment independently at C(2) and C(8) of urinary uric acid (the final catabolite of purines) in a healthy male after an independent oral dose of [6RS]-5-[(13)C]-formyltetrahydrofolate ([6RS]-5-H(13)CO-H(4)folate) or 10-H(13)CO-7,8-dihydrofolate (10-H(13)CO-H(2)folate). The C(2) position was (13)C-enriched more than C(8) after [6RS]-5-H(13)CO-H(4)folate, and C(2) was exclusively enriched after 10-H(13)CO-H(2)folate. The enrichment of C(2) was greater from [6RS]-5-H(13)CO-H(4)folate than 10-H(13)CO-H(2)folate using equimolar bioactive doses. Our data suggest that formyl C of [6RS]-10-H(13)CO-H(4)folate was not equally utilized by glycinamide ribotide transformylase (enriches C(8)) and aminoimidazolecarboxamide ribotide (AICAR) transformylase (enriches C(2)), and the formyl C of 10-H(13)CO-H(2)folate was exclusively used by AICAR transformylase. 10-HCO-H(2)folate may function in vivo as the predominant substrate for AICAR transformylase in humans.     

The first structural study on a cyclic tricoordinate phosphorochloridite and a pentacoordinate phosphorane based on 1,2,3,5-protected myo-inositol--a new conformation of 1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane ring

Treatment of the phosphoramidite [myo-C(6)H(6)-2-[OC(O)Ph]-1,3,5-(O(3)CH)-4,6-(O(2)P-NH-i-Pr)] with o-chloranil affords the first example of inositol-based pentacoordinate phosphorane [myo-C(6)H(6)-2-[OC(O)Ph]-1,3,5-(O(3)CH)-4,6-(O(2)P-NH-i-Pr)(1,2-O(2)C(6)Cl(4))] (9) (X-ray structure) with a trigonal bipyramidal geometry at phosphorus. The six-membered 1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane ring with the inositol residue has an unusual boat conformation in 9 which is quite different from that found in unrestrained rings investigated before, but is similar to that of its P(III) chloro precursor [myo-C(6)H(6)-2-[OC(O)Ph]-1,3,5-(O(3)CH)-4,6-(O(2)PCl)] (X-ray structure). Also, a convenient and chromatography-free procedure for the protected myo-inositol derivative [myo-C(6)H(6)-2-[OC(O)Ph]-1,3,5-(O(3)CH)-4,6-(OH)(2)] is reported.     

Evidence that the tertiary structure of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg(3) with tight hydrophobic packing near the chiral center is important for Na(+) channel regulation

Ginsenosides are the active ingredients of Panax ginseng. Ginsenoside Rg(3) exists as two stereoisomers of carbon-20: 20-S-protopanaxatriol-3-[O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside] (20(S)-Rg(3)) and 20-R-protopanaxatriol-3-[O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside] (20(R)-Rg(3)). Recently, we reported that 20(S)-Rg(3) regulates voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel activity and several types of ligand-gated ion channels, whereas 20(R)-Rg(3) does not have this activity. In this study, we investigated the structure-activity relationship of these two stereoisomers by NMR spectroscopy and by measurement of the current in Xenopus oocytes expressing the mouse cardiac voltage-dependent Na(+) channel (Na(v)1.5). We found that 20(S)-Rg(3) but not 20(R)-Rg(3) inhibited Na(+) channel current in a dose- and voltage-dependent manner. The difference between Rg(3) epimers in voltage-dependent ion channel regulation indicates that the structure of 20(S)-Rg(3) may be geometrically better aligned than that of 20(R)-Rg(3) for interaction with receptor regions in Na(+) channels. The (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts, including all hydroxyl protons of 20(S)-Rg(3) and 20(R)-Rg(3), were completely assigned, and their tertiary structures were determined. 20(S)-Rg(3) has more tight hydrophobic packing near the chiral center than 20(R)-Rg(3). Tertiary structures and activities of 20(S)-Rg(3) and 20(R)-Rg(3) indicate that 20(S)-Rg(3) may have stronger interactions with the receptor region in ion channels than 20(R)-Rg(3). This may result in different stereoselectivity of Rg(3) stereoisomers in the regulation of voltage-dependent Na(+) channel activity. This is the first structural approach to ginsenoside action on ion channel.     

Enantioselective recognition of ammonium perchlorate salts by optically active monoaza-15-crown-5 ethers

Chiral monoaza-15-crown-5 ethers (1, 2) were prepared from (R)-(-)-2-amino-1-butanol in high yield. The chiral monoaza-15-crown-5 ethers were purified directly as NaClO(4) complexes. Molecular recognition by these chiral monoaza-crown ethers of (R)- and (S)-PhEtHClO(4) and (R)- and (S)-NapEtHClO(4) as characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy. The order of enantiomeric selectivity is (R)- > (S)- PhEtHClO(4) and (S)- > (R)-NapEtHClO(4) for 1. In the case of 2 it was (R)- > (S)-PhEtHClO(4) and (R)- > (S)- NapEtHClO(4). The cavity of macrocycle and steric hindrance of the benzene units appears to play an important role in recognition.     

Bradykinin analogs containing the 4-amino-2-benzazepin-3-one scaffold at the C-terminus.

High affinity peptide ligands for the bradykinin (BK) B(2) subtype receptor have been shown to adopt a beta-turn conformation of the C-terminal tetrapeptide (H-Arg(1)-Pro(2)-Pro(3)-Gly(4)-Phe(5)-Ser(6)-Pro(7)-Phe(8)-Arg(9)-OH). We investigated the replacement of the Pro(7)-Phe(8) dipeptide moiety in BK or the D-Tic(7)-Oic(8) subunit in HOE140 (H-D-Arg(0)-Arg(1)-Pro(2)-Hyp(3)-Gly(4)-Thi(5)-Ser(6)-D-Tic(7)-Oic(8)-Arg(9)-OH) by 4-amino-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2-benzazepin-3-one templates (Aba). Binding studies to the human B(2) receptor showed a correlation between the affinities of the BK analogs and the propensity of the templates to adopt a beta-turn conformation. The L-spiro-Aba-Gly containing HOE140 analog BK10 has the best affinity, which correlates with the known turn-inducing property of this template. All the compounds did not modify basal inositolphosphate (IP) output in B(2)-expressing CHO cells up to 10 microM concentration. The antagonist properties were confirmed by the guinea pig ileum smooth muscle contractility assay. The new amino-benzazepinone (Aba) substituted BK analogs were found to be surmountable antagonists.     

Crystal-state 3D-structural characterization of novel, Aib-based, turn and helical peptides.

The crystal-state conformations of the hexapeptide amide Pht-(Aib)(6)-NH-C(CH(3))(2)-O-OtBu (7), the hexapeptide Ac-L-aIle-(Aib)(5)-OtBu (6), the pentapeptide Z-(Aib)(3)-L-Glu(OtBu)-Aib-O-(CH(2))(2)-(1)Nap (5), the tetrapeptides Z-(Aib)(2)-L-His(N(tau)-Trt)-Aib-OMe (4 I) and Z-(Aib)(2)-L-Nva-Aib-OtBu (4 II), the tripeptide Pyr-(Aib)(3)-OtBu (3 I), the dipeptide amides Pyr-(Aib)(2)-(4)NH-TEMPO (3 II) and Piv-(Aib)(2)-NH-C(CH(3))(2)-O-OtBu (3 III), and the dipeptides Pht-Aib-betaAc(6)c-OtBu (2 I), Pht-Aib-NH-C(CH(3))(2)-O-OtBu (2 II) and Boc-gGly-mAib-OH (2 III) have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. All peptides investigated are characterized by one or more turn/helix forming Aib residues. Except the three short dipeptides, all are folded into C==O...H--N intramolecularly H-bonded 3(10)-helices, or into various types of beta-turns. In the structure of 6, two independent molecules of opposite screw sense were observed in the asymmetric unit, generating diastereomeric 3(10)-helices.     

Acylated anthocyanins from red radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Twelve acylated anthocyanins were isolated from the red radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses. Six of these were identified as pelargonidin 3-O-[6-O-(E)-feruloyl-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-5-O-(beta-D-glucopyranoside), pelargonidin 3-O-[6-O-(E)-caffeoyl-2-O-(6-(E)-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-5-O-(beta-D-glucopyranoside), pelargonidin 3-O-[6-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-2-O-(6-(E)-caffeoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-5-O-(beta-D-glucopyranoside), pelargonidin 3-O-[6-O-(E)-feruloyl-2-O-(6-(E)-caffeoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-5-O-(beta-D-glucopyranoside), pelargonidin 3-O-[6-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-2-O-(6-(E)-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-5-O-(beta-D-glucopyranoside), and pelargonidin 3-O-[6-O-(E)-feruloyl-2-O-(2-(E)-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside]-5-O-(beta-D-glucopyranoside).     

Hexadecane mineralization and denitrification in two diesel fuel-contaminated soils

The effect of nitrate, ammonium and urea on the mineralization of [(14)C]hexadecane (C(16)H(34)) and on denitrification was evaluated in two soils contaminated with diesel fuel. In soil A, addition of N fertilizers did not stimulate or inhibit background hexadecane mineralization (4.3 mg C(16)H(34) kg(-1) day(-1)). In soil B, only NaNO(3) stimulated hexadecane mineralization (0.91 mg C(16)H(34) kg(-1) day(-1)) compared to soil not supplemented with any nitrogen nutrient (0.17 mg C(16)H(34) kg(-1) day(-1)). Hexadecane mineralization was not stimulated in this soil by NH(4)NO(3) (0.13 mg C(16)H(34) kg(-1) day(-1)), but the addition of NH(4)Cl or urea suppressed hexadecane mineralization (0.015 mg C(16)H(34) kg(-1) day(-1)). Addition of 2 kPa C(2)H(2) did not inhibit the mineralization process in either soil. Denitrification occurred in both soils studied when supplemented with NaNO(3) and NH(4)NO(3), but was not detected with other N sources. Denitrification started after a longer lag in soil A (10 days) than in soil B (4 days). In soil A microcosms supplemented with NaNO(3) or NH(4)NO(3), rates of denitrification were 20.6 and 13.6 mg NO(3)(-) kg(-1) day(-1), respectively, and in soil B, they were 18.5 and 12.5 mg NO(3)(-) kg(-1) day(-1), respectively. We conclude that denitrification may lead to a substantial loss of nitrate, making it unavailable to the mineralizing bacterial population. Nitrous oxide was an important end-product accounting for 30-100% of total denitrification. These results indicate the need for preliminary treatability studies before implementing full-scale treatment processes incorporating commercial fertilizers.     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性与2型 糖尿病脑梗死的关系

研究载脂蛋白E (ApoE) 基因多态性与中国东北汉族2型糖尿病合并脑梗死的关系。采用聚合酶链反应－限制性片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）技术,检测了208例个体的ApoE基因多态性,其中对照（CON）组69例,2型糖尿病无大血管病变（T2DM）组67例和2型糖尿病合并脑梗死（T2DMCI）组72例;同时测定了其中70例T2DMCI患者的血脂含量。CON组等位基因频率为：ε2 9.6％、ε3 82.4％、ε4 8.1％,基因型频率为：ε2ε3 13.2％、ε3ε367.6％、ε3ε416.2％;T2DM组等位基因频率为：ε2 10.5％、ε3 84.3％、ε4 5.2％,基因型频率为：ε2ε3 19.4％、ε3ε370.1％、ε3ε49％;T2DMCI组等位基因频率为：ε2 11.8％、ε3 84.7％、ε4 3.5％,基因型频率为：ε2ε3 15.2％、ε3ε375％、ε3ε44.2％。3组间等位基因和基因型频率的差异经检验无统计学意义。T2DMCI患者中各基因型之间的血浆总胆固醇 （TC）、甘油三酯 （TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）水平亦无显著性差异。在中国东北汉族人群中,未发现ApoE基因多态性与T2DMCI之间存在关联,亦未发现ApoE基因多态性与T2DMCI患者的TC、TG、 HDL-C和 LDL-C水平之间存在关联。Abstract: In order to explore the association of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism with cerebral infarction in type 2 diabetic patients of Han nationality in Northeast China , the genotypes of ApoE gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction –restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in the 208 cases, including 69 cases in control (CON) group and 67 in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) group as well as 72 in type 2 diabetes mellitus with cerebral infarction (T2DMCI) group. Plasma lipid content in T2DMCI was also detected for 70 cases. The distribution of genotypes in ApoE gene,ε2ε3、ε3ε3 as well asε3ε4 was no significant difference in three groups (ε2ε3 : 13.2％、ε3ε3 : 67.6％、ε3ε4 : 16.2％in CON group;ε2ε3 : 19.4％、ε3ε3: : 70.1％ε3ε4 : 9％in T2DM group;ε2ε3 : 15.2％、ε3ε3 : 75％、ε3ε4 : 4.2％in T2DMCI group).The allele frequencies ofε2、ε3 andε4 were not significantly different in the three groups, either (ε2 : 9.6％、ε3 : 82.4％、ε4 : 8.1％in CON group; ε2 :10.5％、ε3 :84.3％、ε4 : 5.2％in T2DM group; ε2 :11.8％、ε3 :84.7％、ε4 : 3.5％in T2DMCI group). The levels of total cholesterol (TC), tryglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were not significantly different among the different genotypes in T2DMCI group. The study confirmed that the polymorphisms of ApoE gene are neither associated with the T2DMCI, nor with the levels of plasma lipid in T2DMCI.     

Manganese inhibition of microbial iron reduction in anaerobic sediments

Potential mechanisms for the lack of Fe(II) accumulation in Mn(IV)‐con‐taining anaerobic sediments were investigated. The addition of Mn(IV) to sediments in which Fe(III) reduction was the terminal electron‐accepting process removed all the pore‐water Fe(II), completely inhibited net Fe(III) reduction, and stimulated Mn(IV) reduction. In a solution buffered at pH 7, Mn(IV) oxidized Fe(II) to amorphic Fe(III) oxide. Mn(IV) naturally present in oxic freshwater sediments also rapidly oxidized Fe(II). A pure culture of a dissimilatory FE(III)‐ and Mn(FV)‐reducing organism isolated from the sediments reduced Fe(III) to Fe(II) in the presence of Mn(IV) when ferrozine was present to trap Fe(II) before Mn(IV) oxidized it. Depth profiles of dissolved iron and manganese reported in previous studies suggest that Fe(II) diffusing up from the zone of Fe(III) reduction is consumed within the Mn(IV)‐reducing zone. These results demonstrate that preferential reduction of Mn(IV) by Fe(III)‐reducing bacteria cannot completely explain the lack of Fe(II) accumulation in anaerobic, Mn(IV)‐containing sedments, and indicate that Mn(IV) oxidation of Fe(II) is the mechanism that ultimately prevents Fe(II) accumulation.     

D-6-Deoxy-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, a mimic of d-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate: biological activity and pH-dependent conformational properties

D-6-Deoxy-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [D-6-deoxy-Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4)] 3 is a novel deoxygenated analogue of D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4)] 2, a central and enigmatic molecule in the polyphosphoinositide pathway of cellular signalling. D-6-Deoxy-Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) is a moderate inhibitor of Ins(1,4,5)P(3) 5-phosphatase [1.8microM] compared to Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) [0.15microM] and similar to that of L-Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) [1.8microM]. In displacement of [(3)H] Ins(1,4,5)P(3) from the rat cerebellar Ins(1,4,5)P(3) receptor, while slightly weaker [IC(50)=800nM] than that of D-Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) [IC(50)=220nM], 3 is less markedly different and again similar to that of L-Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) [IC(50)=660nM]. 3 is an activator of I(CRAC) when inward currents are measured in RBL-2H3-M1 cells using patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques with a facilitation curve different to that of Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4). Physicochemical properties were studied by potentiometric (31)P and (1)H NMR titrations and were similar to those of Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) apart from the observation of a biphasic titration curve for the P1 phosphate group. A novel vicinal phosphate charge-induced conformational change of the inositol ring above pH 10 was observed for D-6-deoxy-Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) that would normally be hindered because of the central stabilising role played by the 6-OH group in Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4). We conclude that the 6-OH group in Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) is crucial for its physicochemical behaviour and biological properties of this key inositol phosphate.     

2-O-(2-Aminoethyl)-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate as a novel ligand for conjugation: physicochemical properties and synthesis of a new Ins(1,4,5)P(3) affinity matrix

2-O-(2-Aminoethyl)-Ins(1,4,5)P(3), (5), a novel derivative of the Ca(2+)-mobilising second messenger d-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P(3)], was synthesised from myo-inositol. 5 was found to be a potent mobiliser of intracellular Ca(2+), and an Ins(1,4,5)P(3) affinity matrix synthesised from 5 was effective at selectively binding N-terminal fragments of the Ins(1,4,5)P(3) receptor containing the intact Ins(1,4,5)P(3) binding site. The microprotonation scheme for 5 was resolved and the related constants were determined in comparison with Ins(1,4,5)P(3) and another reactive Ins(1,4,5)P(3) analogue 1-O-(2-aminoethyl-1-phospho)-Ins(4,5)P(2), (2a), by potentiometric and NMR titration methods. The (31)P and (1)H NMR titration curves for compound 5 and Ins(1,4,5)P(3) are remarkably close, indicating analogous acid-base properties and intramolecular interactions for the two compounds. The 1-phosphate-modified Ins(1,4,5)P(3) derivative 2a, on the contrary, behaves as a bisphosphorylated rather than a trisphosphorylated inositol. Thus, 5 is a new reactive Ins(1,4,5)P(3) analogue of considerable potential for investigation of the chemical biology of Ins(1,4,5)P(3)-mediated cellular signalling.     

New Karplus equations for 2JHH, 3JHH, 2JCH, 3JCH, 3JCOCH, 3JCSCH, and 3JCCCH in some aldohexopyranoside derivatives as determined using NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

The (1)H-(13)C coupling constants of methyl alpha- and beta-pyranosides of D-glucose and D-galactose have been measured by one-dimensional and two-dimensional (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear zero and double quantum, phase sensitive J-HMBC spectra to determine a complete set of coupling constants ((1)J(CH), (2)J(CH), (3)J(CH), (2)J(HH), and (3)J(HH)) within the exocyclic hydroxymethyl group (CH(2)OH) for each compound. In parallel with these experimental studies, structure, energy, and potential energy surfaces of the hydroxymethyl group for these compounds were determined employing quantum mechanical calculations at the B3LYP level using the 6-311++G( * *) basis set. Values of the vicinal coupling constants involving (1)H and (13)C in the C5-C6 (omega) and C6-O6 (theta) torsion angles in the aldohexopyranoside model compounds were calculated with water as the solvent using the PCM method. To test the relationship between (3)J(CXCH) (X=C, O, S) and torsion angle C1-X (phi) around the anomeric center, the conformations of 24 derivatives of glucose and galactose, which represent sequences of atoms at the anomeric center of C-glycosides (C-C bond), O-glycosides (C-O bond), thioglycosides (C-S bond), glycosylamines (C-N bond), and glycosyl halides (C-halogen (F/Cl) bond) have been calculated. Nonlinear regression analysis of the coupling constants (1)J(C1,H1), (2)J(C5,H6R), (2)J(C5,H6S), (2)J(C6,H5), (3)J(C4,H6R), (3)J(C4,H6S), (2)J(H6R,H5), and (3)J(H5,H6R) as well as (3)J(CXCH) (X=C, O, S) on the dihedral angles omega, theta, and phi have yielded new Karplus equations. Good agreement between calculated and experimentally measured coupling constants revealed that the DFT method was able to accurately predict J-couplings in aqueous solutions.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and biological study of new organotin(IV), silver(I) and antimony(III) complexes with thioamides

An overview of our work on the synthesis and biological activity of a series of tin(IV), silver(I) and antimony(III) complexes with thioamides is reported. Organotin(IV) complexes of formulae (n-Bu)2Sn(MBZT)2 (1), Me2Sn(CMBZT)(2) (2), {(Ph3Sn)2(MNA) (Me2CO)} (3), Ph3Sn(MBZT) (4), Ph3Sn(MBZO) (5), Ph3Sn(CMBZT) (6), Ph2Sn(CMBZT)2 (7) and (n-Bu)2Sn(CMBZT)2 (8), Me2Sn(PMT)2 (9), (n-Bu)2Sn(PMT)2 (10), Ph2Sn(PMT)2 (11), Ph3Sn(PMT) (12) {where MBZT=2-mercapto-benzothiazole, CMBZT=5-chloro-2-mercapto-benzothiazole, H2MNA=2-mercapto-nicotinic acid, MBZO=2-mercapto-benzoxazole and PMTH=2-mercapto-pyrimidine} were characterized by spectroscopic (NMR, IR, Mossbauer, etc.) and X-ray diffraction techniques and their influence on the peroxidation of oleic acid was studied. They were found to inhibit strongly the peroxidation of linoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase. In addition, organotin(IV) complexes were found to exhibit stronger cytotoxic activity in vitro, against leiomyosarcoma cells, than cisplatin. The antiproliferative activity of the organotin complexes studied, against leiomyosarcoma cells follow the same order of LOX activity inhibition. This is, 3>12>7>6 approximately 8 approximately 10>5 approximately 4>2>9. Thus, among organotin(IV)-CMBZT complexes, 7 exhibits higher activity than the others and this is explained by a free radical mechanism, as it is revealed by an EPR study. The results are compared with the corresponding ones found for the silver(I) complexes of formulae complexes {[Ag6(mu3-HMNA)4(mu3-MNA)2](2-).[(Et(3)NH)+]2.(DMSO)2.(H2O)} (13), {[Ag4Cl4(mu3-STHPMH2)4]n} (14), {[Ag6(mu2-Br)6(mu2-STHPMH2)4(mu3-STHPMH2)2]n} (15), {[Ag4(mu2STHPMH2)6](NO3)4}(n) (16), {[AgCl(TPTP)]4} (17), [AgX(TPTP)3] with X=Cl (18), Br (19), I (20) (where STHPMH2=2-mercapto-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-pyrimidine, TPTP=tri(p-toly)phosphine) and those of antimony(III) complexes {[SbCl2(MBZIM)4](+).Cl(-).2H2O.(CH3OH)} (21), {[SbCl2(MBZIM)4]+.Cl(-).3H2O.(CH3CN)} (22), [SbCl3(MBZIM)2] (23), [SbCl3(EMBZIM)2] (24), [SbCl3(MTZD)2] (25), {[SbCl3(THPMT)2]} (26) and {[Sb(PMT)3].0.5(CH3OH)} (27) (where MBZIM is 2-mercapto-benzimidazole, EMBZIM=5-ethoxy-2-mercapto-benzimidazole and MTZD is 2-mercapto-thiazolidine), which they have characterized with similar techniques as in case of organotin(IV) complexes. Silver(I) and antimony(III) complexes were found to be cytotoxic against various cancer cell lines.     

Nutrient routing in omnivorous animals tracked by stable carbon isotopes in tissue and exhaled breath

Omnivorous animals feed on several food items that often differ in macronutrient and isotopic composition. Macronutrients can be used for either metabolism or body tissue synthesis and, therefore, stable C isotope ratios of exhaled breath (delta(13)C(breath)) and tissue may differ. To study nutrient routing in omnivorous animals, we measured delta(13)C(breath) in 20-g Carollia perspicillata that either ate an isotopically homogeneous carbohydrate diet or an isotopically heterogeneous protein-carbohydrate mixture. The delta(13)C(breath) converged to the delta(13)C of the ingested carbohydrates irrespective of whether proteins had been added or not. On average, delta(13)C(breath) was depleted in (13)C by only ca. -2 per thousand in relation to the delta(13)C of the dietary carbohydrates and was enriched by +8.2 per thousand in relation to the dietary proteins, suggesting that C. perspicillata may have routed most ingested proteins to body synthesis and not to metabolism. We next compared the delta(13)C(breath) with that of wing tissue (delta(13)C(tissue)) in 12 free-ranging, mostly omnivorous phyllostomid bat species. We predicted that species with a more insect biased diet--as indicated by the N isotope ratio in wing membrane tissue (delta(15)N(tissue))--should have higher delta(13)C(tissue) than delta(13)C(breath) values, since we expected body tissue to stem mostly from insect proteins and exhaled CO(2) to stem from the combustion of fruit carbohydrates. Accordingly, delta(13)C(tissue) and delta(13)C(breath) should be more similar in species that feed predominantly on plant products. The species-specific differences between delta(13)C(tissue) and delta(13)C(breath) increased with increasing delta(15)N(tissue), i.e. species with a plant-dominated diet had similar delta(13)C(tissue) and delta(13)C(breath) values, whereas species feeding at a higher trophic level had higher delta(13)C(tissue) than delta(13)C(breath) values. Our study shows that delta(13)C(breath) reflect the isotope ratio of ingested carbohydrates, whereas delta(13)C of body tissue reflect the isotope ratio of ingested proteins, namely insects, supporting the idea of isotopic routing in omnivorous animals.     

Diiron models for the active site of Fe-only hydrogenase with terminal organosulfur ligation: synthesis, structures and electrochemistry

Diiron model complexes (micro-SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)S)Fe(2)(CO)(5)L with thioether-substitution, L=S(CH(2)CH(3))(2) (2), S(CH(2)CH(3))(CH(2)CH(2)Cl) (3), S(CH(2)CH(3))(C(6)H(5)) (4), or sulfoxide-substitution, L=SO(CH(2)CH(2)CH(3))(2) (5), SO(CH(3))(2) (6), were synthesized as active site analogues of Fe-only hydrogenase. The organosulfur ligands were introduced into the diiron centers via moderately stable intermediates following two routes. The X-ray crystallographic structures of complexes 2-6 show the apical positions of terminal organosulfur ligands. The electrochemical behaviors of the model complexes were investigated, especially for the interesting properties of the derivative of 6 which is proposed to be the first model with weak donor ligand similar to CO.     

Cyclopeptides from Sagina japonica (Caryophyllaceae)

Two new cyclic peptides, named sajaponicin C (1) and sajaponicin D (2), were isolated from the whole plants of Sagina japonica (Caryophyllaceae). Their structures were determined as cyclo(Pro(2)-Leu(2)-Tyr-Leu(1)-Phe(1)-Pro(3)-Phe(2)-Pro(1)) (1) and cyclo(Pro(1)-Pro(2)-Pro(3)-Pro(4)-Phe(1)-Gly-Thr-Ser-Phe(2)-Ile-Tyr) (2) on the basis of spectroscopic data, especially by two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques.     

Saponins from the seeds of Mimusops laurifolia

Nine saponins were isolated from the seeds of Mimusops laurifolia. Their structures were established using one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Three of them are identified as: 3-O-(beta-d-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-d-glucuronopyranosyl)-28-O-(alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-l-arabinopyranosyl)-16alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid, 3-O-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-l-arabinopyranosyl)-16alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid and 3-O-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-l-arabinopyranosyl)-16alpha-hydroxyprotobassic acid.