Mechanistic studies on aromatase and related C---C bond cleaving P-450 enzymes

Some P-450 systems, notably aromatase and 14-demethylase catalyse not only the hydroxylate reaction but also the oxidation of an alcohol into a carbonyl compound as well as a C---C bond cleavage process. All these reactions occur at the same active site. A somewhat analogous situation is noted with 17-hydroxylase-17,20-lyase that participates in hydroxylation as well as C---C bond cleavage process. The C---C bond cleavage reactions catalysed by the above enzymes conform to the general equation:

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It is argued that all three types of reaction catalyzed by these enzymes may be viewed as variations on a common theme. In P-450 dependent hydroxylation the initially formed Fe^III---O---O^. species is converted into Fe^III---O---OH and the heterolysis of the oxygen—oxygen bond of the latter then gives the oxo-derivative for which a number of canonical structures are possible; for example Fe^V = O ↔ (+^.)Fe^IV = O ↔ Fe^IV---O^.. One of these, Fe^IV---O^. behaves like an alkoxyl radical and participates in hydrogen abstraction from C---H bond to produce Fe^IV---OH and carbon radical. The latter is then quenched by the delivery of hydroxyl radical from Fe^IV---OH. The latter species may thus be regarded as a carrier of hydroxyl radical. We have proposed that the C---C bond cleavage reaction occurs through the participation of the Fe^III---O---OH species that is trapped by the electrophilic property of the carbonyl compound giving a peroxide adduct that fragments to produce an acyl—carbon cleavage. Scientific developments leading up to this conclusion are considered. In the first author's views,

“The study of mechanisms is not a scientific but a cultural activity. Mechanisms do not aim at an absolute truth but are intended to be a “running” commentary on the status of knowledge in a field. As the structural knowledge in a field advances Mechanisms evolve to take note of the new findings. Just as a constructive “running” commentary provides the stimulus for higher standards of performance, so Mechanisms call for better and firmer structural information from their practitioners”.     

A familial mutation in the testis-determining gene SRY shared by both sexes

A familial mutation in SRY, the gene coding for the testis-determining factor TDF, was identified in an XY female with gonadal dysgenesis, her father, her two brothers and her uncle. The mutation consists of a T to C transition in the region of the SRY gene coding for a protein motif known as the high mobility group (HMG) box, a protein domain known to confer DNA-binding specificity on the SRY protein. This point mutation results in the substitution, at amino acid position 109, of a serine residue for phenylalanine, a conserved aromatic residue in almost all HMG box motifs known. This F109S mutation was not found in 176 male controls. When recombinant wildtype SRY and SRY^F109S mutant protein were tested in vitro for binding to the target site AAC AAAG, no differences in DNA-binding activity were observed. These results imply that the F109S mutation either is a rare neutral sequence variant, or produces an SRY protein with slightly altered in vivo activity, the resulting sex phenotype depending on the genetic back-ground or environmental factors.This paper is dedicated by G. S. to Professor Ulrich Wolf on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Long-Term Safety of Repeated Blood-Brain Barrier Opening via Focused Ultrasound with Microbubbles in Non-Human Primates Performing a Cognitive Task

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) coupled with intravenous administration of microbubbles (MB) is a non-invasive technique that has been shown to reliably open (increase the permeability of) the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in multiple in vivo models including non-human primates (NHP). This procedure has shown promise for clinical and basic science applications, yet the safety and potential neurological effects of long term application in NHP requires further investigation under parameters shown to be efficacious in that species (500kHz, 200–400 kPa, 4–5μm MB, 2 minute sonication). In this study, we repeatedly opened the BBB in the caudate and putamen regions of the basal ganglia of 4 NHP using FUS with systemically-administered MB over 4–20 months. We assessed the safety of the FUS with MB procedure using MRI to detect edema or hemorrhaging in the brain. Contrast enhanced T1-weighted MRI sequences showed a 98% success rate for openings in the targeted regions. T2-weighted and SWI sequences indicated a lack edema in the majority of the cases. We investigated potential neurological effects of the FUS with MB procedure through quantitative cognitive testing of’ visual, cognitive, motivational, and motor function using a random dot motion task with reward magnitude bias presented on a touchpanel display. Reaction times during the task significantly increased on the day of the FUS with MB procedure. This increase returned to baseline within 4–5 days after the procedure. Visual motion discrimination thresholds were unaffected. Our results indicate FUS with MB can be a safe method for repeated opening of the BBB at the basal ganglia in NHP for up to 20 months without any long-term negative physiological or neurological effects with the parameters used.     

Surface Chirality of Gly‐Pro Dipeptide Adsorbed on a Cu(110) Surface

The adsorption of chiral Gly‐Pro dipeptide on Cu(110) has been characterized by combining in situ polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM‐RAIRS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The chemical state of the dipeptide, and its anchoring points and adsorption geometry, were determined at various coverage values. Gly‐Pro molecules are present on Cu(110) in their anionic form (NH₂/COO⁻) and adsorb under a 3‐point binding via both oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group and via the nitrogen atom of the amine group. Low‐energy electron diffraction (LEED) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) have shown the presence of an extended 2D chiral array, sustained via intermolecular H‐bonds interactions. Furthermore, due to the particular shape of the molecule, only one homochiral domain is formed, creating thus a truly chiral surface. Chirality 27:411–416, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Variation in cohort mandible size as an index of roe deer (Capredus capreolus) densities and population trends

This paper examines the effects of increasing population density on the skeletal development of roe deer as indexed by variation in the size of the mandible. We tested for density-dependence in total jaw length and minimum diastema height among cohorts in a single, intensively studied population in France. A strong relationship of average adult jaw length of both males and females with deer density in the year of birth of a given cohort was observed, and presumably reflects inadequate nutrition of juveniles at high population density. No such relationship was observed for the minimum diastema height which remained constant over the range of densities studied. This relationship was exploited to investigate population trends of roe deer in Britain. In nine populations, where equivalent data were available for between 16 and 28 separate cohorts, a consistent pattern of variation in cohort jaw size was observed, with a decrease in average total length, but not diastema height, towards the present. This trend is discussed in relation to changes in habitat structure in the coniferous forests of Britain. The utility of cohort jaw length as a management tool to index population trends of roe deer is highlighted.