Electronic structure and reaction mechanism as guides to the design of hybrid inorganic-organic polymers

Systematic approaches to the design of organofunctional cyclophosphazene monomers and their conversion to organic backbone polymers with cyclophosphazene substituents are described. A variety of methods including DFT calculations, photoelectron spectroscopy and copolymerization reactivity ratios show that the π electrons in an olefin attached to a cyclophosphazene undergo σ polarization towards the phosphazene. This effect may be mediated by electron donors on the olefin or, more effectively, by an insulating function between the olefin and the inorganic ring. Two optimized monomers, P₃N₃Cl₅OR (RC₆H₄CHCH₂, (CH₂)₄OC (O)CMeCH₂), have been prepared and their homo- and copolymerization behavior explored. Mixed phosphazene substituent systems have also been developed. Per substituted monomers, P₃N₃(OR)₆, have been developed and converted to cross linked, hyperbranched and cyclomatrix materials via multi arm polymerization.     

Selective editing of Val and Leu methyl groups in high molecular weight protein NMR

The development of methyl-TROSY approaches and specific (13)C-(1)H labeling of Ile, Leu and Val methyl groups in highly deuterated proteins has made it possible to study high molecular weight proteins, either alone or in complexes, using solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Here we present 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) NMR experiments designed to achieve complete separation of the methyl resonances of Val and Leu, labeled using the same precursor, α-ketoisovalerate or acetolactate. The 2D experiment can further select the methyl resonances of Val or Leu based on the C(α) or C(β) chemical shift values of Val or Leu, respectively. In the 3D spectrum, the methyl cross peaks of Val and Leu residues have opposite signs; thus, not only can the residue types be easily distinguished, but the methyl pairs from the same residue can also be identified. The feasibility of this approach, implemented in both 2D and 3D experiments, has been demonstrated on an 82 kDa protein, malate synthase G. The methods developed in this study will reduce resonance overlaps and also facilitate structure-guided resonance assignments.     

"Starburst" conjugates of proteins with carbocene polymers,carrying low molecular weight biologically-active compounds,and their immunogenicity

The synthesis of starburst polymer-protein conjugates on the basis of bovine serum albumin and horseradish peroxidase was performed with the aim to study the possibilities of regulation of the immune response against the components of the conjugates. These polymers had one-point binding between the protein and the modifying carbon-chain polymer that contained 1-vinyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (a salsolinol analogue) or bradykinin (peptide hormone) residues in its carbon chain. Changes in the chemical nature of the carbon-chain part of the polymer-protein conjugate were shown to increase or decrease the level of antibody production both against the low-molecular compounds attached to the polymeric fragments and against the protein carrier.     

One-dimensional azido-bridged chiral copper(II) coordination polymers: Syntheses, structures and magnetic studies

Two new one-dimensional azido-bridged chiral copper(II) coordination polymers, [(μ-1,1,3-N₃)₂{Cu₂(R-L)₂(N₃)₂}]_n (1) (R-L = R-2-(N-(2-hydroxybutyl)carbaldimino) pyridine) and [(μ-1,1,3-N₃)₂{Cu₂(S-L)₂(N₃)₂}]_n (2) (S-L = S-2-(N-(2-hydroxybutyl)carbaldimino)pyridine) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the monoclinic chiral space group P2₁. For 1, with a = 6.9565(17) Å, b = 20.675(5) Å, c = 9.859(2) Å, β = 105.944(5)° and Z = 2. In the case of compound 2, a = 6.9650(17) Å, b = 20.705(5) Å, c = 9.878(2) Å, β = 105.941(4)° and Z = 2. Both complexes consist of one-dimensional chiral structures in which the copper(II) ions with a distorted octahedral geometry are interlinked by the unusual μ-1,1,3 azido ligands. Circular dichroism spectra demonstrate that 1 and 2 are a pair of enantiomers. Their magnetic properties have been studied. Fitting of the susceptibility data for 1 and 2 using the Bleany-Bowers expression derived from the isotropic spin-exchange Hamiltonian H = −2JS₁S₂ leads to the parameters g = 2.21, J = −2.06 cm⁻¹, zJ′ = −0.0309 cm⁻¹ and R = 4.0 × 10⁻⁴.     

Specific labeling and assignment strategies of valine methyl groups for NMR studies of high molecular weight proteins

The specific protonation of valine and leucine methyl groups in proteins is typically achieved by overexpressing proteins in M9/D₂O medium supplemented with either labeled α-ketoisovalerate for the labeling of the four prochiral methyl groups or with 2-acetolactate for the stereospecific labeling of the valine and leucine side chains. However, when these labeling schemes are applied to large protein assemblies, significant overlap between the correlations of the valine and leucine methyl groups occurs, hampering the analysis of 2D methyl-TROSY spectra. Analysis of the leucine and valine biosynthesis pathways revealed that the incorporation of labeled precursors in the leucine pathway can be inhibited by the addition of exogenous l-leucine-d₁₀. We exploited this property to label stereospecifically the pro-R and pro-S methyl groups of valine with minimal scrambling to the leucine residues. This new labeling protocol was applied to the 468 kDa homododecameric peptidase TET2 to decrease the complexity of its NMR spectra. All of the pro-S valine methyl resonances of TET2 were assigned by combining mutagenesis with this innovative labeling approach. The assignments were transferred to the pro-R groups using an optimally labeled sample and a set of triple resonance experiments. This improved labeling scheme enables us to overcome the main limitation of overcrowding in the NMR spectra of prochiral methyl groups, which is a prerequisite for the site-specific measurement of the structural and dynamic parameters or for the study of interactions in very large protein assemblies.     

Heavy chain of human high molecular weight and low molecular weight kininogens binds calcium ion

An antibody subpopulation, anti high molecular weight (anti-HMW) kininogen-Ca2+ antibody able to bind specifically to the HMW kininogen-Ca2+ complex, was isolated from anti-HMW kininogen antiserum. Partially purified anti-HMW kininogen antibody was applied to a HMW kininogen-Sepharose column equilibrated with 40 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride buffer, pH 7.5, containing 1.0 M NaCl and 1 mM CaCl2, and anti-HMW kininogen-Ca2+ antibody was eluted with 5 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. As a result of characterization by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, this antibody specifically recognized the cyanogen bromide cleaved fragment 1 (CB-1) region (1-160 amino acid sequence) of the heavy chain of kininogen molecules in the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+. Furthermore, circular dichroism (CD) experiments showed that the conformational changes of HMW kininogen and heavy chain were induced by metal ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ and that these changes were due to the conformational change of the CB-1 region of the heavy chain. The dissociation constant (Kd) for the heavy chain-Ca2+ measured by CD analysis at 214 nm was found to be 0.33 +/- 0.09 mM (mean +/- SD). The number of Ca2+-binding sites of heavy chain calculated from the Hill plot was 1.15 +/- 0.04 (mean +/- SD). Then, a possible Ca2+-binding site was found in the amino-terminal portion of the heavy chain of kininogen molecules.     

Chiral bimetallic complexes from chiral salen metal complexes and mercury (II) halides and acetates: the anionic groups interact with Cu(II) in apical position

A series of chiral bimetallic complexes have been prepared containing both Cu(II) and Hg(II) metal centers. The complexes possess chiral salen ligands which host Cu(II) in the center of the cis-N₂O₂ chromophore and Hg(II) via two oxygen atoms of the chromophore. Halogen and acetate groups from mercury salts interact with the Cu(II) center. The X-ray crystallographic data of 11 reveals a short distance of Cl?Cu (3.22-3.26 Å). EPR study also discloses a strong interaction, in particular, of acetate group with Cu.     

Epoxide hydrolase-mediated enantioconvergent bioconversions to prepare chiral epoxides and alcohols

A number of epoxide hydrolase (EH)-mediated bioconversions have been developed to prepare single enantiomeric product from racemic substrates with a yield greater than 50%. Enantioconvergent hydrolysis using single or two EHs possessing complementary enantio- and regio-selectivity, EH-based chemoenzymatic reactions, and EH-triggered cascade-reactions have been developed for the preparation of chiral epoxides, epoxyalcohols, tetrahydrofuran derivatives and vicinal diols. All these bioconversions are based on stereochemical flexibilities of various EHs and can be used in total synthesis of biologically active compounds without the formation of unwanted enantiomers.     

Formation and catalytic activity of high molecular weight soluble polymers produced by heating amino acids in a modified sea medium

Eighteen protein amino acids with milk casein composition were heated in a modified sea medium.Marigranules were formed in the precipitates and soluble polymers were formed in the supernatant.Time course of the reaction (ultraviolet spectra, the concentration of metal ions, and the concentration of amino acids in the supernatant) were measured. The time course of the formation of the soluble polymers was also studied by Bio-Gel P-2 column.High molecular weight soluble polymers (HMWSP) were separated from low molecular weight ones by dialysis. It was shown that these polymers catalyzed the dehydrogenation of NADH. These polymers also catalyzed the coupled reaction between dehydrogenation of NADH and reduction of resazurin. This coupled reaction was accelerated by the light.     

The molecular structure of low and high molecular weight levans synthesized by levansucrase

The levan synthesized by Bacillus subtilis levansucrase in the presence of alcohols was of only high molecular weight, while in solutions of high ionic strength only low molecular weight (MW) levan was produced. The addition of low MW levan to the enzyme reaction mixture at low ionic strength stimulated synthesis of a high MW levan, but the levan added was not incorporated into this high MW levan. Methylation analysis revealed that low MW levans contained glucose, which was isolated as 2,3,46-tetra-O-methyl alditol acetate showing that the glucose units existed as terminal residues. The molecular weight of levan estimated on the basis of glucose content coincided with that determined by the gel filtration method. Methylation analysis also revealed that the number of fructose residues of the linear fraction linked by leads to 6(F)2 leads to type bonds was 22 for levan with a molecular weight of (8.4(-22)) x 10(3), while it was 11 for that of 2,000 x 10(3). The number of (formula: see text) type branched residues increased with increase in the molecular weight of the levan synthesized.     

Mapping of functional domains of human high molecular weight and low molecular weight kininogens using murine monoclonal antibodies

Thirty-four monoclonal antibodies directed against human high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) kininogens and their derivatives were obtained, and the specificities of the antibodies were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). By use of HMW kininogen, kinin-free HMW kininogen, kinin-free and fragment 1.2 (fr 1.2) free HMW kininogen, fr 1.2-light chain of HMW kininogen, LMW kininogen, kinin-free LMW kininogen, heavy chain of LMW kininogen, and light chain of LMW kininogen, the monoclonal antibodies were characterized and classified into four groups: (A) 20 monoclonal antibodies reacting with only the heavy chain, a common region of HMW and LMW kininogens; each of these monoclonal antibodies possessed the specificity to domain 1 (2 monoclonal antibodies), domain 2 (2 monoclonal antibodies), domain 3 (7 monoclonal antibodies), and both domains 2 and 3 (7 monoclonal antibodies) of the heavy chain; (B) 7 monoclonal antibodies reacting with fr 1.2, a unique histidine-rich region; (C) 5 monoclonal antibodies reacting with the light chain of HMW kininogen; (D) 2 monoclonal antibodies reacting with the light chain of LMW kininogen. Two monoclonal antibodies in the first group (group A), designated HKG H7 and H12, effectively suppressed the thiol proteinase inhibitor activity of HMW kininogen to papain and calpains and of LMW kininogen to papain, but the others did not affect it. Further, all the monoclonal antibodies which recognized the fr 1.2 or light chain of HMW kininogen (groups B and C) suppressed the clotting activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Determination of molecular weight and related hydrodynamic parameters of high molecular weight protein fraction from a few oilseeds

The hydrodynamic parameters of the major protein fraction, viz. arachin from groundnut, alpha-globulin from sesame seed, brassin (M) from mustard seed and helianthinin from sunflower seed, have been determined in a single solvent system (0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.5 containing 0.5 M sodium chloride): sedimentation coefficient (s0(20,w)) and diffusion coefficient (D0(20,w)) by analytical ultracentrifugation, intrinsic viscosity [eta] by Ostwald viscometry and partial specific volume (V) by densimetry. The molecular weights (M) of the four proteins, calculated using the sedimentation-viscosity and sedimentation-diffusion coefficient methods, were found close to each other. The values have been compared with those in the literature and the reasons for discrepancies have been discussed.     

The high molecular weight and the low molecular weight acid phosphatases of the frog liver and their phosphotyrosine activity

1. Two molecular weight classes of non-specific acid phosphatases (AcPases) (3.1.3.2) are present in the frog (Rana esculenta) liver: a higher molecular weight (HMW) of Mr 140,560 and a lower molecular weight (LMW) of Mr 38,180 enzyme. 2. The LMW AcPase was described earlier and the HMW AcPase of optimum pH 4.8 is shown to be a L(+)-tartrate sensitive, thermolabile, dimeric glycoenzyme slightly activated by DTT. 3. The HMW and the LMW AcPases exhibit activity for phosphotyrosine which showed similar sensitivity to various effectors as the p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity; however, both enzymes differed substantially in this respect suggesting that they might be involved in different metabolic steps.     

Porcine high molecular weight kininogen: its purification and properties as a thiol proteinase inhibitor as compared to human high molecular weight kininogen

1. High mol. wt kininogen (HMW kininogen) was purified to a homogeneous state from porcine plasma. 2. The protein exhibited a strong inhibitory activity for thiol proteinases such as ficin, papain and calpain I, whereas it did not inhibit serine proteinases, trypsin and chymotrypsin. 3. The mol. wt, isoelectric point, amino acid and carbohydrate compositions, stabilities to temperature and pH, kinetic constants, and immunological properties of the porcine HMW kininogen were determined and compared with those of human HMW kininogen.     

Mammalian high molecular weight and monomeric forms of valyl-tRNA synthetase

Valyl-tRNA synthetase from rat liver sediments at 15.5 S with a Stokes radius of 90 A, corresponding to a native molecular weight of 585,000. Purification of valyl-tRNA synthetase to homogeneity by a combination of conventional and affinity column chromatography yields a fully active monomeric form of valyl-tRNA synthetase with a sedimentation coefficient of 7.7 S and a Stokes radius of 45 A. The subunit molecular weight of the monomeric valyl-tRNA synthetase is 140,000, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. In the presence of 400 mM KCl, the purified monomeric valyl-tRNA synthetase associates to a high molecular weight form. The high molecular weight valyl-tRNA synthetase in the homogenate can be readily converted to the monomeric form by controlled trypsinization. The kinetic parameters of the two forms are nearly identical. The results suggest that the high molecular weight valyl-tRNA synthetase is a homotypic tetramer and converts to the monomeric valyl-tRNA synthetase after the cleavage of a small peptide.     

Quantitative determination and reversible modification of sulfhydryl groups in low and high molecular weight compounds using a biradical spin marker]

A new method for quantitation of sulfhydryl groups of low and high molecular weight compounds is proposed. The method is based on the use of a biradical spin label carrying a disulfide bond, RS-SR, where R is the imidazoline radical. It was found that this biradical is involved in the reaction of thiol-disulfide exchange with thiols; the EPR spectra of the original biradical and monoradical products differ essentially. This circumstance made it possible to determine the bimolecular rate constant for the biradical interaction with cysteamine, cysteine, glutathione and human serum albumin. The method was used for measuring glutathione and cysteine levels in murine and rat blood and for assaying the insect acetylcholine esterase activity and reversible inhibition of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The method is marked for a high sensitivity (10(-6)-10(-7) M) towards sulfhydryl groups and allows the determination of thiol groups in coloured and nontransparent solutions.     

Isolation of high molecular weight DNA from wholeEuglena cells

Summary A method for isolating high quality DNA from wholeEuglena cells is described. The procedure consists in: the weakening of the cell pellicle in glycerol avoiding the mechanical disruption of cells and shearing damage in DNA molecules; the decondensation ofEuglena compact chromatin directly inside the cells; the complete dissociation of cells and nucleoproteins in sarkosyl detergent; the optional digestion of proteins and RNA with DNase-free enzymes and the final purification of DNA by isopycnic banding in CsCl gradients. Degradation of DNA is prevented all along the extraction procedure by glycerol, antioxydants, EDTA and sarkosyl detergent. Using the enzymatic digestion step, DNA containing few single-stranded nicks is obtained with a yield approaching 100%. DNA with no single-stranded nick could be obtained with a 35% yield when the enzymatic digestion step was omitted. In both cases, the double-stranded DNA has an average molecular weight equal or greater than 6×10⁷. It is free of contaminants and could be easily digested with restriction enzymes. After digestion with Eco RI and size-fractionation in agarose gel this DNA has permitted specific hybridization of the rDNA sequences with a radioactive rRNA probe.Abbreviations Kbp kilobasepairs - Kb kilobases