Mass spectrometric quantification of the mu opioid receptor agonist Tyr-

The effect of acetonitrile on the random coil, α-helix and β-sheet conformations induced in poly-

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-lysine is studied. It is found that acetonitrile at higher concentrations transforms the backbone of polylysine from a random coil to a helical conformation. Addition of acetonitrile to polylysine (pH 11.5) in the α-helix conformation, induces conformational changes in two stages. At concentrations below 60% v/v, acetonitrile stabilizes the helical conformation and at higher concentrations (>70% v/v), it destabilizes the helix. β-sheet→α-helix→random coil conformational transitions are found to occur when polylysine in the heat-induced conformation is titrated with acetonitrile. The possible mechanism(s) of action of acetonitrile in inducing these structural transitions is discussed.     

Synthesis of methyl

The effect of acetonitrile on the random coil, α-helix and β-sheet conformations induced in poly-

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-lysine is studied. It is found that acetonitrile at higher concentrations transforms the backbone of polylysine from a random coil to a helical conformation. Addition of acetonitrile to polylysine (pH 11.5) in the α-helix conformation, induces conformational changes in two stages. At concentrations below 60% v/v, acetonitrile stabilizes the helical conformation and at higher concentrations (>70% v/v), it destabilizes the helix. β-sheet→α-helix→random coil conformational transitions are found to occur when polylysine in the heat-induced conformation is titrated with acetonitrile. The possible mechanism(s) of action of acetonitrile in inducing these structural transitions is discussed.     

Acetonitrile-induced conformational transitions in poly-l-lysine

The effect of acetonitrile on the random coil, α-helix and β-sheet conformations induced in poly-

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-lysine is studied. It is found that acetonitrile at higher concentrations transforms the backbone of polylysine from a random coil to a helical conformation. Addition of acetonitrile to polylysine (pH 11.5) in the α-helix conformation, induces conformational changes in two stages. At concentrations below 60% v/v, acetonitrile stabilizes the helical conformation and at higher concentrations (>70% v/v), it destabilizes the helix. β-sheet→α-helix→random coil conformational transitions are found to occur when polylysine in the heat-induced conformation is titrated with acetonitrile. The possible mechanism(s) of action of acetonitrile in inducing these structural transitions is discussed.     

Determination of LSD in blood by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with HeCd laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection and its application in forensic toxicology is demonstrated by the determination of

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-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in blood. Following precipitation of proteins, washing of the evaporated supernatant and extraction, the residue was reconstituted in methanol and injected electrokinetically (10 s, 10 kV). The total analysis time for quantification of LSD was 8 min using a citrate–methanol buffer, pH 4.0. With this buffer system it is possible to separate LSD, nor-LSD, iso-LSD and iso-nor-LSD. Using a specific sample preparation, electrokinetic injection, extended light path (bubble cell) capillaries and especially LIF detection (λ_ex 325 nm, λ_em 435 nm), a limit of detection of 0.1–0.2 ng LSD per ml blood could be obtained. The limit of quantitation was about 0.4–0.5 ng/ml. The quantitative evaluation for LSD was carried out using methylergometrine as internal standard. The precision expressed as coefficient of variation (C.V.) and accuracy of the method were <20% and 86–110%, respectively. The application of the method to human blood samples from two forensic cases and a comparison with radioimmunoassay demonstrated that the results were consistent.     

A method for the synthesis of C-(2-deoxy-β-glycosyl) arenes

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(2) was converted by a Wittig reaction into a mixture of (

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(4,5). Selective deprotection of the 5,6-O-isopropylidene group in compounds 4 and 5 followed by selective silylation at position 6 afforded the separate

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8a–d and the corresponding E-isomers (9a–d). Iodonium-ion-induced cyclization of compounds 8c and 9a-c furnished stereoselectively the

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10a–c. Full deprotection of compounds 10a–c and the O-acetylation led to compounds 11a–c, which on treatment with tributyltin hydride-azobisisobutyromnitrile yielded and the title compounds (12a–c).     

Synthesis and chemistry of

The title oligosaccharides, the tri-through the hexasaccharide in the Inaba series and the penta- and the hexasaccharide in the Ogawa series, have been synthesized using 1-thioglycosides of precursors to 3-O-benzyl-perosamine (4-amino-4,6-dideoxy- -mannose) as building blocks and N-iodosuccinimide/silver triflate as a promoter. The azido groups in the assembled oligosaccharides were reduced to amino groups, which were then acylated using

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acid as the derivatizing reagent. Catalytic hydrogenolysis, simultaneously of the benzyl and benzylidene groups, gave the desired products that were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of methyl α-glycosides of some higher oligosaccharide fragments of the O-antigen of Vibrio cholerae O1, serotype Inaba and Ogawa

The title oligosaccharides, the tri-through the hexasaccharide in the Inaba series and the penta- and the hexasaccharide in the Ogawa series, have been synthesized using 1-thioglycosides of precursors to 3-O-benzyl-perosamine (4-amino-4,6-dideoxy- -mannose) as building blocks and N-iodosuccinimide/silver triflate as a promoter. The azido groups in the assembled oligosaccharides were reduced to amino groups, which were then acylated using

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acid as the derivatizing reagent. Catalytic hydrogenolysis, simultaneously of the benzyl and benzylidene groups, gave the desired products that were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of new d-seco and d-homo androstane derivatives

Starting from 3β-hydroxy-17-oxo-16,17-secoandrost-5-ene-16-nitrile (1), the new 16,17-secoandrostane derivatives 4–9 were synthesized. On the other hand, 3β-hydroxy-17-oxa-d-homoandrost-5-ene-16-one (10) yielded the new d-homo derivatives 12, 13 and 15. In vitro antiproliferative activity of selected compounds against three tumor cell lines (human breast adenocarcinoma ER+, MCF-7, human breast adenocarcinoma ER−, MDA-MB-231, prostate cancer AR−, PC-3, and normal fetal lung fibroblasts, MRC-5) was evaluated. Compounds 3 and 12 showed strong antiproliferative activity against PC-3 cells, the IC₅₀ values being 2 μM and 0.55 μM, respectively. Compounds 6 (10 μM) and 14 (9 μM) showed moderate activity against MDA-MB-231 cells. The synthesized compounds 1–3, 5–8, 10 and 12–15 were not toxic to normal fetal lung fibroblasts cells, MRC-5.     

Manual and automated determination of

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of l-glutamine (l-Gln) against cryopreservation injuries on boar sperm. In Experiment 1, l-Gln from 20 to 80 mM was evaluated as a supplement for a standard freezing extender (egg yolk – EY – 20%, and glycerol 3%). No significant improvement (P > 0.05) was obtained for any post-thaw sperm parameter assessed (objective sperm motility – CASA system – and flow cytometric analysis of plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity −SYBR14/PI/PE-PNA− and plasma membrane stability −M540/YoPro1−). In Experiment 2, l-Gln was evaluated as a partial glycerol substitute in the freezing extender. Significant (P < 0.05) enhancement of post-thaw sperm motion parameters was achieved in sperm frozen in the presence of 2% glycerol and 80 mM l-Gln compared to control (3% glycerol). In Experiment 3, l-Gln was evaluated as an EY substitute in the freezing extender, and no functional sperm were recovered after thawing sperm frozen in the presence of l-Gln and the absence of EY. In conclusion, l-Gln has the ability to cryoprotect boar sperm when it is used as a partial glycerol substitute in the freezing extender.     

C, N CP MAS and high resolution multinuclear NMR study of methyl

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of l-glutamine (l-Gln) against cryopreservation injuries on boar sperm. In Experiment 1, l-Gln from 20 to 80 mM was evaluated as a supplement for a standard freezing extender (egg yolk – EY – 20%, and glycerol 3%). No significant improvement (P > 0.05) was obtained for any post-thaw sperm parameter assessed (objective sperm motility – CASA system – and flow cytometric analysis of plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity −SYBR14/PI/PE-PNA− and plasma membrane stability −M540/YoPro1−). In Experiment 2, l-Gln was evaluated as a partial glycerol substitute in the freezing extender. Significant (P < 0.05) enhancement of post-thaw sperm motion parameters was achieved in sperm frozen in the presence of 2% glycerol and 80 mM l-Gln compared to control (3% glycerol). In Experiment 3, l-Gln was evaluated as an EY substitute in the freezing extender, and no functional sperm were recovered after thawing sperm frozen in the presence of l-Gln and the absence of EY. In conclusion, l-Gln has the ability to cryoprotect boar sperm when it is used as a partial glycerol substitute in the freezing extender.     

Evaluation of l-glutamine for cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of l-glutamine (l-Gln) against cryopreservation injuries on boar sperm. In Experiment 1, l-Gln from 20 to 80 mM was evaluated as a supplement for a standard freezing extender (egg yolk – EY – 20%, and glycerol 3%). No significant improvement (P > 0.05) was obtained for any post-thaw sperm parameter assessed (objective sperm motility – CASA system – and flow cytometric analysis of plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity −SYBR14/PI/PE-PNA− and plasma membrane stability −M540/YoPro1−). In Experiment 2, l-Gln was evaluated as a partial glycerol substitute in the freezing extender. Significant (P < 0.05) enhancement of post-thaw sperm motion parameters was achieved in sperm frozen in the presence of 2% glycerol and 80 mM l-Gln compared to control (3% glycerol). In Experiment 3, l-Gln was evaluated as an EY substitute in the freezing extender, and no functional sperm were recovered after thawing sperm frozen in the presence of l-Gln and the absence of EY. In conclusion, l-Gln has the ability to cryoprotect boar sperm when it is used as a partial glycerol substitute in the freezing extender.     

Development of an interference-free biosensor for l-glutamate using a bienzyme salicylate hydroxylase/l-glutamate dehydrogenase system

An amperometric biosensor was developed for the interference-free determination of l-glutamate with a bienzyme-based Clark electrode. This sensor is based on the specific dehydrogenation by l-glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH, EC 1.4.1.3) in combination with salicylate hydroxylase (SHL, EC 1.14.13.1). The enzymes were entrapped by a poly(carbamoyl) sulfonate (PCS) hydrogel on a Teflon membrane. The principle of the determination scheme is as follows: the specific detecting enzyme, GLDH, catalyses the specific dehydrogenation of l-glutamate consuming NAD⁺. The product, NADH, initiates the irreversible decarboxylation and the hydroxylation of salicylate by SHL in the presence of oxygen. This results in a detectable signal due to the SHL-enzymatic consumptions of dissolved oxygen in the measurement of l-glutamate. The sensor has a fast steady-state measuring time of 20 s with a quick response (1 s) and a short recovery (1 min). It shows a linear detection range between 10 μM and 1.5 mM l-glutamate with a detection limit of 3.0 μM. A Teflon membrane, which is used to fabricate the sensor, makes the determination to avoid interferences from other amino acids and electroactive substances.     

Inhibitors of bacterial N-succinyl-l,l-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) and demonstration of in vitro antimicrobial activity

The dapE-encoded N-succinyl-l,l-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) is a critical bacterial enzyme for the construction of the bacterial cell wall. A screen biased toward compounds containing zinc-binding groups (ZBG’s) including thiols, carboxylic acids, boronic acids, phosphonates and hydroxamates has delivered a number of micromolar inhibitors of DapE from Haemophilus influenzae, including the low micromolar inhibitor l-captopril (IC₅₀ = 3.3 μM, K_i = 1.8 μM). In vitro antimicrobial activity was demonstrated for l-captopril against Escherichia coli.     

Preparation and characterization of a new rhenium(V) complex containing the

Postnatal development changes in mechanisms of synaptosomal amino acid transport have been studied in rat cerebral cortex. Specific uptake of radiolabeled l-serine was examined and compared with that of radiolabeled GABA using synaptosomes-enriched fractions freshly prepared from cerebral cortex at different postnatal days from the birth to young adulthood. The preparations were incubated with 10 nM of [³H]l-serine and 10 nM of [³H]-GABA in either the presence or absence of NaCl, KCl or choline chloride, at 2 and 30 °C, for different periods up to 30 min. The uptake of [³H]l-serine was temperature dependent in synaptosomal fractions prepared from cerebral cortex of rats in postnatal days 5, 7, 13 and 21, but stronger dependence was observed in adult brain, irrespective of the presence of Na⁺, K⁺ or choline ions. At all postnatal ages studied, [³H]-GABA uptake showed a high activity in the presence of Na⁺ ions and at 30 °C. The values of K_m were 90–489 μM in l-serine uptake. However, in the uptake of GABA the values of K_m were 80–150 μM. The highest values of V_max were obtained at 5 and 21 postnatal days for both transport systems. These results indicate that the uptake of l-serine and GABA are regulated differentially during postnatal development.     

l-serine and GABA uptake by synaptosomes during postnatal development of rat

Postnatal development changes in mechanisms of synaptosomal amino acid transport have been studied in rat cerebral cortex. Specific uptake of radiolabeled l-serine was examined and compared with that of radiolabeled GABA using synaptosomes-enriched fractions freshly prepared from cerebral cortex at different postnatal days from the birth to young adulthood. The preparations were incubated with 10 nM of [³H]l-serine and 10 nM of [³H]-GABA in either the presence or absence of NaCl, KCl or choline chloride, at 2 and 30 °C, for different periods up to 30 min. The uptake of [³H]l-serine was temperature dependent in synaptosomal fractions prepared from cerebral cortex of rats in postnatal days 5, 7, 13 and 21, but stronger dependence was observed in adult brain, irrespective of the presence of Na⁺, K⁺ or choline ions. At all postnatal ages studied, [³H]-GABA uptake showed a high activity in the presence of Na⁺ ions and at 30 °C. The values of K_m were 90–489 μM in l-serine uptake. However, in the uptake of GABA the values of K_m were 80–150 μM. The highest values of V_max were obtained at 5 and 21 postnatal days for both transport systems. These results indicate that the uptake of l-serine and GABA are regulated differentially during postnatal development.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of AQ4N, an alkylaminoanthraquinone N-oxide

A simple, highly selective and reproducible reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for the analysis of the new anti-cancer pro-drug AQ4N. The sample pre-treatment involves a simple protein precipitation protocol, using methanol. Chromatographic separations were performed using a HiChrom HIRPB (25 cm×4.6 mm I.D.) column, with mobile phase of acetonitrile–ammonium formate buffer (0.05 M) (22:78, v/v), with final pH adjusted to 3.6 with formic acid. The flow-rate was maintained at 1.2 ml min⁻¹. Detection was via photodiode array performed in the UV range at 242 nm and, since the compounds are an intense blue colour, in the visible range at 612 nm. The structurally related compound mitoxantrone was used as internal standard. The validated quantification range of the method was 0.05–10.0 μg ml⁻¹ in mouse plasma. The inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) (n=5) ranged from 18.4% and 12.1% at 0.05 μg ml⁻¹ to 2.9% and 3.3% at 10.0 μg ml⁻¹ for AQ4N and AQ4, respectively. The intra-day RSDs for supplemented mouse plasma (n=6) ranged from 8.2% and 14.2% at 0.05 μg ml⁻¹ to 7.6% and 11.5% at 10.0 μg ml⁻¹ for AQ4N and AQ4, respectively. The overall recovery of the procedure for AQ4N was 89.4±1.77% and 76.1±7.26% for AQ4. The limit of detection was 50 ng ml⁻¹ with a 100 μl sample volume. The method described provides a suitable technique for the future analysis of low levels of AQ4N and AQ4 in clinical samples.     

Reaction of FcCCo3(CO)9 with 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride (bma). X-ray diffraction structure and redox properties of

Magnetic beads were prepared via suspension polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of ferric ions. Following polymerization, thermal co-precipitation of the Fe(III) ions in the beads with Fe(II) ions under alkaline condition resulted in encapsulation of Fe₃O₄ nano-crystals within the polymer matrix. The magnetic beads were activated with glutaraldehyde, and tyrosinase enzyme was covalently immobilized on the support via reaction of amino groups under mild conditions. The immobilized enzyme was used for the synthesis of l-Dopa (1-3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine) which is a precursor of dopamine. The immobilized enzyme was characterized by temperature, pH, operational and storage stability experiments. Kinetic parameters, maximum velocity of the enzyme (V_max) and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) values were determined as 1.05 U/mg protein and 1.0 mM for 50–75 μm and 2.00 U/mg protein and 4.0 mM for 75–150 μm beads fractions, respectively. Efficiency factor and catalytic efficiency were found to be 1.39 and 0.91 for 75–150 μm beads and 0.73 and 0.75 for 50–75 μm beads fractions, respectively. The catalytic efficiency of the soluble tyrosinase was 0.37. The amounts of immobilized protein were on the 50–75 μm and 75–150 μm fractions were 2.7 and 2.8 mg protein/g magnetic beads, respectively.     

Enzymatic synthesis of

Magnetic beads were prepared via suspension polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of ferric ions. Following polymerization, thermal co-precipitation of the Fe(III) ions in the beads with Fe(II) ions under alkaline condition resulted in encapsulation of Fe₃O₄ nano-crystals within the polymer matrix. The magnetic beads were activated with glutaraldehyde, and tyrosinase enzyme was covalently immobilized on the support via reaction of amino groups under mild conditions. The immobilized enzyme was used for the synthesis of l-Dopa (1-3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine) which is a precursor of dopamine. The immobilized enzyme was characterized by temperature, pH, operational and storage stability experiments. Kinetic parameters, maximum velocity of the enzyme (V_max) and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) values were determined as 1.05 U/mg protein and 1.0 mM for 50–75 μm and 2.00 U/mg protein and 4.0 mM for 75–150 μm beads fractions, respectively. Efficiency factor and catalytic efficiency were found to be 1.39 and 0.91 for 75–150 μm beads and 0.73 and 0.75 for 50–75 μm beads fractions, respectively. The catalytic efficiency of the soluble tyrosinase was 0.37. The amounts of immobilized protein were on the 50–75 μm and 75–150 μm fractions were 2.7 and 2.8 mg protein/g magnetic beads, respectively.     

l-Dopa synthesis using tyrosinase immobilized on magnetic beads

Magnetic beads were prepared via suspension polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of ferric ions. Following polymerization, thermal co-precipitation of the Fe(III) ions in the beads with Fe(II) ions under alkaline condition resulted in encapsulation of Fe₃O₄ nano-crystals within the polymer matrix. The magnetic beads were activated with glutaraldehyde, and tyrosinase enzyme was covalently immobilized on the support via reaction of amino groups under mild conditions. The immobilized enzyme was used for the synthesis of l-Dopa (1-3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine) which is a precursor of dopamine. The immobilized enzyme was characterized by temperature, pH, operational and storage stability experiments. Kinetic parameters, maximum velocity of the enzyme (V_max) and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) values were determined as 1.05 U/mg protein and 1.0 mM for 50–75 μm and 2.00 U/mg protein and 4.0 mM for 75–150 μm beads fractions, respectively. Efficiency factor and catalytic efficiency were found to be 1.39 and 0.91 for 75–150 μm beads and 0.73 and 0.75 for 50–75 μm beads fractions, respectively. The catalytic efficiency of the soluble tyrosinase was 0.37. The amounts of immobilized protein were on the 50–75 μm and 75–150 μm fractions were 2.7 and 2.8 mg protein/g magnetic beads, respectively.     

Development and validation of a sensitive solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography assay for the novel antitumour agent CT2584 in human plasma

A HPLC assay and solid-phase extraction technique from human plasma has been developed and validated for the novel anticancer agent CT2584, 1-(11-dodecylamino-10-hydroxyundecyl)-3,7-dimethylxanthine, which has recently completed a phase I trial at the Christie Hospital, Manchester under the auspices of the CRC phase I/II committee. Following addition of CT2576, 1-(11-octylamino-10-hydroxylundecyl)-3,7-dimethylxanthine, as internal standard, a solid-phase extraction cartridge (100 mg cyanopropyl) was used to isolate the drug CT2584 from human plasma. Analysis was performed by reversed-phase chromatography. CT2576 was used as internal standard at a concentration of 4 μg ml⁻¹ for the quantification of CT2584 from plasma for the duration of this work. The lower limit of quantification for the drug CT2584 in buffer using this assay was found to be 0.0122 μM (0.008 μg ml⁻¹) and 0.048 μM (0.027 μg ml⁻¹) when extracted from human plasma.