Super-sensitive Enzyme Immunoassay for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Using a New Synergistic Enhanced Chemiluminescent Endpoint

The enhancers 1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl boronic acid and 4-iodophenol act synergistically in the horseradish peroxidase-catalysed oxidation of luminol. This concentration-dependent effect reduces background, increases signal and hence improves signal/background for detection of peroxidase. The same type of synergistic effect was found when 1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl boronic acid was added to a commercial enhanced chemiluminescence signal reagent (Amerlite Signal Reagent). This synergistic enhanced chemiluminescent endpoint (Amerlite Signal Reagent containing 1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl boronic acid) for a horseradish peroxidase label has been tested in the Amerlite TSH and the Amerlite TSH-30 Ultrasensitive assays. The detection limit (mean of 20 replicates of the zero standard + 2SD) in the Amerlite TSH assay was 0.0029 mIU/L, and in the Amerlite TSH-30 Ultrasensitive assay the detection limit was 0.0005 mIU/L using the synergistic enhanced endpoint. Reassessment of the detection limit using a 1 : 40 dilution of the first standard (0.119 mIU/L) as the lowest assay standard gave a value of 0.0015 mIU/L for the Amerlite TSH-30 Ultrasensitive assay with the synergistic endpoint. A limited (n = 29) method comparison using samples from euthyroid, hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients revealed excellent correlation between the conventional and synergistic TSH immunoassays.     

Formation of Glucose Isomerase by Streptomyces sp.

Sophoradin (I) [2′,4,4′-trihydroxy-3,3′,5-tris(3-methyl-2-butenyl)chalcone] which had been isolated from “Guang-Dou-Gen” (the root of Sophora subprostrata Chun et T. Chen) was synthesized through Claisen rearrangement. The reaction of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 3-chloro-3-methyl-1-butyne (III) gave 4-(1,1-dimethylpropargyloxy)benzaldehyde (VIII), which was catalytically hydrogenated over Lindlar catalyst to afford 4-(1,1-dimethylallyloxy)benzaldehyde (IX). IX was converted to 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzaldehyde (X) by Claisen rearrangement. The reaction of X and III gave 3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4-(1,1-dimethylpropargyloxy)benzaldehyde (XI). Condensation of 2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylpropargyloxy)acetophenone (IV) and XI in alkaline solution gave a chalcone (XIII), which was catalytically hydrogenated over Lindlar catalyst to give 2′-hydroxy-4,4′-bis(1,-dimethylallyloxy)-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)chalcone (XIV). XIV was converted to I by Claisen rearrangement.     

Plasmid-linked Galactose Utilization by Lactobacillus acidophilus TK8912

A gramicidin S analog ([Orn^1,1′]GS·4HCl) containing L-oroithine in place of L-valine at the 1,1′ positions was synthesized by the conventional solution method in order to examine whether this analog had antibacterial activity toward Gram-negative bacteria. In the synthesis of [Orn^1,1′]GS·4HCl, two intermediate analogs ([Orn^1,1′, Orn(For)^2,2′]GS·2HCl and [Orn(Z)^1,1′]GS·2HCl) were obtained. [Orn^1,1′]GS·4HCl and [Orn,^1,1′, Orn(For)^2,2′]GS·2HCl showed no activity toward either Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria, whereas [Orn(Z)^1,1′]GS 2HCl showed appreciable activity toward only Gram-positive bacteria.     

A flow‐injection chemiluminescent method for the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of 5′‐nucleotides

In the present work, a simple chemiluminescence (CL) method coupled with flow‐injection analysis for the evaluation of antioxidant activity of 5′‐nucleotides (5′‐AMP, 5′‐CMP, 5′‐GMP, 5′‐UMP) was proposed. It is based on inhibition effect of the studied substances on CL emission of luminol–potassium ferricyanide–pyrogallol. Experiments were performed to evaluate the nature of the inhibition by 5′‐nucleotides of the CL reaction and their antioxidant activities. Based on the experimental results, it was observed that 5′‐nucleotides are available antioxidants that could effectively scavenge superoxide anion free radicals in a concentration‐dependent way. This will provide a basis for further development of the use of nucleotides. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the chemiluminescence associated with the free radical-mediated oxidation of amino acids

When amino acids are incubated in the presence of a free radical source [2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrocloride], only tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp) produce significant chemiluminescence. The relationship between the observed light intensity, the rate of the oxidation process and the substrate concentration is complex and can not be explained in terms of the formation of excited states in termination processes involving two peroxyl radicals (Russell's mechanism). The observed increase in light emission with the incubation time, for both Trp and Tyr, would indicate the participation of more than one reaction product as intermediates in the pathways leading to the production of excited molecules. However, the fact that after product accumulation a high proportion of the observed luminescence is quenched by Trolox addition, implies that the main chemiluminescent process must involve the interaction of product(s) and free radicals. From the effect of added Ebselen, it is proposed that hydroperoxides and peroxides, formed along the reaction path, are the intermediates whose accumulation leads to the observed increase in chemiluminescence with elapsed time. The observed time profiles and the proposed mechanism strongly resemble those associated with the oxidation of complex biological systems, suggesting that protein oxidation could be one of the main sources of chemiluminescence in biological oxidations. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemiluminescence of lucigenin by electrogenerated superoxide ions in aqueous solutions

The chemiluminescence reaction of lucigenin (Luc²⁺?2NO₃^?, N,N′‐dimethyl‐9,9′‐biacridinium dinitrate) at gold electrodes in dioxygen‐saturated alkaline aqueous solutions (pH 10) was investigated in detail by the use of electrochemical emission spectroscopy. We noted that both O₂ and Luc²⁺ are reduced on a gold electrode in aqueous solution of pH 10 in almost the same potential region. From this fact, we expected chemiluminescence based on a radical–radical coupling reaction of superoxide ion (O₂·^?) and one‐electron reduced form of Luc²⁺ (Luc·⁺, a radical cation). Chemiluminescence was actually observed in the potential range where O₂ and Luc²⁺ were simultaneously reduced at the electrodes. The effects were examined upon addition of enzymes, i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, into the solution and the substitution of heavy water (D₂O) for light water (H₂O) as a solvent on the chemiluminescence. In the presence of native and active SOD, chemiluminescence was completely absent. On the other hand, chemiluminescence was observed, unchanged in the presence of either denatured and inert SOD or catalase. In addition, the amount of chemiluminescence in D₂O solution was about three times greater than that in H₂O solution. These results, together with cyclic voltammetric results, suggest that O₂·^? participates directly in the chemiluminescence but H₂O₂ does not, and the chemiluminescence results from the coupling reaction between O₂·^? and Luc^·+ under the present experimental conditions. These chemically unstable species, O₂·^? and Luc·⁺, are produced during the simultaneous electroreduction of O₂ and Luc²⁺. The coupling reaction between those radical species would lead to the formation of a dioxetane‐type intermediate and, finally, to chemiluminescence. The chemiluminescence reaction mechanism is discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Site of bicarbonate effect in Hill reaction. Evidence from the use of artificial electron acceptors and donors

Using artificial electron donors and acceptors, it is shown here that the major HCO₃^? effect in the Hill reaction is after the “primary” electron acceptor (Q) of Photosystem II and before the site of action of 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (at the plastoquinone pool). Chloroplasts in the presence of both 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, which blocks electron flow from the reduced primary acceptor Q^? to the plastoquinone pool, and silicomolybdate, which accepts electrons from Q^?, show no significant bicarbonate stimulation of electron flow. However, a 6–7-fold stimulation is clearly observed when oxidized diaminodurene, as an electron acceptor, and dibromothymoquinone, as an inhibitor of electron flow beyond the plastoquinone pool, are used. In the same chloroplast preparation no measurable effect of bicarbonate is observed in a Photosystem I reaction as monitored by electron flow from reduced diaminodurene to methyl viologen in the presence of 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. The insensitivity of the bicarbonate effect to uncouplers of photophosphorylation and the dependence of this effect on the presence of a weak acid anion and on external pH are also reported.     

Methoxyspheroidene and methoxyspheroidenone,two carotenoids from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides

Two new carotenoids isolated from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides (Rhodospirillaceae) have been identified as methoxyspheroidene (1,1′-dimethoxy-3,4-didehydro-1,2,1′,2′,7$\text{,}\text{?}$8′-hexahydro-ψ,ψ-carotene) obtained from anaerobic cultures and methoxyspheroidenone (1,1′-dimethoxy-3,4-didehydro-1,2,1′,2′,7′,8′-hexahydro-ψ,ψ-caroten-2-one) recovered from aerobic cultures.     

Reactivation of Cyclosarin-inhibited Rat Brain Acetylcholinesterase by Pyridinium–Oximes

Cyclohexyl methylphosphonofluoridate (cyclosarin, cyclosin, GF) is a highly toxic organophosphate, which is resistant to conventional oxime therapy. To gain insight into the reactivation kinetics, rat brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was inhibited in vitro by cyclosarin (pH 8.0, 25°C) and reactivated with 22 different pyridinium–oximes. Three compounds were shown to be superior to the other oximes: 4-carbamoyl-4′-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-1,1′-(oxydimethylene)dipyridin-1-ium dichloride (HS-6), 4′-carbamoyl-2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-1,1′-(oxydimethylene)dipyridin-1-ium dichloride (HI-6), and 4′-carbamoyl-2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-1,1′-(but-2-ene-1,4-diyl)dipyridin-1-ium dichloride (BI-6).     

Mechanisms of enantiomeric resolution in cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoretic separations of binaphthyl compounds

The enantiomers of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol, 1,1′-binaphthyl diyl hydrogen phosphate, and 1,1′-binaphthyldicarboxylic acid are separated using capillary electrophoresis with cyclodextrins added to the running buffer. It is demonstrated that the type and concentration of cyclodextrin employed are critical for maximum enantiomeric resolution. A modified version of a previously described model of enantiomeric separations in capillary electrophoresis is shown to support the observed separation behavior. Molecular modeling is employed to calculate interaction energies between the various enantiomers and cyclodextrins. A reasonable correlation between these computationally derived interaction energies and separation behavior resulted from a statistical mechanical treatment of the molecular modeling data. The importance of hydrogen bonding in inclusion complex formation was probed and the effects of minimization and solvation in molecular modeling calculations are also discussed. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Synthesis of the 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy and 2′-,3′-Dideoxy Derivatives of 6-Azauridine and a New Route to 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine

Abstract

The 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl) and 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) derivatives of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine and 2′,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-5-chlorouridine were synthesized from the parent nucleosides by reaction with 4, 4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, respectively, followed by treatment with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole. Introduction of a 2′-,3′-double bond into the sugar ring by reaction of the 5′-protected 2′-,3′-O-thionocarbonates with 1, 3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1, 3, 2-diazaphospholidiine was unsuccessful, but could be accomplished satisfactorily with trimethyl phosphite. Reactions were generally more successful with the 5′-silylated than with the 5′-tritylated nucleosides. Formation of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl derivatives proceeded in higher yield with 5′-protected 6-azauridines than with the corresponding 5-chlorouridines because of the propensity of the latter to form 2,2′-anhydro derivatives. In the reaction of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine with trimethyl phosphite, introduction of the double bond was accompanied by N³-methylation. However this side reaction was not a problem with 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-O-thioarbonyl-5-chlorouridine. Treatment of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine with tetrabutylammonium fluoride followed by hydrogenation afforded 2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine. Deprotection of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine yielded 2′-,3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dide-oxy-5-chlorouridine.     

Euclein: A new binaphthaquinone from Euclea pseudebenus

7-MethyljugIone, 8,8′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-binaphthyl-1,1′-quinone, 2-methylnaphthazarin, mamegakinone and euclein have been isolated from Euclea pseudebenus. Euclein is the 3,6′-dimer of 7-methyljuglone.     

Eucleolatin: A dimeric methylnaphthazarin from Euclea lanceolata

8,8′-Dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-binaphthyl-1,1′-quinone, 7-methyljuglone, 8′-hydroxydiospyrin, and eucleolatin have been isolated from the root bark of E. lanceolata. Eucleolatin is the 3,6′or 3,7′- dimer of 2-methylnaphthazarin.     

Identification of 2-(2′-fluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl)acetamide as a Sodium Valproate-like broad spectrum anti-epileptic drug candidate

By further optimizing compound A [2′-fluoro-N-methyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-sulfonamide], we identified DSP-0565 [2-(2′-fluoro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl)acetamide, 17a] as a strong, broad-spectrum anti-epileptic drug (AED) candidate. Our efforts mainly focused on finding an alternative polar group for the sulfonamide in order to improve ADME profile of compound A including good metabolic stability and no reactive metabolic production. This led to the identification of biphenyl acetamide as a new scaffold for development of broad-spectrum AED candidates. DSP-0565 showed anti-convulsant activity in various models (scPTZ, MES, 6?Hz and amygdala kindling) with good safety margin, and was therefore selected as a clinical candidate.     

Two antibacterial biphenyls from rhynchosia suaveolens

Two new biphenyls characterized as 4-(3-methyl-but-2-enyl)-5-methoxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ol 1 and 2-carboxy-4-(3-methyl-but-2-enyl)-5-methoxy- [1,1′-biphenyl]-3-ol 5 have been isolated from Rhynchosia suaveolens. Both compounds displayed antibacterial activity.     

Stopped-flow analysis of Ru(bpy)33+chemiluminescent reactions

The stopped-flow technique was employed to measure chemiluminescent emission from the reaction of a mixture of oxalate and proline with a chemiluminescence reagent, tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(III), or Ru(bpy)₃³⁺. Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ is a versatile reagent and is often used in bioanalytical applications, including the detection of certain drugs and their metabolites, for example. Unfortunately, Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ has not yet been fully examined as a possible chemiluminescence reagent for simultaneous kinetic determinations. In this work, a differential reaction rate method, based on simple least squares regressions of the pseudo-first order decay data, was used to resolve two compounds, oxalate and proline, reacting simultaneously with Ru(bpy)₃³⁺. Our results indicate that stopped-flow analyses with Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ could provide a viable method for simultaneous determinations of unresolvable analytes of environmental and pharmaceutical importance. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of acetylcholine based on pre‐column alkaline cleavage reaction and post‐column tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) chemiluminescence detection

A method for the determination of acetylcholine (ACh) has been developed using liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection. This method is based on the pre‐column alkaline cleavage of ACh to form trimethylamine (TMA) and the post‐column tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) chemiluminescence detection of TMA. ACh was converted to TMA with high yield at 180°C in the presence of lithium hydroxide, and the produced TMA was separated on a cation‐exchange/reversed‐phase dual‐functional column using a mixture of 0.2 m potassium phosphate buffer (pH 5.9) and acetonitrile (20:1, v/v) as the mobile phase. The eluate was online mixed with acidic tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) solution, and the generated chemiluminescence was detected. The detection limit (signal‐to‐noise ratio = 3) for ACh was 0.80 nmol/mL, which corresponded to 1.1 pmol TMA per injection volume of 5 µL. This is simple and robust method that does not need an expensive device and unstable enzymes, and was applied to the determination of ACh in pharmaceutical formulations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of dioxygen on luminol chemiluminescence

Assays of peroxy compounds are commonly performed after chromatographic separation of analysed mixtures. In high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), solvent reservoirs are sparged by helium or inline vacuum‐degassed in order to control the compressibility of the solvents for efficient pumping. In this study, we investigated the influence of degassing the reaction solution on the light output of the hemin‐catalyzed luminol oxidation by various oxidants. We found that, when t‐butyl hydroperoxide, hydrogen peroxide, n‐butyl hydroperoxide, iodosobenzene and iodobenzene diacetate were used as oxidants, the luminol chemiluminescence was lowered by 50–70% compared with an equilibrated and degassed solution. The opposite effect was observed when dibenzoyl peroxide and 3‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid were used as oxidants, as the chemiluminescence increased by approximately 20–30%. The reduced chemiluminescence was explained based on the known role of dioxygen in luminol chemiluminescence. The enhancement of chemiluminescence was rationalized by suggesting an alternative mechanism of luminol oxidation valid for peroxyacids and diacyl peroxides in which the reaction of a peroxyacid anion with the diazaquinone led to light emission with a higher quantum yield than the usual path, which is suppressed by the removal of dioxygen from the reaction solution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural confirmation of spiroelliptin from Iryanthera elliptica by synthesis

Spiroelliptin, a spiro[cyclohexadienone-1,1′-tetralin] from Iryanthera elliptica, was synthesized by a novel process which involved the catalytic hydrogenation of the appropriate chalcone. This and other spiro[methoxycyclobexadienone-1,1′-tetralin] derivatives, obtained by the same process or by the oxidative coupling of the appropriate 1,3-diarylpropanes, were used as models in the compilation of ¹H and ¹³C NMR data allowing the recognition of three such naturally occurring structural types.     

Enhanced chemiluminescence reaction applied to the study of horseradish peroxidase stability in the course of p-iodophenol oxidation

The enhanced chemiluminescence reaction (ECL) was applied to the study of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) inactivation during the oxidation of p-iodophenol. Enzyme inactivation was shown to be the main reason for light decay in the course of the reaction. No individual effect of luminol and p-iodophenol as enhancer on HRP activity towards 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) was detected, enzymatic activity loss was detected only in the course of the ECL reaction. HRP activity towards ABTS (a colorimetric substrate) fell in a similar manner to the decay in light emission. The reactive radical species formed during enhancer oxidation were suggested as the main inactivating agents. The similarity of changes in light intensity and enzymatic activity allows one to apply the ECL reaction for testing potential stabilizers of HRP. The loss of enzyme activity can be partially explained by non-specific interaction of radical species with protein globule. The addition of bovine serum albumin provided almost complete protection of peroxidase from inactivation. This confirms the non-specific inactivation with highly reactive endogenous intermediates through the modification of a protein globule. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.