Sudden origins

Sudden Origins: Fossils, Genes, and the Emergence of Species (1999). Schwartz, JH. John Wiley & Sons, 420 pp, £22.50, hbk; ISBN 0471329851 © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Instant success for Instant Pharmacology

Instant Pharmacology (1999). Saeb-Parsy K, Assomull RG, Kahn FZ, Saeb-Parsy K, and Kelly E. John Wiley and Sons 349 pp. £19.99 pbk; ISBN 0471976393 © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

ZnS quantum dots‐based fluorescence spectroscopic technique for the detection of quercetin

Water‐soluble ZnS quantum dots (QDs) modified by mercaptoacetic acid (MPA) were used to determinate quercetin in aqueous solutions by a fluorescence spectroscopic technique. The results showed that the fluorescence of the modified ZnS QDs could be quenched by quercetin effectively in physiological buffer solution. The optimum fluorescence intensity was found to be at incubation time 10 min, pH 7.0 and temperature 25°C. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit of quercetin was 5.71 × 10^‐7 mol/L. Moreover, the quenching mechanism was discussed to be a static quenching procedure, which was proved by the quenching rate constant K_q (1.14 × 10¹³ L/mol/s). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Words derived from the noun peptide

Modifications of the noun peptide are explored and clarified; a few are condemned. Copyright © 2006 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of the C‐terminal penta‐ peptide of the peptaibol culicinins

The synthesis of the C‐terminal pentapeptide of culicinins has been achieved using [4 + 1] protocol and reduction‐coupling strategy. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Touch receptor development and function in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mutations causing a touch-insensitive phenotype in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have been the basis of studies on the specification of neuronal cell fate, inherited neurodegeneration, and the molecular nature of mechanosensory transduction. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A colorimetric and fluorescent probe for fluoride ions based on 6‐acetyl‐2‐naphthol

A colorimetric and turn‐on fluorescent probe for fluoride ions, tert‐butyldimethylsilane 6‐acetyl‐2‐naphtholate, was readily synthesized from 6‐acetyl‐2‐naphthol and tert‐butyldimethylchlorosilane (TBSCl). The probe exhibits high sensitivity and good selectivity for fluoride ions in acetonitrile. The inherent mechanism involves the cleavage of the Si–O bond in the probe, which induced yellow color formation and prominent fluorescence enhancement. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies of metabolic control using NMR and molecular genetics

The techniques of NMR spectroscopy and molecular genetics have provided new and powerful approaches to studying the control and organisation of cellular metabolism in vivo. We review here our recent applications of these methodologies to the study of energy metabolism in yeast and mammalian cells. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical synthesis of the S‐linked glycopeptide,sublancin

Sublancin is an S‐linked glycopeptide produced by Bacillus subtilis 168 and consists of 37 amino acid residues with two disulfide bonds. In this study, we synthesized sublancin by Fmoc‐based solid‐phase peptide synthesis and chemoselective disulfide formation reactions. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The ARRIVE guidelines,a welcome improvement to standards for reporting animal research

Here we introduce the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) guidelines, produced by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), which are published in this issue of the journal with our endorsement, and will be incorporated into our Instructions to Authors. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydromechanical stimulation of bioluminescent plankton

The response of the bioluminescent dinoflagellate Pyrocystis fusiformis was investigated for different hydraulic conditions (‘hydromechanical stimulation’). Pipe flow and oscillating shear produced luminescence, whereas changes in hydrostatic pressure were not stimulating. More intense fluid motion led to higher intensity, mainly due to a higher probability of cell response. The organism was also able to emit light in a glucose–salt mixture. The experiments suggest that the cells are effectively stimulated if the flow conditions change in time. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trace analysis of N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine using luminol–H2O2 chemiluminescence system catalyzed by silver nanoparticles

N‐Acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) can inhibit the luminol–H₂O₂, reaction, which is catalyzed by silver nanoparticles. Based on this phenomenon a new method was developed for NAC determination. Under optimum conditions, a linear relationship between chemiluminescence intensity and NAC concentration was found in the range 0.034–0.98 µg/mL. The detection limit was 0.010 µg/mL (S/N =3), and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was <5% for 0.480 µg/mL NAC (n =5). This simple, sensitive and inexpensive method has been applied to measure the concentration of NAC in pharmaceutical tablets. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereoselective synthesis of fully protected (2S,4S,6S)‐2‐amino‐6‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐8‐oxodecanoic acid (AHMOD)

The stereocontrolled synthesis of fully protected (2S,4S,6S)‐2‐amino‐6‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐8‐oxodecanoic acid was accomplished using a glutamate derivative as starting material. The key steps of this stereochemical synthetic pathway involved an Evans asymmetric alkylation, a Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, and a Grignard reaction. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

From “magic bullet” to “specially engineered shotgun loads”: the new genetics and the need for individualized pharmacotherapy

Steady progress in the identification of human pharmacogenetic variants and new discoveries of disease susceptibility genes makes the old notion of one disease/one drug untenable. Advances in the ability to rapidly identify these variants, when coupled with appropriate drug delivery systems, should revolutionize pharmacotherapy. BioEssays 20 :683–685, 1998.© 1998 John Wiley & Sons Inc.     

An efficient and convenient procedure for the synthesis of nα-Fmoc-O-monobenzyl phosphonotyrosine

An efficient procedure is described for the synthesis of N^α-Fmoc-O-monobenzyl phosphonotyrosine from the corresponding dibenzyl derivative by monodebenzylation in the presence of sodium iodide. A simple work up procedure removes the by-products and the monobenzylated phosphono product is obtained in high yield. © 1998 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Essential Reading

Articles cited in “Essential Reading” are a selection chosen by the Editorial Board of the Journal. Because space is limited, the section does not claim to be exhaustive, nor does the absence of an article imply that it is not important. Here is the Board's selection for this issue. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Individual molecules of thermostable alkaline phosphatase support different catalytic rates at room temperature

Thermus thermophilus cells were grown at 70°C, lysed and the lysate subjected to single molecule alkaline phosphatase assays, using a capillary electrophoresis laser‐induced fluorescence detection‐based method. The enzyme was found to be heterogeneous with respect to catalytic rate when assayed at room temperature. Turnover numbers ranged 12‐fold, with an average of 400 ± 200 reactions/min for the 80 molecules assayed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NIR fluorescent ytterbium compound for in vivo fluorescence molecular imaging

We have developed a new NIR fluorescent probe based on an ytterbium(III) (E)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl‐diazenyl)naphthalen‐2‐ol (PAN) complex. This probe emits near‐infrared luminescence derived from the Yb ion through excitation of the PAN moiety with visible light (λ_ex = 530 nm, λ_em = 975 nm). The results support the possible utility of the probe for in vivo fluorescence molecular imaging. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,receptor binding studies,optical spectroscopic and in silico structural characterization of morphiceptin analogs with cis‐4‐amino‐L‐proline residues

Three novel morphiceptin analogs, in which Pro in position 2 and/or 4 was replaced by cis‐4‐aminoproline connected with the preceding amino acid through the primary amino group, were synthesized. The opioid receptor affinities, functional assay results, enzymatic degradation studies and experimental and in silico structural analysis of such analogs are presented. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modulation of protein–ligand interactions by photocleavage of a cyclic peptide using phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase SH3 domain as model system

To photomodulate the interaction of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase SH3 domain with a peptide ligand, a cyclic peptide (cyclic‐1) with a photolabile side chain‐to‐side chain linker was synthesized. The conformation of cyclic‐1 differs from that of the parent linear peptide, but becomes identical by UV‐irradiation. Accordingly, the binding affinity of cyclic‐1 to the SH3 domain increased upon conversion of the cyclic to a linear flexible structure by irradiation (K_d: 3.4 ± 1.7 and 0.9 ± 0.3 mM , respectively). These results confirm the usefulness of a photocleavable peptide for photocontrol of peptide–protein interactions. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.