Use of chemical ionization for GC–MS metabolite profiling

Metabolite profiling is commonly performed by GC–MS of methoximated trimethylsilyl derivatives. The popularity of this technique owes much to the robust, library searchable spectra produced by electron ionization (EI). However, due to extensive fragmentation, EI spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives are commonly dominated by trimethylsilyl fragments (e.g. m/z 73 and 147) and higher m/z fragment ions with structural information are at low abundance. Consequently different metabolites can have similar EI spectra, and this presents problems for identification of “unknowns” and the detection and deconvolution of overlapping peaks. The aim of this work is to explore use of positive chemical ionization (CI) as an adjunct to EI for GC–MS metabolite profiling. Two reagent gases differing in proton affinity (CH₄ and NH₃) were used to analyse 111 metabolite standards and extracts from plant samples. NH₃-CI mass spectra were simple and generally dominated by [MH]⁺ and/or the adduct [M+NH₄]⁺. For the 111 metabolite standards, m/z 73 and 147 were less than 3% of basepeak in NH₃-CI and less than 30% of basepeak in CH₄-CI. With CH₄-CI, [MH]⁺ was generally present but at lower relative abundance than for NH₃-CI. CH₄-CI spectra were commonly dominated by losses of CH₄ [M+1-16]⁺, 1–3 TMSOH [M+1-nx90]⁺, and combinations of CH₄ and TMSOH losses [M+1-nx90-16]⁺. CH₄-CI and NH₃-CI mass spectra are presented for 111 common metabolites, and CI is used with real samples to help identify overlapping peaks and aid identification via determination of the pseudomolecular ion with NH₃-CI and structural information with CH₄-CI.     

Fast atom bombardment,electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectrometry of the neutral 18-electron species M(CO)2(CNR)2(PR′3)2 (MMo or W)

The molybdenum(0) and tungsten(O) complexes of the type M(CO)₂(CNR)₂(PR′₃)₂ have been studied using a variety of mass spectral techniques, viz. fast atom bombardment (FAB), electron impact (EI), and both positive- and negative-ion chemical ionization (PICI and NICI) mass spectrometry. The FABMS technique gave the most structurally informative spectra with the observation of the molecular ions M⁺ (100% relative abundance in the case of MW) and in some instances the pseudomolecular ion (M + H)⁺. Fragmentation ions arising from competitive ligand loss (CO versus RNC versus PR′₃) were observed, as well as those formed by loss of H from fragment ions and dealkylation of RNC ligands. The EI and PICI spectra were not especially useful due to the relatively low thermal stability of these complexes, while the NICI spectra gave an abundance of ions that resulted from ligand redistribution reactions. Of special note were anions that contained M(CO)₄ and M(CO)₃ fragments. Dealkylation of the RNC ligands to give cyanometallate anions was also prevalent.     

Metallic perchlorate salts of N-isopropyl-and N-Cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidinone

A series of metal perclorate complexes of N- isopropyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NIPP) and N-cyclohexyl- 2-pyrrolidinone (NCHP) have been synthesized, showing coordination through the carbonyl oxygen atom. These complexes have compositions with the general formulas [M(NIPP)_{4 or 6}]²⁺(ClO₄)₂ and [M(NCHP)₆]²⁺(ClO₄)₂ [M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)]. They have been characterized by IR spectra, electrical conductivity measurements, magnetic moments, X-ray diffraction patterns and electronic absorption spectra.     

Lysosomal exocytosis of ATP is coupled to P2Y2 receptor in marginal cells in the stria vascular in neonatal rats

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is stored as lysosomal vesicles in marginal cells of the stria vascular in neonatal rats, but the mechanisms of ATP release are unclear. Primary cultures of marginal cells from 1-day-old Sprague–Dawley rats were established. P2Y₂ receptor and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor were immunolabelled in marginal cells of the stria vascular. We found that 30 μM ATP and 30 μM uridine triphosphate (UTP) evoked comparable significant increases in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, whereas the response was suppressed by 100 μM suramin, 10 μM 1-(6-(17β-3-methoxyester-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)-hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(U-73122), 100 μM 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and 5 μM thapsigargin (TG), thus indicating that ATP coupled with the P2Y₂R-PLC-IP3 pathway to evoke Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Incubation with 200 μM Gly-Phe-β-naphthylamide (GPN) selectively disrupted lysosomes and caused significant increases in [Ca²⁺]_I; this effect was partly inhibited by P2Y₂R-PLC-IP3 pathway antagonists. After pre-treatment with 5 μM TG, [Ca²⁺]_i was significantly lower than that after treatment with P2Y₂R-PLC-IP3 pathway antagonists under the same conditions, thus indicating that lysosomal Ca²⁺ triggers Ca²⁺ release from ER Ca²⁺ stores. Baseline [Ca²⁺]_i declined after treatment with the Ca²⁺ chelator 50 μM bis-(aminophenolxy) ethane-N,N,Nʹ,Nʹ-tetra-acetic acid acetoxyme-thyl ester (BAPTA-AM) and 4 IU/ml apyrase. 30 μM ATP decrease of the number of quinacrine-positive vesicles via lysosome exocytosis, whereas the number of lysosomes did not change. However, lysosome exocytosis was significantly suppressed by pre-treatment with 5 μM vacuolin-1. Release of ATP and β-hexosaminidase both increased after treatment with 200 μM GPN and 5 μM TG, but decreased after incubation with 50 μM BAPTA-AM, 4 IU/ml apyrase and 5 μM vacuolin-1. We suggest that ATP triggers Ca²⁺ release from the ER, thereby contributing to secretion of lysosomal ATP via lysosomal exocytosis. Lysosomal stored Ca²⁺ triggers Ca²⁺ release from the ER directly though the IP3 receptors, and lysosomal ATP evokes Ca²⁺ signals indirectly via the P2Y₂R-PLC-IP3 pathway.     

Low-spin, mononuclear, Fe(III) complexes with P,N donor hemilabile ligands: A combined experimental and theoretical study

Two new mononuclear Fe(III) complexes, [FeCl₃{PPh₂(p-C₆H₄NMe₂)-P}₃](1) (PPh₂(p-C₆H₄NMe₂): 4-(dimethylamino)phenyldiphenylphosphine) and [FeCl₃(PPh₂py-P)(PPh₂py-P,N)] (2) (PPh₂py: diphenyl(2-pyridyl)phosphine) were synthesized by reacting anhydrous FeCl₃ with respective ligand in acetonitrile solution under refluxing condition. Both the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FAB-Mass, FTIR, UV-Vis, ESR, Cyclic Voltammetry and magnetic measurement. The FAB mass spectra of complexes 1 and 2 show molecular ion peak at m/z 1078 [M]⁺ and m/z 687 [M−1]⁺, respectively, indicating mononuclear nature of the complexes. UV-Vis spectra of the complexes were consistent with low-spin, octahedral geometry. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement (73-323 K) of these complexes is also consistent with the paramagnetic nature of the complexes with a ground state spin S = ½. The Fe(III) centers of these two complexes remain low-spin, both at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature, was also indicated by the ESR analysis. Cyclic Voltammetry of both the complexes show an irreversible oxidation wave attributed to Fe³⁺ → Fe⁴⁺ + e⁻ along with the peak for ligand oxidation. Theoretical calculations (B3LYP) of the complexes show that for complex 1, a trans geometry of the two phosphorous atoms and for complex 2, a mer,cis structures are the most favored geometrical isomer. TDDFT calculations were performed to interpret the observed bands in the UV-Visible spectra.     

Synthesis,spectroscopy, electrochemistry,and photochemistry of a series of M(bpym)2Cl2 (M=Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)) complexes. Precursor complexes in the preparation of polymetallic systems

The synthesis, aqueous absorption and reflectance spectra, cyclic voltammetry and ligand field photochemistry of a series of M(bpym)₂Cl₂ (M=Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and bpym=2,2′-bipyrimidine) are reported here. Ligand field electronic spectral assignments are made by comparison to analogous M(bpy)₂Cl₂(s) (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) and M(bpym)₃²⁺ complexes. Ligand field absorption maxima are shifted to lower energy as a result of bpym loss vs. M(bpym)₃²⁺ complexes. Metal to ligand charge transfer absorption energies increase as a result of d_M orbital stabilization vs. M(bpym)₃²⁺ complexes. Cyclic voltammetry indicates ring opening upon reduction of the complexes. The complexes are photochemically inert (φ_max<0.002) at the irradiated wavelengths.     

Occurrence of cellobiose residues directly linked to galacturonic acid in pectic polysaccharides

The study carried out in this work concerns the structural characterization of pectic polysaccharides from plum (Prunus domestica L.) and pear (Pyrus communis L.) cell walls and commercial pectic polysaccharides, obtained from Citrus. The α-(1 → 4)-d-galacturonic acid backbone was submitted to a selective hydrolysis with endo-polygalacturonase (EPG) and the fractions with low molecular weight (<1 kDa) obtained by size-exclusion chromatography were analysed by mass spectrometry using electrospray ionisation (ESI-MS). The ESI-MS spectra obtained revealed the presence of several [M+Na]⁺ ions of pectic oligosaccharides identified as belonging to different series, including oligosaccharides constituted only by galacturonic acid residues (GalA_n, n = 1-5) and galacturonic acid residues substituted by pentose residues (GalA₃Pent_n, n = 1-2). Surprisingly, it was also observed the occurrence of galacturonic acid residues substituted by hexose residues (GalA_nHex_m, n = 2-4, m = 1-2). The fragmentation of the observed [M+Na]⁺ ions, obtained under ESI-MS/MS and MSⁿ allowed to confirm the proposed structures constituent of these pectic oligosaccharides. Furthermore, the ESI-MSⁿ spectra of the ions that could be identified as GalA_nHex_m (n = 2-4, m = 1-2) confirmed the presence of Hex or Hex₂ residues linked to a GalA residue. Methylation analysis showed the presence, in all EPG treated samples, of terminally linked arabinose, terminally and 4-linked xylose, and terminally and 4-linked glucose. The occurrence of GalA substituted by Glc, and Glc-β-(1 → 4)-Glc are structural features that, as far as we know, have never been reported to occur in pectic polysaccharides.     

Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial and anticancer screening of {M2+–Co3+–M2+} and {Co3+–M2+} (M?is?Zn, Cd, Hg) heterometallic complexes

The cobalt(III) complexes Et₄N[Co(L¹)₂] and [Co(L²)₃] [H₂L¹ is 2,6-bis(N-(2-pyridyl)carbamoyl)pyridine and HL² is 2-(N-(2-pyridyl)carbamoyl)pyridine] were used as the building blocks for preparing a series of {M²⁺?CCo³⁺?CM²⁺} (where M?is?Zn, Cd, or Hg) and {Co³⁺?CM²⁺} (where M?is?Zn or Cd) heterometallic complexes. All heterometallic complexes were characterized using a host of spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR, and UV/vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry), elemental analysis, and conductivity measurements. One of the representative compounds, {Hg²⁺?CCo³⁺?CHg²⁺}, was characterized crystallographically, and it was revealed that two Hg(II) ions are coordinated within the clefts created by the building block Et₄N[Co(L¹)₂]. The results of screening for anticancer activity against the human brain tumor U87 cell line and antibacterial activity against a range of resistant (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris) as well as standard (Staphylococcus aureus SA 96, P. aeruginosa MTCC 1688, Klebsiella planticola MTCC 2272, and Escherichia coli T7) bacterial strains indicate promising activities. Notably, the observed activity was found to vary with the type of building block and the secondary metal ion present in the heterometallic complex. Treatment-induced cell death [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, MTT and macrocolony assay), growth inhibition, cytogenetic damage, cell cycle delay, and apoptosis were studied as the parameters for cellular response.     

Chemical constituents of Ligularia alticola Worosch. leaves and their biological activities

Seven eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes (1–7), six cycloartane derivatives (8–13) and α-amyrin acetate (14) were isolated from the leaves of the far-eastern plant Ligularia alticola Worosch. (Family Asteraceae). (4S,5R,8S,10R)-8-Ethoxyeremophil-7(11)-en-12(8)-olide (1), 8α,11-epidioxy-8β-methoxyeremophil-6-ene (2) and 29-norcycloartan-3α-ol (8) have not been previously reported. Fukinone α-epoxide (3) was isolated for the first time from a natural source. The structures of all the compounds were established by the extensive analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR ESI mass spectrometry. The absolute stereochemistry of 1 was determined by comparison of theoretical and experimental ECD spectra with the application of B3LYP-TDDFT and B3LYP-GIAO calculations as well as by NMR spectroscopy. Compound 1 showed cytotoxic action against human cancer HL-60, Raji, and THP-1 cell lines (IC₅₀ 12.6, 6.0 and 6.9 μM, respectively). Compounds 2 and 4 demonstrated significant cytotoxic activities against HL-60 (IC₅₀ 2.8 and 5.8 μM, respectively) and Raji cells (IC₅₀ 2.9 and 4.2 μM, respectively). Compound 6 was cytotoxic against Raji cells (IC₅₀ 4.6 μM). None of tested compounds were cytotoxic against RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1 and 4–7 significantly decreased intracellular ROS levels, induced by endotoxic LPS from Escherichia coli in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages.     

Ammonia desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry of phosphatidylsulfocholine-phosphatidylcholine mixtures

Unhydrogenated or hydrogenated phosphatidylsulfocholine (2 μg) of the non-photosynthetic diatom Nitzschia alba was analyzed by ammonia desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry (NH₃-DCIMS) using a flash heating method. Each molecular species was recognized by its quasi-molecular [M + 18]⁺ ion peak and by a substitution ion which corresponds to the replacement of -

(CH₃)₂ by -

H₃. With unhydrogenated or hydrogenated mixtures (3 μg) of Nitzschia alba phosphatidylsulfocholine and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine, in weight proportions 1:1, 1:2 and 1:5, respectively, the phosphatidylsulfocholine diagnostic [M + 18]⁺ ions appeared ahead of the phosphatidylcholine diagnostic [M + 1]⁺ ions, thus allowing analysis of phosphatidylsulfocholine separately from phosphatidylcholine. These results show that NH₃-DCIMS with fast heating is a suitable technique to study complex phosphatidylsulfocholine-phosphatidylcholine mixtures. This technique should be directly applicable to the detection of phosphatidylsulfocholine in natural phosphatidylsulfocholine-phosphatidylcholine mixtures as well as to the identification of their main molecular species.     

Cd(II) and Cu(II) complexes of polydentate Schiff base ligands: synthesis, characterization, properties and biological activity

We report the synthesis of the Schiff base ligands, 4-[(4-bromo-phenylimino)-methyl]-benzene-1,2,3-triol (A₁), 4-[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-phenylimino)-methyl]-benzene-1,2,3-triol (A₂), 3-(p-tolylimino-methyl)-benzene-1,2-diol (A₃), 3-[(4-bromo-phenylimino)-methyl]-benzene-1,2-diol (A₄), and 4-[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-phenylimino)-methyl]-benzene-1,3-diol (A₅), and their Cd(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes, stability constants and potentiometric studies. The structure of the ligands and their complexes was investigated using elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, mass spectra, magnetic susceptibility and conductance measurements. In the complexes, all the ligands behave as bidentate ligands, the oxygen in the ortho position and azomethine nitrogen atoms of the ligands coordinate to the metal ions. The keto-enol tautomeric forms of the Schiff base ligands A₁-A₅ have been investigated in polar and non-polar organic solvents. Antimicrobial activity of the ligands and metal complexes were tested using the disc diffusion method and the strains Bacillus megaterium and Candida tropicalis.Protonation constants of the triol and diol Schiff bases and stability constants of their Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ complexes were determined by potentiometric titration method in 50% DMSO-water media at 25.00 ± 0.02 °C under nitrogen atmosphere and ionic strength of 0.1 M sodium perchlorate. It has been observed that all the Schiff base ligands titrated here have two protonation constants. The variation of protonation constant of these compounds was interpreted on the basis of structural effects associated with the substituents. The divalent metal ions of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ form stable 1:2 complexes with Schiff bases.The Schiff base complexes of cadmium inhibit the intense chemiluminescence reaction in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution between luminol and dioxygen in the presence of a strong base. This effect is significantly correlated with the stability constants K_CdL of the complexes and the protonation constants K_OH of the ligands; it also has a nonsignificant association with antibacterial activity.     

Dinuclear complexes with a μ-cyano ligand. Part X. Synthesis and characterization of several derivatives of cis-diaquaamminecobalt(III) complexes. Influence of pH

Six new dinuclear complexes, derived from cis-[Co(H₂O)₂(NH₃)₄]³⁺, cis-[Co(H₂O)₂(en)₂]³⁺ and [M(CN)₄^2? (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) were prepared and characterized by means of chemical analysis, electronic and IR measurements. The influence of the pH on the rate of the reaction was studied for the two derivatives of [Pd(CN)₄]^2?, showing that the best conditions to obtain the dinuclear compounds are at pH near 6, where the predominant species are cis-[Co(OH)(H₂O)(amine)₂]²⁺. The [Pt(CN)₄]^2? derivatives show PtPt interactions both in the solid state and in solution.     

Positive-negative, chemical-ionization, direct exposure mass spectrometry of underivatized prostaglandins

Nine underivatized prostaglandins were examined using direct exposure, ammonia, chemical-ionization, pulsed positive-negative ion mass spectrometry. The positive ion spectra were characterized by (M+18)⁺ ion adducts. The negative ion spectra were characterized by ions which dependence upon the functionality present in the cyclopentane ring system (acetal for TXB₂). The E and D series prostaglandins gave (M-18)⁻ as the major negative ion, while the F series and TXB₂ were characterized by negative ions corresponding to (M-1)⁻, and PGA₂ by the parent (M)⁻ ion. Prostaglandin 6-keto-PGF_1α was anomalous in this respect showing apparent dehydration, interpreted as an overall (M-18+1)⁺ and (M-18-1)⁻ in the positive and negative ion spectra, respectively. All major ion types were shown to give essentially a linear response with respect to concentration in the 10–1000 ng range. Although these initial studies were conducted under ideal conditions, it would appear that direct chemical ionization techniques show promise for providing direct structural information on prostaglandins without the need for prior chemical derivation.     

Use of chemical ionization for GC–MS metabolite profiling

Metabolite profiling is commonly performed by GC–MS of methoximated trimethylsilyl derivatives. The popularity of this technique owes much to the robust, library searchable spectra produced by electron ionization (EI). However, due to extensive fragmentation, EI spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives are commonly dominated by trimethylsilyl fragments (e.g. m/z 73 and 147) and higher m/z fragment ions with structural information are at low abundance. Consequently different metabolites can have similar EI spectra, and this presents problems for identification of “unknowns” and the detection and deconvolution of overlapping peaks. The aim of this work is to explore use of positive chemical ionization (CI) as an adjunct to EI for GC–MS metabolite profiling. Two reagent gases differing in proton affinity (CH₄ and NH₃) were used to analyse 111 metabolite standards and extracts from plant samples. NH₃-CI mass spectra were simple and generally dominated by [MH]⁺ and/or the adduct [M+NH₄]⁺. For the 111 metabolite standards, m/z 73 and 147 were less than 3% of basepeak in NH₃-CI and less than 30% of basepeak in CH₄-CI. With CH₄-CI, [MH]⁺ was generally present but at lower relative abundance than for NH₃-CI. CH₄-CI spectra were commonly dominated by losses of CH₄ [M+1-16]⁺, 1–3 TMSOH [M+1-nx90]⁺, and combinations of CH₄ and TMSOH losses [M+1-nx90-16]⁺. CH₄-CI and NH₃-CI mass spectra are presented for 111 common metabolites, and CI is used with real samples to help identify overlapping peaks and aid identification via determination of the pseudomolecular ion with NH₃-CI and structural information with CH₄-CI.

     

Complexation of a four-strand tetraalcohol with labile metal ions probed by electrospray mass spectrometry

The saturated, stereodefined tetraalcohol 2,3,5,6-endo,endo,endo,endo-tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (tetol, L¹) and the simple alcohol butane-1,3-diol (L²) form complexes with alkali metal ions (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium), alkali earth cations (magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium) and Ga(III) and Ce(IV) in aqueous solution, characterised by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESMS). Metal ion exchange between the Li⁺ complex of L¹ and the other metal ions is rapid, with a range of M(L¹)_n ^m+ species detected, in addition to solvated species. With the alkal metal ions, M(L¹)⁺ and M(L¹)₂ ⁺ are dominant, although speciation varies with metal ion size. For the alkaline earth ions, a range of complex ions up to n=8 are observed, although n=1-3 dominate. A preference for M(L¹)₂ ²⁺ with Mg²⁺ versus M(L¹)₃ ²⁺ with Ca²⁺ may again relate to a larger ion size. For the higher-charged Ga(III) and Ce(IV), hydroxo species M(OH)(L¹)_n ^(m−1)+ are dominant reflecting bulk solution behaviour, which the ESMS studies appear to map generally.     

An aromatic schiff base stabilised as a coordinated enol iminium zwitterion by complex formation with a series of divalent metal ions

The Schiff base N-(2-hydroxy-3-carboxy-1-naphthylidine)-4-methyl-2-sulphonic acid aniline (bonsaH₃) has been found to react with a range of divalent metal ions (Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ and UO₂²⁺ to give red-yellow insoluble complexes (bonsaH)_m(H₂O)_n. The solid state diffuse reflectance spectra of all the complexes have an intense visible band at ca. 470 nm. This fact, together with evidence from infrared spectra and room-temperature magnetic-moment measurements, suggests that in all cases the ligand is coordinated to the metal ion in the solid state in the enol-iminium zwitterionic form. The ¹H NMR spectra of the Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ complexes in DMSO-d₆ indicate that a different structure is adopted in this solvent. Comparisons with the spectra of bonsa-H₃ and (bonsa-H₂)K·H₂O suggest that the solution structure is that of an enol-imine.     

1H-NMR assignments of GM1-oligosaccharide in deuterated water at 500 MHz by two-dimensional spin-echo J-correlated spectroscopy

The ¹H-NMR spectra of the oligosaccharide derived from monosialoganglioside G_M1 (G_M1 = β-d-galactosyl-(1–3)-β-d-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-(1–4)-[α-N-acetylneuraminyl-(2–3)]-β-d-galactosyl-( 1–4)-β-d-glucosylceramide) (G_M1OS) and its reduced form (G_M1OS-R) have been obtained at 500 MHz in D₂O. Through the combined use of one-dimensional and homonuclear two-dimensional spin-echo J-correlated (2D SECSY) spectra of G_M1OS-R, the assignments for the ring protons of G_M1OS are made. Data on chemical shifts and coupling constants of G_M1OS including the α-linked neuraminic acid protons, in aqueous solution, are tabulated. Due to the very small coupling constants (<2 Hz) and the closeness in chemical shifts (<0.04 ppm) for the pair of correlated peaks in the two-dimensional spectrum, the information on the connectivities of the H5 ring protons of the neutral sugar residues is missing. Second-order coupling also blurs this information. Data are compared with those obtained for ganglioside G_M1 in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO;the actual composition therein was 97% DMSO-d₆ and 3% D₂O) by T.A.W. Koerner, J. H. Prestegard, P. C. Demou, and R. K. Yu (1983, Biochemistry22, 2676). While the heterogeneity of chemical shifts for the H5, H6a, and H6b protons diminishes in D₂O, that for A-9a and A-9b remains. The latter suggests an intraneuraminic acid conformation involving the glycerol side chain unaffected by the solvent. Moreover, the chemical shifts of the III-1, III-2, and A-4 protons (and perhaps the II-4, IV-2, and A-8 protons) in D₂O exhibit unusual upfield shifts compared with those in DMSO. This indicates that the intramolecular interactions between GalNAc residue III and neuraminic acid present in DMSO are weakened in D₂O. The effect of temperature on the conformation is also examined and appears to be minimal (<0.02 ppm) in the range 22–50 °C.     

Syntheses and characterization of Co(III) binuclear complexes with bis(catecholate) ligands containing an acetylene linker

Three binuclear Co(III) complexes with 5,5′-(buta-1,3-diyne-1,4-diyl)bis(3-tert-butylcatechol) (L1), 5,5′-(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene)bis(ethyne-2,1-diyl)bis(3-tert-butyl-catechol) (L2) and 5,5′-(4,4′-(buta-1,3-diyne-1,4-diyl)bis(2,5-dimethoxy-4,1-phenylene))bis(ethyne-2,1-diyl)bis(3-tert-butyl-catechol) (L3) have been prepared. The triple bond-containing L1, L2 and L3 ligands were synthesized by a cross-coupling reaction. These complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, electrochemical measurements, ¹H NMR and UV-Vis spectra. In [Co₂(bpy)₄(L1)]²⁺, electrochemical oxidation of the complexes occurs at the bridges as two closely spaced one-electron couples. UV-Vis spectra reveal that chemical oxidation of [Co₂(bpy)₄(L1)]²⁺ using Ag⁺ occurs as a two-electron process forming [Co₂(bpy)₄(L1^Cat,SQ)]³⁺ or [Co₂(bpy)₄(L1^SQ,SQ)]⁴⁺. On the other hand, [Co₂(bpy)₄(L2)]²⁺ and [Co₂(bpy)₄(L3)]²⁺ exhibit different oxidation behavior under the same experimental conditions. In this report we discuss the role of the distance between the two metal atoms on the oxidative behavior of binuclear Co(III) complexes.     

On the mechanism of action of thiamin enzymes, Crystal structure of 2-(α-hydroxyethyl)thiamin pyrophosphate (HETPP). Complexes of HETPP with zinc(II) and cadmium(II)

The crystal structure of the 2-(α-hydroxethyl) thiamin pyrophosphate (LH₂) was solved by X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data: space group F2dd, a=7.922(4) Å, b=33.11(2) Å, c=36.232(10) Å, V=9503(9) ų, z=16. Metal complexes of the general formula K₂{[M(LH)Cl₂]₂} (M=Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺) were isolated from methanolic solutions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, Raman, and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectra. They were also characterized by ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR, ¹¹³Cd NMR, ES-MS, and ¹H NMR ROESY spectra in D₂O solutions. The data provide evidence for the bonding of the metals to the N(1′) atom of the pyrimidine ring and to the pyrophosphate group. The free ligand and the metal-coordinated ligand adopt the S conformation. Since thiamin cofactor, substrate, and metal ions are present in our system, the extracted results directly refer to thiamin catalysis and possible functional implications are correlated and discussed.     

Structural characterization of neutral glycosphingolipids using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with a repeated high-speed polarity and MS<Superscript>n</Superscript> switching system

Four types of neutral glycosphingolipids (LacCer, Gb₃Cer, Gb₄Cer, and IV³αGalNAc-Gb₄Cer; 10 pmol each) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight (ESI-QIT-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) with a repeated high-speed polarity and MSⁿ switching system. This system can provide six types of mass spectra, including positive and negative ion MS, MS², and MS³ spectra, within 1 s per cycle. Using HPLC with a normal-phase column, information on the molecular weights of major molecular species of four neutral glycosphingolipids was obtained by detecting [M+Na]⁺ in the positive ion mode mass spectra and [M?H]^? in the negative ion mode mass spectra. Sequences of glycosphingolipid oligosaccharide were obtained in the negative ion MS² spectra. In addition, information on the ceramide structures was clearly obtained in the negative ion MS³ mass spectra. GlcCer molecular species were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-QIT-TOF MS with a reversed-phase column using 1 pmole of GlcCer. The structures of the seven molecular species of GlcCer, namely, d18:1-C16:0, d18:1-C18:0, d18:1-C20:0, d18:1-C22:0, d18:1-C23:0, d18:1-C24:1, and d18:1-C24:0, were characterized using positive ion MS and negative ion MS, MS², and MS³. The established HPLC-ESI-QIT-TOF MS with MSⁿ switching and a normal phase column has been successfully applied to the structural characterization of LacCer and Gb₄Cer in a crude mixture prepared from human erythrocytes.