Cholesterol-lipid interactions: An infrared and raman spectroscopic study of the carbonyl stretching mode region of 1,2-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine bilayers

Infrared and Raman spectra were obtained for the 1690–1770 cm^?1 carbonyl stretching mode region for 1,2-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers in the anhydrous, partially hydrated and completely hydrated states. Spectral features at approx. 1740 and 1721 cm^?1 are assigned to CO stretching modes associated with the 1- and 2-chain carbonyl groups, respectively. Splittings of the primary transitions at 1743, 1738, ～1731 and ～1721 cm^?1 are attributed to rotational isomers involving the entire chain. Hydrogen bond formation between the fatty acid carbonyl and 3βOH cholesterol groups was investigated for anhydrous DPPC bilayers. Examination of frequencies, intensities and half-widths of the carbonyl bands indicates that no hydrogen bonding occurs at either of the two carbonyl sites. However, the addition of cholesterol to completely hydrated DPPC dispersions reduces the conformational inequivalence between the two fatty acid carbonyl groups by specifically perturbing the 2-chain. For cholesterol containing systems the carbonyl stretching mode transitions were also used to monitor lattice effects within the interface region as water binds to the bilayer head groups. Specifically, the addition of approx. 2 molecules of water per lipid molecule orders the lipid lattice and increases the bilayer packing density, while the subsequent addition of 4 molecules of water per lipid molecule releases the packing constraints within the interface region and thereby decreases the packing density.     

The oxidative addition of methyl iodide to β-diketonecarbonyltriphenylphosphinerhodium(I) complexes

The kinetics and mechanism of the reaction [Rh(β-diketone)(CO)(PPh₃)] + CH₃I → [Rh(β-diketone)(CH₃)(I)(CO)(PPh₃)] where β-diketone = acac, TFDMAA, TFAA and HFAA, were studied with the aid of i.r. and visible spectrophotometry. The reaction proceeds by two consecutive steps through a postulated ionic intermediate. The influence of phosphine dissociation, solvent polarity, alkyl group variation and different electronegative β-diketone substituents on the reaction rate were investigated. The rate constant for a methyl-acyl → metal-alkyl conversion (CH₃ migration) was determined.     

Eight-coordination. Synthesis and structure of the schiff-base chelate bis(N,N′-disalicylidene-1,2-phenylenediamino)cerium(IV)

In an effort to elucidate the factors that determine the geometry of eight-coordinate complexes we synthesized and structurally characterizes the complex bis(N,N′-disalicylidene-1,2-phenylenediamino)Cerium(IV), Ce(salophen)₂. It is a square antiprismatic species with each chelating ligand spanning sss edges. The CeO bonds average 2.214 Å, appreciably shorter than CeN distance of 2.606 Å. The tow ligands have the sandwich orientation and the trapezoidal planes intersect at 88.2°. The δ angles are 7.0°, 2.6°, 56.5° and 55.9° and the ? angles are 30.0° and 28.6°. The complex crystallized in space group P2₁/C with Z = 4, a = 11.090(2) Å, b = 16.332(3) Å, c = 18.916(3) Å, β = 70.10(2)° and d_calc = 1.585 g/cm₃.     

Restricted fragmentation of poliovirus type 1, 2 and 3 RNAs by ribonuclease III.

Cleavage of the genome RNAs of poliovirus type 1, 2 and 3 with the ribonuclease III of Escherichia coli has been investigated with the following results: (1) at or above physiological salt concentration, the RNAs are completely resistant to the action of the enzyme, an observation suggesting that the RNAs lack “primary cleavage sites”; (2) lowering the salt concentration to 0.1 m or below allows RNase III to cleave the RNAs at “secondary sites”. Both large and small fragments can be obtained in a reproducible manner depending on salt conditions chosen for cleavage. Fingerprints of three large fragments of poliovirus type 2 RNA show that they originate from unique segments and represent most if not all sequences of the genome. Based upon binding to poly(U) filters of poly(A)- linked fragments, a physical map of the large fragments of poliovirus type 2 RNA was constructed. The data suggest that RNase III cleavage of single-stranded RNA provides a useful method to fragment the RNA for further studies.     

Variability of niobiumsulfur bond lengths: The molecular structures of sulfido-tris(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamato)niobium(V)

In a further examination of the multiply bonded NbS group, the structure of NbS(S₂CNEt₂)₃ has been determined. The compound crystallizes in triclinic space group P$\text{1}$ with a = 9.870(1), b = 15.743(2), c = 16.804(3) Å, α = 101.69(1)°, β = 93.51(1)°, γ = 91.12(1)°, and Z = 4. With use of 6709 unique data (F_O² > 3σ(F_O²)) the structure was refined to R(R_w) = 3.1(3.5%). The crystal contains two inequivalent molecules with distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination in which a sulfide atom occupies an axial position. The molecules are differentiated by ethyl group orientations and significantly different NbS bond lengths of 2.122(1) and 2.168(1) Å. Full structural details are reported. The results fall within the ca. 2.09–2.20 Å interval established with other molecules and emphasize the variability in bond length of the NbS group. Stretching frequencies and bond lengths show a rough inverse dependence. For square pyramidal [NbSCl₄]^1?, with a relatively high NbS bond order, v_NbS = 552 cm^?1 is associated with a bond length of 2.085(5) Å and an overlap population of 0.64.     

Neutron-scattering studies of lac repressor: A low-resolution model

A low-resolution model for the lac repressor is proposed from small-angle neutron studies on the native protein as well as on its isolated tryptic core and the 51 amino acids N-terminal peptide (headpiece). The implications for the interaction with the lac operator DNA are discussed.     

A 31P nuclear magnetic resonance and fluorescence study of the interaction of an anti-arthritic gold phosphine drug with albumin. A bioinorganic approach

¹H decoupled ³¹P nmr spectra were recorded for a series of gold complexes of formulae PEt₃AuL and [PEt₃AuL′]⁺ClO₄^? where L and L′ are ligands containing biologically relevant donor atoms. This series of a model compounds provide a ³¹P nmr scale for the interaction of the ‘PEt₃Au’ moiety with proteins. The reactions of albumin and SH blocked albumin with PEt₃AuCl were monitored by ³¹P nmr spectroscopy. Comparison of the observed chemical shifts to those of the model compounds revealed preferential binding of gold to S occurs. Fluorescence studies of the gold-protein interactions imply that a protein conformational charge occurs on binding of gold. The implications of these studies on the mechanism of action of anti-arthritic gold drugs is discussed.     

Stability constants for,and structural investigation of,divalent metal ion complexes with polyene antibiotics

The stability constants for the formation of complexes between Ca(II), Mg(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) with nystatin and amphotericin-B (polyene antibiotics) have been determined by both a potentiometric and a solubility method. The structures of the complexes have been investigated by NMR, ESR and CD spectroscopy. The transition metal stability constants are consistent with the Irving- Williams series. The structural results are discussed and related to the importance of such complexes in mode of action theories.     

Spectroelectrochemical determination of the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics of soluble spinach ferredoxin

Heterogeneous electron transfer rate parameters for soluble spinach ferredoxin are reported using a recently developed single potential step spectroelectrochemical technique. The reductive kinetics were measured by monitoring the $\text{decrease}$ in absorbance as a function of time for several overpotential steps at methyl viologen modified optically transparent gold minigrid electrodes. These measurements yielded an average formal heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_f,h^o′ = 6.5 (±1.3) × 10^?5 cm/s) and electrochemical transfer coefficient (α = 0.60 ± (0.16)) at pH 7.5. These results are the first heterogeneous electron transfer rate parameters reported for this species.     

The A protomer of islet-activating protein,pertussis toxin,as an active peptide catalyzing ADP-ribosylation of a membrane protein

Islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin, is an oligomeric protein composed of an A protomer and a B oligomer. IAP and its A protomer were equipotent, on a molar basis, in enhancing GTP-dependent adenylate cyclase activity and in causing ADP-ribosylation of the 41,000 M_r protein when directly added to the cell-free membrane preparation from rat C6 glioma cells. Similar actions of IAP observed upon its addition to intact C6 cells were not mimicked by its A protomer, indicating that the A protomer had to be associated with the B oligomer to become accessible to its site of action on the inner surface of the membrane of intact cells. The A protomer, but not IAP, exhibited NAD-glycohydrolase activity in the reaction mixture lacking cellular components but containing dithiothreitol. Their actions on membranes were not accelerated by dithiothreitol, but markedly suppressed by oxidized glutathione. Thus, C6 cell membranes may possess certain “processing” enzyme(s) responsible for releasing the A protomer from the IAP molecule and for reductive cleavage of an intrachain disulfide bond in the released protomer, thereby producing an active peptide which functions to cause ADP-ribosylation of one of the subunits of guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in the receptor-adenylate cyclase system.     

Rabbit liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase: location of an active site lysyl residue in the COOH-terminal fragment generated by a lysosomal proteinase

Digestion of native rabbit liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Fru-P₂ase, EC 3.1.3.11) with a membrane-bound proteinase from rat liver lysosomes yields a fragment of M_r = 9850. This peptide contains the COOH terminus of the Fru-P₂ase polypeptide chain and also the cyanogen bromide peptide (BrCN5) carrying the active site lysyl residue. The sequence of BrCN5 and its location with respect to the COOH terminus of the polypeptide chain have been determined. The active site lysyl residue is located at approximately residue ?54 from the COOH terminus. The bond hydrolyzed by the lysosomal proteinase is located between residues ?88 and ?89 from the COOH terminus.     

Adenosine diphosphate-ribosyltransferase activity in permeabilized mouse testicular cells

Permeabilized mouse testicular cells and Sertoli cells were incubated with [³H]NAD. The radioactive derivative in the acid-precipitable material extracted by washing the cells was determined to be a composite of monomers of adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADP-ribose). The present results suggest that mammalian cells possess an enzyme system which mediates mono-ADP-ribosylation of proteins.     

Crystal structures of α- and β-(1,10-phenanthroline)tetrahydroborato(triphenylphosphine)copper(I) and (2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)tetrahydroboratocopper(I)

Copper(I) is five coordinate in (1,10-phenanthroline)tetrahydroborato(triphenylphosphine)copper(I). This compound crystallizes from either toluene as the yellow, α-form, a = 16.247(8), b = 9.750(7), c = 9.322(5) Å, α = 62.92(4), β = 84.77(4), γ = 84.34(5)°, triclinic P$\text{1}$, Z = 2, or from a xylene/methylene chloride mixture as the red β-form, X-ray cell, a = 13.675(11), b = 10.115(8), c = 9.700(7) Å, α = 95.22(6), β = 96.22(6), γ = 101.02(6)°; neutron cell, as the tetradeuteroborate, a = 13.703(1), b = 10.096(8), c = 9.74(1) Å, α = 95.23(9), β = 96.51(8), γ = 101.04(2)°, triclinic, P$\text{1}$, Z = 2. For both forms, unidentate triphenylphosphine, bidentate 1,10-phenanthroline and unsymmetrical bidentate BH₄^? completes the copper(I) coordination but there are subtle differences between the two. When the ligand 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dmdp, replaces 1,10-phenanthroline, the compound obtained is four coordinate with no tpp in the crystal. [C(dmdp)BH₄] is monoclinic, Cc, a = 14.522(4), b = 20.07(2), c = 7.718(2) Å, β = 106.17(2)°, Z = 4.     

Chromium(III) complexes and their relationship to the glucose tolerance factor. Part II. Structure and biological activity of amino acid complexes

A number of octahedral chromium complexes with amino acids are ligands have been prepared and their structures assigned on the basis of their chromatographic and spectral properties. These include complexes with the general structure Cr(AA)₂(H₂O)₂ where the amino acids glycine, glutamic acid and glutamine act as bidentate ligands. The analogous compound with cysteine as ligand is stable at low pH, but at high pH a terdentate cysteine complex, Cr(cysteine)₂^?, is formed. These complexes, as well as a solution of monodentate glycine aquo complexes, and Cr-nicotinic acid-glycine and Cr-nicotinic acid-cysteine complexes of undetermined structure, have been assayed for glucose tolerance factor activity using a yeast assay. Only Cr(glutamine)₂- (H₂O)₂⁺, Cr-nicotinic acid-glycine and the mixture of complexes Cr(glycine)_n(H₂O)_6-n⁺³ showed significant activity. It is proposed that a trans arrangement of the non-coordinated nitrogen atoms in the ligands of these complexes can mimic the structural features of the glucose tolerance factor which are essential for biological activity.     

Various 18-substituted progesterones

In order to test the potential biological activity of 18-substituted progesterones, 3,20-dioxo-4-pregene-18-carbonitrile (ld approximately) was converted to 3,20-dioxo-4-pregnene-18-carboxylic acid (lb approximately) and methyl 3,20-dioxo-4-pregnene-18-carboxylate (ld approximately) via a sequence of reactions involving an intramolecular hydrolysis of the 18--arbonitrile. Lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the bisethylene ketal derived from la approximately furnished 18-aminomethyl-5-pregnene-3,20-dione 3,20-bisethylene ketal (8 approximately). Acetylation and hydrolysis furnished 18-acetamidomethyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (lf approximately) and simple hydrolysis of 8 approximately furnished 3'alpha H-5' 6'-dihydro-2',19 beta-dimethyl-3-oxo-4-goneno [13,17-c]pyridine (9 approximately). None of the compounds exhibited any activity in Clauberg or anti-Clauberg tests.     

Biosynthesis of phycocyanobilin from exogenous labeled biliverdin in Cyanidium caldarium

Phycocyanin is a major light-harvesting pigment in bluegreen, red, and cryptomonad algae. This pigment is composed of phycocyanobilin chromophores covalently attached to protein. Phycocyanobilin is an open-chain tetrapyrrole structurally close to biliverdin. Biliverdin is formed in animals by oxidative ring-opening of protoheme. Recent evidence indicates that protoheme is a precursor of phycocyanobilin in the unicellular rhodophyte, Cyanidium caldarium. To find out if biliverdin is an intermediate in the conversion of protoheme to phycocyanobilin, [14C]biliverdin was administered along with N-methylmesoporphyrin IX (which blocks endogenous protoheme formation) to growing cells of C. caldarium. To avoid phototoxic effects due to the porphyrin, a mutant strain was used that forms large amounts of both chlorophyll and phycocyanin in the dark. After 12 or 24 h in the dark, cells were harvested and exhaustively extracted to remove free pigments. Next, protoheme was extracted. Phycocyanobilin was then cleaved from the apoprotein by methanolysis. Protoheme and phycocyanobilin were purified by solvent partition, DEAE-Sepharose chromatography, and preparative reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Absorption was monitored continuously and fractions were collected for radioactivity determination. Negligible amounts of label appeared in the protoheme-containing fractions. A major portion of label in the eluates of the phycocyanobilin-containing samples coincided with the absorption peak at 22 min due to phycocyanobilin. In a control experiment, [14C]biliverdin was added to the cells after incubation and just before the phycocyanobilin-apoprotein cleavage step. The major peak of label then eluted with the absorption peak at 12 min due to biliverdin, indicating that during the isolation biliverdin is not converted to compounds coeluting with phycocyanobilin. It thus appears that exogenous biliverdin can serve as a precursor to phycocyanobilin in C. caldarium, and that the route of incorporation is direct rather than by degradation and reincorporation of 14C through protoheme.     

Solvent effect on the synergic extraction of thulium(III) with acetylacetone and 1,10-phenanthroline

The synergic extraction equilibrium of Tm(III) with acetylacetone (Hacac) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in various organic solvents has been studied. The adduct formation constants, β_s, for Tm(acac)₃^? phen, were determined in heptane, cyclohexane, carbon tetrachloride, benzene and chloroform. The solvent effect on β_s is explained in connection with the activity coefficients of the neutral ligand, the chelate, and the adduct in the organic solvent. The activity coefficients can be calculated from the corresponding solubility parameters on the basis of the regular solution theory, and the solubility parameters of the solutes were estimated from their two-phase partition coefficients. It is demonstrated that β_s in different organic solvents except those having a specific interaction with the solute, such as chloroform, can be calculated by the present approach.