11, 15, 19-trihydroxy-9-ketoprost-13-enoic acid and 11, 15, 19-trihydroxy-9-ketoprosta-5, 13-dienoic acid in human seminal fluid.

Two novel prostaglandins (PG) have been found in human seminal fluid which had been frozen immediately after collection. They were characterized by combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of various derivatives as 19-hydroxy prostaglandin E1 (11, 15, 19-trihydroxy-9-ketoprost-13-enoic acid) and 19-hydroxy prostaglandin E2 (11, 15, 19-trihydroxy-9-ketoprosta-5, 13-dienoic acid). They were present in three to five times the quantity of prostaglandins E1 and E2. Incubation of seminal fluid for 3 hr at 25 degrees C reduced levels of 190H-PGEs2.5-fold and PGE22-fold, while increasing levels of PGAs and PGBs 2-fold. No 190H PGA or 190H PGB was detected in extracts of unincubated fluid. The PGAs, PGBs and their 19-hydroxy analogs are probably artifacts arising metabolically or as a result of classical isolation techniques.     

Linkage-disequilibrium mapping of autistic disorder, with 15q11-13 markers.

Autistic disorder is a complex genetic disease. Because of previous reports of individuals with autistic disorder with duplications of the Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome critical region, we screened several markers across the 15q11-13 region, for linkage disequilibrium. One hundred forty families, consisting predominantly of a child with autistic disorder and both parents, were studied. Genotyping was performed by use of multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis. Two children were identified who had interstitial chromosome 15 duplications and were excluded from further linkage-disequilibrium analysis. Use of the multiallelic transmission-disequilibrium test (MTDT), for nine loci on 15q11-13, revealed linkage disequilibrium between autistic disorder and a marker in the gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor subunit gene, GABRB3 155CA-2 (MTDT 28.63, 10 df, P=.0014). No evidence was found for parent-of-origin effects on allelic transmission. The convergence of GABRB3 as a positional and functional candidate along with the linkage-disequilibrium data suggests the need for further investigation of the role of GABRB3 or adjacent genes in autistic disorder.     

Angelman's syndrome and 15q11-q13 deletion

We discuss the results of cytogenetic reinvestigation in 10 patients with Angelman's syndrome reexamined during the last year. A deletion with 15q11-13 could be demonstrated in 6 of them, confirming that with the available cytogenetic techniques a 15q11-13 deletion is visible and detectable in at least half of the patients with this MCA/MR syndrome. On the other hand, the deletion could not be seen in two affected siblings. This indicates that de novo visible 15q11-13 deletions with low recurrence risk and autosomal recessively inherited cases combine to give an overall sib recurrence risk of less than 25%.     

1H, 13C, and 15N chemical shift assignments of ZCCHC9

ZCCHC9 is a human nuclear protein with sequence homology to yeast Air1p/Air2p proteins which are RNA-binding subunits of the Trf4/Air2/Mtr4 polyadenylation (TRAMP) complex involved in nuclear RNA quality control and degradation in yeast. The ZCCHC9 protein contains four retroviral-type zinc knuckle motifs. Here, we report the NMR spectral assignment of the zinc knuckle region of ZCCHC9. These data will allow performing NMR structural and RNA-binding studies of ZCCHC9 with the aim to investigate its role in the RNA quality control in human.     

Biosynthetic uniform 13C,15N-labelling of zervamicin IIB. Complete 13C and 15N NMR assignment.

Zervamicin IIB is a member of the alpha-aminoisobutyric acid containing peptaibol antibiotics. A new procedure for the biosynthetic preparation of the uniformly 13C- and 15N-enriched peptaibol is described This compound was isolated from the biomass of the fungus-producer Emericellopsis salmosynnemata strain 336 IMI 58330 obtained upon cultivation in the totally 13C, 15N-labelled complete medium. To prepare such a medium the autolysed biomass and the exopolysaccharides of the obligate methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacillus flagellatus KT were used. This microorganism was grown in totally 13C, 15N-labelled minimal medium containing 13C-methanol and 15N-ammonium chloride as the only carbon and nitrogen sources. Preliminary NMR spectroscopic analysis indicated a high extent of isotope incorporation (> 90%) and led to the complete 13C- and 15N-NMR assignment including the stereospecific assignment of Aib residues methyl groups. The observed pattern of the structurally important secondary chemical shifts of 1H(alpha), 13C=O and 13C(alpha) agrees well with the previously determined structure of zervamicin IIB in methanol solution.     

9α,15-Dihydroxygermacra-1(10),4-dien-11β,13-dihydro-6α,12-olide,a germacranolide isolated from Centaurea aspera subsp. stenophylla

A new germacranolide, isolated from Centaurea aspera subsp. stenophylla, was identified as 9β,15-dihydroxygermacra-1 (10)4-dien-11β,l3-dihydro-6α,12-olide by spectroscopic evidence and partial synthesis.     

Mosaic 13 trisomy due to de novo 13/13 translocation with subsequent fission. Karyotype: 46,XX,-13, +t(13;13)(p11;q11)/46,XX,del(13)(p11). A second example

In this paper we report a second example of 13 trisomy mosaicism due to de novo 13/13 translocation followed by postzygotic fission of the translocation chromosome in a polymalformed female newborn.     

Crystal structure, detonation performance, and thermal stability of a new polynitro cage compound: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptacyclo [5.5.1.13, 11. 15, 9] pentadecane

A new polynitro cage compound 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15-nonaazaheptcyclo [5.5.1.1(3,11).1(5,9)] pentadecane (NNNAHP) was designed in the present work. Its molecular structure was optimized at the B3LYP/6-31 G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT) and crystal structure was predicted using the Compass and Dreiding force fields and refined by DFT GGA-RPBE method. The obtained crystal structure of NNNAHP belongs to the P-1 space group and the lattice parameters are a = 9.99 ?, b = 10.78 ?, c = 9.99 ?, α = 90.01°, β = 120.01°, γ = 90.00°, and Z = 2, respectively. Based on the optimized crystal structure, the band gap, density of state, thermodynamic properties, infrared spectrum, strain energy, detonation characteristics, and thermal stability were predicted. Calculation results show that NNNAHP has detonation properties close to those of CL-20 and is a high energy density compound with moderate stability.     

A proximal mouse chromosome 9 linkage map that further defines linkage groups homologous with segments of human chromosomes 11, 15, and 19.

A 42-cM map of proximal mouse chromosome 9, including eight loci defined by restriction fragment length variants, has been generated. Linkage was established by haplotype analyses of 114 interspecific backcross mice and indicated the following gene order: (centromere) Pvs-5.3 cM-Icam-1/Ldlr-18.4 cM-Thy-1-1.8 cM-Ncam-0.9 cM-Hexa-7.9 cM-Gsta-7.9 cM-Trf. Three of these loci, Pvs, Icam-1, and Hexa, have not been mapped previously. Together with previous mapping studies the current results suggested that chromosomal segments of mouse chromosomes 7 and 9 and chromosomal segments of human chromosomes 11, 15, and 19 derive from a single putative primordial chromosome. The studies support the postulate that detailed analysis of chromosome organization will be useful in defining events in mammalian evolution.     

Single potassium channels of human glioma cells.

Single potassium channels in the membrane of human malignant glioma cells U-118MG were studied using the technique of patch clamp in cell-attached and inside-out configurations. Three types of potassium channels were found which differed from each other under conditions close to physiological in their conductance and gating characteristics. The lowest-conductance channel (20 pS near the reversal potential) showed a mild outward rectification up to 45 pS at positive voltages and spontaneous modes of high and low activity. At extreme values of potentials its activity was generally low. The intermediate conductance channel had an S-shaped I-V curve, giving a conductance of 63 pS at reversal, and a low and voltage independent opening probability. The high-conductance (215 pS) channel was found to be activated by both membrane potential and Ca2+ ions and blocked by internal sodium at high voltages. The current-voltage curves of all three channel types displayed saturation.     

Synthesis of methyl (5S,6R,7E,9E,11Z,13E,15S)-16-(4-fluorophenoxy)-5,6,15-trihydroxy-7,9,11,13-hexadecatetraenoate,an analogue of 15R-lipoxin A4

We describe a method for the synthesis of methyl (5S,6R,7E,9E,11Z,13E,15S)-16-(4-fluorophenoxy)-5,6,15-trihydroxy-7,9,11,13-hexadecatetraenoate, a compound that has been described as a metabolically stable analogue of 15R-lipoxin A(4).     

Methods for quantitative analysis of PGF2 , PGE2, 9 , 11 -dihydroxy-15-keto-prost-5-enoic acid and 9 , 11 , 15-trihydroxy-prost-5-enoic acid from body fluids using deuterated carriers and gas chromatography--mass spectrometry

The preparation of (3,3,4,4-D₄)-PGE₂, (3,3,4,4-D₄)-PGF_2α, (3,3,4,4-D₄)-9α,11α-dihydroxy-15-ketoprost-5-enoic acid and (3,3,4,4-D₄)-9α,11α,15-trihydroxyprost-5-enoic acid is described. These compounds have been used for quantitative determination of corresponding nondeuterated prostaglandins by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method is based on addition of a known amount of carrier to the sample and after purification and derivatization the ratio between the protium and deuterium form is measured in the mass spectrometer. Ions originating in deuterated and nondeuterated molecules are focused one at a time on the electron multiplier using an accelerating voltage alternator.With this technique 400 pg of PGF_2α can be determined with a precision of ±3.7% (SD). The recoveries from plasma samples, containing 1–2.5 ng/ml of any of the compounds, is about 100±10%.     

Letter to the Editor: 1H, 15N and 13C resonance assignments of rabbit apo-S100A11

S100 proteins belong to the EF-hand family of calcium binding proteins. Upon calcium binding, these proteins undergo a conformational change to expose a hydrophobic region necessary for target protein interaction. One member of the S100 protein family is S100A11, first isolated from chicken gizzard and termed calgizzarin. It was later isolated from other organisms and tissues including human placenta, pig heart and rabbit lung. The physiological target of S100A11 is thought to be annexin I, a phospholipid-binding protein involved in EGF receptor sorting. This work reports the ¹H, ¹⁵N and ¹³C resonance assignments of rabbit apo-S100A11 determined using ¹⁵N, ¹³C-labelled protein and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of a Promising Flower-Inducing KODA Analog, (9R,12S,13R,15Z)-9-Hydroxy-12,13-methylene-10-oxooctadec-15-enoic Acid

Stereoselective synthesis of a promising flower-inducing 9,10-ketol octadecadienoic acid (KODA) analog, (9R,12S,13R,15Z)-9-hydroxy-12,13-methylene-10-oxooctadec-15-enoic acid, was designed to obtain the desired stereoisomer via coupling between chiral sulfone and aldehyde segments. A known chiral cyclopropane derivative was converted to the sulfone segment via carbon-chain elongation and sulfonylation. Dec-9-en-1-ol was converted to the aldehyde segment, whose C-9 configuration was introduced by Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation. Coupling of the both segments and subsequent assembly gave the desired (9R,12S,13R,15Z)-analog. The (9S,12S,13R,15Z)-analog was also synthesized by using the enatiomeric aldehyde segment. This strategy made it possible to synthesize the remaining stereoisomeric analogs.