Synthesis of amino-analogs of bacteriochlorophyll-d and their self-aggregation in an aqueous micelle solution

Zinc methyl 3-aminomethyl- and 3-(1-aminoethyl)-pyropheophorbides-a were prepared by modifying naturally occurring chlorophyll-a. The synthetic amino-analogs of bacteriochlorophyll-d self-aggregated in an aqueous micelle solution to give large oligomers with red-shifted and broadened electronic absorption bands. The spectra of these self-aggregates were similar to those of bacteriochlorophyll self-aggregates in the main light-harvesting antennas of green photosynthetic bacteria. The 3¹-amino groups were alternative to the 3¹-hydroxy groups in natural bacteriochlorophylls-c/d/e/f.     

A mild conversion from 3-vinyl- to 3-formyl-chlorophyll derivatives

The C3-vinyl group of a chlorophyll derivative, methyl pyropheophorbide-a, was converted into the formyl group by a novel one-pot reaction with thiophenol at room temperature. The mild reaction can provide insight into development of ‘green’ catalysts displacing OsO₄ or O₃, and into elucidation of unknown biosynthetic processes of chlorophyll-d.     

Structure-taste relationship of glutamyl valine,the ‘sweet’ peptide for the fleshfly: The specific accessory site for the glutamyl moiety in the sugar receptor

l-Glutamyl-l-valine (Glu-Val) is one of the most stimulative dipeptides for the sugar receptor of the fleshfly. On the other hand, glutaryl-l-valine (Glt-Val) was almost ineffective. While N-acetylation of the α-amino group of the glutamyl (Glu) moiety in Glu-Val almost abolished responses, N-formylation of the group decreased the response appreciably but its effectiveness was clearly maintained.l-γ-O-Methyl-glutamyl-l-valine [Glu(γ-O Me)-Val] and l-glutaminyl-l-valine (Gln-Val) still gave moderate excitation, while l-glutamyl-l-valine methyl ester resulted in extremely decreased responses. Valeryl-l-valine, having neither the α-amino nor the γ-carboxyl group of the Glu moiety, was naturally ineffective in stimulating the sugar receptor.These results suggest the presence of a specific accessory site for the Glu moiety in Glu-Val located close to the aliphatic carboxylate (T) site in the sugar receptor.     

Effects of phytoplankton species composition on absorption spectra and modeled hyperspectral reflectance

Understanding the spectral characteristics of remotely-sensed reflectance by different phytoplankton species can assist in the development of algorithms to identify various algal groups using satellite ocean color remote sensing. One of the main challenges is to separate the effect of species composition on the reflectance spectrum from other factors such as pigment concentration and particle size structure. Measuring the absorption spectra of nine different cultured algae, and estimating the reflectance of the different species, provides a useful approach to study the effects of species composition on the bio-optical properties. The results show that the absorption spectra of different species exhibit different spectral characteristics and that species composition can significantly change the absorption characteristics at four main peaks (438, 536, 600 and 650 nm). A ‘distance angle index’ was used to compare different phytoplankton species. Results indicate that this index can be used to identify species from the absorption spectra, using a database of standard absorption spectra of known species as reference. By taking into account the role of species composition in the phytoplankton absorption model, the performance of the model can be improved by up to 5%. A reflectance-species model is developed to estimate the remotely-sensed reflectance from the absorption spectra, and the reflectance of different phytoplankton species at the same chlorophyll-a concentration is compared, to understand effects of species composition on the reflectance spectra. Different phytoplankton species can cause up to 33% difference in the modeled reflectance at short wavelengths under the condition of the same chlorophyll-a concentration, and variations in the reflectance spectrum correspond to the colors of the algae. The standard deviation of the reflectance among different species shows that the variations from 400 to 450 nm are sensitive to species composition at low chlorophyll-a concentrations, whereas variations in the 510 to 550 nm range are more sensitive under high chlorophyll-a concentrations. For this reason, the green bands may be more suitable for estimating species composition from hyperspectral satellite data during bloom conditions, whereas the blue bands may be more helpful in detection of species under low chlorophyll-a concentrations. In this theoretical approach, variations in reflectance at the same chlorophyll-a concentration can be used to identify phytoplankton species. Another approach to identify phytoplankton species from remotely-sensed hyperspectral reflectance measurements would be to derive the absorption spectra of phytoplankton from the reflectance measurements, and compare these with a standard database of absorption spectra.     

In vitro synthesis and characterization of bacteriochlorophyll-<Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> and its absence in bacteriochlorophyll-<Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis> producing organisms

Bacteriochlorophyll(BChl)-f which has not yet been found in natural phototrophs was prepared by chemically modifying chlorophyll-b. The retention time of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of the synthetic monomeric BChl-f as well as its visible absorption and fluorescence emission spectra in a solution were identified and compared with other naturally occurring chlorophyll pigments obtained from the main light-harvesting antenna systems of green sulfur bacteria, BChls-c/d/e. Based on the above data, BChl-f was below the level of detection in three strains of green photosynthetic bacteria producing BChl-e.     

Light-harvesting properties of zinc complex of chlorophyll-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">spirulina</Emphasis> in surfactant micellar media

Zn chlorophyll-a was prepareted from Mg chlorophyll-a from spirulina and the optical properties of the ground state and the photoexited state of Zn chlorophyll-a in aqueous surfactant micellar media were studied using UV-vis absorption, fluorescence emission spectra, electrochemical and fluorescence lifetime measurements. In comparison of the UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of Zn chlorophyll-a and Mg chlorophyll-a, the blue-shift in the absorption bands and emission peak of Zn chlorophyll-a was observed. The energies of the first excited singlet state of Zn chlorophyll-a was 1.87eV. The first oxidation and reduction potentials of the photoexcited singlet state of Zn chlorophyll-a were −0.67 and 0.60V, respectively. Fluorescence lifetime of Zn chlorophyll-a was 9.0 ns in CTAB micellar solution. The fluorescence lifetime of Zn chlorophyll-a is shorter than that of Mg chlorophyll-a (9.8 ns). The photositability of Zn chlorophyll-a was superior to that of Mg chlorophyll-a in various pH conditions. Published online December 2004     

Synthesis of chlorophyll–amino acid conjugates as models for modification of proteins with chromo/fluorophores

A chlorophyll-a derivative bonded directly with epoxide at the peripheral position of the chlorin π-system was reacted with N-urethane and C-ester protected amino acids bearing an alcoholic or phenolic hydroxy group as well as a carboxy group at the residue to give chlorophyll–amino acid conjugates. The carboxy residues of N,C-protected aspartic and glutamic acids were esterified with the epoxide in high yields. The synthetic conjugates in dichloromethane had absorption bands throughout the visible region including intense red-side Qy and blue-side Soret bands. By their excitation at the visible bands, strong and efficient fluorescence emission was observed up to the near-infrared region. The chromo/fluorophores are promising for preparation of functional peptides and modification of proteins.     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled 4-(phenylamino)-pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine derivatives as new potential PET tracers for imaging of p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase

The reference standards methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(methoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylate (10a), methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(ethoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylate (10b) and corresponding precursors 4-(2-methyl-5-(methoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylic acid (11a), methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(ethoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylic acid (11b) were synthesized from methyl crotonate and 3-amino-4-methylbenzoic acid in multiple steps with moderate to excellent yields. The target tracer [¹¹C]methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(methoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylate ([¹¹C]10a) and [¹¹C]methyl 4-(2-methyl-5-(ethoxycarbamoyl)phenylamino)-5-methylpyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine-6-carboxylate ([¹¹C]10b) were prepared from their corresponding precursors with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf under basic condition through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by a simplified solid-phase extraction (SPE) method in 50–60% radiochemical yields at end of bombardment (EOB) with 185–555 GBq/μmol specific activity at end of synthesis (EOS).     

Low-temperature time-resolved spectroscopic study of the major light-harvesting complex of Amphidinium carterae

The major light-harvesting complex of Amphidinium (A.) carterae, chlorophyll-a–chlorophyll-c ₂–peridinin–protein complex (acpPC), was studied using ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy at low temperature (60 K). An efficient peridinin–chlorophyll-a energy transfer was observed. The stimulated emission signal monitored in the near-infrared spectral region was stronger when redder part of peridinin pool was excited, indicating that these peridinins have the S₁/ICT (intramolecular charge-transfer) state with significant charge-transfer character. This may lead to enhanced energy transfer efficiency from “red” peridinins to chlorophyll-a. Contrary to the water-soluble antenna of A. carterae, peridinin–chlorophyll-a protein, the energy transfer rates in acpPC were slower under low-temperature conditions. This fact underscores the influence of the protein environment on the excited-state dynamics of pigments and/or the specificity of organization of the two pigment–protein complexes.     

Synthesis of the (1→6)-linked thiodisaccharide of galactofuranose: Inhibitory activity against a β-galactofuranosidase

A new (1→6)-linked thiodisaccharide formed by two galactofuranosyl units has been synthesized. Methyl (methyl α,β-d-galactofuranosid)uronate was employed as the starting compound, which was per-O-silylated with TBSCl and reduced with LiAlH₄ to afford methyl 2,3,5-tri-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-β-d-galactofuranoside (2β) as a key precursor for the preparation of methyl per-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-6-thio-β-d-galactofuranoside (12). The free thiol group of 12 was glycosylated and the product O-deprotected to afford the target β-d-Galf-S-(1→6)-β-d-Galf-OMe (14). The conformations of this thiodisaccharide were preliminarily studied using combined theoretical calculations and NMR data. Furthermore, the glycomimetic 14 showed to be a competitive inhibitor of the β-galactofuranosidase from Penicillum fellutanum (K_i = 3.62 mM).     

Syntheses of repeating units of Escherichia coli capsular polysaccharides containing d-ribose and 3-deoxy-d-manno-2-octulosonic acid (KDO)

The oligosaccharides, sodium (methyl 3-deoxy-7-O-β-d-ribofuranosyl-β-d-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate, methyl 2-O-β-d-ribofuranosyl-β-d-ribofuranoside, and the anomeric sodium [methyl 3-deoxy-7-O-(2-O-β-d-ribofuranosyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-α- and -β-d-manno-2-octulopyranosid]onate were prepared from 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-d-ribofuranose and the anomeric methyl (methyl 8-O-benzyl-4,5-O-carbonyl-3-deoxy-α- and -β-d-manno-2-octulopyranosid)onate in high purity and in acceptable over-all yields. They constitute a first series of model compounds for spectroscopic and immunochemical studies of the capsular polysaccharides from Escherichia coli strains LP 1092 and K 23. The essential, interglycosidic linkages [β-d-Ribf-(1→7)-α- or -β-d-dOclA, and β-d-Ribf-(1→2)-β-d-Ribf] were formed by a modification of the silver triflate procedure using appropriate d-ribofuranosyl bromide derivatives. The constitutional and configurational assignments were based on the 250-MHz ¹H-n.m.r.-spectra of protected derivatives of the oligosaccharides.     

Traffic within the Cytochrome b6f Lipoprotein Complex: Gating of the Quinone Portal

The cytochrome bc complexes b₆f and bc₁ catalyze proton-coupled quinol/quinone redox reactions to generate a transmembrane proton electrochemical gradient. Quinol oxidation on the electrochemically positive (p) interface of the complex occurs at the end of a narrow quinol/quinone entry/exit Q_p portal, 11 Å long in bc complexes. Superoxide, which has multiple signaling functions, is a by-product of the p-side quinol oxidation. Although the transmembrane core and the chemistry of quinone redox reactions are conserved in bc complexes, the rate of superoxide generation is an order of magnitude greater in the b₆f complex, implying that functionally significant differences in structure exist between the b₆f and bc₁ complexes on the p-side. A unique structure feature of the b₆f p-side quinol oxidation site is the presence of a single chlorophyll-a molecule whose function is unrelated to light harvesting. This study describes a cocrystal structure of the cytochrome b₆f complex with the quinol analog stigmatellin, which partitions in the Q_p portal of the bc₁ complex, but not effectively in b₆f. It is inferred that the Q_p portal is partially occluded in the b₆f complex relative to bc₁. Based on a discrete molecular-dynamics analysis, occlusion of the Q_p portal is attributed to the presence of the chlorophyll phytyl tail, which increases the quinone residence time within the Q_p portal and is inferred to be a cause of enhanced superoxide production. This study attributes a novel (to our knowledge), structure-linked function to the otherwise enigmatic chlorophyll-a in the b₆f complex, which may also be relevant to intracellular redox signaling.     

Phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll-a in some shallow lakes in central Europe

Based on 388 parallel data of phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll-a of two shallow lakes and two ponds, the following results were obtained:

1. Relative chlorophyll-a content of phytoplankton biomass varied between 0.08–1.88%; chlorophyll-a concentration showed great differences among lakes.
2. Significant correlations (r = 0.68–0.92) were established between phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll-a concentration. The regression in the artificial ponds was non-linear.
3. In parallel with the increase of average cell volume, a decrease in relative chlorophyll-a content was observed. A significant correlation (r = + 0.83) between the two variables was found. Relative chlorophyll-a content of phytoplankton is a log-function of average cell volume.

     

Traffic within the Cytochrome b6f Lipoprotein Complex: Gating of the Quinone Portal

The cytochrome bc complexes b₆f and bc₁ catalyze proton-coupled quinol/quinone redox reactions to generate a transmembrane proton electrochemical gradient. Quinol oxidation on the electrochemically positive (p) interface of the complex occurs at the end of a narrow quinol/quinone entry/exit Q_p portal, 11 Å long in bc complexes. Superoxide, which has multiple signaling functions, is a by-product of the p-side quinol oxidation. Although the transmembrane core and the chemistry of quinone redox reactions are conserved in bc complexes, the rate of superoxide generation is an order of magnitude greater in the b₆f complex, implying that functionally significant differences in structure exist between the b₆f and bc₁ complexes on the p-side. A unique structure feature of the b₆f p-side quinol oxidation site is the presence of a single chlorophyll-a molecule whose function is unrelated to light harvesting. This study describes a cocrystal structure of the cytochrome b₆f complex with the quinol analog stigmatellin, which partitions in the Q_p portal of the bc₁ complex, but not effectively in b₆f. It is inferred that the Q_p portal is partially occluded in the b₆f complex relative to bc₁. Based on a discrete molecular-dynamics analysis, occlusion of the Q_p portal is attributed to the presence of the chlorophyll phytyl tail, which increases the quinone residence time within the Q_p portal and is inferred to be a cause of enhanced superoxide production. This study attributes a novel (to our knowledge), structure-linked function to the otherwise enigmatic chlorophyll-a in the b₆f complex, which may also be relevant to intracellular redox signaling.     

The effect of piperonyl butoxide and triorthocresyl phosphate on the activity of juvenile hormone mimics and their sulphur isosteres in Tenebrio molitor L. and oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas)

The effects of synergists on the morphogenetic activity of farnesyl methyl ether (a), 10,11-episulphido farnesyl methyl ether (b), 10,11-epoxyfarnesyl methyl ether (c), farnesyl methyl sulphide (d), farnesyl methyl sulphoxide (e) and ethyl 10,11-episulphido farnesoate (f) were determined. Both synergists showed very low juvenilizing activity. All compounds except f were more active in T. molitor. a < b < c showed increasing order of basal activity and of synergism. d had low activity in both insects and was not affected by piperonyl butoxide (PB). In O. fasciatus, e had low activity which was slightly increased by PB. However, in T. molitor e showed moderate activity that was decreased by PB, suggesting an activation reaction, possibly to the sulphone. f showed high activity which was little affected by synergists.     

Synthesis of novel morpholine conjugated benzophenone analogues and evaluation of antagonistic role against neoplastic development

A series of novel 4-benzyl-morpholine-2-carboxylic acid N′-[2-(4-benzoyl-phenoxy)-acetyl]-hydrazide derivatives 8a-j has been synthesized from (4-hydroxy-aryl)-aryl methanones through a multi-step reaction sequence and then evaluated for anti-proliferative activity in vitro against various types of neoplastic cells of mouse and human such as DLA, EAC, MCF-7 and A549 cells. From the cytotoxic studies and structural activity relationship of compounds 8a-j, it is clear that methyl group on the B ring of benzophenone is essential for antiproliferative activity and bromo at ortho position (compound 8b) and methyl at para position (compound 8f) on A ring of benzophenone are significant for extensive anti-mitogenic activity. Investigation on clonogenesis and Fluorescence-activated cell sorting suggests that compounds 8b and 8f have the potency to exhibit the prolonged activity with cell cycle arrest on G2/M phase against cancer progression. Further, the compounds 8b and 8f inhibit murine ascites lymphoma through caspase activated DNase mediated apoptosis.     

Photorelease of amino acids from novel thioxobenzo[f]benzopyran ester conjugates

Aiming at the enhancement of the performance of (9-methoxy-3-oxo-3H-benzo[f]benzopyran-1-yl) methyl ester as photocleavable protecting group for the carboxylic acid function at long-wavelengths, 9-methoxy-3-thioxo-3H-benzo[f]benzopyran-l-valine and l-phenylalanine model conjugates were prepared through a thionation reaction of the corresponding oxo-benzobenzopyrans. These thioxobenzobenzopyran derivatives were subjected to photocleavage reactions in the same conditions as the parent oxo-benzobenzopyrans at different wavelengths of irradiation, and photocleavage data were obtained. It was found that the exchange of the carbonyl by a thiocarbonyl group enhanced the performance of the heterocyclic protecting group at 419?nm by improving the photolysis rates, making it an appropriate group for practical applications at long wavelengths.     

Letter: Methylation of mitochondrial RNA species in the wild-type and poky strains of Neurospora crassa.

Methylation of mitochondrial RNAs in the me-3 and poky f⁺ me-3 strains of Neurospora crassa has been re-examined using procedures based on steadystate labeling with [methyl-³H]methionine and taking the precaution of adding sodium formate to suppress randomization of the methyl-³H label. Under these conditions, the values measured for the mitochondrial ribosomal RNAs are 0·05 to 0·16 methyl group per 100 nucleotides, much lower than had been reported previously and, in addition, there is no longer a significant difference between the me-3 and poky f⁺ me-3 strains (contrast Kuriyama &; Luck, 1974). Control experiments rule out the possibility that the much lower values result from grossly inefficient labeling of intra-mitochondrial methyl groups.     

Determinants of chlorophyll-a concentration in tropical reservoirs

Predictive models for chlorophyll-a concentration are the most common ecological tools for water-quality management. However, the interactions among factors driving eutrophication processes remain poorly understood. In addition to nutrient concentrations, other variables such as, for instance, hydrology, land use and biotic interactions may also be included as explanatory variables. Here, we compared a set of a priori models (which included local, morphological, and landscape variables) with respect to their power to predict chlorophyll-a concentration in 21 reservoirs of central Brazil. The best model, selected according to the Akaike information criterion, explained 67.7% of the variation in chlorophyll-a concentration, and indicated a positive relationship with total phosphorus concentration (the main predictor in our model) and depth. Turbidity was negatively correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration. Contrary to recent studies indicating the importance of landscape predictors, our results suggested a preponderance of local factors in determining chlorophyll-a concentration, and that the control of phosphorus sources in tropical reservoirs is as important as it is in temperate ecosystems. We also detected a substantial uncertainty regarding the best model, suggesting that further studies should focus on explicitly modeling the variation in the strength of the relationships between chlorophyll-a and explanatory variables.