Synthesis of N-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-N′-(4′,6′-diarylpyrimidin-2′-yl)thioureas

Some 2-amino-4,6-diarylpyrimidines 2 have been prepared from substituted benzylideneacetophenones and guanidine hydrochloride in the presence of alkali by conventional heating in alcoholic medium and microwave heating in solvent-free conditions. N-(2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-N′-(4′,6′-diarylpyrimidin-2′-yl)thioureas 4 have been synthesized by reaction of per-O-acetylated glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate 1 and substituted 2-amino-4,6-diarylpyrimidines 2. Two different methods have been used, namely, refluxing in anhydrous dioxane and solvent-free microwave-assisted coupling. The second procedure afforded higher yields in much shorter reaction times. The compounds 2 and 4 were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activities in vitro against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter aerogenes and Candida albicans by disc diffusion method.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of the homoleptic iron(II) complex of the novel 4′-(4?-pyridyl-N-oxide)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine ligand

The new ligand 4′-(4?-pyridyl-N-oxide)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyNoxterpy) and its homoleptic iron(II) complex have been synthesised, and structural and spectroscopic studies have been carried out. The obtained results have been compared with the reported data for the parent ligand 4′-(4?-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyterpy) and its homoleptic iron(II) complex. Significant differences between the spectral and electrochemical properties of the metal complexes have been found, derived from the changes in the electronic properties of the coordinated ligands.     

Occurrence of 9′Z-β-Echinenone in the Sea Urchin Pseudocentrotus depressus

β-Echinenone is a major carotenoid in the gonad of sea urchins and may play an important role in reproduction and embryonic development. We reinvestigated β-echinenone occurrence in the gonad, viscera, test, and spine of the sea urchin Pseudocentrotus depressus. It was found that β-echinenone fraction consisted of all-E- and 9′Z-β-echinenone. The highest abundance of 9′Z-β-echinenone (76.0–78.2% of the total β-echinenone fraction) was observed in the ovary and testis of the sea urchin. In both females and males, all-E-β-echinenone predominated in the viscera (63.6–75.9%), unlike the 9′Z-β-echinenone, and it was also present in the test and spine (41.3–64.9%). It should be made clear that the work suggests that the Z-carotenoid may have a specific function in the sea urchin, possibly related to reproduction.     

Plasmodium falciparum RuvB1 is an active DNA helicase and translocates in the 5′–3′ direction

RuvB family of protein contains two similar kinds of proteins i.e. RuvB1 and RuvB2 from yeast to human. These proteins belong to the AAA + class of proteins and are critical components of several multiprotein complexes involved in diverse cellular activities. There are two RuvB proteins annotated in the Plasmodium database but the identification of the third protein recently by our lab has raised the question why Plasmodium falciparum contains three RuvB proteins instead of two. Hence the biochemical characterizations of these proteins have become essential to understand the role of these proteins in the malaria parasite. Recently we have reported the characterization of the recombinant PfRuvB3, which contains ATPase activity but lacks DNA helicase activity. In the present study we report the phylogenetic analysis and detailed biochemical characterization of one of the other RuvB homologue RuvB1 from P. falciparum. PfRuvB1 shows considerable homology with human as well as yeast RuvB1 and contains Walker motif A and Walker motif B. The activity analysis of this protein revealed that PfRuvB1 is an ATPase and this activity increased significantly in the presence of ss-DNA. PfRuvB1 also contains DNA helicase activity and translocates preferentially in 5′ to 3′ direction. In vivo investigation of PfRuvB1 revealed that it is constitutively expressed during all the stages of intraerythrocytic cycle of P. falciparum and localizes mainly to the nucleus. These studies will make important contribution in understanding the role of RuvB protein in P. falciparum.     

Characterization of human β,β-carotene-15,15′-monooxygenase (BCMO1) as a soluble monomeric enzyme

The formal first step in in vitamin A metabolism is the conversion of its natural precursor β,β-carotene (C40) to retinaldehyde (C20). This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme β,β-carotene-15,15′-monooxygenase (BCMO1). BCMO1 has been cloned from several vertebrate species, including humans. However, knowledge about this protein’s enzymatic and structural properties is scant. Here we expressed human BCMO1 in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 insect cells. Recombinant BCMO1 is a soluble protein that displayed Michaelis–Menten kinetics with a K_M of 14 μM for β,β-carotene. Though addition of detergents failed to increase BCMO1 enzymatic activity, short chain aliphatic detergents such as C₈E₄ and C₈E₆ decreased enzymatic activity probably by interacting with the substrate binding site. Thus we purified BCMO1 in the absence of detergent. Purified BCMO1 was a monomeric enzymatically active soluble protein that did not require cofactors and displayed a turnover rate of about 8 molecules of β,β-carotene per second. The aqueous solubility of BCMO1 was confirmed in mouse liver and mammalian cells. Establishment of a protocol that yields highly active homogenous BCMO1 is an important step towards clarifying the lipophilic substrate interaction, reaction mechanism and structure of this vitamin A forming enzyme.     

Functional Importance of Bacteriophage ?29 DNA Polymerase Residue Tyr148 in Primer-terminus Stabilisation at the 3′-5′ Exonuclease Active Site

Recent crystallographic resolution of ?29 DNA polymerase complexes with ssDNA at its 3′-5′ exonuclease active site has allowed the identification of residues Pro129 and Tyr148 as putative ssDNA ligands, the latter being conserved in the Kx₂h motif of proofreading family B DNA polymerases. Single substitution of ?29 DNA polymerase residue Tyr148 to Ala rendered an enzyme with a reduced capacity to stabilize the binding of the primer terminus at the 3′-5′ exonuclease active site, not having a direct role in the catalysis of the reaction. Analysis of the 3′-5′ exonuclease on primer/template structures showed a critical role for residue Tyr148 in the proofreading of DNA polymerisation errors. In addition, Tyr148 is not involved in coupling polymerisation to strand displacement in contrast to the catalytic residues responsible for the exonuclease reaction, its role being restricted to stabilisation of the frayed 3′ terminus at the exonuclease active site. Altogether, the results lead us to extend the consensus sequence of the above motif of proofreading family B DNA polymerases into Kx₂hxA. The different solutions adopted by proofreading DNA polymerases to stack the 3′ terminus at the exonuclease site are discussed. In addition, the results obtained with mutants at ?29 DNA polymerase residue Pro129 allow us to rule out a functional role as ssDNA ligand for this residue.     

The Crystal Structure of the Complexes of Concanavalin A with 4′-Nitrophenyl-α-d-mannopyranoside and 4′-Nitrophenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside

Concanavalin A (Con A) is the best-known plant lectin and has importantin vitrobiological activities arising from its specific saccharide-binding ability. Its exact biological role still remains unknown. The complexes of Con A with 4′-nitro-phenyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (α-PNM) and 4′-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (α-PNG) have been crystallized in space group P2₁2₁2 with cell dimensionsa= 135.19 Å,b= 155.38 Å,c= 71.25 Å anda= 134.66 Å,b= 155.67 Å, andc= 71.42 Å, respectively. X-ray diffraction intensities to 2.75 Å for the α-PNM and to 3.0 Å resolution for the α-PNG complex have been collected. The structures of the complexes were solved by molecular replacement and refined by simulated annealing methods to crystallographic R-factor values of 0.185/0.186 and free-R-factor values of 0.260/0.274, respectively. In both structures, the asymmetric unit contains four molecules arranged as a tetramer, with approximate 222 symmetry. A saccharide molecule is bound in the sugar-binding site near the surface of each monomer. The nonsugar (aglycon) portion of the compounds used helps to identify the exact orientation of the saccharide in the sugar-binding pocket and is involved in major interactions between tetramers. The hydrogen bonding network in the region of the binding site has been analyzed, and only minor differences with the previously reported Con A–methyl-α-d-mannopyranoside complex structure have been observed. Structural differences that may contribute to the slight preference of the lectin for mannosides over glucosides are discussed. Calculations indicate a negative electrostatic surface potential for the saccharide binding site of Con A, which may be important for its biological activity. It is also shown in detail how a particular class of hydrophobic ligands interact with one of the three so-called characteristic hydrophobic sites of the lectins.     

3′-半分子5′-末端双链结构阻止tRNA连接酶酶促反应

用定点突变技术将不同核苷酸引入酵母苯丙氨酸tRNA反密码子环32,37和38位.体外转录制备tRNA前体,其32,37和38位的核苷酸与野生型tRNA前体相应位点的核苷酸不同.用纯化的酵母tRNA内切酶和tRNA连接酶对这些tR-NA前体进行剪接加工.结果说明,这些位点的核苷酸不仅影响tRNA内切酶对tR-NA前体的酶切效率,而且3’-半分子5’-末端双链结构阻止tRNA连接酶将相应的tRNA半分子连接成整分子tRNA.     

The Crystal Structure of the Pseudomonas dacunhae Aspartate-β-Decarboxylase Dodecamer Reveals an Unknown Oligomeric Assembly for a Pyridoxal-5′-Phosphate-Dependent Enzyme

The Pseudomonas dacunhael-aspartate-β-decarboxylase (ABDC, aspartate 4-decarboxylase, aspartate 4-carboxylyase, E.C. 4.1.1.12) is a pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the β-decarboxylation of l-aspartate to produce l-alanine and CO₂. This catalytically versatile enzyme is known to form functional dodecamers at its optimal pH and is thought to work in conjunction with an l-Asp/l-Ala antiporter to establish a proton gradient across the membrane that can be used for ATP biosynthesis. We have solved the atomic structure of ABDC to 2.35 Å resolution using single-wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing. The structure reveals that ABDC oligomerizes as a homododecamer in an unknown mode among PLP-dependent enzymes and has highest structural homology with members of the PLP-dependent aspartate aminotransferase subfamily. The structure shows that the ABDC active site is very similar to that of aspartate aminotransferase. However, an additional arginine side chain (Arg37) was observed flanking the re-side of the PLP ring in the ABDC active site. The mutagenesis results show that although Arg37 is not required for activity, it appears to be involved in the ABDC catalytic cycle.     

基于COI基因5′端与3′端序列田间常见粉虱的分子鉴定

【目的】粉虱种类繁多,个体微小,其种类识别与鉴定常需借助分子生物学技术。本研究旨在明确线粒体COI基因(mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene) 5′端和3′端序列对常见种类粉虱识别鉴定的可行性。【方法】以我国田间常见的16种粉虱为对象,以COI基因5′端(641 bp)和3′端(738 bp)序列为靶标进行比对分析,以MEGA 5.10软件的K2-P模型计算种内与种间遗传距离,以邻接法(NJ法)构建进化树并进行系统发育分析。【结果】当以5′端为靶标时,16种粉虱的种内平均遗传距离为0.0015,种间平均遗传距离为0.2897,种间遗传距离为种内遗传距离的193.1倍;而且种内、种间遗传距离没有重叠区域。当以3′端为靶标时种内平均遗传距离为0.0007,种间平均遗传距离为0.2817,种间遗传距离为种内遗传距离的402.4倍;但桑粉虱Pealius mori与烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci Asia II 1的种内和种间遗传距离重叠。系统发育分析结果显示,以5′端为靶标时,16种粉虱可以形成独立的进化分支;以3′端为靶标时,除桑粉虱与传统分类学不一致外,其余种类均可形成独立的分支。【结论】结果表明,5′端序列更适用于基于DNA条形码技术的物种识别鉴定研究。     

cDNA3′端代表差异显示分析

根据真核ｍＲＮＡ３′端一般含Ｐｏｌｙ（Ａ）的原理,可使用共同引物将不同的ｍＲＮＡ反转录成ｃＤＮＡ,然后设计特殊引物进行反转录ＰＣＲ,或者将限制性酶切与反转录ＰＣＲ偶联使用,均可获得对应于ｍＲＮＡ３′端的ｃＤＮＡ３′端代表扩增子。比较不同条件下的ｃＤ－ＮＡ３′端代表扩增子,可以获得两种或多种细胞中ｍＲＮＡ的表达差异谱,并分离、克隆差异表达的基因序列 。     

Neuroprotective role of Indirubin-3′-monoxime,a GSKβ inhibitor in high fat diet induced cognitive impairment in mice

Recent studies have highlighted that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a strong risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia is one of the main characteristics of type 2 DM. Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that insulin resistance contributes to AD pathogenesis. However the molecular mechanisms of association between these still remain elusive. Among the various possible mechanisms, the GSK-3β activity has been reported to be impaired in insulin-resistance, type 2 DM and AD. Thus, the present study was designed to explore the neuroprotective role of GSK3 β inhibitor, Indirubin-3′-monoxime (IMX) in insulin resistance induced cognitive impairment. Further, we have explored the possible molecular mechanism involved in cognitive impairment associated with insulin resistance. The mice subjected to high fat diet exhibited characteristic features of insulin resistance viz. increased serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin levels and impaired spatial learning and memory ability along with reduced brain insulin level, elevated oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The observed changes occurred concurrently with reduced brain derived neurotrophic factor. In contrast, the mice treated with IMX showed a significant reduction in plasma glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin levels and improvement in learning and memory performance, attenuated the oxidative stress and AChE activity. Moreover, IMX dose dependently augment the brain insulin and BDNF levels in HFD fed mice. Based upon these findings it could be suggested that GSK3 β inhibition could prove to be beneficial in insulin resistance induced cognitive deficit and this neuroprotection could be the result of enhanced BDNF based synaptic plasticity.     

Isolation and structure elucidation of 5′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-dihydroascorbigen from Cardamine diphylla rhizome

From the methanol extract of Cardamine diphylla rhizome, 5′-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-dihydroascorbigen (1) and 6-hydroxyindole-3-carboxylic acid 6-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2) were isolated. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods. This is the second report on the presence of a glucosylated indole ascorbigen in plants.     

An Archaeal Dim2-Like Protein, aDim2p, Forms a Ternary Complex with a/eIF2α and the 3′ End Fragment of 16S rRNA

Dim2p is a eukaryal small ribosomal subunit RNA processing factor required for the maturation of 18S rRNA. Here we show that an archaeal homolog of Dim2p, aDim2p, forms a ternary complex with the archaeal homolog of eIF2α, a/eIF2α, and the RNA fragment that possesses the 3′ end sequence of 16S rRNA both in solution and in crystal. The 2.8-Å crystal structure of the ternary complex reveals that two KH domains of aDim2p, KH-1 and -2, are involved in binding the anti-Shine-Dalgarno core sequence (CCUCC-3′) and a highly conserved adjacent sequence (5′-GGAUCA), respectively, of the target rRNA fragment. The surface plasmon resonance results show that the interaction of aDim2p with the target rRNA fragment is very strong, with a dissociation constant of 9.8 × 10^− 10 M, and that aDim2p has a strong nucleotide sequence preference for the 3′ end sequence of 16S rRNA. On the other hand, aDim2p interacts with the isolated α subunit and the intact αβγ complex of a/eIF2, irrespective of the RNA binding. These results suggest that aDim2p is a possible archaeal pre-rRNA processing factor recognizing the 3′ end sequence (5′-GAUCACCUCC-3′) of 16S rRNA and may have multiple biological roles in vivo by interacting with other proteins such as a/eIF2 and aRio2p.     

A new synthesis and electrochemistry of 1,1′-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)ferrocene

The preparation of 1,1′-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)ferrocene (1) by oxidation of 1,1′-divinylferrocene is described. Compound 1 has been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, and cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical data are compared to ferrocene and the closely related 2-ferrocenylethanol, 2.     

4′-(4-Pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine as ligand in the lead(II) complexes, [Pb(pyterpy)(MeOH)I2] · MeOH and [Pb(pyterpy)(μ-AcO)]2(ClO4)2

Two new lead(II) complexes with the ligand 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyterpy), [Pb(pyterpy)(MeOH)I₂] · MeOH and [Pb(pyterpy)(μ-AcO)]₂(ClO₄)₂, have been synthesized and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, ¹H NMR-, ¹³C NMR-, IR spectroscopy and structurally analyzed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The thermal stabilities of these compounds were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The single crystal X-ray analyses show that the coordination number in these complexes is six with three “pyterpy” N-donor atoms and two or three of the anionic ligands. The arrangement of donor atoms in these complexes suggest a gap or hole in the coordination geometry of the lead atoms, possibly occupied by a stereoactive lone pair of electrons on lead(II) and the coordination sphere is hemidirected. The potentially tetradentate ligand 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (pyterpy) acts as a tridentate donor to Pb(II). The noncoordinated pyridyl group interacts with hydrogen atoms of adjacent molecules and forms normal hydrogen bonds in [Pb(pyterpy)(MeOH)I₂] · MeOH and weak C-H?N interactions for [Pb(pyterpy)(μ-AcO)]₂(ClO₄)₂, thus extending the monomeric structures into one-dimensional networks.     

α,α′-trehalose 6,6′-dibehenate in non-phospholipid-based liposomes enables direct interaction with trehalose, offering stability during freeze-drying

Trehalose is a well known protector of biostructures like liposomes and proteins during freeze-drying, but still today there is a big debate regarding its mechanism of action. In previous experiments we have shown that trehalose is able to protect a non-phospholipid-based liposomal adjuvant (designated CAF01) composed of the cationic dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDA) and trehalose 6,6′-dibehenate (TDB) during freeze-drying [D. Christensen, C. Foged, I. Rosenkrands, H.M. Nielsen, P. Andersen, E.M. Agger, Trehalose preserves DDA/TDB liposomes and their adjuvant effect during freeze-drying, Biochim. Biophys. Acta, Biomembr. 1768 (2007) 2120-2129]. Furthermore it was seen that TDB is required for the stabilizing effect of trehalose. Herein, we show using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique that a high concentration of TDB present at the water-lipid interface results in a surface pressure around 67 mN/m as compared to that of pure DDA which is approximately 47 mN/m in the compressed state. This indicates that the attractive forces between the trehalose head group of TDB and water are greater than those between the quaternary ammonium head group of DDA and water. Furthermore, addition of trehalose to a DDA monolayer containing small amounts of TDB also increases the surface pressure, which is not observed in the absence of TDB. This suggests that even small amounts of trehalose groups on TDB present at the water-lipid interface associate free trehalose to the liposome surface, presumably by hydrogen bonding between the trehalose head groups of TDB and the free trehalose molecules. Hence, for CAF01 the TDB component not only stabilizes the cationic liposomes and enhances the immune response but also facilitates the cryo-/lyoprotection by trehalose through direct interaction with the head group of TDB. Furthermore the results indicate that direct interaction with liposome surfaces is necessary for trehalose to enable protection during freeze-drying.     

Synthesis and characterization of new dinuclear complexes of molybdenum(V) with β′-hydroxy-β-enaminones

New dinuclear molybdenum(V) complexes have been obtained by the reaction of [Mo₂O₃(acac)₄] (acac=acetilacetonate ion) with the polydentate ligands, β′-hydroxy-β-enaminones. All prepared complexes consist of Mo₂O₄ ²⁺ core coordinated by two ligands as in the β-diketonates only through two donor oxygen atoms. Such bonding gives the opportunity for the sixth coordination place around molybdenum to be completed by the monodentate solvent molecule D. All compounds have been characterized by means of elemental analyses, one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy as well as by thermal analyses. The molecular and crystal structures of the molybdenum(V) complexes 1a and 1b coordinated by two different isomeric ligands as well as of the isomer a itself have been determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction method.     

Synthesis and characterization of tetrakis(μ-hydroxo)tetrakis(2,2′-dipicolylamine)tetranickel perchlorate, a nickel-hydroxy cubane complex

A novel tetranuclear complex, [Ni(μ₃-OH)(DPA)]₄(ClO₄)₄ (where DPA = 2,2′-dipicolylamine) has been synthesized, with characterization including electronic and infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, crystal structure analysis, and variable-temperature and variable-field magnetic susceptibility measurements. The complex features a 4Ni-4OH cubane-type cluster, displaying both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic intracluster interactions in a 2J model (J₁ = −3.4 cm⁻¹, J₂ = 4.7 cm⁻¹, D = 2.0 cm⁻¹). Each nickel atom sits in a pseudooctahedral environment, with one DPA molecule facially coordinated and the remaining three coordination sites occupied by the bridging hydroxide anions that make up the cubane core.