Crystal structure of 4-(N-acetyl,2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-l-arabinopyranosylamino)azobenzene

The crystals of the title compound, C₂₅H₂₇N₃O₈ (M_r497.55), are monoclinic, space group P2₁ with a = 11.680(2), b = 8.089(1), c = 13.804(3) Å, β = 92.52(2)°, V = 1302.7 ų, and Z = 2; D_c = 1.27 g.cm⁻³. The structure was solved by using direct methods. The refinement of all non-hydrogen atom parameters yielded R = 0.050. The compound has normal geometry with the ¹C₄ conformation of the pyranoid ring and the extended trans conformation of the azobenzene moiety.     

Partial deacetylation of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranose byAureobasidium pullulans cells

The ability of 58 yeasts and yeast-like organisms representing 44 genera to deacetylate 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-0-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranose was investigated.Aureobasidium pullulans strains can perform this deacetylation selectively.A. pullulans CCY 27-1-11 and 27-1-14 release preferentially the acetyl group in position C(4), whereas the subspeciesA. pullulans CCY 27-1-14a (with no pigmentation) preferentially releases the acetyl group in position C₍₂₎.A. pullulans cells catalyzing the selective deacetylation of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranose were permeabilized and immobilized on a matrix of polyethyleneimine cross-linked with 2-chloromethyloxirane.     

Selective benzoylation of some N-acetyl-N-aryl-β-D-xylopyranosylamines

Selectivity in the benzoylation of N-acetyl-N-p-methoxyphenyl-, -p-bromophenyl-, and -p-chlorophenyl-β-D-xylopyranosylamines has been demonstrated. The structures of the products was shown by using periodate oxidation and n.m.r. spectroscopy. The relative reactivity of the hydroxyl groups was HO-3 ≈ HO-4 > HO-2. The β-D-xylopyranosylamine derivatives were shown to possess the ⁴C¹ conformation.     

Solid-state structure of N-o-, N-m-, and N-p-nitrophenyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-xylopyranosylamines

Comprehensive structural analyses were performed for N-o-, N-m-, and N-p-nitrophenyl-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-xylopyranosylamines. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were collected and revealed that one compound under investigation undergoes temperature-dependent polymorph transitions (crystal structures of three polymorphs were obtained). The number of molecules in the independent part of the crystal unit cells was in agreement with the number of resonances in solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra. Therefore, the compounds exist as single polymorphs at room temperature, as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements. Significant differences in ¹³C chemical shifts between solution and solid-state NMR for selected carbon atoms confirmed the existence of intra- and/or intermolecular interactions.     

The structure and properties of the products of reaction between 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-nitroso-α-d-galactopyranosyl chloride and pyrazole

Dimeric 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-nitro-α-d-galactopyranosyl chloride reacts with pyrazole in acetonitrile to give 1-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-hydroxyimino-α-d-lyxo-, -β-d-lyxo-, and -β-d-xylo-hexopyranosyl)pyrazole. The stereospecificity of the reaction depends on the temperature and its duration. Transformations of the type α-d-lyxo-←β-d-lyxoα β-d-xylo have been observed. The condensation products were modified at C-2 or C-3. The following derivatives have thus been obtained: 1-(α-d-galacto-, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-galacto-, -α-d-talo-, and -α-d-xylo-hexo-pyranosyl)pyrazole, (Z)- and (E)-1-(3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-2-hydroxyimino-α- and -β-d-lyxo- and -α-d-xylo-hexopyranosyl)pyrazole, 1-(3-acetamido-2-acetoxyimino-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxy-α- and -β-d-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)pyrazole, as well as (Z)- and (E)-1-(2,3-dideoxy-2-hydroxyimino-α-d-threo-hexopyranosyl)pyrazoles.     

Synthesis,structure and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of 4β-methoxymethyl-4β-demethyl territrem B

4β-Methoxymethyl-4β-demethyl territrem B [5] was synthesized from 4β-hydroxymethyl-β-demethyl territrem B [4] by treatment with dimethyl sulfate in methanolic NaOH. The structure of 5 was elucidated by uv, nmr and mass spectra. The IC50 of 5 on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was 6.30 × 10-5 M, which indicated 0.4% of the anti-AChE activity of territrem B [2]. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and electrochemistry of tetrahedral mono-β-diketonato titanocenyl complexes

The synthesis of a variety of tetrahedral β-diketonato titanium(IV) complexes of the type with R = CF₃, OCH₃, C₆H₅, CH₃ and Fc is described. The Ti^III/Ti^IV couples and the Fc/Fc⁺ couple exhibited chemically and electrochemically reversible cyclic voltammetric behaviour. The formal reduction potential of the Ti^III/IV couple increased as the group electronegativity of the R group of the β-diketonato ligand increased. Bulk electrolysis showed that one electron was transferred in the Ti^III/IV couple and one electron in the ferrocenyl/ferrocenium redox couple in the ligand. The crystal structure for the R = OCH₃ complex showed that this β-keto-ester binds through the carbonyl oxygen of the ester group and not the ether oxygen.     

Purification, biochemical characterization, and structure of recombinant endo-1,4-β-xylanase XylE

The gene xylE encoding endo-1,4-β-xylanase from the 10th family of glycosyl hydrolases produced by the mycelial fungus Penicillium canescens has been expressed under the control of the strong promoter of the bgaS gene encoding β-galactosidase from P. canescens. As a result, a strain-producer of endoxylanase XylE was developed. The recombinant enzyme was isolated and purified to homogeneity with specific activity of 50 U/mg. The physicochemical and biochemical properties of the endoxylanase were studied. The maximal enzymatic activity was observed at pH 6.0 and 70°C. Endoxylanase XylE was shown to be a highly thermostable enzyme with half-inactivation period τ_1/2 of 7 h at 60°C. The kinetic parameters were 0.52 mg/ml (K _m) and 75 μmol/min per mg (V _max) using birch xylan as the substrate. Crystals of endoxylonase XylE were obtained, and the 3D structure was solved at 1.47 ? resolution. The 3D structure of an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from the 10th family containing carbohydrate and unique cyclic structure located at the C-terminus of the polypeptide chain was obtained for the first time.     

Solid-state NMR analysis of steroidal conformation of 17α- and 17β-estradiol in the absence and presence of lipid environment

Solid-state {(1)H}(13)C cross-polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectroscopy has been applied to 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-estradiol (E2α), to analyze the steroidal ring conformations of the two isomers in the absence and presence of lipids at the atomic level. In the absence of lipid, the high-resolution (13)C NMR signals of E2 in a powdered form show only singlet patterns, suggesting a single ring conformation. In contrast, the (13)C signals of E2α reveal multiplet patterns with splittings of 20-300Hz, implying multiple ring conformations. In the presence of a mimic of the lipid environment, made by mixing 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and 1,2-diheptanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC) in a molar ratio 3:1, E2 and E2α revealed multiplet patterns different from those seen in the absence of lipids, indicating that the two isomers adopt multiple conformations in the lipid environment. In this work, on the basis of chemical shift isotropy and anisotropy analysis, we demonstrated that E2 and E2α prefer to adopt multiple steroidal ring conformations in the presence of a lipid environment, distinct from that observed in solution phase and powdered form.     

NMR structure and dynamics of recombinant wild type and mutated jerdostatin, a selective inhibitor of integrin α1β1

NMR analysis of four recombinant jerdostatin molecules was assessed to define the structural basis of two naturally occurring gain-of-function events: C-terminal dipeptide processing and mutation of the active residue K21 to arginine. Removal of the highly mobile and a bulky C-terminal dipeptide produced pronounced chemical shift changes in the sequentially unconnected but spatially nearby α(1)β(1) inhibitory loop. Analysis of chemical shift divergence and (15)N backbone relaxation dynamics indicated differences in motions in the picosecond to nanosecond time scale, and the higher T(2) rate of S25, S26, and H27 of rJerK21 point to a slowdown in the microsecond to millisecond motions of these residues when compared with rJerR21. The evidence presented in this article converges on the hypothesis that dynamic differences between the α(1)β(1) recognition loops of rJerR21 and rJerK21 may influence the thermodynamics of their receptor recognition and binding. A decrease in the μs-ms time scale may impair the binding affinity by reducing the rate of possible conformations that the rJerK21 can adopt in this time scale.     

1H, 13C and 15N NMR assignments and solution secondary structure of rat Apo-S100β

Summary The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR assignments of the backbone and side-chain resonances of rat S100 were made at pH 6.5 and 37°C using heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Analysis of the NOE correlations, together with amide exchange rate and ¹H, ¹³C and ¹³C chemical shift data, provided extensive secondary structural information. Thus, the secondary structure of S100 was determined to comprise four helices (Leu³-Ser¹⁸, helix I; Lys²⁹-Leu⁴⁰, helix II; Gln⁵⁰-Glu⁶², helix III; and Phe⁷⁰-Ala⁸³, helix IV), four loops (Gly¹⁹-His²⁵, loop I; Ser⁴¹-Glu⁴⁹, loop II; Asp⁶³-Gly⁶⁶, loop III; and Cys⁸⁴-Glu⁹¹, loop IV) and two -strands (Lys²⁶-Lys²⁸, -strand I and Glu⁶⁷-Asp⁶⁹, -strand II). The -strands were found to align in an antiparallel manner to form a very small -sheet. This secondary structure is consistent with predictions that S100 contains two helix-loop-helix Ca²⁺-binding motifs known as EF-hands. The alignment of the -sheet, which brings the two EF-hand domains of S100 into close proximity, is similar to that of several other Ca²⁺ ion-binding proteins.     

Effect of 1-Trichloromethyl-l,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-β-Carboline (TaClo) on Human Serotonergic Cells

The tryptamine-derived dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-trichloromethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro--carboline ('TaClo'), which was found to occur in humans after intake of the hypnotic chloral hydrate, was also shown to strongly disturb serotonergic cells. Incubation experiments using the human serotonergic cell line JAR clearly revealed TaClo to significantly reduce serotonin (5-HT) uptake (IC₅₀ = 59 M) and to induce a distinct loss of cellular viability at increasing TaClo concentrations. In contrast to well-known serotonergic neurotoxins such as amphetamines, however, TaClo toxicity is not mediated by the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT). In the presence of the specific 5-HTT inhibitor imipramine, the uptake of TaClo into JAR cells was not reduced, hinting at an exclusively passive penetration of this highly lipophilic -carboline through cell membranes. Similar toxic effects towards JAR cells were also observed for the 5-HT-related TaClo analog 6-hydroxy-l-trichloromethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro--carboline ('6-OH-TaClo') (IC₅₀ = 26 M). The dopamine-derived alkaloid-type heterocycle 6,7-dihydroxy-l-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline ('DaClo'), by contrast, was found to be less toxic, showing only a weak inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 260 M) on 5-HT uptake. The pronounced toxicitiy of TaClo and 6-OH-TaClo against serotonergic cells became also evident from morphological findings: Dose-dependently, the survival of JAR cells was significantly impaired, while human dopaminergic IMR-32 cells were only moderately affected at similar toxin concentrations.     

Kinetics of Enhanced Substrate Consumption and Endo-β-xylanase Production by a Mutant Derivative of Humicola lanuginosa in Solid-state Fermentation

Summary Industrial byproducts namely canola meal, rice bran, sunflower meal, and wheat straw were used as substrates for endo-xylanase production by Humicola lanuginosemutant TH1 through solid substrate fermentation. The enzyme was secreted extracellularly by both wild and mutant cultures. Rice bran supported the maximum production of endo-xylanase followed by wheat straw, canola meal and sunflower meal. The highest activity was achieved after 72 h of culture and the highest yields from the above substrates were 842, 840, 610 and 608 IU per g substrate consumed respectively. The highest productivity (281 IU flask⁻¹ h⁻¹ corresponding to 5620 l⁻¹ h^-1) of endo-xylanase by the mutant of H. lanuginosa was 1.6-fold more than that produced by the parental organism in solid-state fermentation of rice bran at 45 °C. Maximum specific activity (180 IU mg⁻¹ protein) and substrate consumption rates were significantly more than those reported by previous researchers on Humicola sp. The mutant possessed markedly low accompanying cellulase activity. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the mutant required significantly lower activation energy for enzyme production and higher for thermal inactivation which signified that the endogenous metabolic machinery of mutant cells exerted more protection against thermal inactivation during product formation than that needed by its parental cultures.     

The use of endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H in characterizing the structure and function of glycoproteins

Endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H from $\text{Streptomyces plicatus}$ can be useful in determining both the molecular weight of the protein moiety of glycoproteins and their inherent number of oligosaccharide chains. In the case of carboxypeptidase Y the molecular mass of the carbohydrate free protein was confirmed as 51,000 daltons. The native enzyme was shown to contain 4 oligosaccharide chains each averaging about 14 mannose residues. On treatment of mung bean nuclease I with the endoglycosidase, the molecular mass decreased from 39,000 to 31,000 daltons. The peptides produced on reduction of this enzyme with thiol were 18,700 and 12,500 daltons, indicating that carbohydrate had been present on both. Penicillium nuclease P₁ was decreased in size from 40,000 to 30,000 daltons by the endoglycosidase. Although most of the carbohydrate was removed from each of the native enzymes by the endoglycosidase, denaturation of the glycoproteins was necessary to effect complete removal. Enzyme activitywas not affected by carbohydrate depletion of these glycoproteins, a result consistent with similar studies on other oligosaccharide-containing enzymes.     

Primary structure and expression of mRNAs encoding basic chitinase and 1,3-β-glucanase in potato

Infection of potato leaves (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Datura) by the late blight fungus Phytophthora infestans, or treatment with fungal elicitor leads to a strong increase in chitinase and 1,3--glucanase activities. Both enzymes have been implicated in the plant's defence against potential pathogens. In an effort to characterize the corresponding genes, we isolated complementary DNAs encoding the basic forms (class I) of both chitinase and 1,3--glucanase, which are the most abundant isoforms in infected leaves. Sequence analysis revealed that at least four genes each are expressed in elicitor-treated leaves. The structural features of the potato chitinases include a hydrophobic signal peptide at the N-terminus, a hevein domain which is characteristic of class I chitinases, a proline- and glycine-rich linker region which varies among all potato chitinases, a catalytic domain, and a C-terminal extension. The potato 1,3--glucanases also contain a N-terminal hydrophobic signal peptide and a C-terminal extension, the latter comprising a potential glycosylation site. RNA blot hybridization experiments showed that basic chitinase and 1,3--glucanase are strongly and coordinately induced in leaves in response to infection, elicitor treatment, ethylene treatment, or wounding. In addition to their activation by stress, both types of genes are regulated by endogenous factors in a developmental and organ-specific manner. Appreciable amounts of chitinase and 1,3--glucanase mRNAs were found in old leaves, stems, and roots, as well as in sepals of healthy, untreated plants, whereas tubers, root tips, and all other flower organs (petals, stamen, carpels) contained very low levels of both mRNAs. In young leaves and stems, chitinase and 1,3--glucanase were differentially expressed. While chitinase mRNA was abundant in these parts of the plant, 1,3--glucanase mRNA was absent. DNA blot analysis indicated that in potato, chitinase and 1,3--glucanase are encoded by gene families of considerable complexity.     

The composition and structure of rotiferan and crustacean communities of the lower rio nhamundá, amazonas,Brazil

The crustaceans and rotifers of 17 samples from the plankton and 3 from the littoral from lakes of the lower Rio Nhamundá, an affluent of the Amazon were studied.

145 taxa of rotifers and 46 of crustaceans were found; two rotifers and three crustaceans are new to science: Keratella americana nhamundaiensis, Euchlanis triquetra var. nhamudaiensis, Echinisca superaculeata, E. sioli, and E. mira. In the taxonomical part 24 rotiferan and 22 crustacean taxa are described in more detail, drawings of them given, and partly remarks made about the geographical distribution.

In the biocenotical part the conditions of dominances were studied: Brachionus zahniseri and Keratella americana within the rotifers and Bosminopsis deitersi and Oithona amazonica within the crustaceans are the dominant species in the pelagial. In the littorial Synchaeta stylata and Stre‐blocerus pygmaeus were found to be dominant.

The species diversity and also the evenness is higher within the rotifers than in the crustaceans. By means of an index of similarity dendrograms were drawn where groups of lakes can be differentiated by using the similarity between the crustaceans. The proportion of neotropical species in relation to pantropical and cosmopolitical species is lowest in the rotifers, higher in the cladocerans and highest in the copepods at 100%.