The cations and anions of cyclobutanetetraone poly(phenylhydrazones)

Six cyclobutanetetraone poly(arylhydrazones) have been treated with acids and bases, and the structures of the resulting anions and cations studied by UV-Vis absorption and NMR spectroscopy. In acid media, all the hydrazones studied formed cations, which exhibited bathochromic shifts due to the extension of their resonance systems. However, in bases, only some (those which could enolize) formed anions that exhibited hypsochromic shifts; the others were unaltered.     

Involvement of two groups in reversal of the bathochromic shift of pharaonis phoborhodopsin by chloride at low pH

Pharaonis phoborhodopsin (ppR; or pharaonis sensory rhodopsin II, psRII) is a photophobic receptor of the halobacterium Natronobacterium pharaonis. Its lambdamax is at 496 nm, but upon acidification in the absence of chloride, lambdamax shifted to 522 nm. This bathochromic shift is thought to be caused by the protonation of Asp75, which corresponds to Asp85 of bacteriorhodopsin (bR). The D75N mutant, in which Asp75 was replaced by Asn, had its lambdamax at approximately 520 nm, supporting this mechanism for the bathochromic shift. A titration of the shift yielded a pKa of 3.5 for Asp75. In the presence of chloride, the spectral shifts were different: with a decrease in pH, a bathochromic shift was first observed, followed by a hypsochromic shift on further acidification. This was interpreted as: the disappearance of a negative charge by the protonation of Asp75 was compensated by the binding of chloride, but it is worthy to note that the binding requires the protonation of another proton-associable group other than Asp75. This is supported by the observation that in the presence of chloride, upon acidification, the lambdamax of D75N even showed a blue shift, showing that the protonation of a proton-associable group (pKa = 1.2) leads to the chloride binding that gives rise to a blue shift.     

Effect of pressure on nucleotide binding to yeast alcohol dehydrogenase

Binding of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide to yeast alcohol dehydrogenase results in a hypsochromic shift of its absorbance maximum at 340 nm. Application of high hydrostatic pressure to the enzyme-nucleotide complex returns the absorbance maximum to longer wavelengths. This pressure-dependent bathochromic shift validates one of two assignments on the effects of pressure on the kinetics of the enzymatic oxidation of benzyl alcohol, namely the protein-ligand conformational change of the capturing form of enzyme.     

Interaction of a novel antitumor agent TAS-103 with DNA.

Interaction of a novel antitumor agent TAS-103 with DNA has been studied by a variety of methods including thermal melting study, UV-Visible spectroscopy, 1H- and 31P-NMR spectroscopy. Thermal melting study indicated that TAS-103 stabilizes the double stranded form of DNA and the relative binding strength of TAS-103 is equal to that of ethidium bromide (EtBr). UV-Visible spectroscopy demonstrated that titration curves are nearly identical with all DNA oligomers producing a hypochromic and hypsochromic effect. A hypsochromic effect of TAS-103 is differ from typical intercalators such as EtBr and Actinomycin D that exhibit a bathochromic effect. 1H- and 31P-NMR spectroscopy revealed that TAS-103 has mainly two binding modes. Major binding mode is outside binding and minor binding mode is intercalation.     

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of anticonvulsant enaminones

The ultraviolet (UV) spectra of selected enaminones were determined in acidic, alkaline and neutral media and compared to their anticonvulsant activities. The wavelength of maximum absorption and molar absorptivity were compared with the anticonvulsant activity of the selected secondary and tertiary enaminones, and general inferences were made. The UV spectra of the enaminones had hypsochromic shifts in acidic media in comparison with neutral media. Generally, a small hypsochromic shift occurred in alkaline media when compared to the neutral solutions of the enaminones. The tertiary enaminones absorbed UV light at longer wavelength than the secondary enaminones in acidic, neutral and alkaline media. In particular, the tertiary enaminones displayed absorption at the higher end and secondary enaminones towards the lower end of the UV wavelength range 292-315nm in aqueous media. Tertiary enaminones (30-33) which were devoid of the NH proton were found to be uniformly inactive in a mouse model of electroshock seizures, while some secondary enaminones (1, 5-8, 12, 16, 18, 20, 23-25, 28 and 29) had anticonvulsant activity. Thus the NH group of secondary enaminones is very important for anticonvulsant activity, and this agrees with an already established trend in proton NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the para-substitution on the phenyl group in some enaminones result in higher molar absorptivity (epsilon) values that enhance anticonvulsant activity. These results indicate that the anticonvulsant activity of enaminones is not due to electronic effect alone, but is probably due to a combination of factors including electronic and steric effects, lipophilicity, and hydrogen bonding.     

Effects of chloride on the absorption spectrum and photoreactions of halorhodopsin

The absorption maximum of halorhodopsin in a membrane fraction prepared from the cells of Halobacterium halobium under low-salt conditions shifted to longer wavelenghts upon addition of NaCl (Ogurusu, T., Maeda, A., Sasaki, N. and Yoshizawa, T. (1981) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 90, 1267–1273). This bathochromic shift was due to chloride, not sodium. Bromide and iodide were also effective. The bathochromic shift of the absorption maximum was not accompanied by any change in the isomer composition of retinal in halorhodopsin. The same ionic species were essential for the formation of the hypsochromic photoproduct at −75°C. These effects of NaCl on halorhodopsin are discussed in terms of the presence of the two forms of halorhodopsin, a form binding chloride and a chloride-free form.     

Reversibly bound and covalently attached ligands induce conformational changes in the omega loop, Cys69-Cys96, of mouse acetylcholinesterase

We have used a combination of cysteine substitution mutagenesis and site-specific labeling to characterize the structural dynamics of mouse acetylcholinesterase (mAChE). Six cysteine-substituted sites of mAChE (Leu(76), Glu(81), Glu(84), Tyr(124), Ala(262), and His(287)) were labeled with the environmentally sensitive fluorophore, acrylodan, and the kinetics of substrate hydrolysis and inhibitor association were examined along with spectroscopic characteristics of the acrylodan-conjugated, cysteine-substituted enzymes. Residue 262, being well removed from the active center, appears unaffected by inhibitor binding. Following the binding of ligand, hypsochromic shifts in emission of acrylodan at residues 124 and 287, located near the perimeter of the gorge, reflect the exclusion of solvent and a hydrophobic environment created by the associated ligand. By contrast, the bathochromic shifts upon inhibitor binding seen for acrylodan conjugated to three omega loop (Omega loop) residues 76, 81, and 84 reveal that the acrylodan side chains at these positions are displaced from a hydrophobic environment and become exposed to solvent. The magnitude of fluorescence emission shift is largest at position 84 and smallest at position 76, indicating that a concerted movement of residues on the Omega loop accompanies gorge closure upon ligand binding. Acrylodan modification of substituted cysteine at position 84 reduces ligand binding and steady-state kinetic parameters between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude, but a similar substitution at position 81 only minimally alters the kinetics. Thus, combined kinetic and spectroscopic analyses provide strong evidence that conformational changes of the Omega loop accompany ligand binding.     

DNA fluorescence induced by polymethine cation pyrvinium binding.

Pyrvinium is a polymethine cation which shows interesting fluorescence emission and DNA binding properties. In diluted aqueous solution, pyrvinium pamoate induced a bright yellow fluorescence in kinetoplast DNA from Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes as well as in chicken erythrocyte nuclei under a wide range of excitations. No fading was observed after mounting in suitable media. Spectroscopic studies on pyrvinium solutions revealed bathochromic and hypochromic shifts in the absorption spectrum of its complex with DNA. A striking enhancement of pyrvinium fluorescence was found in solvents of high viscosity or after binding to DNA. Experimental results and the chemical structure of pyrvinium allow us to suggest that the minor groove of adenine-thymine DNA regions could be the specific binding site for this new DNA fluorochrome.     

Non-innocent ligand reservoirs for reducing or oxidizing equivalents in carbonylrhenium(I) complexes: 1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) and bis-triazinyl-pyridine (BTP)

Organometallic complexes of Re(I) with ligands having opposite redox properties have been synthesized and structurally characterized. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes show typical fac-Re^I(CO)₃ coordination to the redox active ligands. Complete electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies on the ligands and the metal complexes were performed. The IR-spectroelectrochemical responses were monitored using the fac-Re(CO)₃ unit as a probe. The 15-20 cm⁻¹ hypsochromic or bathochromic shift of the ν_CO bands upon reduction or oxidation is attributed to ligand-centered processes.     

一品红苞片花色素的分离及初步鉴定

用紫外-可见光分光光度计、高效液相色谱（HPLC）和质谱（MS）技术对一品红（Euphorbia pulcherrima）红色苞片中的花色素提取液进行了初步鉴定.一品红花色素的甲醇溶液分别在270、340和520 nm处有3个吸收峰;在440 nm吸光度与可见光最大吸收波长520 nm吸光度的比值为0.29;花色素的甲醇溶液中加入AlCl3后发生红移,再加入HCl后发生蓝移;色素溶液在紫外光下无荧光;色素样品经液相色谱分离后在270 nm检测有5个比较明显的吸收峰;质谱中得到595、611、381、571和589等对应的分子离子峰;花色素酸解液高效液相色谱图谱和鼠李糖、葡萄糖的出峰时间一致.由这些结果可推断一品红花色素样品中主要含有5种组分：矢车菊花色素芸香苷、飞燕草花色素芸香苷、飞燕草花色素苯甲酰基葡糖苷、矢车菊花色素苯甲酰基葡糖苷和一种未知成分.     

Alteration of the porphyrin nucleus of cytochrome P-450 caused in the liver by treatment with allyl-containing drugs. Is the modified porphyrin N-substituted?

A spectral study was carried out of the green pigments produced by allyl-containing drugs and a comparison made with N-methylated octaethylporphyrin and 2,4-diformyldeuteroporphyrin. The green pigments resemble the former (and markedly differ from the latter) in the intensity of the bathochromic shifts, titration curves with trifluoroacetic acid and rate of incorporation of metal ions in vitro.     

一品红苞片花色素的分离及初步鉴定

用紫外-可见光分光光度计、高效液相色谱(HPLC)和质谱(MS)技术对一品红(Euphorbia pulcherrima)红色苞片中的花色素提取液进行了初步鉴定。一品红花色素的甲醇溶液分别在270、340 和520 nm 处有 3 个吸收峰; 在 440 nm 吸光度与可见光最大吸收波长 520 nm 吸光度的比值 为0.29; 花色素的甲醇溶液中加入AlCl3后发生红移, 再加入HCl后发生蓝移; 色素溶液在紫外光下无荧光; 色素样品经液相色谱分离后在 270 nm检测有 5 个比较明显的吸收峰; 质谱中得到 595、611、381、571 和 589 等对应的分子离子峰; 花色素酸解液高效液相色谱图谱和鼠李糖、葡萄糖的出峰时间一致。由这些结果可推断一品红花色素样品中主要含有 5 种组分: 矢车菊花色素芸香苷、飞燕草花色素芸香苷、飞燕草花色素苯甲酰基葡糖苷、矢车菊花色素苯甲酰基葡糖苷和一种未知成分。     

Red-shifted Renilla reniformis luciferase variants for imaging in living subjects

The use of R. reniformis luciferase (RLuc) as a reporter gene in small-animal imaging has been hampered by its 481 nm peaked emission spectrum, as blue wavelengths are strongly attenuated in biological tissues. To overcome this, we generated variants of RLuc with bathochromic (red) shifts of up to 66 nm (547 nm peak) that also had greater stability and higher light emission than native RLuc.     

Spectroscopic evidence for anthracenedione antineoplastic agent self-association and complex formation with flavin nucleotides

Dihydroxyanthraquinone (DHAQ) and ametantrone (anthraquinone) are two new anthracenedione antineoplastic agents which were found by proton NMR spectroscopy to self-associate in aqueous media. Self-association was consistent with a bimolecular model, with average association constant values of 3400 and 2900 m^?1 determined for DHAQ and ametantrone, respectively. Both anthracenediones interacted with the flavin nucleotides FMN and FAD to produce concentration-dependent upfield shifts of the flavin isoalloxazine ring proton signals, as observed by proton NMR spectroscopy. Average association constant values obtained for FMN-DHAQ, FAD-DHAQ, FMN-metantrone, and FAD-ametantrone complexation were 5100, 2600, 4300, and 1600 m^?1, respectively. Optical difference spectroscopy confirmed FMN-DHAQ complexation, which resulted in a hyperchromic, bathochromic shift of the DHAQ spectrum following addition of FMN. These results were consistent with the formation of a ππ bimolecular ring-stacking complex. Information obtained on anthracenedione self-association and complexation with flavins may be of consequence in the interpretation of anthracenedione-DNA binding data and flavoprotein-mediated anthracenedione metabolic activation.     

Interactions of pyronin Y(G) with nucleic acids

Spectral properties of pyronin Y(PY) alone or in complexes with natural and synthetic nucleic acids of various base compositions have been studied in aqueous solution containing 10 or 150 mM NaCl and 5 mM Hepes at pH 7.0. The dimerization constant (KD = 6.27 X 10(3), M-1) and the absorption spectra of the dye in monomeric and dimeric form were established. The complexes of PY with single-stranded (ss) nucleic acids show a hypsochromic shift in absorption, and their fluorescence is quenched by over 90% compared to free dye. In contrast, complexes with double-stranded (ds) RNA or DNA (binding by intercalation) exhibit a bathochromic shift in their absorption (excitation) spectrum, and their fluorescence is correlated with the base composition of the binding site. Namely, guanine quenches fluorescence of PY by up to 90%, whereas A, C, I, T, and U bases exert a rather minor effect on the fluorescence quantum yield of the dye. The intrinsic association constant of the dye to ds RNA (Ki = 6.96 X 10(4), M-1) and to ds DNA (Ki = 1.74 X 10(4), M-1) was measured in 150 mM NaCl; the binding site size was 2-3 base pair for both polymers. Implications of these findings for qualitative and quantitative cytochemistry of nucleic acids are discussed.     

Interaction of mithramycin with metal ions and DNA

The interaction of mithramycin with metal ions has been studied by absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. Magnesium shifts the drug absorbance spectrum to longer wavelengths and displays a weak binding constant (Kd = 1mM); no interaction with calcium was detected. The drug requires magnesium for binding to DNA and this is characterised by small additional hypochromic and bathochromic changes. Mithramycin does not bind to DNA in the presence of calcium. With 10mM magnesium the drug binds to DNA with an association constant of 9.2 x 10(4) M-1. The inability of calcium to substitute for magnesium has been confirmed by 'footprinting' experiments using both DNase I and hydroxyl radicals.     

Towards an interpretation of 13C chemical shifts in bathorhodopsin,a functional intermediate of a G-protein coupled receptor

Photoisomerization of the membrane-bound light receptor protein rhodopsin leads to an energy-rich photostate called bathorhodopsin, which may be trapped at temperatures of 120 K or lower. We recently studied bathorhodopsin by low-temperature solid-state NMR, using in situ illumination of the sample in a purpose-built NMR probe. In this way we acquired ¹³C chemical shifts along the retinylidene chain of the chromophore. Here we compare these results with the chemical shifts of the dark state chromophore in rhodopsin, as well as with the chemical shifts of retinylidene model compounds in solution. An earlier solid-state NMR study of bathorhodopsin found only small changes in the ¹³C chemical shifts upon isomerization, suggesting only minor perturbations of the electronic structure in the isomerized retinylidene chain. This is at variance with our recent measurements which show much larger perturbations of the ¹³C chemical shifts. Here we present a tentative interpretation of our NMR results involving an increased charge delocalization inside the polyene chain of the bathorhodopsin chromophore. Our results suggest that the bathochromic shift of bathorhodopsin is due to modified electrostatic interactions between the chromophore and the binding pocket, whereas both electrostatic interactions and torsional strain are involved in the energy storage mechanism of bathorhodopsin.     

THE STIGMATIC SECRETION OF THE SWEETPOTATO

The stigmatic exudate of sweetpotato, when removed with organic solvents, consisted chiefly of lipid and phenolic compounds. Only traces of sugar were obtained. The esterified lipids were similar in chain length to capric and lauric acids. The two prinicpal phenolic compounds have UV absorption peaks, and bathochromic shifts on ionization with NaOH similar to those of esters of caffeic acid. On acid hydrolysis, caffeic acid was obtained from these and from three minor phenolic compounds. From two of the minor phenolic compounds, glucose was released by hydrolysis. The phenolic content of stigmas increased up to 20–24 hr before anthesis, and then gradually decreased. Neither compatible nor incompatible pollination affects the amount or composition of the stigmatic exudate.     

Anthocyanins with 4'-glucosidation from red onion, Allium cepa

The anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-O-(3"-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-6"-O-malonyl-beta-glucopyranoside)-4'-O-beta-glucopyranoside, cyanidin 7-O-(3"-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-6"-O-malonyl-beta-glucopyranoside)-4'-O-beta-glucopyranoside, cyanidin 3,4'-di-O-beta-glucopyranoside, cyanidin 4'-O-beta-glucoside, peonidin 3-O-(6"-O-malonyl-beta-glucopyranoside)-5-O-beta-glucopyranoside and peonidin 3-O-(6"-O-malonyl-beta-glucopyranoside) have been isolated in minor amounts from pigmented scales of red onion, Allium cepa, in addition to six known anthocyanins. The structures were established mainly by extensive use of 2D NMR spectroscopy and electrospray LC-MS. With exception of cyanidin 4'-glucoside and cyanidin 3,4'-diglucoside reported from Hibiscus esculentus with inadequate documentation, this is the first identification of anthocyanins with 4'-glycosidation. Compared to cyanidin 3-glycosides the cyanidin 4'-glucoside derivatives showed hypsochromic shifts of visible lambda(max) and hyperchromic effects on wavelengths around 440 nm, similar to pelargonidin 3-glycosides.     

The effect of anions on spectral properties of iodopsin and native cones in the frog retina (microspectrophotometric study)

Absorption spectra of single outer segments of the frog Rana temporaria photoreceptors were registered. Effects of nitrate and chloride ions on spectral properties of cone and rod pigments were compared. These pigments proved to differ in structure of the native photoreceptor membrane and, therefore, in effect of hydrophile environment on the chromophore centrum. Substitution of chloride by nitrate ions led to the hypochromic shift of the cone absorption spectrum (20-25 nm) but does not affect the spectrum on case of rod pigment. The ionochromic behaviour of cone pigments resembles that of the light-sensitive halobacterium protein halorhodopsin, in native membrane. We suppose that the effect of anions on the chromophore centrum may be the cause of bathochromic shifts of absorption spectra of longwave-length retinal-containing pigments.