NMR for direct determination of Km and Vmax of enzyme reactions based on the Lambert W function-analysis of progress curves

¹H NMR spectroscopy was used to follow the cleavage of sucrose by invertase. The parameters of the enzyme's kinetics, K_m and V_max, were directly determined from progress curves at only one concentration of the substrate. For comparison with the classical Michaelis-Menten analysis, the reaction progress was also monitored at various initial concentrations of 3.5 to 41.8 mM. Using the Lambert W function the parameters K_m and V_max were fitted to obtain the experimental progress curve and resulted in K_m = 28 mM and V_max = 13 μM/s. The result is almost identical to an initial rate analysis that, however, costs much more time and experimental effort. The effect of product inhibition was also investigated. Furthermore, we analyzed a much more complex reaction, the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate into (+)-germacrene D by the enzyme germacrene D synthase, yielding K_m = 379 μM and k_cat = 0.04 s^− 1. The reaction involves an amphiphilic substrate forming micelles and a water insoluble product; using proper controls, the conversion can well be analyzed by the progress curve approach using the Lambert W function.     

Conversion of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to ent-kaurene in enzyme extracts of sonicated chloroplasts

Farnesyl pyrophosphate-[¹⁴C] and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate-[¹⁴C] were biosynthesized from mevalonic acid-[2-¹⁴C] by cell-free enzyme extracts of pea (Pisum sativum) cotyledons containing MgCl₂, MnCl₂, ATP and AMO-1618. Maximum yields of farnesyl pyrophosphate were obtained after 30 min incubation while geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate was the primary product after 180 min. Biosynthesized geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate-[¹⁴C] served as an efficient substrate for ent-kaurene biosynthesis in reaction mixtures containing cotyledon enzymes when AMO-1618 was omitted. Enzyme extracts from green pea shoot tips and chloroplasts also converted geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to ent-kaurene in very low yields. Ent-kaurene production from mevalonic acid-[2-¹⁴C] in extracts of pea shoot tips was also enhanced by addition of chloroplast enzymes. This evidence indicates that kaurene synthetase is present in pea chloroplasts and adds to the possibility that some gibberellin biosynthesis may be compartmentalized in those organelles.     

Preparation of labelled terpenyl pyrophosphates using extracts of barley seed embryos

A cell-free system derived from seed embryos of barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Zephyr) grain has been used to prepare substrate quantities of radioactively-labelled C₅-C₂₀ intermediates of terpenoid biosynthesis. The purification and characterization of high specific activity all-trans farnesyl-[4, 8, 12-³H] and all-_trans geranylgeranyl-[4, 8, 12, 16-³H] pyrophosphates, suitable for use in studies of sterol and carotenoid biosynthesis, are described in detail. The effects of the plant growth retardant AMO 1618 on the system are reported.     

Biosynthesis of abscisic acid from farnesol derivatives in Cercospora rosicola

(E,E)?[1?¹⁴C]Farnesyl phosphate and (E,E)?[1?¹⁴C]farnesyl pyrophosphate were both converted to abscisic acid by Cercospora rosicola resuspensions. (E,E)?[1?¹⁴C]Farnesol, (E,Z)?[1?¹⁴C]farnesol, (E,Z)?[1?¹⁴C]farnesyl pyrophosphate, (E,E)?[1?¹⁴C]farnesic acid, and (E,Z)?[1?¹⁴C]farnesic acid were not converted to abscisic acid by the fungus. These findings provide information on the sequence of the reactions involved in converting farnesyl pyrophosphate to abscisic acid. Specifically, they suggest that the transformations involving the three terminal carbons in the side chain occur after one or more changes elsewhere in the molecule.     

Mechanism of cis-prenyltransferase reaction probed by substrate analogues

Undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (UPPS) is a cis-type prenyltransferases which catalyzes condensation reactions of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) with eight isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) units to generate C₅₅ product. In this study, we used two analogues of FPP, 2-fluoro-FPP and [1,1-²H₂]FPP, to probe the reaction mechanism of Escherichia coli UPPS. The reaction rate of 2-fluoro-FPP with IPP under single-turnover condition is similar to that of FPP, consistent with the mechanism without forming a farnesyl carbocation intermediate. Moreover, the deuterium secondary KIE of 0.985 ± 0.022 measured for UPPS reaction using [1,1-²H₂]FPP supports the associative transition state. Unlike the sequential mechanism used by trans-prenyltransferases, our data demonstrate E. coli UPPS utilizes the concerted mechanism.     

Studies on isoprenoid biosynthesis with bacterial intact cells

For the study on the regulation of isoprenoid biosynthesis with intact cells, some strains of bacteria capable of growing on mevalonate as a sole carbon source were isolated from soil. Many of them incorporated [¹⁴C]-mevalonate, [¹⁴C]isopentenyl- and [¹⁴C]farnesyl pyrophosphates into the cells. However, radioactivity was found in their degradation products but not in isoprenoids. Addition of [¹⁴C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate, farnesyl pyrophosphate and Mg²⁺ ions in combination to the culture of a strain of Arthrobacter gave rise to ¹⁴C-incorporation into isoprenoids. Radioactivity was found in polyprenol, its pyrophosphate, monophosphate and fatty acid esters. The reactions of isopentenyl- and farnesyl pyrophosphates syntheses seemed to be rate-limiting steps.     

Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant (E)-beta-farnesene synthase from Artemisia annua

A cDNA clone (GenBank Accession No. AY835398) encoding a sesquiterpene synthase, (E)-β-farnesene synthase, has been isolated from Artemisia annua L. It contains a 1746-bp open reading frame coding for 574 amino acids (66.9 kDa) with a calculated pI = 5.03. The deduced amino acid sequence is 30-50% identical with sequences of other sesquiterpene synthases from angiosperms. The recombinant enzyme, produced in Escherichia coli, catalyzed the formation of a single product, β-farnesene, from farnesyl diphosphate. The pH optimum for the recombinant enzyme is around 6.5 and the K_m- and k_cat-values for farnesyl diphosphate, is 2.1 μM and 9.5 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, respectively resulting in the efficiency 4.5 × 10⁻³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The enzyme exhibits substantial activity in the presence of Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺ or Co²⁺ but essentially no activity when Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺ or Cu²⁺ is used as cofactor. The concentration required for maximum activity are estimated to 5 mM, 0.5 mM and <10 μM for Mg²⁺, Co²⁺ or Mn²⁺, respectively. Geranyl diphosphate is not a substrate for the recombinant enzyme.     

Functional properties of diapophytoene and related desaturases of C30 and C40 carotenoid biosynthetic pathways

The desaturation reactions of C₃₀ carotenoids from diapophytoene to diaponeurosporene was investigated in vitro and by complementation in Escherichia coli. The expressed diapophytoene desaturase from Staphylococcus aureus inserts three double bonds in an FAD-dependent reaction. The enzyme is inhibited by diphenylamine. In the complementation experiment diapophytoene desaturase was able to convert C₄₀ phytoene to some extend but exhibited a high affinity to ζ-carotene. Comparison to the reaction of a phytoene desaturase from Rhodobacter capsulatus catalyzing a parallel three-step desaturation sequence with the corresponding C₄₀ carotenes revealed that this desaturase can also convert C₃₀ diapophytoene. Other homologous bacterial C₄₀ carotene desaturases could also utilize C₃₀ substrates, including one type of ζ-carotene desaturase which converted diaponeurosporene to diapolycopene. Further complementation experiments including the diapophytoene synthase gene from S. aureus revealed that the C₃₀ carotenogenic pathway is determined by this initial enzyme which is highly homologous to C₄₀ phytoene synthases.     

The effect of farnesyl methyl ether, a mimic of insect juvenile hormone, on Hymenolepis Diminuta in vitro

The effect of farnesyl methyl ether, a mimic of insect juvenile hormone, on Hymenolepis diminuta in vitro. International journal for Parasitology4: 211–218. The inhibition of weight gain of Hymenolepis diminuta in vitro by farnesyl methyl ether (FME) was not dose-dependent, so that there were no differences produced by FME in concentrations from 10^?5 to 10^?13m. At all concentrations of FME used the weight gain over a 6-day culture period was half of that of controls. The FME-treated and control worms were identical to each other in proglottid number and the degree of maturity. Neither the dry to wet weight ratios of worms nor the carbohydrate, protein or lipid ratios were altered by FME. The release of neurosecretory material from the neurosecretory cells in the rostellum (as measured by the degree of their fuchsinophilia) was more advanced in time in the FME-treated worms than in the controls, and it is suggested that this premature release of neurosecretion, triggered either directly or indirectly by traces of FME in the medium, upset a control mechanism in the germinative tissue of the neck region, which determines the mass, but not the number, of the proglottids in the strobila.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reduction of the molybdatopentaamminecobalt(III) ion by aqueous sulfite and aqueous potassium hexacyanoferrate(II)

A detailed investigation on the oxidation of aqueous sulfite and aqueous potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) by the title complex ion has been carried out using the stopped-flow technique over the ranges, 0.01≤[S(IV)]_T≤0.05 mol dm⁻³, 4.47≤pH≤5.12, and 24.9≤θ≤37.6 °C and at ionic strength 1.0 mol dm⁻³ (NaNO₃) for aqueous sulfite and 0.01≤[Fe(CN)₆ ⁴⁻]≤0.11 mol dm⁻³, 4.54≤pH≤5.63, and 25.0≤θ≤35.3 °C and at ionic strength 1.0 or 3.0 mol dm⁻³ (NaNO₃) for the hexacyanoferrate(II) ion. Both redox processes are dependent on pH and reductant concentration in a complex manner, that is, for the reaction with aqueous sulfite, k_obs={(k₁K₁K₂K₃+k₂K₁K₄[H⁺])[S(IV)]_T]/([H⁺]²+K₁[H⁺]+K₁K₂) and for the hexacyanoferrate(II) ion, k_obs={(k₁K₃K₄K₅+k₂K₃K₆[H⁺])[Fe(CN)₆ ⁴⁻]_T)/([H⁺]²+K₃[H⁺]+K₃K₄). At 25.0 °C, the value of k₁′ (the composite of k₁K₃) is 0.77±0.07 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹, while the value of k₂′ (the composite of k₂K₄) is (3.78±0.17)×10⁻² mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ for aqueous sulfite. For the hexacyanoferrate(II) ion, k₁′ (the composite of k₁K₅) is 1.13±0.01 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹, while the value of k₂′ (the composite of k₂K₆) is 2.36±0.05 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ at 25.0 °C. In both cases there was reduction of the cobalt(III) centre to cobalt(II), but there was no reduction of the molybdenum(VI) centre. k₂₂, the self-exchange rate constant, for aqueous sulfite (as SO₃ ²⁻) was calculated to be 5.37×10⁻¹² mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹, while for Fe(CN)₆ ⁴⁻, it was calculated to be 1.10×10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ from the Marcus equations.     

Chiral spin crossover iron(II) complex, fac-Λ-[Fe(HL)3](ClO4)2·EtOH (HL = 2-methylimidazol-4-yl-methylideneamino-R-(+)-1-methylphenyl)

A chiral spin crossover iron(II) complex, fac-Λ-[Fe^II(HL^R)₃](ClO₄)₂·EtOH was synthesized and its crystal structures in both the high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) states were determined, where HL^R denotes 2-methylimidazol-4-yl-methylideneamino-R-(+)-1-methylphenyl. The complex assumes octahedral coordination geometry of N₆ donor atoms by three bidentate ligands HL^R. The complex exists as the facial-Λ-isomer of fac-Λ-[Fe^II(HL^R)₃]²⁺ of the possible geometrical fac- and mer-isomers and the Δ- and Λ-enantiomorphs. The X-ray structural analyses revealed that the R-form of the ligand (HL^R) induces the fac-Λ-isomer of fac-Λ-[Fe^II(HL^R)₃]²⁺ and the S-form of the ligand (HL^S) induces the fac-Δ-isomer of fac-Δ-[Fe(HL^S)₃]²⁺. The complex fac-Λ-[Fe^II(HL^R)₃](ClO₄)₂·EtOH shows a complete steep spin crossover between the HS and the LS states at T_1/2 = 195 K.     

2-Mercapto-1-t-butylimidazolyl as a bridging ligand: Synthesis and structural characterization of nickel and palladium paddlewheel complexes

Nickel and palladium paddlewheel complexes that feature 2-mercapto-1-t-butylimidazolyl (mim^But) bridging ligands, namely Ni₂[mim^But]₄ and Pd₂[mim^But]₄, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Since the mim^But ligand bridges in an asymmetric manner via a sulfur and nitrogen donor, paddlewheel compounds of the type M₂[mim^But]₄ may exist as isomers that are distinguished by the relative orientations of the ligands. In this regard, the (4,0)-Ni₂[mim^But]₄ and trans-(2,2)-Ni₂[mim^But]₄ isomers have been isolated for the nickel system, while the (4,0)-Pd₂[mim^But]₄ and (3,1)-Pd₂[mim^But]₄ isomers have been isolated for the palladium system.     

Barium inhibition of sodium ion transport in toad bladder

The effect of Ba²⁺ on Na⁺ transport and electrical characteristics of toad bladder was determined from change produced in short circuit current (I_sc, epithelial, apical and basal-lateral potentials (ψ_t, ψ_a, ψ_b), epithelial and membrane resistances (R_t, R_a, R_b) and shunt resistance (R_s). Mucosal Ba²⁺ had no effect. Serosal Ba²⁺ reduced I_sc, ψ_t, ψ_a, and ψ_b, but had no effect on R_t, R_a, R_b and R_s. Minimal effective Ba²⁺ concentration was 5 · 10^?5 M. The phenomenon was reversed by Ba²⁺ removal, but not by 86 mM serosal K⁺. Ba²⁺ inhibition of I_sc did not impair the response to vasopressin which was quantitatively the same as controls. ψ_a with Ba²⁺ equalled ψ_b. After Ba²⁺ inhibition, ouabain produced no further decrease in ψ_t and I_sc. Ba²⁺ exposure after ouabain did not decrease ψ_t and I_sc. The results suggest that Ba²⁺ inhibits the basal-lateral electrogenic Na⁺ pump.     

Ditopic tris(2-mercaptoimidazol-1-yl)borate ligands and their coordination behavior toward [Ru(p-cymene)]

The ditopic tris(2-mercaptoimidazol-1-yl)borate ligand K₂[(mt^Et)₃B-B(mt^Et)₃] cannot be prepared from B₂(NMe₂)₄/4 Hmt^Et/2 Kmt^Et, because the stable intramolecular diadduct (mt^Et)B(μ-mt^Et)₂B(mt^Et) is generated instead (Hmt^Et = 2-mercapto-1-ethylimidazole). Introduction of a meta- or para-phenylene spacer between the two boron atoms precludes the 2-mercaptoimidazol-1-yl groups from adopting a bridging position so that the potassium salts K₂[(mt^Et)₃B-(m-C₆H₄)-B(mt^Et)₃] and K₂[(mt^Et)₃B-(p-C₆H₄)-B(mt^Et)₃] become readily accessible. These ligands react with [(p-cym)RuCl₂]₂ to give the dinuclear Ru^II complexes [(p-cym)Ru(mt^Et)₃B-(m-C₆H₄)-B(mt^Et)₃Ru(p-cym)]Cl₂ and [(p-cym)Ru(mt^Et)₃B-(p-C₆H₄)-B(mt^Et)₃Ru(p-cym)]Cl₂ (p-cym = p-cymene). After the exchange of the Cl⁻ counterions for [PF₆]⁻, both complexes have been crystallized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Multinuclear NMR study and crystal structures of complexes of the types cis- and trans-Pt(amine)2I2

Complexes of the types cis- and trans-Pt(amine)₂I₂ were studied by spectroscopic methods, especially by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR, the cis diiodo compounds with primary amines were observed between −3342 and −3357 ppm in acetone, while the trans compounds were found between −3336 and −3372 ppm. For the secondary amines, the chemical shifts were observed at lower fields. In ¹H NMR, the trans complexes were observed at higher fields than the cis compounds, while in ¹³C NMR, the reverse was observed. The ²J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹H) and ³J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹H) coupling constants are larger for the cis compounds (ave. 67 and 45 Hz, respectively) than for the trans isomers (ave. 59 and 38 Hz). In ¹³C NMR, the values of ²J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹³C) and ³J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹³C) were also found to be larger for the cis complexes (ave. 17 and 39 Hz versus 11 and 28 Hz). There seems to be a slight dependence of the pK_a values of the protonated amines or the proton affinity in the gas phase with the δ(Pt) chemical shifts. The crystal structures of eight diiodo complexes were determined. These compounds are cis-Pt(CH₃NH₂)₂I₂, cis-Pt(n-C₄H₉NH₂)₂I₂, cis-Pt(Et₂NH)₂I₂, trans-Pt(n-C₃H₇NH₂)₂I₂, trans-Pt(iso-C₃H₇NH₂)₂I₂, trans-Pt(n-C₄H₉NH₂)₂I₂, trans-Pt(t-C₄H₉NH₂)₂I₂ and trans-Pt(Me₂NH)₂I₂. The Pt-N bond distances located in trans position to the iodo ligands were compared to those located in trans position to the amines. The Pt-N bond in cis-Pt(Et₂NH)₂I₂ are much longer than the others, probably caused by the steric hindrance of the two very bulky ligands located in cis positions.     

Mapability of Very Close Markers of Bacteriophage λ

Recombinant frequency was compared with nucleotide distance in crosses involving markers in either the P_RM or the cy region of phage λ. For each pair of markers, we performed reciprocal four-factor crosses of the following types: (I) A⁺m₁ ⁺m₂^-B^- x A^-m₁ ^-m₂⁺B⁺; and (II) A⁺m₁ ^-m₂⁺B^- x A^-m₁ ⁺m₂^-B⁺. In crosses of type I, the frequency of A⁺m₁ ⁺m₂⁺B⁺ recombinants among total (selected) A⁺B⁺ progeny was directly proportional to nucleotide distance between m₁ and m₂ in the range from 3 to 160 nucleotides. When less than three nucleotides separated m₁ and m₂, the measured yields of m₁⁺m₂⁺ recombinants were significantly depressed.

We also found that the frequency of A⁺m₁ ⁺m₂⁺B⁺ recombinants among total A⁺B⁺ progeny was significantly lower (about 10-fold on the average) in crosses of type II than in the corresponding crosses of type I. Since mismatch correction should yield A⁺m₁ ⁺m₂⁺B⁺ recombinants with approximately equal frequencies in type I and II crosses, we suggest: (1) that most m₁⁺m₂⁺ recombinants produced in type I crosses must arise from the formation of heteroduplex structures with a discontinuity (in the source of genetic information) between sites m₁ and m₂, and (2) that mismatch correction is not a major pathway for production of recombinants for close markers in normal λ infection.

     

The synthesis and reaction kinetics of some Co(IIl) and Cr(III) chloro complexes of 1,4,8-Triazaoctane (2,3-tri) and the isolation of chiral trans-dichloro [CoCl2(NH3)(2,3-tri)] ClO4

The reaction of 2,3-tri with CrCl₃·6H₂O₁, dehydrated in boiling DMF, results in the formation of mer-CrCl₃(2,3-tri) and anation of hydrolysed solutions of mer-MCl₃(2,3,-tri) (M=Co, Cr) with 6 M HCl containing HClO₄, forms trans-dichloro- mer-[MCl₂(2,3-tri)(OH₂)]ClO₄·H₂O (M=Cr, Co; I, II). trans-Dinitro-mer-[Co(NO₂)₂(NH₃)(2,3-tri)] ClO₄ crystallises from the reaction between mer-Co(NO₂)₃(2,3-tri) and aqueous 7 M ammonia, on addition of NaClO₄·H₂O, and trans-dichloro-mer-[CoCl₂(NH₃)(2,3-tri)]ClO₄ (III) can be isolated by treatment of the dinitro with 12 M HCl. Reaction of mer-CoCl₃(2,3-tri) with C₂O₄₂⁻, followed by addition of aqueous NH₃ and NaClO₄·H₂O results in the isolation of racemic mer-[Co(ox)(NH₃)(2,3-tri)]ClO₄· H₂O. This complex was resolved into its enantiomeric forms and treatment of these with SOCl₂/MeOH/ HClO₄ gave the chiral forms of trans-dichloro-mer- [CoCl₂(NH₃)(2,3-tri)]ClO₄ (R or S at the see-NH center). The rates of loss of the first chloro ligand from these dichloro complexes have been measured spectrophotometrically in 0.1 M HNO₃ over a 15 K temperature range to give the following kinetic parameters; (I) k_H(298)=7.25 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, E_a=78.5 kJ mol⁻¹, δS₂₉₈^#=₋69 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹; (II) k_H(298)=4.00 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, E_a=89.9, δS₂₉₈^#= +87.5; (III) k_H(298)=3.09 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, E_a=103, δS₂₉₈^#=+27. Treatment of the dichloro cations with Hg²⁺/HNO₃ results in the generation of mer- M(2,3-tri)(OH₂)₃³⁺ (M=Cr, Co; IV, V) and trans- diaqua-mer-Co(NH₃)(2,3-tri)(OH₂)₂³⁺ (VI). The Co(III) cations isomerise to the fac configuration with (V) K_isom(298) μ=1.0 M)=2.97 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, E_a=115, δS₂₉₈^#=+46. (VI) K_isom(298) (μ=1.0 M)=4.13 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, E_a=113, δS₂₉₈^#=+52.     

Somatic variations on a yellow mutant in Nicotiana tabacum L. (a1+/a1a2+/a2) I. Non-reciprocal genetic events occurring in leaf cells

A greenish-yellow mutant was obtained after treatment of seeds of Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Xanthi n.c. with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Two genetically independent mutations (a₁ and a₂) were isolated. The first mutation (a₁) antagonizes the function of its partially dominant a₁⁺ allele. The second mutation (a₂) is amorphous but strongly interacts with a₁.Among the nine possible genotypes at the two loci, five varied in somatic cells. The heterozygous state a₁⁺/a₁ strongly increased the frequency of both spontaneous and induced variations. However, two homozygotes also showed variations.Variants were isolated from induced and spontaneous non-reciprocal and reciprocal variations within paliside tissues by bud induction in vitro. They were genetically tested. In this first paper, only non-reciprocal variations are reported.Green variants from the greenish-yellow (J¹) dihybrid a₁⁺/a₁a₂⁺/a₂ clone had two genotypes: the first was due to true reversions of a₁ to a₁⁺, whereas the second was due to amorphous a₁⁰ mutations from a₁. These a₁⁰ mutations may well be deletions.The lightest yellow variants from J¹ were due to mutations either from a₁⁺ into a₁ or from a₂⁺ into a₂.Deletions at the a₁⁺?a₁ locus led to either yellow variations when a₁⁺ was lost, or to false reversions when the antagonistic allele a₁ was lost.Amorphous alleles at the a₁⁺?a₁ locus were also isolated from tissues other than J⁺. They gave zygotic lethality (s) that probably varied with the size of the deletions. Thus, true reversions and deletions at the a₁⁺?a₁ locus could be distinguished from one another by progeny tests.Other variants showed higher frequencies of spontaneous variations (instability). Somatic changes observed in these unstable systems were due to modifications at the marker loci. The genetic nature of this instability is not yet known.There is strong evidence that the genetic events involved in these non-reciprocal variations were deletions, conversions and point mutations. True reversions from a₁ into a₁⁺ and new mutations from a₁⁺ into a₁ were obtained only from a₁⁺/a₁. It was therefore supposed that the changes observed took place only in heterozygotes, and the conversion hypothesis was made. Attempts are being made to prove that conversions do exist in higher plants, and to find out if this process, as deletions, is induced by radiation.     

Shape selectivity in outer-sphere electron transfer reactions

Chiral induction has been examined in the four diastereomeric products formed in a series of outer-sphere electron transfer reactions between the oxidants [Co(ox)₃]³⁻, [Co(edta)]⁻, [Co(gly)(ox)₂]²⁻, C₁-cis(N)-[Co(gly)₂(ox)]⁻, [Co(en)(ox)₂]⁻, C₂-cis(N)-[Co(gly)₂(ox)]⁻ and trans(N)-[Co(gly)₂(ox)]⁻ with [Co((RR,SS)-chxn)₃]²⁺ and [Co((R, S)-pn)₃]²⁺ as reductants. The products; [Co((RR,SS)-chxn)₃-lel₃]³⁺, [Co((RR,SS)-chxn)₃-lel₂ob]³⁺, [Co((RR,SS)-chxn)₃-lelob₂]³⁺, [Co((RR,SS)-chxn)₃-ob₃]³⁺ and corresponding species for [Co((R, S)-pn)₃]³⁺ show patterns of selectivity which are analyzed in terms of the size and structure of the reactants. The presence of a pseudo-C₃ carboxylate face on the oxidant enhances selectivity but the pattern is quite different for those oxidants that contain oxalate as one of their ligands compared with non-oxalate containing species such as [Co(edta)]⁻. A very simple model is developed in which the reductant employs a limited set of interactions corresponding to the major symmetry axes. The unrestricted reductant has very low aggregate selectvity. Steric and hydrogen bonding patterns in both oxidant and reductant enhance individual interactions resulting in the observed selectivities.     

Hydrochlorothiazide enhances the apical Cl− backflux in rabbit gallbladder epithelium: Radiochemical analysis

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was shown to inhibit the transepithelial NaCl transport and the apical Na⁺-Cl^? symport and to depolarize the apical membrane potential in the rabbit gallbladder epithelium. The depolarization was likely related to the opening of a Cl^? conductance. To better understand whether an apical Cl^? leak is involved in the mechanism of action of HCTZ, the transapical Cl^? backflux was measured radiochemically by the washout technique. The gallbladder wall, pretreated with pronase on the serosal side to homogenize the subepithelium, was loaded with ³⁶Cl^? on the luminal side; mucosal and serosal ³⁶Cl^? effluxes (J _m , J _s ) were then measured every 2 min. The pretreatment with pronase did not alter the membrane potentials and the selectivity of the epithelium. Under control conditions and the tissue in steady-state, J _m and J _s time courses were each described by two exponential decays (A,B); the rate constants, k ^A and k ^B , were 0.71 ±0.03 and 0.16±0.01 min^?1, respectively, and correspondingly the half-times (t ₁ ^2A , t ₁ ^2B ) were 1.01±0.05 and 5.00±0.44 min (n=10); these parameters were not significantly different for J _m and J _s time courses. J _s was always greater than J _m (J _s /J _m =2.02±0.22 and 1.43 ±0.17 for A and B decays). Under SCN^? treatment in steady-state conditions, both J _m and J _s time courses were described by only one exponential decay, the component B being abolished. Moreover t ₁ ^2A was similar to that predictable for the subepithelium. It follows that it is the component B which exits the epithelial compartment. Based on the intracellular specific activity and ³⁶Cl^? J _m ^B at 0 min time of the washout experiment, the cell-lumen Cl^? backflux in steady-state was calculated to be equal to about 2 μmol cm^?2hr^?1, in agreement with the value indirectly computable by other techniques. The experimental model was well responsive to different external challenges (increases in media osmolalities; luminal treatment with nystatin). HCTZ (2.5 · 10^?4 m) largely increased ³⁶Cl^? J _m ^B . The increase was abolished by luminal treatment with 10^?4 m SITS, which not only brought back the efflux time courses to the ones observed under control conditions but even increased J _s /J _m of the cellular component, an indication of a reduced J _m ^B . It is concluded that HCTZ opens an apical, SITS-sensitive Cl^? leak, which contributes to dissipate the intracellular Cl^? accumulation and to inhibit the NaCl transepithelial transport. Moreover, the drug is likely to reduce the basal electroneutral Cl^? backflux supported by Na⁺-Cl^? cotransport, in agreement with the inhibition of the cotransport itself.