On the identification of ionic species of neutral halogen dimers, monomers and pincer type palladacycles in solution by electrospray mass and tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray (ESI) mass spectra analysis of acetonitrile solutions of a series of neutral chloro dimers, pincer type, and monomeric palladacycles has enabled the detection of several of their derived ionic species. The monometallic cationic complexes Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]⁺ (1a) and [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)]⁺ (1b) and the bimetallic cationic complex [κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]Pd-Cl-Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]⁺ (1c) were detected from an acetonitrile solution of the pincer palladacycles Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](Cl) 1. For the dimeric compounds {Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](μ-Cl)}₂ (2, Y=H and 3, CF₃), highly electronically unsaturated palladacycles [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]⁺ (2d, 3d) and their mono and di-acetonitrile adducts, namely, [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)]⁺ (2e, 3e) and [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)₂]⁺ (2f and 3f) were detected together with the bimetallic complex [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]-Cl-Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N](CH₃)₂]⁺ (2a, 3a) and its acetonitrile adducts [κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)Pd-Cl-Pd[ κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]⁺ (2b, 3b) and [κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)Pd-Cl-Pd[κ¹-C, κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂(CH₃CN)]⁺ (2c, 3c). The dimeric palladacycle {Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(CH₃O-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](μ-Cl)}₂ (4) is unique as it behaves as a pincer type compound with the OCH₃ substituent acting as an intramolecular coordinating group which prevents acetonitrile full coordination, thus forming the cationic complexes [(C₆H₄(o-CH₃O)CC(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂-κO,κC,κN)Pd]⁺ (4b), [(C₆H₄(o-CH₃O)CC(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂- κO,κC,κN)Pd(CH₃CN)]⁺ (4c) and [(C₆H₄ (o-MeO)CC(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂-κO, κC,κN)Pd-Cl-Pd(C₆H₄(o-CH₃O)CC(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂-κO,κC,κN)]⁺ (4a). ESI-MS spectra analysis of acetonitrile solutions of the monomeric palladacycles Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](Cl)(Py) (5, Y=H and 6, Y=CF₃) allows the detection of some of the same species observed in the spectra of the dimeric palladacycles, i.e., monometallic cationic 2d-3d, 2e-3e and {Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](Py)}⁺ (5a, 6a) and {Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)(Py)}⁺ (5b, 6b) and the bimetallic 2a, 3a, 2b, 3b, 2c and 3c. In all cationic complexes detected by ESI-MS, the cyclometallated moiety was intact indicating the high stability of the four or six electron anionic chelate ligands. The anionic (chloride) or neutral (pyridine) ligands are, however, easily replaced by the acetonitrile solvent.     

Arabidopsis HARMLESS TO OZONE LAYER Protein Methylates a Glucosinolate Breakdown Product and Functions in Resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola

Almost all of the chlorine-containing gas emitted from natural sources is methyl chloride (CH₃Cl), which contributes to the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer. Tropical and subtropical plants emit substantial amounts of CH₃Cl. A gene involved in CH₃Cl emission from Arabidopsis was previously identified and designated HARMLESS TO OZONE LAYER (hereafter AtHOL1) based on the mutant phenotype. Our previous studies demonstrated that AtHOL1 and its homologs, AtHOL2 and AtHOL3, have S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent methyltransferase activities. However, the physiological functions of AtHOLs have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, our comparative kinetic analyses with possible physiological substrates indicated that all of the AtHOLs have low activities toward chloride. AtHOL1 was highly reactive to thiocyanate (NCS⁻), a pseudohalide, synthesizing methylthiocyanate (CH₃SCN) with a very high k_cat/K_m value. We demonstrated in vivo that substantial amounts of NCS⁻ were synthesized upon tissue damage in Arabidopsis and that NCS⁻ was largely derived from myrosinase-mediated hydrolysis of glucosinolates. Analyses with the T-DNA insertion Arabidopsis mutants (hol1, hol2, and hol3) revealed that only hol1 showed increased sensitivity to NCS⁻ in medium and a concomitant lack of CH₃SCN synthesis upon tissue damage. Bacterial growth assays indicated that the conversion of NCS⁻ into CH₃SCN dramatically increased antibacterial activities against Arabidopsis pathogens that normally invade the wound site. Furthermore, hol1 seedlings showed an increased susceptibility toward an Arabidopsis pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola. Here we propose that AtHOL1 is involved in glucosinolate metabolism and defense against phytopathogens. Moreover, CH₃Cl synthesized by AtHOL1 could be considered a byproduct of NCS⁻ metabolism.Methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) is the most abundant halohydrocarbon emitted into the atmosphere and constitutes about 17% of the chlorine currently in the stratosphere (1). CH₃Cl is derived mainly from natural sources and contributes to the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer. As the total abundance of ozone-depleting gases such as chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere has begun to decrease in recent years as a result of The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, the impact of CH₃Cl emission from natural sources will become greater on the atmospheric chemistry. CH₃Cl emission into the atmosphere has been estimated at 1,700–13,600 Gg/year (1), which underscores the great uncertainty of the estimation. Oceans (2), biomass burning (3), wood-rotting fungi, and coastal salt marshes (4) are the major sources of CH₃Cl production. Recently, it was reported that large amounts of CH₃Cl are emitted from tropical and subtropical plants, which are hence considered as the major sources of CH₃Cl (5–7). It was estimated that the CH₃Cl emission from tropical plants could account for 30–50% of the global CH₃Cl emission (8). To accomplish an accurate estimation of CH₃Cl production in the atmosphere through “bottom-up” approaches, elucidating the mechanisms and physiological functions of CH₃Cl emission from plants will be important.The biological synthesis of methyl halides has been demonstrated mainly by biochemical analyses. The enzymatic activities that transfer a methyl group from S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)² to halide ions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻), which synthesize methyl halides, were first discovered in cell-free extracts of Phellinus pomaceus (a white rot fungus), Endocladia muricata (a marine red alga), and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (ice plant, a halophytic plant) (9). Enzyme purification and cDNA cloning of the methyl chloride transferase (MCT) was first reported with Batis maritima, a halophytic plant that grows abundantly in salt marshes. As high concentrations of ions such as Cl⁻ are often detrimental to plants, halophytic plants are considered to possess various salt tolerance mechanisms. MCT was hypothesized to control and regulate the internal concentration of Cl⁻, rich in the habitat in which halophytic plant grows (10, 11).In the meantime, purification of thiol methyltransferase (TMT), which methylates bisulfide (HS⁻) and halide (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) ions was reported with cabbage, Brassica oleracea (12). The purified and recombinant TMTs were later shown to also methylate the thiocyanate ion (NCS⁻), which is called pseudohalide because of its chemical properties similar to halide ions (13, 14). NCS⁻ is a hydrolysis product found in some glucosinolates, which are secondary metabolites found mainly in the order Brassicales including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (15). Upon tissue damage such as by insect or herbivore attack, glucosinolates are hydrolyzed by myrosinase (β-thioglucosidase) into biologically active compounds including isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates derived from indole glucosinolates and 4-hydroxybenzyl glucosinolates are reported to be highly unstable and yield NCS⁻ upon reacting with various nucleophiles (15–17). Based on the enzymatic activity, the physiological role of TMT was speculated to metabolize glucosinolate breakdown products (14). However, there are no reported studies that examine these MCT and TMT hypotheses through in vivo experiments.An Arabidopsis homolog of MCT was also identified, and its T-DNA insertion Arabidopsis mutants were analyzed (18). Because the gene disruption eliminated almost all of the methyl halide emissions from the mutants, the gene was revealed to be involved in methyl halide synthesis and was designated HOL (HARMLESS TO OZONE LAYER; denoted as AtHOL1 in our studies) based on the mutant phenotype (18). Recently, we identified AtHOL1 homologs AtHOL2 and AtHOL3 in Arabidopsis, and we demonstrated biochemically that the three recombinant AtHOLs have SAM-dependent methyltransferase activities (19). In this study, reverse genetic and biochemical analyses of all AtHOL isoforms revealed that AtHOL1 in vivo is involved in the methylation of NCS⁻ produced by glucosinolate hydrolysis. Although there are several studies that have examined the biological activities of glucosinolate hydrolysis products, the mechanisms of NCS⁻ synthesis and its methylation to methyl thiocyanate (CH₃SCN) have yet to be reported in detail. The biological activity and physiological function of CH₃SCN synthesized by AtHOL1 was also examined.     

Hydrologic regulation of gross methyl chloride and methyl bromide uptake from Alaskan Arctic tundra

The Arctic tundra has been shown to be a potentially significant regional sink for methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) and methyl bromide (CH₃Br), although prior field studies were spatially and temporally limited, and did not include gross flux measurements. Here we compare net and gross CH₃Cl and CH₃Br fluxes in the northern coastal plain and continental interior. As expected, both regions were net sinks for CH₃Cl and CH₃Br. Gross uptake rates (−793 nmol CH₃Cl m⁻² day⁻¹ and −20.3 nmol CH₃Br m⁻² day⁻¹) were 20–240% greater than net fluxes, suggesting that the Arctic is an even greater sink than previously believed. Hydrology was the principal regulator of methyl halide flux, with an overall trend towards increasing methyl halide uptake with decreasing soil moisture. Water table depth was one of the best predictors of net and gross uptake, with uptake increasing proportionately with water table depth. In drier areas, gross uptake was very high, averaging −1201 nmol CH₃Cl m⁻² day⁻¹ and −34.9 nmol CH₃Br m⁻² day⁻¹; in flooded areas, gross uptake was significantly lower, averaging −61 nmol CH₃Cl m⁻² day⁻¹ and −2.3 nmol CH₃Br m⁻² day⁻¹. Net and gross uptake was greater in the continental interior than in the northern coastal plain, presumably due to drier inland conditions. Within certain microtopographic features (low‐ and high‐centered polygons), uptake rates were positively correlated with soil temperature, indicating that temperature played a secondary role in methyl halide uptake. Incubations suggested that the inverse relationship between water content and methyl halide uptake was the result of mass transfer limitation in saturated soils, rather than because of reduced microbial activity under anaerobic conditions. These findings have potential regional significance, as the Arctic is expected to become warmer and drier due to anthropogenic climate forcing, potentially enhancing the Arctic sink for CH₃Cl and CH₃Br.     

Halomethane:Bisulfide/Halide Ion Methyltransferase, an Unusual Corrinoid Enzyme of Environmental Significance Isolated from an Aerobic Methylotroph Using Chloromethane as the Sole Carbon Source

A novel dehalogenating/transhalogenating enzyme, halomethane:bisulfide/halide ion methyltransferase, has been isolated from the facultatively methylotrophic bacterium strain CC495, which uses chloromethane (CH₃Cl) as the sole carbon source. Purification of the enzyme to homogeneity was achieved in high yield by anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The methyltransferase was composed of a 67-kDa protein with a corrinoid-bound cobalt atom. The purified enzyme was inactive but was activated by preincubation with 5 mM dithiothreitol and 0.5 mM CH₃Cl; then it catalyzed methyl transfer from CH₃Cl, CH₃Br, or CH₃I to the following acceptor ions (in order of decreasing efficacy): I⁻, HS⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, NO₂⁻, CN⁻, and SCN⁻. Spectral analysis indicated that cobalt in the native enzyme existed as cob(II)alamin, which upon activation was reduced to the cob(I)alamin state and then was oxidized to methyl cob(III)alamin. During catalysis, the enzyme shuttles between the methyl cob(III)alamin and cob(I)alamin states, being alternately demethylated by the acceptor ion and remethylated by halomethane. Mechanistically the methyltransferase shows features in common with cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase from Escherichia coli. However, the failure of specific inhibitors of methionine synthase such as propyl iodide, N₂O, and Hg²⁺ to affect the methyltransferase suggests significant differences. During CH₃Cl degradation by strain CC495, the physiological acceptor ion for the enzyme is probably HS⁻, a hypothesis supported by the detection in cell extracts of methanethiol oxidase and formaldehyde dehydrogenase activities which provide a metabolic route to formate. 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that strain CC495 clusters with Rhizobium spp. in the alpha subdivision of the Proteobacteria and is closely related to strain IMB-1, a recently isolated CH₃Br-degrading bacterium (T. L. Connell Hancock, A. M. Costello, M. E. Lidstrom, and R. S. Oremland, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64:2899–2905, 1998). The presence of this methyltransferase in bacterial populations in soil and sediments, if widespread, has important environmental implications.     

Biochemical Characterization of Chloromethane Emission from the Wood-Rotting Fungus Phellinus pomaceus

Many wood-rotting fungi, including Phellinus pomaceus, produce chloromethane (CH₃Cl). P. pomaceus can be cultured in undisturbed glucose mycological peptone liquid medium to produce high amounts of CH₃Cl. The biosynthesis of CH₃Cl is catalyzed by a methyl chloride transferase (MCT), which appears to be membrane bound. The enzyme is labile upon removal from its natural location and upon storage at low temperature in its bound state. Various detergents failed to solubilize the enzyme in active form, and hence it was characterized by using a membrane fraction. The enzyme had a sharp pH optimum between 7 and 7.2. Its apparent K_m for Cl⁻ (ca. 300 mM) was much higher than that for I⁻ (250 μM) or Br⁻ (11 mM). A comparison of these K_m values to the relative in vivo methylation rates for different halides suggests that the real K_m for Cl⁻ may be much lower, but the calculated value is high because the CH₃Cl produced is used immediately in a coupled reaction. Among various methyl donors tested, S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) was the only one that supported significant methylation by MCT. The reaction was inhibited by S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine, an inhibitor of SAM-dependent methylation, suggesting that SAM is the natural methyl donor. These findings advance our comprehension of a poorly understood metabolic sector at the origin of biogenic emissions of halomethanes, which play an important role in atmospheric chemistry.Halogenated organic compounds are ubiquitous in nature (29). They participate in the depletion of stratospheric ozone and have a profound impact on atmospheric chemistry (4, 18, 24). Although the dominant sources of these compounds are biogenic emissions (12, 25, 26, 28), their significance to the emitter organisms is rather poorly understood, with only a few indications of the roles they might play. In fungi, halomethanes serve as methyl group donors for the biosynthesis of esters, anisoles, and veratryl alcohol (9, 11). In algae, halomethanes are by-products of reactions in which scavenging of H₂O₂ releases HOBr, which is presumed to be a defense molecule against bacteria, fungi, and herbivores (23, 27). A recent report (28) that a marine alga, Endocladia muricata, and a salt-tolerant plant, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, could methylate Cl⁻ ions to chloromethane (CH₃Cl) triggered speculation that this may be a mechanism for Cl⁻ detoxification and salt tolerance. The S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyl chloride transferase (MCT) that catalyzes this reaction was partially purified from E. muricata (28). The enzyme can also use I⁻ and Br⁻ as substrates.These results suggest possibilities for engineering a Cl⁻ detoxification capability into crop plants, many of which are sensitive to Cl⁻ (6, 17). Wood-rotting fungi of the family Hymenochaetaceae are the most efficient producers of CH₃Cl (5, 7, 13). Phellinus pomaceus converts Cl⁻ to CH₃Cl with over 90% efficiency, even at extremely low concentrations of the ion (7). A low MCT activity was detected in cell extracts of this fungus (28).Halomethanes are the primary carriers of halogens between the biosphere and the atmosphere (4, 18) and therefore play pivotal roles in the effect of halogens on atmospheric chemistry and the integrity of the ozone layer (24). Since biogenic sources are major contributors of atmospheric halomethanes (7, 12, 18, 25, 28), attempts to understand atmospheric composition must include an understanding of the metabolic processes underlying the generation of these gases. In addition, engineering a Cl⁻ detoxification capability into plants depends on the identification of novel metabolic pathways and an understanding of their regulation. Within this dual context, our objective was to determine the biochemical nature of the CH₃Cl-evolving system of P. pomaceus.     

Synthesis and characterization of carbamoyl methyl pyrazole(CMPz) compounds of palladium(II) chloride: The crystal and molecular structure of [PdCl2{C3H3N2CH2CONBu2}2]

Carbamoyl methyl pyrazole compound of palladium(II) chloride of the type [PdCl₂L₂] (where L =  C₅H₇N₂CH₂CON(C₄H₉)₂, C₅H₇N₂CH₂CON(ⁱC₄H₉)₂, C₃H₃N₂CH₂CON(C₄H₉)₂, or C₃H₃N₂CH₂CON(ⁱC₄H₉)₂) has been synthesized and characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The structure of the compound [PdCl₂{C₃H₃N₂CH₂CONⁱBu₂}₂] has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and shows that the ligands are bonded through the soft pyrazolyl nitrogen atom to the palladium(II) chloride in a trans disposition.     

Water, temperature, and vegetation regulation of methyl chloride and methyl bromide fluxes from a shortgrass steppe ecosystem

Temperate grasslands are considered to be a significant sink for CH₃Br, although large uncertainties exist about the magnitude of this sink because of a paucity of field measurements. Here, we report the results of a combined field and laboratory study that investigated the effects of water, temperature, and plant community composition on CH₃Cl and CH₃Br fluxes in a semiarid temperate grassland. A novel stable isotope tracer technique was also employed to deconvolute simultaneous production and oxidation of CH₃Cl and CH₃Br. Net and gross fluxes were measured from different landforms (ridges, floodplains) and cover types (grass‐dominated, shrub‐dominated) to capture a representative range of hydrologic regimes, temperatures, and plant communities. In field experiments, net CH₃Cl and CH₃Br uptake was observed at all grass‐dominated sites (?400±77 nmol CH₃Cl m^?2 day^?1 and ?3.4±0.9 nmol CH₃Br m^?2 day^?1), while net CH₃Cl emission (439±58 nmol CH₃Cl m^?2 day^?1) was observed at sites dominated by the shrub Atriplex canescens, indicating that this plant is a strong CH₃Cl producer. Gross CH₃Cl and CH₃Br oxidation were comparable with estimates from other dryland ecosystems (507±115 nmol CH₃Cl m^?2 day^?1 and 9.1±2.2 nmol CH₃Br m^?2 day^?1), although CH₃Br oxidation rates were at least five times lower than those observed in more mesic temperate grasslands. We suggest that estimates of the temperate grassland CH₃Br sink should be reduced by ≥19% (≥1.8 Gg yr^?1) to account for the weaker sink strength of semiarid environments. Identification of A. canescens as a ‘new’ CH₃Cl source may have important ramifications for the global atmospheric budget of CH₃Cl, given the global distribution of this plant and its congeners and their widespread presence in many dryland ecosystems. Laboratory experiments revealed that soil water was the chief regulator of CH₃Cl and CH₃Br oxidation, while temperature had no observed effect between 14 and 26 °C. Oxidation rates rose most rapidly between 0.4% and 5% volumetric water content, suggesting that methyl halide‐oxidizing bacteria respond strongly to small inputs of water under the very driest conditions. Soil drying and rewetting experiments did not appear to affect the oxidation of CH₃Cl and CH₃Br by soil microorganisms, which are presumably adapted to frequent wet/dry cycles.     

Comparison of the Efficacies of Chloromethane, Methionine, and S-Adenosylmethionine as Methyl Precursors in the Biosynthesis of Veratryl Alcohol and Related Compounds in Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The effect on veratryl alcohol production of supplementing cultures of the lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium with different methyl-(sup2)H(inf3)-labelled methyl precursors has been investigated. Both chloromethane (CH(inf3)Cl) and l-methionine caused earlier initiation of veratryl alcohol biosynthesis, but S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) retarded the formation of the compound. A high level of C(sup2)H(inf3) incorporation into both the 3- and 4-O-methyl groups of veratryl alcohol occurred when either l-[methyl-(sup2)H(inf3)]methionine or C(sup2)H(inf3)Cl was present, but no significant labelling was detected when S-adenosyl-l-[methyl-(sup2)H(inf3)]methionine was added. Incorporation of C(sup2)H(inf3) from C(sup2)H(inf3)Cl was strongly antagonized by the presence of unlabelled l-methionine; conversely, incorporation of C(sup2)H(inf3) from l-[methyl-(sup2)H(inf3)]methionine was reduced by CH(inf3)Cl. These results suggest that l-methionine is converted either directly or via an intermediate to CH(inf3)Cl, which is utilized as a methyl donor in veratryl alcohol biosynthesis. SAM is not an intermediate in the conversion of l-methionine to CH(inf3)Cl. In an attempt to identify the substrates for O methylation in the metabolic transformation of benzoic acid to veratryl alcohol, the relative activities of the SAM- and CH(inf3)Cl-dependent methylating systems on several possible intermediates were compared in whole mycelia by using isotopic techniques. 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid was a much better substrate for the CH(inf3)Cl-dependent methylation system than for the SAM-dependent system. The CH(inf3)Cl-dependent system also had significantly increased activities toward both isovanillic acid and vanillyl alcohol compared with the SAM-dependent system. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that the conversion of benzoic acid to veratryl alcohol involves para hydroxylation, methylation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, meta hydroxylation of 4-methoxybenzoic acid to form isovanillic acid, and methylation of isovanillic acid to yield veratric acid.     

Involvement of S-adenosylmethionine-dependent halide/thiol methyltransferase (HTMT) in methyl halide emissions from agricultural plants: isolation and characterization of an HTMT-coding gene from Raphanus sativus (daikon radish)

Background  

Biogenic emissions of methyl halides (CH₃Cl, CH₃Br and CH₃I) are the major source of these compounds in the atmosphere; however, there are few reports about the halide profiles and strengths of these emissions. Halide ion methyltransferase (HMT) and halide/thiol methyltransferase (HTMT) enzymes concerning these emissions have been purified and characterized from several organisms including marine algae, fungi, and higher plants; however, the correlation between emission profiles of methyl halides and the enzymatic properties of HMT/HTMT, and their role in vivo remains unclear.     

Chiroptical properties of diastereomeric five-coordinate Pt(II)–olefin complexes. Molecular structure of [PtCl2{(S,S)-(E)-CNCHCHCN}(R,R)-{C6H5CH(CH3)N(CH3)CH2}2]·C6H6

The chiroptical properties of five-coordinate diastereomeric complexes of general formula [PtCl₂(R,R)-{C₆H₅CH(CH₃)N(CH₃)CH₂}₂{olefin}], with olefin ligands having electron-withdrawing substituents, have been investigated. The sign of CD bands in the 28 000–30 000 cm⁻¹ region appears to be correlated to the absolute configuration of the prochiral coordinated alkene. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure determination has been performed on the single diastereomer [PtCl₂(E-but-2-enedinitrile)(R,R)-{C₆H₅CH(CH₃)N(CH₃)CH₂}₂]· C₆H₆. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2 with a = 17.842(2), b = 8.466(1), c = 10.464(1) Å, β = 109.34(1)°, Z = 2. The number of observed reflections was 1943 and the final R and R_w values were 0.020 and 0.028 respectively. Trigonal-bipyramidal geometry is observed around the Pt atom, with the two Cl atoms in axial positions. The unsaturated ligand lies in the equatorial plane disclosing S,S absolute configuration.     

Methyl chloride metabolism of the strictly anaerobic,methyl chloride-utilizing homoacetogen strain MC

The methyl chloride metabolism of the homoacetogenic, methyl chloride-utilizing strain MC was investigated with cell extracts and cell suspensions of the organism. Cell extracts were found to contain all enzyme activities required for the conversion of methyl chloride or of H₂ plus CO₂ to acetate. They catalyzed the dechlorination of methyl chloride with tetrahydrofolate as the methyl acceptor at a rate of 20 nmol/min × mg of cell protein. Also, the O-demethylation of vanillate with tetrahydrofolate could be measured at a rate of 40 nmol/min × mg. Different enzyme systems appeared to be responsible for the dehalogenation of CH₃Cl and for the O-demethylation of methoxylated aromatic compounds, since cells grown with methoxylated aromatic compounds exhibited a significantly lower activity of CH₃Cl conversion than methyl chloride grown cells and vice versa. In addition, ammonium thiocyanate (5 mM) completely inhibited CH₃Cl dechlorination, whereas the consumption of vanillate was not affected significantly. The data were taken to indicate, that the methyl chloride dehalogenation is catalyzed by a specific, inducible enzyme present in strain MC, and that tetrahydrofolate rather than the corrinoid-protein involved in acetate formation is the primary acceptor of the methyl group in the dechlorination reaction.     

Synthesis and characterization of metallatranes with phenyl substituents in atrane cage

A new series of mono- and diphenylsubstituted silatranes and boratranes N(CH₂CH₂O)₂(CHR³CR¹R²O)MZ (M = Si, Z = CH₂Cl, CCPh, H, OMenth, R¹, R², R³ = H, Ph; M = B, Z = nothing, R¹, R², R³ = H, Ph) have been synthesized. Both transalkoxylation and stepwise modification of a preformed metallatrane skeleton were used. The chloromethyl derivatives N(CH₂CH₂O)₂(CHRCHRO)SiCH₂Cl (R = H, Ph) react with tert-BuOK under intramolecular cycle expansion to give 1-tert-butoxy-2-carba-3-oxahomosilatranes N(CH₂CH₂O)(CH₂CH₂OCH₂)(CHRCHRO)SiO^tBu (R = H, Ph). The treatment of boratranes N(CH₂CH₂O)₂(CH₂CR¹R²O)B (R¹,R² = H, Ph) with triflic acid and trimethylsilyl triflate results in the products of electrophilic attack at the nitrogen atom. The molecular structures of four silatranes and one boratrane bearing phenyl groups in the atrane skeleton were determined by the X-ray structure analysis.     

Caldensinic acid,a prenylated benzoic acid from Piper caldense

The CH₂Cl₂ and MeOH extracts from leaves of Piper caldense were subjected to chromatographic separation procedures to afford the new prenylated benzoic acid, caldensinic acid (3-[(2′E,6′E,10′E)-11′-carboxy-3′,7′,15′-trimethylhexadeca-2′,6′,10′,14′-tetraenyl]-4,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) whose structure was determined by spectral analysis, mainly NMR (¹H, ¹³C, HSQC, HMBC) and ESI-MS. The natural compound and derivatives displayed antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungi Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum by direct bioautography.     

N-methyltransferases and 7-methyl-N9-nucleoside hydrolase activity in Coffea arabica and the biosynthesis of caffeine

The incorporation of radioactivity from L-[¹⁴CH₃]-methionine into caffeine by coffee fruits was enhanced by additions of theobromine and paraxanthine but was reduced by additions of theophylline and caffeine. Cell-free extracts prepared from seedlings, partially ripe and unripe coffee fruits showed that only the unripe green fruits contained significant methyltransferase and 7-methyl-N⁹-nucleoside hydrolase activity. The cell-free extracts catalysed the transfer of methyl groups fromS-adenosyl-L-[¹⁴CH₃]-methionine to 7-methylxanthine, and 7-methylxanthosine, producing theobromine and to theobromine producing caffeine. The two enzymic methylations exhibited a sharp pH max at 8.5 and a similar pattern of effects with metal chelators, thiol reagents and Mg²⁺ ions, which were slightly stimulating though not essential to enzyme activity. Paraxanthine (1,7-dimethylxanthine) was sh own to be the most active among methylxanthines as methyl acceptors; however its formation from 1-methylxanthine and 7-methylxanthine was not detectable, and biosynthesis from paraxanthine in the intact plant would therefore appear not to occur. The apparent K_m values are as follows: 7-methylxanthine 0.2 mM, theobromine 0.2 mM, paraxanthine 0.07 mM and S-adenosyl-L-methionine with each substrate 0.01 mM. The results suggest the pathway for caffeine biosynthesis in Coffea arabica is: 7-methylxanthosine → 7-methylxanthine → theobromine → caffeine.     

Optically active iridium complexes with cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands: synthesis and oxidative addition of methyl iodide

The dimer [Ir(μ-Cl)(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ reacts with the ligands (S)-(C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂)Li and (R)-(C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂)Li to give (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)], which upon treatment with CH₃I at room temperature afford the cationic iridium(III) compounds (S,S_Ir)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a single diastereomer, and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a 9:1 mixture of two diastereomers. If the oxidative addition reaction is performed at reflux in methylene chloride, the starting complexes convert to the neutral compounds (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] as 1.6:1 and 3.3:1 mixtures of diastereoisomers, respectively. Carbonyl iridium complexes are synthesized by reacting [IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with the ligands to afford (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CO)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CO)]. They give upon treatment with CH₃I the cationic species (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] as 1.6:1 and 3:1 mixture of diastereomers, respectively. No migratory-insertion of the methyl group into the carbonyl-metal bond has been observed even after prolonged heating.     

Cytokinins: Synthesis of 2-, 8-, and 2,8-substituted 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purines and their relative activities in promoting cell growth

We have synthesized 2- and 8-monosubstituted and 2,8-disubstituted derivatives of the cytokinin 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)purine (N⁶-isopentenyladenine) and have shown the dependence of growth-promoting activity in the tobacco bioassay upon the position, number, and type of substituent. The representative substituent groups were MeS, Me, MeSO₂, C₆H₅CH₂S, HS and Cl. The 8-methyl derivative was exceptional in being more active than the unsubstituted parent compound. In general, substitution in the 8-position decreases activity less than substitution in the 2-position, with the exception of the electron-attracting methylsulfonyl. Substitution in both the 2- and 8-positions lowers the activity more than substitution at either single position on the adenine nucleus, with the exception of the 2,8-dimethyl derivative. The chloro and methylthio derivatives show activity in the same range as the methyl derivatives, and the mercapto compounds, which exist mainly as CS tautomers, show somewhat less activity than the corresponding methylthio compounds. Bulky (C₆H₅CH₂S and MeSO₂) and strongly electron-attracting (MeSO₂) substituents cause relatively great reduction in cytokinin activity.     

Anaerobic C1 Metabolism of the O-Methyl-14C-Labeled Substituent of Vanillate

The O-methyl substituents of aromatic compounds constitute a C₁ growth substrate for a number of taxonomically diverse anaerobic acetogens. In this study, strain TH-001, an O-demethylating obligate anaerobe, was chosen to represent this physiological group, and the carbon flow when cells were grown on O-methyl substituents as a C₁ substrate was determined by ¹⁴C radiotracer techniques. O-[methyl-¹⁴C]vanillate (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzoate) was used as the labeled C₁ substrate. The data showed that for every O-methyl carbon converted to [¹⁴C]acetate, two were oxidized to ¹⁴CO₂. Quantitation of the carbon recovered in the two products, acetate and CO₂, indicated that acetate was formed in part by the fixation of unlabeled CO₂. The specific activity of ¹⁴C in acetate was 70% of that in the O-methyl substrate, suggesting that only one carbon of acetate was derived from the O-methyl group. Thus, it is postulated that the carboxyl carbon of the product acetate is derived from CO₂ and the methyl carbon is derived from the O-methyl substituent of vanillate. The metabolism of O-[methyl-¹⁴C]vanillate by strain TH-001 can be described as follows: 3¹⁴CH₃OC₇H₅O₃ + CO₂ + 4H₂O → ¹⁴CH₃COOH + 2¹⁴CO₂ + 10H⁺ + 10e^- + 3HOC₇H₅O₃.     

Amine Transport in Riccia fluitans: Cytoplasmic and Vacuolar pH Recorded by a pH-Sensitive Microelectrode

The cytoplasmic and vacuolar pH and changes thereof in the presence of ammonia (NH₄Cl) and methylamine (CH₃NH₃Cl) have been measured in rhizoid cells of Riccia fluitans by means of a pH-sensitive microelectrode.

On addition of 1 micromolar NH₄Cl, the cytoplasmic pH of 7.2 to 7.4 drops by 0.1 to 0.2 pH units, but shifts to pH 7.8 in the presence of 50 micromolar NH₄Cl or 500 micromolar CH₃NH₃Cl. The pH of the vacuole increases drastically from 4.5 to 5.7 with these latter concentrations. Since a NH₄⁺/CH₃NH₃⁺ uniporter has been demonstrated in the plasmalemma of R. fluitans previously (Felle 1983 Biochim Biophys Acta 602:181-195), the concentration-dependent shifts of cytoplasmic pH are interpreted as results of two processes: first, acidification through deprotonation of the actively transported NH₄⁺; and second, alkalinization through protonation of NH₃ which is taken up to a significant extent from high external concentrations. Furthermore, it is concluded that the determination of intracellular pH by means of methylamine distribution is not a reliable method for eucaryotic systems.

     

Resveratrol and para-coumarate serve as ring precursors for coenzyme Q biosynthesis

Coenzyme Q (Q or ubiquinone) is a redox-active polyisoprenylated benzoquinone lipid essential for electron and proton transport in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The aromatic ring 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4HB) is commonly depicted as the sole aromatic ring precursor in Q biosynthesis despite the recent finding that para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA) also serves as a ring precursor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Q biosynthesis. In this study, we employed aromatic ¹³C₆-ring-labeled compounds including ¹³C₆-4HB, ¹³C₆-pABA, ¹³C₆-resveratrol, and ¹³C₆-coumarate to investigate the role of these small molecules as aromatic ring precursors in Q biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, S. cerevisiae, and human and mouse cells. In contrast to S. cerevisiae, neither E. coli nor the mammalian cells tested were able to form ¹³C₆-Q when cultured in the presence of ¹³C₆-pABA. However, E. coli cells treated with ¹³C₆-pABA generated ¹³C₆-ring-labeled forms of 3-octaprenyl-4-aminobenzoic acid, 2-octaprenyl-aniline, and 3-octaprenyl-2-aminophenol, suggesting UbiA, UbiD, UbiX, and UbiI are capable of using pABA or pABA-derived intermediates as substrates. E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and human and mouse cells cultured in the presence of ¹³C₆-resveratrol or ¹³C₆-coumarate were able to synthesize ¹³C₆-Q. Future evaluation of the physiological and pharmacological responses to dietary polyphenols should consider their metabolism to Q.     

Équilibres conformationnels de glucides au niveau de liaisons σ SP-SP: Partie V. Dérivés 2,3,-O-isopropylidène de pyranosides hybrides sp en C-4. Comparaison avec leurs analogues saturés

The conformation in solution of derivatives of methyl hexopyranosides has been studied by n.m.r. The esters of methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-D-manno- and -talopyranosides as well as their 4-deoxy-4-C-methyl analog having a manno configuration exist mainly in a flattened (^4,0F) chair conformation (⁴C₁). The presence in the talo epimer of the 4-deoxy-4-C-methyl analog of the bulky methyl group on the endo side of the bicyclic system results in a skew form (³S₁). The methyl 4-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-4-C-methylene-α-D-lyxo-hexopyranosides monosubstituted at C-4′ adopt, in solution, a conformation close to ³S₁, whichever their configuration (cis or trans) at the double bond, as indicated by their allylic coupling constants.