Kinetics and mechanism of malonate replacement in bis(malonato)oxovanadate(IV) by oxalate

The kinetics of malonate replacement in bis- (malonato)oxovanadate(IV), [VO(mal)₂H₂O]²⁻(hereafter water molecule will be omitted), by oxalate has been studied by the stopped-flow method. The reaction was found to consist of two consecutive steps (k₁ and k₂: first-order rate constants) passing through a mixed ligand complex, [VO(mal)(ox)]²⁻. The rates for each step depended linearly on the concentrations of free oxalate species, Hox⁻ and ox²⁻. The second-order rate constants for the replacement by ox²⁻ were much larger in the k₁ step than in the k₂ step and the activation parameters were determined as follows: ΔH^≠= 43.5 ± 5.6 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS±-53 ± 19 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and ΔH≠= 43.6 ± 0.5 kJ mol⁻¹, δS≠ = -62 ± 2 J K^−l mol⁻¹ for the k₁ and k₂ steps, respectively. The volume of activation was determined to be -0.65 ± 0.75 cm³ mol⁻¹ at 20.2 °C by the high-pressure stopped-flow method for the apparent rate constants.     

Thermodynamics of hexokinase-catalyzed reactions.

The enthalpies of the hexokinase-catalyzed phosphorylation or glucose, mannose, and fructose by ATP to the respective hexose 6-phosphates have been measured calorimetrically in TRIS/TRIS HCl buffer at 25.0, 28.5, and 32.0°C. The effects on the measured enthalpy of the glucose/hexokinase reaction due to variation of pH (over the range 6.7 to 9.0) and ionic strength (over the range 0.02 to 0.25) have been examined. Correction for enthalpy of buffer protonation leads to δH^o and δC_p^o values for the processes: eq-D-hexose + ATP⁴⁻ = eq-D-hexose 6-phosphate²⁻ + ADP³⁻+ H⁺. Results are δH^o = −23.8 ± 0.7 kJ · mol⁻¹ and δC_p^o = −156 ± 280 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ for glucose. δH^o = −21.9 ± 0.7 kJ·mol⁻¹ and δC_p^o = 10 ± 140 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ for mannose, and δH^o = −15.0 ± 0.9 kJ·mol⁻¹ and δC_p^o = −41 ± 160 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ for fructose. Combination of these measured enthalpies with Gibbs energy data for hydrolysis of ATP⁴⁻ and that for the hexose 6-phosphates lead to δS^o values for the above hexokinase-catalyzed reactions.     

Kinetics of imidazole addition to the axial site of the iron(II) complex of 2, 3, 9,10-tetraphenyl-1,4, 8,11-tetraaza-1,3, 8,10-cyclotetradecatetraene in dimethyl sulfoxide. Evidence for a dissociative-interchange mechanism

The axial adduct formation of the iron(II) complex of 2,3,9,10-tetraphenyl-l,4,8,11-tetraaza-1,3,8,10-cyclotetradecatetraene (L) with imidazole in dimethyl sulfoxide has been investigated spectrophotometrically at various temperatures and pressures. In the presence of a large excess of imidazole the reaction with the two phases has been observed. The first faster reaction is the formation of the monoimidazole complex of FeL²⁺, and the second slower reaction corresponds to the formation of the bisimidazole complex. Activation parameters are as follows: for the first step with k₁ (25.0°C) = (6.8 ±0.2)×10⁵ mol⁻¹ kg s⁻¹, ΔH³₁ = 47.5 ± 4.9 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS³₁ = 26±16 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, and ΔV³₁ (30.0°C) = 27.2±1.5 cm³ mol⁻¹; for the second step with k₂ (25.0°C) = 26.8±0.8 mol⁻¹ kg s⁻¹, ΔH³₂ = 91.6± 0.8 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS³₂ = 90±3 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, and ΔV³₂ (35.0°C) = 21.8±0.9 cm³ mol⁻¹. The large positive activation volumes strongly indicate a dissociative character of the activation process.     

Thermodynamics and coordination characteristics of the hydronium-uranium(VI)-dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 extraction complex

The extraction equilibrium of the hydronium-uranium(VI)-dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 complex was carried out in the crown ether1,2-dichloroethaneHCl aqueous solution system at different temperatures. The extraction complex has the overall composition (L)₂·(H₃O⁺·χH₂O)₂·UO₂Cl₄²⁻ (L = dicyclohexano-24-crown-8). The values of the extraction equilibrium constants (K_ex) increase steadily with a decrease in temperature: 13.5 (298 K), 7.96 (301 K), 4.20 (303 K) and 2.07 (305 K). A plot of log K_ex against 1/T shows a straight line. The value of the enthalpy change, ΔH°, was calculated from the slope and equals −212 kJ mol⁻¹. The value of the entropy change, ΔS°, was calculated from ΔH° and K_ex and equals −690 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, whereas ΔG° = −6.45 kJ mol⁻¹. Comparing these thermodynamic parameters with those of the dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 isomer A [1] (ΔS° = −314 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, ΔH° = −101 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔG° = −8.37 kJ mol⁻¹), it can be seen that ΔH° and ΔS° are more negative for the former than for the latter, and both are enthalpy-stabilized complexes. The molecular structure of the complex has the feature that there are two H₅O₂⁺ ions in it, in contrast to the H₃O⁺ ions in the dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 isomer A complex [1]. Each of the H₅O₂⁺ ions is held in the crown ether cavity by four hydrogen bonds. The H₅O₂⁺ ion has a central bond. The uranium atom forms UO₂Cl₄²⁻ as a counterion away from the crown ether. The formation of this complex is in good agreement with more negative entropy change and less negative free energy change, as mentioned above.     

Large contributions of coupled protonation equilibria to the observed enthalpy and heat capacity changes for ssDNA binding to Escherichia coli SSB protein

Many macromolecular interactions, including protein‐nucleic acid interactions, are accompanied by a substantial negative heat capacity change, the molecular origins of which have generated substantial interest. We have shown previously that temperature‐dependent unstacking of the bases within oligo(dA) upon binding to the Escherichia coli SSB tetramer dominates the binding enthalpy, ΔH_obs, and accounts for as much as a half of the observed heat capacity change, ΔC_p. However, there is still a substantial ΔC_p associated with SSB binding to ssDNA, such as oligo(dT), that does not undergo substantial base stacking. In an attempt to determine the origins of this heat capacity change, we have examined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) the equilibrium binding of dT(pT)₃₄ to SSB over a broad pH range (pH 5.0–10.0) at 0.02 M, 0.2 M NaCl and 1 M NaCl (25°C), and as a function of temperature at pH 8.1. A net protonation of the SSB protein occurs upon dT(pT)₃₄ binding over this entire pH range, with contributions from at least three sets of protonation sites (pK_a1 = 5.9–6.6, pK_a2 = 8.2–8.4, and pK_a3 = 10.2–10.3) and these protonation equilibria contribute substantially to the observed ΔH and ΔC_p for the SSB‐dT(pT)₃₄ interaction. The contribution of this coupled protonation (∼ −260 to −320 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) accounts for as much as half of the total ΔC_p. The values of the “intrinsic” ΔC_p,0 range from −210 ± 33 cal mol⁻¹ °K⁻¹ to −237 ± 36 cal mol⁻¹K⁻¹, independent of [NaCl]. These results indicate that the coupling of a temperature‐dependent protonation equilibria to a macromolecular interaction can result in a large negative ΔC_p, and this finding needs to be considered in interpretations of the molecular origins of heat capacity changes associated with ligand‐macromolecular interactions, as well as protein folding. Proteins 2000;Suppl 4:8–22. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Exchange rates of pyridine on ferro- and ferriprotoporphyrin (IX) dimethylester in chloroform.

Nuclear magnetic resonance line-widths data have been used to determine the rate of solvent exchange from the first coordination sphere of ferro-and ferriprotoporphyrin(IX) dimethylester (Fe-PPD) in pyridine/chloroform. The average values of kinetic parameters for pyridine (PY) exchange indicate an SN2 mechanism tor Fe(III)-PPD(ΔH^&;#; = 36 kJ · mol⁻¹ ; ΔS^&;#; = −53 J·mol⁻¹K⁻¹; T_M(298 K) = 0.07 msec) and an SNI mechanism for Fe(II)-PPD (ΔH^&;#; = 67 kJ·mol⁻¹; ΔS^&;#; = 42 J · mol⁻¹K⁻¹; T_M(298 K) = 0.06 msec). Parallel to the accelerated ligand exchange rate at rising temperatures a redistribution of the electrons causing a transition of the metal porphyrin from the low-spin state to the high-spin state is observed. Enthalpy and entropy of the thermodynamic equilibrium between low- and high-spin Fe-PPD have been determined from experimental values of the average magnetic moment. A mean lifetime of low-spin Fe(III)-PPD was estimated from line. widths changes (T_L→H(298 K)≈ 20 msec) and the corresponding activation parameters have been obtained (ΔH^&;#;_L→H(298 K) = 26 kJ · mol⁻¹; ΔS^&;#;_L→H(298K) = −125 J · mol⁻¹K⁻¹).     

Optically active chromium(III) complexes. VII. Chiroptical and kinetic properties of chloro(1,5-diazahexane)( 1,4,7-triazaheptane)chromium(III) tetrachlorozincate(II), [CrCl(NMetn)(dien)]ZnCl4

One isomer of [CrCl(N-Me-tn)(dien)]ZnCl₄ has been isolated from the reaction of CrCl₃·6H₂O, dehydrated in DMF, with the polyamines N-methyl- 1,3-diaminopropane and diethylenetriamine. This complex is isomorphous with δλ-(R,S)usft-[CoCl(N-Me-tn)(dien)] ZnCl₄ and thus has the unsym-fac- configuration with the N-Me group trans to the sec-NH group of the coordinated triamine. The Cr(III) complex has been resolved with NH₄BCS and the chiroptical parameters of (-)₄₈₈-[CrCl(N-Me-tn)(dien)]- ZnCl₄, derived from the less soluble diastereoisomeride by metathesis, are similar to those obtained for the less soluble (-)₅₃₄-λ-(S)-a,cb,edf-Co(III) analogue, of known absolute configuration. Kinetic parameters for the rates of thermal aquation (μ= 1.0 M, HClO₄) and Hg²⁺-assisted chloride release (μ= 1.0 M) for usft-[CrCl(N-Me-tn)(dien)]ZnCl₄ are k_H= 3.7 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹, E_a=93 ± 8 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS_2984t^#= −45 ± 16 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and k_Hg=2.01 × 10⁻³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, E_a=64.2 ± 3.3, ΔS₂₉₈^#=−89.5 ± 7, respectively at 298 K.     

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on the kinetics of electron transfer in an isolated system of chloroplast cytochrome bf complex,plastocyanin and P700

The effects of pressure on the kinetics of redox reactions in and around the chloroplast cytochrome bf complex were studied using a reconstituted system consisting of Photosystem I (PS I) particles, cytochrome bf complex and plastocyanin (PC), all derived from pea chloroplasts. There were no significant permanent effects of pressure in the range 0.1–191 MPa on the reaction kinetics, or on the shape of the absorption spectra of components studied. Discernable effects on rate-coefficients of increasing pressure were observed on the reduction of P700⁺ by PC^I, on the reduction of PC^II by ascorbate, and on the oxidation of decyl plastoquinol by the bf complex. The volumes of activation ΔV^# were determined from the dependence of the rate-coefficient on pressure using: $$(\partial lnk/\partial P)_T = - \Delta V^\# /RT.$$ The volume of activation is the difference in partial molar volume between the activated state and the reactants for the redox reaction. Such data was sought to help define in detail those redox reactions and the corresponding activated states. For the reduction of P700⁺ by PC^I and the oxidation of decyl plastoquinol by the bf complex, the rate coefficient decreased with increase in pressure, whilst for the reduction of PC^II by ascorbate it increased. The corresponding volumes of activation were 9.6±0.6×10^-6 m³ mol^-1, 18±2×10^-6 m³ mol^-1 and -14±1×10^-6 m³ mol^-1, respectively. Much of the pressure-dependence of PC^II reduction by ascorbate was ascribed to an increase in ascorbate ionisation with increase in pressure. There was little effect of pressure on the kinetics of oxidation of ferrocytochrome f by PC^II, or on the equilibrium constant of the redox pair ferrocytochrome f/ferricytochrome f: PC^II/PC^I. Possible physical bases for these activation volumes are discussed, and they are compared with literature values.     

Kinetics of the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetatocerium(IV) complex

The rate of reaction of [Ce(EDTA)(OH)_nⁿ⁻] with H₂O₂ in 0.10 M KNO₃ solution was investigated at various temperatures. The presence of a peroxy intermediate is inferred from spectrophotometric measurements. The general rate equation,

is valid for pH 7-9 with n= 1 and 2 complexes involved. The rate constants k_l and k₂ were determined at 25 °C to be 0.054 and 0.171 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively. The corresponding activation enthalpies, as calculated from Arrhenius plots, were δH₁^#= 51.3 ± 14.8 and δH₂^#= 41.8 ± 5.3 kJ m⁻¹ and the activation entropies were δS₁^#=-97 ± 47 and ΔS₂^#=−119±17 J K⁻¹ m⁻¹.     

Afaltoxin B1 transport in rat blood plasma. Binding to albumin in vivo and in vitro and spectrofluorimetric studies into the nature of the interaction

Binding of [³H]aflatoxin B₁ to rat plasma was investigated in vivo and vn vitro. Column chromatographic and polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis clearly demonstrated that aflatoxin B₁ bound primarily plasma albumin. Very little binding activity was shown by other plasma proteins. Spectrofluorimetric studies were undertaken to gain some insight into the nature of the aflatoxin-albumin interaction. Quenching of the lone tryptophan fluorescence intensity upon aflatoxin binding was due, at least in part, to a ligand-induced conformational change in the albumin molecule. Aflatoxin B₁ binds an apolar site with an association constant of 30 mM⁻¹ at pH 7.4 and 20°C. Neither charcoal treatment of rat albumin nor the presence of 0.15 M NaCl had many significant effect on the interaction. The association constant was pH-dependent, increasing about 1.7-fold as the pH increased from 6.1 to 8.4. This pH dependence is ascribed to a pH-induced conformational change in the albumin molecule. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the aflatoxin-albumin interaction was exothermic (ΔH = −29.3 kJ·mol⁻), with a ΔS value of −13.8 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹.     

A nuclear magnetic resonance study of the kinetics of ligand exchange reactions in uranyl complexes. VII. Acetylacetonate exchange in bis(acetylacetonato)(N,N-dimethylformamide)dioxouranium(VI)

The exchange reaction of acac(acetylacetonate) in UO₂(acac)₂dmf (dmf=N,N-dimethylformamide) in o-dichlorobenzene has been studied by the NMR line-broadening method. The exchange rate depends on the concentration of the enol isomer of acetylacetone in its low region, and approaches the limiting value in its high region. It is proposed that the exchange reaction proceeds through the mechanism in which the dissociation of one end of the chelated acac is the rate-determining step. The kinetic parameters for this step are as follows: k (25 °C)=5.03 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, ΔH3=91.6 ± 3.8 kJ mol⁻¹, and ΔS3 =17.2 ± 10.5 JK⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The exchange rate becomes slower by the addition of free DMF. This may be due to the competition of DMF with the enol isomer of acetylacetone in attacking a four-coordinated intermediate in the equatorial plane.     

Synthesis of hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5-loaded albumin nanoparticles: biocompatibility and interaction mechanism

We aimed to synthesize hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 200/0.5-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (HBNs) and investigate the compatibility and binding mechanism in simulated physiological environments. Here, to elucidate the morphology, biocompatibility, and formation mechanism of HBNs, techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, haemolysis test, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy were applied. The thermodynamic parameters at body temperature (ΔS° = −26.7 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹, ΔH° = −3.20 × 10⁴ J·mol⁻¹, and ΔG = −2.35 × 10⁴ J·mol⁻¹) showed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry, which was formed by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. In addition, the conformational analysis showed that the microenvironment of fluorophores was altered with the adaptational protein secondary structural changes. Energy transfer occurred from the fluorophores to HES with a high possibility. All these results provided accurate and complete primary data for demonstrating the interaction mechanisms of HES with BSA, which helps to understand its pharmaceutical effects in blood.     

Calorimetric experiments of Mn2+-binding to α-lactalbumin

We measured by batch microcalorimetry the standard enthalpy change ΔH° of the binding of Mn²⁺ to apo-bovine α-lactalbumin; ΔH° = −90 ± 4kJ·mol⁻¹. The binding constants, K_Mn²⁺, calculated from the calorimetric and circular dichroism titration curves, are (4.6±1) · 10⁵M⁻¹, respectively. Batch calorimetry confirms the competitive binding of Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Na⁺ to the same site. The relatively small enthalpy change for Mn²⁺ binding compared to Ca²⁺ binding favours a model of a rigid and almost ideal Ca²⁺-complexating site, different from the well-known EF-hand structures. Cation binding to the high-affinity site most probably triggers the movement of an α-helix which is directly connected to the complexating loop.     

Synthesis and characterization of triaminecobalt(III) complexes and acid hydrolysis kinetics of fac-[Codpt(H2O)nX3−n]n+ (X = Cl,Br; n = 0,1,2)

The complexes CodptX₃ and [Codpt(H₂O)X₂]ClO₄ (X = Cl, Br; dpt = dipropylenetriamine = NH(CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂)₂) have been prepared and characterized. Rate constants (s⁻¹) for aqueous solution at 25 °C and μ = 0.5 M (NaClO₄), for the acid-independent sequential ractions.

have been measured spectrophotometrically. For X = Cl: k₁ ⋍ 2 × 10⁻², k₂ = 1.7 × 10⁻⁴ and k₃ = 4.8 × 10⁻⁶, and for X = Br: k₁ ⋍ 2 × 10⁻², k₂ = 5.25 × 10⁻⁴ and k₃ = 2.5 × 10⁻⁵ The primary equation was found to be acid independent, while the secondary and tertiary aquations were acid-inhibited reactions. For the second step, the rate of the reaction was given by the rate equation

where C_t is the complex concentration in the aqua-and hydroxodihalo species, k′₂ is the rate constant for the acid-dependent pathway and K_a is the equilibrium constant between the hydroxo and aqua complex ions. The activation parameters were evaluated, for X = Cl: ΔH^≠₂ = 106.3 ± 0.4 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS^≠₂ = 40.2 ± 1.7 J K⁻¹ mol⁻, and for X = Br: ΔH^≠₂ = 91.6 ± 0.4 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS^≠₂ = 0.4 ± 1.7 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The results are discussed and detailed comparisons of the reactivities of these complexes with other haloaminecobalt(III) species are presented.     

Chromium(III) complexes with 1,5,9-triazanonane (3,3-tri) - CrX3(3,3-tri)n+ and CrCl(diamine)(3,3-tri)2+

The reaction of CrCl₃ · 6H₂O (dehydrated in DMSO) with 1,5,9-triazanonane (3,3-tri) gives mer- CrCl₃(3,3-tri), the configuration being established by isomorphism with the corresponding Co(III) complex. This non-electrolyte is hydrolyzed in aqueous acidic solution and mer-[CrCl₂(3,3-tri)- (OH₂)]ClO₄ can be isolated by anation with HCl in the presence of HClO₄. Reaction of mer-CrCl₃- (3,3-tri) in DMF with diamines produces complexes of the type [CrCl(diamine)(3,3-tri)] Cl₂ [diamine= 1,2-diaminoethane (en), 1.2-diaminopropane (pn), 1,3-diaminopropane (tn), 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-diaminopropane (Me₂tn) and cyclohexanediamine (chxn, cis plus trans mixture; two isomers A and B)] and these have been characterized as the ZnCl₄²⁻ salts. The configuration of the triamine ligand in these complexes has been established as mer-(H↓)- by a single crystal X-ray analysis of [CrCl(en)(3,3-tri)]- ZnCl₄, monoclinic, P2₁, a=7.932, b= 14.711, c= 8.312 Å, β=104.6° and Z=2, refined to a conventional R factor of 0.034. The kinetics of the Hg²⁺- assisted chloride release from [CrCl(diamine)(3,3- tri)]ZnCl₄ salts were measured spectrophotometrically (μ=1.0 M HClO₄ or HNO₃) over 15 K temperature ranges to give, in order, 10⁴k_Hg (298.2 K) (M⁻¹ s⁻¹), E_a(kJ mol⁻¹), ΔS^# (J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹): en- (HClO₄): 5.95, 78.1, -53; pn(HClO₄); 5.24, 81.2; -44; tn(HClO₄): 26.7, 85.6, -15; Me₂tn(HClO₄): 21.8, 78.6, -40; A-chxn(HNO₃): 7.60, 81.0,-41; B-chxn(HNO₃): 18.3, 56.8, -115. A ‘non-replaced ligand effect’ on the rate is observed for the first time in this series of homologous Cr(III) complexes. The kinetics of the thermal aquation (k_H, 0.1 M HClO₄) were measured titrimetrically for CrCl(diamine) (3,3-tri)²⁺ to give the following kinetic parameters: diamine=en: 10⁷ k_H (298.2)=5.34 s⁻¹, E_a=99.2 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS^#=-40 J K⁻¹ mol^-1; diamine =tn: 10⁷ k_H (298.2)=5.04 s⁻¹, E_a= 82.8, ΔS^#= -96.     

Thermodynamics of the slow–fast transition in bacteriophage T2L

We have measured the thermodynamic parameters of the slow-fast tail-fiber reorientation transition on T2L bateriophage. Proportions of the virus in each form were determined from peak-height measurements in sedimention-velocity runs and from average diffusion coefficients obtained by quasielastic laser light scattering. Computer simulation of sedimentation confirmed that there were no undetected intermediates in the transition, which was analyzed as a two-state process. Van't Hoff-type plots of the apparent equilibrium constant and of the pH midpoint of the transition as function of reciprocal temperature led to the following estimates of the thermodynamic parameters for the transition at pH 6.0 and 20°C: ΔH° = ?139 ± 18Kcal mol^?1, ΔS° = ?247 ± 46 cal K^?1 mol^?1, and ΔG° = ?66 ± 22 kcal mol^?1. Per mole of protons taken up in the transition, the analogous quantities were ?15.9 ± 1.7 kcal mol^?1, ?26.3 ± 2.2 cal K^?1 mol^?1, and ?8.22 ± 1.8 kcal mol^?1. The net number of protons taken up was about 8.5 ± 1.5. The large values of the thermodynamic functions are consistent with a highly cooperative reaction and with multiple interactions between the fibres and the remainder of the phage. The negative entropy of the transition is probably due to immobilization of the fibres.     

Analysis of histidine and urocanic acid isomers by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The qualitative separation performance of a C₁₈, C₈ and C₄ reversed-phase column was investigated for the separation of histidine and its metabolites histamine, 1-methyihistamine and trans- and cis-urocanic acid. Trans- and cis-urocanic acid were baseline separated from their precursor histidine on all three columns using isocratic elution with a mobile phase composed of 0.01 M aqueous TEAP pH 3.0 and acetonitrile at a ratio of 98:2 (v/v). However, histidine was not separated from histamine and 1-methyihistamine. Selecting the C₈ column and introducing 0.005 M of the ion pairing reagent 1-octanesulfonic acid sodium salt into the aqueous solution and acetonitrile at a ratio of 90:10 (v/v), significantly improved the separation. The separation was also followed by a change in the retention times and the order of elution. The sequence of elution was histidine, cis-urocanic acid, trans-urocanic acid, histamine and 1-methylhistamine with retention times of 5.58±0.07, 7.03±0.15, 7.92±0.18, 18.77±0.24 and 20.79±0.21 min (mean±SD; n=5). The separation on the C₈ column in the presence of the ion-pairing reagent was further improved with gradient elution that resulted in a reduction in the retention times and elution volumes of histamine and 1-methylhistamine. The detection limits of histidine and trans-urocanic acid at a wavelength of 210 nm and an injection volume of 0.05 ml were 5×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ (n=3). The kinetic of the in-vitro conversion of trans- into the cis-isomer after UV irradiation was depending on the time of exposure and the energy of the light source. UVB light induced a significantly faster conversion than UVA light. TUCA and cUCA samples kept at −25°C were stable for up to 50 weeks. Samples, eluted from human skin showed various concentrations of histidine and trans- and cis-urocanic acid with an average of 1.69±0.33×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹, 1.17±0.43×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ and 1.67±0.33×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹, respectively (n=8).     

High pressure effects on the activity of glycolytic enzymes

High hydrostatic pressure inhibits growth in most organisms; this may be explained by a deactivation of enzymes involved in essential metabolic pathways. In order to check this hypothesis the enzymic activity of rabbit muscle lactic dehydrogenase and yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was investigated in the presence of the coenzyme and excess of substrate at pressures up to 2 kbar.Kinetic analysis of an initial phase of pressure induced activation and of a second phase of reversible deactivation shows that the two enzymes respond to high pressures in different ways leading to a volume of activation of ΔV³(LDH) = 0 ± 1 cm³ mol⁻¹ and ΔV³(GAPDH) = 60 ± 4 cm³ mol⁻¹, respectively. Comparing the lower limits of pressure deaclivation, LDH is found to be more stable towards pressure than GAPDH. At p ≈ 2 kbar total deactivation of both enzymes is observed. A concentration dependent lag of GAPDH reactivation proves dissociation to participate in the process of deactivation, while the effects for LDH are explicable on the basis of reversible denaturation alone.     

Temperature and pressure dependent equilibrium studies of 1, 4, 8, 11-tetramethyl-1, 4, 8, 11-tetraazacyclotetradecane nickel(ii) in coordinating solvents

In coordinating solvents, the complex 1, 4, 8, 11- tetramethyl-1, 4, 8, 11-tetraazacyclotetradecane nickel(II) bisperchlorate exists as an equilibrium mixture involving four coordinate R,S,R,S-[Ni(tmc)]²⁺ and five coordinate R,S,R,S-[Ni(tmc)(solvent)]²⁺ species. Spectrophotometric measurements of this equilibrium in a number of solvents have been conducted over a range of temperatures and pressures. The stability order for the five coordinate complex in the solvents investigated is CH₃CN>DMF>DMSO>C₆H₅CN> H₂O>ClCH₂CN at 25 °C. Differences in stability are considered in terms of the measured thermodynamic parameters ΔH° and ΔS°. Both steric and electronic factors were found to influence solvent coordination with the macrocyclic complex.For the equilibrium in CH₃CN, C₆H₅CN, DMF and H₂O, reaction volumes, ΔV°, of −3.2±0.5, −4.2±0.5, −0.2±0.5 and −0.5±0.5 cm³ mol⁻¹ respectively have been determined. Each is significantly smaller than the corresponding solvent molar volume. The ΔV° for the equilibrium in CH₃CN is comparable with the previously determined activation volume for exchange of this solvent on R, S, R, S- [Ni(tmc)(CH₃CN)]²⁺. The equilibrium and measured volume parameters are discussed in relation to the mechanism for solvent exchange.     

Calorimetric and optical characterization of sickle cell hemoglobin gelation.

We have used two techniques to characterize the gelation of deoxyhemoglobin S, a high sensitivity heat-flow calorimeter to measure the heat of gelation and a simple light-transmission method to measure the optical birefringence resulting from the alignment of deoxyhemoglobin S fibers in the gel. A theory for the interpretation of the birefringence measurements is presented. We combine the results of the calorimetric and optical measurements with those of sedimentation experiments to obtain enthalpy changes for gelation. The enthalpy change obtained from scanning and isothermal calorimetric measurements (0.25 m-potassium phosphate, 0.05 m-sodium dithionite, pH 6.9) varies from 4000 to 2200 cal mol⁻¹ hemoglobin between 16 and 25 °C. There is a large apparent heat capacity change of −130 to −190 cal deg.⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The apparent enthalpy change estimated from solubility measurements and birefringence melting experiments is 2200 ± 500 cal mol⁻¹ in qualitative agreement with the calorimetric results. Analysis of the time dependence of the calorimetric and optical progress curves at 20 °C leads to a rough estimate of 1800 to 4000 and −800 to 1500 cal mol⁻¹ hemoglobin for the enthalpies of polymerization and alignment of fibers, respectively. The small magnitude of the observed enthalpy change is in accord with the view that no large conformational change takes place in the deoxyhemoglobin S molecule upon gelation.