Liquid chromatographic determination of D-amino acids in cheese and cow milk. Implication of starter cultures,amino acid racemases,and rumen microorganisms on formation,and nutritional considerations

Summary Free L- and D-amino acids (L-AA, D-AA) were isolated from an Appenzeller cheese, from raw milk, and from an ethanolic extract as well as a total hydrolysate of cow's rumen microorganisms, and their relative amounts were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after derivatization witho-phthaldialdehyde together withN-isobutyryl-L-(or D)-cysteine. D-Ala, D-Asp and D-Glu were found, among other D-AA in all cases and a microbial origin of free D-AA found in cheese and milk was rationalized. From the results, and taking other findings of the occurrence of D-AA in food and beverages into account, the highest intake of D-AA is to be expected from the consumption of ripened cheeses. From the presence of D-amino acid oxidases in human kidney, liver, and brain and from reports on the intravenous administration of racemic AA to humans and their metabolisation it is concluded that intake of free D-AA found in food is no threat for human beings.Presented in part at the 2nd International Congress on Amino Acids and Analogues, Vienna, August 5–9, 1991, and at Euro Food Chem VI, September 22–26, 1991, Hamburg.Dedicated to Prof. Ernst Bayer, University of Tübingen, on the occasion of his 65th anniversary.     

Biosynthesis of 5-(p-aminophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxypentane by methanogenic bacteria

In an attempt to establish the nature of the ammonium-assimilation products which mediate the inhibition by ammonium of nitrate uptake in cyanobacteria, the effect of different amino acids on nitrate utilization by intact Anacystis nidulans cells has been assayed. To exclude an indirect inhibition of nitrate uptake through the ammonium which the amino acids might release, the cells were pretreated with l-methionine-d,l-sulfoximine (MSX), a potent inactivator of glutamine synthetase. Under these conditions, several l-amino acids, but not the corresponding d-isomers, affected nitrate utilization to a variable extent, causing inhibitions ranging between 20 and 80% when added at 20 mM concentration.For most of the inhibitory amino acids, including l-isoleucine, l-leucine and l-valine, a correlation was found between their ability to act as amino group donors to -ketoglutarate, in reactions catalyzed by A. nidulans cell-free extracts, and their inhibitory effect on nitrate utilization. l-Glutamine, l-asparagine and glycine, being effective inhibitors of nitrate utilization, were poor substrates for the transaminating activity to -ketoglutarate, however. The possible role of the latter amino acids as mediators in the ammonium-promoted inhibition of nitrate uptake is discussed.Abbreviations MSX l-methionine-d,l-sulfoximine - MTA-5 mixed alkyltrimethylammonium bromide - Mops morpholinopropane sulfonic acid     

Migration of secondary tert-butyldimethylsilyl groups in cyclomalto-heptaose and -octaose derivatives

When 2,6-di-O-tert-butyldimethylsilylated cyclomalto-oligosaccharides (cyclodextrins) are treated with allyl or methyl iodide and NaH in dry tetrahydrofuran, O-2 → O-3 migration of the secondary 2-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl groups occurs, leading to 2-O-alk(en)yl-3,6-di-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-cyclodextrin derivatives. The detection and identification of the reaction step during which migration occurred is described and possible mechanisms of migration are discussed.     

电导滴定法分析氨基酸含量

提出和建立了适用于中间控制的氨基酸分析方法即电导滴定法,测定甘氨酸,ＤＬ－天冬氨酸和Ｌ－半胱氨酸的含量,并与甲醛滴定法、凯氏定氮法作了比较,本法快速,简单,准确,易于推广。     

New types of biorelevantα-functional carboxylic acids and their application for peptide modification

Summary New methodology for the preparation of L-isoserine and its incorporation into N- and C-terminal position of peptides is described. Furthermore, the new protective group strategy allows regioselective functional group manipulation in multifunctional amino acids like serine and isoserine.     

Anodically generated manganese(III) acetate for the oxidation of α — amino acids in aqueous acetic acid: A kinetic study

Summary Manganese(III) acetate was prepared by the oxidation of manganese(II) acetate in aqueous acetic acid by electrolytic method. The anodically generated Mn(III) species was characterised by spectroscopic and redox potential studies. Conditions for the study of kinetics of Oxidation of-amino acids by Mn(III) in aqueous acetic acid was investigated. Plots of log[Mn(III)] versus time for the first order process, or Mn(III) versus time for zero order process were nonlinear. The rate constants computed from [Mn(III)]^1/2 versus time plots were independent of [Mn(III)]₀ indicating that the reaction goes through competitive zero and first order path-ways in [Mn(III)]₀. The kinetic order in [amino acid], [H⁺] and [Mn(II)] were found out. Effect of added anions like CH₃COO^–, F^–, Cl^– and ClO ₄ ^- were investigated. Evidence for the transient existence of the free radical reaction intermediate is given. Dependence of reaction rate on temperature is explained and activation parameters computed from Arrhenius and Eyring plots. A mechanism consistent with the observed results is proposed and discussed.     

Cytotoxicity of boron containing dipeptide analogs

Summary This work is an extension of our previous work (Hall et al., 1993) on the synthesis and cytotoxic activity of boronated peptides. The aim of this work was to carry out structural modifications of the amine terminal in compounds1 and2, to increase water solubility, and its effect on the cytotoxicity to tumor cell lines. Surprisingly, only compounds4,7 and8 were more water soluble than the parent compounds. With the exception of compound4, the new derivatives were generally less effective than the parent compounds (1 and2). There was no apparent correlation between structure and activity. Cytotoxic effect was more pronounced in single cell suspended cells. The growth of solid tumor cell lines was not significantly reduced. The most active derivative, (methanamine)dihydro[[[1-(phenylmethyl)-2-methylamino-2-oxoethyl]amino]carboxy]boron (4), inhibited DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in Tmolt₃ cells. Enzymatic activities, e.g., DNA polymerase, m-RNA polymerase, PRPP amidotransferase, carbamyl phosphate synthetase, TMP-kinase, TDP-kinase, dihydrofolate reductase, and ribonucleoside reductase were reduced after 60 min incubation with4. d(TTP) and d(CTP) pool levels were also reduced by 60 min incubation with4.     

非同位素PCR-SSCP方法的初步临床应用

单链构象多态性检测法 (PCR-SSCP)是近年发展起来的一项检测人类基因组 突变的新技术。然而,在该技术中需要使用放射性同位素标记的核苷酸或引物,从而限制 了其广泛临床研究及诊断方面的应用。本文报告一种改进的PCR-SSCP方法, 该方法不用 同位素标记引物,而直接在溴乙啶染色的聚丙烯酰胺凝胶上显示SSCP。用该方法对55例 平滑肌肉瘤p53基因第7外显子突变的检测表明,38%的瘤组织DNA存在异常的SSCP。其中10例有HaeⅢ和MspⅠ酶切位点的突变(18%), 19例有突变型p53蛋白的过度表达(9例同时有异常SSCP改变)。而p53质粒D NA,平滑肌瘤及Alzheimer病患者基因组DNA无p53基因第7外显子扩增片段的异常SSCP改变。同时,还使用该方法对临床诊断的20例Alzheimer病患者和8例健康对照进行了β-淀粉样蛋白前体基因第16和17外显子的扩增及分析,均未发现有异常SSCP改变及EcoRⅠ,BclⅠ酶切位点的突变。本研究结果提示,该非同位素PCR-SSCP方法可靠、敏感、简便、快速,具有潜在的推广价值。