Synthesis and Properties of Bacteriorhodopsin Analogs Containing Electron-Density Labels in the Chromophore Moiety

A method for synthesis of retinal analogs labeled with electron-density groups is suggested. The interaction of these polyene compounds with bacterioopsin in apomembrane of Halobacterium salinarum was tested. A retinal analog containing a crown-ether receptor group is able to interact readily with bacterioopsin giving rise to rapid formation of a pigment with absorption maximum at 460 nm. This pigment is capable of undergoing cyclic photoconversion. The crown-bacteriorhodopsin photocycle is extremely slow and its quantum efficiency is very low (3% of that in native bacteriorhodopsin). This photocycle includes an M-like intermediate with a differential absorption maximum at 380 nm. A retinal analog in which the -ionone ring is replaced by ferrocene moiety forms a stable chromoprotein with the main absorption band at 483 nm and a shoulder near 590-610 nm.     

Psychophysiological Characteristics of Nuclear Power Station Operator Activity as a Factor in Accident Rate

Methods of psychological, physiological, and psychophysiological testing were used to assess the intensity of the activity of operators of the power unit control panel of the Khmel'nitskaya nuclear power station. The operators during whose duty serious control errors and preaccident situations were noted were examined. The psychological and psychophysiological characteristics of these operators were shown to differ in that their reactive anxiety was increased and their well-being, activity, and mood scores, as well as the functional reserves of the cardiovascular system and mental and physical working capacity, were decreased. These parameters were considered as criteria in the development of operating measures. It was proposed that not only technological factors but also operators' psychophysiological characteristics in the dynamics of their manifestation be taken into account for elaborating measures of optimal staff selection and placement.     

Stilbene analogs in Hula-twist photoisomerization.

Photoisomerization of several cis- or Z-stilbene analogs and two E-analogs in low temperature organic glasses was examined. From a mechanistic view-point, the compounds can be divided into three types: (i) those giving identical Hula-twist (HT) and one-bond-flip (OBF) products, (ii) those giving a single HT product that is different (hence distinguishable) from the OBF product and (iii) those showing two distinct HT processes but only one OBF process. Examples for all three types of analogs are provided emphasizing the most informative Type-II (stilbene analogs with identical but unsymmetrically substituted phenyl rings), including linear as well as conformationally constrained compounds. Conditions necessary for establishing HT and OBF processes are defined. Proper choice and design of model systems are essential for establishing or eliminating HT mechanism(s) of isomerization.     

A Convenient Synthesis of Retinal Derivatives with Modified Trimethylcyclohexene Ring

A method of simultaneous one-stage synthesis of three retinal derivatives (5,6-dioxo-5,6-seco-, 5,6-dihydro-5,6-epoxy-, and 4-oxoretinal) was proposed, with the yield of the first derivative being 50%. These compounds are useful tools for studying the antitumor activity of retinoids, the reconstituted bacteriorhodopsin analogues with changed parameters of photocycle, and the reactivity of retinal derivatives in the processes of oxidation by molecular oxygen.     

Generation of Hybridomas Producing Monoclonal Antibodies to the NS1 Protein of the Zika Virus

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (mABs) to the recombinant protein NS1 of the Zika virus synthesized in human embryonic kidney HEK293 (ZV293)...