Mycobacterial phenolic glycolipid virulence factor biosynthesis: mechanism and small-molecule inhibition of polyketide chain initiation

Phenolic glycolipids (PGLs) are polyketide-derived virulence factors produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae, and other mycobacterial pathogens. We have combined bioinformatic, genetic, biochemical, and chemical biology approaches to illuminate the mechanism of chain initiation required for assembly of the p-hydroxyphenyl-polyketide moiety of PGLs. Our studies have led to the identification of a stand-alone, didomain initiation module, FadD22, comprised of a p-hydroxybenzoic acid adenylation domain and an aroyl carrier protein domain. FadD22 forms an acyl-S-enzyme covalent intermediate in the p-hydroxyphenyl-polyketide chain assembly line. We also used this information to develop a small-molecule inhibitor of PGL biosynthesis. Overall, these studies provide insights into the biosynthesis of an important group of small-molecule mycobacterial virulence factors and support the feasibility of targeting PGL biosynthesis to develop new drugs to treat mycobacterial infections.     

Evaluation of cadmium–metallothionein stability constants based on voltammetric measurements

A voltammetric study on the binding properties of the commercially available rabbit liver metallothionein (MT) Sigma M 7641 for cadmium ions was performed. The capacity of metallothionein to complex cadmium and the stability constants of Cd–T complex (T denotes the apoprotein or thionein molecule) have been determined from the direct titration of the defined MT concentration with the standard CdCl₂ solution in 0.59 M sodium chloride medium at pH 7.9 and 2.0. At pH 7.9 the formation of the Cd–T complex has been followed measuring the specific anodic signal height of the complex. Stability constants of Cd–T have been evaluated from the experimental data using three different procedures. The calculated apparent stability constants K=(7.6±0.2)·10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ of Cd–T complex in 0.59 M NaCl at pH 7.9 and 25°C indicate that under the given experimental conditions all the three procedures are equally applicable.     

Dielectric properties of some photo crosslinking acrylate ester copolymers

Photo crosslinking due to the photo polymerization of unsaturated acrylic side-groups attached to copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (GMA-MMA) by reaction with acrylic acid in the presence of benzoin methyl ether as photolabile initiator has been investigated. The composition of these copolymers based on (GMA-MMA, 30:70) were determined by [¹H] NMR spectroscopy. The reactivity ratios for the GMA-MMA system were determined using the Kelen-Tüdös method.

The dielectric properties of copolymers based on GMA-MMA acrylate ester (30:70) and homopolymers of MMA in combination with different polyfunctional acrylate ester monomers before and after exposure to UV irradiation have been studied in a solid state matrix, over a frequency range of 100 Hz to 50 kHz and at temperatures in the range 20–70°C.     

Conformational identification of cyclohexylphosphine by microwave spectroscopy

The microwave spectra of cyclohexylphosphine have been recorded in the 18.0–26.5 GHz region. A-type rotational transitions have been assigned. The ground state rotational constants were determined to be A = 4153.75 ± 0.23, B = 1362.31 ± 0.01 and C = 1104.14 ± 0.01 MHz for C₆H₁₁PH₂, and A = 4030.03 ± 0.25, B = 1312.72 ± 0.01 and C = 1072.33 ± 0.01 MHz for C₆H₁₁PD₂. From the experimental rotational constants, it is suggested that the assigned spectra have resulted from the chair conformation with the gauche phosphine group in an equatorial position (CESG). This form is believed to be the most populated conformational isomer in the gas phase.     

Determination of silver in lead by neutronactivation analysis

Submicrogram amounts of silver have been determined in lead by neutron-activation analysis. The activity of the ¹¹⁰Ag isotope was measured by following the decay of the 0·66-MeV gamma ray. Reproducibility was generally better than 10%. The smallest amount of silver determined was approximately 0·02 μg. The analyses were completed within 15 min.     

Microwave spectrum, structure, dipole moment and internal rotation of allylsilane

Microwave spectra of allylsilane and its ¹³C and deuterium substituted species have been measured and assigned for the skew isomer. The r_s structure was determined with the aid of several assumptions. Some of the parameters determined are; r(C=C) = 1.328 ± 0.007 Å, r(C---C) = 1.492 ± 0.008 Å, (CCC) = 126.7 ± 0.8°, (CCSi) = 111.6 ± 0.5° and τ(CCCSi) = 106.8 ± 1.1°. Dipole moments and their components were also determined for the CH₂ = CHCH₂SiH₃ and CH₂=CHCH₂SiD₃ species. Hyperconjugation between the C=C π bond and the C---Si σ bond is discussed.     

Thermal study of palladium complexes with trans-1,2-diaminecy clohexanetetraacetic acid

Thermal decomposition processes for cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid (CDTA-H₄) complexes of palladium, [Pd(CDTA-H₂)] and [Pd(CDTA-H₄)Cl₂]·2 HCl·2 H₂O have been studied using TG—DTA techniques. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction have been also used for the characterization of intermediate and final products. In the decomposition of the dichloro complex, chloride ions are released simultaneously to a ring closure reaction in which CDTA becomes tetradentate. For both compounds, the final product in the decomposition is PdO, as confirmed by the X-ray difraction pattern of a sample heated at 600°C.     

Photometric determination of micro amounts of thiosulphate by means of its cyanolysis with lanthanum(III) as catalyst

Lanthanum(III) has been found to catalyse the reaction of thiosulphate with cyanide. The effects of pH, reaction time and temperature, amount of cyanide and lanthanum, and order of addition of reagents have been investigated. Temperature has little effect in the range 10–30°, but at both 35° and 40° the rate is noticeably faster. Reaction is complete at room temperature in 1.5 hr at pH 9.3–9.6, and in 3 hr at pH 9.1–9.6. The method can be applied to the determination of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵−6.0 × 10⁻⁴M thiosulphate, with a relative standard deviation of 0.3% for 4 × 10⁻⁴M thiosulphate.     

Solution behaviour of a formate capped surfactant—the oxidation product of an alcohol ethoxylate

The solution behaviour has been investigated for an alcohol ethoxylate terminated with a formic acid ester. This compound has previously been reported to be an important degradation product in the auto-oxidation of alcohol ethoxylates. In this work we have investigated the solution behaviour of the formic acid ester surfactant C₁₂H₂₅(OCH₂CH₂)₄OCHO (C12E4---OCHO). The pure formate was found to be sparsely soluble in water with no clear point at 0.1%. The critical micelle concentration was found to be 129 μM at 35°C, compared to 50 μM for the parent surfactant C₁₂H₂₅(OCH₂CH₂)₅OH (C12E5). To mimic the behaviour of the oxidised surfactant, the formate was mixed in different ratios with C12E5 and the cloud point, surface tension and critical micelle concentration (cmc) of these mixtures were studied. The gradual increase of formate was found to shift the cloud point and isotropic regions to lower temperatures. The cmc of the mixture was found to be lower than for the pure surfactant. The favourable interaction was analysed according to the non-ideal model by Rubingh and the interaction parameter, β, was determined to be −4±0.53, which is unusually large for a mixture of two non-ionic surfactants. These results indicate that the reduction of cloud point observed during oxidation of non-ionic surfactants can in part be attributed to the formation of formate esters.     

New oxo-bridged dinuclear peroxotungsten(VI) complexes: Synthesis, stability and activity in bromoperoxidation

Two new dinuclear oxo-bridged peroxo complexes of tungsten with coordinated dipeptides of the type, Na₂[W₂O₃(O₂)₄(glycyl-glycine)₂] · 3H₂O (1) and Na₂[W₂O₃(O₂)₄(glycyl-leucine)₂] · 3H₂O (2) have been synthesized from the reaction of H₂WO₄, 30% H₂O₂ and the respective dipeptide at pH ca. 2.5. Synthesis of the compounds, in addition to pH, is sensitive to reaction temperature and concentrations of the components. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, spectral and physico-chemical methods including thermal analysis. In the dimeric complexes the two W(VI) centres with edge bound peroxo groups are bridged by an oxo group. The dipeptides occurring as zwitterions bind the metal centers through O (carboxylate) atoms leading to hepta co-ordination around each W(VI). Thermal stability of the compounds as well as their stability in solution were determined. The compounds are highly stable toward decomposition in solutions of acidic as well as physiological pH. These compounds, besides another similar dimeric compound Na₂[W₂O₃(O₂)₄(cystine)] · 4H₂O (3) efficiently oxidized bromide to a bromination competent intermediate in phosphate buffer at physiological pH, a reaction in which only two of the peroxide groups of the complex species were found to be active. The complexes could also mediate bromination of organic substrate in aqueous-organic media.     

High-resolution infrared absorption spectroscopy of jet-cooled molecular ions

Rovibrational spectra of H₃⁺, HN₂⁺, and H₃O⁺ generated in discharge jet-expansion have been studied using a difference-frequency infrared source. The rotational temperatures were determined to be 120 ± 20, 273 ± 20 and 150 ± 20 K for H₃⁺, HN₂⁺, and H₃O⁺, respectively. Some dynamic phenomena of the jet-discharges are also discussed.     

On the properties of Calcein Blue

A satisfactory method for the preparation of Calcein Blue has been devised. Elemental analysis, equivalent weight by neutralization, and the NMR spectrum show the compound to be 4-methylumbelliferone-8-methyleneiminodiacetic acid·0·25H₂O. The ultraviolet absorbance and fluorescence have been studied as a function of pH and, combined with potentiometric titration and solubility date, have yielded for the acid dissociation constants the values pK₁ = 3·0, pK₂ = 6·9, and pK₃ = 11·3. These acid functions are identified respectively as carboxyl, phenol, and ammonium ion, the free Calcein Blue being a zwitter-ion. Calcein Blue fluoresces in both acidic and basic solution when excited at a suitable wavelength. The fluorescence of the doubly-charged anion formed on the neutralization of the phenol group, when excited at 360 nm, reaches a maximum at pH 9, and decreases to zero with the neutralization of the ammonium ion; the wavelength of maximum emission is 455 nm. In the presence of calcium, the fluorescence increases with alkalinity up to pH 9 and then remains constant. The calcium derivative is a 1:1 compound, formation constant 10^7·1. The fluorescence of Calcein Blue at all pH values is quenched by copper(II). The calcium derivative is changed on standing in highly alkaline solution, presumably by ring opening, to another fluorescent material; thus Calcein Blue, although satisfactory as an indicator, is not useful for the direct fluorometric determination of calcium.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations on the electric field gradient at the Br site in Sr(BrO3)2 · H2O and Ba(BrO3)2 · H2O

Single-crystal Zeeman effect studies have been done using ⁷⁹Br NQR in Sr(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O and Ba(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O and the electric field gradient (EFG) parameters at the Br site have been determined. The point-charge model for the evaluation of EFG at the Br site, when applied to these systems, has not yielded satisfactory results. In another model, the total EFG is obtained as the sum of the covalent contribution and the inter-ionic contribution. To obtain the covalent contribution CNDO/2 MO calculations have been done for the (BrO₃)⁻ ions of these systems. There is excellent agreement with the experimental values in the case of Sr(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O, while the results on Ba(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O indicate that the structural data on this crystal need refinement.     

A study on the binding of two water-soluble tetrapyridinoporphyrazinato copper(II) complexes to DNA

Interaction of N,N′,N″,N-tetramethyltetra-2,3-pyridinoporphyrazinatocopper(II), ([Cu(2,3-tmtppa)]⁴⁺) and N,N′,N″,N-tetramethyltetra-3,4-pyridinoporphyrazinatocopper(II), ([Cu(3,4-tmtppa)]⁴⁺) with calf thymus DNA was studied in 1 mM phosphate buffer and low ionic strength (5 mM NaCl) at various temperatures by UV-visible and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies and viscometric method. The binding constants were determined from the changes in the visible part of porphyrazine complexes spectra using SQUAD software. The values of K have been obtained (7.9±0.4)×10⁴ and (2.2±0.1)×10⁵ M⁻¹ for [Cu(2,3-tmtppa)]⁴⁺ and [Cu(3,4-tmtppa)]⁴⁺, respectively at 27 °C. The higher affinity of 3,4-isomer of Cu complex towards DNA with respect to the 2,3-isomer was attributed to favorable external positioning of the cationic charges in former, which enables superior interaction with the DNA duplex. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, ΔS°) were calculated by van't Hoff equation. The enthalpy and entropy changes were determined, +34.2±3.6 kJ mol⁻¹ and +207.8±12.70 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for [Cu(2,3-tmtppa)]⁴⁺ and +49.7±2.1 kJ mol⁻¹ and +267.8±7.9 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for [Cu(3,4-tmtppa)]⁴⁺. The existence of extensive hypochromicity, large red shift and negative CD in the visible part of [Cu(3,4-tmtppa)]⁴⁺ spectra suggested an intercalation binding mode. Analysis of the moderate hypochromicity, red shift and bisignate CD in the Q-band absorption region of [Cu(2,3-tmtppa)]⁴⁺ spectra possibly led us to the coexistence of intercalation and outside binding modes. The influence of the ionic strength on the binding parameters and binding modes was investigated. The results show that increase in ionic strength causes the decrease in the binding constants. It was also concluded that increase in ionic strength affects the binding characteristics of positively charged complexes with DNA.

The increase in DNA viscosity in the presence of Cu–tmtppa complexes is attributed to the lengthening of DNA helix due to the intercalation. This result is consistent with conclusions obtained from the spectroscopic techniques.     

Spectrophotometric determination of formation constants of 1:1 complexes of lanthanides with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (par)

Complex formation (1:1) between lanthanides(III) and 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR or H₂R) has been studied by spectrophotometry. The method is based on indirect estimation of the protonated (MHR) and the normal (MR) complexes by measuring the absorbance at the peak for the ligand, which decreases with increasing metal concentration at a constant pH. Similar experiments were made at various pH values. Both MHR and MR complexes were found to be formed in the pH range 5–6. Their formation constants, logK_MHR and logK_MR, determined by graphical analysis, ranged from 3.78 ± 0.02 (Ce) to 4.39 ± 0.02 (Lu), and from 9.61 ± 0.06 (Ce) to 10.70 ± 0.05 (Lu), respectively. The acidity of the MHR complexes parallels the order of stability of the MR complexes.     

Conformational stabilities of dimethylmethoxyphosphine and dimethyl(methylthio)phosphine from temperature dependent infrared spectra of rare gas solutions

Variable temperature (−55 to −150°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500 to 400 cm⁻¹) of dimethylmethoxyphosphine, (CH₃)₂POCH₃ and dimethyl(methylthio)phosphine, (CH₃)₂PSCH₃ dissolved in liquid krypton and/or xenon have been recorded. From these data, the enthalpy differences have been determined to be 393±50 cm⁻¹ (4.71±0.60 kJ/mol), for (CH₃)₂POCH₃ with the near-cis conformer the more stable rotamer and 80±10cm⁻¹ (0.96±0.12 kJ/mol) for (CH₃)₂PSCH₃ with the cis conformer the more stable form. Complete vibrational assignments are presented for both molecules, which are consistent with the predicted frequencies obtained from the ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, and depolarization ratios have been obtained from RHF/6-31G(d) and/or MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. These quantities are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate as well as with some corresponding results for some similar molecules.     

Separation of metal ions by capillary electrophoresis

A number of experimental parameters have been optimized for the separation of 26 metal ions, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and lanthanide metal ions. Experimental parameters that were evaluated included nature of indirect-detection reagent, pH of electrolyte, concentration of complexing agent and nature of the surface of the capillary; unbonded and C₁ and C₁₈ bonded phases were studied. In addition the effect of internal diameter on linearity and signal-to-noise ratio was examined, and separation efficiency was determined for a variety of experimental conditions. Detection limits (signal-to-noise RATIO = 3) were ca. 1 μg/ml for the lanthanides, ca. 0.6 μg/ml for transition and alkaline earth ions and ca. 0.1–0.8 μg/ml for alkali metal ions. The average relative standard deviations of were 3.7, 5.1 and 2.5% on unbonded, C₁ and C₁₈ capillaries, respectively. Whereas conventional regression analysis suggested that the calibration curves were linear over the range of 1·10⁻⁵ to 4·10⁻⁴ mol/l, sensitivity plots showed that the results were actually linear to within 6% only over the range of 2.5·10⁻⁵ to 4·10⁻⁴ mol/l.     

Conformational stability of 1-bromo-2-fluoroethane from temperature dependent FT-IR spectra of rare gas solutions

Variable temperature (−55 to −135°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm⁻¹) of 1-bromo-2-fluoroethane, BrCH₂CH₂F, dissolved in liquid krypton and xenon have been recorded. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 108±9 cm⁻¹ (1.296±0.113 kJ/mol) and 112±8 cm⁻¹ (1.346±0.098 kJ/mol) from the krypton and xenon solutions, respectively, with the trans conformer the more stable rotamer. Complete vibrational assignments are presented for both conformers which are consistent with the predicted frequencies obtained from the ab initio MP2/6-31G^* calculations. The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, and depolarization ratios have been obtained from RHF/6-31G^* and/or MP2/6-31G^* ab initio calculations. These quantities are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate. Structural parameters and conformational stability have also been obtained from MP2/6-311+G^** calculations. Combining the ab initio predicted structural parameters with the microwave rotational constants, r_o parameters have been obtained for the gauche conformer.     

Purification and characterization of acetate kinase from Clostridium thermocellum

Acetate kinase (EC 2.7.2.1), an enzyme involved in the wasteful production of acetate during conversion of cellulose to ethanol by Clostridium thermocellum, was purified 144-fold. The enzyme has an Mr of 84 kD by non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and an Mr of 46 kD when estimated with a denaturing gel; thus it appears to be a homodimer. Optimum enzyme activity occurs at 50°C and between pH 7.2 and 8.0. Acetate kinase is stable to temperatures up to 60°C, but is completely inactivated at 80°C after two h. The enzyme is stable between pH 7.0 and 9.0 when incubated at 50°C for two h. Optimum acetate kinase activity occurs at a MgCl₂:ATP ratio of 2:1, which indicates an interaction between Mg²⁺ and ATP and that between Mg²⁺ and acetate kinase. Enzyme activity is partially inhibited by KCl, an inorganic salt frequently used in chromatography and fermentation media, losing 60% activity in the presence of 0.2 M KCl. Sigmoidal enzyme kinetics were observed from the velocity plot of acetate kinase when either the acetate (S_0.5 = 285 mM) or ATP (S_0.5 = 11 mM) concentration was varied, suggesting cooperative binding of the two substrates.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal investigation of M[M(C2O4)3]·xH2O (x=4 for M=Cr(III); x=2 for M=Sb(III) and x=9 for M=La(III))

The complexes, M[M(C₂O₄)₃]·xH₂ O, where x=4 for M=Cr(III), x=2 for M=Sb(III) and x=9 for M=La(III) have been synthesized and their thermal stability was investigated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and electronic spectral data, conductivity measurement and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The chromium(III)tris(oxalato)chromate(III)tetrahydrate (COT), Cr[Cr(C₂ O₄)₃]·4H₂O, released water in a stepwise fashion. Removal of the last trace of water was accompanied by a partial decomposition of the oxalate group. Thermal investigation using TG, DTG and DTA techniques in air produced Cr₂O₃ at 858°C through the intermediate formation of Cr₂O₃ and CrC₂O₄ at around 460°C. While DSC study in nitrogen up to 670°C produced a mixture of Cr₂O₃ and CrC₂O₄. In antimony(III)tris(oxalato)antimonate(III)dihydrate (AOD), Sb[Sb(C₂O₄)₃]·3H₂O the dehydration took place during the decomposition of precursor at 170–290°C and finally at ca. 610°C Sb₂ O₅ along with trace amounts of Sb₂O₄ were produced. Trace amount of Sb₂O₃ and Sb along with Sb₂O is proposed as the end product at 670°C of AOD in nitrogen. The oxide La₂O₃ is formed at 838°C from the study with TG, DTG and DTA in air of lanthanum(III)tris(oxalato)lanthanum(III)nonahydrate (LON), La[La(C₂O₄)₃]·9H₂O. Intermediate dioxycarbonate, La₂O₂CO₃ was generated at 526°C prior to its decomposition to lanthanum oxide in air; whereas in N₂ the formation of La₂(CO₃)₃ at 651°C was proposed. The thermal parameters have been evaluated for each step of the dehydration and decomposition of COT, AOD and LON using five non-mechanistic equations i.e. Flynn and Wall, Freeman and Carroll, Modified Freeman and Carroll, Coats–Redfern and MacCallum–Tanner equations. Kinetic parameters, such as, E^*, k_o, ΔH^*, ΔS^* etc. were also supplemented by DSC studies in nitrogen for all the three complexes. Some of the intermediate species have been identified by analytical and powder XRD studies. Tentative schemes has been proposed for the decomposition of all three compounds in air and nitrogen.