Ion channel screening

Ion channels are attractive targets for drug discovery with recent estimates indicating that voltage and ligand-gated channels account for the third and fourth largest gene families represented in company portfolios after the G protein coupled and nuclear hormone receptor families. A historical limitation on ion channel targeted drug discovery in the form of the extremely low throughput nature of the gold standard assay for assessing functional activity, patch clamp electrophysiology in mammalian cells, has been overcome by the implementation of multi-well plate format cell-based screening strategies for ion channels. These have taken advantage of various approaches to monitor ion flux or membrane potential using radioactive, non-radioactive, spectroscopic and fluorescence measurements and have significantly impacted both high-throughput screening and lead optimization efforts. In addition, major advances have been made in the development of automated electrophysiological platforms to increase capacity for cell-based screening using formats aimed at recapitulating the gold standard assay. This review addresses the options available for cell-based screening of ion channels with examples of their utility and presents case studies on the successful implementation of high-throughput screening campaigns for a ligand-gated ion channel using a fluorescent calcium indicator, and a voltage-gated ion channel using a fluorescent membrane potential sensitive dye.     

MEMBRANE POTENTIAL CAN INFLUENCE THE RATE OF MEMBRANE PHOTOMODIFICATION

Abstract— Though cellular photomodification has been shown to change cellular resting membrane potential, an effect of membrane potential on the rate of photomodification has never been reported. Here we demonstrate that the rate of photomodification of potassium channels in frog atrial cells is voltage dependent. The rate of potassium channel photomodification using negatively charged Rose Bengal as the photosensitizer is about 2.5 times greater at the resting membrane potential of -70 m V compared to +40 mV. Similar results are obtained using the positively charged photosensitizer methylene blue. On the other hand, the rate of photomodified increase of leak current in the same cells does not significantly change in this voltage range with Rose Bengal as photosensitizer, but demonstrates a voltage dependence like that of potassium current when methylene blue is the photosensitizer. These observations cannot be explained based on voltage-dependent partitioning of the sensitizer, as similar effects on potassium current were obtained using either a positively charged or negatively charged sensitizer.     

彩色照相材料信道容量的研究

本文从信息论观点出发,将彩色照相材料作为一个客观景物信息的传输通道,其单个空间可分辨面积构成一个独立信道,照相材料是大量独立信道并联组成的扩展信道,并提出了使用复层Shannon熵计算彩色照相材料独立信道容量的方法。作者在PDS显微光密度计——电子计算机系统上发展了全套测试计算程序,并完成了中国1821型彩色红外航空负片的信道容量测试。     

Ti—MCM—41的结构特征与芳烃羟化反应的化学亲和选择性

以不同硅源合成了Si/Ti比不同的Si-Ti－MCM－41,并在引入Ti的同时引入Al,合成了Si/Al比不同的Si-Ti-Al-MCM-41。XRD、TEM、低温N2吸附的表征结果说明,Ti-MCM-41具有长程有序一维孔道,且比表面积较高,FT－IR光谱表征说明,Ti对骨架Si的取代使MCM－41表面出现缺陷羟基。Al的引入有利于Ti-MCM-41有序结构的形成。且可调变Ti-MCM-41的表面性质。Ti-MCM-41在不同极性芳烃化合物的羟化过程中表现出化学亲和选择性,且调变Ti-MCM-41的表面性质可实现对化学亲和选择性的控制。     

Direct ab initio molecular dynamics study on a microsolvated SN2 reaction of OH-(H2O) with CH3Cl

Reaction dynamics for a microsolvated SN2 reaction OH-(H2O)+CH3Cl have been investigated by means of the direct ab initio molecular dynamics method. The relative center-of-mass collision energies were chosen as 10, 15, and 25 kcal/mol. Three reaction channels were found as products. These are (1) a channel leading to complete dissociation (the products are CH3OH+Cl- +H2O: denoted by channel I), (2) a solvation channel (the products are Cl-(H2O)+CH3OH: channel II), and (3) a complex formation channel (the products are CH3OH...H2O+Cl-: channel III). The branching ratios for the three channels were drastically changed as a function of center-of-mass collision energy. The ratio of complete dissociation channel (channel I) increased with increasing collision energy, whereas that of channel III decreased. The solvation channel (channel II) was minor at all collision energies. The selectivity of the reaction channels and the mechanism are discussed on the basis of the theoretical results.     

基态碱土金属原子Ba（^1S）与ClO2分子反应的从头计算研究

对基态碱金属原子Ｂａ（１Ｓ）与ＣｌＯ２分子的反应进行了量子化学从头计算，讨论并比较了二重态势能面上的两条不同的反应产物通道，结果表明，通道（１）－即生成氯化物的通道在能量上有利，反应的主要产物是ＢａＣｌ和Ｏ２，这与实验结果一致，此外，对少数低激发态产物的生成进行了讨论。     

Molecular beam studies of the F atom reaction with propyne: site specific reactivity

The dynamics of the F atom reaction with propyne (CH(3)CCH) has been investigated using a universal crossed molecular beam apparatus. Two reaction channels have been clearly observed: H+C(3)H(3)F and HF+C(3)H(3). The substitution of F for H occurs mainly via a complex formation mechanism, producing reaction products with some contribution from a direct reaction mechanism. The HF product, however, appears to be dominantly forward scattered relative to the F atom beam direction, suggesting that the HF formation occurs via a direct abstraction mechanism. Branching ratios for the two observed reaction channels are also determined. The H formation channel is found to be the major reaction pathway, while the HF formation channel is also significant. From the measurements of DF versus HF products from the F atom reaction with deuterated propyne, the H atom picked up by the F atom in the reaction with normal propyne seems to come mostly from the CH(3) group. In addition, the H atom produced in the H atom formation channel appears to be mostly from the CH(3) group with some contribution from the CCH group.     

A crossed molecular beam study of the O(1D) + C(3)H(8) reaction: multiple reaction pathways.

The O((1)D) + C(3)H(8) reaction has been reinvestigated using the universal crossed molecular beam method. Three reaction channels, CH(3) + C(2)H(4)OH, C(2)H(5) + CH(2)OH, and OH + C(3)H(7), have been observed. All three channels are significant in the title reaction with the C(2)H(5) formation process to be the most important, while the CH(3) formation and the OH formation channels are about equal. Product kinetic energy distributions and angular distributions have been determined for the three reaction channels observed. The oxygen-containing radicals in the CH(3) and C(2)H(5) formation pathways show forward-backward symmetric angular distribution relative to the O atom beam, while the OH product shows a clearly forward angular distribution. These results indicate that the OH formation channel seems to exhibit different dynamics from the CH(3) and C(2)H(5) channels.     

Photodissociation dynamics of HN3 and DN3 at 157 nm

Photodissociation dynamics of HN 3 at 157.6 nm have been studied using the H-atom Rydberg tagging time-of-flight technique. Product translational energy distributions and angular distributions have been measured. From these distributions, three H-atom channels are observed. The vibrational structure in the fast-H channel could be assigned to a progression in the N 3 symmetric stretching mode (nu 100), together with a progression of the symmetric stretching mode with one quantum of bending motion (nu 110). The broad translational energy distribution of the slow-H channel is energetically consistent with the cyclic-N 3 formation process or a triple product dissociation channel. Photodissociation of DN 3 was also investigated using the same technique. Isotope effect on the product translational energy distribution has been observed, in which the slow H-atom is clearly more pronounced.     

F114双通道激光解离的动力学研究

本文用TEA CO_2激光器研究了F_(114)(氟利昂-114)激光解离的通道竞争动力学过程。实验发现, F_(114)的激光解离是C—C链和C—Cl键断裂的双通道竞争过程; 其解离过程可以用Arrhenius公式来描述, 并且激光解离的表观活化能与热解离活化能相近, 因而该解离反应具有明显的热解离行为。理论计算还表明, F_(114)的双通道解离过程基本上符合RRKM理论。     

Electronic structure study of the initiation routes of the dimethyl sulfide oxidation by OH

In the present work the potential energy surface (PES) corresponding to the different initiation routes of the oxidation mechanism of DMS by hydroxyl radical in the absence of O(2) has been studied, and connections among the different stationary points have been established. Single-point high level electronic structure calculations at lower level optimized geometries have been shown to be necessary to assure convergence of energy barriers and reaction energies. Our results demonstrate that the oxidation of DMS by OH turns out to be initiated via three channels: a hydrogen abstraction channel that through a saddle point structure finally leads to CH(3)SCH(2) + H(2)O, an addition-elimination channel that firstly leads to an adduct complex (AD) and then via an elimination saddle point structure finally gives CH(3)SOH and CH(3) products, and a third channel that through a concerted pathway leads to CH(3)OH and CH(3)S. The H-abstraction and the addition-elimination channels initiate by a common pathway that goes through the same reactant complex (RC). Our theoretical results agree quite well with the branching ratios experimentally assigned to the formation of the different products. Finally, the calculated equilibrium constants of the formation of the complex AD and the hexadeuterated complex AD from the corresponding reactants, as a function of the temperature, are in good accordance with the experimental values.     

The ketene intermediate in the photochemistry of ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde

The first intermediate of the photochemical transformation of ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde to ortho-nitrosobenzoic acid in acetonitrile solvent has been characterized by femtosecond spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. Femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) indicates that this intermediate adopts a ketene structure. This assignment is supported by the TDDFT results. A kinetic analysis of FSRS and transient absorption data points to two channels for the formation of the ketene. For the predominating first channel the formation takes 0.4 ps. For the second channel it is much slower and takes 220 ps. We assign the first channel to a reaction via an excited singlet state. The second one might involve a triplet state.     

SIMULATION MODELLING OF THE IMPACTS OF SEA-LEVEL RISE SINCE THE LATEGLA-CIAL PERIOD ON THE CHANGJIANG(YANGTZE) RIVER, CHINA

Dramatic water stage rise and channel aggradation in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River have been recognized by previous studies. A further analysis of the data from geological, geomorphological, and paleohydrological surveys suggests that these changes might have resulted from sea-level rise since the Lateglacial period. So a mathematical model has been developed here, which reconstructs the processes of water-stage rise and channel aggradation of the Changjiang River as responses to sea-level rise since 12,100 a B.P.     

分析化学的第二个春天

从研究分析化学的历史发展入手，以大量历史事实为根据，指出分析化学曾经历过两次重大变革。第一次变革(19世纪末至20世纪初)使分析化学从分析化学家的技艺发展为科学；第二次变革(20世纪70年代迄今)则使分析化学进入了分析化学家重新当家作主的、欣欣向荣的“第二个春天”。     

Ionic current rectification at a nanofluidic/microfluidic interface with an asymmetric microfluidic system

A nanofluidic-microfluidic interface is reported that rectifies ionic current using uncoated symmetric nanocapillaries. Previously, ionic current rectification has been achieved by other groups with nanochannels with differential coatings and in nanopores that are conical in shape. This simple device uses nanocapillary membranes (NCMs) with uncoated symmetric channels to connect a microfluidic channel and a larger solution reservoir. The conductivity of the solution in the microchannel appears to be critical in the formation of the low "off" state current and the high "on" state current. It is hypothesized that the "off" state current is low due to the formation of an ion depletion zone in the microchannel while the higher "on" state currents are produced by a zone of enhanced ionic concentration in the microchannel.     

Design, fabrication and characterization of monolithic embedded parylene microchannels in silicon substrate

This paper presents a novel channel fabrication technology of bulk-micromachined monolithic embedded polymer channels in silicon substrate. The fabrication process favorably obviates the need for sacrificial materials in surface-micromachined channels and wafer-bonding in conventional bulk-micromachined channels. Single-layer-deposited parylene C (poly-para-xylylene C) is selected as a structural material in the microfabricated channels/columns to conduct life science research. High pressure capacity can be obtained in these channels by the assistance of silicon substrate support to meet the needs of high-pressure loading conditions in microfluidic applications. The fabrication technology is completely compatible with further lithographic CMOS/MEMS processes, which enables the fabricated embedded structures to be totally integrated with on-chip micro/nano-sensors/actuators/structures for miniaturized lab-on-a-chip systems. An exemplary process was described to show the feasibility of combining bulk micromachining and surface micromachining techniques in process integration. Embedded channels in versatile cross-section profile designs have been fabricated and characterized to demonstrate their capabilities for various applications. A quasi-hemi-circular-shaped embedded parylene channel has been fabricated and verified to withstand inner pressure loadings higher than 1000 psi without failure for micro-high performance liquid chromatography (microHPLC) analysis. Fabrication of a high-aspect-ratio (internal channel height/internal channel width, greater than 20) quasi-rectangular-shaped embedded parylene channel has also been presented and characterized. Its implementation in a single-mask spiral parylene column longer than 1.1 m in a 3.3 mm x 3.3 mm square size on a chip has been demonstrated for prospective micro-gas chromatography (microGC) and high-density, high-efficiency separations. This proposed monolithic embedded channel technology can be extensively implemented to fabricate microchannels/columns in high-pressure microfluidics and high-performance/high-throughput chip-based micro total analysis systems (microTAS).     

羟基负离子与苯分子的反应机理

在G3MP2B3理论水平下研究了羟基负离子和苯的反应机理, 系统地分析了该反应体系中可能存在的主要热力学产物通道. 计算结果证实了前人的实验观测结果, 其主要产物是[C6H6…OH]-络合物, 质子转移和置换氢的产物通道为吸热过程, 在较低实验碰撞能量的情况下难以发生, 而生成氢气的反应通道虽然是强放热过程(-119.5 kJ·mol-1), 但其相应的反应能垒较高而无法发生. 计算对比了羟基负离子和氧负离子、氟负离子抽取苯分子中质子的机理所存在的差异, 并结合Mulliken电荷布居分析研究了其中涉及的电子交换过程. 此外, 还对比分析了羟基负离子、羟基自由基与苯反应不同的机理.     

聚乙烯醇对N-取代丙烯酰胺聚合反应的影响以及它们间相互作用的研究

在前文研究聚乙烯醇(PVA)对丙烯酰胺聚合反应效应的基础上,本文进一步研究了PVA对N-取代丙烯酰胺衍生物聚合反应的影响。发现PVA对N-甲基丙烯酰胺的聚合反应亦有减速作用,且减速程度与添加的PVA量间有一定量关系。而PVA对N,N-二甲基丙烯酰胺的聚合反应就无此效应。为考察PVA同丙烯酰胺AM类单体间的相互作用,进行了粘度测定,并采用(化学电离)质谱的方法证实了AM及N-甲基丙烯酰胺同1,3-丙二醇间所存在的分子缔合作用。对缔合物的形或模式进行了探讨。     

CBr+O_2反应在二重态势能面上的机理研究(英文)

用UB3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)和QCISD(单点能)的方法考察了CBr+O2反应在二重态势能面上的反应机理。研究发现该反应在高温过程中重要,且有两个产物通道,它们分别是BrCO+O和Br+CO2,其中前者为优势通道。为了弄清溴原子取代对次甲基与氧气反应的机理的影响,我们对CBr+O2反应与CH+O2反应的相似性和差异也作了讨论。结果表明:两反应的第一步都是CX(X=H,Br)自由基与氧气反应生成链状过氧化物XCOO,且溴原子取代对反应的活性、产物通道的数量和产物的形成过程等都有影响。     

Monte Carlo模拟方法研究管道受限对高分子链缠结的影响

采用基于格子模型的Monte Carlo模拟方法,考察了链长分别为30和250的线形高分子在管道内受限状态下的尺寸及扩散性质.结果表明,当线形高分子的链长低于其缠结链长时,其受限条件下高分子的性质随受限程度的变化而单调变化;而当线形高分子的链长大于缠结链长时,高分子的性质表现出非单调性,进而说明受限具有一定程度的解缠结...