Profiling and comprehensive expression analysis of ABC transporter solute-binding proteins of Bacillus subtilis membrane based on a proteomic approach

We analyzed ABC transporter solute-binding proteins (SBPs) of the Bacillus subtilis membrane using a proteomic approach. We prepared a washed cell membrane fraction that was insoluble in 134 mM nondetergent sulfobetaine and then extracted proteins using mixtures of detergents in a stepwise manner. The membrane proteins were resolved by three two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) or two one-dimensional (1-D) PAGE procedures, electroblotted, and digested in the presence of 5% or 80% acetonitrile. Thereafter, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identified 637 proteins corresponding to 15.9% of the total cellular proteins. We predicted that among these, 256 were membrane proteins, 101 were lipoproteins or secretory proteins and 280 were soluble proteins containing peripheral proteins that function in both the cytoplasm and the cell membrane such as SecA and FtsY. Among the 637 proteins, we identified 30 SBPs among 38 importers predicted by a bioinformatic search of the genome. We confirmed expression of the genes for the 30 SBPs using DNA microarray analysis. We compared the 2-D gel separation profiles of submembrane fractions solubilized by 1% n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside from cells cultured on Luria Bertani (LB), S7, and S7 medium without glutamate as well as DNA microarray data on LB and S7. The results suggested that YcdH, YtmK and YurO are binding proteins for Mn(++), glutamate and glucose, respectively, and that YqiX and YxeM are binding proteins for amino acids (tryptophan in S7 medium).     

Solvent and guest isotope effects on complexation thermodynamics of alpha-, beta-, and 6-amino-6-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrins

The stability constant (K), standard free energy (DeltaG degrees ), enthalpy (DeltaH degrees ), and entropy changes (TDeltaS degrees ) for the complexation of native alpha- and beta-cyclodextrins (CDs) and 6-amino-6-deoxy-beta-CD with more than 30 neutral, positively, and negatively charged guests, including seven fully or partially deuterated guests, have been determined in phosphate buffer solutions (pH/pD 6.9) of hydrogen oxide (H(2)O) or deuterium oxide (D(2)O) at 298.15 K by titration microcalorimetry. Upon complexation with these native and modified CDs, both nondeuterated and deuterated guests examined consistently exhibited higher affinities (by 5-20%) in D(2)O than in H(2)O. The quantitative affinity enhancement in D(2)O versus H(2)O directly correlates with the size and strength of the hydration shell around the charged/hydrophilic group of the guest. For that reason, negatively/positively charged guests, possessing a relatively large and strong hydration shell, afford smaller K(H2O)/K(D2O) ratios than those for neutral guests with a smaller and weaker hydration shell. Deuterated guests showed lower affinities (by 5-15%) than the relevant nondeuterated guests in both H(2)O and D(2)O, which is most likely ascribed to the lower ability of the C-D bond to produce induced dipoles and thus the reduced intracavity van der Waals interactions. The excellent enthalpy-entropy correlation obtained can be taken as evidence for the very limited conformational changes upon transfer of CD complexes from H(2)O to D(2)O.     

Glycosides of benzyl and salicyl alcohols from Alangium chinense

From the water-soluble fraction of the dried leaves of Alangium chinense, three new glycosides, benzyl alcohol beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylsalicin, and 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-6'-O-beta-D-xylopyranosylsalicin were isolated along with seven known glycosides. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chemical means.     

Flavonol glycosides from Elaeagnus lanceollata (Elaeagnaceae)

Two new flavonol glycosides were isolated together with two known glycosides and an ester from the leaves of E. lanceollata Warb. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods.     

Diastereoselective Iodocarbocyclization Reaction of 2- or 3-Oxy-4-pentenylmalonate Derivatives

1,2- Or 1,3-asymmetric induction in the iodocarbocyclization reaction of 4-pentenylmalonate derivatives having a stereogenic center at an allylic or a homoallylic position has been investigated. The iodocarbocyclization reactions of 3-oxy-4-pentenylmalonate derivatives proceeded with high cis-selectivity through stereoelectronic control of the oxygenated substituent at an allylic position. In the reaction of (S)-2-siloxy-4-pentenylmalonate, an excellent diastereoselectivity was achieved through the utilization of double stereodifferentiation with a chiral titanium catalyst. Furthermore, as an application of the present reaction, the asymmetric syntheses of cyclosarkomycin and a synthetic intermediate of brefeldin A from optically pure 2- and 3-oxy-4-pentenylmalonate derivatives are also described.     

LIGHT INDUCED FLUORESCENCE SPECTRAL CHANGES IN NATIVE PHYTOCHROME FROM Secale cereale L. AT LIQUID NITROGEN TEMPERATURE

Abstract— Fluorescence spectra of native rye phytochrome were determined under different light conditions at liquid nitrogen temperature. Fluorescence spectrum of the red-light-absorbing form (Pr) had a major peak at about 685 nm (14 600 cm⁻¹) and a broad sub-peak at about 515 nm (19 400 cm⁻¹). The peak height at 685 nm was reduced by irradiation with monochromatic light of 640 nm, and a new peak became obvious at about 702 nm (14250 cm⁻¹). This spectral change was almost completely reversed by subsequent irradiation with 700-nm light. Fluorescence spectrum of the photoequilibrium mixture of Pr and far-red-light absorbing form under continuous red light showed a sharp peak at about 685 nm having a peak height ca. 12% of Pr, and a broad sub-peak at about 508 nm (19 700 cm⁻¹). Light of 730 nm did not reduce the peak height at about 685 nm but induced a new shoulder at about 699 nm (14300 cm⁻¹). Monochromatic light of 640 and 700 nm given following the light of 730 nm could not reverse the spectral change at 699 nm induced by the irradiation with 730-nm light. Fluorescence spectrum of Pr in partially degraded phytochrome was similar to that in native phytochrome but the peak position in the red region was shifted by about 5 nm (100 cm⁻¹) to the blue.     

Reversed migration micellar electrokinetic chromatography with off-line and on-line concentration analysis of phenylurea herbicides

Three environmentally important phenylurea herbicides (monuron, isoproturon, diuron) were separated in reversed migration micellar electrokinetic chromatography (RM-MEKC) using 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate, 50 mM phosphoric acid, and 15 mM gamma-cyclodextrin. Three on-line concentration techniques are then evaluated to increase the detection sensitivity of the RM-MEKC system. Stacking with reverse migrating micelles (SRMM, water as the sample solvent) provided the best results among the focusing techniques studied. Using a z-shaped detection cell, more than 500-fold increase in peak height is obtained. As a sample preparation and off-line concentration method, solid-phase extraction (SPE) that further improved detection sensitivity was used in the analysis of spiked tap and pond water. For example, 1 parts per billion of each herbicide spiked in tap or pond water was detected by MEKC after SPE and SRMM.     

Polymerization of vinyl monomers by the reaction products of diphenyl sulphoxide with potassium

Diphenyl sulphoxide (DPSO) reacts with an equimolar amount of potassium (K) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ?78° to form a reddish-black solution, giving an electron spin resonance (ESR) signal only below ?70°. The signal is attributed to a very labile DPSO anion radical. The solution of DPSO-K (1/1) reaction products reacts further with another molecular amount of K at this temperature to give no ESR signal. The DPSO-K (1/1) reaction products initiates the polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN), but not the polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (St) or isoprene (IP). The active species of the solution initiating the polymerization of AN is assumed to be potassium benzene sulphenate from analyses of the solution and the infra-red spectrum of AN oligomers obtained using the complex. The DPSO-K (1/2) reaction products solution initiates the polymerization of MMA, St and IP as well as AN. The active species initiating the polymerization of MMA, St or IP is assumed to be phenylpotassium.     

Loss of99Tc from seaweeds in the course of dry ashing

Loss of⁹⁹Tc in seaweed during dry ashing has been investigated. Two kinds of brown seaweeds labeled with⁹⁹Tc were ashed for 24 or 48 h at 400, 450 and 500 °C, showing no correlation between the loss of⁹⁹Tc and species, temperature and time of ashing. The averaged recovery of⁹⁹Tc was 91.0±4.0%, indicating that most of the⁹⁹Tc in the seaweed was retained within the matrix of the ash which was obtained under general conditions of ashing.