Zn2+-dependent peptide nucleic acids probes

Binding of bis-picolylamine-naphthalene diimide-peptide nucleic acid conjugates to complementary DNA is strongly dependent upon Zn2+; ultimately, hybridization is switched ON in the presence muM Zn2+.     

Production of recombinant bleaching enzymes from thermophilic microorganisms in fungal hosts

Cost-effective production of enzymes for industrial processes makes the appropriate selection of the host-vector expression system critical. We have developed two systems for the bulk production of bleaching enzymes from thermophiles. Kluyveromyces lactis has been developed as a secretion host employing expression vectors based on the 2μ-like plasmid pKD1 of Kluyveromyces drosophilarium. Our second system involves the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. Fusion and nonfusion vectors have been constructed using the strong cellobiohydrolase 1 (cbh1) promoter. The KEX2 protease cleavage site and a 6 × HIS-tag have been incorporated to facilitate both cleavage and purification of the mature foreign proteins.     

3',4'-trans-linked bicyclic nucleosides locked in S-type conformations

A novel class of 3',4'-trans-linked bicyclic nucleosides with locked S-type furanose conformations is introduced by synthesis of two model derivatives; one was obtained by cyclic ether formation and the other by ring-closing metathesis methodology.     

Determination of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in human urine by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection and confirmation with electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry

γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a minor metabolite or precursor of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acts as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator via binding to GABA receptors and to specific presynaptic GHB receptors. Based upon the stimulatory effects, GHB is widely abused. Thus, there is great interest in monitoring GHB in body fluids and tissues. We have developed an assay for urinary GHB that is based upon liquid–liquid extraction and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with indirect UV absorption detection. The background electrolyte is composed of 4 mM nicotinic acid (compound for indirect detection), 3 mM spermine (reversal of electroosmosis) and histidine (added to reach a pH of 6.2). Having a 50 μm I.D. capillary of 40 cm effective length, 1-octanesulfonic acid as internal standard, solute detection at 214 nm and a diluted urine with a conductivity of 2.4 mS/cm, GHB concentrations ≥2 μg/ml can be detected. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were determined to be dependent on urine concentration and varied between 2–24 and 5–60 μg/ml, respectively. Data obtained suggest that LOD and LOQ (both in μg/ml) can be estimated with the relationships 0.83 κ and 2.1 κ, respectively, where κ is the conductivity of the urine in mS/cm. The assay was successfully applied to urines collected after administration of 25 mg sodium GHB/kg body mass. Negative electrospray ionization ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of GHB in the urinary extract via selected reaction monitoring of the m/z 103.1→m/z 85.1 precursor–product ion transition. Independent of urine concentration, this approach meets the urinary cut-off level of 10 μg/ml that is required for recognition of the presence of exogenous GHB. Furthermore, data obtained with injection of plain or diluted urine indicate that CZE could be used to rapidly recognize GHB amounts (in μg/ml) that are ≥ 4 κ.     

A Comparative Study of Naproxen – Beta Cyclodextrin Complexes Prepared by Conventional Methods and Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Naproxen is a poorly soluble anti-inflammatorydrug, the solubility of which canbe enhanced by complexation withbeta-cyclodextrin. Besides that, the inclusioncomplex reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects of the drug. The aim of this work was to compare the physicochemical characteristics of the solid complexes prepared by traditional methods (kneading, freeze-drying and spray-drying) and using a supercritical fluid technology. The unusual solvent properties of carbon dioxide above their critical temperature and pressure were exploited in order to prepare inclusion compounds. Complexes prepared using supercritical fluid technology showed similar properties to those of freeze-drying andspray-drying complexes as proved by DSC, FT-IRand UV.     

Nitrogen binding to the FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase

Density functional calculations are presented to unravel the first steps of nitrogen fixation of nitrogenase. The individual steps leading from the resting state to nitrogen binding at the FeMo-cofactor with a central nitrogen ligand are characterized. The calculations indicate that the Fe-Mo cage opens as dinitrogen binds to the cluster. In the resting state, the central cage is overall neutral. Electrons and protons are transferred in an alternating manner. Upon dinitrogen binding, one protonated sulfur bridge is broken. An axial and a bridged binding mode of dinitrogen have been identified. Adsorption at the Mo site has been investigated but appears to be less favorable than binding at Fe sites.     

Measurements of side-chain 13C-13C residual dipolar couplings in uniformly deuterated proteins

13C-only spectroscopy was used to measure multiple residual (13)C-(13)C dipolar couplings (RDCs) in uniformly deuterated and (13)C-labeled proteins. We demonstrate that (13)C-start and (13)C-observe spectra can be routinely used to measure an extensive set of the side-chain residual (13)C-(13)C dipolar couplings upon partial alignment of human ubiquitin in the presence of bacteriophages Pf1. We establish that, among different broadband polarization transfer schemes, the FLOPSY family can be used to exchange magnetization between a J coupled network of spins while largely decoupling dipolar interactions between these spins. An excellent correlation between measured RDCs and the 3D structure of the protein was observed, indicating a potential use of the (13)C-(13)C RDCs in the structure determination of perdeuterated proteins.     

Studies of the soluble part of oxidised coals

Soluble products obtained from the oxidation of four types of coal, each characterised by different degree of coalification and different degree of sulphur content, are studied. The coals are oxidised with peracetic acid (PAA) and nitric acid. Analyses are performed by Atmospheric Pressure-Temperature Programmed Reduction (AP-TPR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The soluble products contain much more sulphur than the insoluble products of oxidation. The products obtained from the reaction with HNO₃ contain higher amounts of inorganic sulphur compounds, while those obtained from the reaction with PAA are characterised by an increased content of organic sulphur species.     

Comparison of different strains of the yeastYarrowia lipolytica for citric acid production from glucose hydrol

Four commercial strains and two mutants of the yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica were screened using batch fermentation. Strain Y. lipolytica A-101-1.14 (induced with UV irradiation) was found to be the most suitable for citric acid production from glucose hydrol (39.9% glucose and 2.1% other sugars), a byproduct of glucose production from potato starch. The specific rate of total citric and isocitric acid production was 0.138 g/g.h, the yield on consumed glucose 0.93 g/g, and the productivity achieved was as high as 1.25 g/L.h. All of the tested yeast strains were able to utilize only the glucose from the glucose hydrol medium. Thus, some residual higher oligosaccharides remained in the process effluent.     

Study of cork (from Quercus suber L.)-wine model interactions based on voltammetric multivariate analysis

The cork from Quercus suber L. is the premium raw material used to produce wine-bottling stoppers; however, being a natural product, cork can be contaminated and attacked in different ways that could promote differences in its proprieties. A specific contamination is the defect known in the industry as “Mancha Amarela—Yellow spot” (MA). This cork shows modifications in its mechanical, structural and optical properties and is potentially able to cause off-flavours in wine. In this study, a new analytical approach is proposed for the rapid screening of cork-wine model interactions in order to determine if the cork were able to contaminate a wine. Cork samples classified as standard (S) and cork MA were put in contact with a wine model matrix. The model matrix was analysed by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry in function of different contact times. Considering that matrices in contact with cork S and MA exhibited different pH, the influence of this parameter on the distinction power was also evaluated. The data sets obtained from the different techniques were treated by principal component analysis (PCA) and PLS_Cluster. The major difference between samples S and MA is the occurrence of an important peak at ca. 580 mV in the MA voltammograms. This more positive peak may be assigned to lignin related phenolics; therefore, it can be proposed as a possible marker to follow lignin degradation.