Mapping of possible prion protein self-interaction domains using peptide arrays

Background  

The common event in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases is the conversion of host-encoded protease sensitive cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into strain dependent isoforms of scrapie associated protease resistant isoform (PrP^Sc) of prion protein (PrP). These processes are determined by similarities as well as strain dependent variations in the PrP structure. Selective self-interaction between PrP molecules is the most probable basis for initiation of these processes, potentially influenced by chaperone molecules, however the mechanisms behind these processes are far from understood. We previously determined that polymorphisms do not affect initial PrP^C to PrP^Sc binding but rather modulate a subsequent step in the conversion process. Determining possible sites of self-interaction could elucidate which amino acid(s) or amino acid sequences contribute to binding and further conversion into other isoforms. To this end, ovine – and bovine PrP peptide-arrays consisting of 15-mer overlapping peptides were probed with recombinant sheep PrP^C fused to maltose binding protein (MBP-PrP).     

Synthesis and characterization of Mn-, La-Mn- and La-Ca-Mn-citrates as precursors for LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and La<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>x</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Mn-, LaMn- and LaCaMn-citrates were synthesized at 60–120°C in ethylene glycol medium using chlorides or nitrates as metal sources. Their composition, IR spectra and thermal decomposition were studied. Equimolar La/Mn ratio has been established in the complex, prepared from chloride solution with the same initial composition of the metals. In the isolated three-metallic complex the molar ratio of the metals deviates from the composition in the initial solution. The final products of the heating of Mn- and mixed-metal LaMn-citrates at 1000°C are phase-homogeneous Mn₃O₄ (hausmannite) and LaMnO₃ respectively. Parasitic phase(s) are observed in La_xCa_1−xMn_yO₃, produced from LaCaMn-citrate.     

A new dimension in thermal analysis

Summary An enormous development has taken place within the last five years in synchronous teaching over the Internet, i.e. both the teacher and the students are simultaneously in direct communication with each other as in a normal class-room or auditorium. With this concept it is possible to communicate orally, to exchange Power Point Presentations, documents, programmes and live web-camera pictures. It is even possible to use an electronic black board on which both the teacher and the students can work simultaneously. The great advantage with this type of teaching is that it is not restricted to a single class-room/auditorium with limited access, but in a virtual room accessible to everybody in principle all over the world, and which certainly open up new possibilities in teaching. The purpose of this paper is to present and to discuss the concept of virtual class-room teaching, how the system operates in practice, its advantages and, finally, how its inherent limitations can be overcome.     

Cyanide attack at low-spin iron(II)–diimine complexes: the structure of a cyanide-containing derivative of a leaving ligand

The isolation and structural characterisation of the product of addition of HCN to the Schiff base derived from phenyl 2-pyridyl ketone and 3,4-dimethylaniline (Me2bsb) provides evidence in favour of a mechanism involving nucleophilic attack at the coordinated ligand for reaction of the complex [Fe(Me₂bsb)₃]²⁺ with cyanide.     

Synthesis, decomposition, and structural studies in the gas phase and solid state of N,N-dimethylaminoxygermane

N,N-Dimethylaminoxygermane, H3GeONMe2, was prepared by the reaction of H3GeBr with LiONMe2 in dimethyl ether at -96 degrees C. The identity of H3GeONMe2 was proven by gas-phase IR and solution NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 15N, 17O). It is an unstable volatile liquid compound. It decomposes by cleavage of a Ge-O and a Ge-H bond giving HONMe2 and an insoluble germanium hydride polymer (GeH2)n. This decomposition reaction has been modeled at the MP2/6-311G(d,p) level of theory by the homodesmotic reaction H3GeONMe2 + Ge2H6-->Ge3H8 + HONMe2, which is predicted slightly exothermic by 14 kJ mol-1. The molecular structure of H3GeONMe2 was determined by gas-phase electron diffraction supported by an ab initio geometry [MP2/6-311G(d,p)] and a force field [MP2/6-31G(d)]. The structure of the compound in the crystal lattice was determined by low-temperature crystallography using a single crystal of H3GeONMe2 grown in situ [C2H9NOGe, orthorhombic, Pnma, Z = 4, a = 8.1280(12) A, b = 9.7037(15) A, c = 7.0722(12) A]. Important bond lengths and angles (gas phase/solid state, A/deg) are Ge-O 1.785(2)/1.815(1), O-N 1.462(7)/1.460(2), N-C 1.460(4)/1.453(2), Ge-O-N 105.2(5)/104.6(1), O-N-C 105.8(5)/105.8(1), C-N-C 110.8(9)/111.2(2), Ge...N 2.587(6)/2.601(1). In the solid state the compound forms infinite chains by intermolecular Ge...O contacts of 2.808 A. The question of the attraction between Ge and N atoms is discussed with respect to reference Ge/O and N/O compounds, which have wider angles at oxygen than H3GeONMe2. For comparison the structures of the compounds H3CONMe2, H3SiONMe2, and H3SnONMe2 were also calculated to reflect the influence of the group 14 atom on the structure and to discuss the occurrence of weak E...N interactions in the compounds H3EONMe2.     

Rank-1 approximation to the van der Waals interaction

We present and discuss a variational single-product approximation to the van der Waals dispersion interaction leading to a simple formula for C ₆ that seems capable to give more than 99% of the ‘exact’ value. The formula is derived from Hylleraas’ variational principle in the tensor product space of the interacting molecules and therefore enjoys bounding properties. The formula has been tested by computing the C ₆ dispersion constants of H–H, and, at Full CI level, of the following systems: He–He, He–Li, Li–Li, LiH–LiH, HF–HF. Connections with the London formula are discussed. Contribution to the Fernando Bernardi Memorial Issue.     

Synthesis,characterization, X-ray structural analysis and study of oxidative properties of propyltriphenylphosphonium bromochromate

The complex of propyltriphenylphosphonium bromochromate(VI), PrPh₃P[CrO₃Br] is easily synthesized in nearly quantitative yield using a direct reaction of chromium(VI) oxide and propyltriphenylphosphonium bromide. This compound is a versatile reagent for the efficient and selective oxidation of organic substrates, in particular for alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes or ketones, under mild conditions. This compound was characterized by IR, UV/Visible, ¹³C-n.m.r. and ¹H-n.m.r. techniques. It crystallized in the monoclinic form and its crystal and molecular structure have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Microwave synthesis,characterization and catalytic properties of titanium-incorporated ZSM-5 zeolite

Titanium-incorporated ZSM-5 zeolites (Si/Al = 50–200 and Si/Ti = 70) were successfully synthesized in a one-step sol-gel process under microwave irradiation. The characteristics of Ti-ZSM-5 zeolites were investigated using X-ray power diffraction, UV/Vis-DRS, FT-IR spectroscopy and solid-state ²⁷Al-NMR to monitor the physico-chemical properties. Simultaneously, the acidic properties were characterized by the NH₃-TPD profile. The characterization results revealed that the Ti⁴⁺ and Al³⁺ ions were well incorporated into the framework of Ti-ZSM-5 zeolite. The prepared zeolite was moderately active but selective in the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether.     

Multiparametric microsensor chips for screening applications

The identification of drug targets for pharmaceutical screening can be greatly accelerated by gene databases and expression studies. The identification of leading compounds from growing libraries is realized by high throughput screening platforms. Subsequently, for optimization and validation of identified leading compounds studies of their functionality have to be carried out, and just these functionality tests are a limiting factor. A rigorous preselection of identified compounds by in vitro cellular screening is necessary prior to using the drug candidates for the further time consuming and expensive stage, e.g. in animal models. Our efforts are focused to the parallel development, adaptation and integration of different microelectronic sensors into miniaturized biochips for a multiparametric, functional on-line analysis of living cells in physiologically environments. Parallel and on-line acquisition of data related to different cellular targets is required for advanced stages of drug screening and for economizing animal tests.     

Electrophilic reactions of chlorin derivatives and a comprehensive collection of 13c data of these products and closely related compounds

Vilsmeier-formylation of the copper(II) complex of chlorin-e₆ trimethyl ester (2), under mild conditions, gives selective substitution in the 3-vinyl group. In contrast chlorination of 2 is shown to lead to selective substitution at position 20 of the macrocycle. A similar result is found for [3-ethyl]-isochlorin-e₄ dimethyl ester (17) although further reaction leads to more highly chlorinated products which have been isolated and identified. ¹³C NMR data for some of these compounds and several related chlorin derivatives are reported. In particular, after correction of the literature, many of the quaternary carbon signals of the macrocycle are assigned and substituent effects assessed. Consideration of the shifts of the α-pyrrolic carbons confirms that chlorin and its derivatives exist in a tautomeric form with the two inner H atoms on diagonally opposite pyrrole rings A and C. Such a form allows a satisfactory explanation of the substituent chemical shifts of the formyl group at positions 15 and 20 to be made.