Dissociation of Multisubunit Protein–Ligand Complexes in the Gas Phase. Evidence for Ligand Migration

The results of collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments performed on gaseous protonated and deprotonated ions of complexes of cholera toxin B subunit homopentamer (CTB₅) with the pentasaccharide (β-D-Galp-(1→3)-β-D-GalpNAc-(1→4)[α-D-Neu5Ac-(2→3)]-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp (GM1)) and corresponding glycosphingolipid (β-D-Galp-(1→3)-β-D-GalpNAc-(1→4)[α-D-Neu5Ac-(2→3)]-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp-Cer (GM1-Cer)) ligands, and the homotetramer streptavidin (S₄) with biotin (B) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(biotinyl) (Btl), are reported. The protonated (CTB₅ + 5GM1)ⁿ⁺ ions dissociated predominantly by the loss of a single subunit, with the concomitant migration of ligand to another subunit. The simultaneous loss of ligand and subunit was observed as a minor pathway. In contrast, the deprotonated (CTB₅ + 5GM1)^n- ions dissociated preferentially by the loss of deprotonated ligand; the loss of ligand-bound and ligand-free subunit were minor pathways. The presence of ceramide (Cer) promoted ligand migration and the loss of subunit. The main dissociation pathway for the protonated and deprotonated (S₄ + 4B)^n+/– ions, as well as for deprotonated (S₄ + 4Btl)^n– ions, was loss of the ligand. However, subunit loss from the (S₄ + 4B)ⁿ⁺ ions was observed as a minor pathway. The (S₄ + 4Btl)ⁿ⁺ ions dissociated predominantly by the loss of free and ligand-bound subunit. The charge state of the complex and the collision energy were found to have little effect on the relative contribution of the different dissociation channels. Thermally-driven ligand migration between subunits was captured in the results of molecular dynamics simulations performed on protonated (CTB₅ + 5GM1)¹⁵⁺ ions (with a range of charge configurations) at 800 K. Notably, the migration pathway was found to be highly dependent on the charge configuration of the ion. The main conclusion of this study is that the dissociation pathways of multisubunit protein–ligand complexes in the gas phase depend, not only on the native topology of the complex, but also on structural changes that occur upon collisional activation.

Preparation and Characterization of Linear and Miktoarm Star Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline block Copolymers with p-Methoxyazobenzene Moieties via a Combination of ATRP and ROP

One linear and two miktoarm star side-chain liquid crystalline (LC) block copolymers with p-methoxyazobenzene moieties were prepared by a combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques. First, ROPs of ε -caprolactone (ε -CL) were carried out catalyzed by Sn(Oct)₂ using three multifunctional initiators, hydroxyethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate (AB type), 3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate (A₂B type) and 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl bis(2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate) (A₂B₂ type), at 110°C in toluene, respectively. Second, the previously obtained poly(ε -caprolactone)s (PCLs) with bromines functionalities were used as the macroinitiators to conduct ATRP of 6-(4-methoxy-4-oxy-azobenzene) hexyl methacrylate (MMAZO) with CuBr/PMDETA as the catalyst systems at 85°C in anisole to prepare the linear and miktoarm side-chain LC block copolymers (PCL-b-PMMAZO, (PCL)₂-(PMMAZO) and (PCL)₂-(PMMAZO)₂). The produced polymers were well-controlled with the controlled molecular weights and the relatively narrow molecular weight distributions (M _w/M _n ≤ 1.35). The structures of the obtained polymers were all characterized by NMR, FT-IR and GPC analysis. Furthermore, the LC properties of the linear and miktoarm star block copolymers were also investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal polarized optical microscopy (POM).     

Single-Ion Conduction and Electrochemical Characteristics of Poly (Oxyethylene)/ Lithium Methoxy Oligo(Oxyethylene) Sulfate Blend

Abstract

The ion conduction of a blend of poly(oxyethylene) (PEO) and lithium methoxy oligo(oxyethylene) sulfate (SAL₈) and its electrochemical characteristics were studied. The maximum ambient conductivity of the blend reaches 1.2 × 10^?6 S/cm. The blend exhibits single-ion conduction, excellent mechanical performance, and electrochemical stability. A battery of Li/PEO + SAL₈/Li_1+xV₃O₈ has a constant discharge capacity at different discharge current densities up to a certain voltage, while the discharge capacity of Li/P (MEO_16-AM) + LiClO₄/Li_1+xV₃O₈ decreases with an increase of the discharge current density.     

Synthesis of Sub-100 nm Nanoparticles by Emulsifier-free Emulsion Polymerization of α-Methylstyrene,Methyl Methacrylate and Acrylic Acid

The emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of α-methylstyrene (AMS) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of functional monomer acrylic acid (AA) was carried out in batch process, giving birth to sub-100 nm nanoparticles. The kinetics of polymerization was investigated. The morphology and size of particles were monitored by TEM. The influences of the functional monomer AA concentration, initiator ammonium persulfate (APS) concentration, and polymerization temperature were studied. It was found that AMS caused a drastic decrease in both the rate of polymerization and the average degree of polymerization. The activation energy calculated from Arrhenius plot turned out to be 83.6 kJ/mol.     

Further Studies on the Anionic Copolymerization of Styrene and Glycidyl Methacrylate in Toluene

Sequential anionic copolymerization of styrene and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was performed with the protection of argon under normal pressure, where styrene, GMA, toluene, THF, n-butyllithium and a small amount of lithium chloride (LiCl) were used as first monomer, second monomer, solvent, polar reagent, initiator and additive, respectively. Polystyrene-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers (PS-b-PGMA) with well-defined structure and narrow molecular weight distribution were prepared by the copolymerization reaction of poly(styryl)lithium with GMA under certain temperatures. The copolymers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and hydrochloric acid-dioxane argentimetric methods. The effects of additives, copolymerization temperature and THF dosage on the copolymerization were studied. No chain transfer reaction of anionic polymerization of styrene in toluene was observed. Slightly broader molecular weight distribution of PS-b-PGMA was observed with the increase the GMA repeat units. Using THF/toluene blend solvent could reduce the polydispersity index (M _w /M _n ) and dissolve the copolymer better than toluene alone. Lower temperature (< -40°C) and LiCl are required to prepare PS-b-PGMA with narrower molecular weight distribution.     

Solvent effects on radical copolymerization of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate: solvent polarity and solvent-monomer interaction

Abstract

New insights for the effects of organic solvent polarities and solvent-monomer interactions on the radical copolymerization for an important copolymer, poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl acrylate) (PAN-co-MA), were provided in this research. Solvents, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), were used as reaction media. The polarity of these solvents was in the sequence of DMAc?<?DMF?<?DMSO. By studying the reactivity ratios of AN and MA, the triad fractions of the resultant copolymers, the interactions between monomers and solvents, and the compositions of copolymers at various conversions, we concluded that the solvent polarity had minimal influence on the copolymerization of AN and MA, while the solvent-monomer interactions played important roles. The interactions between monomer-monomer, monomer-solvent, and solvent-solvent, were calculated based on quantum chemistry methods. Both theoretical calculations and experimental results suggested that AN and MA in DMSO tended to aggregate locally, while they could be homogeneously dissolved in DMAc and DMF. The interactions between solvent and monomers could cause local monomer concentration variations, or ‘bootstrap’ effect, which is one of the critical factors affecting the copolymerization process of AN and MA and the chemical structures of the resultant polymers.     

Inclusion Compounds Formation of Poly(azomethine ether)s and β‐Cyclodextrin

In this study, two poly(azomethine ether)s were synthesized and they can form inclusion compounds (ICs) with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H‐NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) have been utilized to observe the formation of polymer‐CD‐ICs. The differentiation in their FTIR spectra may indicate the formation of the inclusion compounds between poly(azomethine ether)s and β‐CD. Compared the ¹H‐NMR of polymer‐CD‐ICs with β‐CD, proton signals belonging to both β‐CD and poly(azomethine ether)s can be found in the spectrum. The chemical shift of the protons H‐3, H‐5 has changed after the formation of inclusion compounds, which is perhaps due to the interaction of these protons with polymers. TGA scans showed the much higher decomposition temperatures observed for two polymer‐CD‐ICs may imply that polymer chains included inside the β‐CD's cavity can greatly improve β‐CD's stabilities. The X‐ray diffraction patterns were confirmed to be the new crystal structures.     

Preparation and Pervaporation Performances of PEA‐based Polyurethaneurea and Polyurethaneimide Membranes to Benzene/Cyclohexane Mixture

Pervaporation is promising in the separation of benzene/cyclohexane mixture for the petrochemical industry. Two kinds of pervaporation membrane materials, including PEA‐based polyurethaneurea (PUU) and polyurethaneimide (PUI), were successfully synthesized from the same soft segment of poly(ethylene adipate)diol (PEA) and different hard segments via a two‐step method. The hard segment of PUU was prepared from toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane (MDA), while that of PUI was from 4,4′‐methylene‐bis(phenylisocyanate) (MDI) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA). The structures and properties of PUU and PUI were characterized by means of FT‐IR, DSC and TGA. During the pervaporation experiment, the PUI membranes had a flux of 12.13 kg µm m^?2 h^?1 and separation factor of 8.25, while the PUU membranes had a flux of 26.35 kg µm m^?2 h^?1 and separation factor of 6.29 for 50 wt% benzene in the benzene/cyclohexane mixture at 40°C. The effects of the structures of hard segments on pervaporation performances were discussed. The investigation of the relationship in molecular structure and PV performances will be helpful for the choice and design of membrane materials in the separation of benzene/cyclohexane mixture.     

Copolymerization of Carbon Dioxide and Propylene Oxide with Zinc Catalysts Supported on Carboxyl-Containing Polymers

Polymer-supported zinc catalysts were prepared by the reaction of di-ethylzinc with polymers containing carboxyl groups. The catalysts were employed in the alternating copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide to give poly(propylene carbonate) of high molecular weight. Copolymers of styrene and acrylic acid were shown to be better catalyst supports than poly(acrylic acid) and some other polymers. Maximum activity was achieved when the molar ratio of Zn/COOH was around unity. The yield and molecular weight of the polycarbonate rose with increasing reaction time. Higher reaction rates but lower molecular weights of the product were observed at elevated reaction temperatures     

Multi-responsive cyclodextrin vesicles assembled by ‘supramolecular bola-amphiphiles’

Multi-responsive cyclodextrin vesicles (CDVs) self-assembled by ‘supramolecular bola-amphiphiles’, consisting of a guest (N,N′-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)-diaminohexane, 1) and a host (γ-hydroxybutyric-β-cyclodextrin, γ-HB-β-CD), were prepared and investigated for the first time. The morphologies and sizes of these novel vesicles in water were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The effects of the host–guest ratio, the concentration and the solvent composition are also discussed. The host–guest interactions, complex stoichiometry and structures of 1·γ-HB-β-CD in water were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, UV and NMR spectroscopy. According to the complex stoichiometry, TEM observations and Chem3D estimation, the ‘supramolecular bola-amphiphiles’, made from 1·γ-HB-β-CD and assumed for the first time, formed the membranes of the CDVs. The CDV system was responsive to an oxidising agent, which is the first report on redox-responsive systems in this field. The CDVs are also responsive to pH and the presence of metal ions, such that they disassemble upon addition of acetic acid or Cu²⁺ ions, providing possible routes to drug delivery systems.