The Photochemistry of 2-Cyclopentenyl Methyl Ketones

2-Cyclopentenyl and 3-phenyl-2-cyclopentenyl methyl ketones (15–18, 30, 31) undergo a 1,3-acetyl shift on direct irradiation, and the oxa-di-π-methane rearrangement to photochemically non-interconverting endo and exo bicyclo-[2.1.0]pentyl methyl ketones on triplet sensitization. Exceptions include the 2-methyl-3-phenyl-2-cyclopentenyl methyl ketone 32 and the 1-phenyl-2-cyclo-pentenyl methyl ketone 44 which are unreactive on direct irradiation and on triplet sensitization, respectively, and the 2-phenyl-2-cyclopentenyl methyl ketones 42 and 43 which do not react under either condition. The reactive triplet of the 3-phenyl-2-cyclopentenyl methyl ketone 30 has been identified as the localized styrene π,π*-state of E_T=59 kcal/mol by comparison of its phosphorescence at 77K in rigid glasses with that of 1-phenyl-cyclopentene, and by the independence of the quantum yield on sensitizer energy in the range of 61–74 kcal/mol.     

The Thermal Isomerizations of Bicyclo[2.1.0]pent-5-yl Methyl Ketones: endo-exo stereomutation and cyclopropyl-allylic rearrangement to cyclopent-2-enyl methyl ketones

Bicyclo[2.1.0]pent-5-yl methyl ketones undergo two thermal isomerization reactions. The endo-exo stereomutation follows the ring-flip path in better than 90%, with inversion of the configuration of the angular carbon atoms by cleavage and reclosure of the central bond. Stereomutation and cyclopropyl-allylic rearrangement to cyclopent-2-enyl methyl ketone do not involve a common intermediate and proceed on separate potential energy surfaces. The activation parameters of the rearrangement suggest an allowed concerted cycloreversion process.     

On a chip demonstration of a functional role for Odorant Binding Protein in the preservation of olfactory receptor activity at high odorant concentration

The molecular mechanisms underlying odorant detection have been investigated using the chip based SPR technique by focusing on the dynamic interactions between transmembrane Olfactory Receptor OR1740, odorant ligands and soluble Odorant-Binding Protein (OBP-1F). The OR1740 present in the lipid bilayer of nanosomes derived from transformed yeasts specifically bound OBP-1F. The receptor preferential odorant ligand helional released bound OBP-1F from the OR-OBP complex, while unrelated odorants failed to do so. OBP-1F modified the functional OR1740 dose-response to helional, from a bell-shaped to a saturation curve, thus preserving OR activity at high ligand concentration. This unravels an active role for OBPs in olfaction, in addition to passive transport or a scavenger role. This sensorchip technology was applied to assessing native OBP-1F in a biological sample: rat olfactory mucus also displayed significant binding to OR1740 nanosomes, and the addition of helional yielded the dissociation of mucus OBP from the receptor.     

Quantitative assessment of olfactory receptors activity in immobilized nanosomes: a novel concept for bioelectronic nose

We describe how mammalian olfactory receptors (ORs) could be used as sensing elements of highly specific and sensitive bioelectronic noses. An OR and an appropriate G(alpha) protein were co-expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells from which membrane nanosomes were prepared, and immobilized on a sensor chip. By Surface Plasmon Resonance, we were able to quantitatively evaluate OR stimulation by an odorant, and G protein activation. We demonstrate that ORs in nanosomes discriminate between odorant ligands and unrelated odorants, as in whole cells. This assay also provides the possibility for quantitative assessment of the coupling efficiency of the OR with different G(alpha) subunits, without the interference of the cellular transduction pathway. Our findings will be useful to develop a new generation of electronic noses for detection and discrimination of volatile compounds, particularly amenable to micro- and nano-sensor formats.     

Study of stability of variants of ovine prions with different susceptibilities to scrapie

Well-defined set of sheep PrP polymorphisms at positions 136, 154 and 171 define susceptibility to scrapie, ranging from very high susceptibility observed for V136-R154-Q171 (VRQ) variant to resistance for A136-R154-R171 (ARR).To gain insight into the mechanisms of scrapie susceptibility/resistance, the unfolding pathways of the sheep prion protein variants were analysed by differential scanning calorimetry over a wide range of pH. Thermal unfolding occurs, in the 5.0 to 6.0 pH range, through a reversible one-step process while at pH<4.5 and >6.0 unfolding intermediates are formed, which are stable in the 65–80°C range. The observed differences correlate with ovine susceptibility to scrapie.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.