Unexpectedly fast cis/trans isomerization of Xaa-Pro peptide bonds in disulfide-constrained cyclic peptides

Acyclic dithiol and cyclic disulfide forms of the peptides Ac-Cys-Pro-Xaa-Cys-NH2 (Xaa = Phe, His, Tyr, Gly, and Thr) and Ac-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys-NH2 and the peptide Ac-Ala-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2 were synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Rate constants kct and ktc for cis-to-trans and trans-to-cis isomerization, respectively, across the Cys-Pro or Gly-Pro peptide bonds were determined by magnetization transfer NMR techniques over a range of temperatures, and activation parameters were derived from the temperature dependence of the rate constants. It was found that constraints imposed by the disulfide bond confer an unexpected rate enhancement for cis/trans isomerization, ranging from a factor of 2 to 13. It is proposed that the rate enhancements are a result of an intramolecular catalysis mechanism in which the NH proton of the Pro-Xaa peptide bond hydrogen bonds to the proline nitrogen in the transition state. The peptides Ac-Cys-Pro-Xaa-Cys-NH2 and Ac-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys-NH2 are model compounds for proline-containing active sites of the thioredoxin superfamily of oxidoreductase enzymes; the results suggest that the backbones of the active sites of the oxidized form of these enzymes may have unusual conformational flexibility.     

Detection of traces of oxidized and reduced sulfur compounds in small samples by combination of different high-performance liquid chromatography methods

Depending on the sulfur species, picomoles of different inorganic sulfur compounds can be detected and separated by HPLC in one arrangement in a sample volume less than 50 μl. The combination of fluorescence labelling of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds such as sulfide (S²⁻), sulfite(SO₃²⁻ and thiosulfate (S₂O₃²⁻) with monobromobimane followed by an extraction of elemental sulfur (S°) by chloroform treatment enables the detection of all mentioned sulfur compounds as well as sulfate (remaining aqueous phase) in the same sample. While the derivatized sulfur compounds could be detected by their fluorescence emission at 480 nm, elemental sulfur is identified by its UV absorption at 263 nm. Sulfate in the remaining aqueous phase is detected by HPLC with indirect UV detection at 254 nm. Detection ranges for the different sulfur compounds examined are as follows: sulfide (5 μM to 1.5 mM), sulfite (5 μM to 1.0 mM), thiosulfate (1 μM to 1.5 mM), elemental sulfur (2 μM to 32 mM) and sulfate (5 μM to >1 mM).     

Levels in154Eu populated by thermal neutron capture

The level scheme of¹⁵⁴Eu has been investigated by means of thermal neutron captureγ-rays and conversion electrons. The high energyγ-ray spectrum from thermal neutron capture in enriched¹⁵³Eu has been studied in the energy range of 5700 to 6500 keV. Low energyγ radiation has been observed with Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors from 5 to 300 keV and conversion electrons have been measured from 15 to 300 keV. Low energy (n, γγ) coincidences and half lives of transitions have been measured. The data, combined with three very recent studies of the 8^? isomer decay in¹⁵⁴Eu has led to the construction of a level scheme with 12 excited levels. Nuclear Reaction¹⁵³Eu(n, γ),E _n =thermal, measuredE _γ ,I _γ ,E _ce ,I _ce ,γγ-coincidence, halflives,¹⁵⁴Eu deduced levels.     

Differential inhibition of postnatal brain,spinal cord and body growth by a growth hormone antagonist

Background  

Growth hormone (GH) plays an incompletely understood role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we use transgenic mice expressing a growth hormone antagonist (GHA) to explore the role of GH in regulating postnatal brain, spinal cord and body growth into adulthood. The GHA transgene encodes a protein that inhibits the binding of GH to its receptor, specifically antagonizing the trophic effects of endogenous GH.     

Determination of the primary structure and carboxyl p<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript>A</Subscript>s of heparin-derived oligosaccharides by band-selective homonuclear-decoupled two-dimensional <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR

Determination of the structure of heparin-derived oligosaccharides by ¹H NMR is challenging because resonances for all but the anomeric protons cover less than 2 ppm. By taking advantage of increased dispersion of resonances for the anomeric H¹ protons at low pD and the superior resolution of band-selective, homonuclear-decoupled (BASHD) two-dimensional ¹H NMR, the primary structure of the heparin-derived octasaccharide ∆UA(2S)-[(1 → 4)-GlcNS(6S)-(1 → 4)-IdoA(2S)-]₃-(1 → 4)-GlcNS(6S) has been determined, where ∆UA(2S) is 2-O-sulfated ∆^4,5-unsaturated uronic acid, GlcNS(6S) is 6-O-sulfated, N-sulfated β-d-glucosamine and IdoA(2S) is 2-O-sulfated α-l-iduronic acid. The spectrum was assigned, and the sites of N- and O-sulfation and the conformation of each uronic acid residue were established, with chemical shift data obtained from BASHD-TOCSY spectra, while the sequence of the monosaccharide residues in the octasaccharide was determined from inter-residue NOEs in BASHD-NOESY spectra. Acid dissociation constants were determined for each carboxylic acid group of the octasaccharide, as well as for related tetra- and hexasaccharides, from chemical shift–pD titration curves. Chemical shift–pD titration curves were obtained for each carboxylic acid group from sub-spectra taken from BASHD-TOCSY spectra that were measured as a function of pD. The pK _As of the carboxylic acid groups of the ∆UA(2S) residues are less than those of the IdoA(2S) residues, and the pK _As of the carboxylic acid groups of the IdoA(2S) residues for a given oligosaccharide are similar in magnitude. Relative acidities of the carboxylic acid groups of each oligosaccharide were calculated from chemical shift data by a pH-independent method.     

Transfer measurements for the Ti+Ni systems at near barrier energies

Large enhancements have been observed in the sub-barrier fusion cross sections for Ti+Ni systems in our previous studies. Coupled channel calculations incorporating couplings to 2⁺ and 3⁻ states failed to explain these enhancements completely. A possibilty of transfer channels contributing to the residual enhancements had been suggested. In order to investigate the role of relevant transfer channels, measurements of one- and two-nucleon transfer were carried out for ^46,48Ti+⁶¹Ni systems. The present paper gives the results of these studies.     

LC polyimides. XXXVI. Poly(ester imide)s derived from N,N′‐Bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic diimide and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids

A new mesogenic monomer was prepared from biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4‐aminophenol followed by the acylation of OH groups with propionic anhydride. This diphenol propionate was polycondensed by transesterification with decane‐1,10‐dicarboxylic acid, dodecane‐1,12‐dicarboxylic acid, and eicosane‐1,20‐dicarboxylic acid or with equimolar mixtures of two dicarboxylic acids. The resulting poly(ester imide)s were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR spectra, inherent viscosities, DSC measurements, optical microscopy, and X‐ray measurements with synchrotron radiation at variable temperatures. An enantiotropic smectic A phase in the molten state and a crystalline smectic E (or H) phase in the solid state were found in all cases. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3019–3027, 2000     

Improved resolution in two-dimensional 1H NMR spectra of peptides by band-selective, homonuclear decoupling during both the evolution and acquisition periods: application to characterization of the binding of peptides by heparin

Two-dimensional 1H NMR experiments that achieve band-selective, homonuclear decoupling in both the indirectly detected F1 and directly detected F2 dimensions were used to assign the highly overlapped 1H NMR spectrum of the peptide Ac-SRGKARVRAKVKDQTK-NH2, both free in solution and bound to heparin. Band-selective, homonuclear decoupling during the evolution period was achieved using a double pulsed field gradient spin-echo (DPFGSE) with semi-selective shaped pulses; band-selective, homonuclear decoupling during the acquisition period was achieved by time-shared semi-selective shaped pulse decoupling. Regular TOCSY, ROESY and NOESY spectra and TOCSY, ROESY and NOESY spectra measured with band-selective, homonuclear decoupling in the evolution (F1) dimension (BASHD-TOCSY, ROESY and NOESY spectra) and with band-selective, homonuclear decoupling in both the F1 and F2 dimensions (D-(or Double)-BASHD-TOCSY, ROESY and NOESY spectra) are reported and compared for the peptide and its heparin complex. Complete assignment of the 1H-NMR spectra of the free and heparin-complexed peptide was achieved with the high resolution of the D-BASHD-TOCSY, ROESY and NOESY spectra. Characterization of the heparin-complexed peptide is of interest because of the ability of the peptide to neutralize the anticoagulant activity of heparin.