Advances in Detection Methods of β-Amyloid Protein

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with unknown etiology. β-amyloid protein (Aβ) is one of the specific biomarkers of AD, and many clinical studies suggest that abnormal levels of Aβ in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue are closely related to the progression of AD. The analysis and evaluation of Aβ are important for early detection, tracking, prevention, and treatment of AD. In this paper, the present situations of the commonly used detection methods of Aβ at home and abroad were summarized and compared. Specifically, the latest application of new electrochemical biosensor in Aβ detection was mainly described, and the summary of its future directions and the potential applications was given.     

Photoinitiated Reaction of β-Bromonaphthalene with Pinacolone Ion in DMSO

The radical nucleophilic substitution reaction (SRN1) has been studied widely. The reaction has constituted an important synthetic possibility to achieve substitution of different substrates with different nucleophiles1-3. The main steps of the reaction process are presented in Scheme 1.Scheme 1. Pinacolone enolate ions are widely used as nucleophiles within SRN1reaction 4-6 because it can introduce six carbon atoms into substitution products. In the paper, the photoinitiated reaction of …     

Temperature Dependence of Transport Properties and Ion–Molecular Forms of LiAsF6 in γ-Butyrolactone

The solvation and association electrolyte interactions are analyzed in the concentration range of 0–2 m at temperatures of 253.15–313.15 K using measurements of the conductivity and viscosity of LiAsF₆ solutions in -butyrolactone (-BL). Concentrated LiAsF₆ solutions in -BL are considered as molten electrolytic solvates, whose transport processes are considerably influenced by a cooperative restructuring of the system. The concentration dependence of the molar conductivity is linear in the vs. c^1/3 coordinates, which agrees with a theory of quasi-crystalline electrolyte lattice in solution. The Lee–Wheaton model is used to determine the limiting molar conductivities, distance parameters, and association constants and their temperature dependences. The size of solvate spheres increases with decreasing temperature and their overlapping occurs at lower concentrations.     

Efficient Covalent Bond Formation in Gas-Phase Peptide–Peptide Ion Complexes with the Photoleucine Stapler

Noncovalent complexes of hydrophobic peptides GLLLG and GLLLK with photoleucine (L*) tagged peptides G(L* _n L _m )K (n = 1,3, m = 2,0) were generated as singly charged ions in the gas phase and probed by photodissociation at 355 nm. Carbene intermediates produced by photodissociative loss of N₂ from the L* diazirine rings underwent insertion into X?H bonds of the target peptide moiety, forming covalent adducts with yields reaching 30%. Gas-phase sequencing of the covalent adducts revealed preferred bond formation at the C-terminal residue of the target peptide. Site-selective carbene insertion was achieved by placing the L* residue in different positions along the photopeptide chain, and the residues in the target peptide undergoing carbene insertion were identified by gas-phase ion sequencing that was aided by specific ¹³C labeling. Density functional theory calculations indicated that noncovalent binding to GL*L*L*K resulted in substantial changes of the (GLLLK + H)⁺ ground state conformation. The peptide moieties in [GL*L*LK + GLLLK + H]⁺ ion complexes were held together by hydrogen bonds, whereas dispersion interactions of the nonpolar groups were only secondary in ground-state 0 K structures. Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics for 100 ps trajectories of several different conformers at the 310 K laboratory temperature showed that noncovalent complexes developed multiple, residue-specific contacts between the diazirine carbons and GLLLK residues. The calculations pointed to the substantial fluidity of the nonpolar side chains in the complexes. Diazirine photochemistry in combination with Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics is a promising tool for investigations of peptide–peptide ion interactions in the gas phase.

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Enantiomeric Separation of Drugs Using Ion Interaction Reagents in Combination with β-Cyclodextrin in HPLC

This work describes the use of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as a mobile phase additive in combination with ion interaction reagents (IIR) for the enantioresolution of cyclopentolate, 2,6-diketopiperazine derivative and methylphenobarbital. The effect of concentration and type of IIR and temperature on retention and enantioseparation were studied. It has been found that the addition of an IIR to β-CD solution can lead to the improvement in enantioresolution. Interestingly, the most significant enhancement of enantioresolution was achieved for cyclopentolate, most probably due to its highest basicity. Also the stability constants of the complexes formed between β-CD and model compounds in the presence of IIR were estimated. Significant increase of complexation rate of cyclopentolate with β-cyclodextrin in presence of IIRs was observed.     

Generation of Singlet Molecular Oxygen by Lipid Hydroperoxides and Nitronium Ion†

Singlet molecular oxygen is a reactive species involved in biological oxidative processes. The major cellular targets of singlet molecular oxygen are unsaturated fatty acids in the membrane, as well as nucleic acids and proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lipids and commercial hydroperoxides generate singlet molecular oxygen, in presence of nitronium and activated nitronium ion. For this purpose, monomol light emitted in the near-infrared region (λ = 1270 nm) was used to monitor singlet molecular oxygen decay in different solvents, with different hydroperoxides and in the presence of azide. Direct measurements of the singlet molecular oxygen spectrum at 1270 nm recorded during the reaction between lipids and commercial hydroperoxides and nitronium ions unequivocally demonstrated the formation of this excited species.     

Cation Selectivity of Channels Formed at Planar Lipid Bilayer by Pinellia ternata Lectin

By means of the two-compartment system. PTL-channels, the first lectin channels formed on planar lipid bilayers by Pinellia ternata lectin (PTL) have been studied. The results show (i) PTL-channels are voltage-independent and have apparent subunits; (ii) in 50 mmol/L KC1 and 25 mmol/L BaCl2 solutions, a single channel has unit conductance of 21 pS and 42 pS, respectively; (iii) the channel exhibits a slightly higher permeability to divalent than monovalent cation (PBa/PK=4.1), and (iv) the selectivity among divalent or monovalent cations is poor. The cation selectivity sequence for the channel will follow PBa(7. 0)-Psr (6. 4)~PMg(6. 4)>PK(1. 7)>PN.(1. 0)~PLi(l. 0).Moreover, these data also give explanation to the facilitatory action of PTL on the release of acetyl-choline from motor nerve terminals.     

Phenotypic Assays for β-Amyloid in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neurons

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Role of Regulatory Peptide in Pathogenesis of Shock

The present study evaluated the pathogenetic roles of three kinds of regulatory peptide. The results showed that (i) plasma endothelin(ET) level elevated significantly in septic shock rats, persistent intravenous drip of low doses ET caused development of shock state in normal rats and the irreversible outcome of light hemorrhagic shock. Furthermore, i. v. administration of specific ET-antiserum was significantly effective to septic shock rats, (Ⅱ) Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) increased by 260% in septic shock rats, i. v. drip of low doses CGRP both in early and late sepsis were effective to shock rats, (Ⅱi) An-giotensin-Ⅱ (ANG-Ⅱ) contents of heart and aorta increased dramatically both in early and late septic shock, and inhibiting its increase with Captopril in late sepsis significantly improved the shock state, but results were inverse in early sepsis. It could be concluded that ET was one of the most important factors participating in the pathogenesis of shock, CGRP had a compens     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Some Fluoroquinolone Derivatives in Dosage Forms and Biological Fluids Using Ion‐Pair Complex Formation

Abstract

A simple, rapid, sensitive, and reproducible procedure for assaying norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and ofloxacin (OFL) was investigated. The procedure is based on the reaction of selected drugs with Sudan II (I), Congo red (II), and Gentian violet (III) in universal buffer to give soluble ion‐pair complexes. The effects of various parameters have been studied. Beer's law plots were obeyed in the concentration ranges 0.5–11 µg ml^?1, whereas Ringbom optimum ranges were 0.7–9.5 µg ml^?1. The apparent molar absorptivity (6.4×10⁴ L mol^?1 cm^?1), Sandell sensitivity (4.99 ng cm^?2), detection (0.13 µg ml^?1), and quantification (0.44 µg ml^?1) limits were calculated. The relative standard deviation for ten determinations, for samples containing 4.0 µg ml^?1, was found to be 1.40%. The influence of commonly employed excipients in the determination of the studied drugs was examined. There was no interference from degradate product results from thermal and hydrolytic treatments. The results obtained by the proposed procedure were statistically validated. The developed procedure was successfully applied to the determination of the studied drugs in dosage forms and biological fluids.     

A Hydrolase-Catalyzed Cyclization Forms the Fused Bicyclic β-Lactone in Vibralactone

Vibralactone is isolated from the basidiomycete fungus Boreostereum vibrans as one of the strongest lipase inhibitors. Its unusual β-lactone-fused bicycle is derived from an aryl ring moiety by an oxidative ring-expansion prior to an intramolecular cyclization. Herein, we report the discovery of the cyclase VibC which belongs to the α/β-hydrolase superfamily and is involved in the vibralactone biosynthesis. Biochemical and crystal studies suggest that VibC may catalyze an aldol or an electrocyclic reaction initiated by the Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad. For the aldol and pericyclic chemistry in living cells, VibC is a unique hydrolase performing the carbocycle formation of an oxepinone to a fused bicyclic β-lactone. This presents a naturally occurring, new enzymatic reaction in both aldol and hydrolase (bio)chemistry that will guide future exploitation of these enzymes in synthetic biology for chemical-diversity expansion of natural products.     

The Relationship Between New Ion Channels and Ectopic Discharges From a Region of Nerve Injury

Changes in ectopic discharges from axons in an injured nerve were examined while agents that interact with ion channels were applied to the site of the nerve injury. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) greatly facilitated spontaneous ectopic discharges or evoked ectopic firing in previously silent axons.Tetrodotoxin, an Na~+ channel blocker,completely blocked spontaneous discharges.Verapamil, La3~+, and Mn2~+, agents that interact with Ca2~+ channels,blocked spontaneous discharges and depressed the responses evoked by TEA, noradrenaline and high concentration of K~+.Increasing Ca2~+ levels facilitated ectopic discharges and this effect was blocked by La3~+ and Mn2~+. Normal axons (from uninjured nerves) were insensitive to all the effects seen in the axons from the injured nerve.These results suggest that following nerve injury the membrane of the regenerating sprout contains new ion channels, particularly Ca2~+ channels, anti that these channels are responsible for the generation of ectopic discharges.     

Side-Chain Chemistry Governs Hierarchical Order of Charge-Complementary β-sheet Peptide Coassemblies

Self-assembly of proteinaceous biomolecules into functional materials with ordered structures that span length scales is common in nature yet remains a challenge with designer peptides under ambient conditions. This report demonstrates how charged side-chain chemistry affects the hierarchical co-assembly of a family of charge-complementary β-sheet-forming peptide pairs known as CATCH(X+/Y−) at physiologic pH and ionic strength in water. In a concentration-dependent manner, the CATCH(6K+) (Ac-KQKFKFKFKQK-Am) and CATCH(6D−) (Ac-DQDFDFDFDQD-Am) pair formed either β-sheet-rich microspheres or β-sheet-rich gels with a micron-scale plate-like morphology, which were not observed with other CATCH(X+/Y−) pairs. This hierarchical order was disrupted by replacing D with E, which increased fibril twisting. Replacing K with R, or mutating the N- and C-terminal amino acids in CATCH(6K+) and CATCH(6D−) to Qs, increased observed co-assembly kinetics, which also disrupted hierarchical order. Due to the ambient assembly conditions, active CATCH(6K+)-green fluorescent protein fusions could be incorporated into the β-sheet plates and microspheres formed by the CATCH(6K+/6D−) pair, demonstrating the potential to endow functionality.     

Study of the Ion Channel Behavior of Didodecyldimethylammonium Bromide Formed Bilayer Lipid Membrane Stimulated by PF6

Bilayer lipid membranes(BLM) formed from didodecyldimethylammonium bromide were made on the freshly exposed surface of a galssy carbon(GC) and were demonstrated by the acimpedance spectroscopy.The ion channels of membrane properties induced by PF6^- were studied by the cyclic voltammetric methods.Experimental results indicated that the ion channel of BLM was open in the presence of the PF6^- due to the interaction of PF6^- with the BLM,while it was switched off in the absence of PF6^-.Because the ion channel behavior was affected by the concentration of PF6^-,a sersor for PF6^- can be developed.     

Searching for Peptide Ligands of Interleukin-2 Receptor α Chain in Phage-displayed Peptide Library

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Two Lower-barrier Channels in the Reaction of HF with HOBO

Two possible lower barrier reaction pathways in the reaction HF HOBO→H2O FBO are predicated by means of MP2 and CCSD(T)(single-point)methods.In the two channels,two stable intermediates are located,and thus,they are multi-step channels,which are more favorable in energy than direct single-step reaction pathway predicated by previous theoretical study,Therefore,the two pathways should be main reaction channels in experiments.     

Stereochemistry in alkylations of dianions of β-hydroxysulfoxides and β-hydroxysulfones

Alkylations of dianions of β-hydroxysulfoxides and β-hydroxysulfones have been found to be affected by chelation of a Li cation with a sulfinyl group and by coordination of the cation with tetrahydrofuran rather than a sulfonyl group, respectively.     

Extending Lifespan of Alzheimer's Mode Nematode CL4176 Using a Novel Bifunctional Peptide with Inhibition ofβ-Amyloid Aggregation and Anti-oxidation

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the deposition ofβ-amyloid peptide(Aβ)in the brain tissues,and an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system.Compounds with antioxidant activity and the ability to inhibit Aβaggregation therefore potentially treat AD.In this study,we designed an iron-porphyrin containing bifunctional peptide(BP,Deuterohemin-AlaHisThrValGluLysLeuProPhePheAsp)based on natural microperoxidase-11(MP-11)and typicalβ-sheet breaker LPFFD(iAβ5p).This BP substantially reduced the aggregation of Aβand caused oligomer disassembly,by binding Aβwith affinity constant of 9.07μmol/L.Furthermore,it showed a neuroprotective effect on Aβ25—35 induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells,and significantly alleviated Aβ-induced paralysis and extended lifespan in Aβ1-42 transgenic C.elegans(CL4176).It also showed a potent peroxidase activity of 20.8 U/mg,and scavenged free radicals both in and in vivo.In addition,BP up-regulated the levels of hsp16.2,hsp16.41,and hsp12.6 mRNAs to 183.26%,160.16%,and 162.64%respectively,and down-regulated that of hsp70 to 36.76%in C.elegans.Taken together,the synthetic BP inhibited Aβaggregation and showed antioxidant activity,indicating the therapeutic potential of novel peptide drugs against AD.     

Comparison of Functional Group Selective Ion–Molecule Reactions of Trimethyl Borate in Different Ion Trap Mass Spectrometers

We report here a comparison of the use of diagnostic ion–molecule reactions for the identification of oxygen-containing functional groups in Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) and linear quadrupole ion trap (LQIT) mass spectrometers. The ultimate goal of this research is to be able to identify functionalities in previously unknown analytes by using many different types of mass spectrometers. Previous work has focused on the reactions of various boron reagents with protonated oxygen-containing analytes in FTICR mass spectrometers. By using a LQIT modified to allow the introduction of neutral reagents into the helium buffer gas, this methodology has been successfully implemented to this type of an ion trap instrument. The products obtained from the reactions of trimethyl borate (TMB) with various protonated analytes are compared for the two instruments. Finally, the ability to integrate these reactions into LC-MS experiments on the LQIT is demonstrated.