A novel photocatalytic microreactor bundle that does not require an electric power source

A new type of photocatalytic reactor was developed. Capillaries coated on the inside with photocatalytic materials induced an effective photocatalytic reaction by pulling up a solution under the action of capillary forces; no electric pump was required for the replacement of the chemicals, due to the concentration gradient generated in the capillaries.     

Protein-ligand NOE matching: a high-throughput method for binding pose evaluation that does not require protein NMR resonance assignments

Given the three-dimensional (3D) structure of a protein, the binding pose of a ligand can be determined using distance restraints derived from assigned intra-ligand and protein-ligand nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs). A primary limitation of this approach is the need for resonance assignments of the ligand-bound protein. We have developed an approach that utilizes data from 3D 13C-edited, 13C/15N-filtered HSQC-NOESY spectra for evaluating ligand binding poses without requiring protein NMR resonance assignments. Only the 1H NMR assignments of the bound ligand are essential. Trial ligand binding poses are generated by any suitable method (e.g., computational docking). For each trial binding pose, the 3D 13C-edited, 13C/15N-filtered HSQC-NOESY spectrum is predicted, and the predicted and observed patterns of protein-ligand NOEs are matched and scored using a fast, deterministic bipartite graph matching algorithm. The best scoring (lowest "cost") poses are identified. Our method can incorporate any explicit restraints or protein assignment data that are available, and many extensions of the basic procedure are feasible. Only a single sample is required, and the method can be applied to both slowly and rapidly exchanging ligands. The method was applied to three test cases: one complex involving muscle fatty acid-binding protein (mFABP) and two complexes involving the leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) I-domain. Without using experimental protein NMR assignments, the method identified the known binding poses with good accuracy. The addition of experimental protein NMR assignments improves the results. Our "NOE matching" approach is expected to be widely applicable; i.e., it does not appear to depend on a fortuitous distribution of binding pocket residues.     

Solvent effects on the screening of parallel combinatorial libraries for selectors for chiral chromatography

The correlation between the resin-swelling property and the outcome of the crucial equilibration assay used in our parallel library screening method is investigated. It is found that the incorporation of CHCl3 (an effective swelling solvent for both the polystyrene and TentaGel resins) into the equilibration solvent leads to faster equilibration and thus shorter library screening time. The outcome of the equilibration experiment is also found to depend on the chemical nature of the solid base resins. It appears that polystyrene resin, which has a relatively inert surface, provides higher enantioselectivity than the polar TentaGel resin. The importance of a thoroughly swelled resin for the direct assay of functional groups on the resin is demonstrated.     

Rapid screening for chiral separations by short-end injection capillary electrophoresis using highly sulfated cyclodextrins as chiral selectors

Two series of amino acid derivatives and phenylamines were used to evaluate the potential of highly sulfated cyclodextrins (HS-CDs) for the screening for chiral separations by capillary electrophoresis (CE). HS-CDs showed to be very versatile and to exhibit very high enantioselectivity. The use of short-end injection allowed to reduce dramatically the analysis time. From the results obtained, a scheme for the rapid screening of enantiomeric molecules was developed and applied to various chiral drugs. Results are very satisfying as almost all compounds (62 out of 67) could be baseline-resolved. Usually, less than three experiments were necessary to obtain very good separation.     

An engineered lantibiotic synthetase that does not require a leader peptide on its substrate

Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides are a rapidly expanding class of natural products. They are typically biosynthesized by modification of a C-terminal segment of the precursor peptide (the core peptide). The precursor peptide also contains an N-terminal leader peptide that is required to guide the biosynthetic enzymes. For bioengineering purposes, the leader peptide is beneficial because it allows promiscuous activity of the biosynthetic enzymes with respect to modification of the core peptide sequence. However, the leader peptide also presents drawbacks as it needs to be present on the core peptide and then removed in a later step. We show that fusing the leader peptide for the lantibiotic lacticin 481 to its biosynthetic enzyme LctM allows the protein to act on core peptides without a leader peptide. We illustrate the use of this methodology for preparation of improved lacticin 481 analogues containing non-proteinogenic amino acids.     

A ruthenium catalyst that does not require an N-H ligand to achieve high enantioselectivity for hydrogenation of an alkyl-aryl ketone

Ruthenium catalysts of the form trans-RuCl2((R)-(S)-Josiphos)L2 where L2 = pyridine or 1,2-diamine, have been synthesized that display high catalytic activity towards the hydrogenation of 1'-acetonaphthone.     

A new method for the covalent attachment of DNA to a surface for single-molecule studies

Attachments between DNA and a surface or bead are often necessary for single-molecule studies of DNA and DNA-protein interactions. In single-molecule mechanical studies using optical or magnetic tweezers, such attachments must be able to withstand the applied forces. Here we present a new method for covalently attaching DNA to a glass surface, which uses N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) modified PEG that is suitable for high-force single-molecule mechanical studies. A glass surface is coated with silane-PEG-NHS and DNA is covalently linked through a reaction between the NHS group and an amine modified nucleotide that has been incorporated into the DNA. After DNA attachment, non-reacted NHS groups are hydrolyzed leaving a PEG-covered surface which has the added benefit of reducing non-specific surface interactions. This method permits specific binding of the DNA to the surface through a covalent bond. At the DNA end not attached to the surface, we attach a streptavidin-coated polystyrene bead and measure force-versus-extension using an optical trap. We show that our method allows a tethered DNA molecule to be pulled through its overstretching transition (> 60pN) multiple times. We anticipate this simple yet powerful method will be useful for many researchers.     

The dynamic crossover in water does not require bulk water

Many of the anomalous properties of water may be explained by invoking a second critical point that terminates the coexistence line between the low- and high-density amorphous states in the liquid. Direct experimental evidence of this point, and the associated polyamorphic liquid-liquid transition, is elusive as it is necessary for liquid water to be cooled below its homogeneous-nucleation temperature. To avoid crystallization, water in the eutectic LiCl solution has been studied but then it is generally considered that "bulk" water cannot be present. However, recent computational and experimental studies observe cooperative hydration in which case it is possible that sufficient hydrogen-bonded water is present for the essential characteristics of water to be preserved. For femtosecond optical Kerr-effect and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, we observe in each case a fractional Stokes-Einstein relation with evidence of the dynamic crossover appearing near 220 K and 250 K respectively. Spectra obtained in the glass state also confirm the complex nature of the hydrogen-bonding modes reported for neat room-temperature water and support predictions of anomalous diffusion due to "worm-hole" structure.     

A comparison of phosphated and sulfated beta-cyclodextrins as chiral selectors for capillary electrophoresis

The enantioseparation capabilities of three different functionalized beta-cyclodextrins, two sulfated beta-cyclodextrins with 4 and 15 nominal degrees of substitution and a phosphated beta-cyclodextrin with 8 degrees of substitution, were compared. While anodic detection was used with both sulfated cyclodextrins, the phosphated cyclodextrin required cathodic detection suggesting either lower ionization of the phosphated cyclodextrin or generally lower affinity of the analytes for the phosphated cyclodextrin. The effects of several experimental parameters were evaluated with respect to enantioseparation. The degrees of substitution of the cyclodextrin, pH of the background electrolyte as well as the concentration of the functionalized beta-cyclodextrin, each had a significant influence on the successful enantiomeric separation of the chiral drugs investigated.     

A (4R)-hydroxy-L-proline-derived chiral scaffold and its oligomers as chiral selectors in liquid chromatography chiral stationary phases for enantioseparation

The chromatographic behaviour of a poly-L-proline-derived chiral stationary phase (CSP) is compared to the corresponding single proline-derived CSP. Structurally diverse racemic test compounds and mobile phases, including normal- and RP conditions, were used. Although the application domain of the poly-L-proline-derived CSP (CSP-3) was considerably restricted, this CSP showed a higher retention and a slightly broader application domain than the monomeric analogue (CSP-1) when heptane/2-PrOH was used as mobile phase. The presence of an alcohol in the mobile phase was essential for enantioseparation in the poly-L-proline-derived CSP when normal-phase conditions were applied.     

A spectrofluorimetric study of binary fluorophore-cyclodextrin complexes used as chiral selectors

Six binary complexes between three fluorophores (pyrene, xanthone and anthraquinone) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) or heptakis-(6-amino)-(6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin (am-β-CD) were tested at two pH values (8.0 and 9.0) as chiral selectors for three α-amino acids chosen as model. The conditional constant (β_2T) values for ternary complexes (fluorophore-CD-amino acid), determined by means of fluorescence spectroscopy, showed that the binary complexes are suitable receptors for chiral recognition. The effect of α-amino acids on stability and stoichiometric ratio of the binary complexes has also been studied. The binary complexes were in most cases stabilized by adding the ternary agent. The trend of stoichiometric ratios found is supported by variations in fluorescence spectra. Those relative to pyrene (Py) show little changes going from binary to ternary complexes, while those recorded in the presence of xanthone (Xan) give the most significant variations underlining a deep reorganization of guest. Anthraquinone (Aq) shows an intermediate behavior.     

Recent advances in peptide chiral selectors for electrophoresis and liquid chromatography

The application of peptides in chiral separations using techniques such as capillary electrophoresis (CE), electrokinetic capillary chromatography (EKC) and liquid chromatography is the focus of this review. Methods for finding peptide selectors using combinatorial library approaches are discussed, as well as recent advances in the use of peptides as general chiral selectors for electrophoresis and liquid chromatography. One example shows the effectiveness of polymeric dipeptide surfactants as general chiral selectors for electrophoresis. Another example shows the versatility of oligoproline chiral stationary phases, exhibiting resolution for a number of racemic analytes comparable to other well-established chiral stationary phases.     

Identification of chiral selectors for improved enantioseparation based on molecular interaction fields

Chiral sulfoxide drugs such as omeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole were chromatographed on three chiral stationary phases (CSP), using amylose tris-(phenylcarbamate) derivatives in the reversed-phase mode. The retention factors (k) and chromatographic partition coefficients (k_w), obtained by extrapolation of the first according to the linear Snyder equation, were analyzed employing molecular interaction fields (MIF) of eluted analytes. Based on the generated MIF, chiral selectors could be identified for improving enantiomeric separation performance of the respective sulfoxides. The method is useful for predicting the complementarities between CSP and analytes, and thus to help the selection of appropriate stationary phases prior to their preparation.     

Comparing cyclodextrin derivatives as chiral selectors for enantiomeric separation in capillary electrophoresis

A total of 26 different cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives with different functional groups and degrees of substitution were tested against 35 basic pharmaceutical compounds in an effort to investigate their effectiveness as chiral selectors for enantiomeric separation in capillary electrophoresis (CE). Testing was performed under the same conditions using a low pH buffer (25 mM phosphate buffer at pH approximately 2.5). Five CD derivatives, namely, highly sulfated-beta-CD, highly sulfated-beta-CD, hydroxypropyl-beta-CD (degree of substitution approximately 1), heptakis-(2,6-O-dimethyl)-beta-CD, and heptakis(2,3,6-O-trimethyl)-beta-CD were identified to be most effective for enantiomeric separations and have a wide range of enantiomeric selectivity towards the model compounds. Over 90% of the model compounds were enantiomerically resolved with the five identified CD derivatives, at a minimum resolution of 0.5. An additional 20 compounds were also tested to demonstrate the validity of the identified CD derivatives. The five CD derivatives were recommended as the starting chiral selectors in developing enantiomeric separation methods by CE.     

Enantioselective selectors for chiral electrochemistry and electroanalysis: Stereogenic elements and enantioselection performance

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A novel synthesis of chiral rotaxanes via covalent bond formation

Chiral rotaxanes composed of the asymmetric crownophane incorporating two hydroxy groups as a rotor moiety and the asymmetric axis were effectively synthesized via covalent bond formation, i.e. tandem Claisen rearrangement, esterification, and aminolysis.     

Overstretching DNA at 65 pN does not require peeling from free ends or nicks

DNA exhibits a remarkable mechanical transition where its extension increases by 70% at 65 pN. Notwithstanding more than a decade of experimental and theoretical studies, there remains a significant debate on the nature of overstretched DNA. We developed a topologically closed but rotationally unconstrained DNA assay, which contains no nicks or free ends. DNA in this assay exhibited the canonical overstretching transition at 65 pN but without hysteresis upon retraction (v(stage) = 5 μm/s). Introduction of a controlled nick led to hysteresis in the force-extension curve. Moreover, the degree of hysteresis increased with the number of nicks. Hence, the generation of single-stranded DNA from free ends or nicks is not an obligatory step in overstretching DNA, but rather a consequence.     

A combinatorial approach to recognition of chirality: preparation of highly enantioselective aryl-dihydropyrimidine selectors for chiral HPLC

A parallel library of 108 4-aryl-1,4-dihydropyrimidine (DHPM) enantiomers, which are potential selectors for chiral HPLC separations, was synthesized using the single-step Biginelli multicomponent condensation. The individual compounds were screened by observing the enantioselectivity for resolution on a "brush-type" L-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine-based chiral stationary phase, and separation factors alpha up to 12 were achieved. The best candidates from the library contained an ortho-substituted aromatic group at C4 carbon atom of the pyrimidine ring and an alkyl substituent at N1 nitrogen atom. Resolution of the enantiomers of the lead compound, 4-(9-phenanthryl)-DHPM 8, using semipreparative chiral HPLC followed by attachment to monodisperse macroporous aminomethacrylate beads, provided the novel polymer based chiral stationary phase with good enantioselectivities in the resolution of several pi-acidic aryl-dihydropyrimidines and derivatized profens. In addition, 3,5-dinitrobenzamido derivatives of alpha-amino acids could be resolved under normal phase HPLC conditions with separation factors up to 8.     

A self-assembled framework that interpenetrates in crystal but does not interpenetrate in solution

A porous supramolecular framework has been for the first time revealed to undergo interpenetration in crystal and noninterpenetration in solution. A new supramolecular organic framework Bu-SOF has been constructed from the co-assembly of a tetracationic tetrahedral monomer and cucurbit[8]uril(CB[8]) in water through the encapsulation of two anti-parallel n-butyl chains by CB[8]. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that Bu-SOF forms 3-fold interpenetrated networks in crystals grown by evaporation of its solution in water.1 H NMR, dynamic light scattering and isothermal titration calorimetric experiments confirm that Bu-SOF is also formed in water. Solid samples, prepared by lyophilizing the aqueous solution of Bu-SOF, can adsorb nanoscaled organic dyes, supporting the porosity of the framework and thus non-interpenetration in solution. The avoidance of interpenetration of Bu-SOF in solution has been attributed to the filling of water inside the porous framework as well as the electrostatic repulsion of the appended bipyridinium units of the tetrahedral building block.