Redox chemistry of coenzyme Q—a short overview of the voltammetric features

Quinones constitute a big family of organic redox active compounds that are overwhelmingly involved in important physiological processes. The most important members in the class of quinones are, indeed, the plastoquinones and the coenzyme Q (CoQ) derivatives. Voltammetry of coenzyme Q family members attracts significant attention since 50 years ago. In this work, we refer to some of the most important voltammetric features of coenzyme Qs studied in aprotic and in aqueous media. While the redox chemistry of coenzyme Q members in non-aqueous aprotic organic solvents can be described by two consecutive one-electron transfer steps, more complex situation exists in the voltammetry of coenzyme Qs performed in aqueous media. Although it has been claimed for a while that the voltammetric processes of coenzyme Qs in aqueous solutions proceed via formation of semiquinone radical intermediate species, it has been recently proven that this can be not completely true. Intensive voltammetric and spectroscopic studies of coenzyme Q systems in buffered and non-buffered aqueous media revealed that hydrogen bonding between electrochemically created CoQ species and the water molecules plays an important role in stabilizing electrochemically generated species of these systems. We also pay attention to the amazing redox chemistry of coenzyme Qs in strong alkaline media, while we refer to the chemical features of novel coenzyme Q derivatives obtained under such conditions. Hints are presented about the antioxidant capacity of some of the novel hydroxylated coenzyme Q systems. Also, the possibility of these systems to bind and transfer earth-alkaline cations across biomimetic membranes is shortly elaborated. In the end, we refer to some relevant theoretical works that describe closely the voltammetric behavior of various coenzyme Q systems. We believe that this short review will contribute towards better understanding of the amazing chemistry of coenzyme Q derivatives.     

Molecular cloning and expression of an endo-β-1,4-d-glucanase I (avicelase I) gene from Bacillus cellulyticus K-12 and characterization of the recombinant enzyme

Bacillus cellulyticus K-12 Avicelase (Avicelase I; EC 3.2.1.4) gene (ace A) has been cloned in Escherichia coli by using the vector pT7T3U19 and HindIII-HindIII libraries of the chromosomal inserts. The libraries were screened for the expression of avicelase by monitoring the immunoreaction of the antiavicelase (immunoscreening). Positive clones (Ac-3, Ac-5, and Ac-7) contained the identical 3.5-kb HindIII fragment as determined by restriction mapping and Southern hybridization, and expressed avicelase efficiently and constitutively using its own promoter in the heterologous host. From the immunoblotting analysis, a polypeptide that showed a carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) activity with an M _r , of 64,000 was detected. The recombinant endo 1,4-β- _d -glucanase I was purified to homogeneity from an intracellular fraction of E. coli by DEAE-Toyopearl M650, Phenyl Toyoperal M650, and TSK gel HW50S chromatography. The enzyme had a monomeric structure, its relative molecular mass being 65 kDa by gel filtration and 64 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The pI was 5.3 and the optimal pH was 4.6, and the enzyme was stable at pH 4.0–10.5. The enzyme had a temperature optimum of 50°C and was stable at 55°C for 48 h, and retained approx 20% of its activity after 30 min at 70°C. It showed high activity toward carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as well as p-nitrophenyl-β-d-cellobioside, 4-methylumbelliferyl cellobioside, Avicel, filter paper, and some cellooligosaccharides. K _m values for CMC and Avicel were 7.6 and 85.2 mg/mL, respectively, whereas V _max values were 201 and 9.2 μmol · min⁻¹ · mg⁻¹, respectively. Cellotetraose (G4) was preferentially cleaved into cellobiose (G2) and cellopentaose (G5) was cleaved into G2 + cellotriose (G3), whereas cellohexaose (G6) was cleaved into G4 + G2 and, to a lesser extent, into G3 + G3. G3 was not cleaved at all. G2 was the main product of Avicel hydrolysis. G2 inhibited whereas Mg⁺⁺ stimulated the activity of CMCase and Avicelase. Hydrolysis of CMC took place with a rapid decrease in viscosity but a slow liberation of reducing sugars. Based on these results, it appeared that the cellulase should be regarded as endo type, although it hydrolyzed Avicel.     

Development of a nondestructive method for underglaze painted tiles—demonstrated by the analysis of Persian objects from the nineteenth century

The paper presents an analytical method developed for the nondestructive study of nineteenth-century Persian polychrome underglaze painted tiles. As an example, 9 tiles from French and German museum collections were investigated. Before this work was undertaken little was known about the materials used in pottery at that time, although the broad range of colors and shades, together with their brilliant glazes, made these objects stand out when compared with Iranian ceramics of the preceding periods and suggested the use of new pigments, colorants, and glaze compositions. These materials are thought to be related to provenance and as such appropriate criteria for art-historical attribution. The analytical method is based on the combination of different nondestructive spectroscopic techniques using microfocused beams such as proton-induced X-ray emission/proton-induced γ-ray emission, X-ray fluorescence, 3D X-ray absorption near edge structure, and confocal Raman spectroscopy and also visible spectroscopy. It was established to address the specific difficulties these objects and the technique of underglaze painting raise. The exact definition of the colors observed on the tiles using the Natural Color System?^? helped to attribute them to different colorants. It was possible to establish the presence of Cr- and U-based colorants as new materials in nineteenth-century Persian tilemaking. The difference in glaze composition (Pb, Sn, Na, and K contents) as well as the use of B and Sn were identified as a potential marker for different workshops. Figure UV fluorescence and visible spectroscopy are two of the non-destructive analytical methods used to investigate the coloring agents of underglaze painted tiles. Imaging of the uranium-containing areas was carried out by UV photography and identification of the chemical species by visible spectroscopy.

Cloning, differential expression, and association analysis with fat traits of porcine IDH3γ gene

Mitochondrial NAD⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH3) catalyzes the allosterically regulated rate-limiting step of the tricarboxylic acid cycle activated. In pigs, very little is known about this gene. Here, we cloned 1,346 bp full-length cDNA and 8,778 bp genomic sequence of porcine γ subunit of IDH3 (IDH3γ). IDH3γ contains 12 exons separated by 11 introns. Real-time PCR revealed that IDH3γ mRNA were upregulated in backfat of Large White compared with Meishan and F1 hybrids, and most abundant in small intestine via tissue distribution profile. A microsatellite (“GT” repeats) in second intron was found. The selected pigs were genotyped at this microsatellite. The IDH3γ genotypes showed a significant effect on backfat thickness at thorax–waist (P < 0.05), backfat thickness at sixth to seventh thorax (P < 0.01), and average backfat thickness (P < 0.05). This site seemed to be significantly dominant in action (P < 0.05 for backfat thickness at sixth to seventh thorax, backfat thickness at thorax–waist, and average backfat thickness), and allele B was associated with increase of thickness values of these traits. This locus is possibly considered as a marker for adipose deposition traits.     

Biosynthesis of the orthosomycin antibiotic avilamycin A: deductions from the molecular analysis of the avi biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces viridochromogenes Tü57 and production of new antibiotics.

Background: Streptomyces viridochromogenes Tü57 is the producer of avilamycin A. The antibiotic consists of a heptasaccharide side chain and a polyketide-derived dichloroisoeverninic acid as aglycone. Molecular cloning and characterization of the genes governing the avilamycin A biosynthesis is of major interest as this information might set the direction for the development of new antimicrobial agents.Results: A 60-kb section of the S. viridochromogenes Tü57 chromosome containing genes involved in avilamycin biosynthesis was sequenced. Analysis of the DNA sequence revealed 54 open reading frames. Based on the putative function of the gene products a model for avilamycin biosynthesis is proposed. Inactivation of aviG4 and aviH, encoding a methyltransferase and a halogenase, respectively, prevented the mutant strains from producing the complete dichloroisoeverninic acid moiety resulting in the accumulation of new antibiotics named gavibamycins.Conclusions: The avilamycin A biosynthetic gene cluster represents an interesting system to study the formation and attachment of unusual deoxysugars. Several enzymes putatively responsible for specific steps of this pathway could be assigned. Two genes encoding enzymes involved in post-PKS tailoring reactions were deleted allowing the production of new analogues of avilamycin A.     

Development and validation of a high-performance thin-layer chromatographic—densitometric method for the analysis of miconazole in creams

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A new high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC)—densitometric method which can be employed in the routine analysis...     

Synthesis and Complexation Studies of a Convex Bis-porphyrin Tweezer—A Molecular Capsule Precursor

The synthesis and spectroscopic studies of a convex bis-porphyrin based molecular tweezer are reported. The complexation of small bidentate ligands by metallated derivatives of the bis-porphyrin host were monitored through UV–visible and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and yielded large association constants.     

Dried blood spot UHPLC-MS/MS analysis of oseltamivir and oseltamivircarboxylate—a validated assay for the clinic

The neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) is currently the first-line therapy for patients with influenza virus infection. Common analysis of the prodrug and its active metabolite oseltamivircarboxylate is determined via extraction from plasma. Compared with these assays, dried blood spot (DBS) analysis provides several advantages, including a minimum sample volume required for the measurement of drugs in whole blood. Samples can easily be obtained via a simple, non-invasive finger or heel prick. Mainly, these characteristics make DBS an ideal tool for pediatrics and to measure multiple time points such as those needed in therapeutic drug monitoring or pharmacokinetic studies. Additionally, DBS sample preparation, stability, and storage are usually most convenient. In the present work, we developed and fully validated a DBS assay for the simultaneous determination of oseltamivir and oseltamivircarboxylate concentrations in human whole blood. We demonstrate the simplicity of DBS sample preparation, and a fast, accurate and reproducible analysis using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. A thorough validation on the basis of the most recent FDA guidelines for bioanalytical method validation showed that the method is selective, precise, and accurate (≤15% RSD), and sensitive over the relevant clinical range of 5–1,500 ng/mL for oseltamivir and 20–1,500 ng/mL for the oseltamivircarboxylate metabolite. As a proof of concept, oseltamivir and oseltamivircarboxylate levels were determined in DBS obtained from healthy volunteers who received a single oral dose of Tamiflu®.     

Stepwise Self-assembly of a Tripeptide from Molecular Dimers to Supramolecular β-sheets in Crystals and Amyloid-like Fibrils in the Solid State

The terminally protected tripeptide Boc–Ala(1)–Leu(2)–Ala(3)–OMe 1 forms antiparallel hydrogen-bonded dimers of two different conformers in the asymmetric unit and the individual dimers then self-associate to form supramolecular β-sheet structures in crystals and amyloid-like fibrils in the solid state.     

Molecular interpretation of Trouton’s and Hildebrand’s rules for the entropy of vaporization of a liquid

The entropy of vaporization at a liquid’s boiling point is well approximated by Trouton’s rule and even more accurately by Hildebrand’s rule. A cell method is used here to calculate the entropy of vaporization for a range of liquids by subtracting the entropy of the gas from that of the liquid. The liquid’s entropy is calculated from the force magnitudes measured in a molecular dynamics simulation based on the harmonic approximation. The change in rotational entropy is not accounted for except in the case of liquid water. The predicted entropies of vaporization agree well with experiment and Trouton’s and Hildebrand’s rules for most liquids and for water except other liquids with hydrogen bonds. This supports the idea that molecular rotation is close to ideal at a liquid’s boiling point if hydrogen bonds are absent; if they are present, then the rotational entropy gain must be included. The method provides a molecular interpretation of those rules by providing an equation in terms of a molecule’s free volume in a liquid which depends on the force magnitudes. Free volumes at each liquid’s boiling point are calculated to be ～1 Å³ for liquids lacking hydrogen bonds, lower at ～0.3 Å³ for those with hydrogen bonds, and they decrease weakly with increasing molecular size.     

Separation and identification of a new saponin from the flowers of Guaiacum officinale L

A triterpenoid saponin, guaianin O (1), oleanolic acid 3-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside}-28- O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl]-ester, was isolated from the n-butanol extract of flowers of Guaiacum officinale L. The structural elucidation of 1 was accomplished by extensive studies of both one and two dimensional 1H, 13C-NMR spectra, the FAB mass spectrum, and alkaline and acid hydrolyses.     

The role and fate of female electrochemists in the Soviet Union: Ol’ga Al’fredovna Songina—a pioneer of electrochemical solid-state analysis and Yevgeniya Nikolayevna Varasova—a pioneer of polarography

Women played and still play an outstanding role in the development of electrochemistry and electroanalysis at the universities and research institutes of the former Soviet Union. This paper is focussed on the life and achievements of Ol’ga Al’fredovna Songina and her contributions to the development of solid-state electroanalysis are discussed. Yevgeniya Nikolayevna Varasova, a guest scientist who worked with Jaroslav Heyrovský in Prague from 1927 to 1930 became the pioneer of polarography in the Soviet Union. She was executed during the great purges in 1938.     

Steroids of the spirostan and furostan series from plants of the genus Allium. XXVII. Alliosterol and allosides A and B from Allium suvorovii and Allium stipitatum — Structural analogs of furostanols

Two new glycosides of the cholestane series (allosides A and B) have been isolated from the fruit of the cocultivatedAllium suvorovii Rgi. andAllium stipitatum Rgl. (family Liliaceae, local name anzur). The acid hydrolysis of both compounds gave a sterol not previously described, which has been called alliosterol and has the structure of (22S)-cholest-5-ene-1, 3, 16, 22-tetraol, and the product of its dehvdration, which is (16S, 22S)-furost-5-ene-1, 3-diol. Alloside A is the 16-O--D-galactopyranoside, and alloside B the 16-O--D-galactopyranoside 1-O--D-glucopyranoside of alliosterol.Institute of Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR, Tashkent. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 231–241, March–April, 1991.     

Short Communication: Crystal Structure of a Molecular Complex from Native β-Cyclodextrin and Copper(II) Chloride

Reaction of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with CuCl₂ in neutral aqueous solutions gave a stable molecular complex without any side-arm support. The X-ray crystallographic analysis clarified that the copper ion was located at the bottom of the primary-hydroxy side as a CuCl₂(H₂O)₂ form. Hydrogen bonds were found between the Cl and H₂O ligands and β-CD hydroxy and ether groups. The copper ion is axially coordinated with a hydroxy group of a neighboring β-CD molecule, giving a one-dimensional β-CD/CuCl₂ array.     

Deracemisation of α-amino acids—(R)- and (S)-phenylalanine from the same enantiomer of a homochiral auxiliary

Chiral auxiliary (3S)-N,N′-bis-(p-methoxybenzyl)-3-isopropylpiperazine-2,5-dione 1 was employed for the synthesis of both enantiomers of phenylalanine using a regioselective deprotonation/stereoselective reprotonation strategy. Modification of this approach enables the efficient deracemisation of (±)-phenylalanine.     

Synthesis and X-ray structure of a complex containing the trisimido borate trianion—the imido analogue of the orthoborate trianion

Reaction of BCl₃ with 2-methoxyaniline (1:6 equiv.) in toluene, and subsequent metallation with ⁿBuLi (3 equiv.) produces {[Li₄B(NR)₃·THF]⁺[BⁿBu₄]⁻·toluene}₂ (R=2-methoxyphenyl), which contains the first example of a trisimido borate trianion—the imido analogue of the orthoborate trianion, [BO₃]³⁻.     

Characterization of the C3H6O+· ion from 2-methoxyethanol. Mixture analysis by dissociation and neutralization—reionization

The C₃H₆O^+· ion formed upon the dissociative ionization of 2-methoxyethanol is identified by a combination of several tandem mass spectrometry methods, including metastable ion (MI) characteristics, collisionally activated dissociation (CAD), and neutralization—reionization mass spectrometry (NRMS). The experimental data conclusively show that 2-methoxyethanol molecular ion, namely, HOCH₂CH₂OCH ₃ ^+· , loses H₂O to yield mainly the distonic radical ion ·CH₂CH₂OCH ₂ ⁺ along with a smaller amount of ionized methyl vinyl ether, namely, CH₂=CHOCH ₃ ^+· . Ring-closed products, such as the oxetane or the propylene oxide ion are not observed. The proportion of ·CH₂CH₂OCH ₂ ⁺ increases with decreasing internal energy of the 2-methoxyethanol ion, which indicates a lower critical energy for the pathway leading to this product than for the competitive generation of CH₂=CHOCH ₃ ^+· . The present study also uses MI, CAD, and NRMS data to assess the structure of the distonic ion⁺ (CH₃)CHOCH₂· (ring-opened ionized propylene oxide) and evaluate its isomerization proclivity toward the methyl vinyl ether ion.     

Thermal analysis and kinetic study of Petro?ani bituminous coal from Romania in comparison with a sample of Ural bituminous coal

Solid fuels represent one of the most used sources of energy in many countries. In terms of ranking for the coal deposits, Romania occupies the 26th place in the world, and the 11th place in Europe, with reserves of 22 million tones of bituminous coal (BC) and 472 million tones of lignite. The National Bituminous Coal Company extracts the most significant amount of BC from the Jiu Valley area, a Subcharpatian basin in the Parang Mountains. In the present article, the BC extracted from the Livezeni depth mine next to Petro?ani city is investigated from the microstructural, thermal, and kinetic point of view, in comparison with a sample from Ural Mountains in Russia. Scanning electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis (TG/DSC/DTA in air and inert atmosphere) measurements were performed. The KAS isoconversional kinetic method was applied for the in-depth understanding of thermal decompositions and burning processes that occur. Even if the thermal behavior of the two samples is generally similar, the non-isothermal kinetic study revealed important differences in the pathways of the oxidative decomposition of volatiles and formation of coke. Also, the kinetics of coke burning depends only on the amount of fix carbon, regardless of the provenience of BC.     

Normal coordinate analysis of the molybdenum—oxygen stretching frequencies in the infrared and Raman spectra of 16O- and 18O-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes

The Raman and i.r. spectra of the dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes, MoO₂[NH₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂S]₂, 1, MoO₂[CH₃NHCH₂C(CH₃)₂S]₂, 2, MoO₂[(CH₃)₂NCH₂C(CH₃)₂S]₂, 3, and MoO₂[(SCH₂CH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂], 4, have been investigated in the region of the MoO₂ stretching frequencies. ¹⁸O substitutions for the oxygen atoms in these complexes gave rise to complicated patterns in their vibrational spectra. A normal coordinate analysis has been applied to interpret the vibrational modes of complex 1 in terms of coupling the symmetric and antisymmetric OMoO stretches. Where the O atoms are inequivalent, the frequency differences between pairs of coupled modes varied with the site(s) of the isotopic substitution(s). The particular pattern of frequency differences was then used to aid in the spectral assignments of the remaining complexes.