A chemical genetics approach reveals H,K-ATPase-mediated membrane voltage is required for planarian head regeneration

Biophysical signaling is required for both embryonic polarity and regenerative outgrowth. Exploiting endogenous ion transport for regenerative therapies will require direct regulation of membrane voltage. Here, we develop a pharmacological method to target ion transporters, uncovering a role for membrane voltage as a key regulator of anterior polarity in regenerating planaria. Utilizing the highly specific inhibitor, SCH-28080, our data reveal that H(+),K(+)-ATPase-mediated membrane depolarization is essential for anterior gene expression and brain induction. H(+),K(+)-ATPase-independent manipulation of membrane potential with ivermectin confirms that depolarization drives head formation, even at?posterior-facing wounds. Using this chemical genetics approach, we demonstrate that membrane voltage controls head-versus-tail identity during planarian regeneration. Our data suggest well-characterized drugs (already approved for human use) might be exploited to control adult stem cell-driven pattern formation during the regeneration of complex structures.     

A comparative study of the mass spectra of stilbene and fluorene

A comparative study of metastable peaks formed in the first field free region during the fragmentation of stilbene and fluorene indicates that [M — 1] ion of fluorene and the [M — 15] ion of stilbene have a common [C₁₃H₉]⁺ (m/e 165) ion to only 75%. Demethylation of the stilbene cation leads to some extent to a more reactive [C₁₃H₉]⁺ species with a different structure.     

Organometallic Derivatization of the Nematocidal Drug Monepantel Leads to Promising Antiparasitic Drug Candidates

The discovery of novel drugs against animal parasites is in high demand due to drug‐resistance problems encountered around the world. Herein, the synthesis and characterization of 27 organic and organometallic derivatives of the recently launched nematocidal drug monepantel (Zolvix^®) are described. The compounds were isolated as racemates and were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and IR spectroscopy, and their purity was verified by microanalysis. The molecular structures of nine compounds were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The anthelmintic activity of the newly designed analogues was evaluated in vitro against the economically important parasites Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Moderate nematocidal activity was observed for nine of the 27 compounds. Three compounds were confirmed as potentiators of a known monepantel target, the ACR‐23 ion channel. Production of reactive oxygen species may confer secondary activity to the organometallic analogues. Two compounds, namely, an organic precursor ( 3 a ) and a cymantrene analogue ( 9 a ), showed activities against microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis in the low microgram per milliliter range.     

Mass spectrometry of cycloheptatriene derivatives—II: Ring contraction of the molecular ion of 7-cyanocycloheptatriene. Participation of ring carbon in the loss of HCN (or HNC)

At an electron energy of 70 eV (nominal) both the [M]⁺·-ion and the [M? H]⁺-ion of the title compound expel hydrogen cyanide. ¹³C labelling in the cyano group shows that these ions lose—within experimental error—only H¹³CN when decomposing in the ion source, i.e. when possessing a relatively high internal energy. In the first and second field free region, however, as well as in the ion source at low ionizing energies (9 eV, nominal), H¹²CN is also eliminated. This phenomenon may be explained by ring contraction of the molecular ion to a six membered ring, possibly initiated by the formation of a norcaradiene structure, which may then rearrange further to a species of higher symmetry. This ring contraction is supported by the occurrence of peaks of low intensity at m/e 78 and m/e 77, due to fragments which are generated in one step from the molecular ion.     

Biological decomposition of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> into sulfur by a newly isolated facultative thermophilic alkaline desulphuricant strain

A facultative thermophilic alkaline desulphuricant strain named GDJ-3 was isolated from neutral soils, enriched on sulfur synthetic medium, and detected in previous work. Conventional and chemotaxonomic analyses and 16s RNA gene sequencing showed that the strain was in good agreement with Alpha proteobacterium sp. (97%) and ochrobactrum sp. (98%). The regenerative processes of the solution containing sulfur compounds (SCS) from the strain through an orthogonal test were investigated to get the optimum regenerative condition. The results showed that regenerative temperature, air flow, and stirring speed of the agitator were the main three variables influencing the regenerative processes of the SCS. The optimum regenerative efficiency of the SCS from the strain was obtained when temperature, air flow, and stirring speed of the agitator were 318.2 K, 3.0 L/min, and zero r/min, respectively. Under this condition, when the cell concentration of the strain was adjusted to 10⁷/mL, the concentrations of Na₂S₂O₃ and Na2S in the SCS decreased from 112.68 g/L to 96.88 g/L and from 0. 87 g/L to 0.11 g/L in 9.5 h. Meanwhile, XRD spectrum shows that sulfur was formed in the regeneration process. These results suggest that the strain has potential application to the regeneration of the industrial solution containing sulfur compounds. Supported by Yongfeng Boyuan Industry Co., Ltd., Jiangxi Province, China     

Mechanistic Details of the Fe+-Mediated C?C and C?H Bond Activations in Propane: A Theoretical Investigation

Quantum-chemical calculations employing a density-functional theory/Hartree-Fock hybrid method (B3LYP) have been used to explore the mechanistic details of the C? C and C? H bond-activation processes in propane mediated by a bare Fe⁺ ion. While the theoretically predicted results are in complete accord with all available experimental data, they give rise to a different mechanistic picture than envisaged previously. In contrast to earlier speculation, the activation barriers for the initial insertion steps of Fe⁺ into a C? H or C? C bond are found to be significantly below the Fe⁺ + C₃H₈ channel. The rate-determining steps for both, the C? C and the C? H bond activation branches of the [FeC₃H₈]⁺ potential-energy surface rather occur late on the respective reaction coordinates and are connected with saddle points of concerted rearrangement processes. The C? C bond activation, which leads to the exothermic reductive elimination of methane, occurs via the C? C inserted species and not as a side channel originating from a C? H inserted ion, as assumed hitherto. For the C? H bond-activation processes, which finally results in the exothermic expulsion of molecular hydrogen, two energetically similar reaction channels for an [1,2]-elimination exist. The results clearly show, that an [1,3]-H₂-elimination mechanism cannot compete with the [1,2]-elimination paths, in line with the experimental findings. Overall, a lower energy demand for the reductive elimination of methane compared to the loss of H₂ is obtained, straightforwardly explaining the preference of the former process observed experimentally.     

Substrate specificity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> transglutaminases

Transglutaminase (TGase) is a multifunctional enzyme vital for many physiologic processes, such as cell differentiation, tissue regeneration, and plant pathogenicity. The acyl transfer function of the enzyme can activate primary amines and, consequently, attach them onto a peptidyl glutamine, a reaction important for various in vivo and in vitro protein crosslinking and modification processes. To understand better the structure-function relationship of the enzyme and to develop it further as an industrial biocatalyst, we studied TGase secreted by several Streptomyces species and Phytophthora cactorum. We purified the enzyme from S. lydicus, S. platensis, S. nigrescens, S. cinnamoneus, and S. hachijoensis. The pH and temperature profiles of S. lydicus, S. platensis, and S. nigrescens TGases were determined. The specificity of S. lydicus TGase toward its acyl-accepting amine substrates was characterized. Correlation of the electronic and steric features of the substrates with their reactivity supported the mechanism previously proposed for Streptomyces mobaraensis TGase.     

The ion kinetic energy and mass spectra of isomeric methyl indoles

The mass spectra of the seven isomeric methylindoles were recorded and the [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] ratios for the reactions m/e 130 → m/e 103 and m/e 103 → m/e 77 have been obtained. The ratios indicate that the decomposing [M — 1] ions (m/e 130) from the 4, 5, 6 and 7 isomers are energetically similar as are the [M — 1] ions from the 2 and 3 isomers. The results observed for the m/e → 103 m/e 77 reaction showed that the decomposing m/e 103 ions from the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 isomers all have the same energy distribution. N-Methylindole gave ratios which were similar to the 4 to 7 isomers at 70eV but different at 20 eV. The ion kinetic energy (IKE) spectra of all the isomeric methylindoles were also obtained and the results compared with the data obtained from the [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] approach. The results from the IKE spectra indicated that the energy distributions of the [M — 1] and [(M — 1) — HCN] ions from 1-methylindole and the [(M — 1) — HCN] ions from 2-methylindole could readily be distinguished from other isomers whose [metastable ion]/[daughter ion] ratios were similar. Thus by using both techniques certain ambiguities can be resolved.     

Optimization of operating conditions for desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Optimization of the operating conditions for desorption chemical ionization (D/CI) mass spectrometry has been evaluated on the production of molecular ion species as well as structurally informative fragment ion species with sucrose as a main model compound. Among various parameters examined, it was found that configuration and heating rate of the emitter wire were significantly concerned with the desorption efficiency, while chamber temperature played an important role on the control of the fragmentation process rather than the desorption process. Therefore, the conditions for optimal molecular ion species are quite opposed to those for optimal fragment ion species. The former can be achieved by the use of the highest heating rate combined with the lowest chamber temperature. Under the optimal operating conditions, a 20 ng sample of sucrose is adequate for recording a clear mass spectrum with good reproducibility, where [M·NH₄]⁺ (m/z 360) is the base peak and the glycosyl ion [S·NH₃]⁺ (m/z 180) also has moderate abundance (rel. int., 40%).     

Regenerating Spent Solutions of Vanadium‐containing Heteropoly Acids in the Presence of Additives

Vanadium‐containing heteropoly acid solutions of Keggin H_3+xPMo_12–xV_xO₄₀ and modified H_aP_zMo_yV_xO_b types (P‐Mo‐V HPAs) are promising nanosized inorganic metal‐oxygen cluster compounds with the property of reversible oxidability (V^V ↔ V^IV). The oxidation of reduced P‐Mo‐V HPAs at a temperature of 130–170 °C and an oxygen pressure of 4 atm is a convenient method for their regeneration, but results in regeneration degree of only 75–88 %. Various materials with electron transfer or oxidative properties, such as nitrogen doped carbon nanofibers (N‐CNFs), Sibunit‐4, HNO₃, and MoO₂, were investigated as additives to facilitate and accelerate the regeneration of HPA solutions. Among the studied additives HNO₃ was found to show the best efficiency, resulting in regeneration degree of higher 95 %. Rapid and efficient regeneration of spent HPA catalysts is an important criterion for achieving high productivity and sustainability of oxidative processes on their basis.     

The formation and structure of radical cations

ions generated from a number of different presursors have been studied by high kinetie energy ion—molecule reations. It has been shown that at least four distinct stable species oeeur, of which acetonitrile and methyl isoeyanide retain their original structure. With imidazole or pyrazole as precursors, a mixture of open thain radical cations, not identical to the above species and probably interconvertible via the 1H-azirine radocal cation, is formed. From butrynitrile, pyrrole, crotonitrile, allyl interconvertible via the and cyanocyopropane a fourth species, probably the vinylidenimine ion, is formed.     

Accelerated Regeneration of ATP Level after Irradiation in Human Skin Fibroblasts by Coenzyme Q10

Human skin is exposed to a number of harmful agents of which the ultraviolet (UV) component of solar radiation is most important. UV‐induced damages include direct DNA lesions as well as oxidative damage in DNA, proteins and lipids caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Being the main site of ROS generation in the cell, mitochondria are particularly affected by photostress. The resulting mitochondrial dysfunction may have negative effects on many essential cellular processes. To counteract these effects, coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is used as a potent therapeutic in a number of diseases. We analyzed the mitochondrial respiration profile, the mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular ATP level in skin fibroblasts after irradiation. We observed an accelerated regeneration of cellular ATP level, a decrease in mitochondrial dysfunction as well as a preservation of the mitochondrial membrane potential after irradiation in human skin fibroblasts by treatment with CoQ₁₀. We conclude that the faster regeneration of the ATP level was achieved by a preservation of mitochondrial function by the addition of CoQ₁₀ and that the protective effect of CoQ₁₀ is primarily mediated via its antioxidative function. We suggest also that it might be further dependent on a stimulation of DNA repair enzymes by CoQ₁₀.     

Two thiourea‐containing gold(I) complexes

The crystal structures of two salts of bis­(thio­urea)­gold(I) complexes, namely bis­(thio­urea‐κS)­gold(I) chloride, [Au(CH₄N₂S)₂]Cl, (I), and bis­[bis­(thio­urea‐κS)­gold(I)] sulfate, [Au(CH₄N₂S)₂]₂SO₄, (II), have been determined. The chloride salt, (I), is isomorphous with the corresponding bromide salt, although there are differences in the bonding. The Au^I ion is located on an inversion centre and coordinated by two symmetry‐related thio­urea ligands through the lone pairs on their S atoms [Au—S 2.278 (2) Å and Au—S—C 105.3 (2)°]. The sulfate salt, (II), crystallizes with four independent [Au(CH₄N₂S)₂]⁺ cations per asymmetric unit, all with nearly linear S—Au—S bonding. The cations in (II) have similar conformations to that found for (I). The Au—S distances range from 2.276 (3) to 2.287 (3) Å and the Au—S—C angles from 173.5 (1) to 177.7 (1)°. These data are relevant in interpreting different electrochemical processes where gold–thio­urea species are formed.     

A B3LYP study on counterpoise-corrected geometry optimizations for hydrated complexes of [K(H2O)n] and [Na(H2O)n]

We report the basis set dependencies and the basis set superposition errors for the hydrated complexes of K⁺ and Na⁺ ions in relation to the recent studies of the KcsA potassium channel. The basis set superposition errors are estimated by the geometry optimizations at the counterpoise-corrected B3LYP level. The counterpoise optimizations alter the hydration distances by about 0.02–0.03 Å. The enthalpies and free energies for K⁺ + n(H₂O) → [K(H₂O)_n]⁺ and Na⁺ + n(H₂O) → [Na(H₂O)_n]⁺ (n = 1–6) are compared between the theoretical and experimental values. The results show that the addition of diffuse functions to K, Na, and O species are effective. However, it is also found that the counterpoise corrections using diffuse functions work so as to underestimate the free energies for the complexes with increasing the hydration number. The stabilization energies in aqueous solution are larger for a Na⁺ ion than for a K⁺ ion, suggesting the contributions of their dehydration processes to the ion selectivity of the KcsA potassium channel. The changes in coordination distance between the isolated [K(H₂O)₈]⁺ and the [K(H₂O)₈]⁺ in the KcsA potassium channel indicate the importance of hydrogen bondings between the first hydration shell and the outer hydration shells.     

Electron impact induced hydrogen migrations in organic molecules: IV—novel hydrogen transfers in alkyl o-methoxybenzoates

Simultaneous hydrogen transfers—one from the methoxy group and the other from the alkyl group—to both the oxygen atoms of the ester function result in the formation of a common ion at m/z 152 in the alkyl o-methoxybenzoates on electron impact. Expulsion of the formyl radical from this ion leads to a fragment resembling the protonated benzoic acid. Another novel feature in these compounds is the loss of H₂O from the [M? R]⁺ ion which arises through an ortho effect during a secondary fragmentation process.     

Density functional theory and RRKM calculations of decompositions of the metastable E‐2,4‐pentadienal molecular ions

The potential energy profiles for the fragmentations that lead to [C₅H₅O]⁺ and [C₄H₆]^+? ions from the molecular ions [C₅H₆O]^+? of E‐2,4‐pentadienal were obtained from calculations at the UB3LYP/6‐311G + + (3df,3pd)//UB3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level of theory. Kinetic barriers and harmonic frequencies obtained by the density functional method were then employed in Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus calculations of individual rate coefficients for a large number of reaction steps. The pre‐equilibrium and rate‐controlling step approximations were applied to different regions of the complex potential energy surface, allowing the overall rate of decomposition to be calculated and discriminated between three rival pathways: C? H bond cleavage, decarbonylation and cyclization. These processes should have to compete for an equilibrated mixture of four conformers of the E‐2,4‐pentadienal ions. The direct dissociation, however, can only become important in the high‐energy regime. In contrast, loss of CO and cyclization are observable processes in the metastable kinetic window. The former involves a slow 1,2‐hydrogen shift from the carbonyl group that is immediately followed by the formation of an ion‐neutral complex which, in turn, decomposes rapidly to the s‐trans‐1,3‐butadiene ion [C₄H₆]^+?. The predominating metastable channel is the second one, that is, a multi‐step ring closure which starts with a rate‐limiting cis—trans isomerization. This process yields a mixture of interconverting pyran ions that dissociates to the pyrylium ions [C₅H₅O]⁺. These results can be used to rationalize the CID mass spectrum of E‐2,4‐pentadienal in a low‐energy regime. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crosslinked anion exchange membranes with connected cations

The selective transport of ions has crucial importance in biological systems as well as modern‐day energy devices, such as batteries and fuel cells, and water purification membranes. Control over ion movement can be exerted by ligation, ion channel dimensions, solvation, and electrostatic interactions. Polyelectrolyte hydrogels can provide aligned pathways for counter ion transport but lack mechanical integrity, while polyelectrolyte membranes typically suffer from the absence of an ion transport channel network. To develop polymer membranes for improved ion transport, we present the design of a novel material that combines the advantages of aligned pathways found in polyelectrolyte hydrogel and mechanical robustness in conventional membranes. The ionic species were organized via controlled copolymerization of a quaternizable monomer. Additionally, dimensional stability was then incorporated through a cast/crosslinking method to lock in the network of connected cationic groups. This strategy resulted in dramatically enhanced ion transport, as characterized by ionic conductivities (>80 mS/cm for Cl^–, and ∼200 mS/cm for OH^–). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 618–625     

Literally Green Chemical Synthesis of Artemisinin from Plant Extracts

Active pharmaceutical ingredients are either extracted from biological sources—where they are synthesized in complex, dynamic environments—or prepared in stepwise chemical syntheses by reacting pure reagents and catalysts under controlled conditions. A combination of these two approaches, where plant extracts containing reagents and catalysts are utilized in intensified chemical syntheses, creates expedient and sustainable processes. We illustrate this principle by reacting crude plant extract, oxygen, acid, and light to produce artemisinin, a key active pharmaceutical ingredient of the most powerful antimalarial drugs. The traditionally discarded extract of Artemisia annua plants contains dihydroartemisinic acid—the final biosynthetic precursor—as well as chlorophyll, which acts as a photosensitizer. Efficient irradiation with visible light in a continuous‐flow setup produces artemisinin in high yield, and the artificial biosynthetic process outperforms syntheses with pure reagents.     

Two polymorphs of 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐methylchromenium perchlorate

Crystallization (from ethyl acetate solution) of 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐methylchromenium perchlorate, C₁₆H₁₂ClO⁺·;ClO₄⁻, (I), yields two monoclinic polymorphs with the space groups P2₁/n [polymorph (Ia)] and P2₁/c [polymorph (Ib)]; in both cases, Z = 4. Cations and anions, disordered in polymorph (Ib), form ion pairs in both polymorphs as a result of Cl—O...π interactions. Related by a centre of symmetry, neighbouring ion pairs in polymorph (Ia) are linked viaπ–π interactions between cationic fragments, and the resulting dimers are linked through a network of C—H...O(perchlorate) interactions between adjacent cations and anions. The ion pairs in polymorph (Ib), arranged in pairs of columns along the a axis, are linked through a network of C—H...O(perchlorate), C—Cl...π, π–π and C—Cl...O(perchlorate) interactions. The aromatic skeletons in polymorph (Ia) are parallel in the cationic fragments involved in dimers, but nonparallel in adjacent ion pairs not constituting dimers. In polymorph (Ib), these skeletons are parallel in pairs of columns, but nonparallel in adjacent pairs of columns; this is visible as a herring‐bone pattern. Differences in the crystal structures of the polymorphs are most probably the cause of their different colours.