Probing the acceptor substrate binding site of Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase with systematically modified substrates and glycoside libraries

Systematically modified octyl galactosides and octyl N-acetyllactosamines were assessed as inhibitors of, and substrates for, T. cruzi trans-sialidase (TcTS) in the context of exploring its acceptor substrate binding site. These studies show that TcTS, which catalyses the α-(2→3)-sialylation of non-reducing terminal β-galactose residues, is largely intolerant of substitution of the galactose 2 and 4 positions whereas substitution of the galactose 6 position is well tolerated. Further studies show that even the addition of a bulky sugar residue (glucose, galactose) does not impact negatively on TcTS binding and turnover, which highlights the potential of 'internal' 6-substituted galactose residues to serve as TcTS acceptor substrates. Results from screening a 93-membered thiogalactoside library highlight a number of structural features (notably imidazoles and indoles) that are worthy of further investigation in the context of TcTS inhibitor development.     

Photosensitive Surfactants with Various Hydrophobic Tail Lengths for the Photocontrol of Genomic DNA Conformation with Improved Efficiency

We report the synthesis and characterisation of photosensitive cationic surfactants with various hydrophobic tail lengths. These molecules, called AzoCx, are used as photosensitive nucleic acid binders (pNABs) and are applied to the photocontrol of DNA conformation. All these molecules induce DNA compaction in a photodependent way, originating in the photodependent polarity of their hydrophobic tails. We show that increasing hydrophobicity strongly enhances the compaction efficiencies of these molecules, but reduces the possibility of reversible photocontrol of a DNA conformation. Optimal performance was achieved with AzoC5, which allowed reversible control of DNA conformation with light at a concentration seven times smaller than previously reported.     

The CALUX bio-assay: analytical comparison between mouse hepatoma cell lines with a low (H1L6.1c3) and high (H1L7.5c1) number of dioxin response elements

Dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls are contaminants of high concern and as such, sensitive tools are needed to detect these persistent organic compounds in a variety of matrices. Due to the large amount of samples that need to be investigated for example for food and feed control, the CALUX bioassay (H1L6.1 clone) was developed allowing rapid and cost-efficient analysis of biological and environmental samples. Recently, a new and more sensitive clone (H1L7.5) was constructed as the third generation CALUX bioassay. This new cell line was subject of an amplification of dioxin response elements (DREs), allowing lower concentrations of target compound to be analyzed. A comparison is made between the previous, well-defined H1L6.1c3 cell line and the new H1L7.5c1 cell line: it appears that the bioassay making use of the higher number of DREs is more stable and robust, shows better repeatability and reproducibility and is; on average, 3 times more sensitive.     

Dimerization of polar smectics A1 with a terminal cyano group in the matrix of smectics A1 of lower polarity

Binary mixtures have been studied of polar compounds with smectic A₁ phases belonging to the following series: 4-cyanobiphenyl 4-yl 4'-n-alkylbiphenyl-4-carboxylate (CBnAB) and 4-(trans-4-n-decylcyclohexyl) benzoates (10XPCHB) with X = F, NCS, COCH₃. In these systems a strong destablization of the smectic A₁ phase is observed on the side of the CBnAB component and an enhancement of the smectic A₁ phase on the side of 10XPCHB. It is shown that the anomalous behaviour of the mixtures of two A₁ smectics with a similar layer spacing is due to the dimerization of CBnAB in the matrix of 10XPCHB which is of lower polarity.     

Synthesis of the core tetrasaccharide of Trypanosoma cruzi glycoinositolphospholipids: Manp(alpha1-->6)-Manp(alpha1-->4)-6-(2-aminoethylphosphonic acid)-GlcNp(alpha1-->6)-myo-Ins-1-PO4

[structure: see text] Synthesis of the core tetrasaccharide Manp(alpha1-->6)-Manp(alpha1-->4)-6-(2-aminoethylphosphonic acid)-GlcNp(alpha1-->6)-myo-Ins-1-PO4, found in glycoinositolphospholipids of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, is described. The key building block, 6-O-(2-azido-3-O-benzyl-6-O-((2-benzyloxycarbonylaminoethyl)phosphonic acid benzyl ester)-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-di-O-benzylphosphoryl-4,5-O-isopropylidene-2,3-O-(D-1,7,7-trimethyl[2,2,1]bicyclohept-6-ylidene)-D-myo-inositol, was synthesized using a partially protected glucosyl D-camphorinositolphosphate and a (2-benzyloxycarbonylaminoethyl)phosphonic acid derivative in a regioselective phosphonate esterfication. Elongation with ethyl 2-O-benzoyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-1-alpha-D-thiomannopyranoside using dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate gave a fully protected tetrasaccharide which was successfully deprotected subsequently with sodium methoxide, sodium in liquid ammonia, and aq hydrochloric acid to give title compound.     

An In Vitro Study of the Interaction of Copper(II) Salicylates with Genomic DNA Using Gel Electrophoresis and Gel Permeation Chromatography

This papers describes the in vitro interaction of copper(II) acetylsalicylate and copper(II) salicylate with genomic DNA isolated from human blood. The two drug substances were found to bind to DNA after incubation with whole blood over night. Bonding was confirmed by detection of separated DNA electrophoresis bands for copper, copper(II) acetylsalicylate, copper(II) salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid. Drug–DNA interactions were observed during electrophoresis in the form of fragmentation by formation of two bands when compared to controls. Gel permeation chromatography parameters also confirmed the occurrence of fragmentation. The use of gel permeation chromatography parameters as a measure of fragmentation of DNA is discussed. The fragmentation of genomic DNA after incubation with copper(II) acetylsalicylate and copper(II) salicylate suggested that these drug substances might be responsible for cytotoxicity in vivo.     

An In Vitro Study of the Interaction of Copper(II) Salicylates with Genomic DNA Using Gel Electrophoresis and Gel Permeation Chromatography

This papers describes the in vitro interaction of copper(II) acetylsalicylate and copper(II) salicylate with genomic DNA isolated from human blood. The two drug substances were found to bind to DNA after incubation with whole blood over night. Bonding was confirmed by detection of separated DNA electrophoresis bands for copper, copper(II) acetylsalicylate, copper(II) salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid. Drug–DNA interactions were observed during electrophoresis in the form of fragmentation by formation of two bands when compared to controls. Gel permeation chromatography parameters also confirmed the occurrence of fragmentation. The use of gel permeation chromatography parameters as a measure of fragmentation of DNA is discussed. The fragmentation of genomic DNA after incubation with copper(II) acetylsalicylate and copper(II) salicylate suggested that these drug substances might be responsible for cytotoxicity in vivo.

     

炔键由碳链中间向末端的转移

碳链中间的炔键向末端转移的反应在昆虫性信息素及脂肪酸的合成中是一个极为有用的方法。Brown等曾报道氨基丙胺化钾(Potassium 3-amino-propylamide,KAPA)能迅速地使炔键由碳链中间移向碳链末端,产率甚佳。但该反应需用大量1,3-丙二胺,且反应时产生大量泡沫。另外,氢化钾的处理也较麻烦,所以在大量制备时存在一定的困难。最近,Macaulay用氢化钠代替氢化钾,虽然可以减少泡沫的生成,但反应仍需用大量1,3丙二胺。因此,寻找更适宜的溶剂,并减少溶剂的用量,对于大量制备有着重要的意义。     

Probing the Binding Requirements of Modified Nucleosides with the DNA Nuclease SNM1A

SNM1A is a nuclease that is implicated in DNA interstrand crosslink repair and, as such, its inhibition is of interest for overcoming resistance to chemotherapeutic crosslinking agents. However, the number and identity of the metal ion(s) in the active site of SNM1A are still unconfirmed, and only a limited number of inhibitors have been reported to date. Herein, we report the synthesis and evaluation of a family of malonate-based modified nucleosides to investigate the optimal positioning of metal-binding groups in nucleoside-derived inhibitors for SNM1A. These compounds include ester, carboxylate and hydroxamic acid malonate derivatives which were installed in the 5′-position or 3′-position of thymidine or as a linkage between two nucleosides. Evaluation as inhibitors of recombinant SNM1A showed that nine of the twelve compounds tested had an inhibitory effect at 1 mM concentration. The most potent compound contains a hydroxamic acid malonate group at the 5′-position. Overall, our studies advance the understanding of requirements for nucleoside-derived inhibitors for SNM1A and indicate that groups containing a negatively charged group in close proximity to a metal chelator, such as hydroxamic acid malonates, are promising structures in the design of inhibitors.     

pH and salt effects on the aggregation behaviour of star polymer with G1 polyamidoamine core and terminal amphiphilic blocks

In this study, the pH and salt effects on the aggregation behaviour of star polymer, with G1 polyamidoamine as the core and poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) as the terminal branches, were investigated. The results from pH and turbidimetric titration experiments showed that with the pH value increasing from 2.0 to 10.0, the solution transforms from transparent to turbid at pK _a = 5.5 and eventually presents phase separation at the pH value above 7.5. As revealed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy measurements, the size of the aggregates of star polymer becomes bigger with the increase in the pH value or in the presence of salt. It was found that the extent of the salt effect on the aggregation behaviour follows the sequence: C₆H₅COONa>Na₂SO₄ > NaCl.

     

具有管状镶嵌结构L/EU-1复合分子筛的合成及表征

采用晶种法在极浓体系中,快速合成了L/EU-1复合分子筛,通过XRD、SEM、NH_3-TPD、TG-DTG等多种手段对其进行了表征.结果表明:随原始溶胶中添加硼和铁的质量分数的增加,复合分子筛中L分子筛的特征衍射峰分别向高角度和低角度方向发生偏移,L分子筛的晶胞参数和晶胞体积分别有所减小和增加;含硼和铁的L/EU-1复合分子筛尺寸大小长约为0.5~3μm,宽0.2~1μm,形貌为小颗粒聚集L分子筛附着生长管状镶嵌结构复合分子筛;镶嵌结构改变了复合分子筛的酸性、稳定性和孔道性质.影响因素分析表明,碱硅比低时,K~+对促进钙霞石笼的形成起主导作用,碱硅比高时,K~+对溶胶的聚沉起主导作用.     

A new unusual iridoid with inhibition of activator protein-1 (AP-1) from the leaves of Morinda citrifolia L

[structure in text] From the leaves of Morinda citrifolia, a new unusual iridoid, named citrifolinoside (1), showing significant inhibition of UVB-induced Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) activity in cell cultures, has been isolated. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of detailed high-field 1D and 2D spectral analysis.     

A study of the behavior of histone H1 and its complex with DNA by the spin-label method

The behavior of the tyrosine-72 residue of histone H1 has been studied by the spin-label method as a function of the ionic strength of the solution and of the temperature and on its interaction with DNA. It has been shown that in the formation of complexes of histone H1 with DNA the globular part of the protein not directly interacting with the nucleic acid retains a definite conformation enabling it to participate in various processes taking place in the chromatin.     

用分子对接方法研究HIV-1整合酶与病毒DNA的结合模式

用分子对接方法研究了HIV-1整合酶(Integrase, IN)二聚体与3’ 端加工(3’ Processing, 3’-P)前的8 bp及27 bp病毒DNA的相互作用, 并获得IN与27 bp病毒DNA的特异性结合模式. 模拟结果表明, IN有特异性DNA结合区和非特异性DNA结合区; IN二聚体B链的K14, R20, K156, K159, K160, K186, K188, R199和A链的K219, W243, K244, R262, R263是IN结合病毒DNA的关键残基; 并从结构上解释了能使IN发挥活性的病毒DNA的最小长度是15 bp. 通过分析结合能发现, IN与DNA稳定结合的主要因素是非极性相互作用, 而关键残基与病毒DNA相互识别主要依赖于极性相互作用. 模拟结果与实验数据较吻合.     

1H NMR Study on the pH-Dependent Polymorphism of a DNA Triplex with Oligonucleoside Methylphosphonate Analogues

Triplex formation in various stoichiometric mixtures of oligonucleoside methylphosphonates d-Ap(GpAp)₇G ( A ) and d-Cp(TpCp)₇ ( B ) (p = methylphosphonate) was studied by measuring the NH-N hydrogen bonded NMR resonance in relation to temperature and pH. Only a duplex or a triplex was observed for the mixture at pH 6.8 or 3.83 respectively, but both duplex and triplex coexist at pH 4.75. Thus the polymorphism of the mixture is close related to the pKa (4.30) for protonation of B . The triplex starts to dissociate when pH < 2. All data indicate that the duplex and triplex formed by A and B are less stable than those formed by d-A-(G-A-)₇G (C) and d-C-(T-C-)₇T ( D ) (- = phosphodiester). The conformation of the triplex A · B ₂ is the same at pH 3.83 as that of the corresponding triplex C · D ₂ at pH 4.50, but different at pH 4.75. Thus, the A · B ₂ triplex must be able to exist in various conformations, depending on the acidity of the solution. Furthermore, no diastereoisomeric effect was observable on duplex and triplex formation as similar chemical shifts of all NH resonances from C⁺, G, and T bases were recorded from a mixture of myriad steric isomers.     

Extraction of rare earth elements with 1-(diphenylphosphorylmethoxy)-2-diphenylphosphoryl-4-ethylbenzene with the use of 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol as a solvent

Extraction of rare earth elements from nitric acid solutions in a 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol-water system with the use of phosphoryl-containing podand 1-(diphenylphosphorylmethoxy)-2-diphenylphosphoryl-4-ethylbenzene (L) was studied. The content of metals in organic phase was shown to be negligible at nitric acid concentration lower 1 mol/L. Distribution ratio sharply increases with nitric acid concentration from 1 mol/L and reaches 5.5 for the yttrium subgroup elements at HNO₃ concentration of 6 mol/L. The rare earth elements of the yttrium subgroup were found to be extracted much better than the rare earth elements of the cerium subgroup under the same conditions, the distribution ratios in both subgroups smoothly rise with atomic number of element. It was shown using the shift of extraction equilibrium that the M: L ratio in extracted complexes is 1: 2 irrespective of the nature of rare earth element. The structure of complex {Yb[η²-(O,O′)-L]₂(η²-O₂NO)₂}(O₂NOHNO₃), whose single crystals were isolated from extraction solution, was established by X-ray diffraction study. The system can be used for the isolation and separation of rare earth elements.