Computer-Assisted Recombination (CompassR) Teaches us How to Recombine Beneficial Substitutions from Directed Evolution Campaigns

A main remaining challenge in protein engineering is how to recombine beneficial substitutions. Systematic recombination studies show that poorly performing variants are usually obtained after recombination of 3 to 4 beneficial substitutions. This limits researchers in exploiting nature's potential in generating better enzymes. The Computer-assisted Recombination (CompassR) strategy provides a selection guide for beneficial substitutions that can be recombined to gradually improve enzyme performance by analysis of the relative free energy of folding (ΔΔG_fold). The performance of CompassR was evaluated by analysis of 84 recombinants located on 13 positions of Bacillus subtilis lipase A. The finally obtained variant F17S/V54K/D64N/D91E had a 2.7-fold improved specific activity in 18.3 % (v/v) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]). In essence, the deducted CompassR rule allows recombination of beneficial substitutions in an iterative manner and empowers researchers to generate better enzymes in a time-efficient manner.     

Expression and characterization of mutant forms of penicillin acylase from Alcaligenes faecalis

The sequencing of six plasmids carrying a gene of penicillin acylase from Alcaligenes faecalis VKM B1518 (AfPA) revealed the presence of random mutations in the gene; they occurred during a polymerase chain reaction. Six mutant AfPAs and a wild-type enzyme were expressed in E. coli cells. The activity assay of mutant AfPAs in E. coli cells indicated that several amino acid substitutions affect the expression level of the AfPA gene and the rate of cell growth. Four mutant AfPAs were purified; their catalytic properties and thermal stability were studied. It is shown that the amino acid substitutions under study do not affect the catalytic efficiency value. Within the experimental error, the βQ133R and βK184E (the AfPA M2 mutant) substitutions had no effect on the thermal stability of the enzyme; in the case of mutants AfPA M4 (βY90H), M5 (αD132G, βR97C), and M6 (αV5E, αN183S, and βE439G), the inactivation rate constant increased 2.4, 2.75, and 8.3 times, respectively, as compared to that of the wild-type enzyme.     

Analysis of doxorubicin uptake in single human leukemia K562 cells using capillary electrophoresis coupled with laser-induced fluorescence detection

The doxorubicin (DOX) uptake in single human leukemia K562 cells with changes in both drug dosage and exposure period was studied using capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. The cells were treated with DOX at different concentrations (1, 3, 10, 20, 30, and 50 μM) and for different exposure times (1, 3, 5, 24, and 48 h). At least 20 cells were analyzed for each DOX-treated cell population. A marked heterogeneity in DOX uptake among single cells was observed, because the relative standard deviation of the uptake of DOX by single cells ranged from 24.0% to 61.1% within each cell population. The cell-to-cell heterogeneity in DOX uptake first decreased and then became constant with increasing drug concentration, but it did not exhibit regular variation with increasing exposure time. The mean DOX uptake was a linear function of drug concentration (r ≥ 0.9667). In terms of the correlation with exposure time, the mean DOX uptake reached its maximum at 3 h for the cell populations treated with 1–10 μM DOX, while it kept increasing during 48 h exposure of cell populations to 20–50 μM DOX. Because it eliminates DOX fluorescence quenching and sample loss, the CE-LIF method directly detects the true DOX uptake by single cells, and thus presents accurate information on both the cell-to-cell heterogeneity in DOX uptake and the patterns of DOX uptake in K562 cells as functions of drug concentration and exposure time.     

Nonaqueous biocatalytic synthesis of new cytotoxic doxorubicin derivatives: exploiting unexpected differences in the regioselectivity of salt-activated and solubilized subtilisin

Two enzymes, Mucor javanicus lipase and subtilisin Carlsberg (SC), catalyzed the nonaqueous acylation of doxorubicin (DOX). Compared to the untreated enzyme the rate of DOX acylation at the C-14 position with vinyl butyrate in toluene was 25-fold higher by lipase ion-paired with Aerosol OT (AOT) and 5-fold higher by lipase activated by 98% (w/w) KCl co-lyophilization (3.21 and 0.67 mumol/min g-lipase, respectively, vs 0.13 mumol/min g-lipase). Particulate subtilisin Carlsberg (SC) was nearly incapable of DOX acylation, but ion-paired SC (AOT-SC) catalyzed acylation at a rate of 2.85 mumol/min g-protease. The M. javanicus formulations, AOT-SC, and SC exclusively acylated the C14 primary hydroxyl group of DOX. Co-lyophilization of SC with 98% (w/w) KCl expanded the enzyme's regiospecificity such that KCl-SC additionally acylated the C4' hydroxyl and C3' amine groups. The total rate of DOX conversion with KCl-SC was 56.7 mumol/min g-protease. The altered specificity of KCl-SC is a new property of the enzyme imparted by the salt activation, and represents the first report of unnatural regioselectivity exhibited by a salt-activated enzyme. Using AOT-SC catalysis, four unique selectively acylated DOX analogues were generated, and KCl-SC was used to prepare DOX derivatives acylated at the alternative sites. Cytotoxicities of select derivatives were evaluated against the MCF7 breast cancer cell line (DOX IC50 = 27 nM) and its multidrug-resistant sub-line, MCF7-ADR (DOX IC50 = 27 muM). The novel derivative 14-(2-thiophene acetate) DOX was relatively potent against both cell lines (IC50 of 65 nM and 8 muM, respectively) and the 14-(benzyl carbonate) DOX analogue was as potent as DOX against the MCF7 line (25 nM). Activated biocatalysts and their novel regioselectivity differences thus enabled single-step reaction pathways to an effective collection of doxorubicin analogues.     

Simultaneous determination of a ternary mixture of doxylamine succinate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folic acid by the ratio spectra-zero-crossing, double divisor-ratio spectra derivative, and column high-performance liquid chromatographic methods

Three simple, rapid, and accurate methods, i.e., the derivative ratio spectra-zero-crossing method (method I), double divisor-ratio spectra derivative method (method II), and column reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method (method III) were developed for the simultaneous determination of doxylamine succinate (DOX), pyridoxine hydrochloride (PYR), and folic acid (FA) in their ternary mixtures and in tablets. In methods I and II, the calibration graphs were linear in the range of 2.5-80, 1.0-40, and 1.0-30 microg/mL for DOX, PYR, and FA, respectively. In the HPLC method, the separation of these compounds was performed using mobile phase consisting of 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.3)-methanol-acetonitrile (50 + 20 + 30, v/v/v), and UV detection was performed at 263 nm. Linearity was observed between the concentrations of the analytes and peak areas [correlation coefficient (r) > or =0.9998] in the concentration range of 1.0-200, 4.0-600, and 4.0-600 microg/mL for DOX, PYR, and FA, respectively. The standard deviation of retention time in method III was 0.011, 0.015, and 0.016 for DOX, PYR, and FA, respectively. The precision studies for all of the methods gave relative standard deviation values of <2%. The results obtained from the methods were statistically compared by means of Student's t-test and the variance ratio F-test. It was concluded that all of the developed methods were equally accurate, sensitive, and precise. These methods could be applied to determine DOX, PYR, and FA in their combined dosage forms.     

Ternary metal borides [La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm] Os4B4 and [Y,La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb] Ir4B4 with NdCo4B4-type structure

New ternary metal borides with compositionR. E. T ₄B₄ (R. E.=rare earth metal,T=transition metal) have been synthesized within the systems [La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm]–Os–B and [Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb]–Ir–B. All compounds were found to be crystallizing with NdCo₄B₄-type structure. Magnetic measurements (80–300 K,Curie-Weiss behaviour, _p ~ 16K and µ_eff=9.94µ_B for TbIr₄B₄) indicate Y andR. E. elements (except Ce) to be trivalent in these compounds. The crystal chemistry of the isotypic series [Y,R. E.] [Os,Ir]₄B₄ is discussed.

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Ternäre Metallboride. [La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm] Os₄B₄ und [Y,La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb] Ir₄B₄ mit NdCo₄B₄-Struktur

Zusammenfassung Es wurden neue Metallboride der ZusammensetzungR. E. T ₄B₄ (R. E.=Seltenerdmetall,T=Übergangsmetall) innerhalb der Systeme [La,Ce, Pr,Nd,Sm]–Os–B und [Y,La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb]–Ir–B hergestellt. Alle Verbindungen kristallisieren entsprechend dem NdCo₄B₄-Typ. Magnetische Messungen (80–300K,Curie-Weiss-Verhalten, _p ~ 16K und µ_eff=9.94µ_B für TbIr₄B₄) zeigen an daß Y und dieR. E.-Elemente (ausgenommen Ce) in diesen Verbindungen trivalent sind. Die Kristallchemie der isotypen [Y,R. E.][Os,Ir]₄B₄-Verbindungen wird diskutiert.

     

On the stereochemistry of the Horner—Emmons reaction between 3-functionally substituted 2-methyl-2-propenylphosphonates and aliphatic aldehydes

The reaction of diethyl 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-2-propenylphosphonate (1a) with 3-methylbutanal (2) in heterogeneous MOH (solid)-benzene systems in the presence of 5–10 mol.% of benzyltriethylammonium chloride (BTEAC) gives the reaction product (3) with a higher, for M=K, or lower, for M=Li, ratio of 2E,4E and 2Z,4E-stereoisomers than that observed in the absence of BTEAC. Tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as a catalyst of the reaction1a + 2 3 in the system KOH (solid)-wet benzene leads to a higher [2E,4E-3][2Z,4E-3] ratio than BTEAC; this ratio grows from 4456 without TBAB to 8020 at 100 mol.% of TBAB. In the latter case the stereochemical outcome of the reaction is similar to that obtained when tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in dry benzene is used as the deprotonating agent. The corresponding diisopropyl phosphonate (1b) and 3,7-dimethyloctanal (4a) interact in the system KOH (solid)-wet benzene-TBAB to give hydroprene (5) containing 88 % of the 2E,4E-isomer (5a) while in the case of 1 equiv. of [(n-Bu₄)N]OH in dry benzene the content of5a is 92 %. Diisopropyl 3-isopropoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-2-propenylphosphonate (1c) and 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal (4b) under either of these conditions afford methoprene (6) containing 93 % of the 2E,4E-isomer.Part 6, see ref. 1.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1094–1098, June, 1993.     

Transition metal complexes of γ-mercaptoalkylpiperidines

Summary Complexes with 1-methyl-3-(mercaptomethyl)piperidine (LH) and 1-methyl-2-(2-mercaptoethyl)piperidine (LH) Ligands in their thiolato (R), andN-protonated (HR) orN-methylated (MeR) zwitterionic form, of stoichiometry MR₂ (M=Ni, R=L or L; M=Cd, R=L), MR (M=Cu or Ag, R=L and L), [Ni(MeR)₂]I₂ · nH₂O (R=L, n=1; R=L, n=2), [Ni(HR)₂]X₂ (R=L or L, X=ClO₄; R=L, X=Br), and [Ag(HR)] ClO₄ (R=L) have been prepared and characterized. According to i.r. and electronic spectra, and magnetic measurements the nickel complexes exhibit polymeric frameworks built up from mercapto-bridged metal atoms in square-planar environments. Complexes with copper, silver, and cadmium exhibit similar polymeric arrangements through bridging sulphur atoms but with a different geometry at the metal centers, the first two being mainly linear, as anticipated, and the latter tetrahedral. In no case does coordinationvia nitrogen take place and therefore these ligands behave simply as mercaptides.     

Preferential cytotoxicity for multidrug-resistant K562 cells using the combination of a photosensitizer and a cyanine dye

The cyanine dye 1,1',3,3,3',3'-hexamethylindodicarbocyanine iodide (HIDC) protects K562 leukemia cells from photodynamic membrane damage caused by cis-di(4-sulfonatophenyl)diphenylporphine (TPPS2) and 420 nm light. This wavelength of light is chosen because it is absorbed by TPPS2, but not by HIDC. The photodynamic system studied may be useful as a model for antineoplastic therapy. A subline of K562 leukemia (K562/DOX), expressing the multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotype, is found to accumulate smaller amounts of HIDC than the parent cell line and thus has less photoprotection. In the absence of added HIDC, the K562/DOX cell line is more resistant to photodynamic cytotoxicity than the K562 cell line. The resistance of the K562/DOX cell line is not due to a smaller accumulation of TPPS2 than the K562 cell line. However, when both cell lines are incubated with HIDC and TPPS2, and then exposed to light, the K562/DOX cell line becomes more sensitive to photodynamic cell damage than the K562 cell line. The combination of a photosensitizer with a cationic or lysomorphotropic photoprotector represents a novel strategy for the eradication of malignant cells expressing the MDR phenotype.     

SENSITIVITY OF STRAINS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI DIFFERING IN REPAIR CAPABILITY TO FAR UV,NEAR UV AND VISIBLE RADIATIONS*

Abstract— In stationary phase, strains of Escherichia coli deficient in excision (B/r Her) or recombination repair (K.12 AB2463) were more sensitive than a repair proficient strain (B/r) to monochromatic near-ultraviolet (365 nm) and visible (460 nm) radiations. The relative increase in sensitivity of mutants deficient in excision or recombination repair, in comparision to the wildtype, was less at 365 nm than at 254 nm. However, a strain deficient in both excision and recombination repair (K12 AB2480) showed a large, almost equal, increase in sensitivity over mutants deficient in either excision or recombination repair at 365 nm and 254 nm. All strains tested were highly resistant to 650 nm radiation. Action spectra for lethality of strains B/r and B/r Her in stationary phase reveal small peaks or shoulders in the 330–340, 400–410 and 490–510 nm wavelength ranges. The presence of 5μg/ml acriflavine (an inhibitor of repair) in the plating medium greatly increased the sensitivity of strain B/r to radiation at 254, 365 and 460 nm, while strains E. coli B/r Her and K12 AB2463 were sensitized by small amounts. At each of the wavelengths tested, acriflavine in the plating medium had at most a small effect on E. coli K.12 AB2480. Acriflavine failed to sensitize any strain tested at 650 nm. Evidence supports the interpretation that lesions induced in DNA by 365 nm and 460 nm radiations play the major role in the inactivation of E. coli by these wavelengths. Single-strand breaks (or alkali-labile bonds), but not pyrimidine dimers are candidates for the lethal DNA lesions in uvrA and repair proficient strains. At high fluences lethality may be enhanced by damage to the excision and recombination repair systems.     

Green micellar HPLC analysis of three angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors in their mixtures with hydrochlorothiazide and modeling of their retention behavior by fitting to Foley's model

We present an environmentally friendly method for the analysis of three angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and hydrochlorothiazide simultaneously using a green micellar eluent for the first time. The chromatographic separation of enalapril maleate, lisinopril dihydrate, benazepril hydrochloride, and hydrochlorothiazide was implemented on an octadecyl silica column with a solution containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (0.12 M), 1‐propyl alcohol (10% v/v), triethylamine (0.3% v/v), and H₃PO₄ (0.02 M) at pH 3.6 as the mobile phase and UV detection at 210 nm. Validity of the method was confirmed and it exhibited good linearity within the ranges of 5.0–50.0 μg/mL for hydrochlorothiazide and 10.0–60.0 μg/mL for the three angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors with a limit of detection of 0.39 to 1.15 μg/mL for all the studied drugs. The developed micellar high‐performance liquid chromatography method enables the quantification of the targeted angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors in combined tablets with hydrochlorothiazide by isocratic elution. There is no need for special precautions to prevent broadening and splitting of their chromatographic peaks. The method fulfills the society rights for safe and green analytical methods. The retention behavior of the four studied drugs was fitted to Foley's model and their association equilibria to the micelles (K _AM) and to the surface‐modified stationary phase (K _AS) were calculated.     

Development of a green chromatographic method for determination of fat-soluble vitamins in food and pharmaceutical supplement

A green chromatographic analytical method for determination of fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, D3 and K1) in food and pharmaceutical supplement samples is proposed. The method is based on the modification of a C18 column with a 3.00% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) aqueous solution at pH 7 (0.02 mol L(-1) phosphate buffer solution) and in the usage of the same surfactant solution as mobile phase with the presence of 15.0% (v/v) butyl alcohol as an organic solvent modifier. After the separation process, the vitamins are detected at 230 nm (K1, D3 and E), 280 nm (A, E, D3 and K1) and 300 nm (K1, D3 and E). The chromatographic procedure yielded precise results (better than 5%) and is able to run one sample in 25 min, consuming 1.5 g of SDS, 90 mg of phosphate and 7.5 mL of butyl alcohol. When the flow rate of the mobile phase is 2 mL min(-1) the retention times are 4.0, 9.6, 13.0 and 22.7 min for D3, A, E and K1 vitamins, respectively; and all peak resolutions are higher than 2. The analytical curves present the following linear equations: area=6290+34852 (vitamin A), R2=0.9998; area=4092+36333 (vitamin E), R2=0.9997; area=-794+30382 (vitamin D3) R2=0.9998 and area=-7175+82621 (vitamin K1), R2=0.9996. The limits of detection and quantification for vitamins A, E, D(3) and K(1) were estimated for a test pharmaceutical vitamin supplement sample as 0.81, 1.12, 0.91 and 0.83 mg L(-1) and 2.43, 3.36, 2.73 and 2.49, respectively. When the proposed method was applied to food and pharmaceutical sample analysis, precise results were obtained (R.S.D.<5% and n=3) and in agreement with those obtained by using the classical chromatographic method that uses methanol and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Here, the traditional usage of toxic organic solvent as mobile phase is avoided, which permits to classify the present method as green.     

Aequorin mutants with increased thermostability

Bioluminescent labels can be especially useful for in vivo and live animal studies due to the negligible bioluminescence background in cells and most animals, and the non-toxicity of bioluminescent reporter systems. Significant thermal stability of bioluminescent labels is essential, however, due to the longitudinal nature and physiological temperature conditions of many bioluminescent-based studies. To improve the thermostability of the bioluminescent protein aequorin, we employed random and rational mutagenesis strategies to create two thermostable double mutants, S32T/E156V and M36I/E146K, and a particularly thermostable quadruple mutant, S32T/E156V/Q168R/L170I. The double aequorin mutants, S32T/E156V and M36I/E146K, retained 4 and 2.75 times more of their initial bioluminescence activity than wild-type aequorin during thermostability studies at 37 °C. Moreover, the quadruple aequorin mutant, S32T/E156V/Q168R/L170I, exhibited more thermostability at a variety of temperatures than either double mutant alone, producing the most thermostable aequorin mutant identified thus far.     

Global genetic analysis of all single nucleotide polymorphisms in exons of the human deoxyribonuclease I-like 3 gene and their effect on its catalytic activity

Deoxyribonucleases (DNases) have been suggested to be implicated in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases. In the DNASE1L3 gene encoding human DNase I‐like 3 (DNase 1L3), a member of the DNase I family, only two non‐synonymous (R178 H and R206C) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been examined [Ueki et al., Clin. Chim. Acta 2009, 407, 20–24]. Three other non‐synonymous (G82R, K96N, and I243M) and four synonymous (S17S, T84T, R92R, and A181A) SNPs, in addition to R206C and R178H, have been identified in DNASE1L3. We investigated the distribution of all these SNPs in exons of the gene in eight Asian, three African, and three Caucasian populations worldwide using newly devised genotyping methods. SNP T84T showed polymorphism in all the populations, and R92R was polymorphic in the three African and three Caucasian populations; R206C was distributed only in Caucasian populations. In contrast, no minor allele was found in five SNPs (S17S, G82R, K96N, A181A, and I243M) in DNASE1L3. Generally, the DNase 1L3 gene shows relatively low genetic diversity with regard to exonic SNPs. When the effect of amino acid/nucleotide substitutions resulting from the SNPs on DNase 1L3 activity was examined, none of the synonymous SNPs had any effect on the DNase 1L3 activity, whereas among non‐synonymous SNPs, SNP G82R diminished the activity of the enzyme, being similar to R206C. These findings permit us to assume that, although only R206 exhibits polymorphisms in a Caucasian‐specific manner, at least SNPs G82R and R206C in DNASE1L3 might be potential risk factors for autoimmune disease.     

Preparative isolation of alkaloids from Corydalis bungeana Turcz. by high-speed counter-current chromatography using stepwise elution

High‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) was successfully applied for the preparative separation and purification of alkaloids from Corydalis bungeana Turcz. (Kudiding in Chinese) for the first time. After the measurement of partition coefficient of seven target alkaloids in the nine two‐phase solvent systems composed of CHCl₃–MeOH–(0.1 M; 0.2 M; 0.3 M) HCl (4:1.5:2; 4:2:2; 4:3:2, v/v), CHCl₃–MeOH–0.2 M HCl (4:2:2, v/v) and CHCl₃–MeOH–0.3 M HCl (4:3:2, v/v) were finally selected for the HSCCC separation using the first upper phase as the stationary phase and the stepwise elution of the two lower mobile phases. Consequently, sanguinarine (10 mg), corynoline (25 mg), protopine (20 mg), corynoloxine (18 mg), and 12‐hydroxycorynoline (8 mg) were obtained from 200 mg of crude alkaloid extracts with purities of 94–99% as determined by HPLC. Their chemical structures were characterized on the basis of ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and LC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS analyses.     

SYNTHESIS,BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY,AND CHEMICAL RESISTANCE OF CARDO POLYSULFONATES BASED ON BISPHENOL-C AND ITS DERIVATIVES

ABSTRACT

Cardo polysulfonates (PS-1, PS-2, PS-4, PS-7, and PS-9) of 1,1′-bis(R,R′,4-hydroxy phenyl)cyclohexane (R=H, CH₃,Cl and Br; and R′?H, Cl and Br) with 4,4′-diphenyl ether disulfonyl chloride (DPESC) and 4,4′-diphenyl disulfonyl chloride (DPSC) have been synthesized by interfacial polycondensation of corresponding bisphenol (0.005 mol) and DPESC/DPSC (0.005 mol) by using water-1,2-dichloro-ethane/chloroform/dichloro methane (4:1 v/v) as an interphase, alkali (0.012–0.016 M) as an acid acceptor and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (50 mg) as an emulsifier at 0°C for 3 hours. IR and NMR spectral data support the structures. The intrinsic viscosities of the said polymers are determined in different solvents at three different temperatures: 30°, 35°, and 40°C, and it is found that little solvent and temperature effect is observed on viscosities. All the polysulfonates possess good antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus microbes and excellent resistance to hydrolytic attack against acids, alkalis and salt.     

The Conquest of Taxol

Much has been written about taxol, one of the newest weapons against cancer, and its producer, the Pacific Yew tree (Taxus brevifolia).

1 K. C. Nicolaou, W.-M. Dai, R. K. Guy, Angew. Chem. 1994, 106, 38–69; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1994, 33, 15–44.

In this article, the authors give a frank and behind-the-scenes account of their encounter with this well-known molecule, which they and their collaborators faced as a synthetic target.

2 K. C. Nicolaou, Z. Yang, J.-J. Liu, H. Ueno, P. G. Nantermet, R. K. Guy, C. F. Claiborne, J. Renaud, E. A. Couladouros, K. Paulvannan, E. J. Sorensen, Nature (London) 1994, 367, 630–634.

3 K. C. Nicolaou, J.-J. Liu, Z. Yang, H. Ueno, R. K. Guy, E. A. Couladouros, E. J. Sorensen, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 624–633.

4 K. C. Nicolaou, J.-J. Liu, Z. Yang, H. Ueno, E. J. Sorensen, C. F. Claiborne, R. K. Guy, C.-K. Hwang, M. Nakada, P. G. Nantermet, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 634–644.

5 K. C. Nicolaou, Z. Yang, J.-J. Liu, P. G. Nantermet, C. F. Claiborne, J. Renaud, R. K. Guy, K. Shibayama, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 645–652.

6 K. C. Nicolaou, H. Ueno, J.-J. Liu, P. G. Nantermet, Z. Yang, J. Renaud, K. Paulvannan, R. Chadha, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 653–659.

Once again total synthesis is found to offer excellent opportunities for developing new synthetic strategies and novel reactions. The team of chemists who took up this challenge emerged with valuable experience and confidence in their skills.     

A structural transition in duplex DNA induced by ethylene glycol

The twist energy parameter ( E T) that governs the supercoiling free energy, and the linking difference (Delta l) are measured for p30delta DNA in solutions containing 0-40 w/v % ethylene glycol (EG). A plot of E T vs -ln a w, where a w is the water activity, displays the full (reverse) sigmoidal profile of a discrete structural transition. A general theory for the effect of added osmolyte on a cooperative structural transition between two duplex states, 1 right arrow over left arrow 2, is formulated in terms of parameters applicable to individual base-pair subunits. The resulting fraction of base pairs in the 2-state ( f 2 (0)) is incorporated into expressions for the effective torsion and bending elastic constants, the effective twist energy parameter ( E T (eff)), and the change in intrinsic twist (delta l 0). Fitting the expression for E T (eff) to the measured E T values yields reasonably unambiguous estimates of E T 1 and E T 2 , the midpoint value (ln a w) 1/2, and the midpoint slope ( partial differential E T/ partial differential ln a w) 1/2, but does not yield unambiguous estimates of the equilibrium constant ( K 0), the difference in DNA-water preferential interaction coefficient (DeltaGamma), or the inverse cooperativity parameter ( J). Fitting a noncooperative model (assumed J = 1.0) to the data yields K 0 = 0.067 and DeltaGamma = -30.0 per base pair (bp). Essentially equivalent fits are provided by models with a wide range of correlated J, DeltaGamma, and K 0 values. Other results favor DeltaGamma in the range -1.0 to 0, which then requires K 0 > or = 0.914, and a cooperativity parameter, 1/ J > or = 30.0 bp. The measured delta l 0 and circular dichroism (CD) at 272 nm are found to be compatible with curves predicted using the same f 2 (0) values that best-fit the E T data. At least 7-10% of the base pairs are inferred to exist in the 2-state in 0.1 M NaCl in the complete absence of added osmolyte. Compared with the 1-state, the 2-state has a approximately 2.0- to 2.1-fold greater torsion elastic constant, a approximately 0.70-fold smaller bending elastic constant, a approximately 0.91-fold smaller E T value, a approximately 0.2% lower intrinsic twist, a somewhat lower CD near both 272 and 245 nm, and less water and/or more EG in its neighborhood. However, the relative change in preferential interaction coefficient associated with the transition is likely rather slight.     

First Nitroxide‐Mediated Controlled/Living Free Radical Polymerization in an Ionic Liquid

Summary: The controlled/living radical polymerizations of methyl acrylate in 50% v/v of an ionic liquid initiated by the alkoxyamine generated in situ from 4‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyl‐N‐oxyl (4‐oxo‐TEMPO) and 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) at 140–155 °C are reported. The number‐average molecular weights increased linearly with conversion, and polydispersity indices are approximately 1.4 in the best case. The rates of polymerization were greater than in anisole, and similar to the rate of spontaneous polymerization in the ionic liquid.

(filled symbols) and (open symbols) vs. conversion for the MA polymerization in the presence of [4‐oxo‐TEMPO]/[AIBN] (2.8:1) in 50% v/v anisole with 0.03 M AIBN (squares) and 50% v/v [hmim][PF₆] with 0.03 M AIBN (circles), and 0.06 M AIBN (triangles).