Probing the Role of the Conserved Arg174 in Formate Dehydrogenase by Chemical Modification and Site-Directed Mutagenesis

The reactive adenosine derivative, adenosine 5′-O-[S-(4-hydroxy-2,3-dioxobutyl)]-thiophosphate (AMPS-HDB), contains a dicarbonyl group linked to the purine nucleotide at a position equivalent to the pyrophosphate region of NAD⁺. AMPS-HDB was used as a chemical label towards Candida boidinii formate dehydrogenase (CbFDH). AMPS-HDB reacts covalently with CbFDH, leading to complete inactivation of the enzyme activity. The inactivation kinetics of CbFDH fit the Kitz and Wilson model for time-dependent, irreversible inhibition (K_D = 0.66 ± 0.15 mM, first order maximum rate constant k₃ = 0.198 ± 0.06 min⁻¹). NAD⁺ and NADH protects CbFDH from inactivation by AMPS-HDB, showing the specificity of the reaction. Molecular modelling studies revealed Arg174 as a candidate residue able to be modified by the dicarbonyl group of AMPS-HDB. Arg174 is a strictly conserved residue among FDHs and is located at the Rossmann fold, the common mononucleotide-binding motif of dehydrogenases. Arg174 was replaced by Asn, using site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant enzyme CbFDHArg174Asn was showed to be resistant to inactivation by AMPS-HDB, confirming that the guanidinium group of Arg174 is the target for AMPS-HDB. The CbFDHArg174Asn mutant enzyme exhibited substantial reduced affinity for NAD⁺ and lower thermostability. The results of the study underline the pivotal and multifunctional role of Arg174 in catalysis, coenzyme binding and structural stability of CbFDH.     

The rhodium complex of a tris(bipyridine) ligand—Its electrochemical behaviour and function as mediator for the regeneration of NADH from NAD+

The tris-bipyridine ligand3a and its stoichiometric Rh³⁺ complex have been prepared. Cyclovoltammograms of the complex at pH 7.4 using a glassy carbon disk electrode reveal a strong reduction peak at –620 mV and two weak reduction peaks at more negative voltage. The reduction potential of the new complex is shifted by 300 mV to more positive values as compared to [Rh(bipy)₃]³⁺. There is no reversible reoxidation peak of the Rh(I) complex formed due to the decomplexation of one of the three bipyridine units in the course of the transition Rh(III)Rh(I). The Rh(III) complex of3a was also studied with respect to its function as a possible redox mediator for the electrochemical regeneration of NADH from NAD⁺. The preparative electrolysis of the Rh³⁺ complex of3a in the presence of NAD⁺ yields a selective formation of NADH, whereas NAD dimers were not detected. On the other hand, a significant acceleration of this reaction compared to [Rh(bipy)₃]³⁺ was not observed.     

Inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase in the presence of crown ethers: modulation of ionic composition or pharmacological effects

It is believed that the biological effects of chelating agents such as crown ethers are largely related to their ability to form complexes with ions and/or to facilitate ion transport across membranes. Specific influences are rarely related. Here we present the evidence that even one of the simplest representatives of the crown ether super-family, 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctane (18-crown-6), is able to affect the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase directly. Using nonlinear regression fitting to kinetic data we have found that the crown ether diminishes the apparent Michaelis constant, K _m , and the maximal rate of ATP hydrolysis, V _m , acting as noncompetitive inhibitors. The apparent dissociation constants, K _i , for the crown interaction with the free ATPase and with the enzyme-substrate complex were established to be of 77 ± 3 mM and 21 ± 2 mM, respectively. So 18-crown-6 possesses weak but “direct” pharmacological activity on Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase hinders the formation of enzyme–substrate complex and detains the enzyme in this state.     

Mutation of Tyr-218 to Phe in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus</Emphasis> Secondary Alcohol Dehydrogenase: Effects on Bioelectronic Interface Performance

Bioelectronic interfaces that facilitate electron transfer between the electrode and a dehydrogenase enzyme have potential applications in biosensors, biocatalytic reactors, and biological fuel cells. The secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (2° ADH) from Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus is especially well suited for the development of such bioelectronic interfaces because of its thermostability and facile production and purification. However, the natural cofactor for the enzyme, β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP⁺), is more expensive and less stable than β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺). PCR-based, site-directed mutagenesis was performed on 2° ADH in an attempt to adjust the cofactor specificity toward NAD⁺ by mutating Tyr²¹⁸ to Phe (Y218F 2° ADH). This mutation increased the K _m(app) for NADP⁺ 200-fold while decreasing the K _m(app) for NAD⁺ 2.5-fold. The mutant enzyme was incorporated into a bioelectronic interface that established electrical communication between the enzyme, the NAD⁺, the electron mediator toluidine blue O (TBO), and a gold electrode. Cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, constant potential amperometry, and chronoamperometry were used to characterize the mutant and wild-type enzyme incorporated in the bioelectronic interface. The Y218F 2° ADH exhibited a fourfold increase in the turnover ratio compared to the wild type in the presence of NAD⁺. The electrochemical and kinetic measurements support the prediction that the Rossmann fold of the enzyme binds to the phosphate moiety of the cofactor. During the 45 min of continuous operation, NAD⁺ was electrically recycled 6.7 × 10⁴ times, suggesting that the Y218F 2° ADH-modified bioelectronic interface is stable.     

Role of Acid-Base Equilibria in the Reduction of Selenious(IV) Acid

ABSTRACT

Electroanalytical methods have been widely used for determination of Se(IV), but the nature of the reduction processes involved is not well understood. Polarographic reduction occurs in three waves (i₁, i₂, and i₃) the height of which changes with pH. We proved that in wave i₁, H₃SeO₃ ⁺ is reduced, in i₂ H₂SeO₃, and in i₃ HSeO₃ ^-. SeO₃ ^2? is not reducible. All reductions involve a transfer of six electrons and yield selenides. Limiting currents are controlled by the rate of protonation. As proton donors, in addition to H₃O⁺, the acid forms of the buffer present also act. Limiting currents increase markedly with increasing concentration of the buffer. Tenfold increase in buffer concentration can result in up to 200% increase in limiting current.     

Investigations on the local angular distortions and the spin-Hamiltonian parameters for Ni in sulfides

The local angular distortions and the spin-Hamiltonian parameters (the g factors and the hyperfine parameters) for Ni⁺ in ABS₂ (ACu, Ag; BAl, Ga) ternary sulfides are theoretically investigated from the perturbation formulas of these parameters for 3d⁹ ions in a tetragonally distorted tetrahedron. In view of the strong covalency of such systems, the ligand orbital and spin–orbit coupling contributions are taken into account using the cluster approach. The local impurity-ligand bond angles in the Ni⁺ centers are found to be about 1.4–4.5° smaller than those of the host monovalent A sites in the pure crystals, due to size mismatching substitution. As a result, the ligand tetrahedra exhibit slight elongation in CuBS₂:Ni⁺ and slight compression in AgGaS₂:Ni⁺. The calculated spin-Hamiltonian parameters, optical transitions and the relative intensity ratios show reasonable agreement with the experimental data.     

Ab initio electronic analysis of the hydride transfer in the [CH3-H-CH3]+ system

Summary The electronic aspects of the hydride transfer process between CH₄ and CH ₃ ⁺ fragments, are studied theoretically withab initio molecular orbital methods, subject to the constraint of maintaining a fix distance between both fragments. Mulliken and Natural population analyses are performed to gain an insight into the hydride character of the atom being transferred. From these analyses, charge migrating diagrams are depicted to obtain a more visual information. Further analysis is performed from the contour maps of the electronic charge density, together with the analysis of its gradient and laplacian. Basis set and electronic correlation effects are also discussed. Finally, the effect of applying a uniform electric field is assessed.     

Investigations of the local structures and spin Hamiltonian parameters for the trigonal Rh and Ir centers in rhombohedral BaTiO3

The local structures and spin Hamiltonian parameters (g factors and the hyperfine structure constants) of the Rh⁴⁺(4d⁵) and Ir⁴⁺(5d⁵) centers in rhombohedral BaTiO₃ are theoretically investigated from the formulas of these parameters for a nd⁵ (n = 4 and 5) ion with low spin (S = 1/2) in a trigonally distorted octahedron. From the calculations, the impurity ions are found not to occupy exactly the host Ti⁴⁺ site in BaTiO₃ but to suffer a slight inward shift (0.13 Å) towards the center of the oxygen octahedron along the C₃ axis, yielding much smaller trigonal distortion as compared with that of the host Ti⁴⁺ site. The theoretical spin Hamiltonian parameters based on the above impurity axial shifts are in good agreement with the observed values.     

The Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of ketones with Oxone in the presence of ionic liquids as solvents

Cyclic and linear ketones were readily oxidised with Oxone^® at 40 °C in ionic liquids as solvents and short times (2.5-20 h), affording their corresponding lactones and esters in high yields (65-95%). Both, aprotic and protic ionic liquids were used. The best conversion of ketones and the highest yields of products were obtained with 1-buty-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-methylimidazolium acetate as solvents. These ionic liquids were also efficiently recycled in the Baeyer-Villiger reaction without significant loss of activity. Several factors, such as the partial solubility of KHSO₅ in the ionic liquid, its viscosity and the presence of a proton in protic ionic liquids, have an influence on the course of the reaction.     

Influence of the crystallinity on the Li+ intercalation process in Nb2O5 films

Nb₂O₅ thin films were prepared by the Pechini method. The effect of the film crystallinity on the electrochemical and electrochromic properties was investigated. A relationship between the crystalline structure and the Li⁺ intercalation/extraction process, stability and kinetics was observed. A significant decrease in the electrochemical response was observed as a function of the number of cycles for films treated at 400 and 450 °C. However, as the calcination temperature increases this effect disappears. XRD studies shown that at 400 °C, the material is amorphous, evolving to orthorhombic phase. The transmittance variation as well as the coloration efficiency increases as the temperature is increased. In the initial cycles the intercalation charge is higher for the amorphous oxide than for the orthorhombic phase. However, the variation in the optical density is small. On the other hand, the charge of the orthorhombic phase oxide does not change. These results suggest that there are two different processes associated with Li⁺ intercalation, but only one of them leads to the coloration process.     

Defect models of the three trigonal Ti3+ centers in LiF:Ti3+ and LiF:Ti3+:Mg2+ crystals

The EPR g factors of the trigonal Ti3+ center A in LiF:Ti3+ and two additional trigonal Ti3+ centers B and C in LiF:Ti3+:Mg2+ crystals are calculated from the third-order perturbation formulas based on the cluster approach. From the calculations and by considering the Ti3+ displacement along 111 axis obtained by ENDOR experiment, the defect models for the three Ti3+ centers are suggested. For center A, there are two possible models: (i) [Ti3+F3-O3(2-)] cluster and (ii) [Ti3+F6-] cluster with the Ti3+ off-center caused by a neighboring Li+ vacancy (VLi+) at <111> axis. The latter seems the more likely. The defect models of centers B and C are the [Ti3+F3-O(3)2-] clusters associated with a neighboring: Mg2+ ion at the Li+ site along 111 axis in the vicinity of three F- ions and three O2- ions, respectively. The reasonableness of these models is discussed.     

A short-term NaCl exposure increases the Na(+) conductance of outward-rectified cation currents in the pith cells of sweet pepper

The regulatory role of pith cells in the stem in Na(+) recirculation in sweet pepper was investigated by evaluating the transport characteristics of the plasma membrane of this cell type and comparison with those of root cells. Ion conductivity and Na(+) permeability of the plasma membranes of protoplasts of both cell types were studied with the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration, before and after addition of NaCl to the bath medium. Protoplasts of both pith and root cells showed outward rectifying currents with a reversal potential (V(r)) near to the equilibrium potential of K(+) (EK). Addition of NaCl to the bath medium caused a stronger shift of the reversal potential, V(r), in pith protoplasts than in root protoplasts, indicating that the outward rectified currents are permeable to Na(+), especially in the pith cells.After plant exposure to exogenous NaCl via the nutrient solution for 1 week, V(r) in the root cells was closer to EK than in the control plants and hardly shifted upon addition of Na(+). This indicated that the net permeability of the OR channel complement in the plasma membrane to Na(+) was lower following exposure to Na(+). V(r) in the pith protoplasts, on the other hand, shifted significantly more than in the control plants, suggesting an increase of the permeability to Na(+). Moreover, the Na(+) channel blocker amiloride blocked the currents in this cell type. It is concluded that pith cells have appropriate features of outward rectified currents to enable Na(+) accumulation or release when NaCl is present in or removed from the nutrient medium. Probably, exogenous NaCl even induced expression and formation of Na(+)-permeable channels in pith cells.     

Investigations of the spin-Hamiltonian parameters for Er3+ at the Th4+ site in ThGeO4

The spin-Hamiltonian (SH) parameters g factors g(parallel), g(perpendicular) and the hyperfine structure parameters A(parallel) and A(perpendicular) for Er3+ at the tetragonally distorted dodecahedral Th4+ site in ThGeO4 are theoretically investigated by using the perturbation formulas of the SH parameters for a 4f11 ion in tetragonal symmetry. In these formulas, the contributions to the SH parameters from the second-order perturbation terms and the admixture of various energy levels are taken into account. The related crystal-field parameters are calculated from the geometrical relationship of the impurity center and the superposition model. Based on the studies, the lowest Kramers doublet is found to be Gamma7, rather than Gamma6 suggested in the previous work. The calculated SH parameters for Gamma7 doublet in this work are smaller than those obtained for Gamma6 doublet in the previous work and in good agreement with the observed values. The various contributions to the SH parameters are discussed.     

Selective Rearrangement Reaction of Bicyclic Ketal Compounds in the New Reagent System,MgBr2-Ac2O-NaOAc

A new reagent system, MgBr₂-Ac₂O-NaOAc, was investigated for the selective rearrangement reaction of bicyclic ketal compounds. Mono- and diacetylated products were isolated in low yield using MgBr₂-Ac₂O system, but the single mono-acetylated isomer was obtained selectively by the addition of NaOAc in the reaction conditions.     

Cell-sorption of paramagnetic metal ions on a cell-immobilized micro-column in the presence of an external magnetic field

The cell-sorption of paramagnetic ions of Mn²⁺ and Cr³⁺ onto a Chlorella vulgaris(C. vulgaris) cell-immobilized micro-column was significantly improved in the presence of an external magnetic field generated in a finite solenoid, by placing the micro-column in the center of the solenoid in a sequential injection system. Magnetic field creates an opposite drift velocity on the hydrated paramagnetic ions against the flow of the sample zone, retards the moving velocity of the metal ions and provides extra contacting time with the cells on the micro-column and offers more chances for the paramagnetic ions to interact with the various functional groups or binding sites on the cell surface, which significantly facilitates cell-sorption of the paramagnetic ions. The sorption efficiencies of Mn²⁺ and Cr³⁺ at the 20 μg L⁻¹ level were improved from 45 to 80% and 60 to 90%, respectively, in a magnetic field of 240 mT.The system was applied for the separation/preconcentration of ultra-trace level of manganese. The presence of an external magnetic field significantly alleviated the interfering effects from coexisting metal ions. Within a liner range of 0.025-0.5 μg L⁻¹ and a sampling volume of 500 μL, an enrichment factor of 21.2, a limit of detection of 0.008 μg L⁻¹, along with a sampling frequency of 20 h⁻¹ was attained, achieving a precision of 2.1% R.S.D. (0.2 μg L⁻¹). Manganese contents in a certified reference material of riverine water and a snow water were analyzed.     

Complex Formation of Crown Ethers with Cations in the Water–Organic Solvent Mixtures. Part VIII.1 Thermodynamic of Interactions of Na+ Ion with 15-Crown-5 and Benzo-15-Crown-5 Ethers in the Mixtures of Water with Hexamethylphosphortriamide at 298.15 K

The equilibrium constants of complex formation of 15-crown-5 and benzo-15-crown-5 ethers with the sodium cation have been determined by conductivity measurements. The enthalpic effect of complex formation has been measured by a calorimetric method at 298.15 K. The thermodynamic functions of complex formation of 15-crown-5 and benzo-15-crown-5 ethers with the sodium cation in the mixtures of water with hexamethylphosportriamide at 298.15 K have been calculated. The extent of complex formation in this mixed solvent depends on the enthalpic effect. In water–hexamethylp- hosportriamide mixtures with medium and low water content, the complex of crown ethers with the sodium cation is not formed because of the strong solvation of sodium cation and crown ethers molecules; this implies that the entropy of complex formation is more negative than the enthalpy of complex formation.     

Novel solvent-free reaction of C60 with active methylene compounds in the presence of Na2CO3 under high-speed vibration milling

Inorganic base, Na₂CO₃, was utilized to replace organic base, DBU, in the Bingel reaction employing diethyl bromomalonate under the mechanochemical ‘high-speed vibration milling’ conditions to give the cyclopropanated C₆₀1 in high yield. In contrast, reactions of C₆₀ with diethyl malonate and ethyl acetoacetate in the presence of Na₂CO₃ under HSVM conditions afforded 1,4-bisadduct 2 and dihydrofuran-fused C₆₀ derivative 3, respectively.     

Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Indium(III) from the HCl Medium by Ionic Liquid A327H+Cl− and Its Use in a Supported Liquid Membrane System

Ionic liquid A327H⁺Cl⁻ was generated by reaction of tertiary amine A327 and HCl, and the liquid-liquid extraction of indium(III) from the HCl medium by this ionic liquid dissolved in Solvesso 100 was investigated. The extraction reaction is exothermic. The numerical analysis of indium distribution data suggests the formation of A327H⁺InCl₄⁻ in the organic phase. The results derived from indium(III) extraction have been implemented in a supported liquid membrane system. The influence of the stirring speed (600–1200 min⁻¹), carrier concentration (2.5–20% v/v) in the membrane phase, and indium concentration (0.01–0.2 g/L) in the feed phase on metal transport have been investigated.     

Effect of the medium pH on the release of secondary metabolites from roots ofDatura stramonium,Catharanthus roseus,andTagetes patula cultured in vitro

The release of alkaloids from root culturesDatura stramonium andCatharanthus roseus and thiophenes from root cultures ofTagetes patula was found to increase when the pH of the culture media (ranging from 4.8 to 7.0) was reduced to 3.5. The extent of the effect was different in each type of culture. Increases ranged from 4- to 20-fold, which in some cases accounted for 75% of the total secondary metabolite pool produced per flask. When the release of individual metabolites was measured, even larger increases, were observed (nearly 400-fold for ajmalicine). Increased release of alkaloids fromC. roseus roots were also observed in cultures growing in a 14-L fermentor, when the medium pH was reduced. Reduction of the pH of the media did not affect growth of the root cultures in subsequent subcultures. The importance of this treatment as a stategy to improve the recovery of secondary metabolites from producing cultures is discussed.