Quantitative analysis of fluorimated ethylchloroformate derivatives of non-protein amino acids using positive and negative chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectometry

The GC-MS characterization of the ethylchloroformate derivatives of amino acids in an aqueous medium has been applied to non-protein amino acids. Derivatization of non-protein amino acids using ethylchloroformate, trifluoroethanol, and pyridine produced strong [M + 1]⁺ and [M - 1]⁻ ions in positive and negative chemical ionization (CI) modes, respectively. Twenty-one out of the twenty-three non-protein amino acids studied produced detectable ion chromatograms in both ionization modes when methane was used as the CI reagent gas. Mass spectra of these non-protein amino acid derivatives showed characteristic [M - 19]⁺, [M + 1]⁺, [M + 29]⁺, and [M + 41]⁺ peaks in the positive chemical ionization mode, and [M - 1]⁻, and [M + 35]⁻ peaks in the negative chemical ionization mode. The detection limits and the linear dynamic range of trifluorethanol ethylchloroformate derivatives of non-protein amino acids were studied using positive chemical ionization. The detection limits are mostly in the femtomole range.     

Elucidation of O-Phosphoryl and N-Phosphoryl Amino Acids by Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectroscopic characteristics of phosphoryl amino acids were studied in detail by positive and negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Besides N-diisopropyloxyphosphoryl amino acids (N-DIPP-AA), O-phospho- and O-diisopropyloxyphosphoryl amino acids (O-DIPP-AA) were studied and compared to N-DIPP-AA. The fragmentation pathways of [M H]^ ,[M Na]^ and [M-H]^- ions of phosphoryl amino acids were summarized. In addition to several similar patterns, each of them showed its characteristic fragmention.     

Ab Initio and MNDO Calculation of the Intermediates of N-Diisopropylphosphoryl L-lspartic Acid

Many biological processes are regulated by the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of amino acid residues in the proteins^[1]. High-coordinate phosphorus intermediates forming from amino acid residues in protein are of great importance in the process of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of protein. It has been proposed that the mechanisms of phosphorylation through penta-coordinate intramolecular mixed carboxylic-phosphoric anhydride intermediates^[2]. It was found that α-COOH group^[3] and β-COOH group^[4] in aspartic acid had different activities in the ester exchange on phosphorus. So it is important to discuss which carboxylic acids is involved in the penta-coordinate phosphorus intermediate of aspartic acid.     

Studies on Adsorption Property for Metal Ions of Carboxymethyl Chitosan

Chitosan is a polymer, which contains β-1, 4-linked α-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose repeat units and is easily derived from chitin by N-deacetylation. Since chitosan is biodegradable, relatively nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, much research has been directed toward its use in medical applications^[1].It also has been suggested for use as chelating agent for metals, since the primary amino group and hydroxyl functionalities at the ring^[2]. Chitosan is only soluble in aqueous solution of some acids, so it becomes a limitation. The carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS),a water-soluble derivative of chitosan, was synthesized by chemical modification with ClCH₂COOH and chitosan^[3]. It was amphoteric polyelectolyte with stronger chelating ability for metals because of introduction of-COOH.     

Sensitive Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Neurotoxin β-ODAP and Non-protein Amino Acids in Lathyrus sativus by Precolumn Derivatization with Dansyl Chloride

Lathyrus sativus (L. sativus) is a highly drought resistant and protein-rich leguminous crop cultivated in Africa and Asia, where it is a major protein source for people in the lowest income groups. However, excessive ingestion of this pulse can lead to irreversible paralysis of the legs-a disease known as neurolathyrism or lathyrism. The causative agent was reported to be the nonprotein amino acid, 3-N-L-oxalyl-2,3-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP)^[1]. The α-isomer of ODAP has been shown to be nontoxic. L. sativus (shan li dou in China) shows good adaptation to the low rainfall conditions of northwestern China. Our group was exploring the breeding low or zero toxin varieties of L. sativus as grain crops for human consumption and as protein-rich feed for animals. Thus, it is necessary to develop a method to determine the toxin and other amino acids. Derivatization by 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-l-sulfonyl chloride (DnsCl) as derivatization reagent was used for analysis of amino acids by Negro et al.^[3] Sanz^[4]. We have developed a HPLC method that can simultaneously determination the a- and|3-ODAP and other amino acids in L. sativus by dansylation. The method provides a simple accurate alternative to existing methods for plant screening purpose.     

Syntheses and Properties of Tripicolinatechromium (Ⅲ)

Chromium (Ⅲ) has been implicated as glucose tolerance factor (GTF) in the maintenance of normal lipid and carbohydrate metabolism^[1]. Several organic chromium (Ⅲ) complexes containing nicotinate, amino acids ligand which have much higher biological activity than chromic chloride have been synthesized and extensively studied^[2]. Tripicolinatechromium (Ⅲ) as a new human chromium(Ⅲ) nutritional supplement was shown to reduce the symptoms of diabetes, hyperglycemia and cholesterol significantly^[3]. Although the crystal structure and NMR spectrum of tripicolinatechromium (Ⅲ) was studied previously^[4,5], Its properties have only received little attention. In this paper, we report the studies of syntheses and properties of tripicolinatechromium(Ⅲ).     

DRUG SENSITIZATION: PHOTOBINDING OF SULFANILAMIDE TO BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN

Abstract— Photobinding of sulfanilamide to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by irradiating BSA and buffered BSA/drug solutions with UV light (Λ= 300 nm) under anaerobic conditions. The protein solutions were then denatured and the unbound sulfanilamide removed. Marked differences in the UV and fluorescence spectra of the solutions before and after irradiation were observed, suggesting covalent binding of the drug to BSA. This was confirmed using [¹⁴C]labelled sulfanilamide. The extent of photobinding of sulfanilamide determined using the radiolabeled drug, was concentration dependent. The binding ratio varied from 3 mol drug per mol BSA for a 10^-4 M drug concentration, to 10 mol drug per mol BSA for 10^-2 M drug concentration.
The protein solutions were hydrolysed under acid conditions and the amino acids obtained were analysed by ion exchange chromatography. The hydrolysate of irradiated BSA (10^-4 M ) -sulfanilamide (10^-2 M ) mixture lost about 10 mol of cystine per mol of BSA. This loss was not observed after hydrolysis of irradiated alone or non-irradiated BSA. Irradiation of cystine with [¹⁴C]sulfanilamide in HC1 solutions produced the same compound as was found after hydrolysis of irradiated BSA/sulfanilamide mixtures. This was demonstrated by autoradiography of paper chromatograms. The same compound was also detected in an irradiated [³⁵S]cystine non-labelled sulfanilamide mixture. It was not detected, however, after irradiation of a mixture of all amino acids of BSA excluding cystine. These data suggest that cystine residues are involved in the photobinding of sulfanilamide (or its photoproducts) to BSA.     

A New Method for the Synthesis of Oligo-peptides

It was discovered that polypeptides were formed by self-assembly of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)amino acids with the assistance of O-phenylene phosphorochloridate.^[1] There were three steps involved in the self organization reactions, the activation of amino acid, the elongation of peptide chain and the termination of the chain reaction,among which the activation of amino acid -the formation of imino (alkyl)acetoxyphosphoranes was the key step. The formation process of the penta-coordinated phosphorus intermediates was showed in scheme 1.^[2,3,4] Through further studies of the mechanism of self-assembly reaction, it was found that carbonyl groups of the intermediates attacked by the neuclophilic groups were direct reson of the formation of peptides. However, the peptides in the solution were very difficult to be separated and analyzed.     

Simultaneously Determination of Aldoses and Alduronic Acids in Plant Heteropolysaccharide by Gas Chroraatograhpy

The analysis of hydrolysis mixture derived from heteropolysaccharides is often complicated by the presence of alduronic acids in addition to the aldioses normally resent. Aldoses can easily be determination by gas chromatography (GC) as the alditol acetates^[1], aldononitrile acetates^[2] or trimethylsilyl (TMS)^[3] derivatives. Alduromic acids are most often analyzed spectrophotometrically with carbazole or m-hydroxydiphenyl^[4] etc. These commonly used methods are non-specific in that they do not identify which acid is being analyzed.     

α-氨基酸及其酯化物侧链对其β-环糊精复合物稳定常数的影响

为了探索α-氨基酸及其酯化物的侧链R基团对其与环糊精非共价复合物结合强度的影响, 将一定摩尔比的β-环糊精(β-CD)分别与L型正缬氨酸(n-Val)、 亮氨酸(Leu)、 苯丙氨酸(Phe)、 天冬氨酸(Asp)、 天冬氨酸-4-苄酯(Asp-4-benzyl ester)和天冬氨酸-4-叔丁酯(Asp-4-t-butyl ester)在室温下混合, 反应平衡后采用电喷雾电离质谱进行竞争反应检测, 并以改进的质谱滴定结合曲线拟合法计算结合常数. 结果表明, 它们均可形成摩尔比为1∶1的非共价复合物. 在2组竞争反应中, 复合物的结合强度顺序分别为[β-CD∶Asp-4-benzyl ester+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Asp-4-t-butyl ester+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Asp+H]⁺以及[β-CD∶Phe+H]⁺>[β-CD∶Leu+H]⁺>[β-CD∶n-Val+H]⁺. 质谱滴定曲线拟合法测得[β-CD∶n-Val+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp-4-t-butyl ester+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Asp-4-benzyl ester+H]⁺, [β-CD∶Leu+H]⁺和[β-CD∶Phe+H]⁺的稳定常数(lgK_st)分别为1.81, 2.54, 3.14, 3.26, 3.36和3.67, 结合强度依次增强. 竞争反应的定性分析结果与质谱滴定定量法测得结合强度结果的趋势一致. 由于所选用的α-氨基酸及其酯化物客体的羧基端(—COOH)和氨基端(—NH₂)均相同, 且都为亲水基团, 仅有侧链R基团不同, 因此在溶液中客体分子受疏水驱动与β-CD主体靠近并结合时, 侧链R基团的疏水力和极性2个因素起重要作用. 由于客体分子体积小, 其碳端的羧基还可与β-CD大口或小口边缘的羟基形成氢键, 使复合物更加稳定.     

Studies on the Halogen Substituted β-Amino Acids and Their Cu(Ⅱ) Coordination Complexes in Crystallography

Halogen substituted β-amino acids, D,L-3-amino-3-(4-fluoro)phenylpropionic acid(D,L-HL1, 1) and D,L-3-amino-3-(4-bromo)phenylpropionic acid(D,L-HL2, 2), as well as their Cu(Ⅱ) coordination complexes[Cu(L1)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·2CH₃OH(3) and[Cu(L2)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·2CH₃OH(4) were investigated and their single crystal structures were discussed in details. Supramolecular helical chains were found in β-amino acids 1 and 2 while there was no helix in their coordination complexes 3 and 4. The formation of supramolecular helixes could be due to the hydrogen bonds between terminal-NH³⁺ and adjacent-COO^- in β-amino acids 1 and 2. While, this kind of hydrogen bonds could not be observed in their Cu(Ⅱ) coordination complexes 3 and 4, in which central-symmetrical dimers could be formed via coplanar coordinated bonds(N-Cu-O) between-NH₂ and-COO^-.     

Synthesis of New Phase-Transfer Catalysts and Their Application in Asymmetric Alkylation

Despite phase transfer catalysis (PTC) is an important and useful method in organic synthesis, asymmetric synthesis using chiral phase-transfer catalyst has not been well documented and limited number of chiral phase-transfer catalyst have been developed^[1].In 1989,O'Donnell published his pioneering work in the asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids by enantioselective alkylation of a prochiral protected glycine derivative using chiral phase-transfer catalyst^[2]. Since then, several groups reported their improvements on enantioselectivity and applicability on this useful synthetic reaction^[3,4]. However, almost all of the chiral phase-transfer catalysts reported so far are the derivatives of cinchona^[5]. In this presentation, we wish to describe the design and synthesis of a new type of chiral phase-transfer catalyst based on the camphor and its application in asymmetric alkylation of tert-bntyl glycinate-benzophenone Schiff base.     

Synthesis of Silica Hollow Spheres with Diameter Around 50 nm by Anionic Surfactant

Silica hollow spheres(SHSs) have attracted great attention because of their low toxicity,low density,large surface area,high chemical and thermal stability,and surface permeability.They can be widely applied in storage[1],catalysis[2],drug delivery[3,4],low-dielectric-constant materials[5],low-refractive materials[6-8],and so on.Up to now,there have been various methods to produce SHSs.Inorganic[9] or organic particles[10],such as polystyrene or calcium carbonate,were used as hard templates to create hollow cavities.However,the multistep synthetic process and the lack of structural robustness of the shells upon template removal process weaken their application.Soft templates,including oil-in-water emulsions[1],[2],vesicles[13],micelle[14,15] and gas bubbles[16],are applied widely.     

二苯并噻吩及其氧化物与离子液体相互作用的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论方法比较了DBT/DBTO₂和[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-/[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-的相互作用。对最稳定的[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-、[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^--DBT、[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^--DBTO₂、[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-、[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^--DBT、[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^--DBTO₂进行了NBO和AIM分析。结果表明,DBT和[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-/[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-中的咪唑环彼此相互平行,NBO和AIM分析表明它们之间发生了π-π相互作用。H1'和H9'形成的F…H氢键有利于π-π堆积作用的形成。DBTO₂倾向于趋近C2-H2和甲基基团形成O…H相互作用;DBTO₂优先吸附在[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-/[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-。在模拟油中,[BMIM]⁺[PF₆]^-和[BMIM]⁺[BF₄]^-离子液体对DBTO₂的萃取能力大于DBT,其原因是可能是DBTO₂具有较大的极性和O…H与F…H的氢键作用。     

Studies on the Interaction of Poly(I:C) with Heterocyclic Compounds Containing Iodine

The iodine heterocvclic compound with trivalent-iodine as the cation has a specially remarkable antitumor activityii^[1]. Although 3, 6-bis (dimethylamino)-dibenzopyriodonium formate([I⁺]) inhibits DNA biosynthesis of cancer cells in vitro, the way of [I⁺] depressing DNA synthesis has not been studied. It is significant to investigate the mechanism of the interaction of [I⁺] with nucleic acids.     

PHOTOFRAGMENTATION OF α-OXOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION. AN EPR STUDY. FORMATION OF SEMIDIONE RADICALS BY DECARBOXYLATIVE SUBSTITUTION OF α-OXOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS BY ACYL RADICALS-I: GLYOXYLIC, PYRUVIC, α-OXOBUTYRIC, α-OXOGLUTARIC AND α-OXOISOCAPROlC ACIDS

Abstract— By means of in situ photolysis EPR of aqueous solutions of α-oxocarboxylic acids (RCO-CO₂H) at pH values above 5, semidione radical anions [RC(O^-)=C(O')R] and α-hydroxy-α-carboxy alkyl radicals [RC(OH)CO₂-] were detected. C0₂ was identified as a reaction product. On photolysis of mixtures of α-oxocarboxylic acids (RCOCO₂H and R'COCC₂H), "mixed" semidione radical anions [RC(O^->=C(O)R'] were observed in addition to RC(O^-)=C(O')R, R'C(O^-)=C(O')R', RC(OH)CO₂^- and R'C(OH)CO₂^-. The experimental results are explained in terms of photodecarboxylation (α-clea-vage) of electronically excited RCOCOJ to yield RCO and CO₂. The radicals RC(OH)CO₂^- are formed by reduction of RCOCO₂^- by CO₂^-. The semidione radicals are produced by addition of RCO to RCOCO₂^- followed by decarboxylation of the intermediate adduct. This mechanism was confirmed by generating acyl radicals independently and reacting them with α-oxocarboxylic acids. Selected product studies support the mechanism suggested.     

氨基酸修饰的手性多酸的电子结构和光学活性的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)方法研究了L-O₂CCHCH₃NH₃(L-Alanine)修饰的手性多酸[Se^ⅣMo₆O₂₁(L-alanine)₃]^2-, [Sb^ⅢMo₆O₂₁(L-alanine)₃]^3-及[Bi^ⅢMo₆O₂₁(L-alanine)₃]^3-的几何结构、电子结构以及紫外-可见(UV-Vis)谱和电子圆二色(ECD)谱.通过对电荷转移跃迁性质的分析, 探讨了多酸中杂原子对手性光学性质的影响.结果表明, 杂原子(Se, Sb, Bi)对多酸的几何结构影响较大, 且对该类体系的UV-Vis谱的吸收峰的强度和峰形都有显著的影响.其ECD谱的转动吸收方向和强度以及吸收峰位和峰形也因杂原子的不同而发生明显变化.低能区UV-Vis谱和ECD谱的产生主要源自多酸中氧原子的p轨道到Mo原子d轨道的电荷转移跃迁, 而对于高能区的UV-Vis谱和ECD谱的产生, 则主要为多酸中杂原子以及与杂原子直接相连的氧原子p轨道到Mo原子d轨道的电荷转移跃迁.     

Gas phase hydrogen deuterium exchange reactions of a model peptide: FT-ICR and computational analyses of metal induced conformational mutations

We utilized gas phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions and ab initio calculations to investigate the complexation between a model peptide (Arg-Gly-AspRGD) with various alkali metal ions. The peptide conformation is drastically altered upon alkali metal ion complexation. The associated conformational changes depend on both the number and type of complexing alkali metal ions. Sodium has a smaller ionic diameter and prefers a multidentate interaction that involves all three amino acids of the peptide. Conversely, potassium and cesium form different types of complexes with the RGD. The [RGD + 2Cs − H]⁺ species exhibit the slowest H/D exchange reactivity (reaction rate constant of 6 × 10⁻¹³ cm³molecule⁻¹s⁻¹ for the fastest exchanging labile hydrogen with ND₃). The reaction rate constant of the protonated RGD is two orders of magnitude faster than that of the [RGD + 2Cs − H]⁺. Addition of the first cesium to the RGD reduces the H/D exchange reaction rate constant (i.e., D₀) by a factor of seven whereas sodium reduces this value by a factor of thirty. Conversely, addition of the second alkali metal ions has the opposite effect; the rate of D₀ disappearance for all [RGD + 2Met − H]⁺ species (MetNa, K, and Cs) decreases with the alkali metal ion size.     

Determination of Amino Acids by Ru(bpy)_3~(2+) Cathodic Electrochemiluminescence with High Sensitivity

The unique cathodic electrochemiluminescence(ECL) emission of Ru(bpy)32+(bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) was observed via Nafion film at Au electrode[Au/Nafion/Ru(bpy)32+] at about 0.20 V(vs. Ag/AgCl) and applied to the determination of several amino acids without prior derivatization with high sensitivity. The cathodic electrochemilumi-nescence(ECL) exhibits the detection limits and linear ranges of several amino acids comparable to or better than those of capillary electrophoresis with conventional ECL detection method(at 1.10—1.20 V vs. Ag/AgCl) based on precolumn derivatization. The results suggest that the cathodic ECL is promising for the detection of amino acids in bioanalysis.     

Studies on Fragmentation Pathways of N-Ethoxy （phenyl） phosphoryl Amino Acids by Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry

IntroductionPhosphorylation often acts as a molecular switchcontrolling the protein activity in different pathways asin metabolism,signal transduction,cell division,andso on.Therefore,N-phosphoryl amino acids play aspecial and important role in biological…