INFLUENCE OF MOLECULAR WEIGHT AND PERIODATE-MODIFICATION OF β-D-GLUCANS FROM PORIA COCOS SCLEROTIUM ON ANTITUMOR ACTIVITIES*

In this work, influence of molecular weight and periodate modification ofβ-D-glucans isolated from Poria cocos sclerotium on the antitumor activities against Sar-coma 180 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor was studied. The results show thattwo glucans PC3 (linear β-(1→3)-D-glucan) and PC4 [β-(1→3)-D-glucan with a fewof branches and glucuronic acid] are devoid of antitumor activity. However, when theglucans were modified by periodate oxidation, borohydride reduction and mild hydrolysisor partially hydrolysis, the derivatives have obvious antitumor activities. The decreasein molecular weight of glucans after periodate modification hardly affects their antitumoractions, but on the other hand, the decrease of molecular weight without periodate modi-fication could lead to an enhancement of the antitumor activities. Moreover, the glucansand these derivatives have much higher enhancement ratios of body weight of mice thanthat of 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), suggesting that they are less toxic than 5-Fu.     

STRUCTURE, MOLECULAR WEIGHT AND BIOACTIVITIES OF （1→3）-β-D-GLUCANS AND ITS SULFATED DERIVATIVES FROM FOUR KINDS OF LENTINUS EDODES

Abstract Lentinan samples, (1→3)-β-D-glucans containing 4.6-15.2 wt% proteins, coded as L-I1. L-I2. L-I3 and L-I4 (L-I)were isolated from four kinds of Lentinus edodes. These glucans were treated with acetone to remove the protein in order to obtain free protein glucans coded as LNP-I1. LNP-I2, LNP-I3 and LNP-I4 (LNP-I). The free-protein polysaccharides were sulfated to give derivatives (S-LNP-I) with degree of substitution (DS) from 0.4-0.8. The structural features and weight- average molecular weight (Mw) of the samples were investigated by using infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis,^13C-NMR, size exclusion chromatography combined with laser light scattering (SEC-LLS) and viscometry. The effects of structure and conformation of the polysaccharides on antitumor activities were assayed in vivo (Sarcoma 180 solid tumors)and in vitro (Sarcoma 180, HL-60, MCF-7 and Vero tumors). The results indicated that the predominant species of the samples L-I and LNP-I in 0.2 mol/L NaCl aqueous solution existed as triple-helical chains with high rigidity and in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as single-flexible chains. Interestingly, the antitumor activities of LNP-I are lower than those of the native glucans (L-I), whereas their sulfated derivatives have higher inhibition ratio against Sarcoma 180 than LNP-I. The results reveal that the binding of protein, sulfated modification and the triple helix conformation are important factors in the enhancement of the antitumor activities of polysaccharides on the whole.     

COMPARISON OF POLYSACCHARIDES ISOLATED FROM THE MYCELIA OF A CULTIVATED STRAIN OF PORIA COCOS GROWN IN DIFFERENT LIQUID CULTURE MEDIA

Mycelium of a cultivated strain of Poria cocos was grown by submerged fermentation in a liquid mediumcontaining corn steep liquor with orbital shaking. Six polysaccharides coded as ac-PCM1, ac-PCM2, ac-PCM3-Ⅰ andⅡ, ac-PCM4-Ⅰand Ⅱ were isolated from the myelium by extracting with 0.9% NaCl aqueous solution, hot water, 0.5 mol/L NaOHaqueous solution and 88% formic acid. Exo-polysaccharide was obtained from the culture medium and coded as ac-PCM0.The monosaccharide composition and molecular weights of these polysaccharides were characterized by using infraredspectroscopy, gas chromaography, elemental analysis, ~(13)C-NMR, viscometry and light scattering. The results indicated thatac-PCM0, ac-PCM1 and ac-PCM2 are heteropolysaccharides containing glucose, galactose, mannose and fucose, and ac-PCM3-Ⅰ and ac-PCM3-Ⅱ mainly consist of D-glucose. The content of the glucose in the polysaccharides increased with theisolation progress. Remarkably, α-glucan and β-glucan coexisted in the extract by NaOH aqueous solution (ac-PCM3), andcould be separated by chemical methods. The protein in the ac-PCM polysaccharides cultured from the medium containingcorn steep liquor was higher than that in the ab-PCM from the medium with bran extract. Therefore, the polysaccharidesfrom Poria cocos mycelia cultured in different media have different chemical composition, molecular weights and conformations.     

LIGHT SCATTERING OF POLYSACCHARIDE FROM LACQUER IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

The polysaccharide having weight-average molecular weight M_w=1. 09×10~5, isolated from the sap of lac trees (Vietnam), was separated into 12 fractions by aqueous-phase preparative gel permeation chromatography. The molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of the fractions were measured in aqueous 0.08M KCl/0.01 M NaAc and 0.4M KCl/0.05M NaAc at pH =7. 6 by light scattering, viscometry and gel permeation chromatography. The Mark-Houwink equation in aqueous 0.08M KCl/0.01M NaAc at 30℃was found to be [η]= 2.28×10~(-2) M_w~(0.52) (cm~3/g), which indicated the polysaccharide chain in the aqueous solution to be a spherical random coil.     

COMPARISON OF GPC AND THERMAL FIELDFLOW FRACTIONATION METHODS FOR LINEAR AND STAR BRANCHED POLYSTYRENE SAMPLES

The Thermal Field-Flow Fractionation (TFFF) method was used to determine the elution volumeof a series of star branched polystyrene having different number of arms but the same arm molecularweigh and polystyrene standards with narrow distribution whose molecular weight ranged from5.0×10~4 to 8.6×10~5. Results were obtained by measuring at two temperature difference (△T=30℃and △T=50℃in THF. The same star branched samples were measured by means of GPC method.Comparison of Vr-Mrelationships obtained from TFFF and GPC showed that the displacement of V_r-M curves for star and linear polystyrene is larger than that in GPC. This difference is caused by theentirely different mechanism of separation for these two methods. As the controlling factor is hy-drodynamic volume of the polymer chain in solution for GPC, it is the diffusion coefficient of polymermolecules for TFFF. The experimental results indicate that the influence of variance of chain struc-ture on diffusion coefficient is stronger than that on the hydrodynamic volume and that TFFF tech-nique may be used as a method for characterizing branching of polymer molecules. For this pur-pose a proper theoretical model and more accurate experiments are needed.     

SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION AS POLYMER ELECTROLYTE OF HOMO- AND COPOLYMERS OF 3-(2-CYANO ETHOXY)METHYL- AND 3-(METHOXY(TRIETHYLENOXY))METHYL-3''''-METHYLOXETANE

Two oxetane-derived monomers, 3-(2-cyano-ethoxy)methyl- and 3-(methoxy-(triethylenoxy))methyl-3'-methyloxetane (COX and MTOX), were prepared from 3-hydroxymethyl-3'-methyloxetane. Their homo- and co-polymerization in solution were carried out by the cationic ring-opening polymerization with BF3·Et2O and 1,4-butanediol as co-initiator. The molecular weight and molecular weight distribution were determined using GPC so as to reveal the competition and interchange between active chain end (ACE) and activated monomer (AM) mechanism in the process. The reactivity ratios of the two monomers were calculated according to Kelen-Tudos using 1H-NMR analysis. The influence of functional side chains in the monomers on the copolymerization behaviors was discussed in virtue of the reactivity ratio data. When doped with lithium salt LiTFSI, the ion conductivity of the homopolymer of MTOX reached 10-3.58 S/cm at 30℃and 10-2.73 S/sm at 80℃, respectively, showing its potential to be used as polymer electrolyte for lithium ion battery.     

Purification and Characterization of Cold-active α-Amylase Excreted by A Strain of Marine Cold-adaptive Penicillia

The filamentous fungi from the Huanghai sea sludge were screened according to their ability to produce cold-active α-amylase. The strain with the highest amylase activity was identified as Penicilllum species. The α-amylase purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and column chromatography on DEAE-sepharose and sephadex G-100 shows a molecular weight of about 55000 and a pl of 4. 38. The enzyme is stable in a pH range of 5.5—8.0 and has a maximum activity at pH 6.0. Compared with the α-amylase from mesophiles and thermophiles, the cold-active enzyme shows a high enzyme activity at lower temperatures and a high sensitivity at temperatures higher than 50℃. The optimal temperature is 40℃ and the activity decreases dramatically at temperatures above 50℃. Ca^2 shows a significant effect on maintaining the structure and the activity of the enzyme. EDTA and Cu^2 are its inhibitors. The products from the hydrolysis of soluble starch with the cold-active enzyme are maltose and other oligosaccharides.     

Purification and Characterization of Cold-active α-Amylase Excreted by A Strain of Marine Cold-adaptive Penicillia

The filamentous fungi from the Huanghai sea sludge were screened according to their ability to produce cold-active α-amylase. The strain with the highest amylase activity was identified as Penicillium species. The α-amylase purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and column chromatography on DEAE-sepharose and sephadex G-100 shows a molecular weight of about 55000 and a pI of 4.38. The enzyme is stable in a pH range of 5.5-8.0 and has a maximum activity at pH 6.0. Compared with the α-amylase from mesophiles and thermophiles, the cold-active enzyme shows a high enzyme activity at lower temperatures and a high sensitivity at temperatures higher than 50 ℃. The optimal temperature is 40 ℃ and the activity decreases dramatically at temperatures above 50 ℃. Ca2 shows a significant effect on maintaining the structure and the activity of the enzyme. EDTA and Cu2 are its inhibitors. The products from the hydrolysis of soluble starch with the cold-active enzyme are maltose and other oligosaccharides.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYROTAXANES MADE FROM α-CDs THREADED ONTO TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS WITH PEG AS A CENTRAL AXLE AND FLANKED BY TWO LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYSTYRENES AS OUTER STOPPERS

A study has been conducted on the synthesis and characterization of a kind of novel polyrotaxanes comprisingα- cyclodextrins (α-CDs) threaded on triblock eopolymers with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a central axle and flanked by two low molecular weight polystyrenes as outer stoppers.Styrene was allowed to telomerize with polypseudorotaxanes as chain transfer agents made from the self-assembly of a distal thiol-capped PEG with a varying amount ofα-CDs in the presence of a redox initiation system at 40~C in aqueous solutions.The resulting polyrotaxanes were characterized in detail by ~1H-NMR,FTIR,XRD,TG and DSC analyses.The findings from the study demonstrated that the low molecular weight polystyrenes were successfully attached to two axle terminals of polypseudorotaxanes,and the number ofα-CDs threaded onto the PEG backbone was tunable by varying its molar feeding ratio to some extent,while the polymerization degree of PS nearly remained constant in this radical telomerization process.     

SYNTHESIS OF POLY（3,4-AZOPYRIDYLENE） AND OXYGEN-BINDING AFFINITY OF ITS COMPLEX WITH COBALTPORPHYRIN

Synthesis and characteristics of poly(3,4-azopyridylene) (PAP), conductivity and oxygen-binding affinity of its complex with meso-α,α,α,α-tetrakis(o-pivalamidophenyl) porphyrinatocobalt(Ⅱ) (CoP) were studied. PAP was prepared by oxidative polymerization of 3,4-diaminopyridine (DAP) in DMF solution using CuCl/pyridine as the catalyst. IR and NMR results showed that the peak of amido group in DAP was converted to the azo group in PAP and a π conjugated polymer was synthesized. The average molecular weight of PAP was determined to be 5.0 × 103. The PAP-CoP complex was prepared by complexing the pyridyl group of PAP with the fifth coordination site of CoP in DMF solution. In comparison with the CoP complex with a non-π conjugated polymer, the PAP-CoP complex shows good electroconductivity of 5.8 × 10-6 Scm-1. The PAP-CoP complex displays a reversible change in the UV-Visible absorption spectrum from the deoxy form to the oxy or oxygen-binding one with an isosbestic point, in response to the partial oxygen pressure of the atmosphere. The oxygen-response behavior was monitored at the absorbance ascribed to the oxy form at 548 nm to give the oxygen-binding affinity.The oxygen-binding equilibrium curves of PAP-CoP complex obey a Langmuir isotherm. DMF has great effects on the oxygen-binding properties of the PAP-CoP complex. The oxygen-binding affinity of PAP-CoP complex in the solid state is higher than that in DMF solution. With decreasing temperature, the oxygen-binding affinity of the PAP-CoP complex increases.     

STUDY ON LIQUID CRYSTALLINITY OF POLY(N-VINYLCARBAZOLE)

The liquid crystallinity of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) was studied by using powder X-ray diffraction, polarized opticalmicroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the lower molecular weight fractions of this polymerdo not form a liquid crystalline phase, while the samples of sufficiently high molecular weight do form a mesophase attemperatures above the glass transition. The lowest value of the degree of polymerization for PVK to form a stable liquidcrystalline phase was found to be in the range of 150 to 200, significantly higher than the value of 50 for most conventionalside chain liquid crystaline polymers.     

STUDIES ON ULTRASONIC ABSORPTION AND VISCO-RELAXATION OF POLY (ETHYLENE GLYCOL) AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Ultrasonic absorption and velocity measurements were made on aqueous solutions of poly (ethylene glycol)(PEG)of different molecular weights and concentrations, using a pulse sender-receiver ultrasonic generator, Measurements were obtained at a frequency of 2MHz. , and a temperature of 293 K. The results show a linear increase of the Values of velocity, density and viscosity with increase of molecu lar weight and concentration of PEG. On the contrary, the attenuation values decreased with increase of molecular weight and concentration of PEG. A mathematical equation correlating relaxation amplitude and molecular weight of the polymer is suggested. This was applied to calculate the molecular weights of unknown samples of PEG from their measured relaxation amplitude. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained from osmometry.     

Molecular weight dependence of crystal pattern transitions of poly(ethylene oxide)

Crystal patterns in ultrathin films of six poly(ethylene oxide) fractions with molecular weights from 25000 to 932000 g/mol were characterized within crystallization temperature range from 20 ℃ to 60 ℃.Labyrinthine,dendritic and faceted crystal patterns were observed in different temperature ranges,and then labyrinthine-to-dendritic and dendritic-tofaceted transition temperatures T L-D and T D-F were quantitatively identified.Their molecular weight dependences are T L-D(M w) = T L-D(∞) K L-D /M w,where T L-D(∞) = 38.2 ℃ and K L-D = 253000 ℃.g/mol and T D-F(M w) = T D-F(∞) K D-F /M w,where T D-F(∞) = 54.7 ℃ and K D-F = 27000 ℃.g/mol.Quasi two-dimensional blob models were proposed to provide empirical explanations of the molecular weight dependences.The labyrinthine-to-dendritic transition is attributed to a molecular diffusion process change from a local-diffusion to diffusion-limited-aggregation(DLA) and a polymer chain with M w ≈ 253000 g/mol within a blob can join crystals independently.The dendritic-to-faceted transition is attributed to a turnover of the pattern formation mechanism from DLA to crystallization control,and a polymer chain with a M w ≈ 27000 g/mol as an independent blob crosses to a depletion zone to join crystals.These molecular weight dependences reveal a macromolecular effect on the crystal pattern formation and selection of crystalline polymers.     

STUDIES ON THE CHAIN STRUCTURAL EFFECT OF PVDF AND VDF (52)/TrFE(48) COPOLYMER BY MEANS OF THE METHOD OF DIELECTRIC RELAXATION

Through improvements on a fully commercial and automatic system measuring frequency andtemperature spectra of the complex elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric constants of polymerfilms, the precision for measuring complex dielectric constants achieved 2‰ from original 1%.The complex dielectric constants of PVDF, VDF (95 )/VF (5), VDF (52)/TrFE (48) and VDF(47. 5)/TrFE(47. 5)/HeFP (5) over a range of-120-140℃, 10-2-10~4Hz were measured bythe described system. The diminution of chain regularity due to 5mol% vinyl fluoride in the chainof PVDF led to disappearing of α-relaxation and increase in T_g (3℃) of VDF (95)/VF (5).Because of the spatial impediment of 5mol% HeFP in copolymer chain, the Curie point of VDF(52)/TrFE(48) decreased by 30℃ and T_g by 3℃. The behavior of dielectric relaxation indicatedthat 5mol% vinyl fluoride and HeFP made the relaxation strength of noncrystalline regionreduced, the activation energy of local relaxation increased and the relaxation time prolonged respectively.     

Partial Hydrolysis of the Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfate from Sea Cucumber Isostichopus badionotus and Its Mechanism

The method for preparing low molecular weight fucosylated chondroitin sulfate from sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus using partial acid hydrolysis was reported, and its hydrolysis mechanism was also investigated. The sea cucumber chondroitin sulfate FCS was hydrolyzed under different conditions (80 ℃ 3 h and 6 h), then isolated and purified on a Bio-P-4 geltration to prepare low molecular weight fractions (LMWF-FCS). The chemical compositions of LMWF-FCS showed the branched fucose (Fuc) was cleaved during acid hydrolysis process, whereas the mole ratio of acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc) and glucuronic acid (GlcA) in the backbone remained the same, which indicated the backbone was a typical chondroitin sulfate structure. The disaccharide composition analysis of LMWF-FCS suggested that the sulfation patterns of GalNAc in the backbone chain changed and the substitution value was reduced. Furthermore, the 1 D NMR analysis illustrated the branched-Fuc was cleaved during acid hydrolysis, but their substitution patterns were not influenced, which was distinct from the previous reports that the substitutions of branched-Fuc in FCS were easy to change. Simultaneously, the sulfation pattern of GalNAc in backbone chain changed obviously in the acid hydrolysis process. The anticoagulant activity in vitro illuminated the anticoagulant activity of the degradation products over time in the acid hydrolysis are gradually declined, but still kept good. Therefore, the LMWF-FCS prepared could be developed as a new anticoagulant and antithrombotic drug like low molecular weight heparin.     

SILICA-SUPPORTED NICKEL AND ZIRCONIUM CATALYSTS FOR BRANCHED POLYETHYLENE*

8-Aminoquinoline nickel dichloride and bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride (Cp_2ZrCl_2) were supportedsimultaneously on silica to produce branched polyethylene successfully by combined polymerization. The supportedpolymerization results showed that the molecular weight of polyethylene increased while the molecular weight distributionbecame wider and the molecular chains of oligomers remaning in the final solution became shorter as compared to theoligomers obtained in polymerization processes with pure 8-aminoquinoline nickel dichloride catalysis, as well as theCp_2ZrCl_2 and nickel combination system. With decreasing amount of Ni catalyst in the supported catalyst, the molecular chains of oligomers in the resulting solution became shorter, while α-olefin selectivity increased.     

SYNTHESIS OF TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS OF STYRENE AND ISOPRENE BY A NITROXIDE-MEDIATED LIVING FREE RADICAL POLYMERIZATION

The controlled free radical polymerization of styrene and isoprene initiated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) at 125 ℃ were performed. The obtained polyisoprene and polystyrene homopolymers served as macroinitiators for block copolymerization of isoprene and styrene to synthesize poly(styrene-b-isoprene) and poly(isoprene-b-styrene) diblock copolymers. Diblock copolymers with well-defined structures as well as controlled and narrow molecular weight distribution wereobtained from the lower-mass polystyrene and polyisoprene homopolymers. These copolymers were found to be active as macroinitiators in the synthesis of the poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene) and poly(isoprene-b-styrene-b-isoprene) triblock copolymers. 1H-NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used for the investigation of polymer strucmre, molecular weight and polydispersity (PD).     

Initiating system Me_3SiCl/AlCl_3 for cationic polymerization of 1,3-pentadiene in toluene

Cationic polymerization of 1,3-pentadiene (PD) initiated by trimethylsilyl chloride/aluminium chloride (TMSCl/AlCl3) was carried out in toluene at 30℃.The polymer yield was increased by the addition of TMSC1.However,introduction of TMSC1 gave rise to a drop of the polymer molecular weight.Kinetic results demonstrated that the polymerization initiated by TMSCl/AlCl3 was 2.8 times faster than that induced by AlCl3 alone.Various ethers and ketones were used to mediate the initiating system TMSCl/AlCl3.The polymer yield and molecular weight of the polymer were decreased in the presence of ether.Ketones and ethers had different effects on the polymerization,and the polymer yield and molecular weight were lower than those initiated by AlCl3 alone or TMSCl/AlCl3 Structural evidence revealed that the polymerization was indeed initiated by AlCl3 and HCl rcsulting from hydrolysis of TMSC1 by adventitious water.     

CRYSTAL STRUCTURE AND MORPHOLOGY OF NASCENT SAMPLES OF SYMMETRIC AROMATIC POLYESTERS——Ⅰ.POLY(P-PHENYLENE TEREPHTHALATE)*

The morphology and crytal structure of poly(p-phenylene terephthalate) (PPT), prepared by confined thin filmmelt (CTFMP) and solution (CTFSP) and bulk solution polymerization, were characterized by transmission electronmicroscopy, electron dimaction and molecular modeling. The unit cell is monoclinic (P2_1/a space group) with parameters a =7.89, b = 5.49, c = 12.65 A, α=γ= 90°, β=100.33°, density = 1.48 g/cm~3, the a, b and β values differing slightly from thosereported previously in the literature. A degree of variation in relative intensities of hk0 reflections in, apparently, untilted[001] ED patterns was observed from a given sample, suggesting some variation in molecular packing. ED evidence wasfound for a second phase, with [001] appearing the same as for phase Ⅱ of the related poly(p-oxybenzoate) (PpOBA)polymer. CTFMP crystals polymerized above 220℃ (up to 370℃) and CTFSP crystals polymerized at 300℃ consisted oflamellae 100-200 A thick.     

THE STRUCTURE BASIS OF THE POOR FIBRIN SPECIFICITY OF UROKINASE(Ⅱ)——THE INHIBITION OF UROKINASE A CHAIN 149--157 ON THE FIBRIN STIMULATED ACTIVATION OF PLASMINOGEN BY TISSUE TYPE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR

In view of the similarity of the charge distribution between fibrin A_α148--161 and Achain 149--157 of urokinase,the latter might compete with fibrin A_α148--161 when singlechain pro-urokinase is converted to double chain urokinase.To test this, the stretch of uro-kinase A chain 135--157 was separated from the low molecular weight urokinase, a competi-tive binding between this stretch and fibrin to tPA kringle-2 was shown by radio-bindingassay. The inhibition of the stretch on the fibrin stimulated activation of plasminogen wasdemonstrated in the caseinolytic system. The synthesized novapeptide urokinase A chain 149--157 (R-peptide) showed a significant inhibition on the activation of plasminogen in the pres-ence of fibrin. By contrasting finely with R-peptide, a synthesized novapeptide in which Arg154and Arg156 were replaced by Asp (D-peptide) did not show any inhibition effect on the fi-brin stimulated activation of plasminogen by tPA. These results suggest that the positivelycharged residues in the