<Emphasis Type="Italic">CrMAPK3</Emphasis> regulates the expression of iron-deficiency-responsive genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis>

Background

Under iron-deficient conditions, Chlamydomonas exhibits high affinity for iron absorption. Nevertheless, the response, transmission, and regulation of downstream gene expression in algae cells have not to be investigated. Considering that the MAPK pathway is essential for abiotic stress responses, we determined whether this pathway is involved in iron deficiency signal transduction in Chlamydomonas.

Results

Arabidopsis MAPK gene sequences were used as entry data to search for homologous genes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genome database to investigate the functions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene family in C. reinhardtii under iron-free conditions. Results revealed 16 C. reinhardtii MAPK genes labeled CrMAPK2–CrMAPK17 with TXY conserved domains and low homology to MAPK in yeast, Arabidopsis, and humans. The expression levels of these genes were then analyzed through qRT-PCR and exposure to high salt (150 mM NaCl), low nitrogen, or iron-free conditions. The expression levels of these genes were also subjected to adverse stress conditions. The mRNA levels of CrMAPK2, CrMAPK3, CrMAPK4, CrMAPK5, CrMAPK6, CrMAPK8, CrMAPK9, and CrMAPK11 were remarkably upregulated under iron-deficient stress. The increase in CrMAPK3 expression was 43-fold greater than that in the control. An RNA interference vector was constructed and transformed into C. reinhardtii 2A38, an algal strain with an exogenous FOX1:ARS chimeric gene, to silence CrMAPK3. After this gene was silenced, the mRNA levels and ARS activities of FOX1:ARS chimeric gene and endogenous CrFOX1 were decreased. The mRNA levels of iron-responsive genes, such as CrNRAMP2, CrATX1, CrFTR1, and CrFEA1, were also remarkably reduced.

Conclusion

CrMAPK3 regulates the expression of iron-deficiency-responsive genes in C. reinhardtii.

     

Synthesis and structure of bis(1,2-diaminoethane) copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzoate) monohydrate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-diaquabis(1,2-diaminoethane)copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzoate)

X-ray structural analysis has been performed for two complex compounds: Cu(en)₂(o-HB)₂H₂O (I) (a = 16.873(4) Å, b = 8.713(2) Å, c = 14.803(3) Å, β = 91.15(2)°, V = 2175.8(8) ų, C2/c, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.0263, 1516 reflections with I > 3σ (I)) and [Cu(en)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺(o-AB^?)₂ (II) (a = 7.488(5) Å, b = 22.122(8) Å, c = 7.856(5) Å, β = 118.77(2)°, V = 1140.7(11) ų, P2₁/n, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.0432, 1684 reflections with I > 3σ(I)) synthesized under identical conditions (en is ethylenediamine, o-HB is o-hydroxybenzoate, and o-AB is o-aminobenzoate). Although the compounds were assumed to have similar structures and the Cu-Lig bond lengths and the cis and trans angles are acceptable for an octahedral structure, the geometric parameters of o-HB suggest that the copper atom has a plane square environment.     

Crystal and molecular structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tris</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-chlorophenyl)phosphine selenide

The crystal and molecular structure of tris(m-chlorophenyl)phosphine selenide, C₁₈H₁₂Cl₃PSe (I), was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The trigonal rhombohedral structure of I (space group \(R\overline 3 c\), a = 14.110(2) Å, c = 32.360(4) Å, Z = 12) was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares in an anisotropic approximation (R = 0.029) for 1319 averaged measured reflections (CAD-4 automatic diffractometer, λCuK_α).     

Binuclear copper(II) complexes with acyldihydrazones of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-benzenesulfonyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-aspartic acid

The structure and the EPR spectra of copper(II) coordination compounds with acyldihydrazones of N-benzenesulfonyl-L-aspartic acid and salicylaldehyde (2-hydroxyacetophenone) were described. The compounds were studied by chemical and thermal analyses, IR spectroscopy, and EPR. The molecular and crystal structures of copper(II) complexes with N-benzenesulfonyl-L-aspartic acid bis(salicylidene)hydrazone (H₄L¹) [Cu₂L¹ · 2Py] · 1.5 H₂O was determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are triclinic: a = 10.4714(4) Å, b = 12.9702(5) Å, c = 14.6187(9) Å, α = 104.763(2)°, β = 93.082(2)°, γ = 111.4240(10)°, space group P \(\bar 1\), Z = 2. The binuclear complexes containing copper cations whose coordination polyhedra are connected by an aliphatic spacer (Cu...Cu, 8.669 Å) are additionally linked by phenoxy bridges (Cu...Cu, 3.398 Å). The EPR spectra of these compounds in solutions exhibit an isotropic signal of seven HFS lines due to two equivalent copper ions with the spin Hamiltonian parameters g = 2.115?2.120, a _Cu = (35.5?38.0) × 10^?4 cm^?1, which is indicative of weak exchange interactions between the paramagnetic sites.     

Synthesis and sorption properties of layered hydrous manganese dioxide saturated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-metal cations

Layered compounds based on hydrous manganese dioxide (hereafter, Mn-phases) saturated with s-metal (Ba²⁺), p-metal (Pb²⁺), and d-metal (Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺) cations, analogues of manganese minerals of oceanic ferromanganese formations (vernadite, birnessite, buserite-I, and asbolan), were prepared at 4–6°C. All Mn-phases have poorly ordered structures. The sorption properties of phase compounds were studied in relation to alkali-metal (Na⁺ and K⁺) and other s-, p-, and d-metal cations. The exchange capacities of Mn-phases for alkali cations are very low, within 0.02–0.10 mg-equiv/g; for the other cations, the exchange capacities are 0.13–4.20 mg-equiv/g. The sorption of divalent metal cations depends on the phase and chemical composition of the Mn-phase.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-allyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-propargyl trifluoromethanesulfonimides. Theoretical analysis

Tautomers of N-allyl- and N-propargyl-substituted trifluoromethanesulfonimides (CF₃SO₂)₂NR (R = CH₂CH=CH₂, Z/E-CH=CHMe, CH₂C≡CH, CH=CH=CH₂, C≡CCH₂) were calculated by the DFT (B3LYP, wB97XD, PBE1PBE), MP2, and CBS-QB3 methods. The results were compared with the theoretical data for the corresponding amines and amides NHRR¹ (R¹ = H, CF₃SO₂). It was shown that there is no conjugation between the nitrogen atom and C=C bond and that conjugation exists with the C≡C bond with electron density displacement toward the nitrogen atom. The calculations of anions derived from N-allyl- and N-propargyl-trifluoromethanesulfonimides revealed the possibility of their rearrangement with elimination of trifluoromethanesulfinate anion and formation of its H-complex with N-(prop-2-en-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide or N-(prop-2-yn-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide.     

Compositions and structures of nanoparticles of trigonal symmetry <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis></Subscript>: Nanotubes

A method has been developed for the determination of the structure and number of atoms in the shells of nanoparticles as a function of the arrangement of atoms at the symmetry elements of a symmetry group. The formulas for calculation of the number of particles of symmetry D _3d have been reported. It has been shown that the number of atoms in trigonal shells is determined by three structurally invariant numbers and the quantum number of the group order n. All possible nanostructures of symmetry D _3d have been classified: C_{θ + 6z} , z = 0, 1, 2, ..., where the basic shells are C_θ = C₆, C₈, and C₁₄. A sum rule has been obtained for the coordination numbers of the shell sites located on symmetry axes. Trigonal nanoparticles are parent ones for obtaining (3,0), (6,0), and (9,0) nanotubes of trigonal type. The general formulas of these nanotubes with icosahedral, dodecahedral, and cubic caps are N_{8 + 12p} , N_{20 + 24p} , and N_{60 + 36p} (p = 1, 2, ...), respectively. The graphical constructions of all classes of trigonal nanoparticles and nanotubes are reported.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pf</Emphasis>TrxR inhibitors using antimalarial assays and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in silico</Emphasis>techniques

Background

The compounds 1,4-napthoquinone (1,4-NQ), bis-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)sulfide (2,4-DNPS), 4-nitrobenzothiadiazole (4-NBT), 3-dimethylaminopropiophenone (3-DAP) and menadione (MD) were tested for antimalarial activity against both chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive (D6) and chloroquine (CQ)-resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum through an in vitro assay and also for analysis of non-covalent interactions with P. falciparum thioredoxin reductase (PfTrxR) through in silico docking studies.

Results

The inhibitors of PfTrxR namely, 1,4-NQ, 4-NBT and MD displayed significant antimalarial activity with IC₅₀ values of?<?20 μM and toxicity against 3T3 cell line. 2,4-DNPS was only moderately active. In silico docking analysis of these compounds with PfTrxR revealed that 2,4-DNPS, 4-NBT and MD interact non-covalently with the intersubunit region of the enzyme.

Conclusions

In this study, tools for the identification of PfTrxR inhibitors using phenotyphic screening and docking studies have been validated for their potential use for antimalarial drug discovery project.

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Synthesis and X-ray study of 6<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-chromeno[3,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>][1,3,4]triazolo[2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]pyrimidine

2-Dimethylamino methylenechromanone 1 reacted with 4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine in acetic acid to give only one isolated product which was identified by X-ray study as 6H-chromeno[3,4-e][1,3,4]triazolo[2,3-a]-pyrimidine. The molecular structure of 3, C₁₂H₈N₄O, was determined to be monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 16.3875(5), b = 8.8378(3), c = 13.8392(5) Å, β = 101.190(1)°, V = 1966.22(11) ų, Z = 8.     

Compositions and structures of nanoparticles of pentagonal axial symmetry <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Subscript>5<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis></Subscript>: Nanotubes

The method of determination of the structure and the number of atoms in the shells of nanoparticles as a function of the arrangement of atoms at the symmetry elements of a symmetry group has been developed. The formulas for the calculation of the number of particles with symmetry group D _5d are reported. The number of particles in these shells is determined by three structurally invariant numbers and the “quantum number” of the group order n. The classification of all possible nanostructures with symmetry group D _5d is given: C _θ+10z , z = 0, 1, 2, …, where the basic shells are C _θ = C ₂, C ₁₀, C ₁₂. The sum rule has been obtained for the coordination numbers of shell sites located at symmetry axes. Pentagonal axial nanoparticles are shown to be the initial shells for obtaining (5,5) and (10,10) armchair nanotubes or (5,0) and (10,0) zigzag nanotubes. The general formula of these nanotubes closed with icosahedral and dodecahedral caps is N _20+10p , N _60+10p (p = 1, 2, …). The graphical constructions of all classes of nanoparticles and nanotubes of the pentagonal axial type are reported.     

Stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-element diphosphates in water

The mean atomic Gibbs energies of formation of (Δ _f ? _at ⁰ ) of s-, p-, and d-element diphosphates have been calculated using ion increments of the Gibbs energy (Δ _f G ⁰). The diphosphate hydrolysis kinetics is considered, and a correlation between the Δ _f ? _at ⁰ values and the hydrolysis rate constants is presented.     

Synthesis and structure of Pt(II) acetamidate complexes containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethyl-substituted ethylenediamine and trimethylenediamine

Reactions of acetamide with platinum(II) diamines [Pt(N,N-DimeEn)Cl₂], [Pt(Tm)Cl₂], and [Pt(N,N-DimeTm)Cl₂] (N,N-DimeEn = (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂NH₂, Tm = NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂, N,N-DimeTm = (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂) with preliminary precipitation of chlorine ions by silver salts gave binuclear Pt(II) acetamidates [Pt₂(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂NH₂)₂(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O (I), [Pt₂(NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂)₂)(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O (II), and [Pt₂(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂)₂(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](HSO₄)₂ (III), whose crystal structures were determined. Crystals of I are monoclinic: a = 14.459(2) Å, b = 17.197(3) Å, c = 9.822(2) Å, β = 105.923(10)°, V = 3348.6(8) ų, space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.0419 for 6663 reflections. Complex I is a binuclear acetamidate with bridging (NHCOCH₃)^? ligands, one of which is bound to two Pt atoms through the N and O atoms, and the other ligand is bound only through the N atom. The Pt-Pt distance is 2.987(1) Å. Crystals of II are monoclinic: a = 10.213(7) Å, b = 13.373(9) Å, c = 16.533(11) Å, β = 97.971(9)°, V = 2236(3) ų, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.557 for 6462 reflections. The Pt-Pt distance is 3.057(1) Å. Crystals of III are monoclinic: a = 10.557(12) Å, b = 18.531(2) Å, c = 14.4744(17) Å, β = 108.705(2)°, V = 2682(5) ų, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.569 for 8506 reflections. The Pt-Pt distance is 3.202(1) Å. Complexes II and III are binuclear acetamidates, in which two chelating Pt(Tm) or Pt(N,N-DimeTm) moieties are coordinated through the N and O atoms of (NHCOCH₃)^? cis-bridges.     

Conformations and properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-Alkyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-(2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dialkylamino)-ethylmethylthiophosphonates

Conformers of the biologically active compounds CH₃P(O)(OR)(SCH₂CH₂NR ₂ ^′ ), where (I) R = i-C₄H₉, R′ = C₂H₅ and (II) R = C₂H₅, R′ = i-C₃H₇, are calculated within the AM1 level of theory. The elongated and twisted forms with maximum and minimum distances between a nitrogen atom and those of a phosphorus tetrahedron, respectively, and bearing a syn and anti oriented alkoxy group relative to a phosphoryl oxygen, are studied. It is found that the differences between the energy, electronic, and geometric parameters of these forms are apparent in differences between their properties, e.g., the ability to participate in complexation and protonation, reactions that to some extent simulate the interaction between a substance and a biological object.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of new <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-substituted 7-amino-4-methyl-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-chromen-2-ones

N-Substituted 7-amino-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-ones containing one or two functionalized azole or azine moieties were synthesized. The structures of all synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Some of the synthesized compounds exhibited weak antibacterial activity against Rhizobium radiobacter, Escherichia coli, and Xanthomonas campestris.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gluconobacter</Emphasis> sp. cells for manufacturing of effective electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells

Gluconobacter oxydans bacteria exhibit a unique metabolism for quick and incomplete oxidation of a wide range of different compounds (aldoses, ketoses, mono- and poly-alcohols, etc.). Such biotransformation efficiency with simple biomass production led to the industrial applications of these bacteria in the production of several important commodities. Their respiratory activity can also be successfully studied and used in the field of bioelectrochemistry. The main aim of this review is to present various strategies to improve selectivity of assays using intact/treated cells of G. oxydans, to introduce the application of G. oxydans-based biosensors in selective monitoring of analytes during biotransformation processes and to provide information about utilizable sugars in fermentation media or in biological oxygen demand value determination. The final part of the review describes potential application of G. oxydans cells in the generation of electricity from complex fuels within microbial fuel cells by advanced direct electron transfer route between bacterial cells and electrodes.     

Cycloaminomethylation of dihydric phenols catalyzed by <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>-metal compounds

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of 7,16,25-triaryl-7,8,16,17,25,26-hexahydro-6H,15H,24H-tribenzo[f,m,t][1,5,8,12,15,19,3,10,17]hexaoxatriazacyclohenicosines, 3,8-diaryl-2,3,4,7,8,9-hexahydrobenzo[1,2-e:4,3-e′]bis[1,3]oxazines, 3,9-bis(chlorophenyl)-3,4,9,10-tetrahydro-2H,8H-benzo[1,2-e:3,4-e′]bis[1,3]oxazines, and 2,9-bis(chlorophenyl)-1,2,3,8,9,10-hexahydrobenzo[1,2-e:6,5-e′]bis-[1,3]oxazines via cycloaminomethylation of pyrocatechol, resorcinol, and hydroquinone with N,N-bis(methoxymethyl) anilines in the presence of samarium catalysts.     

Properties and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-glycosylation of recombinant endoglucanase II from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium verruculosum</Emphasis>

Cellulases are the main components of enzyme complexes used in biotransformation processes of plant raw materials into valuable commercial products. Endoglucanase II (EG II) from the Penicillium verruculosum fungus was cloned into Penicillium canescens. The homogeneous recombinant EGII form is isolated and its properties are studied in comparison with the native enzyme. The N-glycosylation sites and the structure of the N-linked glycans are been determined using mass spectrometry. The biochemical and catalytic properties, as well as the N-glycosylation type of the obtained recombinant EGII form, appear to be close to the native enzyme. At the two potential N-glycosylation sites (N42 and N194) of both forms of the enzyme, N-linked high mannose glycans (or their enzymatic “trimming” products) according to the general formula (Man)_1–9(GlcNAc)₂ are detected. No glycosylation is found at the third potential site (N19).     

Electrochemical behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-substituted iron porphyrins in alkaline aqueous media

The effect meso-substitution in iron porphyrin complexes has on their redox behavior in alkaline aqueous solutions is studied via cyclic voltammetry. The voltammetric features of the reduction of iron pyridylporphyrins suggest that the sites of electron transfer lie at the ligand, the metal ion, and the pyridyl moieties. The electron transfer reactions between the different forms of these compounds, including the oxygen reduction reaction they mediate, are outlined to show the sequence and potential ranges in which they occur in alkaline aqueous media. Under our experimental conditions, the iron porphyrins exist as μ-oxo dimmers whose activity for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen displays a considerable dependence on the nature of the substitutents and nitrogen isomerization (for pyridylporphyrins) and grows in the order (Fe(ms-Ph)₄P)₂О, (Fe[ms-(Py-3)Ph₃]P)₂O, (Fe[ms-(Py-4)₄]P)₂O, and (Fe[ms-(Py-3)₄]P)₂O.     

Solution Thermodynamics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Superscript>/</Superscript>-Ethylenebis-(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) Chloride in Aqueous Dimethylsulphoxide

The densities, viscosities and refractive indices of N,N ^/-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato)-diaquochromium(III) chloride, [Cr(salen)(H₂O)₂]Cl, in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with different mass fractions (w ₂ = 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80 and 1.00) of DMSO were determined at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K under atmospheric pressure. From measured densities, viscosities and refractive indices the apparent molar volumes (V _φ ), standard partial molar volume (V _φ ⁰ ), the slope (S _V ^* ), standard isobaric partial molar expansibility (φ _E ⁰ ) and its temperature dependence (?φ _E ⁰ /?T) _p , the viscosity B-coefficient, its temperature dependence (?B/?T), solvation number (S _n ) and apparent molar refractivity (R _D ^φ ), etc., were calculated and discussed on the basis of ion–ion and ion–solvent interactions. These results revealed that the solutions are characterized by ion–solvent interactions rather than by ion–ion interactions and the complex behaves as a long range structure maker. Thermodynamics of viscous flow was discussed in terms of transition state theory.     

Secondary self-assembly behaviors of PEO-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-P<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>BA-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-PS triblock terpolymers in solution

A series of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS _x (x = 42, 84, 165) triblock terpolymers were synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization and characterized by size exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR. Their self-assemblies were conducted by a two-step hierarchical self-assembly method and a one-step dialysis method and the self-assembly behaviors were investigated. The morphologies, sizes, and size distributions of micelles produced by the self-assembly were determined by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The secondary self-assembled structure of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS _x obtained by the two-step hierarchical self-assembly could be controlled by tuning the length of PS block, the core forming block. The micelles were uniform with diameters of 20–25 nm and their size distributions, except for that of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₁₆₅, were narrow with particle size distribution indexes ranging from 0.014 to 0.246. The one-step dialysis of the triblock terpolymers produced vesicular micelles with distinct vesicle walls that exhibited similar thicknesses. The vesicles did not show significant aggregation. The size distribution of PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₄₂ vesicle was the narrowest with a particle size distribution index value of 0.135. The PEO₄₅-b-PtBA₅₃-b-PS₁₆₅ vesicles tended to overlap with each other.