Purification, Characterization, and Specificity Determination of a New Serine Protease Secreted by Penicillium waksmanii

The purpose of this work was to purify a protease from Penicillium waksmanii and to determine its biochemical characteristics and specificity. The extracellular protease isolated that was produced by P. waksmanii is a serine protease that is essential for the reproduction and growth of the fungus. The protease isolated showed 32 kDa, and has optimal activity at pH 8.0 and 35 °C towards the substrate Abz-KLRSSKQ-EDDnp. The protease is active in the presence of CaCl₂, KCl, and BaCl, and partially inhibited by CuCl₂, CoCl₂ and totally inhibited by AlCl₃ and LiCl. In the presence of 1 M urea, the protease remains 50 % active. The activity of the protease increases 60 % when it is exposed to 0.4 % nonionic surfactant-Triton X-100 and loses 10 % activity in the presence of 0.4 % Tween-80. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis, the protease showed the most specificity for the peptide Abz-KIRSSKQ-EDDnp with k _cat/K _m of 10,666 mM^?1?s^?1, followed by the peptide Abz-GLRSSKQ-EDDnp with a k _cat/K _m of 7,500 mM^?1?s^?1. Basic and acidic side chain-containing amino acids performed best at subsite S₁. Subsites S₂, S₃, S^′ ₂, and S^′ ₁, S^′ ₃ showed a preference for binding for amino acids with hydrophobic and basic amino acid side chain, respectively. High values of k _cat/K _m were observed for the subsites S₂, S₃, and S^′ _2. The sequence of the N-terminus (ANVVQSNVPSWGLARLSSKKTGTTDYTYD) showed high similarity to the fungi Penicillium citrinum and Penicillium chrysogenum, with 89 % of identity at the amino acid level.     

Chiral memory effects in catalytic hydrogenations with dynamically chiral ligands

The low barrier for interconversion of chiral conformations of the dynamically chiral 2,2′-biphenyl ligand NMe₂C₆H₄C₆H₄PCy₂ is raised upon coordination. The individual enantiomers of the planar chiral arene-tethered complex Ru(η⁶:η¹- NMe₂C₆H₄C₆H₄PCy₂)Cl₂ (1), however, do not undergo racemization readily. A second source of chirality, such as a chiral diamine, can be included by conversion of 1 into a dicationic analogue [Ru(η⁶:η¹-NMe₂C₆H₄C₆H₄PCy₂)((1S,2S)-DPEN)](SbF₆)₂ (2), which is a catalyst precursor for the hydrogenation of aryl ketones. Two epimers of 2, R_Ar,S,S and S_Ar,S,S, are formed when starting from racemic 1; this 1:1 mixture of diastereomers catalyzed the asymmetric hydrogenation of acetophenone. The enantiomerically pure diastereomers were obtained from resolved 1 and used separately to catalyze the reaction. Each diastereomer showed different selectivity, with S_Ar,S,S-2 being the more selective (61% ee for the hydrogenation of acetophenone). Our studies suggest that ruthenium hydride formation is accompanied by a decrease in hapticity of the η⁶-arene and probable detachment of the ring from the metal. Nevertheless, the original conformational chirality of the biphenyl ligand appears to be at least partially retained during the catalysis.     

Stability and Detergent Compatibility of a Predominantly β-Sheet Serine Protease from Halotolerant B. aquimaris VITP4 Strain

The present study deals with the characterization of halotolerant protease produced by Bacillus aquimaris VITP4 strain isolated from Kumta coast, Karnataka, India. The studies were performed at 40 °C and pH 8 in Tris buffer. Metal ions such as Mn²⁺ and Ca²⁺ increased the proteolytic activity of the enzyme by 34 and 30 %, respectively, at 10 mM concentration. Cu²⁺ at 1 mM concentration was found to enhance the enzyme activity by 16 %, whereas inhibition was observed at higher concentration (>5 mM). Slight inhibition was observed even with lower (>1 mM) concentrations of Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺.The activity of protease was completely inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, indicating that the VITP4 protease is a serine protease. The presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline (>5 mM) moderately inhibited the activity, suggesting that the enzyme is activated by metal ions. The protease was purified to homogeneity with a purification fold of 15.7 with ammonium sulfate precipitation and 46.65 with gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-100, resulting in a specific activity of 424?±?2.6 U mg^?1. The VITP4 protease consists of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular mass of 34.7 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight. Among the different substrates used (casein, egg albumin, gelatin, and bovine serum albumin), the activity was higher with casein with V _max, K _m, and k _cat values of 0.817 mg ml min^?1, 0.472 mg ml^?1, and 2.31 s^?1, respectively. Circular dichroism studies revealed that the VITP4 protease has a predominantly β-sheet structure (51.6 %) with a temperature for half denaturation of 85.8 °C in the presence of 1 mM CaCl₂. Additionally, the VITP4 protease was found to retain more than 70 % activity in the presence of 10 mM concentration of different detergents (CTAB, urea, and sodium dodecyl sulfate) and surfactants (Triton X-100, Tween-20, and Tween-80), and the results of wash performance test with various commercial detergents confirmed that it can be used in detergent formulations.     

Conformational study of α-arylethylamides of (−)-camphanic acid

The absolute conformation and configuration of diastereomeric amides (4A,B–6A,B) of (1S,3R)-camphanic acid (lactone of 1-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentan-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, (−)-camphanic acid 9) with α-arylethylamines 1–3 are deduced from ¹H NMR data and MM2 calculations. The α-arylethyl group in diastereomers A and B adopt nearly opposite absolute conformations, stabilized by hydrogen bonding in the syn-oriented O–C(1)–C(6)–N–H unit, and repulsive interaction between the 1′C–Me group and the amide CO group. The absolute configuration (1′S) is assigned to the 4A–6A diastereomers, and the (1′R)-configuration to the 4B–6B diastereomers; this assignment is confirmed by the preparation of 4A and 5A from enantiomerically pure (1′S)-α-arylethylamines 1 and 2, respectively. These results also enabled the assignment of pro-R (H_R) and pro-S (H_S) protons in the benzyl derivative 7.     

Synthesis of tripeptide hydrolysate from papuamide A: determination of absolute stereostructure of β-methoxytyrosine

Four diastereomers, (2R,3R), (2S,3S), (2S,3R) and (2R,3S) at β-methoxytyrosine (β-OMeTyr), of the tripeptide hydrolysate, H-(S)-N-MeThr-β-OMeTyr-(S)-Hpr-OH, from papuamide A have been synthesized. Comparison of the ¹H NMR data of the natural hydrolysate with the four synthetic diastereomers unambiguously establishes the relative and absolute stereochemistry of the methoxytyrosine as 2R,3R.     

Kinetische und mechanistische untersuchungen von übergangsmetallkomplexreaktionen : II. Kinetik und mechanismus der reaktion von trans- bromo(tetracarbonyl)phenylcarbinwolfram mit tertiären arylphosphanen, -arsanen und -stibanen

The kinetics of the reaction of trans-bromo(tetracarbonyl)phenylcarbyne-tungsten (IIIb) with N = PPh₃, AsPh₃, SbPh₃, P(p-C₆H₄CH₃)₃, P(p-C₆H₄Cl)₃, P(p-C₆H₄F)₃, P(p-C₆H₄NMe₂)₃, Ph₂AsCH₂AsPh₂ and P(OPh)₃ have been studied in octane, n-butyl bromide, 1,1,2-trichloroethane and various other solvents. The formation of the monosubstituted carbyne complex follows a first-order rate law. The rates of reaction depend neither on the nature of the substitting nucleophile nor on its concentration. The rates decrease with increasing polarity of the solvent. Under high CO-pressure the substitution is partially reversible. The activation parameters are ΔH^≠ 98–108 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS^≠ 26–53 J K^?1 mol^?1. The results are discussed on the basis of a dissociative mechanism.     

Preparation of l-serine and l-cystine stereospecifically labeled with deuterium at the β-position

The synthesis of l-serine and l-cystine stereospecifically labeled with deuterium at the β-position is described. The carboxyl group of d-serine was transformed into chirally deuterium-labeled alcohol via asymmetric reduction of 1-deuterio aldehyde, while the original hydroxymethyl group was converted into a carboxyl functionality to afford (2S,3R)-[3-²H]serine. Functional group interconversions of the hydroxyl group in the obtained deuterium-labeled l-serine gave (2R,2′R,3S,3′S)-[3,3′-²H₂]cystine.     

Asymmetric nitrogen

The¹H NMR spectra ofO-derivatives of 1-hydroxy-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)aziridine containing such substituents as EtO₂CCH₂, (R/S)-RO₂CCH(Me) (R=Me, Prⁱ, or Bu^t), (R/S)-H₂NC(O)CH(Me), and (R)-H₂NC(O)CH(Me) were analyzed. Both of the diastereomerically pure amides of the latter type were isolated. The validity of the¹H NMR criteria, which were suggested for the determination of absolute configurations of diastereomers ofN-alkoxyaziridines, was confirmed by X-ray diffraction study of the (R,R)-amide.     

The synthesis of new diastereomers of (4S,8aS)- and (4R,8aS)-4-phenyl-perhydropyrrole[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,3-dione

The synthesis of new (4S,8aS)- and (4R,8aS)-4-phenyl-perhydropyrrole[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,3-diones in the cyclocondensation reaction of the respective derivatives of l-prolineamide is described. The effect of the amount of NaOEt, temperature, and reaction time on the proportions of diastereomers formed in the cyclocondensation reaction was examined. The structures of the diastereomers were confirmed by GC/MS, HRMS, HPLC, XRD, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR investigations.     

Synthesis of brasilibactin A and confirmation of absolute configuration of β-hydroxy acid fragment

A synthesis of brasilibactin A, a cytotoxic siderophore from the actinomycete of Nocardia brasiliensis, and three unnatural diastereomers of the natural product is described. Four possible diastereomers of the β-hydroxy acid fragment were prepared via asymmetric aldol reactions and used to synthesize brasilibactin A and its diastereomers. Careful analysis of ¹H NMR data confirmed that brasilibactin A possesses the 17S,18R absolute stereochemistry.     

31P-NMR and X-ray studies of new rhodium(I) β-ketoiminato complexes Rh(R1C(O)CHC(NH)R2)(CO)(PZ3) where PZ3=PPh3, PCy3, P(OPh)3 or P(NC4H4)3

The substitution of the CO ligand in rhodium(I) β-ketoiminato complexes Rh(R₁{O,N}R₂)(CO)₂ ({O,N}=R₁C(O)CHC(NH)R₂; R₁, R₂=CF₃, Me, CMe₃ in several combinations) by phosphorus ligands PZ₃ (PZ₃=PCy₃, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃, P(NC₄H₄)₃) leads to Rh(R₁{O,N}R₂)(CO)(PZ₃) complexes characterised by ³¹P{¹H}-NMR and X-ray methods. The stronger σ-donor PZ₃ ligands (PZ₃=PCy₃, PPh₃) substitute almost exclusively the CO group trans to N, forming P-trans-to-N isomers. The complexes Rh(CF₃{O,N}Me)(CO)(PCy₃) (II), Rh(CF₃{O,N}CMe₃)(CO)(PCy₃) (III), Rh(CF₃{O,N}Me)(CO)(PPh₃) (IV) and Rh(CF₃{O,N}CMe)(CO)(PPh₃) (V) are of a square-planar geometry with a slight tetrahedral distortion around the rhodium atom in II, III and V. The RhP(PCy₃) bonds are slightly longer than the RhP(PPh₃) bonds. The reaction of stoichiometric amounts of the less basic P(OPh)₃ or P(NC₄H₄)₃ ligands leads to the formation of both isomers of the Rh(R₁{O,N}R₂)(CO)(P(OPh)₃) or Rh(R₁{O,N}R₂)(CO)(P(NC₄H₄)₃) complex in comparable yields. The RhP(P(OPh)₃) distance (2.195(2) Å) in the isomer of Rh(CF₃{O,N}CMe₃)(CO)(P(OPh)₃) with P(OPh)₃ coordinated trans to N (VI) is ca. 0.04 Å longer than in the isomer of that complex with P(OPh)₃ coordinated trans to O (VII). The CO substitution in Rh(R₁{O,N}R₂)(CO)₂ by PZ₃ ligands (PPh₃, PCy₃, P(OPh)₃) causes the shortening of the RhC(CO) bond by ca. 0.04 Å compared to Rh(CF₃{O,N}Me)(CO)₂ (I), making difficult the coordination of another PZ₃ ligand, especially one with stronger σ-donor properties. The more π-acceptor P(OPh)₃ ligands form bis-phosphito complexes and Rh(CF₃{O,N}CMe₃){P(OPh)₃}₂ (VIII) exhibits inequivalence of the two P(OPh)₃ ligands in solution (³¹P-NMR) as well as in solid form (X-ray).     

Synthesis of chiral-at-metal half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with the CpH(PNMent) tripod ligand

Treatment of the chiral tripod ligand (L_Ment,S_C)-CpH(PN_Ment) with (Ph₃P)₃RuCl₂ in ethanol afforded the two chiral-at-metal diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] (70% de) in which the cyclopentadienyl group and the P atom of the ligand coordinated at the metal center. The (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)-diastereomer was isolated by crystallization from ethanol-pentane and its structure was established by X-ray crystallography. The (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)-diastereomer epimerized in CDCl₃ solution at 60 °C in a first-order reaction with a half-life of 5.66 h. In alcoholic solution epimerization occurred at room temperature. Substitution of the chloride ligand in (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] by nitriles NCR (R = Me, Ph, CH₂Ph) in the presence of NH₄PF₆ gave mixtures of the diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)NCR]PF₆. Treatment of (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] with piperidine or morpholine in the presence of NH₄PF₆ led to the chiral-at-metal diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)NH₃]PF₆ (6% de).     

Stereochemical assignment of topsentolide C2 by stereodivergent synthesis of its four diastereomers

Four diastereomers of topsentolide C₂, a cytotoxic nine-membered lactone isolated from the marine sponge Topsentia sp., were synthesized stereodivergently from a common chiral seco acid by the combined use of the Yamaguchi and Mitsunobu lactonizations. Comparison of the NMR spectra of the four diastereomers with those of an authentic sample of topsentolide C₂ led to the stereochemical determination of topsentolide C₂ as 8R, 11S, and 12S.     

A New Family of C3‐Symmetrical Carbohydrate Receptors

The formation of the new optically active C₃‐symmetrical receptors (S,S,S)‐ 2 – 4 (Fig. 1), incorporating 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene and 1,3,5‐tris(phenylethynyl)benzene platforms as ‘floors' and ‘ceilings', is described. The tris(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives 9 and (S,S,S)‐ 10 (Scheme 1) for the three‐fold peptide coupling to yield the macrocyclic skeletons (Scheme 2) were prepared starting from 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene by the Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction. The optical rotations of the three macrocycles (S,S,S)‐ 2 – 4 , two of which ((S,S,S)‐ 2 and (S,S,S)‐ 3 ) are constitutional isomers, differ significantly, which is explained by differential twists induced into the macrocyclic skeletons by the leucine spacer in these bridges. 1 : 1 Host–guest complexes of (S,S,S)‐ 2 – 4 with octyl glucosides (Fig. 3) in CDCl₃ are of modest stability (K_a≤270 M ^?1 at 300 K). In these complexes, the monosaccharides are most probably nesting on one of the H‐bonding faces of the receptor rather than being accommodated in the cavity.     

Reversed diastereoselectivity in the ring-opening reaction of (S)-TFPO with a chiral aminoacetonitrile Schiff base

Diastereoselective ring opening of (S)-2,3-epoxy-1,1,1-trifluoropropane [(S)-TFPO: 75% ee] with an aminoacetonitrile Schiff base bearing the (R,R,R)-hydroxypinanone chiral auxiliary [(R)-Schiff base] are described. The reaction of (S)-TFPO with the (R)-Schiff base selectively gave one diastereomer out of the four possible, while that with the (S)-Schiff base gave a complex mixture of all four possible diastereomers. The stereochemistry of the reaction products was greatly dependent on the base used for abstracting a proton from the (R)-Schiff base; utilization of LDA and KO^tBu resulted in production of (R,R,R,S,S)- and (R,R,R,R,S)-isomers as the major diastereomers, respectively.     

From oxides of internal perfluoroolefins to fluorocontaining camphor thiazolinylhydrazones

The reaction of oxides of internal trans- and cis-perfluoroolefins with (1S, 4S)- or racemic camphor thiosemicarbazone leads to the formation of trans- and cis-isomers of (1S, 4S)- or racemic camphor 5′-fluoro-4′-hydroxy-4′,5′-di(perfluoroalkyl)-1′,3′-thiazolinyl-2′-hydrazones, respectively. Unsymmetrical dodecafluoro-2,3-epoxyhexane yields a mixture of regioisomeric hydrazones. The molecular structure of the trans-isomer of (1S, 4S)-camphor 5′-fluoro-4′-hydroxy-4′,5′-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1′,3′-thiazolinyl-2′-hydrazone has been established by X-ray crystallography. The quite rare example of cocrystallization of two diastereomers of the latter in homochiral crystal (sp. group P2₁) has been revealed.     

Optically active rhodium complexes with indenyl-linked phosphane ligands

The optically active indenyl-linked phosphane ligands (S)-[2-(3H-inden-1-yl)-1-phenylethyl]diphenylphosphane (L₁) and (S)-[2-(4,7-dimethyl-3H-inden-1-yl)-1-phenyl-ethyl]diphenylphosphane (L₂) were synthesized in three steps from (R)-1-phenylethane-1,2-diol in excellent yields. Their lithium salts reacted with [Rh(μ-Cl)(η²-CH₂CH₂)₂]₂ at −78 °C in THF affording the planar chiral complexes (S,R_pl + S_pl)-[Rh(η⁵-indenyl-CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-kP)(η²-CH₂CH₂)] and (S,R_pl + S_pl)-[Rh(η⁵-4,7-dimethylindenyl-CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-kP)(η²-CH₂CH₂)] as 61:39 and 15:85 mixtures of diastereomers. The complexes were isolated in optically pure form by column chromatography. The stereochemical configuration of one of the diastereomers was determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexation of L₂ was studied in different solvents and with several Rh precursors and diastereomeric excesses up to 76% were achieved. The ability of the chiral ligands to control the stereochemistry at the metal center was tested by oxidative addition of methyl iodide. Diastereomeric excesses greater than 98% were observed.     

Sulfurisation of Amino Tetraphosphorus Trichalcogenide Compounds

Amino tetraphosphorus trisulfides α-P₄S₃(NR¹R²)₂ reacted with S₈ under photolysis using visible light, in moderate or low conversion, to give α-P₄S₃(S)(NR¹R²)₂, in which the added sulfur atom was exocyclic. For NR¹R² = NPr₂ⁱ, three isomers were found: a pair of diastereomers corresponding to attachment of the sulfur atom to a nitrogen-carrying phosphorus atom either with retention or with inversion of its configuration, and an isomer containing a sulfurised bridgehead phosphorus atom. For NR¹R² = NMePh, only the two diastereomers were seen. Photolysis of a mixture of α-P₄Se₃(NMePh)₂ and α-P₄Se₃(NMePh)I with S₈ gave as major products α-P₄SSe₂(NMePh)₂ and α-P₄SSe₂(NMePh)I, in which sulfur had replaced the bridging selenium atom in the starting compounds. This provides a synthesis of compounds α-P₄SSe₂XY in which sulfur occupies a specific skeletal position, rather than being randomly distributed. All products were characterised by ³¹P NMR in unseparated solutions. Ab initio MO calculations of geometry and of GIAO NMR chemical shifts at the 3-21G* level for three isomers of the unknown model compound α-P₄S₃(S)(NH₂)₂, and two isomers of α-P₄S₃(NH₂)₂, allowed identification of the observed isomer of α-P₄S₃(S)(NPr₂ⁱ)₂ with a sulfurised bridgehead, but relative assignment of the two diastereomers to their NMR parameters remains a hypothesis.     

Facile determination of the absolute stereochemistry of hydroxy fatty acids by GC: application to the analysis of fatty acid oxidation by a P450BM3 mutant

The determination of the absolute stereochemistry of hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters as their (S)-ibuprofen esters is possible via standard gas chromatographic techniques. Analyses of various racemic and nonracemic standards and mixtures from enzymic oxidation show excellent resolution of the resultant diastereomers, with the (S,S)-diastereomers eluting first in all cases studied. The stereochemistry of the oxidation of dodecanoic acid by P450_BM3, which has not been previously reported, was determined by this method and indicated a preference for (R)-hydroxylation. The sensitivity of this technique allows the analysis of very small quantities of product, which has revealed that the oxidation of dodecanoic and hexadecanoic acids by the T268A mutant of P450_BM3 display the same stereochemical efficiency and produce (R)-hydroxy fatty acids in the same manner as wildtype P450_BM3, despite the poor coupling efficiency of these substrates. This stereochemistry implies that hydroxylation catalysed by the T268A mutant of P450_BM3 occurs through residual levels of the normal hydroxylating species.     

Organoplatinum(II) complexes with phosphite ligands

The phosphite complexes cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 1a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 1b, were synthesized by the reaction of cis,cis-[Me₂Pt(μ-SMe₂)₂PtMe₂] with 2 equiv. of L. If 4 equiv. of L was used the bis-phosphite complexes cis-[PtMe₂L₂] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 2a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 2b, were obtained. The reaction of cis-[Pt(p-MeC₆H₄)₂(SMe₂)₂] with 2 equiv. of L gave the aryl bis-phosphite complexes cis-[Pt(p-MeC₆H₄)₂L₂] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 2a′, or L = P(OPh)₃, 2b′. Use of 1 equiv. of L in the latter reaction gave the bis-phosphite complex along with the starting complex in a 1:1 ratio.The complexes failed to react with MeI. The reaction of cis,cis-[Me₂Pt(μ-SMe₂)₂PtMe₂] with 2 equiv. of the phosphine PPh₃ gave cis-[PtMe₂(PPh₃)₂] and cis-[PtMe₂(PPh₃)(SMe₂)] along with unreacted starting material. Reaction of cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)], 1a and 1b with the bidentate phosphine ligand bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂, gave [PtMe₂(dppm)], 8, along with cis-[PtMe₂L₂], 2. The reaction of cis-[PtMe₂L(SMe₂)] with 1/2 equiv. of the bidentate N-donor ligand NN = 4,4′-bipyridine yielded the binuclear complexes [PtMe₂L(μ-NN)PtMe₂L] in which L = P(OⁱPr)₃, 3a, or L = P(OPh)₃, 3b.The complexes were fully characterized using multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, and ¹⁹⁵Pt) spectroscopy.