Purification and Characterization of a Low Molecular Weight Endo-xylanase from Mushroom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Termitomyces clypeatus</Emphasis>

A low molecular weight endo-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) was purified from an edible mushroom Termitomyces clypeatus grown in submerged medium with oat spelt xylan. Xylanase was purified to apparent homogeneity by ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel filtration chromatography. Its molecular weight was determined by gel filtration chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 12 kDa. The enzyme was found to be most active at 50°C and pH 5.0, being most stable at pH 6.5. The K_m for oat spelt xylan was determined to be 10.4 mg/ml. The specificities of the enzyme was observed to be highly specific towards oat spelt xylan and was inhibited by mercuric chloride (HgCl₂), N-bromosuccinimide, and trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N′,N′,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid strongly. The inhibitory action of N-bromosuccinimide on enzyme confirmed the presence of one tryptophan residue in its substrate-binding site. Amino acid analysis for xylanase showed the presence of high amount of hydrophobic serine, glycine, threonine, and alanine residues. The N-terminal sequencing study for the previously purified and characterized 56 kDa xylanolytic amyloglucosidase reveal the presence of 33.30% identity with glucoamylase chain A from Aspergillus awamori. The N-terminal sequence analysis of the present 12 kDa enzyme showed highest similarity (72.22% identity) towards xylanase from Neurospora crassa.     

Purification and Characterization of Pectin Lyase Produced by Aspergillus terricola and its Application in Retting of Natural Fibers

An indigenously isolated fungal strain identified as Aspergillus terricola with assigned fungal strain number MTCC 7588 has been used as source for pectin lyase production. The extracellular pectin lyase was purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate of A. terricola by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The determined molecular weight was 35 ± 01 kDa. The K _m and k _cat (turnover) values of the purified enzyme at 37 °C using citrus pectin as the substrate were found to be 1.0 mg/ml and 110.0 s⁻¹, respectively. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 8.0 and 50 °C, respectively. The retting ability of the purified pectin lyase for natural fibers viz. Cannabis sativa and Linum usitatissimum has been demonstrated for the first time.     

Degradation of organic sulfur compounds by a coal-solubilizing Fungus

Paecilomyces sp. TLi, a coal-solubilizing fungus, was shown to degrade organic sulfur-containing coal substructure compounds. Di-benzothiophene was degraded via a sulfur-oxidizing pathway to 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl. No further metabolism of that compound was observed. Ethyl phenyl sulfide and diphenyl sulfide were degraded to the corresponding sulfones. A variety of products were formed from dibenzyl sulfide, presumably via free radical intermediates. Diphenyl disulfide and dibenzyl disulfide were cleaved to the corresponding thiols and other single-ring products. It was concluded that degradation of organic sulfur compounds byPaecilomyces involves an oxidative attack localized at the sulfur atom.     

A Dehydrogenated Cycloadduct of N-Phenylmaleimide and the Azomethine Ylide Derived from Ninhydrine and Phenylalanine: Structure and Conformation

Summary.  The structure of the dehydrogenation product 1′,3a′-dihydro-3′-((1,3-dioxoindan-2-ylidene)-phenyl-methyl)-5′-phenyl-spiro-(indan-2,1′-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole)-1,3,4′,6′-(5′H, 6a′H)-tetrone derived from the cycloadducts (±)-(3a′S,6a′R)-1′,3a′-dihydro-3′-((R)-α-(1,3-dioxoindanyl)-benzyl)-5′-phenyl-spiro-(indan-2,1′-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole)-1,3,4′,6′(5H,6a′H)-tetrone and/or (±)-(3a′S,6a′R)-1′,3a′-dihydro-3′-((S)-α-(1,3-dioxoindanyl)-benzyl)-5′-phenyl-spiro-(indan-2,1′-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole)-1,3,4′,6′(5H,6a′H)-tetrone, which were synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of N-phenylmaleimide to 2-((2-(1,3-dioxoindan-2-yl)-2-phenyl-ethenyl)-imino)-indan-1,3-dione, was determined by X-ray analysis. Crystal data (CCD, 180 K): rhombohedral, R&3macr;;, a = 34.0871(7), c = 13.9358(5) ?, Z = 18; the structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares procedures to R(F, I ≥ 3σ(I)) = 0.053. The molecule contains a central folded ring system of two cis-fused 5-membered heterocyclic rings; each ring is nearly planar, and the angle between the rings amounts to 59.0°. Dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopy of the product revealed an exchange process caused by restricted rotation of the double bonded 1,3-indandione moiety and the phenyl group about the C_sp2-C_sp2 single-bonds. Molecular modeling and complete lineshape analysis indicated a four site exchange process for which free energies of activation and free energies could be established. ΔG ^‡ values for the barriers of rotation are in the range of 57–59 kJ · mol^− 1 at 273 K, which is unusually high for an unsubstituted phenyl group. Received May 3, 2001. Accepted (revised) June 8, 2001     

Studies of the interaction between daidzein and 3′-daidzein sulfonic sodium with bovine serum albumin by spectroscopic methods

The interaction between daidzein and 3′-daidzein sulfonic sodium with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in physiological buffer (pH = 7.4) is investigated by fluorescence quenching technique and UV/vis absorption spectra. The results reveal that both daidzein and 3′-daidzein sulfonic sodium could strongly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. The quenching mechanism of both the daidzein and 3′-daidzein sulfonic sodium for BSA is static quenching procedure. The apparent binding constants K _a and number of binding sites n of daidzein and 3′-daidzein sulfonic sodium with BSA are obtained by fluorescence quenching method. The thermodynamic parameters, enthalpy change (Δ_r H ^m ), and entropy change (Δ_r S ^m ), are calculated, respectively, which indicate that the interaction of daidzein with BSA is driven mainly by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals, and 3′-daidzein sulfonic sodium with BSA is driven mainly by hydrophobic forces. The distance r between BSA with daidzein and 3′-daidzein sulfonic sodium are calculated to be 4.02 nm and 3.08 nm, respectively, based on F?rster’s non-radiative energy transfer theory. The results of synchronous fluorescence spectra show that binding of daidzein and 3′-daidzein sulfonic sodium with BSA cannot induce conformational changes in BSA.     

Isolation and identification of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">thermophilic alkaline desulphuricant</Emphasis> strain

A desulfurization strain that belongs to the thermophilic alkaline desulphuricant is designated as strain GDJ-3 and isolated from Inner Mongolia, China. The colony of the strain shows tiny, yellow, or white-yellow, and it becomes henna with the protracting of cultivated time. The cells are bacilliform (0.3−0.6 × 1.0−1.2 μm), motive, and Gram negative. The strain GDJ-3 is able to utilize respectively the thiosulphate, sulfate, sulfite, or sulfide as sulfur source, utilize the carbon dioxide as the carbon source, and utilize the ammonium or nitrate as the nitrogen source. According to GenBank data, 16s RNA results of GDJ-3 are in good agreement with Alpha proteobacterrium sp. (97%) and Ochrobactrum sp. (98%). For GDJ-3, the optimum growth temperature is at 45°C, the optimum pH is at 8.5–8.8, and the optimum rocking speed of sorting table is at 150 r/min. Under the optimum culture condition, the cells of the strain can live for about 18 h. In the desulfurization solution, which is prepared according to the composition of DDS solution, the objectionable constituents of sodium thiosulphate and sodium sulfide were added factitiously, and the bacterial cell concentration was set at 10⁷/mL. After the regeneration of the above desulfurization solution by the strain cells, the concentration of sodium thiosulphate was decreased by 14.75 g/L (percentage loss of content 13.21%), the concentration of sodium sulfide was decreased by 0.76 g/L (percentage loss of content 87.36%) in the desulfurization solution in 9.5 hours, and sulfur appeared. Maybe, this kind of strain can be used as the regeneration’s bacterial source of DDS solution.     

An Oxidant- and Organic Solvent-Resistant Alkaline Metalloprotease from Streptomyces olivochromogenes

Organic solvent- and detergent-resistant proteases are important from an industrial viewpoint. However, they have been less frequently reported and only few of them are from actinomycetes. A metalloprotease from Streptomyces olivochromogenes (SOMP) was purified by ion exchange with Poros HQ and gel filtration with Sepharose CL-6B. Apparent molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 51 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gelatin zymography. The activity was optimum at pH 7.5 and 50 °C and stable between pH 7.0 and 10.0. SOMP was stable below 45 °C and Ca²⁺ increased its thermostability. Ca²⁺ enhanced while Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Fe²⁺ inhibited the activity. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and ethylene glycol-bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, but not phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, aprotinin, and pefabloc SC, significantly suppressed the activity, suggesting that it might be a metalloprotease. Importantly, it is highly resistant against various detergents, organic solvents, and oxidizing agents, and the activity is enhanced by H₂O₂. The enzyme could be a novel protease based on its origin and peculiar biochemical properties. It may be useful in biotechnological applications especially for organic solvent-based enzymatic synthesis.     

Synthesis and Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Activity of Glucosylated 2-O-Ethyluracils

Summary.  2-O-Ethyluracils were silylated with HMDS and condensed in the presence of TMS-triflate with β-D-glucose pentaacetate to give the corresponding β-nucleosides. Alternatively, these could be synthesized by nucleoside coupling of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide with the sodium salts of 2-O-ethyluracils, which were deprotected with saturated ammonia in methanol. 6′-O-Tosylate nucleoside derivatives were prepared by treating of the latter with tosyl chloride in anhydrous pyridine. The compounds thus obtained were treated with sodium azide in anhydrous DMF to afford the corresponding 6′-azido nucleoside derivatives, which can also be prepared by treatment with sodium azide in the presence of carbon tetrabromide and triphenylphosphine in anhydrous DMF. Nucleophilic displacement of the 6′-tosyloxy group by morpholine gave 6′-deoxy-6′-morpholino nucleosides. The reduction of the azido group of the 6′-azido nucleosides using triphenylphosphine in pyridine afforded the 6′-amino analogues. Glucosylated 2-O-ethyluracils showed moderate activity against HBV. E-mail: adelnassar63@hotmail.com Received September 16, 2002; accepted (revised) October 15, 2002 Published online April 24, 2003     

Two new promelacacinidin dimers,including a novel flavanone-flavanol dimer characterized by a unique C(3)-C(4) linkage,from the heartwood of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nigrescens</Emphasis>

Two new promelacacinidin biflavonoids, mesquitol-(4α,5)-epimesquitol-4β-ol and a 3′,4′,7,8-tetrahydroxyflavanone(3,4)-ent-epimesquitol, were isolated among others from the heartwood of Acacia nigrescens. The flavanone derived dimer, characterized by a unique C(3) to C(4) bridge, which links the monomers via two stereogenic and sp³ hybridized C-atoms, is the prototype of a new subgroup of the flavonoid family. Assessment of the absolute configuration of all five stereogenic centers of this novel flavanone-derived biflavonoid was achieved by correlating the chiroptical properties of the benzoyl chromophore to the absolute configuration of C(2) of the flavanone moiety and hence the absolute stereochemistry of the other four chiral centers. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 437–441, September–October, 2007. Dedicated to Prof. E. Malan, who initiated and supervised this research project, for a noteworthy contribution in the flavonoid field, and who has since retired.     

Reactions of 5-nitrospiro[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexane] 1,3-dioxide with nucleophiles

Reactions of 5-nitrospiro[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexane] 1,3-dioxide with aliphatic amines and sodium hydroxide resulted in removal of one N-oxide oxygen atom and formation of 4-alkylamino- or 4-hydroxy-substituted 5-nitrospiro[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexane] 1-oxides, respectively. The title compound reacted with ammonia and methylamine in the presence of MnO₂ with conservation of both N-oxide moieties, and the products were 4-amino- and 4-methylamino-5-nitrospiro[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexane] 1,3-dioxides. The reactions with aromatic amines were accompanied by removal of both N-oxide oxygen atoms with formation of N-aryl-5-nitrospiro[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexane]-4-amines. In the reactions of 5-nitrospiro-[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexane] 1,3-dioxide with sodium azide and aromatic amine hydrochlorides nucleophilic replacement of the 5-nitro group by azido or arylamino occurred, in the first case both N-oxide fragments being conserved. The reactions with aromatic amine hydrochlorides afforded N-aryl-5-nitrospiro[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexan]-4-amine 1-oxides. Treatment of 5-nitrospiro[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexane] 1,3-dioxide with sodium cyanide led to the formation of 5-oxo-3,5-dihydrospiro[benzimidazole-2,1′-cyclohexane]-4-carbonitrile 1-oxide.     

The rapid and efficient synthesis of disulfides from alkyl and acyl halides

Various symmetrical dialkyl and diacyl disulfides are prepared easily in high yields from the corresponding alkyl and acyl halides under mild and nonaqueous conditions using N,N′-dibutyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-ethylenediammonium tetrahydroborate (BTMETB) or N,N′-dibenzyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediammonium tetrahydroborate (BZTMETB) and elemental sulfur. The quaternary diammonium borohydrides were easily prepared by treatment of the corresponding quaternary diammonium chloride or bromide with alkaline solution of sodium borohydride at room temperature.     

Isolation and characterization of thermophilic benzothiophene-degrading Mycobacterium sp.

A bacterial strain, SWU-4, capable of using benzothiophene (BT) as a sole carbon and energy source was isolated from a petroleum-contaminated site in Thailand and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to be in the genus of Mycobacterium. The strain was Gram-positive, nonspore former, and grew at 50° C. Colonies of the strain on nutrient agar were rod-shaped, smooth with a convex surface, slightly mucoid, and yellow pigmented. The thermophilic Mycobacterium sp. strain SWU-4 rapidly degraded 2% (w/v) BT at 50°C. Interestingly, this strain was able to degrade a wide variety of organosulfur compounds including thiophene, bromo(α)thiophene, and 3-methylthiophene in liquid minimum medium at 50°C, which will be beneficial for industrial applications.     

Epimerization,transacylation and bromination of dihydroquercetin acetates; synthesis of 8-bromodihydroquercetin

Dihydroquercetin (dhq) and its 3-acetate react with acetic anhydride in the absence of a base catalyst to yield mixtures of partially acetylated products. Three new esters were characterized by NMR spectroscopy as dhq 3,7,3′-triacetate, 3,7,4′-triacetate and 5,7,3′,4′-tetraacetate. At its melting point neat dhq 3,7,3′,4′-tetraacetate is partially converted to dhq 3,3′,4′-triacetate and dhq pentaacetate by intermolecular acetyl transfer. Dhq 7,3′,4′-triacetate yields exclusively dhq 3′,4′-di- and 3,7,3′,4′-tetraacetate under these conditions. The acetylation/deacetylation reactions are accompanied by partial epimerization: 3 new acetates with 2,3-cis stereochemistry (dhq 3-, 3,7,3′,4′-tetra- and penta-) were identified. Dhq and its 3,7,3′,4′-tetraacetate undergo regiospecific dibromination at C-6 and C-8 with excess N-bromosuccinimide in polar solvents, and 6,8-dibromo-dhq can be regioselectively debrominated to 8-bromo-dhq with sodium sulfite.     

Hyperbranched copolymers made from A2, B2 and BB′2type monomers (iv)

The new approach for synthesis of hyperbranched polymers from commercially available A₂ and type monomers was extended to synthesize hyperbranched copolymers. In this work, hyperbranched copoly(sulfone-amine) was prepared by copolymerization of divinyl sulfone (A₂) with 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine (B₂) and N-ethylethylenediamine (BB’₂). During the reaction, secondary-amino groups of B₂ and BB’₂ monomers react rapidly with vinyl groups of A₂ monomers within 35 s, generating a type of intermediate containing one vinyl group and two reactive hydrogen atoms. Now the intermediates can be regarded as a new type monomer, which further polymerizes to form hyperbranched copoly(sulfone-amine). The polymerization mechanism was investigated with FTIR and LC-MSD. The degree of branching (DB) of hyperbranched copolymers increased with decreasing the ratio of 4, 4′-trimethylenedipiperidine to N-ethylethylenediamine, so DB can be controlled. When the initial mole ratio of B₂ to BB′₂was equal to or higher than four,r≥4, resulted copolymers were semi-crystalline, while copolymers withr3 were amorphous.     

The rapid and efficient synthesis of disulfides from alkyl and acyl halides

Various symmetrical dialkyl and diacyl disulfides are prepared easily in high yields from the corresponding alkyl and acyl halides under mild and nonaqueous conditions using N,N′-dibutyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-ethylenediammonium tetrahydroborate (BTMETB) or N,N′-dibenzyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediammonium tetrahydroborate (BZTMETB) and elemental sulfur. The quaternary diammonium borohydrides were easily prepared by treatment of the corresponding quaternary diammonium chloride or bromide with alkaline solution of sodium borohydride at room temperature. Correspondence: Mahmood Tajbakhsh, Department of Chemistry, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, Iran.     

Synthesis of new spiro compounds containing a carbamate group

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition to methyl 4-[2-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-ylidene)-1-oxoethyl]-phenylcarbamate of diazomethane in chloroform-diethyl ether and of 3,4-dimethoxybenzonitrile oxide generated from the corresponding aldehyde oxime by the action of N-chlorobenzenesulfonamide sodium salt (Chloramine B) in boiling ethanol gave, respectively, methyl 4-(2-oxo-1′,5′-dihydro-1H-spiro[indole-3,4′-pyrazol]-3′-ylcarbonyl)phenylcarbamate and methyl 4-[3′-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1H,4′H-spiro[indole-3,5′-isoxazol]-4′-ylcarbonyl]phenylcarbamate. The condensation of methyl 4-[2-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-ylidene)-1-oxoethyl]phenylcarbamate with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol afforded methyl 4-(2-oxo-1,2,2′,4′-tetrahydrospiro[indole-3,3′-pyrazol]-5′-yl)phenylcarbamate.     

Structural characterization of heparins from different commercial sources

Seven commercial heparin active pharmaceutical ingredients and one commercial low molecular weight from different manufacturers were characterized with a view profiling their physicochemical properties. All heparins had similar molecular weight properties as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (M _N, 10–11 kDa; M _W, 13–14 kDa; polydispersity (PD), 1.3–1.4) and by size exclusion chromatography (M _N, 14–16 kDa; M _W, 21–25 kDa; PD, 1.4–1.6). one-dimensional ¹H- and ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) evaluation of the heparin samples was performed, and peaks were fully assigned using two-dimensional NMR. The percentage of glucosamine residues with 3-O-sulfo groups and the percentage of N-sulfo groups and N-acetyl groups ranged from 5.8–7.9%, 78–82%, to 13–14%, respectively. There was substantial variability observed in the disaccharide composition, as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-mass spectral analysis of heparin lyase I–III digested heparins. Heparin oligosaccharide mapping was performed using HPLC following separate treatments with heparin lyase I, II, and III. These maps were useful in qualitatively and quantitatively identifying structural differences between these heparins. The binding affinities of these heparins to antithrombin III and thrombin were evaluated by using a surface plasmon resonance competitive binding assay. This study provides the physicochemical and activity characterization necessary for the appropriate design and synthesis of a generic bioengineered heparin.     

Purification of glutathione reductase from chicken liver and investigation of kinetic properties

Glutathione reductase was purified from chicken liver and some characteristics of the enzyme were investigated. The purification procedure was composed of four steps: preparation of homogenate, ammonium sulfate precipitation, 2′,5′-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography, and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography. Owing to the four consecutive procedures, the enzyme was purified 1714-fold, with a yield of 38%. Specific activity at the final step was 120 enzyme unit (EU)/mg of protein. The purified enzyme showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 100 kDa by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography, and the subunit molecular weight was found to be 43 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Optimum pH, stable pH, optimum ionic strength, and optimum temperature were 7.0, 7.4, 0.75 M Tris-HCl buffer including 1 mM EDTA, and 50°C, respectively. K _M and V _max values for NADPH and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) substrates were also determined for the enzyme.     

A novel chromone-substituted trimeric dihydroflavonol from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anogeissus pendula</Emphasis>

A new chromone-substituted dihydrotriflavonol, (2S,3S)[6-{(3S) 3″,5″-dihydroxy-6″-methoxydihydrochromone}5,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydroxy-7-methoxy-3-O-8-dihydroflavone]₂ 3-O-8[6-{(3S) 3″,5″-dihydroxy-6″methoxydihydrochromone}3,5,3′,4′,5′-pentahydroxy-7-methoxydihydroflavonol] was isolated from the leaves of Anogeissus pendula. The structure was determined by UV, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HMBC, and CD data.     

Reactions of N , N -Disubstituted 5-Arylmethylidene-2-amino-thiazol-4(5 H )-ones with CH Acids

 N,N-Disubstituted 5-arylmethylidene-2-aminothiazol-4(5H)-ones reacted with diethyl malonate, ethyl benzoylacetate, acetylacetone, or cyclopentadiene in refluxing toluene and in presence of powdered sodium to give the respective 5-arylmethylidene-2′-amino-2,5′-bithiazolylidene-4,4′-dione derivatives in moderate yields. 5-Benzylidene-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one reacted with malononitrile in toluene and in presence of powdered sodium under mild conditions to afford the 1:1 adduct, benzylmalononitrile, and 2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one. However, similar treatment of 5-(4-methoxyphenylmethylidene)-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one with malononitrile yielded the 2,5′-bithiazolylidene-4,4′-dione derivative together with 4-methoxyphenylmethylidene malononitrile. Treatment of 5-benzylidene- and 5-(4-methoxyphenylmethylidene)-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-ones with 3-phenyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidine in refluxing toluene and in presence of powdered sodium produced 5-arylmethylidene-3-phenyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidines in good yields. The structures of all products were deduced from microanalytical and spectroscopic data, mechanistic details are discussed.