Synthesis, electrochemistry and luminescence of [Pt{4'-(R)trpy}(CN)](+) (R = Ph, o-CH(3)C(6)H(4), o-ClC(6)H(4) or o-CF(3)C(6)H(4); trpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine): crystal structure of [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)]BF(4) x CH(3)CN

The synthesis and characterization of [Pt{4'-(R)trpy}(CN)]X (R = Ph, X = BF(4) or SbF(6); R = o-CH(3)C(6)H(4), X = SbF(6); R = o-ClC(6)H(4), X = SbF(6); or R = o-CF(3)C(6)H(4), X = SbF(6)) are described where trpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine. Single crystals of [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)]BF(4).CH(3)CN were grown by vapour diffusion of diethyl ether into an acetonitrile solution of [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)]BF(4). An X-ray crystal structure determination of the solvated complex confirms the near linear coordination of the cyanide ligand to the platinum centre. The cation is almost planar as evidenced by a twist of only 1.9 degrees of the phenyl group out of the plane of the terpyridyl moiety. Cyclic voltammograms were recorded in DMF/0.1 M TBAH for the [Pt{4'-(R)trpy}(CN)](+) cations. Two quasi-reversible one-electron reduction (cathodic) waves are observed with E(1/2) values that show the trend expected for an increasingly lower energy of the trpy-based LUMO of the complex i.e., [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)](+) approximately [Pt{4'-(o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))trpy}(CN)](+) < [Pt{4'-(o-ClC(6)H(4))trpy}(CN)](+) < [Pt{4'-(o-CF(3)C(6)H(4))trpy}(CN)](+). All the [Pt(4'-(R)trpy}(CN)](+) cations are photoluminescent in dichloromethane. Emission by [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)](+) is from an excited state with largely (3)MLCT orbital parentage, but with some intraligand (3)pi-pi* character mixed-in (tau = 0.1 micros). In contrast, the other three cations display emission that appears exclusively intraligand (3)pi-pi* in origin (tau approximately 0.8 micros). Emission spectra have been recorded in a low concentration frozen DME {1 : 5 : 5 (v/v) DMF-MeOH-EtOH} glass. For the R = o-CH(3)C(6)H(4), o-ClC(6)H(4) and o-CF(3)C(6)H(4) cations the envelope of vibronic structure and energies of the vibrational components are essentially the same as that recorded in dichloromethane. However, for the [Pt{4'-(Ph)trpy}(CN)](+) cation, there is a blue-shift in the energies of the vibrational components as compared to that recorded in dichloromethane, as well as a change in the envelope of vibronic structure to a more "domed" pattern; this has been interpreted in terms of a higher percentage of intraligand (3)pi-pi* character in the emitting state for the glass. Increasing the concentration of the glass invariably leads to aggregation of the cations and the consequent development of new low energy bands, such that at 0.200 mM broad peaks centred at ca. 650 and 700 nm dominate the spectrum; these bands are assigned to excimeric (3)pi-pi* and (3)MMLCT emission, respectively.     

Trinuclear copper(II) complex showing high selectivity for the hydrolysis of 2'-5' over 3'-5' for UpU and 3'-5' over 2'-5' for ApA ribonucleotides

The cooperative action of multiple Cu(II) nuclear centers is shown to be effective and selective in the hydrolysis of 2'-5' and 3'-5' ribonucleotides. Reported herein is the specific catalysis by two trinuclear Cu(II) complexes of L3A and L3B. Pseudo first-order kinetic studies reveal that the L3A trinuclear Cu(II) complex effects hydrolysis of Up(2'-5')U with a rate constant of 28 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) and Up(3'-5')U with a rate constant of 0.5 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1). The hydrolyses of Ap(3'-5')A and Ap(2'-5')A proceed with rate constants of 24 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) and 0.5 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) respectively. The L3A trinuclear Cu(II) complex demonstrates high specificity for Up(2'-5')U and Ap(3'-5')A. Similar studies with the more rigid L3B trinuclear Cu(II) complex shows no selectivity and yields lower rate constants for hydrolysis. The selectivity observed with the L3A ligand is attributed to the geometry of the ligand-bound diribonucleotide which ultimately dictates the proximity of the attacking hydroxyl and the phosphoester to a Cu(II) center for activation and subsequent hydrolysis.     

酰氨基硫脲及相关杂环衍生物的研究XXIX: 2-(3'-溴苯胺基)-5-[5'-氨基-1'-(4"-氯苯基)-1',2',3'-三唑-4'-基]-1,3,4-噻二唑的晶体结构

经1-[5'-氨基-1'-(4"-氯苯基)-1',2',3'-三唑-4'-甲酰基]-4-(3'-溴苯基)-3-氨基硫脲在浓硫酸作用下制得2-(3'-溴苯胺基)-5-[5'-氨基-1'-(4"-氯苯基)-1',2',3'-三唑-4'-基]-1,3,4-噻二唑化合物。该化合物的晶体结构经X射线衍射分析确定, 化合物属三斜晶系, P1空间群, a=1.1784(2), b=1.4455(2),c=1.1353(1)nm; α=100.68(1), β=109.50(1), γ=79.89(1)°; V=1.7779nm^3; 分子式C~1~6H~1~1BrClN~7S, Mr=448.75; Dc=1.673g/cm^3, Z=4,μ=58.16cm^-^1, 最终偏离因子R=0.084, Rw=0.086。分析化合物的键长, 键角数据表明, 该分子具有离域π键结构。     

The photochemistry of thymidylyl-(3'-5')-5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine in aqueous solution

The photochemistry of the dinucleoside monophosphate thymidylyl-(3'-5')-5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine (Tpm5dC) has been studied in aqueous solution using both 254 nm and UV-B radiation. A variety of dinucleotide photoproducts containing 5-methylcytosine (m5C) have been isolated and characterized. These include two cyclobutane dimers (CBD) (the cis-syn [c,s]and trans-syn forms), a (6-4) adduct and its related Dewar isomer, and two isomers of a product in which the m5C moiety was converted into an acrylamidine. Small amounts of thymidylyl-(3'-5')-thymidine (TpT) were also formed, presumably as a secondary photoreaction product. In addition, a photoproduct was characterized in which the m5C moiety was lost, thus generating 3'-thymidylic acid esterified with 2'-deoxyribose at the 5-hydroxyl on the sugar moiety. The c,s CBD of Tpm5dC readily undergoes deamination to form the corresponding CBD of TpT. The kinetics of this deamination process has been studied; the corresponding enthalpy and entropy of activation for the reaction have been evaluated at pH 7.4 as being, respectively, 73.4 kJ/mol and -103.5 J/K mol. Deamination was not observed for the other characterized photoproducts of Tpm5dC.     

Syntheses, structural characterization and properties of transition metal complexes of 5,5'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)bdt), 5',5'-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diylbis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)dbdt) and 5,5',5'-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris(1H-tetrazole) (H(3)btt)

The hydrothermal chemistry of a variety of M(II)SO(4) salts with the tetrazole (Ht) ligands 5,5'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)bdt), 5',5'-(1,1'-biphenyl)4,4'-diylbis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)dbdt) and 5,5',5'-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris(1H-tetrazole) (H(3)btt) was investigated. In the case of Co(II), three phases were isolated, two of which incorporated sulfate: [Co(5)F(2)(dbdt)(4)(H(2)O)(6)]·2H(2)O (1·2H(2)O), [Co(4)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(bdt)(2)(H(2)O)(4)] (2) and [Co(3)(OH)(SO(4))(btt)(H(2)O)(4)]·3H(2)O (3·3H(2)O). The structures are three-dimensional and consist of cluster-based secondary building units: the pentanuclear {Co(5)F(2)(tetrazolate)(8)(H(2)O)(6)}, the tetranuclear {Co(4)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(2)(tetrazolate)(6)}(4-), and the trinuclear {Co(3)(μ(3)-OH)(SO(4))(2) (tetrazolate)(3)}(2-) for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The Ni(II) analogue [Ni(2)(H(0.67)bdt)(3)]·10.5H(2)O (4·10.5H(2)O) is isomorphous with a fourth cobalt phase, the previously reported [Co(2)(H(0.67)bat)(3)]·20H(2)O and exhibits a {M(tetrazolate)(3/2)}(∞) chain as the fundamental building block. The dense three-dimensional structure of [Zn(bdt)] (5) consists of {ZnN(4)}tetrahedra linked through bdt ligands bonding through N1,N3 donors at either tetrazolate terminus. In contrast to the hydrothermal synthesis of 1-5, the Cd(II) material (Me(2)NH(2))(3)[Cd(12)Cl(3)(btt)(8)(DMF)(12)]·xDMF·yMeOH (DMF = dimethylformamide; x = ca. 12, y = ca. 5) was prepared in DMF/methanol. The structure is constructed from the linking of {Cd(4)Cl(tetrazolate)(8)(DMF)(4)}(1-) secondary building units to produce an open-framework material exhibiting 66.5% void volume. The magnetic properties of the Co(II) series are reflective of the structural building units.     

Sugar conformational effects on the photochemistry of thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine

The synthesis and conformational analysis of 2'-O,5-dimethyluridylyl(3'-5')-2'-O,5-dimethyluridine (1a), the analogue of thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine (TpT; 1b) in which a methoxy group replaces each 2'-alpha-hydrogen atom, are described. In comparison with TpT, such modification increases the population of the C3'-endo conformer of the sugar ring puckering at the 5'- and 3'-ends from 30 to 75% and from 37 to 66%, respectively. Photolyses of 1a and TpT at 254 nm are qualitatively comparable (the cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer and the (6-4) photoproduct are formed), although it is significantly faster in the case of 1a. These results are explained by the increased propensity of the modified dinucleotide to adopt a base-stacked conformation geometry reminiscent of that for TpT.     

Hydrolytic reactions of guanosyl-(3',3')-uridine and guanosyl-(3',3')-(2',5'-di-O-methyluridine)

Hydrolytic reactions of guanosyl-(3',3')-uridine and guanosyl-(3',3')-(2',5'-di-O-methyluridine) have been followed by RP HPLC over a wide pH range at 363.2 K in order to elucidate the role of the 2'-hydroxyl group as a hydrogen-bond donor upon departure of the 3'-uridine moiety. Under neutral and basic conditions, guanosyl-(3',3')-uridine undergoes hydroxide ion-catalyzed cleavage (first order in [OH(-)]) of the P-O3' bonds, giving uridine and guanosine 2',3'-cyclic monophosphates, which are subsequently hydrolyzed to a mixture of 2'- and 3'-monophosphates. This bond rupture is 23 times as fast as the corresponding cleavage of the P-O3' bond of guanosyl-(3',3')-(2',5'-di-O-methyluridine) to yield 2',5'-O-dimethyluridine and guanosine 2',3'-cyclic phosphate. Under acidic conditions, where the reactivity differences are smaller, depurination and isomerization compete with the cleavage. The effect of Zn(2+) on the cleavage of the P-O3' bonds of guanosyl-(3',3')-uridine is modest: about 6-fold acceleration was observed at [Zn(2+)] = 5 mmol L(-)(1) and pH 5.6. With guanosyl-(3',3')-(2',5'-di-O-methyluridine) the rate-acceleration effect is greater: a 37-fold acceleration was observed. The mechanisms of the partial reactions, in particular the effects of the 2'-hydroxyl group on the departure of the 3'-linked nucleoside, are discussed.     

Synthesis of (2S,3R)-[3',3',3'-2H3]-valine and (2S,3S)-4-fluorovaline

A new synthesis of (2S,3R)-[3',3',3'-2H3]-valine has been completed and (2S,3S)-4-fluorovaline has been synthesised for the first time. Both compounds have been prepared by routes involving stereoselective addition to the (S)-pyroglutamate derivative and are available for studies in several areas of bio-organic chemistry.     

A methodology for radiolabeling of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)

The metabolic intermediate and endocannabinoid signaling lipid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) has not been readily labeled, primarily because of its instability toward rearrangement. We now detail a synthetic method that easily gives tritiated 2-AG from [5,6,8,9,11,12,14,15-(3)H(N)]arachidonic acid in two steps. We utilized a short chain 1,3-diacylglycerol and proceeded through the "structured lipid" [5',6',8',9',11',12',14',15'-(3)H(N)]2-arachidonoyl-1,3-dibutyrylglycerol, a triacylglycerol that was conveniently deprotected in ethanol with acrylic beads containing Candida antarctica lipase B to give [5',6',8',9',11',12',14',15'-(3)H(N)]2-arachidonoylglycerol ([(3)H]2-AG). The flash chromatographic separation necessary to isolate the labeled 2-acylglycerol [(3)H]2-AG resulted in only 4% of the rearrangement byproducts that have been a particular problem with previous methodologies. This reliable "kit" method to prepare the radiolabeled endocannabinoid as needed gave tritiated 2-arachidonoylglycerol [(3)H]2-AG with a specific activity of 200 Ci/mmol for enzyme assays, metabolic studies, and tissue imaging. It has been run on unlabeled materials on over 10 mg scales and should be generally applicable to other 2-acylglycerols.     

Phosphodiester cleavage of guanylyl-(3',3')-(2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine): rate acceleration by the 2'-amino function

Hydrolytic reactions of the structural analogue of guanylyl-(3',3')-uridine, guanylyl-(3',3')-(2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine), having one of the 2'-hydroxyl groups replaced with an amino function, have been followed by RP HPLC in the pH range 0-13 at 90 degrees C. The results are compared to those obtained earlier with guanylyl-(3',3')-uridine, guanylyl-(3',3')-(2',5'-di-O-methyluridine), and uridylyl-(3',5')-uridine. Under basic conditions (pH > 8), the hydroxide ion-catalyzed cleavage of the P-O3' bond (first-order in [OH(-)]) yields a mixture of 2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine and guanosine 2',3'-cyclic phosphate which is hydrolyzed to guanosine 2'- and 3'-phosphates. Under these conditions, guanylyl-(3',3')-(2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine) is 10 times less reactive than guanylyl-(3',3')-uridine. Under acidic and neutral conditions (pH 3-8), where the pH-rate profile for the cleavage consists of two pH-independent regions (from pH 3 to pH 4 and from 6 to 8), guanylyl-(3',3')-(2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine) is considerably reactive. For example, in the latter pH range, guanylyl-(3',3')-(2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine) is more than 2 orders of magnitude more labile than guanylyl-(3',3')-(2',5'-di-O-methyluridine), while in the former pH range the reactivity difference is 1 order of magnitude. Under very acidic conditions (pH < 3), the isomerization giving guanylyl-(2',3')-(2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine) and depurination yielding guanine (both first-order in [H(+)]) compete with the cleavage. The Zn(2+)-promoted cleavage ([Zn(2+)] = 5 mmol L(-)(1)) is 15 times faster than the uncatalyzed reaction at pH 5.6. The mechanisms of the reactions of guanylyl-(3',3')-(2'-amino-2'-deoxyuridine) are discussed, particularly focusing on the possible stabilization of phosphorane intermediate and/or transition state via an intramolecular hydrogen bonding by the 2'-amino group.     

Highly efficient alkene epoxidation and aziridination catalyzed by iron(II) salt + 4,4',4'-trichloro-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine/4,4'-dichloro-4'-O-PEG-OCH3-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine

"Iron(II) salt + 4,4',4'-trichloro-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine" is an effective catalyst for epoxidation and aziridination of alkenes and intramolecular amidation of sulfamate esters. The epoxidation of allylic-substituted cycloalkenes achieved excellent diastereoselectivities up to 90%. ESI-MS results supported the formation of iron-oxo and -imido intermediates. Derivitization of Cl 3terpy to O-PEG-OCH 3-Cl 2terpy renders the terpyridine unit to be recyclable, and the "iron(II) salt + 4,4'-dichloro-4'- O-PEG-OCH 3-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine" protocol can be reused without a significant loss of catalytic activity in the alkene epoxidation.     

2-芳胺基-5-[5'-氨基-1'-(4"-氯苯基)-1',2',3'-三唑-4'-基]-1,3,4-噻二唑的合成

1-[5'-氨基-1'-(4"-氯苯基)-1,2,3-三唑-4'-甲酰基]-4-芳基-3-氨基硫脲在浓硫酸催化下环化得到2-芳胺基-5-[5'-氨基-1'-(4"-氯苯基)-1',2',3',-三唑-4'-基]-1,3,4-噻二唑2a-i, 依此法合成了九个标题化合物, 收率为30-74%。化合物2i的结构用X-光衍射单晶分析确证。     

Remarkable stability of hairpins containing 2',5'-linked RNA loops.

We report here the results of a comparative study of hairpin loops that differ in the connectivity of phosphodiester linkages (3',5'- versus 2',5'-linkages). In addition, we have studied the effect of changing the stem composition on the thermodynamic stability of hairpin loops. Specifically, we constructed hairpins containing one of six stem duplex combinations, i.e., DNA:DNA ("DD"), RNA:RNA ("RR"), DNA:RNA ("DR"), 2',5'-RNA:RNA ("RR"), 2',5'-RNA:DNA ("RD"), and 2',5'-RNA:2',5'-RNA ("RR"), and one of three tetraloop compositions, i.e., 2',5'-RNA ("R"), RNA ("R"), and DNA ("D"). All hairpins contained the conserved and well-studied loop sequence 5'-...C(UUCG)G...-3' [Cheong et al. Nature 1990, 346, 680-682]. We show that the 2',5'-linked loop C(UUCG)G, i.e.,...C(3'p5')U(2'p5')U(2'p5')C(2'p5')G(2'p5')G(3'p5')..., like its "normal" RNA counterpart, forms an unusually stable tetraloop structure. We also show that the stability imparted by 2',5'-RNA loops is dependent on base sequence, a property that is shared with the regioisomeric 3',5'-RNA loops. Remarkably, we find that the stability of the UUCG tetraloop is virtually independent of the hairpin stem composition (DD, RR, RR, etc.), whereas the native RNA tetraloop exerts extra stability only when the stem is duplex RNA (R:R). As a result, the relative stabilities of hairpins with a 2',5'-linked tetraloop, e.g. ggac(UUCG)gtcc (T(m) = 61.4 degrees C), are often superior to those with RNA tetraloops, e.g. ggac(UUCG)gtcc (T(m) = 54.6 degrees C). In fact, it has been possible to observe the formation of a 2',5'-RNA:DNA hybrid duplex by linking the hybrid's strands to a (UUCG) loop. These duplexes (RD), which are not stable enough to form in an intermolecular complex [Wasner et al. Biochemistry 1998, 37, 7478-7486], were stable at room temperature (T(m) approximately 50 degrees C). Thus, 2',5'-loops have potentially important implications in the study of nucleic acid complexes where structural data are not yet available. Furthermore, they may be particularly useful as structural motifs for synthetic ribozymes and nucleic acid "aptamers".     

Improved preparation of (1S,3’R,4’S,5’S,6’R)-5-chloro-6-[(4-ethylphenyl)methyl]-3’,4’,5’,6’-tetrahydro-6’-(hydroxymethyl)-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),2’-[2H]pyran]-3’,4’,5’-triol

A convenient approach for the preparation of(1S,3’R.4’S,5’S,6’R)-5-chloro-6-[(4-ethylphenyl)methyl]- 3’,4’,5’,6’-tetrahydro-6’-(hydroxymethyl)-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),2’-[2H]pyran]-3’,4’,5’-triol is developed. The targeted compound was synthesized from 2-bromo-4-methylbenzoic acid in nine steps and the isomers of undesired ortho-products were avoided during the preparation.     

Synthesis and single-crystal X-ray characterization of 4,4"-functionalized 4'-(4-bromophenyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridines

To expand the utility of bis(terpyridine) metal connectivity, the selective symmetrical and unsymmetrical 4,4"-functionalization (-CN, -Me, -CO2Me) of 4'-(4-bromophenyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridines was achieved using the Kr?hnke synthesis. The final substituted 2,2':6',2"-terpyridines along with their corresponding intermediates, 4a-c, were recrystallized and characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR as well as X-ray crystallography; COSY correlations were also conducted to permit definitive proton assignment.     

Identification of the alpha and beta anomers of 1-(2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-oxaluric acid at the site of riboflavin-mediated photooxidation of guanine in 2'-deoxyguanosine and thymidylyl-(3'-5')-2'-deoxyguanosine

Products of riboflavin-mediated photosensitization of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) and thymidylyl-(3'-5')-2'-deoxyguanosine (TpdG) by 350-nm light in oxygen-saturated aqueous solution have been isolated and identified as 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl) oxaluric acid (beta-dOx) and thymidylyl-(3'-5')-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl) oxaluric acid (Tpbeta-dOx), respectively. In aqueous solution the modified beta-deoxyribonucleoside is slowly converted to the alpha-anomer, generating alpha-dOx and Tpalpha-dOx. These modified nucleosides and dinucleoside monophosphates have been isolated by HPLC and characterized by proton and carbon NMR spectroscopy, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and enzymatic analyses. Both alpha-dOx and Tpalpha-dOx slowly convert back into the modified beta-deoxyribonucleoside, indicating that the furanosidic anomers are in dynamic equilibrium. Relative to TpdG, the rate of hydrolysis of Tpbeta-dOx and Tpalpha-dOx by spleen phosphodiesterase is greatly reduced. Hot piperidine (1.0 M, 90 degrees C, 30 min) destroys Tpbeta-dOx and Tpalpha-dOx. Riboflavin-mediated photosensitization of TpdG in D2O instead of H2O has no detectable effect on the yield of Tpbeta-dOx, suggesting that oxaluric acid is generated through a Type-I reaction mechanism, likely through the intermediary on initially generated 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine.     

Synthesis of some 3',5'-dideoxy-5'-C-phosphonomethyl nucleosides.

Ammonium [1-(3',5',6'-trideoxy-beta-D-erythro-hexofuranosyl)thymine]-6'- phosphonate (1), ammonium 3',5'-dideoxycytidine-5'-C-methylphosphonate (2) and 3',5'-dideoxyadenosine-5'-C-methyl phosphonic acid (3) have been synthesized and tested for anti-HIV activity. The key steps involved an Arbuzov reaction between triethyl phosphite and 3,5,6-trideoxy-6-iodo-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-erythro- hexofuranose (7), followed by condensation with the appropriate nucleoside bases. The substances 1, 2 and 3 have been tested in vitro against HIV.     

Deoxyribozymes with 2'-5' RNA ligase activity

In vitro selection was used to identify deoxyribozymes that ligate two RNA substrates. In the ligation reaction, a 2'-5' RNA phosphodiester linkage is created from a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate and a 5'-hydroxyl group. The new Mg(2+)-dependent deoxyribozymes provide 50-60% yield of ligated RNA in overnight incubations at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees C, and they afford 40-50% yield in 1 h at pH 9.0 and 37 degrees C. Various RNA substrate sequences may be joined by simple Watson-Crick covaration of the DNA binding arms that interact with the two RNA substrates. The current deoxyribozymes have some RNA substrate sequence requirements at the nucleotides immediately surrounding the ligation junction (either UAUA GGAA or UAUN GGAA, where the arrow denotes the ligation site and N equals any nucleotide). One of the new deoxyribozymes was used to prepare by ligation the Tetrahymena group I intron RNA P4-P6 domain, a representative structured RNA. Nondenaturing gel electrophoresis revealed that a 2'-5' linkage between nucleotides A233 and G234 of P4-P6 does not disrupt its Mg(2+)-dependent folding (DeltaDeltaG degrees ' < 0.2 kcal/mol). This demonstrates that a 2'-5' linkage does not necessarily interfere with structure in a folded RNA. Therefore, these non-native linkages may be acceptable in modified RNAs when structure/function relationships are investigated. Deoxyribozymes that ligate RNA should be particularly useful for preparing site-specifically modified RNAs for studies of RNA structure, folding, and catalysis.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 4-methoxyphenyl 4'- n -alkoxy-2',3',5',6'-tetrafluorobiphenyl-1-carboxylates

A novel type of 4-methoxyphenyl 4'- n -alkoxy-2',3',5',6'-tetrafluorobiphenyl-1-carboxylates have been synthesized. Textural observations by polarizing microscopy and DSC measurements of the phase transitions show that all of these compounds are thermotropic liquid crystals with only a nematic mesophase. The relationship between the properties and chemical structures of these compounds is discussed.     

Rotation of the exo-methylene group of (R)-3-methylitaconate catalyzed by coenzyme B(12)-dependent 2-methyleneglutarate mutase from Eubacterium barkeri

2-Methyleneglutarate mutase from the anaerobe Eubacterium (Clostridium) barkeri is an adenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B(12))-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the equilibration of 2-methyleneglutarate with (R)-3-methylitaconate. Two possibilities for the mechanism of the carbon skeleton rearrangement of the substrate-derived radical to the product-related radical are considered. In both mechanisms an acrylate group migrates from C-3 of 2-methyleneglutarate to C-4. In the "addition-elimination" mechanism this 1,2-shift occurs via an intermediate, a 1-methylenecyclopropane-1,2-dicarboxylate radical, in which the migrating acrylate is simultaneously attached to both C-3 and C-4. In the "fragmentation-recombination" mechanism the migrating group, a 2-acrylyl radical, becomes detached from C-3 before it starts bonding to C-4. In an attempt to distinguish between these two possibilities we have investigated the action of 2-methyleneglutarate mutase on the stereospecifically deuterated substrates (Z)-3-methyl[2'-(2)H(1)]itaconate and (Z)-3-[2'-(2)H(1),methyl-(2)H(3)]methylitaconate. The enzyme catalyzes the equilibration of both compounds with their corresponding E-isomers and with a 1:1 mixture of the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-2-methylene[2'-(2)H(1)]glutarates, as shown by monitoring of the reactions with (1)H and (2)H NMR. In the initial phase of the enzyme-catalyzed equilibration a significant excess (8-11%) of (E)-3-methyl[2'-(2)H(1)]itaconate over its equilibrium value was observed ("E-overshoot"). The E-overshoot was only 3-4% with (Z)-3-[2'-(2)H(1),methyl-(2)H(3)]methylitaconate because the presence of the deuterated methyl group raises the energy barrier from 3-methylitaconate to the corresponding radical. The overshoot is explained by postulating that the migrating acrylate group has to overcome an additional energy barrier from the state leading back to the substrate-derived radical to the state leading forward to the product-related radical. It is concluded that the fragmentation-recombination mechanism can provide an explanation for the results in terms of an additional energy barrier, despite the higher calculated activation energy for this pathway.