Identification of Shiga toxins in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli using immunoprecipitation and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

We developed a rapid and reliable identification method for Shiga toxins in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) using immunoprecipitation and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). Polyclonal antisera specific for Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) were raised in rabbits so as to be used for the immunoprecipitation. The immunoprecipitaion was carried out by mixing sample solutions with 50 microl each of the antisera to Stx1 and Stx2 followed by allowing the mixed solutions to stand for 30 min. The quantity required to obtain the immunoprecipitate was more than 0.5 microg of Shiga toxins. HPLC-ESI-MS analysis of the resulting immunoprecipitates provided accurate molecular weight information on Shiga toxins, leading to direct evidence for the presence of these toxins. It requires at most two days to perform our procedure from toxin extraction to measurement of HPLC-ESI-MS whereas the previous method using isolation procedures required about two weeks to complete. The usefulness of the present method has been demonstrated by identifying Stx1, Stx2 and a variant of Stx2 (Stx2e) in the immunoprecipitates prepared from STEC strains.     

Heterobifunctional multivalent inhibitor-adaptor mediates specific aggregation between Shiga toxin and a pentraxin

[reaction: see text] The first example of a multivalent heterofunctional inhibitor-adaptor, called "BAIT", is described. This multivalent inhibitor-adaptor is able to capture a "target" receptor (Shiga toxin) through its recognition of one ligand of a heterobivalent headgroup while the other ligand binds to an endogenous "trap" protein (serum amyloid P component, SAP). BAIT showed markedly enhanced inhibition of toxin activity. An efficient synthesis of this multivalent cluster containing heterobifunctional ligands was accomplished by chemical and chemoenzymatic approaches.     

First detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in shellfish and coastal environments of Morocco

Shiga toxin Escherichia coli (STEC), also called verotoxin-producing E. coli, is a major cause of food-borne illness, capable of causing hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS). This study was carried out to evaluate the presence of (STEC) and E. coli O157:H7 in shellfish and Mediterranean coastal environments of Morocco. The contamination of shellfish and marine environment with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and E. coli O157:H7, was investigated during 2007 and 2008. A total of 619 samples were analyzed and 151 strains of E. coli were isolated. The presence of the stx1, stx2, and eae genes was tested in E. coli isolates strains using a triplex polymerase chain reaction. STEC was detected in three positives samples (1.9%), corresponding to the serotype O157:H7, the others Shiga toxin-producing E. coli non-O157 were also detected.     

Expression of Shiga Toxin B Subunit at Cell Surface in E. coli K-12

The three parts(Stx17B, Stx27B and StxB) of Shiga toxin B subunit have been fused into a cell surface exposed loop of the LamB protein at a BamH I site between residues 153 and 154. Western blotting revealed that the three parts of Shiga toxin B subunit could be expressed as the Lamb fusion proteins in E. coli. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy analyses showed fusion proteins LamB/Stx17B and LamB/Stx27B could be expressed at cell surface in E. coli, but fusion protein LamB/StxB could not be expressed at cell surface; it was aggregated in cytoplasm and was toxic to host. This expression system provided a new way to construct an oral live vaccine against Shigella dysenteriae 1.     

Discovery of Inhibitors of Shiga Toxin Type 2 by On‐Plate Generation and Screening of a Focused Compound Library

A new microtiter‐plate‐based method for the rapid generation and evaluation of focused compound libraries was developed and applied to screening ligand analogues for the E. coli Shiga‐like toxin Stx2a. The method is general, it mitigates the masking of intrinsic affinity gains by multivalency and enables the discovery of potential hits when starting from ligands that exhibit extremely low affinity with proteins that depend on multivalency for their function.     

On the structural diversity of Shiga toxin glycosphingolipid receptors in lymphoid and myeloid cells determined by nanoelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Shiga toxin (Stx, synonymous to verotoxin, VT) binds with high and low affinity to the globo‐series neutral glycosphingolipids (GSLs), globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer or Galα4Galβ4Glcβ1Cer, also known as CD77) and globotetraosylceramide (Gb4Cer or GalNAcβ3Galα4Galβ4Glcβ1Cer), respectively, which represent the targets of Stxs on many different cell types. B‐cell‐derived Raji cells and THP‐1 cells of monocytic origin are widely used for the investigation of Stx‐mediated cellular response, because Stx is known to cause cell death in both cell lines. Despite their functional importance, the Stx receptors of Raji and THP‐1 cells have so far not been investigated. This prompted us to explore the structures of their GSL receptors in detail by means of nanoelectrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (nanoESI‐QTOF‐MS) with collision‐induced dissociation (CID) in conjunction with Stx1 as well as anti‐Gb3Cer and anti‐Gb4Cer antibodies. Using the combination of a thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) overlay assay and MS¹ and MS² analysis we identified Gb3Cer (d18:1, C24:1/C24:0) as the prevalent Stx1‐receptor accompanied by less abundant Gb3Cer (d18:1, C16:0) in the neutral GSL fraction of Raji cells. The same Gb3Cer species but with almost equal proportions of the C24:1/C24:0 and C16:0 variants were found in THP‐1 cells. In addition, unusual hydroxylated Gb3Cer (d18:1, C24:1/C24:0) and Gb3Cer (d18:1, C26:1) could be identified in trace quantities in both cell lines. As the most obvious difference between Raji and THP‐1 cells we observed the expression of Gb4Cer in THP‐1 cells, whereas Raji cells failed to express this elongation product of Gb3Cer. Both short‐ and long‐chain fatty acid carrying Gb4Cer (d18:1, C16:0) and Gb4Cer (d18:1, C24:1/C24:0), respectively, were the prevalent Gb4Cer variants. This first report on the differential expression of Gb3Cer and Gb4Cer and their structural diversity in lymphoid and myeloid cell lines supports the hypothesis that such heterogeneities might play a functional role in the molecular assembly of GSLs in membrane organization and cellular signaling of Stx‐susceptible cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of combined high-performance thin-layer chromatography immunostaining and nanoelectrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry to the structural characterization of high- and low-affinity binding ligands of Shiga toxin 1

Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) represents an AB5 toxin produced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, which cause gastrointestinal diseases in humans that are often followed by potentially fatal systemic complications, such as acute encephalopathy and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The expression of the preferential Stx1 receptor, Gb3Cer/CD77 (Gal alpha1-4Gal beta1-4Glc beta1-1Cer), is one of the primary determinants of susceptibility to tissue injury. Due to the clinical importance of this life-threatening toxin, a combined strategy of preparative high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) overlay assay and mass spectrometry was developed for the detection and structural characterization of Stx1-binding glycosphingolipids (GSLs). A preparation of neutral GSLs from human erythrocytes, comprising 21.4% and 59.1% of the high- and low-affinity Stx1-binding ligands Gb3Cer/CD77 and Gb4Cer, respectively, was separated on silica gel precoated HPTLC plates and probed for the presence of Stx1 receptors. Stx1 positive on the one hand and anti-Gb3Cer/CD77 and anti-Gb4Cer antibody positive bands from parallel reference runs on the other hand were extracted with chloroform/methanol/water (30/60/8, v/v/v). These crude extracts were used without any further purification for a detailed structural analysis by nanoelectrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nanoESI-QTOF-MS) in the negative ion mode. In all extracts investigated, neutral GSLs were detected as singly charged deprotonated molecular ions, [M-H]-, and neither buffer-derived salt adducts nor coextracted contaminants from the overlay assay procedure or the silica gel layer were observed. For the structural characterization of Stx1- and antibody-binding GSLs low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) was applied to high and low abundant receptor species of the crude extracts. All MS/MS spectra obtained contained full series of Y-type ions, B-type ions and additional ions generated by ring cleavages of the sugar moiety. Only analytical quantities in the microgram scale of a single GSL species within the complex GSL mixture were required for the structural MS characterization of Stx1 ligands as Gb3Cer/CD77 and Gb4Cer. This effective combined HPTLC/MS procedure offers a broad range of applications, not only for toxins of bacterial origin, but also for any GSL-binding agents such as plant-derived lectins or human proteins with yet unknown binding specificities.     

Carbon nanoparticles in lateral flow methods to detect genes encoding virulence factors of Shiga toxin-producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

The use of carbon nanoparticles is shown for the detection and identification of different Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli virulence factors (vt1, vt2, eae and ehxA) and a 16S control (specific for E. coli) based on the use of lateral flow strips (nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay, NALFIA). Prior to the detection with NALFIA, a rapid amplification method with tagged primers was applied. In the evaluation of the optimised NALFIA strips, no cross-reactivity was found for any of the antibodies used. The limit of detection was higher than for quantitative PCR (q-PCR), in most cases between 10⁴ and 10⁵ colony forming units/mL or 0.1–0.9 ng/μL DNA. NALFIA strips were applied to 48 isolates from cattle faeces, and results were compared to those achieved by q-PCR. E. coli virulence factors identified by NALFIA were in very good agreement with those observed in q-PCR, showing in most cases sensitivity and specificity values of 1.0 and an almost perfect agreement between both methods (kappa coefficient larger than 0.9). The results demonstrate that the screening method developed is reliable, cost-effective and user-friendly, and that the procedure is fast as the total time required is <1 h, which includes amplification.     

二氧化碳和丙烯直接合成甲基丙烯酸的NiPMo/TiO2催化剂的研究

用溶胶-凝胶法以磷钼酸(MPA)的镍盐溶液水解钛酸四丁酯制备了NiPMo/TiO2催化剂.使用ICP、 XRD、 TG-DTA、 IR、 TPD-MS和微反应技术研究了催化剂的化学组成、热稳定性、化学吸附性质和催化反应性能.杂多钼酸盐与TiO2通过O2-在TiO2表面发生了键合.在623 K下,杂多阴离子仍保持原有的Keggin结构.CO2在Lewis酸位Ni(Ⅱ)和Lewis碱位Ni-O-Mo的桥氧协同作用下生成CO2卧式吸附态Ni(Ⅱ)←O-(CO)←(O--Ni).丙烯有多种吸附态在催化剂上吸附.在563 K、 1 MPa和空速1500 h-1的反应条件下,丙烯的摩尔转化率为3.2%,产物MAA选择性为95%.     

Synthesis of 1-benzyloxypyrazin-2(1H)-one derivatives

Different approaches for the synthesis of 1-benzyloxypyrazin-2(1H)-one derivatives from simple amino acids have been investigated. A library of 33 precursors for the preparation of N-hydroxy pyrazinones was obtained in moderate to good yields.     

Toward new camptothecins. Part 6: Synthesis of crucial ketones and their use in Friedländer reaction

In the context of the preparation of camptothecin and luotonin A analogs, the synthesis of some key keto-precursors and their use in Friedländer condensation are described. This paper also focuses on the stability of these keto intermediates and emphasizes the major differences between indolizinones and pyrroloquinazolinones series. Noteworthy is also the report of some original structures isolated as by-products of some experiments.     

CoFe2O4自形成磁性液体场致结构化对磁化的影响

The Langevin paramagnetic theory can’t describe the relation between magnetization of ferrofluids and applied magnetic field. The structuralization of ferrofluids, which is considered the main influence factor of the magnetization, is regarded. The part of magnetization works is deposited when the structure is forming. This action influences the magnetization of ferrofluids directly or indirectly. On the base of the “compressing” model, the Langevin function that usually describes the magnetization of ferrofluid is modified, and a well-fitted curve is obtained. An equation of the relation between the equivalent volume fraction after being “compressed” and the intensity of magnetic field is discovered, which approximately describes the process of magnetization. The relation between the approximate initial susceptibility and the volume fraction can be obtained from modified formula.     

Highly regioselective Buchwald–Hartwig amination at C-2 of 2,4-dichloropyridine enabling a novel approach to 2,4-bisanilinopyridine (BAPyd) libraries

The highly regioselective Buchwald–Hartwig amination at C-2 of the cheap and readily accessible reagent, 2,4-dichloropyridine with a range of anilines and heterocyclic amines is described. This new methodology is robust and provides a facile access to 4-chloro-N-phenylpyridin-2-amines on 0.25 mol scale. These intermediates undergo a further Buchwald–Hartwig amination at higher temperature to enable rapid exploration of the chemical space at C-4 and to provide a library of 2,4-bisaminopyridines.     

KMnO4-mediated oxidative CN bond cleavage of tertiary amines: Synthesis of amides and sulfonamides

KMnO₄-mediated oxidative CN bond cleavage of tertiary amines producing secondary amine was introduced, which was trapped by electrophiles (acyl chloride and sulfonyl chloride) to form amides and sulfonamides. The reaction could take place at mild condition, tolerating a wide range of function groups and affording products in moderate to excellent yields.     

Chemistry of heterocyclic compounds at the A. E. Favorsky Irkutsk Institute of Chemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, over 50 years (Review)

The review contains a concise historical account and information on the most significant researches undertaken by the staff at the A. E. Favorsky Irkutsk Institute of Chemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds. Dedicated to Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences B. A. Trofimov on his 70th jubilee. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, pp. 1443–1502, October, 2008.     

A general and convenient synthesis of 4-(tosylmethyl)semicarbazones and their use in amidoalkylation of hydrogen,heteroatom, and carbon nucleophiles

A general synthesis of previously unknown semicarbazone-based α-amidoalkylating reagents, 4-(tosylmethyl)semicarbazones, has been developed. The synthesis involved three-component condensation of semicarbazones of aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes with the same or other aldehydes and p-toluenesulfinic acid. The scope and limitations of this reaction were investigated. The compounds obtained were demonstrated to be an efficient α-(4-semicarbazono)alkylating agents. They were reacted with H- (sodium borohydride), O- (sodium methylate), S- (sodium phenylthiolate), N- (pyrrolidine, sodium succinimide), P- (trialkyl phosphites), and C-nucleophiles (sodium diethyl malonate) to give the corresponding products of the tosyl group substitution, 4-substituted semicarbazones, including analogues of nitrofurazone. Among the prepared compounds tested in vitro for antibacterial and antifungal activity, three nitrofuryl-containing semicarbazones exhibited high biological activities with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 8–32 μg/mL.