Structural and Functional Consequences of the Weak Binding of Chlorin e6 to Bovine Rhodopsin

The chlorophyll‐derivative chlorin e6 (Ce6) identified in the retinas of deep‐sea ocean fish is proposed to play a functional role in red bioluminescence detection. Fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopy studies with the bovine dim‐light photoreceptor, rhodopsin, indicate that Ce6 weakly binds to it with μm affinity. Absorbance spectra prove that red light sensitivity enhancement is not brought about by a shift in the absorbance maximum of rhodopsin. ¹⁹F NMR experiments with samples where ¹⁹F labels are either placed at the cytoplasmic binding site or incorporated as fluorinated retinal indicate that the cytoplasmic domain is highly perturbed by binding, while little to no changes are detected near the retinal. Binding of Ce6 also inhibits G‐protein activation. Chemical shift changes in ¹H‐¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy of ¹⁵N‐Trp labeled bovine rhodopsin reveal that Ce6 binding perturbs the entire structure. These results provide experimental evidence that Ce6 is an allosteric modulator of rhodopsin.     

Distribution and mobility of phosphates and sodium ions in cheese by solid‐state 31P and double‐quantum filtered 23Na NMR spectroscopy

The feasibility of solid‐state magic angle spinning (MAS) ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and ²³Na NMR spectroscopy to investigate both phosphates and Na⁺ ions distribution in semi‐hard cheeses in a non‐destructive way was studied. Two semi‐hard cheeses of known composition were made with two different salt contents. ³¹P Single‐pulse excitation and cross‐polarization MAS experiments allowed, for the first time, the identification and quantification of soluble and insoluble phosphates in the cheeses. The presence of a relatively ‘mobile’ fraction of colloidal phosphates was evidenced. The detection by ²³Na single‐quantum NMR experiments of all the sodium ions in the cheeses was validated. The presence of a fraction of ‘bound’ sodium ions was evidenced by ²³Na double‐quantum filtered NMR experiments. We demonstrated that NMR is a suitable tool to investigate both phosphates and Na⁺ ions distributions in cheeses. The impact of the sodium content on the various phosphorus forms distribution was discussed and results demonstrated that NMR would be an important tool for the cheese industry for the processes controls. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure elucidation of β-carotene isomers by HPLC-NMR coupling using a C30 bonded phase

The separation of cis/trans isomers of β-carotene has been performed with a C₃₀ stationary phase employing ¹H NMR spectroscopy as an on-line detection technique. 1D as well as 2D NMR spectra have been recorded in the stopped-flow mode for the predominant chromatographic peaks. Structural assignment of the five identified isomers was performed via comparison of simulated 1D ¹H NMR spectra on the basis of the structures of β-carotene cis/trans isomers with the experimental data, and also by the analysis of the proton-proton connectivities in the 2D NMR spectra of three isomers with the highest concentration. The chromatographic retention behaviour of the isomers agreed well with previously reported data. The advantage of the applied hyphenated coupling technique compared to conventional off-line techniques lies in the fact that chromatographic separation and NMR detection are performed in a closed system, so that reisomerization of the separated compounds is inhibited. Received: 29 May 1996 / Revised: 1 July 1996 / Accepted: 4 July 1996     

Characterization of Functional Groups in Estuarine Dissolved Organic Matter by DNP-enhanced 15N and 13C Solid-State NMR

Estuaries are key ecosystems with unique biodiversity and are of high economic importance. Along the estuaries, variations in environmental parameters, such as salinity and light penetration, can modify the characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Nevertheless, there is still limited information about the atomic-level transformations of DOM in this ecosystem. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy provides unique insights into the nature of functional groups in DOM. A major limitation of this technique is its lack of sensivity, which results in experimental time of tens of hours for the acquisition of ¹³C NMR spectra and generally precludes the observation of ¹⁵N nuclei for DOM. We show here how the sensitivity of solid-state NMR experiments on DOM of Seine estuary can be enhanced using dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) under magic-angle spinning. This technique allows the acquisition of ¹³C NMR spectra of these samples in few minutes, instead of hours for conventional solid-state NMR. Both conventional and DNP-enhanced ¹³C NMR spectra indicate that the ¹³C local environments in DOM are not strongly modified along the Seine estuary. Furthermore, the sensitivity gain provided by the DNP allows the detection of ¹⁵N NMR signal of DOM, in spite of the low nitrogen content. These spectra reveal that the majority of nitrogen is in the amide form in these DOM samples and show an increased disorder around these amide groups near the mouth of the Seine.     

Structure elucidation of β-carotene isomers by HPLC-NMR coupling using a C30 bonded phase

The separation of cis/trans isomers of β-carotene has been performed with a C₃₀ stationary phase employing ¹H NMR spectroscopy as an on-line detection technique. 1D as well as 2D NMR spectra have been recorded in the stopped-flow mode for the predominant chromatographic peaks. Structural assignment of the five identified isomers was performed via comparison of simulated 1D ¹H NMR spectra on the basis of the structures of β-carotene cis/trans isomers with the experimental data, and also by the analysis of the proton-proton connectivities in the 2D NMR spectra of three isomers with the highest concentration. The chromatographic retention behaviour of the isomers agreed well with previously reported data. The advantage of the applied hyphenated coupling technique compared to conventional off-line techniques lies in the fact that chromatographic separation and NMR detection are performed in a closed system, so that reisomerization of the separated compounds is inhibited. Received: 29 May 1996 / Revised: 1 July 1996 / Accepted: 4 July 1996     

Spectroscopic investigation of β-cyclodextrin -metoprolol tartrate inclusion complexes

Aqueous-solution complexes of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with metoprolol tartrate (MET) have been analysed with ¹H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy. With ¹H NMR a [1:1] stoichiometry could be established for the β-CD-MET complex while its stability constant was determined with UV–vis spectroscopy. Powder diffraction data of a polycrystalline sample of the β-CD-MET complex show that a novel product has been formed, likely to be a β-CD-MET [1:1] inclusion complex. Also Hyperchem MM+ molecular-dynamics results suggest an inclusion complex and from ¹H NMR data it is inferred that probably the MET is docked in the CD with the formers methoxyethyl-benzene moiety in front. Mihaela Toma is Socrates/Erasmus student at UNED Madrid     

Detection of refined olive oil adulteration with refined hazelnut oil by employing NMR spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analysis

NMR spectroscopy was employed for the detection of adulteration of refined olive oil with refined hazelnut oil. Fatty acids and iodine number were determined by ¹H NMR, whereas ³¹P NMR was used for the quantification of minor compounds including phenolic compounds, diacylglycerols, sterols, and free fatty acids (free acidity). Classification of the refined oils based on their fatty acids content and the concentration of their minor compounds was achieved by using the forward stepwise canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) and the classification binary trees (CBTs). Both methods provided good discrimination between the refined hazelnut and olive oils. Different admixtures of refined olive oils with refined hazelnut oils were prepared and analyzed by ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Subsequent application of CDA to the NMR data allowed the detection of the presence of refined hazelnut oils in refined olive oils at percentages higher than 5%. Application of the non-linear classification method of the binary trees offered better possibilities of measuring adulteration of the refined olive oils at a lower limit of detection than that obtained by the CDA method.     

1H‐19F REDOR‐filtered NMR spin diffusion measurements of domain size in heterogeneous polymers

Solid state NMR spectroscopy is inherently sensitive to chemical structure and composition and thus makes an ideal method to probe the heterogeneity of multicomponent polymers. Specifically, NMR spin diffusion experiments can be used to extract reliable information about spatial domain sizes on multiple length scales, provided that magnetization selection of one domain can be achieved. In this paper, we demonstrate the preferential filtering of protons in fluorinated domains during NMR spin diffusion experiments using ¹H‐¹⁹F heteronuclear dipolar dephasing based on rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) MAS NMR techniques. Three pulse sequence variations are demonstrated based on the different nuclei detected: direct ¹H detection, plus both ¹H?¹³C cross polarization and ¹H?¹⁹F cross polarization detection schemes. This ¹H‐¹⁹F REDOR‐filtered spin diffusion method was used to measure fluorinated domain sizes for a complex polymer blend. The efficacy of the REDOR‐based spin filter does not rely on spin relaxation behavior or chemical shift differences and thus is applicable for performing NMR spin diffusion experiments in samples where traditional magnetization filters may prove unsuccessful. This REDOR‐filtered NMR spin diffusion method can also be extended to other samples where a heteronuclear spin pair exists that is unique to the domain of interest.     

Synthesis,Spectroscopy, Semi‐empirical and Biological Activities of Organotin(IV) Complexes with o‐Isopropyl Carbonodithioic Acid

New organotin(IV) complexes have been synthesized by treating potassium o‐isopropyl carbonodithioate with R₂SnCl₂/R₃SnCl in 1 : 2/1 : 1 M/L ratio. All complexes have been characterized by IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy. IR results shows that ligand acts as bidentate which is also confirmed by semi‐empirical study. NMR data reveals four coordinated geometry in solution. Computed positive heat of formation shows that complex 5 is thermodynamically unstable. UV/visible spectroscopy was used to assess the mode of interaction and binding of the complexes with DNA which shows that complex 5 exhibits higher binding constant as compared to complex 3 . In protein kinase inhibition assay, compound 3 was found most active, while other biological activities shows that triorganotin(IV) complexes are biologically more active as compared to diorganotin(IV) complexes.     

Synthesis and bioactivities of novel organogermanium sesquioxides containingα‐aminophosphonate groups

In order to search for novel antitumor drugs with high activity and low toxicity, a series of novel organogermanium sesquioxides containing α‐aminophosphonate groups were synthesized by the hydrolysis of O,O‐diphenyl N‐trichlorogermylpropiono‐α‐aminophosphonates. Their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, and IR spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. Data of ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy indicated that the title compounds are polymeric organogermanium sesquioxides. The results of bioassay showed that the products possess potential anticancer activities. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 10: 209–212, 1999     

15N-NMR Spectroscopy—New Methods and Applications [New Analytical Methods (28)]

The nitrogen nucleus is the third most important probe (after ¹H and ¹³C) for structural investigations of organic and bioorganic molecules by NMR spectroscopy. For a long time, however, the insufficient sensitivity and low natural abundance of the ¹⁵N isotope hampered detection of the ¹⁵N nucleus, and the quadrupolar ¹⁴N nucleus proved unsuitable for the study of larger molecules with several nonequivalent nitrogen atoms. The advent of new techniques, such as pulse sequences and polarization transfer, in conjunction with the use of high-field magnets and large-sample probe heads largely solved the detection problem. As a result, the last few years have seen a dramatic development of ¹⁵N-NMR spectroscopy as a versatile method for studying molecular structure, both in isotropic (liquid) and anisotropic (solid) phases. The scope of chemical applications extends from inorganic, organometallic, and organic chemistry to biochemistry and molecular biology, and includes the study of reactive intermediates, biopolymers, enzyme-inhibitor complexes, and nitrogen metabolism. Two-dimensional NMR techniques offer additional possibilities for detailed studies of biological systems.     

Specific Detection and Imaging of Enzyme Activity by Signal‐Amplifiable Self‐Assembling 19F MRI Probes

Specific turn‐on detection of enzyme activities is of fundamental importance in drug discovery research, as well as medical diagnostics. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful techniques for noninvasive visualization of enzyme activity, both in vivo and ex vivo, promising strategies for imaging specific enzymes with high contrast have been very limited to date. We report herein a novel signal‐amplifiable self‐assembling ¹⁹F NMR/MRI probe for turn‐on detection and imaging of specific enzymatic activity. In NMR spectroscopy, these designed probes are “silent” when aggregated, but exhibit a disassembly driven turn‐on signal change upon cleavage of the substrate part by the catalytic enzyme. Using these ¹⁹F probes, nanomolar levels of two different target enzymes, nitroreductase (NTR) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), could be detected and visualized by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and MRI. Furthermore, we have succeeded in imaging the activity of endogenously secreted MMP in cultured media of tumor cells by ¹⁹F MRI, depending on the cell lines and the cellular conditions. These results clearly demonstrate that our turn‐on ¹⁹F probes may serve as a screening platform for the activity of MMPs.     

Moving the frontiers in solution and solid-state bioNMR

A major research field in mechanistic systems biology is represented by the development of methods for investigating the structural and dynamic features of systems with multiple interacting components, in order to understand their function. A combination of NMR techniques can be used in such respect, among which the employment of paramagnetic metal ions, ¹³C direct detection, and solid-state NMR, possibly supported by other techniques like small angle X-ray scattering. Among the results, the information on the conformational heterogeneity experienced by multicomponent systems in solution can be mentioned. The structural and functional characterization of large biological systems, not affordable with standard solution NMR techniques, can be tackled through a synergistic use of solution and MAS solid-state NMR. ¹³C direct detection NMR spectroscopy is on the other hand advantageous for improving the quality and quantity of observed nuclear signals, for their intrinsically smaller linewidths and larger signal breadth. Details on these approaches are reviewed here.     

Chemical‐Shift‐Resolved 19F NMR Spectroscopy between 13.5 and 135 MHz: Overhauser–DNP‐Enhanced Diagonal Suppressed Correlation Spectroscopy

Overhauser–DNP‐enhanced homonuclear 2D ¹⁹F correlation spectroscopy with diagonal suppression is presented for small molecules in the solution state at moderate fields. Multi‐frequency, multi‐radical studies demonstrate that these relatively low‐field experiments may be operated with sensitivity rivalling that of standard 200–1000 MHz NMR spectroscopy. Structural information is accessible without a sensitivity penalty, and diagonal suppressed 2D NMR correlations emerge despite the general lack of multiplet resolution in the 1D ODNP spectra. This powerful general approach avoids the rather stiff excitation, detection, and other special requirements of high‐field ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Optical and Electrochemical Properties of Fulleropyrrolidines Containing Trifluoromethyl Group

Four novel [60]fullerene pyrrolidines containing trifluoromethyl (? CF₃) group have been synthesized via 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction, which have been characterized by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectroscopy, and ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹⁹F NMR). Their optical and electrochemical properties have been studied, and the results show that those fulleropyrrolidines containing ? CF₃ group have good fluorescence and electrochemical properties. Compared with C₆₀, they have negative shifts in varying degrees for half‐wave potentials, and may have potential applications for photovoltaic conversion materials since their lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels are close to that of [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester.     

Phosphorus‐containing telechelic polyester‐based ionomer: Facile synthesis and antidripping effects

The ionomer concept was introduced to the field of flame‐retardant polyesters for the first time. The ionic monomer, sodium salt of 2‐hydroxyethyl 3‐(phenylphosphinyl)propionate (SHPPP), was synthesized by selective esterification of 3‐(hydroxyphenylphosphinyl)propionic acid with ethylene glycol, followed by neutralization with sodium carbonate anhydrous. SHPPP was characterized with ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Poly(ethylene terephthalate)‐based ionomers containing terminal units derived from this ionic monomer, were synthesized by melt polycondensation. The chemical structure of the ionomers was characterized with ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The effects of SHPPP on the thermal properties and melting behaviors of the ionomers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The flammability of the ionomers was characterized by the limiting oxygen index test. The test results show that the ionomers themselves possess both excellent flame retardancy and antidripping properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2994–3006, 2008     

Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of the Glucose Stress of Human Lenses

The sorbitol theory in diabetic cataractogenesis was based on sorbitol accumulation under glucose stress. Sorbitol accumulation was examined by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) for the first time in matched human lenses incubated in 5.5 mM and 35.5 mM C-1 ¹³C-enriched glucose up to 28 hours. The results showed that sorbitol and lactate in human tens can be detected at 35.5 mM, but not in 5.5 mM glucose solution. The glycolysis metabolic pathway of human lenses may be quite different from that of animals. The accumulation of metabolites can be traced and quantified by the intensities of ¹³C NMR peaks. Therefore, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy can be used as a valuable tool to investigate human lens carbohydrate metabolism non-interventionally.     

A new signal processing method to observe weak P and O NMR peaks

In NMR spectroscopy, situations may arise where sample concentrations are below the threshold for FT NMR detection, or sample lability constrains allowable acquisition times. In ³¹P NMR, for example, observation of ¹³C satellites may not be practical under given conditions. For ¹⁷O NMR, which is useful to characterize ¹⁷O-labeled phosphate derivatives, similar considerations may apply, and added factors are the cost of isotopically enriched samples and the requirement to obtain spectra at relatively high temperatures if narrow spectral peak line widths are desired. We report here application of a new signal processing method [S.D. Kunikeev, H.S. Taylor, J. Phys. Chem. A 108, 2004 743] to observation of weak ³¹P and ¹⁷O NMR peaks.     

A highly sensitive naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe for detection of Cu2+ via selective hydrolysis reaction and its application in practical samples

A novel fluorescent probe CN3, containing 1,8-naphthalimide and picolinate units, was synthesized, and its structure was characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H NMR), ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (C NMR), and mass spectroscopy techniques. The detection property of CN3 toward copper ions (Cu²⁺) has been investigated in ethanol–HEPES buffer (v/v = 1/1, pH = 7.40) solution by UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. The results showed that CN3 had a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence quenching response to Cu²⁺, which was attributed to the generation of weak fluorescent N-ethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl-1,8- naphthalimide (compound 2) in polar ethanol–HEPES buffer (v/v = 1/1, pH = 7.40) via selective hydrolysis reaction. The detection of CN3 for Cu²⁺ was not influenced in the presence of other competing metal ions, and the limit of detection was as low as 50.0 nM. Therefore, the color of CN3 changed from colorless to yellowish when the Cu²⁺ was added. Furthermore, the fluorescent probe CN3 was utilized to detect Cu²⁺ in real water samples with fine performance.     

NMR studies of chiral discrimination by phenylcarbamate derivatives of cellulose

Chiral recognition mechanism of tris(4-trimethylsilylphenylcarbamate) ( 1) and tris(5-fluoro-2-methylphenylcarbamate) ( 2 ) of cellulose which are effective chiral stationary phases for HPLC were investigated using NMR spectroscopy. The phenylcarbamate derivatives are soluble in chloroform and exhibited chiral discrimination for several enantiomers in NMR as well as in HPLC. Especially, enantiomers of 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl ( 4 ) were distinctly discriminated by 2 in ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The binding geometry and dynamics between 2 and the enantiomers of ⁴ were investigated on the basis of spin-lattice relaxation time, ¹H NMR titrations, and intermolecular NOEs in the presence of ². These NMR data were fully consistent with the chromatographic elution order. On the basis of these results, combined with molecular modeling, the chiral discrimination mechanism is proposed.