Detection and characterization of methionine oxidation in peptides by collision-induced dissociation and electron capture dissociation

Electron capture dissociation (ECD) and collision-induced dissociation (CID), the two complementary fragmentation techniques, are demonstrated to be effective in the detection and localization of the methionine sulfoxide [Met(O)] residues in peptides using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry. The presence of Met(O) can be easily recognized in the low-energy CID spectrum showing the characteristic loss of methanesulfenic acid (CH(3)SOH, 64 Da) from the side chain of Met(O). The position of Met(O) can then be localized by ECD which is capable of providing extensive peptide backbone fragmentation without detaching the labile Met(O) side chain. We studied CID and ECD of several Met(O)-containing peptides that included the 44-residue human growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and the human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The distinction and complementarity of the two fragmentation techniques were particularly remarkable in their effects on ANP, a disulfide bond-containing peptide. While the predominant fragmentation pathway in CID of ANP was the loss of CH(3)SOH (64 Da) from the molecular ion, ECD of ANP resulted in many sequence-informative products, including those from cleavages within the disulfide-bonded cyclic structure, to allow for the direct localization of Met(O) without the typical procedures for disulfide bond reduction followed by [bond]SH alkylation.     

Thermodynamic characterization of asphaltene-resin interaction by microcalorimetry

This paper collects the work performed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to characterize the interaction between petroleum asphaltenes and resins. The interaction between these two fractions is of great interest in order to understand the mechanism of stabilization ofasphaltenes in crude oil. To simplify the approach, this preliminary study focuses on toluene solutions of both fractions. This paper reports the experimental determination of the average number of sites in asphaltene molecules and the enthalpy of interaction between asphaltenes and resins. Two models have been used to fit the experimental data. The enthalpies calculated by ITC are in the order of -2 to -4 kJ/mol. These values are in the limit of hydrogen bonding and permanent dipole energies. Similar values have been obtained by using the enthalpy as a fitting parameter in the SAFT equation.     

A microcalorimetry and binding study on interaction of dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide with wigeon hemoglobin

The thermodynamic parameters for the binding of dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) with wigeon hemoglobin (Hb) in aqueous solution at various pH and 27 °C have been measured by equilibrium dialysis and titration microcalorimetry techniques. The Scatchard plots represent unusual features at neutral and alkaline pH and specific binding at acidic pH. This leads us to analyze the binding data by fitting the data to the Hill equation for multiclasses of binding sites. The best fit was obtained with the equation for one class at acidic pH and two classes at neutral and alkaline pH. The thermodynamic analysis of the binding process shows that the strength of binding at neutral pH is more than these at other pH values. This can be related to the more accessible hydrophobic surface area of wigeon hemoglobin at this pH. The endothermic enthalpy data which was measured by microcalorimetry confirms the binding data analysis and represents the more regular and stable structure of wigeon hemoglobin at neutral pH.     

尿素诱导牛血红蛋白变性的微量热和平衡渗析研究

应用恒温微量热技术和平衡渗析技术,对尿素与牛血红蛋白在30℃水溶液中的结合作用及造成牛血红蛋白变性的过程进行了研究,得到了尿素在牛血红蛋白上的平均结合数、二者之间的结合焓及每摩尔尿素与牛血红蛋白结合的焓效应,并根据简单结合模型,计算了它们之间的结合常数、结合自由能.对实验结果的热力学分析表明,尿素是通过直接和间接的两种作用造成牛血红蛋白变性的,它们之间的相互作用分为三个阶段:尿素浓度达到4molL-1之前为第一阶段,主要产生的是尿素与牛血红蛋白的直接结合作用,在弱酸性条件下这种作用较强;尿素浓度为4molL-1到6molL-1之间为第二阶段,主要通过尿素与溶剂水的作用造成牛血红蛋白周围水结构的变化,在尿素浓度达到6molL-1时两种作用的叠加造成牛血红蛋白结构的破坏,暴露出原来处于结构内部的基团;尿素浓度超过6molL-1之后为第三阶段,尿素分子继续与暴露出来的基团进行结合.牛血红蛋白次级结构的维系具有协作性,其结构的破坏不是渐进的,而是一次性全部打开,结构破坏产生的热效应并不太大.     

Evaluating microbial activity in composts using microcalorimetry

Microcalorimetric isothermal monitoring was carried out for compost and compost-containing growing medium, to provide fingerprints of compost microbial activity at different conditions. Microbial activity is a key property of composts used in agricultural practice. Two aspects are addressed in this study: (1) microcalorimetric evaluation of compost response to glucose as a model stimulating agent; (2) examination of the impact of compost pre-drying and re-wetting on its biological activity.

Addition of glucose solution to the compost involved a strong increase in microbial activity, which was associated with a significant heat evolution without a lag period. In certain cases, this heat evolution was of complicated shape thus manifesting the heterogeneity of microbial populations in composts. Relation between cumulative energy evolved and the amount of added glucose was found to be helpful in distinguishing between aerobic and anaerobic regime of compost microbial activity. As distinct from non-dried compost or growing mixture, glucose addition to samples pre-dried at 65 °C resulted in delayed heat response with initial exponential-like heat evolution. This delay in heat evolution suggests that biological activity was significantly suppressed upon compost drying. Such a temperature-induced inactivation process might also result in dominance of a relatively homogeneous microbial population which survived the heating, thus involving a smooth, exponential-like initial step of the heat evolution. Noteworthy, addition of water (without glucose) to pre-dried compost results in an outburst of activity as compared with non-dried compost. This heat evolution outburst was also characterized by a lag period and an initial exponential-like phase. The heat evolution obtained with pre-dried compost upon water addition was not related to the compost wetting energy but rather reflected the formation of new carbon source due to the changes in compost organic matter upon heating or to the dead biomass of those microbial populations that did not resist the compost heating/drying.     

Detection of microorganisms in different growth states based on microcalorimetry

A challenging method for sterility test which was rapid and reliable had been established to assess the adaptability and robustness of the microbial under different conditions. There were material and energy metabolism or exchange with microbial on microcalorimetry, as a result this method can be served as one of the optimization of thermodynamics sterility test. Thermal power-time curves under various environmental conditions (including processing temperature, storage time, and drugs inhibition) were determined. Typical microbial growth thermal power-time curves were obtained. The curves were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by similarity values of bio-profiles and thermodynamics parameters, such as the exponential growth rate constant (k), detection time (T _d). The similarity showed that microbial growth curves of low processing temperature, short storage time (1?month), and Traditional Chinese Medicine injection (Shuanghuanglian, contained native compounds) inhibiting were match better with the normal than other circumstance. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the microcalorimetric method could detect the positive bacteria within 18?h (less than 10?cfu), and more quickly identify the different states of the bacterium growth and metabolism than routine sterility. In conclusion, characterized by of the specific and strong two-dimensional information, microcalorimetry could supply thermograms as biological profiles to describe the microbial activity under different conditions, which were not only used as a rapid and reliable identification of microbial, but also as a method for sterility test of microcalorimetry optimization.     

Measurements of sealed radioactive sources by using isothermal microcalorimetry

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - We have studied to validate the calorimetric method by comparing the 123I radioactivity measurement results with the national standard. The reason...     

Fluorescence and biochemical characterization of glycated hemoglobin

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of glycated hemoglobin (GHb) was carried out in ultra-thin polyacrylamide gels to separate the hemoglobin-advanced glycation endproducts (Hb-AGEs) from the hemoglobin-A_1C (HbA_1C) fraction. Precast polyacrylamide gels (Ampholine^® PAGplate) were used in Pharmacia LKB Multiphor II for this purpose. The separated bands for Hb-AGE and HbA_1C based on their isoelectric point (pI), were confirmed with the purifed fractions obtained from the cation exchange chromatographic technique. From the calibration curve, the pI values were found to be 6.748 and 6.495 for HbA_1C and Hb-AGE, respectively. The lowering of pI values for glycated hemoglobin, when compared to unglycated hemoglobin (pI = 6.852), can be attributed to the glycation at the amino terminals of the peptide chains. Increased reduction in pI value for Hb-AGE can be attributed to the effect of glycation of amino groups at various sites on the peptide chains, apart from the terminal amino groups. Fluorescence analysis was carried out for the purified fraction of Hb-AGE which showed the formation of a new fluorophor adduct having the excitation and emission maxima at 308 nm and 345 nm, respectively. Time-dependent formation of Hb-AGE under in vitro conditions was monitored by fluorescence (308/345 nm) over a period of 120 days, which showed its formation only after 3 weeks of incubation.     

Determination of reaction rate parameters using heat conduction microcalorimetry

By using the LKB 2277 thermal activity monitor, it is demonstrated that both ampoule and flow-through modes can be used to monitor the reaction parameters for chemical reactions. Theoretical relationships applicable to first-order reactions are proposed and compared with those reported in the literature. Mathematical relationships applicable to second-order reactions are also proposed. The experimental results confirmed the validity of the theoretical relationships and showed that flow microcalorimetry is a rapid technique in kinetic studies.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird gezeigt, dass mit dem kalorimetrischen Messgerät LKB 2277 Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung der Parameter chemischer Reaktionen sowohl in Ampullen wie auch im Durchflussbetrieb möglich sind. Theoretische Beziehungen für Reaktionen 1. Ordnung werden abgeleitet und mit solchen aus der Literatur verglichen. Vorgeschlagen werden ferner mathematische Beziehungen, die sich auf Reaktionen 2. Ordnung anwenden lassen. Die experimentellen Ergebnisse bestätigen die Gültigkeit der theoretischen Beziehungen und zeigen, dass die Durchfluss-Mikrokalorimetrie eine Schnellmethode für kinetische Untersuchungen ist.

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Evaluation of pressure on the crystallization of waxes using microcalorimetry

Petroleum composition contains various sizes and quantities of paraffins. Their crystallization and deposition cause many of the problems of oil production. The determination of the wax appearance temperature (WAT) is a useful method of predicting the behavior of oil in production lines. The measured WAT value depends on factors such as: oil composition, thermal history, pressure, measurement technique and cooling rate. There are hardly any studies in the literature that have analyzed the effect of pressure and light fractions on the WAT of oils. Moreover, given the diversity of factors involved in the analysis of the results, the studies that do exist do not enable one to evaluate the effect of light fractions on paraffins with specific sizes and size distributions. This study characterized commercial paraffins with different features according to size and distribution of the molecule size. The paraffins were analyzed using high-pressure microcalorimetry (HPμDSC), and the saturation gas characteristics were varied. The results showed that the fractions heavier than C3, contained in the saturation gas, were more efficient at solubilizing paraffins with lower molar masses. Regarding the commercial paraffins with higher melting points, methane had a solvency that was slightly lower than the blend of gases with the highest levels of fractions >C3.     

To determine the half-life for gemcitabine hydrochloride using microcalorimetry

The enthalpies of dissolution of gemcitabine hydrochloride in 0.9 % normal saline (medical) and citric acid solution were measured using a microcalorimeter at 309.65 K under atmospheric pressure. The differential enthalpy $ \left( {\Updelta_{\text{dif}} H_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} } \right) $ and molar enthalpy $ \left( {\Updelta_{\text{sol}} H_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} } \right) $ of dissolution were determined, respectively. The corresponding kinetic equation described the dissolution were elucidated to be da/dt = 10^?3.84(1 ? a)^0.92 and da/dt = 10^?3.80(1 ? a)^1.21. Besides, the half-life, $ \Updelta_{\text{sol}} H_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} ,\;\Updelta_{\text{sol}} G_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} $ and $ \Updelta_{\text{sol}} S_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} $ of the dissolution were also obtained. Obviously, it will provide a simple and reliable method for the clinical application of gemcitabine hydrochloride.     

Differences between protein dynamics of hemoglobin upon dissociation of oxygen and carbon monoxide

Protein dynamics of human adult hemoglobin (HbA) upon ligand photolysis of oxygen (O(2)) and carbon monoxide (CO) was investigated using time-resolved resonance Raman (TR(3)) spectroscopy. The TR(3) spectra of the both photoproducts at 1-ns delay differed from that of the equilibrium deligated form (deoxy form) in the frequencies of the iron-histidine stretching [ν(Fe-His)] and methine wagging (γ(7)) modes, and the band intensity of pyrrole stretching and substituent bending (ν(8)) modes. Spectral changes of the O(2) photoproduct in the submicrosecond region were faster than those of the CO photoproduct, indicating that the structural dynamics following the photodissociation is ligand dependent for HbA. In contrast, no ligand dependence of the dynamics was observed for myoglobin, which has a structure similar to that of the subunit of HbA. The structural dynamics and relevance to the functionality of HbA also are discussed.     

Rapid, practical and predictive excipient compatibility screening using isothermal microcalorimetry

Conditions for conducting excipient compatibility studies via isothermal microcalorimetry were explored using model reactions. The resulting recommended procedure for rapid and practical screening consisted of using binary mixtures (100 mg of each component), the addition of 20% (w/w) water, and monitoring the mixture at 50°C for 3 days using an isothermal microcalorimeter. The correlation between calorimetric excipient compatibility results and formulation stability was investigated for two developmental drugs. A comparison of calorimetric results to actual formulation stability suggested that it was possible to predict relative stability within functional classes. However, caution should be exercised in such predictions, because apparent reaction enthalpies were found to vary three-fold among excipients in the same functional class. Based on these observations, a two-step procedure is suggested for efficient development of stable formulations. First, excipient compatibility screening should be conducted using a rapid calorimetric technique. The calorimetric results are then used to evaluate relative risk of incompatibility for each excipient within a particular functional class. The calorimetric data and the functional requirements of the dosage form are then integrated in developing a limited number of model formulations that are likely to succeed from both a performance and a stability perspective. The second step of the process is to conduct traditional HPLC-based accelerated stability studies on the limited number of model formulations.     

Self-assembly and characterization of hydrogen-bond-induced nanostructure aggregation.

A supramolecular system of a perylene derivative containing bis(2,6-diacylaminopyridine) units and a perylene bisimide bound through three hydrogen-bonds was synthesized and characterized. 1H NMR spectra confirmed the existence of hydrogen-bonding interactions between the perylene derivative (3) and the perylene bisimide (7). The photocurrent generation of the self-assembled 3.7 film was measured, and a cathodic photocurrent response was obtained. SEM images indicated that well-defined long fibers could be fabricated by self-assembly, by exploiting the hydrogen bonding interactions and pi-pi stacking interactions of perylene rings.     

Sequencing and characterization of oligosaccharides using infrared multiphoton dissociation and boronic acid derivatization in a quadrupole ion trap

A simplified method for determining the sequence and branching of oligosaccharides using infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) in a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) is described. An IR-active boronic acid (IRABA) reagent is used to derivatize the oligosaccharides before IRMPD analysis. The IRABA ligand is designed to both enhance the efficiency of the derivatization reaction and to facilitate the photon absorption process. The resulting IRMPD spectra display oligosaccharide fragments that are formed from primarily one type of diagnostic cleavage, thus making sequencing straightforward. The presence of sequential fragment ions, a phenomenon of IRMPD, permit the comprehensive sequencing of the oligosaccharides studied in a single stage of activation. We demonstrate this approach for two series of oligosaccharides, the lacto-N-fucopentaoses (LNFPs) and the lacto-N-difucohexaoses (LNDFHs).     

Fluorescence characterization of immobilization induced enzyme aggregation

F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) has been used to show that the average distance between proteins decreases when the protein is immobilized within polymer scaffolds, indicating that the immobilization process is inducing aggregation.     

Application of microcalorimetry and chemometric analysis

In this study, microcalorimetry combined with chemometric analysis was used to investigate the effects of angle and nail animal valuable drugs on Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) growth. The power?Ctime curves of the growth metabolism of B. subtilis affected by Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum, Cornu Cervi Elaphi, Cornu Saigae Tataricae, cornu caprae hircus, Cornu Bubali, Squama Manis, and Carapax Trionycis were determined using a thermal activity monitor (TAM) air isothermal microcalorimeter, ampoule mode, at 37?°C. By analyzing these curves and some quantitative parameters using principal component analysis, the effects of the seven animal drugs on B. subtilis could be quickly evaluated from the change of the two main parameters, the maximum heat-flow power P _m ² and total heat output Q _t: Cornu Saigae Tataricae, cornu caprae hircus, Cornu Bubali, Squama Manis, and Carapax Trionycis inhibited the growth of B. subtilis, while Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum and Cornu Cervi Elaphi promoted the growth of B. subtilis. Further, the result of hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the drugs which promoted the growth of B. subtilis gathered in one cluster, the other drugs which inhibited the growth of B. subtilis gathered in the other cluster. All these illustrated that the internal characteristics of the seven animal drugs were different though they had similar resources and these drugs could be well clustered according the effects of them on B. subtilis growth with the help of chemometric methods. This study provided an useful idea of the combination of microcalorimetry and chemometric analysis for studying the effects of drugs on organisms.     

Effect of chain aggregation and ionic interactions on the proton dissociation equilibria of weak polyacids

A theoretical interpretation of the dissociation behavior of weak polyacids is given. Incorporation of conformational variability in the free energy of a polyelectrolyte system extends the validity of the counterion condensation theory to cases in which cooperative transitions and/or aggregation phenomena take place. Comparison of the theoretical predictions with experimental data on ionic polysaccharides, either natural or derivatives, is presented.     

Isomeric characterization via ion neutralization and dissociation. Experimental variables

Major deficiencies of mass spectrometry for characterizing isomeric molecules, and of collisionally activated dissociation for characterizing isomeric ions, can be alleviated by complementary information from new techniques of neutraiization-reionization (NR) mass spectrometry. Mass data can be obtained from most fragments of the original species, irrespective of their ability to retain the charge; dissociation of fast neutrals prepared from isomeric ions can involve novel reaction pathways and can minimize competing isomerization reactions; isomeric neutrals undergoing similar dissociations can be differentiated by forming them with different internal energies; reionization of the neutral products to negative as well as positive ions can provide increased selectivity; and structural information on the resulting ions can be derived using MS/MS/MS, Dissociation by novel non-isomerization pathways can also be effected by a second addition (or subtraction) of an electron to produce an unstable ion of opposite charge. Special techniques can yield neutralized products in favorable dissociative states by collisional activation, by using neutralization targets of selected ionization energy, or through Franck-Condon factors. Optimum excitation of the neutral is important, as this should be high enough to minimize rearrangement, to maximize the differences in the dissociation pathways of isomers, and to minimize the further dissociation of the characteristic primary products of the neutral. NR experiments can, thus, also provide information on the energy surfaces for unimolecular dissociations of neutrals that are difficult to study by conventional techniques. Dissociations of the neutrals can be differentiated from those occurring after reionization by separate collisional activation of the neutrals, by changing the ionization energy of the neutralization agent, or by reionization to ions of opposite charge.