Synthesis of Boc-protected 4,5-methano-β-proline

An efficient method for the preparation of Boc-protected 4,5-methano-β-proline—a novel bicyclic cyclopropane-containing β-amino acid—was developed, starting from readily available itaconic acid. A modified Simmons–Smith reaction was used for the construction of the cyclopropane ring. The method allowed for the synthesis of both cis and trans isomers of the title compound in 49% total yield and can be employed for gram-scale preparations. An approach to the preparation of methyl 5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylate, which is one of the key intermediates in the synthetic scheme, on a multigram scale was also developed.     

1,9-Dialkoxyanthracene as a (1)O2-sensitive linker

We developed a (1)O(2)-sensitive linker based on a 9,10-dialkoxyanthracene structure. Its cleavage in the presence of (1)O(2) is quick and high-yielding. A phosphoramidite containing this fragment was prepared and coupled to a variety of molecular fragments, including nucleosides, fluorescent dyes, and a cholesteryl derivative. On the basis of this building block we prepared a fluorogenic probe for monitoring (1)O(2) in live mammalian cells and visible-light-activated "caged" oligodeoxyribonucleotides. In particular, the fluorogenic (1)O(2) probe is a conjugate of 4,7,4',7'-tetrachlorofluorescein and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylrhodamine coupled to each other via the (1)O(2)-sensitive linker. Fluorescence of the dyes in this probe is quenched. In the presence of (1)O(2), the linker is cleaved with formation of 9,10-anthraquinone and two strongly fluorescent dyes: 4,7,4',7'-tetrachlorofluorescein and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylrhodamine derivatives. We observed that the fluorescence of the probe correlates with the amount of (1)O(2) present in solution. The red-light-activated "caged" oligodeoxyribonucleotides are stable duplexes, which consist of an unmodified strand and a blocker strand. The (1)O(2)-sensitive linker is introduced in the interior of the blocker strand. Upon exposure of the duplex to red light in the presence of In(3+)(pyropheophorbide-a) chloride, the linker is cleaved with formation of the unstable duplex structure. This product decomposes spontaneously, releasing the unmodified strand, which can bind to the complementary target nucleic acid. This uncaging reaction is high-yielding. In contrast, previously reported visible-light-activated reagents are uncaged inefficiently due to competing reactions of sulfoxide and disulfide formation.     

RNA Interference Controlled by Light of Variable Wavelength

Known molecular, “caged” siRNAs are activated by UV light. Since the light of this type is toxic to cells, the uncaging can cause undesired side effects. A modular, molecular system for designing siRNAs is reported, which can be activated by non‐toxic light in live cells. For example, siRNAs responsive to green and red light are described. The uncaging is mediated by ¹O₂ photogenerated on a photosensitizer, which is attached to the 3′‐terminus of the lagging strand. The 5′‐terminus of the guide strand is alkylated (“caged”) with a 9‐anthracenyl residue. The latter fragment reacts with the ¹O₂ with formation of the free (uncaged) 5′‐OH terminus. Simultaneously with the uncaging the photosensitizer is bleached and no more ¹O₂ is generated after this process is completed. The photoactivation of the siRNAs described here is not toxic to cells.     

Design,Synthesis, and Application of an Optimized Monofluorinated Aliphatic Label for Peptide Studies by Solid‐State 19F NMR Spectroscopy

A conformationally restricted monofluorinated α‐amino acid, (3‐fluorobicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl)glycine (F‐Bpg), was designed as a label for the structural analysis of membrane‐bound peptides by solid‐state ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. The compound was synthesized and validated as a ¹⁹F label for replacing natural aliphatic α‐amino acids. Calculations suggested that F‐Bpg is similar to Leu/Ile in terms of size and lipophilicity. The ¹⁹F NMR label was incorporated into the membrane‐active antimicrobial peptide PGLa and provided information on the structure of the peptide in a lipid bilayer.     

Negative rejection of ions in pressure-driven membrane processes

Negative rejections of ions in pressure-driven membrane processes can be caused by several distinct mechanisms. In a number of cases, in a final count, the phenomenon is brought about by increased concentration of an ion in the membrane phase. In the case of charged membranes, the increased concentration has to be accompanied by a weakening of electric field of filtration potential, which normally retards counter-ions and prevents the increased concentrations from manifesting themselves in negative rejections. This occurs in charge-mosaic membranes due to the so-called current circulation phenomenon or in electrolyte mixtures due to the presence of more mobile counter-ions. Negative rejections can also occur for ions whose concentration is decreased in the membrane phase. This occurs in electrolyte mixtures due to the acceleration of such ions by the electric field of diffusion potential arising because of strong rejections of other mixture components. This phenomenon is most pronounced for single-charge ions in the presence of predominant amounts of ions of higher charge of the same sign. All those mechanisms are considered within the scope of a common theoretical framework. An attempt is made of a tentative classification of mechanisms of negative rejections. An overview of available literature data is provided and it is shown that in a number of cases the published information is not sufficiently detailed for a reliable identification of the mechanisms. It is concluded that the studies of negative rejections could be a valuable membrane characterization tool but they need to be more systematic and targeted to fulfil this role.     

Catalytic hydrolysis of esters of 2-hydroxypyridine derivatives for Cu2+ detection

Hydrolysis of activated esters, e.g., picolinic acid and alpha-amino acid esters, in the presence of Cu(2+) salts is a stoichiometric process because products of this reaction bind the catalytic metal ion substantially stronger than starting materials do. Herein we report improved ester substrates, which are cleaved in the presence of catalytic amounts of Cu(2+); 55 turnovers of hydrolysis are observed for the best substrate, acetic acid 2-hydroxypyridine ester. We demonstrate that this reaction can be used for sensitive and selective detection of Cu(2+) by using both absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of CeAu4Si2 and CeAu2Si2

Single crystals of CeAu₄Si₂ and CeAu₂Si₂ have been grown out of ternary fluxes rich in Au, and the former, also by sintering the stoichiometric composition at 750 °C. The single-crystal X-ray refinement result for CeAu₄Si₂ is orthorhombic, Cmmm (No. 65, Z=2), different from a tetragonal result found from an X-ray powder diffraction refinement [H. Nakashima, et al., J. Alloys Compds. 424 (2006) 7]. For CeAu₂Si₂, this is the first report of the stoichiometric crystalline phase, in the known tetragonal I4/mmm structure. The anisotropic field- and temperature-dependent magnetizations, as well as specific heat and resistivity data are compared. Although both compounds have related structural packing, they present unique magnetic features. CeAu₂Si₂ is a typical antiferromagnet with T_N=8.8(1) K and CeAu₄Si₂ features a ferromagnetic component below T_c=3.3(1) K. Both phases have effective moments close in value to that of free Ce³⁺.     

Electrokinetic injection of DNA from gel micropads: basis for coupling polony technology with CE separation

We propose a novel method for electrokinetic injection of DNA samples into capillaries from nanoliter gel micropads, deposited on glass slides, which are coated with electroconducting film. Theoretical and experimental proof is presented for the proposed method. The method allows efficient and highly precise injection without physical contact between the gel pad and the capillary. Read length of more than 700 bp at Q20 has been reproducibly demonstrated in fused-silica capillaries using the proposed injection technique. Based on the obtained results we discuss a novel DNA sequencing system which combines DNA amplification and cycle sequencing in arrays of subnanoliter gel micropads and high-throughput electrophoretic separation in monolith multicapillary arrays.     

Ternary zirconium tin Antimonide ZrSn2-xSbx (0.2 < x < 0.8), different from the parent binaries ZrSn2 and ZrSb2

The new intermetallic phase ZrSn2-xSbx was prepared by arc-melting and annealing at 800 degrees C. It adopts the hexagonal CrSi2-type structure (Pearson symbol hP9, space group P6222 (or P6422), Z = 3, a = 5.51-5.53 A, c = 7.65-7.63 A) and exhibits a significant phase width (0.2 < x < 0.8). In contrast, the parent binary phases adopt different structures: ZrSn2 has the orthorhombic TiSi2-type structure, and ZrSb2 exists as two orthorhombic forms (alpha-ZrSb2, own type; "beta-ZrSb2", PbCl2-type). The structures of ZrSn2, ZrSn2-xSbx, and beta-ZrSb2 are distinguished by the stacking and distortion of nets with composition "ZrQ2" (Q = Sn, Sb). The CrSi2-type and TiSi2-type structures differ only minimally in energy, but interlayer Sb-Sb bonding is important in stabilizing the structure of beta-ZrSb2.     

Synthesis,Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Novel 5-Ene-thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazole-6(5H)-ones as Possible Anticancer Agents

The present paper is devoted to the search for drug-like molecules with anticancer properties using the thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazole-6-one scaffold. A series of 24 novel thiazolo-[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazole-6-ones with 5-aryl(heteryl)idene- and 5-aminomethylidene-moieties has been synthesized employing three-component and three-stage synthetic protocols. A mixture of Z/E-isomers was obtained in solution for the synthesized 5-aminomethylidene-thiazolo[3,2-b]-[1,2,4]triazole-6-ones. The compounds have been studied for their antitumor activity in the NCI 60 lines screen. Some compounds present excellent anticancer properties at 10 μM. Derivatives 2h and 2i were the most active against cancer cell lines without causing toxicity to normal somatic (HEK293) cells. A preliminary SAR study had been performed for the synthesized compounds.