Mesoporous silica nanoparticles for intracellular delivery of membrane-impermeable proteins

An MCM-41-type mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) material with a large average pore diameter (5.4 nm) is synthesized and characterized. The in vitro uptake and release profiles of cytochrome c by the MSN were investigated. The enzymatic activity of the released protein was quantitatively analyzed and compared with that of the native cytochrome c in physiological buffer solutions. We found that the enzymes released from the MSNs are still functional and highly active in catalyzing the oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) by hydrogen peroxide. In contrast to the fact that cytochrome c is a cell-membrane-impermeable protein, we discovered that the cytochrome c-encapsulated MSNs could be internalized by live human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and the protein could be released into the cytoplasm. We envision that these MSNs with large pores could serve as a transmembrane delivery vehicle for controlled release of membrane-impermeable proteins in live cells, which may lead to many important biotechnological applications including therapeutics and metabolic manipulation of cells.     

Structure and vibrational spectra of Ti(IV) hydroxides and their clusters with expanded titanium coordination. DFT study

Equilibrium structures of H(4-n)Ti(OH)n (n = 2-4) molecules and the Ti(OH)4 dimer and trimers were optimized at the B3LYP level of theory. Theoretical vibrational frequencies of TiO stretching modes obtained with several basis sets were compared with the existing experimental frequencies of these vibrations, and the 6-31+G(d) set was chosen for cluster calculations. Only one energy minimum was found for the [Ti(OH)4](2) dimer, but two isomers without symmetry elements stabilized by internal hydrogen bonds and two isomers, belonging to C(s) and C(i) point groups, with free OH groups were found as minima at the [Ti(OH)4](3) potential energy surface. The structure with the linear arrangement of hexacoordinated titanium atoms in the Ti3O12 skeleton may be proposed for trimeric species observed in liquid titanium alkoxides as the only structure satisfying experimental spectroscopic evidence about the presence of center of inversion in these species. Frequency changes of TiO4 modes which accompany the oligomer formation are predicted and discussed.     

Opening Enediyne Scissors Wider: pH‐Dependent DNA Photocleavage by meta‐Diyne Lysine Conjugates

Photochemical activation of meta‐diynes incapable of Bergman and C1–C5 cyclizations still leads to efficient double‐strand DNA cleavage. Spatial proximity of the two arylethynyl groups is not required for efficient DNA photocleavage by the enediyne‐lysine conjugates. Efficiency of the cleavage is a function of the external pH and DNA damage is strongly enhanced at pH < 7. The pH‐dependence of the DNA photocleavage activity stems from the protonation states of lysine amino groups, the internal electron donors responsible for intramolecular PET quenching and deactivation of the photoreactive excited states. DNA‐binding analysis suggests intercalative DNA binding for phenyl substituted conjugate and groove binding for TFP‐substituted conjugate. Additional insights in the possible mechanism for DNA damage from the ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) scavenger experiments found that generation of singlet oxygen is partially involved in the DNA damage.     

Membrane-bound dehydrogenases from Gluconobacter sp.: Interfacial electrochemistry and direct bioelectrocatalysis

Although membrane-bound dehydrogenases isolated from Gluconobacter sp. (mainly PQQ-dependent alcohol and fructose dehydrogenase) have been used for preparing diverse forms of bioelectronic interfaces for almost 2 decades, it is not an easy task to interpret an electrochemical behaviour correctly. Recent discoveries regarding redox properties of membrane-bound dehydrogenases along with extensive investigations of direct electron transfer (DET) or direct bioelectrocatalysis with these enzymes are summarized in this review. The main aim of this review is to draw general conclusions about possible electronic coupling paths of these enzymes on various interfaces via direct electron transfer or direct bioelectrocatalysis. A short overview of the metabolism and respiration chain in Gluconobacter relevant to interfacial electrochemistry is given. Biosensor devices based on DET or direct bioelectrocatalysis using membrane-bound dehydrogenases from Gluconobacter sp. are described briefly with the emphasis given on practical applications of preparing enzymatic biofuel cells. Moreover, interfacial electrochemistry of Gluconobacter oxydans related to the construction of microbial biofuel cells is also discussed.     

Multiquantum vibrational excitation of NO scattered from Au(111): quantitative comparison of benchmark data to ab initio theories of nonadiabatic molecule-surface interactions

Surface phenomena: measurements of absolute probabilities are reported for the vibrational excitation of NO(v=0→1,2) molecules scattered from a Au(111) surface. These measurements were quantitatively compared to calculations based on ab?initio theoretical approaches to electronically nonadiabatic molecule-surface interactions. Good agreement was found between theory and experiment (see picture; T(s) =surface temperature, P=excitation probability, and E=incidence energy of translation).     

Dimerization mechanism of bis(triphenylphosphine)copper(I) tetrahydroborate: proton transfer via a dihydrogen bond

The mechanism of transition-metal tetrahydroborate dimerization was established for the first time on the example of (Ph(3)P)(2)Cu(η(2)-BH(4)) interaction with different proton donors [MeOH, CH(2)FCH(2)OH, CF(3)CH(2)OH, (CF(3))(2)CHOH, (CF(3))(3)CHOH, p-NO(2)C(6)H(4)OH, p-NO(2)C(6)H(4)N═NC(6)H(4)OH, p-NO(2)C(6)H(4)NH(2)] using the combination of experimental (IR, 190-300 K) and quantum-chemical (DFT/M06) methods. The formation of dihydrogen-bonded complexes as the first reaction step was established experimentally. Their structural, electronic, energetic, and spectroscopic features were thoroughly analyzed by means of quantum-chemical calculations. Bifurcate complexes involving both bridging and terminal hydride hydrogen atoms become thermodynamically preferred for strong proton donors. Their formation was found to be a prerequisite for the subsequent proton transfer and dimerization to occur. Reaction kinetics was studied at variable temperature, showing that proton transfer is the rate-determining step. This result is in agreement with the computed potential energy profile of (Ph(3)P)(2)Cu(η(2)-BH(4)) dimerization, yielding [{(Ph(3)P)(2)Cu}(2)(μ,η(4)-BH(4))](+).     

Intramolecular vibrational coupling contribution to temperature dependence of vibrational mode frequencies

High-frequency vibrational modes in molecules in solution are sensitive to temperature and shift either to lower or higher frequencies with the temperature increase. These frequency shifts are often attributed to specific interactions of the molecule and to the solvent polarization effect. We found that a substantial and often dominant contribution to sensitivity of vibrational high-frequency modes to temperature originates from anharmonic interactions with other modes in the molecule. The temperature dependencies were measured for several modes in ortho-, meta-, and para-isomers of acetylbenzonitrile in solution and in a solid matrix and compared to the theoretical predictions originated from the intramolecular vibrational coupling (IVC) evaluated using anharmonic density functional theory calculations. It is found that the IVC contribution is essential for temperature dependencies of all high-frequency vibrational modes and is dominant for many modes. As such, the IVC contribution alone permits predicting the main trend in the temperature dependencies, especially for vibrational modes with smaller transition dipoles. In addition, an Onsager reaction field theory was used to describe the solvent contribution to the temperature dependencies.     

Accurate heats of formation of polycyclic saturated hydrocarbons predicted by using the XYG3 type of doubly hybrid functionals

Polycyclic saturated hydrocarbons (PSHs) are attractive candidates as hydrocarbon propellants. To assess their potential values, one of the key factors is to determine their energy contents, such as to calculate their heats of formation (HOF). In this work, we have calculated HOFs for a set of 36 PSHs including exo-Tricyclo[5.2.1.0^(2,6)] decane, the principal component of the high-energy density hydrocarbon fuel commonly identified as JP-10. The results from B3LYP, B3LYP-D3BJ, M06-2X, B2PLYP, B2PLYP-D3BJ, and the XYG3 type of doubly hybrid (xDH) functionals are presented. It is demonstrated here that the xDH functionals yield accurate HOFs in good agreement with those from experiments or the G4 theory. In particular, XYGJ-OS, a low scaling xDH functional, is shown to hold the promise for accurate prediction of HOFs for PSHs of larger sizes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Stereoselective preparation of mono- and bis-derivatives of pentacyclo[6.3.0.02,6.03,10.05,9] undecane (D 3-trishomocubane)

The rearrangement of easily accessible Cookson’s diketone with chlorosulfonic acid in chloroform followed by the acidic hydrolysis gave 6-chloro-7-hydroxy-dichloropentacyclo[6.3.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane-4-one, whose syn-stereochemistry was assigned through the X-ray crystal structure analysis. This key structure was used for the stereoselective synthesis of the D ₃-trishomocubane derivatives as well as for the preparation of potential drugs bearing hydroxy- and amino-functional groups. A new multigram preparative synthesis of D ₃-trishomocubane was developed.      

Highly efficient visible-light driven photochromism: developments towards a solid-state molecular switch operating through a triplet-sensitised pathway

We introduce a new highly efficient photochromic organometallic dithienylethene (DTE) complex, the first instance of a DTE core symmetrically modified by two Pt(II) chromophores [Pt(PEt(3))(2)(C≡C)(DTE)(C≡C)Pt(PEt(3))(2)Ph] (1), which undergoes ring-closure when activated by visible light in solvents of different polarity, in thin films and even in the solid state. Complex 1 has been synthesised and fully photophysically characterised by (resonance) Raman and transient absorption spectroscopy complemented by calculations. The ring-closing photoconversion in a single crystal of 1 has been followed by X-ray crystallography. This process occurs with the extremely high yield of 80%--considerably outperforming the other DTE derivatives. Remarkably, the photocyclisation of 1 occurs even under visible light (>400 nm), which is not absorbed by the non-metallated DTE core HC≡C(DTE)C≡CH (2) itself. This unusual behaviour and the high photocyclisation yields in solution are attributed to the presence of a heavy atom in 1 that enables a triplet-sensitised photocyclisation pathway, elucidated by transient absorption spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The results of resonance Raman investigation confirm the involvement of the alkynyl unit in the frontier orbitals of both closed and open forms of 1 in the photocyclisation process. The changes in the Raman spectra upon cyclisation have permitted the identification of Raman marker bands, which include the acetylide stretching vibration. Importantly, these bands occur in the spectral region unobstructed by other vibrations and can be used for non-destructive monitoring of photocyclisation/photoreversion processes and for optical readout in this type of efficiently photochromic thermally stable systems. This study indicates a strategy for generating efficient solid-state photoswitches in which modification of the Pt(II) units has the potential to tune absorption properties and hence operational wavelength across the visible range.