Sialyl Lewisx: A “Pre‐Organized Water Oligomer”?

Organized and released: Sialyl Lewis(x) (sLe(x)) represents a "pre-organized water oligomer", that is, a surrogate for clustered water molecules attached to a scaffold. The impetus for sLe(x) binding to E-selectin is shown to be the high degree of pre-organization allowing an array of directed hydrogen bonds, and the entropic benefit of the release of water molecules from the large binding interface to bulk water (see picture).     

Atomic‐Resolution Three‐Dimensional Structure of Amyloid β Fibrils Bearing the Osaka Mutation

Despite its central importance for understanding the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), high‐resolution structural information on amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) fibrils, which are intimately linked with AD, is scarce. We report an atomic‐resolution fibril structure of the Aβ1‐40 peptide with the Osaka mutation (E22Δ), associated with early‐onset AD. The structure, which differs substantially from all previously proposed models, is based on a large number of unambiguous intra‐ and intermolecular solid‐state NMR distance restraints.     

De Novo 3D Structure Determination from Sub‐milligram Protein Samples by Solid‐State 100 kHz MAS NMR Spectroscopy

Solid‐state NMR spectroscopy is an emerging tool for structural studies of crystalline, membrane‐associated, sedimented, and fibrillar proteins. A major limitation for many studies is still the large amount of sample needed for the experiments, typically several isotopically labeled samples of 10–20 mg each. Here we show that a new NMR probe, pushing magic‐angle sample rotation to frequencies around 100 kHz, makes it possible to narrow the proton resonance lines sufficiently to provide the necessary sensitivity and spectral resolution for efficient and sensitive proton detection. Using restraints from such spectra, a well‐defined de novo structure of the model protein ubiquitin was obtained from two samples of roughly 500 μg protein each. This proof of principle opens new avenues for structural studies of proteins available in microgram, or tens of nanomoles, quantities that are, for example, typically achieved for eukaryotic membrane proteins by in‐cell or cell‐free expression.     

Observation of individual transitions in magnetically equivalent spin systems

Individual transitions of magnetically equivalent spin systems such as methyl groups residing on isotropically tumbling molecules in solution usually cannot be observed as multiplet-split NMR lines. We propose a pair of NMR experiments, 2D [13C,1Halphaalpha]Methyl and [13C,1Hbetabeta]Methyl HSQC, to overcome this limitation and enable direct and selective observation of individual 1H transitions in 13C-labeled methyl spin systems. Immediate applications include quantitative measurements of 1H-1H residual dipolar couplings (RDC) and cross-correlated relaxation between 1H chemical shift anisotropy and 1H-1H dipole-dipole interactions. The use of the experiments for the measurement of RDCs is demonstrated with two proteins, one weakly aligned by means of Pf1 phages and the other using a naturally present paramagnetic heme group.     

Characterization of nuclear fuels by ICP mass-spectrometric techniques

Isotopic analyses of radioactive materials such as irradiated nuclear fuel are of major importance for the optimization of the nuclear fuel cycle and for safeguard aspects. Among the mass-spectrometric techniques available, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometry are the most frequently applied methods for nuclear applications. Because of the low detection limits, the ability to analyze the isotopic composition of the elements and the applicability of the techniques for measuring stable as well as radioactive nuclides with similar sensitivity, both mass-spectrometric techniques are an excellent amendment to classical radioactivity counting methods. The paper describes selected applications of multicollector ICP-MS in combination with chromatographic separation techniques and laser ablation for the isotopic analysis of irradiated nuclear fuels. The advantages and limitations of the selected analytical technique for the characterization of such a heterogeneous sample matrix are discussed.     

Co‐crystallized cis and trans isomers of dichloro­bis(2‐picolylamine)iron(II)

The octa­hedral cis and trans isomers of dichloro­bis(2‐picolyl­amine)iron(II), [FeCl₂(C₆H₈N₂)₂], co‐crystallize in a 1:1 ratio. The cis isomer lies on a twofold axis, whereas the trans isomer lies on an inversion centre. The structure is fully ordered, with both Fe atoms in a pure high‐spin state. The Fe, Cl and N(H₂) atoms of both isomers lie in the same plane, allowing all Cl and amine H atoms to be engaged in extensive two‐dimensional hydrogen bonding. The hydrogen‐bonded layers are inter­connected through π–π inter­actions between the pyridine rings. Searches in the Cambridge Structural Database uncover very few examples of such isomer co‐existence.     

Characterization of H2-Splitting Products of Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Benefit of Fast Magic-Angle Spinning

Proton spectroscopy in solid-state NMR on catalytic materials offers new opportunities in structural characterization, in particular of reaction products of catalytic reactions such as hydrogenation reactions. Unfortunately, the ¹H NMR line widths in magic-angle spinning solid-state spectra are often broadened by an incomplete averaging of ¹H-¹H dipolar couplings. We herein discuss two model compounds, namely the H₂-splitting products of two phosphane-borane Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs), to study potentials and limitations of proton solid-state NMR experiments employing magic-angle spinning frequencies larger than 100 kHz at a static magnetic field strength of 20.0 T. The ¹H lines are homogeneously broadened as illustrated by spin-echo decay experiments. We study two structurally similar materials which however show significant differences in ¹H line widths which we explain by differences in their ¹H-¹H dipolar networks. We discuss the benefit of fast MAS experiments up to 110 kHz to detect the resonances of the H⁺/H⁻ pair in the hydrogenation products of FLPs.     

Crystal Structures of (Et4N)3M2F9 (M = V,Cr, Fe) determined by X‐Ray Single‐Crystal and Powder Diffraction: A New Structure Type for A3M2X9 Compounds

The syntheses and X‐ray structure determinations of single crystals and powders are reported for the compounds (Et₄N)₃M₂F₉ (M = V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺). The compounds are isostructural and represent a new structure type for A₃M₂X₉ compounds. They crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6₃/m with Z = 2. Their lattice parameters are (Et₄N)₃V₂F₉: a = 13.3017(3), c = 10.7714(2) Å; (Et₄N)₃Cr₂F₉: a = 13.2691(3), c = 10.7148(3) Å; and (Et₄N)₃Fe₂F₉: a = 13.3040(3), c = 10.7650(3) Å.     

Structural Studies of Self‐Assembled Subviral Particles: Combining Cell‐Free Expression with 110 kHz MAS NMR Spectroscopy

Viral membrane proteins are prime targets in combatting infection. Still, the determination of their structure remains a challenge, both with respect to sample preparation and the need for structural methods allowing for analysis in a native‐like lipid environment. Cell‐free protein synthesis and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy are promising approaches in this context, the former with respect to its great potential in the native expression of complex proteins, and the latter for the analysis of membrane proteins in lipids. Herein, we show that milligram amounts of the small envelope protein of the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) can be produced by cell‐free expression, and that the protein self‐assembles into subviral particles. Proton‐detected 2D NMR spectra recorded at a magic‐angle‐spinning frequency of 110 kHz on <500 μg protein show a number of isolated peaks with line widths comparable to those of model membrane proteins, paving the way for structural studies of this protein that is homologous to a potential drug target in HBV infection.