Thiophenol-mediated 1,5-hydrogen transfer for the preparation of pyrrolizidines, indolizidines, and related compounds

The efficient preparation of 1-azabicyclic alkanes is described. Highly functionalized skeletons are prepared in a concise manner using a radical tin-free 1,5-hydrogen transfer-cyclization process. The precursors for the radical reactions are readily assembled either from pyrrolidine/piperidine/hexahydro-1H-azepine or via condensation of a properly designed N-alkylimine with an allenylzinc species.     

Highly diastereoselective formation of spirocyclic compounds via 1,5-hydrogen transfer: a total synthesis of (-)-erythrodiene

[reaction: see text] A highly stereoselective synthesis of (-)-erythrodiene starting from 4-isopropylcyclohexanone is described. The key reactions are an asymmetric methoxycarbonylation of the starting ketone and a highly diastereoselective radical cascade involving addition of a phenylthiyl radical to a terminal alkyne followed by a 1,5-hydrogen transfer and a 5-exo-cyclization.     

Characterization of the tetratricopeptide-containing domain of BUB1, BUBR1, and PP5 proves that domain amphiphilicity over amino acid sequence specificity governs protein adsorption and interfacial activity

The tetratricopeptide motif repeat (TPR) is an alpha-helix-turn-alpha-helix motif that typically mediates protein-protein and, in some cases, protein-lipid interactions. Because of its success, this motif has been preserved through evolution and can be identified in proteins of a wide range of functions in lower and higher organisms. The N-terminal region of BUB1, BUBR1, and protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) contains tandem arrangements of the TPR motif. BUB1 and BUBR1 are conserved multidomain protein kinases that play a key role in the mitotic checkpoint, the mechanism that ensures the synchrony of chromosome segregation. PP5 is an enzyme that targets a wide range of protein substrates including single transmembrane receptors and mammalian cryptochromes. The N-terminal TPR domain of PP5 regulates the activity of the C-terminal catalytic domain through direct interaction with protein and lipid molecules. We portray the biophysical and biochemical properties of the tandem arrangements of the TPR motif of BUB1, BUBR1, and PP5 using far-UV spectroscopy, solution X-ray scattering, null ellipsometry, surface rheology measurements, and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) observations. We show that, despite the low amino acid sequence conservation and different function, the TPR motif repeats of the three proteins exhibit similar interfacial properties including adsorption kinetics, high surface activity, and the formation of stable, rigid films at the air/water interface. Our studies demonstrate that domain amphiphilicity is of higher importance than amino acid sequence specificity in the determination of protein adsorption and interfacial activity.     

An engineered protein tag for multiprotein labeling in living cells

The visualization of complex cellular processes involving multiple proteins requires the use of spectroscopically distinguishable fluorescent reporters. We have previously introduced the SNAP-tag as a general tool for the specific labeling of SNAP-tag fusion proteins in living cells. The SNAP-tag is derived from the human DNA repair protein O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) and can be covalently labeled in living cells using O6-benzylguanine derivatives bearing a chemical probe. Here we report the generation of an AGT-based tag, named CLIP-tag, which reacts specifically with O2-benzylcytosine derivatives. Because SNAP-tag and CLIP-tag possess orthogonal substrate specificities, SNAP and CLIP fusion proteins can be labeled simultaneously and specifically with different molecular probes in living cells. We furthermore show simultaneous pulse-chase experiments to visualize different generations of two different proteins in one sample.     

Cationic Dye Modified Sawdust as Electrode Modifier for Electrochemical Detection of Anions

Because of its chemical properties, sawdust displays poor anionic exchange capacity. Here we demonstrate that sawdust modification with methylene blue (MB) dye represents an interesting and facile alternative to render this natural biomaterial capable to accumulate anionic species. MB adsorption onto sawdust was monitored by cyclic voltammetry and experimental parameters carefully optimized. Under the ideal experimental conditions (composition of accumulation and desorption solution, accumulation and desorption time and the nature of the electrolytic solution), the adsorbed MB showed poor mobility, which results in the absence of the characteristic electrochemical signal of MB. The ability of the material to accumulate anionic species was thus evaluated using Fe(CN)₆^3? as a model anions. The slow Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? system recorded onto the electrode modified by pristine sawdust (P/SFE) become fast and reversible after immobilization of MB onto P/SFE (MB/SFE). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirms this result through the spectacular decrease of charge transfer resistance after MB adsorption (from 83 kΩ on P/SFE to 637 Ω on MB/SFE). MB/SFE was applied to the electroanalysis of nitrites and a sensitivity of 7.4 μA mM^?1 was obtained. Although this sensitivity was less important compared to that obtained on glassy carbon electrode (9.4 μA mM^?1), the dye modified electrode displays by far the best reproducibility even at higher nitrite concentration.     

A concise synthesis of the Pennsylvania Green fluorophore and labeling of intracellular targets with O6-benzylguanine derivatives

We report improved syntheses of the Pennsylvania Green and 4-carboxy-Pennsylvania Green fluorophores; the latter compound was prepared from methyl 4-iodo-3-methylbenzoate in a three-pot process (32% overall yield). Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase fusion proteins were treated with Pennsylvania Green and Oregon Green linked to O6-benzylguanine (SNAP-Tag substrates). Analysis of living cells by confocal microscopy revealed that Pennsylvania Green derivatives exhibit substantially higher cell permeability than analogous Oregon Green-derived molecular probes.     

Étude par esca du cobalt ou du molybdène déposé sur alumine: Analyse quantitative du recouvrement et mise en évidence d'états d'adsorption spécifique des cations

X-ray photoelectron spectra of the Co 2p_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}, and Mo 3d_{$\text{5}\text{2}$} levels for catalysts containing cobalt and molybdenum supported on alumina have been studied. Binding energies and relative peak areas have been investigated in detail in order to establish the formal metal oxidation states and environment of cobalt and molybdenum cations supported on alumina. Before a monolayer has been formed, only tetrahedric sites of alumina are occupied by Co²⁺ cations. After the monolayer has been formed, heterogeneous oxide Co₃O₄ appears. Both tetrahedral and octahedral sites of alumina are occupied by the molybdenum cation in the 6+ formal oxidation state.     

Unexpected differences in the behavior of ovotransferrin at the air-water interface at pH 6.5 and 8.0

Adsorption of purified apo-ovotransferrin at the air-water interface was studied by ellipsometry, surface tension, polarization-modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and shear elastic constant measurements. No significant difference was observed between pH 6.5 and 8.0 as regards the final value of surface concentration and surface pressure. However at low concentration, a weak barrier to adsorption is evidenced at pH 6.5 and confirmed by PM-IRRAS measurements. At a pH where the protein net charge is negative (pH 8.0), the behavior of ovotransferrin at the air-water interface is more influenced by charge effects rather than bulk concentration effects. At this pH, the interface exhibits a low shear elastic constant and a spectral signature not usual for globular proteins.