A novel phosphoramidite method for automated synthesis of oligonucleotides on glass supports for biosensor development

Two protocols for functionalization of glass supports with hexaethylene glycol (HEG)-linked oligonucleotides were developed. The first method (standard amidite protocol) made use of the 2-cyanoethyl-phosphoramidite derivative of 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl-protected HEG. This was first coupled to the support by standard solid-phase phosphoramidite chemistry followed by extension with a thymidylic acid icosanucleotide. Stepwise addition of the linker phosphoramidite graduated at 1% (relative to the total sites available) perstep at 50°C resulted in an optimal yield of immobilized oligonucleotides at a density of 2.24 × 10¹⁰ strands/mm². This observed loading maximum lies well below the theoretical maximum loading owing to nonspecific adsorption of HEG on the glass and subsequent blocking of reactive sites. Surface loadings as high as 3.73 × 10¹⁰/mm² and of excellent sequence quality were achieved with a reverse amidite protocol. The support was first modified into a 2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite analog followed by coupling with 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl-protected HEG. This protocol is conveniently available when using a conventional DNA synthesizer. The reverse amidite protocol allowed for control of the surface loading at values suitable for subsequent analytical applications that make use of immobilized oligonucleotides as probes for selective hybridization of sample nucleic acids of unknown sequence and concentration.     

Tantalum Clusters in Oxidic Matrices — Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of Eu1.83Ta15O32

The mixed‐valent oxotantalate Eu_1.83Ta₁₅O₃₂ was prepared from a compressed mixture of Ta₂O₅ and the metals in a sealed Ta ampoule at 1400 °C. The crystal structure was determined by means of single crystal X‐ray diffraction: space group R3¯, a = 777.2(6) pm and c = 3523.5(3) pm, Z = 3, 984 symmetrically independent reflections, 83 variables, R_F = 0.027 for I > 2σ (I). The structure is isotypic to Ba₂Nb₁₅O₃₂. The salient feature is a [Ta(+8/3)₆O₁₂ⁱO₆^a] cluster consisting of an octahedral Ta₆ core bonded to 12 edge‐bridging inner and six outer oxygen atoms. The clusters are arranged to slabs which are sandwiched by layers of [Ta(+5)₃O₁₃] triple octahedra. Additional Ta(+5) and Eu(+2) atoms provide the cohesion of these structural units. Twelve‐fold coordinated Eu(+2) atoms are situated on a triply degenerate position 33 pm displaced from the threefold axis of symmetry. A depletion of the Eu(+2) site from 6 to 5.5 atoms per unit cell reduces the number of electrons available for Ta‐Ta bonding from 15 to 14.67 electrons per cluster. Between 125 and 320 K Eu_1.83Ta₁₅O₃₂ is semi‐conducting with a band gap of 0.23 eV. The course of the magnetization is consistently described with the Brillouin function in terms of a M_mol/(N_Aμ_B) versus B/T plot in the temperature range 5 K — 320 K and at magnetic flux densities 0.1 T — 5 T. At moderate flux densities (< 1 T) the magnetic moment agrees fairly well with the expected value of 7.94 μ_B for free Eu (2+) ions with 4f⁷ configuration in ⁸S_7/2 ground state. Below 5 K, anisotropic magnetization measurements at flux densities B < 1 T point to an onset of an antiferromagnetic ordering of Eu spins within the layers and an incipient ferromagnetic ordering perpendicular to the layers.     

Optimization of auxiliary basis sets for the LEDO expansion and a projection technique for LEDO-DFT

We present a systematic procedure for the optimization of the expansion basis for the limited expansion of diatomic overlap density functional theory (LEDO-DFT) and report on optimized auxiliary orbitals for the Ahlrichs split valence plus polarization basis set (SVP) for the elements H, Li--F, and Na--Cl. A new method to deal with near-linear dependences in the LEDO expansion basis is introduced, which greatly reduces the computational effort of LEDO-DFT calculations. Numerical results for a test set of small molecules demonstrate the accuracy of electronic energies, structural parameters, dipole moments, and harmonic frequencies. For larger molecular systems the numerical errors introduced by the LEDO approximation can lead to an uncontrollable behavior of the self-consistent field (SCF) process. A projection technique suggested by L?wdin is presented in the framework of LEDO-DFT, which guarantees for SCF convergence. Numerical results on some critical test molecules suggest the general applicability of the auxiliary orbitals presented in combination with this projection technique. Timing results indicate that LEDO-DFT is competitive with conventional density fitting methods.     

Nanocrystal induced organization of a langmuir phospholipid monolayer

The influence of crystal surface charge on the thermodynamic and structural behavior of phospholipid monolayers has been investigated. We present how charged nanocrystals in the vicinity of an inherently nonordered lipid membrane provoke strong effects on the molecular arrangement within the monolayer. Apart from the induction of phase shifts and nucleation processes, the molecules were forced to adopt an ordered phase. A very recently developed X-ray scattering method is used for the first time to replace time-consuming specular reflectivity measurements. We conclude on the potential effects of crystal surface charge on cellular membranes.     

Separation of friend erythroleukaemic cell histones and high-mobility-group proteins by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A procedure for the rapid separation of histones and high-mobility-group (HMG) proteins from Friend erythroleukaemic cells (line F4N) by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is reported. By using a Nucleosil 300-5 C₄, column and a multistep water—acetonitrile gradient containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, the HMG-1 and HMG-2 proteins, several his subtractions including H1⁰, H4, H2B, two H2A variants and two H3 subtractions were separated. Under changed conditions, by applying a varied acetonitrile gradient system, even two H2B variants were fractionated. The methods described seem to be a real alternative to the time-consuming polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Zur struktur von CaPdF4, CdPdF4, HgPdF4 und HpPdF2

Single crystals of CaPdF₄ (purple) and CdPdF₄ (dark blue) have been obtained by heating CaF₂ (CdF₂) with PdF₂ at 820°C (900°C) for ca. 20–30 d in sealed Pd (Pt) tubes. CaPdF₄ crystallizes tetragonal (KBrF₄-Type) with a = 5.52₁, c = 10.57₀ Å (space group I4/mcm ? D^18_4h, No. 140) Z = 4, 283 unique reflexions, R = 0.083; R_w = 0.079, CdPdF₄ cubic (CaF₂-variant) with a = 5.40₃ Å (space group Pa3 ? T^6_h, No. 205) Z = 4, 165 unique reflexions, R = 0.047, R_w = 0.032. The high pressure modification of PdF₂, obtained by heating PdF₂ in closed Pt-tubes under a pressure of ≈ 60 kbar and ‘HgPdF₄’, both black, a = 5.32₇ Å and a = 5.43 Å are isotypic. CaPdF₄ is diamagnetic, CdPdF₄ and HPPdF₂ are antiferromegnetic.     

Transition from a Bloch-Wilson to a free-electron density of states in Zn(n)- clusters

We present photoelectron spectroscopy studies on Zn(n) (-) in the size range of n=3-117. We show that zinc clusters exhibit a distinct transition in their electronic structure as a function of size. At small sizes (up to n=18) the clusters follow the Bloch-Wilson picture of the development of a metal from closed-shell atoms, exhibiting a gradual decrease of the gap between the fully occupied s band and the empty p band. For large sizes (n approximately or > 32) the band overlap allows the valence electrons to fully delocalize. This leads to an almost perfect free-electron density of states, as is demonstrated by discussing the spectra in the light of standard free-electron models and by comparison to the results obtained on sodium clusters.     

Quantitative validation of different protein precipitation methods in proteome analysis of blood platelets

For the preparation of proteins for proteome analysis, precipitation is frequently used to concentrate proteins and to remove interfering compounds. Various methods for protein precipitation are applied, which rely on different chemical principles. This study compares the changes in the protein composition of human blood platelet extracts after precipitation with ethanol (EtOH) or trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Both methods yielded the same amount of proteins from the platelet preparations. However, the EtOH-precipitated samples had to be dialyzed because of the considerable salt content. To characterize single platelet proteins, samples were analyzed by two-dimensional fluorescence differential gel electrophoresis. More than 90% of all the spots were equally present in the EtOH- and TCA-precipitated samples. However, both precipitation methods showed a smaller correlation with nonprecipitated samples (EtOH 74.9%, TCA 79.2%). Several proteins were either reduced or relatively enriched in the precipitated samples. The proteins varied randomly in molecular weight and isoelectric point. This study shows that protein precipitation leads to specific changes in the protein composition of proteomics samples. This depends more on the specific structure of the protein than on the precipitating agent used in the experiment.     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with additives to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid

Selected benzoic acid derivatives and related substances were used as additives to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5DHB) and the performance of the mixtures in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was investigated. Using benzoic acid derivatives substituted at position 2 and/or 5 or related substances as a co-matrix in the 1–10% range with 2,5DHB results in improved ion yields and signal-to-noise ratio of analyte molecules, especially for the high-mass range. The enhanced performance is prominent for 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid and exists for both proteins and oligosaccharides. It is suggested that the improvement is caused by a disorder in the 2,5DHB crystal lattice allowing ‘softer’ desorption. Charge transfer from matrix ions to additive molecules at the expense of analyte ionization gives a simple explanation for the deteriorating effects of some tested additives.     

[Rb2(H2O)2][Re3(μ-Cl)3Br7(H2O)2]2 · H2O,ein gemischtes Halogenid-Hydrat mit anionischen Dimeren {[Re3(μ-Cl)3Br7(H2O)2]2 · H2O}2−

[Rb₂(H₂O)₂][Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]₂ · H₂O, a Mixed Halide-Hydrate with the Anionic Dimer {[Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]₂ · H₂O}^2? [Rb₂(H₂O)₂][Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]₂ · H₂O crystallizes as dark redbrown single crystals from an hydrobromic-acid solution of ReCl₃ and RbBr at 0°C. An important feature of the crystal structure (monoclinic, C2/c; a = 1494.61(8); b = 835.71(4); c = 3079.96(19) pm; β = 97.801(4)°; V_m = 573.9(4) cm³mol^?1; R = 0.060; R_w = 0.038) is the connection of two anions [Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]^? via a water molecule to dimers, {[Re₃(μ-Cl)₃Br₇(H₂O)₂]₂ · H₂O}^2?. These dimeric units are contained in slabs that are stacked in the [001] direction and held together by Rb⁺ cations and crystal water.