Deciphering the molecular details for the binding of the prion protein to main ganglioside GM1 of neuronal membranes

The prion protein (PrP) resides in lipid rafts in?vivo, and lipids modulate misfolding of the protein to infectious isoforms. Here we demonstrate that binding of recombinant PrP to model raft membranes requires the presence of ganglioside GM1. A combination of liquid- and solid-state NMR revealed the binding sites of PrP to the saccharide head group of GM1. The binding epitope for GM1 was mapped to the folded C-terminal domain of PrP, and docking simulations identified key residues in the C-terminal region of helix C and the loop between strand S2 and helix B. Crucially, this region of PrP is linked to prion resistance in?vivo, and structural changes caused by lipid binding in this region may explain the requirement for lipids in the generation of infectious prions in?vitro.     

A study on the essential oil of Ferulago campestris: How much does extraction method influence the oil composition?

The essential oil of different parts of Ferulago campestris (Bess.) collected in Sicily has been extracted by microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) and by classic hydrodistillation (HD). A comparative qualitative-quantitative study on the composition of the oils was carried out. A total of 100 compounds were identified in the oils obtained by MAHD, whereas 88 compounds characterized the HD oils. The most prominent components were, in all different parts of F. campestris and in both extraction methods, 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde and 2,4,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde isomers; the latter was not previously found. The attempt to evaluate where the oil components are located in all parts of the plant was carried out by means of a kinetic study. Then, electron microscopy observation on the different parts before and after MAHD and HD was performed.     

Imidazolium-based zwitterionic surfactant: a new amphiphilic Pd nanoparticle stabilizing agent

Palladium nanoparticles (NPs) with an average size of 3.4 nm were prepared in water using imidazolium-based surfactant 3-(1-dodecyl-3-imidazolio)propanesulfonate (ImS3-12) as a stabilizer. The Pd NPs are highly dispersible in water and chloroform and were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and dynamic light scattering. The results indicate that in water the NP surface is covered with a double layer of ImS3-12 molecules. The NPs were effective in the aqueous biphasic hydrogenation of cyclohexene, with easy recycling and no loss of catalytic activity after four successive runs.     

Influence of the solvent quality on the AhR mediated Procept assay measurement of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds

Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, polychorodibenzofurans and “dioxin-like” polychlorinated biphenyls are widespread persistent organic pollutants sharing a similar toxicological pathway mediated by the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Since the confirmatory method for their measurement at trace levels in complex matrices (using isotopic dilution and gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry) remains time and cost-consuming, growing efforts of the scientific community have been focused on the development of screening approaches, including AhR mediated assays. Unfortunately, AhR ligands are highly diverse and agonistic/antagonistic effects can be observed on procedural blanks and/or sample extracts. In this study, the influence of solvent grade quality on the response of a DNA-binding AhR mediated assay used for screening dioxins has been investigated. Our results demonstrated a very critical impact of this parameter with both strong agonistic and antagonistic effects observed for any tested solvent lot. A small silver nitrate silica column removed partly these interfering compounds and then can be recommended as final purification step. Some preferable grades can be identified and selected in order to guarantee the best possible performances. However, it appears necessary to test every new lot, even if a grade appeared previously compliant.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of the effect of proton transfer on the (27)al MAS NMR line shapes of zeolite-adsorbate complexes: an independent measure of solid Acid strength

Assessing the degree of proton transfer from a Br?nsted acid site to one or more adsorbed bases is central to arguments regarding the strength of zeolites and other solid acids. In this regard certain solid-state NMR measurements have been fruitful; for example, some (13)C, (15)N, or (31)P resonances of adsorbed bases are sensitive to protonation, and the (1)H chemical shift of the Br?nsted site itself reflects hydrogen bonding. We modeled theoretically the structures of adsorption complexes of several bases on zeolite HZSM-5, calculated the quadrupole coupling constants (Q(cc)) and asymmetry parameters (eta) for aluminum in these complexes and then in turn simulated the central transitions of their (27)Al MAS NMR spectra. The theoretical line width decreased monotonically with the degree of proton transfer, reflecting structural relaxation around aluminum as the proton was transferred to a base. We verified this experimentally for a series of adsorbed bases by way of single-pulse MAS and triple quantum MQMAS (27)Al NMR. The combined theoretical and experimental approach described here provides a strategy by which (27)Al data can be applied to resolve disputed interpretations of proton transfer based on other evidence.