A rare earth-DOTA-binding antibody: probe properties and binding affinity across the lanthanide series

An antibody that binds rare earth complexes selectively could be used as a docking station for a set of probe molecules, of particular interest for medical imaging and therapy. The rare earths are rich in probe properties, such as the paramagnetism of Gd, the luminescence of Tb and Eu, and the nuclear properties of Lu and Y. We find that antibody 2D12.5, initially developed to bind analogues of Y-DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N' ',N' '-tetraacetic acid) for radiotherapy, binds not only Y-DOTA analogues but also analogous DOTA complexes of all of the lanthanides. Surprisingly, chelates of some metals such as Gd3+ bind more tightly than the original Y3+ complex. When the shape of the complex is perturbed by either increasing or decreasing the radius of the lanthanide ion, the thermodynamic stability of the protein-ligand complex changes in a regular fashion. The behavior of DeltaDeltaG as a function of ionic radius fits a parabola, as might be expected for a system that behaves in a thermodynamically elastic way. The broad specificity and high affinity of this antibody for all rare earth-DOTA complexes make it particularly interesting for applications that take advantage of the unique characteristics of lanthanides. For example, UV excitation of the Tb-DOTA-2D12.5 complex leads to energy transfer from aromatic side chains of the antibody to bound Tb-DOTA, enhancing green terbium luminescence >104 relative to unbound Tb-DOTA.     

A multi-component reaction (MCR) approach to the synthesis of highly diverse polymers with polypeptide-like features

A new strategy for the combinatorial synthesis of new materials has been developed through the consecutive application of an Ugi 4CC reaction and a ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reaction. Norbornenyl aldehydes and carboxylic acids could be used in the Ugi MCR to give highly diverse monomers that were converted to the corresponding polymers by exposure to the second-generation Grubbs' catalyst. These polymers have structural features reminiscent of polypeptides and the process could be extended to the preparation of chiral materials.     

Dwork cohomology and algebraic ${\Cal D}$-modules

Using local cohomology and algebraic -Modules, we generalize a comparison theorem between relative de Rham cohomology and Dwork cohomology due to N. Katz, P. Monsky, A. Adolphson and S. Sperber. Received June 10, 1999 / Published online July 20, 2000     

Parametric generation of twin photons in vertical triple microcavities

We report the realization of a monolithic vertical-cavity, surface emitting micro-optical parametric conversion nanostructure, triply resonant with the parametric frequencies, allowing parametric oscillation with ultra-low pump power threshold. The photonic phase-space naturally provides triple resonance for the parametric frequencies, together with built-in cavity phase-matching for the pump wave at normal incidence. Parametric oscillation is observed in both the strong and weak exciton–photon coupling regime, allowing a high operating temperature. Signal and idler beams can be collected at 0° or at finite angles. The OPO threshold is low enough to envisage the realization of an all-semiconductor electrically-pumped micro-parametric oscillator. To cite this article: C. Diederichs et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).     

A New Synthesis of Methyl 3-Amino-3,4-dideoxy-β-D-xylo-hexopyranoside

Abstract

Benzylidenation of methyl β-D-glucopyranoside, followed by selective 3-O-tosylation, reductive acetal opening, chlorination, radical deoxygenation and transesterification, afforded methyl 2,3-anhydro-6-O-benzyl-4-deoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranoside 8. Subsequent epoxide opening with NaN₃ and catalytic hydrogenation led to the title compound.     

Boyle temperature and cubic equations of state

The sensitivity of Boyle temperature to changes in parameters appearing in cubic equations of state and to volume shift is analyzed. Analytical expressions for the Boyle temperature and for the dependency to the shift of the equation of state are given for the most common cases of the alpha function.     

Static SIMS study on surfaces of chalcogenide glasses modified by an organic layer

Chalcogenide glasses are useful optic materials that find applications in infrared spectroscopy, sensors and thermal imaging. A route for direct surface modification of such glasses with organic layers has been investigated by static Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The GAS (germanium–arsenic–selenium) glasses are modified by deposition followed by UV-irradiation of disulfide- or/and silane-functionalized organic molecules. SIMS analysis shows the characteristic fragments of the grafted molecules and organic–inorganic fragments which prove unambiguously the binding mode to the surface: disulfides, after S–S cleavage, are linked to arsenic and selenium; triethoxysilanes bind exclusively to oxidized germanium. The successive grafting of disulfide and silane compounds on the same substrate (IG2 glass with 33% of Ge) affords a “mixed” organic layer on the glass surface. From water contact angle measurements and X-ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy (XPS), the coverage density is not significantly improved comparatively to the “non-mixed” layers. However, the grafting of both types of molecules allows to reach a more homogeneous coverage.