Identification and functional characterization of a novel α-conotoxin (EIIA) from Conus ermineus

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are one of the most important families in the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily due to their involvement in primordial brain functions and in several neurodegenerative pathologies. The discovery of new ligands which can bind with high affinity and selectivity to nAChR subtypes is of prime interest in order to study these receptors and to potentially discover new drugs for treating various pathologies. Predatory cone snails of the genus Conus hunt their prey using venoms containing a large number of small, highly structured peptides called conotoxins. Conotoxins are classified in different structural families and target a large panel of receptors and ion channels. Interestingly, nAChRs represent the only subgroup for which Conus has developed seven distinct families of conotoxins. Conus venoms have thus received much attention as they could represent a potential source of selective ligands of nAChR subtypes. We describe the mass spectrometric-based approaches which led to the discovery of a novel α-conotoxin targeting muscular nAChR from the venom of Conus ermineus. The presence of several posttranslational modifications complicated the N-terminal sequencing. To discriminate between the different possible sequences, analogs with variable N-terminus were synthesized and fragmented by MS/MS. Understanding the fragmentation pathways in the low m/z range appeared crucial to determine the right sequence. The biological activity of this novel α-conotoxin (α-EIIA) that belongs to the unusual α4/4 subfamily was determined by binding experiments. The results revealed not only its selectivity for the muscular nAChR, but also a clear discrimination between the two binding sites described for this receptor.     

Voltammetry coupled to mass spectrometry in the presence of isotope O labeled water for the prediction of oxidative transformation pathways of activated aromatic ethers: Acebutolol

The coupling between an electrochemical cell (EC) and a mass spectrometer (MS) is a useful screening tool (EC-MS) to study the oxidative transformation pathways of various electroactive species. For that purpose, we showed that the EC-MS method, carried out in the presence and absence of isotope ¹⁸O labeled water leads not only to a fast identification of oxidation products but also leads to a fast elucidation of the mechanism pathway reaction. We examined herein the case of the electrochemical hydrolysis of activated aromatic ether. Acebutolol (β-blockers) was selected herein as model of activated aromatic ether, and its electrochemical oxidation was examined in both the presence and absence of isotope ¹⁸O labeled water. To elucidate electrochemical hydrolysis pathway reaction: O-dealkylation or O-dealkoxylation, our approach was used to prove its applicability. The electrochemical oxidation mechanism was then elucidated showing an O-dealkoxylation reaction. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations fully support the experimental conclusions.     

New Nitrogen Derivatives of Podophyllotoxin and a Novel Access to Dehydroanhydropicropodophyllin

The new compounds podophyllotoxone oxime (3) and epipodophyllotoxin azide (5) were prepared. The known dehydroanhydropicropodophyllin (6) was unexpectedly obtained from podophyllotoxin (1) by treatment with TMSCl/NaI/MeCN.     

Studies on the Synthesis of Eremophilane Sesquiterpenes. A Novel Entry into the Aristolane Ring System

Readily available tricyclo[3.2.2.0^2,4]non-6-en-8-one is converted into the tricyclo ring system of the aristolane sesquiterpenes via an alkoxide accelerated [3, 3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.     

Dioxane and Dioxine Heterocycles Obtained Simultaneously on a Same Substrate from the Condensation Reaction Between p-Hydroxyacetophenone and Polymerised Formaldehyde

The condensation reaction between polymerised formaldehyde and a ketone possessing a methylene group α to the carbonyl function, in the presence of a polystyrene (1) or fluorinated (2) ion-exchange catalyst, leads to the corresponding 1,3-dioxane and is characterized by excellent yield and selectivity.     

Killing Bacterial Spores with Blue Light: When Innate Resistance Meets the Power of Light

This article is a highlight of the study by Maclean et al. in this issue of Photochemistry and Photobiology describing the sporicidal effects 405 nm visible light alone on endospores of the Clostridium and Bacillus genera. 1.73 kJ cm^?2 was capable of reducing endospore colony‐forming units by up to 4‐log₁₀. These findings have never been previously demonstrated and may be incorporated into decontamination methods that span medical, military and food preparatory applications.     

Sorption of benzene vapors to flexible metal–organic framework [Zn2(bdc)2(dabco)]

The isotherms of benzene sorption by the metal–organic coordination polymer [Zn₂(bdc)₂(dabco)] were studied within the temperature range 25–90 °C at pressures up to 75 torr. The maximal benzene content in [Zn₂(bdc)₂(dabco)] at room temperature was demonstrated to correspond to the composition [Zn₂(bdc)₂(dabco)]·3.8C₆H₆. It was established that the process of benzene desorption from the substance under investigation occurs in three stages. (1) Evaporation of benzene from the phase of variable composition (phase C) with compression and distortion of the unit cell (the composition of the phase C varies from [Zn₂(bdc)₂(dabco)]·3.8C₆H₆ to [Zn₂(bdc)₂(dabco)]·3.2C₆H₆). (2) The transformation of the phase C into phase P. The phase P has the same unit cell geometry as that for the empty framework. The maximal benzene content is [Zn₂(bdc)₂(dabco)]·1.0C₆H₆. (3) Benzene evaporation from the phase P of variable composition. We studied the temperature dependences of the equilibrium vapor pressure of benzene for the samples with compositions [Zn₂(bdc)₂(dabco)]·3.0(3)C₆H₆ and [Zn₂(bdc)₂(dabco)]·2.0(3)C₆H₆ within the temperature range 290–370 K. The thermodynamic parameters of benzene vaporization were determined for the latter compound ( $ \Updelta {\text{H}}_{{{\text{av}} .}}^{o} = 49\left( 1 \right) \,{\text{kJ }}\left( {{\text{moleC}}_{6} {\text{H}}_{6} } \right)^{ - 1} $ ; $ \Updelta {\text{S}}_{{{\text{av}} .}}^{^\circ } = 100\left( 3 \right)\, {\text{J}}\left( {{\text{moleC}}_{6} {\text{H}}_{6} {\text{K}}} \right)^{ - 1} $ ; $ \Updelta {\text{G}}_{298}^{^\circ } = 19.0\left( 2 \right)\, {\text{kJ}}\left( {{\text{moleC}}_{6} {\text{H}}_{6} } \right)^{ - 1} $ ).     

One-pot synthesis of 2-(dicyanomethylene)-1,2-dihydropyridine derivatives

The synthesis of 2-(dicyanomethylene)-1,2-dihydropyridine derivatives from the reactions of arylmethylidene derivatives of malononitrile dimers with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is described.     

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to 2-nitroacrylates: a facile route to β-homophenylglycines

Asymmetric conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to 2-nitroacrylamide in the presence of cationic palladium–Chiraphos complex proceeds with high yield and enantioselectivity (73–89% ee) using as low as 0.05–0.25 mol % of the catalyst. The adducts can be smoothly transformed into the corresponding β²-homophenylglycines in two simple steps.