Folding Free Energy Determination of an RNA Three-Way Junction Using Fluctuation Theorems

Nonequilibrium work relations and fluctuation theorems permit us to extract equilibrium information from nonequilibrium measurements. They find application in single-molecule pulling experiments where molecular free energies can be determined from irreversible work measurements by using unidirectional (e.g., Jarzynski’s equality) and bidirectional (e.g., Crooks fluctuation theorem and Bennet’s acceptance ratio (BAR)) methods. However, irreversibility and the finite number of pulls limit their applicability: the higher the dissipation, the larger the number of pulls necessary to estimate ΔG within a few kBT. Here, we revisit pulling experiments on an RNA three-way junction (3WJ) that exhibits significant dissipation and work-distribution long tails upon mechanical unfolding. While bidirectional methods are more predictive, unidirectional methods are strongly biased. We also consider a cyclic protocol that combines the forward and reverse work values to increase the statistics of the measurements. For a fixed total experimental time, faster pulling rates permit us to efficiently sample rare events and reduce the bias, compensating for the increased dissipation. This analysis provides a more stringent test of the fluctuation theorem in the large irreversibility regime.     

Effects of Two Natural Bisbenzylisoquinolines,Curine and Guattegaumerine,Extracted from Isolona hexaloba on Rhodamine Efflux by Abcb1b from Rat Glycocholic-Acid-Resistant Hepatocarcinoma Cells

To develop new therapeutic molecules, it is essential to understand the biological effects and targets of clinically relevant compounds. In this article, we describe the extraction and characterization of two alkaloids from the roots of Isolona hexaloba—curine and guattegaumerine. The effect of these alkaloids on the multidrug efflux pump ABCB1 (MDR1/P-Glycoprotein) and their antiproliferative properties were studied. Compared to verapamil, a widely used inhibitor of P-gp, curine and guattegaumerine were found to be weak inhibitors of MDR1/P-Glycoprotein. The highest inhibition of efflux produced by verapamil disappeared in the presence of curine or guattegaumerine as competitors, and the most pronounced effect was achieved with curine. Altogether, this work has provided new insights into the biological effects of these alkaloids on the rat Mdr1b P-gp efflux mechanism and would be beneficial in the design of potent P-gp inhibitors.     

Ion beam mixing of α-MoSi2

Abstract

Using molecular dynamics simulation, we study the mixing of an α-MoSi₂ crystal by 1 keV Ar ions. The observed order of magnitude of the mixing is compatible with a spike model of ion beam mixing. The influence of the target surface and of chemical effects are discussed.     

Easy and effective method to produce functionalized particles for cellular uptake

In this contribution, a versatile approach for the synthesis of functionalized particles for drug delivery is presented, using two nonaggressive standardized procedures. The first procedure considered is the functionalization of an azido‐terminated α‐norbornenyl poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomer with an alkyne‐containing active molecule via the copper catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition, click type reaction. The functionalized macromonomer is then polymerized by Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) in dispersion to form functionalized particles. The second procedure consists in synthesizing particles by ROMP in dispersed media of norbornene with azido‐terminated α‐norbornenyl PEO macromonomer. The ROMP was initiated by the first generation Grubbs catalyst. Such functionalized core‐shell particles have stealthy properties due to their PEO shell and can be viewed as universal nanocarriers on which any alkyne‐modified active molecule can be grafted by click chemistry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

An Experimental Study of a Flux Modulated Solid State Metathesis Reaction

A solid state metathesis (SSM) reaction was investigated with respect to the formation of rare‐earth carbodiimides, the role of the co‐produced salt (LiCl), and the eutectic flux medium (LiCl/KCl). A SSM reaction is characterized by an exothermic reaction in which a salt (often LiCl) is coproduced. When the salt melts, it can serve as a useful medium for the crystallization of a desired product. An improved crystal growth can be observed by using an eutectic flux. However, the composition of an eutectic LiCl/KCl flux is altered when LiCl is produced during the reaction. The thermal effects concerning the endothermic melting of the flux and the exothermic ingnition of the SSM reaction may compensate each other, which is not necessarily a drawback for the reaction to proceed.     

Magnetic Anisotropy of Dichlorobis(η5‐cyclopentadienyl) Complexes of Vanadium,Niobium, and Tantalum

Abstract. The magnetic behavior of the mononuclear nd¹ systems MCp₂Cl₂ (M = V⁴⁺[3d¹], Nb⁴⁺[4d¹], Ta⁴⁺[5d¹], space group P2₁/c, pseudosymmetry of the molecules C_2v) deviates from pure single ion spin magnetism on account of ligand field effect (H_lf), spin‐orbit coupling (H_so), and intermolecular spin‐spin exchange interactions (H_ex). For both VCp₂Cl₂ and NbCp₂Cl₂ excellent adaptations to the measured susceptibility data were obtained (2 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K) on the basis of spectroscopic data (lf, so) and cooperative metal–metal interactions (ex) of antiferromagnetic nature [molecular field model (mf)]. For TaCp₂Cl₂ experimental term structure data are not available. Therefore, Jørgensen's spectroscopical series (g‐factor of the central ion) was applied to extrapolate the data set for TaCp₂Cl₂. H_lf, H_so, and H_ex (antiferromagnetic) increase in the order 3d¹ → 4d¹ → 5d¹ leading, with rising atomic number of the metals, to a distinct enhancement of the magnetic anisotropy. At 4 K the μ_eff components μ_eff,y (oriented perpendicular to the cg–M–cg plane; “cg” = center of gravity of the Cp ring), μ_eff,z (oriented along the twofold pseudoaxis), and μ_eff,x are 1.73, 1.69, 1.68 (V), 1.73, 1.62, 1.59 (Nb), and 1.71, 1.59, 1.49 (Ta). While μ_eff,y is independent of T, both μ_eff,z and μ_eff,x decrease with decreasing T.