Synthesis of gramicidin S and its analogues via an on-resin macrolactamization assisted by a predisposed conformation of the linear precursors

A simple and efficient preparation of gramicidin S and its analogues is described. It involves solid-phase peptide synthesis and on-resin macrolactamization without side chain protection, affording cyclic products in high yield and high purity. The high specificity of the cyclization reaction was shown to originate in the formation of a pre-organized conformation of the linear biosynthetic precursor of gramicidin S. This facile method will provide convenient access to the analogues of the natural product for functional optimization to counter microbial resistance.     

REASSESSMENT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF ULTRAVIOLET AND IONIZING RADIATION ON HIV PROMOTER: THE USE OF CELL SURVIVAL AS THE BASIS FOR COMPARISONS

Abstract: Effects of different radiation treatments on the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) promoter were reassessed for exposures comparable to those encountered in clinical or cosmetic practice, using survival of the host cell as a basis for comparisons. The exposures were performed with two ultraviolet radiation sources commonly used as medical or cosmetic devices (UVASUN 2000 and FS20 lamps), a germicidal (G15T8) lamp and an X-ray machine. The UVC component of the FS20 lamp was filtered out. The emission spectra of the lamps were determined. The characteristics of these sources allowed us to discriminate among effects of UVA1 (340–400 nm), UVB + UVA2 (280–340 nm) and UVC (254 nm) radiations. Effects of irradiation were ascertained using cultures of HeLa cells stably transfected with the HIV promoter linked to a reporter—chloramphenicol acetyl transferase—gene. The exposures used caused at least two logs of cell killing. In this cytotoxicity range, UVA1 or X radiations had no effect on the HIV promoter, whereas UVB + UVA2 or UVC radiations activated the HIV promoter in a fluence-dependent manner. Survivals following exposure to UVB + UVA2 or UVC radiation were (1) at the lowest measurable HIV promoter activation, 30 and 20%, respectively, (2) at one-half maximal activation, 6 and 3%, respectively and (3) at the maximal activation, 0.5 and 0.2%, respectively. The results suggest that, among the radiations studied, UVB is the most important modality from the viewpoint of its potential effects on HIV-infected individuals, since (1) UVA1 or X radiations have no effects on the HIV promoter, (2) human exposure to UVC radiation is infrequent and (3) human UVB exposure is very common.     

The thermal decomposition of thiirane: a mechanistic study by ab initio MO theory

Using high-level ab initio MO methods, we have identified two reaction pathways with different thermodynamic and kinetic properties for the thermal decomposition of the three-membered heterocycle thiirane (C2H4S) and related derivatives. A homolytic ring opening, followed by attack of the generated diradical on another thiirane molecule, and subsequent elimination of ethene in a fast radical chain reaction results in the formation of disulfur molecules in their triplet ground state (3S2) and requires activation enthalpies of deltaH#(298) = 222 kJ mol(-1) and deltaG#(298) = 212 kJ mol(-1). This reaction mechanism would result in a first-order rate law in agreement with one reported gas-phase experiment but does neither match the experimental activation energy nor does it explain the observed retention of the stereochemical configuration in the thermal decomposition of certain substituted thiiranes. Alternatively, sulfur atoms can be transferred from one thiirane moleculeto another with the intermediate formation of thiirane 1-sulfide (C2H4S2). This molecule can either decompose unimolecularly to ethene and disulfur in its excited singlet state (1S2) or, by means of spin crossover, S2 in its triplet ground state may be formed. On the other hand, the thiirane 1-sulfide may react with itself and transfer one sulfur atom from one molecule to another with formation of thiirane 1,1-disulfide (C2H4S3), which is an analogue of thiirane sulfone; thiirane is formed as the second product. The 1,1-disulfide may then decompose to ethene and S3. In still another bimolecular reaction, the thiirane 1-sulfide may react with itself in a strongly exothermic reaction to give S4 and two equivalents of ethene. This series of reactions results in a second-order rate law and requires activation enthalpies of deltaH#(298) = 109 kJ mol(-1) and deltaG#(298) = 144 kJ mol(-1) for the formation of thiirane 1-sulfide, while the consecutive reactions require less activation enthalpy. Elemental sulfur (S8) is eventually formed by oligomerization of either S2, S3, or S4 in spin-allowed reactions. These findings are in agreement with most experimental data on the thermal desulfurization of thiirane and its substituted derivatives. Thiirane 1-persulfide (C2H4S3) with a linear arrangement of the three sulfur atoms as well as zwitterions and radicals derived from thiirane are not likely to be intermediates in the thermal decomposition of episulfides.     

Crystalline Morphology and Polymorphic Phase Transitions in Electrospun Nylon 6 Nanofibers

Uniform nylon 6 nanofibers with diameters around 200 nm were prepared by electrospinning. Polymorphic phase transitions and crystal orientation of nylon 6 in unconfined (i.e., as-electrospun) and a high T(g) (340 degrees C) polyimide confined nanofibers were studied. Similar to melt-spun nylon 6 fibers, electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers also exhibited predominant, meta-stable gamma crystalline form, and the gamma-crystal (chain) axes preferentially oriented parallel to the fiber axis. Upon annealing above 150 degrees C, gamma-form crystals gradually melted and recrystallized into the thermodynamically stable alpha-form crystals, which ultimately melted at 220 degrees C. Release of surface tension accompanied this melt-recrystallization process, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry. For confined nanofibers, both the melt-recrystallization and surface tension release processes were substantially depressed; gamma-form crystals did not melt and recrystallize into alpha-form crystals until 210 degrees C, only 10 degrees C below the T(m) at 220 degrees C. After complete melting of nano-confined crystals at 240 degrees C and recrystallization at 100 degrees C, only alpha-form crystals oriented perpendicular to the nanofiber axis were obtained. In the polyimide-confined nanofibers, the Brill transition (from the monoclinic alpha-form to a high temperature monoclinic form) was observed at 180-190 degrees C, which was at least 20 degrees C higher than that in unconfined nylon 6 at approximately 160 degrees C. This, again, was attributed to the confinement effect.     

Intermolecular rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] carbocyclization reactions of 1,6-enynes with symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkynes

The crossed intermolecular rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] carbocyclization of carbon and heteroatom tethered 1,6-enynes can be accomplished with symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkynes, to afford the corresponding bicyclohexadienes in an efficient and highly selective manner.     

A novel class of amide-derived air-stable P,O-ligands for Suzuki cross-coupling at low catalyst loading

The benzamide-derived P,O-ligands efficiently promoted the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid at 0.01 mol % of Pd loading at 60-80 °C to form biaryls in excellent yields. A sterically hindered arylboronic acid gave a quantitative yield of the coupling product at 110 °C with 1 mol % Pd.     

铬(Ⅲ)含β一二酮混合配体配合物的合成和表征

首次合了五种Cr(β-dik)Cl_2py_2型(其中β-dik分别为乙酰丙酮、苯甲酰丙酮、三氟乙酰丙酮、2—噻吩甲酰三氟丙酮、二苯甲酰甲烷)和一种Cr(pmbp)Cl_2(thf)混合配体配合物、一种Cr(pmbp)_3配合物。并对上述化合物进行了电子光谱、红外光谱等的表征工作。     

Electron beam coater for reduction of charging in ice-embedded biological specimens using Ti(88)Si(12) alloy.

Biological macromolecules embedded in vitreous ice are known to suffer from charging while being imaged in an electron transmission cryomicroscope. We developed an electron beam coater that deposits conductive films onto the surface of frozen-hydrated specimens. The conductive films help to dissipate charge during electron irradiation of poorly conductive ice-embedded biological samples. We observed significant reduction in charging of ice-embedded catalase crystals suspended over holes in a holey carbon film after coating them with a 30-A-thick layer of an amorphous alloy, Ti(88)Si(12). Images of the crystals after coating showed diffraction spots of up to 3 A resolution.     

A radioanalytical technique to study the behavior of organic toxicants applied to a study of the photodegradation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

A general method for tritium labeling of organic compounds by the use of thermal activation of tritium is described. It allows obtaining uniformly tritium-labeled organic compounds with high specific activity (up to 50 Ci/mmol) which permits tracing the majority of the biodegradation products of compounds studied. More than 40 compounds were labeled using this simple, rapid and inexpensive method. Separation of the biodegradation products is performed by thin layer chromatography. Quantification is performed by direct measurement of the radioactivity by liquid scintillation counting after transfer of the layer from TLC plates into scintillation vials, or by densitometry of autoradiographs. The technique is useful for a wide range of organic compounds, including ones with unknown structure, and can be applied to various in vivo and in vitro studies.     

DNA cleavage reaction of antitumour antibiotic, kapurimycin A3, with deoxytetranucleotide d(CGCG)2

Kapurimycin A3 (kap A3, 1 ), an antitumour antibiotic, alkylates N7 of guanine₂ (G₂) and G₄ of d(C₁G₂C₃G₄)₂ to produce their covalent adducts 2 (64 %) and 3 (7.0 %), respectively. Heating at 90 °C for 5 min degraded both adducts to kap A3 - G adduct (5) with the concurrent release of their respective abasic-site containing oligomers 4 and 6.