Structural analysis of a beta-helical protein motif stabilized by targeted replacements with conformationally constrained amino acids

Here we study conformational stabilization induced in a beta-helical nanostructure by position-specific mutations. The nanostructure is constructed through the self-assembly of the beta-helical building block excised from E. coli galactoside acetyltransferase (PDB code 1krr , chain A; residues 131-165). The mutations involve substitutions by cyclic, conformationally constrained amino acids. Specifically, a complete structural analysis of the Pro-Xaa-Val sequence [with Xaa being Gly, Ac 3c (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) and Ac 5c (1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid)], corresponding to the 148-150 loop region in the wild-type (Gly) and mutated (Ac 3c and Ac 5c) 1krr , has been performed using Molecular Dynamics simulations and X-ray crystallography. Simulations have been performed for the wild-type and mutants of three different systems, namely the building block, the nanoconstruct and the isolated Pro-Xaa-Val tripeptide. Furthermore, the crystalline structures of five peptides of Pro-Xaa-Val or Xaa-Val sequences have been solved by X-ray diffraction analysis and compared with theoretical predictions. Both the theoretical and crystallographic studies indicate that the Pro-Ac n c-Val sequences exhibit a high propensity to adopt turn-like conformations, and this propensity is little affected by the chemical environment. Overall, the results indicate that replacement of Gly149 by Ac 3c or Ac 5c significantly reduce the conformational flexibility of the target site enhancing the structural specificity of the building block and the nanoconstruct derived from the 1krr beta-helical motif.     

Use of absorbent materials in on-line coupled reversed-phase liquid chromatography-gas chromatography via the through oven transfer adsorption desorption interface

The use of absorbents as retaining materials in the through oven transfer adsorption desorption interface (TOTAD) of an on-line coupled reversed-phase liquid chromatography-gas chromatography system (RPLC-GC) is proposed for the first time. A comparative study of an adsorbent (Tenax TA) and two absorbents, namely polydimethylsiloxane and poly(50% phenyl/50% methylsiloxane) is performed to establish the best experimental conditions for the automated and simultaneous determination of 15 organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticide residues in olive oil. The proposed method provides satisfactory repeatability (RSDs lower, in general, than 8.5%) and sensitivity (limits of detection ranging from 0.6 to 81.9 microg/L) for the investigated compounds.     

Solvent Effects on the Monomer/Hydrogen‐Bonded Dimer Equilibrium in Carboxylic Acids: (+)‐(S)‐Ketopinic Acid as a Case Study

The hydrogen‐bond‐assisted self‐association process of a chiral semirigid carboxylic acid, namely, (+)‐(S)‐ketopinic acid, has been studied. The multiconformational monomer/dimer equilibrium has been evaluated by means of a concentration‐dependent FTIR study that enabled the experimental equilibrium constants of the dimer formation reaction (K_dim) to be determined in two solvents of different polarity. In CDCl₃, dimeric forms predominate, even in diluted solutions ( =5.074), whereas in CD₃CN the self‐association process is hindered and monomers are always the main species, irrespective of solute concentration ( =0.194). The reliability of the dimerization constants and the derived mono‐ and dimeric experimental fractions have been proven by means of accurate matching between the experimental vibrational circular dichroism spectra of the species and the theoretical spectra generated by considering the simultaneous weighted contributions of the concomitant monomers and dimers.     

Phthalocyanines: old dyes, new materials. Putting color in nanotechnology

Phthalocyanines are versatile building blocks for fabricating materials at the nanometer scale. These colored macrocycles exhibit fascinating physical properties which arise from their delocalized pi-electronic structure. This article describes why these molecules are targets for different scientific purposes and technological applications.     

Tandem enyne metathesis-Diels-Alder reaction for construction of natural product frameworks

Enynes connected through aromatic rings are used as substrates for metathesis reactions. The reactivity of three ruthenium carbene complexes is compared. The resulting 1,3-dienes are suitable precursors of polycyclic structures via a Diels-Alder process. Some domino RCM-Diels-Alder reactions are performed, suggesting a possible beneficial effect of the ruthenium catalyst in the cycloaddition process. Other examples require Lewis acid cocatalyst. When applied to aromatic ynamines or enamines, a new synthesis of vinylindoles is achieved. Monitorization of several metathesis reactions with NMR shows the different behavior for ruthenium catalysts. New carbenic species are detected in some reactions with an important dependence on the solvent used.     

Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of 1-Aryl-substituted Tetrahydropyridone Derivatives

A series of 1-aryl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4(1H)-pyridones having substituents in 2,3- and 2,3,5-positions was prepared from N-aryl-β-alanines and ethyl acetoacetate or 2,4-pentanedione. Twelve tentative biologically active compounds were identified by the combination of ¹H, ¹³C and ¹H/¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The extensive interest has been focused on the influence of substituents as well as on the number, attachment position, and the nature of the substituents. The unknown shielding of the heterocyclic ring on the aromatic carbon atoms was determined and the averaged chemical shift increments were successfully used for the assignment of the aromatic moiety of the studied compounds. The presence of two chiral elements in compounds 16, 17, 20–21 resulted in the mixture of diastereomers and double sets of the resonances in NMR spectra. __________ Published in Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 874–881, June 2005.     

Condensation Products of 1-Aryl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4(1H)pyridones with Hydrazine, Phenylhydrazine, and Hydroxylamine

We have studied condensation of 1-(4-bromophenyl- and 2,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4(1H)pyridones with hydrazine, phenylhydrazine, and hydroxylamine, as a result of which we obtained nucleophilic substitution and intramolecular cyclization products: 5-(4-bromophenyl- and 2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-methyl-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3H-pyrazole[4,3-c]pyridin-3-ones, 5-(4-bromophenyl- and 2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-methyl-6,7-dihydroisoxazole[4,3-c]pyridin-3(5H)-ones. We used computer modeling of the molecules of the studied compounds to obtain additional information on the structural features of the reaction products.