Ionization energy reductions in small 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid-proline clusters

The photoionization of (pro)(n)DHB (pro = proline, DHB = 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, n = 0, 1, 2 or 4) clusters was studied both experimentally and computationally. Experimentally the (pro)(n)DHB clusters are generated in the gas phase by laser desorption and supersonic jet entrainment. The photoionization thresholds are then determined by the mass-selective measurement of both one- and two-color photoionization efficiency curves. These experiments demonstrate that the ionization energies (IEs) of the (pro)(n)DHB clusters are substantially reduced in comparison with the IE of free DHB. Computational studies of the (pro)(n)DHB clusters provide insights into the mechanism of IE reduction. For the (pro)DHB system the IE reduction results from spin delocalization in the ion state of the cluster. In contrast, for the (pro)(2)DHB and (pro)(4)DHB clusters the IE reduction results from an inductive delocalization of electron density from pro to DHB in the ground state of the cluster. This latter effect, which is a result of the specific hydrogen-bonding interactions occurring in the mixed clusters, leads to IE reductions of >1 eV. Finally, determination of the energetics of the (pro)(2)DHB radical cation demonstrate that the DHB-to-proline proton transfer reaction is a barrierless, exoergic process in the ion state and that energetic demands for cluster dissociation to protonated (pro)(2) plus a deprotonated DHB radical are substantially lower than those for cluster dissociation to (pro)(2) plus DHB(+*). Cumulatively, these studies provide new energetic and mechanistic insights into both primary and secondary MALDI ionization processes.     

Polymerization behavior of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl methacrylate: A monomer carrying a hindered amine group

Copolymers of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl methacrylate (TPMA) with styrene (S) and with methyl methacrylate (MMA) were synthesized using AIBN as initiator. S–TPMA copolymers from feed ranging from 0.10–0.80 mole fractions TPMA and MMA-TPMA copolymers from feed of 0.04–0.85 mole fractions TPMA were used in the determination of monomer reactivity ratios r₁, r₂. Four different methods were employed in the calculations of r₁ and r₂ and all calculated results were in good agreement with each other. The structure of S–TPMA copolymers was inferred to be of an alternating nature while that of MMA–TPMA copolymers was random. Both copolymers are potential hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) and are expected to be less extractable from, and more compatible with, polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) base polymers.     

Determination of interferon-gamma in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture supernatant by coupled-column liquid chromatography

A robust tandem HPLC method coupling size-exclusion (Shodex Asahipak GS-320HQ) and reversed phase (Vydac 218TP54) columns with ultraviolet detection was developed for quantitative determination of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture supernatant. The 2D-HPLC system was linked up by a 6-port 2-position low hold-up volume switch valve. Compared to a commercial ELISA kit for IFN-gamma, the coupled column LC approach was able to detect and quantify soluble IFN-gamma, regardless of the glycoprotein's molecular/conformational variability and sample background. Each LC-LC analysis took 90 minutes inclusive of column regeneration. The relative standard deviation of measurements (n = 5) was less than 3%. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 0.35 microg IFN-gamma.     

Gap-Free Set Partitions

A set partition is called “gap-free” if its block sizes form an interval. In other words, there is at least one block of each size between the smallest and largest block sizes. Let B(n) and G(n), respectively, denote the number of partitions and the number of gap-free partitions of the set [n]. We prove that      

Biogenetically inspired approach to the Strychnos alkaloids. Concise syntheses of (+/-)-akuammicine and (+/-)-strychnine

A linear synthesis of the indole alkaloid (+/-)-akuammicine (2) was completed by a novel sequence of reactions requiring only 10 steps from commercially available starting materials. The approach features a tandem vinylogous Mannich addition and an intramolecular hetero Diels-Alder reaction to rapidly assemble the pentacyclic heteroyohimboid derivative 8 from the readily available hydrocarboline 6. Oxidation of the E ring of 8 gave the lactone 9 that was converted into deformylgeissoschizine (11). The subsequent elaboration of 11 into 2 was effected by a biomimetically patterned transformation that involved sequential oxidation and base-induced skeletal reorganization. A variation of these tactics was then applied to the synthesis of the C(18) hydroxylated akuammicine derivative 36. Because 36 had previously been converted into strychnine (1) in four steps, its preparation constitutes a concise, formal synthesis of this complex alkaloid.     

First observation of the P-wave spin-singlet bottomonium states hb(1P) and hb(2P)

We report the first observations of the spin-singlet bottomonium states h(b)(1P) and h(b)(2P). The states are produced in the reaction e(+)e(-)→h(b)(nP)π(+)π(-) using a 121.4 fb(-1) data sample collected at energies near the Υ(5S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. We determine M[h(b)(1P)]=(9898.2(-1.0-1.1)(+1.1+1.0)) MeV/c(2) and M[h(b)(2P)]=(10,259.8±0.6(-1.0)(+1.4)) MeV/c(2), which correspond to P-wave hyperfine splittings ΔM(HF)=(+1.7±1.5) and (+0.5(-1.2)(+1.6)) MeV/c(2), respectively. The significances of the h(b)(1P) and h(b)(2P) are 5.5σ and 11.2σ, respectively. We find that the production of the h(b)(1P) and h(b)(2P) is not suppressed relative to the production of the Υ(1S), Υ(2S), and Υ(3S).     

Constant pH Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Nucleic Acids in Explicit Solvent

The nucleosides of adenine and cytosine have pKa values of 3.50 and 4.08, respectively, and are assumed to be unprotonated under physiological conditions. However, evidence from recent NMR and X-Ray crystallography studies has revealed the prevalence of protonated adenine and cytosine in RNA macromolecules. Such nucleotides with elevated pKa values may play a role in stabilizing RNA structure and participate in the mechanism of ribozyme catalysis. With the work presented here, we establish the framework and demonstrate the first constant pH MD simulations (CPHMD) for nucleic acids in explicit solvent in which the protonation state is coupled to the dynamical evolution of the RNA system via λ-dynamics. We adopt the new functional form λ(Nexp) for λ that was recently developed for Multi-Site λ-Dynamics (MSλD) and demonstrate good sampling characteristics in which rapid and frequent transitions between the protonated and unprotonated states at pH = pKa are achieved. Our calculated pKa values of simple nucleotides are in a good agreement with experimentally measured values, with a mean absolute error of 0.24 pKa units. This work demonstrates that CPHMD can be used as a powerful tool to investigate pH-dependent biological properties of RNA macromolecules.     

Effect of electron donor-acceptor interaction on the thermal stability of supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers based on poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane)

Supramolecular side chain liquid crystalline polymers were prepared from poly(3-carboxypropylmethylsiloxane) (PSI100) and azobenzene-based derivatives through intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid groups of PSI100 and the imidazole rings in the azobenzene-based derivatives. The presence of H-bonding was confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy. The polymeric complexes behave as liquid crystalline polymers and exhibit nematic mesophases identified on the basis of the observation of Schlieren textures. The mesogenic behaviour of these complexes was studied by polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The thermal behaviour of the complexes was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. On increasing the spacer length, the transition temperatures initially increase. A further increase in spacer length, however, leads to a decrease in the transition temperatures. The electron donor-acceptor interaction between unlike mesogenic units in supramolecular copolymeric complexes helps to stabilize the mesophase.     

A Small‐Molecule FRET Reporter for the Real‐Time Visualization of Cell‐Surface Proteolytic Enzyme Functions

Real‐time imaging of cell‐surface‐associated proteolytic enzymes is critical to better understand their performances in both physiological and pathological processes. However, most current approaches are limited by their complexity and poor membrane‐anchoring properties. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a unique small‐molecule fluorescent probe, which combines the principles of passive exogenous membrane insertion and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to image cell‐surface‐localized furin‐like convertase activities. The membrane‐associated furin‐like enzymatic cleavage of the peptide probe leads to an increased fluorescence intensity which was mainly localized on the plasma membrane of the furin‐expressed cells. This small‐molecule fluorescent probe may serve as a unique and reliable reporter for real‐time visualization of endogenous cell‐surfaceassociated proteolytic furin‐like enzyme functions in live cells and tissues using one‐photon and two‐photon microscopy.