The role of the PsbU subunit in the light sensitivity of PSII in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus 7942

In the present study we investigated the role of the PsbU subunit in the electron transport characteristics and light sensitivity of the Photosystem II complex. The experiments were performed by using an earlier characterized PsbU-less mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7942, which has enhanced antioxidant capacity (Balint et al. FEBS Lett. 580 (2006) 2117-2122). Flash induced Chl fluorescence measurements in the presence and absence of the electron transport inhibitor DCMU showed that both the S(2)Q(A)(-) and the S(2)Q(B)(-) recombination is slowed down in the PsbU mutant relative to the WT strain. Thermoluminescence measurements confirmed the increased stability of the S(2)Q(A)(-) and S(2)Q(B)(-) charge pairs by showing an increased peak temperature of Q and B bands, which were measured in the presence and absence of DCMU, respectively. In addition, the intensity of the TL bands is also increased in the PsbU mutant (≈1.7 times for the B band), as compared to the WT. The PsbU mutant shows enhanced loss of Photosystem II activity under exposure to high light intensity both in the absence and presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor lincomycin. It is concluded from the data that the lack of the PsbU subunit in Synechococcus PCC 7942 affects the energetic stability of the S(2)Q(A)(-) and S(2)Q(B)(-) charge pairs by modifying both the PSII donor and acceptor side components. This effect is most likely caused by structural changes in the vicinity of the Mn cluster and in the inner part of the PSII complex, which are induced by the lack of the PsbU subunit from the lumenal part of the complex. The light sensitivity of Photosystem II in Synechococcus 7942 in the absence of the PsbU subunit is likely due to reactive oxygen species, which are produced as a consequence of disturbed donor side structure and/or due to the modified energetic properties of the primary radical pair.     

Unusually large reactivity differences in the transformation of cyclopropane lactones to 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐phosphonic acids and their carboxylic acid analogues

Starting from a cyclopropane lactone 5 , the synthesis of a 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐phosphonic acid derivative 11 is described. The considerable differences in the reactivity of the lactone ring opening in the case of a cyclopropane lactone substituted by a phosphonic acid ester 5 and their carboxylic acid ester analogue 2 toward ammonia or amines have been compared and interpreted by using the map of electrostatic potentials. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:90–96, 2001     

Novel 2-phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene derivatives and their use in phosphinylations

The [4 + 2] cycloaddition of the double-bond isomers ( A and B ) of dihydrophosphinine oxide 1 afforded novel phosphabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene derivates ( 2–4 ), formation of which was justified by PM3 semiempirical calculations. The compounds of dimer type ( 2–4 ) were utilized in the UV light-mediated fragmentation-related phosphinylation of nucleophiles, especially in that of alcohols. To explore the role of structural modifications on the fragmentation ability, disulfide 5 , phosphabicyclooctane 7 obtained by the hydrogenation of 2 , and the adduct of dihydrophosphinine oxide 1 with benzoquinone ( 7 ) were also synthesized and tested in fragmentation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:97–106, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10221     

Liquid-liquid phase equilibria in polymer solutions and polymer mixtures

The pressure dependence of liquid-liquid equilibria in weakly interacting binary macromolecular systems (homopolymer solutions and blends) will be discussed. The common origin of the separate high-temperature/low-temperature and high-pressure/low-pressure branches of demixing curves will be demonstrated by extending the study into the region of metastable liquid states including the undercooled, overheated and stretched states (i.e. states at negative pressures). The seemingly different response of the UCST-branch of solutions and blends when pressurized (pressure induced mixing for most polymer solutions, pressure induced demixing for most blends) will be explained in terms of the location of a hypercritical point found either at positive (most solutions) or negative pressure (most blends). Further, it is shown that the pressure dependence of demixing of homopolymer solutions and blends may be described using a ‘master-curve’ which, however, is sometimes partly masked by degradation or by vapour-liquid and/or solid-liquid phase transitions. Experimental results demonstrating the extension of liquid-liquid phase boundary curves into the metastable regions will be presented, and the existence of solubility islands in the vicinity of the hypercritical points discussed.     

Late-Stage Formal Double C−H Oxidation of Prenylated Molecules to Alkylidene Oxetanes and Azetidines by Strain-Enabled Cross-Metathesis

Prenylation is a ubiquitous late-stage modification in nature that often confers significantly improved bioactivity for secondary metabolites. While this lipophilic modification renders enhanced potency, the lipophilic tag(s) can diminish bioavailability and adversely alter drug transportation and metabolism. Thus, a functional-group-tolerant, mild, and selective late-stage C−H functionalization of prenyl tags would present a great potential in drug discovery programs but could also impact other fields, such as agrochemistry and chemical biology. Herein we report an exocyclic-strain-driven cross-metathesis reaction of prenyl tags, a formal double C−H oxidation protocol, that can be used for the selective late-stage derivatization of prenylated compounds and natural products. This methodology avoids the need for prefunctionalization of target molecules and affords ready access to an unprecedented library of oxo- and aza-prenylated complex molecules. Thus, in a broader context, this methodology extends late-stage functionalization beyond that available to nature.