Characterisation of botulinum toxins type C, D, E, and F by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation and electrospray mass spectrometry

In a follow-up of the earlier characterisation of botulinum toxins type A and B (BTxA and BTxB) by mass spectrometry (MS), types C, D, E, and F (BTxC, BTxD, BTxE, BTxF) were now investigated. Botulinum toxins are extremely neurotoxic bacterial toxins, likely to be used as biological warfare agent. Biologically active BTxC, BTxD, BTxE, and BTxF are comprised of a protein complex of the respective neurotoxins with non-toxic non-haemagglutinin (NTNH) and, sometimes, specific haemagglutinins (HA). These protein complexes were observed in mass spectrometric identification. The BTxC complex, from Clostridium botulinum strain 003-9, consisted of a 'type C1 and D mosaic' toxin similar to that of type C strain 6813, a non-toxic non-hemagglutinating and a 33 kDa hemagglutinating (HA-33) component similar to those of strain C-Stockholm, and an exoenzyme C3 of which the sequence was in full agreement with the known genetic sequence of strain 003-9. The BTxD complex, from C. botulinum strain CB-16, consisted of a neurotoxin with the observed sequence identical with that of type D strain BVD/-3 and of an NTNH with the observed sequence identical with that of type C strain C-Yoichi. Remarkably, the observed protein sequence of CB-16 NTNH differed by one amino acid from the known gene sequence: L859 instead of F859. The BTxE complex, from a C. botulinum isolated from herring sprats, consisted of the neurotoxin with an observed sequence identical with that from strain NCTC 11219 and an NTNH similar to that from type E strain Mashike (1 amino acid difference with observed sequence). BTxF, from C. botulinum strain Langeland (NCTC 10281), consisted of the neurotoxin and an NTNH; observed sequences from both proteins were in agreement with the gene sequence known from strain Langeland. As with BTxA and BTxB, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) MS provided provisional identification from trypsin digest peptide maps and liquid chromatography-electrospray (tandem) mass spectrometry (LC-ES MS) afforded unequivocal identification from amino acid sequence information of digest peptides obtained in trypsin digestion.     

Retention of 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl derivatives of linear alcohol polyethoxylates in reversed-phase liquid chromatographic system with acetonitrile-water mobile phase

The influence of mobile phase composition (acetonitrile-water ratio) on the separation of derivatised linear alkyl polyethoxylates (LAEs) is evaluated using thermodynamic quantities (Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy). In comparison to homologue series of alcohols oligomers of LAEs show irregular chromatographic behaviour that is demonstrated in irregular changes of thermodynamic quantities. It might be explained considering an influence of some of the following processes or their combinations on the retention of LAEs. These processes are solvation of oxyethylene chains in mobile phase, their interaction with silanols on silica surface of stationary phase and possibly their conformation changes. The composition of a mobile phase affects the mentioned processes and that is why the retention of LAEs is strongly (for the reversed-phase system unusually) sensitive to this composition in the studied range (volume fraction of acetonitrile phi = 0.90, 0.96 and 0.98). The experimental data also support the idea of the active role of stationary phase in the reversed-phase system.     

High thermodynamic stability and extraordinary kinetic inertness of copper(II) complexes with 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-bis(methylphosphonic acid): example of a rare isomerism between kinetically inert penta- and hexacoordinated copper(II) complexes

In an aqueous solution at room temperature, 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-bis(methylphosphonic acid) (H(4)L(1)) and Cu(I) (I) form a pentacoordinated (pc) complex, pc-[Cu(L(1))](2-), exhibiting conformation I of the cyclam ring. At high temperature, the complex isomerises to a hexacoordinated isomer, trans-O,O-[Cu(L(1))](2-), with a trans-III conformation of the cyclam ring. In pc-[Cu(L(1))](2-), four ring nitrogen atoms and one phosphonate oxygen atom are arranged around Cu(I) (I) in a structure that is half-way between a trigonal bipyramid and a tetragonal pyramid, with one phosphonic acid group uncoordinated. In the trans-O,O-[Cu(L(1))](2-) isomer, the nitrogen atoms form a plane and the phosphonic acid groups are in a mutually trans configuration. A structurally very similar ligand, 4-methyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-bis(methylphosphonic acid) (H(4)L(2)), forms an analogous pentacoordinated complex, pc-[Cu(L(2))](2-), at room temperature. However, the complex does not isomerise to the octahedral complex analogous to trans-O,O-[Cu(L(1))](2-). Because of the high thermodynamic stability of pc-[Cu(L(1))](2-), (logbeta=25.40(4), 25 degrees C, I=0.1 mol dm(-3) KNO(3)) and the formation of protonated species, Cu(I) (I) is fully complexed in acidic solution (-log [H(+)] approximately 3). Acid-assisted decomplexation of both of the isomers of [Cu(H(2)L(1))] takes place only after protonation of both uncoordinated oxygen atoms of each phosphonate moiety and at least one nitrogen atom of the cycle. The exceptional kinetic inertness of both isomers is illustrated by their half-lives tau(1/2)=19.7 min for pc-[Cu(H(2)L(1))] and tau(1/2) about seven months for trans-O,O-[Cu(H(2)L(1))] for decomplexation in 5 M HClO(4) at 25 degrees C. The mechanism of formation of pc-[Cu(L(1))](2-) is similar to those observed for other macrocyclic complexes.     

Estimation of individual ultraviolet spectra in incomplete two-component separations by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method is described for the estimation of spectral features in a two-component chromatographic peak by means of a u.v. diode-array detector. The calculation relies on the assumption that the front of a fused chromatographic peak contains a single pure component. The spectrum of this component is used in calculating the concentration profile of the other component, thus allowing the determination of a solution band for the spectrum of the second component. The boundaries of the solution band are based on non-negativity restrictions of chromatographic and spectral features. The method does not require the use of principal components analysis.     

Relativistic bond lengthening of UO 2 2+ and UO2

Summary Relativistic calculations on UO₂ [1] have shown that relativity leads to substantial bondlengthening in this compound, in contrast to the bond contraction found almost exclusively for other compounds. The bond lengthening isnot caused by the relativistic expansion of the 5f valence AO of U, which is the primary bond forming orbital on U in UO₂. The origin of the bond lengthening can be traced back to the semi-core resp. subvalence character of the U 6p AO. The valence character of 6p shows up in an increasing depopulation of the 6p upon bond shortening, and hence loss of mass-velocity stabilization. The core character of 6p shows up in large off-diagonal mass-velocity matrix elements 5p|h _MV|6p which are shown to have an overall bond lengthening effect. The larger expansion in UO₂ than in UO ₂ ²⁺ is due to destabilization of U levels in UO₂, caused by repulsion of the two additional 5f electrons.The present analysis corroborates the picture of relativistic bond length effects of Ref. [2].     

Theory of electronic transport in two-dimensional systems in the presence of magnetic fields

Three parts of the paper [Czech. J. Phys.41 (1991) 620,7 are focused on the Landauer-Büttiker approach to the study of transport in two-dimensional electron systems, with particular attention to the influence of an external magnetic field. In the previous parts the Landauer formalism was generalized for two-dimensional systems in quantizing magnetic fields. In the present part we applied the formalism to an analysis of magnetoresistance measurements. The two-dimensional electron gas preserved in the non-dissipative quantum Hall regime acts as the ideal leads necessary in the Landauer-Büttiker approach. The voltage, applied to the gate, forms a scattering region in the gated part of the sample, in between of its undisturbed parts (ideal leads). The dependence of the resistance on the gate voltage and the number of available channels within the ideal leads are discussed.The author wishes to thank to Professor P. Steda for cooperation and to Professor L. Smrka for his encouragement and support. Dr. R. J. Haug should be acknowledged for providing his experimental results.     

Theory of electronic transport in two-dimensional systems in the presence of magnetic fields

The paper of three parts is focused on the Landauer-Büttiker approach to the study of transport in two-dimensional electron systems, with particular attention to the influence of an external magnetic field. In the previous part the total conductance of such a system was shown to be proportional to the transmission current. In the present part we give a detailed proof, based on the linear response theory, to the last statement. The value of the magnetic field may be arbitrary and possible inhomogeneity of the electric field is also considered.The author wishes to thank to Professor P. Steda and Professor L. Smrka for discussions and encouragement.     

Longitudinal acceptance computation for A 50 MeV race track microtron

The algorithm for analysing of longitudinal motion and for calculating phase trajectory in race track microtron (RTM) with small injection energy and small energy gain per turn is described. A longitudinal acceptance is calculated.We are indebted to E. A. Perelshtein and N. Ju. Kazarinov and A. Ju. Molodozhencev for stimulating advices. We thank M. Slodika for work with program coding.