Recent liquid chromatographic-(tandem) mass spectrometric applications in proteomics

Conventional proteomics makes use of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometric analysis of tryptic fragments derived from in-gel digestion of proteins. Although being a very strong technique capable of separating and visualizing hundreds of proteins, 2D-gel electrophoresis has some well-documented disadvantages as well. More recently, liquid chromatographic-(tandem) mass spectrometric techniques have been developed to overcome some of the shortcomings of 2D-gel electrophoresis. In this review we have described several recent applications of liquid chromatography-(tandem) mass spectrometry in the field of proteomics and especially in the field of membrane proteomics, quantitative proteomics and in the analysis of post-translational modifications.     

Darstellung und Strukturen einiger N-(Tri-t-butoxysilyl)anilin-Derivate

Formation and Structures of N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)aniline Compounds Para-substituted N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)anilines (t-BuO)₃SiNRC₄H₄X-p, R = H, CH₃, with substituents of high electron affinity (X = CN, NO₂) were prepared by a one-pot reaction of tri-t-butoxychlorsilane, potassium t-butanolate and substituted anilines. Corresponding compounds with substituents of low electron affinity (X = OMe, H) preferably were prepared by metalation of anilines with sodium amide. Four crystal structures were determined. N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)-p-nitro-aniline, N-methyl-(N-tri-t-butoxysilyl)-p-nitroaniline and N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)-p-cyanoaniline crystallize at 298 K monoclinically, N-(tri-t-butoxysilyl)aniline crystallizes orthorhombically.     

Photometrische Bestimmung von Titan in molybd?nhaltigen St?hlen mit Tetrahydroxyphenazin

Zusammenfassung Tetrahydroxyphenazin (THP) bildet mit Titan im sauren Medium Komplexe mit sehr hohen Werten des Extinktionskoeffizienten. Es wird ein Bestimmungsverfahren für Titan in molybdänhaltigen Stählen beschrieben, bei dem die störenden Elemente mit einem Gemisch aus Tri-n-butylphosphat und Chloroform extrahiert werden. Das in der wäßrigen Phase verbleibende Titan wird mit THP photometrisch bestimmt. Die hochempfindliche Methode erlaubt Titanbestimmungen im Nanomol-Bereich. Bei Stahlproben mit 0,2–0,7% Ti (in Gegenwart von 0–2% Mo) ergab sich ein Variationskoeffizient von 0,4 bis 2,4%.

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Photometric determination of titanium in molybdenum steels with tetrahydroxyphenazine

Complexes with very high molar extinction coefficients are produced in the reaction of tetrahydroxyphenazine (THP) with titanium in acid solution. In the method described titanium is determined photometrically by complexing with THP in the aqueous phase after extracting the interfering elements with a mixture of tri-n-butyl-phosphate and chloroform. This highly sensitive method is applicable for determination of titanium in the nanomolar region. With steel samples containing 0.2–0.7% of Ti (in presence of 0–2% of Mo) variation coefficients of 0.4 to 2.4% have been obtained.

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Für die Durchführung dieser Arbeit wurden dankenswerterweise Forschungsmittel aus dem ERP-Sondervermögen bereitgestellt.Dem Verbande der Chemischen Industrie und der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft, die diese Arbeit unterstützt haben, danken wir bestens.     

Raman imaging of PLGA microsphere degradation inside macrophages

Understanding the degradation behavior of polymeric microspheres is crucial for the successful application of such devices in controlled drug delivery. The degradation mechanism of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres inside phagocytic cells is not known, but different models for degradation in aqueous solution have been proposed. We have used confocal Raman spectroscopy and imaging to study the intracellular degradation of PLGA microspheres inside individual macrophages. Our results show that ingested microspheres degrade in a heterogeneous manner, with a more rapid degradation in the center. Comparison of Raman spectra from degrading beads with those of uningested beads reveals that ester hydrolysis occurs throughout the phagocytosed microspheres, with a selective loss of glycolic acid units. Furthermore, we show that PLGA degradation is a cell-mediated process, possibly caused by the low pH of the phagosome and/or the presence of hydrolytic enzymes. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the chemical composition of degrading polymers inside cells can be probed by Raman spectral imaging. This technique will expand the capabilities of investigating biomaterial degradation in vivo.     

Dihydrogen Adduct (Co–H2) Complexes Displaying H-Atom and Hydride Transfer

The prototypical reactivity profiles of transition metal dihydrogen complexes (M-H₂) are well-characterized with respect to oxidative addition (to afford dihydrides, M(H)₂) and as acids, heterolytically delivering H⁺ to a base and H⁻ to the metal. In the course of this study we explored plausible alternative pathways for H₂ activation, namely direct activation through H-atom or hydride transfer from the σ-H₂ adducts. To this end, we describe herein the reactivity of an isostructural pair of a neutral S= and an anionic S=0 Co-H₂ adduct, both supported by a trisphosphine borane ligand (P₃^B). The thermally stable metalloradical, (P₃^B)Co(H₂), serves as a competent precursor for hydrogen atom transfer to ^tBu₃ArO^⋅. What is more, its anionic derivative, the dihydrogen complex [(P₃^B)Co(H₂)]¹⁻, is a competent precursor for hydride transfer to BEt₃, establishing its remarkable hydricity. The latter finding is essentially without precedent among the vast number of M-H₂ complexes known.     

NMR spectroscopy techniques for screening and identifying ligand binding to protein receptors

Binding events of ligands to receptors are the key for an understanding of biological processes. Gaining insight into protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions in solution has recently become possible on an atomic level by new NMR spectroscopic techniques. These experiments identify binding events either by looking at the resonance signals of the ligand or the protein. Ideally, both techniques together deliver a complete picture of ligand binding to a receptor. The approaches discussed in this review allow screening of compound libraries as well as a detailed identification of the groups involved in the binding events. Also, characterization of the binding strength and kinetics is possible, competitive binding as well as allosteric effects can be identified, and it has even been possible to identify ligand binding to intact viruses and membrane-bound proteins.     

Short and stereoselective synthesis of C-glycosylated glycine derivatives from glycals by radical addition and reduction

Only three steps are required for the convenient synthesis of 2-C-branched glyco-amino acids from glycals with good yields and stereoselectivities.