The CK2 alpha/CK2 beta interface of human protein kinase CK2 harbors a binding pocket for small molecules

The Ser/Thr kinase CK2 (previously called casein kinase 2) is composed of two catalytic chains (CK2 alpha) attached to a dimer of noncatalytic subunits (CK2 beta). CK2 is involved in suppression of apoptosis, cell survival, and tumorigenesis. To investigate these activities and possibly affect them, selective CK2 inhibitors are required. An often-used CK2 inhibitor is 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB). In a complex structure with human CK2 alpha, DRB binds to the canonical ATP cleft, but additionally it occupies an allosteric site that can be alternatively filled by glycerol. Inhibition kinetic studies corroborate the dual binding mode of the inhibitor. Structural comparisons reveal a surprising conformational plasticity of human CK2 alpha around both DRB binding sites. After local rearrangement, the allosteric site serves as a CK2 beta interface. This opens the potential to construct molecules interfering with the CK2 alpha/CK2 beta interaction.     

Reaction of N-acylthioureas with electrophilic reagents : Synthesis of 1,3,5-oxadiazinium salts, 1,3,5-thiadiazinium salts, 1,2,4-dithiazolium salts and benzothiazoles

N-Acylthioureas 1 can be easily transformed into 2,4-diamino-6-aryl-1,3,5-oxadiazinium salts 12, 2,4-diamino-6-aryl-1,3,5-thiadiazinium salts 13,3-amino-5-aryl-1,2,4-dithiazolium salts 19 and 2-acylimino-benzothiazolines 22, respectively by reaction with different electrophiles. The structure of the compounds prepared is confirmed by analytical data as well as by chemical transformations.     

Interactions of multicationic bis(guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole) receptors with double-stranded nucleic acids: syntheses, binding studies, and atomic force microscopy imaging

Compounds 1-3, composed of two guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole moieties linked by oligoamide bridges and differing in number and type of basic groups, were prepared. The sites and degree of protonation of 1-3 depend strongly on the pH value. The interactions of these compounds with several double-stranded (ds) DNA and dsRNA were investigated by means of UV/Vis and CD spectroscopy as well as isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC). These studies revealed that the binding of 1-3 to the polynucleotides is driven by three factors, the presence of aliphatic amino groups, the protonation state of the compounds, and the steric properties of the polynucleotide binding site, that is, the shape and structure of their grooves. The results obtained by all applied methods consistently indicated that receptors 1-3 bind to the minor groove of DNA, but, by contrast, to the major groove of RNA. Additionally, it was shown by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging that upon interaction of compound 2 with calf thymus (ct) DNA induced aggregation of the DNA occurs, leading to pronounced changes in its secondary structure.     

Characterization and quantification of Sm(III)/ and Cm(III)/clay mineral outer-sphere species by TRLFS in D2O and EXAFS studies

In order to assess the long-term safety of deep radioactive waste repositories, a precise characterization of the different sorption processes on a molecular basis and the exact definition of geochemical boundary conditions for their relevance are of immense importance. Through sorption on various minerals the migration of radionuclides will be hindered and their retention will be ensured. Using time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, it was possible to identify outer-sphere sorbed trivalent lanthanides and actinides onto different montmorillonites and illite. Furthermore, the quantification of Cm(III)/clay outer-sphere sorption in D(2)O at different ionic strengths was shown. The results were confirmed by ion exchange model calculations. Finally, the structural parameters of a Sm(III)/clay outer-sphere complex were obtained by EXAFS measurements.     

Transient innermolecular carbene-hemicarcerand complex of fluorophenylcarbene

Laser flash photolysis of fluorophenyldiazirine incarcerated in hemicarcerand 2 affords incarcerated fluorophenylcarbene [2⊙3], which forms a metastable, innermolecular π-complex with aryl moieties of 2. This carbene complex can be observed spectroscopically. Extensive computational studies provide insights into the structure, spectroscopy, energetics, and kinetics of the 2⊙3 carbene complex.     

Synthesis of bifunctional Au/Pt/Au Core/shell nanoraspberries for in situ SERS monitoring of platinum-catalyzed reactions

The synthesis of bifunctional Au/Pt/Au nanoraspberries for use in quantitative in situ monitoring of platinum-catalyzed reactions by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is presented. Highly convolved SERS spectra of reaction mixtures can be decomposed into the contributions of distinct molecular species by multivariate data analysis.     

Absolutberechnung der Normalfrequenzen des Hydrogendifluoridions

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe eines einfachen quantenmechanischen Näherungsansatzes wird versucht, Bindungsabstände und Normalfrequenzen des Hydrogendifluoridions sowie des entsprechenden deuterierten Ions zu berechnen. Hierbei wird die Elektronenwechselwirkung der beiden Fluoridionen untereinander durch einen der Statistik entlehnten Ausdruck berücksichtigt. Die Methode liefert für die Abstände gute, für die Normalfrequenzen durchaus befriedigende Ergebnisse.

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On the basis of a quantum mechanical treatment the bond distances and the normal frequences of the hydrogen difluoride ion and its deuterated analogue are calculated. The electronic interaction of the two fluoride ions is approximated by a statistical calculation. The results are in fairly good agreement with the experimental values.

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Résumé Sur la base d'un traitement quantique simple, le calcul des distances de liaison et des fréquences normales est tenté pour l'ion de bifluorure d'hydrogène et son analogue deutéré. L'intéraction électronique des deux ions fluorures est approximée au moyen d'un calcul statistique. Les résultats sont en très bon accord avec les valeurs expérimentales.

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Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danken wir für die Gewährung eines Stipendiums an Karl Hensen.     

Laboratory Flow Experiments for Visualizing Carbon Dioxide-Induced,Density-Driven Brine Convection

Injection of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into saline aquifers confined by low- permeability cap rock will result in a layer of CO₂ overlying the brine. Dissolution of CO₂ into the brine increases the brine density, resulting in an unstable situation in which more-dense brine overlies less-dense brine. This gravitational instability could give rise to density-driven convection of the fluid, which is a favorable process of practical interest for CO₂ storage security because it accelerates the transfer of buoyant CO₂ into the aqueous phase, where it is no longer subject to an upward buoyant drive. Laboratory flow visualization tests in transparent Hele-Shaw cells have been performed to elucidate the processes and rates of this CO₂ solute-driven convection (CSC). Upon introduction of CO₂ into the system, a layer of CO₂-laden brine forms at the CO₂-water interface. Subsequently, small convective fingers form, which coalesce, broaden, and penetrate into the test cell. Images and time-series data of finger lengths and wavelengths are presented. Observed CO₂ uptake of the convection system indicates that the CO₂ dissolution rate is approximately constant for each test and is far greater than expected for a diffusion-only scenario. Numerical simulations of our system show good agreement with the experiments for onset time of convection and advancement of convective fingers. There are differences as well, the most prominent being the absence of cell-scale convection in the numerical simulations. This cell-scale convection observed in the experiments may be an artifact of a small temperature gradient induced by the cell illumination.     

Tetrahalidometallate(II) Ionic Liquids with More than One Metal: The Effect of Bromide versus Chloride

Fifteen N-butylpyridinium salts – five monometallic [C₄Py]₂[MBr₄] and ten bimetallic [C₄Py]₂[M_0.5^aM_0.5^bBr₄] (M=Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn) – were synthesized, and their structures and thermal and electrochemical properties were studied. All the compounds are ionic liquids (ILs) with melting points between 64 and 101 °C. Powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction show that all ILs are isostructural. The electrochemical stability windows of the ILs are between 2 and 3 V. The conductivities at room temperature are between 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹. At elevated temperatures, the conductivities reach up to 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 70 °C. The structures and properties of the current bromide-based ILs were also compared with those of previous examples using chloride ligands, which illustrated differences and similarities between the two groups of ILs.     

The composition analysis of YBa2Cu3O7-δ or PrBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films and (YBa2Cu3O7-δ/PrBa2Cu3O7-δ)n heterostructures prepared by CVD

Some YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ films and heterostructures prepared by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) were analyzed in our laboratories by EPMA-EDX or WDX, RBS, SNMS and AES. It was found that in some cases the results of composition analysis can significantly deviate from each other. At least two main reasons for these deviations exist: the different lateral resolution and the application of different reference samples for the calibration. Received: 3 June 1996 / Revised: 14 October 1996 / Accepted: 16 October 1996