Chemical-Synthesis-Based Approach to Glycoprotein Functions in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

The introduction of Asn-linked glycans to nascent polypeptides occurs in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells. After the removal of specific sugar residues, glycoproteins acquire signals in the glycoprotein quality control (GPQC) system and enter the folding cycle composed of lectin-chaperones calnexin (CNX) and calreticulin (CRT), glucosidase II (G-II), and UDP-Glc:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGGT). G-II initiates glycoproteins’ entry and exit from the cycle, and UGGT serves as the “folding sensor”. This account summarizes our effort to analyze the properties of enzymes and lectins that play important roles in GPQC, especially those involved in the CNX/CRT cycle. To commence our study, general methods for the synthesis of high-mannose-type glycans and glycoproteins were established. Based on these, various substrates to analyze components of the GPQC were created, and properties of CRT, G-II, and UGGT have been clarified.     

Factors that regulate the conformation of m-benziporphodimethene complexes: agostic metal-arene interaction, hydrogen bonding, and η2,π coordination

Group 12 and silver(I) tetramethyl‐m‐benziporphodimethene (TMBPDM) complexes with phenyl, methylbenzoate, or nitrophenyl groups as meso substituents were synthesized and fully characterized. The dimeric silver(I) complex displays an unusual η²,π coordination from the β‐pyrrolic C?C bond to the silver ion. All of the complexes displayed a close contact between the metal ion and the inner C(22)? H(22) on the m‐phenylene ring. The downfield chemical shifts of H(22) and large coupling constants between Cd^II and H(22) strongly support the presence of an agostic interaction between the metal ion and inner C(22)–H(22). Crystal structures revealed that the syn form is the predominant conformation for TMBPDM complexes. This is distinctively different from the exclusive anti conformation observed in m‐benziporphyrin and tetraphenyl‐m‐benziporphodimethene (TPBPDM) complexes. Evidently, intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between axial chloride and methyl groups stabilize syn conformations. Unlike the merely syn conformation observed in the solid‐state structures of TMBPDM complexes that contain an axial chloride, in solution these complexes display highly solvent‐ and temperature‐dependent syn/anti ratio changes. The observation of dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopic scrambling between syn and anti conformations from the titration of chloride ion into the solution of the TMBPDM complex suggests that axial ligand exchange is a likely pathway for the conversion between syn and anti forms. Theoretical calculations revealed that intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the axial chloride and CHCl₃ stabilizes the anti conformation, which explains the increased ratio for the anti form when dichloromethane or chloroform was used as the solvent.     

Confinement of photopolymerization and solidification with radiation pressure

Controlling chemical reactions within a small space is a significant issue in chemistry, and methods to induce reactions within a desired position have various potential applications. Here we demonstrate localized, efficient photopolymerization by radiation pressure. We induced a one-photon UV polymerization of liquid acrylate solutions in the optical-trapping potential of a focused near-IR (NIR) laser beam, leading to the confinement of solidification to a minute space with dimensions smaller or equal to one-fifth of the wavelength of the NIR laser. Our approach can produce solidification volumes smaller than those achievable with conventional one-photon polymerization, thus enabling the production of tiny polymeric structures that are smaller than the diffraction limit of the trapping light. This is the first demonstration of a radiation pressure effect on a photochemical reaction.     

Matrix effect and correction by standard addition in quantitative liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins

An evaluation of the feasibility of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with atmospheric pressure ionization was made for quantitation of four diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins, okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1, pectenotoxin-6 and yessotoxin in scallops. When LC-MS was applied to the analysis of scallop extracts, large signal suppressions were observed due to coeluting substances from the column. To compensate for these matrix signal suppressions, the standard addition method was applied. First, the sample was analyzed and then the sample involving the addition of calibration standards is analyzed. Although this method requires two LC-MS runs per analysis, effective correction of quantitative errors was found.     

Radiation-Induced Polymerization of Tetrafluoroethylene

Polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene was carried out in bulk at low temperatures by initiation with γ-rays from a ⁶⁰ Co source. It was found that a remarkable postpolymerization takes place even in the liquid phase. Kinetical analysis has been made of the in-source and postpolymerizations. An activation energy of 2.7 kcal/mole was obtained for the in-source polymerization and 10.3 kcal/mole for the postpolymerization. The long lifetime of polymer radicals in the liquid phase at -78°C seems to be due to the slow recombination rate of the polymer radicals, based on the rodlike shape of the polymer radicals.     

Mannose‐Binding Geometry of Pradimicin A

Pradimicins (PRMs) and benanomicins are the only family of non‐peptidic natural products with lectin‐like properties, that is, they recognize D ‐mannopyranoside (Man) in the presence of Ca²⁺ ions. Coupled with their unique Man binding ability, they exhibit antifungal and anti‐HIV activities through binding to Man‐containing glycans of pathogens. Notwithstanding the great potential of PRMs as the lectin mimics and therapeutic leads, their molecular basis of Man recognition has yet to be established. Their aggregate‐forming propensity has impeded conventional interaction analysis in solution, and the analytical difficulty is exacerbated by the existence of two Man binding sites in PRMs. In this work, we investigated the geometry of the primary Man binding of PRM‐A, an original member of PRMs, by the recently developed analytical strategy using the solid aggregate composed of the 1:1 complex of PRM‐A and Man. Evaluation of intermolecular distances by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy revealed that the C2–C4 region of Man is in close contact with the primary binding site of PRM‐A, while the C1 and C6 positions of Man are relatively distant. The binding geometry was further validated by co‐precipitation experiments using deoxy‐Man derivatives, leading to the proposal that PRM‐A binds not only to terminal Man residues at the non‐reducing end of glycans, but also to internal 6‐substituted Man residues. The present study provides new insights into the molecular basis of Man recognition and glycan specificity of PRM‐A.     

(Tetragermacyclobutadiene)ruthenium tricarbonyl [η4-(But 2MeSi)4Ge4]Ru(CO)3

Tetrakis(di-tert-butylmethylsilyl)tetragermacyclobutadiene]ruthenium tricarbonyl [η⁴-(Bu^t ₂MeSi)₄Ge₄]Ru(CO)₃ is synthesized. This analogue of well-known cyclobutadiene transition metal complexes bears a tetragermacyclobutadiene derivative as ligand. The structure and spectroscopic parameters of the complex are compared with those of its iron-containing analogue [η⁴-(Bu^t ₂MeSi)₄Ge₄]Fe(CO)₃. Based on experimental data and results of quantum chemical calculations, it is shown that the π-donating ability of ligands increases upon replacement of carbon atoms in the cyclobutadiene moiety by silicon or germanium atoms, tetrasilacyclobutadiene and tetragermacyclobutadiene being comparable in π-donating activity.     

Enantioselective Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction catalyzed by a chiral phosphine oxide

An application of a hypervalent silicon complex, generated from a chiral phosphine oxide catalyst and silicon tetrachloride, to the enantioselective organocatalytic Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction is described. A chloride anion liberated from the hypervalent silicon complex smoothly generated a γ-chloro silyl enol ether that subsequently reacted with an aldehyde to afford the Baylis–Hillman adducts in good yields and with good enantioselectivities.     

Direct Conjugate Addition of Alkynes with α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by NCN‐Pincer Ru Complexes

NCN‐pincer Ru‐complexes containing bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl ligands serve as suitable catalysts in the direct conjugate additions of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds, including ketones, esters, and amides, as well as vinylphosphonates, giving various β‐alkynyl carbonyl and phosphonate compounds. A bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl (phebox)–Ru complex also catalyzes the asymmetric conjugate addition of an alkyne with a β‐substituted, α,β‐unsaturated ketone to produce a chiral β‐alkynyl ketone.     

Visualization of acetylcholine distribution in central nervous system tissue sections by tandem imaging mass spectrometry

Metabolite distribution imaging via imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is an increasingly utilized tool in the field of neurochemistry. As most previous IMS studies analyzed the relative abundances of larger metabolite species, it is important to expand its application to smaller molecules, such as neurotransmitters. This study aimed to develop an IMS application to visualize neurotransmitter distribution in central nervous system tissue sections. Here, we raise two technical problems that must be resolved to achieve neurotransmitter imaging: (1) the lower concentrations of bioactive molecules, compared with those of membrane lipids, require higher sensitivity and/or signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios in signal detection, and (2) the molecular turnover of the neurotransmitters is rapid; thus, tissue preparation procedures should be performed carefully to minimize postmortem changes. We first evaluated intrinsic sensitivity and matrix interference using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) to detect six neurotransmitters and chose acetylcholine (ACh) as a model for study. Next, we examined both single MS imaging and MS/MS imaging for ACh and found that via an ion transition from m/z 146 to m/z 87 in MS/MS imaging, ACh could be visualized with a high S/N ratio. Furthermore, we found that in situ freezing method of brain samples improved IMS data quality in terms of the number of effective pixels and the image contrast (i.e., the sensitivity and dynamic range). Therefore, by addressing the aforementioned problems, we demonstrated the tissue distribution of ACh, the most suitable molecular specimen for positive ion detection by IMS, to reveal its localization in central nervous system tissues.