Supramolecular helical fluid columns from self-assembly of homomeric dipeptides

Herein, we demonstrate that with the widespread theme of residue patterning and stereochemical restraints of self-complimenting proteinogenic amino acids, a new and rich class of homomeric dipeptides exhibiting two-dimensional fluid aggregates with hierarchical ordering can be obtained. In particular, a simple way of achieving a class of functional dipeptides, wherein the first and the second residues chosen are L-/D-alanines and L-/D-leucines, has been accomplished. The supramolecules synthesized can be regarded as intermediates between polycatenars and taper-shaped amphiphiles because they possess two lipophilic segments interlinked by a peptide unit (spacer). Two pairs of enantiomers and their respective diastereomers derived from these amino acids are evidenced to self-organize into a helical columnar phase through hydrogen bonding by means of FTIR, UV/Vis, and chiroptical circular dichroism (CD) spectral analyses as well as by optical, calorimetric, electrical switching, and X-ray studies. The CD and X-ray studies have revealed that the form chirality (handedness) and the magnitude of out-of-plane fluctuations of the lattice planes of the fluid supramolecular columnar structures are solely directed by the stereochemistry encoded in the spacer. Of special significance, the less frequently found oblique helical columnar phase formed by a pair of enantiomers derived from L-/D-alanines, unlike those derived from other amino acids, exhibit ferroelectric behavior; the measured spontaneous polarization is as high as 440 nC cm(-2). Besides, all these supramolecules form stable organogels in ethanol and the CD and SEM studies on a representative gel suggest the presence of helical structures.     

Facilitation of peptide fibre formation by arginine-phosphate/carboxylate interactions

This study describes peptide fibre formation in a hexapeptide, derived from the V3 loop of HIV-1, mediated by the interactions between arginine residues and phosphate/carboxylate anions. This charge neutralization approach was further confirmed when the deletion of arginine residue from the hexapeptide sequence resulted in fibre formation, which was studied by a combination of microscopic techniques.     

Terpenoid alkaloids of the Buxaceae family with potential biological importance

The plants of the family Buxaceae are widely used in traditional medicine and constitute rich sources of terpenoidal alkaloids. Compounds of this family have been the subject of numerous chemical and pharmacological studies over past decades because of their interesting biological activities such as cholinesterase inhibition, as well as antibacterial and antileishmanial activities. The chemical and biological properties of these alkaloids, including data relevant to straightforward structure determination and information on biosynthesis, are highlighted in this review, with 144 references being cited.     

Introduction of vinyl and hydroxymethyl functionalities at C-4 of glucose-derived substrates: synthesis of spirocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic nucleosides

Installing hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl substitutions at C-4 through vinylation and hydroboration-oxidation reactions of the C-4 bis-hydroxymethyl derivative of d-glucose based substrate, and inserting heteroatoms thereafter permitted formation of N-, O-, or S-heterocycles leading to [4,5]- or [5,5]-spirocycles and a bicyclo[3.3.0]octane product. Some of the spirocycles were converted to spironucleosides under Vorbruggen glycosidation reaction conditions. Similarly, the bicyclic product was elaborated to the corresponding bicyclic nucleoside as well as an unexpected tricyclic nucleoside.     

Structure, self-assembly, and dual role of a beta-defensin-like peptide from the Chinese soft-shelled turtle eggshell matrix

Biomineral matrix formation and molecular recognition are two important processes associated with eggshell biomineralization. To understand these two processes, a major intracrystalline peptide, pelovaterin, was isolated from turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) eggshell and its tertiary and quaternary structures were established. The global fold of pelovaterin is similar to that of human beta-defensins but has a large hydrophobic core and a short hydrophilic N-terminal segment, which is not preserved in defensins. Pelovaterin exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against two pathogenic gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, and stabilizes a thin film of metastable vaterite. We show that pelovaterin self-aggregates in the form of micellar nanospheres and the aggregation in solution is entropy-driven. It is suggested that the micellar aggregation of pelovaterin is responsible for the induction and stabilization of the metastable phase by altering the interfacial energy. The results demonstrate the adaptability of an extracellular matrix protein to perform multiple tasks: polymorph discrimination and protection of the contents of the egg against bacterial invasion.     

Toward efficient nanoporous catalysts: controlling site-isolation and concentration of grafted catalytic sites on nanoporous materials with solvents and colorimetric elucidation of their site-isolation

We report that the polarity and dielectric constants of solvents used for grafting organosilanes on mesoporous materials strongly affect the concentration of grafted organic groups, the degree of their site-isolation, and the catalytic properties of the resulting materials. Polar and nonpolar organosilanes as well as polar-protic, dipolar-aprotic, and nonpolar solvents were investigated. Polar-protic solvents, which have high dielectric constants, resulted in smaller concentrations ( approximately 1-2 mmol/g) of polar organic groups such as 3-aminopropyl groups, higher surface area materials, site-isolated organic groups, and more efficient catalytic properties toward the Henry reaction of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde with nitromethane. On the other hand, dipolar-aprotic and nonpolar solvents resulted in larger concentrations ( approximately 2-3 mmol/g) of grafted polar functional groups, lower-to-higher surface area materials, more densely populated catalytic groups, and poor-to-efficient catalytic properties toward the Henry reaction. Both the polar-protic and dipolar-aprotic solvents resulted in significantly lower concentration of grafted groups for nonpolar organosilanes such as (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane compared to corresponding grafting of the polar amino-organosilanes. The relationship between the solvent properties and the percentage and degree of site-isolation of the grafted functional groups was attributed to differences in solvation of the organosilanes and silanols in various solvents and possible hydrogen-bonding between the organsilanes and the solvents. The degree of site-isolation of the amine groups, which affect the material's catalytic properties, was elucidated by a new colorimetric method involving probing of the absorption maxima (lambdamax) on the d-d electronic spectrum of Cu2+ complexes with the amine-functionalized materials and the colors of the samples. The absorption lambdamax and the colors of the materials were found to be uniquely dependent on the type of solvents used for grafting the organoamines. For instance, the monoamine- and diamine-functionalized samples grafted in methanol resulted in pale blue and light purple colors with lambdamax at approximately 720 and 650 nm, respectively. These correspond to CuNO5 and CuN2O4 structures, respectively, which are indicative of the presence of site-isolated organoamines in samples grafted in methanol. The monoamine and diamine samples grafted in toluene resulted in purple and deep purple colors with lambdamax at approximately 590 and 630 nm, respectively. These correspond to CuN2O4 and CuN4O2, which are indicative of the presence of closely spaced organoamines in samples grafted in toluene. The samples grafted in isopropanol gave colors and lambdamax intermediate between those of samples grafted in toluene and methanol.     

Anticancer Drug Modified GCFE,for the Study of Its In‐Vivo Interaction Mechanism

An anticancer drug (Adriamycin) modified Glassy Carbon Fiber Electrode (GCFE) has been prepared to study its interaction with ds‐DNA. The redox reaction of Adriamycin molecules at the chemically modified GCFE helps in understanding the in‐vivo mechanism of action of this anti cancer drug. The modified electrode has been fabricated by the adsorption of Adriamycin on GCFE surface. The results of Differential Pulse Voltammetric (DPV) analysis in acetate buffer of pH 4.5 ± 0.1, showed that the interaction between DNA guanine and adenine bases and electrode surface, is easily detected. A suitable mechanism for the oxidation and reduction of Adriamycin in‐situ intercalated in ds‐DNA immobilized on to the GCFE surface has been explained. The drug‐DNA complex formation at GCFE surface has also been studied. The prepared modified electrode is of utmost relevance because the mechanism of interaction of DNA‐Adriamycin at charged interfaces is parallel to the in‐vivo DNA‐Adriamycin complex reaction, where the nucleic acid is in close contact with charged phospholipid membranes and proteins. The interaction studies of Adriamycin at modified GCFE using DPV method help in understanding the DNA‐Adriamycin reaction mechanism.     

Tetranuclear [{Ni(HL3)}{W(CN)8}]2 square: a case of antiferromagnetic {NiIIWV} interactions

A tetranuclear cyano-bridged [{Ni(HL3)}{W(CN)8}]2 compound in a square geometry was formed by self-assembling of {W(CN)8}3- and {NiL3}2+ (L3=pentadentate ligand). The structure of the compound has been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The coordination sphere of the Ni ions is severely distorted with the macrocyclic ligand adopting a facial coordination with only four linkages to the metal center. The N atom of the pendant aminopropyl arm of L3 is no longer coordinated to the metal center but has undergone protonation during the assembling process. Magnetic measurements have revealed an unexpected antiferromagnetic behavior (J=-9 cm(-1)), which has been explained using a microscopic many-body electronic model Hamiltonian, based on DFT results. The many-body model is used to fit both the chiMT versus T and the M versus H plots obtained from experiments.     

Self-organization of mesomeric-ionic hybrid heterocycles into liquid crystal phases: a new class of polar mesogens

The first mesoionic nematic and smectic A mesogens derived from sydnones that are characterized by both covalent and ionic features have been synthesized and evidenced by optical, calorimetric and X-ray diffraction studies.     

Enforcing solution phase nanoscopic aggregation in a palindromic tripeptide

C-terminal dimerization of a tripeptide palindrome afforded fibrillation in solution through an assembly probably driven by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic contributions; such an approach provides an expeditious entry into fabrication of fibrillating peptides from non-fibrillating peptide sequences.