Probing charge-transfer processes in helium nanodroplets by optically selected mass spectrometry (OSMS): charge steering by long-range interactions

Electron impact ionization of a helium atom in a helium nanodroplet is followed by rapid charge migration, which can ultimately result in the localization of the charge on an atomic or molecular solute. This process is studied here for the cases of hydrogen cyanide, acetylene, and cyanoacetylene in helium, using a new experimental method we call optically selected mass spectrometry (OSMS). The method combines infrared laser spectroscopy with mass spectrometry to separate the contributions to the overall droplet beam mass spectrum from the various species present under a given set of conditions. This is done by vibrationally exciting a specific species that exists in a subset of the droplets (for example, the droplets containing a single HCN molecule). The resulting helium evaporation leads to a concomitant reduction in the ionization cross sections for these droplets. This method is used to study the charge migration in helium and reveals that the probability of charge transfer to a solvated molecule does not approach unity for small droplets and depends on the identity of the solvated molecule. The experimental results are explained quantitatively by considering the effect of the electrostatic potential (between the charge and the embedded molecule) on the trajectory of the migrating charge.     

Determination of selected neurotransmitter metabolites using monolithic column chromatography coupled with chemiluminescence detection

The oxidation of selected clinically important neurotransmitter metabolites with acidic potassium permanganate in the presence of polyphosphates evokes chemiluminescence of sufficient intensity to enable the sensitive determination of these species. Limits of detection for 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), vanilmandelic acid (VMA; α,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxybenzeneacetic acid), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were between 5 × 10⁻⁹ and 4 × 10⁻⁸ M, using flow-injection analysis methodology. In addition, we demonstrate the rapid determination of homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid in human urine - without the need for extraction procedures - using monolithic column chromatography with chemiluminescence detection.     

Absorbance Changes by Aromatic Amino Acid Side Chains in Early Rhodopsin Photointermediates

Abstract— Absorbance changes were monitored from 250 to 650 nm during the first microsecond after photolysis of detergent suspensions of bovine rhodopsin at 20°C. Global analysis of the resulting data produced difference spectra for bathorhodopsin, BSI and lumirhodopsin which give the change in absorbance of the aromatic amino acid side chains in these photointermediates relative to rhodopsin. These spectra show that the significant bleaching of absorbance near 280 nm, which has been seen previously for the lumirhodopsin, metarhodopsin I and metarhodopsin II intermediates, extends to times as early as bathorhodopsin. Because no corresponding absorbance increase is observed in the 250-275 nm region, the earliest bleaching of the 280 nm absorbance in rhodopsin is attributed to disruption of a hyperchromic interaction affecting Trp²⁶⁵. Partial decay of this 280 nm bleaching as bathorhodopsin converts to BSI takes place maximally near 290 nm, where Trp²⁶⁵ has been shown to absorb, and could be due to the ring of the retinylidene chromophore resuming a position at the BSI stage that reestablishes the hyperchromic interaction with Trp²⁶⁵. A subsequent change in the 250-300 nm region, which has no counterpart in the visible chromophore bands, indicates the possible presence of a protein-localized process as lumirhodopsin is formed.     

Enhancement of combinatorial chemistry by microwave-assisted organic synthesis

It was in the 1980 s that the first papers in which the use of either combinatorial methods or microwave heating in organic chemistry were published. Unlike combinatorial chemistry, which quite readily became an accepted method, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, it is only now that microwave heating is truly gaining acceptance. Our aim in this review is to attempt to rationalize this slow acceptance and to show the benefits to be gained by employing microwave heating in tandem with combinatorial chemistry. We will also give a number of examples of successful applications.     

Microfluidics: from dynamic lattices to periodic arrays of polymer disks

We used coupling of flow and geometric confinement to assemble emulsion droplets in two-dimensional gliding lattices with a high degree of order and symmetry. Highly monodisperse discoid droplets with circular shapes were generated in a microfluidic flow-focusing device. Originally, close-packed lattices formed from these circular discoid droplets. Progressive confinement led to the gradual deformation of the circular disks: first, they elongated in the direction parallel to the direction of flow and then transformed into hexagons. Assembly driven by the combination of flow and confinement also allowed for the formation of lattices from droplets with a bimodal size distribution. We used photopolymerization of the monomer droplets to trap the lattice structure in the solid state and produce highly periodic arrays of solid polymer disks.     

Simultaneous determination of zidovudine and lamivudine from rat tissues by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A simple liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of zidovudine (AZT) and lamivudine (3TC) in rat plasma, amniotic fluid, placental, and fetal tissues. Samples were processed by acetonitrile precipitation. Chromatography was performed using a C18 column (5 microm, 150 x 3.9 mm i.d). The mobile phase consisted of 30% methanol and 7.5 mM ammonium acetate (pH 6.5). The method was validated in the range of 0.05-25 microg/mL for both 3TC and AZT in the four biological matrices. Finally, the method was applied to a study involving fetal transport following co-administration of these compounds at a dose of 25 mg/kg each in a pregnant rat.     

Cross-correlated relaxation enhanced 1H[bond]13C NMR spectroscopy of methyl groups in very high molecular weight proteins and protein complexes

A comparison of HSQC and HMQC pulse schemes for recording (1)H[bond](13)C correlation maps of protonated methyl groups in highly deuterated proteins is presented. It is shown that HMQC correlation maps can be as much as a factor of 3 more sensitive than their HSQC counterparts and that the sensitivity gains result from a TROSY effect that involves cancellation of intra-methyl dipolar relaxation interactions. (1)H[bond](13)C correlation spectra are recorded on U-[(15)N,(2)H], Ile delta 1-[(13)C,(1)H] samples of (i) malate synthase G, a 723 residue protein, at 37 and 5 degrees C, and of (ii) the protease ClpP, comprising 14 identical subunits, each with 193 residues (305 kDa), at 5 degrees C. The high quality of HMQC spectra obtained in short measuring times strongly suggests that methyl groups will be useful probes of structure and dynamics in supramolecular complexes.     

Microanalysis of polymers using a windowless energy-dispersive X-ray detector

The surface compositions of various polymeric films, grown electrochemically on platinum foils, have been investigated by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS). Comparison of the relative area ratios of peaks for the C and N K_emission lines show that the EDS may be used to study the surface composition of polymers. The evidence presented strongly suggests that there is limited structural degradation and the elemental composition is not changed under the electron beam at relatively low accelerating voltages. This technique statistically samples the repeat units of the polymer. For samples grown in both aqueous and nonaqueous solutions. SEM/EDS provides evidence for extensive contamination with oxygen.     

Deuterium spin probes of side-chain dynamics in proteins. 2. Spectral density mapping and identification of nanosecond time-scale side-chain motions

In the previous paper in this issue we have demonstrated that it is possible to measure the five different relaxation rates of a deuteron in (13)CH(2)D methyl groups of (13)C-labeled, fractionally deuterated proteins. The extensive set of data acquired in these experiments provides an opportunity to investigate side-chain dynamics in proteins at a level of detail that heretofore was not possible. The data, acquired on the B1 domain of peptostreptococcal protein L, include 16 (9) relaxation measurements at 4 (2) different magnetic field strengths, 25 degrees C (5 degrees C). These data are shown to be self-consistent and are analyzed using a spectral density mapping procedure which allows extraction of values of the spectral density function at a number of frequencies with no assumptions about the underlying dynamics. Dynamics data from 31 of 35 methyls in the protein for which data could be obtained were well-fitted using the two-parameter Lipari-Szabo model (Lipari, G.; Szabo, A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1982, 104, 4546). The data from the remaining 4 methyls can be fitted using a three-parameter version of the Lipari-Szabo model that takes into account, in a simple manner, additional nanosecond time-scale local dynamics. This interpretation is supported by analysis of a molecular dynamics trajectory where spectral density profiles calculated for side-chain methyl sites reflect the influence of slower (nanosecond) time-scale motions involving jumps between rotameric wells. A discussion of the minimum number of relaxation measurements that are necessary to extract the full complement of dynamics information is presented along with an interpretation of the extracted dynamics parameters.     

Stereospecific NMR assignments of prochiral methyls, rotameric states and dynamics of valine residues in malate synthase G

Near complete stereospecific assignments of the prochiral methyl carbons of Leu and Val residues in malate synthase G, a 723 residue enzyme, are reported. Assignments were obtained on the basis of a 10% fractional (13)C-labeling strategy developed by Wüthrich and co-workers [Neri, D; Szyperski, T; Otting, G; Senn, H; Wüthrich, K. Biochemistry 1989, 28, 7510-7516] and, in the case of Val residues, supplemented with results from a series of new methyl-TROSY quantitative J experiments for measuring (3)J(C)(gamma)(N) and (3)J(C)(gamma)(C)' couplings. The measured (3)J couplings were also used to probe Val side chain dynamics. A strong correlation is observed between rotamer averaging established on the basis of the couplings and side chain millisecond time scale dynamics measured using methyl-TROSY based (1)H-(13)C multiple quantum relaxation dispersion experiments.