Conformational analysis of [Met5]-enkephalin: Solvation and ionization considerations

[Met5]-Enkephalin has the sequence Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met. Only the extended conformation of the peptide has been observed by X-ray crystallography. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy supports the presence of a turn at Gly 3 and Phe 4 in dimethyl sulfoxide. In this study, the peptide conformational states and thermodynamic properties are understood in terms of ionization state and solvent environment. In the calculation, final conformations obtained from multiple independent Monte Carlo simulated annealing conformational searches are starting points for molecular dynamics simulations. In an aqueous environment given by the use of solvation free energy and the zwitterionic state, dominant structural motifs computed are G-P Type II bend, G-G Type II bend, and G-G Type I bend motifs, in order of increasing free energy. In the calculation of the peptide with neutral N- and C-termini and solvation free energy, the extended conformer dominates (by at least a factor of 2.5), and the conformation of another low free energy conformer superimposes well on the pharmacophoric groups of morphine. Neutralization of charge and solvation induce and stabilize the extended conformation, respectively. A mechanism of inter-conversion between the extended conformer and three bent conformers is supported by /-scatter plots, and by the conformer relative free energies. An estimate of the entropy change of receptor unbinding is 8.3 cal K-1 mol-1, which gives rise to a -2.5 kcal/mol entropy contribution to the free energy of unbinding at 25 °C. The conformational analysis methodology described here should be useful in studies on short peptides and flexible protein surface loops that have important biological implications.     

The satellite-shaped Co-15 Polyoxotungstate, [Co6(H2O)30{Co9Cl2(OH)3(H2O)9(beta-SiW8O31)3}]5-

The 15-cobalt-substituted polyoxotungstate [Co(6)(H(2)O)(30){Co(9)Cl(2)(OH)(3)(H(2)O)(9)(beta-SiW(8)O(31))(3)}](5-) (1) has been characterized by single-crystal XRD, elemental analysis, IR, electrochemistry, magnetic measurements, and EPR. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on Na(5)[Co(6)(H(2)O)(30){Co(9)Cl(2)(OH)(3)(H(2)O)(9)(beta-SiW(8)O(31))(3)}].37H(2)O, which crystallizes in the hexagonal system, space group P6(3)/m, with a = 19.8754(17) A, b = 19.8754(17) A, c = 22.344(4) A, alpha= 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees, and Z = 2. The trimeric polyanion 1 has a core of nine Co(II) ions encapsulated by three unprecedented (beta-SiW(8)O(31)) fragments and two Cl(-) ligands. This central assembly {Co(9)Cl(2)(OH)(3)(H(2)O)(9)(beta-SiW(8)O(31))(3)}(17-) is surrounded by six antenna-like Co(II)(H(2)O)(5) groups resulting in the satellite-like structure 1. Synthesis of 1 is accomplished in a simple one-pot procedure by interaction of Co(II) ions with [gamma-SiW(10)O(36)](8-) in aqueous, acidic NaCl medium (pH 5.4). Polyanion 1 was studied by cyclic voltammetry as a function of pH. The current intensity of its Co(II) centers was compared with that of free Co(II) in solution. Our results suggest that 1 keeps its integrity in solution. Magnetic susceptibility results show the presence of both antiferro- and ferromagnetic coupling within the (Co(II))(9) core. A fully anisotropic Ising model has been employed to describe the exchange-coupling and yields g = 2.42 +/- 0.01, J(1) = 17.0 +/- 1.5 cm(-1), and J(2) = -13 +/- 1 cm(-(1). Variable frequency EPR studies reveal an anisotropic Kramer's doublet.     

Sur les dérivés de la fluorénone. IX. La (pyridyl-2)-3-fluorénone,la méthyl-2-(pyridyl-2)-3-fluorénone et la méthyl-3-(pyridyl-2)-3-fluorénone

Fluorenone Derivatives. IX. 3-(Pyrid-2-yl)-fluorenone, 2-methyl-3-(pyrid-2-yl)-fluorenone, and 2-(3-methyl-pyrid-2-yl)fluorenone Unsuccessful attempts to synthesize an aza-cis-fluorenacene system starting from 2-aza-chalcone or 6-methyl-2-aza-chalcone led to the title compounds.     

Fluorénacènes et fluorénaphènes Synthèses dans la série des indéno-fluorènes,XV [1] Méthyl-5-dihydro-10, 12-indéno [2, 1-b]fluorène

Starting from α-methylchalcone and diethyl ketone the title compound, II, has been synthesized in 6 steps (overall yield 26%). As an intermediate compound the gold yellow 10, 12-dioxoderivative of II was also obtained.     

Synthèses dans ka série des bis-indéno-fluorènes II. Le dihydro-10,15-5H-bis-indéno [1, 2-a;2′,1′-i] fluorène

The biangular bis-indeno-fluorene 10,15-dihydro-5H-diindeno [l, 2-a; 2′, 1′-i]-fluorene (XII) has been synthesised in 6 steps starting from 1-(o-carboxyphenyl)-fluorenone (overall yield 21%). As an intermediate the 5,10,15-trioxoderivative of XII and, accessorily, its 5,10-dioxoderivative were also obtained.     

Reactivite des carbanions benzyliques : VIII. Etude de la structure d'alkyl-9 lithio-10 dihydro-9,10 anthracenes par rmn du proton et spectrometrie d'absorption electronique; influence du substituant,du solvant et de la temperature

The structure of the 9,10-dihydroanthracenyl anion and of a series of 9-alkyl-10-lithio-9-10-dihydroanthracenes (9-R-10-LiDHA, I–V where R = H, Me, Et, i-Pr, t-Bu) was studied in solution by electronic absortion spectrometry and proton magnetic resonance. Our electronic absorption results, in addition to those of other authors, show that the contact ion pairs (c.i.p.) have an absorption at λ_max}- 400 nm (I–III) and 415 nm (V) whereas the loose ion pairs (l.i.p.) absorb at λmax}- 450 nm (I–V). In the NMR the chemical shift of the proton para with respect to the carbanionic center was examined as a function of solvent (THF, THF/HMPA, and in some cases ether or pure HMPA) and temperature (+20 to ?40°C). The para proton is shielded significantly with regard to the aromatic protons of the hydrocarbon (Δδ(H_para) ca. 1–1.7 ppm). The weakest shielding was observed in ether, in agreement with the existence of c.i.p. The largest shielding (THF/HMPA or pure HMPA) is in connection with the presence of l.i.p. where the negative charge is less localised at position 10. Moreover, in the same solvent, and at the same temperature, Δδ(H_para) was observed to increase with the substituent bulk, up to the point that there are only l.i.p. present. As found previously (namely for the fluorenyl anion) the l.i.p./c.i.p. ratio increases when temperature decreases. The results of this structural study allow to rationalize the protonation stereochemistry of 9-alkyl-10-lithio-9,10-dihydroanthracenes in the above-mentioned solvents.     

Sur l'acylation des méthylfluorènes III [1]: Benzoylation et acétylation du méthyl-3-fluorène

Benzoylation and acétylation of 3-methyl-fluorene according to Friedel-Crafts in carbon disulfide with aluminium chloride yielded the corresponding 2-acyl derivatives. By oxidation the benzoyl derivative gave 2-benzoyl-9-oxo-fluorene-3-carboxylic acid, cychsable into the known 2,3-phthalyl-fluorenone. By Clemmensen reduction, the acetyl derivative gave 3-methyl-2-ethyl-fluorene.     

On the role of the conserved aspartate in the hydrolysis of the phosphocysteine intermediate of the low molecular weight tyrosine phosphatase

The usual rate-determining step in the catalytic mechanism of the low molecular weight tyrosine phosphatases involves the hydrolysis of a phosphocysteine intermediate. To explain this hydrolysis, general base-catalyzed attack of water by the anion of a conserved aspartic acid has sometimes been invoked. However, experimental measurements of solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effects for this enzyme do not reveal a rate-limiting proton transfer accompanying dephosphorylation. Moreover, base activation of water is difficult to reconcile with the known gas-phase proton affinities and solution phase pK(a)'s of aspartic acid and water. Alternatively, hydrolysis could proceed by a direct nucleophilic attack by a water molecule. To understand the hydrolysis mechanism, we have used high-level density functional methods of quantum chemistry combined with continuum electrostatics models of the protein and the solvent. Our calculations do not support a catalytic activation of water by the aspartate. Instead, they indicate that the water oxygen directly attacks the phosphorus, with the aspartate residue acting as a H-bond acceptor. In the transition state, the water protons are still bound to the oxygen. Beyond the transition state, the barrier to proton transfer to the base is greatly diminished; the aspartate can abstract a proton only after the transition state, a result consistent with experimental solvent isotope effects for this enzyme and with established precedents for phosphomonoester hydrolysis.     

Synthèse d'arylhydroxyspirocétals. Influence du groupe aryle sur la photocyclisation d'arylcétoacétals en série hétérocyclique et osidique

By irradiation, the tetrahydropyranylarylketoacetal compounds led to isomers of spiro compounds. A competition between Norrish II and Paterno-Buchi reations was observed with unsaturated heterocyclic products. In the osidic series, the reaction was not stereoselective, but the photocyclisation works with rentention of configuration at low temperature. The acidic epimerisation of spiro C-1 sugars mainly yields the trans (α or β) isomers.     

Chemistry of the phenoxathiins. III. Synthesis of benzo[1″,2″:5,6:5″,4″:5′,6′]bis[1,4]oxathiino[3,2-b:3′,2′-b']dipyridine

As a result of studies dealing with the synthesis of 1-azaphenoxathiins, the synthesis of benzo[1″,2″:5,6:5″,4″:5′,6′]bis[1,4]oxathiino[3,2-b:3′,2′-b']dipyridine was examined. Unique evidence of solvent participation in the synthesis of these compounds by the structure elucidation of a novel minor by-product formed during the synthesis of the title compound is also reported.