Extending the coordination chemistry of 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA) to cobalt centers: first examples of co-PTA complexes and of a metal complex with the PTA oxide ligand

Water-soluble Co (III) and Co (II) complexes with P- or N-coordinated PTA or PTA oxide ligands, respectively, have been prepared and fully characterized, constituting the first examples of cobalt compounds bearing PTA or any ligand with a cage-like PTA core, the latter complex providing also the first PTA oxide coordination to a metal center.     

Parameterization of the approximate valence bond (AVB) method to describe potential energy surface in the reaction catalyzed by HIV‐1 protease

The approximate valence bond (AVB) method was parameterized to obtain the potential energy surface for ongoing classical and further quantum classical molecular dynamics simulations describing the enzymatic reaction of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease (HIV‐1 PR). The parameterized AVB method allows to describe the complete enzymatic reaction, including a proton transfer between a water molecule and an aspartic acid, nucleophilic attack of a hydroxy anion on the substrate peptide bond, conformational changes of an intermediate, two proton transfers between the intermediate and aspartic acids, and cleavage of the intermediate into reaction products. The AVB method was parameterized based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed for small molecular systems. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 82: 86–103, 2001     

RP-HPLC study of redox equilibria in vanadium-PAR binary and ternary systems: Direct determination of vanadium in steel

The reversed-phase high-performance liquid Chromatographic (RP-HPLC) behaviour of the binary chelates of V(V) and V(IV) with 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) and ternary chelates of vanadium with PAR and auxiliary ligands: hydrogen peroxide, hydroxylamine, tartrate and citrate were studied using a C₁₈ column. The complex double-peak chromatograms of V(IV)/V(V)-PAR systems were studied and the origin of each peak was proved. Vanadium in ternary systems with PAR and hydrogen peroxide was found exclusively in V(V)-H₂O₂-PAR complex (single peak on the chromatogram) despite its initial oxidation state. The double role of hydroxylamine (complex agent and reductor) in vanadium systems with PAR was confirmed: in the V(V) system three species were identified (V(V)-PAR, V(V)-NH₂OH-PAR and V(IV)-PAR), but in the V(IV) system only two: V(IV)-PAR and V(V)-NH₂OH-PAR. Citrate and tartrate giving single peak were found as auxiliary ligands in ternary V(V) systems of analytical importance. Due to its masking potential towards iron (III) ions, citrate was chosen as the most suitable third component of a ternary vanadium system with PAR, to form the basis of an RP-HPLC method for direct determination of V in steel.     

An Anthracene-Based Metal-Organic Framework for Selective Photo-Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid Coupled with Water Oxidation

A Zr-based metal-organic framework has been synthesized and employed as a catalyst for photochemical carbon dioxide reduction coupled with water oxidation. The catalyst shows significant carbon dioxide reduction property with concomitant water oxidation. The catalyst has broad visible light as well as UV light absorption property, which is further confirmed from electronic absorption spectroscopy. Formic acid was the only reduced product from carbon dioxide with a turn-over frequency (TOF) of 0.69 h⁻¹ in addition to oxygen, which was produced with a TOF of 0.54 h⁻¹. No external photosensitizer is used and the ligand itself acts as the light harvester. The efficient and selective photochemical carbon dioxide reduction to formic acid with concomitant water oxidation using Zr-based MOF as catalyst is thus demonstrated here.     

Mechanistic insights into dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission – concerted interactions with helices 5 and 6 drive the functional outcome

Brain functions rely on neurotransmitters that mediate communication between billions of neurons. Disruption of this communication can result in a plethora of psychiatric and neurological disorders. In this work, we combine molecular dynamics simulations, live-cell biosensor and electrophysiological assays to investigate the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine at the dopaminergic D₂ receptor (D₂R). The study of dopamine and closely related chemical probes reveals how neurotransmitter binding translates into the activation of distinct subsets of D₂R effectors (i.e.: G_i2, G_oB, G_z and β-arrestin 2). Ligand interactions with key residues in TM5 (S5.42) and TM6 (H6.55) in the D₂R binding pocket yield a dopamine-like coupling signature, whereas exclusive TM5 interaction is typically linked to preferential G protein coupling (in particular G_oB) over β-arrestin. Further experiments for serotonin receptors indicate that the reported molecular mechanism is shared by other monoaminergic neurotransmitter receptors. Ultimately, our study highlights how sequence variation in position 6.55 is used by nature to fine-tune β-arrestin recruitment and in turn receptor signaling and internalization of neurotransmitter receptors.

Neurotransmitter contacts within the receptor binding site differentially contribute to the overall functional response: transmembrane helix (TM) 5 contacts promote G protein coupling whereas concerted TM5–TM6 contacts enhance β-arrestin recruitment.     

Characteristics of Dietary Fatty Acids Isolated from Historic Dental Calculus of the 17th- and 18th-Century Inhabitants of the Subcarpathian Region (Poland)

Dental calculus analysis can be a valuable source of archaeological knowledge, since it preserves not only microbial and host biomolecules but also dietary and environmental debris, as well as metabolic products likely originating from dietary and craft activities. Here we described GC-MS analysis of a set of historic dental calculus samples from the front teeth of the mandibles of seven individuals found in 17th- and 18th-century graves in the city of Rzeszow, located in South-eastern Poland. We have found that only saturated fatty acids, which are characteristic for fats of animal origin, were present in the tested samples. Our preliminary results indicate that the diet of modern-period inhabitants of Rzeszow was rich in animal products, such as meat and dairy products.     

A Phage Display-Identified Short Peptide Capable of Hydrolyzing Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystals—The Etiological Factor of Chondrocalcinosis

Chondrocalcinosis is a metabolic disease caused by the presence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in the synovial fluid. The goal of our endeavor was to find out whether short peptides could be used as a dissolving factor for such crystals. In order to identify peptides able to dissolve crystals of calcium pyrophosphate, we screened through a random library of peptides using a phage display. The first screening was designed to select phages able to bind the acidic part of alendronic acid (pyrophosphate analog). The second was a catalytic assay in the presence of crystals. The best-performing peptides were subsequently chemically synthesized and rechecked for catalytic properties. One peptide, named R25, turned out to possess some hydrolytic activity toward crystals. Its catalysis is Mg²⁺-dependent and also works against soluble species of pyrophosphate.