Flux line lattice symmetries in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi2B2C

We compare the results of small angle neutron scattering on the flux line lattice (FLL) obtained in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi₂B₂C with the applied field along the c- and a-axes. For H‖c the temperature dependence of the FLL structural phase transition from square to hexagonal symmetry was investigated. Above 10 K the transition onset field. H ₂(T), rises sharply, bending away from H _c2(T) in contradiction to theoretical predictions of the two merging. For H‖a a first order FLL reorientation transition is observed at H _tr=3–3.5 kOe. Below H _tr the FLL nearest neighbor direction is parallel to the b-axis, and above H _tr to the c-axis. This transition cannot be explained using nonlocal corrections to the London model.     

Semi-synthesis of a HGF/SF kringle one (K1) domain scaffold generates a potent in vivo MET receptor agonist

The development of MET receptor agonists is an important goal in regenerative medicine, but is limited by the complexity and incomplete understanding of its interaction with HGF/SF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor). NK1 is a natural occurring agonist comprising the N-terminal (N) and the first kringle (K1) domains of HGF/SF. In the presence of heparin, NK1 can self-associate into a “head to tail” dimer which is considered as the minimal structural module able to trigger MET dimerization and activation whereas isolated K1 and N domains showed a weak or a complete lack of agonistic activity respectively. Starting from these structural and biological observations, we investigated whether it was possible to recapitulate the biological properties of NK1 using a new molecular architecture of isolated N or K1 domains. Therefore, we engineered multivalent N or K1 scaffolds by combining synthetic and homogeneous site-specifically biotinylated N and K1 domains (NB and K1B) and streptavidin (S). NB alone or in complex failed to activate MET signaling and to trigger cellular phenotypes. Importantly and to the contrary of K1B alone, the semi-synthetic K1B/S complex mimicked NK1 MET agonist activity in cell scattering, morphogenesis and survival phenotypic assays. Impressively, K1B/S complex stimulated in vivo angiogenesis and, when injected in mice, protected the liver against fulminant hepatitis in a MET dependent manner whereas NK1 and HGF were substantially less potent. These data reveal that without N domain, proper multimerization of K1 domain is a promising strategy for the rational design of powerful MET agonists.     

Methyl phenylacetate enolate generated with the P4-tBu Schwesinger base: ‘naked’ or not?

NMR studies revealed that methyl phenylacetate enolate generated with the P4-tBu phosphazene base was ‘naked’ or tightly associated with P4-tBuH⁺ cation depending on very small variations in solvent composition. Both forms reacted more rapidly than the corresponding lithium enolate in a model alkylation experiment using dimethyl sulfate.     

Enhancement of hole drift velocity in amorphous As2Se3 by iodine doping

The addition of ～ 0.6 at.% iodine to approximately stoichiometric a-As₂Se₃ enhances the hole drift velocity by more than a decade but does not affect its field, thickness and temperature dependence or the degree of disorder. It is speculated that iodine reduces the ratio of trapping to hopping states in the trap-controlled hopping process which recently has been proposed for a-As₂Se₃.     

Kinetics and mechanism of racemization of Tic-hydantoins, potent sigma-1 agonists

The configurational stability of seven Tic-hydantoin sigma-1 agonists 1-7 was studied in organic and aqueous media to mimic conditions encountered during either their synthesis or their evaluation as a drug candidate (physico chemical property determination and pharmacological study). This study was performed from the enantiomers directly obtained by asymmetric synthesis (hydantoins 1, 3-7) or after semi-preparative separation of the racemic obtained according to the same asymmetric procedure (thiohydantoin 2), by chiral HPLC. The racemization phenomenon was followed using recently validated chiral HPLC and capillary electrophoresis separation methods using derivatized cellulose and amylose chiral stationary phases (Chiralcel OD-H and Chiralpak AD) and highly sulphated cyclodextrins [highly S-β-CD in the background electrolyte (BGE)], respectively. The kinetic parameters (rate constant, half-life and apparent free energy barriers) of racemization were calculated using a first-order reaction model. The influence of the acid-base content, pH in aqueous medium, concentration of the buffer, and temperature were investigated. The fastest racemization rates were observed under basic conditions. All hydantoins were shown to present the same magnitude of configurational stability, whereas thiohydantoin 2 was characterized by a high chiral instability, especially in ethanolic and aqueous media: its high instability in ethanol explains that a racemic mixture was obtained after asymmetric synthesis; its instantaneous racemization observed from the neutral pH makes the preparation of the enantiomers of 2 not relevant. Finally, the mechanism of racemization was elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR): the comparison of the kinetics of the deuteration to the kinetics of the racemization suggests the involvement of a common reaction mechanism of S_E1 type for hydantoin 1, while an S_E2 type reaction seems to be involved for thiohydantoin 2.     

Tartric acid-based linker for the solid-phase synthesis of C-terminal peptide alpha-oxo aldehydes

A novel linker, based on the anchoring of (+)-dimethyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-tartrate to PEGA or PEG-PS solid supports, was developed for the solid-phase synthesis of C-terminal peptide alpha-oxo aldehydes. Peptide elongation was performed using the 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl/t-Bu chemistry. The peptide and the 1,2-diol were deprotected on the solid phase. Then, a periodic oxidation of the fully deprotected peptidyl-resin led to the simultaneous cleavage of the product from the solid support and to the generation of the alpha-oxo aldehyde moiety. The methodology allowed the distance between the alpha-oxo aldehyde and the peptide to be easily modulated. The C-terminal peptide alpha-oxo aldehydes synthesized in this study were found to be useful partners in hydrazone, thiazolidine, and oxime chemical ligations.     

Synthesis of clustered glycoside-antigen conjugates by two one-pot, orthogonal, chemoselective ligation reactions: scope and limitations

Major histocompatibility class II antigens have been bound to clustered glycosides for selective targeting of the dendritic cell mannose receptor. Di-, tetra-, and octavalent glycoside-antigen conjugates have been obtained after two, orthogonal, hydrazone/thioether ligations, performed by using thio derivatives of D-mannose, D-galactose, or D(-)-quinic acid, glyoxylyl (or hydrazino)-N-chloroacetylated lysinyl trees, and N-terminal hydrazino (or glyoxylyl) peptide antigens. Successful one-pot condensations have been developed to account for the nature of the antigens and the valency of the trees.