Significant differences in site of protonation and extent of fragmentations in chemical ionization and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of simple bifunctional compounds. A mechanistic implication for formation of protonated molecules

Chemical ionization (CI) and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of simple bifunctional aromatic compounds were compared. Some significant differences were revealed with respect to the site of protonation and extent of fragmentations. Unlike conventional CI ionization, the protonated molecule formation by FAB could not be accounted for by ordinary proton transfer reactions in the gas phase. The observed ions under FAB conditions appear to be regulated by proton exchange reactions through frequent collisions in some particular region between the matrix and the gas phase.     

Multipoint recognition of catecholamines by hydrindacene-based receptors accompanied by the complexation-induced conformational switching

The molecular recognition of catecholamines by hydrindacene-based receptors 1 and 2, as well as the durene-based receptor 3, and the guest-induced conformational changes are reported. These receptors selectively bind adrenaline and dopamine salts through the guests' ammonium group and 3-hydroxyl group on the aromatic ring. In the case of adrenaline, an additional hydrogen bond with a benzylic hydroxyl group is formed. In 2 % CD3CN/CDCl3, the association constants are of the order of 10(4) M(-1), which is much larger than with guests without the 3-hydroxyl groups (10(3) M(-1)). The two amide groups of receptor 1 can rotate freely around the C(aromatic)--C(amide) bond, whereas the tert-amide in 2 changes between two stable conformations at a slow enough rate to allow detection by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. In the absence of a guest molecule, the syn-conformer is less stable than the anti-conformer. On complex formation with adrenaline, the syn-conformer becomes dominant due to an intramolecular dipole-reversal effect in addition to multipoint hydrogen bonding.     

Structural studies of the carbon monoxide complex of [NiFe]hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F: suggestion for the initial activation site for dihydrogen

The carbon monoxide complex of [NiFe]hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Nine crystal structures of the [NiFe]hydrogenase in the CO-bound and CO-liberated forms were determined at 1.2-1.4 A resolution. The exogenously added CO was assigned to be bound to the Ni atom at the Ni-Fe active site. The CO was not replaced with H(2) in the dark at 100 K, but was liberated by illumination with a strong white light. The Ni-C distances and Ni-C-O angles were about 1.77 A and 160 degrees, respectively, except for one case (1.72 A and 135 degrees ), in which an additional electron density peak between the CO and Sgamma(Cys546) was recognized. Distinct changes were observed in the electron density distribution of the Ni and Sgamma(Cys546) atoms between the CO-bound and CO-liberated structures for all the crystals tested. The novel structural features found near the Ni and Sgamma(Cys546) atoms suggest that these two atoms at the Ni-Fe active site play a role during the initial H(2)-binding process. Anaerobic addition of CO to dithionite-reduced [NiFe]hydrogenase led to a new absorption band at about 470 nm ( approximately 3000 M(-1)cm(-1)). Resonance Raman spectra (excitation at 476.5 nm) of the CO complex revealed CO-isotope-sensitive bands at 375/393 and 430 cm(-1) (368 and 413 cm(-1) for (13)C(18)O). The frequencies and relative intensities of the CO-related Raman bands indicated that the exogenous CO is bound to the Ni atom with a bent Ni-C-O structure in solution, in agreement with the refined structure determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Determination of cadmium in river water by sequential metal vapor elution analysis

Determination of cadmium in river water by sequential metal vapour elution analysis (column temperature; > 1500 K) with argon and hydrogen carrier gas and with atomic absorption spectrometric detection is described. The column is made of a molybdenum capillary tube (i.d. 1.22 mm) and the temperature is 1760 K. The cadmium vapor was separated from those of calcium, iron and sodium. The calibration graph was linear up to 15 μ/ml. Relative standard deviations of 0.8–4.3% were obtained in the range 1 to 15 μ/ml. Cadmium in spiked samples (river water) was determined. The results were in good agreement with the amount spiked.     

Facile S-alkyl thiocarbamate synthesis by a novel DBU-assisted carbonylation of amines with carbon monoxide and sulfur

A novel DBU-assisted carbonylation of amines with carbon monoxide and sulfur has been developed for the synthesis of S-alkyl thiocarbamates. In the presence of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), S-alkyl thiocarbamates are synthesized in excellent yields from amines, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and alkyl halides under mild conditions (1 atm, 20°C). In the absence of DBU, however, no formation of S-alkyl thiocarbamate is observed. The present DBU-assisted carbonylation can also be applied to new synthetic methods for benthiocarb and orthobencarb (herbicides) and carbamoyl chlorides.     

Selective formation of AAB- and ABC-type heterotrimeric alpha-helical coiled coils

The alpha-helical coiled coils have a representative amino acid sequence of (abcdefg)(n) heptad repeats. We previously reported that two peptides named IZ-2A and IZ-2W formed an (IZ-2A)(2)/IZ-2W heterotrimer with an Ala-Ala-Trp interaction in the hydrophobic core. In this paper, we describe the selective formation of AAB- and ABC-type heterotrimers. To increase the selectivity of the AAB-type heterotrimeric formation, Lys residues at the f position were mutated to either an Ala or a Gln residue to form IZ-2A(fA) or IZ-2W(fQ). Separately, both IZ-2A(fA) and IZ-2W(fQ) have a random structure at pH 7 and 20 degrees C. However, together IZ-2A(fA) and IZ-2W(fQ) form a 2:1 complex with a thermal transition midpoint (Tm) of 48 degrees C. This procedure was applied to prepare the ABC-type heterotrimer, in which two sets of Ala-Ala-Trp interactions were designed in the hydrophobic core. Interhelical interaction between the e and g positions and the alpha-helical propensity of the amino acid at the f position were also considered in the design. The resultant three peptides selectively formed the ABC-type heterotrimer with a Tm of 51 degrees C. Other peptide combinations had random coil properties.     

Detection of potential membrane receptor proteins concerning circadian rhythmic leaf movement of legumes using novel photoaffinity probe compounds

Circadian rhythmic plant leaf movement, called nyctinasty, is controlled by a time-course change in the internal concentration of the leaf-movement factor in the plant body. We report that specific binding protein (210 and 180 kDa) for a leaf-movement factor, potassium lespedezate, is contained in the plasma membrane of the plant motor cell. These proteins would be potential receptors for leaf-movement factor to control the leaf movement.