A theory of membrane fusion

Two interacting membranes are considered as two flat hydrophilic layers on their surfaces separated by an agueous solution at a certain distance. The van der Waals attractive inbteraction energy between the two bodies at a given separation distance depends on the nature (interaction coefficient) of the surface hydrophilic layers and its thickness. When the surface hydrophilic layer becomes sufficiently similar to the bulk hydrocarbon bodies in nature or the thickness of the surface hydrophilic layer becomes small enough, the attrative interaction energy becomes large and the two bodies could fuse and become one. A general theory for such mambrane fusion is given in terms of molecular interaction energy.     

3 + 2] Cycloreversion of bicyclo[m.3.0]alkan-3-on-2-yl-1-oxonium ylides to alkenyloxyketenes. Stereospecific aspect

Rhodium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular reaction of diazoketones 1 bearing a cyclic ethereal moiety transiently formed bicyclo[m.3.0]octan-3-one-1-oxonium-2-ylides (2), which underwent sigmatropic and stereospecific [3 + 2] cycloreversion reaction to form alkenyloxyketenes 3. The ketenes were efficiently trapped by methanol to form the corresponding esters 4. Mechanistic studies revealed that the size of ethereal ring can be variable at least from THF to the THP, oxepane, and oxocane moiety, i.e., m = 3-6. On the other hand, the size of the ylide ring containing the carbonyl unit is limited to a five-membered ring. The cycloreversion was found to be stereospecific as was proven by the reactions of diastereoisomeric pairs bearing a methyl group at the bond-cleaving position. From threo isomers 7, (E)-alkenyloxyacetates 15 were exclusively formed (77-84%), whereas from erythro isomers 8, (Z)-isomers 16 were formed (80-88%). Mechanism of the cleavage from diazoacetonyl-substituted cyclic ethers to alkenyloxyketenes via bicyclic oxonium ylides was analyzed on the basis of calculations employing the hybrid density functional B3LYP and the highly correlated quadratic configuration interaction QCISD method to reveal that the concerted [3 + 2] cycloreversion is the key step of this reaction.     

Synthesis of compounds with juvenile hormone activity—XVII : A stereoselective synthesis of dl-C17-Cecropia juvenile hormone

A stereoselective synthesis of the title compound (2) was accomplished using a coupling reaction of a C₆-unit (4) with a C₁₀-unit (8) as the key-step.     

Preparation and characterization of acrylic hydrogels neutralized by basic amino acids

Basic amino acids were used as neutralizers in the gellation of Eudispert as an acrylic hydrogel. Arginine and lysine successfully neutralized Eudispert, as did sodium hydroxide, and formed hydrogels. A gentle rise of pH was observed as the dosage of the base increased when arginine and lysine were used, in contrast to the sharp rise of pH observed when sodium hydroxide was used. The rank of viscosity of the prepared hydrogels was as follows: lysine > arginine > NaOH. The release rate of model drugs (salicylic acid, theophylline, and bovine insulin) from the prepared hydrogels ranked as follows: NaOH>lysine>arginine, the sustained-release profile being observed with arginine. The rate of diffusion of the model drug from the hydrogel was inversely proportional to the molecular weight of the cationized neutralizer used. It is concluded that the strategy of neutralization of acidic polymers by basic amino acids has advantage with the respect to both the sustained-release characteristics of the gel and the biocompatibility of the basic amino acids themselves.     

Interaction and aggregation of lipid vesicles (DLVO theory versus modified DLVO theory)

Interaction and aggregation of acidic phospholipid (phosphatidylserine) vesicles were studied with variation of cation species and their concentrations in vesicle suspensions, and of vesicle sizes. Aggregation was determined by measuring turbidity of vesicle suspension. The experimental results of aggregation of vesicles induced by monovalent cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺ and TMA⁺) were explained well in terms of the interaction energy of two interacting vesicles using the ordinary Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory for both small and large lipid vesicles. However, the experimental results of aggregation of vesicles induced by divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ba²⁺) were not explained by the ordinary DLVO theory. In order to explain the experimental results of these vesicle aggregation phenomena, it was necessary to modify the theory by including hydration interaction energies which are due to hydrated water at membrane surfaces, and their magnitude and sign depend upon the nature (hydrophobicity) of the membrane surface.     

Synthesis of well-defined hyperbranched polymers bio-based on multifunctional phenolic acids and their structure-thermal property relationships

A number of multifunctional ABx-type monomers exist in plant metabolites, and studies on the formation of hyperbranching polymers from ABx-type monomers are very significant in the development of bio-related polymeric materials. We established a method for the preparation of well-defined structures in bio-based, hyperbranched (HB) polyarylates by the copolycondensation of caffeic acid (DHCA) as an AB₂-monomer and p-coumaric acid (4HCA) as an AB-monomer, using the highly efficient catalyst Na₂HPO₄ to regulate the polymerization speed. ¹H NMR analysis revealed the time course of the formation of the hyperbranching structures. which strongly affected the glass transition and degradation temperatures, as well as the molecular weight and composition.     

HYDROPHOBIZING EFFECT OF CATIONS ON ACIDIC PHOSPHOLIPID MEMBRANES

By means of contact angle measurements with water and aqueous salt solutions, it is shown that plurivalent cations increase the hydrophobicity of negatively charged phospholipid vesicle membranes (consisting of phosphatidic acid, PA, or of phosphatidylserine, PS), but does not influence the hydrophobicity of neutral phospholipid membranes, (e.g., phosphatidylcholine, PC, at up to 200 mM of CaCl₂). The hydrophobizing action of cations on PA and PS membranes is concomitant with the reduction in (negative) zeta potential with increasing cation concentrations. Trivalent cations, La³⁺, showed more effective in hydrophobizing negatively charged phospholipid membranes than divalent and monovalent cations. Except for hydrogen ions, monovalent cations do not show any appreciable hydrophobizing effect on lipid vesicle membranes at concentrations less than 1 M. The hydrophobizing effect on phospholipid membranes can also be used to explain the induction of lateral phase separation into patches of different phospholipids as well as cell fusion.