Ultrasensitive small molecule fluorogenic probe for human heparanase

Heparanase (HPA) is a critical enzyme involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and its elevated expression has been linked with diseases such as various types of cancer and inflammation. The detection of heparanase enzymatic activity holds tremendous value in the study of the cellular microenvironment, and search of molecular therapeutics targeting heparanase, however, no structurally defined probes are available for the detection of heparanase activity. Here we present the development of the first ultrasensitive fluorogenic small-molecule probe for heparanase enzymatic activity via tuning the electronic effect of the substrate. The probe exhibits a 756-fold fluorescence turn-on response in the presence of human heparanase, allowing one-step detection of heparanase activity in real-time with a picomolar detection limit. The high sensitivity and robustness of the probe are exemplified in a high-throughput screening assay for heparanase inhibitors.

Heparanase, a critical enzyme involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, activates a disaccharide probe HADP to give a strong fluorescence signal.     

Alloxazines and isoalloxazines. Mass spectrometric analysis of riboflavin and related compounds

The positive ion electron-impact mass spectra of a series of alloxazines, iso-alloxazines and some derivatives have been examined. The compounds employed were lumichrome (7,8-dimethylalloxazine), 1,3-dimethyllumichrome, lumiflavin (7,8,10-trimethyl-iso-alloxazine), 3-methyllumiflavin, riboflavin [7,8-dimethyl-10-(D-1′-ribityl)-iso-alloxazine], riboflavin tetraacetate, 3-methylriboflavin tetraacetate and riboflavin tetrapropionate. By using exact mass measurements, metastable ion defocusing and the mass/composition shifts occurring with derivatives, it has been possible to arrive at detailed interpretations of the mass spectra of all compounds. With lumichrome and lumiflavin, fragmentation commences by elimination of HNCO from the pyrimidine ring. With riboflavin and its derivatives the ribityl chain cleaves off first, followed by decomposition of the iso-alloxazine ring. Application of these methods and findings to the structural analysis of chemically interesting modified flavins is predicted to be rewarding.     

Quantitative analysis of small pharmaceutical drugs using a high repetition rate laser matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization source

In this work, a high repetition rate laser matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) source is studied on a quadrupole-time-of-flight (QqTOF) and a triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometer for rapid quantification of small pharmaceutical drugs. The high repetition rate laser allows an up to 100-fold higher pulse frequency as compared with regular MALDI lasers, resulting in much larger sample throughput and number of accumulated spectra. This increases the reproducibility of signal intensities considerably, with average values being around 5% relative standard deviation after taking into account the area ratio of the analyte to an internal standard. Experiments were conducted in MS/MS mode to circumvent the large chemical background due to MALDI matrix ions in the low mass range. The dynamic range of calibration curves on the QqTOF mass spectrometer extended over at least two orders of magnitude, whereas on the QqQ it extended over at least three orders of magnitude. Detection limits ranged from 60-400 pg/microL on the QqTOF and from 6-70 pg/microL on the QqQ for a series of benzodiazepines. The benzodiazepine content of commercial pill formulations was quantified, and less than 5% error was obtained between the present method and the manufacturer's certified values. Furthermore, a high sample throughput was achieved with this method, so that a single MALDI spot could be quantitatively scanned in as little as 15 s, and an entire 96-well MALDI plate in 24 min.     

Photochemical investigation of Roussin's red salt esters: Fe2(mu-SR)2(NO)4

The photochemistry of various Roussin's red ester compounds of the general formula Fe(2)(SR)(2)(NO)(4), where R = CH(3), CH(2)CH(3), CH(2)C(6)H(5), CH(2)CH(2)OH, and CH(2)CH(2)SO(3)(-), were investigated. Continuous photolyses of these ester compounds in aerated solutions led to the release of NO with moderate quantum yields for the photodecomposition of the ester (Phi(RSE) = 0.02-0.13). Electrochemical studies using an NO electrode demonstrated that 4 mol of NO are generated for each mole of ester undergoing photodecomposition. Nanosecond flash photolysis studies of Fe(2)(SR)(2)(NO)(4) (where R = CH(2)CH(2)OH and CH(2)CH(2)SO(3)(-)) indicate that the initial photoreaction is the reversible dissociation of NO. In the absence of oxygen, the presumed intermediate, Fe(2)(SR)(2)(NO)(3), undergoes second-order reaction with NO to regenerate the parent cluster with a rate constant of k(NO) = 1.1 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for R = CH(2)CH(2)OH. Under aerated conditions the intermediate reacts with oxygen to give permanent photochemistry.     

Determination of caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids inCynara scolymus L. by high performance liquid chromatography

Summary The main phenolic compounds in dried extracts fromCynara scolymus (artichoke)—monocaffeoylquinic acids, dicaffeoylquinic acid, and flavonoids–have been separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. By use of a narrow bore C₁₈ column and an acidic mobile phase this HPLC method enabled improved separation within 31 min with significantly reduced solvent consumption compared with other methods. The method was validated to demonstrate its linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness. Twelve commercial samples were analyzed. Monocaffeoylquinic acids were the most abundant phenolic compounds; the amounts present ranged from 0.48 to 4.24%. The amounts of dicaffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids were smaller—from 0.03 to 0.52%. The method is a good combination of efficiency and economy and should be especially useful for commercial applications.     

Translational isomerism in a [3]catenane and a [3]rotaxane

[structure: see text] Post-assembly covalent modification using Wittig chemistry of [2]rotaxane ylides, wherein NH(2)(+) centers in the dumbbell-shaped components are recognized by dibenzo[24]crown-8 (DB24C8) rings, has afforded a [3]catenane and a [3]rotaxane with a precise and synthetically prescribed shortage of DB24C8 rings. The nondegenerate pairs of translational isomers present in both of these interlocked molecular compounds provide the fundamental platform on which to construct sensory devices and nanochemomechanical systems.     

Integramides A and B, two novel non-ribosomal linear peptides containing nine C(alpha)-methyl amino acids produced by fungal fermentations that are inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase

[structure: see text]. Integramides A and B are two novel 16-mer linear peptides rich in C(alpha)-methyl amino acids that were isolated from fungal extracts of Dendrodochium sp. by employing a bioassay-guided isolation procedure using recombinant HIV-1 integrase. The structure and stereochemistry were elucidated by a combination of 2D NMR and ESI- and FAB-MS including MS/MS studies and by Marfey's method. Integramides A and B inhibited the coupled reaction of HIV-1 integrase with IC50 values of 17 and 10 microM, respectively.     

Metal ion distribution and solubility of Mn1−xCux(HCOO)2 · 2 H2O Mixed Crystals [1–5]

The metal ion distribution on the two metal sites of monoclinic Mn_1?xCu_x(HCOO)₂ · 2(H,D)₂O mixed crystals are studied by infrared and Raman spectroscopic methods. The spectral regions 3 200–3 400 cm^?1 (v_OH), 2 875–2 990 cm^?1 (v_CH), 2 330–2 500 cm^?1 (v_OD of matrix isolated HDO molecules), 1 350–1 400 cm^?1 (symmetric CO₂ stretching modes), 570–950 cm^?1 (H₂O librations), and 490 cm^?1 (M? O lattice modes) are mostly sensitive to the metal ions present. The frequency shifts of these bands with increasing content of copper show that Cu²⁺ prefers the M(1) site, coordinated by HCOO^? only. The strengths of the hydrogen bonds increase on going from manganese to copper formate, due to the increased synergetic effect of Cu²⁺. Solubility and X-ray data of the mixed crystals are included. Irrespective of the same crystal structure, two series of mixed crystals are formed: eutonic area at 0.65 ≥ x ≥ 0.5.