κ-Poincaré–Hopf algebra and Hopf algebroid structure of phase space from twist

We unify κ-Poincaré algebra and κ-Minkowski spacetime by embedding them into quantum phase space. The quantum phase space has Hopf algebroid structure to which we apply the twist in order to get κ-deformed Hopf algebroid structure and κ-deformed Heisenberg algebra. We explicitly construct κ-Poincaré–Hopf algebra and κ-Minkowski spacetime from twist. It is outlined how this construction can be extended to κ-deformed super-algebra including exterior derivative and forms. Our results are relevant for constructing physical theories on noncommutative spacetime by twisting Hopf algebroid phase space structure.     

Concise Synthesis of Potassium Acyltrifluoroborates from Aldehydes through Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Borylation/Oxidation

Potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) were prepared through copper(I)‐catalyzed borylation of aldehydes and subsequent oxidation. This synthetic route is characterized by the wide range of aldehydes accessible, favorable step economy, mild reaction conditions, and tolerance of various functional groups, and it enables the facile generation of a range of KATs, for example, bearing halide, sulfide, acetal, or ester moieties. Moreover, this method was applied to the three‐step synthesis of various α‐amino acid analogues that bear a KAT moiety on the C‐terminus by using naturally occurring amino acids as the starting material.     

Shimalactone Biosynthesis Involves Spontaneous Double Bicyclo-Ring Formation with 8π-6π Electrocyclization

Shimalactones A and B are neuritogenic polyketides possessing characteristic oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene ring systems that are produced by the marine fungus Emericella variecolor GF10. We identified a candidate biosynthetic gene cluster and conducted heterologous expression analysis. Expression of ShmA polyketide synthase in Aspergillus oryzae resulted in the production of preshimalactone. Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae transformants expressing ShmA and ShmB produced shimalactones A and B, thus suggesting that the double bicyclo-ring formation reactions proceed non-enzymatically from preshimalactone epoxide. DFT calculations strongly support the idea that oxabicyclo-ring formation and 8π-6π electrocyclization proceed spontaneously after opening of the preshimalactone epoxide ring through protonation. We confirmed the formation of preshimalactone epoxide in vitro, followed by its non-enzymatic conversion to shimalactones in the dark.     

Comparative proteomic analysis of round and elongated spermatids during spermiogenesis in mice

Spermiogenesis in mammals is an exclusive process during which haploid round spermatids mature into spermatozoa in the testis. Any abnormality in the process of spermiogenesis may result in male infertility. The aim of the present study was to characterize the differentially expressed proteins between round and elongated spermatids in mice using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry. Of the 2411 proteins identified in this study, 333 were differentially expressed with a ≥10-fold change, including 208 upregulated proteins and 125 downregulated proteins in round spermatids relative to elongated spermatids. Gene Ontology analysis showed that these differentially expressed proteins were categorized into 10 types of subcellular localizations, 9 molecular functions, and were involved in 9 biological processes. All the identified proteins participated in 268 different pathways. In addition, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and the proteasome pathway, autophagy, lysosome, and apoptosis pathways were involved in the mechanism of spermiogenesis. Our data may provide valuable information for a better understanding of spermiogenesis and help improve the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility.     

Sensitive analysis of aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine and jesaconitine in human body fluids and Aconitum tubers by LC/ESI-TOF-MS

The Aconitum species (Ranunculaceae) are widely distributed in northern Asia and North America. Their roots are popularly used in herbal medicines in China and Japan. Many cases of accidental, suicidal and homicidal intoxication with this plant have been reported; some of these were fatal because the toxicity of Aconitum is very high. It is thus important to detect and quantify Aconitum alkaloids in body fluids, with high sensitivity. We have developed a simple and sensitive method for measuring four kinds of Aconitum alkaloids (aconitine, hypaconitine, jesaconitine and mesaconitine) by LC/electrospray (ESI)-time-of-flight (TOF)-MS. For all of them, only molecular ions were observed at an orifice voltage of 75 V; at 135 V, base peaks corresponding to [M - 60 + H]+ ions were observed. These four compounds and methyllycaconitine (internal standard) in human plasma samples were purified by solid-phase extraction. The four extracted compounds were completely separated in mass chromatograms; the calibration curves showed good linearity in the range 10-300 ng/ml, and the detection limits were estimated to be 0.2-0.5 ng/ml. Using our method, we also determined the amounts of these compounds in tuber samples. The present method is applicable in clinical and forensic toxicology.     

Synthesis of isomeric triazolopyrrolopyrimidines

4‐Hydrazino‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidines ( 4 ) were cyclocondensed with formic acid or triethyl orthoformate to give 7H‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐c]pyrrolo[3,2‐e]pyrimidines ( 5 ) and 7H‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐c]pyrrolo‐[3,2‐e]pyrimidines ( 6 ) respectively. The [4,3‐c]‐isomers ( 6 ) were rearranged into thermodynamically more stable [1,5‐c]‐isomers ( 5 ). The identical compounds ( 5 ) were prepared using another route by reacting 3‐amino‐4‐imino‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidines ( 3 ) with formic acid or triethylorthoformate. Reaction of 2‐amino‐3‐cyanopyrroles ( 1 ) with triethyl orthoformate followed by hydrazinolysis afforded ( 3 ) via the formation of N‐ethoxymethylene‐2‐amino‐3‐cyanopyrroles ( 2 ).