Intriguing self-assembly of large granules of F-actin facilitated by gelsolin and alpha-actinin

We report microscopic observations and a structural determination of actin granules self-assembled in concentrated solutions of actin filaments (F-actin). Optical microscopy shows reproducible formation of numerous and stable granules of densely packed F-actin of variable sizes on the order of 10 microm. These granules coexist with a uniform network of F-actin of a lower concentration. The microscopic segregation of F-actin into two distinct states is assisted by an actin cross-linking protein, alpha-actinin. The rapid on and off rates and temperature sensitivity of the alpha-actinin/F-actin interaction facilitate the formation of multi-micrometer-sized granules of well-defined shapes. Additional physical factors such as the excluded volume effect and the minimization of surface energy act in concert with the specific molecular interactions to define the intriguing granular formation. Both the biochemical specificity of alpha-actinin and the thermodynamics of phase transitions are required for understanding such large scale self-assembly.     

Novel 99mTc labeled σ receptor ligand as a potential tumor imaging agent

A novel ^99mTc labeled complex, [N-[2-((2-oxo-2-(4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl) (2-mercaptoethyl)amino)acetyl]-2-aminoethanethiolato]Technetium(V) oxide (PPPE-MAMA’-^99mTcO) ([ ^99m Tc]-2) has been designed and prepared based on the integrated approach. The corresponding rhenium complex (PPPE-MAMA’-ReO)(Re-2) has been prepared and characterized. In vitro competition binding assays show moderate affinity of Re-2 towards σ₁ and σ₂ receptors with K _i values of 8.67 ± 0.07 and 5.71 ± 1.88 μmol, respectively. Planar images obtained at 0.5 h, 4 h, 20 h after i.v. injection indicate the accumulation of [ ^99m Tc]-2 in MCF-7 human breast tumor bearing mice at 20 h. Furthermore, the accumulation of [ ^99m Tc]-2 has been inhibited at 20 h after co-injection of [ ^99m Tc]-2 plus haloperidol (1 mg/kg). Biodistribution studies of [ ^99m Tc]-2 display an in vivo tumor uptake of 0.14% ± 0.01% ID/g at 24 h post i.v. injection with a tumor/muscle ratio of 6.02 ± 0.87. The above results suggest that [ ^99m Tc]-2, derived from a previously published lead compound, retains certain tumor uptake and affinity for σ receptors. [ ^99m Tc]-2 may be used as a basis for further structural modifications to develop tumor imaging agents with high affinity for σ receptors.     

A highly sensitive assay for protein with dibromochloro-arsenazo-Al(3+) using resonance light scattering technique and its application

A simple, sensitive and selective method has been developed for the determination of protein using resonance light scattering (RLS) technique. The method is based on the interaction of protein and arsenazo-DBC-Al(3+) in the pH range of 5.0-7.0, which causes a substantial enhancement of the resonance scattering signal of arsenazo-DBC-Al(3+) in the wavelength range of 300-550 nm with the maximum RLS platform at 405-420 nm. With this method, 2.50-50.00 mug ml(-1) of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 2.50-60.00 mug ml(-1) of human serum albumin (HSA) can be determined, and the detection limits, calculated three times the standard deviation (S.D.) of six blank measurements, for BSA and HSA were 123.4 and 89.6 ng ml(-1), respectively. Moreover, the method is free from interference from many amino acids and metal ions. The method, with high sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility, was satisfactorily applied to the determination of total protein in human serum samples. Mechanism studies indicated that arsenazo-DBC-Al(3+) could bind to BSA depending mainly on electrostatic forces, which results in enhanced RLS in the arsenazo-DBC-Al(3+)-protein system.     

Highly efficient rhodium/monodentate phosphoramidite catalyst and its application in the enantioselective hydrogenation of enamides and alpha-dehydroamino acid derivatives

An easily prepared and highly efficient monodentate phosphoramidite ligand derived from BINOL, (S)-2,2'-O,O-(1,1'-binaphthyl)-dioxo-N,N-diethylphospholidine, was examined in the hydrogenation of both enamides and alpha-dehydroamino acid derivatives. The catalyst provided remarkably high enantioselectivities (up to 99.6% ee for enamides and >99.9% ee for alpha-dehydroamino acid derivatives).     

在肽库中进行小肽筛选的初步研究

以合成六肽ＤＧＧＳＡＡ为模型对在噬菌体肽库中进行小肽筛选做了初步研究。结果表明，含有可形成氢键和离子键残基的小肽能够在噬菌体肽库中进行筛选。并用明显提高了筛选的专一性。     

烟酸对酸性硫酸盐体系铜电沉积的影响

对溶液A: 0.8 mol•L－1硫酸铜,0.6 mol•L－1硫酸,5.0×10－5 mol•L－1氯离子,1.0×10－4 mol•L－1聚乙二醇的溶液,溶液B:在溶液A中加入2.0×10－2 mol•L－1烟酸,pH为0.5,运用循环伏安和计时安培法研究玻碳电极上铜的电沉积行为.结果表明,铜的电沉积过程经历了晶核形成过程,其电结晶按瞬时成核和三维生长方式进行.烟酸的加入对铜的电沉积具有阻化作用,但不改变铜的电结晶机理.沉积层的X射线衍射表明Cu为面心立方结构,在烟酸存在下沉积层出现(220)高择优取向,这可能是烟酸在Cu(220)晶面上发生强烈吸附作用的结果.     

树枝状十二酯的合成

以乙二胺和丙烯酸十二酯为原料，甲醇为溶剂，采用迈克尔加成反应合成了低代的树枝状十二酯。探讨了反应条件对树枝状十二酯收率的影响。乙二胺2mL(30mmol)，n(乙二胺)：n(丙烯酸十二酯)=1：6，甲醇占反应液总体积的50％，反应温度40℃，反应时间48h，产率54．9％。     

SciFinder-guided rational design of fluorescent carbon dots for ratiometric monitoring intracellular pH fluctuations under heat shock

Intracellular pH plays a significant role in various biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, enzyme activity and homeostasis. In this work, a novel design strategy for the preparation of pH responsive carbon dots (CDs-pH) for ratiometric intracellular imaging was reported. By using SciFinder database, fluorescent CDs-pH with the required pK_a value of 6.84 were rationally designed, which is vital important for precise sensing of intracellular pH. As a result, the synthesized CDs-pH demonstrated robust ability to test pH fluctuations within the physiological range of 5.4-7.4. The CDs-pH was further utilized for fluorescent ratiometric imaging of pH in living HeLa cells, effectively avoided the influence of autofluorescence from native cellular species. Moreover, real-time monitoring of intracellular pH fluctuation under heat shock was successfully realized. This SciFinder-guided design strategy is simple and flexible, which has a great potential to be used for the development of other types of CDs for various applications.     

5′-鸟苷酸与茜素红S的反应及其在分析化学中的作用

采用UVVis光谱法研究了茜素红S(ARS)与5′鸟苷酸(5′GMP)在pH4.80的弱酸性缓冲溶液中生成络合物的结合反应。与试剂比较,络合物的最大吸收峰红移92nm,测得络合物和表观摩尔吸光系数为ε=1.3×104L·mol-1·cm-1;最大结合数n=10;浓度线性范围0.2～16mg/L;检出限为6.1×10-8mol/L。研究了ARS与5′GMP是分子间作用力的结合反应,并对时间、温度、离子强度对结合反应的影响,以及无机物、生物物质对反应体系的干扰情况进行了初步研究。     

用峰鉴别技术反相高效液相色谱法测定火锅汤料中微量吗啡

本文报道了以峰鉴别技术为定性依据的测定火锅汤料中微量吗啡的反相高效液相色谱法。本法采用改良的Ｓｔａｓ－ｏｔｔｏ法分离提取复杂样品中的微量吗啡。由于采用峰鉴别技术，增加了定性参数，大大提高了定性方法的准确性。本法简便、快速。最低检出浓度为０．０４ｍｇ／Ｌ。在数十例样品分析中，与其它仪器分析结果比照，非常符合。