Phosphorylation of an alpha-synuclein peptide fragment enhances metal binding

By using Tb3+ as a luminescent probe, we demonstrate that the phosphorylation state of a 14-residue peptide fragment of alpha-synuclein, a protein implicated in Parkinson's Disease, dramatically affects the metal ion affinity of the peptide. Whereas the unphosphorylated peptide and its phosphoserine analogue show weak Tb3+ binding, its phosphotyrosine analogue shows tight 1:1 binding as well as 2:1 and 3:1 Tb:peptide adducts. Our data suggest that the phosphorylated amino acid must be appropriately positioned among additional ligating residues to establish this phosphorylation-dependent metal binding.     

Influence of methanol as a buffer additive on the mobilities of organic cations in capillary electrophoresis

The mobilities of a series of aromatic ammonium ions, ranging in charge from +1 to + 3, were investigated by capillary electrophoresis using buffers consisting of 0-75% v/v methanol. This is an extension of our previous studies involving anion mobility in methanol-water media [1]. Absolute mobilities were determined by extrapolation of the effective mobilities to zero ionic strength according to the Pitts' equation. For all of the buffer compositions studied, the ionic strength effect increased with increasing cation charge, and varied as a function of solvent 1/eta epsilon (1/2) as predicted by the electrophoretic term within the Pitts' equation. In the presence of methanol, the ionic strength effects became more dramatic. The absolute mobilities of the cations were altered by the addition of methanol to the electrophoretic media. For example, at 75% MeOH, a migration order reversal was observed between the + 2 and + 3 ammonium ions. These solvent-induced selectivity changes are attributed to dielectric friction. As predicted by the Hubbard-Onsager dielectric friction model, dielectric friction increased with increasing methanol content and with increasing analyte charge. Further, the changes in cation mobility correlated to the changes in solvent relaxation time (tau), epsilon and eta. Although not predicted by the Hubbard-Onsager theory, the + 3 ammonium ion experienced more dielectric friction than the - 3 sulfonate and - 3 carboxylate investigated previously [1]. This apparent failure of the Hubbard-Onsager model results from its continuum nature, whereby ion-solvent interactions are not taken into account.     

Spectrophotometric determination of vanadium as vanadium(IV) pyridine thiocyanate

A spectrophotometric determination of vanadium as vanadium(IV) pyridine thiocyanate is described. The blue complex is formed in acidic aqueous solution and extracted into pyridine-chloroform. Absorbance is measured at 7.40 mμ. The range of best accuracy for 1-cm cells is from about 80 to 240 μg of vanadium per ml, and sensitivity is 0.4 μg of vanadium per cm² at 7.40 mμ. The vanadium may be present initially as vanadium(IV) or vanadium(V), which is reduced to vanadium(IV) by the large excess of thiocyanate ion added. Several elements interfere in the determination ; a separation procedure involving mercury cathode electrolysis is suggested.     

Catalytic Dinitrogen Reduction to Ammonia at a Triamidoamine–Titanium Complex

Catalytic reduction of N₂ to NH₃ by a Ti complex has been achieved, thus now adding an early d‐block metal to the small group of mid‐ and late‐d‐block metals (Mo, Fe, Ru, Os, Co) that catalytically produce NH₃ by N₂ reduction and protonolysis under homogeneous, abiological conditions. Reduction of [Ti^IV(Tren^TMS)X] (X=Cl, 1A ; I, 1B ; Tren^TMS=N(CH₂CH₂NSiMe₃)₃) with KC₈ affords [Ti^III(Tren^TMS)] ( 2 ). Addition of N₂ affords [{(Tren^TMS)Ti^III}₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂)] ( 3 ); further reduction with KC₈ gives [{(Tren^TMS)Ti^IV}₂(μ‐η¹:η¹:η²:η²‐N₂K₂)] ( 4 ). Addition of benzo‐15‐crown‐5 ether (B15C5) to 4 affords [{(Tren^TMS)Ti^IV}₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂)][K(B15C5)₂]₂ ( 5 ). Complexes 3 – 5 treated under N₂ with KC₈ and [R₃PH][I], (the weakest H⁺ source yet used in N₂ reduction) produce up to 18 equiv of NH₃ with only trace N₂H₄. When only acid is present, N₂H₄ is the dominant product, suggesting successive protonation produces [{(Tren^TMS)Ti^IV}₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐N₂H₄)][I]₂, and that extruded N₂H₄ reacts further with [R₃PH][I]/KC₈ to form NH₃.     

Normal- and Reversed-Phase Behaviour of 16,17-Secoestrone Derivatives on Cyanopropyl-Bonded Silica Gel

The retention behaviour of a number of 16,17-secoestrone derivatives has been studied by LC and HPTLC on a polar cyanopropyl-bonded stationary phase using non-aqueous and aqueous-organic mobile phases. The retention behaviour has been discussed in terms of nature of the solute, eluent and stationary phase. The correlation between retention constants of 16,17-secoestrone derivatives obtained from reversed-phases and commercially available ACD log P software (Advanced Chemistry, Toronto, Canada) has also been examined.