In situ adsorption studies of a 14-amino acid leucine-lysine peptide onto hydrophobic polystyrene and hydrophilic silica surfaces using quartz crystal microbalance, atomic force microscopy, and sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy

The adsorption of a 14-amino acid amphiphilic peptide, LK14, which is composed of leucine (L, nonpolar) and lysine (K, charged), on hydrophobic polystyrene (PS) and hydrophilic silica (SiO2) was investigated in situ by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy. The LK14 peptide, adsorbed from a pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution, displayed very different coverage, surface roughness and friction, topography, and surface-induced orientation when adsorbed onto PS versus SiO2 surfaces. Real-time QCM adsorption data revealed that the peptide adsorbed onto hydrophobic PS through a fast (t < 2 min) process, while a much slower (t > 30 min) multistep adsorption and rearrangement occurred on the hydrophilic SiO2. AFM measurements showed different surface morphologies and friction coefficients for LK14 adsorbed on the two surfaces. Surface-specific SFG spectra indicate very different ordering of the adsorbed peptide on hydrophobic PS as compared to hydrophilic SiO2. At the LK14 solution/PS interface, CH resonances corresponding to the hydrophobic leucine side chains are evident. Conversely, only NH modes are observed at the peptide solution/SiO2 interface, indicating a different average molecular orientation on this hydrophilic surface. The surface-dependent difference in the molecular-scale peptide interaction at the solution/hydrophobic solid versus solution/hydrophilic solid interfaces (measured by SFG) is manifested as significantly different macromolecular-level adsorption properties on the two surfaces (determined via AFM and QCM experiments).     

Hydrogen-bonded monolayers and interdigitated multilayers at the air-water interface

Crystalline monolayers of octadecylsulfonate amphiphiles (C18S) separated by hydrophilic guanidinium (G) spacer molecules were formed at the air-water interface at a surface coverage that was consistent with that expected for a fully condensed monolayer self-assembled by hydrogen bonding between the G ions and the sulfonate groups. The surface pressure-area isotherms reflected reinforcement of this monolayer by hydrogen bonding between the G ions and the sulfonate groups, and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) measurements, performed in-situ at the air-water interface, revealed substantial tilt of the alkyl hydrophobes (t = 49 degrees with respect to the surface normal), which allowed the close packing of the C18 chains needed for a stable crystalline monolayer. This property contrasts with behavior observed previously for monolayers of hexadecylbiphenylsulfonate (C16BPS) and G, which only formed crystallites upon compression, accompanied by ejection of the G ions from the air-water interface. Upon compression to higher surface pressures, GIXD revealed that the highly tilted (G)C18S monolayer crystallites transformed to a self-interdigitated (G)C18S crystalline multilayer accompanied by a new crystalline monolayer phase with slightly tilted alkyl chains and disordered sulfonate headgroups. This transformation was dependent on the rate of compression, suggesting kinetic limitations for the "zipper-like" transformation from the crystalline monolayer to the self-interdigitated (G)C18S crystalline multilayer.     

Synthesis of Asparagine Derivatives Harboring a Lewis X Type DC-SIGN Ligand and Evaluation of their Impact on Immunomodulation in Multiple Sclerosis

The protein myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a key component of myelin and an autoantigen in the disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Post-translational N-glycosylation of Asn₃₁ of MOG seems to play a key role in modulating the immune response towards myelin. This is mediated by the interaction of Lewis-type glycan structures in the N-glycan of MOG with the DC-SIGN receptor on dendritic cells (DCs). Here, we report the synthesis of an unnatural Lewis X (Le^X)-containing Fmoc-SPPS-compatible asparagine building block (SPPS=solid-phase peptide synthesis), as well as asparagine building blocks containing two Le^X-derived oligosaccharides: LacNAc and Fucα1-3GlcNAc. These building blocks were used for the glycosylation of the immunodominant portion of MOG (MOG_31-55) and analyzed with respect to their ability to bind to DC-SIGN in different biological setups, as well as their ability to inhibit the citrullination-induced aggregation of MOG_31-55. Finally, a cytokine secretion assay was carried out on human monocyte-derived DCs, which showed the ability of the neoglycopeptide decorated with a single Le^X to alter the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, inducing a tolerogenic response.     

Study of hair element content from an urban Bulgarian population using NAA assessment of environmental status

In this preliminary study, scalp hair samples from 36 individuals resident in Sofia, Bulgaria, were analysed and Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, and Zn were determined. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) methods were used. Three washing procedures.: distilled-deionised water; acidacetone-water; and Triton X-100 detergent-water, showed a variable elemental change strongly dependent on the procedure used. More than 18 elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, F, Fe, I, K, La, Mo, Na, Ni, Sb, Sc, Sr and V) were easily removed by water-washing. Triton X-100 detergent was more effective in removing Ag, As, Au, Cl, Cs, K, Na and Rb; but not Hg. Only S and Zn were strongly incorporated in the hair structure (less than 10% being removable by any washing technique). There is no significant age correlation with any element between the various hair treatment groups. Elevated cadmium levels were found in the hair of smokers (0.711–4.913 g/g Cd) compared with nonsmokers (0.568–2.681 g/g Cd). Comparison of the elemental data for distilled water-washed hair and studies from Oxford, England and Hastings, and Hastings, New Zealand (using the same INAA method) revealed interesting variations dependent on local industrial and nutritional factors.     

Synthesis of chiral chelating N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of ruthenium

The first 9-membered chiral chelating bidentate imidazol-2-ylidene ruthenium (II) benzylidene complexes based on a cyclopentane backbone were synthesised and characterised via NMR and HRMS.     

Molecular Structures and Photophysical Properties of Dirhodium Fluorophosphine Complexes

The excited state properties of a series of singly bonded dirhodium compounds, consisting of Rh(0)(2), Rh(0)Rh(II)X(2), and Rh(II)(2)X(4) (X = Cl and Br) cores coordinated by three bis(difluorophosphino)methylamine ligands, have been investigated. The newly synthesized complexes with X = Br have been structurally characterized. The mixed-valence complex Rh(2)[&mgr;-CH(3)N(PF(2))(2)](3)Br(2)[(PF(2))CH(3)N(PF(2))] crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 13.868(7) ?, b = 16.090(5) ?, c = 11.614(5) ?, V = 1591(3) ?(3), and Z = 4; the structure was refined to values of R = 0.052 and R(w) = 0.062. Orange crystals of Rh(2)[&mgr;-CH(3)N(PF(2))(2)](3)Br(4) are monoclinic with a C2/c space group: a = 14.62(6) ?, b = 12.20(2) ?, c = 14.33(1) ?; beta = 106.0(2) degrees; V = 2457(11) ?(3); Z = 4; and R = 0.058 and R(w) = 0.056. Crystalline solids and low-temperature glasses of each member of the chloride and bromide series exhibit long-lived red luminescence. Excitation profiles and temperature dependencies of the emission bandwidths and lifetimes for all complexes are characteristic of luminescence originating from a dsigma excited state. Efficient nonradiative decay is observed upon the thermal population of an excited state proximate to the lowest energy emissive excited state of these complexes. The nonradiative decay rate constant of the upper excited state is 10(2)-10(3) and 10(3)-10(4) greater than that of the emissive excited state for complexes with X = Cl and Br, respectively.     

Molecular motion in zinc hydrazone grid complexes

Four new grid forming hydrazone ligands substituted with methoxy and dimethylamino groups were synthesised. Combination of these ligands with zinc triflate in acetonitrile resulted in self-assembly to form grids as indicated by ¹H NMR and ES-MS. ¹H NMR also showed thermally induced rotation of the intercalated phenyl ring in both the new grids, and in three previously reported grid compounds. Of these seven, five were amenable to study by variable temperature ¹H NMR. Though the observed rates varied by more than an order of magnitude depending upon ligand structure and level of deprotonation, activation energies were similar (～60 kJ/mol) for all complexes studied. This suggests a model in which dissociation of the central pyrimidine ligand precedes phenyl group rotation with an enthalpy of dissociation near zero. The rate of rotation of the phenyl ring increases with an introduction of electron-donating substituents on the phenyl ring, possibly due to an increased repulsion between π systems.     

Discovery and characterization of a cell-permeable, small-molecule c-Abl kinase activator that binds to the myristoyl binding site

c-Abl kinase activity is regulated by a unique mechanism involving the formation of an autoinhibited conformation in which the N-terminal myristoyl group binds intramolecularly to the myristoyl binding site on the kinase domain and induces the bending of the αI helix that creates a docking surface for the SH2 domain. Here, we report a small-molecule c-Abl activator, DPH, that displays potent enzymatic and cellular activity in stimulating c-Abl activation. Structural analyses indicate that DPH binds to the myristoyl binding site and prevents the formation of the bent conformation of the αI helix through steric hindrance, a mode of action distinct from the previously identified allosteric c-Abl inhibitor, GNF-2, that also binds to the myristoyl binding site. DPH represents the first cell-permeable, small-molecule tool compound for c-Abl activation.     

Three-component coordination networks based on [Ru(phen)(CN)4(2-) anions, near-infrared luminescent lanthanide(III) cations, and ancillary oligopyridine ligands: structures and photophysical properties

A series of cyanide-bridged coordination networks has been prepared which contain [Ru(phen)(CN)4](2-) anions, Ln(III) cations, and additional oligopyridine ligands (1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine or 2,2'-bipyrimidine) which coordinate to the Ln(III) centres. Five structural types have been identified and examples of each type of structure are described: these are hexanuclear Ru4Ln2 clusters; two-dimensional Ru-Ln sheets with a honeycomb pattern of edge-linked Ru6Ln6 hexagons; one-dimensional chains consisting of two parallel cross-linked strands in a ladder-like arrangement; simple single-stranded chains of alternating Ru/Ln components; and a one-dimensional 'chain of squares' in which Ru2Ln2 squares are linked by bipyrimidine bridging ligands which connect to the Ln(III) corners of adjacent squares in the sequence. The 3MLCT luminescence characteristic of the [Ru(phen)(CN)4](2-) units is quenched in those networks containing Ln(III) which have low-lying near-infrared luminescent f-f states [Pr(III), Nd(III), Er(III), Yb(III)], with sensitised Ln(III)-based near-IR luminescence generated by d --> f energy-transfer. The rate of d --> f energy-transfer, and hence the degree of quenching of the 3MLCT luminescence from the [Ru(phen)(CN)4](2-) units, depends on the availability of f-f levels of an appropriate energy on the Ln(III) centre, with Nd(III) (with a high density of low-lying f-f states) being the most effective energy-acceptor and Yb(III) (with a single low-lying f-f state) being the least effective. Rates of d --> f energy-transfer to different Ln(III) centres could be determined from both the residual (partially quenched) lifetimes of the 3MLCT luminescence, and--in the case of the Yb(III) networks--by a rise-time for the sensitised near-IR luminescence. The presence of the 'blocking' polypyridyl ligands, which reduced the number of cyanide and water ligands that would otherwise coordinate to the Ln(III) centres, resulted in increases in the Ln(III)-based emission lifetimes compared to networks where these blocking ligands were not used.