Metal clips induce folding of a short unstructured peptide into an alpha-helix via turn conformations in water. Kinetic versus thermodynamic products

Short peptides corresponding to two to four alpha-helical turns of proteins are not thermodynamically stable helices in water. Unstructured octapeptide Ac-His1-Ala2-Ala3-His4-His5-Glu6-Leu7-His8-NH(2) (1) reacts with two [Pd((15)NH(2)(CH(2))(2)(15)NH(2))(NO(3))(2)] in water to form a kinetically stable intermediate, [[Pden](2)[(1,4)(5,8)-peptide]](2), in which two 19-membered metallocyclic rings stabilize two peptide turns. Slow subsequent folding to a thermodynamically more stable two-turn alpha-helix drives the equilibrium to [[Pden](2)[(1,5)(4,8)-peptide]] (3), featuring two 22-membered rings. This transformation from unstructured peptide via turns to an alpha-helix suggests that metal clips might be useful probes for investigating peptide folding.     

Flexible ureasil hybrids with tailored optical properties through doping with metal nanoparticles

Hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites containing uniform distributions of metal nanoparticles have been prepared by mixing a preformed nanoparticle colloid with the precursors of a ureasil, prior to the sol-gel transition. These nanocomposites possess not only high optical quality and optical features dictated by the size and shape of the nanoparticle dopants but also a high degree of flexibility, which can largely enhance the range of applications in practical devices. The deposition of a uniform silica shell on the nanoparticle surface prior to the sol-gel transition was found to be required to maintain the colloidal stability during the process and, thus, to retain the optical properties in the final nanocomposite material. This method can be readily extended to other materials, such as semiconductor and magnetic nanoparticles.     

Sequential atomic absorption spectrometric determination of nitrate and nitrite in meats by liquid-liquid extraction in a flow-injection system

Sequential determinations of nitrate and nitrite based on continuous liquid-liquid extraction, and suitable for their routine determinations in meats, are reported. Nitrate reacts with bis(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthrolinato)copper(I) to form an ion-pair which is extrated into 4-methyl-2-pentanone in a flow-injection manifold. In one aliquot of sample, nitrite is oxidized by cerium(IV), so that total nitrate is determined. In another, nitrite is converted to nitrogen with sulfamic acid, so that only the original nitrate is determined. By measuring the atomic absorption signal of copper in the organic phase, mixtures of these anions can be determined at μg ml^?1 levels for nitrate/nitrite ratios from 10:1 to 1:10, with a sampling frequency of ca. 20 h^–1.     

Evaluation of isothermal kinetic of sweetener

Summary Sulfonylureas are widely used for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Glibenclamide belongs to the group of substituted arylsulfonylureas. Many representative of this group shows polymorphism. The purpose of this work was to investigate the thermal behaviour and compatibility between glibenclamide and some excipients using thermoanalytical techniques (TG-DTG/DSC). The thermal and isothermal kinetics data showed incompatibility between glibenclamide and magnesium stearate.     

π‐Facial Selectivity in the Formation of Tricarbonylchromium(0) Complexes of Estra‐1, 3, 5(10), 6‐tetraenes

The preparation of two η⁶‐estra‐1, 3, 5(10), 6‐tetraene tricarbonylchromium complexes 4 and 6 are described. In both cases only one stereoisomer can be isolated, in contrast to other estrane‐tricarbonylchromium complexes, where complexations are non‐stereoselective. X‐ray crystal structural analysis of 4 discloses that only the more sterically hindered β‐facial isomer is formed. It is assumed that the 6, 7‐olefinic moiety exerts a directive influence on the complexation.     

Fluorescence quenching of anthropogenic fulvic acids by Cu(II), Fe(III) and UO(2)(2+)

The quenching of the fluorescence of three anthropogenic fulvic acids (FA) provoked by Cu(II) (pH 6.0), Fe(III) (pH 4.0) and UO₂²⁺ (pH 3.5), was analyzed by a non-linear method and by Stern-Volmer plots. The FA samples were extracted from composted sewage sludges (csFA), composted municipal wastes (mwFA) and composted livestock wastes (lsFA). Synchronous-scan fluorescence (SyF) spectra were collected as a function of metal ion concentration. Spectral data were treated by a self-modeling mixture analysis method (SIMPLISMA) to detect the SyF spectral band with the strongest quenching and to calculate the corresponding quenching profile. The analysis of these profiles by a non-linear method allowed the estimation of conditional stability constants (K) and of the percentage of non-complexing fluorophores. The same quantitative information was obtained by the modified Stern-Volmer equation taking into account the existence of fluorophores that do not participate in the complexation. Good agreement was found between the results of the two procedures. The log K calculated by the non-linear method were (standard deviation in parenthesis): csFA, Cu(II), 4.22 (5); Fe(III), 5.0 (1); UO₂²⁺, 5.2 (2); mwFA, Cu(II), 4.21 (3); Fe(III), 5.6 (2); UO₂²⁺, 4.7 (3); lsFA, Cu(II), 4.51 (8); Fe(III), 5.5 (2); UO₂²⁺, 3.6 (2).     

Observations on clear solution silicalite-1 growth by nanoslabs

Several research groups have reported the presence of nanometer-sized particles (nanoslabs) in clear solutions, which precipitate the crystalline MFI (ZSM-5) structure. Debate about the growth mechanism for Al-free ZSM-5 (silicalite-1) has revolved around growth by small silicate units (monomers, dimers, etc.) from solution vs growth by nanoslab addition. A model developed for precipitation of uniform sized colloids by addition of sub-colloidal precursor units has been adapted for this zeolite synthesis system. Parameter values were adjusted for the simulation results to match experimental observations from work reported previously, at least to the extent possible. The model involved the simultaneous solution of up to 6000 ordinary differential equations, and required computation times of up to 24 h. The results shed light on the crystal growth mechanism, but pose questions for further investigations of the nucleation mechanism.     

Genotoxic properties of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, a compound formed on irradiation of food containing fat

When food containing fat is treated by ionizing radiation, a group of 2-alkylcyclobutanones is formed. These components contain the same number of carbon atoms as their precursor fatty acids and the alkyl group is located in ring position 2. Thus, from palmitic acid 2-dodecylcyclobutanone is derived. To date, there is no evidence that the cyclobutanones occur in unirradiated food. Therefore, these components cannot be considered inherent to food, and for questions pertaining to risk assessment of irradiated food it would be advisable to determine the genotoxic and toxic potentials of cyclobutanones. Measurements of DNA damage in cells exposed to 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, employing the single cell microgel electrophoresis technique, have been carried out. In vitro experiments using rat and human colon cells indicate that 2-docylcyclobutanone in the concentration range of about 0.30 – 1.25 mg/ml induces DNA strand breaks in the cells. Simultaneously, a concentration related cytotoxic effect is observed as was determined by trypan blue exclusion. To which extent these in vitro findings are of relevancy for the in vivo human exposure situation needs to be investigated in further studies. In vivo tests in rats are in progress.     

Molecular structure and polarity of the C3NH carbene

Ab initio MP 2/4-31G ** calculations indicate that the most stable form of C₃NH is bent and singlet and that the linear structure corresponds to a maximum. The effect of changing the CNH angle on the total energy is slight, but it is quite pronounced on the molecular polarity. The wider angle tends to increase the polarity of C₃NH. MP 2/4-31G ** calculations predict a difference of polarity between linear and bent structures of 0.8 D.     

Über die Wahl der Lösungsmittelsysteme bei der papierchromatographischen Trennung organischer Verbindungen

Zusammenfassung An praktischen Beispielen wurde gezeigt, in welcher Weise die Trennung organischer Verbindungen mittels Papierchromatographie erzielt werden kann. Man ist nicht auf einige bewährte Lösungsmittel systeme allein angewiesen, sondern kann von Fall zu Fall systematisch neue und geeignete Systeme benützen. Es hat sich bewährt, sich nach den elementaren Löslichkeitsregeln für organische Stoffe zu richten, unter der Voraussetzung, daß die zu chromatographierende Verbindung in der stationären Phase gut, in der mobilen Phase dagegen weniger löslich ist. Durch Änderung der stationären Phase (Wasser, nicht wäßriges, polares Lösungsmittel, nicht polares Lösungsmittel) oder der Polarität und Zusammensetzung der mobilen Phase kann man das Wandern der Flecke am Chromatogramm beeinflussen, beliebige R_fWerte erhalten und in vielen Fällen auch eine beliebige Reihenfolge der Verbindungen am Chromatogramm erzielen.Da die Löslichkeit organischer Verbindungen von intermolekularen Kräften abhängig ist, erscheint das Problem im Zusammenhang mit strukturellen Einflüssen sehr kompliziert und muß für jeden Fall auf eigene Weise gelöst werden. Die Löslichkeitseigenschaften können weiter durch Benutzung reaktiver Lösungsmittel beeinflußt werden, die z. B. die Verbindungen in wasserlösliche Salze überführen können. Dabei ist an die möglichen Komplikationen, die bei ionisierbaren Verbindungen durch Dissoziation und Hydrolyse entstehen können, zu achten.Von den Hauptfaktoren, die eine Trennung ermöglichen können, seien die folgenden erwähnt: funktionelle Gruppen, ihre Anzahl, Polarität, gegenseitige Stellung, bzw. ihre Basizität oder Azidität, C-Atomanzahl in homologen Verbindungen, inter- und intramolekulare Wasserstoffbindungen, sterische Faktoren u. a. Es ist dann von der Art des gewählten Lösungsmittelsystems abhängig, welche der genannten Faktoren im Vordergrund stehen und welche beseitigt werden.Wenn die Löslichkeitsunterschiede der zu trennenden Stoffe zu gering sind, um gute Trennungen zu ermöglichen, ist es zweckmäßig, die Verbindungen in solche Derivate zu überführen, deren Strukturunterschiede größer sind.

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Summary Practical examples are given to show how organic compounds can be separated by means of paper chromatography. The operator is not limited to tested solvent systems, but can use new suitable systems as the occasion demands. It has been found best to abide by the elementary rules of solubility of organic compounds, provided the compound to be chromatographed is quite soluble in the stationary phase but less soluble in the mobile phase. By altering the stationary phase (water, nonaqueous, polar solvent, non-polar solvent) or the polarity and composition of the mobile phase, the migration of the stains in the chromatogram can be influenced, selectedR _f -values can be obtained, and in many cases it is also possible to secure a desired succession of the compounds on the chromatogram.Since the solubility of organic compounds depends on intermolecular forces, the problem in connection with structural influences appears very complicated and must be solved individually for each case. Moreover, the solubility characteristics can be affected by using reactive solvents; for instance, the compounds can be converted into water soluble salts. Under such circumstances, sight must not be lost of the complications which may arise because of the dissociation and hydrolysis of ionizable compounds. The following are among the chief factors, which may make a separation possible: functional groups, their number, polarity, relative position, their basicity or acidity, C-atom number in homologous compounds, inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, steric factors, etc. It then depends on the type of solvent system selected, which of these factors are predominant and which can be neglected or eliminated.If the solubility differences are too slight to permit good separations, the compounds to be separated should, if possible, be converted into derivatives whose structural differences are more pronounced.

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Résumé Des exemples pratiques montrent comment il est possible d'effectuer la séparation de combinaisons organiques par Chromatographie sur papier. Il n'est pas uniquement fait appel à des systèmes de solvants éprouvés mais, dans certains cas, de nouveaux systèmes appropriés sont systématiquement utilisés.Il s'est avéré satisfaisant de faire appel aux règles élémentaires de solubilité des substances organiques sous réserve que la combinaison à chromatographier soit suffisamment soluble dans la phase stationnaire et moins soluble dans la phase mobile. En faisant varier la phase stationnaire (eau, solvant non aqueux, solvant polaire, solvant non polaire) ou la polarité et la composition de la phase mobile, il est possible d'influencer la migration des taches du chromatogramme, d'obtenir des valeurs deR _f désirées et, dans de nombreux cas, d'obtenir les combinaisons dans un ordre déterminé sur le chromatogramme.La solubilité des combinaisons organiques étant fonction des forces intermoléculaires il en résulte que le problème se complique considérablement dans la mesure où l'on considère les influences structurelles et que chaque cas particulier doit recevoir une solution qui lui est propre. Les propriétés de solubilité peuvent en outre être influencées par l'emploi de solvants réactifs qui peuvent transformer, par exemple les combinaisons en sels solubles dans l'eau. Il faut alors tenir compte des possibilités de complications qui peuvent apparaître par dissociation et hydrolyse des combinaisons ionisables.Parmi les principaux facteurs qui permettent une séparation, il convient de mentionner les suivants: les groupes fonctionnels, leur nombre, leur polarité, leur position relative, ou encore leur acidité ou leur basicité, le nombre d'atomes de carbone de combinaisons homologues, les liaisons hydrogène inter- et intramoléculaires, les facteurs stériques, etc. Suivant la nature du système solvant choisi pourront alors varier les facteurs dont l'effet est prépondérant et ceux dont l'effet est nul. Lorsque les différences de solubilité des substances à séparer sont trop faibles pour permettre des séparations satisfaisantes, il est commode de transformer les combinaisons en dérivés dont les différences de structure soient plus importantes.