Mutation effects of a conserved alanine (Ala510) in type I polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase from Ralstonia eutropha on polyester biosynthesis

Type I polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthases, as represented by Ralstonia eutropha enzyme (PhaC(Re)), have narrow substrate specificity toward (R)-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A with acyl chain length of C3-C5 to yield PHA polyesters. In this study, saturation point mutagenesis of a highly conserved alanine at position 510 (A510) in PhaC(Re) was carried out to investigate the effects on the polymerization activity and the substrate specificity for in vivo PHA biosynthesis in bacterial cells. A series of saturation mutants were first applied for poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] homopolymer synthesis in Escherichia coli and R. eutropha PHB(-)4 (PHA negative mutant) cells to assess the polymerization activity. All mutants showed quantitatively similar polymerization activities when R. eutropha PHB(-)4 was used for assay, whereas several mutants such as A510P showed low activities in E. coli. Further analysis has revealed that majority of mutants synthesize polyesters with higher molecular weights than the wild-type. In particular, substitution by acidic amino acids, A510D(E), led to remarkable increases in molecular weights. Subsequently, PHA copolymer synthesis from dodecanoate (C12 fatty acid) was examined. The copolymer compositions were varied depending on the mutants used. Significant increased fractions of long monomer units (C6 and C8) in PHA copolymers were observed for three mutants [A510M(Q,C)]. From these results, the mutations at this potion are beneficial to change the molecular weight of polyesters and the substrate specificity of PhaC(Re). Molecular weight distributions of PHA polymers synthesized by the wild-type enzyme (PhaC(Re)) and its mutants.     

Encapsulation and/or release behavior of bovine serum albumin within and from polylactide-grafted dextran microspheres

Polylactide (PLA)-grafted dextran (Dex-graft-PLA) of various contents of sugar units was synthesized by anionic polymerization of L-lactide (L-LA) using the alkoxide of partially trimethylsilylated dextran (TMSDex) and subsequently removing the trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups. The copolymer showed different solubility from L-LA homopolymer with increasing the content of sugar units. We prepared bovine serum albumin (BSA)-loaded microspheres (MS)s according to a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion-solvent evaporation/extraction method using methylene chloride/DMSO as an organic cosolvent. MSs prepared from Dex-graft-PLA [MS(Dex-graft-PLA)s] exhibited higher loading efficiency of BSA than MSs prepared from PLLA [MS(PLLA)s]. The in vitro release rate of BSA from MS(Dex-graft-PLA) was faster than that from MS(PLLA). BSA released from MS(Dex-graft-PLA) maintained the secondary structure of native BSA to a great extent, compared with BSA released from MS(PLLA).     

The Interaction of C60, C70, and C60(CN)2 radical anions with cobalt(II) tetraphenylporphyrin in solid multicomponent complexes

A method for the synthesis of the multicomponent ionic complexes: [Cr(I)(C(6)H(6))(2) (.+)][Co(II)(tpp)(fullerene)(-)].C(6)H(4)Cl(2), comprising bis(benzene)chromium (Cr(C(6)H(6))(2)), cobalt(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (Co(II)(tpp)), fullerenes (C(60), C(60)(CN)(2), and C(70)), and o-dichlorobenzene (C(6)H(4)Cl(2)) has been developed. The monoanionic state of the fullerenes has been proved by optical absorption spectra in the UV/vis/NIR and IR ranges. The crystal structures of the ionic [[Cr(I)(C(6)H(6))(2)](.+)](1.7)[[Co(II)(tpp)(C(60))](2)](1.7-). 3.3 C(6)H(4)Cl(2) and [[Cr(I)(C(6)H(6))(2)] (.+)](2)[Co(II)(tpp)[C(60)(CN)(2)]](-)[C(60)(CN)(2) (.-)]).3 C(6)H(4)Cl(2) are presented. The essentially shortened Co.C(fullerene) bond lengths of 2.28-2.32 A in these complexes indicate the formation of sigma-bonded [Co(II)(tpp)][fullerene](-) anions, which are diamagnetic. All the ionic complexes are semiconductors with room temperature conductivity of 2 x 10(-3)-4 x 10(-6) S cm(-1), and their magnetic susceptibilities show Curie-Weiss behavior. The neutral complexes of Co(II)(tpp) with C(60), C(60)(CN)(2), C(70), and Cr(0)(C(6)H(6))(2), as well as the crystal structures of [Co(II)(tpp)](C(60)).2.5 C(6)H(4)Cl(2), [Co(II)(tpp)](C(70)). 1.3 CHCl(3).0.2 C(6)H(6), and [Cr(0)(C(6)H(6))(2)][Co(II)(tpp)] are discussed. In contrast to the ionic complexes, the neutral ones have essentially longer Co.C(fullerene) bond lengths of 2.69-2.75 A.     

Asymmetric cyclization of omega-formyl-1,3-dienes catalyzed by a zerovalent nickel complex in the presence of silanes

A nickel(0)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclization of omega-formyl-1,3-diene in the presence of silanes in which five- or six-membered carbocycles or pyrrolidine derivatives were afforded up to 86% ee by the use of (2R,5R)-2,5-dimethyl-1-phenylphospholane as a monodentate chiral ligand was investigated. The reaction course of this asymmetric cyclization can be explained for by two possible mechanisms: one in which the cyclization proceeds via a pi-allylnickel intermediate to produce a cyclized product having an internal olefin in the side chain, and one in which the cyclization proceeds via a sigma bond metathesis of silane and the nickel-oxygen bond of oxanickelacycle to produce a cyclized compound having a terminal olefin and/or an internal olefin in the side chain. It was speculated that both of these mechanisms operate in this asymmetric cyclization depending upon the nature of silanes and the reaction conditions.     

TEMPO-mediated Oxidation of Native Cellulose: SEC–MALLS Analysis of Water-soluble and -Insoluble Fractions in the Oxidized Products

Linter cellulose was suspended in water and oxidized by the NaClO/NaBr/2,2,6,6-tetramehylpiperidine-1-oxy radical (TEMPO) system at pH 10.5 (TEMPO-mediated oxidation), and the oxidized products were separated into several fractions by filtration and centrifugation, depending on their particle sizes and apparent water-solubility. The major fraction (>ca. 80 mass % of the original linter cellulose) is the filter paper-trapped fibers, which can form inter-fiber hemiacetal linkages when handsheets are prepared thereof. Size-exclusion chromatographic analysis with multi-angle laser light scattering detection (SEC–MALLS) of these fibrous fractions dissolved in 0.5% LiCl/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) showed that some depolymerization occurred on cellulose chains during the TEMPO-mediated oxidation. On the other hand, the apparently water-soluble fractions (<ca. 20 mass % of the original linter cellulose) in the TEMPO-oxidized linter cellulose consisted of small amounts of colloidal particles having the cellulose I crystal structure, which came off from linter cellulose by the TEMPO-mediated oxidation and were mixed in the apparently water-soluble fraction even after filtration using 0.45 μm membrane. The presence of such colloidal cellulose crystals in the water-soluble fractions of the TEMPO-oxidized linter cellulose brings about anomalous bimodal SEC-elution patterns and extremely large molecular-mass values calculated from the SEC–MALLS data. Truly water-soluble cellouronic acid and/or over-oxidized compounds having glucuronic acid and hexeneuronic acid units are also present in the water-soluble fractions.     

Formation of single-bonded (C60-)2 and (C70-)2 dimers in crystalline ionic complexes of fullerenes

New ionic complexes of fullerenes C(60) and C(70) with decamethylchromocene Cp*(2)Cr.C60.(C(6)H(4)Cl(2))(2) (1), Cp*(2)Cr.C60.(C(6)H(6))(2) (2); the multicomponent complex of (Cs(+))(C70-) with cyclotriveratrylene CTV.(Cs)(2).(C70)(2).(DMF)(7).(C(6)H(6))(0.75) (3); bis(benzene)chromium Cr(C(6)H(6))(2).C60.(C(6)H(4)Cl(2))(0.7) (4), Cr(C(6)H(6))(2).C60.C(6)H(5)CN (5), Cr(C(6)H(6))(2).C70.C(6)H(4)Cl(2) (6), Cr(C(6)H(6))(2).C60 (7); cobaltocene Cp(2)Co.C60.C(6)H(4)Cl(2) (8), Cp(2)Co.C70.(C(6)H(4)Cl(2))(0.5) (9); and cesium Cs.C70.(DMF)(5) (10) have been obtained. The complexes have been characterized by the elemental analysis, IR-, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, EPR and SQUID measurements. It is shown that C(60)(.-) exists as a single-bonded diamagnetic (C60-)2 dimer in 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8 at low temperatures (1.9-250 K). The dimers dissociate above 160-250 K depending on donor and solvent molecules involved in the complex. C60(.-) dimerizes reversibly and shows a small hysteresis (<2 K) at slow cooling and heating rates. The single-bonded diamagnetic (C70-)2 dimers are also formed in 6, 9, and 10 and begin to dissociate only above 250-360 K. The IR and UV-vis-NIR spectra of sigma-bonded negatively charged fullerenes are presented.     

Neutral and ionic complexes of C60 with metal dibenzyldithiocarbamates. Reversible dimerization of C60*- in ionic multicomponent complex [Cr(I)(C6H6)2*+].(C60*-).0.5[Pd(dbdtc)2

New molecular complexes of C60 with metal(II) dibenzyldithiocarbamates, M(dbdtc)2.C60.0.5(C6H5Cl), where M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Pd(II), and Pt(II) and an ionic multicomponent complex [Cr(I)(C6H6)2*+].(C60*-).0.5[Pd(dbdtc)2] (Cr(C6H6)2: bis(benzene)chromium) were obtained. According to IR, UV-visible-NIR, and EPR spectra, involve neutral components, whereas 5 comprises neutral Pd(dbdtc)2 and C60*- and Cr(I)(C6H6)2*+ radical ions. The crystal structure of at 90 K reveals strongly puckered fullerene layers alternating with those composed of Pd(dbdtc)2. The Cr(I)(C6H6)2*+ radical cations are arranged between the layers. Fullerene radical anions form pairs within the layer with an interfullerene C...C contact of 3.092(2) A, indicating their monomeric state at 90 K. This contact is essentially shorter than the sum of van der Waals radii of two carbon atoms, and consequently, C60*- can dimerize. According to SQUID and EPR, single-bonded diamagnetic (C60-)2 dimers form in below 150-130 K on slow cooling and dissociate above 150-170 K on heating. The hysteresis was estimated to be 20 K. For the (C60-)2 dimers in, the dissociation temperature is the lowest among those for ionic complexes of C60 (160-250 K). Fast cooling of the crystals within 10 min from room temperature down to 100 K shifts dimerization temperatures to lower than 60 K. This shift is responsible for the retention of a monomeric phase of at 90 K in the X-ray diffraction experiment.     

Chiral hetero Diels-Alder products by enantioselective and diastereoselective zirconium catalysis. Scope,limitation, mechanism,and application to the concise synthesis of (+)-Prelactone C and (+)-9-deoxygoniopypyrone

Catalytic asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder (HDA) reactions using a chiral zirconium complex have been developed. The reactions of aldehydes with Danishefsky's dienes proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding pyranone derivatives in high yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities in the presence of a chiral zirconium complex, which was prepared from zirconium tert-butoxide, (R)-3,3'-diiodobinaphthol or its derivative, a primary alcohol, and a small amount of water. It is noted that 2,3-trans-pyranone derivatives were obtained with remarkably high diastereo- and enantioselectivities in the reaction with 4-methyl Danishefsky's diene. This is the first example of catalytic asymmetric trans-selective hetero Diels-Alder reactions of aldehydes. Furthermore, asymmetric HDA reactions with 4-benzyloxy Danishefsky's dienes were conducted to afford 2,3-cis-pyranone derivatives in high selectivities. Isolation of an intermediate of this asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reaction indicated that the reaction proceeded in a stepwise cycloaddition pathway. Finally, these catalytic, asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder reactions were successfully applied to concise syntheses of biologically important natural pyranone derivatives, (+)-Prelactone C and (+)-9-deoxygoniopypyrone.