Interaction of the antimicrobial peptide dicynthaurin with membrane phospholipids at the air-liquid interface

This paper reports the first study on the interaction of the antimicrobial peptide dicynthaurin with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-glycerophosphatidyl-glycerol investigated in monolayers at the air-liquid interface. The influence of the peptide on the two-dimensional phase behavior of the negatively charged lipid was elucidated by means of pressure-area isotherm measurements, fluorescence microscopy, and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction measurements. The pure peptide forms a stable monolayer at the air-liquid interface up to 30 mN/m as shown for both the monomeric and the dimeric cynthaurins. The peptide lipid interaction was monitored in isotherm measurements showing a strong adsorption of the peptide and stabilization at the interface promoted by the lipid monolayer. The X-ray diffraction measurements in agreement with fluorescence microscopy studies showed that the peptide destabilizes the condensed chain lattice, leading to a complete fluidization of the condensed lipid phase on physiological buffer. The adsorption of the peptide to the negatively charged lipid monolayer and the fluidization of the condensed chain lattice suggest a direct link to the peptides' ability to expand the bacterial membrane that would be relevant for the in vivo mode of action.     

Fragmentation of nitrone triflates to 9-membered rings

A new fragmentative rearrangement of nitrone derivatives to form 9-membered rings is reported. The fragmentations are triggered when nitrones are treated with triflic anhydride; a C-C bond antiperiplanar to the cleaving N-O bond is activated either by an oxygen lone pair or by an electron-rich aromatic ring. In the former case, further cyclization of the 9-membered intermediate leads to a rearranged condensed ring system, but when triggered by arenes, 9-membered ring amides are isolated.     

Concise, Biomimetic Total Synthesis of d,l-Marcfortine C

A biomimetic total synthesis of the fungal metabolite marcfortine C utilizing an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction is described. In addition, a key stereoselective oxaziridine-mediated oxidation/pinacol rearrangement of indole 24 was used to complete the total synthesis.     

Identifying bacterial species using CE-MS and SEQUEST with an empirical scoring function

CE-MS/MS analysis of proteolytic digests of bacterial cell extracts was combined with SEQUEST searching and a new scoring system to identify bacteria species in bacterial mixtures. Searches of MS/MS spectra against protein databases enabled the identification of bacterial species by the matching of the proteins associated with the corresponding species. An empirical scoring function was obtained by evaluating the SEQUEST search results of 38 samples that contained single bacterial species. The scoring by the empirical function helped move up the positive identification results from their original positions in the ranking based on Xcorr values alone. Therefore, the identification of bacteria in the samples that contained bacterial mixtures was improved. Bacterial species in 20 bacterial mixtures, including one real sample, were correctly identified by database searches and the new scoring function.     

Measuring cellulase activity

An approach is presented for obtaining relative filter paper activities for enzyme preparations having activities below that required for application of the traditional International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry filter paper assay. The approach involves the utilization of protein stabilizers to retard the time-dependent enzyme inactivation that may occur under traditional filter paper assay conditions. Enzyme stabilization allows extended reaction times and the calculation of relative activities based on the time required for saccharification of 3.6% of the traditional substrate, making results proportional to those obtained in the traditional International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry assay. The assay is demonstrated using a commercial cellulase preparation along with KCl and bovine serum albumin as protein stabilizers.     

Complete (1)H NMR spectral fingerprint of huperzine A

Complete analysis of the (1)H NMR spectrum of huperzine A, 1-amino-13-ethylidene-11-methyl-6-aza-tricyclo[7.3.1.0(2, 7)]trideca-2(7),3,10-trien-5-one, a Lycopodium alkaloid and anti-Alzheimer drug lead containing an ABCD(E)(MN)(OP)X(3)Y(3)-type system of 15 nonexchangeable proton spins, is reported for the first time, and earlier assignments are corrected. The complete (1)H parameter set of 11 chemical shifts clarifies the diastereotopism of both methylene groups, and provides a total of 38 observed H,H-couplings including 31 long-range ((4-6)J) connectivities. The NMR data is consistent with the comparatively rigid alicyclic backbone predicted by molecular mechanics calculations, and forms the basis for (1)H NMR fingerprint analysis for the purpose of dereplication, purity analysis, and elucidation of structural analogs.     

Processive rotaxane systems. Studies on the mechanism and control of the threading process

The threading behavior of a zinc analogue of a previously reported processive manganese porphyrin catalyst onto a series of polymers of different lengths is reported. It is demonstrated that the speed of the threading process is determined by the opening of the cavity of the toroidal porphyrin host, which can be tuned with the help of axial ligands that coordinate to the metal center in the porphyrin.