Electrophoretic analysis of phosphorylation of the yeast 20S proteasome

The 26S proteasome complex, consisting of two multisubunit complexes, a 20S proteasome and a pair of 19S regulatory particles, plays a major role in the nonlysosomal degradation of intracellular proteins. The 20S proteasome was purified from yeast and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). A total of 18 spots separated by 2-DE were identified as the 20S proteasome subunits by peptide mass fingerprinting with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The alpha2-, alpha4- and alpha7-subunits gave multiple spots, which converged into one spot for each subunit when treated with alkaline phosphatase. The difference of pI between phosphorylated and dephosphorylated spots and their reaction against anti-phosphotyrosine antibody suggested that the alpha2- and alpha4-subunits are phosphorylated either at Ser or at Thr residue, and the alpha7-subunit is phosphorylated at Tyr residue(s). These phosphorylated subunits were analyzed by electrospray ionization-quadrupole time of flight-tandem MS (ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) to deduce the phosphorylation sites. The 20S proteasome has three different protease activities: chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like and peptidylglutamyl peptide-hydrolyzing activities. The phosphatase treatment increased K(m) value for chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome, indicating that phosphorylation may play an important role in regulating the proteasome activity.     

Remarkably stable gold nanoparticles functionalized with a zwitterionic liquid based on imidazolium sulfonate in a high concentration of aqueous electrolyte and ionic liquid

A new type of gold nanoparticle with a zwitterionic liquid function (zwitter-Au) has been prepared using an imidazolium sulfonate-terminated thiol as a capping agent. Zwitter-Au was found to be remarkably stable in high concentrations of aqueous electrolytes, ionic liquids, and protein.     

Preparation and certification of JAC river water reference material for trace element analysis

 The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry has recently issued a river water-certified reference material (CRM) for use in the ultratrace analysis of elements in fresh water. The river water CRM consists of a set of two (natural and spiked) 500-ml samples. The natural water is certified for Pb, Cr, As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, B and Al at their sub-μg/l levels, while the spiked water is intended for use in the regulatory analysis of tap water and fresh water. Key words River water · Trace element analysis · Regulatory analysis · Reference materials     

Determination of optimal formulation for extrusion granulation by compression test of wet kneaded mass

The purpose of this study is to propose the application of a compression test to the determination of an optimal formulation for extrusion granulation. The electric current during extrusion was measured and the characteristics of the wet kneaded mass in the compression test were analyzed under various operating conditions, with different types of extruders and several formulations of kneaded mass. It was found that addition of a binder (HPC-L) to pharmaceutical powders lowered the load of a high-compressing type extruder, since the binder reduced the friction among the wet mass during extrusion. Also, the support stress was found to be proportional to the compression pressure without a binder, although an inflection point appeared on the support stress curve when a binder was present. This inflection point suggested large water retention of the wet kneaded mass, at which the medium of pressure was changed from a discontinuous solid powder to a continuous liquid, and large water retention contributed to the low friction of the wet mass. The friction of the wet kneaded mass and the aptitude of the formulation for extrusion were understood by using the compression test. The compression test is a very useful procedure at the first stage of a formulation study.     

Reaction of azole condensed quinoxaline N-oxides with acetic anhydride

The reaction of 7-chlorotetrazolo[1,5-α]quinoxaline 5-oxide 6a with acetic anhydride gave 7-chloro-5-(7-chlorotetrazolo[1,5-α]quinoxalin-4-yl)-4,5-dihydro-4-oxotetrazolo[1,5-α]quinoxaline 7a , while the reaction of 7-chloro-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-α]quinoxaline 5-oxide 6b with acetic anhydride afforded 7-chloro-5-(7-chloro-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-α]quinoxalin-4-yl)-4,5-dihydro-4-oxo-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-α]quinoxaline 7b and 7-chloro-4,5-dihydro-4-oxo-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-α]quinoxaline 8b . The reaction of compound 6a or 6b with acetic anhydride/acetic acid provided 7-chloro-4,5-dihydro-4-oxo-tetrazolo[1,5-α]quinoxaline 8a or compound 8b , respectively.     

Effect of surface covering of lactose carrier particles on dry powder inhalation properties of salbutamol sulfate

The effect of the surface covering of lactose carrier particles on the dry powder inhalation properties of salbutamol sulfate was investigated. Lactose carrier surfaces were covered with sucrose tristearate (J-1803F) by a high-speed elliptical-rotor-type powder mixer (Theta-Composer). In the present study, drug/carrier powder mixtures were prepared consisting of micronized salbutamol sulfate and lactose carriers with various particle surface conditions prepared by surface covering. These powder mixtures were aerosolized by a Jethaler), and the in vitro inhalation properties of salbutamol sulfate were evaluated by a twin impinger. Compared with the powder mixed with uncovered lactose carrier, the in vitro inhalation properties of the powder mixture prepared using the surface covering lactose carrier were significantly different, showing that the in vitro inhalation properties of salbutamol sulfate were improved. In vitro inhalation properties increased with the percentage of J-1803F added. Using this surface covering system would thus be valuable for increasing the inhalation properties of dry powder inhalation with lactose carrier particles.     

Influence of storage humidity on the in vitro inhalation properties of salbutamol sulfate dry powder with surface covered lactose carrier

The influence of storage humidity on the in vitro inhalation properties of salbutamol sulfate dry powder with surface covered lactose carrier was investigated. In the present study, drug/carrier powder mixtures were prepared consisting of micronized salbutamol sulfate and lactose carriers with different particle surface conditions prepared by surface covering. Lactose carrier surfaces were covered with vegetable magnesium stearate (Mg-St-V) by a high-speed elliptical-rotor-type powder mixer (Theta-Composer). These powder mixtures were aerosolized by a Jethaler), and the in vitro inhalation properties of salbutamol sulfate were evaluated by a twin impinger. Compared with the powder mixed with uncovered lactose carrier, the in vitro inhalation properties of the powder mixture prepared using the surface covered lactose carrier were little decreased with increased in relative humidity (RH), showing that the in vitro inhalation properties of salbutamol sulfate were improved at high RH. Using this surface covering technique would thus be valuable for storage humidity of dry powder inhalation (DPI) with lactose carrier particles.     

BINAP/AgOTf/KF/18-crown-6 as new bifunctional catalysts for asymmetric Sakurai-Hosomi allylation and Mukaiyama aldol reaction

A catalytic amount of KF.18-crown-6 complex is effective as a soluble fluoride source to activate an asymmetric Sakurai-Hosomi allylation with BINAP and silver(I) triflate catalyst. The allylation of a variety of aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated and aliphatic aldehydes with allylic trimethoxysilane resulted in high yields and remarkable enantioselectivities. In addition, the asymmetric Mukaiyama-type aldol reaction is achieved by using trimethoxysilyl enol ethers in the presence of the same catalysts. High anti selectivity is obtained from E-silyl enol ether, while Z-silyl enol ether gives syn selectivity.     

Synthetic alpha-mannosyl ceramide as a potent stimulant for an NKT cell repertoire bearing the invariant Valpha19-Jalpha26 TCR alpha chain

A NKT cell repertoire is characterized by the expression of the Valpha19-Jalpha26 invariant TCR alpha chain (Valpha19 NKT cell). This repertoire, as well as a well-established Valpha14-Jalpha281 invariant TCR alpha(+) NKT cell subset (Valpha14 NKT cell), has been suggested to have important roles in the regulation of the immune system and, thus, is a major therapeutic target. Here, we attempted to find specific antigens for Valpha19 NKT cells. Valpha19 as well as Valpha14 NKT cells exhibited reactivity to alpha-galactosyl ceramide (alpha-GalCer). Thus, a series of monoglycosyl ceramides with an axially oriented glycosidic linkage between the sugar and ceramide moiety were synthesized and their antigenicity to Valpha19 NKT cells was determined by measuring their immune responses in culture with glycolipids. Comprehensive examinations revealed substantial antigenic activity for Valpha19 NKT cells by alpha-mannosyl ceramide.     

Lewis acid-activated chiral leaving group: enantioselective electrophilic addition to prochiral olefins

A new strategy using a BINOL derivative as a chiral leaving group and Lewis acid has been developed for enantioselective alkylation of prochiral olefins. (R)-2,2'-Bis[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl]-1,1'-binaphthol is demonstrated to be an effective reagent for enantioselective hydroxymethylation of silyl enol ethers and trisubstituted alkenes. Electrophilic addition to prochiral olefins is accompanied by cleavage of an acetal that is dual activated by SnCl4 and the delta-effect of silicon through the S(N)2 substitution process. Enantioselective synthesis of cyclic terpenes is also described using this strategy.