A novel cacalolide from Psacalium decompositum

A new cacalolide sesquiterpenoid, named as Romo-A, was isolated from the roots of Psacalium decompositum, Asteraceae, a Mexican medicinal shrub with antidiabetic properties. Its structure was elucidated by NMR, MS, IR, UV, and confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Delineation of RAID1, the RACK1 interaction domain located within the unique N-terminal region of the cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase, PDE4D5

Background  

The cyclic AMP specific phosphodiesterase, PDE4D5 interacts with the β-propeller protein RACK1 to form a signaling scaffold complex in cells. Two-hybrid analysis of truncation and mutant constructs of the unique N-terminal region of the cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase, PDE4D5 were used to define a domain conferring interaction with the signaling scaffold protein, RACK1.     

Modular bis(oxazoline) ligands for palladium catalyzed allylic alkylation: unprecedented conformational behaviour of a bis(oxazoline) palladium eta3-1,3-diphenylallyl complex

New families of enantiopure bis(oxazolines) with 4,5-trans (5 a-g) or 4,5-cis (6 c) stereochemistry at the individual rings have been prepared in high yield. Their eta(3)-allyl palladium complexes (8 a-g, 9 c and 10) have been used as catalytic precursors in allylic alkylation reactions with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96 %) for the trans oxazoline derivatives, while Pd/6 c system was inactive. NMR studies on palladium eta(3)-1,3-diphenylallyl intermediates (11 a, c and e) showed the presence of syn/syn- and syn/anti-allyl isomers in solution; this resembles the first example of eta(3)-eta(1)-eta(3) isomerism in Pd allylic complexes containing bis(oxazolines) derived from malonic acid.     

Second-generation mimics of ganglioside GM1 oligosaccharide: a three-dimensional view of their interactions with bacterial enterotoxins by NMR and computational methods

As a step to delineate a strategy of ligand design for cholera toxin (CT), NMR studies were performed on several mimics of the GM1 ganglioside oligosaccharide. The conformation of these analogues was investigated first in solution and then upon binding to cholera toxin by transferred nuclear Overhauser effect (TR-NOE) measurements. It was demonstrated that CT selects a conformation similar to the global minima of the free saccharides from the ensemble of presented conformations. No evidence of major conformational distortions was obtained, but one or two of the available conformers of the hydroxyacid side chain appear to be selected in the bound state. The NMR data were interpreted with the aid of computer models, generated and analyzed by using a combination of different approaches (MacroModels' MC/EM and MC/SD, Autodock, and GRID). Analysis of the NMR data supported by computational studies allowed us to interpret the experimental observations and to derive workable models of the ligand:toxin complexes. These models suggest that the higher affinity of the (R)-lactic acid derivative 3 may stem from lipophilic interactions with a hydrophobic area in the toxin binding site located in the vicinity of the sialic acid side chain binding region of the CT:GM1 complex, and formed by the side chain of Ile-58 and Lys-34. Thus, the models obtained have allowed us to make useful design suggestions for the improvement of ligand affinity.     

Micelle‐Triggered β‐Hairpin to α‐Helix Transition in a 14‐Residue Peptide from a Choline‐Binding Repeat of the Pneumococcal Autolysin LytA

Choline‐binding modules (CBMs) have a ββ‐solenoid structure composed of choline‐binding repeats (CBR), which consist of a β‐hairpin followed by a short linker. To find minimal peptides that are able to maintain the CBR native structure and to evaluate their remaining choline‐binding ability, we have analysed the third β‐hairpin of the CBM from the pneumococcal LytA autolysin. Circular dichroism and NMR data reveal that this peptide forms a highly stable native‐like β‐hairpin both in aqueous solution and in the presence of trifluoroethanol, but, strikingly, the peptide structure is a stable amphipathic α‐helix in both zwitterionic (dodecylphosphocholine) and anionic (sodium dodecylsulfate) detergent micelles, as well as in small unilamellar vesicles. This β‐hairpin to α‐helix conversion is reversible. Given that the β‐hairpin and α‐helix differ greatly in the distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic side chains, we propose that the amphipathicity is a requirement for a peptide structure to interact and to be stable in micelles or lipid vesicles. To our knowledge, this “chameleonic” behaviour is the only described case of a micelle‐induced structural transition between two ordered peptide structures.     

Montecrinanes A–C: Triterpenes with an Unprecedented Rearranged Tetracyclic Skeleton from Celastrus vulcanicola. Insights into Triterpenoid Biosynthesis Based on DFT Calculations

Three new triterpenoids with an unprecedented 6/6/6/6‐fused tetracyclic carbon skeleton, montecrinanes A–C ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the root bark of Celastrus vulcanicola, along with known D:B‐friedobaccharanes ( 4 – 6 ), and lupane‐type triterpenes ( 7 – 12 ). The stereostructures of the new metabolites were elucidated based on spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and spectrometric (HR‐EIMS and HR‐ESIMS) techniques. Their absolute configurations were determined by both NMR spectroscopy, with (R)‐(?)‐α‐methoxyphenylacetic acid as a chiral derivatizing agent, and biogenetic considerations. Biogenetic pathways for montecrinane and D:B‐friedobaccharane skeletons were proposed and studied by DFT methods. The theoretical results support the energetic feasibility of the putative biogenetic pathways, in which the 1,2‐methyl shift from the secondary baccharenyl cation represents a novel and key reaction step for a new montecrinane skeleton.     

Evaluation of the performance of single‐walled carbon nanohorns in capillary electrophoresis

This paper describes for the first time the use of single‐walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) as pseudostationary and stationary phases for EKC and CEC, respectively, taking advantage of their characteristic features, such as conical‐end termination, formation of spherical assemblies dahlia‐flower like superstructure and easy functionalization. The use of SWNHs as pseudostationary phase for EKC required the study of their dispersion in different surfactants as well as their compatibility with the electrophoretic system. The carboxylation and subsequent immobilization of carboxylated SWNHs in fused‐silica capillary to obtain useful, reproducible and stable stationary phases for CEC has also been investigated, with promising results. The electrophoretic separations obtained for water‐soluble vitamins in both modalities (EKC and CEC) have been systematically compared with those obtained with single‐walled carbon nanotubes.     

Detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in milk,honey and meat samples using an optical biosensor

Immuno-biosensor inhibition assays for the detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in whole cows' milk, honey, pig kidney and pig muscle are reported. The antibody showed high cross-reactivity with dihydrostreptomycin in various foodstuffs (buffer 103%, milk 96%, honey 84%, kidney extract 129% and muscle extract 98%). There was no significant cross-reaction with other aminoglycosides or commonly used antibiotics. A streptomycin derivative was used to prepare a stable, reusable sensor chip surface. The assay allowed the direct analysis of bovine whole milk (fat content approximately 3.5%). Honey samples required dilution with buffer, while kidney and muscle samples from pigs were homogenized in an aqueous extraction buffer and clarified by centrifugation. The limit of detection for each assay was determined from known streptomycin-free samples (n = 20; mean - (3 x standard deviation)) and the results were as follows: milk 30 microg kg(-1), honey 15 microg kg(-1), kidney 50 microg kg(-1) and muscle 70 microg kg(-1). Repeatability (or relative standard deviation) between runs were calculated (n = 3) at the respective Community maximum residue limits (MRL) and 0.5 x MRL with the exception of honey since no European MRL exists at present. Results were determined as 4.3% (200 microg kg(-1)) and 2.8% (100 microg kg(-1)) in milk, 13.3% (40 microg kg(-1)) and 9.5% (20 microg kg(-1)) in honey, 7.1% (1000 microg kg(-1)) and 7.6% (500 microg kg(-1)) in kidney and 7.1% (500 microg kg(-1)) and 11% (250 microg kg(-1)) in muscle.     

Identification of the main by-products of the developing agent N-hydroxyethyl-N-ethyl-3-methyl-p-phenylenediamine in photographic effluents by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

N-Hydroxyethyl-N-ethyl-3-methyl-p-phenylenediamine (CD(4)) is commonly used as a developing agent in color photographic processes. The main by-products formed in developer baths used in the process were separated and identified by liquid chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry (LC/EI-MS) and liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (LC/API-MS). A number of side reactions, in addition to the main reactions involved in the developing process, were found to occur. Such side reactions involved in the formation of CD(4) by-products included oxidation, hydroxylation, sulfonation and the formation of coupling products. A reaction pathway for the degradation of CD(4) based on the nature of the by-products identified is proposed and discussed.     

Conformational selection of glycomimetics at enzyme catalytic sites: experimental demonstration of the binding of distinct high-energy distorted conformations of C-, S-, and O-glycosides by E. Coli beta-galactosidases

We show that the conformational features of the molecular complexes of E. coli beta-galactosidase and O-glycosides may differ from those formed with closely related compounds in their chemical nature, such as C- and S-glycosyl analogues. In the particular case presented here, NMR and ab initio quantum mechanical results show that the 3D-shapes of the ligand/inhibitor within the enzyme binding site depend on the chemical nature of the compounds. In fact, they depend on the relative size of the stereoelectronic barriers for chair deformation or for rotation around Phi glycosidic linkage.