Origins of the Intermediate Spectral Form in M100 Mutants of Photoactive Yellow Protein

Numerous single‐site mutants of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) from Halorhodospira halophila and as well as PYP homologs from other species exhibit a shoulder on the short wavelength side of the absorbance maximum in their dark‐adapted states. The structural basis for the occurrence of this shoulder, called the “intermediate spectral form,” has only been investigated in detail for the Y42F mutation. Here we explore the structural basis for occurrence of the intermediate spectral form in a M121E derivative of a circularly permuted H. halophila PYP (M121E‐cPYP). The M121 site in M121E‐cPYP corresponds to the M100 site in wild‐type H. halophila PYP. High‐resolution NMR measurements with a salt‐tolerant cryoprobe enabled identification of those residues directly affected by increasing concentrations of ammonium chloride, a salt that greatly enhances the fraction of the intermediate spectra form. Residues in the surface loop containing the M121E (M100E) mutation were found to be affected by ammonium chloride as well as a discrete set of residues that link this surface loop to the buried hydroxyl group of the chromophore via a hydrogen bond network. Localized changes in the conformational dynamics of a surface loop can thereby produce structural rearrangements near the buried hydroxyl group chromophore while leaving the large majority of residues in the protein unaffected.     

Electronic, epr and magnetic studies of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with thiosemicarbazone (L1) and semicarbazone (L2) derived from pyrole-2-carboxyaldehyde

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes are synthesized with thiosemicarbazone (L(1)) and semicarbazone (L(2)) derived from pyrole-2-carboxyaldehyde. These complexes are characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, mass, IR, electronic and EPR spectral studies .The molar conductance measurements of the complexes in DMSO correspond to non-electrolytic nature except Co(L1)2(NO3)2 and Ni(L1)2(NO3)2 complexes which are 1:2 electrolytes. All the complexes are of high-spin type. On the basis of spectral studies an octahedral geometry may be assigned for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes except Co(L1)2(NO3)2 and Ni(L1)2(NO3)2 which are of tetrahedral geometry. A tetragonal geometry may be suggested for Cu(II) complexes.     

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Structural Studies of Bis(&mgr;-sulfido)bis[{O,O-dialkyl (alkylene) dithiophosphato}oxomolybdenum(V)] Complexes. Crystal Structures of Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2), Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2).2NC(5)H(5), and Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)P(OPh)(2)](4)

A series of new complexes, Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OR)(2)](2) (where R = Et, n-Pr, i-Pr) and Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)POGO](2) (where G = -CH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)-, -CMe(2)CMe(2)-) have been prepared by the dropwise addition of an ethanolic solution of the ammonium or sodium salt of the appropriate O,O-dialkyl or -alkylene dithiophosphoric acid, or the acid itself, to a hot aqueous solution of molybdenum(V) pentachloride. The complexes were also formed by heating solutions of Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)P(OR)(2)](4) or Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)POGO](4) species in glacial acetic acid. The Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OR)(2)](2) and Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)POGO](2) compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P NMR, and infrared and Raman spectroscopy, as were the 1:2 adducts formed on reaction with pyridine. The crystal structures of Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt(2))](2), Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2).2NC(5)H(5), and Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)P(OPh)(2)](4) were determined. Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2) (1) crystallizes in space group C2/c, No. 15, with cell parameters a = 15.644(3) ?, b = 8.339(2) ?, c = 18.269(4) ?, beta = 103.70(2) degrees, V = 2315.4(8) ?(3), Z = 4, R = 0.0439, and R(w) = 0.0353. Mo(2)O(2)S(2)[S(2)P(OEt)(2)](2).2NC(5)H(5) (6) crystallizes in space group P&onemacr;, No. 2, with the cell parameters a = 12.663(4) ?,b = 14.291(5) ?, c = 9.349(3) ?, alpha = 100.04(3) degrees, beta = 100.67(3) degrees, gamma = 73.03(3) degrees V = 1557(1) ?(3), Z = 2, R = 0.0593, and R(w) = 0.0535. Mo(2)O(3)[S(2)P(OPh)(2)](4) (8) crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, No. 14, with cell parameters a = 15.206(2)?, b = 10.655(3)?, c = 19.406(3)?, beta = 111.67(1) degrees, V = 2921(1)?(3), Z = 2, R = 0.0518, R(w) = 0.0425. The immediate environment about the molybdenum atoms in 1 is essentially square pyramidal if the Mo-Mo interaction is ignored. The vacant positions in the square pyramids are occupied by two pyridine molecules in 6, resulting in an octahedral environment with very long Mo-N bonds. The terminal oxygen atoms in both 1 and 6 are in the syn conformation. In 8, which also has a distorted octahedral environment about molybdenum, two of the dithiophosphate groups are bidentate as in 1 and 6, but the two others have one normal Mo-S bond and one unusually long Mo-S bond.     

Phytocannabinoid Compositions from Cannabis Act Synergistically with PARP1 Inhibitor against Ovarian Cancer Cells In Vitro and Affect the Wnt Signaling Pathway

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the single most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Cannabis sativa is used to treat various medical conditions, and is cytotoxic to a variety of cancer types. We sought to examine the effectiveness of different combinations of cannabis compounds against OC. Cytotoxic activity was determined by XTT assay on HTB75 and HTB161 cell lines. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Gene expression was determined by quantitative PCR and protein localization by confocal microscopy. The two most active fractions, F5 and F7, from a high Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis strain extract, and their standard mix (SM), showed cytotoxic activity against OC cells and induced cell apoptosis. The most effective phytocannabinoid combination was THC+cannabichromene (CBC)+cannabigerol (CBG). These fractions acted in synergy with niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, and were ~50-fold more cytotoxic to OC cells than to normal keratinocytes. The F7 and/or niraparib treatments altered Wnt pathway-related gene expression, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and β-catenin cellular localization. The niraparib+F7 treatment was also effective on an OC patient’s cells. Given the fact that combinations of cannabis compounds and niraparib act in synergy and alter the Wnt signaling pathway, these phytocannabinoids should be examined as effective OC treatments in further pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.     

Ring-closing metathesis reactions of terminal alkene-derived cyclic phosphazenes

The first examples of ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions of a series of terminal alkene-derived cyclic phosphazenes have been carried out. The tetrakis-, hexakis-, and octakis(allyloxy)cyclophosphazenes (NPPh(2))(NP(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(2))(2) (1), N(3)P(3)(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(6) (2), and N(4)P(4)(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(8) (3) and the tetrakis(allyloxy)-S-phenylthionylphosphazene (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (4) were prepared by the reactions of CH(2)=CHCH(2)ONa with the cyclophosphazenes (NPPh(2))(NPCl(2))(2), N(3)P(3)Cl(6), and N(4)P(4)Cl(8) and the S-phenylthionylphosphazene (NS(O)Ph)(NPCl(2))(2). The reactions of 1-4 with Grubbs first-generation olefin metathesis catalyst Cl(2)Ru=CHPh(PCy(3))(2) resulted in the selective formation of seven-membered di-, tri-, and tetraspirocyclic phosphazene compounds (NPPh(2))[NP(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)](2) (5), N(3)P(3)(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)(3) (6), and N(4)P(4)(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)(4) (7) and the dispirocyclic S-phenylthionylphosphazene compound (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH=CHCH(2)O)](2) (8). X-ray structural studies of 5-8 indicated that the double bond of the spiro-substituted cycloalkene units is in the cis orientation in these compounds. In contrast to the reactions of 1-4, RCM reactions of the homoallyloxy-derived cyclophosphazene and thionylphosphazene (NPPh(2))[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (9) and (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)](2) (10) with the same catalyst resulted in the formation of 11-membered diansa compounds NPPh(2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)](2) (11) and (NS(O)Ph)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)](2) (13) and the intermolecular doubly bridged ansa-dibino-ansa compounds 12 and 14. The X-ray structural studies of compounds 11 and 13 indicated that the double bonds of the ansa-substituted cycloalkene units are in the trans orientation in these compounds. The geminal bis(homoallyloxy)tetraphenylcyclotriphosphazene [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2))(2)] (15) upon RCM with Grubbs first- and second-generation catalysts gave the spirocyclic product [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)] (16) along with the geminal dibino-substituted dimeric compound [NPPh(2)](2)[NP(OCH(2)CH(2)CH=CHCH(2)CH(2)O)(2)PN][NPPh(2)](2) (17) as the major product. The dibino compound 17, upon reaction with the Grubbs second-generation catalyst, was found to undergo a unique ring-opening metathesis reaction, opening up the bino bridges and partially converting to the spirocyclic compound 16.     

Design,Synthesis, In Vitro Antimicrobial,Antioxidant Evaluation,and Molecular Docking Study of Novel Benzimidazole and Benzoxazole Derivatives

A series of novel 2‐substituted benzimidazole and benzoxazole derivatives as a potential antimicrobial and antioxidant agent were synthesized via coupling of N‐methyl‐o‐phenylenediamine or 2‐amino‐phenol with aromatic aldehyde and acid in the presence of polyphosphoric acid as an efficient catalyst as well as solvent by conventional method in short reaction times with excellent yield. The newly synthesized benzimidazole and benzoxazole derivatives were evaluated for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and exhibited excellent to good activities compared to the standard drugs. Furthermore, the theoretical predictions based on molecular docking against microbial DNA gyrase could provide an insight into the plausible mechanism of action and establish a link between the observed antimicrobial activity and the binding affinity shedding light on specific thermodynamic (bonded and nonbonded) interactions governing the activity. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were analyzed for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties and exhibited potential properties to build up as good oral drug candidates.     

Pyrazole‐4‐carboxylic Acids from Vanadium‐catalyzed Chemical Transformation of Pyrazole‐4‐carbaldehydes

The conversion of aldehydes into carboxylic acids using oxidizing agents is a common protocol in transformation chemistry. An efficient oxidation strategy of transformation of pyrazole‐4‐aldehydes to the corresponding acids using vanadium catalysts in the presence of 30% H₂O₂ as an oxidant is described. The catalytic technology was successfully applied to a range of various 4‐formylpyrazoles, and plausible mechanism is also discussed.     

A simple CdS nanoparticles cascading approach for boosting N3 dye/ZnO nanoplates DSSCs overall performance

Enhanced photosensitization in presence of CdS nanoparticles is achieved in electrochemically deposited ZnO nanoplates and N3 loaded dye-sensitized solar cells. Chemically embedded CdS nanoparticles act as a sandwiching layer between ZnO nanoplates and dye molecules by overcoming current limiting serious Zn²⁺/dye insulating complex formation and CdS photo-corrosion issues. The X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy confirm the ZnO with vertically aligned nanoplates, perpendicular to the substrate surface. Amorphous CdS is monitored using electron dispersive X-ray analysis. The low and high resolution transmission electron microscope images confirm the presence of CdS nanoparticles over ZnO nanoplates which later is supported by an increase in optical absorbance and shift in band edge. About 400% increase in solar conversion efficiency with this cascade arrangement is achieved when compared with without CdS which could be fascinating while designing solid state solar cells in presence of suitable p-type layer.     

Kinetics of the simultaneous oxidation of nickel(II) and sulfur(IV) by oxygen in alkaline medium in Ni(II)–sulfur(IV)–O2 system

In the Ni(II)–S(IV)–O₂ system in the region of pH > 8.4, both Ni(II) and S(IV) are simultaneously autoxidized, and when sulfur is consumed fully NiOOH precipitates. At pH > 8.4, ethanol has no effect on the rate, whereas ammonia strongly inhibits the reaction when pH > 7.0. The kinetics of the reaction, in both the presence and the absence of ethanol, is defined by the rate law where k is the rate constant, K_O is the equilibrium constant for the adsorption of O₂ on ? Ni(OH)₂ particle surface. In ammonia buffer, the factor F is defined by where K, K_OH, K₁, K₂, K₃, and K₄ are the stability constants of NiSO₃, NiOH⁺, Ni(NH₃)²⁺, Ni(NH₃), Ni(NH₃), and Ni(NH₃), respectively. In unbuffered medium, the factor F reduces to The values of k and K^sp were found to be (1.3 ± 0.08) × 10^?1 s^?1 and (4.2 ± 3.5) × 10^?16, respectively, at 30°C. A nonradical mechanism that assumes the adsorption of both SO₃^2? and O₂ on the ? Ni(OH)₂ particle surface has been proposed. At pH ≤ 8.2, Ni(II) displays no catalytic activity for sulfur(IV)‐autoxidation and it is also not oxidized to NiOOH. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 464–478, 2010     

Synthesis and Spectral Characterization of Some New 4-(2,6-Diarylpyridin-4-yl)-2H-chromen-2-ones

Some new 4-(2,6-diarylpyridin-4-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one derivatives 5a–l have been synthesized by reacting 4-(3-oxo-3-arylprop-1-enyl)-2H-chromen-2-ones 3a–c with appropriate 1-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)pyridinium bromide salt 4a–d in the presence of ammonium acetate in refluxing glacial acetic acid. The newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by elemental and spectral analysis.