The importance of ground-state vibronic mixing in molecular Raman scattering

We consider Albrecht's theory for Raman scattering of fundamentals in the far and pre-resonance regions. Destructive interferences inherent to the A and B terms augment the conventionally suppressed C term dramatically. Raman excitation profiles for the ν₁(a_1g) and ν₆(e_2g fundamentals in benzene can be well fitted with theoretical C-term profiles involving the ¹E_1u(π-π^*) state at 1800 A.     

Dynamic model for vibronic excitation in low energy atom-molecule collisions

Product state distributions from low energy He⁺N₂ and N⁺₂He collisions are presented. These data, obtained from collision-produced emission spectra, show severe deviations from Franck-Condon behavior which cannot be solely the result of molecular distortion arising from electrodynamic effects. A model based on consideration of the short-range interaction between the collision partners is proposed.     

Mössbauer and molecular orbital study of the myoglobin-CO complex

Experimental Mössbauer spectra of the Fe⁵⁷-enriched CO complex of sperm whale myoglobin (MbCO) at T= 4.2 K with and without applied magnetic field (H⊥γ) were measured to derive the sign of the electric field gradient (EFG), the quadrupole splitting ΔE _Q, and the isomer shift δ of the heme iron. We find a positive EFG, δE _Q = 0.363 mm/sec, and δ + 0.266 mm/sec. Molecular orbital calculations were carried out to obtain theoretical estimates of EFG and ΔE _Q for several steric arrangements of the CO ligand relative to the heme group. Our results are most consistent with the conclusion that the iron is situated in the heme plane, and that a bent geometry with a Fe-C-O angle of about 135 ° is more favorable than a more symmetric structure with a linear Fe-C-O geometry.     

Structural basis for recognition of bacterial cell wall teichoic acid by pseudo-symmetric SH3b-like repeats of a viral peptidoglycan hydrolase

Endolysins are bacteriophage-encoded peptidoglycan hydrolases targeting the cell wall of host bacteria via their cell wall-binding domains (CBDs). The molecular basis for selective recognition of surface carbohydrate ligands by CBDs remains elusive. Here, we describe, in atomic detail, the interaction between the Listeria phage endolysin domain CBD500 and its cell wall teichoic acid (WTA) ligands. We show that 3′O-acetylated GlcNAc residues integrated into the WTA polymer chain are the key epitope recognized by a CBD binding cavity located at the interface of tandem copies of beta-barrel, pseudo-symmetric SH3b-like repeats. This cavity consists of multiple aromatic residues making extensive interactions with two GlcNAc acetyl groups via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals contacts, while permitting the docking of the diastereomorphic ligands. Our multidisciplinary approach tackled an extremely challenging protein–glycopolymer complex and delineated a previously unknown recognition mechanism by which a phage endolysin specifically recognizes and targets WTA, suggesting an adaptable model for regulation of endolysin specificity.

Combining genetic, biochemical and computational approaches, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the recognition of Listeria wall teichoic acid by bacteriophage-encoded SH3b repeats.     

Rapid synthesis of pomalidomide-conjugates for the development of protein degrader libraries

Current methods for the preparation of heterobifunctional pomalidomide-conjugates rely on methods that are often low yielding and produce intractable byproducts. Herein we describe our strategy for the reliable and succinct preparation of pomalidomide-linkers which is essential to the formation of these conjugates. We present the preparation of 18 pomalidomide-linkers in high yield compared to current literature methods. Our findings show that secondary amines consistently afford greater yields than their primary counterparts, a trend that we were able to exploit in the synthesis of several new pomalidomide homo-dimers in enhanced yields compared to similar literature syntheses. This trend was further utilised to develop the first one-pot synthesis of JQ1-pomalidomide conjugates in yields up to 62%, providing a method that is suited to rapid preparation of conjugate libraries as is frequently required for the development of new protein degraders.

Current methods for the preparation of heterobifunctional pomalidomide-conjugates rely on methods that are often low yielding and produce intractable byproducts. Herein we describe our strategy for the succinct preparation of pomalidomide-linkers.     

ZIF-8 degrades in cell media,serum, and some—but not all—common laboratory buffers

ABSTRACT

Drug delivery using metal-organic frameworks (MOF) has elicited interest in their biocompatibility; however, few studies have been conducted on their stability in common buffers, cell media, and blood proteins. In particular, the use of ZIF-8, a MOF interconnected by Zn and methylimidazole, has been frequently employed. In this study, we tested single crystals of ZIF-8 with common laboratory buffers, cell media, and serum, and noted several issues. Buffers containing phosphate and bicarbonate alter the appearance and composition of ZIF-8; however, these buffers do not appear to cause cargo to leak out even when the ZIF-8 itself is displaced by phosphates. On the other hand, serum dissolves ZIF-8, causing premature cargo release. Our results show that ZIF-8 undergoes surface chemistry changes that may affect the interpretation of cellular uptake and cargo release data. On the other hand, it provides a rational explanation as to how ZIF-8 neatly dissolves in vivo.     

Phenylated polyimides: Diels-Alder reaction of biscyclopentadienones with dimaleimides

A series of phenylated polydihydrophthalimides has been synthesized by the Diels-Alder reactions of 3,3′-(oxydi-p-phenylene)bis(2,4,5-triphenylcyclopentadienone) and 3,3′-(p-phenylene)bis(2,4,5-triphenylcyclopentadienone) with N,N′-o-, -m-, and -p-phenylenedimaleimide. The polydihydrophthalimides were soluble in dimethylformamide (DMF) and had intrinsic viscosities that ranged from 0.33 to 1.01, the polymers were dehydrogenated thermally and chemically to afford the corresponding phenylated polyphthalimides. The totally aromatic polyimides were also soluble in DMF but had intrinsic viscosities only as high as 0.41. The thermogravimetric analyses of the polyphthalimides showed breaks near 530°C in air and in nitrogen atmospheres.