Toward efficient Zn(II)-based artificial nucleases

A series of cis-cis-triaminocyclohexane Zn(II) complex-anthraquinone intercalator conjugates, designed in such a way to allow their easy synthesis and modification, have been investigated as hydrolytic cleaving agents for plasmid DNA. The ligand structure comprises a triaminocyclohexane platform linked by means of alkyl spacers of different length (from C(4) to C(8)) to the anthraquinone group which may intercalate the DNA. At a concentration of 5 microM, the complex of the derivative with a C(8) alkyl spacer induces the hydrolytic stand scission of supercoiled DNA with a rate of 4.6 x 10(-6) s(-1) at pH 7 and 37 degrees C. The conjugation of the metal complex with the anthraquinone group leads to a 15-fold increase of the cleavage efficiency when compared with the anthraquinone lacking Zn-triaminocyclohexane complex. The straightforward synthetic procedure employed, allowing a systematic change of the spacer length, made possible to gain more insight on the role of the intercalating group in determining the reactivity of the systems. Comparison of the reactivity of the different complexes shows a remarkable increase of the DNA cleaving efficiency with the length of the spacer. In the case of too-short spacers, the advantages due to the increased DNA affinity are canceled due to the incorrect positioning of the reactive group, thus leading to cleavage inhibition.     

Rapid calculation of protein chemical shifts using bond polarization theory and its application to protein structure refinement

Although difficult to analyze, NMR chemical shifts provide detailed information on protein structure. We have adapted the semi-empirical bond polarization theory (BPT) to protein chemical shift calculation and chemical shift driven protein structure refinement. A new parameterization for BPT amide nitrogen chemical shift calculation has been derived from MP2 ab initio calculations and successfully evaluated using crystalline tripeptides. We computed the chemical shifts of the small globular protein ubiquitin, demonstrating that BPT calculations can match the results obtained at the DFT level of theory at very low computational cost. In addition to the calculation of chemical shift tensors, BPT allows the calculation of chemical shift gradients and consequently chemical shift driven geometry optimizations. We applied chemical shift driven protein structure refinement to the conformational analysis of a set of Trypanosoma brucei (the causative agent of African sleeping sickness) tryparedoxin peroxidase Px III structures. We found that the interaction of Px III with its reaction partner Tpx seems to be governed by conformational selection rather than by induced fit.     

Structural evolution in the isotropic channel of a water-nonionic surfactant system that has a disconnected lamellar phase: a 1H NMR self-diffusion study

We showed in a previous study that a water-nonionic surfactant system, where the surfactant is a 9:1 mixture of tetraethylene glycol monodecyl ether (C(10)E(4)) and pentaethylene glycol monodecyl ether (C(10)E(5)), forms a disconnected lamellar (L(α)) phase. Thus, the isotropic phase spans the whole concentration range from the water-rich L(1) region to the surfactant-rich L(2) region of the phase diagram. The L(1) and L(2) regions are connected via an isotropic channel that separates the two regions of the L(α) phase. In this letter, we monitored the structural evolution of the isotropic phase along a path through this isotropic channel via (1)H NMR self-diffusion measurements. We used this technique because it enables us to distinguish between discrete and bicontinuous structures by comparing the relative self-diffusion coefficients (obstruction factors) D/D(0) of the solvents (i.e. of water and surfactant in the present case). We found that the obstruction factor of water decreases whereas the obstruction factor of the surfactant increases with increasing surfactant concentration and increasing temperature. This trend is interpreted as the transition from a water-continuous L(1) region, which contains discrete micelles, to a bicontinuous structure, which may extend to very high surfactant concentrations. Although there is good evidence of bicontinuity over a broad concentration range, there is no evidence of inverse micelles or any other microstructure at the highest concentration studied in the surfactant-rich L(2) phase.     

Molecular dynamics reveal that isoDGR-containing cyclopeptides are true αvβ3 antagonists unable to promote integrin allostery and activation

Ain't got that swing(-out): The cyclopeptide isoDGR is emerging as a new αvβ3 integrin binding motif. Agreement between the results of computational and biochemical studies reveals that isoDGR-containing cyclopeptides are true αvβ3 integrin antagonists that block αvβ3 in its inactive conformation (see scheme). isoDGR-based ligands may give αvβ3 antagonists without paradoxical effects.     

Bulky Arylgallium and Indium Derivatives with Co(CO)4 and Mn(CO)5 Substituents

Further investigation of the reaction of Ar*GaCl₂ (Ar* = 2,4,6-t-Bu₃C₆H₂) with Na[Mn(CO)₅] resulted in the new compound, [Ga(Ar*){Mn(CO)₅}₂] 2 . The new indium compounds, [In(Ar*){Co(CO)₄}₂] 3 and [In(Ar*){Mn(CO)₅}₂] 4 , have been prepared by the treatment of Ar*InBr₂ with Na[Co(CO)₄] and Na[Mn(CO)₅], respectively. The structure of 3 was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: space group P1 (No. 2), Z = 2, a = 8.625(1) Å, b = 10.557(2) Å, c = 17.55(2) Å, α = 88.43(1)°, β = 83.45(1)°, γ = 71.14(1)°. The X-ray crystal structure of [Ga{Mn(CO)₅}₃] is also reported: space group Pbca (No. 61), Z = 8, a = 12.83(3) Å, b = 11.753(2) Å, c = 29.662(6) Å, α = β = γ = 90°.     

Elektronentransfer und Ionenpaar-Bildung. 40. Mitteilung. Einkristall-Struktur von Bis(Natrium-1,1′-Biphenyl-2-thiolat-Diglyme): Ein Zwischenprodukt der reduktiven Ringöffnung von Dibenzothiophen

Electron Transfer and Ion Pair Formation Single Crystal Structure of Bis(sodium 1,1′-biphenyl-2-thiolate-diglyme): An Intermediate in the Reductive Ring Opening of Dibenzothiophene On Na-metal reduction of dibenzothiophene, the five-membered sulfur ring opens to form a colorless 1,1′-biphenyl-2-thiolate sodium salt, which, according to its single-crystal structure determination, is a dimer containing a four-membered, twice diglyme-solvated ring (diglyme···Na^⊕?SR)₂. Additional measurements provide the following information: cyclic voltammetry in aprotic MeCN solution shows one quasi-reversible electron transfer at E = ?2.58 V. The dibenzothiophene radical anion can be generated in aprotic THF solution at a K mirror and characterized by an 81-line ESR spectrum and its simulation. This blue species is also the first UV/VIS detectable one before the solution changes via green (due to blue + yellow color mixing) to yellow, yielding across an isosbestic point a second and diamagnetic compound. All of the above results suggest a consecutive two-electron reduction followed by an intersystem protonation, M + (e^?) → M^.? (blue) + (e^?) → (M^??, yellow?) + (H^⊕) → MH^? (colorless), to yield the crystallized and structurally characterized reaction intermediate. The diglyme-solvated sodium-salt dimer provides a basis for a quantum-chemical discussion of some facets of the most likely microscopic reduction pathway.     

Reaction of tetrahydrobenz[a]acridinones with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. VII

Oximation of ortho-substituted phenylbenz[a]acridinones using hydroxylamine hydrochloride, sodium hydroxide and ethanol as the solvent gave always the benzoquinacridine N-oxide 2 . Oximation of para-substituted phenylbenz[a]acridinones, however, gave only the corresponding oximes. The structure of all products was corroborated by ir, ¹H and ¹³C-nmr and mass spectral data. Theoretical calculations support the experimental findings.     

Expression and Function of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in the Pathogenesis of UV-Induced Cutaneous Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer(†)

Chronic skin exposure to ultraviolet light stimulates the production of cytokines known to be involved in the initiation of skin cancer. Recent studies in mouse models suggested a role for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the UVB‐induced pathogenesis of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Our studies aimed at defining the pathophysiological function of MIF in cutaneous inflammatory reactions and in the development and progression of NMSC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a moderate expression of MIF in normal human skin samples but an enhanced expression of this cytokine in lesional skin of patients with actinic keratosis or cutaneous SCC. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay studies showed a time‐dependent increase in MIF secretion after a moderate single‐dose UVB irradiation in NHEKs and SCC tumor cells. MIF is known to interact with CXCR2, CXCR4 and CD74. These receptors are not constitutively expressed in keratinocytes and HaCaT cells and their expression is not induced by UVB irradiation either. However, stimulation with IFNγ upregulated CD74 surface expression in these cells. Affymetrix^® Gene Chip analysis revealed that only keratinocytes prestimulated with IFNγ are responsive to MIF. These findings indicate that MIF may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of NMSC tumorigenesis and progression in an inflammatory environment.