Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry studies of noncovalent myosin VI complexes reveal a new specific calmodulin binding site

Among the myosin superfamily, myosin VI differs from all others by a reverse directionality and a particular motility. Little structural information is available for myosin VI. It is known that it binds one calmodulin (CaM) by means of a single "IQ motif" and that myosin VI contains a specific insert located at the junction between the motor domain (MD) and the lever arm, likely to play a critical role for the unusual motility previously observed. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) was used to determine the CaM and Ca2+ stoichiometries in several myosin VI constructs. In particular, the experimental conditions required for the observation of multiprotein/Ca2+ noncovalent assemblies are detailed for two truncated MD constructs (less than 20 kDa) and for three full MD constructs (more than 90 KDa). The specificity of the detected stoichiometries is discussed for each construct and the resolving power of Time of Flight mass spectrometry is stressed, in particular for the detection of metal ions binding to high molecular weight complexes. MS reveals a new CaM binding site for myosin VI and highlights a different behavior for the five myosin VI constructs versus Ca2+ binding. In addition to these stoichiometry based experiments, gas-phase dissociation analyses on intact complexes are described. They reveal that Ca2+ transfer between protein partners occurs during the dissociation process for one construct with a full MD. Charge-transfer and dissociation behavior has allowed to draw structural assumptions for the interaction of the MD with the CaM N-terminal lobe.     

Preequilibrium versus thermalized light-charged particle emissions in the40Ar (1100MeV)+24Mg reaction. Dynamical calculations

In an attempt to separate preequilibrium and thermalised emissions of light particles in low impact parameter heavy-ion collisions, the⁴⁰Ar+²⁴Mg reaction has been studied at 27.5 MeV/nucleon. Exclusive measurements have permitted us to examine, in some detail, heavy fragments and charged particles (p, d, t,-particle). The fragments recognized as evaporation residues have been selected and, due to inverse kinematic conditions, the related preequilibrium and statistical emissions of light particles resulting from incomplete fusion reaction appear to be distinguishable to a fair extent. This separation is fully supported by Monte Carlo calculations. Some experimental characteristics of the light particles have been examined and compared to the predictions of dynamical calculations. These calculations, associating a preequilibrium (interpreted as prompt emitted particles) model with a statistical-decay model, follow the evolution of the collision from the point of contact between the projectile and the target to the final evaporation-residue formation on an event by event basis. The predictions of these calculations have been compared to experimental data and satisfactory agreement is achieved for fragment-mass distribution, proton-energy spectra, and proton-angular distribution.     

Computer Handling of Chemical and Biological Data of Traditional Chinese Medicines

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Temperature dependence of X- and Q-band EPR spectra of the dinuclear manganese(II) complex [(NO2Bpmp)Mn2(mu-OAc)2]+: determination of the exchange constant and of the spin parameters for the S=1, 2, and 3 spin states

A new dinuclear manganese(II) complex was synthesised with the biscompartimental ligand 2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-nitrophenol (NO(2)BpmpH) and characterised by X-ray crystallography. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that the two high-spin Mn(II) ions are antiferromagnetically coupled with a singlet-to-triplet separation of 7.2 cm(-1). The powder EPR spectra were recorded for both X- and Q-bands between 1.8 K and 35 K. A detailed analysis of these spectra led to the determination of three out of five individual spin-state zero-field splitting parameters. From the proposed simulations, the exchange coupling constant J and the intermetallic distance have been computed.     

A theoretical study of aqueous solvation of K comparing ab initio, polarizable, and fixed-charge models

The hydration of K(+) is studied using a hierarchy of theoretical approaches, including ab initio Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics and Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics, a polarizable force field model based on classical Drude oscillators, and a nonpolarizable fixed-charge potential based on the TIP3P water model. While models based more directly on quantum mechanics offer the possibility to account for complex electronic effects, polarizable and fixed-charges force fields allow for simulations of large systems and the calculation of thermodynamic observables with relatively modest computational costs. A particular emphasis is placed on investigating the sensitivity of the polarizable model to reproduce key aspects of aqueous K(+), such as the coordination structure, the bulk hydration free energy, and the self diffusion of K(+). It is generally found that, while the simple functional form of the polarizable Drude model imposes some restrictions on the range of properties that can simultaneously be fitted, the resulting hydration structure for aqueous K(+) agrees well with experiment and with more sophisticated computational models. A counterintuitive result, seen in Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics and in simulations with the Drude polarizable force field, is that the average induced molecular dipole of the water molecules within the first hydration shell around K(+) is slightly smaller than the corresponding value in the bulk. In final analysis, the perspective of K(+) hydration emerging from the various computational models is broadly consistent with experimental data, though at a finer level there remain a number of issues that should be resolved to further our ability in modeling ion hydration accurately.     

Amine-Directed Palladium-Catalyzed C−H Halogenation of Phenylalanine Derivatives

An efficient primary-amine-directed, palladium-catalyzed C−H halogenation (X=I, Br, Cl) of phenylalanine derivatives is reported on a range of quaternary amino acid (AA) derivatives thanks to suitable conditions employing trifluoroacetic acid as additive. The extension of this original native functionality-directed ortho-selective halogenation was even demonstrated with the more challenging native phenylalanine as tertiary AA.     

Cyclotriphosphazene,a scaffold for 19F MRI contrast agents

A cyclotriphosphazene substituted with six 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) benzyloxy units was designed as a novel ¹⁹F MRI contrast agent. The resulting molecule has 36 magnetically equivalent fluorine atoms and exhibited suitable MRI properties with high imaging sensitivity, confirming the proof-of-concept as a convenient scaffold for the production of new ¹⁹F MRI contrasts agents.     

Unraveling σ and π Effects on Magnetic Anisotropy in cis‐NiA4B2 Complexes: Magnetization,HF‐HFEPR Studies,First‐Principles Calculations,and Orbital Modeling

By using complementary experimental techniques and first‐principles theoretical calculations, magnetic anisotropy in a series of five hexacoordinated nickel(II) complexes possessing a symmetry close to C_2v, has been investigated. Four complexes have the general formula [Ni(bpy)X₂]ⁿ⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; X₂=bpy ( 1 ), (NCS^?)₂ ( 2 ), C₂O₄^2? ( 3 ), NO₃^? ( 4 )). In the fifth complex, [Ni(HIM₂‐py)₂(NO₃)]⁺ ( 5 ; HIM₂‐py=2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazolyl‐1‐hydroxy), which was reported previously, the two bpy bidentate ligands were replaced by HIM₂‐py. Analysis of the high‐field, high‐frequency electronic paramagnetic resonance (HF‐HFEPR) spectra and magnetization data leads to the determination of the spin Hamiltonian parameters. The D parameter, corresponding to the axial magnetic anisotropy, was negative (Ising type) for the five compounds and ranged from ?1 to ?10 cm^?1. First‐principles SO‐CASPT2 calculations have been performed to estimate these parameters and rationalize the experimental values. From calculations, the easy axis of magnetization is in two different directions for complexes 2 and 3 , on one hand, and 4 and 5 , on the other hand. A new method is proposed to calculate the g tensor for systems with S=1. The spin Hamiltonian parameters (D (axial), E (rhombic), and g_i) are rationalized in terms of ordering of the 3 d orbitals. According to this orbital model, it can be shown that 1) the large magnetic anisotropy of 4 and 5 arises from splitting of the e_g‐like orbitals and is due to the difference in the σ‐donor strength of NO₃^? and bpy or HIM₂‐py, whereas the difference in anisotropy between the two compounds is due to splitting of the t_2g‐like orbitals; and 2) the anisotropy of complexes 1 – 3 arises from the small splitting of the t_2g‐like orbitals. The direction of the anisotropy axis can be rationalized by the proposed orbital model.     

Poly(trimethylene carbonate)/Poly(malic acid) Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers as Biocompatible Nanoparticles

Amphiphilic polycarbonate–poly(hydroxyalkanoate) diblock copolymers, namely, poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC)‐b‐poly(β‐malic acid) (PMLA), are reported for the first time. The synthetic strategy relies on commercially available catalysts and initiator. The controlled ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) catalyzed by the organic guanidine base 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD), associated with iPrOH as an initiator, provided iPrO?PTMC?OH, which served as a macroinitiator in the controlled ROP of benzyl β‐malolactonate (MLABe) catalyzed by the neodymium triflate salt (Nd(OTf)₃). The resulting hydrophobic iPrO?PTMC‐b‐PMLABe?OH copolymers were then hydrogenolyzed into the parent iPrO?PTMC‐b‐PMLA?OH copolymers. A range of well‐defined copolymers, featuring different sizes of segments (M_n,NMR up to 9300 g mol^?1; Ð_M=1.28–1.40), were thus isolated in gram quantities, as evidenced by NMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and contact angle analyses. Subsequently, PTMC‐b‐PMLA copolymers with different hydrophilic weight fractions (11–75 %) self‐assembled in phosphate‐buffered saline upon nanoprecipitation into well‐defined nano‐objects with D_h=61–176 nm, a polydispersity index <0.25, and a negative surface charge, as characterized by dynamic light scattering and zeta‐potential analyses. In addition, these nanoparticles demonstrated no significant effect on cell viability at low concentrations, and a very low cytotoxicity at high concentrations only for PTMC‐b‐PMLA copolymers exhibiting hydrophilic fractions over 47 %, thus illustrating the potential of these copolymers as promising nanoparticles.