Binding of single nucleotides to H+-ATP synthases observed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

F(0)F(1)-ATP synthases couple proton translocation with the synthesis of ATP from ADP and phosphate. The enzyme has three catalytic nucleotide binding sites, one on each beta-subunit; three non-catalytic binding sites are located mainly on each alpha-subunit. In order to observe substrate binding to the enzyme, the H(+)-ATP synthase from Escherichia coli was labelled selectively with the fluorescence donor tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) at position T106C of the gamma-subunit. The labelled enzymes were incorporated into liposomes and catalysed proton-driven ATP synthesis. The substrate ATP-Alexa Fluor 647 was used as the fluorescence acceptor to perform intermolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Single molecules are detected with a confocal set-up. When one ATP-Alexa Fluor 647 binds to the enzyme, FRET can be observed. Five stable states with different intermolecular FRET efficiencies were distinguished for enzyme-bound ATP-Alexa Fluor 647 indicating binding to different binding sites. Consecutive hydrolysis of excess ATP resulted in stepwise changes of the FRET efficiency. Thereby, gamma-subunit movement during catalysis was directly monitored with respect to the binding site with bound ATP-Alexa Fluor 647.     

BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF PHTHALOCYANINES-X. SYNTHESES AND ANALYSES OF SULFONATED PHTHALOCYANINES

Abstract— Synthetic methods to obtain selectively sulfonated metallo phthalocyanines are compared. Both condensation and direct sulfonation procedures lead to mixtures of mono- to tetrasulfonated products which are resolved by reverse phase liquid chromatography in buffered aqueous-methanol. The proportion of sulfonated derivatives is examined as a function of the starting reagents in the case of the condensation method, and as a function of the temperature and reaction time in the case of the direct sulfonation procedure. The number of sulfonate groups per phthalocyanine molecule is determined by oxidative degradation of the phthalocyanine ring followed by quantitative chromatographic analysis of the sulfophthalamide and phthalamide fragments.     

Behaviour and design considerations for continuous flow closed-open-closed liquid microchannels

This paper introduces a method of combining open and closed microchannels in a single component in a novel way which couples the benefits of both open and closed microfluidic systems and introduces interesting on-chip microfluidic behaviour. Fluid behaviour in such a component, based on continuous pressure driven flow and surface tension, is discussed in terms of cross sectional flow behaviour, robustness, flow-pressure performance, and its application to microfluidic interfacing. The closed-open-closed microchannel possesses the versatility of upstream and downstream closed microfluidics along with open fluidic direct access. The device has the advantage of eliminating gas bubbles present upstream when these enter the open channel section. The unique behaviour of this device opens the door to applications including direct liquid sample interfacing without the need for additional and bulky sample tubing.     

Correlation between intramolecular bond lengths and K-shell σ-shape resonances in gas-phase molecules

Analysis of K-shell excitation spectra of gas-phase molecules containing at least two atoms of either B, C. N. O or F reveals the existence of a striking correlation between the bond length of the atomic pair. the sum of their atomic numbers and the associated α-shape resonance energy. Empirical rules are established which allow the derivation of intramolecular distances with accuracies reliably better than ± 0.05 A from the K-.shell absorption spectrum of one of the atoms in the Molecule.     

Near-infrared absorption spectroscopy of toluene-sulfonate-diacetylene crystals

The near-infrared (NIR) absorption of toluene-sulfonate-diacetylene crystals (PTS) has been investigated during thermal polymerization. It is shown by comparative NIR and IR spectroscopy of deuterated and of protonated PTS at various temperatures, that these absorptions are vibronic in nature. They can be assigned unambiguously to distinct parts of the molecule. No low-lying electronic state has been found.     

Some problems concerning the use of automated radiochemical separation systems in destructive neutron activation analysis

The present state of a long term program is reviewed. It was started to elaborate a remote controlled automated radiochemical processing system for the neutron activation analysis of biological materials. The system is based on wet ashing of the sample, followed by reactive desorption of some volatile components. The distillation residue is passed through a series of columns filled with selective ion screening materials to remove the matrix activity. The solution is thus “stripped” from the interfering radioions, and it is processed to single-elements through group separations using ion-exchange chromatographic techniques. Some special problems concerning this system are treated. (a) General aspects of the construction of a (semi)automated radiochemical processing system are discussed; (b) Comparison is made between various technical realizations of the same basic concept; (c) Some problems concerning the “reconstruction” of an already published processing system are outlined.     

Application of Horner–Emmons Olefination to the Crown-Ether Derivatives

An effective synthetic approach to the preparation of a new crown-ether vinylogs involving the Horner–Emmons olefination of carbonyl precursors with the use of C₂- and C₅-phosphonates was proposed. The effects of the conjugation chain length and the nature of the terminal polar functions in the phosphonate reagent on the yield and process stereoselectivity were discussed.     

Rh complexes of 1-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl-)3-methyl-1H-phosphole: preparation and use as catalysts in the hydroformylation of styrene

In the series of 1-(2,4,6-trialkylphenyl-)3-methyl-1H-phospholes (1a–c) that are to a certain extent of aromaticity, only the isopropyl substituted one (1a) entered into reaction with dimeric (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium dichloride to afford Rh(III) complex (2a) in a reversible manner. After a careful workup, (2a) could be prepared and characterized whose stereostructure was elucidated by B3LYP/3–21G*, B3LYP/6–31G* and LANL2DZ calculations. Complex (2a) as a preformed catalyst, as well as the Rh(acac)(CO)₂ + 2(1a) in situ catalytic system were useful in the hydroformylation of styrene and gave the branched aldehyde in regioselectivities of 65–96%.     

Many-cluster-systems: models of inhomogeneous matter

First, some general remarks concerning macroscopic “cluster matter” are given. In the second part, three recent, mainly optically and electron-microscopically performed investigations are discussed which deal with special properties of noble metal cluster systems forming the building units of this kind of matter:(1) dressed Au-55 clusters,(2) electromagnetic coupling effects among coagulated clusters,(3) the transition towards compact inhomogeneous matter caused by coalescence of clusters.