Different binding orientations for the same agonist at homologous receptors: a lock and key or a simple wedge?

Using unnatural amino acid mutagenesis, the binding site for serotonin at the novel Caenorhabditis elegans receptor MOD-1 has been probed. As with the closely related serotonin receptor 5-HT3, MOD-1 makes use of a strong cation-pi interaction between the ammonium of serotonin and the indole side chain of a tryptophan. However, the specific Trp used by MOD-1 is different from that used for 5-HT3 (and the nAChR), aligning with a residue more than 40 amino acids distant in sequence space and on a different "loop" of the agonist binding site. This suggests a significant rearrangement of the ligand on binding these two closely related receptors. It is suggested that, unlike enzymes, receptors and other signaling molecules may need only to deliver an agonist to a general binding region, rather than establishing precise drug-receptor interactions.     

Sodium hydride clusters in solid hydrogen and neon: infrared spectra and theoretical calculations

Laser-ablated sodium atom reactions with H2 have been investigated in solid molecular hydrogens and neon. The NaH molecule and (NaH)2,3,4 clusters were identified by IR spectra with isotopic substitution (HD and D2) and comparison to frequencies calculated by density functional theory and the MP2 method. The use of para-hydrogen enriched samples provides evidence for a (H2)nNaH subcomplex surrounded by the solid hydrogen matrix cage. The ionic rhombic (NaH)2 dimer is characterized by strong absorptions at 761.7, 759.1, and 757.0 cm(-1), respectively, in solid neon, para-hydrogen, and normal hydrogen matrices. The cyclic sodium hydride trimer and tetramer clusters are also observed. Although the spontaneous reaction of two Li and H2 to form (LiH)2 occurs on annealing in solid H2, the formation of (NaH)2 requires near uv photoexcitation.     

On the noble-gas-induced intersystem crossing for the CUO molecule: experimental and theoretical investigations of CUO(Ng)n (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe; n = 1, 2, 3, 4) complexes in solid neon

Uranium atoms excited by laser ablation react with CO in excess neon to produce the novel CUO molecule, which forms distinct Ng complexes (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe) when the heavier noble gases are added. The CUO(Ng) complexes are identified through CO isotopic and Ng substitution on the neon matrix infrared spectra and by comparison to DFT frequency calculations. The U-C and U-O stretching frequencies of CUO(Ng) complexes are slightly red-shifted from frequencies for the (1)Sigma(+) CUO ground state, which identifies singlet ground state CUO(Ng) complexes. In solid neon the CUO molecule is also a complex CUO(Ne)(n), and the CUO(Ne)(n-1)(Ng) complexes are likewise specified. The next singlet CUO(Ne)(x)(Ng)(2) complexes in excess neon follow in like manner. However, the higher CUO(Ne)(x)(Ng)(n) complex (n = 3, 4) stretching modes approach pure argon matrix CUO(Ar)(n) values and isotopic behavior, which are characterized as triplet ground state complexes by DFT frequency calculations. This work suggests that the singlet-triplet crossing occurs with 3 Ar, 3 Kr, or 4 Xe and a balance of Ne atoms coordinated to CUO in the neon matrix host.     

Hydrodynamic Dispersion and Lamb Surfaces in Darcy Flow

Transport in Porous Media - Transport processes such as the dispersion and mixing of solutes are governed by the interplay of advection and diffusion, where advection acts to organise fluid...