Completely geometrically optimized DFT/ONIOM triple-helical collagen-like structures containing the ProProGly, ProProAla, ProProDAla, and ProProDSer triads

We report completely optimized ONIOM DFT/AM1 molecular orbital calculations on several collagen-like triple helices based upon the repeating triad, ProProGly. The requirement of Gly as every third amino acid in collagen can be attributed to its enantiomorphic nature, as it behaves as a Damino acid in collagen. We, therefore, explored related collagen-like triple helices with one of the central Gly's mutated to either L or DAla; l-Ala appreciably destabilizes, while d-Ala slightly stabilizes the triple helical structure. Mutation of the same Gly to DSer, which is simply DAla with an OH in place of one of the methyl H's, induces a much greater stabilization due to an additional H-bond formed between this OH and a C=O on an adjacent peptide strand. Energies are presented for the triple helices and their component strands (both optimized and distorted to their triple helical geometries) relative to the component amino acids. The variation of relative energies with the chosen reference is delineated.     

On the stereochemistry of photoaddition between α,β-unsaturated ketones and olefins—II

Some years ago an empirical rule, which allows the prediction of product stereochemistry in cis-photocycloaddition reactions of α,β-unsaturated ketones and olefins was tentatively proposed. Several additional examples, both selected from the literature and synthesized in our laboratory, seem to strengthen the validity of the rule.     

In vivo microdialysis determination of collagen-induced serotonin release in rat blood

We developed a sensitive microbore HPLC method coupled with an on-line microdialysis system to simultaneously measure endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin; 5-HT) and its major metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the rat blood in vivo. A dialysis tube was placed in the right jugular vein. The validity of the procedure is demonstrated because analysis of the aggregating agents, collagen (I mg/kg) plus epinephrine (0.3 mg/kg) after intravenous injection, showed that they induced an increase in 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in the jugular vein of the rat.     

Synthesis of 3,5,7-Trioxapentacyclo[7.2.1.02,8.04,11.06,10]dodecane. A Novel Diacetal Trioxa-Cage

3,5,7-Trioxapentacyclo[7.2.1.0^2,8.0^4,11.0^6,10]dodecane, the parent compound of novel diacetal trioxa-cages, was synthesized from maleic anhydride cyclopentadiene adduct 1 by a four-step sequence. Attempts for the synthesis of monoaza dioxa-cage 12 failed. Ozonolysis of compound 9 in CH₂Cl₂-EtOH(1:1) at ?78°C followed by reduction with Me₂S gave 13 in 65% yield.     

1, n-Triorganosilyl migrations in the rearrangements of silyl-substituted organolithium compounds

Under the agency of the potent lithiating agent, n-butyllithium in TMEDA, an array of organosilanes was found to undergo 1, n-silyl rearrangements via carbanionic intermediates. Unambiguous 1, 2-, 1, 3- and 1, 4-silyl shifts were uncovered in 1-trimethylsilyl-1, 1, 2-triphenylethane, 1, 1-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-phenylalkanes and 1, 2-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1, 2-diphenylethane, respectively. Cross-over and competition experiments established that these rearrangements generally are intramolecular and occur with decreasing ease in the order, 1, 2 > 1, 3 > 1, 4. In other compounds, such as 1, 1-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1, 2-diphenylethane, 1, n-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzenes and triphenyl(trimethylsilyl)methane, competing 1, n-silyl shifts occurred. Attack of the organolithium intermediates on solvent and silicon—lithium exchange were significant side reactions in some instances. 1-Trimethylgermyl-1, 1, 2-triphenylgermane underwent no discernible rearrangement but rather gave the product expected from germanium—lithium exchange. By conducting time and competition studies, it was shown that lithiation is the product-determining step in these rearrangements and that dual pathways, namely 1, 3-versus consecutive 1, 2- 1, 4-pathways, are operative in certain rearrangements.     

Polyarylates. III. Kinetic studies of interfacial polycondensation

The kinetics of interfacial polycondensation of bisphenol A with isophthaloyl chloride and terephthaloyl chloride in dichloromethane with triethylbenzylammonium chloride (TEBAC) as the catalyst was investigated via measurements of bisphenolate concentration by UV. The reaction was found to be second order with respect to bisphenolate. The dependence of the rate constant on stirring speed, amount of TEBAC, and reaction temperature was studied. The rate constant was increased with an increase of stirring speed, quantity of TEBAC added, as well as the reaction temperature. The activation energy was found to be 7.7 kcal/mol at a stirring speed of 700 rpm in the presence of 0.160 of TEBAC. The role of TEBAC was found to be interesting. It did not alter the equilibrium (the partition coefficient remained the same in the presence of TEBAC), but it did enhance the transfer rate of bisphenolate.     

The roles of the rel+ gene and of 4-thiouridine in killing and photoprotection of Escherichia coli by near-ultraviolet radiation

Abstract— Photoprotection is a reduction in response to far-UV (190–300. nm) radiation in cells that have been previously exposed to longer wavelengths. It has been proposed that photoprotection operates by means of a growth delay that permits more time for dark repair. Growth delay in Escherichia coli utilizes 4-thiouridine (⁴Srd) in transfer RNA as a chromophore and it requires the rel⁺ gene, which exerts a stringent control upon RNA synthesis. Mutants that were either rel or ⁴Srd^? were isolated from E. coli B, utilizing a near-UV-induced growth-delay selection technique. The rel mutants, which undergo little growth delay after near-UV irradiation, show only 50% as much photoprotection as wild types, while ⁴Srd^? mutants show no photoprotection at all. Thus, photoprotection appears to utilize ⁴Srd as its sole chromophore in E. coli B and B/r, and no more than 50% of photoprotection in these strains can be a result of near-UV-induced growth delay.     

The Stabilities and Thermodynamic Properties of Manganese(II) and Nickel(II) Chelates of Trans-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane-N,N, N', N'-Tetraacetic Acid

The interaction between trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid (H₁DCTA or H₄Z) and Mn(II) and Ni(II) ions has been investigated. The formation constants of the hydrogen chelates (MHZ^?), and of the normal chelates (MZ^2?), have been measured at 20, 30 and 40°C, and an ionic strength of 0.10 (KNO₃). The former was done by a titration technique and the latter by a mercury indicator electrode method. Enthalpy and entropy changes characterizing the formation of the normal chelates have been calculated at 25°C.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of 18 alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid in rat plasma: application to pharmacokinetic study.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the separation and determination of 18 alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid has been developed. Indomethacin was used as an internal standard. The drugs were separated on a reversed-phase column and detected by UV detection at a wavelength of 254 nm. Methanol-water-perchloric acid-ammonia (80:20:0.4:0.4, v/v) was used as the mobile phase at pH of 7.0-7.5. The detection limit of both compounds was 0.1 microgram/ml in rat plasma. The method was applied to pharmacokinetic studies of glycyrrhetinic acids in rats. The results suggest that the pharmacokinetics appeared to be non-linear in nature.     

Characterization of glucoamylase immobilized on celite

Immobilization of glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.3) on Celite R649 bio-catalyst carrier for hydrolysis of maltose and maltodextrin has been investigated in both packed bed and recirculated batch reactors. The kinetics parameters on the hydrolysis of maltose were estimated from the packed bed reactor. It is found that this immobilized enzyme is as efficient as the soluble enzyme in catalyzing hydrolysis of maltose. However, it is less efficient than the soluble enzyme in hydrolyzing 30% (w/v) maltodextrin, giving a maximum dextrose equivalent (DE) value of 96.0% instead of 98.2%.