Small-angle X-ray scattering studies of the open and closed conformations of aspartate aminotransferase

Summary Aspartate aminotransferase was investigated by X-ray small-angle scattering. A small difference was found between the open (active) and the closed (liganded) conformation of the enzyme. The results were compared with X-ray crystallography data.

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Untersuchungen zur Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung der offenen und geschlossenen Konformation von Aspartat-Aminotransferase

Zusammenfassung Aspartat-Aminotransferase wurde mittels Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung untersucht. Ein kleiner Unterschied zwischen der offenen (aktiven) und der geschlossenen (ligandierten) Konformation wurde gefunden. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit Röntgenkristallstrukturdaten verglichen.

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Abbreviations AspAT aspartate aminotransferase     

Mass spectrometric analysis of androstan-17β-ol-3-one and androstadiene-17β-ol-3-one isomers

Mass spectrometric identification and characterization of steroids using electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry has advantages in drug testing and doping control analysis attributable to limitations of gas chromatography followed by electron ionization mass spectrometry. Steroids with an androstadiene-17beta-ol-3-one nucleus and double bonds located either at C-1 and C-4, C-4 and C-9, or C-4 and C-6 were used to determine characteristic fragmentation pathways. Diagnostic dissociation routes are proposed using deuterium labeling, MS3 experiments, and analyses of structurally closely related compounds. Steroids such as boldenone (androst-1,4-diene-17beta-ol-3-one) produced characteristic product ions at m/z 121, 135, and 147. Compounds with double bonds at C-4 and C-9 generated abundant product ions at m/z 145 and 147. Conjugated double bonds at C-4 and C-6 gave rise to an intense and characteristic signal at m/z 133. Stereochemical differentiation between 5alpha- and 5beta-isomers of androstan-17beta-ol-3-ones was possible because of significant differences in relative abundance of product ions generated by elimination of acetone from alpha,beta-saturated 3-keto steroids.     

Oxygen rearrangement of molecular ions of 3-phenylpropionates

The oxygen rearrangement in molecular ions of 3-phenylpropionates has been investigated with the aid of mass analyzed ion kinetic energy spectra. Elimination of an allyl radical followed by expulsion of ketene from the molecular ion of allyl 3-phenylpropionate is shown to result in formation of protonated benzaldehyde. The oxygen rearrangement has been found to be inoperative in ionized methyl 3-methyl-3-phenylbutyrate. [M ? CH₃ ? CH₂CO]⁺ ions in the spectrum of the latter compound are formed by elimination of the 3-methyl substituent and subsequent methoxy migration.     

LC Determination of Propylene Glycol in Human Plasma After Pre-Column Derivatization with Benzoyl Chloride

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method, using photodiode array detection was developed for the determination of propylene glycol in human plasma and in the fluid retreived after continuous veno-venous hemofiltration. The method entailed alkaline derivatization with benzoyl chloride and ethylene glycol as internal standard. The separation of the compounds, after extraction with pentane, was carried out on a Pursuit C8 column with UV-detection at 230 nm. Validation samples were analyzed with an accuracy between 95 and 105%, and intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation of less than 8%. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 5–100 mg L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1 mg L⁻¹. Blood plasma samples of several patients were analysed by using the prescribed method with propylene glycol concentrations varying from 5 to 98 mg L⁻¹. Compared to previously described LC methods, this method is ten times more sensitive and thus suitable for use in pharmacokinetic studies of propylene glycol.     

Papierchromatographische Trennungen von Alkaloidgemischen an Succinylzellulose-Papieren

Zusammenfassung Das früher beschriebene¹ Succinylzellulose-Papier wird als Ionenaustauscher zur weiteren papierchromatischen Trennung von Basengemischen verwendet. Getrennt wurden die Alkaloide der Morphingruppe und deren Abwandlungsprodukte, ferner die Alkaloide der Strychnin-, der Tropin-, der Cocaingruppe und andere Alkaloide.

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Summary The succinyl-cellulose paper described previously¹ is used as ion exchanger for additional paper chromatographic separations of mixtures of bases. Separations were accomplished of the alkaloids of the morphine group and their modification products, and also of the alkaloids of the strychnine-, tropine- and cocaine groups and other alkaloids.

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Résumé On utilise le papier à la succinyl-cellulose déjà décrit¹, comme écharigeur d'ions pour d'autres séparations par chromatographie sur papier de mélanges basiques. On a séparé ainsi les alcaloïdes du groupe de la morphine et leurs produits d'évolution, et en outre, les alcaloïdes des groupes de la strychnine, de la tropine et de la cocaïne et d'autres alcaloïdes.

     

Dual-label autoradiographic analysis of human skin fibroblast and myoblast proteins by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using immobilised pH gradients in the first dimension

Horizontal two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with immobilised pH gradients in the first dimension has been applied to the analysis of human skin fibroblast and muscle myoblast total cell proteins. Excellent two-dimensional separations of skin fibroblast proteins were obtained using pH 4-10 immobilised pH gradient gels with a long interelectrode distance (16 cm), but resolution was degraded, particularly of the more acidic proteins, by the use of shorter (10 cm) gels. Improved resolution of acidic and basic proteins was obtained using separate pH 4-7 and pH 7-10 immobilised pH gradient gels respectively in the first dimension. Two-dimensional protein maps of skin fibroblast proteins were visualised both by silver staining and by autoradiography of samples labelled synthetically with [35S]methionine. Horizontal two-dimensional electrophoresis, using pH 4-7 and pH 7-10 immobilised pH gradient gels in the first dimension, was applied to the analysis of protein samples from skin fibroblasts and muscle myoblasts dual-labelled synthetically with [35S]methionine and [75Se]selenomethionine in an attempt to identify sets of proteins specific to each cell type. In addition, two-dimensional maps or protein samples derived from normal individuals and patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were compared to search for protein changes associated with the disease state. Although sets of qualitative protein spot differences were observed by visual inspection of the two-dimensional gels, more rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis of the patterns using a computerised analysis system will be required to obtain the maximum amount of information from these data.     

Triphenylphosphan-Nickel(0)-Komplexe mit Isocyanid-Liganden — [(RNC)nNi(PPh3)4–n] (n = 1–3)

Triphenylphosphane Nickel(0) Complexes with Isocyanide Ligands — [(RNC)_nNi(PPh₃)_4–n] (n = 1–3) Synthesis and properties of the isocyanide triphenylphosphane nickel(0) complexes [(RNC)Ni(PPh₃)₃], [(RNC)₂Ni(PPh₃)₂] and [(RNC)₃Ni(PPh₃)] (R = ^tBu, Cy, PhCH₂, p-TosCH₂) are described. I.r. and ³¹P n.m.r. spectra were recorded and the X-ray crystal structure of [(PhCH₂NC)₂Ni(PPh₃)₂] was determined.     

Mass spectrometric studies of organophosphorus compounds: III—Remarkable migration of chalcogen on electron impact of organophosphorus compounds

The mass spectra of several dibenzo (d.f)-1,3,2,-dioxaphosphorepines of the type where X=0, S, Se and R=2,2′-biphenylylene, have been studied. Dibenzochalcogen ions [RX]⁺˙ stemming directly from [M]⁺˙ were observed with high intensities, indicating specific migration of X from phosphorus to carbon with simultaneous destruction of the dioxaphosphorepine ring. Simple cleavage of P? Y as usually observed in similar organophosphorus compounds is not a common process here.