Interaction of tetrandrine with human serum albumin: a fluorescence quenching study.

The interaction of tetrandrine with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by measuring fluorescence quenching spectra, synchronous fluorescence spectra and ultra-violet spectra. The fluorescence quenching spectra of HSA in the presence of tetrandrine showed that tetrandrine quenched the fluorescence of HSA. The quenching constants of tetrandrine on HSA were determined using the Stern-Volmer equation. Static quenching and non-radiation energy transfer were the two main reasons leading to the fluorescence quenching of HSA by tetrandrine. According to the F?rster theory of non-radiation energy transfer, the binding distances (r) and the binding constants (K(A)) were obtained. The thermodynamic parameters obtained in this study revealed that the interaction between tetrandrine and HSA was mainly driven by a hydrophobic force. The conformational changes of HSA were investigated by synchronous spectrum studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of three tetranuclear clusters containing a [Mo3OS3Sn]6+ cubane-like core

Three heterometallic cubane-like clusters, [Mo3(mu 3-O)(mu 3-S)3(SnCl3)(dtp)3(py)3] (dtp = S2P(OC2H5)2-, py = C5H5N) (1), (PPN)[Mo3(mu 3-O)(mu 3-S)3(SnCl3)(dtp)3(mu-OAc)(py)] (OAc = CH3COO-, PPN = (C6H5)3PNP(C6H5)3+) (2), and (Et4N)[Mo3(mu 3-O)(mu 3-S)3(SnCl3)(dtp)2(mu-OAc)2(py)] (3) have been prepared by the reaction of [Mo3(mu 3-O)-(mu-S)3(dtp)4(H2O)] (4), [Mo3(mu 3-O)(mu-S)3(dtp)3(OAc) (py)] (5), and [Mo3(mu 3-O)(mu-S)3(dtp)2(OAc)2 (py)] (6) with SnCl2, respectively. They have been characterized by IR, UV-vis, 31P NMR, 95Mo NMR, and X-ray structure analysis. All of these heterometallic clusters have a [Mo3OS3Sn]6+ core but contain a different arrangement of peripheral ligands. As far as the neutral cluster 1 is concerned, there is no bridging OAc ligand, while only one bridging OAc ligand is observed for cluster 2 and two are for cluster 3. The Mo-Mo distances are about 0.03-0.04 A shorter than those of the starting trimolybdenum clusters. This indicates that the incorporation of SnCl3- fragment into (Mo3) clusters makes the Mo-Mo bonding enhanced. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, space group P-1, a = 10.7423(2) A, b = 14.0357(1) A, c = 16.9346(2) A, alpha = 84.054(1) degrees, beta = 87.095(1) degrees, gamma = 84.517(1) degrees, V = 2525.82(6) A3, Z = 2, R = 0.038 for 5584 reflections (I > 2.0 sigma(I)). Crystal data for 2: triclinic, space group P-1, a = 12.9529(1) A, b = 15.6324(2) A, c = 19.6355(1) A, alpha = 92.083(1) degrees, beta = 97.908(1) degrees, gamma = 110.337(1) degrees, V = 3677.41(6) A3, Z = 2, R = 0.034 for 8665 reflections (I > 2.0 sigma(I)). Crystal data for 3: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 14.0852(5) A, b = 15.1324(5) A, c = 23.2691(7) A, beta = 97.371(1) degrees, V = 4918.7(3) A3, Z = 4, R = 0.049 for 4970 reflections (I > 2.0 sigma(I)).     

Determination of isoflavones in red clover and related species by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection

High-performance liquid chromatography-UV-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric detector (HPLC-UV-ESI-MSD) method for determination of isoflavones in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and related species has been developed. The separated isoflavones including aglycones, glycosides and glycoside malonates, were individually analyzed and identified by their molecular ions and characteristic fragment ion peaks using LC-MSD under MS and MS-MS mode, and in comparison with the standard isoflavones. A total of 31 isoflavones were detected in red clover. Several isoflavones were also identified for the first time in related species, T. repense L. (white clover), T. hybridum L. (alsike clover) and T. campestre Schreber (hop trefoil). Based on reversed phase HPLC, all 10 isoflavone aglycones, daidzein, formononetin, genistein, pseudobaptigenin, glycitein, calycosin, prunetin, biochanin A, irilone and pratensein in acidic hydrolyzed extracts were successfully separated within 40 min and quantified individually by UV and MS detectors. For the 10 target compounds, the investigated concentrations ranged from approximately 24 to approximately 12500 ng/ml for UV detection and approximately 6 to approximately 3125 ng/ml for MS detection, and good linearities (r2 > 0.999 for UV and r2 > 0.99 for MS) for standard curves were achieved for each isoflavone. The accuracy and repeatability (n = 10) were within 15% for these 10 compounds. This is the first method reported that enables the simultaneous quantitation of all 10 isoflavone aglycones in red clover and related species.     

High-speed gradient parallel liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with fully automated sample preparation for bioanalysis: 30 seconds per sample from plasma

In this work, a high-throughput and high-performance bioanalytical system is described that is capable of extracting and analyzing 1152 plasma samples within 10 hours. A Zymark track robot system interfaced with a Tecan Genesis liquid handler was used for simultaneous solid-phase extraction of four 96-well plates in a fully automated fashion. The extracted plasma samples were injected onto four parallel monolithic columns for separation via a four-injector autosampler. The use of monolithic columns allowed for fast and well-resolved separations at a considerably higher flow rate without generating significant column backpressure. This resulted in a total chromatographic run cycle time of 2 min on each 4.6 x 100 mm column using gradient elution. The effluent from the four columns was directed to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an indexed four-probe electrospray ionization source (Micromass MUX interface). Hence, sample extraction, separation, and detection were all performed in a four-channel parallel format that resulted in an overall throughput of about 30 s per sample from plasma. The performance of this system was evaluated by extracting and by analyzing twelve 96-well plates (1152) of human plasma samples spiked with oxazepam at different concentrations. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of analyte sensitivity (slope of calibration curve) across the four channels and across the 12 plates was 5.2 and 6.8%, respectively. An average extraction recovery of 77.6% with a RSD of 7.7% and an average matrix effect of 0.95 with a RSD of 5.2% were achieved using these generic extraction and separation conditions. The good separation efficiency provided by this system allowed for rapid method development of an assay quantifying the drug candidate and its close structural analog metabolite. The method was cross-validated with a conventional liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay.     

Homolysis of the Ln-N (Ln = Yb, Eu) bond. Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activity of ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes with methoxyethyl functionalized indenyl ligands

The interaction of methoxyethyl functionalized indene compounds (C(9)H(6)-1-R-3-CH(2)CH(2)OMe, R =t-BuNHSiMe(2)(1), Me(3)Si (2), H (3)) with [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln=Yb (4), Eu (5)) produced a series of new ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes via tandem silylamine elimination/homolysis of the Ln-N (Ln=Yb, Eu) bond. Treatment of the lanthanide(III) amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln=Yb (4), Eu (5) with 2 equiv. of, 1,2 and 3, respectively, produced, after workup, the ytterbium(II) complexes [eta5:eta1-Me(2)Si(MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5))(NHBu-t)](2)Yb(II) (6), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5)SiMe(3))(2)Yb(II) (7), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(6))(2)Yb(II)(8) and the corresponding europium(II) complexes [eta5:eta1-Me(2)Si(MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5))(NHBu-t)](2)Eu(II)(9), (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(5)SiMe(3))(2)Eu(II)(10) and (eta5:eta1-MeOCH(2)CH(2)C(9)H(6))(2)Eu(II)(11) in moderate to good yield. In contrast, interaction of the corresponding indene compounds 1, 2 or 3 with the lanthanide amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln (Ln = Yb, Eu) was not observed, while addition of 0.5 equiv. of anhydrous LiCl to the corresponding reaction mixture produced, after workup, the corresponding ytterbium(II) or europium(II) complexes. All the new compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes, and were determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. The catalytic activity of all the ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes on MMA polymerization was examined. It was found that all the ytterbium(II) and europium(II) complexes can function as single-component MMA polymerization catalysts. The temperature, solvent and ligand effects on the catalytic activity were studied.     

The migrastatin family: discovery of potent cell migration inhibitors by chemical synthesis

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-migrastatin (1), a macrolide natural product with anti-metastatic properties, has been accomplished. Our concise and flexible approach utilized a Lewis acid-catalyzed diene aldehyde condensation (LACDAC) to install the three contiguous stereocenters and the trisubstituted (Z)-alkene of migrastatin (2 + 3 --> 21). Construction of the two remaining stereocenters and incorporation of the glutarimide-containing side chain was achieved by an anti-selective aldol addition of propionyl oxazolidinone 28 to angelic aldehyde 27, followed by a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) coupling of 32 with glutarimide aldehyde 5. Finally, the assembly of the macrocycle was realized by a highly (E)-selective ring-closing metathesis (35 --> 37). Utilizing the power of diverted total synthesis (DTS), a series of otherwise inaccessible analogues was prepared and evaluated for their potential as tumor cell migration inhibitors in several in vitro assays. These studies revealed a dramatic increase in activity when the natural motif was considerably simplified, presenting macrolactones 45 and 48, as well as macrolactam 55, macroketone 60, and CF(3)-alcohol 71 as promising anti-metastatic agents.     

What controls the melting properties of DNA-linked gold nanoparticle assemblies?

We report a series of experiments and a theoretical model designed to systematically define and evaluate the relative importance of nanoparticle, oligonucleotide, and environmental variables that contribute to the observed sharp melting transitions associated with DNA-linked nanoparticle structures. These variables include the size of the nanoparticles, the surface density of the oligonucleotides on the nanoparticles, the dielectric constant of the surrounding medium, target concentration, and the position of the nanoparticles with respect to one another within the aggregate. The experimental data may be understood in terms of a thermodynamic model that attributes the sharp melting to a cooperative mechanism that results from two key factors: the presence of multiple DNA linkers between each pair of nanoparticles and a decrease in the melting temperature as DNA strands melt due to a concomitant reduction in local salt concentration. The cooperative melting effect, originating from short-range duplex-to-duplex interactions, is independent of DNA base sequences studied and should be universal for any type of nanostructured probe that is heavily functionalized with oligonucleotides. Understanding the fundamental origins of the melting properties of DNA-linked nanoparticle aggregates (or monolayers) is of paramount importance because these properties directly impact one's ability to formulate high sensitivity and selectivity DNA detection systems and construct materials from these novel nanoparticle materials.     

Preparation and characterization of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene bonded capillaries for open-tubular capillary electrochromatography

p-tert-Butylcalix[8]arene bonded capillaries for open-tubular capillary electrochromatography were prepared with γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as a bridge. The bonded capillary displayed low and steady electroosmotic flow (EOF) values over the pH range from 4 to 9. Detection limits for direct spectrophotometric detection at 277 nm for benzenediols (at a signal to noise ratio of 2) were 0.96 mg l⁻¹ for the unbonded capillary and 1.48 mg l⁻¹ for the bonded capillary, showing that the bonded layer did not show significant absorbance and hence decreased sensitivity. The bonded capillaries showed good separation selectivity for o-, m- and p-benzenediols, α- and β-naphthols, and α- and β-naphthylamines. This selectivity was attributed to significant interactions between the analytes and the bonded p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene, which contributed to the electrochromatographic separation mechanism. The bonded capillaries gave high stability and reproducibility.     

Studies on the Binding Mode of Pinacyanol Chloride to Nucleic Acids

The interaction of pinacyanol chloride(PC) with nucleic acids has been investigated by a series of experiments.Extensive hypochromism,appreciable peak shifts,isosbestic points and new peaks of the product of binding to nucleic acids in the spectra were observed.They showed that the interaction between PC and nucleic acids occurred.The results from absorption spectra of DNA,DNA melting,electrophoresis and fluorescence polarization studies have indicated that PC binds to DNA in nonintercalative way.Consistent with the nonintercalation,the studies of fluorescence titration and absorption titration specified that the binding of PC to nucleic acids occurred by an outside stacking binding,in which nucleic acids served for acting templates,The fact that the new absorption peaks of bound PC at ca,485nm are just close to the absorption bands of Haggregate of PC at high concentrations without DNA further supports the outside stacking binding mode,In addition,other evidence indicated that the interaction between PC and nucleic acids is not purely electrostatic.     

Functional characterization of two-dimensional gel-separated proteins using sequential staining

Proteins separated by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis can be visualized using various protein staining methods. This is followed by downstream procedures, such as image analysis, gel spot cutting, protein digestion, and mass spectrometry (MS), to characterize protein expression profiles within cells, tissues, organisms, or body fluids. Characterizing specific post-translational modifications on proteins using MS of peptide fragments is difficult and labor-intensive. Recently, specific staining methods have been developed and merged into the 2-D gel platform so that not only general protein patterns but also patterns of phosphorylated and glycosylated proteins can be obtained. We used the new Pro-Q Diamond phosphoprotein dye technology for the fluorescent detection of phosphoproteins directly in 2-D gels of mouse leukocyte proteins, and Pro-Q Emerald 488 glycoprotein dye to detect glycoproteins. These two fluorescent stains are compatible with general protein stains, such as SYPRO Ruby stain. We devised a sequential procedure using Pro-Q Diamond (phosphoprotein), followed by Pro-Q Emerald 488 (glycoprotein), followed by SYPRO Ruby stain (general protein stain), and finally silver stain for total protein profile. This multiple staining of the proteins in a single gel provided parallel determination of protein expression and preliminary characterization of post-translational modifications of proteins in individual spots on 2-D gels. Although this method does not provide the same degree of certainty as traditional MS methods of characterizing post-translational modifications, it is much simpler, faster, and does not require sophisticated equipment and expertise in MS.