Thermodynamic characterization of different actin isoforms

Summary The thermodynamic properties of the cardiac and skeletal a-actin isoforms were studied to characterize the molecular bases of the functional differences between them with the method of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal properties of the actin filaments were described in the presence of calcium and magnesium ions as well. Based on the calculated free energy changes the α-cardiac actin filaments appeared to be more stable in its physiologically more relevant, magnesium saturated form. The magnesium saturated form of the α-cardiac actin filaments seemed to be more stable compared to the calcium saturated form of it. The enthalpy and entropy changes could differentiate between the α-cardiac and α-skeletal actin isoforms and between the calcium and magnesium saturated cardiac actin isoforms as well. Our results can demonstrate that the few differences between the amino acid sequences of the α-actin isoforms have an influence on the thermal properties and maybe on the function of these proteins as well.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of the effect of proton transfer on the (27)al MAS NMR line shapes of zeolite-adsorbate complexes: an independent measure of solid Acid strength

Assessing the degree of proton transfer from a Br?nsted acid site to one or more adsorbed bases is central to arguments regarding the strength of zeolites and other solid acids. In this regard certain solid-state NMR measurements have been fruitful; for example, some (13)C, (15)N, or (31)P resonances of adsorbed bases are sensitive to protonation, and the (1)H chemical shift of the Br?nsted site itself reflects hydrogen bonding. We modeled theoretically the structures of adsorption complexes of several bases on zeolite HZSM-5, calculated the quadrupole coupling constants (Q(cc)) and asymmetry parameters (eta) for aluminum in these complexes and then in turn simulated the central transitions of their (27)Al MAS NMR spectra. The theoretical line width decreased monotonically with the degree of proton transfer, reflecting structural relaxation around aluminum as the proton was transferred to a base. We verified this experimentally for a series of adsorbed bases by way of single-pulse MAS and triple quantum MQMAS (27)Al NMR. The combined theoretical and experimental approach described here provides a strategy by which (27)Al data can be applied to resolve disputed interpretations of proton transfer based on other evidence.     

Mechanistic study of thermal behavior and combustion performance of epoxy resins: I homopolymerized TGDDM

Tetraglycidyl 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) undergoes homopolymerization on heating. Intramolecular reactions which compete with crosslinking favor the formation of cyclic structures with increasing thermal and fire resistance of the resin, whereas physical mechanical properties tend to decrease. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of TGDDM is studied by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal volatilization analysis with characterization of volatiles evolved and residue left. Thermal degradation of poly-(TGDDM) starts at 260°C with elimination of water from secondary alcoholic groups which is a typical pathway for epoxy resin degradation. Resulting unsaturations weaken bonds in the β-position and provoke the first chain breaking at allyl–amine and allyl–either bonds. With increasing temperature, saturated alkyl–ether bonds and alkyl carbon–carbon bonds are broken first, followed by the most stable alkyl–aryl bonds at T>365°C. The combustion performance of TGDDM is discussed on the basis of the thermal degradation behavior.     

Influence of structural changes on the ion selectivities of magnesium ionophores based on malonic acid diamides

In an investigation of octamethylene bis(malonic acid diamides) and their selectivities for magnesium, it was found that presence of secondary amides within the particular ionophore played a considerable role in the enhancement of magnesium selectivity. Similar effects in other ionophores, i.e. tris(malonic acid diamides), were thus systematically looked at with the help of selectivity measurements with the hope of optimizing the number of secondary and tertiary amides so as to improve the magnesium selectivity. The syntheses of several investigated tris(malonic acid diamide) isologues are equally reported.Deceased in November 1992     

Molecular basis for antifreeze activity difference of two insect antifreeze protein isoforms

The insect spruce budworm(Choristoneura fumiferana) produces antifreeze protein(AFP) to assist in the protection of the over-wintering larval stage and contains multiple isoforms. Structures for two isoforms,known as CfAFP-501 and CfAFP-337,show that both possess similar left-handed β-helical structure,although thermal hysteresis activity of the longer isoform CfAFP-501 is three times that of CfAFP-337. The markedly enhanced activity of CfAFP-501 is not proportional to,and cannot be simply accounted for,by the increased ice-binding site resulting from the two extra coils in CfAFP-501. In or-der to investigate the molecular basis for the activity difference and gain better understanding of AFPs in general,we have employed several different computational methods to systematically study the structural properties and ice interactions of the AFPs and their deletion models. In the context of intact AFPs,a majority of the coils in CfAFP-501 has better ice interaction and causes stronger ice lattice disruption than CfAFP-337,strongly suggesting a cooperative or synergistic effect among β-helical coils. The synergistic effect would play a critical role and make significant contributions to the anti-freeze activity β-helical antifreeze proteins. This is the first time that synergistic effect and its implica-tion for antifreeze activity are reported for β-helical antifreeze proteins.     

Trinuclear heterobimetallic complexes with binucleating dithioxamides: stereoselective synthesis and solution behavior involving Pd-N bond rupture

Bischelate platinum(II) complexes of the type [Pt(H-R(2)-N(2)C(2)S(2))(2)] (H-R(2)-N(2)C(2)S(2)(-) = dialkyl-dithioxamidate) are ditopic receptors which, after coordination of the first Pd(eta(3)-allyl)(+) moiety, induce the orientation of the second palladium-allyl fragment. Thus, a series of trimetallic complexes of formula bis-[(eta(3)-allyl)-palladium(II)](mu-bis-dialkyl-dithioxamidate-platinum(II) kappa-S,S-kappa-S',S'-Pt-kappa-N,N-Pd-kappa-N',N'-Pd') has been prepared in which the allyl fragments are oriented toward the same side of the molecular plane. We have also prepared the trimetallic complex using a dithioxamide obtained from the racemic phenylethylamine. Only two isomers were produced in equimolar ratio: the racemate that has four homochiral alkyl substituents and the mesoform containing the meso-dithioxamide that has homochiral substituents on the same side of molecular plane. Under the effect of the temperature, the trimetallic Pd-Pt-Pd complexes undergo rapid allyl isomerization; the mechanism of the isomerization, which is similar to that found by us in an analogue Pt-Pd bimetallic complex, is discussed. The crystal and molecular structure of bis-[(eta(3)-allyl)-palladium(II)](mu-bis-[S]-phenylethyl-dithioxamidate-platinum(II) kappa-S,S-kappa-S',S'-Pt-kappa-N,N-Pd-kappa-N',N'-Pd') has been reported.     

THE CONTROL OF METABOLISM BY BLUE LIGHT IN Acetabularia mediterranea—II. SELECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL CONTROL AND DIFFERENTIAL DEGRADATION OF ENZYMES

Abstract— During prolonged continuous irradiation with red light the specific activity of uridine 5'-diphosphoglucose (UDPG) pyrophosphorylase (uridine 5'-triphosphate: glucose 1-phosphate uridylyl-transferase EC 2.7.7.9) decreased in Acetabularia mediterranea Lamouroux (=A. acetabulum (L.) Silva). Subsequent blue light restored the original activity within a comparatively short period of 3 to 4 days. Computer-aided quantitative evaluation of density labelling experiments showed that the synthesis of the enzyme was accelerated about four-fold during the period of activation by blue light. A similar increase in the rate of synthesis was found for hydroxypyruvate reductase (EC 1.1.1.81), a control enzyme that showed no blue light-dependent changes in the specific activity under these conditions. The increase in the rate of enzyme synthesis was caused by an overall stimulation of the cytosolic translation. Degradation of UDPG pyrophosphorylase was unaffected by blue light, while the half life of hydroxypyruvate reductase was shortened about two-fold compared to continuous red light. Thus, degradation of proteins appears to be selectively light dependent in Acetabularia.
Model calculations for enzyme amount and enzyme synthesis were carried out using the measurements of enzyme activity, rates of cytosolic protein synthesis, and degradation constants of the enzymes. Assuming that activities represented amounts of the given enzymes, these calculations indicated a selective activation of UDPG pyrophosphorylase synthesis by blue light since it did not coincide with the overall stimulation of protein synthesis in the cytosol, in contrast to hydroxypyruvate reductase.     

Do proficiency tests always verify laboratories’ performance? The case of FAPAS PT 0270

In this paper, the case of FAPAS PT 0270 “Doramectin and Oxfendazole in Sheep Liver” is discussed. During evaluation of the data received from participants (determination of total, oxidised oxfendazole residue and calculation of the sum of oxfendazole and oxfendazole sulfone residues), significant differences were observed between the results obtained by use of two analytical approaches. This phenomenon can be explained by the route of oxfendazole metabolism, which results in the presence of fenbendazole in the sample. This was not predicted by the provider; consequently, not all the necessary tests on the material were conducted. Due to the high uncertainty of the z-scores in this test, the results of the PT cannot be used for purposes of evaluation, and the benefits of participation in PT 0270 are questionable.     

A new route to vinyltributyltin compounds by flash pyrolysis of alkyltributyltin acetates

Flash pyrolysis of alkyltributyltin acetates, at high temperatures (600–850° C) under a moderate vacuum provides a convenient route to vinyltin derivatives.     

DNA codes for nanoscience

The nanometer scale is a special place where all sciences meet and develop a particularly strong interdisciplinarity. While biology is a source of inspiration for nanoscientists, chemistry has a central role in turning inspirations and methods from biological systems to nanotechnological use. DNA is the biological molecule by which nanoscience and nanotechnology is mostly fascinated. Nature uses DNA not only as a repository of the genetic information, but also as a controller of the expression of the genes it contains. Thus, there are codes embedded in the DNA sequence that serve to control recognition processes on the atomic scale, such as the base pairing, and others that control processes taking place on the nanoscale. From the chemical point of view, DNA is the supramolecular building block with the highest informational content. Nanoscience has therefore the opportunity of using DNA molecules to increase the level of complexity and efficiency in self-assembling and self-directing processes.