Biosensors based on highly sensitive acetylcholinesterases for enhanced carbamate insecticides detection

This paper presents the construction of amperometric biosensors for the highly sensitive detection of carbamate insecticides based on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This enzyme was immobilised by entrapment in an optimised sol-gel matrix on TCNQ-modified screen-printed electrodes. The enzyme activity was estimated by measuring the thiocholine produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the acetylthiocholine using TCNQ as mediator. Wild and genetically engineered AChEs from Drosophila melanogaster (Dm) were chosen for their high sensitivity towards insecticides, which substantially improves the LOD compared with cholinesterases from other sources. The wild type and three mutant enzymes were tested against three carbamate insecticides: carbaryl, carbofuran and pirimicard. The best LOD were obtained with the Y370A mutant for carbaryl (1 × 10⁻⁸ M), the E69W mutant for pirimicarb (2 × 10⁻⁸ M) and the I161V mutant for carbofuran (8 × 10⁻¹⁰ M). The biosensors were applied to the analysis of two potable water samples.     

The effect of engineered disulfide bonds on the stability of Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase

Background  

Acetylcholinesterase is irreversibly inhibited by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides allowing its use in biosensors for detection of these insecticides. Drosophila acetylcholinesterase is the most sensitive enzyme known and has been improved by in vitro mutagenesis. However, its stability has to be improved for extensive utilization.     

A new approach towards peptidosulfonamides: synthesis of potential inhibitors of bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis enzymes MurD and MurE

Peptidosulfonamides are an emerging group of peptidomimetics with a variety of applications in medicinal chemistry. We present a novel approach to the synthesis of peptidosulfonamides, and apply it to a series of new potential inhibitors of the bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis enzymes MurD and MurE. The synthesis was conducted via N-phthalimido β-aminoethanesulfonyl chlorides, which are new building blocks for the synthesis of peptidosulfonamides. In the most crucial step, sulfonic acids or their sodium salts were converted into the corresponding sulfonyl chlorides using an excess of either SOCl₂ or SOCl₂/DMF, and then coupled to the C-protected amino acid. None of the compounds significantly inhibited MurD, however, some inhibited MurE; one had an IC₅₀ below 200 μM, which constitutes a promising starting point for further development. Molecular modelling simulations were performed on two analogues to investigate the absence of inhibitory activity of the sulfonamide compounds on MurD.     

Toward phenanthridin-2-ylidene: electrophilicity versus acidity in planar-constrained C-aryl iminium salts

A phenanthridinium salt was prepared in four steps, including an intramolecular CH-arylation and a hydride abstraction reaction. Treatment with sterically demanding bases does not lead to the corresponding carbene, but rather to addition products: the planar-constrained geometry significantly enhances the electrophilicity over the acidity of C-aryl iminium salts.     

Solvent-free reaction on KF-alumina under microwave: serendipitous one-pot domino synthesis of new isobenzofuran-1(3H)-ones from alpha-hydroxyketones

The reaction of four α-hydroxyketones 1a-d with a double equivalent of t-butyl acetylacetonate in the presence of KF-alumina under microwave irradiation afforded 6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-3,3-dialkyl-7-methyl isobenzofuran-1(3H)-ones 3a-d.     

Improved method for isotopic and quantitative analysis of dissolved inorganic carbon in natural water samples

We present here an improved and reliable method for measuring the concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and its isotope composition (delta(13)C(DIC)) in natural water samples. Our apparatus, a gas chromatograph coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GCIRMS), runs in a quasi-automated mode and is able to analyze about 50 water samples per day. The whole procedure (sample preparation, CO(2(g))-CO(2(aq)) equilibration time and GCIRMS analysis) requires 2 days. It consists of injecting an aliquot of water into a H(3)PO(4)-loaded and He-flushed 12 mL glass tube. The H(3)PO(4) reacts with the water and converts the DIC into aqueous and gaseous CO(2). After a CO(2(g))-CO(2(aq)) equilibration time of between 15 and 24 h, a portion of the headspace gas (mainly CO(2)+He) is introduced into the GCIRMS, to measure the carbon isotope ratio of the released CO(2(g)), from which the delta(13)C(DIC) is determined via a calibration procedure. For standard solutions with DIC concentrations ranging from 1 to 25 mmol . L(-1) and solution volume of 1 mL (high DIC concentration samples) or 5 mL (low DIC concentration samples), delta(13)C(DIC) values are determined with a precision (1sigma) better than 0.1 per thousand. Compared with previously published headspace equilibration methods, the major improvement presented here is the development of a calibration procedure which takes the carbon isotope fractionation associated with the CO(2(g))-CO(2(aq)) partition into account: the set of standard solutions and samples has to be prepared and analyzed with the same 'gas/liquid' and 'H(3)PO(4)/water' volume ratios. A set of natural water samples (lake, river and hydrothermal springs) was analyzed to demonstrate the utility of this new method.     

Organo-iron mediated synthesis of functional dendrimers with 1 → 3 connectivity

The organo-iron mediated activation of arene in the sandwich complexes [FeCp(η⁶-arene)][PF₆] is shown to produce 1 → 3 connectivity at benzylic positions that was utilized for dendrimer syntheses. This mini-review of the work carried out in the authors’ laboratory summarizes this principle and its applications with emphasis on recent significant improvements in the CpFe⁺-mediated reactions, recyclability of the CpFe⁺ group, mechanistic features and examples of efficient and useful functionalization reactions.     

Poly(D,L-lactide)-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) block copolymers as potential biomaterials for peripheral nerve repair: in vitro and in vivo degradation studies

The properties of poly(D ,L ‐lactide)‐block‐poly(2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PLA‐b‐PHEA) block copolymers by means of in vitro / in vivo (rat) degradation are investigated and compared to those of PLA homopolymer. Over 12 weeks, we observe mass loss and molecular weight decrease. In vitro and in vivo findings are very similar for each polymer tested. When a short PHEA block is used (PLA‐b‐PHEA 15 000–3 000 g · mol^?1, 85/15 wt%), the degradation process is found to be very similar to that of homo‐PLA, and to be typical of a bulk erosion mechanism, with no mass loss observed until week 7 and continuous decrease of molar mass within this timeframe. For a longer PHEA block length within the block copolymer (PLA‐b‐PHEA 15 000–7 500 g · mol^?1, 65/35 wt%), the degradation mechanism is modified, with a significant mass loss observed at early times and only a slight decrease in molar mass. The latter finding is related to the pronounced hydrophilicity and softness of the material induced by the PHEA block, which allow easy diffusion and rapid leakage of the degradation residues from the material towards the aqueous medium. Schwann cells are found to better adhere on spin‐coated films of PLA‐b‐PHEA (85/15 wt%) than on PLA ones. These results show the potential of such hydrophilized PLA‐based copolymers for use in peripheral nerve repair.

     

Ring-rearrangement metathesis of substituted dihydropyrans and dihydrofurans

The rearrangement of dihydropyrans and dihydrofurans featuring appending olefins has been studied. The rearranged products bear resemblance with polyunsaturated di- and trisaccharides. Examples of functionalization prior to, or following, rearrangement are provided suggesting that the method should be useful for the synthesis of nonclassical saccharides. This work also illustrates the power of cascade methatetic processes for increasing molecular complexity starting from relatively simple heterocycles.     

Purification and characterization of a new Bacillus thuringiensis bacteriocin active against Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Agrobacterium tumefaciens

This study reports on the identification, characterization and purification of a new bacteriocin, named Bacthuricin F103, from a Bacillus thuringiensis strain BUPM103. Bacthuricin F103 production began in the early exponential phase and reached a maximum in the middle of the same phase. Two chromatographic methods based on high performance liquid chromatography and fast protein liquid chromatography systems were used to purify Bacthuricin F103. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that this bacteriocin had a molecular weight of approximately 11 kDa. It also showed a wide range of thermostability of up to 80 °C for 60 min and a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity over a pH range of 3.0–10.0. This bacteriocin was noted, and for the first time, to exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against Agrobacterium subsp. strains, the major causal agents of crown gall disease in tomato and vineyard crops, and against several challenging organisms in food, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. Complete killing with immediate impact on cells was observed within a short period of time. The sequence obtained for Bacthuricin F103 by direct N-terminal sequencing shared considerable homology with hemolysin. Bacthuricin F103 was noted to act through the depletion of intracellular ions, which suggest that the cell membrane was a possible target to Bacthuricin F103.