Specific interaction of desthiobiotin lipids and water-soluble biotin compounds with streptavidin

As shown for biotin lipids (Ref. 1), the formation of perfect 2-D crystalline streptavidin domains can also be observed in the plane of desthiobiotin lipid monolayers. The binding constant of streptavidin with desthiobiotin (K_a = 5·10¹³ mol⁻¹) is lower than that with biotin (K_a = 10¹⁵ mol⁻¹) (Ref. 2). By adding free biotin into the subphase a competitive replacement and a detaching of the streptavidin domains from the desthiobiotin lipid monolayer takes place. Streptavidin domains built at receptor lipid monolayers are still functional. As could be shown, there are two biotin binding sites at each protein molecule that are fully accessible to biotin (Ref. 1). This can be proven by the interaction with biotinylated ferritin and fluoresceinated biotin. Further coupling of an anti-FITC-antibody can proceed and a second protein layer can be formed. Using a bifunctional biotin linker a second crystalline streptavidin layer underneath the first one can be obtained.     

Chemical tuning by 5-Methyl and N-Methyl-substitution in heptanuclear complexes effects multistability investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy

The precursors [Fe^(III)(^N???R???L)Cl] (^N???R???LH₂=N,N′-bis(2′-hydroxy- 5′-methyl-benzyliden)-1,7-diamino-4-R-4-azaheptane, R ?=? H, methyl(Me)) are high-spin (S?=?5/2) complexes. The Lewis-acidic precursors are combined with Lewis- Base-bridging-units [M(CN) _x ] ^y??? (M = Fe^(II), Ru^(II), Co^(III)) to form heptanuclear star-shaped [M{CN-Fe^(III)(^N???R???L)} _x ]Cl _y molecular switches. The star-shaped compounds are high-spin systems at room temperature. On cooling to 20 K some of the compounds exhibit multistability, i.e. several iron(III) centers within a molecule switch to the low-spin state as shown by Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

New Raman Spectroscopic Data of the Almahata Sitta Meteorite

The archaeological site of Pintia (Padilla de Duero/Peñafiel, Valladolid), considered one of the first cities on the Iberian Peninsula, has yielded very interesting archaeological records regarding the different functional areas that involve the oppidum. Pottery, metal, and bone/skeletal remains are very well preserved, being optimal for analysis and study of the ancient food contained, such as milk-based products, animal fats, beer, and wine. The combination of Raman Microscopy (RM) with other analytical techniques such as Light Microscopy (LM) and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (ESEM-EDX) becomes a powerful tool to obtain information on the possible content in the ceramic receptacles from historical-archaeological heritage. It can lead to an interpretation of their specific use or functionality. In this work, a unique sample preparation was used for all techniques, which lead to a very simple procedure and documentation. The degradation and aging of natural fibers and the presence of organic matter with low crystallinity and calcium oxalate–related residuals can be studied by these combined techniques. The archaeological residuals can be separated from modern contamination coming from agriculture processes, surrounding land minerals, or fresh vegetal matter.     

Correlations of two-dimensional super-paramagnetic colloids in tilted external magnetic fields

We outline the formalism of liquid integral equation theory for anisotropic interactions in two dimensions and subsequently apply this theory to one-component super-paramagnetic particles exposed to a tilted magnetic field. Inhomogeneous local ordering of the particles is observed for different in-plane directions. The anisotropy of the interaction as well as of the liquid structure is increased by increasing the tilt angle. Furthermore, the particles favour an alignment in the direction of the in-plane component of the magnetic field. For increasing tilt angle, the anisotropy of the structural correlations is qualitatively similar to that of the corresponding solid lattice which is stable at lower temperatures. However, the mean-square displacements behave qualitatively different in the solid and fluid phases as a function of the tilt angle.     

Sialoside analogue arrays for rapid identification of high affinity siglec ligands

The siglec family of sialic acid binding proteins participates in diverse cell surface biology that includes regulation of immune cell signaling and the interaction of neuronal cells with glial cells. The weak intrinsic affinity of the natural sialoside ligands has hampered the development of synthetic ligand based probes needed to elucidate their roles in siglec function. In this report, we describe a glycan microarray comprising a library of 9-acyl-substituted sialic acids incorporated into sialosides containing the Neu5Acalpha2-3Gal and Neu5Acalpha-6Gal linkages commonly recognized by the siglecs. The array is demonstrated to exhibit utility for detecting 9-acyl substituents that increase the affinity of siglecs for their ligands. Substituents that increase affinity are anticipated to be useful for the design of high affinity ligand based probes of siglec function.     

Phenanthrene-fused boron-dipyrromethenes as bright long-wavelength fluorophores

A new class of boron-dipyrromethene (BDP or BODIPY) dyes was obtained by phenanthrene fusion to the beta-pyrrole positions, absorbing in the wavelength range of important laser sources. Despite a 'propeller-like' distorted structure in the crystalline state, the chromophore absorbs (log epsilon > or = 5) and fluoresces (Phif > or = 0.8) strongly and can be easily turned into a fluorescence light-up probe. Incorporation into latex beads produces bright and photostable single-dye and F?rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) particles for microscopy applications.     

Photogeneration of distant radical pairs in aqueous pyruvic acid glasses

The lambda > 300 nm photolysis of h4- or d4-pyruvic acid aqueous glasses at 77 K yields identical electron magnetic resonance (EMR) spectra arising from distant (r greater or similar 0.5 nm) triplet radical pairs. Spectra comprise: (1) well-resolved quartets, X, at g approximately ge, that closely match the powder spectra of spin pairs interacting across r approximately 1.0 nm with D approximately 3.0 mT, E approximately 0 mT zero field splittings (ZFS), and (2) broad signals, Y, centered at g approximately 2.07 that display marked g-anisotropy and g-strain, exclude D greater or similar 20.0 mT values (i.e., r less or similar 0.5 spin nm separations), and track the temperature dependence of related g approximately 4 features. These results imply that the n-pi excitation of pyruvic acid, PA, induces long-range electron transfer from the promoted carbonyl chromophore into neighboring carbonyl acceptors, rather than homolysis into contact radical pairs or concerted decarboxylation into a carbene. Since PA is associated into hydrogen-bonded dimers prior to vitrification, X signals arise from radical pairs ensuing intradimer electron transfer to a locked acceptor, while Y signals involve carbonyl groups attached to randomly arranged, disjoint monomers. The ultrafast decarboxylation of primary radical ion pairs, 3[PA+* PA-*], accounts for the release of CO2 under cryogenic conditions, the lack of thermal hysteresis displayed by magnetic signals between 10 and 160 K, and averted charge retrotransfer. All EMR signals disappear irreversibly above the onset of ice diffusivity at approximately 190 K.