Structure of the asparagine-linked sugar chains of porcine kidney and human urine cerebroside sulfate activator protein

The specific sugar residues and their linkages in the oligosaccharides from pig kidney and human urine cerebroside sulfate activator proteins (saposin B), although previously hypothesized, have been unambiguously characterized. Exhaustive sequential exoglycosidase digestion of the trimethyl-p-aminophenyl derivatives, followed by either matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and/or mass spectrometry, was used to define the residues and their linkages. The oligosaccharides were enzymatically released from the proteins by treatment with peptidyl-N-glycosidase F and separated from the proteins by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Reducing termini were converted to the trimethyl-p-aminophenyl derivative and the samples were further purified by normal-phase HPLC. The derivatized carbohydrates were then treated sequentially with a series of exoglycosidases of defined specificity, and the products of each digestion were examined by mass spectrometry. The pentasaccharides from pig kidney and human urine protein were shown to be of the asparagine-linked complex type composed of mannose-alpha 1-6-mannose-beta 1-4-N-acetylglucosamine-N-acetylglucosamine(alpha 1-6-fucose). This highly degraded structure probably represents the final product of intra-lysosomal exoglycosidase digestion. Oligosaccharide sequencing by specific exoglycosidase degradation coupled with mass spectrometry is more rapid than conventional oligosaccharide sequencing. The procedures developed will be useful for sequencing other oligosaccharides including those from other members of the lipid-binding protein class to which cerebroside sulfate activator belongs. (c) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A definitive investigation of the reaction of cyclopentadiene with cis-3,4-dichlorocyclobutene: A literature correction

Structural assignments are made to the three adducts derived from the title reaction. ¹H-n.m.r., ¹³C-n.m.r. and euroshift data are used to support the new structures.     

Femtosecond intermolecular electron transfer in condensed systems

We have investigated the ultrafast intermolecular electron transfer (ET) from an electron-donating solvent (aniline (AN) or N, N-dimethylaniline (DMA)) to an excited dye molecule (oxazines (Nile blue and oxazine 1) or coumarins). A non-exponential time dependence was observed in AN and can be explained by solvent reorientation and nuclear motion of the reactants. However, in DMA, a single exponential process was observed for Nile blue (160 fs) and oxazine 1 (280 fs), which can be explained by assuming that the rate of ET is limited mainly by ultrafast nuclear motion. A clear substituent effect on intermolecular ET was observed for the 7-aminocoumarins. When the alkyl chain on the 7-amino group is extended and a hexagonal ring with the benzene moiety is formed, the rate of ET is reduced by three orders of magnitude. This effect can be explained by a change in the free energy difference of the reaction and by the vibrational motion of the amino group.     

Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of corn stover at high solids concentrations

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - The enzymatic digestibility of a pretreated substrate is enhanced by increasing the severity of the pretreatment conditions, apparently because a greater...     

Analysis of citrates and benzoates used in poly(vinyl chloride) by supercritical fluid extraction and gas chromatography

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has been demonstrated to be a useful tool in the determination of additives in polymeric materials. This paper describes the determination of some citrates and benzoates in poly(vinyl chloride) blended with 33–34% of plasticizer using off-line SFE followed by gas chromatography. Experimental factors affecting SFE have been studied by gravimetric analysis, followed by analysis of the extracts using a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. The extraction process is governed by the solubility of the plasticizers in the supercritical fluid or by their diffusion through the polymer matrix, which depend on the pressure and temperature used. Maximum extraction (>99%) is obtained at pressures and temperatures higher than 40 MPa and 80 °C, respectively. Due to purge losses, the collection efficiency of plasticizers into a liquid solvent ranges from 85 to 90%. The applicability of the SFE method is demonstrated using real samples and comparing the results with those obtained by conventional Soxhlet extraction.     

Comparison of fluorimetric methods of assay for 7 H-Benz(de)anthracen-7-one in airborne particulates and air pollution source effluents

Summary Various modifications of a thin-layer chromatography fluorimetric method for the determination of 7 H-benz(de)anthracen-7-one (BO) and phenalen-1-one (PO) in complex mixtures have been compared. The best modifications consisted of one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography followed by elution, evaporation, solution in trifluoroacetic acid, followed by either spectrophotofluorimetric or fluorimetric assay. In some cases a quenching agent was necessary to quench the fluorescence of the interferences. Urban atmospheres and air pollution source effluents can be analyzed by these micromethods. These methods with slight modification could be applied to the determination of the aza heterocyclic and the other ring-carbonyl compounds found in urban atmospheres and air pollution source effluents.

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Zusammenfassung Verschiedene Modifikationen einer dünnschichtchromatographischen, fluorimetrischen Methode zur Bestimmung von 7 H-Benz(de)-anthracen-7-on (BO) und Phenalen-1-on (PO) in komplexen Gemischen wurden verglichen. Am besten bewährte sich eindimensionale Dünnschichtchromatographie, nachfolgende Elution, Abdampfen, Aufnehmen in Trifluoressigsäure und schließlich Bestimmung durch Spektralfluoreszenz-oder Fluoreszenzmessung. In manchen Fällen war es nötig, die Fluoreszenz störender Substanzen mit einem geeigneten Reagens zu löschen. Stadtatmosphäre oder Quellen der Luftverunreinigung können mit diesen Mikromethoden analysiert werden. Sie eignen sich nach geringfügiger Modifikation auch zur Bestimmung von azaheterocyklischen und anderen Ring-Carbonylverbindungen in der Atmosphäre.

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Résumé On a comparé entre elles différentes modifications d'une méthode de fluorimétrie avec chromatographie en couche mince pour le dosage de la benzo-7 H anthracène-one-7 (BO) et de la phénalène-one-1 (PO) en mélanges complexes. Les modifications les meilleures ont consisté en une Chromatographie en couche mince unidimensionnelle suivie d'élution, évaporation, mise en solution dans l'acide trifluoroacétique, opérations suivies d'une recherche spectrophotofluorimétrique ou fluorimétrique. Dans certains cas, un agent d'extinction s'est montré nécessaire pour éteindre la fluorescence due aux interférences. On peut analyser par ces microméthodes les atmosphères urbaines et les écoulements sources de pollution de l'air. Ces méthodes ont pu être appliquées après légère modification au dosage des composés aza hétérocycliques et autres composés carbonyles cycliques trouvés dans les atmosphères urbaines et dans les écoulements sources de pollution de l'air.

     

The Effect of Preparation Method and Calcination Temperature on the Crystallite Size and Surface Area of Perovskite-Type SrFeO x

We have investigated the synthesis of perovskite-type SrFeO_x (2.5 x 3.0) using three preparative methods: sol-gel, mechanochemical processing and solid state reactions at high temperature of the corresponding oxides. The sample obtained after calcination of the gel from sol-gel method, contained the least amount of strontium carbonate impurity. The amount of strontium carbonate impurity decreased with the increase in calcination temperature. Perovskites obtained have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Samples obtained from three methods have been compared with respect to calcination temperature, crystallite size and specific surface area.Issued as NRCC No. 46479.     

The isolation and structure determination of cryptomisrine,a novel indolo[3,2-b]quinoline dimeric alkaloid from cryptolepis sanguinolenta

The isolation and structure determination of cryptomisrine, a novel indolo[3,2-b]quinoline dimeric alkaloid obtained from extracts of the roots of the Ghanaian medicinal plant Cryptolepis sanguinolenta is reported. The structure determination was made via a consideration of the spectral data, including uv, ir, nmr, and mass spectra. In particular, one-dimensional proton/carbon nmr, one-dimensional nOe difference nmr, and a series of homonuclear (COSY) and inverse-detected heteronuclear two-dimensional (HMQC, HMBC) experiments were utilized, as well as high resolution FABMS. Cryptomisrine is most unusual in that its two monomeric parts apparently exist in such a C₂ symmetric environment that only one set of proton and carbon nmr resonances are observed. Cryptomisrine is the first example of a dimeric indolo-[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid to have been isolated from nature.     

Characterization and complementation of a Pichia stipitis mutant unable to grow on d-xylose or l-arabinose

Pichia stipitis CBS 6054 will grow on d-xylose, d-arabinose, and l-arabinose. d-Xylose and l-arabinose are abundant in seed hulls of maize, and their utilization is important in processing grain residues. To elucidate the degradation pathway for l-arabinose, we obtained a mutant, FPL-MY30, that was unable to grow on d-xylose and l-arabinose but that could grow on d-arabinitol. Activity assays of oxidoreductase and pentulokinase enzymes involved in d-xylose, d-arabinose, and l-arabinose pathways indicated that FPL-MY30 is deficient in d-xylitol dehydrogenase (D-XDH), d- and l-arabinitol dehydrogenases, and d-ribitol dehydrogenase. Transforming FPL-MY30 with a gene for xylitol dehydrogenase (PsXYL2), which was cloned from CBS 6054 (Gen Bank AF127801), restored the D-XDH activity and the capacity for FPL-MY30 to grow on l-arabinose. This suggested that FPL-MY30 is critically deficient in XYL2 and that the d-xylose and l-arabinose metabolic pathways have xylitolas a common intermediate. The capacity for FPL-MY30 to grow on d-arabinitol could proceed through d-ribulose.