Amyloid Polymorphism in the Protein Folding and Aggregation Energy Landscape

Protein folding involves a large number of steps and conformations in which the folding protein samples different thermodynamic states characterized by local minima. Kinetically trapped on‐ or off‐pathway intermediates are metastable folding intermediates towards the lowest absolute energy minima, which have been postulated to be the natively folded state where intramolecular interactions dominate, and the amyloid state where intermolecular interactions dominate. However, this view largely neglects the rich polymorphism found within amyloid species. We review the protein folding energy landscape in view of recent findings identifying specific transition routes among different amyloid polymorphs. Observed transitions such as twisted ribbon→crystal or helical ribbon→nanotube, and forbidden transitions such helical ribbon?crystal, are discussed and positioned within the protein folding and aggregation energy landscape. Finally, amyloid crystals are identified as the ground state of the protein folding and aggregation energy landscape.     

Pulsed laser photolysis and quantum chemical-statistical rate study of the reaction of the ethynyl radical with water vapor

The rate coefficient of the gas-phase reaction C(2)H + H(2)O-->products has been experimentally determined over the temperature range 500-825 K using a pulsed laser photolysis-chemiluminescence (PLP-CL) technique. Ethynyl radicals (C(2)H) were generated by pulsed 193 nm photolysis of C(2)H(2) in the presence of H(2)O vapor and buffer gas N(2) at 15 Torr. The relative concentration of C(2)H radicals was monitored as a function of time using a CH* chemiluminescence method. The rate constant determinations for C(2)H + H(2)O were k(1)(550 K) = (2.3 +/- 1.3) x 10(-13) cm(3) s(-1), k(1)(770 K) =(7.2 +/- 1.4) x 10(-13) cm(3) s(-1), and k(1)(825 K) = (7.7 +/- 1.5) x 10(-13) cm(3) s(-1). The error in the only other measurement of this rate constant is also discussed. We have also characterized the reaction theoretically using quantum chemical computations. The relevant portion of the potential energy surface of C(2)H(3)O in its doublet electronic ground state has been investigated using density functional theory B3LYP6-311 + + G(3df,2p) and molecular orbital computations at the unrestricted coupled-cluster level of theory that incorporates all single and double excitations plus perturbative corrections for the triple excitations, along with the 6-311 + + G(3df,2p) basis set [(U)CCSD(T)6-311 + + G(3df,2p)] and using UCCSD(T)6-31G(d,p) optimized geometries. Five isomers, six dissociation products, and sixteen transition structures were characterized. The results confirm that the hydrogen abstraction producing C(2)H(2)+OH is the most facile reaction channel. For this channel, refined computations using (U)CCSD(T)6-311 + + G(3df,2p)(U)CCSD(T)6-311 + + G(d,p) and complete-active-space second-order perturbation theory/complete-active-space self-consistent-field theory (CASPT2/CASSCF) [B. O. Roos, Adv. Chem. Phys. 69, 399 (1987)] using the contracted atomic natural orbitals basis set (ANO-L) [J. Almlof and P. R. Taylor, J. Chem. Phys.86, 4070 (1987)] were performed, yielding zero-point energy-corrected potential energy barriers of 17 kJ mol(-1) and 15 kJ mol(-1), respectively. Transition-state theory rate constant calculations, based on the UCCSD(T) and CASPT2/CASSCF computations that also include H-atom tunneling and a hindered internal rotation, are in perfect agreement with the experimental values. Considering both our experimental and theoretical determinations, the rate constant can best be expressed, in modified Arrhenius form as k(1)(T) = (2.2 +/- 0.1) x 10(-21)T(3.05) exp[-(376 +/- 100)T] cm(3) s(-1) for the range 300-2000 K. Thus, at temperatures above 1500 K, reaction of C(2)H with H(2)O is predicted to be one of the dominant C(2)H reactions in hydrocarbon combustion.     

Low-dimensional compounds containing cyano groups. III: a structural,spectral and thermal study of dicyanoargentates containing 4-methylpyridine

The complexes Cu^II(4-Mepy)₂Ag₂(CN)₄ (1) and Cu^II(4-Mepy)₃Ag_2–x Cu^I _x (CN)₄ (2) (4-Mepy = 4-methylpyridine, x = 0.07) were isolated from a reaction mixture containing 4-Mepy, K[Ag(CN)₂] and CuSO₄. I.r. spectra indicated the presence of both monodentate and bridging cyano groups in (1) and (2), confirmed by their known structures, both consisting of neutral zigzag chains. Two neighbouring chains in (2) are linked by argentophilic interactions between Ag atoms of bridging dicyanoargentate anions, whose positions are partly occupied by Cu^I ions to the extent of 7 at.%, with an unusually short Ag...Ag distance of 2.9264(5) Å, to form a ladder. Individual ladders are tied together as sheets by weaker argentophilic interactions between silver atoms of interdigitated monodentate dicyanoargentate anions of two different ladders. Thermal decomposition of (2) occurs in two separated stages. In the first stage, three 4-Mepy molecules are liberated from the formula unit and, in the second stage, redox decomposition of the cyano groups occurs. The thermal decomposition of (1) is more complicated as the release of two 4-Mepy molecules is overlapped by decomposition of one cyano group followed by further redox decomposition of the remaining cyano groups.     

A theoretical study of the gas-phase chemi-ionization reaction between uranium and oxygen atoms

The U+O chemi-ionization reaction has been investigated by quantum chemical methods. Potential-energy curves have been calculated for several electronic states of UO and UO(+). Comparison with the available spectroscopic and thermodynamic values for these species is reported and a mechanism for the chemi-ionization reaction U+O-->UO(+)+e(-) is proposed. The U+O and Sm+O chemi-ionization reactions are the first two metal-plus-oxidant chemi-ionization reactions to be studied theoretically in this way.     

Spin crossover in a tetranuclear Cr(III)-Fe(III)(3) complex

A novel heteronuclear exchange-coupled complex [Cr(III)[(CN)Fe(III)((5)L)](3)(CN)(3)] containing a pentadentate blocking ligand (5)L was synthesized. The X-ray structure shows that a meridional isomer applies with inequivalent Fe(III) centers. The complex exhibits a thermally induced spin crossover along with the exchange coupling. M?ssbauer spectra indicate a spin transition between S = (1)/(2) and S = (5)/(2) states although a considerable amount of Fe(III) centers stays high-spin at T = 6 K. The magnetization, the magnetic susceptibility, and the M?ssbauer data were fitted in one run with a spin crossover model taking into account exchange interactions among all metal centers.     

Longitudinal NLO properties of C2H2, HCCF,and C2F2: Electron correlation and vibration effects

Electron correlation and vibration effects on longitudinal nonlinear optical properties of acetylene (C₂H₂), fluoroacetylene (HCCF), and difluoroacetylene (C₂F₂) have been studied using various quantum chemistry methods, including the second‐order perturbation theory (MP2); coupled cluster approach with singles, doubles (CCSD), and noniterative triples (CCSD(T)); and density functional methods (B3LYP and B98). Evaluation of the static and dynamic vibration (nuclear relaxation) contributions was based on the finite field relaxation method. Particular attention has been devoted to the assessment of the electron correlation effects on the nuclear relaxation contributions to the molecular properties. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Synthese von Tetracyanoniccolat-clathraten mit Benzol Kurze Mitteilung

Zusammenfassung Durch Ersetzung des Cadmiums im Clathrat Cden[Ni(CN)₄]·2C₆H₆ wurden drei Verbindungen des TypsM(en) _m[Ni(CN)₄]·nC₆H₆ (M ²⁺=Ni, Cu, Zn;m=2–3;n=0.14–0.28) hergestellt und charakterisiert.

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Synthesis of ethylendiamine-(metal II)-tetracyanoniccolate dibenzene clathrate compounds

Replacing cadmium ion in Cden[Ni(CN)₄]·2C₆H₆ clathrate compound three compounds ofM(en) _m[Ni(CN)₄]·nC₆H₆ type (M ²⁺=Ni, Cu, Zn;m=2–3;n=0.14–0.28) were prepared and characterized.

     

Theory of system zones in capillary zone electrophoresis

In the last years, it has been shown that the formation and migration of system zones is an inherent feature of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and that it depends predominantly on the composition of an actual background electrolyte (BGE). In most of the currently used BGEs, the SZs are invisible by the UV absorbance detection system, however, the comigration of SZs with the zones of analytes deteriorates the analytical performance of CZE and may be fatal for its utilization. Therefore, the theoretical predictions of the existence and migration of SZs is of key importance for the expediency of CZE. This is a review of the theoretical treatments of SZs which reveals the origin and the properties of SZs and shows how to cope with them. Also, a table of some typical BGEs is presented where the existence and mobilities of SZs are given.     

Ligand-structure effect on electrochemical reduction of copper(II) complexes

Summary Half-wave potentials for a one-electron reduction of copper(II) complexes containing polydentate ligands can be calculated using the equationE _1/2=E ⁰(Cu^2+/+)+ _{i j} E _i where E _i are contributions related to the electronic and steric properties of the ligands. The values of 18 E _i contributions are presented and explained, and the effect of the solvents on the half-wave potentials is exemplified.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Viktor Gutmann to his 70th birthday