Characterization of the N-linked glycosylation site of recombinant pectate lyase

Recombinant pectate lyase from Aspergillus niger was overexpressed in Aspergillus nidulans. The two recombinant proteins produced differed in molecular mass by 1200 Da, which suggested that the larger molecular weight protein was glycosylated. The deduced amino acid sequence was searched for potential N-linked glycosylation sites, and one potential site was identified at residue 64. The proteins were analyzed for their ability to bind various lectins as an assay for the presence of carbohydrates. The proteins were then digested with trypsin to facilitate the isolation of the potential glycosylation site. The resulting digestion products were subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry using in-source collision induced dissociation to detect glycopeptides. Once the glycopeptide had been identified, treatment with an endoglycosidase both verified the location of glycosylation and identified the mass of the glycan. The Complex Carbohydrate Structural Database was searched for possible N-linked structures with the same mass, and the suggested primary sequence was confirmed by an exoglycosidase digestion. The data demonstrated that the larger recombinant protein contained a high mannose N-linked structure (Man(5)GlcNAc(2)) attached to N-64, while this site was not occupied in the smaller protein.     

Tertiary phosphine abstraction from a platinum(II) coordination complex with SeCN: Crystal and molecular structures of SePTA and [SePTA-Me]I · CH3OH

Reacting [PtCl(PTA)₃]Cl(PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane) with KSeCN in aqueous or MeOH medium results in the abstraction of the PTA ligands to yield SePTA. The reaction also proceeds quantitatively by direct reaction of PTA and KSeCN in water or methanol. The methylated PTA ligand, [PTA-Me]I (1-methyl-1-azonia-3,5-diaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane iodide), reacts accordingly with KSeCN, albeit significantly slower. The crystal structure of SePTA, 1, and [SePTA-Me]I · CH₃OH, 2, revealed PSe bond distances of 2.0991(19) and 2.100(2) Å, respectively. The first order phosphorous selenium coupling constants, ¹J_P-Se (D₂O), of 722 and 788 Hz for SePTA and [SePTA-Me]I, respectively, indicates the latter is significantly less electron rich.     

Small-angle static light scattering of concentrated silica suspensions during in situ destabilization

The aggregation of concentrated aqueous silica suspensions is characterized by means of static light scattering. We use an in situ destabilization mechanism based on the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of urea. This method enables us to continuously and homogeneously change the interparticle potential from repulsive to attractive without disturbing the aggregation process. Moreover, our electrostatically stabilized suspensions can be destabilized by two different methods. In the first method, the pH is shifted toward the isoelectric point of the particles ( Delta pH method), thereby leading to a decrease of their surface charge. In the second method, the ionic strength is continuously increased at constant pH ( Delta I method), leading to a compression of the electrical double layer around the charged particles. A laboratory-built flat-cell light-scattering instrument is used, which allows fast data acquisition and an adjustment of the sample cell thickness. To circumvent multiple scattering effects, we use a very small sample thickness ( approximately 13 microm). In addition, the refractive index difference between the aqueous phase and the particles is reduced by adding sucrose to the liquid phase of our suspensions. We are able to characterize the structural changes at the very early stages of the destabilization process, where no significant effects are yet detected in macroscopic rheological measurements. While during the Delta pH destabilization, the scattering curve shows significant changes only after some characteristic delay time, it changes continuously during the Delta I destabilization. The latter is attributed to the formation of a weak pre-gel structure in the suspensions, as a shallow secondary minimum appears in the interparticle potential. Data are evaluated by using a HMSA square-well structure factor model. Results are in good agreement with those predicted from DLVO theory.     

13 C 183W-Kopplungen als sonde für metall—carbin-, —carbenund—alkyl-bindungen

Carbon-13 NMR data are reported for trimethyltin derivatives containing ER_n groups where E  C, Si, Ge, Sn, N, O and S including a series of cyclic amines with ring sizes from three to seven. Coupling constant values for the homologous series of fourth group derivatives give goood correlations with the electronegativity of E. The observation of the two-bond, ¦ ²J(¹¹⁹SnE¹³C) ¦ couplings only in the derivatives containing bulky R groups is rationalized by a bimolecular exchange of ER_n groups in the concentrated solutions studied.     

Capillary electrophoretic detection in apolipoprotein E genotyping

We describe the application of capillary electrophoresis to detect DNA fragments, obtained after amplifying a part of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Compared to conventional agarose slab gel electrophoresis (AGE), CE appears the method of choice with regard to resolution and sensitivity, to detect DNA fragments in the range of 20-100 base pairs. Especially discrimination between apoE2/E2 and apoE2/E3 genotypes is more reliable with CE than with AGE, this being of great clinical value in the diagnosis of familiary dysbetalipoproteinemia.     

Electron distribution on an intramolecular hydrogen bond: A semiempirical AM1 study

Dipole moments of seven molecules were studied by AM1, each containing an intramolecular hydrogen bond between a hydroxyl group and a carbonyl or nitro group as hydrogen acceptors. The hydrogen bond causes two electron shifts: from H to O within the hydroxyl group and from C to O within the carbonyl group. The latter is accompanied by withdrawal of electrons from even more distant atoms. If the total electron density change is expressed as a vector, its direction is close to the direction of the O-H bond. This electron redistribution is in agreement with the previous, somewhat, puzzling experimental results. However, it differs from the commonly accepted picture according to which electron density changes on the hydrogen acceptor moiety are less important than those on the O-H bond.Dedicated to Professor Viktor Gutmann on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Trimethylsilylverbindungen der Vb-Elemente. VII. Die Kristallstrukturen von Lithium-bis(trimethylsilyl)bismutid · DME und Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)dibismutan sowie Bemerkungen zur Kristallstruktur des Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ditellans

Trimethylsilyl Derivatives of Vb Elements. VII. Crystal Structures of Lithium Bis(trimethylsilyl)bismuthide · DME and of Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)dibismuthane as well as Some Comments on the Crystal Structure of Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ditellane Colourless lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)bismuthide · DME

1 1,2-Dimethoxyethan (DME); Tetrahydrofuran (THF)

1 and green, metallic lustrous tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)dibismuthane 2 crystallize isotopic to their antimony homologues [1, 2]. As it is shown by crystal structure determinations { 1 : ?90°C; I 4 2d; a = 1017,3(4); c = 3738,0(26) pm; Z = 8; R _w = 0,065; 2 : + 20°C; P2 ₁ /c; a = 680,9(4); b = 1704,8(13); c = 1197,9 (10) pm; β = 119,46(6)°; Z = 2; R _w = 0,084} both compounds form chains which in the case of bismuthide 1 are built up as screws of alternating bismuth and lithium atoms; bonding further to two trimethylsilyl groups or to the chelating DME ligand both atoms gain coordination number 4 {Li? Bi 292(3); Bi? Si 263.3(14) pm; Bi? Li? Bi 132(1); Li? Bi? Li 148(1); φ(Li? Bi? Li? Bi) 83°}. In the case of dibismuthane 2 the centrosymmetric molecules are strung, their Bi-Bi groups forming nearly linear zigzag chains with shortened intermolecular contact distances {Bi-Bi 303.5(3); Bi …? Bi 380.4(3); Bi? Si 268 pm; Bi? Bi …? Bi 169; Bi? Bi? Si 97.4(5) and 92.0(5)°}. Structure and properties of 2 are compared with those of similar compounds; the crystal structure of brown, green metallic lustrous bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ditellane 5 already published by Ludlow and McCarthy[3] is reinvestigated with respect to very short intermolecular Te…?Te contacts.     

Solid-state,optical-rotation measurements on macromolecules using powder-suspensions

Summary We report techniques for measuring optical rotation of suspended solids, including dissymmetric molecular crystals (e.g. sodium chlorate and bromate), synthetic polymers, polypeptides and biopolymers. Examples include poly(triphenylmethyl methacrylate), poly-S-lactide, poly-L-hydroxyproline, hemocyanine, cellulose acetate andRNA. The results indicate that optical rotation measurements are sensitive to differences in secondary structure and can serve as a probe for structural differences between solid-state and solution.

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Messung der optischen Rotation von Makromolekülen im Festzustand unter Verwendung von Pulversuspensionen

Zusammenfassung Es wird über eine Methode zur Messung der optischen Rotation von Festkörpern in Suspensionen berichtet, wobei dissymetrische Kristalle (z. B. Natriumchlorat und -bromat), synthetische Polymere, Polypeptide und Biopolymere behandelt werden. Die Beispiele umfassen Poly(triphenylmethylmethacrylat), Poly-S-lactid, Poly-L-hydroxyprolin, Hemocyanin, Celluloseacetat undRNA. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die optischen Rotationen bezüglich Unterschiede in der Sekundärstruktur empfindlich sind und daß diese Messungen als ein Maß für Strukturunterschiede zwischen Festzustand und Lösung herangezogen werden können.

     

New Monoterpene-Substituted Dihydrochalcones from Piper aduncum

Five New unusual monoterpene-substituted dihydrochalcones, the adunctins A–E (1″S)-1-{2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-6′-[4″-methyl-1″-(1?-methylethyl)cyclohex-3″ -en-1″ -yloxy]phenyl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 1 ), (5aR*,8R*,9aR*)-3-phenyl-1-[5′,8′,9′,9′a-tetrahydro-3′-hydroxy-1′-methoxy-8′-(1″-methylethyl)-5′-a-methyldibenzo-[b,d]furan-4′-yl]propan-1-one ( 2 ), (2′R*,4″S*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]-furan-2′(3′H),1″ -cyclohex-2″ -en]-7′-yl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 3 ), (2′R*,4″R*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methylethyl-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]furan-2′(3′H),1″-cyclohex-2″-en]-7′-yl}-3-phenypropan-1-one ( 4 ), and (5′aR*,6′S*, 9′R*,9′aS*)-1-[5′a,6′,7′,8′,9′a-hexahydro-3′,6′-methoxy-6′-methyl-9′-(1″-methylethyl)dibenzo[b,d]-furan-4′-yl]-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 5 ) were isolated from the leaves of Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) by preparative liquid chromatography. In addition, (?)-methyllindaretin ( 6 ), trans-phytol, and α-tocopherol ( = vitamin E) were also isolated and identified. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The antibacterial and cytotoxic potentials of the isolates were also investigated.     

Analysis of mouse beta-haptoglobin chain by lectin affinoblotting detection

Two different human mammary carcinoma cell lines were xenotransplanted into nude mice. Serum samples were obtained prior to and after transplantation and investigated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). By comparison of these silver-stained patterns additional protein spots were detected resulting either from proteins secreted or shed by the tumor itself or from mouse proteins induced by the tumor or the transplantation procedure. One group of spots detectable in post-transplantation serum as well as in control serum after mock-transplantation but not in pretransplantation serum was microsequenced and identified as mouse beta-haptoglobin. The carbohydrate structures of beta-haptoglobin were characterized by two different immunochemical glycoprotein staining procedures to detect differential terminal glycan modifications.