Preparation of Tyr-C-peptide from genetically altered human insulin precursor

C-peptide radioimmunoassay (C-peptide RIA) is widely used in determination of pancreatic B-cell secretion activity.¹²⁵I labeled TyrC-peptide is indispensable in C-peptide RIA kit. Herein we discuss a way of obtaining recombinant Tyr-C-peptide. Arg32Tyr human proinsulin mutant (R32Y-proinsulin) gene was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and overexpressed inEscherichia coli. Purified R32Y-proinsulin was converted to insulin and Tyr-C-peptide by trypsin and carboxypeptidase B codigestion. Tyr-C-peptide was isolated through reverse-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) and identified by C-peptide RIA and amino acid analysis.     

ZnCl2熔盐的分子动力学模拟

近年来，若干作者根据几种粒子间函数，对ZnCl2熔盐结构做过分子动力学模拟［1－3］其出的Zn－Cl和Cl－Cl离子间的偏径向分布函数与中子衍射实测值符合较好，但Zn－Zn离子间距以及Zn－Zn间配位数计算值多偏高．鉴于Busing势函数在多价卤化物馆盐的分子动力学计算中应用效果较好[4],我们试用Busing势函数为基础对ZnCl2熔盐结构和能量做分子动力学计算．1研究方法计算所用粒子势为Busing势函数此处，Zi为离子的电行数（ZZn。＋＝2，Zcl－＝1），几；是离子有效半径，人为＊离子的“硬度”参数·据文献问，f二0．005071，尸zn。十二0．…     

Cu, Zn─SOD酶模型化合物催化O2－歧化作用的研究

为了解Ｃｕ，Ｚｎ－ＳＯＤ酶结构和功能关系，尤其是Ｃｕ周围配位构型对催化Ｏ＾－２歧化活性的影响，本文用ＮＢＴ法测定了Ｃｕ，Ｚｎ－ＳＯＤ酶和两个Ｃｕ－ｉｍ－Ｚｎ模型配合及相应单核配合物催化Ｏ＾＿２歧化的活性，结果表明不同咪唑桥联方式和不同配位构型的化合物催化Ｏ＾－２歧化的活性明显不同。     

A new ammine dual-cation (Li, Mg) borohydride: synthesis, structure, and dehydrogenation enhancement

A new ammine dual-cation borohydride, LiMg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2), has been successfully synthesized simply by ball-milling of Mg(BH(4))(2) and LiBH(4)·NH(3). Structure analysis of the synthesized LiMg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2) revealed that it crystallized in the space group P6(3) (no. 173) with lattice parameters of a=b=8.0002(1) ?, c=8.4276(1) ?, α=β=90°, and γ=120° at 50 °C. A three-dimensional architecture is built up through corner-connecting BH(4) units. Strong N-H···H-B dihydrogen bonds exist between the NH(3) and BH(4) units, enabling LiMg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2) to undergo dehydrogenation at a much lower temperature. Dehydrogenation studies have revealed that the LiMg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2)/LiBH(4) composite is able to release over 8 wt% hydrogen below 200 °C, which is comparable to that released by Mg(BH(4))(3)(NH(3))(2). More importantly, it was found that release of the byproduct NH(3) in this system can be completely suppressed by adjusting the ratio of Mg(BH(4))(2) and LiBH(4)·NH(3). This chemical control route highlights a potential method for modifying the dehydrogenation properties of other ammine borohydride systems.     

Catalytic enantioselective halolactonization of enynes and alkenes

New organocatalysts have been developed for the enantioselective halolactonization of (Z)-1,3-enynes and 1,1-disubstituted alkenes. In the case of 1,3-enynes, the carboxylate nucleophile and halogen electrophile were added to the conjugated π-system from the same face. Up to 99% ee was achieved for the 1,4-syn-bromolactonization of conjugated (Z)-1,3-enynes. Based on the results from the enyne halolactonization, a second generation of catalysts was designed for simple olefins. Up to 91% ee was observed for chlorolactonization of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes. The catalysts developed for the enantioselective halolactonization of both enynes and alkenes are composed of a cinchona alkaloid skeleton tethered to a urea group.     

Advances in the chemical analysis and biological activities of chuanxiong

Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan-Xiong, CX), the dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae), is one of the most popular plant medicines in the World. Modern research indicates that organic acids, phthalides, alkaloids, polysaccharides, ceramides and cerebrosides are main components responsible for the bioactivities and properties of CX. Because of its complex constituents, multidisciplinary techniques are needed to validate the analytical methods that support CX's use worldwide. In the past two decades, rapid development of technology has advanced many aspects of CX research. The aim of this review is to illustrate the recent advances in the chemical analysis and biological activities of CX, and to highlight new applications and challenges. Emphasis is placed on recent trends and emerging techniques.     

Antiproliferation and Induction of Apoptosis in Ca9-22 Oral Cancer Cells by Ethanolic Extract of <em>Gracilaria tenuistipitata</em>

The water extract of Gracilaria tenuistipitata have been found to be protective against oxidative stress-induced cellular DNA damage, but the biological function of the ethanolic extracts of G. tenuistipitata (EEGT) is still unknown. In this study, the effect of EEGT on oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC) Ca9-22 cell line was examined in terms of the cell proliferation and oxidative stress responses. The cell viability of EEGT-treated OSCC cells was significantly reduced in a dose-response manner (p < 0.0001). The annexin V intensity and pan-caspase activity of EEGT-treated OSCC cells were significantly increased in a dose-response manner (p < 0.05 to 0.0001). EEGT significantly increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level (p < 0.0001) and decreased the glutathione (GSH) level (p < 0.01) in a dose-response manner. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of EEGT-treated OSCC cells was significantly decreased in a dose-response manner (p < 0.005). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that EEGT induced the growth inhibition and apoptosis of OSCC cells, which was accompanied by ROS increase, GSH depletion, caspase activation, and mitochondrial depolarization. Therefore, EEGT may have potent antitumor effect against oral cancer cells.     

Elucidation of matrix effects and performance of solid-phase extraction for LC-MS/MS analysis of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) neurotoxins in cyanobacteria

A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) was developed for the analysis of neurotoxins β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB), using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scan mode. Oasis-MCX and Strata-X-C polymeric cation-exchange cartridges were used to clean extracts of cyanobacterial cultures, including two strains of Microcystis aeruginosa and one strain of Nostoc sp. The performance of the solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges for BMAA and DAB were evaluated using mixed standards and spiked cyanobacterial extracts, which demonstrated recoveries of BMAA and DAB ranging from 66% to 91%. Matrix effects in LC-MS/MS were evaluated, and while there was no effect on BMAA quantitation, suppression of DAB was found. Full scan (Q1) and enhanced product ion (EPI) monitoring showed that the DAB suppression may be due to closely eluting compounds, including lysine, histidine, arginine and three other compounds with [M + H](+) m/z of 88, 164 and 191. The procedures developed allow the sensitive and effective analysis of trace BMAA and DAB levels in cyanobacteria. While DAB was confirmed to be present, no BMAA was found in the cyanobacterial samples tested in the present study.     

Determination of the volatile composition in brown millet, milled millet and millet bran by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The volatile compounds from brown millet (BM), milled millet (MM) and millet bran (MB) were extracted using simultaneous distillation/extraction with a Likens-Nickerson apparatus. The extracts were analysed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 65 volatile compounds were identified in all of the samples. Among these compounds, 51, 51 and 49 belonged to BM, MM and MB, respectively. Aldehydes and benzene derivatives were the most numerous among all of the compounds. Three compounds (hexanal, hexadecanoic acid and 2-methylnaphthalene) were dominant in the BM and MM materials. Eight compounds (hexanal, nonanal, (E)-2-nonenal, naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, hexadecanoic acid and 2-pentylfuran) were dominant in the MB materials. Apart from the aromatic molecules, which were present in all fractions, compounds present only in BM, MM or MB were also identified.     

Heterobimetallic hexanuclear [Mn(ΙΙΙ)4Ln(ΙΙΙ)2] clusters: a rare Mn(ΙΙΙ)4Nd(ΙΙΙ)2 example exhibiting slow relaxation of magnetization

Reactions of lanthanide perchlorates and manganese acetate with Schiff-base ligand (H(4)L = 2-(((2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylene)amino)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol) in methanol in the presence of triethylamine yielded two hexanuclear heterometallic clusters of general formula [Mn(4)(ΙΙΙ)Ln(2)(ΙΙΙ)(H(2)L)(2)(HL)(2)(CH(3)COO)(4)(CH(3)O)(2)(CH(3)OH)(4)](ClO(4))(2)·6CH(3)OH [Ln = La(ΙΙΙ) (1), Nd(ΙΙΙ) (2)]. 1 and 2 are isostructural, with the metal centres consisting of a nonplanar [Mn(4)(ΙΙΙ)Ln(2)(ΙΙΙ)(μ(2)-O)(8)(μ(3)-OR)(2)](8+) core. Variable-temperature solid state magnetic susceptibilities measurements of 1 and 2 in the temperature 2-300 K were performed, indicating dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal centres in both compounds. Alternating current (ac) susceptibility data for 2 displays out-of-phase signal suggesting slow relaxation of magnetization whereas no out-of-phase signal is observed in 1, highlighting the incorporation of lighter lanthanide leads to SMM property.