Effect of ligand structure on the pathways for iron release from human serum transferrin

Rate constants for the removal of iron from N-terminal monoferric transferrin have been measured for a series of phosphate and phosphonocarboxylic acids in pH 7.4 0.1 M hepes buffer at 25 degrees C. The bidentate ligands pyrophosphate and phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) show a combination of saturation and first-order kinetics with respect to the ligand concentration. Similar results are observed following a single substitution at the 2-position of PAA to give 2-benzyl-PAA and phosphonosuccinic acid. In contrast, disubstitution at the 2-position to form 2,2-dibenzyl-PAA leads to a marked reduction in iron removal via the first-order pathway. Rate constants were also measured for tripolyphosphate and phosphonodiacetic acid, which are elongated versions of PP(i) and PAA. In both cases, this elongation completely eliminates the first-order component for iron release while having relatively little impact on the saturation pathway. The sensitivity of the first-order component to the structure of the ligand strongly indicates that this pathway involves the binding of the ligand to a specific site on the protein and cannot be attributed to changes in the overall ionic strength of the solution as the ligand concentration increases. It is proposed that this structural sensitivity reflects steric restrictions on the ability of the incoming ligand to substitute for the synergistic carbonate anion to form a relatively unstable Fe-ligand-Tf ternary intermediate, which then dissociates to FeL and apoTf.     

Taylor's theorem for analytic functions of operators

We discuss analytic functions on a Banach algebra into itself. In particular expressions for derivatives are given as well as convergent Taylor expansions.     

Glyme-lithium salt phase behavior

Phase diagrams are reported for glyme mixtures with simple lithium salts. The glymes studied include monoglyme (DME), diglyme, triglyme, and tetraglyme. The lithium salts include LiBETI, LiAsF6, LiI, LiClO4, LiBF4, LiCF3SO3, LiBr, LiNO3, and LiCF3CO2. The phase diagrams clearly illustrate how solvate formation and thermophysical properties are dictated by the ionic association strength of the salt (i.e., the properties of the anions) and chain length of the solvating molecules. This information provides critical predictive capabilities for solvate formation and ionic interactions common in organometallic reagents and battery electrolytes.     

A two model receptor system of the alpha1D adrenergic receptor to describe interactions with epinephrine and BMY7378

In this study, we have developed a two receptor model system to describe the R and R states of G-protein coupled receptors, specifically the alpha(1D) adrenergic receptor. The two models interact with agonist (epinephrine) and antagonist (BMY7378) differently. The active model has increased interactions with epinephrine. The inactive model has increased interactions with BMY7378. We also explored the protonation state of the ligands. When the most basic amine was protonated, we found increased hydrogen bonding and increased aromatic interactions. Protonated epinephrine hydrogen bonds with Asp176 and has aromatic residues Trp172, Trp235, Trp361, and Phe388 within 3 Angstroms. Protonated BMY7378 hydrogen bonds with Trp172 and Lys236 and has aromatic residues Trp172, Trp254, Phe364, Phe384, and Phe388 within 3 Angstroms. We conclude that the two model system is required to represent the two states of the receptor and that protonation of the ligand is also critical.     

Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of vinyl boronates for the construction of secondary boronic esters

[reaction: see text] Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of prochiral vinyl boronates occurs in an enantioselective fashion in the presence of the chiral ligand Walphos 1. This transformation provides access to chiral secondary organoboronates that are not available from alkene hydroboration reactions. The chiral reaction products should be useful in organic synthesis, and preliminary experiments suggest that they may participate in one-pot amination and homologation reactions.     

Large-Scale Reassessment of In-Vineyard Smoke-Taint Grapevine Protection Strategies and the Development of Predictive Off-Vine Models

Smoke taint in wine is thought to be caused by smoke-derived volatile phenols (VPs) that are absorbed into grape tissues, trapped as conjugates that are imperceptible by smell, and subsequently released into wines as their free odor-active forms via metabolism by yeasts during fermentation. Blocking VP uptake into grapes would, therefore, be an effective way for vineyards to protect ripening grape crops exposed to smoke. Here, we re-evaluated a biofilm that had previously shown promise in pilot studies in reducing levels of smoke-derived VPs. A suite of nine free and acid-labile VPs were quantitated in Pinot Noir grapes that had been exposed to smoke after being coated with the biofilm one, seven or 14 days earlier. In contrast with earlier studies, our results demonstrated that in all cases, the biofilm treatments led to increased concentrations of both free and total VPs in smoke-exposed grapes, with earlier applications elevating concentrations of some VPs more than the later time points. Tracking VP concentrations through the grape ripening process demonstrated that some (phenol, p/m-cresol, and guaiacol) were not entirely sequestered in grapes as acid-labile conjugates, suggesting the presence of VP storage forms beyond simple glycosides. Free VPs in grapes, though a minor portion of the total, most clearly correlated with concentrations present in the resulting wines. Finally, red table grapes, available year round, were observed to replicate the effects of the biofilm treatments and were capable of transforming most VPs into acid-labile conjugates in under 24 h, indicating that they might be an effective model for rapidly assessing smoke-taint prophylactic products in the laboratory.