Intra- and intermolecular interactions in the crystals of 3,4-diamino-1,2,4-triazole and its 5-methyl derivative. Experimental and theoretical investigations of charge density distribution

In this paper intra- and intermolecular interactions in crystals of 3,4-diamino-1,2,4-triazole (DAT) and its 5-methyl derivative (DAMT) were investigated in details by experimental (high-resolution X-ray diffraction) and theoretical (ab initio quantum chemistry (MP2/aug-cc-pvdz), AIM, and NBO) methods. Influence of n-π conjugation and n→σ* hyperconjugation on the geometry of DAT and DAMT molecules was shown. All intermolecular interactions in crystals of the DAT and DAMT including weak X-H···π and mixed X-H···N/X-H···π hydrogen bonds were considered. Comparison of BCP characteristics of these interactions from experimental and theoretical charge density distribution demonstrates systematic increase of bonding in isolated dimers compared with dimers in the crystal phase. The ability of amino groups in both crystals serve as proton acceptors in hydrogen bonding was confirmed.     

Sensitive and selective detection of zinc ions in neuronal vesicles using PYDPY1, a simple turn-on dipyrrin

A new class of in vitro Zn(II) chemosensor based on dipyrrin has been developed. 5-(Pyren-1-yl)-4,6-dipyrrin (PYDPY1) was synthesized and exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity to Zn(II) (K(d) of 20 μM) compared to other metal ions. PYDPY1 was applied to the visualization of Zn(II) concentration in hippocampal tissue.     

Design and screening of M13 phage display cDNA libraries

The last decade has seen a steady increase in screening of cDNA expression product libraries displayed on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage. At the same time, the range of applications extended from the identification of novel allergens over disease markers to protein-protein interaction studies. However, the generation and selection of cDNA phage display libraries is subjected to intrinsic biological limitations due to their complex nature and heterogeneity, as well as technical difficulties regarding protein presentation on the phage surface. Here, we review the latest developments in this field, discuss a number of strategies and improvements anticipated to overcome these challenges making cDNA and open reading frame (ORF) libraries more readily accessible for phage display. Furthermore, future trends combining phage display with next generation sequencing (NGS) will be presented.     

Topologically novel multiple rotaxanes and catenanes based on tetraurea calix[4]arenes

Calix[4]arenes bearing at their wide rim four urea residues easily form hydrogen bonded dimeric capsules. This has been used to preorganise alkenyl functions attached to these urea groups for their controlled connection via metathesis reaction. Multimacrocyclic tetraurea derivatives are thus obtained in excellent yields via heterodimers which are formed exclusively with tetratosylurea derivatives. Heterodimerisation of such bis- and tetraloop tetraureas leads analogously to multicatenanes, or to rotaxanes by stoppering. Huge macrocycles are detached from tetraloop derivatives by cleavage of the urea function.     

Fluorescent system based on bacterial expression of hybrid KcsA channels designed for Kv1.3 ligand screening and study

Human voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 is an important pharmacological target for the treatment of autoimmune and metabolic diseases. Increasing clinical demands stipulate an active search for efficient and selective Kv1.3 blockers. Here we present a new, reliable, and easy-to-use analytical system designed to seek for and study Kv1.3 ligands that bind to the extracellular vestibule of the K⁺-conducting pore. It is based on Escherichia coli spheroplasts with the hybrid protein KcsA-Kv1.3 embedded into the membrane, fluorescently labeled Kv1.3 blocker agitoxin-2, and confocal laser scanning microscopy as a detection method. This system is a powerful alternative to radioligand and patch–clamp techniques. It enables one to search for Kv1.3 ligands both among individual compounds and in complex mixtures, as well as to characterize their affinity to Kv1.3 channel using the “mix and read” mode. To demonstrate the potential of the system, we performed characterization of several known Kv1.3 ligands, tested nine spider venoms for the presence of Kv1.3 ligands, and conducted guided purification of a channel blocker from scorpion venom.

Phase formation features in the systems M2MoO4-Fe2(MoO4)3 (M=Rb, Cs) and crystal structures of new double polymolybdates M3FeMo4O15

The systems M₂MoO₄-Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Rb, Cs) were shown to be non-quasibinary joins of the systems M₂O-Fe₂O₃-MoO₃. New compounds M₃FeMo₄O₁₅ were revealed along with the known MFe(MoO₄)₂ and M₅Fe(MoO₄)₄. The unit cell parameters of the new compounds are a=11.6192(2), b=13.6801(3), c=9.7773(2) Å, β=92.964(1)°, space group P2₁/c, Z=4 (M=Rb) and a=11.5500(9), b=9.9929(7), c=14.513(1) Å, β=90.676(2)°, space group P2₁/n, Z=4 (M=Cs). In the structures of M₃FeMo₄O₁₅ (M=Rb, Cs), a half of the FeO₆ octahedra share two opposite edges with two MoO₆ octahedra linked to other FeO₆ octahedra through the bridged MoO₄ tetrahedra by means of the common oxygen vertices to form the chains along the a axis. The difference between the structures is caused by diverse mutual arrangements of the adjacent polyhedral chains.     

Fluorinated NH-iminophosphonates and iminocarboxylates: novel synthons for the preparation of biorelevant α-aminophosphonates and carboxylates

A convenient synthetic approach to previously unknown N–H α-iminophosphonates and iminotrifluoropropionates was developed. The synthetic potential of N–H iminophosphonates and iminotrifluoropropionates, existing as an equilibrium mixture of E/Z-isomers, was demonstrated by their easy functionalization to afford biorelevant fluorinated α-aminophosphonic and α-aminocarboxylic acid derivatives.     

Enantiomeric N-(tert-Butylsulfinyl) Polyfluoroalkyl Aldimines in aza-Henry Reaction: Effective Route to Chiral Polyfluoroalkyl Nitroamines and Diamines

A highly diastereoselective addition of nitromethane to the C=N bond of enantiomeric fluorine containing Ellman's aldimines, R_FCH=NS(O)tert-Bu (R_F=CF₃, CF₂Br, C₂F₅, HC₂F₄), has been successfully developed. The synthetic potential of the resulting β-nitrosulfinylamides was demonstrated through their conversion into optically active α-fluoroalkylated 1,3-nitroamines, 1,3-diamines, and 4-fluoroalkylated imidazolidin-2-ones.     

Rapid simultaneous determination of alkylxanthines by CZE and its application in analysis of pharmaceuticals and food samples

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) offers the possibility of fast, cheap and reproducible separations for pharmaceutical preparations. Alkylxanthines make up a family of compounds that are used in the treatment and prevention of bronchi asthma and chronic pulmonary disease. The group of analysed compounds include caffeine, dyphylline, theophylline, theobromine and enprofylline. This paper shows a simple capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) method for separation of this group of xanthines. Using 20 mM borate buffer at pH 9.4 as running buffer at 55 °C it was possible to complete a total separation of a sample in 2 min. Limits of detection in the range 1.9-2.5 mg l⁻¹ were achieved with %R.S.D. of 0.06-0.22% (n = 5). The technique is applied to a range of samples containing the analytes, including tablets and chocolate. Reproducibility (%R.S.D.) of the chocolate analysis technique by CZE was less than 4.5%.