Engineering cytochrome P-450s

Cytochrome P-450 isozymes represent a critical component of nature’s spectrum of detoxification catalysts that could be exploited for bioremediation. The ethanol-inducible human cytochrome P-450 2E1 serves as a model eukaryotic P-450 that complements the bacterial P-450 cam in dehalogenation and detoxification of environmental pollutants. We explored the construction of novel chimeric P-450s using cytochrome P-450 camC and 2E1 genes. For construction of chimera 1 (478 amino acids, 55.14 kDa), 145 amino acids from the N-terminus of P-450 2E1 protein (493 amino acids, 56.84 kDa) were replaced with 130 amino acids from the N-terminus of P-450 camC protein (415 amino acids, 46.66 kDa). In chimera 2 (525 amino acids, 60.24 kDa) the strategy involves replacement of 28 amino acids in the C-terminus of chimera 1 with 75 amino acids from the C-terminus of P-450 camC gene. Homology models of both the chimeric proteins were developed using SWISS-MODEL based on the known crystal structure of cytochrome P-450 camC, BM-3, 1DT6A, and 2C17A. The models indicated that the proposed heme-binding site was intact, which is inevitable for catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450s. The expression of chimera 1 and 2 genes in Escherichia coli DH5α was evident from light-pink cell pellets, protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and diagnostic carbon monoxide-difference spectra. Our studies show that strategies can be developed to exploit the natural diversity of the P-450 superfamily to generate chimeric biocatalysts that would provide new templates amenable to directed evolution.     

Vibrational spectra and conformations of 2- and 3-methylbicyclo[4.4.0]decanes

The conformations and heats of formation of all trans(T)- and cis(C)-2- and 3-methyl-substituted T- and Cbicyclo[4.4.0]decanes (BD) were calculated by the MM2 method of molecular mechanics. It was shown that the conformationally mobile T-2-Me-CBD and T-3-Me-CBD can exist in normal conditions as an inseparable mixture of conformers with a different equatorial or axial orientation of the Me groups. The Raman scattering (RS) spectra of TBD and CBD were investigated. RS bands whose frequencies were sensitive to the type of ring linkage and orientation (but not the position) of the Me substituents were detected in the 700–300 cm^–1 region.A. V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117912 Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2089–2097, September, 1992.     

Some developments in reaction and solution microcalorimetry,with particular reference to its use in biochemistry and cellular biology

The field of isothermal microcalorimetry as applied to systems of interest for aqueous solution chemistry, biochemistry and in cellular biology is briefly reviewed. Some techniques recently developed in the author's laboratory are described.     

Synthesis ofS-(+)-hydroprene

A novel path toS-(+)-hydroprene (1) starting from the technical gradeS-(+)-dihydromyrcene (2, e.e. 50%) is proposed. The latter was selectively transformed intoS-3,7-dimethyloctanal (5) in three steps including hydroalumination. The reactions of5 with allyl- or methallylmagnesium chloride followed, respectively, either by oxygenation in the presence of PdCl₂/CuCl or by ozonolysis, affordS,E-6,10-dimethyl-3-undecen-2-one (7) which was treated with ethoxyethynylmagnesium bromide to give the title juvenile hormone analogue in 23% overall yield.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No 1, pp. 110–112, January, 1993.     

Correlation of the position of the bond functions in H-X with electronegativity

S type Gaussian bond functions are optimized for HF, H₂O, NH₃, and CH₄. The optimization is carried out with respect to the exponent and position in the H-X bond. The position is found to correlate well with the electronegativity of Pauling and Allred-Rochow.     

钌（Ⅱ）－联吡啶－巴比妥酸－Ce（Ⅳ）化学发光体系测定巴比妥酸的研究

利用巴比妥酸对Ｃｅ（Ⅳ）氧化钌（Ⅱ）－联吡啶化学发光反应的增强作用，建立了痕量巴比妥酸的自动脉冲注射化学发光测定法方法的检出限为１０×１０－９ｇ／ｍＬ，线性范围为５０×１０－８－６．２×１０－５ｇ／ｍＬ巴比妥酸的衍生物如巴比妥、苯巴比妥和戊巴比妥对Ｃｅ（Ⅳ）氧化钌（Ⅱ）联吡啶化学发光反应无增强作用据此对合成样中巴比妥酸作选择性检测探讨了巴比妥酸的增强机理     

Captodative olefins: methyl 2-aryloxy-3-dimethyl-aminopropenoates and their application in a new synthesis of benzofurans

The β-substituted captodative olefins methyl 2-aryloxy-3-dimethylaminopropenoates 4a-h were synthesized, via aminomethylenation of the corresponding 2-phenoxyacetic esters 9a-h. Lewis acid promoted intramolecular cyclization of alkenes 4 led to benzofurans 7a-h, in an efficient synthetic approach to the benzofuran frame.     

Phosphorylthioacetamides in the synthesis of annulated quinoxalines

Diethoxyphosphorylthioacetamide in the reaction with 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline acted as a thionating reagent, giving diethoxyphosphorylacetonitrile and 2-chloro-3-[(3-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl)thio]quinoxaline. Reactions of phosphorylthioacetamides with N-methylquinoxalinium iodide in alcohol media in the presence of a base proceeded stereoselectively to afford cis-3-phosphoryl-1,3,3a,4,9,9a-hexahydro-2H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline-2-thiones. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1010–1013, May, 2007.     

Synthesis of stable azomethine ylides by the rearrangement of 1,3-dipolar cycloadducts of 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2-oxides with DMAD

1-Aryl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines were prepared according to a one-pot procedure involving the reaction of 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-ethylamine with aromatic aldehydes in TFA at reflux. The tetrahydroisoquinolines were treated with H₂O₂-WO₄²⁻ in methanol at room temperature to give the corresponding 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2-oxides. Treatment of these cyclic nitrones with DMAD in toluene at room temperature gave the corresponding isoxazolo[3,2-a]isoquinolines. These compounds were heated in toluene at reflux to give the corresponding ylides in high yields (Method A). The effect of the substituents on the rate of the rearrangement of such compounds prompted us to discuss a new mechanism involving consecutive C-C bond heterolysis and 1,3-sigmatropic shift. A one-pot reaction involving the treatment of the nitrones with equimolar amounts of DMAD in refluxing toluene also gave the ylides (Method B). The structures of the prepared compounds were elucidated by spectral means and elemental analyses.     

Concentrated electrolyte solutions at high temperatures and pressures

A survey is given of recent experimental results obtained from high-temperature, high-pressure investigations with water, aqueous solutions, and ionic fluids. Data on the static dielectric constant of water to 550°C and 5 kbar are given and discussed with respect to their relation to water structure. Infrared and Raman spectra of HDO in pure water have been obtained to 400°C and 4 kbar, which give information on hydrogen bonding. Xe–H₂O and CO₂–H₂O mixtures were investigated in the infrared. Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were investigated by absorption spectroscopy in aqueous solutions of high chloride content to 350°C and 2–6 kbar. The gas-liquid critical point of ammonium chloride was found at 880°C and 1635 bars. This fluid appears to be predominantly ionic even in the critical region. The possibility of converting pure polar fluids such as ammonia and water into concentrated ionic solutions by self-ionization at very high pressures is mentioned.This paper was presented at the symposium, The Physical Chemistry of Aqueous Systems, held at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 12–14, 1972, in honor of the 70th birthday of Professor H. S. Frank.