Designing sequence to control protein function in an EF-hand protein

The extent of conformational change that calcium binding induces in EF-hand proteins is a key biochemical property specifying Ca(2+) sensor versus signal modulator function. To understand how differences in amino acid sequence lead to differences in the response to Ca(2+) binding, comparative analyses of sequence and structures, combined with model building, were used to develop hypotheses about which amino acid residues control Ca(2+)-induced conformational changes. These results were used to generate a first design of calbindomodulin (CBM-1), a calbindin D(9k) re-engineered with 15 mutations to respond to Ca(2+) binding with a conformational change similar to that of calmodulin. The gene for CBM-1 was synthesized, and the protein was expressed and purified. Remarkably, this protein did not exhibit any non-native-like molten globule properties despite the large number of mutations and the nonconservative nature of some of them. Ca(2+)-induced changes in CD intensity and in the binding of the hydrophobic probe, ANS, implied that CBM-1 does undergo Ca(2+) sensorlike conformational changes. The X-ray crystal structure of Ca(2+)-CBM-1 determined at 1.44 A resolution reveals the anticipated increase in hydrophobic surface area relative to the wild-type protein. A nascent calmodulin-like hydrophobic docking surface was also found, though it is occluded by the inter-EF-hand loop. The results from this first calbindomodulin design are discussed in terms of progress toward understanding the relationships between amino acid sequence, protein structure, and protein function for EF-hand CaBPs, as well as the additional mutations for the next CBM design.     

Molecular gears: Structures of (9,10-triptyceno) crown ethers

The incorporation of 9,10-triptycene unit in a crown ether is examined from a structural perspective. Insertion of a triptycene group into 18-crown-6 stretches the crown into an ellipse, as seen in structures presented here of 9,10-triptyceno-22-crown-6 and its thallium complex. Symmetric addition of two triptycene groups into 18-crown-6 results in the sterically congested bis(9,10-triptyceno)-26-crown-6, whose crown cavity is filled with the -clouds of two arene groups. The larger bis(9,10-triptyceno)-32-crown-8 is more sterically relaxed. The structures of these bis(triptyceno)crown ether molecules are the first with two triptycene groups simultaneously linked through their 9 and 10 positions, thereby forming a simple molecular gearing mechanism. The compound 9,10-triptyceno-22-crown-6 (1) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a = 10.7962(7), b = 15.826(3), c = 31.147(5) Å, V = 5321.8(12) ų, and Z = 8; its complex with TlNO₃ (Tl-1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 8.1884(14), b = 19.552(2), c = 20.575(4) Å, = 97.062(8)°, V = 3269.2(9) ų, and Z = 4; bis(9,10-triptyceno)-26-crown-6 (2) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with a = 8.6488(11), b = 10.7718(12), c = 12.3324(12) Å, = 111.58(1), = 100.55(1), = 106.43(1)°, V = 970.3(5) ų, and Z = 1; and bis(9,10-triptyceno)-32-crown-8 (3) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with a = 20.186(3), b = 8.558(2), c = 25.623(2) Å, V = 4426.2(14) ų, and Z = 4.     

Energy spectra for decaying 2D turbulence in a bounded domain

We use results derived in the framework of the replica approach to study the liquid-glass thermodynamic transition. The main results are derived without using replicas and applied to the study of the Lennard-Jones binary mixture introduced by Kob and Andersen. We find that there is a phase transition due to the entropy crisis. We compute both analytically and numerically the value of the phase transition point T(K) and the specific heat in the low temperature phase.     

Electrochemical processes in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Editorial Comment Last month we presented, as a Special Feature, a set of five articles that constituted a Commentary on the fundamentals and mechanism of electrospray ionization (ESI). These articles produced some lively discussion among the authors on the role of electrochemistry in ESI. Six authors participated in a detailed exchange of views on this topic, the final results of which constitute this month's Special Feature. We particularly hope that younger scientists will find value in this month's Special Feature, not only for the science that it teaches but also what it reveals about the processes by which scientific conclusions are drawn. To a degree, the contributions part the curtains on these processes and show science in action. We sincerely thank the contributors to this discussion. The give and take of intellectual debate is not always easy, and to a remarkable extent this set of authors has maintained good humor and friendships, even when disagreeing strongly on substance. Graham Cooks and Richard Caprioli Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Derivatization for electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. 4. Alkenes and alkynes

A survey of derivatization strategies and prospective derivatization reactions for conversion of simple alkenes and alkynes to 'electrospray-active' species is presented. General synthetic strategies are discussed and illustrative examples of prospective derivatives prepared from model compounds are presented along with their electrospray ionization (ES) mass spectra. The identified derivatives of these neutral, nonpolar analytes are either ionic or are ionizable in solution through Bronsted acid/base chemistry, by Lewis acid/base chemistry, or by chemical or electrochemical electron-transfer chemistry. Once ionized, the derivatives are expected to be amenable to detection by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Derivatives are identified for positive and negative ion analysis of both alkenes and alkynes. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.