Mapping of possible prion protein self-interaction domains using peptide arrays

Background  

The common event in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases is the conversion of host-encoded protease sensitive cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into strain dependent isoforms of scrapie associated protease resistant isoform (PrP^Sc) of prion protein (PrP). These processes are determined by similarities as well as strain dependent variations in the PrP structure. Selective self-interaction between PrP molecules is the most probable basis for initiation of these processes, potentially influenced by chaperone molecules, however the mechanisms behind these processes are far from understood. We previously determined that polymorphisms do not affect initial PrP^C to PrP^Sc binding but rather modulate a subsequent step in the conversion process. Determining possible sites of self-interaction could elucidate which amino acid(s) or amino acid sequences contribute to binding and further conversion into other isoforms. To this end, ovine – and bovine PrP peptide-arrays consisting of 15-mer overlapping peptides were probed with recombinant sheep PrP^C fused to maltose binding protein (MBP-PrP).     

Inorganic oxide core, polymer shell nanocomposite as a high K gate dielectric for flexible electronics applications

Organic/inorganic core shell nanoparticles have been synthesized using high K TiO(2) as the core nanoparticle, and polystyrene as the shell. This material is easy to process and forms transparent continuous thin films, which exhibit a dielectric constant enhancement of over 3 times that of bulk polystyrene. This new dielectric material has been incorporated into capacitors and thin film transistors (TFTs). Mobilities approaching 0.2 cm(2)/V.s have been measured for pentacene TFTs incorporating the new TiO(2) polystyrene nanostructured gate dielectric, indicating good surface properties for pentacene film growth. This novel strategy for generating high K flexible gate dielectrics will be of value in improving organic and flexible electronic device performance.     

Solution properties of semirigid polyquinolines. I. Size-exclusion chromatography with light-scattering detection of poly[2,2′-(P,P′-oxydi-P-phenylene) 6,6′-oxybis(4-phenylquinoline)]

An aromatic semirigid polyquinoline, poly[2,2′-(p,p′-oxydi-p-phenylene) 6,6′-oxybis(4-phenylquinoline)], has been studied in dilute solution using viscometry, light scattering, and size-exclusion chromatography coupled with low-angle light-scattering detection (SEC/LALS). The SEC/LALS technique permits determination of the intrinsic viscosity and absolute molecular weight for a series of narrow fractions without preparative fractionation. Aggregation that was observed in dilute chloroform solutions was found to be related to protonation of the polyquinoline by HCI present in chloroform. Unperturbed dimensions calculated from the SEC/LALS results show the chain to have nearly freely rotating dimensions, as expected for a chain composed of long (12-Å) rigid segments connected by ether linkages.     

Studies on photoinduced effects in pulse-electrodeposited Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe hetero-nanostructures

Metal/superconductor/semiconductor (Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe) hetero-nanostructures have been fabricated using pulse-electrodeposition technique and are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The junction capacitance of Ag/Hg-1212, Hg-1212/CdSe and Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe heterojunctions is measured in dark and under laser irradiation at room temperature. The nature of the junction formed and built-in-junction potentials were determined. The increase in carrier concentration across the junction due to photo-irradiation has been observed.     

Effect of laser irradiation of C-V characteristics of electrodeposited Ag/Tl-2223/CdSe hetero-nanostructures

One of the innovative technological directions for the high-temperature superconductors has been persued by fabricating the heteroepitaxial multilayer structures such as superconductor-semiconductor heterostructures. In the present investigation, metal/superconductor/semiconductor (Ag/Tl-2223/CdSe) hetero-nanostructures have successfully been fabricated using dc electrodeposition technique and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The measurement of junction capacitance as a function of biasing voltage was used for the estimation of junction built-in-potential (V _D) and to study the charge distribution in a heterojunction. The Mott-Schottky plots were measured for each junction in dark and under the photo-irradiation. The effect of laser irradiation on C-V characteristics of hetero-nanostructure has been studied.     

Characterization of a series of phenyl‐capped vinyl‐terminated oligomers of styrene

Low molecular weight (MW) polystyrenes were synthesized by radical polymerization in the presence of catalytic chain‐transfer agents. Synthetic conditions are controlled to produce molecules containing one methyl group at one end as well as a double bond at the other end, capped with a phenyl group. Individual oligomers were separated by liquid chromatography, and the properties were analyzed using NMR, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography with light scattering. The UV–vis spectra, proton NMR spectra, and differential refractive‐index increments exhibit an MW dependence of up to six–eight monomer units. The obtained dependencies can be used for precise characterization of the molecular weight distribution of polystyrene obtained by catalytic chain transfer. The double‐bonded end groups were found to be exclusively in the transconfiguration for all oligomers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1099–1105, 2001     

Dependence of chain conformation and solution thermodynamics on composition for poly(ortho ester)s prepared from ketene acetals and mixtures of diols

The solution properties of a series of random copolymers prepared from ketene acetals with mixtures of diols have been characterized by dilute solution light scattering, chromatographic, and viscometric techniques. Five solvents with refractive indices ranging from 1.4 to 1.5 were used to obtain the correct weight average molecular weight. Changes in the unperturbed radius of gyration, obtained by combined size exclusion chromatography and low-angle light scattering techniques, parallelled that predicted by simple considerations of changes in repeat unit size. Thus the relative contributions of differing copolymer–solvent interactions and changing unperturbed radii of gyration to the hydrodynamic volume of random copolymers of different compositions were evaluated.     

Glycopeptide and Oligosaccharide Libraries

Despite the burgeoning interest in the various biological functions and consequent therapeutic potential of the vast number of oligosaccharides found in nature on glycoproteins and cell surfaces, the development of combinatorial carbohydrate chemistry has not progressed as rapidly as expected. The reason for this imbalance is rooted in the difficulty of oligosaccharide assembly and analysis that renders synthesis a rather cumbersome endeavor. Parallel approaches that generate series of analogous compounds rather than real libraries have therefore typically been used. Since generally low affinity is obtained for interactions between carbohydrate receptors and modified oligosaccharides designed as mimetics of natural carbohydrate ligands, glycopeptides have been explored as alternative mimics. Glycopeptides have been proven in many cases to be superior ligands with higher affinity for a receptor than the natural carbohydrate ligand. High-affinity glycopeptide ligands have been found for several types of receptors including the E-, P-, and L-selectins, toxins, glycohydrolases, bacterial adhesins, and the mannose-6-phosphate receptor. Furthermore, the assembly of glycopeptides is considerably more facile than that of oligosaccharides and the process can be adapted to combinatorial synthesis with either glycosylated amino acid building blocks or by direct glycosylation of peptide templates. The application of the split and combine approach using ladder synthesis has allowed the generation of very large numbers of compounds which could be analyzed and screened for binding of receptors on solid phase. This powerful technique can be used generally for the identification and analysis of the complex interaction between the carbohydrates and their receptors.