Point Mutations of Nicotinic Receptor α1 Subunit Reveal New Molecular Features of G153S Slow-Channel Myasthenia

Slow-channel congenital myasthenic syndromes (SCCMSs) are rare genetic diseases caused by mutations in muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits. Most of the known SCCMS-associated mutations localize at the transmembrane region near the ion pore. Only two SCCMS point mutations are at the extracellular domains near the acetylcholine binding site, α1(G153S) being one of them. In this work, a combination of molecular dynamics, targeted mutagenesis, fluorescent Ca²⁺ imaging and patch-clamp electrophysiology has been applied to G153S mutant muscle nAChR to investigate the role of hydrogen bonds formed by Ser 153 with C-loop residues near the acetylcholine-binding site. Introduction of L199T mutation to the C-loop in the vicinity of Ser 153 changed hydrogen bonds distribution, decreased acetylcholine potency (EC₅₀ 2607 vs. 146 nM) of the double mutant and decay kinetics of acetylcholine-evoked cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ rise (τ 14.2 ± 0.3 vs. 34.0 ± 0.4 s). These results shed light on molecular mechanisms of nAChR activation-desensitization and on the involvement of such mechanisms in channelopathy genesis.     

New approach to processing of chlorine-containing wastes: Synthesis of 2,3-dichloropropene from 1,2,3-trichloropropane

Possibilities of utilization of by-products formed in manufacture of epichlorohydrin are considered. A promising way to utilize wastes from production of epichlorohydrin by synthesis of 2,3-dichloropropene from 1,2,3-trichloropropane is suggested.     

Degradative chain transfer in vinyl acetate polymerizations using toluene as solvent

In this work, we propose that retardation in vinyl acetate polymerization rate in the presence of toluene is due to degradative chain transfer. The transfer constant to toluene (C_trs) determined using the Mayo method is equal to 3.8 × 10^?3, which is remarkably similar to the value calculated from the rate data, assuming degradative chain transfer (2.7 × 10^?3). Simulations, including chain‐length‐dependent termination, were carried out to compare our degradative chain transfer model with experimental results. The conversion–time profiles showed excellent agreement between experiment and simulation. Good agreement was found for the M_n data as a function of conversion. The experimental and simulation data strongly support the postulate that degradative chain transfer is the dominant kinetic mechanism. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3620–3625, 2007     

Reaction of tetrafluorosilane with tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, tris(2-trimethylsiloxyethyl)amine and bis(2-trimethylsiloxyethyl)amine and its N-methyl derivative. 1,1-difluoroquasisilatranes

Reaction of tetrafluorosilane with tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-and tris(2-trimethylsiloxyethyl)amine results in formation of 1-fluorosilatrane and fluorosilatrane in 75 and 53% yield, respectively. Reaction of tetrafluorosilane with bis(2-trimethylsiloxyethyl)amine and its N-methyl derivative leads to the hitherto unknown 1,1-difluoroquasisilatranes (N → Si) F₂Si(OCH₂CH₂)₂NR (R = H, Me) containing donor-acceptor bond N → Si and pentacoordinate silicon atom. The structure of the synthesized compounds was proved by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁹F, ²⁹Si NMR and IR spectroscopy.     

Absorption spectra and the nature of complexes in the polyvinyl Alcohol-Nickel (II) chloride system

We have used electronic spectroscopy in the 160–1100 nm range to study the polyvinyl alcohol-nickel(II) chloride system. Based on the results obtained, we hypothesize formation of mixed-ligand complexes of the type [Ni(H₂O)_6-nCl_n]^2-n (n = 0, 1,..., 5) in the polyvinyl alcohol matrix. Transformation of the coordination sphere as the NiCl₂ concentration changes is apparent both in the region of the d-d transition bands (350–1100 nm) and in the region of the charge transfer bands (160–250 nm). We propose assigning the absorption bands separated by mathematical treatment to complexes of specific compositions. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 73, No. 1, pp. 136–138, January–February, 2006.