An unusual dimer of camptothecin-7-aldehyde

An intermolecular aldol reaction of 20S-camptothecin-7-aldehyde in the presence of strong bases affords an unusual dimeric compound, the structure and stereochemistry of which was assigned on the basis of NMR analysis and MM2 calculations.     

Normal human dermal fibroblasts: proteomic analysis of cell layer and culture medium.

Proteins present within the cell layer and those released in the cell medium from in vitro cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts were separated and characterized in terms of their isoelectric point and molecular weight, by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. All spots in the synthetic gel were firstly analyzed by the Melanie 3 software and compared with those of breast cancer cells, colorectal epithelial cells, HL60, lymphoma cells, and platelets, already available on-line. From the identification of 144 spots from both the cell layer and the medium, we were able to recognize 89 different proteins, since a certain number of spots represented different isoforms of the same molecule. Identifications were performed by matching with on-line 2-D databases, and by matrix assisted laser-desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), in order to confirm the identification by matching, or to identify new proteins. The procedure we used allows (i) to design a highly reproducible reference map of the proteome of adult human normal fibroblasts in culture, (ii) to evaluate protein species produced in the cell layer as well as those released in the culture medium, and (iii) to compare data from gel matching with those obtained by MS. This work represents an essential step for a better knowledge of mesenchymal cells, given the widespread use of this cell type in both clinical and experimental investigations.     

Photochemical expulsion of the neutral monodentate ligand L in Ru(terpy*)(diimine)(L)2+: a dramatic effect of the steric properties of the spectator diimine ligand

A series of photoreactive complexes of the type Ru(terpy*)(N-N)(L)(2+), where terpy* is 4'-(3,5-ditertiobutylphenyl)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine, N-N is the bidentate chelate phen or dmp (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), and L is the monodentate ligand dms, MeBN, or MeOBN (dms = dimethyl sulfide, MeBN = 2,6-dimethyl benzonitrile, MeOBN = 2,6-dimethoxybenzonitrile), has been synthesized and fully characterized by proton NMR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The X-ray structures of four complexes were also obtained. In neat pyridine, the quantum yields for the photosubsitution of L by pyridine were measured and showed dramatic variations depending on the steric interactions between the spectator bidentate ligand and the leaving monodentate ligand L. The use of dmp instead of phen multiplied the photosubstitution efficiency by a factor of 20-50, depending on L. This effect could be qualitatively correlated to the distortions observed in the X-ray structures of the corresponding complexes. The highly distorted structure of Ru(terpy)(dmp)(dms)(PF(6))(2) showed a very high photosubsitution quantum yield phi = 0.36 in neat pyridine. The high photoreactivity of some of the compounds makes them particularly promising as components of future light-driven molecular machines.     

Axially symmetric rotating body consisting of a perfect fluid

An alternative method of obtaining the equilibrium configurations of a rotating body consisting of a perfect fluid is outlined. Basically, the method involves recasting the gravitational hydrodynamic equations into a set of partial differential equations of first order in the radial direction such that a center-outward integration can be performed. Specifically, with suitable initial conditions at the origin of anr, grid, a numerical integration is performed outward along a number of selected-rays, with the required derivatives at each step being determined numerically from the values of the functions on the different rays. Applicable to both Newtonian and relativistic formulations, the technique is similar to that often used to obtain equilibrium configurations in spherically symmetric models.     

Evidence against the hopping mechanism as an important electron transfer pathway for conformationally constrained oligopeptides

The rate constant of intramolecular electron transfer through oligopeptides based on the alpha-aminoisobutyric acid residue was determined as a function of the peptide length and found to depend weakly on the donor-acceptor separation. By measuring the electron-transfer activation energy and estimating the energy gap between donor and bridge, we were able to discard the electron hopping mechanism.     

Effect of time on the interfacial and foaming properties of beta-lactoglobulin/acacia gum electrostatic complexes and coacervates at pH 4.2

The electrostatic complexation between beta-lactoglobulin and acacia gum was investigated at pH 4.2 and 25 degrees C. The binding isotherm revealed a spontaneous exothermic reaction, leading to a DeltaHobs = -2108 kJ mol(-1) and a saturation protein to polysaccharide weight mixing ratio of 2:1. Soluble electrostatic complexes formed in these conditions were characterized by a hydrodynamic diameter of 119 +/- 0.6 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.097. The effect of time on the interfacial and foaming properties of these soluble complexes was investigated at a concentration of 0.1 wt % at two different times after mixing (4 min, referred as t approximately 0 h and t = 24 h). At t approximately 0 h, the mixture is mainly made of aggregating soluble electrostatic complexes, whereas after 24 h these complexes have already insolubilize to form liquid coacervates. The surface elasticity, viscosity and phase angle obtained at low frequency (0.01 Hz) using oscillating bubble tensiometry revealed higher fluidity and less rigidity in the film formed at t approximately 0 h. This observation was confirmed by diminishing bubble experiments coupled with microscopy of the thin film. It was thicker, more homogeneous and contained more water at t approximately 0 h as compared to t = 24 h (thinner film, less water). This led to very different gas permeability's of Kt approximately 0 h = 0.021 cm s(-1) and Kt=24 h) = 0.449 cm s(-1), respectively. Aqueous foams produced with the beta-lactoglobulin/acacia gum electrostatic complexes or coacervates exhibited very different stability. The former (t approximately 0 h) had a stable volume, combining low drainage rate and mainly air bubble disproportionation as the destabilization mechanism. By contrast, using coacervates aged for 24 h, the foam was significantly less stable, combining fast liquid drainage and air bubble destabilization though fast gas diffusion followed by film rupture and bubble coalescence. The strong effect of time on the air/water interfacial properties of the beta-lactoglobulin/acacia gum electrostatic complexes can be understood by their reorganization at the interface to form a coacervate phase that is more fluid/viscous at t approximately 0 h vs rigid/elastic at t = 24 h.     

Primate beta-defensins--structure, function and evolution

Host defense peptides (HDPs) are endogenous antibiotics that play a multifunctional role in the innate immunity of mammals. Among these, beta-defensins contribute to mucosal and epithelial defense, also acting as signal molecules for cellular components of innate and adaptive immunity. Numerous members of this family have been identified in mammalian and avian species, and genomic studies in human and mouse indicate a considerable complexity in their gene organization. Recent reports on the evolution of primate and rodent members of this family indicate quite a complex pattern of variation. In this review we briefly discuss the evolution of mammalian beta-defensins in relation to other types of defensins, and then concentrate on the evolution of beta-defensins 1 to 4 in primates. In particular, the surprisingly varied patterns of evolution, which range from neutral or weakly purifying, to positive selection to a high level of conservation are analyzed in terms of possible genetics, structural or functional implications, as well as to observed variations on the antimicrobial activity in vitro. The role of polymorphisms in the genes encoding for these host defense peptides in determining susceptibility to human diseases are also briefly considered.     

Vibrational spectra of nitrido and oxo complexes

The vibrational spectra of a number of transition-metal complexes containing terminal or bridging nitrido (N^3?) and oxo (O^2?) ligands are reported. Full assignments of fundamental modes are given for (OsO₃¹⁴N)^?, (OsO₃¹⁵N)^?, (Os¹⁴NX₄)^?, (Os¹⁵NX₄)^?, (Ru¹⁴NX₄)^?, (Os¹⁴NX₅)^2?, (Os¹⁵NX₅)^2? and (Ru¹⁴NX₅)^2? (X = Cl, Br), and also for the oxo complexes (Mo¹⁶OCl₄, (Mo¹⁸OCl₄)^?, (Mo¹⁶OCl₅)^2? and (Mo¹⁸OCl₅)^2?. Force constants have been evaluated for the four- and five-coordinate complexes. The significance of the results is discussed in terms of the metalligand bonding involved in these species.     

Intramolecular dissociative electron transfer

Dissociative electron transfers (ET) are reactions in which the ET is associated with the cleavage of a sigma bond. Although a rather satisfactory amount of information is currently available on the intermolecular and heterogeneous dissociative ET reactions, less is known for the corresponding intramolecular processes, despite the relevance of these reactions in both chemistry and biochemistry. This tutorial review focuses on the most recent developments in this area, with particular emphasis on the reactions occurring in well-defined Donor-Spacer-Acceptor molecular systems. The goal is to provide the reader with the essential background to understand and possibly predict the feasibility and rates of these reactions, as well as to stimulate the application of the intramolecular dissociative ET concepts and related issues to still unexplored molecular systems.