TRANSIENT INTERMEDIATES IN INTRAMOLECULARLY PHOTOSENSITIZED PYRIMIDINE DIMER SPLITTING BY INDOLE DERIVATIVES

Abstract— Intramolecularly photosensitized pyrimidine dimer splitting can serve as a model for some aspects of the monomerization of dimers in the enzyme-substrate complex composed of a photolyase and UV-damaged DNA. We studied compounds in which a pyrimidine dimer was covalently linked either to indole or to 5-methoxyindole. Laser flash photolysis studies revealed that the normally observed photoejection of electrons from the indole or the 5-methoxyindole to solvent was diminished by an order of magnitude for indoles with dimer attached (dimer-indole and dimer-methoxyindole). The fluorescence lifetime of dimer-indole in aqueous methanol was 0.85 ns, whereas that of the corresponding indole without attached dimer (tryptophol) was 9.7 ns. Similar results were obtained for the dimer-methoxyindole (0.53 ns) and 5-methoxytryptophol (4.6 ns). The quantum yield of dimer splitting for the dimer-methoxyindole (φ₂₈₇K7 = 0.08) was only slightly greater than the value found earlier for the dimer bearing the unsubstituted indole (4>_2K7= 0.04). Transient absorption spectroscopy also revealed lower yields of indole radical cations following laser flash photolysis of dimer-indole compared to the indole without attached dimer. Dimer-methoxyindole behaved similarly. These results are interpreted in terms of an enhanced rate of radiationless relaxation of the indole and methoxyindole excited singlet states in dimer-indoles. The possible quenching of the indole and methoxyindole excited states via electron abstraction by the covalently linked dimer is discussed.     

Control of polarity and defects in the growth of AlN films on Si (111) surfaces by inserting an Al interlayer

We discuss the role of the Al interlayer in the suppression of pinhole formations and also look at the polarity transition of the AlN layers from N-polarity to Al-polarity when this Al interlayer is present. The AlN layers were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on an AlN nucleation layer. A thin Al interlayer was deposited on the initial nucleated AlN layer after the nitridation of the Al-soaked Si (111) substrates. The AlN layer with an Al interlayer showed a relatively smooth surface with a reduced density of pinholes compared with the AlN layer grown without an Al interlayer. In addition, the AlN layer with an Al interlayer showed some stacking faults in the interface between the Si substrate and the A1N layer. We also identify the polarity change of the AlN layer after the insertion of a thin Al interlayer from N-polarity to Al-polarity by chemical etching. A simple model is constructed to explain the polarity change and the pinhole suppression due to the Al interlayer.     

Analysis of differential plaque depositions in the brains of Tg2576 and Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer disease

Adequate assessment of plaque deposition levels in the brain of mouse models of Alzheimer disease (AD) is required in many core issues of studies on AD, including studies on the mechanisms underlying plaque pathogenesis, identification of cellular factors modifying plaque pathology, and developments of anti-AD drugs. The present study was undertaken to quantitatively evaluate plaque deposition patterns in the brains of the two popular AD models, Tg2576 and Tg-APPswe/ PS1dE9 mice. Coronally-cut brain sections of Tg2576 and Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mice were prepared and plaque depositions were visualized by staining with anti- amyloid β peptides antibody. Microscopic images of plaque depositions in the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, piriform cortex and hippocampus were obtained and the number of plaques in each region was determined by a computer-aided image analysis method. A series of optical images representing a gradual increase of plaque deposition levels were selected in the four different brain regions and were assigned in each with a numerical grade of 1-6, where +1 was lowest and +6, highest, so that plaques per unit in mm(2) increased "sigmoidally" over the grading scales. Analyzing plaque depositions using the photographic plaque reference panels and a computer-aid image analysis method, it was demonstrated that the brains of Tg2576 mice started to accumulate predominantly small plaques, while the brains of Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mice deposited relatively large plaques.     

Purification and Partial Characterization of (6-4) Photoproduct DNA Photolyase from Xenopus laevis

Abstract— The (6-4) photoproduct DNA photolyase was detected in two vertebrate animals Crotalus atrox (rattlesnake) and Xenopus laevis (South African clawed toad). The enzyme was extensively purified from X. laevis and characterized. The highly purified enzyme is fluorescent with an excitation maximum at 420-440 nm and emission maximum at 460-480 nm. The photorepair action spectrum matches the fluoresoence excitation spectrum with a 430 nm maximum.     

PHOTOCHEMISTRY, PHOTOPHYSICS, AND MECHANISM OF PYRIMIDINE DIMER REPAIR BY DNA PHOTOLYASE

Abstract— DNA photolyases photorepair pyrimidine dimers (PyroPyr) in DNA as well as RNA and thus reverse the harmful effects of UV-A (320–400 nm) and UV-B (280–320 nm) radiations. Photolyases from various organisms have been found to contain two noncovalently bound cofactors; one is a fully reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH^-) and the other, commonly known as second chromophore, is either methenyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) or 8-hydroxydeazaflavin (8-HDF). The second chromophore in photolyase is a light-harvesting molecule that absorbs mostly in the near-UV and visible wavelengths (300–500 nm) with its high extinction coefficient. The second chromophore then transfers its excitation energy to the FADH^-. Subsequently, the photoexcited FADH^- transfers an electron to the Pyr<>Pyr generating a dimer radical anion (Pyr<>Pyr^-) and a neutral flavin radical (FADH^-). The Pyr<>Pyr^- is very unstable and undergoes spontaneous splitting followed by a back electron transfer to the FADH^-. In addition to the main catalytic cofactor FADH^-, a Trp (Trp277 in Escherichia coli ) in apophotolyase, independent of other chromophores, also functions as a sensitizer to repair Pyr <> Pyr by direct electron transfer.     

Neutron energy spectra of 252Cf, Am-Be source and of the D(d,n)3He reaction

The neutron energy spectrum of the following sources were measured using a fast neutron spectrometer with the NE-213 liquid scintillator: ²⁵²Cf, Am-Be and D(d,n)³He reaction from a 3 MeV Pelletron accelerator in Tokyo Institute of Technology. The measured proton recoil pulse height data of ²⁵²Cf, Am-Be and D(d,n)³He were unfolded using the mathematical program to obtain the neutron energy spectrum. The ²⁵²Cf and Am-Be neutron energy spectra were measured and the results obtained showed a good agreement with the spectra usually published in the literature. The neutron energy spectrum from D(d,n)³He was measured and the results obtained also showed a good agreement with the calculation by time of flight (TOF) methods.     

Optical and redox properties of ruthenium phthalocyanine complexes tuned with axial ligand substituents

The optical and electrochemical properties of the ruthenium phthalocyanine complexes [[(t-Bu)4Pc]Ru(4-Rpy)2], where R = NO2, Me, NH2, and NMe2, are reported. The electron density at the macrocycle may be adjusted using the axial ligand substituents, which have varying electron-donating/withdrawing strengths. Electrochemical data show that the axial pyridine ligand substituents exert significant influence over the phthalocyanine ring-based redox processes. The axial ligands also influence the electronic absorption properties of the complexes with influence also being observed in the electrogenerated oxidized and reduced species.     

Components of rhizome extract of Cnidium officinale Makino and their in vitro biological effects

The anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of a methanol extract of the rhizome of Cnidium officinale were investigated. Four compounds, namely falcarindiol (1), 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-dihydroligustilide (2), ligustilidiol (3), and senkyunolide H (4) were isolated from the extract of the rhizome of Cnidium officinale and their structures were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data and by comparison with previously reported data. These compounds showed anti-inflammatory activities, measured as inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, with IC(50) values of 4.31 ± 5.22, 152.95 ± 4.23, 72.78 ± 5.13, and 173.42 ± 3.22 μM, respectively. They also inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression induced by LPS. Among these compounds, falcarindiol (1) was found to have anti-proliferative effect against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by induction of a G(0)/G(1) cell cycle block of the cells, with an IC(50) value of 35.67 μM. Typical apoptotic effects were observed by phase contrast microscopy and were also exhibited in fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining. In addition, falcarindiol induced apoptosis through strongly increased mRNA expression of Bax and p53, and slightly reduced Bcl-2 mRNA levels in a dose dependent manner. This study suggested that C. officinale extract and its components would be valuable candidates in therapeutic applications for anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents.     

Copper(II) complexes of ligands derived from tryptamine

Three new ligands with an indole substituent tethered to a pyridylalkylamine or imidazolylalkylamine metal-binding domain have been prepared from tryptamine. Copper(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized, three by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemistry has been used to ascertain the mutual effects of the copper and indole redox centres upon each other.