Evaluation of glycoalkaloids in tubers of genetically modified virus Y-resistant potato plants (var. Désirée) by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (NACE–ESI–MS)

The glycoalkaloid content of transgenic potatoes was evaluated by an optimised method based on non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis coupled on-line with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (NACE-ESI-MS). The potato material consisted of tubers from a conventional cv. Désirée and from three lines of modified plants resistant, intermediate and susceptible to infection by potato virus Y (PVY). The main glycoalkaloids were confirmed to be alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine with parent ion masses m/z 852 and 868, respectively. In addition, an unknown minor peak at m/z 850.6 was found both in conventional (control) and susceptible line potato tubers. Such a compound exhibited an MS(2) spectrum with fragments ions at 704 and 396 m/z derived by loss of two ions, i.e. m/z 146 and 307, most likely corresponding to a rhamnose unit and a [glucose-(rhamnose)(2)] moiety, respectively. Up to 30-80-fold higher concentrations of total glycoalkaloids were found in the peel compared to flesh samples of all tubers examined. TGA content was nearly doubled in peel samples of resistant compared to control lines, and these levels were lower than the limit recommended for food safety, i.e. 20-60 mg of TGA per 100 g fresh weight. Moreover, it was established that tubers produced by virus-resistant clones are substantially equivalent in glycoalkaloid contents to those produced by conventional potato varieties.     

Semisynthesis of dimeric proteins by expressed protein ligation

A one-pot synthesis of homodimeric proteins is described. The synthetic strategy is based on a double expressed protein ligation reaction between thioester peptides and a new bis-cysteinyl linker. The protocol was also applied to the synthesis of heterodimers.     

New Synthetic Route to γ-Mercaptomethyl PNA Monomers

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are oligonucleotide mimics widely used as antisense, antigene molecules, and biotechnological tools. Recently, several microarrays and other biosensors based on PNAs have been developed. The construction of PNA molecular beacons or light-up probes for DNA detection requires the labelling of the PNA moiety. Labels are usually attached at the C or N terminal end by a flexible linker or in the middle of a PNA sequence, substituting one PNA base with an artificial base or by attaching fluorophores to a modified PNA backbone. The need to develop simple protocols to label PNAs encouraged us to design a new procedure for the synthesis of γ-mercaptomethyl-modified PNA. Here we propose a new strategy for the synthesis of modified PNAs, bearing amino acid side chains. The synthesis is straightforward and is an improvement to the procedures reported so far, as it uses stable intermediates and proceeds with better yields.