BRCA1 mutation screening using restriction endonuclease fingerprinting-single-strand conformation polymorphism in an automated capillary electrophoresis system

Efficient mutation scanning techniques are needed for the rapid detection of novel disease-associated mutations and rare-sequence variants of putative importance. The large size of the breast cancer 1 gene (BRCA1) and the many mutations found throughout its entire coding sequence make screening for mutations in this gene particularly challenging. We have developed a method for screening exon 11 of the BRCA1 gene based on restriction enzyme digestion of fluorescence-labeled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products followed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) using an automated capillary electrophoresis system, denoted capillary restriction endonuclease fingerprinting (REF)-SSCP electrophoresis. Using this strategy on a control set of samples, we were able to detect 17 of 18 known sequence alterations. The method was then applied to screen 73 Norwegian females with family histories of breast and/or ovarian cancer. A total of 172 sequence alterations were detected, including substitutions, insertions, and deletions. One novel substitution of unknown function was identified. Sequencing of all samples negative in the capillary REF-SSCP system gave no additional mutations confirming the high sensitivity of the described methodology. Capillary REF-SSCP electrophoresis appeared as a technically convenient technique, requiring amplification of fewer PCR fragments than traditional SSCP. The novel strategy allows high-throughput mutation scanning without radioactive labeling and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).     

Physicochemical and interfacial investigation of lipid/polymer particle assemblies

A model study was investigated to develop colloidal supramolecular assemblies consisting of particles coated with lipid layers. The interactions between monodisperse sulfate-charged poly(styrene) submicrometer particles and zwitterionic/cationic lipid vesicles composed of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane were considered. The influence of relevant experimental parameters on the final associations was examined by quasi-elastic light scattering to point out some new phenomena occurring in these colloidal systems. The major role of electrostatic interactions as driving forces to control the organization between cationic lipids and oppositely charged poly(styrene) particles was clearly evident, whereas this influence was less pronounced when considering the zwitterionic lipids. The characterization of these original complex assemblies was completed by a thorough study of the surface modification. The combination of zeta potential measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses, and microscopy observations proved that the envisioned model can really correspond to polymer particles surrounded by lipids.     

Stereospecific Cyclopolymerization with Group 4 Metallocenes

Homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalysts are stereoselective cyclopolymerization catalysts for non-conjugated dienes. Cyclopolymerization of 1,5-hexadiene affords poly(methylene-l,3-cyclopentane) (PMCP), a polymer for which four structures of maximum order are possible. A variety of metallocene catalyst precursors have been investigated; the molecular weight and microstructure of the polymers are sensitive to the structure of the catalyst precursor as well as the reaction conditions. The selectivity for cyclization depends on reaction conditions; decreasing the olefin concentration and increasing the temperature of the reaction favor cyclization. The stereochemistry of cyclopolymers can also be controlled with appropriate choice of catalyst precursor. Diastereoselective cyclopolymerization of 1,5-hexadiene with achiral catalysts yields atactic trans-PMCP and cis-PMCP, depending on the catalyst precursor. Enantioselective cyclopolymerization with optically active catalysts yields optically active poly(methylenecyclopentane), a novel example of a polymer which is chiral by virtue of its main-chain stereochemistry.     

PtCl2-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of 5-en-1-yn-3-ol systems

5-En-1-yn-3-ol substrates bearing a free hydroxyl group or an acyl group are highly versatile partners for PtCl2-catalyzed cycloisomerizations. Electrophilic activation of the alkyne moiety triggers at wish a hydride or an O-acyl migration yielding at the end to regioisomeric keto derivatives. The efficient preparation of Sabina ketone, an important monoterpene precursor, has been worked out.     

The 8 : 1 : 1 ternary hybrid framework in the system [EDT-TTF +][1,4-bis(iodoethynyl)benzene][Re6Se8(CN)6]4-: dual noncovalent expression of the octahedral halogen-bond hexa-acceptor nanonode

Complementary shapes of the neutral symmetrical halogen-bond bis-donor core and octahedral inorganic cluster core prevent halogen-bonded polymers developing in more than one direction, favouring further templating by conducting radical cation slabs and yielding an 8 : 1 : 1 phase formulation instead of n : 2 : 1, with a 2D net, or m : 3 : 1, with a pseudo-cubic architecture, which may in principle also be targeted.     

Synthesis of alpha-CF2-mannosides and their conversion to fluorinated pseudoglycopeptides

A methodology allowing the synthesis alpha-CF(2)-mannosides, based on the addition of a difluoroenoxysilane to a glycal followed by a dihydroxylation reaction, is described. The resulting 2,2-difluoro-2-mannosylacetate is converted into two pseudoglycopeptides which may act as E- and P-selectin inhibitors.     

Characterization of conformers and dimers of antithrombin by capillary electrophoresis-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Antithrombin (AT) is a plasma glycoprotein which possesses anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. AT exhibits various forms, among which are native, latent and heterodimeric ones. We studied the potential of capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) using a sheath liquid interface, electrospray ionization (ESI), and a quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer to separate and quantify the different AT forms. For CE separation, a neutral polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated capillary was employed. The protein conformation was preserved by using a background electrolyte (BGE) at physiological pH. A sheath liquid of isopropanol-water 50:50 (v/v) with 14 mM ammonium acetate delivered at a flow rate of 120 μL h⁻¹ resulted in optimal signal intensities. Each AT form exhibited a specific mass spectrum, allowing unambiguous distinction. Several co-injection experiments proved that latent AT had a higher electrophoretic mobility (μ_ep) than native AT, and that these conformers could associate to form a heterodimer during the CE analysis. The developed CE-MS method enabled the detection and quantitation of latent and heterodimeric forms in a commercial AT preparation stored at room temperature for three weeks.