Temporary attachment of carbohydrates to cyclopeptide templates: a new strategy for single-bead analysis of multivalent neoglycopeptides

Employing a cleavable carbohydrate–peptide linker, a new strategy for single-bead analysis of multivalent cyclic neoglycopeptides based on Edman degradation is described. Edman degradation of glycopeptides is hampered by the acid lability of the glycosidic bond and potential incompatibilities of phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) derivatives of glycosylated amino acids with PTH derivatives of the proteinogenic amino acids. To overcome this problem, carbohydrates are detached from the cyclopeptide templates before single-bead analysis, allowing for micro sequencing under routine conditions. With this strategy, application of multivalent cyclic neoglycopeptides in split-mix libraries with a subsequent screening process becomes possible for the first time.     

Manipulation of microalgal lipid production using genetic engineering

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Genetic transformation of two species of diatoms has been accomplished by introducing chimeric plasmid vectors containing a bacterial antibiotic resistance...     

Simulation of 59Co NMR chemical shifts in aqueous solution

59Co chemical shifts were computed at the GIAO-B3LYP level for [Co(CN)6]3-, [Co(H2O)6]3+, [Co(NH3)6]3+, and [Co(CO)4]- in water. The aqueous solutions were modeled by Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations, or by propagation on a hybrid quantum-mechanical/molecular-mechanical Born-Oppenheimer surface (QM/MM-BOMD). Mean absolute deviations from experiment obtained with these methods are on the order of 400 and 600 ppm, respectively, over a total delta(59Co) range of about 18,000 ppm. The effect of the solvent on delta(59Co) is mostly indirect, resulting primarily from substantial metal-ligand bond contractions on going from the gas phase to the bulk. The simulated solvent effects on geometries and delta(59Co) values are well reproduced by using a polarizable continuum model (PCM), based on optimization and perturbational evaluation of quantum-mechanical zero-point corrections.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium fluoro complexes

[RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (1) reacts with Et₃N·3HF to give the fluoro compound [RhF(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (2). In a comparable reaction [RhF(PEt₃)₃] (5) has been obtained from [RhH(PEt₃)₃] (3) or [RhH(PEt₃)₄] (4) with substoichiometric amounts of Et₃N·3HF in THF. If the latter reaction is carried out in benzene, the complexes 5, cis-mer-[Rh(H)₂F(PEt₃)₃] (6) and cis-fac-[Rh(H)₂F(PEt₃)₃] (7) are obtained. Treatment of 5 with HCl in ether effects the generation of [RhCl(PEt₃)₃] (8) and the bifluoride compound [Rh(FHF)(PEt₃)₃] (9), which can be converted into 5 in the presence of Et₃N and Cs₂CO₃. Treatment of 5 with HSiR₂Ph (R=Ph, Me) leads to the formation of 3 and the rhodium(III) silyl complexes fac-[Rh(H)₂(SiR₂Ph)(PEt₃)₃] (10: R=Ph, 11: R=Me).     

Synthesis of novel, potentially biologically active dibenzosuberone derivatives

Novel representatives of the important group of biologically active dibenzosuberone derivatives were prepared: 3,7-dibromo-5-(dimethylaminoethyl- oxyimino)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepta-1,4-diene (1), 3,7-dibromo-5-(3- dimethylaminopropylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene (2) and 1,7- dibromo-5-(3-dimethylaminopropylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]-cycloheptene (3). These compounds are potential tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), which are still the most frequently prescribed antidepressants in many countries.     

The polysaccharide extracts from the fungi Coprinus comatus and Coprinellus truncorum do exhibit AChE inhibitory activity

The polysaccharide (PSH) extracts from the edible mushroom species Coprinus comatus and Coprinellus truncorum were screened in liquid for their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChE) activity. Both extracts were found to display inhibition of the aforementioned enzyme reaching similar IC₅₀ values of 0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.61 ± 0.03 mg/mL, respectively. According to the means of FTIR spectroscopy, these PSH extracts mostly contained β-glucans. However, the presence of some proteins and polyphenolics as minor ingredients were also detected. Compared with existing literature data for anti-AChE activity of the sugar samples, the findings within this study may be treated as a profound bioactivity. Consequently, this study puts some light on the possible use of the screened macrofungi in the palliative treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

On the z-counting polynomial for edge-weighted graphs

The construction of the Z-counting polynomial for edge-weighted graphs is discussed.Dedicated to Professor Haruo Hosoya (Tokyo) on the occasion of his 55th birthday for enriching chemical graph theory with the elegant concept of the Z-counting polynomial.     

Microphysiometric Measurement of PAF Receptor Responses to Ginkgolides

Microphysiometry was used to evaluate the effects of terpene trilactone and flavonoid constituents of Ginkgo biloba on human platelet‐activating‐factor receptor (PAFR). Inhibition of the platelet‐activating factor response by terpene trilactones was confirmed using this functional assay. Ginkgolide B (GB) and 10‐O‐benzyl‐GB showed the strongest inhibition (81 and 93%, resp.) of the PAFR response, while the flavonoids rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol showed negligible response inhibition. G. biloba extract mixtures were also tested, and results indicate possible synergistic effects among various components.