Parametric Analysis for Monitoring 2D Kinetics of Receptor-Ligand binding

Thermal fluctuation approach is widely used to monitor association kinetics of surface-bound receptor-ligand interactions. Various protocols such as sliding standard deviation (SD) analysis (SSA) and Page's test analysis (PTA) have been used to estimate two-dimensional (2D) kinetic rates from the time course of displacement of molecular carrier. In the current work, we compared the estimations from both SSA and modified PTA using measured data from an optical trap assay and simulated data from a random number generator. Our results indicated that both SSA and PTA were reliable in estimating 2D kinetic rates. Parametric analysis also demonstrated that such the estimations were sensitive to parameters such as sampling rate, sliding window size, and threshold. These results furthered the understandings in quantifying the biophysics of receptor-ligand interactions.

Synthesis, spectral, and thermal characterizations of Ni(II) and Cu(II) beta-diketone complexes with thenoyltrifluoroacetone ligand

Two kinds of nickel(II) and copper(II) P-diketone complexes derived from thenoyltrifluoroacetone ligand with blue-violet light absorption were synthesized by reacting free ligand and different metal(II) ions in sodium methoxide solution. Their structures were postulated based on elemental analysis, ESI-MS, FT-IR spectra and UV-vis electronic absorption spectra. Smooth films on K9 glass substrates were prepared using the spin-coating method. Their solubility in organic solvents, absorption properties of thin film and thermal stability of these complexes were evaluated. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Episodic evolution of prolactin receptor gene in mammals: coevolution with its ligand

Divergence of proteins in signaling pathways requires ligand and receptor coevolution to maintain or improve binding affinity and/or specificity. In this paper we show a clear case of coevolution between the prolactin (PRL) gene and its receptor (prolactin receptor, PRLR) in mammals. First we observed episodic evolution of the extracellular and intracellular domains of the PRLR, which is closely consistent with that seen in PRL. Correlated evolution was demonstrated both between PRL and its receptor and between the two domains of the PRLR using Pearson's correlation coefficient. On comparing the ratio of the nonsynonymous substitution rate to synonymous substitution rate (omega=d(N)/d(S)) for each branch of the star phylogeny of mammalian PRLRs, separately for the extracellular domain (ECD) and the transmembrane domain/intracellular domain (TMD/ICD), we observed a lower omega ratio for ECD than TMD/ICD along those branches leading to pig, dog and rabbit but a higher ratio for ECD than TMD/ICD on the branches leading to primates, rodents and ruminants, on which bursts of rapid evolution were observed. These observations can be best explained by coevolution between PRL and its receptor and between the two domains of the PRLR.

Characterization and expression analysis of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella

TRAIL (Apo2 ligand) described as a type II transmembrame protein belonging to the TNF superfamily can induce apoptotic cell death in a variety of cell types. In the present study, a putative cDNA sequence encoding the 299 amino acids of TRAIL (GC-TRAIL) and its genomic organization were identified in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. The predicted GC-TRAIL sequence showed 44 and 41% identities to chicken and human TRAILs, respectively. In a domain search, a tumor necrosis factor homology domain (THD) was identified in the C-terminal portion of TRAILs. The GC-TRAIL gene consists of five exons, with four intervening introns, spaced over approximately 4 kb of genomic sequence. Analysis of GC-TRAlL promoter region revealed the presence of a number of putative transcription factor binding sites, such as Sp1, NF-kappaB, AP-1, GATA, NFAT, HNF, STAT, P53 and IRFI sequences which are important for the expression of other TNF family members. Phylogenetic analysis placed GC-TRAIL and the putative zebrafish (Danio rerio) TRAIL obtained from searching the zebrafish database into one separate cluster near mammalian TRAIL genes, but apart from the reported zebrafish TRAIL-like protein, indicating that the GC-TRAIL is an authentic fish TRAIL. Expression analysis revealed that GC-TRAIL is expressed in many tissues, such as in gills, liver, trunk kidney, head kidney, intestine and spleen. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The PPh3 ligand modified Rh/SiO2 catalyst for hydroformylation of olefins

A novel family of hybrid catalyst with high turnover frequency (TOF) and high selectivity towards aldehydes for hydroformylation of olefins could be successfully approached through direct coordination with the PPh3 ligand to the highly dispersed Rh metal particle precursors. A further advantage is that the catalyst is easily prepared and recyclable. The results revealed that hydroformylation of olefins to aldehydes dominantly took place on the surface of PPh3 ligand modified Rh metal particles of the hybrid catalyst. It was found that the formation of chemical coordination bond between the Rh metal particles and the lone-pair electron of PPh3 was evident through the TG and P-31 NMR measurement. Moreover, the addition of PPh3 onto the Rh/SiO2 exert a significant influence on the adsorption state of reactant CO, H-2 and C2H4 on the PPh3-Rh/SiO2 sample, which probably lead to good catalytic performances for hydroformylation of olefins. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recyclable heterogeneous Rh/SiO2 catalyst enhanced by organic PPh3 ligand

Heterogeneous PPh3-Rh/SiO2 catalysts for hydroformylation of olefins, prepared by direct doping of phosphine onto the heterogeneous Rh/SiO2 precursor, exhibited high activity and selectivity towards aldehydes, which originated from chemical coordination bond between the phosphine and Rh metal nantoparticles on the SiO2 support.

New chiral ferrocenyldiphosphine ligand for catalytic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

New chiral ferrocenyldiphosphine ligands (R)-(S)-3 and (R)-(S)-4 were prepared. The ligands were employed in Ru(II) catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones to give corresponding secondary alcohols. Up to 99% conversion with 90% e.e. was obtained on Ru(DMSO)(4)Cl-2/4 in transfer hydrogenation of acetophenones with propan-2-ol. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, Reactivity, and Characterization of Sodium and Rare-Earth Metal Complexes Bearing a Dianionic N-Aryloxo-Functionalized -Ketoiminate Ligand

The synthesis and reactivity of a series of sodium and rare-earth metal complexes stabilized by a dianionic N-aryloxo-functionalized beta-ketoiminate ligand were presented. The reaction of acetylacetone with 1 equiv of 2-amino-4-methylphenol in absolute ethanol gave the compound 4-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)imino-2-pentanone (LH2, 1) in high yield.

Assembly of the highest connectivity Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate coordination polymer: the use of organic ligand flexibility

Through tuning the length of flexible bis(triazole) ligands and different metal ion coordination geometries, four Wells-Dawson polyoxoanion-based hybrid compounds, [Cu-6(btp)(3)(P2W18O62)] center dot 3H(2)O (1) (btp = 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propane), [Cu-6(btb)(3)((P2W18O62) center dot 2H(2)O (2), [Cu-3(btb)(6)(P2W18O62)] center dot 6H(2)O (btb = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane) (3), and [Cu-3(btx)(5.5)((P2W18O62) center dot 4H(2)O (btx = 1,6-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)hexane) (4), were synthesized and structurally characterized. in compound 1, the metal-organic motif exhibits a ladder-like chain, which is further fused by the ennead-dentate [P2W18O62](6-) anions to construct a 3D structure. In compound 2, the metal-organic motif exhibits an interesting Cu-btb grid layer, and the ennead-dentate polyoxoanions are sandwiched by two Cu-btb layers to construct a 3D structure