Structures of mannose-6-phosphate isomerase from Salmonella typhimurium bound to metal atoms and substrate: implications for catalytic mechanism

Mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (MPI) catalyzes the inter-conversion of mannose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate. X-ray crystal structures of MPI from Salmonella typhimurium in the apo form (with no metal bound) and in the holo form (with bound Zn2+) and two other structures with yttrium bound at an inhibitory site and complexed with Zn2+ and fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) were determined in order to gain insights into the structure and the isomerization mechanism. Isomerization involves acid/base catalysis with proton transfer between the C1 and C2 atoms of the substrate. His99, Lys132, His131 and Asp270 are close to the substrate and are likely to be the residues involved in proton transfer. The interactions observed at the active site suggest that the ring-opening step is probably catalyzed by His99 and Asp270. An active-site loop consisting of residues 130-133 undergoes conformational changes upon substrate binding. Zn2+ binding induces structural order in the loop consisting of residues 50-54. The metal atom appears to play a role in substrate binding and is probably also important for maintaining the architecture of the active site. Isomerization probably follows the previously suggested cis-enediol mechanism.

A detailed study of Li-DNA fibres at various salt concentrations reveals a non-helical B-DNA and a possible similarity of solution and solid state structures

A thorough investigation of salt concentration dependence of lithium DNA fibres is made using X-ray diffraction. While for low salt the C-form pattern is obtained, crystalline B-type diffraction patterns result on increasing the salt concentration. The salt content in the gel (from which fibres are drawn) is estimated by equilibrium dialysis using the Donnan equilibrium principle. The salt range giving the best crystalline B pattern is determined. It is found that in this range meridional reflections occur on the fourth and sixth layer lines. In addition, the tenth layer meridian is absent at a particular salt concentration. These results strongly suggest the presence of non-helical features in the DNA molecule. Preliminary analysis of the diffraction patterns indicates a structural variability within the B-form itself. Further, the possibility of the structural parameters of DNA being similar in solid state and in solution is discussed.

Chlorinated Hypoelectronic Dimetallaborane Clusters: Synthesis, Characterization, and Electronic Structures of (eta(5)-C5Me5W)(2)B5HnClm (n=7, m=2 and n=8, m=1)

Pyrolysis of (eta(5)-C5Me5WH3)B4H8, 1, in the presence of excess BHCl2 center dot SMe2 in toluene at 100 degrees C led to the isolation of (eta(5)-C5Me5W)(2)B5H9, 2, and B-Cl inserted (eta(5)-C5Me5W)(2)B5H8Cl, 3, and (eta(5)-C5Me5W)(2)B5H7Cl2, (four isomers). All the Chlorinated tungstaboranes were isolated as red and air and moisture sensitive solids. These new compounds have been characterized in solution by H-1, B-11, C-13 NMR, and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of compounds 3, 4, and 7. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carded out on the model molecules of 3-7 to elucidate the actual electronic structures of these chlorinated species. On grounds of DFT calculations we demonstrated the role of transition metals, bridging hydrogens, and the effect of electrophilic substitution of hydrogens at B-H vertices of metallaborane structures.

Metal-organic framework structures - how closely are they related to classical inorganic structures?

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as an important family of compounds for which new properties are increasingly being found. The potential for such compounds appears to be immense, especially in catalysis, sorption and separation processes. In order to appreciate the properties and to design newer frameworks it is necessary to understand the structures from a fundamental perspective. The use of node, net and vertex symbols has helped in simplifying some of the complex MOF structures. Many MOF structures are beginning to be described as derived from inorganic structures. In this tutorial review, we have provided the basics of the node, the net and the vertex symbols and have explained some of the MOF structures. In addition, we have also attempted to provide some leads towards designing newer structures/topologies.

Nuclear Magnetic-Resonance Spectra Of Oriented Biologically Important Molecules - The Structure Of And The Internal-Rotation In N,N-Dimethyluracil

From the proton NMR spectra of Nfl-dimethyluracil oriented in two different nematic solvents, the internal rotation of the methyl groups about the N-C bonds is studied. It has been observed that the preferred conformation of the methyl group having one carbonyl in the vicinity is the one where a C-H bond is in the ring plane pointing toward the carbonyl group. The results are not sensitive to the mode of rotation of the other methyl group. These data are interpreted in terms of the bond polarizations.

Distribution of the angle of rotation plane random walks

We study the probability distribution of the angle by which the tangent to the trajectory rotates in the course of a plane random walk. It is shown that the determination of this distribution function can be reduced to an integral equation, which can be rigorously transformed into a differential equation of Hill's type. We derive the asymptotic distribution for very long walks.

Ternary metal complexes of anionic and neutral pyridoxine (vitamin B6) with 2,2'-bipyridine. Syntheses and x-ray structures of (pyridoxinato)bis(2,2'-bipyridyl)cobalt(III) perchlorate and chloro(2,2'-bipyridyl)(pyridoxine)copper(II) perchlorate hydrate

Ternary metal complexes involving vitamin B6 with formulas [CO",(PN-H)](anCdI [OC)'(bpy)(PN)Cl]C10(.bpHy 0 = 2,2'-bipyridine, PN = neutral pyridoxine, PN-H = anionic pyridoxine) have been prepared for the first time and characterized by means of magnetic and spectroscopic measurements. The crystal structures of the compounds have also been determined. [CO(PN-H)](CcryIsOta,l)lize s in the space group P2,/c with a = 18.900 (3) A, b = 8.764 (1) A, c = 20.041 (2) A,p = 116.05 (l)', and Z = 4 and [Cu(bpy)(PN)C1]C104-H20in the space group Pi with a = 12.136 (5) A, b = 13.283 (4) A,c = 7.195 (2) A, a = 96.91 (Z)', 0 = 91.25 (3)', y = 71.63 (3)', and Z = 2. The structures were solved by the heavy-atom method and refined by least-squares techniques to R values of 0.080 and 0.042 for 3401 and 2094 independent reflections, respectively. Both structures consist of monomeric units. The geometry around Co(II1) is octahedral and around Cu(I1) is distorted square pyramidal. In [CO(PN-H)]t(wCo IoxOy~ge)n~s ,fro m phenolic and 4-(hydroxymethyl) groups of PN-H and two nitrogens from each of two bpy's form the coordination sphere. In [Cu(bpy)(PN)C1]C104.H20o ne PN and one bpy, with the same donor sites, act as bidentate chelates in the basal plane, with a chloride ion occupying the apical position. In both structures PN and PN-H exist in the tautomeric form wherein pyridine N is protonated and phenolic 0 is deprotonated. However, a novel feature of the cobalt compound is that PN-H is anionic due to the deprotonation of the 4-(hydroxymethyl) group. The packing in both structures is governed by hydrogen bonds, and in the copper compound partial stacking of bpy's at a distance of -3.55 also adds to the stability of the system. Infrared, NMR, and ligand field spectroscopic results and magnetic measurements are interpreted in light of the structures.

Structures of isopropylidene nucleoside derivatives - implications for ribose ring flexibility under external cyclic constraints

Crystal structures of six isopropylidene nucleoside derivatives are described. The results show that, under external cyclic constraints, the ribose assumes a variety of unusual conformations. In those compounds which possess a base-to-sugar cyclization through the C(4′) atom, the furanose pucker is predominantly C(4′)-endo, O(4′)-exo. The possible relevance of the sulphur geometry in two of the compounds to certain structural aspects of the action of the enzyme thymidylate synthetase is also pointed out.

Self-assembly of three new coordination complexes: Formation of 2-D square grid, 1-D chain and tape structures

Three distinct coordination complexes, viz., [Co(imi)(2)(tmb)(2)] (1) [where imi = imidazole], {[Ni(tmb)(2)(H2O)(3)]center dot 2H(2)O}(n) (2) and [Cu-2(mu-tmb)(4)(CH3OH)(2)] (3), have been synthesized hydrothermally by the reactions of metal acetates,2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic acid (Htmb) and with or without appropriate amine. The Ni analogue of 1 and the Co analogue of 2 have also been synthesized. X-ray single-crystal diffraction suggests that complex 1 represents discrete mononuclear species and complex 2 represents a 1D chain coordination polymer in which the Ni(H) ions are connected by the bridging water molecules. Complex 3 represents a neutral dinuclear complex. In 1, the central metal ions are associated by the carboxylate moiety and imidazole ligands, whereas the central metal atom is coordinated to the carboxylate moiety and the respective solvent molecules in 2 and 3. In 3, the four 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate moieties act as a bridge connecting two copper (11) ions and the 0 atoms of methanol coord geometry, with the methanol molecule at the apical position. In all the three structures the central metal atom sits on a crystallographic inversion centre. In all the cases, the coordination entities are further organized via hydrogen bonding interactions to generate multifarious supramolecular networks. Complexes 1, 2 and 3 have also been characterized by spectroscopic (UV/Vis and IR) and thermal analysis (TGA). In addition, the complexes were found to exhibit antimicrobial activity. The magnetic susceptibility measurements, measured from 8 to 300 K, revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between the Co(II) ions in compound 1 and the Ni(II) ions in la, respectively.

A new method for generation of quasi-periodic structures withn fold axes: Application to five and seven folds

A new geometrical method for generating aperiodic lattices forn-fold non-crystallographic axes is described. The method is based on the self-similarity principle. It makes use of the principles of gnomons to divide the basic triangle of a regular polygon of 2n sides to appropriate isosceles triangles and to generate a minimum set of rhombi required to fill that polygon. The method is applicable to anyn-fold noncrystallographic axis. It is first shown how these regular polygons can be obtained and how these can be used to generate aperiodic structures. In particular, the application of this method to the cases of five-fold and seven-fold axes is discussed. The present method indicates that the recursion rule used by others earlier is a restricted one and that several aperiodic lattices with five fold symmetry could be generated. It is also shown how a limited array of approximately square cells with large dimensions could be detected in a quasi lattice and these are compared with the unit cell dimensions of MnAl6 suggested by Pauling. In addition, the recursion rule for sub-dividing the three basic rhombi of seven-fold structure was obtained and the aperiodic lattice thus generated is also shown.

Crystal and molecular structures of alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal complexes of N,N-dimethylformamide

Structures of lithium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium complexes of NJ-dimethylformamide (DMF) have been investigated by X-ray crystallography. Complexes with the formulas LiCl.DMF.1/2H20, NaC104.2DMF, CaC12.2DMF.2H20, and Mg(C104)2.6DMF crystallized in space groups P2]/c, P2/c, Pi, and Ella, respectively, with the following cell dimensions: Li complex, a = 13.022 (7) A, b = 5.978 (4) A, c = 17.028 (10) A, = 105.48 (4)O, Z = 8; Na complex, a = 9.297 (4)A, b = 10.203 (3) A, c = 13.510 (6) A, /3 = 110.08 (4)O, Z = 4; Ca complex, a = 6.293 (4) A, b = 6.944 (2) A, c = 8.853(5) A, a = 110.15 (3)O, /3 = 105.60 (6)", y = 95.34 (5)", Z = 1; Mg complex, a = 20.686 (11) A, b = 10.962 (18) A,c = 14.885 (9) A, /3 = 91.45 (5)O, Z = 4. Lithium is tetrahedrally coordinated while the other three cations are octahedrally coordinated; the observed metal-oxygen distances are within the ranges generally found in oxygen donor complexes of these metals. The lithium and sodium complexes are polymeric, with the amide and the anion forming bridging groups between neighboring cations. The carbonyl distances become longer in the complexes accompanied by a proportionate decrease in the length of the central C-N bond of the amide; the N-C bond of the dimethylamino group also shows some changes in the complexes. The cations do not deviate significantly from the lone-pair direction of the amide carbonyl and remain in the amide plane. Infrared spectra of the complexes reflect the observed changes in the amide bond distances.

On the Fourier refinement of protein structures

The situation normally encountered in the high-resolution refinement of protein structures is one in which the inaccurate positions of P out of a total of N atoms are known whereas those of the remaining atoms are unknown. Fourier maps with coefficients (FN -- F'P) × exp (i[alpha]'P) and (mFN -- nF'P) exp (i[alpha]'P), where FN is the observed structure factor and F'P and [alpha]'P are the magnitude and the phase angle of the calculated structure factor corresponding to the inaccurate atomic positions, are often used to correct the positions of the P atoms and to determine those of the Q unknown atoms. A general theoretical approach is presented to elucidate the effect of errors in the positions of the known atoms on the corrected positions of the known atoms and the positions of the unknown atoms derived from such maps. The theory also leads to the optimal choice of parameters used in the different syntheses. When the errors in the positions of the input atoms are systematic, their effects are not taken care of automatically by the syntheses.

Infrared spectra of some oxides of K2NiF4 and related structures

The i.r. spectra of some Ln2BO4 and LnSrBO4 compounds (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm or Gd;B = Fe, Al, Co or Cu) with K2NiF4 or related structures have been studied in the range 800-300 cm−1. The BO6 octahedra in compounds with K2NiF4 structure are elongated. The assignment of the bands in terms of internal modes of sheets of bridged BO6 octahedra or square-planar BO4 sheets has been considered. The observed spectra are correlated with those of solid solutions of these oxides and of LnBO3 perovskites. Unusually high stretching frequencies found in some of the oxides are discussed in terms of the short B---O bonds in the basal plane and the Ln---O bonds along the c axis.

Infrared spectra of some oxides of K2NiF4 and related structures

The i.r. spectra of some Ln2BO4 and LnSrBO4 compounds (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm or Gd;B = Fe, Al, Co or Cu) with K2NiF4 or related structures have been studied in the range 800-300 cm−1. The BO6 octahedra in compounds with K2NiF4 structure are elongated. The assignment of the bands in terms of internal modes of sheets of bridged BO6 octahedra or square-planar BO4 sheets has been considered. The observed spectra are correlated with those of solid solutions of these oxides and of LnBO3 perovskites. Unusually high stretching frequencies found in some of the oxides are discussed in terms of the short B---O bonds in the basal plane and the Ln---O bonds along the c axis.