Molecular mechanism for the specific inhibition of reverse transcriptase of rous sarcoma virus by the copper complexes of isonicotinic acid hydrazide

Isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid), one of the most potent antitubercular drugs, was recently shown, in our laboratory, to form two different complexes with copper, depending upon the oxidation state of the metal ion. Both the complexes have been shown to possess antiviral activity against Rous sarcoma virus, an RNA tumor virus. The antiviral activity of the complexes has been attributed to their ability to inhibit the endogenous reverse transcriptase activity of RSV. More recent studies in our laboratory indicate that both these complexes inhibit both endogenous and exogenous reactions. As low a final concentration as 50 μM of the cupric and the cuprous complexes inhibits the endogenous reaction to the extent of 93 and 75 per cent respectively. Inhibition of the exogenous reaction varies with the templates. The inhibition can be reversed by either β-mercaptoethanol or ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid. The specificity of this inhibition has been ascertained by using a synthetic primer-template, −(dG)not, vert, similar15−(rCm)n, which is highly specific for reverse transcriptases. The inhibition is found to be template specific. The studies carried out, using various synthetic primer-templates, show the inhibition of both the steps of reverse transcription by the copper complexes of isoniazid.

Application of molecular orbital theory to the interpretation of x-ray absorption spectra of platinum complexes

X-ray LIII-absorption edges of platinum in nine octahedral complexes have been recorded using a bent crystal spectrograph. The edge features of the discontinuities have been interpreted with the help of qualitative molecular orbital diagrams. A correlation between the energy separation of the first two absorption maxima and the spectrochemical series of the ligands has been arrived at.

The Crystal and Molecular Structure of 4-Aza-5-oxo-tricyclo[4.4.0.03,8]decane (Aza-twistanone)

Die kristalline Struktur von Aza-twistanon wurde durch eine Röntgenstruktur-analyse untersucht. Die Kristalle gehören zur monoklinen Raumgruppe P21/n mit den Zelldimensionen a = 6,662(6), b = 13,36(2), c = 8,606(9) Å, = 98,97(2)°, V = 757 Å3, Z = 4. Die Struktur wurde mit Direktmethoden gelöst und bis zu R = 0,035 verfeinert (mittlere (c) = 0,003 Å3).Die cis-Amidgruppe ist relativ stark deformiert und hat einen Torsionswinkel C -C -N-C von 14,5(4)° (Deformation aus der Ebene c = 5,0(5)° und N = 13,5(4,0)°). Die gegenüberliegende äthylenbrücke weist einen Torsionswinkel von 25,1(5)° auf. Die entsprechenden Winkel in Twistan betragen je 20°. Das tricyclische Gerüst von Aza-twistanon hat approximative.

Effect of Molecular Weight on the Thermal and Impact Sensitivity of Polymers in Propellants

Abstract is not available.

Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Aggregation Properties of Multiheaded Cationic Surfactants in Water

The aggregation property of multiheaded surfactants has been investigated by constant pressure molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in aqueous medium. The model multiheaded surfactants contain more than one headgroup (x = 2, 3, and 4) for a single tail group. This increases the hydrophilic charge progressively over the hydrophobic tail which has dramatic consequences in the aggregation behavior. In particular, we have looked at the change in the aggregation property such as critical micellar concentration (cmc), aggregation number, and size of the micelles for the multiheaded surfactants in water. We find with increasing number of headgroups of the Multiheaded surfactants that the cmc values increase and the aggregation numbers as well as the size of the micelles decrease. These trends are in agreement with the experimental findings as reported earlier with x = 1, 2, and 3. We also predict the aggregation properties of multiheaded surfactant With four headgroups (x = 4) for which no experimental studies exist yet.

Towards a temperature-guided molecular switch: an unusual reversible low-temperature polymorphic phase transition in a conformational locked environment

A conformationally locked tetraacetate undergoes, quite akin to a temperature-guided molecular switch, a reversible thermal switching between two polymorphic modifications; the room-temperature alpha-form converted at -4 degrees C to a low-temperature denser beta-form, which displayed an unusual kinetic stability till 67 degrees C and transformed back to the alpha-form beyond this temperature.

New structural insights and molecular-modelling studies of 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethylthiazole kinase from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 (PhThiK)

4-Methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethylthiazole kinase (ThiK) catalyses the phosphorylation of the hydroxyl group of 4-methyl-5-beta-hydroxyethylthiazole. This work reports the first crystal structure of an archaeal ThiK: that from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 (PhThiK) at 1.85 angstrom resolution with a phosphate ion occupying the position of the beta-phosphate of the nucleotide. The topology of this enzyme shows the typical ribokinase fold of an alpha/beta protein. The overall structure of PhThiK is similar to those of Bacillus subtilis ThiK (BsThiK) and Enterococcus faecalis V583 ThiK (EfThiK). Sequence analysis of ThiK enzymes from various sources indicated that three-quarters of the residues involved in interfacial regions are conserved. It also revealed that the amino-acid residues in the nucleotide-binding, magnesium ion-binding and substrate-binding sites are conserved. Binding of the nucleotide and substrate to the ThiK enzyme do not influence the quaternary association (trimer) as revealed by the crystal structure of PhThiK.

The Crystal and Molecular Structure of l-(Diphenylmethyl)azetidin-3-ol

1-(Diphenylmethyl)azetidin-3-ol is triclinic, space group P1, with a=8.479(2), b=17.294(4),c = 10.606 (3) A, a = 118.59 (2),/~ = 100.30 (2), y = 89.63 (2) °, Z = 4. The structure was solved by multisolution methods and refined to an R of 0.044 for 2755 reflexions. The four-membered rings in the two independent molecules are puckered with dihedral angles of 156 and 153 ° . The two molecules differ in conformation with respect to rotation of the phenyl rings about the C-C bonds. The structure is stabilized by a network of O-H. • • N intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

X-ray studies on crystalline complexes involving amino acids and peptides. XXIII. Variability in ionization state, conformation and molecular aggregation in the complexes of succinic acid with DL- and L-lysine

Crystalline complexes of succinic acid with DL- and L-lysine have been prepared and analysed by X-ray diffraction. DL-Lysine complex: C6HIsN202 + 1 2- 1 ~C4H404 .~C4H604, Mr -- 264"2, PI, a = 5"506 (4), =8.070(2), c=14.089(2) A,, a=92.02(1), /3= 100"69 (3), y = 95"85 (3) ~>, Z = 2, Dx = 1"44 g cm -3, R = 0.059 for 2546 observed reflections. Form I of the e-lysine complex: C6HIsN20-, ~ .C4H504, Mr = 264.2, P1, a = 5" 125 (2), b = 8"087 (1), c = 8"689 (1) A,, a = 112.06 (1), /3 = 99.08 (2), y = 93"77(2) °, Z--l, D,,,=1"34(3), Dx=l"34gcm 3 R = 0.033 for 1475 observed reflections. Form II of + I 2- the e-lysine complex: C6H15N202 .,iC4H404 .- 1 I ") 4C4H604.4(C4HsO4""H'"CaH404)" , Mr = 264"2, P1, a = 10.143 (4), b = 10.256 (2), c = 12"916 (3) A,, a = 105.00 (2),/3 = 99-09 (3), y = 92"78 (3)::, Z = 4, Dm= 1"37(4), D,.= 1.38gcm 3, R=0.067 for 2809 observed reflections. The succinic acid molecules in the structures exhibit a variety of ionization states. Two of the lysine conformations found in the complexes have been observed for the first time in crystals containing lysine. Form II of the L-lysine complex is highly pseudosymmetric. In all the complexes, unlike molecules aggregate into separate alternating layers. The basic element of aggregation in the lysine layer in the complexes is an S2-type head-to-tail sequence. This element combines in different ways in the three structures. The basic element of aggre gation in the succinic acid layer in the complexes is a hydrogen-bonded ribbon. The ribbons are interconnected indirectly through amino groups in the lysine layer.

Stereospecific photodimerization of coumarins in crystalline inclusion complexes. Molecular and crystal structure of 1:2 complex of (S,S)-(-)-1,6-bis(o-chlorophenyl)-1,6-diphenyl-hexa-2,4-diyne-1,6-diol and coumarin

Proximity of molecules is a crucial factor in many solid- state photochemical processes.'S2 The biomolecular photodimerization reactions in the solid state depend on the relative geometry of reactant molecules in the crystal lattice with center-to-center distance of nearest neighbor double bonds of the order of ca. 4 A. This fact emanates from the incisive studies of Schmidt and Cohen.2 One of the two approaches to achieve this distance requirement is the so-called "Crystal-Engineering" of structures, which essentially involves the introduction of certain functional groups that display in-plane interstacking interactions (Cl...Cl, C-He-0, etc.) in the crystal The chloro group is by far the most successful in promoting the /3- packing m ~ d e ,th~o,u~gh recent studies have shown its limitations? Another approach involves the use of constrained media in which the reactants could hopefully be aligned.

The hydrogen bond: a molecular beam microwave spectroscopist's view with a universal appeal

In this manuscript, we propose a criterion for a weakly bound complex formed in a supersonic beam to be characterized as a `hydrogen bonded complex'. For a `hydrogen bonded complex', the zero point energy along any large amplitude vibrational coordinate that destroys the orientational preference for the hydrogen bond should be significantly below the barrier along that coordinate so that there is at least one bound level. These are vibrational modes that do not lead to the breakdown of the complex as a whole. If the zero point level is higher than the barrier, the `hydrogen bond' would not be able to stabilize the orientation which favors it and it is no longer sensible to characterize a complex as hydrogen bonded. Four complexes, Ar-2-H2O, Ar-2-H2S, C2H4-H2O and C2H4-H2S, were chosen for investigations. Zero point energies and barriers for large amplitude motions were calculated at a reasonable level of calculation, MP2(full)/aug-cc-pVTZ, for all these complexes. Atoms in molecules (AIM) theoretical analyses of these complexes were carried out as well. All these complexes would be considered hydrogen bonded according to the AIM theoretical criteria suggested by Koch and Popelier for C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds (U. Koch and P. L. A. Popelier, J. Phys. Chem., 1995, 99, 9747), which has been widely and, at times, incorrectly used for all types of contacts involving H. It is shown that, according to the criterion proposed here, the Ar-2-H2O/H2S complexes are not hydrogen bonded even at zero kelvin and C2H4-H2O/H2S complexes are. This analysis can naturally be extended to all temperatures. It can explain the recent experimental observations on crystal structures of H2S at various conditions and the crossed beam scattering studies on rare gases with H2O and H2S.

Conformational studies of the triphenylphosphazenyl side chain in cyclophosphazenes. II. Crystal and molecular structure of 2,4,4,6,6,8,8-heptachloro-2-triphenylphosphazenylcyclotetra(phosphazene), N4P4Cl7(NPPh3)

Abstract is not available.

Mechanisms of molecular doping of graphene: A first-principles study

Doping graphene with electron donating or accepting molecules is an interesting approach to introduce carriers into it, analogous to electrochemical doping accomplished in graphene when used in a field-effect transistor. Here, we use first-principles density-functional theory to determine changes in the electronic-structure and vibrational properties of graphene that arise from the adsorption of aromatic molecules such as aniline and nitrobenzene. Identifying the roles of various mechanisms of chemical interaction between graphene and a molecule, we bring out the contrast between electrochemical and molecular doping of graphene. Our estimates of various contributions to shifts in the Raman-active modes of graphene with molecular doping are fundamental to the possible use of Raman spectroscopy in (a) characterization of the nature and concentration of carriers in graphene with molecular doping, and (b) graphene-based chemical sensors.

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of excited hydrogen halides and methyl halides

Using excited-state ab initio molecular dynamics simulations employing the complete-active-space self-consistent-field approach, we study the mechanism of photodissociation in terms of time evolution of structure, kinetic energy, charges and potential energy for the first excited state of hydrogen halides and methyl halides. Although the hydrogen halides and methyl halides are similar in the photodissociation mechanism, their dynamics are slightly different. The presence of the methyl group causes delay in photodissociation as compared to hydrogen halides.