Raman spectra of addition compounds of glycine (diglycine hydrochloride, diglycine hydrobromide and diglycine nitrate)

Raman spectra of single crystals of diglycine hydrochloride, diglycine hydrobromide and diglycine nitrate have been recorded for the first time. λ 2536·5 resonance radiation of mercury has been used as exciter. The spectrum of diglycine hydrochloride exhibits 10 low frequency lines and 41 lines due to internal oscillations, while that of diglycine hydrobromide exhibits 11 lines and 41 lines respectively. In the case of diglycine nitrate 46 lines have been recorded, of which 10 belong to the lattice spectrum. These spectra are compared with the Raman spectra of triglycine sulphate and α-glycine and proper assignments have been given to the internal oscillations.

Mechanism of glycine uptake by the silk glands of the silkworm Bombyx mori L.

The transport of glycine in vitro into the silk glands of the silkworm has been studied. Glycine accumulates inside the tissue to a concentration higher than that present outside, indicating an active transport mechanism. The kinetics of uptake show a biphasic curve and two apparent Km values for accumulation, 0.33 mM and 5.00 mM. The effect of inhibitors on the energy metabolism of glycine transport is inconclusive. Exchange studies indicate the existence of two pools inside the gland, one that is easily removed by exchange and osmotic shock, and the other which is not. The results obtained conform with the carrier model of Britten and McClure concerning the amino-acid pool in E. coli.

Solution conformation of a tetradecapeptide stabilized by two di-n-propyl glycine residues

The solution conformation of a designed tetradecapeptide Boc-Val-Ala-Leu-Dpg-Val-Ala-Leu-Val-Ala-Leu-Dpg-Val-Ala-Leu-OMe (Dpg-14) containing two di-n-propyl glycine (Dpg) residues has been investigated by H-1 NMR and circular dichroism in organic solvents. The peptide aggregates formed at a concentration of 3 mm in the apolar solvent CDCl3 were broken by the addition of 12% v/v of the more polar solvent DMSO-d(6). Successive NiH <-> Ni+1H NOEs observed over the entire length of the sequence in this solvent mixture together with the observation of several characteristic medium-range NOEs support a major population of continuous helical conformations for Dpg-14. Majority of the observed coupling constants ((3)(alpha)(JNHC)(H)) also support phi values in the helical conformation. Circular dichroism spectra recorded in methanol and propan-2-ol give further support in favor of helical conformation for Dpg-14 and the stability of the helix at higher temperature. Copyright (C) 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

b-Turn conformations in crystal structures of model peptides containing a,a-di-n-propylglycine (Dpg) and a,a-di-n-butyl-glycine (Dbg).

The crystal state conformations of three peptides containing the a,a-dialkylated residues, a,adi n-propylglycine (Dpg) and a,@-di-n-butylglycine (Dbg), have been established by x-ray diffraction. Boc-Ala-Dpg-Ala-OMe ( I ) and Boc-Ala-Dbg-Ala-OMe (III) adopt distorted type II @-turn conformations with Ala ( I ) and Dpg/Dbg (2) as the corner residues. In both peptides the conformational angles at the Dxg residue (I: 4 = 66.23 J/ = 19.3'; III: 4 = 66S0, J. = 21 .la)deviate appreciablyfrom ideal values for the i + 2 residue in a type II @-turn. In both peptides the observed(N. 0) distances between the Boc CO andAla(3) NHgroups are far too long (I:3.44 k; III: 3.63 k) for an intramolecular 4 + 1 hydrogen bond. Boc-Ala-Dpg-Ala-NHMe (II)crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Both molecules IIA and IIB adopt consecutive @-turn (type III-III in IIA and type III-I in IIB) or incipient 3,,,-helical structures, stabilized by two intramolecular 4 --t I hydrogen bonds. In all four molecules the bond angle N-C"-C' ( T ) at the Dxg residues are 2 1109 The observation of conformational angles in the helical region of 4,J/ space at these residues is consistent with theoretical predictions

A nonhelical, multiple β-turn conformation in a glycine-rich heptapeptide fragment of trichogin A IV containing a single central α-aminoisobutyric acid residue

The conformational properties of the protected seven-residue C-terminal fragment the lipopeptaibol antibiotic Trichogin A IV (Boc-Gly-Gly-Leu-Aib-Gly-Ile-Leu-OMe) has been examined in CDCl3 and (CD3)2SO by 1H-nmr. Evidence for a multiple β-turn conformation [type I′ at Gly(1)-Gly(2), type II at Leu(3)-Aib(4), and a type I′ at Aib(4)-Gly(5)] suggests that Leu(3) has preferred an extended or semiextended conformation over a helical conformation in CDCl3. This structure is thus in contrast to earlier observations of seven-residue peptides containing a single central Aib preferring helical conformations in both solution and crystalline slates. A structural transition to a frayed right-handed helix is absented in (CD3)2SO. These results suggest that nonhelical conformations may be important in Gly-rich peptides containing Aib. Further, the presence of amino acids with contradictory influences on backbone conformational freedom can lead to well-defined conformational transitions even in small peptides

Synthesis, glucose uptake activity and structure-activity relationships of some novel glitazones incorporated with glycine, aromatic and alicyclic amine moieties via two carbon acyl linker

Three series of novel glitazones were designed and prepared by using appropriate synthetic schemes to incorporate glycine, aromatic and alicyclic amines via two carbon linker. Compounds were synthesized both under conventional and microwave methods. Nineteen out of twenty four synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro glucose uptake activity using isolated rat hemi-diaphragm. Compounds, 6, 9a, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13f and 13h exhibited significant glucose uptake activity. Illustration about their synthesis and in vitro glucose uptake activity is described along with the structure activity relationships. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Structural and conformational study of peptides containing glycine and alanine residues by C-13 CPMAS NMR spectroscopy in solid state

The results of the structural and conformational studies carried out using C-13 CPMAS NMR technique on several glycine and alanine containing peptides in the solid state are reported. The study demonstrates the effects of variations in C-13 chemical shifts due to conformation and hydrogen bonding. The possibility of applying this technique to obtain insight into the conformational characteristics of peptides of unknown structures is discussed.

Polarization switching studies in ferroelectric glycine phosphite single crystals

Glycine Phosphite [NH3CH2COOH3PO3], abbreviated as GPI, undergoes a para-ferroelectric phase transition from the monoclinic symmetry P2(1)/a to P2(1) at 224.7 K. We report here a systematic study of the polarization switching process in this crystal. Growth of these crystals from aqueous solution has been undertaken employing both solvent evaporation and slow cooling methods. Hysteresis loop measurements along the polar b-axis yielded a spontaneous polarization value of 0.5 muC/cm(2) and a coercive field of 2.5 kV/cm. Conventional Merz technique was employed for polarization switching studies, wherein bipolar square pulses were applied to the sample to induce domain reversal. The transient switching pulse that flows through the sample on application of the field was recorded. The maximum switching time required for domain switching was measured both as a function of electric field and temperature. The experimentally observed switching curves were fitted with the model based on the Pulvari-Kuebler theory of nucleation and growth of domains. From the experimental data, the values of mobility and activation field were obtained. It was observed that switching process in this crystal is predominantly governed by the forward growth of domain walls in the high field region. However, switching process in GPI crystal was found to be slower than that found in other glycine based ferroelectric crystals.

Growth and characterization of ferroelectric glycine phosphite single crystals

Single crystals of a recent ferroelectric material, glycine phosphite were grown from aqueous solution employing the techniques of slow cooling and controlled evaporation. Powder X-ray diffraction studies as well as thermal analysis were carried out on the grown crystals. The morphology of the crystal has been determined using contact and optical goniometry. The mechanical hardness of the crystal was evaluated by Vickers indentation method. Thickness dependence of the dielectric properties has been investigated and the results can be interpreted in terms of a surface layer of lower dielectric constant.

NON-GLYCINE RESIDUES IN THE DISALLOWED REGIONS OF THE RAMACHANDRAN MAP AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD PREFERENCES

The allowed and the ``disallowed'' regions in the celebrated Ramachandran map (phi-psi] map) was elegantly deduced by Ramachandran, Ramakrishnan and Sasisekharan even before the protein crystal structures became available. This powerful map was derived based on rigid geometry of the peptide group and later several investigations on protein crystal structures reported the occurrence of a small fraction of the phi-psi] torsion angles in the disallowed region. The question is what factors make these residues adopt disallowed conformations? Is it driven by the necessity to maintain the overall topology or is it associated with function or is it just that the disallowed conformations are extreme limits of the allowed conformations? Today, with the availability of a large number of high resolution crystal structures, we have revisited this problem. Apart from validating some of the earlier findings such as residue propensities, preferred location in the secondary structure, we have explored their spatial neighborhood preferences using the protein structure network PSN] approach developed in our lab. Finally, the structural and functional implications of the disallowed conformations are examined.

Plasmodium berghei glycine cleavage system T-protein is non-essential for parasite survival in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts

T-protein, an aminomethyltransferase, represents one of the four components of glycine cleavage system (GCS) and catalyzes the transfer of methylene group from H-protein intermediate to tetrahydrofolate (THF) forming N-5, N-10-methylene THF (CH2-THF) with the release of ammonia. The malaria parasite genome encodes T-, H- and L-proteins, but not P-protein which is a glycine decarboxylase generating the aminomethylene group. A putative GCS has been considered to be functional in the parasite mitochondrion despite the absence of a detectable P-protein homologue. In the present study, the mitochondrial localization of T-protein in the malaria parasite was confirmed by immunofluorescence and its essentiality in the entire parasite life cycle was studied by targeting the T-protein locus in Plasmodium berghei (Pb). PbT knock out parasites did not show any growth defect in asexual, sexual and liver stages indicating that the T-protein is dispensable for parasite survival in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. The absence of P-protein homologue and the non-essentiality of T protein suggest the possible redundancy of GCS activity in the malaria parasite. Nevertheless, the H- and L-proteins of GCS could be essential for malaria parasite because of their involvement in alpha-lcetoacid dehydrogenase reactions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efecto de labranza, distancia de siembra y control de malezas sobre la cenosis, crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento de la soya (Glycine max (L) Merr.)

Se realizó un estudio de labranzas, distancias de siembra y métodos de control de malezas en soya (Glycine (L) Merr.) de la variedad -"Tropical" en la hacienda Las Mercedes, Managua, Nicaragua. Con los objetivos de evaluar lo influencia de las labranzas, distancias de siembra y control de malezas sobre el comportamiento de la cenosis en el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento del cultivo de le soya. La siembra se realizó el 25 de Agosto de 1989, utilizándose un arreglo trifactorial, siendo los factores en estudio A: Labranza convencional y mínima; 8. Distancia de siembra entre hileras de 40 y 60 cm y C. Métodos de control de malezas, metribuzin, fluazifop-butil y limpias periódicas. Los resultados fueron evaluados mediante el análisis de Varianza y prueba de Tukey al 5 por ciento. Los mejores rendimientos se obtuvieron con los tratamientos labranza convencional, distancia entre hileras de 60 cm. La más baja diversidad de malezas se presentó en labranza convencional y en el control con metribuzin. Le menor abundancia se presentó con limpias periódicas, labranza mínima y distancia entre hileras de 40 cm. La menor cobertura se demuestra en labranza mínima, distancia entre hileras de 60 cm y control con limpias periódicas.

Influencia de rotación de cultivos y control de malezas sobre la cenosis, el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento del cultivo de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) y del cultivo de soya (Glycine max (L) Merr) cv. cristalina

En el presente trabajo se trabajó la influencia de tres métodos de control de malezas en cinco rotaciones de cultivos sobre la dinámica de asociaciones de malezas y el crecimiento y desarrollo de los cultivos. El ensayo se inició en postrera en 1992 en la Cooperativa Rigoberto López Pérez, Managua, considerando en este trabajo los resultados de la siembra de primera de 1992, se evaluó las rotaciones Sorgo-Sorgo, Maíz-Sorgo, Maíz-Soya, Pepino-Saya y Pepino-Sorgo y los métodos de control químico, control período crítico y control limpia periódica. Los resultados demuestran que el control limpia periódica efectuó un control satisfactorio de las malezas, mientras que los controles químico y por período crítico fueron insuficientes, debido a que predominaban las especies de monocotiledóneas como: cenchrus spp y panicum hurtícaule de Competitividad alargada. Las rotaciones influyen sobre el nivel de enmalezamiento, siendo más bajo en las Rotaciones Pepino-Sorgo y en las Rotaciones Pepino-Saya que en las demás rotaciones. En cuanto al rendimiento los mejores resultados se obtuvieron en la Rotación Pepino-Sorgo con 3,560.33 kg/Ha, (tres mil quinientos sesenta punto treinta y tres kilogramos por hectárea) de Sorgo y Maíz-Soya con 1,484.9 kg/Ha, (un mil cuatrocientos ochenta y cuatro punto nueve kilogramos por hectárea) de Soya debido a que el cultivo ejerció un mayor control sobre las malezas.

Efectos de rotación de cultivos y control de malezas sobre la cenosis de malezas, crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento en soya (Glycine max (L) Merril) y ajonjolí (Sesamum indicum L)

El presente estudio se estableció en terrenos de la cooperativa "Rubén Duarte", en el ciclo de postrera del año 1991, del 30 de Agosto al 12 de Diciembre, con los siguientes objetivos: evaluar el efecto de la rotación de cultivos sobre la cenosis de malezas, crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento en los cultivos de soya (Glycine max (L.) Herr.) CV. "Cristalina" y ajonjolí (Sesamun indicum" L.) CV. "China roja"; así como determinar el mejor método de control de malezas y los cultivos más idóneos para realizar la rotación. Las rotaciones evaluadas fueron: maíz-ajonjolí, sorgo-ajonjolí, maíz-soya y sorgo-soya. Los métodos de control: químico (Fomesafén en soya y Fusilade en ajonjolí, dosis 1 1/ha post-emergente), control por período crítico (limpia con azadón en los estadios V3-V4 de soya y 6ta hoja en ajonjolí), control limpia periódica (limpia con azadón a los 21 y 31 DDS). El diseño utilizado fue parcelas divididas con arreglo en bloques completos al azar (BCA). En parcelas grandes se establecieron las rotaciones y en parcelas pequeñas los métodos de control. Las variables evaluadas fueron: abundancia, dominancia y diversidad en las malezas y en los cultivos: altura, número de hojas y/o ramas, caracteres morfológicos, rendimiento y sus componentes. En base a los análisis estadísticos y descriptivos realizados se concluyó en lo siguiente: existe disminución del crecimiento de malezas como consecuencia de la rotación de cultivos. El mejor método de control de malezas lo constituye limpia periódica y las rotaciones más indicadas son: maíz-soya y maíz-ajonjolí.

Efectos de rotación de cultivos y métodos de control de malezas sobre la cenosis de malezas y el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento en los cultivos soya (Glycine max (L) Merril) y ajonjolí (Sesamum indicum L)

El ensayo de campo tiene como objetivo: determinar el efecto de rotación de cultivos y control de malezas sobre la cenosis de las malezas y sobre el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento de los cultivos de soya y ajonjolí. Se realizó en el centro Experimental del Algodón (C.E.A.), Posoltega en primera de 1992. El diseño utilizado fue Parcelas Divididas en Bloques al Azar, utilizando la variedad Cristalina en soya y Turen en ajonjolí. La mayor abundancia inicial de las malezas entre las diferentes rotaciones se dio en la rotación algodón-soya inoculado, debido al predominio de malezas perennes y al crecimiento inicial lento de la soya inoculada. El control limpia periódica es el más eficiente, obteniéndose una menor abundancia final de malezas. Las malezas de mayor abundancia son las Monocotiledóneas, sobre todo las Poaceas, siendo notoria la baja presencia de Cyperus rotundus. La mayor biomasa se obtuvo en la rotación algodón-ajonjolí y en las rotaciones son soya sin inocular. La mayor diversidad de especies se obtuvo en la rotación algodón-ajonjolí (11 especies) y la rotación algodón-soya sin inocular obtuvo la menor diversidad (5 especies). El mejor rendimiento de soya se obtuvo en las rotaciones donde le antecedió algodón con rendimiento hasta de 1,611.7kg/ha sobre 814.9kg/ha que fue el rendimiento máximo de los monocultivos de soya.