Additional binding sites in lysozyme. X-ray analysis of lysozyme complexes with bromophenol red and bromophenol blue

The binding sites in hen egg-white lysozyme for neutral bromophenol red (BPR) and ionized bromophenol blue (BPB) have been characterized at 2 Å resolution. In either case, the dye-bound enzyme is active against the polysaccharide, but not against the cell wall. Both binding sites are outside, but close to, the hexasaccharide binding cleft in the enzyme. The binding site of BPR made up of Arg5, Lys33, Phe34, Asn37, Phe38, Ala122, Trp123 and possibly Arg125, is dose to subsite F while that of BPB made up of Tyr20, Arg21, Asn93, Lys96, Lys97 and Ser100, is close to subsites A and B. The binding sites of the neutral dye and the ionized dye are thus spatially far apart. The peptide component of the bacterial cell wall probably interacts with these cells during enzyme action. Such interactions are perhaps necessary for appropriately positioning the enzyme molecule on the bacterial cell wall.

X-ray crystal structure of a ternary copper(II) vitamin B6 complex, hydroxo(2,2'-bipyridyl)(pyridoxinato) copper(II) monohydrate. A rare example of monodentate coordination of copper(II) by the hydroxyl ion

A ternary metal complex involving Vitamin B6 with the formula [Cu(bipy)(pn) (OH)]H2O (bipy = 2,2'²-bipyridine, PN = anionic pyridoxine) has been synthesized and studied in the solid state by means of spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The geometry around copper(II) is distorted square pyramidal, two oxygens from phenolic and 4-(hydroxymethyl) groups of pn, two nitrogens from bipy and an axial OH- ion forming the coordination sphere. In this structure pn exists in a new anionic form with deprotonation of the phenolic group. The structure also provides a rare example of monodentate hydroxyl coordination to copper.

Metabolic fate of menthofuran in rats. Novel oxidative pathways

Metabolic fate of menthofuran (II) in rats was investigated. Menthofuran (II) was administered orally (200 mg/kg of the body weight/day) to rats for 3 days. The following metabolites were isolated from the urine of these animals: p-cresol (VI), 5-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1- one (VII), 3-methylcyclohexanone (VIII), 3-methylcyclohexanol (IX), 4- hydroxy-4-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (V), geranic acid (XI), neronic acid (XII), benzoic acid (XIII), and 2-[2'-keto-4'- methylcyclohexyl]propionic acid (X). Incubation of menthofuran (II) with phenobarbital-induced rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH and oxygen resulted in the formation of a metabolite tentatively identified as 2-Z-(2'-keto-4'-methylcyclohexylidene)propanal (III; alpha,beta-unsaturated-gamma-keto-aldehyde). The structure assigned was further supported by trapping this metabolite (III) as a cinnoline derivative. Phenobarbital-induced rat liver microsomes also converted 4- methyl-2-cyclohexenone (IV) to 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-cyclohexenone (V) and p-cresol (VI) in the presence of NADPH and oxygen. On the basis of both in vivo and in vitro studies, a possible mechanism for the formation of p-cresol from menthofuran has been proposed.

Synthesis, X-ray structure and properties of [Ru2O(MeCN)4(O2CMe)2(PPh3)2](ClO4)2

The diruthenium(III) complex [{(PPh3)(MeCN)2Ru}2(μ-O)(μ-O2CMe)2](ClO4)2 (1) has been prepared from Ru2O(O2CMe)4(PPh3)2, which is obtained from a reaction of Ru2Cl(O2CMe)4 and PPh3 in MeCN. The crystal structure of 1 was determined by X-ray studies and the complex has an {Ru2(μ-O)(μ-O2CMe)22+} core and the facial sites on each metal centre are occupied by two MeCN and one PPh3 ligands. The Ru—b. Ru and Ru—Ooxo distances and Ru—O—Ru angle are 3.240(1), 1.866(4) Å and 120.6(2)°, respectively. The cis and trans Ru—N distances in 1 are 2.040(6) and 2.116(5) Å, respectively. The visible spectral band in 1 is observed at 574 nm (var epsilon, 10,800 M−1 cm−1). The 1H NMR spectrum of the diamagnetic complex 1 in CD3CN is in agreement with the X-ray structure.

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.

Preparation and x-ray characterization of four new crystal forms of Jacalin, a lectin from Artocarpus integrifolia

Four new crystal forms of the anti-T lectin from jackfruit (Artocarpus integrifolia) have been prepared and characterized. Three of them, two monoclinic (P21, A = 59·4 Å, B = 83·3 Å, C = 63·5 Å, β = 107·7°; C2, A = 106·1,Å, B = 53·9 Å, C = 128·0 Å, β = 95·0 Å) and one orthorhombic (C2221, A = 98·1 Å, B = 67·3 Å, C = 95·1 Å) were grown with 2-methylpentan-2,4-diol (MPD) as the precipitant while the fourth, an hexagonal from (P6122, A = b = 129·6 Å, C = 157·9 Å), was obtained in the presence of methyl-ga-Image -galactopyranoside with polyethylene glycol 4000 as the precipitant. The reported relative molecular mass (Mr) of the lectin was found to be inconsistent with the solvent content of the crystals estimated using measured densities. The Mr was redetermined using size-exclusion chromatography in the presence of methyl-α-Image -galactopyranoside and Ferguson-plot analysis of mobilities in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The redetermined Mr (66,000) is consistent with the measured crystal densities. The orthorhombic and the hexagonal forms, which have one half molecule and one molecule, respectively, in the asymmetric unit, are suitable for high-resolution X-ray analysis.

NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies on cyclic tetrapeptide, cyclo (D-Phe-Pro-Sar-Gly)

The conformation of the synthetic cyclic tetrapeptide cyclo(D-Phe-Pro-Sar-Gly) has been determined in solution using the nuclear magnetic resonance technique and in the crystal state by X-ray crystallography. Results showed that the peptide exhibited two different conformations in solution, conformer 1 having cis-trans-cis-trans peptide bonds and conformer 2 having trans-cis-trans-cis peptide bonds. No intramolecular hydrogen bonds were observed in the structures. The X-ray diffraction studies showed the crystals to be orthorhombic with space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit-cell dimensions, a = 5.790, b = 10.344, c = 31.446 A, Z = 4, R = 0.104 for 2301 observed reflections. The crystal structure showed only one type of conformer having cis-trans-cis-trans peptide bonds similar to the conformer 1 in solution.

Study of As2(Se,Te)3 glasses by X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy

Arsenic selenide-telluride glasses have been investigated by X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy. The core electron energy shifts and chemical shifts in K-absorption edge measurements associated with the glass-crystal transitions of pure As2Se3 and As2Te3 have been studied. The effect of composition on the core level energy and valence bands of As2(Se,Te)3 glasses, has been discussed. Mixed-composition glasses are found to be considerably ionic.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies on Se/As2S3 and Sb/As2S3 nanomultilayered film

Photoinduced diffusion in Se/As2S3 and Sb/As2S3 nanomultilayered thin films are studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS measurements show the atomic movements during photoinduced diffusion in Se/As2S3 and Sb/As2S3 nanomultilayered film. The analysis of experimental data describes the nature of light induced changes indifferent structural units. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Triplet repeat polymorphism & fragile X syndrome in the Indian context

Mental retardation due to fragile X syndrome is one of the genetic disorders caused by tripler repeat expansion, CGG repeat involved in this disease is known to exhibit polymorphism even among normal individuals. Here we describe the development of suitable probes for detection of polymorphism in CGG repeat at FMR1 locus as well as the diagnosis of fragile X syndrome. Using these methods polymorphism at the FMR1 locus has been examined in 161 individuals. Ninety eight patients with unclassified mental retardation were examined, of whom 7 were found to have the expanded (CGG) allele at the FMR1 locus, The hybridization pattern for two patients has been presented as representative data.

Oxidation of bis-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methane with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone. X-Ray crystal structure of a novel product

A novel compound obtained by the oxidation of the title compound with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone has been assigned structure (5) on the basis of spectral data and X-ray crystal structure analysis.

X-ray spectroscopic studies of amorphous materials

Measurement of the chemical shifts ΔE of the K-absorption edge in both crystalline and amorphous states of several solids shows that ΔE is generally smaller in the amorphous state. More covalent solids appear to be associated with small values of ΔE.

Synthesis, structural and ferromagnetic properties of La1-xKxMnO3 (0.0 <= x <= 0.25) phases by solution combustion method

We describe the solution combustion synthesis and characterization of La1-xKxMnO3 (0.0 <= x <= 0.25) perovskite phases, which is a low temperature initiated, rapid route to prepare metal oxides. As-synthesized compounds are amorphous in nature; crystallinity was observed on heating at 800 degrees C for 5 min. Structural parameters were determined by the Rietveld refinement method using powder XRD data. Parent LaMnO3 compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic structure (space group Pbnm, No. 62). Potassium substituted compounds were crystallized with rhombohedral symmetry (space group R-3c, No. 167). The ratio of the Mn3+/Mn4+ was determined by the iodometric titration. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) shows two absorption bands for Mn-O stretching vibration (v, mode), Mn-O-Mn deformation vibration (v(b) mode) around 600 cm(-1) and 400 cm(-1) for the compositions, x = 0.0, 0.05 and 0-10. Four-probe electrical resistivity measurements reveal a composition controlled metal to insulator transition (TM-1), the maximum TM-1 was observed for the composition La0.85K0.15MnO3 at 287 K. Room temperature vibrating sample magnetometer data indicate that for the composition up to x = 0-10, the compounds are paramagnetic whereas composition with x = 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 show magnetic moments of 27, 29 and 30 emu/g, respectively.

Structure and phase transition of the (1-x)PbTiO3-(x)BiAlO3 system

The system (1 - x)PbTiO3 - (x)BiAlO3 has been studied with regard to its structure and phase transition behaviour using x-ray, neutron and dielectric measurements. The structure is tetragonal within the solid solubility limit (x < 0.25). Interatomic distance analysis revealed that the Pb-O bond lengths remain unaffected and the only the Ti-O lengths are altered by BiAlO3 substitution. The results are suggestive of a crossover from and A-site & B site driven ferroelectric system for x = 0 to a dominant A-site driven ferroelectric system for higher x. This cross-over is brought about by (i) a reduction in the contribution to the ferroelectric stability from B-site cations due to dilution of the Ti-sublattice by Al and (ii) a reinforcement to the stability of the ferroelectric state by the A-site cations by the Bi+3 cations..