Double-level “orthogonal” dynamic combinatorial libraries on transition metal template

Dynamic combinatorial libraries are mixtures of compounds that exist in a dynamic equilibrium and can be driven to compositional self adaptation via selective binding of a specific assembly of certain components to a molecular target. We present here an extension of this initial concept to dynamic libraries that consists of two levels, the first formed by the coordination of terpyridine-based ligands to the transition metal template, and the second, by the imine formation with the aldehyde substituents on the terpyridine moieties. Dialdehyde 7 has been synthesized, converted into a variety of ligands, oxime ethers L11–L33 and acyl hydrazones L44–L77, and subsequently into corresponding cobalt complexes. A typical complex, Co(L22)22+ is shown to engage in rapid exchange with a competing ligand L11 and with another complex, Co(L22)22+ in 30% acetonitrile/water at pH 7.0 and 25°C. The exchange in the corresponding Co(III) complexes is shown to be much slower. Imine exchange in the acyl hydrazone complexes (L44–L77) is strongly controlled by pH and temperature. The two types of exchange, ligand and imine, can thus be used as independent equilibrium processes controlled by different types of external intervention, i.e., via oxidation/reduction of the metal template and/or change in the pH/temperature of the medium. The resulting double-level dynamic libraries are therefore named orthogonal, in similarity with the orthogonal protecting groups in organic synthesis. Sample libraries of this type have been synthesized and showed the complete expected set of components in electrospray ionization MS.

The preparation and characterization of tin(IV) complexes of 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazates and the X-ray crystal and molecular structures of the 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde Schiff base of S-benzyldithi

New tin(IV) complexes of empirical formula, Sn(NNS)I-3 (NNS = anionic forms of the 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde Schiff bases of S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazate) have been prepared and characterized by a variety of physico-chemical techniques. In the solid state, the Schiff bases exist as the thione tautomer but in solution and in the presence of tin(IV) iodide they convert to the thiol tautomer and coordinate to the tin atom in their deprotonated thiolate forms. The structures of the free ligand, Hqaldsbz and its triiodotin(IV) complex, [Sn(qaldsbz)I-3] have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex, [Sn(qaldsbz)I-3] has a distorted octahedral structure with the Schiff base coordinated to the tin atom as a uninegatively charged tridentate chelating agent via the quinoline nitrogen atom, the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thiolate sulfur atom. The three iodo ligands are coordinated meridionally to the tin atom. The distortion from an ideal octahedral geometry of [Sn(qaldsbz)I-3] is attributed to the restricted bite size of the tridentate Schiff base ligand. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stereocontrol in complexes of cyclam-like macrocycles - influences of chirality

Enforcement of chirality upon a macrocyclic tetramine ligand structure by the introduction of an asymmetric pendent arm which does not significantly modify the macrocycle conformation has no significant effect upon the geometry of the coordination sphere of a bound metal. Where substitution engendering chirality does cause a change in the ligand conformation, in particular for a ligand of restricted stereochemistry, these effects can be much greater. Thus, conversion of 3,7-diazacycloheptane to a macrocycle via attachment of chiral sidearms and ring closure through a template reaction leads to cyclam derivatives with unusual coordination properties. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Release of copper complexes from a nanostructured sol–gel titania for cancer treatment

Copper complexes containing inorganic ligands were loaded on a functionalized titania (F-TiO2) to obtain drug delivery systems. The as-received copper complexes and those released from titania were tested as toxic agents on different cancer cell lines. The sol–gel method was used for the synthesis and surface functionalization of the titania, as well as for loading the copper complexes, all in a single step. The resultant Cu/F-TiO2 materials were characterized by several techniques. An “in vitro” releasing test was developed using an aqueous medium. Different concentrations (15.6–1000 µg mL−1) of each copper complex, those loaded on titania (Cu/F-TiO2), functionalized titania, and cis-Pt as a reference material, were incubated on RG2, C6, U373, and B16 cancer cell lines for 24 h. The morphology of functionalized titania and the different Cu/F-TiO2 materials obtained consists of aggregated nanoparticles, which generate mesopores. The amorphous phase (in dominant proportion) and the anatase phase were the structures identified through the X-ray diffraction profiles. These results agree with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Theoretical studies indicate that the copper compounds were released by a Fickian diffusion mechanism. It was found that independently of the copper complex and also the cell line used, low concentrations of each copper compound were sufficient to kill almost 100 % of cancer cells. When the cancer cells were treated with increasing concentrations of the Cu/F-TiO2 materials the number of survival cells decreased. Both copper complexes alone as well as those loaded on TiO2 had higher toxic effect than cis-Pt.

Iron biogeochemistry and associated greenhouse gas evolution in a forested subtropical Australian coastal catchment : Poona Creek, Southeast Queensland

Iron (Fe) is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Excess Fe mobilization from terrestrial into aquatic systems is of concern for deterioration of water quality via biofouling and nuisance algal blooms in coastal and marine systems. Substantial Fe dissolution and transport involve alternate Fe(II) oxidation followed by Fe(III) reduction, with a diversity of Bacteria and Archaea acting as the key catalyst. Microbially-mediated Fe cycling is of global significance with regard to cycles of carbon (C), sulfur (S) and manganese (Mn). However, knowledge regarding microbial Fe cycling in circumneutral-pH habitats that prevail on Earth has been lacking until recently. In particular, little is known regarding microbial function in Fe cycling and associated Fe mobilization and greenhouse (CO2 and CH4, GHG) evolution in subtropical Australian coastal systems where microbial response to ambient variations such as seasonal flooding and land use changes is of concern. Using the plantation-forested Poona Creek catchment on the Fraser Coast of Southeast Queensland (SEQ), this research aimed to 1) study Fe cycling-associated bacterial populations in diverse terrestrial and aquatic habitats of a representative subtropical coastal circumneutral-pH (4–7) ecosystem; and 2) assess potential impacts of Pinus plantation forestry practices on microbially-mediated Fe mobilization, organic C mineralization and associated GHG evolution in coastal SEQ. A combination of wet-chemical extraction, undisturbed core microcosm, laboratory bacterial cultivation, microscopy and 16S rRNA-based molecular phylogenetic techniques were employed. The study area consisted primarily of loamy sands, with low organic C and dissolved nutrients. Total reactive Fe was abundant and evenly distributed within soil 0–30 cm profiles. Organic complexation primarily controlled Fe bioavailability and forms in well-drained plantation soils and water-logged, native riparian soils, whereas tidal flushing exerted a strong “seawater effect” in estuarine locations and formed a large proportion of inorganic Fe(III) complexes. There was a lack of Fe(II) sources across the catchment terrestrial system. Mature, first-rotation plantation clear-felling and second-rotation replanting significantly decreased organic matter and poorly crystalline Fe in well-drained soils, although variations in labile soil organic C fractions (dissolved organic C, DOC; and microbial biomass C, MBC) were minor. Both well-drained plantation soils and water-logged, native-vegetation soils were inhabited by a variety of cultivable, chemotrophic bacterial populations capable of C, Fe, S and Mn metabolism via lithotrophic or heterotrophic, (micro)aerobic or anaerobic pathways. Neutrophilic Fe(III)-reducing bacteria (FeRB) were most abundant, followed by aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria (heterotrophic plate count, HPC). Despite an abundance of FeRB, cultivable Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) were absent in associated soils. A lack of links between cultivable Fe, S or Mn bacterial densities and relevant chemical measurements (except for HPC correlated with DOC) was likely due to complex biogeochemical interactions. Neither did variations in cultivable bacterial densities correlate with plantation forestry practices, despite total cultivable bacterial densities being significantly lower in estuarine soils when compared with well-drained plantation soils and water-logged, riparian native-vegetation soils. Given that bacterial Fe(III) reduction is the primary mechanism of Fe oxide dissolution in soils upon saturation, associated Fe mobilization involved several abiotic and biological processes. Abiotic oxidation of dissolved Fe(II) by Mn appeared to control Fe transport and inhibit Fe dissolution from mature, first-rotation plantation soils post-saturation. Such an effect was not observed in clear-felled and replanted soils associated with low SOM and potentially low Mn reactivity. Associated GHG evolution post-saturation mainly involved variable CO2 emissions, with low, but consistently increasing CH4 effluxes in mature, first-rotation plantation soil only. In comparison, water-logged soils in the riparian native-vegetation buffer zone functioned as an important GHG source, with high potentials for Fe mobilization and GHG, particularly CH4 emissions in riparian loam soils associated with high clay and crystalline Fe fractions. Active Fe–C cycling was unlikely to occur in lower-catchment estuarine soils associated with low cultivable bacterial densities and GHG effluxes. As a key component of bacterial Fe cycling, neutrophilic FeOB widely occurred in diverse aquatic, but not terrestrial, habitats of the catchment study area. Stalked and sheathed FeOB resembling Gallionella and Leptothrix were limited to microbial mat material deposited in surface fresh waters associated with a circumneutral-pH seep, and clay-rich soil within riparian buffer zones. Unicellular, Sideroxydans-related FeOB (96% sequence identity) were ubiquitous in surface and subsurface freshwater environments, with highest abundance in estuary-adjacent shallow coastal groundwater water associated with redox transition. The abundance of dissolved C and Fe in the groundwater-dependent system was associated with high numbers of cultivable anaerobic, heterotrophic FeRB, microaerophilic, putatively lithotrophic FeOB and aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria. This research represents the first study of microbial Fe cycling in diverse circumneutral-pH environments (terrestrial–aquatic, freshwater–estuarine, surface–subsurface) of a subtropical coastal ecosystem. It also represents the first study of its kind in the southern hemisphere. This work highlights the significance of bacterial Fe(III) reduction in terrestrial, and bacterial Fe(II) oxidation in aquatic catchment Fe cycling. Results indicate the risk of promotion of Fe mobilization due to plantation clear-felling and replanting, and GHG emissions associated with seasonal water-logging. Additional significant outcomes were also achieved. The first direct evidence for multiple biomineralization patterns of neutrophilic, microaerophilic, unicellular FeOB was presented. A putatively pure culture, which represents the first cultivable neutrophilic FeOB from the southern hemisphere, was obtained as representative FeOB ubiquitous in diverse catchment aquatic habitats.

An Iron Complex of Dipyridophenazine as a Potent Photocytotoxic Agent in Visible Light

Ternary iron(III) complexes (FeL(B)] (1-3) of a trianionic tetradentate phenolate-based ligand (L) and henanthroline base (B), namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 1), dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq, 2), and dipyridophenazine (dppz, 3), have been prepared and structurally characterized and their DNA binding, cleavage, and photocytotoxic properties studied. The complexes with a FeN3O3 core show the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple near -0.6 V in DMF, a magnetic moment value of similar to 5.9 mu(B), and a binding propensity to both calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. They exhibit red-light-induced DNA cleavage activity following a metal-assisted photoredox pathway forming HO center dot radicals but do not show any photocleavage of BSA in UV-A light. Complex 3 displays photocytotoxicity in the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) with respective IC50 values of 3.59 mu M and 6.07 mu M in visible light and 251 nM and 751 nM in UV-A light of 365 nm. No significant cytotoxicity is observed in the dark. The photoexposed HeLa cells, treated prior with complex 3, have shown marked changes in nuclear morphology as demonstrated by Hoechst 33258 nuclear stain. Generation of reactive oxygen species has been evidenced from the fluorescence enhancement of dichlorofluorescein upon treatment with 3 followed by photoexposure. Nuclear chromatin cleavage has been observed in acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining of treated HeLa cells and from alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis. Caspase 3/7 activity in HeLa cells has been found to be upregulated by only 4 fold after photoirradiation, signifying the fact that cell death through a caspase 3/7 dependent pathway may not be solely operative.

Polarization Caging in Diffusion-Controlled Electron Transfer Reactions in Solution

In some bimolecular diffusion-controlled electron transfer (ET) reactions such as ion recombination (IR), both solvent polarization relaxation and the mutual diffusion of the reacting ion pair may determine the rate and even the yield of the reaction. However, a full treatment with these two reaction coordinates is a challenging task and has been left mostly unsolved. In this work, we address this problem by developing a dynamic theory by combining the ideas from ET reaction literature and barrierless chemical reactions. Two-dimensional coupled Smoluchowski equations are employed to compute the time evolution of joint probability distribution for the reactant (P-(1)(X,R,t)) and the product (p((2))(X,R,t)), where X, as is usual in ET reactions, describes the solvent polarization coordinate and R is the distance between the reacting ion pair. The reaction is described by a reaction line (sink) which is a function of X and R obtained by imposing a condition of equal energy on the initial and final states of a reacting ion pair. The resulting two-dimensional coupled equations of motion have been solved numerically using an alternate direction implicit (ADI) scheme (Peaceman and Rachford, J. Soc. Ind. Appl. Math. 1955, 3, 28). The results reveal interesting interplay between polarization relaxation and translational dynamics. The following new results have been obtained. (i) For solvents with slow longitudinal polarization relaxation, the escape probability decreases drastically as the polarization relaxation time increases. We attribute this to caging by polarization of the surrounding solvent, As expected, for the solvents having fast polarization relaxation, the escape probability is independent of the polarization relaxation time. (ii) In the slow relaxation limit, there is a significant dependence of escape probability and average rate on the initial solvent polarization, again displaying the effects of polarization caging. Escape probability increases, and the average rate decreases on increasing the initial polarization. Again, in the fast polarization relaxation limit, there is no effect of initial polarization on the escape probability and the average rate of IR. (iii) For normal and barrierless regions the dependence of escape probability and the rate of IR on initial polarization is stronger than in the inverted region. (iv) Because of the involvement of dynamics along R coordinate, the asymmetrical parabolic (that is, non-Marcus) energy gap dependence of the rate is observed.

Low-temperature preparation and characterization of phase-pure lanthanide chromates (V) by the citrate gel process

Phase-pure, crystalline lanthanide chromates LnCrO4 (V), where Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb, Lu and Y, have been prepared by the controlled combustion of the corresponding lanthanide biscitrato chromium (III) complexes at comparatively low temperatures. Formation of chromates (V) was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, infrared and electronic spectroscopy. Phase purity of the materials has also been confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

2-(Phenylazo)pyridineplatinum(II) Catecholates Showing Photocytotoxicity, Nuclear Uptake, and Glutathione-Triggered Ligand Release

Platinum(II) complexes Pt(pap)(an-cat)] (1) and Pt(pap)(py-cat)] (2) with 2-(phenylazo)pyridine (pap), 4-2-(anthracen-9-ylmethylene)amino]ethyl]benzene-1,2-diol (H(2)an-cat), and 4-2-(pyren-1-ylmethylene)amino]ethyl]benzene-1,2-diol (H2py-cat) were prepared, and their photoinduced cytotoxicity was studied. The complexes were found to release catecholate ligand in the presence of excess glutathione (GSH), resulting in cellular toxicity in the cancer cells. The catecholate complex Pt(pap)(cat)] (3) was prepared and used as a control. Complex 3, which is structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, has platinum(II) in a distorted square-planar geometry. The complexes are redox-active, showing responses near 0.6 and 1.0 V versus SCE in N,N-dimethylformamide/0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate corresponding to a two-step catechol oxidation process and at -0.3 and -1.3 V for reduction of the pap ligand. Complex 1 showed remarkable light-induced cytotoxicity in HaCaT (human skin keratinocytes) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer) cells, giving IC50 value of similar to 5 mu M in visible light of 400-700 nm and >40 mu M in the dark. The 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay showed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which seems to trigger apoptosis, as is evident from the annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) assay. The fluorescence microscopic images showed significant nuclear localization of the complexes and free ligands. A mechanistic study revealed possible reduction of the coordinated azo bond of pap by cellular GSH, releasing the catecholate ligand and resulting in remarkable photochemotherapeutic action of the complexes.

Bimetallic olefin polymerization catalysis : mechanisms and applications of proximal effects

This dissertation covers progress with bimetallic polymerization catalysts. The complexes we have designed were aimed at expanding the capabilities of homogeneous polymerization catalysts by taking advantage of multimetallic effects. Such effects were examined in group 4 and group 10 bimetallic complexes; proximity and steric repulsion were determined to be major factors in the effects observed.

Chapters 2 and 3 introduce the rigid p-terphenyl dinucleating framework utilized in most of this thesis. The permethylation of the central arene allows for the separation of syn and anti atropisomers of the terphenyl compounds. Kinetic studies were carried out to examine the isomerization of the dinucleating bis(salicylaldimine) ligand precursors. Metallation of the syn and anti bis(salicylaldimine)s using Ni(Me)2(tmeda) and excess pyridine afforded dinickel bisphenoxyiminato complexes with a methyl and a pyridyl ligand on each nickel. The syn and anti atropisomers of the dinickel complexes were structurally characterized and utilized in ethylene and ethylene/α-olefin polymerizations. Monometallic analogues were also synthesized and tested for polymerization activity. Ethylene polymerizations were performed in the presence of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines – additives that generally deactivate nickel polymerization catalysts. Inhibition of this deactivation was observed with the syn atropisomer of the bimetallic species, but not with the anti or monometallic analogues. A mechanism was proposed wherein steric repulsion of the substituents on proximal nickel centers disfavors simultaneous ligation of base to both of the metal centers. The bimetallic effect has been explored with respect to size and binding ability of the added base.

Chapter 4 presents the optimization of the bisphenoxyimine ligand synthesis and synthesis of syn and anti m-terphenyl analogues. Metallation with NiClMe(PMe₃)₂ yielded phosphine-ligated dinickel complexes, which have been structurally characterized. Ethylene/1-hexene copolymerizations in the presence of amines using Ni(COD)₂ as a phosphine scavenger showed significantly improved activity relative to the pyridine-ligated analogues. Incorporation of amino olefins in copolymerizations with ethylene was accomplished, and a mechanism was proposed based on proximal effects. Copolymerization trials with a variety of amino olefins and ethylene/1-hexene/amino olefin terpolymerizations were completed.

Early transition metal complexes based on the rigid p-terphenyl framework were designed with a variety of donor sets (Chapter 5 and Appendix B). Chapter 5 details the use of syn dizirconium di[amine bis(phenolate)] complexes for isoselective 1-hexene and propylene homopolymerizations. Ligand variation and monometallic complexes were studied to determine the origin of tacticity control. A mechanistic proposal was presented based on the symmetry at zirconium and the steric effects of the proximal metal center. Appendix B covers additional studies of bimetallic early transition metal complexes based on the p-terphenyl. Dititanium, dizirconium, and asymmetric complexes with bisphenoxyiminato ligands and derivatives thereof were targeted. Progress toward the synthesis of these complexes is described along with preliminary polymerization data. 1-hexene/diene copolymerizations and attempted polymerizations in the presence of ethers and esters with the syn dizirconium di[amine bis(phenolate)] complexes demonstrate the potential for further applications of this system in catalysis.

Appendix A includes work toward palladium catalysts for insertion polymerization of polar monomers. These complexes were based on dioxime and diimine frameworks with the intent of binding Lewis acidic metals at the oxime oxygens, at pendant phenolic donors, or at pendant aminediol moieties. The synthesis and structural characterization of a number of palladium and Lewis acid complexes is presented. Due to the instability of the desired species, efforts toward isolation of the desired complexes proved unsuccessful, though preliminary ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymerizations using in situ activation of the palladium species were attempted.

Polymerization of functionalized olefins with neutral group ten catalysts

This thesis describes the preparation, characterization, and application of welldefined single-component group ten salicylaldimine complexes for the polymerization of ethylene to high molecular weight materials as well as the copolymerization of ethylene and functionalized olefins. After an initial introduction to the field, Chapter 2 describes the preparation of PPh₃ complexes that contain a series of modified salicylaldimine and naphthaldimine ligands. Such complexes were activated for polymerization by the addition of cocatalysts such as Ni(COD)₂ or B(C₆F₅)₃. As the steric demand of the ligand set increased-the molecular weight, polymerization activity, and lifetime of the catalyst was observed to increase. In fact, complexes containing "bulky" ligands, such as the [^Anthr,HSal] ligand (2.5), were found to be highly-active single component complexes for the polymerization of ethylene. Model hydrido compound were prepared-allowing for a better understanding of both the mechanism of polymerization and one mode of decomposition.

Chapter 3 describes the effect which additives play on neutral Ni^II polymerization catalysts such as 2.5. The addition of excess ethers, esters, ketones, anhydrides, alcohols, and water do not deactivate the catalysts for polymerization. However, the addition of excess acid, thiols, and phosphines was observed to shut-down catalysis. Since excess phosphine was found to inhibit catalysis, "phosphine-free" complexes, such as the acetonittile complex (3.26), were prepared. The acetonitrile complex was found to be the most active neutral polymerization catalyst prepared to date.

Chapter 4 outlines the use of catalyst 2.5 and 3.26 for the preparation of linear functionalized copolymers containing alcohols, esters, anhydrides, and ethers. Copolymers can be prepared with γ-functionalized-α-olefins, functionalized norbornenes, and functionalized tricyclononenes, with up to 30 mol% comonomer incorporation.

Chapter 5 outlines the preparation of a series of Pt^II alkyl/olefin salicylaldimine complexes which serve as models for the active species in the Ni^II-catalyzed polymerization process. Understanding the nature of the M-olefin interaction as a the electronic and steric properties of the salicylaldimine ligand is varied has allowed for a number of predictions about the design of future polymerization systems.

Biological Activity of Rhodium Metalloinsertors and the Design of Bifunctional Conjugates

The Barton laboratory has established that octahedral rhodium complexes bearing the sterically expansive 5,6-chrysene diimine ligand can target thermodynamically destabilized sites, such as base pair mismatches, in DNA with high affinity and selectivity. These complexes approach DNA from the minor groove, ejecting the mismatched base pairs from the duplex in a binding mode termed metalloinsertion. In recent years, we have shown that these metalloinsertor complexes also exhibit cytotoxicity preferentially in cancer cells that are deficient in the mismatch repair (MMR) machinery.

Here, we establish that a sensitive structure-activity relationship exists for rhodium metalloinsertors. We studied the relationship between the chemical structures of metalloinsertors and their effect on biological activity for ten complexes with similar DNA binding affinities, but wide variation in their lipophilicity. Drastic differences were observed in the selectivities of the complexes for MMR-deficient cells. Compounds with hydrophilic ligands were highly selective, exhibiting preferential cytotoxicity in MMR-deficient cells at low concentrations and short incubation periods, whereas complexes with lipophilic ligands displayed poor cell-selectivity. It was discovered that all of the complexes localized to the nucleus in concentrations sufficient for mismatch binding; however, highly lipophilic complexes also exhibited high mitochondrial uptake. Significantly, these results support the notion that mitochondrial DNA is not the desired target for our metalloinsertor complexes; instead, selectivity stems from targeting mismatches in genomic DNA.

We have also explored the potential for metalloinsertors to be developed into more complex structures with multiple functionalities that could either enhance their overall potency or impart mismatch selectivity onto other therapeutic cargo. We have constructed a family of bifunctional metalloinsertor conjugates incorporating cis-platinum, each unique in its chemical structure, DNA binding interactions, and biological activity. The study of these complexes in MMR-deficient cells has established that the cell-selective biological activity of rhodium metalloinsertors proceeds through a critical cellular pathway leading to necrosis.

We further explored the underlying mechanisms surrounding the biological response to mismatch recognition by metalloinsertors in the genome. Immunofluorescence assays of MMR-deficient and MMR-proficient cells revealed that a critical biomarker for DNA damage, phosphorylation of histone H2AX (γH2AX) rapidly accumulates in response to metalloinsertor treatment, signifying the induction of double strand breaks in the genome. Significantly, we have discovered that our metalloinsertor complexes selectively inhibit transcription in MMR-deficient cells, which may be a crucial checkpoint in the eventual breakdown of the cell via necrosis. Additionally, preliminary in vivo studies have revealed the capability of these compounds to traverse the complex environments of multicellular organisms and accumulate in MMR-deficient tumors. Our ever-increasing understanding of metalloinsertors, as well as the development of new generations of complexes both monofunctional and bifunctional, enables their continued progress into the clinic as promising new chemotherapeutic agents.

同源四倍体水稻三系亲本的遗传差异、细胞遗传学比较研究及低直链淀粉含量突变体Wx基因序列分析

同源四倍体水稻（2N=4X=48,AAAA）是由二倍体水稻（2N=2X=24,AA）通过秋水仙素诱导染色体加倍后得到的新品系，具有优良的抗病性以及较高的蛋白质含量。因此，在四倍体水平上挖掘水稻的增产潜力成为水稻育种的新手段。同源四倍体水稻具有很强的遗传可塑性和很弱的遗传保守性，利用其作为水稻远缘杂交的桥梁，从野生物种中不断地引进有益的基因，这将有助于杂交水稻的多代利用和固定水稻的杂种优势。但是迄今为止，还没有关于同源四倍体水稻遗传多样性，遗传背景的报道。目前世界关于同源四倍体水稻的研究主要集中在中国，主要研究方向为培育、筛选结实正常的亲本材料，配置和筛选结实率正常或接近正常的组合。经过几十年研究，虽然在材料构建，细胞学研究等方面取得了较大进展，但同样由于结实率低的瓶颈问题未解决，而使多倍体水稻育种未能取得实质性进展。而近年来一些关于同源四倍体水稻低结实率机理的细胞学研究也由于缺乏统计学数据而缺乏说明性。本文用SSR标记，对选取的36个结实率正常同源四倍体水稻三系亲本和14个来源二倍体亲本，分析他们的遗传差异和群体遗传结构。本文还利用我们培育的高、低结实率的同源四倍体水稻恢复系、优良保持系和杂种F1及二倍体对照为材料，进行系统深入的细胞遗传学研究，进一步探讨同源四倍体水稻有性传递后代的发育过程，探索分裂期染色体行为特征与遗传性状稳定性的关系，为进一步选育多倍体水稻品种并将其应用于生产提供理论依据。同源四倍体水稻突变株D4063-1直链淀粉含量比来源二倍体明恢63下降一半,即其直链淀粉含量为5.23%，为研究其直链淀粉含量下降的原因，本文还根据普通水稻Wx基因设计引物，扩增测序获得了D4063-1Wx基因的全序列，与已报道Wx基因进行比对分析，并根据D4063-1和籼稻、粳稻的序列差异并根据D4063-1在该片段上的特征序列位点设计了用于识别D4063-1的寡核苷酸片段,为快速、准确的鉴别低直链淀粉的D4063-1创造了条件。 SSR标记具有基因组分布广泛、数量丰富、多态性高、容易检测、共显性、结果稳定可靠、实验重现性好、操作简单、经济、易于高通量分析等许多优点，被认为是用于遗传多样性、品种鉴定、物种的系统发育、亲缘关系及起源等研究的非常有效的分子标记。本研究选取了中国科学院成都生物所培育的同源四倍体和二倍体水稻亲本，并用36个微卫星标记进行了遗传差异和种群遗传结构分析。在50个品系中，我们观察到较高水平的多态性，每基因等位基因数（Ae）分布于2至6之间（平均值3.028），多态性信息含量（PIC）分布于0.04至0.76之间（平均值0.366）；期望杂合度（He）分布于0.04至0.76之间（平均值0.370），Shannon指数（I）分布于0.098至1.613之间（平均值0.649）。同源四倍体品系的等位基因数，期望杂合性和Shannon指数都比二倍体品系高。在供试50个品系中，较多材料均发现Rare基因，根据SSR多态性指数我们构建了同源四倍体和二倍体水稻的核心指纹库。F-统计值表明遗传差异主要存在于同源四倍体品系中（Fst=0.066）。聚类分析结果表明50个品系可以分为4个组。I组包括所有的同源四倍体和二倍体籼稻保持系，以及一个同源四倍体籼稻雄性不育系及其来源二倍体。II组仅包括IR来源的品系。III组比II组和IV组更复杂，包括同源四倍体和二倍体籼稻恢复系品系。IV组包括同源四倍体和二倍体粳稻品系。此外,由于等位基因及配子的遗传差异,同源四倍体与二倍体品系中存在单位点和双位点的遗传差异。分析结果表明,二倍体和四倍体水稻基因库的不同,其中遗传变异可以区分四倍体与二倍体水稻。同源四倍体水稻具有长期而独立的遗传性，我们能够选育并得到与二倍体亲本相比有特殊优良农艺性状的品系。 本研究以高结实率的同源四倍体水稻恢复系DTP-4、D明恢63及优良保持系D46B为材料进行农艺性状及细胞遗传学比较研究。DTP-4、D明恢63及保持系D46B的的染色体组成均为2N=4X=48，花粉母细胞具有较为理想的减数分裂行为，配对染色体的比率在99%以上，这与理论染色体组构成相符。DTP-4和D明恢63PMC减数分裂各个时期单价体和三价体的比例都非常低，而在MI， PMC观察到较多的二价体和四价体且四价体多以环状形式出现，其最大频率的染色体构型分别为12II 6IV和10II 7IV。恢复系DTP-4和D明恢63在MI四价体频率分别为2.00/PMC和2.26/PMC，而保持系D46B在MI四价体频率为6.00/PMC，极显著地高于恢复系品系，表明保持系D46B具有更好的染色体配对性质；AI保持系D46B的染色体滞后频率为10.62%，远低于恢复系材料DTP－4和D明恢63的19.44％和23.14％，接近二倍体对照明恢63的7.30%水平；TI保持系D46B具有比恢复系更低频率的微核数。而在TII，D46B的正常四分小孢子比率不但高于恢复系品系甚至高于二倍体对照。对高低结实率的同源四倍体水稻恢复系和杂种F1代的花粉育性，结实率和细胞遗传学行为进行了比较研究。DTP-4, D明恢63, D46A´DTP-4和D46A´D明恢63的花粉育性和结实率比D什香和D46A´D什香显著提高。减数分裂分析的结果表明，DTP-4，D明恢63，D什香，D46A´DTP-4，D46A´D明恢63和D46A´D什香其减数分裂染色体构型分别为：0.05I +19.96 II (9.89棒状+10.07环状) +0.01III + 2.20 IV, 0.11I +19.17 II (8.90 棒状+10.37 环状) +0.09III + 2.26 IV + 0.01 VI, 1.33I +9.46 II (4.50 棒状+4.96 环状) +0.44III + 6.02 IV + 0.09VI + 0.09 VIII, 0.02I +14.36 II (6.44 棒状+7.91 环状) +0.01III + 4.80IV + 0.01VIII, 0.06 I +17.67 II (11.01 棒状+6.67 环状) +0.06 III + 3.10 IV + 0.01 VI and 1.11 I +11.31 II (5.80 棒状+5.51 环状) +0.41 III + 5.63 IV+0.03VI+0.03VIII。在同源四倍体水稻恢复系和杂种F1代材料中，最常见的染色体构型为16II +4IV和12II +6IV。在减数分裂过程中，结实率较高的材料染色体异常现象较少而结实率较低的材料染色体异常现象较严重。在杂种F1代中，二价体的比例要低于其相应的恢复系亲本，同样的，单价体，三价体和多价体的比例相比其恢复系亲本也偏低。然而，在减数分裂MI，杂种F1代中四价体的比例要显著高于其恢复系亲本。在中期I，每细胞单价体的比例和花粉育性呈现出极高的负相关(-0.996)，当单价体数目升高时，花粉育性下降。其次是每细胞三价体的比例(-0.987)，之后则是每细胞多价体的比例与花粉育性的负相关(-0.948)。但是统计分析表明，二价体和四价体的比例对花粉育性和结实率没有显著影响。这一结果表明出了花粉育性和细胞减数分裂行为的相关性，同源四倍体的减数分裂行为为筛选高结实率的同源四倍体种系提供了理论依据。 突变体是遗传学研究的基本材料。利用突变体克隆水稻基因,并进而研究基因的生物学功能是水稻功能基因组学的重要研究内容。本课题组在多年的四倍体水稻育种研究中已获得多个低直链淀粉含量突变体，其中一些突变体在直链淀粉含量下降的同时，胚乳外观也发生了显著改变，呈半透明或不透明。同源四倍体水稻突变株D4063-1直链淀粉含量比来源二倍体明恢63下降一半,即其直链淀粉含量为5.23%。为研究其直链淀粉含量下降的原因，我们根据普通水稻Wx基因设计引物，扩增测序获得了D4063-1Wx基因的全序列，与已报道Wx基因进行比对分析；同源四倍体水稻D4063-1Wx基因最显著变化为在外显子序列中发生了碱基缺失，导致移码突变，在第9外显子终止密码子提前出现。D4063-1Wx基因碱基位点的变化还导致了其序列上的酶切位点的变化,对常用限制性内切酶位点分析分析结果表明同源四倍体水稻相对于籼稻和粳稻多了2个sph1酶切位点，相对于粳稻减少了6个Acc1，增加了4个Xba1，1个Xho1，1个Pst1和1个Sal1酶切位点。聚类分析表明D4063-1Wx基因序列与籼稻亲源关系较近，由此推测D4063-1Wx基因来源于籼稻的Wxa基因型。另外，根据D4063-1Wx基因的碱基差异，我们推测D4063-1Wx基因外显子碱基变化导致的RNA加工障碍是其直链淀粉降低的主要原因，并可能与其米饭较软等品质相关。本文还根据D4063-1和籼稻、粳稻的序列差异并根据D4063-1在该片段上的特征序列位点设计了用于识别D4063-1的寡核苷酸片段,并作为PCR反应的引物命名为AUT4063-1,将该引物与我们设计的扩增普通籼稻、粳稻的Wx基因引物F5配合使用建立了识别D4063-1的显性和共显性两种检测方式的分子标记,为快速、准确的鉴别低直链淀粉的D4063-1创造了条件。 研究同源四倍体水稻基因组的遗传差异，探索同源四倍体水稻的遗传规律，研究分裂期染色体行为特征与遗传性状稳定性的关系,旨在揭示四倍体水稻中同源染色体配对能力的遗传差异，为进一步选育多倍体水稻品种并将其应用于生产提供理论依据。 Autotetraploid rice (2N=4X=48, AAAA) is a new germplasm developed from diploid rice (2N=2X=24, AA) through chromosomes doubling with colchicines and is an excellent resource for desirable resistance genes to the pathogens and high protein content. Therefore, heterosis utilization on polyploidy is becoming a new strategy in rice breeding. At present, the main research on autotetraploid rice centralizes in China. Breeding effort has been made to improve autotetraploid rice genetically, however, the progresses are limited due to higher degree of divergence between hybrid sterility and polygenic nature. But to date, almost nothing is reported about the genetic diversity, original and genetic background of autotetraploid rice. Despite several reports on cytological analysis of the mechanisms of low seed set in autotetraploid rice still the results are inconclusive due to lack the statistical evaluation. Therefore, the study on the mechanisms of low seed set in autotetraploid is a priority for rice breeding. Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are the widely used marker for estimating genetic diversity in many species, including wild, weedy, and cultivated rice. In our research, genetic diversity and population genetic structure of autotetraploid and diploid populations collected from Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences were studied based on 36 microsatellite loci. For the total of 50 varieties, a moderate to high level of genetic diversity was observed at population levels with the number of alleles per locus (Ae) ranging from 2 to 6 (mean 3.028) and PIC ranging from 0.04 to 0.76 (mean 0.366). The expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0.04 to 0.76 with the mean of 0.370 and Shannon’s index (I) ranging from 0.098 to 1.613 (mean 0.649). The autotetraploid populations showed a slightly higher level of effective alleles, the expected heterozygosity and Shannon’s index than that of diploid populations. Rare alleles were observed at most of the SSR loci in one or more of the 50 accessions and core fingerprint database of the autotetraploid and diploid rice was constructed. The F-statistics showed that genetic variability mainly existed among autotetraploid populations rather than among diploid populations (Fst=0.066). Cluster analysis of the 50 accessions showed four major groups. Group I contained all of the autotetraploid and diploid indica maintainer lines and a autotetraploid and its original diploid indica male sterile lines. Groups II contained only original of IR accessions. Group III was more diverse than either group II or IV and comprised of both autotetraploid and diploid indica restoring lines. Group IV included japonica cluster of the autotetraploid and diploid rices. Furthermore, genetic differences at the single-locus and two-locus levels, as well as components due to allelic and gametic differentiation, were revealed between autotetraploid and diploid varieties. This analysis indicated that the gene pools of diploid and autotetraploid rice are somewhat dissimilar, which made a variation that distinguishes autotetraploid from diploid rices. Using this variation, we can breed new autotetraploid varieties with some new important agricultural characters but the diploid rice has not. Cytogenetic characteristics in restorer lines DTP-4, DMinghui63 and maintainer line D46B of autotetraploid rices were studied. DTP-4, DMinghui63 and D46B showed the advantage of high seed set and biological yield. The meiotic chromosome behavior was slightly irregular in DTP-4, DMinghui63 and D46B. We observed less univalent, trivalent and multivalent at MI, but more bivalent and quadrivalent were observed. The most frequent chromosome configurations were 12II 6IVand 10II 7IV in restorer and maintainer lines, respectively. The quadrivalent frequency of DTP-4 and Dminghui63 at metaphase(MI) was respectively 2.00/PMC and 2.26/PMC. However that frequency of D46B was 6.00/PMC, which was greatly significantly higher than DTP-4 and Dminghui63. That indicates the maintainer D46B has better chromosome pairing capability in metaphase (MI). The frequency of lagging chromosomes of the maintainer D46B at anaphaseI (AI) was 10.62%, which was significantly lower than that of DTP-4(19.44%) and Dminghui63(23.14%) and nearly reaching the level of diploid CK(7.30%). In telophaseI (TI) maintainer D46B showed lower frequency of microkernel at TI and lower frequency of abnormal spores at telophaseII(TII). We also studied pollen fertility, seed set and cytogenetic characteristics of restorer lines and F1 hybrids of autotetraploid rice. DTP-4, DMinghui63, D46A´DTP-4 and D46A´DMinghui63 showed significantly higher pollen fertility and seed set than DShixiang and D46A´DShixiang. Pairing configurations in PMC of DTP-4, DMinghui63, DShixiang, D46A´DTP-4, D46A´DMinghui63 and D46A´DShixiang were 0.05 I+19.96 II (9.89 rod+10.07 ring)+0.01 III+2.20 IV, 0.11 I+19.17 II (8.90 rod+10.37 ring)+0.09 III+2.26 IV+0.01 VI, 1.33 I+9.46 II (4.50 rod+4.96 ring)+0.44 III+6.02 IV+0.09 VI+0.09 VIII, 0.02 I+14.36 II (6.44 rod+7.91 ring)+0.01 III+4.80 IV+0.01V III, 0.06 I+17.67 II (11.01 rod+6.67 ring)+0.06 III+3.10 IV+0.01 VI and 1.11 I+11.31 II (5.80 rod+5.51 ring)+0.41 III+5.63 IV+0.03 VI+0.03 VIII, respectively. Configuration 16 II+4 IV and 12 II+6 IV occurred in the highest frequency among the autotetraploid restorers and hybrids. Meiotic chromosome behaviors were less abnormal in the tetraploids with high seed set than those with low seed set. The hybrids had fewer frequencies of bivalents, univalents, trivalents and multivalents than the restorers, but higher frequency of quatrivalents than the restorers at MI. The frequency of univalents at M1 had the most impact on pollen fertility and seed set, i.e., pollen fertility decreased with the increase of univalents. The secondary impact factors were trivalents and multivalents, and bivalents and quatrivalents had no effect on pollen fertility and seed set. The correlative relationship between pollen fertility and cytogenetic behaviors could be utilized to improve seed set in autotetraploidy breeding. The amylose content of autotetraploid indica mutant Rice D4063-1 dropped by half than diploid Minghui 63, that is, its amylose content of 5.23%.The whole sequence of Waxy gene of D4063-1 is amplified and sequenced. And the discrepancy of bases is found comparing to the reported Waxy gene. The Waxy gene of autotetraploid Rice D4063-1 had a base deletion in exon sequence, which resulted frameshift mutation in exon 9 and termination codon occur early. The mutation of Wx also led to the change of some common restriction endonuclease sites. Results showed compared to indica and japonica, D4063-1 had two adding sph1 sites. Compared to japonica, D4063-1 had six decreasing Acc1, a adding Xho1, Pst1 and Sal1 restriction sites. Phylogeny analysis shows that the DNA sequence of Waxy gene of D4063-1 is closer to Indica, and we suppose that the Waxy gene of D4063-1 is origin from genotype Wxa. In addition, according to the base differences of Wx in D4063-1, we deduce that RNA processing obstacle led by base change of intron is the main cause to low the amylose content, and related to phenotype of its soft rice. Based on analysis of fragments of D4063-1, indica and japonica and according to the special point of the three species, primers as markers-AUT4063-I were designed for distinguishing the D4063-1 from other rice. Combining with primer pair F5, dominant and codominant ways were established for discriminating them., rapid and correct identification of D4063-1 from other rice could be done. The genetic analysis is important to ensure the original of autotetraploid rice, for maintaining the “distinctiveness” of autotetraploid varieties, and to differentiate between the various genetic background of autotetraploid rice. The autotetraploid breeding will benefit from detailed analysis of genetic diversity in the germplasm collections. Further investigation on mechanisms of meiotic stability should benefit polyploid breeding. These findings demonstrated opportunity to improve meiotic abnormalities as well as grain fertilities in autotetraploid rice.

Duplicating "sunlight'' from simple WOLEDs for lighting applications

Simple single-dopant white organic light-emitting devices (WOLEDs) with optimized efficiency/color quality/brightness trade-offs are developed; the white light produced shows the best color quality ever exhibited by WOLEDs at very high brightness, and is even able to duplicate the natural sunlight source.