Chemical synthesis and structure elucidation of bovine K-casein (1-44)

The caseins (αs1, αs2, β, and κ) are phosphoproteins present in bovine milk that have been studied for over a century and whose structures remain obscure. Here we describe the chemical synthesis and structure elucidation of the N-terminal segment (1–44) of bovine κ-casein, the protein which maintains the micellar structure of the caseins. κ-Casein (1–44) was synthesised by highly optimised Boc solid-phase peptide chemistry and characterised by mass spectrometry. Structure elucidation was carried out by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CD analysis demonstrated that the segment was ill defined in aqueous medium but in 30% trifluoroethanol it exhibited considerable helical structure. Further, NMR analysis showed the presence of a helical segment containing 26 residues which extends from Pro8 to Arg34. This is the first report which demonstrates extensive secondary structure within the casein class of proteins.

HIGH-Tc superconductivity in perovskite oxides of the Y-Ba-Cu-O system

Several biphasic compositions of the type Y3-xBa3+xCu6O14 show an onset of superconductivity in the 90-115K range, attaining zero resistance in the 70-85K range. The phase responsible for superconductivity in these compositions is a perovskite oxide of composition YBa2Cu3 O7. This oxide annealed in oxygen shows the onset of superconductivity at 120K and zero resistance at 87K. YBa2,Cu3O7 shows the highest Meissner effect of all oxide superconductors. The superconducting behaviour of the two perovskite oxides, Y0.95Ba1.95,Cu3O7 and Y1.05Ba1.95Cu3O7 show interesting features; a marked decrease in resistivity is observed from room temperature itself in the former oxide with zero resistance at 89K. Electron microscopy and infrared spectra of these oxides are briefly discussed.

Conformations Of Peptides Containing 1-Aminocyclohexane-Carboxylic Acid (Acc6) - Crystal-Structures Of 2 Model Peptides

The crystal structures of two peptides containing 1-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (Acc6) are described. Boc-Aib-Acc6-NHMe · H2O adopts a β-turn conformation in the solid state, stabilized by an intramolecular 4 → 1 hydrogen bond between the Boc CO and methylamide NH groups. The backbone conformational angles (φAib = – 50.3°, ψAib = – 45.8°; φAcc6 = – 68.4°, ψAcc6 = – 15°) lie in between the values expected for ideal Type I or III β-turns. In Boc-Aib-Acc6-OMe, the Aib residue adopts a partially extended conformation (φAib = – 62.2°, ψAib = 143°) while the Acc6residue maintains a helical conformation (φAcc6 = 48°, ψAcc6= 42.6°). 1H n.m.r. studies in CDCl3 and (CD3)2SO suggest that Boc-Aib-Acc6-NHMe maintains the β-turn conformation in solution.

The ethyl, 1- and 2-propyl, and other simple alky carbanions do not exist

A combination of experimental data and theoretical calculations has been used to estimate the electron affinities of simple primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl radicals and the proton affinities of the corresponding anions. With the exception of cyclopropyl, such carbanionsâ are indicated to be unstable towards loss of an electron and are not expected to exist as long-lived species in the gas phase.

EPR study on the role of Mn in enhancing PTC of BaTiO3

Low concentration of Mn (< 0.05 atom%) added to lanthanide-doped ceramics for enhancing the PTC effect did not show any EPR signal due to Mn in the tetragonal phase. Above Tc (400 K) it showed the six-line signal arising from Mn2+. This is explained on the basis of Mn existing as Mn3+ ion with short relaxation time at room temperature. Oxidation state changes to Mn2+ above Tc; thus Mn3+ acts as an electron trap. This augments the function of activated defect centres (VBa /ag VBa) in diminishing the charge carrier concentration across the phase transformation.

Detection of equine herpesvirus type 1 using a real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) is a major disease of equids worldwide causing considerable losses to the horse industry. A variety of techniques, including PCR have been used to diagnose EHV1. Some of these PCRs were used in combination with other techniques such as restriction enzyme analysis (REA) or hybridisation, making them cumbersome for routine diagnostic testing and increasing the chances of cross-contamination. Furthermore, they involve the use of suspected carcinogens such as ethidium bromide and ultraviolet light. In this paper, we describe a real-time PCR, which uses minor groove-binding probe (MGB) technology for the diagnosis of EHV1. This technique does not require post-PCR manipulations thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Most importantly, the technique is specific; it was able to differentiate EHV1 from the closely related member of the Alphaherpesvirinae, equid herpesvirus 4 (EHV4). It was not reactive with common opportunistic pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter agglomerans often involved in abortion. Similarly, it did not react with equine pathogens such as Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus equisimilis, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Taylorella equigenitalis and Rhodococcus equi, which also cause abortion. The results obtained with this technique agreed with results from published PCR methods. The assay was sensitive enough to detect EHV1 sequences in paraffin-embedded tissues and clinical samples. When compared to virus isolation, the test was more sensitive. This test will be useful for the routine diagnosis of EHV1 based on its specificity, sensitivity, ease of performance and rapidity.

Multiplex real-time PCR for the detection and differentiation of equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equid herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4).

A multiplex real-time PCR was designed to detect and differentiate equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equid herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4). The PCR targets the glycoprotein B gene of EHV-1 and EHV-4. Primers and probes were specific to each equine herpesvirus type and can be used in monoplex or multiplex PCRs, allowing the differentiation of these two closely related members of the Alphaherpesvirinae. The two probes were minor-groove binding probes (MGB?) labelled with 6-carboxy-fluorescein (FAM?) and VIC® for detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4, respectively. Ten EHV-1 isolates, six EHV-1 positive clinical samples, one EHV-1 reference strain (EHV-1.438/77), three EHV-4 positive clinical samples, two EHV-4 isolates and one EHV-4 reference strain (EHV-4 405/76) were included in this study. EHV-1 isolates, clinical samples and the reference strain reacted in the EHV-1 real-time PCR but not in the EHV-4 real-time PCR and similarly EHV-4 clinical samples, isolates and the reference strain were positive in the EHV-4 real-time PCR but not in the EHV-1 real-time PCR. Other herpesviruses, such as EHV-2, EHV-3 and EHV-5 were all negative when tested using the multiplex real-time PCR. When bacterial pathogens and opportunistic pathogens were tested in the multiplex real-time PCR they did not react with either system. The multiplex PCR was shown to be sensitive and specific and is a useful tool for detection and differentiation of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in a single reaction. A comprehensive equine herpesvirus disease investigation procedure used in our laboratory is also outlined. This procedure describes the combination of alphaherpesvirus multiplex real-time PCR along with existing gel-based PCRs described by other authors.

Stereochemistry of Peptides Containing 1-AminocyclopentanecarboxylicA cid ( Am5): Solution and Solid-state Conformations of Boc-Acc '-Acc'-NHMe

The conformational analysis of a protected homodipeptide of 1-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (Acc5) has been carried out. 1H-nmr studies establish a -turn conformation for Boc-Acc5-Acc5-NHMe in chloroform and dimethylsulfoxide solutions involving the methylamide NH in an intramolecular hydrogen bond. Supportive evidence for the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond is obtained from ir studies. X-ray diffraction studies reveal a type III -turn conformation in the solid state stabilized by a 4 1 hydrogen bond between the Boc CO and methylamide NH groups. The , values for both Acc5 residues are close to those expected for an ideal 310-helical conformation ( ± 60°, ±30°).

Determination of the thermodynamic properties of xMgO + (1 x)MnO (s, sln) from a solid-electrolyte galvanic cell in the temperature range 1163 to 1318 K

The thermodynamic activities of MgO in the NaCl-type solid solutions which can exist in xMgO + (1 x)MnO have been determined in the temperature range 1163 to 1318 K from a solid-state galvanic cell incorporating MgF2 as the solid electrolyte. The activities of MnO have been calculated by a graphical Gibbs-Duhem integration method. The activities of both the components exhibit positive deviations from ideality over the entire composition range. The excess molar enthalpies are found to be positive. Further, xMgO + (1 - x)MnO does not conform to regular-solution behaviour. The origin of the excess thermodynamic properties is discussed in relation to the cationic size disparity and the crystal-field effects.

GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 subunits are expressed in cultured human RPE cells and GABAA receptor agents modify the intracellular calcium concentration.

Purpose: Gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors (GABAARs), which are ionotropic receptors involving chloride channels, have been identified in various neural (e.g., mouse retinal ganglion cells) and nonneural cells (e.g., mouse lens epithelial cells) regulating the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i). GABAAR β-subunit protein has been isolated in the cultured human and rat RPE, and GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 mRNAs and proteins are present in the chick RPE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1, two important subunits in forming functional GABAARs, in the cultured human RPE, and further to explore whether altering receptor activation modifies [Ca(2+)]i. Methods: Human RPE cells were separately cultured from five donor eye cups. Real-time PCR, western blots, and immunofluorescence were used to test for GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 mRNAs and proteins. The effects of the GABAAR agonist muscimol, antagonist picrotoxin, or the specific GABAAρ antagonist 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl) methylphosphinic acid (TPMPA) on [Ca(2+)]i in cultured human RPE were demonstrated using Fluo3-AM. Results: Both GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 mRNAs and proteins were identified in cultured human RPE cells; antibody staining was mainly localized to the cell membrane and was also present in the cytoplasm but not in the nucleus. Muscimol (100 μM) caused a transient increase of the [Ca(2+)]i in RPE cells regardless of whether Ca(2+) was added to the buffer. Muscimol-induced increases in the [Ca(2+)]i were inhibited by pretreatment with picrotoxin (300 μM) or TPMPA (500 μM). Conclusions: GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 are expressed in cultured human RPE cells, and GABAA agents can modify [Ca(2+)]i.

1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl]prop-2-enone

In the title compound, C17H15Cl2NO, the dimethylaminophenyl group is close to coplanar with the central propenone group [dihedral angle =13.1 (1)degrees between the mean planes], while the dichlorophenyl group is twisted from the plane [dihedral angle = 64.0 (1)degrees].In the crystal, C-H center dot center dot center dot O and weak C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions are formed between molecules.

4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylpyridine-2,6(1H,3H)-dione

In the title compound, C18H15NO3, the pyridine-2,6-dione ring adopts an envelope conformation. The phenyl ring lies approximately perpendicular to the mean plane of the pyridine-2,6-dione ring [dihedral angle =81.5 (1)degrees], while the methoxyphenyl ring is tilted to the same plane by a dihedral angle of 34.8 (1)degrees. Intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions link the molecules into chains along [100].

4-[2-(1-Acetyl-2-oxopropylidene)-hydrazino]-N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

In the title compound, C15H15N5O4S, the dihedral angle between the pyrimidine and benzene rings is 84.56 (2)degrees. Intramolecular hydrazine-carbonyl N-H center dot center dot center dot O and intermolecular sulfonamide-pyridimine N-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonds stabilize the molecular and crystal structures, respectively.

A computerized methodology for structural synthesis of kinematic chains: Part 1- Formulation

In an effort to develop a fully computerized approach for structural synthesis of kinematic chains the steps involved in the method of structural synthesis based on transformation of binary chains [38] have been recast in a format suitable for implementation on a digital computer. The methodology thus evolved has been combined with the algebraic procedures for structural analysis [44] to develop a unified computer program for structural synthesis and analysis of simple jointed kinematic chains with a degree of freedom 0. Applications of this program are presented in the succeeding parts of the paper.

Thermally Induced Acyl Migration in Salicylamides. 1. Structures of the Reactants, O-Acetylsalicylamide and O-Benzoylsalicylamide

O-Acetylsalicylamide (Ia), C9H9NO3, M r =179.18, monoclinic, P2Jc, a=8.155(5), b=8.571 (2), c= 13.092 (3)A, fl=99.54 (5) ° , V= 902.4(6)A 3, Z=4, Dm=l.31, Dx=l.319gcm -3, 2(Mo Ka) = 0.71069 A,/~ = 1.08 cm -1, F(000) = 376, T = 295 K, R = 0.076 for 1604 reflections. O-Benzoylsalicylamide (Ib), C14HtlNO 3, M,=241.2, monoclinic, P2t/e, a=9.423(1), b=5.116(1), e= 26.424 (2) A, fl= 103.97 (1)% V= 1236.2 (3)/~3, Z= 4, D~ = 1.28, D x = 1.296 gcm -3, ,;L(Cu Ks) = 1.5418 A, p = 7.71 cm-', F(000) = 504, T= 295 K, R =0.050 for 2115 reflections. The dihedral angles between the amide group and the benzene ring are 39.9 ° (Ia) and 37.9 ° (Ib), whereas between the acyl group and the benzene ring they are 78.1 ° (Ia) and 93.4 ° (Ib). The differences in the packing of the two structures are brought out in terms of the observed hydrogen-bonding patterns. Based on the crystallographic results, an intramolecular mechanism for the migration of the acyl group from the O to the N position is suggested in both compounds.