In Situ Pinpoint Photopolymerization of Phos-Tag Polyacrylamide Gel in Poly(dimethylsiloxane)/Glass Microchip for Specific Entrapment, Derivatization, and Separation of Phosphorylated Compounds

An improved method for the online preconcentration, derivatization, and separation of phosphorylated compounds was developed based on the affinity of a Phos-tag acrylamide gel formed at the intersection of a polydimethylsiloxane/glass multichannel microfluidic chip toward these compounds. The acrylamide solution comprised Phos-tag acrylamide, acrylamide, and N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide, while 2,2′-azobis[2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide] was used as a photocatalytic initiator. The Phos-tag acrylamide gel was formed around the channel crossing point via irradiation with a 365 nm LED laser. The phosphorylated peptides were specifically concentrated in the Phos-tag acrylamide gel by applying a voltage across the gel plug. After entrapment of the phosphorylated compounds in the Phos-tag acrylamide gel, 5-(4,6-dichlorotriazinyl)aminofluorescein (DTAF) was introduced to the gel for online derivatization of the concentrated phosphorylated compounds. The online derivatized DTAF-labeled phosphorylated compounds were eluted by delivering a complex of phosphate ions and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid as the separation buffer. This method enabled sensitive analysis of the phosphorylated peptides.

(μ-2,2′,2′′,2′′′-{[Pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetrayltetrakis(methylene)]tetrakis(sulfanediyl)}tetraacetato)bis[aquanickel(II)] heptahydrate

Reaction of the ligand 2,2′,2′′,2′′′-{[pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetrayltetrakis(methylene)]tetrakis(sulfanediyl)}tetraacetic acid (H4L1), with NiCl2 leads to the formation of a binuclear complex, (μ-2,2′,2′′,2′′′-{[pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetrayltetrakis(methylene)]tetrakis(sulfanediyl)}tetraacetato-κ5 O,S,N 1,S′,O′:κ5 O′′,S′′,N 4,S′′′,O′′′)bis[aquanickel(II)] heptahydrate, {[Ni2(C16H16N2O8S4)(H2O)2]·7H2O} (I). It crystallizes with two half molecules in the asymmetric unit. The complete molecules are generated by inversion symmetry, with the center of the pyrazine rings being located at crystallographic centres of inversion. The ligand coordinates two NiII ions in a bis-pentadentate manner and the sixfold coordination sphere of each nickel(II) atom (NiS2O3N) is completed by a water molecule. The complex crystallized as a hepta-hydrate. The binuclear complexes are linked by Owater—H...Ocarbonyl hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the (101) plane. This layered structure is additionally stabilized by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Further O—H...O hydrogen bonds involving binuclear complexes and solvent water molecules, together with weak C—H...S hydrogen bonds, link the layers to form a supramolecular framework.

Bacterial Product Template Domain: An Evolutionary Intermediate between Dehydratase and Aldol Cyclase of Type I Polyketide Synthases

The product template (PT) domains act as an aldol cyclase to control the regiospecific aldol cyclization of the extremely reactive poly-β-ketone intermediate assembled by an iterative type I polyketide synthases (PKSs). Up to now, only the structure of fungal PksA PT that mediates the first-ring cyclization via C4-C9 aldol cyclization is available. We describe here the structural and computational characterization of a bacteria PT domain that controls C2-C7 cyclization in orsellinic acid (OSA) synthesis. Mutating the catalytic His949 of the PT abolishes production of OSA and results in a tetraacetic acid lactone (TTL) generated by spontaneous O-C cyclization of the acyl carrier protein (ACP)-bound tetraketide intermediate. Crystal structure of the bacterial PT domain closely resembles dehydrase (DH) domains of modular type I PKSs in the overall fold, dimerization interface and catalytic “His-Asp” dyad organization, but is significantly different from PTs of fungal iterative type I PKSs. QM/MM calculation reveals that the catalytic His949 abstracts a proton from C2 and transfers it to C7 carbonyl to mediate the cyclization reaction. According to the structural similarity to DHs and the functional similarity to fungal PTs, we propose that the bacterial PT represents an evolutionary intermediate between the two tailoring domains of type I PKSs.

MIXED-LIGAND HETEROMETALLIC COMPLEXES OF Ge(IV)-M2+ (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) WITH 1,3-DIAMINO-2-HYDROXYPROPANE N,N,N',N'-TETRAACETIC ACID

There have been developed a novel synthetic method that allowed to obtain raw of mixed-ligand heterometallic binuclear complexes of Ge(IV)-M2+ (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) with 1,3-diamino‑2-hydroxypropane N, N, N’, N’-tetraacetic acid (H5hpdta). Compounds have been characterized by the set of methods: elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, IR‑spectroscopy, spectrum of diffuse reflection, magnetic suspensibility. According to the elemental analysis, the molar ratio Ge: M: H5hpdta: bipy= 1:1:1:1 in the obtained compounds 1‑5 corresponds to the formula [(H2O)(OH)Ge(m-hpdta)M(bipy)]·nН2О (M=Mn n=3 (1), Fe n=2 (2), Co n=4 (3), Ni n=4 (4), Zn n=3 (5). Complexes have yellow (1), red (2), orange (3), violet (4) and pink (5) colors and are stable on air. Compounds 1‑5 exist in the form of crystal hydrates, that contain certain amount of water molecules, that are eliminated into the gas phase while heating in the wide range of temperatures (t=80‑250 °C), which is accompanied with the low-temperature endothermic effect. This indicates the presence of a system of stable hydrogen bonds in their crystal structure. Analysis of the IR‑spectra 1‑5 revealed that form and coordination of ligands is similar. Deprotonation of all carboxylic groups in the ligands (H5hpdta) and their bonding to germanium and d-metal is confirmed with the absence in the IR‑spectra 1‑5 absorption bands characteristic for the free СООН H5hpdta (1716 сm‑1) and nas(СОО-) і ns(СОО-) bands. Disappearance of the ν(С-OН)-1210 сm‑1 and appearance of the ν(С-O)alk., νas(Ge-O-M), νs(Ge-O- M) absorption band indicates that OH‑group of H5hpdta is deprotonated and performs bridging function. 2,2`-bipyridine bidentatly coordinates to the d-metal, binds to the O, N‑atoms of hpdta5- ligand and reaches coordination number 6. The last ligand plays the bringing role between Ge-dmetal, shows itself as ditopic, octadentate in total. According to the magnetic moments of 3, 4 and their diffuse reflection spectra, polyhedrons of Co (II), Ni (II) are octahedrons, which are realized due to the bidentate coordination of bipyridine and four bonds with nitrogen and oxygen of hpdta5-. Structure of heterometallic binuclear complexes 1‑5 is similar. Ligand hpdta5- shows itself as octadentate ditopic, all carboxylate groups monodentatly coordinate to metals, oxygen atom of the deprotonated OH‑group performs the bridging function.

Alteration of Fractionation and Bioavailability of Arsenic (As) in Paddy Soil under Transition from Aerobic to Anaerobic Conditions

The impact of the change from aerobic to anaerobic immersed soil conditions on arsenic (As) fractionation (Tessier’s method) and its bioavailability (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid extractable) were assessed. As-contaminated paddy soils were tested by laboratory simulation experiments. The samples were aerobic, with 35-49 mg/kg of As at low bioavailability (<2%). Most As was distributed in the stable fraction (77%), followed by As bound to ferric and manganese oxide (17%) and organic compounds (5%), while the mobile fraction (exchangeable and mildly acid-soluble) was limited (1%). After one month under anaerobic simulation, redox potential reduced to less than zero (-32 to -124 mV). The stable fraction of As decreased (-17%), while the mobile fraction increased (+16%) and As bioavailability also increased (+26% total As). Increase in the As mobile fraction was associated with freshly precipitated compounds. The As content in the soil altered from a stable fraction to an available fraction when confined in an anaerobic environment for a long period. Results indicated that agricultural methods which promoted anaerobic conditions in As-contaminated soil should be avoided.