C-C spin-coupling constants in crystalline C-labeled saccharides: conformational effects interrogated by solid-state C NMR spectroscopy.

Solid-state C NMR spectroscopy has been used in conjunction with selectively C-labeled mono- and disaccharides to measure C-C spin-couplings (J) in crystalline samples. This experimental approach allows direct correlation of J values with specific molecular conformations since, in crystalline samples, molecular conformation is essentially static and can be determined by X-ray crystallography. J values measured in the solid-state in known molecular conformations can then be compared to corresponding J values calculated in the same conformations using density functional theory (DFT).

Cyclodextrin Rotaxane with Switchable Pirouetting.

A [1]rotaxane with two threaded α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) wheels was synthesized in 92% yield using a one-pot process at room temperature that employed spontaneous α-CD threading onto a 12-carbon alkyl chain in water followed by an oxime condensation reaction that attached two boronic acid-containing stopper groups. Rapid pirouetting of the threaded α-CD wheels around the encapsulated dumbbell was switched "ON" or "OFF" by the presence of chemical additives that controlled boronate ester bond formation between the interlocked components.

Synthesis and shift-reagent-assisted full NMR assignment of bacterial (Z,E,ω)-undecaprenol.

The repeating isoprene unit is a fundamental biosynthetic motif. The repetitive structure presents challenges both for synthesis and for structural characterization. In this synthesis of the (Z,E,ω)-undecaprenol of prokaryotic glycobiology, we exemplify solutions to these challenges.

Conformationally organized lysine isosteres in M protein mediate direct high-affinity binding to human plasminogen.

The binding of human plasminogen (hPg) to the surface of the human pathogen group A (GAS) and subsequent hPg activation to the protease plasmin generate a proteolytic surface that GAS employs to circumvent host innate immunity. Direct high-affinity binding of hPg/plasmin to pattern D GAS is fully recapitulated by the hPg kringle 2 domain (K2) and a short internal peptide region (a1a2) of a specific subtype of bacterial surface M protein, present in all GAS pattern D strains. To better understand the nature of this binding, critical to the virulence of many GAS skin-tropic strains, we used high-resolution NMR to define the interaction of recombinant K2 with recombinant a1a2 (VKK38) of the M protein from GAS isolate NS455.

Targeted Antibiotic Delivery: Selective Siderophore Conjugation with Daptomycin Confers Potent Activity against Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Both in Vitro and in Vivo.

In order to address the dire need for new antibiotics to treat specific strains of drug resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, a mixed ligand analog of the natural Acinetobacter baumannii selective siderophore, fimsbactin, was coupled to daptomycin, a Gram-positive only antibiotic. The resulting conjugate 11 has potent activity against multidrug resistant strains of A. baumannii both in vitro and in vivo.

Discerning the Role of the Hydroxyproline Residue in the Structure of Conantokin Rl-B and Its Role in GluN2B Subunit-Selective Antagonistic Activity toward N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors.

Conantokins (con) are short γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla)-containing polypeptides expressed by marine snails that function as antagonists of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) ion channels. The Gla residues govern structural conformations and antagonistic activities of the conantokins. In addition to Gla, some conantokins, e.

AAC(3)-XI, a new aminoglycoside 3-N-acetyltransferase from Corynebacterium striatum.

Corynebacterium striatum BM4687 was resistant to gentamicin and tobramycin but susceptible to kanamycin A and amikacin, a phenotype distinct among Gram-positive bacteria. Analysis of the entire genome of this strain did not detect any genes for known aminoglycoside resistance enzymes. Yet, annotation of the coding sequences identified 12 putative acetyltransferases or GCN5-related N-acetyltransferases.

Hydroxyproline-induced Helical Disruption in Conantokin Rl-B Affects Subunit-selective Antagonistic Activities toward Ion Channels of N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors.

Conantokins are ~20-amino acid peptides present in predatory marine snail venoms that function as allosteric antagonists of ion channels of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). These peptides possess a high percentage of post-/co-translationally modified amino acids, particularly γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla). Appropriately spaced Gla residues allow binding of functional divalent cations, which induces end-to-end α-helices in many conantokins.

Ring contraction of 2,5-dihydrobenzo[f][1,2,5]thiadiazepine 1,1-dioxides: access to 4H-benzo[b][1,4]thiazine 1,1-dioxides.

We report an efficient synthesis of 4H-benzo[b][1,4]thiazine 1,1-dioxides via unprecedented ring contraction of 2,5-dihydrobenzo[f][1,2,5]thiadiazepine 1,1-dioxides under mild conditions involving carbon-sulfur bond formation. 2,5-Dihydrobenzo[f][1,2,5]thiadiazepine 1,1-dioxides are easily accessible from commercially available building blocks, including Fmoc-protected amino acids, 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chlorides, and bromo ketones. Benzothiazine 1,1-dioxides represent pharmacologically relevant derivatives with biological, medicinal, and industrial applications.

TCR scanning of peptide/MHC through complementary matching of receptor and ligand molecular flexibility.

Although conformational changes in TCRs and peptide Ags presented by MHC protein (pMHC) molecules often occur upon binding, their relationship to intrinsic flexibility and role in ligand selectivity are poorly understood. In this study, we used nuclear magnetic resonance to study TCR-pMHC binding, examining recognition of the QL9/H-2L(d) complex by the 2C TCR. Although the majority of the CDR loops of the 2C TCR rigidify upon binding, the CDR3β loop remains mobile within the TCR-pMHC interface.

Conformational preferences of zampanolide and dactylolide.

The solution conformation behavior of the macrolide core of microtubule-stabilizing agents (-)-zampanolide and (-)-dactylolide has been determined through a combination of high-field NMR experiments and computational modeling. Taken together, the results demonstrate that in solution both molecules exist as a mixture of three interconverting conformational families, one of which bears strong resemblance to zampanolide's tubulin-bound conformation.

Synthesis and NMR characterization of (Z,Z,Z,Z,E,E,ω)-heptaprenol.

We describe a practical, multigram synthesis of (2Z,6Z,10Z,14Z,18E,22E)-3,7,11,15,19,23,27-heptamethyl-2,6,10,14,18,22,26-octacosaheptaen-1-ol [(Z(4),E(2),ω)-heptaprenol, 4] using the nerol-derived sulfone 8 as the key intermediate. Sulfone 8 is prepared by the literature route and is converted in five additional steps (18% yield from 8) to (Z(4),E(2),ω)-heptaprenol 4. The use of Eu(hfc)(3) as an NMR shift reagent not only enabled confirmation of the structure and stereochemistry of 4, but further enabled the structural assignment to a major side product from a failed synthetic connection.

Selective molecular sequestration with concurrent natural product functionalization and derivatization: from crude natural product extracts to a single natural product derivative in one step.

A resin-bound nitroso compound sequestered a single unexpected component from crude plant seed extracts. Several plants, including Piper nigrum, Eugenia caryophyllata, and Pimenta dioica, were extracted with organic solvent in the presence of a nitroso-containing resin. The nitroso resin selectively sequestered a single compound, β-caryophyllene, via a chemo- and regioselective ene reaction.

Structure and compatibility of a magnesium electrolyte with a sulphur cathode.

Magnesium metal is an ideal rechargeable battery anode material because of its high volumetric energy density, high negative reduction potential and natural abundance. Coupling Mg with high capacity, low-cost cathode materials such as electrophilic sulphur is only possible with a non-nucleophilic electrolyte. Here we show how the crystallization of the electrochemically active species formed from the reaction between hexamethyldisilazide magnesium chloride and aluminum trichloride enables the synthesis of a non-nucleophilic electrolyte.

Elucidation of the structure of the membrane anchor of penicillin-binding protein 5 of Escherichia coli.

Penicillin-binding protein 5 (PBP 5) of Escherichia coli is a membrane-bound cell wall dd-carboxypeptidase, localized in the outer leaflet of the cytosolic membrane of this Gram-negative bacterium. Not only is it the most abundant PBP of E. coli, but it is as well a target for penicillins and is the most studied of the PBP enzymes.

Solution structure of the complex of VEK-30 and plasminogen kringle 2.

The solution structure of the complex containing the isolated kringle 2 domain of human plasminogen (K2(Pg)) and VEK-30, a 30-amino acid residue internal peptide from a streptococcal M-like plasminogen (Pg) binding protein (PAM), has been determined by multinuclear high-resolution NMR. Complete backbone and side-chain assignments were obtained from triple-resonance experiments, after which structure calculations were performed and ultimately refined by restrained molecular simulation in water. We find that, in contrast with the dimer of complexes observed in the asymmetric unit of the crystal, global correlation times and buoyant molecular weight determinations of the complex and its individual components showed the monomeric nature of all species in solution.

A general and efficient approach for NMR studies of peptide dynamics in class I MHC peptide binding grooves.

T-Cell receptor recognition of peptides bound by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins initiates a cellular immune response. Dynamics of peptides within MHC binding grooves can influence TCR recognition, yet NMR studies which could address this rigorously have been hindered by the expense of isotopically labeled peptides and the large size of peptide-MHC complexes. Here we describe a methodology for characterizing peptide dynamics within MHC binding grooves via NMR, using a biosynthetic approach for producing labeled peptide.

Diastereoselective synthesis of a spironoraristeromycin using an acylnitroso Diels-Alder reaction.

The tert-butyl N-hydroxycarbamate-derived nitroso reagent 1 reacted with N-Cbz-protected spirocyclic diene 2 to provide spirocycloadduct 3. Here we describe the efficient conversion of 3 into the novel carbocyclic nucleoside spironoraristeromycin 4.

Remarkably efficient synthesis of 2H-indazole 1-oxides and 2H-indazoles via tandem carbon-carbon followed by nitrogen-nitrogen bond formation.

Base-catalyzed tandem carbon-carbon followed by nitrogen-nitrogen bond formations quantitatively converted N-alkyl-2-nitro-N-(2-oxo-2-aryl-ethyl)-benzenesulfonamides to 2H-indazoles 1-oxides under mild conditions. Triphenylphosphine or mesyl chloride/triethylamine-mediated deoxygenation afforded 2H-indazoles.

Aminoglycoside 2''-phosphotransferase type IIIa from Enterococcus.

Aminoglycoside 2''-phosphotransferases mediate high level resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics in Gram-positive microorganisms, thus posing a serious threat to the treatment of serious enterococcal infections. This work reports on cloning, purification, and detailed mechanistic characterization of aminoglycoside 2''-phosphotransferase, known as type Ic enzyme. In an unexpected finding, the enzyme exhibits strong preference for guanosine triphosphate over adenosine triphosphate as the phosphate donor, a unique observation among all characterized aminoglycoside phosphotransferases.

Iminonitroso Diels-Alder reactions for efficient derivatization and functionalization of complex diene-containing natural products.

A remarkably efficient method for derivatization of complex diene-containing natural products by using stabilized iminonitroso Diels-Alder reactions is described. Turimycin H3, ergosterol, reductiomycin, isoforocidin, colchicine and thebaine were found to react with nitrosopyridines in a highly efficient regio- and stereoselective fashion. Preliminary bioactivity evaluations of turimycin cycloadducts are reported.

Kinetic mechanism of enterococcal aminoglycoside phosphotransferase 2"-Ib.

The major mechanism of resistance to aminoglycosides in clinical bacterial isolates is the covalent modification of these antibiotics by enzymes produced by the bacteria. Aminoglycoside 2''-Ib phosphotransferase [APH(2'')-Ib] produces resistance to several clinically important aminoglycosides in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the product of kanamycin A phosphorylation revealed that modification occurs at the 2''-hydroxyl of the aminoglycoside.

Characterization of the bifunctional aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme ANT(3'')-Ii/AAC(6')-IId from Serratia marcescens.

A newly discovered bifunctional antibiotic resistance enzyme from Serratia marcescens catalyzes adenylation and acetylation of aminoglycoside antibiotics. The structure assignment of the enzymic products indicated that acetylation takes place on the 6'-amine of kanamycin A and the adenylation on 3''- and 9-hydroxyl groups of streptomycin and spectinomycin, respectively. The adenyltransferase domain appears to be highly specific to spectinomycin and streptomycin, while the acetyltransferase domain shows a broad substrate profile.