2'-Fluoro-Pyrimidine-Modified RNA Aptamers Specific for Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein (LBP).

Lipopolysaccaride binding protein (LBP), a glycosylated acute phase protein, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. LBP binds with high affinity to the lipid part of bacterial lipopolysaccaride (LPS). Inhibition of the LPS-LBP interaction or blockage of LBP-mediated transfer of LPS monomers to CD14 may be therapeutical strategies to prevent septic shock.

In vitro selection of RNA aptamers against a conserved region of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1.

The var-gene encoding Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is known to play a major role in the pathogenicity of the P. falciparum parasite. The protein enables the parasite to adhere to the endothelial linings of small blood vessels (cytoadherence) as well as to non-infected erythrocytes (rosetting), thus preventing clearance from the bloodstream.

Construction of polyamine-modified uridine and adenosine derivatives--evaluation of DNA binding capacity and cytotoxicity in vitro.

We here report the synthesis of the two polyamine-based nucleoside derivatives 5-{[bis-(3-aminopropyl)amino]acetamido-1-propynyl}uridine and 2-{[bis-(3-aminopropyl)amino]-acetamido-1-propynyl}adenosine. The various polyamine derivatives have been used in thermal melting analysis using DNA from herring testes, and in cellular studies using four different cell lines. The compounds were all found to be non-toxic, thus holding good promise for future use as siRNA building blocks.

{1-[1-(3-Carboxy-propanamido)eth-yl]-1',2-bis-(diphenyl-phosphino)ferrocene-κP,P'}dichloridoplatinum(II) dichloro-methane 1.25-solvate.

The dinuclear title compound, [FePtCl(2)(C(17)H(14)P)(C(23)H(23)NO(3)P)]·1.25CH(2)Cl(2), has a slightly distorted cis-PtCl(2)P(2) square-planar geometry around the Pt atom, and the ferrocenylphosphine ligands are staggered at an angle of 29.4 (2)° about Pt.

Kinetic preference for interaction of cisplatin with the G-C-rich wobble basepair region in both tRNAAla and MhAla.

The anticancer active complex cisplatin interacts preferentially with the common, G-C rich, wobble base pair region of both tRNA(Ala) and Mh(Ala) in a reaction that at pH 6.3 is rate limited by the acid hydrolysis of the metal complex.

A comparative kinetic study of modified Pt(dppf)Cl2 complexes and their interactions with L-cys and L-met.

With the success of cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)), strong interest has developed in the application of inorganic metal complexes to the treatment of cancer. Research has focused on platinum(II) complexes with a variety of spectator ligands that provide novel physicochemical properties. In this paper we report a kinetic study of 1',1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenedichloroplatinum(II) and two related compounds with either an acetate or amide ester substituent attached to the cyclopentadienyl ring.

Improved contact tracing of Chlamydia trachomatis in a Swedish county--is genotyping worthwhile?

The vast majority of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections are non-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Efficient contact tracing and screening programmes are the most effective means to reveal these infections. We conducted a prospective study on the effects of contact tracing performed by specially trained midwives in a centralized municipality-based organization during one year.

Characterization of ompA genotypes by sequence analysis of DNA from all detected cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infections during 1 year of contact tracing in a Swedish County.

In this study we aimed to characterize the ompA gene by sequencing DNA from all detected cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a Swedish county during 2001, in order to improve the efficiency of contact tracing. Approximately 990 bp of the ompA gene was amplified, and sequence analysis was achieved in 678 (94%) of 725 C. trachomatis-positive cases in this unselected population.

Catalysis by RNase P RNA: unique features and unprecedented active site plasticity.

Metal ions are essential cofactors for precursor tRNA (ptRNA) processing by bacterial RNase P. The ribose 2'-OH at nucleotide (nt) -1 of ptRNAs is known to contribute to positioning of catalytic Me2+. To investigate the catalytic process, we used ptRNAs with single 2'-deoxy (2'-H), 2'-amino (2'-N), or 2'-fluoro (2'-F) modifications at the cleavage site (nt -1).

Selection of hammerhead ribozyme variants with low Mg2+ requirement: importance of stem-loop II.

Variants of the hammerhead ribozyme with high in trans (intermolecular) cleavage activity at low Mg(2+) concentrations were in vitro selected from a library with 18 nucleotides randomised in the core and in helix II. The most active hammerhead ribozyme selected had the same sequence as the consensus ribozyme in the core but only two base pairs in stem II, G(10.1)-C(11.