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Primary kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) on a series of carboxylic acid-catalyzed protonation reactions of aryl-substituted alpha-methoxystyrenes (X-1) to form oxocarbenium ions have been computed using the second-order Kleinert variational perturbation theory (KP2) in the framework of Feynman path integrals (PI) along with the potential energy surface obtained at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level. Good agreement with the experimental data was obtained, demonstrating that this novel computational approach for computing KIEs of organic reactions is a viable alternative to the traditional method employing Bigeleisen equation and harmonic vibrational frequencies. Although tunneling makes relatively small contributions to the lowering of the free energy barriers for the carboxylic acid catalyzed protonation reaction, it is necessary to include tunneling contributions to obtain quantitative estimates of the KIEs. Consideration of anharmonicity can further improve the calculated KIEs for the protonation of substituted alpha-methoxystyrenes by chloroacetic acid, but for the reactions of the parent and 4-NO(2) substituted alpha-methoxystyrene with substituted carboxylic acids, the correction of anharmonicity overestimates the computed KIEs for strong acid catalysts. In agreement with experimental findings, the largest KIEs are found in nearly ergoneutral reactions, DeltaG(o) approximately 0, where the transition structures are nearly symmetric and the reaction barriers are relatively low. Furthermore, the optimized transition structures are strongly dependent on the free energy for the formation of the carbocation intermediate, that is, the driving force DeltaG(o), along with a good correlation of Hammond shift in the transition state structure.

Studies of nonenzymatic electrophilic catalysis of carbon deprotonation of glycine show that pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) strongly enhances the carbon acidity of alpha-amino acids, but that this is not the overriding mechanistic imperative for cofactor catalysis. Although the fully protonated PLP-glycine iminium ion adduct exhibits an extraordinary low alpha-imino carbon acidity (pK(a)=6), the more weakly acidic zwitterionic iminium ion adduct (pK(a)=17) is selected for use in enzymatic reactions. The similar alpha-imino carbon acidities of the iminium ion adducts of glycine with 5'-deoxypyridoxal and with phenylglyoxylate show that the cofactor pyridine nitrogen plays a relatively minor role in carbanion stabilization. The 5'-phosphodianion group of PLP likely plays an important role in catalysis by providing up to 12 kcal/mol of binding energy that may be utilized for transition state stabilization.

Schramm and coworkers have punched holes into human purine nucleoside phosphorylase by substitution of glycine for aromatic amino acid residues at a protein lid. The results of studies on the enzymes with holes illuminate hidden chemistry that occurs at the enzyme active site.

Closure of the active site phosphate gripper loop of orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScOMPDC) over the bound substrate orotidine 5'-monophosphate (OMP) activates the bound substrate for decarboxylation by at least 10(4)-fold [Amyes, T. L., Richard, J. P., and Tait, J. J. (2005) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 15708-15709]. The 19-residue phosphate gripper loop of the mesophilic ScOMPDC is much larger than the nine-residue loop at the ortholog from the thermophile Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus (MtOMPDC). This difference in loop size results in a small decrease in the total intrinsic phosphate binding energy of the phosphodianion group of OMP from 11.9 to 11.6 kcal/mol, along with a modest decrease in the extent of activation by phosphite dianion of decarboxylation of the truncated substrate 1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)orotic acid. The activation parameters DeltaH(double dagger) and DeltaS(double dagger) for k(cat) for decarboxylation of OMP are 3.6 kcal/mol and 10 cal K(-1) mol(-1) more positive, respectively, for MtOMPDC than for ScOMPDC. We suggest that these differences are related to the difference in the size of the active site loops at the mesophilic ScOMPDC and the thermophilic MtOMPDC. The greater enthalpic transition state stabilization available from the more extensive loop-substrate interactions for the ScOMPDC-catalyzed reaction is largely balanced by a larger entropic requirement for immobilization of the larger loop at this enzyme.

Product distributions for the reaction of glycolaldehyde labeled with carbon-13 at the carbonyl carbon ([1-(13)C]-GA) catalyzed by triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) in D(2)O at pD 7.0 in the presence of phosphite dianion and in its absence were determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. We observe three products for the relatively fast phosphite-activated reaction (Amyes, T. L., and Richard, J. P. (2007) Biochemistry 46, 5841-5854): [2-(13)C]-GA from isomerization with intramolecular transfer of hydrogen (12% of products), [2-(13)C,2-(2)H]-GA from isomerization with incorporation of deuterium from D(2)O at C-2 (64% of products), and [1-(13)C,2-(2)H]-GA from incorporation of deuterium from D(2)O at C-2 (23% of products). The much slower unactivated reaction in the absence of phosphite results in formation of the same three products along with the doubly deuterated product [1-(13)C,2,2-(2)H(2)]-GA. The two isomerization products ([2-(13)C]-GA and [2-(13)C,2-(2)H]-GA) are formed in the same relative yields in both the unactivated and the phosphite-activated reactions. However, the additional [1-(13)C,2-(2)H]-GA and the doubly deuterated [1-(13)C,2,2-(2)H(2)]-GA formed in the unactivated TIM-catalyzed reaction are proposed to result from nonspecific reaction(s) at the protein surface. The data provide evidence that phosphite dianion affects the rate, but not the product distribution, of the TIM-catalyzed reaction of [1-(13)C]-GA at the enzyme active site. They are consistent with the conclusion that both reactions occur at an unstable loop-closed form of TIM and that activation of the isomerization reaction by phosphite dianion results from utilization of the intrinsic binding energy of phosphite dianion to stabilize the active loop-closed enzyme.

Orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPDC) is an exceptionally proficient catalyst: the rate acceleration (k(cat)/k(non)) is 7.1 x 10(16), and the proficiency [(k(cat)/K(M))/k(non)] is 4.8 x 10(22) M(-1). The structural basis for the large rate acceleration and proficiency is unknown, although the mechanism has been established to involve a stabilized carbanion intermediate. To provide reaction coordinate context for interpretation of the values of k(cat), k(cat)/K(M), and kinetic isotope effects, we investigated the effect of solvent viscosity on k(cat) and k(cat)/K(M) for the OMPDCs from Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus (MtOMPDC) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScOMPDC). For MtOMPDC, we used not only the natural OMP substrate but also a catalytically impaired mutant (D70N) and a more reactive substrate (FOMP); for ScOMPDC, we used OMP and FOMP. With MtOMPDC and OMP, k(cat) is independent of solvent viscosity, indicating that decarboxylation is fully rate-determining; k(cat)/K(M) displays a fractional dependence of solvent viscosity, suggesting that both substrate binding and decarboxylation determine this kinetic constant. For ScOMPDC with OMP, we observed that both k(cat) and k(cat)/K(M) are fractionally dependent on solvent viscosity, suggesting that the rates of substrate binding, decarboxylation, and product dissociation are similar. Consistent with these interpretations, for both enzymes with FOMP, the increases in the values of k(cat) and k(cat)/K(M) are much less than expected based on the ability of the 5-fluoro substituent to stabilize the anionic intermediate; i.e., substrate binding and product dissociation mask the kinetic effects of stabilization of the intermediate by the substituent.

The reaction catalyzed by orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPDC) involves a stabilized anionic intermediate, although the structural basis for the rate acceleration (k(cat)/k(non), 7.1 x 10(16)) and proficiency [(k(cat)/K(M))/k(non), 4.8 x 10(22) M(-1)] is uncertain. That the OMPDCs from Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus (MtOMPDC) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScOMPDC) catalyze the exchange of H6 of the UMP product with solvent deuterium allows an estimate of a lower limit on the rate acceleration associated with stabilization of the intermediate and its flanking transition states (>or=10(10)). The origin of the "missing" contribution, or=10(10)), is of interest. Based on structures of liganded complexes, unfavorable electrostatic interactions between the substrate carboxylate group and a proximal Asp (Asp 70 in MtOMPDC and Asp 91 in ScOMPDC) have been proposed to contribute to the catalytic efficiency [Wu, N., Mo, Y., Gao, J., and Pai, E. F. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97, 2017-2022]. We investigated that hypothesis by structural and functional characterization of the D70N and D70G mutants of MtOMPDC and the D91N mutant of ScOMPDC. The substitutions for Asp 70 in MtOMPDC significantly decrease the value of k(cat) for decarboxylation of FOMP (a more reactive substrate analogue) but have little effect on the value of k(ex) for exchange of H6 of FUMP with solvent deuterium; the structures of wild-type MtOMPDC and its mutants are superimposable when complexed with 6-azaUMP. In contrast, the D91N mutant of ScOMPDC does not catalyze exchange of H6 of FUMP; the structures of wild-type ScOMPDC and its D91N mutant are not superimposable when complexed with 6-azaUMP, with differences in both the conformation of the active site loop and the orientation of the ligand vis a vis the active site residues. We propose that the differential effects of substitutions for Asp 70 of MtOMPDC on decarboxylation and exchange provide additional evidence for a carbanionic intermediate as well as the involvement of Asp 70 in substrate destabilization.

Little is known about the mechanisms of cell-cell fusion in development and diseases and, especially, about fusion stages downstream of an opening of nascent fusion pore(s). Earlier works on different cell-cell fusion reactions have indicated that cytoskeleton plays important role in syncytium formation. However, due to complexity of these reactions and multifaceted contributions of cytoskeleton in cell physiology, it has remained unclear whether cytoskeleton directly drives fusion pore expansion or affects preceding fusion stages. Here we explore cellular reorganization associated with fusion pore expansion in syncytium formation using relatively simple experimental system. Fusion between murine embryonic fibroblasts NIH3T3-based cells is initiated on demand by well-characterized fusogen influenza virus hemagglutinin. We uncouple early fusion stages dependent on protein fusogens from subsequent fusion pore expansion stage and establish that the transition from local fusion to syncytium requires metabolic activity of living cells. Effective syncytium formation for cells with disorganized actin and microtubule cytoskeleton argues against hypothesis that cytoskeleton drives fusion expansion.

Objective: Treatment of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws has been reported to be very difficult. In this article a small series of 7 patients, treated with a relatively simple protocol, similar to the treatment of chronic suppurative osteomyelitis, consisting of surgery and antimicrobial treatment, is reported., Study Design: A retrospective review of patients who were treated for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery during the period of 2002-2006 was performed. Seven patients, all treated with the low- and medium-potency bisphosphonates clodronate or pamidronate, were selected as having an established bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. Treatment consisted of sequestrectomy with curettage of the defect in combination with intravenous antimicrobial therapy., Results: In 6 patients, signs and symptoms disappeared during follow-up which varied from 5 to 52 months. One patient had fewer complaints and developed a stable area of denuded bone., Conclusion: From these data it is concluded that a protocol consisting of thorough surgical debridement of the infected and necrotic tissue, rounding off of the affected bone, and primary closure leaving no dead space, supported by intravenous antimicrobial therapy for 1 week, followed by oral administration for 3 weeks, might lead to predictable good results in cases of low- and medium-potency bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws.

The cyclization of 2-(hydroxypropyl)-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HpPNP) catalyzed by the dinuclear zinc complex of 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropane (1) proceeds by a transition state that is different from that of the uncatalyzed reaction. Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) measured in the nucleophilic atom and in the leaving group show that the uncatalyzed cyclization has a transition state (TS) with little phosphorus-oxygen bond fission to the leaving group ((18)k(lg) = 1.0064 +/- 0.0009 and (15)k = 1.0002 +/- 0.0002) and that nucleophilic bond formation occurs in the rate-determining step ((18)k(nuc) = 1.0326 +/- 0.0008). In the catalyzed reaction, larger leaving group isotope effects ((18)k(lg) = 1.0113 +/- 0.0005 and (15)k = 1.0015 +/- 0.0005) and a smaller nucleophile isotope effect ((18)k(nuc) = 1.0116 +/- 0.0010) indicate a later TS with greater leaving group bond fission and greater nucleophilic bond formation. These observed nucleophile KIEs are the combined effect of the equilibrium effect on deprotonation of the 2'-hydroxyl nucleophile and the KIE on the nucleophilic step. An EIE of 1.0245 for deprotonation of the hydroxyl group of HPpNP was obtained computationally. The different KIEs for the two reactions indicate that the effective catalysis by 1 is accompanied by selection for an altered transition state, presumably arising from the preferential stabilization by the catalyst of charge away from the nucleophile and toward the leaving group. These results demonstrate the potential for a catalyst using biologically relevant metal ions to select for an altered transition state for phosphoryl transfer.

The non-enzymatic reaction of 5'-deoxypyridoxal (DPL) with l-alanine in water at 25 degrees C was investigated. DPL reacts with alanine to form an imine, which then undergoes deprotonation at the alpha-amino carbon of alanine to form a resonance delocalized DPL-stabilized carbanion. At early reaction times the only detectable products are pyruvate and the dimeric species formed by addition of the alpha-pyridine stabilized carbanion to DPL. No Claisen-type products of addition of the alpha-amino carbanion to DPL, as was previously reported to form from the reaction between DPL and glycine [K. Toth, T.L. Amyes, J.P. Richard, J.P.G. Malthouse, M.E. Ni Beilliu, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126 (2004) 10538-10539], are observed. The electrophile reacts instead at the alpha-pyridyl carbon. This dimer is in chemical equilibrium with reactants. At longer reaction times about 50% of DPL is converted to 5'-deoxypyridoxamine, the thermodynamically favored product of formal transamination of DPL.

Gluconeogenesis is blocked in a strain of Escherichia coli that is deficient in triosephosphate isomerase, but it was restored by the insertion of a plasmid coding for an L-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate reductase (YghZ). This reductase provides a "bypass" that produces dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) by the consecutive enzyme-catalyzed reduction of L-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate ( L-GAP) by NADPH to give L-glycerol 3-phosphate and reoxidation by NAD(+) catalyzed by endogenous L-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase to give DHAP. The origin of cellular L-GAP remains to be determined.

Kinetic analysis of decarboxylation catalyzed by S154A, Q215A, and S154A/Q215A mutant yeast orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylases with orotidine 5'-monophosphate (OMP) and with a truncated nucleoside substrate (EO) activated by phosphite dianion shows (1) the side chain of Ser-154 stabilizes the transition state through interactions with the pyrimidine rings of OMP or EO, (2) the side chain of Gln-215 interacts with the phosphodianion group of OMP or with phosphite dianion, and (3) the interloop hydrogen bond between the side chains of Ser-154 and Gln-215 orients the amide side chain of Gln-215 to interact with the phosphodianion group of OMP or with phosphite dianion.

Velocities for the synthesis of trifluoroethyl 2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranoside by transfer of the 2-deoxygalactosyl group from β-galactosidase to trifluoroethanol were determined from studies of the β-galactosidase-catalyzed cleavage of 4-nitrophenyl-2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranoside as the difference in rates of appearance of 4-nitrophenoxide anion and 2-D-deoxygalactose. These data were used to calculate a rate constant ratio of k(ROH)/k(s) = 2.3 M(-1) for partitioning of the intermediate between addition of trifluoroethanol and solvent water. Velocities for the synthesis of other alkyl 2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranosides by transfer of the 2-deoxygalactosyl group from β-galactosidase to alkyl alcohols were determined from the effect of alkyl alcohols on the velocity of β-galactosidase-catalyzed cleavage of 4-nitrophenyl-2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranoside in a reaction where breakdown of the intermediate is rate determining. These data were used to calculate rate constant ratios k(ROH)/k(s) for the reactions of eight alkyl alcohols. Absolute rate constants k(ROH) (M(-1) s(-1)) were calculated from k(ROH)/k(s) and k(s) = 0.002 s(-1) for the addition of water. A Brønsted coefficient of β(nuc) = -0.07 ± 0.08 was determined as the slope of a logarithmic correlation of k(ROH) against alcohol pK(a). The change from a 2-OH to a 2-H substituent at the β-D-galactopyranosyl intermediate causes a 0.12 ± 0.04 increase in the value of β(nuc) for alcohol addition. This anti-Hammond effect provides evidence that general basecatalyzed addition of alcohols to an enzyme bound β-D-galactopyranosyl oxocarbenium ion intermediate proceeds along a reaction coordinate in which there is strong coupling between carbon-oxygen bond formation and proton transfer from the alcohol to a basic residue at the enzyme.

Direct social contact and social interaction affect speech development in human infants and are required in order to maintain perceptual abilities; however the processes involved are still poorly known. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that social segregation during development would prevent the proper development of a central auditory area, using a "classical" animal model of vocal development, a songbird. Based on our knowledge of European starling, we raised young female starlings with peers and only adult male tutors. This ensured that female would show neither social bond with nor vocal copying from males. Electrophysiological recordings performed when these females were adult revealed perceptual abnormalities: they presented a larger auditory area, a lower proportion of specialized neurons and a larger proportion of generalist sites than wild-caught females, whereas these characteristics were similar to those observed in socially deprived (physically separated) females. These results confirmed and added to earlier results for males, suggesting that the degree of perceptual deficiency reflects the degree of social separation. To our knowledge, this report constitutes the first evidence that social segregation can, as much as physical separation, alter the development of a central auditory area.

Categorization is essential to all cognitive processes, but identifying the neural substrates underlying categorization processes is a real challenge. Among animals that have been shown to be able of categorization, songbirds are particularly interesting because they provide researchers with clear examples of categories of acoustic signals allowing different levels of recognition, and they possess a system of specialized brain structures found only in birds that learn to sing: the song system. Moreover, an avian brain nucleus that is analogous to the mammalian secondary auditory cortex (the caudo-medial nidopallium, or NCM) has recently emerged as a plausible site for sensory representation of birdsong, and appears as a well positioned brain region for categorization of songs. Hence, we tested responses in this non-primary, associative area to clear and distinct classes of songs with different functions and social values, and for a possible correspondence between these responses and the functional aspects of songs, in a highly social songbird species: the European starling. Our results clearly show differential neuronal responses to the ethologically defined classes of songs, both in the number of neurons responding, and in the response magnitude of these neurons. Most importantly, these differential responses corresponded to the functional classes of songs, with increasing activation from non-specific to species-specific and from species-specific to individual-specific sounds. These data therefore suggest a potential neural substrate for sorting natural communication signals into categories, and for individual vocal recognition of same-species members. Given the many parallels that exist between birdsong and speech, these results may contribute to a better understanding of the neural bases of speech.

The ratio of the second-order rate constants for reduction of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and of the neutral truncated substrate glycolaldehyde (GLY) by glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NAD (+), GPDH) saturated with NADH is (1.0 x 10 (6) M (-1) s (-1))/(8.7 x 10 (-3) M (-1) s (-1)) = 1.1 x 10 (8), which was used to calculate an intrinsic phosphate binding energy of at least 11.0 kcal/mol. Phosphite dianion binds very weakly to GPDH ( K d > 0.1 M), but the bound dianion strongly activates GLY toward enzyme-catalyzed reduction by NADH. Thus, the large intrinsic phosphite binding energy is expressed only at the transition state for the GPDH-catalyzed reaction. The ratio of rate constants for the phosphite-activated and the unactivated GPDH-catalyzed reduction of GLY by NADH is (4300 M (-2) s (-1))/(8.7 x 10 (-3) M (-1) s (-1)) = 5 x 10 (5) M (-1), which was used to calculate an intrinsic phosphite binding energy of -7.7 kcal/mol for the association of phosphite dianion with the transition state complex for the GPDH-catalyzed reduction of GLY. Phosphite dianion has now been shown to activate bound substrates for enzyme-catalyzed proton transfer, decarboxylation, hydride transfer, and phosphoryl transfer reactions. Structural data provide strong evidence that enzymic activation by the binding of phosphite dianion occurs at a modular active site featuring (1) a binding pocket complementary to the reactive substrate fragment which contains all the active site residues needed to catalyze the reaction of the substrate piece or of the whole substrate and (2) a phosphate/phosphite dianion binding pocket that is completed by the movement of flexible protein loop(s) to surround the nonreacting oxydianion. We propose that loop motion and associated protein conformational changes that accompany the binding of phosphite dianion and/or phosphodianion substrates lead to encapsulation of the substrate and/or its pieces in the protein interior, and to placement of the active site residues in positions where they provide optimal stabilization of the transition state for the catalyzed reaction.

Catalysis is an important process in chemistry and enzymology. The rate acceleration for any catalyzed reaction is the difference between the activation barriers for the uncatalyzed (Delta G(HO)(#)) and catalyzed (Delta G(Me)(#)) reactions, which corresponds to the binding energy (Delta G(S)(#) = Delta G(Me)(#)-Delta G(HO)(#)) for transfer of the reaction transition state from solution to the catalyst. This transition state binding energy is a fundamental descriptor of catalyzed reactions, and its evaluation is necessary for an understanding of any and all catalytic processes. We have evaluated the transition state binding energies obtained from interactions between low molecular weight metal ion complexes or high molecular weight protein catalysts and the phosphate group of bound substrate. Work on catalysis by small molecules is exemplified by studies on the mechanism of action of Zn2(1)(H2O). A binding energy of Delta G(S)(#) = -9.6 kcal/mol was determined for Zn2(1)(H2O)-catalyzed cleavage of the RNA analogue HpPNP. The pH-rate profile for this cleavage reaction showed that there is optimal catalytic activity at high pH, where the catalyst is in the basic form [Zn2(1)(HO-)]. However, it was also shown that the active form of the catalyst is Zn2(1)(H2O) and that this recognizes the C2-oxygen-ionized substrate in the cleavage reaction. The active catalyst Zn2(1)(H2O) shows a high affinity for oxyphosphorane transition state dianions and a stable methyl phosphate transition state analogue, compared with the affinity for phosphate monoanion substrates. The transition state binding energies, Delta G(S)(#), for cleavage of HpPNP catalyzed by a variety of Zn2+ and Eu3+ metal ion complexes reflect the increase in the catalytic activity with increasing total positive charge at the catalyst. These values of Delta G(S)(#) are affected by interactions between the metal ion and its ligands, but these effects are small in comparison with Delta G(S)(#) observed for catalysis by free metal ions, where the ligands are water. Enzymes are unique in having evolved mechanisms to effectively utilize binding interactions with nonreacting fragments of the substrate in stabilization of the reaction transition state. Orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase, alpha-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase, and triosephosphate isomerase catalyze dissimilar decarboxylation, hydride transfer, and proton transfer reactions, respectively. Each enzyme derives ca. 12 kcal/mol of transition state stabilization from protein interactions with the nonreacting phosphate group, which is larger than the highest approximately 10 kcal/mol transition state stabilization that we have determined for small-molecule catalysis of phosphate diester cleavage in water. Each of these enzymes catalyze the slow reaction of a truncated substrate that lacks the phosphate group, and in each case, the reaction of the truncated substrate is strongly activated by the allosteric binding of the second substrate "piece" phosphite dianion, HPO3(2-). We propose a modular design for these enzymes with a classical active site that recognizes the reactive substrate fragment and a separate phosphodianion binding site. The second site is created, in part, by flexible protein loops that wrap around the substrate phosphodianion group and bury the substrate in an environment with an optimal local dielectric constant for the catalyzed reaction and with the most favorable positioning of the catalytic side chains. This design is easily generalized to a wide variety of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.

Equilibrium constants in D2O were determined by 1H NMR analyses for formation of imines/iminium ions from addition of glycine methyl ester to acetone and from addition of glycine to phenylglyoxylate. First-order rate constants, also determined by 1H NMR, are reported for deuterium exchange between solvent D2O and the alpha-amino carbon of glycine methyl ester and glycine in the presence of increasing concentrations of ketone and Brønsted bases. These rate and equilibrium data were used to calculate second-order rate constants for deprotonation by DO- and by Brønsted bases of the alpha-imino carbon of the ketone adducts. Formation of the iminium ion between acetone and glycine methyl ester and between phenylglyoxylate and glycine is estimated to cause 7 unit and 15 unit decreases, respectively, in the pKa's of 21 and 29 for deprotonation of the parent carbon acids. The effect of formation of iminium ions to phenylglyoxylate and to 5'-deoxypyridoxal (DPL) [Toth, K.; Richard, J. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 3013-3021] on the carbon acidity of glycine is similar. However, DPL is a much better catalyst than phenylglyoxylate of deprotonation of glycine, because of the exceptionally large thermodynamic driving force for conversion of the amino acid and DPL to the reactive iminium ion.

The catalytic base at the active site of triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) was labelled with -H by abstraction of a proton from substrate d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to form an enzyme-bound enediol(ate) in D2O solvent. The partitioning of this labelled enzyme between intramolecular transfer of -H to form dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), and irreversible exchange with -D from solvent was examined by determining the yields of H- and D-labelled products by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The yield of hydrogen-labelled product DHAP remains constant as the concentration of the basic form of imidazole buffer is increased from 0.014 to 0.56 M. This shows that the active site of free TIM, which has an open conformation needed to allow substrate binding, adopts a closed conformation at the enediolate-complex intermediate where the catalytic side chain is sequestered from interaction with imidazole dissolved in D2O.

The macrocycles 1,4,7-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclododecane (1), 1,4,7-tris[(N-ethyl)carbamoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (2), 1,4,7-tris[(N,N-diethyl)carbamoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (3) and their Eu(III) complexes are prepared. Studies using direct Eu(III) excitation luminescence spectroscopy show that all three Eu(III) complexes exhibit only one predominant isomer with two bound waters under neutral to mildly basic conditions (Eu(X)(H(2)O)(2) for X = 1-3). There are no detectable ligand ionizations over the pH range 5.0-8.0 for Eu(3), 5.0-8.5 for Eu(2) or 5.0-9.5 for Eu(1). The three Eu(III) complexes show a linear dependence of second-order rate constants for the cleavage of 4-nitrophenyl-2-hydroxyethylphosphate (HpPNP) on pH in the range 6.5-8.0 for Eu(3), 7.0-8.5 for Eu(2) and 7.0-9.0 for Eu(1). This pH-rate profile is consistent with the Eu(III) complex-substrate complex being converted to the active form by loss of a proton and with Eu(III) water pK(a) values that are higher than 8.0 for Eu(3), 8.5 for Eu(2) and 9.0 for Eu(1). Inhibition studies show that Eu() binds strongly to the dianionic ligand methylphosphate (K(d) = 0.28 mM), and more weakly to diethylphosphate (K(d) = 7.5 mM), consistent with a catalytic role of the Eu(III) complexes in stabilizing the developing negative charge on the phosphorane transition state.

The structures of the transition states for a variety of enzyme-catalyzed ribosyl group transfer reactions, determined by computational evaluation of multiple tritium and heavy atom kinetic isotope effects on these enzymatic reactions, have been found to show a considerable variation in the extent of bond cleavage at the ribosyl anomeric carbon. The calculated transition-state structures have been used to guide the design of high-affinity transition-state analogue inhibitors for 5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidases with potential as therapeutic agents.

The values of K(i) for methylphosphate dianion (MP(2-)) inhibition of the cleavage of 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HpPNP) catalyzed by 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropane (Zn(2)(1)(H(2)O)) approach a small limiting value of 6 microM at pH

Mononuclear complexes between Zn(2+) and the following four macrocycles were prepared: 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (1), 1-oxa-4,7,10-triazacyclododecane (2), 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane (3) and 1-hydroxyethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (4). The pH rate profiles of values of the observed second-order rate constant log (k(Zn))(app) for Zn(X)(OH(2))-catalyzed cleavage (X = 1, 2, 3 and 4) of 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HpPNP) show downward breaks centered at the pK(a) for ionization of the respective zinc bound water. At low pH, where the rate acceleration for the catalyzed reaction is largest, the stabilizing interaction between the catalyst and the bound transition state is 5.7, 7.4, 7.4 and 5.9 kcal mol(-1) for the reactions catalyzed by Zn(1)(OH(2)), Zn(2)(OH(2)), Zn(3)(OH(2)) and Zn(4)(OH(2)), respectively. The interactions between the metal cation and the macrocycle cause either a modest increase or reduction in transition state stabilization compared with 6.6 kcal mol(-1) stabilization for catalysis by Zn(OH(2))(6). The best Zn(II)-macrocycle catalysts are those for which the interactions between the metal ion and macrocycle are the weakest. Inhibition studies show that each of the four catalysts form complexes with phosphate and oxalate dianions with a much higher affinity than diethyl phosphate monoanion, consistent with stronger interaction of the catalysts with the transition state dianion compared with the substrate monoanion HpPNP. The pH-dependence of methyl phosphate inhibition of Zn(2) catalyzed cleavage of HpPNP shows that only the Zn(2)(OH(2)) species binds the inhibitor. This result is consistent with a mechanism that has Zn(2)(OH(2)) as the active catalytic species.

The complex between Eu(III) and 1,7-diaza-4,10,13-trioxacyclopentadecane-N,N'-diacetic acid (L4) was characterized by pH potentiometric titration and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The conversion of the monomer to a dimeric complex is observed as the pH is increased from 7 to 10 in a reaction that releases one mol/HO- per dimer formed. The dimeric complex undergoes a further ionization with a pKa of 10.7. Kinetic parameters are reported for the cleavage of the simple phosphodiester 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate catalyzed by both the monomeric and the dimeric Eu(III) complexes. These data show that the monomer and dimer stabilize their bound reaction transition states with similar free energies of 7.1 and 7.6 kcal/mol, respectively. Clearly, a bridging hydroxide is not an optimal linker to promote cooperative catalysis between Eu(III) centers in macrocycles with multiple polyaminocarboxylate pendent groups.

The interaction between ammonia and the benzene radical cation has been investigated by gas-phase studies of mass selected ion clusters {C(6)H(6)-(NH(3))(n=0-8)}(+) via tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry and through calculations. Experiments show a special stability for the cluster ion that contains four ammonias: {C(6)H(6)(NH(3))(4)}(+). Calculations provide evidence that the first ammonia forms a weak dative bond to the cyclohexadienyl radical cation, {C(6)H(6)-NH(3)}(+), where there is a transfer of electrons from ammonia to benzene. Additional solvating ammonia molecules form stabilizing hydrogen bonds to the ring-bound ammonia {C(6)H(6)-NH(3)}(+).(NH(3))(n), which cause cooperative changes in the structure of the cluster complex. Free ammonia is a weak hydrogen bond donor, but electron transfer from NH(3) to the benzene ring that strengthens the dative bond will increase the hydrogen acidity and the strength of the cluster hydrogen bonds to the added ammonia. A progressive "tightening" of this dative bond is observed upon addition of the first, second, and third ammonia to give a cluster stabilized by three N-(+)H x N hydrogen bonds. This shows that the energetic cost of tightening the dative bond is recovered with dividends in the formation of stable cluster hydrogen bonds.

Background: The most frequently performed osteotomy for correction of mandibular retrognathia is a bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Permanent neurosensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve is one of the most frequently and severe complications. Many authors have reported this, but the incidence differs widely. In the recent literature, only four authors have reported a percentage of less than 10% after 1 year follow-up., Objective: To determine the incidence of permanent neurosensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, and possible influences of the technique used., Patients and Methods: A series of 109 patients is reported who underwent a bilateral sagittal split mandibular ramus osteotomy with the use of separators and without the use of chisels. The segments were hold by rigid transbuccal screw fixation., Results: The incidence of neurosensory disturbances 1 year after surgery was 8.3%., Conclusion: The use of sagittal split separators without the use of chisels, may play an important role in the relatively low percentage of persistent hypoaesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve.

Rate and equilibrium constants were determined for protonation of ring-substituted -methoxystyrenes by hydronium ion and by carboxylic acids to form the corresponding ring-substituted alpha-methyl alpha-methoxybenzyl carbocations at 25 degrees C and I = 1.0 (KCl). The thermodynamic barrier to carbocation formation increases by 14.5 kcal/mol as the phenyl ring substituent(s) is changed from 4-MeO- to 3,5-di-NO2-, and as the carboxylic acid is changed from dichloroacetic to acetic acid. The Brønsted coefficient alpha for protonation by carboxylic acids increases from 0.67 to 0.77 over this range of phenyl ring substituents, and the Brønsted coefficient beta for proton transfer increases from 0.63 to 0.69 as the carboxylic acid is changed from dichloroacetic to acetic acid. The change in these Brønsted coefficients with changing reaction driving force, (inverted theta)alpha/ (inverted theta) deltaG(av) degrees=(inverted theta)beta/(inverted theta)delta G(av) degrees= 1/8lambda = 0.011, is used to calculate a Marcus intrinsic reaction barrier of lambda= 11 kcal/mol which is close to the barrier of 13 kcal/mol for thermoneutral proton transfer between this series of acids and bases. The value of alpha= 0.66 for thermoneutral proton transfer is greater than alpha= 0.50 required by a reaction that follows the Marcus equation. This elevated value of beta may be due to an asymmetry in the reaction coordinate that arises from the difference in the intrinsic barriers for proton transfer at the oxygen acid reactant and resonance-stabilized carbon acid product.

More than 80% of the rate acceleration for enzymatic catalysis of the aldose-ketose isomerization of (R)-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP) by triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) can be attributed to the phosphodianion group of GAP [Amyes, T. L., O'Donoghue, A. C., and Richard, J. P. (2001) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123, 11325-11326]. We examine here the necessity of the covalent connection between the phosphodianion and triose sugar portions of the substrate by "carving up" GAP into the minimal neutral two-carbon sugar glycolaldehyde and phosphite dianion pieces. This "two-part substrate" preserves both the alpha-hydroxycarbonyl and oxydianion portions of GAP. TIM catalyzes proton transfer from glycolaldehyde in D2O, resulting in deuterium incorporation that can be monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy, with kcat/Km = 0.26 M-1 s-1. Exogenous phosphite dianion results in a very large increase in the observed second-order rate constant (kcat/Km)obsd for turnover of glycolaldehyde, and the dependence of (kcat/Km)obsd on [HPO32-] exhibits saturation. The data give kcat/Km = 185 M-1 s-1 for turnover of glycolaldehyde by TIM that is saturated with phosphite dianion so that the separate binding of phosphite dianion to TIM results in a 700-fold acceleration of proton transfer from carbon. The binding of phosphite dianion to the free enzyme (Kd = 38 mM) is 700-fold weaker than its binding to the fleeting complex of TIM with the altered substrate in the transition state (Kd = 53 muM); the total intrinsic binding energy of phosphite dianion in the transition state is 5.8 kcal/mol. We propose a physical model for catalysis by TIM in which the intrinsic binding energy of the substrate phosphodianion group is utilized to drive closing of the "mobile loop" and a protein conformational change that leads to formation of an active site environment that is optimally organized for stabilization of the transition state for proton transfer from alpha-carbonyl carbon.

First-order rate constants for deprotonation of the alpha-imino carbon of the adduct between 5'-deoxypyridoxal (1) and glycine were determined as the rate constants for Claisen-type addition of glycine to 1 where deprotonation is rate determining for product formation. There is no significant deprotonation at pH 7.1 of the form of the 1-glycine iminium ion with the pyridine nitrogen in the basic form. The value of kHO for hydroxide ion-catalyzed deprotonation of the alpha-imino carbon increases from 7.5 x 10(2) to 3.8 x 10(5) to 3.0 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), respectively, with protonation of the pyridine nitrogen, the phenoxide oxyanion, and the carboxylate anion of the 1-glycine iminium ion. There is a corresponding decrease in the pKas for deprotonation of the alpha-imino carbon from 17 to 11 to 6. It is proposed that enzymes selectively bind and catalyze the reaction of the iminium ion with pKa = 17. A comparison of kB = 1.7 x 10(-3) s(-1) for deprotonation of the alpha-imino carbon of this cofactor-glycine adduct (pKa = 17 by HPO4(2-) with k(cat)/K(m) = 4 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for catalysis of amino-acid racemization by alanine racemase shows that the enzyme causes a ca 2 x 10(8)-fold acceleration of the rate of deprotonation the alpha-imino carbon. This corresponds to about one-half of the burden borne by alanine racemase in catalysis of deprotonation of alanine.

CPPs (cell-penetrating peptides) have given rise to much interest for the delivery of biomolecules such as peptides, proteins or ONs (oligonucleotides). CPPs and their conjugates were initially thought to translocate through the cell membrane by a non-endocytotic mechanism which has recently been re-evaluated. Basic-amino-acid-rich CPPs first interact with cell-surface proteoglycans before being internalized by endocytosis. Sequestration and degradation in endocytotic vesicles severely limits the cytoplasmic and nuclear delivery of the conjugated biomolecules. Accordingly, splicing correction by CPP-conjugated steric-block ON analogues is inefficient in the absence of endosomolytic agents. New arginine-rich CPPs allowing efficient splicing correction by conjugated PNAs (peptide nucleic acids) or PMO (phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer) steric blockers in the absence of endosomolytic agents have recently been defined in our group and are currently being characterized. They offer promising leads for the development of efficient cellular delivery vectors for therapeutic steric-block ON analogues.

(S)-1-(3-Nitrophenyl)ethyl tosylate [(S)-2-OTs] was prepared in >99% enantiomeric excess and the change in the chiral purity of this compound was monitored during solvolysis in 50:50 trifluoroethanol/water. The barely detectable formation of 0.5% (R)-2-OTs after two half times for the solvolysis reaction was used to calculate a rate constant of k(rac) approximately equal to 4 x 10-6 s-1. This is 80-fold smaller than kiso = 3.2 x 10-4 s-1 for the isomerization that exchanges oxygen-16 and oxygen-18 of 3-NO2C6H413CH(Me)OS(18O)2Tos during solvolysis and 10-fold smaller than the minimum value of k(rac) = 4.6 x 10-5 s-1 predicted if isomerization and racemization products form by partitioning of a common ion-pair intermediate of a stepwise reaction. It is concluded that the isomerization reaction proceeds mainly by a pathway that avoids formation of this putative intermediate. It is suggested that the solvolysis reaction of 2-OTs may proceed by a stepwise preassociation mechanism where solvent "reorganization" precedes substrate ionization to form an ion-pair intermediate.

Vocal communication develops under social influences that can enhance attention, an important factor in memory formation and perceptual tuning. In songbirds, social conditions can delay sensitive periods of development, overcome learning inhibitions and enable exceptional learning or induce selective learning. However, we do not know how social conditions influence auditory processing in the brain. In the present study, we raised young naive starlings under different social conditions but with the same auditory experience of adult songs, and we compared the effects of these different conditions on the development of the auditory cortex analogue. Several features appeared to be influenced by the social experience, among which the proportion of auditory neuronal sites and the neuronal selectivity. Both physical and social isolation from adult models altered the development of the auditory area in parallel to alterations in vocal development. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that social deprivation has as much influence on neuronal responsiveness as sensory deprivation.

The 5'-deoxypyridoxal stabilized glycine carbanion has been generated in water at neutral and mildly basic pH. At pH < 7, this carbanion reacts mainly with the carbonyl carbon of 1 to form a stable Claisen-type adduct. At pH > or = 8, this carbanion reacts with the iminium carbon of the pyridoxal-glycine iminium ion to form the second Claisen-type adduct 3 as the major reaction product.

A massive fish kill affecting exclusively common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) in the St. Lawrence River, Québec, Canada, during the summer of 2001 was investigated by use of laboratory diagnostic methods and by an attempt to experimentally induce the disease. The ultimate causes of mortality were opportunistic bacterial infections with Aeromonas hydrophila and Flavobacterium sp. secondary to immunosuppression induced by physiologic (i.e., spawning) and environmental (i.e., high temperatures and low water levels) stressors, and possibly enhanced by an infection causing lymphocytic encephalitis observed in 9 of 18 (50%) fish examined. Experimental induction of disease was attempted in captured wild carp by administration of crude and filtered (particulate <0.22 microm) inocula prepared from a homogenate of tissues from carp affected by the natural outbreak. Although significant clinical disease or mortality was not induced by experimental challenge, lymphocytic encephalitis similar to the one observed in naturally affected carp was induced in four of seven (57%) fish administered crude inoculum and four of seven (57%) fish administered filtered inoculum. None of the control fish inoculated with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (n = 6) were affected by encephalitis. The cause of the encephalitis observed in carp from the natural outbreak and in experimentally inoculated fish could not be determined by use of virus isolation and transmission electron microscopy.

Expression of alternatively spliced mRNA variants at specific stages of development or in specific cells and tissues contributes to the functional diversity of the human genome. Aberrations in alternative splicing were found as a cause or a contributing factor to the development, progression, or maintenance of numerous diseases. The use of antisense oligonucleotides (ON) to modify aberrant expression patterns of alternatively spliced mRNAs is a novel means of potentially controlling such diseases. Oligonucleotides can be designed to repair genetic mutations, to modify genomic sequences in order to compensate for gene deletions, or to modify RNA processing in order to improve the effects of the underlying gene mutation. Steric block ON approach have proven to be effective in experimental model for various diseases. Here, we describe our experience in investigating two strategies for ON delivery: ON conjugation with basic peptides and lipid-based particulate system (lipoplex). Basic peptides or Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPP) such as the TAT-derived peptide appear to circumvent many problems associated with ON and drug delivery. This strategy may represent the next paradigm in our ability to modulate cell function and offers a unique avenue for the treatment of disease. Lipoplexes result from the intimate interaction of ON with cationic lipids leading to ON carrying particles able to be taken up by cells and to release ON in the cytoplasm. We have used as an experimental model the correction of a splicing alteration of the mutated beta-globin intron causing thalassemia. Data on cell penetration and efficacy of correction of specific steric block ON delivered either by basic peptides or lipoplex are described. A comparison of the properties of both delivery systems is made respective to the use of this new class of therapeutic molecules.

The cleavage of the diribonucleoside UpU (uridylyl-3'-5'-uridine) to form uridine and uridine (2',3')-cyclic phosphate catalyzed by the dinuclear Zn(II) complex of 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropane (Zn(2)(1)(H(2)O)) has been studied at pH 7-10 and 25 degrees C. The kinetic data are consistent with the accumulation of a complex between catalyst and substrate and were analyzed to give values of k(c) (s(-)(1)), K(d) (M), and k(c)/K(d) (M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) for the Zn(2)(1)(H(2)O)-catalyzed reaction. The pH rate profile of values for log k(c)/K(d) for Zn(2)(1)(H(2)O)-catalyzed cleavage of UpU shows the same downward break centered at pH 7.8 as was observed in studies of catalysis of cleavage of 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HpPNP) and uridine-3'-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (UpPNP). At low pH, where the rate acceleration for the catalyzed reaction is largest, the stabilizing interaction between Zn(2)(1)(H(2)O) and the bound transition states is 9.3, 7.2, and 9.6 kcal/mol for the catalyzed reactions of UpU, UpPNP, and HpPNP, respectively. The larger transition-state stabilization for Zn(2)(1)(H(2)O)-catalyzed cleavage of UpU (9.3 kcal/mol) compared with UpPNP (7.2 kcal/mol) provides evidence that the transition state for the former reaction is stabilized by interactions between the catalyst and the C-5'-oxyanion of the basic alkoxy leaving group.

We report that the binding of phosphite dianion to orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPDC) results in an 80 000-fold increase in kcat/Km for decarboxylation of the truncated substrate, 1-(beta-d-erythrofuranosyl)orotic acid (EO), which lacks a 5'-phosphodianion moiety. The intrinsic binding energy (IBE) of phosphite dianion in the transition state is 7.8 kcal/mol, which represents a very large fraction of the 11.8 kcal/mol IBE of the phosphodianion group of the natural substrate orotidine 5'-monophosphate (OMP). The data give kcat = 160 +/- 70 s-1 for turnover of EO in the active site of OMPDC containing phosphite dianion, which is significantly larger than kcat = 15 s-1 for turnover of OMP. Despite the weaker binding of the individual EO and HPO32- "parts" (KmKd = 0.014 M2) than of OMP (Km = 1.6 x 10-6 M), once bound, OMPDC provides a slightly greater stabilization of the transition state for reaction of the parts than of the whole substrate. Thus, the covalent connection between the reacting portion of the substrate and the nonreacting phosphodianion group is not necessary for efficient catalysis. This implies that a major role of the phosphodianion group of OMP is to provide binding interactions that are used to drive an enzyme conformational change, resulting in formation of an active site environment optimized for transition state stabilization.

Photodecarboxylation of p-benzoylphenylacetic acid in aqueous solution produces the elongated enol 5, whose strength as an oxygen acid (pQ(E/a)= 7.67) makes it more acidic than simple enol analogs by several orders of magnitude.

Substitution of the C2-OH group by C2-H at 4-nitrophenyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside to give 4-nitrophenyl-2-deoxy-beta-d-galactopyranoside causes (1) a change in the rate-determining step for beta-galactosidase-catalyzed sugar hydrolysis from formation to breakdown of a covalent intermediate; (2) a 14 000-fold decrease in the second-order rate constant k(3)/K(d) for enzyme-catalyzed transfer of the beta-d-galactopyranosyl group from the substrate to form a covalent adduct to the enzyme; and (3) a larger 320 000-fold decrease in the first-order rate constant k(s) for hydrolysis of this covalent adduct. Only a small fraction (ca. 7%) of the 2-OH substituent effect is expressed in the ground-state Michaelis complex, so that the (apparent) strong interactions between the enzyme and 2-OH group that stabilize the transition state for beta-d-galactopyranosyl transfer only develop upon moving from the Michaelis complex to the transition state. Mg(2+) activates beta-galactosidase for cleavage of both 4-nitrophenyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside and 4-nitrophenyl-2-deoxy-beta-d-galactopyranoside. This suggests that Mg(2+) activation does not involve interactions with the 2-OH group. The removal of Mg(2+) from beta-galactosidase causes a change in the rate-determining step for enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl-2-deoxy-beta-d-galactopyranoside from breakdown to formation of the covalent intermediate. The observed 2-OH effect would require a very large (10-11 kcal/mol) stabilization of the transition state for beta-d-galactopyranosyl group transfer to water by interactions between beta-galactosidase and the neutral 2-OH group. We suggest that the apparent effect of the neutral substituent is more simply rationalized by ionization of the 2-OH to form a 2-O(-) anion, which provides effective electrostatic stabilization of the cationic transition state for glycoside cleavage at an active site of relatively low dielectric constant.

The field L complex is thought to be the highest auditory centre and the input in the song vocal nuclei. Different anatomical and functional subdivisions have been described in field L. Auditory neurons of field L are well activated by natural sounds and especially by species-specific sounds. A complex sound coding appears to exist in field L. However, until now, the spatial organization of the different functional subdivisions has been described only using artificial sounds. Here, we investigated the spatial distribution of neuronal responses in field L to species-specific songs. Starlings seemed to be a very appropriate species for this investigation, both because of their complex vocal behaviour that implies different levels of categorization and their neuronal responses towards complex song elements. Multi-unit recordings were performed in wild starlings that were awake. The method of backward correlation was used to visualize the functional organization and we represented the neuronal responses as both activity maps and correlation maps. The use of natural sounds allowed us to define several functional sub-areas with different neuronal processing. These results show that field L is involved in a more complex task than simple frequency processing.

Lateralization of brain functions is a widespread phenomenon in vertebrates. With the well-known lateralization in the processing of human speech and the parallels that exist between birdsong and language, songbirds are interesting for addressing such questions. In the present study, we investigated the central processing of communicative and artificial sounds in starlings, in an integrative part of the song system: the HVC. Neuronal responses to acoustic stimuli were systematically recorded in both hemispheres while the birds were awake, and then anesthetized, allowing quantitative comparisons of the responses obtained in each situation. The total proportion of responsive sites in the HVC of the left and right hemispheres of all birds revealed a significant predominance of the HVC of the right hemisphere when the birds were awake, whereas a high interindividual variability appeared when the birds were anesthetized. When neuronal responses as a whole were further examined, the responses to each type of stimulus appeared to be nonrandomly distributed over the different situations, and some specialization may appear. The results suggest a complex and state-dependent hemispheric specialization toward behaviorally relevant classes of stimuli. In awake birds, the HVC of the left hemisphere may be more involved in the processing of songs that are used in individual recognition at distance, whereas the HVC of the right hemisphere may deal with long and complex sequences of a song that is involved in short-distance communication, especially between males and females. With birds under anesthesia, this pattern is strongly modified., (Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The present study, using a systematic recording method that we recently developed, describes the behavior of the neurons of the vocal control nucleus HVC in response to a variety of acoustic stimuli in a songbird species with multiple song types, the European starling. Most neurons did not respond to any of the stimuli that were presented, and those neurons that did respond responded to a different number of stimuli and showed distinct response features. The latter were thus classified into 3 categories, according to the number of stimuli to which they responded. Although only intracellular data could unambiguously determine to which population the neurons we recorded belonged, these 3 categories might correspond to the 3 populations of neurons that have been previously described in the HVC. Interestingly, responsive neurons of the 3 categories appeared to mainly respond to stimuli that were not the bird's own song. However, most of the stimuli to which the HVC neurons responded correspond to sounds that are important in the everyday social life of the starlings. We thus discuss our results in relation to the social life of these birds, to possible species differences in the processing of communicative signals, and to methodological issues.

We report second-order rate constants of kDO = 120 dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) and kB = 6.4 x 10(-4) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) for exchange for deuterium of the first alpha-methylene proton of the 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine dication in D2O at 25 degree C and I= 1.0 (KCl). These data are consistent with a carbon acid pKa between 17 and 19 for ionization of this simple carbon acid and they show that the effect of an alpha-pyridinium substituent on carbon acidity is similar to that of an alpha-ester substituent.

Delivery of macromolecules mediated by protein transduction domains (PTDs) attracts a lot of interest due to its therapeutic and biotechnological potential. A major reevaluation of the mechanism of PTD-mediated internalization and the role of endocytosis in this mechanism has been recently initiated. Here, we demonstrate that the entry of TAT peptide (one of the most widely used PTDs) into different primary cells is ATPand temperature-dependent, indicating the involvement of endocytosis. Specific inhibitors of clathrin-dependent endocytosis partially inhibit TAT peptide uptake, implicating this pathway in TAT peptide entry. In contrast, the caveolin-dependent pathway is not essential for the uptake of unconjugated TAT peptide as evidenced by the efficient internalization of TAT in the presence of the known inhibitors of raft/caveolin-dependent pathway and for cells lacking or deficient in caveolin-1 expression. Whereas a significant part of TAT peptide uptake involves heparan sulfate receptors, efficient internalization of peptide is observed even in their absence, indicating the involvement of other receptors. Our results suggest that unconjugated peptide might follow endocytic pathways different from those utilized by TAT peptide conjugated to different proteins.

The product distributions for the reactions of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) in D(2)O at pD 7.9 catalyzed by triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) from chicken and rabbit muscle were determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy using glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase to trap the first-formed products of the thermodynamically unfavorable isomerization reaction, (R)-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP) and [2(R)-(2)H]-GAP (d-GAP). Three products were observed from the reactions catalyzed by TIM: GAP from isomerization with intramolecular transfer of hydrogen (18% of the enzymatic products), d-GAP from isomerization with incorporation of deuterium from D(2)O into C-2 of GAP (43% of the enzymatic products), and [1(R)-(2)H]-DHAP (d-DHAP) from incorporation of deuterium from D(2)O into C-1 of DHAP (40% of the enzymatic products). The ratios of the yields of the deuterium-labeled products d-DHAP and d-GAP from partitioning of the intermediate of the TIM-catalyzed reactions of GAP and DHAP in D(2)O are 1.48 and 0.93, respectively. This provides evidence that the reaction of these two substrates does not proceed through a single, common, reaction intermediate but, rather, through distinct intermediates that differ in the bonding and arrangement of catalytic residues at the enediolate O-1 and O-2 oxyanions formed on deprotonation of GAP and DHAP, respectively.