ALBERT

Notes: The osmotic pressure equation for nonideal, associating systems of the type nA +mB ⇄ AnBm, has been derived, by using the assumption yAnBm/yAnyBm = 1. This treatment can also be applied to related associations such as nA + mB ⇄ AB + AB2 + A2B + …. From osmotic pressure experiments on the pure reactants it is possible to obtain the molecular weights (MA and MB) of the reactants and also the virial coefficients (BAA and BBB) of the reactants. The osmotic pressure of a nonreacting mixture of A and B can be calculated from these measurements. It can be used along with osmotic pressure measurements on equilibrium mixtures of A and B to obtain expressions containing the equilibrium constant (or constants) and the cross-virial coefficients (BAB and BBA). Several procedures are described for the evaluation of the equilibrium constant (or constants) and the BAB or BBA terms. It appears that this procedure is a general one which is applicable to associations of the type nA + mB ⇄ AB + A2B + AB2 + …. By correcting for nonideal behavior, one should then be able to apply it to any method available for analyzing ideal associations of the types considered here. In addition it is possible, subject to certain restrictions, to analyze associations of the type 3A + B ⇄ A2 + AB.

Notes: A method has been developed for characterizing at, submicrogram levels the heterogeneity of histones from purified nuclei. The histones are eluted with a smooth concentration gradient from nuclei trapped in polyacrylamide-gel threads and are collected in a micro fraction collector suitable for volumes in the 10-100 μl range. The gradient and fraction collection systems are governed by cam driven syringes. Samples obtained are subjected to electrophoresis in a starch-gel system and the gels are stained with a highly sensitive stain specific for guanidinium groups. Seven major and a similar number of minor components are demonstrated in the histones. The method of differential elution of trapped macromolecules is suitable for use with systems other than nuclei and histones.

Notes: A method is presented for the treatment of distribution functions obtained by ultra-centrifugal sedimentation velocity experiments on the plasma lipoproteins, so that adequate corrections can he made for the effects of diffusion and concentration dependence of the sedimentation coefficient. The method involves the use of modified equations derived from those presented in 1952 by Gosting for the transform from g* (S) to g(S) distributions. The evaluation of the molecular parameters of lipoprotein density and size, from a set of g(Si°) distribution functions obtained in solvents of varying density, is also outlined. Preparations of the β-lipoprotein of human plasma are found to follow a bivariate normal distribution that requires evaluation of five parameters, x̄1, σ1, x̄2, σ2and p. The first two represent the mean and standard deviation of the lipoprotein density, the third and fourth the same quantities for the size, expressed as ft “logarithmic diameter parameter”, and the final value is a measure of the correlation between these two variables.

Notes: High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectra at 100 MHz and 220 MHz have been obtained on two samples of poly-L-alanine of differing molecular weights (2500 and 42 500) in the chloroform-trifluoroacetic acid system under various conditions of solvent composition, temperature, and polypeptide concentration. Separate helix and random coil peaks are observed for the α-CH and peptide NH backbone proton resonances, thereby permitting the determination of helix content. This observation of separate peaks demonstrates that the lifetimes of the helix and random coil portions of poly-L-alanine have lower limits of about 10-1 sec. It is suggested that solvent-peptide versus peptide-peptide hydrogen bond competition, coupled with a destabilizing effect of the trifluoroacetic acid on the helix, is responsible for the helix-random coil transformation.

Notes: The combination of an agarose gel (Bio-Gel A) and a dioxane-water (1:1) solvent system allowed the fractionation, on a preparative scale, of a very polydisperse, non-derivatized lignin preparation (enzymatically liberated lignin prepared from sweetgum sapwood with Lenzites trabea). Three fractions differing markedly in molecular weight were obtained. A gel of crosslinked alkylated dextran (Sephadex LH-20) with the same solvent system allowed division of the lowest molecular weight fraction into two fractions. These materials were characterized by measurements of intrinsic viscosity and number-average molecular weights in dimethylformamide and dioxane-water. It was established that the two highest molecular weight fractions were associated in an average trimeric form in dioxane-water (1:1) as compared to the form (considered to be molecular) that occurred in dimethylformamide. Molecular size distributions and eluant volumes of the fractions were determined with a Sephadex G-100-formamide system, the latter being one of the most powerful nonaqueous solvents for lignin. Adsorption effects were known to be absent in this case, and the lignin molecules were considered to be unassociated in formamide. The four fractions were distinguishable with the formamide-G-100 system, thus indicating that the original fractionation was based on molecular size. The enzymatically liberated lignin contained molecules that comprised a continuum of molecular weights from approximately monomeric to molecules that were at the limit of the solvating power of dioxane-water (1:1) and dimethylformamide. Limited physicochemical data were consistent with a compact, approximately spherically symmetric shape of the lignin in solution.

Notes: A comparison has been made of the intrachain potential energy of an infinite straight α-helix of poly-L-alanine with that of the distorted form adopted in a coiled coil conformation. The energy terms included were the van der Waal's, electrostatic, hydrogen-bond, and the rotational potential terms. The results indicate that the potential energies of the structures investigated are almost the same, and so a transformation from one state to another may occur without significant changes in potential energy. Particular care has been taken to ensure that the electrostatic and van der Waal's interaction terms are fully convergent. The values obtained for the α-helix were compared with those already published, and some significant differences were found.

Notes: Ultraviolet optical rotatory dispersion curves of mucopolysaccharides exhibit particular Cotton effects in the spectral region of the n-π and π-π amide transitions. Two general patterns emerge: (1) enhancement of negative rotation and of the first negative Cotton effect (troughs 217-220 mμ) and (2) relative dominance of the positive Cotton effect in the π-π transition region (peak ∼198 mμ). Groups (1) and (2) can be correlated with a structural difference in the linkages of the amino sugars: (1) occurs with polymers containing 3-1-linked glycosamino sugars and (2) with glycosamino moieties linked 4-1 by either α- or β-glycosidie bonds. Measurements of the circular dichroic absorption bands support the qualitative conclusions from optical rotation. All mucopolysaccharides exhibit a first, negative band centered at 208-211 mμ, while only those in group (2) show, in addition, a positive band centered at 189-192 mμ. A suggested unifying model considers that difference in kind and/or degree of preferred geometry of the amide groups obtains from two forms of secondary order: (1) having a linear hydrogen bond from the N (acceptor) to the (C2)O - H of the preceding uronic acid and (2) having a linear hydrogen bond from the N (acceptor) to the (C2 or 3) O - H of the following sugar. The hydrogen bonds would have similar strength but opposite directions in two systems towards the nonreducing end (1) or towards the reducing end (2)], closing eight-membered rings

Notes: The myosin molecule was extracted from the smooth muscle parts of horse esophagus and purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation. The schlieren pattern of the sedimentation velocity run showed a very sharp single peak of.5.9. S (s20,w). Molecular weight of the protein was measured by means of the Archibald and sedimentation equilibrium methods, both in 0.5M KCI buffered by 1/150 M phosphate at pH 7.5 and at 5°C. The values obtained were 6.25 × 105 and 5.81 × 105respectively, for the two methods. The second virial coefficients were 1.1 × 104 and 1.2 × 10-4 ml/g. Denatured smooth muscle myosin was prepared in a solution of 5M guanidine HC1 containing 0.4 M KC1 and 0.2 M β-mercaptoet hanol buffered at pH 8.0. The weight-average molecular weight of the denatured smooth muscle myosin was 2.24 × 105 and the second virial coefficient was 7.6 × 10-4 ml/g. The values described above are in good agreement with those reported for rabbit skeletal myosin with ammonium sulfate fractionation. The molecular dimension of the molecule is estimated as the value for an axial ratio of 100, assuming a rigid rod molecular model for this molecule, both the thermodynamical and hydrodynamical treatment being in a good agreement with this estimation.

Notes: No. Abstract

Notes: The enthalpy change accompanying the double helix-coil transition of polyriboadenylic acid (poly A) in aqueous solution has been measured optically and calorimetrically in the pH range 5.7-4.5. The course of this cooperative transition was followed optically by measuring changes in ultraviolet absorption as a function of temperature at different pH values, and calorimetrically by determining the heat capacity of the solution through the transition region. From the latter measurements, the enthalpy of transition was calculated. It is shown, that ΔH is dependent on pH as it is expected from the influence of protonation of the double helix of poly A.

Notes: The interaction between ionizable carboxyl groups and the conformation of poly-(glutamic acid) (PGA) in aqueous solution were investigated by the mechanical method. The dynamic rigidity of the PGA solution has a maximum value at the pH corresponding to about 50% neutralization point. This may be due to establishing of a maximum attractive force by proton/charge fluctuation between ionizable carboxyl groups at that pH. The dynamic viscosity has a sharp change in the region of pH 5.5-6.5. It is suggested that this behavior is due to the helix-coil transition.

Notes: By use of D2O we found that the shortening of the longitudinal proton relaxation time which occurs in the investigated aqueous yeast DNA solutions (≦ 2.4% with 2% protein) was not based on a hydration effect, but was caused by magnetic impurities only. An estimate shows that the mobility of the hydrated water molecules is reduced by less than two orders of magnitude in comparison with the free water molecules.

Notes: A general approach to the determination of relative stability of any pair of con-formational states of biological macromolecules or their complexes (in particular, to the determination of relative stability of native and disordered states of the macromolecule) has been suggested. For determining the free energy difference of the two states under the conditions when one of them is considerably more advantageous than the other, it is necessary for the macromolecule to be influenced by the transforming agent which levels free energies of both the conformational states, and to determine the external parameter derivative of the free energy difference in the region of the conformational transition induced by the change in this parameter. If the character of the dependence of this derivative on the external parameter (temperature, solvent composition, etc.) is known, then this allows the determination of the free energy difference of the two states under the conditions considered, even including conditions far from the transition region. The value of the derivative of the free energy difference in the transition region in many cases can be measured directly (in particular, when using calorimetry), while in cases when a direct measurement of the derivative is impossible, it can often he estimated experimentally from the steepness of the conformational transition. The methods of this estimation and also a possible character of the change of the considered derivative during variation of the external parameter are considered for the case when the transforming agent is one of the components of the solvent and, consequently, the derivative of the free energy difference is equal to the difference of number of molecules of this component hound with the macromolecule in two conformational states.

Notes: Wool-water systems, at water contents above a threshold value of 22.7 g of water per 100 g of wool keratin, yielded curves of specific heat against temperature showing peaks that are ascribed to the fusion of the absorbed water. Integral and incremental heats of fusion were obtained. Integral heats increase as the square of the water content above the threshold, and incremental heats follow a linear relationship. The incremental heat reaches a value of 55 cal/absorbed water, at the saturation water content, at 0°C of 33.9 g of water per 100 g of keratin. The state of the absorbed water is discussed. Clustering of water molecules takes place only above the threshold water content.

Notes: The laser-excited Raman spectra have been obtained of poly-L-proline in the solid and aqueous solution. In the solid state, the Raman spectra are of the form II which is the left-handed helical form with the peptide bonds in the trans configuration. Dissolution of this form in water produced only minor changes in the Raman spectra. The differences in frequencies produced by dissolving the polymer are associated with vibrational modes of the pyrrolidine ring as indicated by comparison with the Raman spectrum of L-proline. The similarity of the Raman spectra dictates that, the conformations of poly-L-proline chain are similar in the solid and aqueous solution.

Notes: A comparative study on sonicated calf thymus DNA was made by using electron microscopy and sedimentation methods. The length distribution, established by electron microscopy by using Kleinschmidt's technique, is related to the sedimentation curve obtained with the same solution. The relation permits a determination of the sedimentation constant corresponding to a given length up to 8000 Å and vice versa.

Notes: The π-electron polarizability of conjugated base molecules such as uracil and adenine are calculated semiempirically by using molecular orbital theories. The Hüekel method and the self-consistent-field (SCF) theory are used in the present calculation. The theoretical values obtained by the Hüekel method are consistently larger than the experimental results. The values obtained by the SCF theory are in good agreement with observed values. It is clearly demonstrated that the SCF method is better than the Hükel method for the calculation of polarizability. The polarizability of the adenine-uracil pair is calculated as the sum of the polarizabilities of adenine and uracil and also calculated by solving the eigenvalue problem for the A-U pair as an entity. The second method gives considerably larger polarizability than the first method. Discussions are presented and it is demonstrated that the second method is the correct way to calculate the polarizability of the A-U pair.

Notes: The reversibility of the thermal denaturation of a low-sulfur fraction of solubilized wool keratin (SCMKA) has been studied under a variety of conditions of time, protein concentration, and pH. Two types of irreversibility for the transition have been encountered. One of these is associated with an aggregation of the protein on denaturation to give a product which may contain elements of a β conformation. This type of irreversibility is favored by high protein concentration, and the original conformation may in fact be regained if the aggregated structure is broken down by a solvent such as 8M urea and the urea subsequently removed by dialysis. The other type of irreversibility appears to be due to racemization of the protein. It does not seem to be dependent on protein concentration and is apparent only at temperatures beyond the actual transition range (∼40-65°C) at pH values below 11, At pH 12, however, racemization appears to proceed slowly even at 4°C. The thermal transition at pH 9 and pH 10 has been shown to be multistage in nature. Over the pH range 9-12 there is a progressive decrease in thermal stability with increase of pH. Addition of NaCl at pH 10 leads to an increase in thermal stability of the molecule.

Notes: We report studies of the optical properties of the proflavine-DNA complex, using absorbance and circular dichroism spectroscopy. From comparison of the absorption spectra of proflavine complexed with calf thymus and T2 DNA, we conclude that stacking of the dyes external to the double helix is comparatively much weaker with T2 DXA, probably because of its glucosylation. Several sources are found for the circular dichroism induced in proflavine when it is complexed with DNA. There is a relatively weak circular dichroism induced when the dye is infinitely dilute on the DNA lattice; this presumably arises from the environmental asymmetry of the binding site. Stronger circular dichroism effects are induced by interaction of intercalated and stacked dyes; studies with T2 DNA, for which stacking seems to be blocked, permit a tentative resolution of effects due to the two modes of binding. One recurring theme of these studies is the observation that the optical properties are quite dependent on environment. The most dramatic example is a strong variation with salt concentration of the amplitude of the circular dichroism induced in the isolated (intercalated) monomer by the surrounding DNA. This suggests that the structure of the intercalated complex is quite sensitive to external conditions.

Notes: The binding of n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, and trifluoroethanol to polyproline I (all peptide bonds in cis configuration) and II (all peptide bonds in trans configuration) has been demonstrated. It was found by infrared spectroscopy that hydrogen bonds are formed between the CO groups of the polymer and the OH groups of the alcohols. Their strength increases from n-butanol via benzyl alcohol to trifluoroethanol. The binding of benzyl alcohol could also be followed by optical rotatory dispersion due to the fact that the electronic transitions of the benzyl ring are rendered optically active by the binding to the polymer.

Notes: The statistical mechanics of the effect of a small number of randomly occurring defects on the melting of a polypeptide chain is developed by using a perturbation of Boltzmann factors technique. The method is illustrated by an example where a second-component impurity contributes more to the energy of the hydrogen-bonded superstructure of the polypeptide chain than does the dominant amino acid residue, resulting in the overall destabilization of the helical conformation.

Notes: Biological membranes consist mainly of lipids and proteins. At present, the structure of the lipid phase appears to be established, but hypotheses on the molecular organization of the protein are difficult to support. Thus the deformation behavior of whole human erythrocyte ghosts, ghosts after the selective removal of lipids and ghosts stripped of lipids as well as nonlipid components have been examined in the hope of securing indirect information on the organization of the protein. It has been found that large localized deformations result in partial membrane failure and long uniformly wide fibrils, frequently in excess of 3000 Å, are drawn across the rupture. These data are interpreted in terms of currently favored membrane models and the possibility of a fibrous membrane framework consisting predominantly of protein is reviewed. The behavior of the membrane in its various stages of extraction is compared and contrasted to that of synthetic polymer films of known organization.

Notes: The thermally induced conformational changes of poly-N5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-glutamine in water and in methanol-water (3:7 v/v) have been analyzed in terms of the Lifson-Roig theory. The transitions in both solvents can be described by using v = 0.017. The thermodynamic parameters for the random coil-to-helix transition of one amino acid residue at room temperature were found to be: in water, ΔH = - 130 cal/mole and ΔS = - 0.45 e.u.; in methanol-water (3:7 v/v), ΔH = - 170 cal mole and ΔS = - 0.45 e.u. The size distribution of helical segments is broad, and the results of numerical calculations are presented for three degrees of polymerization (DP = 100, 300, and 750).

Notes: The cyclic dipeptide, L-alanylglycyl anhydride, has been studied by optical rotatory dispersion; both L-alanylglycyl anhydride and the lactam, L-3-aminopyrrolidin-2-one, have been studied by circular dichroism. In hydroxylic solvents the circular dichroism spectra of 3-aminopyrrolidin-2-one can be attributed to an n-π* transition near 220 mμ and a π-π* transition near 190 mμ. In these solvents the optical activity of L-alanylglycyl anhydride can be explained as being due to contributions of n-π* transitions and a split π-π* transition. In acetonitrile, however, the circular dichroism spectrum of 3-aminopyrrolidin-2-one shows an additional apparent minimum near 200 mμ. The CD spectrum of the dipeptide is also quite distinctive in this solvent. The possible nature of the band at 200 mμ and the implications of these findings are discussed.

Notes: The flow birefringence, extinction angles, and intrinsic viscosity have been determined at low velocity gradients for a complex of T2 bacteriophage DNA and methylated serum albumin prepared in dilute solution to a stoichiometry of approximately 90 proteins per DNA molecule. Comparative data upon equivalent solutions of pure uncomplexed T2 DNA are also presented, and these data are completely in accord with the results of previous study. The experimental data are interpreted in terms of current dynamical theory and indicate that the complex has an essentially linear chain structure, consisting of approximately two DNA molecules, which is hydrodynamically indistinguishable from the pure DNA and that extensive internal or intramolecular binding in the complex does not occur. Although interpretation of the results is hampered by an apparent moderate degree of polydispersity in the complex preparations and by relatively large shear extrapolations, the data for both DNA and the complex are substantially in accord with dynamical theory for a nondraining bead subchain model having high kinetic segmental rigidity.

Notes: Far-infrared spectra in the region from 700 to 60 cm-1 have been measured for the α-helix structures of poly(L-α-amino-n-butyric acid), poly-L-norvaline, poly-L-norleucine, and poly-L-leucine and for the β-form structures of poly(L-α-amino-n-butyric acid), poly-L-valine, poly(DL-amino-n-butyric acid), poly-DL-norvaline, and poly-DL-norleucine. The changes of the spectra on N-deuteration have been measured in the region between 700 and 400 cm-1. It is concluded that, the α-helix has characteristic bauds near 690, 650, 610, 380, 150, and 100 cm-1, and that the β-form has characteristic bands near 700, 240, and 120 cm-1. The main-chain vibrations in the region from 600 to 200 cm-1 are strongly coupled with the side-chain deformation vibrations.

Notes: Single-strand breaks (ssb) in opposite strands of DNA can be sufficiently near that a double-strand break (dsb) results. A theory is presented by which the maximum number h of base pairs which cannot prevent double-strand breakage can be determined from the rates of production of ssb and dsb. The assumptions required to derive the necessary equations as well as the range of validity of the equations are discussed in detail. In the experiments ssb and dsb were produced by x-irradiation in buffers which do not eliminate indirect effects and were measured by analytical ultracentrifugation. Values of h have been determined in low and high ionic strength and in low ionic strength over a range of temperatures. The values, 2.64 and 15.8, were obtained for high and low ionic strength, respectively.

Notes: The nature of a specific association between acriflavine and cellular DNA was investigated by subjecting the DNA of intact cells to denaturation, ultraviolet radiation, and base analog substitution. The predictable modifications of DNA structure were then correlated with the quantitative alterations in dye adsorption by the cells. It was concluded that, under experimental conditions of limited dye availability, the bonding of dye was restricted to sites of highest bonding affinity. These were shown to be situated between adjacent thymine molecules on a single strand of DNA. The 5-methyl groups of thymine may endow the bond with its specificity.

Notes: The theory of polyelectrolyte solution of Alexandrowicz: and Katchalsky is used to calculate the electrostatic potential of single stranded polynucleotides for different ionic strength. We have considered the potential of double stranded DNA as the superposition of the different potentials produced by each chain, provided the average distance between the strands is higher than an ionic strength-dependent parameter b. For ionic strength lower than 5 × 10-2M, the assumption is no longer valid, and a cylindrical model with a uniform charge density must be used. The continuity between the two models was tested, and thus we can calculate the electrical potential at the vicinity of a phosphate group in the whole range of ionic-strength where the double helix is stable. It was therefore possible to determine the theoretical number of ions bound electrostatically to DNA and we found an increase of ion binding with a decrease of ionic strength. Such a model was further applied to the change of specific volume in different salt solutions. Comparison is made with recent pycnometric data on Na- and Cs- salts of DNA. Agreement is good in the case of Cs+, but for Na+, cation binding is likely to be accompanied by a change of the hydration of DNA, which depends on ionic strength. With the same model we can see easily the ion-trapping properties of DNA which play an important role in any formation of complex between heavy ions and bases.

Notes: Preferential adsorption of cations occurs in the solvated shell surrounding polyanions, especially polynucleotides and nucleic acids. The solvation parameter Γ is determined from sedimentation coefficients which are considered as pienometric determinations of the specific volume of the sample. By comparing two identical concentrations (0.1M) of monovalent salts, NaCl and CsCl, and using the model of DNA described in the preceding paper, one can relate the ratio SCs/SNa to solvation parameters ΓCs, and ΓNa.On the other hand, Γ can be related to the difference of energy W, between cation and water, to be extracted from the solution and placed in the vicinity of the polyanion. One finds generally a preferential solvation of the polarizable caesium ion by means of London-van der Waals interactions with bases. With reasonable assumptions, an estimate of W can be made, and the predicted value of Γ can be compared to the experimental one. An average of six sites is found around each base in a single-stranded polymer, but-only one in the double-stranded structure. The amount of secondary structure can thus be estimated from the simple measurement of the ratio of two sediment constants.

Notes: A melting experiment was performed on the whole set of populations of the replicative form of φX174 DNA, which can be obtained treating this DNA with rat liver nicking-closing enzyme in the presence of ethidium bromide. Gel electrophoresis performed by loading the DNA samples at neutral and alkaline pH allows separation of these populations in discrete sets of bands, which can then be compared. The outcome of the experiments indicates that in the range of electrophoretic mobilities which can be explored, no band is formed exclusively by circular complementary strands which can be separated by alkaline denaturation. These results are compared with what would be expected if double-stranded closed circular DNA had structures other than the canonical double helix. Under nonrestrictive hypotheses, the experiments reported allow one to obtain a minimum estimate of the absolute value of the linking number of a closed circular double-stranded DNA: for native φX174 RF DNA, the linking number appears to be greater than 12 (in absolute value). Some data on the electrophoretic mobility of denatured closed circular duplexes are reported, which still wait for a physicochemical interpretation.

Notes: Synthetic cyclic octapeptides of general structure cyclo[Glu(γOBzl)-Sar-Gly-(N-R)Gly]2 (R = n-hexyl and cyclohexyl) transport calcium ions selectively across organic phases and phospholipid membranes. We have now used proton nmr spectroscopy (360 MHz) to study the solution conformation(s) of their calcium complexes. When Ca(ClO4)2 was added to solutions of these peptides in CDCl3, nmr spectra of the resulting calcium complexes were characteristic of a single C2-symmetric conformer. From a Karplus-Bystrov analysis of vicinal coupling constants in both the peptide backbone and Glu side chain (treated as an ABCC′MX spin system), in conjuction with model-building studies, a structure was proposed in which the calcium ion is bound in an octahedral-type complex by the four (coplanar) carbonyl groups of the (all-trans) Glu-Sar and Gly-(N-R)Gly peptide bonds. Occurrence of preferred rotamers about Glu side chain Cα-Cβ bonds indicated that restricted rotation in peptide side chains arises upon calcium binding.

Notes: (L-Cys)n + N-base systems and (L-Cys)n + (L-Lys)n systems were studied by ir spectroscopy. It is shown that in the water-free systems, SH⃛N ⇌ S-⃛H+N hydrogen bonds are formed. With the (L-Cys)n + N-base systems, both proton-limiting structures in the SH⃛N ⇌ S-⃛H+N bonds have equal weight when the pKa of the protonated N-base is 2 pKa units larger than that of (L-Cys)n. The same is true with the water-free (L-Cys)n + (L-Lys)n system. Thus, with regard to the type of proton potentials present, these hydrogen bonds are proton-transfer hydrogen bonds showing very large proton polarizabilities. This is confirmed by the occurrence of continua in the ir spectra. Small amounts of water open these hydrogen bonds and increase the transfer of the proton to (L-Lys)n. In the (L-Lys)n + N-base systems, with increasing proton transfer the backbone of (L-Cys)n changes from antiparallel β-structure to coil. In (L-Cys)n + (L-Lys)n, the conformation is determined by the (L-Lys)n conformation and changes depending on the chain length of (L-Lys)n. Finally, the reactivity increase in the active center of fatty acid synthetase, which should be caused by the shift of a proton, is discussed on the basis of the great proton polarizability of the cysteine-lysine hydrogen bonds.

Notes: We report electric-dichroism and electron-microscopic studies of chromatin fibers fixed by protein-protein crosslinking at salt concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 mM. The results confirm a progressive disorganization of the fiber as the salt concentration is lowered. The positive dichroism and large polarizability anisotropy characteristic of the 300-Å diameter fiber found in 100 mM salt are replaced by negative dichroism and smaller effective polarizability anisotropy or dipole moment for samples fixed at lower salt concentration. We interpret the results in terms of segmental, field-induced orientation of the disorganized structure which is present in low salt concentrations. We also observed a field-induced absorbance decrease in chromatin fibers fixed at salt concentration at and below 100 mM. All three optical effects, namely overall orientation of the high-salt fixed fiber, segmental orientation of the low-salt fixed fiber, and field-induced absorbance decrease, occur on roughly the same time scale, 20-100 μs for 50 nucleosome polynucleosomes. The polarizability anisotropy of fibers fixed in 100 mM salt was found to be proportional to the length of the fragment and to the reciprocal square root of the conductivity of the solution used for electric-dichroism measurements. Addition of Mg2+ to the measurement buffer affected the dichroism amplitude of samples fixed below 100 mM salt but not those fixed at 100 mM salt. The results reinforce the need for caution in interpreting electric-dichroism measurements on chromatin fibers because of possible field-induced distortion effects.

Notes: DNA with Mn2+ as the only counterion has been prepared, and the extent of the Mn2+ binding was determined under a variety of conditions through measurements of the proton relaxation enhancement of water. The total extent of Mn2+ binding per DNA phosphate is found to be 0.43 ± 0.04, independent of the metal ion concentration in the experimental range of 2.8 × 10-5 to 2.1 × 10-3M. The predictions of Manning's condensation theory and those obtained from solution of the generalized Poisson-Boltzmann equation regarding the extent of divalent ion binding to polyelectrolytes, in the presence and absence of monovalent counterions, are compared with one another and with the experimental results. Good agreement between the two theoretical approaches is found, with less than 14% variance in the predicted extent of binding over a large range of mono- and divalent ion concentrations. While the predictions of both theoretical approaches generally agree with the experimental results, some discrepancies are noted and their possible origins discussed.

Notes: The basic formulas for the incorporation into the diffusion-collision model of the stabilities of intermediate states on the folding pathway are derived and discussed. A hypothetical two-step folding pathway is calculated in detail. A model for the production of incorrectly folded intermediates is suggested and some numerical estimates made. Implications and future directions in the evolution of the model are discussed. Three appendices deal with some mathematical aspects of the model.

Notes: Quasielastic light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering experiments were performed on chicken erythrocyte polynucleosome solutions at various temperatures and ionic strengths. The apparent diffusion coefficient, Dapp, was found to depend on the scattering vector K. In general, Dapp can be described as a damped oscillatory function of K in the ionic strength range of 10 to 60 mM and over the temperature range of 10 to 40°C. Electrophoretic light scattering studies on total digest chromatin samples indicate the apparent charge on the polynucleosomes increases as the ionic strength is lowered from 10 to 1 mM. These data are interpreted in terms of fluctuations in the surface charge distribution of the polyion and subsequent inducement of an asymmetric distribution of small ions about the polyion. These fluctuation components lead to the formation of “clusters” of polyions.

Notes: Absorption of radiation by DNA polymer is calculated for the case of bent polymer chains. The molecule is assumed to be straight except for localized bends. The region between two bends is studied in particular. The vibrational properties of the bends are parameterized by a transmission and a reflection coefficient. A general Green function expression for absorption is studied for various values of the damping rate, as well as the transmission/reflection coefficients. Curves of absorption vs frequency are shown for a number of cases.

Notes: When adsorbed from an aqueous dilute solution at high pH into the pores of an inert cellulose acetate filter, poly(α,L-glutamic acid) remains strongly anchored to the pore walls. The existence of the helix-coil transition for the adsorbed polypeptide in a certain pH range is evidenced by static and dynamic membrane properties displayed by the “activated” filter, such as excess cation uptake, membrane potential, and hyraulic permeability. In particular, the variations of the hydrodynamic thickeness present a sigmoidal shape characteristic of the helix-coil transition at the interface, a transition apparently less sharp than in solution.

Notes: We have studied the linear dichroism (LD) of rat liver chromatin oriented by flow. Soluble chromatin, prepared by brief nuclease digestion, is found to exhibit a positive LD at low ionic strength (1 mM NaCl), with a constant LD/A over the absorption band centered at 260 nm (A, isotropic absorbance). Several previous dichroism studies on soluble chromatin have been performed on sonicated materials and have given negative LD, probably due to the presence of uncoiled DNA. The positive dichroism can be interpreted in terms of a supercoil of DNA in chromatin with a pitch angle larger than 55°, and is, for example, consistent with a model where the cylindrical nucleosome core particles are stacked face to face in the chromatin filament. In contrast to the nuclease-digested chromatin, sonicated chromatin was confirmed to exhibit negative LD. This difference can be attributed to a partial uncoiling of the linker regions between the nucleosomes due to the shearing. The structural transition of chromatin to a compact form can be observed as a reduction of the positive LD of the nuclease-digested chromatin to almost zero in 0.1 M NaCl or in 0.1 mM MgCl2. This transition is due to a decreased electrostatic repulsion between negative phosphate groups on the DNA chain. In the case of Na+, this can be explained as a screening effect due to the bulk concentration of Na+. With Mg2+ a considerably stronger effect may indicate a more localized binding to the phosphates. At ionic strengths higher than 0.5M NaCl, the dissociation of the histones from DNA leads to uncoiling of chromatin. The change in LD during this process shows that histone H1 contributes only to a small degree to the coiling of the DNA chain, whereas histones H3 and H4 play the major role in the coiling.

Notes: On the basis of measurements of enthalpy of dissociation and of dilution, an interamolecular conformational transition induced by pH change is shown for pectic acid in aqueous solution. Additional evidence is given by potentiometic, viscometric, and chiroptical results. The transition from a more rigid, probably H-bonded, structure prevailing at low pH to a more extended one at around neutrality is accompanied by a ΔH value of about 500 cal/equiv and a ΔS value of 1.6 cal/equiv K in water at 25°C. The addition of salts increases the stability of the rigid conformation without changing the general features of the phenomenon. Dilatometric measurements suggest that the transition is accompanied by practically no change in the overall solvation of the polymer chain.

Notes: Amphotericin B, a polyene macrolide antibiotic, exists in aqueous solution as a poorly soluble, high-molecular-weight aggregate. A borate complex of this polyene was prepared that has greater solubility and is less aggregated. In aqueous solution this borate complex exists as a mixture of several molecular species differing in borate content, molecular weight, and molecular conformation. The solubility varied with pH and was minimal at neutrality. Throughout the pH range it was one to two orders of magnitude higher than that of the parent compound. The molecular size distribution, as determined by differential ultrafiltration, showed a progressive increase in the weight fraction of aggregates going from acid to alkaline solutions. The sizes of aggregates ranged from under 25 to over 100 molecules. The borate content of the complexes increased with increasing pH. No borate was complexed in acid solutions. This indicated that amphotericin B and borate ions can complex to form copolymer chains of varying length in which these species alternate, since both are bifunctional. The complexation equilibrium is favored by high pH. Absorption and CD spectra indicated that the polyene molecules can stack reversibly to form dimers. Dimerization constants calculated from the spectra were highest in neutral solution and declined with increasing acidity or alkalinity. In alkaline solutions the polymer chains are long and extended, with minimal stacking. In neutral solution the chains are shorter and extensively stacked. In acid solutions no borate complexes are formed, and the polyenes are stacked to an intermediate degree. The very different effects of pH and concentration on the degree of complexation with borate and on the degree of dimerization of the polyenes shows that these equilibria are independent of each other.

Notes: A major component of pigment gallstones (PS) is a black, insoluble substance. It has been suggested that this pigment material might be a highly crosslinked polymer, and if such were the case, it should imbibe solvent (swell) to the maximum permitted by the crosslinks of its macromolecular network. We measured the equilibrium amount, qeq, by which pulverized, desiccated PS swells in different liquids, including isotonic aqueous buffers at pH values from 1.5-11.5. For ionic strengths ≥ 0.15, the dependence of qeq on pH exhibits a broad titration curve with a midpoint near pH 7. qeq was 〈 1.2 in methanol, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, and chloroform. The ir absorbance from vinyl groups in the black pigment was only one-eighth that of unconjugated bilirubin, the primary chemical building block of PS; this implicates vinyl groups in the formation of a polymer network. The rise in qeq with increasing pH suggests that the carboxyl groups are free to ionize and are therefore not involved in the covalent bonds that make the crosslinked polymer. A network polymer structure would account for the inability to dissolve PS in those solvents in which unconjugated bilirubin is soluble.

Notes: 25Mg-nmr data are reported that address the nature of the magnesium ion-DNA interaction. It is found that competitor ions such as calcium, mercury, zinc, and cobalt ions are not effective in competing for all of the magnesium ion-DNA interaction that is reported by the 25Mg-nmr spectrum. The temperature dependence of the 25Mg-nmr spectrum in DNA solution studied at high concentrations of competitor ion indicates that the chemical-exchange lifetime of the magnesium ions at DNA binding sites makes a major contribution to the 25Mg-nmr line width. However, the activation parameters are not consistent with the temperature dependence of either transport properties or chemical exchange with phosphate groups alone, but are consistent with a sum of at least two processes that provide opposing contributions to the 25Mg-nmr relaxation. It is also shown that the non-Lorentzian character of the 25Mg-nmr line previously reported is consistent with the effect of an incompletely averaged static nuclear electric quadrupole interaction and/or an exchange process that is slow with respect to the magnitude of this interaction. Because the concentrations employed in these experiments are high, the present data do not provide a direct or critical test of the electrostatic theories of ion-polyelectrolyte interaction. The present data do demonstrate, however, that such theories alone are insufficient as a basis for understanding the 25Mg-nmr data.

Notes: The persistence length of lugworm cuticle collagen in 0.1M acetic acid was evaluated as 1600 ∼ 1800 Å by Yamakawa-Fujii's model for a wormlike chain from the sedimentation constant and the intrinsic viscosity. The persistence length was further examined for a series of sample “collagen sonicates” produced by varying the duration of sonic irradiation. To estimate the salt effect on the persistence length, measurements were made over a range of NaCl concentrations from 0 to 0.1M. The results showed that the cuticle collagen and collagen sonicates had identical values of persistence length and that the neutral salt effect for the cuticle collagen was far smaller than that for DNA.

Notes: We have used translational diffusion coefficient measurements and subunit hydrodynamic theory to determine the dimensions and shape of bacterioophage T4D baseplates and tails. The diffusion coefficient of the baseplate, measured by quasielastic laser light scattering (QLS), was determined previously by Wagenknecht and Bloomfield to be D = 8.56 × 10-8 cm2/s. For the tail, we found D = 5.88 × 10-8 cm2/s by QLS, and D = 6.02 × 10-8 cm2/s by combining sedimentation coefficient and molecular weight in the Svedberg equation. These values, which have an uncertainty of ±2.7%, when combined with subunit hydrodynamic theory, enabled us to refine estimates of dimensions obtained by electron microscopy. For the hexagonal baseplate, the vertex-to-vertex distance is about 480 Å, the thickness is 160 Å, and there are six extended short fibers 320-Å long and 40 Å in diameter. When a baseplate of these dimensions is attached to a tail tube-sheath-connector complex 1050-Å long and 240 Å in diameter, the calculated D is 5.93 × 10-8 cm2/s, within 1% of experiment. This combined use of electron microscopy and hydrodynamics, using the former to ascertain shape, and the latter to obtain solution dimensions, is a powerful approach to the structure of biomolecular complexes.

Notes: Poly(L-lysine) of various molecular weights between 2700 and 475,000 was spin-labeled. From the electron spin resonance spectra, the degree of freedom of the nitroxide was determined by calculation of the rotational correlation time as the poly(L-lysine) underwent the pH-induced random coil to α-helix conformational transition. In general, the rotational correlation time of the nitroxide increased as the pH was increased, indicating a more restricted environment for the spin label when poly(L-lysine) is deprotonated. For the high-molecular-weight poly(L-lysine) this corresponds to the formation of the α-helix and indicates that the side chain-side chain interaction and decreased segmental motion of the backbone (slightly) restricts the motion of the spin label. For the 2700-molecular-weight poly(L-lysine), previously shown not to assume a helical conformation at high pH, the increase in the rotational correlation time of the spin label indicates that the side chain-side chain interaction takes place after deprotonation but without helix formation. This may indicate that helix formation per se is not needed to produce the observed effect even with the high-molecular-weight polymers. The rotational correlation time of the spin label at a particular pH did not depend on the molecular weight of the poly(L-lysine) over the 200-fold range of molecular weights. This indicates that the rotational correlation time reflects the rotational mobility of the spin label in a localized environment and not the rotational diffusion of the entire macromolecule.

Notes: The interaction of fluoroquinacrine, 3-fluoro-7-chloro-9-(diethylamino-1-methylbutyl-amino)acridine, with poly(A), DNA, and tRNA has been investigated by monitoring changes in the 19F-nmr properties, the fluorescence, and the optical absorbance of the drug. The changes in the properties of fluoroquinacrine in the presence of nucleic acids are similar to those observed for quinacrine and suggest that the drugs bind in a similar fashion. The molecular dynamics of fluoroquinacrine bound to nucleic acids were determined by interpreting the data from a number of different nmr relaxation experiments with a two-correlation-time model. The two motions are the long-range bending motion of the drug-nucleic acid complex and the sliding of the drug between the base pairs. Both dipolar and chemical shift anisotropy contributions to the nmr relaxation parameters were taken into consideration. The binding of fluoroquinacrine to tRNA appears to be different from that observed for binding to DNA. Optical absorbance and 19F-nmr were also used to examine the helix-to-coil transitions of the drug-nucleic acid complexes. In the DNA complex, the 19F chemical shift changes parallel the absorption changes that occur during the transition. 19F-nmr and absorption show that the drug-tRNA complexes undergo a cooperative helix-to-coil transition, with the drug binding sites melting when the tRNA is 70% denatured.

Notes: The crystal structure of the title compound, a model for the glycosyl linkage between the asparagine side chain and N-acetyl glucosamine in glycoproteins, has been determined and compared to other model structures. The pyranose ring in the crystal is in the 4C1 chair conformation and the amide functions at C1 and at C2 are both oriented such that the amide protons are nearly trans to their respective sugar-ring protons. Coupling constants determined from the fully assigned proton nmr spectrum in aqueous solution are consistent with the conformation in the crystal.

Notes: Flow linear dichroic studies have been conducted on phage T4B in its fast and slow forms. The behavior of the phages is well represented by an equivalent ellipsoid model using the Peterlin-Stuart theory. The measurements permit the evaluation of the optical factor of the DNA in the phage and the rotary diffusion coefficient of the phage particle. Both these quantities change during the slow-fast conversion. The rotary diffusion results are in good agreement with those obtained by other workers with other methods. The optical factor is negative, indicating a net alignment of DNA helices parallel to the phage axis. The results exclude certain simplified models for the packaged DNA but do not lead to a unique structural conclusion. The flow dichroism experiment and its interpretation are described, and a simple method of calculating optical factors for complicated but cylindrically symmetric structures is presented.

Notes: It has recently been proposed that the repeating backbone nucleotide may be regarded as consisting of two blocks of equal magnitude representable by two virtual bonds. Implicit consideration of the nucleotide (ψ,ψ) and internucleotide (ω′,ω) geometry that generate variety in polynucleotide conformations, and of the constancy of the repeating structural moieties (P-C4′ and C4′-P) independent of the above rotations, has enabled us to utilize this scheme in the study of ordered structures such as di-, oligonucleotides and, most significantly, tRNA. The polynucleotide folding dictated by short-, intermediate-, and long-range interactions in the monoclinic and orthorhombic forms is described and compared through circular plots depicting the virtual bond torsions and distance plots constructed independently for backbone as well as bases. The torsions and the bond angles associated with the virtual bonds afford a clear distinction between ordered helical segments from loops and bends of tRNA. Lower virtual bond torsions (-60° to 60°) concomitant with higher values of virtual bond angles characterize various bend regions, while torsions around 160°-210° typify ordered helical strands. The distance plot elucidates the type of interaction associated with various sub-structures (helix-helix, helix-loop, and loop-loop) that form the constituents of different structural domains. Several other features such as the manifestation of the P10 loop and the approximate twofold symmetry in the tRNA molecule are conspicuous on the distance plot.

Notes: The probability of DNA base-pair opening was calculated at temperatures below the denaturation region. The helix-coil transition theory, modified to include different nearest-neighbor interactions, was employed. Predictions of base-pair opening employing DNA melting-curve parameters differed considerably from predictions based on parameters evaluated from synthetic RNA oligomer data of Gralla and Crothers (G-C) and formaldehyde-DNA binding experiments of McGhee and von Hippel (M-vH). Calculations based on the latter parameters indicate a base-pair-opening probability of 10-2-10-3 at 35°C in 0.1M NaCl. DNA melting-curve parameters predict values about 103 smaller. At a temperature 10°C below the transition midpoint of a specific DNA sequence, DNA melting parameters predict base-pair opening of about 10-3, whereas the G-C and M-vH parameters predict that ≳0.16 of the DNA is melted. Experiments and theoretical assumptions relevant to the calculations are analyzed. Evidence suggests that DNA melting parameters are valid when the average loop size exceeds some minimum value, whereas the G-C and M-vH parameters appear more valid for single base-pair loops. A reconciliation of the two sets of predictions can be made if interactions extending beyond neighboring base pairs are considered. Such interactions will make the parameters of the nearest-neighbor model appear to change with the average loop size. Experiments that may provide further measurements of base-pair opening are discussed.

Notes: Starting with β-methoxy methacryloylisocyanate, β-methoxy methacrylisothiocyanate, and β-isocyanatopropionyl chloride, on the one hand, and Nα-Z-lysine or Nα-Z-ornithine, on the other hand, Nα-Z-amino acids with pyrimidine bases in the side chain were synthesized. These Z-protected nucleoamino acids were converted to the corresponding N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) via the silylester method. In the case of 2-thiothymine derivatives, the reaction intermediate of the NCA synthesis caused benzylation of the thioxo- group, so that a new class of 2-mercaptopyrimidine derivatives was isolated unexpectedly. The poly(nucleoamino acids) obtained by polymerization of the nucleoamino acid NCAs were characterized by elemental analyses, optical rotations 1H-nmr and 13C-nmr spectra. Vapor pressure osmometry revealed that the DPs were in the range of 20-30. Their spectra suggest a helical secondary structure. While all homopolypeptides are insoluble in water, copolypeptides containing L-lysine Nε-hydrobromide possess good solubility in water.

Notes: Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra for the principal amide stretching vibrations, amide A (N—H stretch) and amide I (predominantly C=O stretch), are presented and analyzed for a variety of polypeptides dissolved in chloroform, as well as for two examples in D2O. Our results for poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) confirm the first and only previous report of VCD in polypeptides carried out by Singh and Keiderling [(1981) Biopolymers 20, 237-240]. Collectively, our spectra show that the sense of the bisignate VCD in these two regions depends on the sense of α-helicity and not on the absolute configuration of the constituent amino acids. This conclusion is established by obtaining VCD for the two polypeptides, poly(β-benzyl-L-asparate) and poly(im-benzyl-L-histidine), that form left-handed as opposed to right-handed α-helices. A new amide band having significant VCD intensity owing to its Fermi resonance interaction with the N—H stretching mode has been identified as a weak shoulder on the low-frequency side of the amide A band near 3200 cm-1 and is assigned as a combination band of the amide I and amide II vibrations. VCD spectra of polypeptides in D2O solution, although weak, have been successfully measured in the amide I region, where spectra appear to be more complicated due to the presence of solvated and internally hydrogen-bonded amide groups. Strong monosignate contributions to the VCD in the amide A and amide I regions for some of the polypeptides indicate coupling of an electronic nature between these two regions and is deduced by an application of the concept of local sum rules of rotational strength. It appears that a detailed understanding of the VCD obtained for polypeptides will not only be diagnostic of secondary structure, but also of more subtle structural and vibrational effects that give rise to local, intrinsic chirality in the amide vibrations.

Notes: A theoretical analysis of the binding curves for the bifunctional peptide antibiotic echinomycin and its analogs interacting with a variety of DNAs is presented. The method is an extension of our previous work using the sequence-generating-function technique and has been modified to allow for consideration of cooperativity within the framework of the neighbor-exclusion rule. Binding by both single and double intercalation is included, and the results are, in many cases, superior to the analysis based on single-mode binding. In all cases the data are consistent with the neighbor-exclusion principle for intercalation when analyzed with this approach, while data analysis, using a simpler method, often led to violation of this rule. Positive cooperativity is considered in the treatment of data for binding to poly(dA-dT). Finally, we discuss the relationship between base specificity and binding site size.

Notes: Quasielastic light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering studies were carried out on mononucleosome and oligonucleosome systems. The electrophoretic light scattering experiments employed static and sinusoidal electric fields. Data are presented that suggest at least two relaxation modes. It is proposed that the small amplitude sinusoidal field effectively polarizes the ion atmosphere about the polyion, thus leading to an induced dipole moment that varies sinusoidally in time. This model is, in essence, an extension of the current interpretation of low-frequency dielectric dispersion data on DNA as being due to fluctuations of counterions along the polyion.

Notes: Human fibrinogen was treated with thrombin in the presence of fibrinoligase (Factor XIIIa) and calcium ion at pH 8.5, ionic strength 0.45, and the ensuing polymerization was interrupted at various time intervals (t) both before and after the clotting time (tc) by solubilization with a solution of sodium dodecylsulfate and urea. Aliquots of the solubilized protein were subjected to gel electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels after disulfide reduction by dithiothreitol and on agarose gels without reduction. The degree of γ-γ ligation was determined from the former and the size distribution of ligated oligomers, for degree of polymerization x from 1 to 10, from the latter. In some experiments, thrombin was inhibited, after partial polymerization, by p-nitrophenyl-p′-guanidinobenzoate. From these, it was concluded that for thrombin concentration ≤0.013 units/mL and fibrinoligase ≥30 mg/L, oligomer assembly is rapid compared with peptide A release and ligation is rapid compared with assembly. Under these conditions, the theory of the first paper of this series describes rather well the time dependences of the degree of γ-γ ligation, the weight fractions of monomer and small oligomers, and the number- and weight-average degrees of polymerization after solubilization of the staggered overlapped assemblies, each of which splits to give two strands of end-to-end ligated oligomers. The theory assumes that the second A peptide is released by thrombin more rapidly than the first by a factor q, which, from the experimental data, is determined to be 16. The subsequent assembly into staggered overlapped oligomers follows the statistics of linear polycondesation taking into account the presence of both difunctional and monofunctional combining units. For higher thrombin or lower fibrinoligase concentrations, ligation fails to keep pace with oligomer assembly, and the size distributions after solubilization show a higher proportion of very small and a lower proportion of larger ligated oligomers, owing to separation of the staggered overlapped assemblies into smaller fragments.

Notes: A theoretical model to determine the probability of loop formation, based on an elaborated form of the Jacobson-Stockmayer theory of cyclization equilibria, has been developed and used on RNA chains of homogeneous puckering and lengths up to 27 residues. The probability Qx (q, γ0, ε0) of occurrence of hairpin loops of a particular chain x is given by Qx (q, γ0, ε0) = [W (q) δr][2Γq (γ0)δγ] [Eq,γ0 (ε0) δε] where W(q) is the three-dimensional density distribution function of end-to-end vectors r centered about the ideal loop closure position q; Γq(γ0) is an angular correlation factor that restricts the orientation of terminal bonds (i.e., bond x and bond 1) in the loop to a specified value Δθ = cos-1 (γ0) when r adopts a value within a range δr from position q; and Eq,γ0(ε0) is the probability that ε falls within δε of ε0 when r and γ assume the values denoted by the respective subscripts. The parameter ε is related to the angle between a hypothetical bond (x + 1) and bond 1. In these calculations, Eqγ0(ε0) was set equal to 1. For randomly coiling models previously developed to reproduce polynucleotide unperturbed dimensions, loop closure probability is maximized with chains of length 22 residues. Larger hairpin loops of 24-25 residues, also favored in C3′-endo random coils of this type, are potential models of tRNA unfolding. W(q) is a stronger determinant of loop closure than Γq(γ0). The angular correlation effect is most noticeable at chain lengths 22 and 23 where 2Γq(γ0) deviates from unity.

Notes: High-resolution neutron time-of-flight (TOF) spectra were measured for partly deuterated hen egg-white lysozyme in solution with and without N-acetyl-glucosamine inhibitor bound to the cleft, and in polycrystalline form. Weak but reproducible bands occur at frequencies between 25 and 375 cm-1. The bands were tentatively assigned on the basis of previous results for homopolypeptides. At very small energy transfers (between about 1 cm-1 and 40 cm-1), the TOF spectra show a dependence both on inhibitor binding and crystalline environment. This is interpreted in terms of conformational flexibility.

Notes: Transient electric dichroism has been measured for the ferriheme-poly(L-lysine)[(Lys)n], ferroheme-(Lys)n, and ferroheme-(Lys)n-carbon monoxide (CO) solutions at pH 9-12. The Soret absorption maximum in electronic spectrum (λ), the reduced linear dichroism (ρ∞) at complete orientation and the calculated angle (φ) between the porphyrin plane of a bound heme and the oriented polymer axis are determined for the following complexes: a ferriheme-(Lys)n complex at pH 9.5-10.5 (λ = 420 nm, ρ∞ = 0.50, and φ = 19°), a ferroheme-(Lys)n complex at pH 9.5-10.2 (λ = 432 nm, ρ∞ = 0.77, and φ = 0°), and a ferroheme-(Lys)n-CO complex at pH 9.25 (λ = 430 nm, ρ∞ = 0.38, and φ = 24°). Based on the above data, the validity of the structures of heme-(Lys)n complexes proposed by other investigators is discussed.

Notes: The stability of the α-helices of isomeric block copolypeptides is nonequivalent, as reported previously. In order to explore the origin of the nonequivalence, the stability of α-helix of two block copolypeptides, (L-Ala)20-(L-Glu)20-(L-Phe) (designated as AEF) and (L-Glu)20-(L-Ala)20-(L-Phe) (EAF), in aqueous solution was investigated as a function of pH, temperature, and salt concentration by the measurement of the α-helical content using CD at 223 nm. The transition temperature, Tm, as a measure of the stability of the α-helix, decreased with increasing the salt concentration for EAF, while Tm increased for AEF. The results indicate that electrostatic interactions affect the nonequivalence of such helical stability. Thermodynamic quantities, ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS, of the thermal transition from random coil to α-helix were obtained by applying the curve-fitting method to the data. The major contribution to the effects of salts seems to be the entropic term, not the enthalpy term. This is unexpected, since the salt ions would weaken electrostatic interactions between ionized groups and the dipole along the helical axis, which affect the enthalpy term. In addition, the dependence of the electrostatic effect on the salt concentration is different for EAF and AEF. There fore, the nonequivalence cannot be accounted for by only the electrostatic effect, suggesting that it originates from some intrinsic property of the α-helix.

Notes: Using quasielastic light scattering, we have determined the diffusion coefficients of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and polystyrene latex spheres over the temperature range of 293-318 K. The results show that after correction for thermal changes in the solvent, there remains a residual negative temperature coefficient in the diffusion amounting to about -0.6%/K that is independent of the chemical type of complex. Confirmation of these results was obtained for LDL through sedimentation studies over a similar range of temperatures. The residual temperature coefficient was similar to that reported for oxyhemoglobin [W. B. Veldkamp and R. Votano (1980) Biopolymers 19, 111-124] and greater than that found for bovine serum albumin by these and earlier workers. These observations show that the residual dependence on temperature is not an isolated phenomenon and could in part be explained by increased aggregation of particles, although this is not the primary cause of the effect.

Notes: The conformational changes of poly(dA-dT) from random coil to ordered structure with stacked bases produce important changes in the Raman line intensities (hypochromism) when the polymer is excited under the preresonance Raman conditions (λ excitation = 300 nm). Poly(dA-dT)-RNase and poly(dA-dT)-histone H1 interactions have been studied as models of mechanisms of destabilization and stabilization by proteins of the DNA secondary structure, respectively, following this intense preresonance Raman hypochromism. In addition, the specific variation of the intensity of the 1582-cm-1 line of adenine is interpreted in terms of the interaction of the amino group with the RNase (thus involving the large groove). In the poly(dA-dT)-H1 complex, the intensity of the 1665-cm-1 line of thymine increases. This increase appears to involve the C2=O group of thymine, located in the narrow groove.

Notes: The enthalpies of binding of chloroquine and quinacrine to DNA at different molar ratios of drug to DNA and at different ionic strengths have been measured. The limiting values obtained with quinacrine fall in the range found for typical intercalating agents (e.g., ethidium, proflavin, adriamycin), whereas the value obtained with chloroquine is always zero, independent of the ratio of drug to DNA and ionic strength. The dilatometric measurements performed on the same systems and on the ethidium-DNA system show that when ethidium and quinacrine bind to DNA at low drug/DNA ratios, a volume decrease of about 16 mL/mol of bound drug occurs. No change in volume is observed when the two drugs bind to DNA through external, electrostatic forces. The volume change can be attributed to the loss of structured water around hydrophobic moieties of the drug molecules, following intercalation. In contrast, chloroquine binding to DNA at low drug/DNA ratios is characterized by a volume change distinctly smaller than that shown by quinacrine. The low ΔVB and ΔHB values shown by chloroquine are discussed in terms of the mechanism of interaction with DNA.

Notes: The conformation and the dynamic structure of single-stranded poly(U) and poly(C) in neutral aqueous solution have been investigated by 1H-nmr at two different frequencies (90 and 250 MHz) and at various temperatures. Measurements of proton chemical shifts, coupling constants JH-H, and proton relaxation times, T1, T2, versus temperature show a striking difference in conformation and in dynamic structure between the two polynucleotides studied. The temperature effect on δ and JH-H is found to be substantial for poly(C) and insignificant for poly(U). The S conformer is favored in poly(U), whereas the N conformer strongly predominates in poly(C) (≃90%), similar to the case for RNAs. These results suggest that single-stranded poly(C) probably possesses a helical or partial helical structure, whereas poly(U) shows a clear preference for the random coil, in agreement with the optical results. The local motions of the ribose and base were studied at various temperatures by measurements on the relaxation times at 90 and 250 MHz. For a given temperature between 22 and 72°C, the ratio T1(90)/T1(250) is practically the same for all poly(U) protons, indicating that in this temperature interval the ribose base unit of poly(U) undergoes an isotropic motion characterized by a single correlation time τc. Above 52°C, poly(C) exhibits a dynamic structure similar to poly(U). Below this temperature, poly(C) exists in an equilibrium between randomly coiled and single-stranded helix forms. This situation is characterized by a strong cross-relaxation effect and T1 values corresponding to a relatively short apparent correlation time. An activation energy of 4 kcal/mol was determined for the motion of the ribose-base unit in both single-stranded polynucleotides.

Notes: The complexes of the three BrCN-cleaved fragments of sperm whale apomyoglobin with hemin were studied by circular dichroism (CD). In native myoglobin, the heme is located in the middle fragment; the isolated peptide (residues 56-131), however, produces little extrinsic Cotton effects by the addition of hemin, although about four molecules of hemin are bound to this peptide. In marked contrast, the COOH-terminal peptide (residues 132-153), which binds three hemin molecules, shows strong Cotton effects in the Soret bands and drastically changes its conformation from unordered to highly helical. The Arg-modified or Lys-deaminated peptide no longer undergoes conformational changes by the addition of hemin, suggesting that the two propionic acid groups of one hemin molecule interact with the Arg residue and one of the Lys residues, which stabilizes the induced helical conformation. The NH2-terminal peptide (residues 1-55) binds one hemin molecules, and the helicity of this fragment is slightly enhanced by the addition of hemin. Both the CD and difference absorption spectra indicate that the mode of interaction between the peptides and hemin are different for the three apomyoglobin fragments.

Notes: CD study of four modified nucleosides, constituents of tRNA molecules, revealed that 2-thio-5-methyluridine and 5-methyluridine in aqueous solution, 0.1N HCl, and organic solvents essentially occur in an anti-conformation. 5-Methylcytidine also occurs in an anti-conformation similar to cytidine in aqueous solution and organic solvents, while 2-thiocytidine dihydrate appears to occur in an anti-conformation. It is stressed that the CD data of thionucleosides might be applied to the successfully conformational analysis of tRNA molecules.

Notes: It has been inferred from previous studies that Mn2+ ions bind preferentially to G·C base pairs in DNA, and it has even been suggested that this preference for G·C pairs might be responsible for some of the Mn2+ specific effects observed in various biochemical reactions. In this paper we investigate the AT/GC preference of Mn2+ by direct competition studies in which AT-rich DNA was dialyzed against GC-rich DNA in the presence of varying amounts of Mn2+. Analysis of these results demonstrates that over a wide range of Mn2+/DNA(P) molar ratios, Mn2+ binds to A·T and to G·C base pairs with virtually identical affinity, although in a somewhat different mode. Both the present and previous nmr, uv, CD, and melting studies are discussed in terms of the different modes of binding of Mn2+ to single- and double-stranded DNA.

Notes: We have determined extinction angles and flow birefringence of T7 bacteriophage DNA over a wide range of shear, polymer concentration, and solvent ionic strength. From these data, information on the simple salt dependence of coil permeability to solvent and on short-range intrachain interactions (persistence length) was obtained. At all ionic strengths, our results are consistent with a partially draining coil in the Gaussian subchain dynamical theory of Rouse-Zimm-Tschoegl-Bloomfield. Salt dependence of persistence length is comparable to, although somewhat less than, that obtained previously using similar methods with a fivefold higher-molecular-weight DNA (T2 bacteriophage DNA). Possible reasons for observed discrepancies are analyzed, and the results of this work are compared in detail to other current studies of solvent ionic strength dependence in persistence length and hydrodynamic properties of DNA.

Notes: Variation of collagen fibril structure in tendon was investigated by x-ray diffraction. Anatomically distinct tendons from single species, as well as tendons from different species, were examined to determine the variations that exist in both the axial and lateral structure of the collagen fibrils. The meridional diffraction is derived from the axial collagen fibril structure. Anatomically distinct tendons of a particular species give meridional patterns that are indistinguishable within experimental error. The meridional diffraction patterns from tendons of different mammals are similar but show small species-specific variations, most noticeably in the 14th-18th orders. Tendons of birds also give meridional patterns that are similar to each other, but the avian patterns differ considerably from the mammalian ones. Avian tendons give stronger odd and weaker even low orders, a feature consistent with a reduced gap:overlap ratio, and have a distinctive intensity pattern for the higher meridional orders. Interpretation of these differences has been approached using biochemical data, diffraction by reconsituted fibers of purified collagen, and Fourier transform analysis. From these methods, it appears that the variations observed in the lower orders (2nd-8th) and in the higher orders (29th-52nd) are probably related to differences in the primary structure of the Type I collagen found in the different species. The variations observed in the 14th-18th orders appear not to be related to features within the triple-helical domain of the molecule.Equatorial diffraction yields information on the lateral packing of collagen molecules in the fibrils, and considerable variation was seen in different tendons. Rat tail tendon gives sharp Bragg reflections, demonstrating the presence of a crystalline lateral arrangement of molecules in the fibril. For the first time, sharp lattice reflections similar to those in rat tail tendon have been observed in nontail tendons, including rat achilles tendon, rabbit leg tendon, and wing and leg tendons of quail. In the rabbit and quail tendons, one of the strong equatorial reflections characteristic of the rat tendon pattern, at 1.26 nm, was absent. The positions of the equatorial maxima, which are a measure of intermolecular spacing, varied considerably, being smallest in the specimens displaying crystalline packing. The intermolecular distance in chiken and turkey leg tendons is longer than that found in mammalian tendons, or in avian wing tendons, which supports the hypothesis that a larger intermolecular spacing is characteristic of tendons that calcify.Thus, x-ray diffraction indicates there are reproducible differences in both the axial and lateral structure of collagen fibrils among different tendons. This work on tendon, a tissue containing almost exclusively Type I collagen as its major component, should serve as a basis for analyzing the structure of other connective tissues, which contain different genetic types of collagen and larger amounts of noncollagenous components.

Notes: The conformation of poly(α-L-aspartic acid) was investigated on a sample in which β-bonds were not detected. CD and ir spectroscopy showed that poly(α-L-aspartic acid) passes through a conformational change induced by changes of the degree of ionization that is accompanied by precipitation; the precipitate is probably highly helical. The change was also detected by potentiometric titration.

Notes: We studied the kinetics of the heat denaturation (at 50°C) of met-hemoglobin in the presence of various monohydric alcohols. The denaturation rate was slowed by the presence of small concentrations of methanol and ethanol; in all the other cases, i.e., at high concentrations of methanol and ethanol, and in the whole concentration range studied for iso- and n-propanol, an increase in the denaturation rate was observed. Following a procedure already applied to the study of the effects of the same alcohols on the reaction of hemoglobin with oxygen, we separated the overall observed effects into contributions related to the variation of the bulk dielectric constant of the medium (bulk-electrostatic contributions) and contributions not related to variations in this parameter (nonbulk-electrostatic contributions). For all the alcohols, we found a unique correlation law connecting the above nonbulk-electrostatic contributions with the analogous ones previously reported for the T → R transition of hemoglobin. This fact strongly supports the validity of the procedure used and suggests that nonbulk-electrostatic contributions, relative to these two different processes, have a common background and are univocally determined by the extent of the “solvent perturbation” imposed by the presence of the perturbing cosolvents.

Notes: 2,2,′,2″,2‴-Tetrapyridineiron(III) complex ions anchored to poly(L-glutamate) (FeL) or poly(D-glutamate) (FeD) were used as catalysts for the H2O2 oxidation of L(+)-ascorbic acid at pH 7 and varying complex:polymer-residue molar ratios [C]/[P]. Evidence is produced that the reaction is a composite process reflecting contributions from parallel pathways, one of which corresponds to a catalytic route and is [H2O2]-independent and the other to an uncatalyzed electron-transfer process between the ascorbate anion and hydrogen peroxide. Stereospecific effects in the catalysis are observed on increasing the complex:polymer ratio, which corresponds to an increase of the amount of α-helical fraction in the polypeptide supports (xa). Thus, at [C]/[P] = 0.01 (xa 〈 0.05), kFeD/kFeL = 1.0; but at [C]/[P] = 0.20 (xa ≈ 0.70), kFeD/kFeL = 4.0 ± 0.5, kFeD and kFeL being the second-order rate constants of the electron-transfer reaction between the FeD or FeL isomer of the asymmetric catalyst and the L-ascorbate anion. The activation energies were found to increase markedly on going from the former to the latter complex:polymer ratio but, at the same time, to exhibit equal values with both enantiomeric catalysts. Stereoselectivity therefore appears to be an entropy-controlled process, arising from the conformational rigidity of the precursor complex, which very likely sees the substrate molecules bound to the chiral residues of the ordered polymer surrounding the active sites. The implications of the stereochemical features of the substrate-catalyst adduct on the mechanism of electron transfer are also discussed. Evidence is presented that the asymmetric [Fe(tetpy)(OH)2]+-polyelectrolyte systems play the additional role of environmental controller of the uncatalyzed oxidation of the L-ascorbate anion.

Notes: A temperature-jump relaxation study of the interaction of tilorone with different polynucleotides and DNA has been performed. A single relaxation time, attributed to the intercalation step, has been observed in the case of poly[d(A-T)]·poly[d(A-T)], poly[d(A-C)]·poly[d(G-T)], poly[d(G-C)]·poly[d(G-C)], and poly(dG)·poly(dC). No intercalation into poly(dA)·poly(dT) occurs, and the interaction with poly(dG)·poly(dC) is different from what is observed with the other intercalating homopolymers. Refinement of the binding model is suggested from the analysis of the kinetic data. The relaxation curves obtained with DNA are well simulated based on a binding mechanism where DNA is considered a heterogeneous lattice and each type of site behaves as if it were located in the corresponding homopolymer. Poly(dA)·poly(dT) shows a unique behavior: studies of the effects of concentration and temperature indicate that tilorone acts as a probe of a process involving the polynucleotide alone. This process appears to be related to the dynamic structure of the nucleic acid and is detectable only when the bound dye is not intercalated.

Notes: We had earlier observed that the detailed nature of the β-structure adopted by poly(L-tyrosine) depends on molecular weight [Auer, H. E. & McKnight, R. P. (1978) Biochemistry 17, 2798-2805]. It was proposed that shorter molecules form an open, single-layered sheet (class I) and that longer chains fold over to generate at least two layers (class II). In this work, solvent perturbation difference spectroscopy of the chromophoric side chain was applied to gain additional support for the model. Two sample-reference pairs of media, sodium acetate vs sodium chloride and urea vs buffer, were studied. Great care was taken to achieve identical conditions in the sample and reference cells. The factors of importance in executing the experiments are the polypeptide concentration, the degree of side-chain ionization, achievement of the same class of β-conformation, and the absence of significant aggregation. Difference spectra obtained with both solvent pairs have similar features. Low-molecular-weight samples manifest difference bands arising from both ionized and neutral tyrosine side chains, while high-molecular-weight samples yield spectra with contributions primarily from ionized residues. The interpretation of these results is that the class I particle has both ionized and neutral residues exposed to the solvent medium, whereas the class II particle is folded, with neutral residues restricted to the interior of the fold and primarily ionized residues on the outer surfaces exposed to the solvent. Our results, therefore, corroborate the original model.

Notes: Extinction angles, flow birefringence, and intrinsic viscosities are compared for linear, bihelical DNAs from viral and other sources that span a range in molecular weight from ∼105 to 1.3 × 108. This range effectively spans the region over which transition from rigid-rod to expanded-coil hydrodynamic property behavior occurs. All DNAs are in identical, phosphate-EDTA, neutral-pH buffers, 0.1M in NaCl. The extinction angle is a hydrodynamic property only and is thus particularly sensitive to effects of kinetic chain rigidity or internal viscosity. Our extinction angle results cannot be interpreted by any simple, single-function theoretical expression. Rather, they must be divided into distinct high- and low-molecular-weight domains. The low-molecular-weight region is typical of rigid-particle opticohydrodynamic property behaviour characterized primarily by particle orientation. The high-molecular-weight domain shows evidence for a finite internal viscosity effect, however, which can be interpreted as very nearly Kuhnian using Cerf's amplification of the Gaussian subchain model to include internal viscosity. It is found that the high-molecular-weight, monodisperse viral DNAs from T7, T5, and T2 bacteriophage show an internal viscosity contribution to the limiting extinction angle-shear rate ratio of ∼3 × 10-3 s. An effect of this magnitude may be marginally important in interpreting extinction angle and certain other hydrodynamic property data for high-molecular-weight DNA systems. Internal viscosity effects do not appear to be manifest in the ratio of flow birefringence to intrinsic viscosity, however, and the persistence length of the high-molecular-weight DNAs is found to be independent of molecular weight to within estimated experimental uncertainty.

Notes: Phosphorylase kinase contains four approximately equivalent binding sites for 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (1,8-ANS). Measurements of the time decay of fluorescence anisotropy have failed to give any indication of internal degrees of rotational freedom involving a significant portion of the tertiary structure. In the presence of 1 mM Ca2+, calmodulin binds one molecule of 1,8-ANS. No binding occurs in the absence of Ca2+. The binding is strongly temperature-dependent, a decrease in binding occurring with increasing temperature. Determinations of the time decay of fluorescence anisotropy indicate the presence of internal rotations, which become more important with increasing temperature. Complex formation between phosphorylase kinase and calmodulin reduces the binding of 1,8-ANS.

Notes: The dissociation of beef liver and bacterial (Micrococcus lysodeikticus) catalases by the action of sodium n-dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been investigated as a function of SDS concetration and time by ultracentrifugation. The rate of dissociation of beef liver catalase is found to be much faster than that for bacterial catalase in 25 mM SDS at pH 7.0. Beef liver catalase is dissociated into its four subunits after 24 h, whereas bacterial catalase is not completely dissociated after 36 days of incubation. The binding of SDS to beef liver catalase obeys a Hill equation with a cooperativity exponent of 2.0 and a binding constant of 440. The initial interaction of SDS with beef liver catalase can be detected by microcalorimetry, whereas the mixing of SDS with bacterial catalase is athermal. Bacterial catalase retains enzymic activity in the presence of SDS, whereas beef liver catalase is completely deactivated at SDS concentrations above 5 mM. Beef liver catalase is more sensitive to acid denaturation than bacterial catalase, and the rate of dissociation for both catalases is sixth-order in proton concentration. Comparison of the amino acid analysis of the two catalases shows that bacterial catalase has a smaller number of lysyl residues and a larger number of glutamyl residues than beef liver catalase. Taken together these structural differences could lead to a reduced affinity of bacterial catalase for the binding of SDS as observed.

Notes: Developments of metallic materials in view of their use for chemical plants. The demands placed on materials of construction for chemical plants are becoming more and more stringent due to the steady increase in mechanical, thermal, and chemical loading. Molten metallurgical improvements, alloying steps, new methods of plastic deformation and heat treatment, and facilitation of workability are implemented in attempts to optimize the properties of construction materials and to achieve better adaptation to the service conditions. Progress achieved by research and developments during recent years in the above mentioned field is apparent in practical applications of some groups of materials which are important for construction of apparatus; these are high-strength fine grained steels, high-alloyed ferritic and austenitic stainless steels, as well as duplex steels. Moreover, the improvements - especially in corrosion restistance - are considered which can be obtained by special melting techniques and new fabrication processes. In addition, the advantages of electroslag remelting (ESR) and powdermetallurgical fabrication of semi-finished products of corrosion resistant alloys and the possibilities of hotisostaticpressing (HIP) of structural components are discussed.

Notes: Solvent extraction (SX). SX is widely used to separate metals from diluted leaching liquors, wastes, and effluents. The composition of the organic phase has great influence in this type of extraction with chemical reaction. Some trends and rules can be given. Another major problem is the aqueous phase. A systematic study is undertaken to up-date the parameters which are changing with aqueous phase composition. Step-by-step development of a process is shown.