Integration of P2Y receptor-activated signal transduction pathways in G protein-dependent signalling networks

The role of nucleotides in intracellular energy provision and nucleic acid synthesis has been known for a long time. In the past decade, evidence has been presented that, in addition to these functions, nucleotides are also autocrine and paracrine messenger molecules that initiate and regulate a large number of biological processes. The actions of extracellular nucleotides are mediated by ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptors, while hydrolysis by ecto-enzymes modulates the initial signal. An increasing number of studies have been performed to obtain information on the signal transduction pathways activated by nucleotide receptors. The development of specific and stable purinergic receptor agonists and antagonists with therapeutical potential largely contributed to the identification of receptors responsible for nucleotide-activated pathways. This article reviews the signal transduction pathways activated by P2Y receptors, the involved second messenger systems, GTPases and protein kinases, as well as recent findings concerning P2Y receptor signalling in C6 glioma cells. Besides vertical signal transduction, lateral cross-talks with pathways activated by other G protein-coupled receptors and growth factor receptors are discussed

NMR as a tool for kinetic studies: Application to the assessment of organotin reactivity

Halogen exchange rates are measured for various monoorganotins with NMR techniques, and an exchange mechanism is proposed. A correlation between kinetic data and the reactivity of the monoorganotins is then exemplified with radical allylic transfer and palladium catalyzed coupling reactions

NMR and molecular modeling: application to wine ageing

Red wine contains polyphenols called tannins which are very important for its taste and longevity. These polymers consist in repeating units of catechin and its epimer epicatechin. During ageing, slow condensation reactions take place which lead to new chemical structures. Among the possible reactions, we have focused our attention on acetaldehyde cross-linking. Catechin was used as a model for the production of polymers with acetaldehyde. Two reaction product fractions have been isolated by liquid chromatography. Mass measurement indicated that these fractions contain dimers. NMR (1D and 2D) and molecular modelling were then used to study the structure and conformations of these products. The first product consist in a pure dimer with the two catechin moieties connected with an ethyl bridge on the carbon 6 and 8. The second fraction was a mixture of two dimers (50/50). NMR measurements showed that it could be two symmetrical dimers involving the same carbon for each catechin moiety (6 or 8)

Structure determination of cyclopentane terpene derivatives by crossed NMR and MS techniques

3 of the 4 stereoisomers of the 1-isopropenyl 2,3-dimethylcyclopentane, obtained from the cracking of 3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-diene, were purified and characterized. Dihedral angles, between the protons of the substituted carbons, have been determined by molecular modelling. Analysis of the NMR and mass spectra allowed us to access to the structure of the different isomers

Towards high resolution

The time dependent colloidal formation of tannins in hydro-alcoholic medium has been studied by 1H-NMR. Line broadening observed with time can be cancelled by making use of magic angle sample spinning (MASS) thus yielding sharp lines that allow structural studies. We used as an example catechin, a constitutive monomer of Bordeaux young red wine tannins. Chemical shift variations of polyphenol protons allow monitoring the time course of aggregation

Effects of silicone coating degradation on GaN MQW LEDs performances using physical and chemical analyses

International audienceThis work presents a physics of failure (POF) methodology coupling failure signatures with physico-chemical analyses. The aim is to work out electro-optical failure signatures located in packaged InGaN/GaN Multiple Quantum Wells Light Emitting Diodes (MQW LEDs). Electrical and optical characteristics performed after accelerated ageing tests (30 mA/85 °C/1500 h), confirm a 65% drop of optical power and an increase of one decade of leakage current spreading at the silicone oil/chip interfaces. Through measurements of silicone coating fluorescence emission spectra, we demonstrate that the polymer enlarges the LED emission spectrum and shifts central wavelength. This shift is related to silicone oil spectral instability and the central wavelength of packaged LED appears to be temperature insensitive. In this paper, we discriminate the degradation of bulk silicone oil responsible for optical losses from the polymer/chip interface inducing larger leakage current

Étude structurale de lignines extraites de cour de bois de chêne

Dans ce travail les auteurs présentent la structure de deux types de lignines extraites du bois de cœur de Q. robur. Il s'agit de LE, lignine extraite en milieu hydroalcoolique acide (PM 23 kDa) et de LD extraite à chaud par le dioxane acidifié (PM 45 kDa). L'analyse des spectres 2D de type TOCSY et HMQC confirme que les deux lignines contiennent principalement des noyaux phénoliques monométhoxylés (Gaïacyles) et diméthoxylés (Syringyles) reliés par des liaisons β–O–4 aryl-ether prépondérantes. LD se distingue de LE par une proportion plus importante de noyaux G.