Turn-folding in fluorescent anthracene-substituted cyclopenta[d]isoxazoline short peptides

Cyclopenta[d]isoxazoline aminols were used for the synthesis of b-turn mimics. The peptide chain choice ascertained the influence of their structural features on the applicability/reliability/robustness of these scaffolds as b-turn inducers and their limitations. The amino acid selection as well as steric demands can favor or disfavor the structure folding and the correct design of the peptide chains deeply influences the potential use of these nitrosocarbonyl-based compounds as turn-inducers

Developing a Library of Mannose-Based Mono- and Disaccharides: A General Chemoenzymatic Approach to Monohydroxylated Building Blocks

Regioselective deprotection of acetylated mannose-based mono- and disaccharides differently functionalized in anomeric position was achieved by enzymatic hydrolysis. Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) and Bacillus pumilus acetyl xylan esterase (AXE) were immobilized on octyl-Sepharose and glyoxyl-agarose, respectively. The regioselectivity of the biocatalysts was affected by the sugar structure and functionalization in anomeric position. Generally, CRL was able to catalyze regioselective deprotection of acetylated monosaccharides in C6 position. When acetylated disaccharides were used as substrates, AXE exhibited a marked preference for the C2, or C6 position when C2 was involved in the glycosidic bond. By selecting the best enzyme for each substrate in terms of activity and regioselectivity, we prepared a small library of differently monohydroxylated building blocks that could be used as intermediates for the synthesis of mannosylated glycoconjugate vaccines targeting mannose receptors of antigen presenting cells

Liquid-liquid extraction of succinate using a dicopper cryptate

The extraction of the succinate dianion from a neutral aqueous solution into dichloromethane is obtained using a lipophilic cage-like dicopper(II) complex as the extractant. The quantitative extraction exploits the high affinity of the succinate anion for the cavity of the azacryptate. The anion is effectively transferred from the aqueous phase, buffered at pH 7 with HEPES, into dichloromethane. A 1:1 extractant:anion adduct is obtained. Extraction can be easily monitored by following changes in the UV-visible spectrum of the dicopper complex in dichloromethane, and by measuring the residual concentration of succinate in the aqueous phase by HPLC−UV. Considering i) the relevance of polycarboxylates in biochemistry, as e.g. normal intermediates of the TCA cycle, ii) the relevance of dicarboxylates in the environmental field, as e.g. waste products of industrial processes, and iii) the recently discovered role of succinate and other dicarboxylates in pathophysiological processes including cancer, our results open new perspectives for research in all contexts where selective recognition, trapping and extraction of polycarboxylates is required. </div

Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Stability of a Novel ACE-Inhibitory Peptide from Soybean Protein

A soy protein isolate was hydrolyzed with Alcalase (R), Flavourzyme (R) and their combination, and the resulting hydrolysates (A, F and A + F) were ultrafiltered and analyzed through SDS-PAGE. Fractions with MW < 1 kDa were investigated for their ACE-inhibitory activity, and the most active one (A < 1 kDa) was purified by semi-preparative RP-HPLC, affording three further subfractions. NMR analysis and Edman degradation of the most active subfraction (A1) enabled the identification of four putative sequences (ALKPDNR, VVPD, NDRP and NDTP), which were prepared by solid-phase synthesis. The comparison of their ACE-inhibitory activities suggested that the novel peptide NDRP might be the main agent responsible for Al fraction ACE inhibition (ACE inhibition = 87.75 +/- 0.61%; IC50 = 148.28 +/- 9.83 mu g mL(-1)). NDRP acts as a non-competitive inhibitor and is stable towards gastrointestinal simulated digestion. The Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) analysis confirmed the presence of NDRP in A < 1 kDa

New ACE-Inhibitory Peptides from Hemp Seed (<i>Cannabis sativa</i> L.) Proteins

A hemp seed protein isolate, prepared from defatted hemp seed meals by alkaline solubilization/acid precipitation, was subjected to extensive chemical hydrolysis under acid conditions (6 M HCl). The resulting hydrolysate was fractionated by semipreparative RP-HPLC, and the purified fractions were tested as inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Mono- and bidimensional NMR experiments and LC-MS analyses led to the identification of four potentially bioactive peptides, i.e. GVLY, IEE, LGV, and RVR. They were prepared by solid-phase synthesis, and tested for ACE-inhibitory activity. The IC₅₀ values were GVLY 16 ± 1.5 μM, LGV 145 ± 13 μM, and RVR 526 ± 33 μM, confirming that hemp seed may be a valuable source of hypotensive peptides