Innovative reference materials for method validation in microplastic analysis including interlaboratory comparison exercises.

Reference materials (RMs) are vital tools in the validation of methods used to detect environmental pollutants. Microplastics, a relatively new environmental pollutant, require a variety of complex approaches to address their presence in environmental samples. Both interlaboratory comparison (ILC) studies and RMs are essential to support the validation of methods used in microplastic analysis. Presented here are results of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) performed on two types of candidate microplastic RMs: dissolvable gelatin capsules and soda tablets. These RMs have been used to support numerous international ILC studies in recent years (2019-2022). Dissolvable capsules containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS), in different size fractions from 50 to 1000 µm, were produced for one ILC study, obtaining relative standard deviation (RSD) from 0 to 24%. The larger size fraction allowed for manual addition of particles to the capsules, yielding 0% error and 100% recovery during QA/QC. Dissolvable capsules were replaced by soda tablets in subsequent ILC studies and recovery test exercises because they were found to be a more reliable carrier for microplastic RMs. Batches of soda tablets were produced containing different single and multiple polymer mixtures, i.e., PE, PET, PS, PVC, polypropylene (PP), and polycarbonate (PC), with RSD ranging from 8 to 21%. Lastly, soda tablets consisting of a mixture of PE, PVC, and PS (125-355 µm) were produced and used for recovery testing during pretreatment of environmental samples. These had an RSD of 9%. Results showed that soda tablets and capsules containing microplastics >50 µm could be produced with sufficient precision for internal recovery tests and external ILC studies. Further work is required to optimize this method for smaller microplastics (< 50 µm) because variation was found to be too large during QA/QC. Nevertheless, this approach represents a valuable solution addressing many of the challenges associated with validating microplastic analytical methods.

Identification and optimization of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors with dual potency towards fatty acid amide hydrolase.

Multi-target inhibitors have become increasing popular as a means to leverage the advantages of poly-pharmacology while simplifying drug delivery. Here, we describe dual inhibitors for soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), two targets known to synergize when treating inflammatory and neuropathic pain. The structure activity relationship (SAR) study described herein initially started with t-TUCB (trans-4-[4-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-l-ureido)-cyclohexyloxy]-benzoic acid), a potent sEH inhibitor that was previously shown to weakly inhibit FAAH. Inhibitors with a 6-fold increase of FAAH potency while maintaining high sEH potency were developed by optimization. Interestingly, compared to most FAAH inhibitors that inhibit through time-dependent covalent modification, t-TUCB and related compounds appear to inhibit FAAH through a time-independent, competitive mechanism. These inhibitors are selective for FAAH over other serine hydrolases. In addition, FAAH inhibition by t-TUCB appears to be higher in human FAAH over other species; however, the new dual sEH/FAAH inhibitors have improved cross-species potency. These dual inhibitors may be useful for future studies in understanding the therapeutic application of dual sEH/FAAH inhibition.

Linear Bidentate Ligands (L) with Two Terminal Pyridyl N-Donor Groups Forming Pt(II)LCl2 Complexes with Rare Eight-Membered Chelate Rings.

NMR and X-ray diffraction studies were conducted on Pt(II)LCl2 complexes prepared with the new N-donor ligands N(SO2R)Me ndpa (R = Me, Tol; n = 2, 4). These ligands differ from N(H)dpa (di-2-picolylamine) in having the central N within a tertiary sulfonamide group instead of a secondary amine group and having Me groups at the 6,6'-positions ( n = 2) or 3,3',5,5'-positions ( n = 4) of the pyridyl rings. The N(SO2R)3,3',5,5'-Me4dpa ligands are coordinated in a bidentate fashion in Pt( N(SO2R)3,3',5,5'-Me4dpa)Cl2 complexes, forming a rare eight-membered chelate ring. The sulfonamide N atom did not bind to Pt(II), consistent with indications in the literature that tertiary sulfonamides are unlikely to anchor two meridionally coordinated five-membered chelate rings in solutions of coordinating solvents. The N(SO2R)6,6'-Me2dpa ligands coordinate in a monodentate fashion to form the binuclear complexes [ trans-Pt(DMSO)Cl2]2( N(SO2R)6,6'-Me2dpa). The monodentate instead of bidentate N(SO2R)6,6'-Me2dpa coordination is attributed to 6,6'-Me steric bulk. These binuclear complexes are indefinitely stable in DMF- d7, but in DMSO- d6 the N(SO2R)6,6'-Me2dpa ligands dissociate completely. In DMSO- d6, the bidentate ligands in Pt( N(SO2R)3,3',5,5'-Me4dpa)Cl2 complexes also dissociate, but incompletely; these complexes provide rare examples of association-dissociation equilibria of N,N bidentate ligands in Pt(II) chemistry. Like typical cis-PtLCl2 complexes, the Pt( N(SO2R)3,3',5,5'-Me4dpa)Cl2 complexes undergo monosolvolysis in DMSO- d6 to form the [Pt( N(SO2R)3,3',5,5'-Me4dpa)(DMSO- d6)Cl]+ cations. However, unlike typical cis-PtLCl2 complexes, the Pt( N(SO2R)3,3',5,5'-Me4dpa)Cl2 complexes surprisingly do not react readily with the excellent N-donor bioligand guanosine. A comparison of the structural features of over 50 known relevant Pt(II) complexes having smaller chelate rings with those of the very few relevant Pt(II) complexes having eight-membered chelate rings indicates that the pyridyl rings in Pt( N(SO2R)3,3',5,5'-Me4dpa)Cl2 complexes are well positioned to form strong Pt-N bonds. Therefore, the dissociation of the bidentate ligand and the poor biomolecule reactivity of the Pt( N(SO2R)3,3',5,5'-Me4dpa)Cl2 complexes arise from steric consequences imposed by the -CH2-N(SO2R)-CH2- chain in the eight-membered chelate ring.

A Very Rare Example of a Structurally Characterized 3'-GMP Metal Complex. NMR and Synthetic Assessment of Adducts Formed by Guanine Derivatives with [Pt(Ltri)Cl]Cl Complexes with an N,N',N″ Tridentate Ligand (Ltri) Terminated by Imidazole Rings.

[Pt(N(R)-1,1'-Me2dma)Cl]Cl complexes with tridentate ligands (bis(1-methyl-2-methylimidazolyl)amine, R = H; N-(methyl)bis(1-methyl-2-methylimidazolyl)amine, R = Me) were prepared in order to investigate Pt(N(R)-1,1'-Me2dma)G adducts (G = monodentate N9-substituted guanine or hypoxanthine derivative). Solution NMR spectroscopy is the primary tool for studying metal complexes of nucleosides and nucleotides because such adducts rarely crystallize. However, [Pt(N(H)-1,1'-Me2dma)(3'-GMPH)]NO3·5H2O (5) was crystallized, allowing, to our knowledge, the first crystallographic molecular structure determination for a 3'-GMP platinum complex. The structure is one of only a very few structures of a 3'-GMP complex with any metal. Complex 5 has the syn rotamer conformation, with 3'-GMP bound by N7. All Pt(N(R)-1,1'-Me2dma)G adducts exhibit two new downfield-shifted G H8 signals, consistent with G bound to platinum by N7 and a syn/anti rotamer mixture. Anticancer-active monofunctional platinum(II) complexes have bulky carrier ligands that cause DNA adducts to be distorted. Hence, understanding carrier-ligand steric effects is key in designing new platinum drugs. Ligand bulk can be correlated with the degree of impeded rotation of the G nucleobase about the Pt-N7 bond, as assessed by the observation of rotamers. The signals of syn and anti rotamers are connected by EXSY cross-peaks in 2D ROESY spectra of Pt(N(H)-1,1'-Me2dma)G adducts but not in spectra of Pt(N(H)dpa)G adducts (N(H)dpa = bis(2-picolyl)amine), indicating that rotamer interchange is more facile and carrier-ligand bulk is lower in Pt(N(H)-1,1'-Me2dma)G than in Pt(N(H)dpa)G adducts. The lower steric hindrance is a direct consequence of the greater distance of the G nucleobase from the H4/4' protons in the N(R)-1,1'-Me2dma carrier ligand in comparison to that from the H6/6' protons in the N(H)dpa carrier ligand. Although in 5 the nucleotide is 3'-GMP (not the usual 5'-GMP) and the N(H)-1,1'-Me2dma carrier ligand is very different from those typically present in structurally characterized Pt(II) G complexes, the rocking and canting angles in 5 adhere to long-recognized trends.

Synthesis and Characterization of Pt(II) Complexes with Pyridyl Ligands: Elongated Octahedral Ion Pairs and Other Factors Influencing 1H NMR Spectra.

Our goal is to develop convenient methods for obtaining trans-[PtII(4-Xpy)2Cl2] complexes applicable to 4-substituted pyridines (4-Xpy) with limited volatility and water solubility, properties typical of 4-Xpy, with X being a moiety targeting drug delivery. Treatment of cis-[PtII(DMSO)2Cl2] (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide) with 4-Xpy in acetonitrile allowed isolation of a new series of simple trans-[PtII(4-Xpy)2Cl2] complexes. A side product with very downfield H2/6 signals led to our synthesis of a series of new [PtII(4-Xpy)4]Cl2 salts. For both series in CDCl3, the size of the H2/6 Δδ [coordinated minus "free" 4-Xpy H2/6 shift] decreased as 4-Xpy donor ability increased from 4-CNpy to 4-Me2Npy. This finding can be attributed to the greater synergistic reduction in the inductive effect of the Pt(II) center with increased 4-Xpy donor ability. The high solubility of [PtII(4-Xpy)4]Cl2 salts in CDCl3 (a solvent with low polarity) and the very downfield shift of the [PtII(4-Xpy)4]Cl2 H2/6 signals for the solutions provide evidence for the presence of strong {[PtII(4-Xpy)4]2+,2Cl-} ion pairs that are stabilized by multiple CH···Cl contacts. This conclusion gains considerable support from [PtII(4-Xpy)4]Cl2 crystal structures revealing that a chloride anion occupies a pseudoaxial position with nonbonding (py)C-H···Cl contacts (2.4-3.0 Å). Evidence for (py)C-H···Y contacts was obtained in NMR studies of [PtII(4-Xpy)4]Y2 salts with Y counterions less capable of forming H-bonds than chloride ion. Our synthetic approaches and spectroscopic analysis are clearly applicable to other nonvolatile ligands.

Crystal Structure of Carboxyltransferase from Staphylococcus aureus Bound to the Antibacterial Agent Moiramide B.

The dramatic increase in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has necessitated a search for new antibacterial agents against novel targets. Moiramide B is a natural product, broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits the carboxyltransferase component of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which catalyzes the first committed step in fatty acid synthesis. Herein, we report the 2.6 Å resolution crystal structure of moiramide B bound to carboxyltransferase. An unanticipated but significant finding was that moiramide B bound as the enol/enolate. Crystallographic studies demonstrate that the (4S)-methyl succinimide moiety interacts with the oxyanion holes of the enzyme, supporting the notion that an anionic enolate is the active form of the antibacterial agent. Structure-activity studies demonstrate that the unsaturated fatty acid tail of moiramide B is needed only for entry into the bacterial cell. These results will allow the design of new antibacterial agents against the bacterial form of carboxyltransferase.

Structural Analysis of Substrate, Reaction Intermediate, and Product Binding in Haemophilus influenzae Biotin Carboxylase.

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase catalyzes the first and regulated step in fatty acid synthesis. In most Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, the enzyme is composed of three proteins: biotin carboxylase, a biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), and carboxyltransferase. The reaction mechanism involves two half-reactions with biotin carboxylase catalyzing the ATP-dependent carboxylation of biotin-BCCP in the first reaction. In the second reaction, carboxyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of the carboxyl group from biotin-BCCP to acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA. In this report, high-resolution crystal structures of biotin carboxylase from Haemophilus influenzae were determined with bicarbonate, the ATP analogue AMPPCP; the carboxyphosphate intermediate analogues, phosphonoacetamide and phosphonoformate; the products ADP and phosphate; and the carboxybiotin analogue N1'-methoxycarbonyl biotin methyl ester. The structures have a common theme in that bicarbonate, phosphate, and the methyl ester of the carboxyl group of N1'-methoxycarbonyl biotin methyl ester all bound in the same pocket in the active site of biotin carboxylase and as such utilize the same set of amino acids for binding. This finding suggests a catalytic mechanism for biotin carboxylase in which the binding pocket that binds tetrahedral phosphate also accommodates and stabilizes a tetrahedral dianionic transition state resulting from direct transfer of CO2 from the carboxyphosphate intermediate to biotin.

Unusual Example of Chelate Ring Opening upon Coordination of the 9-Ethylguanine Nucleobase to [Pt(di-(6-methyl-2-picolyl)amine)Cl]Cl.

Anticancer-active monofunctional Pt(II) complexes have bulky carrier ligands and bind to G residues in DNA, causing structural distortions. To gain fundamental chemical information on such monofunctional adducts, we assessed the 9-ethylguanine (9-EtG) adducts formed by [Pt(N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa)Cl]Cl (N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa = di-(6-methyl-2-picolyl)amine). 9-EtG added to [Pt(N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa)Cl]Cl to form not only the expected [Pt(N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa)(9-EtG)](2+) monoadduct having syn and anti conformers but also a [Pt(N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa)(9-EtG)2](2+) bisadduct consisting of ΛHT and ΔHT conformers (HT = head-to-tail). For both adducts, the two conformers exist as a dynamic equilibrium mixture. Concomitant with formation of the bisadduct, the binding mode of the N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa ligand converts from tridentate to bidentate. A Pt(II)-bound 6-methyl-2-picolyl chain and the secondary amine constitute the bidentate chelate ring. The other 6-methyl-2-picolyl chain is dangling. The secondary nitrogen is an asymmetric center, and each conformer exists as a racemic mixture of two enantiomers. For a given configuration at the secondary amine of the [Pt(N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa)(9-EtG)2](2+) adduct, the more abundant HT conformer can form a hydrogen bond between the NH of the bidentate ligand and the cis 9-EtG O6. [Pt(N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa)Cl]Cl forms the monoadduct in ∼1/20 the time for its parent, [Pt(N(H)dpa)Cl]Cl (N(H)dpa = di(2-picolyl)amine), which exhibited typical behavior in forming only a monoadduct. We attribute the unusual new findings for [Pt(N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa)Cl]Cl to Pt-N bond weakening induced by the steric bulk of 6/6'-Me groups. We hypothesize that undetectable intermediates with a dangling 6-methyl-2-picolyl chain facilitate both rapid monoadduct formation and also bisadduct formation. Consistent with the intermediacy of such species with a dangling chain, addition of HCl to a [Pt(N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa)Cl]Cl solution readily produced a dichloro complex with the N(H)6,6'-Me2dpa chelate ligand in the bidentate mode, whereas HCl addition had no effect on [Pt(N(H)dpa)Cl]Cl.

Externally and Internally Functionalized Copper(II) ß-Diketonate Molecular Squares.

Five functionalized bis(ß-diketones) and their Cu(II) molecular squares are described. The new bis(ß-diketones), m-pbhxH2 (3), 5-MeO-m-pbaH2 (4), 5-BuO-m-pbaH2 (5), 2-MeO-m-pbaH2 (6), and 2-MeO-m-pbprH2 (7), were prepared by reaction of the corresponding aldehydes with phospholenes, as we previously reported for m-pbaH2 (1) and m-pbprH2 (2). Ligand 3 has long alkyl chains in its ß-diketone moieties, while ligands 4-7 have alkoxy substituents on their aromatic rings. When treated with Cu(2+), the new bis(ß-diketones) 3, 4, 5, and 7 afford molecular squares, Cu4(m-pbhx)4 (10), Cu4(5-MeO-m-pba)4 (11), Cu4(5-BuO-m-pba)4 (12), and Cu4(2-MeO-m-pbpr)4 (13), respectively. Two of the new molecular squares, 10 and 12, contain longer-chain substituents and are soluble in a wider range of organic solvents. The other squares, 11 and 13, contain external and internal methoxy groups, respectively, and they show smaller changes in solubility. Single-crystal X-ray analyses are reported for three of the molecular squares without guest molecules, and for five adducts of the squares with σ- (polypyridine) and π-bonded (fullerene) guests. The Cu···Cu distances in the "empty" squares range from 14.047 to 14.904 Å; those in the adducts vary over a wider range depending on the guest molecule involved.

Folate in demethylation: the crystal structure of the rat dimethylglycine dehydrogenase complexed with tetrahydrofolate.

Dimethylglycine dehydrogenase (DMGDH) is a mammalian mitochondrial enzyme which plays an important role in the utilization of methyl groups derived from choline. DMGDH is a flavin containing enzyme which catalyzes the oxidative demethylation of dimethylglycine in vitro with the formation of sarcosine (N-methylglycine), hydrogen peroxide and formaldehyde. DMGDH binds tetrahydrofolate (THF) in vivo, which serves as an acceptor of formaldehyde and in the cell the product of the reaction is 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate instead of formaldehyde. To gain insight into the mechanism of the reaction we solved the crystal structures of the recombinant mature and precursor forms of rat DMGDH and DMGDH-THF complexes. Both forms of DMGDH reveal similar kinetic parameters and have the same tertiary structure fold with two domains formed by N- and C-terminal halves of the protein. The active center is located in the N-terminal domain while the THF binding site is located in the C-terminal domain about 40Å from the isoalloxazine ring of FAD. The folate binding site is connected with the enzyme active center via an intramolecular channel. This suggests the possible transfer of the intermediate imine of dimethylglycine from the active center to the bound THF where they could react producing a 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate. Based on the homology of the rat and human DMGDH the structural basis for the mechanism of inactivation of the human DMGDH by naturally occurring His109Arg mutation is proposed.

Biogeochemical consequences of an oxygenated intrusion into an anoxic fjord.

BACKGROUND: This paper is based on the studies of the biogeochemical structure of the water column in the anoxic Fjord Hunnbunn (south-eastern Norway) performed in 2009, 2011 and 2012. This Fjord is an enclosed basin of brackish water separated by a narrow and shallow outlet to the sea with a permanently anoxic layer. We show how an oxygenated intrusion could lead to both positive and negative effects on the ecosystem state in Hunnbunn due to a change in the biogeochemical structure. RESULTS: During the stratified periods in 2009 and 2012 the anoxic layer amounted to approximately 10% of the total water volume in the Fjord, while dissolved oxygen (DO) was present in 80-90% of the water. In the autumn of 2011 the water chemistry structure observed in Fjord Hunnbunn was clearly affected by a recent oxygenated intrusion defined by abnormal salinity patterns. This led to a shift of the DO boundary position to shallower depths, resulting in a thicker anoxic layer comprising approximately 40% of the total water volume, with DO present only in approximately 60% of the water. The oxygenated water intrusions led to a twofold decrease of the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, phosphate and silicate in the deep layers with a simultaneous increase of these nutrients and a decrease of the pH level in the surface layers. The concentrations of manganese, iron, and mercury species changed dramatically and in particular revealed a significant supply of iron and methylmercury to the water column. CONCLUSIONS: Oxic water intrusions into anoxic fjords could lead not only to the flushing of the bottom anoxia, but to a dispersal of sulphidic and low oxygen conditions to the larger bottom area. The elevation of the hydrogen sulphide to the shallower layers (that can be rapidly oxidized) is accompanied by the appearance in the subsurface water of methylmercury, which is easily accumulated by organisms and can be transported to the surrounding waters, affecting the ecosystem over a larger area.

Floating microplastics in Svalbard fjords: High spatial variability requires methodological consistency in estuarine systems.

Microplastic pollution was studied in surface waters of Isfjorden, Svalbard in July 2021 as a part of an international regional harmonisation exercise. Surface microplastics (0.5-5 mm) were sampled with a neuston net in triplicate per study site in several branches of Isfjorden, covering populated and unpopulated fjords. High spatial variability of microplastic abundance (0-32,700 items/km2) was observed within a single fjord resulting from the hydrodynamic pattern formed through the interaction of surface currents, freshwater runoff, and wind conditions. Maximum microplastic abundance was not correlated with the distance from the local source and was instead defined by local small-scale hydrodynamics. Future recommendations for correct assessment of surface microplastics concentration in estuarine environments are presented.

Differences in folate-protein interactions result in differing inhibition of native rat liver and recombinant glycine N-methyltransferase by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is a key regulatory enzyme in methyl group metabolism. In mammalian liver it reduces S-adenosylmethionine levels by using it to methylate glycine, producing N-methylglycine (sarcosine) and S-adenosylhomocysteine. GNMT is inhibited by binding two molecules of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (mono- or polyglutamate forms) per tetramer of the active enzyme. Inhibition is sensitive to the status of the N-terminal valine of GNMT and to polyglutamation of the folate inhibitor. It is inhibited by pentaglutamate form more efficiently compared to monoglutamate form. The native rat liver GNMT contains an acetylated N-terminal valine and is inhibited much more efficiently compared to the recombinant protein expressed in E. coli where the N-terminus is not acetylated. In this work we used a protein crystallography approach to evaluate the structural basis for these differences. We show that in the folate-GNMT complexes with the native enzyme, two folate molecules establish three and four hydrogen bonds with the protein. In the folate-recombinant GNMT complex only one hydrogen bond is established. This difference results in more effective inhibition by folate of the native liver GNMT activity compared to the recombinant enzyme.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of piperidine-derived non-urea soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors.

A series of potent amide non-urea inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is disclosed. The inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase leads to elevated levels of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), and thus inhibitors of sEH represent one of a novel approach to the development of vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory drugs. Structure-activities studies guided optimization of a lead compound, identified through high-throughput screening, gave rise to sub-nanomolar inhibitors of human sEH with stability in human liver microsomal assay suitable for preclinical development.

Microplastic variability in subsurface water from the Arctic to Antarctica.

Comparative investigations of microplastic (MP) occurrence in the global ocean are often hampered by the application of different methods. In this study, the same sampling and analytical approach was applied during five different cruises to investigate MP covering a route from the East-Siberian Sea in the Arctic, through the Atlantic, and into the Antarctic Peninsula. A total of 121 subsurface water samples were collected using underway pump-through system on two different vessels. This approach allowed subsurface MP (100 µm-5 mm) to be evaluated in five regions of the World Ocean (Antarctic, Central Atlantic, North Atlantic, Barents Sea and Siberian Arctic) and to assess regional differences in MP characteristics. The average abundance of MP for whole studied area was 0.7 ± 0.6 items/m3 (ranging from 0 to 2.6 items/m3), with an equal average abundance for both fragments and fibers (0.34 items/m3). Although no statistical difference was found for MP abundance between the studied regions. Differences were found between the size, morphology, polymer types and weight concentrations. The Central Atlantic and Barents Sea appeared to have more MP in terms of weight concentration (7-7.5 µg/m3) than the North Atlantic and Siberian Arctic (0.6 µg/m3). A comparison of MP characteristics between the two Hemispheres appears to indicate that MP in the Northern Hemisphere mostly originate from terrestrial input, while offshore industries play an important role as a source of MP in the Southern Hemisphere. The waters of the Northern Hemisphere were found to be more polluted by fibers than those of the Southern Hemisphere. The results presented here suggest that fibers can be transported by air and water over long distances from the source, while distribution of fragments is limited mainly to the water mass where the source is located.

Assessment of seasonal variability of input of microplastics from the Northern Dvina River to the Arctic Ocean.

Northern Dvina River is one of the largest rivers in the European Arctic flowing into the White Sea through the populated regions with developed industry. Floating plastics include microplastics (0.5-5 mm) and mesoplastics (5-25 mm) were observed on seasonal variations in the Northern Dvina River mouth. The samples were collected every month from September to November 2019 and from May to October 2020 with a Neuston net that was togged 3 nautical miles in the Korbel'nyy Branch of the River delta. Chemical composition of the plastic particles was determined using a Fourier transmission infrared spectrometer. The majority of the microplastics were identified as polyethylene 52.6%, followed by polypropylene 36.8%. After estimating the export fluxes of microplastics from the Northern Dvina River to the Arctic, there is no significant seasonal variation of the river export of microplastics. The microplastics export rate during the spring flood period in May turned out to be maximum, 58 items/s, while the minimum discharge was in September with a value of 9 items/s. The average weight concentration of microplastics was 18.5 µg/m3, which is higher than it was found in the Barents Sea - 12.5 µg/m3 and several times higher than in the Eurasian Arctic on average - 3.7 µg/m3. These results indicate that the Northern Dvina River is being one of the main sources of microplastic pollution of the White and the Barents Seas.

Structural and biochemical insights into the mechanism of fosfomycin phosphorylation by fosfomycin resistance kinase FomA.

We present here the crystal structures of fosfomycin resistance protein (FomA) complexed with MgATP, with ATP and fosfomycin, with MgADP and fosfomycin vanadate, with MgADP and the product of the enzymatic reaction, fosfomycin monophosphate, and with ADP at 1.87, 1.58, 1.85, 1.57, and 1.85 Å resolution, respectively. Structures of these complexes that approximate different reaction steps allowed us to distinguish the catalytically active conformation of ATP and to reconstruct the model of the MgATP·fosfomycin complex. According to the model, the triphosphate tail of the nucleotide is aligned toward the phosphonate moiety of fosfomycin, in contest to the previously published MgAMPPNP complex, with the attacking fosfomycin oxygen positioned 4 Å from the γ-phosphorus of ATP. Site-directed mutagenesis studies and comparison of these structures with that of homologous N-acetyl-l-glutamate and isopentenyl phosphate kinases allowed us to propose a model of phosphorylation of fosfomycin by FomA enzyme. A Mg cation ligates all three phosphate groups of ATP and together with positively charged K216, K9, K18, and H58 participates in the dissipation of negative charge during phosphoryl transfer, indicating that the transferred phosphate group is highly negatively charged, which would be expected for an associative mechanism. K216 polarizes the γ-phosphoryl group of ATP. K9, K18, and H58 participate in stabilization of the transition state. D150 and D208 play organizational roles in catalysis. S148, S149, and T210 participate in fosfomycin binding, with T210 being crucial for catalysis. Hence, it appears that as in the homologous enzymes, FomA-catalyzed phosphoryl transfer takes place by an in-line predominantly associative mechanism.

An ensemble of lipoxygenase structures reveals novel conformations of the Fe coordination sphere.

The regio- and stereo-specific oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids is catalyzed by lipoxygenases (LOX); both Fe and Mn forms of the enzyme have been described. Structural elements of the Fe and Mn coordination spheres and the helical catalytic domain in which the metal center resides are highly conserved. However, animal, plant, and microbial LOX each have distinct features. We report five crystal structures of a LOX from the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium graminearum. This LOX displays a novel amino terminal extension that provides a wrapping domain for dimerization. Moreover, this extension appears to interfere with the iron coordination sphere, as the typical LOX configuration is not observed at the catalytic metal when the enzyme is dimeric. Instead novel tetra-, penta-, and hexa-coordinate Fe2+ ligations are apparent. In contrast, a monomeric structure indicates that with repositioning of the amino terminal segment, the enzyme can assume a productive conformation with the canonical Fe2+ coordination sphere.

Optimization and Mechanistic Characterization of Pyridopyrimidine Inhibitors of Bacterial Biotin Carboxylase.

A major challenge for new antibiotic discovery is predicting the physicochemical properties that enable small molecules to permeate Gram-negative bacterial membranes. We have applied physicochemical lessons from previous work to redesign and improve the antibacterial potency of pyridopyrimidine inhibitors of biotin carboxylase (BC) by up to 64-fold and 16-fold against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Antibacterial and enzyme potency assessments in the presence of an outer membrane-permeabilizing agent or in efflux-compromised strains indicate that penetration and efflux properties of many redesigned BC inhibitors could be improved to various extents. Spontaneous resistance to the improved pyridopyrimidine inhibitors in P. aeruginosa occurs at very low frequencies between 10-8 and 10-9. However, resistant isolates had alarmingly high minimum inhibitory concentration shifts (16- to >128-fold) compared to the parent strain. Whole-genome sequencing of resistant isolates revealed that either BC target mutations or efflux pump overexpression can lead to the development of high-level resistance.

Destabilization of human glycine N-methyltransferase by H176N mutation.

In the presence of moderate (2-4 M) urea concentrations the tetrameric enzyme, glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT), dissociates into compact monomers. Higher concentrations of urea (7-8 M) promote complete denaturation of the enzyme. We report here that the H176N mutation in this enzyme, found in humans with hypermethioninaemia, significantly decreases stability of the tetramer, although H176 is located far from the intersubunit contact areas. Dissociation of the tetramer to compact monomers and unfolding of compact monomers of the mutant protein were detected by circular dichroism, quenching of fluorescence emission, size-exclusion chromatography, and enzyme activity. The values of apparent free energy of dissociation of tetramer and of unfolding of compact monomers for the H176N mutant (27.7 and 4.2 kcal/mol, respectively) are lower than those of wild-type protein (37.5 and 6.2 kcal/mol). A 2.7 A resolution structure of the mutant protein revealed no significant difference in the conformation of the protein near the mutated residue.