Novel chip-based isoelectric focusing device for fractionation of bacteria prior to their mass spectrometry identification.

We have developed a planar chip utilizing divergent geometry of separation channel capable of vertical free-flow electrophoresis of particles at flows of lower hundreds of microliters per minute. The divergent flow isoelectric focusing (DF-IEF) chip consists of two sheets of clear polystyrene glass which serve as a base with working channels and a top cover sealing the separation channel. Optimization showed that the chip is capable to form pH gradient within 1 h and separation is completed in 5 or more minutes depending on the sample volume. The vertical position of the chip enabled analysis of sedimenting particles including microorganisms. Four different common bacteria species inactivated with H2O2 vapors were analyzed in a series of experiments. Isoelectric points were determined with capillary isoelectric focusing with following fractionation using DF-IEF with intact cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry detection. The DF-IEF chip fractionation proved promising for bacterial sample preparation from complex matrices for subsequent identification of whole cells by mass spectrometry.

Pressurized water extraction - the fast and efficient method for isolation of bioactive proteins from Viscum album leaves.

New strategies for the fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly extraction of proteins are required to isolate desired bioactive compounds from a technological point of view. In this study, utilization of the pressurized water extraction (PWE) at low temperature (40 °C) for isolation of mistletoe proteins was investigated. PWE effectiveness, based on protein fingerprints, were compared with those obtained by conventional extractions using 10 mmol L-1 Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.3, 50 mmol L-1 phosphate buffer pH 7, or deionized water. The extracts were precipitated using acetone, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and 20% (w/v) TCA/acetone and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PWE was more or equally efficient for isolation of mistletoe proteins than evaluated conventional extraction methods. The proteomic analysis combining mass spectrometry and database searching confirmed the presence of 35 proteins in PWE extracts precipitated by acetone, which was the most compounds identified from all studied extracts. The PWE high extraction power was revealed for multiple viscotoxin isoforms and specific enzymes indispensable for the synthesis of terpenes.

2',4'-Dihydroxy-3-methoxy-alpha,beta-dihydrochalcone and 2',4-dihydroxy-alpha,beta-dihydrochalcone: supramolecular structures formed by O-H...O, C-H...O and stacking interactions.

The crystal structures of 2',4'-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-alpha,beta-dihydrochalcone, C16H16O4, and 2',4-dihydroxy-alpha,beta-dihydrochalcone, C15H14O3, have been determined. In both compounds, the structure consists of two nearly planar six-membered aromatic rings connected by a propanal chain, which is bent in the methoxy compound and almost straight in the other compound. In the crystal structures, the molecular units of both compounds are linked by O-H...O hydrogen bonds to form infinite one-dimensional chains. Hydrogen bonds and C-H...O contacts in the crystal structures were studied by topological analysis of charge density based on Hartree-Fock calculations. Almost all of the investigated C-H...O contacts should be characterized as weak hydrogen bonds.

Chemoprotective and toxic potentials of synthetic and natural chalcones and dihydrochalcones in vitro.

Cytochrome P4501A activity, oxidative stress and inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) are involved in metabolic activation of promutagens and tumor-promoting activity of various xenobiotics, and their prevention is considered to be an important characteristic of chemoprotective compounds. In this study, a series of 31 chalcones and their corresponding dihydroderivatives, substituted in 2,2'-, 3,3'-, 4- or 4'-position by hydroxyl or methoxy group, were tested for their ability to inhibit Fe(II)/NADPH-enhanced lipid peroxidation and cytochrome P4501A-dependent 7-cethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in rat hepatic microsomes. Effects of the compounds on GJIC were determined in rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells. Most of the chalcones and dihydrochalcones inhibited EROD activity in a dose-dependent manner at the range 0.25-25 microM, which was comparable to model flavonoid inhibitors alpha-naphthoflavone and quercetin. The chalcones exhibited higher inhibition activity than the corresponding dihydroderivatives. Mono and dihydroxylated chalcones, and dihydrochalcones showed none or only a weak antioxidant activity; trihydroxyderivatives inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation significantly only at 50 microM concentration. Potential adverse effects, namely inhibition of GJIC and/or cytotoxicity were detected after treatment of WB-F344 cells with a number of chalcone and dihydrochalcone derivatives, suggesting that they should be excluded from additional screening as chemoprotective compounds. Chalcones and dihydrochalcones substituted at 4- and/or 4'-position, which elicited no inhibition of GJIC, were further tested for the potential enhancing effects on GJIC. The present data seem to suggest that 4-hydroxy, 2',4'-dihydroxy-3-methoxy, 2,4,4'-trihydroxy, and 2',4,4'-trihydroxychalcone, 2',4-dihydroxy and 2'-hydroxy-3,4-dimethoxydihydrochalcone might be promising chemoprotective compounds against CYP1A activity, and partly also against oxidative damage without inducing adverse effects, such as GJIC inhibition. In general, determination of potencies of tested compounds to inhibit GJIC should be involved in any set of methods for the in vitro screening of chemoprotective characteristics of potential drugs, in order to reveal their potential adverse effects associated with tumor promotion.

Dracophane, a metacyclophane derivative from the resin of Dracaena cinnabari Balf.

Dracophane, a novel structural derivative of metacyclophane, was isolated from the resin of Dracaena cinnabari Balf. The structure of this compound was determined by spectroscopic methods to be 3,12,21-trihydroxy-1,10,19-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5,14,23-trimethoxy[3.3.3]metacyclophane.