Formation of [2]- and [3]Rotaxanes through Bridging under Kinetic and Thermodynamic Control.

An efficient synthesis of a doubly stranded [3]rotaxane has been developed through bridging of a pseudo[3]rotaxane featuring two axle components. Reversible azine formation was effective as the bridging reaction. Kinetic and thermodynamic conditions provided the [2]- and [3]rotaxanes, respectively.

Co-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl halides with tertiary alkyl Grignard reagents using a 1,3-butadiene additive.

The cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl (pseudo)halides with alkyl Grignard reagents in the presence of 1,3-butadiene as a ligand precursor and LiI is described. Sterically congested quaternary carbon centers could be constructed by using tertiary alkyl Grignard reagents. This reaction proceeds via an ionic mechanism with inversion of stereochemistry at the reacting site of the alkyl halide and is compatible with various functional groups. The use of both 1,3-butadiene and LiI was essential for achieving high yields and high selectivities.

Structural basis of alternative DNA recognition by Maf transcription factors.

Maf transcription factors constitute a family of the basic region-leucine zipper (bZip) factors and recognize unusually long DNA motifs (13 or 14 bp), termed the Maf recognition element (MARE). The MARE harbors extended GC sequences on each side of its core motif, which is similar to TRE or CRE (7 or 8 bp) recognized by the AP1 and CREB/ATF families, respectively. To ascertain the structural basis governing the acquirement of such unique DNA recognition, we determined the crystal structure of the MafG-DNA complex. Each MafG monomer consists of three helices in which the carboxyl-terminal long helix organizes one DNA-contacting element and one coiled-coil dimer formation element. To our surprise, two well-conserved residues, Arg57 and Asn61 in the basic region, play critical roles in Maf-specific DNA recognition. These two residues show unique side-chain orientations and interact directly with the extended GC bases. Maf-specific residues in the amino-terminal and basic regions appear to indirectly stabilize MARE recognition through DNA backbone phosphate interactions. This study revealed an alternative DNA recognition mechanism of the bZip factors that bestows specific target gene profiles upon Maf homodimers or Maf-containing heterodimers.

Construction of the plasmid, expression by Chinese hamster ovary cell, purification and characterization of the first three short consensus repeat modules of human complement receptor type 1.

Short consensus repeat (SCR1-3), the first three SCR modules from N-terminus of type 1 complement receptor (CR1), is expected to accelerate dissociation of complement components and suppress complement activity by binding the main component of complement C4b. In order to clarify the three-dimensional structure, which triggers the activity of SCR1-3 on complement, we constructed an over-expression system in CHO DG44 cells which facilitated mass production of SCR1-3. The mass production was achieved by a two-stage culture system and optimum culture conditions using ASF104N medium and MTX-, NaBu-containing alpha-MEM/10% FBS medium, respectively. The constructed gene of SCR1-3 was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequence analysis, and the expressed protein by CHO DG44 cells was confirmed by western blotting. The expressed SCR1-3 was proved containing N-linked sugar chain, an important factor to the proper expression of protein, by the cleavage with glycosidase of N-linked oligosaccharide (PNGase F). The suppression effect of the yield protein on complement-mediated inflammation was investigated by haemolytic assay and necrosis assay of stromal cells. Both assays showed that SCR1-3 possessed complement control activity. However, residing sugar chain on SCR1-3 did not show significant difference in the complement control activity.