Lignin composition and structure in young versus adult Eucalyptus globulus plants.

Lignin changes during plant growth were investigated in a selected Eucalyptus globulus clone. The lignin composition and structure were studied in situ by a new procedure enabling the acquisition of two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) spectra on wood gels formed in the NMR tube as well as by analytical pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, milled-wood lignins were isolated and analyzed by 2D-NMR, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and thioacidolysis. The data indicated that p-hydroxyphenyl and guaiacyl units are deposited at the earlier stages, whereas the woods are enriched in syringyl (S) lignin during late lignification. Wood 2D-NMR showed that ß-O-4' and resinol linkages were predominant in the eucalypt lignin, whereas other substructures were present in much lower amounts. Interestingly, open ß-1' structures could be detected in the isolated lignins. Phenylcoumarans and cinnamyl end groups were depleted with age, spirodienone abundance increased, and the main substructures (ß-O-4' and resinols) were scarcely modified. Thioacidolysis revealed a higher predominance of S units in the ether-linked lignin than in the total lignin and, in agreement with NMR, also indicated that resinols are the most important nonether linkages. Dimer analysis showed that most of the resinol-type structures comprised two S units (syringaresinol), the crossed guaiacyl-S resinol appearing as a minor substructure and pinoresinol being totally absent. Changes in hemicelluloses were also shown by the 2D-NMR spectra of the wood gels without polysaccharide isolation. These include decreases of methyl galacturonosyl, arabinosyl, and galactosyl (anomeric) signals, assigned to pectin and related neutral polysaccharides, and increases of xylosyl (which are approximately 50% acetylated) and 4-O-methylglucuronosyl signals.

Review: Use of residual dipolar couplings to determine the structure of carbohydrates.

Solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is especially useful in the carbohydrate field. The measurement of residual dipolar couplings provides long-range structural information, a valuable complement for the structural study of carbohydrates either in its free form or in the bound state to proteins. They permit to deduce the geometry and the flexibility of the glycosidic linkages, which have a major influence on the conformation of carbohydrates and their overall shape. This article reviews the current application of the residual dipolar couplings methodology to carbohydrates.

Isolation and characterization of an exopolymer produced by Bacillus licheniformis: In vitro antiviral activity against enveloped viruses.

The exopolymer (EPSp) produced by the strain B. licheniformis IDN-EC was isolated and characterized using different techniques (MALDI-TOF, NMR, ATR-FTIR, TGA, DSC, SEM). The results showed that the low molecular weight EPSp contained a long polyglutamic acid and an extracellular teichoic acid polysaccharide. The latter was composed of poly(glycerol phosphate) and was substituted at the 2-position of the glycerol residues with a αGal and αGlcNH2. The αGal O-6 position was also found to be substituted by a phosphate group. The antiviral capability of this EPSp was also tested on both enveloped (herpesviruses HSV, PRV and vesicular stomatitis VSV) and non-enveloped (MVM) viruses. The EPSp was efficient at inhibiting viral entry for the herpesviruses and VSV but was not effective against non-enveloped viruses. The in vivo assay of the EPSp in mice showed no signs of toxicity which could allow for its application in the healthcare sector.

The interaction of microtubules with stabilizers characterized at biochemical and structural levels.

Since the discovery of paclitaxel and its peculiar mechanism of cytotoxicity, which has made it and its analogues widely used antitumour drugs, great effort has been made to understand the way they produce their effect in microtubules and to find other products that share this effect without the undesired side effects of low solubility and development of multidrug resistance by tumour cells. This chapter reviews the actual knowledge about the biochemical and structural mechanisms of microtubule stabilization by microtubule stabilizing agents, and illustrates the way paclitaxel and its biomimetics induce microtubule assembly, the thermodynamics of their binding, the way they reach their binding site and the conformation they have when bound.

[Exposure to service user violence and job satisfaction among nursing staff in public hospitals in Murcia Region]. / Exposición a violencia de los usuarios y satisfacción laboral en el personal de enfermería de los hospitales públicos de la Región de Murcia.

BACKGROUND: Manifestations of physical and psychological violence can affect the levels of job satisfaction. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of exposure to user violence by the nursing staff in public hospitals in the region of Murcia and its relationship with their level of job satisfaction. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study through a self-administered and anonymous questionnaire sent to the nursing staff of the public hospitals in the region of Murcia (1,489 professionals). The instruments used were the Hospital Aggressive Behaviour Scale-Users (HABS-U) to rate violence and the Overall Job Satisfaction (OJS) to assess job satisfaction. RESULTS: Most workers (71%) reported suffering at least one of the manifestations of non-physical violence and 19.9% one of the physical manifestations with at least an annual frequency. Mean extrinsic satisfaction was 30.1 (SD=6.9), being coworkers the factor with higher frequency of satisfied workers (68.2%) and how the company was managed the factor with more dissatisfied workers (28.8%). Intrinsic satisfaction was lower (25.5, SD=7.2), being variety of tasks the factor with more satisfied workers (51.7%) and promotion opportunity the one with more dissatisfied workers (22.4%). Both extrinsic and intrinsic satisfaction correlated inversely with the exposure to non-physical and physical violence (higher exposure to violence lowered job satisfaction). CONCLUSIONS: In general, the scores for nurses' job satisfaction were low. One of the aspects affecting this dissatisfaction might be exposure to workplace violence; thus reducing exposure to violence could increase job satisfaction that, in turn, would improve patient care.

Free and protein-bound carbohydrate structures.

Several areas of research in the study of the structure and dynamics of free and protein-bound carbohydrates have experienced considerable advances during the past year. These include the application of state-of-the-art NMR techniques using (13)C-labeled sugars to obtain conformational information, the full structural characterization of several saccharides that either form part of glycoproteins or form noncovalent complexes, both in solution and in the solid state, the description of several enzyme-carbohydrate complexes at the atomic level and last, but not least, the development and analysis of calculation protocols to predict the dynamical and conformational behavior of oligosaccharides.

Catching elusive glycosyl cations in a condensed phase with HF/SbF5 superacid.

Glycosyl cations are universally accepted key ionic intermediates in the mechanism of glycosylation, the reaction that covalently links carbohydrates to other molecules. These ions have remained hypothetical species so far because of their extremely short life in organic media as a consequence of their very high reactivity. Here, we report the use of liquid hydrofluoric acid-antimony pentafluoride (HF/SbF5) superacid to generate and stabilize the glycosyl cations derived from peracetylated 2-deoxy and 2-bromoglucopyranose in a condensed phase. Their persistence in this superacid medium allows their three-dimensional structure to be studied by NMR, aided by complementary computations. Their deuteration further confirms the impact of the structure of the glycosyl cation on the stereochemical outcome of its trapping.

NMR investigations of protein-carbohydrate interactions: insights into the topology of the bound conformation of a lactose isomer and beta-galactosyl xyloses to mistletoe lectin and galectin-1.

A hallmark of oligosaccharides is their often limited spatial flexibility, allowing them to access a distinct set of conformers in solution. Viewing each individual or even the complete ensemble of conformations as potential binding partner(s) for lectins in protein-carbohydrate interactions, it is pertinent to address the question on the characteristics of bound state conformation(s) in solution. Also, it is possible that entering the lectin's binding site distorts the low-energy topology of a glycosidic linkage. As a step to delineate the strategy of ligand selection for galactosides, a common physiological docking point, we have performed a NMR study on two non-homologous lectins showing identical monosaccharide specificity. Thus, the conformation of lactose analogues bound to bovine heart galectin-1 and to mistletoe lectin in solution has been determined by transferred nuclear Overhauser effect measurements. It is demonstrated that the lectins select the syn conformation of lactose and various structural analogues (Galbeta(1-->4)Xyl, Galbeta(1-->3)Xyl, Galbeta(1-->2)Xyl, and Galbeta(1-->3)Glc) from the ensemble of presented conformations. No evidence for conformational distortion was obtained. Docking of the analogues to the modeled binding sites furnishes explanations, in structural terms, for exclusive recognition of the syn conformer despite the non-homologous design of the binding sites.

Structural basis for chitin recognition by defense proteins: GlcNAc residues are bound in a multivalent fashion by extended binding sites in hevein domains.

BACKGROUND: Many plants respond to pathogenic attack by producing defense proteins that are capable of reversible binding to chitin, a polysaccharide present in the cell wall of fungi and the exoskeleton of insects. Most of these chitin-binding proteins include a common structural motif of 30 to 43 residues organized around a conserved four-disulfide core, known as the 'hevein domain' or 'chitin-binding' motif. Although a number of structural and thermodynamic studies on hevein-type domains have been reported, these studies do not clarify how chitin recognition is achieved. RESULTS: The specific interaction of hevein with several (GlcNAc)(n) oligomers has been studied using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), analytical ultracentrifugation and isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC). The data demonstrate that hevein binds (GlcNAc)(2-4) in 1:1 stoichiometry with millimolar affinity. In contrast, for (GlcNAc)(5), a significant increase in binding affinity is observed. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies on the hevein-(GlcNAc)(5,8) interaction allowed detection of protein-carbohydrate complexes with a ratio of 2:1 in solution. NMR structural studies on the hevein-(GlcNAc)(5) complex showed the existence of an extended binding site with at least five GlcNAc units directly involved in protein-sugar contacts. CONCLUSIONS: The first detailed structural model for the hevein-chitin complex is presented on the basis of the analysis of NMR data. The resulting model, in combination with ITC and analytical ultracentrifugation data, conclusively shows that recognition of chitin by hevein domains is a dynamic process, which is not exclusively restricted to the binding of the nonreducing end of the polymer as previously thought. This allows chitin to bind with high affinity to a variable number of protein molecules, depending on the polysaccharide chain length. The biological process is multivalent.

NMR studies of the conformation of thiocellobiose bound to a beta-glucosidase from Streptomyces sp.

The conformation of 4-thiocellobiose bound to beta-glucosidase from Streptomyces sp. has been studied by 1H-NMR transferred nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (TR-NOE). Thiocellobiose behaves as an inhibitor of this glucosidase when cellobiose is used as substrate. NOE measurements and molecular mechanics calculations have also been performed to estimate the probability distribution of conformers of thiocellobiose when free in solution. Experimental data show that, in contrast with the natural O-analogue, thiocellobiose presents three conformational families in the free state, namely syn, anti-psi and anti-phi, whilst only one of them (syn) is recognized by the enzyme.

Medicinal chemistry based on the sugar code: fundamentals of lectinology and experimental strategies with lectins as targets.

Theoretical calculations reveal that oligosaccharides are second to no other class of biochemical oligomery in terms of coding capacity. As integral part of cellular glycoconjugates they can serve as recognitive units for receptors (lectins). Having first been detected in plants, lectins are present ubiquitously. Remarkably for this field, they serve as bacterial and viral adhesins. Following a description of these branches of lectinology to illustrate history, current status and potential for medicinal chemistry, we document that lectins are involved in a wide variety of biochemical processes including intra- and intercellular glycoconjugate trafficking, initiation of signal transduction affecting e. g. growth regulation and cell adhesion in animals. It is thus justified to compare crucial carbohydrate epitopes with the postal code ensuring correct mail routing and delivery. In view of the functional relevance of lectins the design of high-affinity reagents to occupy their carbohydrate recognition domains offers the perspective for an attractive source of new drugs. Their applications can be supposed to encompass the use as cell-type-selective determinant for targeted drug delivery and as blocking devices in anti-adhesion therapy during infections and inflammatory disease. To master the task of devising custom-made glycans/glycomimetics for this purpose, the individual enthalpic and entropic contributions in the molecular rendezvous between the sugar receptor under scrutiny and its ligand in the presence of solvent molecules undergoing positional rearrangements need to be understood and rationally exploited. As remunerative means to this end, cleverly orchestrated deployment of a panel of methods is essential. Concerning the carbohydrate ligand, its topological parameters and flexibility are assessed by the combination of computer-assisted molecular-mechanics and molecular-dynamics calculations and NMR-spectroscopic measurements. In the presence of the receptor, the latter technique will provide insights into conformational aspects of the bound ligand and into spatial vicinity of the ligand to distinct side chains of amino acids establishing the binding site in solution. Also in solution, the hydrogen-bonding pattern in the complex can be mapped with monodeoxy and monofluoro derivatives of the oligosaccharide. Together with X-ray crystallographic and microcalorimetric studies the limits of a feasible affinity enhancement can be systematically probed. With galactoside-binding lectins as instructive mo del, recent progress in this area of drug design will be documented, emphasizing the general applicability of the outlined interdisciplinary approach.

Applications of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling to the study of protein-carbohydrate interactions.

This work provides an overview of the applications of NMR to the study of protein-carbohydrate interactions. The use of TR-NOE experiments in this context is given. In particular, the study of Ricin/lactose and Hevein/chitobiose complexes is detailed.

Studies on the solution conformation and dynamics of a polysaccharide from Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 and its monosaccharide repeating unit.

The conformational behavior of the homopolysaccharide isolated from Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 and its monosaccharide repeating unit (5-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-7-(3-hydroxybutyramido)-L-glycero- L- manno-nonulosonic acid) was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and extensive molecular dynamics simulations (MD). The results indicate that the glycosidic linkages and lateral chains may adopt a variety of conformations. MD simulations using the generalized Born solvent-accessible surface area (GB/SA) continuum solvent model for water and the MM3* force field provide a population distribution of conformers that satisfactorily agrees with the experimental NMR data for the torsional degrees of freedom of the molecule.

The conformation of the monomethyl ethers of methyl beta-lactoside in D2O and Me2SO-d6 solutions.

The solution conformations of all the possible monomethyl ethers of methyl beta-lactoside have been analysed using molecular mechanics and dynamics calculations and nuclear magnetic resonance data (variable temperature and NOE experiments). The overall shape of all the compounds studied is fairly similar and may be described by conformers included in a low-energy region with phi = -100 +/- 40 degrees and psi = -135 +/- 35 degrees, which is ca. 5% of the total potential energy surface for the glycosidic linkages of the disaccharides.

The conformation of 1,6-anhydrolactose and its hexa-acetate in solution.

The conformation of 1,6-anhydrolactoase (1) has been investigated by n.m.r. spectroscopy and molecular mechanics calculations. For a solution in D2O, the 1,6-anhydroglucopyranoid ring has a 1C4 conformation, whereas there is a approximately 1:1 equilibrium between the 1C4 and the BO,3 conformations in (CD3)2SO. There is restricted flexibility with phi -80 +/- 20 degrees and psi -120 +/- 40 degrees. The hexa-acetate (2) of 1 shows a similar conformational behaviour.

Determination by NMR spectroscopy of the structure and conformational features of the enterobacterial common antigen isolated from Escherichia coli.

Complete 1H and 13C spectrum of a polysaccharide isolated from Escherichia coli, which is the major component of the enterobacterial common antigen, has been analyzed through two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition, distance constraints from NOESY and ROESY experiments have been combined with molecular dynamic simulations to determine its major conformation in water solution. Data resulting from both free dynamic simulations and restrained dynamic simulations have been compared with experimental data and discussed.

Conformational differences between Fuc(alpha 1-3) GlcNAc and its thioglycoside analogue.

NOE measurements and molecular mechanics calculations have been performed to study the conformational behaviour of Fuc(alpha 1-3)GlcNAc and its thioglycoside analogue in solution. Experimental data show that, in contrast with the natural O-disaccharide, which is basically monoconformational, the S-analogue shows two conformational families, namely syn and anti.

Syntheses of all the possible monomethyl ethers and several deoxyhalo analogues of methyl beta-lactoside as ligands for the Ricinus communis lectins.

The synthesis of all the possible monomethyl ethers of methyl beta-lactoside (1) has been performed from 1 in a straightforward way, making use of the different reactivity of the hydroxyl groups in alkylation and stannylation reactions. In addition, the deoxyfluoro derivatives of 1 at positions, 6,3',4',epi-4', and 6' have been prepared by reaction of the appropriate substrates with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride or tetrabutylammonium fluoride. Finally, the 6-deoxyiodo and 6'-bromodeoxy analogues of 1 have also been prepared.

N.m.r. studies of the conformation of analogues of methyl beta-lactoside in methyl sulfoxide-d6.

The 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectra of solutions of methyl beta-lactoside (1), all of its monodeoxy derivatives (2, 3, 6-10), the 3-O-methyl derivative (4), and methyl 4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-xylopyranoside (5) in methyl sulfoxide-d6 have been analysed. The n.O.e.'s and specific desheildings indicate similar distributions of low-energy conformers, comparable to those in aqueous solution. The major conformer has torsion angles phi H and psi H of 49 degrees and 5 degrees, respectively, with contributions of conformers with phi/psi 24 degrees/-59 degrees, 22 degrees/32 degrees, and 6 degrees/44 degrees.

Substrate specificity of small-intestinal lactase: study of the steric effects and hydrogen bonds involved in enzyme-substrate interaction.

Milk lactose is hydrolysed to D-galactose and D-glucose in the small intestine of mammals by the lactase-phlorizin hydrolase complex (LPH, EC 3.2.1.23-62). Lactase activity has broad substrate selectivity and several glycosides are substrates. Recently, using the monodeoxy derivatives of methyl beta-lactoside (1), we have shown the importance of each hydroxyl group in the substrate molecule concerning the interaction with the enzyme. Now we have studied the corresponding O-methyl derivatives, as well as some of the halo derivatives of 1. We have found that the enzyme presents steric restrictions to the recognition of substrates modified in the galactose moiety. In contrast, the binding site for the aglycon part of the substrate is looser. On the other hand, we have previously shown that HO-3' and HO-6 were important for the recognition of the substrate by the enzyme. Now we have found that the corresponding fluorine derivatives are not, or very poorly, recognized. This suggests that the HO-3' and HO-6 participate, as donors, in hydrogen bonds in the interaction with the enzyme.