Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

CMP as large surface area materials have attracted growing interest recently, due to their high variability in the incorporation of functional groups in ...

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

The mitochondrial 18kDa peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), a high affinity cholesterol binding protein, has been shown to interact with protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) and this interaction was assumed to be involved in the regulation of heme biosynthesis and porphyrin-based photodynamic therapy in cancer. In order to test this hypothesis recombinant mouse PBR was expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant gene product showed in E. coli protoplasts specific affinity for PPIX binding. PPIX could displace PK 11195 binding. Moreover, induced PBR protein expression in E. coli protoplasts caused an uptake of PPIX that could be completely inhibited by cholesterol and to a lesser extent inhibited by PK 11195 and Ro5-4864. These results suggest that PBR, in addition to its role in cholesterol and coproporphyrinogen III transport, is also directing the mitochondrial PPIX import, a function that can be ascribed to the 18kDa PBR protein alone.

Protoporphyrin IX binding and transport by recombinant mouse PBR.

A key element in the regulation of mammalian steroid biosynthesis is the 18 kDa peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), which mediates mitochondrial cholesterol import. PBR also possess an affinity to the tetrapyrrole metabolite protoporphyrin. The bacterial homolog to the mammalian PBR, the Rhodobacter TspO (CrtK) protein, was shown to be involved in the bacterial tetrapyrrole metabolism. Looking for a similar mitochondrial import mechanism in plants, protein sequences from Arabidopsis and several other plants were found with significant similarities to the mammalian PBR and to the Rhodobacter TspO protein. A PBR-homologous Arabidopsis sequence was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The recombinant gene product showed specific high affinity benzodiazepine ligand binding. Moreover, the protein applied to E. coli protoplasts caused an equal benzodiazepine-stimulated uptake of cholesterol and protoporphyrin IX. These results suggest that the PBR like protein is involved in steroid import and is directing protoporphyrinogen IX to the mitochondrial site of protoheme formation.

A novel Arabidopsis thaliana protein is a functional peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor.

Defensive secretions of adult and larval Suocerathrips linguis (Phlaeothripidae, Thysanoptera) were found to contain a long-chained acetate, (11Z)-11,19-eicosadienyl acetate, that was not previously known to occur naturally. This substance occurred together with octadecyl acetate and other long-chained acetates. The eicosadienyl acetate repels ants and spreads on the surface of such potential predators. The mixture can provide a long-lasting surface coating.

A novel long-chained acetate in the defensive secretion of thrips.

The coding sequence for the Digitalis lanata EHRH. cardenolide 16'-O-glucohydrolase was inserted downstream of the 35S promoter in the binary vector pBI121 resulting in plant expression vector pBI121cgh. Cotyledon explants excised from 10-day-old seedlings of Cucumis sativus L. were transformed using Agrobacterium rhizogenes 15834 harbouring pBI121cgh. Hairy roots were obtained from infected cotyledon explants in vitro 10 days after inoculation. PCR amplification of coding sequences for cgh I, rolB and rolC from Ri plasmid showed that the aimed sequences were inserted into the genome of transformed cucumber hairy roots. Glycolytic activity of the transgenic CGH I was measured by HPLC using Lanatoside glycosides as substrate. Therefore, the cgh I transformed cucumber hairy roots may provide a valuable model for biotransformation of natural compounds by recombinant enzymes.

Expression of recombinant Digitalis lanata EHRH. cardenolide 16'-O-glucohydrolase in Cucumis sativus L. hairy roots.

The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor or recognition site (PBR) is a widely distributed transmembrane protein that is located mainly in the outer mitochondrial membrane. The PBR binds to high-affinity drug ligands and cholesterol. Many functions are associated directly or indirectly with the PBR, including the regulation of cholesterol transport and the synthesis of steroid hormones, porphyrin transport and heme synthesis, apoptosis, cell proliferation, anion transport, regulation of mitochondrial functions and immunomodulation. Based on these functions, there are many potential clinical applications of PBR modulation, such as in oncologic, endocrine, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Although "PBR" is a widely used and accepted name in the scientific community, recent data regarding the structure and molecular function of this protein increasingly support renaming it to represent more accurately its subcellular role (or roles) and putative tissue-specific function (or functions). Translocator protein (18kDa) is proposed as a new name, regardless of the subcellular localization of the protein.

Translocator protein (18kDa): new nomenclature for the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor based on its structure and molecular function.

Adults and larvae of the thrips Callococcithrips fuscipennis (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Tubulifera: Phlaeothripidae) live in the sticky wax masses of adult females of the felt scale insect Callococcus acaciae (Maskell) (Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae). The scale is sessile and feeds on Kunzea shrubs (Myrtales: Myrtaceae). If stressed, the thrips produce droplets of secretions. The mixture contains pentadecane, tridecane, two monoterpenoids, hexadecyl butanoate, and smaller amounts of 15 other esters of long-chain unbranched alcohols identified as acetates, butanoates, hexanoates, and octanoates. The monoterpenoids are dolichodial, an iridoid, and an unknown substance with a mass spectrum very similar to that of anisomorphal and peruphasmal, diastereomers of dolichodial, but with a different retention time. Iridoids, butanoates, hexanoates, and octanoates have not been previously identified in Thysanoptera.

An unexpected mixture of substances in the defensive secretions of the tubuliferan thrips, Callococcithrips fuscipennis (Moulton).

A general palladium-catalyzed sonogashira coupling of aryl and heteroaryl tosylates.

Maize (Zea mays L.) leaves damaged by lepidopteran herbivores emit a complex volatile blend that can attract natural enemies of the herbivores and may also have roles in direct defense and inter- or intra-plant signaling. The volatile blend is dominated by sesquiterpenes of which the majority is produced by two herbivore-induced terpene synthases, TPS10 and TPS23. However, little is known about the pattern of volatile emission within maize leaves.

Localization of sesquiterpene formation and emission in maize leaves after herbivore damage.

The preparation of cross-linked nanosheets with 1-2 nm thickness and predefined shape was achieved by lithographic immobilization of trimethacryloyl thioalkanoates onto the surface of Si wafers, which were functionalized with 2-(phenacylthio)acetamido groups via a photoinduced reaction. Subsequent cross-linking via free radical polymerization as well as a phototriggered Diels-Alder reaction under mild conditions on the surface led to the desired nanosheets. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), as well as infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) confirmed the success of individual surface-modification and cross-linking reactions. The thickness and lateral size of the cross-linked structures were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) for samples prepared on Si wafers functionalized with a self-assembled monolayer of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl groups bearing circular pores obtained via a polymer blend lithographic approach, which led to the cross-linking reactions occurring in circular nanoareas (diameter of 50-640 nm) yielding an average thickness of 1.2 nm (radical cross-linking), 1.8 nm (radical cross-linking in the presence of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate as a comonomer), and 1.1 nm (photochemical cross-linking) of the nanosheets.

A photolithographic approach to spatially resolved cross-linked nanolayers.

For inorganic semiconductors crystalline order leads to a band structure which gives rise to drastic differences to the disordered material. An example is the presence of an indirect band gap. For organic semiconductors such effects are typically not considered, since the bands are normally flat, and the band-gap therefore is direct. Herein we show results from electronic structure calculations demonstrating that ordered arrays of porphyrins reveal a small dispersion of occupied and unoccupied bands leading to the formation of a small indirect band gap. We demonstrate herein that such ordered structures can be fabricated by liquid-phase epitaxy and that the corresponding crystalline organic semiconductors exhibit superior photophysical properties, including large charge-carrier mobility and an unusually large charge-carrier generation efficiency. We have fabricated a prototype organic photovoltaic device based on this novel material exhibiting a remarkable efficiency.

Photoinduced Charge-Carrier Generation in Epitaxial MOF Thin Films: High Efficiency as a Result of an Indirect Electronic Band Gap?

Monolithic, crystalline and highly oriented coordination network compound (CNC) Prussian blue (PB) thin films have been deposited though different routes on conductive substrates. Characterization of the monolithic thin films reveals a long-term stability, even after many redox cycles the crystallinity as well as the high orientation remain intact during the electrochromic switching process.

Electrochromic switching of monolithic Prussian blue thin film devices.

In plants androstanes, estranes, pregnanes and corticoids have been described. Sometimes 17β-estradiol, androsterone, testosterone or progesterone were summarized as sex hormones. These steroids influence plant development: cell divisions, root and shoot growth, embryo growth, flowering, pollen tube growth and callus proliferation. First reports on the effect of applicated substances and of their endogenous occurrence date from the early twenties of the last century. This caused later on doubts on the identity of the compounds. Best investigated is the effect of progesterone. Main steps of the progesterone biosynthetic pathway have been analyzed in Digitalis. Cholesterol-side-chain-cleavage, pregnenolone and progesterone formation as well as the stereospecific reduction of progesterone are described and the corresponding enzymes are presented. Biosynthesis of androstanes, estranes and corticoids is discussed. Possible progesterone receptors and physiological reactions on progesterone application are reviewed.

Steroidogenesis in plants - Biosynthesis and conversions of progesterone and other pregnane derivatives.

The traditional use of the oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora guidottii Chiov. ex. Guid., which is commonly called scented myrrh, for topical treatment of wound is well documented. The major objective of the present study was to investigate the essential oil and resin obtained from C. guidottii for their potential wound healing properties. Due to their influence on the wound healing process, the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of scented myrrh have also been investigated.

Peter Lindemann

Institute of Functional Interfaces

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

Peter Lindemann

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Institute of Functional Interfaces

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

Institute of Functional Interfaces