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Amination of benzylic C-H bonds by arylazides catalyzed by CoII-porphyrin complexes: a synthetic and mechanistic study.

Co(II)-porphyrin complexes catalyze the reaction of aromatic azides (ArN(3)) with hydrocarbons that contain a benzylic group (ArR(1)R(2)CH) to give the corresponding amines (ArR(1)R(2)C-NHAr). When at least one of the R substituents is hydrogen, the catalytic reaction proceeds further to give the imine ArRC=NAr in good yields. The reaction mechanism has been investigated. The reaction proceeds through a reversible coordination of the arylazide to the Co(II)-porphyrin complex. This unstable adduct can either react with the hydrocarbon in the rate-determining step or decompose by a unimolecular mechanism to afford a putative "nitrene" complex, which reacts with more azide, but not with the hydrocarbon, to afford the byproduct diaryldiazene. The kinetics of the catalytic reaction have been investigated for a range of azides and substituted toluenes. Arylazides with electron-withdrawing substituents react at a faster rate and a good correlation is found between the log(k) and the Taft parameters. On the other hand, an excellent correlation between the logarithm of the rate for substituted toluenes relative to that of toluene and a radical parameter (sigma*JJ) alone was found, with no significant contribution by polar parameters. An explanation has been proposed for this anomalous effect and for the very high isotopic effect (k(H)/k(D)=14) found.

Journal Article↗

Stereospecific cleavage of carbon-phosphorus bonds: stereochemical course of the phosphinoyl curtius (Harger) reaction.

The homochiral phosphinic azides (R,R)-1 and (S,S)-1 were prepared in enantiomerically pure form by resolution of diastereomeric phosphinamides derived from (S)-l-phenylethylamine and (R)-phenylglycine. Irradiation of the azides in methanol induced a photo-Curtius rearrangement to phosphonamidates in which the stereogenic carbon unit migrated to a nitrogen atom. Hydrolysis of the phosphonamidates produced 1-phenylethylamine, which was 99.0% e.e. and of the same configuration as the carbon unit in the starting azide (99.0% retention).

Journal Article↗

Studies on a new strategy for surface modification of polymeric biomaterials.

A new methodology to improve the hemocompatibility of polyurethane (medical grade Pellethane D-55) surfaces is reported. The approach is essentially based on a photochemical immobilization reaction. Two new conjugate molecules, compounds 2 and 3, were prepared. They consist of (i) dipyridamole, a well-known inhibitor of platelet activation, and a vasodilating drug with clinical application, for instance before and during pecutaneous transluminar coronary angioplasty (Dottering); and (ii) an aryl azide, a moiety that exhibits marked photoreactivity. In 2, the dipyridamole unit is directly linked to the aryl azide (via an ester bond), while a short spacer chain separates both units in 3. Upon irradiation of 2 or 3, adsorbed onto the polyurethane foil, the aryl azide is converted into a highly reactive species which reacts with a nucleophilic group on the polymer surface. In this way, the dipyridamole is covalently linked to the polymer. The underlying principle is also used in photoaffinity labeling, a well-known technique in biochemical studies on enzyme structure and function. From UV extinction experiments it could be deduced that the surface-density of immobilized 2 is 4.9 nmol/cm2. The surface density for 3 was 14.6 nmol/cm2. The surfaces were subjected to an in vitro thrombin generation assay. This assay gives a valuable impression about the hemocompatibility of artificial surfaces. These experiments revealed that the clotting times were substantially prolonged as a result of the photoimmobilization of dipyridamole. This was especially the case for immobilized 3. This effect cannot be readily explained. Possibly, the enhanced activity of immobilized 3 is due to the spacer chain. An alternative explanation is that the surface density is larger for 3 than for 2. In addition, the photomodified surfaces were incubated with platelet-rich blood plasma (37 degrees C, 30 min) and subsequently examined by scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of the blood platelets adhered to the surface also showed that hemocompatibility increased in the order untreated polyurethane < polyurethane with immobilized 2 < polyurethane with immobilized 3. Future work will concentrate on evaluation of the role of the spacer (length, hydrophilicity, etc.), as well as on the possible use of this approach with respect to the construction of biomaterials with improved in vivo biocompatibility, in particular hemocompatibility.

Adsorption↗

Anticooperative ligand binding properties of recombinant ferric Vitreoscilla homodimeric hemoglobin: a thermodynamic, kinetic and X-ray crystallographic study.

Thermodynamics and kinetics for cyanide, azide, thiocyanate and imidazole binding to recombinant ferric Vitreoscilla sp. homodimeric hemoglobin (Vitreoscilla Hb) have been determined at pH 6.4 and 7.0, and 20.0 degrees C, in solution and in the crystalline state. Moreover, the three-dimensional structures of the diligated thiocyanate and imidazole derivatives of recombinant ferric Vitreoscilla Hb have been determined by X-ray crystallography at 1.8 A (Rfactor=19.9%) and 2.1 A (Rfactor=23.8%) resolution, respectively. Ferric Vitreoscilla Hb displays an anticooperative ligand binding behaviour in solution. This very unusual feature can only be accounted for by assuming ligand-linked conformational changes in the monoligated species, which lead to the observed 300-fold decrease in the affinity of cyanide, azide, thiocyanate and imidazole for the monoligated ferric Vitreoscilla Hb with respect to that of the fully unligated homodimer. In the crystalline state, thermodynamics for azide and imidazole binding to ferric Vitreoscilla Hb may be described as a simple process with an overall ligand affinity for the homodimer corresponding to that for diligation in solution. These data suggest that the ligand-free homodimer, observed in the crystalline state, is constrained in a low affinity conformation whose ligand binding properties closely resemble those of the monoligated species in solution. From the kinetic viewpoint, anticooperativity is reflected by the 300-fold decrease of the second-order rate constant for cyanide and imidazole binding to the monoligated ferric Vitreoscilla Hb with respect to that for ligand association to the ligand-free homodimer in solution. On the other hand, values of the first-order rate constant for cyanide and imidazole dissociation from the diligated and monoligated derivatives of ferric Vitreoscilla Hb in solution are closely similar. As a whole, ligand binding and structural properties of ferric Vitreoscilla Hb appear to be unique among all Hbs investigated to date.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Synthesis and antineoplastic activity of CNC-cysteamine and related compounds.

N'-[N-(2-Chloroethyl)-N-nitroso]carbamoyl cysteamine (CNC-cysteamine) and several related compounds have been synthesized and tested against L 1210 leukemia in mice. Reaction of N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosocarbamoyl azide (CNC-azide) with cysteamine yielded CNC-cysteamine and bis(CNC)cystamine. Reaction of CNC-azide with cystamine in the presence of triethylamine gave bis(CNC)cystamine. Unexpectedly, formation of CNC-cystamine carboxylazide as a minor reaction product was also observed. N-(2-Chloroethyl)carbamoyl cysteamine 2-chloroethylcarbamate was formed when 2-chloroethyl isocyanate was reacted with cysteamine. Nitrosation of this cysteamine N,S-dicarbamoyl derivative led to formation of a mixture of two dinitroso isomers. Preliminary testing of the newly synthesized CNC-derivatives against L 1210 leukemia in mice revealed that CNC-cysteamine, its disulfide bis(CNC)cystamine and CNC-cystamine carboxylazide were highly active against L 1210 leukemia.

Animals↗

Prenatal diagnosis of systemic disorders of the respiratory chain in cultured amniocytes and chorionic villus fibroblasts by studying the formation of lactate and pyruvate from glucose.

Formation of lactate and pyruvate from glucose was studied in cultured amniocytes and chorionic villus fibroblasts from controls, either untreated or treated with azide, an inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase, or other inhibitors of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Amniocytes with an established cytochrome c oxidase deficiency were also investigated. Control amniocytes treated with azide as well as cytochrome c oxidase deficient amniocytes displayed strongly increased lactate-to-pyruvate ratios after incubation with glucose, compared to control cells. Elevated lactate-to-pyruvate ratios were also found in chorionic villus fibroblasts in which complexes I, III or IV were inhibited by rotenone, antimycin or azide, respectively. We conclude that measurement of lactate and pyruvate production from glucose in cultured amniocytes and/or chorionic villus fibroblasts allows adequate prenatal diagnosis of systemic cytochrome c oxidase deficiency and presumably of other systemic deficiencies of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes.

Amnion↗

Oscillations of membrane potential and cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration in SUR1(-/-) beta cells.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: SUR1(ABCC8)(-/-) mice lacking functional K(ATP) channels are an appropriate model to test the significance of K(ATP) channels in beta-cell function. We examined how this gene deletion interferes with stimulus-secretion coupling. We tested the influence of metabolic inhibition and galanin, whose mode of action is controversial. METHODS: Plasma membrane potential (Vm) and currents were measured with microelectrodes or the patch-clamp technique; cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](c)) and mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi) were measured using fluorescent dyes. RESULTS: In contrast to the controls, SUR1(-/-) beta cells showed electrical activity even at a low glucose concentration. Continuous spike activity was measured with the patch-clamp technique, but with microelectrodes slow oscillations in Vm consisting of bursts of Ca(2+)-dependent action potentials were detected. [Ca(2+)](c) showed various patterns of oscillations or a sustained increase. Sodium azide did not hyperpolarize SUR1(-/-) beta cells. The depolarization of DeltaPsi evoked by sodium azide was significantly lower in SUR1(-/-) than SUR1(+/+) cells. Galanin transiently decreased action potential frequency and [Ca(2+)](c) in cells from both SUR1(-/-) and SUR1(+/+) mice. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: The strong dependence of Vm and [Ca(2+)](c) on glucose concentration observed in SUR1(+/+) beta cells is disrupted in the knock-out cells. This demonstrates that both parameters oscillate in the absence of functional K(ATP) channels. The lack of effect of metabolic inhibition by sodium azide shows that in SUR1(-/-) beta cells changes in ATP/ADP no longer link glucose metabolism and Vm. The results with galanin suggest that this peptide affects beta cells independently of K(ATP) currents and thus could contribute to the regulation of beta-cell function in SUR1(-/-) animals.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

A versatile transition metal salt reaction for a wide range of common biochemical reagents: an instantaneous and quantifiable color test.

A rapid and sensitive spot test amenable to visual or spectrophotometric quantitation has been developed for a wide variety of biochemical reagents by utilizing the transition metal salt cupric chloride and its large number of related colored compounds. This assay is potentially a widely applicable multipurpose test for rapidly detecting the presence of unknown substances. Combination of the test sample with the working reagent results in the immediate formation of a distinctive colored product that may be precipitable. Some compounds require the further addition of sodium hydroxide in order to generate the distinctively colored product. Distinctive reactions occur with the following reagents, and their limit of visual detection is indicated in parentheses: ammonium bicarbonate (12.5 mM), ammonium acetate (25 mM), ammonium hydroxide (0.1%), ammonium sulfate (2%), ammonium persulfate (0.02 mM), L-(+)-cysteine (0.07 mM), dithiothreitol (DTT) (1.25 mM), EDTA (0.6 mM), ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid (5 mM), D-glucose (6 mM), glycerol (0.3%), imidazol (12.5 mM), DL-methionine (100 mM), mercaptoethanol (0.05%), sodium azide (19 mM, 0.1%), sodium dithionite (0.25%), sodium metabisulfite (25 mM), sodium nitrite (6.2 mM), sodium periodate (3.1 mM), sodium sulfite (12.5 mM), sodium thiosulfite (12.5 mM), sucrose (6 mM), and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (0.05%). A distinctive exothermic reaction occurs with hydrogen peroxide, but without color change. Compounds reacting insignificantly include 50 mM Tris buffer, urea, N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide, sodium dodecyl sulfate, isopropyl alcohol, sodium fluoride, trichloroacetic acid, phenol, mannose, K2HPO4, guanidine HCl, chloramine-T, magnesium chloride, and boric acid, where the solids were tested at approximately 10 mg/ml. Spectrophotometric standard curves were developed for DTT and sodium azide utilizing the clear supernatants resulting from these reactions. Combinations of at least four reagents could be discriminated, as demonstrated with mixtures of glucose, sodium azide, EDTA, and DTT. In addition ammonium sulfate could be detected to a limit of 4% in the presence of protein, DTT, and EDTA in a 50 mM Tris buffer. Spot tests were developed which utilized reagent-impregnated filter paper and gave distinctive colored products on addition of 5 microliter of test sample.

Centrifugation↗

Coulometric and potentiometric evaluation of the redox components of cytochrome c oxidase in situ.

A new coulometric-potentiometric titration cuvette is described which permits accurate measurements of oxidation-reduction components in membranous systems. This cuvette has been utilized to measure the properties of cytochrome c oxidase in intact membranes of pigeon breast muscle mitochondria. The reducing equivalents accepted and donated by the portion of the respiratory chain with half-reduction potentials greater than 200 mV are equal to those required for the known components (cytochrome a3 and the high-potential copper plus cytochrome a, 'visible copper', cytochrome c1, cytochrome c, and the Rieske iron-sulfur protein). Titrations in the presence of CO show that formation of the reduced cytochrome a3-CO complex requires two reducing equivalents per cytochrome a3 (coulometric titration). Potentiometric titrations indicate (Lindsay, J.G., Owen, C.S. and Wilson, D.F. (1975) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 169, 492--505) that both cytochromes a3 and the high-potential copper must be reduced in order to form the CO complex (n = 2.0 with a CO concentration-dependent half-reduction potential, Em). By contrast, titrations in the presence of azide show that the Em value of the high-potential copper is unchanged by the presence of azide and thus azide binds with nearly equal affinity whether the copper is reduced or oxidized.

Animals↗

Lectin-mediated agglutination of murine lymphoma cells. Cell surface deformability and reversibility of agglutination by saccharides.

Agglutination of S49 mouse lymphoma cells by Ricinus communis I agglutinin can be reversed by the competing haptenic saccharide, lactose, soon after agglutination, but after further incubation in the absence of lectin the agglutination reaction could not be reversed by lactose and the cells remained as multicell aggregates. The irreversibility of S49 cell agglutination was time, temperature and lectin concentration dependent and its onset correlated with ultrastructurally observed deformation of adjacent cell surfaces and an increase in the proportion of adjacent cell surface areas in close apposition within multicell aggregates. Pretreatment of S49 cells with cytochalasin B or cytochalasin B plus vinblastine enhanced R. communis I agglutinin-mediated agglutination, while vinblastine alone and fluoride plus azide had essentially no effect. When drug-treated cells were agglutinated and then incubated in lectin-free drug-containing media for various times prior to lactose addition, the drug effects were more pronounced. Cytochalasin B alone or with vinblastine inhibited lactose reversal of S49 cell agglutination compared to the drug-free controls, while fluoride plus azide enhanced hapten reversibility. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that the onset of agglutination irreversibility correlated with cell surface deformation in the drug-treated cells. Cell aggregates that were more readily reversible by lactose (fluoride plus azide) were unchanged or less deformed, while S49 aggregates treated with cytochalasin B plus vinblastine were more deformed compared to controls without drugs. These experiments suggest a role for cell surface deformability as an important secondary effect during lectin-mediated cell agglutination of S49 lymphoma cells.

Agglutination↗

Internal and external membrane proteins of the cyanobacterium, Synechococcus cedrorum.

The protein composition and architecture of the photosynthetic membranes from the cyanobacterium, Synechococcus cedrorum, were analyzed with the aid of site-specific labels. Using membranes labeled with 35S, about 50 membrane proteins can be detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Approximately half of the proteins are accessible to modification by the impermeant probe, lactoperoxidase, indicating that they have surface-exposed domains. At least six of these external proteins can be removed by EDTA washing; the correspondence in molecular weights between five of these EDTA-extractable proteins and those of typical chloroplast coupling factor preparations may indicate that they are subunits of a membrane-bound ATPase. The photoactive, lipophilic compound, [125I]iodonaphthyl azide, was used to label protein domains in contact with the lipid bilayer. Iodonaphthyl azide modification led to a labelling pattern significantly different from that seen with lactoperoxidase. In particular, proteins in the 13000--20000 dalton range that were labeled poorly or not at all by lactoperoxidase were heavily modified by iodonaphthyl azide. Photosystem I and II particles, extracted from the membrane by digitonin treatment, were iodinated by lactoperoxidase after isolation. The PS I particles acted as a relatively tight complex, with most of the proteins remaining inaccessible to surface modification. The PS II particles, on the other hand, responded as a more open structure, with most of the subunits yielding to lactoperoxidase iodination. Similar studies on a highly fluorescent, temperature-sensitive mutant of S. cedrorum revealed a different organization of the PS II complex. This mutant, when grown at 40 degrees C, inserts a 51 kdalton polypeptide in place of a 53 kdalton protein. This protein also replaces the 53 kdalton species in the PS II complex of the mutant after 40 degrees C growth. The structure of this complex is altered in that more sites become accessible to lactoperoxidase. This is particularly true of the 51 kdalton protein, which is barely labeled by wild-type PS II complexes.

Cell Membrane↗

The common occurrence of ATP diphosphohydrolase in mammalian plasma membranes.

In the plasma membranes from several mammalian tissues (including normal and tumor tissues), a Mg2+ (or Ca2+)-dependent ATP phosphohydrolase activity is present in much greater amount than the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. The ouabain-insensitive activity can be attributed to at least two enzymes, an ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) and an ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5). The ATPase hydrolyzes ATP and other nucleoside triphosphates and is not inhibited by azide. The ATP diphosphohydrolase hydrolyzes both ATP and ADP (and other nucleoside tri- and diphosphates) and the hydrolysis of adenine nucleotides is strongly inhibited by 10 mM azide. The ratios of these two enzymes in the various membranes (as determined by the extent of azide inhibition) vary widely. The ATP diphosphohydrolase accounts for most of the Mg2+ (or Ca2+)-dependent ATP hydrolysis activity of the plasma membranes of liver (mouse), kidney (dog), two mouse sarcomas, and a human astrocytoma (xenograft in athymic mice). The ATPase is more dominant in the plasma membranes from mouse brain and human oat cell carcinoma. The widespread presence of the ATP diphosphohydrolase in plasma membrane from various types of tissues is demonstrated for the first time and is of particular interest in view of its relatively high activity in the plasma membranes of two sarcomas. The membrane-bound ATP diphosphohydrolase is characterized with respect to its metal ion activators, substrates, and inhibitors. These results should facilitate the distinction of this enzyme from other ATP hydrolyzing enzymes of plasma membranes in future investigations.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

The preparation of a partially protected heptasaccharide-asparagine intermediate for glycopeptide synthesis.

The heptasaccharide O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)-O-[alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)]-O- alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----6)-O-[alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1----3)]-O-be ta- D-mannopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)- (1----4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose, isolated from the urine of swainsonine-intoxicated sheep, was peracetylated and was converted into the glycosyl azide by three alternative procedures, the most successful of which was formation of peracetyl oxazoline by treatment with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, followed by treatment with trimethylsilyl azide. Reduction of the glycosyl azide in the presence of Lindlar catalyst gave the glycosylamine derivative, which was coupled with 1-benzyl N-fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl-L-aspartate to yield a protected glycosylasparagine. The benzyl ester group was easily removed by hydrogenolysis to form an intermediate suitable for glycopeptide synthesis.

Asparagine↗

Effects of solutions used for storage of size-exclusion columns on subsequent chromatography of peptides and proteins.

The effects of storage of size-exclusion column packing materials in methanolic or azide-water solutions on subsequent separations were tested. Three commercially available columns were used in these studies; the Toyo-Soda Bio-Sil TSK 125, Bio-Sil TSK 250 and the DuPont Bio-Series GF-250. Upon initial chromatography, all three columns bound up to 760 micrograms of cytochrome c tryptic peptides. Sample binding to packing material is probably a function of the positively charged basic groups on peptides or proteins interacting with silanol groups. The larger the peptide, the less the opportunity for silanol-charged group interaction, hence, less binding. Initial samples introduced to a new column occupy the binding sites. Equilibration with neat methanol removes the bound protein revealing sites which bind sample. After absorption of peptides to binding sites on the packing material, storage in neat methanol regenerates the binding sites. Storage in 10% methanol diminished the binding phenomenon, but storage in azide-water reduced binding to a range below detection at the microgram level. Our recommendation to users of size-exclusion chromatographic columns is that one satisfy the absorption capacity of a new column by injecting a sufficient quantity of a basic peptide standard or other convenient sample to reduce available binding sites before using the column for important separations. Store columns in azide-water or 10% methanol to prevent the regeneration of exposed silanol groups.

Chromatography, Gel↗

A photoaffinity inhibitor of aromatase.

Several 7 alpha-substituted 4-androstene-3,17-diones are potent inhibitors of the biosynthesis of estrogens, with the most effective being 7 alpha-(4'-amino)phenylthio-4-androstene-3,17-dione. An azide derivative of this 7 alpha-thioether compound has been prepared as a potential photoaffinity inhibitor. The enzyme kinetics of the azide analog were examined under both dark conditions and UV irradiation. In the dark, the azide was a very potent competitive inhibitor, with an apparent Ki of 1.3 nM. Under UV-irradiation, a time-dependent loss of aromatase activity was also observed. These studies indicate that the 7 alpha-substituent enhances the affinity of the steroidal analogs for the enzyme site.

Affinity Labels↗

Red blood cells generate nitric oxide from directly acting, nitrogenous vasodilators.

Human red blood cells (RBC) incubated under nitrogen with methylene blue and glucose at physiological temperature and pH can be used to test for the biotransformation of nitrogenous vasodilators to nitric oxide (NO). The NO generated was trapped as nitrosylated heme by reduced subunits (hemeII) on various hemoglobin valency species and quantified by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was possible to separate the various valency species of hemoglobin present in the mixture as (alpha 2 + beta 2)2, (alpha 2 + beta 3+)2, (alpha 3 + beta 2+)2, or (alpha 3 + beta 3+)2 by isoelectric focusing (IEF) unless cyanide (from nitroprusside) or azide was present in the mixture. These anions bind tenaciously to oxidized subunits (hemeIII) and prevent the separation of the various species by IEF. The fully oxidized tetramer, (alpha 3 + beta 3+)2, does not bind NO, but the other three species have hemeII units which can be nitrosylated. In the absence of cyanide or azide the valency species could be separated by IEF, and it was possible to quantify the degree of nitrosylation on each individual species. The various agents tested (nitrite, glyceryl trinitrate, hydroxylamine, hydralazine, nitroprusside, and azide) produced different patterns of valency species and degrees of nitrosylation of hemeII. When hemeIII ligands were present or in cases of very low yields, it was still possible to quantify the total concentration of NO-hemeII in the mixture. Thus, the method could still be used to test for NO formation. All of the so-called NO vasodilators tested yielded detectable amounts of NO in the system.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Resonance Raman spectroscopic studies of ligated mutant myoglobins.

Ligand binding (CO and N3-) to wild-type porcine myoglobin and to several mutant forms, expressed and purified from E. coli cells, has been studied using Raman spectroscopy. The v(Fe-CO) stretching vibration in MbIICO has been compared for the wild-type and mutant proteins. This gives a broad band consisting of five components, indicating five possible configurations of the bound CO. The distal pocket mutants show large variations in bandshape, the major component occurring at progressively lower wavenumber in the order: wild-type (WT) > E11 Val-->Thr (VT) > E7 His-->Val (HV) > the double mutant VT/HV (M2). Changes observed in the Raman band assigned to the azide bending mode in MbIIIN3 have been interpreted in terms of resonance structures involving two forms of azide binding. Repulsion between the bound azide ligand and the OH group of the adjacent thr residue in the VT mutant, and a shorter Fe-N(his) bond in the proximal mutant Ser-->Leu (F7), both affect this bonding. In the wild-type protein (WT), hydroxymetmyoglobin exists in a spin-state equilibrium which, at room temperature, is predominantly high-spin. In the F7 mutant this equilibrium is shifted in favour of the low-spin form. A low-spin iron species also exists in the aquometmyoglobin form of this mutant.

Animals↗

Culture media for enterococci and group D-streptococci.

Lancefield group D-streptococci are contaminants of various food commodities, especially those of animal origin. They encompass the new genus Enterococcus comprising 13 known species and some species of streptococci which have their habitat in the intestine of animals, e.g. Streptococcus bovis, suis and equinus. The serologically based grouping may no longer constitute the best definition for streptococci from the food chain. Food hygiene monitoring systems using enterococci as indicators need reliable methods for selective cultivation and identification of marker strains. Up to now more than 100 modifications of selective media have been described for isolating streptococci or enterococci from various specimens. The selection of a medium requires either experience or consultation. It depends on the kind of specimen, the method of cultivation (plate count or membrane filter) and whether or not the habitat is heavily contaminated with other organisms. The choice of media is made more difficult as commercial versions of the same culture medium may vary in recipe and/or performance from producer to producer. Therefore, reviewing the literature may help in the choice of medium and confirmation tests. The selectivity and productivity of some commonly used or cited media are reported here, partly based on our own experience: citrate azide tween carbonate agar (CATC), kanamycin aesculin azide agar (KAA) and M-enterococcus agar (ME) including earlier results with aesculin bile azide agar (ABA), and thallous acetate tetrazolium glucose agar (TITG). No medium was completely selective for all group D-streptococci or for all enterococci but some media were highly selective for a single Enterococcus species, e.g., for E. faecalis which serves as indicator of human pollution. Confirmatory tests must be carried out when experience in the evaluation procedure is limited. Selective media for enterococci should be used only after or while checking in parallel their selectivity and productivity against appropriate test organisms.

Animals↗